Time is a force that no one can truly defy.
Even if erosion is no longer a threat, time still dulls memory.
That was why Raiden Makoto wanted to leave behind photographs—because she feared that, after too long apart, she might forget the faces of her dearest friends.
A god's memory was sharper than mortals', yes, but what about after hundreds of years… or even thousands?
Makoto could not guarantee that her memories would remain clear.
And not knowing when, or if, her friends would ever return only made her resolve stronger.
During those three days, she and her companions took picture after picture together.
Those days were filled with laughter, but joy never lingers long.
Today, the time had come—Makoto was to set out for Khaenri'ah.
She stood with Lu Heng at the seaside.
Turning back to gaze at Inazuma's shores, her expression carried a faint sadness.
"This time… I don't know when, or if, I'll see this land again."
"You're the one who swore you weren't fragile a few days ago," Lu Heng chuckled, shaking his head.
"But this is farewell. A farewell where we don't know when we'll meet again…" Makoto pressed her lips together, drawing a deep breath before continuing, "Still, no matter what, I must go. I've already delayed too much of your time. I can't keep being willful."
"How could you call it willful?"
Lu Heng smiled lightly. These few days had been a journey worth treasuring, full of sights different from those in the future. For him, that alone was enough.
"Leaving behind a complete memory of this era is meaningful in itself," he said warmly. "But you're right—it's time. Your silly little sister and the shrine maiden are waiting for you to 'come home.'"
"Mm!" Makoto's smile lit up like sunshine. "Then I'll trouble you one last time."
"I gave my word." Lu Heng nodded.
He lifted his right hand, and within his palm appeared a mirror. Makoto's reflection shimmered across its surface—then, with his power, the reflection turned into another Raiden Makoto.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"This will serve as your vessel," Lu Heng explained.
Before she could respond, he raised the Musou Isshin blade. "Next comes your five-hundred-year slumber. Are you ready?"
"Yes." Makoto nodded firmly.
"Come closer."
When she approached, Lu Heng traced a golden seal onto her forehead. "This will let you sleep without awareness. When the right moment arrives, I'll awaken you myself. That way, you won't suffer five centuries of solitude."
The seal took hold. Makoto's eyes fluttered shut, her body going limp. Lu Heng caught her gently before she fell.
At the same time, he summoned forth the lingering will within Musou Isshin.
"What…? Two of me…?"
The will of [Makoto] appeared, baffled by the scene of another Makoto lying unconscious before her.
Lu Heng did not waste time on explanations. A surge of memory transmission later, the will understood everything.
"I see… Then, how should I cooperate?" she asked softly.
"I'll guide you," Lu Heng replied.
Now, three versions of Raiden Makoto stood together:
The true Makoto of this era, now sealed in slumber.
A vessel, her body created by Lu Heng.
And the lingering will from the future contained in Musou Isshin.
Lu Heng's plan was clear:
The will would inhabit the vessel, travel to Khaenri'ah, and fall in battle as history recorded. Her consciousness would then return to Musou Isshin, merging seamlessly with Makoto when the seal broke.
It formed a perfect loop.
History would remain intact.
Musou Isshin, too, had been reforged, strengthened beyond its original state.
"I understand." The will merged with the vessel, bowing to Lu Heng.
He sealed the true Makoto's body within a hidden pocket realm carved inside Musou Isshin—concealed so perfectly that not even Ei herself could discover it.
"Time is short," he said, handing the blade to the vessel. "I'll be waiting for you in the future."
She nodded once, without hesitation, and opened a rift to Khaenri'ah. When it closed behind her, Lu Heng's eyes gleamed gold.
The world trembled faintly.
Every anomaly born from his interference vanished.
History was restored word for word.
"All threats of deviation are gone. If an accident still arises, it won't be my doing," Lu Heng murmured.
"I promise you—there will be no accident," a distant voice answered.
With that assurance, he turned toward Tenshukaku, striding forward.
The ages passed in a breath.
He witnessed the rise of the Abyssal darkness, fox priestess Guuji sacrificing herself, Chiyo's fall into corruption, and Ei sealing herself away in meditation.
The Sakoku Decree. The Vision Hunt Decree. The march of centuries.
And then—his steps carried him back to the present.
When he emerged, two pairs of eyes awaited him, filled with both anticipation and dread.
"Well?" Ei asked, voice trembling.
Yae Miko held her breath.
Lu Heng only folded his arms, smiling silently.
"…Nothing went wrong?" Ei pressed, pacing anxiously.
"No," Lu Heng said at last. "Everything went smoothly."
Relief flooded Ei's face. She clenched her fists, unable to hold back a cheer.
"That's… that's wonderful!"
She was so overcome that she bent into a deep bow—earning a smirk from Lu Heng at the angle.
Miko noticed his amused look and rolled her eyes, quickly steering the topic away. "So… what happens next?"
"What else?" Lu Heng smiled. "It's time for the sisters to be reunited."
He set Musou Isshin on the table, running his hand from hilt to tip. The blade shimmered with violet light, opening a gateway.
"Wait here," he said, stepping through.
Moments later, he returned cradling the slumbering Makoto.
Ei vanished into lightning and reappeared instantly, dragging a bed into the room.
"You're learning," Lu Heng teased lightly as he laid Makoto down.
But Ei paid him no mind. Kneeling close, her hands trembled as she reached for her sister. The last time Makoto had lain in her arms… she had been lifeless.
Now—warmth.
"She's warm!" Ei gasped, tears brimming.
Miko couldn't help but laugh softly. "Of course she is. Do you really think Lu Heng would bring her back as a corpse?"
Ei flushed but didn't let go of her sister's hand.
"Shall we wake her?" Miko asked.
Lu Heng nodded, tracing a seal on Makoto's brow. The golden mark dissolved.
"It's done," he said quietly, stepping back.
Makoto's lashes fluttered. Slowly, her eyes opened.
"Elder sister!" Ei's voice cracked with emotion as she scrambled onto the bed, kneeling beside her.
Makoto blinked, dazed, then focused on the familiar face.
"…Ei?"
"I'm here!" Ei grasped her hand tightly. "Sister, you're finally back! We're together again!"
Memories surged back into Makoto's mind with the aid of Lu Heng's lingering power. Piece by piece, the five hundred missing years aligned.
She sat up slowly, taking a steady breath before smiling at her sister. "You've suffered, haven't you?"
"N-No! Not at all!" Ei shook her head furiously, eyes glistening.
"You always were stubborn." Makoto touched her forehead affectionately before turning to Miko. "And little fox… you've grown so much."
Miko nodded firmly, voice soft with joy. "At last, the eldest princess has returned."
"Forgive me for making you endure so much," Makoto said gently. "But don't cry. My safe return is something to celebrate."
"Yes, sister!" Ei agreed, voice choked with emotion.
As she soothed them both, Makoto glanced around, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face.
"…Lu Heng isn't here?"
Miko quickly explained, "He must have wanted to give us time together."
"I see…" Makoto murmured, smiling faintly.
Meanwhile, back at the Inazuma branch store, Lu Heng lounged on the sofa, sipping tea prepared by his automatons. His communicator buzzed nonstop with questions about the disturbance earlier, but he brushed them all off with the excuse that he had been "repairing the Shogun puppet."
As he thought about the puppet, he couldn't help rubbing his chin.
Something about her gaze lately… it wasn't normal.
Was his charm really that overwhelming?
The thought made him chuckle.
Just then, his phone chimed.
[Lumine]: Damn, that was amazing!
He smirked, fingers flying across the keys.
[Lu Heng]: How did you know I saw Lady Kitsune's true form? How did you know I even touched her ears? Who told you that?
Far away in Liyue Harbor, Lumine nearly spat out her drink.
"What the—?!" She gawked at the screen.
Paimon peeked over her shoulder. "Wait, WHAT?!"
"I didn't even ask him!" Lumine muttered, then immediately grew envious.
[Lumine]: (jealous) (crying)
[Lumine]: Brother, how did you pull that off? Teach me!
[Lu Heng]: Just be handsome.
[Lumine]: …?
That didn't sound right at all!
Yae Miko wasn't the type to swoon over looks alone. There had to be a secret.
"There's definitely more to it!" Lumine declared, determined to figure it out.
Paimon only sighed. "Don't overthink it. You'll never guess. Better decide what you'll stream later."
"Oh, right… streaming." Lumine scratched her head. "What should I even do?"
[Lumine]: Hey, Lu Heng, I'm streaming this afternoon. What should I play?
[Lu Heng]: Out of ideas, huh? Then grind your quests.
"Ah… fair enough." Lumine groaned. "Looks like it's time to start Genshin again."
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T/N:
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