<<<___>>>
Dawn
<<<___>>>

Furina awoke with a start, her heart pounding softly. The remnants of sleep clung to her, making her movements sluggish as she reached out, searching for the comforting presence of Arlecchino. Her fingers met only cool, empty sheets, and a sinking feeling settled in her chest.

For a moment, she lay still, her mind struggling to process the absence. The previous night replayed in her mind—the passion, the closeness, the whispered promises. It had felt so real, so genuine. She turned her head to the side, half expecting to see Arlecchino's sleeping form beside her, but the space was empty.

A cold dread began to seep into her bones. She sat up, glancing around the room. The early morning light cast long shadows, creating an eerie stillness. The nightstand caught her eye, and her heart skipped a beat. The drawer was slightly ajar, the Gnosis that had been there the night before now conspicuously missing.

Furina's breath stopped. She pushed the covers aside and got out of bed, her movements frantic and disjointed. She checked the nightstand, hoping against hope that the Gnosis might have somehow been misplaced, but it was gone. She moved to the dresser, then the wardrobe, opening drawers and pushing aside clothes, her panic escalating with each passing second.

"Arlecchino?" she called out, her voice trembling with fear. There was no answer.

She tore through the room, her search becoming more desperate. She checked the bathroom, the closet, even under the bed. Her breathing grew rapid and shallow, her vision blurring with tears. The Gnosis was nowhere to be found, and neither was Arlecchino.

A strangled sob escaped her lips as the realization set in. Arlecchino had betrayed her. The love and trust she had felt, the connection they had shared—it had all been a lie. The room seemed to spin around her, the walls closing in as her panic reached a fever pitch.

Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, clutching her chest as she struggled to breathe. The betrayal cut deeper than she could have imagined, a searing pain that left her feeling utterly alone and vulnerable. She tried to calm herself, but the enormity of what had happened was too much to bear.

As her vision began to darken, she heard the door creak open. She barely registered the sound of footsteps approaching, her mind too clouded with fear and grief. It wasn't until she felt a pair of strong hands on her shoulders that she realized someone was there.

"Furina!" Neuvillette's voice broke through the haze of her panic. He knelt beside her, his face a mask of concern. "Breathe, Furina. Focus on my voice. In and out, slowly."

She tried to follow his instructions, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. His presence was a lifeline, a beacon of stability in the midst of her turmoil. Gradually, her breathing began to slow, her vision clearing enough to see the worry etched on Neuvillette's face.

"The Gnosis," she managed to whisper, her voice barely audible. "It's gone. Arlecchino... she took it."

Neuvillette's expression hardened, understanding and determination flashing in his eyes. "We will find her," he said firmly. "And we will recover the Gnosis. But first, you need to calm down. You're safe here, Furina. We'll handle this together."

Furina nodded weakly, tears spilling down her cheeks. She allowed Neuvillette to help her to her feet and guide her back to the bed. She felt hollow, her trust shattered, but Neuvillette's presence was a small comfort. She clung to his words, trying to find a semblance of hope amid the devastation.

As she lay back down, exhaustion overtaking her once more, she couldn't shake the image of Arlecchino's smile, the feel of her touch. The betrayal cut deep, but Furina knew she had to find the strength to move forward. For the sake of Fontaine, and for her own heart, she would rise above this. And with Neuvillette by her side, she had a chance to reclaim what had been stolen from her.

Neuvillette pov:
*======*

Neuvillette walked through the grand halls of the Fontaine palace, the early morning light casting a soft, golden glow through the tall windows. The opulence of the palace, with its intricate carvings and marble floors, was something he had grown accustomed to, yet this morning, it seemed to blur into the background. His thoughts were consumed with the events of the previous night—the play, the celebration, and Furina's unusual absence after the performance.

As he approached Furina's quarters, he noticed the door was slightly ajar. His brow furrowed in concern. Furina was usually meticulous about such details. He gently pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit room.

The first thing he saw was Furina's bed, the sheets in disarray, and the nightstand drawer open. His eyes quickly scanned the room, looking for any sign of the Hydro Archon. The soft light filtering through the curtains barely illuminated the corners of the room, casting long shadows that seemed to deepen the sense of unease that was settling over him.

Then he saw her. Furina was on the floor, her body trembling with each ragged, shallow breath she took. Her hands clutched at her chest, her eyes wide and filled with a raw, palpable terror. The sight of her in such a state sent a jolt of alarm through Neuvillette's usually composed demeanor.

"Furina!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency as he rushed to her side. He knelt beside her, his hands gently gripping her shoulders. The feel of her fragile frame under his hands only heightened his concern. "Breathe, Furina. Focus on my voice. In and out, slowly."

Her eyes darted to his, filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. He maintained steady eye contact, his voice calm and soothing, repeating the breathing instructions. He watched as she tried to follow his lead, her breaths slowly becoming more even, though the fear in her eyes remained.

"What happened?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He didn't want to overwhelm her, but he needed to understand the situation. "Why are you in such a state?"

"The Gnosis," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's gone. Arlecchino... she took it."

Neuvillette's heart sank. The Gnosis was not just a powerful artifact; it was a symbol of Fontaine's power and stability. Its loss was unthinkable. His mind raced with the implications, but he forced himself to stay composed for Furina's sake.

He gently helped her to sit on the edge of the bed, his movements careful and deliberate. "We'll find her," he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "And we will recover the Gnosis. But first, you need to calm down. You're safe here, Furina. We'll handle this together."

Her nod was weak, but he saw the flicker of trust in her eyes. He reached for a glass of water on the bedside table and handed it to her. "Drink this," he instructed softly. "It will help."

As she sipped the water, Neuvillette's mind was already formulating a plan. He would mobilize the best agents in Fontaine, use every resource at their disposal to track down Arlecchino. But he also knew he had to protect Furina, both physically and emotionally. The betrayal by someone she had trusted, someone she had loved, would leave deep scars.

He watched as she slowly regained her composure, her breathing evening out. "Thank you, Neuvillette," she murmured, her voice still shaky. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," he replied, his tone resolute. "We will get through this, Furina. I promise you."

As she placed the empty glass back on the nightstand, he took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Rest now," he said gently. "We'll take the necessary steps to recover the Gnosis. For now, you need to regain your strength."

She nodded, exhaustion evident in her eyes. Neuvillette stayed by her side until she lay back down, her breathing steadying as sleep began to take over. He watched over her, his mind a whirlwind of strategies and plans. He would not let this betrayal go unanswered, and he would do everything in his power to protect Furina and restore what had been taken.

As he finally stood to leave, he cast one last look at the sleeping Archon, a silent vow forming in his heart. He would bring Arlecchino to justice, recover the Gnosis, and ensure that Furina's trust in him was never in vain. With a deep breath, he stepped out of the room, ready to face the challenges ahead.

Arlecchino pov:
~~~~~~~>

Arlecchino stood at the edge of the dock, the crisp morning air of Fontaine biting at her skin. The city was still shrouded in the quiet of dawn, the only sounds the gentle lapping of water against the wooden pilings and the occasional call of a seabird. She watched as the small boat bobbed gently on the waves, the vessel that would carry her back to the cryo nation of Snezhnaya.

The weight of the Gnosis, tucked safely in her satchel, seemed to pull at her shoulder, a constant reminder of the gravity of her actions. She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the onslaught of emotions threatening to break through her carefully constructed facade. This was not the time for weakness. She had a mission to complete.

As she boarded the boat, her mind drifted back to the night before. The feel of Furina's lips against hers, the warmth of her touch, the vulnerability they had shared—it all felt like a lifetime ago. She could still hear Furina's soft moans, see the way her eyes had lit up with trust and desire. Arlecchino closed her eyes, trying to banish the memories, but they clung to her, a testament to the depth of her betrayal.

She settled onto one of the wooden benches, the boat's engine sputtering to life and breaking the morning's silence. The vessel began to move, cutting through the calm waters, leaving Fontaine behind. Arlecchino's gaze was fixed on the horizon, her thoughts a tumultuous whirlpool of regret and determination.

Had she really done the right thing? The question gnawed at her, a relentless echo in her mind. She had always been a master of manipulation, using people's emotions to her advantage, but this felt different. Furina had been more than a mark; she had been... something more. Arlecchino had allowed herself to feel, to connect, and now she was paying the price.

The Gnosis was essential to the Tsaritsa's plans, a key piece in the intricate puzzle of power and control. Arlecchino had known this from the start, had accepted the mission with unwavering resolve. Yet, now, as she left Fontaine behind, the cost of that mission weighed heavily on her heart. She had deceived Furina, taken advantage of her trust, and now, she was leaving her alone and betrayed.

The image of Furina's face, twisted with pain and confusion, flashed in her mind. Arlecchino clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. She couldn't afford to think about it, couldn't afford to let the guilt consume her. She had a duty to the Fatui, to the Tsaritsa. Emotions were a luxury she could not afford.

But the memories persisted. The laughter they had shared, the stolen glances, the tender moments that had felt so real. Arlecchino's chest tightened with a pang of regret. She had played her role perfectly, but in doing so, she had lost a part of herself.

The boat continued its journey, the landscape gradually shifting as they moved further from Fontaine. Arlecchino's thoughts turned to the future, to the inevitable confrontation with the Tsaritsa and her fellow Harbingers. Would they see her actions as a success, or would they sense the hesitation, the doubt that had crept into her heart?

She reached into her satchel, her fingers brushing against the cold, smooth surface of the Gnosis. It was a tangible reminder of her mission, a symbol of her loyalty to the Fatui. She had done what was necessary, what was expected of her. Yet, the victory felt hollow.

——

As the boat neared the shores of Snezhnaya, the icy landscape coming into view, Arlecchino took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She would face the consequences of her actions, both the external judgments of her peers and the internal battle with her own conscience.

The boat docked, and Arlecchino stepped onto the frosty ground, the familiar chill of her homeland seeping into her bones. She squared her shoulders, pushing aside the lingering doubts. She had a mission to complete, and she would see it through.

But as she made her way toward the looming silhouette of the Tsaritsa's palace, one thought lingered in the back of her mind, a quiet whisper of what might have been. Furina's face, her trust, and the fragile connection they had shared. It was a reminder that, beneath the mask of the Harbinger, Arlecchino was still human, capable of feeling, capable of regret.

With a final, resolute step, she entered the palace, ready to face whatever awaited her, but forever changed by the journey that had brought her here.

————-

LATE POST SORRYY!!!!

-The Author