Shade of Teyvat: The Rapture of Shadows

6. Roots of Resolve

Over the next few days, Aranyani became a part of life in Hearthglen Village. She spent mornings with the elders, who shared their stories of Mondstadt's ancient history, and afternoons helping the farmers in their fields, learning the unique flora and fauna of this region. In the evenings, when Viz returned from his hunting commissions, the village children would immediately surround him, tugging on his sleeves and begging for the latest tale of his adventures.

"Come on, Viz, what did you hunt today?" one of the young boys, Alaric, would ask, eyes wide with excitement.

Viz would laugh, ruffling Alaric's hair before recounting his day. Even Aranyani, despite herself, would find a place in the circle to listen, her attention drawn to the way his voice changed when he spoke of his encounters. Though she was reluctant to admit it, she had come to enjoy these moments, and the warmth of the village filled her with a sense of belonging she hadn't anticipated.

The village chief, Isolde, noticed the change in Aranyani as well. Isolde was a wise woman. She had a quiet way of observing things without speaking, but one evening, as the villagers laughed around the fire, she turned to Aranyani.

"You seem at ease here," Isolde said softly, her voice carrying a hint of knowing.

Aranyani hesitated, feeling the weight of her unspoken mission settle in her chest. "The people here are... kind," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But there are things I must do—things I must learn." Aranyani began to understand why her friend, (Deshret) Al-Ahmar, had sent her here to learn not only about the ecosystems beyond Sumeru, but about the people to. 

But beneath her growing affection for Hearthglen, a darker purpose weighed on her heart. Her mission wasn't just to learn; it was to find a way to stop a creeping corruption that had begun seeping into nature. She thought of the Jinni she'd encountered in Sumeru, warning her of a malevolent force—one capable of twisting the land and driving creatures to madness.

Aranyani, whispering softly to herself, "No, Rukha, this is not why you're here. They can handle it on their own. All you need to do is observe, learn... that's all." But despite her attempts to convince herself, a tinge of sadness and unease gnawed at her heart.

Isolde placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Sometimes, learning requires us to let go of what we think we know. And sometimes, that means trusting others." Aranyani met Isolde's gaze, feeling the weight of her words.

The following morning, as the first light of dawn broke over Hearthglen, Isolde called Viz over to discuss a new commission. Her tone was serious, and her gaze held a flicker of urgency. "Viz, we've received word that a Ignarian has been sighted near the coast. It's unusual for one to wander this close to the village, and we can't risk it attacking anyone who's out there."

"A Ignarian ?" Viz repeated, his expression sharpening. He had encountered them before—powerful, dragon-like creatures with venomous tails and fierce territorial instincts. They were dangerous, and if one had ventured this far north, it posed a real threat.

As Viz prepared to leave, Aranyani stepped forward. "Let me come with you, Viz. I... I'd like to help."

Viz shot her a questioning look, but Isolde gave a gentle nod. "If she wants to come, let her," Isolde said. "It might do her good to see how our hunters handle these situations."

Viz sighed, casting a cautious glance at Aranyani. "Alright, but stay close. Ignarian's aren't like the creatures in Sumeru. They're more aggressive, and their venom is lethal. I don't want you putting yourself in danger."