Pardis Dhyai was a far busier town than Liyue Harbor. Even if the latter held the title of the city that never sleeps, Pardis Dhyai could be a good enough rival. Even through the thick walls of the house, the sound of the morning market permeated . Strong voices could be heard, trying to bring clients in or simply debate the prices between them. It would be a charming sound, if it weren't 7 am. Groggily, the banker turned under the sheets, eyes shut close with strenght, as if that would suffice to bring him back to his cozy sleep. 

Even if life belonged to the early risers – or something like that in Fontenais, he didn't really know, plus it was so early in the morning ... His brain felt all muddy, and tired, and ... Of course ! Of course, when he was just about to go back to sleep, that merchant nearby had to yell something ! The banker let out a frustrated sigh, finally defeated. He lazily opened one eye, and looked around at the room. He wasn't an early riser by any means, but he did so for his job. Whenever Chāo allowed himself a free day of leisure, he didn't appear inside the Palace before 11AM at best. Waking up so early after such a difficult trip to get there felt like torture. He turned on his side, hoping to find the doctor awake. 

But no, his back slowly raised and fell to the rythm of his peaceful breaths, sound asleep. For a moment, Chāo wanted to wake him up . Shake him a bit , and ask him to entertain him as if he were a court jester . The doctor would probably push him outside of the bed , and go back to sleep . He learnt quite quickly that even if his need for sleep was much less than a normal human being, insomnia still took a toll on his general well-being , even more so when the days were physically demanding . In Snezhnaya, he barely slept, as he spent most of his time in his underground laboratory , not really doing much. But this week, they had literally walked from the far edge of the desert, to the city they were in . He must have been completely drenched , and to be fair, Chāo was too.

They both weren't that young anymore, were they ? His own mortality always was terrifying to him. Knowing that his body was simply temporary, and that if all those Liyuean teachings were false , his mind too would fade into nothingness . It was terrifying. Happiness, success , everything was temporary . He'd die like everyone , like a dog , a vermin or a prince . His body already showed signs of this slow agony . 

His heart already raced in his chest , and the banker forced himself to take a deep breath in . Thinking about death so early in the morning ... what was he so stressed about ? The room was warmly lit by the sun , he was sleeping next to his situationship-lover , and everything was fine . He wasn't in danger . He was just overthinking, and that did him no good . He'd better take a shower . 

He sat up , and by force of habit, looked at the Sumerian's sleeping face . Usually, he had his mask . But this time around ... 

He wasn't that ugly .
Well, of course, he was ugly. But not , "that" ugly like he always said he was . He wasn't monstrous by any mean. He just looked like one of those Pyro Gunners if they really had a bad time servicing the country . Well, maybe a bit worse than that actually but ... 

The banker couldn't take his eyes off the psychic's face . His brown skin was cut by pale beige scars , burn marks from his neck to his eyebrow , burning away every pore and hair . Sometimes , the skin looked silky , stretchy even , and other times where the burn had been more severe , it was just scar tissue over scar tissue, creating an unsightly growth of flesh . He also had some more minors scars from battle, namely one going from his left cheek to his right . 

Chāo really didn't meant to stare . But as he did, he realized he was the second man to ever see Zandik's face . The second one he trusted enough to show who he really was . The Tsaritsa didn't count, she had forced him probably, just like she forced herself on him so many years ago . A pleasant warmth took hold of his heart, and spread to his cheeks in a dumb smile . He was the second one , but he was one of the select fews.

Zandik trusted him. He showed him his most vulnerable part. This moment felt out-of-time for Chāo , and he stayed like that for a minute . He just contemplated each of the scars , and the complex pattern they made on his face — delicate yet brutal, just as he was . The more he looked into it, the less he felt disgusted . It was a shock, yes , to see someone with so much hatred burnt into their skin.

But Chāo had grown in a small village in Liyue, without any militia . He had grown where peasants had to fight for their lives to collect bamboo, where some came back and some didn't . He saw people he loved lose an eye to some infection, and other learn to talk again without half their tongue . Scars never had disgusted him, except for his own . They all told a personal story. They all told the battles, the ups and the downs, of one's life . He found that beautiful .

He found Zandik beautiful . Of course, knowing the man, he probably asked for this. Maybe he had killed too much, or simply due to pure ignorance and malevolence — Chāo knew that in some parts of the world, people like Zandik were killed at birth to save them from "suffering", or pressured into growing into someone they were not with heavy punishment if they didn't "behave" — , but whatever was the case , he survived . And his face was here to tell the tale .

Chāo knew that despite his eloquence, he never found the right words for those he loved . He was always too rough, too mean, or too haughty . He never managed to simply be nice and gentle, like he wished he would grow up to be when he was but a child . Maybe he should write him something ? A letter, describing how awestruck he was when he finally saw his face ? No, that would be too corny. Perhaps then just some words , written with care , something like "You are pretty" ? No , that still was corny . Fuck, he couldn't use the same tricks he did with Nikolaï. 

Il Dottore absolutely wasn't the same as him. Nikolaï was a kind and gentle man, romantic and thoughtful . Chāo knew him, every each of his reactions, and he knew how to love and be loved by him . But Zandik ? Zandik was nice , sure, and he even tried to be what Chāo would consider desirable. But the banker couldn't guess his reactions . Would he mock him for writing that ? Would he be touched ? Would he simply not care ? He knew he had trouble understanding other people , and how to react accordingly . Chāo wanted to get his message through . To tell him he was a lovable man . But ... he simply did not know how to do so .

He let out a heavy sigh , and finally looked away . Shower, he was about to take a shower . He took all the care in the world to slowly get out of bed without waking the scientist up , and put on one of the light sherwani the doctor had kindly left on his side . He covered his nudity very quickly , and heard the door creaking . His blood froze in his veins , as he reached slowly for a scalpel he had seen laying on the ground . Whoever it was that decided to break in, they wouldn't make it out alive . Even groggy like he was , Chāo would put up a good fight . 

But he relaxed, as he saw one of Dottore's clones peeping inside . He seemed to be in his mid-thirties , with the longer hair he had at the time . It was curlier too, probably due to Sumeru's atmosphere , and he was wearing a crow mask . Yeah, definitely a clone . He seemed confused as of seeing Chāo here, but simply acknowledged him with a nod of the head, and closed the door behind him . 

Left alone , Chāo finally took his shower and put on the same sherwani . Fine clothes could wait until Sumeru city . Once he felt all clean and pretty — as in , "didn't seemed to have spent one hell of a week and simply looked like he had a mild insomnia" — he stepped out carefully of the bathroom , and looked at the doctor . He had turned in his sleep , but he wasn't ready to get up yet . 

Chāo let out a sigh . At least he probably had the clones to entertain him , before Prime woke up . And so he left the bedroom in silence , as he was used to when he was far younger . Once in the living room , his eardrums immediately pierced . 

There was screaming and arguing all around. One of the clones , around 40 , dressed in a deep blue satin shirt was close to choke out a version of himself at 20 , who was laughing almost hysterically . Insults in Sumerian flown across the room, as well as some muttering by the thirty years old . 

Chāo didn't knew what to do . Should he scream louder to assert dominance ? Simply not say anything ? Try to separate the both of them ? One Zandik was hard to handle . But three at the same time ?! No, he wasn't that strong .

- Can we please be civil ? The banker's here ! » the thirty years old said , all dressed in white and blue . 

- Shut it Eta ! He's finally going to die , that little prick ! » gloved hands held with much more strength the youngest , who asked in his ever teasing tone .

- Wow , and you call me the uncivilized one ? Choking me in front of the guests , wow , much mature Omega ! » Omega was close to actually murdering him , but he finally let go , turning his back to everyone , trying to calm down .

- I swear to the Tsaritsa, if it weren't for Prime, I would have actually murdered you Alpha . You never fucking shut up . » Alpha just smiled , taking it as a compliment, and turned to the banker . With a comically deep bow , he said :

- Dear old friend of mine, Lord Regrator ! Have you finally considered - » 

- No. » It wasn't the first time Chāo had met this clone . He was the weirdest of them all, a true eccentric , a jester even , but ... he wasn't all that bad . He was a good coworker, even though his manners were strange , and not that annoying once you got used to his antics and the fact that he indeed never stopped talking . 

- Breaking my heart as soon as 7 in the morning, wow . » 

- You should be satisfied it isn't your neck that's breaking . » commented Omega , finally turning around . He managed to compose himself , even though his face was red with anger , bringing a deep blush to his complexion . One thing in particular stroke the banker .

He was making eye-contact . For the first time , he managed to look into Zandik's eyes for more than a few seconds . Deep red eyes , full of confidence and hubris . This one was different . And not just because of this eye contact . He had something else in him, something out-of-touch that the banker couldn't very well define . But deep inside his heart he knew it was bad news . Still, he didn't show his concerns , as Omega approached and gave him his hand .

- Zandik Ben'Azhaar, Omega segment . Pleased to make your acquaintance . I apologize for my behavior, as it was most ... uncivilized of me , as Alpha put it . You are the Regrator, banker of the Fatui ? I believe it's the first time we've met . I hope our collaboration can bring the Tsaritsa her greatest wishes . » odd . Very, very odd . It was as if Zandik behaved like everyone .

Chāo had read in his spare time in Zapolyarny Palace that people like Zandik could form scenarios in their head on how to behave in certain situations, as to appear more like the rest . Perhaps was he doing that ? Reciting his script ? ... It surely was that, or he surely wasn't Zandik — or something remotely like him, apart from his physical appearance . 

Chāo shook his hand . 

- So do I . » he turned towards the one in the corner of the room, who had already sat down and got out a notebook. He seemed to be scribbling while humming a little song . Chāo didn't recognize it .

- I didn't quite catch your name . » he said , in a polite tone . The clone didn't even look back at him . That was already more like Zandik .

- Eta. 30ish. » straight to the point and uninterested , perfect . That Omega segment really was the odd one out . He spoke once again, in his almost mechanical but still prideful tone :

- I apologize for Epsilon's lack of presence . Prime had asked him to come, but he refused due to his ongoing studies . » 

- Mh? And what are they about ? » asked Pantalone, not even knowing who Epsilon was . Alpha answered for him . 

- Aranaras. It's like ... fairies . Not seelies per say , since they have their own name and desires , but still more or less the same . They are forest spirits, protector of it and so of the Varanara the tree of Dreams and Irminsul . They rarely appear to human, outside of little kids . That's why Epsilon wanted to stay , as he just recently started to get their trust . He had been at it for more than 6 months . » he explained . He stood up , and went to the great chalkboard covering the left wall of the house .

He wiped off some very old equations, and doodled a little chubby spirit . He showed it with his hand to Pantalone, and drew a leaf on top of it .

- Looks like that . »

- Is there a point in searching for them, though, or is it like you death arena for kids ? » Alpha frowned , Omega snarking at the remark of the banker .

- I financed your fucking Fontaine business, don't you bad mouth me . ... but anyways . If we get their trust, we gain access to those trees, and we can finally start studying them for real. Some rumors says that you can literally rewrite history with Irminsul, so it obviously has a strategic importance . » Alpha seemed really passionate about the tree , and the Aranaras . He smiled just like Zandik did while talking about ruinguards, and he standing a bit on his toes, and then on his plant, in a rhythmic motion . Chāo understood that he must have been really excited to talk about it once again, the clones probably having already listened to it all.

As he was a good coworker , and he had nothing better to do , Chāo approached him , and asked , indulging the youngest :

- Can you tell me more about it ? What do you plan on studying exactly ? And ... I think I have heard Zandik talk about it , but he said that Irminsul only was in a dream . How can you study something that isn't rooted in reality — material reality ? » Alpha had his eyes wide opened . He stayed silent for a moment , and asked, confused :

- You're sure you want to let me talk about that , uh ? You complain I talk too much, and -

- Alpha — is that your name ? Don't you have a more human name ? — , if I ask, it's because I want to know . Talk as much as you want, as long as you make it clear enough for a neophyte like me to understand . » 

That was all he had to say . The youngest one immediately took the chalk he had left on the nearby desk, took a deep breath in . This was about to get lengthy . He talked a lot, yes, but when someone enabled him ? Omega already had left the room to go tend to the flowers in the greenhouse. 

- Well, Irminsul is the fabric of dreams woven into reality. It's a communal consciousness, like a beehive. A beehive filled to the brim with all the knowledge in Sumeru, no matter from the past or present – even some theorize that future knowledge is held in the highest branches of the trees, but I don't believe it. It would mean that the future is definite, that no matter what we will do, this knowledge shall be attained. Which doesn't even account for the theory of the plurality of realities as described by the Samsara. It's an eternal cycle, but an eternal cycle that always progresses and never regresses, and that has been proven. So the theory of the finite Irminsul is utter garbage »

- Sorry to interrupt, but ... Is Irminsul a real thing ? Can we touch it ? Can we, I don't know, see it without being asleep ? » Alpha frowned, and shrugged.

- I suppose we could. My researches at least indicate so, which is a very dangerous thing. Because if we can be awake when interacting with it, we can harm the tree. Cut some of its branches for instance, or some of its roots. Which would erase the knowledge contained in this part of the tree. You might even rewrite history if you manipulate the tree,It's very complicated to explain to a non-scholar, but basically, Irminsul exist outside of the boundaries of time. So we don't know what modifications could impact reality in a significant way, or how the fabric of time itself would be impacted. If, I don't know, the branches of « you being a Harbinger », the events that led you to it, you might enter a reality where you just live as a normal Liyuean, and forget everything associated with reality 1 – aka the Harbinger You reality. »

Chāo's head was already aching. Alpha stopped making sense soon after this sentence. Even if he was trying his best to convery his thoughts to the banker, his enthusiasm made it hard to understand : too many open parenthesis he never closed, with useless fun facts sprinkled on top ... But still, he tried his best to follow and ask relevant questions. He knew it made Alpha happy, plus, even if those were really hard concepts to grasp, it was still interesting and it made time pass quicker. 

In the end, after one hour or so, Chāo thought he might have finally understood a bit of what Irminsul was about. It was a real tree, hidden by the Aranaras. Its branches held informations about the entirety of the world – not only knowledge, but also the stories of everyone , their whole life. Cutting a branche could make everyone forget about what was in it, and reality would rewrite itself as if the knowledge never had existed . For instance, if the branche containing the meeting between him and the Tsaritsa was cut, the world would get rewritten acccordingly : someone else would be the Regrator, and he would probably have made his life in Liyue as either a prostitute or a trophy wife. And nobody would know, except those tightly linked to Irminsul , like the Dendro Archon, the Aranaras, and perhaps some psychics . 

It was ... a lot. But Alpha was still going on, now about what would happen if Irminsul was burned down in its entirety. The banker was sat, next to Eta, looking at the now covered chalkboard, his mind churning . This was never going to end. His headache would last forever. 

- Alpha, leave him alone, his brain's on fire. » a tired, groggy voice. Prime had just arrived, hair still wet from the shower he had took. Wearing his mask, and a deep green sherwani from the Akademiya, his eyes were tired and he didn't seem all that awake. He sat heavily on the ground, and read the chalkboard, asking .

- The brat's researches, have they showed any progress ? »

- ... » nobody answered, but the doctor just nodded. A silence took hold of the room. Eta wasn't writing anymore, and they all just sat or stood straight, unmoving, until Eta finally asked :

- Is the Regrator aware ? » Chāo frowned and looked at the clone.

- Aware of what ? » he asked. Zandik stood up, and clapped his hands.

- No more internal, or we'll confuse him even more . ( he then turned to banker, and explained ) We have this particular way of communicating, through an internal canal we possess . That's how we talk generally, it's way more easier to discuss scientific topics through it, since we can share our thoughs far quicker than by speaking. We can only do it in Sumeru though, but it's very practical. By the way, the younger clone, Epsilon, says hi. He said he'll be waiting for you in Port Ourmos , and that since he has a lot of free time, he can spend it on the docks and eavesdrop on the merchants.. Though I do not recommend to employ him, he's a terrible brat. »

The wonders of Sumerian technology... Or perhaps to be more accurate, of Zandik's technology. Chāo simply nodded, and asked , one hand massaging his temples . 

- So, what is the plan ? What have you decided, Zandik ? As to catch the Travelller ? » Prime laid back on the ground .

- Going to Sumeru city. Advise next. The Samsara was not a rumour, one happened recently for the Goddess of Flower's festival. I don't know what forces are at play, so I'd prefer to go ascertain who and what I am facing before inevitably wrecking this city. I think I will bring all of the clones, unless you need one more apart from Epsilon. I don't know what you are planning to do .» 

Chāo looked down . He himself didn't knew what he wanted to do , nor how to begin. To be fair, he just wished to have some more time alone with the Doctor , and in his foolishness, he actually went through with the plan. He was in Sumeru now, in a foreign land he didn't even spoke the language of, and now they were about to separate . He was but a fool. A fool in love . He let out a heavy sigh . 

Zandik stood up , and took his arm : he nudged him to stand up , and follow him to his bedroom. There , he closed the door , and said , in a teasing tone ;

- Well, that was indeed a shitty idea, coming from the cold and calculative Lord Pantalone . » Chāo rolled his eyes.

- Coming from the man who got engaged in the span of 3 days, I'll take it as a compliment . » the doctor gently laughed , but he became more serious .

-I'll miss you Chāo . But maybe we'll see each other again . Going to Port Ourmos will open up the business probably, but since all roads lead to Sumeru, you'll find your way here in no time , don't worry . Sooner or later, our paths will cross again. Plus it's not like we'll get stranded, Epsilon will be with you . 

- It's not the same talking to a 10 year old, even if sometimes you have the mind of one . » Chāo sighed .

- I can possess my clones you know ? You'll be talking to me , Prime , if I so wish . » the doctor said , Chāo shrugging .

- Still not the same . I'll miss your company . » the Regrator took a time to think . Yeah . It would be the first time in months he's completely alone ... not even Natasha nor Petrov . Just him . He enjoyed the solace he found by being all by himself, but his heart ached for the presence of someone else . Someone he had right in front of him .

He approached slowly, as if he was walking towards a wild animal , and raised his hands towards the back of Zandik's head . Carefully, he removed the black ribbon holding the mask . He was surprised to meet no resistance . The doctor would have killed anyone else if they tried, but not Chāo .

The moment felt strangely intimate . He was just taking off his mask, that he knew would be replaced by an illusion . But it felt important, to the both of them . He could almost hear the scientist's heart beat erratically against his chest, just like his own did . 

He struggled taking off the ribbon. His hands were scarred , forever broken by the whips and the shards of glass , and they were clumsy . Now , he was sure the doctor had noticed . But he didn't say anything . When the banker finally managed to take it off , he leaned in for a gentle kiss .

It wasn't hungry and lustful, full of violence and passion , nor was it the timid one they sometimes exchanged , unsure if it was appropriate to do so . It was the kind of kiss lovers exchanged , before they had to say their goodbye . 

Chāo felt the burnt skin against his gloved hand , and he stroked it with his thumb . He made no comment about what he had seen this morning . It wasn't needed . Zandik probably knew all he wanted to say . 

They finally left each other's embrace , and the doctor put his mask back on . Without a word , they both left the house , and he led him towards the nearest carriage leaving for Port Ourmos . Right before Chāo left , Zandik took his wrist . Gentle , but firm . 

He locked his crimson eyes into his . 

- Thank you. For ... for just being nice . I'm bad with words . But it really ... it really is nice . Thank you . » his voice was frail , like that one night in Liyue when he was close to a meltdown. But now , it was just heavy with emotion . It held weight , of all the shame he had carried , the disgust and fear that he had become to unsightly for even his loved ones to bear . 

Moved, Chāo tenderly put his hand over Zandik's . He smiled , and whispered .

- It's only normal dear . But if I may, I already told you so long ago . In my eyes , you would never be unsightly, nor monstrous . You are handsome . And I'd like to see it more, but I can understand how hard it is for you . But thank you deeply, Zandik, for being brave enough to show me . I have to go now . Please, take care of yourself . I'd tell you to be careful , but we both know it'd be useless .» he ended it with a tease , but he kept his voice calm and tender for the Doctor . And oh, were those tears , he saw building up in his eyes ? 

He freed his wrist gently, and bowed, before finally leaving him, his heart panicking .
He loved him. The more he got to know him, the deeper he fell. Perhaps ... perhaps Zandik would be the one ? The man that wouldn't let him down ? A truly respectable , kind and true , man with whom he could let his guard down ? 

How laughable . He had fallen for Il Dottore, the most monstrous man that ever walked Teyvat . Surely, this wouldn't end well .
But even as he knew his reputation — well-founded — Chāo still loved the man . His sensible, delicate side . His most humane side . What a sad mess he had gotten himself into ...

____

Soon after the carriage had left, Zandik managed to calm his emotions down . It was a lot . But it felt good , so good . The intense relief he felt in his chest washed away all of his doubts and insecurities for the moment . Baizhu didn't think less of him , and Chāo found it beautiful . He was still worthy of love after all ...The moral side didn't matter to both of his lovers — or at least he thought so — so yeah, he was worthy . 

As he got home, he quickly ordered his clones around . Alpha would go in the desert to help Kandake , as he shared his blood with himself , something the other clones didn't possess , having instead synthetic blood that didn't require months of draining . Eta would keep an eye on the Regrator from afar , and Omega would follow him in Sumeru city , and as they sat on the carriage travelling there, Zandik took a moment to look at the clone . He didn't like him, but he needed to travel with him for this once . 

If he was to become his replacement, he had least had to watch the original one do his job . Zandik didn't want his legacy tainted by a fool who knew not how to behave like his master . Which he already didn't admittedly, but ...

Yeah, it probably wasn't Omega's fault . He was built like that, to be an entirely new being . A twin to Zandik . An artificial and immortal one , much like the Shogun's puppets. They also had the same kind of relationship . Cold hatred and disgust . 

For one simple reason : Omega wasn't a psychic . Sure , he had their internal canal of discussion, as he was built to have it , but the rest ? No, he was just a common, normal man, with synthetic blood in his veins . Not a trace of divinity, except maybe for his green eyes — who still didn't retain the strange other-worldly oddness that Zandik once possessed when his eyes were of that color . He was just a normal man, who happened to look like one of the most powerful and feared psychic in all of Teyvat's history .

For Omega, it must have been jealousy, and perhaps an inferiority complex . He wasn't a psychic , and he wasn't Prime . He would always be seen as a lesser replacement, one that couldn't kill dragons by the sheer force of his mind , and that wasn't able to connect to Irminsul. Just another genius scientist, like so many others under the Tsaritsa's command . She'll dispose of him, once she'll come to understand he wasn't a psychic . Omega must have been aware of it, hence why he was so desperate to make his proofs .

As for Zandik's reason to dislike Omega, it was fairly simple . First, he was a dick . Second, he was a neurotypical dick . And yeah, while that might not be a problem to most, it was actual hell for Prime . If he had not been a psychic , would he have been that much of a prick ? Always going around, telling others that they're annoying and understand nothing , and going all around "look at me , I can use a knife and a fork , I'm special and mommy Tsaritsa loves me more because I'm her pretty little princess" . Asshole. Zandik hated the neurotypical him with a fervor he had not put anywhere else than in his researches about ruin guards . 

More seriously, he was a pain for both Prime, and the rest of his clones . They all were psychics , but with wildly different habits . Prime knew that Eta was mostly non-verbal , and that his special interest was boats . He knew that Epsilon and Alpha both had trouble with colors and were often under stimulated, but that they both shared their interest on Aranaras and Irminsul. Since they all were autistic, they kind of understood how the others behaved , and just avoided them when they didn't knew how to act — which always either helped , or didn't aggravate the situation . But, Omega always had to ask questions, to be too loud , to simply talk about subjects devoid of any interest ... he was annoying . And a prick . 

Zandik could behave with neurotypicals normally . Baizhu was a proof of that . The man was way too social for Zandik's tastes , and hearing him gossip about people just lacked interest . But the Sumerian always listened , because Baizhu did too when he talked about ruin guards . He tried to accommodate him , and to simply be decent . Omega ? That man didn't care , and Zandik recognized himself in that . Thanks the Archons he was born with autism, or he would have been the most insufferable man on Teyvat .

-10 minutes until we arrive . Could you change my appearance ? | asked said insufferable man through the internal canal .

- Already done | replied Prime , asking | Eta, Epsilon, how are you doing ? 

- He's not there ! But did he say I could help ? I already collected so much informations ! |Epsilon's enthusiastic voice rang .

- Help him. That could always be useful . Oh, and I expect your work on the Aranaras to be uploaded on the communal consciousness today . | Prime said. He waited in silence . Eta did not answer , as usual . | Alpha ? 

- Why am I always the one to go in the Desert ?! The place sucks ! There's nothing but fucking sand everywhere , and those hell sent scarabs ! I hate insects , and you know it ! Why do I go there every damn time ! Plus I still haven't found Kandake, I've been burning here for three hours ! Permission to leave ?! | loud and brash, that was unmistakably Alpha . 

- No. Find her and help her . If you do so, I'll manage to smuggle you to Fontaine for a week or so . |

- Two. |

- Two then . |

- It's a deal . I'll cut the communication now , to not be distracted . | and so he left . Zandik truly didn't know why Alpha was so enraptured with Fontaine, but it gave a good leverage . Perhaps he had an affair there ? It would be funny , considering most Fontenais' opinion on him . Or did he simply enjoy talking to fellow inventors ? Who knew . Zandik wouldn't ask, Alpha had a right to his own life . After all, it'd been 20 years he was "alive" . He deserved to be treated like a real human . Perhaps even a brother at this stage . Zandik did hold much affection for his named clones , Alpha , Eta and Epsilon, going as far as to consider them brothers or family . He always liked to see them having their own life . It was one of his proudest achievements . He managed to create life out of wires and electricity, without even a gnosis . And it also helped with his loneliness, even if technically he was talking to himself .

The carriage finally stopped just before the city's gates . Zandik gave a final look at Omega, who looked just like any Sumerian man now , and ordered him :

- You stay here . If the Traveller comes by, you immediately tell me . | Omega frowned, but still nodded . 

They soon parted way and Zandik was back alone, wandering the streets of Sumeru city like he did so long ago . Everything had changed. Even the uniform of the students ... they were happily chatting , still eating haresse while complaining about one teacher or their upcoming exams . On the ground, Zandik noticed a flyer almost glued to the tiles . It advertised two things : the famous athletics tournament that Baizhu won one year , and the Flower Goddess' Festival . This flyer must have been old . From what Kandake had told him, it's been a month since the Samsara had been broken ...

Anyways . Some of the dispositions may as well still be inside the Grand Bazaar. Suddenly, Zandik was overwhelmed with the need to check it out . For as praised as he was in his childhood, he actually never saw such a festival being held for his ancestor . Instinctively almost, Sumerian people knew that she deserved none . Even if he wanted to go to the Sanctuary first, just to be prepared to finally encounter the Traveller , he figured one small detour couldn't hurt much .

He walked towards the Bazaar, adjusting his white academic saree, while wondering what that Traveller would be like . Perhaps a battle-hardened veteran, with scars all over their bodies . Mh ... but if they faced the Raiden Shogun and lived to tell the tale, perhaps they didn't have any scars ? Were they like an unstoppable and untouchable swordsman ? One that had refined their craft so that even gods wouldn't be able to hurt them ? If so, they couldn't be younger than 20 . 30 of age perhaps . Not older , but younger was plausible . 25 to 30 , something like that for them to be so skilled and at the peak of their capacity . He knew they were blonde, and probably from Mondstat since they first were heard from here , so he also could assume they had fair skin to go along with their hair .

He pushed the Bazaar's heavy doors, and found himself cursing in Sumerian whoever had designed it . He left 30 years ago and they still didn't oil it up ! Fuckers ... the door put up more of a fight than Petrov, but he soon triumphed and entered the Bazaar . Dim lights everywhere , and a pleasant scent of spices . Truly the best place in Sumeru : there wasn't much sounds , nor much people . It was calm, quiet, and the lighting was just perfect . He used to always come here to study, with Baizhu at his side .

The decorations for the festival had almost all been taken off . Only the flowers planted for the occasion were still here . Myriad of blue flowers — turquoise, navy, sea, pale blue — could be found just before the scene , where a young dancer stood . She was entertaining some kids, her cristalline laughter bringing joy to the place . 

She was dressed like a traditional entertainer of the desert : veils of blue covered her body , and nose , and she had a blue hood adorned with the fabled golden horns of the protectors of the desert. Her long red hair was the most vibrant Zandik had ever seen, but he was soon distracted by the sounds of the little bells she had around her ankles and wrist . 

The kids soon left her as she promised a last dance , and sat right before the scene, next to Zandik. He had to fight off the urge to kick them , and instead focused on the young woman. From her thoughts, he learnt that she was interpreting the Dance of Flowers — something he himself was familiar with, having been forced to learn it , while he much preferred dabke he learnt in his Akademiya days — . 

She had undeniable skills and talent : her body was like flowing water , and she was hypnotizing . Even without music, the small bells she carried managed to give an impact, and to make her stand out . She sometimes even hummed parts of the original music , while she executed some jumps or complicated movements , to focus on herself . 

The performance was lengthy, about 15 minutes long . The kids had soon left, without any music to entertain them . But Zandik had stayed, and during that time, he took back his normal appearance . Might as well get noticed by the populace , the militia would lead him right where he needed to get . Near the sages , namely . 

He clapped when the performance ended , on the young woman artistically falling to the ground , mimicking the Flower Goddess' death. She stayed a bit on the ground, and then stood back up . She saluted him , and in a swift jump , got out of the stage . 

- Thank you kindly for having stayed through it all. I haven't seen you here before ... My name is Nilou, and I am a performer . Are you interested by the Flower Goddess' festival ? » she asked gently . The doctor chuckled . Even with his mask on, this poor lamb didn't question anything . Did she not know of the Fatui ? 

- Ben'Azhaar. Scholar . Hasn't the festival ended already ? » Nilou nodded.

- Yes. But we might hold it again. The last one has been a disaster due to poor planning and ... outside forces . Would you like to attend it ? We could always use the help of a scholar ... You could help us organize — if it's not too much trouble of course . ( she seemed anxious for a second, and then she asked, looking into the doctor's eyes , which made him step back a bit, not liking it at all ) . Pardon my curiosity, but are you in some way related to the Goddess of Flowers ? With your name ... it's ... » 

For the first time, Zandik hesitated. Kandake's words had a deeper impact on him than he'd like to admit . His pride told him that she was nothing but a witch trying to sow discord in his own soul, but his rationality told him she had a point. Her wisdom was unmatched after all. It was true that being a descendant of Her meant something to him. This cursed heritage , this poisoned blood, had shaped his life to the core . He was raised a Ben'Azhaar . He was raised special, he was raised above everyone . Which led to him breaking down upon understanding that Her legacy, his own heritage, was big falsehood and lies . That he was , just like her, doomed by his blood and by their cruel , selfish and wicked minds .
He didn't have to be honest with Nilou. He didn't know her . But he wasn't to be ashamed of his blood either. It would be a sign of weakness, and he couldn't possibly afford more than what he allowed Chāo to see .

- The last of them. The bloodline ends with me . » he answered with a haste unlike him. He frowned. That wasn't good at all. That came accross as weak, and shameful. Without letting her time to ask more questions, he raised his hand, and showed the room a bit . « Why do you want to organize something for her , by the way ? 

- Well ... Are you not aware of the Tri-Deities' story ? » she asked, a bit unsure of herself . For a descendant of a goddess, he sure seemed like he didn't know many things about his own past . The goddess was to be honored , for she provided bountiful harvests, and beauty to the desert . 

- I am aware of how much of a traitor she was , and how she made that era crumble away, yes . Which is why I'm asking why would you honor such a bitch . » the poor dancer was frowning now, taken aback . She didn't want to be rude, but this man ... he was strange . And his mask was awfully familiar . It wasn't a common practice in Sumeru , to wear such things . So how could he , a scholar ...

- Because I was banned and I joined the Fatui, dancer . Took you long enough . Anyways, your prestation was enjoyable, thank you for your time . I will not bother you much, I can already hear the ... » the door to the Bazaar made a clangor as it felled on the cobblestone path . The sound wriggled inside the doctor's ears , and he had to take a deep breath as to not shiver . He turned to face the soldiers in front of him, and raised his hands to the air : « Eremites . Tasteful. Care to take me to the Sage, mh ? Fret not, I will not oppose any resistance whatsoever . Give me the shackles , come on. I don't have all day . 

The Eremites approached him carefully . Very , very carefully . The captain, adorned with veils of a deep scarlet, finally came, and shackled him. 

- Finally grown a moral compass ? » he asked, bitter . Zandik mused he must have killed some of his friends , he or one of his clones . 

- Dear Lords no, that would be terrible . » 

The light hearted joke didn't have a good audience . The man tried to slap him, and Zandik could do nothing but take the blow . Tough crowd ... he never made anyone laugh, did he ? But he learnt his lesson, and followed the Eremites to the Grand Library .

On his way, he noticed the people looking at him with fear . He didn't properly understood why. It wasn't like he was a menace, a psychopath with a bloodlust that craved nothing but violence . He was a scholar . Yeah, he did kill people, but most of the time, it was for the betterment of humanity, for his research. He truly didn't understand their reaction, but soon enough, for the first time in decades , he was back at the Akademiya .

Oh, how he had missed the grand Library ! Walls covered with knowledge, bright minds after bright minds conversing between one another . A temple dedicated to the pursuit of wisdom, the purest of all quests . The place where he had spent countless hours reading, learning , debating . He fell in love with scholars such as Madam Faruzan and her deep understanding of quantum mechanics , Professor Maalouf for his essays on what it meant to be human , and the rare hidden essays of the Greater Lord . He fell in love with science, but also with Baizhu here . He missed those simpler times .
He missed his true home .

But soon enough, he was brought to the lift, and then , at the highest room. The Sage's office which towered above the whole city. The Eremites pushed him in , and finally , he faced him . The man with the whip, the man who had destroyed his academics career , Azar . 

He had expected his guts to churn with an incandescent anger , and to strangle him right here and now . To bash violently his head against his own office , but not enough as to kill him, just enough for him to play with his body and turn him into a machine to do his biddings . For this worthless ant to be his servant, while his captive mind could do nothing but watch his body acts on itself, without being able to do anything. 

But instead , he just felt this cold anger . Calculative, slow and so much more delectable . He didn't even let the man talk . The eyes of the Eremites present in the room turned green, this sickly green of the Ben'Azhaar. One unshackled Zandik, and he approached the Sage . He could give it to him, he had nerves of steel . 

Unflinching, he looked straight into Zandik's eyes . Time had took its toll on his body : his face was old and weary, deep crow feet on the side of his eyes , and his white beard looked just like a fresh batch of snow . But his blue eyes carried the same arrogance, and the same strength. He was impressive. He was dangerous . He was the Grand Sage, and he had been for a century .

- Even now, you manage to disappoint me, Zandik. I thought we had been clear . You stay out of Sumeru city ... » 

A scalpel was now under his throat . Zandik wouldn't hear anything more from this man . It wouldn't be of any interest . Instead , he slowly made his scalpel tear a bit of his throat , not enough to make him bleed profusely, but he did draw blood.

- I've often wondered what would I do if I saw you again. I thought for a long time that I'd just be brutal. Eviscerate you, skin you perhaps . Chop off your dick and make some pigs eat it right before you. Truly, I've put some thoughts on what I'd do . But now that you're here, and for the first time in ages ... I am lost . » his scalpel now cut gently through the old man's cheek, getting stuck in the beard . His left hand reached for it, pulled it, and he cut it with his blade . He then continued his slow ascension towards the sage's eyes, and whispered .

- There's so many options, you've got to understand me . I could do so many things, but none would be enough. I want you dead, and I will have you dead . But I need to enjoy the process of it . I was thinking, whipping you in front of a crowd, the same you did for me , but that wouldn't be as delectable as it was for you. People would empathize with you. Not cheer me on like they did for you . » he was bitter . The anger finally started to eat up, and a slight grin formed on his lips . Finally, he was starting to enjoy this . 

- Or perhaps I should do something completely different . Divine knowledge can turn anyone mad, can't it ? Why shouldn't you have a glimpse of it ? Slowly but surely breaking that sought after brain, and turning it into a frenzied pulp . I could also make your whole family insane . You'd have a fun trip together in the desert, left to rot in the sand . I'd enjoy that, I could watch it for days ! It'd be the most poetic way to go ! You sent me to die in the desert, but instead you were the one to agonize there , and I became the Grand Sage ! » his excitement could be felt by the grand Sage . But Azar still didn't move . He just kept looking at Zandik. More and more of these penetrating blue eyes , almost tearing him up from the inside . He wanted to rip them away from his skull and make him eat it . He despised how he managed to stay this calm. It wasn't even a facade : his thoughts were as clear as day , and he just felt annoyed by how much time Zandik took . 

- The Traveller is at the Gates . 15 ish. Fair skin, golden eyes , golden hair . Medium size . White shirt and baggy pants. Sword. Floating companion. They are with a Katheryne. | » interrupted by his clone , Zandik let down his scalpel. He really couldn't enjoy a nice time, could he ? He turned his back to the Grand Sage, and sighed heavily . He tried to calm down. If he was to make a public appearance , he had to be in his best shape . With the Fatui uniform, and his rarely put-on crow mask that showed a bit of his scars , he arranged his hair , and turned to Azar , still looking at him in disapproval. 

He threw his scalpel on the chair . 

- This isn't finished. Don't even think about escaping . » 

____

Well they surely took their sweet time climbing up to the Akademiya. He should have stayed in that office, and finished the job with Azar, but there he was sitting like a kid on the stairs . Omega definitely messed up the timing. A bit unlike him, but maybe the excitement took over his temporal circuits. He should get a look on it after having captured that Traveler.  It took two minutes for him to connect to every Sumeru citizen and possess them. He knew where they were and — fuck's sake , buying another fruit paste ?! That little flying fuck had a bottomless stomach or what ! They didn't have all evening ! He wanted to capture them in a fashionable way, one that would make the Steambird's header ! 

He thought he'd be dead from old age when he finally saw them walk up the finals stairs . He stood up, arranged his clothes, and took a deep breath . Then, his scene started . 

Men and women alike started clapping , cheering up on the Traveler , who blushed a little under the attention. The crowd got denser, and through their eyes, the doctor saw the blonde haired starting to doubt something . They still gently replied to each of their "fans" , and tried to get out , taking Katheryne s hand and finally leading her to the last couple of stairs .

They immediately stopped as they crossed Zandik's gaze . Their left hand summoned their rusty sword . So , they knew who he was ? Interesting . Perhaps Baizhu's doing ... 

- Ah, the triumphant hero returns at last ! And to a rather spectacular welcome, even if I do say so myself ... » his grin got wider. He crossed his arms behind his back, and walked down the stairs , eyeing the traveler . They were ... far younger than expected . No matter . It'd be even easier to take the Sumerian Gnosis . But something else caught Zandik's eyes . The look on Katheryne's face . She wasn't normal . Something was off . From the way she walked , childlike and jumpy , to the way she looked at Zandik, with those big bright green eyes ...

- You're the outcast ... expelled from the Akademiya ... » she slowly realized , putting her arm before the traveler . Zandik couldn't hold back a little chuckle .

- Indeed I am ! » he said a little boastful, admiring the look of despair on the automata's face . « Although these days, they tend to call me the Doctor .

- The people of Sumeru city ... what have you done to them ? » she asked , her tone a bit off . A bit childish. Too high for a grown woman . Could she be ... 

Zandik approached her , not even minding the traveler . He needed to get closer, to get a better glimpse at her mind . It was strange ... she seemed so intelligent , and her mind so vast and ever growing, like a wild garden. He almost got lost in it. It was so dense, but yet so clear. It was like a rush of neverending informations about everything he could think of . From culinary arts to poisonous Padisarahs and their use, his mind was almost clogged by the flux of ideas and concepts . Such a powerful mind could belong to no one but the god of wisdom themselves.

A wicked grin slowly crept its way to his face. There they were, the Lesser Lord Kusanali, responsible for all of his misery and despair. The one from which hands stroke him down and made his life living hell, made him an outcast and scarred his flesh for ever. He'd take his sweet time taking them down too ... But first, he needed to get rid of that ridiculous Traveler. And he expected a battle-hardened warrior ! A child was all it took to defeat not only Ajax, but also the Fair Lady ? How mighty the fall, for the respected Household of Snezhnaya ! 

They must have realized the doctor's interest in them by now. The Katheryne looked at the Traveler, and at the cheerful crowd who slowly closed the distance between them. They lacked time, andd they lacked options. They couldn't fight off innocent civilians : she wouldn't allow it, not even for the Traveler's sake, and unlike Zandik, she wouldn't dare use such a dirty trick. She wasn't strong enough to fend off the doctor . She  took a quick look in his depraved mind, and everything she saw told her not to cross him.

He had no respect for the divine, not anymore. His mind was perverted with forbidden knowledge, the frenzied red burning at the back of his brain, gnawing at what little sanity he had left. Crimson eyes for a crimson sickness. Kusanali knew she could resist to the sweet whispers of this desert-born madness. She didn't fear for her sanity, but she feared on what he could unleash on the citizen, if she pushed him to that extent. She couldn't bear seeing another Scarlet Plague. They had no choice. 

A pure and cristalline voice reverberated in Zandik's mind, drowning the sound of the crowd and his own thoughts alike. It rang with such kindness, and almost pity, that he stopped moving. It was feminine, and childlike. He had no expected a literal child to rule over Sumeru but ... It made sense, as only them were capable of dreaming . 

- If I offer mysellf to thee,wouldst thou liberate my people ? I know it is I that thou art seeking . Let my people go free, and I shall oppose no resistance. |

- Would that include this traveler with you ? Does they count as your people ? | he asked, considering the offer. Having , after barely one day of work, one more gnosis would mean that he had his schedule freed. Hence, more time to work on his personal projects, go in the Desert instead of Alpha to study the resurgence of these sttrange machines, and perhaps even some time for a quick trip to Liyue ! Well, sure, he had to capture the Balladeer still ... But in two weeks time, he'd be dead. He'd just have to scour the lands with his army of clones to find the body and bring it back to the Tsaritsa. She never really asked him to kill that traveler after all ...

Speaking of which, they were getting more than nervous. From their point of view, Kusanali and him had been on a silent stand-still, not uttering a single word, just looking at each other menacingly. The grip on their sword was faltering. Were they of an anxious nature perhaps ? If so ... Why bother accepting Kusanali's offer ? He could take them on both right now ! Kusanali understood his shift of perspective almost immediately.

A wall of green energy surged forth from the ground, blocking the doctor's path . His eyes widened , and he frowned . Until the end, they'd be a pain in this ass ! He didn't even hear what she shouted at the traveler , but he saw them run away . He couldn't even order the crowd to get them : he was engaged in a battle of the mind now .

On each side of the opposing wall, they barely moved . Both of them were trying to regain the control of the populace . Kusanali was swift and precise , but everytime she freed a man, Zandik corrupted another . It would be a battle of attrition , as toying with the divine trees had a cost . The first one to pass out would be at the mercy of the other .

A few minutes were spent that way, and the Sage seemed to get the advantage . Il Dottore had faltered a second, allowing her to free a dozen of her people . She didn't knew why he suddenly failed , but she understood soon enough as she felt someone creep up behind her . The person blocked their two arms , and Kusanali let out a gasp . The green wall broke , and she immediately was greeted by a punch to the face , knocking them out .

Omega let the automata fall to the ground . Zandik just nodded as a thanks , and knelt to examine the body . He touched it . Katheryne AI was back, and the Archon would probably be resting at the Sanctuary . What an occasion wasted ... he sighed, and stood back up .

- We have Sumeru City now. Please inform the Regrator, Epsilon. Oh, and also the Traveller left . We managed to get the upper hand on Kusanali, we should be able to extract their gnosis in two days' time . | » he communicated , stretching and sighing . At least the day wasn't completely wasted ...

He let Katheryne lying on the stairs, and climbed back up. Omega left, saying something like "Securing Azar and making sure he didn't escape" , and he was once again alone. No, that wasn't exactly true . He was in the library, and each scholar, now freed of his mind, looked at him in equal proportions of awe and terror . The most brilliant mind this Academy has ever produced , but also its most wicked .

He went to the balcony , and gazed at the surrounding lakes, reflecting the light of the moon . It was ... the first time in months he was spending the night alone . Weird how he got used to having someone . He never felt that lonely before .

- I've softened ... » he sighed , resting his chin on his hands , bending over balcony.