Children of the Future

Prologue

So I have to be honest, I don't see enough of these kinds of stories. True, I could look harder but I thought I might as well out in my two cents since this idea has been moving around my head for a while now. I'm working at my own pace so I can't promise a reliable schedule. 

The sounds of metal hitting metal could be heard throughout the Kamisato Estate. In the training area, Aether and Ayaka were sparring with each other while Them and Yoimiya watched. Originally, Yoimiya came in to deliver something as well as say hi to friends and Aether tagged along since he was still visiting Inazuma after last time. They had planned to only stay for tea with them which they did but after a retelling of Aether's latest adventures, Thomas and Ayaka grew curious and the idea of a spar was thrown around. 

Aether saw no reason to decline and the two had their bout soon after. Them and Yoimiya watched with great interest as the two squared off.

Yoimiya was very enthusiastic about it, "You got this, Aether!!" This was because overtime, she and Ayaka had confronted each other about their feelings for the blonde traveler. An agreement was made and the two would compete for him. Naturally, they wished for the best woman to win but hoped it would be one of them.

A loud clang brought Yoimiya from her thoughts as she saw Aether disarm Ayaka and hold his sword to her neck.

"I surrender," Ayaka admitted defeat with her hands up but she held a radiant smile the entire time.

Aether shared it as he sheathed his sword and shook her hand, "Thoma was exaggerating. You're still as sharp as ever, Ayaka."

She thanked him for the kind words before Paimon and Ayato joined them.

"Things are certainly lively here."

"We're back!! And we have drinks!!" 

Paimon announced their arrival loudly as Ayato brought the two a pair of towels.

"Thank you, brother. What brings you here? I thought you had business elsewhere?" Ayaka was a little surprised to see him home so early. Thoma shared those feelings as well.

"Ah, that. Well, it actually ended up being postponed. The other party had something come up and had a messenger sent to the spot to inform us about its new date. That being the case, I also heard our friend, Aether, had returned to Inazuma and came to give him greetings in person," he turned to Aether and smiled. "It's good to see you in good health."

"It's good to see you as well," Aether returned the greeting.

"I see Miss Yoimiya is here as well. Ayaka, please do keep the damage to a minimum. Let's keep the expenses from your cat fight with her low," he teased them fully knowing their feelings for the blonde.

As a result, the two got bright red in the face and screamed at him. He laughed it off and the two quickly got over it. They were satisfied with the show and Aether returned to being the man of the hour.

"So friend, what are your plans now? Are you going to revisit the other regions as well?" Thoma asked him since he came to Inazuma, it made sense if he would revisit Liyue and Mondstadt.

"Yeah. Paimon and I agreed that we should spend a little time catching up with everyone we've met after exploring each nation," Aether clarified for him.

"Speaking of, you still have to tell us the rest of what happened in Sumeru!" Yoimiya was still hooked on the last story Aether told her of his adventures there.

"Yeah! Paimon has lots to share about it too!"

"Then, what else to you plan to do in Inazuma while you're here?" Ayaka wondered what else Aether was up to in this nation.

"Well..." he put his hand to his chin as he recalled his plan. "I already visited Watatsumi Island so all that's left is the Grand Narukami Shrine."

"Seriously?!" 

Several were shocked that he could just waltz there casually like it was just a visit.

He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, "I don't think Yae Miko would let me live it down if I didn't at least say hello. That and I have other business there."

Paimon smirked smugly to which Aether covered her mouth remembering the stroll he and Ei took the last time he was here.

"Well, you can be sure to stop by here before you leave. We can do another hotpot together before you head off!" Thoma cheerfully pitched and the others agreed with it. Aether thought it sounded fun as well.

As the day progressed and dusk began to set in, Ayaka offered to let Aether and Paimon stay the night, much to Yoimiya's shock as she planned to ask him to stay with her as well. The two shared a glance before Ayaka smirked as Aether was about to accept her offer when suddenly, a shockwave knocked everyone off their feet at once. 

When it was over, Aether helped everyone to their feet as guards surrounding the estate were on high alert. Ayato left to reorganize the staff and see what in the world just happened.

"What the heck was that?!" Paimon asked aloud.

"Is everyone ok?" 

"I-I think so?"

No one was hurt but a lot of people were surprised.

Meanwhile...

In the middle of nowhere, a pile of kids of varying ages groaned in pain as a portal above them closed. There were six of them in total.

"Did anyone get the number of that mitachurl that hit us?"

"Is everyone ok?" A girl in Inazuman attire stood up and dusted herself off. She had her long, blue hair braided behind her and a katana to her side. "I'll look around."

She jumped to a higher position for a while before coming down to rejoin the other kids.

"Anything, Sis?" A younger blonde girl asked her.

"Well, from what I could see, we're currently in Inazuma."

"I also looked around and it looks like only the teleporters in Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma and Sumeru are activated by our family," A small fox-girl raised her hand to chime in.

The blue haired girl put a hand to her chin in thought, "Strange... we should be able to access all of them. What is going on?"

"You know, if SOMEbody didn't touch the panel that opened that door that sucked us here we wouldn't be in this mess." A brunette pointed to another young boy with the same color hair as her but with a darker shade.

"But Sis, what about your sense of adventure?" he asked her.

"Look around and see where that got us!"

"Just settle down already, Amanda."

"But Big Sis Ayame!"

"What's done is done. No point in dwelling on it at this point."

The brunette, Amanda, pouted slightly while the boy apologized to her. She felt a little better but they were still stuck there.

"I know, we can at least go to my home and see what's going on," Ayame told them.

They all linked hands and Ayame warped them to the teleport next to the Kamisato Estate. 

A/N

And that's the prologue to this story. I will be posting another chapter to my other story too but not yet sure when. Do let me know your thoughts and until next time.

Sen out!