Chapter Text
───▽───
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦,
𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘺.
𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥.
𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺,
𝘓𝘦𝘵'𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺…
───▽───
“Should I just give up? This is all... Meaningless...”
The Hydro-Archon spoke out loud to herself, standing before a pool of Primordial Sea Water that had leaked from underground and flooded the settlement.
“What was meant to happen did happen after all. Everyone's dead...”
The settlement was in the lower levels of Poisson, near the headquarters of the Spina dji Rosula. The area is a somber, misty ruin following a sudden flood...
“I'm sorry , I'm so-sorry...”
She was weeping due to a feeling of absolute helplessness. For 500 years, she played the role of an all-powerful god to keep hope alive, but standing in Poisson, she realized she had no power to bring back the dead or stop the water from rising. Her tears were for the people she couldn't save and the crushing weight of her failing “performance”...
“Give up, Furina. There's no point in holding out...”
She could never tell anyone the truth, not even her closest companion, Neuvillette. She felt completely alone in her grief.
“I'm sorry... ”
She had to "perform" even while her heart was breaking, making her feel like a "clown" on a stage with no escape.
“... But what can I even do , other than to repeat meaningless apologies over and over...”
Furina was at her absolute limit. She was "utterly exhausted" and longed for the "performance" to finally end, even if she didn't know how the curtain call would come...
Closing her heterochromatic eyes, she took a deep breath, her fingers curled weakly at her sides.
“I'm sorry...”
With her final apology, a single teardrop connected with the water, and she…
───▽───
It felt just like a dream.
A dream that you wouldn't want to wake up from…
She was experiencing the sensation of falling into the deepest depths of the sea.
‘So this is how it feels to be dissolved’ she thought.
As she was falling deeper, she opened her eyes slowly to see a figure approaching. She felt unable to breathe as the figure came closer to her.
The figure was emitting purple and pink energy, forming a silhouette. He had curved wings behind, white hair swaying gently in the water, those purple eyes looking directly at her soul.
She was lost in those glowing eyes, then the figure slowly raised his hand.
He brought it gently towards her face, his movements deliberately calm, as if afraid to startle her. His hand hovered near her cheek before its thumb softly brushed across her skin, wiping away a tear she hadn’t even realized had fallen.
Despite the cold depths surrounding them, the touch was gentle, warm and strangely comforting…
Furina closed her eyes, losing herself as the figure embraced her.
A strange sense of relief washed over her entire body. It was strange, quiet and calm, as if all of her suffering had disappeared…
It was as if time had lost its all meaning, she didn't know how much time had passed, but when she opened her eyes again, she found herself standing on a table, multiple curious and annoyed gazes looking at her.
She was surprised and confused at the same time.
Wasn't she supposed to dissolve just like the others? She jumped into the water… didn't she? She felt water touching her skin… and who was that person? Why aren't her clothes wet? What happened? Where is she?
‘So I can't be free yet… huh?‘
She suddenly found herself standing on top of a long stone table, a large hall stretched around her, tall pillars rose up on both sides, and the ceiling was so high it faded into shadows, above hanging candelabras cast an eerie glow over the room.
The occupants of the room glanced at each other with confused gazes, but Furina couldn't afford to be stiff like a doll.
After all…
‘Assertive, with a strong sense of presence, the one who can dispel all doubt.‘
That was the character she was fated to play...
Her chin raised slightly, Furina took slow deliberate steps on the stone table, as if she was on the stage.
“Why are you all just sitting there with your mouth gaping? Ah, you must be stunned and at a loss for words... Understandable, it is I after all...the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, Focalors. The God of Justice, otherwise known as Furina de Fontaine who is loved and adored by many… Now tell me..What act is this? Where are we?”
As always, her voice was laced with arrogance and a hint of mockery, even though she didn't know where she was or what was happening.
There was an awkward silence in the room.
A slender girl with platinum hair, wearing a simple piece of white fabric stood at the end of the table. Her blue eyes filled with confusion as she couldn't understand how or why anyone would ever teleport here…
Next to her sat an unremarkable average looking pale man with white hair and golden eyes, dressed in long white overcoat with gold trimmed cuffs and golden buttons, as she locked eyes with him, the man analyzed her face for a bit before smiling creepily.
Furina quickly looked away from him, to see a short boy with long, dark brown hair, emerald green eyes, and sharp, fanged teeth, sitting on the opposite throne,
wearing a tight, dirty purple striped bodysuit, he was analyzing her with narrowed eyes.
Next to him sat a similar looking boy with the same features, wearing tattered emerald-green clothes, what freaked Furina out, he was staring at her just like she stares at the ‘Pour La Justice’.
Opposite to the boy sat a woman covered head-to-toe in white bandages. She wore a long, loose black coat and a steel choker resembling some kind of insignia. Her head was down,she sat still without even flinching as if she didn't hear a single thing.
Next to her sat a young girl with short blonde hair, red eyes, and a revealing outfit bikini top, hot pants, and leggings. She stared at her with full fury and disgust on her face, eyebrows twitching.
Finally turning around she saw a boy, he had a dark hair, and was wearing black and crimson robes with extra orange accents, but it somewhat resembled modern outfit as well, though what caught her attention was his eyes, those black eyes of his were like the darkness at the depth of ocean that she remembered well, without breaking the eye contact, boy muttered something under his breath, but she couldn't hear it.
Furina finally broke eye contact as a furious voice broke the silence.
“Unbelievable,every single time. Without fail. I attend a meeting,a simple meeting, mind you expecting the bare minimum of order, and somehow it turns into this… this spectacle.”
Regulus’s golden eyes fixed on Furina, expression tightening.
“And now, without warning, without permission, without even the most basic courtesy of introduction beforehand, you appear on the table, no less, and begin delivering a monologue as if we’re all obligated to sit here and applaud…”
He gestured vaguely around the room, preparing to continue his long rant, but Capella dramatically sighed and leaned back on her throne interrupting him before he could continue.
“Ugh… honestly, just listening to your voice is enough to make my head ache, meatbag. You’re such an unpleasant little thing… but, hmm, perhaps I’ll entertain myself by toying with that meat-scrap for a while instead. Much more… interesting, don’t you think?”
Her face twisted into an expression of disdainful amusement as she looked at Furina.
“How dare you?... ”
Regulus's face went bright red with anger, he opened his mouth just to be interrupted once again.
“Adults… always picking fights, always making noise, never anything enjoyable~tsu. We only wish to eat, and yet the arrogant ones, ah, they linger, they spoil the flavour, they leave a bad taste in our mouth~tsu.”
Lye propped his elbow on the table and rested his cheek against his knuckles, his head tilted lazily.
Roy still hadn't taken his eyes off from Furina ever since, licking his lips he finally spoke, turning to his brother.
“She doesn’t seem all that delicious! Not even a little!…But we’re still starving, brother. Like, actually starving…”
Sighing 『Gourmet』closed his eyes,shaking his head,he spoke.
“Brother, you must stop eating anything that moves, you even ate a beggar yesterday… our little sister threw up from how bad that was,now, we don't want to say you weren't hungry, brother you certainly were, you were hungry, surely hungry…but surely you can do better than that~tsu”
Lye opened his eyes just to see Roy still staring at Furina without flinching or even registering any of the words he said.
Lye's eyebrows twitched
“Brother… ”
Regulus shot Roy a look of disdain.
“Unbelievable, how can anyone be that greedy? For example I as the most satisfied existence would ne… ”
Capella slammed her hand to the table and shouted.
“Shut it already, Meatbag I've had enough of your ra… ”
But both of them shut their mouths as a polite, calm voice echoed in the room.
“Please… let us properly welcome our guest . There is truly no need for disagreement between each other at this moment. Everything can proceed as it ought, in due time.”
Pandora spoke, her face calm as always, the archbishops regained their composure and leaned back to their seats, a clear look of dissatisfaction on their faces.
Turning to Furina she gently smiled
“Lady Furina…Was it? ”
───▽───
Everything was so confusing for Furina, even after hearing her introduction they didn't seem to react to it, or rather it was as if they didn't even know who she was.
Who wouldn't know the name of an Archon in Teyvat ?
White haired creepy guys' rants were also so confusing, even the little girl’s words about playing with her also deeply unsettled her for whatever reason.
And the short boy's comments about being hungry was also strange and from the way he was looking at her alone, she could say he wasn't joking, Furina wasn't a fighter, it was always Clorinde or Neuvilette who took care of that kind of stuff, still she doubted that kid could actually be of any threat.
And all of them were treating her just as a decoration rather than an actual person, it was clear they didn't even want to hear her speak and didn't even cared about her being here, arguing with each other seemed to be more important for them rather than hearing her out or answering her questions.
Then the platinum haired girl asked a question after welcoming her.
“Lady Furina… Was it?”
At this point, she didn’t have the courage to act arrogant or keep her flamboyant attitude, but somehow she steadied herself and cleared her throat to gain the attention of the room.
“Yes, I'm Furina the God of Justice, surely you have heard of me before?, and pray tell… what grand stage have we now found ourselves upon?”
Looking around slowly, her chin slightly raised, one hand near the chest, the other gesturing outward like presenting a scene, just like that Furina de Fontaine started her new act.
Archbishops stared at her with curious and disinterested gazes, Furina started to sweat from their judging eyes.
Pandora's face remained calm, after a moment of uncomfortable silence, she spoke.
“The God of Justice, you say…? My, how curious. I do not recall ever hearing your name before, Furina-san.
As for our present whereabouts… I’m afraid I cannot give you a precise answer. However, you may rest assured we are within the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica.”
How can anyone don't know about her?
She is one of the seven gods of Teyvat, even someone who lives in Snejnaya or Liyue would have heard of her at least once in their lifetime.
And the Dragon kingdom Lugunica?
She has never heard of such a place…
After another awkward moment, the silence was broken by Furina's laughter.
“Fufu~ …ahahaha! You surely… jest...”
Eyebrows raised, she brought hand to cover her smirk.
“You can’t possibly expect me to believe that, you surely have heard about the god of justice Focalor at least once in your life, and what kind of village is this ‘Lugunica’? Are we close to Fontaine? .”
Loosely crossing her arms, she finished her question, that fake smirk still playing on her lips.
Pandora's smile disappeared and her face went to a neutral state.
“I do not believe myself to be wise enough to answer your questions… So if you would be so kind, please excuse me.
However… it may be more appropriate to direct your inquiries to the Archbishops present here. I am certain they will provide you with the answers you seek… in their own way.”
Archbishops? The priests of a religion? It sounded strange and somewhat funny to her.
She averted her gaze from Pandora glancing at the supposedly archbishops.
“But… ”
But as she looked back the girl was already gone .
“Finally~tsu…Leaper”
『Bizarre Eating』vanished into thin air, reappearing in front of Furina, but before contact could be made in one fluid motion a man intercepted, an arm wrapping securely around her waist as he pulled her out of harm’s reach, they softly landed little far from the stone table, Furina found herself held in a bridal style by the white haired man.
Roy landed not far away from them, his face red with anger, his eyes still locked on Furina, slightly hunching forward he took out a witch cult's daggers and finally looked up at Regulus.
“What are you doing? Why? Why? Why? We had that, we picked it, we were already there, already reaching for it…”
Regulus gave off an easy going smile.
“Isn’t it a matter of course that I would save a woman who I intend to take as my bride?”
Roy's hunger frustrated breathing became even, raising an eyebrow ‘huh’ was all the warlock could mutter.
“As promised, I will take her as my seventy-ninth wife”
───▽───
Everything was happening to fast for Furina to keep up with, first there was a girl, she disappeared into thin air as she looked away for a second and then a boy attacked him with such speed she was only able to see the attack just before it could reach her, and the creepy man saved her, of course she was grateful for it but wait Bride? Seventy-ninth wife? SEVENTY-NINTH?
Is he some kind of a womanizer? Promised? When did that happen?
Even if she forgot all that, relationships between gods and mortals are prohibited by Celectia.
Last time that happened an entire civilization got wiped out…
Furina didn't have any interest in a relationship at all, and she wasn't great at maintaining one either. Besides anyone who ever worked with her probably couldn't wait to get rid of her.
“Excuse me, I'm grateful that you saved me but we don't even know each other. What kind of promise are you talking about? I never agreed to anything! ”
Furina tried to get out of the man's hands but to no avail as the white haired man didn't even seem to be having any problems with keeping her forcibly there.
Listening, Regulus frowned and looked down at her .
“Introducing oneself is the most important thing to do at the start of a relationship. No matter what kind of relationship, isn’t it necessary to start with an acquaintanceship where we both know each other? Right? As you already introduced yourself, I must introduce myself as well, otherwise it'd be a violation of your rights, I am a Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult, representing Greed, Regulus Corneas.”
Furina helplessly watched as Regulus gave her another creepy smile, after finishing his long rant.
Witch...Cult?
She didn't know what it was but if it's some kind of cult that worships a witch then she could understand why they didn't know about her. Long ago she had heard about a cult that kidnaps and brainwashes children from a young age, but she thought it was just a myth and all the investigations about it were unsuccessful as well.
The Archbishop had completely ignored both of her questions and had only introduced himself, she opened her mouth to complain but closed it as Regulus spoke after quietly analyzing her face.
“It’s been decided. It’s destiny, After all, I made a promise in my dreams, I will take you as my seventy-ninth wife! ”
Furina was choked speechless with confusion.
‘Promise…in his dreams?‘
This guy… he is actually insane, Furina trembled on the man's hands, because his eyes had absolute conviction as if he actually believed everything he said to be true, Furina snapped her head towards the theatrical laughter.
“Kahahahaha, Ah, what a headache. It seems that I couldn’t help but get excited, how impolite of me.”
Capella strode forward, with exaggerated self importance, grinning, she stopped a few feet away from Roy, facing them.
“This lovely lady simply must know, out of all the worthless meatbags crawling around, why did you pick that one as your wife?”
Hands on her hips, weight shifted to one leg, her head tilted Capella asked with a mocking smile.
Regulus, raising an eyebrow, glared at her.
“Are you worried about me? If that’s the case, thank you. However, there is no problem. Fate is inevitable… In particular, either love or friendship, that cannot be established alone. If fate told me that she would be my bride, then I am fated to be her groom, and this is all something that’s already been decided, She and I are connected. That’s fate, you know. I feel generally satisfied with myself, and I don’t want anything at all. And although I don’t particularly desire anything, I’m not so narrow minded that I wouldn’t accept what’s given to me. Especially what fate’s given to me. Although most people do not expect this, I wish to protect my world, which is within my reach, at all costs. That would be myself and the people who are important to me.”
Capella listened to Regulus's long rant, but by the middle of it her face became red with anger, before returning to its usual mocking state by the end of it. As Regulus finished Capella started to change forms into different people, specifically Regulus's wives.
“Don't give me that crap,meatbag. Don’t you want to stroke her hair? Don’t you want to brush her lips? Don’t you want to hold her body? Those cheap thoughts are always justified with beautiful words, with love as an excuse! Love is beautiful, isn’t that just a self-righteous justification? Aren’t you using beautiful words to cover up your desires?!
Admit your Lust directly! Don’t try to hide it behind love! Or are you refusing to say it? Refuting what’s already been determined… Say it! I love her! I love her because of her own nature! Her nobility, her gentleness, her compassion, her temperance, her eyes that reflect the sky, her way of life that makes her… ”
“Her face.”
Regulus interrupted, finishing the sentence for her.
“HUH? ”
That was all the embodiment of lust could mutter out loud, it was loud enough to be heard by everyone present in the meeting hall.
Regulus tilting his head told his opinion.
“A cute face. That’s all love is about, right? ”
“Kahahahahahahahhahahahahahha”
Capella threw her head back, mocking laugh tearing from her throat. She doubled over slightly, one hand pressed to her stomach she laughed continuously. After a ten second of continuous laughing, she straightened, her grin showing teeth, her eyes gleaming with wicked delight. She tried to speak but started to laugh again.
Regulus's face became red with anger, he released Furina without warning, dropped her to the ground as he stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Capella. Furina scrambled back, her breath hitched as she instinctively looked around for an exit but for a fact she knew she was trapped here.
“I say, how many times do I need to tell you the same thing?.”
Capella finally stopped laughing, wiping imaginary tears from her eyes, her grin stretched wider.
“Sorry meatbag it's just… so funny”
Regulus crossing his arms, gave her a not amused look.
“What's so funny about it? ”
Capella’s eyes flicked between him and Furina, who now backed herself against one of the stone pillars. The girl’s shoulders trembled, her mismatching eyes widening in fear. Capella’s smile darkened.
Regulus sighed, how much more was she gonna violate his rights?
“Aren't you ashamed of yourself?” Regulus snapped “You are violating my rights… ”
“Roy!
Capella signaled to the archbishop next to herself, understanding what she meant Roy smirked.
“Leaper”
Before Regulus could react, Roy vanished, then reappeared in front of Furina, her eyes widened as she was picked up by the 『Bizarre Eating』, seeing that, Regulus's face twitched with anger and lunged towards them , but before he could secure his bride, Roy, using ‘Leaper’ once again disappeared from his sight.
Regulus now stood next to one of the pillars, his hand grasping empty air, his whole body fuming with anger, he turned to see Roy reappearing at a distance, licking his hand with a grin.
“Fu… ”
But before he could Capella picked him and Furina up with her tentacles, Furina tried to scream but her mouth was closed by another tentacle, sighing, Capella brought Roy closer to herself.
“Now,now…this lovely lady didn't allow you to eat her, did she? Meatbag? ”
Roy gulped down and dropped his daggers, they clattered to the ground as he spoke, his body trembling.
“We are sorry, sorry, truly sorry, we mean it, we do, we truly do, forgive us, mama…”
Regulus's veins bulge at his temple as his whole body violently vibrates from anger.
“How dare You!? How dare any of you lay your filthy hands on what belongs to me!”
His voice cracks with outrage, spit flying as he jabs a finger toward Capella, then Roy.
"She is my bride, my right, my property, my choice! You will return her this instant, What if my bride had been injured? Don’t you think that’s, it’s a matter of course that girls should be treated gently, and that it’s not something that needs to be taught? Don’t you even understand this? ”
He finished and started walking towards the trio as Furina tried to get out of Capella's tentacles, her muffled cries grew more desperate, her body twisting uselessly in Capella’s grip. Her vision blurred with tears.
One of Capella’s tentacles sharpened, forming a blade. Slowly she pressed it against Furina’s throat, forcing Regulus to halt.
Regulus's eyebrows twitched.
Capella's eyes filled with joy, she clapped with both her hands playfully.
“Do you love her meatbag? ”
She asked pointing at Furina, she moved her from one place to another like a toy.
Without any second thoughts Regulus spoke.
“I do, I love her and I will protect her. I’ll welcome her as my bride and love her as she’ll love me, and together we’ll enjoy a peaceful life. Therefore, for the sake of that, I won’t refrain from exerting the power that I’ve been given.”
Regulus squatted down and took a pinch of sand to his hand, clenching it with narrowed eyes.
As he stood up, Capella's eyes narrowed as well, then her smile turned into something darker.
“Is that so? Cute face you said, right? ”
Furina shook her head frantically, her muffled cries breaking into panicked whimpers as the tentacle over her mouth tightened. Her body trembled, every muscle straining in a futile attempt to escape.
“Maybe it’s just I can’t help but create disgusting creatures~?”
A strange warmth spread under Furina's skin, as if something inside her was being forcefully changed, her eyes widened.
Her muffled screams grew frantic. Her body jerked violently, but the tentacles held her in place without effort.
From this point she couldn't make any sense of herself, she lost sense of time, she didn't know what was happening, she could only hear.
“Human beings are creatures that can’t live without loving or being loved. But when their loved ones have become such creatures, no matter how much they want to, they just can’t bring themselves to love them. In that case, they redirect their love to others. No matter how reluctant they are, they just can’t love anything dirty.”
In place of Furina now stood just a trembling, uneven mass of flesh, barely holding together, quivering with faint movement.
───▽───
Capella turned towards Regulus unimaginable delight present in her crimson eyes.
“Do you love her now, meatbag? ”
Unclenching his hands Regulus dropped the sand, walking closer his face first turned into one of shock, then pure disgust, before going back to its neutral state, he shook his head.
“No, no. I do not love her. I respect myself! Loving her would be a violation of my rights, disrespect to my own being! No, no, no!”
Capella let out a satisfied sigh, leaning on one of the pillars she crossed her hands, pointing at the uneven mass of flesh she spoke.
“No matter who, everyone feels disgusted with that ugliness. And those scummy pieces of meat have become dreadful pieces of shit, looking beyond horrible. It’s a matter of course that no one would love them. That’s also natural "
───▽───
Furina couldn't understand, couldn't believe what was happening.
She couldn't feel her body or her limbs, she was in unbearable pain, she had no mouth but she wanted to scream.
She wanted to scream not because of the pain, but because of the failure she was, she had given up on the Fontaine and it's people, she had decided to die...
But no!
Death would be a gift to her, a reward perhaps, maybe, maybe this is better, maybe this is what she deserves, maybe this is Gods punishing Furina for her failure…
She couldn't make sense of what the archbishops before her were speaking, then she heard footsteps.
The boy that she saw walked past the archbishops, they said something but she couldn't understand again.
The boy crouched in front of her, his face unreadable, when he spoke, his voice was low, somehow shaken.
“It truly takes an effort not to sigh… ”
The boy sighed.
“I never imagined that someone else could be more unluckier than I am”
The boy brought hand to her uneven flesh of a form, he wiped the tear from her somewhat resembling eye.
“Still, you were able to entertain me for a bit, so I wil save you! ”
With that, a small smile touched the boy's lips as he rose to his feet, Furina wanted to tell him to stay, she didn't want to be alone, not now… the boy turned around and his body gave out even before taking a single step.
For a moment, Furina didn’t understand what was happening, until dark blood spilled from his mouth, staining the ground beneath him.
And then, everything went dark…
───▽───
A/N: well, who might be that person Furina saw in the abyss? Btw archbishop dialogue was inspired by arc5... Subaru was too busy talking with someone else to interfere here... But next chapter starts from his Pov so you will see why he did nothing the entire time. + I really need someone who knows a lot about genshin lore and can beta read the next chapters as I have them already ready... So join this discord server, you can find me and many other authors here...
(Yeah, I know truly original server name, you prolly all know what inspired it 🥀, anyway join! Anyone is welcome to join! It's new server so please be our guest! )