Water's Serenity (Furina X Fem Reader)

Chapter 6: Facade Of Deception

After the wound was completely patched up by her, Furina was checking up on Y/n once again to see how the wound is holding up. However, Furina seemed a bit worried since she sees the yaksha's mood is still serious.

"Is there something else, apart from the wound, that is making you worry? I've treated your injury and I don't really think there is much need to worry about it any further." Furina said reassuringly.

"...Yes, thank you for treating my wound. I can see how much 'responsibility' you carry on your shoulders." Y/n said, her voice unwavering.

Furina's ears only twitched, as if she knew the yaksha's last words was hinting at something serious now. Y/n kept her eyes focused on Furina's eyes, almost as if she's not going to let the Archon divert away from the actual topic earlier.

"You're not going to let me rest that easily, are you?"

"...Most likely, I have now seen right through your facade, after all." Y/n said with her serious voice.

Furina stayed silent for a while before she sighed. She didn't like to talk about her weaknesses in front of others, but since Y/n seems to know it, there wouldn't make any difference.

"I do admit that since I'm an Archon, most interactions with others are just formalities. But the truth is that, sometimes I do feel very lonely."

"My followers, or even the normal people in Fontaine always saw me as their god who could do and face anything, but they don't know the truth of what I've been through."

Furina paused and pursed her lips before continuing.

"Everyday, I put up the same false appearance towards my people as the Hydro Archon, Focalors. While every night I lay there on my bed, crying— exhausted for pretending to be someone else's in order not to let the prophecy of Fontaine to be fulfilled; where water consumes the nation, watching my people getting dissolved, as I laid back there, weeping on my throne."

Furina's voice was cracking as she was telling Y/n this story. The pain of having to carry the burden of Fontaine's future on her own made her feel helpless. This was something that she needed to tell someone, because if she didn't, it made her feel as if she was going insane.

In her most vulnerable moment, Y/n was the only one present to witness it. She was grateful that the yaksha was here for her, so she finally let her mask slide down a bit to reveal her true emotions.

"...Are you saying that you're not the real Hydro Archon..?" Y/n asked a little bit dumbfounded.

Perhaps what Morax told Y/n wasn't the whole truth, that's why he wanted her to find out the truth for herself.

"In a way, you can say that. The 'Hydro Archon' is a role that was forced into me."

Furina wasn't able to completely hide her sadness as her tone was filled with gloom. But she understood that Y/n might be confused by her words. There were still so many questions the yaksha may have, so she decided to explain herself better.

"The Hydro archon, that is 'Focalors' is something that I'm 'wearing'. A role that I should play in order for Fontaine to not be indulge in water."

Y/n was surprised to hear Furina's response but quickly composed herself.

"In other words... You're willing to shut yourself for the world..?"

Furina was amazed that Y/n understood her situation so well. She remained silent for a while to let her feelings sink in before answering Y/n back.

"Correct. It seems that my fate has been sealed once I've taken on this role as the Hydro archon. I must protect Fontaine, even it means I sacrifice my own self for it."

Furina had a sad expression on her face, but her voice carried the strong willpower to remain the Hydro archon no matter what may happen in the future. She was willing to pay such a dire price for the sake of saving all of her people.

It was the truth. Furina had to be Focalors and keep the nation away from the prophecy of the end so that Fontaine as a nation can survive.

Y/n could only bow her head slightly towards Furina.

"Thank you, for trusting me with your story. I promise you that I won't tell anyone about your identity if that's what you wish."

Furina nodded,"I am truly grateful that you understand me. Many had tried to guess and piece together who I really am, but they were unsuccessful. It might be due to the fact that I've been acting so highly and superior towards the people that it was impossible to get closer to me."

Furina also bowed her head slightly with closed eyes, which symbolized her gratitude as she thanked Y/n for listening to her story without hesitation. She was glad that someone finally knew her secret after all this time.

"Well, I have a fellow yaksha whose personality is far more aloof than mine. He's cold, harsh, and strict. Yet despite all that demeanor lies his caring personality from within especially to those who are close to him, hence why it wasn't difficult for me to understand your unique personality that you're showing off in front of others." Y/n explained.

She seemed to have understand Furina quite well. Her true self was something that few actually managed to know about her, so it was refreshing to meet someone who could read between the lines of her fake persona.

"I can't help but feel astonished that someone could see the true side of me. It's a rare case as most people take me as nothing more than an arrogant goddess."

Y/n's compassion towards her made Furina feel as if she's finally able to let down her guard around Y/n and let the role of the Hydro Archon melt away. Furina had been used to interacting with the people of Fontaine while maintaining a high level of decorum. But now that Furina's with her, it now appears she's able to show her vulnerable, kind-hearted side.

"Many may see the yakshas as mere tools of Morax to purge any evil and bring justice across Liyue, but my viewpoint of your being is much different. I recognized that there is more to you than that. Perhaps that's why you can understand me. Even if you are a yaksha, you can still carry a heart like a human."

Furina's statement made Y/n swayed by her words that causes the yaksha smile in front of her for the first time which made Furina's heart flutter.

"You are quite adept at understanding the yakshas' way of thinking. We are known to be a cold and aggressive group, but deep down we are people who care for others, and this is something most people don't know or realize. I'm glad that you didn't see us as nothing but cold-blooded killing machines since we bear so much of the responsibility for Liyue's safety."

Furina was able to sense Y/n finally opening up to her as well. She hadn't been this happy in a long time since she had someone who was able to truly understand her in such a long time. There wasn't any facade around her now, since they both opened up to each other. Furina was feeling more free in this situation and was quite relieved that Y/n understood her true nature and accepted them for who she is.

The two of them talked briefly until Y/n finally escorted her back to safety, as Furina waves her farewell.

When Furina gives her goodbye, Y/n headed back to meet the other yakshas. She was grateful that Y/n took care of her and heard her story without hesitation. The fact that Y/n could understand her and see through the walls that she had built in front of her and her people, was very important to her. She felt a sense of relief as she could finally let her guard down and trust someone for the very first time.