Cytham

Cytham is the slash ship between Alhaitham and Cyno from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
Cyno and Alhaitham share many similarities within canon, such as the fact that Alhaitham was originally offered the role of General Mahamatra before Cyno, but declined the offer and let the post go to Cyno, instead. Due to Alhaitham’s acute understanding of the position—such as how he read an extensive log that gave him foresight to know how the Sages could track and predict Cyno’s actions—it can be assumed that Alhaitham keeps close tabs on the General Mahamatra. As Scribe of the Mahamata, Alhaitham is seemingly responsible for overseeing much of the law that Cyno implements, which means they could work closely, if indirectly.

In addition, it’s shown that both were likely graduates of the Haravatat, one of the Akademiya’s Six Darshans that focuses on linguistics, especially of lost and arcane languages. Alhaitham shows proficiency throughout the Archon Quests for translating ancient languages, while Cyno’s first appearance in the prelude manga was specifically at Lisa’s behest for help with translating a Fatui document in a language no one else understood alongside the task of dealing with Collei. Both wear darker color palettes, and as the Haravatat’s official color is black, this could allude to a shared alma mater.

Personality-wise, Alhaitham and Cyno are known to be quarrelsome with each other, often bickering and holding long silences. However, they’re also shown to have similarities due to their stoic, intimidating personalities. In addition, they have intimidating reputations in the Akademiya that makes them feared as much as they are respected.

In the Sumeru Promotional Video before 3.0’s launch, the pair are shown battling with one another before being interrupted by Dehya, alluding to the cutscene later seen in Archon Quest, Dreams, Emptiness, Deception.

Dreams, Emptiness, Deception
Nearing the end of the third chapter, the party arrives at Caravan Ribat; the Traveler and Paimon remark about the Wall of Samiel when Alhaitham appears and tells them to follow him, narrowly escaping a group of Eremites who were hunting them down. Alhaitham tells them that he's still studying the capsule and believes the Traveler might be hiding something from him before offering to go to Aaru Village with them, which they accept.

When they arrive at the village, the Traveler senses someone waiting to attack and parries the first strike before they clash with Alhaitham to a standstill. Alhaitham recognizes the man as Cyno, the General Mahamatra. Cyno demands he reveal the Divine Knowledge Capsule before Alhaitham questions him being alone in the desert, as the other matra were wondering where he went. Suddenly, Dehya arrives and tries to mediate, although the two men are still insistent on fighting. A sandstorm then kicks up, forcing the group into the village chief's hut when another woman calls out to them.

Inside, the woman introduces herself as Candace and warns them not to cause a fight in the village again before asking them to explain what happened. Cyno goes first, stating that he put himself in exile after noticing missing data that Azar submitted himself. When he tried to investigate, Azar denied his request, stating that he had no right to judge them. Cyno then reveals that Alhaitham had been tasked with tracking the Traveler, who doesn't deny the accusation, but reveals that he did not accept it, as the sages had promised him divine knowledge, which he found extremely suspicious.

Several times throughout this conversation, Cyno and Alhaitham are shown to have a quarrelsome attitude towards each other, with their exchanges often littered towards long silences and bickering.

King Deshret & the Three Magi
They take Razak back to the village, where they brief the others on what they found at the hospital. Cyno wonders how the Akademiya is aware of their plans before Alhaitham tells him that he's the mole, much to his anger. He explains that the sages knew of his conviction and that it posed a threat to them, so they needed to monitor him at all times. While he was idling about, Alhaitham found a book detailing his activities and movements which were uploaded to the Akasha on Jnagarbha Day. Cyno fails to see the reasoning behind it until Alhaitham tells him that the Akasha is capable of computation, thus it could predict his activities for the day. Cyno is initially dismayed at this, but realizes that if they were trying to avoid him, the perpetrators would go in the direction opposite of him; the desert.

Heading out into the desert, they find some headsets buried in the sand and continue following them, surmising that they were left there recently. Cyno then hears arguing and they spot Dehya and a group of Eremites led by Rahman.

They go on to the site of mysterious ruins where Alhaitham translates a transcript that details the words of Kasala, a priest of the Scarlet King that dons a headdress suspiciously similar to the one Cyno wears, leading to fannish speculation of him either being a reincarnation or descendant of the priest.

Upon some Eremites seeing both Alhaitham and Cyno, they become terrified, further alluding to the equally intimidating reputation both men have.

Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises
In the preview trailer for the upcoming Archon Quest, Cyno makes the remark, “Alhaitham’s plan is more radical than I imagined.”

Nahida’s Character Teaser
In Nahida’s Character Teaser, one of the segments describes the Flower Knight and his retainers, showing the Traveler as the Flower Knight and Cyno and Alhaitham among his retainers like the dream Nahida has cyclically.

Xiphos’ Moonlight
Alhaitham’s signature sword, known as Xiphos’ Moonlight, contains this as part of its description: "‘Later on, the swordsman adored by the Jinni of moonlight would encounter an exiled foreign wanderer. The wanderer had accepted silver coins, blood money from kings opposed to Tulaytullah, and he shouldered their grudges and hatred against the hero. Thus they who should have become friends at some bar became foes in battle, fighting each other to the death with the moonlight as their witness. In the fight, their blades were bathed in ruby wine while the overripe pomegranate burst, vital, vivid red pouring from the rupture… The deadly duel finally settled. The pale moon cast its cold light upon the winner and the defeated alike. 'Whichever direction the wind blows, there is never a single ripple in the cup of life. The three departed goddesses had long determined the heroes' fate, even if they could never fathom it themselves.’"Although it’s unconfirmed, given how Alhaitham is first shown with this sword in the Sumeru Promotional Video when he fights against Cyno, there’s the strong implication that Alhaitham is meant to parallel Xiphos while Cyno parallels the foreign wanderer. This seems to fit given how, when they first meet, Alhaitham has been on the same side as Cyno all along despite the latter’s misgivings; in addition, they have a very contentious dynamic with one another that could fit the description of how ‘they should have been friends’. Unlike the tragic tale of Xiphos and his would-be friend, Alhaitham and Cyno work out their differences in uniting to fight for the same cause to save the Dendro Archon and Sumeru as a whole.

Reincarnation Theory
Although it’s more fannish than confirmed, it’s heavily implied that Alhaitham could be a possible reincarnation of the Scarlet King. Those who agree with this theory note that his eyes mirror the ‘Eye of the Scarlet King’ shown in a story cutscene that detailed the truth behind the Greater Lord’s demise during what was presumably the Cataclysm. Fans note how, like when beings (like Zhongli) change form, they retain their eyes no matter what form is taken.

Cyno, meanwhile, is seen as the Scarlet King’s priest’s reincarnation. The priest, known as Kasala, was interred in ruins and recorded a last testament to the truth of the previous Dendro Archon and Scarlet King’s fall and how he remained faithful until the very end. Not only does Cyno don a jackal headdress identical to the one Kasala wore, but his signature weapon, the Staff of the Scarlet Sands, is one of three parts of the scepter that the Scarlet King possessed that was emblematic of his authority in the desert over his peoples that his retainers could authenticate. As one of his retainers, Kasala would've likely had similar authority.

Quotes
"I don't really like people who are too smart. They think they can control everything, and constantly venture to the fringes of danger. But Alhaitham is one of the more reliable ones. In most cases, he is actually in control of things and has the ability to avert potential disaster."

- Cyno, about Alhaitham

"You seem to have placed a lot of trust in Alhaitham, to the point of blocking an attack for him. If I were you, I'd never choose to side with him. I wouldn't believe a single word that comes out of his mouth. I have been pursuing this scribe for a long time. I urge you, stand back and do not seek to defend him any longer. Otherwise... there will be consequences."

- Cyno, during The Four at Loggerheads

"Yes... General Mahamatra Cyno, head of all the matra at the Akademiya. He's a formidable hunter, and the ultimate nightmare for any who have committed academic crimes. [...] Very perceptive of you... Nothing escapes a matra's senses."

- Alhaitham at Cyno, during The Four at Loggerheads

"Ahem... Well look at you two, acting all tough and self-righteous over there. [...] Yeah, sure looks that way... Two giants from the Akademiya, duking it out once and for all. Not something you get to see every day, that's for sure. Listen, I know you academic types love to fill up your big brains with self-righteous morality, and lord your empty rules and virtues over each other…"

- Dehya, about Cyno and Alhaitham’s similarities

"Later on, the swordsman adored by the Jinni of moonlight would encounter an exiled foreign wanderer. The wanderer had accepted silver coins, blood money from kings opposed to Tulaytullah, and he shouldered their grudges and hatred against the hero. Thus they who should have become friends at some bar became foes in battle, fighting each other to the death with the moonlight as their witness. In the fight, their blades were bathed in ruby wine while the overripe pomegranate burst, vital, vivid red pouring from the rupture… The deadly duel finally settled. The pale moon cast its cold light upon the winner and the defeated alike. "Whichever direction the wind blows, there is never a single ripple in the cup of life. The three departed goddesses had long determined the heroes' fate, even if they could never fathom it themselves.”"

- Xiphos’ Moonlight, description

Fanon
Ever since the release of the Sumeru Promotional Video, many fans started and still enjoy the idea of Cyno and Alhaitham having either a bitter rivalmance, or enemies-to-lovers. Their similar personalities often see fans depicting them as being prone to arguing frequently, or otherwise having antagonistic encounters with each other.

On a more genial basis, there are those that enjoy the idea of them being Akademiya sweethearts when they were younger. Due to the fact that they likely studied at the same Darshan, some further still like the idea of Lisa acting as a wingman that coaxes the two to accept their mutual if stubbornly repressed feelings for each other.

In addition, because of their determination to save the Dendro Archon, some fans have begun to ship the two as dads that raise Nahida as their own, still very much prone to bickering, but much more like an old married couple than anything truly antagonistic.

On a sentimental level, others still like tying the pair into the reincarnation theory and that they were past lovers who have to navigate both their feelings and forgotten memories that can either be remembered, or they recognize the connection the two of them have.

Currently, the pair has roughly 170 works on Ao3 and continues to grow with the progression of the Archon Quests since they’ve both come to work together. Although it is rivaled by Cynonari and Kavetham, some multishippers like to jokingly refer to Cyno and Alhaitham as exes since Cyno had “moved on” to Tighnari to raise Collei. On another angle, some view Tighnari and Kaveh as their close but exasperated friends often fatigued by the constant drama between the couple.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

TWITTER
 * Daily Cytham: @dailycytham
 * Timely Haino: @timelyhaino
 * Daily Cytham: @dailycytham
 * Timely Haino: @timelyhaino

TUMBLR

Trivia

 * With Alhaitham bearing a Dendro Vision and Cyno an Electro one, they're both capable of producing a Quicken reaction, which in turn is capable of Aggravate and Spread.