Chapter Text
Cyno stumbled across a few rocks, which visibly tuned down his speed. Sweat was running down his neck, and his forehead completely soaked. Sharp gasps were leaving his lips, as he was failingly trying to catch his breath. A sharp pain stabbed him right in his hip, leaving him gasping on the ground. Just how much stamina did he have? Cyno looked around himself, but no marks of the other boy were visible whatsoever. Did Cyno successfully run far enough? Well, he was indeed chased for the last hour. The silver haired boy then bent down, investigating his back, seeking the herbs which he has picked earlier. With a relieved sigh, Cyno made sure his bag was secured, before he turned on his foot, and slowly began to walk on the path leading from the forest.
It was way too easy, the inner voice at the back of Cyno’s mind spoke, however he tried to ignore it.
Cyno could feel the wind picking up around him, and the feeling of being watched echoed through his every bone.
A pair of eyes gazed over him, and Cyno’s blood cycle turned cold. Being followed and unable to tell from which direction was indeed uncomfortable. The leaves under the pressure of his foot rustled, filling the silent space. Cyno couldn’t even react fast enough, as his world turned upside down.
A trap! Was the first thing that popped in Cyno’s mind, as he attempted to remove the thick rope tying his feet together. His upper body was immediately pushed back into the dirt, as a person— Rather shorter person than Cyno himself dashed from the treetops. Using his glowed hands, he quickly got to work, and tied Cyno’s palms together.
“Hey! Slow down a little!” Cyno desperately kicked around, however with his limbs tied together, he was as dangerous as a newborn kitten. The stranger seemed to ignore the boy in struggle, quickly removing Cyno’s belt, kicking his spear into an unknown location.
As soon as Cyno calmed down, he noticed the stranger lifting his left hand, and as soon as it was in mid-air, a bunch of more strangers, dressed in same uniforms dashed from the air.
“We deeply apologize for this inconvenience, captain! We shall pay the penalty, and add extra patrol watch from now on.” One of the men said.
The boy on the top simply sighed, before he waved with his hand towards himself, before he reached into his bag, grabbing a palm-full of a strange looking vial bottle of something. Cyno tried his best to protest, but was left with no choice than to gaggle down it’s contains, as the boy used force to stretch open his mouth.
It tasted bitter. Cyno tried to make out what the strange liquid was, however botany was not his majour back in Sumeru Academy, and he was certain that this was made from some sort of herb. Nothing seemed unusual. Perhaps this was just used to simply calm him down. A feeling of relief flooded his chest.
The weight on his hips shifted, before it vanished completely, the boy standing up, as he whispered something to one of the men.
The watchers gathered around Cyno, as they grabbed him by his arms and pulled him up.
“Hey! You! Do you know that you’re arresting the general Mahamatra!” Cyno wailed out, digging his boots into the ground, trying to keep still from the men dragging him different direction from the boy. And then, a hand was raised again, and the men stopped.
The boy turned around, looking straight into Cyno’s eyes. A mean smile creeped into his face. Then, he finally said something.
“The General Mahamatra? What a pleasure, general, I’m the Dendro Archon! What a nice meeting, yes?” The boy then laughed, before he turned around again, beginning to leave. Anger filled Cyno’s guts. He hated being misunderstood and taken as a liar. The silver haired boy swiftly moved his head to the left, head-butting one of the guards, which immediately crashed onto the ground along with Cyno. Another guard dashed straight up ahead, dragging his sword right to Cyno, who used it as a oppurtunity. He quickly lifted his legs, letting the blade cut through his ropes, immediately kicking into the man. Cyno wasted no time in getting up from the dirtied ground, running right after the boy who pursued him. Another group of guards ran after Cyno, however he couldn’t bring himself to care. That rude guy hurt his ego, and now he was gonna make him cry!
Before Cyno could take a grab of the boy’s clothes, a sudden freeze in his entire body caused him to stumble and fall.
“What the— What the fuck did you give me?” His words were all over, as his sight got blurry, and head began violently spinning.
The other boy bent down, meeting Cyno’s face, smiling straight up into his face.
Bastard..
“Sweet dreams, ‘General Mahamatra’.” A hint of sarcasm playing in his voice. And then, everything went dark.
***
Cyno awoke to a uncomfortable light in his face. He was immediately met with his hands tied together, stuck in a cold cell. As soon as his eyes grew comfortable with the sun shining through the bars, they widened in relief.
A young girl, about fifteen years of age, was sitting at the other side of the bars, humming something to herself as she played with her bunny-shaped plushie.
“Collei?” Cyno called out, making the girl flinch.
She immediately turned her head to him, throwing at him a wide smile, as she turned around, and held onto the bars.
“Master Cyno! I’m so sorry, though I wasn’t allowed to go inside..” She finished her sentence, as she looked behind herself, pointing out the guard.
“Collei! So it is you. What are you doing in parts such as Avidya forest?”
“Well, after you left, you told me to go whever my heart wished to go. Because people couldn’t protect me all those years ago when I was taken away, I decided to become a ranger in this rainforest, to protect those who need it.” Collei quickly sang, in a happy tone.
Cyno smiled to himself, as the broken girl he met four years ago, finally bloomed.
“Collei, do you know what this place is?” Cyno asked.
“You’re currently in the Avidya’s jail places, we don’t encounter trespassers often… Master Cyno, what were you doing here, in the first place? More importantly, without your high-positioned badget!”
“I dislike traveling around Sumeru, with every stranger knowing me as the nation-known general. And now, look where it got me.” Cyno smiled.
“This cell is as cold as a stone, get it? Because like, it’s obviously made out of stone.” Cyno cackled at his own little joke.
“I get it…” Collei sighed to herself.
“Master Cyno, I’ve tried to explain to him that you’re not a bad person, though he’s way too strong-headed… And now, he wishes to speak to you. Please don’t be so bold like you usually are!” The young girl said, begging Cyno, who only signed in response.
Was Collei perhaps talking about that guy from the forest who got him here? If not, then who? Well, what was now important, was to convince their leader— Whoever in charge, that he’s not a bad guy.
***
The guard along with Collei led Cyno through the entire forest. Or at least it seemed like that. They hit a pretty looking village, with houses hanging from the tall trees, and a bunch of wooden cross-over bridges hung from all sides. Markets selling all sort of times were displayed on both ground, and platforms in the air. Cyno was in awe.
The guard led him to a larger looking hut, pushing him inside with a force, making Cyno stumble. Collei was told to wait outside, as the doors shut close.
Cyno looked in front of himself, and was hit with a feeling of relief. The man— Leader was someone else, than the rude guy he met yesterday. This one was already elder, and thick long beard was falling from his face.
“Please, take a seat. Are you thirsty?” The man asked. Cyno only rapidly moved his head from left to right, unsure of what could be potentially put into the drink.
“Well, I suppose that you know why you’re here. You were caught stealing one of our ancient herbs, could you explain yourself, young man? You also unlicensingly entered the forest.”
Cyno took a deep breath. “A friend of mine is in critical state. I heard that a special herb from the Avidya rainforest could cure her.” A lie.
“It is indeed true that our Habis flower is world-wide known for her almost magical cures, however, that flower is a ancient item, sent to us by the gods. We mustn’t take too much, the rainforest already suffered enough.” The man said, as he took a sip from the chalice of his wine.
“As for your punishment, you will be given for re-raise. You will learn our traditions, and become this forest’s ranger for whole five months, until we properly investigate this situation.”
Cyno’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t possibly be stuck in this place for almost half a year! As Sumeru’s highest general, he had responsibilities. Cyno already gave up on the thought of someone coming to save him, as he was usually longer on a trip for more than six months, so no one would find anything suspicious.
“If you’re caught doing something against the rules, your penalty time will only longer. You will be under Captain Tighnari’s re-raise, as he has the correct mindset for teaching outlanders our traditions. You may leave.”
Cyno wanted to say something, but he couldn’t seem to find the correct words. Maybe, if he gained these people’s trust, he would be able to leave or escape.
***
“A re-raise from captain Tighnari himself? That’s something.” Collei repeated, as she giggled.
“It’s not funny! Now I’m stuck in this place.” Cyno said, ss he ran his hand through his hair. “What’s he like anyways, that captain?”
Collei cocked her eyebrow. “Master Tighnari? He’s very kind! He’s the one who found me and took me in, then taught me everything. He’s very smart, caring, and has a big heart! I’m sure you’ll like him!” She happily exclaimed.
Maybe Cyno was lucky for once, and maybe this kind captain would be gulliable enough to let Cyno go off early.
“Come on, let’s go say hi!” Collei chirped out, taking a hold of Cyno’s arm, guiding him to an unknown destination.
***
Tall trees growing everywhere around Cyno seemed to amaze him more and more. Apparently, this Tighnari person was currently on a solo patrol, and he was needed to be found in the deep part of the rainforest.
“He should be somewhere around here! Wait here!” Collei said, as she began running around.
Maybe this was the perfect oppurtunity to leave, to escape, but Cyno couldn’t find it in his heart to leave Collei like this.
Another minutes of silence passed, before Cyno finally heard two pairs of feet walking behind him.
“Master Tighnari, this is the boy meant for re-raise!”
Cyno slowly turned around, the air being punched from his lungs, as he spotted the said captain.
It’s him! Cyno wanted to scream.
“Well- Ah— It seems like you two need some time. So, I guess I’ll be leaving, aha—“ Collei said, before she made a run for it. Backstabber!
“So, we meet again, General Mahamatra.” The boy said, using a rather sarcastic tone. Cyno threw at him a fake smile, which screamed all sort of insults. “Yes, captain.” he replied, the bitterness in his voice almost bursting out.
“Let’s make the most of this, shall we?” Tighnari said, smirking, before he reached out his palm, getting it ready to shake with Cyno’s.
Maybe Cyno wasn’t so lucky after all.
***