#aranara

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You were munching one of the fruits that you were given by the Aranaras. It always surprised you of how good the fruits and other veggies they gave you.

Especially the veggies. Those are good veggies.

‘Hm, is it because I gave them the ability to be close with nature?’ you thought, picking another slice of fruit, ‘Very convenient ability.’

As you were picking another fruit from the basket. You noticed a noise of tiny footsteps walking towards you. You glanced at the noise and took notice of the little army of Aranaras walking up to you.

You tilted your head, and smiled at the little ones. “Is there something you need, Arana?”

The one in front, Arana, kept looking at the others then up to you. You suddenly felt something was amiss, as if a chilling air that blew past you. “Arana, is there something you want to tell me?”

The little creature fidgeted on its stubby hands, “Arana has something to tell Mama-nara…”

“Oh? Then why do you look so… sad, Arana?” you reached out to pet the little creature, “Is the news you have that bed?”

“VERY BAD!”

You flinched slightly at the interjection of Aradasa. The little orange Aranara waved their little stubby hands. “Mama-nara, please do not go!”

You looked at the frightened Aranara with worry and confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

Your eyes flicked to each of the Aranara, although their faces don’t quite change. You can tell how their movements spoke fear and worry. “Can any of you tell me what is happening?”

“Mama-nara…” Arakavi walked forward to you, “Home is calling to you… Home is… hurt and needs Mama-nara..”

“Bu-but Mama-nara is too weak!” Arana protested, “Mama-nara has no power right now! Don’t leave! Or Mama-nara will get hurt by Home!”

You looked at the Aranaras, more confused and more questions bottling in your head. What do they mean by ‘Home’? What do they mean by you being weak? Everything was so confusing.

“Um..” you tried to say something but got interrupted.

“Mama-nara still not remember too…” Arakavi muttered, loud enough to be heard by everyone, “Mama-nara can’t leave yet, or Mama-nara… mama-nara will…waah!”

Arakavi ran towards your arms wailing, you couldn’t help but hold them and rubbing their backs. They wailed and the others also started to let out their own sniffles.

“Please.. Everyone, I don’t understand what you all mean…” you said, petting and holding the wailing little creatures, “You all mention me being too weak and not remembering anything. Am I supposed to remember something?”

Were you? You only remembered making and writing the concept of the—most—characters in the story. Yet the Aranaras have always been dropping hints or bits that seemed that you are more involved. Like, you were more than just a person writing but a person creating—involving within.

At first, you would shake those thoughts away, but right now, it felt more and more compelling. But you were still confused and lost of what was happening.

“Mama-nara…”

You looked up and watched Aramani, one of the older Aranara, walk up slowly to you. You were still comforting the other Aranaras who were now sniffling in tears.

“Mama-nara not remember Aranara… because Mama-nara made a wish. So Mama-nara is here because we promise to protect Mama-nara, because Queen Aranyani told us.” Aramani patted their sibling, “Mama-nara is back but still weak, but Home is calling. Too fast. Too soon. But Home is hurting.”

“Aranara do not want Mama-nara to disappear again, but Home is calling…”

You… couldn’t understand.

You didn’t understand whatever Aramani was implying at all!

What is Home? Do they mean Teyvat? What do you mean that Greater Lord Rukkhadevata asked them to protect you once you returned? What do they even mean by you returning?

Everything… Everything was so confusing.

You had thought you were able to adjust here.

You were able to accept what was happening.

But now that you think about it—you couldn’t adjust at all.

Because why does it feel like you were supposed to remember something that never happened?

Cyno paused his walk again, closing his eyes as he tried to sense the direction of the divine energy.

Scaramouche hovered lazily above him.

“You are slow,” Scaramouche declared.

Cyno inhaled sharply, counting silently to three. “How does Lesser Lord Kusanali tolerate you?”

Scaramouche opened his mouth, undoubtedly to deliver another smart remark but a rustling sound cut him off.

Both turned.

A tiny Aranara waddled out of the shrub, dragging a fruit nearly twice its own size. It froze when it spotted them. Two tall, imposing figures staring right back at it.

Cyno crouched. “Excuse me. Have you seen—”

The Aranara shrieked and hurled the fruit at Cyno’s face. Cyno dodged quickly. Fortunately Unfortunately, Scaramouche was standing directly behind him.

THWACK.

Scaramouche staggered backward. “…You insolent twig.”

The Aranara gasped and hid behind Cyno’s leg. “Scary-hat-man!! Do not eat me!”

“I don’t eat leaves.” Beat. “Usually.”

Cyno pinched the bridge of his nose. “Little one, we’re looking for someone.”

The Aranara blinked. “Okay.” Then, as if it had just remembered the fruit, it picked it up again and began dragging it forward slowly and stubbornly, glancing warily at Scaramouche every few steps.

Cyno tried again. “Have you seen the Creator? Someone like us, but… with glowing divine energy?”

The Aranara perked up. “Oh! Big bright Nara! Smells like warm morning sun!”

Cyno asked, “Which way?”

It pointed proudly… both hands pointing in completely different directions.

Cyno tried again. “So which way?”

“Yes,” the Aranara said confidently.

Scaramouche leaned down and growled, “That is not an answer.”

“Yes,” the Aranara repeated, even more adamant.

Cyno tried a gentler approach. “Little one… can you show us?”

The creature nodded, then stared back at them without moving an inch.

Scaramouche exhaled with a mix of irritation and disbelief. “This one is an idiot.”

Meanwhile, in the Grand Sage’s office

Nahida floated a few inches above the floor, reading the reports sent from the forest rangers. Her expression dimmed.

“More search parties…” she murmured. “And their behavior is becoming increasingly aggressive. This is troubling.”

Alhaitham set down his pen and rubbed his temples. “And I presume I am expected to handle this?”

Nahida replied, “I’ll handle the Liyue envoys myself, but I’ll need your help keeping in touch with the rangers and Corps of Thirty, in case any conflicts arise between the growing number of travelers and the people of Sumeru.”

Alhaitham glared at the ceiling. “Why am I still the Acting Grand Sage?”

Nahida blinked innocently. “Because you’re competent.”

Alhaitham picked up a document, scanned a paragraph, then placed it facedown in quiet resignation.

Nahida smiled softly. “Thank you for helping, Alhaitham.”

He sighed and turned back to his desk, already beginning to draft a response, while Nahida floated toward the window, her mind focused on planning her next move to contact her fellow Archon.

Part 11