Chapter Text
"Where am I?"
Furina questioned as she looked around. She was in a theatre of sorts but not a soul could be seen in the seats before. She looked around and saw no exits or entrances, no doors or windows. It was as if she was in a box with no way out.
"You are in an ao3 theatre." A voice spoke behind her. She turned around quickly to find a lone figure leaning on the wall where a giant screen was. A movie screen if she recalled.
"An ao3 theatre? I've never heard of such a thing." She notes. "And who are you?" She asked.
"Why I'm the one who runs it." They answered her. "As for this theatre, I use it to show people's lives. I can show them the past, the present, the future and what if."
"Really?" Furina questioned. "And how could you even do that? Are you a God?"
"Does it matter?" They asked.
"Only a being with sufficient power can do that. Besides…how can I be sure you aren't lying?" she asked suspiciously.
The screen behind the host lit up and slowly began playing clips of Furina's life. It showed when she accepts the deal with mirror self, it should her at the trials with the traveler and it showed her going about her life after her status as an archon was rendered void.
"Is that proof enough for you God of Justice?" They questioned.
"If you speak the truth then you should know I no longer have the title." Furina corrected. "I am not Focalors the Archon, I am Furina the human."
'Time has no meaning to me. The past, present, and future are all the same to me. You may not be a God now…but you were once one before. Even if you deny that you were pretending...your resolve, your determination…your inner strength to keep going…were all true. As far as I'm concerned you are an archon and the God of Justice, powers or not."
"Alright…then humor me," Furina told them. "Why have you brought me here?"
"Ah yes…. well, this is kind of embarrassing to say." They laughed. "You see…I might have made a mistake and brought the wrong you here."
"The wrong me…you mean you meant to bring Focalors," Furina spoke hesitantly.
"Not exactly." They chuckled softly. "You see when I bring people to the theatre. I take them from certain points in time. So, for example if I were to bring the traveler here, I would choose a point in time and bring her. It can be when she first met Paimon and started her journey before she even entered Mondstadt. Or I can take her after she fought the Raiden Shogun. I can even take her from before you greeted her in Fontaine or perhaps after you acquired your vision."
"So, in other words, you picked me from the wrong time." Furina realized.
"Exactly." They told her. "I was initially going to pick you from the time before the traveler even started her adventure." They explained. "However, it seems like I made a mistake and now have you instead."
"So will you send me back and bring my other self here."
"Tempting but no. While it would be ideal…I already have you here and I don't think it will matter now." They told her. "Instead, I will merely put you amongst the other cast members I brought."
"Others?" Furina questioned.
"The traveler and paimon, your chief Justice, the Duke, Lady Navia, and several more from Fontaine will be present." They explained. "Alongside them will be the archons of every nation Lumine visited with the various friends she made along the way."
"I see." Furina answered as she listened carefully to the host. "And everyone else is from…there correct time?" Furina questioned.
"You can say that. They are all taken from the midst of the Stormterror crisis except for one individual who is taken from after the Sumeru incident." They answered.
"That's almost 4 years ago," Furina muttered.
"Yes. I know."
"So why are we here?" Furina questioned. "Why bring together such an audience?"
"Why else would you gather an audience in a theatre? They are here to watch a show and the star is…."
"Me?"
"The traveler…and Paimon."
"Ah…that was my second guest," Furina admitted.
"Fair enough, but like I was saying, I brought everyone here to watch the traveler's story. As for why I did it… let's just say Focalors isn't the only one who wants to change fate. Unfortunately, I neither have that much power nor time to replicate her method."
"So rather than change fate…you show us the future in hopes that we will change it ourselves," Furina noted.
"Smart girl."
"I've seen a few times travel plays on stage. Never thought I'd be in one though." Furina admitted.
"Well, I'm glad you have an understanding of everything." They told her. "It makes this next part easier. Furina…I need a favor." The host told her.
"A favor?" Furina whispered.
"Yes. You see due to you being from the future…you run the risk of suddenly spoiling certain details for the people."
"And you want me to keep quiet about it?" Furina asked. The words left a bitter taste in her mouth as she realized what this might entail.
"In a sense, I want you to act like yourself from four years ago." The host said.
"ARE YOU MAD?" Furina spat.
"No, I'm very serious." The host told her. "My power is spent right now. It's another reason couldn't send you back. As it stands you have to be in the theatre, so you have to act surprised when you're among them."
"And what happens if I don't?" Furina questioned. "What happens then?"
"The prophecy of Fontaine came to pass, your actions and those around you made it self-fulfilling. As such it happened in a manner that Focalors had predicted and was able to safely plan around. If you let go of information too carelessly…you could change that outcome in unpredictable ways. I am merely releasing it in controlled portions. You may have lived through the flood, but these people haven't."
"Hehe…is that all?" Furina laughed. Though both knew it was a mad laugh of frustration. "Just when I think I'm finally done…they pull me back in." She lamented. "It seems even now I can't escape that accursed role."
"Who said you'd be playing that exact role?" The host noted.
Furina cast them a curious look. "Excuse me?'
"I'm well aware how you suffered Furina and I don't intend to have you repeat it." The host explained. "All that is required of you is to act like your former self on introduction in front of your people. Once that is done you can drop the act and be yourself…especially around the other Archons." They told her.
"That's it." Furina said. "Just pretend to be an archon and then act like everything is fine in front of the other archons. They'd spot me as a fraud a mile away."
"You think too lowly of yourself." The host told her. "Despite being human, Furina, you are still born from the divine. You and Focalors were once a single being before you split yourself into a human and God. By all accounts, you will still be an archon in their eyes. They won't be as critical as others to you."
"Are you sure?"
"I promise. They will of course be wary at first, but they will listen." The host told her.
"Alright fine. I'll do it." Furina told them. "But only because my people are on the line."
"I expect nothing less."
"So, what's your plan? You'll introduce me separately." Furina pondered.
"No. I'll drop you off with them as soon as I transport them in. You will need to be just as lost and confused as them and act just as confident as before. When you see the others simply act surprised and then talk to the other archons and let them explain."
"That's it?" Furina questioned.
"That's it."
"Well, it seems reasonable enough," Furina said.
"Oh, one more thing."
"What?"
"Hide your vision." They told her. Furina's eyes widened as she looked at the hydro vision on her. She had forgotten about that. "Here let me." The host waved their hand. The vision disappeared from her person.
"What did you do?" Furina's eyes widened.
"Relax, it's in your coat." They told her. The archon quickly looked inside and sure enough, it was on the inside, safe and snug.
"Phew."
"You can still use your hydro powers and make your familiars." The host added. "I don't consider that a big enough spoiler to warrant you keeping it a secret."
"Are you sure?"
"Would it be surprising that the Hydro Archon, can wield hydro powers?"
"No…I suppose it isn't." Furina chuckled. "No, it isn't."
"Good. I'll see you off now…break a leg." The host bid Furina off.
Furina stared at the figure by the door. She didn’t know who the girl was, but she recognized the man even without hearing his name. It was Morax, Geo Archon, the oldest and strongest of all the Seven. His aura reminded her of Neuvilette, ancient and powerful.
“What happened to her?” Yan Fei questioned as Zhongli placed the unconscious Hu Tao down in her chair. A few of her friends and medical staff came to look after her, Sigewinne included.
“For the most part, she chased me all throughout the area. I suspect her body eventually couldn’t keep up and she collapsed from exhaustion.” Zhongli theorized.
“That does seem to be the case,” Baizhu noted. “It seems she really couldn’t keep up with you.”
“Yes, though I must admit I do feel partially responsible.” Zhongli lamented.
“No duh, blockhead. You’ve been putting so many costs on her tab.” Venti spoke out.
“You aren’t one to talk either bard.” Diluc scoffed.
“Ehe…”
“So, I see we have more guests,” Zhongli noted. “Greetings. I am Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon, though many of you can refer to me as Zhongli.” He informed them.
“So, you’re the Lord of Geo.” The Chief Justice noted as he glanced at Zhongli.
“Oh great…there is two of them now.” The Duke commented, earning a chuckle from Clorinde.
Furina approached Zhongli, her steps slow and soft. She kept her head held high and walked with the brightest smile she could muster on her face. Her body was stiff and unwavering.
“Greetings Morax,” Furina announced. “It’s nice to see you here.”
Zhongli eyed the girl over. He hadn’t responded merely observing her as slowly began to walk around her. “It’s been a while Focalors.” He noted. “You’ve changed quite a lot since we last spoke.”
“Uh…I have.” Furina squeaked. She then cleared her throat. “I mean, of course, I have, time changes most, after all, even Gods.” She corrected. “You yourself must have changed a lot as well.” She pointed out.
“That much is true,” Zhongli noted. “But I don’t know…there certainly is something different about you.” He commented.
“Uh…there is.” Furina nearly stuttered. “Uh…what exactly is different?” She wondered.
“Hmmm….” Zhongli placed a finger on his chin. “Oh, I know. You’ve got a new hat.” He commented.
“Haha…. yes….so you noticed.” Furina hastily agreed. “Well now that things have been settled, why don’t we go and find some seats.” Furina quickly spoke. “I’d like to see just what exactly the performance on screen is that we will see.” She spoke as she hurriedly fled from his gaze.
While everyone else went back, Venti passed a glance at Zhongli. They need not speak it, but it was understood. That girl was not who she said she was…not entirely.
“So, what was it we were going to see again…oh right…we were going to see Venti’s trailer.” Lumine commented.
“Oh Lord Barbatos….” Furina cheered. “This most certainly would be a treat.” Furina cheered as she clapped her hand. “I can only imagine what performance the God of Song would give.”
“I was thinking…since you all are new. Why don’t we watch a Fontaine trailer.” Venti suggested as he eyed Furina slyly. “Like say…why don’t we watch Lady Focalors.” He suggested.
“Oh, you don’t have to be so kind.” Furina chuckled nervously. “We are still the newest members here. It would be very rude to suddenly change the viewing to my one when one of the original seven is already being honored.” Furina admitted.
“No…no…I insist.” Venti told her. “Ladies first.”
“Barbatos please it really isn’t a big deal. While I may be a God, I am still a junior to you.”
“In that case.” Venti chuckled as he cast Furina a side glance. “SCREEN, PLAY US FURINA’S TRAILER.” He yelled.
“WHAT?” Furina shrieked.
“Venti.” A few others called in disbelief.
“What? As her senior, I reserve the right to overrule her.” He defended.
“ACCEPTED.” The screen told them.
The Fontaine’s stared in awe as the screen lit up. They had seen some of the movies some people were aspiring to make with newer Kamera’s but never had they imagined they would see such a colorful display on screen. A scene of a blue sky with fluffy white clouds was shown, before a star was shown flying across, turning gold as it passed the horizon.
The star broke into ten before the gold one enveloped the screen.
The wheel of the nations appeared once more; it spun quickly as it cycled through various nations. It stopped at Fontaine. The nation’s symbol soon had the 7 elements spinning around it before the elements all faded except for Hydro.
“Witness my magnificence.” Furina’s voice echoed as the screen faded white. A clip was shown of Furina staring at a hydro vision, with a sad look in her eyes, before dissolving before it. The scene then transitions to her hat, left on a stage with a vision under it and no sign of Furina anywhere.
“Wait…what…did I just…dissolve.” Furina said in ‘horror’, at the sight of her performance.
“Relax Furina. Those images aren’t always exact. Sometimes they show us things that will be witnessed in the trailer themselves.” Ei reassured her.
“That doesn’t make it any better,” Furina told her. The host said they’d give control glimpses…but she didn’t think they’d be this forward at first.
“Wait but why is there a vision.” Navia wondered. “Did Lady Furina bestow a vision to someone before disappearing?”
“I assume we’ll find out more if we watch,” Clorinde answered.
“This is already very strange,” Lumine commented.
“How so?” Charlotte asked her. Lumine explained the screen’s usual method of displaying the characters. “I see, so it starts with the nation, then the element, followed by constellation, the character’s voice and then it reveals them. It is a big change then that it reveals Lady Furina in such a way.”
“Paimon hopes it doesn’t mean anything bad.” The little fae added.
Furina smiled softly to herself. It didn’t mean anything bad at all. Quite the contrary, it signified something truly amazing. The gift of a vision was something she hadn’t quite expected. When she had asked Neuvilette about it, he had merely smiled as he told her why she had earned it.
Furina: All the World’s a stage
Furina upon reading the title let out a small chuckle. It was an ironic name, given she had been trapped in the role for so long. The World had truly been her stage.
“Sheesh…I feel like I’m going to be getting some competition.” Venti laughed. “I always thought I’d be the most eager to perform, but it seems you have me beat.”
“Don’t humor me Venti, I’m sure you are exceptional at what you do. I just have a more diverse skillset and presence.” She chided.
Many Fontainians seemed to agree with the statement. Most who knew of Furina knew she had a penchant for drama and the arts. She was as much of a performer as she was an archon.
Neuvilette couldn’t help but sigh. Though he may not like the other Archons, he did respect Furina what she did, even when she thought it was in secret. She works meticulously looking for solutions to the prophecy, always hiding her frustrations under her mask. She plays the part of a God and entertainer to keep her subjects at ease while working hard to look for answers away from prying eyes. He just hoped this trailer didn’t just focus on her entertainment side and showed her full character to everyone.
The theatre soon darkens as the screen expands.
The screen reveals an aquabus traveling down the canals as the camera’s view pans up to reveal the magnificence of Fontaine City.
“Oh wow. Is that really Fontaine City?” Collei gasped. “It’s so huge.” She took note.
“No kidding, I thought the Shogun’s palace was massive but this….this is something else.” Yoimiya marveled in awe.
“Fontaine is the most industrial and globalized of the Seven Nations. The technology and progress they made are miles above the rest of the world.” Nahida noted.
The little Dendro Archon admittedly felt a little hurt. Sure, she was happy Focalors had such a beautiful nation, but it made Nahida feel awful that while Sumeru was the nation of wisdom, they weren’t as developed. “If only I were as good as her.” She told herself.
Furina, who had been sitting next to Nahida heard her words. She rested a hand on the little girl’s shoulders. “Don’t worry Nahida, I’m sure you will do great things in the future.” She reassured the girl.
Furina had read up on the little girl’s own plight. Nahida had been imprisoned by her people for centuries because they didn’t believe she would much the former glory she once had. It had both infuriated and terrified Furina. The very Archon that had loved her people so dearly had been betrayed the moment they thought she didn’t match their own vision.
It infuriated Furina because of how unjust it was. Rather than help her, they punished her for her sacrifices and tried to cast her aside. The fact that Nahida was a child in both personality and appearance made it all the worse. If she had the power, then perhaps she could have done something…but she didn’t.
It also terrified her. Nahida was a true God. She was basically a divine being only in the form of a child. Yet people didn’t care for her divinity. She was not the God they wanted, so they simply got rid of her. Locked her away and left her to rot. Furina’s own anxiety had worsened when she heard that story. It made her even more terrified of the thought of what her own people would do when they realized she had lied to them for centuries. They’d hate her, they’d lose faith in her. Focalors planned had hinged on her maintaining the act, and if Furina failed…then everything would have been lost.
A few other clips were shown, showing the people going about their lives all while a voiceover plays.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,”
“Welcome to the most spectacular show in the history of Fontaine!”
“Please put your hands together for our national icon.”
“Fontaine’s biggest celebrity.”
“One of the Seven Archons of Teyvat.”
“The Regina of all Waters, Kindreds, Peoples and Laws:….”
“Furina de Fontaine!” The scene transitions to show Furina sitting and enjoying some tea, before the café behind her warps to a stage. Furina is still sitting by the table.
“Wait…wait…wait.” Paimon called out. “Your last name is actually Fontaine.” She said in surprise.
“Well technically it’s my stage name, but I’ve used it for so long that it might as well be.” Furina answered.
“Huh…so what about the rest of you?” Lumine wondered as she looked at the other Archons.
“Well, my name is Raiden Ei. Raiden being my surname while Ei is my actual name.” The Shogun explained.
“Eh…to be honest I don’t have any name. Venti is just what my bard friend called me, and well I liked it, so I kept it.” The Anemo Archon told them.
“The only thing I remembered from birth was the name Nahida.” The Dendro Archon informed.
“Well, you see….” Zhongli spoke, “I’ve gone by many…many names.” He told them. “Admittedly I can’t remember them all, but I don’t know if I ever used Liyue as one of them. That said, Guizhong and I did combine our titles to name the Guili Assembly.” He informed.
“That’s interesting,” Lumine noted. “Although I guess it makes sense. As the Gods of these nations and elements it would make sense that you’d share names…or at least inherit the names.”
Furina at first covers her face with her hat, before lifting it, revealing her blue eyes. She then turns and stands up, marching forward to the front of the stage. She bows before placing her hat back on her head.
“Hey Venti, if you didn’t leave Mondstadt to the people, would you have considered doing performances like Lady Furina?” Barbara questioned the bard.
“To be honest, not really.” Venti admitted. “These aren’t simple performances like what I do. These are the real professional and high-quality stuff.” He commented.
“Ahem.” Furina cleared her throat.
“Ah aah” Furina checked her voice.
“Oh, she definitely has a lovely voice.” Eula commented.
“Vocal cords ready, blood sugar replenished.” Furina cheerfully moved on the stage.
“Let the show begin.”
The scene fades to black as various spotlights appear. A jazzy melody began to play as Furina’s title card appeared along with her portrait. Written on the card were a few words describing Furina.
Furina- Endless Solo of Solitude.
The absolute focus on the stage of judgment until the final applause sounds.
“Solo of Solitude?” Some of the cast wondered. Neuvilette frowned at the remark. He had never seen Furina performing alone. She always favored being part of theatre troupes. Why was it claimed she was performing solo?
Another title card was shown. One with Furina’s name at the top and the words ACTION at the center.
“Interesting. These look like the more traditional Fontaine movies that are currently being made.” Navia noted.
“For the past few viewings, each nation and character have often been accompanied by their own style of music and visuals that helped connect them to their culture. Mr. Zhongli for instance had a lot of Liyue instruments playing in the background while her Excellency had Inazuma instruments.” Ayaka explained.
The scene then changes to show a black-and-white image of Clorinde. She looks ready to fight but Furina stops her. The scene changes again to reveal some dialogue.
“My dear vassal! This is not a foe you can lightly handle,
Fret not, for it is I, who shall dispose of such a foul being.”
“Huh…is that supposed to be dialogue?” Xingqiu wondered.
“Despite our advancements, Fontaine hasn’t quite managed to capture audio as well as we’d like for our movies, instead of using low quality audio, the filmmakers opted to just leave it out entirely in favor of these dialogue screens.” Charlotte commented. She had done many reviews on various movies acquiring a lot of insight into the process. While she had hoped to one day be able to record her interviews just like the films did, they still had ways to go.
Furina is then shown twirling to the center of the screen with the words still behind her. She then strikes a pose.
The scene suddenly changes to color showing Furina attacking with her sword. Her enemy revealed to be a harmless seal.
“Uh…is that harmless seal supposed to be foul enemy?” Paimon asked innocently.
“If this is a performance then it would make sense that they don’t have any real monsters present.” Yan Fei pointed out. “The risk actual monsters could present to the audience is a lot. If the Hydro Archon wanted to do so it would involve a lot of extra precautions being needed to avoid any lawsuits or injuries, it would be cheaper just to use a seal.”
Her poses are what one might expect of a performer. They were exaggerated with more flare than focus.
Many combatants knew that such attacks wouldn’t be applicable in real life, but for a show, they were eye catching.
Furina is also shown spinning on a bubble, easily regaining her footing to stand and then bow to her opponent, all in one fluid movement. The scene becomes reminiscent of a paper display, showing Furina bowing on the right, the seal just lying on the left, and Clorinde being focused on more than either with the most deadpan and apathetic reaction to Furina’s antics.
“Something tells me, she doesn’t want to be there.” Wanderer chuckled.
Unfortunately, many Fontaine individuals, Clorinde included, knew he was right. Clorinde for the most part while willing, did not exactly like being part of the drama and theatric of her Archon. A shame she didn’t do a good enough job, hiding her displeasure. She sincerely hoped she hadn’t offended Lady Furina.
The next scene, however, shows Furina snap her fingers and three hydro familiars appear around her.
“Wait a minute.” Neuvilette looked at the screen curiously, since when had Lady Furina been able to do that. Never in his centuries of service had he seen those creatures before.
Other Fontaine members were likewise confused by the creatures they saw. While they had seen similar hydro mimics living underwater, they never saw anyone use them on the surface, much less be able to use them to attack. “Is this the power of their archon?” A few of them thought.
Furina had rarely ever fought, if ever. Most had often dismissed it as her never needing a reason to fight. Nevertheless, the fact she could did seem to make some people feel…more assure about her.
“Oh…wow…that’s amazing.” Nahida awed as she saw the hydro mimics. They all looked so cute to her.
“Thank you.” Furina smiled at the little Archon. She was very proud of her new supporting cast. They had been her new family in her transition to a civilian life.
“Can you teach me how to make those?” Nahida questioned.
“Hmmm…I’m not sure I can but we can try.” Furina answered.
A small crab looks at them, realizing it has made a terrible mistake challenging the Hydro Archon. Furina’s hydro familiars soon begin to punish the crab for daring to engage with the Goddess. All the while Furina sits on a crate looking smugly as the guilty crab was punished.
“Can the Shogun make familiars like that?” Gorou questioned. It was one thing when the Raiden Shogun sent her army, but if she could keep making more enemies for them to fight like Lady Furina then they would be in serious trouble.
“I’ve never seen her make any.” Sara answered.
“She can’t make familiars.” Wanderer interjected. “What she makes are puppets or robots, similar to those ruin mechs you see only much more human like in appearance.”
“How do you know that?” Sara questioned.
Wanderer didn’t answer.
Furina curtsies on the surface of the water as the scene darkens and transitions once more.
The scene changes to show Furina dancing with one of her familiars, a Hydro mimic Octopus in a hat so fancy, it shamed a few others. As the Octopus twirled Furina, she smiled in glee.
“Gentilhomme Usher!” She introduced the Octopus as another title card appeared to introduce the familiar.
Furina is then shown sneaking up behind the hydro seahorse familiar. She grabs him and pulls him into a hug, spinning him around like a kid holding their teddy bear, in the most adorable manner. As she does so, the creature blows numerous bubbles around them. The scene snapshots Furina hugging the creature as she gives its name. “Surintendante Chevalmarin.”
Furina is then shown shaking her hands, dancing, before throwing out her fist. She was playing rock paper scissors and had thrown out rock. Her opponent the hydro crab…threw scissors. Furina won.
As the crab stared peeved at the archon, Furina giddly danced as she introduced the mimic. “Mademoiselle Crabaletta!”
“Those are…some interesting names.” Amber winced. She was not going to be able to repeat those names any time soon. Many others shared the same sentiment.
“Do you have any short versions of the names for them?” Itto asked. “My head hurts trying to remember those.”
“No.” Furina answered.
“Hey, Furina…. can you summon your mimics now?” Venti questioned.
“Of course.” Furina said as she snapped her fingers and the trio appeared before her. The trio seemed confused as they looked for an enemy to fight with but couldn’t find any. “Don’t worry, you aren’t going to fight or perform…I just wanted you all to meet my new friends.” Furina told them.
The mimics turned to look at the cast around them. Surprised but happy, they all cheerfully bowed politely to greet everyone before scurrying to surround Furina. Her anxiousness at being here was not unfelt for them.
The next scene shows a group of Sumeru citizens standing on the stage as Furina sang while swinging. A dendro green spotlight focusing on her.
“Hey…that looks like Sumeru citizens.” Nilou noticed.
A strange sound was heard, and the people onscreen were replaced by some from Mondstadt. Furina was then shown swinging with a Bard in front of them. An anemo green spotlight focusing on her.
“Now it’s Mondstadt,” Kaeya noticed.
“Wait a second…is that Lyre?” Venti questioned.
The sound was heard once more, the people changed to that of Inazuma. Furina swang once more with herself in a very peculiar pose. An electro purple spotlight focusing on her.
“Inazumans? So does this mean the Decree is over?” Kuki wondered.
“Wait a minute…what was that pose just now?” Ei noticed.
Finally, the sound played again; the people were now from Liyue. As Furina swang, she had a bowl of mora, which she threw to the crowd earning a lot of praise from them. A geo gold spotlight focused on her.
“Hang on a second…. you’re copying us.” Venti realized.
“Whaaat?” Furina said in disbelief. “What could ever give you that idea?” She feigned innocence.
“First you swing like Nahida, in front of her people. Then you play a Lyre like me, next you posed like Raiden and now you’re throwing mora around like Zhongli.” Venti pointed out. Furina gulped expecting him to be mad. “That’s pure genius.” He told her. “I’ve got to remember to include some of those next time I perform.
“I never threw mora around like that.” Zhongli tried to defend.
“Not literally…you just casually do it.” Ei commented.
The scene shows all the people from various nations all cheery and applauding as Furina swings once more, this time showing the audience before her. As she swings, she throws her hat to the crowd.
“And we thought Zhongli was most beloved. Furina got you beat blockhead.” Venti said on the sly.
The screen goes dark once more, however soon some light began to glow from the ground. A light passes and reveals Furina’s silhouette. As the light flashes, Furina could be seen doing various actions. She’s changing her gloves. Then a light pass showing her to catch her hat as it is thrown back to her.
As she places the hat on her head, she turns to glance at the screen. Her silhouette is immediately illuminated as various Kamera’s begin to take photos of her.
“After seeing the others, I was convinced I knew what to expect when meeting an Archon.” Lumine noted. “You’ve proved me wrong. Archons could always be more varied.” She never expected to see one be such a celebrity.
Furina is enveloped in a gold light, revealing she has somewhat changed. Her hair is longer, and her clothes are lighter. This time the familiar she summons looks like the statue of an Oceanid.
As Furina poses, her photo is taken and shown being ran on a film. The scene transitions to show Charlotte poised with her Kamera.
“Uh…. why am I there?” Charlotte exclaimed. She was a journalist, she wasn’t supposed to be on stage, she was supposed to be reviewing it.
“Natural smiles, please.” Furina calls from off-screen. Charlotte turns and sees the Archon holding her own Kamera, taking the journalist’s own photo.
“Hold it…and ACTION!” Furina calls out.
Furina chuckled at this. Now this was what she wanted. She was no longer the performer. She was now the director. She had grown attached to the idea of becoming one after consulting a few times.
Childe is shown running from the Melusine guards. He is running down the stairs as the three guards following jump him. Childe and the guards freeze mid scene as Furina takes a picture of them.
“Wait…wait…wait….why am I in Fontaine?” He questioned. “And why am I running away from those melusines?”
“Melusines?” Some questioned.
“They are race of beings who were brought by our Chief Justice to Fontaine.”
“Ah…so they are like the yokai in Inazuma or the Adepti in Liyue.” Ningguang noted.
“You could say that.”
“Yes, but why am I running from them. I don’t run. I fight till the bitter end.” Childe defended.
“Hmmm…. Good.” Furina smiles as she walks off.
The next scene shows Navia looking crossed, while Neuvilette is restrained by Melus and Silver. Much like before, everyone is frozen except Furina who merely giggles as she takes a picture of Navia. The Hydro Archon then moves to see Neuvilette. She plays with a strand of his hair before giggling even louder in amusement.
“Huh…. what’s going on. That never happened.” Navia claimed. “Why are Melus and Silver restraining the Chief Justice?”
“I have a feeling this is all part of your show.” Neuvilette realized as he turned to Furina. “Isn’t it?”
“Who’s to say…though the idea of seeing you be arrested and put on trial does sound rather interesting.” Furina chuckled. “It’s almost as daring as putting me on trial.” She said bitterly.
Furina then runs off.
She is shown running on the stage for a magic show, where Lynette is performing as the magician and her brother is the assistant. She leans forward looking at the Fatui boy on the inside with awe.
“Well, it looks like my dear sister is now the magician, and I’m the performer.” Lyney chuckles. “Perhaps we can switch it up.” He told Lynette.
“No.”
“Come on.”
“Not going to happen.”
The next scene shows Furina trying to help Freminent remove his helmet. It’s tough but eventually she pulls it off him. She practically falls back in the process.
“Even Freminent is here?” Lyney noted. He was impressed. He always knew his brother to be on the shy side, so to see him even remotely involved with Hydro Archon’s show was a surprise.
The last scene shows Furina holding the Kamera as she stares in anticipation for what’s in front her. When the camera pans out it shows Clorinde and the Duke, both ready to fight. Furina is shown to be a giant standing behind them as she looks on eagerly.
“This is starting to get kind of unsettling.” Beidou commented.
“It’s almost like they are all characters and stand ins for her show.” Kazuha noted.
“I wonder…all these trailers always seemed to hint at something. Do you think it’s meant to be a sign of something?” Beidou questioned.
“I’m not sure.”
The scene turns out to be on film as it starts winding up with others. The music builds and soon all scenes slide across in rapid succession. A small popup book of the Opera Epiclese , her Familiars and few other bits of Fontaine. Furina is shown looking like a giant looming over them.
She then throws the pop-up into the sky creating an eruption of light and hydro. As she does, everyone shown previously is shown running into the scene with various mekas approaching them from the other side.
“Roll up the curtains, put on joyous performance.” Furina sang.
“What are those?” Noelle wondered.
“Guardameks, they are machines created in Fontaine to serve and aid defending the city and capturing criminals.” The Duke answered. “Of course, not all mekas are friendly to citizens. Many criminals get their hands on some, and sometimes others merely malfunction and go rogue.”
“I expected as much.” Ei commented. “I once tried to build my own set of mechanical warriors, but my idea was dismissed on the grounds that they may pose to big a risk to humans.”
“But you couldn’t have stopped, could you?” Wanderer grumbles in his head.
A few others from Inazuma felt chills run up their spines at the idea. The Shogun could have made machines to oversee her nation, if she wanted to. Cold and calculating machines would not stop until her will was carried out. It left them conflicted on how to feel. Should they be grateful their ruler would not enforce such an idea, or terrified she could?
As Furina sits on her bubble at the center, eating cake, chaos unfolds around her as everyone is shown fighting the machines. Her oceanid summon is shown on the field as the camera pans around once more showing everyone engaged in combat.
“It’s human nature to laugh and drown the tears away.” Furina continued.
“She’s just…sitting there…without a care in the world.” Keqing looked.
“She no doubt has everything under her control.” Kuki wondered. After witnessing the Shogun’s power, the idea that an archon could remain so calm amongst the chaos didn’t feel unsurprising.
“I always wanted to do a show like that,” Furina admitted.
“Why didn’t you?” Zhongli wondered.
“It’s too chaotic,” Furina told him. “I’m the Archon of Justice. By extension that also means I have to keep things looking orderly. A show like this involves a lot of….chaos. It wouldn’t exactly look good on my part.” Furina admits.
“I don’t see why that should stop you,” Venti wondered.
“Imagine for a moment Venti, that you had to compose music about following the rules and obey rigid guidelines.”
“Okay…I see your point.” Venti answered.
“So, what changed then?” Nahida wondered. “Why is the you on screen seemingly so indulgent in the chaos now?”
“If I had to guess…. maybe she’s feels free to do so.” Furina told Nahida.
“Good for her.” Venti cheered. “She looks like she’s enjoying her freedom.”
“Forget all but the present. Live in the moment.”
Furina is shown spin around one of the poles with a care in the world. She jumps down and soon runs towards the chaos, like an excited child. She then turns and strikes a pose and so does everyone else, meka and man alike.
“For today…taaaaake the stage.”
“Wait…so they were all aware of it?” Tighnari questioned.
“Hard to say.” Albedo told him. “One could never truly predict such a chaotic setting.”
The curtain soon falls, Furina is seen once more running on stage with her first three hydro summons. She waves excitedly at everyone in the audience. Then she bows and another curtain falls. The show is over.
“Bravo….Bravo.” Venti claps and soon the other Archons clap with him. “Encore…Encore I say.”
“Barbatos.” Furina blushes.
Soon everyone else seems to join in clapping for the Hydro Archon. Furina could read their expressions well. Some of them were clapping out sheer delight for her performance, while others were merely being polite. She could spot a few who didn’t clap at all.
“Welp…Paimon thinks we have a new best trailer.” Paimon cheers.
“What? It can’t be that good.” Furina says in disbelief.
“Are you kidding?” Venti told her. “I dare say it’s the best show I’ve seen. I don’t even think my own trailer will compare.”
“Barbatos.” Barbara frowns.
“Hey…I didn’t say she was a better composer or musician, but when it comes to performing, I can say Furina De Fontaine is the best there ever was.” Venti told her.
“Alright…alright…. let’s settle down now.” Furina quickly called out. She was not expecting such high praise for her demo. She knew some might be endearing to her because of her status of Archon or loyalty has her people…but she didn’t think she’d impress the others like this. Her onscreen self hadn’t even been remotely like an archon at all.
“Now I’m curious what your teaser will be.” Zhongli noted.
“Hopefully we don’t find out she’s blown the nation’s budget on simple pleasures like jade or porcelain.” Hu Tao threw her words.
“What is she talking about?” Furina wondered aloud.
“Let’s just say Morax isn’t the best when it comes to managing money.” Venti chuckled.
“If we know Lady Furina…. then she’s probably blown it on sweets and cake.” The Duke chuckled.
“You’re Grace.” Sigewinne scolded.
“I was only joking.” He defended.
“Ah, so she’s like that as well. I thought only the Electro Archon had a sweet tooth.” Yae chuckled.
“Alright let’s move on then.” Ei huffed. Yae was lucky she was her friend, or the Archon would not tolerate such slander.
“So that was the trailer…I have a bad feeling about the teaser.” Collei wondered. She felt something similar to Lady Nahida’s trailer. The Hydro Archon’s trailer had looked so cheerful at first but there was uneasiness to it all.
“Alright let’s see here.”
Furina: Member of the Cast.
“Seems you are made for the theatre.” Venti mused. “The world’s a stage and now we talk about the members of the cast.”
“What can I say I was born to perform.” Furina laughed nervously.
A somber theme begins to play as a photo is shown of Furina performing on stage.
“Opera walks the line between truth and fiction.” Furina’s voice carries over. The image is slid to the right revealing another showing her at a tea party with her familiar. It slides once more showing her basking in front of a crowd.
“Ms. Yunjin would certainly attest,” Zhongli notes. He had always made it a habit to go see the Liyue Opera whenever he finished work. If not the storytellers at the restaurants, he definitely enjoyed hearing the opera and immersing himself in the stories and tales of the past, present and possible future.
“For though the story is fictional,” Yet another slide is pulled off.
“As far as the characters are concerned.” The camera zooms out to show Furina is actually the one pulling the images, which are on a stand facing the audience.
“Their fate is real.”
“Who is she talking to?” Navia wondered. “Could it be the Chief Justice?” These views had been strange. Well stranger might be the appropriate term. Lady Furina had always been a peculiar one, never quite fitting or sounding like the other Gods. She was a recent Archon when compared to Barbatos, Morax and the Raiden Shogun, having only the Dendro Archon be younger. Still it was at least expected that she would carry herself like the others.
“I do not think so.” Neuvillette wondered.
“If I had to guess she’s probably talking to the audience.” The Duke guessed.
Furina is shown yawning as the camera pans to a distorted view of normally tranquil seaside structure. She pulls the last image and drops it on the floor. No sooner had it landed did all of them begin to float as gushing water was heard in the background.
Many of the Fontaine natives stiffened at that. Rushing water was not uncommon in Fontaine, the nation was the Hydro Nation after all. It was just that the way the trailer was going, talking about fate and the lives of the characters, as well as the early trailer had them on edge.
Furina then eyes the audience before standing up. Her gaze is focused solely on the audience in front her, never straying far away. Her footsteps are heard as she walks back. She takes a smile leap back, but the camera follows her to a tee.
“Is she staring at us?” Paimon questioned, feeling a little unnerved by Furina’s gaze. They hadn’t noticed it then, but the girl had heterochromatic eyes. It made her gaze seem off-putting.
“If we are to assume she’s talking to the audience, then probably,” Lumine answered.
“Therein lies the rub:” She voices without moving her lips as she reaches to the side and pulls a rope.
“Are you and I the audience…or characters on stage?” She pulls the rope and the scenery behind her moves up. It was never real to begin with. Furina is covered in darkness before she walks forward. A spotlight immediately illuminates her.
“Um…Focalors….” Nahida questioned as she turned to the older girl. “Are you somehow aware of this viewing?” She wondered. “The context of your words…it makes it seem like you know you’re being watched.”
“I’m always being watched,” Furina answered. “That’s how it is. Whether it's because of the stage or my…status as Archon, people always have eyes on me.” Furina sighed. “It’s nothing something I like, but what can you do?”
“It’s just…now that I think about…I wonder…do you think just like how we’re watching our other selves act on stage, that maybe we’re being watched now, by other versions of ourselves or otherwise.” The God of Wisdom pondered.
“Nahida…” Furina whispered. “With all due respect…let’s not think of that. I don’t think I can handle trying to process that situation. Like seriously who would watch us react to ourselves.”
“It’s just a thought.” Nahida wondered as they continued.
“Yeah.” Furina agreed as she glanced to the side. She pointed two of her fingers to her eyes and then pointed outward.
“Nobody can know for sure.” Her voice continued to play as she walked closer to the camera, the world darkening around her once more.
“After all,…. Nothing is easier to fool than the senses.” Furina reaches her finger forward and presses it on the screen, cracking it.
“How are you doing that?” Itto and many others wondered. However, a clever few took note of the finger that was shown pressing on the cracks. The cracks had been an intentional part of the viewing. It was yet another trick of the Hydro Archon.
The cracked screen then begins to slide, revealing multiple Furina, no…not Furinas, just mirrors. The real one is standing looking amused by her reflections before turning to the audience once more.
“We know only one thing for certain…that the prophecy is true,” She walks to the camera and pulls out the lens. Furina looks through it with one eye.
“Prophecy?” Some of them questioned.
“There is a prophecy in Fontaine that speaks of the nation's demise.” Neuvillette explained.
“The waters will rise and the people will dissolve,” Lyney added.
“And the Hydro Archon will be left crying on her throne.” Furina finished. “Yes…yes…we all know it.” She nonchalantly responded. She’s already lived through it. She can afford to be as uncaring for it now.
“Because in this show…the prophecy is a part of all characters’ fates.” She quickly grows bored with the lens and sits down, looking at the audience with a bored expression.
“So…question…. when you say everyone’s fates….do you mean everyone like Teyvat or everyone like Fontaine?” Yoimiya questioned.
“The prophecy is only targeted to Fontaine,” Clorinde answered. It had only mentioned Fontaine people in it while also citing the Hydro Archon specifically as the one to be involved.
“Hmm…. don’t believe me?” Furina smiles as her words carry over.
“Okay, this is getting freaky. Like Nahida trailer freaky.” Venti started to laugh nervously. Don’t tell them they had another sad girl to rescue.
“What happened in her trailer?” Furina asked curiously.
“I was stuck in a time loop living a never-ending nightmare.” Nahida answered.
“Oh.” Furina looked apologetic.
“Don’t worry. When we get back, I’m personally storming the Akedimiya and executing all those blasphemous humans.” Ei told her.
“Hey, don’t forgot us.” Childe interrupted. “Everyone here wants to give it to those snobs.” He pointed out.
“As interesting as that is. Let’s return to the matter at hand and listen to what the onscreen Furina has to say.” Zhongli noted. “It may prove insightful to Fontaine’s problem and how to solve their crisis.”
“So, you still haven’t noticed that I’m not even speaking to you.”
“Okay…how does she know we were listening,” Itto said in shock. “Is this the whole Omniscient aspect of the Gods?” He questioned. “Do you know what’s going on because you are like the God of Theatres and thus can know about this theatre?”
“I’ll refrain from answering that,” Furina told him.
“This is just a recording…playing in your head.”
“WAIT…WHAT!” Some of the audience members looked on.
The screen flashes and the next scene appears. A close-up of Lady Furina’s mouth is shown. As she opens her mouth to speak, bubbles come out, showing her underwater. Furina’s expression finally changes, becoming sadder, more sorrowful.
“Oh no…no…no…no.” Lyney shook his head.
“Now do you see…the prophecy has come true….and everything has been lost to the great flood.” For a brief moment, Furina seemingly laughs in glee, a stark contrast to the bitter news she gives. Her expression quickly corrects itself and returns to being shown looking defeated.
“The flood…. came to pass.” Navia realized. “Does that mean everyone is…. dead?” She gasped as tears welled up in her eyes.
“No way…it can’t be. I refuse to believe it could end like this.” Lyney growled.
“And you…..” Furina stands up and slowly walks to the viewer, her steps weighty as she tries to move through the water.
“Are the only one I have left.” The scene changes to show Furina hugging a mechanical dog while the camera pans out to reveal the Courtroom of the Opera Epicelse completely submerged underwater with various marine vegetation growing.
“NO!” Several Fontaine natives gasped. Even Mona could only look on in shell shock. Many who knew the area knew what it meant. The Courtroom of the Opera Epicelse was akin to the center and focal point of the nation of Justice. It was the Church of the people, the temple and shrine they’d go to worship and praise their God.
It was the last place they’d expect to be destroyed…but now it was being shown to them and all who could see.
Many others looked on with concern, they had seen many instances of the nations being put to peril, but never to this extent. Would Fontaine be destroyed in the future? What about their own nations?
“And so…while fate might seem like its playing cruel jokes on you…. Only fate will not deceive you.” Furina’s laments. As the scene zooms out, it is revealed to be all-encompassed in a single drop of water.
The droplet bursts, revealing itself to be a tear on Furina’s cheek as she sits on her throne.
“Unless…. you can…first deceive…fate itself,” Furina speaks finally as she looks at the audience.
The screen fades to black.
There was silence in the theatre. No one knew how to process what had been witnessed. All this time, the viewers had been watching the events which by all accounts were possible in their world and did happen. They saw the various incidents that the Traveler resolved. Stormterror, Osial, and the various other backstories and legacies left behind by other characters. They saw Decabian’s fall, Harvia betrayal, Azdaha’s imprisonment and many more. They never expected to see a nation being destroyed.
A few individuals turned their eyes to Furina. For the people of Fontaine, they were curious how the Archon would react, while the ones from other nations merely looked at her with sympathy and pity for losing everything. Even Wanderer felt somewhat bad as it became clear the Archon had lost everything, her nation and soon her sanity.
Then…she laughed.
It started softly.
“Hehe….hehe….hehehe.”
Then it grew…louder…very loud. The Archons' eyes stared to the Hydro wield at their side who had a twisted expression on her face.
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Many looked on as the Hydro Archon burst into laughter with tears in her eyes. She looked like she had just seen the most hilarious thing before. Like she was being told the best joke in the world.
“OH BOY…. THAT WAS WELL DONE!” Furina laughed in her maniac glee. “OF ALL THE THINGS TO SHOW…. THAT WAS INDEED YOUR BEST CHOICE!” She chuckled.
Ei unconsciously pulled Nahida away from the other Archon. Even Furina’s familiars had disappeared when she started to chuckle. Perhaps it wasn’t just the version on screen who went mad, but also this one. Nahida, ever so worried, dared to investigate Furina’s mind and see what she was thinking.
“AH.” Nahida winced as she held her head. She saw only brief flashes, but the water was rising, and she saw people dissolved, Furina was on her throne, and she was crying. Was it the past she saw, or a dream of the future? The details were too murky. Furina’s mind was…something else.
“Lady Furina.” Neuvillette interrupted.
“Lighten up Neuvillette. It’s not the end of the world.” Furina told him as her laughter eased up. “Not yet anyway. This is why we’re here, isn’t it? To avoid these kinds of disasters.”
“Still Focalors…you should at least have some tact.” Zhongli scolded. “These are your subjects after all.”
“Oh, believe me…I am.” Furina responded with a chuckle. “Everything’s already under control. I’ve already got it all planned out.”
“That viewing says otherwise,” Paimon interjected.
“That viewing is nothing more than a nightmare I have now and then,” Furina explained. It was her worst-case scenario after all. “It wasn’t real, just my doubt and insecurities ready to crush me,” she admitted. “Still to bring even my nightmares to the surface. You are quite a degenerate individual for finding my suffering entertaining.”
“Ah, but my lady…we haven’t even seen the best one yet.” The screen voiced as it started another clip. “Buckle up, this one is special enough to warrant a third viewing.”
“Oh really. Alright then…. amuse me.” Furina taunted.
Furina: La vaguelette (The wavelet)
“Oh…that’s interesting.” Furina mused. That was the name of the final song in The Little Oceanid. She had always thought it suited her well and now it seems like the warden thought so as well.
The scene opens to group of men standing atop a hill, the world decaying around them.
“What’s going on here?” Amber and a few others questioned. It looked like a mob of sorts.
“Is she here yet?” “When will she get here?” The people asked.
The camera zoomed in on another man, who was bound and tied up. “She’s not coming.” He tried to tell the people.
The camera moves to reveal another man, the boss. “You’re wrong. She’s here.”
Furina is shown walking towards the man. As she walks a melody begins to play.
“That mob doesn’t exactly look very pleased to see Lady Furina.” Sigewinne noted.
“Eh, I’ve made my fair share of enemies and I’ve gotten under the skin of more than a few individuals.” Furina admitted.
“Ah, if I shall merge with the springs
Retrieve the wonders we've seen.”
The camera zooms into Furina’s eyes as the water swirls within.
“O Mother, will I then be forgiven?”
“Forgiven for Egeria’s sin.” Zhongli wondered.
“What other sin is there?” Furina retorted. “Egeria committed her actions despite knowing the consequences. I fail to see that she didn’t know better.” Furina sighed. Surely, she must have known or at least been warned.
“From the way you sound, you don’t exactly seem to like your predecessor.” Venti noted.
“When your predecessor leaves you with a preordained natural calamity hanging over your head…its hard to feel much admiration for her.” Furina scowled.
As Furina sings, images show water emerging from a spring filling the lake and the rivers as it flows.
“Twirling down the stream.
Where all is redeemed
Through every life deep within
My love is what it's always been.”
The man from before is shown communing with a wave. “But what about your wish?” He asks it.
“Who is that gentleman?” Neuvillette wondered.
“Him…just a good old friend of mine.” Furina answered. It was a half-truth, she remained in touch with the troupe even after they disbanded.
The scene shifts, showing him and Furina. “My wish,” Furina mutters.
The scene changes once more, showing a village already abandoned and rotting, being struck down by black meteors. The village collapses around the duo.
As the screen goes black, a voice echoes. “If you become human, you can reveal your secret to no one.” The scene reveals Furina kneeling over a polluted lake.
A most of the people turned to Furina upon hearing that statement.
“What did he mean by becoming human?” Charlotte questioned cautiously.
Furina contemplated her words for a minute. She wondered if she could scoff at the notion or act confused. “You can tell them part of the truth.” The Warden whispered in her mind.
“It’s like he said, if ‘I’, Focalors, become human, then ‘I’ can do something rather extraordinary.” Furina answered.
“So…in other words…you’re saying can become human. Not just look human but go all the way.” Keqing noted.
“That’s right.” Furina answered.
“There would be consequences though.” Zhongli noted.
“A weaker body is not an issue.” Furina admitted.
“That wasn’t what I meant.”
“You will face suffering and loneliness. Is this truly what you want?” He asks once more.
“Haha…bold of him to assume that will stop me.” Furina chuckled.
“Wait…a second. From the way you’re telling you sound like you’re considering it.” Clorinde pondered.
“I explained myself a long time ago.” Furina answered. “If Fontaine falls then I’ll die with it. If that’s the result, then me suffering for an eternity is really the most logical and appropriate solution. My salvation or my people, if I had to weigh them on the scales then it should be obvious where the scales should tilt.”
“Spoken like a true Archon.” Zhongli smiled under his breath. It did not go unheard of by Furina, who blushed at the compliment.
Streaks of blue water start to race across the screen as the camera follows them. As the water passes, the destroyed city is rapidly repaired, and life follows behind it.
The man is revealed to be standing alone, Furina no longer present, but gradually more humans appear.
“Why, even the greatest love will die.
How could one never say goodbye?
End of this fairytale
One last scene, yet”
The man looks around as the people rejoice. They are dancing and celebrating but the man is left alone watching with a somber look.
“You’d sacrifice everything for them?” Ei questioned as she looked at Furina.
“Everything I’ve got and more.” Furina answered.
“She would have like you for sure.” Ei mused as she thought of her sister. She wasn’t too different from Furina. Both of them clearly loved Humanity a lot.
“I remain in place, I'll stay behind.
Savouring each and every sight
That never changed in time, in time.”
“I swear. Jean we’re sending a letter when we get back. I demand we invite Furina to attend our next Windblume festival.” Venti ordered. “I want to…no I need to perform with my fellow musical Archon here.” He demanded. “I absolutely must. With my Lyre and her voice, we shall make the most enchanting music in the world.”
“Seriously Barbatos, of all Fontaine’s resources, that’s what you ask for.” Furina mused.
“Why? Is it too much?”
“Not really, I plan to visit when the prophecy is resolved.” Furina explained. “I’ve basically had to stay in the nation since my ascension because I didn’t want thing to be set off while I wasn’t there.”
“Learn from this.” Diluc voiced behind Venti.
The scene changes once more, showing Furina at the edge of a cliff. People looking on at her. She looks back in acceptance as she turns away. A vision appears before her. It hovers briefly in front of her and Furina vanishes completely into water leaving the vision and her hat behind.
“Okay….so can someone please explain what’s going on because I feel like we are missing context…a lot of it.” Yanfei wonders.
“It looks like a city is being destroyed and Lady Furina is sacrificing herself to save it.” Ganyu rationed. She had seen it happen before with the Stove God himself. To sacrifice their power to heal the land, only to vanish and disappear after expelling too much.
“The architecture is definitely from Fontaine, but I don’t recall seeing or reading any such event.” Neuvillette admitted.
“Well seeing as I dissolve it can only be the future could it not,” Furina explained. She bit back saying it was a play she would perform in the future, but it was fun to have them looking so clueless. “Or maybe it’s the past, and once I dissolved, I forgot about it before reforming. The Village did look rather…rural compared to modern Fontaine.” She chuckled.
“So, you’re either going to sacrifice yourself or expel power to undo this prophecy.” Ei pondered.
“Going to?” Furina said dubiously. “I’ve already spent like 500 years sacrificing myself, my time, and arguably my sanity to fix Egeria’s mistake. If this wasn’t for the people of Fontaine and this stupid prophecy, I’d just pack my bags and leave.” And she did. “Heck, why do you think Fontaine is so advanced in the first place?” She questioned.
“I thought Fontaine is a highly advanced and industrialized society because of how widespread the knowledge is in comparison to Sumeru. Sumeru has the Akedimiya which regulates all projects and developments with grading systems and such in place to try and filter out the most ‘knowledgeable’ from the least knowledgeable, while Fontaine just has all information ready and available even outright encouraging others to take already existing concepts and improve. Without the pressure of the Akedimiya stifling ideas with all the red tape, the people are free to explore and invent at their leisure.” Alhaitham explained.
“That’s a really fancy way of saying the Sages are morons.” Wanderer chuckled.
“But its partially true. I already a solution figured out long ago for the prophecy, but the cost is…. unbelievably huge.” Furina admits. “So instead, while Plan A was on the back burner, I looked for better and hopefully less demanding Plan B’s C’s, and whatever other letter existed. As such I placed a lot of funds into the various research institutions and tried to encourage all fields to look for answers to the prophecy. Of course, much of that research also proved useful in other areas.” Furina noted.
“Guardameks, aircrafts, the anti-gravity units, the Kameras and so many others were all by products of the research to stop the prophecy.” She explained.
“Necessity breeds creativity,” Zhongli noted.
“Exactly.”
“It's quite interesting,” Lumine noted. “The Raiden Shogun showed the power of an archon. Lord Kusanali showed the vulnerability of Archon. Rex Lapis showed the humility of an Archon.” She noted.
“What did I show then?” Furina questioned.
“Hmmm…you’re trailer shows you as someone who is happy and manages to keep control and keep a calm head in the chaos of a situation. Your teaser shows you in a more solemn instance where the weight of the world crushing you. Yet your song at the end, shows what I think is the true you.” Lumine answered.
“And what may that be dear Traveler of the Celestial Atlas.” Furina mused.
“You’re resilient.” Lumine answered. “You’re capable of loving and maintaining focus on your goal, even while everything crumbles around you, all the while maintaining a façade of confidence even when things seem to weigh on you.” She explains.
“Hmmph…. I suppose that’s one way you may look at it.” Furina wondered. She had heard what the others had said. The praise for her mental fortitude was astounding, but it never felt like something she needed to celebrate. “I just thought I was the Best Actress in Teyvat.” Furina chuckled.