ᴄʜᴇᴍɪᴄᴀʟ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ - ᴀʟʙᴇᴅᴏ x ᴏᴄ

Chapter 3 - Torn Hearts

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Smells Blood - Kensuke Ushio

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From the very start, it was clear the fight was not leaning toward a victory for the Treasure Hoarders; however, that didn't mean some damage wasn't made. The sides were uneven, but Melanie was the one to balance them. Two visions against one: the third vision holder stood on the sidelines, anxiously awaiting something to happen.

Lumine faced Melanie with Paimon floating close behind. Both looked hesitant as they locked eyes with the female cryo user. The bowstring was pulled back, and she released it, following the frigid cyan sparkles closely, jumping forward and kicking the Traveler in the chest.

The blonde stumbled backward but quickly recovered, sending a spiral of Anemo energy in her direction and lifting her into the air. Cryo and Anemo formed no reaction in her favor, aside from a swirl that would freeze her in seconds. The cryo user squeezed her eyes shut as the feeling of falling overwhelmed her, and she landed on the ground with an "umph!"

She lay stunned for a couple of seconds, catching her breath. Her fingers clutched her bow as the shadow of Lumine appeared. Melanie knew she had to pull out the big guns. There wasn't time to aim from a distance. She was in the heat of battle.

Before Lumine could injure her further, Melanie squeezed her eyes shut and summoned a great deal of elemental energy, focusing it in one position, and opened her eyes. A sudden chill spread amongst the surrounding area and ice shards began to fall onto the others. A large arctic fox ran between the legs of the other soldiers to aid her.

"Sanna!" Melanie exclaimed when the fox made her presence known. She bowled into her opponent and gave Melanie enough time to rise to her feet and aim an infused bow at Lumine. Her foot was placed squarely on her chest, and it seemed the blonde could not do much more.

All she had to do was release the bow and she could win for her team. Time seemingly slowed around her. She was unaware of where her comrades were or if they were okay, but the ruins of the lair fell silent.

Both girls breathed heavily, both looking scared. Paimon screeched her companion's name but didn't dare to fly an inch closer. What was she supposed to do, release the arrow? It seemed right... but why wasn't she doing it?

Melanie looked around, seeing that all eyes were on her. Kaeya stood closest, arm extended and mouth agape in a silent cry. Not even the Cavalry Captain was moving? What was going on?

That was when a strong figure grabbed her around the waist and tackled her to the side, barely dodging Lumine's strongest Anemo attack. Melanie launched her arrow somewhere into the outskirts of the ruins, frozen in shock.

"I got her, get the others!" The demanding voice sounded around the clearing.

She looked up in horror to see Albedo's teal eyes glaring down at her with a cold fire within them. He didn't say a word to her, but she could sense his disappointment coming off him in waves. He trembled now and then; she couldn't tell if he was scared or angry at her and resisting the urge to yell.

Melanie looked back at the current scene before her. The Knights teamed up to take down each of her comrades one by one. She tried to fight against Albedo's hold on her, but his hold was too tight. Even if she was able to free herself, she would be useless without the bow currently laying on the ground.

"Please... at least let me return my bow..."

Albedo's expression softened for only a moment as he shifted to pick it up, handing it to her. She thanked him quietly and felt the cold cyan sparkles settle on her exposed skin.