Chapter Text
The world was ablaze. The sky once filled with fireworks was now the recipient of an endless smoke. The streets where the children played were now cracked and destroyed, with the city businesses soon to follow. Humble homes had been leveled, and the trees were burned down to their roots. Shrieking, screaming, sobbing... The horrifying sounds of the Inazuman people reached up to even Celestia above.
The Grand Narukami Shrine---and the Sacred Sakura it was built upon---Were the only place in the entirety of Inazuma the catastrophe could not reach. Many people flocked there, and prayed to the Archon and her Jōkai for safety and refuge.
Yet, in the deepest section that Yae called her home, she was saying farewell to her beloved goddess. The skies wept with a downpour, as the seemingly angered earth erupted into flames.
The Archon finally spoke.
"Miko... Tell me... Is there a single thing in this world that is truly eternal...?"
Ei asked her question through heavy gasps, which could only indicate that her life was being brought to a close.
"I am Inazuma's Archon, the Raiden Shogun..." She spoke it weakly, yet still with pride.
"I have... Always strived for eternity... Please, Miko, won't you tell me what I'm missing...?"
"My, my. You really should have asked me sooner." Yae said. She attempted to be witty like usual, but hiding her sadness was becoming difficult.
Ei laughed softly. "There is nothing in this world that is truly eternal... Is there...?" Ei questioned with weak and heavy sighs.
"There is but one thing." Yae spoke in a soft tone that Ei had never heard from her before. She continued to speak as she stroked Ei's hair gently.
"The friendships I've made are the most important things to me. My editors, my fellow shrine maidens, Sayu, Lumine, and you. To me, your value exceeds any sake or light novel."
"I see..." Ei smiled weakly.
"If I hadn't... been so foolish..."
Ei had an epiphany that was soon interrupted by a violent, bloody coughing fit.
Yae moved to lay Ei down on her lap, and she held her hand softly.
"Do you think... We could've all... Been friends...?"
"You never know." Yae shrugged. "However, I think you could, if you were ever given another chance."
"That... Would be nice. Miko... Let's... Be friends... If we ever... See each other again..." Finally, Ei uttered her final wishes, and fell to an eternal sleep.
Yae Miko hugged Ei closely, so she chould feel warmth one last time before her slumber.
Once Ei's body had gone cold, Yae layed her down.
Soon, after surrounding Ei with candles, Miko summoned her Gohei and Catalyst to her side.
"Kagura... Dance for me!"
At that moment, as Yae called upon her catalyst, her kitsune tails grew out. The sinister smirk Yae always had when using this weapon had seemingly deformed into a fierce stare.
With Ei's last words ringing in her ears, she brought her Gohei down.
"I hope so, Ei"