Journey | Albedo's Descent Book 3

Chapter 9: Test Results and A Shadowy Figure

"So you woke up on your own this morning?" Lisa asked.
Albedo paused, "I... don't really know..."
"Hm? Why?"
"Uh... well, I don't think the data from last night is a good Control to go off of because it wasn't normal..."
Lisa blinked at him, "Albedo? Why are you speaking in riddles?"
Albedo sighed, "I... I don't know how to explain without you... assuming things..."
"Oh, I give you my word! I wont assume anything!" Lisa held up her hand sincerely.
Albedo sighed as he shook his head, "okay, then... Kaeya stayed the night with me so I don't think we can count it as me naturally going to sleep."
Albedo could tell from the moment he said Kaeya's name that Lisa was assuming things. He resisted the urge to sigh again.
Lisa shook her head, "uh- well, I guess you're right... Do you... mind going into detail, then?"
Albedo hesitated, "Lisa, we didn't-"
"Yes, yes, that's exactly why I'm asking," Lisa nodded as her cheeks grew rosy, "to, you know, keep myself from assuming things."
Albedo felt very nervous as he spoke quietly, "he just held me... When I woke up the sun had just come up and nothing had changed... A-anyways, I fell asleep pretty quickly last night..."
"Hm," Lisa hummed as she tapped her chin, no doubt envisioning a very inaccurate picture of what had happened. "I guess it doesn't count. Oh well, just don't use the candles tonight and then we'll see what happens?"
Albedo nodded, "I'll... I'll do that. And- and I will make sure to let Kaeya know, too-"
"No! No! You can't tell him!"
"What? Why?..."
"Because! Then he'll know that I know! Then he'll come and yell at me for assuming things..." she whined.
"I'm sure you were," Albedo folded his arms as his nose got pink.
"Only because you were very vague," she put her hands on her hips.
"He- he was just holding me. That was it. Nothing more."
"See? Vague! I need details!" Lisa exclaimed, "you're leaving everything up to my imagination! You're an artist, aren't details you're whole thing? Get to describing!"
Albedo closed his mouth tightly. He didn't want to share...
Lisa gave him an intense look, "there's no one else here but us, Albedo."
The alchemist took a weary look around, "Lisa, I..."
"Here, let me help you. Was he holding you from in front or behind?"
Albedo answered her quietly, "he was behind me..."
Lisa smiled, "was he holding onto you tightly?"
Albedo shook his head, "not really... I think he fell asleep before I did, too..."
She nodded, "that sounds right. Kaeya tends to fall asleep easier when there are other people around. I guess its a survival thing."
Albedo steepled his fingers, "can I-"
"No, you may not leave," Lisa took his shoulders, "we aren't done yet. Now, was he curled around you or not?"
Albedo was honestly pretty scared of Lisa. He didn't think she'd be so intense about this, "uh, no..."
"Hm," she thought hard for a second, "was it the same when you woke up?"
Albedo nodded, "I woke up first..."
"Mhm," she nodded, "did he, you know, do anything?"
Albedo blinked, "he hugged me? A-and he apologized for not waking up first, which I found a little weird."
Lisa snorted, "you make him all mushy gooshy, Albedo. He was probably talking nonsense the moment he woke up with you." Lisa sighed, "oh, young love~"
Albedo blinked, "Lisa, we aren't that far apart in age-"
"Hush!" She pressed her finger to his lips, "let me reminisce..."
Albedo rolled his eyes.

Albedo sighed as he walked up the stairs to his room. The day had somehow gone by so quickly... He hadn't even noticed how late it was.
On the plus side, he hadn't been having many issues today. Maybe the candles were causing him problems?
He smiled a little bit to himself, then it changed into a small frown. He wasn't sure what to say to Kaeya about the candles... or how to get him to leave if he wanted to stay...
Albedo heaved another sigh as he took the final step up the stairs.
Suddenly, he fell onto his knees, biting his tongue to keep from screaming. His hands smacked against the hard floor and he seethed.
He hadn't even tripped. His body just gave out.
His legs and arms were shaking. He could barely hold himself up. He slowly pushed himself to lean against the wall, breathing heavily. He closed his eyes as he tried to ignore his pain.
Just when he thought all this madness was over...
Albedo opened his eyes to find himself somewhere completely different.
This was much more alarming. There weren't any walls, let alone anything that belonged in the Knights Headquarters.
He seemed to be in Dragonspine. He was surrounded by white and felt cold. As he blinked he could make out a few trees here and there.
He looked to the side to see a humanoid form.
It was a mess or swirling colors that were facing away from Albedo. He couldn't tell what it was made up of but it seemed to be some sort of sand storm by the looks of it.
Black to red to white to blue to gold to purple. So many colors did the form shift to slowly back and forth in no particular order.
"Half of me..." it's voice was a whisper in the wind. It clenched its fist as if grasping something in the air, "I need the other half..."
The form turned to face the alchemist. It held out a shadowy hand, "will you bring it to me?"
Albedo grew confused and scared, "what other half? What do you need?"
"Will you bring it to me?" it held its hand out farther.
Albedo quickly got to his feet, "what do-"
It was gone. The figure, the snow, the trees, Dragonspine. He was back home again. Right above the stairs where he had just been.
If he had taken a slightly bigger step when he stood, then he would have fallen.
Albedo swallowed hard as he took a few cautious steps back. He held his hands close to his chest, shaking slightly. He was cold, as if he had actually been in Dragonspine...
A small light flicked on, coming from his neck. It wasn't very bright because the lights in the hall contradicted it. Once again it only pointed in one direction. Southeast.
This had to be a sign, right?... What else could it be? First 'Southeast' and then what he just saw. It all pointed to the mountain.
Albedo took another step back, about to turn around. He ran into someone instead. He let out a small "oh" in surprise.
Kaeya smiled, "you're up awfully late."
Albedo blinked, "oh... I just had some extra time and wanted to get some work done before I head back to Dragonspine..."
Kaeya took Albedo's hands, "when are you leaving? Oh my goodness! Albedo, you're so cold!" He rubbed Albedo's hands in his own.
Albedo blinked a few times, "uh, I was originally planning on leaving the day after tomorrow but I'd like to leave tomorrow afternoon, instead."
"Why? Has something happened?"
Albedo shook his head, "no, I just think if I go sooner I might find something important." He didn't like lying to Kaeya... He felt an itch in the back of his brain, reminding him of what happened last time he didn't say anything about his problems.
But Lisa knew, and that should be enough for now. It wasn't like his problems had hurt him very much or caused him anything but a few scares. And Kaeya didn't need anything more to worry about right now. He was finally getting close to his brother again, Albedo didn't want to distract him from that...
Kaeya smiled a little bit, "then I guess you should head off to bed."
Albedo nodded, "yes, I'll have to pack in the morning."
"Oh, how did your experiment with Lisa go?"
Albedo paused, "ah, we actually couldn't use the data from last night..."
"Why not?" Kaeya asked.
"Well... Lisa thought it best to see what would happen after two nights instead of one because then I'll have been Candle Clean." There he went again. He really hated lying to Kaeya... It felt awful.
Kaeya chuckled, "alright then, I'll walk you over."
"Is Rosaria back in town?" Albedo asked.
Kaeya nodded, "she'll be back tonight for a few hours, then she'll be gone again." He sighed, "I guess she just missed me that much."
Albedo laughed quietly, "can't say I blame her."
Kaeya's face instantly turned red, "ah... haha..." He really couldn't say anything to that.
Albedo gave Kaeya a hug as they got to his door, "I'll try to find you before I leave."
"I certainly hope so. Who knows, I might make a trip up to Dragonspine just to see you. How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know... I have a few different things I'm looking for..."
He felt Kaeya deflate a little.
"I'll try to come back as soon as I can."
Kaeya kissed him on the head, "alright. Goodnight, Albedo. I love you."
"I love you, too," Albedo said quietly as he let go.
Kaeya made his way down the hall as Albedo entered his room. He sighed deeply. He'd tell Kaeya as soon as he knew what was going on. He made a promise to himself to speak with Lisa and Kaeya before leaving. He was even willing to push his trip back to the evening if he had to.