Chapter 101: We Are Not The Same

(Chapter 101 We Are Not The Same)

The anguished screams of the orphaned children from the House of the Hearth echoed through the burning shelter, but Tempest remained unmoved. His grip on Arlecchino's throat was unyielding, even as golden flames danced at the exit, trapping them inside. Smoke billowed around them, and the heat seared the air, but Tempest's gaze remained cold and fixed.

Arlecchino's usually composed mask was cracking. She struggled to speak, her voice rasping as fury burned in her mismatched eyes.

"You-"

She choked out, her voice tight with both rage and desperation.

"These children... they have nothing to do with you. They're innocent! Forgotten, abandoned by everyone else... Do you want to fight someone? Then do it with me, leave them out of this."

Her words were laced with venom, but there was a strange sincerity in her plea, a rare vulnerability beneath the steely facade she always wore. The orphans cried out again, but Tempest's grip didn't loosen. His face was a mask of cold determination, the flames reflecting in his eyes as if they were kindling for something darker.

"So what?"

Tempest's voice was icy, cutting through the crackling of the golden flames.

"So they can grow up to be someone like you? To be assassins? To be manipulators? Ah, no… that won't do."

His grip tightened one final time before he threw Arlecchino to the ground, her body hitting the dirt with a sharp thud.

"Fight until your last breath."

He said, his voice echoing in the scorched shelter.

"And know that these children's lives are in your hands."

The moment she hit the ground, the children rushed toward her, their small hands reaching out, confused and terrified. Their innocent faces, streaked with tears and soot, pleaded for answers from the one who had cared for them.

"Stay back!"

Arlecchino gasped, her voice hoarse, but still firm. She raised a hand as if to ward them off, panic flashing in her eyes.

"Please... this isn't about you. You're not involved in this. Go, run, hide if you can."

But the children didn't understand. Their Father was cornered, and they clung to her, unsure of what to do. Arlecchino's usual control was slipping; the cold, calculating newly appointed Harbinger who always seemed untouchable now appeared fragile under Tempest's looming shadow.

She looked up at him, hatred and fear mixed in her gaze.

"You don't understand anything. These children... they've suffered enough, they don't need your cruelty."

Tempest stood tall, unmoved by her words.

"Then prove it, Peruere. Their lives are yours to save if you can."

The flames roared louder, closing in, as the weight of the moment pressed down on Arlecchino.

"You monster!"

"Kill him!"

Suddenly, four Fatui Pyro Agents sprang from the shadows, their weapons drawn and ready to strike. They lunged at Tempest with fiery intent, but as they approached, a brilliant yellow circle flared to life beneath their feet. Before they could react, golden chains erupted from the ground, ensnaring their limbs with an unyielding grip. Their eyes widened in horror as they struggled against the chains, but it was futile. With a flash of light, they disintegrated into golden particles, their screams echoing in the air for a fleeting moment before vanishing entirely.

"Alexei! Sasha! Stand back!"

Arlecchino barked, her voice slicing through the chaos as the adults from the House of the Hearth rushed onto the scene. She coughed, forcing herself to continue, her throat raw.

"Don't engage him… This is my fight. Protect the children..."

"But-"

One of the adults hesitated, concern etched across their face.

"I SAID STAND DOWN?! DO YOU NOT HEAR ME?!"

Arlecchino shouted, her voice fierce and commanding, silencing any further objections. The intensity in her eyes bore into them, a mix of desperation and determination igniting her spirit.

She pushed herself to her feet, the weight of her resolve settling on her shoulders like armor. The flames crackled around them, casting flickering shadows on her determined expression.

"I'll handle this. Just keep them safe."

With that, she turned back to Tempest, ready to face him and whatever darkness awaited, her heart pounding in her chest. The children huddled close behind, their wide eyes reflecting both fear and hope.

"Ready?"

Tempest asked, his voice steady as he held his sword aloft, its blade shimmering with golden flames.

"To hell with you, Tempest Proudmoore..."

Arlecchino spat, her voice filled with venom. She turned to the adults behind her, urgency in her tone.

"Keep them safe, no matter what happens. Promise me..."

With a grim nod, the adults steeled themselves, moving to shield the children as best they could.

Arlecchino took a deep breath, her resolve hardening.

"Have a taste of purgatory!"

She shouted, unleashing her fury upon him.

In a dramatic flourish, she extended both hands and from her back, two wings of her curse erupted, unfurling with a power that filled the air with heat. They enveloped her like a cocoon, pulsing with energy as the flames licked the edges. The children of the House of the Hearth watched in awe and terror, their hearts racing as they silently prayed for their protector.

In a flash, the wings exploded outward, revealing Arlecchino transformed. Her figure was now shrouded in a menacing aura, and six scythes materialized from the wings on her back, each one gleaming with blood-red, flame.

The heat wave radiated toward Tempest, but he stood firm, undeterred. His gaze remained locked on her, calm and unyielding as if he were watching a storm approach rather than a fierce opponent readying for battle.

Arlecchino, now a fearsome silhouette against the flames, took a step forward. The children clutched one another, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and admiration, whispering words of encouragement and hope for their guardian. At that moment, the stakes had never been higher, and the battlefield was set for a clash of wills.

Yet, deep down, Arlecchino knew she was racing against the clock. Although she had just begun to harness the power of Balemoon Bloodfire, mastery eluded her. She could feel the fiery energy coursing through her veins, a relentless force that both invigorated and threatened to overwhelm her.

The stark difference between her and Tempest lay in the nature of their powers, he was blessed with his power, while she bore the weight of a curse. It was a cruel irony, his flames danced gracefully, a symbol of his heritage and Ra's blessing, while hers burned fiercely, a constant reminder of the darkness that lurked within.

With each passing moment, she felt the curse tightening its grip, eager to consume her. If she didn't end this confrontation swiftly, the very power she sought to wield could turn against her, leaving nothing but ash in its wake.

Arlecchino's heart raced as she assessed Tempest, determination flickering in her eyes. This battle was not just about survival, it was a desperate bid for control over her own fate. She needed to seize the moment before her curse consumed her completely.

"Hah, purgatory? Funny…"

Tempest scoffed, a hint of amusement lacing his tone even as he prepared for her assault.

This time, it was Arlecchino who made the first move. Manifesting a scythe in her hand, she charged forward, her demeanor transformed. Gone was the calculated elegance, now, her attacks were fueled by a fierce rage and an unwavering desperation to protect the children behind her. Each swing of her scythe was more powerful than the last, forcing Tempest onto the defensive as he parried her blows, the sound of metal and fire clashing echoing through the chaos.

"The so-called protector of Fontaine."

She spat, her voice rising with indignation.

"Here to slaughter these innocent children?! I was wrong, I should've never even considered working with you!"

Her scythe whistled through the air, each strike aimed not just to wound but to obliterate.

"You don't deserve Ra's power!"

Arlecchino shouted, her voice filled with fury as she unleashed a flurry of strikes. With a sharp slash, she knocked Tempest's sword away, sending it skidding across the ground. For a moment, his eyes widened in surprise, but instinct kicked in. He dodged her next attack, narrowly avoiding the lethal arc of her scythe, the heat from the cursed flames singeing his clothes.

"You speak as if the monsters of this world are the Fatui!"

Arlecchino retorted, her breath coming in sharp bursts.

"But you're no different at all!"

Her scythe shimmered ominously in the dim light, and she prepared to unleash one final, devastating slash. The air crackled with tension as she gathered all her strength, channeling every ounce of her fury into that one moment.

"What could be the difference between you and me?!"

She shouted, her voice echoing with the weight of her conviction.

The children watched from behind the adults, eyes wide with terror and awe, as their protector faced off against the formidable Tempest. They whispered prayers, each heartbeat amplifying the stakes of the clash before them.

With a fierce cry, Arlecchino launched herself at Tempest, the scythe poised to strike with all the might of her cursed power. Tempest, still unarmed, braced himself, his expression shifting from amusement to fierce determination. In that split second, the air around them thickened with anticipation, and the flames danced higher, eager to witness the outcome of this monumental battle between protector and protector.

"The difference is…"

Tempest said, his tone dripping with a chilling confidence. In an instant, he caught the blade of Arlecchino's scythe with a golden gauntlet that materialized around his hand. A wide, dark smile spread across his face as a golden aura began to radiate from him, illuminating the chaos of the underground shelter. This was no longer a mere duel; Tempest was toying with his prey.

Arlecchino felt a surge of panic as she realized what was happening. She strained to pull her scythe free from Tempest's grip, but it wouldn't budge. Desperation took hold, and she leaped backward, summoning another scythe to her side just as Tempest's transformation reached its peak. The sound of metal boots clanging against the ground reverberated through the shelter, shaking the very foundation of their confrontation.

As he emerged in his Paladin form, Tempest towered over her, his giant frame casting a long shadow, making her feel small and vulnerable, like an ant beneath a colossus. The golden glow surrounding him intensified, wrapping him in an ethereal light that seemed to flicker with power.

"I am not afraid to rid myself of the pests who threaten my homeland…"

He continued, his voice deep and resonant, echoing off the walls. Each word dripped with an unsettling blend of authority and malice, a proclamation of his intent.

Arlecchino stood her ground, heart pounding, and glared defiantly up at him.

"You think you can intimidate me with your power?!"

She shouted, trying to mask her fear with bravado.

"You may wear the guise of a protector, but your heart is as twisted as the very monsters you claim to fight! You don't scare me, Tempest Proudmoore!"

With her newly manifested scythe in hand, she positioned herself for another attack, the flames around them licking hungrily at the air as if sensing the tension between the two.

"I won't let you harm those children! This is not just about you and me, it's about their future!"

In the face of Tempest's towering presence, she steeled her resolve, her determination burning brighter than the flames surrounding them. Arlecchino was ready to fight, ready to defy the odds, even if the power of Ra loomed over her like a dark specter. The battle had shifted, but her spirit remained unbroken, fueled by the lives she vowed to protect.

With a fierce determination blazing in her heart, Arlecchino charged at Tempest, her desperation fueling each strike. The children watched from behind, their faces a mixture of awe and fear, as their 'Father' risked everything to protect them. Tempest's gauntlet deflected her attacks with a metallic clang, each parry reverberating through the air like thunder.

In a burst of speed, Arlecchino climbed the massive form of Tempest, using his towering height to her advantage. She positioned herself on the back of his head, her six scythes extending like dark wings poised to strike. With all her might, she aimed to crush his helmet, but to her dismay, her attack failed to penetrate his golden armor. It felt like striking a wall of steel, a reminder of just how far she was from achieving victory.

"Enough."

Tempest said, his voice deep and resonant, echoing in the confines of the shelter. With a swift motion, he reached back and seized Arlecchino, throwing her to the ground with a force that knocked the breath from her lungs.

The impact sent shockwaves through her body as she hit the ground hard, and she watched in horror as Tempest's other hand came down, crushing one of her scythes beneath his gauntlet, the metal crumpling like paper.

"Weak…"

He taunted, his eyes behind his helmet narrowing as he loomed over her.

"Nothing like that woman who played with my mind. Just the thought of her sends a shiver down my spine. But you… what a pathetic display…"

As Tempest advanced, his intention clear, Arlecchino gritted her teeth, pushing against the ground to rise.

"You think you can break me that easily?"

She shot back, her voice defiant despite the pain coursing through her body.

"I won't give up! Not for the children, not for anyone!"

Tempest smirked, the glow of his armor casting an ominous light over her.

"Bravery without power is nothing but folly. You've put on a good show, but you lack the strength to back it up."

With every step he took closer, Arlecchino felt the weight of her curse bearing down on her. But she refused to let it consume her.

"I may be cursed, but it's that very curse that fuels my fight! You underestimate me, Tempest!"

As Tempest loomed above her, ready to deliver the final blow, Arlecchino prepared for a last-ditch effort. The children behind her, their eyes wide with fear, could sense the desperation of the moment. They clutched each other tightly, their faith resting on their protector, hoping against hope that she could rise against the odds.

"My turn…"

Tempest said with a chilling calmness, his eyes glinting with predatory delight. In an instant, a sword materialized in his hand, its blade shimmering with a golden hue. At the center of the blade, a swirling orb of golden flame flickered ominously, casting a golden glow across the underground shelter.

"I present to you, the Ashbringer."

He declared, his voice echoing with an ominous finality that sent shivers down Arlecchino's spine.

As Arlecchino prepared to manifest another scythe, her determination faltered. Suddenly, she coughed violently, blood spilling onto the ground as she fell to her knees, the searing pain of her curse overwhelming her senses. The blackened skin that marked her curse began to creep up her arm, climbing toward her elbow like a dark serpent, a cruel reminder of the power that was consuming her from within.

Panic coursed through her veins as she realized the gravity of her situation. She could either succumb to the curse that had haunted her or face the inevitable wrath of Tempest.

"No… not like this."

She gasped, trying to gather her strength, but the curse tightened its grip, leaving her feeling powerless.

"Is this truly how it ends?"

"Yes, your story is over, Peruere. Goodbye…"

Tempest intoned, raising the Ashbringer high above his head, the golden flames swirling ominously as he prepared to deliver the final blow.

"YOUR GRACE!"

Suddenly, a voice cut through the tension like a knife. Lyney rushed forward, his hands raised in a desperate gesture to shield Arlecchino from her impending doom.

"Please, don't do it! I beg of you!"

His voice trembled, fear etched across his face, but his resolve was unwavering.

As if drawn by an invisible thread, Lyney's sister Lynette quickly joined him, followed closely by Freminet. One by one, the other children from the House of Hearth stepped forward, forming a protective wall around Arlecchino, their tiny bodies trembling but resolute.

"What are you all doing?!"

Arlecchino shouted, her eyes wide with disbelief. She felt a swell of warmth and protectiveness from the children, but confusion clouded her mind.

"Get back! This is not your fight!"

The adults attempted to intervene, reaching out to pull the children away, but they stood firm, their small hands clasped together in determination.

"Please, Your Grace!"

They cried in unison, their voices ringing out with heartfelt desperation.

Arlecchino's heart ached as she watched them, a mixture of pride and dread washing over her.

"You don't understand!"

She shouted, her voice cracking with emotion.

"This is for your safety! I cannot let him hurt you!"

"But we can't let you die!"

Lynette countered, tears glistening in her eyes.

"You're our Father! We need you!"

Freminet stepped forward, his gaze wavering.

"W-We believe in you, F-Father! You can't give up now! Y-You've fought for us, and we'll fight for y-you!"

Tempest, momentarily taken aback by the sheer determination of the children, hesitated. The golden flames of the Ashbringer flickered. His grip on the sword tightened, but the weight of their pleas hung in the air, creating an unexpected tension.

Arlecchino felt the walls of her heart begin to crack under the pressure of their love.

"I-"

She started, but the words caught in her throat. She looked at each of their faces, each one a reminder of why she had fought so hard, of the bond they shared.

"No! You mustn't!"

She shouted, her voice breaking through the chaos.

"This is my battle! I won't let you suffer for my choices!"

Yet, as the children stood resolutely, she realized that she couldn't let their courage go unrecognized. They had become her strength, a flickering light in the encroaching darkness of her curse.

"Tempest…"

She breathed her voice barely a whisper.

"If you truly wish to end this, then kill me instead. Please, just spare them..."

"Ah, good, you're all in one place. Less effort for me, thank you all."

Tempest said as he prepared to swing the Ashbringer down upon the children and Arlecchino.

"Consider this my warning to Snezhnaya, for poisoning my homeland…"

His voice was cold and unyielding, the flames of his sword flickering menacingly as he drew back for the strike. The air was thick with tension, and the screams of the children grew louder, a desperate symphony of fear that echoed through the shelter.

But just as he was about to unleash his fury, a voice pierced through the chaos in his mind, halting him in his tracks.

'Is this what you really want, Tempest?'

The voice of Nahida rang out, clear and haunting, echoing in the depths of his consciousness.

'What have you become?'

She continued, her tone filled with a mix of sorrow and disappointment.

'I... I'm disgusted by you, Tempest. Is this the same person who gave me a chance back then? Because what I see right now is… a demon...'

Tempest felt a shiver run down his spine at her words. They struck deep, rattling the foundations of his resolve. As he stood there, sword raised, the weight of his actions began to press down on him, the golden flames flickering uncertainly.

'Please, stop this and go home.'

Nahida urged gently, her voice a lifeline amidst the storm of his rage.

'I'm waiting for you in your office. I know you still need therapy, and I'm here for you. But if you choose this path…'

A painful silence hung in the air as she paused, the reality of her words settling in.

'I'm leaving… forever. I won't stand by you if you choose to become like this.'

Tempest's heart raced as he fought against the tide of darkness that threatened to consume him. He could feel the pull of Nahida's kindness, her unwavering belief in the good that still resided within him. But the allure of power and vengeance was intoxicating, making it hard to discern the truth from the shadows clouding his mind.

He hesitated, the sword trembling in his grip. Memories flooded back, moments of laughter, of warmth shared in the office where they had exchanged wisdom. The light of her spirit was a beacon, guiding him back from the edge.

"Why... why can't I let go?"

He murmured, the words barely escaping his lips. The flames of the Ashbringer flickered as his mind battled with the weight of his choices.

'Because you're still in there, Tempest.'

Nahida replied softly.

'You don't have to let this darkness define you. Please, remember who you are and the promise you made to protect those who cannot protect themselves. You are more than your anger, you are the sword of Fontaine.'

As her voice faded, Tempest stood at a crossroads, caught between the path of vengeance and the chance for redemption. The terrified faces of the children before him flickered in his vision, and he felt the grip of his rage begin to loosen ever so slightly.

"Enough."

He finally whispered, his voice breaking through the turmoil within. He dropped the Ashbringer, the golden flames dimming to a flicker as he confronted the truth of who he was meant to be.

"I won't be a monster… not today."

Tempest's form shimmered once more, golden light enveloping him as he shifted back to his original state. The imposing aura that had surrounded him moments before dissipated, leaving behind a silence heavy with the weight of his choices. He turned his gaze to the children and Arlecchino, who had bravely shielded them from his impending strike, her determination a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.

With slow, deliberate steps, he approached Arlecchino, the intensity of their previous confrontation still lingering in the air. He reached out and grasped the collar of her suit, lifting her slightly off the ground, their eyes locking in a fierce exchange.

"Do not ever stand in my way, Peruere."

He said, his voice low and resolute.

"And do not ever cross into my territory again…"

His tone carried an unmistakable warning, a promise that he would not tolerate any further defiance.

With a forceful motion, Tempest dropped Arlecchino back to the ground, the impact sending a tremor through the earth beneath them. He stepped back, his expression hardening as he turned to leave the shelter.

As he walked away, he could feel the weight of the children's eyes upon him, a mixture of fear and hatred that tugged at his conscience. With a swift movement of his hand, he activated his Hydro Vision. A powerful wave of water surged forth, crashing against the flames that had threatened to consume the exit, extinguishing them with a hissing sound.

The shelter was shrouded in an eerie calm as the last remnants of fire flickered out. Tempest paused for a brief moment at the threshold, glancing back at Arlecchino and the children.

"Remember this moment, Peruere."

He called over his shoulder, his voice echoing with an undercurrent of finality.

"I will not hesitate to protect what is mine. You would do well to remember that."

With those parting words, he stepped out, leaving behind the shelter, and the echoes of his own turmoil.

Arlecchino lay sprawled on the still-hot floor, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she glanced up at the gaping hole in the ceiling above her. The jagged edges of the opening loomed like a dark reminder of the chaos that had just unfolded, the same place where she and Tempest had clashed fiercely during their first encounter in her office.

"I require a new office..."