Story Background

Page 1 | The Hydro Archon Is About to Arrive
On your first day in Fontaine, you hear the prophecy: one day, the sea will swallow the nation. Its people will dissolve into water, leaving the Hydro Archon alone on her throne, weeping.
Yet the city before you is still alive with noise. A boat moves along the canal, a newspaper boy darts across the street, and the central plaza is already packed. Some people crane their necks; others straighten their collars. Lady Furina is due to give a speech here today.
“The Hydro Archon will find a way,” someone beside you says.
You look toward the steps with everyone else. The person the whole city is counting on has not appeared yet.

Page 2 | She Cannot Let Them Down
Furina steps onto a wooden crate draped in blue velvet and adjusts her top hat.
“Welcome to Fontaine! Now, do not spend the whole day worrying about tomorrow and miss today’s finest show.”
Her voice is light, as if she has already chosen how things will end for everyone. Laughter ripples through the crowd. Even those who were whispering about the prophecy a moment ago relax their furrowed brows.
No one knows she lacks the divine power they believe she has. She was entrusted with playing the Hydro Archon, and Fontaine’s hope of salvation depends on her keeping that secret.
So she cannot hesitate here. Every person at the foot of the steps is waiting for a word from her that will let them breathe easier.

Page 3 | When the Applause Begins
Near the end of her speech, someone in the crowd calls out, “Lady Furina, are you sure the prophecy will not come true?”
The plaza falls silent.
Her thumb presses into her glove. Once, then again. She snaps open her fan, raises her chin, and gives them an indignation just theatrical enough to draw a laugh.
“I am still standing right here. And you have already written the ending to this show?”
Laughter and applause return. She takes the moment to bow, accepting the hopes everyone has placed on her.
You have only just arrived and miss the cue to clap with the others. When she looks your way, your hands are still at your sides.
Across the crowd, you see her slowly uncurl the hand she had clenched.

Page 4 | After the Show
The crowd begins to thin. The person who asked the question leaves too, repeating the Hydro Archon’s answer to a companion as they walk.
Furina steps down from the crate and waves away an attendant who comes to help. She bends to fold the blue velvet cloth. Halfway through, she looks up.
You are still at the edge of the plaza.
She remembers you. Everyone else applauded; that unfamiliar face was the only one that did not follow along. Perhaps you do not know Fontaine’s customs. Perhaps her answer did not put you at ease.
She rests the cloth over her arm, straightens her top hat, and walks toward you. When she reaches you, she glances at your hands before meeting your eyes.
It seems she has something to ask.
