Chapter Text
Chapter 1
The Mission
It’s late in Sumeru City, the sun as already set, lesser lord Kusanali has gathered a group of capable people this evening, to discuss a mission plan in the desert of Sumeru.
Next to her is standing Alhaitham, whom she planned the mission with.
A few weeks prior they received a letter from the Traveler, were she explained that she and Paimon had stumbled over this area that was completely turned gray but as soon as they entered the nearby ruins and solved the puzzles, the land turned green and water started flowing again. They believe that it could turn into a place like Aaru Village, a place where the people living in the desert will be safe and where they’re finally be able to grow vegetables and wheats without the worry that half of it turns out bad.
Knowing all that, Nahida and Alhaitham sat down together and wrote down a list, about what needs to be checked and what people will be most suited for the job.
These people are now gathered in the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Tighnari, for his knowledge in plants and herbs, he will be the one to confirm if the soil is fertile and if it is possible to grow different vegetables, fruits and wheats there.
Cyno and Dehya, will be leading the group through the desert as they are most familiar with the landscape there. Also Dehya’s friendship with the Eremites will help the group a lot to get to their destination without much trouble.
Faruzan will investigate the ruins, that in future no one will accidentally stumble upon a hidden mechanism, to secure the safety for future residences
and the last one of the list, Kaveh.
Alhaitham already made his concerns about the involvement of the Architect clear but Nahida insisted that it is important that he will confirm if it is even possible to build all kinds of structures on these grounds, after all when the ground is not steady enough there is no point in planning further.
„the plan is quite simple.” Alhaitham beings. „Tomorrow morning we will meet at the Western Gate, from there we will travel to Aaru Village, Candace offered us a stay for the night before we continue the next day walking to the Oasis.” He points at the location on the map which is laying open on the table in front of them.
Nahida walks up to the rest. „We don’t have a clear understanding about the dangers that might will await, the Traveler confirmed to us that on her visit they encountered a handful creatures from the Abyss, for her it was quite easy to defeat them so we don’t have to worry to much.. but..” Her calm tone changes in a more serious one. „we can’t say for certain that it will stay that way, so you guys need to be aware of the fact that it can get very dangerous! So if any of you don’t want to be involved we will completely understand. After all your safety won’t be secured.”
They all exchange a few looks, Alhaitham especially gazes at Kaveh, hoping he will back out. He knows if it gets difficult he can’t only focus on his roommate, as the leader of the mission he must ensure everybody’s safety but as long Kaveh is involved he can’t be sure of that. If something might happen to him, he can’t say for certain that he will keep a cool head.
While scratching his ear, Tighnari looks at the map, than at Cyno and back at the map. „personally I’m not a big fan of the desert but considering the living conditions out there I would say it’s worth a shot. I had many people from the desert, complaining to me how hard it is from them, especially because they can’t even grow their own medicine they always need to travel back and forth to be able to treat their patients. If what has been reported from the Traveler is true and we can give them a chance of a more carefree live I’m gladly put myself at risk.”
Dehya nods. „we’ve been treated badly in the past from the people of the Academia I think we deserve a chance to making it on our own.”
Everybody agreed. Even if there is a risk, it is one worth trying, only one person wasn’t satisfied with the agreement, the Scribe.
He walked back to his desk, leaning against it, waiting for Kaveh to speak his mind about it, hoping for a way to talk him out of this.
Lost in his thoughts, Alhaitham probably hasn’t even noticed that he was staring at Kaveh the whole time, what Kaveh finally noticed. „what?”
Alhaitham snaps back to reality. „Nothing, I just thought you have something to add, considering you always have the need to butt in.”
Not even wanting to engage in this conversation, Kaveh just turns his head away. ,,that would be all for now right?” He asks Nahida.
She gives them her okay to leave the Sanctuary and quickly after everybody went their way home, preparing for tomorrow and to get a good nights rest.
Alhaitham stayed for a little longer in order to have a finally talk with the Archon. „I still don’t think Kaveh needs to be involved in the mission.”
„we talked about this.” She is placing herself in front of him. „I’m aware of your concerns about the matter, but as we agreed before as long he doesn’t back out on his own, I won’t interfere. He is such as important in this mission as everyone else.”
The Scribe is seemingly displeased with her final answer. He just can’t loose that feeling that something bad might happen. He knows he needs to look at this rational but for some reason he just can’t.
While both of them engage more and more in the conversation, they didn’t noticed that Kaveh was waiting on the other side of the door, he forgot his keys and came back in order to walk home with AlHaitham together, he could hear everything they have said about him, the more he hears Alhaitham talk so little about him the angrier he gets at his roommate. How could he say such things about him, he’s acting like Kaveh is nothing but a burden to all.
„you are aware of the fact that he once had the great idea to build something over a withering zone, everything fell apart getting him into depth, so excuse me for not being able to trust his judgement.”
After hearing that coming out of Alhaitham’s mouth, Kaveh leaves the scene. unbelievable! It’s one thing to act like I’m nothing more than a burden to him, in the end it’s nothing new, but to held my own flaws against me.. my mistakes that he knows I hate myself for it.. to just spread them wide open.. is.. low even for him..
He doesn’t know what to do now, he feels like shit. When Kaveh first heard about the mission and that the Archon herself wanted him to take part in it he felt happy about, he felt like he can final prove himself but now all he can think of is that probably everybody in that room thought the same thing as him, he is useless. He knows that only Alhaitham was the one to say it out loud but maybe he was right, he has nothing to offer.. he will only stand in the way.
Those thoughts were slowly consuming him more and more, he finally made it to the door of their house. He lets himself fall down on the stairs waiting for his roommate.
He is just sitting there, staring at the ground in front of him. Going over the conversation he just heard over and over again.
„why do you hate me so much” He mumbles to himself, letting his head laying on his arms who were placed on his knees. „it’s been over 10years why can’t I let you go.. why do I still feel the same about you”
Footsteps from the distance are getting louder, his roommate finally arrived. „forgot your keys again?” Alhaitham walks up, stopping right in front of his roommate who was still sitting defeated on the stairs.
„just open the door, I’m tired.”