Chapter Text
"If one day, i lose control...destroy Mondstadt...destroy everything...Can i rely on you to stop me?"
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Dragonspine is a mountain range with eternal snow that holds many untold secrets hidden beneath its thick layers of snow. A true legend that occurred 500 years ago is buried in the mountain's secrets. Many great adventurers from all over the world have tried to solve the puzzles and conquer Dragonspine, but unfortunately, only a few have succeeded, and many of those adventurers did not return safely.
Even a thick jacket cannot protect one from the bone-chilling cold that penetrates to the bone. The extreme and unpredictable weather, there is also another danger, which is the invasion of monsters that inhabit the cold region.
Besides all the dangers that envelop the mountain, there is a young man who dares to stay for a long time and even built his own laboratory in a cave located on the mountain's cliff. The lab, which is strategically located and comfortable & safe during snowstorms, belongs to none other than — Albedo Kreidenprinz, commonly known as Albedo/the genius/the head alchemist of KoF. Of course, he uses the lab to conduct and research the results of his alchemical experiments, a lab that he has made his second home besides the city of Mondstadt.
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"Aether, Paimon is hungry,~" Paimon whined, flying sluggishly as if she had no energy left.
Aether — the young man with blonde-yellow braided hair lowered the wooden box near Albedo's work desk.
"Help me get the books from the top of the shelf, I'll treat you to an all-you-can-eat meal later."
"Really? Ah! You're lying, Aether will probably only treat paimon 1 or 2 meals." Paimon turned her body away, putting on a sulky face.
"I'm serious, I'll treat you whatever you order. so please help me and we can go eat to good hunter"
Paimon's sulky face now turned cheerful again, With the promise of food, she immediately carried out her task of helping Aether.
Today they are not adventuring or doing missions. Just relaxing in Mondstadt, their home to return to. Aether certainly has 1000 reasons why he wants to quickly return to the city of freedom, but the main reason for him is to meet the genius Albedo Kreideprinz, who is none other than his own lover.
Aether felt that the albedo lab was now clean, he wiped his shoulders and clothes, removing some dust that had settled.
"Albedo," he approached the young man standing in front of the lab, seeing him from behind as if he were lost in thought, staring far down the cliff and the thick pile of snow.
"Hey, Albedo?" Aether called again, Albedo snapped out of his reverie and turned to the right to see Aether standing beside him.
"Yes?" Albedo replied in his usual flat tone.
"Is there anything else we can help you with?"
"Oh? Are you done?"
"Almost," Aether turned to Paimon who was arranging books on the table, as did Albedo, his lab was now tidy again, the equipment arranged back in its place.
"I don't think there's anything else... thank you." Albedo gave a small smile, which was met with a nod from Aether. Both fell silent for a moment, feeling the cold wind brush against their faces.
"Aether," said Albedo, breaking the silence.
"yes?"
"Are you busy this afternoon?"
"No, I don't have any missions today."
"Do you want to accompany me for a walk in Dragonspine?"
Aether remained silent for a bit, was Albedo asking him out on a date in this snowy region? not for long, his face brightened up, accepting Albedo's offer, of course, Aether would not refuse the invitation.
"Sure! It's been a while since we last met, I know you must miss me, right?" Aether really likes to tease whenever he gets the chance.
Albedo just chuckled and nodded upon hearing Aether's response, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks.
"Hey! You two!" Paimon called from inside the lab, the two young men turned simultaneously, "Is this work done? because Paimon is very hungry~, we both tidied up the alchemy tools and reorganized the books on the shelf, is it done??”
"Yes... it's done, thank you Paimon, Aether."
"Finally~~Come on, Aether, let's go to Good Hunter. Paimon wants to eat a lot! Bye, Albedo!" Paimon waved and flew ahead, while Aether followed behind. Waving goodbye to Albedo, saying farewell
see you later .
Albedo responded with a small wave, watching the two of them walk further away from him.
After the journey down from Dragonspine, Aether and Paimon finally arrived in the city of Mondstadt, greeting a few friends and soldiers they met before reaching the Good Hunter tavern.
"ooh saraa~" called Paimon
"well well! who else if it isn't Paimon and Aether" Sara welcomed them happily, "What would you like to order today?"
"ehehe....Paimon wants to try all the food on the menu" said Paimon cheerfully and enthusiastically.
"All of them? Are you sure?" sara raised one eyebrow, an expression of confusion and disbelief.
"Yes, Aether just said he wanted to treat Paimon to an all-you-can-eat meal."
Sara looked at Aether, who simply gestured for her to 'just go along with Paimon... ', Sara's face instantly changed to a cheerful and friendly expression as usual.
"Alright, all the food on the menu will be prepared. Please wait at the empty table."
A few minutes later, almost all the food Paimon ordered was served. Impatient, Paimon immediately devoured what was in front of her, while Aether just watched how greedy Paimon was when faced with her favorite food.
"Aether, aren't you going to eat?" asked Paimon.
“hmmm…no, you eat it yourself,” Aether replied, resting his chin on his hand. “Eat a lot, Paimon, or you’ll end up as emergency food.”
feeling annoyed to be called emergency food, Paimon swallowed the food she hadn't chewed properly so she could speak.
"ugh! I've told you, Paimon is not emergency food! Aether, you're so annoying!" Paimon's annoyance became a source of entertainment for Aether, because Aether enjoyed teasing his travel companion.
"By the way" the traveller changed the topic, Paimon looked at Aether while putting a piece of beef steak into his mouth.
"Later this afternoon, I have a date with Albedo, could you wait in the city? "
"hm'm... alright" Paimon nodded.
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That afternoon they spent walking around the city visiting friends and resting for a while at Windrise.
"Wah, it's been a while since we came here again, right, Aether?" Paimon flew ahead of Aether towards the legendary big tree in front of them. Aether looked at the surrounding scenery. Indeed, they haven't been here in a long time. Sighing, Aether then sat leaning against that tree.
"Hm…Paimon is curious about where that tone-deaf bard is? Isn't he often hanging out here?” She looked up and flew around the tree.
"Venti? I don't know, maybe he's at the tavern, do you miss Venti??”
"Hey, come on! Paimon is just curious, after all, we haven't seen Venti since we returned to Mondstadt."
a gust of wind suddenly pushed Paimon's body
"Uuwaahhh…!!"
And the sound of Lyra's plucking was heard from atop the tree. A small whirlwind suddenly appeared next to the aether, and then a figure in a green cloak, along with a beret hat adorned with a cecilia flower,
"Hey you two! Long time no see, huh?” Venti greeted with his characteristic cheerful tone.
"tone-deaf bard! If you want to greet, do it politely, don't just throw Paimon around, huh!” Paimon clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Hehe, sorry..." Venti then sat down casually next to Aether, playing a bit with his elemental power, causing the wind to blow gently between them, leaves to fall, and the surrounding grass to dance.
"So, my hero, how was your adventure? Come on, tell me the story, I've been waiting for a long time, it must be exciting, right?” Venti continued, eagerly anticipating the tales from the traveler; perhaps the experiences from Aether could inspire him to create new poetry & songs.
"Did you bring a souvenir for me? You know the wind always tells me where you're traveling, I heard the sake from Inazuma taste sooo good!” Venti asked like a child who couldn't wait to get a gift.
"Geez! What is in your mind, is it just alcoholic drinks? This wine, that wine, this sake, that sake" Paimon muttered a bit.
"Well...Indeed, the alcohol in Mondstadt is unparalleled, but what's wrong with trying drinks from other countries? Inazuma is no longer isolated, right? So...I think they can distribute alcoholic beverages to other countries."
Aether just chuckled softly upon hearing their debate; there was always a funny argument when they chatted.
Aether and Paimon telling what they had been through, great adventures, exploring new region, problems, and new friends they had met. Little by little, they will be able to meet Lumine. Venti just listened attentively. Every journey they undertake always provides new inspiration for his poems. The conversation feel so much lively with the jokes, and banter between paimon and venti. Time passes so quickly, Afternoon is approaching evening.Aether remembered that today he had an appointment with Albedo.
"Where are you going?" Venti asked with a confused expression because Aether suddenly stood up.
"I have an appointment with Albedo, we can talk again another time, Venti."
Venti sighed softly, "The love lives of today's youth, well, never mind, don't forget to bring a gift for your boyfriend, you two haven't seen each other in a long time."
Aether thought for a moment, "a gift?"
"Are you going to meet your lover and go on a date empty-handed? How unromantic, Aether," Venti shook his head, and also Paimon followed Venti, crossing her arms.
"I don't have any ideas about that, can you give me a suggestion, Venti?"
venti think for a bit. "Well... how about flowers? in my opinion..cecilia is suitable for albedo, besides its beautiful and delicate appearance, the meaning of the cecilia flower also fits albedo, but..that's just my suggestion, if you want to give him another gift, feel free, he will surely appreciate whatever you give, right?"
Aether nodded, Venti's suggestion wasn't bad either.
"Thank you for the advice, Venti. Come on, Paimon, let's head back to the city."
Paimon floated back next to Aether.
Venti waved his hand at them. Seeing them walk away from Windrise.