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The roaring waves above her head, a few of small squeals from seals and corals all around her. In her life, she witnessed many moments considered miracles. Yet in the end, she still returned to where she came from; the waters of Fontaine. From any place on Teyvat, Fontaine’s roaring waves were her home. Her lullaby for lost days, the very miracle that gift her life. She herself still remembered her first day of life. She remembered her peeking out of her shell, to breathe air and be almost blinded by the world. To gaze around, only to see the curious eyes of the hydro dragon.
It all had a sense of purpose, sacredness and miracle. She could never figure it out, to her dismay. And besides her attempts at being the perfect dragon to Inazuma, she only knew one thing. She knew, that the sea brought her peace.
After all, it was her home. A place she grew up at. A place she cherished, she found safe.
She turned around, to a bunch of small nymphs playing hide and seek. Even they no longer attacked her. Elysia knew it was a lifetime change after all that’s transpired that day. In the end, no trial can leave an unchanged future. Especially for those put on trial, or a witness. But she didn’t mind. Being home was like a remedy to her. Fontaine to many, was a place of laws and justice. To her, it was a haven overlooked by the hydro dragon once more and forevermore.
She twirled around, to be met with the endless waters, plants and the silence briefly interrupted by the nymph siblings playing around. She let out a laugh.
After all… She and they were one and the same. She still belonged with them, even with her human form.
Elysia looked up to the surface. She had to return soon, so her father would not worry. Yet, she desired to stay. To stay at the place so familiar to her, a place that once gave birth to all her nymph friends. So she kept it this way. Only once, just this moment more. That was her only desire now. To stay this way.
Forever.
She reached out in between of the rays of wild fishes. A laugh escaped her lips when a nearby current swayed her away, the sea life flowing by. She gazed upwards, on the surface sky, that reflected itself in the water’s depths. Her eyes were sparkling and wide open. Like a playful little nymph, a race once born from the water and the tears of the hydro dragon. It was he, that protected every nymph in Fontaine. It was he, who helped nurture and find purpose in every nymph’s existence. Just like she is under his protection until today. In the end, her kin were meant to live near water and protect Fontaine’s nature.
She now was more, then a nymph. She was the electro dragon. A dragon presiding over Inazuma, the dragon of all that is transient. As such, she loved any day she could afford to be free of her duties. Never to fight, give orders or be a witness to new life be born. Or, balance the ties between humans and elemental beings. No stress, no nightmares and no pain. She no longer had to think about anything else, but the present moment. It was but a true definition of eternity, a stillness in the ever changing world she longed to have back home. A paradise full of life, movement and nature.
Perhaps, when she puts her mind to it, one day Inazuma will look the same. Or similar…
She gazed around and her hand touched one of her horns, a constant reminder of her new dragon form. In her past, she found them troublesome. But now, she cherished them. Like her father taught her to. she knew they were what made her unique. They fluttered up and down when she returned to swimming once more. It wasn’t noticeable, but she found it comforting.
She kept going, until a sigh left her mouth. She tilted her head down. She missed Ei by her side now. She missed all the bickering, teasing and joking. Before, she’d walk Teyvat in fear and ready to loose her when she returns. She felt the same for her father when she stepped foot in Fontaine. She pictured him to be gone. But now she knows. They will never disappear. Especially the one closest to her; Neuvillette. The hydro dragon. Her father. She lost him once and never she’d want it to repeat itself.
It would never repeat itself.
𖥸𖥸𖥸
She shook her head. The moment was not right to think of sad past. Elysia glanced before her, only to see ruins. Ruins scattered around and of the same architecture… Just like those only found at the places, where all past meets present. The ruins of a civilisation once united, never separated…
Ruins of unified nation.
The nation, protected by those that used to oversee everything from the moon.
She stopped dead in her tracks, a breath stuck in her lungs. Had she been aware of these ruins, she’d return back to her father. Yet here she was now, alone before abandoned ruins. It’s architecture was both stunning and haunting. Why were they here? She twirled around, perhaps to see another living soul. But nobody else was there.
All she could hear was a squeaky noise arriving from distance and droplets of rain falling onto the sea. She exhaled. Her ears pointed straight and her horns seemed to flutter far more, then before. To her senses, the place of origin was clear. Astrea expected them to be those of happiness. But the longer she heard them, the more heartbreaking they felt. In the end, it stopped and she found herself shivering. ,,But..” She outstretched her hand, Then made a first step.
Then a second step.
And third.
Until she heard the squeals once more. She backed away, her eyes dilated. ,,How? Why?” Elysia didn’t know what to do. In her past, she’d dismissed everything she felt. The single tingling of being a human. Her origins. Even the smallest of hints of being a nymph; an Oceanid. A third squeal echoed from far beyond. She gazed above her. The sea surface didn’t change in colour, yet to her it was not a bother. But a worry. The rain signalled her father’s grievance. She knew he was looking for her. Then, she remembered what her father told her.
The only biggest enemy of yours is your fear of losing. If you surrender and let it consume you, you’ll never be the same again. Never let your fears lead you astray.
She gazed back on the surface once more, then back to the ruins. She let out a deep breath and moved towards the ruins. She would face her fears today. If an otter was in danger, she’d save it.
𖥸𖥸𖥸
She came to a slow pace and hugged her chest. The melancholy seeped through the walls, through the torn pages and broken furniture. Only now, did she release how much destruction the first fight had caused. Damp air replaced the fresh air of the sea, a smell of old days past everywhere. Even the the temperature of the water dropped to be night cold. She turned around, her surroundings nostalgic and sorrowful. Amongst the darkness there was almost no sign of life.
Except the squeals from a wall across from her.
Her gaze fell on a murky crate. It was half broken, yet enough to hide an abandoned otter cub. She approached it, her ears lowered. ,,Where’s your mom?” Her hand was shaky, yet she outstretched it towards the cub. It flinched away and she retraced it back to her chest. It’s paw was injured and some blood visible. To Elysia’s wonder, it was clumsy, but could still swim. ,,Shh, you’re going to be alright, I can help you!” Her voice was quiet and she attempted to touch the otter over again. Only then, when it let out a squeak so loud she had to cover her ears, did she begin to rethink her decisions.
Perhaps her voice was too quiet. Or perhaps she was too fast. She didn’t know. She gazed back up, but the crate was empty. She called to the otter, but no sound came. She turned around. Only then, did she spot the otter. Right besides the entrance to the room. She outstretched her hand, but it was too late. Before she could follow, the doors fell in on her. ,,Wait-!”
𖥸𖥸𖥸
She tapped her hand against the wall. She only knew this darkness from her distant past. One, she swore to let go of. But here she was, pacing in a dark room.
Just like before.
Her eyes darted across the room, but nobody there. She closed her eyes, only to be met with more darkness. Her knees felt weak and she fell to the floor. She let out a breath. How long had she been here? Her racing heart wouldn’t come to halt. Hour? She began to fidget with her left horn, a habit she developed to calm down. Or maybe two? She let out a sniff and hugged her knees. Would she be stuck here forever now? What if no one noticed? She shook her head. Someone had to notice, right?
She turned to apathy and her horn felt almost hurtful by the time she heard a sound. ,,Who is it?” She glanced up at the doors. Only to be met with silence once more. Elysia wiped a strand of her hair away from her face. Her hair was messy and knotted. It was no longer kept in a braid, but instead floated everywhere around. She jumped up when the doors moved. She stared at them, until half of them fell out. She backed away into nearby corner and let out a scream. ,,Who are you?!”
,,Elysia. Forgive me..” Her eyes widened. She knew the one who stood before her. ,,Father!” She leaped into the dragon’s embrace. His eyes were filled with worry and confusion. He started not at her face, but her hair. ,,It’s alright, my dear. You’re not staying here for long.”
She gazed up at Neuvillette, who’s lips were forming into a smile. ,,I’m here now. So don’t be afraid, I’ll lead you both out.” Behind him, the otter she met before emerged. It’s eyes were curious and it wasn’t too scared now. She outstretched her free hand towards it. The otter brushed against her palms and let out a content squeak. Elysia giggled. ,,Father, where did you find it?”
Neuvillette blinked. ,,Perhaps it’s best to say, that instead of me finding it, it found me.” He pet the otter, who brushed against his gloves in return. It’s eyes were dull and half-closed.
Perhaps of exhaustion. Or being injured for a long period of time.
She lowered her head and put her hands on her belly. ,,It… it was injured, I tried to help, I truly did! It wouldn’t let me though..” She blinked once, then again. Her chin quivered. ,,I’m aware.. but Elysia.” Neuvillette pressed his hand on Elysia’s shoulder. ,,You don’t have to feel sorry about something out of your control.” His voice was calm, but she knew Neuvillette could feel her pain. ,,But-!” She gazed up, her eyes wide and red. Neuvillette shook his head. ,,You couldn’t know it’d end up this way. Nor could you guess the otter would run away.” He then brushed a bunch of dust away from her horns. Elysia glanced to his hand and her lips formed into a smile. Until he touched the tip of her left horn. She hissed. His hand stopped and a frown left his lips. ,,What happened? Did you get injured?”
,,No, I-! It’s not like that!” Elysia’s eyes widened and her stare evaded her father’s eyes. Was her father disappointed now? What if he was? ,,I… may have fidgeted with the horns too much-“ She tapped her palms on her other horn. ,,Maybe it’s scratched or something-! I don’t know, please don’t be disappointed!” Her ears were red and she felt sweat on her shirt. ,,Alright. I will provide you with necessary help when we’re home.” Neuvillette shook his head and moved her hand from the horn to her side. She smiled and looked up to Neuvillette with question. ,,But- we can’t leave it here, can we? What if someone hurts it more?”
Neuvillette laughed. ,,I know a perfect place for our dear little friend in that case. Care to follow me?” He outstretched his hand for her to follow, his smile never fading. Elysia didn’t say anything. Only a nod was all she needed.
𖥸𖥸𖥸
A melusine village underwater. Elysia never saw anything as mesmerising as the sight before her. She couldn’t help, but wonder; were there more melusine homes like these? She longed to meet a melusine outside of Court of Fontaine. In the city, she knew them as brave, sometimes insecure, sweet creatures. Her dad personally made sure she was aware and saw them as a family. Would they be the same here? ,,Did you always know of this place, father?” Elysia stopped in her tracks. She turned to the dragon. ,,Not always. I only released this place existed… earlier in my life.” Neuvillette’s eyes closed and a pondering smile appeared on his lips. ,,Back then, I only just took on the job of the chief justice. But it last many years, before Fontaine accepted me as the true chief justice.”
,,But- wasn’t you always a leader to Fontaine? Why only a chief justice now?” She let out a sigh. ,,I guess it’s obvious a new person would come to lead Fontaine. After all, the archons are more valuable in human’s eyes, then a dragon would.. perhaps…” Elysia closed her eyes. She touched her ears. They were pointing down, like every time she was sad. ,,I don’t even remember how long it’s been…” She turned her back to her father. Her origins were in Fontaine, but she missed almost all of Fontaine’s history. Maybe things would be different had she stayed in Fontaine. Maybe she’d understand the meaning of hydro archon. ,,Perhaps too long since I last saw my homeworld.. too long since I escaped that haunting darkness..” She tilted her head down, to the corals and wildlife of the sea. She used to roam all of Fontaine once, as a small water nymph. Now, all of the underwater has changed. She was home, yet she felt like an unknown visitor many moments.
Elysia felt a hand press on her shoulder. She jumped up and turned around. ,,Huh? I-” She stammered. ,,Sorry! I didn’t want to bring you down-” She connected her hands on her belly. Her father only furrowed his eyebrows. ,,Don’t be afraid. It’s not your fault. Pardon me for being the cause of your sadness now.” He gazed down. A barely visible droplet on his cheek. A tear, Elysia assumed. She felt pity for those, who’s day were changed by the rain. ,,But.. it’s alright! It’s not your fault..” She gazed up, to her father. His horns were caressed by the water, only some hair wrapped around them. ,,It’s no one’s. I bet none of us would ever predict things turning out like they did.” She let out a breath.
,,You’re right.”
Her father’s lips formed into a soft smile.
,,Because home isn’t a place. It’s when your heart feels at peace. An abandoned place can be as much of a home, as a lively residence when someone dear is close by.” Neuvillette wrapped his hands around Elysia. It was warm. Welcoming and safe. Like she remembered it to feel like. She let out a laugh. ,,I guess that’s true, huh? Isn’t life always like this, though? After all, none shall change a fate that’s not finished yet.”
He nodded. ,,A person can either be a helper. Or, a leader. But in the end, neither matters more. A helper is just as important as a leader.” They both went silent. It’s only been them, the corals and melusine’s homes. Her head fell on Neuvillette’s shoulder and her eyes felt weary. She gazed up and for a brief moment, she could see the otter nudging into a Melusine’s shoulder. She laughed, then shooed it back to it’s resting spot.
,,Thanks, dad.” She uttered, before her eyes closed once more. She’d forever treasure every moment she’d get between her and her father only.