Meraki

Part 4 Chapter 7: Alliance

Sying and his friends followed Alhaitham into the desert of Sumeru from Caravan Ribat. Luna and Aether trailed behind him as Collei waved goodbye. After the group got attacked in Pardis Dhyai, Tighnari heard the fighting and helped them get away. Once they were safe, he told them that he would look after Haypasia and help them save Kusanali, who was now trapped in the Sanctuary of Surasthana. So they went to Caravan Ribat to get away from the Fatui since the town was so close to the desert, and they ran into Alhaitham. The scribe admitted that he was having difficulty with the Divine Knowledge Capsule, then suggested they go into the desert and make their way to Aaru Village to continue their work without interference from the Akademiya. Collei decided to return to Gandharva Ville since it would be safer for her to be away from Sying, who was now one of Dottore' enemies. So, she dropped them off and the group was stuck in the hot sandy landscape with the Akademiya scribe. Once they saw the village in the distance, Luna leaned on Aether with an exaggerated sigh.

"Finally, it feels like we've been walking forever!" She exclaimed.

"Maybe taking off your coat would help." Aether suggested.

"I already did!" Luna argued. "My Cryo Vision is a terrible cooler. Anyway, can we just go over there?" Alhaitham nodded as the group resumed walking. Noticing a shadow from above, Sying stopped walking and pulled out his polearm. The others paused in confusion as the adeptus kept his eyes on the cliffs above. Suddenly, someone jumped down and swung their polearm, only for it to be blocked by Sying. The person backed away before the Nova god could counter attack as he adjusted his grip on his weapon. The attacker jumped back into battle and swung at Alhaitham, only for Aether to block this time. Luna ran to the side and managed to land a slash on the person's arm. Alhaitham took over after that and exchanged blows with the stranger, until he was pushed back.

"Cyno, unless my memory fails me, we have barely spoken two words to each other before now at the Akademiya. Would you care to enlighten me as to when and how I invited the General Mahamatra's wrath?" Alhaitham questioned, keeping his sword in front of him.

"Alhaitham, do not think that you can escape my judgment just because you managed to block my attack." The stranger, or Cyno, stated, pointing his polearm at the scribe. Aether looked between the two confused, while Luna kept her gaze on the matra. Sying had put his weapon away and was quietly observing the scene, wondering if he should talk to Cyno. It was obvious that he didn't recognize the adeptus from 3 years ago.

"Judgment? So, that's how you'd characterize your actions here, is it? Or would "elimination" perhaps be a more accurate description? The scribe retorted.

"Had I used my full strength, not even these travelers would have been able to stop me." Cyno spoke. "Though styled like an assassination, I sought only to ensure that my target would be unable to flee or resist. Standard practice for the matra."

"Seemed to me more like your own personal touch." Alhaitham commented.

"Who is that, Alhaitham?" Aether asked.

"That's the General Mahamatra, Cyno. He's head of all the matra at the Akademiya and a formidable hunter, as well as the ultimate nightmare for any who have committed academic crimes." He explained.

"You three seem to have placed a lot of trust in Alhaitham, to the point of blocking attacks for him. If I were you guys, I'd never choose to side with him. I wouldn't believe a single word that comes out of his mouth." Cyno warned.

"I don't trust him at all. Our goals just happen to coincide for the time being." Luna informed him.

"I don't trust him as much as you think, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stand by and do nothing." Aether declared.