Chapter Text
Let me tell you a tale. I will say it’s a sad story, one filled with despair and heartache. But I’m sure you’d want to hear it anyway, for it also has its occasional points of happiness and love.
It begins with a boy named Freminet.
And on a fateful day, his world changed. Perhaps… not for the better… not yet, not at that moment; For it was two in the morning that day, the day Freminet saw no more point in living.
The day before that was a bright and sunny one, no one knew of the tragedies that would befall the Hearth’s trio, Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet.
“Lynette… I thought we told you not to mess with the stove anymore! Last time you used it you almost burnt down the house, now you broke it!” Lyney had a pinched expression.
The scene across the three was as follows; Lynette woke up earlier than usual— a shock, really, the cat hybrid would never dare get out of bed earlier than need be unless she truly could not sleep, maybe it was an omen of what was to come; cats do have great intuition after all. She grew hungry, so she decided to be a good sister and make breakfast for everyone, if not mainly herself. But she had a terrible habit of breaking anything mechanical, vacuums, washers, even stoves. Which is what she broke now. This left Freminet, the family’s expert in anything mechanical and fantastical, to save the day once more and fix the stove. He didn’t mind though, the boy enjoyed being useful.
“It’s not my fault… it just wasn’t working,” Lynette sighed, her tail flicking in annoyance a bit.
“Yeah! Because you broke it.”
“I-“
“Guys… it’s fine. See, good as new,” Freminet spoke up, he moved his tools to the side as he turned the stove on. “Here, why don’t you let me cook?”
“Fine,” Lynette sighed and sat down at the dining table with no hesitation, pulling out her tea set and a box.
“Are you sure? I could cook—“
“It’s fine, really,” Freminet interrupted, already beginning to grab the utensils. Lyney nodded and sat down alongside Lynette, beginning to discuss some sort of magic trick.
Freminet cracked open an egg, letting it sizzle on the pan before cracking another, and another, making them scrambled. Once cooked he added a bit of cheese to let it melt, then he moved onto the next item. He grabbed a pancake box mix, surely they wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t homemade. He followed each instruction on the box like a perfect machine made for cooking, then he distributed it between three plates and passed it along the table, only just now tuning into the conversation. The boy had a terrible habit of ignoring the world when focused.
“Oh, please. That’s not nearly as big of a spectacle we want! We must wow our crowd, Lynette!” Lyney spoke with pizzazz, as he often did.
“Whatever you say, brother…” Lynette sighed and began eating, drinking some tea along with it. She offered some of said tea to Freminet, who shook his head in decline.
It was little moments like these that the three enjoyed most. Just the domestic feel, no need to worry about missions or stress over an order. And it was moments like these that Freminet would soon miss more than anything in the world.
They went about their day as normal, feeding their cats, completing small tasks and chores within the Hearth. Otherwise, the twins spent their time honing their art of deception and trickery for their magic shows, whilst Freminet would remain not too far away either reading another fairytale alongside Pers— his only true companion left as he’ll soon find out —or working on one clockwork machine or another. It wasn’t until nightfall that their world began to tilt, though it still masqueraded as a harmless bump in the road.
A knock came upon the trios door, when Lyney answered it, Chapleau was the one in the doorway.
“Oh! Chapleau, what can we do for you?” Lyney smiled softly, Lynette peered over his shoulder curiously, Freminet didn’t look up from the book he had stuffed his nose in.
“Ah, “Father” has requested the presence of you three,” Those words Chapleau spoke caused Freminet to finally look up. When he did, the grandfather clock all the way in the hall began to chime. A loud toll filling their home, signifying the start of the hour. Freminet glanced up, it was 12:00 A.M., two hours remained until the world finished tilting. But of course the three never had a clue, not now, not in this moment. And of course, why would I be one to spoil? That’d ruin the point of telling the story, don’t you think?
Lyney tensed, “Did she say why?”
“No,” Chapleau shook his head. The siblings shared each other glances before heading to see “Father”. The air was as tense and thick as it always was, the three remaining serious as quiet. “Father” tended to be a creature of disregard to her own emotions, truly a cold and fearful person. Though she did have a soft side— not one she ever let shine through.
They arrived at the door of her office, what a frightening hurdle to cross, Freminet always felt his anxiety besting him in moments like these. Once they entered, they each assumed a bow.
“You wished to see us, “Father”?” Lyney spoke, keeping his head low.
“Yes, I did,” Arlecchino stood from her seat. “I understand this might seem… out of the blue. But I have a mission for you three. I apologize that you’ll have hardly any preparation time but it sprung up on us and we need to deal with it swiftly. It will require stealth. An enemy of the Hearth escaped our grasps with the help of a nobleman, your task is to eliminate him, the nobleman, and anyone who stands in the way. Though do try to make sure no one gets in the way in the first place.”
“Understood, “Father”.” The three said in unison. Arlecchino slid a file across the table.
“In that contains the information of your targets. Be on your way,” Arlecchino shooed them with her hand, the three filed out of the room, reviewing their targets. It was a simple random nobleman with a bit of a political standing, nothing too major. And the enemy was someone avoiding debt, easy enough. That’s what they thought at least.
The trio soon arrived at the front gates of the manor where the nobleman resided. It was a pretty home on the edge of a hill that led to the ocean, brick fences housed it and whoever lived here truly was a gardening enthusiast. You enjoy dramatization in your fairytales, yes? Thrilling tales of heroes with obstacles? Let us give this particular obstacle a fun name, what about death’s manor? Or is that too insensitive? Ah, I am getting distracted once more, let us continue.
The trio glanced at one another and nodded, Lynette took a step back and scaled the bricked fence, hopping silently over to the other side. She surveyed her surroundings, her ears flipping to all sorts of different directions, only to find that they were in the clear. She hesitantly walked toward the gate, but she discovered it was actually unlocked the whole time. This set something amiss in the three, sharing glances as they silently slid open the gate. But they had a mission to continue, so they trekked forward. What a fatal mistake.
They quickly realized just how little guards there were, only adding to the unease. You would think a nobleman involved in politics house would be well guarded after all.
“M…Maybe we should head back,” Freminet whispered as they walked through the front lawn behind some bushes.
“No, I understand that something doesn’t feel right, I feel it too… but we have a job to do,” Lyney insisted, keeping his tone hushed as well. “The second we have evidence of foul play, then we can leave. But if we turn back now without valid reason then we risk punishment.”
Freminet sighed, he knew his elder brother meant well, and that if it came down to it he’d protect them. That was not where his concerns lied however, Freminet, too, wanted to protect his siblings.
They walked towards the front door and it as well was unlocked. Lyney observed the indoors through the windows as best he could, whilst Freminet and Lynette watched their surroundings. The inside seemed to be deserted, another odd feeling settling in the pits of their stomachs again.
After confirming they were in the clear, they walked into the manor, it was dark except for the moonlight shining through the windows, and eerily quiet. Not a maid, not a butler, no one in sight. They kept their guard up for traps as they walked through the entrance hall. This all seemed… too easy. Maybe no one was there at all?
The large grandfather clock in the hall suddenly rung, catching the three off guard, causing Freminet to jump slightly. The tolling signifying another hour passed, 1:00 A.M.
The notion they were alone was quickly proven wrong by a sudden arrow flying at them, Lyney pushed Lynette out of the line of fire, he himself barely missing the arrow as it went through his top hat. The clock stopped chiming. Everyone stood in shock as blood began trickling down Lyney’s face. Panic clearly settled into Lyney and Lynette’s eyes as they quickly pulled off his hat, the arrow stuck in there. Freminet didn’t understand what was happening until he caught a glance of the inside.
Rosseland was left in there.
It was then that the boy
recognized that his world
was tilting.
The cat must’ve hopped in there when they were in a rush to leave. Rosseland was shot straight through the stomach, clearly in pain as her breath grew ragged. Lyney looked towards Lynette, he knew this wasn’t the time to falter but his concern was written on his face. As Freminet would’ve loved to grieve the cat, someone had to get back on focus. And Lyney and Lynette were much closer to Rosseland than Freminet ever was. So, Freminet took action, claymore in hand as he ran towards where the arrow was shot at.
“Freminet, wait!” Lyney called out, finally snapping to reality. He left his hat— and Rosseland inside, on the ground with Lynette as he stood up and drew his own bow.
Freminet quickly met with the archer that shot at Lynette, seemed to be a hired assassin, not the targets they were looking for. He swung his claymore up and brought it back down, slashing the opponent and taking him down with one fell swoop. He quickly turned back to his siblings and returned to their side. Lynette’s ears perked up and she glanced to the stairs at the end of the hall, still keeping a hand to soothe Rosseland through his death.
“Well, well. I knew the Hearth would’ve sent some scum to deal with me,” an older man spoke, the trio instantly recognized him as one of the targets— specifically the enemy that got away. Now all they needed to do was locate the noble.
“Scum you say?” Lyney scoffed, still feeling quite pissed off about the attack, but he knew how to keep his emotions in check— he was a magician for a reason after all. Lyney pulled back on the string after inserting an arrow, aiming it.
The enemy paused, halting, “Are you going to shoot me? Your precious “Father” should’ve dealt with me herself!” He lunged forward, Lyney letting go of the arrow but the target threw up a geo shield.
“A vision? The reports didn’t say anything about that!” Lynette shouted as she grabbed the hat and the trio split off to evade the enemies attack, avoiding sharp rocks rising from the ground by a smidge.
“Like my little toy? I stole it,” the enemy swung a delusion on a hook around his finger. Lyney gritted his teeth, he shot a glance towards Lynette and Freminet— they understood.
“We can just add that to your long list of crimes against the Tsaritsa,” Lynette spoke, carefully placing the hat down and wielding her sword. She assumed a fighting stance which garnered a laugh from the enemy.
“Please, as if your little group of magicians could beat me.”
“Big talk for a dead guy,” Lynette scoffed. As the enemy was distracted with his conversation, Lyney drew another arrow, Freminet prepared to lunge.
“A dead guy? Listen here, little girl—“ The man was cut off by an arrow being thrown at him, the enemy swiveled, dodging the arrow and facing Lyney. “How dare you?!”
He was unaware of Freminet, who was launching at him with his claymore. The enemy dodged it but not enough, Freminet still sliced off his lower arm. The enemy screamed in pain and agony. Freminet frowned, he never liked hearing the screams of those he hurt. So he materialized his helmet, allowing it to drain out the noise, the screen illuminating. He raised his claymore, preparing to strike once more, but was stopped by a sudden sharp sting in his ankle. He lost balance as he recognized a loss of something that pierced said ankle. He grunted in pain as he collapsed to the floor, his swing missing.
“Freminet!” Lyney shouted. Freminet looked down and to the side where his ankle was now bleeding profusely— that’s when he recognized a rocky spike made of geo had pierced his skin. He seethed and winced as the enemy above began to chuckle.
“It was a good trick, I’ll give you that. But not good enough.” Thankfully, Freminet still hadnt dissipated his helmet, otherwise that rude comment might have actually gotten to him a bit.
Suddenly he was swooped up by a wind, and deeper into the house, it wasn’t until they stopped that he realized it was Lynette’s doing. They were now in an isolated place in death’s manor, away from Lyney and the enemy. Freminet made his helmet vanish.
“I can—“ he hissed as Lynette tore off his boot. “I can take care of myself, you go help Lyney.”
“Lyney can hold his own for a few moments,” Lynette snapped back, tearing off her own sleeve to wrap it around the wound.
“I can still fight.”
“I know you can. But it still needs to be treated,” She reassured, it was pointless to argue with her younger brother, Freminet would’ve pushed himself regardless.
Suddenly a figure came from the dark, attempting to grasp at Lynette, but she quickly dodged. She swung her sword up defensively as she flipped to her feet. The two siblings recognized the man to be the noble.
“So your great plan is to not have any guards protecting you?!” Lynette scoffed.
“Oh, on the contrary,” Suddenly Lynette’s senses perked. She frantically looked around them, identifying locations of various hired assassins.
“Have they been there the whole time?!” Lynette furrowed her brows, scowling, as opposed to her normal blank demeanor. Freminet rose from the ground, putting the helmet back on and wielding his claymore.
“Entering attack mode,” Lynette took a deep breath to calm herself, her expression being more collected. The two began fighting side by side, protecting one another’s backs, slaying foe after foe as the assassins begun attacking. Freminet’s performance wasn’t pretty or the best, he still had an injured leg but he’s suffered from worse and continued on before.
As they fought, the noble had already ran off to who knows where. They were swarmed by assassin after assassin, wave after wave. Like a storm of raging thunder against metal.
“We need to get back to Lyney,” Freminet grunted out, swinging his claymore consistently.
His blood ran cold as he heard a scream from Lynette, he halted his movements to look toward her, an arrow had pierced her dominant shoulder. His eyes went wide, “Lynette!”
As she stammered back, Freminet caught her, they were quickly swarmed by the remaining assassins. Freminet took his claymore and attempted to fend off them all for the both of them, but his stamina was quickly running out.
Suddenly arrows started flying and hitting each assassin in the head. Freminet knew it was Lyney so he mustered up more energy to help take out the last two. Lyney came out from the shadows and joined them in the bloodbath that surrounded them, he rushed to Lynette to help her out, holding his hat and Rosselands corpse inside in one hand.
“We should retreat and kill the noble later,” Lyney spoke up, putting Freminet’s arm over his shoulder to help him walk.
“Did you already kill the enemy?” Lynette spoke up, clenching her arm as they began making their way to the door.
“Yeah, thanks to Freminet chopping his arm off it was easier.”
“I barely did anything… don’t thank me,” Freminet shook his head, the boy tended to have such a fragile self value.
“Nonsense!” Lyney rolled his eyes at his brother’s dismissive attitude, but they paused the second they got to the door, it was locked now. Another odd feeling came over them as they were stuck in deaths manor.
“Here I’ll pick the lock,” Freminet forced himself off Lyney’s shoulder and knelt to the door. Lynette’s ear twitched.
“Wait, Freminet! Get back!” Suddenly an explosion blew the doors open, knocking them back.
Freminet slowly opened his eyes, his ears ringing, his body aching. He looked behind him to see his siblings that were blown onto the staircase. Did they really fly that far? He blinked as he looked toward the door, a fiery blaze quickly spreading throughout the house. Almost too quick.
Freminet panicked, he tried to stand, his arm now broken, his leg still damaged. He rushed toward the stairs as the fire was catching up.
“Lyney! Lynette!” He shouted at his siblings to move, they were still trying to process what happened, they didn’t have time for this.
“Brother! Sister!” He shouted desperately once more as he attempted to use his cryo vision to delay the ever feasting fire, he wasn’t fast enough with his injured leg. The desperation in his voice made the twins finally snap to, their eyes widening in a fearful shock.
Lynette quickly ran over using her anemo vision to pull Freminet along, grabbing Lyney as well as they passed by him on the stairs, they had to keep running. The fire didn’t behave normally, an accelerant had to have been added to that explosion.
They eventually made their way to a random room, seemingly a study. They spotted a window, it opened out to the sea. Freminet didn’t bother to open it properly, swinging his claymore through it and letting it fall to the ocean.
Lyney and Lynette helped him get through the window when suddenly the nobleman appeared in the doorway.
“You will be burning in hell with me! You filthy Fatui!” He shouted, pulling out a musket and aiming for Freminet. Right as he pulled the trigger, Lyney jumped in front of Freminet, letting the bullet pierce his skull.
“Lyney!”
“Brother!”
Freminet and Lynette shouted in unison. Lyney fell limp to the floor.
The world titled.
Freminet recognized that now.
Freminet’s head was still reeling, he didn’t know how to process this. He wasn’t even thinking, he went to act, to kill the nobleman. But before he could, he was suddenly shoved out of the window and into the air, plummeting to the ocean. He couldn’t even hear what Lynette shouted.
As he fell, he saw Lynette preparing to jump out the window, holding onto Lyney’s corpse when she too got shot in the head, fumbling downward to hit the rocks at the bottom and land somewhere in the sea, Lyneys corpse and his hat following suit.
He heard the bell tower in town toll.
It was 2 A.M.
Freminet didn’t have much time to process before he himself hit the water and his consciousness began to fade.
He wished, more than anything, that he took the time to make those pancakes homemade.