Chapter Text
"Ha… Haha…" The small crackles of laughter rang out at the Inazuman ports, wood creaking as a certain Harbinger steps towards the dedicated boat for the Fatui. Scaramouche, holding the Electro Gnosis proud in his hands, couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
It was a dream come true. He couldn't stop staring at it, his eyes wide with pure admiration. A rare moment of where he let his emotions loose. "Finally…" He let out a ragged breath, hands shaking. He didn't waste any moment, he stepped onto the boat, his steps heavy. He could feel eyes staring at him, his subordinates. His and La Signora's.
It was a shame she wasn't coming back.
The Balladeer didn't waste any time, he shot a harsh glare, scowling out a command. "What are you waiting for?! Go!" He slams his hand against a wooden beam, eyes narrowed as he watches the pathetic humans run around.
"My lord— What about La Signora?!" A subordinate calls back, glancing around as if expecting the Eighth to arrive. How pathetic. Did they really think she would come back? Her arrogance was her demise.
"Oh, who cares? She's not coming. As your superior, as her superior, I demand you to set sail at once! Make a stop at Sumeru!" Scaramouche calls out, pointing out.
"Why Sumeru? Doesn't Her Majesty want the Gnosis back in Snezhnaya?…" A smaller voice says, maybe not intended for Scaramouche to hear, but he certainly did and he let out a hiss in response:
"Do you dare question me? Just do it!" Scaramouche turned on his heel quickly, with a small huff, he went to go in a private room.
"Yes, sir!"
Sumeru was a beautiful region, Scaramouche couldn't deny that. The sun shined brightly, the forest was perfect to hide in, maybe lay down on a tree and sleep for endless hours, even if the annoyance of birds made it a little unbearable at times. But they often left him alone, usually staring or landing on him, but they never made a noise.
The desert seemed like an annoyance, though. While filled with ancient history, the sand has to get old eventually, right? If he was still newly built or maybe recently fixed, he could imagine sand getting stuck in his joints… Ugh, the mere thought of it made him shudder.
Right now, he was approaching the Sanctuary of Surasthana. Walking inside, he was met with a familiar face. He let out a small sigh, approaching the figure.
Dottore, also known as The Doctor, just turned his head slightly to the side, an eerie smile making its way onto his mouth. "About time you arrived, I was starting to think the ship sunk. The affairs in Inazuma were settled. You'd almost think you've done it before, breaking the nation apart… Ah, wait. How foolish, you have." His voice was sly, a clear taunt.
Scaramouche didn't say a word, he just rolled his eyes. "I got the Gnosis. Who cares about the damage? It's not my problem any more. With the Gnosis, I'm about to become better than that entire nation, than that woman… Better than anyone." He mumbles, firm yet so melancholic. He takes the Gnosis out of his pocket, holding it as if it was a delicate flower. How could he ever let any harm come to what will become part of him.
He's been waiting for this moment for his whole life. Hundreds of years of torment will come to an end. When he ascends to Godhood, he'll no longer have to worry about pointless emotions, the pain will disappear, and he'll become almighty and all-knowing.
"Ah, the Gnosis." Dottore calmly reached his hand out, not even giving a glance to the smaller man next to him. "Perfect, so you can follow orders—"
"NO!" Scaramouche snaps, his harsh tone cutting off Dottore's sentence. He had slapped Dottore's hand away with a harsh smack, the noise echoing throughout the room. "Don't you dare touch it! Keep your greedy, filthy hands off it! I got it, it's mine! Do you understand me?!" He just takes a few steps back, holding his Gnosis close to his chest, letting out raspy breaths.
The room was silent. Dottore just turned his head, and even though it was impossible to see his expression, Scaramouche could feel the dark, cold glare burning into his core... The room suddenly felt freezing cold, colder than any harsh Snezhnayan winter.
"Now, now… Is that any way to speak to me, Scaramouche?" The Doctor's voice whispered throughout the hall. "Don't forget who made you all powerful. You wouldn't want to lose all of that, now would you?" He let out a dark chuckle, walking around Scaramouche with an eerie grin.
"Who cares? When this Gnosis is inside of me, I'll be stronger than anyone! I won't need you anymore! I'll be stronger than you, I'll be stronger than everyone in this stupid world!" Scaramouche snaps. "You'll regret the day—"
With a raised hand and a swift motion, Dottore slapped Scaramouche across the face. "Now, are you forgetting the plan, you selfish brat?" Dottore's voice lacked patience. "Your body can't handle the Gnosis, remember? Didn't you say when you were created, the Gnosis was too 'overwhelming?'" He lowered his head, whispering into The Balladeer's ear. "You'll be controlling a robot which is currently in its final steps of completion. All it needs is the Gnosis. And yet here you are, clinging onto it. It's pathetic and unsightly. And yet you wish to become a God? Hah. In order to be even remotely like a God, you have to be mature. And yet, here you are, acting like a child. You're not a child. You're a puppet, a weapon. Know your place."
And with a quick pinch, Dottore took the Gnosis without looking back. "If you want an example, look at that thing in there." He flicks his wrist towards the centre of the room, a small girl floating idly in a transparent, green ball. "The so-called Goddess of Wisdom has disappointed her entire nation for generations for looking and behaving like a child ever since her discovery. Do me a favour and try to not be like that." Dottore hums. "You'll be replacing her, at least try to act your age."
Scaramouche just stared at his empty hand, letting out a small growl. "You— Gh…" He clenched his first before staring at the floating, green bubble. He just narrowed his eyes. He can be better God than this child. Why was she a child in the first place? It was hardly befitting on an Archon. Although… He felt a small pinch of pity. The world was unacceptably cruel to children, wasn't it?
"Hurry up and follow me." Dottore's voice snapped, causing Scaramouche to go out of his trance and he walked with purpose, letting out a heavy sigh.
"You don't have to yell. I'm not deaf," Scaramouche grumbles, voice lowering at the end of his sentence, "stupid outcast…"
"I would recommend keeping your mouth shut, puppet-boy." The response was immediate, sending chills down Scaramouche's back.
Feeling the power surge through him was incredible. The Gnosis… Oh, it felt incredible. The power of Godhood felt overwhelming!
He was told to rest. Sleep off the effects…
This felt weird… He, Shouki no Kami, the Everlasting Lord of Wisdom…
He suddenly felt so many things he never felt before. Why was he so different? He suddenly felt so much love for the humanity which he thought he abandoned long ago… Is this the consequence of being a God?
If Gods must love mortals,
Then he, Shouki no Kami, who grants failure in equal measure to humanity, loves them also.
If Gods must watch over humanity,
Then he, Shouki no Kami, who has borne witness to infinite love, hatred, partings, grudges, and maddening anger — thus does he watch over mortals.