Meraki

Part 4 Chapter 2: The Effects of Eleazar

When Aether returned to Gandharva Ville, Sying and Collei were nowhere in sight. With help from a nearby ranger, he learned that they had gone into Collei's house. He decided to wait a whole day, in case the girl needed space. So when morning rolled around, Aether went to Collei's house to find Tighnari waiting for him.

"I was just about to go looking for you. You see, I came to check on Collei's condition. To put it simply, she's not well." Tighnari explained. They looked inside to see Collei huddled up next to Sying, who was fast asleep. "Sying hasn't left her side, so I'm assuming whatever happened to you two in the Chasm wore him out."

"She's sick? Is it because of what I did yesterday?" Aether questioned.

"There's no need to worry about that. This sickness is something Collei has been dealing with for some time. Collei has been more excited than usual since you two arrived; a little too much so, to be honest. She hasn't remembered to take care of herself. It's understandable though. She hasn't been around her father or anyone she considered a friend for some time now. It must be refreshing to have you two here." Tighnari spoke.

"Sying hasn't been taking care of himself either. He was so excited to see Collei, he forgot to rest from the effects of his curse." Aether sighed. "So, what's really wrong with Collei?"

"Let's take this conversation elsewhere. Collei just fell asleep after taking her medicine and so did Sying, they need peace and quiet. Besides, Sying could wake up and murder me, so it would be best to go somewhere else." The Traveler followed the Forest Watcher to a different area and the conversation continued. "Just to clarify, what I'm about to tell you about Collei is not because of who you are or what you've done, but because Collei asked me to. Sying approved of this as well. Honestly speaking, I was against Collei revealing her past to you, but she insisted and her father supported her."

"Tighnari, you said this was something she's been dealing with for some time. Just how serious is it?" Aether inquired.

"Ever since she was a child, she's been afflicted with a disease called Eleazar. 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." He replied.

"That sounds terrifying! So when Collei was acting clumsy earlier, it was because of her Eleazar." Aether noticed.

"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?"

"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 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. Sying met Collei when she was looking for revenge. He saved her and he had someone look after her. That person gave her to me. He 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, unless you're Sying."

"I had no idea she had been through so much."

"By the way Aether, Collei wanted me to tell you that she's sorry for scaring you yesterday. She also wanted you to know that she's sorry for hiding her illness."

"She doesn't need to apologize. None of this is her fault. How is she doing this time?"

"It's not too serious. She just over-exerted herself recently. She'll be just fine."

"That's good to hear. I do have some questions though. Does Eleazar spread?"

"No it does not. Otherwise, Sying would've gotten it a long time ago."

"I know you said that there's no cure for Eleazar, but could an Archon cure it?"

"You're asking if Sying could cure Collei's Eleazar? He's already tried that, I'm afraid. Unfortunately, he doesn't possess the power to cure something like this. All I know is that Sying has been looking for a cure since he met Collei." Tighnari replied. Then, the two males gathered Lunar Lotus for Collei's medicine, so she would get better soon. Aether helped the Forest Watcher clear a Withering Zone and he helped Haypasia. She told him a little more about Irminsul and how she was trying to connect with it. While he was gone, Sying and Collei had woken up and went out on a walk.

"I'm exhausted. The curse is taking its toll on me." Sying complained. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm still really tired, but I think I'm doing better." Collei answered.

"That's good." He yawned, noticing Aether approach. "There you are, we've been waiting."

"Sorry about that. I was helping Tighnari with a few things." Aether explained. "We're headed to Sumeru City, we'll be back soon, Collei."

"She's coming with us, you ding-dong." Sying pointed out, smacking him on the back of the head.

"Really?" He questioned.

"Yes, I want to help Dad in any way I can." Collei said proudly.

"In that case, welcome to the team!" Aether smiled. Sying picked up Collei and started walking.

"Dad, put me down!" She protested.

"No way, you just rest." Sying argued. The trio made their way to Sumeru City, where a series of events unfolds.