~•~•~
As the group continues to climb the mountain to Albedo's campsite, they find Starsilver clusters. "here... that should do for catalyst purposes. This one. Useable with a bit of polish.", he says as he points at the clusters. Lyra nods and mines the Starsilver without problems with a geo crystal.
"what luck! This should be enough. My campsite is just up ahead. I'll lead the way." Shortly after, they arrive at the campsite. "this is my campsite. I've added the materials we collected to the concoction. While we are waiting, have a look over there." he points to one of the tables. In front of the table is Timaeus.
"my assistant Timaeus here is helping me with my research. I'm guessing you may have met in Mondstadt already?", Albedo asks. Lyra nods her head.
"Hello, I've just gotten hold of the data from your experiment. The report is already up on the board there." Paimon flies over to the board and looks at the papers hanging from it. "whoa! Look at all the data! You got all these results from one slime battle each?", Paimon asks. Timaeus laughs. "I wouldn't call them results. Inferences, and a few daring guesses perhaps.", he explains.
Lyra also goes to have a look at the board. While she carefully reads through the data collected, the others continue talking. "I think the most rational direction would be to expound on the phylogenetic relationship between honorary knights and the slimes.", Timaeus says.
"rational?". Aether asks Timaeus. "hm, consider: you don't have a vision, but you can manipulate elemental energy. Lyra perhaps has a vision, but the data shows she is able to control elements other than her vision's element. The slimes don't have visions either, yet they, too, are able to manipulate the elements. Following this line of thought, I'm sure we'll be able to establish a basis in fact."
Albedo nods slowly. "not bad for a point of entry, but strictly speaking, slimes are elemental life forms. In other words, beings consisting entirely of the elements. A cryo Register or even a Whooperflower might be a better analogy. But tracing back to phylogenetic relationships between plants and animals... you might have to trace back to the world's origins. In that sense, things might get difficult, don't you think?", Albedo says. "Uh! Yes, sir. That sounds correct.", the alchemy assistant stutters out.
"after all, we've got our primary data already. This traveller is a visitor from another world. If it turned out that he did have phylogenetic relationship with this world... now that would be something, wouldn't it?", Albedo states.
"Ahh, it would! Apologies I was so excited to get the data. I'll slow down a bit next time. But what about Lyra? She did confirm that she comes from Fontaine, so she has some kind of phylogenetic relationship with this world. Perhaps the reason why she can control other elements beside the one her vision holds has something to do with the fact Aether can use elements without a vision, perhaps not. What do you think, Mr. Albedo?"
Albedo thinks for a moment, then looks at Lyra who is looking at the data closely. "I am unsure right now... is there something you are hiding, perhaps, Lyra?", he asks her. Lyra turns to him and giggles.
"perhaps you already forgot, but I already told you that I have secrets of my own. I just reviewed your data. All your data regarding me is... partially correct. You must know, I am actually able to use all elements. Though it is true I held back a lot. Then I do have a couple of special abilities, some of those harm me if I use them even the slightest. Though the reason why I have them?" she giggles once more. "perhaps I can sing you a song about it. Now or later, your decision. I am tired of explaining it over and over again without any changes."
"wait, so you made a song out of this thing you got?! When??", Paimon blurts out. "just last night. I knew I would have to tell a lot of people on our journey. One, because they are trustworthy, or two, I knew them in the past. Either way, they then deserve to know. At least, parts of it.", Lyra explains.
Timaeus looks at her in awe. "I overheard master Jean once talking about your singing! She said you sing amazingly!", he says. "oh, did she now? Well, do you want the song now, or after the potion?", Lyra asks, looking at Albedo.
"hm... the potion is not yet ready, so we got time to kill.", the alchemist shrugs. Lyra smiles. "get ready to find hidden meanings, because that is all what I am about. Though also try to understand the basic story as well. Also, you might want to pay attention to what I do during the song"
[circles by KIRA ft. GUMI]
"sleeping peacefully~
The girl I used to be~
Until I fell so deep~
A never-ending tragedy~
You haunt me in my dreams~
But it's all I want to see~
You're the oxygen I need~
Yet I can't breathe~
Circles, in circles, I go around~
Looking for something that can't be found~"
'is she talking about an ending to this cycle of rebirth?', Aether thinks to himself.
"Circles, in circles without a sound~
My words can't be heard when the fear surrounds my heart~"
Lyra changes into her first life: Lily. Timaeus and Albedo look at her shocked. Aether and Paimon look at her in awe. Seeing her switch between lives will always be something awe-inspiring for them.
"what is happening to me~
Tell me what does all this mean~
So far away from reality~
What a lovely place to be~"
She then changes into into her sixth life, Nix.
Name: Nix
Vision: none/ Element: Cryo
Affiliation: none
Constellation: lucens nivis (shining snowflake)
'How is she floating...? Actually, what is she?', Albedo thinks to himself as he looks at her previous life. Everyone shivers slightly as Lyra emits a cold feeling from her body.
"I tell myself~
Cause every second like this feels like hell~
Are these words that you gave me real~?
I can't tell~
It doesn't matter, cause nothing matters~
I'll see you again in a dream so far away~"
'dream... does dream stand for another life? It would make sense.', Aether thinks to himself. He really wants to know more about her, but doesn't just want to straight up ask, as it is quite the sensitive topic. Lyra changes into her thirteenth life, Cia. The two alchemists look at her golden wings in awe. 'Can she fly with those?', Timaeus asks himself.
"circles, in circles I go around~
Looking for a reason that can't be found~
Circles, in circles without a sound~
My tears can't be heard when they hit the ground~
So, come take my hand and~
Come, make me feel what it's like when love comes alive~
And one day, I wish that~
I won't keep hiding the truth~
But I'm just a fool~
Oh, I'm such a fool~"
"you are not a fool, Lyra... you have been through so so much... and you couldn't do anything about it...", Aether says quietly, only audible for the other audience. Then she switches back to Lily.
"repeating, repeating
I'm dying, I'm breathing
Repeating, repeating
I'm crying, I'm healing
Repeating, repeating
I'm dying, I'm breathing
Repeating, repeating
I'm crying I'm healing
Re-
Circles, in circles I go around~
Looking for reason that can't be found~
Circles, in circles without a sound~
My tears can't be heard when they hit the ground~
Circles, in circles I go around~
Looking for something that can't be found~
Circles, in circles without a sound~
My words can't be heard when the fear surrounds my heart~
So come take my hand and~
Come, make me feel what it's like when love comes alive~
And one day, I wish that~
I won't keep hiding the truth~
But I'm just a fool~
Oh, I'm such a fool~
Repeating, repeating
I'm dying, I'm breathing
Repeating, repeating
I'm crying, I'm healing
Repeating, repeating
I'm dying, I'm healing
Repeating, repeating
I'm crying, I'm healing
Re-"
Lyra turns back. Lyra, feeling something run down her face, wipes her cheeks. She feels the tears running down her face. "... I believe I really needed to let out those emotions, huh?", Lyra mumbles.
Aether and Paimon immediately go to hug her. "oh, Lyra! Paimon didn't know you went through all that pain!" – "none of us knew Paimon... we just knew a snippet of how bad it was...", Aether sniffles.
Timaeus and Albedo didn't move nor react. This is a lot of new information and very personal at that. Once she calmed down, Timaeus and Albedo also processed all of that information.
"while it did clear some things, it did bring up new questions. Who were those people?", Albedo asks after he had a moment to compose his thoughts.
"I have a special ability, called reincarnation. Call it rebirth if you want. Currently, I am on my fifteenth life. Right now, when I was switching from a person to another, you saw some of my last lives. let me begin from in order of how you saw them. (she switches from person to person while explaining who is who) Let's start off with Lily, the first life, then Nix, the sixth life and Cia, the thirteenth live. You are not getting out any information about any of my other lives. Now you know that I have other lives. They have different visions- not all of them do have one tho-, and I am able to access my past powers, though some abilities are weaker when not in the body of when I got them. Ugh... changing so often leaves a strain on me. Don't mind me... continue with the potion. Do Aether first. I should be fine in just a few minutes.", Lyra explains.
With that, she sits down near the cave exit The others decide not to press it anymore. They could clearly tell that it is a very sensitive topic for Lyra. Being alive for many lives and remembering everything. They can't imagine how that is. To die over and over and over again, only to be alive again.
~•~•~
Albedo takes a breather before going to the potion. "It's best to leave her alone for now. Let's continue just like she said.", he says, looking at Aether and Paimon. He takes a sip of the potion himself.
"I've just tried some, It's in line with my expectations. Remember to keep calm at all times and breathe deeply if you feel unwell. I'll be noting down all observable results and data points.", Albedo says as he hands over the potion to Aether.
Aether nods and takes a sip of the potion himself. "it's... burning a bit." Paimon gasps shocked. "you said you tried some already! You sure it was ready? What happened to him?", she shouts.
"hm? Oh, this was the result I was expecting, and a very positive one at that. This potion channels elemental power into the body. Under normal circumstances, a repelling reaction is to be expected. But if the eternal elemental flow is unimpeded, you'll only experience momentary discomfort. Once the flow is complete, there won't be any other effects.", Albedo explains calmly.
"so, you knew you'd be sick and still drank some?", Paimon questions "heh, it was my own concoction of course, only natural for me to be the guinea pig.", Albedo confesses. "out of... consideration for the test subject?", Aether asks.
"but of course! You're my assistant, by all sense and reason it would be wrong of me to place that risk onto you. In conclusion, I'd say we have our conclusion! As far as elemental energy is concerned, you're no different from anyone else in this world, nothing peculiar. With Lyra however... I don't think we will need to do this with her, actually. She did say she is able to use her past visions without any problems which is why she can control all elements. So that means her elemental flow should be like any other vision holder.", Albedo concludes.
"aw, Paimon wanted something cooler to happen...", the pixie sulks. "then again, better an ordinary result than a peculiar result. Peculiar results tend to be of the... undesirable variety.", Albedo shudders. Aether gives him a sceptical look. "I feel like you're referring to something in particular...", he mutters.
"the good thing about 'ordinary' is that everything is an object of reference, and everyone understands you. People are the same, they can understand, empathise, encourage and support one another. When you're sick, a doctor can diagnose you because they are you. When something goes wrong, you can ask people who've made the same mistake for their experience, because you are them. But a peculiar person... they don't have such recourse of the the things we take for granted.", He says as he slightly glances at Lyra, then looks back at Aether.
"the essence of their life is fundamentally different. For example... a human can't understand the life of a Pyro Regisvine or even an eye of the storm. Have I explained it clearly enough?" Aether nods. "I think I'm getting it.", he assures.
"to sum up. This has been a positive outcome. Going forward, you can use your elemental power without fear. Timaeus, the results of the new experiment are out. If you could see to collating them...", Albedo calls out. "just a moment, sir! I'll handle it! You gave me a lot to consider, really stretched my limits-", Timaeus starts, but gets cut off.
"don't keep yourself short. They understand how grateful you are for this opportunity." They turn to Lyra, who is now back on her feet. "ha! Seems like Paimon's not the only one to be shut up by her now!" – "do you want me to?", Lyra looks at her flying companion questionably.
"nope! Paimon will stay quiet!" Albedo gives an empty chuckle. "before we can proceed with our research, I need to... prepare something. Wait one moment. If you're interested, why not have a look around? It may help pass the time." With that, Albedo leaves.
~•~•~
Lyra looks on the board once more to read through the new results of Aether drinking the potion, while Paimon and Aether look around. After a few moments, Albedo returns. "I'm back. Did you see anything interesting?"
Aether turns to him and shakes his head. "couldn't make heads or tails of anything." – "not to worry, they're all for alchemical purposes, you'd be hard pressed to find an everyday use for them.", Albedo reassures Aether.
"I must say, I am impressed by your research. They seem similar to those of one I knew in the past, but a lot more refined as well as a few new things.", Lyra joins into their conversation.
"well, on with the research. There may be significant differences between worlds. Take Teyvat, for example. Here, those with visions can manipulate the elements. But worlds may well exist where only one person is able to do so, or even everyone. So, leaving elements to one side... do you possess any... unique abilities, Aether? Ones that don't exist in this world?", Albedo inquires.
Aether thinks for a moment. "no, I don't think so. Definitely not with the multitude of abilities Lyra and her past lives have!" – "hey now, Aether. Don't make me the subject of the limits of this worlds obtainable abilities!", Lyra laughs out.
"either way, I think answering this question calls for the same methodology as last time. In other words, time for the next experiment. Lyra, if you want to, you can also participate.", Albedo announces.
"sure, just a quick note though. If I say I won't use a certain power, it is for a certain reason. I actually used one of the more harmful abilities to solve the Stormterror incident and I was unable to fight for about half a day.", Lyra shrugs.
Albedo nods. "got it. Now, see this pillar here. Use your will power to try and break it." And that is the last thing Lyra heard before she stopped listening to him.
She knows fairly well that these kind of questions won't bring them anywhere. She looks out to the distance, down onto Wyrmrest Valley. 'Durin... I am sorry I was not there to help you control it...', she thinks to herself.
After some time, she hears their voices again. "you're Paimon's new favourite", Aether says. "I can tell you're good friends. Paimon was keeping an eye on you and your safety during the whole experiment.", Albedo states.
"so, you're done now?", Lyra asks. "with this experiment, partially. It is your turn now. Could you at least show one or two of your special abilities?" – "uhm... sure? Let me think of which to use. There are some that hurt me internally and I don't want that right now."
She thinks carefully. "I got it. One of my powers is actually linked to Dragonspine... or rather to what it was called in the past: Vindagnyr. By its people, it was called the mountain of prophecy. One of the more prominent prophecies is the one of the fall of the kingdom. A pillar from the heavens will come and destroy this kingdom."
"from what I researched of Dragonspine; I am fairly certain the royal family of Vindagnyr are the only ones who can read these prophecies.", Albedo says. Lyra nods in confirmation.
"correct. The second life, Aria, was the last queen of Vindagnyr's royal blood, but died before the prophecy was fulfilled. To be able to read a prophecy fully, you have to go the the peak of Dragonspine. However, here is also fine for a small snippet of a prophecy.", she explains.
She turns away from the group, closes her eyes and puts her hands together. "the secrets of the stars, the wonders of life. May this prophecy come to life." She gives off a faint yellow glow as they can clearly see a shooting star in the middle of the day.
Lyra stretches out one of her hands, manifesting some kind of letter. She turns to the group and opens the letter. "oh, what a bummer...", she mutters. "huh?", Paimon vocalises the thoughts of the others.
"it is one of those prophecies... there are enclosed prophecies, which have seals on them, only being broken by one person. The prophecy always has the constellation of the person on it... it seems we have the archons on this one... except the cryo and anemo archons... oh well. Time to send it all around Teyvat.", she explains as she raises the paper to the air. Then, it turns into small light orbs and they fly away.
"well, what a bummer. Seems like there are no prophecies for us...", Lyra shrugs. "how do you know which constellations belong to who?", Albedo asks. "oh, I just know. I can read a person out of constellations. I just have to see the constellation and I can tell you who it belongs to. Kind of like astrologists.", Lyra explains
"Interesting... anything else?", the alchemist inquires. "I suppose I can show you the effect of me changing my aura and presence... sorry in advance.", Lyra apologises. "sorry? What do you have to be sorry for?", Paimon asks.
Suddenly, the air around the gets notably heavier. Not too much pressure, but enough pressure to feel it. Then, it gets a lot lighter, as if someone was floating. Afterwards it returns to normal. "it is something I use to change the mood of others around me and how they perceive me. You probably felt it. That is all I am showing.", the brunette explains.
"interesting... well then, we can continue with the next experiment."
~•~•~
"There are all manner of alchemical items here, keeping them in their proper place is a challenge at the best of times. A while ago, I had the misfortune of misplacing a batch. I managed to retrieve the majority, but two vials have been evading me: anemo crystalfly elemental extract and electro hypostasis powder.", Albedo relays.
Paimon sighs. "Paimon's barely finished eating and you want us to go gathering again." Albedo shakes his head. "don't worry if you can't locate them. I was planning to replace them anyway, though finding them would save me the hassle. If you had, say, a 'superpower', like night vision, or vibratory sensing, lost property would be a thing of the past. I must have dropped them somewhere in the area where you were looking just now."
Paimon sighs again. "So... guess we'd better take a look?" Lyra shakes her head, chuckling as she does so. "you have a thing called elemental sight you know? Just use that as both have elemental substances in them.", she says.
"you're right. You are really smart, Lyra.", Aether says and starts looking around. After a little bit, he comes back with two vials in his hands. "goodness, you managed to find them? Incredible, a thousand thanks."
Lyra smiles slightly. "elemental sight may be rare to come by, but not unheard of. I never had the pleasure to have it though...", she reveals. "you mean... we failed again? It is from this world after all...", Paimon sighs.
"Don't be disheartened, this falls entirely within my expectations. Besides, getting these items back? I'd call this a very worthwhile experiment. I have to commend your deduction that the items would contain elemental traces. Right then. Up until now, our research has focused on your otherworldly identity and her powers. Aether, our research on your identity as one of us is just beginning.", Albedo declares.
"if we are going to focus on that, do you mind if I wonder off around Dragonspine? It has been a long while since I was here. Thirteen lives ago actually, when the kingdom was still there. I want to see what is still there after its destruction.", Lyra asks.
"go on ahead. Though I will need you with us later again for something else.", Albedo answers. To that, Lyra hands Aether a small piece of paper.
"here, this is a Sigil. Hold it up to the sky and it should lead you to me. Use it when you are done."
~•~•~
"Wyrmrest valley... the remains of Durin... huh? What is that cavern? What is that red stuff coming from there?", Lyra mutters to herself. She carefully goes into a small cave. As she heads deeper inside, she can feel the warmth radiating from it.
Then, she reaches something... odd, though familiar. At least the feeling it is radiating is familiar. Going closer to it, her eyes widen in realisation. "Durin's heart... full of hatred... full of sadness... full of corruption...", she breathes out.
She goes to touch it but hesitates. "should I? It will be harmful to me, but I don't want him to suffer anymore, even though he is dead..."
Opening her left hand, she creates a bright ball of light, one very similar to the one she used to locate the corrupted tears of Dvalin. "Light exceeds the darkness. Corruption shall not win. Take away the curse and be blessed from within." The ball of light grows brighter and she uses it on Durin's heart, purifying it completely.
The nearby vines turn brighter, the corruption that has been spreading around Dragonspine slowly disappearing. The warmth of the heart also becomes softer, not as venomous as before.
"this is the least I can do... rest well, old friend...", she sighs out before she coughs violently. Looking at her hand with which she covered her mouth with, she can see it covered in blood.
"heh... I used more than last time, huh?", she weakly chuckles to herself. Lyra can't stop herself from coughing. "just a little rest...", she mumbles out, barely audible. she sits down close to the heart of her old friend and slowly, her consciousness drifts away.
~•~•~
"before going to the next test site, let us look for Lyra. I am fairly certain she will also find interest in this.", Albedo says. "you got it! Aether, you have that strange Sigil right? Hold it up!", Paimon orders.
Aether does as told, and a trace of light guides them. "this is interesting... very helpful indeed.", Albedo mutters. They follow it and it leads them to Wyrmrest valley. Albedo gets more and more worried as they near the valley.
"she ended up here?! This is not good...", Albedo exclaims. "huh? Why not, Albedo? Paimon doesn't understand what is so dangerous about this place. It actually feels really... safe. Even with these bones."
Albedo looks around and noticed something peculiar. The corruption. It has either disappeared or turned lighter. "what happened here? I was just here earlier this day... it is not supposed to be this... bright or as you said, safe. This place is full of high amounts of corruption, so what purified it?", Albedo utters out.
The group thinks for a moment, before Aether snaps his fingers. "I think I got it! One of Lyra's lives, Yui, is a spiritual dualist. She was known throughout Inazuma for cleansing the nation from corruption."
"But Paimon clearly remembers her telling us that spiritual dualism takes a toll on her body?! Why would she do that to herself??", Paimon yells.
Albedo thinks about what the two just said. "I don't know either, but if she wanted to clear off the corruption of Dragonspine, then she must be at its source: the heart of Durin."
~•~•~
"Lyra? Lyra? Where are you??" Lyra slowly wakes up, still weakened by the spiritual dualism spell. She slowly stands up and stands in front of the heart, supporting her weight with her hands on her knees.
"Durin... after the destruction of Khaenri'ah and my death, you must have been affected by it badly, is it not? You always told me not to waste my energy and time on you, but look where that brought you? Without me taking most of your corruption, you got lost in it and almost destroyed the nation of freedom... It lead to your own death... shall you rest well, old friend..."
She closes her eyes, hands in a praying formation. "Lyra! There you are!", Aether exclaims. Him and Paimon run to her side, Aether holding her close to help her stand upright.
Albedo looks around in awe. It does not give off the feeling of deadliness or evil anymore, only peace and purity. "how...?", he whispers.
Lyra turns around. "that would be my doing. Durin here was once an old friend of mine, I just couldn't let him be hurt much longer even if he is dead."she says, but after she finishes talking, she coughs up more blood.
"Lyra! You have strained yourself too much now! Look at you! You're already coughing up blood. Paimon is getting really worried about you!", Paimon shouts, worry clear within her body movements.
"heh... but I promised I would always be at his side and help him, even if it was against his will... if I hadn't done it in the past, he would've gone rouge much sooner. How would you feel if you have the chance and choice to fulfil your promise, but don't end up doing it?", Lyra says.
"... I guess Paimon can understand. Paimon would feel really bad if Paimon could fulfil a promise, but doesn't do it..." – "Let's head back to the campsite. There will be time later to talk about this.", Albedo decides.
~•~•~
While Aether solves the puzzles in some ruins, Lyra looks around. 'this used to be one of the fishing plazas. I wonder... just how much was destroyed of the actual kingdom inside and on top of the mountain...', she thinks to herself.
"What's this?" Lyra gets thorn from her thoughts and looks to the group. The water in the plaza went down. "oh, so you managed to solve the water drain puzzle.", she says as she nears the group.
"huh?? So, you knew?" – "of course. I was the one who decided to have these puzzles. It is quite rewarding, if you ask me.", she states.
"look over here. Unfamiliar patterns. To the best of my knowledge, these belong to a script of some kind. They can be found all over Teyvat, but they've never given up their secrets. There's still a lot to learn about them, and as for why they should ever have come to rest here... a true mystery. Perhaps you know more, Lyra?", Albedo asks.
"oh, yes. I've seen these a lot before and also wrote in them. Though don't expect them to make sense to you. Anyway, these spell out 'ACP'. While I was the one who created these puzzles, I let the townsfolk fill it with their mysteries and treasure, so I have no idea what they mean with 'ACP'", Lyra explains.
"interesting... let me copy these and the translation. Maybe with these letters I am able to figure out some of the other runes here on Dragonspine. I've truly gained a lot from all this, a lot more than I expected. Comparatively, the little reward I can offer is too small to mention. Let me return to the campsite first. By the time you get back, I may just have a fleeting miracle for you to witness."
Aether nods. "See you soon." Waving to the trio, Albedo walks away.
~•~•~
"Paimon's kinda looking forward to seeing the result of all this brain ache... unless you can think of anything better to do, let's head back to the campsite." Aether and Lyra nod in agreement.
"Not so fast. You're not leaving until I'm convinced that nothing dangerous is going on here." The trio turns around to see Rosaria. "Wah! You! You didn't leave the mountain!?", Paimon exclaims.
"I most certainly did not. And I've witnessed everything that you and Albedo have been up to. I must say, you let your guards down. Or maybe you were drawn in by his compelling-sounding hypothesis and friendly demeanour?", Rosario states.
"you... you saw my-" – "your so called 'past lives'? yes. To be honest, you could truly fool anyone with that.", Rosaria snarls. Lyra scoffs. "fool? Why would I fool anyone with such things?", Lyra asks rhetorically.
"Lyra didn't lie about her past lives! I know she didn't I saw first-hand that she knows things that she couldn't have known if she wasn't present in the past.", Aether defends his friend.
"though back to Albedo. Taking orders from a complete stranger, drinking anonymous potions, participating in all kinds of strange experiments? I'd sooner believe you were tricked than that you would be so naïve. Or perhaps... you were colluding from the beginning?", Rosaria ignores their statements.
Lyra scoffs again. "you really have to just get into other's business, do you? Look, you are simply accusing us of doing something bad. If you truly listened, you would have known that while we were helping Albedo with his research, we also did it for our own gain. Knowledge about the unknown, that is what made us help him.", she snaps back.
"it doesn't matter what you think. He could be a saint for all you know. But I understand him a little better than you, Outlander.", Rosaria states.
Lyra looks away. 'I know that is a lie... I know him better than you, Rosaria.', she wants to say, but decides to stay silent.
"I'm only concerned with one thing: Whether his alchemy has transformed you into something more sinister." – "no way! Paimon would've sensed it. And anyway, he didn't even use any alchemy..."
"everything we did are known methods to me, Rosaria. They have nothing to do with changing an individual, rather getting to know more about their abilities and powers.", Lyra defends.
"in any case, I'm not about to let a potential threat back into Mondstadt.", Rosaria says. "So, what're you gonna do?", Paimon asks. "you came here to be sure, so you must have your ways of assuring yourself.", Aether says.
"I've gotta hand it to you, you have your moments. If I can be sure that nothing you came into contact with is dangerous, that's good enough for me. I've investigated everything else. The only items left on the agenda are these symbols." She looks onto the wall with the script.
Before Paimon could say anything, Lyra chimes in. "we know to what they translate to, but their translation is not very special. 'ACP'. Not sure what the people of Vindagnyr mean by this."
"you know how to translate them?", the sister asks. "of course. As you saw, I have past lives. Anyway, I learned how to write in them far too many years ago. However, you can't believe everything you see or hear, isn't it?", Lyra sasses as she smirks.
"Seems like there's nothing more to them. But for insurance purposes, I'd better make a copy... hmm. This is now a location of interest – regular patrols should be set up here. Now then, all things considered, I deem that you pose no immediate threat. Which is what I was hoping. I would have been one very unhappy sister if you'd make me work overtime on your account.", Rosaria states.
Paimon looks at her blankly. "... overtime?" – "before we go our separate ways, Outlander, a word of advice. Don't be so quick to trust Albedo, and don't repeat the same mistakes that you did this time. You made a lot of rash decisions today." Rosaria immediately leaves.
Lyra shakes her head, sighing heavily. "don't believe her too much. Albedo is just an alchemist who really sticks to his alchemy and loves researching things he doesn't understand. Rosaria seems to be the type of person who lacks security. Let's just go see Albedo."
~•~•~
The trio arrives back at Albedo's campsite. "you're back! Good timing, I've just about reached a conclusion. You took a while. Did you get held up on the way back?" – "not really.", Lyra flawlessly lies.
"time for the results. We got a myriad of data today, and it was very difficult to finish all the results in one go. But the integral preliminary conclusion that I can offer you is... you're very much like a human from this world.", Albedo concludes.
Aether and Paimon look at him dumbfounded. "you couldn't tell that just by looking? We spent all day working our butts off for that?!", Paimon exclaims.
"Please, I understand that this may have seemed self-evident to you, but in fact nothing in this world should be taken for granted. Have you ever considered that the world of Teyvat may have a natural hostility to outlanders?", Albedo asks.
Aether shakes his head. "Only the gods would know.", he mutters. Lyra looks away.
"I mentioned the natural laws of this world. You're able to converse with me here without consequence, and nothing seems amiss. But it's arguably a small miracle. The only other life form that, like you, has come here from afar, is the seed that I mentioned. Under the effects of Teyvat's natural laws, it isn't even able to sprout, let alone bloom. But after I observed you, I had another idea. Imitating you helped to inspire my alchemy, and so...", Albedo pauses as a flower starts to bloom at Albedo's fingertips.
"the transition from nothing into something, from shoot to stem... and now to fruition. Is not nurturing otherworldly life also nurturing the world itself?", he states.
Lyra smiles at him. The flower quickly withers, barely moments after being in full bloom. "Alchemy is fascinating as ever.", Lyra notes. Albedo sighs. "it would seem that that's as far as we go. A transient bloom of incomparable beauty... life's proudest achievement."
"Paimon thought, with all our efforts, it might have bloomed forever. And it didn't even have any fruit..." – "life is a manifold tapestry of free entities; its value shouldn't derive from how long it stays with us. Even a momentary burst is precious.", Albedo explains.
Lyra nods at Albedo. "a short life can be well-lived. A life lived efficiently, lived to perfection, is necessary one unburdened by loneliness. I believe I understand what you meant about us conversing here with Aether arguably being a small miracle.", Lyra agrees.
"Well, I haven't withered just yet.", Aether shrugs. Paimon looks at the others slightly concerned. "Eh? Things feel a little heavy right now... hehe, don't be sad, Aether, you've got Paimon and Lyra to look after you. Albedo, Paimon really wants to be your friend."
Albedo looks slightly away. "... thank you, all of you. Even if dispelling loneliness is not essential for life, it certainly doesn't hurt. Your help inspired me to discover the means to make a flower bloom, Lyra and Aether."
"So, I'm a helpful specimen?", Aether asks making Lyra giggle. "I mean that the time that I've spent travelling with you in the mountains was a valuable journey for me. In the future... if the need arises... can I solicit your help again?"
Lyra smiles. "Sure, even if you just want some company, find us anytime." – "well... glad I can count on you." Lyra's smile falters a little.
"well, we should be going. We have to leave for Liyue soon.", she says, looking at her companions. Aether nods and they head out of the campsite.
~•~•~