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Sumeru is renowned as the land of knowledge, the center of wisdom. Whether you travel from afar through the forest to reach the magnificent academic city or delve deep into the desert to discover the historical ruins of the red desert, - a wealth of valuable knowledge awaits the one stepping into the kingdom of the dendro Archon.
What kind of knowledge you will discover is undetermined and can never be predicted beforehand. If it might be a new discovery of ancient history, an encounter with a mysterious creature or a lesson about yourself. But one thing is beyond doubt; throughout your journey, Lesser Lord Kusanali will keep an omniscient eye on you.
Sumeru’s last standing God knows many things, but they would never claim to have an answer to every question that is spoken out into the unknown. Like many in Sumeru, she believes in helping people come to answers on their own, particularly regarding heavier truths, rather than providing all the answers.
Located in the middle of the tree trunk of Sumeru City lies the renowned Sumeru Akademiya, the most prestigious institute of learning in all of Teyvat. It’s Sumeru's main governing body.
Scattered through the six Darshans are scholars, researchers and geniuses that hold the possibility of one day maybe changing the fate of the world. Many people dream of exactly this when they set foot into the Akademiya, but only a few have succeeded in this dream so far.
The Light of Kshahrewar was particularly close.
The architect sparked the Archon's interest, when he fell into a big amount of debt, after building the Place of Alcazarzary. One of the most beautiful buildings of modern times. It was a shame how he got tricked by its commissioner and therewith forced him to take up residence with Alhaitham, the scribe for the Sumeru Akademiya. While this would be classified information in Kaveh’s mind, there aren’t many who don’t know about this development.
Truly a fatal slap to the young man's ambitions and dreams.
Still, despite that Kaveh never lost what Lesser Lord Kusanali admired in him.
Kaveh is one of the few people that have an almost-perfect grasp of what it truly means for Sumeru to be a nation of Wisdom. Sadly, the truth as he understands it will never be accepted as the mainstream.
This was a compliment - an observation that carried immense meaning.
To his very core, Kaveh was a romantic. He does what he believes is right, what will result in the most stunning outcome. As an architect and Kshahrewar graduate, Kaveh's imagination and fantasy frequently get the better of him, and the suggestions and concepts that he presents are rejected without a second thought.
They are always ‘too’-something. Too wild, too complicated, too colourful, too high, too low, too modern, too old, too crazy, too overactive, too much…
But as the dendro Archon mentioned before, Kaveh only has an almost sense of the truth about Sumeru.
Nonetheless, he is by far the closest to it. In the land of wisdom, he understands what wisdom and intellect include, and it encompasses aesthetics and compassion for others.
Many, if not most of Kaveh's beliefs are in contradiction to his new roommate Alhaitham.
Alhaitham is the scribe of the Akademiya and is responsible for documenting their findings and drafting ordinances. He often sat in endless meetings, listening to debates of no important matter.
Now, a role named ‘scribe of the Akademiya’ may seem of a high-standing rank, but the truth is, a scribe isn't all that important. Alhaitham isn’t required to be present in all major meetings, nor does he participate in core decision-making. All he has to do is to bother with documents - classify and archive them.
This is the reason that in Sumeru, where books, manuscripts and papers were only managed as a resource - a currency even - the scribe is the only one who holds that resource and currency at the highest level. Given more thought, Alhaitham’s position as a scribe is much more similar to that of the Grand Conservator. After all, he is the one holding the most knowledge of the whole Akademiya.
The dendro Archon has a high opinion of him. He holds a body of knowledge more advanced than most could imagine, and his mind is constantly thinking; so maybe nothing in this world could fool him.
People don’t often pay attention to him, what can a scribe possibly have interesting to say? They don’t understand how much detail he can detect in one simple meeting, even though he keeps quiet doing all of it. He plays no guessing game, only taking something certain into account. So, he believes to describe himself as always rational and focused on the matter at hand and the calculated outcome of the future.
For very obvious reasons, Kaveh and Alhaitham carry a bunch of differences that cause, together with their stubbornness, a whole bunch of problems. Their intense disagreements even bleed into messages on bulletin boards across Sumeru City and Port Ormos.
Kaveh can’t deny that Alhaitham is very smart, but he thinks it’s a shame that a man of such talent only pays attention to the truth itself and not the people around him.
A great example for their difference would be; the keys to Alhaitham’s house.
They lay together in a bowl beside the front door, easily accessible to just throw them in there after opening the door. But more than once did the two keys tangle together, and Alhaitham took both with him, leaving Kaveh without a key behind. This often forces Kaveh to leave the house without one, hoping Alhaitham would return before him. Yet, Alhaitham always gets lost in his books, making him first return late at night. One could wonder if Alhaitham does it on purpose.
Often in these cases, Alhaitham is greeted by Kaveh sitting on the small stairs in front of the house, leaning against the wall, hugging himself to keep somewhat warm.
One time Kaveh fell asleep while waiting, a bottle of alcohol in his hand. Alhaitham scoffed at the sight and concluded he got the wine from one of his tours through the taverns. He didn’t like it when Kaveh spent too much time in taverns. Alhaitham told himself it was because Kaveh spent his money while being there.
Yes, Alhaitham was good at many things and lying to himself was one of them.
Alhaitham moved past Kaveh, not caring whether it would wake the architect or not. He fumbled out his key and saw the lion charm tangled to his silver key.
Ah, well.
“Hey! What about waking me up, you green idiot!”, Kaveh shouted from the door, which he was able to stop before falling into its lock again. Alhaitham had already walked further into his house, past the open living space, filled with all sorts of books and documents and different models of Kaveh’s favourite blueprints. Alhaitham rolled his eyes at his roommate's dramatic tantrum, which he was sure was about to come.
“You looked so pathetic; I didn’t want to disturb such art.” The last part was drowning in sarcasm. Kaveh followed behind into the room Alhaitham was in, already mumbling little angry words.
“How could you take my keys with you? Again!? Are you so nose-deep in your books, you can’t see the whole other key and charm hanging to yours?”
Alhaitham turned away from the documents he had put on his desk and gave an irritated look in Kaveh’s direction. “Maybe if you didn’t put such an obnoxious thing to your key, they wouldn’t stick together when I take them.”
“It’s not obnoxious, you olf!”
Ignoring Kaveh’s insult, Alhaitham moved on.
“Why do you even have that on your key, there is no reason for it. Decorating a tool, how absurd.”
“Why does anybody need a reason to do something as simple as putting a charm on a key?”
Alhaitham was slightly confused by that answer, or rather the question. He wasn’t sure, he couldn’t find the right answer. It frustrated him even more than his flamboyant roommate.
Alhaitham’s days are very much alike. Waking up, going to his office, leaving for work in the Akademiya, overlooking paperwork, approving documents, classifying documents, sorting books, reading books - well the last part is something he enjoys more than his other tasks - but what is clear, even to him, is that his days are consistent. They resemble each other.
And this was also what Alhaitham liked the most about his life, it was simple.
Yet, ever since his adventure with the traveller, there was a nagging feeling slowly crawling up his skin and settling under his flesh. Alhaitham naturally hides this fact, acting like everything is the same and always will be the same.
He tries his best to not think about the feelings that flew through his body while creating the plan to undergo the old ways of the Akademiya. The feeling of following the traveller, of scheming and tricking, never knowing if he will achieve victory with his plan or fail miserably.
No, he will not think about how the unknown gave him a sense of excitement. About the fun he had while giving his mind creative freedom to succeed. He would rather die than admit to it, and worst of all admit it to Kaveh.
Alhaitham holds many secrets, maybe just as many as the amount of knowledge he possesses. Secrets about the Akademiya, ancient relics and legends, about people in Sumeru, but most importantly about himself. This specific secret, which is important right now, might be less shocking to others than it is to Alhaitham himself. It’s a secret he hasn’t discovered about him yet, not entirely.
If someone told Kaveh that secret, he would probably not believe you and tell you that it’s the fault of the Akademiya - considering Haravatat’s utter ignorance of architectural and aesthetic matters.
The secret is the real reason Alhaitham gets mad about Kaveh not pushing his career more, and not accepting new projects and commissions.
The secret is the real reason why Alhaitham can’t answer; ‘because decorating a key is dumb’ to Kaveh’s question.
Because is it really so dumb?
Alhaitham has no open or public sense of art or anything that isn’t explainable and backed up with logic and facts. Yet…
Yet, he admires Kaveh’s work and talent.
He wishes (maybe even longs to?) to be able to see the world as Kaveh does. Kaveh holds so much freedom in his mind.
Due to that, Alhaitham hates that Kaveh is wasting so much time. Doing nothing all day.
“Why were you even outside and drinking on top of that?”, Alhaitham had turned to his papers again, getting too frustrated to look at Kaveh.
“I can do what I want”, is what Kaveh mutters under his breath as an answer.
“No project, job or work you possibly could finish in that time?”
“No.” Kaveh let himself fall back onto Alhaitham’s bed. His arms spread wide out beside him and his legs still hanging down on the edge. “And even if I had, there is no inspiration left in me to do anything.”
Alhaitham is once again confused by Kaveh. Why does Kaveh possess the power to leave nothing but questions and uncertainty in his mind?
He frowns at Kaveh’s statement. Only the night before saw he how Kaveh was working in his study.
Alhaitham came back from a long day at the Akademiya, ready to finish the last little details in his reports and then move to go to sleep. His way to his own bedroom leads him past Kaveh’s room and while bypassing the half-open door, he heard a soft tune. Letting his curiosity win over his reasonable objection to just move along, he carefully stole a glimpse through the gap in the door.
Kaveh was sitting with his back to the door on a highchair in front of a big canvas and an architectural table on either side. There were papers, colours and feathers scattered all over the place. Kaveh was humming the soft tune Alhaitham heard while walking past. Alhaitham didn’t recognise any of the forms and motives Kaveh drew on the canvas and tables, but he knew they weren’t anything Kaveh would get paid for.
It felt different. More personal. More like something that Alhaitham shouldn’t have seen.
Upon recalling that knowledge, it was confusing to now hear Kaveh say he doesn’t have any inspiration in him. Only days ago, it felt like Kaveh would explode from inspiration.
“What about the things you made a couple of nights ago? You seemed to not be able to stop your workflow then, glowing from inspiration.”
Alhaitham doesn’t miss the surprise that reflects on Kaveh's face, upon hearing that Alhaitham saw him. But who would Kaveh be when he would voice his shock? He’d rather mask his surprise.
“Careful Alhaitham, you sound a little bit poetic there. Besides, those nights are different from the normal work I have to do.”
“Then what would help you get inspired for that kind of work?”
Sitting up from his position on Alhaitham’s bed, Kaveh gave Alhaitham a challenging look.
“What is it to you, big boy?”
“Inspiration means you deliver better projects, the more projects you will receive and the faster you will move out, and I won’t find a drunk man sleeping on my doorstep.”
Kaveh says nothing to that, but never looks away from Alhaitham’s eyes while he keeps quiet. Thinking. Debating what his next move in this little game of theirs should be.
“Well then? I am all ears, my dear architect.”
“I suppose I could take a trip and let the beautiful nature of Sumeru tingle my senses and fill my empty heart with sparkling love,” Kaveh says with so much sarcasm, that no one could miss it - or so he thought.
“How would that do any good?”, comes Alhaitham’s reply. Alright then, if Alhaitham wants to play this way, Kaveh will jump on that train with him.
“Not everything you read about in books or reports or learned in the Akademiya is true and simple as it might have been to put into words. Sometimes you have to see and experience matters by hand. You never wished to see the beauty of Sumeru with your own eyes?”
Before Alhaitham could answer that, did Kaveh add - “But why would I ask that, of course you wouldn’t understand anything that isn’t written down” - under his breath.
A triumphant grin forms on Alhaitham’s face, and he crosses his arms. “Well then, if I am so clueless, I just have to go with you on your journey to see the beauty of Sumeru.”
Kaveh’s mouth falls open, and he stares at Alhaitham in disbelief.
What?
It was set in stone then, Kaveh and Alhaitham would go on a journey together to search for inspiration and the beauty of Sumeru.
Alhaitham tricked Kaveh. Both knew that. But they both also owned an immense amount of pride, and Kaveh wouldn’t back down to let Alhaitham win this.
This is how Kaveh now found himself in front of the Place of Alcazarzary. It was strange being here again. The last time he sat foot in the garden and insides of this place, was when he surveyed the completion of this project. The project set a start to his career but ended it just as quickly. He wondered if he would be standing right here if he had started any other project than building this one. But he quickly dismissed this thought.
The Place of Alcazarzary was a masterpiece. Something that didn’t exist twice. It was his first-ever love.
Kaveh and Alhaitham agreed on meeting here, although the more steps he took towards the magnificent building, the more grew his doubt that Alhaitham would really show up.
The scribe of the Akademiya on a trip through the forest and desert of Sumeru, just to find something he didn’t have a clue about? Impossible, right? Kaveh didn’t know what it would take to get Alhaitham to do such a thing.
The answer to that question must be close because when he turned around the corner to see the full view of Alcazarzary he saw Alhaitham sitting in the pavilion left to the building.
He was reading a book.
Of course.
He called Alhaitham’s name and waved his arm around to greet the other, but Alhaitham didn’t look up from his book. Asshole. Kaveh knew he could hear him, perhaps even see him from his phenomenal peripheral vision.
Alhaitham first looks up from his book, when Kaveh stands right in front of him and pushes down the book with his hand.
“It’s so pleasing to see you too, oh mighty almost sage”, said Kaveh in response to Alhaitham finally looking up at him.
Alhaitham closed the book with one hand and stood up.
“You’re late.”
Tsk. What else did Kaveh expect? ‘Patience’ was clearly missing under the scribes' qualities.
“Well, I didn’t believe in you actually holding your word until I saw you sitting here with my own eyes.” Kaveh raised his arms in a surrendering gesture. But to his astonishment, no reply came back.
Alhaitham's jaw clenched faintly before he rose and headed for the stairs that led up to the building's entrance. A bit perplexed did Kaveh follow Alhaitham. Did he say something wrong just now?
He pushed that thought aside, being more taken in awe by the captivating essence of the place.
Not only was the building itself breath-taking, but the environment in which it was located. Every guest that visited this place got the feeling of entering a place straight out of a fairy tale.
It was high above a lake and small little streams, surrounded by high land and cliffs, multiple bodies of waterfall over a rocky ledge into a plunge pool below. There was a bridge leading from the mainland to the middle platform of the construction, and was decorated with tree branches on both sides. A large fountain was placed in the center of said platform and four paths, including the one connected with the mainland, lead away from it. There were flowers, bushes, and large cacti everywhere. Huge purple and pink flowers blossomed from the cacti and smelled divine.
The path leading away to the bottom left led to the pavilion in which Alhaitham had waited for Kaveh. To the top right - over the entrance path - lead a path in a curved shape up to the main platform. Halfway up the branch, a little path led to a small house that was built for the employees of this place.
High and mighty stood the heart piece of Alcazarzary on the main platform. A large building with decorated doors, colourful windows, and decorative patterns on the stone. It was incredible, unbelievable.
On Kaveh’s way up the stairs, to reach Alhaitham, he saw something purple in the corner of his eye.
A padisarah? How are these flowers able to grow here? He shortly stopped in his tracks, scanning the flower. The conditions for growth in its environment are very demanding. Are the conditions here genuinely that good? He couldn’t recall planning to add these flowers in the plans of the place.
Weird, but he had other things to worry about.
When he finally made it to Alhaitham’s side, he followed his gaze up the facade of the building.
“What did you feel while creating this?”
Kaveh is thrown back by this sudden question, not expecting something… this personal.
Alhaitham added; “We are here to inspire you. It is proven that remembering past achievements and the moments spent creating said achievement can help in further work.”
Kaveh couldn’t argue with that.
“It was my first real project. The first I solely did on my own, with my own mind and heart. After graduating from Kshahrewar with honours, many people came with requests to me. But only this one gave me the freedom of design. Every stroke of the brush felt like a ray of sunshine. It was just so existing, creating something. It was like a dance through the fields and every step created something only I could…”
He trailed off at the end, letting out a long sigh. “I don’t know what it was. Maybe I was young and naive about the future. Who knows.”
Alhaitham made an acknowledging sound.
“And what did you feel, having the same masterpiece, threw you into debt?”
Kaveh never really thought about it before. It wasn’t like the building itself caused Kaveh’s life to turn upside down. It was all a big mess of domino effects and if one was picky enough, they would probably trace it back to the death of Pir Kavikavus. He was the greatest scholar in Kshahrewar’s history, but because of an accident leading to his death, all his research was lost. Ever since then the school and its resources have gone downhill and on top of that the leaders of the Akademiya weren’t the biggest supporters of the arts - only keeping the school for its technology department. So Kaveh aimed for something big, to put the spotlight back in Kshahrewar and have the Darshan have its glory back.
“It made me feel,...nothing?”
“Are you asking me or is that an answer?”
Archons above, couldn’t Alhaitham keep the sincere atmosphere for just one moment?
“Fuck you, I was just about to explain further.”
“Go on then.” Kaveh glared at Alhaitham, could that man ever let him have the last word? Probably not, his sense of individualism was very close to the edge of egoism.
“Most people would probably never even take the assignment. It was clear from the start that this wouldn’t end well, but I had to do it. It felt like the right thing to do, and I never regretted any night I spent over the blueprints.”
Kaveh paused and took a deep breath.
“I guess I felt a little disappointed in the end. Once it was finished, I couldn’t even look at it at first, too afraid that it somehow wasn’t as great as I thought it was. But people admired it, all kinds of people. It is well known. I suppose what I was really disappointed about was that it really took a bad end and not some sense of miracle happened and saved me.”
Alhaitham said nothing, so Kaveh felt like he had to fill the silence.
“Maybe my miracle was you all along.” He flashed a bright smile and he playfully jabbed his elbow into Alhaitham's side. Alhaitham only cleared his throat.
“If that was all, let’s get moving then. I am tired of looking at the same type of stone all day.”
Kaveh laughs, knowing Alhaitham isn't all that sincere with that comment. .
“Says the one only dressed in only two colours.”
After leaving The Place of Alcazarzary their actual journey begins. Alhaitham still ponders over the term ‘journey’, it didn’t feel quite right to describe their wandering through Sumeru.
He had more than enough time to think about it until the end of their… journey, so he didn’t rush to find an answer at the moment.
Their next stop was requested by Kaveh and Alhaitham only agreed to it, because they were there to inspire Kaveh and when Kaveh thought that that place would inspire him, so be it.
On their way, they come across various plants and animals. Alhaitham would tell interesting facts about them, that he read somewhere in a book before. Kaveh wasn't sure whether he was trying to brag or if he really was just rambling to fill the silence between them.
“The Rishboland Tiger”, Alhaitham had started, “The king of the jungle. They claim the entire woodland as their territory and protect it from intruders. As a true king might. Research indicates that the exaggerated amount of fluff that is found on its temple is a tool to measure distances. It is said that the forest once was the territory of a true tiger, a divine beast. Upon its death, the rishboland tiger became the successor to its name.”
Kaveh paid attention to the steps of the animal that gracefully jumped from one tree to another in the distance.
“They look more like cats if you ask me.”
Alhaitham chuckled.
“How characteristic of you to see a fluffy, soft animal in these monsters.”
“Who knows, they might be big cuddlers. Their fur looks pretty though. I like the form of their heads. Like a mighty antler.”
And so, they continued. Alhaitham presented knowledge and Kaveh added his comments.
The sun was about to set when they arrived at their destination. The blue sky started to fade into a deep orange.
“...In the age when gods still had the faces of beasts, these creatures were worshipped as gods by humans. Even today, the desert dwellers see their spiny red crowns as relics of ancient deities.”
“They are right! The spinocrocodile has a unique design. It kind of looks like a volcano.” Kaveh was recreating the silhouette of a spinocrocodile with his hands.
“If you say so.”
Kaveh laughed and slapped Alhaitham on the back before he put both of his hands on the back of his head.
And finally, after a few more meters and corners, they arrived at the gate of their destination.
Well, not really a gate. It was more of a hole in a cliff that revealed the blossoming and mysterious Vanarana.
Kaveh lets out an excited gasp and takes jumping steps forward. Alhaitham follows, but not before rolling his eyes. Vanarana; the place you only hear about in children's books. Why were they here again?
“This is a waste of time. I don’t understand why you wanted to go here. Nothing but empty old houses - ancient and overgrown nature.”
Kaveh didn’t really pay attention to Alhaitham’s words or the things he mumbled while walking deeper into the region, Kaveh was always steps ahead and too occupied with a different object he found on the way.
Every child learned about this place and about its inhabitants. If not from their parents, their grandparents would tell them and kids would whisper it to each other. Their eyes would sparkle and from there on days, months, years were spent to stumble upon the mysterious sumeru creatures. The Aranara do not normally trust most humans, especially adults, though they befriend children - so children believed they had to hurry up to find them or else it would be too late.
Curious as he was, did stuck Kaveh his head in one of the nearest huts. Broken pots were scattered on the floor and on the shelves, and moss grew up the walls. Kaveh was fascinated by the tulip-looking form of the little houses. A big leaf positioned on top of a round-shaped stone, with a wide opening, yet no door or traces of doors to be seen.
He turned away from the house again and back to Alhaitham’s side.
“You think we will stumble across an Aranara? Maybe even more?” Kaveh smiled at the thought of seeing one of the most magical creatures in the whole of Sumeru.
To his contrast was Alhaitham’s annoyed features.
“Aranara don’t exist and if they did, they wouldn’t show themselves in front of two adults. Well, more one adult and an idiot.”
“Can’t you have faith just once? Don’t be a downer.”
Now Kaveh was annoyed too by Alhaitham’s negative attitude.
Not wanting to deal with any kind of argument that could possibly follow up, he decided to give the architecture of the houses and the surrounding a closer look.
Kaveh saw up and discovered that it was slowly turning dark, yet the clearing with the small lake and arch of flowers was brightly lit. Now that he looked around more thoroughly, he noticed that the whole area of the Aranara's was wrapped in soft light and little glowing insects were dancing around, leaving a trace of glitter behind them.
Kaveh couldn’t believe his eyes.
He stretched out his hand to perhaps get one of the creatures - butterflies? - to land on his finger. But the butterfly made a delightful flap of his wings and moved around Kaveh's hand and flew higher up. Kaveh could swear he heard the clinking of crystals fading away.
Alhaitham watched him from his seat in the back. He had sat down on the footbridge that led a little into the water and bordered one of the tulip-like houses.
Alhaitham wondered if these acts of curiosity were what made Kaveh and his work so radiant, the work he does at night in his room. The curiosity for what he would create, of what his next stroke on the paper would bring. Perhaps this is what led him to design Alcazarzary.
But Alhaitham was no one that ‘wondered’- Either he knew, or he didn’t. And right now, there was no way to support his hypothesis.
The only thing Alhaitham knew for sure at this moment was that Kaveh looked beautiful.
However, when Kaveh turned around to check if Alhaitham too saw the glowing crystalflies - Kaveh thought that would be a fitting name for the butterfly-looking crystal-sound-making animals - he was met with the image of Alhaitham being deep into the book he was reading.
Kaveh sighed but didn’t gather the energy to get upset about Alhaitham’s disinterest. His stomach was making a hungry sound, craving food, so he had more important matters to handle right now.
Kaveh looked back at the crystalfly flying up into the sky and saw a fast movement on top of the giant leaf plants that towered over Vanarana.
What was that? Could it be…
Overflowing with excitement, Kaveh turned around and ran to Alhaitham. He was about to share his discovery, although when he noticed the look Alhaitham gave him, he decided to keep it to himself. Alhaitham only would make fun of him and dismiss his speculation.
Instead, he asked if Alhaitham was hungry too, to which the latter agreed.
They unpacked their supplies of food, which Alhaitham carried in a bag hanging over his shoulder. It wasn't anything spectacular, simple cold leftovers they had from the night prior. They had hoped it would be enough for this one night, and in Aaru Village they would be able to get warm food for the rest of their journey.
Alhaitham continued reading his book, while they sat beside each other and ate their dinner.
Kave didn’t really care about Alhaitham’s lack of interest in their surroundings anymore, he was more mesmerized by looking around the valley.
It was covered in blue light, with the white of the crystalflies lighting up the paths. A single crystalfly had placed itself on top of Alhaitham’s head. Spending him light, so he could see the letters in his book.
Kaveh smiled softly at the sight, mentally saving the image of the way the light complimented Alhaitham's features. Like a holo adorning his head. He definitely needed to draw this image. At least sketch it down, before he forgot the details of it.
He fumbled open the sketchbook he brought with him. Mainly to collect flowers and leaves in it, or maybe sketch some scenery and buildings, but he would never complain about being given the opportunity to sketch Alhaitham.
Annoying, frustrating, strong, pretty Alhaitham.
He started to sketch the sight before him, letting his mind trail off along the way.
If you had asked Kaveh a week ago, where he would have seen himself right now, he would’ve first said “dead” before even giving thought about the possibility that he would sit in the most mystical place of Sumeru together with his roommate and glowing creatures dancing around them. Not after the fight they had after Kaveh finally got to know the truth behind the reason why the Akademiya was in ruins when he came back from the desert.
Hidden knowledge, the creation of a new almighty God and corruption amongst the Akademiya…
He was less shocked than he thought. What surprised him more was the hurt that he felt. Why didn’t Alhaitham ask him for help?
He tried to concentrate fully on the sketch again - knowing he would get irritated and frustrated, but his mind kept on repeating the same question.
Why didn’t he ask me for help? Why didn’t he ask me for help? Why didn’t he ask me for help?
Frustrated, he put down his pencil. This won’t do. He pinched the bridge of his nose, debating if now was the time to ask Alhaitham the question he pondered with since weeks .
Fuck it.
“Why didn’t you ask me for help?”
Taken back by the sudden break in silence, Alhaitham furrowed his eyebrows.
“What do you mean?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your plan, your suspicions, and the Traveller? Why did you go against the Akademiya on your own?” He turned his complete body in Alhaitham’s direction and sat with legs and arms crossed in front of the scribe.
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about. After all, you were the one leaving for a project in the desert.”
Kaveh couldn’t believe it. How could Alhaitham still hold that against him? Weren’t they here because Alhaitham wanted him to have projects and be excellent in them?
“Are you kidding? Firstly, I got assigned that project way before the events of Jnagarbha Day and still, you could’ve sent me a letter. You even were in the desert for some time, couldn’t you get me or something?!” Kaveh's voice was getting louder by the end of his sentence. It was childish, debating this now and here. But something about this place graved honesty and answers.
“And waste time? Certainly not.”
“I am a waste of time?” No, Alhaitham’s mind screamed, Archons no you’re so much more. Stop thinking you are any less than that.
“Maybe I should just move out.”
This took Alhaitham by surprise. Kaveh never said these words in an argument of theirs, rather always finding arguments in favour of his right to stay at Alhaitham’s house, or he changed the subject when Alhaitham mentioned it.
Hearing those words leave Kaveh’s mouth triggered something in him. Kaveh can’t go. He doesn’t want Kaveh to go. Kaveh needs to stay. Has to stay. He brings sound into Alhaitham’s life, sound and colour into his house. He brings that tingling feeling of excitement, brings comfort and movement into his heart when he is greeting him with a meal or a story of his day upon Alhaitham’s arrival from work. Without Kaveh, Alhaitham has nothing left but his thoughts. No, this can’t be. Kaveh has to stay, even when it’s just for Alhaitham’s selfish reasons.
But all he said was, “Yeah, maybe.”
Kaveh huffs.
“You were in the desert doing your little project, I was changing the world. We both just have different ambitions.”
Kaveh felt the anger getting the best of him, now that Alhaitham said those words.
“ ‘Little project’? Aren’t we here because you were of the opinion that I am doing nothing worthy with my time and I need to take on new projects as fast as possible and now when I did it in the past, it still isn’t right for you? You even pressured me to take the project, you…” Kaveh stopped mid-sentence, a realization washing over him.
Alhaitham’s grip on the book tightened, crinkling the pages at his strong impact. He knew exactly where Kaveh’s mind had wandered to.
“You even paid for my journey without nagging me about taking all your money. You urged me to take it. You wanted me gone. You didn’t want me to be in Sumeru City…” Kaveh’s anger being pushed down by a growing flame of hope.
For the first time, Kaveh saw a look of uncertainty ghost over Alhaitham’s face.
“Either you were afraid I would get in your way, or… you were looking out for me.”
It wasn’t a question, it wasn’t a speculation, it was just a statement for Alhaitham to correct or change. The truth had finally crawled into the light, leaving it to Alhaitham to ultimately free it or hold it longer in the cage.
The crystalfly on Alhaitham’s head flew away, leaving the two alone in the dark.
Kaveh watched Alhaitham’s face and tried to decipher what was happening behind Alhaitham’s eyes. He could see as much now without light and the half-darkness of the early night, but he hoped the other would give him an answer to everything said and unsaid. And...
“We should get going. Find shelter before it gets too dark.” Alhaitham stood up.
With a poor attempt of “Alhaitham, wait!”, did Kaveh try to get Alhaitham to at least stop in his tracks, but the scribe just continued walking, out of the little oasis. In a hurry, Kaveh scrambled their things together, since all Alhaitham had grabbed before getting up was his precious book. A bit untidy and careless, threw he the things in the bag and quickly ran after Alhaitham.
When he turned around the same corner that Alhaitham disappeared behind, he was positively surprised that Alhaitham had stopped walking a few meters ahead. Hoping the younger had come to his senses and would communicate properly.
Kaveh hurried to catch up with him - once again. Before he could take up on their latest conversation, he noticed the way Alhaitham’s eyes were fixed on the ground ahead of them.
There, placed upon a bed of leaves, laid a flower crown. Padisarahs were carefully braided together and decorated with sparkling small stones. In the middle of it, sat a feather. A feather that looked identical to the one in Kaveh’s hair.
The sight of it made Kaveh knitt his brows and reach up into his hair, to feel if his feather was still in place. It was. Strange. To Kaveh’s astonishment this was already the second strange incident he couldn’t find an imminent and reasonable answer to.
“Looks like the Aranara want to thank me for believing in them.” He joked, making the situation a bit more light-hearted.
He bent down to pick up the crown. He proudly looked at the craftsmanship with which the flowers were worked into each other. It was amazing, you could see the care and talent that was put into the work, yet something put him off about it.
“Hey, don’t you think something is different with the shade of purple these padisarahs have?”
While Kaveh was busy examining the crown, Alhaitham had picked up the feather. He examined the blue feather. It was an exact copy of the one that was tucked under one of Kaveh’s braids, right above his ear.
Alhaitham had plucked it out of that place often enough, after getting Kaveh from a night out in the local tavern, when Kaveh was too drunk to take enough care of his appearance. Alhaitham always made sure to free Kaveh’s hair from all his accessors and the hundreds of red clips, before Kaveh could hurt himself in his sleep.
He put the feather into his book, as a bookmark of some sort. Then he focused back on the crown in the other’s hands.
“What are you talking about? It looks the same to me.” Remarked Alhaitham back, even though he somehow had to agree with Kaveh.
Rolling his eyes, Kaveh put the padisarahs on his head. What was he thinking, asking someone like Alhaitham about the shade of a colour? More important was the fact that Aranara did exist, and they even were spying on them.
“So, I was right after all!”
While Kaveh was praising himself for the fact that he was right and Alhaitham wrong, did Alhaitham simply stare at Kaveh. How the purple crown faded into the gold of his hair. Kaveh truly was beautiful.
Each on their own deciding not to mention their conversation they just had moments ago, they walked out of the Aranara land, on their quest to find an acceptable shelter for the night.
If there was one thing their years as roommates taught them, it was knowing when to really keep their mouths shut. They often pushed each other's limits and said stuff just to achieve the upper hand in the argument they currently had. But when something was done, it was done. The unspoken things often hurt more than the ones they would’ve said. And a topic, like this one, was unfamiliar to them. The goal here wasn’t to ‘win’, it was the truth.
On their quest, they stumble through Yasna monument. A place with glowing white flowers and high trees that seemed to touch the sky. Water was slowly running in a river beside them, and fireflies flew jumping across its surface. There was faint music playing in the distance, but neither of them paid any attention to it. It was a mesmerizing sight. First the Palace of Alcazarzaray, then the magical view of Vanarana and now this scenery of glowing flowers and the most beautiful shades of green and blue.
This was nothing like the descriptions in books. This was not even something that could come straight from a book. These views were so much more. People naturally said ‘AH! The extraordinary nature of Sumeru and its different vegetation zones is unique to Teyvat’ but never ‘Nothing will ever compare to the sight’.
Alhaitham wasn’t easily impressed but even he had to admit that this was beautiful.
While it indeed was beautiful, there still was something else that took up all of the scribes attention and admiration
Kaveh was concentrating on putting one of the glowing flowers in his sketchbook, careful not to let any of the petals crinkle when closing the book.
When he had archived his task, he saw up to catch Ahaitham’s gaze on him. Kaveh could swear he could see a faint red spreading over Alhaitham’s cheeks. Amused by his junior, Kaveh shot him a bright smile.
Alhaitham wanted to say something, anything really, to point away from his embarrassing blush. Tell Kaveh to hurry up, to hold his eyes open for a place to sleep rather than any flower he could find. But no words left his mouth. As if something was stuck in his throat.
(Maybe his heart)
It was quiet between them for a while and for the first time, after they wandered deeper into the forest, did they actually listen to the music that was now coming from somewhere close to them.
Laughter and singing blended itself under the rhythmic tune. Lights lit up the dark night sky and moving closer, Kaveh and Alhaitham could see garlands hanging from the trees. Tree plates with colourful motives were placed along the way, and you could see petals laying on the ground under their feet. In thick tree logs, which were almost quartered, but were still kept together ten centimeters above the end, hummed a fire. They led a way up and when they slowly followed them up the hill, they were greeted with a mass of dancing people.
Alhaitham, having read enough books to know what they were walking into, was trying to get Kaveh to turn around and take the other path that led away from the Yasna Monument. But it was already too late, a group of the dancing mob came running over to them.
“Hey! Come, celebrate with us! It’s such a joyful day!” The eremites pulled Kaveh along with them. Before Alhaitham could form any protest, he too got pulled into the happy crowd of people.
An eremite wedding. Great.
Alhaitham tried to free himself from the grip of the crowd and look around to find Kaveh, so they could leave as soon as possible. But he didn’t see a damn thing in the mass of dancing eremites.
All kinds of people were inviting him to dance together, took his arms to raise them above his head to get him to let loose and have fun on such a joyful occasion. But he felt more out of his element than ever and pushed himself out of the crowd of dancing bodies.
He spotted a tree box and sat down. He took a look around, seeing children running around, probably playing some kind of catch game, people standing around different fireplaces and others just watching the dancing group while holding conversations. No obvious danger. Still, he wasn’t sure why the eremites just would invite them to a fest of theirs.
He knows of the blindfolded Eremites, who carry special weapons that can manipulate the elements and house an ominous, fragmented spirit that awakens from their weapons. Is this all just a very cumbersome cover-up to kill them? What if they already got Kaveh?
In panic, Alhaitham jumps up and searches the crowd for the flower crown that Kaveh (hopefully) still was wearing. To his relief he catches Kaveh, healthy and without any wounds, dancing together with the eremites.
Oh, and how he was dancing.
He got rid of the red cap he normally was wearing. His whole body was moving in such a sinful way. He let his arms move up and down his chest and hips. When he turned in circles, Alhaitham could see the V-cut that graced the back of his shirt and down to his hip dimples, finally not being covered by something. The turquoise ribbon around his hips moved in the rhythm of his activity.
One of the eremites leaned over and said something in his ear, making him throw his head back and laugh with his full chest.
His previous worries and suspensions completely forgotten, Alhaitham kept on watching Kaveh smile and laugh more than he had in the last month in the span of moments. (?)
And for the first time in Alhaitham’s life, he wished for something.
Please. Let this moment stay a little longer because this warm feeling in his chest that flamed since his akademiya days finally didn’t hurt when looking at Kaveh.
A week ago, he would never have let himself enjoy the pure sight of Kaveh. But since Kaveh picked up the strange purple flower crown he felt the urge to devour Kaveh whole, not letting him out of his sight for a second.
Maybe the Aranara cursed him? Pulling some tricks of friendship bullshit on them?
“Your friend seems to have fun; he fits right into the crowd.” Alhaitham was surprised by the elderly eremite that seemed to have sneaked up right beside him. She had her hands folded behind her back and was covered in a big, long coat.
“Such a free spirit he is”, continued the woman, after Alhaitham didn’t give her an answer, “I wonder what kind of lives he lived in his past.”
Alhaitham didn’t quite get what the eremite wanted to tell him, or if she even still was talking to him.
“He is one of a kind.” Was what he just decided to say. She gave an acknowledging sound and turned away from her gaze over the crowd.
“You seem full of knowledge and eager for more.” Again, a statement she probably didn’t expect an answer to.
What were the intentions of all of this again? Right, finding inspiration for Kaveh and somehow he ended up in a conversation he never expected to have
“Say, child, do you know the tale of the lovers under the moon?”
No.
Or did he…?
But before he could give his answer, Kaveh was making his way to Alhaitham. Sweat glistened on his exposed chest.
“Alhaitham, come dance with us, with me!” Just like the eremites not long ago, did Kaveh take Alhaitham’s hands into his own, but this time Alhaitham didn’t feel any kind of fight or flight response trigger inside of him. Rather, the urge to agree to whatever Kaveh would ask him. He let himself be pulled away from the elderly woman, somehow happy to have escaped whatever that would’ve turned unto.
Once Kaveh seemed to have found a good spot for them in the crowd, did he turn around to face Alhaitham. Kaveh swung his hands over Alhaitham’s shoulder. The latter was rather clumsy with finding a place to rest his own hands, but Kaveh helped him and put them on both sides of his hips. A weak blush formed on Alhaitham’s cheeks again, and it took him more willpower than normal to keep looking into Kaveh’s eyes.
Kaveh started to move his body and Alhaitham tried to copy him, but rather awkwardly compared to Kaveh. For a while, they dance to the rhythm of the music. Alhaitham could feel Kaveh’s chest move against his and the prickling heat radiating from him. Alhaitham’s cheeks started to turn slightly red, his normal put-together composure crumbled under the intense stare Kaveh gave him. Once again, he asked himself when his own body and mind decided to betray him and let Kaveh have this effect on him.
He begged his heart to stop beating so fast, afraid the architect could notice it. He wanted to turn away, but Kaveh started to let his hands wander up into Alhaitham’s hair, to just keep him looking at Kaveh. As if Alhaitham ever wanted to look at something or someone else again.
“I read about this dance.” It was a whisper, just for them to hear.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I can show you”, gently, Alhaitham reached up to take one of the hands Kaveh had buried in the back of his hair and took it into his own. The other hands did he keep in the place.
This new movement made them press together even closer than before. They are chest to chest, their heartbeats syncing together as one. Never leaving the eyes of each other, they move slowly back and forth. Not caring about the others in the crowd or the fast pace of the music. For this moment, right now, the only thing that existed was them.
Despite everything in the past, every disagreement, all the fights and the bickering - right now they shared one and the same thought.
Never let me go.
Seems like Alhaitham made his second wish that day.
He didn’t know how long they kept dancing to their own rhythm and how long they just stared into each other's eyes, but to Alhaitham no amount of time would’ve been enough. He wanted this forever. He longed for this far too long, to let it go in a heartbeat.
There was this moment Alhaitham read about once. In a book that he normally would never pick up, but it seemed to have slipped through his careful sorting of the library.
There exists this moment - just before the first kiss - where you take a moment to tell your heart goodbye because it is the last time it will be yours. Alhaitham discarded it at the time and put the book in the deepest corner of his room.
Although right now, feeling Kaveh’s breath on his lips, letting his hand on Kaveh’s hip ghost over the exposed skin and feeling the slight tremble of the hand that he holds in his own, made him want to dig out the book again. Because maybe that would have prepared him for the feeling of his first kiss.
He never had any expectations of his first kiss, never having thought about it before. It was everything and nothing to him. The fierceness of lighting and the softness of the summer breeze, the calmness of the water and the heat of fire.
It was a kiss that left a tingly feeling inside of him, it made him want more. It made him greedy and hungry.
It was said that nothing could ever fool him, but that was a wrong statement to make. Because Alhaitham was certain that Kaveh’s lips could trick him into everything they wanted.
He wondered if the romantic in Kaveh was satisfied. He got his answer only seconds later, feeling Kaveh push him by his head closer to his lips, wanting to drink in even the last moment of Alhaitham’s kiss. But they had to part at one point. Breathless, they looked at each other, before going back to kiss the other again. Alhaitham’s hand had traveled the way up to hold Kaveh’s cheek. He never wanted to miss this feeling again.
When they parted for a second time, a cheerful smile spread over Kaveh’s face, which made Alhaitham smile too. Softly Alhaitham traced his thumb over Kaveh’s swollen lips, giving them a last peck.
For a moment, they both fell back into staring into the others eyes again.
“Want to get something to eat?” And who was Alhaitham to decline those lips anything they ask of him?
They let go of each other - Alhaitham feeling something in him crumble at the loss of the intimate contact - and searched their way to find something to eat.
Already from the moment they sat foot into the camp did they notice a delicious smell that hung in the air. Alhaitham had read about the cooking skills and traditional meals of the eremites but seeing and tasting in person were a whole different thing. Taking a glance over at Kaveh confirmed that Kaveh must think about the same thing. His eyes glistened at the sight of the banquet in front of them.
Seems like they won’t have to wait till Aaru Village for a warm meal after all.
While standing there together, taking in the sight of the riches filled table they had ever come across, their shoulders kept touching. One took a step to the right, the other did too. It was like they still danced together.
In this rhythm of their own they filled each other's plates with food.
Satisfied with their selection, they sat down at a free side of a table. The eremites beside them gave them a warm welcome. One even teased them about the kiss they shared on the dance floor.
Kaveh cleared his throat in embarrassment and shot a glaring look at Alhaitham, who could only laugh back at him. He didn’t know what a weird and chaotic day this was, but the atmosphere in this eremite camp wasn’t like anything he could ever read about. Kaveh was so damn right after all. He couldn’t believe he repeated that multiple times already.
For an unsure amount of time, they just openly enjoyed each other's company.
They were taken out of their bubble by a child shyly tucking on Kaveh’s shirt.
“Where did you get the flower crown on your head?” The child boldly pointed towards the top of Kaveh’s head. Kaveh carefully reached up to feel the flowers in his hair, somehow only now remembering again that he was wearing it.
With a smile he leaned down towards the kid and whispered, “I got it as a gift from the Aranara. Pretty, isn’t it?” Eagerness lit up in the child's eyes. “You saw them?”
“No, sadly. They put the crown in our path as we passed through their region.” The child pouted, disappointed that they couldn’t gather more information about the Aranara from them.
“If that’s so, I could tell you about the meaning behind the crown! I know much about the Aranara.”
Kaveh smiled softly and agreed. The child jumped into the free space beside Kaveh, who made sure it wouldn’t fall while sorting out their feet under the table.
“We can see them, you know? Even mama can, she says it’s because we are children of the Scarlet King”, Kaveh looks over at Alhaitham to see if he is equally astounded as he is. But Alhaitham only smiles at Kaveh and doesn’t give away whether that was new information to him or not.
“A garland of this type means you have got the blessings from all of Vanarana. Every flower on the garland is chosen by a different Aranara and all the flowers together create a gate to Mahavanaranapna. The dreamland of theirs, I want to go there so bad!” - The child took a deep, dramatic, sigh - “Aranara will support those who wear such garlands. It’s a sign of friendship! And as friends, they can ease the wearer's pain, ward off their nightmares, aid them through lightless days, and fill the emptiness in their hearts.”
The child was swinging their feet back and forth, while patiently waiting for Kaveh (or even the kind of scary-looking guy beside him) to give them an answer.
“That’s… very nice of them. And why padisarahs?”
The child shrugged and jumped down from their place beside Kaveh. Just as fast and unexpectedly as it appeared, did the child disappear again. With raised eyebrows, turned Kaveh around to Alhaitham.
“This left me with more questions than I started out with.” He had a rather perplexed look on his face and a frown between his eyebrows.
“Who thought that the Kaveh could question their head about hidden knowledge”, teased Alhaitham. Kaveh only stuck his tongue out to him.
“But honestly, not trying to boost your ego. Can you refresh me again on who the Scarlet King is?” Alhaitham was just about to answer when the elderly woman from before put her hand on his shoulder.
“I have the answer to that, my dear.” Alhaitham wrinkled his nose. He also had the answer, he should be the one telling Kaveh, after all, the architect asked him.
As the woman began to tell her story, more eremites gathered around them. Alhaitham was skeptical about the type of story the woman would present to them now. Fairy-tale or history proven facts?
“The Scarlet King, also known as King Deshret or Al-Ahmar, was our Lord of the desert. He died thousands of years ago. He built his domain in the middle of the desert, full of technology and mysterious powers. We eremites are descended from his subjects.
He was often referred to as ‘the King of Warriors, horticulturists, and sages’; he was the master of the one thousand and one Jinn.
He was a son of the sky, which was why he received fervent worship from the desert tribes. He rejected the archon status to pursue his own interests and ambitions. Either fearless or foolish, was he willing to rebel against the divine, fully knowing the repercussions it would bring.
At the end of his life, he was also known as the Mourning King because of his deep sorrow and nostalgia for the past, it is unknown why he suddenly went into mourning and who he mourned after. It was said that he would look up at the sky and remember the ‘boundless paradise of purple and moon-blessed nights’. His attachment to the past eventually caused him to go mad and bring downfall on himself and his people.”
Alhaitham was startled by the version the eremite chose to tell. It wasn’t wrong, per se. No, but it was shortened by much and left out important parts, key parts even, it opens a big space for questions. Did she not know any other version? Is this the curse of folklore? Of only hearing the story through hearsay?
“King Deshret… the same from ‘Mausoleum of King Deshret’?”
Seems like Kaveh only had one question occupying his mind. Or it was the only one that he chooses to phrase. Alhaitham never really could tell what possesses the mind of the architect.
“Yes. It’s still filled with the ancient technology and powers that are mentioned in the stories of the old times.” This time, it was Alhaitham who (finally!) answered Kaveh’s questions again.
Kaveh nodded enthusiastically.
“Well then”, the old eremite got up from her chair, “no more dwelling in the past. Today we celebrate a feast of the future!”
The other eremites shouted in agreement and got back to their conversation, dance partners and meals.
Alhaitham and Kaveh also went back to the middle of things. They danced, laughed, and celebrated with the eremites until the deep black darkness of the night took over any light. Almost all the fires had gone out.
The eremites gave them both blankets and pillows and happily announced they could just find themselves a place among the rest of the group. Alhaitham and Kaveh were confused at first, but then the Eremite explained that they all slept out in the open around a big fire. With large furs under them and blankets around them. And if they cuddled, they wouldn’t get cold, no matter how far they were from the fire.
Ah.
Kaveh blushed, not sure whatever rules Alhaitham would follow after this night. Probably none that he didn’t come up with himself, but apparently his own rules included Kaveh because Alhaitham took Kaveh’s blankets and pillows under his arm and led the way a bit away from the fire and the rest of the eremites.
Kaveh followed and sat down in front of Alhaitham, thanking the God that blessed him enough to have him end up with a warm bed and fur around him, instead of a hard wooden floor and thin blankets, that they originally planned to sleep on that night. He carefully took the flower crown from his head and put it inside their bag, making sure nothing would press against it and destroy it.
“You want to sit through the rest of the night or lay down sometime soon?”
Pouting, Kaveh laid down too, after seeing that Alhaitham already made himself comfortable under the blankets. Laying down facing Alhaitham, Kaveh also thanked whatever God that Alhaitham was insane enough to make himself go on this trip - which originally only was a sarcastic comment Kaveh threw in the room - so they now can be like this beside each other.
Kaveh rummaged his one hand free from the many covers he threw over himself and put it between himself and Alhaitham. He playfully stuck out his thumb up, symbolizing Alhaitham to do the same, inviting him to thumb wrestle.
“Seriously, are you a child?”
“You spoilsport, c'mon play with me!” He smirked, “or are you afraid you might lose against me?”
Kaveh knew Alhaitham would never allow that to be real, and his smug smirk grew as Alhaitham interlocked his hand with Kaveh and pressed his thumb against Kaveh's outstretched one.
They ‘fought’ for a bit before Alhaitham let out a sigh. It wasn’t hard noticing that Alhaitham wasn’t really in it and rather debating with himself up in his thick head.
It was after the five times of losing in a row, that Alhaitham spooky up.
“I did send you away. I was the one who made arrangements to have you be assigned to the project in the desert. Far away from Sumeru City, the danger of the newly built god and fake dreams of the Akademiya.”
Kaveh was surprised by the sudden confession, he had thought they had put the matter aside and would never speak of it again. But now the opportunity finally presented itself, he would not let it go to waste.
“Why? I could’ve helped you. I know the plan and layout of every building and street in Sumeru. I have access to so much data. Why couldn’t you let me help you?”
“You would’ve tried to stop me.”
“True. I would’ve and still will call you an idiot who didn’t think the one time he should have. Going against the Akademiya, a high-ranked fatui even. But in the end, I would have supported you. Nothing can stop you when your big head has decided something.”
They continued mindlessly playing with the other’s thumb, now more fumbling with the other’s hand and feeling the touch of the other.
“I concluded I would rather not have you by my side for some time than lose you in a battle that was mine to fight or see you get hurt because I was selfish enough for needing you by my side.”
Kaveh was normally full of words and emotions but couldn’t find anything to respond to that. Nothing he was willing to say, at least. For now.
He simply pulled up Alhaitham’s hand and kissed the back of it, before pressing their intertwined hands against his chest.
Alhaitham seemed to understand. Being more than thankful that Kaveh didn’t press on the matter, even though he had all the chance to. Maybe it was all said through their actions after all.
“Goodnight, Alhaitham.”
Alhaitham gave Kaveh a small smile. Yes, what a good night it was indeed. Maybe a bit much, overwhelming, and maybe unbelievable and rushed when put down on paper. But for them, for Kaveh and Alhaitham, it was perfect. They had spent enough time tiptoeing around each other and turning their feelings for the other into frustration and anger. Now was exactly right to free them from the negative impact.
The next stop on their list for the journey would be Aaru Village. They wanted to stock up their supplies and spend the night there, to be well rested and equipped for their walk through the desert. Kaveh had decided they needed to see the Mausoleum of King Deshret with their own eyes, after hearing the eremites' tale.
Alhaitham had told him that he had stayed in Aaru Village before and was willing to give Kaveh a quick lesson about its history. Kaveh rolled his eyes at Alhaitham’s attempt to sound apathetic about giving Kaveh a taste of the knowledge that was stored in his brain.
Kaveh agreed without much resistance. He was still a bit tired from the eventful day they had, even though they slept until the sun was already high up in the sky.
At the time he had opened his eyes, the eremites were already in full swing cleaning any unnecessary leftovers from the prior night. The half-burned-down tree logs were all thrown on the fire they had slept around, making it still burn for the rest of the day. One of the eremites must have found Kaveh’s red cap he had carelessly thrown away yesterday and placed it, neatly folded, on his bag.
Kaveh liked the eremites, they were nicer and better people than half of the Akademiya. Whatever any rude researcher would come up about them in the future, he would make sure to keep this image of hospitality and community in people’s heads.
So, on their way southeast, Alhaitham told Kaveh about Aaru Village.
“Aaru Village is the largest known settlement in the desert. It houses-”, Alhaitham was just starting with his story when Kaveh already broke him off.
“‘Largest known’? Are you speculating?”
“No. Aaru Village is placed in a relatively easily accessible position, so it was easy to maintain over the centuries. Although, there are many, long forgotten and lost parts of the desert that weren’t investigated for thousands of years. It’s a justified factor to include in the conclusion that the possibility of a larger settlement does exist.”
Kaveh clicked his tongue and searched for an argument to counterpoint Alhaitham’s ‘speculation’ but he couldn’t come up with one. Where Alhaitham was right, he was right.
“Alright, continue.” Kaveh playfully bumped his shoulder against Alhaitham's and it made him wrinkle his nose, but a smile was visible on his lips at the same time.
“As I was saying, Aaru Village is the home to the followers and descendants of the Scarlet King, as well as exiled scholars from the Akademiya.”
“Exiled scholars? I never heard of that. Why were they exiled?”
“If you would simply let me finish my sentences, you maybe would’ve already got the answer by now.”
Once again, did Kaveh stick out his tongue. Mean Alhaitham.
“They learned something they shouldn’t have. They broke the Akademiya’s taboos, so they were removed from their ranks.” Before Kaveh again could open his mouth, did Alhaitham shoot him a warning look. “‘Curiosity is the impetus for seeking wisdom, but it’s also the cause of sin’, is what one told me.”
This time Kaveh didn’t make the attempt to say something, he seemed rather lost in thoughts. Alhaitham couldn’t make out what it was that Kaveh let his mind wander about.
What was there to think about? Alhaitham figured he should just continue.
“Aaru Village is built upon the ruins of a city that had the name Akhtamun. It was built by the Scarlet King during his reign. After the Scarlet King’s death, Akhtamun’s surviving residents became the earliest inhabitants of what we now know as Aaru Village.”
Kaveh jokingly said; “The Scarlet King sounds like he had many burdens to wear.” It made Alhaitham scuff in amusement. “You have no idea.”
And so, they moved along their ways. Through fields of flowers, over hills and rivers. Kaveh stopped Alhaitham whenever he saw a pretty leaf, he just had to take with him, and Alhaitham told Kaveh about the plant the leaf fell off from. And if they slowly got closer and intertwined their pinkie fingers, it was only for them to know. Only for them to feel.
Aaru Village was different from what Kaveh had imagined it to be. It was more colourful and livelier than his mind had made out to be as a city in the heat of the desert. Aaru village was surrounded by hills and sand cliffs, protecting it from sandstorms and the sun's unprotected rays. It was beautiful. The building merged with the mountains and circled around the round stone structure in the middle. Aaru village was in harmony with the desert. Kaveh's architectural heart couldn't tear himself away from the sight.
People were standing before merchants' items and exchanging happy chatter and materials. Lines of rope were stretched across the paths and lamps were hung from them. In general, many small and extravagant lights were distributed in the village, which made everything appear even more in harmony. As if the residents were intent on respecting the darkness of the night and giving the rest of the light to the moon.
Kaveh remembered what Alhaitham had told him; here lived the descendants of the Scarlet King and didn’t the eremite say that the Scarlet King often mourned ‘the moon-blessed nights’, maybe they were just giving their respect to their God.
They walked past the many stalls that were selling everything from food to carriage parts to beautiful fabrics, and arrived at a building with a big, coloured glass door. Kaveh was fascinated by the architecture of the village. They were sometimes recycled scraps worked into the houses or streets, a complete contrast to Sumeru City, but it was delightful this way.
Prettier even, dare he say.
Alhaitham opened the big door, which gave a view into a room full of noise. People sat at tables, threw mugs of beer high in the air and shouted loud endearments. There was a delicious smell of food in the air. Alhaitham hadn't promised too much, Aaru village was a place full of hidden treasures and celebrations.
Just as the eremites danced around the fire with restless energy, did the people here went from table to table and toasted and hugged each other and enjoyed a warm soup.
“A tavern? You’re too kind.” To underline his overplayed dramatism, Kaveh threw the back of his hand against his forehead.
“An acquaintance of mine recommended this Inn to me. It is said to have rooms to stay overnight.”
Kaveh didn’t really care at this point, all he craved was a cold beer and a warm soup to satisfy his hunger. For that reason, they found an empty table at the corner of the room, a bit away from the loud noises of the other guest, but still enough to feel included and safe in the comfortable environment. They ordered soup and beer, and while Alhaitham was on it, a key to a room on the upper floors.
“How come you know so much about Aaru Village and the Scarlet King, considering you knew the story, the eremite told us?” Filling his mouth with a spoon of warm soup, Kaveh gave Alhaitham a questioning look, “I don’t believe the Akademiya taught this information in Haravatat.”
“I can read the King Deshret script.”
Kaveh nearly spits out the soup in his mouth. What?
“You’re not serious, right?”
“Of course. Every student needs to master at least twenty languages before they graduate.”
“And you choose the language of a long-dead God?”
“I don’t think you should judge what kind of language I know, considering you know no more than fingers on your hand.”
This asshole.
“Not everyone can be a walking encyclopaedia.”
“Sadly, it would certainly make life a lot better,” Alhaitham stated. Kaveh mumbled inaudible insults under his breath while finishing his soup and beer.
The rest of their chatter mixed with the rest of the room as they finished their food and drinks and first when the sun was gone, did they decide to get some sleep, not wanting to sleep into half of the next day again. They wanted to have enough time to explore the desert.
They collected the empty bowl and glasses and brought them back to the counter. Not without Alhaitham saying that it wouldn’t be necessary, because there are people working here to do that kind of work. Kaveh had to remind him that simply because something is a certain way, doesn’t mean that it has to be done that way.
Just as Kaveh was about to turn around, to follow Alhaitham to their room, when he walked right into a person and to Kaveh’s luck did the person hold two hot bowls of soup. As the instant reaction every human possesses, Kaveh tried to catch the soup with his hands. Which, of course, was the dumbest idea to have in that situation.
Fuck, was the soup made directly in the heart of a volcano? Why was it so goddamn hot?
As fast as his brain could work - after noting that catching the soup wouldn’t do any good - did he pull his hands close to his body. Trying to get them away from anything burning.
“Shit, I am so sorry!” Seeing the mess he made on the floor and his clothes, Kaveh realised that their act of bringing back the used dishes was all worthless.
“No, I am sorry. Are you okay? I wasn’t looking.” Only now did Kaveh look at the person he ran into. A big man, with braided dark hair and cloth complementing his stature. Seems like not only the Aaru Village itself was beautiful.
Kaveh laughed while making a dismissive gesture with his hand. “It’s no problem, really. Nothing worth mentioning.”
Alhaitham made a displeasing sound.
Now the man was also laughing. “Alright if you say so, but let me help you clean up. The soup probably hurt your hands. Quite the wrong move to try to catch it, but good reflexes.”
Before Kaveh could answer that, did two hands pull him out from the gaze of the tall man. “No need to. He is in capable hands already.”
Alhaitham.
Alhaitham!
“I see. I will fetch someone to help clean this up then.” The man put down the now empty bowl (that didn’t fall on the ground) on the nearest table and turned to find a staff member.
“We are going to our room; he seems capable of handling this alone.”
Not listening to Kaveh's protest, Alhaitham turned them around to the stairs leading up and away from the loud mass. Angry at leaving to let others clean up his mess, did Kaveh only reluctantly follow Alhaitham. To his defence, his hands really did burn up, and his cloth clinched uncomfortably to his body - he wouldn’t really be a big help at all.
After the first step into the room, Alhaitham pushed Kaveh in the direction of the bathroom and ordered him to take off his wet shirt to clean it under warm water, so that it could dry overnight. Kaveh did as he was told, already given up protesting on the way up the stairs.
While standing there, rinsing out his shirt (it was a pain to get all his layers off while the wet cloth clung to his body in such a disgusting way) did Kaveh notice how desperately tired he was. They have been walking all day and Kaveh still could feel the buzz of their yesterdays experiences.
He sighed, he really needed to figure out if they should talk about… it.
Yesterday it felt like perfection, everything was right and the stupid world could do nothing against them. He felt like he was on his way to fill out the whole check-list of ‘Things to have in my cliche filled romance novel’. Great. Alhaitham seemed fine, and it wasn’t like there was any awkwardness between them, quite the contrary Kaveh felt fully comfortable around the scribe again. The last time he felt like this was in their akademiya days. So what is there to talk about really…
Surly Alhaitham would totally tell him if there was something to talk about. Right?
While running his mind on endless possibilities and thoughts, overthinking his every past move, did he try to disentangle his hair. Carefully taking the flower crown off his head, the same with the feather. Then one after one did he unbraid his hair and take out the bobby pins.
Finally leaving the bathroom and making sure to put the crown and hair accessories safely in his bag, Kaveh was more than ready to slump down in bed.
With a quick scan of the room, he saw Alhaitham had claimed the bed closest to the window. Half-lying, half-sitting he had his nose deep in his book. He saw up when he felt Kaveh’s gaze.
Alhaitham cleared his throat and straightened his back. “Come here, I want to take a look at your hands.”
“I already put cold water over them, they are not falling off any second,” Kaveh responded, trying to change the pillow's positions more to his liking. Alhaitham’s open concern only confused the blonde more. This is going to be a long night.
“Kaveh, please.”
Two words. Words that Kaveh never ever heard in that combination, and definitely not in the soft tone that could sooth a dandelion in the wind. Please.
Kaveh moved to the scribe's bed, all his constructed false dignity out of the window at the soft sound of Alhaitham’s voice.
Alhaitham took Kaveh’s hands into his. It felt different from the times before. Different from when they were dancing, from playing thumb wrestling, from holding them while walking. This was more intense. Alhaitham’s whole focus was on Kaveh’s hands. On the hands that created the Place of Alcazarzary, that worked through moon lit nights. Hands that were willing to pull Alhaitham’s own close to Kaveh’s heart.
The silence between them felt comfortable, and Kaveh blushed at the gentleness with which Alhaitham caressed his palms. He wondered what other things these hands could do, what they could do to him.
Before Kaveh could pursue these thoughts further, he quickly shifted his gaze from Alhaitham's hands out of the window, and up to the rising moon. Not here, definitely not now.
Seeing the nearly full moon reminded Kaveh of something.
“I wonder why the Scarlet King fell into sorrow and mourning.”
Alhaitham chuckled, he had finished his ‘investigation’ of Kaveh’s palms and deemed them fine. “What would you do, when I tell you I know the answer.”
Kaveh tilted his head both in surprise and disbelief.
“You might not believe it, but books hold information in them, such as legends and tales about old Gods.”
“Don’t get cocky now, tell me the reason!” Kaveh eagerly moved closer to Alhaitham, who had let go of Kaveh’s hands and helped him pull the blanket over his shoulder and body again.
“The Scarlet King once ruled Sumeru together with two other God Kings: Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and the Goddess of Flowers. They were oath-bound friends. He and the Goddess of Flowers joined forces and together built the Kingdom of Ay-Khanoum, which is an ancient language of the Jinn and means ‘City of the moon-maiden’.
One night over drinks, he-”, Alhaitham stopped his story for a moment, surprised by Kaveh's sudden movement to sit next to him against the wall. Kaveh seemed almost absent, when he tangled their legs together. Alhaitham took a deep breath, praying Kaveh would yet again not notice his fasting heartbeat.
“He shared all of his desires with the Goddess of Flowers. She warned him of possible repercussions from Heavenly Principles. But the Goddess of Flowers realised that the Scarlet King’s stubborn desires cannot be stopped.
While acknowledging the fact that his desires would bring unknown destruction, she still agreed to assist him in manifesting his desires by bestowing higher knowledge upon him. But she warned him over again that he will lose much in exchange.
After a certain ritual done by the Goddess of Flowers, the Scarlet King emerged alone, and the Goddess of Flowers was never seen again. The Scarlet King mourned her deeply. He created the Eternal Oasis for her as a cemetery. Eventually, he went mad in his desire to bring her back.”
With a loud gasp did Kaveh jerk up, turning his body and leaning close to Alhiatham’s face. His eyes glistened with excitement.
“The Scarlet King was in love with the Goddess of Flowers! He fell into sorrow and mourning because he lost the love of his life!”
Alhaitham blinked rapidly, begging his body to react normally to their new position and regain composure.
When Alhaitham didn’t answer Kaveh, rather looking everywhere but Kaveh’s face, did the architect become aware of their position. He hovered over Alhaitham, kneeling between his legs and hands pinned on the headpiece of the bed caging Alhaitham.
He gulped and unlike Alhaitham did Kaveh not manage to look away. His gaze shifted to the lips he only knew since yesterday but could swear felt more like home than places he lived in before.
“Alhaitham I-”, immediately the scribes eyes flickered towards Kaveh. He recognized that tone.
“I want to kiss you too, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”
A smile tugged slightly at Kaveh’s mouth and he moved his hands to cup Alhaitham’s cheeks. Alhaitham reached to hold Kaveh’s wrist, making absolutely sure the blonde wouldn’t stop touching his face all so gently.
They both leaned in. A wave of relief ran over their bodies, feeling like they tasted water again after going days without any drink.
All Kaveh’s worries, his fears and his insane amount of thoughts left his mind altogether. Alhaitham was always good at this, showing his honest meanings more through action than through words. The way Alhaitham moved his lips and let his hands touch every inch of Kaveh he could reach, made Kaveh understand.
Nothing had changed. They are still Kaveh and Alhaitham. Like they always were. What they have was never meant to be put into mortal words or understood by the logic of others. As long as they understood, there was no need to fear it.
And Kaveh understood. Maybe he understood it more than he ever did anything else before.
They kept kissing and whispering, pressing close together so not even the light of the moon could slip between them.
For once the moon wasn’t the one that was admired in the night, this time it was the moon that saw the two lovers.
(And maybe the desert was the only place in the whole of Teyvat that understood that there was no man on the moon. It was the moon-maiden that kept the creatures and nightmares away at night.)
Alhaitham had told Kaveh that they didn’t need a guide to find their way to the Mausoleum of King Deshret. He had been there before and his mind would never forget the information his eyes came across, so even though he had only walked the way once - well not even the exact way, and he was in the company of multiple people who are familiar with the desert -, he was sure of getting both of them to their destination before the sun set in the sky.
Therefore, when they found themselves standing in front of a dark entrance - that with a high chance lead through the mountain that separated them from their journey’s end - Kaveh couldn’t stop making fun of Alhaitham.
“How can this be the one thing you forgot?”
“I didn’t…” Alhaitham was punting. The honourable scribe of the Akademiya was pouting!
Ha, what a sight to remember.
“Then why are we standing in front of a dark tunnel without having prepared any kind of light?”
“If you’re so high and mighty, why don’t you climb over the mountain!”
They went silent after that, staring into the darkness before them. That was until Kaveh decided to speak up.
“Maybe making out for a few minutes would help us figure this out…?”
In disbelief, Alhaitham turned to Kaveh.
“Alright, alright! I was joking”, he moved, so he could access his bag that was hanging from his shoulder, “or so.”
He started rummaging around in the bag, trying to find something that might be converted into a torch or could help otherwise. In the process, he bumped into the flower crown several times and decided that before he broke or damaged it, he should just put it on. He was getting a bit tired from seeing the same shades of sand and red rocks, so the purple padisarahs were a blessing to look at.
It was a minor act to put the flowers on his head, no real thought behind it, but the second the crown sat on his hair it began to glow.
Of course, it did, nothing less was expected from this journey anymore. Still, the two of them were astonished and Kaveh touched the flowers. It wasn’t the flowers that were glowing, but the small crystals that were put in-between them.
“So, it was meant literal and not just a metaphor. Interesting.”
Kaveh gave a questioning look to Alhaitham.
“‘Aids them through lightless days’. It’s what the child told us of the meaning of an Aranara gifted flower crown.”
Still not believing he had a glowing flower crown on his head, Kaveh simply accepted Alhaitham’s words without any objection.
“Seems like we can continue our way then.”
As said, as done. Step for step they moved through the tunnel, with the bright light of the crown showing them the way. Upon seeing the kind of light the crown was radiating, Alhaitham had concluded that the crystals were indeed small crystal flies.
They kept quiet during their walk through the dark, watching the light cast shadows on the walls and scarabs walk past them and hide under the sand.
And just like on their way to Aaru Village, their hands found each other, but this time it was more than just a light touch of their little finger, this time they held each other tight. Unwilling to ever let go while the unknown lay ahead of them.
They first let go when they stepped out of the tunnel and saw the mighty pyramid ahead of them.
Letting out a gasp, Kaveh ran to the different pieces that the time had nearly completely buried under the sand. In awe did the architect touch the stones and monuments with engraved ruins. Whatever his mind would’ve come up with, it would’ve never compared to this.
The mausoleum shone with blue light and flowed together to a cloud of the same light at the top of the first pyramid, on top of that stood an upside-down pyramid.
What a construction.
Kaveh couldn’t get enough of the details in the masonry of the mausoleum. There was nothing else like this, he was sure of it. No other place would ever enchant him like this.
Kaveh moves on the meter wide collection of stairs that lead the way up to the entrance of the pyramid. Kaveh didn’t recognize the type of stone used to build them, and somehow, he got the feeling it was less of a stone and more of a plant that formed those stairs.
“Let’s go upstairs before you use all your energy on only investigating the bottom of the mausoleum”, Alhaitham suggested and took the first steps up.
Kaveh quickly followed but made sure to count the number of steps they needed to take. He didn’t know whether it was an optical illusion or one of the ancient technologies that made the stairs look less than they should. Considering how high up and far away, the mausoleum was from them.
Seventy-two. That’s how many stairs they needed to take to be able to stand in front of the entrance to the pyramid. Less than Kaveh guessed.
Kaveh was overwhelmed with the view they got from here. The building was an endless monument to investigate, and Kaveh couldn’t wait to discover more details about it while sketching the framework.
Kaveh looked like he couldn’t decide where to go first. The big entrance was closed and they both decided to invest how to get inside another day, so Kaveh decided to sketch the rough outline of said door and maybe even find a meaning behind the find handcraft ship.
Alhaitham sat down at the top of the stairs and put his head down in a book again, figuring Kaveh would need some time adjusting his architectural brain to take in the atmosphere. Something familiar hung in the air, but Alhaitham pointed that remark to the different kind of air quality they had so high up.
Whenever Alhaitham would start another chapter in his book, he would look up and search for Kaveh’s whereabouts.
One time he was just burying his hands in the sand piled up beside one of the pillars - doing gods know what - , another time he was laying on top of a broken-down pillar, letting his head fall down and sketching something while looking upside down towards the entrance. And then another time, he was just letting his hand run over the wall. Feeling the imperfections and indentations that time had carved into the walls.
Happy Kaveh seemed to be satisfied, Alhaitham put his book aside. He had to find a place not entirely covered in sand and safe from wind, so they could camp here for the night. It was easier to fight than he had anticipated and he began to build up a nice (as nice as he could with the few materials they carried with them) place. It was not a cosy place beside a fire in the magical woods or a comfortable bed with multiple pillows, but it would do its duty.
When the sun started to set and the moon was still hidden by the big pyramid behind them, sat Kaveh down beside Alhaitham. One leg folded in a ninety-degree angle and leaned backwards on his hands.
Alhaitham could finally breathe, having Kaveh beside him and not constantly having to worry if that idiot would fall into a sort of trap or hidden mechanism. Only the Gods know what is hidden in this construction.
The scribe handed the architect something to eat and a bottle of water. So the both just sat there, watching the day turn into the night once more and eating.
“And did this trip inspire the great Kaveh, the light of the Kshahrewar?”
Kaveh threw his head back, laughing at the title.
“Very”, was all he said.
“Then I am glad. I certainly did enjoy it, some parts more than others.” The last part was confessed in a low tone, but Kaveh heard them anyway.
Silence sat between them again. It felt like words weren’t all that necessary, on a moon-blessed night like this. A bit of uneasiness pulled at Alhaitham and he wrinkled his nose at his own feelings.
“When this is over, will I be able to have more dances with you?”
Kaveh’s whole body language softened visibly. What may have been loud and clear for Kaveh, seemed to be a bit blurred for the scribe.
Oh Alhaitham, maybe the only thing that could fool you, is yourself.
“My Acacia, you have no other choice but to dance with me till eternity. I will not let you go.”
Never let me go. Who would’ve guessed, maybe wishes do get heard?
“My Padisarah, would you let me kiss you too then?”
Both laughed at the nicknames, feeling very much out of character, but many moments of this short journey felt like a contrast to their life in Sumeru City, so who batted an eye to the sweet nonsense two lovers called each other.
(The moon maybe, perhaps the sand and its buried secrets.)
But it didn’t matter right now, all that was important to Alhaitham and Kaveh was them.
Kaveh’s lips were a bit dry against Alhaitham’s own, but Alhaitham’s weren’t any different. The hours spent in the desert sun left its tracks. Alhaitham could feel the soft tickle of Kaveh’s breath beneath his nose, fingers carding through his hair as he breathed the other in. He could smell the scent of the padisarahs on Kaveh’s head.
Alhaitham tugged Kaveh more into his arms, trying to erase any air between them. Kaveh needs to come closer, be closer. Closer, closer, closer. All the senses Alhaitham ever had, all his praised rationality, flew out of the window when Kaveh was so close, so softly nibbling on his lips.
“Never let me go… please.” Alhaitham shuddered at the pleading sound of Kaveh’s voice.
“As if I could.”
And he kissed the other again, feeling himself go insane even seconds without contact with Kaveh. His whole body was hypersensitive to every touch Kaveh allowed him. While he knew the intoxicating feeling of grabbing Kaveh by his hips and holding him just like Alhaitham wanted to, did nothing surpass the feeling of cupping Kaveh’s face in his hands. The whole world right in front of him and in his hands he held the sun.
Mindlessly, his thumb fondled over the soft skin under Kaveh’s eyes - his whole attention was on his tongue moving along and into Kaveh’s lips. The taste of Kaveh was melting against his tongue.
Archons, why was he lying to himself for so long? Kaveh was never just his senior, never an intruder into his home - he was his home. He made his house into a home.
Kaveh laughed at Alhaitham’s resigned look after he broke the kiss and gave a last peck to Alhaitham’s lips.
“Come”, he signalised for Alhaitham to put his head into Kaveh’s lap.
Alhaitham shifted position immediately.
For a romantic fool like Kaveh, this whole trip was like a fever dream, like something no sane author would come up with, but maybe life, fate, and the Gods were insane in their own way too, and that’s what makes all this seem perfect, just as it is.
The moon finally peaked over the top of the mausoleum and lit up the night. Clouds of stars spread over the sky. Kaveh gently pushed back the hair from Alhaitham’s forehead.
“I wonder if the Goddess of Flowers knew she would die helping the Scarlet King…”
Alhaitham laughed at that, “to your luck, I also know the answer to that too.”
Kaveh rolled his eyes in feigned annoyance.
“The Goddess of Flowers was a deceased god, who had lived longer than any other god. When the war was brought to her and her people, she was cast aside by the heavens along with the rest of her kin for an unknown sin. They were all stripped from their minds and bodies, only the Goddess of Flowers was able to maintain her original form.
According to legends, she wandered aimingless for seventy-two days. Springs gushed from her wounds becoming streams that flowed into gardens, water lilies grew in those gardens and the Jinn were born from them. Purple flowers resembling the moon blossomed wherever she stepped, and they were called Padisarah.
Later she met two other Gods, the Scarlet King and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and as told, she and the Scarlet King built the ancient city of Ay-Khanoum.
The Scarlet King was very ambitious and rejected the gift granted by the divine throne, wanting to seek his own path.
The goddess of Flowers warns him not to seek out forbidden knowledge and anger the master of the four shades to inquire the mysteries of the stars and the abyss. However, the Scarlet King remained undeterred. The Goddess of Flowers admired his rebellious spirit and decided to help him seek hidden knowledge, no matter the cost.
And you know the rest.”
Kaveh kept quiet, sensing Alhaitham had more to say.
“While the actual reason and cause of her death are unknown and long lost, do I believe that she was aware from the start, that helping the Scarlet King would kill her, but she did it anyway.
Because she loved him more than life itself. More than she feared the Heavenly Principles.”
Kaveh laughs softly.
“I thought you don’t ‘believe’ when it comes to unprovable things,” Kaveh whispered, not letting himself speak louder.
“Love is a fact, is it not?”
Chuckling, Kaveh brushed Alhaitham’s hair off his forehead and bent down to place a kiss on it. Who knew such a romantic was hidden inside the scribe.
Love was a construction Alhaitham had yet to fully understand and learn, but with someone like Kaveh that showed a view into the opposite of everything he was as a scholar, it would be an exacting research.
And so, their journey ended. One might argue that it was a bit too short to find something as treasurable as inspiration, but it was long enough to turn Alhaitham’s house into their house.
It was long enough to discover the purest form of inspiration.
Love.
You have to love. You have to love what you do and the reason you do it. It is to love the journey and not to eagerly await the end. To understand the path love has in hold for you.
And to never let that knowledge slip either of their minds, they put the flower crown and a glass filled with sand from King Deshret’s Mausoleum together on their windowsill. Close to a ‘boundless paradise of purple and moon-blessed nights’.
It is said that after the Goddess of Flowers death, the original Padisarahs died with her. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata attempted to recreate the flower, but was unable to recreate its shade of purple.
But if one would show Greater Lord Rukkhadevata the crown of Padisarahs on Alhaitham’s and Kaveh’s windowsill, they would definitely recognise the purple from a time long ago.
And only continue to exist in the tales of the desert.