The Second Archon War: Animula Choragi 12

Animula Choragi 12: I Dreamed a Dream 

The Truth might set you free, but right at the moment, Charlotte was feeling more frustrated than anything else. She tried to smile, as Barbs was practically bouncing off the walls, a wide grin on her face. “I got the part, Lotte! They cast me as Cosette! I actually got the part!” 

“That’s huge, Barbs,” Charlotte said, forcing a smile onto her face. “I knew you could do it!” 

Barbara calmed down a bit, looking worried for a moment. “Do you think…do you think I got the part because of my mother? Because…I’m an Orleans?”

“It probably didn’t hurt, but you were also the best one to try out for Cosette. And you know I can’t lie,” Charlotte said. That wasn’t quite true; Charlotte was technically capable of lying. It just made her violently ill, and she could feel her Vision dimming whenever she even tried. It made her about as good at lying as a four-year-old, but that didn’t matter. The Truth was always the right answer to everything anyway. 

“You seem kinda bummed? What’s going on?” Barbara said, sitting down. “Your sister didn’t ground you forever like I thought she would. Especially after she got that Vision of hers.”

“No, she didn’t,” Charlotte said with a relieved sigh. “It’s like this, you see. I was certain that I knew who the Hydro Archon was…”

Barbara’s eyes went wide. “Really!? You know who she is, where she is!? Wait, don’t tell me- not Furina?! But she seems so…normal.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” Charlotte said, flopping back on Barbara’s bed. They were in her room, which was of course, in the Hôtel de Ville. Slightly rebuilt after the Blasphemies had somewhat wrecked it. Not in the same attack that had killed Barbara’s father, but they did tend to meddle in French politics, when they weren’t busy assassinating people in Spain or Portugal, that was. They’d even killed two British Cabinet members at one point. 

The room itself was incredibly ornate, with a real four-poster bed, thick carpets, and gilded paneling on the walls. While the desk was 18th century, it had on it a very modern PC with Barbara’s set up for recording and editing footage. They’d made a little green screen in the corner, which was laid over some rather fine armchairs that were probably worth more than even the high end computer. 

“What made you think Furina of all people was the Hydro Archon? She’s a dishwasher and an out of work actress,” Barbara pointed out.

“Well…” Charlotte pondered not telling Barbara. Saying the information was need-to-know wasn’t lying, and her Vision would let her get away with that. On the other hand, this was a Truth so juicy, so massive, that Charlotte felt compelled to tell SOMEONE. And if she couldn’t trust Barbs, her best friend, who could she trust? 

“It’s like this, you see…”

Charlotte laid out in brief what she knew. How it rained whenever Furina cried. How she was actually from Teyvat, the same world that the Archons were from. How she had an absolutely incredible singing voice, similar to Barbados (Charlotte refused to call him Lord Barbados on general principle. Her sister might be German, but she was not). During the story, Barbara’s eyes grew wider and wider, her hands over her mouth. When she finished, Charlotte felt a lot better, while Barbara looked like she was about to have a panic attack. 

“But…but Yennifer said it wasn’t Furina’s voice? Could…could she be lying?” Barbara asked, sounding dazed. 

“She could, but I doubt it. I have a pretty good sense for when people are lying. I did even before I got my Vision, but I basically have Truthsense now,” Charlotte said with a shake of her head. “Besides, Yen’s pretty trustworthy and doesn’t like lying nearly as much as me. She wouldn’t lie to me about this.”

“But Furina says she’s not the Hydro Archon? She was just-”

“The body double, yes. But!” Charlotte held up a finger. “My theory is such! What if, by sacrificing herself for the good of her people, Furina was judged by Heaven to be worthy of Archonhood! That’s like, basically what happened to Tsukoyomi when she became Dalnim, right?!”

“Um, maybe?” Barbara said, glancing out the window. It was in the afternoon, so the First Quarter of the moon was visible, with the Moon God’s face clearly visible on the surface. At night, it would be her mother, the Raiden Shogun, who was visible during the Last Quarter. During a Full Moon, both were visible, two mirrored women in the night sky. 

“So, Furina IS the Hydro Archon, but she might not even know it yet! Which means one thing!” Charlotte said, holding up a finger. 

“That we have to protect her and keep her hidden, so Mao the Golden doesn’t fly down and kidnap her, or worse!” Barbara said, jumping up. “Think about it, he threatened Nahida Saeed, if he could, he would try to do something horrible to Furina!” 

Charlotte opened her mouth, then closed it. She had been about to say, “Break the story so that the world will know the Truth.” However…Barbara raised an excellent point. 

“Mère?” Barbara suddenly said, looking around. 

“Hmm?” Charlotte shook her head. “What was that?”

“Oh, sorry, I thought I heard my mother. I thought she said ‘Not yet, my dear,’ but I must have been hearing things,” Barbara said.

Instantly, Charlotte turned on her elemental vision, just in time to see that hydro ghost standing by Barbara’s ear. The ghost waved her fingers at Charlotte, then vanished. 

Right. Charlotte needed to break this case, and soon. 

“Well, how can we protect her then? I have a Vision, yes, but it’s not like either of us could fight off Mao the Golden,” Charlotte said, sitting cross legged on the bed and resting her head in her hands. 

Barabara sat beside her, leaning back and gazing up at the ceiling. “Hmm. Well, I suppose I could tell my mother, but…no. I don’t think that would be wise. It’s up to us.”

“Keep her hidden,” Charlotte mumbled. “How to keep someone hidden?”

“It will be hard, what with her getting the role of Fantine,” Barbara said, grimacing. “I suppose this play won’t be that large, but hundreds or even thousands of people will see her.”

A lightbulb went on in Charlotte’s mind, and she leapt out of bed. “That’s it! I know EXACTLY how to keep her hidden and safe!”

“I really don’t want to run away from home, not after just landing this role,” Barbara sighed. “But I do have some cash hidden away…”

“What?! No, why would you even think that? Barbara, what’s the best way to hide something?!” Charlotte said, spreading her arms wide.

“Um, bury it?” Barbara guessed. 

“No, we’re not burying Furina. We’re going to hide her in plain sight! And convince the world that Furina de Fontaine is nothing more than an ordinary woman!” Charlotte said with a wide grin. 

“Well, then that shouldn’t be too hard, since, you know, she works as a dishwasher,” Barbara said.

“Ah, ah, ah! That’s too much like hiding, and poorly,” Charlotte said, wagging a finger. “No! We’re going to make her front page news! And, at the same time, ensure that absolutely no one will ever think of her as an Archon.”

“We will?” Barbara said, sounding baffled. 

“Yes! For you see…” Charlotte paused for dramatic effect. That was very important. “We shall start… a web channel for her!” 

Barbara blinked, tilting her head to one side. “We…what?”

Charlotte pulled Barbara to her feet, putting an arm around her Trusty Sidekick’s shoulders and gesturing to the unseen future with the other. “Of course! If we convince everyone that Furina is simply a rising starlette, who just happens to be both very beautiful and incredibly talented, they would never even SUSPECT that she’s actually the Hydro Archon and the God of Justice!” 

“I thought Archons were angels…”

“Pfff, you show me an angel that can put her face on the moon and then create a race of bunny people that live on it. Not to mention grant people such as myself divine power. Anyway, that’s not the point. I’m going to rely on your incredible skills, Barbara, to make Furina the Next Big Thing!” 

“This doesn’t sound like hiding,” Barbara said, but then she suddenly grinned. “But she would get SO MANY VIEWS! My videos usually get no more than a couple of hundred, but I bet hers would get THOUSANDS!”

“Not big enough, Baraba. I won’t be satisfied with anything under a MILLION views!” Charlotte declared grandly. 

Barbara winced. “Um, do you think she can sing in English, then? Because, uh, those get more views than French songs?” 

“Barbara, she’s a god. She can speak English, Basque, even Chinese!” Charlotte declared. “Now, the question is, what song should we have her dance to?”

The girls' eyes wandered over the room, until both of them settled on a poster of a man in a fedora, with one white glove, posing on stage. They turned towards one another and grinned. They had a plan. 

Maybe it wouldn’t quite be the Truth…but Charlotte’s Vision very much approved of her protecting the Truth from Evil. She could make this work.

And when the time came…she would have the biggest story to break in history. 

Furina was moping about the apartment. She should have been thrilled. She’d gotten the part of Fantine. She was doing it, becoming an actress in her own right, without people thinking she was the Hydro Archon and just giving it to her because they wanted her favor. 

The problem, though, was that she was the Hydro Archon. After all these years…after centuries of pretending…she had been blindsided by being given the actual part. 

But she didn’t feel like the Archon. Focalors had said she needed training. How was one supposed to train to be the Archon?! Didn’t 500 years of playing the part on the grandest stage of all count!? 

Oh it does, dear, it does. But there’s just one or two more things that need to fall into place. Just be patient for a little longer. And rest assured, if you truly need the Mantle…it is yours to take.

“I don’t want it,” Furina mumbled into a pillow. 

A bit late for that. Though I will say, there is some truth to the adage that those who want power are the least suited to take it up. 

“Then I must be the most suited person for power in history,” Furina groaned. “Why couldn’t I just stay a dishwasher forever?”

Because this world needs saving. And can you really stand by when that’s the case?

“No,” Furina grumbled. “I guess I should stop feeling sorry for myself and get on with it.”

Mmm, there’s time for a little fun. Speaking of, try to enjoy yourself. The girls do mean well, and you’ll have fun if you just relax. 

“What?” Furina blinked and looked around, but nothing happened. She shrugged, then picked up the script she’d discarded on the floor beside the couch. She really should be practicing for Fantine, the rehearsals would begin in three days time. 

It was hard to focus though, and she hadn’t gotten very far when the door banged open. 

“FURINA! I have a cunning plan!” 

The sudden commotion made Furina jump, as Charlotte and Barbara stormed in, wide grins on both their faces, lugging a great deal of cameras and other equipment. That was, well, perhaps the most Charlotte thing that Furina had seen this Charlotte do, so it didn’t take her aback so much as make her smile. 

“Please tell me it isn’t to infiltrate the French government to find abuses of power,” Furina joked. 

She immediately regretted her words, as the gleam in Charlotte’s eyes and the grin on her face told her that she probably intended to do just that. 

“Later! For now, we need to make you a star!” Charlotte declared. “So get up, and get ready!”

“I, what?” Furina said, baffled as the two girls began setting up their equipment. 

“Hmm, not the best lighting in here, but I’ll make it work,” Barbara said, throwing open the curtains and letting the late afternoon sun in. 

“We brought a costume! You’ll have to get changed, then we’ll do your makeup,” Charlotte told Furina, handing her a set of clothes. 

“I- Charlotte, what is going on?” Furina said, feeling baffled. 

“You’ve been moping about all day even though you got the part, haven’t you? So, we’re going to cheer you up, and show the world just what a wonder Furina de Fontaine is!” Charlotte declared. She made an imperious gesture towards the bedrooms. “Go now, Furina! And seize your destiny!” 

Furina looked down at the clothes, then up at the two grinning girls. She sighed, then shrugged and smiled. Who knew? It might be fun. 

A few minutes later, she came out wearing a black suit and tie, along with a black hat and a pair of white gloves. The clothes fit her remarkably well, though they were a bit loose about the bosom. Because of course they were. 

“Charlotte, what is all this about?” Furina asked. 

“No time to explain, come, come! You’ve got to learn the dance moves!” Charlotte said, plunking Furina down on the couch and turning on a tape. A few minutes later, a man on stage appeared, as upbeat music played. 

She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene

I said, "Don't mind, but what do you mean, I am the one

Who will dance on the floor in the round?

Furina was enraptured by the song and dance. Whoever this man was, he was clearly an incredibly talented performer, and the crowd was going wild as he sang. She didn’t even notice Charlotte and Barbara grinning at her like idiots through the whole thing. 

“Hmm, yes, I see,” Furina said, nodding when the song finished. “Tell me, is there a whole dance for this song?”

“Yes!” Charlotte said, and pulled out a laptop computer, which she had play an instructional video on how to perform a full length dance with the music in the background. 

“Yes, yes,” Furina said, nodding. “Play it again.”

Moving the couch back, Furina made space for herself, then performed the dance. It was a bit lewd with those hip thrusts, but it also felt rather liberating. Her sexuality was something that Furina had kept locked away in a small box she’d buried in the deepest, darkest part of her soul, but she tapped into it a little now. 

Imagine if Yennifer saw me doing this, Furina thought, putting a little extra into that crotch thrust. 

After she ran through the dance twice, Furina asked, “Can you do it with just the music?”

“Um, sure,” Barbara agreed, and with a few strokes on her keyboard, she changed it to just be the music. 

This time, Furina both danced and sang, with Charlotte eagerly catching all of it on the camera. She was most of the way through the song when the door swung open. 

“Furina, Charlotte, I- Oh!” 

Furina froze, the music still playing when Yennifer paused in the doorway, dressed in her office clothes. 

Taking it all in, Yennifer’s eyebrows climbed all the way up her forehead. “A dance video?”

“Furina’s going to be famous!” Barbara said, looking up with sparkling eyes. “Come, sit, she’s incredible!” 

Yennifer nodded, then came over to sit beside Barbara. 

“Alright! From the top!” Charlotte said, and gave Furina a count down. 

This time, Furina found herself putting her heart and soul into the song. Now, she wasn’t just doing it for fun, but because she had an audience. It might just be Yennifer, but for her, Furina would do her very best. If there was one person she cared for in this world, it was Yennifer. If the only person she could save from that horrible fate was her beloved friend…then it would be worth it. 

When she finished, Furina was sweating and panting for breath, but she held the pose until Charlotte cried, “Cut!” 

There was a scrambling of cables, and within five minutes, Furina gaped as she watched herself sing and dance. The sound and video quality wasn’t professional by any means, they were using a home camera and its built in microphone and some hastily erected lighting, but it wasn’t bad either. 

“Now, we upload it on Dailymotion!” Charlotte said eagerly. “Though we have to create a channel first. What do you want it to be called, Furina?”

“A channel? Me?” Furina blinked. She didn’t really understand what this all meant. She understood the computer could connect to something like the Akasha Network that Sumeru had, and that anyone could pull up the video of her dancing. But surely no one would want to do that. 

“Here, I already pulled the page up,” Barbara said. “Let’s get a quick picture of you for the thumbnail. 

“Er, alright,” Furina agreed, and the girls had her strike various poses, eventually selecting one with her making a V for Victory sign and grinning. 

Then it was time to name the channel. Furina stared at the screen blankly for a few moments. What on Teyvat would she call her own newspaper, since this seemed to be the closest equivalent. She decided to just name it “The Court of Fontaine,” as that both used her name, and seemed a reasonable name for something featuring a video of her dancing and singing. 

“Perfect! We’ll upload this to start with, then when you go to your next rehearsal, Barbara and I will record you singing I Dreamed a Dream! That one will be a huge smash hit, and an advertisement for the show!” Charlotte declared. 

“I really don’t think that many people will want to see it,” Furina said, blushing slightly. 

“Are you certain you want to be posting a video like this? Anyone could see it,” Yennifer cautioned. 

“I don’t see how it’s different than performing on stage, and if anything a lot more people will see me there,” Furina pointed out, and Yennifer nodded in agreement. 

Charlotte and Barbara shared a look, then grinned. 

“POSTED!” Charlotte declared, and slammed the button. 

Well, at least the girls were having fun. Though Furina seriously doubted anyone important would ever see this video. 

Nahida was browsing the internet while she worked. She often did that, half her mind trolling for cute cat videos, the other writing lesson plans for her latest class, this one on Hydro Reactions now that those Visions were being passed out.

One of the search algorithms that Nahida kept running in the background pinged, and Nahida paused in her work. 

Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, Performed by Furina de Fontaine

“Oh?” Nahida actually went over to her computer and booted it up, pulling up the video on the Dailymotion Website. She watched the video, giggling and clapping as she watched the Hydro Archon perform. Furina really was quite good!

“Nahida, dinner’s nearly ready,” Farasha said, sticking her head in. Nahida’s new little brother, Saleem, in the crook of her arm. He was only four weeks old, but even though he didn’t look like a raisin anymore he was still very cute. “Your dad- oh, what’s this?” 

“A music video! The performance is very good, don’t you think?” Nahida asked, rewinding the video. 

“Michael Jackson, huh? I was never super into him, but yeah, she’s good,” Farasha agreed as the video played. “Wow, a new channel, and her first video? That girl is going places!” 

“Yes, I think she is,” Nahida agreed. 

“You should share it! I bet she’d appreciate a kind word from the Dendro Archon,” Farasha said. 

Nahida considered that, and calculated the ramifications. Well, Furina was her friend, and it was good to show your friends you appreciated their hard work. As such, she left a comment on the video. 

Wow, super great! You’re a very talented dancer! I’m a fan! ☆:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:☆

Then, she shared the video on her own personal blog, which was called, “Nahida’s Cute Video Collection!” It was mostly videos of cute animals, people doing touching things, or as was the case with this video, showcases of talent that Nahida had enjoyed. She usually limited herself to one video a day, and since she hadn’t posted yet, felt that this wouldn’t break the pattern. 

Of course, the Dendro Archon’s personal archive of cute videos and things she found interesting was one of the most popular pages on the internet. Within minutes, Furina’s video had hundreds of views. Within a week, it had nearly 100,000. When she posted her rehearsal of “I Dreamed a Dream” with directions on how to purchase tickets for the upcoming performance of Les Misérables , a not insignificant number of people immediately began calling the Théâtre de l’Ondine to buy tickets. 

Even before opening night, the entire theater was sold out, with subsequent showings soon booked full as well. Marcel and Émile were astonished, but pleased. They had expected a decent number of ticket sales, but they’d been banking on word of mouth spreading Furina’s talents as a singer. Not a couple of online videos. 

Still, as the cast prepared and opening night drew close, the growing buzz around the budding new starlet had already started. 

But the grand reveal had yet to take place. 

For two weeks, Furina and the cast of Les Misérables  had practiced for eight hours a day. It was an incredibly abridged rehearsal cycle. For something of this scale and grandeur, it was more typical to practice for six to eight weeks. However, the very reason that an amateur production had been cobbled together like this was because the theater had a mounting pile of debts and was desperate for cash. Thus, what should have been a doom spiral of increasingly desperate measures. 

However, all the rehearsals had gone uncharacteristically well. Actors who had only ever participated in school plays or community theater style productions had been giving command performances, even before the dress rehearsal. The props and costumes all looked immaculate, with Marcel remarking that he’d paid ten times as much for results a tenth as good.

The stage hands and cast were calling it a miracle. Focalors was quietly congratulating herself at pulling one off, and without Furina even noticing. 

“I can’t believe it, it’s already here!” Julie said, pacing back and forth in her first costume. To her utter shock, she’d been given the role of Éponine. It was a leading role, and the first time Julie had ever received such in a major production like this. “I just know I’m going to flub my lines…”

“You’ll be incredible. Everyone will be talking about how wonderful Éponine was, and every casting director who’s ever snubbed you in the past will be kicking themselves,” Furina said, taking Julie’s hands. 

“Thank you,” Julie said, forcing a smile. “I just…I can’t fail this. Ling and Uncle Mao even closed the restaurant to be here tonight…”

“Alright, everyone, on stage!” Émile called, and the cast and crew hurried out, to where a sweating Marcel was standing in the front row, mopping at his forehead. He frowned up at everyone, then forced a smile onto his face, though it looked more like he was having bad gas. 

“Normally this is where I tell everyone they’d better do their best or the theater is going to go belly up, or some other such nonsense,” Marcel said, pocketing his handkerchief. “Well, I have good news for all of you: we’re sold out for the entire weekend.”

That got a rousing cheer from the cast, and Furina felt butterflies in her stomach. That at least meant the play would run for several weeks, and they’d all get a consistent paycheck for that long. Furina thought of buying something nice for Yennifer and Charlotte, as a show of appreciation for all they’d done for her. She was still doing shifts at Wanmin Restaurant, but if the play was that popular, maybe she’d stop? Except, she’d miss Ling and Chef Mao so much…

“Yes, yes, that means a nice bonus for you all. I’m no skinflint, just ask Emile. But! Don’t think that means you’re all let off easy! Tonight, we’ll be getting reviews, and I don’t care how popular the play is opening weekend. This is your chance to prove that this has legs, and that you’re going to be employed as players for more than a couple of weeks. This is a start, nothing more. Now, you have to convince these people in the sold out seats that they should go and tell all their friends to buy tickets, so we can keep our jobs.”

Everyone nodded soberly, resolve filling the hearts of everyone present. 

“Nearly all of you, if this isn’t your first role, it’s your first major production. So this is your chance to show the world that you deserve to be on stage. Who knows? Maybe some of you will go on to play on the Palais Garnier, eh?” Marcel said, and that brought chuckles.

Furina tried not to blush as several people eyed her. She wasn’t strictly speaking, an amateur as many of her fellow performers were. She had, of course, performed at the Opera Epiclese many times, even starring in a few shows there aside from the important legal cases she’d taken. That was completely different though. There, she’d already been the greatest star in Fontaine. Here, she was a complete unknown. 

I’m not the Hydro Archon in these people’s minds. I’m just Furina. Now is the chance to prove myself. 

“Now get your sorry asses backstage, and get ready! Doors open in 10 minutes! Don’t break a leg, break both your damn legs and let’s bring this house down!” Marcel declared, and got himself a rousing cheer. 

Backstage, Furina tried not to gnaw on her fingernails as she read over her lines again. Not that she needed to: Furina had memorized the entire play after reading it only once. That wasn’t a new ability: she’d always been able to instantly recall any information she digested. It had been several decades before she’d come to the realization that not all humans shared her eidetic memory. It did become a bit of a burden, being able to remember more than five centuries of existence, but recalling such a beautiful play was no trial. 

“Do you think my mother will be here?” Barbara muttered to herself as they sat together. “She said she’d come…”

“I’m sure Jeanne will be here,” Furina assured Barbara. “She’s very proud of you.”

“You wouldn’t know it from the remarks she’s made about me abandoning my education,” Barbara sighed, but she shrugged and sighed. “I suppose she’s just trying to do what she thinks is best for me, but…for once, I wish she’d just appreciate what I can do. I don’t think she ever even watches the videos I post.”

Barbara had her own Dailymotion channel, where she posted what she called “Anime Music Videos” along with her singing covers of various songs. The AMVs were the most popular, reedited versions of mostly Lighting Princess Ami to various pop tunes, but her other videos often got up to around 1,000 views, which Furina considered very impressive. 

“She’ll be here,” Furina assured Barbara, and felt a slight pang. Would Yennifer be there to watch her? That was silly, of course. Yennifer and Barbara had purchased tickets weeks ago, as had Barbara’s mother. But still…

All too soon, there were calls of “Places, everyone!” 

Furina whispered encouragement to the first set of actors who would take to the stage, and went off to the side. 

Do try to watch, dear. If this show is to encapsulate your Justice, it will need your blessing. 

How do I even do that? And for me to bless a show I’m in…that seems a tad vain.

You’re far too humble, daughter mine. Still, I shall be handling the Blessing this time, fear you not. Still, encourage your fellows. An Archon should be an inspiration to her followers, should she not?

That was true enough, and Furina tried to encourage the others as they went out on stage, smiling and giving them thumbs up. They all seemed to appreciate that, and Furina did her best to cheer everyone on from off stage. 

Soon enough, however, it was Furina’s turn. Her heart skipped a beat as she stepped out onto the stage with the rest of the factory workers. For now, she was dressed nearly indistinguishably from the others. She did her best not to look out, but…

She could sense Yennifer, there, watching her. She was in the front row, right next to Charlotte. Jeanne was in a box seat with her bodyguards, while Chef Mao and Ling were in the cheap seats, though both of them had done their best to dress up. However, they weren’t wearing suits like Yennifer or an evening gown like Jeanne, but rather traditional Chinese garb.

All that, Furina forced herself to tune out. She had to become Fantine. Had to take on the role of this beaten down woman, who was giving all for her daughter. Who would give her very life for those she loved. 

It was something she understood all too well. 

She could only pray that the audience would appreciate the performance. 

When it was time for her to sing her solo, Furina met her mark. As the music swelled, she looked out into the audience, and met Yennifer’s eyes. Whatever fear she had felt fled, and Furina sang as though Yennifer were the only one there. 

There was a time when men were kind

When their voices were soft

And their words inviting

As she hit the final note, Furina paused for a moment. She’d hoped for applause, but instead, she heard only choked sobs, and even some weeping. Had she done so poorly? She was about to turn and depart the stage in shame, when Yennifer leapt to her feet, tears in her eyes, and began to clap. Charlotte staggered to her feet next, still crying, and joined her sister. A moment later, the entire theater was on their feet, and applause thundered, causing Furina to pause in surprise. 

My, my, it seems they love you. Take a bow, my dear. Though now is not the time of your grandest performance yet. 

Furina wasn’t sure what Focalors meant by that. This was Fantine’s solo, perhaps the most famous song from the play. It wasn’t the climax of the show, yes, but this was the song that had made Les Misérables  famous. Indeed, Furina only had a few more scenes before Fantine died, and while she did return as a ghost at the end, for the most part, she was finished and it was up to the others to bring the play to an end. 

Even after Fantine’s tragic death in the hospital, Furina continued to cheer and encourage her fellow actors. Barbara had been perfect, if a little young, as Cossette, while Julie was simply incredible as Eponine. Furina was convinced that everyone would remember “On My Own” and not “I Dreamed a Dream” from the play. 

Then, it was her time to appear as a ghost, escorting Jean Valjean to heaven. That felt a bit surreal, actually. 

Do I escort souls to heaven?

Yes, actually. It’s a bit subconscious, but you, Barbatos, and Buer all act as Psychopomps for mortals. All the Archons can, but due to your domains, you are most likely to. 

I see. Do…do you know what happens, on the other side?

We catch glimpses. There is rebirth, yes, but also another life to live. That is not for us, however. Only for mortals. For gods, it is different. 

Furina forced herself to focus, even as she joined the cast in singing the last rendition of “Can You Hear the People Sing?” as they all took to the stage one last time. 

She raised her hands in triumph as they all sang, 

Will you join in our crusade?

Who will be strong and stand with me?

Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?

Do you hear the people sing?

Say, do you hear the distant drums?

It is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes! 

Then, the curtains should have fallen. Indeed, the audience was about to stand and applaud, but the curtain did not fall. Instead, a blue light began to glow at the back of the theater, up near the rafters. 

Everyone sucked in a breath, and Furina slowly let go of the hands of those next to her. She…she could feel that blue light. Sense the power it contained. 

There were gasps as a Hydro Mimic formed. It took the shape of a dove, bearing in its talons a small blue gem. The dove fluttered down, leaving behind it a wake of glowing Hydro Energy. Furina stepped forward, extending her hands, and the dove alighted on her fingers. 

This is my Beloved Daughter, with whom I am well pleased. 

The dove deposited the Hydro Vision in Furina’s hands, before leaning in to peck Furina on the lips lightly, as though a kiss. 

Then, the dove dissolved into elemental energy, leaving Furina standing and holding the symbol of mortal Ambiton in the palm of her hand. 

She looked up, astonished, and met the eyes of the audience. She smiled, and swept a bow. 

The place exploded with applause.

And the legend of Furina de Fontaine truly began.