-

The streets of Sumeru City were alive with the glow of lanterns and the soft murmur of scholars deep in conversation. The scent of fresh parchment and exotic spices filled the air as Furina and Yoshika navigated through the bustling market.

"He was last seen near the House of Daena," Furina mused, her gloved fingers tapping her chin. "Wanderer has a habit of lurking where knowledge is abundant."

Yoshika remained silent, her dark pink eyes scanning the crowd. She wasn't interested in the ambiance-her focus was set entirely on the reason they were here.

As they approached the grand doors of the library, a familiar voice greeted them.

"Well, well. The Fontainean starlet and the Tsaritsa's little dancer. Quite the unexpected pair to find lurking in Sumeru."

Furina's eyes narrowed as she turned to see Wanderer leaning casually against a pillar, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on his lips.

"Ah, if it isn't the puppet with an ever-changing name," Furina shot back, dramatic as ever. "I suppose we should be honored that you've deigned to acknowledge us."

Wanderer chuckled. "And here I thought you came looking for me. What a shame. I was almost flattered."

Yoshika stepped forward, her tone cold. "Enough with the word games. You left our last conversation unfinished. We're here for answers."

Wanderer's smirk faded slightly, his sharp violet gaze assessing her. "Straight to the point, huh? Fine." He turned on his heel, motioning for them to follow. "Let's talk somewhere less public."

The trio walked through the quiet corridors of the library until they found a secluded alcove, dimly lit by the golden glow of a few hanging lanterns. Wanderer leaned against a wooden table, arms crossed once more.

"So," he said, looking at them with an almost lazy interest, "what exactly do you want to know?"

Furina and Yoshika exchanged a glance before Furina stepped forward. "You know something about Celestia's interference. Something about what they took from me. About what they may have done to her." She gestured at Yoshika. "You know more than you let on."

Wanderer was quiet for a moment, his gaze shifting between them. Then, he exhaled. "You're right. I do."

Yoshika's fingers twitched slightly at his confirmation, but she remained composed.

Wanderer's expression turned unreadable. "But before I give you anything, you need to answer something first." His violet eyes locked onto Yoshika.

"Do you really want to know?"

The weight of his question settled in the air between them.

Furina frowned. "What kind of question is that? Of course, she wants to-"

"I wasn't asking you," Wanderer cut in smoothly, still staring at Yoshika.

Yoshika held his gaze, her voice steady. "I do."

Wanderer's smirk returned, but this time it lacked amusement.

"Then listen carefully," he said, lowering his voice. "Because once you hear the truth, there's no going back."

-
𝖠𝗇 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝖾: 𝗂𝖽𝗄 𝗂𝖿 𝖶𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗋 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖢𝖾𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗂𝖺 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝗒𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗄𝗂𝗇𝖽𝖺 𝗀𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖺!!