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The late afternoon sun filtered through the lush canopy of the Avidya Forest, casting dappled light over the winding path leading into Gandharva Ville. Kaveh squinted up at the shifting shadows overhead, adjusting the weight of the bag slung over his shoulder. It wasn’t his usual destination for a relaxing afternoon, but today held a unique significance.He glanced back, ensuring the group trailing behind him hadn’t strayed too far. The lively chatter of musicians and their instruments filled the air. Tighnari’s family had finally arrived after weeks of planning, and Kaveh had taken on the not-so-secret task of arranging the surprise.“Are we close?” Idrissa, Tighnari’s older brother, asked from behind, his voice filled with excitement and a hint of impatience. The eldest of the siblings, Idrissa’s commanding presence and bright charisma made him impossible to miss, his figure towering over the others in their group. His ears twitched slightly, a characteristic shared by all his siblings—a sure sign of their impatience and excitement.“We’re almost there,” Kaveh assured, waving ahead toward the forest’s entrance. "Amir, one of the rangers, is waiting up ahead to guide us the rest of the way."Tamara, Tighnari’s twin sister, rolled her eyes, her red-and-blonde ears perking up as she absently flicked her tail in annoyance. “Leave it to Tighnari to live out in the middle of nowhere. I still don’t understand why he gave up touring with us. This better be worth all the effort.”Kaveh laughed, knowing Tamara’s playful jabs always hid a deeper fondness for her brother. “Trust me, he’s going to be thrilled. It’s been a while since you’ve seen him, and he’s really thrown himself into his role here. You'll understand why once you get a good look around.”Ahead, Amir stood waiting at the entrance to Gandharva Ville, his arms crossed as he spotted the group approaching. He nodded toward Kaveh before giving a quick greeting. “Kaveh. These must be the friends you mentioned?”Kaveh grinned. “More like family.” He turned back toward the group, gesturing for them to step forward. “Everyone, meet Amir. He’ll take us the rest of the way.”Collei, who had been busy sorting out supplies by the side of the path, looked up at the approaching group. Her eyes widened slightly, and her heart skipped a beat. The resemblance was striking tall ears, much like Tighnari’s, but lighter in colour, were perched on their heads, and their tails swayed behind them as they walked.Collei stood frozen for a moment before quietly muttering to herself, “They… look just like Master Tighnari…”Before Amir could respond to Collei’s comment, a warm, authoritative voice cut through the air.“They’re family.”Collei turned, startled, as a man and woman approached. They looked like they had just stepped out of a storybook—both tall, with an air of elegance and wisdom that spoke of years of experience. The woman’s eyes glimmered with a familiar green, and Collei realised she was staring at Tighnari’s parents.The man smiled kindly at Collei, stepping forward to offer his hand. “I’m Anwar, Tighnari’s father. And this is my wife, Sahira. We’ve come to visit our son.”Sahira’s gaze was warm yet sharp, and Collei felt a strange wave of recognition. The woman looked so much like Tighnari, with the same piercing eyes and quiet strength. “It’s lovely to meet you, dear,” Sahira said, her voice soft yet firm. “You must be Collei, yes? We’ve heard so much about you.”Collei, still stunned, managed a shaky nod. “Y-Yes. I mean—yes, that’s me.”“And these are Tighnari’s siblings,” Sahira continued, gesturing toward the rest of the group. “This is Idrissa, Mirabel, Malik, and of course, his twin sister, Tamara.”Idrissa stepped forward first, flashing a broad smile. “Nice to meet you. Looks like you’ve been taking good care of our little brother.”Tamara’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Let’s just hope he hasn’t gotten too serious out here in the wild. I’m dying to see him in action as… what was it again? General Watchleader?” She laughed, shooting a glance at Kaveh. “I can’t believe you kept this a secret from us, Kaveh.”Kaveh rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Hey, I promised Tighnari I wouldn’t spill the beans. But believe me, he’s really embraced his role here.”“Looks like you’ve all arrived at the right time,” Amir cut in. “Tighnari should be back from patrol soon, so if you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to where you can wait for him.”As the group followed Amir into Gandharva Ville, Collei couldn’t shake the feeling of unease settling over her. Tighnari was usually so punctual, so reliable. And yet today, he was nowhere to be seen.
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By the time the group had settled into Gandharva Ville, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the dense forest. Sahira stood by the edge of the village, her sharp eyes scanning the tree-line, waiting for any sign of her son. Collei had joined her, fidgeting nervously.“Tighnari’s usually back by now,” Collei said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He doesn’t stay out this late.”Sahira’s expression remained calm, but her lips pressed into a thin line. “I see.”Anwar, standing nearby, rested a reassuring hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Let’s not worry just yet. He knows the forest better than anyone. I’m sure he’s fine.”But even as Anwar spoke, there was a sense of unease growing within the group. Idrissa and Mirabel exchanged worried glances, while Tamara paced back and forth, her fingers twitching against the strings of her lute.“Maybe we should go out and look for him,” Tamara suggested, her tone more anxious now than playful. “What if something happened?”Suddenly, Kaveh stepped forward, gesturing into the shadows of the surrounding trees. “Well, speaking of shadows…”A figure appeared from the dark, silent as ever. Collei and Kaveh both jumped slightly at the sight of Cyno emerging from the tree-line. Kaveh’s hand flew to his chest. “Cyno! By the gods, don’t sneak up on people like that. I nearly had a heart attack.”Cyno’s usual serious expression faltered for just a moment, looking somewhat sheepish as he mumbled, “Sorry.”Kaveh huffed, though the corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile. “Cyno, meet Tighnari’s family.”The entire group of siblings, including their parents, turned toward Cyno, surprise written across their faces.“Wait… that’s the General Mahamatra?” Idrissa asked, his ears flicking back in shock. “Our brother's close with him?”“Close is an understatement,” Kaveh said, unable to help the teasing note in his voice. “They’re… well, why don’t we just say they’re a lot closer than you might think?”Cyno cleared his throat, the slightest blush dusting his cheeks. “He’s not back yet?” he asked, quickly changing the subject.Collei shook her head. “No… and it’s not like him to be late.”Cyno’s frown deepened. He had always trusted Tighnari’s abilities, but something felt off tonight. Without a word, he turned on his heel, already planning to head out in search of him.Sahira stepped forward quickly. “Wait—Cyno, is it? Let us come with you. We want to help find our son.”Cyno hesitated, glancing toward Collei for a brief moment. He knew that Tighnari’s family would want to be involved, but bringing them into the forest, especially at night, wasn’t ideal. Looking at the determined faces of his partner’s parents and siblings, though, he realised there would be no convincing them otherwise.“All right,” Cyno finally said, his voice firm. “But stay close. The forest can be dangerous after dark.”
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As they trekked deeper into the forest, having left their bags behind at Tighnari’s hut, the atmosphere grew heavier with both the encroaching storm and the weight of unresolved family feelings. The familiar sounds of the forest—the chirping birds, the rustle of leaves—felt muted, as though the world itself sensed their urgency.“This humidity is unbearable,” Idrissa groaned, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “How does Nari manage to live out here?”Malik gave a snort of laughter. “Maybe he likes sweating through his fur.”The brothers continued to bicker, earning a sigh from Mirabel. “We’re looking for our brother, and you two are still acting like children.”Tamara chuckled softly beside her sister. “Some things never change.”As the group pressed on, Mirabel’s thoughts drifted. “It’s strange, though,” she said, her voice quieter now. “Tighnari always had such a beautiful voice—so pure, so angelic. He never joined us when we played music, but... I always thought he would eventually.”Tamara nodded. “He used to sing along to our tunes when we were younger. I guess... I guess the forest means more to him now.”Their mother, Sahira, overheard and placed a comforting hand on Mirabel’s shoulder. “He may not be with us in music, but at least he writes to us. Even if all his letters say are, ‘I’m fine.’”“Typical Nari,” Malik muttered, though there was a note of affection in his voice. “He’s always been the type to downplay everything.”The conversation stirred a mixture of sadness and nostalgia. It had been too long since they had truly connected with Tighnari, but even in his absence, he still made the effort to keep up with their lives, albeit in his own, distant way.Kaveh, who had been silently listening, spoke up. “I think he’s trying to protect you from worrying about him. He may not say much, but... he cares. A lot.”Sahira glanced at Kaveh, her eyes softening. “I know. He’s always had that protective streak.”Cyno, walking slightly ahead, slowed his pace and glanced back at the family. His sharp gaze softened as he listened to them talk about Tighnari. After a moment, he turned to them, his expression serious but calm. “There’s something you should know.”Everyone stopped, their attention drawn to Cyno. The air around him seemed to thrum with intensity, even more so as the dark clouds began to gather overhead. The storm was approaching, but Cyno’s words held them in place.“Tighnari’s not just the forest ranger you remember,” Cyno said, his voice steady. “He’s one of the strongest Vision wielders I’ve ever seen.”The family exchanged confused looks. Tamara’s eyes widened slightly, her own Anemo Vision glowing faintly at her side. “Wait... a Vision?”Cyno nodded. “Yes. He’s been granted a Dendro Vision. He’s not just a scholar or a guide—he’s a warrior when he needs to be. Extremely strong. Compassionate. He fights for what he believes in, and he’ll do anything to protect the ones he loves.”Mirabel’s ears twitched in disbelief. “He’s never told us… How long has he had it?”“Long enough,” Cyno answered. “But he didn’t tell you because he didn’t want you to worry about him. He’s always thinking of you, even when he’s out here.”Sahira looked down, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Our Nari... he’s always been selfless. But to think he’s been out here, protecting people and the forest, fighting...”Kaveh stepped forward, his tone gentle. “He’s been through a lot more than you know. There’s something else... something harder to hear. Tighnari was injured not too long ago. Struck by lightning during a mission.”Sahira gasped, and Anwar’s hand gripped hers tightly.“A lightning strike?” Malik repeated in shock.Kaveh nodded solemnly. “Yes. He survived, but the injury left a scar. It was a dangerous mission, and... he hasn’t been the same since. The lightning didn’t just mark him physically—it shook him deeply.”Mirabel’s voice wavered. “Why didn’t he tell us? Why did he go through all of this alone?”“He didn’t want to burden you,” Cyno said quietly, his tone protective. “Tighnari’s strong—stronger than most—but even he has limits. What happened to him... well, it’s left its mark in more ways than one.”The family was silent, their faces reflecting a mix of shock and sorrow. Sahira wiped away a tear. “I should’ve known. I should’ve come sooner.”“It’s not your fault,” Cyno said firmly, his voice tinged with guilt, his protective instinct flaring. “If anyone’s to blame... it’s me. I wasn’t there to protect him when it happened. I should’ve been, but I wasn’t.”Another sharp crack of thunder echoed through the forest, followed by a flash of lightning that illuminated the treetops in a brief, blinding light. Collei flinched, instinctively moving closer to Cyno, who, sensing her discomfort, shifted slightly to offer her reassurance without hesitation.The storm was closing in fast, and everyone could feel the urgency rising in their chests.“We need to find him,” Cyno said, his voice now commanding yet protective. “The storm’s going to trigger his memories of the lightning strike. He’s strong, but... this is something that will test him.”Without another word, Cyno led the way deeper into the forest, his pace quickening as the family followed close behind. He stayed vigilant, glancing back often to ensure Collei and the others were safe, the protective tone he adopted unwavering. Now, more than ever, they were determined to find Tighnari—not just to bring him back safely, but to be there for him in the way he had always been there for them, even if from afar.
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The forest loomed around them, dark and foreboding as the storm closed in. Shadows danced beneath the thick canopy, and the air was thick with the scent of wet earth and tension. Cyno led the way, his instincts guiding them through the maze of towering trees and dense underbrush. With each crack of thunder, the urgency in their steps quickened.“Cyno, do you think he’ll be okay?” Collei asked, her voice trembling as she kept close to him. The anxiety radiating from her was palpable, and Cyno felt a protective urge to shield her from the impending storm, both outside and within.“He’s stronger than you think, Collei,” Cyno replied, though he could feel the weight of worry in his chest. “But he’s also vulnerable, especially right now.”As they navigated through the thicket, Kaveh turned to Cyno. “Are we sure we’re going in the right direction? It’s getting harder to see.”“We’re on the right path,” Cyno assured him, his voice steady but his heart racing. The worry he felt for Tighnari gnawed at him like the storm clouds overhead.Suddenly, a flash of lightning illuminated the forest, revealing a path obscured by ferns and low-hanging branches. Cyno pointed ahead. “This way. I think I see a clearing up ahead.”As they made their way through the dense foliage, a heavy drop of rain splashed onto the ground, soon followed by another. The sky above them opened up, and the rain poured down in torrents, soaking them in an instant. The sound of the storm was deafening, but even through the chaos, Cyno felt a pulse in the air—a connection to Tighnari’s energy, an instinctual pull guiding him further into the heart of the forest.Finally, they broke into the clearing, a vast expanse surrounded by towering trees that swayed ominously in the wind. The rain fell heavily, creating small rivers on the ground and washing away any traces of a path. In the centre stood a large, ancient tree, its gnarled roots reaching deep into the earth, as if grasping for stability amidst the storm.“Look!” Tamara shouted, pointing toward the tree. “He could be there!”Cyno nodded and dashed toward the tree, the others hot on his heels. As they reached the massive trunk, he paused, his heart pounding. “Tighnari!” he called, his voice cutting through the roar of the storm.A moment of silence fell before the wind whipped around them, and a soft, familiar voice responded. “Cyno? Is that you?”Emerging from behind the tree was Tighnari, his body covered in blood and visibly shaken. He was alive, but the evidence of a brutal fight clung to him. “I... I’m fine,” he said, though his voice cracked, betraying his exhaustion.Cyno rushed forward, cupping Tighnari's face in his hands, searching his eyes. “Nari, you’re hurt. We need to get you out of here.” The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down Tighnari’s spine, and he could feel the weight of Cyno’s concern.“I can’t,” Tighnari whispered, his gaze dropping to the ground. “The Fatui... I’ve been holding back everything from the lightning strike... it’s too much.”Cyno's heart ached at the vulnerability in Tighnari's voice. “You don’t have to bear this alone.” He stepped back slightly, locking eyes with Tighnari, his expression unwavering. “You’re not weak for needing us. You fought bravely, but we can’t let you face this alone.”Before Tighnari could respond, a low growl echoed through the clearing. Cyno’s instincts kicked in, and he shifted into a defensive stance, glancing back at Tamara and the others. “Get behind the tree!” he shouted, positioning himself protectively in front of Tighnari.Tamara stood firm, her eyes scanning the surrounding shadows. “Stay close to me!” she commanded the family, ready to shield them from whatever danger lurked in the darkness.As the first Fatui soldier emerged from the underbrush, Cyno's heart raced. The soldier was followed by two more, their intentions clear and malicious. “You’ll pay for interfering,” one of them sneered, brandishing a weapon.Cyno tightened his grip, readying himself for the fight. “I won’t let you hurt him!” he declared, stepping forward.The battle erupted. Cyno moved with practiced precision, engaging the attackers, his heart racing as he defended Tighnari. He fought fiercely, pushing back against the onslaught, but he could feel the fear for Tighnari coursing through him. Every blow he landed was fuelled by the urgency to keep his partner safe.Kaveh and Collei quickly joined the fray, their determination shining through as they fought alongside Cyno. Collei, in particular, showcased the growth she had undergone, her movements fluid and confident. Tighnari couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride for his younger sister as she dodged and struck with remarkable skill.“Stay close!” Kaveh called, deflecting an attack aimed at Tamara’s family. “We can’t let them get to you!”Tighnari’s heart raced as he watched the scene unfold. Despite the chaos, seeing his family and friends fighting together ignited a fierce determination within him. “You shouldn’t be here!” he shouted, even as he prepared to join the fight.Just as he stepped forward, his parents emerged from the trees, their faces filled with worry. His mother’s eyes widened in shock, and his father clenched his fists at the sight of their injured son.“Tighnari!” his mother cried, tears mingling with the rain on her cheeks. “What happened? Why didn’t you tell us?”“I... I didn’t want to worry you!” Tighnari responded, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. The sight of his family stirred something deep within him, and he felt a lump rise in his throat. The storm poured down, but he knew it wasn’t just the rain threatening to spill over; it was the realisation of how much he had put them through.“Of course, we worry!” his father said, stepping forward, his eyes fierce with protective anger. “You’re our son!”Cyno fought back-to-back with Tighnari, their movements instinctual as they defended against the Fatui. “We’ll talk later!” Cyno promised, his voice steady amidst the chaos.As the fight continued, Tighnari felt overwhelmed. His emotions surged, and he fought against the tears threatening to spill. Blaming the rain, he wiped his eyes and refocused, rallying his strength. Together, he and Cyno pushed back against their enemies, fuelled by the love and concern of their families.With each passing moment, they turned the tide of battle, their bond strengthening as they fought side by side. The Fatui soldiers fell one by one, unable to withstand the combined strength of their united front.Once the last attacker lay defeated on the ground, Cyno turned to Tighnari, their eyes locking in an unspoken understanding. “You’re not alone anymore,” he said softly, cupping Tighnari’s face again, this time with a gentle touch. “You have us.”Tighnari's heart swelled with gratitude and love for the people standing beside him. “Thank you,” he breathed, his voice filled with emotion.As the storm began to fade, the family rushed forward, surrounding Tighnari in a protective embrace. Cyno stepped back, allowing them their moment, his heart swelling with pride for the bonds of love and courage that surrounded them.The air was heavy with unspoken feelings, and amidst the aftermath, Tighnari felt a renewed sense of strength. Together, they had faced the storm—both in the forest and within themselves.