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Alhaitham finds Kaveh on a balcony in their hotel, looking at the sea and beyond. He knows there’s nothing beyond the long stretch of blue, but he also knows that Kaveh - the Ultimate Architect, famed for his designs through the world - probably knows this impossible fact as well.
As if he could ever say anything in this twisted prison they’ve found themselves in. There’s already been several deaths, and if Ultimate Rationality knew something about this nightmare, it was that the game was going to continue.
Such was the world in relation to them, if these islands could be called the world. Alhaitham knows that there is a world beyond them, one that he remembers with cities and parks and libraries, one that the people around are desperate to reach to the point of killing, one that already 4 lives have been lost to in an attempt to return to it.
Frankly, Alhaitham didn’t really care for the outside world as it had never cared for him, but he could understand how panicked people could become in situations like these. For example, the Ultimate Ranger’s actions against the Ultimate Doctor the very first week they were here, or the Ultimate Dancer’s sacrifice for the entire group, tangling up the Ultimate Guardian in her plans.
Now, from their original group of 12, only 8 remained. With that, the so-called game of death continued, with the Akasha system they were all subjected to presenting a new motive to further tighten the noose around their necks.
Yet this new motive was targeted at a certain group, a certain secret that both Kaveh and Alhaitham knew about, and would go to the ends of the earth for.
And something their captors should have no idea about, but…
The statements were spray-painted across the wall of their hotel when they had woken up. Dehya, who had been standing guard, mentioned that an Akasha drone was the one to paint it so after threatening her out the way in the night. Alhaitham joined the worried group, staring at this new motive - and his eyes slightly widened at the words in mocking red.
Two reflections, one mirror. A snowy white bird about to be chained.
What will you do to free them?
…Alhaitham hid his surprise well. He snuck a look at Kaveh, who was seemingly confused at the statement alongside everyone else.
A quick glance at Alhaitham was all that was needed to communicate the shared sorrow.
“...Do you think she’s okay?” Asked Kaveh, after a few minutes spent in common silence. He was longingly looking at the sea, almost as if he could swim to shore to check on the secret they both held.
“Probably. She’s smarter than we both give her credit for.” Silence, again. Kaveh leaned into him, sighing.
“How do you want to do this?” Alhaitham shut the book in his hands, as Kaveh continued. “I knew that at least one of us isn’t making it out alive when I saw you. This…”
A loss for words. Shared suffering with the stars as their witness.
“...Whoever set this up wants to get to her. The Akasha -”
“It’s her Skandha mechanics, yes.” Alhaitham intertwined his arm with Kaveh’s - it might be the last time he would be able to do so, and he wanted to take as many chances as he could, with suffocating secrets all around them. “Are you absolutely certain you want to do this?”
Kaveh paused. He knew that what they were planning and talking about could easily be overheard by the Ultimate Biologist or Ultimate Judgement, which would both result in a confrontation in the morning, but this was important, for the safety of everyone around them and the world.
But his world was right here - did he really want to give up his entire world, reflected onto himself?
Alhaitham could see the internal debate going inside his reflection. They had both gotten dragged into something far bigger than either of imagined during their year as roommates, and now were paying the price for escaping physically unscathed.
Mentally unscathed was a different question. Alhaitham knew from the soft light underneath Kaveh’s room meant that the dark still haunted him, and he already had his fear of moving shadows exposed to everyone else during the second trial.
“So Ultimate Rationality cannot be perfectly rational, to the point of missing critical evidence?” Hissed Cyno, glaring at Alhaitham.
“I never said I was a perfect person. After all, I am still human. I have fears, like everyone else here.” He replied. Cyno scoffed, the tension in the room spiking.
Kaveh’s worried look at his situation broke his heart.
Both of them were burdened with the promise they carried. That they knew each other far better than either let on once they reunited in this game, that they shared a secret that turned out would destroy them in the end.
I’m KU54N4L1-V2. It’s nice to meet you! was the text displayed on the computer the two of them had fought so hard for. A small white bird, with bright green eyes, bounced across the screen of the laptop.
Alhaitham took the initiative, safe in their shared space. I’m Al-Haitham. My roommate is Kaveh. We rescued you from the Fatui. We’re not here to harm you.
Kaveh scoffed. “That’s no way to talk to them. Let me!” he said, shoving Alhaitham to the side. Alhaitham easily pushed Kaveh away as Kaveh struggled for the keyboard.
I know that! The both of them paused at those words. I could see you two through the cameras of the facility. I can still see the both of you through the camera on here.
The bird smiled, settling down on the screen.
I promise I'll repay you for all you've done for me. Ask away.
…For the first time in a long time, Alhaitham felt hope at solving the puzzle behind his parent’s deaths.
“I think it should be one of us against someone else.” Said Alhaitham. Kaveh paused.
“Then let it be me.” Kaveh said, his self-loathing tendencies on display again. Alhaitham would not allow this. He could not. Kaveh provided something critical to the group that Alhaitham did not.
For all his knowledge and wit, Alhaitham knew this truth that Kaveh had yet to realize. Alhaitham could only provide a path through confusion and worry, to the irritation of everyone else in those trials.
But from what he could see, the other Ultimates could eventually learn that ability as well. They could not, however, learn to persevere like Kaveh could, shining with battered, yet still softly glowing hope and ambition that kept the both of them going when the Fauti were hunting them down, that motivated Alhaitham to free Nahida, that kept Kaveh alive when he was accused of Zandik’s death.
This time, Alhaitham would take the burden of sacrifice that Kaveh had carried for so long.
“No. Let me.” He said, shooting down Kaveh’s request. Kaveh stared at him, appalled.
“What -”
“The rest of the group does not know me as well as you. It will throw off suspicion of your potential connection to her if I were to kill.” Kaveh’s shock had yet to pass at Alhaitham’s determination.
“You - Haiyi, what are you thinking?” Alhaitham looked away, unwilling to look at Kaveh.
“I am going to sacrifice myself for Nahida. I will make it so that it appears to be someone else to have done it - but they will find out it was me, and I will die, but it will have ensured both you and Nahida will be safe.”
“Alhaitham, listen to yourself. Please.” Kaveh grabbed his shirt, dragging him closer and forcing Alhaitham to look at Kaveh’s tears.
“I don’t want to lose you either.” Alhaitham only could lean forward, leaning into the crook of Kaveh’s neck. Kaveh wrapped his arms around Alhaitham’s waist, gripping in a tight hug.
“...It’s either one of us or Nahida. And…I don’t want to lose you too.” Kaveh gripped tighterl, waiting for Alhaitham to continue on.
“But the others will be fine without me. They won’t be fine without you.”
“I won’t be fine without you.” Kaveh said in a quiet voice.
“...” Alhaitham’s response was returning the hug. Any tighter, and Alhaitham would be left with bruises around his waist.
He found that he didn’t mind that. Alhaitham would prefer that then forcing Kaveh to take a life.
“...Please don’t leave me, Haiyi.” Murmured Kaveh, burying his face into Alhaitham’s body.
“Not for tonight.” Was his response, as they admired each other and the sea beyond. The acknowledgment of the horrific fact, that within the next week either one would be dead, passed silently between them.
Only did the moon witnessed both reflections mourn the final few days with each other in this cruel twist of fate.
Only did a white bird mourn for the hearts of two people that had helped her when no one else would.