Chapter 35: Demir’s Return
"I think all three of us can go back to the future now. Shehrazad is waiting for you! You are her whole reason for living—her family brought back from the depths of history," whispered Remi. She knelt on one knee right there, inside the glowing wall of ether, and pulled both children into a warm hug.
"You, Samir, have already guessed that I am actually your aunt in this world. I am part of the family too. Let’s go back!"
"Not yet!" the boys shouted together. "Let’s have one last meeting with Mum! She’ll be so happy to see us, and... since she’s in a cat’s body right now, she can actually see us."
Straight away, as if the ether had heard their wish, the scenery changed again. They found themselves in a tiny, humble room. It was poor but clean, and it smelled of sweet honey.
Two beautiful white cats with dazzling, electric-blue eyes were sitting on a very neat-looking rug. Next to them sat Mehyt, the big black cat, and a smaller ginger kitten that looked incredibly like Sirocco.
"I can’t believe it!" Remi gasped in surprise. "Mehyt! Great wind!"
Remi cleared her throat and quickly changed her approach. She remembered just how vain Mistral could be back in her own world.
"Oh, Mehyt, Most High North Wind! I think this is our final meeting. Can you tell me who this little ginger kitten is?"
"This little guy is Khamsin," Mehyt replied. "He's named after a wind, just like me. He’s a bit silly, but you know, he isn’t a real kitten either. He’s a boy from next door who loves playing tricks."
The twins didn't seem interested in this ancient version of Anemo's furry friends. They just wanted their mother. So, they both dropped to their knees, bowing their heads all the way to the ground in front of the white cats. Tears of emotion filled their eyes once more.
"Mum, Auntie, in this life and in every life, we will always be grateful for your sacrifice and cherish it!"
Meritmut walked closer to the children. With a lump in her throat, she looked up at the sky and answered:
"My sweet children! Thank goodness the goddess showed you mercy. It doesn't even matter that neither of you will rule over these people. Your destiny is a grand one anyway, blessed by the gods of heaven and earth. Never forget that!"
Suddenly, the ginger kitten who looked so much like Sirocco did a somersault. He transformed into a little red-haired boy of about four. He was wearing a long, baggy shirt that reached almost to the ground, of a strange colour that was neither white nor grey.
"Your boys are so big, Meritmut! You told me they were smaller than me!"
"Hello, little guy," Samir said, shyly waving his hand.
"Khamsin! Mum calls me Khamsin, but Dad sometimes calls me little Loki... We aren’t from around here. Grandad got cross with Dad and banishing him from Asar."
"Asar?" asked Remi, who was rather proud of her brilliant general knowledge. "I’ve never heard of a country called that, little one."
"These pretty girls let me borrow one of their magical collars sometimes," the boy chatted on. "Then I go and spy on my brothers and parents to play tricks on them. I can’t really fool Dad, but I’m learning more and more every day!"
Remi swallowed hard. She couldn't wait to meet Mistral and Sirocco again, just to tell them how mysterious and unpredictable the paths through the ether could be.
"We have to leave," she whispered into Samir’s ear. "Do you think your brother will agree to come with us this time?"
Samir turned to look at Demir, searching his twin brother’s eyes for a spark of agreement. Demir stayed frozen for a second, looking back and forth between the two white cats and little Khamsin, who was giving him a cheeky grin. Then, he took a deep breath, squeezed Remi’s hand, and bowed his head.
"I’m coming," he whispered. There was no hesitation left in his voice, only a strange, sudden maturity. "We don't belong here anymore. Shehrazad needs us, and we need her to understand who we truly are."
Meritmut let out one final, deep sigh—like a parting blessing. Meanwhile, the wall of ether grew milkier and began to tremble gently, like ripples on water under a soft breeze.
Khamsin waved cheerfully at them. Then, as if on cue, all three opened their eyes under the softly starry sky of Cairo. They were back in the black-and-white mosaic courtyard, where so many people were waiting for them with bated breath.
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