Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a dreamless sleep, a peaceful nap that went by quickly.

She should’ve known to treasure every moment, to savour every rest, because truly, it could be over at any minute.

Furina woke up, her back a little heavier than usual, on a bed that was simply cloud-like.

It was comfortable, and warm. Too comfortable. Too warm.

The blanket, which she’d just managed to discard from herself, was great, soft, and embroidered with symbols that represented Fontaine’s waters, and the pillow, which she’d manage to push aside, was very much full, and appropriately feathered.

The floor, of which she could feel simply too well, was a magnificent marble, regal and elegant in nature, the only warmth that protected her from the cold being a fur rug, well maintained and comfortable.

But that’s not the only thing that caught her attention, because as she blinked, readjusting to the brightness of the chandelier hanging in the room, there was a full-body length mirror, framed with gold, reflecting the room like a pond looking back.

She shakily approached it, and her deepest suspicions were confirmed as she inspected it.

It was not her, who looked back.

It was Focalors. 

It was obviously Focalors.

Her mouth fell agape as the woman looked her in the eyes, the same explanation she’d been told 500 years ago exiting her mouth.

Furina stepped back, and so did Focalors, so she closed her eyes, not willing to look at Focalors any longer. It was quiet for a moment.

That’s when she heard a voice start speaking to her again, and Celestia, when did she get so far from the mirror?

”I know you can do it, for them.”

That’s the last thing Focalors said, before the mirror was nothing but pieces on the floor, glistening mockingly at Furina, who’d just smashed it to pieces, blood dripping down onto the floor from her hand, where a vision laid.

She felt like she could throw up, still, she picked up the vision, inspecting it.

It looked just like her hydro vision from her past life.

Her short bout of adrenaline must’ve worn off, because the pain from her fist began to sting - of course, nobody came to help her, because they doubted her position right now.

To fix that issue, she’d have to do her speech, the place where she’d have to resume her act - like a damn sequel to the centuries she spent rotting away.

She couldn’t even cry about it, the tears just wouldn’t allow themselves to fall anymore, ironic, for the “Hydro Archon”. The only thing stopping her from breaking down is the fact that there will eventually be an end to her act, even if it’s in 500 years, and even if she’ll have to come back here again.

Her only comfort is knowing that they’ll die if she doesn’t play Focalor’s role again.

But for that day to come, for the oceans to subside for the nation that was truly her’s for the next five fucking centuries, she would have to be helpless again, watching by as people die, their hands extended, trying to reach her, a good-for-nothing figurehead.

Because that is all she is, a good-for-nothing figurehead for the years to come.

She glanced back at the vision still in her hands, and scoffed.

The vision was worth nothing, it was just a weight and a burden Furina would have to carry for days to come, a constant threat, that, if shown, would reveal what any citizen would call blasphemy.

She wondered if she should just hide it away, never touch it again for as long as she lives - a much better use for such an item.

Was it mockery, perhaps? Mockery, because this would be the closest thing that could approach the power her act is meant to hold?

Was it a chain? A chain from Celestia? Chaining her even further to the stage she is meant to dance on?

She held it so close to her heart that it honestly hurt - as if she was drowning, being enveloped by the primordial sea, before the fancy little orb simply became part of her, like a life source, supporting her dwindling heart and spirit.

She couldn’t breathe for a moment when it’s frame connected it to the rest of her body, and she wanted to cry.

Because again, she had Celestia watching her every move, as if a second pair of eyes grew on the floating palace above, grown for only one fool: her.

***

None in the crowd had high expectations for this new God that stood high on a podium.

She simply looked like a child, sure, with the essence of a God, but it was plainly reminiscent of Sumeru’s God - she was just a child.

A child given the responsibility to uphold a nation, and overcome the great Prophecy made by her Lady Egeria, no less. It would end a mess, what they needed was confidence, not a coward.

That was, until she spoke.

”I welcome you all, my dear subjects, to the Opera de Epiclese. I am your God, Furina de Fontaine, formally, Focalors,” She grinned as she spoke, in a confident, experienced and competent manner not belonging to a child who would bow down to her people, “You will all be in my care, for all your doubts shall be washed away, like the tides of which I will bring. The children of Fontaine are my children, to those who dare to hurt you, I will repay their cruelty ten-fold.” She paused, her words sounding serious and true.

She then added to say, this time looking gentle, like a caring Mother, “And to those who treat you with kindness, to those who treat this nation with respect, I will repay such kindness a hundred time’s as much. Be not afraid, my dears. You are forever in my grace.”

With that, she turned, but her voice still held weight.

”Equality is the core of justice, and a true God provides.”

And thus the speech ended. It was not a long essay, or a simple hello, but it did what it was required to do perfectly, and it certainly had the intended effect on the audience.

“A kind, motherly God - and a competent seeming one at that!” 

“Perhaps we’re left in good hands…”

”Finally, a God who represents justice perfectly!”

Little did they know, their ‘God’ was sulking as she left, only comforted by the fact it was a different role she had to play.

Littler did they know, that their ‘God’s speech was cut short by the lack of patience she had for such openings.

And littlest did they know, that that speech made their ‘God’ refuse to be helpless any longer.

***

”Lady Furina, here are today’s case reports as well as a summary of the follow-up, for your perusal…”

In the past, she would’ve simply directed the man to Neuvilette, since she obviously didn’t have any experience or knowledge about dealing with cases at the time, a habit that would continue as her mental health rotted away, but she decided otherwise.

She might as well get used to doing this, after all, this new role of her’s demands that she be present, after all, and she might as well do things right.

“Very well, child, these are quite sufficient,” She spoke, not quite a lie, considering she’d seen some reports be dealt with before, and these ones didn’t look that bad, “Then if you have no more to say, you may leave.”

“Ah… thank you, Lady Furina” The man finished, walking away, closing the door politely.

She’d seen these cases be dealt with before, and these were simple to do from her standpoint, but harder cases would come, so she knew learning from Neuvillete would be necessary.

She sighed, and hoped that that man wouldn’t turn her away.

***

”Thank you, Lady Furina… I-I don’t know what to say… thank you for coming to greet me!”

Furina recognised that woman in a heartbeat, the first reporter who’d interviewed her, many, of her bloodline that would surely follow her example in their days to come.

”It is no issue, my child, I live for the people,” As Furina spoke, she noted that she was getting used to speaking in a motherly way, though that could likely be because she was glad it was anything different from her last role.

“Thankful am I for your patience, Deoteria, sweet child of Fontaine, how is your son, if I may ask?” She questioned the woman, something she’d asked only once before, yet something that became engraved onto her tongue.

“Y-you remembered me? And my son? Well, he’s doing much better now, and he is much more an ardent believer than I, he was the one who forced me to seek an audience with you, and to bring your words back to him,” There was no lie in the woman’s words, and Celestia, did that weigh on Furina for a moment.

One of the many thousands, one in the many seas of people, who extended themselves to her, who reached for the stars, because they believed in her. Stopping them from drowning was simply not enough for Furina to stay sane anymore - she couldn’t bare to put their beliefs to waste.

“Good is it to hear, for that child is as precious as the stars, as you all truly are. If his situation ever worsens, then do not hesitate, and turn to me. For all you are worthy to me, the guilty, and the innocent.” Furina stated, as though fact (and in her mind those words were, indeed, fact) 

“Thank you, Lady Furina, you are such a wise and gentle God. I’m sure he will be glad to hear his worth, and I thank you, on behalf of my son,” The woman sounded so sure when she spoke to Furina.

Because to her, Furina was her God, and to Furina, she was another victim, bound to be forgotten once again.

***

Furina scanned the words on every page in every book, this time, not looking for a solution to a problem that could only be solved one way, but instead, for a way to grow.

Then a man with reports on the water levels in Fontaine came in, soothing Furina’s nerves as they were moving the same way they did back in her past life, and not yet endangering people. There were also new laws being introduced at the time, protecting Melusines, which was so strange to Furina, because she’s lived all those centuries with an appreciation for the ladies instilled in her.

Not to mention Neuvillete was also a Melusine, as well as a dragon and all, speaking of that man, she had a lesson on dealing with the cases and files of this nation with him just about now, so she should probably hurry.

Then after that, she can rest again, even if for only a moment.

***

Her bed was needlessly grandiose - like a symbol of separation from her people, a way of making her feel like a bourgeoisie, a path to cut her off from her people.

It didn’t work, of course, not when in her past life she spent the meagre time she had left as a free, human person being relatively poor, and having to experience the hardship that her people carried.

Now she had those memories and her current life dangling over her head.

She pulled herself asleep only using the sensation of her hydro vision, deep within her heart, and the promise of a new chance, sweet nothings, which she refused to let pass.  

Chapter Text

Smooth fingers strained over a single cup of tea.

Too cold. She thought.

Then, the sound of her finger nails clacking against ceramic filled the courtroom.

Her eyes didn’t wander from the cup.

Now.

”Lady Furina, we’ve rechecked the site as you instructed, and you have to see this!” An officer declared, presenting the Judge with more evidence, evidence that easily turned the entire trial on it’s head.

People were roaring with wonder and confusion, and yet she just watched.

“Very good. Then may the trial continue,” She declared, her voice cutting through the shouts easily.

As the trial progressed in a completely different direction than when it started, Furina pretended to keenly listen on, as she prided herself mentally for a moment.

Recovering that evidence was her good deed for that day, now she can mindlessly bide her time.

She fought back a giggle.

There’s so much to do.

Cheers filled the room, as the killer was caught.

There were even more of these killers to convict, even more good to do.

Furina knew where she had to start.

***

“Miss Furina? Why do you want me to gather all the people on this list?” The woman asked nervously.

Furina grinned, a type of grin that seemed to say “nobody will believe you”, as she turned to the woman and simply said,

”Just a little spring cleaning.”

She then turned around and kept walking to the Opera Epiclese.

…

”Alright. Everyone with the red ribbon, stand in that corner. Everyone with the green ribbon stand over there,” Furina instructed to the hoard of confused officials.

The crowd looked on in confusion and anticipation.

”Everyone with the red ribbon, you are fired from your jobs and will be onlooking a trial for the crimes you have committed.”

Gasps filled the room, the officials with red ribbons staring with drained faces.
 
Furina continued,“everyone with the green ribbon, you will be given raises for not participating with the red ribbons. Anyone with both, that is not a miscalculation. That is you being aware and keeping your mouth shut. Consider those two ribbons a warning.” 

“I do not harbour criminals in my house.” She stated, before leaving the place in stride, leaving behind a roaring audience, as ‘evidence confetti’ dropped down from the ceiling, revealing the villainous deeds of many of the red ribbons gathered there.

The news wouldn’t stay silent about the incident, applauding Furina for the cleanse, as she insisted on doing the paperwork for the whole incident so that  Neuvillette, who was very much proud, (but also looked only about two seconds from dying because of exhaustion) could take a very much desired break.

Furina pointedly decided to not ignore the Furina plushies as on sale since that day, and ended up buying one of herself, and an otter. That, and a much larger otter, which she ended up tossing at Neuvillette, who clearly loved it, and was not afraid to say it. 

“I would kill for this otter”  Echoed in her head ever since. She would never let him forget. He better kill for that otter. She knows she would.

***

The tides move in rhythm to an unknown song.

Furina knows this song very well, and she hums it, as her heels dig into the sand, and arise, letting the receding water latch onto her feet.

She walks deeper in, until the water is well beyond her knees, yet she still doesn’t loose balance - she’s been in much more tumultuous waters than this.

Her hands are in an ever reminiscent dance, despite her only having performed it once at the climax of her past life, but something about it is different - perhaps it’s the lack of a glaring sword, for once, the lack of thousands of lives, dragging her under.

It’s such a strange feeling, because she knows.

She knows she’s back, she knows she carries that burden in whole.

But it doesn’t feel as crushing. It doesn’t feel as hopeless.

She lets herself be taken with the tides this time, laying as she lets the waters take her, the moon looking much smaller than she’d ever thought of it to be, more considerable than she’s ever seen it.

She doesn’t cower, she reaches out, letting her elemental energy run free, as thousands of birds escape to the stars above, becoming clouds, as they condense.

She cries for the only time that life. 

A nice good sob of relief.

Chapter Text

It was just meant to be a nice, ‘simple’ festival. Then it happened.

Furina is still human. She is still so very scared.

She could barely pick up a sword before, and here she was, empty handed as she stood. Ready to take the brunt of a terrorist attack. Because the doubt her people had just shown never screamed so loudly.

She wonders how quickly she can loose her consciousness before she dies, as she just looks the man directly in his deranged, cold eyes.

She should be sobbing, past her would’ve been begging for mercy - begging for a saviour. Someone, anyone, to come and protect her. At least she’d imagine it, probably stagger through her words as she instructed the man to stand down in the name of an Archon, her mask too cemented into her face, after all.

She can’t even bring herself to try to command him, she can’t even bring herself to make a face. She just stands there.

The gun, previously pointed at her head, falls - the man’s face is confused, scared even.

She laughs. She can’t help it.

”Did you come back to your senses?” She asks, pompous, the words leaving her mouth like a waterfall - she can feel her face getting hotter, morphing into a smile, because there is only one mask she falls back into, every single damn time.

Her hands aren’t even shaking, because some part of her knows she’ll just wake up again. Wake up and have to redo this entire fucking thing again. It’s only been the 13th year, but hey, Furina seemed to forget 13 is one unlucky number.

The man in front of her, and by extension, his hostages, mistake her attitude for confidence, and she can see the corners of his mouth quiver and shake a little. Good. Almost making her redo this shit again.

She can’t stop herself, when she grabs the man’s face, and drags it down to her eye level, her grin dropping instantaneously.

”You are one fucking clown. Hurt so many, because of one goddamn grudge. If it was me you were after, then WHY? WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST HURT ME ALONE INSTEAD?” She genuinely asked, though it came off as a threat, probably because of the way her voice stayed even yet full of malice as she spoke.

Speechless, the man just lowered his head. He couldn’t find a reason himself for it either, could he? No, no, he acted without thinking. He got too ahead of himself.

Furina did not spend half a millennia suffering, crying, screaming, acting, for some asshole to kill because he doubted her. Doubt. She would doubt herself, but she would never hurt people over it.

In the corner of her eye, she could just see one of the hostages, a melusine, cowering in fear. She was seriously questioning why no Guard had rushed in yet, giving their all, after witnessing the obvious danger in front of her.

Oh. Right. That’s exclusive for Celebrity Furina. She keeps confusing her lives - she keeps confusing the reactions the people around are her are meant to have.

She lets go of the man’s face, who’d she’d been subconsciously staring down, and she let’s the hydro of her vision concentrate into a sort of ‘God-like’ aura, her intimidation accidentally sending that terrorist head-first into a panic attack.

That’s when the Guards step up to their job, considering the fact that the Hostage-taker can no longer hurt or kill any of his hostages, they clean out the area, giving comfort and sending off the Terrorist for trial.

Furina, on the other hand, forces herself into a great, motherly smile, as she waves at the crowd, (which began cheering her name) gesturing at them to calm down. In truth, it’s because she can feel a migraine coming on. 

She wants to collapse so badly.

***

She oversees the man’s trial from her great, almighty Archon’s throne. His guilt is obvious and absolutely undeniable, but the charges complicate a little, since there’s a couple more crimes committed than just one.

Plus, apparently the man also ended up being found guilty of several tax fraud charges, and connections to other hate crimes could be found with him.

She can see people looking up at her, checking to see her reaction, like vultures, (vultures, usually the crowd gets nicer bird names) but all they see is a poised expression, as if none of it bothers her at all.

Although the people of Fontaine aren’t as in tune with this mask as the other one, they’ve come to adore and admire her calm and collectedness, which apparently became truly endearing when it’s morphed with her ‘natural cuteness’. ”It’s so cute when she’s all calm like that!” 

Furina can understand it, she supposes.

Anyway, as the man is finally convicted and sent away for what Furina imagines will be a abysmal experience, she can see Neuvillette worrying about her.

By the time they meet, everyone has already left the Courtroom.

”Furina, are you alright?”
“Why would I not be?”
”… You were involved in a terrorist attack.”

”Yeah.” Furina pauses for a moment. “I guess I might not be doing as well as I’d hoped.” She trembled a little, since there was no crowd to impress.

She doesn’t get it to be honest. Why did she do that? Did she need someone to be there so bad that she said that without rethinking?

Neuvillette’s face didn’t contort in disgust, or scrunch up in disgust like she’d thought. She doesn’t know why, but she just subconsciously thought that if anyone find out she wasn’t without fault, they’d hate her for it.

”Well, there were some cakes on sale, apparently they are very rare, supremely limited edition, and considerably expensive,” He stated, “I bought too many for myself to eat, so I wondered if you would like one?”

Furina couldn’t help but nod enthusiastically, especially when she saw that Otter plushie she’d bought the man years ago still in perfect, tip-top shape.

Maybe telling someone, even if not everything, wasn’t a bad idea after all.

As long as nobody didn’t find out too much.

Maybe the next 487 years won’t be so absolutely miserable after all.

Chapter Text

Furina can’t remember the last time she’d left Fontaine, besides that time when she got to perform at a Windblume festival - in truth, she’s grown quite tired of the ever familiar background of her nation.

She picks at her fingers in silence.

Before she’d regressed, she kept hearing about ‘Lantern Rite’, and finally, after 500 years of anticipation, had the opportunity to go.

’Then I regressed literally two weeks before I could go.’

It’d already been 16 years since she regressed, and the only time she had a break from “settling in” was the time she spent spoiling the local Hydro Dragon, who, apparently was younger than she was. She didn’t have the time to go play  tourist.

‘Now, however, with Neuvi being able to take charge for a little bit, I can actually go!’

Truly, the thought of going to Liyue brought quite the grimace to her face, even if it meant having to separate from her very teasable best friend.

’Maybe I can bring back a souvenir,’ she pondered, packing her suitcase, appropriately stocked with everything she’d ever need (mostly snacks, but also the essentials).

She’d thought about her transport to Liyue, where she’d decided to abandon the expected procession of ships that was likely to carry Diva Furina, and decided to test the limits of her hydro power (as well as paint a dramatic and effective scene for her people, lest they start to doubt her, unlikely at this point, but she’d always been quite the dramatic).

Thus began Furina’s venture across the waters of Fontaine and into the depths of Chenyu Vale, sailing on the back of a great hydro swan, fanning herself from the rising temperature of the region.

Absentmindedly, she wonders if she’ll have to bare this type of heat in all of Liyue, and starts reconsidering any future trips to Sumeru and it’s deserts if she can’t even stand this much.

Thank Focalors water is so refreshing - speaking of, it seems that her Divine counterpart hasn’t left her side just yet, appearing in the reflection of the streaming river.

”Enjoying yourself?” Focalors asks, the first time she’s spoken since the regression.

Furina bites her lip and calms her expression, lest she look like a mad woman talking to herself, “Mir- er, Focalors. I have so many questions-“

The reflection immediately interrupts her, “-and I have the answers you seek, however right now is not the time. Let’s meet after your trip. I may just have the answer to your most important question, the regression. For now, don’t stress, enjoy yourself. You deserve it.”

She resists the urge to freak out. Of course, as the human counterpart, she’ll never know what’s going on, or why, that’s just how it’s always been. Furina has to remind herself that at least now, she’ll finally know the bare minimum about her situation.

Her reflection simply blows a kiss goodbye, before dissipating into nothing but the ever-warm water below, and, before she knows it, Furina can hear the bustling sound of tea makers - a village upon the bank.

***

As Chenyu vale is the border between Liyue and Fontaine, it is not too uncommon to see tourists and merchants coming to Qiaoying village, but somehow, this visitor felt different - perhaps it was the Adeptus-like pearly fade of her hair, or her eyes, Fontainian in shape, yet heterochromatic and paired with great water drops for pupils.

Or, of course, it could be the fact that she was currently riding a great hydro dove, a dove that quite literally seemed to hold the entire night sky within itself.

Then, of course, she casually began to dismount her ‘noble steed’, stepping upon the literal waves as though the sea was a mere servant, bowing to none else but her.

‘This woman, she must be an Adeptus!’ A village elder immediately concluded - yes, this adeptus must have come to judge their credibility as the tea making village of Liyue! Of course, the Fontainian features were misleading, but who else could portray themselves like this? The young hydro archon? Pfft. Of course not, a mere child like that.

He immediately turned to the other tea makers and they all nodded, likely having come to the same conclusion. 

“Ah, hello. I am a tourist-“ (Bullshit!) “-from Fontaine. I was hoping I could possibly get some directions to Liyue harbour, if you would be so kind. I’m not entirely sure where I’m going,” The obvious Adeptus explained.

The village elder immediately bowed in respect of this Adeptus, who was clearly lying about just about everything in her introduction, testing them to see how they’d treat actual tourists.

“Of course, Miss A-“ He pulled the naive youngster away, giving him a subtle death stare, all before he could finish ruining their chances of passing this test.

”Ahem, do please excuse that young man, he says what he wants, I do hope you understand, Miss Tourist, please please, do see our lovely, humble little village for yourself! Try the tea!” He proclaims, with a great, happy and youthful smile, as though he was just a wee little lad back in his 20’s once more.

The Adeptus hesitated for a second, clearly, because of that naive youngster from before, they almost failed their test. They must have displeased her, as she seemed a little… startled? No, not startled, an Adeptus could never be startled because of such thing, simply pondering and lost in thought.

They will not fail from here throughout.

***

Entering Liyue Harbour five crates of tea richer, Furina wonders if she may have scammed that village of teamakers?

Of course, she tried to pay in full for the crates of tea, especially because of all the mora she ended up having on hand, but she does recall the tea vendors almost crying and insisting she just take the tea, calling her “kind” and “compassionate” as she left, even offering means of transport, of which she declined. She considered that they might of realised her identity.

‘The people of Liyue are only loyal to Rex Lapis, though?’

Besides, for all she was worth, to non-Fontainians, the Hydro Archon was not yet recognised as a smart, viable and good God, instead being known as ‘another naive God’ not too dissimilar from Lesser Lord Kusanali - without the obvious lack of her in public sight, of course.

Getting back on track, Liyue Harbour is a beautiful city, but it seems that with Lantern Rite, it was more bustling than she’d thought, with people running around carrying crates of fireworks, and a troupe of lion dancers following swiftly behind.

In the midst, she spotted a decently tall man who, she could tell in an instant, was definitely a Dragon.

’Without a doubt, this is Morax.’

She approached him, who simply sat, drinking tea.

”Room for one more?” She asked, tilting her head, presenting him with five crates of tea, which, came to be quite useful.

He nodded, “I did not quite expect to see the young Hydro Archon in a nation besides Fontaine, Focalors.”

Morax passed her a cup of fresh tea as she replied, “Might as well see how other nations have it - plus. You could say that, as a young God, I might as well learn from my seniors.” She played with the cup in her hand.

A small chuckle left the man’s lips. “Then what do you wish to learn, junior?”

”Well, I doubt you can help me too much with paperwork, but I’ve been meaning to learn how to fight, because I don’t even know how to properly defend myself, but besides that, I also wish to learn how you deal with it,” She finishes her sentence, matter-of-factly.

Morax nods at the idea of learning how to fight - if a God cannot protect hersel, how can she protect her nation, after all, but he wonders what ‘it’ refers to.

”I mean, how do you deal with the loss. How do you deal with watching everyone grow old and die. How do you live on?” Even after all these years, Furina still couldn’t deal with it. She never learnt how to heal from watching people die, she just learnt to distance herself, to ignore, to pretend it didn’t exist. Every moment she spent was spent acting like she didn’t grieve.

Morax, although not knowing about her strifes, sensed why this question had come up. In truth, he himself had not learnt how to grieve properly, but if he learnt anything from his people, from the Funeral Directors of Wangsheng Parlour, even if he could not apply it to himself, from the little he learnt from this Godling before him, he believed that maybe she could.

”Death is not the loss of life - it is another step in the journey. Nobody dies until they are forgotten, as long as their memory is cherished, as long as what they stood for remains, as long as their lives are celebrated, they are not dead. Things get worse, but at the bottom, there is nowhere else to go but up. Do not stop loving, do not distance yourself. Be resilient.”

Furina just stays silent.

That is somehow exactly what she needed to hear, even if she can’t understand it fully yet, and even if that’s not everything she needs, even if that’s not the complete answer, it works.

”I knew it was a good idea to come talk to you, Morax.”

Furina hadn’t planned on it all, literally just came here for the festival, but yet again, chance changes her life, this time, for the better.

She lets the warmth in her heart grow into a smile.

They sit in content silence for a good minute, before starting to discuss the idea of Morax helping her train, at least in swordsmanship, and she ends up wandering the streets of Liyue Harbour for hours, buying snacks and souvenirs, such as a cute cat-key chain, as she walks, feeling as light as a feather.

She heard the story that these lanterns light up the way for lost warriors, and so that those lighting these lanterns never lose sight of themselves.

“At the bottom, there is nowhere else to go but up.” She thinks about that phrase, as night falls and lanterns are released, holding her own lantern in her two, pale hands.

That is what happened, after all.

She releases her lantern, with the single hope that next year, she can come back here too, next time, with a friend.