Chapter 5: Tyranny
-Azoth-
"Fatui Harbinger?!" Bennett blurted out, his expression shifting rapidly from disbelief, to fear, and then to grim determination.
Sniff! Sniff!
"Dangerous. Smells like dragon." Low growls rumbled from Razor's throat, his hand crackling with Electro energy.
"Ah… it appears the Dragon of the End has once more descended upon Mondstadt. And thus, it falls upon I, Fischl, Prinzessin der Verurteilung, Sovereign of the Immernachtreich, to smite this abhorrent fiend." Despite her grand speech, Fischl's arms had gone tense as she aimed her bow at Azoth. And the fact that Oz offered no witty remark only underscored the gravity of the moment.
Eula glanced between her fractured sword and Rebis, her lips twisting into a scowl. "Fatui Harbinger Number Zero? The Revenant? There is no such rank, nor any Harbinger by that title." She raised her blade toward him.
And here I was expecting her to shout something about vengeance. Azoth mused with mild amusement, his wine-colored eyes drifting back to his brother.
"Wait." Albedo called out, stopping his companions and earning a set of questioning, confused looks. "While his claim to being a Fatui Harbinger is… dubious, there's no denying he possesses the power and capabilities of one. Isn't that right, Subject Two? Or shall I call you Durin instead?"
"Subject Two?" Eula's frown deepened at the unfamiliar term.
Azoth, who had been watching them quietly until now, chuckled. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. I am neither Durin nor Subject Two. Azoth Rebis Paracelsus von Hohenheim, that is who I am now, dear brother."
"Brother?!"
Seeing the doubtful looks on his companions' faces, Albedo simply nodded, completely unbothered by the revelation. "Indeed. It wouldn't be wrong to call us brothers, given that we were created by the same person."
"Created?" Fischl's visible eye widened. "To intrude upon the exalted realm of the divine… Such audacity… Does your Creator truly wield dominion over life itself? A revelation unprecedented, even for this omniscient Prinzessin."
The synthetic human paused briefly at Fischl's question, and Azoth knew it was because she had hit the nail on the head.
Rhinedottir indeed held Authority over Life, having devoured the heart of the Ruler of Life, thereby inheriting the divine mantle.
Perhaps "sharing" is a better way to put it, he mused, his tail lashing out to wrap tightly around the escaping Cryo Cicin Mage's waist.
Azoth's gaze slid toward the Fatui, making her stiffen instantly. "For your own safety, it's best you stay here." At his calm words, her tense shoulders loosened slightly. "After all, I wouldn't want to turn you into a Hilichurl or an Abyss Mage merely for showing disrespect to your benefactor," he added with a faint, kind smile.
"Eeep!" Frightened, she nodded rapidly, pecking the air like a bird, going so far as to hug his tail to show she had no such thoughts.
"'Turn you into a Hilichurl or Abyss Mage…'" Albedo repeated thoughtfully. "Could your blood truly accomplish that?" he asked curiously, as if they were old friends, reading the nature of his blood from a few words.
"Erm, Albedo," Bennett interjected bravely, "is it really okay to speak to him so casually? I mean, I know you're apparently brothers, but shouldn't he be responsible for what happened in Dragonspine?"
"I concur," Eula nodded, agreement in her gaze. "And you said he was Durin? Considering what happened five hundred years ago, his defeat against Lord Barbatos… he must seek vengeance against Mondstadt, right?"
"Indeed! The aura that coils about him is woven from ancient shadows. Beings such as this do not cross realms without purpose. To lower our guard would be a grave mistake."
Azoth smiled, amused. "Relationships… quite troublesome, aren't they, dear brother?" he said, recalling his character page. "As for your question, re-enacting the Curse of Wilderness with my blood is impossible. Abyss Mage, on the other hand… knowing the nature of my blood, what do you think?"
"Curse of Wilderness?" Eula echoed, her expression suddenly doubtful.
"Ah," Rebis interjected, glancing between Bennett, Razor, Eula, and Fischl, "You four are young. Naturally, you wouldn't know the truth of the Cataclysm—"
Swish!
"I am curious," Albedo interrupted, drawing his sword to Azoth's neck, the tension sharpening immediately. "You do not seem to harbor hatred toward Mondstadt or me, yet you sow discord among us. What exactly are you trying to achieve, Azoth?"
Him? Lacking hatred? Azoth's draconic instincts urged him to rip them apart for trespassing on his domain and destroying his hard-earned treasures. Would that be called a lack of hatred?
The alchemist chuckled. "Do not be mistaken, Albedo. I am indeed furious. You would scarcely believe the delight I would take in tearing you limb from limb, flaying your skin, and grinding your bones to dust."
The already frigid air of Dragonspine seemed to chill even further at his words.
….
–Albedo–
It seemed the decision not to attack rashly had been the right one. The Kreideprinz mused, glancing at his trembling hand, affected by the malice radiating from Azoth.
Those wine-red eyes that had held only amusement and scientific curiosity were now alight with depravity.
The influence of the Abyss?
However, as quickly as it had flared, the malice receded.
Albedo withdrew his sword, knowing it would have no effect, and more importantly, recognizing that Azoth had no intention of taking action.
The synthetic human used the pause to clarify his earlier point to his companions, all drenched in cold sweat and pale-faced.
Indeed relationships are troublesome to manage. Despite such thought, he still explained.
"Comparing him to Fatui Harbingers was not me being conservative. What I meant specifically was those at the top three," he said, drawing their attention. "Those with power comparable to Gods."
Their eyes widened in surprise.
To drive the point home and nip rash action in the bud, he added, "Few remember, but 500 years ago, when Durin attacked, it required both Dvalin and Barbatos to defeat him, and even that came at a price."
"Stormterror," Eula stated, her gaze now layered with understanding as she looked at Azoth.
"Indeed… we were arrogant to underestimate him before, blinded by youthful pride and folly. The Kreideprinz was right," Fischl said gravely. "The malice that coursed through him just now… such darkness, raw and unbridled… it is fitting that he bears the title of Dragon of the End."
"I'm sure," Azoth spoke up, "you'll be pleased to know the minute satisfaction I'd get from tearing you apart is not worth the trouble that would follow."
Hm? Could it be that he doesn't have the strength of Durin? Albedo noted carefully, yet didn't withdraw his previous statements. Overestimating was safer than underestimating the danger, because if he was wrong, the price would be theirs to pay. And the troubles that follow… he doesn't want conflict with Mondstadt? With Barbatos and Dvalin?
Or perhaps… with Master? The Chalk Prince didn't miss how Azoth seemed to understand worldly matters, the Fatui, and the lack of surprise at seeing him, someone who didn't exist five hundred years ago. Absorbing or gaining memories from the Ley Line could explain it.
"To speak so arrogantly," Eula's voice broke him from his thoughts, "do you think I, the Spindrift Knight, will not dare exact revenge for your disrespect?" She lifted her chin.
"You won't dare." Wine-red eyes flicked over Eula briefly, then away, disinterested.
"You—!" Eula flushed red at being embarrassed in front of her companions.
Albedo's attention stayed on his 'brother,' who regarded him with a gentle smile. "Can I help you?"
"Very much so," Azoth nodded. "How will Mondstadt thank me for cleaning up the Fatui in Dragonspine, for not killing the five of you, and for compensating for my destroyed ingredients?"
"Ah…" Could it be that he was wrong?
The Fatui-like extortion had Albedo second-guessing whether Azoth truly was a Fatui Harbinger.
++++
A/N: Azoth's extortion methods are reminding me of NTR blackmail methods.