Chapter Text
The boat had finally made it to Nasha Town, a bustling area in Nod-Krai.
They say Nod-Krai is an ‘Elysium’ of some kind, those who lived among the seven nations would come to start business, research on this unique land, go on a vacation, or simply start a new life.
The third option is what Kaveh is here for, as he steps out of the boat alongside a few other people.
Kaveh decided to completely leave behind everything when he left Sumeru. His hopes, dreams, reputation, and his ‘home’.
Though, Kaveh’s home had been long gone, way before he left.
Kaveh sold his house and left, he had simply said he was gonna go to Nod-Krai for inspiration. But it was all a lie.
Now, he stands in a new place, a completely different nation. Perhaps he could find a new purpose here, his hopes and dreams could be revived without a worry.
For now, Kaveh needs to get settled in.
Kaveh began to wander the area, there were many shops and machinery, buildings made from shabby material. Despite all that, it had its own charm to it.
Eventually, Kaveh makes it to a place called ‘The Flagship’, it’s a tavern and a bar with some rooms that can be rented out.
Kaveh sat down at a table, he decided to get himself a drink to relax. He looked around the area, Treasure hoarders and Bounty hunters were seen coming in and out, occasionally some merchants would come in, sometimes it was just regular locals.
“Looks like there’s a lot going on in your mind,” Demyan, the Bartender, spoke up. “Say, you’re that Architect from Sumeru, right? Kaveh?”
Kaveh was shaken by what the bartender said, “you know me?”
“Scholars and merchants from Sumeru come and go, they said you build the Palace of Alcazarcray and are deemed as the ‘Light of Kshahrewar’ among the Sumeru Akademiya.”
“Ah, yeah…”
“Well, what brings you to Nod-Krai? Is it the machinery powered by Kuuvahki? Or the diverse architecture of this land?”
Kaveh stays silent for a while, “I… I don’t know.” He said, “I’m only passing by…”
Kaveh recalls the time when the Palace was still in the works, it ended up in witherings hence it had to be let go of. The second time was a success, but Kaveh’s spirits weren’t raised by it.
Too many bad things have happened since Kaveh’s father had passed away.
His mother became depressed to the point where remarrying and leaving Sumeru was the only thing that could make her recover. And then he lost his one good friend over a dispute regarding their mindset.
Now he’s truly alone.
“I see,” Demyan said, “whatever it is, I hope your stay is a memorable one.”
Kaveh left the tavern and decided to wander the town when he came across a woman with antlers handing out food along with a few others. Curious, Kaveh approached the group.
“May the blessings of the Moon Goddess shine upon you, please accept today’s boon,” the antlered woman said.
“Moon Goddess?” Kaveh asked, mostly to himself.
“Moonlight illuminates the path before you, mourning soul.”
“M-Mourning soul? Me?”
“Ah, forgive me,” the antlered woman then said, “I didn’t mean to offend you by any chance. You, too, must be wondering who I am.”
“I am Lauma, Moonchanter of the Frostmoon Scions. Please, as do our followers and passerby, accept today’s boon.”
Lauma holds out a plate of assorted fruits and vegetables, along with some rye bread, “the first harvest is placed on the Moonlight Altar, not as an offering, but a spark for lost souls.”
Kaveh takes the plate, “thank you. I’m Kaveh by the way,” He said. "Um, you mentioned the Moon Goddess, who’s that?”
“Well, there’s a lot to say about our Moon Goddess. Many years ago, there were three Moon Goddesses.”
“Three Moons?”
“If you’re interested, come visit the Frostmoon Enclave on Hisii Island. We’ll have more time to discuss our history.”
“Of course, I’ll see you then.”
After he finished eating the boon, which was quite refreshing and sweet, Kaveh strolled the lands of Lempo Isle. He came across many unique species of wildlife, some even approached him. He also came across a few critters that were called, ‘kuuhenki.’
And yet Kaveh couldn’t help but think about what Lauma said. She called him a ‘mourning soul’, she even mentioned ‘three Moon Goddesses’. Perhaps she’ll further explain about it when they meet again.
Now, he stands on the shorelines and looks over at the other isle in the distance.
Kaveh sighs in calmness, he didn’t feel pressured to please anyone and live up to their expectations. It felt nice, he didn’t feel like he was surviving.
But that all came crashing when Kaveh heard growling in the distance, a group of headless, zombie-like beings emerged from some kind of portal. They snarled when they saw Kaveh and began to chase after him.
Kaveh ran as far as he could, but somehow they easily caught up with him, how is that even possible?!
So many thoughts ran into his head, he didn’t know where he was going. Kaveh’s footing was mixed up and he accidentally sprained his ankle, falling onto the ground.
“Fuck,” Kaveh hissed, grabbing his ankle.
The monsters caught up to him within seconds. However, before they could even get to Kaveh, a flash of blue light shone before his eyes.
The monsters were gone, standing in front of him was a tall man dressed in all-black, had long dark blue hair, and held an unusually shaped lantern that glowed blue. The man turned around, revealing a set of bright yellow eyes that looked eerie.
“Are you alright?” The man spoke up, in a soft and soothing voice. The man then extended his hand, which Kaveh took to get up.
Kaveh hissed as his sprained ankle began to hurt more. “Come, let me take you somewhere safe.” The man said, slowly helping him out of the area.
Kaveh is taken somewhere near Nasha Town where the man treats his sprained ankle, “you don’t look like you're from here.” The man said, “Are you a traveler from afar?”
“N-Not really,” Kaveh said, “I’m an Architect from Sumeru. Or well, I used to…”
“‘Used to’? What happened?”
Kaveh looked away for a second, debating on if he should explain. But Kaveh was injured and just wanted to get it over with.
“My first project fell into withering, even though it was successful the second time.” Kaveh explained, “but by then, my life was pretty much in shambles.”
The man gave Kaveh a sympathetic look, “based on your words, I would assume you came to Nod-Krai to find a new purpose, no?”
“Perhaps,” Kaveh said. “It’s still up in the air.”
“I see… Ah, here I go asking personal questions and yet you don’t know my name.”
The man placed a hand on his chest, “I am Kyryll Chudomirovich Flins, but you can just call me Flins.” He said, “I’m a Lightkeeper at the Final Night Cemetery, just up north Paha Isle."
“Nice to meet you,” Kaveh said, “I’m Kaveh, thank you for saving me.”
“Heh, dealing with the Wild Hunt is a Lightkeeper’s job after all.”
“Wild Hunt?”
“Yes, it’s a group of deceased individuals who’ve been tainted by Abyssal energy. This ‘withering’ you mentioned is similar, no?”
“You could say that, but it can be cured using the Dendrograna. It’s usually a Forest Rangers job dealing with them.”
Kaveh is reminded of the days he first met Tighnari and Collei during the construction of the palace; they always checked up on him before he left for Nod-Krai.
“Huh, it seems like Sumeru has a lot of things in common with us,” Flins said with a cheeky smile, which made Kaveh laugh. “Say, why don’t you come over to Piramida someday?”
“Piramida?” Kaveh asked, “Where’s that?”
“It’s a few miles away from the cemetery, it’s the Headquarters of all the Lightkeepers in Nod-Krai. I’m sure you’ll like it.”
“If you like, come meet me at Final Night, we can go together.”
Kaveh felt hopeful, “sounds good. Thanks for the invite.”
Flins walks Kaveh back to Nasha Town and takes him to a doctor before departing.
After Kaveh’s injury was treated, (it wasn’t serious but needed at least a week to heal) he headed back to Flagship and checked into a room to rest for the day.
Today was an interesting day, but nothing too eventful. Maybe Kaveh should stay for a couple days in order to fully experience it.