Genshin Impact: The Origins

Shadow Guardian

Before Saiguu left, she told me something else.

"Listen, Young Master, I understand what Ei is thinking, but even with Makoto's help, she might not succeed. Other clans will never accept them as their Shogun. But... you, young master, you are their next hope. Think about it... only you can help find a solution to this issue."

"I know... but I don't want to become Shogun. However, I believe there's a way. It's just a matter of time. That's all," I replied. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I had any answers.

After she departed, I gently lifted Miko, who had fallen asleep on the floor, and carried her to her room.

************

(Back to the present, Traveler)

"In those days, other clans didn't accept me or my sister as their Shogun, but eventually, they changed their minds. Shahasra played a significant role in that," Ei explained.

"I didn't understand. Why didn't the clans of Inazuma see you as their Shogun? You're so powerful," I asked.

"Yeah, Paimon thinks that way too," Paimon chimed in.

"Well, I am powerful, but not as powerful as Shahasra. That's why... Anyway, how long do you intend to hide and listen, Miko?" Ei asked, catching Miko eavesdropping.

Out of nowhere, Miko appeared.

"I was just..." Miko started to explain.

"Passing by?" Ei completed her sentence. Miko didn't say anything. She looked at us and greeted us.

"Hello, Traveler, Paimon... Long time no see. Looks like you two are listening to a fairy tale."

"Miko? Why were you hiding, and why didn't you tell us you had two brothers? And your big brother was a descendant," I asked her.

"You didn't ask... that's why I didn't tell," Miko replied with a shrug."

"What? That's so..." Paimon fumed. I felt the same way, but Ei began to chuckle.

"Ei, why are you chuckling?" I asked.

"Nothing, just... Miko... You really still have his sarcastic energy with you," Ei remarked to Miko.

"If you have nothing else to say... I'm going back. I have work to do," Miko said curtly before leaving.

"Give her some time alone. Whenever she's reminded of Shahasra, she... becomes... well, I think you can understand her situation," Ei explained.

"Anyway, back to the story."

************

(Past, Shahasra)

It was evening... me and the boys returned to my castle after slaying some monsters. We were passing the time, inspecting the loot we collected. Meanwhile, I listened to Yashiro's report about Miko's and Akira's background.

"So, as you can see... someone is really trying to hide their origin. Searching for clues so diligently. Not even members of the Hakushin clan know about them," Yashiro explained."But why?" Takashi asked.

"If someone wants to hide it, let them hide," I replied.

Everyone fell into silence.

"I know my statement is a little weird, but based on the clues we've gathered, I've come to one conclusion: someone wants them dead. Furthermore, nobody else knows of their existence except us and our suspect. This means if we dig deeper, there might be a chance we'll find Akira and Miko still alive."

"Also, I don't even bother about my past anymore," Akira spoke up. "I have a new family now. It means a lot to me. I've already forgotten my past, and Miko is still just a little girl. She'll forget about it soon enough."

"So, I think we don't need to investigate that matter anymore. Let's focus on something else," I told the others."

And like that, we let that thing belong to the past.

************

My days passed by boringly. There wasn't much to do. I hung out with my friends, played with Miko, did some crazy experiments, and inevitably blew them up. I faced my mom's usual scolding and her swift whacks with a folding fan.

But then, one day, something happened. Well, actually, it was something I'd been feeling for a long time. It was like someone was stalking me, always lurking around. It made me feel uneasy, but I tried to shake off that thought.

Then, one day, I found out someone was really stalking me. It happened like this: one day, while I was hanging out with Takashi and the others, for a moment, I felt a presence, as if someone was watching us. But it wasn't just me who felt it; Takashi unsheathed his sword and yelled.

"Stop hiding and come out!" Takashi's voice boomed.

The familiar presence I'd been feeling intensified, but this time it was stronger. Hearing Takashi's words, the figure who had been hiding emerged in front of us.

He completely ignored Takashi and the others, then knelt before me.

"Oi... did you hear me?" Takashi yelled.

The boy had red hair with green streaks, an unusual color combination. He was dressed in shinobi armor, indicating he was a shinobi. He wore a mask and possessed an Anemo Vision. At this point, none of these details surprised me. His Armor bore the Raiden clan's Shinobi military logo, suggesting he worked under my father. I guessed he was around the same age as me.

"I'm sorry, young master. I didn't mean any harm," he replied, bowing his head. I signalled to Takashi to sheathe his sword.

"So, who are you? And why were you hiding?" I asked.

"Forgive me, young master. I am Shikanoin Sorakaze. I am a shinobi who works under the Raiden clan. I am your shadow guardian," he explained.

"My who now?" I gave him a confused look, echoed by the others.

"Young master, shadow guardians are well-trained shinobi who protect certain individuals while remaining hidden in the shadows. Sometimes, even that person doesn't know they're being protected. In other words, he is your bodyguard whom you've never met," Yashiro explained.

"Oh, I see now," I replied.

"Also, you said your name is Shikanoin Sorakaze, right? Are you from the Shikanoin Clan?" Yashiro asked Sorakaze.

"Yes, Lord Kamisato. I am from the Shikanoin clan," he replied.

"Do you know about their clan?" I asked Yashiro.

"Young Master, I think you know. During the Great Shogunate War... Lord Isshin had two powerful clans devoted to him. The Kaedehara Clan served as his right hand, taking the front lines of the war. And the other clan was the Shikanoin Clan. They served as his left hand, with their main duty being to spy on enemy armies and gather information."

"In summary, nothing but some cowards using shadow techniques to run away," Takashi added.

"Yeah, better than a clan that couldn't even protect their Master's most beloved one," Sorakaze retorted.

I felt a thunderous storm atmosphere brewing. I looked at Yashiro with a confused expression and gestured toward the others, silently asking, "What's wrong with them?"

"Also, Young Master, the Kaedehara clan and the Shikanoin clan have some terms between them," Yashiro replied. "So, best of luck," he smiled at me.

I sighed. But I liked this. My life was now livelier than before, and we had a new member for our team too.