Genshin Impact: A Fool

As Heins stepped out of the Abyss and into the world of Teyvat once more, he felt a profound sense of change wash over him.

The indigo sky and shimmering ground gave way to the familiar sights and sounds of the realm above - the rustling of leaves in the wind, the distant calls of birds, the warmth of the sun on his skin.

It was a world he had left behind, a life he had put on hold accidentally.

Heins's heart swelled with a bittersweet mix of emotions as he stood there, his tall frame silhouetted against the backdrop of the rising sun.

He was filled with a deep gratitude for Skirk, for the guidance and discipline she had instilled in him. She had taken a broken, angry boy and forged him into a warrior, a hero in his own right. He would be forever in her debt, forever thankful for the things she had done to help him grow.

But even as he reveled in the joy of his newfound strength and skill, Heins couldn't shake the gnawing guilt he felt for leaving Arlecchino behind.

The very thought of imagining her anguished face when she had learned of his supposed death haunted him, a constant reminder of the pain he had caused her. He knew that he would have to face her eventually, to confront the consequences of his actions and beg for her forgiveness.

Heins took a deep breath, his chest expanding with a newfound resolve. He would become the sword that Arlecchino needed, the loyal and devoted servant she deserved.

He would prove to her that his actions had not been in vain, that the sacrifices he had made had been for a greater purpose.

With a final glance back at the disappearing portal that had brought him back into this world, Heins turned and strode forward, his crimson eyes blazing with determination.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear - He would not rest until he had become what his Mistress needed him to be. As per his original goal.

Heins walked resolute amidst the vibrant tapestry of Teyvat, his mind awhirl with thoughts of his impending reunion with Arlecchino and the trials that lay ahead.

The beauty of the natural world, so long denied him in the bleak expanse of the Abyss, now seemed to sing to his very soul. Each breath he took filled his lungs with the sweet, heady scent of life and growth, a stark contrast to the sterile, lifeless air of his former prison.

As he pondered his next move, Heins's crimson eyes hardened with determination.

He knew that he could not simply return to Arlecchino's side without first proving his worth, without demonstrating that he had grown into a warrior truly deserving of the status as a Harbinger.

The Tsaritsa's threshold of strength was not a mere formality, and Heins was determined to shatter it with his newfound power.

Heins clenched his fists, the lean muscles of his arms flexing beneath the sleeves of his black shirt. He would not fail his Mistress again.

He would become the blade she needed, honed and tempered by the trials he would face in the world of Teyvat. And he would start by testing his mettle against the finest warriors the nations had to offer.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Heins set off towards the nearest town, his long strides eating up the distance with ease.

He would seek out the most formidable opponents, the champions and heroes of each nation. In the grand arena of in Mondstadt, he would challenge the Knights of Favonius, one by one, until he had proven his superiority.

And in the frost-kissed lands of Snezhnaya, he would seek out the warriors of the Fatui, his brethren and sisters in arms.

He would face them in the heart of the Tsaritsa's domain, in the very shadow of the Queen's palace. There, he would prove his worth, his strength, his unyielding devotion to their cause.

Heins's heart raced with anticipation as he envisioned the battles to come.

For Arlecchino, for the Fatui, and for himself, he would become the ultimate weapon, the unmatched prodigy he was always meant to be.

With a final glance at the sun-drenched landscape, Heins turned his back on the beauty of Teyvat and strode forward, his crimson eyes blazing with a fire that could not be extinguished.

And he would start by proving himself worthy of the title of Harbinger.

Now, Heins walked through the forest steadily, trying to find the nearest dwelling. At times, he would found himself fighting against the numerous monsters. Lawachurls, Mitachurls and Samachurls. All of them are of the hillicurls family, a type of monster that spread throughout the land of Teyvat.

Hillicurls are bipedal monsters, with a mask covering their face with a pair of horns and compact stout figures. They're not tall, but some of them, like the Samachurls and the Lawachurls, are more stronger than others. However, in this region, all of them are Hydro-based monsters.

This alone confirmed that he was currently within the one of the regions under the jurisdiction of the Nation of Justice, Fontaine, though where he was specifically remained unknown.

As Heins ventured deeper into the heart of Fontaine territory, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

The once vibrant forest had begun to take on a more sinister atmosphere, the cheerful chirping of birds replaced by an eerie, unsettling silence. Heins's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, his senses on high alert as he scanned the shadows for any sign of danger.

Suddenly, a twig snapped beneath his boot, and a group of masked figures emerged from the underbrush.

They were dressed in the unmistakable black and red attire of the Fatui, their faces obscured by the unique masks that seemed to leering at Heins with malevolent intent.

Heins's eyes narrowed as he took in their appearance, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach.

The Fatui agents advanced on him, their hands reaching for the weapons at their sides. However, for Heins... They were extremely slow, like snails.

In a flash of crimson light, he lunged forward, his blade singing through the air as he disarmed the first agent with a deft flick of his wrist. The gun clattered to the ground, and the agent stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock and fear.

Heins pressed his advantage, his sword a blur of motion as he disarmed the remaining agents one by one.

They stumbled and fell, their weapons scattered at their feet, their bravado replaced by a growing sense of panic. Heins could feel the murderous intent building within him, the urge to strike them down where they stood. But something held him back, a flicker of uncertainty that gave him pause.

"Who are you?" one of the agents stammered, his voice trembling with fear as he stared at Heins with a mix of awe and trepidation. "What do you want with us?"

Heins smiled, a cold and enigmatic smile that sent a shiver down the spines of the cowering agents. "I am a secret agent of the Tsaritsa," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "And I suggest you lot pray that you don't cross my path again."

The agents nodded frantically, their eyes wide with fear as they backed away slowly, eager to put as much distance between themselves and the mysterious swordsman as possible.

Heins watched them go, a sense of unease settling over him as he wondered just what kind of trouble the Fatui were stirring up in Fontaine.

After he came across another agent, which was suspiciously observing the surrounding under the shade of the foliage, Heins did not forget to interrogate him, which he missed the opportunity to do so previously due to his negligence, "I am of the Tsaritsa's secret agent. Tell me the news about the current situation of the Fatui. I... Had a mission that required months. I need some information. Do you have any?"

The Fatui agents, specially trained to be efficient, secretive and unyielding, tremble in fear but did not say anything. Anybody could claim that they are of the Tsaritsa's agents, so how could the agent believes him?

However, no matter how professional he was, Heins's killing intent was not something he could resist with his mind alone. And finally, after a one-tenth of Heins's intent exploded, the agent foamed at the mouth and stuttered, "I-I... I'll tell you!!"

What a joke! This utterly terrifying man was not the Tsatitsa's agent? Then who else?!

Heins ceased the murderous intent as he waited the agent to talk. Finally, the agent put his gun back on its sheath and answered, his tone shaky and terrified, "O-Operations are still ongoing as usual. However, there was a particular news about the Fourth Seat of the Harbingers, Arlecchino. Since the death of Fool, an orphan under her, she had been searching for ancient tomes since then. Rumours have it that she was searching for ways to revive Fool, her 'beloved'. B-But that was all the rumours. I-I just told you what I knew of!"

Sensing no lies from the agent, Heins coldly stared at him and disappeared in a heap of crimson currents. The agent sighed in relief and directly passed out from the sheer strain of facing Heins's horrifying killing intent.

Heins appeared beside a shimmering lake in a crimson trail and sighed as he took a seat on the green grass.

So his Mistress had been searching for a way to revive him. He didn't realize it, but a lone tear fell from his eyes. Heins blinked and quickly sweep the tears away. The thought of his Mistress suffering due to his death...

It was so heart-wrenching for him that Heins couldn't help but feel sorrowful and regretful.

"Mistress..."

A man teared up not by pain or by death, but by hurting someone who held his heart and had shown him kindness. For him, only Arlecchino had that place in his heart. There are many who had shown him the latter, but only his Mistress has the former.

Heins tried to be strong, but his tears fell on their own. He may not sob, but his tears are real.

"You searched for ancient tomes and relics to find a way to revive me. But I am not dead, Mistress. I... I am here."

Three months... He had let his Mistress suffer for three months... It was unacceptable. Heins's crimson eyes narrowed dangerously.

Change of plans.

He'll go back to Snezhnaya now.

Heins's heart raced as he tore through the forest, his crimson eyes blazing with a fierce determination.

The wind whipped through his charcoal hair, the cold air stinging his cheeks as he pushed himself faster, driven by a desperate need to reach Arlecchino.

He couldn't bear the thought of her suffering a moment longer, couldn't stand the idea of her wasting her time searching for a way to revive him when he was very much alive.

As he ran, Heins's mind flashed with memories of his beloved Mistress - her occasional soft murmurs, her rare gentle touch, the way her eyes glinted when she looked at him with pride. She had taken a broken, angry boy and shaped him into the warrior he was today, had given him a purpose and a reason to live. And now, he would be damned if he let her down.

She may not be affectionate, but it made her caring gestures more precious, one that had deeply engraved itself on his mind. One that he could never forget, especially that searing kiss.

Heins's heart clenched in his chest as he remembered the agent's words, the rumors of Arlecchino's desperate search for a way to bring him back.

He would make this right, he vowed to himself as he ran. He would be the sword that Arlecchino needed, the loyal and devoted guard of her heart. And he would start by ending her suffering, by standing before her and declaring that he was alive and well.

As Heins approached the outskirts of a small village, he spotted a group of travelers huddled around a fire, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames. Heins approached them, his expression grim and determined.

"Excuse me," he said, his voice low and urgent. "I need to get to Snezhnaya as quickly as possible. Can you tell me the fastest way to get there from here?"

The travelers exchanged wary glances, eyeing Heins's black attire and the sword at his hip. But seeing the desperation in his eyes, they relented.

"The fastest way is to take the northern road," one of them said, pointing towards a narrow, winding path that disappeared into the trees.

"It's a treacherous route, but it will bring you to the outskirts of Snezhnaya in a day's time. Be careful, though - the northern road is known for its dangerous creatures and harsh terrain."

Heins nodded, a fierce smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Thank you," he said, and with that, he set off towards the northern road, his heart pounding with anticipation and determination.

The travellers watched in awe as Heins disappeared, turning into a splendorous crimson beam that resembled a falling crimson star. They looked at each other and breathed out, "A... A falling crimson star... Could he be the legendary descender?"

One of them shook his head, "Those are legends, pal. Can't be too enraptured by them. Still, I got your point."

"I know right?"

The travellers's ramble continued, eventually spreading a rumor called 'The Descender of a Crimson Star'. Meanwhile, Heins's eyes are ice cold as his handsome face tightened. He burst out with his full strength just to get to Snezhnaya as soon as possible. His silver tie swayed furiously, his black shirt tussled under the fierceness of air resistance.

But Heins keep going. Any monsters and dangerous creatures would be ruthlessly extinguished by the Red Blood Electro that he emitted. Bystanders would look on in awe as the 'falling crimson star' decimate any monsters it came across, creating rumours around the vicinity of Fontaine.

After a few hours, since Fontaine was not too far off from Snezhnaya, he finally passed the threshold, his eyes greeted by the familiar snowy scape of Snezhnaya. It was currently June, so the snow was not that strong.

However, when he was about to enter the region of where the Fatui gathered, a tall figure blocked him off, its menacing visage veiled under the snow. Heins's could barely controlled his agitated irritation at the man's attempt to block him and snarled, "Who are you?!"

"Hoho.... I knew you wouldn't be dead, Fool."

Heins's cold eyes flickered slightly as the visage took a step forward, revealing himself to be the most enigmatic of the Fatui Harbingers. With his half-face mask and an ambiguous smile on his face, along with his white attire and snow-white cloak, he is undoubtedly the legendary Pierro the Jester.

"I need to meet my Mistress now. Please permit me, Your Highness," Heins asked respectfully despite the sheer murderous intent he emitted, his crimson eyes sharp and glaring as he looked at Pierro.

The Jester chuckled as he replied, "Well, I'm afraid I cannot do so, Little Fool. Her Majesty made the decree clear that she would only allow you to come back when you are to be in par with the Harbingers whether it was in influence, capability or strength. I see that you finally grew splendidly, almost reaching my height in just six months since you left. However, I fear that it was not enough yet."

Heins trembled as his aura became more and more menacing. Crimson, murderous currents shoot to the heavens as Heins gritted his teeth, his murderous intent dancing and raging in the air accompanying the blazing Red Blood Electro, "I need to meet my Mistress. Please...!"

The only thing that held the last string of sanity that convinced him not to attack the Director of the Harbingers was because he knew it would only bring troubles to his Mistress.

However, Pierro's next words snapped it altogether.

"But I need to see how Arlecchino copped up with her loss. Would she explodes in her full potential and show us her true limits, or would she become a monster that could never be controlled, being engulfed by her own emotions and power?" As soon as Pierro showed a smirk, he was punched by a murderous crimson beam that is Heins, sending him all the way to crash against a snowy hill.

Heins did not lose control. But he was indeed furious. No, he was beyond furious. And the more furious he became, the colder his head became, just like how Miss Skirk taught him, no longer the unrefined boy he was. His crimson eyes are frostier than the snow on his feet as he appeared beside Pierro and delivered another devastating kick.

However, the man seems to be unbothered by the devastating assaults that destroyed anything within 20 meters radius and smirked. He rolled his shoulders and lightly exercises before his sole eye glimmered with mirth,

"Alright, you're still in control, which is very good! Now show me what you got. Let see if you're worthy. It's been a while since I personally tested a recruit, and it was even a recruit that the Tsaritsa personally vouched."

Thus, both men, Heins a crimson beam and Pierro a frigid enigmatic white, met in the middle, their exchange brought destruction to the forest they were in.

Pierro the Jester stood tall amidst the destruction, his white cloak billowing in the icy wind. He regarded Heins with a mix of amusement and curiosity, one eye glinting with a challenge.

"Not bad, not bad at all," he mused, dusting off the snow from his attire. "It seems your training has not been in vain. But tell me, little Fool, do you truly believe that is enough to face your beloved Mistress in her current state?"

Heins's eyes flashed with a dangerous light, his breath coming out in harsh puffs in the frigid air. "What do you mean, Pierro?" he demanded, his voice low and threatening. "What has happened to Arlecchino? Has something happened to her because of me?"

Pierro chuckled darkly, a sound that echoed through the ravaged forest like a discordant melody. "Ah, so the little Fool still has a heart, does he? How... endearing." He took a step closer to Heins, his tall frame looming over the younger man.

"Your dear Mistress has been... struggling, shall we say. The news of your demise hit her harder than any of us could have imagined. She has thrown herself into her work with a fervor bordering on obsession, pouring over ancient tomes and forbidden texts in a desperate bid to find a way to bring you back."

Heins's heart clenched in his chest, a mix of anguish and rage warring within him. "I... I didn't know," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I never meant to cause her such pain..."

Pierro snorted, a harsh and mirthless sound. "Didn't you? Or perhaps you simply never considered the consequences of your actions, hmm? You are to become a Harbinger, Fool. You are meant to be a weapon, a tool for the Tsaritsa's grand designs. One that she had personally chosen to be included in the Harbingers. And yet, you die off like a stupid child, leaving your Mistress to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart. Dying for a city you only lived in for two mere months, while abandoning the Mistress that had been molding you into who you are for three years. Quite atrocious, eh?"

Heins's fists clenched at his sides, his crimson eyes blazing with a fury that could not be contained. "I am not atrocious," he snarled, his voice dripping with disdain. "I am Arlecchino's guard, her protector, her... her everything. And I will not stand idly by while she suffers because of me."

"Even... Even if I did make mistakes, I would take responsibility!" There's nothing he could say. Mistakes were made, and he could only make an amend, one that he desperately wish to make.

Pierro threw back his head and laughed, a sound that sent a chill down Heins's spine. "Brave words from a boy who still has so much to learn," he taunted, his eye glinting with a cruel amusement. "But tell me, little Fool, are you truly ready to face the consequences of your Mistress's grief? To see the depths of her power, the true extent of her obsession?"

Heins's heart raced as he stared at Pierro, a sense of dread and anticipation mingling in his chest.

But it was all but a fleeting feeling, engulfed by the flame of guilt and love. He could not, would not, abandon Arlecchino in her time of need.

"I am ready," he declared, his voice ringing out clear and strong in the icy air. "I will face whatever I must to be by her side, to be the sword she needs me to be. And I will not let her down again."

Pierro smiled, a slow and wicked curve of his lips beneath the half-mask. "We shall see about that," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. "But first, you must prove yourself worthy of her affection. And that means facing me, little Fool. Give me your all, and perhaps... perhaps you will earn the right to stand before your beloved Mistress once more."

With that, Pierro launched himself at Heins, his white cloak billowing behind him like a banner of challenge. The air crackled with the promise of a battle to come, a clash of wills and skills that would determine the fate of more than just Heins's future.

It was a battle of two Fools. 'The Fool' and 'a Fool'.

Heins met him head-on, a crimson beam of fury and determination, ready to face whatever trials lay ahead.

The battle... Was destructive. Heins and Pierro danced in a cacophony of crimson and white, each exchange causing a calamitous causality that left the forest destroyed and devastated. Heins met Pierro's enigmatic manipulation of Cyro that served as his supple defensive measure, requiring Heins to put extra effort in order to bypassed the Cyro icy walls.

The environment also put Pierro into a huge advantage, not to mention the multitude Delusions in Pierro that he could manipulate at will. It was as if Heins was fighting against seven different elements, with each element manipulated by a Vision user expert, with Cyro being exceptionally powerful.

The battle was like the one that was told in legend. Pierro with his godlike control over elements and Heins with his unstoppable, bloodthirsty blade.

The agents of Fatui and the people of nearest cities and towns of Snezhnaya had come, cladded in thick, warm clothes, alerted by the calamitous scene. They were in utter awe as Pierro stood like a divine judge mid air, while Heins fought off against the insurmountable Pierro bravely, like a mortal defying a god.

A few hours into the battle, the Harbingers also come. Those who stayed in Snezhnaya, such as Pantalone, Sandrone, Scaramouche, Pulcinella, II Dottore and II Capitano, observed the battle from afar.

Some of them blinked and breathed out, "That's... Arlecchino's Fool, right?"

"So he's not dead..."

"And he became ridiculously powerful... Just how?"

They watched in silence as Heins resisted Pierro's onslaught. For older Harbingers, like II Capitano and II Dottore, they marvelled at Pierro's insurmountable-like abilities, having witnessed them personally hundreds of years ago. The newer Harbingers watched in pure awe at the sheer destructiveness Pierro could bring upon the land.

However, it was not Pierro who was the most shocking. It was Heins, who fend off the combo of spells mixed with multitude elements that complemented each other with his sword. They felt a sense of threat when Heins exploded with his crimson thunder, one that easily decimated any spells from Pierro.

He was still so young, and he was under Alrecchino too. Just... What sort of existence he'll become in the future? Such thoughts are what appeared in the Harbingers' mind.

The battle was intense. At times, when Heins finally reached Pierro, the Director would shove him off with a layer of hard Cyro, sending Heins off to the ground. There were also times when Pierro's mixed spells almost killed Heins, only for him to dodge in a heap of crimson currents.

As the battle raged on, Pierro's control over the elements grew more and more formidable.

Heins found himself hard-pressed to keep up, his crimson blade clashing against walls of solid ice and torrents of searing wind. The forest around them was reduced to a wasteland, the once-lush trees now little more than splintered stumps jutting out from the snow.

Heins's breath came in ragged gasps, his black shirt torn and tattered from Pierro's relentless assault.

But still, he pressed on, driven by a single-minded determination to reach Arlecchino. He could not, would not, let her down again.

Pierro, floating above the destruction, regarded Heins with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

"You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" he called out, his voice echoing oddly in the icy air. "But tell me, little Fool, for how long can you keep this up? Your strength has limits, even if your foolishness does not."

Heins gritted his teeth, wiping the blood from his split lip with the back of his hand. "I won't lose," he snarled, his eyes blazing with a manic intensity. "Not until I've seen Arlecchino. Not until I've made things right."

Pierro threw back his head and laughed, a sound that sent a chill down Heins's spine. "Very well," he said, his voice dripping with false cheer. "I will enjoy breaking that spirit of yours. It's been far too long since I've had a challenge, and you... you promise to be a most entertaining diversion."

With that, Pierro launched himself at Heins once more, a whirlwind of snow and ice and searing heat. The air crackled with energy, the very sky seeming to darken with the force of their clash.

The watching Harbingers exchanged uneasy glances, a sense of unease settling over them like a shroud.

"Is he... Actually holding on against Pierro?" asked Scaramouche, his voice barely above a whisper. "He was still so young... Damn it."

Pantalone shook his head, his eyes never leaving the battle. "He's not just young," he said, a note of unease in his voice. "He's... different. There's something about him, something that sets him apart from the rest of us. And I don't just mean his power."

The battle seemed to stretch on for an eternity, the destructive force of their clash reshaping the very landscape. The Harbingers watched in silence, a mix of awe and trepidation warring within them.

And through it all, Heins fought on, his crimson blade a blur of motion against the white and gold of Pierro's elemental onslaught.

He was battered and bruised, his body pushed to its limits and beyond. But still, he refused to yield, refused to give up.

For he knew that beyond the battle, beyond the pain and the exhaustion, lay the woman he loves. The woman who had shaped him, who had given him purpose and direction.

No matter the cost, no matter the odds stacked against him, Heins would see this through. He would face Arlecchino, would take responsibility for his actions, and would be the sword she needed him to be.

Even if it meant defying the very gods themselves.

'Defying the very gods themselves.'

When the thought came to fruition, Heins widened his crimson eyes as the Red Blood Electro within him explode. Currents of crimson like defiant dragons rose to the heavens and thick murderous intent burst like an uncaged dam. Heins gripped his sword tightly, his silver tie swaying violently just like how his charcoal hair tussled around.

He smirked maniacally.

"I understand."

Pierro narrowed his sole eye, observing the agitated murderous crimson currents. He had always known that the power Fool held was unusual. It was Electro, but its eerie crimson shade was unsettling. He also felt the sheer destructiveness of its property, allowing Heins to easily cut through the elements he had manipulated that had served as his attacks.

When Fool suddenly burst out, Pierro... Felt something. It was intimidating. It was destructive. It's... Deadly.

Deadly for him, Pierro.

Pierro widened his eye as Heins delivered a devastating blow. Pierro lifted his hands as gargantuan, thick ice walls arose from the ground, covering tens of meters of height. They were massive and huge, and even the tallest of Zapolyarny Palace was overshadowed. However, under the force of Heins's sword, all of them were cut like blocks of butter, shocking the Harbingers present.

II Capitano whispered, "What... What is this extinctive power?"

Scaramouche trembled slightly as he clutched his heart, "I... I felt threatened by a mortal?"

Suddenly, an additional presence appeared before them. It was Columbina, who has discarded her carefreeness and said with a solemn voice, "This... This is the power... That could threaten gods."

As she said so, Pierro widened his sole eye as his chest was slashed apart by the unstoppable stroke that is Heins's sword. His blood, after hundreds of years, was spilled once again. Even II Dottore, a maniacal doctor, trembled in shock, "Pierro was wounded?!"

"Hahahahahah!" Pierro laughed loudly as he clutched the wound, his sole eye seems pierced through the majestic icy walls and met Heins's crimson ones, "As expected! As expected of someone the Tsaritsa had chosen personally!"

Heins stood tall amidst the ruins of the once-great forest, his crimson eyes blazing with a manic intensity as he faced Pierro.

The air crackled with energy, the very sky seeming to tremble before the force of his power. Heins's silver tie whipped around in the wind, his charcoal hair a wild tussling crown that hovered above his sharp eyebrows.

"Is this all you have, Pierro?" Heins taunted, his voice ringing out clear and strong despite the exhaustion that weighed heavy on his body.

"I thought you were supposed to be the greatest of the Harbingers. But it seems your power is nothing compared to the wrath of a man scorned."

Pierro, clutching his wounded chest, threw back his head and laughed. It was a sound that echoed through the ravaged landscape, a mix of amusement and grudging respect.

"You dare mock me, Fool?" he said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "You, who have only just begun to grasp the true extent of your power? Very well, I will grant you this much - you have earned my attention."

Heins smirked, a cold and cruel curve of his lips. "I don't want your attention," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I want to see Mistress Arlecchino. I want to make things right, to be the sword she needs me to be. And I won't let anyone, not even a god, stand in my way."

Pierro's eye narrowed, a glint of something dark and dangerous flashing within its depths.

"You play a dangerous game, Fool," he said, his voice a low, threatening growl. "But I will admit, I am curious to see just how far you plan to take this little rebellion of yours. Very well - I will give you a chance to prove yourself worthy of your beloved Mistress."

Heins's heart raced at Pierro's words, a mix of anticipation and trepidation coursing through his veins. He knew the risks, knew the dangers that lay ahead. But he also knew that he could not, would not, turn back now.

"I will prove myself," he said, his voice ringing out with a fierce, unshakable determination. "I will be the sword Arlecchino needs, the guardian she deserves. And I will not let anyone, not even you, stand in my way."

With that, Heins launched himself at Pierro once more, his crimson blade a blur of motion against the white and gold of Pierro's elemental shield. The air shattered around them, the very fabric of reality seeming to warp and bend under the force of their clash.

The watching Harbingers could only stare in awe and disbelief, a sense of unease settling over them like a shroud.

"This... What is this..." asked Pulcinella, his voice filled with unhidden terror and trepidation. "Where did Arlecchino find such a child...?"

As the battle raged on, the Harbingers could only watch and wonder at the fate that awaited them all. For if a mere mortal could stand against Pierro, could even wound the great Harbinger... what did that mean for the future of their world?

One day, two days, three days... It was like how legends displayed their tale, how the gods fought in a period unimaginable for mortals.

Finally, at the cusp of the third day, Heins finally kneeled as he panted heavily, using his sword as the support, the blade bestowed by his Mistress. Ultimately, he was no god, but a mortal.

He... lost.

He looked up and saw Pierro looking down on him, the nasty slash wound on his torso serving as the only proof that their battle had occurred. He was still enigmatic and mysterious, his outfit remained unbothered except for the bit of blood from the nasty wound. Pierro looked indifferent as he stood before his kneeling form.

In the end, Heins turned desperate. He clutched the hilt of his sword tightly and... Begged. Begged like how he begged for food when he was still on his own, when he was just a desperate child wanting to survive, "Please... Let me meet her. I... Beg of you."

The Harbingers had left long ago, and only some enthusiastic journalists had stayed, regarding the calamitous battle as a massive scoop. Of course, whether they could come out alive after witnessing Pierro's power was another matter altogether.

Pierro narrowed his eye. He looked at the boy Arlecchino comes to adore. Fool, that was his name. He was supposedly eleven, yet his physique and face were no different than that of a young man at the cusp of his maturity.

It was at this moment that he suddenly understood. Why the Tsaritsa had personally vouched the young boy. Fool... Was affectionate. He is fiercely loyal and exceptionally strong. More importantly, he is brave. Brave enough to defy her.

If she properly secured his loyalty...

He would be the perfect subject for Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, who wished to defy.

In the end, Pierro gestured with his gloved hand, "Little Fool... Follow me to the palace of Her Majesty. She shall be the one who will decide you of your fate."

Heins froze. He trembled, his dilapidated form numb and full of bloody wounds. But he forcefully found the strength to lift himself up.

Heins looked at Pierro and nodded, "I understand."

Thus, they set off peacefully after their battle finally came to a conclusion after three days.

The walk was filled with cold silence. Finally, Pierro and Heins arrived before the Zapolyarny Palace. Both of them remained cold as Pierro slowly opened the massive gates. Inside, at the highest seat, as always, is the Tsaritsa herself. Her dignified icy blue eyes and her flowing white hair became her trademarks.

However, it was obvious that it was a matter that concerned the Tsaritsa personally, since the only one in the palace was her, devoid of any Harbingers attending the gathering.

As Pierro and Heins walked into the palace, Pierro stood before the Tsaritsa and bowed deeply, "I have brought back the defiant subject, Your Majesty."

Then, Pierro stood at the side and wait, acting as a spectator. Heins struggled to move his wounded body, but he persisted, his bloody knee crashed against the icy cold ground of the Zapolyarny Palace as he kneeled before the Tsaritsa, his exposed flesh glued to the icy ground.

The Tsaritsa's voice was cold and unforgiving, "Arlecchino's subordinate, Fool, do you know your mistake?"