Lost Gnosis

Neroth finally set foot on the colorful lands of Fontain. He was using a simple but useful hood cover. His name and face were already known to many people.

His purpose wasn't to cause chaos but to find the Hydro Gnosis. Yet he knew that Hydro Archon sacrificed her life for her people. The question is, who is holding that Gnosis right now?

Neroth wandered around a bit and found a small restaurant. He thought he could find someone who knows something. But the moment he got in a girl pulled his attention…

Her appearance was just like Hydro Archon he knew… but unlike how he assumed, no one seemed to give her that much attention. Her acts weren't like an archon either. She had white short hair and her blue eyes showed that she was enjoying her dessert so much. Her blue attire was elegant and beautiful, as if it were made specially for her, it was fitting to her perfectly.

Neroth came near her, sat in front of her. Still using his cover to not get exposed. He tried to sound like a common traveler.

-Hey, can I sit here?

-Ah sure! Seems like a fan of mine has recognized me huh?

-A fan? Well, you seem like Hydro Archon that's for sure.

-Ah… You don't know what happened eh? Are you a traveler?

-Yeah you can say that. I heard about Hydro Archon for sure. But I wasn't expecting to see someone just like her.

-I am Furina. It's a long story but in short; I was made to symbolise her. Yet after her death, I am of no use anymore. So I am just spending my days trying to feed myself.

-I see. Is there anyone who can hold her place now?

-Ah you are talking about Monsieur Neuvillette! He is the one who is taking care of things around Fontaine now! And he is doing such a nice job if you ask me!

-Hm I see… I wonder where he is right now. I would love to talk with him.

-Many travelers do actually. He loves to spend time with melusines. So he is probably wandering and checking on them. You can check the main hall of the Palais Mermonia too, he could be there too.

-I see, thanks for letting me know. You were so kind to a traveler like me.

-Do you have to go so soon? I would love to show you around! Come on have a seat! I can order another dessert for you.

-No need, you have already done so much for me.

Neroth got up from his seat. He was getting prepared to leave the restaurant.

-Ah come on! I insist on ordering you a cake at least!

Furina talked bubbly and reached her hand to her clothes. Her clumsiness caused her to drop his hood for a second. Exposing him to everyone…

Everyone's focus turned on him. Fearful gazes and gasps were coming from the crowd around them. Furina's eyes widened and she backed up a bit with shock.

-Y-You are… You are him, aren't you..?

Robot guards in the restaurant suddenly made a move to circle him. But he knew he couldn't fight indoors.

Neroth was able to dodge one of the guards and escape through the door. But more guards were waiting for him at outside.

-At least you are all some metal junk. You have to be glad that you don't feel pain.

With these words, his dark scythe appeared in his hand. This wasn't like how he planned at all but he had already started to think of another plan.

There were many robots around him. Dog-shaped ones, human-shaped ones. But some of them had guns in their hands. Fontaine's technology was on another level compared to other regions.

People around them ran to safety and guards started to fire their guns towards him. But these pathetic metals weren't equal to his archononic speed.

Neroth started to cut through the guards like a piece of paper. Even pure steel could not resist the sharpness of his scythe.

Explosive bullets and small missiles were destroying streets. Seems like the guards were giving their everything to catch this criminal.

-What type of guard destroys the things it was protecting?

Neroth thought to himself. Still dodging bullets and slashing through robots easily. But one of the explosives caused big bricks to fall from a building, increasing their speed towards civilians who were hiding. Neroth's eyes catch this, and with a move of his scythe, a black slash goes through bricks, clearing them completely.

-This is starting to get serious. I can't alert people anymore…

Neroth slashed the ground with his scythe. His blade caused huge black flames to appear again and in the blink of an eye, he was lost again…

After a few minutes, a petite girl with bright teal eyes, fluffy light-pink hair, and a sharp reporter's outfit started to run towards Furina. There was a camera in her hands and she seems to be in hurry.

-Madam Furina! Huff… did I come on time?!

Furina was still shocked because of the things just happened. But she turned to the girl and tried to compose herself.

-Sorry Charlotte, you just missed him…

-Dang it! It would have been the best photo of my life! Do you remember what he was like? What type of powers did he possess? You have to tell me!

A calm and composed sound interrupted Charlotte…

-Please be calm Charlotte. Madam Furina, can you please tell me what you have seen?

A man who carries a solemn grace with his long silvery-blue hair, pale skin, and flowing navy robes adorned with water-themed emblems and ornate gold trim approached them. He had an authoritative but soft voice.

-Neuvillette!

Furina rushed near him like a little scared girl seeking her dad. It was obvious that they had a past. Yet nowadays, situations forbid them from meeting without any formality…

Neroth who was watching them from a building's roof, mumbled to himself.

-So this is Neuvillette she talked about… He isn't any ordinary human for sure. I am not sure if he is even human… Yet I can't sense gnosis from him either.

Neroth stood up from where he had hidden. His composed face didn't change at all, still carrying his coldness.

-Then I have to take you down first. "Monsieur Neuvellette"…

Around nighttime, Neuvillette and Furina were in the office, talking about the things that had happened.

-Do you remember? Anything Furina?

-All I remember is his black piercing eyes. And… his short, ashy white hair… It's like, he had a menacing aura… Sorry, he was wearing a cover, I couldn't see him fully…

-It's okay Furina. That's enough for now. Mecha guardians will look for this profile from now on.

-Do you have any idea why he is here Neuvillette?

-It's obvious… He is here for gnosis.

-Please be careful...

Furina sounded so nervous. She knew Neuvillette was strong. But their enemy was someone who took out thousands of archons.

Neroth continued to keep his cover from the mecha guards while trying to learn anything from the citizens. But everyone was already alarmed because of the earlier actions.

Finally, he reached to Opera Epiclese. His cover wasn't enough to get in here so he sneaked up with his incredible speed. He would be caught if anyone saw him from now on.

And he reached to main hall. His gaze turned to a huge machine in the middle of the whole stage.

-So this was the machine whole Fontain was proud of. "Perfect mechanic judge" … Hm, you are a fool Neuvillette, for leaving such a powerful gnosis exposed.

His scythe appeared in his hands again, and he lifted it. Preparing for a slash that would crash the whole machine.

-Stop!

A loud sound came up before he could land his slash. Neroth turned towards the sound.

-The only thing you seek is Gnosis, isn't it?

Neuvillette comes up with his cane, stopping between Neroth and that huge machine.

-Don't worry. It's only me. I didn't alarm any guards.

-Why are you even here then? To stop me from getting Gnosis?

-…I can't stop you, can I..?

Neuvillette reached out his hand towards the machine. Hydro Gnosis appeared in front of him, slowly gliding toward his hands.

Neuvillette's expression was solemn. But he was aware of the situation. He was realistic, and he was more worried about his people. A fight in the desert wouldn't hurt anyone but they were in the middle of the whole country.

-Then let's make a deal, Archon of Hatred…

-You are aware that a fight here would cost thousands of innocent people's lives.

-I will give you the Gnosis… Yet, you have to leave without any harm.

-I see… maybe you aren't as much of a fool.

Neroth took Gnosis from his hand, turned to leave. But he turned towards Neuvillette one last time…

-Is it right that Focalors sacrificed herself to save Fontaine from an apocalypse that Celestia would cause?

-…Yeah…

-I see…

Neroth finally left the court. Escaping from the situation with covers again. Neuvillette did something honorable on his eyes, sacrificing Gnosis to not causing chaos in Fontaine.

-Maybe Focalors was the only one to see Celestia's true face…

He mumbled to himself. And finally left Fontaine…