Episode 07: The Path they've chosen

-Kuro's Nest-

Ori and Sein have just escaped being crushed in the caves after restoring the Element of Winds, but they didn't expect to end up in the vile Kuro's Nest, nor expect to find a large egg here.

Sein: I didn't knew that Kuro was about to become a Mother.

Ori: Well, it seems she is. But… I'm sensing something strange in this egg. Something familiar.

Ori approached and touched the egg, which suddenly started to glow in a familiar light. Ori and Sein were then suddenly seeing a memory of the past.

-Flashback-

Years ago, just before the Ceremony of Light began, Kuro was attending her three chicks. Three wonderfull owlets who will turn into mighty owls one day. She just gave one of them a grub for them to eat but the others didn't get one. She then left the nest in order to get more grubs for her owlets. But as she searched the forest and managed to grab another grub, and the owlets are waiting for their mother while playing around,the Ceremony of Light has begun as the Spirit Tree seth the skies ablaze, looking for their missing child, Ori. However, the light was slowly creeping into Kuro's Nest, terrifying the owlets as they hide deeper in the nest. Kuro then took notice the light that was nearing her nest and quickly became worried for the safety of her brood as she quickly flew back to her nest. As Kuro was coming the light already entered the nest and the three owlets were slowly being burned by its intensity. Kuro flapped her wings harder to get there faster while the light became to much for the owlets to handle as they started to scream. Kuro entered the light, not caring the pain it does on her body. Being more worried about her brood than herself. But when she finally got back… she arrived too late. The little owlets were laying on the ground, no longer breathing. Kuro was struck with immense grief. Her three owlets, are gone. She then noticed were the source of light came from… the Spirit Tree. At that moment, her eyes glowed white with burning rage as she took off and headed to the Spirit Tree. Bringing her blazing fury upon it.

-End of Flashback-

"Ori had learned how they perished through our light"

"All along she was simply protecting her last child"

Ori took off his from the egg as he and Sein couldn't believe what they have just learned.

Sein: This is all my fault.

Ori was surprised to hear that as he saw Sein flickering, as well as a few sparkles falling off of her, which Ori can guess that Sein is crying.

The Spirit Tree and I… our light were ment to bring balance and protection for all the creatures of Nibel… even the ones that lives in the darkness.

Sein began to shake as her voice began to stutter.

Sein: It's my fault…

Ori now began to worry even more when he heard Sein's voice.

Sein: IT'S ALL MY FAU…!

Ori quickly hugged Sein, hugging the sphere close to his body as more sparkles fell, showing that Sein is indeed crying. She felt so terrible, the light was never ment to hurt others even young life, born in the dark or not. Now they know why Kuro did it. She wasn't misguided, she was angry with her and the Spirit Tree. They had taken the lifes of her newborns by accident and now Kuro's want revenge as well as protecting her only remaining egg. Sein continued crying loudly as Ori hold the sphere thightly to him. But then…

Kuro: (Screech)...!

Both Ori and Sein separated as they looked to the entrance and saw to their horror that Kuro was here. The giant Owl looked at the two and saw that they were very close to her egg, which incited her fury.

Kuro: SSSCCCCCRRRREEEEEEECHHH!

Sein: RUN, ORI! RUN!

Ori did just that as Kuro chased them further into the nest. Ori and Sein saw an opening in the cave and jumped through it. Kuro hit the wall when Ori and Sein escaped as the two started falling down back to the frozen land of the Valley of the Winds.

-Valley of the Winds-

Fortuntely, Ori fell on the snow which it softened his impact. Sein flew down as she checked if he was okay.

Sein: Ori, are you alright?

Ori sat back up as shook his head to throw off the rest of the snow on him.

Ori: Yeah. I'm okay. The snow made my landing soft.

Suddenly, Ori and Sein perked when they heard the sounds of wings flapping, which can only mean one thing.

Sein: Kuro is coming! Hide!

Ori quickly moved and he and Sein hid behind a rock wall, just when Kuro landed as she looked around to see any sign of them.

Sein: We can't stay here forever, we must head back to caves where it'll be safe.

Ori looked around for a safe path and saw a hole on the frozen lake.

Ori: Sein, look! We can swim to reach the other side!

Sein saw where Ori was pointing to and understood what he was thinking.

Sein: Alright, but we must do so quickly. Kuro will notice us when move.

Ori nodded as he grabbed Sein and wrapped him in his arms. He took a deep breath before making a run for it.

Kuro noticed the light and saw the young Guardian Spirit running.

Kuro: Screeeeeech!

Flapping her wings, Kuro rose in the air and flew straight at her prey. Ori managed to reach the frozen lake and jumped in the hole with a splash, just as Kuro landed before she could get to them. She broke a few pieces of the ice to get a good look at them, but didn't notice that at the other side Ori was being pulled by Sein as she brought him to an exit. With a splash they're outside and landed on the other side of the like. Kuro heard the splash and saw her prey was making a move for the trees. She flapped her wings and flew after them. But when she reached the treelines she lost sight of them again, much to her frustration. Ori was actually above the trees as he was jumping above the Dark Owl without her noticing. Ori and Sein reached the top of the cliff but then they heard Kuro was coming her as well. She landed in the same spot the two were but there was no sign of them. As she was looking around, Kuro didn't noticed that a log was moving towards the cave. Everytime she turned to their direction Ori stopped so the Owl wouldn't notice anything. They then left their hiding place and make a run for the cave, Kuro took notice of her two prey making an escape and flew after them. Ori ran as fast as his legs allow him and then he reached the entrance, just in time as Kuro hit her head an top of the cave's entrance and caused a cave in, blocking the entrance and make her lose her prey, again.

Kuro: Screeeech!

With an angry screech, Kuro left back to her nest, planning on catching them later. Back at the other side, Ori got back up and saw the entrance has block, so Kuro wouldn't no longer be able to chase them from here.

Sein: We barely escaped from her clutches this time… it's clear now why she hunts us, Kuro is just protecting her child.

Ori barely heard Sein as she spoke in a whisper, it's obviously she is still deeply affected for what her light has done.

A while later, Ori came flying back up from the trench and now he is back to where he entered the Valley of the Winds. Now that the Element of Winds has been restored, there are warm winds blowing around. Ori used Kuro's Feather rise the wind currents and reached back here. He then dropped on the spot where the Spirit Well is. He slowly dragged his tired body into the well and sunk in its waters, feeling the energy coming back to him.

Ori: (Sigh)... I feel much better.

Ori then noticed Sein laying next to the well as she dropped on the ground. Despite not having a body to show expressions, Ori knew that Sein was still clearly upset of what she just learned.

Ori: Sein?

The Wisp didn't responded as she still remained silent. Ori knew that he had to make Sein talk if he want her to feel better.

Ori: Sein, could you please tell me more about my kind? What is our purpose and why the Spirit Tree exist.

Again, Ori didn't get any response from Sein. The young Spirit became a little sad that he wasn't able to comfort Sein, but that changed when she finally spoke.

Sein: The Spirit Tree… there exist many of them around the world Ori. But only on certain specific places. There are many forests that can grow and thrive without the Spirit Tree. There is a reason why a Spirit Tree has to grow here, the same goes for the rest.

Ori: And… what is that reason, Sein? Why is the Spirit Tree here?

Sein was silent for a short while before she responded.

Sein: To hold back the Decay.

Ori shuddered as that name gave him chills for some reason.

Ori: The Decay?

Sein: The Decay is a dangerous force. It Drains the life and energy of any living being, wheter it's a plant or a person. And what makes the Decay so dangerous that it can spread and reach other Forest, destroying the lives of many… just like Nibel.

Ori remembers what has happened to the Forest over the years. How the life and beauty of his home was slowly dying… and his Mom became one of its many victims.

Sein: And that is not all, the Decay can also creates monsters, like all the creatures we've encountered so far on the road.

Ori remembered the Stompers, Spitters, Spiders and many more he saw in this quest.

Sein: And that's not the worse of it; the Decay can also curropt others, mutate them beyond recognition.

The young Spirit Guardian heard enough that he became a little scared.

Ori: Okay, the Decay is very horrible. Is that the reason why the Spirit Tree is here?

Sein: Yes, the Spirit Tree has the power to bring balance to the land it grows. Which is why is can hold back the Decay since it's imbalance itself.

Ori: But, isn't there a way for the Decay to go away forever?

The Wisp sighed at that since that is a good question.

Sein: Nobody knows how the Decay came to be. All I know is that the Spirit Tree's grows so the corruptive forces of the Decay wouldn't destroy the lives of this land and beyond. As long as a Spirit Tree exist and has its light, the power of the Decay will never be a treat. And the Spirit Guardians, the children of the Spirit Tree, will be there to protect that balanse.

Ori: But Kuro took you away from the Spirit Tree, killed my siblings, and the Decay was unleashed.

Sein sighed at that, and it hurt her thinking about it now that she knows why Kuro acts the way she does.

Sein: I understand why Kuro is mad at us, and that she is only protecting her only egg… but what she's doing is wrong. She is destroying the life of the forest of Nibel, taking away the futures of everything alive… she also endangered the future of her last hatchling. In a world of Decay, a youngling will not survive unless they leave Nibel. And even if they did, the world will see them as an enemy.

Ori became curious when she mentions that.

Sein: Killing a Spirit Tree is a serious crime Ori, and you already know why. The residents of this forest that managed to evacuate must have already told everyone about Kuro and her actions. Soon the entire world will be her enemy. Even life and the future will be her enemy…

Sein was silent for a few moments before going back to the situation at hand.

Sein: Anyway, Ori, the Element of Wamth is the last to ignite. However, just like the other two locations, we need a key to enter the place. We must ride the winds and go to Sorrow Pass. At the peak of the mountain is the Sunstone, the final key we'll need… rest for now, Ori. Because tomorrow may be the end of our struggles.

Ori did as he rested on the well, but he still couldn't help but worry about Sein. Then an idea comes to mind as he look back at the Wisp, who is still laying on the ground.

Ori: Sein, do you want a hug?

Sein: What?

Sein sure didn't expect to hear that.

Ori: Whenever when I'm sad, Mom would hug me and it would make me feel better. While it wouldn't help Kuro feel better, I think it will work for you.

Sein didn't say nothing as she just looked at Ori. Then she floated off the ground and flew to Ori's waiting arms, which he wrapped around Sein's sphere form in a hug. A few moments later, Ori could hear Sein's crying as she finally let it all out. The guilt and frustration of harming the brood of a mother and how it all lead to this. Ori caresses Sein as he let her continue crying on him until finally both fell asleep.

-Kuro's Nest-

After failing to get the Spirit and Wisp, Kuro returned back to her nest. She saw her egg, the one that acursed Spirit dared to touch, was still laying there. It has been years and her egg didn't hatched unlike the others. She believed it must have something to do with the light that killed her brood. Remembering that build up her rage… but she calmed down when she saw her egg. She knew that her child is still alive and will hatch someday. But first, she must get rid of the last Spirit. If the Spirit Tree comes back to life, then her last hatching will die… is what she believes.

Kuro: Don't you worry, little one. I'll promise you I'll never let the light hurt you.

What Kuro doesn't know, is that she has doomed her hatchlings future with her own talons.

-Spirit Caverns-

Resting in one of the caverns of this place is the last suviving member of the Gumon, Gumo. Resting beside him is the Light Vessel, which contains the power of the Spirit Tree. Before he would keep such an important relic to himself, but because of Ori's kindness, he has plans for it. Ever since he met the young Spirit Guardian, he had hope that they would restore Nibel became to it's old glory. He saw how the the waters returned to the Ginso Tree, and back then, he had to save Ori from Kuro's rage. He followed Ori and Sein since he knew they would tried his home next since that's where the next element is. He became horrified at seeing the horrible frozen fate of his tribe, meaning he is the last Gumon of Nibel. Gumo later became touched after Ori and Sein said they were going to honor the Gumon's memory, so he had an idea how to repay Ori for his kindness. And to do that, he needed the Light Vessel. Gumo sighed as he remembered all of that while resting after a long day.

Gumo: Just a little more, Gumo. If I remember what Ori said, he once lived in Swallows Nest.

Gumo looked back down at the Light Vessel near him. He's sure what hese about to do will sure bring great joy the young Spirit Guardian heart.

For today, Ori, Kuro, and Gumo will take a rest after a very long day.