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Feet felt light, carrying the actress of their own accord to the summit of Fontaine's highest, steepest mountain. It was said that wondrous, beautiful flowers grew on Mont Esus, and the breeze blowing through its clearings made it easier to breathe.
However, the area pleased the eye not so much with its plants and the views from the heights. What drew special attention were the greenery-covered white walls, reminiscent in appearance of a palace. Judging by its look, it had been erected long before the awakening of de Fontaine.
Despite the creeping fear, this time Furina decided not to stop halfway. There was nothing else here, and how much time had she spent getting to such a height!
Majestic statues in the form of dogs with wings, like griffins, silently urged her to pass through the slightly ajar door, barely hanging on its hinges.
Sunlight filtered through holes in the once even ceiling, illuminating almost the entire small corridor up to the door of one of the halls.
Furina squinted, trying to get a better look at the clutter piled up on both sides. A broken vase, other tableware darkened with time on one side; on the other: writing implements and several scattered books in identical bindings depicting the Lucine Fountain. Apparently, all literature used to be designed that way. Not that the nation had come far from its predecessors.
Books, especially from centuries past, lured de Fontaine more strongly. So, she sat down before the "treasures" on the cold tile, which sent a momentary pain and an unpleasant sensation through her knees, and blew on the cover of the first reading material. The amount of dust required her to do this several times, covering her face with a grayish film. Furina hurriedly wiped her cheeks and forehead with the tips of her fingers in a black glove, then proceeded to read.
"Collection of Plays by Fontaine Playwright Pierre Villiers." Her eyes lit up with interest. If the book hadn't been needed by anyone for so many centuries, she would take it without any permission. Furina decided not to delve into the texts right there, among the barely holding walls. It was better to save the find for a more familiar, homely atmosphere.
She proceeded to search further for interesting things. The history of Remuria, the history of Fontaine's landmarks... All history! Furina sighed with annoyance. She knew it all from cover to cover, every line was imprinted in her memory.
Her gaze shifted to a no less remarkable book lying apart from the main pile, with a cover the color of Varunada stone. Her hand reached for it without delay, and de Fontaine, barely grabbing it, rushed to the light to get a better look at the title.
In an ornate script on a tattered white label was written: "Personal Diary...". The name of the diary's owner was written smudged and crookedly, and only the first, carefully drawn letter "K" could be made out.
The first entries made were covered with the same flourishes that decorated most of the title.
Entry No. 1:
Woke up in a pond. Saw a big being... not like me. Said name Cliona. Cliona means "glory". Said it suits me. I'll believe her. Her name is Egeria and she created Cliona. Cliona appeared from a tear.
Will address her as Lady Egeria. Must remember, but... doubt my memory...
Entry No. 2:
The moon in the pond's reflection is beautiful. In the pond, it's smaller than the real moon. Looking at it, I gain new knowledge. But I also gain new things from the Lady. Knowledge can be obtained by looking at the moon and by listening to the Lady.
Entry No. 3:
Cliona learned many words! The Lady cannot write them all here, Cliona will keep them only in her own head.
The Lady said this is my personal book and that she will act as the writer of my words. Cliona dictates to her what needs to be written, and she writes everything. She said this is already the third entry. Cliona cannot read. If she could, she would gladly read what the Lady wrote before.
Entry No. 4:
Cliona learned to create bubbles, like Lady Egeria! The Lady says Cliona is learning to control power quickly and soon she will have no equal except the Lady. Cliona is very happy! She will keep learning.
... Learned to create little flying beings. They are about Cliona's size, but round, and they can fly too, like Cliona. The Lady called them birds, finches. Beautiful.
Entry No. 5:
Cliona learned about beings like Lady Egeria. They are called humans. They are all different, not like birds and other animals Cliona has met. Egeria calls them wonderful beings and told Cliona to learn more about humans and try to befriend them, because she has no one else to talk to besides the Lady. Cliona will try.
Entry No. 6:
This morning, Cliona saw a human up close! He is smaller than the others; they are called children. Egeria said Cliona is also a child because she is small. But Cliona is not human! Strange.
The human said his name is Aurelia. Humans also have names, like Cliona and Egeria!
She said we are friends now. Cliona does not know what "to be friends" means.
... Egeria said it's when humans and other beings trust each other, like me and her (Egeria). But we are not friends; we have a stronger bond. She is the creator, and Cliona is her creation. Many bonds, will need to learn more details later.
The human and I agreed to meet again later. I will wait.
Entry No. 7:
Lady Egeria was crying. She said it was because she feels sorry for the humans and the dragons. Also said that before, she cried from loneliness, but when Cliona appeared, Egeria stopped feeling alone. And also, when Cliona appears nearby, she feels a little happier.
Cliona is glad she could please the Lady! She will try to keep doing so!
Entry No. 8:
Cliona observes people from afar. She believes it's better that way. Today she hid behind a wall and occasionally peeked out. Cliona was surprised when the people started shouting! First one, then another. One person put a hand to their head and fell, and another caught them. Cliona wanted to help, but she couldn't leave her hiding place!
It turned out, it was... a "performance." That's what they called it. Or not exactly? This time Cliona didn't remember well... But they weren't really hurt! Cliona didn't understand the point, but Egeria told her that people like this, they rehearse a lot to make everything beautiful. Cliona would like to try, but "rehearsing a lot" sounds scary...
Entry No. 9:
Cliona loves swimming underwater! Today she ventured from her small pond into a very, very big sea! There are many creatures there that also swim. First, Cliona met a creature that also moves its fins when swimming, but it's flat and its tail is sharper than hers. Cliona wanted to play with it, but it sent a strong wave at her! Cliona didn't hurt it, so why did it do that to her?
But Cliona quickly cheered up when she saw creatures that spit water! They look very much like her, also small and their shape with tails resembles Cliona! These creatures played with Cliona and lifted her spirits!
Then Cliona swam further and saw a strange creature. A head without eyes or mouth and several limbs underneath. They push off and swim. Interesting and strange, and also scary for Cliona! She decided not to approach them.
Today I swam a lot in the water and told Egeria all about it. She said Cliona needs to be more careful, and that some creatures can harm others, but that's how they protect themselves. Even people can be like that! This is very important and Cliona needs to remember it quickly!
...The following entries have no numbers. It is unclear when they were made.
Entry No. ???:
The other day, I became too emotional listening to the stories of the Lochknights about their fate. I can't believe that humans can be worse than sea creatures! Why did Egeria give me the "task" of understanding humans if all they do is hurt each other? Is it really necessary for me to know so much about them?
Entry No. ???: I can't believe my long-held dream has come true! I never thought I would one day have a human body, have hands, and moreover, walk on two legs.
As soon as I gained a human form, I tried to stand on my own two feet, but almost immediately lost my balance and fell face forward. It's a wonder I didn't taste the sand with such a fall.
After several attempts, I finally stood up straight. Since I received my body before anyone else, Egeria ran over to help me. Who am I to refuse such help? Especially since I understand nothing about controlling an unfamiliar body. For some reason, I thought walking would be the simplest thing, watching other people.
After a few active, earnest attempts, I managed to keep my balance on my own and walk. I even tried running, but on sand, it's much harder, causing me to stumble and fall again. Later, I moved to a flatter surface and succeeded. I accumulated quite a few bruises that day...
Entry No. ???:
It's amazing that so many years have passed since I last actively wrote anything here, and the ink is still visible.
Today, I write with my own human hands. It's very crooked, not even comparable to Egeria's handwriting, but everyone started somewhere, right?
With each passing year, asking Egeria to record all my thoughts in this diary became impossible. I quickly mastered reading and writing and can make entries here on my own. If only there were enough paper.
I'll try to write a bit smaller, to be safe.
Entry No. ???: On the first day, I managed to study and try many things. Especially food! What a delight it is to eat all sorts of delicacies every day, and so many different ones!
I decided to start small and sampled fruits from the trees growing near the palace. Mostly they were Bulle Fruits, but there were also apples.
I will need to study in more detail what is called sour, sweet, and so on, but Egeria hinted to me that Bulle Fruits usually have a tartness, while apples can taste very different depending on the variety.
I'll go to the Lochknights and ask them to treat me to something. Or will that seem impudent to them?
Entry No. ???:
I don't want to believe it... and I don't want to think about it either.
Entry No. ???: "Original Sin," "A flood will come, and people will dissolve in its waters." Sin?
A curse upon an entire nation for merely desiring to become human, and Egeria fulfilled our dream? How foolish. Foolish and unjust!
...Towards evening, Egeria entered my room and called for a serious conversation. She looked completely unlike herself, didn't even raise her eyes to me, and behaved that way throughout the talk.
"Cliona, you are the wisest of all my familiars. You understand humans best; they evoke emotions in you that they never did in me. You are the best choice to succeed me as the Hydro Archon."
With each piece of news, I don't know how to react. An answer was needed here and now, but I remained silent. I don't want to take the burden of ruler upon myself. I only wanted to live peacefully as a human, why must all these complexities fall to me?! There are so many candidates around who understand humanity no worse than I do, or who can match my intellect!
Just as I was about to object, I felt a powerful surge of Hydro power somewhere inside. I recognized it. A Gnosis. I truly have no choice, do I?
Entry No. ???: The Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah has summoned all the Archons to deal with it. I know for sure that Rukkhadevata, Egeria's friend, rushed to protect Irminsul. Some headed straight to the center of the disaster, and Egeria herself went towards the desert. Apparently, things are bad there too and could harm Fontaine.
Entry No. ???: Egeria is dead. Many of my sisters are too. All the remaining ones have gone to the desert in search of the Lady. I don't think evidence of this news will make them happy...
Entry No. ???: I don't understand how a huge dragon-like beast got into Fontaine, but it only added another problem. Apparently, it was dealt with during the Cataclysm, which is good. However, all of Fontaine's waters have become too bitter and uninhabitable for both ordinary creatures and Oceanids. Had I remained an Oceanid, I wouldn't have survived.
Many of my sisters were afraid to tell me about the decision they'd reached, and some found a reason to be outraged that I am now the ruler of Fontaine. I can understand them. They trusted Egeria deeply, some even to the point of madness, and suddenly she perishes, and the one you least expected takes her place.
I found the strength to say goodbye to each of them and wish them luck. I have no doubt they will find a place to their liking.
I need to figure out how to prevent the prophecy. Fortunately, I can now feel perfectly fine even in the poisoned waters of the sea. It's quiet there, and no one will distract me.
I don't think I'll need this diary in the future. I'll have to leave it in the palace, or perhaps hide it somewhere else later.