AATS
Chapter 35
Careless
"I want to keep my dreams, even bad ones, because without them, I might have nothing all night long."
-Joseph Heller
Virgil knew the instant Albedo returned. Testaments couldn't innately feel each other's presence from a distance, and yet he'd felt Albedo as soon as he'd arrived.
He returned to Michtam before anyone could give him new orders. The sound of shrieking crystal met him upon arrival. It screamed over and over; an endless noise that attacked anyone within range. It increased in ferocity as he made his way deeper into Michtam, to Albedo's sanctuary.
The surrounding crystal was layered in deep, cavernous cracks. The destruction was everywhere. It spider-webbed through the walls, ceiling, and floor. In the middle of it all sat Albedo.
The crystalline bench had been completely destroyed, smashed beneath his fists as he slammed them again and again into the floor, creating more cracks slithering through the crystal. His blood smeared the floor, but he didn't stop.
Albedo was singular in mind, in action. His hands were bloody stumps. Large, dangerous chunks of crystal fell from the ceiling down around him, and still, he continued. Virgil walked into the destruction, careful of his step.
"Oh this is too good," Virgil said, shouting so that his voice could be heard over the crying crystal. The shrieking stopped and Albedo turned his head, setting Virgil squarely in his sight.
Virgil grinned. It was a nasty, villainous thing that pulled angrily at his scars.
"What's wrong?" He asked. The question was a steel dart in Albedo's chest. Virgil crossed his arms and looked around as if inspecting their surroundings. "Trouble in paradise?"
Albedo pulled bloodied wrists away from the crystal long enough for his hands to reform. He lowered his head to look at them.
Albedo had beaten the crystal down until he was sitting in a sort of slope, putting him slightly lower than ground level. Virgil knew that he was too close to Albedo. There would be no escaping him but it was worth it to gloat, to bask in his failure.
"Aw, come on. Don't be like that. I wanna hear all about it," Virgil said, as he squatted low beside him, arms resting on his knees. Albedo flexed his hands experimentally before turning sharply back to Virgil.
Virgil's grin had never left. It widened, worsened, and twisted at his flesh as their eyes met again.
"Welcome home."
Jr. stared blankly at the ceiling of the beach house. He tried to think but his mind resisted, like a stubborn engine refusing to turn over. He could feel thoughts trying to form, but they would vanish before they were born, leaving Jr.'s mind as blank as his stare.
Albedo had placed him on the couch as soon as they'd arrived. He'd set Jr. down as if he were made of glass. Jr. felt fragile. He felt listless. He felt as if he didn't exist. Jr. had burned himself up on the Durandal and Albedo had brought his ashes to the beach house to spread limply on the couch.
Albedo sat on the floor beside him. He'd laid his head next to Jr.'s hip. Every once in a while he would reach up to touch him and Jr. was reminded that he was solid, not a pile of ashes. Albedo was trying to give him time to recover but Jr. didn't have time to waste. There were too many things to think about, too many things to sort through and so little time.
"I'm right, aren't I?" He asked. His voice filled the room, brought him back to himself. "You're working for someone."
Jr. felt Albedo's curtain falling over their link and strangled the urge to push past it. He could force Albedo to tell him. Jr. had never had to reverse their spiritual link before. The very idea of it felt wrong, like a violation. Albedo had managed to do it so easily and to someone who wasn't part of their spiritual link, so he had no doubts that he could do it if it came to it.
A sudden, ugly thought sprang into the forefront of his mind. How was he going to explain any of this to MOMO? Would she ever forgive him? How many people would Jr. be betraying by bringing Albedo home? He'd assumed that Gaignun would just accept whatever Jr. had decided to do with Albedo, that he would fall in line like a good little brother. That wasn't fair.
Jr. would be asking so much of so many people. It was such a selfish thing to ask for. There was nothing about this situation that wasn't selfish. Forcing the information out of Albedo would amount to nothing if Gaignun wouldn't accept him once he was home.
He was always choosing between his brothers as if having both was a luxury he couldn't afford.
If he didn't figure something out soon, it wouldn't matter. Jr. could feel the seconds passing through him, a somber reminder, a ticking clock.
Getting desperate won't help me now, Jr. thought.
"You're not supposed to be here, are you?"
Jr. felt that curtain turn to steel. The impulse to break through flared again. Jr. took a deep breath and swallowed it down. Things had been much less complicated when they were fighting. It was so much easier to hate Albedo than to love him.
Love. The word had crawled into his thoughts as if it had always been ther, hiding. It planted itself inside him, took root, refused to let him think of anything else. Those roots dug into him like an infection, burning through old wounds, overturning things long buried.
Albedo's hand slid under his shirt, settling on his stomach. Jr. felt his stare pulling at him. He gave in and moved his gaze away from the ceiling. Albedo's eyes lit up at Jr.'s attention. The sight warmed Jr. He wondered as he studied those bright purple eyes, just what he was willing to risk to keep them so beautiful, so vibrant.
Albedo had left Gaignun's connection accessible. Jr. kept their link locked down, but he could feel him faintly. He was irritated, frustrated, and dealing with the worst migraine of his life, but he'd live. Jr. tried to imagine the migraine he'd have once he brought Albedo home. He wondered if it would be worse.
"Rubedo..."
Albedo's hand came to rest on his chest. His white brows furrowed at the contact as if he could feel the ache inside. Albedo knew what he was thinking and was anticipating Jr.'s rejection.
Will you accept me? Albedo had asked. If they couldn't forgive each other, could they accept each other?
Jr. placed his hand over Albedo's.
"We're in deep shit, aren't we?"
Albedo chuckled and leaned further onto the couch.
"Eloquent as always," he sighed as he rested his face against Jr.'s side.
"You have to tell me where you are. This isn't going to work otherwise."
Albedo's smile fell away. His expression hardened, and he dropped Jr.'s gaze.
"Why?" Jr. asked, sitting up. "What are you afraid of?"
Albedo tried to move away but Jr. grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Is it the guy you work for? Tell me who he is and I'll find you."
Jr. shook Albedo, tried to make him listen.
"I can protect you."
"Rubedo-"
"You don't think I can? Tell me who it is and I'll come get you. I can save you. Let m-"
"Rubedo!"
Albedo's hand wrapped around Jr.'s wrist in a painful grip that he couldn't twist out of. It was the first time Albedo's anger had been focused on him. It surprised him but he didn't wither. He gave it right back.
"You really don't think I'm capable? You're always begging for teeth and claws but the moment I try to use them you want to neuter me!"
"You have no idea-"
"You're right, I don't!" Jr. shouted. "Make me understand!"
Albedo pulled Jr. forward. He slammed roughly into Albedo's chest. Albedo wrapped his arms around him before he could push away, trapping him in a vise. He cursed and fought but Albedo wouldn't let up.
"Dread Dragon," Albedo whispered, trying to soothe Jr.'s fury. "I would die a thousand deaths to spare you one."
"You think that I'm too weak to protect you?"
Albedo pulled back so that Jr. could focus those stubborn eyes directly on him.
"It's my own weakness that I fear," Albedo said, his voice a snarl. "Not yours, Rubedo."
Albedo wasn't angry, he was afraid. It was an emotion that seemed misplaced on him. Albedo had suffered from plenty of irrational fears when they were children, but they had been small, imaginary things that were easily banished once Jr. was there, promising to protect him. There was a true weight to this fear, a heaviness that Jr. couldn't lift. Albedo was too afraid to let him try.
"Albedo." Jr. eased. "You have to let me help you. If you won't let me fight then tell me what I have to do."
Albedo shook his head in defeat. They were being watched. Somehow, even inside their spiritual link, they were able to see them. Could that be possible? Who would have that kind of ability? What was it that he had done to force Albedo's compliance?
Albedo stood and Jr. grabbed his arm, preventing him from leaving.
"It's not impossible though. I just need to figure it out and then I can bring you home."
Albedo wouldn't be there if it were impossible but the clock was ticking. Jr. was going to wake up or Gaignun was going to recover and try again. Jr. felt the echos of Gaignun's headache and cringed. It was more likely that Jr. would wake up.
There was one question that he still wanted an answer to, one that had haunted him since Abel's Ark.
"Did I kill you?"
Albedo froze. Jr. felt every muscle in his forearm turn stiff.
"It happened before the nightmares," Jr. defended. "I know you're alive now, in some capacity. You should be able to answer that at least."
It had started to rain. It tapped softly against the windows, drawing their attention for a moment. The Foundation was dark with gray clouds that slowly began to crowd over the beach. Jr. reached for the console to change it but Albedo stopped him.
"Leave it," Albedo said, with intrigue. He moved towards the window with the same interest he's held on the Durandal's park as he'd examined the environmental bugs. When Albedo had his back toward him Jr. reached for the console and bumped up the settings, turning the rain into a storm. Albedo jumped at an unexpected flash of lightning. He turned back to Jr., unimpressed with Jr.'s little prank, but smiling all the same.
"Gotcha," Jr. said, returning Albedo's smile. "But you know, you can't swim in a storm."
Albedo shrugged and turned back to the windows. "I'm not a very good swimmer anyway."
Jr. laughed. "No, you're joking."
Jr. assumed that being a violent mercenary obsessed with your other half probably didn't leave much time for swimming. Most space stations didn't have pools and Jr. couldn't see Albedo visiting any vacation hotspots. He leaned forward, hands on the controls.
"Then you've got to let me turn this off. You need a proper beach day."
Albedo's hands covered his, stopping him.
"You did."
Jr.'s head whipped up, his heart pounding. Albedo's smile turned apologetic as if it hurt him to tell Jr. the truth.
Jr. had killed him. Then how was he here? How had he returned?
All of Jr.'s questions came to a sudden, screeching halt. The guy, the one pulling Albedo's strings, he had saved Albedo.
Jr.'s blood ran cold. His hands fell away from the console.
Albedo had wanted to die. Why would he allow someone to bring him back? Jr. felt Albedo at their link. He was a comforting, reassuring presence warming all of those frigid places in his heart.
Yes, he had wanted it, more than anything. The only thing worse than the pain of abandonment had been the thought of being alone. Even shut out the way he had been, he'd still been able to feel them. But there would have come a day when there would be complete silence. There would be no one to reach for. He would have been surrounded by silence forever. Nothing was more terrifying, more maddening.
Until now. Something had changed his mind.
Had he been promised Jr.? Albedo wouldn't have taken that deal. He would have been left alone eventually, with or without Jr.'s love. Mortality, then? No. There was still no guarantee that he wouldn't outlive Jr.
No, it had been something else.
Jr. felt Albedo pulling away. He didn't try to stop him. He was too busy attempting to solve the mystery. He could hear Albedo talking to him but his words were an annoyance, a distraction. Albedo spoke louder, kept demanding Jr.'s attention.
Jr. finally spun around, ready to yell obscenities when his eyes fell on the dining room table.
"Rubedo, you must eat something."
Jr. wasn't there. He was remembering sitting at that table on his birthday, watching Gaignun melt away.
Rubedo, how else am I supposed to protect you?
Jr. felt Albedo return to their link, filling it with concern. Jr. shook his head.
"Yeah, yeah sure. I'll eat," His eyes lingered on the table. "What do you want? I can order something."
Albedo looked curiously at the table and then back to Jr.
"Do your precious civilians deliver in storms?"
"You act as if they've never experienced one."
Albedo stepped between Jr. and the table.
"Let me cook for you, Rubedo."
"You can cook?" , shaken out of his fog by Albedo's proposal.
"You can't?"
"You really don't want to see me cook," Jr. said, waving the thought away. "My cooking is deadlier than my aim."
Albedo laughed, and Jr.'s harried thoughts dispersed. If they only had seconds left, Jr. didn't want to spend every single one of them obsessing over the details. He could relax long enough to try Albedo's cooking.
"Fine," Jr. said, finally leaving the couch. "Show me what you got."
Albedo ran a hand through Jr.'s hair and placed a quick kiss against his forehead.
"I aim to please."
Albedo was an excellent cook. Jr. ate everything on his plate, surprised at both how good the cooking itself was and just how hungry he was. Albedo took such pleasure in watching Jr. eat that he pushed his half-finished plate over to him once he was finished and watched him devour every bite.
"You're the perfect housewife," Jr. said, sitting back in his seat with a satisfied sigh.
"It pays to be good with one's hands."
"Don't get cocky," Jr. said, waving a fork at him. He realized his mistake instantly and dropped his fork. "Don't say a damn thing."
Albedo's grin was full of mischief.
"Are my words so unwanted? Their value is measured only in the dark, between the sheets?"
"Ah, so that's your plan?" Jr. asked, smiling through his blush. He stacked the plates on top of each other and carried them into the kitchen. "To seduce me with food?"
"The quickest way to a man's heart."
Jr. was placing the dishes in the sink when Albedo spoke up again.
"Before your wandering thoughts come calling, I haven't cooked for anyone else."
"I wasn't going to ask!" Jr. shouted, indignant. But the burning red of his face told a much different story.
"Not aloud."
"Don't you want to change?" Jr. said, his voice still loud as he tried to redirect their conversation. "You've been wearing that thing for hours. It's got to be uncomfortable. I can clean up."
Albedo stood up and came behind Jr. as he furiously scrubbed dishes.
"If you wish to undress me, all you need do is ask."
His fingers lightly brushed up the back of Jr.'s neck. His skin broke out into goosebumps.
"Remarkable," Albedo whispered at the sight.
The plate in Jr.'s hand cracked.
"Get the hell out of that suit and come back fully clothed."
"Later, then," Albedo teased. "I look forward to it."
Albedo did not come out fully clothed. He came out dressed only in loose pajama pants. Easier to take off, he reasoned. Jr. cut his hand on a plate as he entered the kitchen. Albedo grabbed it and healed the jagged gash before Jr. could protest.
"You have seen me before, Rubedo," He chuckled, clearly flattered by his reaction.
"It's different now," Jr. mumbled in reply.
Albedo dropped his hand and tilted Jr.'s head up to look at him.
"Now that you know what I'm capable of."
"You're really full of yourself, aren't you?"
"I'd rather be full of you."
Those seconds were ticking by. Every one of them a choice. How would he spend them? Would he let them slip through his fingers? Would he spend them tangled in sheets and Albedo's words? That's where he wanted to be, and they both knew it.
Jr. knew his answer and hated himself for what he was about to say.
"Don't you think that it would be better...at home?"
Albedo pulled away from him, just as Jr. expected he would.
"You made a deal, didn't you? You think that you need to protect me but I'm fine. I'm not in any danger."
"Rubedo-"
"No, please."
Jr. grabbed Albedo's hands. He was begging now. He was out of options, didn't know what else to do.
"We don't have a lot of time left. I don't know what's going to happen once I wake up. Will I ever see you again? Will you be the same if I do? You can't answer any of these questions for me, can you?"
Albedo wrenched his hands free from Jr.'s grasp and walked to the table. Jr. could feel his frustration through the link. He was fighting with himself, had been since this whole dream had started. Jr. couldn't possibly understand how difficult this was for him.
Albedo had made it to the end of the table by the time Jr. began to chase him. He came around the other side, hoping to cut him off at the far end, the one near the tall windows.
"Is it...possible that you don't have a real body?"
Albedo paused as if physically struck by Jr.'s words.
"If that's true, we can share this one," Jr. said, patting the right side of his chest. "It's possible, right? I know that it's not exactly prime real estate but if that's the problem, we can make it work."
"It seems I left you alone far too long," Albedo hissed but Jr. wasn't giving him any room to continue.
Jr. stepped closer.
"It could be just like this. No more fighting. No more games. We'd be one, the way you're always going on about. We'd be together everywhere we went, not just when I'm asleep."
Jr. was rounding the end of the table. Albedo moved away, keeping his distance but Jr. could feel his heart racing at the idea. He was filled with a painful hope that Jr. couldn't completely describe. Jr. had meant every word of it. He would whisk him away from everything if he would just give in.
But that all-powerful fear was rearing up, trying to block Jr. out. This man, woman, creature, or whatever they were, held Albedo in the palm of their hand, waiting to crush him at the slightest provocation. Their time together had been a treat, a little taste, a preview.
This person hadn't calculated just how greedy and desperate the two of them were. Jr. wasn't afraid to fight a god if it meant he could have Albedo but Albedo wasn't about to let him take that risk.
They stood across from each other now, separated by the table. Albedo had no response for Jr. He couldn't accept or deny his proposal. He wouldn't meet Jr.'s gaze, even when Jr. slammed his hands flat against the table in frustration.
"Tell me what I need to do!"
Albedo remained silent. The passing seconds became painful. They flew through Jr. like bullets that lodged themselves into various organs before bursting through his skin.
Jr. placed his hands on the underside of the table and flipped it off its legs. It was sent crashing against the windows. Albedo took a step back to avoid it. With the obstacle cleared, Jr. ran straight to him. He jumped into a chair near Albedo, wrapped his hands around his neck, and pulled him down to his level.
The storm continued to rage outside. The glass windows had held up against Jr.'s assault, sustaining only a few minor cracks here and there. Albedo was caught between Jr.'s hands, bent slightly, staring into Jr.'s angry blue eyes.
"Don't you get it? This isn't a part-time job."
Jr. adjusted his hands, curling them in Albedo's hair. He gave him a sharp tug and the light in Albedo's eyes sparkled.
"I want you full time. Every day. Twenty-four seven. Don't you dare tell me that I've always had you," Jr. said, interrupting Albedo as soon as his lips began to move. "You know that's not true, not like this."
"I have given you all I am able."
"That's bullshit!" Jr. yelled. "If you can't tell me where you are then give me a clue. You have to help me. Please, help me."
Jr. was wearing Albedo down. He was tired of fighting, tired of hiding from Jr. He wanted an end to it as badly as Jr. did. He just needed a little more convincing.
"I have given you everything I have to give," Jr. continued, careful to keep his voice level. "Things that I haven't given to anyone else. I don't want to give them to anyone else."
One of Albedo's hands pulled Jr.'s right one away from his hair. He placed his lips against his numbers and sighed.
"I have your body," he said, placing those numbers against his chest. "But not your heart."
"You really are an idiot," Jr. growled. His fingers curled into a fist that pounded lightly against Albedo's chest. "Let me be clear about something."
Jr. brought Albedo's head down to capture his lips. Albedo's hands clasped Jr.'s sides. Jr. kissed him over and over until both of them were breathless and gasping. Jr. was done running from it. Jr. needed to be able to say it proudly and with confidence to anyone who questioned him. He couldn't bring Albedo home and ask for people to accept him if he couldn't admit it.
Albedo needed to hear it.
Jr. pressed against their link. Albedo's steel curtain softened so that Jr.'s emotions could breeze right through it. He was so eager to feel Jr. The anticipation had built until it was painful. Jr. felt the pangs reaching out to him, beckoning him urgently inward.
He should have said it long ago.
"Albedo, I..."
Jr. choked on the words. It felt as if there was something wrapped around his neck, squeezing. It became suddenly became very hard to breathe.
"Rubedo?"
Jr. shook his head and started again. There was another tight squeeze. He reached for his neck in confusion. Worry invaded him from Albedo's end. He placed his hands delicately over Jr.'s.
"Rubedo, what is it?"
The windows behind them burst apart. Every single one shattered in a shower of sharp glass. Albedo pulled Jr. down to the floor and covered him as best as he could from the sudden explosion. Rain and wind swept in through the destroyed windows. Albedo pushed away long enough to look out of them, to try to find the source of the explosion. He had looked away only for a second but it was just long enough for Jr. to be ripped from beneath him and pulled out the front door.
Albedo chased after him but whatever had Jr. was pulling him far faster than he could run. Jr. reached out, trying to find anything to slow himself down but his hands met nothing but packed, wet sand. His throat tightened and his hands returned to his neck, trying to find the thing dragging him toward the lake.
A flash of lightning lit up the beach like cold daylight and as Albedo grew closer, he saw a thick black tentacle wrapped around Jr.'s neck, pulling toward the water. Albedo pushed himself beyond his limit, frantic to reach him but just as he was close enough, Jr. was slung out of his reach. The tentacle threw Jr. high above the water, far higher than Albedo could jump. He watched helplessly as Jr. was pulled down into the middle of the lake, under the waves.
Jr. still had no idea what it was that had dragged him into the water but he knew that he was running out of time. A harsh chill had crept into him, and he shivered, even as he struggled to free himself. It seemed futile to fight. He was exhausting himself for no reason. There was no escape. Even if he were to escape, he'd never make it to the surface.
Whatever had attacked him wanted him at the bottom of that lake and it was going to get him there. He felt Albedo. His mind was a hectic, panicked wreck.
I made the wrong choice, Jr. thought. The last of his strength was fading. His mind was going blank. The chill had spread everywhere except his link to Albedo. He'd wasted all those precious seconds arguing when they could have been spent safe and warm with Albedo's voice buzzing in his ears. He was no closer to answers. In fact, he had more questions. So many more questions.
Whatever had dragged him into the lake released him but it was far too late. He'd been brought too deep. He was losing sensation. The feel of the water was beginning to disappear. Albedo's presence was growing faint. He felt galaxies away. Jr. was losing him.
Jr. felt a tugging on his ankle. Albedo? He thought, he hoped but he was slipping away. He didn't have the space to think further than that.
The water was changing, churning around him. He was being pulled upwards, swiftly. He traveled up, up and away from the darkness at the bottom of the lake. When he surfaced it was a shock. He came up coughing and gasping for air. He struck out his arms and found Albedo. He slung his arms around him, clinging to him like a lifeline as he tried to regulate his breathing. Albedo held him close as Jr. shivered and retched water over his shoulder.
"I thought..." Jr. managed, as his lungs and vision began to clear. "I thought you said you couldn't swim."
"Not a good swimmer," Albedo corrected, patting Jr.'s back.
The rain continued to pelt them. Each one was a sharp needle prick on any visible skin. Jr. felt bad for Albedo who was far more exposed than he was. Albedo didn't seem to mind. He'd withstood worse things than rain.
"I don't know what that was," Jr. said, wiping rain out of his eyes. "I thought I'd lost you."
"Easy, Rubedo," Albedo answered, trying to alleviate some of his stress. "I have you now."
As if to contradict his words, the surrounding water began to recede. Whatever had dragged Jr. down was coming back for him. It rose, concealed by the water as it tried to break the surface. Albedo lowered Jr. beside him into the water.
Rubedo, you have to trust me, he sent, knowing that he wouldn't be heard over the rain and the rushing water.
What are you saying?
But Albedo was focused on the swell in front of them. He pushed Jr. behind him. The thing finally broke free, shedding water as it did. An enormous black creature emerged from the spray. Calling it a creature seemed generous, however. It held no real shape or form. The top of it was round and its body flat. It seemed more like a structure than anything living. Jr. didn't know what to make of it, couldn't understand what he was seeing. The top of it bowed as if looking at them but Jr. couldn't see anything resembling eyes. A shiver ran through it as if incensed by their presence.
Jr. felt Albedo's power flaring. He caught Albedo's thoughts seconds before it happened, too late to stop him.
Albedo raised both arms and brought them down against the water's surface, releasing a powerful blast that slammed both into the creature and Jr. He had just enough time to protect against it, but the blast knocked him out of the water and toward the beach.
Jr. landed against the hard-packed sand. He wasted no time getting to his feet. The black creature wasn't slowed by Albedo's attack. It dove on top of him. He caught it in both hands and sent his power crackling through it. Jr. could see purple lines glowing through its body but if the thing felt pain it didn't show it. It overpowered him and pushed him down, using the force of its whole body until it and Albedo were submerged.
Jr. panicked. He tried to think of a plan but nothing seemed right. That creature had almost drowned him before. How would he fight it off and get Albedo out of the water?
Jr. took off for the deck, deciding that he had to try. He had no other option. He tripped on his way there, slamming against the ramp. Jr. turned, feeling a violent tug on his knee. The black creature was here too. A dark tentacle had wrapped around his leg. Jr. grabbed for it but the thing jerked him, and he lost his grip. It began to drag him toward the beach house. Jr. reached for his guns but the black creature saw him or had anticipated his movements and spread to cover him from his leg to his waist, coating his weapons and the hand reaching for them. It pulled him hard and fast across the sand. Jr. flipped onto his stomach and managed to grab onto one of the synthetic palm trees that lined the outside of the beach house. The creature pulled harder, furious. Jr. threw his entire arm around the tree. He dug his free knee into the ground, trying to pull himself up enough to look out toward the lake.
Albedo was still under the water but Jr. could feel him strongly at the end of their link. It would take longer to drown Albedo. It was a much more difficult fight but it was still a losing battle. Albedo would faint soon and the full force of this creature would be upon Jr. He could feel it spreading up his back now. Cold and slimy, it stuck to him like tar. He had to get to Albedo before it swallowed him whole. The creature kept pulling on him, trying to either tear him free or cover enough of him that it could force him to release.
This was his mind, Jr. reminded himself. His connection with Albedo was still strong. If he concentrated enough he could use that as a lifeline and pull him out. He had to try. It was his only shot.
Jr. stretched for him, burning red hands in the dark, cold lake. Albedo met him with relief and surprise. Their link went taunt, like a safety rope retracting, and Albedo was pulled through the water. Jr. couldn't see the creature, didn't know if it was trying to impede their progress. He focused on the feeling of Albedo, of the water racing past his body. Jr.'s end of the creature continued to crawl up his spine, tried to distract him but Jr. wouldn't let it.
Finally, with one great heave, Albedo was brought to shore. He was dragged out on his side, sputtering and coughing in the sand. Water-logged, but whole. Jr. returned to himself in time to feel the creature at the back of his neck, sliding over his shoulders.
Lightning flashed across the sky and Jr. saw something out over the water. In the center of the lake where the creature had first appeared, was a man. He was ink-black as if carved from the same stuff that was currently traveling up Jr.'s chest. He was a thick silhouette floating above the water. He flittered in and out of existence in the rain, as if he was a hologram. He appeared to be staring down at the water, hands obscured by what would have been pockets on anyone else. He slowly turned toward Jr., as if noticing him for the first time. There was something familiar about him, something frightening, but Jr. didn't have time to remember. The creature had reached his face and was traveling up the back of his head.
The creature consumed him, covered him completely. Jr. had no choice. With Albedo incapacitated and his guns out of reach, he would have to use his power. Jr. strained against the creature covering him as he pressed his hands against his chest. He would use it on himself in small bursts until the thing broke apart. He cringed, as the power left his hands, burning through his palms into the creature.
The creature continued to pull him toward the beach house, completely unbothered. Confused, Jr. tried again, and again nothing happened. Jr. added more power and again it did nothing. Jr. began to panic. He grabbed onto what he could of his clothing, ready to try again when the creature suddenly expanded, retracting from Jr.'s body to instead encase him in a large, round dome. It held him in the middle of it like giant egg with him in its center. It began to drag him faster. Jr. pulled a gun from his pocket and forced his power through it but the moment it hit the against the darkness it was nullified like a candle flame snuffed between wet fingers. Jr. dropped his gun and placed his hands against it again and again. Each attempt ended with the same result.
Albedo had been right to be afraid. Jr. wasn't sure if that silhouette was controlling the creature or if he was the creature but whatever it was Jr. was certain that it had to do with whoever was controlling Albedo.
They'd done something to upset him. He'd found them or maybe Albedo was just out of time. Either way, he was here and Jr. couldn't fight him. He fired bullets into it, but they weren't strong enough to break through. He was trapped and completely helpless.
A fist burst through the top of the egg, splintering it through with bright purple energy. It broke apart, fell away and Jr. found Albedo on the other side. He fell to his knees and pulled Jr. into his arms.
"Rubedo," he whispered, his voice breaking.
The creature had almost made it. It had dragged him all the way back to the destroyed windows. Jr. didn't know where it had been planning on taking him, but he was glad that Albedo had stopped it. He wrapped his arms around Albedo and felt him shaking.
"Apart. Always apart. Deceptive and star-crossed."
Jr. knew that there was nothing he could say. He couldn't protect Albedo from the dark creature in the storm. Jr.'s arms tightened around Albedo. He wouldn't give up, not until there was nothing left.
The creature was back. It wrapped around Albedo's biceps and pulled him away from Jr. It grabbed Jr.'s thighs and dragged him to the ground. Albedo ripped through the creature restraining him and the ones trapping Jr.
Albedo helped Jr. to his feet just in time for round two. The creature surrounded them. It pushed through the sand in sharp, dangerous spikes. It was encroaching on them. Albedo tried to shield Jr. but they were surrounded, there was nowhere left to run.
The spikes shot out from the sand, hundreds of black tentacles reaching for them. Jr. sensed a change in Albedo, one that he'd never seen before. He became ferocious, a being of pure, focused rage. A true weapon. There was no laughter, no joy in the slaughter. There was just Albedo and the fight.
Nothing came close to touching Jr. Albedo destroyed everything before it had a chance. He was a wild blur. Jr. couldn't keep his eyes on him. The darkness grew more aggressive, more powerful with each piece that Albedo destroyed. It was both terrifying and amazing to watch but Jr. knew that he couldn't keep up the pace. He would burn out. The creature was endless. It would never wear down. It would never stop.
One finally made it past Albedo's defenses. It wrapped around his waist and dragged him to the ground. When he reached to destroy it, one wrapped around his wrist and with one, powerful jerk, severed his hand. Another grabbed his arm and tore it from the socket. The blackness began to spread over Albedo, the way it had Jr. earlier.
Jr. spread his hands over the spreading black ink, helpless. He'd never felt so useless in his entire life.
"Albedo," he cried, shaky fingers running over his body. "Albedo, what...what do I do?"
Albedo laughed. The sound was devoid of humor, a completely hopeless and broken thing. His arm reformed. He used it to stroke Jr.'s cheek, wiping away the rain and the tears that overflowed at the contact.
"Run."
The creature ripped Albedo away from him, back toward the lake. Jr. didn't get the chance to chase him. The creature had found its way back around Jr.'s throat. Its pull was furious and unforgiving as it dragged Jr. through the shattered windows and into the dining room, the kitchen, and finally into the suite. The bed was dripping with it, as if the mattress had been hollowed out and replaced with ink. Jr. knew there was no stopping it, no escape. An indescribable dread came over him, gripped him by the chest and refused to let go.
Jr. was whipped up, the same way that he'd been thrown over the lake. It pulled him down into the bed where it swallowed him whole. It wrapped around him in thick, slimy folds that crossed over and over until his limbs were pinned beneath their weight, making resistance impossible.
Albedo was disappearing. Jr. felt their connection growing weaker and weaker the longer they were apart. The seconds that passed through him were now festering wounds that ached and oozed with the reminder of his failure, of his stupidity.
Jr. held on to Albedo for as long as he could. Their connection hadn't been closed since their first night together. It was unbearable to feel himself sliding backward through the same twists and turns that had brought him to Albedo just a few days ago.
Albedo, he sent, knowing that it wouldn't reach him but unable to stop himself.
Jr. was nearing the end of their shared link when he felt a hard tug.
Rubedo!
Albedo's voice was a light in the smothering darkness. He felt Albedo's hand as it grabbed his. Albedo pulled in on last pathetic attempt to reunite but Jr. wouldn't budge. The darkness owned him. It was like a gaping mouth closing its teeth but Albedo wouldn't let go, even as Jr. sank further in, even as he slipped away from their link.
What should I have done? Jr. thought, squeezing Albedo's hand until the knuckles were white and his hand was numb.
I'm so sorry, Jr. sent.
They couldn't hold on any longer. Jr. was at the end of their link.
I love you, Rubedo.
Jr. was shoved out. He could feel Albedo's end reworking itself into the painful barrier from before. He tried to stop it, but he didn't know how. He'd never understood how it had become that way in the first place.
Jr. gave in to the darkness, let it drag him deeper. He couldn't go back without Albedo. The weight of the darkness pressed down on him as if to tell him that he didn't have a choice. He had been living in a dream and all dreams, good or bad, had to come to an end.
There was nothing he could do. None of it mattered.
Albedo was gone and Jr. was awake.
A/N: Had a little extra time off of work so here we are. I hope it was enjoyable. It turned out a little different than I had originally planned and I'm no quite sure how I feel about it. But every chapter of this story has turned out different than I had planned so no surprise there.
Music:
Walls by Bryan Finlay
Hero by Tommee Profitt
Feel My Love by Türküm
Stay safe and healthy, everyone! I'll see you next chapter in Black Ivy.
