Esmeralda: Fontaine


A/N: This takes place after the previous Interlude chapter and some time after Act 5 of the Fontaine Archon Quest. It was a good thing I waited for 4.2, because that finale was insane.


Esmeralda woke up in darkness.

She tried to open her eyes and look around, but nothing she did could dispel the gloom. In a rising panic, she ran her hands over her face, feeling the layers of bandages that covered her eyes. She felt her stomach drop.

"She's awake!"

Esmeralda heard a familiar voice, one that she had not heard for years. "Mom?" she asked, before breaking off in a cough.

"Yes, it's me," Esmeralda's mother replied, helping her into a seated position. A cup was pressed into her hand.

"Here, drink," a deeper voice said.

Esmeralda blindly moved the cup to her lips, spilling some of the water before she could properly drink it. It soothed her parched throat, enough for her to continue asking questions. "Dad? What happened to me?"

It was definitely her father who replied, in his grumbling voice, "Nothing good."

"Come on, don't be like that. Well, Esmeralda, we don't actually know. We were told, by Lesser Lord Kusanali herself, that you were in hospital. Of course, we hurried down as fast as we could," her mother explained. "Can you remember what happened?"

"I'm in a hospital?" Her mind still muddled, Esmeralda tried to focus and recollect her memories.

Images flashed through her mind. The Dune of Carouses. Kaveh. The Primal Construct. Jeht. The Consecrated Scorpion. Victory. The second Scorpion. Pain.

Before she knew it, she was crying as the phantom pain burned her eyes. Her body felt cold as the dark memories assaulted her. Her body shook as she cried, yet no tears fell from her ruined eyes.

And then warmth enveloped her, and her mother's voice, calming and familiar, reached her ears. "It's alright, Esmeralda. We're here for you," she whispered, her voice as reassuring as her embrace. Even her father, grumpy as he was, laid a hand on her shoulder, a silent promise to stay with her no matter what happened.

Esmeralda calmed down and focused. Slowly, she raised her hands to her face, running her fingers over the bandages that now covered her eyes.

There was a knock at the door.

"Doctor," Esmeralda's mother said.

"Hello. Oh, she's awake," Esmeralda heard. "I'd like to ask her some questions. Esmeralda, can you hear me?"

Esmeralda nodded slowly.

"Excellent. How are you feeling? Are you experiencing any particular pain? Can you move your limbs?"

Esmeralda tried to move. Her body was weak, but everything seemed to be fine. With her parents' help, she managed to get into a seated position and tell the doctor that she was fine.

"Good, good," the doctor said. "You've been out for a while, so it's natural that you feel a little weak. Fortunately, there's little permanent damage, apart from..."

"Her eyes," Esmeralda's mother said.

In the darkness, Esmeralda held her breath. She felt like a criminal awaiting her sentence - and it would not be light.

"Yes, her eyes. Unfortunately, the damage was too severe. Her eyes were completely destroyed; there was nothing we could do about it. She'll never see with her own eyes again."

Each word was like a judge's mallet, slamming down with crushing finality. She was blind. Her research was stonewalled forever; her questions would never be answered. She would never see her parents Daisy or anyone else again.

Esmeralda was crying again. The doctor, experienced as he was, kept silent while her parents calmed her down.

It would be fine. Her parents would take care of her. There was nothing to fear. Everything would be alright. Everything would be alright.

"One last question. Esmeralda, you were brought to this hospital by a massive robot. Do you know what it was?"

Daisy! How could she have forgotten? Now that she tried to get in touch, Esmeralda's heart skipped a beat as she tried to access their bond, only to find a void in its place. For a moment, she began to despair, but hope resurged when she felt Daisy's presence once more. Their bond was still there, but weaker than before. They could no longer communicate mentally, but Esmeralda still felt Daisy's emotions. Her worry quickly faded as their connection was formed, a promise to be by her side.

"Esmeralda?" the doctor asked.

Esmeralda realized that she had been silent while communicating with Daisy. Slowly she replied, "I do. She's Daisy... My friend."

The doctor held his tongue at that proclamation, but Esmeralda's parents did not. "What do you mean, your friend? You befriended a robot?" Esmeralda's mother asked.

Esmeralda's lips turned up, just a little. "Yes, I did. I should introduce you."

"Well, I would not recommend it, but she is healthy enough to move around. I'd advise you to be careful and take it slow," the doctor said.

"Great! Let's go," Esmeralda decided, and that was that. With her parents helping guide her and warning her of any unseen dangers, she made her way out of the hospital and towards the nearby forest.

Soon, despite her parents' protests, Esmeralda led them farther away from the city, where a living machine awaited.

Esmeralda felt her father push her behind him. "Stay back, you two. It looks dangerous," he warned.

Esmeralda could not see, but she felt Daisy's presence nearby. She felt her move forward slowly, arms lowered in a non-threatening position. Esmeralda hastily moved to meet her, ignoring the warnings that her parents called. She knew that Daisy was going to extend her palm and where it would be. She moved her own hand and rested it on the familiar metal.

A vision shot through her. Esmeralda saw a single snapshot. Surrounded by grass, three people stood, all with fox ears and tails. A young lady with layers of bandages around her face, reaching out a hand. A large man, standing protectively in front of the former. A concerned woman, hesitating at the unknown.

The image faded and the world returned to darkness. Esmeralda gasped, withdrawing her hand at the unexpected vision.

"Esmeralda! Are you alright, dear?" her mother asked.

Esmeralda barely heard her. She perked up, heart pounding. As fleeting as it was, she managed to see again, a glimpse of light in the darkness. Her bond with Daisy was still strong. Maybe there was hope yet.

"This is Daisy," Esmeralda said. She paused. What else was there to say? "She's friendly."

"Greetings, Esmeralda's parents," Daisy said.

"It can talk?!" her mother exclaimed.

Even her father seemed impressed. "Did you make this, Esmeralda?" he asked.

"I... Well, I just did some modifications to a Ruin Guard."

"Your daughter downplays her contributions. She was the one who had initially awakened me and helped me evolve into my current form," Daisy added.

"Oh, that's amazing! We're so proud of you, Esmeralda!" her mother exclaimed,

Esmeralda could sense that her friend had information that she wanted to share. She placed a hand onto Daisy's palm and focused her thoughts. Mentally, she asked, "What is it, Daisy?"

"I have found a strategy by which you can regain your eyesight."

That was certainly not what Esmeralda was expecting. She remembered the doctor's words. "But I thought that I..."

"Indeed. Your eyes have been damaged beyond repair. However, the Clockwork Meks in Fontaine have highly advanced visual technology. It may be possible to modify such a thing for biological compatibility. It should be within your ability."

Maybe, but... "Should I even bother? Even if I could see, doing that would be so hard. How am I supposed to engineer something like this when I can't see anything?" Esmeralda despaired.

Even if she had given up on herself, Daisy had not. "You are right. Blinded, further research is impossible. You still have much to learn about the world. Are you willing to surrender your ambition to an injury?"

Esmeralda sighed. She knew that Daisy was right. To continue down her scholarly path, she had to create new eyes. But it would not be easy, even with Daisy's help. Would it even be possible?

"We will manage it," Daisy said. "Think of it as another problem. Every problem has a solution. This is no different."

Daisy was right. That was a mindset that Esmeralda was familiar with. Encounter a problem, and find a solution. She had done so before and could do so again. Still, she had help from others those times - from Daisy, and from...

"Also remember that we need not do this alone. Aether is in Fontaine. He will help us."

Of course. Aether did mention that he was headed for Fontaine all that time ago. He would have the resources and connections to help her. And... it would be nice to see him again. It would be worth rebuilding her eyes.

"Not just rebuilding. Improving. You've done so much for me. Now you can improve yourself."

Yes, improving. Human eyesight was not comprehensive. She could add in displays for all kinds of other things that people would not normally know. Air temperature, wind speed, dangerous gases - the kind of thing that Daisy could see. Maybe even add extra modes, like night vision or even x-ray. She just needed to -

"I'll take that as agreement."

Esmeralda realized that she had already been thinking like she had agreed to the idea. "Alright," she said, smiling slightly, "I need some time to get ready, then... Let's go to Fontaine and find Aether."


"You're leaving already? But what about your eyes?" Esmeralda's mother asked. She was, naturally, concerned that her daughter was off on another adventure so soon after being hurt. Her father too, was displeased. He did not say as much, but Esmeralda could feel his disapproving glare.

"I'll be fine," Esmeralda reassured. "Daisy will help me."

"But how are you going to get there? Fontaine is across the desert, right? It'll be dangerous."

"Oh, I have my own transport. Don't worry, mom. I'll be fine," Esmeralda said.

Her father suddenly spoke. "That's what you said last time."

"You may rest assured, Esmeralda's parents. I shall ensure her safety," Daisy said.

"You'd better," Esmeralda's father said, unconcerned that he was threatening a being far stronger than him.

"Of course."

"Anyway," Esmeralda said, hearing a familiar roar, "My ride's here. I'll see you soon, Mom and Dad. Don't worry about me." She remained still as a massive metal beast landed behind her, causing her parents to scream. With one final wave, Esmeralda stepped onto Daisy's palm and let herself be carried onto Legacy's back. With a mighty roar of engines, they took to the skies, leaving her parents' surprised shouting behind.

Oh, if only she could see their faces.


Esmeralda and Daisy rode Legacy through the skies. The landscape changed below them, from the dense Sumeru jungle to the vast desert before Fontaine came into view. The great waterfall was said to be mesmerizing, a glorious welcome to all travelers entering the Nation of Hydro - not that she would know, Esmeralda thought sadly.

She could feel the wind and sun as they flew, and hear the roar of Legacy's powerful engines propelling them through the air. Her view, however, remained the same as it had been for the past few days - pitch black.

Fortunately for her, Daisy and Legacy were still alert. Unexpectedly, Legacy spoke. "Alert: Unknown object headed on intercept course. Collison in 120 seconds."

Esmeralda jerked up, refocusing. "What? Up here? What is it?"

"Scanning. Humanoid. Pyro energy signature. Traces of unknown energy. Unable to identify," Legacy stated.

Daisy, however, could. "It's Ariel," she said, surprise creeping into her voice.

Esmeralda shared her shock. "Ariel? In Fontaine? Slow down, Legacy. Daisy, what's she doing?"

Legacy tilted its thrusters downward while splaying its wings, rapidly lowering its speed. Daisy focused on Ariel, whose path remained unchanged. She spoke. "Ariel is still on rapid approach. She is armed and appears to have mistaken us for a threat."

"Can you, um..."

Vague as her request was, Daisy understood. She placed a hand on Esmeralda's shoulder and an image flashed in her mind.

It was indeed, Ariel. Burning wings on her back propelled her through the air. A leather bag on her back. In her left arm, she held a staff. Her right was in a cast, pressed tight against her chest. She was injured. And intent on doing battle with a massive robotic dragon.

That was the Ariel she remembered, all right. As reckless as ever.

"How close is she?" Esmeralda asked. If only she could see.

"Collision in 60 seconds."

"Ok... Daisy, can you stop her?"

"I can," Daisy replied. She charged forward to meet Ariel. Her injury did not seem to impair her; with her other hand, she held a Polearm now blazing with fire. She swung, and Daisy raised her shield to meet it.

Daisy held against the force of the blow, her Plausterite Core straining to keep her in place. The flames brushed across her armored body harmlessly.

Legacy arrived, Esmeralda on its back.

"Esmeralda? The fuck?" Ariel exclaimed, finally noticing that the dragon had a rider.

"Hey, Ariel," Esmeralda said, waving in the direction she thought Ariel was located. It was not.

"What happened to your eyes? And this dragon is yours?!"

Between the rumble of Legacy's thrusters and the swirling winds, Esmeralda could barely hear her. "Let's talk on the ground," she suggested.

"Agreed. Dragon, follow me," Ariel said. She headed downward.

Esmeralda rolled her eyes and patted Legacy. "Follow her."

As Daisy returned to her spot on the mechanical dragon's back, Legacy obeyed, swooping down toward the land below.

According to Daisy, Ariel led them to a beach near Elynas, far from prying eyes. She helped Esmeralda get off Legacy and provided a palm for her to sit on. Ariel took a seat on a rock nearby while Legacy went into standby, turning into a pile of dormant Ruin Sentinels.

"What happened to your eyes?" was the first thing that Ariel asked.

It was a question that many had asked. But unlike the others' fake concerns and almost condescending voices, Ariel was more factual. She had a question and she wanted an answer. It was actually kind of refreshing. Esmeralda answered, "You know, that was a lot more direct than I was expecting."

"... I apologize. I did not mean to be insensitive."

"No, it's alright. I'm kind of used to it now. It happened when..." Esmeralda told Ariel of her journey in Sumeru, exploring the Dune of Carouses, meeting Jeht, and... She froze up, her mind conjuring up the terrifying visage of mutated lightning scorpions.

Daisy finished the story for her. The ambush by the Consecrated Scorpions that took her eyes.

When she finished, Ariel was quiet. "I see," she said after a moment. "I am not sure how I can help, but if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask."

Esmeralda smiled. "Thanks, Ariel. Now, your turn. What happened to you?"

"I was in combat with a dangerous creature. An abomination of the Abyss. I managed to injure it, but in doing so, I was... infected. Cursed by a combination of dragonsblood and Abyssal magic. I can show you... or not, actually," Ariel explained, quickly changing her mind at the end.

"Actually, you can. Daisy can send me images," Esmeralda said.

"Oh? Impressive. Well then," Ariel said, and there was the sound of ripping bandages. "This cast isn't doing anything anyway."

Esmeralda felt Daisy's shock a moment before the image arrived. Ariel, sitting on a rock, right arm gripping a polearm. Bandage scraps littered over the sand below. Her left arm, normal except for the glinting red.

"Scales," Ariel confirmed. "Apparently I'm part dragon now. The doctors said that the corruption would probably kill me. Ha. I'm not going to die before I slay that beast."

"But are you alright?"

"I'm... fine. Thank you for asking."

Esmeralda knew that she was lying, but remained quiet about it. Her heavy breathing and the bloodstains of her arm and bandages gave it away. Still, Esmeralda was never much for conflict, which would surely arise if she pressed Ariel. Instead, she asked, "So why were you looking for me?"

"Ah, yes. My sword is broken. I need your help to repair it," Ariel said. She opened up the backpack that she had and, though Esmeralda could not see it, she could hear as metal fragments rained out.

Esmeralda nodded. Unfortunately, "I'm afraid that I can't help with that right now. Because of, you know." She waved a hand in front of her face. "I'll find you when I'm ready?"

"That would be appreciated," Ariel said.

Suddenly, a familiar, high-pitched voice sounded out. "Eh? Esmeralda and Ariel? In Fontaine?" Both of them turned to the direction from which it came. Both knew who it was, although only one could visually confirm it.

A blonde traveler and his floating companion.


A/N: I will not be giving Esmeralda's parents names. They shall forever be known as Esmeralda's mother and Esmeralda's father. Not like I plan on having them show up anytime soon anyway.

Also, yes, Ariel's back. She'll hang around for a few chapters (maybe) before going her own way. As for what happened to her between this and the last time they met (back in Mondstadt): Ariel found the traces of a powerful Abyss Dragon creature thing, followed it to Natlan (the 'Nation of Dragons'), attacked it, and got absolutely rekt. Her weapon was broken in the process, her left arm injured, and she became afflicted with draconic corruption. This will form the basis of her future story, if and when I get around to it. After patching up her arm, she heard that Esmeralda, who created her weapon, was in Fontaine, so she went there to look for her.