The lanterns of Liyue Harbor had barely dimmed when the group gathered at the docks the next morning, bellies full of leftover almond tofu and moon pies. Paimon floated in lazy circles above Boreas and Elowen, who were still clutching their wolf and crescent-moon lanterns like treasures.

  “Hey, hey,” Paimon whispered conspiratorially, glancing left and right as though sharing state secrets. “Before we head all the way to super-hot Natlan… why not make a quick stop in Inazuma? It’s right there—super close by boat! And they have the best food ever. Sticky honey roast, sakura mochi, dango milk, onigiri with every filling imaginable… Paimon’s mouth is watering just thinking about it!”

  Boreas’s azure eyes lit up instantly. “Food that sounds like flowers? Can we, Father? Please?”

  Elowen tugged Nicole’s sleeve, her small face earnest. “And maybe cherry blossoms? I heard they are very beautiful. We’ve never seen real ones falling like snow. Please, Mother?”

  Varka exchanged a long-suffering look with Nicole. She smiled, already defeated.

  “Very well,” Nicole said, ruffling Elowen’s silver blonde hair. “One more detour. But only because Paimon said so enthusiastically.”

  Paimon puffed out her chest. “See? Paimon’s ideas are the best!”

  Ningguang, who had come to see them off, overheard and arched an elegant brow. “If you require passage, the Crux Fleet is at your disposal. Beidou’s men have business in Inazuma anyway.”

  Beidou appeared on cue, grinning wide as she leaned against a piling. “Heard someone mention Inazuma? Hop aboard, folks. The Alcor’s ready to cut through any storm the Electro Archon throws at us. Also, I have to return the favor when Varka and his men helped us with the rifthound incident.” “I also want to drink with your crew again.” Varka happily suggested and Nicole just sighed at him looking defeated.

  Kazuha stepped forward beside her, red scarf fluttering in the sea breeze. “I would be honored to guide you across the strait. The winds speak kindly of your family.”

  Within the hour, the entire group—Varka, Nicole, the twins, Alice, Klee, the Traveler, and a very smug Paimon—was aboard the Alcor, sails snapping as they cut toward the violet horizon.

  After their long journey sailing the waters, Inazuma greeted them with the scent of rain-soaked earth and blooming sakura. Yae Miko waited at the Ritou docks, tail swishing lazily.

  “Well, well. The great wolf of Mondstadt, his celestial bride, and their little miracles. Inazuma is honored.” Her gaze softened as it fell on Boreas and Elowen. “Wow! A beautiful fox lady.” They blurted out of awe. “Come. I have something to show you.” fan half-covering her amused smile.

  She led them through winding paths lined with fox statues to the Grand Narukami Shrine. At the highest terrace, where the Sacred Sakura once stood scarred by time and war, a new shrine now rose—modest yet elegant, its torii gate carved with intertwined Anemo and star motifs. A small plaque read: To Varka and Nicole, Defiers of Heaven, Guardians of Freedom.

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  “I promised myself I would build this,” Yae Miko said quietly. “A testament that even gods can be defied—and that love can endure where order once demanded silence.”

  Nicole touched the wood reverently. “It’s very beautiful. Thank you.”

  The twins stared up in awe. Boreas whispered, “It feels… peaceful. Like the wind here remembers you.”

  Yae Miko chuckled. “Children with such sight already? You’ll fit right in.”

  Yoimiya found them next, bounding up the shrine steps with fireworks already fizzing in her hands. “Hey! You’re the Mondstadt kids everyone’s talking about! Wanna see some sparks?”

  Sayu trailed behind her, yawning but curious. The four children quickly vanished into a whirlwind of laughter—Yoimiya teaching Boreas and Elowen to light mini fireworks that burst into harmless animal shapes, while Sayu showed them her favorite napping spots under the sakura trees. Klee joined in gleefully, declaring Yoimiya her new “explosion big sister.”

  The next day, the Kamisato siblings welcomed the adults and children to the Kamisato Estate. Ayaka poured fragrant sakura tea with perfect grace; Ayato observed everything with his usual calm amusement.

  “To new friendships across nations,” Ayaka said, raising her cup. “And to children who remind us why we fight for peace.”

  The tea was warm, the conversation gentle, the garden filled with the soft patter of falling petals.

  While the others rested, Varka and the Traveler slipped away to request an audience with the Raiden Shogun. They were granted entry to Tenshukaku—brief, solemn, respectful. The Shogun regarded them with unchanging violet eyes.

  “Your children carry no Vision, yet wield power beyond most wielders,” she said. “They are proof that eternity need not mean stasis. You have my acknowledgment. Do not squander it.”

  Varka bowed. “We never intended to.”

  Back in the city, Alice, Nicole, Klee, Boreas, and Elowen soaked in the famous hot springs of Inazuma City. Steam curled around them like gentle spirits; the water smelled faintly of sulfur and minerals. Yumemizuki Mizuki—keeper of the springs—approached with trays of chilled fruit and towels scented with lavender.

  “Children of wind and starlight,” she murmured, smiling. “The waters here soothe more than the body. Let them ease your hearts too.”

  The twins sighed in bliss, floating on their backs while Klee splashed tiny explosions that fizzed harmlessly on the surface.

  Night fell, and the streets came alive with the Irodori Festival. Lanterns swayed from every eave; stalls offered every delicacy Paimon had promised and more. The group wandered together—sampling takoyaki, taiyaki, tricolor dango from every stall—until chaos erupted near the central square.

  Itto and the Arataki Gang had “borrowed” a festival drum to stage an impromptu oni performance. The drum rolled too hard, toppled a stall, and sent a cascade of mochi flying. Sara appeared like lightning, bow already drawn.

  “Arataki Itto! You are under arrest for disturbing the peace—again!”

  Itto laughed uproariously even as cuffs clicked around his wrists. “Aw, c’mon, Tengu General! It was just a little fun!”

  The twins watched wide-eyed, then burst into giggles.

  Boreas tugged Paimon’s sleeve. “Paimon, thank you for suggesting Inazuma. This is the best!”

  Elowen nodded vigorously. “The food really is amazing. And the people… they’re kind of like us. A little wild, but happy.”

  Paimon preened. “Told ya! Paimon’s ideas are genius-level!”

  As the festival lights glowed and laughter echoed under falling sakura, Varka pulled Nicole close amid the crowd.

  “One more nation,” he murmured against her hair. “Then home—to stay, for a while.”

  Nicole smiled up at him. “Home sounds perfect. But tonight… let’s just enjoy this.”

  The family—expanded by friends old and new—danced beneath the lanterns, hearts light, futures bright.

  Inazuma’s violet sky watched over them.

  And for once, no storm gathered on the horizon. Only stars, sakura, and the promise of tomorrow.