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A bejeweled dragon, the fairest of them all, danced in the sky accompanied by a bard whose songs marveled all beings in his homeland and beyond that. Alongside them was another dragon, bigger than the first one but equally as eager to dance and sing.
Their land was a green, peaceful one with the climate of a never-ending spring. The applause of its people could be heard in the sky while they cheered, delighting themselves with the dance performed high above.
The lovely scene could have been lovelier had it been true.
In reality, there was no dance in the sky. There was only a battle, won by the dragon fair as a jewel and the marvelous bard as they slayed the big dragon who had accidentally terrorized the nation.
In reality, nobody from the beautiful green land cheered for the inexistent dance. They only cheered for the death of the beast who had attacked them as their bejeweled protector sunk his teeth into said monster's throat.
'But perhaps, this is good.' The big dragon thought as he, now regarded as dying beast and a monster by the people, laid in the silver snow that would become his grave. His eyes focused on the blood that tainted the land. How much of it was his? In the end, he could only close his eyes as the inevitable came.
'Farewell, mother. My journey has ended! Farewell, O'lovely bard! And farewell, O'lovely dragon!'
'Would that we had met in a different time and place, to meet, to sing and dance together!
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Before the dragon could meet his final fate, Durin woke up. He sat up right away once his eyes were opened, panting as he heard his heart pounding in his ears. He was feeling too many emotions at the same time, but in the mix of surprise, fear, and confusion, what stood out the most was the sensation of pain in his neck.
It felt too painful. It felt too real. It felt as if someone had indeed sunk their teeth into his throat, but when he raised his hand to check, there was nothing. And yet, the pain persisted. Inside of him, he felt warmth coming from the heart of the dragon who shared his name. It comforted him in a way that felt like an apology.
"... Good afternoon. Based on how startled you appear to be, it seems to me like you had a nightmare." Durin was brought back to reality by the voice of his older brother. That was the moment when he remembered he had been helping Albedo with an experiment on Dragonspine, but when they finished, he couldn't help but asleep on the lab's table.
His brother was right beside him, with his sketchbook and a pen in his hands. His gaze was analyzing but soft as he waited for an answer.
"I..., I am sorry for falling asleep just like that. Um, I did have a nightmare, but nothing to worry about!" He said with a smile that was weak, but the only one he could muster right now. His hand hadn't left his neck ever since he woke up, which, of course, didn't go unnoticed by the observant eyes of Albedo.
"Is your neck sore? Most likely from falling asleep in that position, in my opinion."
"Perhaps, but it feels as if..." He paused, thinking his next words carefully. "As if the pain from my nightmare had come into real life."
At that, Albedo paused, seemingly analyzing what Durin had said. Then, with his voice filled with curiosity, he spoke. "Well, dreams can affect the mind in different ways. Would you like to tell me what it was about?"
Durin hesitated for a moment, but he ultimately answered. "It was about... Durin of Dragonspine. In the dream, I was him and I..,or well, he..., died. "
"I see..." Albedo remained silent for a moment. His hand met his chin as he began to think. He put his sketchbook down, right beside Durin, who couldn't help but peck.
'Is that...me?'
He blinked twice, or perhaps even more, as he stared at an unfinished but carefully made doodle of him sleeping. Before he could form any judgment about the drawing, Albedo's voice interrumpted his train of thought.
"It could be that when you acquired the late Durin's heart, you also acquired some of his memories, thus dreaming about his death from his perspective. My only explanation for the pain in your neck would be something similar to phantom pain."
"Phantom pain?"
"Never heard the term? It refers to when an individual experiences pain related to a part of the body that isn't physically there, either because it was removed or was never there. Of course, that is not your case, but the experience itself is quite similar: the pain from a wound that isn't there."
Durin took a moment to process all the new information. Phantom pain sounded like a complete nightmare. He caressed his neck in an attempt to soothe the ache, though it was simply fruitless.
"... How long does it take for it to be over?"
Albedo looked at him with sympathy. "That depends. As far as I know, different individuals have different experiences with the duration of the pain."
"I see..." He sighed, resigning himself to the pain.
"Why don't you try massaging your neck?" He said, gently caressing Durin hair. "Even if it is similar to phantom pain, I am not sure if it can qualify as such, perhaps is better to try and soothe the pain like you would soothe a sore muscle. You have to study with Lisa in a few hours, but if you're not feeling better at that moment, you will stay here. "
"Alright!" He said with a small smile. Once Albedo got back to work, he let his head fall between his hands with a silent sigh. He closed his eyes, thinking about anything else, like fish-blasting with Klee, reading with Miss Lisa, flying with Hat Guy (or Yume, a name the man had trusted Durin with), studying with Albedo, dancing with Miss Nilou, tea parties with Miss Navia, helping Miss Kirara with her work...
Slowly, he fell asleep again.
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'I am sorry, I didn't mean to cause you pain...'
When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by a snowy view that was as peaceful but far less sorrowful than Dragonspine. He was on the floor, looking at a cloudy sky. There was someone else besides him, non-threatening, but nervous. Yet, Durin did not look. It simply wasn't necessary.
"It's okay." He said. "I am not mad."
The other moved slowly, turning to lay on his side and embrace Durin carefully, as if he was scared of harming him. The hug was returned without any ounce of hesitation, and the only sound that could be heard was the beating of heart that they both shared.
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Albedo watched his sleeping brother silently. He wondered what he thought of Dragonspine's Durin now that he was able to see things from his perspective. Was the older dragon just like the impostor, or was he a kinder being? Was he a beast, or was he a child? How much did the impostor affect him? And what did he think about Durin of Simulanka?
Perhaps Durin of Simulanka was to Durin of Dragonspine was Naberius was to his master, Rhinedottir: a modicum of peace.
Albedo sighed as he looked at a small clock in his table. He should be getting Durin to Mondstadt right now. Gently, he shaked his brother awake.
"Wake up, Durin. It's time to go back to Mondstadt. Are you feeling better?"
Durin groaned before yawning. "Yes, I am."
"Then let go, come on."
Durin stood up, awake but still quite sleepy. He grab his bag, one that he always carried when he came to Dragonspine with his brother, and started to head out. Albedo held his hand to guide him out of the lab and to the city, as he always did. While they walked, the young dragon thought of the conversation he had in his dream. If the heart of the dragon that came before him was inside of his body, could his consciousness be within him as well? Could they only communicate in dreams?
As they left Dragonspine, Durin couldn't help but look back to the corspe that gave the mountain it's name. He couldn't see head from where they were, but the ribs were tall enough to spot them. If artificial beings like them and Albedo never really died, then the consciousness of the original Durin being alive in another vessel was more than possible.
Durin of Simulanka wondered, could the other Durin use the body as well? Could they communicate through something other than dreams? Would he like to listen to fairytales?
"You're quiet. Is everything alright? Is your neck alright?" Albedo's concerned voice startled him as he was brought back to reality.
They weren't even close to the city of Mondstadt, but they had indeed walked for a while. Durin hesitated to answer, only because he wasn't sure how Albedo would react to this new experience of his. It was very possible for his brother to have his own theory already, but the dragon intention of proving him right or wrong for now.
"Oh, I was simply wondering what to read next, now that I've read all of my mother's books." He said, smiling nervously. It wasn't really a lie because he was thinking about books, but not for himself.
"You enjoy fiction, do you not?" When he nodded, Albedo continued with a smile. "I am afraid I can't help you with finding new books, but Lisa will be more than willing. At the same time, you can also read your favorites for a second time."
Durin smiled back at his brother. "You're right!"
Mentally, he started to make a list of different stories he liked. He would read them again so he could tell the other Durin about them, and perhaps he could even write his own!
As he entertained these thoughts, Albedo was giving him an amused look. 'Whatever it is, he is now pretty motivated.'