CHAPTER 26:

THE CITY THAT SLEPT

Harry didn't know what to expect when he was gently shaken awake, his sister urging him quietly to wake up. But when he did, he didn't like what he saw in her expression. Fear, anxiety, even despair. "…Nahida, what's wrong?"

She shook her head. "I need to show you. There isn't much time. I'm going to be incommunicado for the next little while, and I need you, Venti and Zhongli to help me."

Harry was about to ask her, but something told me he needed to obey her. Something in her tone, urgent and worried, at best. So he hurriedly went to throw on some clothes, and followed her out of the Expanded Trunk, to find Zhongli and Venti waiting. "Any change?" Nahida asked, her tone unusually perfunctory.

Both shook their heads. Venti was uncharacteristically solemn, so it must be serious. "The streets are almost entirely silent," he said. "Almost nobody is out and about."

Harry blinked, before looking at his watch. It was a little past 6 o'clock in the morning. He knew Dehya was an early riser, along with her fellow Eremites. And did Venti just say nobody was out and about in Sumeru City? He'd seen enough of the city to know it was filled with bustle even at this time of the day. "Nahida…what's going on?"

Nahida looked to him. "Harry…all those within this house with an Akasha Terminal are in an induced sleep, a coma of sorts. Their Akasha Terminals are unusually active. I've tapped into them, and they seem to be reliving a version of the Sabzeruz Festival as a continual loop, a dream samsara. And it's not just them. I suspect that most if not almost all of the inhabitants of Sumeru City are undergoing the same thing. I need you awake because I need you, once Zhongli has briefed you, to investigate. You have the Invisibility Cloak and some knowledge of stealth. Try to find out what is going on, and why, but don't cause trouble."

Harry tried to digest what he had been told, before asking, "And what are you doing?"

"I can access the dream samsara safely, and I can get the others to understand what is happening, but I have to ease them into the idea, otherwise, it could cause cognitive dissonance, even brain damage. I've told Zhongli everything necessary, so he can brief you while I save the people of Sumeru City. I'll try to speak with you over our link if I can." She went over to a lounge, and laid down on it. "Be careful, Harry. The Sages have made their move…with Il Dottore too, I suspect."

She closed her eyes, and went to sleep. Harry looked to Zhongli. "…So, what else do you have to tell me?"

"You are aware that the Akasha System harvests human dreams as a means of computation?" Zhongli asked. On Harry's nod, Zhongli said, "It is Nahida's suspicion that the Sages have caused this samsara deliberately to increase the computational power of the Akasha System for some project or other. I believe the analogy she used from your world was 'overclocking'."

"…Overclocking's dangerous in normal computing," Harry mused, trying not to panic as he considered the implications. "I don't know as much about it as an IT expert, but I've heard of computers overheating dangerously when overclocked. Did Nahida say anything about the strain on people?"

Zhongli nodded. "People with weak constitutions may potentially die." As Harry realised the implications, the Geo Archon held up a hand. "Before you panic, we checked on Dunyarzad. While not in the best of conditions, the Phoenix Tears treatment had improved her constitution significantly. She shouldn't be in mortal peril yet. However, the same can't be said of anyone else with Eleazar in the city, let alone those who are elderly or have other illnesses or conditions."

"We contacted the Homayanis and Tighnari," Venti said. "They're still awake. In other words, only Sumeru City is affected. However, messages have been sent to Akasha Terminals claiming that, due to an accident, a chemical spill has enveloped Sumeru City, and thus it's on lockdown. The spill is mostly harmless, but has an anaesthetic and hallucinogenic effect."

"Clever, just in case someone didn't have an Akasha Terminal on," Harry said grimly. "Bastards! But Dunyarzad's okay? Along with the others?"

"For now," Zhongli said. "None of the people in this house are in danger of dying yet, and Nahida is confident that she can help them break the samsara before their lives are threatened. But there are others who may not be so lucky. Harry, you have the Cloak of Invisibility, as well as your spells. We need you to do reconnaissance. To see what activity is taking place. I doubt that the Sages are affected by this, not when it could endanger their own lives, and they'd have to have at least part of the Corps of Thirty on their side. However, you are not to take action against the Sages or Il Dottore without consulting us. Nahida thinks she can find out whom the samsara revolves around."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Nahida believes that the samsara, while a collective dream, nonetheless has a host, an axis around which the samsara spins, in all likelihood an unwitting one," Venti said. "She may be able to ensure the host stops the samsara. But threatening the Sages, especially if Il Dottore is involved, is not a good idea. Il Dottore is the Second Harbinger, potentially strong enough to take on an Archon in their prime. Instead, we just need you to get a feel for the situation. Gather intelligence from the Sages or anyone in the know that you can, but don't take any punitive action yet."

Harry gritted his teeth in anger, but conceded the point. "Fine."

"…Check Bimarstan first," Zhongli said. "After that, check the rest of the city…"

Harry was still angry when he left the house. He could concede the point, but it didn't mean he liked it. If he could take on Il Dottore, it meant one threat gone. But that being said, Venti's words stuck with him. The bratty bard was usually frivolous, but he was very serious now.

It was while he came to a hotel that he saw a strange sight. Some Eremites (clearly not part of the Corps of Thirty) were there, being directed by a man who had to be Il Dottore. "…Their possessions," the man said, his voice a cold, deep arrogant sneer. "Deliver them and the brats to my workshop, to my ultimate segment."

"Don't you mean other body?" one of the Eremites retorted. "Don't you have dozens of other bodies or something?"

"You fail to grasp the nuances of my segments," Il Dottore said. "Honestly, if they weren't needed elsewhere for more important matters, I could shift Arlecchino's brats in your stead."

Harry blinked when he heard that. Arlecchino? Zhongli had told him of the other members of the Fatui Harbingers, from what he learned from Tartaglia…and one of them was Arlecchino, a former native of Fontaine who ran the House of the Hearth. It was apparently a Fatui-run orphanage that churned out spies and assassins from the children there.

And then, he saw them being carried out. Lyney and Lynette, both comatose, both with active Akasha Terminals. And Harry began to feel a sensation of dread. He hoped he was wrong.

Il Dottore leaned forward, and sneered. "You will make fine guinea pigs, once the samsara is done. I wonder…perhaps it might be interesting to have one of you slip a knife between the ribs of your precious Father Arlecchino." He then looked to the Eremites. "You have your orders. I have business to attend to elsewhere."

As Il Dottore, or at least one of his bodies (whatever that meant, though Harry suspected the Harbinger had pulled off an Agent Smith from The Matrix sequels or something) strode off, the Eremite scoffed. "Arrogant Snezhnayan bastard," he muttered, not quite under his breath.

More Eremites emerged, carrying luggage. "This is just their personal effects," one of them said. "Do we need to bring out their magic shit too?"

"Those are our orders," their leader said, not looking at all happy about it. "A shame, I liked their show. Unfortunately, that Harbinger is paying the bills. I'm not looking forward to going back to that workshop."

"Yeah, you're telling me. I hate that creepy brat in the huge mechanical idol, like a Ruin Guard on steroids. Wasn't he another Harbinger? The Balladeer or something?"

"Apparently. Dunno what they intend to do with him, but it's nothing good." Their leader shook his head. "Anyway, get a move on."

Harry had heard enough. He began firing Stunners at the Eremites from beneath the Invisibility Cloak, sending them sprawling. He then hurried over and began putting the luggage of the twins into his Expanded Trunk. He Transfigured the bodies of the Eremites and the twins into pebbles before pocketing them (putting the twins into a different pocket to make sure he knew which ones they were). He then hurried into the hotel, found a few more Eremites struggling with a few trunks, and knocked them out, before taking them into custody. Then, he Apparated back to the Homayani manor…

Zhongli and Venti looked at him as he relayed what he had heard, before the Geo Archon closed his eyes, sighing softly. "That will draw attention…but in truth, you've gathered valuable information. It seems that our two magicians are the underlings of Arlecchino…and that the Knave has drawn the ire of the Doctor."

"Fatui power struggles," Harry scoffed in contempt. "But what do you think they meant by Scaramouche being in…well, they said something about a mechanical idol or a Ruin Guard…a robot? A huge mecha or something?"

"Mecha? That is concerning, but unfortunately, we don't have enough information to create a proper hypothesis," Zhongli said. "I doubt Nahida could either. Still, this at least confirms that Scaramouche is not only here in Sumeru, but he's being experimented on by Il Dottore. Given that Il Dottore is walking around Sumeru City with impunity, with a force of Eremites, he is, in all likelihood, working with the Sages, meaning that this dream samsara is part of their plot."

"Nahida seemed to think that before she entered the samsara," Harry mused. "What do we do about Lyney and Lynette?"

"Keep them here for now," Zhongli said. "Their possessions, I need to look through them. Both La Signora and Tartaglia had items not unlike a radio, allowing them to communicate with their superiors in Snezhnaya. There may be something similar for Lyney and Lynette to allow them to speak with the Knave or one of her underlings. I met her once when she made a visit to Liyue during a prior Rite of Descension. Let me speak to her."

Harry nodded, pulling out their shrunken trunks from his pockets. Zhongli took only a few minutes to find it, in a concealed compartment, something not unlike a magitech walkie-talkie, or one of the 'brick' mobile phones from the 80s. After some examination, Zhongli activated it.

After a short period of waiting, a husky contralto of a woman's voice came through the speaker. "Why have you contacted me? Do you have urgent information to report?"

Zhongli scoffed. "Indeed I do. Your children are in peril, Arlecchino. Il Dottore has inveigled them into his plans."

"…Who is this?"

"I am Zhongli. I'm sure Childe has mentioned me on occasion, including during La Signora's funeral in Snezhnaya."

"…Morax," Arlecchino said, her voice cool. "I see. And why does the former Geo Archon use the communicator I left with my children?"

"Allow me to explain…"

After Zhongli ended his explanation (omitting the fact that Nahida was the Dendro Archon, not that he could explain given the Fidelius), Arlecchino was silent for a time. Eventually, she said, "Your…associate, Nahida. Can she get them out alive and sane?"

"Lyney and Lynette are in good physical health, so that's not the problem," Zhongli said.

"I wouldn't put it past him to torment them in this dream loop somehow," Arlecchino said. "His intellect and drive were the only aspects to him worth respecting. I sent them to Sumeru to help track down the Dendro Archon and Scaramouche, as well as to ensure Il Dottore's loyalty. Given that, if he has Scaramouche in his custody, but he hasn't sent the Electro Gnosis to Snezhnaya, let alone our wayward comrade, he is up to a plan of his own without notifying Pierro or the Tsaritsa."

"And you aren't?" Harry snarked.

"My plans have been cleared by the Tsaritsa and Pierro, and I have told them every detail," Arlecchino said coldly. "But Il Dottore's have not. What is more, his plans have put my children into peril."

"The children you've turned into spies, assassins, even terrorists?" Harry retorted.

"I gave them a choice, unlike my late and unlamented predecessor," Arlecchino said. "She shaped her underlings into suicidal monsters, blunt and disposable instruments. I prefer my agents to come back alive where possible, and to learn from failure rather than to die to expiate it. It was one of the reasons I…expressed my displeasure with my predecessor. Rather violently. And Lyney and Lynette…they despise violence, and I prefer not to use them in such a manner. So, let me make this clear. I could care less about what happens to Scaramouche or Il Dottore. Both have betrayed the will of the Tsaritsa. Scaramouche left La Signora to perish. And before you misunderstand me, I seek no revenge against Aether or his allies for that, let alone the Raiden Shogun, not when there is no profit in it. I was fond of La Signora, more so than many in the Harbingers, but she should have known better than to accept Aether's demand for a duel before the throne of the Raiden Shogun. And Il Dottore has shown his true colours."

"You wish for us to save Lyney and Lynette," Zhongli said.

"…Yes. They mean much to me, in more ways than one," Arlecchino admitted. "And to have them fall to a treacherous comrade is an ignoble end. I would rather they not die, or else die in service to the Tsaritsa."

"You're all heart," Harry snarked. "Anyway, Nahida will be able to get them out alive. And then?"

"Send them back to Fontaine as soon as possible. I'm not having Il Dottore use them as hostages against me…assuming he doesn't intend worse. I rescued them from an atrocious fate before. I will not fail them by letting it happen again…"

The conversation with Arlecchino was wrapped up in short order, but Harry glared down at the twins as Venti tended to them. "I don't like this," he said. "They're Fatui."

"Your qualms about saving them are strange, considering that you saved them from the Eremites and Il Dottore," Zhongli observed.

"Keeping them away from that monster is common sense," Harry said. "I'm not for killing them or leaving them in that samsara, but helping any of the Fatui leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If they are Arlecchino's agents, how much of what they said was a lie?"

"They're probably lies of omission," Venti said. "I listened in as they told that tale yesterday. It seemed like the truth, just carefully edited. It was probably the Knave who swooped in like a knight in shining armour to save them."

"What, so she could turn them into spies and terrorists?" Harry retorted. "I spent much of my life having to deal with a bunch of terrorists who wanted me dead for breathing."

"Then consider what they've just been through in the dream samsara before you pass judgement, Harry."

The voice was that of Nahida, who was sitting up, rubbing her eyes. "You overheard that?" Harry asked.

"I could partition a small part of my consciousness to listen to what you were saying and send information into the samsara," Nahida said, shaking her head. "The samsara is broken now, but those who were in it will be asleep for a little while longer. Time moved more quickly within the samsara. One hundred and eight loops(1). That's how many loops of that samsara they went through." She looked to Lyney and Lynette. "And it was worse for some than others…"

CHAPTER 26 ANNOTATIONS:

Oh dear.

Now, I didn't want to write out the samsaras. As thematically appropriate as those chapters were, it was also one of the most frustratingly tedious and boring parts of the otherwise superlatively-written Sumeru arc.

I considered having Harry enter the samsara at some point to help Lyney and Lynette, but I felt it better to have just his perspective on what was going on.

Also, I'm hoping this version of Arlecchino doesn't get superseded by what will be revealed about her in the next Archon Quest chapters in Fontaine.

Review-answering time! jiongu-naruto: True enough, but given her actions towards Furina, as well as Tartaglia and Scaramouche's words towards her, Arlecchino is not a nice person. At least, outside of anyone from the House of the Hearth (or La Signora, if the Fatui-centric trailer for Sumeru was any indication, and La Signora was an evil bitch, pure and simple), she is quite cold, cruel and ruthless. I get that Furina seems like she is fiddling while Rome is burning (or rather, while Fontaine is sinking), but I think that's because Furina doesn't know what to do rather than out of malice or wilful incompetence. So lambasting Furina in such a method seems unnecessarily cruel, especially after attempting to murder her. True, it could be calculated, but a calculated cruelty is still cruelty. That being said, Arlecchino does seem like the most morally complex of the Harbingers.

As for being on AO3, in the past little while, I've considered it. There was a scare I had a few months back with a guest reviewer who claimed to be part of Critics United, and while that was a false alarm, given all the problems with this website of late, as well as the inability of the admins to actually nut up and fix it properly, I am actually giving a move to AO3 some serious thought. Whether I do it is another matter entirely, of course…

1. Yes, I know the canonical number of loops was 168. But because Nahida was already known to the others and could enlighten them sooner (not just Aether and Paimon, but Dunyarzad, Dehya, and Sirius too), the amount of loops were less. And as 108 is a significant figure in Hinduism and Buddhism, religions with ties to India, one of the main inspirations for Sumeru, well, it's a nice little nod.