Chapter 8

TW: Blood (sorry)

Kavehs POV

Finally it was the day when the constructions would start.

I had worked my butt off on the blueprint and I managed to make a design that was both practical and visually pleasing without going out of budget or having to change too much.

There was no probability for a withering zone to form at the spot, since, well it's the desert and Eremites or Hilichurls shouldn't be a problem.

• • •

I could feel that Alhaitham was anxious about me going. I should ne the one worrying not him.

"I'll be fine. They've checked the zone and It's safe" I guaranteed him for the hundreth time.

I was having breakfast and now that Alhaitham knew we were going to be separated for almost a week he got really clingy for the rest of the morning.

Then it was the afternoon and I had to leave to meet my client and the construction worker to go to the desert.

I only wanted to stay for less than a week to see how the construction was starting and if the materials were exactly what we ordered and had been delivered correctly, but the workers were staying longer so we built some tents to stay in.

That's why I was going to take a small bag with me.

Once I was ready to leave Alhaitham hugged me tightly.

"Please...take care, Kaveh" he mumbled, nuzzling against my neck.

I chuckled "Alhaitham. I'll be just fine. Don't worry! I'll be back before you'll even notice"

We shared a long goodbye kiss and then it was already time to depart.

I'll admit I was a little sad having to leave and while walking through the streets of Sumeru I already started missing Alhaitham, but this was my chance to get the money to pay my debts.

Alhaithams POV

I hadn't heard of Kaveh in three days.

I know it is kind of difficult to send letters from the desert, but still. There had to be a way, right?

Without Kaveh the house felt empty and my bed cold.

I hadn't really thought about how much I'd miss him, but without him hours felt like days and nothing seemed to distract me from thinking about him.

I used to spend all my time in Kaveh's room, even sleeping in his bed, because it smelled like him and it made me feel close to him, like he was right next to me.

The only thing I could do right now is wait, work and distract myself from the loneliness.

• • •

Another boring and eternal day passed by and when I was about to sleep someone knocked on our door.

"Is Kaveh back already?!" was my first thought, but then I realised I wouldn't make sense since building a whole school doesn't take that short.

I walked up to the door, rubbing my eyes and found Collei behind it.

It was odd to see her that late at night and she was panting, looking pretty agitated. Before I could even say anything she dropped a bombshell on me:

"It's Kaveh! He got injured pretty badly in the desert and is currently with master Tighnari!"

The news hit me like a thunderbolt

There was no way. 

This is cannot be happening right now.

"Y-you're kidding, r-right? Please tell me that this is one of Cyno's jokes!"

When I saw that Collei's expression didn't change I started panicking.

"I need to see him! Now!" I demanded as the fear started consuming my body.

We both ran through the Sumeru streets until we finally exit the city and ran towards where Tighnari is taking care of Kaveh.

When we arrived I inmididately went into the room where Kaveh was even if Tighnari tried holding me back to firstly prepare me for what I'd see.

I couldn't care less. 

I had to see him!

As my eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, I saw Kaveh's devastating condition before me.

His fragile body 

Tighnari told me how the people that were with Kaveh was attacked by a group of nomadic eremites and he, being the only one with a vision, began to fight them. They also said that Kaveh did well at first, but after a while an Eremite came from behind and cut him across the chest, forcing the group to flee back here.

I was absolutely horrified, my suspicions had become true and now I didn't even know if he was going to make it. A whole blade had went through Kavehs body and seeing him on the bed, looking as pale as ever, surrounded in all of that blood...

Tears started building up and I couldn't help but blame me for what happened.

My legs gave in and I dropped onto the floor. Tighnari entered the room too and stood at the doorway.

"What if I had went with him? I have more experience with fighting."

"I could have protected his back"

"I could have held him back or inform myself better"

As if Tighnari could read thoughts, he put his hand on my shoulder and calmed me down

"I know what you're thinking and I hope you're fully aware that this is not your fault. Nothing or no one, not even Cyno, could have predicted the Eremites from coming. The only think we can do right now is to hope that Kaveh will fight to keep living and survive"

I sighed as the first tears of despair started rolling down my cheeks.

I didn't wanted to loose him. He had already been so close to death.

Why him out of all the people?

Why did the kind hearted people always have to suffer?

I held his hand and it was still warm.

He wasn't dead yet.

There was still a chance for him to survive.

Kavehs POV

I woke up in a completely bright, white space/room. I don't really know how to call it.

The last thing I remembered was the blade crossing my chest and the unbearable pain that I felt.

Was I dead? 

Was my life over?

"You're neither dead or alive" a sweet childish like voice said to me. I looked around a saw a small figure aproaching me.

Slowly I distinguished the person. It was a small girl wearing a white, greenish dress with golden decorations. Her hair was tied up into a side ponytail and two long and elflike ears stood out from the head.

She was the dendro Archon.

"Lesser Lord Kussanali?" I asked her shocked

"No need to call me like that, dear Kaveh" her voice was soothing all of my worries seemed to fade away...

"How do you know my name?! Where am I?! What happened?!" I started to panic, but when Nahida started talking again, magically calming me down again.

"You've done great things for Sumeru, oh, Light of Kshahrewar. That's why I granted you the Dendro vision. You've always helped other people and that's why I'm granting you a second chance in life..."

She chuckled softly and continued with her sweet voice: "You are currently in the void, dear Kaveh. As I said you're neither dead or alive. It's all up to you on how you want to continue. You'll have to choose the path that you want to pursue. Remember there's no going back..."

Her small figure started fading. I still had so many questions to ask. How was I going to choose?! Where is that 'path' she was talking about, but before I could say anything else, she had already dissolved into a thousand leafs.

I was alone in the void again.

I started freaking out again as I delved more into the nothingness, desprete to see anything and not just the infinite white.

After running for what felt like hours I suddenly saw another figure, this time taller.

I ran towards the individual and stopped dead in my tracks when I realised who it was.

No way.

No fucking way.

"...Dad?!"

He still looked the same as I remembered. His blonde hair, the way he styled it, even his smell.

There was no way it was him.

"Kaveh, my son!" he exclaimed "look how big and handsome you've gotten" even his voice was the same. 

When he opened his arms I let out a cry and hugged him tightly. I completely broke down in his embrace and started bawling like I was a little child again.

He rubbed my back. It was the familiar pattern I had longed for since he left this world.

"I-I'm so, so sorry" I cried "I-I'm sorry for having made you enter the competition a-and-"

"Shh... Kaveh it's all in the past now... It was not your fault, it was mine. I shouldn't have been so careless and leave you and your mom alone..."

I held back more tears.

"I want to be with you dad! Can I stay with you from now until forever?"

I knew that by taking this path I'd sacrifice a lot, but I hadn't seen my father for over 20 years and now that I was with him I couldn't just let him go, right?

I was tired of living. I knew that by choosing this path I'd leave my current life, but the idea of spending 

He smiled sadly "I'm afraid you can't... You're still young, Kaveh. You have you're whole life infront of you. I cannot let you come with me until you're ready"

"B-but...b-but the world's cruel! I don't like the life that I have! I'm just a stupid people pleaser, not able to do anything on my own!"

"Kaveh..." my father started with his soft voice "The worse part is over. It'll all get better from now on. The best part is yet to come. If you don't believe me turn around"

I looked behind me and there he was.

Alhaitham.

The emotions I felt overwhelmed me. I had failed him, again. Why did he had to appear right now? 

What should I do?

Who do I choose?

He extended his arms, inviting me to join his embrace.

The idea of just being in his arms was so enticing, but at the same time I couldn't leave my dad!

I wanted to stay with both of them.

"...You can go Kaveh. I'll wait for you once you're ready to join me. Go and live you're life"

That's all that I needed to hear.

I knew life was shitty out there but with Alhaitham on my side I could give it another shot.

I ran towards him and wrapped myself around him and he proceeded to hug me back.

Then I felt a sensation of floating, everything was blurry at first and then it was all dark.

Authors note:

Aaaa I love how this chapter turned out!!

I had a very clear idea of how I wanted it to be so the writing part went pretty quickly. That's also why I'm publishing early!

I hope you liked this chapter as much as I did!

Have a great day!

-Ju