(Chapter 112 Fortune Teller)
"Here, drink this."
Nahida said gently, offering Citlali a cup of water. She guided the cup to Citlali's hands, and Citlali took it, blinking as she tried to steady her vision. The effects of the Fontainian ale were starting to wear off, though she was still visibly dazed and red-faced. She took a long sip, wincing slightly as the cool water hit her, but her grip on the cup steadied as she sobered up.
Across the table, Tempest sat silently, arms crossed, his gaze steady and unreadable as he watched her. The stern look on his face made it clear he expected answers, or, at the very least, a coherent explanation for her earlier accusations.
As Citlali finally set the cup down, she glanced at Tempest, her eyes now clearer, though a shadow of regret lingered there.
"Thank you."
She muttered, her tone more restrained than before.
"Take your time."
Nahida encouraged softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Just breathe. There's no need for hostility right now."
Tempest raised an eyebrow but kept silent, waiting for Citlali to gather herself. After a few deep breaths, she looked back at him with a mixture of lingering frustration and resolve.
"I...was too harsh."
She began, her voice still wavering.
"But I meant what I said about fighting for our village, for everything they had."
Her tone softened as she continued.
"I apologize for my outburst, but to them, that village was worth everything. Seeing it gone… I just needed to blame someone."
Tempest nodded slightly, acknowledging her words without interrupting. He kept his voice low, though firm, as he replied.
"I understand. But I'm not here to sacrifice my men for lost causes. My methods may be hard to accept, but I'm doing what I can to keep everyone alive."
The silence that followed was heavy, but finally, Citlali nodded, seeming to accept his words, even if grudgingly.
"Now then."
Tempest began, his tone measured.
"Let's discuss Natlan. I'm curious, why does this nation seem to be under constant threat from the Abyss, and how exactly do your people combat it?"
Citlali took a deep breath, the weight of his question settling over her. She glanced down, fingers tracing the rim of her cup, before she looked back up at Tempest with a renewed clarity.
"Before we begin… I need to thank you. You didn't just save me once, but twice. I owe you my life, Proudmoore. Whatever our differences… you've earned my gratitude."
Her voice was steady, sincere.
Tempest inclined his head in acknowledgment, his gaze steady but softened slightly by her words.
"No thanks necessary. I did what was required."
He replied simply.
Nahida, who had been quietly observing, grabbed a nearby stool and nudged it over, settling down beside Tempest. She adjusted her clothes as she took her seat, looking at Citlali with an encouraging smile.
"Go ahead."
She urged gently, her presence adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise tense conversation.
"As you know, during the Cataclysm, the Abyss invaded all seven nations, but here in Natlan, the attacks were especially catastrophic."
Citlali explained, her expression grave.
"The leylines in Natlan are damaged and unstable, which is why the Abyss tends to wreak havoc here more than in other nations where the leylines are stable."
She paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts as she scanned Tempest's face for understanding.
These wars we fight are known as the Night Warden Wars. Only those with Ancient Names are permitted to engage in the Night Warden Battles. Should a person with an Ancient Name perish, they can be brought back to life by-"
Tempest interrupted, his brow furrowing in surprise.
"Are you telling me that Natlan practices necromancy? Isn't that forbidden knowledge?"
He glanced at Nahida, concern etched across his face.
"It is…"
Nahida responded, her voice tinged with apprehension, her eyes darting between Tempest and Citlali.
"Please, let me finish!"
Citlali exclaimed, raising her hands in a placating gesture.
"And no, it's not necromancy. We would never touch that kind of dark magic. This process is called the Ode of Resurrection."
Citlali explained, her tone becoming more animated as she spoke about her homeland's traditions.
"It's a complicated thing to explain, but in short, whenever a person with an Ancient Name dies, they can be brought back to life through the Sacred Flame, with the Pyro Archon herself overseeing the process."
Tempest raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"I see... so technically, all these people with Ancient Names are immortal?"
"Essentially, yes."
Citlali confirmed, nodding.
"That's how Natlan has been able to sustain itself during the Night Warden Wars. These individuals are revered and relied upon to defend our homeland, serving as our frontline against the Abyss."
"Then you depend on these specific individuals to safeguard Natlan?"
Tempest asked, his skepticism resurfacing.
"And you don't worry about the consequences since these people can simply be revived? That's quite an unusual strategy for combatting the Abyss. However, if these so-called Ancient Name bearers are so vital, then why didn't they protect this village from the attack?"
Citlali's expression shifted, tinged with regret.
"The attack here was unexpected... a sudden onslaught that caught us off guard. They cannot be everywhere at once, and even the most powerful among us have limits. The Abyss is cunning. It strikes when we are least prepared, and sometimes, no amount of planning can account for the chaos they bring."
She paused for a moment, her gaze dropping to the floor.
"Tell me, Proudmoore, what exactly are you doing here in Natlan? And I can't help but wonder, is this little girl your daughter?"
Citlali asked, her gaze shifting curiously from Tempest to Nahida.
Tempest shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"No, she's not my daughter. Though I may look older, I'm only seventeen."
Citlali's eyes widened in surprise.
"Huh?!"
"It's a long story."
Tempest continued, brushing a hand through his hair as he tried to explain.
"This is Kusali. We don't share many traits, as she is my half-sister, a fact I only discovered a few months ago."
He gently placed his hand on Nahida's head, ruffling her hair.
"Yes, that's correct. I'm his little sister."
Nahida chimed in with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with pride.
"But you seem so much more mature for someone so young!"
Citlali exclaimed, clearly taken aback by the revelation.
"I get that a lot."
Nahida replied, a touch of humility in her tone.
Tempest chuckled softly, glancing at Nahida with a mix of admiration and affection.
"Oh, she is incredibly talented, believe me. And in many ways, we are quite the opposite. Where she has a calm and thoughtful demeanor, I tend to act more impulsively. It's a dynamic that keeps things interesting, to say the least."
Citlali raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"You mean to tell me that this little girl here has more sense than yourself?"
"More or less."
Tempest admitted with a wry smile.
"But that's just part of her charm. She keeps me grounded, even if I don't always show it."
Nahida beamed at the compliment, her cheeks flushing slightly, while Citlali observed the exchange with a newfound appreciation for the bond between the two siblings... Or so she thought.
Citlali observed the exchange with a mix of admiration and intrigue.
"You two have an interesting dynamic. It's rare to see such warmth in a place overshadowed by conflict. But that begs the question, why are you really here, Proudmoore? Surely, it can't just be family ties."
"Oh, that... I can't share just yet."
Tempest replied, his tone turning serious.
"I'm only discussing that matter with the Pyro Archon herself. You'll lead me to her, and consider it a thank-you for saving your life twice."
Citlali narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression shifting from frustration to understanding.
"I see... You have your reasons, and I can respect that."
She said, crossing her arms as she weighed his words.
"But you must understand, trusting someone with your intentions isn't easy for me, especially after what just happened to those people's village."
Tempest met her gaze with unwavering calm, his demeanor composed.
"I understand your hesitation. This isn't about trust, it's about necessity. We're on the same side against a common threat, and I assure you that I have no interest in causing further harm to Natlan or its people."
Citlali nodded slowly, digesting his words.
"Alright, then. I'll guide you to the Pyro Archon, but only if you promise to be upfront with her about your true intentions. We can't afford any more misunderstandings."
"Fair enough."
Tempest agreed, appreciating her willingness to cooperate.
"I will be straightforward with her. The last thing I want is to complicate things further."
Citlali's expression softened slightly as if a fragile bridge of understanding was being built between them.
"Now that we've cleared the air, I must say, I'm quite intrigued by you, Proudmoore. Would you like to know what lies ahead in your future?"
Citlali asked a playful glint in her eyes.
Tempest raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face.
"What are you, an oracle?"
She laughed lightly, shaking her head.
"No, I'm a fortune teller. And believe it or not, I'm fairly accurate with my predictions, though they can often be a bit vague."
Nahida perked up at this, her curiosity piqued.
"I'm quite interested, Tempest! Why don't you give it a try?"
Tempest sighed, a reluctant smile creeping onto his lips.
"Fine, but don't dig too deep. I'm not looking for any dark secrets or unsettling truths."
Citlali's expression turned serious for a moment as she nodded in understanding.
"I promise to keep it light, then. Just a glimpse into what may come. But remember, the future is fluid; it can change based on our choices."
"Alright."
Tempest replied, crossing his arms as he leaned back slightly. "Let's see what you have."
"Give me your hand."
Citlali instructed, her voice steady and inviting.
Tempest extended his hand toward her, a mix of amusement and skepticism dancing in his eyes.
"Oh my, quite the lustful man you are, aren't you? It seems you will fall in love with two women, but curiously, they appear to be the same person?"
"Preposterous."
He scoffed, shaking his head incredulously.
"You must be making this up, aren't you?"
Citlali smiled, her gaze intent as she studied his palm.
"Not at all! The threads of fate can be quite tangled, after all. Sometimes we find ourselves drawn to different facets of the same soul, not realizing they are intertwined."
Tempest leaned back, skepticism etched on his features.
"So, you're saying I'm destined to fall for two sides of the same coin? Sounds like a plot twist straight out of a bad romance novel, Penance reads."
"Maybe."
She replied playfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"But that doesn't make it any less true. The heart can be a confusing place, filled with unexpected desires and complexities."
Tempest sighed, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips.
"Alright, let's say you're right. What else do you see?"
He leaned in, intrigued despite himself, ready to hear what other surprises the future had in store for him.
"Let's see... Oh, many seem to harbor intense feelings for you."
Citlali continued, her voice laced with curiosity.
"And it looks like you'll find yourself working alongside someone you absolutely despise. I wonder who these intriguing figures could be."
Tempest raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
"Intense feelings? Sounds like I've become quite the heartthrob without even realizing it. And working with someone I despise? That hardly sounds pleasant."
Citlali chuckled softly, her gaze penetrating as she searched his expression for clues.
"Well, feelings can often be unexpected, can't they? Sometimes the most significant connections arise from the most unlikely places. As for the person you despise, perhaps it's someone you've crossed paths with before, a rival, maybe, or someone whose methods clash with your own."
"Fantastic."
Tempest replied dryly, rolling his eyes.
"Just what I need, a forced partnership with someone I can't stand. The universe really knows how to spice things up, doesn't it?"
Citlali nodded, her smile playful.
"Life has a funny way of challenging us, Proudmoore. It's those very challenges that shape us into who we're meant to be. Besides, maybe you'll learn something valuable from this person, even if it's just how to tolerate their presence."
Tempest shook his head, a reluctant smile breaking through his earlier skepticism.
"You're an interesting one, Citlali. I'll give you that."
"You will play a game with a strange woman you've encountered before, and you will win. However, she... huh? She leads you to the Abyss?"
Citlali said, her brows knitting together in confusion.
Tempest felt a chill run down his spine as he muttered.
"Her again…"
The memory of Columbina flashed through his mind, a haunting mix of curiosity and unease lingering in his thoughts.
"Why on seven hells would I want to go to the Abyss?"
He asked, incredulity evident in his voice. The thought of willingly stepping into the realm of darkness was absurd, even for someone as determined as him.
"Perhaps it's not about wanting to go, but rather about the choices you'll have to make."
Citlali replied, her tone becoming more serious.
"Sometimes, the paths we least desire to tread are the ones that lead to the most crucial discoveries."
Tempest shook his head, frustration creeping in.
"Discoveries or not, the Abyss is a place of chaos and destruction. I have no interest in being lured into its depths by some twisted game. I have enough on my plate without adding that to the mix."
Citlali studied him closely, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"You might not have a choice, Proudmoore. Destiny has a way of weaving its threads regardless of our desires. Just keep your wits about you."
After a while, Citlali's eyes widened in alarm, and she instinctively backed away, her expression shifting from playful curiosity to deep concern. It was clear she had glimpsed something in Tempest's future that unsettled her.
"Citlali?"
Nahida asked, her voice laced with worry. She could sense the sudden tension in the air, the shift from lighthearted banter to an almost palpable dread.
"N-Nothing! It's nothing!"
Citlali stammered, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"It seems I've hit my limit for today. That's enough fortune-telling for now!"
She glanced between Tempest and Nahida, her demeanor more nervous than before, as if she was trying to shake off a lingering shadow.
Nahida studied Citlali closely, her brow furrowing.
"Are you sure? You don't have to push yourself if it's too much."
Citlali shook her head, her earlier confidence evaporating.
"I'm fine, really! Just… a little overwhelmed, that's all." She forced a chuckle, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
Tempest narrowed his eyes, sensing the weight of her unease.
"What did you see, Citlali? If it's troubling you, it might be wise to share it."
"Really, it's nothing!"
She insisted, but the flicker of fear in her gaze suggested otherwise.
"I just need to clear my head. Let's focus on something else."
Nahida exchanged a worried glance with Tempest, both feeling that whatever had shaken Citlali could not be so easily brushed aside.
'This man will be the reason why Fontaine will be drowned...'