Shade of Teyvat: The Rapture of Shadows

7. Learning There Way

Under the clear skies of Hearthglen, the village was as lively as ever. Farmers are working in their fields, in the faint scents of the forest. Children running around, laughing as they played hide and seek, while merchants from Liyue set up small stalls, eager to sell with Hearthglen's villagers. even some adventurers passed through as well, taking brief rest, telling tales of far-off places and even exchanging items with the villagers as gift. It was a the day was filled with life and energy, a welcoming day from monster threats and the Archon War.

Viz, who was not busy at the time, felt grateful of the free time. He strolled around the village, nodding in greeting to anyone he passed. Before long, he caught the sight of Caelum, one of the villager and the same time a hunter who had helped him taking down a Great Maccao, a very memorable hunt. Caelum waved him over, and they exchanged stories about this pass day, laughing over the times they'd managed to avoid close calls and reminiscing about the battles they'd endured together. The both of are fellow hunters was a bond that couldn't be easily explained, but it was there, they always shared respect of their work.

Before long, Caelum had to leave, drawn away by another duty. Viz continued his leisurely walk, his gaze wandering as he enjoyed the sights and sounds of his village. And, he noticed Lyra, the village herbalist, cautionly trying to balancing several baskets of herbs, roots, and supplies in her arms. Her face was focus, her hands full to the point of spilling over.

Without a word, Viz stepped in, catching one of the baskets just before it tipped. Lyra looked up in surprise, a sight of relieve in her eyes. "Oh, thank you, Viz! I wasn't sure how I'd manage carry it all, on my own."

"Not problem, Lyra," he replied, adjusting his grip on the basket. "Where are we taking these?"

They walked together to her small herbal shop, inside there a lot of shelf there is filled with drying herbs, jars of elixirs, and another shelves is stack with remedies of all kinds. Lyra began organizing her supplies, explaining her recent projects. "These are for new potions and tonics, Winter is coming, and I want to be prepared for anything the villagers might need—a healing elixir, maybe something for strength, and of course, remedies for fevers." 

She paused, searching through a cabinet and finally pulling out a small vial of vibrant green liquid and giving it to Viz.  "Here. Is a new strength potion I've been experimenting with. I think it could come in handy for you."

Viz accepted the vial gratefully, putting it into his pack. He knew well how valuable Lyra's creations could be in a tight spot, and he thanked her before heading out, leaving her with a warm farewell.

As he continued down the path, he saw a group of children playing a game of make-believe in the fields. When they saw him, they ran over, cheering and begging for stories of his latest adventures. He laughed, giving them a quick summary of his recent encounters with monsters, describing the thrill of the hunt in ways that both awed and amused them. Their wide eyes and gasps made his heart feel happy.

As he continue walking, he found himself gazing around the village, a warm sense of pride is within him. Hearthglen had grown significantly over the years, It was a place of safety and joy, and he felt honored to play a part in its protection.

Eventually, his wanderings brought him to Chief Isolde's house, To his surprise, he found Aranyani sitting with the chief, deeply absorbed the old book. Isolde was telling her the story of Hearthglen's founding during the Archon War, describing how the village was built as a sanctuary in these troubled times. Aranyani listening to Isolde recount the history, Aranyani's eyes sparkled with interest as she leaned in. She had become increasingly curious about the village's origins, and she often sought out Isolde to hear more about its past. When she noticed Viz at the door, she smiled, and Isolde introduced him proudly.