Hydro Archon, Hydro Archon, Don't Cry
The prophecy was wrong.
The people of Fontaine survived the massive flash flood caused by the death of the Narwhal with minimal casualties. It was unknown how, but no one had dissolved into the sea as everyone feared they would.
Furina stared at the bright, clear sky with a mix of emotions. It was a clear victory on her part. Everything she had worked for had come to fruition, just as her mirror self had said. Now, the opera was finished. She looked around, but when she met eyes with someone, she instinctively shied away. She dared not face the masses, especially now that her role was finished. If the character of the Hydro archon was no more, what character should speak to these people?
Who was she outside of her role as the Hydro Archon?
Furina retreated into the shadows, making sure to dodge everyone. For what could she say to the people of Fontaine? She was the great deceiver, the actress in a 500-year masquerade that just concluded. However, she found herself faceless beneath the mask when the curtain fell. So she went to her room and slowly packed her belongings.
"Lady Furina."
A familiar deep voice called from the doorway. Furina froze and slowly faced Neuvilette. "Ah, Monsieur Neuvillette," she replied somberly, much differently from the high-pitched, pompous tone she usually spoke with. "Please, Furina is fine. I am no longer the acting Hydro archon, and the role no longer exists."
"…Miss Furina," Neuvilette complied, finding the words strange on his tongue. "Where are you going?"
"Away," she sighed. "Perhaps I will retire somewhere far away. After all, I am no longer required here and utterly exhausted. The people of Fontaine no longer need to fear any prophecies; the throne of the hydro archon is destroyed, and your power has been returned to you. Indeed, I must leave this place."
Neuvillette frowned ever so slightly. Despite her eccentricities, he did not hate her presence in his life. "Must you leave in such haste, Miss Furina? The Palais Mermonia is still your home."
"The Palais was built by the people to serve as a temple for their archon. It is reserved for truly lofty beings deserving of the people's love, not frauds and imposters like myself." Furina shut her suitcase and stood quietly, lost in thought. Where would she even begin? She didn't know the first thing about how to become an ordinary human. Oh well, she was confident she could figure it out.
"I believe you are mistaken," Neuvillette said. For a moment, he envisioned the hydro archon superimposed over Furina's more diminutive body. This oceanid turned human turned archon loved humanity so much that she was willing to suffer twice for them. Once as a conscious divine being locked behind the oratrice, used as a sacrifice to defy the heavenly principles, and second, as a human being willing to suffer profound loneliness to protect her beloved people from an apocalyptic prophecy. He could not believe how ignorant he was of the pain carried by this tiny creature hunched before him. He had worked beside her for 500 years, but did he ever know who Furina was?
"You are one of the strongest, if not the strongest, human beings I have ever known," Neuvillette continued. "What you have accomplished in the last 500 years deserves my utmost recognition and respect. I cannot imagine the unbearable loneliness you must have endured. Although I understand your reasons, I regret that I could not share your burden. I am sorry you had to do it alone."
Would Neuvillette felt different about Furina if he had known she was never the Hydro archon? That the real Hydro archon was locked within the oratrice? Would he have joined her farce to fool the entire nation, or would his impartial sense of justice bring about the early trial of the archon and, therefore, the failure of the Hydro archon's plans? Would he even become the Iudex of Fontaine?
Furina hesitated. "Do you think, now that I don't have to pretend anymore, we could…" she cut herself off. Ah, what was she thinking? Neuvillette is now an entity far away from her reach. They could no longer stand as equals like before. That stage play was gone. She shook her head. "Oh, never mind. I will be off then."
She carried her suitcase and began to pass by the hydro dragon.
"Wait," Neuvillette called, his hand outstretched and catching her arm. It was the first time he had ever dared to touch the archon so boldly. He had always been a stickler for propriety and professionalism. But this time, he wanted to stop her before she disappeared from him again. "Please stay in Fontaine, at least. I will make sure you shall want for nothing – not food, shelter, or clothing. Let me do this for you. And if you ever need a friend, my doors are always open to you."
Furina looked up with quivering lips and tears in her searching eyes. "Truly? You do not hate me for deceiving you?"
Neuvillette slowly wrapped her in a warm embrace. "I, Neuvillette, the Iudex of Fontaine and Hydro Sovereign of Teyvat, forgive you, Furina, for your sins. I could never hate you and am, in fact, grateful to you."
He had always seen humans comfort each other through this gesture. As a dragon sovereign, an aloof outsider who stood apart from humans, he never understood how physical closeness reassured them. He could finally feel that warmth for himself as he held this petite, trembling lady in his arms.
For the first time in 500 hundred years, Furina let all her walls down and exposed her vulnerability for him to see. Steadily, her tears started to pour from her eyes. She couldn't stop them if she tried. And as her tears continued, she broke into sobs and wailing until she could no longer stand. She dropped to the floor, taking Neuvillette with her as he continued to hold her. She cried and emptied herself unto him until her voice ran out and her tears ran dry.
As Neuvillette continued to comfort Furina, he felt a deep sense of protectiveness over her. Focalors first stretched her hand towards him, pulling him out of the wilderness, galvanizing him into a purpose-driven life, and then giving up her own to make him whole. Furina kept him company all this time, teaching him humanity, sharing her love for them, and shamelessly dragging him into mischief and games. These two persons in one being had taught him justice, love, and living more than anyone else.
He thought the Hydro archon would always be with him through eternity. Now, the oratrice would never again judge along with him, and someday, Furina would leave him, one way or another, forever.
It rained for a long time that day.