The teleportation back to Aarin's hut was more painful than expected. Aarin collapsed almost instantly. If Nirvan hadn't been there, he was sure he would've crumpled to the ground. The ghost held him gently by the waist, and Aarin didn't protest. He had barely caught his breath when he realized something was wrong.
They weren't alone.
Outside his hut, Lina was pacing worriedly, and Kian was playing with Shimu. Aarin looked at Nirvan and got a predictably confused shrug in response. As they made their way to the hut, Lina noticed them.
"Master Aarin!"
She ran over. Kian looked up, much like Shimu, and jumped up as well. Aarin looked at all three.
"I'll do you a favor and assume you have a good reason to be missing your lessons," Aarin said sternly.
"We heard what you did- an entire city- what!?"
Nirvan whistled, "News spread already?"
"I guess I owe you an explanation." Aarin sighed and knitted his eyebrows. "But first, I need to lie down. Let's talk inside."
Before Aarin even had the chance to lay his head on the pillow, Kian was by his side.
"He needs rest," the ghost warned before Kian even opened his mouth, his voice carrying an edge of authority that made both students straighten instinctively. Even Aarin was surprised, but didn't question it. Nirvan had changed over the years, perhaps not as much as Aarin, but over three centuries was quite a long time. He couldn't remain the same childish prince forever.
Lina fluttered around anxiously, bringing water, clean cloths, and the small stock of medical supplies they kept on hand.
Kian was practically shaking with energy when he spoke, "They said it was an entire city's worth of trapped souls being released at once."
"They're right," Nirvan confirmed for Aarin. He'd settled near the window, giving the students space to tend to Aarin but staying close. "Thousands of souls, trapped since Yethra fell. Your master freed them all."
"How?" Lina's eyes were wide, "How is that even possible? One person can't cleanse that much corruption-"
"You have quite the exceptional Master." Aarin could hear the fondness in Nirvan's voice, soft, low, and it made his long-dead heart beat much too fast.
"Don't you sell yourself short," he murmured, then shifted his attention to the disciples. "Nirvan made sure to protect me from the ghosts."
Lina looked between them, clearly trying to piece everything together.
"A reaper and a ghost lord. Working together to cleanse corruption." She shrugged. "As unusual as that is, I guess I can't be too surprised."
"What do you mean by that?" Aarin muttered.
Lina and Kian passed looks to each other and shook their head hastily, many awkward 'nothing's following.
Amidst all the commotion and questions, Shimu found her way to Aarin and came to stand by his side, purring up a storm. Lina smiled softly.
"She missed you, wouldn't stop meowing until we came to the hut."
Aarin closed his eyes and slung his forearm over his face, lips quirking up softly in a smile. He gently scratched behind her ears with his other arm, and she leaned into his palm with her whole body.
"I'm alright…" he mumbled, words slurring. "Safe…"
Before he knew it, he'd drifted off.
When Aarin woke, the light outside had changed. Late afternoon, judging by the angle of the sun through the windows. His body still ached, but it was more manageable now.
He sat up carefully, testing his strength. Better.
Nirvan was still by the window. Shimu had changed positions and taken to curl up at his feet. Lina sat near the door, sharpening her spear with methodical movements. Kian was outside. Aarin could hear him doing something, but he didn't have the strength or will to try and figure out what.
"Master, you're awake." Lina sheathed her spear and scrambled towards him. "Should I fetch you some water?"
Aarin waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, I was just tired."
"How strong you are, Master Aarin," Nirvan called playfully.
"Oh, quiet," Aarin commanded, earning a chuckle from both Lina and the ghost.
Abruptly, Kian appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray with rose sharbat and something that might have been an attempt at food.
"You're awake! I made a sharbat, rice, and lentils, but I think I might have burned the rice a little. Or a lot. It's definitely crunchy in places-"
"Thank you, Kian," Aarin interrupted before the rambling could continue. "I'm sure it's fine."
The rice was indeed burned, the lentils had turned bitter, and the sharbat was far too strong. But Aarin drank it anyway, grateful for his student's care even if his cooking left much to be desired. Considering that, for the past few centuries, he had been dragging his weakened, beaten body around, taking care of everything himself- this was way more than he could've ever asked for.
Everyone took a seat around Aarin. Kian and Lina were clearly eager to hear all about what had transpired in Yethra. Shimu had woken up, gently sniffing Nirvan from a safe distance. She didn't immediately hiss and run for it, so it was definitely progress.
Aarin recounted almost everything, leaving out the details of the memories and the Priestess. They didn't need to know the smallest of things; a rough run-through had to be enough.
"So- what now?" Lina questioned. "Where will you go next?"
Aarin still wasn't used to it, people asking him that. People looking out for him.
"Depends," he said honestly. "I must seek Niryati's guidance."
"Will you be okay?" Kian murmured. "Cleansing so many souls at once couldn't be good-"
"I will be fine." Aarin tried for a comforting smile. "Leave the worrying to your elders. I'll manage."
His eyes caught Nirvan's, and the ghost smiled back, nodding reassuringly.
The students left once night had fallen, and that was only because Aarin insisted.
"The instructors will punish you, and I will not defend you," he had warned.
Once they were gone, Aarin and Nirvan were alone once again. The ghost had shown up barely a week or so ago, and yet, Aarin had already grown rather dependent on his presence.
Like an anchor.
Aarin was changing into new robes when he heard Nirvan clear his throat.
"So, this meeting." The ghost broke the silence.
Aarin flinched. "How'd you know about that?"
"I have my ways." Nirvan shrugged. "I might've caught echoes of that 'Bookkeeper' of yours. Not everything, just that you've been 'summoned'."
"Ghost lords can do that?" Aarin frowned, tying his robes together.
"Not all ghost lords," Nirvan explained, closer now. "I guess I'm just special."
Aarin looked over his shoulder and realized the ghost was right behind him. He turned around to face Nirvan, a hand on his hip and a stern expression on his face.
"Eavesdropping is a bad thing to do," he tsk'd.
"I'm a ghost lord, I'm made of all the bad things that can be done," Nirvan said mischievously.
Aarin flicked Nirvan's forehead. "Boasting as always."
He sat down cross-legged on the cot. Nirvan took a seat on the floor by Aarin's side, resting his chin on the cot's edge.
"Well, the meeting," Nirvan began.
"The meeting," Aarin repeated coyly.
"When will you go?" the ghost asked quietly.
"Why do you want to know?" Aarin questioned.
"So I can count the days we must stay apart," the ghost sighed. Aarin didn't know if the other was joking or not, but either way, he felt his cheeks grow warm. He coughed into his fist.
"I-... I was planning on taking you with me."
Nirvan's eyes widened, surprised.
"Me? A ghost lord? In your Heavenly Council? I didn't take you for that much of a rebel!" Nirvan sounded quite excited.
"Technically, I'm not breaking any rules." Aarin nodded. "You have an immortality card, do you not? Your soul is not corrupted."
Nirvan chuckled, "I can't imagine any god of yours pleased to see someone of my kind accompanying you"
"Then let them be angry." Aarin smiled back. "Niryati herself wishes to see you. So, will you come with me?"
"Niryati or not," Nirvan grinned, "who am I to disobey my Master Aarin's words?"
A/N:
Sorry for the abrupt hiatus! Ya girl had exams T^T but I'm officially back now :D