After Neuvillette finished handling official matters, he quietly departed the Palais Mermonia.
The moment the doors closed, Furina could no longer contain herself. How could a newly ascended god not test her elemental powers?
She raised her left hand, and a shimmering blue orb of water formed in her palm. With a flick of her will, she hurled it out the window—where it exploded mid-air in a dazzling burst. Closing her eyes, she felt it: the waters of Fontaine flowing through her veins. Every ripple, every current, every disturbance—she could sense it all. If a powerful deity stepped foot in Fontaine, she'd know instantly.
"Oh Archons, this is incredible! I can feel the entire nation!" Furina laughed triumphantly.
Outside the door, a guard overheard her and muttered under his breath, "Lady Furina's having another episode…"
Then a thought struck her. The—the Pneuma and Ousia mechanisms—are powered by the Hydro Archon's Gnosis. If I remove it… will the system shut down? I have to test this!
With dramatic flair, Furina strode out of the palace and headed toward the Opéra Epiclese. Citizens greeted her warmly along the way, and she responded with regal charm. But as she passed the Station, a sound caught her attention.
Click.
"Who's there?!"
She summoned several water blades midair, aiming them toward the bushes where the sound had come from.
"Lady Furina! Please don't attack! I'm not a threat—I'm Charlotte, a reporter from the Steambird!"
A pink-haired girl emerged sheepishly from the foliage. Furina lowered her blades and crossed her arms, wearing a mischievous smirk.
"Charlotte, must you always sneak around like that?"
Charlotte scratched her head, laughing awkwardly. "I didn't expect you to notice me! But I got a shot of you using elemental power—that's front-page material!"
Furina narrowed her eyes. "If you promise not to publish that footage, I'll grant you an exclusive interview. Deal?"
"Really?! Lady Furina!" Charlotte's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Really. But you mustn't tell anyone what you saw. Can I trust you?"
"You can! I swear I won't say a word!"
"Good. I have business to attend to. I'll be traveling to Liyue soon. When I return, we'll do your interview."
"Safe travels, Lady Furina!"
Humming to herself, Furina skipped toward the Opéra Epiclese. Standing before it, she marveled aloud, "Seeing it up close… it's even more majestic than in the game."
Inside, she rushed straight to the Arkhe Core. After confirming no one was around, she extended her right hand. A surge of divine Hydro energy flowed from her body into the mechanism.
Moments later, a brilliant blue light erupted from the core, and a glowing chess-like piece flew into her hand.
"So this is the Gnosis… Looks like a chess piece. Celestia's taste is certainly… unique."
She toyed with the gnosis for a moment, then glanced up. The Core's glow had dimmed.
"Just as I thought. Without the gnosis, the system shuts down."
She returned the gnosis to its place, dusted off her hands, and casually walked away.