𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧

(a really late) 200k special: The Masquerade Unravels

A.N:

Uhhhh...looks like I'm fashionably (or unfashionably) late to my own celebration - a whole month late, to be precise. But yea, here's a big, heartfelt thanks for 200K reads and 10K votes!

This chapter is a bit of a wild card, not unlike the 100K special – (remember "The Vanished Firebird"?) Yeah, kinda like that.

The burst of inspiration hit me after Furina became my absolute favorite in Fontaine Act 5. And before you ask - nope, I still haven't got her (lost my 50-50, thanks Dehya).

And... SPOILER ALERT!! If you haven't finished Fontaine's Archon quest and want to steer clear of spoilers, halt right there! Do yourself some good and don't scroll any further!!

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(timeline: many years before the traveller arrived in Fontaine. I know that scene is supposed to happen afterwards but let's pretend I didn't know that hahahaha)

Scene 182375, Opera House
Furina, and...

"Lady Furina! It's...like a dream! Being able to speak with you up close like this... I've heard that the first member of our family who was honoured to receive an audience with you was Madame Deteria, almost twenty generations ago!"

"Hahaha... And what a fine family yours is, indeed! It brings me great joy to meet such a faithful believer, a descendant of a line most ardent." Furina smiled at the woman before her, trying to sound cheerful. But inside, her mind was a mess; everything felt hazy and distant.

In Fontaine, every day mirrors the last. As the 'Hydro Archon', Furina's fame eclipses all. Her vibrant facade draws crowds, each person clamoring for a moment in her presence. Her days are a relentless parade of faces, each bowing low, voicing their woes, seeking her wisdom, or simply yearning for her company.

But for her, these days are a charade. A mask she must don, day after weary day. They worship her as a deity, yet she knows the stark truth – she is but a human, devoid of true divine power. Each day, a performance, an act of being someone she is not.

She's not even sure why she has to do it. It's been hundreds of years.

All she knows is that playing this role of a fake Archon is important so that her 'other self' can work on the prophecy. That's what keeps her going.

Furina is really struggling.

She's been at her limit for a long time.

She tries to be strong, to be the Hydro Archon everyone loves and worships. But inside, she feels lost. Every smile, every kind word she gives, makes her feel more alone.

Sometimes, she wonders who she really is. The real Furina is hidden behind the Archon everyone sees. She would look in the mirror and see a strong, important person. But her eyes always show something else – they show someone who is tired, who wants to be herself.

"Uh... Lady Furina?" The woman's voice broke through her thoughts. Furina jerked slightly, surprised, but she quickly covered it up.

"What is it, good citizen?"

"Are... are you crying?" the woman asked, concern in her voice.

"...Huh?" Furina stopped, her eyes wide with surprise. She touched her cheeks, feeling the unexpected tears. They were spilling onto her vibrant attire, a stark contrast to her usual flamboyant demeanor. She laughed, a bit louder than necessary, trying to turn the moment into something grand.

"Hahaha, would you look at that? I didn't even realize!" she exclaimed with a flourish. "Ah, but of course! This must be the mighty surge of my Hydro powers! Being the god of hydro, it's only natural for my powers to overflow in such a spectacular way – even in the form of tears!"