Chapter 21: Welcome to Sumeru
The group slowly walked while admiring the luscious forest in front of them. They have arrived
"Now that we've made it to Sumeru, our next objective should be to head to Sumeru City and find a way to meet with Lesser Lord Kusanali. And speaking of Lesser Lord Kusanali, even though we haven't heard too much about her, she doesn't seem to be the same deity who abducted your brother...
But even so, people call Sumeru the "Nation of Wisdom," you know. If we can get a chance to meet the God of Wisdom, maybe she can give us some useful information." Paimon said
'Alright, Dendro Archon. I am here to meet you.' Thorn said excitedly
'Lesser... Lesser...' Solar still didn't understand why they called her Lesser Lord Kusanali
"Alright, sounds like a plan." Lumine agreed as the three stopped in front of a tall hill where a statue of the seven resided
"But, uh... Paimon doesn't know the way to Sumeru City... Maybe we can climb up to that spot with the statue of the seven on it? That'll give us a way better view of things!" Paimon pointed "Even if we can't see exactly where the city is, at least we'll be able to check for some smaller settlements nearby."
So the three climbed up to see the statue
"Woah." Boboiboy said and took a picture
Lumine then touched the statue to get Dendro Element once she touched it. The green orb came out and went into her
They looked at the statue for a while. And suddenly, some small creatures appeared behind the statue
Paimon noticed them but they disappeared after she saw them
"Eh? What were those?" Paimon asked. The two looked at her
"Lumine, Boboiboy, did you see them?" Paimon asked them
"We saw them." Boboiboy said
"What are those...?" Lumine is curious
"Little round, plantlike things, right? Gone just like that!" Paimon described the creature to them "We should ask around when we get a chance
Suddenly, Paimon saw a lady with green hair was walking by
"Wait a second, look! There's someone up ahead!" Paimon told them as they looked where she was looking
"Perfect timing! Now we can just ask for directions rather than wander around like lost adventurers. Hey there. Uh... we're not from around here and seem to have gotten a little lost... We'd like to ask for some directions!"
The lady ignored them and continued walking in her direction, surprising Paimon
"Huh? Did they not hear Paimon? HEY! You over there! Could you give us some directions?" Paimon shouted louder
"Huh?" the lady glanced at them before continuing on her way.
"What's going on here? There's no way she could've missed that... Wait! Could she be ignoring us!? How dare she?" Paimon said angrily
"Calm down, it's probably nothing to get worked up about..." Boboiboy told her
"Or maybe there's a reason she ignored us?" Lumine looked at the bright side
"Hmph! Well, even so, she might be heading someplace where we could find other people to ask. Let's keep our distance and follow her! When we get the chance, we'll just ask someone else for directions."
Lumine nodded and the three followed after the woman until they stopped near the waterfall."Huh!? She just walked near that small waterfall and then suddenly vanished! Let's go take a closer look."
The three approached the cave with wariness and curiosity
"Paimon thought this cave would lead to a village or something, but uh, it looks like that's not the case." Paimon said as the three looked at the woman sitting on a log with closed eyes in front of a glowing lamp. "Look, she's sitting over there. Wait, she couldn't possibly be living here, could she? Uh, what should we do now? Do we try asking her for directions again?"
"Maybe we shouldn't bother her." Lumine said, noting how focused the lady was
"Hmm, it looks like she's meditating or something. If we bother her now, she probably wouldn't let us off very lightly..."Suddenly, Paimon sniffed the air as a smile bloomed on her face.
"Oh? Mmm! What a lovely smell! It's coming from that censer over there. This is definitely not your typical place to call home, but at least it smells nice! Hmm, maybe living here wouldn't be too bad after all..."
"Wait really?" Boboiboy asked as the two took a sniff. Suddenly, the two held their head in pain
Lumine lightly groaned, "Ugh! Uh oh..."
"Huh, what's the matter? You two don't look too good." Paimon noticed
"This smell, it's... Something's... not right!" Lumine said while holding her head
"What? Is the smell making you feel sick? Strange, Paimon doesn't feel anything..." Paimon felt odd
"W-what? What is this?" Boboiboy was surprised that she had a different reaction from the two
'I've got to get out of here!' Lumine thought, turning around but stopped when the headache hit her again. 'I think I'm gonna pass...out...'
Lumine and Boboiboy started falling to the ground
"What's happening? Lumine? Boboiboy? This is no time for a nap! C'mon, wake up..." Paimon's voice slowly faded away
-Somewhere-
The two woke up. They found themselves in a place giving off a mysterious aura with a large beautiful tree standing in the center
"Woah, what is this place?" Boboiboy asked in awe
Lumine feels curious and begins walking towards it
"Wait, Lumine. Wait for me." Boboiboy followed her. Oh, what they didn't know is that Boboiboy's eyes are glowing green
They keep walking until they reach the roots. Just as Lumine steps on it, the area begins shaking and a rock falls on the root she is on, snapping it in half which causes them to jump around to land in a safe place. Once they did, they stood up and looked around, noticing the falling rocks.
So they continue walking but suddenly the wind flies by them and they hear a voice from the tree murmuring distorted words as a headache begins forming in their head.
"...World... Forget me..." was the last and only thing they heard before a bright light that came from the tree filled their vision and led them to unconscious
They slowly woke up with Paimon's voice accompanying them, "...Are you sure it's not serious? They have been out for a long time now..."
"Yes, you can relax... Believe me, Master is extremely knowledgeable. If he says that they're going to be alright, then there's absolutely nothing to worry about. Oh, are you awake now?"
They saw a beautiful girl with green hair and purple eyes looking down at her with Paimon
Lumine is resting on the bed while Boboiboy is sitting on the chair next to the bed
"Oh, thank goodness! Boboiboy, Lumine, you're finally awake!" Paimon cried out in joy
"Where am I?" Lumine asked weakly
"Well, we're at... uh... Good question, where are we!? Paimon was in such a panic when you two passed out that she even forgot to ask what place this is."
"This is Gandharva Ville. It was originally built by scholars from Sumeru as a place to rest in the rainforest. Now it's mainly used by the Forest Rangers as a base of operations. My name is Collei. I'm a Trainee Forest Ranger. My master and I found you passed out during our patrol, so we brought you here."
"Thank you for the help." Boboiboy thanked her
"Oh n—no, no thanks are necessary! I didn't do anything, really. By the way, how are you feeling now? Any discomfort?" Collei asked them if they were feeling ok
"No, I seem to be fine, except... This taste in my mouth... It's so bitter!" Lumine coughed. Boboiboy took out two water bottles and gave her one
"Thanks." Lumine said and drank it
"Oh, haha... That's Master's herbal medicine you're tasting. He gave you some while you were unconscious. Oh, before I forget, Master mentioned you should take more medicine once you wake up." Collei went to a nearby desk, picked something up, and turned back to them. Unfortunately, she accidentally dropped it
"Ah, whoops!" Collei exclaimed while shielding her face from the shards
"Collei, what's the matter? Were you trying to retrieve the medicine? As I've already told you, you must be careful with these... I'll get it for you once I'm finished here." everyone in the room turned to the source of the voice, seeing a man with fluffy ears and a lady with brown hair.
"Ah, sorry, Master..." Collei apologized
"*Sigh* Now, the "Guide to Avidya Forest's Edible Fungi" is clearly posted on our bulletin board. But, if Farbod forgets which mushrooms to avoid one more time, I'll have no choice but to leave the guide somewhere a little more visible — like right smack on his forehead so others can remind him to be careful."
"Right, this is the second time he's come down with food poisoning this month. I'll be sure to give him a good talking-to!" Nasrin said
"Yes, please do. If, on the off-chance, Farbod simply enjoys having little imaginary fairies dance before his eyes, then we'll just let him be. But, the next time he requires any of our medicine, be sure to charge him accordingly." He told her
The woman nodded and then left as the man went to them
"So, how are you doing? Feeling better?" He asked
"Oh, this is my master, Forest Watcher Tighnari. He is chief officer over all the rangers here in Gandharva Ville." Collei introduced
"I already informed Paimon about the reason you fell unconscious earlier, but now that you're awake, let me explain it for you as well. It is common practice for Sumeru scholars of certain Darshans to dedicate themselves to training and meditation in isolated areas, particularly the nearby forests. While meditating, they use a certain incense known as Spirit Borneol to help calm their minds as they enter a state of deep rumination. In hopes of asking directions, you three followed a scholar named Haypasia into her cave. The incense you smelled inside was the Spirit Borneol I just mentioned. That incense typically has no effect on most people. But, for a very select few, it can have profound effects on one's cognition, as you experienced firsthand. Does that make sense?"
They nodded "Yes, that all makes sense."
"Very good. Now, answer me this, did you feel anything after passing out? Say, any out-of-body experiences, or did you see anything while unconscious?" Tighnari asked
So they describe what they saw while unconscious
"Hmm... Collei, let the others know to stop bringing their patrol logs here for now." Tighnari told her
"Huh? W—Why?" Collei asked
"Because these three will be staying here for the next few days. They can have my room, and I'll bunk with Amir. Now get a move on and be sure to do as I've said." Tighnari said
"Uh, yes, Master Tighnari!" Collei immediately leaves to do her assigned duty as they watch in confusion
"Wait, hold on a second! Can you tell us what's going on?" Paimon asked
"Sure, let me fill you in. I originally planned to send you on your way once you finished your medicine. However, it appears now that you should stay a while longer in Gandharva Ville for further observation while you recuperate." Tighnari explained
"Further observation?" Paimon said
"But we need to get to Sumeru City..." Lumine frowned
"No need to be hasty. As long as you have the capacity to judge between right and wrong, I promise that you'll understand the gravity of the situation once I explain everything to you. Based on what you saw after smelling the incense and losing consciousness, we can conclude that you experienced a powerful hallucination, which suggests your mental state is not in the best of shape. If you're skeptical, have a whiff of this." Tighnari brought out something and brought it near the two
"Wha—!" Lumine groaned. Boboiboy and Lumine held their head in pain
"Whoa, are you okay?" Paimon asked in worry
"You're experiencing a similar sensation as when you passed out, aren't you? So even though your condition is stable as of now, if I were to haphazardly let you leave, it's highly likely that you'd suddenly pass out again somewhere else. The rainforest is home to many fierce animals and hazardous areas. If something were to happen to you again, I'm afraid you might not be so lucky. For now, I suggest you continue taking your medicine each day and avoid wandering off on your own, at least until you stop having adverse reactions to this kind of smell, okay?"
"Alright..." Lumine agreed with a disappointed look
They stopped feeling headaches after that. And Boboiboy's green eyes glowed a little
"Mmm, good. Now continue resting while I fire up another bowl of medicine for you." Tighnari said and left
Paimon sighed, "Seriously, we just arrived in Sumeru. We're already having problems left and right. Paimon knows we were set on meeting Lesser Lord Kusanali as soon as possible, but you really don't look too good... It'd probably be best to let you two recover first. Uh, hey! Are you even listening to Paimon? Paimon's over here worrying about you, ya know!"
"I feel it's a little weird..." Lumine said
"Same here." Boboiboy added
"What's weird? You mean how you're feeling now?" Paimon asked
Lumine nodded, "Yeah, my body does feel a little weird, but what I mean is...I don't think what I saw were hallucinations."
"You mean the vision of tree roots and red skies you saw? But if those weren't hallucinations, what could they be?" Paimon asked
"I'm not sure." Lumine pursed her lips
'When I saw the vision, it felt as if I was standing deep underground. But the red sky... Could it have been Khaenri'ah?' Lumine thought and shook her head 'No it couldn't have been Khaenri'ah since Boboiboy was there with me. But how did he end up there with me?'
'What was that tree? Who was just speaking to us? Also, that wasn't a hallucination. I feel like... it was real.' Boboiboy thought and his eyes just went back to normal
"Well, considering how unique you are, Paimon trusts your judgment here. But why didn't you say anything about it to Tighnari? If he misjudged your condition, then there's a chance you could get worse, right?" Paimon said
"I don't think that's the case." Boboiboy told her
"He probably wasn't telling us the truth." Lumine added
"Huh? You mean that Tighnari already knows that what you saw weren't hallucinations? But if that's the case, why would he try to hide that from us?" Paimon wondered
"Exactly. We need to get to the bottom of this." Lumine said
"Paimon gets it now... That explains why you were so quiet earlier. Well, that settles it, then. We'll stay here to rest up and figure out what's going on with your hallucinations. But it seems like asking Tighnari might not be an option anymore... What do you think we should do?" Paimon asked
"I think we should start by having a chat with Collei." Boboiboy suggested
"Good idea. Collei's pretty friendly... We can ask her tomorrow about what she knows regarding the Dendro Archon and customs in Sumeru." Paimon agreed so they decided to rest
You get a night of rest...
"Rise and shine! C'mon, it's time to go find Collei." Paimon's enthusiastic voice woke them up
So they woke up and went out. They found Collei and Tighnari some distance away
"Alright, next let's see your right hand... Hmm, not bad." Tighnari looked pleased "But please remember that you still need to be careful, understand?"
Collei nodded respectfully "Yes, I will. By the way, Master, I still haven't received the patrol route for today."
"Look, Collei, today's patrol will be a long one, so you won't be coming along this time. Besides, there's a chance we may encounter... Well, you understand."
Collei frowned "But I have a Vision, too! Am I useless to everyone now...?"
"Don't talk like that, Collei. This is not something you need to be worrying about right now." Tighnari said and noticed the three "Ah, there you are. Feeling any better?"
"Is there something we can help with?" Lumine asked
"Yeah, since we'll be staying here for now, we thought we might as well try lending a hand around here." Paimon told them
"Hehe, seems you're not the type to sit back and take it easy for a while, huh. In that case, perhaps Collei could take you two for a patrol south of Gandharva Ville for the day. And if you're feeling up to it, you can be responsible for cleaning the Statue of The Seven." Tighnari told them
"Tighnari, we're ready to head out!" Amir suddenly called out, causing they to turn to him
"Got it, I'll be right there! Alright, we'll be heading into the forest now. I'll leave any further details to Collei."
"Yes, you can count on me!" Collei said as Tighnari left
"So Collei, what exactly are we going to be doing today? Tighnari mentioned cleaning the statue just now, but uh... that doesn't really sound like a job for a ranger." Paimon said
"Well, a Forest Ranger's responsibilities can be pretty diverse. We handle a variety of tasks, like checking the condition of outlying roads, maintaining forest facilities, ensuring fire prevention standards are met, and providing assistance to travelers and locals. As for Master, well, he has to handle more dangerous areas of the rainforest. Today we can perform routine checks on the pathway lamps as we make our way to the Statue of The Seven."
Collei informed them so they started to walk.
"Everyone, this way." Collei pointed
"You can leave the task of checking the lamps to me. In the meantime, you two can keep an eye out for anything unusual." Lumine nodded and approached the lamps on the ground.
"Nothing wrong with these two lamps. Let's move to the next ones." So they kept following her and found one
"Oh, this lamp seems to be getting a little wobbly. Let me make a note of it."
"Hmm, no problems with this lamp. Good."
They went to approach the mountain
"The Statue of The Seven is up on top of that large rock formation. You must have seen it when you came down this road before. It's pretty high up there, isn't it? Don't worry, if you're afraid you can't make it up there, I'm sure Master wouldn't mind if you don't clean the statue."
"No need to worry. We're terrific climbers." Lumine told her
"Oh? I guess I'll leave it up to you, then. There's not much footing once you reach the statue, so be careful up there." Collei said
"Lumine, Boboiboy, Paimon'll fly up with you and help with those hard-to-reach areas. Um, by the way, Collei, do you know anything about the Dendro Archon? You know, what's she like?" Paimon asked
"Uhh, that depends. Are you referring to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata or Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Collei asked which one
Elemental Brothers were surprised that there were two
"Huh? Greater Lord Rukkhadevata? Oh, is that the name of the former Dendro Archon?" Paimon asked
"Uh-huh. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was Sumeru's first Dendro Archon. She created the rainforests as well as the Wall of Samiel around the desert. Her works provided a means of peaceful living for everyone. To the people of Sumeru, she is not only a symbol of wisdom but also of power and kindness. Unfortunately, she disappeared in a great calamity that occurred a few hundred years ago."
Collei explained
'Sounds exactly like what happened to Raiden Makoto.' Lumine/Boboiboy noticed
"According to what Master has told me, the sages later found the newly born Dendro Archon and whisked her back to Sumeru. To celebrate the reinstatement of their lost deity, the sages dubbed her "Lesser Lord Kusanali" and let her reside in the Sanctuary of Surasthana."
"Then what happened after that?" Boboiboy(Solar) wanted to know more and was still confused about the title that they gave her
"Well, and then... uh... I'm not too sure what happened, to be honest." Collei scratched her head
"Huh? You're not too sure? But aren't you from Sumeru?" Paimon asked
"Yeah, I'm from Sumeru, but..."
"Maybe it's difficult to discuss this topic with strangers... If that's the case, then don't worry, we understand." Paimon said with an understanding look
Collei panicked, "No, no, it's not that. I'm not trying to hide something from you. Besides, I don't consider you three strangers. Anyway, y-you three know Amber, right?"
"Wait, Amber? You mean—" Boboiboy said
"Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius?" Lumine asked
"Yes, that's her! I once lived in Mondstadt for a while, and she helped me a lot during that time. You could even say that she helped me become a new person. There's no one like Amber! She lives life to the fullest while always adhering to her strong sense of justice. She's ready to answer the call for action at any moment, but is also very understanding of others.
She's like the spark that lights the fire in everyone's heart around her. If you ask me, she's a prime example of a true Outrider. She's the first person anyone coming to Mondstadt will meet. You can't help but be enthralled by her charm and enthusiasm, causing you to fall in love with the lands of Mondstadt, and... Uhh, hehe... Sorry..."
Collei started feeling embarrassed
"It's alright." Boboiboy waved his hands to calm her
"Wow, we've never seen this side of you, Collei..." Lumine slightly teased
"Huh, Paimon thought the work of Outriders was a little different from what you just described, but one thing's for sure... you really like Amber." Paimon said
"Ahem... S—Sorry, I was just rambling on just now. It must have sounded kinda weird." Collei said
"Hehe, it's alright, Collei. Knowing that you're a friend of Amber somehow makes Paimon suddenly feel a lot closer to you. So, how did you know that we've met Amber?" Paimon asked in curious
"Well, after I returned to Sumeru, Amber and I have stayed in touch by writing each other letters. In one letter, she mentioned that Mondstadt was attacked by a fearsome dragon, but the city was saved by a mysterious blond traveler, a boy with an orange cap, and their floating companion. I knew you there were the ones she mentioned in the letter the moment I saw you. But, uh, considering everything you'd been through that day, I thought it'd be inappropriate to bring it up..."
"Ah, so that's how you knew!" Paimon said
"Yep! So please know that you three have my complete trust, really. I wish I could tell you more about the Dendro Archon, but I had been away from Sumeru for some time, and I haven't read any books... Sorry." Collei apologized
"That's alright. You've already helped us a lot, we had never even heard of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata or the Sanctuary of Surasthana until you mentioned them." Boboiboy(Solar) told her
"Oh, I'm happy that was helpful. There is one thing I want to ask, though... Why do you three want to know about the Dendro Archon?" Collei asked
Lumine explains the purpose of her journey to Collei. Boboiboy also explains it to her but not much
"So that's why you're here. Thank you for telling me your story." Collei thanked them
"Don't mention it! We are friends after all, right?" Paimon asked the two as they nodded
"Paimon's right, we're friends." Lumine smiled
"Hehe! Alright, we have a statue to clean!" Paimon said
"You both have my thanks! While you two are up there cleaning, I'll go ahead and inspect the forest canopy. Let's meet back here shortly." Collei said and left
So the three walked to the statue
"Huh, now that Paimon looks at it, the deity that's carved on the statue is... kinda small. Hmm, do you think she's supposed to be Greater Lord Rukkhadevata or Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Paimon asked in curious
"Maybe Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Boboiboy guessed
"The name does seem to fit the statue somehow. Hmm... Well, anyway, we'll have to figure that out later. Let's get started on cleaning the statue. Paimon'll fly up and take care of the top, and you can clean everything below." Paimon said and flew up to clean. They started cleaning the statue after that
"Nice work, that's one clean statue! Let's head down and meet up with Collei." Paimon said as they nodded and walked back to Collei
"Collei, we're back." Paimon yelled out
"Welcome back! You must be tired after all that climbing. Let's take a little break. I brought some food and water for us." Collei said
Paimon immediately jumped for joy, "Yay, food! What kind of goodies did you bring!?"
"Paimon, some restraint, please..." Lumine reminded her
"Hehehe. That's awesome." Boboiboy gave them a thumb-up
"Hey, don't be a party pooper! It's not like Collei is a stranger or anything. Besides, the best way to compliment a chef is to show passion for their food! Xiangling taught Paimon that." Paimon said
"I prepared a nice, portable dish that Forest Rangers like to eat, called Pita Pockets. I hope you'll like them -" Collei approached them but suddenly, she tripped "Wh—Whoops!"
"AH! Nooo! You dropped it on the ground!" Paimon knelt on the ground, mourning
"Not to worry! I wrapped a few layers of oiled paper around each pita. They should be fine." Collei calmed her down. They picked them up
"Oh, whew... Paimon nearly had a heart attack there."
She returned to her seat and the three ate happily but Boboiboy declined after he asked her what was in there. She asked him why so he explained to her
"O-oh, I didn't know that. I am sorry." Collei apologized to him
"No no. It's alright. You no need to apologize." Boboiboy calmed her down and started drinking water
"Those pitas are amazing! You're quite the cook, Collei. Thank goodness you wrapped them in paper... Paimon wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing something so tasty had been wasted." Paimon commented
"Haha, you really know how to compliment the chef, Paimon. Since you liked it so much, I'll be sure to give you a copy of the recipe sometime. I'll even include all my personal cooking pointers, so you'll be making your own Pita Pockets in no time." Collei said
"Yay thanks, Collei! It's hard to believe someone as diligent as you could have clumsy moments too." Paimon said
"Oh, hehe... I guess it happens from time to time." Collei felt embarrassed
"So uh, Collei... Don't you think that Tighnari's a little too strict with you? He won't let you touch anything without his permission. Paimon knocks stuff over all the time flying around Travelers, but Lumine and Boboiboy never said anything. Everyone has their clumsy moments!" Paimon said
"No no, you've got the wrong idea about Master. Sure, he may seem a bit harsh at first. With some time, you'll see that he's actually very kindhearted. I've heard the veteran rangers say that Master is from some ancient and mysterious race that is known for their cunning wit and reclusive nature.
But Master is actually very kind at heart. Oh, by the way, you've heard of the Akademiya, right? Well, there's a group called Am... uh, Amu something... Well, anyway, because Master does a lot of research on plants, sages from the Akademiya have written him many times, inviting him to take up an official position there. But Master declines their offers every time, saying, "Sumeru City is too noisy. It'd be bad for my ears.""
"That does sound like something Tighnari would say..." Boboiboy agreed
"Haha, seems you already know him well. Anyway, I'm sure the sages were not happy about his responses. Master could obviously have a bright future in the Akademiya, but he insists on sticking to the path of a Forest Watcher. Every day, he helps the locals of the forest and passes on his extensive knowledge to trainees like me." Collei explained
"Speaking of his ears... I'd really like to pet them!" Lumine said which surprised them
Collei grinned, "Hehehe, I know, right! I've always wanted to pet them, too."
"Ahem... Anyway, Master could have easily left the rainforest to take up a position at the Akademiya. But he chose to stay here instead as a Forest Watcher, helping the locals every day and passing on his knowledge to trainees. In fact, Master's the one who taught me how to make Pita Pockets."
"Really? Paimon would've never guessed that. Oh, speaking of Tighnari, he was the one who took care of you after finding you passed out yesterday. He even carried you all the way here. Paimon's still kinda upset, though! He kept scolding Paimon the entire way here." Paimon felt upset
"What did you do?" Lumine raised a brow
"Oh no, I'm sorry. Master might've been overreacting a little... But it's mostly because Paimon wouldn't stop yelling, "Why, oh why!? Are they going to die!?" It probably started to get under Master's skin after a while." Collei explained
Lumine laughed a little, looking very amused
"Hehehe. That sounds like Paimon." Boboiboy chuckled
"Hey! Argh, don't laugh! Paimon was genuinely concerned about you!" Paimon huffed
"Pfft! Hehehe..." Collei joined in
"Hey! Now even Collei's starting to laugh! Ughhh! That's it! Paimon won't forget this! It's time for some Paimonial wrath!"
Paimon flew towards Collei who suddenly had wide eyes, panicked, and screamed while rushing back after standing up. "No! Don't touch me!"
That startled them including Elemental Brothers
"Huh?"
"Collei, what's the matter?" Boboiboy asked
"Oh! Sorry, Collei! Paimon didn't mean to scare you." Paimon apologized
"Ah, no I just... I—I didn't mean that..." Collei stuttered
"Collei, are you okay?" Lumine asked
"No uh, I—I'm fine. I'm sorry, I must've startled you both reacting like that. Oh, well it's getting late now. Uh, let's hurry back to Gandharva Ville. I think Master and the others should be back by now, too."
She hurriedly ran away, leaving the three. They started worrying
Boboiboy(Solar) suddenly saw something coming from her hand. It was hard to see since her gloves covered it 'Wait, what was that on her hand?'
"Huh, what was up with Collei just now? And why's she in such a hurry all of a sudden...? Look, she's practically running back. Paimon can't even see her now!" Paimon said
So they caught up with her
"Ah, Travelers, you've returned." Nasrin greeted
"Yep, we're back. Uh, have you seen Collei by any chance?" Paimon asked
"Oh, Collei? Yes, I saw her go into her room just a moment ago." Nasrin said
Paimon looked sad "Oh, okay... Guess we'll just have to wait and talk to her tomorrow then."
With that, the three went to their room to sleep
-The next morning brought to you by Chibi King Balakung gives Chibi Greater Lord Rukkhadevata a fruit-
Paimon sighed, "Paimon was thinking all night about what happened with Collei, and still can't figure out what the problem might be. Maybe she's in a better mood now... Let's go check on her."
They went to find Collei in her room, only to be surprised when they saw Tighnari there too
"Ah, it's you three. I was just about to go look for you."
"Huh? Tighnari, what're you doing here? Where's Collei?" Paimon asked
"I came to check on Collei's condition. To put it simply, she's not well." Tighnari confirmed to them which surprised them
"You mean she's sick? How could she be... Oh, wait a minute, could it be because of what Paimon did yesterday?" Paimon felt guilty
Tighnari was quick to assure her, "No, no need to worry. Something as small as you could never harm her. This sickness is something that Collei has been dealing with for some time. Collei has been more excited than usual since you three arrived — a little too much so, to be honest. She hasn't remembered to take care of herself."
"*sigh*I suppose it's understandable, though. She hasn't been around anyone she considered a friend for some time now. It must have been refreshing for her to have you three here."
"Tighnari, what's wrong with Collei?" Boboiboy wanted to know
"Ahem, let's take this conversation elsewhere. Collei just fell asleep after taking her medicine. She needs some peace and quiet." Tighnari told them as they followed him
"Alright, let's continue our conversation here, shall we? To be honest, I hadn't realized you're that Honorary Knights from Mondstadt until Collei told me just now. I've also heard all about your deeds in Liyue and Inazuma.
So just to clarify, what I'm about to tell you about Collei is not because of who you are or your past feats. Instead, I am going to tell you because, well, because Collei asked me to. And honestly speaking, I was against Collei revealing her past to you. But, she insisted, saying you three treated her with sincerity and as a friend. So now she wishes to reciprocate the gesture."
"So Tighnari, what exactly is wrong with Collei? You said this is something she's been dealing with for some time. Just how serious is it?" Paimon decided to ask
"Right, ever since she was a child, she's been afflicted with a disease called Eleazar."
"Eleazar?" the three didn't know what kind of disease
"Yes, it's a disease unique to the lands of Sumeru. It is characterized by dark and hardened scales that form on the body. At first, the afflicted may only feel mild numbness on affected areas of the skin. However, as the disease progresses, one may begin feeling fatigued and even experience peripheral paresthesia. In its final stages, the disease strips a person of the ability to control their own body, and they effectively become completely immobile."
Tighnari explained which shocked them
"That sounds terrifying!" Paimon exclaimed
"They'll lose all control over their body!?" Lumine shared the same sentiment
"How can that kind of disease exist!? This is very serious!" Boboiboy added
"Wait, hold on! So when Collei seemed to be acting a little clumsy earlier, it was because..." Paimon realized
"Correct. That would be the effects of Eleazar, which is precisely why I do not want her carrying or holding anything, lest she ends up hurting herself."
"So is there any cure for Eleazar?" Lumine asked
"With appropriate treatment, the disease can be effectively controlled before it progresses to a more serious stage. However, there is, unfortunately, still no true cure for Eleazar.
Nevertheless, Collei's mother still hoped that there was something out there. She handed Collei over to an organization known as the Fatui after one of their members lied and said they had a cure."
Tighnari mentioned Fatui to them which surprised them even more
Paimon had wide eyes, "What? The Fatui!?"
Tighnari grimly nodded, "Ah, it appears you already are familiar with them. That'll save me some explanation. Anyway, the person who eventually rescued Collei and brought her to me for care said that she had been given to a Harbinger known as "The Doctor." I have no idea how this "Doctor" managed to do it, but her case of Eleazar was completely stable for all the years that Collei was with them.
However, Collei's days with the Fatui were anything but pleasant. Collei is a resilient individual and always tries to appear cheerful, but her experience with the Fatui has left deep scars. Even now, she can still feel deathly afraid of someone touching her."
"Aw, Paimon had no idea Collei's been through so much suffering." Paimon felt sad
Tighnari suddenly blinked, recalling something "Oh, by the way, Paimon, Collei wanted me to tell you that she's sorry for scaring you yesterday. She also wanted three of you to know that she's sorry for hiding her illness."
"She doesn't need to apologize. None of this is her fault at all!" Paimon told him
Tighnari looked pleased, "Well said. I hope you'll get a chance to tell her that in person the next time you see her. Collei once thought that it would be impossible for her to have any real friendships... I trust that you three will never let my trainee experience such emotional pain again."
"Don't worry, Tighnari! We'll take good care of her!" Paimon assured
"How's Collei's condition now?" Boboiboy asked
"Well, it's not too serious at this point. She over-exerted herself the last couple of days, which is what led to her break down this time. As long as she has taken her medicine and gets plenty of rest, she should get better. Though, I must admit that Collei's condition was much more stable when she first arrived here in Gandharva Ville.
She was interested in the work of the Forest Rangers the moment she saw us. I could see that she was serious about learning, so I felt compelled to ask her to join us. Her stamina has gotten much worse recently. Though a moderate amount of physical exercise is always necessary, I'm afraid the long-distance patrols are a little too much for her now. Alright, now that I've told you about Collei's past, I think I'll head into the rainforest to find some ingredients needed for her medicine. I'll see you two later."
"Wait, can we come along?" Lumine asked him
"We'd like to do something to help Collei." Boboiboy added
"Alright, but I must warn you three, the rainforest is a dangerous place, especially for someone who's still recovering, like the Traveler. You must follow closely and listen to every instruction."
"No problemo!" Paimon said in determination
"Let's go then. We'll be looking for a plant known as the Nilotpala Lotus. It's often used to help those afflicted with Eleazar recover their energy."
With that, they started walking to find some herbs with Tighnari
"Hey Tighnari, where exactly are we going to find this plant?" Paimon asked suddenly as she looked around.
"Nilotpala Lotuses can be found all over the rainforest, but it often grows right here around Gandharva Ville." Tighnari answered
"Hmm, given the name, it sounds like we should be looking for it in the water."
Tighnari nodded and explained
"You are correct, the Nilotpala Lotus grows in the water. When fully matured, they look like giant blue flowers floating on the water's surface. Quite an attractive species, if you ask me. The large petals are actually the plant's leaves and sepals which surround a very small flower. You should note that many of the plants found in Sumeru have names that are contrary to their species. Take the Kalpalata, for example. The plant is not a lotus at all, but rather a vine. And then there's the Sumeru Rose, which is not a rose, and is completely contrary to its name."
Paimon looked at him blankly, her mind trying to process everything. "Oh, huh... okay then."
"Note to Paimon: never bring up the topic of flowers with Tighnari." she mumbled to herself when Tighnari looked away
After some time, they finally stopped at a place
"There should be Nilotpala Lotuses growing somewhere in this area. Let's split up and begin searching." Tighnari said "If you could manage to gather four of them, that would be sufficient. We'll rendezvous here once you've gathered the needed amount."
The three nodded and went to pluck the plants
"Alright, we've gathered enough Nilotpala Lotuses. Let's head back to meet Tighnari." Paimon cheered as they went back to their spot
"Hey Tighnari, we found the lotuses you requested." Paimon shouted the moment Tighari's figure could be seen.
Tighnari looked at them with a curious look, "Let me take a look... Hmm, good, very good. These are all excellent quality. I'm glad you two came along, your exploration experience helped save me a lot of time here. It seems we even have enough time to stock up on other things I need-"
"Hey! Tighnari!" Amir's voice suddenly reached their ears.
"Oh, Tighnari, someone's calling your name. They're dressed like a forest ranger." Paimon pointed it out.
"Ah, yes, that's Amir and the others. But didn't they just set off not too long ago? What are they doing back so early? Let's go find out what's going on." Tighnari said with a small frown on his face
"Tighnari, thank goodness we found you here. We were just about to head back and find you at Gandharva Ville." Amir said in relief
"What's going on?" Tighnari asked
Nasrin, a woman accompanying Amir, spoke grimly. "We just discovered a Withering Zone."
"The Withering is back!? But the patrol route you were on should have been already cleared just a week ago. It reappeared so quickly..." Tighnari looked troubled and panicked "Can you tell me the exact location?"
"It's up ahead, deep in the river valley. It's appeared in a spot that blocks nearly the entire narrow part of the valley area, so we decided to come find you as quickly as possible." Amir quickly replied
"And the radius of the contamination?" Tighnari asked
"Sorry, I couldn't get a clear enough view to tell." Amir answered
"No one in our patrol team had a vision, and it appeared to still be spreading, so we didn't risk getting any closer." Narsin added
"Okay, I understand. You made the right decision. I'll go deal with it right away. In the meantime, please guide these three back to Gandharva Ville."
"Wait, Tighnari! Why don't you let us help you?" Paimon immediately asked
"You three have only just arrived in Sumeru. You're still unfamiliar with many things in these lands." Amir explained. "There's a unique type of anomaly that occurs in the Sumeru rainforest. It's called "The Withering." The affected areas not only cause nearby vegetation to wither, but it's also lethal to wildlife and even people. If you don't carry a Vision, then you should think twice before approaching such places."
Tighnari nodded, "Yes, Amir is absolutely right. I wasn't kidding when I said the rainforest is a dangerous place.
As Amir said, only someone with a Vision — that is, the power to manipulate elements — will be able to resist The Withering's corrosive effects for a time."
"That's right. If any of the Forest Rangers without a Vision come across a Withering Zone, we first make a record of the location and then have a ranger with the proper abilities deal with it, like Tighnari here. Only someone with a Vision can venture within a Withering Zone and find a way to deal with it."
"Heh! Boboiboy and I can also control the elements." Lumine said proudly
Amir looked shocked and checked their appearance. None of them carried a Vision "But, you don't seem to carry a Vision."
"Don't worry, they may not have a Vision, but they're a real pro at using the power of the elements." Paimon said
"Hmm, it seems the rumors about you are true then. In that case... Alright, you three may accompany me. We typically only teach visitors how to identify The Withering as they're about to leave Gandharva Ville. We'll make an exception today and show you what it looks like up close."
They followed Tighnari's lead. "Stop, don't move any further. Look there, in the distance."
The area is withering. We can see some red flowers. The red enegries from flowers are gathering in one place
"Huh, where? Oh! Look, those plants have withered... That whole area is kinda gloomy. Even the air looks like it's filled with ash. Ooh, Paimon doesn't like the look of this."
"That is The Withering." Tighnari stated
"Alright, Travelers, we're going to have to enter that Withering Zone. Once inside, we'll need to look for what we call Tumors of the Withering. If we eliminate those, then the area will be saved."
"Understood." Boboiboy nodded
"Gotcha, let's do this." Lumine nodded with determination
"Thank you. But I must warn you, don't push yourself. This is your first time handling this sort of thing, after all. Even with elemental powers, once you step inside the Withering Zone, you may experience extreme discomfort. If at any point it becomes too much, return outside the zone and take a breather. It could become a matter of life and death. You ready, then? Let's go!"
"Elemental Power! Boboiboy Thorn!" Boboiboy changed to Thorn in case before going in
"Hmm. Interesting." Tighnari looked curious
So they entered. The newbies started feeling unease because of The Withering
"First, we must locate any branches sustaining the Withering Zone." Tighnari instructed as the two looked around the forest until they found them
"Good. We found their locations. Now, use the Dendrograna from Dendrogranum. To destroy all the branches." Tighnari said as they took some Dendrograna
So each of them destroyed three branches with Dendrograna.
"Great work. Now that all the branches have been cleared, we'll need to take care of the tumor."
Tighnari said as Grounded Hydroshroom appeared from the tumor
Lumine took out her sword and Tighnari took out his bow
Hydroshroom started attacking them with a bubble. They dodged aside
"Binding Vines!" Thorn summoned the vines and tied Hydroshroom "Do it, guys!"
Lumine ran in and gave it multiple slashes. Tighnari charged up his arrow and shot at the enemy
After that, the enemy disappeared
"Now! Destroy the Tumor of the Withering!"
"Thorny Lash!" Thorn used the vine to attack
Lumine used Elemental Skill. She swung her sword and unleashed a spray of razor-sharp on the Tumor
The Tumor of The Withering disappeared. The forest went back to normal
"We did it! Everything's returning to normal now!" Paimon joyfully exclaimed
"Yes, thanks to you three, we were able to quickly restore this area back to normal."
"Um, Tighnari? You make it sound like we did well, but why does Paimon have the feeling you're worried about something?" Paimon asked
"It's that obvious, huh? Alright, it's like this. Recently, the rate at which Withering Zones appear has been increasing. Even though we were able to quickly clear that Withering Zone, it won't be long before another one appears. If that simply meant more work for me, then that wouldn't be an issue... But it's far more severe than that. The Withering is leaving lasting effects on the rainforest itself.
For instance, even though we cleared out the Withering Zone, many of the plants that were affected will not recover. This presents a crisis for the ecosystem itself. Many plants in the rainforest are already in decline, directly impacting the wildlife that depends on those plants. And most disturbingly... as the appearances of Withering Zones have started to increase, Collei's case of Eleazar has also become more serious"
"Huh? But why's that?" Paimon nervously asked
Tighnari sighed, "I'm still not sure of the exact reason. However, I've received word from acquaintances at the Akademiya that similar cases are being reported for patients with other conditions."
"Is there no way to permanently get rid of The Withering?"Boboiboy(Solar) asked
Tighnari shook his head, "No, none that we know of. The Withering has been recorded in Sumeru for millennia. It's said that it originates from the depths of the world. By the way, have you heard of Irminsul before?"
"I think I've heard it somewhere before." Lumine held her chin to think
"Irminsul? What is it, Tighnari?" Boboiboy asked
"Irminsul is a tree located deep beneath the surface. Although it isn't like any tree we know in a biological sense, you can basically think of it as a large tree that grows downwards rather than upwards. I'm sure you've heard of ley lines, right? They're like the roots of Irminsul, spreading and extending from a massive cavern deep underground all the way up to the surface."
'Spreading and extending, a massive cavern... Sounds a lot like what we saw when we lost consciousness in the cave.' Both of them thought
"Ley Lines continually absorb the memories of this world, which are then funneled into Irminsul, allowing it to collect knowledge and wisdom from ancient times to present day. The Dendro Archon is known as the God of Wisdom because her consciousness is directly connected to it. It is also said that the Dendro Archon's power is a manifestation of Irminsul. And as for The Withering, its emergence is related to a disease that's affecting it."
"Huh? You mean Irminsul is sick?" Lumine asked
"That's right. My ancestors learned of this from Greater Lord Rhukkadevata's familiars a long time ago, but even those mysterious creatures did not know of a cure for Irminsul.
I'm afraid we rangers will be battling the Withering Zones here for a long time until a cure is found. Alright, that's enough on this topic for the time being. Now that we've taken care of things here, it's time for us to head back to Gandharva Ville."
-Timeskip brought to you by Chibi Lumine, Chibi Boboiboy, and Chibi Paimon are in the world is full of the square-
So they head back to Gandharva Ville
Amir was quick to greet them back "Oh, Tighnari, you all made it back! How did it go?"
"The Withering Zone you reported has been taken care of. No need to worry." he reported before noticing something. "Huh? Wait, is that...?"
They turned to where he was looking, only to see a bird chirping on a stand nearby. They were about to ask what it meant but Tighnari reacted first
"Oh no! Haypasia!" Tighnari ran up to the bird as the four followed him
"Huh? What's wrong, Tighnari?" Paimon asked
"This is Haypasia's Dusk Bird designated courier for urgent news. You do remember her, don't you? She's the scholar you three were following when you first arrived in Sumeru."
"Oh, her! How could we forget! Uh, so did something happen?" Paimon is curious
"Let me see what's written in the letter first. Uh..." Tighnari read the note
"So, what's it say? And what's with that weird expression on your face? Ugh, just let Paimon read it." Paimon took the paper and found the letter strange "Huh? Uh, all Paimon sees are three squiggly lines..."
"*sigh* Yes, allow me to explain. After we brought you from Haypasia's cave to Gandharva Ville, Haypasia resumed her meditation. She must have just finished. It's been nearly three days since she's had anything to eat, and it appears she's forgotten to prepare some rations. This letter is her asking us for help, we need to go."
"What? You mean she's been sitting there for three days!? Hey wait, how did you know all that from just a few lines on the paper?" Paimon asked in confusion
"Well, obviously because this has happened before... Last time she drew five lines, and by the time we found her... Ahem, well, I'd prefer not to remember that. Needless to say, Haypasia's been through worse, but we should still get to her as quickly as possible. I've got some emergency rations set aside for times like these. Paimon, Travelers, could you three bring these to her?"
"Wait, you want us to bring them the rations? But will they be okay if their cave is still filled with that funny incense?" Paimon asked
"Let's find out. Here, Lumine, Boboiboy, take a smell and see." Tighnari said as he brought the incense near their face. "So, how do you feel?"
"Hmm, it's a light and refreshing fragrance." Lumine smiled "No unusual feelings this time."
"Me too. I don't smell any strange this time." Boboiboy said but he felt something was wrong with the incense. It's completely different
"Huh? Really? You're not feeling even a little drowsy? But wait, how'd you know that they'd be okay this time, Tighnari?" Paimon wanted to make sure
"Back when we were clearing the Withering Zone, I observed that they could adeptly manipulate the Dendro element. I knew then that they would be fine.
Lumine, Boboiboy, and if I may ask, when I was telling you three about Irminsul's Ley Lines, was what I described similar at all to what you two saw when you were unconscious?"
"What we saw weren't hallucinations, were they?" Lumine answered the question
Tighnari nodded. "That's correct, those weren't hallucinations at all, though I don't intend to apologize for deceiving you because what you saw is of significant importance, not just for the nation of Sumeru, but the entire world of Teyvat.
My forefathers were shown much favor by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. We took an oath to protect this nation together with her. Now that that duty has fallen to me, it was a part of my responsibilities to ascertain whether you could be entrusted with the fate of Sumeru. Now, after seeing you in action with my own eyes, you have earned my confidence, and I no longer feel the need to hide any secrets from you."
"So what exactly was it that we saw?" Boboiboy asked
"When you passed out, your consciousness had connected directly with Irminsul. What you witnessed were actually real memories contained within Irminsul itself. I could try to tell you more, but it would be better if you went to ask Haypasia instead. Her focus on meditation and use of Spirit Borneol are aimed at establishing a connection with Irminsul, just as you did."
"Uh, that sounds nice and all, but will she really help us? Seriously, she completely ignored us the last time we tried talking to her!" Paimon felt angry
"That was because when you ran into her, she was in a special phase of her training. During that time, she must avoid communicating with others." Tighnari explained and Paimon felt embarrassed for interrupting her training
"Please, wait here for a moment." He left and the bird flew away. He came back after a few minutes with something in hand
"Here, take these. It's a meal I packed for Haypasia, as well as some other ingredients. I'm sure it'll come in handy. Also, here's a letter that I would like you to give to her. Just show it to her, and she'll answer any questions you may have."
"Thank you." Lumine said as she accepted them
"No, I should be the one thanking you. You've both been a great help these last few days."
So the three waved at Tighnari and decided to go to the cave
-Timeskip brought to you by Chibi young Mechamato fights Chibi Cinderella-
"Haypasia should still be in the cave. Let's go inside and see how she's doing!" Paimon said
They went in to meet Haypasia. From the inside, she wasn't there
"Hellooo? Haypasia? Hey, there's nobody here..." Paimon said as they entered "Hmm, maybe she went out to look for some food. Let's try looking around the area!"
Paimon turns to leave the cave when a faint clatter sound was heard
Lumine looked back at the cave 'What was that sound? It sounds like it's coming from inside the cave...'
Lumine entered the cave deeper as Boboiboy stayed behind
She was looking around until she saw the unconscious form of Haypasia
'It's Haypasia! Is she okay?' Lumine quickly approached her. And a small being walked out towards Haypasia
Once Lumine saw it, it became frightened and leaped to the air. Lumine looked around to find
"There you are!" Boboiboy and Paimon went in and saw Haypasia
"Haypasia! Are you alright?" Paimon asked in worried
Haypasia slightly groaned, "Uh, ughhh... So hungry... *cough* Need... water..."
"She looks famished!" Lumine exclaimed, having thought that Tighnari was exaggerating with his words
"There's no way we can get her to eat in her current condition. Let's try finding some water first." Paimon said as the three turned around
"Huh? Wait! Why does it look super foggy outside all of a sudden? Anyway, let's go look around!" Paimon saw something odd from outside
So they went out and found they were in a different place
"Huh? How'd things out here end up looking like this? Wh—What happened!? And where are we?" Paimon panicked at the change of surroundings
"Relax, Paimon." Lumine slightly patted Paimon's head
"There must be a logical explanation for all this." Boboiboy said
"Really? Oh, maybe you're right... Let's go investigate the area." Paimon decided to be optimistic as they followed the path that led to a central opening
"Wow, this place is huge! Paimon knew there's something off about that cave! Let's think of a way to get over there and have a closer look. Who knows, maybe we'll find a lead of some kind!"
The three walked around until they reached a location which caused their surroundings to transition to a starry sky as they suddenly appeared in an Inazuma building
"What the?" Boboiboy is surprised at the sudden change
"Uh, what happened just now? Why did everything around us suddenly change?" Paimon asked.
Lumine shrugged, holding her sword tightly as they walked to the room at the end of the hall. They teleported again, this time back to the tree hollows. They walked to the Primeval-Rosin locked entrance where they were again brought to another Inazuma building
"What in Teyvat is going on here!? This place is getting weirder by the minute!" Paimon exclaimed in frustration
"This is really suspicious. Someone is playing with us." Boboiboy said and he noticed Lumine's expression "Lumine, are you ok? You don't look so good."
Lumine didn't reply as they walked through the hall, riding the elevator up where they once again returned to the tree hollows
They walked to the upper platform where Abyss Herald awaited them
"Hahaha! Well, well, well. Looks like we meet again, Travelers!"
Paimon shrieked "Ah! The Abyss Herald! What are you plotting to do in this strange place?"
"So you are the one behind all of these." Boboiboy said in serious tone
"Strange place? Plotting? Hehehe... You needn't worry about such things, they don't concern you!" He then started attacking them
"Boboiboy Thunderstorm!" Boboiboy quickly changed to Thunderstorm
However, as more time passed, they noticed something was wrong. Abyss Herald didn't back down. He was still standing
"Huh? Wh—Why can't we beat this guy...? Paimon doesn't get it. We've faced others like him before, what's wrong this time?" Paimon said in confusion
"Travelers, though you may have managed to avert countless crises before, your good fortune was bound to end sooner or later. It's time you realize how weak and powerless you really are!"
"My journey will not end here!" Lumine declared with a glare "I still must find my brother!"
"Your brother? Mwahahaha! Oh, pitiful Traveler, are you really so ignorant? Or are you just living in complete denial? His Highness has long since forsaken you. Your meager existence in his eyes is that of an annoying bug only to be stepped upon! The bonds of love and family which drive you to find your sibling are utterly gone! Your journey is meaningless! But don't you fret now. Today will be your last. Now die!"
Just before the herald could attack, however, Lumine groaned a little
"Ugh! Huh..." she huffed. Lumine noticed her surroundings. She was at the cave
'What was all that just now? Strange... It feels like I was just dreaming for a moment there, but I can't remember what I saw...' she thought with a slight frown while holding her head with a palm
Boboiboy and Paimon went in and talked to Lumine
"Hmm, what do we do? We haven't seen Haypasia anywhere out here... Oh, there she is! Quick, let's see how she's doing." Paimon saw Haypasia
"So sweet... Mmm..." Haypasia softly mumbled
"Well, the good news is that she's still conscious. Hey! Why'd you drop her food on the floor like that!?" Paimon noticed and quickly scolded
"Sorry, seeing Haypasia must have given me a shock." Lumine said. Boboiboy didn't buy it, he could tell something was wrong
"Oh, guess that makes sense... She does look kinda rough at the moment." Paimon understood
"Anyways, we can talk about this later. We'd better make sure she's alright first. Whoa, wait a sec! Look at all this fruit lying around her. We can put that to good use!"
After giving the semi-conscious Haypasia some water and fruit juice...
"Ugh... Who's there!? Tighnari, is that you? Ah!" Haypasia is surprised at them "Huh?"
"It's okay, you can relax, Miss Haypasia. Tighnari sent us here to bring you some food and water. Here, we have a letter that he asked us to give you." Boboiboy said as Lumine gave her the letter. Haypasia looked wary for a moment but took it, reading the content
"I see, so you're friends of Tighnari. I apologize for all the trouble I've caused you. I'm grateful that you came so quickly to save me. You even brought all this fruit." Haypasia thanked them
"Uh well, actually, we didn't bring the fruit. It was already here when we arrived." Paimon confessed "We were kinda wondering about that, actually. When we found you here, there was all this fruit lying around and even some juice dripping from your lips... Uh, how did you end up like this anyway?"
"Oh? Really? Hmm, I seem to understand now. All the fruit was likely from my, uh... neighbor. Must have come by and saw me like this." Haypasia said
"Your neighbor? You mean there's someone else living nearby?" Paimon asked in confusion
"Who are they?" Boboiboy asked
"Is it a little round creature?" Lumine guessed which they turned to her
Haypasia looked surprised, "Oh? So you're able to see them, too?"
Lumine tells Haypasia, Paimon, and Boboiboy everything that happened after entering the cave.
"So that was what happened to you. I knew there was something wrong." Boboiboy said
"Wait, hold on a second, Lumine! You say that before we arrived, you saw some mysterious creature and suddenly had a strange dream? Isn't that a little too crazy to believe?" Paimon was confused
Haypasia disagreed with Paimon "No, I actually do believe what she is saying. I myself had a similar experience once before and ended up scaring my timid, little neighbor here. You needn't worry, they mean you no harm. They only dragged you into the dream because they hoped to buy themselves a little time in order to scurry away."
"So Haypasia, just what kind of creature is your neighbor exactly?" Paimon asked
"I'm not sure what it's called, to be honest... But I do know that they have some sort of deeper connection with the Dendro Archon. I know this because the first time I saw them was also the exact day my consciousness was able to form a connection with Irminsul."
-Flashback
"Even after I opened my eyes and stopped meditating, my heart was still pounding and my mind was racing with all the knowledge that I had touched. And at that very moment, I suddenly noticed a small figure at the opening of the cave. In my curiosity, I began to walk over to the creature. They must have already been used to me living in the cave, because they didn't seem to mind me approaching them. They just kept doing whatever they were up to. It wasn't until I crouched down next to them that they suddenly realized that I could see them."
-Flashback ends-
"Oh, and then?" Paimon asked
"And then, I had a dream... By the time I came to, they were nowhere to be seen. I was convinced they'd never show up again, but sure enough, I saw them nearby a few days later... and they weren't alone. I feel like they aren't as afraid of me as the first time I approached them, but I never would have expected them to save me."
"Sounds like a great neighbor." Boboiboy commented
"What fascinating creatures." Lumine added
Haypasia nodded "Yes, no doubt about that. By the way, Tighnari mentioned in his letter that you had questions for me regarding Irminsul..."
A rumbling sound interrupted her as she looked embarrassed
"Ehehe... Sorry about that. Sounds like just drinking juice still isn't quite enough for my stomach."
Paimon was quick to reassure her as she shot Lumine a look. "Well, if somebody hadn't dropped the food earlier...! Ugh, anyway, looks like we'll need to prepare something ourselves. Besides, Paimon's getting hungry too! Let's eat first and talk about Irminsul later. Alright, we're up, Travelers! Today's menu will feature Sweet Madame and a Radish Veggie Soup! You'll love them, Haypasia. They're our specialties, after all!"
Haypasia was already drooling at the thought "Oh, I've never tried any dishes from other nations before. I certainly look forward to it! It's been so long since I've had a decent meal, too. To be honest, the last time had to be when Tighnari came to visit."
So Lumine and Boboiboy decided to cook. After finishing cooking
"All done! Let's use the empty box that Tighnari gave us since we already washed , it smells amazing! And the box is a nice touch, too. Let's go serve this up and start eating with Haypasia!" Paimon said
They wrapped the food and went to Haypasia who was silently sitting.
"Are you already finished cooking? Mmmm, smells delectable! I'm truly thankful whenever I can enjoy a proper meal like this. Cooking really isn't my forte..."
Lumine handed out the food and they ate happily. Once they were done, they told Haypasia about the time the two connected Irminsul
"Even though everything you mentioned was in Tighnari's letter, it's still hard to believe you two were able to connect with Irminsul... immediately after smelling Spirit Borneol for the first time. It took me nearly three years before I could do so... And everyone at the Akademiya even lauded me as a genius. You should know that some researchers spend their entire lives without ever successfully connecting with Irminsul as you have."
"So why does this incense allow people to connect to Irminsul?" Paimon asked
"The ingredients used to make Spirit Borneol primarily consist of plants created by Greater Lord Rhukkadevada. These special ingredients are conducive to heightening our senses to the Dendro Archon's power. Since the root of the Dendro Archon's power lies within Irminsul, we can occasionally tap into her powers to peer into the depths of the earth."
"I think I understand." Lumine said
"I agree with her. This is interesting information." Boboiboy(Solar) said
"Naturally. Anyone who can establish a connection with Irminsul on their first ever attempt must be a person of great understanding."
"Hmm, makes sense... But Paimon's got a question! Why were they sensitive to the smell of those plants for such a long time?" Paimon asked as Haypasia explained
"That was primarily due to their body's unique constitution. Stimulated by the incense, they could perceive the Dendro Archon's power and experienced a sensory overload, hence the adverse reactions. Taking in any scent similar to the ingredients of Spirit Borneol would cause adverse effects. Not to worry, though. It appears you have already fully recovered. Technically, your body should still be sensitive to the powers of the Dendro Archon, but unless you are using intentional meditation techniques, the scent of Spirit Borneol should no longer trigger such reactions."
"Whew, well that's a relief." Paimon sighed in relief
"I must admit, I am quite envious of your abilities. Even if it meant suffering from pounding headaches for the rest of my life, I'd consider it worthwhile so long as I could connect with Irminsul at will." Haypasia felt jealous a little
"Whoa, you're really serious about this whole thing, aren't you?" Paimon was surprised
"Haha, I am a researcher, after all." Haypasia laughed. Suddenly mysterious little creature showed up at the cave's entrance
"As a member of the Rtawahist Darshan at the Akademiya, my main area of research is the stars and their connection to the fate of living beings. But there is still so much we don't know, especially regarding the mysteries that lie in the starry skies.
Which is why I must turn to the all-knowing Irminsul for answers. If only my perception wasn't so limited... Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that my every attempt to attune with Irminsul will be successful, or that doing so will leave my consciousness intact. I am currently in the stage of training known as "Satyavada Life." Many researchers in Sumeru have lost their minds while seeking to attune with Irminsul during this stage.
Sages have said that Irminsul contains divine knowledge, and touching such knowledge without the proper preparations and abilities will only lead to one's mind caving in on itself. That's why we meditate alone. We need to ensure that our minds will be calm while minimizing the possibility of involving anyone else." Haypasia finished explaining
"Whoa, so knowledge from Irminsul can be super dangerous! Don't you ever feel afraid of the risk, Haypasia?" Paimon asked
"Of course I do, especially during nights that are pitch black with no moonlight, and dead silent without even the sound of insects." she said as she turned to the cave entrance where the mysterious little creature jumped in fright before vanishing
"However, I've been feeling better as of late. I don't get as scared anymore knowing that I have a little neighbor living nearby. I believe that being able to see them is a sort of blessing from the Dendro Archon. Heh, but what's strangest of all is that they're clearly an envoy of the God of Wisdom herself, and they have the curious power to make people dream."
"What's so strange about that? It doesn't sound so out of place for a divine being, does it?" Paimon asked
"Well, it's strange because nearly nobody in Sumeru can ever dream." Haypaisa answered which shocked them
Paimon looked shocked "Huh? Is that true?"
"Yes... Well, to an extent. Only children can dream in Sumeru. Adults, however, never do. The sages say that wisdom implies rationality, but that which occurs in dreams is often neither rational nor logical." Haypasia told them
"Reminds me of the dream I saw from the Aranara. It was a big, chaotic mess..." Lumine recalled
"Yes, if one struggles with anxieties, those emotions could influence their dreams. The fact that the people of Sumeru do not have dreams is seen as a blessing by the sages. They believe that Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the God of Wisdom, is keeping us away from the foolish delusions you encounter in your sleep.
I was born into a family of scholars in Sumeru City. Ever since I was a child, my parents would always tell me that I'll know I've grown up once I stop dreaming. I studied hard, enrolled as a student in the Akademiya, and went on to become a researcher. *sigh* Sure enough, I never dreamed again.
But then, on the day I scared the little Aranara, I suddenly saw a dream again. It was incredible. Though I don't exactly remember what I saw, I clearly recall the feeling... I suddenly felt like I was a child again. Back then, I was foolish and ignorant as any youth would be, but I was free of fear... Maybe dreaming isn't as bad as we've made it out to be. Ahem... Just be sure not to speak of this if you travel to Sumeru City. They'll look at you as if you've lost your mind." she finished with a caution
"So do you have any thoughts about the things they saw when they connected with Irminsul?" Paimon asked her opinions
"Sorry, I'm afraid I don't have any answers as of now. All I can say is that what you saw is a memory contained within Irminsul itself. Hmm... "world... forget me..." What could that possibly mean? Agh, if only I could ascend past Satyavada Life and begin Paripurna Life, I might have some more answers for you. *sigh* If you two are ever in the area again, please be sure to come and see me."
"Thanks, Haypasia!/We wish you luck in your endeavors." Boboiboy and Lumine said with a smile
"There's no need to be thanking me, you two are my saviors! Besides, I'm already looking forward to tasting some more of your cooking, hehe." Haypasia said
The three went to stand near the cave's entrance as they talked a bit more privately.
"Now that we know Haypasia is alright and had the chance to ask her some questions, Paimon thinks it's about time to head back to Ghandarva Ville." Paimon said as they nodded. They were worried about Collei
"Goodbye, Haypasia." They farewell to her
"Take care. Do remember to come visit anytime you're in the area. I would be happy to chat with you." Haypasia smiled as the three left for Ghandarva Ville
-Timeskip brought to you by Chibi Boboiboy Sopan taught the False God a lesson-
When they arrived, they only saw Tighnari talking with a stranger with a frown while another stood silently at the side
"Think about it, Tighnari, refusing to join is tantamount to burying your head in the sand!" the man, Ghulam, exclaimed and continued
"I understand that you're a Forest Watcher and that it's your duty to combat the effects of Withering Zones, but isn't it evident that such work is not a lasting solution to the problem? As Sage Khajeh clearly stated, your presence and guidance in Sumeru City is pivotal in finding a cure for Irminsul. How could you possibly refuse!?"
Khajeh, the other man, calmly spoke up "Keep your emotions in check, Ghulam. Let's at least listen to Tighnari's reason for declining. We're here to invite him to the Akademiya, not to cause a scene."
"Sage Khajeh, I am truly honored that you came here in person, but I'm afraid I must still decline your invitation. I am merely a Forest Watcher. How could the great minds of the Haratavat have any need of someone like me?" Tighnari said with a serious look
"Haha, well it turns out that your refusal letter had some implications on your master's reputation. He is a renowned Sage of the Amurta, after all. So now, I've come here in his stead." Khajeh stated
"I see. Huh... Well, I figured that, given his temper, he would come here and berate me personally." Tighnari said with a slightly amused look
"Tighnari, your master is an integral part of this effort, and now he requires your assistance." Khajeh told him
"And what exactly does my master need of me, Sage Khajeh?" Tighnari answered back
Khajeh and Ghulam exchanged looks for a moment
"You'll know, once you've arrived in Sumeru City, that is."
"And how long will I be required to stay?" Tighnari asked with a raised brow
"There's no definite answer as of now."
Tighnari frowned."Do you mean to tell me that despite coming all the way here to Gandharva Ville, you still can't answer the questions I laid out in the letter to my master? If that's the case, then I'm afraid I cannot give you a definite answer either."
Ghulam glared "Tighnari! But you—"
Khajeh interrupted with a sigh. "So be it... Come, Ghulam, we're leaving."
Ghulam glared at Tighnari one last time before leaving, bumping into the three. The two shot them a look but continued walking as the three ignored their presence
"Tighnari, who were they? what were they on about?" Boboiboy asked him first once they arrived in front of him
"It's nothing. Some people from the Akademiya wanted me to go to Sumeru City to assist them with a project, but I had to refuse on account of all my responsibilities here." Tighnari calmly explained and then asked them
"But all that can wait, how did things go with Haypasia?"
"It was quite the eventful trip! But the main thing is that she's safe and sound. She answered a bunch of questions for us, too." Paimon answered
Tighnari looked pleased. "Very good. Now that Lumine and Boboiboy have made a full recovery, there shouldn't be any reason for you to tarry here longer. I assume you will be heading to Sumeru City, correct?"
"That's right! We want to meet Lesser Lord Kussanali and ask her for advice. Do you have any idea on how we can find her?" Paimon wanted to know
"Sorry, I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you there." Tighnari shook his head
'Aww.' Thorn felt sad
'Don't worry, Thorn. We will meet her someday. Be patient.' Quake gave him comfort
Paimon looked disappointed, "Well, do you at least know anyone we can try asking in Sumeru City?"
"Hmm, let me think... My trips to Sumeru City have been fairly short, and most of my acquaintances are researchers... Oh, how about this, I'll write you a letter of introduction that you can give to a researcher I know. He's from the Amurta Darshan and is adept at gathering information. Asking him might prove worthwhile.
Also, when you enter Sumeru City, you'll probably end up receiving something like this item here. I'm not sure if it will ever come in handy for you, but maybe you can give it a try." Tighnari took out the item
"Oh? What is it?" Paimon asked as the three leaned closer to take a better look at the item in Tighnari's hands.
"It's called an Akasha Terminal. It's a tool produced by the Akademiya that utilizes the legacy of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. Some say that this item is the very basis of Sumeru's reputation as the City of Wisdom. Needless to say, this device and its usage fall under the Akademiya's expertise, so I'll leave it to them to show you how to use it."
Tighnari explained
"Great! Next stop, Sumeru City! Ah, but wait, before that-" Paimon got interrupted
"We need to say goodbye to Collei." Lumine finished for Paimon
Paimon enthusiastically nodded "That's right! Tighnari, we have something important to say to Collei before we leave. Is she doing better now?"
Tighnari let out a small smile "Yes, she's doing much better. After being confined to her bed all this time, I thought a little walk would do her some good. Last I saw her, she was taking the path towards the north crossing. She knew you two would be leaving soon, so she must have wanted to see you off."
"Phew. I'm glad she is doing well." Boboiboy(along with Elemental Brothers) sighed in relief
"Thanks, Tighnari! Alright, let's go." Paimon exclaimed as the three started leaving
"Farewell, and good luck to you both." Tighnari said
So they approached Collei
"Ah, I've been waiting for you three." Collei said the moment they arrive "I, uh... Well... ugh, never mind. I guess I should just wish you three a safe and successful journey."
Paimon grinned at her "Thanks for waiting here just to see us off, Collei. We're headed to Sumeru City."
"Please take care of yourself, Collei." Boboiboy told her
"Oh, and I made this." Boboiboy took out the flower crown made by Thorn "For you."
"Thanks, Boboiboy." Collei accepted
"We'll be back to see you soon." Lumine said
Collei got embarrassed a little "Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. My condition won't be getting in the way of my duties. I want to be a Forest Ranger, after all! It's up to me and the others to protect the rainforest here.
And uh, well I'm sorry... I should have told you three about my condition when we first met. I just wanted you three to treat me as a normal friend, not some girl that needs your sympathy but I guess now I understand that the most important thing is for friends to be genuine with one another."
"There's no need to apologize, Collei! We should be thanking you for trusting us enough to be your friends and sharing your past with us. We're probably still gonna worry about your condition, but that's because we're friends and we care about you!"
Paimon furiously nodded in agreement
"Thank you, that means a lot... Uh, before you leave, I have something for you." Collei said as she took out the paper
"Oh? What is it?" Paimon asked
"It's my recipe for Pita Pockets! I told you that I'd give you a copy, remember? My handwriting is a little messy, so please don't laugh." Collei is embarrassed
Paimon looked excited "Yay, thanks Collei! Now we can eat those scrumptious little pitas whenever and wherever we like!"
Collei smiled "I hope that whenever you eat them, you'll remember your time here in Gandharva Ville."
"Of course, we will!" Lumine promised
"See you soon. And be well." Boboiboy told her
"Of course. Thank you for your concern. Well then, I, Trainee Forest Ranger Collei, bid you three farewell. Please visit Gandharva Ville again. The rangers will always be ready to assist you here."
Martinthegamer: Hello everyone, I'm back. I got a bad news for everyone. Next week, I am going to start at Army training school. I won't be back for 3 weeks. That's all. Remember to like and share my story. Subscribe to my channel. Support Hoyoverse and Monsta