Genshin Impact: The Admiral of Fontaine

(Chapter 123 Be Better)

"Did... Did I do well, Your Grace?"

The voice was weak, trembling with the final remnants of life. A dying knight, his armor battered and stained with blood, looked up at Tempest with fading eyes. Tempest knelt beside him, his expression cold and unreadable, a stoic mask hiding the storm brewing within.

He had seen this numerous times, brave men and women laying down their lives for him, for their cause. He knew this was the price of war, the inevitable fate of those who followed him into battle. And yet, despite his practiced indifference, his heart felt heavy as lead.

"Yes."

Tempest replied quietly, his tone steady but solemn.

"You've done well. I thank you for your service."

The knight's lips curved into a faint smile, his breath shallow and uneven. "Ah... Thank you, Your Grace. Mother… I'm coming home now..."

He whispered, his voice trailing off as his eyes slowly closed for the last time.

Tempest remained still for a moment, his gaze fixed on the fallen knight. His hand reached out, taking the soldier's dog tag and adding it to the collection in his grasp, an ever-growing testament to the lives lost under his command.

He glanced at the handful of metal tags in his hand, each one representing a life, a story, a sacrifice.

"A hundred eighty-nine… huh."

He muttered under his breath, the number weighing heavily on him as if each tag carried a piece of his soul.

With a deep sigh, Tempest stood, his grip tightening around the dog tags. He nodded to the medics, signaling for them to take the knight's body away.

"See to it that he's given proper rites."

He ordered firmly, his voice devoid of the emotions swirling within him.

As the medics moved swiftly to carry out his command, Tempest lingered for a moment longer, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield. The air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke, the cries of the wounded and dying echoing in the distance.

He closed his eyes briefly, drawing in a steadying breath before opening them again, his resolve hardening. This was war. This was the burden he had chosen to bear. But the weight of it... it never grew any lighter.

"I'm going to be burying more people in the future..."

Tempest muttered to himself, his voice low and filled with a quiet resignation. He clenched the dog tags in his hand before slipping them into his coat pocket as if trying to steel himself for the battles yet to come.

"Your Grace, you called for me?"

Tirpitz's voice broke the silence, calm yet professional, as she appeared beside him. Her Ghost suit deactivated with a faint hum.

Tempest turned to her, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"Did you lose anyone from your squad?"

He asked, his tone direct but laced with a subtle hint of concern.

"None, Your Grace."

Tirpitz replied crisply, her gaze steady.

"If necessary, we're ready to execute your orders immediately."

"There's no need for that… not yet."

Tempest said, shaking his head slightly. He paused, considering her for a moment.

"Tirpitz, how fast can you swim?"

Tirpitz raised an eyebrow, curious but unfazed by the sudden question.

"I'm much faster in water than on land. It's a natural trait for us Melusines. Why do you ask?"

Tempest reached into his coat and handed her a sealed scroll.

"I want you to deliver this to my uncle, Gardon Vance. Once you've reached him, guide him to our destination. I'll provide the exact coordinates using the Contact Prism, but only after I finish my fight with Mavuika. Have you memorized the Morse Code?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

Tirpitz said with a nod, taking the scroll carefully.

"I can make it back to Fontaine in two days, three at most if the currents shift."

"Good." Tempest nodded, his voice firm.

"You're dismissed, and… good work, Tirpitz."

Tirpitz didn't move. She stood there, her expression calm but her posture tense, as if something weighed on her mind. Tempest noticed immediately, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

"You have something to say?"

He asked.

Tirpitz hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Permission to speak freely, Your Grace?"

Tempest gave her a slight nod, his curiosity piqued.

"Granted."

"I… I don't understand, Your Grace."

Tirpitz began, her voice calm but tinged with confusion.

"Why did you change the conditions of the proposal? I thought this expedition was solely to benefit our nation. You had every right to claim those lands and resources without question, after all, you saved these Natlans from devastation. Yet, in the end, you altered the terms. Why?"

Tempest listened quietly, his expression unreadable, before exhaling a soft sigh.

"Mm… maybe it's just my pride."

He admitted, his tone introspective yet resolute.

"I want to test my current strength. I crave a battle that can push me to my absolute limits, to see just how far I've come."

He paused, his golden eyes gleaming with determination.

"But more than that, I want to see which flame burns hotter, the Pyro Archon's flame or the God of the Sun's flame."

His gaze shifted to her, sharp but calm.

"What do you think, Tirpitz? Are you worried I might lose?"

Tirpitz hesitated for a moment, weighing her words carefully.

"I can't say for sure, Your Grace."

She said, at last, her tone measured.

"I've read extensively about your family's history, how your ancestors slew gods in the Dark Sea during the old days. That legacy of power is undeniable. But… you're facing the God of War herself. I've lived for hundreds of years, and I've hunted prey much bigger and stronger than myself. More often than not, it took several attempts to triumph over them."

She paused, her eyes meeting his with unwavering respect.

"That said, I wouldn't be surprised if you win in the end, Your Grace. Doubting your abilities would be akin to doubting Ra."

A faint smile tugged at Tempest's lips, though his expression remained guarded.

"An honest opinion. I appreciate that Tirpitz."

He said with a small nod.

"Whether I win or lose, it doesn't matter much. We'll gain something valuable either way, so this journey won't have been a waste."

He looked toward the distant horizon, his thoughts momentarily elsewhere.

"In a way, I'm almost thankful the Abyss decided to invade while we were here. Without that chaos, we might've left Natlan empty-handed."

Tirpitz tilted her head slightly, intrigued by his perspective.

"You see opportunity in everything, don't you, Your Grace?"

Tempest chuckled softly, a sound devoid of humor.

"It's not opportunity, it's a necessity. Every action, every loss, every battle… it has to mean something. Otherwise, what's the point?"

Tirpitz studied him for a moment longer before bowing her head.

"Understood, Your Grace. I'll deliver the scroll without delay."

"Good."

Tempest replied, his tone firm.

"And Tirpitz… thank you for speaking freely. It's good to hear the thoughts of those I trust."

She gave him a slight smile before turning to leave, her figure blending seamlessly into the shadows as she prepared for her mission. Tempest remained where he was.

"Someone took that black heart... but who?"

Tempest muttered to himself, his voice low and contemplative as his eyes scanned the battlefield.

"TEMPEST!"

A familiar voice, sharp and urgent, snapped him from his thoughts.

"Young Pasha?"

Tempest turned, surprised, to see Nahida approaching. Her small figure moved with uncharacteristic intensity, her face flushed with anger and worry.

"What did you do?!"

She demanded, her voice rising.

"What did you do, Tempest?!"

Tempest blinked, taken aback by her tone.

"Huh? Young Pasha, slow down. What's the matter?"

He asked, his brows furrowing as he knelt to meet her at eye level.

Nahida glanced around, her gaze flickering to the fallen soldiers and the chaotic aftermath of the battle. Her eyes, sharp and piercing, locked onto Tempest with an intensity that belied her small stature.

"You met with the Abyss."

She accused, her voice trembling with equal parts anger and disappointment.

"And yet you didn't tell me anything! Tempest, you're not responsible for this, are you? Tell me you didn't have anything to do with this invasion!"

Tempest's expression darkened slightly, though his voice remained calm.

"That's quite the accusation, Young Pasha."

He replied, his tone steady but laced with a hint of warning.

"You're not answering me, Tempest."

Nahida pressed, her emerald eyes narrowing.

With a heavy sigh, Tempest finally spoke.

"Yes."

He admitted.

"I did meet with the Abyss. But they came to me, I didn't seek them out. And I can assure you, I wanted nothing they were offering."

He paused, his tone firm and resolute.

"Whatever's happened here, it wasn't because of me. I didn't do any of this."

Nahida's eyes remained locked on him, her expression scrutinizing. She could sense his honesty, yet doubts lingered.

"Are you reading my mind right now, Young Pasha?"

Tempest asked suddenly, his voice sharp and direct.

"I didn't give you permission to do so..."

Nahida stiffened slightly but said nothing.

Tempest tilted his head, studying her reaction.

"How did you even know about my meeting with the Abyss in the first place?"

He asked, his tone measured but curious.

Nahida hesitated, then sighed, her anger softening into a mix of concern and frustration.

"Columbina."

She admitted reluctantly.

"She told me. And while I know she can't be trusted, she… she knew things, Tempest. Things only someone close to you would know. I had to ask you myself."

Tempest frowned, his gaze shifting as if considering the implications.

"Columbina. That damn woman…"

He repeated under his breath, his jaw tightening.

"You're digging quite deep, aren't you?"

Tempest said dryly, his eyes narrowing as he watched Nahida. She stood before him, her gaze intense, unblinking. It was clear she was probing, delving into his thoughts without his permission.

"Why didn't you tell me anything?!"

Nahida's voice broke the tense silence, trembling with frustration.

"We could have prevented this, Tempest! Why?! Do you not trust me?!"

Her emerald eyes widened in disbelief as she stumbled upon a memory, a chest given to Tempest by the Abyss. Within it was a black heart, a vile artifact capable of extinguishing the Sacred Flame itself. Yet, instead of confiding in her, Tempest had chosen to keep her in the dark.

Tempest sighed slowly, his expression unreadable, though a flicker of irritation passed through his gaze.

"Haaaa, just give it up already, Young Pasha."

He said, his tone laced with exasperation.

"At least now you know I didn't use it. If Columbina was here, it's obvious she's the one who did. I don't know how she got her hands on the black heart, but she did..."

He trailed off, his voice calm, almost indifferent.

'And it turned out to be beneficial in the end.'

Tempest thought to himself, the corners of his mouth twitching in the faintest hint of amusement.

Nahida's eyes widened further, her shock turned to dismay as she processed not only his words but his demeanor. He wasn't apologetic, not even remotely concerned about what had transpired. He stood there, stoic and unbothered, as if the gravity of the situation meant nothing to him.

"You really did come to Natlan for ulterior motives in the end."

Nahida murmured, her voice heavy with disappointment. She looked down, her small hands trembling as her head bowed, the weight of her realization bearing down on her.

Tempest tilted his head slightly, his expression still unreadable.

"Ulterior motives?"

He echoed.

"Perhaps. But don't pretend you didn't know what kind of man I am, Young Pasha. I do what needs to be done, for my people, my nation. If you're looking for purity of intent, you're speaking to the wrong man."

Nahida flinched at his words, her heart sinking further. She had seen glimpses of his ambition before, but this… this cold detachment was something else entirely.

"You don't even care."

She whispered, more to herself than to him.

"I care about results."

Tempest replied, his voice steady and devoid of emotion.

"If you're looking for regret, you won't find it here. Now, are you finished?"

The tension between them was palpable, a heavy silence falling as Nahida struggled to reconcile the man she thought she knew with the one standing before her. Tempest, meanwhile, remained unyielding, a fortress of resolve and ambition, his true thoughts locked away, unreadable even to the God of Wisdom herself.

"Look at the bright side."

Tempest said, his tone surprisingly light as he extended his arms toward her.

"These people were saved, and it's because you convinced me earlier to act. Come now, Young Pasha, you know I would never play games with the Abyss."

He bent slightly, intending to lift Nahida into his arms as one might carry a child, but she sharply swayed his hands away, her small frame trembling with frustration.

"This could have all been prevented."

Nahida said, her voice unsteady but growing louder.

"If you had just talked to me."

She raised her head to meet his gaze, her emerald eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"I expected you to do the right thing, Tempest!"

She cried, the hurt in her voice cutting deeper than any blade.

Tempest froze, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight before him. Nahida, the God of Wisdom, so composed and patient, now stood before him vulnerable and heartbroken.

"Go on, then."

She continued, her voice shaking as the tears began to spill.

"Tell me I'm pathetic. Tell me I'm pitiful. Tell me I'm a weak-minded fool for believing that violence isn't the answer. Go ahead, say those words!"

But Tempest remained silent, the weight of her anguish rendering him unable, or unwilling, to respond.

When the silence stretched too long, Nahida let out a bitter laugh, her small hands clenching into fists.

"I can't talk to you right now."

She said, her voice cracking.

"I wanted you to become better, Tempest. I thought there was progress when you spared those children from the Fatui. For a moment, I believed you were changing. But you're still the same person..."

She turned her back to him, her movements slow and heavy, as though each step away from him cost her something.

"Part of me wants to tell Mavuika the truth."

She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"But if I do, you'll probably destroy this vessel... and throw me away, before I would even reach her, like I'm nothing more than a burden to you."

She clutched at her chest, as though trying to steady her fractured heart.

"And yet... another part of me doesn't want to tell her. Why? Why do I feel this way?"

Nahida paused for a moment, her breath hitching as a realization struck her.

"Maybe it's because... I want to stay with you. You're my first friend, Tempest... and all I want is for you to be better."

Her voice softened, weighed down by sadness, as she took one final step forward.

"I just want you to be better..."

And with that, Nahida walked away, leaving Tempest standing in stunned silence. Her words hung in the air like a ghost, the sting of her disappointment and the depth of her hope for him echoing louder than any accusation.

"Fuck... Why does my heart, feel so... heavy?'