＊Ꭰᥲᥡ᥉ Ꭲꪮgꫀthꫀɾ [] ɢᴇɴꜱʜɪɴ ɪᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛ＊

＊ Prologue ＊

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Stippled sunlight shone through the pink leaves and branches of sakura trees upon the steep hills within Narukami Island. The cerulean heavens speckled with silky white clouds meandering in the gentle breeze upove the Grand Narukami Shrine.

After coming across Yae Miko for the first time, Aether was in the process of heading back to meet with Thoma and Paimon. He however comes to a halt when noting a pair of leering eyes were fixed on him once more. Ever since the outlander had set foot upon the the grounds of the Grand Shrine, he could not find the person responsible for locking their insistent gaze upon him. It was honestly driving him insane.

He turns around to scan the area of the shrine once more, subconsciously choosing to believe he had just become paranoid at this point. As he turns his head forward in front of him to begin descending the path down from the Shrine, Aether's eyes widened in shock when seeing a sudden figure standing behind one of the pillars of the red torii gates close by. The right half of the figures body revealing themselves to Aether.

The mysterious figure appeared to be a young male that bears an eerie physical resemblance to the Raiden Shogun. His sharp purple eyes watching Aether, gaze unearthly curious and pedantic.

Just as Aether blinks, the mysterious boy has disappeared from sight with no trace. The blond outlander stood where he was, dumbfounded. He then snaps out of his reverie when realising his main task at hand, descending the towering to meet back up with Thoma and Paimon.

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"Well aren't you a long way from home, Rai." Said Yae Miko as she walked up to the mysterious male - the puppet standing in the exact same spot where Aether once stood before he left.

"Who was that?"Rai asked as he stared down at Aether's shrinking figure.

"Oh? So you've taken interest to the peculiar outlander. His name is Aether." Yae Miko answered, smiling ominously and her five velvety shell-pink tails perking subtly.

"Aether.." Rai mindfully utters the name, looking off into the distance.

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There are soft to soundless footfalls against the wooden floors in one of the many empty halls of the Tenshukaku Compound. Rai covertly making his way to his quarters of the compound. As Rai reached out to open the door, a known voice of a known person alerting their presence to the male. "I am sure that I gave clear instructions for you to not set foot outside of your designated quarters."

Rai turned his head to see the Raiden Shogun standing there in all her glory, her face blank but a scathing glint in her eyes is noted. "I only went to the Grand Narukami Shrine. I am perfectly intact as well." Rai responded, voice ordinarily void of emotion.

"Regardless of whether you are unscathed or not will not change the fact a thorough check up will have to be assessed. Along with suitable punishment for your unacceptable behaviour." The Raiden Shogun states, turning around to walk in a room nearby after opening its door. Rai silently stood where he was in silence. Seconds later following after the Raiden Shogun reluctantly, knowing it was best to not keep her waiting any longer.

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Rai wanders and sneaks about Tenryou two weeks later, his curiosity about the people of Inazuma once more blossoming ever since he had first laid his gaze on Aether. Rai was often locked up in his quarters of the Tenshukaku Compound. Information about Inazuma City and its citizens always being kept from him.
His unrelenting curiosity being snuffed out by the Shogun years ago. He spent all his days and time in the Compound, most of his company being his very own.

Rai would often lurk in shadows and blindspots of the city at night, often finding few citizens sneaking about themselves - something about hiding valuable items and people, avoiding getting caught by guards or those in higher authority, and bitter conversations on the topic of speaking ill of the Shogun.

Rai continues on his silent escapade around Tenryou in Inazuma City, he has been meticulously observing the Inazumans live out life from a far. He was awestruck by the seemingly simple everyday lives of the people. Just seeing the people eating varying dishes was enough to blow the boy's mind.

Whilst on his exploration and observation of Inazuma, his gaze instantly onto recognisable lush golden locks. "Aether.." Rai breathlessly uttered, barely audible. The puppet's eyes subtly widened as he noticed the outlander lock eyes on where he was hiding - a dark narrow alley littered with empty wooden crates.

As he notices the familiar stranger make his way over towards him, Rai is quick to use the stacked crates to climb his way up and over the wall just behind him to escape.

"Hey! Wait a minute!"

Just as the puppet is on the very top of the wall, he chances a look back to the one calling to him. This moment of distraction causes for to slip forward and fall on the other side of the wall. There is a resounding sharp crack followed by a dull thud.

Rai sits up on the ground with a soft groan, gritting his teeth as he cradled his now injured left arm. He examines the injury, seeing a large horizontal crack in the centre of his forearm. The puppet snaps his head over to the person now cautiously walking up to him.

"Hey, are you alright? I apologise for scaring you back there." Aether's bright amber eyes staring over at the puppet in worry.

Rai stares at the outlander in wary awe. He effortlessly got back up on his feet, ignoring the hand he was offered in favour of making sure he hadn't jostled his injured arm too much. "It is fine, I am fine. No need to worry." Rai monotonously responded.

There is a tense silence hanging heavy over the two for a minute.

"I think I've seen you before," Aether starts as he cuts through the silence, "back at the Grand Narukami Shrine.."

"I have to get going now." Rai suddenly answered and swiftly rushes off, disappearing the moment he turns a corner - immensely confusing Aether as he chased after the puppet once more.

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