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Alhaitham watched as the traveler and Paimon left Port Ormos, heading back towards Sumeru City. Just as he was about to leave and head towards the Deshret Desert, a student of the Akademiya rushed up to him. It was a classmate of his friend, Kaveh. “Scribe Alhaitham…?” the student asked timidly.
“What’s the matter? It seems urgent,” Alhaitham replied, waiting for the student to catch their breath before they spoke.
“Kaveh, told me to deliver this letter in a hurry to you since I was located here for my research project….,” the student said as they handed Alhaitham the letter.
Waving his hand to the student to signal they can leave. They gave a quick nod before they scurried away from him, leaving him alone in the loud and vibrant port. Opening the letter that Kaveh had urgently sent, reading its contents. His brow raised in concern as he scanned the contents that Kaveh had written.
In the letter Kaveh had written:
‘Alhaitham, I apologise for this letter being rushed. Since we’re nearly out of time, I just keep the information I’m about to say simple.
I found out what the sages had been planning, they’re activating the samsara soon once the traveler returns to Sumeru City. The host for the samsara, they have chosen Nilou for their experiment. (the urge to punch the sages in the face is very strong.)
You should hurry back to Sumeru City as I’m worried about Nilou’s well being. I can’t go out since the sages had forced the remaining students on the school grounds to stay put in case we found out.
Once you’re done, destroy this letter. We’re running out of time.
Kaveh.’
Alhaitham crushed the piece of paper into a ball and chucked it into the fire of a stove that was near a vendor. He needed to get to Sumeru City immediately. Looks like the divine knowledge capsule that he has in his hands can wait a bit.
He needed to get to Nilou as soon as possible as he sprinted away from Port Ormos.
While people have no idea of what a samsara is, he does. He knows the possible effects of the samsara and what harm it was going to cause on the people who are stuck in it. Especially those who suffer from eleazar. If the samsara isn’t solved in time, they can disappear from the dream world and reality. Leaving no remains that they actually exist.
Alhaitham had one theory that he needed to confirm himself. The ancient characters that Kaveh had written in the letter. He had a feeling it was true.
He hopes he makes it back to Sumeru City within two to three days.
Nilou was in a daze.
She was confused.
Why does it feel like she is repeating the same events for the past few times?
And hearing a strange beep every time she closes her eyes before going to sleep.
Standing on the stage of the Grand Bazaar once again as the sage demands her to cancel the performance for the Sabzeruz Festival. It felt like the hundredth time she was being told about this. She has no idea why she remembers all the previous encounters when she wasn’t supposed to remember them. She let out a downcast look as she watched the sage leave the Grand Bazaar. The sudden mood here felt depressed as they’re able to host the Sabzeruz Festival.
Letting a down cast look as she stared at the ground for a few minutes. Maybe she should head to her dressing room for a quick nap to get the sad thoughts out of her head. Just as she was about to open the door to her dressing room, it swung open by force. She let out several blinks of confusion before a hand appeared in front of her, grabbing her by the arm with some force and pulling her inside. Slamming the door shut, leaving them in darkness. Nilou didn’t know what to make of the situation. Why was there someone in her personal dressing room? Could it be an enemy?
No one should have access to her room other than Alhaithm though. All she could see was a black coloured fingered loop glove with a gold ring attached to it. There was a bit of gold and green accessories attached to the arm as well. It felt familiar due to it gave a certain warmth. “Alhaitham..?” she suddenly voiced out to the other party.
Nilou had no idea what was happening anymore. Why was he here when he should be at Port Ormos?
“Nilou,” the voice responded in relief.
“Should I turn on the lights?” she questioned, pointing towards the switch.
“There’s no need. They can’t know I’m here yet,” he responded to the smaller girl who he had been holding by the arm. Refusing to let her go.
“How are you feeling, Nilou?” he quietly asked her.
“I’m fine…,”she said, not wanting to make him worry about her well-being.
“...”
Nilou…you do know I can tell when someone is lying to me,” he stated, glancing at her in the eyes. “So, tell me the truth, please.”
She let out a nervous chuckle as she got caught.
“Feel tired. It feels weird…,” Nilou shuddered out as she approached him with her body, her arms wrapped around his chest as she hugged him.
“I felt like I was repeating the same thing over and over again…like I lost count of how many times I saw the sage already. Even the food I like is starting to feel bland since I am eating the same thing all the time…,”she muffled out all teary-eyed, her face in his chest, refusing to look him in the eyes.
Alhaitham let out a set of curses in his mind. He was too late. The samsara has been in its X amount of loops already and the fact Nilou remembers all the past few loops gave him a strange deja vu.
Why were the sages using her as an experiment?
Just what makes her so special?
Does she wield the ….?
Alhaitham knows he can’t say it out loud or else it’s going to pull her in more danger. “Nilou…,”he voiced once more, pulling them apart as he guided her to a chair. Making her sit down on it.
Staring at her within eye level. “What I’m about to say, make sure you remember it, okay? Don’t tell them I met you as well, I don’t want them to know.”
Nilou gave a nod.
“You’re in a samsara.”
“Samsara..?” Nilou questioned in confusion. “What is that?”
“In simpler terms, you’re stuck in a recurring day non-stop until someone shatters it. You know you’re the host right?”
“Kaveh told me about it,” she replied to Alhaitham.
Alhaitham was glad Kaveh informed her about the situation.
“The beep you hear every night when you go to sleep is to reset the memories of the people here so that they can’t remember they’ve already experienced the same recurring events beforehand,” he continued. “The effect of the samsara can also cause one body to disappear from reality if they have the eleazar.”
Nilou’s eyes sparked up in alert. “Then that means, Dunyarzad is..”
Alhaitham could only give her a nod in response.
“Her body may not be in the samsara anymore.…”
“Is that why she was acting like a puppet devoid of emotions…? But she doesn’t deserve that,” Nilou cried out.
“I know. Which is why ……,” coming close to her and whispering in her ear, “.......”
“Alright, I'll try it to see if it works when I wake up,”Nilou said. “I think it’s nearly time for the reset, so I should hurry back. Will you still be here when I wake up, Alhaitham?”
“Of course, I will,” he lightly said as he gave some gentle rubs on her back. “You know where to find me.”
Nilou gave a tiny beam of a smile to him before she left the room.
If the sages wanted to play cats and mouse, then he gladly played along with them.
A beep was heard throughout all the akasha terminals when it struck midnight.
Alhaitham let out a sly smile as he finally was able to hear it. It had no effect on him since he knew the power of the scarlet king had been protecting him from harm. Which meant that the goddess of flowers, the lover of the scarlet king, was protecting its host's body, Nilou, from danger. He can’t have the sages know they wield the souls of the two dead gods.
He decided that he should watch the samsara for a loop before figuring out what he should do next.
Nilou woke up once again, blinking for a few seconds trying to get a clearer vision of the world around her. Her mind raced with thoughts, as still managed to for some reason remember the last loop and the events that happened.
A new thing happened in the samsara for her,
Alhaitham….
He was there with her.
Brushing her hair and teeth in the bathroom as she got changed into her outfit a few minutes later. Eating breakfast with her parents then waving goodbye to them as she made her to the Grand Bazaar.
It was the same scenario all over again, she noted.
The sages scolded her, not allowing her to continue the performance for the Sabzeruz Festival. Same mood as last time. Making sure that the sage disappeared from her eyesight before she proceeded on doing what Alhaitham had tasked her to do.
“Try going outside of the Grand Bazaar to see if there’s any changes outside when you wake up in a new loop. If you meet the traveler, pretend you don’t remember them much about the samsara so that they won’t be suspicious of why you’re outside. I do have a surprise for you though..there might be a chance where you see our god..”he whispered in her ear.
Opening the door of the Grand Bazaar and to the open sunshine of Sumeru City. Her eyes squinted a bit as she was in the shade for too long. The sun doesn’t feel like a real one for some reason. It was cold when it was supposed to give warmth. She quickly hid behind a bush when she heard a pair of footsteps coming her way. She saw a short golden hair, a floating child and an elf-like child.
The elf-like child…she had a feeling she knew her but she couldn’t exactly pinpoint who.
Quietly following them to see what they’re up to. It’s been a few loops since she saw the golden hair traveler. They were at the medic bay where she could make a figure lying there. She wondered if she should go closer to check. As she was about to walk there, the floating fairy child noticed her. “Hello, Nilou!” Paimon greeted happily as the golden-haired traveler, Lumine, walked up to her.
“Oh greetings, Lumine and Paimon,” Nilou greeted the two back with a smile.
“What are you doing out here, Nilou?” Paimon asked with curiosity.
“Just having a walk around the city for fresh air before the performance,” Nilou lied as she rubbed the back of her head with her hand and let out a tiny laugh. “How about you guys? What are you doing out here?”
“We’re trying to figure out a way to save Dunyarzad and we just came back from our task,” Paimon said as Lumine facepalmed herself.
“Paimon… What's the use of telling her when she possibly can’t even remember it?” Lumine dejectedly said, still annoyed at the fact they’re still looping.
Nilou felt bad. She didn’t know whether she should tell them or not. Alhaitham had told not to in order to avoid suspicions in case the sages find out about her situation.
“Would you like to join us, Nilou?” Lumine questioned, eyes sparkling with a tiny bit of hope.
“Sure, if that’s alright with you,” Nilou responded as she followed Lumine to the medic bay.
When they arrived, Nilou wasn’t expecting to see the elf-like child sitting on top of a stool. “Nilou, this is Nahida,” Paimon pointed out. “She’s the one who is taking care of Dunyarzad for the past few loops.”
“That’s great to hear,” Nilou smiled at them. “Is she sitting on the stool?”
Paimon, Lumine and Nahida’s eyes widened in shock. “You can see me…? Like for real…?” Nahida asked with interest, excited to see someone else can see her.
“I can. You're our archon, the Lesser Lord Kusanali right? I have a feeling it's you,” Nilou stated Nahida’s title.
Nilou could see a sun-like smile crept on Nahida’s face. “That’s great to hear…,” Nahida said.
“Does that mean Nilou can see Nahida?” Paimon exclaimed as Lumine shushed her floating companion.
“Paimon, not so loud,” Lumine hushed out.
Lumine took this opportunity to quickly explain the samsara to Nilou and what is happening in Sumeru City. Nilou nodded along, pretending to understand all the information Lumine had been telling her. She tried to process every single bit of information slowly, making sure she remembered them. “I’ll try my best to help you guys,” Nilou said, glad that was able to help her lord.
“Thank you, Nilou,” Nahida said.
“My walk is done now, so I shall take my leave. Are we meeting here every time the loop resets?” Nilou questioned, making sure she had the right location so that she could go back and see what had changed in the next loop. Before Nilou left she had a request to her god.
“Uhh…is it alright if I give you a hug, M’lord?” Nilou shyly spoke, hoping the request wouldn't embarrass her lord.
“You can,” Nahida voiced out in appreciation as she let the red-haired girl surround her and cuddled her closed. Nilou gave a small cheek rub on Nahida’s face. “Thank you so much, Lesser Lord Kusanali. Thank you so much for watching and taking care of us. You’re an amazing god, okay? Please don’t forget that.”
Nahida wanted to tear up. It’s been a while since she was hugged with love and appreciation. The hug was filled with warmth, happiness, joy and love. The feelings that she has been craving ever since were brought to life on Tevyat. Her tiny hands were around Nilou’s neck as she let Nilou hug her. The hug lasted for a few minutes before Nilou let go. Nilou’s eyes sparkled with love and care for Nahida. It’s been centuries since she felt that. Nahida for the first time in her life, was happy. Nilou waved goodbye to the three of them as she walked away from the medic bay.
Nilou let out a happy hum as she walked back into the Grand Bazaar. Opening the door as she entered the theatre. Her troupe was still at the side discussing things as she gave them a little wave. Heading straight to her dressing room and clicking it close, making sure to lock the door. “Alhaitham?” she whispered. “Are you there?”
“I’m here,” he answered back as he walked up to her in the shrouded darkness. Enclasping his hand with hers, to tell her where he was.
“You sure do see pretty well in the dark….,”Nilou complained as a smile crept up her face, grasping onto his hand tightly.
“Well, I’m trained to see pretty well in the dark,”he amused, guiding her to sit on the chair once again. As he took out a lighter and lit up the candle that was still new and fresh. Finally, giving the room a tiny bit of light. “So, has anything changed?”
“Oh, I met Lumine and Paimon, they seem to know about the samsara for quite a while now. Told me they’re still trying to find the host of the samsara. In regards of Dunyzarad, her real body is not doing that great considering the samsara is making her illness spread even faster and she’s slowly fading every time the loop occurs. And, I think I met our lord?” Nilou stated.
“She’s so cute and adorable, Alhaitham!!! She’s like a fairy straight out of the books you read for me. She even allowed me to give her a hug. I wished I could give her lots of hugs,” Nilou gushed out in excitement.
“Alright, alright, calm down, Nilou,” he soothed out, noticing how cheerful and excited she was about to get whenever Lesser Lord Kusanali was mentioned. Letting Nilou go off on how adorable their lord was whilst saying how sweet she was.
Alhaitham got all the information he needed. Nahida was helping the Lumine and Paimon. One thing that intrigued him was how Nahida didn’t outed Nilou to Lumine and Paimon. He had a general idea that Nahida might want Lumine and Paimon to figure it out themselves if the amount of hints Nahida has given them. He checked the clock on the wall, it was nearly time. “Nilou, you should rest up now.”
A disappointed look etched on her face, not really wanting to leave her dressing room as he tightened the hold of his hand. “Just let them fix it okay? I just keep watching from afar. I will interfere if there’s anything suspicious, alright?” Alhaitham assured her.
“Okay then….are you still going to be here?”
“I will. I did promise you that I will be wherever you are and when you need me to be,”he vowed.
As much as he didn’t want her to leave, he can’t alter the samsara too much or else the sages will notice he is here. Letting out a sigh as he was once left alone, with the light from the candle accompanying him. The soul of the scarlet king spoke in his mind. ‘Is that head of yours crafting a cunning and sinister plan? Ohohoho~ What an interesting host you are.”
“You know when the time comes,”Alhaitham remarked to the soul lingering in his body.
Alhaitham made notes of what happened in each loop of the samsara with Nilou reporting back on it to him. Nothing to see if there’s any alteration compared to the previous loops. How strange, he thought. To think the sages used the samsara as a distraction so that no one would notice they’re planning something behind the Sumeru’s peoples back.
A beep was signalled out.
Letting him know the new loop has begun.
One thing he was mainly concerned about is how Nilou's vision was depleting at a scary rate every time the samsara resets. There wasn't much left. Meaning that if she activated her vision in a fight, there's a chance she won't be able to utilise hydro since her vision was so close to becoming a lifeless one. The goddess of flower was protecting Nilou yet how did she not realise her vision was depleting? He tried to remember.
All these past loops of him seeing her, not once had she mentioned anything related to her vision. He had a distinct feeling that Nilou didn't know her vision on the brink of life and death each time the loop reset.
He had a feeling he needed to interfere soon.
Nilou has officially lost count on how many loops they have been through now.
Everything was the same as previous loops with the exception of her learning about her lord's existence and that Alhaitham is now in the scene. Only Nilou knew that Alhaitham was here, by her side, guiding her through the samsara.
Something Lumine, Paimon, Nahida and herself were not expecting was the fact the sage's guards appeared, surrounding them with their weapons out. Pointing towards them.
Danger.
They did one thing.
Run.
Rushing through the awkwardly quiet streets of Sumeru City as a group of footsteps rapidly followed them. Their opening closed as another group appeared in front of them. Blocking their entrance from running away. “Hand over the girl,” one commanded with their sword pointing at them.
“Over my dead body,” Lumine announced as she materialised her sword, prepared to attack them. “You’re not touching any of my friends. Nor am I allowing you to experiment with them any further.”
Leaping into the battle as she clashed weapons with the guards. Nahida activated her Shrine of Maya to help aid the battle as Nilou summoned her Xiphos Moonlight sword whilst summoning hydro using her vision to aid in the battle. To Nilou, the battlefield was her stage. Drawing them into an entrance as she strikes them down one by one. A few minutes later, Nilou struggles to summon any hydro. "Eh??!!" Nilou questions in shock.
Nahida, realising the situation Nilou was in, shouted," Nilou, don't use any more of your vision or else you…."
Nahida didn't get to finish her sentence when someone attacked her, resulting in her to drop to the ground. Nahida let out a groan of pain as she slowly stood back up, continuing to activate her Shrine of Maya. She didn't have much power left and tried her best to aid Lumine in the fight. She can't let Nilou continue fighting now. She felt pain come up to her body as she failed to take notice of Nilou's depleted hydro vision every time Nilou visited her in the past few hundred loops. She was disappointed in herself that she failed to save someone once again. The girl who gave her the first hug that she had been secretly craving and wishing for ever since she was entrapped.
Lumine was out of breath the more she fought. She was a god yet she can't tap in her powers cause she lost them all. Standing on guard in front of Nahida as Paimon lurked behind them, frightened about the situation they're in. Just as Lumine was about to move, a threat came in.
"If you move any further then her life is going to be over," the guard said threateningly, who had Nilou hostage. Pointing the weapon towards Lumine and Nahida watching hopelessly as Nilou struggled against the tight grip that was around her.
Lumine was at a loss. Her recent new friend is now in danger because she failed to take note someone had sneaked up on Nilou before a scream was heard. She needed to save her friend. Nahida's warning was already alerting her mind. If Nilou continues to use her vision, she’s going to disappear like how Dunyzarad did, leaving an emotionless puppet walking around the samsara. All her efforts went down the drain as she realised Nilou was the host of the samsara. The guards were not targeting Nahida nor Lumine. Their target was Nilou. Lumine needed Nilou in order to make the samsara go away.
Just as Nahida was about to strengthen the shrine of Maya, she felt another presence near them. A dendro user was near them. She tensed up, afraid that it may be an enemy. Then soon realising the dendro user that brought her familiarity had passed by her whispering,"Leave it to me, M'lord."
She remembered him. Watching as he silently walked passed them and into the chaos.
"Nahida…is that Alhaitham..? What's he doing in the samsara? Shouldn't he be at Port Ormos?," Paimon spoke in panic and confusion.
Lumine was about to strike when she felt a hand on her shoulder that had pushed her back with force. Now, standing close to Nahida as the figure blocked them from Nilou' view. "What are you doing here..? Lumine asked, alerted at the familiar figure in front of her. Lumine could see that Alhaitham was about to explode with the way he was standing in front of them.
"Save the talk for later, we have to save her from harm first," he announced, not in any mood to answer anyone's question at the moment. Considering the fact, the guards have his lover in their hands. “Looks like the sages did not take my word to heart,” Alhaitham chided out in disapproval to the group of reinforcements that had recently arrived.
When Alhaitham said his warning about not messing with him when he took on the role of the scribe from the sages, he literally meant word for word for it.
It wasn’t a warning anymore.
The warning became a threat now.
“Let her go,” he demanded icily. “Or else you suffer the consequences of it. You know who you’re facing.Or unless I need to summon General Mahamtra here and have him deal with you guys? Choose your poison carefully.”
The General Mahamatra.
Everyone knows who he was and how much fear he can spark. None of them wished to deal with the General Mahamatra. Quickly letting Nilou go as the guards charged towards him, getting ready for an assault. Yet they failed to come closed towards him as green vines had speedily entrapped them on their spots, not able to move a single inch.
Nahida grabbed Lumine’s hand in a rush. “Don’t interfere. He knows what he is doing, Lumine,” Nahida quietly spoke out, noticing that Lumine was about to join in the chaos once again.
“But…,” Lumine gasped out.
“It’s fine, Lumine. He knows the guards better than we do. So, let’s conserve our energy,” Nahida said to Lumine.
A coughing fit was heard.
Alhaitham had grasped someone by the neck and lifted them up in the air. His tone was filled with nothing but poison and resentment.
" I will make myself clear once more .... If you touch a single strand of the girl behind me and the Lesser Lord Kusanali, we the vision wielders of Sumeru, will not show any mercy nor forgiveness," Alhaitham unsympathetically spat out to the guard that he has lifted up into the air by the neck.
“Do. Not. Test. My. Patience. Do I make myself clear?” Alhaitham snarled out ruthlessly.
“Wow…What Tighnari said about him being an angry anemo slime is true…,” Paimon whispered in fear to Lumine, scared of what Alhaitham was doing right now.
Alhaitham stared at the guard with no emotions, thinking of how he should deal with these guards that the sages had hired. “Now…what should I do with these bunch of guards?”
“Should I paint the area crimson?” he innocently suggested, not giving a care on how the temperature around them had dropped significantly when he asked the question.
Nilou realising what he was about to commit, instantly got up and tugged his cape with the remaining strength she had left. His eyes focused on hers as she looked up at him. Pleading and on the urge of crying, hoping he didn’t do it.
“Alhiatham, Alhaitham,” Nilou repeated as she gripped the cape tighter with her fists.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m fine. Just let them go please. Don’t do it to them. They’re just following orders of the sages. Please,” Nilou choked out into sobs, afraid of what he was about to do if she didn’t stop him soon.
Aggressively chucking the guard down onto the guard as Alhaitham watched them trying to catch their breath.
“You lot, consider this your lucky day since she told me to let you guys go,” Alhaitham reprimanded and glared at the group followed by a ‘tsk’, not happy about the current scenario. If it weren’t for Nilou stopping him, Kaveh and him would have gladly painted the floor scarlet by now. Since she had told him not to, he decided it was best to follow her words and let the guards go.
“Now scram before I change my decision and make the area as vermillion as possible if you don't,” Alhaitham said with hostility and finality. “And warn the sages that they should be careful of whatever they’re planning now that there’s quite a few students starting to rebel against the school.”
“Scary….,” Paimon whimpered as Lumine and Nahida watched the guards run back to the Akademiya.
The air was filled with tense silence.
Nilou is still gripping Alhaitham’s cape, refusing to let him loose nor allowing him to cause any more unhinged chaos like fist fighting any of the guards who refused his orders. “You can let go of my cape now…,” Alhaitham gently suggested to Nilou who was behind him as he let out a sigh. “Plus, Nilou, I think it’s about time you end the samsara now.”
“Wait a minute….so Nilou is the host of the samsara?” Paimon shrieked out, breaking the two’s conversation as Lumine let out a sigh. Nahida let out a soft giggle.
“Yes, she is the host, Paimon,”Nahida answered.
“Nilou, you can do it. It’s an honour to finally see you dance in person on my birthday,” Nahida happily voiced out with excitement and joy, clapping her hands in delight.
Nilou blinked rapidly as she listened to what her lord had said. Did she just get encouraged by her lord? “Am I hearing it corr..ectly?” Nilou stuttered out to Alhaitham who has now hidden herself under the cape of his.
Alhaitham dragged her out into the open, resulting with Nilou standing in front of him where she could see Nahida. Then gave a light pinch on one side of her cheeks. “Ouch…”Nilou whined.
“It’s real,” Alhaitham replied in amusement as he saw Nilou become a stuttering mess in front of their lord. “Our lord had said she’s excited to see you perform in person.”
Nilou’s face was red as she realised how fascinating the situation had become. “Ohh…uh… I won’t disappoint you, M’lord!” Nilou beamed as they arrived at the Grand Bazaar.
Stepping up onto the stage as she took a deep breath before she started her dance.
The dance of Sabzeruz.
Nahida watched in awe as it was her first time seeing Nilou dance in person. It was spectacular, elegant and majestic. A dance on her birthday. Nahida let out a yelp of surprise when she was suddenly being lifted up and placed onto Alhaitham’s shoulders. She stared at him in confusion. “So you can see easier,” he merely stated to the small god.
“Thank you,” she replied as she focused her eyes back on Nilou.
Nahida was glad.
Happy that she has a follower like Nilou that believes she exists when most people of Sumeru hardly remembers about her. A smile graced her lips when she saw Dunyarzad’s hologram-like body appear whilst Nilou danced. Dunyzarad’s wish, it had been granted for her.
Seeing Nilou dance was magical, Nahida noted.
By the time the dance finished, Nahida saw the smile on Nilou was dedicated to her as she heard a voice speak before fading away into golden specks of dust.
“Happy Birthday, Lesser Lord Kusanali.”
The samsara has ended.
They’re back in the real world now.
Nahida hoped.
She hoped to meet all her followers in the future once she’s free from the entrapped bubble.
She hoped Nilou would give her the warmest and most comforting hug to her like Nilou previously did.
Next year, she wanted to ride a carriage and greet all the citizens of Sumeru.
Next year, she wanted to see Nilou dance in the real world.
For the first time in forever, Nahida hopes Nilou remembers her when she has the chance to finally meet her in person once all this chaos is over. She wanted to take her to see the aranaras, those cute adorable looking vegetables who love to sing and the protector of dreams. She was sure Nilou would be great friends with the aranaras. As for Nahida, Nilou was a dreamer. Nilou, the girl who never stopped dreaming. Nahida wanted to protect Nilou’s everlasting dreams that she watched many times in the past few years.
Nahida wanted Nilou and Alhaitham to take her out to see the vast world of Tevyat that she has been yearning for to see once she was finally free.
Nahida hoped that the vision users of Sumeru would be able to save her from harm.
For now, small bits of joy and happiness meant a lot for the forgotten god of Sumeru as she ate the yalda candies that Alhaitham had secretly stuffed in her pockets when he lifted her up before the samsara had ended.
Nahida decided to borrow Katheryne’s body once more and walked to the Grand Bazaar to make sure Nilou was doing alright before she had to meet up with Lumine and Paimon. Upon arriving at the stage, she saw Nilou lying on the stage unconscious. Nahida could see that Nilou was sleeping as the samsara had taken a toll on her body as her breath was a bit uneven. Nilou’s vision blinked a few times, telling her the vision is slowly recovering at a sloth-like rate. Squatting down as she drew her powers of dendro with her hands to help Nilou’s vision recover so that the bright blue was gleaming with life again. Nilou’s vision was half way filled when a hand reached out to her, stopping her from continuing. “M’lord, I believe that is quite enough.”
Nahida faces the person next to her as could sense the dendro element reacting strongly to her. “Alhaitham,” she said softly.
“You already drained most of your powers so I reckon it’s best not to use anymore or else the sages will find out you have escaped from under their noses once again,” he consulted. Despite the consulting tone, there’s a small hint of teasing and slyness.
Nahida let out a giggle on what Alhaitham had said.
“How did you know I escaped from their noses once again?” Nahida piqued with interest at Alhaitham’s bold claim.
“My vision shines brighter whenever you’re around or near me within a certain range. So it didn’t take two to connect the dots,” he shrugged as a smile graced his lips. “Plus, I’m sure you know what lingers in our bodies…”
Nahida gave a nod at what Alhaitham had stated, knowing that her two former friends' souls were next to her once again. “You know…you do kind of remind me of him,” Nahida voiced out with interest.
“In what ways?”
“The way you act and think, and the way he sure loves to fist fight everything like you do,” Nahida laughed when she remembered what her former friend was like in the past and how much Alhaitham reminded her of the scarlet king.
His eyebrows perked with interest at this revelation. “That’s interesting…,” he muttered as he took a glance at the unconscious girl. “Is she going to be okay?”
“She’s currently fine at the moment. As for her vision, try to advise her not to use it for a few weeks as it's still recovering,” Nahida softly spoke as she glanced at Alhaitham who had picked up the unconscious girl into his arms.
Alhaitham and Nilou.
It reminded Nahida of her past friends who were lovers, the scarlet king and the goddess of flowers. She dearly misses them during the times she was all alone. It’s been thousands of years since Nahida felt their presence near her. It gave her joy to sense them once again. They are here with her. The three gods of Sumeru.
As Nahida delved into thoughts, she suddenly realised she needed to meet up with Lumine and Paimon in a few minutes. Getting up as she bid farewell to the two. A voice called out to her. “M’lord,” Alhaitham blurted out with determination. “We promise to save you and take you out to see the world once you’re free. Just wait a bit longer please”
Nahida was dumbstruck at the sudden declaration.
To save and free her from the clutches of the sages.
No one in the past few years had managed to free her from the clutches yet here is Alhaitham firmly stating they will save her soon.
Nahida let out a grin. “Once you do that, when I’m back in my own body, please take me out to explore the vast world, Alhaitham.”
“Of course, M’lord,” he promised.
“And, just Nahida is fine,” Nahida said.
“Alright then, I see you once again when you’re in your own body, Nahida,” Alhaitham reassured with a smile as he glanced at her walking away, out of the Grand Bazaar.
Alhaitham glanced around the area of the Grand Bazaar. The citizens of Sumeru were still sleeping. He made sure to check every one of them before he had reached the stage. They’re still alive but in deep slumber. The effects of the samsara, resulting in the need to rest their bodies.
Nilou, still unconscious as he held her in arms. Her hydro vision blinks as it recovers its energy.
The day was tiring.
His footsteps were heard on the pavement as he walked out to the bright warming sun that glared at him. He saw Nilou eyes opened a bit as she looked at him in the eyes. “Alhaitham…?”Nilou softly murmured. “Where are we?”
“Back in reality,”he reassured the girl.
“That’s good to know…”she mumbled out as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Want to go back home….and cuddles…”she said once again, falling back to sleep.
Alhaitham could feel her breathing on his neck as he sidley glances at her. “Let’s go back home.”
He looked at the scene below him. The traveler and Nahida conversed with one another in the silent slumbering city. Paying no attention to them as he left, heading back home.
All he heard was a question asked by the floating fairy to Nahida.
“How does Alhaitham know Nilou?” Paimon curiously asked Nahida.
“Paimon….,” Lumine warned as she used her hands to muffle the next sentence that Paimon was about to say. “Don’t butt into other people’s private lives.”
“Says you who's dating Mr. Mon--,”Paimon squawked out.
“One more word, Paimon, one more word and I throw you into the ocean. Surely you don’t want that?” Lumine asked humorously with a tiny tone of threat at her companion who was rapidly shaking from left and right.
“Paimon’s sorry,” Paimon cried out. “Paimon won’t do it again, Paimon promised!”
“Good,” Lumine stated as she took her hands off from her companions mouth.
Nahida let out a chuckle as she watched the two banter.
“You guys must be good friends,” Nahida smiled.
“Of course,” Paimon boasted. “Lumine’s my companion and she’s the best!”
“That’s good to know,” Nahida applauded.
Nahida wondered…
When will she have genuine friends like Paimon and Lumine?
A few questions pondered through Nahida’s mind as she disappeared from Katheryne’s body after taking the body back to the location where Katheryne is usually at.
Little did Nahida know, once she was free, they’re many people waiting for her and those who genuinely wanted to be her friends.
Nahida dreamt.
She dreamt of a red-haired girl, whose hand had appeared in front of her. Waiting for her to place her tiny ones into theirs. Next to the red-haired girl was a grey-haired man who also had placed his hand in front of Nahida. Nahida watched as the two gave her the biggest and warmest smiles. Telling her to take their hands. She grasped their hands and looked at them in wonder and curiosity.
“Nahida…,let’s go on an adventure, shall we?” the red-haired girl asked softly.
Nahida’s cheeks hurt from smiling as she whispered a ‘yes.’ “I want yalda candies as well!”
“Sure, we can buy some yalda candies before we head out adventuring,” the grey-haired man said.
Nahida wished the dream continued.
She wanted to see them in person real bad.
She wanted the two of them to give her hugs and chew on sweets together.
Nahida may be a god but deep inside she yearned to be a child who wanted to explore the vast world that she had been dying to see in person.
Nahida is fine with waiting a bit longer.
After all, Alhaitham did promise her that his friends and himself will free her from the clutches of the sages soon.
Alhaitham was just placing Nilou on the bed when the door of his house opened with a loud external force. He didn’t need to go out to check to see who it was. Only one person other than Nilou had access to the house after all.
Kaveh.
“How’s Nilou doing?”Kaveh huffed out as he tried to catch his breath from the tireless running from the Akademiya to their shared house. “Is the coded message I sent true?!”
“She’s fine, just resting and yes, it's true,” Alhaitham responded as he tucked her in bed and draped the blanket over her.
Clicking the bedroom door as the two men headed back to the living room. Alhaitham described the situation of the samsara to Kaveh. Alhaitham could see that his friend was itching to fight someone as he noticed Kaveh’s hand twitching every time he mentioned the ‘sages’.
“Alhaitham….,” Kaveh calmly said. Despite Kaveh’s calming tone, there was a sense of anger and eagerness to it as he let out a threateningly creepy smile whilst materialising four daggers in each of his hands.
The metallic blade of the blade glistened dangerously under the room’s light.
“The urge to punch them is real real real strong,” Kaveh growled out. His eyes turned into crescents as he had a sudden suggestion came to his mind.
“Hey, Alhaitham, mind if I have the honour to punch them myself? You better save one for myself~,” Kaveh demanded, smiling evilly.
Alhaitham's lips twitched and a shrug as he heard Kaveh’s demand. “Be my guest. Though before that, I have something I wished for you to help create.”
A blueprint appeared in Alhaitham’s hand, passing it onto Kaveh who had opened it up and gazed over the contents.
“You want me to create this object with my group?” Kaveh exclaimed in bliss.
“It’s something that Nilou wished for once we save our god. Nilou wants her to ride it,” Alhaitham remarked.
“Ooo~, I see what I can do then~,” Kaveh sang. “We need to make it all beautiful, elegant and majestically looking for our god right? How fancy do you want it to be?”
“Do as whatever seems fit,” Alhaitham suggested. “You're the inventor and architect, not me.”
“Well then, my friend… it’s time for me to get designing. I have a feeling my group and I can finish this project before us two cause any more unhinged chaos soon,” Kaveh approvingly chortled out with a laugh as he locked himself in his room, paying close attention to the blueprint and seeing what materials he needed to gather.
Alhaitham headed back to his bedroom where Nilou was currently resting. Placing his desk chair near the bed as he sat down. Picking up the book from his drawer as he opened from where he left off. The book that Nilou had begged him to read out loud to hear. He might as well finish reading the book to her whilst she gets a proper sleep.
Tonight was a calm and peaceful one as everyone in Sumeru City was fast asleep.
For the next upcoming days or hours…who knows what unhinged chaos the vision wielders of Sumeru, especially Alhaitham, was about to cause in their home nation.