Chapter Text
“She had not been human in that final hour. Just a paper lantern, thin and wind-torn, clinging to the flickering remnants of a soul. Yet when there was no more to climb, and she had looked up and seen nothing but the terrible beauty of the sky, she had found the strength to rise.”
(Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree)
Almost two months after the prophecy had been fulfilled, Furina finally arrived at her final destination. Not only was Inazuma the furthest land she could go from Fontaine, but it was also the land led by one of the strongest and most active amongst the Archons. It should be the last place Neuvillette would go to look for her and, thus, the best location for a Fontainian fugitive to hide.
After cutting her hair close to her scalp and covering her mismatched blue eyes with a cloth, she settled on the identity of a blind young vagabond. Furina's first plan was to find somewhere isolated to hide until she figured out what to do with herself. However, the long journey to Inazuma gave her time to think, and the former Archon soon realized she needed to stay connected to the external world to have any chance of learning about Neuvillette's next move in advance and preparing for it.
So, she settled on the outskirts of Inazuma City, never venturing into the city but keeping close attention to the conversation of travelers passing by her hiding spots. There was no roof over her head and, for the most part, very little food in her belly, but she made do. The exceptional Hydro vision gifted to her by Focalors kept her well hidden, and a similarly concealed Hauteclaire would serve as her last line of defense if someone tried to attack her. Nobody would ever connect her to the former Archon of Fontaine.
By the time Furina first heard the name of her nation, she had lost count of how many weeks had passed since her arrival. A group of Inazuman merchants was discussing a recent article in the Steambird about the recovery efforts following the Flood.
Neuvillette had somehow convinced some of the wealthiest nobles and merchants to contribute money and resources, and even negotiated with Mondstadt and Liyue—the only nations not under the rule of an Archon—a mutually beneficial deal that exchanged basic goods for a more formal cooperation agreement between the Fontaine Research Institute and several learning institutions from the two nations. The information brought a proud smile to Furina's lips; she had taught him well.
The next day, two guards passed by discussing the theories written in the article about Furina's whereabouts, which was enough proof that the Palais hadn't reported her as missing. Only then, comforted that no reporting meant fewer people were looking for her, Furina allowed herself to relax a little. She no longer had to stress about the average Inazuman seeing her photo in a newspaper and recognizing her. It was liberating, despite the lingering possibility of something behind the scenes requiring her to remain vigilant.
Now, in one of the brief moments she could spare to strip her eyes from their cover, Furina watched the stars shining over her head and, not for the first time, wondered why people had ever called her one. The former Archon felt more closely related to the moon, using the light in other people's souls to shine. She had used Focalors' identity to create the persona of an Archon, and Neuvillette’s firm power to pass the illusion of stability during her reign.
Furina had heard from a group of travelers passing by that Inazumans considered visions gifts from the heavens to people who possessed a strong ambition, which was a funny thought considering she had only gotten hers after she fulfilled her own. As it was, from the moment Focalors had gifted her the vision, Furina's only goal was to die peacefully in freedom.
Though her body still suffered the aftereffects of the wound inflicted during her duel with Clorinde, she refused to use her newfound power to heal herself. Furina also didn't use her ability to conceal herself and steal or hunt for some food, choosing to eat only the fruits she picked from the trees on the rare occasions that she left her hiding spots.
So, she lived most of the time off the water she got from a river passing nearby, in the constant state of pain caused by hunger and her half-healed wound. The only indulgence she allowed herself was keeping her summons around so she could have some company. Crabelletta kept animals away with her claws, Chevalmarin snuggled with her and offered some physical comfort she had only ever gotten from Focalors before, and Usher told her made-up stories to distract her from the pain and was a good conversation partner on the few occasions she chose to engage.
They often tried to persuade her to go out, get some actual food, and maybe talk to other people, but she never listened. Oftentimes, she toyed with the idea of killing herself. Several times in the weeks since she left Fontaine, she pressed Hauteclaire against her neck with a silent prayer to her godly self on her lips in request for courage. But Furina could never muster it to go through with it, so she tried to settle for this passive form of suicide, happy to waste away until the moment she found the same kind of strength Focalors had mustered many weeks before.
One morning, days or weeks after she overheard conversations about the Steambird article, Furina woke up from a fitful sleep to a pounding headache and an empty stomach's complaint. Lovely. It meant that the water she collected from the river was no longer enough to distract her hunger, and she would likely need to find some food to be able to rest, although the idea of enduring the discomfort and pain until she passed out was growing in her.
Furina was contemplating what to do when two young samurai from the Tenryou Commission passed by her hiding spot. “So, the Traveler arrived in Inazuma yesterday?” The one standing closer to her asked with excitement. “Master Kamaji was quite elated—she's right in time for his wedding with Lady Chisato in two weeks.”
“She didn't come because of the wedding, though. I heard from one of the guards in Tenshukaku that she was sent with two Fontainians on a mission to speak with the Shogun. Apparently, they spent hours locked with Her Excellency and Lady Yae.” The other samurai's words made Furina's blood run cold. Why was the Traveler here with two Fontainians? Were they looking for her?
“Really? I bet it has something to do with their Archon or whatever,” the first samurai's words echoed Furina's concerns. “There was an article on the Steambird the other day saying that Lady Furina hasn't been seen in public since the flood, about four months ago. The author was speculating whether she is even alive.”
Furina bit inside her cheek to keep herself from making any sudden movements or sounds. While her Vision had kept her well hidden enough, she had learned that it didn't cover all her traces when she lacked energy due to exhaustion, hunger, or both. The former actress was confident it would still hide her as long as she didn't draw attention to herself. With the Traveler in Inazuma, she couldn't afford being spotted.
Four months, and Neuvillette hadn't released any official information about her disappearance. It was no wonder the people of Fontaine had been speculating about it. They were eager to see their fake god facing justice for her crimes, which begged to question what the Iudex would do if he found her. Did he wish to enact her death sentence? Put her once again on trial and declare another, milder form of punishment since a death sentence was technically illegal according to Fontainian laws? Would he forgive her crimes?
Two questions, however, kept popping into her mind despite her best attempts to bury it. Was there any part of Neuvillette that was concerned for her well-being? Were people pressuring him for genuine worry about her? Furina still recalled Focalors' words about the care of Fontainians for her, and she earned for the possibility. But no; that was a useless line of thought since any worry about her would be directed at the character, not the actress.
However, after the samurai walked away, Furina reasoned that none of her conflicting feelings mattered at that moment. With the Traveler in Inazuma right now, she knew she had to move to a location further away from the city to avoid any possibility of bumping into her. Not eating was no longer an option.
Ei wasn't in the mood for entertaining the Traveler, Paimon, and their Fontanian companions after hearing from Kusanali about what had happened in the nation of Hydro. It wasn't the first time the adventurer from beyond the stars joined forces with certain parties against an Archon. But not only was Ei in the wrong at the time, she was also an experienced warrior who could hold her own. On the other hand, conspiring against an innocent and young Archon like Furina was just plain bullying.
“What do you expect to get from me?” Ei kept her voice emotionless, since the alternative was to let out all her anger and frustration. She wished she could get away with kicking Lumine and her companions from Inazuma, but knew from experience that they would just come back by illegal means and try doing things behind her back.
“We were hoping you could help us find Lady Furina, Your Excellency. Lord Kusanali picked some things in her dreams that indicate she's in Inazuma,” the Electro allogene with the mannerisms of a soldier explained. Ei's heart didn't soften at the remorse when the woman spoke Furina's name and the exhaustion she hid beneath her stiff posture. They should feel ashamed.
“My apologies, but I can't help you,” she closed her eyes and turned her back towards them in an attempt to finish the conversation. Not that she thought it would do any good with Miko and the Traveler involved; those two never gave up once they settled on a goal. She wished she could let the Shogun handle the situation, but it would only backfire since there was no logical reason for the puppet to deny the foreigners access to Furina.
“Ei—” Miko's accusing tone almost dissuaded her from her course of action. “Surely you can dispatch a few of your soldiers to search for her. I'm sure that little bird of yours will be happy to make herself useful to you and Lumine.”
While she hadn't disclosed to Miko the information she received from Lord Kusanali in her dreams, the Archon wished her closest companion would give her the benefit of the doubt just this once. But again, after everything that happened between them, Ei could understand why she was distrustful of her. “Inazuma’s Shogunate has granted full amnesty to Lady Furina,” she glared at her familiar before turning her head to look over her shoulder at the Traveler and her companions. “Since you are acting under the Iudex's orders, any attempts to remove her from Inazuman territory without her full consent will be considered an attack from Fontaine against Inazuma.”
A heavy silence followed Ei's statement. Ignoring the other four people in the room, she fixed her eyes on Miko. The kitsune was narrowing her eyes at her, silently asking her the meaning behind such an extreme statement. However, Paimon reacted before Ei could elaborate a response, floating restlessly between her three traveling companions. “What's gotten into you? We won't force her,” the little fairy declared. “Neuvillette only wants to make sure she's alright after the duel, the flood, and everything else.”
The Electro allogene cleared her throat. “He also wishes to ascertain that she wants for nothing. Lady Furina didn't take any of her belongings with her when she left, and there's no indication she had any mora either. Besides, after our duel—” When the Electro allogene stopped talking, Ei turned around to realize the broken woman was looking down and clenching her fists. So, she was the one who fought Furina in the duel.
“The knowledge of Lady Furina's status is also important to our nation's continuing peace, Your Excellency. The people are starting to question her prolonged absence, causing several dormant factions to stir and cause trouble,” the fourth member of their group, a Pyro allogene, stated. “She's been our leader for five hundred years. We must know if she's alive and well, so we can truthfully report it to the people.”
Judging by her uniform, Ei guessed the girl was a member of Fontaine's special security. Her face was more neutral and professional than her companions’, so the woman probably had no deep personal connection to Furina. Why have they brought soldiers and guards to look for their Archon if they only wished to ascertain her well-being? Were their arguments just a ruse to convince her to cooperate?
Regardless of their intentions, Ei understood the sentiment the girl expressed. Throughout her long life, she had seen how losing an Archon was a brutal blow to a nation, and it was one of the reasons why she never divulged Makoto's death, choosing to use her sister's name and title instead. Still, even if their goals were as innocent as they claimed them to be, letting the people Furina was running from chase her was a bad move for the former Hydro Archon's fragile mental state. Again, Ei wished she could just throw them out of her nation.
“Perhaps we should just slow down a little bit and consider the entirety of the situation,” Miko interjected, moving to stand between Ei and the visitors. “You are looking for Lady Furina, who apparently came to Inazuma without telling anyone. Ei, on the other hand, is refusing to offer you access to her on the grounds of—” The kitsune looked at Ei with impatience, waiting for her to explain herself.
“Furina ran away after being unlawfully tried for a crime she didn't commit. Regardless of your intentions, I will not deliver an innocent into the hands of her prosecutor and by the order of her judge.”
Miko turned from Ei to the Traveler, who shifted her weight from one leg to the other. “It wasn't like that,” Lumine finally spoke. “Furina was refusing to give us any information about the prophecy. The trial was the only way we could think of to make her talk.”
“Besides, it's not like she's innocent either. Paimon knows it was for the greater good or whatever, but she was guilty of pretending to be an Archon,” Paimon argued. Ei forced herself to breathe deeply to stop herself from strangling the little fairy. At least, the dirty looks she received from Lumine and the two Fontanians helped her get a better understanding of their motives.
Ei was the first to admit she was terrible at reading humans, but even she could see that the two Fontainians didn't wish for their Archon's reputation to be dragged through the mud by an outlander. It didn't mean they had a noble agenda, but it helped dissuade Ei from taking the rushed approach of forbidding any communication between Furina and the others.
“Furina was Egeria's chosen successor— this was a decision made before Egeria's demise, one which all of the Seven were privy to. Each one of Furina's aspects is to be considered the Archon of Fontaine, whether they are human or god,” Ei sighed and once again turned her back to them. “I'll not guide her persecutor and executioner to her. As long as you keep your distance from her, you may enjoy your stay in Inazuma as I look for Furina and pass down your request for a meeting. This is my final word, you are dismissed.”
“Will you at least keep us updated about the search?” The Traveler inquired before her companion could argue against Ei's statement.
The Electro Archon crossed her arms in thought before nodding, “very well. As long as you don't force an interaction with her, I will let you know when I have a lead.”
Furina was exhausted when she finally found a safe location in a cave at the southern part of Tatarasuna that must have been a hiding spot during the latest civil war. The opening was small enough that she had to crawl to enter. Once inside, however, it was easy for Mademoiselle Crabelletta to find a rock that was big enough to cover the entrance.
She passed out the moment her hiding spot had grown darker, hoping that she was far enough from Narukami that it would be safe for a few days even if the Shogun herself were trying to locate her.
The girl woke up when the rock hiding the cave was suddenly moved, causing the sunlight to hit her eyes. As the actress groaned and carefully sat up, she heard a whining sound and something warm and furry colliding with her leg. She blinked a few times to release the last remnants of sleepiness and focused on the thing climbing on her lap. It was only when it sat down and raised its eyes to meet hers that Furina realized it was a small fox.
Even in the dark and with her eyes covered by her usual cloth, Furina realized that it wasn't a regular fox. Although she couldn't discern its exact coloring, the fur was lighter and eyes brighter than any fox she had seen in Inazuma. “Kitsune—?” Months of silence and borderline dehydration caused her voice to come out cracked and rough.
The fox's ears perked up, and Furina noticed the large earrings, one of which contained a shining Electro vision. In her dazed state of mind, she only realized that her companions were there when Surintendant Chevalmarin and Gentilhomme Usher settled at each side of the fox and glared at Furina in a clear show of rebellion. Guiding the fox to her was her friends’ way to find the help they had been begging her to get in the past weeks.
Hurriedly, she turned around and fumbled on the ground in search of her vision, causing the fox to jump from her lap. After a few seconds, her fingers finally closed around it, and Furina turned to find the fox watching her.
“If I were you, I wouldn't try to use that thing in your current state. Don't waste the little strength you have left fighting a losing battle, little one,” the fox advised with a voice that was more similar to one belonging to an adult woman than one of such a tiny creature.
Furina took a deep breath in an attempt to control her growing panic. There was no reason to believe this kitsune was a servant of the Inazuman Archon other than her Electro vision, which wasn't any solid indication. Still, the actress clenched her vision, unwilling to let it go. “May I— may I help you?” Once again, her voice came out wavering and rough.
The fox observed her for a few seconds, tilting her head as if looking for the exact words to convey her message. “I am here to inform you that the Shogun has granted you full amnesty and is willing to protect you from outside interference, Furina de Fontaine. She hasn't said it, but I have been her familiar for centuries and can tell that she has great admiration for you.”
The idea that the Raiden Shogun, likely one of the most powerful beings in Teyvat, admired her was outlandish enough to convince Furina that the fox was tricking her. This was either a prank or an attempt to lure her back to Narukami, so she could face the Shogun's justice or be returned to Fontaine.
Furina used everything she had learned as an actress to create the illusion of calm contemplation as she considered her options. She forced her companions to disappear and fixed her gaze on the kitsune, whose gaze never left the vision in Furina's hand. “I understand and— thank the Shogun for her kindness,” the girl said slowly and in a soft tone not to strain her voice more than necessary. Even that, however, caused her throat to burn. “But I don't need— anything but— solitude.”
The fox remained still, her face betraying no emotion as she listened to Furina's speech and the fit of coughing that followed. “No offense, little one, but anyone would know you require urgent medical attention. I'm no healer, but even I can tell you are severely malnourished and dehydrated.”
Furina sucked the air into her lungs, still considering her options. Not only was she weak, but she was also in some pain caused by her half-healed injuries from the duel against Clorinde. The kitsune was healthy and likely knew how to use her vision more effectively than Furina. The only thing she had in her advantage was a wave of resolution washing over her at the notion that this may be her last chance to die in freedom.
Forcing herself to remain collected, Furina willed her vision to conjure a surging blade to descend upon her chest, piercing it before disappearing. She smiled at the searing pain and the tingling sensation across her body when her head hit the floor. The last thing she saw before passing out was a pair of purple eyes staring down at her in terror.