Dragonfire: Celestia

Chaptet 39: Ubiquitous Gold - Part Two

Albedo was sprinting up the path on the side of the mountain. The mountain itself was rather large, though she was already near the peak. The whole situation felt familiar in a way. She recalled running towards Vinla Daiyu’s Castle with the others, and now she was sprinting up the mountain connected to it. It was like nothing had changed. And furthermore, there was something oddly familiar about Vaani. “She looked so familiar…but I’ve never seen her before. I mean…her eyes looked like they belonged to someone I know…or knew. But looking at her…I’ve never seen her before. Her hair, her body shape…it’s all new to me.” She thought to herself. Vaani certainly seemed interested in Albedo, considering she didn’t take her eyes off her until she attacked Rain. And she implied that they had met somewhere…but who was she? Was she someone important? Perhaps another form of the Dreamweaver? Or was she merely a random Snake Albedo once encountered? There was no way to know without taking off that mask of hers. Albedo thought of as many possible candidates as she could, but none seemed to fit the bill. She kept pondering it as she dashed up the mountain.

A few minutes later, she finally reached the peak. She stopped running, breathing heavily. Her legs were aching after how much moving around she had been doing. It had been over a full twenty-four hours since she last slept. Yet it felt like it had been an eternity. Seeing how far things had gone…how her relationship with Kei had changed…it felt like years had passed in just one day. And now…it felt like the world was about to end. After all…she had made it. World’s End. The peak of the mountain. There was a large open area right beside the tip, though the tip itself was also a small area on its own. It had a shrine atop it, likely to Laufi. After all, Vinla Daiyu’s castle was once a Celestial fortress. Albedo found herself in the open area. There was some greenery around, though it was mostly stone. The full moon shone brightly on the open area, soon to become a battlefield. Albedo finally caught her breath, only to feel something off. A shiver belonging to someone else! Her eyes widened, and she swiftly dodged to the side! Vaani appeared right beside where she was standing, attempting to punch her! Fortunately, she had just managed to avoid it!

Vaani seemed shocked. “I see your skill has only grown.” She said, “So I DO know you…” Albedo replied. Vaani narrowed her eyes, before vanishing once more! Albedo waited for the shiver…only it didn’t come. Several tense minutes passed…and nothing happened. Was she gone? Then…she felt it! She dodged, only this time Vaani was prepared! She delayed her attack, waiting to see where Albedo would dodge! Seeing Albedo merely backed away, she dove forward, kicking her in the shin! Albedo stumbled back, twisting her ankle on the uneven ground! She fell to the floor, letting out a small cry of pain! Vaani approached menacingly, readying her already bloodied hand! But Albedo had been in this position before…not long ago. And she had an idea because of it. “CRIMSON STORM’S REGALIA! PIERCING SHOT!” She shouted! She thrust her sword towards Vaani, sending a blast of red lightning at her! Vaani vanished, easily avoiding the lightning! “Damnit…it worked against the Armor…” Albedo mumbled. Using her sword as leverage, she rose to her feet.

Almost immediately, she felt the shiver! Vaani appeared beside her, punching towards her gut! Albedo rolled to the side, barely avoiding the attack! She swung her sword out, only for Vaani to vanish once more! Albedo stood up, struggling on her twisted ankle. But she had to keep going…there was no way she could stop now. But she couldn’t even land a hit on Vaani…and she couldn’t keep dodging forever. Without any way to detect where Vaani would come from, she couldn’t effectively attack her. But just then…something came to mind. She couldn’t detect where Vaani was coming from by the shiver…but she had another detection ability. The ability to detect heartbeats. Would it work, even if Vaani was in some sort of spiritual world? She activated it…and listened carefully. Then…she heard it! A heartbeat…coming from behind her! She felt the shiver, and swiftly turned around! She swung out, slicing across Vaani’s left arm! She stumbled back, before vanishing once more! But it didn’t matter…Albedo could hear her heartbeat! She knew where she was coming from!