Focalors gazed at Fidelle, her tone softening.
"Fidelle, your soul is safe here. You can remain in this space and wait... wait until the dust settles. Perhaps... perhaps in the future, when Furina truly gains her freedom and Fontaine's crisis is resolved, I can find a new way for you to exist..."
"No."
Fidelle's consciousness pulsed, interrupting Focalors with clear, unwavering resolve—a decisiveness that brooked no argument.
"Lady Focalors," Fidelle's voice rang with unprecedented clarity and strength, "I thank you for informing me, and even more for giving me the opportunity to learn the truth. But I cannot 'wait' as you suggest."
"You said the Trial is Lady Furina's solitary Fate, the key to your Plan? I understand. But you also said she is drowning in pain and loneliness, on the verge of collapse? Then she is no longer 'alone'!"
Fidelle's body had fully transformed into a human form, clad in the same clothes she wore when she was dissolved.
"Lady Focalors, please tell me how to get out of here! How to return to her side! Even if my form is only a wisp of wind, a drop of dew accidentally falling on her fingertip, or... a faint warmth that only she can sense!"
"I don't need a physical form, I don't need power! All I need is... to be near her! To let her feel, before the Trial begins... that Fidelle is still here! That Fidelle believes in her! Just as I always have!"
"Lady Furina is just an ordinary person. I fear she can't bear it, that she'll be drowned in the people's doubts and never rise again."
Focalors didn't respond. After about half a minute, she walked up to Fidelle and tilted her head slightly.
"You've even solidified your body... Since you wish to go, I won't stop you. However, you must agree to one condition."
Fidelle: "What condition?"
Focalors: "The Trial must proceed. You may go to support Furina, but only that. This is the ultimate goal of her efforts—and mine—over the past five hundred years, Fidelle. Do you understand?"
Fidelle: "I promise you, Fontaine will be safe! Lady Furina will be safe too!"
Focalors: "I will open a sliver of a gap for you—an extremely narrow passage to the material world, to Furina at Palais Mermonia."
Fidelle bowed deeply and solemnly. "Thank you, Lady Focalors!"
Focalors fell silent.
The light at her fingertips converged abruptly, like stars coalescing, and gently touched the flowing water screen.
The space hummed silently, and an almost imperceptible channel of shimmering light materialized.
Without hesitation, Fidelle transformed into a warm stream of light, imbued with unwavering determination, and plunged headfirst into the gap—a gateway to an unknown and fleeting future.
The light flashed briefly, the channel swiftly closed, and the space resumed its flowing stillness.
Focalors' luminous silhouette gazed long at the spot where Fidelle had vanished.
Her illusory form sighed softly in the silence, a sigh filled with concern for Furina as she prepared to take the final stage, and with profound respect and blessings for the loyal guardian who protected her.
Having emerged from the shallows of Focalors' consciousness, Fidelle did not immediately return to Furina's side.
Instead, she lingered in a particular stretch of sea, silently scrutinizing her own body.
No longer in her Oceanid form, she appeared in her original appearance—though not quite corporeal. Her entire being seemed somewhat translucent, yet clearly visible.
She had once accepted a quest from Lumine to investigate the Pure Souls of Fontaine.
Previously, Fidelle had even entertained the thought that she herself might be one of them, considering the clues: one of the Anemo or Electro Visions, nineteen years old, born on November 11th...
Unaware of her own birthday, Fidelle hadn't given the matter much thought.
But now... she realized her soul was indeed exceptionally strong and unique, matching the hints Lumine had provided. Could it be that she truly possessed a Pure Soul?
-
Fidelle found a rock to sit on. Reflecting on the situation from her own perspective, she realized it was only natural for her to recognize herself as a Pure Soul.
Having spent over a decade by Furina's side, she had naturally learned about the affairs of other nations while investigating the "Prophecy." She was also keenly aware of the Abyss's insatiable hunger for Pure Souls.
Logically, everything aligned. It was time to begin her grand finale.
The Fontaine storyline was already heartrending. Even if the emotional feedback from the suffering wouldn't count toward her own merit because she wasn't the one causing it, what did it matter?
Fontaine's tragedies must remain intact; her own blades were yet to come.
Focalors... she would save her, no matter what!
-
Inside the System Space, Jiang Mumu was strategizing the Fontaine storyline. She wasn't just aligned with the Pure Soul Faction; she also held a high-ranking position within the Abyss.
Now that Fidelle had realized her true identity, Jiang Mumu could exploit that knowledge to turn the Abyss against itself.
Before long, Jiang Mumu had finalized her plan, waiting only for Furina's trial to begin!
"Hmm, Rola and the others invited me to squad up for four-player matches. No way!"
Don't let their competent appearances in Teyvat fool you—when it came to gaming, they were all hopelessly unskilled. Solo queuing offered a chance of victory, but playing with those three was pure suffering!
Jiang Mumu kept clicking "Reject," but as soon as she did, another invitation would pop up. After rejecting over a dozen, she stared at Yuna's avatar, still stubbornly sending requests...
This stubborn blockhead!
"Fine, I'll play with you guys a little longer! I'll be sending you back soon enough!"
-
Fontaine, Fleuve Cendre.
Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi had come here to rest. After exchanging a few words, Paimon suddenly noticed a steaming cup of tea that had inexplicably appeared on the table.
Leaning closer to examine it, Paimon said in confusion, "I've never seen this cup before...?"
"Don't be alarmed. I've simply been joining you for tea, though I remained silent until now."
The sudden voice startled Paimon. "Ah! A voice with no one there?!"
"What a peculiar yet fascinating description... You truly are an intriguing trio. And yet, such intriguing individuals seem lost. I simply couldn't resist my habit of joining you for a cup of tea and a chat."
Lumine: "Who are you? What do you want from us?"
"A traveler acting on a whim, volunteering to take on a friend's apprentice's quest."
Paimon: "Y-you're Mona's Master's friend?!"
"Indeed. I am N. My friends suggested I introduce myself as: a wandering witch of the world."