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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 18: Of Oceans and Seas

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c

When Beisht first struck, Shenhe was barely aware of this possibility.

She had been told beforehand that Osial used to have a wife, she was also told that peace in Liyue had yet to be claimed after the battle, but no one had actually felt it fair to tell her that this threat was expected to come to the harbor so soon.

Of course, it made her determination any less duller. Kratos had appeared unsure to let her go, especially since she didn't have a role as a proper fighter. He sounded truly worried and it made Shenhe hesitate for a moment.

But there was a reason to go on, and Kratos ultimately bowed to her willingness to support the harbor's defense.

Driven by a sense of eagerness to help tempered by the painful remembrance on how a brief bout of arrogance almost killed her, the white-haired woman was soon darting through the ocean as the large fleet assembled by the Qixing was already rushing to battle.

Beisht was not a proper deity. She was, nonetheless of divine origin. Smaller than Osial, the three-headed serpentine monster was, much to Shenhe's immediate concern, faster than her previous opponent.

Moving fast, Shenhe could just focus on dodging, minimizing the expense of elemental energy at her disposal as Beisht focused solely on her.

Lacking Draupnir in that relevant time, Shenhe's role was one of bait. Beisht sought revenge primarily against the one that slain her husband, the wild monster consumed by rage as nothing else mattered as Shenhe darted within her range of action.

All the while the adeptus' student avoided deadly strikes, the Jade Chamber and the ships took their proper positions and started to bombard the monster. Differently than Osial, Beisht felt the barrage far more, and then there was the extense of the attack.

Against Osial, only the Jade Chamber was fitted for such fight, and with the new designs conjured by her master, Shenhe could tell the monster was being torn by the elemental bombing.

The pained roars showed a fighting spirit driven by spite - Shenhe was given no mercy even as Beisht appeared untouched by the attacks.

In fact, the pain fueled her rage for as long as her body endured the painful assault. Hours went by, with Shenhe gritting her teeth as she was really focusing much in not slipping out of her habits and fall right into the turbulent sea.

She waited and waited, praying some mantras to reinforce her core, her soul burning together with her Vision as she carefully rationed what limited energy she had.

Her patience was ultimately rewarded when the attacks lessened and then, slowly so, faded away.

Like Osial, Beisht tried to retreat, only for the Jade Chamber to give pursuit. The bombing lasted until the last cry of the beast was heard, her body shattering as her mind collapsed.

The deed was done, and there was no surprise as she managed to land back on the docks right as people emerged from their shelters.

Differently than last time, she could hear it. The chants, the praises, the genuine relief that those lives had been spared.

Shenhe returned to the Qixing smiling. It was a polite smile, but also warm as she felt her body burning with happiness at having beaten those past pains that once tainted her as a monster.

This time, she could look at Kratos in his eyes, same for Cloud Retainer, and... while both were equally worried for what had occurred, they offered her proud looks.

This time, Shenhe truly felt without any regret for what deed happened - for people would live due to her hard work.

"Lady Furina, many thanks for-"

"None of that, esteemed citizen. I am just doing my job as the Archon of this wonderful region."

Furina felt a bit unsure if this was enough. In the past, she would add a touch more of flair that elevated her confidence where now she was working with 'limited arrogance'.

That being said, the gentleman, the father of a big family that required assistance with some paperwork, appeared relieved as she had hastened the process for him.

It wasn't fair, at least not to the laws of this country but-

"Fair can be the law, but the laws aren't always fair, lassie."

Mimir, always the wise chatter, made her adapt to this mindset. She had the 'right idea', just the wrong 'intensity' to it.

She decided to humor him, and she was mortified by how effective it was.

Years ago- no, centuries ago that would have been a delicate balance she struggled with.

It was either too little or too much, with the latter favored the most due to its 'elevation' of her 'character'.

Nowadays, that 'touch of humbleness' had painted her a new reputation. Sure, not everyone shared the good will aimed at her, but she had less enemies and less doubts.

Even Neuvillette appeared relieved somewhat with her restraint. Praising her as if she even needed it or something...

Anyway! Life in Fountaine had been rough for Furina for many reasons. With Mimir by her side, the Hydro Archon carefully weaved the troubled storm that was politics and tried to make sense of things she had always ignore.

Such as the Spina di Rosula, and its current leader, Navia.

She had always left these matters to others, her main concern being the prophecy but... maybe that was also important-

"It is."

"Shut it."

Mimir thought so anyway, and she found it delectable to spend time with the young woman. In a way, Navia reminded her of her but... also not.

There was a strength and an upset for the loss of her father that made her question if the reason she couldn't bring herself to be angry at her painful situation was because she was the sole tortured soul.

And then she thought about it - she always focused on being such a prop to others and... maybe she forgot she was meant to somehow save those. She always relied on those to try and find out what was wrong but-

"What if I look into this myself?"

She had trained, Mimir had said she was modestly strong so she could make an investigation herself. Starting with the notion, advanced by Mimir, that the disaster in the prophecy couldn't be something happening all at once. There had to be something unfolding that would allow such tragedy to unfold.

Clorinde was surprised when Furina asked for her assistance, but the champion duelist was quite loyal and supportive to the point of giving her some leads.

All of which, oddly enough, took her to a place she never once thought of visiting but... here she was.

"Duke Wriotheslay, I must thank you for your kind accommodation."

The current chief of the Fortress of Meropide bowed his head, a strangely relieved look on his face.

"Lady Furina, believe me when I say I was waiting for you to eventually visit this place."

Oddly enough, Furina was sure this wasn't a threat - but a genuine welcome to the potential crime scene only she may be able to fully unravel.

AN

A more aware Furina sure sounds immensely needed to deal with the prophecy and... Shenhe gets praised! Yay!

Also, played a bit of Jurassic Australia. Wished a few times and got the drill-girl twice. I think Hoyo is trying to tell me something... Anyway, next up is... Secret!