Journey | Albedo's Descent Book 3

Chapter 33: Klee Joins The Party

"This should strengthen Albedo physically for the time being. We need to keep him with us for as long as possible. The other spells take a long time," she placed her hand on Albedo, murmuring an incantation.
Kaeya didn't think he could open his mouth without starting to sob.
After Lisa finished, Albedo started to feel a little warmer.
The librarian busied herself with readying the next spell, "I don't know what that thing is capable of, but I don't think we can afford to be stealthy anymore... But... I find it odd how empty it was... I mean, doesn't Albedo think a lot?..."
Kaeya nodded.
"You say he stopped functioning after the tooth disappeared?"
He nodded again.
"Hmm..." she paused, "I'll keep that in mind." She took Kaeya's hand tightly, "ready?"
Once more, he nodded.
Lisa muttered more words and Kaeya had the same feeling of being transported into Albedo's mind.
This time, there seemed to be a small mountain nearby.
The thing locked eyes with them immediately. It seemed to shake rather violently.
Lisa hardened her expression, "it can't hurt us here."
It extended an arm out to them ominously.
"Where is Albedo? What have you done to him?" Lisa asked, trying to keep herself composed. If she showed ill intent she wasn't sure what that thing might do to Albedo...
It lowered its arm slightly, "helping."
"Helping?!" Kaeya exclaimed, "why would he still help you?!"
It coped Albedo's voice, "it's human nature to help others."
Kaeya face contorted in disgust. He opened he mouth but was stopped before he could say anything more.
"There!" Lisa pointed.
Making his way up the small mountain was Albedo. He didn't seem to be struggling, but it obviously wasn't an easy task. He seemed tired and weak...
Lisa held Kaeya's hand tighter as she ran for the foot of the mountain.
The being seemed to frown, holding its hand out towards the mountain. The space between the two humans and the mountain became larger, the ground stretching.
Lisa whipped around, "how did you do that?"
It tilted its head, "how not?"
"What..." Lisa said in disbelief, "he... let you in..."
Kaeya was about to accuse this thing when Lisa stopped him again. "He let it in. We have to go back. I have to set up an array and prepare more spells."
"What?! But-"
Lisa didn't even let him finish, yanking them both back to reality.
"Lisa! He was right there!"
"It would have just continued to move the mountain farther away! There is nothing I can do! If Albedo willingly excepted that thing into his mind, then it can do a lot more than I can right now! it's nothing like last time!" She flipped through pages upon pages, memorizing countless words and patterns.
When the scavenging group returned, Lisa gave them yet another list, "this should be the last."
They nodded solemnly and quickly exited again.
Lisa heaved a heavy sigh, creating a sort of barrier around Albedo's body. Kaeya refused to let go, which was fine. She could work around him well enough. She wasn't too worried about Kaeya being there... but she didn't know if this being could possess anyone, so she gave him a fair warning.

Albedo seethed, shivering as he traversed up the mountain. Would he even make it? Yes, it was a smaller mountain than many he had climbed before, but he could barely feel his fingers. He was sure his lips were purple by now.
It felt like it would be over a hundred years until he would reach the summit. But what would he find when he got there?...
He stopped for a moment, trying to catch his breath and warm himself by rubbing his hands together. He looked down the mountain, the wind whipping at his hair and clothes.
He could see that thing watching him from close to the bottom.
Albedo felt bad for it. It was so close to its other half, but wasn't able to get near it. Why was that? Why couldn't it go up the mountain?
"It hurts..." a whisper came into Albedo's ear.
He nodded, "I understand... but why can't you-"
"It hurts," it repeated with a bit more power.
Albedo paused, "why does it hurt?..."
". . . Hurry." It said. "Please."
Albedo turned back around and continued onwards up the steep path.
After a while, he heard it speak again, quietly. It sounded like it was more talking to itself than to Albedo. "I'm scared..."
Albedo tried to keep his voice even, but he was shivering so much. "What are you scared of?..."
"Being whole again," it said so quietly Albedo could barely hear it.
He smiled, "I know. It's scary not knowing what will happen. But isn't figuring it out the best part? Because then you'll know and won't be afraid anymore."
"... thank you... Albedo..."