"Next, we should head to the Vanarana of the Past. That means more fighting…" Nahida looked a little apologetic as she turned to Lumine and Victor Wang. "Once again, I'll have to rely on the strength of you two."
"I want to walk the path my brother once walked myself," Lumine replied.
"That's right—we came to Vanarana to help," Paimon added.
"I'll guide you!" Arama said, imitating Victor Wang's tone. "The Vanarana of the Past lies deep within the Fane of Ashvattha. There are four layers of seals along the way. I've learned all about them, so I can take you there!"
Everyone prepared to set off at once.
Everyone—except Victor Wang, who paused in place.
"Wait a moment. Now that the Ashvattha Tree has recovered, any wish made to help others can be fulfilled… Can a Bija save the Vasara Tree that's been eroded by Marana?"
"You mean Aramuhukunda?" Nahida immediately understood.
"Oh! Right—Aramuhukunda's Vasara Tree has already been eroded by the embodiment of Marana. If we defeat it… does that mean Aramuhukunda will also… return to Sahen?" Paimon realized.
"To bear a Bija, we must hold a Festival Utsava, and we also need to offer Vasoma Fruits to help the Ashvattha Tree accumulate power," Arama explained. "We don't have any Vasoma Fruits left, but… memories can be used as a substitute."
So that was it—an Aranara would have to give up their memories. If it meant saving Aramuhukunda's life, Victor Wang knew he had to raise the possibility, no matter how unwilling he felt.
"Giving up memories again…" Lumine frowned deeply. "Nahida, can't you sing one more time?"
"No. The original Ashvattha Tree grew from Sahen—the ley lines. Only because of my special connection with Irminsul could it borrow that power again. The Aranara aren't as closely connected to the ley lines, so they can't directly invoke that power."
"Then we can go back and hold the Utsava Festival first," Arama suggested.
Nahida shook her head. "Losing memories is unbearably painful—I understand that all too well. I want to prevent that from happening."
A glimmer of hope rose in Victor Wang's eyes. "Do you have another way?"
"Life is very resilient," Nahida said softly. "Did you know that some trees can grow into new ones just by planting a broken branch? Aramuhukunda is no longer a fragile seed—he's a sturdy tree. As long as we can find a single pure branch… break off… the purest branch…"
"Nahida?"
"Sorry—I lost focus." She steadied herself. "As long as there's one untainted branch, I can use my power to ensure Aramuhukunda survives."
"But he said he's already been completely eroded," Victor Wang pointed out carefully.
"He hasn't vanished yet. He can still teleport. Even if his body is eroded, as long as he cooperates… let's try."
"The Lord of Plants has made her decision?" Arama asked. "Shall we return to Vanarana, or continue onward?"
"Forward," Nahida said.
"Alright—follow me!"
Arama flew ahead, guiding them while explaining along the way.
"This is the Gate of Vanarana, the first seal. With the Ashvattha Tree's permission, it opens easily. Beyond it lies the Vanarana of the Past."
The massive door formed of roots shrank open, revealing a space beyond that looked ominous and corrupted.
"Eek—! All the plants here have been eroded by Marana! They're sickly yellow—almost like the desert! I—I can't resist Marana's power!"
"I'll handle it," Nahida said.
A gentle green glow shone in her emerald eyes. Floating four-leaf sigils enveloped the group, isolating them from the Withering's corruption, and only then did Arama dare to move forward again.
"This is the second seal—three inscription seals left by Aralagi, Aramaha, and Arayama. The three Vasoma Fruits from before were their memories."
They arrived at a green barrier similar to the one Arana once used to protect the children of Vimara Village.
"Aralagi, Aramaha, Arayama—thank you for guarding this seal all this time. Even though Marana still escaped, that wasn't your fault… Now, I will open the seal."
He recited the inscriptions gathered along the way:
"May new dreams never be eroded by Marana.
May green fields and hills never fade to withered yellow.
May close friends walk together again through dense forests.
May dead trees sprout anew."
With those words, the second seal dissolved. The path ahead became a hollow descending tree tunnel. Following Arama, they all jumped down.
"This is the third seal. There are many kinds of Aranara here—like Aradasha's stone lock, Arayama's flowers… Long ago, many Aranara fought Marana here, and together sealed this place."
"Look! Marana manifestations have appeared, and there are giant metal constructs too! We have to defeat them!"
Victor Wang remembered that the Ruin Guards here were once indestructible—but with the root of Irminsul's corruption gone, they no longer had the Withering sustaining them. They were dispatched with ease.
After breaking through the seal, the group fell a long distance—only to land in a lush green clearing. There was a clear pool of water, a chair, and several murals.
"This is a dream," Nahida said before Lumine or Paimon could ask.
"This used to be Aramuhukunda's home," Arama added.
"Wow, you know so much, Arama," Paimon praised.
"I learned it all from Arana and Araja. If the Lord of Plants hadn't saved the Ashvattha Tree, I would've come here and grown into the next Ashvattha Tree."
"…Uh…"
While Paimon processed that, the owner of the place suddenly teleported in.
"Hello. I always hoped to play here with Nara friends. I wanted to prepare a place that Naras would also find comfortable, but I haven't traveled with Naras for so long that I lost confidence in my judgment… I never imagined the Lord of Plants would come as well. Do you… like this place?" Aramuhukunda asked.
"It's very comfortable—a perfect place for quiet rest," Nahida said.
"I like it! If only there were snacks!" Paimon added.
Victor Wang and Lumine nodded in agreement.
"I'm glad. The final seal here is myself—I've already lifted it. If you keep moving forward, you'll reach the embodiment of Marana. I believe you can defeat it."
"And if you defeat it… you'll…?" Paimon asked carefully.
"Don't worry about me. I was the warden guarding the embodiment of Marana, yet I allowed its power to seep out like water through sand. It even eroded my body and took form. Though it hasn't fully awakened, this is still my failure."
"No," Nahida said firmly. "You held your post for five hundred years. You fulfilled your duty admirably. Aramuhukunda—we intend to save you as well."
"…Lord of Plants. You are as benevolent as ever."
===BREAK===
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