Journey | Albedo's Descent Book 3

Chapter 31: You're Safe...

"Here we are," Albedo said breathily, "finally..." he held Kaeya's hand in one hand and the dragon tooth in the other. He gazed up at the carving.
"So you just shove it in there?" Rosaria folded her arms near the entrance. She glanced at all the Seelie, finding the alcove very creepy.
Albedo nodded, "it's so simple." He laughed to himself, "I'm so happy to be done..."
Kaeya squeezed his hand tight, "let's finish this."
Albedo took a dried flower from his pocket and transformed it into a platform. He let go of Kaeya's hand and stepped onto it. It raised him up to the perfect height and he inserted the bone. It fit perfectly.
The platform lowered down and disappeared. The mountain shook, causing a few small pebbles to fall from the ceiling. It wasn't much, but it was enough for Kaeya to instinctively grab onto Albedo's hand.
Albedo stared fixedly at the carving.
The black vitality started leaking out of the bone and into the cracks of the carving, until it filled its entirety. Then the black shone brightly, changing into a brilliant shade of gold.
Albedo was in awe. This was amazing. Just what was he capable of now?
Then, the wall split into two, cracking right down the middle. The bone had melted into the vitality, which had bled into the rest of the depressions.
Then, the rock ground together loudly, the two halves moving away from each other slowly, until a few meters of empty space formed between them.
In that empty space was a swirling, sparkling, darkness, much like that thing itself.
Kaeya squeezed Albedo's hand, "what now?" He couldn't see what the alchemist could. Neither did Rosaria. All they saw was the vitality leaving the bone. To them, nothing had happened since.
Albedo's eyes widened, beginning to fill with water.
Kaeya held onto him tighter, whispering, "what is it?..." Was Albedo upset that it hadn't done anything?... He had only seen Albedo cry a dozen times, and he still hated to see it.
Albedo's lips curled upwards. "Master..." His breaths were coming too frequently, "I did it... I really did it..."
She smiled, "Albedo... you did it..." she held her arms out to him.
Albedo's eyes overflowed and he ran towards his teacher, creator, and mother. She took him into her arms, chuckling softly, "it's been so long, hasn't it..."
Albedo nodded, his face buried in her embrace, "I missed you... every day I-"
"Shhhh..." she soothed him, "not now... Right now you need to rest...You deserve a reward for coming so far and working so hard..."
Albedo nodded and relaxed into her hold, "I am tired..."
"I know..." she whispered, "take a rest..."

"Albedo?! Albedo!!" Kaeya shook him, "Albedo, answer me, please!"
Albedo's left eye was completely black, leaking that gross, goopy liquid. His other eye was glazed over, staring through Kaeya at the wall behind him.
He had been like this since he had said suddenly, "Master... I did it... I really did it..." His expressions had melted away and he had gone stiff.
Rosaria had rushed out to fetch Lisa, as per Kaeya's command. He held onto Albedo tightly, "can you hear me?! Albedo!!"
Still no response.
"Albedo..." Kaeya didn't know what to do. His only condolence was that Albedo was still breathing. But that thick ooze was slowly making its way down Albedo's neck. Not in an alive way. Kaeya could tell this was just excess... He didn't know if that was better or worse.
Lisa arrived after what felt like forever. Kaeya had laid Albedo down and was sitting beside him. His eyes were red and irritated, he had removed his eyepatch.
Lisa got onto her knees beside them, "tell me everything as quickly as possible! Right now!!!"
She began checking his pulse and casting minor spells, trying to figure out what was going on, "how do you keep getting into such situations?!"
Rosaria and Kaeya explained as quickly and efficiently as they could.

Albedo blinked a few times. He felt fingers raking gently across his scalp, and a soft voice humming.
Albedo found himself in his creator's lap. He smiled as he woke himself up.
She smiled down at him, "are you ready?"
"For?" He asked.
"To do what you came here for?"
He nodded, "I'm ready."
They stood and she held her arms slightly out to him, "give it to me..."
Albedo gently placed his hands in hers.
She squeezed him, "give me everything..."
Albedo saw bright, golden vitality collecting over his arms and slowly swirling around his teacher's arms, traveling to her.
Albedo stood in amazement, he had never even dreamed of something like this...
Her smile grew, "you've done so well..."
Albedo felt a bit embarrassed, but couldn't stop smiling.