The Second Archon War, Carmen Dei 5 (Patreon)

Beta’d and Edited by Yae Miko, the Grand Cogitator, and Philosophysics

Forty-four black clad shapes knelt on the ground, swords before them, heads bowed. At their head stood the Evening Star, her purple waistband fluttering in the wind. She stood before her Shuumatsuban, looking out over her disciples. At last, when the moon was hidden behind a cloud, she spoke.

“The Goddess has decreed that a life must be claimed. As her fist of shadow, we shall find this Archon of Wind, and strike him down!”

Kokusho held up a Vision, this one a perverse green instead of the regal purple of the True Goddess. “They shall bear an icon such as this, and be found in a windy land of freedom! I shall lead the strike team to America, where we shall scour its prairies for the Anemo Archon! Another strike team shall be dispatched to the Steppes of Mongolia, another to the Savannahs of Africa, and a fourth to the Pampas of Argentina. There will also be agents dispatched to other locals we suspect may harbor this False Archon. Go now, and receive your assignments.”

Sara Tengan stood, picking up her bow and caressing it gently as she went to one of the senior ninja. Her weapon was a gift forged and given from Her Excellency herself, the Narukami Oshogo, the Raiden Shogun, God of Thunder, and thus by far Sara’s greatest and most treasured possession. Some would have called the weapon tinkertech. Sara knew better. It glowed with an inner power, and when she channeled her electro through it her powers were greatly enhanced. It allowed her to fire off bolts of pure electro energy, stunning or slaying the foes of Eternity with a single arrow.

Thusly, she had named it Yumi-chan.

When she reached the Evening Star herself, Sara bowed deeply. “This blade is ready, master.”

“Tengu. You are dispatched to central Europe. The Netherlands is famous for its windmills. Begin your search there. You shall operate alone, but if you require aid, contact our embassy and the local Shuumatsuban agent shall help.”

Accepting the scroll, Sara bowed once more, then went over to a corner, unrolling it. Unfortunately, while it had the stamp of Lord Kenichi, it did not have Raiden’s own signature on it. Sara sighed and tucked it away, though she did take the plane tickets. She was going in disguise of course; the Shuumatsuban were a clandestine Ninja Clan, not an actual diplomatic organ. Though Sara supposed that assassination was a form of diplomacy. Just a very direct one.

She spent the next few hours perfecting her role as a tourist visiting Europe, selecting a few travel brochures and some articles of disguise. Glasses she didn’t need, a few loud articles of clothing that wouldn’t make her stand out too much but would clearly indicate she wasn’t a threat. Getting her bow through customs was easy, though smuggling her Vision was a little harder. The bow she simply tucked into the vision, elemental weapons could do that easily enough, and the Vision she hid in a camera case provided by the Shuumatsuban. Electro energy was close enough to electricity that hiding it where the battery pack went shouldn’t trip any alarms.

Then she got out her phone and perfected her cover story.

Hey Oni, coming to europe for a trip. Can we meet at Manga Expo in Berlin?

This was purely just a cover story, obviously. She had no reason other than her professional cover to want to go to the largest manga and anime convention in Europe, even if they were going to be flying in the voice actress who played Raiden in Inazuma Hime Ami, Tenkū no Kiseki Musume no Fushigina Bōken. Or as the uncultured called it, Lightning Princess Ami.

Sara wondered if she could put buying another Raiden body pillow under travel expenses. Probably not.

Her phone buzzed after a few minutes.

Yoooooo! Bro so cool u comin! I got somethin’ cookin’ but I can 4sure meet u at MEX! U won’t believe wat’s ben happing!

There was a picture attached of her friend posing at a bar in front of a band that was playing in his Vash the Stampede cosplay. He’d even done the spiky hair and had the custom AGL Arms .45 Long Colt he’d made with Sara’s guidance. As Raiden herself had published a favorable review of Trigun some months ago, Sara had every copy and had watched every episode religiously.

Nice, I’ll bring my Meryle Strife cosplay, we can go together!

An excellent cover, and clearly showed Sara’s wisdom and foresight in meticulously designing and crafting her own cosplay in the hopes that she could go to a con that Raiden would attend as the judge of the cosplay event and get a personal audience with her idol. Goddess. The point was, she would get an audience with Raiden.

This ignored the fact that Raiden had never actually judged a cosplay event, but Sara often did not let reality get in the way of her own personal fantasies. Since Raiden had gifted her with a Vision as a reward for Sara’s work at becoming a professional cosplayer despite her parent's continued disapproval, this had clearly been the right thing to do.

When she’d started cosplaying as Raiden with a Vision to allow her to attempt to reenact some of Raiden’s more impressive feats, she’d been visited by some real ninja’s in the night. At first, she’d thought she’d made a mistake and Raiden had been judging her for foolishly attempting to impersonate the most wonderful Narukami Oshogo. Instead, they’d offered her a job, one Sara had been delighted to accept.

In her travel preparations Sara even went the extra mile and contacted MEX, despite the event being less than two weeks away. She got a response almost immediately: MEX would be delighted to have a professional Raiden Cosplayer, especially the famous Sara Tengan. They even sent her another plane ticket.

Truly, her genius knew no bounds. Raiden would be proud of Sara! She would find this Anemo Archon, and then Raiden would personally invite Sara to the Imperial Palace. They’d have a private dinner and drinks, and Sara would drink a little too much sake, and so would Raiden. Then they’d draw close, their lips touching as-

Sara tried to force the impure thoughts from her head. It was blasphemy! Just like the pile of doujins she kept in the locked cabinet beneath her shrine to Raiden, several of which she had personally commissioned. Also, Sara was straight! Yes, she liked men. Also Raiden. She wanted Raiden’s babies.

No, no, focus on the mission. Which was to impress Raiden. Sara boarded her plane with a happy heart and very few thoughts of killing the Anemo Archon in her head. But she would do anything for Raiden.

Anything.

Despite being the aftermath of a battle, the Feisty Ferret was in surprisingly good condition. The door was propped up against the wall and would take some repairs, but no one had seemed to care too much. Leon had even told Itul that drinks were on the house for the rest of the night after he’d attempted to valiantly defend the bar. He’d not done more than frighten off a few thugs, since once Stuka had picked herself up, she’d slunk off into the shadows. She’d been the only cape with the nazis, and had probably thought she was enough. Which made something occur to her.

“Hey, Gunter, how did you beat Stuka? Doesn’t she absorb kinetic energy or something?” she asked.

Gunter looked up from where he was sweeping up and frowned. “I don’t know. I just punched her, and she flew off.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter, you were wonderful,” Leon said, standing on tiptoes to kiss Gunter on his hairy cheek, which made the big man blush slightly. “You made that nazi bitch go flying, and that’s what counts.”

The Feisty Ferret was mostly empty now, and it was closer to dawn than not. There had been quit the party after Stuka and her gang had tucked their tails and ran, but people had to work in the morning, and the bar normally closed at midnight during the week. The Tone Deaf Bards had stuck around to help clean, and the only patron still there was Itul, who was passed out and snoring in a booth. At some point, he’d put on makeup rather expertly, though his blush was now smudged and his lipstick was smeared. He’d said something about “cosplay” and babbled on to a very enthusiastic crowd of fans, though Itul had seemed slightly confused about the whole thing.

“Hmm, if I understand correctly, kinetic energy is the natural energy of motion, right?” Venti asked, looking up from his drink. Which one he was on Capri didn’t know, and she also sort of wondered how the hell they were going to pay the tab Venti had run up.

“Yes. Bullets, fists, even a gentle push. It is all kinetic energy,” Gunter agreed.

“Ah, well, that explains it! You hit her with Anemo Energy. That’s different,” Venti laughed, and polished off his beer.

Gunter and Leon gave Venti pained looks, obviously assuming he was drunk. Well, actually, Capri figured that Venti WAS drunk, but he might be right about Anemo being a separate sort of energy from kinetic. Not that Capri had a degree in cape physics or whatever, and from what she’d heard capes made physicists cry themselves to sleep at night anyway.

While she was mulling that over, there was a knock at the door. “Meisters. Is this where the trigger happened?”

The man who entered the bar was dressed in an odd costume that was patterned after a circus clown, complete with a plastic flower and squeeze bulb pinned on his chest, as well as a bright red nose and face paint. Capri recognized him as Lache Darüber, a cape that could induce laughter, to the point that they could become nearly helpless with fits of giggles. He had a reputation as one of the better capes in Munich who would help anyone in need, but his powers were somewhat limited and he couldn’t always incapacitate enemy capes fast enough.

“It is,” Gunter said, turning to him. He held up his Vision, which glowed green in the soft light. “I triggered last night, when Stuka and her thugs attacked us.”

“Damn girl. Wish I could get her to lighten up,” Lache said, sighing and shaking his head. He pursed his lips, looking around. “Say, I’ve been here a time or two, haven’t I? You’re Gunter Mueller, right? Shit, was anyone hurt?”

“Only the bastards that tried to attack us. I gave Stuka a good hit, and a few of her punks needed a lesson as well. None of our customers were,” Gunter said with a shrug.

Lache looked relieved, sighing heavily and sitting down. “I”m glad you could handle it. I was tied up most of the night fighting Rost and Ruine. They hit up a bank, and the report said there were no casualties here.”

“Scum,” Gunter said, and went behind the bar, pouring Lache a beer. The cape looked at him gratefully and drained it.

“Well, I think you know why I’m here, then. You’ll be getting more visits, but we need the help. Too many capes controlled by the Gesellschaft, too many villains out for their own profit. It’s a mess, and there’s only two of us from the Meisters in all of Bavaria now that Hartkopf is dead.”

“I’ve heard of this Gesellschaft, is Stuka one of theirs?” Venti asked curiously, sliding over on the bar.

Lache glanced at him, then did a double take when he spotted Venti’s Vision. “Two of you? What are those things, are they like the electric ones?”

“Anemo visions,” Venti said, holding his up. “Surely you’ve seen them in all colors! Green, blue, red, and gold?”

“No, just the purple ones, and now these,” Lache said, looking interested, but not worried. “The purple ones are damn useful. My partner, Zündkerze has one.”

“Oh? She’s a bit of an eccentric, maybe a loner?” Venti asked.

“Not a loner, but she’s certainly eccentric. Used to stand outside of government buildings and protest about some fool thing or the other all day. Now she keeps talking my ear off about how we have to save the Bavarian Pine Vole or some such. Tied herself to trees too, I think. But she’s got a good heart. You looking to join the Meisters too?”

Venti put on an innocent face. “Little old me? Oh no, I’m not a big strong man like Gunter here. I’m just a traveling bard.”

“Not so sure I want to join the Meisters,” Gunter said, looking at the Vision in his hands. “My home is here, with Leon.”

“Are you certain? We could use another cape like you. Either of you, really. There aren’t enough people willing to stand up to the Gesellschaft, even among the Meisters,” Lache said, his tone pained.

“The Meisters serve the government. The government is owned by the Gesellschaft. I worked for a corrupt regime once. I will not do so again,” Gunter growled, clenching his fist around his vision so hard that Capri could see knots of muscle stand out in his arm.

“Here, here,” Capri said, raising her glass, which at this point had water because she wasn’t an alcoholic and someone had to drive the van. “Fuck the Government.”

Lache looked pained. “But this is our country. We have to stay strong, to take it back, to make it a place of laughter again. Isn’t that worth fighting for?”

“You’re a good man, Lache, and a good hero,” Leon said quietly, taking off his glasses to polish them with a cloth he took from his pocket. He squinted and put them back on, then smiled. “You’ve been an absolute doll. Never once made fun of us. Come to help us more than once when villains saw us as an easy target. Refused to let Stuka join your team when she showed her true colors. But this is our bar. Gunter and I built this place when the AIDS epidemic was raging. We kept it going when Cologne was destroyed and the economy was in shambles.”

Leon warmed to his theme, but Venti suddenly sat up, his eyes bright. He took out an odd-looking instrument and began to play on his harp. For some reason, the tune he played made Capri think of Japan, and she began to absently tap out a beat.

Leon was warming to his team, and his eyes seemed to glow as he continued. “I thought about leaving. God knows I did. It’s safe in America, in Japan, anywhere where these fucking Nazi’s aren’t trying to destroy us for who we are. But I made up my mind last night. I’ll be damned if these bastards drive me from my home! I’ll stay here beside Gunter from now until Eternity, even if those bastards come back with every cape in the Gesellschaft!”

There was an audible crack of thunder along with a purple flash, and everyone flinched, save Venti. The bard simply continued to play, a smile on his lips.

“Oh sweet Barbra Streisand,” Leon gasped, staring open-mouthed at the purple Vision that lay on the counter in front of him. He looked around, utterly disbelieving. “Is that…is that MINE?”

“I think it is,” Gunter said, then grabbed Leon and pulled him into a kiss.

Naomi cheered and started clapping, and Capri couldn’t keep a smile off her face either.

Lache looked away politely until the two men separated, but Venti smiled and watched the whole display. Itul kept right on snoring. After a few minutes, Gunter and Leon stood together, their arms around one another’s shoulders.

“We’re not joining the Meisters,” Gunter said firmly.

“But if you ever need help fighting those bastards, you call us,” Leon added.

Lache considered that, then shrugged and barked out a laugh. “Well, it’s not what I came for, but I’ll take it! Thank you, gentlemen, and good luck. My report will look favorably upon you both.” Then he bowed and left.

For a clown, Capri had to admit he was a pretty stand up guy.

“Well, I think our work here is done,” Venti said, standing. He smiled at Gunter and Leon. “I’m afraid we won’t be staying to play for the next two nights. I think the seeds of freedom are well and truly planted here, and it’s time for the wind to carry us along our journey.”

“What!? But everyone loved you! You have to come back!” Leon protested, looking flabbergasted.

“Oh, we will. I like it here! But, our journey calls us ever onward.” Venti turned to go, then hesitated. He turned back, rubbing his chin. “You know, instead of joining the Meisters, you could join my team.”

“Your cape team?” Gunter frowned at Naomi and Capri. “Something you girls aren’t telling us?”

“Hey, don’t look at me, I just play guitar,” Capri said with a shrug, and Naomi smiled and shook her head.

“You’re a part of a cape team?” Leon asked Venti.

Venti sat back down, and took out his harp, strummin a tune. “Well, more of an honorary member, really. Let me tell you a tale of a group of heroes: a band of men and women from a far away land, who cast off the shackles of slavery, and built a City of Wind and Freedom. The Knights of Favonius”

Despite the late hour, or early, depending on your perspective, Venti held them all in thrall as he wove his story of the Knights of Favonius, the defenders of Mondstadt. Even Itol woke up and listened as Venti played and sang or spoke. The sun was up by the time he finished, and there were tears in everyone’s eyes.

“-and so, the Traveler and the Knights did not slay the dragon, but saved him. Dvalin was once again one of the Guardians of the Four Winds, and freedom blew again on the winds of Mondstadt. They say that Barbatos smiled that day, and upon his people. But, well, I’m just a humble bard. What do mere mortals know of the minds of gods?”

“That was a wonderful story,” Leon said, his voice raspy. He had to dab at his eyes with a handkerchief. “It was almost like…it was real…like I could see Lumine, Vanessa, and even Dvalin the Dragon.”

“I like these knights,” Gunter said, nodding, though his eyes were wet with tears as well. “It is a good name for a good folk. Leon and I will join.”

“All you must do is to swear to uphold the ideals of Favonius: to guard freedom, to protect the weak, and to always let the Wind Lead,” Venti said, smiling gently.

Gunter nodded. “So we swear.”

“I’ll guard freedom, protect the weak, and follow the wind,” Leon agreed.

“Excellent! Well then, we must be away. Come, my merry companions! Our trusty steed awaits!”

“Yo, wait, what about me?” Itul demanded, pointing to himself. “I can join! I’m a tough guy! I totally love freedom and stuff.”

“Hmm. I don’t know,” Venti looked at Itul, concerned. “There’s something about your Vision. It’s like…your mortal ambition, it’s been corrupted.”

“Huh? What are you talking about!? Nothing and no one corrupts me! I’ll fight for this city, and anyone that tries to bully people! That’s why they call me Itul ‘Nazi Puncher’ Armburst!” he bragged, pointing to his chest and puffing it out.

“Hmm, maybe I can…” Venti reached out, touching Itul’s forehead.

“What? Oh, are we gonna kiss? Cause, uh, I’ve totally kissed girls before, but uh, I gotta pop like, a mint or something first, so…”

“Itul…Venti’s a man,” Naomi said gently, which made Itul start.

“What!? No, Venti’s way cute! And with the braids, and the cute smile, and that slim…hold on, are you really packing?”

“I’m male at the moment,” Venti said absently. “This shadow on your soul…I can feel it-”

There was a massive gust off wind, rattling the glasses along the wall and causing even the walls to tremble. For a moment, Capri saw once more the angelic being, and felt herself fall to her knees in awe and wonder. She heard thumps all around her, as the others fell down in awe. Even Itul was gasping and trembling, as the angel reached a hand into his very soul.

Then the light was gone, and Venti was on the floor, unmoving, while Itul just sat there on his knees, his eyes wide, his expression vacant.

“Venti!” Naomi gasped, running forward and rolling him over. Capri was at her side in an instant, feeling a rush of horror herself.

“I’m alright,” Venti groaned, sitting up with their help. “I…that took more out of me than it should. That thing…space and time…I…I felt it…I don’t…”

Venti let out a gasp of horror and was suddenly the winged angel was here once more, bright bow in his hands.

BE NOT AFRAID. STAY HERE. I WILL DEAL WITH THIS ENTITY.

And then Venti was out the door, wind billowing from a single flap of his wings. Capri didn’t question, she just stood and sprinted after him, Naomi half a step behind her.

When they got outside, they both paused, looking up in awe. Hope swelled in Capri’s heart, and she took Naomi’s hand, squeezing it. “It’s him. He’s here…”

Above them in the sky, Scion hovered, his golden gaze looking down upon Venti. Venti’s back was to Naomi and Capri, but they couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder and hope: the two great powers of the world had come together. With Scion, Venti could do anything! Stop the Nazis, destroy the Endbringers, save the-

Then Venti spread his wings wide, as if to protect those behind him, and raised his bow. He didn’t knock an arrow, but by the swirling winds, Capri could sense something was wrong. That Venti, somehow, saw Scion as a threat.

WHAT IS IT YOU WANT, YOU FROM BEYOND THE STARS? WHY DO YOU OPPRESS MORTAL MINDS? WHAT IS IT YOU WANT OF ME AND MINE?

Scion just watched Venti for a moment, his golden gaze suddenly ominous to Capri’s mind. He looked down on them like…like they were insects. Worthless. Beneath his notice.

Then Scion simply turned away, and was gone in a sonic boom that had Naomi and Capri both on the ground, weeping in pain.

Venti was down beside them in a moment, touching their ears, and hearing was restored as pain fled.

“I told you to stay inside. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that would draw that…things…attention. It seems even here, I can do only so much,” Venti said, his tone bitter. He shook his head, looking disgusted. “And to think, I gave up my gnosis to Dantalia, only to find an even more horrific foe.”

Itul stepped out, shaking his head and looking dazed. “What happened? Where’s the enemy! I’ll fight ‘em. Just, uh, as soon as my head stops hurting…Uh, also…sorry I thought you were a chick. I, uh, I mean…you’re cute…but I don’t swing that way…”

“And you came to this bar?” Capri asked, trying to force more levity than she felt.

“Hey, it’s a cool bar! Are you sure you’re not staying?” Itul asked, grinning broadly. “Huh, headaches going away. I feel…I feel GREAT! Like I could really…hoo boy. I think I’mma lie down. I need a nap…”

Itul ended up standing there, looking dazed, while Gunter and Leon slowly crept out of the bar.

“Venti…what are you?” Leon asked, his voice raw and full of awe. “I’ve never seen…”

Gunter frowned, folding his arms over his chest. “That voice…I think I have heard it one time only before. Explain.”

“Hmm, it’s a bit hard too,” Venti said, rubbing the back of his head and grinning sheepishly. “Well…you know Raiden Shogun?”

“Who doesn’t? She’s the Endslayer,” Leon said. His eyes grew wide. “Wait, did you kill an Endbringer?! No, what am I saying, of course you didn’t. But how…?”

“Raiden is the Electro Archon, also known as Beezlebul to use her godly name instead of her title. Me? Well, I’m not one to rule a whole country like her, but-”

“Anemo,” Gunter said, holding up his vision. “You’re the Anemo Archon. A…god?”

“Thunder Thighs was telling the truth?!” Leon gasped, looking both awed and horrified.

“Thunder Thighs! I like that! I’ll just add it to my list of pet names for her,” Venti said, pretending to pull a pen out of the air and write it down on an imaginary list. “Ah, I wouldn’t recommend that you call her that though. Unless you happen to be Lightning proof.”

“Hey, I’m lightning proof!” Itul said brightly. “Uh, I think so, anyway. Got hit by a car the other day and it didn’t hurt that much anyway. But uh, if you’re like a god…are we supposed to worship you or something? Because I was all set to worship Raiden. Have you seen the fan art and cosplay of her? Now that’s a sexy woman!”

“Ah, a pity,” Leon sighed. “The boys liked you so much too. I was hoping you’d come back.”

“What, you mean my new bros? Of course I’ll come back! This place is great!” Itul said happily, gesturing to the bar. “Gotta fix that door though. Um, sorry about that. That was pretty cool when I Kool-aid-man’d my way out though, huh?”

Gunter’s lips twitched into a smile. “I think we’ll make an exception for you, if you help me fix the door.” Then he turned to Venti, and knelt, extending his vision. “Lord of Anemo, I will serve as your knight. I am not a praying man, but you…you are a god I would serve.”

“Aw, you’re making me blush! Now stand up, stand up! I’m just Venti now, not Barbatos. It’s a…cape name! Yes, exactly! My secret identity!” Venti planted his hands on his hips and posed dramatically. “I like it! I am Venti Luft, but when the wind calls, they know me as…The Tone Deaf Bard!”

Leon winced and slowly got down on his knees, then blinked and smiled happily. “Hey! I don’t ache like I used to!”

“A Vision does a body good! But seriously, don’t kneel, especially when I’m in this form. I’m the god of Freedom. I want friends, not slaves.”

It took a little urging, but Gunter and Leon did get back on their feet. Then it was time for some real goodbyes, with Capri and Naomi hugging their friends to bid farewell.

“Hit me up some time, I could take one of you lovely ladies on a date!” Itul told them.

“Itul…we’re a couple,” Naomi told him, fighting back a smile.

“I know, a couple of friends!” Itul said happily.

“We’re gay,” Capri told him, and kissed Naomi.

“Oh! That’s uh…I uh…hmmm…” a dopey grin spread over his face, and his eyes took on a distant look. Then Gunter slapped him upside the back of his head.

“Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Ow! I mean, that didn’t actually hurt, but it did hurt my feels! I would never! Uh, whatever you thought I was doing. Just between us, what did you think I was doing? Because I kinda spaced out there for a moment.”

They loaded up in the van, and headed off, Venti laying in the back, while Naomi sat in the front next to Capri.

“So, where to?” Capri asked, stifling a yawn. She had been up all night.

“Well, I hate to say it, but we actually probably should sleep before our journey, as wonderfully dramatic as riding off into the sunrise now would be,” Venti said, yawning himself. “So I guess it’s back to camp. Then, after we rest, off into the sunset! It’s more practical to leave during sunrise, but there’s something really romantic about a traveler departing during sunset, don’t you think?”

“I suppose,” Naomi agreed. She turned around, looking at Venti curiously. “Did you give Gunter that Vision? And what about Leon?”

“Ah! Good question. So the answer is mostly no, but also yes!” Venti said brightly.

Capri snorted. “That’s nonsense and you know it.”

“No, it’s the truth. If you mean, did I personally select Gunter or Leon and give them their Vision? No. A Vision is the spiritual representation of mortal ambitions. One given form and power by the will of the person who carries it.”

“Really? I thought they came from Trigger events,” Naomi asked curiously. “You know, on your worst day.”

“Hmm. I’ve seen some trauma induced Visions, but that’s usually not the case, not even with Anemo or Cryo visions,” Venti mused.

“So, if you don’t give out the Visions, who does? Some other god?” Capri asked.

“Ah! That’s a theory some scholars support! That it is Celestia who hands out Visions. I think they’d be tearing their hair out in the Akadymia right about now if they could see that we were in a land with no Celestia, and people were still getting Visions! And before you ask, some people do believe that an Archon personally selects people to receive Visions, but I can safely tell you that no, neither I nor any of the other members of the Seven go around and secretly hand out Visions.”

“Stop dancing around and answer the question. How did Gunter and Leon get their Visions?” Capri demanded, glancing in the rearview mirror and frowning at Venti.

“Well, the truth is, no one actually knows. Not even the Archons or other gods,” Venti said with a shrug. Capri shot him another glare, while Naomi tilted her head and frowned.

“But, surely you must have a guess, or at least an idea?” Naomi asked.

“I do, as a matter of fact. I won’t explain it all now, as it takes some of the fun out of things, but let me ask you this: What do you think?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea. They’re powers. They showed up twenty years ago when I was a little kid and have been screwing up the world since then,” Capri said with a snort.

“No…the other powers have…but not Visions,” Naomi said slowly. “We got the Electro Visions about the same time Raiden revealed herself and killed Leviathan. And I hadn’t seen an Anemo Vision before Venti came…and if they’re the Archons…that means somehow, the Visions are tied to them.”

“Right you are!” Venti said brightly. “The Archons DO influence how and when the Visions are given out. I can tell you it’s true that we don’t personally decide who gets them, but…well. I can influence things. Just a little.”

“Could you give us powers?” Capri asked bluntly.

“Hmm, I’m not sure, but perhaps,” Venti mused. “To receive a Vision, your ambition must align to that of an Archon. Raiden is the God of Eternity. And, well, a bit of a loner. People who receive electro visions tend to be eccentrics or loners who single mindedly pursue a goal, especially if it goes against the grain so to speak.”

“Leon definitely goes against the grain. He chooses to have that lisp,” Capri said, her brow creasing. “I’ve heard him stop using it when he gets really serious. It marks him out, makes him conspicuous, and yeah, he’s pursued his goal of having that bar even when everyone else told him it was crazy and he should keep his head down so he didn’t stand out so much.”

“You’re the god of freedom, right? I don’t know Gunter well, but I know he fled DDR by sneaking over the Berlin Wall back in the 70s. I think he really values freedom and democracy, even if he doesn’t talk about it a lot,” Naomi mused.

“Yes, there are….other aspects of my children,” Venti looked painted, and his expression grew distant as he lay down, his eyes slightly haunted. “Out of all the Archons, I’m the most…mortal. I’m not, mind you, but, well…I act like it. And think like it. But I’m not. I’ve lost so many friends over the millenia…it’s one reason I wander so often. It lessens the pain somewhat, not seeing friends grow old.”

They were quiet as Capri navigated through the slowly waking streets back to the campsite. When they got there, Naomi took Venit’s hand. “It’s OK. I know we’ll grow old someday, but…as long as you’re on this quest to free the land…It’s what I want too. I ran away from home, I…I lost my parents…they won’t even talk to me…”

Tears were running down Naomi’s cheeks, but her voice was firm. “I did it because they wanted to put me in a box. And I refused. I wasn’t their perfect little daughter, I was me. And now, people are trying to put this whole country in a box. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll work as hard as it takes, even if it means sleepless nights…”

Capri nodded her agreement, putting her hands over Naomi. “People have called me a freak all my life. I ran away from home too. I was married to a pig of a man at 16, and that wasn’t for me. I did odd jobs for a while, and I was sort of lost until I met Naomi. But I’ve always wanted my music to move people, and I think now I have the chance to do it with you. We’ll break the stupid old traditions, and make the world free again.”

A voice whispered in Capri’s ear, but she ignored it. “Even if I don’t have powers, it doesn’t matter. This is something worth fighting for. So even if I’m just your chauffeur, I’ll drive you from one end of Europe to the other to make this happen.”

“Together,” Naomi agreed.

Venti grinted. “Done, and Done.”

Something tugged at Capri’s spirit, and she started listening.

Even though the crowd rejects you and the music fades, you will not cease to play: Your ambition is too great.

Come what may, you will face the storm, singing your defiance amidst the lightning and thunder, never ceasing. Your obsession will drive you forward.

No matter what you face, you will push on, demanding that the world turn to your song. Eternity will be your goal.

No matter the cacophony or discord, you will never cease to sing, into Eternity, though your years are but a moment, your song will live forever.

After all: There must always be mortals who will face the Lightning’s Glow.

Capri gripped the lightning, and it flowed through her. Somehow, her guitar was in her hands, and she struck a power cord. “LET’S ROCK!”

Beside her, Naomi danced to unheard music, and the winds wrapped around her, coalescing into a Vision of power.

When they came back to themselves, they looked to Venti. Who promptly rapped his knuckles on his forehead and stuck out his tongue.

“I don’t choose who gets a Vision….but I can put in a good word on someone’s behalf.

Welcome…Knights of Favonius!”