CHAPTER 25:
CAUTION AND CELEBRATION
On the night before the Sabzeruz Festival, Aether, Paimon, Venti and Sirius came back, and the groups exchanged information. Unfortunately, their sojourn to Port Ormos wasn't as profitable as the expedition to find Kasala's tomb. They'd met Alhaitham, and had joined forces to deal with Divine Knowledge Capsules being sold on the sly by Dori. However, things went wrong.
"Alhaitham's too much like Snivellous for my liking," Sirius said. "In some ways, he's better and worse. He doesn't seem to despise people like Snivellous did, but he's very arrogant and cold. As for Dori…yeah, I got serious Goblin vibes from her."
"Anyway, the Eremites took the Divine Knowledge Capsule," Aether said. "Remember what you told us, Dehya, about the local Ayn al-Ahmar group? Its leader, Mizri, used the Divine Knowledge Capsule after his group stole it. He went berserk for a time, only to fall into a catatonic state."
Nahida nodded. "May I see the memories of one of you from the incident? I can use All Schemes to Know, combined with your Akasha Terminals, to view them."
"Will it hurt?" Paimon asked.
"No. I can use the same ability in battle to harm others, true, not by reading their minds, but by inflicting a Seed of Skanda on them, a sort of Dendro infusion into their minds that links foes together, and…well, that's not important at this point. Let's just say that was part of how I punished Snape for attempting to access my dreamscape without leave. So, any volunteers?"
It was Paimon, of all people, who volunteered. "Be gentle with Paimon," the imp-like being said.
Nahida giggled, before she placed the thumbs and index fingers of her hands together like a frame, peering through them at Paimon. After a few minutes, she nodded. "All done."
"Wait, what? That was it? All Paimon felt was a tickling in her brain, like her brain juice was fizzing like Fonta."
"I was careful, Paimon," Nahida said. "I did notice a block on your memories prior to your meeting Aether, but I don't know how to remove them without causing damage or trauma. But what you showed me of the incident in Port Ormos was enlightening. Thank you."
"Was it at all helpful?" Aether asked.
"If nothing else, not only did it give me some measure of Dori and Alhaitham's characters, but it allowed me to see the initial stages of the so-called 'Divine Knowledge' infecting someone, namely Mizri of that Ayn al-Ahmar group. That initial stage is yet more information I can use to consider courses of action," Nahida said. "Divine Knowledge, from what we can gather, appears to be lingering fragments of Lord Rukkhadevata's soul, contaminated with Forbidden Knowledge. When people attempt to use it, they are driven mad, presumably by a combination of having Forbidden Knowledge thrust into their minds, combined with having even a small fragment of an Archon within them. They enter a berserker state initially, before going into a more docile state, similar to certain dementias. I'm hoping that, when we manage to remove Forbidden Knowledge from Irmunsul, it will be taken away from them, leaving them with little harm."
"You hope?" Sirius asked.
"Based on what I have observed so far. I may be wrong, but I genuinely hope I am right," Nahida said solemnly.
"Were my parents hospitable to you?" Dunyarzad asked.
Aether chuckled. "Very. You're very lucky in that regard."
As Aether's face fell, Dehya sighed. "You've got parental issues yourself, kid?"
"A long story, Dehya, and one I'm not sure I want to talk about it. Let's just say that, as far as I know, Lumine and I are the only members of our family left alive."
"Heh. I think a lot of us here, those of us who aren't gods, have parental issues," Sirius scoffed. "But in the end, we didn't learn as much as you guys did."
"It was still valuable information, Sirius. Information that provides peripheral context or shores up a hypothesis is valuable all the same," Zhongli said. "Especially as Alhaitham, although being ordered by the Sages to investigate Aether, Paimon, and their associates given Cyno's claims, is investigating the Divine Knowledge Capsules. Why? I believe that, while he may not necessarily be our ally, he may not be that of the Sages either." He turned to Nahida. "Can you show me a playback of Paimon's memories of Alhaitham, please?"
Nahida nodded, before creating her holographic screen. Harry looked on. He had to admit, Sirius' assessment of Alhaitham being like Snape was fairly spot-on, albeit if Snape was colder and more pragmatic. Then again, he also acted like certain Ravenclaws did, the intellectual elitist ones who were coldly logical and pragmatic.
Zhongli watched, frowning, before nodding after the videos ended. "Hmm. He could be one of our greatest allies, or one of our worst enemies, depending on his true allegiances. I know of his type all too well. However, he also carries a certain attitude of absolute impartiality and objectivity that reminds me of the times I have met Iudex Neuvillette of Fontaine. Unlike Neuvillette, however, Alhaitham seems to have a certain misanthropy, whereas Neuvillette, while he has trouble expressing emotions and understanding some elements of the human psyche, is able to balance the good and bad elements of said psyche in his consideration."
"You sure about that?" Harry asked.
Venti nodded. "I went there once myself, some centuries ago. Discreetly, of course, given Fontaine's laws. In fact, I was there when he passed judgement in the case against Vautrin, one of the founding members of the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol of the Maison Gardiennage."
Nahida snapped her fingers. "That's right, I read the case file once while reading up on the history of the Melusines. There was a lot of civil unrest about the assimilation of the Melusines, partly due to their being born from the corpse of the Abyss monster Elynas, but also out of common racism, which at least one faction of the nobility stirred up because it affected their interests. A high-ranking Melusine called Carole who worked with Vautrin was framed for murder, and committed suicide to appease a mob. Vautrin murdered those responsible in revenge, and was exiled to the Fortress of Meropide. The reforms that went through as a result of that saga are still in place today, and thanks in part to that incident, Melusines have widespread acceptance from most of Fontaine's populace. Even recently, a Sumeru scholar who attempted to experiment on them was swiftly expelled from Fontaine's borders."
"Indeed. The case of Vautrin was Neuvillette's greatest test of his impartiality. But never mistake his attitude for being cold or unfeeling. As you stated, Neuvillette and Furina instigated sweeping reforms afterwards to prevent it from happening again, and I have my suspicions as to what Neuvillette actually is. He may not seem compassionate or even feeling, but that's more due to a lack of being able to express emotion rather than lacking them entirely. Still, Alhaitham does seem to have a sense of righteousness in his own way. Time will tell if I'm right or wrong."
"Well, enough of that," Dunyarzad said. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Tomorrow is the Sabzeruz Festival, and the first one that the Dendro Archon will get to attend, at least in person. Sorry, Dendro Archons, Harry."
"Hey, that's fine, Dunyarzad," Harry said. "I don't care about being an Archon. And Nahida is the one who really wanted to attend. It's her birthday, after all. She deserves a celebration…"
The next day, the Sabzeruz Festival proper came along. The streets of Sumeru City were filled with people, more so than before, and there was an air of celebration in the air. Despite the Akademiya's attitudes towards the Festival, it seemed that more than a few scholars were enjoying themselves amongst the attractions.
Harry had to admit, he enjoyed escorting Nahida through the various stalls, after wishing his sister a happy birthday and giving her his present (a large box of Candied Ajilenakh Nuts, something she had taken a shine to before, though nothing else could compare to her having freedom). She had attended the Festivals in the past, but only by hacking into Katheryne and taking over her body. But now, here she was, in the flesh.
Nahida wasn't the only one enjoying herself. Paimon, with her usual childish delight, was enjoying the sights and sounds and smells, to say nothing of the food they bought for her. Aether and the two other Archons were enjoying themselves. So too was Sirius.
Harry was enjoying himself, but he couldn't help but remain vigilant. Fidelius or not, Nahida's looks were unusual enough to potentially raise comment. Dehya was the same, though she was paying more attention to protecting Dunyarzad, her pale blue eyes being even more vigilant than him. Moody would have been proud of the dark-skinned Eremite.
They went down to the Grand Bazaar, and to the Zubayr Theatre, in time for Lyney and Lynette doing a magic show, their act being the last one before Nilou's Sabzeruz Dance. Harry had to admit to being impressed by the trick, and this time, he didn't know the trick, though he guessed Nahida had some idea. Though after that, Lyney and Lynette chose to stand near Harry and Nahida, whom Harry was boosting up on his shoulders to see above the crowd. "So, how did you enjoy that act?" Lyney asked.
"Very good. You're both very skilled to pull that stuff off," Harry said. "Who taught you that?"
At this, the twins' faces fell. "…Do you know of the magician Cesar?" Lyney asked.
Nahida frowned. "I do. He died during a failed attempt at a trick. There were claims that he was actually the Phantom Weasel, the infamous thief whose crimes seemed deliberately targeted at people's happiness, whether they be poor or rich. I idly studied the case, but there appeared to be little rhyme or reason for Cesar to be the Phantom Weasel, apart from evidence found amongst his possessions. So, he was your mentor? I'm sorry for your loss."
"We were out of Fontaine at the time," Lynette said. "Indeed, we only knew him for a little over a week."
"But he left a mark on our lives," Lyney said. "So, you don't think he's guilty?"
"His guilt has not been definitively proven," Nahida clarified. "But from what little I know of his psychological profile, it doesn't quite fit. I only studied the case in passing, though."
"Well, you are very intelligent for your age, Nahida," Lyney said. "A prodigy, even."
"As are you. I doubt few magicians have made their mark at such a young age the way you both have," Nahida said. "In any case, are you looking forward to the Sabzeruz Dance?"
"Indeed. While dance and ballet in particular are particularly favoured in Fontaine, we've heard of the Zubayr Theatre's reputation before. Besides, we watched Nilou and the others rehearsing, and we wish to see the payoff," Lyney said, Lynette nodding in agreement next to him.
Harry frowned when he noticed something. "Actually, now that I come to think of it, are your parents anywhere here?"
The wince the twins shared told Harry he'd blundered. "We were orphaned at an early age," Lynette said quietly.
"…Shit, I'm sorry," Harry said. "I…I was orphaned myself. I was sent to live with relatives. I didn't even meet Nahida until later in life." He was bending the truth somewhat, but he hoped it would avoid suspicion.
"…Ah, I see. No offence was taken, you were just showing concern," Lyney said, his smile a little brittle and solemn. "We first learned how to perform magic while living on the streets. It helped us gain an income. Unfortunately, it led to the attention of a noble who…bought us. He trotted my tricks out for banquets. As for Lynette…he eventually tried to sell her to an associate with…certain tastes."
"…A paedophile?" Harry hissed in horrified realisation, and he got solemn nods from the twins. "But you saved her, right?"
"Our current guardian saved me," Lynette clarified, her tone tight. "Along with other girls that…monster had as part of a twisted harem. I was lucky enough that he did not get to have his way with me. But our guardian saved us, and she gave us a new home."
"I'm glad she did. You're happy with her, right?" Harry asked.
"Yes. We even have another brother we are fond of, a diver called Freminet," Lyney said. "Our guardian runs the orphanage at the Hotel Bouffes d'Ete." Lyney turned a smile to them. "Maybe, if you ever came to the Court of Fontaine, you could visit us, both of you."
"…We'll consider that," Nahida said, though she seemed oddly pensive. But then, Nilou came onto the stage, along with her fellow performers, and Harry knew that any such discussion was left for another time. It was the moment his sister had been waiting for, after all…
At the end of the day, after returning to the Homayani house, Dunyarzad looked to Nahida. "So, how did you enjoy it?"
"It was fun!" Nahida chirped. "I mean…I've been to previous festivals via Katheryne, but your funding this one made all the difference, Dunyarzad! But you know what made it best? All those people enjoying themselves. That means the most to me, aside from my own freedom. You enjoyed yourself, didn't you?"
"Of course! And I'm glad the Sages didn't shut it down, for once," Dunyarzad said, before kneeling gingerly, bringing her to eye level with the Dendro Archon. "Happy birthday, Nahida."
And with that, Dunyarzad hugged the Dendro Archon, before Harry did the same. Nahida giggled in their shared embrace. They knew dark times were ahead (though just how dark, they were yet to realise), but this moment made the trials so far worth it. A lonely goddess, now free to enjoy her birthday, surrounded by friends and family.
In times past, Nahida's birthday was not a time for celebration, not for her. It was just a date that marked her imprisonment. And yet, now, she was free to enjoy it, now, and (they hoped) for many years to come. No better present could be asked for than love and freedom, something Nahida now had in spades…
CHAPTER 25 ANNOTATIONS:
So…yeah. Quite a few feels in this one. Highs and lows.
Firstly, Nahida reading Paimon's mind is meant to be a rebuke of the disturbing fan comic and its adaptations on Youtube, interesting though they are. Plus, while you can't get Fonta until you reach Fontaine in the game, who's to say Fonta hasn't been exported to other countries?
Secondly, Lyney and Lynette admitting their past to Harry. It's partly a bit of psychological manipulation to get him on side, true, as the twins suspect Harry of knowing something that might be of use to Arlecchino, but they also have felt a connection. I also couldn't be arsed thinking of a magic trick for them to do, hence my lack of description.
Thirdly, the Sabzeruz Festival itself went off without a hitch…but as you who have played the game know too well, that just means the dream samsara is just around the corner. Oh dear…
By the way, thanks to this website stuffing up, I can't access the reviews. Then again, the last time I checked, there weren't any that needed answering.
Just so you know, the next three chapters have been written. The next one will deal with the dream samsara, albeit from the outside. The one after that has the fallout, while the third one, which will be kept aside for the December mass-update, will not only have a confrontation with a Harbinger, but also a twist that I have kept ready for later in this fic.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy…
No numbered annotations this time.