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“Albedo! What’s going on?” Lumine managed to get the words out before she was forced to sidestep a particularly aggressive sword slash. She parried it with her own sword and slid on the snow a little. Albedo’s furrowed brows inched closer to her own, increasing the pressure on their interlocked blades. Just as quickly as he’d rushed in for the attack, Albedo leapt away, lowering his sword to his side.
He hadn’t spoken a word the entire time. It was all cold, calculated observation, sending chills down Lumine’s spine completely unrelated to the frigid Dragonspine atmosphere. This couldn’t be the whopperflower that had disguised itself as Albedo, right? That was ages ago, and Lumine could see the four-pointed star shape on his neck. Albedo narrowed his eyes. He seemed to be sizing her up, judging her abilities based on her appearance and the minor collisions they’d already had. Shouldn’t Albedo know her abilities by now? They’d known each other for a while…
“Who are you…?” Lumine said to herself. Her voice could’ve carried far enough for Albedo to hear them, but if he did, he showed no indication. His stillness was unnerving. Posture rigid, not breathing, barely blinking. Lumine knew Albedo technically did not need to physically breathe, but he often did so to hide his true nature from others. It had become such a habit, that he still did it in front of Paimon and herself. This Albedo had to be fake. He had to be.
But how? Could there really be three Albedos? The whole prospect made Lumine’s head spin. She decided to proceed with caution, acting as if the person before her really was the Albedo she called a friend, just in case.
This time, she spoke with intent, letting her voice echo around the mountain. “Albedo, you never answered me. What’s going on? What’s gotten into you?”
As if remembering himself, Albedo exhaled pointedly, his breath billowing in front of him. He shuddered during the act of taking air back in, like he was…inexperienced. Lumine tightened her grip on her sword.
Albedo went in for the attack again, Lumine responding in turn. He seemed to just be toying with her, not going for the kill, but Lumine was doing the same. None of her strikes were intended to be lethal. All of Albedo’s were easily blocked. It was like they were sparring for fun, if fun meant halfhearted attempts at maiming the other. Once, Lumine landed a hit on Albedo’s exposed arm, but her blade raked across the surface like it was pottery.
Slowly, but surely, the fight began to increase in intensity. Albedo drew blood across her cheek. Lumine punctured the surface of his thigh. Exhaustion tugged at her eyes and her muscles threatened to seize up from the cold, but Lumine pushed them away. She could keep going. She had to keep going.
Albedo leapt above her for an overhead strike, and before Lumine could shakily raise her sword to block it, another blade intercepted its path. It was just like before, another Albedo.
Lumine reeled in deja vu. This time, though, they both had the star markings. They were completely and utterly identical. “Albedo? What in the world…”
“Lumine. Are you alright?” the new Albedo asked.
“I’m fine. But seriously, what’s going on? Is this like last time?”
New Albedo smiled. “A little. But not quite.”
“What do you mean by that? Are you the real one?” Lumine asked suspiciously. Albedo number one ceased his attacks and stood a few feet away, glaring daggers into New Albedo’s back.
“Technically, we are both the real one. However, between the two of us, I am the only one who has ever successfully integrated with others.”
“I’m lost,” Lumine slumped her shoulders.
“Do you remember the story I told you about Subjects One and Two?” New Albedo asked.
Everything finally clicked. “So… He’s Subject Two?”
“Correct,” Albedo said.
“Why did he attack me then? What did I do?”
“You’re the only other person on Teyvat who knows of my secret. If I were in his place, I’d want to try and take you out as well.”
“Wow. Thanks.”
The alchemist smirked. “Shall we do this together?”
She brandished her sword. “Let’s get it over with. One Albedo is plenty.”