Chapter Text
Alhaitham and Kaveh did not see each other for the rest of the day. Not that it was difficult. Alhaitham, after taking a fast and furious bath, left for his office, staying until nightfall.
What the Academy saw as a relief to finally be able to meet with the most important position after the archon, anyone who knew Alhaitham at all would be worried about him.
When he arrived home, he saw that Kaveh's room was on but ignored it, going to bed immediately. The next day, as Kaveh had promised, the architect was gone... and so were his bags.
Alhaitham suppressed an anguished sigh, his mind still unable to sort anything out.
He wanted to talk to Kaveh. To fucking Deshret. But he didn't know what to say, or what to feel, or what to do. He had never felt so vulnerable and lost, and he hated it. He hated it so much.
"May I have my opinion?''
Deshret must have noticed the Sage's tension when he heard his voice, for for the first time since his awakening, the monarch spoke calmly and meekly.
''Are you angry?'' Alhaitham did not answer "I'm sorry, boy. I'm sorry if you're really uncomfortable with what happened. It's true that this has gone too far and I've been unable to see it. So, let me help you.''
''Help me what?'' Alhaitham snorted, weakly.
''In that next time it's you-''
''You think I really envy you for that!?'' Alhaitham shouted at nothing, but he wanted Deshret to feel his rage ''You're a real idiot if you think that. The king of idiots. Yes, it pisses me off and kills me with envy that you were able to sleep with Kaveh. It pisses me off that you tricked him, pretending to be me. But that's plausible in comparison to... to... ugh''
Alhaitham sat back, wearily, hiding his face in his hands.
''Realize at last that you love him and want to be with him?'' Alhaitham was silent ''Boy, if you heard what he said to me when he found out the truth.... He loves you too! You guys just need to talk and-''
''Do you really want me to forgive you for what you've done to us?''
"Yes...''
''Then shut up, Deshret. Shut the fuck up.''
Deshret heeded his request, Alhaitham coming to stop even feeling his presence, sighing heavily, blinking several times, for the first time in years feeling his eyes water.
Days passed, Alhaitham acting in automatic mode. He would get up, have his coffee, work late into the night, dine at Lambad's tavern, have his glass of wine and go to sleep. He didn't even read. But Deshret at least kept quiet.
Another dull and monotonous day passed, Alhaitham in his office, browsing boredly through the proposals sent to him by students and scholars, until General Mahamantra burst into his office.
"Grand Sage!''
''Acting'' Alhaitham said coldly, his eyes never leaving his desk.
''I need you to accept an urgent proposal from me.''
''You have to go through the bureaucratic process, General. I know it's boring but-''
''IT'S ABOUT THE WALL OF HOPE PROJECT! WHERE DEHYA AND KAVEH ARE!'' Cyno managed to force Alhaitham to finally raise his gaze, the Sage demanding explanations ''Some scholars, with the help of... of Fatuis are trying to destroy Dehya's project, and what they have done is to kidnap those responsible for its construction!''
''The hired architects...'' whispered Alhaitham, terrified.
Cyno nodded ''We didn't find them, we followed a trail of blood...''
''Blood!?''
''And it leads to one of the subway tunnels we found in the temple of Deshret. But I need a lot of people, Acting Grand Sage, that's why I've ignored the bureaucratic process.'' Alhaitham nodded, rising from the desk, several sheets falling to the floor due to how quickly he had risen, his cloak generating a gust of air against the desk.
Alhaitham handed him the symbolic brooch of the Grand Sage of Sumeru, leaving his office ''Do what you have to do, Cyno.''
"Where are you going?''
''Isn't it obvious?''
Cyno didn't even try to stop him, heading towards the classroom of archaeological scholars ''Be careful, Alhaitham''.
Alhaitham soon arrived in the desert, relieved to see several matra scouring near every entrance to some lost temple or cave. He asked a high ranking one if she could show him where the blood trail Cyno had mentioned earlier was, the matra indicating the location.
"I know you told me not to talk to you-''
"Tell me where they might be.''
''I don't know that, boy'' laughed Deshret, though the concern was also noticeable in his voice ''But thanks to me you won't get lost.''.
Alhaitham nodded stiffly, reaching the area where that trail of blood was. He was heading towards the cave where they had recently encountered a giant worm, but Alhaitham entered anyway.
He encountered matra who looked lost and confused, asking them if they knew how to get out of the cave.
''Yes, Grand Sage, but we can't go any further. And it is strange. Our hounds can't smell anything anymore, and there are only monsters in there. If the Fatui advanced with the abductees, there should be...remains of corpses, either theirs or monsters and there is no sign of activity in that cave in the last few months''.
Alhaitham nodded, analyzing the entrance to the monster-filled cave ''I recognize this cave'' Deshret's voice rang out ''And there is another entrance''.
''Where?'' whispered Alhaitham.
"Will you let me?''
Alhaitham growled, furiously closing his eyes, but he nodded, and when they opened again, those two-colored eyes were scarlet.
And without another word, the Grand Sage strode off in the direction of the cave's exit.
But Deshret stopped in front of a wall. An ordinary wall, but the monarch placed his palm on it, whispering the ancient language of the desert. The wall lit up, and a new entrance came into view.
Deshret smiled as the trail of blood came back into view as they advanced towards that entrance, feeling Alhaitham trying to return to his body.
''Not yet, boy. Those Fatui seem to know where to hide and there are even more secret passages. When we find it I'll give you your body back.''
"You'd better, Deshret.''
It wasn't long before they found the team of architects, some wounded, all terrified, sitting huddled in a corner that seemed safe from monsters. When they saw the Grand Sage, they all burst into tears of relief, Deshret adopting Alhaitham's voice, pleading for calm.
''Where is Kaveh?'' snorted Alhaitham to Deshret.
''Calm down. You are the Great Sage, you must watch over all your inhabitants'' replied Deshret, although his nervousness was also evident.
''Go to hell, Deshret. Ask where Kaveh is, NOW!''
Deshret obeyed him, trying to find out where Kshahrewar's light was, for they knew he was part of the team.
The older architect ordered his companions to leave the place, being the one who explained where the blond was ''The Fatui took us much further inside. Where the air was hard to even breathe. Some of us started to suffer anxiety attacks or feeling like we were going to faint''.
Deshret nodded, trying to feign impatience ''The Fatui continued to treat us terribly, with pushing and shoving and shouting, even hurting us if we resisted. But at a certain point, Mr. Kaveh stole the sword from one of the Fatui and started to fight. I was... I was shocked to see him, I didn't expect him to have such strength.''
''It's because you all underestimate him'' growled Alhaitham, although only Deshret heard him.
"And he stayed there?''
''Yes? I... I don't know. He shouted for us to leave, and we obeyed him, but we heard monsters beyond and knew we were no match for them, so we stayed here, waiting for Lord Kaveh to return or for help, that is you Grand Sage, to come to our rescue''
''How long has it been?'
''Too long... Hours, surely''' the man bit his lip worriedly.
''The blood trail is his?'' Alhaitham's voice rang out, his desperation to know about Kaveh was so great that even Deshret could not silence him.
''That's right, Grand Sage. He was the only one who tried to fight for our liberation and for us to be treated well.''
"Go away. Meet with your colleagues. And if you see any matra, send them here at once'' ordered Deshret, the man nodding as he ran to the right place.
It was not long before they arrived, Alhaitham feeling his heart stop when he saw such a scene.
The Fatui lay defeated on the ground and Kaveh was sitting against a wall, but his wounds, even at that distance, were clearly visible.
Deshret ran to him, tearing Alhaitham's cloak to use the cloth as a bandage. When he took Kaveh in his arms, Deshret hugged him, stroking his hair, murmuring to him that he was all right. That he was safe at last.
Alhaitham tried to take control of his body, seeing that Deshret was preventing him, his rage growing ''Deshret'' Alhaitham growled, but the monarch ignored him ''Deshret, you promised me! Give me back my body!''
"Not again... Not again, I won't allow it...''
''What the hell are you talking about?'' growled Alhaitham.
''You damned Sumeru... First they take her away from me, and now all of you treat him like this. All of you will never value him as he deserves. Neither Sumeru, nor you, and you know it.''
Alhaitham forced himself to calm down, as hard as it was being for him because of Kaveh's state, but he had never heard Deshret so distressed and weak.
''Deshret, get up, he-''
''You're going to be all right, beautiful light, I'm not going allow lose another loved one in my arms ever again'' whispered Deshret against Kaveh's mane.
The blond's lips trembled with pain, a whimper was born, but Deshret kept hugging his wounded body.
He held him gently, yes, but Kaveh didn't need hugs or promises. He needed medical attention. And urgent.
''Deshret!'' growled Alhaitham in fright.
''I'm sorry boy, but I'm not giving you your body back. I'm sorry to break the promise, fight all you want, but I won't allow you to trace the same path. If I've come back to life, it was for a reason, and I intend to make the most of it.'' he caress Kaveh's cheek, wiping away a trace of blood ''I know you will hate me for taking away the love of your life, but at last you will have someone who would give his life for you. At last I can prevent someone with your heart and soul died before me'' Deshret growled as Alhaitham fought for control of his body again ''Boy, don't force me to knock you unconscious again!''
''All right!'' shouted Alhaitham ''All right, all right, Deshret, you win. Take my body. My life. It's yours'' said Alhaitham, quick and desperate ''But get Kaveh out of here now, please. Get him out, he needs medical assistance. I'll give you everything, but get him out at once, for the sake of the archons''
Alhaitham's plea brought the king back to the real world and he nodded, taking him gently and leaving the temple.
As he ran for the exit, Kaveh weakly murmured the name of the Sage, Alhaitham not responding to the call, but Deshret was able to sense how miserable he felt.
When Deshret at last emerged, the group of architects gathered with some healers, all calling for them to tend to Kshahrewar's light, Alhaitham almost fell, Kaveh in his arms, when Deshret suddenly returned his body to him.
''Take care of him'' Deshret threatened, and his presence faded.
Alhaitham tried to assimilate what had happened, almost growling like an animal at the healer who tried to treat Kaveh, apologizing for the look she had given him.
They laid him down on a blanket on the sand, treating his wounds, the healer breathing a sigh of relief, assuring him that they were not serious and that his condition was probably due to the exhaustion shown on his body.
Alhaitham sighed in relief, stroking at last that mane of hair he had always wanted to caress, those eyes like two rubies opening as he was given a brew to drink.
Alhaitham could not help but laugh when he saw that solitary tear fall down his cheek, the Sage wiping it away. He had never realized how beautiful the architect looked when he cried.
''Ha...Haitham. I-''
''Ssh, we'll talk later. Now rest, you have fallen unconscious not because of your injuries, but because of your tiredness.'' Kaveh still looked reluctant to listen to him, Alhaitham closing his eyes with his thumb, tenderly ''I will be by your side, I promise. Rest, Kaveh.''
Alhaitham left Cyno in charge of apprehending those scholars. His excuse was that they could not allow the desert people to be equal to the citizenry of Sumeru, Alhaitham allowing his sentence to be increased for racial hate crime.
Dehya went to visit Kaveh, patting Alhaitham's back, rather roughly, thanking him for his defense of his people, Candace having to remove her from the tent for fear that she would disturb the architect's rest and be harmed by the Sage's fury.
Alhaitham did not move away from the tent where Kaveh was resting, his bandages looking clean, that being a good indicator of his health, caressing his dark circles under his eyes, wishing he could remove that tired and miserable expression.
He turned around when he heard the cloth open, revealing Cyno, who also looked worried about his friend's condition ''Candace has told me something interesting'' said the general in a low voice so as not to disturb the blond's rest ''Kaveh wasn't just helping with the plans and designs of the wall. He was also researching certain runes and contraptions. Pertaining to the temple where King Deshret was buried.''
Alhaitham twisted his face, Cyno asking if he knew the reason for that.
There was no reason to hide the truth from Cyno. His now friend. Confidant.
He would have liked to keep that surprised look on the general's face, the general returning to his neutral expression immediately ''The reason he's back, is it because of him?'' he asked, pointing at Kaveh.
''We think so. But... I don't know. Have we already made peace? He promised Kaveh that he would agree to leave. But I don't think he knows how.''
"Deshret died for his people. For his friend, the ancient reincarnation of the Lord Lesser Kusalani. But in the writings it is said that Deshret was quick to accept that sacrifice because his soul was always in mourning after the death of the Goddess of Flowers. And if it is not in his tomb where the answers are, but in her tomb?'' Alhaitham said nothing, for the first time feeling sympathy for that meddlesome king ''I will talk to Nilou and tell her to come. Maybe she can help.''
''Thank you, General.''
When Cyno gave him privacy, Alhaitham spoke, but not exactly to the sleeping Kaveh ''Do you think you can leave that way?''
"Who is this Nilou?''
''A devotee of your beloved Nabu Malikata. She will know how to reunite you with her. Maybe that's what you need. You will miss her so much that instead of reuniting with her, you decided to possess my body because you wanted Kaveh. After all, you said he reminded you of her.''
''Why didn't I meet her before?''
''Because when you died, the Irminsul was corrupted. It could be an option as to why he didn't let your souls reunite, as she died for another reason. The archon died and when she was resurrected, she was born so weak that the Academy was able to control her. Your soul would also be weakened after your death. That is why you awoke shortly after purifying the Irminsul.''
''Clever boy, Grand Sage'' laughed Deshret weakly. ''But would you really do that for me? After all that I've done to you?''
''To get you to leave me alone once and for all? I would do anything'' he replied with a mocking smile. Alhaitham looked back at Kaveh, knowing that Deshret would also be looking at him ''She was like him?''
''She died saving other people. Of course they are alike.''
''I will not allow it'' Alhaitham replied firmly ''I will never allow his ideals to come before his life''.
Deshret laughed ''I hope you succeed, boy. I hope so.'
Nilou soon arrived, shocked at the story Alhaitham had told her, but promised to help them.
''What I can think of is to invoke her soul with a dance, surrounded by a pond where Padisarah grow. But... they must be original Padisarah'' Alhaitham twisted his face ''and that flower is extinct''.
''Not quite, little one'' smiled Deshret, taking Alhaitham's body back.
Nilou suppressed her cry of surprise, Deshret laughing, giving Alhaitham's body back to him immediately ''Don't do that again'' Alhaitham snorted angrily, understanding his friend's incredulous look ''He's an imbecile, don't pay him too much attention.''
''Aaah...Alhaitham, the only human being capable of calling the Scarlet King an imbecile.''
''And what will he do? Send his army to me? Attack me with his army- agh'' he complained as he felt an internal kick in his organs.
''But back to the padisarah, is it true that there are still some of the original ones left?''
''May I?'' asked Deshret.
''I don't know how many times you have promised to leave my body alone and then failed to do so'' snorted Alhaitham, allowing himself to be possessed by the monarch again.
''When my beloved Nabu Malikata passed away, I saw with my own eyes how her beautiful flowers died with her. She said it herself. That flower was her presence. Her soul. Her life. But I ask you, little flower, what would you consider life?''
"A body. A feeling. A home'' Nilou smiled, passing it on to Deshret.
''You are a true follower of my beloved goddess. Exactly, and before her death, before the horror, we had a feeling. Love. We had a place. Our home. And I swore, by the Heavenly Principles, that that home would not be corrupted.''
''You speak of a temple,'' said Alhaitham, Deshret nodded.
''That place is the only place where the beautiful flowers of my Nabu Malikata still grow. I hope you are aware of what I am referring to, Alhaitham'' Alhaitham tensed as he heard his name for the first time on the monarch's lips ''I am letting you enter the only place where the love of my life is still alive. And I do it for him. Only for him.''
Alhaitham nodded "We will reunite you with her. We will make you have your happy ending. As I promise you, I will have it with him.''