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It all started on the night of the incident. God, it could've been coincidental but something felt right. Sara glared daggers into Sangonomiya Kokomi’s eyes as she lifted her chin with her sword. The priestess had a smug look on her face, almost begging Sara to do it. She knew she wouldn’t, and Sara knew it too. The tip of the sword was mere centimeters from her neck. It would be so easy to, and part of Sara wanted her to lose control and accidentally kill Kokomi. But she couldn't bring herself to do it.
“What are you waiting for?” She asked.
“Will you shut up?” Sara yelled back.
“Why don’t you make me?”
“Don’t test me.”
“Why shouldn't I?” She cocked her head.
“I’m the one with the sword at your neck.”
“Yeah, but you won't do it.”
“What if I do?”
“You wouldn’t.”
Those two words struck anger in Sara’s heart. Slowly, she lowered her sword.
“Go, before anyone sees you.” Kokomi rushed to stand up and ran to the opposite side of the mountain.
“Thank you Sara!” Sara blushed a little. She knew her name.
Sara turned away and back to the base of the mountain.
------
The Resistance had won the battle. By letting Kokomi go, they gained the upper hand. Kokomi was a master strategist, she knew exactly how to take Sara down, and now, how to push her buttons. Sara stood before the Raiden Shogun in defeat. She knew she would have to explain herself, and that sent shivers down her spine.
Ei sat before Sara, legs crossed on her throne, her arm leaning against the edge of the chair. She looked up at Sara. Her eyes glowed with anger. Sara could feel her heart against her ribcage. She attempted to remain in eye contact with the Shogun, but her anxiety told her otherwise.
“Kujou Sara,” Ei was the first to break the silence. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I’m sorry, Ma’am. It won’t happen again-” The Shogun cut her off, shocking Sara into standing upright. Her voice strained.
“Sorry? You’re sorry? Do you have any idea of the trouble you have caused us?” Ei stood up and drew closer to Sara.
“...Yes.” She pushed out the words.
“Now they think they have the upper hand. Now the people of Inazuma believe there is a way other than Eternity. You have caused the beginning of the end of our nation. And all you can muster is ‘sorry’?”
“It will never happen again.” She seethed.
“It already happened. You cannot take that back. Do you understand?” The Shogun forced Sara into eye contact by grabbing her chin.
“With all due respect, it was only one battle.” The Raiden Shogun slapped Sara across the face, turning Sara’s head to look at the ground below her. The circular patterns of the dirt were only disturbed by minimal footprints.
“Don’t you ever speak to me that way. Understand?”
Sara nodded slowly.
“Good, now leave.” The world around her faded to black as Sara found herself back in the Raiden Shogun’s headquarters.
------
Sara ran. And she ran. And ran some more. She ran to the edge of the island, hidden by a cave. She could not afford this humiliation in front of the people in Inazuma. She ran into the cave, covered in glowing plants. The sun started to fall as the Moon rose. She watched the sun go past the horizon and the moon stand tall in the sky. This area of the island was peaceful, undisturbed by the buildings and roads.
Suddenly, she heard a rustle in the leaves.
“Who goes there?” She demanded as she drew her bow. She followed the rustling all the way around to the other side of the cave. She slowly withdrew her arrow from the bow and parted the leaves. A small figure ducked behind the branches.
Kokomi.
“What are you doing here?!” Sara whispered.
“What does it look like? I’m here to find you.”
“Me? How did you know I’d be here? Who are you working with?!”
“Some people have natural gifts for this, don't you know?” Kokomi stood up and brushed the dirt away from her skirt.
“Are you back for round two or something?”
“What is wrong with you? No, I’m here to thank you.”
“Thank… me?”
“Yes, for… saving my life and all? That was very kind of you.”
Sara paused for a moment. “Don’t test me, princess.” She drew her bow and arrow again.
“Number one, it’s priestess, and number two, do you think I’m lying to you?”
Sara’s bow started to lower.
“Why did you come all the way here? What if you got caught?”
“I wouldn't.”
“Sure, don't be cocky with me, I’m the one with the upper hand here. Do you know how easy it would be for me to kill you right here? Or maybe take your vision?”
Kokomi stepped closer to Sara, looking her dead in the eyes. “Then do it.”
Sara paused. “Exactly, you won't.” Kokomi said.
“What is your deal?”
“My deal? Can one not tease a friend?”
“We are not friends.”
“Not yet.” She smirked. Sara was at a loss for words. “Follow me, Kujou Sara.” Her name slipped off her tongue in such a casual manner that it shook Sara.
Kokomi made her way to the entrance of the cave, kneeling down in the shallow water. Sara could already feel her shoes get wet.
“Do you ever wonder what goes on outside of Inzuman politics?”
“...No.” Sara admitted.
“There’s a whole different world out there. There’s six other nations. But look at the sea below us. There is a different society out there. A hierarchy we never even thought of.” The fish crowded around Kokomi’s hand, splashing in the water.
“What is your point in this?”
“My point is that you think too small. There is a different life outside of Inazuma. Follow me.”
Kokomi stood up, and took a step onto the water. Her feet remained above the ocean as ripples traveled away from her.
“Come on,” She motioned.
Sara took one step forward, and her feet remained above the water. Another step proved to be the same. Kokomi dashed forward into the water as Sara followed after her.
“Wait!” She yelled as she chased after Kokomi. Kokomi laughed in response.
Kokomi ran to a small rock above the water. Sara followed after as they both sat on the rock.
Kokomi looked at the moon. “Did they ever tell you the story of the moon?”
“No.” Sara responded.
“Long before people and visions, there were three moons in the sky. They were all sisters. They tried to outshine each other and this turned into a fight. On that same night, two of the sisters died. The third one passed away as well due to loneliness. The moon we see now is the third sister, left by herself to orbit Teyvat.”
“Is there a reason you’re telling me this?”
“If we all try to outshine each other, we will only end up alone.”
“Is this a message to me?”
“Maybe.”
Sara remained silent.
“You know there is a life outside of serving the Shogun.”
“Are you asking me to join you?”
“Perhaps.”
“Never.”
“Why not?”
“You are the enemy.”
“Says who? The Shogun?” Sara didn't speak. “Sara, I don’t want to fight you.” Kokomi grew closer to Sara and grabbed her hand. They stared into each other’s eyes. Sara knew what Kokomi was planning.
“No, no, no, no!” Sara pulled away, burying her face in her hands. Kokomi pulled herself towards Sara and kissed her on the cheek. Sara looked up briefly before burying her face in her hands again.
“Sara.” Kokomi said, Sara turned to Kokomi. They locked eyes again. Sara pulled closer to Kokomi. Kokomi placed a hand on her cheek. Sara felt the butterflies in her stomach. Kokomi pulled closer to Sara.
“There she is!” A voice yelled at them. Above the cave stood a group of Tengu. Sara starred in absolute horror. Slowly a figure rose over the edge of the cliff.
“Arrest them.” Ei stated before turning away. Sara felt a chill down her spine as the world faded to black.
------
As Sara awoke, she could tell her wrists were restrained. She could feel the rough wood against the side of her hands. She slowly opened her eyes. The world was unblurring but she could tell there was someone in front of her. The purple shoes gave it away.
“Looks like someone’s awake.”
The area was familiar to Sara. She knew this room. And she knew the shoes. Her eyes traced up. Ei stood looking down at her.
“Look what we have here.” She paused and cocked her head. “A traitor.”
“What is going on here?” Sara demanded.
“I think you know exactly what is going on here.”
The memories of the rock and moon flooded back to Sara.
“Where is she?” Sara spat out.
“Who?”
“Stop playing games with me.”
“Oh? The priestess? Don’t worry about her, the Tengu Commission is taking good care of her.”
“What are you planning to do her?”
“Kujou Sara, do you have any idea what you have done?” The Shogun drew closer to Sara, making Sara feel small.
“It’s not what it looks like.” She pleaded.
“It’s exactly what it looks like. And I will leave you to pick up the pieces.”
“What do you mean?” Sara croaked.
Ei looked up to the guards beside Sara. “Take her with me.”
Sara was let go of the pillar. She walked down the hall with her head hung, wondering what the Shogun was doing. The pit in her stomach churned as the doors swung open to a scene she could’ve never expected.
Kokomi was standing in the middle of the room, untied. Sara took notice of the missing vision on her chest. The guards shoved Sara forward. The Raiden Shogun handed Sara her bow and arrows.
“Kill her.” She demanded.
The doors slammed shut behind her.
“Sara.” Kokomi got her attention.
“I swear to god, I’m not going to listen to the Shogun anymore-”
“Sara, it’s okay.” Her hand moved up to her chest, covering where her vision used to be.
“What are you saying?”
Tears filled Kokomi’s eyes. “Do it.”
“Are you crazy?!”
“She took my vision.” Kokomi explained. “Life’s not worth living anymore.”
“What are you talking about? I can get it back, I swear.”
“That’s not possible. She already destroyed it.”
“So? It’s okay, we’ll figure it out.”
“Sara, do you know what happens when people lose their vision?”
Sara paused, fearful of admitting she didn't.
“They die. Or go crazy. Or sick. I’ve seen it all myself. People who have survived wars are driven to the temptation of death after losing their vision. Healthy children who have only just obtained theirs are destroyed from the inside out. It's awful.”
“Are you serious?”
Kokomi nodded her head slowly.
“No…”
“Yes.”
“Kokomi, I-”
“Sara, do it. I’m begging you.”
“I’m not going to kill you!”
“Do it before I do!”
“Kokomi..?”
“Sara, I can’t stand it anymore.” Sara looked at the girl who taught her kindness. Taught her the stories of Teyvat and reasons for living. She could never live with herself if she killed Kokomi, but she also couldn't live with herself if she let her suffer. When horses became sick, they killed them. She knew she could never fix this. She hated it.
“Sara, please. I understand this is difficult. I really do. But please, I’m begging you.”
“Kokomi, I’m very sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, love. We will meet again.”
Sara drew her bow. The whoosh of the bow took her back to the battlefield and the night she saved Kokomi’s life. And here she was ending it. The thunk of the body hitting the floor was a sound she refused to process. She closed her eyes as she turned around. The bow hit the floor. The doors flung open.
The Raiden Shogun stood outside.
“Good job, Sara.” Ei’s words were slimy. “Unfortunately, I heard your conversation inside. What happens to non-vision holders is none of your business. Good night, Kujou Sara.” Sara felt the cold blade sliced easily through Sara’s stomach, sending her falling to the floor.