Xiaolumi: Fated Encounter I

Something Amiss

It had happened so fast as their suspicions about Ei being correct. So much had happened in that cave with the final pack of rifthounds. Ei's puppet, Raiden had begun to reject her causing her great deal of agony. To further their surprise not one but three phantoms from the damaged roots had appeared. Their eyes going wide at seeing each had a Vision of cryo, anemo, and electro on their belts. Meanwhile at the same time Xiao and Lumine had helped Ei to a safer corner of the cave so she could rest.

"W-Where am I..?"pondered one samurai as he looked around. He turned his gaze to Xiao who didn't take his eyes off the rift wolves. "Who are you?" Then turned it over towards where Lumine stood protectively by Ei's side. The sight of the one with them causing the three samurai to gasp. "Almighty Shogun-sama, you're here!?"

"Samurai spirits from five hundred years ago again?"Lumine pondered in her thoughts watching them approach.

"Are you injured Your Excellency?"asked another of the samurai.

"She took a few hits from those monsters protecting the sacred sakura but she'll be fine."assured Lumine. Making them turn their gaze briefly to acknowledge the blonde's words.

"I-It's as my companion says. I'll be fine, I am just a little stiff."rasped Ei as her voice hitched from her agony. They knew it was taking everything not to show it but Lumine saw it. Slowly Lumine got back to her feet summoning her blade of jade to come to stand beside Xiao.

"We'll lend a hand."hissed Lumine.

"D-Don't it's too dangerous!"pleaded Ei but she was still too stiff to move.

"You just stay back there and rest."countered Xiao.

"But-"

"No 'but' about it, Lady Ei. You've been through much already, now it's our turn."stated Lumine firmly. Ei finally relented with a sigh as she stiffly nodded.

"Danger is our duty, Ma'am. If we were the kind to shy away from danger we never would have taken up arms to begin with."assured one samurai.

"No need to worry, Almighty Shogun-sama. When the situation looks bad we'll use the gifts the gods have bestowed upon us."agreed another samurai looking over his shoulder.

"Wait is that a Vision!?"squeaked Paimon in surprise.

"Your just noticing that now Paimon!?"snapped Lumine.

"Ugh....idiot."sighed Xiao. "It's literally hanging on their belts."

"Hey how was Paimon supposed to know!?"protested Paimon only to earn a sharp growl of annoyance from Lumine.

"You know what? Never mind I have zero patience right now."Lumine's annoyed and sharp tone a surprise to even Xiao. As they hopped into the fray Xiao noticed Lumine was not in her top form. Lumine just barely dodging the sharp blows from the large black wolves. Xiao actually having to step in to protect her a few times.

"Get a hold of yourself, your movements have been sluggish."he hissed a flick of his spear sending a rift whelp flying and vanishing into black smoke.

"I'm fine so quit worrying so much."huffed Lumine surprising Xiao. Lumine what was going on with her right now? She usually didn't struggle in a fight and had the patience of a saint and usually very cheerful. He forced his concern to the back for now to help finish off the rest of the monsters. Once that was done Lumine let her sword vanish and she seemed out of breath. "This isn't like you Lumi...what is going on?"he thought. He would need to keep a close eye on her in case his concerns were correct that something was wrong as they left the gave with Ei, listening to her resolve and promise she had declared. As they left the cave Xiao noticed Lumine rubbing her forehead.

"Lumine, are you sure you're alright?"he asked in concern gently pulling her aside.

"I-I'm fine. I just had a lot on my mind right now."Xiao didn't look so convinced by her words.

"Lumine be honest with me, did you sleep at all?"Lumine's reaction was enough to confirm it. She hadn't slept well if at all during the entire time she had been caring for him while he was ill. "After this job we're going home."he sighed. But Lumine knew what he meant all the same. "I have been feeling irritable..."she thought in guilt. She had snapped not only at Paimon but Xiao as well back there.

"X-Xiao? Um...I-I'm sorry for snapping at you back there."Lumine whimpered in shame. Instead of a sharp rebuke she felt his hand stroke her cheek before placing a light kiss to her forehead.

"I'm not angry, Lumen. Just concerned for you right now...y-you stayed up all that time caring for me with that fever didn't you? Thank you."he soothed earning a delight hum from her.

"You have been rather snippy. You keep chewing out Paimon all day, maybe you should take a nap when we get back to our guest room?"Paimon suggested. "Hm...maybe."chuckled Lumine. However a pained scream from Ei alerted them sending them over to the archon's side.

"Ei!?"

"Are you alright?"

"What's wrong are you unwell again?"

"M-My body...I can't move it!"whimpered Ei. She seemed to be in a lot more agony then before and in a great deal of distress. "It looks like...the s-situation is far more...severe then I t-thought."

"We should get you back to the city, Ei."Lumine swiftly stated hurrying over to steady Ei so she wouldn't fall.

"Agreed. Something is wrong and it needs urgent attention, Lady Beezebul."agreed Xiao firmly.

Ei just stiffly shook her head, "No need. 'She' is calling for me, the time is here."

"She? Who is 'She', Ei?"wondered Paimon.

However, Xiao and Lumine had a vague idea who Ei was talking about. Lumine took one arm over her shoulder and Xiao swiftly took the other side to help support Ei. "C-Can you help me walk?"groaned Ei. The couple slowly nodded helping her away.

"Where do you need to go?"Xiao asked.

"B-Below the Grand Narukami Shrine....there's a cave there. Help me get there please..."rasped Ei.

"Narukami Shrine?"Lumine asked Ei nodding in response.

"Why there? What's in there, Ei?"asked Paimon.

"A battleground. One that'll help me...t-take my first steps into the future and severe ties with the past..."hissed Ei through her agony and discomfort.

"Alright, just take it slow."soothed Lumine. But what Ei witnessed didn't escape her notice as she saw a faint glow from Lumine's eyes as they vanished in a golden white light. Appearing at Narukami Shrine itself seconds later. The pace was achingly slow due to Ei's current condition but they soon reached the small cave. Ei having gained some control got a tori gate with some kind of portal to appear. Soon revealed to in fact be Makoto's very own mindscape that Ei had some how managed to save, bring back, and seal here beneath the shrine. What they hadn't counted on was getting sucked in to see Ei confronting her very own puppet. Not long after being kicked out by Ei herself with a message for Yae Miko. But it left the trio in a worried and confused state. Leaving them wondering what Ei was thinking as they hurried out of the cave for the shrine.