After several days, Schism drops anchor at their destination. They have arrived in a small immigrant settlement in a town called Ritou.
The sky is dark and the moon is high, casting the world below in shadow.
Y/N and Mikhail stand on the dock waiting for The Doctor. He had stayed aboard to discuss something with the captain. The woman walks up to a large statue in the shape of a kitsune. There is a ring of disks displaying the electro symbol around its head and she reaches out to brush her fingers across the stone surface. Weathering over time has left the object silky smooth to the touch and she smiles.
Mikhail taps her on the shoulder to get her attention and once he has it, motions for her to move back toward the ship. The Doctor is descending the ramp to the pier. She nods her understanding at Mikhail and the two move quickly to meet the Harbinger.
"I have her now and you have your orders, you are dismissed."
Mikhail bows briefly toward his superior before he turns and...disappears. The woman's lips part slightly in shock before turning her attention back to the man in front of her.
"We have entered Inazuma, remember, try not to stray from my side. There are many people that will want you dead for your involvement with the Fatui, and I cannot promise that they will not try. Do you have any questions?"
"Yes actually, what artifacts are we going after?"
"The items we are pursuing are the ' Kogoshu-no-Kami' , a blade capable of striking down almost any mortal enemy with minimal effort. ' Kurikara Suzaku ', a set of armor impenetrable to any elemental force. And ' Hachiman's Bow ', which is capable of firing arrows with the force of a small meteor."
"They sound...powerful."
"Indeed, though they do not come without their drawbacks. They exact a heavy toll on the user."
"Everything comes at a cost... What is the first we will seek and where in Inazuma is it located?"
"We will be retrieving the ' Kogoshu-no-Kami' first. We have been informed that it has been hidden in a small temple at the base of Mount Yougou. We should be able to obtain it without much issue. However, I must warn you. The area is rumored to be haunted and I cannot guarantee that you will not see something paranormal there. Do not be concerned, should anything out of the ordinary happen, I shall handle it."
The Doctor leaves their bags on the pier with a young man to move to the inn he had booked in advance. He strides quickly down the dock toward the small town and she jogs after him. As they leave the wooden pier for cobblestoned streets the Harbinger turns aside to speak to a woman standing just underneath a wooden shelter. Y/N is unsure what they are discussing but after a few moments the Inazuman nods and takes a piece of paper from the man motioning them onward.
The two start up a staircase complete with a large green-roofed arch, The Doctor takes the steps two at a time and she struggles after him. Once they reach the top, the woman is already exhausted.
The square they emerge into is charming. In the center stands a large red maple with colorful strips of fabric hanging from the limbs, and leaves cover the ground underneath it. The tree is surrounded by what appears to be a kind of rack with tiny hanging plaques and lanterns. The square is circled on all sides with shops and the woman smiles at the scene. It is so different from the frigid landscape of her home. So vibrant and warm.
The man leads her around the square and down stone paths through the little settlement and before long they are leaving behind the buildings of Ritou. A mountain becomes visible as they round the last structure. It is split down the middle and the left peak swirls with a blue light. Y/N's eyes widen at the beauty and she gasps.
YOU ARE READING
Lackluster
Fanfiction"What do you need me for specifically? Why not someone else?" The woman wonders if she can worm her way out of this. Maybe convince him she is worthless, and he would let her go. She should feel bad for throwing someone else under the carriage, but...
