Work Text:
Two Years Ago
The winds outside Albedo’s camp howled as they ravaged the mountain. Though the weather had been clear when Kaeya first ascended it’s snowy peak, it quickly turned sour later in the evening, leaving Kaeya stranded for the night. Though not without good company.
“The stew is finished,” the alchemist said as he began ladling their dinner into two bowls. “Here.”
Kaeya took his share gratefully. It was about time. The scent of it cooking for the last hour had his stomach growling in anticipation, despite his attempts to silence it. The meal was worth the wait however. He took chucks of the fresh bread he had bought from Good Hunter that morning and dipped it into his stew, letting it soak up the rich broth with each bite. Or course, he extended a second loaf to Albedo. It would have been rude to keep it all to himself, especially after Albedo had gone through the trouble of cooking dinner for them both. Albedo received the offering with a small nod of gratitude.
“Thank you. This should pair nicely with the stew.”
The warm crackling of the fire filled the silence between them as they ate. Though Albedo was rarely talkative when not discussing a subject of interest, that night he had seemed more distant than usual. More tense.
Kaeya knew why.
The sword that Albedo dared not touch was hovering at the far end of the cave, a dark, hungry energy swirling around it. The alchemist had been uneasy ever since he’d activated it by mistake, and would not even store it in the subspace of his Vision unless he was on the move. Instead he left it as far from himself as he could while still keeping it from prying eyes. Kaeya had never seen the man treat an object in that way before.
It seemed it was a danger even outweighing the man’s voracious curiosity.
He had been adamant that Kaeya not touch it either, though he had yet to explain the full reason why. He was withholding something, but Kaeya didn’t know what. The alchemist had been staring at it for the last several minutes, as if he expected it to suddenly come to life and start attacking them.
Finally Kaeya spoke up. “If it’s bothering you that much Albedo, why don’t you let me store it in my Vision? I won’t touch it.”
“No.” The answer came a little too quickly. “It is dangerous. I do not wish to put you in danger. No, it will stay here until the Traveler returns. They are the only one who can handle this without suffering from the effects of its aura.”
Though Kaeya didn’t like it, he did not argue with the other. Silence passed between them once again, and the Cavalry Captain knew Albedo was deep in thought. Then the man broke the silence.
“Captain Kaeya, do you know the nature of Durin’s heart?”
Kaeya thought back to what he’d heard both from Albedo and the texts he’d read regarding the mountain and its history. “It was poisoned, no? By your master. It survived even after Durin’s fall.”
“That is only partly true,” Albedo admitted. “What remains in the belly of the mountain is not Durin’s true heart. Rather, it is the vessel of the artificial soul Gold created for him. Though his body had decayed, his soul cannot be freed due to its nature. So it sits there, perpetually feeding its corruption into the land around it.”
“Where are you going with this?” Kaeya asked hesitantly. He didn’t like the way the alchemist’s eyes seemed to glass over as he spoke. This was about more than just the dragon.
“I too, have an artificial soul.” Albedo put a hand to his chest. “As such, it too could become corrupted as Durin’s was. By the corruption’s design, it requires a vessel to take root in. A host, if you will, and not just any will do. Though its poison may drive others to madness or death, if I were to be exposed to its corruption, it would most likely bind to my physical soul. If that were to happen, I would become a great danger to Mondstadt.”
He looked up at Keaya, his teal-blue eyes full of resolve. “Kaeya, I need you to promise me something.”
The other man’s lips curled into a frown. He didn’t like where this was headed. “Promise you what?”
“Should there ever come a day that my soul becomes corrupted, and I lose control, I need your word that you will stop me. Regardless of the cost.”
Kaeya felt the back of his neck prickle. The alchemist was serious about this. He was lending Kaeya a branch of trust that he would be able to do what most could not.
“I—” He closed his eyes and sighed. “That’s a lot to ask of me. If it comes to it, yes. You have my word, but only if you make a promise to me in return.”
“Oh?”
Kaeya reached up to remove his eyepatch, letting it fall to his lap as his golden eye adjusted to the firelight. He had never shown Albedo his eye before. Or anyone in Mondstadt for that matter, save for Crepus, Diluc, and Adelinde. At the sight of it, Albedo’s eyes widened with curiosity.
“This was a gift from our homeland,” Kaeya said distantly. “I was entrusted with it, with the promise that I was our nation’s last hope. In truth, I do not know its precise purpose. It contains some sort of ancient power, but I have no idea how to use it, or what it does.”
“You are worried it might do something you are unable to control.”
Kaeya nodded. “Which is why I need you to promise the same thing I did. If something happens and I cannot prevent myself from becoming a threat to Mond, you must stop me. No matter what.”
Present Day
The morning was bright and young as Kaeya made his way up the mountain to Albedo's camp. Thanks to the diplomatic trip he had been placed in charge of in Sumeru, it had been nearly two weeks since he last had a chance to venture up that frozen peak, and he ached to see the man who waited for him at the top.
His lungs burned by the time he finally reached the camp, having quickened his pace the closer he got, but when he saw Albedo's teal-blue eyes light up at the sight of him, he knew the pain was worth it.
The alchemist made a surprised sound as Kaeya rushed forward to pick the other up in a firm hug, twirling him around with their foreheads pressed lovingly together before planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“I take it you missed me?” Albedo chuckled as Kaeya set him down again.
“More than anything.”
“I could say the same,” the other admitted. “I never knew I could find this place so lonely until you left. How did your trip go?”
Kaeya let out an exhausted sigh as he collapsed onto one of the nearby chairs. “About as well as you could expect, I suppose. The actual traveling portion of it was a nice change of pace, but the meetings were mind-numbingly boring. Perhaps next time I'll bring you along.”
Albedo hmmed thoughtfully. “Perhaps. I cannot imagine the Acting Grandmaster would let two Captains leave the nation without good cause for each. Though, I have been maintaining correspondence with one of the forest rangers there regarding certain materials to be used in my experiments. I believe a meeting in person would be beneficial should the opportunity present itself.”
“I knew you'd come up with something. Speaking of experiments, what are you working on now?”
“I am currently investigating the regenerative properties of Durin's blood. The incidents both with the resurrected cryo regisvine and my brother's own revival have given me thought about how Durin's blood might be used for medicinal purposes when vision healing is not enough.”
Kaeya stiffened, the conversation he had with the other a couple years ago now fresh on his mind. “Isn't that dangerous for you?”
“In theory, yes. However I will be taking extensive precautions to avoid any contamination to myself. The first samples I intend to use will merely be those of the mutated flora present around Durin's heart.”
That didn't particularly ease Kaeya's concerns. He trusted Albedo though. Thus far the alchemist had been quite careful when it came interacting with anything tainted with the dragon's blood, so he supposed faith in the other's judgment was due. “You don't intend to go down there do you? You've told me before that it's risky for you to be in such close proximity to the heart.”
“Actually, I was hoping you could collect the samples for me.”
“Oho? Is that so?” Kaeya raised his brow and grinned knowingly. “Will there be some sort of reward for me if I do?”
The very corners of the alchemist's mouth turned upwards. “I do have something in mind, yes.”
“Well if that's the case, I'd best not wait.”
~ ~ ~
A part of Kaeya regretted taking the long way to Wyrmrest Valley. The path was cold, unstable, and crawling with monsters. It was a stretch to even call it a path at all. The most sensible way he could have reached the valley was to have simply glided down it. He was experienced enough to navigate the mountain's harsh winds, but he knew that if he took his time traveling to Durin's heart and back, it would give him an excuse to stay the night at the camp. After all, Jean would hate for him to have been caught on the mountainside after dark.
Now, however, the aching in his limbs from the cold and strenuous trek had him wondering if he'd made the right choice after all. At least he was almost there.
The Cavalry Captain slowed as he neared the cave containing Durin's heart. There were fresh tracks in the snow. Judging by the number and variation of them, he estimated there were at least seven or eight individuals. Not only that, he had spent too many nights tracking Fatui soldiers not to recognize the type of footprints they left.
Delightful.
He was cautious in his approach, being careful not to be seen as he drew near enough to hear the conversation from within the cave. He wanted to figure out what they were up to before flushing them out.
“Careful with that. I hear people go crazy if they touch it.”
He heard a series of shuffling as they moved something while several individuals muttered words too quiet for Kaeya to make out.
“Why do you think the boss needs this stuff anyway?”
One of the men huffed. “Not my place to ask. You know how the higher ups are. Better to just keep our heads low and follow orders.”
“Can't you guys hurry up?” another one groaned. “It's creepy in here.”
“Oh quit complaining. You've barely even done anything to help.”
The conversation died out after that, leaving Kaeya with what little information he had gleaned from it. It was time to make his move. He slunk to the mouth of the cave to give the Fatui as little warning as possible before appearing in the entrance.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.” He was pleased to see that fear and surprise were written across those whose faces could be seen. They knew they weren't going to weasel their way out of this one.
“Don't just stand there, get him!”
The agents sprung into action, determined to remove him from the picture so that they could carry on with whatever scheme they were taking part of. It was not a fight to the death. At least not on his part. There would be far too much paperwork and heat from the Snezhnayan officials if he were to kill their agents, especially without a witness to back up any story he might give in his defense.
No, he aimed only to incapacitate them. Though, no one said he couldn't be rough with them in the process. He knew that, once turned in, they would hardly get more than a slap on the wrist. Maybe even deported if he was lucky. As such, he was determined to give them something to cry about in the meantime.
Besides, they were the ones to attack first.
Despite being nine to one, Kaeya quickly began to overpower them. Even with their elemental weapons they were no match for his Vision and prowess in battle. He had them backed into a corner, and from the moment he took out their heavy-hitters, they knew it was all over.
Within a matter of minutes all but two had been rendered unconscious.
“You two ready to surrender?” Kaeya asked cooly. “Or would you rather I beat you up a bit more?”
The first man, an agent armed with little more than a standard sword, dropped his weapon and raised his hands.
“I surrender.”
The second man was not so wise. In the brief moment Kaeya's back was turned to him while facing the other, the man aimed his pyro-gun and sent out a charge at the Cavalry Captain. He saw it from the corner of his eye and dodged the projectile with ease. However in doing so, he left a clear path between it and an electro mage's catalyst, causing the two elements to overload.
The resulting blast knocked Kaeya backwards, landing directly against a metal box and overturning it. He gasped as a sharp pain bloomed in his shoulder. Whatever had been in the box had just impaled him.
Shit .
Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself upright and craned his head to look at whatever had pierced him. Judging by its appearance, the object was a large piece of bone infused with Durin's blood.
Ah, that was not ideal. He was suddenly incredibly grateful that Albedo had not been the one to gather his supplies that day. He didn't want to think of what would've happened if Albedo was exposed to the corruption like that.
Kaeya winced as he reached behind himself to pull out the offending bone. It had burrowed deep into his flesh, and now that it was removed, Kaeya could feel hot sticky liquid soak through his shirt and down his back. Under normal circumstances he knew it was best to leave the object in, so as to avoid bleeding out before a healer could be reached. In this case however, he decided that allowing the dragon's taint to remain lodged in him was the worse of the two options.
By the time he had picked himself up, the pyro gunner had already fled the scene while the other man was sprawled on the ground, dazed from the small explosion. Kaeya groaned as he realized he would have to ride all the way to the city and back to gather more Knights. He certainly wasn't going to be dragging the lot of them the whole way there.
Taking precautions in case they should recover before he returned, Kaeya tied them together —perhaps a bit more tightly than was necessary— then pulled out their identification tags and wrote them down.
This was going to be a lot of paperwork…
The trek down the mountain had been arduous and painful, his shoulder burning in a way most wounds did not. Despite his condition, Kaeya had fulfilled his task of collecting samples for Albedo. It would have been a waste to go through all that trouble, only to have to return later. No, better to spend a few extra minutes collecting foliage and then task someone to bring them back to Albedo.
He would have rather delivered samples himself, but knowing Jean, he doubted that she would let him climb back up so soon after being injured. Not to mention going through all the protocols involving incidents with the Fatui. He’d be lucky to leave within the next couple days…
~ ~ ~
“Kaeya, what happened?” Jean inspected him with a look of dismay as he approached her office.
“Just a little scuffle with some Fatui agents. Nothing serious,” he assured her. “They were collecting bone samples from Wyrmrest Valley, and due to unfortunate circumstances I got pricked by one.”
Jean frowned at him disapprovingly as she used her Vision to seal the wound. “That was more than a prick, Kaeya. You should have been more careful dealing with so many Fatui.”
“You should tell that to the one who thought combining his pyro charge with an electro catalyst was a good idea. The worst part is that he was the one who got away.”
As he had expected, the Acting Grandmaster denied his request to deliver the samples back to Albedo, but her answer was disappointing nonetheless.
“Archons, you feel like you already have a fever,” she said as she put a hand to his forehead. “You should go up to the cathedral and have them look at you there.”
As much as he hated the idea of being cooped up with the sisters, he knew it was unwise to argue with the woman. He could only hope she let him go sooner rather than later…
~ ~ ~
A blizzard roared outside the campsite as Kaeya remained huddled within the tent, cursing his poor luck. Figures that day he was finally able to ascend the mountain again, was also the day the weather decided to throw a tantrum. He at least was grateful that the site was well-provisioned to house adventurers and other such visitors to the mountain that were unlucky enough to be caught in a storm. It was not nearly as cozy as Albedo's camp, but it was certainly an improvement to being out in the open, fully exposed to the full wrath of the mountain. Kaeya wondered how long it would take for the winds to die down again. Often the blizzards on Dragonspine lasted for days, but he sincerely hoped that wouldn't be the case this time.
At the very least, he would have to wait until morning to keep going.
Kaeya tried getting comfortable enough to sleep that night, but his shoulder still burned from where he had injured it, as did his eye. He tossed and turned, hoping to find a position that was less bothersome, but it was to no avail. Not only that, the tent was beginning to feel insufferably warm the longer he was in it. Perhaps Albedo had done something with the fabric to make it better insulated. Whatever the reason, Kaeya eventually became fed up enough to open the front flap so as to let in a draft. His skin prickled with goosebumps as the frigid air touched it, but down in his core body the drop in temperature was welcomed with open arms.
Eventually, after what seemed like several hours, he was finally able to slip into a fitful sleep…
…
…
…
*rip*
*sniff sniff*
*rrriiip*
Kaeya startled awake as the sound of something tearing through fabric reached his ears. Evidently a snow fox had found its way to his satchel of food while he was asleep, but at the sight of him moving it, it quickly scurried away.
The cyo-user grunted as he stiffly pulled himself into a sitting position and reached for the satchel. It appeared that no major damage was done to it, thankfully. He would have to ask Albedo to mend it once he arrived at the camp.
Judging by the turn of the weather, he guessed it would be safe enough to travel, though he would need to be prepared to take shelter again in case the winds soured.
Kaeya quickly gathered his things and prepared to set out. Though the clouds hugging the mountain were obscuring the sun from view, he estimated that it was a little before noon. It didn't please him to know that he had slept in that much, but he supposed there was not much to be done about it. Hopefully Albedo wouldn't be worried at his delayed arrival.
Given the fresh snowfall, it took Kaeya nearly half the day to reach the camp. His whole body ached, and he felt almost feverish. Perhaps he’d gotten sick after all. Oh well. He was sure he'd get over it in no time. After all, he rarely stayed ill for long. Albedo claimed that Khaenri'ahns did not get sick as easily as those from Teyvat. Whether that was true or not, Kaeya wasn't sure. One thing that was certain though, was the fact that Albedo was immune to illnesses entirely. One of the perks of being an artificial human, Kaeya supposed.
He envied the man as his chest and throat burned. He could use a cold rag and some hot tea, he decided.
Upon rounding the final corner to Albedo's camp, Kaeya expected to see the man hunched over his latest project. Oftentimes the man would become so engrossed in his experiments that he wouldn't even notice when someone came up behind him. This was one of those times, but perhaps for a different reason.
Kaeya froze in the mouth of the cave as he saw the state of its interior. The lab was in disarray, almost appearing as if it had been looted. Scrolls and old alchemical notebooks lay carelessly piled on the tables and floor, and it seemed that Albedo had taken out nearly half the vials and ingredients he had available as he was restlessly combining them. The homunculus was muttering to himself while he worked, something that was very unlike him.
“Albedo… what in Teyvat are you—”
His words caught as Albedo whirled around, and Kaeya was given a full view of the other. The man's hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot. More concerningly, red veins of corruption had spread across his neck and face. He looked at Kaeya with an expression of fear.
“Kaeya! You shouldn't be here! I thought I told Master Jean to keep you away from the mountain! It's not safe!”
Never had Kaeya heard him sound so panicked. Not even the time Klee had gone missing for two days. It made Kaeya's heart clench, and the more he looked at the other, the more the gravity of the situation began to sink in.
No… oh gods no…
“Albedo…” He took a step forward, arm outstretched.
The alchemist recoiled at his approach, a sword appearing in his hand as he retreated further in the cave. “Don't get close to me! I'm working on a cure, just… just me time. I can fix this. I can fix this. Just go back to the cathedral and wait for me.”
Even as he spoke, Kaeya could see fingers of sickly red reach further across his face, as if feeding off Albedo's fear. Kaeya felt his throat tighten as he remembered his partner's words. As he remembered the promise they had made with one another. He wanted to believe that Albedo could find a cure, but he already knew it was impossible. Albedo had told him before that once the corruption had taken root in his soul, there was no way of purifying it.
“As much as it may hurt, the best thing for you to do is to kill me right away. I might still seem lucid, depending on what stage of corruption I'm in, and try to convince you not to kill me yet. Perhaps under the excuse that I am working on a cure. I will tell you now, not to listen to me. No matter what I might think at the time, the truth of the matter is this. From the moment I start showing symptoms of being corrupted, it is already too late. Consider me rabid by that point. The only thing that can be done is to kill me, and it will be a mercy to both of us if you do so swiftly. ”
Kaeya could already feel his heart breaking as he brought out his own sword. He didn't want to do this. Were it not for his promise to the other, he wasn't sure he could . He took several steps forward, steeling himself for what he was about to do. Try as he might, he could not stop the tears from forming in his eyes however.
“ Kaeya, ” Albedo warned, pointing his weapon at the other. “I said stay back! Please don't make me hurt you, Kaeya. I'm so close now, I just need another day.”
The cryo-user ignored his pleas. Instead he closed off his thoughts, pushing them to the back of his mind so they would not prevent him from doing what must be done.
Forgive me, love.
His sword struck like a serpent, meeting Albedo's own with a metallic clang that echoed off the cave walls as the other man parried the attack. The expression on Albedo's face was grim, if not anguished. It was clear he meant what he said about not wanting to hurt Kaeya, but in the end it didn't matter. If Kaeya didn't end his life now, Albedo would slowly lose his mind until he wouldn't even be aware he was hurting those around him.
This was a mercy, Kaeya told himself. This was what Albedo wanted him to do.
Glass shattered against the ground as the two Knights’ duel jostled and overturned the various tables and shelves around the cave. From the broken vials, an assembly of colorful liquid spilled out, mingling with the others. Some of the concoctions turned caustic, toxic vapors rising from them as they ate away at Kaeya's boots. He would have to be careful not to slip and fall into it. The smell alone was enough to burn his nostrils and make his eyes water.
He continued his assault, his heart feeling heavier with each swing of his blade. At one time he had Albedo backed into a corner, but as he tried to strike, the man summoned an isotoma between them to block the attack. Then he vaulted over the nearest table and made a break for the exit.
Kaeya cursed. He couldn't let Albedo escape…
His eye felt hot as he pursued the other up the mountainside. Albedo had the home advantage there, knowing the paths better than anyone, but Kaeya was faster. Eventually he caught up, summoning a wall of ice to block Albedo's path before sending forth a volley of frozen shards towards him. Albedo made a pained grunt as two of them hit their mark.
Kaeya closed the gap between them while the corrupted alchemist recovered from the attack. The red veins seemed to spread further as Kaeya watched, beginning to discolor the other's eyes. He needed to hurry.
His next attack was blocked by a geo construct, but the formation proved to be weaker than his own Vision, and after several attacks it shattered again the ice crystals that spun around the Cavalry Captain.
Slowed by his injuries, Albedo struggled to continue defending himself. Still, he was not an easy target. He rolled beneath Kaeya next wave of cryo, using his shorter stature to his advantage.
“Kaeya, snap out of it! I know you're still in there!”
The other's words nearly gave Kaeya pause. What did he mean by that? Had Albedo's mind already slipped so far that he was seeing things? The cryo-user didn't dare reply. If he acknowledged Albedo, it would be all the harder to… to kill him. No, no he couldn’t think about that. Once again he shoved the thoughts and emotions away until he was little more than a husk. A shell empty save for its one purpose.
The longer they fought, the more desperate Albedo became. Kaeya could see that Albedo's mouth was moving, speaking to him, but Kaeya did not hear the words. He wouldn't let himself.
At some time the alchemist lost his sword, being forced to defend himself with his Vision alone. He lasted for a little while in that way, but soon enough his time ran out. He tripped while attempting to backpedal from Kaeya's blade and landed against a boulder. Before he could push himself back to his feet, Kaeya had plunged the sharpened steel through his heart.
The vile poison that had infected the man was now dripping from his mouth and blossoming across his shirt as he fell fully to the ground, staining the snow around him. Kaeya let the sword drop with him, his whole body shaking with grief and adrenaline. He was unable to hold back the aching of his heart any longer as Albedo's choking breaths filled his ears.
Then, as the tears flooded his vision, the scene shifted. Suddenly the corruption in Albedo was gone, replaced by the blood he was rapidly losing. There was fear and sorrow in those blue eyes as they fixed upon him.
No…
Kaeya looked down at his hands, at the sickly red and purple veins which ran the length of his right arm. His pulse quickened as he frantically summoned a mirror-like sheet of ice and looked inside it, tearing off his eyepatch in the process. More veins of poison trailed from his shoulder to his neck before converging around his eye. The very eye he feared might endanger the ones he loved.
It was at that moment he realized the horrific truth.
Albedo had never been the one who was corrupted. It was him. Albedo was trying to save him, and Kaeya's mind had been too addled to realize the false reality he was seeing.
He took several steps back, hands pressed to his mouth as he fought the urge to vomit. His love was dying, bleeding out in the cold snow, for nothing. He did this. He was the monster in this twisted story. His finger and head tingled as his breath quickened into hyperventilation.
No… no no no no nonononono…
He could fix this. He had to fix this. Maybe he could stop the bleeding enough to carry Albedo to a healer. Or maybe Albedo had some potion he could use. Surely there was something… anything …
In the midst of his panic, Albedo stretched out his arm towards the other. The Vision around his neck had already begun to flicker and dim. Threatening to go out at any moment. “Kae-ya…” he choked out past the blood filling his throat. “Please…”
The cryo-user sank to his knees before gathering Albedo in his arms, holding him tightly as tears streamed down his face. It was too late to save him. He had injured Albedo too grievously. “I'm sorry... I'm so sorry… This is all my fault. I didn't know….”
“Shhh,” Albedo whispered. “It's… al-right. Not… your fault…”
Then he raised one hand to gently caress Kaeya's tear-stained cheek with his thumb, like he had done so many times before. Only this time, there was a finality to it. An unspoken goodbye as he looked deeply into Kaeya's eyes. Taking them in one last time, even as the life was fading from his own.
“I'm sorry… I couldn't… pro-tect you. I'm… sorry… for w-hat I have… to d-o.”
Before Kaeya could ask what he meant, the man's dying Vision flashed with golden light. With it came a sudden, sharp pain as something was thrust into his chest. Looking down, Kaeya could see the geo construct Albedo had summoned to pierce him with.
Ah… so this was how the story ended, then. Two lovers, pierced by the other's blade. Each doing what they knew must be done, even if it broke them.
When Kaeya looked back into Albedo's eyes, he saw that tears now filled those ocean depths. The alchemist smiled somberly up at him. “Maybe… in… another life…”
Kaeya watched his love's Vision fade to a dull grey as the words fell silent upon his bloodstained lips, his labored breaths slowing until he moved no more. The Cavalry Captain squeezed him tighter, not wishing to be separated even in death. Yes, perhaps in another life their fate would not be so cruel. He hoped there would be one. He prayed for a chance that their lives would cross once more. That he would be able to fall in love with Albedo all over again. That they would have time to do all the things they never had a chance to do in this life. To see all the places they never had a chance to visit.
Perhaps in another life, a certain ring would not be left abandoned in its box, forever waiting for the day Kaeya finally worked up the courage to ask Albedo to marry him…
It was not long before his own life drained away, blood and chalk seeping into the earth like roots as the bodies they left behind lay nestled together. Embracing each other to the end.
Though many search parties were sent for them, the remains of Captain Kaeya and Chief Albedo were never found. A harsh blizzard had come during their absence, burying all evidence beneath layers upon layers of pristine snow. What they found instead was a lone tree having sprouted upon the mountainside, the likes of which no one had ever seen. The tree possessed a warm yet somber beauty. Its bone-white bark was laced with veins of gold, and gilded leaves adorned its twisting boughs like stars.
It is said that on some days, beneath its shining canopy, two crystalflies can be found. Geo and cryo, which dance together long through the days and nights. Some claim they are merely simple things attracted by the tree’s energy. No different from the rest which inhabit Liyue and Dragonspine respectively. Others, the ones who had been closest to Albedo and Kaeya, believe a far sweeter truth. That the crystalflies where borne from the souls of the doomed lovers.
Remaining together until the end of time.
See accompanying art pieces by @sunwusun here!