-

The journey back to Fontaine was quiet. Furina, for once, didn’t fill the silence with dramatic complaints or witty remarks. Instead, she sat by the window of their airship, gazing out at the endless waters below. The reflection of the sky shimmered on the ocean’s surface, but her mind was far from peaceful.

Yoshika, seated across from her, watched with detached curiosity. She had expected Furina to react more—perhaps a dramatic speech about defying fate or a vow to bring Celestia to its knees. But instead, Furina seemed… lost in thought.

It was unsettling.

“We should get stronger,” Yoshika finally said, breaking the silence.

Furina turned to her, blue eyes distant before sharpening. “We already are strong.”

Yoshika tilted her head. “Not enough.”

Furina scoffed, crossing her arms. “Oh? And what would you suggest, then? More training? Endless duels with Clorinde?”

“If that’s what it takes,” Yoshika replied simply.

Furina sighed dramatically but didn’t argue further. She knew Yoshika was right. If Celestia was truly watching—waiting—then they had little time to waste.

—

Fontaine – A Week Later

Returning to Fontaine felt strange.

Furina had expected to feel relief, but instead, it felt like stepping onto a stage she no longer belonged to. The grand city still shimmered with elegance, the fountains still danced beautifully, and yet… something felt different.

Yoshika, on the other hand, remained unfazed. Fontaine was just another place to her, another stop in her path. She had no attachments here, only the mission ahead.

Neuvillette was the first to greet them.

“You’re back,” he noted, his ever-calm gaze scanning them. “I assume your visit to Sumeru was… eventful?”

Furina hesitated before nodding. “More than we expected.”

Neuvillette studied her for a moment before his gaze shifted to Yoshika. “And you?”

“I got what I needed,” Yoshika answered simply.

Neuvillette nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Then rest. Whatever is coming, you’ll need your strength.”

—

Over the next few days, preparations began.

Clorinde tested their combat skills, sparring with them to push their limits. Yoshika, already sharp, refined her spear techniques, while Furina focused on combining her swordplay with her Hydro abilities in more unpredictable ways.

Lyney and Lynette helped in their own way—gathering information, ensuring they had everything they needed, and occasionally offering a distraction from the weight of their situation.

Arlecchino, ever watchful, didn’t say much. But when she did speak, it was always something useful, something calculated.

“You should expect betrayal,” she told them one evening, standing at the edge of a balcony overlooking the city. “Celestia plays with people like puppets. If they want you, they’ll twist everything to their advantage.”

Yoshika didn’t react. “I know.”

Furina, however, frowned. “And what about you?” she asked. “If they offer you something in return, would you betray us?”

Arlecchino smirked, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “If you have to ask, then you don’t know me well enough.”

Furina wasn’t sure if that was reassuring or not.

—

Late that night…

Yoshika sat alone in their shared room, gazing out at the moonlit waters.

Furina stirred from the bed, eyes groggy. “…You’re still awake?”

Yoshika didn’t turn. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Furina sat up, sighing. “Thinking about Celestia?”

“…No.”

Furina narrowed her eyes. “Liar.”

Yoshika let out a soft chuckle but didn’t deny it. After a moment, Furina got up and sat beside her, their shoulders barely brushing.

“We’ll get through this,” Furina murmured, more to herself than to Yoshika.

Yoshika glanced at her, the moonlight casting soft shadows over her pale features. “Do you believe that?”

Furina met her gaze, blue eyes unwavering. “Of course.”

A pause. Then Yoshika exhaled softly and leaned against her, just for a moment.

“…Then I’ll believe it too.”

—
𝖠𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝖾: 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇 𝗆𝗒 𝗈𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗒𝖾𝖺