Work Text:
Alhaitham wasn't in. The peaceful morning silence filled the said scribe's home, as the blonde Kshahrewar architect hummed a melody, with a paint brush in his hand, swaying back and forth in motion against a painting canvas. Recent events with the Dendro Archon has surely progressed Sumeru into great fortune. Kaveh didn't accept to believe it at first, when his roommate mentioned the great crisis. But he came to believe that it was in fact true, due to the whispers of his clients, the extremely occupied work of the Matra and forest rangers alike.
Azar has been overthrown, the crowd is busy, and Kaveh could only stare at it from afar. He was in fact curious, what became of the past Grand Sage now, as he is fond of idle gossip. More so curious, of what The Lesser Lord-
He means, Lord Kusanali - is really like in person.
If only his work didn't come at unfortunate timing, he would witness this new revolution. His mind raced through these things whilst his hand continued to paint. The saying goes; curiosity kills the cat.
His relaxing activity was abruptly cut to a stop, a jittery sound coming from his lap. He mumbled a quiet 'huh?' and switched his focus to the item. He subconciously put down his paint brush and took a good closer look at his elemental source.
It was his vision.
The Dendro amulet was currently flickering. A shade of grey took over, and then back to normal. On repeat. Kaveh frowned upon this, his hand raised unto his lap and held the item on his palm. His mind raced again. What's wrong with this thing? He tried tapping on it, shaking it a little, yet it still flickered erratically.
The architect stood up from his seat, trying to figure out a way to test his vision's efficiency. He figured he'll start simple, an arm flinging upwards, his Dendro power should be able to display by now.
Yet nothing came out. "W-what?" The blonde mumbled a little louder than before. If Alhaitham was here, he could've asked what he knew about-
No.
Alhaitham isn't here. There are things he should do by himself.
He can figure it out. Right?
At that thought, an idea logged into his mind. Of course, what better way to test his abilities out if not for Mehrak, his extremely reliable source of- well, help.
At least it was better than his roommate, surely.
He walked across the bright living room, a green hue saturated all over the walls. Mehrak, his briefcase, was put in his room and it was the first thing his eyes located when he arrived.
He simply took it and thought it was appropriate not to test it out in his bedroom. He returned to the living room, and not spending anymore time, he swung the briefcase upwards like his arm previously. His eyes blinked when nothing happened. There was supposed to be a circle of Dendro energy flowing along the ground around him.
"What is happening?" He spaced the words in graduating frustration. If simple acts to the most logical act won't work, then he'll just have to adjust his measures further. Kaveh took a deep breath with his eyes closed. And exhaled, as a thought came up.
Lesser Lord Kusanali...
𓆩⚝𓆪
He sighed once more when his white feet garments tapped the white tiles of the entrance.
The Sanctuary Of Surasthana.
He can't believe himself. Really, it's embarrassing enough not to take part in the major crisis of Sumeru just now; when his friends were clearly involved. But now he himself requires help from the saved Archon. That he didn't save, regrettably. The blonde architect could only groan, hoping no one he spotted him in the entrance. When the coast is finally clear, he sucked in a deep breath and pushed the emerald doors open.
He had heard from Alhaitham - that the Lesser Lord was extremely and uncharacteristically humble. Unlike an archon is supposed to behave towards his people, anyway. Alhaitham's words kind of relieved him in this current situation right now. But to little affect due to the architect's present embarrassment.
His eyes immediately spotted the short female in the center of the sanctuary. She was so still. Peaceful, full of life.
Did he come at a bad time? Maybe he's interrupting her right now. He gulped at the divine entity and spun his legs to turn around, returning towards the exit where he came from like he did not just enter at divine presence.
The doors were about to be pushed again, when a high-pitched voice interrupted his exit. "Greetings, renowned architect."
Kaveh's pretty sure he just had a minor heart attack. His skin visibly jumped. The male turned back around, eyes widening in the process. Since such divinity just greeted him, he figured he had to immediately reply.
With the clearing of his throat, he stuttered, "Yes- uhm, greetings, divine archon," He felt his body automatically shifted to a formal bow, on his knees.
An airy chuckle escaped the girl at his act. "There's no need for such formality, come." Her voice was calm, and welcoming, Kaveh thought. That only made him more nervous.
The Kshahrewar folk stood up and walked closer in the path leading to the archon. His hands trembled a bit, due to the anticipation of how this will go.
"I'm simply a guardian, responsible of my people, Sumeru. In which leads to the question; what can i do for you today, Kaveh?" Nahida spoke in her cheery manner, her body still floating mid-air in the center of her previous 'prison'.
"Right, this-...wait, you know my name?" Kaveh stuttered.
It was amusing for the archon, to witness him in this type of manner. She chuckled in amusement. "Of course. I know all my people's identity. I wouldn't be much of an archon of knowledge or wisdom if I didn't, would I?" Her voice rang inside his head.
Ah, makes sense.
"Not only that, you are fairly acquainted with previous friends of mine, who rescued meーand the entirety of Sumeru, from great misfortune." She added into her reasoning.
"Ah, of course..." There comes the embarrassment again. His eyes shifted away from her. "Not that I did anything to help, in which I sincerely apologize." His voice deep, lacing with shame.
Nahida lets out a faint chuckle. "Really, I do not place judgement upon my people simply based on the achievements they made. But from their true passion and sincere motives." The way she said it made Kaveh smile softly. At that moment he truly believed what his roommate said. A wise and just archon.
"Thus, you come here to me now, wishing for help I assume? Tell me, what can I do for you, Kaveh?" She repeated her words kindly.
Kaveh's smile faded as soon as he motioned his hand to his vision emblem. With a frown present on his lips, "My dendro vision. It somehow stopped working." Nahida also frowned the slightest bit and her feet gradually touched the tiles in front of Kaveh.
Before Kaveh could explain further and ask if she could help him, the archon beat him to it.
"May I?" She offered her small hand up, and Kaveh nodded with a small smile present on his lips. Since she was miniscule, he bowed down to her eye level and placed his emblem on her hand.
The little archon observed it thoroughly and took note of the dim flickering. With this, Kaveh thought he should add, "I have already tried testing my abilities, even with my dendro-powered toolbox. Yet, it seems like there's still an error occurring." His eyes never left Nahida and his vision. He continued in great anticipation, yet very calm. "Could there be... something wrong?"
After a long moment of silence, Nahida hummed. "Hm. I see."
She raised her other vacant hand above the vision on her hand, and motioned it to circles repeatedly. She closed her eyes, and the palm of her hand let out a bright emerald glow.
Kaveh had to cover his eyes a bit due to its brightness. It lasted for a few seconds then the glowing stopped, and Nahida opened her eyes.
"Hm, it seems like it still isn't working." This time her tone went a bit hushed.
"You're unable to fix it?" Kaveh asked, his arm resting on his knee. "I did, or at least I thought I did." She showed her palm to the architect. It rested a brighter glow, and a more consistent one, but still flickered nonetheless.
"It isn't your fault. It seems the glow had resided due to a malfunction of Jnana energy. It is somehow connected to Irminsul - tell me, have you experience withdrawal symptoms lately? Such as anxiety, or memory loss of simple things that you should be able to remember usually?" Her eyes met Kaveh's once again.
Unpleasant memories flooded Kaveh's mind. Thus, he answered reluctantly.
"Uh... some of those symptoms, yes," He confirmed, shooting his eyes to the side uncomfortably. "But, what does the symptoms have anything to do with Irminsul?"
"Irminsul is the source of living memories and remembrance. If there really is an error, it might cause you to lose what you know or remember." Her voice dropped. "What I don't understand, is Irminsul's core has been restored just recently. Why is it still malfunctioning now?" Nahida raised her finger to her chin, deeply in thought.
"Same how eleazar has just gotten better, but not fully cured, isn't it?" Kaveh replied, also looking down.
"Indeed." Nahida nodded at his sentence. "Here's what I will do, I will gather information and what I know for you." She pointed two fingers up to him. "Give me two days to investigate. I have done this before, and I will make sure your vision is restored." She places her hand on her chest, as if claiming an oath to him.
With his hands crossed, Kaveh almost immediately objected. "Absolutely not. I can't possibly let an archon go all the way for such trouble merely for the likes of me." His voice stern, and deep. But then, he remembered her words from before.
She let out a chuckle at his modesty. "It is alright, Kaveh. I, too, as a guardian need to get this conflict sorted out. If not, not only you but a hand full of people will suffer the same issue all across Sumeru." The little female offered him a smile. Kaveh could only sigh at her persistency.
He decided it was pointless and even inappropriate for him to argue with a god. "Alright." He sighed in defeat. "Are you certain you don't require any help from me at all? I can do whatever I can to help."
"No, no. This type of investigation is what I do best alone. But thank you for the kind offer." She smiled brighter, which made Kaveh grow a smile as well.
"No, it is I who should be thanking you. Truth be told, I didn't know where to solve this personal issue if it wasn't for you." Kaveh scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks flushed a hue of pink.
He recovered his stance, "Again, thank you for helping me, Lord Kusanali." He adressed her carefully - but also sincerely. Since she was no longer the 'Lesser' Lord, but is the equal of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
"Anytime. And one more thing before we part ways for the next two days." Nahida reminded, her small hands placed on her hips.
"Oh? What is it?" Nahida piqued his interest as he tilted his head. "Please, stay out of trouble. When your vision cannot serve you in times of need, don't be afraid to seek help of others or friends alike."
Kaveh blinked-as he was a bit taken aback by her reminder-but gave a quick thought of it and resumed to nod at her words. "Of course."
𓆩⚝𓆪
"Not again..." Kaveh whined.
The road in the east side of Sumeru City was blocked; again, due to a celebration and unfortunately for Kaveh, he had to walk to furthest route around the city to enter his home.
The problem is; the only route is only through the wilderness.
How could he forget there was a celebration today? He was annoyed at his own misfortune. "Maybe I really am having memory loss." He muttered, sighing for the six hundred thousandth time.
On the other hand, his roommate would most definitely already be at home by now, since he, of course, wouldn't forget the festival unlike the said architect. Kaveh sighed deeply, "So much for peace and silence." He continued to whine and facepalmed as he walked in the fresh grass.
He tiredly continued walking for a good fifteen minutes or so, when an unfamiliar voice boomed behind him. "Hey, you."
It was the second time today, that he jumped in his skin. He widened his eyes at the gruff voice, and was too afraid to turn around. But nonetheless, he had to, incase whoever it is will become gentlemen and let him go.
A tall, buff eremite came into his sight. "Pay up. There are quite of a sum of mora you owe me. The building equipments won't pay itself, now would it?" Although the man was as tall as Kaveh, their physique was undeniably different.
Ah, a mercenary. Kaveh recalled meeting him previously. Although distinctly, he remembered he indeed has a debt to one of the mercenaries because of the industrial equipments he needed for The Palace Of Alcazarzaray....
But was it really this man?
Kaveh ran in cold sweat. "Uh... of course, sir. My debt to you will be payed soon. If only I could-" The man cuts him off, "It's been almost a year and we have no savings left because of you, scum." He spat, chest puffed up. "I'm not buying 'soon'." Kaveh panicked and stepped a few steps back when the man drew his sharp blade in offense.
"Of course, if you're willing to come with me and work, that would pay of your debt just fine." The buff eremite paused, crossing his arms. "Consider this... a generous offer." He smirked cockily, setting a deal with Kaveh, in hopes that he would accept immediately.
But, of course, the architect's mouth moved before he thought out the words. Kaveh scoffed, "Of course not! I will not be your slave just because I have debts."
...
Uh oh.
What Kaveh didn't notice was that the man had troops behind him and they all gathered around him. Man and women alike, and they had their swords and blades all drawn out.
His heart began to race faster, and faster, and faster as he stepped backwards and fell when he-
"Not to worry, a man has his debts and certainly can become unfaithful to his words. But the likes of people like Kaveh would never be able erase that out of his conscience."
Is that-?
Kaveh didn't even have to turn around to know who's speaking. He almost - if it weren't for his own crucial danger - would roll his eyes up to the open sky.
"Thus, why he will make sure to pay it off soon." The tall male's speech continued behind Kaveh. One of the troops scoffed in response. "And we're suppose to count on your words as if you're paying another batch of mora. Keep your cheap talk off of this." A woman mercenary spat at the unfamiliar face.
Kaveh's knight-in-shining-armor only sighed and stepped closer to them. "Don't come any closer, I am warning you!" The woman shouted, pointing her sword at him. The architect could only raise a brow and stay quiet at this heated conflict.
"I take it that you refuse to negotiate, then? Very well." The male's voice was smooth and calm, which only made the woman more agitated and charged right towards him.
𓆩⚝𓆪
Only panting, groaning and the sound of weapons falling against the grass could be heard. Just like that, the mercenaries lied on the ground, all unconscious.
The so-called 'savior' pulled back his sword, his face as expressionless as ever. Regardless, he eventually walked over to where the architect was lying down. Kaveh was still on the grass, stunned by the impulsive fight that has just ended.
The heroic male just stared blankly at Kaveh - not even offering a hand to help him get up.
At this, the blonde scoffed, "I didn't need your help in this." Kaveh protested, getting up by himself and dusting his lap off some dirt.
"Of course you didn't," His recipient only shrugged. "I should've let you be slain due to your debts then and there instead." The man crossed his arms, looking unimpressed.
"Then why didn't you?" Kaveh snapped as an act of defense, nearing his face closer towards the Scribe in frustration. Neither he or Alhaitham found the close distance odd. Annoying, yes. Coming back to logic, Alhaitham reasoned with the only reasonable explanation he could think of.
"What good is a dead tenant to me?" He loosened his arms, the edge of his brows flicking up in resignation. "You still owe me more than just a sum of mora. I dare say way more mora than the debt you owe to them. And that's just by living at my place." Alhaitham's flat expression never wavered, not flinching at their face's close proximity.
Kaveh huffed, pulling back his face again. "Whatever. Just- never do that again. You don't need to always interfere or impede my work whenever I am at a moment of crisis." But a fleeting memory came into his thoughts once again.
"When your vision cannot serve you in times of need, don't be afraid to seek help of others or friends alike."
Alhaitham bantered back at him, but whatever it was, it was merely background noise for Kaveh as he chose to contemplate Nahida's words that earlier afternoon instead.
Kaveh closed his eyes, resenting the next words he was to say next.
"Nevermind." The blonde mumbled quietly. "Hm?" The Scribe hummed, narrowing his eyes at him.
".....Thank you."