Nature is terrifying. With roots strong enough to tear foundations like paper, Springvale did not stand a chance. The village now resembles Sumeru's famed jungles more than the quaint little settlement it used to be.
But unlike Sumeru's diverse ecology and rich fauna, the area around Springvale's remains is eerily still and silent. The mass exodus was not limited to humans, but to every creature fortunate enough with the ability to move.
Aether keeps his sword sheathed, content to merely push away overgrown vines and jump over protruding roots. If he came upon this any other day, he would think it as a mere freak incident, a ley-line anomaly resulting in an outpouring of Dendro.
But the presence of a familiar face discredits any such hopeful guesses. "Albedo."
Though Albedo's eyes slightly widen at Aether's arrival, his face quickly returns to his typical expressionless state. Plant life emerges from each step, joining their writhing fellows, and his hands and golden mark glow with an ethereal white hue.
Otherwise, though, Albedo doesn't look any different, and Aether doesn't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand he's glad to see Albedo seems unharmed, not affected by a myriad of things that could have made him go berserk; from Delusions, to the corruption he's only seen in historic texts, to the countless curses and miasma festering under Teyvat's idyllic exterior. But that lack of interference means the blame of this disaster lays solely of Albedo, that he deliberately sought Springvale's destruction and, if given the chance, would bring harm to its denizens.
"I've come to put an end to this," Aether says after Albedo stays silent.
"As you should," Albedo mutters before he throws one arm wide, sending a rush of vines straight at Aether.
Aether dodges them with ease, and the attack only confirms his worst fears. Paimon materialises above him and lets out an indignant squeak. "Why are you attacking us?!"
Albedo tilts his head. "I explained everything in my final note."
The paper in Jean's hands. "I didn't have time to read it."
"Unsurprising. You are the type of person to rush head-first into things."
That should have been an insult, but there's an underlying fondness in Albedo's tone that throws Aether off.
"In any case…" Albedo gestures back at the village ruins. "My new assignment is self-evident."
"Assignment?" Aether repeats before he scowls. "Is someone making you do this?"
Albedo's mouth becomes a thin line. "You already know what I am, Aether. But in case you need a refresher, I am Albedo, classified under Cretaceous by my creator; Gold, the Great Sinner, mother of monsters." Shadows emerge around him, small, sharp-edged figures hovering over the ground. Rifthounds. A small pack of them, crowding around Albedo like he's a part of their group. Dragonspine looms behind them, Durin's ribs visible. "Why would I not do this? And it is merely the beginning. I started with Springvale because of its non-existent defences. My next target is Mondstadt–"
Aether brings his sword forward. He's never sparred with Albedo since he too claims to have no desire for combat. But from what he's observed when fighting together against hilichurls, Albedo is a terrifying opponent, making up for his lack of decisive finishing moves with an inhuman endurance and a continuous damage output strong enough to incapacitate Ruin Graders over time.
Albedo briefly grimaces, the break from his otherwise cold demeanour quickly covered up with his typical blank expression. He summons his sword as well, the swell of his powers circling around Aether. "Now let's both play our parts."
