The Mysterious Oni

"And there. That's you prepare the Tricolour Dango!"

The masked Oni, or rather, Chi, was currently excitedly imparting the secrets of creating the perfect Tricolour Dango to him. 

Out of curiosity, he had asked the Oni about how it was made. He did not expect it to spark such culinary excitement in her that she enthusiastically volunteered to demonstrate it.

Jason had learned that the girl was known as 'Chi'. The Oni was reluctant to give him her full name, so he decided not to press further. It was the second day he was spending at the Oni's hut. He reckoned in a few more days, he would make a full recovery and be able to leave.

He also could not fantom the reason why the Oni was wearing a mask all the time to hide her appearance.

"Remember, the key to a soft chewy texture lies in the flour." Chi picked up another handful of it. "It's not just the ingredients, but how you prepare it."

He continued to focus attentively on the demonstration.

"We'll now need to extract the Sakura Essence from these petals and infuse them into the flour mixture. This gives the purple dango its colour. Here, give it a try."

Jason followed what Chi did earlier, pressing the Petals in the same motions. The petals began to glow, and pink liquid began to drip from it into the bowl of flour below it.

"Amazing ... I did not realize that the way you press it made such a difference. The liquid seems to be much brighter and more concentrated."

"Hehe … that's one of the secrets behind preparing a delicious Tricolour Dango. You're a quick learner. Unlike someone I used to know, no matter how much I taught her, she could never cook."

"Someone that can't cook? You have to be joking. Surely she could cook eggs at the very least." Jason carefully squeezed out the essence from the last of the petals.

"Nope. The eggs she cooked became rocks, like forgotten treasures from the ancient volcanoes in Natlan. Attempting to bite any of them would be as hard as chewing a brick."

There was a slight chuckle from the Oni. It seemed that she was recounting some pleasant memories.

"Chi! It's Hachiman, I'm here!" A voice came from outside.

"Hachiman?" Jason looked at the Oni in puzzlement.

"He's a trader from the nearby village who drops by once a year. I think we've prepared enough Tricolour Dango for now. Help me to pack it up and bring it over."

When he was done, Jason hurried to the entrance. He eyed a man of average height who wore a finely embroidered haori over a simple yet elegant kimono. A scabbard hung by its waist. 

"Chi, here are the supplies as promised."

"Thank you. It must have been tough for you to get here." 

Jason watched curiously as a middle-aged man unloaded a sack of items onto the floor. 

"It's nothing. We haven't forgotten what you have done for our village. We wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for your intervention. Here are the flour, milks ... the usual. But I`m afraid for Snapdragons, this might be the last batch."

"Did something happen?" Lady Chi asked.

Hachiman sighed, giving a weary nod.

"It's the Sakoku Decree issued by the Raiden Shogun. Our Nation has been sealed off. Except for the black market and some other channels that the rich and powerful have. It's impossible for outside trade to come in or go out. Snapdragons can only be found in Mondstad and Liyue. I`m afraid until it is lifted, there won't be any more supply."

"But why would Ei .. a-ahem. Why would the Raiden Shogun do such a thing?" Chi asked, concern evident in her tone.

"It's because of the Vision Hunt Decree. It ignited a civil war between the forces of Watastumi Island and the Shogunate. Things are really bad right now ... I wish we could just return to the peaceful days."

"What about the Raiden Shogun? Has she intervened?" Chi moved even closer to Hachiman, her eyes anxious for an answer.

"About that, no. It would be out of place for a God like her to intervene in the squabbling of mortal conflicts. The reason I was left with such injuries, was because I was fighting against the resistance as part of the Shogunate." Jason interjected.

"I see ..." Chi murmured to herself, then spoke in an almost inaudible tone that Jason almost missed. " Could it be that Ei does not know about the real consequences of the Civil War? Given her personality, she would have definitely intervened if she knew how much it was costing Inazuma. Just what is that silly girl thinking."

"No. I no longer have any right to judge or face her. After the sin I had committed ..."

Jason continued to rack his mind. Eh? No, it was Ei. Who was this person? He'd never heard of the person before.

The murmurs soon became hushed whispers that Jason could no longer make out what the words were. Chi shifted through the items that Hachiman had brought.

"I happen to have some leftover Sakura Blooms. Please accept them as payment. I'll go and get them. Jason, pass the Tricolour Dangos to Hachiman."

'You're the best, Lady Chi!" Hachiamn's eyes lit up in joy.

Jason recalled what he could. It was common knowledge that Sakura Blooms could be harvested by using an Electro Skill on them. In other words, only electro-vision wielders could obtain them. That made the items rare and much sought after. 

Just Inazuma City alone had a population of over ten million. He knew from the military reports as an officer the Raiden Shogun was aiming to collect 100 visions, and after the first month, they had only confiscated fifteen.

That alone proved how rare vision bearers were among the common masses and how valuable they were.

He had also received a Geo Vision since his battle with Beidou. What turned out to be misfortune had instead become an opportunity for him. As an officer of the Shogunate, he would be probably granted an exception. 

However, there were still other questions on his mind.

"Offering?" He quizzed Hachiman.

"Lady Chi didn't tell you? Well, it's almost time for the Narukami Sojourn. Believers seeking penance and forgiveness for grave sins will bring Tricolour Dangos to the Grand Narukami Shrine. They say the Almighty Raiden Shogun will strike you with Divine Thunder if you do not do so!" The trader carefully placed the parcel of offering into his backpack.

"I see. I did not know Lady Chi was such a fervent believer of the Raiden Shogun. You mentioned an intervention earlier, what was that about?"

"Of course! As you know, the villages in Kannazuka are separated from Inazuma City, which means security in the area is usually not as good. The nearest outpost is the Kujou Encampment which is quite a distance. There was once an attack on our village by several Thunderhelm Lawachurl's a few years ago, Lady Chi was the one who saved us. Her skills were simply incredible, I can't imagine what manner of an opponent she had fought in the past to lose her a- … O-ouch!"

Chi had already returned and was pulling at the man's ears.

"There you go mouthing off again, didn't I tell you not to speak of the matter?" Before Hachiman could continue speaking. Lady Chi was already standing beside him, her lips pouting.

"I'm sorry Lady Chi. I thought that he was a friend of yours so I-"

*PA* *PA* *PA*

Suddenly, vibrant bursts of light shattered the peaceful scene—fireworks.

"This is bad! That sign means … The village is under attack and it's a serious one!" Hachiman said in a trembling voice as he turned to the Oni. "Lady Chi, we'll need your help."

===

Meanwhile, at the entrance of Inazuma City, a lone red-haired girl stood, hair long hair fluttering in wind as she took a long last look at the Majestic City before her.

When Akane heard the news that her master was dead, it was as if the world had collapsed upon her.

Although she never showed it, Jason was her true savior. The Archons of Teyvat and their believers were merely false gods. She remembers everything the master would share and talk with her when they stayed in the forest. Things like basic education for all, sharing knowledge, a Justice System where the poor and rich were judged according to the same standard.

She read in the books about the Justice System in Fontaine, perhaps the people there would accept the master's teachings more easily. 

Master's ideals were not of this world. Only a divine being could have possessed such insight. From the day her master saved her and took care of her, she had swore secretly to devote herself, spirit and body to him.

Her master was not dead. A true God would never die.

This was merely a trial, a test of her faith. She would work hard to endure it and pass it with flying colours. That must be the reason why she was granted a vision when she was grieving over her master's death. 

"Master … I will make sure your memories and teachings live on throughout Teyvat. Until the day you grace us with your return." she wiped the tear away in her eyes as it was replaced by a fearsome zeal.

She walked away, a red vision hanging from her waist as her figure disappeared amidst the sunset.