Chapter 20: Unyielding

Furina's face drained of color, a wave of panic overtaking her. She didn't know what to do.

She longed to help — to bring justice to the grieving families of the missing girls — but deep down, a gnawing sense of powerlessness took hold. She felt utterly helpless, as if no matter how hard she tried, she could never make a difference.

"I wish I could help," she said, her voice uncertain. "But… I have other pressing matters to attend to." The excuse felt weak, even to her.

"Lady Furina," Neuvillette's voice was calm yet firm, carrying the weight of authority. "As the Hydro Archon, it is your solemn duty to safeguard the people of Fontaine. This matter cannot simply be set aside."

Furina's gaze lowered, her expression softening. A quiet voice inside her urged her to act — to find the one responsible.

But what could she do? She had no powers — no strength to rely on — and there were others far more capable of handling such matters.

"Neuvillette, I understand…" Furina trailed off, her mind racing for a solution, any solution. 

Before She could give a proper response, a knock echoed from the door of his office.

"Enter," Neuvillette called, his voice composed.

A man in a blue Guard uniform stepped in.

"Sir Neuvillette, is Lady Furina—?" He paused, spotting her. "Ah, Lady Furina, you're here. I have a report for you." He saluted respectfully.

Furina perked up. Perfect. She could use this as an excuse to slip away.

"Yes, what is it?" she asked quickly.

"The Traveler and his companion are on their way to Fontaine," the messenger reported.

"Perfect!" Furina blurted out, her voice a little too enthusiastic. "I'll be off now to prepare for his arrival!" Without waiting for a response, she hurried off, calling for Clorinde and the others as she went.

Neuvillette let out a soft sigh and shook his head. His gaze lingered on the door Furina had rushed through. 

Furina walked briskly down the streets of Fontaine. Relief washed over her, but it didn't last long. Her heart ached — her sense of justice gnawing at her.

I should be doing more… she thought bitterly. I should be better than this…

"I wish I weren't so useless," she muttered quietly to herself as she stopped in front of the Archon statue — elegant, powerful, a symbol of godly presence. She straightened her posture, lifting her chin in an attempt to regain her composure.

In that moment, a whisper brushed against her ear — soft yet unmistakable.

"Furina… Furina…"

The voice startled her, but it wasn't frightening. Instead, it carried a warmth — gentle, like a mother calling to her child.

What was that? Furina's gaze drifted upward, searching the sky.

For a brief moment, something stirred within Furina — a feeling that caught her off guard. The weight she had carried for so long felt just a little lighter, and in its place bloomed something she hadn't felt in what seemed like an eternity — hope.

She clung to that feeling tightly. She put her trust into Mirror me, still a chance — a way to save the people of Fontaine. She just had to keep pushing forward.

"Is something the matter, Lady Furina?" Clorinde's voice broke through her thoughts. Her violet hair framed her sharp features, and her piercing purple eyes were as focused as ever.

"Oh, it's nothing," Furina replied quickly, her tone light. "The weather just seems nice today, that's all."

————

"Mr. Zhongli, thank you for meeting with us," said the archaeologists, Tian Hui and Satoshi.

"The pleasure is mine," Zhongli replied, taking a sip of tea. His amber eyes gleamed with wisdom as he regarded them thoughtfully.

"So, what is it you need from me?" Zhongli asked, his tone calm and steady.

Tian Hui spoke first. "We've heard that you know much about Liyue's history, and we've come to you to learn how this god ended up at the bottom of the ocean floor." He pulled out drawings of the creatures they had discovered.

Zhongli glanced at the drawings, nodding thoughtfully. "I see. If I remember correctly from an old book, this was once a god named Fenrir."

"Fenrir?" Tian Hui frowned. "I've never heard of him."

"Many have not," Zhongli replied, taking another sip of his tea before continuing.

"He was not a god of this world. He was the one responsible for the deaths of many gods across Asgard."

"So I was right," Tian Hui exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement. "He's one of those gods from Ragnarok!"

"Indeed, he was," Zhongli said, his gaze distant as if lost in thought, remembering times long past.

"Mr. Zhongli, how exactly did he end up there?" Satoshi asked, eager for more answers.

Zhongli shook his head. "I cannot say. That is all I know of the subject."

"I see," Tian Hui said, her tone thoughtful. "Well, it's a good thing it's our job to find out more. Thank you, Mr. Zhongli." They waved him goodbye as they left.

Zhongli stood up and gazed out at the harbor. Fenrir, even now, you're still suffering.

The memory of the battle resurfaced—one where he had nearly lost his life. Fenrir's strength had been beyond anything imaginable, a force that could shatter even the strongest.

Zhongli knew all too well the consequences if Fenrir were ever set loose. He would undoubtedly bring destruction to everything in his path.

His gaze hardened as he focused on the chains, ensuring they remained firm and unyielding. He had been tasked with this duty—he could not allow Liyue to fall into danger.

Fenrir must never be set free.