Wings of the Stars

Three Days Later

Three days had passed since Furina, Clorinde, and Wriothesley landed at Iron Gale Air Force Base.

For once, Furina felt at peace.

No longer did the biting cold air sting her skin.

No longer did howling blizzards shake the walls of her quarters.

No longer did an endless blanket of white stretch as far as the eye could see.

Now, there were grassy fields, rolling green hills, and the warmth of the sun beating down on her uniform.

She stood inside an open-air hangar, her gaze fixed on the aircraft that had carried her through hell and back—her Dassault Rafale M, now free from the elements, no longer exposed to the merciless snow and ice of Korovograd.

Her personal one-off livery gleamed under the daylight.

She admired the design—her design. The one she had spent countless hours refining, tweaking, and obsessing over before it was finally painted.

Just below the canopy, the title stood bold in sleek cursive lettering:

"Élégante et Efficace."

A symbol of grace and lethality.

The fuselage bore a deep blue base, blending seamlessly into sky blue, white, and dark grey accents along the wings and nose.

And on the tail—a golden crown, standing proudly against the blue background, alongside her registration number: 1013.

This aircraft had stories to tell.

So many stories.

Furina smirked, running a gloved hand along the sleek, cool metal of the airframe.

"An experimental prototype called the Evolution... meant to test out its upgraded flight controls... Never meant to enter service. And yet, somehow... ended up in my hands."

She let out a quiet scoff.

"What a tale to tell, huh?"

She took a deep breath, letting her eyes wander across the airbase.

This place felt different. Lighter. Freer.

Gone was the constant weight of being in Drowned Squadron.

Gone was Commander Jakob's unpredictable wrath and backhanded orders.

Gone was the suffocating cloud of suspicion that loomed over her every move.

And in its place?

Commander Captain Jean Gunnhildr.

TAC Name: Dandelion.

Flight Lead of the Primordial Squadron.

A true leader.

One who actually listened.

One who actually cared.

One who treated them like pilots—not disposable pawns.

Furina crossed her arms, watching the wind ripple across the field just beyond the hangar.

She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to this lack of tension.

It almost felt... unnatural.

Then—footsteps.

Her ears picked up the steady rhythm of boots against concrete.

She turned.

A group of pilots approached, walking toward her hangar with purpose.

They stopped just outside, eyes fixed on her Rafale.

Their posture was straight. Their expressions serious. But Furina could sense the underlying curiosity behind their gazes.

She recognized them immediately.

The Primordial Squadron.

She only knew them by TAC names—until now.

Primordial Two – Outrider

Primordial Three – Tianquan

Primordial Four – Spindrift

Primordial Five – Raiden

Primordial Six – Cullinen

Primordial Seven – Kiongozi

The silence stretched for a moment before Spindrift stepped forward.

Her sharp azure eyes flicked between Furina and the Rafale before her lips curled into a slight smirk.

"So... this is the infamous Rafale of Waltz."

Furina tilted her head slightly, smirking back.

"Sounds about right."

Spindrift took another step forward, closing the distance between them.

Then—she extended a hand.

"Nice to finally meet you, Furina. Name's Lawrence. Eula Lawrence."

Furina glanced down at the offered handshake.

For a split second, her mind flashed back to Korovograd—to the trials, the accusations, the isolation.

And yet...

That was behind her now.

She reached forward and firmly shook Eula's hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Eula."

The moment broke as Outrider stepped in, practically beaming.

"I'm Amber! It's a pleasure meeting you, Furina!"

Furina chuckled at her enthusiasm.

"Nice to meet you too, Amber."

Then came Raiden, her tone more reserved but equally sincere.

"I'm Ei. Nice to finally meet you, Miss Furina."

"Just Furina is fine." She smiled. "Nice to meet you too, Ei."

One by one, the rest of the squadron followed.

Tianquan – "Ningguang. Liyue Air Force."

Cullinen – "Collei. From Sumeru. It's an honor, really."

Kiongozi – "Mavuika. Hope we'll get along."

Each handshake. Each introduction.

Furina took them all in, the weight of what was happening beginning to settle in her chest.

She was no longer just some castaway pilot from a disgraced squadron.

She was here.

Among them.

And this time—she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Moments Later

The Primordial Squadron circled around Furina's Rafale M, eyes scanning every inch of its one-off livery.

They took their time, studying the smooth contours, the paintwork, the details—soaking it all in.

None of them, however, had realized the full truth.

That this wasn't just any Rafale.

That Furina's aircraft was an experimental prototype—the Rafale Evolution.

A fighter built not just for combat, but for pushing the limits of maneuverability, avionics, and flight control systems.

The questions started pouring in.

It reminded Furina of the time she first landed at Charybdis Air Force Base, when Nocturne Squadron bombarded her with the same kind of curiosity after her debut sortie.

Eula was the first to speak.

"So, Furina... What's with the livery? Usually, fighters are painted in the standard gray."

Furina crossed her arms, smirking.

"Ah, this? It was a tradition back at the Fontaine Royal Air Force Academy. If you were the top graduate of your batch, you got the privilege of designing your own livery. And this..." She gestured toward the aircraft. "This was my result."

Eula nodded slowly, a smirk playing at her lips.

"I see. Seems to me you have an eye for designing things, no~?"

Furina chuckled.

"Yeah, I like to draw. Sometimes. Sketch the horizons I looked at in the past. It helps me remember where I've been."

Then came another question—this time from Collei.

"Furina? What's with that title in gold below your canopy?"

She squinted, trying to read it out loud.

"Ele... Ele—gante? et Efficiace?"

Furina snapped her fingers.

"Good question. That's a bit of a story."

She leaned against the nose of her Rafale, a glint of nostalgia flickering in her blue eyes.

"I was the only girl in my batch at the academy. And during our live training exercises, I was always the one getting missions done fast and efficiently. No wasted time, no bullshit. That's where 'Efficace' comes in."

She then smirked, tapping a finger against her temple.

"And 'Élégante'? Well… let's just say I was also the only pretty girl in the batch."

Collei giggled.

"Ah! I see now!"

Then came another voice—Mavuika.

"And this crown, Furina? What does it signify, exactly?"

Furina laughed, shaking her head.

"What I originally wanted to be."

Eula, curious, turned toward her.

"And that was...?"

Furina smirked.

"An actor."

Mavuika's eyes widened, her head snapping toward Furina in disbelief.

"You what?"

Furina nodded.

"When I was a kid, I loved acting. Hell, even singing."

Amber suddenly chimed in, eyes sparkling with interest.

"Wait, wait, wait. If that was your dream, then why the hell are you in the Air Force?"

Furina's smirk widened.

"Because of my dad's brother. He flew for the Fontaine Armée de l'Air—flying the same jet as mine. A Rafale."

She tapped the side of her aircraft, feeling the cold metal under her fingers.

"Not the M variant, though. He flew the C Variant, the land-based version. This one?" She patted the reinforced landing gear. "The M Variant. Marine-use. Strengthened front landing gear, launch bar support, and a stronger fuselage."

Amber nodded in understanding.

"Ahh. That makes sense."

As the conversation settled, Eula stepped away from Furina, rejoining the others as they continued examining her jet.

She ran a gloved hand along the fuselage, stopping in front of the integrated ladder leading up to the cockpit.

She turned back to Furina.

"Mind if I step up, Furina?"

Furina waved her hand dismissively.

"No, no, go right ahead."

Eula nodded and gripped the ladder, beginning her climb.

As she reached the cockpit, she took a closer look at the HUD, the instrument panels, and the custom flight controls that made the Rafale Evolution so different from standard models.

Meanwhile, the rest of the squadron continued admiring the aircraft, some taking a few steps back to fully take in the sleek design, the unique livery, and the powerful presence that Furina's Rafale M Evolution exuded.

And in that moment—standing inside this open-air hangar, under the golden light of the setting sun—Furina felt something strange.

Something warm.

Something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Belonging.

She was finally where she was meant to be.

Right on Cue

Just as Furina finished answering questions about her Rafale, she heard familiar footsteps approaching from behind.

Jean Gunnhildr.

The Captain of Primordial Squadron stepped forward, her hands in her flight suit pockets, an amused look on her face.

"I've been listening to all these stories about your livery, Lieutenant Furina."

Furina chuckled, glancing at her jet one last time before turning to Jean.

"Yeah? Well, what can I say? It's got a history."

Jean smirked.

"And it's just Furina still, Captain."

Jean crossed her arms, laughing softly.

"No need to be so formal, Lieutenant. Just Jean will do."

Furina smirked.

"Fair enough."

Jean then stepped closer, her expression shifting—more serious, but still warm.

"By the way... I've got some good news."

She then snapped her fingers, her voice carrying authority.

"Primordial Squadron, listen up!"

The hangar fell silent.

The squadron stopped what they were doing, turning their attention to Jean.

Even Eula, still inside Furina's Rafale, peeked her head out of the canopy, her curiosity piqued.

Jean stood directly in front of Furina.

Her blue eyes met Furina's, and then—

She smiled.

"Furina de Fontaine... You are hereby reinstated into the Teyvat United Peacekeeping Force."

The words hit like a missile strike.

Furina's breath caught in her throat.

She stumbled a step back, her hands flying over her mouth.

Jean continued.

"This letter is official documentation, stating that Furina de Fontaine is to regain her former rank of First Lieutenant."

She handed Furina a sealed envelope.

Then, Jean clapped her hands together once.

"Congratulations, Lieutenant. Welcome back."

The entire squadron erupted into applause.

Furina stood there, frozen, as reality settled in.

She did it.

A single tear slipped down her cheek.

She quickly wiped it away, composing herself—yet her heart raced, her chest tightening with emotions she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years.

"Finally..." she thought.

Mission Accomplished.

From the side, Clorinde and Wriothesley watched.

They were smiling, clapping along with the squadron.

Furina turned toward them.

Wriothesley gave her a nod of respect, his smirk unwavering.

"Congratulations, Waltz."

Clorinde followed, her voice steady.

"Welcome back."

Furina let out a shaky breath, still processing everything.

Jean wasn't done yet.

"By the way," she continued. "They've been reinstated to Lieutenant as well."

Furina's head snapped toward Clorinde and Wriothesley.

Both nodded in confirmation.

Furina let out a soft laugh, shaking her head in disbelief.

Then—

Jean dropped the real bombshell.

"And... we have a new squadron too."

The hangar fell into silence again.

Jean straightened her posture, her voice clear and firm.

"Our new second squadron's name is..."

Furina held her breath.

Waiting.

Hoping.

And then—

"The Waltz Squadron."

Furina's eyes widened.

A sharp breath escaped her lips as the words sank in.

She barely had time to process it before Jean continued.

"In recognition of your dedication and distinction, the TSSG, the Union Peacekeeping Force, and the Fontaine Air Force have approved this name."

Jean's smile grew.

"Officially, Waltz... You are Waltz One."

A choked sound left Furina's throat.

Her hands trembled.

The emotions she had held back for so long broke through all at once.

Tears spilled freely down her face.

She didn't wipe them away this time.

Jean continued, keeping her voice steady.

"To avoid confusion, let me clarify—when referring to you personally, your TAC name will remain Waltz. But when addressing the squadron as a whole, it will be referred to as Waltz Squadron."

Jean extended a hand toward Furina.

"Welcome to the Teyvat Strategic Strike Group, Lieutenant."

Furina took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her shaking hands.

Then—

She reached forward.

And shook Jean's hand.

It was official.

She was back.

Not just as a pilot.

Not just as Lieutenant Furina de Fontaine.

But as the leader of her own squadron.

A squadron named after her.

Clorinde and Wriothesley stepped up beside her.

Clorinde spoke first.

"I've been assigned Waltz Two. That makes me your wingman."

Then Wriothesley.

"And I'm Waltz Three."

Furina stared at them.

Her new squadmates.

Her new family.

Jean continued.

"The Fontaine Air Force has already issued Wriothesley and Clorinde their own Rafale Ms—both in the standard gray livery. After all, the flight lead has to stand out, right?"

Furina nodded slowly, still processing it all.

"Y-Yeah... I guess so."

Jean chuckled.

"Come on. Let's head inside and give you a proper Iron Gale welcome. My treat, of course."

The squadron cheered as they left the hangar, heading toward a waiting van that would take them to an Italian bistro just outside the base.

As they walked, Jean threw an arm over Furina's shoulder, speaking in a casual tone.

"You're gonna love AWACS Visionaire. He's a foodie. Hell, he even brings some of his own food onboard the E-3 Sentry he's assigned to."

Furina chuckled, shaking her head.

"I'd love to meet him, Jean."

Jean grinned.

"Oh, trust me. You will."

As the squadron walked away from the hangar, Furina took one last look at her Rafale.

Her Evolution.

Her new beginning.

And in two days, they would be off to the deep north for another operation.

But for the first time in a long time...

Furina felt no burdens.

No chains.

No doubts.

She was officially reinstated as Lieutenant.

She had her own squadron.

And it was named after her.

Furina de Fontaine had found her new family.