Finding The Real You - Kaebedo

Chapter XIX - Confrontation

Albedo listened to the sound of his steps crushing the snow, it was relaxing to listen to such a thing, even if his mind was racing because of the argument.

One step, crunch. A second step, crunch. A third step, two crunches.

Albedo's head whipped around to face his "brother". It would make sense for him to be here, Dragonspine was the only place he's ever known.

"Thought you might confront me yourself? Or was there perhaps an argument between you and your loved one?"

His tone was taunting, and Albedo hated that the taunts kneaded his emotions into ones that would benefit it, but he still didn't budge. His "brother" advanced towards him, while Albedo made no move to step back.

"What is it you want with us?"

Albedo spoke those words with little effort, it was what he'd been thinking about ever since he noticed this. His expression was set in stone the moment he saw "him". He didn't let any emotions creep onto his face, and still didn't let the emotions affect his words or actions.

"You don't know? Perhaps I overestimated your genius." It stopped walking once there was around two metres between them, and seven metres of free space behind each of them. "Mother cast me aside, she saw me as a failure. So what made you so special in her eyes?"

It drew it's sword, waiting for Albedo to do the same.

"I am superior to you in every way, shape and form. I will bring her your head to prove that, and I am willing to go to any length to do that."

Albedo watched as his "brother" charged at him, sword in hand. He stood in a well practised 'en garde' position (he'd have to thank the knights for teaching him to do that), awaiting the impact. Once it came close enough to strike, Albedo made a small effort to block "his" strike, taking back a few steps just as it tried to hit, hoping to lessen the impact on his sword. The strike was aimed at his head, and it's sword clattered against his own. He held another arm up to support his sword, and Albedo was glad that he did so.

"You've followed me for this many years and still don't know how to fight me?"

He spoke between grunts, glancing backwards before half jumping back and swinging his sword out of the way. As expected, it stumbled forwards, it's sword only reaching a tuft of hair, but still slicing it.

This was an opening, it's head was unprotected, and Albedo made a move to strike. But it seemed to notice this, running forward, straight into Albedo's stomach with it's head. It was a strong hit, and it sent both of them flying backwards. Albedo almost let go of his sword while they were in the air, only tightening his grip on it just before they smashed into the floor. He was left gasping for breath, and coughing a fair bit.

It's hand searched for a sword, as it's eyes were blocked. "He" found the replica sword, grasping the handle and preparing to lift it up. But Albedo was quicker, First grabbing the arm holding the sword, then using his other arm to push "him" away, remembering to grab the sword he held before shoving "him" off.

Albedo watched as it started muttering things under it's breath, he assumed it was about his Master but he couldn't be sure. It was slouched over, still sitting in the place Albedo had pushed it to. One arm was holding it's head, and the other held a weak grasp on it's sword.

Albedo stood up with a grunt, supporting himself with his knee while getting up, while his other hand had a firm grip on his sword. He didn't want to kill it, maybe not for the reasons mentioned to Kaeya and Lisa, more personal reasons. But if he didn't kill it now, then there was no way of telling how long it would keep this up.

He kept a steady pace, it was slow and careful, but he could never be too careful here.

"Why could I never be on par with you?"