Chapter Text
"In my capacity as Chief Justice, I shall now render judgement on Furina's misrepresentation of herself as the Archon of Fontaine. As a human who knowingly deceived her fellow citizens, Furina is - ...guilty."
Monsieur Neuvillette was known as Fontaine's Iudex: chief justice of the courts. He had more than earned the title over his more than four hundred years of service to the courts, and to the concept of justice itself throughout his lengthy tenure holding that high office. Indeed, one of his first high profile cases when he was still yet unproven in the eyes of the citizens of Fontaine after being brought over to the nation by Focalors, the Archon of Hydro, herself, he faced steep criticism not only for him clearly being from outside human society, but also for bringing strange creatures known as Melusines with him. He had judged a dear comrade who had aided him greatly when he first appeared in Fontaine, Vautrin as guilty for committing murder in an act of revenge. In truth, such righteous fury could be justified in the minds of a good amount of the people. Carole, a Melusine, was driven to suicide by the acts of some humans that had given in to their baser instincts of fear, anger, and despair. Perhaps retribution and vigilante justice may have very well been warranted. But that was the domain of the heart, of emotions and feelings. Law and justice firmly resided in the realm of facts, stability, logic, reason, and reliability. Impartiality at all costs was necessary to instill belief in the concept of justice, and the fairness of the courts. Therefore, Vautrin was judged guilty, and a move definitely seen by the populace in attendance of his trial as a stark departure of what the people had expected to happen. Nepotism did not win out the day. Favoritism did not win out the day. Nay, it was the law itself and justice that had won out that day, at the cost of the freedom of a man whose convictions were believed by some to have been just, in the end. However, a person's individual choices, even if noble, were still to be judged at the end of the day. Integrity in the courts was essential to maintain the dignity of the institution. What good are laws, what good is justice, if there is no impartial force and strength to back them up?
Therefore, on this day, more crucial than even that case, it was necessary to render proper judgement. Neuvillette cared deeply for Lady Furina, Focalors, the God of Justice, as she cared for him. That was only natural, and the belief that all in Fontaine had believed in their hearts as well. After all, they had worked together closely for over four centuries at the least to bring stability, peace, and prosperity to the nation, a nation that could be set apart as the pride of humanity, one of the most advanced nations in all of Teyvat. Therefore, as a role model for what could be the norm in other nations, it was imperative, now, more than ever, in this most dire of situations, to pass every test set before the institutions of Fontaine. It was said that if you truly wished to see the character of one's heart, you need only see what they would do when given power and authority.
The atmosphere was thick. Everyone was silent. This was no mere drama, this was a life or death situation. The primordial sea was raging around Fontaine. People in Poisson had already been subjected to the cruel wrath of the prophecy, with many dying in the process. Fontaine's archon, or, the person apparently pretending to be the archon, was found guilty after a grueling trial. Near the end, Furina, who was thought to have been the proper archon of Fontaine, was brought to tears, begging her people to believe her. She sat silently, defeated, on one of the seats provided on the balcony where the defendant and their attorneys were permitted to be during the trial.
"We shall now turn to the Oratrice Mechanique d'Analyse Cardinale to render the final verdict on the charges."
Neuvillette sounded grim, going through the procedures of the court. Those who attended Fontaine's theatrical court had nothing but praise for how the tried and true Iudex gracefully rendered judgements and respected the court proceedures with the utmost dignity that they deserved. However, with this case, there was a clear tone of hurt and heaviness in his voice. Like so many years ago with Vautrin, it would seem that the Iudex would be called upon and tested in rendering judgement upon another person of whom he had grown to befriend, with even a hint of familial affection, some might say. The stakes were too high to relent. All of the land was in peril. Millions of lives were facing a death sentence from the fate woven by Celestia in their cruel prophecy. The hour of judgement was near. Answers were needed from Furina, even if they needed to be forced out of her. The needs of the one could never outweigh the needs of the many. This was true justice.
"...Hmm?" Neuvillette gasped. A first, or at least a rarity. Something had gone terribly wrong. Was his judgement contrary to the Oratrice yet again, for the second time, as was the case during the judgement of Tartaglia, the 11th Harbinger of the Fatui?
The curiosity got the best of Paimon, "Wh-What's wrong? What's the Oratrice's verdict?"
The Traveler was curious as well, "It can't be... did the Oratrice just declare Furina to be innocent?"
Neuvillette shook his head slightly, "No, the Oratrice also displays a guilty verdict."
Could it be? This was how it was meant to end? After all of her service, after all of the years of suffering... is this how it was to end? Was fate truly inevitable and immutable? The Traveler had ventured to other nations. They were saved. Why could Fontaine not be saved, as well? Were they so tainted and dirty that not even a hero lauded in four other nations of Teyvat would be able to bring them salvation? She failed. She failed and everyone was going to die now.
"Isn't that correct, then?" Paimon asked.
Neuvillette continued, "However, the exact wording of the verdict is thus. 'The Hydro Archon, guilty'...'To be punished via the death sentence.'"
Murmurs and whispers consumed the audience. The very existence of a death penalty in Fontaine was believed to have been a myth.
Paimon did a double take, "Furina's been sentenced to death by the Oratrice?! We just wanted to use the trial to show her the seriousness of things, so she'd tell us the truth... how did things escalate this quickly?!"
Neuvillette was perplexed as well, "This outcome is indeed quite strange. According to Fontaine's current definitions of justice, as well as its recommendations for criminal sentences... is this sentence really appropriate for the crimes that have been committed?"
The Oratrice began to glow an ominous blue, and seemed to be working all on its own will. The Traveler rushed and jumped up to Furina.
This is it. I've failed. Five hundred years I have maintained constant efforts, and it's all for nothing. Fontaine is going to die. Neuvillette is going to die. Clorinde is going to die. Fontaine's melusines are going to die. Everyone that has worked so hard to build Fontaine into what it is today are going to die. It was all for nothing. Are we just meaningless ants to dance for the whims and enjoyment of the truly divine in Celestia? Are we nothing but cheap entertainment? Why are we given life just to die? What did we do to deserve this except to want to live? Mirror-me...I'm sorry. In the end, I was just a weak human girl. I tried to be a god. I tried to be what the people wanted me to be. I beg of you, anyone listening to my prayers. Please don't let me be condemned to suffer here. If Fontaine must die, let me die with it. That's all I ask.
That was the last thought that Furina had before losing consciousness in her chair. The world turned to darkness after that.
When she awoke, it was to the sound of water within the Opera Epiclesse. Everything was submerged, as if consumed by the sea itself. So it would seem, that she would linger on in this fallen nation. No one else was near her. Everyone had been dissolved, it appeared, just as the prophecy had foretold.
Furina resigned herself to an eternity of nothingness and desolation, the price for her failure.
Just as hope was about to be fully consumed by the darkness of the sea, a miracle happened. The water...was draining?
For a few moments Furina dared not to breathe, attempting to confirm if what she was see was true. True it was indeed. The water was receding. In what seemed like forever, the water retreated out from the Opera house proper. Did something happen? Did Neuvillette or the Traveler do something to stop the prophecy? She failed and was found out, her efforts made matters worse, not better. Surely it was one of them. Perhaps the Knave? Did she find the Gnosis? Were they able to avert disaster? What of the people? Were they consumed and dissolved?
Furina struggled to her feet. She was soaking wet, drenched head to toe but she didn't care. She hadn't the time to think about decorum and presentation at a time like this. She was alive. She rushed out to the lobby of the Opera Epiclesse and threw open the doors, stumbling out into the harsh light of a midday sun. The water was gone. There were people. Everything looked like it had been flooded, but the water was retreating.
"The prophecy...was wrong?" Furina whispered, almost is if speaking the words out loud would undo all that was around her, like a fragile, fantasy-like dream.
She began to make her way to the Palais Mermonia ever so slowly, as if she was a child looking around in awe, in disbelief at what she was taking in with her own eyes.
She needed to see Neuvillette.
Aether slowly made his way through the Court of Fontaine, taking in the damage that had been done by the Great Flood and its residual effects. The damage was significant, but fortunately, it would seem that Monsieur Neuvillette had used his authority as the Hydro Sovereign, reclaimed from Focalors to shield what he could from the wrath of the prophecy. It would be quite a while before Fontaine would recover, but, it seemed as though the worst of the prophecy had been averted.
All because of the sacrifice of Focalors' and...and Furina. Celestia. Fontaine is just another victim, like Khaenri'ah. They dared to dream. Is that the fate of this world? Aether pondered this, and other things, as he strode through the aftermath and ruins left in the wake of the Great Flood.
"This is a disaster," Paimon mused, "At least Neuvillette was able to save Fontaine in the end."
And Furina, as well. Aether thought. No one would know what she suffered. He would. He saw with his own eyes over one hundred and eighty six thousand days of pure torture inflicted upon her. Akin to being lashed with a whip. He couldn't believe the sheer mental fortitude that she had. He was such a fool for doubting her, but how could he not? Everyone else had been fooled, as well. Even Neuvillette and the Knave were none the wiser of Furina's deception. Nonetheless, he would need to see her. Apologize properly. Before he left for Natlan, he needed to make sure that he made good on making sure that she was set upon a road of healing and recovery. For everything that she gave to Fontaine over 500 years, it was the bare minimum that he could...no, should do. Still, it bothered him.
No one will know what she endured. No one will know the truth. They'll think that she's just a fraud, someone who stole from them. Like a thief. Unless...
"Paimon," Aether announced to the fairy, "Let's go. We need to find Charlotte, and quickly."
"I can't believe it's still standing. Thank the Seven!" Charlotte sighed, relieved beyond words that The Steambird was able to be saved from the Great Flood. If anything, she'd be able to work to take her mind off of what had just happened while she slowly processed it. She could give the people peace of mind as well, and even communicate important information from the Court of Fontaine's government and relief efforts. In her small way, she could contribute to bringing normalcy back to her nation.
"Hey! Charlotte, there you are!" came a shout from the distance.
The pink haired reporter looked around, catching sight of the Traveler and his fairy companion, Paimon as they waved to her, rushing to greet her.
"Aether, Paimon! It's a miracle! The Steambird's main office was spared from the prophecy! It looks like not even a great catastrophe can keep my stories from being written!" Charlotte laughed.
"I'm sure that your victims err...I mean, interviewees will be happy to hear about that..." Aether teased with a wink.
Charlotte feigned hurt, "Hey now! The news is a vital part of a healthy society, I'll have you know!"
Aether raised his arms slightly in mock defeat, playing along, "Alright, alright, you have a point! I do have something really important to ask you, though. It's the reason that Paimon and I sought you out so quickly. If all goes well, it won't just be a favor for us, I think it'll be the scoop of the century for you, all things considered."
Charlotte beamed, "Oh yeah?! What do you have for me? Come on in, let's see if my office was flooded. Hopefully the equipment was undamaged enough. If anything, it'll provide the people with something to take their minds off of what just happened, if only for a little while."
Aether and Paimon nodded, following the reporter into the Steambird's main lobby.
I won't let her suffer alone. The end of her duty has been long overdue. This is one tragedy that can be averted. The people of Sumeru will never know Great Lord Rukkhadevata's sacrifice to her people. Not even Nahida will know. But this time, I can do something about this. I have to. For Furina's sake.
END: Chapter 1