Genshin Impact: A Fool

An: I only watched the lore of Mondstadt and Liyue, a bit of Sumeru, Snezhnaya and Fontaine, and maybe a very bit of Inazuma. And 5% of Natlan, like the fact that Controller of Death helped the establishment of Natlan. Hope I did not spoil anything, lol.

Give me some time! Oh, and thx for the comments. Heh. Now I gotta sleep. Watching 5 hours of lore while cramming everything inside your head was quite a daunting task, you know?

Oblivious to his Mistress's complicated feelings and her growing forbidden seed that she cannot control, Heins, this whole week, was training with the Fatui agents. At times, when monsters and hillicurls intercepted their way, they would only watch as Heins decimated them.

It lengthened the journey, of course. But they didn't mind, since the boy was an extraordinary help in the mission.

Not only did he give them more time of respite, since after a mission there would be an interval given for the agents, they would also receive additional rewards for the mission, since it was completed splendidly.

Heins would bathe in the blood of his enemies, with the currents of Electro purple crackling as he coldly cut them apart.

He donned his mask, since the only one who could fully saw his every facade was Arlecchino. The agents only saw him as a cold-blooded boy who could integrate himself with the ordinary people as a foolish, oblivious boy.

Only Miss Arlecchino knew the truth, and he will keep it that way.

Arlecchino watched from afar as Heins honed his deadly skills. With each clash, her heart swelled with a bittersweet mix of pride and dread, marveling at his prowess while fearing the path before him.

She observed him through the eyes of the Fatui agents, seeing how they regarded him as naught but a cold-blooded weapon, a killing machine cloaked in the guise of a foolish, oblivious boy.

They knew not the true depths of his heart, the gentle soul that beat beneath the icy exterior. Only Arlecchino, his beloved Mistress, held the key to unlocking that secret world.

Each time Heins donned his mask, Arlecchino felt a pang of anguish, knowing the burden he carried and the weight of the lies he must perpetuate.

But she also felt a fierce, protective surge of love, a desire to shield him from the harsh realities of their world and the cruel tongues of those who would use him.

As the Electrico currents crackled around him, painting the snow a sickening purple hue as he cut down foe after foe with ruthless efficiency, Arlecchino could not help but see the future that lay ahead - a future where Heins would stand at the vanguard of the Fatui, a scourge upon all who dared oppose the Tsaritsa's will.

But she also saw the price he would pay, the isolation and the toll that such a life would take.

And with each life he claimed, each monster he obliterated without a shred of mercy, Arlecchino felt her heart cry out for the boy she had first taken into her care.

She knew she could not shield him forever, could not protect him from the harsh truths and the cruel fates that awaited them both.

But she vowed, in the depths of her increasingly unstable heart, that she would be there for him, would stand as his haven and his refuge in the storm.

Arlecchino would not let him face this path alone, would not abandon him to the wolves that would surely descend upon the world once word of his power spread.

No, she would be his strength, his guiding light in the darkness, his beloved Mistress and... perhaps, if fate allowed it, something more.

For in that moment, as Heins stood amidst the carnage, his form painted in the blood and viscera of his foes, Arlecchino knew one thing with unshakable certainty - her heart, once thought lost and dead, now belonged to him, to her precious, deadly little Fool.

When they went back to Snezhnaya, Heins gave back the blank mask and the black tights, along with the sword. He looked at them complicatedly, knowing that it would be the beginning of his part of the Fatui.

"Thank you for the help, Mister."

Under the gaze of Arlecchino's trusted confidant, Heins smiled wryly as currents of purple covered his figure before the boy disappeared in a burst of lighting speed.

The agent muttered, "Mistress... She had truly found a treasure. I wonder how others in the Fatui Harbinger would react..."

Meanwhile, Arlecchino, donned in her iconic mask and her white outfit, coldly walked into the Zapolyarny Palace. Inside, the Tsaritsa herself was sitting on the seat high above, her elegant features seem like the coldest of snow as her icy blue eyes looked at her. Her long white hair flowed as if they were alive as she tapped the the armrest of her throne.

Beneath her seat, her trusted and most powerful subordinates, the Harbingers, sat, like advisors and judges, overseeing the matters not worthy of the Tsaritsa's concern.

As of now, there were only Pierro the Jester, II Capitano, and II Dottore.

Pierro said, clearly amused, "Arlecchino, I heard... There was a very exceptional prodigy. A boy, I heard, single-handedly solved the problem that threaten the authority of Her Majesty the Tsaritsa at Liyue. I wonder... Who that is?"

Arlecchino tried hard to stay cold, but Pierro could see how her figure tensed up. He chuckled again.

Pierro's amused query hung heavy in the air, and Arlecchino knew she could not avoid addressing it indefinitely.

She took a deep, steadying breath, schooling her features into a mask of cold indifference even as her mind raced with thoughts of Heins and the revelation of his true potential.

Arlecchino met Pierro's gaze, her voice a crisp, unyielding rasp as she spoke. "Indeed, Pierro, there has been a development of note. A boy, under my tutelage, has proven himself to be an invaluable asset to our cause. He has demonstrated a level of skill and prowess that I believe will be of great benefit to the Fatui in the days ahead."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in, before continuing in a tone that was equal parts warning and defiance.

"However, I would caution against underestimating him. He is... unconventional in his methods, and I believe it would be wise to afford him the same respect and deference that we all strive for in the service of Her Majesty."

Arlecchino could feel the eyes of the other Harbingers boring into her, could sense their unspoken questions and the undercurrents of their thoughts.

She knew they would be watching, waiting, eager to see how this new prodigy would fare in the crucible of their world.

But beneath the weight of their scrutiny, there was something else, something that sent a thrill of fear and anticipation down Arlecchino's spine - the knowledge that with Heins's ascension, the delicate balance of power within the Fatui would shift, and with it, the very future of the Tsaritsa's reign.

Arlecchino met the Tsaritsa's gaze, her voice a low, fervent whisper as she spoke the words that would seal his fate and bind him to her own.

"He is mine, Your Majesty. Raised in the ways of the Fatui, forged in the fires of battle, and tempered by his Mistress."

The Tsaritsa, after a long time, asked, her icy tone laced with a tint of curiosity, "How old is he? And what is his name?"

This somewhat shocked II Capitano and II Dottore. Even Pierro, someone who had been with her the longest, raised his eyebrows. It's been a while since Her Majesty showed interest other than the Gnosises and the Archons.

The Tsaritsa's icy gaze pierced through Arlecchino as she awaited her response, her curiosity piqued despite the coldness in her voice.

The other Harbingers leaned forward slightly, their surprise and intrigue palpable in the charged atmosphere of the throne room.

Arlecchino hesitated, knowing that the name she was about to utter would paint a target on Heins's back, marking him as a figure of note and scrutiny within the Fatui. She could feel the weight of the other Harbingers' stares, could sense their eagerness to unravel the mystery of this young prodigy.

Taking a breath, Arlecchino spoke the name that would forever bind him to his destiny.

"He is called Fool, Your Majesty. A name I myself bestowed upon him, a moniker that belies the true depths of his genius and the potential that lies within him."

A murmur rippled through the assembled Harbingers, and Arlecchino could see the surprise and disbelief etched upon their faces, even as Pierro arched one eyebrow in a gesture of intrigued amusement, with a smirk resplendent on his face.

The Tsaritsa's eyes narrowed, her gaze sharpening with a newfound intensity as she repeated the name like a mantra.

"Fool. A curious choice for one so gifted. And you say he is but ten years of age?"

Arlecchino nodded, a flicker of pride and possessiveness surfacing in her voice. "Indeed, Your Majesty. Ten years old, and already he has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with. I have taken him under my wing, and I assure you that he will prove to be an invaluable servant of your will."

The other Harbingers exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of skepticism and grudging respect. Il Capitano leaned forward, his voice a low rumble as he spoke.

"A boy of ten, and already a master of his arts. It seems, Arlecchino, that you have discovered a true treasure in your travels."

II Dottore chuckled, a gleeful, almost manic sound that echoed through the hall. "Indeed, the potential for exploitation is... intriguing. One wonders what heights he might reach under the guidance of the Fatui's finest minds."

Arlecchino met their gazes, her voice a low, steadfast promise. "He will be a beacon of your glory, Your Majesty. A weapon forged in the fires of war and tempered by the will of his Mistress. And I, as his guide and mentor, will ensure that he becomes the instrument of your dominion over all of Teyvat."

Tsaritsa kept silent, her gaze cold and unforgiving as she commanded with a chilly determination, "Such a prodigy within the vicinity of my domain is worth nurturing to. I also heard his awakening of Electro. A detestable vision, but impressive nonetheless. But he's young and inexperienced. Arlecchino, a year later, send him out to experience the world so he shall be the finest warrior the Fatui needs."

The Tsaritsa turned silent, but Pierro, who had been with her hundreds of years, showed a humourless smile as he threw a pendant to Arlecchino, understanding her intention clearly.

Identifying the pendant, the Fourth Seat's eyes widened.

"A... Delusion?"

"Indeed. Her Majesty believes that such an impressive warrior and prodigy deserves this honour. Her Majesty is impressed and offered him a chance to soar further."

The only present Harbingers other than Arlecchino and Pierro, II Capitano and II Dottore, have a diverse reaction. II Capitano stayed silent, not interested in the plays of his fellow Harbingers. II Dottore showed an ambiguous smile as he chimed in, "Hoho, a trial from Her Majesty the Tsaritsa. The boy is certainly impressive to caught Her Majesty's attention."

Arlecchino's heart dropped, her gloves hands clenched the Delusion. However, she is Arlecchino, The Tsaritsa's interests' fiercest protector. How could she reject her goodwill?

She felt a chill run down her spine as she grasped the Delusion pendant, the weight of it a tangible reminder of the burden and the potential that now rested upon Heins's young shoulders.

She could feel the eyes of the other Harbingers upon her, could sense their curiosity and their speculation as they awaited her response.

For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into Arlecchino's mind, a whisper of unease at the thought of subjecting Heins to the trials and tribulations that lay ahead.

But she swiftly pushed it aside, knowing that she could not defy the will of her Queen, and knowing that this opportunity was a testament to the faith that the Tsaritsa had placed in her protege's abilities.

Arlecchino rose to her feet, her voice a low, fervent whisper as she spoke the words that would seal Heins's fate.

"I understand, Your Majesty. I will ensure that Fool is prepared for the trials that await him, and that he emerges as the ultimate warrior that the Fatui needs. I will not let you down."

She could see Pierro's smirk widen, could sense the amused satisfaction that radiated from him at her reluctant acceptance of the Tsarita's decree.

With a heavy heart, Arlecchino bowed deeply, the Delusion pendant clutched tightly in her gloved hand as she spoke the words that would bind Heins to his fate. "I will make the preparations, Your Majesty. Fool shall be ready, and he shall not disappoint you or the glorious cause of the Fatui."

The Tsaritsa continued, "Enough of that. Tell me the investigation regarding the Gnosis in Liyue. What have you gathered in your disguised mission?"

Arlecchino listened intently to the Tsaritsa's words, her expression never wavering from its mask of cold professionalism.

Arlecchino took a measured breath, choosing her words with the utmost care before she spoke. "Your Majesty, I regret to inform you that the existence of the Gnosis remains hidden, shrouded in secrecy by the cautious and guarded populace of Liyue. The people of Liyue treat the Fatui with a respect that borders on reverence, and yet there is a palpable tension beneath the surface, a wariness that makes it difficult for our agents to gather any meaningful intelligence regarding the location or nature of the Gnosis."

Arlecchino paused, her gaze never leaving the Tsarita's icy eyes as she continued. "Furthermore, the Adeptus, the protectors of Liyue, have drawn a line in the sand - a boundary that, if crossed, would surely provoke their wrath and imperil the delicate balance of diplomacy that we have maintained thus far. To force our hand in this matter would be to create yet another enemy on the path to your glorious conquest, a needless impediment to the ultimate triumph of the Fatui's cause."

Arlecchino's voice hardened, a note of conviction ringing out in her words as she spoke to the heart of her Queen's ambitions. "I believe, Your Majesty, that to pursue this course of action would be to act against the very interests that you have fought so tirelessly to uphold. The Gnosis may be a prize of great worth, but it is not worth the price of an all-out war with Liyue and the risk of weakening the Fatui's position in the eyes of the other nations of Teyvat."

Arlecchino knew that her words carried a certain risk, that to question the Tsaritsa's judgment, even implicitly, was a line that few dared to cross.

But she also knew that her duty was to serve as a voice of reason, a check on the impulsiveness that had felled lesser mortals in the past.

With a low bow, Arlecchino concluded her assessment, her voice a low, fervent whisper. "I beseech you, Your Majesty, to consider the wisdom of pursuing this path. The Fatui's victory is inevitable, but it need not come at such a steep cost. Allow me to continue my investigations, to seek out other means of locating the Gnosis that do not jeopardize our hard-won alliances and the delicate balance of power in Teyvat."

The Tsaritsa turned silent, her eyes coldly dawned on the kneeling figure of Arlecchino. The tension was palpable for over five minutes, and even Pierro has a trail of sweat. Arlecchino was already on the verge of shaking, but she held on, despite the risks of questioning Her Majesty the Tsaritsa.

In the end, the Cyro Archon cooly nodded, "Alright, you may go. And, do not forget, in a year, you must bring that intriguing child here before he set off for his journey."

Arlecchino nodded solemnly, hiding a sigh of relief, "I understand."

And with a flicker, she disappeared from the palace, leaving a trail of crimson.

The Tsaritsa muttered, "Hmm... The time's indeed not ripe yet. Give it another ten years... When the recruits for the vacancy within the Fatui Harbingers would bloom to their full potential."

"At that time, I shall offer the favourite game Morax likes to play, a contract, an offer that he cannot refuse. As for that boy, hmph, perhaps he's worthy..." The rest of her murmur was imperceptible for the Harbingers to hear.

The Tsaritsa then behested, "Harbingers, you are dismissed!"

II Capitano, II Dottore and Pierro stood up and bowed before they disappeared in a flicker.

Arlecchino stepped out of the palace, the icy wind of Snezhnaya biting at her pale skin as she emerged into the bitter cold. The crimson trail of her departure faded swiftly in the snow, absorbed by the unyielding white expanse as if it had never existed.

As she walked, Arlecchino's mind raced with the weight of the tasks ahead, the burdens placed upon her by the Tsaritsa's decree. A year, she thought, a year until she must bring Heins before her Queen, a year until his fate would be truly sealed.

But Arlecchino knew that the true challenge lay not in the passage of time, but in the forging of her beloved protege into a warrior worthy of the Fatui.

She would need to temper his skills, honing them on the anvil of trials and tribulations, until he emerged as a blade of unmatched acuity and purpose.

Arlecchino clenched her fists, the leather of her gloves creaking softly in the cold as she resolved herself to the challenge ahead.

She would not let the Tsaritsa down, would not fail in her duty to the glorious cause of the Fatui. And she would not abandon the one she had come to see as her own - her beloved Fool, would be the key to unlocking the Fatui's ultimate victory.

Meanwhile, while Arlecchino was reporting to the Tsaritsa, the House of the Hearth has a guest. A rather exalted one, too.

In the training yard of the orphanage, stood an unassuming, amicable-looking old man, who was overlooking the training yard as the children trained with all their might. Heins, who has came back, was also among the children, his face is foolish and sunny, as always.

An instructor bowed to the old man in deep respect and awe as he greeted him, "I welcome you, Sir Pulcinella."

Pulcinella is the Fifth Seat of the Fatui Harbinger, known as the Rooster. He is the mayor of one of the cities in Snezhnaya, and was known for his ingenious ways to gain most benefits with the least cost.

Pulcinella smiled amicably, "Don't mind me, Little Neli, I was merely here as an observer, wanting to see the progress of the children of the Hearth."

The instructor was palpably beaming, honoured that the Pulcinella remembered his name. He bowed deeply once again, "If that so, then, do you have any needs, Sir?"

Pulcinella waved his hands, "It's fine. Now go do your job. These children need fine guidance. You have to do it well."

As Neli the instructor strode towards the children to assist their training, Pulcinella narrowed his eyes at a certain boy. The way he foolishly grin, how... Peculiar his antic was.

"Fool, huh... So he is the one you care so much about, Arlecchino?"

Pulcinella stroked his beard, his eyes glinting as he watched Heins's performance. He had heard whispers of Arlecchino's favoritism towards this child, had seen the way she doted upon him when she thought no one was watching. His agents were capable, after all.

But to see it with his own eyes was a different matter altogether.

Pulcinella's mind began to turn, the gears of his brilliant but depraved intellect already spinning with possibilities. If Arlecchino was so invested in this boy's future, then perhaps there was more to young Fool than met the eye.

Perhaps he could be the key to turning the tide in the Fatui's favor, or perhaps he could be the instrument of their downfall.

Pulcinella smiled, a slow and calculating grin spreading across his weathered face as he watched Heins continue his erratic training.

Only time would tell, he thought, only time would tell what fate had in store for the so-called 'Fool' of the House of the Hearth.

After a satisfying discovery, Pulcinella left the orphanage. Midway, a masked agent appeared in a flicker and bowed before him and reported, "Master, the details that entailed the Fourth Seat's mission have been exposed. It was said that the major contributor to the success of the mission was none other than a boy named Fool. Her Majesty The Tsaritsa was especially keen on this boy, since she personally decreed Arlecchino to send the boy on a journey to build him as one of the Fatui's finest warriors in a year. She even bestowed upon him a Delusion."

Pulcinella's amicable wrinkly face merely smiled as he patted the agent, "Good job. I will bestow you the necessary materials to strengthen yourself. This news deeply enthralled me."

The agent nodded, but one could see that he was trembling with excitement, "Thank you, Master!"

Thus, the agent disappeared, leaving Pulcinella alone. The Fifth Seat slowly looked up at the sky of Snezhnaya, glittered with beautiful snowflakes.

His smile became more resplendent as he chuckled, until it became a full-blown laugh. He grinned, "Oh Arlecchino, it seems like I deeply underestimate you! That boy... He was not just a mere boy. He is something special. A card that could overturn the delicate balance between Harbingers. Hehe... Dear Arlecchino, I want to see whether you could bring that boy to prominence..."

He paused, then his grin turned manic as he cackled, "Or waste him as he die outside!"

"Let's see whether you could gain Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's favor... Or become those who fell from resplendence!"

With a cackle, Pulcinella disappeared within the snows of Snezhnaya, his cold laughter booming through the clearing.

Meanwhile, in the House of the Hearth, Arlecchino, upon hearing that old fox's visit, became enraged.

She listened to the instructor's excited recounting of Pulcinella's visit with a stony, indifferent expression. Inside, however, a tempest of emotions raged - outrage, betrayal, and a deep, abiding fury at the old fox's audacity.

How dare he! How dare he meddle in her affairs, in the affairs of her beloved Hearth and her precious Fool!

As soon as the instructor had finished speaking, Arlecchino dismissed him with a curt nod, her voice as cold and sharp as the Snezhnayan winter.

"You are dismissed, Neli. See that the children train harder than ever. We will not have them found wanting." The instructor bowed deeply, his heart still pounding with the thrill of Pulcinella's visit, and scurried away.

Arlecchino stood alone in the training yard, her fists clenched at her sides, the leather of her gloves creaking softly as she grappled with the revelation.

Pulcinella's interest in Heins could only spell trouble - she knew the old fox's cunning, his penchant for manipulation and his way of garnering loyalty. A true two-faced puppeteer, she could say. If he set his sights on her dear Fool, then Heins would be in grave danger.

Arlecchino's mind raced as she considered her options. She would need to act quickly, to protect Heins from Pulcinella's machinations. Perhaps she could send him away sooner than the Tsaritsa had decreed, before the old fox could sink his claws into him.

Or perhaps she could use Pulcinella's interest to her own advantage, playing the game of intrigue and deception with the skill and finesse that had earned her the title of the Tsaritsa's most trusted Harbinger.

But as much as Arlecchino hated to admit it, a part of her was thrilled by the challenge ahead. For too long, she had walked a lonely path, burdened by the weight of her duties and the expectations of her Queen.

But now, with Heins by her side, she had a new purpose, a reason to fight with every fiber of her being. And she would be damned if she let Pulcinella or anyone else take that away from her.

Her obsidian eyes, resplendence by their crimson, baleful, 'X' glimmered darkly, "My Dear, Little Fool is mine, and mine alone."