Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Distantly, a clock rang out two low chimes. 

Furina, curled on her side in her bed, ignored it. Her eyes were bloodshot, and there were wet spots on her pillow; she had cried all she could, and simply laid there, unmoving.

I'm supposed to be the Hydro Archon, and I can't even summon enough water to cry, Furina chuckled hollowly. 

She sat up and sighed, running her fingers through her messy hair a few times. It was a nervous habit she allowed herself to indulge in only when she was alone – or with Neuvillette, but he didn't count. He didn't judge her for being stressed.

Archons, my head hurts, Furina thought, dragging herself out of bed a few minutes later. Maybe a glass of water will help it. I need to get some sleep tonight, or I’ll make a fool of myself at the trial today.

Furina was required to attend the trial at 10am, and appearing distracted or tired in front of all those people would be incredibly embarrassing. What would they think? Would they doubt her commitment to them? Would they mock her? Would they hate her? Would they-

Arriving in her kitchen, she shook the thoughts away as best she could and grabbed a small cup to fill from the sink. Despite what some may have thought from the mask of arrogance she tends to wear, Furina’s living space was fairly modest. It was personal to her, and no others had ever been inside aside from the Melusine assigned to wake her up on time. Furina found it comforting to have a small, unremarkable place to be, to be alone with her feelings away from prying eyes. A place that didn’t have to be as grand as she pretended she was. 

When she set down the glass, though, she caught sight of her distorted reflection. Just barely, Furina realised:

Her eyes were glowing.

Softly, almost not enough to be visible — but in the darkness of the night, she could tell. 

…I am not awake enough to deal with this right now, Furina decided. Maybe ever, actually. She sighed, pinched the bridge of her nose, and turned away. It’s nothing. Probably just a blur in my sight from crying so much. Nothing to worry about!

Humming lightly, she walked back to her room on her tip-toes. Tomorrow was a new day. None of this mattered.

She didn't realise it then, but the calmer she began to feel, the stronger the glow in her eyes grew.

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“Lady Furina,” Neuvillette spoke quietly from his seat in the court, “are you doing alright?”

They had just finished the last trial of the day. It was a rough batch of cases, and she’d already had to take two breaks today to breathe and calm down. Furina was frustratingly sensitive to the plights of others. Hearing about how someone killed another in cold blood or burning rage, seeing the grief of ruined families, the fear in the eyes of someone who had been assaulted — it was frequently too much for her to handle.

It had been getting easier recently, though. Keeping a straight face and steady tone came more naturally than before. A little more worryingly, she wasn’t as concerned about the emotions of her people. After mulling it over for a while, she came to the conclusion that it was just her building up a tolerance after so many of the same kinds of experiences, and chose to not worry much about it.

It was because of this that Neuvillette’s question confused Furina. He knew why she took breaks, and taking two was actually much better than usual. There was no reason that she could tell for him to worry over her.

“Of course!” Furina chirped, giving him a small smile. “Why, is my dear iudex concerned for me?” She teased.

Neuvillette huffed ever so slightly, making her smile widen. “You seemed distracted, is all. I wanted to be sure nothing is troubling you,” he explained neutrally.

Furina’s teasing smile softened. Despite his trouble expressing emotions, Neuvillette really was a kind man.

“I’m perfectly fine, honestly,” she assured him. He didn’t seem all too convinced, but after studying her for a few moments, he sighed.

“If you say so,” he relented, “but remember that you can always share your concerns with me. It is no trouble, I assure you.”

She wanted to believe him. Furina desperately wanted to tell him everything , and if she could, she would, but Furina refused to put herself over the people of Fontaine. One day, she would be able to tell her only friend everything on her mind — but that day was not this day. Instead, she gave him an appreciative grin, and said, “Thank you, Neuvillette, but there is nothing to tell. I promise you.”

Neuvillette nodded before standing and leaving, likely retreating to his office to finish up the last of the day’s paperwork. He had to sign the documents transferring the guilty parties to the Fortress of Meropide after every set of trials. Furina, on the other hand, had a meeting with Charlotte to discuss an article in the Steambird in about an hour.

Finally alone and with a breath of free time, Furina deflated, leaning back in her seat and putting her head in her hands. That was… stressful. She had the strange urge to scream. 

It was a great performance, though. She was surprised she had kept a straight face while talking to Neuvillette. The second she knew she had to dance around the topic to defend her secret, it became significantly easier to do so. Keeping the secret in general had become much easier, and she was much more assertive in her role as the Hydro Archon recently.

Furina was proud of herself. It was a foreign feeling; she wasn’t used to such a thing, usually instead ruled by her anxiety. The change made her giddy with joy. Maybe it was a good day after all.

Furina stood confidently and gave herself a firm nod. She could do this!

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She could not do this.

It was nearing the end of the day, and this interview would just not end. Furina was growing very frustrated — she was afraid the people would soon notice. Charlotte, a fairly personal contact of hers who she frequently did interviews with, had already thrown her a couple of concerned looks. Furina smiled back at her reassuringly, but she doubted the effectiveness of it. 

It wasn’t even that stressful of an event. The biggest problem was the sheer amount of people who were coming and going in such a public place, constantly stopping to watch her; paired with the fact that it had started five hours ago , Furina thought she had a right to be aggravated!

Finally, though, they were finishing up. She and Charlotte were clarifying some details that were to be written in the next edition of the Steambird while the crowds cleared as the day approached its end. It was one of many “Special Editions” that featured Furina as the front page character. Archons, it was so embarrassing sometimes. There were more important things they could be discussing, she was sure. Oftentimes, she hated the spotlight as much as she loved it. Times like these, especially, were the worst. 

These people have no sense of decency, Furina thought to herself, a sense of anger building in her chest as her thoughts swirled in her head. The spewing fountain next to her seemed to roar in her ears. I swear, if I get asked one more question about my personal life, I’ll-

“Lady Furina?”

Furina blinked, pulling her focus back out to the real world. Charlotte had stopped writing and stared at her with a wary look in her eyes. She subtly glanced around, suddenly nervous, and saw that a couple of passersby doing the same. Furina wasn’t sure what was going on, but with her luck, it would surely be something stressful.

She took a deep breath to relieve some of the tension in her chest. It didn’t work. Great.

Flicking her hair behind her shoulders — which she vaguely noticed was glowing , what was with her body and glowing recently? — she looked to the pink-haired woman with a neutral expression.

“I’m sorry, Charlotte,” Furina replied with a practiced, even tone, “I seem to have gotten lost in thought. Is something the matter?”

Charlotte chuckled nervously. “It’s nothing, just…” She side-eyed the fountain, then flicked her gaze back to Furina, like she was scared.

Curiously, Furina looked over.

Oh, she thought, stunned.

The previously gentle waterfall fountain they had sat next to was now churning violently, some water splashing out as it did so. The water itself seemed so angry , spitting and roaring, almost seeming to actively attempt to reach out and splash anyone who came close enough.

When Furina startled, it seemed to almost flinch in time with her, no longer moving as violently. The two women watched as it slowly returned to its original state, or as close as it seemed it was going to get.

Did I do that? Furina wondered.

Chapter Text

This is starting to get boring, Furina idly thought, running her fingers gently through the ends of her blue highlights as she observed the ongoing trial.

So far, it had been rather generic. Someone attempted a murder — rather badly, she would add, though not out loud — and was now being investigated and charged for it. The defence lawyer had very little to work with, but they were really trying. It was kind of cute, in the way a child’s drawing is cute. Not very good, but they did their best, and they seem very proud of it, so you may as well indulge them.

Furina sighed and leaned back in her chair. It seemed the trial was wrapping up — Neuvillette was announcing his verdict, getting the same from the Oratrice as per usual, and people were moving, but she was zoned out, paying little attention to her surroundings.

The trials just seemed so boring recently. The evidence was obvious, the crimes generic, and the verdicts predictable and repetitive. Furina used to find each trial interesting and unique. She wondered why they weren’t, anymore.

“Lady Furina?” Neuvillette’s voice rang out to her right. Furina blinked as she was brought back into reality. The courtroom was empty. Neuvillette was by her side, watching her with an unusual expression.

Furina cocked her head. “Oh, sorry about that. I got lost in my head for a moment,” she admitted sheepishly. “How long have you been standing there?” She asked.

“Not long,” Neuvillette assured her, “but I wanted to check on you. You’ve been down recently,” he noted. He pays that much attention to me? Furina thought, mildly surprised. I hadn’t realized. “I have to admit, I’ve been concerned for your wellbeing. Is everything alright?”

Is it? She questioned to herself, unsure. Everything’s been so strange lately.

Furina had noticed a lot of small things change around her. Some things she could brush off as the natural passage of time; others were changing within her , things that hadn’t changed in centuries. 

She took a moment to gaze thoughtfully at her Iudex. Another one of the unusual changes; she could read him if she put any effort into it. Furina could identify what he was feeling, what he was doing, and nearly exactly what he was thinking, with ease . 

That went for everyone around her, too. Anything that was being kept a secret, Furina would find out, usually completely on accident. It was overwhelming and incredibly irritating . 

Trials held no point to her anymore. She knew if the subject was lying or not. She knew who was guilty and who wasn't after mere moments of watching them speak. She never spoke up unless it seemed that the guilty party would get away with their crime; it would be detrimental to her to let the public know of her newfound ability, after all. 

It was hard for Furina to find meaning in something so… temporary, anymore. She wasn’t sure what to do about that.

Could she continue to hold these trials, apathetic to her people’s pain? Could she learn to care like she did all these years? Furina’s suffering was abating — but so too was the emotion that made her human. 

She felt like she was disappointing Focalors. That was no good, she decided.

Refocusing on the world around her, Furina noted that her colleague’s concern was genuine. He was worried for her wellbeing and wanted her to be safe. It softened the frustration that built up as she thought.

Oh, right, he asked me a question. Furina remembered. I guess I got lost in thought again.

“I don’t know,” she finally answered. She remained silent after that, sitting motionless on her throne, gazing at nothing.

Neuvillette watched Furina for a while longer, worry in his gaze. Eventually, though, he retreated, but not before retrieving a small cup of tea for her that he set on the table to her left.

When he checked on her an hour later, Furina remained in her place, but the teacup was empty. 

Neuvillette smiled softly.

————————

Furina watched as the water in her teacup swirled on its own. She sighed, the movement of the liquid stalling as her focus broke. 

So… I can control hydro now. Her blank, relaxed face betrayed nothing of her warring thoughts. 

Leaning down to put her head in her hands, she tried to keep from hyperventilating. Did mirror-me do something? Did I somehow take something's power?

Why now? Why now, after 500 years, am I granted the powers of an archon?

Furina paused. Is it the power of an archon? Or… could it be something else?

She lifted her head. Her mismatched blue eyes were wide, gazing down at her shaking hands.

What am I?

The water lifted out of the cup with just a thought. It was like moving a limb, easy and routine. It took no effort at all — it didn't even seem to act the way visions, who merely borrowed their elemental power, did.

Well… on the plus side, Furina mused, making shapes in the air with the water she had, it'll be easier to pretend to be a god.

Something felt wrong about that statement. She wasn't sure what it was, but something was off. 

It'll be easier to pretend to be an Archon, she corrected. That was better. That seemed right.

Shaking her head, she allowed the water to splash back into her cup before standing, taking a deep breath to ground herself. 

I don't know what is happening, she concluded, but I will pretend that I do, and make the most of it, like I always have. 

I am Furina dé Fontaine, this nation’s ruling god, and I will not let this deter me.

With a smile that felt too forced and an almost-confident nod, she moved on, prepared for whatever would come next.

Or so she thought.

Chapter Text

The day Furina met the Traveler was a clear, entirely mediocre day. She met with reporters, spoke with a law firm, filed an average amount of paperwork on the in-progress investigations, and gazed upon a blond-haired boy that approached her nation.

The boy had an odd energy to him. His fairy-like companion was equally unusual, but in a different way. She coudn’t help but feel like he was a familiar face.

Furina and the Traveler met eyes for a long moment. He watched her warily - she knew he hadn’t had the best experiences in the other nations, so of course he wouldn’t trust her openly. Her loyal guards and many people of her nation stood attentively around them.

She smiled amusedly at the boy. This, of course, only unsettled him more. She knew how to handle this.

“Greetings, foreign travellers, and welcome to our beautiful nation,” she announced in a playful tone. “I am Furina, the God of Fontaine, our beautiful nation. Many of us have heard tales of your adventures in distant lands. I hope you need not encounter such plights from us, but feel free to see me for any of your needs. May you have a delightful time!”

She used her generic charming smile, making her fans squeal and cheer. Furina never cared for the fancy-talk she  The Traveler still seemed put off, but less wary. She hoped to continue her general persona of playful and vain but confident and competent.

The whispers in her ears had already brought her some very interesting information, which she contemplated as she retreated back to her office. They had less on the boy than she thought, but just enough to find more. A sister, hm? One who wasn’t quite so missing anymore. Oh, how that girl had secrets… and those were her specialty, now, weren’t they?

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The whispers started when she met the twin performers. Furina knew there was something wrong with them, even if she wasn’t sure what. It was frustrating beyond belief, her undying craving to know everything about anyone interfering, as usual. It played well into her job, but could get annoying when presented with people who knew too much about something or another.

It seemed the two ash-blonde magicians were actively being deceitful, based on the tugging in her gut.

When her hunger to know grew strong enough, she started hearing voices. Things that had been said in private, whispered in shadows, spoken in confidence, all had her own ear to them. It didn’t matter when or where, just that she had some kind of contact or interaction with the subject or someone close to them, she found.

The more the voices spoke, the more obsessive she became. For many years past, Furina felt herself grow more private and more prone to lying, being very protective of her personal life. With this, she started keeping records of the people the whispers spoke of, keeping tabs on them and making sure she had their information organised. It kept her busy and sane. 

It’s ironic, how the shell of the God of Justice could warp into a God of Secrets under the weight of a prophecy, isn’t it?

————————

The Traveler got involved with the events of her nation at an impressive speed. The Fatui, the Duke, the Steambird, the Spina de Rosula - he slotted into her carefully curated web of people like a missing puzzle piece. Perhaps he was.

He’s quite experienced with this, isn’t he? she mused. But such experiences leave biases that change how he interacts with people. There is desperation in everything he does. He’s searching for something… but for what? It isn’t his sister, not exactly.

This, the voices had no answers for. Either it’s something that has never been spoken, or a secret protected by someone whose power rivaled her own.

How fascinating, Furina grinned with far too many teeth. You, Aether, are my new favourite game.

————————

Neuvillette was treating her differently. They had grown closer as she felt alienated from most humans through her ascension, like something was drawing them together. Furina’s skills with Hydro let her feel the water within Neuvillette; the depth within him took her breath away the first time she felt it. Sometimes she simply sits near him to bask in the aura. He felt like a spring of pure Hydro, something beautiful and untouched. 

Neuvillette himself had noticed the change in Furina very keenly. How could he not? His rock amongst the ever-changing world, his immortal Archon, was changing. It almost made him angry — but she didn’t leave, she barely changed outwardly at all, so he stamped down the odd emotions and ignored them. The change was almost entirely within her, not really in anything she did. They still had trials, still did work, still interacted with the public, but her aura and behaviours changed.

Not many people knew that Furina had very shaky control over Hydro. He’d attributed it to his own presence within Fontaine, a tug-of-war between their authority over the elements. When she suddenly had perfect control without his own being challenged, that belief was shaken. What had she done? Was it even intentional?

Why did she struggle in the past, if she isn’t now?

He’d never met another divine being before Furina. He could feel the faint sense of power and the buzz of Hydro, but it wasn’t significant. Now, though, he felt it. She felt like fog, thick and hiding great depth. Like she could turn him inside-out with a glace. It was a heady feeling, something that intrigued him immensely. 

Most notably, Furina was more prying and inquisitive than before. It was an odd thing to be the largest change, but it was significant. She seemed to sift specific information out of people like a sieve without them realising at all — himself included. She kept details to herself, knew things she had no business knowing.

She fascinated him.

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Furina could feel the prophecy press in on her. The clock was ticking, ticking, ticking, closing down like a knife on her neck.

When the trial came, she felt it cut into her skin. 

The prophecy had arrived.