Azar and his allies are currently in Avidya Forest, cultivating their wisdom as always after their uncalled for and unlawful banishment by Nahida. It had been some time since they'd been exiled there by the demonic "radish". The aging ex-Grand Sage is in his meditating tent one morning when he feels someone enter the camp.
"Who could be foolish enough to approach my tent right now. It's so early in the morning." Azar murmurs.
He exits the tent to see Kusanali sitting in the center of the camp. She looks up at him, smiling at his clueless expression, clearly not knowing who she truly is.
"Greetings, Grand Sage Azar. I hope I'm not interrupting anything, I just felt like a morning stroll and decided to stop by." Kusanali greets.
Azar approaches her, unsure why this random woman is being so friendly with him, especially after the news of his… "betrayal"... towards that rotten little goblin was undoubtedly spread around Sumeru. He decides to entertain the strange woman who has approached him, anyway.
"Good morning, Miss. I'm not sure who you are, but why have you come all the way out here to Avidya Forest to meet me?" Azar asks.
Kusanali tilts her head to the side, her curiosity piqued. She finds his confusion quite amusing, so she decides to play along with his cluelessness.
"I'm just a woman taking a morning walk and enjoying the sights of Avidya Forest. Your camp caught my eye, so I decided to stop by and say hi. Isn't that allowed?" Kusanali asks.
Azar's eye twitches a little bit from annoyance, but he tries to keep a friendly tone to not upset her.
"Of course it's allowed, but don't you think it's odd to be meeting a stranger all alone in the Avidya Forest, especially for a young woman like yourself?" Azar asks.
Kusanali chuckles lightly at his concern. She can see the irritation in his expression, but she finds it rather amusing.
"I appreciate your concern, but I can assure you, I am perfectly capable of handling myself. Besides, aren't you a Grand Sage? Shouldn't I be more worried for my own safety seeing as I am alone with you?" Kusanali asks.
Azar's annoyance increases more and more, not liking being reminded of having been wrongfully stripped of that position, but it seems to him like this strange woman doesn't know this information.
"I don't doubt you can look after yourself, but are you absolutely sure you are safe being alone with me, a stranger, in the forest far from the city?" Azar asks.
"Oh, I have no doubt about it. After all, you're just a harmless ex-Grand Sage, right? I think I'll be fine." Kusanali replies.
Azar's eye twitching intensifies from annoyance and he has to keep himself from snapping at the woman. She seems to be pushing his buttons just to get a reaction out of him.
"Ex-Grand Sage or not, you're still standing alone in a forest with me. I could easily take advantage of you if I wanted." Azar says.
Kusanali chuckles and stands up. The dark beauty seems to exude a light aura of Dendro magic, little sparkles of green plant magic flowing from her glowing form. Azar takes a step back, subconsciously intimidated by the dark skinned beauty's presence. There's a certain energy emanating from her that feels oddly familiar, but he can't quite put his finger on it. The Dendro energy flowing from her is also a bit surprising, though Azar tries to hide his surprise as he stares at her, trying to figure out who this woman is. Kusanali steps closer, her green eyes seeming to glow brighter as she does so. She can see the slight intimidation in Azar's expression and it amuses her.
"You seem a bit nervous, Grand Sage. Is something the matter? I assure you, I don't bite." Kusanali asks.
Azar takes a few steps back as she gets closer, but he tries to regain a firm expression as she questions his slight nervousness. He's not sure who she is, but she is a bit intimidating.
"I'm not nervous. You've just taken me off guard. You do understand how odd this is, don't you?" Azar asks.
Kusanali continues to inch closer, a small smirk on her face.
"Oh, I completely understand. It's quite strange, isn't it? You, a former Grand Sage, being approached by little old me. You must think I'm either very brave or very foolish, right?" Kusanali asks.
The sparkles that flow off her body trickle into the ground beneath her with each step she takes. The dead grass and flowers beneath her rejuvenate almost immediately, as if blooming like new from her raw power. Kusanali smirks wider, noticing that Azar's eyes are tracing the trail of rejuvenating plant life left in her wake. She knows her power is evident, but she decides to play along with his ignorance for a bit longer. Azar is still unnerved as she gets closer. He glances between her and the rejuvenated grass as it seems to come to life in response to her power. That same overwhelming feeling from earlier returns as his instincts tell him there's something familiar about her.
"You speak of taking risks as if there's something to gain from this. I'm assuming there's more you want than just a simple morning stroll." Azar says.
Kusanali's smile widens as she senses his increasing uneasiness.
"You're quite perceptive, Grand Sage. You're correct; I didn't come here just to say hello. There's something I need to tell you. Something you should know." Kusanali says.
She stops a few feet away from him, her smile turning into a small smirk as she looks at him intently.
"I came here to tell you the truth about who I am. The truth about what happened with that... "precious little radish" that ran around spouting lies and manipulating people." Kusanali says.
Azar's irritation and anger towards Nahida flare at the mention of her, and even more so at the thought of this strange woman being somehow in league with her.
"If you're here to defend that little fraud, then you are even more foolish than I thought." Azar says dismissively.
"Oh, don't worry, Grand Sage. I'm not here to defend her. In fact, I would like to express my deepest apologies for her...unsavory behavior." Kusanali says.
Azar's anger is replaced by puzzlement as Kusanali's words sink in. He's caught off guard by her sudden apology, but he's still wary of what she's here for.
"You're... not defending her, but you're apologizing for her unsavory behavior? What kind of game are you playing?" Azar asks.
Kusanali lets out a small chuckle, finding Azar's confusion amusing. She keeps her tone and expression gentle, wanting to put him at ease.
"Oh, I assure you, I'm not playing any games, Grand Sage. I am here to speak honestly and truthfully. I admit, the young woman you know as Nahida has... caused a lot of trouble. And for that, I apologize." Kusanali replies.
Azar is still confused and a bit suspicious, but her soft tone and gentle expression make him feel a bit more at ease.
"I see. If you're not here to defend her, then what are you here for? You apologize on her behalf, but you don't defend her actions. Explain." Azar says.
Kusanali smiles, creating her swing and getting comfortable on it.
"I suppose I should start by introducing myself properly. My name is Lesser Lord Kusanali... and I am the Dendro Archon, the God of Wisdom. The one you thought was me was merely a puppet, a fake." Kusanali introduces, speaking with a motherly tone and a gentle expression.
Azar is stunned into silence as Kusanali reveals her true identity to him. His mind races as he tries to comprehend the truth. The Dendro Archon, the real one, is right in front of him, casually speaking to him as if it was just a friendly conversation.
"The God of Wisdom? The real Archon? Y-You can't be serious." Azar says in disbelief.
Kusanali chuckles lightly at his reaction, enjoying his bewildered expression.
"I assure you, I am being completely serious. I am the true Dendro Archon, the God of Wisdom. The fact that a puppet, that... "little radish", managed to fool you and many others for so long is quite... troublesome." Kusanali explains.
Azar can barely find words as the information slowly sinks in.
So, all this time... we've been deceived by a mere puppet. We were betrayed and fooled, and we never even knew. How could we have let this happen? And why are you revealing this to me now? What do you want from me?" Azar asks.
Kusanali smiles sadly at him. She knows all about how Azar had been desperate to give Sumeru a deity after her mother's death 500 years before. She knows how he had recognized Nahida as a failure, but had been humiliated, gotten everything taken away from him, and outright banished from Sumeru City all for siding against Nahida. Sure, he had made a mistake trusting the Fatui, but nothing he did had warranted such a toxic… response.
"I know, Grand Sage. The Fatui fooled you all. They took advantage of your desperation and desire for a deity after... the past incident. You were betrayed, humiliated, and banished for opposing Nahida's rule. But...I believe you do not deserve that treatment. You made a mistake, that much is certain, but perhaps a chance at redemption is in order..." Kusanali says.
Azar's expression softens as Kusanali addresses his situation. He looks at her in surprise.
"You mean... you believe I deserve another chance? After everything I've done, you're willing to give me a chance at redemption?" Azar asks.
Kusanali smiles gently and nods, her eyes warm and understanding.
"Yes, Grand Sage. I believe everyone deserves a chance at redemption. I can see your remorse and your regret. You were fooled, manipulated, and used by the Fatui, and I understand that. But that does not make you a bad person, merely one who erred and fell into temptation. So, yes, I am willing to give you a chance at redemption." Kusanali replies.
Azar desires to accept, but knows everyone in Sumeru City wants him dead for having "betrayed" Nahida. How could he possibly go back after everything? Kusanali can sense his internal struggle, so she reaches out and places her hand gently on his arm in a comforting gesture.
"I understand your worries, Grand Sage. But change is possible. Even though many in Sumeru City may want you dead for your perceived betrayal, it doesn't mean everyone does. There are still people who appreciate the intellect and knowledge you possess. Perhaps you could use this chance at redemption to prove your worth and show them that you deserve a place in Sumeru City once again." Kusanali says softly.
She keeps her hand on his arm, continuing to speak in a gentle and motherly tone. She notices the uncertainty in Azar's expression and decides to tell him what she has planned for him.
"I should add, Azar, that I also plan to end your banishment and allow you to return to Sumeru City. Your knowledge and experience are still valuable to the Akademiya, so I believe you can make a positive contribution. However, I cannot restore your role as Grand Sage, as that position has already been filled by someone else..." Kusanali says.
Azar's surprise increases as Kusanali informs him of her plans to end his banishment and reinstate his previous position, albeit without the Grand Sage title. The realization that he may have a chance at redemption washes over him.
"I... I can't believe what I'm hearing. You're willing to end my banishment and give me a second chance? I… I don't know what to say. I never thought I'd have this opportunity again." Azar says.
Kusanali smiles gently, sensing his relief and surprise. She squeezes his arm gently in a comforting gesture and looks him in the eyes.
"I see the potential for redemption in you, Azar. You are intelligent, knowledgeable, and once held a prominent position in the Akademiya. You made a mistake, but that does not define you. You deserve a chance to prove yourself and make things right. And I am willing to give you that chance." Kusanali says.
Azar looks at Kusanali with a newfound respect and gratitude. He knows in his heart that she is the true Dendro Archon, the real Kusanali, and the true savior of Sumeru, not that pasty white toilet humor fairy.
"You truly are the Dendro Archon, the true Kusanali, and the true savior of Sumeru. Your benevolence and wisdom are unmatched. I don't know how I could ever repay you for this chance at redemption." Azar says.
Kusanali smiles at his words and lets out a soft laugh, her light green eyes twinkling with an amused glint.
"You don't need to repay me, Azar. As the God of Wisdom, it is my duty to guide and help those in need. And I believe that everyone, no matter how bad their mistakes may seem, can still be redeemed. Including you." Kusanali says.