Aether was suddenly jolted awake. Only when the eerie purple light filled his vision again did he prop himself up on his elbows.
A towering shadow engulfed his small figure, and the repulsive roar made his head spin once more. But in the next moment, a crimson streak flashed, cleaving the massive body before him in two.
"Can you still stand?"
Beneath those scarlet eyes lay endless coldness, and the blood-red scythe behind her gleamed razor-sharp under the moonlight.
Arlecchino extended her hand to Aether. He nodded firmly, wiped the blood from his face, and pulled himself up with her help.
The next second, a spear wreathed in raging lightning shot through the air, piercing the surging tide ahead. A figure stood atop the spear, nodding at the two of them.
"Fontaine City lies ahead—the final stretch. The Knights of Favonius and I will take it from here."
With that, Cyno from Sumeru yanked his spear from the ground and vanished like a phantom.
Soon after, the Knights of Favonius charged forward like a blade, leading the advance.
Fortunately, no further mishaps occurred. Under everyone's escort, Aether finally arrived safely at the Court of Fontaine.
Neuvillette had long been waiting. Amidst the blood-stained wind, he stood as straight as a pine tree—unyielding even in the face of calamity.
No words were exchanged. Their eyes had already conveyed everything.
...
The storm continued to batter the windows. Furina curled up, pressing herself tightly into the corner as if the wall behind her could offer some semblance of safety.
Only when the door was gently knocked did a faint glimmer return to her vacant eyes.
She lifted her head, took a deep breath, and after confirming she was still composed, stood up and opened the door.
"Aether?"
Aether said nothing. Instead, he placed the bag in his hand onto the table.
"Thank you."
Hearing those two words, Furina froze, visibly flustered. The next second, her eyes reddened, and her throat tightened with emotion.
"W-what... are you... talking about...?"
She turned away, not letting Aether see her disheveled state, while he gazed out the window.
Just moments ago, standing at Fontaine's highest point, he had glimpsed a brilliant light bursting forth from beyond the sea—amidst the impenetrable darkness.
All watched in silence, beholding the radiant glow of humanity—a flicker of light kindled with lives as its fuel.
Once light appears, those lost in darkness will strive toward that hope.
Aether forced a smile, pursed his lips. After a long pause, his hoarse voice finally spoke.
"Thank you for everything. Neuvillette and I both know now."
The warm ceiling light bathed the two of them, yet shadows veiled Furina's face. Only the faint tremors of her body were visible.
Tears formed of Hydro trickled down her cheeks, one after another, like water from a faucet left running.
"Ah... this is... I... I was just doing my duty... After all... I am... the Hydro Archon!"
She frantically wiped her face with her sleeve, trying to erase her tears, until Aether pushed the bag on the table toward her.
Inside was a limited-edition dessert.
Furina devoured it ravenously, as if trying to swallow both the sweetness and the bitterness whole.
Aether took a tissue from his pocket and quietly placed it on the table.
"If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be right outside."
He gently closed the door, leaving only the sound of uncontrollable sobbing behind.
...
Had Egeria known of Fontaine's plight, would she still have granted the Oceanids a new future?
If this was the sin Fontaine's people were destined to bear, would its end bring redemption?
If a life never meant to exist was born, was this cruel fate the price they were meant to pay?
No one knew. No one could say what Fontaine's future would hold.
But one thing was certain—they were already like us, possessing the rights of humans. And that was enough.
No matter how absurd justice may seem, it is still the justice of humanity. When all is settled, someone must pay the price—and under fate's gaze, that price will come.
...
"The trial of the Hydro Archon shall now commence!"
Neuvillette's voice boomed with the unwavering authority of a judge, watching as Furina, whom he had cared for all this time, stepped onto the final defendant's stand.
The audience was vast—every seat filled.
Yet the crowd was silent—not a single voice spoke.
Lyney placed his hand over Lynette's, the warmth bringing her a sliver of comfort.
Arlecchino rested her chin on her hand, observing Furina's serene, unshaken expression as she stood tall, gazing at the audience with the faintest trace of a smile.
Only now did Arlecchino sense a glimmer of divinity within Furina.
As the final verdict was about to be delivered, Aether raised his hand.
"Chief Justice, I request to stand beside Furina."
Neuvillette gave a slight nod.
"Request granted."
Furina's lips parted. Though no sound came out, Aether understood her words.
The dessert yesterday was delicious. And… thank you for staying with me till the end.
The gavel's resounding strike echoed through the opera house like the arrival of justice itself. With the verdict declared, the Hydro Archon was sentenced to death.
On the scales of judgment, if one side bore a weight heavy enough—could it lift the other, the extinction of Fontaine's people, to balance?
The counterweights were the Hydro Archon and this ceremony.
The answer was—yes.
The Oratrice Mécaniqe d'Analyse Cardinale emitted a radiance brighter than ever before. After five hundred years, the opera house, once empty, now welcomed its first—and final—audience.
Focalors bowed to the unknowing crowd, then offered an apologetic nod to Furina seated upon the throne.
This was Her final performance—Her last words to the world.
Through Her act, truth and justice returned to the people—a scheme five centuries in the making, finally fulfilled.
Above, the sword of Damocles—having loomed for five hundred years—fell. Before all, the blade capable of slaying a god pierced Her body.
Furina closed her eyes, two clear trails of tears streaming down.
In the prophecy, the Heavenly Principles had punished Egeria's actions, condemning all she had done. That prophecy had weighed upon Fontaine's people like an inescapable dread.
The Heavenly Principles decreed the apocalypse—all would be swallowed by the sea, every Fontainian dissolved into the Primordial Sea, while the Hydro Archon wept alone upon her throne.
Yet Furina never stopped smiling.
She wept—for she felt the storms of Fontaine's suffering, the pain of those lost to the Tacet Discords and the Primordial Sea, bearing their sorrow as her own.
She smiled—for she felt the light and resilience of humanity itself.
It meant they—the Oceanids—had become like humans, sharing their tenacity, their faith in tomorrow.
Neuvillette raised his hand, feeling the full weight of his authority restored.
Step by step, he ascended into the torrential rain, surveying the ravaged land and Tacet Discords below. Extending his palm, a sigil manifested within it.
"I, the Sovereign of Water, in my capacity as Fontaine's Chief Justice, hereby absolve all Fontainians of their original sin. From this day forth, every citizen of Fontaine may live on—as humans."
The rain receded. The clouds parted. The first rays of sunlight finally graced Fontaine's land.
High above, Neuvillette watched as the sun crept over the distant horizon.
Yes—on the continent of Teyvat, dawn had arrived at last.