Ori, Gumo, and Ku were heading home from the Night of Kuro. The festival honored Kuro, the darkened owl who sacrificed herself to save the forest of Nibel. When they returned home, they found Naru sitting against the house's outer walls, eating some fruits she had gathered. Gumo greeted her, and she waved back. Ori put on a mask he created of Kuro and made an impression of her. He bent his knees slightly and put his arms out, imitating his deceased foe. The imitation gained Naru's impression and she smiled upon him. They then went inside. Naru lifted Ori onto his bed and slouched on the floor. One by one, the family drifted off to sleep.
Later, Ori heard tapping, the source of which seemed to be Ku's talons. Ori sat up in his bed to check on him and found him walking outside. Ori hopped from his bed and followed him. When he went outside the cave, however, Ku seemed to have disappeared. Ori peered left and right but he was nowhere in sight. Where was he? Ori suddenly heard a chirp and looked above him. On a tree branch, he saw Ku. Worried, Ori reached his hand towards him, as if to warn him. Just then, he leaped off of the branch and swooped up into the air. He was flying! Ori stood in awe. Watching Ku's ups, downs, and turns left him fascinated.
But then, Ku dove behind a tree, and he was gone. Ori rushed towards the tree to look for him, but he seemingly vanished. Then, in the corner of his eye, Ori saw a bird heading towards the Spirit Tree. On the conclusion that it was Ku, he followed him there. But, while running to the Spirit Tree, he noticed something was slightly off about Ku. He seemed larger and further away.
When Ori approached the Spirit Tree, a dark purple owl stood upon the tree. Then, she turned around to reveal a dark purple face. When she opened her eyes, Ori saw only a luminous white. It was Kuro! Ori's heart skipped a beat, he breathed heavily. He backed away from her, only to lose his footing and fall on his back. Kuro spread her wings, preparing to attack him. Almost immediately, Ori got back up and sprinted towards his home. Whilst attempting to escape Kuro, Ori's mind was overrun with questions. Where did Ku go? How did Kuro get here? What does she want from him?
Finally, as if by a miracle, Ori had reached his home. He looked to his right to see Kuro about to reach him. He ran inside immediately but was shocked by what he saw, or in this case, what he didn't see. Naru and Gumo were gone. He called for them, but no response was given.
Ori turned to the entrance and was greeted with one of Kuro's white, soulless eyes gazing at him. Kuro lifted her head from the cave opening and violently inserted her talons inside in an attempt to grasp him. Ori rushed to the back of the house, where Kuro could not grab him. Eventually, Kuro gave up and flew away.
Ori took some time to catch his breath. Where were Naru, Gumo, and Ku? Considering their caring nature, they could be outside looking for him. Ori decided that the outdoors would be a good place to start. Of course, he would have to watch out for Kuro, just in case she was still lurking around. He stood up and headed outside. To his surprise, outside was a much different location.