Chapter Text
“Huh…? Hey-! What the hell are you do-?!”
Among the faint, lingering scent of old books, and underneath the sun’s rays that filtered through the Akademiya’s stained glass windows, a hand darted forth. A certain Kshahrewar student’s reflexes kicked in as he responded to the sudden action, quickly backing up to remove himself from the other’s reach. Unfortunately, he was a moment too slow. Before he knew it, he felt a tug from the side of his head by his ear. He could only give a slight wince of discomfort as his Akasha Terminal was snatched off of him. Within the natural quiet and open room design of the House of Daena’s library, the blonde’s sudden exclamations had rung a bit louder than they actually were. It certainly prompted the curious or startled glances of students who were nearby.
Raising a hand to rub his ear soothingly, Kaveh’s gaze soon sharpened as he finally stared at the silver-haired student with a mixture of confusion and shock. In an attempt to not make too much of a scene, and risk getting kicked out, he spoke up in an aggravated, hushed tone. “That kind of hurt, you know! What the hell was that for?!”
All that blank-faced Haravatat student did was silently meet Kaveh’s gaze with a slow blink, as if the man didn’t just suddenly rob another of their Akasha Terminal in broad daylight. Yet, before Kaveh’s patience could truly be put to the test, the other simply held out his stolen terminal like some sort of offering. As much as the blonde wanted to be offended at the gesture, the entire sequence of events was so odd, he was mostly filled with bewilderment than anything else. And so, Kaveh carefully took his Akasha Terminal back, only looking back up once he heard his junior finally speak up.
“...My apologies. I wasn’t quite thinking straight.”
“Now, why does that feel like an understatement?” Kaveh couldn’t help but mentally huff with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. After all, what did one do when a fellow student, they had never met, suddenly walked up to them without a word and tore off their Akasha Terminal? It was such a ridiculous scenario that a part of Kaveh felt himself slightly intrigued, a little hungry for answers.
Lightly shaking his head to himself, he snapped out of his thoughts before looking over to address his junior. “Hey, mind telling me-” Kaveh paused as he ended up cutting himself off. That silver-haired student was no longer standing by him anymore. In fact, after a quick glance around, it seemed as if that Haravatat student had left the House of Daena entirely!
“That junior of mine didn’t even give me a simple “goodbye”.” Kaveh took a moment to think over the random encounter as he secured his terminal to his ear once again. It took him another moment to realize something else.
“...I didn’t even get his name.”
There was a time in which the world was nothing but an endless, dark void. There was nothing to see, to hear, to touch. There was no way to tell where it started or where it ended. It was peaceful but full of emptiness.
And within that world, “he was born”.
Like a droplet of water falling into a still pond, his consciousness formed. Like the ripple that would follow, he slowly gained awareness, and the first signs of light would appear.
The darkness bled away as it was replaced by blinding light. Yet, what came after was a burst of colors and sensations. It was then, for the first time, he knew what it meant to “see”. It didn’t take much longer until he also knew what it meant to “feel” and to “hear”.
Ethereal tendrils of light surrounded him, glimmering hues drifting like mysterious ribbons of mist. Drifting within the space were illuminated petals and leaves that swelled with precious memories. It was his first time seeing such things. Yet, a part of him knew exactly what he was witnessing as everything and anything filtered through his existence. It was because of this that his foggy mind could form internal words, creating his first conscious thought.
“Who am I?” That was the one question that came to mind that he couldn’t find an answer to. However, it turned out that he didn’t need to worry about such a thing for much longer.
His crystalline form once rested delicately within the gentle hands of that noble deity, and it was there he was given a “name”.
“You know… That sharp tongue of yours is going to land you into some deep trouble someday. What were you planning to do if I didn’t show up, my dear junior?”
“I was merely stating the facts. It’s not my fault that they couldn’t grasp the basics of what I was telling them. Besides, even if you didn’t show up, I am more than capable of handling myself.”
Kaveh merely nodded absent-mindedly, eyes slightly narrowed in focus as he took a proper look at his junior. The afternoon sun seemed to shine against those long, silver locks that were tied back into a low ponytail, adding a touch of warmth to the light green highlights mixed within. Partially hidden under it all were rather interesting devices that covered his ears. One could only theorize what they were for. Yet, it was the collage of colors that made up the brilliance of the Haravatat student’s eyes, that was truly fascinating. It was a wonder how he hadn’t taken notice of the other before now. This man stood out among the crowd for sure!
For some unexplainable reason, he swore there was a momentary spark of familiarity. But that was ridiculous. He knows with absolute certainty that he had never seen or met this junior before until now.
For a brief moment, Kaveh’s thoughts paused themselves before he mentally shook his head clear. Now was not the time to think too deeply about that. The whole reason he was trying to track down this junior of his was so he could finally get some answers to his questions. And speaking of his questions…
Kaveh quietly cleared his throat as they continued strolling down a pathway on the Akademiya’s grounds. “So, care to tell me what our…first “meeting” was all about? I don’t know about you, but having a complete stranger walk on up to me in silence, only to yank off my Akasha Terminal, isn’t exactly something you experience every day.”
“I had merely mistaken your terminal for something else.”
Kaveh blinked once, twice, and then proceeded to stare at the other with disbelief. How in the Greater and Lesser Lord’s name does someone mistake an Akasha Terminal as “something else”, much less a “something else” worth sneaking up on someone and ripping off?
Feeling his senior’s stare on him, he glanced over with a faintly raised brow. “Is something the matter?”
Kaveh’s mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. “Were you on something? I can’t see how you could have mistaken my terminal as something deserving of such actions.” Yet, as far as Kaveh could recall, his junior didn’t look like he was under the influence of anything. His junior didn’t even seem to be drunk. As far as he could tell, the other was completely awake and aware.
“As I stated back then, I was not exactly in my right mind. That is all. I truly never meant to sneak up on anyone, much less cause such an unwarranted disturbance.” The Haravatat student’s steps slowed down for a second as his narrowed gaze looked over to Kaveh. “...Is the reason you approached me again to interrogate me over that incident?”
“How could I not want to ask you some questions after pulling such a stunt on me? Besides, I never even got your name.” Kaveh faintly huffed with a small smile. “You had left so abruptly without my notice that I had no chance to introduce myself.”
“...I am Alhaitham.”
“Oh?” Kaveh took a moment to wrack his brain as to why the name was vaguely familiar. Ah…yes. That’s why. He’s most certainly heard of Alhaitham’s name in passing. How could he not when the other has already built up quite a reputation? The man was incredibly studious and produced very high-quality work. However, many claimed the man was a cold and callous person who was logical to a fault. That would explain the scene he had stumbled across several minutes earlier in one of the Akademiya’s halls. There were students from various Darshans confronting Alhaitham, the man verbally clashing swords in a rather heated debate that had polite masks slipping. Perhaps, it was a good thing Kaveh had arrived when he did, carefully defusing the metaphorical bomb and guiding Alhaitham out of that mess as he took his junior outside.
“Well then, it’s certainly interesting to meet you, Alhaitham. I’m Kaveh and, someday, I will be the best architect in all of Sumeru!”
“Mmn?”
Kaveh observed the faintest of change within Alhaitham’s eyes as the silver-haired student glanced over at him. He couldn’t exactly explain it, but he knew for sure that something he must have said in his introduction had sparked some sort of interest in the other. Kaveh decided to mentally take that as a win.
And then, Alhaitham decided to speak up once more, the Haravatat student’s eyes quickly looking up and down at Kaveh’s appearance. “...I believe I have heard of you. Though, judging by our brief time together, I will say that you are not entirely what I expected.”
Kaveh blinked before staring at Alhaitham with a small, bewildered shout. “Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?!”
“I mean what I said, Senior Kaveh.”
“But I can’t even tell if you meant that in a good way or a bad way?!”
“It depends. Everyone’s understanding of what is “good” and “bad” can be subjective.”
“You-! Can’t you just say whether or not it’s good or bad without thinking so deeply about it?”
Alhaitham does not provide a response, but Kaveh couldn’t help but have the faintest inkling in his gut that a small part of Alhaitham was doing this intentionally. “He’s doing this on purpose… How could I have such a mean junior?”
There was a time in which a god had looked at him softly, an apology upon her lips and spoken in an ancient tongue. The world was not perfect, it never could be. However, it was growing ill, a sickness poisoning the mortals and stripping away the land’s vitality. It was ugly. It was unsightly. A mere wall wouldn’t be able to entirely defend against it, nor would temples imbued with the blessing of life be able to eradicate it. And so, he was “born” from the hope of a goddess and the dreams of the people.
“I’m sorry.” She had once said. “I have brought you into being to take on the burden of gods.”
She hadn’t been quite aware of how strong her hope had manifested – how strong her dream manifested when she created him. He could not blame her. He did not blame her. To the him who understood everything and understood nothing, he chose to willingly follow her through the thorny path. He had absorbed the dreams of living beings, the Jnana Energy accumulating.
Soon, it would be strong enough to be used as a form of “purification” to eradicate the filth that invaded the world during trying times. However, it was not enough and it never would be. And that was all because of one, final step that couldn’t be achieved.
He was there to witness her final grand plan – one that would also serve as the day of her departure.
As he observed her snap off the purest branch of Irminsul, cradling it close like a mother would her child, a part of him wondered if this is what it looked like when he came into being.
Kaveh continued to keep meeting Alhaitham after that, much to the bafflement of his peers. Why was the “Lion of Kshahrewar”, their Darshan’s “sunlight”, bothering to spend time with someone like Alhaitham? The man always kept to himself, wearing a practically immovable face, and always stirring up debates with other students. There was clearly nothing worth spending more time than needed with such a man, and that’s only if one didn’t count the absolute quality and skill behind Alhaitham’s work. And yet, regardless of either of their reputations, Kaveh continued to seek his dear junior out. Sometimes, it went relatively smoothly. Other times, students would cower as two top students, from two different Darshans, verbally duked it out over various topics in a way no one else could keep up with. More than once had a Matra or two’s attention been drawn over by the commotion, making sure there wasn’t an actual assault or dangerous scenario happening.
But, it was due to these moments of relative peace and heated disagreements, that they could gradually pick out more information about each other.
As far as Kaveh could understand, their ways of viewing things were practically polar opposites. Yes, he was no stranger to logic and reason. Hell, despite being an “artistic dreamer” he was most definitely skeptical of things and making sure he got his sources right. He didn’t just blindly let his emotionally driven side overtake him too much. Give him some credit, please! He was certainly capable of thinking and having a semblance of self-control!
But back on the topic of Alhaitham… Kaveh was still figuring things out.
For Kaveh, he could see the sheer stubbornness contained within his junior. It was probably on the same level as the bull used to represent Haravatat. The man could be as immovable as a stone crafted by the Lord of Geo and he was not one to dance around things. If Alhaitham saw something worth correcting, he’d speak up. Yes, his junior was capable of listening to the opinions, ideas, and views of others. But it meant nothing if someone couldn’t explain it in a way that strikes a chord inside Alhaitham’s head.
Stubborn, logical to a fault, adaptable and open, yet so distant and immovable. A man smart enough to know what to say and what not to say, while sometimes not shutting up enough. That is the junior Kaveh has chosen to keep pestering.
…But what about those rare moments when Kaveh would see another side to Alhaitham? The side that seemed to be…slightly softer? Vaguely happier and lighter? It wasn’t too often, but it was enough that Kaveh could pick up on the genuine smiles – the tiny, upward curve of the corners of the lips. He has picked up huffs of amusement, or laughter that would not be the type to bellow out, but remain quiet. Yet, it would still hold joy and mirth all the same.
Kaveh doesn’t know everything about Alhaitham. Sometimes, he asks and gets an answer. Other times, he simply ends up not getting one as the Haravatat student sneakily dodges it. He doesn’t know where the man vanishes off to all the time, and he’s not privy to every routine and project Alhaitham has. He just knows bits and pieces over time and slowly compiles them into an organized list in his head. So, yes, he still has much more to delve into in order to learn what makes Alhaitham “Alhaitham”. In fact, he could even be reading things about his junior wrong to the present moment. However, it just gave Kaveh all the more reason to figure out the mystery puzzle called “Alhaitham”.
Speaking of Alhaitham…
Kaveh lifted his head at the distant sound of clashing metal and he began to change his course toward the training grounds.
The Akademiya’s many graduation requirements included some activity or course that promoted fitness in some capacity. Whether that was something involving traveling, taking up combat training, or other outdoor activities from gardening to photography. Naturally, a large majority commonly picked something relatively simple and not too strenuous. That left the combative type of classes lacking students. Even when they did have students, it was a low chance anyone would really stand out. After all, they were merely just getting a requirement done. They typically had no passion to go swinging weapons at monsters. They wanted to stick to their books and papers.
Kaveh faintly smiled at the thought before finally arriving. Already, there was a bit of a crowd gathered around. He was easily able to make it closer to the front, allowing him a front-row seat to the match before him.
With a mental whistle of appreciation, Kaveh’s critical eye observed the way Alhaitham’s body twisted and turned, the grips around the sword’s handle, and the way the man moved so smoothly into his next action. There was no time wasted for some sort of fancy footwork or flair as if it were for a stageplay. No, it just happened that Alhaitham was so natural in the activity that he appeared graceful, despite his methods being swift and to the point. The poor student on the opposing end could barely keep up and Kaveh briefly sent a quick prayer for the overwhelmed stranger.
It did not take long for Alhaitham to quickly finish the match and disarm the student with his sword.
And it was just as Alhaitham was ready to call it a day that Kaveh decided to step forth with an intrigued smile. “Well now, you look more like a Matra in training than a Haravatat student. Say…care to schedule a time for me to have a go at you? I’d like to see how well I’d fair. Maybe I might actually give you a challenge.”
It was the last time they would ever meet like this again. He heard her apologize. He saw her apologize. Again, he told her it was alright. He was ready for this moment and willing to go through with it.
“I will always hold respect for your will. But to ensure that things can go as planned, I must do this as a security measure.”
“I understand and I don’t mind.”
“Please, don't let my status as your Archon and creator influence what you are alright with…”
“I’m not.”
He insisted and she accepted it. Yet, he could tell she was still not entirely certain of his answer. That was alright. He didn’t mind it if she didn’t fully believe his response. But that was neither here nor there as he relaxed, leaving his mind open as she caringly held him close once more.
“Akasha, you are to observe and watch over the new “me” within the next samsara. Nurture her mind and allow her to prosper.”
“Akasha, you are to leak the agreed-upon clues and hints I have provided you for the day she is ready to seek the truth and put an end to it all.”
“Akasha, the listed information I have inputted shall be restricted. Access is denied to all except the new Dendro Archon. However, she will only start unlocking such access unless she meets the requirements.”
“Akasha… Take care of yourself.”