Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In the history of Sumeru, there are known creatures called the Aranara. The spirits of the forest are also led by the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata or which the Aranara themselves call her Queen Aranyani.

Children are the one who sees them and they live in a place called the Lost Nursery. For some people and adventurers, when they try to find the home of Aranara, they end up seeing small houses with no occupants - as if the whole place is abandoned. Little do they know, these creatures coexist with human reality. They do live in the Nursery but to get to their actual home, one must offer music, specifically, The Music of Aranara. There, people will find themselves in a dream state and will finally see the world of Aranara, the Vanarana. In modern Sumeru, it is now called the Old Vanarana and the one that exists in the real world is the Lost Nursery.

Although this is in history, it remains remembered by people. It’s often read to children - who are the ones who tell their parents that Aranara is real and not just a fantasy or imagination. Since Aranara are never seen by adults, their stories are only read in children fantasy books hence people don’t believe children who insist that they truly exist.

However, there is one story about Aranara that is popular with both children and adults. 

“M-master Tighnari!”

Tighnari quickly shut the book close, surprised by the embarrassed voice of Collei, one of his students.

“Sorry about that.” Tighnari’s ears fall in shame. “I was looking for you and I saw this book on your study table and got curious.”

“It’s okay. I-I was just trying to understand and read more about Aranara. It seems like children in the village are very into them.”

“Hmm, it’s good that you’re reading more books. It will help your vocabulary and you’re also improving your spelling and writing these days. I’m glad you found a new hobby.” Tighnari nods in approval.

He saw the small smile her mentee gave him. “T-thank you, Master Tighnari! I’ll work harder.”

“No need to push yourself too much. Having an improvement is okay than risking your mental and physical health to do better. Always remember this.”

“I will!” she quickly replied in full determination. “Anyway, why were you looking for me?”

“Ah, I was going to give this to you,“ he hands her a small box filled with herbs and some honeyed dates. “You already know who this is from.”

Collei stares at him for a while and then at the box. It feels like she’s touched by the gesture and took the box from Tighnari gently and carefully.

“Please, tell him I said thank you.”

“When I see him again next time.”

Tighari was about to leave but Collei pulled his shirt as if she only did it unintentionally and in panic.

Realizing what she did, she quickly let go. “I-I’m sorry! It’s just that I forgot to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“I, uh, Master Tighnari, please have this book.'' She shoves the book to him. An action that does not offend him because it’s already normal for Tighnari. Collei usually gets too shy and panics. Although the gesture made him confused.

“This story about the Aranara?”

“Yes,” she quickly responds. “I-I mean, yes, I was going to give it to you someday anyway and I think this is the right time. I know it’s weird but can you give it a read when you’re not busy?”

“Huh,” Tighnari checks the book again and flips the pages to check if there’s a defect or missing page. Maybe Collei just really wants him to read this for a random reason. She may be grown-up but after what she’s been through, there’s still curiosity and child-like wonder inside her. He gives him a warm smile and nods. “Alright then, I’ll check it out some other time.”

“T-thank you, Master Tighnari!” her smile wide and cheeks pink. “When you’re done, can you give the book next to… the General Mahamatra?”

This is getting weirder and more interesting at the same time. Why would she want him to give it to Cyno? As if Collei reads his mind, she immediately interrupts him. “No questions!!”

“Alright, alright,” he waves his hands while holding the book. “I’m not going to ask questions and I will read it. Good night, Collei.”

He sees her sigh in relief. “Good night, Master Tighnari.”

“Thank you for your help clearing up The Withering, Master Tighnari!” 

Tighnari waves his hands goodbye to his fellow forest watchers. “You all worked hard as well. Thank you.”

When he sees that everyone has finally gone to their own home at Gandharva Ville, Tighnari walks to his house as well and throws himself into bed.

It was a really exhausting day. The Withering existed for a thousand years ago but these days, it's gotten worse to the point it continuously appears in the village. He always wakes up early to check on every area and go back to their headquarters to take some forest watchers with a vision to go with him and dispatch The Withering.

He can’t take Collei with him though and it frustrates him. She’s a very nice kid but her condition of Eleazer also got worst ever since The Withering kept appearing. He concludes that it might have a relation to Collei’s sickness. After all, Eleazer also existed a long time ago.

Hmm, he may need to theorize this with the General Mahamatra. 

Speaking of, he suddenly gets up and went to his study table to find the book Collei gave him a week ago. 

“The Memories of Arano”

Tighnari scans the book again. He already read the details of the book when he visited Collei. 

“The most popular Aranara story to both children and adults, huh?” He says to himself. “How come I don’t know about this then.”

He just shook his head and opened the book again. “Guess I’ll have to give it a try. For Collei.”

When he opened the first page, there was a message on the lower side of the page. He didn’t notice this before because he only read the description of the book on its back cover.

 “To anyone who will read this,

Please take good care of this book. The same amount of love and care Arano gave to the person he shares his memories of.”

Well, that was sentimental and deep. Tighnari also thinks the handwriting is familiar.

He flips it to the next page and it shows an illustration of the Old Vanarana, the place where the Aranara used to live before the cataclysm. In the current map of Sumeru, they call this place the Old Vanarana or the Lost Nursery. There is no living person in this area and as Tighnari heard when he was still studying in the Akademiya, it is now a place where monsters such as Abyss Mages and Hilichurls reside. The Withering in that area is also extreme and more difficult to dispatch than the ones found in the village near Gandharva Ville. 

He keeps observing the illustration for a while. 

Even though Tighnari is a Forest Watcher, his main focus is watching over the Avidya Forest. The reason is not only to watch The Withering or to give a better home to his fellow Forest Watchers but the place gives an eerily familiar feeling to Tighnari. It feels like his heart specifically chose this forest to be his home. There’s a feeling of nostalgia and comfort. His gut feeling wanted him to protect the forest. Since he’s too busy clearing The Withering in the Avidya Forest, he has never visited far distant areas like the one in this fantasy book. He has only ever ventured Avidya Forest and the Akademiya or Sumeru City.

The books for Aranara are quite funny for Tighnari though. The areas do exist on the Sumeru map, like this one they call the Old Vanarana. Maybe the people who used to live there are people who called themselves Aranara but they aren’t really plant-like creatures that are described in the fantasy books. Of course, writers would exaggerate a fantasy book just to make a child’s imagination run wild. 

He stared at the illustration more and shook his head. It feels weird. There’s a familiar feeling while he looks at the illustration, similar to what he feels whenever he’s walking around Avidya Forest. 

He flips it again to the next page and he’s finally introduced to the story.

Queen Aranyani shares her wisdom with both humans and the forest. They are all her people, her children. The wisdom given to Aranara is to protect the forest and to communicate with plants and flowers. Humans are gifted with the wisdom of advanced knowledge and emotions.

Aranara can also have emotions but it’s rare. Although empathetic, some Aranara wish they could cry when something is painful, wish they could take revenge when angry, or sometimes, wish they can love too.

Arano isn’t friendly with most of the Aranara. Not that he hates them, he appreciates their existence and the wisdom bestowed to them by their Queen. He just prefers to be alone and is often regarded as a loner by his co-Aranara. 

Most Aranara are interested in music but Arano isn’t. He would rather pursue knowledge. He likes to study and gets interested in many things he finds in the forest. 

Sometimes, Aranara leaves the dream realm and watches over humans adventuring in the forest. 

Arano observes them. He studies humans, curious about emotions, and feelings, and how they have more advanced knowledge than Aranara.

Even with only the knowledge to understand the forest, it feels like Queen Aranyani still gave them the wisdom to understand emotions. Despite the difference between Aranara and humans, when he observes them, Arano understands why they mourn and grieve the death of their loved ones, why they pressure themselves to study, and why they cry when something is painful and when they are wounded.

The only human emotion he could not understand was love.

He saw the love that is shared by a family. There’s a loving family that treats their children with care and they reciprocate it with respect. Yet, some parents abuse and hurt their children, masking their toxic behavior and calling it love. Arano knows it isn’t, it couldn’t be and yet, a child still loves their family despite being hurt.

There are many kinds of love. Humans get hurt by it and some find happiness through it. Understanding it feels like falling into the abyss, mysterious and deep. You have to go through pain to understand why humans continue to love even when it hurts them.

Arano is often described as aloof and emotionless by other Aranara and yet he’s out here, observing humans to study their behavior. An Aranara who wants to feel human emotions.

On the way to the dream state - where Aranara truly resides, he saw a green Aranara with a notebook and pen in his hand, face dead serious while checking out the Silapna. 

Arano gets intimidated by the Aranara’s expression and decides to watch him quietly. The green Aranara writes something on his paper. Perhaps, he’s studying what kind of thing Silapna is. After all, it was already there when they existed and only learned its purpose from Queen Aranyani.

The Silapna is a stone with grown plants covering it. It’s a gate between the human reality to the dream state home of the Aranara. Humans, usually adults, offer music to try and enter the realm but if one cannot dream - they can’t travel through it. Only children can dream in Sumeru, it’s something that Queen Aranyani decided to bless her people with. But, it doesn’t make it easy to get there just because you’re a child. 

There is a specific lyre that should be used when offering music to the Silapna. It’s the only musical instrument that the Aranara acknowledge. If an Aranara gives one to a child and teach them a rhythm, it’s an invitation to visit their home, the dream realm.

“You can stop analyzing what I’m doing now.” Arano almost fell on the tree when he heard the green Aranara speak. 

“Sorry about that.” He carefully jumped down the tree and stood next to the green Aranara. “What were you doing anyway?”

“I was drawing it,” he shows him his notebook. There was an unfinished illustration of the Silpna. “It’s not yet finished because I wanted to make it more detailed. If I want to draw something, I want to know its meaning. Their purpose, the story.”

“Hmm, then do you know the purpose of the Silapna?”

“Of course, I know it's our teleportation to our actual home but,” the green Aranara glances at the stone again. “Why do we need to teleport through it? Why can't we just live here in the Nursery?”

“As far as I know,” Arano now glances at the stone as well. “The Silapna was created by Queen Aranyani in the form of a dream because we, Aranara cant co-exist with humans. We live with the plants and forest and humans live with their kin. I think in human knowledge, they call our home similar to a mirage.”

“A mirage?”

Arano hums. “It plays with human imagination. For us, this is real but if a human visits our home, it feels unreal. That’s why traveling here is called the dream state.”

The green Aranara’s expression changed from serious to curious and confused. “Huh, I still don’t get it. It seems like I need to know more about it.”

Arano shrugs his shoulders. Ready to play his tune to go home, the green Aranara interrupts. “You seem to know a lot about human knowledge and our home. Can you help me with my illustrations?”

Can he? Arano has never interacted with fellow Aranara or even humans. He’s not good with interactions and might disappoint the green Aranara.

“I… don’t know.”

“Come on! Purple Aranara, you know many stories! You can help me and I will credit you!”

So, this Green Aranara’s also calling him by his color. “My name is Arano. I’ll think about it.”

“Why even think about it,” The Green one sighs. “Alright, can I wait for you here tomorrow. Can it be the same time? I want to know your answer.”

“Fine.”

“Great!” The Green Aranara claps with his notebook in his hand. “My name is Aranari! I’ll wait for your response tomorrow!”

Aranari quickly hums his tune and disappears in the Vanarana. Arano follows by playing his rhythm and gets teleported back to Vanarana.

He tried to look around the dream state before coming home to his house, trying to check the tiny houses to look for Aranari but he couldn’t. Arano decided to just go home and think about the Green Aranara’s offer.

Every Aranara has an identity, personality, or purpose. There’s a Music-loving Aranara, a Reckless Aranara, or a Confused Aranara. 

For so long, he thought his purpose and whole personality only revovled as a loner or known to just be the Lonely Aranara in their home.

Perhaps, this could be Arano’s true purpose as an Aranara.

Chapter Text

Tighnari woke up with a headache. This is something new to his routine and everything’s been consistent ever since he became a Forest Ranger. Sure, there have been times that he was overworked but he never felt any headaches as painful as what he’s having today.

He continued his day and get up from bed. If he chooses to rest, The Withering will continue to grow in areas around Gandharva Ville and Avidya Forest itself.

(It’s called Marana.)

Tighnari pauses from tying his shoes and stands up to look around his home. There’s no one inside other than him. He also checked the windows — glanced outside, but there was no other person.

Even his animalistic instinct did not sense any danger. If there was anyone else inside, he would’ve felt it. If someone pranks him and immediately runs away, he would hear it. 

It was a weird feeling. It was a voice inside his head — more like, he listened to his own voice say it. 

He shrugs it off and kneels to continue tying his shoelace. “ Marana ? I need to know what that is but I really don’t want to go to the Akademiya just to research about it.”

He sighs and shook his head, leaving to find areas within Gandharva Ville corrupted by The Withering. 

Just like when he started investigating it, the Withering continues to corrupt the forest. When clearing it, the fungus starts appearing. It’s not difficult for Tighnari to clear out the areas because his vision helps him out. He’s also considering his fellow Forest Rangers’ health. It would be impossible for non-vision holders to clear it out and fight the fungus. What’s worst is they might get affected by the Withering. He’s still investigating whether the Withering and Collei’s Eleazer are related. 

After marking the areas with the Withering and clearing some of it, Tighnari heads back to their camp and saw Collei sitting on one of the logs and holding a piece of paper. The green-haired girl smiles softly while reading the content of it. Whatever it is about, it’s not Tighnari’s business. It’s probably from her friend from Mondstadt. 

When the General Mahamatra brought Collei and ask Tighnari to take care of her, it was unexpected.

During his days in the Akademiya, Tighnari and Cyno had never interacted. He only hears his name from his colleagues. Cyno is well-known for being strict and a person who abides by the truth of one’s research. Tighnari once heard that Cyno purposely did not accept a researcher’s thesis due to its lack of validity. Before graduating, he heard that he became the General Mahamatra and decided to leave Sumeru City to watch over the desert area. 

To be honest, Tighnari wanted to approach him before and ask for comments or opinions about his research. He’s been used to hearing compliments from his colleagues and as weird as it sounds, Tighnari also wants someone to give him proper criticism. He knows he has a long way to go. Knowing Cyno’s strict comments and personality, he wanted to hear something from him but it was a pity he was unable to talk to him before graduating.

When the General Mahamatra left Sumeru City, Tighnari also decided to leave the city for Gandharva Ville and became a Forest Ranger. Truth be told, he’s more interested in botany than researching ruin guards, astrology, or elements. It’s also a blessing that he received a dendro vision which is very convenient for his research about plants and flowers. 

“Seems like you’re in a good mood.” Tighnari greets Collei, surprising her and almost falling off her chair. “Oops, I apologize for approaching you suddenly.”

“No, it’s okay, Master Tighnari!” Collei shook her head. “I-I was just reading a letter.”

“This friend of yours from Mondstadt, I wish you two could meet. You look like you’re always missing her.”

“I-I do…” she shyly responded, her head falling down. “My days in Mondstadt.. Although it wasn’t the best memory, s-she helped me out even after knowing my condition and the experiment.”

The experiment. It happened because her mother was desperate for a cure, deciding to take her to the Fatui and received tests from the organization, experimenting on her condition. Collei grew up for sure and she’s slowly gaining more confidence and courage but Tighnari knows that trauma doesn’t go away that easily. Especially when the Fatui is everywhere in any nation. There are times that Forest Watchers themselves encounter the Fatui, especially while on the lookout for areas affected by the Withering.

Hmm. The Fatui, Collei, the Eleazer, and the Withering. Could they be related as well?

No, that’s impossible. The Withering has existed a long time ago and it even came from the depths of the world. 

“Master Tighnari,” Collei has finally faced him again. “H-have you finished reading the book?

Tighnari glanced at her for a moment, his eyebrows meeting in confusion. “I haven’t. Say, Collei, what’s with the Aranara book and why do you want me to give it to the General Mahamatra after?”

Her cheeks turned pink, confusing Tighnari more. “I-It’s nothing! Please, just finish it. I will get going.” Before he could respond and ask her more, the girl quickly run away from him.

Could it be that the General Mahamatra owns the book and Collei is too shy to return it to him? After all, she feels a little awkward with him. What about her pushing Tighnari to read it though? Hmm. Maybe he needs to give the book another read. To be honest, he’s also curious about the stories of Aranara. The history of Aranara is popular in Sumeru but it’s only known as a fantasy or a children’s tale. Tighnari, on the other hand, is curious about these creatures because of their relationship with plants and the forest in general. Aranara’s physical build is always described as plant-like. Their ears form in the shape of a leaf and their body resembles a root. Maybe he should really continue reading it. After all, the General Mahamatra probably knows about this book and Tighnari acknowledges him as someone with great knowledge. Cyno never disappoints (unless he starts speaking nonsense jokes). 

Speaking of Cyno, the first time Tighnari was able to talk to him was when he was with Collei. As he reminisces earlier, it was an unexpected meeting. 

He just returned from the Akademiya, annoyed by his master’s offer of an Akademiya post. The moment Tighnari steps into Gandharva Ville, he’s greeted by his students and other Forest Rangers. He just always nods his head acknowledging them.

When he arrived at his own camp, he saw the General Mahamatra waiting for him and a little girl hiding behind him. 

Tighnari was surprised to see him. It’s the first time seeing each other again after graduating from the Akademiya. “The General Mahamatra. Have I done anything illegal to have you visit me?”

“I will not ask how you work on your research,” He says while removing his hood and glancing at the mushrooms next to his camp. Tighnari’s eyes widen. “H-how did you know that?”

He ignored Tighnari’s question. “I have a request.” 

Straight to the point. Seems like this guy did not even change. Rumor says he’s difficult to talk to because of how strict and honest he is, Tighnari knows now they are not wrong.

Also, he did not expect the General Mahamatra to have such… a voice . 

He quickly stood next to his mushrooms and coughed lightly. “What kind of request? If it’s to stop my research because of… uh, my ways, I hope you already know I will disagree.”

The General Mahamatra snorts. Did he just - “No, not that. This girl here,” he gently pushed the girl forward to introduce him to Tighnari. “Her name is Collei. She was born here in Sumeru and I just took her from Mondstadt. She’s been through a lot, could you watch over her for me?”

Tighnari looked at him then at the little girl. “Are you aware I am not good with children?”

“I didn’t know but now I do,” Cyno replies. “I’ve chosen you specifically because I know of your kindness. I heard that you’re also taking students.”

“I am teaching grown-ups and it’s usually about botany and the Forest. She’s just a little girl-”

“I believe this little girl wants to study medicine and you’re the only person I can entrust her with when it comes to this topic,” Cyno interrupts, he sighs and glances at the girl who walked behind his back to hide again. “I know you’ve heard about the Eleazer. She has it.”

“What?!” He shouted in surprise. “How could- you have to tell me what happened.”

Tighnari invites them inside his camp and led them to his small dining area where there are three chairs. Perfect. It’s like his home has been waiting to have visitors and knows exactly how many they would be.

“The Fatui got their hands on her.” As usual, Cyno already started his report about the girl, not even taking a sip of the tea Tighnari handed him. “They put a variety of experiments that led her to have archon residue and the girl, for some reason, arrived at Mondstadt. Well, she did cause some trouble but nothing major happened anyway. I was able to seal the archon residue.”

“Archon residue?!” 

“Please, Tighnari,” Cyno calms him down, Tighnari’s ears fall off in shame. “Yes. It was Lisa who contacted me about it.”

“One of the greatest students in the Akademiya? Hmm, so she’s staying in Mondstadt now.”

“Focus on what we are talking about.” Tighnari just rolled his eyes. The General Mahamatra always wants to get to the point so quickly. “This girl wants to study. She said it to me herself and she’s interested in studying herbs. I know your capabilities and that’s exactly the reason why I came here instead of the Akademiya.”

Oh? The General Mahamatra acknowledges him… wait, why does the thought of it make him so happy ?

“Fine,” Tighnari said, defeated. His ears were up again. “What kind of taking care do I need to do anyway?”

“Could you teach her? Maybe, uh, start with pre-school studies?”

Well, since he’s been acknowledged for his skills even without having the General Mahamatra read his thesis, this lightens up his mood. He could just be patient with the kid. Besides, she looks very shy. She won’t probably cause any trouble for him and the archon residue has been sealed.

“I’ll take her. In one condition,” Tighnari looks at the kid. “I will also train her to be a forest ranger.”

“That is for her to decide. Ask her when she’s older.”

“Fine, fine!” Tighnari waves his hand and sighs. “I’ll teach her and ask her someday! You can go now.”

Cyno turned around to face her. “Collei, this is Tighnari. He’ll be your Master now. He will help you with your studies. Would that be fine for you?”

The girl, who Tighnari now knows is Collei, glanced at him shyly. “O-okay.”

“Good.” The General Mahamatra pats her head gently and Tighnari saw that gentle smile plastered on his face.

For some reason, the scenario also made Tighnari smile. Only when Cyno finally faced Tighnari again did he stop smiling. 

“Tighnari, I will be contacting you.”

That was the last thing he heard from Cyno before he left Gandharva Ville and head back to the desert. Of course, the General Mahamatra does not break any promises. He continues to send letters to Tighnari asking him about Collei’s progress in her studies. He would often visit her too without properly showing himself. Tighnari only knows about this because he could feel his presence in the forest. Sometimes, he gains the courage to personally visit Collei and gives her and Tighnari foods that they eat together during lunch or dinner.

Although the General Mahamatra doesn’t show it, Tighnari knows how much he cares for Collei and that’s exactly the reason why the little girl is precious to him too. 

Tighnari stared at the book in his hands. He’s been holding the Memories of Arano for a while now. He opens the page where he last left off and starts to read its content.

Arano spent his day watching over the forest in the human realm. Lately, there seem to be monsters lurking around the forest. He’s still unsure what kind of monsters they are. They do not look like the common forest monsters. More like, monsters wearing a mask. Sometimes, they appear to be red, a dark or light shade of blue, or even purple.

They also have an annoying laugh.

It’s also weird how seeing them feels like an illusion to Arano. He sees them walking around the forest but later on, they quickly disappear. 

Was it an illusion as a warning or was he dreaming?

But the Aranara are forest creatures and they do not dream. Only humans have ambitions and Aranara lives in their dreams.

“You’re here!” The green Aranara excitedly ran in Arano’s direction. “I thought you’ll ditch me!”

Arano averted his gaze from him. “Actually, I wanted to.”

“Hey!” Aranari pushed him jokingly. “Now that you’re here, where should we go? Oh, I heard a lot about the human realm. Should we go there instead? The desert? Avidya Forest?”

“Calm down,” Arano waved his hands. “Are you always in a rush?”

“Sorry about that,” he chuckles, scratching his ears in embarrassment. “I just got excited. I’m always alone whenever I investigate this stuff and when you told me information about this, I felt like there’s someone else who likes walking around the forest and knows their history. I thought I was the only Aranara who likes going in and out of the dream realm and Nara realm!”

For other Aranara, they call humans Nara but Arano got used to calling them humans than the latter.

Arano sighs and nods his head. The other just stared at him in awe. For what, though? For knowing all this information about the forest? Arano just simply observed it and studied how humans and Aranara react to all of these and that’s how he made a conclusion and described it to Aranari. He wouldn’t say he knows a lot, he just learned from watching them.

Observing is a skill needed for learning and Arano has always used this whenever he’s curious about something. Through observation, you see actions, emotions, and how people react. You also hear what they say about it and that’s useful information for him. Everything he learned about the human realm is all through watching them.

“I think we can start going to Lokapala Jungle. There’s a forest there that has giant mushrooms that I think you’d want to see.”

“Giant mushrooms?!” Aranari beams. He was already calm earlier but now he’s back to being excited. “Yes, take me there!”

Arano sighed and the two started walking from Vanarana to Lokapala Jungle. On the way, he can sense something different in the forest but he ignores it. If something’s wrong in Sumeru, surely Queen Aranyani would feel it too and will take an action. He’s also just an Aranara, he’s not as powerful as her and what he could do is only limited to music and the forest. 

“Wow,” he hears Aranari whisper behind him, a hint of amazement in his tone. “There really are huge mushrooms!” 

“It looks better at night though.” Arano continues walking and points to one of the mushrooms. “The mushrooms lit up and look more bluish.”

“Fascinating,” Aranari took his notepad out and started writing something. “How did you even discover this place? On my days of going outside and walking around the Nara realm, I haven’t been here.”

“I have been going in and out of our realm to theirs for a long time.”

“I see,” the green Aranara nods his head. “That’s probably the reason why I haven’t seen you during the festivals and I never heard about other Aranara talking about you.”

“It’s not like I hate the Nursery,” Arano defended himself. He could feel suspicion while the other talked. “I just like seeing more from this world. I think that would be what Queen Aranyani would like for us too. We’re protectors of the forest after all. We should also watch every forest here in Sumeru. That way, we would know how to properly protect it. Plants are different in every forest and every forest is our home. For humans, they benefit from it because they use some of the plants and flowers as herbal medicine. It needs to be protected at all costs.”

He saw Aranari nod, agreeing to what he said. “You’re right. With you here as my companion on this journey, I’ll be able to take more notes using your knowledge about the forest and based on my own observation too! It’d be helpful for our fellow Aranara because I can just tell them about these discoveries!”

The word “my companion” has made Arano pause. He’s never had anyone in his life. Ever since Queen Aranyani created them, he was a lone Aranara who is more interested in protecting the forest than socializing with his fellow forest creatures. As if Queen Aranyani created him with the purpose of protecting both Aranara and humans. 

“Hey, are you okay?” Aranari taps his shoulder and looked at him with concern. He meets his eye and for some reason, it made him feel weird. Arano quickly bows his head and pretended to rub his eye.

“I think some dirt got into my eyes.”

“I hate that feeling. Though rubbing it might make your eyes red.”

Well, it’s not like there really was dirt. Arano pretended that it was gone and saw Aranarani walking further, watching the giant mushrooms again. It seems like their journey went long as it’s already nighttime. 

“Arano, look!” Aranari excitedly waves his hands, pointing to the mushrooms. “They do look prettier at night!”

He was genuinely happy and shining with the giant mushrooms in Mawtiyima Forest. The light in his eyes sparkled with the stars in Teyvat and the way he smiles while gazing at the mushrooms was warm, an Aranara full of wonder and curiosity for the forest.

The scenery made Arano smile in return. “You’re right. The view is indeed prettier now.”