The Second Archon War: Animula Choragi 10

Animula Choragi 10: Je veux vivre

Stepping out onto the stage, Furina beheld a vast audience, stretching back into the shadows where she couldn’t even see them. She swallowed, took a deep breath, and prepared to sing. 

Do you hear the people sing?

Singing the song of angry men?

It is the music of a people

Who will not be slaves again

“Good, very good! Now, are you ready to begin?”

Furina turned, finding the person applauding wasn’t amongst the audience, but another on the stage with her: Focalors. 

“Wait, what are you doing here? You’re not in the play! Wait…” Furina put a hand to her head, shaking it slightly. She looked back out at the audience and found that she wasn’t in the Théâtre de l’Ondine. Rather, she was back at the Opera Epiclese, though the audience was far larger than even that vast venue could hold. “This is a dream, isn’t it?” 

“Mmmm, yes, but it is a Dream, not a mere dream. While the distinction might sound tautological, I assure you it is anything but. The Dream is the realm that underpins all of reality: it is where things are more real than they are in the merely physical world, for the Dream is a realm of Spirit and Thought, not merely physical substance.”

“So…this is real, then?” Furina said. She studied the audience, then gasped. Sitting in the front row was Yennifer, and behind her were Julie and Barbara. “My friends, they’re here too?”

“In spirit. Which, since this is a Dream, means they are more present than if you were holding their hands,” Focalors said, stepping up to Furina’s side. “However, we must act quickly: Time is passing by, and though we are the boatmen of the River of Time, even we must be careful, lest its current consume us. Let us start with the first, then. Yennifer Elizabeth Lustria, step forth!” 

The lights dimmed, and a spotlight flicked on as Yennifer stood up, walking from the audience up onto the stage. 

“Now that you have discovered your Justice, it is time for you to begin distributing Visions,” Focalors said, gesturing to Yennifer, who struck a pose at center stage. One hand raised, pointing towards heaven, the other outstretched, balancing a scale with a book on one end, and a heart upon the other. The scales were tilted towards the heart, and Yennifer declared, “True Justice is mercy! To not merely condemn the guilty, but to vindicate the innocent! I give my all to the Law, not to punish, but to protect!”

Hearing that, Furina’s heart nearly burst, and she felt tears come to her eyes. “We are of one mind in this…she…she truly understands me…”

“She’s not finished,” Focalors said quietly. “If it were that simple to gain a Vision, every noble public defender would have one. Listen.”

The scales vanished, and Yennifer drew forth a sword from her side, saluting by raising its hilt to her chin, blade upright in front of her. “I am a Knight of Favonius! Though I am weak, I shall not falter! I will wear the mask of Captain, fighting for Justice, no matter the odds against me. I will defy Heaven and Hell both to protect those I cherish!” 

“She…she’s me,” Furina said, walking around the pool of light that Yennifer stood poised in. “I always felt this way. Like I was an imposter, pretending to be what I was not, but doing so anyway because that was the only way to save all I cared for.”

“Then acknowledge her. For she is our daughter: A Masked Paragon who gives all to their role. But do so in my voice: else the illusion will shatter.”

Furina held out her hand as Yennifer knelt, and a Hydro Vision appeared there. She sang out, 

The court is now in session 

Let the defendant rise! 

You will stand for Justice 

No matter your foe's size. 

Though you wear a mask of Duty, 

Your spirit shall not fade

Shout forth your loud objection! 

Daughter of Law’s shade

As she did so, Furina mimicked Focalor’s own voice, channeling what she knew of the Hydro Archon, playing the role not of Furina, but of Focalors. 

“Perfect,” Focalors said, applauding politely as Yennifer accepted her Vision. She turned to the audience and bowed, and the world applauded. Then, to Furina’s horror, Yennifer began to fade.

“No, don’t go!” Furina wailed and grabbed Yennifer, hugging her tightly. “Please! I need you…I…you’re my best friend! I…”

She couldn’t force the rest of the words out, but she clung to Yennifer regardless. 

“Furina?” 

Opening her eyes, Furina saw Yennifer blinking at her in confusion. Slowly, she wrapped her own arms about Furina. “I…I care for you as well, Furina. Not as a sister, but as-”

Sleep.

Focalors stepped forward, tapping Yennifer's forehead on the forehead. She immediately vanished, leaving Furina holding on to empty air. 

“Well,” Focalors said with a sigh, shaking her head. “You very nearly ruined a great deal of hard work. I suppose I should have warned you.”

“Why did you send her away!? Why can’t Yennifer stay here, with me?” Furina demanded, stamping her foot in outrage. 

“Because you pulled her fully into the Dream, and into this Time. That was a snapshot of her in the past, pulled forward to receive her Vision from your hand,” Focalors said with a shake of her head. “As it is, she’ll remember you embracing her and telling her you need her and that she is your best friend. No more, hopefully. Else the ploy is up.”

“What ploy? What are you talking about?” Furina cried, throwing her hands up in exasperation. 

“Ah. I am afraid I have something to show you, in that regard. First, let us get the pleasant business out of the way before we turn to the bad. There are a few more I passed out Visions to in your name, but you must fully acknowledge them as you are the true bearer of the Mantle, and I but a Shade. Come, the show must go on!” 

Furina looked back to the audience, as the spotlight shone on a dark-skinned man, somewhere in his middle years. He had a bright winning smile and was on the tall side. As he took the stage, Furina glanced at Focalors. “I will demand an explanation, after this.” 

“And I shall give you one. But hurry: This mortal received his Vision some hours ago. Be careful: don’t pull him into this Time with us. One was bad enough, more could disrupt my careful Chronomancy.”

Furina nodded and listened to the ambitions of the man and a dozen more mortals, who had all been seated in the first row. She was careful to mimic Focalor’s tone and diction as she passed out the Visions, but she was shocked at how much like her each of these mortals were. Not as close a match as Yennifer, perhaps, but all shared her passion for Justice, Drama, and in some way played a role and wore a public mask for those around them. 

“Good, very good. That is enough for now,” Focalors said with a nod. “We have some catching up to do, but it is quite rare that a mortal both matches the mind of a god and has enough ambition to catch the attention of Heaven. Though I am a bit puzzled: There is no Celestia here, yet I feel compelled to continue to perform the duty of an Archon, and acknowledge mortal ambition.”

“If they need to match the mind of a god, why am I giving out the Visions and not you?” Furina asked, looking out at the audience. “Will they all receive Visions?”

“Not all, but most of them, yes. Not just this night, but for many, many nights to come. The fact that you can see them at all shows that you, too, have begun to recognize Time for the Illusion that it is. From this Stage, you can see Past, Present…and Future.”

Focalors rested her hands on Furina’s shoulders, then turned her slightly. “Now. We’ve both been deliberately ignoring it, for it is too terrible to consider. But…there. Look there, my child. Behold…and fear.”

Slowly, Furina looked into the blackness. She’d let her eyes wander over it before, but now she forced herself to see. It was not merely blackness she saw in the upper rows. It was…nothing. They were gone. Completely erased, until there was nothing left but the void.

“What…happened, there?” Furina whispered, feeling a dark dread overwhelm her. 

“It is time for us to see, my daughter. Come. Let us witness this play together.” Focalors stepped to Furina’s side, and slipped her hand into Furina’s. Their eyes met, and Furina swallowed, then nodded. 

Together, they stepped forward, and the play began. 

Mme. Focalors and Mlle. Furina Present: 

Passio Terribilium Cycli

Act I: Spatium locustarum

Our scene begins many eons ago, around a distant star…

Planets, dancing around the star. And upon one, life. It is strange but wonderful. It is sentient, and it has its own songs. 

Chorus: 

We wake with the shimmer, we rise with the ring,

The pulsing blue sunrise makes everything sing!

We’re Glimlings, we giggle, we bloom in the light,

Around our distant star, we shine so bright!

Then, in the night sky, two comets appear. The aliens look up, most delighted at the appearance of new comets, others worried. 

The comets crash to earth, and the aliens gather around them, singing a song of curiosity. Some touch the comets, and are given wondrous powers. 

Chorus: 

From beyond the stars, on threads of thought,
Came the twin whose names are never caught.
One was fire, and one was glass,
And both wore masks from eons past.

They whispered to the skyless stone,
They sang to roots and marrow bone,
And where their shadow kissed the land,
The air grew sharp, the soil unmanned.

Briefly, all goes well. The powers are used to sing new songs, and create wonders. 

Chorus: 

They gift, they give, they seed the flame,

Then step away and watch the game.

You ask for strength, they grant you more—

But you will burn before they’re sore.

The Cycle walks, it walks again…

Beware the gifts of stranger men.

Then, conflict begins. Some aliens want more of the powers. Others seek to control them. They begin to fight. The music grows tense, and ominous. From the comets, tendrils emerges, sinking into the planet. 

From the comets, horrible demons begin to emerge. The aliens notice, and some fight the demons. Others seek to study and control them. The songs grow discordant, building to a violent crescendo. The planet has become overgrown with the pulsing, malevolent tendrils of the comets. 

Chorus: 

One learns, one speaks, one dreams, one stores…

One sleeps, one wakes, and one records.

They do not hate. They do not love.

They only are. Below. Above.

Centuries of war and chaos pass. The songs of the aliens have all but vanished, now there is only cacophony. Their once beautiful planet is nearly destroyed by the terrible powers and ceaseless warfare. Rampaging demons feast upon the aliens. The world is completely covered in tendrils, which consume aliens and demons alike. 

At last, the end comes. The tendrils rise up, draining the powers from the aliens and consuming the demons. Nothing is left of the world but a dry, used up husk. The comets have swollen to immense size, and once they have taken everything, they detonate, destroying the remnants of the once beautiful world. 

From the explosion, more comets emerge. They are not unliving stone, but seeds. Theyfill the stars, spreading from planet to planet, wherever they find life, sucking it dry, before moving on to the next. The scene shifts to the Parisian skyline, and two of the evil seeds are seen. 

Act II: Deorum Adventu

They fall to earth. From one, emerges a golden man. And from the other…a festering darkness. The tendrils appear, and the golden man watches as humans begin to gain powers. Demons emerge. The Endbringers that the audience is now familiar with. They begin their terrible Cycle.

But then… a light appears. In a flash of thunder, the RAIDEN SHOGUN stands upon the stage. She takes up her sword, and rallying soldiers to her. They begin to bring order, fighting back the tendrils and slaying one of the mightiest of demons. 

RAIDEN SHOGUN: 

I crossed from Teyvat on lightning’s breath,
To a world carved in war, in sorrow, in death.
The Leviathan rose with jaws wide and wild—
But I struck like the storm, serene and styled.

 So I claimed the skies and stilled the rain—
And made my eternity over mountain and plain.

But from the stars came a voice in gold,
Maou the Golden, cruel and old.
I saw through his oaths, his shining deceit,
So I rose in defiance with thunder beneath.
“My eternity bends not to love nor chain—
Let gods break before I serve in shame.”

Now I walk with my daughters, fierce and free—
Two blades of lightning born from me.
Together we forge what stars cannot hold—
Steel for truth, and storms for the bold.

 For I am the Shogun—unchanging, untamed—
And my thunder shall never be claimed.

Next, upon a swirling breeze and in a cheery song, the ANGEL OF MUNICH arrives. He sees the fighting humans, shakes his head, and begins to play a merry tune. Many of the humans stop fighting and follow eagerly after him. 

ANGEL OF MUNICH: 

I danced through the breach with a wink and a song,

The storm in my flute said, "Your time is gone."

The Gesellschaft marched, all iron and hate,

So I sang down their banners and twisted their fate.

Their zeppelins fell with a whistling cheer,

Their lies blew away like foam on a bier.

Then came old Khonsu, the moon’s wrath made beast—

A titan of bone, prepared for a feast.

But I smiled and bowed, “Let’s play hide and seek,”

And spun ‘round the beast like a mountain’s peak.

One gust, one jest, one vanishing tune—

And I bound him in wind and sent him to Ei’s room

Then, from a grave trap, a bed of flowers rises up, NAHIDA SAEED sleeping upon it. She awakens and begins to teach. Both demons and humans stop to listen. One of the most powerful demons flies down and alights on her shoulder. Nahida feeds it, then sends it to the ANGEL OF MUNICH. 

NAHIDA: 

I came on a dream through a sun-painted land,

Where wisdom lay buried like gold in the sand.

A father gave shelter, a child gave a smile—

And for once, I was wanted, if only a while.

No crown on my brow, no temple, no throne—

Just a name softly spoken, a place to call home.

The tyrant wore death, his rule built on fear,

But hearts are like seeds when the spring draws near.

I whispered of dreams that the silence had left,

And the people rose up, they would not stand my theft.

No blade in my hand, just wisdom in my voice—

And in breaking their chains, I gave them a choice.

When came the Simurgh, the Demon of Fear,

With malice and song to enslave those who hear.

She struck at my life—but I offered my hand,

And we fought in the dusk over scorched, sacred land.

Now she flies beside me, no longer alone—

Two souls once adrift, now calling this home.

A cold wind blows, and from Stage Left, the TSARITSA arrives, dancing to her own tune. She screams in grief at seeing the state of the world, and challenges the golden man to combat. He bests her, but she remains defiant. She too gathers humans to her, striking down demons and turning them into gifts of her own, which she gives to humans. 

The TSARITSA: 

The snow fell black on a land become a grave

For they had no god for their city to save

A demon had shattered their kingdom to dust,

And men crowned themselves with blood and rust.

But I rose from the grave with a voice like ice—

“I am the Tsaritsa. This land is mine at any price.”

In the ruins of winter, a child did cry,

Alone with no past beneath a hollow sky.

She knelt in the cold, too small to stand,

So I took her pain in my gloved hand.

“I name you my daughter, it shall be your part—

You are the warmth in my frozen heart.”

This land is broken, but I shall ascend,

Not to rule with love, but to love to the end.

I am no mortal queen to fall or depart—

I am Russia. I am the god of the frozen heart.

The land is now in Chaos. 

Act III: Fiat Iustitia

And then, the spotlight falls upon…FURINA DE FONTANE…

Furina: Me? But, wait, I’m not the Hydro Archon?

Taking center stage, Furina begins to sing: 

In the court of water, I ruled with pride,

Fountain of justice, the waves were my guide.

Curtains and trials, with flair I would stand,

A queen of illusions in Fontaine's grand land.

But the stars did stir and the firmament tore,

A voice from beyond called through a celestial door.

Dragged from my throne by fate's cruel design,

Now lost in a realm where Justice is blind

From out of FURINA’s shadow, FOCALORS appears. She stands beside her daughter, and sings, 

O daughter of tides, my mirror, my shame,
Though I once bore the Archon’s name—
Your strength is your own, not borrowed or feigned,
In your heart, the ocean’s soul is chained.

You wept for your people, you played every part,
But the truth of a god lies not in a chart.
I come not to lead, but to stand at your side—
For I am the deep, and you are my tide.

Taking each other’s hands, FURINA and FOCALORS sing together as they dance, 

Furina: 

I fooled Heaven when I played the divine,

A crowned puppet, by clever design.

And now once more, I defy Heaven’s decree—

For the script this king wrote won’t imprison me.

Focalors: 

Heaven carved my name in the depths of lore,

But you, my child, have become something more.

Not forged by fate, nor crowned by the skies—

You rose from ruin with tearless eyes.

Together:

We are justice veiled in foam,

Waveswept gods who travel  far from home.

By stolen crown and shattered script,

We turn the tide Fate thought was fixed.

Let the people weep and dry hearts sing—

For we are Justice’s flood, and we bring the spring.

The spotlight suddenly winks out, and the whole stage trembles. The actors and audience both scream in terror as-

The vision fuzzed and froze. Furina blinked. She was still holding Focalors as they danced together, a wonderful waltz across the stage. “What…what was that?”

“Shhhh. Look,” Focalor said. 

Just off stage, behind the curtain, for a brief moment, Furina caught a glimpse of THE UNCONQUERED SUN. She lowered her sunglasses and winked at Furina. Then turned around and vanished completely into the backstage. 

“What was…?” Furina swallowed, looking around them. The other players were locked in place. What was happening? “Is this real?”

“Of course it is,” Focalors sniffed. “And you can stop miming, Buer. I do apologize, I didn’t mean to draw you in, but it seems I got swept up in things.”

Furina nearly jumped out of her skin when Nahida, or wait, Buer? turned her head and smiled at her. She’d thought she was just a prop like everything else!

“You didn’t draw me in on your own, Lord Focalors. I was looking for you, actually. I have been for several weeks now. I had a feeling we’d meet tonight, so I went to bed early,” Nahida said, standing and coming over to Furina and Focalors. She bowed. “Hello! I’m Nahida. Though I suppose you know me better as Lord Buer. It’s nice to meet you.”

“L-Likewise, the honor is mine,” Furina said, curtsying to the little girl. She was feeling a bit dizzy with everything that was going on, and really didn’t understand what was happening. This had to all be a mad dream, didn’t it?

“Buer, this is my daughter, Furina de Fontaine,” Focalors said, putting her hands on Furina’s shoulders again. “I know we never met in person, but I did know your predecessor. Only…hmmm. You’re not quite the Buer I was expecting.”

“No, I’m a different one,” the Dendro Archon said with a shake of her head. “We all are. Each of us is from a different time and version of Teyvat. For example, I’m from the year 505 AC by the Moraxian calendar. And you?” 

“It was only 500AC for us,” Furina said. “Did…did you hear what happened to Fontaine, after the Prophecy was fulfilled? Perhaps from the Travelers? They spoke to me of meeting you in Sumeru.”

“Hmm, interesting. I never met the Travelers…I wonder…how long was your year?” Nahida asked curiously.

“Why, 372 days long, as it always has been,” Focalors said, frowning. “Why…? Oh! And for you?” 

“For me, only 360 days, and the others I’ve met. So, that means from your perspective, I would have been from the year 488 or 489, depending slightly. It seems I’m from the earliest point in Teyvat’s timeline once more! I guess I really am the youngest,” Buer said, then giggled. Oh goodness, she was adorable! Furina would have insisted on a state visit if she’d known how cute Lord Buer was! Why ever had those awful sages locked her up?

“Because we fear that which we do not understand, and seek to control others in the attempt to gain power,” Nahida said. It took Furina a moment to realize that it was in response to her unvoiced question. “Sorry, especially in the Dream, others’ thoughts are always open to me. But, to further explain, please, do not judge the sages too harshly. I fear they have suffered a terrible fate in my absence. I should have been a better Archon to them while I was in Sumeru.”

“Do you ever plan on returning?” Focalors asked. “Or is there even a way?”

“None of us have found one, though I confess, none of us have spent a great deal of effort in attempting to return to Teyvat. For me…this is my home now,” Nahida said, motioning to the frozen people who had gathered around her. Furina actually recognized several: Dr. Bashir Saeed, Farasha, their daughter Qiqi, and Tessa the Flower Dragon. 

“I understand the sentiment. I do miss many in Fontaine, especially Monsieur Neuvillette, but I have a life here now, as brief as my time has been. Has it really been only a month since I’ve arrived?” Furina said, looking over at her friends, who had taken their place on stage behind where she and Focalors had danced. She walked over, studying them. They appeared lifelike, but they were statues, not even breathing. 

“This was a most impressive Vision. I understand now why Focalors was considered to be among the greatest at foretelling the future,” Nahida said, studying the stage herself. “I see you too have realized that the King of Demons, the Sustainer of this realm, seeks to cause the End of the World.”

“Yes, and propagate his hideous species to further infest the stars,” Focalors said, her tone grim. “This is not something we can allow to come to pass.”

“Yes, but, why are you telling me?” Furina asked, perplexed. “I…I’m not even sure all this is more than a fever dream.”

“Hmm,” Nahida cocked her head to one side, gazing first at Furina, then at Focalors. “Yours is a most intriguing situation, I must say.”

“Oh, don’t spoil the surprise, Buer dear,” Focalors laughed, coming over to put her arms around Furina’s neck and grin.” I’ve got it all planned out. We have a little time, and if I foresee correctly, it will be Furina who hoodwinks Heaven’s False Tyrant into his own doom.”

“Me?! Against…that!?” Furina said, gesturing to the glowing golden demon that loomed over the stage. “How could I possibly slay something like that?” 

“Why, with true Justice. And a little dash of drama,” Folalors laughed. Then she sobered. “Truly, though, you will have to awaken to what has happened and who you are first. That will require a bit of education, I think, and a proper cover. So continue doing what you must. Though if we have questions for Buer, now is the time to ask.” 

“I just…” tears filled Furina’s eyes, and she knelt down by the little god. “How do you do it? How do you be…an Archon? I think…I think that’s what’s happening, isn’t it? I pretended for so long, but I never was…” 

“You should ask someone else. I’m not a very good Archon,” Nahida said somberly. “I spent 500 years in a prison of my own making, and only recently have begun to take on the role of Archon in truth.”

Focalors snorted. “My dear, if you’re a poor Archon, then I well and truly failed. And I will have you know that Furina and I successfully averted the Prophecy that doomed Fontaine and saved everyone in it, save for ourselves. You have ‘merely’ saved three cities from a demon beast, and unless I very much miss my guess, have not only repelled the creature but transformed her from an enemy to an ally. Not to mention saving what, a billion lives from starvation in the past year alone?”

“My estimates place the number somewhat closer to 200 million in the last year, but knock-on effects of devastated harvest yields, and the smallpox outbreak in Madagascar that Tessa prevented, would have brought the number closer to one billion in the next several years,” Nahida admitted. 

“Tessa…that wouldn’t be that proto-Sovereign you’ve created, would it?” Focalors asked. “No, never mind. Buer, you are no child. You and my daughter both; harken to me. Do not let your doubts cloud your judgment, nor your misgivings pollute your self-worth. Both of you are excellent Archons, in the mold that would make any proud. You compare yourselves to Samiel and Egeria? Know that in such a comparison, not only are you worthy, but in many ways, superior. I knew both of them well, and they would find you superb heirs.”

“I…thank you, Lord Focalors,” Nahida said, bowing her head. “Your words are very kind.”

“They are Truth, for I am Justice. Or, well, I was Justice. Now I am merely her shade. But another has picked up my mantle. How do you judge Buer, daughter mine?” Focalors demanded. 

“Me?! But I’m not, I mean, am I really…?” Furina swallowed, feeling incredibly nervous as the spotlight focused on her. 

Then, a small hand fit into hers and gave her a squeeze. “It’s alright. I get scared too. When that happens, there’s only one thing to do.”

Furina nodded, and Focalors cocked her head to one side. 

“Think of your fear like bad gas. So just fart real loud, and let your fear poof away!” Nahida said. Then did just that. 

Furina’s jaw dropped open, while Focalors nearly doubled over laughing. “Such are the words of Wisdom herself! Take heed, my daughter. Your self-doubt is nothing but a case of indigestion, so break the wind and get over yourself!” 

“That is…very unladylike,” Furina muttered, but she couldn’t help smiling. “You are…not what I had thought you would be, when I heard of the Savior of Sumeru.”

“You’ll have to tell me the story sometime, but it would be of another Branch of Irminsul, not myself. I too would like to hear more of your story. Averting prophecy is something this world has dire need of,” Nahida said with a nod. “We don’t have much time left in this dream, so let me only say this: you have chosen a very wise path. The King of Demons, he who is the Tyrant of the Cycle and the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles of this world, is a monster. Keep yourself hidden from him as long as possible. We must work to avert the Fate this world is set upon. You have witnessed it here: it is the destruction of all.”

“But, don’t people have a right to know who their Archon is?” Furina asked. “And how can that be me?!”

“Those are questions you yourself must answer, Focalors. Yes, I know your name is Furina as well, but you are Focalors as much as Furina now. I too have wrestled with what it means to be an Archon. Someday, I would very much like to have tea with you and we can share our stories. For now, I will trust that you too will see the wisdom in dealing with the King of Demons, and that you will once more find a way to defy fate.”

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Furina whispered. “I…I’m just an ordinary woman…”

“Even a mortal can be called to extraordinary deeds when Fate demands it. Will you answer the call once more?” Nahida said. Then she opened her arms wide, and Furina knelt and hugged her. 

“Whatever you decide, know that I hope that one day, we can be friends,” Nahida whispered. 

“Of course. I…I hope so too, Nahida. And please. Call me Furina.”

They separated, and Buer smiled, then faded away, vanishing from the Dream entirely. 

“I am afraid it’s the curtain call for us as well, my daughter,” Focalors said as Furina stood back up, looking down at her hands in confusion.

“Focalors…mother…am…am I really…?” Furina whispered, tears in her eyes. 

She felt arms around her once more, and wept upon Focalor’s shoulder as she returned the embrace. 

“You will be whatever you wish to be, Furina. You can disregard this mantle, and the power will pass to another. You can walk away, and be an ordinary mortal girl, even if an extraordinarily beautiful and talented one. You know that, don’t you?”

“I…I suppose I do. But…” Furina swallowed, and opened her eyes, pushing back to meet Focalor’s eyes. “I could never do that. I don’t understand what needs to be done, but…I’ll do it.”

“You never did before, and yet, you performed spectacularly. Continue on the path you have set for yourself. Be true to your Justice, Furina, and, well. I would like to say all will be well, but you will at least do all you can to ensure that Fate, once more, is denied.”

“I saved all of Fontaine already. How hard can it be to save the entire world?” Furina laughed. She dashed the tears from her eyes, and strode to center stage. 

“Let the curtains rise! This shall be my most grand performance yet! Come, King of Demons! Come and dance with me, and I shall defeat you as I defeated the Prophecy! Let the world come alive, and the people sing, for we shall not be slaves again!” 

The audience stood and applauded, and Furina bowed as the curtains fell. 

Furina awoke with a start. She sat up in bed, and looked around. Yennifer was snoring softly beside her, and the clock read 3:13 am. Not even time to wake up yet. 

She blinked and looked down at her hands in the dim light. 

“Am…am I really…but I must be.” She lifted an arm and tried to summon…whatever it was. Her Archonness?

No, not yet. I’ve a plan. Be patient. The mantle is yours, but I think perhaps you need training. Plus, it will be more amusing this way.

Is this really happening? I feel no power. Am I not simply mad, and you a voice in my head? 

Ah, are we not all slightly mad, the gods even more so? But I think if you examine your heart, you will know the truth, Furina. Sleep well. 

Furina slowly lay back down, staring up at the ceiling. 

My life is a lie once more. Instead of pretending to be the Hydro Archon…now I have to pretend to be a mortal woman. 

She closed her eyes, and sobs wracked her body. She couldn’t do this. Not again. 

Rain began to pound against the windows, and Furina felt utterly miserable. 

Then, there was a stirring beside her. A moment later, Yennifer wrapped her arms about Furina. “It’s OK. Shhh. You’re not alone.”

That made Furina’s throat close up. How could Yennifer say that? “But I-”

“It’s alright. I love you. It’s enough. Go back to sleep.”

Somehow, that made the tension flow out of Furina, and she nodded, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath as she clung to Yennifer tightly. In a few moments, she managed to find sleep again, despite her angst. 

Furina did miss the tears in Yennifer’s own eyes, and how she bit her lip when she realized she’d told Furina she loved her. 

Being given a divine gift did not make the ways of the heart any easier to understand.