The duo made it to Sumeru after their encounter with Dainsleif in the Chasm. Sying had been excitedly spouting random gibberish on the way there, so Aether figured he knew someone that he was excited to see. The only problem was that Sying had never been to the forest part of Sumeru before, so they would have to rely on others for directions.
"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 Less Lord Kusanali. She might know something about your sister, since she is the god of Wisdom." Sying said.
"That sounds like a good plan." Aether agreed. While they figured out where to go next, a woman with greenish blue hair walked past. "Excuse me, could you tell us the way to Sumeru City?" The woman kept walking, ignoring the Traveler.
"Well, that was rude of her." Sying sighed. "Let's follow her and see if she is going to a nearby village." The duo followed the scholarly woman and arrived at a cave. She sat down in front of some incense. As the scent hit Sying's nose, the adeptus leaned over and threw up in some nearby bushes before fainting. Aether felt his head pound all of a sudden and passed out as well. He remembered hearing a worried voice calling out to someone, before losing consciousness completely.
When The Traveler awoke he was in a medical hut in Gandharva Ville, a small rainforest village. A girl with green hair and purple-magenta eyes was checking on Sying. Aether found out that her name was Collei. After waiting inside the room and taking some medicine, Sying hadn't woken up yet.
"Are you sure it's not serious? Sying's been out for a long time." Aether questioned.
"Yes, I'm sure. Believe me, Master is extremely knowledgeable. If he says that he's going to be alright, then there's absolutely nothing to worry about." Collei answered, although the last part seemed directed at herself. While they were talking, Sying had woken up and was sitting in bed. He looked over at Collei and a huge smile appeared on his face.
"Collei!" Sying shouted, trying to get out of bed. The adeptus hit the floor with a loud thud.
"D-Sying! Are you okay?" She asked.
"Don't worry. I'm fine." He replied. "Anyway, I'm really glad to see you, kid." Collei's face turned red as he continued. "So, where are we?"
"I think it's called Gandharva Ville." Aether spoke.
"That's right. 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." Collei explained.
"Thanks for the help, kid. I didn't mean for our reunion to start off like that." Sying apologized.
"Ah, no, please don't say that." She said, "Um, are you feeling any better?"
"I feel a bit dizzy and there's this weird bitter taste in my mouth." Sying admitted.
"Collei had to give you medicine earlier." Aether told the god. "I had more medicine when I woke up, so you probably have to take some now." Collei nodded and grabbed a cup from a nearby table. Her hand shook and the cup shattered into pieces on the floor. She let out a cry of alarm and Sying bent down to help her pick up all the pieces.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled.
"Don't apologize. It's just a cup." Sying reassured her, putting the shards on the table.
"Collei, what's the matter? Were you trying to retrieve the medicine? As I've already told you, you must be careful with these." A man said. He had short hair and dark green fox ears and a tail. It was Collei's master: Tighnari. He sighed and spoke some more. "Alright, I'll get it for you once I'm finished here." The Forest Watcher finished talking to a ranger outside and walked in. He observed the two males before speaking. "So, how are you doing? Feeling better?"
"Sying, Aether, this is my master, Forest Watcher Tighnari. He is chief officer over all the rangers here in Gandharva Ville." Collei informed them.
"Now that you're awake, let me explain to you about the reason you fell unconscious earlier. 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 for directions, you two 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?
"That makes sense." Aether confirmed, ignoring Sying's confused face.
"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 wondered.
"Yes! No!" Aether and Sying answered at the same time.
"You didn't see it?" The Traveler asked.
"See what? There was nothing to see." The Nova Archon questioned.
"The giant tree!" Aether exclaimed. Sying shook his head.
"You two will be staying here for a few days so I can monitor your recovery." Tighnari decided.
"We need to get to Sumeru City." Aether protested.
"There's no need to be hasty. Based on what you've told me, Aether, you experienced a powerful hallucination. This suggests that your mental state is not in the best of shape. I can't say the same for Sying, but it would be best if he rested as well." The Forest Watcher said, taking out a strange looking ball. Incense was coming out from the top and Aether fell back a little while Collei grabbed a bucket before Sying threw up onto the floor.
"Alright, I guess we're staying." Aether declared.
"Good idea." Sying agreed.
"Good. Now continue resting while I fire up another bowl of medicine." Tighnari told them and left the room. Collei followed close behind him and the duo was left in the medical hut alone, stuck in Gandharva Ville.
YOU ARE READING
Meraki
Fanfictionthe soul, creativity, or love you put into something; the essence of yourself that is put into your work. In which the King of Khaenri'ah plans to overthrow the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
