To Destroy A Country

Chapter 2: Story Time! Story Time!

  Kunikuzushi sighed quietly from where he sat outside his small cottage. He didn't particularly care for this sort of weather... The mist over the island was never appealing, but at least he would be safe here...
  The florescent plants around him glowed light blue, flickering as the wind passed by. Kunikuzushi had made this place his home, but it never felt like one...
  He heaved a heavy sigh as the wind blew his hair about. He should really cut it... it was much too long to be rational... but he couldn't bring himself to part with it.
  He started absently twisting a small portion of it as he recalled something from a long, long time ago...
  The door opened behind him.
  Kunikuzushi turned around with a smile, "good morning."
  Kazuha looked around, "is it morning?"
  Kunikuzushi nodded, "it never looks like anything here. But it's morning time."
  "How do you tell?" Kazuha sat down next to him.
  Kunikuzushi shrugged, "I just know."
  Kazuha shook his head with a smile, "you're just as mysterious as this island."
  "Thank you?"
  Kazuha smiled over at him, "you're very welcome. It's like you're a part of the island... My guess would be that you're some sort of Archon, hiding yourself away here."
  Kunikuzushi felt very cold all of a sudden. He laughed, "that would be pretty interesting, wouldn't it?"
  Kazuha nodded, joining him on the ground, "I've never spoken to an Archon this closely..."
  Kunikuzushi shook his head, holding his arms out, "no, no, no, I'm not an Archon. I can't really do much at all."
  "But you don't need a vision to control water," Kazuha had an amused look, as if he knew he would win this playful argument.
  Kunikuzushi grew nervous, "I just know a few things, I can't really use elements at all."
  "You said you weren't native to this island? Then, where did you come from?" Kazuha seemed to be very intrigued in figuring out just what Kunikuzushi was.
  "I came from Narukami Island, like you, but I wasn't there for long..."
  "Did your parents sell you off or did you get lost on a ship?"
  Kunikuzushi chuckled nervously, "it's... a long story... Oh, uh, you said you were leaving Inazuma? Where were you headed?"
  "I'm supposed to meet up with a ship from Liyue... They're the only people who can make it here and back," Kazuha got a far off look as he stared at the murky waters below the small cliff they sat on.
  "Well, I hope you make it to them." Kunikuzushi smiled, "I can help you make a boat. And Kama-san will be glad to help, too."
  Kazuha smiled, "I look forward to it. And... thank you, again..."
  "No problem," Kunikuzushi smiled back.
  "I think I've figured it out," Kazuha had a shine in his eyes as he looked back towards his new companion.
  "Figured what out?" He tilted his head in response.
  "I think you're the Archon of wandering."
  Kunikuzushi blinked, "I'm... not an Archon... and why do you say that?..."
  "Because," Kazuha stood, "I'm a wanderer by nature and I was drawn towards this island. That must mean something. And you're so willing to help me, so you must have experience with people loosing their way to — and on — this island."
  "Well, I guess that is true..." Kunikuzushi thought deeply about it, "but I'm still not an Archon."
  "Whatever you say," Kazuha smiled, believing he had the upper hand in the conversation.
  Kunikuzushi sighed in defeat. Did Kazuha really think he was some sort of hidden Archon?... He was worried, but felt flattered that Kazuha thought he was something so special.
  As soon as Kunikuzushi stood, there were several knocks on his door accompanied by the sounds of children giggling and shushing each other.
  Kazuha chuckled, "it seems our Archon's followers have returned."
  Kunikuzushi stood up more quickly, "I'm not-"
  The children all came running around the cottage to where they stood.
  "Story time!" They all screamed in unison. They crowded around him, pulling at his clothes.
  Kunikuzushi smiled, "okay, okay... what do you want to hear about?"
  "Where's your funny hat?!" One spoke up.
  Kunikuzushi flinched, "it's not funny... it's traditional where I'm from..."
  "We can't have story time without the funny hat!!!" Another said.
  Then they all started pestering him to wear his funny hat.
  He shook his head, deciding to change the subject, "alright, sit down."
  They all sat in a messy semi circle at his feet, immediately closing their mouths.
  Kunikuzushi smiled, "today I'll tell you a story about the Thunder Bird."
  The kids all gasped. Kazuha sat down behind the children, intrigued.
  Kunikuzushi wasn't used to having an audience that might actually care about what he said. He cleared his throat, trying to ignore him. "A long, long time ago there was a little bird, barely the size of your hand." In Kunikuzushi's palm materialized a crackling figure of a bird made up of purple electricity.
  The children all stared in wonder and Kazuha seemed surprised to see it, too.
  "She was all alone in her nest, sad that she didn't have anyone to talk to. She decided to fly far away," The bird in his hand took flight and swirled around the children's heads before returning to Kunikuzushi's shoulder. "She came to Tsurumi island, seeing that the people were being attacked by dangerous and mysterious creatures. She took pity on our people and covered the island with her mist to protect us."
  The electro bird grew in size, flapping its wings and spreading fog over the kids faces for a moment. The bird floated up into the sky above Kunikuzushi, looking down at the audience with a gentle gaze.
  "Even now, she still protects us, and in return we give her our love. She isn't alone anymore," Kunikuzushi smiled, "and she is very pleased that we are here with her."
  The bird burst into the form of a large heart.
  Kunikuzushi held his hand out and the heart became the Thunder Bird again. It landed on his fingers, bowing to the audience. Then, it shot upwards, becoming much larger, looking more like a bat than a bird. It spread its wings for display before flying off into the distance.
  "Now she is at peace, knowing we are all safe." Kunikuzushi finished his story, "she waits patiently for our next ceremony."
  The kids all clapped, "another one! Another one!"
Kunikuzushi chuckled, "well, what would you like to hear about now?"
  They all shouted different ideas.
  Kunikuzushi thought for a moment, "well... how about I tell you what it's like outside the island?"
  They all cheered excitedly before going silent again. Kazuha chuckled at the craziness of the little ones and how serious they were about hearing Kunikuzushi's stories.
  Kunikuzushi took a deep breath before right next to him an almost exact image of himself appeared. It flickered for a moment as it became taller and took the shape of a blurry woman.
  Kazuha's eyes widened, "is that..."
  Kunikuzushi stepped to the side, "outside of our island the people of Inazuma have their own god, called an Archon. She's a lot like our Thunder Bird. She's strong and uses electro and rules her people with an iron fist."
  The elemental woman pulled a sword out of her chest, which sent a bolt of lightning at the children's feet. They all squealed in delight.
  "They call her the Raiden Shogun," Kunikuzushi continued, "she is not very present in the lives of her people, but the lands are beautiful and they don't need mist to protect them. There are bright green grasses and orange maple trees. And they have such tasty foods with many colors! In fact, the whole land is full of color!"
  The form of the woman changed into the shapes of different foods, then into the form of a fox.
  "There are even small animals that walk around freely," the fox split into two and started playing together. "And..." then the animals morphed into a spinning image of a vision, "outside, there are charms that hold elemental power that many people have. These people are always incredibly special because it means that Celestia found them worthy."
  A few of the kids whispered amongst themselves.
  "What's a Celestia?"
  "You don't remember that story?!"
  "No, she was sick that day."
  "Oooohh."
  Kazuha smiled to himself. It had been a while since he had seen such carefree people.
  "Maybe one day, when it's safe, you can leave the island and see it for yourself," Kunikuzushi smiled as the electricity fizzled out.
  The kids all clapped, but didn't ask for another story this time. Kazuha assumed Kunikuzushi never told more than two in a row.
  "Run along now, I'm sure you all have chores to do!"
  They all blew their little maushiros before running away.
  Kazuha stood up, "I'm even more convinced you're the Archon of wandering now."
  "How?" Kunikuzushi asked, folding his arms.
  "Because, no one can tell a story so well that it keeps the attention of both children and adults. I was so captivated by your storytelling, it felt as if you were holding onto our very minds."
  Kunikuzushi blushed, "it's nothing. I've just been telling stories for a long time..."
  "And I can tell you've traveled to many places to know so much," Kazuha's smile grew, "I'd be surprised if you ever ran out of tales to tell."
  Kunikuzushi shook his head, "no, I'm really nothing that amazing. I'm not an Archon or anything so powerful."
  "You haven't presented a convincing argument," Kazuha folded his arms, closing his eyes and holding his smile, "all you're doing is saying you aren't an Archon. I barely know you, how can I believe you?"
  Kunikuzushi sighed, "I really don't think I can convince you otherwise..."
  "Though," Kazuha cut him some slack, "it would be a bit odd to have two Archons governing one island."
  Kunikuzushi nodded, "right."
  "But, your Thunder Bird doesn't seem to be an Archon."
  Kunikuzushi dropped his head with a sigh, "you really aren't going to let this go..."
  Kazuha laughed, "I'm only teasing you, I know there's some other explanation for you. I just haven't quite figured it out yet."
  Kunikuzushi nodded, "it's, really, very complicated..."
  Kazuha gave him a reassuring smile, "I won't try to get it out of you if you don't wish to share it with me."
  Kunikuzushi thanked him, "m, you talk like the wind... Ah, I guess that doesn't make much sense..." Kunikuzushi would have to keep a tighter leash on his tongue. He hadn't freely spoken to another person in a long time...
  Kazuha chuckled, "I take it as a compliment. Many people find me hard to understand because of the way I speak."
  Kunikuzushi smiled bashfully, "I think it suits you, I noticed your anemo vision."
  Kazuha inclined his head, "thank you."
  Kunikuzushi nodded as he went inside, "your clothes should be dry now. I'll call Kama-San over and we can start working on making you a boat."