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"Dendro King, thank you for saving me," the floating Hydro Fungi said joyfully.
"This is strange—very strange… I believe I understand all the lifeforms of Teyvat. Even if I haven't seen them personally, I should possess the corresponding knowledge. Yet even if I list all known elemental lifeform traits, none of them align with you… Is this a characteristic bestowed by the Dendro Dragon?"
"Dendro Dragon…" Though it held no concrete memory, the name felt deeply familiar. The floating Hydro Fungi pondered. "It seems we both have many questions we wish to discuss. Perhaps we should change locations. If my 'family' hears me making these inexplicable sounds at length, they'll become frightened."
After communicating with the other two ordinary Fungi in an incomprehensible tone, the floating Hydro Fungi led everyone to another spot and then formally introduced itself:
"I come from an extremely ancient clan—so ancient that it may predate any existing records. Our homeland was rich with mountains and waters, lush with green grass. My family and I lived carefree, happy lives every day.
"But later… the 'apocalypse' arrived. In an instant, our homeland was transformed, and a terrifying power devoured everything.
"The seeds of calamity took root within us, sprouting, twisting, and spiraling out of control. We were both victims of the 'apocalypse' and became the 'apocalypse' itself."
"Apocalypse?" Paimon scratched her head.
"Are you talking about forbidden knowledge?" Victor Wang asked.
"That's right… exactly."
The floating Hydro Fungi affirmed it.
"I survived by chance, then left our homeland with some of my family, hoping to find a way to save it here in Sumeru.
To that end, we established contact with many different races, learning their cultures and knowledge, trying to understand the truth of the 'apocalypse.'
Later, we learned that humans call the power of the 'apocalypse' 'forbidden knowledge.'"
Paimon rubbed her chin and speculated with surprising seriousness. "Your experience sounds a lot like the Aranara's. But what directly damaged the Aranara's home was the Withering, not forbidden knowledge. So, what you went through doesn't seem like the disaster from five hundred years ago. Then it must be the one from a thousand years ago involving King Deshret—were you affected by his corruption? Was your homeland in the desert?"
Nahida shook her head. "It said they were searching for a way to save their homeland, but the desert's calamity should have ended long ago."
Victor Wang also shook his head inwardly. Even Nahida didn't consider the possibility that the Dendro Dragon had its own homeland… or perhaps she couldn't imagine that the Dendro Dragon itself was also corrupted by forbidden knowledge. This wasn't information that needed to be revealed just yet. There will be moments later when I'll have to prompt them anyway. Better to wait and observe for now.
The floating Hydro Fungi said, "The Dendro King is right. Our homeland is not the desert. I wish I could tell you where it is, but I'm very sorry… even though this is the most important thing to me, I've forgotten."
"How could that happen?"
"I am a lifeform once tainted by the 'apocalypse.' When the contamination was removed, part of my knowledge and memories disappeared along with it."
"I see…" Nahida immediately realized something. "That void in your elemental power—was it also formed after the removal of forbidden knowledge? I'm sorry. I didn't consider this possibility."
"There's no need for you to apologize, Dendro King. This was a necessary step to save our homeland. And not only for us—nowadays, all the remaining forbidden knowledge in this world should have been resolved by you, correct?"
"Yes. Forbidden knowledge has been completely eradicated. Your homeland should have been saved as well."
"My home was saved… We can return home… But I failed to fulfill our mission. I didn't find a way to save our homeland, and I even forgot where home is…"
"This isn't your fault. You've already done very well. Every race paid a heavy price to resist forbidden knowledge. This is never a burden that individuals should have to bear."
After offering some comfort, Nahida asked on Victor Wang's behalf, "Aside from information about your homeland, do you still remember the Dendro Dragon?"
"It feels very familiar, but it seems to have been forgotten along with my homeland…"
"Then we'll have to continue asking around. Don't worry—I will honor the agreement and take you home."
"The agreement… The moment I saw you, I sensed that you came for that promise. Choosing to trust you and wait was the wisest decision we made. But how are we going to find our homeland?"
Nahida looked at Victor Wang. Seeing him nod, she continued, "We know the locations of some of your other family members. Perhaps they still remember."
"Really? That's wonderful! But before returning home, could you come with me to another place? I want… to bring back as many family members as possible."
"You know the locations of other family members too? Then alright, we'll follow you."
"Not exactly… It's a bit complicated. Let's talk as we walk."
The floating Hydro Fungi led the way while explaining:
"The 'apocalypse' caused us immense suffering. Many family members have already reached the end of their lives. I don't know who else survived, but I do know the fates of many of them…
Our clan's form changes according to the environment. After communicating with various lifeforms, we discovered that Fungi were the lifeform most suited to this land. So, we gradually transformed into the appearance of Fungi and integrated into their clans.
That's why the Dendro King initially felt confused about our kind.
And those of us who were once contaminated by the 'apocalypse'—the form we take at the end of our lives… using human terms, that would be the 'Withering.'"
Paimon said in confusion, "So that's how the Withering comes to be…?"
"At least one of the ways," Nahida replied. "According to past research, forbidden knowledge is the fundamental cause of the Withering. Although forbidden knowledge has been eradicated, its lingering effects remain. The Withering does not disappear along with it. Given how long their clan suffered under forbidden knowledge, it's not surprising that they would eventually become the Withering."
"That's so tragic…" Paimon asked again, "Then… if they've become the Withering, can they still be taken home…?"
Recalling the past, the floating Hydro Fungi's tone grew sorrowful. "When I left my homeland, clear lakes, fertile fields, my home, my friends' homes—everywhere was blooming with flowers that represented the Withering. The world suddenly lost all color and became murky and foul…"
Soon, its mood shifted, and it spoke optimistically. "But it's alright. Every flower still represents a life. The essence of our lives—elemental power—still exists within those flowers. After adventurers resolve the Withering, I quietly approach. If I sense a companion's elemental power, I take it away."
Nahida frowned. Even though this was already in the past, she couldn't help but worry from the bottom of her heart. "But if you do that, the influence of forbidden knowledge will accumulate within you…"
"Yes, it's fine. Besides, forbidden knowledge has already been eradicated. I just hope they can all return home. Leaving them outside to dissipate into nothingness in that form is far too pitiful. Since there's finally a chance to go home, even if I can bring back just one more, I'll be very happy."
Hearing this, Victor Wang blinked uneasily.
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