Chapter Text
Chapter 2
~100 years ago
Bombs flown everywhere. Dust scattered around all around Teyvat, fainting screams left and right. The body count raising, bodies piles together. Some playing dead to get away from the cruel fates their Gods casted on their own people.
The smell was absolutely sickening. If you didn't get your senses completely fucked up by dust, then all you could smell was all the blood and dismemberment from the dying or dead bodies.
Your sight, if not cut off nor removed, all you saw around you was the mothers protecting their children, children bawling their eyes out, fathers fighting to protect their families from harm. If you wasn't looking at the families, then you saw the dead ones. You couldn't even count how many limbs you saw that wasn't attached to bodies. Fire scattered around every itch of grass that was left from the destruction of the bombs.
Your touch. If you wasn't one of the lucky ones, you could feel every burn on your body. The fire must've gotten millions of people killed. If you were lucky, then all you felt is the dirt drying up on you, your skin losing any sort of wetiness. There was no water in sight, no protection at all against the burning flames. The outcome led an entire generation with third and second degree burns, half with missing body parts. You were only lucky if all you felt during this destruction was pain and dryness with zero water around.
Many remember the incident like it was only a few months ago, those alive at least. Khaenri'ah has health counseling for all that went through the Teyvat, but the therapists themselves held bias against the Gods and the people's suffering. They were only there so the people could have the option to talk to somebody when they remember what happened. Thankfully, lucky ones had their memories completely wiped from their heads to forget about all the pain they endured.
Ultimately, the Gods brought down this fate to all of them. Instead of the Gods fighting their own battle, they gathered the entire nation to fight back against Pierro and his army. Khaenri'ah offered all peace for all the nations to connect as one. No separation for visions were allowed, anyone that had a vision on their person was to give it up immediately. Instead, Khaenri'ah made people learn Khaenri'ah technology if they wished to fight for their new nation. Much to Pierro's ego, the people declined any offer to learn how to fight back the Khaenri'an way, besides a select few. The King realized however that his new people will come around eventually, they just needed to get over this tragic event first. The Jester had absolutely no sympathy for the fallen.
It was all necessary for his vision to become true. This was the only way the people would listen to his version of the story. The Gods betrayed Khaenri'ah, they made the Godless nation all about their own politics, and for that, the Gods had to begone. Pierro admitted to future press that he'll do it all again a thousands times with no regrets of his own mind.
The Gods, in retrospect, didn't gave the King the fight he anticipated. Given, it was mostly Kaeya and the Fatui doing his bidding when it came to the seven. Kaeya's part was the easier amongst all of them. He was assigned to his own God from his nation, Venti. After all, his God trusted him. It was too easy to slip something into that alcoholic bard's drink at Angel's Share. You really shouldn't be drinking to death in the first place when you hear abt your nation being destroyed right in front of you. Still, Venti was the only Archon of them all to have a burial, though Pierro doesn't need to know that.
Once all Gods met their end, Pierro began immediate action into sending his army to each nation to gather the survivors and have them meet in the middle of Teyvat to discuss his purposal on a new and better world without the seven. His idea was met with backlash and hatred, but he didn't give any thought of what they think. His reality was going to be real one way or another. Meanwhile, Kaeya stood by his side with emotionless eyes the entire extermination. Not a single thought crossed his mind whenever he was hearing Pierro speak into the crowd, he was only thankful that his own family was spared from the destruction. The young Prince also wondered how royalty was going to be like from here on out.
In the background, there was a redhead who took immediate thought into planning his revenge on the blue haired boy standing tall in the crowd of people. His brother took everyone he cared about in the destruction of Teyvat. There had to be another way of making Khaenri'ah a known nation without all of this chaos and death. Diluc swore he was going to make everything right, just not yet. His time will come when he'll finally look his brother in the eyes again and murder him with his own two hands. For now, he had to play nice.
Khaenri'ah is now a place of freedom, the destruction being discussed less and less. Families now grow equal, no more living with the Archons' rules over their heads, people now given the fair chance to join the army without vision users having first pick on any position. The people, while sad, are now understanding Pierro's vision on how corrupt Teyvat once was. No one realized how terrible they were treated if they didn't obtain a vision. Even little things as seating down at an empty table, if you had a vision then you'd get treated way better than the common people. It boiled down to the businesses being scared to refuse a vision user in case they were attacked by them in return. Khaenri'ah is the opposite by far and better option to be seen as equals.
Those who did held a vision, adjusting to life back as a normal person was harder than expected. A cyro user now couldn't cold down their drink nor a pyro user lighting a flame to their fire pit when cold. At first, they were the most against the idea of living as equals as the Gods picked them for a reason, but Pierro quickly shut them all up when he offered them labor work instead of complaining. That quickly made the users apologize to the common people for mistreating them for all those years.
~ Current Day
The blonde male could swear on his life he has been pounding on the same door for hours with no avail. There's no clock on the wall to tell him anyways, he had little to no information about why they stuck him into the Prince's room, much less with chains around his feet, but the most annoying part was the sliver collar around his neck, it was almost suffering to with in itself. He tried every method to get rid of it, however his efforts met a very quick end. He had scratches all over his neck with cuts from his fingernails, some spots even bleeding down into his white and dirty shirt they gave him when locking him up.
While that blonde guard was in here- he doesn't even know his name, he swore he heard him mention something about King Pierro's death. Albedo wasn't even aware the King was dead at all, from the estimated time, he would say that he's been locked up into this room for about close to two months now. His captors don't even talk to him, much less pay any intentions to his humanly needs. Out of anything, the blonde just wants a shower. Constantly covered in his own sweat and tears, the cuts all over his pale body are either very fresh or have start to get infected. He wanted answers.
The small male could only do some much currently, he sat back against the golden walls in the Prince's room and his floppy beaten tail wraps around him- hoping that it'll provide the blonde with some sort of warmth. With having no information, he suspects that it has something to do with him being a dragon.
Rhinedottir has always mentioned to him that someday people may use him as a weapon, though she wasn't saying that to warn him, she had every intention to create him as one in the first place. He spent most of his life with that tall witch, although created from alchemy, the male was never treated as a person with feelings. He remembered facing harsher treatment that was done by her hand rather than the treatment he has going for him now. The alchemist was always disappointed in the young dragon male. He always tried to show her that he could live up to her expectations, but his words always fell short when the witch would always look at him in disgust, soon after Albedo would get the hint that he just wasn't good enough for her.
So one day, he tried fleeing through the backwoods of Rhinedottir's chambers, he was done entirely with her. He was going to escape for good and find a purpose in this life without being created as a weapon to please his master. He learned his lesson long ago and he promised himself he wasn't going to go back to her.
But as fate has it, his master was one step ahead of him- like she always was. Albedo saw her as a mystery, she was just too smart. Just as about Albedo was going to use his wings to fly over the wall, he got stuck from behind with a net meant for a large bird, resulting in him slamming into the wall and falling in pain. He tried shouting for help, but before he could even try to utter a sound, he saw the Prince of Khaenri'ah standing right behind his master. The young dragon quickly sat onto his knees and bowed directly to the royal heir, not even knowing what the two were discussing. Albedo didn't get it at all, was Rhinedottir somehow in the works with the Prince Kaeya?
The most Albedo saw was Rhinedottir handing the Prince a bag of mora and her walking away, not without giving the disappointed look she has always given him. All Albedo did was sink against her gaze, he was too cowardly to even stand up against the witch. He hated himself for trying to take the coward's way out. He should have known it would come down to this. Rhinedottir was surely celebrating and overjoyed with losing such a useless creation of hers.
Next thing the blonde knew, he has been locked up in the Prince's room ever since. Two months with plain neglectment, he wonders if this treatment will continue on for the upcoming months. He was getting weaker and weaker. The dragon can survive without food nor water, he isn't human after all, but the lack of sunlight and his bones becoming sore from the chains is what is getting to the male. His body has grown more thin and fragile, he's afraid if he makes a sudden move then surely he would break his own bones. His voice is raspy, throat dry to the point where he doesn't think he could utter a word even if he tried hard enough.
The latter closed his eyes, drifting off into slumber for the hundredth time probably today. It was the most exciting task he could do than be off in his own headspace. Sleep was the only way that Albedo couldn't feel any pain, he wished he could be at peace than suffer like this. He wants nothing more than be out of other people's control for once, he wanted to become his own person and fit into society like the rest of the people outside the castle where he's currently being held. Though, he really didn't know if everyone knew about this plan of the Prince or if it was just a personal project of his.
He wished his life stayed the same before the Teyvat war, sure although he was with Rhinedottir, he had in own lab space in the icy mountains known as Dragonspine to do his own research. He even made some friends along the way- before he saw all of them get burned alive by the war. Rhinedottir dragged him out before he even had the chance to save them from their injuries. There isn't a day where he doesn't wish that Rhinedottir left him and let him burn with them. From then on, it was all under Rhinedottir's roof again.
What was so special about him being a dragon anyways? There were thousands like him, surely any could be a way better fit than the young male who hasn't had one lick of dragon training. The most he could do was turn into one, he wasn't even sure if fire came out of his mouth- he never thought to check that out. Him becoming a weapon sounds comically, a huge prank even that involves him being locked up for this very silly joke. He hopes he's wrong about these ideas and that somehow he just pissed off the Prince for trying to get over the wall. Perhaps Rhinedottir wants to teach him a lesson and have him back in a few days or months. Though, maybe this place was better than to experience Rhinedottir's cruel punishments again.
A single tear fell from his left eye, he wanted somebody, anybody, to save him from this imprisonment. Although sleep was easy to come, he was exhausted throughout his whole body. The floor beneath him was cold and bare, no protection against the harsh temperatures that came from the tall male's room. He had no choice but to bare with it until he eventually gets released- at least he hopes he could get released soon. Both his body and soul can't deal with this any longer. Dropping dead is a better fate for the small blonde.
Drifting off into deeper sleep, the dragon was suddenly awoken by the sound of the huge wooden doors, huge metal boots stomping into the Prince's chambers. The chained up male hugged his little body against the wall further so he wasn't detected so easily, but he was quickly discovered anyways by the sudden intruder. By the looks of it, it looked like that one guard that was always with the Prince. He couldn't pinpoint his name but he saw his short light blonde hair, his normal guard uniform, and his unique blue eyes. The guard looked tall and slim, a casual face with never no emotion on it, at least Albedo never saw him peek any interest with anything. It was strange, normally the blue haired male was right by his side. He can only assume that it was the Prince's person guard that escorts him everywhere.
What shocked the prisoner, the guard was walking towards him, and what looked like a glass of water on his person. The guard kneeled down to the scared captor and set the water right beside him. Slowly, the guard stated at him, almost with a gentle look that signaled that he wasn't a threat to the artificial human at all. This still raised suspensions to the fake human nonetheless, for all that he knows, that water couldn't really be water and just be poison instead.
Hesitating at first, Albedo shook his head no at the offer of the drink.
The guard didn't stop staring at the prisoner, only grabbing the water back into his hand and holding it straight up to Albedo's face. Clearly, he was going to make him drink the water one way or another. In the face with no options left, the dragon accepted the bait and nodded yes up at the mysterious guard. The guard smiled in return and brought the water to the prisoner's lips.
"Good boy." Was all the guard shared when he saw the blonde taking little sips from the clear glass. A few more moments of sipping, the guard decided the dragon had his fill for the night and sat the half empty glass right next to him. From the dragon's taste, all it tasted like was pure water, no hint of poison behind it, but he was all too well with the advancements of poisons, he created a bunch for Rhinedottir in her lab. One of the perks with working for her was he knew every element and how to tell immediately if he is the victim to a poison attack himself.
Looking down at the hesitating prisoner, the guard finally spoke. "Call me Dainsleif, Dain for short if you would perfer. I am the personal royal guard for our new King. It's nice finally getting the chance to meet you." The gentleness in his voice was so convincing, the dragon almost felt like he was being tricked. No possible way did they chain him up for what felt like two months to get greeted with such kindness. Carefully, the blonde male picked up the glass again and took it to his lips, the water giving him immediate relief. It was so cold and refreshing, he hoped that Dainseilf would start bringing him more in the upcoming days.
Wanting to meet his gaze back, Albedo took a glimpse back at the royal guard, his features were even more beautiful up front. For the dragon, Dainsleif's eyes were the centerpiece, those little stars reflecting back at him, the royal family did have unique taste in picking their help. Albedo's breath hitched a little but enough to make the guard brow his eyebrows in confusion, earning a distasteful awkward silence for them both.
Thankfully, the moment was cut short by Dainsleif standing up and adjusted himself. He leaned down and clipped the back of the chain collar on Albedo's neck, a little clip afterwards and Albedo was free from the uncomfortable metal around his neck. Though he wasn't yet free, Dainsleif chose to keep the chains around his feet, that was a huge bummer to the young male. Nonetheless, he was thankful he experienced just a little bit relief, he held his neck a bit tight and hitched when he felt the bruises brush against his fingertips.
Wanting to say something, anything, the best the dragon was able to mutter out was "why." His voice was so cracked and dry, it hurt his throat badly for a few moments. Again, taking another sip from the glass of water, relief taking him to mini heaven yet again.
"I cannot reveal that to you dragon, not yet anyways. My job is to get you back to health from your upcoming training."
Albedo looked back down to the ground again, disappointment was an understatement of a feeling right now. Deep down, he knew all along he was going to be used as a weapon for the nation. It was just a matter of time before they officially told him.
Suddenly, a light clicked in Albedo's head. A few moments ago, this guard mentioned a new King, does this mean the Prince he always guarded and protected was now King? When was King Pierro out of the picture? The male's head was spinning with all sorts of questions he wanted answers to. Does the city already know and he was just unaware all this time? Did this happen when he got kidnapped? Where is his master in all of this? Did she plan of ever coming back for him?
While the dragon's head was spinning, Dainsleif was seeing through his mini episode, he has observed the dragon all the time. Whenever he wasn't with Sir Kaeya he was sent off to his room to study and eventually get to know Albedo. His main focus is his health, he was going to provide the dragon with solids soon enough to make him strong enough to endure the training they'll take him to. The King plans to make an example out of him as a weapon, Dainsleif personally doesn't get it, but anything for his master and their succession.
He nor any others knew how strong Albedo really could be, he was handpicked by Kaeya personally. Any other dragon that roomed the lane wasn't like Rhinedottir's creation, if she made something, she always made sure to add in a trump card for victory. The only information the witch was willing to give Kaeya was that Albedo needed time to transform into his full potential and it was necessary for him to grow human understanding as well in order for his victory to be complete. Although, Dainsleif nor Kaeya doesn't have the full understanding what that means just yet. Their running theory so far is torturing him until he couldn't take it anymore, but that's a last resort if they couldn't get his feelings out any easy way.
Possibly, Albedo could know how to awaken his powers and he'll just have to tell his kidnappers. However given his relationship with his own master, she wouldn't be pegged the type to have an interest in her own creations. Or perhaps, that could bring Rhinedottir back instead and question her place again. Kaeya certainly hates being withheld from crucial information, by all means he'll do whatever it takes to get his way. It's one of the things Dainsleif adores about his King, Kaeya has the power to be an unstoppable force.
Though the blonde guard couldn't help but think that this plan would end in disaster. Nothing is ever easy when dealing with a weapon that can easily destroy millions. Whose to say Albedo will turn against them and attack their own men? Could Kaeya already have a plan in motion to stop any antics that dragon might have planned against them to rebel? All Dainsleif did in the moment was shrug to himself, he was getting carry away in his own ridiculous thoughts. His master had it all under control.
Gathering the strength, Albedo stood on his feet and faced the other, though very weaken, he wanted to prove to the other that he wasn't going to be taken as a damsel in distress. His body was shaking to the core, he was covered in his own sweat and even a slightly bit of dirt, that surprised him giving being in the King's room. Nevertheless, he stepped forth towards the guard but both men were quickly taken aback when they had a sudden slam behind the guard.
Standing in front of the door, there was walking in the one and only Khaenri'ah's King. Dainsleif wasted no time quickly bowing down to him, Albedo slowly followed the guard's lead but whinced in slight pain while doing so. His body wasn't used to all of this moving today.
"My King, welcome back. I take it that the meeting went the same as usual?" Dainself questioned, raising and quickly headed over by the King's side, and slick as a fox took Kaeya's coat off of him and hung it on the coat rack by the side of the door. Kaeya's clothes looked rather dirty for a meeting though, what Albedo could see was dirt all over him and maybe even some blood. Did the King hunt by chance?
"Your correct as always Dain, it's so boring and such a long process of getting others to talk. This time I had to try extra measures to ensure information." Casually spoke Kaeya, his mannerisms not even showing the slightest bit of remorse. Dainsleif in response bowed again, clearly impressed by his King. Albedo knew he was mad, however he never realized he was actually this crazy. Albedo shrunk under his gaze, Intimidated would be a huge understatement. The dragon felt fear just by looking up at Kaeya. He hoped the blue haired royal would show mercy to him and not go crazy with him as a weapon.
Without thinking, Kaeya stomped over to the weaken dragon and gripped ahold of the other's chin, adjusting him so he faced his kidnapper first hand. Leaning down, Kaeya was obviously smiling due to being so close with an actual creature. Not many get to experience this. The King even was going as far as to fawn over Albedo's exposed tail, his other free hand tracing the very tip of it. "You're so much better up close."
Albedo gulped against the King, his eyes searching anywhere but the King's eyes in return. What he did notice was the other had two different eyes. One was a casual blue, the other had a star shape like Dainsleif's, but it was so much bigger and brighter. If stared at too long, Albedo felt like it would only give him a headache, more reason to not face the madman even more so. Finally getting the confidence, he mumbled, "W-What do you want from me?" He tried to sound unafraid, but even a small child could tell he was so tense and his voice laced with worry. He had no hope to see even tomorrow.
The King's strength gripped harder at the other's chin, clearly paying no mind to him. His free hand floating along his tail still but now going towards his exposed back, two big marks the gave the dragon huge ugly scars. Without a doubt that was the place his dragon wings grew out of. Though his wings weren't there, the King touched the scars and it caused Albedo to hiss in pain, the transformation aftermath was painful, he wanted to let out a scream but terror prevented him from that. It wouldn't be in no good oath to scream right in his King's face.
Still, the King had no reaction to the artificial human, all he wanted was absolute control over the other. He stayed silent although, feathering over the scars yet again. Earning another hiss from the dragon no less, slowly, Kaeya looked in the dragon's eyes. He saw the golden eyes staring right back at him, but his pupils were glowing which shocked him slightly, it must be the result from the pain he was experiencing. Carefully, Kaeya let him go and watched him drop to the floor- hard. Which in turn, the King saw his eyes glowing no more. He was going to need to write that down later.
It was all amusing to Kaeya, but the dragon wasn't even close to satisfying him yet.
"Dain, be a doll and grab me the dragon lead. We're going to take a walk towards the training grounds." Quickly the guard went towards his bedside and grabbed what looked like a collar- great. Albedo was getting sick of getting treated like a dog. Dainsleif came back around and put the collar swiftly onto the dragon, pulling him up off the floor in the process and earning a chuckle from both the King and the guard. Albedo shyly gave a gaze to Dainsleif and all he heard him say was "For our protection." Whatever the dragon was walking into, he didn't like it.
And just in a few moments, they were quickly out the door and into the hallways. Albedo was certainly the one that was making them go a little slow in the process. His feet stung and his body felt like it was going to fall limp anytime now. He wondered how much walking this was going to take, but what he really wasn't hoping for was over force onto his body in the training grounds, it didn't sound so good to him.
In front of him, Dainsleif and Kaeya began discussing.
"Sir, we haven't put any solids in him yet, he's clearly too weak for this." The guard said in concern, his couldn't help but worry about the other. Though his kidnapper, Dainsleif didn't want to destroy Albedo just for nothing.
"Relax Dain. I want to see his form is all. And next time, do not question me." Kaeya snapped back coldly, an annoyance forming on his face. Dainsleif bowed apologizes in return.
After what felt like cruel walking torture for the dragon, they came to a stop and Kaeya tucked the leash toward a bit, sending the dragon flying to the ground yet again, but this time he had to strength to stand back up.
Looking around, Albedo realized the training ground was an open room and he was standing on grass for the first time in a long time. His toes thanked him for that in silence. But what stuck out to him the most was Kaeya's shit eating grin from across the room, he found his discomfort funny it would seem. Walking up to the prey, Kaeya finally stated their purpose here.
"Transform."
Albedo knew he reached a dead end with the King as he uttered out that word. There was really no going back from his power after this. The King will realize how great of a tool he would make him out to be and again, Albedo would repeat the process of being a slave to someone all after their own needs. Hesitating, Albedo nodded his head and went towards the middle of the room. But not without Dainsleif coming over and taking off the dragon collar. Of course, they didn't want that to get broken out of all things.
Kaeya was surprised he didn't try and fight his way out of this. Rhinedottir must have fed him the wrong information it seems. It recalls the witch and her stories about this blonde creation. She used to warn him all the time- how disobedience is Albedo's strongest quality. Perhaps if Rhinedottir was never able to tame him, then Kaeya certainly has a chance of getting passed her with this. If he can form a dragon bond with Albedo then he has won him over her, it'll be one of Rhinedottir's foolish regrets. Kaeya was determined more to make that wish of his become a reality.
It wasn't easy getting the dragon off her hands, but fate would have it that Albedo tried escaping multiple times from her and it was when Kaeya had finally gotten the order to seize him. The witch in return couldn't do much, though Pierro was still King, she still couldn't go against Kaeya in anyway. So in her defeat, she discussed Albedo's power to the blue haired male, but Rhinedottir made sure to be more than compensated for that top secret information. Yet, there's still more to Albedo than what she is spilling to Kaeya. Nevermore, Kaeya will just have to find out himself.
Getting back on topic, Kaeya stared at the dragon, excited to see this performance he has been wanting for ages.
Turning towards Dainsleif and Kaeya, Albedo closed his eyes to prepare the mental exhaustion he was about to experience. The pain was like no other, he felt all his bones shifting to that of dragon bones instead, his head was spinning. Screaming out in pain, he clutched his hands to his head and fell onto his knees, the pain was so unbearable, his throat regaining the will to lose his voice over again.
Mist starting forming around his body, his wings crawling out from his back, his tail growing ever bigger. After a second of transforming, the process was complete. In front of them, stood Albedo who was just human a moment ago. His dragon form was black with hints of a pinkish purple shade that was blinding to look at. His eyes were dark purple, a growl escaped his throat, mimicking that ancient dragons. His wings flapped a little to adjust himself but he stood tall in front of the two men. Their mouth hung slightly open, Kaeya immediately began showing hints of excitements all over his face.
He clutched to Dainsleif beside him, his excitement getting the best of him. "I will make this weapon all mine." Was the King's voiced in a whisper, he felt absolutely starstrucked by the creature in front of him.
"Whatever you say my King."