The Little Finch (Zhongli Fanfiction)

Prologue

Raiden Makoto sat by a meditation rock overlooking the Inzuman waters that swayed gently on the horizon. Sakura petals swirled all around her with grace, their movement slow as if lamenting at her behest, preparing for her departure. She turned her purple eyes towards the gentle creature that had been closer than a friend, one that shared her innermost joy and sadness all the same. As the Almighty Shogun, Makoto could not afford to share everything in her mind and heart fully to everyone, including her own twin sister.

She had her sister and she loved her more than her own life, but Ei still had a long way to go to fully understand and accept her version of eternity. In this, the twin sisters did not see eye to eye.

The gentle woman stretched out her graceful index finger at the little finch, her true friend, and let the small creature with white and black fur perched on top of it.

"Let us make a contract, you and me," Makoto said to the finch, looking into its tiny gray eyes, "For tomorrow at first light, I ride to Khaenriah, and I may never return as I am."

"..."

"I am afraid my time is nigh. After all, rocks would eventually turn to dust. Nothing in the physical plane is truly eternal. Even for gods, there is an end to everything."

"..."

A quiet chuckle escaped the goddess. "Oh? So you remember? Worry not. I am not one to back down from a promise. Hence, I am here to propose said contract, to bind that promise, so that you may act on my behalf and fulfill the promise and the dream we have together."

"..."

Another chuckle escaped Raiden Makoto as she heard the finch sang, "What about Ei? Do not worry for her. It is a lonely path my sister must take. I am sad and a litte fearful knowing what awaits me tomorrow, but even before the moment I made you immortal, my little friend, you know that she is a better leader than I could ever be."

"..."

Sadness descended on Makoto's expression. "Hana... Don't say that." the edge of her lips turned down, "There is no single bad bones within you, and all your life you have followed where I go. But none can follow the path which I must walk alone."

The finch visibly hung her head, her chirping reduced to something akin to a whimper then to a silence. Makoto gently stroke the fur of her friend with affection.

"Do you remember what I said two years ago at Mount Yogou, when we were both watching the sunset together?"

"..."

Makoto smiled gently, her purple eyes gazed at the small bird on her index finger, "Back then, I told you that once the war is over, and Inazuma is allowed to thrive once more, I will find a way to convince Ei to let me step down from the shogunate so I can try that life of a human, and that I would take you with me," she shook her head, "I have not forgotton my word."

***

"Try your luck betting on jade?"

"I just want to make people smile."

A woman walked down the streets of Liyue Harbor, taking in the lively atmosphere of the foreign city. Her attire was that of an Inzuman kimono in the color of gray and white that was fastened with a black belt, highlighting the womanly curve of her hips. Despite the short length skirt of her kimono, she wore a pair of black tights that was complimented by a simple, slim dark boots to cover up her form. A sakura hairpin fastened to the side of her head, the light pink color contrasting her raven black hair that was tied loosely behind the small of her back.