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Pretty.
That's all Al-haitham could see as he looked at Cyno fighting.
The way he moved, each attack just as precise as the last, each hit with just as much or more power than the last.
He was mesmerised.
And then he remembered he was fighting for his life right now.
He did his best to counter each attack, not having his own weapon on him and only wielding a shitty sword he took in case of an emergency.
Al-haitham shifted slightly, just barely moving out of the way of an attack and couldn't help but be in awe at Cyno never let down with each attack.
There was such power in him wielding his weapon and using each attack to plan for a future attack. He kept blocking or countering, fighting for his life and for some reason he only thought that the General Mahamatra Cyno was the most ethereal being in a battle.
As he countered, Cyno used his counter to jump from his sword onto a cliff only to come back down with just as much power as he used to jump.
He was mesmerised, how did Cyno do that without injuring himself. There was so much power in just that attack.
Now Al-haitham has zero clue as to why Cyno is fighting him. It could be for a numerous amount of reasons. His involvement in whatever the Akademiya is cooking up, whether it had been an accident because he only found out something was wrong fairly recently.
Or it could be when he took the knowledge capsule, to wonder why there were so many people after it and why it was so important.
Or it could be that he was suspicious as the Grand Scribe, having some enemies considering his position.
Whatever the reason was, he didn't know whether to be grateful or not because whatever scenario had him gazing at the general who was fighting him, he thought himself blessed.
"Cyno," Al-haitham said, trying to keep a clear head because he was there for a reason.
He hadn't seen the General in weeks after he had seemingly disappeared and he didn't know why.
"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?" Al-haitham questioned, curiosity piqued as a scholar.
"Al-haitham." And hearing his name from the general's mouth sounded so odd. They had barely ever interacted, minus Al-haitham's gazing when he could. "Do not think that you can escape my judgment just because you managed to escape my attack," Cyno stated.
"'Judgement'? So, that's how you'd characterise your actions here, is it? Or would 'elimination' perhaps be a more accurate description?" Al-haitham asked, matching Cyno's gaze because what else could he do in the situation.
"Had I used my full strength, not even this traveller would have been able to stop me." Al-haitham had been correct in his first assessment.
Cyno was not using his full strength.
Cyno had glanced over to the traveller and Al-haitham wished he would keep his eyes on him.
"Ahem... Well, look at you two, acting all tough and self-righteous over there." Dehya interrupted them.
Well so much for gazing at Cyno. Al-haitham sighed internally, knowing there was more to come but he wished he got a few more seconds with Cyno without someone interrupting them.
This was the start of their unlikely partnership.
Well, more like a group project considering how Al-haitham was a differing factor from everyone.
They learned about everything from the traveller, why Cyno had left the Akademiya and stepped down as the General Mahamatra by running away and what Al-haitham's purpose was in it.
And Al-haitham was grateful for his scholarly brain and able to assess and process information without needing to fully concentrate. Because half of his brain was just staring at Cyno when he could, and wondered what it would take for Cyno to put his polearm at his throat.
Not in a deadly manner he hoped, but he loved seeing the raw power Cyno wielded and knew he was much stronger than most if not all of Sumeru. He was strong and powerful and if Al-haitham didn't want to continue living his peaceful life, he would find reasons for Cyno to pin him to the ground or to the wall.
He knew that the only reason Cyno didn't get up and attack him again was because they were in Aaru village and Candace would probably either kick them out or have their heads for disturbing the peace.
Al-haitham was a little disappointed that he and Cyno had started off at odds because he would love to be able to learn more about him. He wanted to figure out everything about Cyno, everything that Cyno would be willing to tell him.
Al-haitham was a scholar and Cyno was one of the most interesting topics he wanted to study. He wanted to learn more about him.
Al-haitham had known that he had been, in laymen's terms, down bad for Cyno since their Akademiya days.
He didn't get to interact with Cyno much in their Akademiya days, actually, they barely had glances at each other and only shared two classes. As a Haravatat student, and someone who wanted to learn so much more about the languages and history of teyvat and so taking any and all classes for languages meant that of course, Al-haitham would be in this class.
And knowing Cyno's background, he of course had attended these classes. These classes were ancient desert languages that very few students wanted to actually learn, and ancient runes and ciphers that many more wanted to learn.
These were the only classes that Al-haitham basically had that allowed him to stare at Cyno without any remorse.
He knew Cyno was from the desert and from Spantamad but that never deterred him. He learned about the desert from these classes but he wanted to learn from Cyno.
Unfortunately, they only had those two classes for one year and the next, Al-haitham basically never saw Cyno again.
The only time he had seen him was passing by when Cyno was talking with a fox-eared scholar by the name of Tighnari who was apparently one of the best students in Amurta.
The time that Al-haitham had known that Cyno had even joined the matras was when he had gone past the matra's training grounds and saw them training.
There he saw Cyno again. And he saw the power he held as he trained, rarely letting anyone get the upper hand.
And Al-haitham would randomly decide that the longer route, past the matra training grounds, was a good route to take sometimes.
When he heard that Cyno was promoted to General Mahamatra, he could not help but be proud that someone that a lot of the Akademiya discriminated against, now was strong enough to bring wayward scholars for judgement and had enough strength and power to rival eremites and villains alike.
But he never spoke to Cyno, never knowing why he should or would talk to him.
And now he does have a reason. But how can he talk to him when he was under suspicion of the General Mahamatra.
And so that suspicion continued for a while.
Investigate the people of Aaru village to find information on the Village keepers, Al-haitham was basically told that he wasn't needed. To gain Cyno's trust, he went and did his own information gathering, finding that one village resident lied to them and subsequently found the truth.
He guided the traveller and Paimon to talk to them again in hopes Cyno would trust him but that didn't seem to work much.
Al-haitham takes the lead basically, going off to the Eleazar hospital with the traveller and Paimon and actually helping out, no matter how much he hated the sand getting in his clothes. It was interesting enough for him to develop theories about Eleazar and the Divine knowledge capsules but he also knew that through all of this, Cyno would not trust him still.
How could Cyno trust him when he directly put himself in the way of Divine Knowledge Capsules and followed the traveller and his companion. He was the Scribe and basically worked right under the Sages and he should have known all this. He should have been able to figure all of this out much sooner but they found his blind spot and all of this went under his nose.
And he knew that what he told Cyno next did not help. Did he think telling Cyno that the Sages were monitoring Cyno through the Akasha and could predict every one of his moves would gain his trust?
Of course not.
With how everything was going, he would never gain Cyno's trust.
"I remember seeing the thick notebook next to the control panel once. Its contents were all about the General Mahamatra, his activities throughout the day, preferred methods of enacting judgement... everything." Al-haitham stated and he would take his words back if it could stop the slight shock and pain he could see in the eyes of the general.
"...But what's the point in doing that? My actions aren't important enough to be added into the Akasha." Cyno questioned.
"The Akasha is capable of computation," Al-haitham stated and he could see the shock in the minuscule twitches on Cyno's face.
"The Akasha's algorithm are entirely capable of predicting your movements using the data entered. When you would depart, the route you would follow, your destination... it knew all of this." Al-haitham explained.
"It predicted my every move...!" Cyno said.
Al-haitham, if he could, would tear down every and any book and all the information on Cyno. On the General Mahamatra. Cyno didn't deserve to have something so constricting happen to him.
"The Akademiya has been watching you longer than you think. However, the fact that you resigned is proof that their suspicions were well founded." Al-haitham observed.
He knew Cyno was strong enough to take down every single person in the Akademiya if he wanted. But he was a good person. A kind-hearted person with a good soul, no matter how much the people of Sumeru who see him and observe him would like to say.
Cold and ruthless, he was nothing like that. He made sure people were safe and judged people fairly. If there was anyone who didn't deserve something like this to happen, it would be Cyno.
For the time they spent working together, over a week, Al-haitham believed he had done something to gain Cyno's trust and right after that, he had done something that would lose it.
The two barely spoke to each other most of the time, but it seemed sometime during it Cyno went from distrusting him completely to trusting him enough to sit next to him.
Then came Jnagarbha day. It should be nerve-wracking but Al-haitham was deadset on making sure this plan went off without a hitch.
He already made his way back to Sumeru City, meeting up with the traveller and going to Azar's office. The plan went well, even as Al-haitham gets knocked out and escorted out of the Akademiya and to the desert.
He knew the plan was going well. He knew it but he still wanted to go back and check. To observe if it was going well. He naturally preferred not having anything to do now, as his part of the mission was over. But he hoped that Cyno was okay. He had to be okay. No one could defeat Cyno unless it was Cyno himself.
A day or so later and they had freed their archon. The traveller had defeated the false god and now their archon was free and Al-haitham found himself back at the Akademiya.
He was satisfied, he would keep his cozy job, the akasha was dismantled, the old sages and grand sages were taken away and good riddance. Well, he would be satisfied if the now-reinstated General Mahamatra was not approaching him with a proposal.
"I believe you should be a sage," Cyno stated and Al-haitham stared up from his desk to look at the one who has captured his thoughts most times of the day.
"Unfortunately, as much of a privilege, as it is that you believe I should be one, I do not have a desire for a promotion. I am quite fine with my current job." Al-haitham mentioned and Cyno stared right at him.
"It is up to you, but you would be fit to take up the place," Cyno said and Al-haitham had the smallest of smiles on his face.
"It is an honour that the General Mahamatra believes I would be fit to become a sage. Although I am quite surprised considering your, well placed, suspicions and mistrust of me." Al-haitham stated.
"As surprising as it is to you, I do trust you." Those words reverberated around Al-haitham's mind. I do trust you. Cyno trusted him. He actually trusted him.
"Ah. That is most surprising. Unfortunately, the one in charge of personnel affairs had nominated me to be grand sage and I refused. I am grateful for everything we have done but I was not doing this for a promotion. I am very grateful for my job." Al-haitham stated, leaning a little back to look at Cyno.
"Okay. I understand. But you would be very beneficial and very good to the wellbeing of Sumeru." Cyno stated as he walked away.
Al-haitham smiled, it was good to see Cyno back in the Akademiya.
A few days later and Al-haitham were approached by the traveller and Paimon to invite him to a party celebrating Cyno's reinstatement.
Most times, Al-haitham would have loved to skip it, go home and read a good book and ignore everyone with his headphones.
But, at the mention of Cyno and he already had made up his mind. He had to go. The Akademiya were going to get busier with the healing of Sumeru and well, he was determined to at least see Cyno when he could.
At the gathering, he was a little surprised that Cyno actually came. They were celebrating him, but it also seemed like Cyno was like him, who preferred to avoid large crowds when possible.
"We owe it to our abilities... and luck," Al-haitham said, in response to what they had done together.
"Really? Why do I remember everybody thinking that luck was against us and feeling like we hardly had a chance of succeeding?" Dehya questioned.
"That's how I remember it too," Cyno responded.
"It's luck that brought us together and it was luck that let us form a team. Then it took even more luck for us to formulate a plan and implement it successfully." Al-haitham said.
"Moreover, judging from the results, everything worked out well," Al-haitham said.
Al-haitham partially lied when asked about why he helped with their plan. Yes, he wanted to keep his job as the Grand Scribe, but, he wanted Cyno to have the freedom of being the General Mahamatra and judging those who have wronged and not be practically stalked by some power-crazy sages who deserved much more punishment than basic reformation.
"I seldom participate in such lively gatherings, but the atmosphere here is quite good," Al-haitham stated, as the traveller approached.
"Huh. I thought you might find it boring." The traveller stated.
"No, this gathering today has a unique meaning," Al-haitham said, continuing to talk about the Grand Bazaar and their happiness but he knew why he attended the gathering. He looked over his cup slightly to see the traveller going off to talk to Cyno.
They were later surprised with a visit from their archon, using the traveller's body as a vessel to contact them.
Everyone gathered towards each other, telling tales old and new and talking to each other about anything. Al-haitham decided to stand on the stage, against a wall, content to watch the interactions. He was perfectly fine without pointless talk anyway.
"I'm surprised to see you here," Cyno said in lieu of a greeting.
"Ah well, it was a gathering celebrating our General Mahamatra and I was invited so it was only natural that I attend unless my presence deters you." Al-haitham states and Cyno raises an eyebrow at that.
"No, it is good to see you away from those books you keep your head in all the time. And, I must apologise for our first meeting. I doubt it was very welcoming to be attacked randomly." Cyno said and it was like they were in their own world, just chatting with each other.
"Ah. Well, it was quite perturbing to be attacked but you must have had good reason. You are the General Mahamatra and I trust your judgement above all." Al-haitham said and Cyno nodded.
"Well, I presume we will be working together a few times with the new Sumeru we will help build," Cyno states.
"Yes. Although, I would like to ask for one sparring session if you would give a feeble scholar a chance to sharpen his skills." Al-haitham stated and Cyno nodded.
"Yes. That sounds fine." Cyno said and then was called by Dehya to answer a question, who looked like she had a few drinks.
Al-haitham took a sip of his wine, in hopes to mask his smile.
A training session with the General Mahamatra. A chance to see him fight up close and personal.
A few weeks or so later and the General Mahamatra had requested him in the matra training room.
It wasn't often used currently, due to the upheaval of Sumeru and the Akademiya. Many matra and scholars were found to have been working with the sages or other scholars with terrible intentions and so all of that was being investigated.
And it seemed that the general had found time to allow both of them to spar together, where none of them would be disturbed.
"Now, mein Mahamatra, I was the one who asked for a sparring session, now why are you requesting me?" Al-haitham questioned, taking his cape off and putting it to the side.
"Because it is a perfect time now. Is there an issue?" Cyno asked.
"No, there isn't General. Shall we get started?" Al-haitham asked, taking his own swords out.
Cyno nodded as they stood apart from each other, both prepared.
And without a word...
Clash!
Swords against Polearm.
Scholar against Matra.
Al-haitham against Cyno.
Al-haitham could tell Cyno wasn't putting his full power or energy into it and he would shudder at the day when he saw Cyno use it. Those scholars that did wrong must have been an idiot if they think they can escape Cyno.
When one would counter, one would strike. It was like a dance. Blades crossed and Al-haitham can't help but be wowed by the sheer force Cyno still exudes.
Al-haitham, blocks, holding his own then ducks and moves. He gets behind Cyno and before he could think, Cyno had already anticipated this and already moved, kicking Al-haitham's chest and causing him to stumble.
Al-haitham took a small breath and gripped his swords a little harder.
Cyno pointed the polearm to Al-haitham's chest and looked at him.
"You have to try harder than that," Cyno stated and Al-haitham nodded.
And again, they fought, blades clashing. He almost got nicked a few times and he made sure to duck and move a few times to not gain any real damage.
It was beautiful, watching Cyno move, even as half his brain remembered that he was fighting.
Al-haitham used his swords to block Cyno's attack, only for it to knock the swords out of his hands and onto the ground. Al-haitham gripped the pole, to try and stave off anything before he got his swords back and Cyno seemed to light up a little.
He used that to his advantage and pushed Al-haitham with his pole, causing him to stumble as Cyno straddled him, letting them fall onto the ground, and pinned him down, the polearm to his neck.
"Ah, seems like I am no match for the General Mahamatra." Al-haitham chuckles a little and Cyno stared him down.
Like this, all Al-haitham could think was how lovely it was to see Cyno so relaxed, even after a fight and how good he looked holding him down.
"So, Scribe, I have a proposition for you," Cyno spoke up and Al-haitham lifted an eyebrow at this.
"You are requesting something of me?" Al-haitham questioned.
"Hm, more or less," Cyno stated.
"Please, enlighten me," Al-haitham said and Cyno sighed lightly.
"Take the job of Grand Sage. We haven't found anyone suited for it and I wholly believe that you would be well suited for it. Sumeru needs you. Our archon needs you. I, if anything, need you." Cyno admitted and Al-haitham huffs a little.
"There really is little benefit for me taking up the role," Al-haitham mentions and Cyno has a light smile on his face.
Oh, what Al-haitham would give to see that smile every day.
"Well, could I entice you?" Cyno suggested and Al-haitham stared blankly.
"How could you entice me," Al-haitham questioned.
Cyno leaned down, invading Al-haitham's space and he had no idea how much he loved it. Cyno had no idea how crazy he made Al-haitham feel.
"See scribe. Nothing gets past the General Mahamatra. And you, can't seem to get your eyes off me." Cyno states and Al-haitham visibly swallows.
He knew.
Of course, he knew.
This was the General Mahamatra and Al-haitham's wandering eyes were no match to his keen senses.
"And why is that of any matter right now?" Al-haitham asked.
"Well, you see. You taking up the role of Grand Sage would be very beneficial." Cyno suggested again, now completely having invaded Al-haitham's space and very close towards Al-haitham's space.
"And, you aren't bad to look at," Cyno whispered, lips ghosting Al-haitham's as he looked into his eyes, a silent ask for the go-ahead.
With the smallest of nods, Cyno's entire being felt like it was surrounding him. Al-haitham never knew how much he would want to be kissed until Cyno was doing it. His lips were much softer than he expected and he felt like he was being consumed.
The polearm had been let up long ago but not moved and so Al-haitham placed his hands on Cyno's back, pulling him closer. Cyno's hands were on his chin and one was closer to his neck, holding himself above Al-haitham.
And before he knew it, Cyno was pulling away, both of them breathing a little worse than before and Cyno's hair a little ruffled under his headdress.
"So, Scribe, thoughts." Cyno reminded him of their conversation and Al-haitham internally groaned at the idea that he was contemplating this.
"Are you trying to seduce me into taking up the job?" Al-haitham asked and Cyno chuckled a little.
"Not much seducing if you were the one who has been, as some would say, ogling at me anytime you could set your eyes on me," Cyno stated and Al-haitham sighed.
"You make a tempting offer," Al-haitham said.
"The position I assume," Cyno said with a small smirk.
Al-haitham breathes at that. He didn't know how much Cyno had taken over his heart and his mind. "I will take the role of Grand Sage." Al-haitham breathes out and Cyno nods.
"Good," Cyno said.
"But I will do it temporarily. Until we find sages to fill the remaining positions and a suitable Grand Sage that will take over." Al-haitham offered and Cyno nodded again.
"That is acceptable. So, my Acting Grand Sage. What is the first thing you want to do?" Cyno asked and Al-haitham grabbed Cyno's hand with his own.
"Kiss me," Al-haitham said and Cyno immediately reacted, placing his lips over Al-haitham's again.
Al-haitham was right. Cyno was beautiful in every way. In the way he fought, in the way he acted and in the way he took matters into his own hand.
And Al-haitham had loved him for so long. He was ecstatic to be kissing him.
"Now come on Scribe, we have much to do," Cyno said, standing up, taking his polearm with him and holding his hand out for Al-haitham.
Al-haitham groaned a little, at the idea of the amount of work he now would have to do and the number of people he would need to talk to help Sumeru.
But with Cyno by his side, with his General Mahamatra, he knew that he would be able to get through it. He would be the Acting Grand Sage until Sumeru was stable enough that they didn't need him and so he could have his cozy life, but now with Cyno by his side.
He trusts Cyno.
And Cyno trusts him.
And he loves it.