Wanderer

He need not introduce himself, for ordinary folk will never get to know him. Nor will he need to immerse himself in the sea of humanity, for he has long forsaken any worthless emotion. Several times now he has risen and fallen, and now he lives only for himself. "Wanderer" is how he believes he might be best described — he has no home, no kin, and no destination. Like the breeze, he lives in this world, and he walks its length and breadth.

Many years ago, the Wanderer was not called by that title. Indeed, he has had many, all of which corresponded to a special status he possessed at that time. Today, many of these past affairs have been forgotten. The puppet, the eccentric Kabukimono, the 6th seat of the Fatui Harbingers, The Balladeer... Each of these was a thread of fate tying the puppet's joints down. Any recollection must begin several hundred years ago, when the puppet that shed tears upon being born would not be given a name, but was instead only given a small golden feather as proof of his personage. He would be laid to rest within the Shakkei Pavilion, staring blankly at the beauteous scenery within. The flaming maple leaves, the exquisite window lattices... Within that lovely prison, he lost all perception. It was by accident that a kind-hearted samurai named Katsuragi would enter the pavilion and rescue him. It was Katsuragi who brought him to live in Tatarasuna and meet the people who lived there. Then, the puppet was as naive as a newborn, filled with goodwill and gratitude towards humans. Katsuragi, upon seeing the golden pinion on his person, knew that this puppet must not have been of ordinary stock, yet have his reasons not to mention his place of origin. Thus, he omitted all mention of Shakkei Pavilion, instead claiming falsely that he had found the young man while patroling Nazuchi Beach, and he bade the puppet play along so as to not expose the lie. Busy, bustling Tatarasuna was a place of many happy memories for the puppet. There, he was briefly human. There, he was briefly normal. Katsuragi, Mikoshi Nagamasa, Niwa, Miyazaki, and many other now-forgotten people from Tatarasuna would teach him to read and write, to start fires and make meals, to forge — yes, they accepted him as their friend. They even asked him: "Don't you want a name? Or are you going to let everyone out there call you the Kabukimono?" Yet he had no dislike for this name. "Kabukimono" referred mostly to those who wore vibrant colors and behaved in a peculiar manner. Yes, they made him different, but such was proof of his humanity — proof that he belonged in Tatarasuna. Pity, then, that though he loved this name so, he would be forced to forsake it. For when he no longer wished to become human, it lost its meaning. He would depart, and after arriving in the distant north, would join the wild banquet of the Harbingers, working to win the sixth seat among them. It was the Tsaritsa who would grant him his new title — "The Balladeer." Strength, power, and the desire for conflict — these he already possessed. The chess pieces raised tides of madness amidst battle, and the slaughterers on the stage upended order. In that moment, he was sure that The Balladeer was his true name.

In the early days when Tatarasuna was still a prosperous place, the Wanderer walked amongst its people, going by the name "Kabukimono." And the thing that ended his peaceful life was not all that important in the grand scale of Inazuma's history. Change came to the place in the form of the Akame Clan and a mechanic from Fontaine named Escher. The two cooperated very closely to further improve forging quality, and in the process, Akame introduced Escher to Niwa, who was also from the three Isshin traditions. Escher's arrival caused quite the stir for a time, for it was through his revolutionary new techniques that they were able to process Crystal Marrow in such a way that their forging efficacy and production were both increased. But as time passed, anomalies emerged within the great central furnace in Tatarasuna. Black gas gathered within the furnace, and it would gradually affect the bodies of the craftspeople there. Forging and smelting were the foundations of life in Tatarasuna, but now they had become death itself. And as the toll mounted, the great furnace further went out of control. None could get close to its core, and even stopping it became nigh impossible. As the highest authority at Tatarasuna, Niwa was forced to enact an information blackout while sending people to Inazuma City to beg aid from Tenshukaku. For some reason, however, those who took to the sea in ships never returned. Horror began seeping into the hearts of Tatarasuna's people. The Kabukimono knew that Niwa needed the Raiden Shogun's aid, but did not know that this was the very year when she had successfully built the perfect puppet using parts of herself as material, thus handing over management of the nation to the Guardian of Eternity. He thus boarded a small boat and braved storm and rain to arrive at Tenshukaku, seeking an audience with the Shogun. But she now dwelled in the Plane of Euthymia, and he was repeatedly refused. In desperation, he displayed the golden feather on his person and asked to see Yae Miko instead. At this time, Miko was busy assisting the Guardian, and though she rushed down as soon as she heard this news, she could only meet the distressed Kabukimono briefly. Yet he had no ears for her promises to send people to their aid immediately, and returned in despair, convinced that the Shogunate had forsaken Tatarasuna. Still, the dispatch was sent, the people were mobilized, and they crossed by sea. Yet they arrived to no great disaster. Indeed, most people knew nothing of what had happened. It was the mechanic, Escher, who explained that Niwa had fled with his family for fear of punishment for his malfeasance, and that the Kabukimono had gone into the core zone in his place, shutting the furnace down. Receiving word that the Kabukimono had been friends with the fleeing Niwa, Yae guessed at the heaviness in his heart and did not wish to further disturb him, merely sending someone to return the feather to him. Later still, he would disappear without a trace from Tatarasuna. But as people reminisced, they could never forget the celebratory dance he had performed together with them on the day that Mikoshi Nagamasa successfully forged his great blade. His steps fluttered lightly like a feather in the wind then, and they could not have known that he, like a feather, would depart from them and journey to places unknown.

After leaving Tatarasuna, the Kabukimono met a young child in a small house by the seaside somewhere in Inazuma. The young boy was weak and sickly, and he lived in a rickety old place into which the rain leaked. Seeing his constantly mud-caked face through the gaps in the decrepit wooden door, the Kabukimono felt something twist in his heart, as if some ancient feeling was being re-awakened. And so, he stayed within that wooden house to care for that sick boy, bringing him melons, fruits, and water to drink, helping him to wipe the filth from his face. Many days passed, and the child's parents did not return. It was only later that the Kabukimono learned that the parents were also workers from Tatarasuna, and they might have lived normal and happy lives, if not for husband and wife contracting some strange illness during their work, often coughing up blood as a result. That they had not returned indicated that they may have passed without any fanfare in some place out there. The child's name was unimportant, for he had another identity: he was the Kabukimono's friend, and family besides. They talked about how they had been born and promised to continue to live together in that ramshackle hut. As proof of their friendship, the Kabukimono took the boy to Shakkei Pavilion to see the place where he had once lived. The flaming maple leaves, the ancient latticed windows... All was as it had once been. At that time, he believed that he would never return here... but he did not realize that the child could die in only one night. One night, barely enough time for the Kabukimono to go out and find some food or swipe some furniture that others no longer had any use for. Though he had already witnessed much change, he never knew that another person's passing was something that could occur in such a brief moment, or that this moment could grant him nothing but pain. After the shock, he felt incomparable fury. He was alone. Again. Was he not once more abandoned? Again! Again! Again! The boy's small body on the ground was curled up like a jumble of flower petals, a corner of it stained red with blood — red like the maple leaves... red like a blazing fire. That night, a great flaming glow lit the seaside. The Kabukimono burned the wooden house, and finding himself an old straw hat from within it, left to begin his long journey. He wandered everywhere, not knowing where to go, and though he would meet many more people along the way, he would never again regard any of them as his companions.

The sixth of Snezhnaya's Fatui Harbingers is known as The Balladeer. And yet this name was not his to own from the start. Indeed, they were yet separated by over a hundred years. After leaving Inazuma, he forsook the name Kabukimono, reverting to his nameless state, and did not even consider taking another until The Jester found him. In the end, such titles as "puppet" or "Kabukimono" were all given to him by mortals. And since he would no longer have them as companions, there was no point in using the names they gave him. But The Jester proved most persuasive, and the puppet was intrigued by the frenzied banquet he spoke of, and so accompanied the man to Snezhnaya to serve in the Fatui. A stranger named The Doctor would welcome him warmly in this frigid northern land, inviting the Wanderer to be the key reference material in his experiments — his grand research project. Puppet-making techniques had their roots in Khaenri'ah, and his nature as a creation of the Electro Archon made him all the more special. The Doctor was fascinated by this field of study, and, using the Wanderer as a foundational blueprint, would perform research and experiments for several decades before finally attaining the techniques that would go on to form the basis for his Segments. In return, The Doctor would unlock the seal on his body, causing his abilities to greatly increase, to the point where he was a match for the lower-ranked Harbingers. But even so, he did not choose another name. His colleagues called him the "puppet," and so he saw himself also — a puppet, unafraid of death and inexhaustible. On the Tsaritsa's orders, he would lead a company to explore the Abyss, and there he spent much time. More than once he was wounded, then repaired by The Doctor, and thus he grew stronger, surviving to be wounded again by ever mightier foes. Much later, he would bring the results of his exploration back to Snezhnaya, gaining the sixth seat in the process. His orders were also changed. Instead of exploring the Abyss, he was now to constantly be on standby, assisting the clandestine activities of the Fatui across the world. And it was only then that he felt that that new name, "The Balladeer," fit him.

The many things that happened after that might even be called soul-stirring, but for the fact that few now remember them. Only those who witnessed those events would keep them as legends in their hearts, and so they continue to quietly exist, as ancient songs lost to the world. Within Irminsul, The Balladeer came into contact with the "truth" that Lesser Lord Kusanali had placed within the flow of information. This secret had been hidden within one of The Doctor's many hearts, and just as she claimed, this truth in first person contained all his remaining honesty. And thus did The Balladeer come to know of past truths: Niwa, who had taught him how to live like an ordinary human and treated him like one, had not fled Tatarasuna to escape punishment as Escher had claimed. In fact, the true culprit had been Escher — no, The Doctor — all along. And as for the heart that had been placed within The Balladeer, it had been cut, still warm, from Niwa's breast. This death had been nicely packaged within an incident at the forge, and such was Escher's silvered tongue that he all too quickly convinced everyone that this was due to the failings of the local overseer. As the next person in charge, Mikoshi Nagamasa would have faced capital punishment if not for the intervention of his loyal samurai retainer, Katsuragi, who willingly took the burden of wrongdoing upon himself. The tragedy that followed need not be elaborated upon. Nagamasa, unwilling as he was, had to wash the stain from the Mikoshi name, and could not allow himself to die here. And so he brought forth his beloved blade, the Daitatara Nagamasa, and struck Katsuragi down in a single blow, the blade cutting so deep that it nearly split the slain man in twain... ...And had they not all believed in their god? Why then, did they have to face such a calamity? If the enigmatic puppet they called the Kabukimono had never existed, would Escher have done the same thing there? Even if the chance were infinitesimal, could the tragedy of Tatarasuna have been salvaged? Anyone anywhere else in this world would be able to do nothing about this, but not The Balladeer. He knew that he alone could attempt this one thing, here and now. He believed himself bold, for he feared not death. Death was but a tiny threat to a puppet, and only humans with hearts knew horror. He also knew himself to be craven, and for that he had remorse. If he had been then more like he was at present... if he had learned to be less trusting... Would those he had viewed as friends have met such a ruinous end? Traitor, hero, god, discarded detritus — all these identities would cease to matter to one who leaped into the flux. The information flow was a place of incomparable silence, and yet his blood roiled in his ears, and his mind roared. Embrace oblivion! The puppet was a discarded milksop, the Kabukimono unaccomplished and sheltered, and Scaramouche was a schemer — one who eventually went against divine decree, seeking to go against the tides of the world. But what of it? Once upon a time, these inhuman hands had shut a great blazing furnace without caring if his ten fingers were burned to a crisp. Now, these hands grasped at the tiniest possibility, twisting the truth to fulfill his wish. Yes, embrace it, embrace it with this form that shall be obliterated! To ruin with this life, as worthless as flowers and feathers and the dawn dew! Farewell, world! The future shall be what it will. Farewell nonetheless!

Having decided to stop by Sumeru, the Wanderer took some time off to visit Treasures Street and learn how to make toys from some of the merchants there. In a corner of the bustling street, a kind-hearted old fellow with hair as white as snow invited him to sit by his side, teaching him how to use cloth and thread to sew that which he wanted to make step by step. The Wanderer spent much time practicing, doing this thing that did not agree with his personality. Strange, perhaps, but he did not hate it. He had done such things with great patience in times past, after all, learning things such as holding cutlery, wearing clothes, combing his hair... Yes, he had learned to be a "human" from the little things up. A few days later, his great work was complete — a little man with white clothes and black hair, a waistband tied using a butterfly knot, and a clear, round tear at the corner of his eye. Indeed, back then, there was a young fellow who had made this doll in imitation of the Wanderer's past appearance. Shame, then, that he had burned both the doll and his old home to ashes when he left Inazuma. Many years later, he would make one as well, and oh, how familiar that felt! Small and soft as it was, it was akin to a defenseless babe. It took up little space in his sleeves, and if he kept it in his hat, it felt like having a travel companion. "From today, you shall wander together with me." He said softly, placing it in his pocket.

In that instant, the Wanderer could hear the wind's voice. He knew not whence it had come, only that it changed direction as if to greet him. On it were scents old and nostalgic — the iron hammer, metals, the furnace, the dust of the earth... Distant dreams, a prosperous past... Incredible though it might seem, even he once led such a simple life. In that instant, he beheld his own reflections, each one vivid, each one real, each one him. Cowering in fear, pathetic in his agony, arrogant yet laughable... And they all coalesced into one body. To accept the past is to acknowledge its failings, to recognize that one is naught but a coward who has achieved nothing — who has nothing. But only by doing so could he break free of his shackles and become, once again, that tragic person. In that moment, he knew this: that the appearances of peace and beauty were but an illusion. The real him had never died, no, it lived on deep within his heart. As long as he still had a choice, he would tread the same course no matter how many times he did this over. As he moved like lightning itself, a blazing light came between him and the Everlasting Lord of Arcane Wisdom, blocking its attack. His will and his choice had gained him the eye of the gods. The Vision descended, and caught between bright light and darkness, the glittering ornament seemed almost like an eye on a smiling face, questioning him from afar: Can you, who have desires of such intensity, still be considered a being without a heart?

You want me to introduce myself? I've gone by many names and titles during my journey. Although each one is more eminent than any ordinary mortal could imagine, they're all just water under the bridge to me now. Call me whatever you like. Go ahead, let me see what you can come up with. Don't disappoint me.

There's no such thing as pure freedom in this world. Even the wind cannot blow on forever.

You think I've got a sharp tongue? I just tell it like it is. If someone can't handle it, maybe that's their problem.

There's no need to exchange pleasantries. It's rather pathetic to force a conversation just to occupy silence.

You want to use my hat as an umbrella? Hmph, the audacity to even make that request...

You're so happy just to see the sun again? How childish.

Huh. How irritating.

Fundamentally speaking, there's little difference between snow and rain, yet people lavish praise only upon the former... Fate can be truly arbitrary.

A simple breeze like this... Even you can conjure it, right?

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead, the sun's already in your eyes!" ...Haha, don't tell me you actually thought I'd wake you up like that?

I have no need for food. Save me the trouble and take care of yourself and that small thing floating next to you.

Finally, another boring day is drawing to a close.

What, can't fall asleep with me around? Hehe.

A puppet consumed by a raging fire will leave behind ashes. As for what will emerge from them...

I'll leave that kind of thing to fate. Obsessing over something that's destined to be ever out of one's reach is just a waste of time. I have more important things to attend to at the moment.

So, you're still stewing over our run-ins from before? Huh. Well, what are you going to do about it? Take your time. I'm in no hurry.

I'll never be one of the good guys. I'm just here to pay my dues after what you've done for me. But what about you? Shouldn't you come up with some excuse for our meetings? If one of your friends mistakes you for collaborating with the enemy, you're on your own.

Although the idea of "divine favor" makes me a little ill, I'm not going to be picky about a new source of power. You think there's some kind of meaning behind the element of Anemo? Hah, why did that thought even occur to you? The gods aren't guided by any kind of rationality or moral compass. Haven't I shown that to you already?

I've got nothing. Ask me anything if you want. If a question is interesting enough, I may give you an answer.

Look. The birds are showing off their plumage, the squirrels are busy hoarding food, and humans are laboring for their livelihoods. Truly, simple animals don't need anything complicated to be fulfilled.

While I still had value as a pawn, she might have had other reasons to keep me alive. It's certainly possible that it was because she's wise or benevolent, or happened to see a hint of loneliness within me... You think I'm trying to think the worst of her? Hah, did you really expect anything else? In case you've forgotten, I'm no saint.

She completely neglected her own creation, and to add insult to injury, she said it was because she "couldn't bring herself to intervene" in my fate...

Everyone praises her for her kindness and benevolence, but they forget that love is also a form of sin. What if she's just trying to compensate for something?

The Jester is a survivor of Khaenri'ah. Besides that singular fact, I know very little about him, and never had any kind of close association with him. He seems to want something from me, though. In the past, he assigned to me many important tasks, including a number of trips to the Abyss.

"The ever-righteous Captain," "the brave and fearless Captain," "the nigh-invincible Captain"... Even my mechanical ears demand maintenance after listening to so many compliments from the members of the Fatui. Don't you think that possessing absolute righteousness is actually a latent danger? And that's without taking his great personal strength into account.

It's a pity that Lesser Lord Kusanali already forced him to erase so many of his segments. The joy I would have derived from slicing them apart one by one...

Let me ask: what should you do if you were to encounter a "damsel" who is oblivious and innocent at any given time, and unconcerned and unfeeling in any given situation? If it were me, I could at least challenge her to a fight. But if it were you... with your conscience, I would stay away from her.

A wolf in sheep's clothing. To exert a higher level of control over people, she puts on a graceful and cordial front. Most of those who have seen her true, crazy self... have gone poof.

Only someone as dense as Childe would think The Rooster is looking after him and his family out of the goodness of his heart. Although the mayor has indeed done a number of things for their benefit, anyone with a brain would be able to tell that the underlying meaning is "your entire family is in my hands."

She has a terrible personality and cares for nothing outside of her own research. But even with that amount of dedication, she still produced a copious amount of garbage, and could only secure a ranking that's still one whole place beneath my own. How pitiful.

Oh, the ninth-ranked guy. He's obsessed with the idea of "fair exchange," to the point of wanting to overthrow the natural imbalance between gods and humans. But, I guess it's just how ordinary mortals are like — it's easy for them to come up with pointless delusions. Honestly, it's nothing worth writing home about, just like how there's also nothing impressive about his abilities or choice of partner. Hmph. Anyone who chooses to work closely with The Doctor is sure to meet a nasty end.

He's simple of mind and not that strong of body. Naming him to the lowest-ranked seat lowered the Harbingers' collective prestige. Thankfully, I'm no longer part of that group.

Nothing remained in her ashes. I have no interest in those who have lost their future.

A smooth-talking youkai. Though she pretends to care about humans to gain the favor of her god, all she seeks are entertaining ways to pass her time.

You speak of the descendant of the Kaedehara clan? Then isn't he... Wait, he also possesses an Anemo Vision? ...And even managed to take on the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi? Hehe... Ahahahaha!

You want to learn more about me? How ridiculous. Don't you know that's only asking for trouble?

Oh, I'm well aware that many, many people will want to seek me out and settle the grudges they've built against me in my past life. Fine by me — come one, come all, I say. As a matter of fact, I'm somewhat looking forward to it.

I once thought that deification would allow me to get rid of all of my pointless emotions, but I've since abandoned that view. Anger, whether it be from others or myself, is too convenient and useful as a tool. How can some people just never become angry? I find that impossible to even imagine. Do they just not have a single mean bone in their bodies?

When I entered Irminsul, there was only one thought in my mind: I wish I'd never been born at all. Irminsul responded to my wish, but didn't bring me the outcome I desired. The fate of this world hasn't changed a single bit when it comes to playing cruel tricks on its prisoners.

You and I have crossed paths in the past, but our journeys will eventually diverge. Who knows what will happen next? Let's just wait and see.

Hobbies? Those are for idle bodies who have the free time to think about such things. Do I look like I have any interest in distractions?

I'm trying to figure out a way to get rid of you so I can go commit atrocities. ...Wait, did you think I was being serious?

Do you have some tea? The more bitter, the better. It leaves the most fascinating aftertaste.

I'm no fan of Dango, or any other sticky sweets that make me feel like my teeth are fusing together. Keep them to yourself.

It's okay. Guess this is one of the few things you're good at.

Not bad. You actually made something edible.

You wanna poison me? Are you so dumb as to have forgotten that I'm not human?

Give me your hand. Heh, there's no need to be nervous. I'm just taking you to a vantage point. How is it? The scenery here should be quite breathtaking. There's no need to thank me — I see little point in it.

...I can see the great deal of effort you put forth.

The wind is blowing this way... What did you do?

You aren't worried about making me more powerful? ...Alright.

Although I can be of help to you, seeing me as an ally is still a dangerous endeavor. I hope you understand what you're doing. If you still insist on continuing down this path, then let me lead the way.

The wind rises!

Behold!

Squall and fury!

Unsightly insects!

Wretched vermin!

Cry louder!

Bow your head!

Know your place!

You dare to gaze upon me!?

Surge forth!

Upon the gale!

...Too slow.

Quit following me!

Unnecessary.

Hah, you even want this?

Take it and have fun.

I'm used to this.

Nothing worth mentioning.

Why are you even here?

Worthless as expected.

Falling... into the abyss...

Everything... was futile...

The price... for my sins...

That's far enough.

...How amusing.

...You're dead.

I'll have you beg for mercy.

Prepare yourself for punishment.

Huh... What do you want from me?

This had better be important.

Are you sure it has to be me? ...Fine, let's get this over with.

What makes you think I know him? The fact that he's always following me around and asking for a closer look at my hat? We've barely spoken before. The first time we met, he came up and asked me if I was Hat Guy... Last time I checked, judging someone by their appearance is superficial. Hmph, somehow, everyone knows the name "Hat Guy" now...

When he first came out of that book, he had such a long list of questions. I never imagined becoming human would make him even more curious. His letters are so long — and his handwriting is so crooked, I can barely make it out. You can help explain things to him if you've got time, just to make sure he doesn't get off track.