The morning sun rose over Inazuma City, its pale light filtering through a thick layer of clouds, casting a muted glow across the sakura trees that lined the streets of Narukami Island. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional creak of a merchant's cart or the distant cry of a seagull, the once vibrant city now a shadow of its former self under the weight of the Sakoku Decree.
The streets, once bustling with merchants and travelers, were nearly empty, the few remaining citizens moving with hurried steps, their faces etched with worry as they clutched meager rations, the effects of the Kanjou Commission's economic exploitation evident in their gaunt expressions. The air carried the faint scent of saltwater from the nearby harbor, mingling with the stale odor of neglect, a stark reminder of Inazuma's isolation from the rest of Teyvat.
At the heart of the city, the Kamisato Estate stood as a beacon of hope, its elegant architecture a blend of tradition and resilience, the wooden beams polished to a shine, the garden filled with blooming camellias despite the hardships. Inside, Kamisato Ayaka sat at a low table in her private quarters, her Cryo Vision glowing faintly at her waist, her delicate hands folded in her lap as she stared at a map of Inazuma, her brow furrowed with concern.
The Kamisato family had long been the voice of the people, their reputation built on their closeness to the common folk, but the current crisis weighed heavily on Ayaka, her heart aching as reports of famine in the outer villages reached her ears. She sighed, her voice a soft murmur as she said, "The people are suffering, and I can do so little to help."
Thoma entered the room, his Pyro Vision glowing at his hip, a tray of simple rice balls and tea in his hands, his expression one of worry as he set the tray down, his voice gentle as he said, "Miss, you haven't rested well lately, you can't let yourself waste away." Ayaka shook her head, her silver hair catching the light as she replied, "Compared to the people of Inazuma, my struggles are nothing, Thoma."
She glanced at the map again, her voice filled with frustration as she muttered, "The Shogun pursues her eternity, but it's not the eternity the people need, they want food, shelter, happiness." The Sakoku Decree and the Eye Hunting Ceremony had crushed the spirits of the people, and while most dared not speak against the Shogun, Ayaka knew that faith would soon turn to anger if the famine worsened, her voice a quiet plea as she said, "How long can they hold on?"
The Kamisato family itself was under siege, the Kanjou and Tenryou Commissions working together to undermine their influence, a feud that had already claimed the lives of Ayaka's parents years ago. Now, with Ayaka and her brother Ayato grown and capable, they had managed to hold the family's ground, but the pressure was unrelenting, Ayaka's voice a mix of resolve and exhaustion as she said, "We must endure, for the sake of the people."
Ayato, her brother, had been distant lately, his loyalty to the Shogun unwavering despite the growing unrest, a stance that left Ayaka feeling isolated in her fight for the people, her voice a quiet reflection as she said, "Brother believes in the Shogun's vision, but I can't ignore the suffering I see." The resistance on Watatsumi Island offered some hope, but their efforts were limited, the storms of Yashiori Island their only defense against the shogunate army, Ayaka's voice a whisper as she said, "If the Shogun herself intervenes, all resistance will crumble."
At that moment, the air shimmered with a familiar glow, the Teyvat Second Creation broadcast room activating in the plaza outside, its ethereal screen casting a soft blue light over the cobblestones as the announcer's voice echoed, "The Teyvat Second Creation live broadcast is open, no pigeons today, are you all thrilled?" The citizens of Inazuma City gathered slowly, their weary faces lighting up with a flicker of curiosity, the broadcast a rare moment of distraction from their struggles.
In Mondstadt, Wendy's message appeared on the screen, his tone cheerful as he wrote, "Yay, no pigeons today, I'm so happy!" Barbara's reply was quick, her tone exasperated as she wrote, "You're not thinking of skipping work again, are you?"
Paimon chimed in, her voice a mix of sarcasm and resignation as she wrote, "It's easier to expect mora to fall from the sky than for that bard to do his job." Mona's message followed, her tone wistful as she wrote, "Mora falling from the sky would be nice, but it's impossible, sadly."
Xander's message appeared next, his tone teasing as he wrote, "Hu Tao, you're not causing a fuss today, I guess the ad worked for Boss Taotao." Hu Tao's reply was filled with joy, her words a burst of excitement as she wrote, "Of course, business boomed yesterday, so many foreign customers, it's amazing!"
Xander's response was one of shock, his tone incredulous as he wrote, "Wait, the ad actually boosted Xiangshengtang's business?" Thoma, watching from the Kamisato Estate, couldn't help but comment, his voice a mix of disbelief and amusement as he wrote, "That's too wild to believe."
Keqing's message echoed his sentiment, her tone stunned as she wrote, "It's outrageous, but it's true, I'm speechless." Eula added her thoughts, her voice a mix of wonder and skepticism as she wrote, "The world is full of surprises, even coffins are in demand now."
Ying's comment was one of awe, her tone reflective as she wrote, "I've traveled many worlds, but this is a first." Xander replied, his voice a mix of humor and experience as he wrote, "I've seen it before, but those customers were undead, coffins were their homes."
The broadcast room shifted, the title of the day's video appearing on the screen in bold letters, "The Daily Sand Sculpture of the Kamisato Family Siblings," a choice that made Ayaka's heart skip a beat, her voice a quiet mutter as she said, "Oh no, not us." Thoma glanced at her, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern as he asked, "Miss, are you alright, what's this about?"
Ayaka forced a smile, her voice a mix of embarrassment and resignation as she said, "It's just the second creation video, I hope it's not too humiliating." The screen flickered, and the video began, showing a comedic portrayal of Ayaka and Ayato in a series of absurd scenarios, Ayaka attempting to cook a meal that exploded into a cloud of Cryo mist, Ayato trying to mediate a dispute between two merchants only to accidentally start a dance party in the streets.
The citizens of Inazuma City laughed, their weary faces lighting up with genuine amusement, the video a brief respite from their struggles, Ayaka's cheeks flushing as she muttered, "This is so embarrassing, but at least it's making them smile." Thoma chuckled, his voice warm as he said, "It's good to see them happy, even if it's at your expense, Miss."
But the moment of levity was cut short by a sudden commotion outside the estate, the sound of clashing steel and shouts of alarm echoing through the air as a group of shogunate soldiers ambushed a nearby resistance cell, their blades gleaming in the morning light. Ayaka stood, her Cryo Vision glowing brightly as she grabbed her fan, her voice filled with resolve as she said, "Thoma, we can't stand by, the people need us!"
Thoma nodded, his Pyro Vision flaring as he summoned his spear, his voice steady as he replied, "I'm with you, Miss, let's protect them!" They rushed out of the estate, their movements swift and coordinated as they joined the fray, the resistance fighters struggling against the shogunate soldiers, their makeshift weapons no match for the disciplined army.
The leader of the soldiers, a tall woman with an Electro Vision, sneered as she spotted Ayaka, her voice dripping with disdain as she said, "Kamisato Ayaka, meddling again, you'll regret this!" She unleashed a bolt of lightning, the crackling energy streaking toward Ayaka, but Ayaka countered with a burst of Cryo, her fan creating a shield of ice that absorbed the attack, her voice calm as she replied, "I fight for the people, not for your approval!"
Thoma struck from the side, his spear igniting with Pyro energy as he drove back a group of soldiers, his voice a fierce shout as he said, "You won't harm the innocent while I'm here!" The flames forced the soldiers back, their armor scorched, but the Electro Vision wielder retaliated, her blade crackling with lightning as she charged at Thoma, her voice a snarl as she said, "You'll pay for that, retainer!"
Ayaka moved to support him, her Cryo Vision creating a flurry of snowflakes that froze the ground beneath the soldiers, her voice filled with determination as she shouted, "Thoma, together, we can stop them!" They combined their elements, the Pyro and Cryo creating a swirling vortex of fire and ice that engulfed the soldiers, their cries of shock echoing through the streets as they retreated, their morale broken.
The resistance fighters cheered, their voices rising in gratitude as they thanked Ayaka and Thoma, their hope renewed by the Kamisato family's intervention, the streets of Inazuma City returning to a tense calm. Ayaka turned to Thoma, her Cryo Vision dimming as she smiled, her voice warm as she said, "We did it, Thoma, the people are safe for now."
Thoma nodded, his Pyro Vision fading as he rested his spear on his shoulder, his voice filled with admiration as he said, "You're their light, Miss, they'll never forget this." The two shared a moment of quiet resolve, their bond strengthened by the battle, the struggles of Inazuma far from over, but their determination to fight for the people unwavering as the sun continued its ascent over Narukami Island.
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