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.