Left to die in the cold, ruthless rain, Ori had passed out to the forced landing his body had to endure.
However, he had not the privilege to leave this world as he was pulled back to reality. Slowly he recovered his senses, starting with his hearing… Among the sounds of the rain and thunder, there was something more… Indistinguible… What is this…? Breathing? This is not the wind… Voices… Something or someone is talking…?
Soon Ori's vision began to steadily focus and understand what was nearby. All he saw was a blurry mess for the first moments, but indeed creatures were surrounding him. He could make their shapes just barely. They had strange glowing eyes of green and yellow tones.
Still, their talking was all but gibberish to Ori which still was recovering. His nose could catch new scents dancing in the jarring weather. Despite the strong smell of the wet soil, none were recognizable; not too unpleasant, and not comforting either. The lack of knowledge only boosted his fears.
Fears… Ori's mind was remembering, how was he in such a state? Where is Ku!? His body would not move, what are these creatures around!? His heart began to race for his life, working hard to reinvigorate his weakened limbs.
"They glow. Kinda pretty." Said the first creature.
"So bright, but don't hurt." Said another.
"Is it alive? Poke it!"
"Shh… careful. Could be dangerous."
Even amidst a storm, these creatures inspected the spirit curiously, taking a lot of time and care while approaching.
Suddenly Ori gasps and moves slowly making all creatures around dart away in shock. The pain of his landing begins to kick in since he recovered his sense of touch. He whimpers in agony, enduring the lashing and throbbing ache across his body. A few bones were broken, his left arm useless and serving as a deadweight.
Ori coughs a lot, climbing back up, raising his body with only the right arm until able to sit. Just that simple act was tormenting. What is this place? The rain was still very active and icy winds struck his soaked wet skin ceaselessly. His body started a desperate measure to keep himself sane, to keep himself awake with a hastened breathing. His blood was pumped with much more vigor while giving everything they had to preserve heat and combat the threatening frigid elements of nature. Still, he wouldn't last long until inevitably finding his demise.
Ori struggles to stand. His nerves were stressed and unable to obey much of his commands. Still, the grave scenario he found himself wasn't helping him to calm down, but rather fueling the terror. He gathered his thoughts… trying as hard as possible to recover...
Straining myself to move so little feels like I am being impaled by thousand blades! I manage to stand and gaze to my surroundings. Where am I? This doesn't look like our home… How did I end up here? Wait... I can't… forget about Ku. Where is she!?
My thoughts are in disarray. I can't remember much. We… we were flying and then… We were caught in this storm! We were separated and my fall was high, yet I must press forward!
"Ku!" I call out, receiving only silence back.
Another surge of hellish pain shots through my body after my shout. I fall to my knees; the dread starts to settle in, creeping into my thoughts. Am I doomed? I should have paid more attention! My dear sister did I… No! I must find her! I bite my lips to bring myself back to focus. This pain is the only thing I can trust right now.
I force myself to stand and walk slowly, supporting myself on any surfaces I can. Struggling I remain, doing faint, feeble steps in search of hope. I think I've never been in such a pitiful state before and I can't recall anything around to be friendly. I study my surroundings, the gloomy night of the woods is disturbing. The flora is somewhat different, I can't gather many details, but it reeks of danger. Water is across the entirety of the soil like large puddles. Maybe this is a marsh? There is not much danger of Ku drowning at least. I hope she is better than me, I couldn't bear to see her hurt!
I must find somewhere to treat myself first. Find shelter from this rain and resume my search as quickly as possible. I walk and walk but the scenery doesn't change much in this marsh. Honestly, I moved but a few centimeters after all this effort. I am literally in open space, weakened and exposed at sight. An easy prey…
Prey…! I realize I am not able to take any confrontation! If the flora is weird, I can't imagine how the fauna must be. This storm makes predators stay at their hideouts, this is helpful at the very least. Worried, I sped up however I could, bearing through the pain and reaching the denser portion of the forest. I probably could find a refuge among the large group of trees just ahead. This seems an impossible mission to simply walk there, feels I may die if I do another step.
Move! I must keep moving! My body screams for me to stop but unless I find safety I can't stop. I eventually leave the marsh and reach the forest. I walk and walk, I feel getting used to the pain… feel like I have been suffering for hours! The scenery definitely changes. My mind can't rest in the possibility of imminent danger in this thicket. The flora had a disturbing smell. Is this… the scent of Decay? I can't think straight, can't be certain! Things look rotten and withered in these parts. The marsh didn't transmit such a worrisome atmosphere.
As much as things looked bad, I am lucky to find a cave deep in the unsettling woods. There I would be able to escape this rain at least. I pray this is not a lair of a beast, but I have no choice. I enter and move deep enough to leave the rain and wind's range. I dare not to go further in, I simply sit laying my back on the hard cavernous wall and shiver from the cold. I wish I could make a bonfire, I don't have anything to warm myself… Wish you were with me, Sein…
Wait, could I use the Spirit Edge? Her warmth is also present on my blade!
I groaned loudly as I tried to summon the sword. The flames it has would be a lifesaver here, but I can't materialize it. I am far too weak, my left arm is broken too. Oh, Ku… what will become of us? Where are you…?
*Clack*
My lone suffering had to be interrupted. I darted my gaze to the cavern's depths distressed as that sound reached me. My stomach churns. What was that?!
*Clack*
*Thump*
*Hiss*
Something is here! Damn it! Sounds of sharp and heavy claws hit and drag on the ground. The hissing tells me much, but I recognize not the foe. I get back up with difficulty and breathe heavily because of my weary state. I am not able to fight! Another pulse of pain strikes me, almost bringing me down. What do I do?! I can't stay exposed to the rain.
I must do something! I must summon the Spirit Edge! I try again and only bursting shots of pain I am given. Again! Again! I need it now!
A pair of black voided eyes appears. A quadrupedal reptile-like creature, covered in blue scales approaches menacingly. It had diverse yellow fins on its sides and back, claws and teeth exposed... It hisses continually, threatening me. This creature had a disgusting scent, one I had long forgotten… The scent of Decay. No doubt about it... Many spots of its body were infested. Deep purple-colored tumors were across this creature's hide.
This settles it, there is no way out of this without fighting. I fall on one knee as I try to force my body and energy to obey me. The pain and cold were the least of my problems right now, this lizard will kill me.
It hisses much loudly, showing its long yellow tongue and drooling mouth to announce the attack. It quickly advances.
I shout as a last resource to arm and defend myself, the impulse of danger and adrenaline aid me by manifesting my blade just in time before the creature pounced at me. It knocked me to my back but what it didn't expect was a sword piercing its body. The creature seemed to fail to realize at first. It stood on top hissing, baring its teeth dominantly. The stench of its breath was horrific, but gladly, it stopped all movement. The body probably began to shut down, yet the mind was still thinking of hunger.
I am saved. My blade vanishes as I lack much stamina to sustain it. I push the creature away and crawl to a short distance. The good part is, the flames of my Spirit Edge start to combust the corpse and serve me as a source of warmth. I can ignore the scent... I desperately need to warm myself, so I settle close to it. I try to relax with breathing exercises, giving good results but as soon as I calm down the throbbing pain in my left arm comes back, intensely as ever. I return to whimper and groan.
I suffer from the unrelenting pain...thinking as hard as possible of something else to not focus on it. At least I am alive. I could use some rest. I feel… losing consciousness… too tired to… continue…
*Hisses* *Hisses* *Hisses* Hisses* *Hisses *Hisses*
Again, I am forced to stay awake. Multiple hissings come down from the cavern. It can't be, I can't have the luxury of relaxing for a single moment! DAMN IT!
I climb to my feet with the same struggle from before. I will pass out soon… and probably will never awake again. Can't let it happen… I… must… move!
I leave the cavern and go back to the rain, hearing the loud screeching from the creatures once they spot one of them slain and aflame. They are on the hunt. All of them run outside and spread out.
There are too many of them, and they will catch up soon. As I can't possibly run from them I had to venture further into the woods… I had found a dead-end, a stone wall covered in leaves and vines. It would be so easy to climb or jump over it, but now, this is but a distant dream. What now? I pathetically walk to it and press back against it. The hissings get louder, they will be here soon. I pressed my back on the wall harder and suddenly I found resistance relenting.
Could that be? I studied the vines and I had found a tight gap in the rock wall. A passage? I don't have alternatives, so I squeezed myself through, see if it could lead me anywhere. There were too many leaves and vines on the way, part of me said it would be still a dead end, but the other part ushered me forward.
To my surprise, after some effort to go past the gap I stumbled over sturdy pebbles, making me fall on a rough and cold floor. I barely moaned in pain at how tired I was. I couldn't feel anything anymore.
Quickly glancing, it seemed to be another sort of cavern. Hard rocky walls were all around, I had a roof over my head, sheltering me from the storm. Is this place inhabited as well? I hope not. Please… I don't want to hear another hissing. Just be quiet…!
I can't stand up… I lack the strength to even fidget.
I can't focus anymore… So tired, so cold, I curl up to conserve my body heat.
My mind is... fading away…
Ku...
…
...
*Whistling*
Oh… I blacked out…? I awake to the sound of a whistling melody… Where am I? I had to go through my "restarting process" again. Although faster, I had to await my vision to focus to see. My hearing was normal. My nose caught the smell of… fire? A bonfire?
Thinking of it, I don't feel cold? A very pleasant warmth envelops me… feels so good… I do not move while in this welcoming sensation. Slowly I can acknowledge I am not resting on any hard surface. But on something rather squishy and soft… what could it be?
The whistling song keeps ringing about. It doesn't sound morbid… Who is it? Something or someone is nearby and I don't know what is.
"Eyy, Lily, spit him out, please."
Whose voice is this? I seem to still be at that cave I had found… My pain returns but in a much lesser dosage. Oh, this is a miracle…
"Spit him out, Lily, c'mon!"
The same male voice again. My vision cleared and I could see better. The first thing I saw was already nerve-racking. I find myself in a peculiar spot. My entire body except my head was inside the mouth of a giant plant. That's where the pleasant warmth comes from!
I tried to freak out to the surprise. My instincts were telling me to escape the threat, to not be eaten alive by the plant creature, but somehow I can't panic, my body was so relaxed, so cozy. Part of me just wanted to let it happen while I provoked myself to begin squirming
Only my head was out, and that did not comfort me. All this plant had to do was to suck a little to own me entirely, to deny me the outside world forever... However, this does not happen...
It seems to discuss with someone, presumably its owner. The plant obstinately rocks with me at the owner's request to let me go.
"You were fed today already!" The voice sighs. "Fine, release the spirit and I will give you a Skeeto!"
A buzzing of wings fills the air. The plant growled in interest, freeing me of its maw and going after a decent-sized mosquito to eat. It shoots many vines from within and wraps up its prey, dragging it to its mouth and swallowing it completely.
"Ey, fella. You good?" The voice directs itself to me while I lay down covered in mucky secretion.
I need a moment to process what just happened. I studied my slime-covered body: This viscous spit glowed in a light tone of green and it smelled like mint. On one hand, It didn't smell bad and it was quite warm… But in the other, this is the drool of a creature that could have swallowed me alive.
I then noticed the one who talked to me. Its shape and characteristics are very familiar.
"F-Franz?" I asked.
The guy was a bird with a large beak, squeezed eyes, and cyan feathers. It's not Franz, I discovered right after asking. But is someone that looks alike.
"Who's that, mate? I ain't no Franz." "He tells me. "The name's Tokk. We found you lying almost dead there. You're lucky to bump into us. Here, I have a good bandage for you."
Tokk approaches me and wraps my broken arm in an elastic, but firm cast, making it practically immobilized.
I had been saved, this person helped me. My arm was still useless, but the pain had subsided. The rest of my body was no longer sore or cold.
"Thank you…"
"Don't sweat it. Anyone would stop to help a spirit like you. At least in Friol, your kind can be mischievous, but we appreciate your jobs as guardians."
"You're Friolian?" I asked.
"Aye. I am a Quito, member of the feathered clan of the Per-Seyu. Seems you've met one of us."
A Quito, I see. Well, that explains why he looks like Franz.
"I have. Thank you again, Tokk. I was in serious trouble there."
I tried to get up but my slimed body couldn't find solid ground to stand. The mucus made me slip continually.
Tokk chuckles. "Ya better settle down. It's quite hard to get it off. A bath would be most sufficient, but giving it time to dry is also an option."
I follow as recommended. I am not in a position to do much anyway… A moment goes by and a thunder crashes outside. Seriously? The storm is still raging?!
"The storm hasn't passed yet?"
"No… This storm is unnatural, I tell ya. Never before I've seen something like this. It simply exploded at random. Kaboom!"
The giant plant began gurgling, growling playfully to Tokk. We give attention to it.
"Aww, who's the good girl?" He caressed it, tickling its three large petals that would meet at the position where the mouth would be.
This plant, simply put, just had a large head connected to a thick stalk to the cracked stone floor under it to have access to the soil. The stem also had two small leaves coming out on each side, which swayed in a cute way non-stop. The big head had three long petals that could bloom to open and show its gullet.
I was… up to the neck inside this plant… Oh, Sein... Chills still descend my spine!
And yet... This plant is what protected me.
"What is your friend, Tokk?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Ah, this is Lily, a Loa Hebistus of Noiton. This type of living flower only grows there. Their diet is mainly insectoid, with some greens here and there. They also like to taste meat, but they can only digest small prey, like squirrels and mouses."
Lily swallows Tokk's arm and growls loudly.
"No no, girl. No pulling, give it back."
It obeys, spitting it covered in secretion. Tokk studies the substance, the same that covered my body.
"She is what kept you safe. Her sap is, believe me, or not, a great pain killer and tranquilizing." He explained.
Oh, it is sap! I feel a little more relieved that it is not literally saliva… yet it is used for the same thing!
"Much of their nature is to keep prey calm and pleased. So, as they are digested, prey may feel nothing while sent to a peaceful afterglow of life. Though I confess she may have first seen you as a snack, once she got you in her mouth she realized you were too big and must have sensed you were on verge of death, resulting in her keeping your head out to breathe while heating the rest."
Lily growls softly and stretches towards me. Reluctantly, I reached out, placing my hand over her upper great petal, patting it gently. The plant doesn't show any sign of interactions with the light within me. Strange... normally I could analyze others by a simple touch.
"And she likes you! Or perhaps, your taste." Tokk laughs.
"How do you keep a plant like this as a pet?" I asked.
"Bah, easy. It is not that difficult to care for her. She is quite portable as well, when we gotta move, she returns to her seed, which makes things much more manageable. I have taken her with me to many places worldwide."
"I see. You're a traveler. Lily seems a great companion."
"Aye. What about you? You haven't introduced yourself yet."
He's right. I could also get information about the place we find ourselves. I feel ashamed… How could I become so lost and so impotent?
"I am Ori. I… I've lost my way and I am in search of my sister."
"Oh... that is harsh. I'm sorry." Tokk shows sympathy. "I, unfortunately, haven't seen a soul since this crazy storm began. It will probably persist until tomorrow."
Tokk throws a new branch to the bonfire.
"A pleasure meeting you, Ori. Hope we can help ourselves in this crazy place."
"Tokk, do you know where we are?"
"Hmm…" He gets a map. "We're currently in the Inkwater Marsh, I think. Maybe a bit off… Gloom Thicket, I suppose... Yeah, definitely Gloom Thicket. I noticed you enticed a nest of Leapers. You crazy thing."
He had more experience than me, for sure, but he is not very familiar with everything.
"Leapers?"
Tokk turns to me.
"The cat-like reptiles you messed with. They are dangerous, you must have noticed that."
I remember my encounter with one. Thank the Light my blade answered me at that crucial moment.
"Aye, I won't dwell on that. I'm not much help finding your sister. But you can head to a nearby moki village for info when the storm's over. Also, the Voice of the Forest will be able to guide you too."
Moki village? Voice of the Forest? Are we… This definitely isn't Nibel is it? My anxiety increases.
"Tokk, what forest are we-"
I wished I had asked sooner, but an echoing howl disturbs my focus. Tokk and Lily don't seem to like it too.
A sense of dread comes back to me in full force. Our small cave shook to the reverberating sound. Not even the thunder had managed to do such a thing!
"What was that?"
Tokk takes a moment. "Chill, fella. You don't have to worry. We're safe here."
Lily shrinks and pops out of the soil as a seed. A plant is scared? Tokk collects and places it in a tiny pocket of his backpack.
"Tokk, what howled like that?"
"You're that interested, eh? Forget about it. We've arrived at the high night, when 'he' goes out to hunt. The shadow of night, a merciless predator, so they say. The wind is not the only thing that howls around here."
I get up with nerves on the edge. A merciless predator? Hunting at this cruel stormy night? My fears were peaking. There is someone lost out there!
"Tokk, please answer me, have you seen a baby owl in these woods? A dark owl!"
"I told ya, I have been hiding for quite some time because of the storm. Haven't seen a soul except for you. Now relax. He can't find us here. As for your sister, you've to trust she is well hidden from the wolf, like us."
Wolf?! There are wolves here?! What if he finds Ku?! I can't calm down, I must find her immediately! I stand up and my worried face shows my intentions.
"Oi, don't do anything stupid, fella." Tokk warned, but I gave no ears to it. I was enraged, I had to rescue Ku right now!
I fail to summon my Spirit Edge. Still, I am not recovered?! I can't waste time! I grab one torch used on the bonfire and run out. Tokk called for me, but I could not slow down.
"Oi! Don't leave! It's for your own good!"
With haste, I left the safe ground behind and rushed to the rain.
"Ku!" I called, dashing through many obstacles. I had recovered a good portion of my energy but I wielded a torch. Gladly my speed makes it harder for the rain to snuff it out.
I will not allow this wolf to find her! If he is capable of hunting on this rain, then he should be able to catch her scent.
I won't give it a chance!
The echoing howl travels in the air again. It comes from all directions. I can't discern which way or the proximity of the emitter.
"Ku!"
I travel around, uncertain if my objective is to encounter the wolf or Ku first. By what Tokk warned I will die if he finds me. In a way, if he does find me, then he wouldn't be able to find Ku. I can keep it occupied, buying time for my sister to… Am I doing the right thing? What am I doing? Is it worth endangering myself like this? What if she is safe? What if Ku is already… No! Don't think of it! Keep searching, keep going!
"Ku!"
I could sense a murderous aura on the prowl… watching me... I can't be sure from where it comes or if it is just me being scared. I admit I am terrified… This place is not our home and the unknowing of Ku's whereabouts makes me shiver.
I encounter another pathway with sheltering. There I could spot a big bonfire and creatures gathered around. I watch from afar, were these creatures what surrounded me before? They are facing away… They look like a meerkat? a lemur? Yet they have large ears, long bodies, and tails. They have fur of brown and white, tails ending in white as well.
"Hello?" I call, which makes all of them turn to me. The glowing eyes, no doubt about it, these are the creatures that swarmed me. Unfortunately, they don't give me time and scatter swiftly in fear. I did not want to scare them…
They did not seem to be hostile. Anyway, I can't do anything about them now. My mission is still clear: I must find Ku.
"Ku!"
Stopping to think, I am not recovered at all. The reason I still can't summon my weapons is that I am in the same state since I woke up in the rain. The only difference is that Lily drugged me, so allowing me to ignore the pain with her anesthetic sap. Thankfully I could rest a moment and I must make use of my energies. Could have eaten something before leaving though! Hunger is certain to arrive very soon.
As I pondered by myself on the move, my ears caught the same hissing from before, this time I would not be able to run but I could answer in kind! I await their arrival at a covered area. I breathe deeply, remembering my training with Ario…
…
I had difficulty keeping my temper in fighting simulations. I would not think clearly as I once faced a true enemy: An infuriated armored ram. It was not the first time I faced such a creature, but this time its defeat had to come from me and not from the environment.
"Ori, you need to calm down. In the face of an enemy, remember that escaping is not always the best choice. Think that you must protect something or someone." Ario advised me as the ram charged at me again.
"What do you want me to do?!" I asked as I dodged.
"Simple. Stop running. You must learn that you won't be able to escape every problem. You need to defend yourself, and by that, you must strike it down. Power of speech will not be always available to find peaceful resolves with your opponents, which will force blood to be spilled.
"Of course, don't take it too literally." Ario added. "Sometimes you need not take lives to save your own. There are other ways to end conflicts, like knocking out your foes, for example. It will render them defeated as their life is spared. The choice will not always be clear, don't be afraid to do what you think is right. Remember, It is not always about killing or being killed. But not always a third option exists"
…
This will be the same thing, just that this time the Leapers are corrupted, which only leaves me with one option. I harden my determination, I've got to put these poor beasts out of their misery.
"It is not always about killing or being killed. But not always a third option exists…" I recited and ready myself.
From the withered shrubs all around, the creatures emerged striking viciously the spirit awaiting.
Ori quickly responds and dodges their first pounce by ducking low. Three Leapers repositioned themselves after their missed strike. Before they could feel comfortable to strike, Ori had already moved in, swinging the torch down on the first Leaper's head. The creature hisses in pain, the fire burning its scales and fins. Then the second strike followed; a blow on the side of the creature's head launched it away.
The other two then move in, their yellow tongues lashing out the air to frighten prey. Ori wasted no time and threw the torch into one of the opened mouths, quickly running after and drop-kicking the stunned Leaper. Before the third Leaper had a chance to claw Ori, it was surprised by superior agility. Ori recovers the torch and evades the pounce, following with a well-delivered counter-strike with the sturdy torch that knocks the creature out of combat. The Leaper was disoriented like the other two. Still, it tried to get up again but had difficulty.
Curious, Ori decided to test if this creature could tell him anything about this forest. He approaches the stunned Leaper and grabs it by the nape, forcing the creature to lay down incapable to act. The Light does travel to the creature, giving Ori nothing but chaotic thoughts to read.
Despair. Agony. Hunger. These were all that this creature felt and had in mind in a long, long time. Perhaps since the day of its birth. It lives in fear, suffers in great affliction and the only thing that can get slightly close to pleasure and relief to them is fulfilling bidding. A tormenting and crude voice whispers in its mind, the corruption of the Decay orders it to devour anything not shackled by a similar fate. Or even worse, to corrupt those who are free. This voice never ceases, it repeats the same thing over, and over, and over again.
Disturbed, Ori lets go of the creature who runs away sloppily. Guilt arrives in Ori's mind; death would be the best for them… By letting it go, it would have a chance to strike another day, to corrupt another. They were driven mad… and nothing could heal such an infection.
Ori had to focus back, more hissings came down through the gloom of the night. The storm does not show any signs of ending anytime soon. He fought the waves of Leapers, striking them with the torch, and this time, he would try putting them down for good.
As long as the Lily drool still affected Ori's pain inhibitors, he could keep on fighting. It was uncertain if he could hit a critical level of abuse of his limbs but nothing could be done. The race was on for who would reach Ku first.
Ori could still feel the murderous aura prowling nearby. The wolf hadn't howled in a few minutes. How close is it? Ori had to pay a lot of attention to the Leapers and the fear of the wolf showing itself soon was becoming too heavy.
The waves were gradually diminishing. The strength Ori had to meet to keep fighting was taking a heavy toll on him. Even with Lily's aid, the pain was becoming stronger. A new wave had arrived with four new Leapers. Piles of unconscious Leapers were just everywhere on the battlefield. The creatures get frightened, unlike all others of their kind, this wave does not advance.
Are they scared by the sheer amount of Leapers stacked? Ori gave no matter to it as he charged in instead, delivering a potent fire breath from the torch on the closest Leaper.
They retreat, finally, the assault would be over. Still, it had to be unusual to see them retreating. Was the sight of their own defeated that scary? It shouldn't be, they had to obey the bidding, things like that aren't enough to achieve such a thing. Ori wondered for a moment and the answer revealed itself clearly to him.
The murderous aura. It had intensified like a lightning shock that made Ori tremble. It is here! Yet Ori could not catch sight of the wolf. Ori assumed a full alerted stance, so to-
*SLAM*
Ori's reflexes take him out of danger with an athletic leap. A massive black claw embodied in shadow energy strikes the position Ori was in.
Fear weighed as heavy as ever before. Ori could get a full view of the foe he swore to detain.
A gigantic black wolf. Compared to all others living he had ever seen, this wolf surely could rival Salendis or Kuro in pure height. Thick layers of black fur enveloped its body around its neck down to the abdomen while messy layers of thinner fur covered the rest. Shadow energy seeped uncontrollably from its skin, its eyes were thirsty for blood.
The monster lets out a howling roar to fill the air so intensely that it easily humiliates the thunders in sonar capacity. The intensity of the howl takes the flame out of the torch, depriving the spirit of its weapon. Ori could not possibly think of a way to combat that thing, leaving only one option to cope: run.
Run! Ori turned his back on the predator and dashed away as fast as he could. The wolf gave chase, obliterating every obstacle with its primal strength. Trees, rocks, nothing stood a chance to hold it back.
Ori had to do something and now! He would not be able to escape the beast for long. Unarmed, he is helpless. As soon as the wolf reaches him, it will be the end. The path he took was strange since the fire Ori had found, the scenery was less natural and more handmade. It seemed like a hideout quickly glancing on the run. Diverses huts and wood bridges were around. The place too was sheltered, what could tell that someone lives in here, or at least, used to.
Ori followed the hideout path, going deeper in an once prosperous village while destruction followed. Ori is halted by a great sealed stone door and forced to think in a way out quickly. He had no strength to break through it, but it had a small gap in its top, large enough for him to bypass it. No way Ori could climb there in time much more with a broken arm. Another alternative had appeared and immediately had to execute it. He crouched and prayed he could Charge Jump to get there faster. He focused and focused, but his energy does not answer. Consequently, the wolf arrives rampant, slamming itself on the stone wall and crushing everything in between.
Ori is caught and launched by the impact of the wolf. Luckily, it was not a full hit. Ori's crouched pose saved him just slightly. Still, the damage is done, Ori could run no longer.
Ori coughs the dust of the stone door's demolition floating in the air. The curtain of dirt gave him brief seconds to recover, Ori managed to stand back up and move, the pain now almost fully returned. He limped about, slowly trying to get distance just to hear the wolf's snarl right behind... forcing him to stop.
With the curtain gone, Ori saw another bonfire, identical to those the creatures had made. It was almost within reach. If only he could take one of the woods used to light the fire like a new torch… Maybe...
Don't turn around. Don't turn around. Reach the bonfire. Reach the bonfire. Ori tried to make subtle movements, doing one faint step at a time.
The wolf steps forward with a loud thump on the forest floor... savoring the fright on its prey. Playing with the food while it could… watching Ori limp pathetically for his life. It snarls much more closer.
*Thump*
Regrets crawled upon Ori's skin. The mistake he made for not safeguarding Ku's first flight… The mistake of leaving Tokk's cave when it was still unsafe to do so. The sour regret of never seeing family and friends again.
*Thump*
Sein… Oh, Sein… Ori prayed in silence. Was this his last day? Would he become wolf's food? Was it his destiny to be mauled to death? In the end, it was all Ori's fault.
*THUMP*
"You can fight it." A soft, feminine voice echoed in Ori's mind. "Expulse thy fears. Draw thy courage. Surpass thy boundaries. Fight… for what you believe."
The mysterious voice had a certain impact. Ori felt momentaneously reinvigorated. His mind was lighter and his body relaxed from all tension. He wasn't healed, but a new surge of strength pushed him forward. His goal was clear… He fights not for himself. Here and now…
Ori fights for Ku.
Drawing every fiber of stamina Ori could muster, he does a leap of faith, a dive ignoring the wolf's threats. The impulse of adrenaline once again propels him forward. The wolf's pounce misses, but does not show to be concerned; the prey delays the inevitable, it was time to finish the hunt once and for all.
In the decisive moment, Ori reaches out to the bonfire, and the wolf's maw just about to close on the defiant spirit; time ultimately stops. In a heartbeat, Ori lands on his stomach and grabs a new torch, swinging it back on the wolf's mouth with a quantity of powder. An explosion is provoked, the impact combusts the powder and launches each other away.
The wolf whimpers in the pain of its burned mouth and Ori struggles to stand back up. With emergency, his body attends to the desperate measures. The wolf also recovers and looks at its prey refusing to accept their fate, retaliating foolishly. The frowned face of the wolf showed no intent of mercy. The large teeth and growl only fueling its intention.
Ori had an arm broken and a torch as his weapon against a foe he never thought he would fight. One mistake and it's all over. The wolf must not howl again and snuff out the fire. Ori had to engage first, but while thinking of advancing, the wolf began to strafe around him, eyes menacingly fixed on the prey.
"Are you the same as them?" The wolf suddenly spoke, making Ori shiver in an obnoxious surprise.
Ori had no time to think as the wolf moved forward, swiftly going in to snap the spirit in his moment of confusion. Ori jumps to the side forcefully and sloppily, falling on the dirt and quickly getting back up. That was too close, Ori was almost sure he saw his life flash in front of him. But pain still confirmed he was well alive. Weariness was an opponent as well. He couldn't take too long.
The dive had failed, so the wolf returned to strafe around, circling slowly the spirit, waiting for the best opening to show up, to let fear make them vulnerable. The torch Ori held had a lot of powder on its rod and his hand, it was what provoked the first explosion, this powder was of a volatile type. Despair began to creep and dominate the poor spirit's mind but he could not relent. The wolf advanced anew.
Ori took heed, bracing himself for the incoming charge. Ori held the torch in between his teeth as the wolf opened wide to take the spirit in one go. In a blink of an eye, Ori jumped high, just enough to get the wolf by surprise. Ori prints the powder of his palm on the wolf's head, grabs the torch, and blows a breath of fire on its face. A new ample explosion pushes them away.
The wolf growls in pain. It truly detests fire. More enraged than ever before, it directs its muzzle upwards, gathering air. It's going to howl!
Ori moved in to interrupt the wolf, but something else was set for the unsuspecting spirit. As Ori rushed forward, the wolf faked its intentions and pounced. Ori had not the time to evade, resulting in the maw of the wolf enveloping his entire body and extinguishing the flame of the torch. The cool air of the forest is immediately replaced by the dampness of the maw as the wolf snapped shut its mouth, trapping the spirit within. The wolf takes his time, playing with the spirit, smothering him in saliva to grant him a smooth passage down his next home. The wolf would not even have the decency of killing the prey before consumption. No, the wolf would love to feel him squirming all the way down inside until deposited in the pit of the stomach, where no Light can escape from, where he would scream and struggle until their final shred of hope is torn, until he melts away in gastric juices. Hunger was one thing the wolf had and two, hatred for the prey that invoked its wrath.
After playing long enough, after disorienting the spirit with the dancing twirls of the viscous appendage, the wolf ended his assault, allowing Ori to lay on their tongue. Ori did his best to recover but a change was immediately seen. The wolf lifts their head to allow gravity to help out. Ori tried to hold firm onto the wolf's tongue, but its slippery surface served only as a slide that would gently bring him to the inescapable grip of the throat muscles. Once caught, it would be a journey of one no return.
The wolf begins swallowing; the sucking force quickly pulls the spirit's legs down its gullet and would soon drag the rest. Ori's descent could not be halted, he had no chances of wrestling against the squish flesh pressing, pulsing around him, pulling him deeper. Almost finished, the wolf could feel him fighting pitfully for his life, the moment was at hand, just one more gulp to send him down.
Ori's lower body was stuck within the tight canal that yearned for him, Ori entered in panic mode, searching for a way to escape his fate. The powder! The torch was still in his hands, the flame was gone but a bit of it was protected under his hand. He had to do something right now! With a final desperate measure, Ori holds firm the torch, invoking his every last remnant of Light energy to obey as his last stand. The Spirit Edge answers, coming forth to its caller, and finally, the wolf forces the spirit to travel down their pharynx with a relaxed gulp.
The motion was so satisfying for the wolf, to have food travelling down his impressive length to its final destination so slowly was heavenly. But something felt wrong, the spirit still fought, still resisted. Ori made the wolf's experience more stressful than they could imagine, slowly stopping his descent against the muscles pulling him with the sturdy torch. Then, the wolf had a burning in his throat and shortly after an explosion that forced them to choke, coughing up the spirit. Smoke escaped from the wolf's mouth as they coughed and coughed from the painful, but not fatal, explosion from within.
It had left the wolf impotent and Ori desperately needed to make use of this opportunity to put the foe down. As he touched the ground, using his last ounce of power, Ori immediately raised and charged in, jumping close to the wolf's head and slashing the side of its face, provoking a deep cut. The blade had made damage, now the flame would follow. From the wound, Sein's gift combusted wildly, covering almost the entirety of the wolf's body in seconds. It whimpers in pain, wailing from the suffering it was exposed to.
The wolf runs away rampant, slamming on every surface and obstacle on the way as it retreats from the unsuccessful hunt.
Ori was triumphant this day, but the foe would still live. He could finally feel a bit of reprieve. Amidst the storm and so many dangers all around, Ori still could not slow down. The effect of Lily's sap was almost gone.
What to do…? Left in the ruined village, without any more energy to press on, Ori fell on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. His blade vanished from his exhausted state.
Was Ku saved…?
Did he just make a new enemy...?
"Ku… where are you…?" He called so weakly. Body not responding much more. Movements become stiffer and heavier by the second. Ori fell on the forest floor, collapsing into slumber under the rainy night…
…