Takemichi as Kaveh

Chapter Two

*The next morning*

Scara's Pov

I'm at the entrance of Sumeru, waiting for Nahida, General Mahamatra, and Tighnari. Twenty minutes later, they finally arrived. Nahida looks at us and then says, " I put the destination in your akasha. Also, he goes by Hanagaki Takemichi now." We all nod in understanding, ready to embark on this mission together. As we set off towards our destination, I couldn't help but feel a sense of stubbornness and impatience building within me. "Now, how are we going to convince him to come with us?" I asked the other two. General Mahamatra looks at me with a knowing smile and replies, "We'll find a way. Trust me, we always do." Tighnari adds, "And if all else fails, we'll just have to use force." With determination in our hearts, we continue on our journey to find Kaveh and unravel the mystery behind his disappearance. "Do you two know why he left in the first place?" I asked, so I am caught up. "No, he didn't tell us anything. But Alhaitham found a letter addressed to him, and he wouldn't let anyone look at it. Nahida told us that she found him three years ago. Also, she spoke to him and stated that he believes that his role in Sumeru no longer matters." Cyno says. " Nahida told me that Kaveh left because he was being threatened by the girlfriend of the grand acting sage. Alhaitham doesn't know about his girlfriend threatening Kaveh because Kaveh left for his safety. We need Kaveh so we can expose this woman." I tell them.

*Two hours later*

Cyno's Pov

We finally got to the destination and went to the shrine, where me and Tighnari first met Kaveh. We entered the shrine and interrupted the meeting that was happening. "Takemichi, we know that you are Kaveh, and we need you to come home to save Alhaitham." I shouted. Kaveh turned his head at us with fear. "I can't, Cyno. I wish I could help, but it's not my problem anymore. Now go home, all three of you!" Kaveh yells at us. "Kaveh, you are coming home with us because Alhaitham's life is in danger, and he is still in love with you." Tighnari tells him. Kaveh hesitated for a moment before saying, " Fine, I'll come home with you, but after we save Alhaitham's life." "We need to act quickly before it's too late," Hat Guy urged, feeling a sense of urgency in the air. Kaveh nodded solemnly, his expression determined as he prepared to face the challenges ahead. " Kaveh, how bad are the threats?" Tighnari asks. Kaveh pulls out thirty letters from his back pocket. "These are all death threats directed at Alhaitham," Kaveh reveals, his voice filled with concern. Tighnari's eyes widen in shock as she realizes the gravity of the situation they are facing. "But there are hundreds towards me from Alhaitham's girlfriend," Kaveh tells us.

*Four hours later*

Kaveh's Pov

I'm back in Sumeru after four years away. We head to Nahida's sanctuary, where Nahida is waiting for us. Nahida greets us with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and worry. "Welcome back, Kaveh," she says softly, gesturing for us to sit down and discuss the impending dangers. "Nahida, how bad has she gotten since I left?" I asked her. Nahida's expression turns somber as she recounts the escalating threats and violent actions taken by Alhaitham's girlfriend. I can sense the tension in the room as we prepare to strategize our next move against this dangerous adversary. "Hat Guy, can you follow her from above and report back to me?" Nahida asked him. " Cyno, bring Alhaitham here, and Tighnari, bring Collei here for her protection." Nahida says. Cyno and Tighnari ran out of the sanctuary, while Hat Guy glided out of the sanctuary. I look at the God of Wisdom with confusion. "Um, Nahida, why does Alhaitham need to come here?" I asked nervously. Nahida calmly explains, "We need to ensure his safety and devise a plan to neutralize the threat posed by his girlfriend." As she speaks, I can see the determination in her eyes, reassuring me that we are in good hands. " But if she finds out that I'm back, we are done for." I said this while panicking. Nahida reassures me, "Don't worry, we have a plan in place to keep you safe and hidden from her." With a comforting smile, she adds, "Trust me, everything will be fine."

*Thirty minutes later*

Alhaitham's Pov

I'm sitting in my office going through paperwork. I look at the ring I gave Kaveh five years ago, but he gave me back the ring four years ago, then disappeared. I can't help but wonder where he is now and if he's safe. Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupts my thoughts, and Cyno walks in with a smile on his face. " Grand acting sage, come with me; we need to talk privately." Cyno says it seriously. I follow Cyno to Nahida's sanctuary, my heart pounding with anticipation. As I enter, I see Kaveh standing there, alive and well, with a look of fear on his face. "Kaveh, is that really you?" I asked. Kaveh nods, relief evident in his eyes. "I'm sorry for disappearing without a word," he begins, his voice filled with regret. "I had to protect you from a danger you didn't even know existed." I walk closer to Kaveh and say, " What danger, Kaveh?" I ask, confused. Kaveh takes out hundreds of letters out of a bag, and I read some of them, and they are all death threats towards Kaveh from Kaia. "Kaia has been sending me letters since I left, Grand Acting Sage." Kaveh says it in a serious tone of voice. I keep reading the letters, and they get worse as I continue reading. " How long has she been doing this, Kaveh?" I ask with venom in my voice. Kaveh looks down at the letters and replies, "It started shortly after you propsed, Alhaitham. I didn't want to worry you, but now I fear for your safety." My heart sinks as I realize the gravity of the situation and the danger that Kaia poses to Kaveh. I took out a necklace with the ring I gave Kaveh, and I put it on a chain after he returned it and disappeared. I since wore mine, and Kaia hated it, but I ignored her because I didn't want to forget Kaveh. "Haitham, is that my promise ring that I gave back on your neck?" Kaveh asked. I hesitated, unsure of how to respond, but finally admitted, "Yes, Kaveh. I couldn't bear to part with it." Kaveh's eyes softened with understanding. " Is Kaia the reason you broke off the engagement?" I asked Kaveh. Kaveh sighed, looking down at the ring around my neck. "Kaia was the main reason," he replied. I took off the necklace and took the ring off the chain, then put the ring in Kaveh's hand. " I never really moved on from you, but I tried and couldn't. Cyno and Tighnari have been dragging me back to my house and putting me on the couch." I said, looking Kaveh in the eyes.

Kaveh's Pov

After Haitham said that, I looked at the ring in my hand and realized that I shouldn't have let Kaia scare me. I put the ring back on my ring finger. "Haitham, I should have told you what was happening five years ago." I said, hugging Alhaitham tightly. " Nahida now!" I yell at Nahida to erase their memories of me. I ran out of Nahida's sanctuary with the engagement ring. Then I ran back to Mikey and the gang with tears in my eyes. "Mitchy, what's going on?" Mikey asked, concern evident in his voice as he saw the tears streaming down my face. " I went back to Sumeru and saw my lover, Alhaitham, who wanted to know why I ran away." I said. "I couldn't face him, so I asked Nahida to erase their memories of me," I explained, showing Mikey the engagement ring on my finger. "I don't know what to do now," I admitted, feeling lost and torn between my past and present. "Partner, may I ask about the ring on your finger?" Chifuyu asks. "It's from Alhaitham," I replied, feeling a pang of guilt for not being honest with my friends. "He proposed to me before I ran away the first time, but I was being threatened, so I ran away from this girl named Kaia, who is obsessed with Alhaitham. " Chifuyu's eyes widened in surprise as he processed the information. "That sounds like a complicated situation," he remarked, offering me a sympathetic smile. "You should follow your heart and do what feels right for you." I hugged Draken and passed out from crying.