Commission To Slay a Black Dragon

Chapter VII: Scent of Cecilia

WARNING PLEASE READ!!

This chapter contains some nsfw. If you're uncomfortable with reading such content, please consider skipping this chapter. You won't really miss out on much of the plot I promise.It's also my first time writing such things so I apologise in advance if it was a rough ride.

Otherwise, any suggestions to improve is greatly welcomed and let me know if there's anything else I should tag.That's all from me, thank you for your support so far. Happy reading and have a merry new year!

***

The trudge around Dragonspine was pleasant, for Albedo at least. He loved the cold winds, the life that bursts forth even amidst the unforgiving snow, and... He lays eyes on each scarlet chunk that passes by.

The blood of Durin , crystalized into quartz after years of being frozen in the snow, has become beautiful, pure , and even warm. Seasoned adventurers would know that the quartz could provide momentary heat if broken, and its unique properties allows it to melt mysterious ice blocks that are immune to pyro.

Albedo smiles grimly, taking heavy comfort that he too, perhaps, could provide warmth to other life even after his expiration date. That way, at the very least, his death would not be in complete vain.

The alchemist places his hands in his pockets, suddenly feeling cold despite the chilly winds of Dragonspine never bothering him before. He fidgets with the document traveller had used to force him on this expedition, and another object?

Ah. He almost forgot, reddening at the cause of his carelessness, as he pulled his collar together to cover the amethyst-dyed star.

He pulls out the object from his pocket: it was a tablet - a painkiller, that he had prepared for unexpected outings like these. The alchemist abstains from taking this pill because frequent ingestion will weaken its effectiveness. And more annoyingly, when it wears off, his body would take time to readjust to its heightened senses – in other words, it would make him uncomfortably sensitive when its effects subside, which is very distracting to say the least. Most of the time, Albedo would rather suffer the momentary pain than tolerate through an hour or so of hypersensitivity. However, today is an exception. After all, he wouldn't want anyone to witness him rolling over when his daily pain attacks.

With a swift action, Albedo swallows the pill.

"What are you eating?"

The alchemist jumps. His eyes slowly peeked up at the traveller to see an equally startled expression. Somehow, he always catches him at the wrong time . Albedo scans the floor, quickly organising a simple, believable answer.

"A berry."

***

The trek continues, with Klee grabbing on to Albedo like a koala to its favourite tree, and Aether happily sharing his adventures in Liyue with the mostly silent alchemist, who listened to his tales patiently. Paimon was largely ignored by the traveller because of her unforgivable crime earlier, leaving her lethargic and pouting for most of the expedition.

Finally, the little spark knight yawns, a signal for the group to conclude their search for the day. Klee was escorted to her room first, where they passed by a familiar tall lady. As usual, her clothes were iron pressed straight, and her wavy blonde hair was tied neatly into a ponytail.

"You're back early, how was your excursion?" the acting grand master asks, scanning the shorter men before her, one beaming with smiles and the other in his usual stoic state.

"We didn't find anything again." Aether shakes his head, his disappointed voice a stark contrast to his shining expression.

Jean smiles, taking it as that they at least had fun, which was one of the main purposes of the trip anyway.