Moved by the sole, demanding question, Ario reunited the small crew together with Naru and Gumo. Where are they? This was the only thing Ario could think of and would not rest until having them in his sights. The morning that should be relaxing may have turned into a calling for a great event.
Daruk: "Why the urgent call? What happened?" The Jotun arrives carrying Franz with visible discomfort.
Franz: "Oi, give my snow fortress back! Argh!" The Quito was slammed into position. "A little delicacy goes a long way, you know?"
The two integrants notice how the atmosphere is tense. Ario was dead serious. Layla, Naru, and Gumo too, were not in the slightest good mood. Franz becomes sober and both compose themselves awaiting further instructions. Ario gathered air, formulating a manner to inform the matters as calmly as he could.
Ario: "We are in a state of emergency. We are not under attack, nor with a lack of resources. But two of ours have disappeared since the afternoon of yesterday."
They grow spooked. Two were missing? Daruk analyzed and realized.
Daruk: "What? It can't be! Ku shouldn't be able to fly too far!"
Franz: "Oh dear…"
Layla: "Be calm. They must be somewhere around here. We pray that they're not hurt."
Ario: "We are spreading out and scouting the entirety of Nibel immediately. I need four of us to cover each extremity of this forest. I want each stone turned and every cranny checked. Can I count on you?"
Daruk: "Most certainly. I am at your service!" He gestures with a salute.
Franz: "Aye, let's-a-go! No time to lose!"
Ario: "Thank you. Keep in mind that Ori and Ku may be somewhat troubled. Ori should know how to traverse the forest with ease. Since he hasn't returned, I recommend preparing yourselves for anything in case finding them. That includes combat or medical attention. Gather whatever healing herbs you may find, food and water. If any of you find them, fire this flaring gadget to the skies to signal us with a firework."
Ario shows the small gadgets and hands one to each. A small cannon made of Light energy that is positioned on the ground and has a button to press on. Everyone replies with a nod.
Ario: "With that set, here's each scouting area: Daruk, head west to the Forlorn Ruins and the nearby region. The winds there will aid you on your search."
Daruk: "Understood."
Ario: "Layla, explore the Thornfelt Swamp and the Ginso Tree's region. Your ignition at the lowest level should allow you to scan the area with haste. Remember that swimming IS an option. Consider every lake and river a possible chance to find them. Underwater caves are not rare to find."
Layla: "Okay. I will do my best."
Ario: "Franz, Naru, and Gumo will seek for our missing friends around the Sunken Glades and The Spirit Tree. Listen, do not be afraid to contact Sein. As occupied she may be, she will be a valuable ally."
Naru: "Sein should be able to find them! I will…" Naru almost collapses due to her weariness. Gumo and Franz support her from both sides.
As much as everyone wanted her to sleep and rest, she shall not. A concerned mother is the most painful thing to see. Her heartache could be felt clear as day. She will obey the calling of a mother until certain her children are safe.
Ario: "Go easy, Naru. Allow Franz and Gumo to help you."
Naru relaxes and accepts their aid. She feels like a dead-weight but she understands that she is simply invoking her right as a mother to search with them.
Naru: "Sorry, I… am okay. Please, let us begin searching."
Ario: "Lastly, I will head north to Mount Horu's region. Our search will last until we reach high noon. Rendezvous here to recover. If none have success, we will plan something else. Dismissed."
Roger! And they moved out to their zones. Naru goes slowly with assistance, but still, she tries to speed up more than she can handle. Ario returns to her to share one more thing.
"Naru, you have my word that we will find them. I won't rest until they're back." He informed as Naru's sore eyes shared a look of gratitude.
"Thank you. Please, careful out there. The forest may have wild beasts that can be dangerous."
"Don't worry about us, we are familiar with battles. I doubt Ori and Ku have found hostile wildlife, but we have it in mind."
With a calming gaze, Naru hummed content. That was one less worry she would carry. Ario moved on to the search.
...
The wind howls. The cold persists. A rotten land with ashes raising like mists. Ku finds herself lost in an unknown land. The weather is still the same even without the storm. Gloom and unnatural clouds blocked sunlight, bringing upon the owlet's form an eternal night.
All the flora was withered and trees distorted. The fauna, frozen in place. A haunted land that was buried with monoliths and concealed in fog. Ku knew she shouldn't be there. This place is dangerous… but nothing she could do to prevent the morbid realization set in.
Ku had taken refuge under one of the large frozen things. Unknowing what it could be or why it was there. She couldn't bother with this detail once seeking to have a roof over her head. Unhurt by the fall, she had an easier time protecting herself from last night. Unfortunately, she had lost the feather. Her feeble attempts to fly again were all met with failure.
Now with a better chance of executing different actions, Ku understood she desperately required warmth. Not the physical type, but of mind and soul. Sunlight she could not have, but her feathers protected her well from the winds. As long as she is dry and keeps herself mostly motionless without having the warmed air under her feathered coat escaping, she could withstand the weather following her survival instincts.
Yet, the luxury of stay still was not one she had. Or better, not one she would be comfortable with. The eerie atmosphere had her heart palpitating in fear. Alone and lost, Ku had to find help, find hope.
At least now, Ku could see better her surroundings. Without the cruel storm, the fog was gradually more forgiving. Leaving refuge slowly, Ku peeked in all directions. She saw only the uneasy mist, dead landscape, and ashes floating in the air, following with the gust of wind striking her stand. She shivers but is not brought down.
"Is… is anyone… there?" She asks quietly, afraid of something sinister showing up. But only silence she receives. Ku awaits another couple of seconds. Minutes even. Trembling in place.
"Ori… where are you…?" She begins to cry, and another gust of cold wind arrives. She had not the right to weep. Ku had to venture through this Light forsaken place, obeying a tight procedure of safety.
She leaves behind the mysterious cold, solid cover. Fighting fear, she took a step forward, and eyelids flickered as she checked the surroundings. Nothing. Not even a single cricket to be heard. This unnerving silence persisted as she did another small step, and another, and another. Starting to move.
"Ori…!" She coos very quietly, suffocating in the dread she finds herself into. The land doesn't flinch or whisper, complete dark silence is all that lingers.
"Mom…! Gumo…! Lila…!" She calls family and friends. Ku used to mispronounce Layla's name due to the difficulty of her little beak composing certain words.
Wandering she remained, braving the ashen fog and cruel wind in her impotent and innocent manner. Her smell detects only the faintest scents of decomposing plants. The frigid, solid earth below her talons freezing her feet... Every element frightening her to the core.
Due to the fog slowly clearing further. Ku saw what the strange land hid. Before her small body, another of the mysterious monoliths. Ku noticed its footing was of a large avian talon. Following the limb, it appeared it had plumage covering the body, but they were fouled and solid as stone. The image cleared as Ku glanced upwards. The owlet gasps in terror with feathers standing on end as she completes the form of the weird statue. It wasn't what she hoped.
An owl in despair, missing their eyes with dripping water from the rain gave the sense they were crying from the beyond. Their wings are widespread in a protective stance to shield something from what could not be detained. Below the great owl, a torn nest with an egg that shall never hatch.
The eyeless sockets, the lifeless face, the large stone body terrified Ku to a new high. A monster! She turned her back and ran in tears.
"Someone help me!" She calls with a scream, fleeing to the nothingness as fast as she could. Ku flaps her wings to take flight to no avail. Her voice screeching and quavering with all her might, body scurrying through the ravaged woods.
The silence is disturbed. And with it, awakening what shouldn't. A pair of eyes shot open to the scream. Gleaming in white. Lost is suffering. And now on the move.
Ku ran and ran, sighting more petrified haunting husks. Her fears are renewed with each new morbid victim she finds. Little did she know that they were corpses of her own kind. Shadow, or Dark Owls of ages past. Proud and powerful winged beings struck by a grim fate.
There were more. More than just the great birds. Small species of the furred kind. Long-eared adult mokis that found their end reaching out to hope but their hands found only the cold void while others embraced their families to the incoming end. Forever framed with despair and pain in their faces. Gorleks, and many others unrecognizable, all in terror. They had no escape and were reduced to friable rocks.
The rushing of Ku's distress had brought attention. Her pleas fly about as she finds a thick withered thorned bush to hide. She dives in, ignoring the flaccid spines on her feathers and closing her eyes to weep.
It is all a nightmare, right? Ku wanted to wake up. To be back home to find herself cuddling with Ori on a beautiful new morning. Her wavering chirps don't shake the reality she is in. Ku curls up and just prays that she wakes up soon. This has to be a bad dream. "It will be alright. It will be alright!" She cries to herself while she begins to suffer from the cold.
"Shhh…"
Suddenly a low shushing sound reached the owlet and that wasn't comforting in a thousand years. Her eyes open and once glancing at the individual, her beak is blocked by their hand, and cries muffled. The stranger brings the other hand with a finger in front of the mouth to signal again.
"Shhh… Don't cry."
Ku almost had a heart attack. The guy looked scary, but Ku forced herself to calm down. Her eyes pleading for mercy and body shaking far too much to move. Ku is held for a brief of seconds and while at it, she studies the individual.
The most flashy part, a stone mask covering the face. A white beard, slim fingers, and arms that were fragile as glass. Gray fur adorned the creature's skin. He was elderly, but difficult to understand what exactly he was, or what he wanted. As they shared gazes, one of terror and one of unknown intent, a loud SLAM crashed close to them and the earth trembled. Ku almost shrieked, but thanks to her sealed beak she wasn't able to.
Tension was as high as ever before. Something huge is patrolling nearby. Loud and heavy thumps that seem like steps crush and crack pebbles and brittle parts of dead soil and bones. A distorted mumble was almost recognized as a hoot of an owl.
By instinct, Ku wanted to turn her head to see and learn what had crashed close to them, but the stranger kept Ku from doing that. He shakes his head slowly informing her to NOT look. All while maintaining sacred silence for the sake of their lives.
The stomps persist in the area, each step is irregular and haunted. The little heartbeat of the owlet was audible to the stranger, but thankfully not loud enough to alert what should not. Ku couldn't help it. Afraid and defenseless she began begging for Ori to rescue her in her mind.
*STOMP*
*Stomp*
*stomp*
*stomp*
Silence returns. The creature moved away. Now safer to speak quietly, the stranger muttered new words with his raspy voice.
"You… You are a Shadow Owl."
After the successful rescue, the stranger couldn't help expressing his surprise at the miraculous finding. Before his veiled eyes, a being he never thought of seeing again in the accursed times they live. An uncorrupted Shadow Owl. Merely an owlet, a lost youngling. The amber eyes told no lies. Her dark indigo feathers proved her heritage. Her appearance was foretold...
"The prophecies… You must have brought it… Centuries of waiting, now coming to an end." The stranger monologues, lost in thoughts.
"W-what are you talking about?" Ku asked in distress. "Who are you?"
"Come with me. This is not the place to talk."
The stranger leaves the bushy cover and now Ku could study better their details. A monkey-like creature. Hunchback due to old age and carrying a long wood stick to walk with balance. Ku could not endure staying alone in this somber zone again and hesitantly, she followed. She wasn't comfortable, but this stranger had saved her from something dreadful. A scintilla of gratitude was beneath the intense fear. Perhaps Ku could find more knowledge and safety along with this guy.
Resisting the cold ambiance, Ku hopped through the place after the stranger. The terror of the land is still present, but Ku knew she must not scream or make noises. Something terrible prowls in this place.
"W-what is this place?" Ku asked as quietly as possible, fearing the stranger had not heard it. But he stops and looks back over the shoulder.
"Their graveyard." Came his hoarse voice.
Ku shudders. Then those things… The countless statues here are graves? That only added to make things even direr.
They traversed through the ruined and fallen trees and at each minute the landscape doesn't change the slightest. The same feeling that something malicious devastated this place persists. Ku couldn't comprehend what could have caused it.
Soon they arrived at the base of an elevated hill, and the stranger took a path that aimed directly at a cavern-like passage. However, it was as good as a dead-end. Tree logs and boulders blocked their path. The stranger and Ku stay still as the owlet awaits instructions.
"Follow." The monkey creature orders, and walks straight into the blockade. Ku was spooked, he is going to collide with that wall of wreckage? But as she thought, the stranger went through like nothing was there. Another scare for the owlet.
"What? He went through?" She thought to herself. Eyes wide in incredulity.
"Come." He asks again, coming out from the fake wall. Ku braces herself and steps forward. Upon the moment she'd bump on broken splinters Ku closes her eyes and does a new step. Mysteriously, she doesn't feel anything getting in contact. In fact, Ku feels a gentle current of peculiar energy. Its essence was not unfamiliar, but unknown nonetheless.
"Open your eyes. We are now safe."
Ku does as requested, contemplating a considerably large refuge. A den. Something big must live here. A moment later, Ku's nose is attacked by a stench of disgusting meat scraps scattered around the corners of the place. Flies roaming each decomposing piece.
"Urgh! What smell is this?" Ku asked quietly.
"You can speak normally here, child. As for the scent, my apologies. My lord is not hygienic or methodical."
Ku is utterly bothered by the smell but tries to withstand it. More than just the leftovers, there were bones of various sizes, a giant broken iron chain, and a stained floor. Blood was spilled in this den. This is the lair of a voracious being!
"Don't be afraid." The stranger tried to calm the owlet. "My lord is ill-tempered, but he is a loyal and caring protector in the heart. The barrier outside is made of his fine Shadow Bending. The energy that only those born with affinity can mold and shape it by their will."
"You haven't answered me yet. Who are you and what do you want?" Ku imposes on the stranger.
"I am Kii, an acolyte of Shadows. The last servant of Andronius. As for my goal, I simply want your well-being."
Ku wasn't buying that. But she had no choice. Or better, she was too insecure to believe in anything or even a total stranger. Still scared, Ku moved as far as possible from Kii.
"What… what was that thing…?"
Kii approaches a little, his long stick pointing to the exit.
"There… reins silence. None may disturb it. Those who dare, pay the price. You - you almost joined them in somber rest."
Ku couldn't start to fully fathom the danger she ran. What in the name of the Light walked past them? The mistreated land, the frozen souls. What caused all of this? All she knew was that by sounding an alarm in her panic, almost had her killed.
"Why is this place so creepy?"
"There is much to tell, child. First, I need to know if you brought what this land yearns."
"W-what do you mean? I fell here with my brother. I was…" Ku suffers in self-guilt with tears gathering. "It is all my fault."
"Is your brother a spirit?"
Ku hesitates but soon replies with a nod. The monkey creature takes a long moment. Its stone mask showed no emotion that the face behind could transmit.
"Then, it is true. You have set the frozen history of this land in motion. Or at least, began to melt the ice. Long have that frog dreamed about this… And now… His wish can come true."
Kii goes to the other side of the den where a sloppily made wood shelf holds many scrolls. He searches through the archives, throwing away many parchments. One scroll rolls in front of Ku and she tries to analyze it, seeing symbolic writing. One writing that Ku didn't understand. Strange symbols made in black ink were in organized rows and columns filled the paper.
"Long ago, Niwen was a land of conquerors." Kii started, and the symbols on the scroll were moving? Taking forms and shapes? Ku looked mesmerized. The story showed itself by the words of Kii.
"Those who walked this land were to course the Path of Valor. A trial that all were made to meet independent of their consent or capabilities. A life-long task to pursue. All to prove oneself to what they worshipped as 'Her Grace'. The lightless and shadow kind, all had to comply and prove their courage in battle. Difficult and immoral challenges awaited. Lives were lost for the sake to earn the favor of an immortal being. Those who survived after a defeat were sent to live a life of shame as a failed aspirant. A life of a common and weak scum."
Ku sees the symbols shift and take the shape of a furred creature. Since their childhood, they are made to train by parental discipline with a forced mindset: To earn the favor of the Light. The children were not allowed to play and enjoy their infancy. They did heavy work and exhausting physical exercises daily.
Once matured and proven their worth, they travel to their final test. An arena. There, many different races that trained their whole lives for the same objective fought to the death. The outcome was macabre, but only one would stand.
Ku was not understanding. Her eyes would see cruelty and bloodshed even through the censored images the symbols did, but the context was far too difficult for her to absorb.
"Those who passed and impressed the Light were…" Kii interrupted himself. Ku was far too young to understand so much. Afraid of overwhelming her, Kii decided to give her time. The symbols return to formation and don't move any longer. The two return to share gazes. One impossible to be read, and one sharing fright.
"Child, forgive me for what I've shown. But I lied not. What you saw is… the truth of this land. We, its denizens lived in these unfair times, and today… much has changed. But not for the good."
Kii pauses shortly.
"In this right moment, the wheels of destiny are turning. I fear history is fated to repeat itself. Your arrival was the long-sought trigger that Kwolok wanted."
"I am not getting it! I just want to go home!" Ku expresses her distress and discomfort. "I want my brother and mom!"
Kii could not change Ku for what she was, an innocent child. He knew as much.
"I comprehend." Kii's raspy voice doing little to console the troubled owlet. "But I beg you to understand. The situation you are in now… is far different than anything you lived in. Scars you may earn."
Ku just gets more terrified but doesn't want to run out to the loneliness of the haunted forest.
"You should rest. Later we can continue. If you need anything, please let me know."
Kii goes to the shelf and begins reorganizing the long scrolls and writing on another. He picks a quill pen, sinks the tip on blackish ink, and writes symbols with an erratic wrist. The old monkey has difficulty writing but keeps trying to control the lack of motor coordination.
Ku is left by herself in the eerie den. One, two, three minutes pass with her wondering about, studying the cavern's details. The interior is very cold, sunlight must never have reached this place in years. The walls don't have drawings, making the place boring. There is no bed or nest to sleep on. There are no toys. Clearly not a place Ku could enjoy staying. But at least, it was undeniably true to be safer than outside.
"How do you ignore this smell?" Ku asked, showing a less intimidated voice tone.
Kii turns around and tilts his head slightly. "You get used to it."
"This is… very sad." Ku comments. "Don't you ever clean things?"
"It's rather difficult to accomplish that." Kii chuckles. "Believe me, my lord prefers things as it is."
"Who is your lord? Why call them like that?"
"My lord is the only one who protected me along with my kind."
"Protected from what?"
"From the Light and Decay."
"The Light? How come?" Ku was surprised.
"Like I previously had said, this land hasn't seen the best days with or without the Light. I was born with the shadow kind here in the Whispering Woods. My lord, since my childhood, hid me and my brothers from the Light's influence. Today, I am just a survivor, the last of the Noy Archivists. The years of stored knowledge of our forest lies with me."
"Oh… So the Light hurt your eyes too?"
Kii laughs shortly. Ku could almost see a smile hiding behind his mask.
"I wish that was all the Light would do to us. My lord, of all… has suffered a lot for disobedience."
Somehow Ku knew she was getting into personal and serious matters. She was scared and unknowing if she wanted to keep diving into the subject.
"Hm… what are the Noy Archivists?"
"Our passion and legacy. The Noy tribe were the few ones that never wanted to meddle in the glorious fighting the Light ushered all to. We preferred to lurk in the shadows to study and store history. We shared knowledge with those interested. Our numbers were many, our longevity prolonged thanks to our loyal service to our lord. We know the ancient times and we were considered a threat because of our privilege. We were ultimately hunted down, my lord chained. The Decay almost wiped us all."
Ku was lost trying to absorb and understand the profound speech of the mysterious monkey. Each word seemed to contain a world of conflict and pain.
"So… that's why you like to write?"
"Yes. It is a family thing."
Suddenly, a more comprehensive response makes Ku miss her family. Ku begins to grow more anxious and restless.
"I want my family…"
"I am sorry. Your family is not here."
"My brother is! Somewhere!"
"That may be. I pray that he comes."
"He will! I know he will!"
"How cute."
Suddenly again, a new, much deeper voice filled the den in an instant. Ku jumps in place with a soft shriek and fathers standing as she gazes at the new individual. This time they were large, black-furred with crimson eyes, big claws, and fangs. A gigantic black wolf. A sight that chilled the owlet to the core anew.
"Kii, you had said this place was safe." Ku adorably says to the masked monkey trying to ignore the large oppressing being staring at her.
"It is. Why do you ask?" Kii returns confused.
Ku grows goofy trying to be angry.
"Excuse me?!" Ku hops to Kii. "Look at that thing and tell that to my face!"
"This place is safe. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Look. At. That. THING! WE GONNA DIE!"
"Welcome back, my lord. How was the hunt?" Kii directs himself to the wolf standing at the entrance.
"Eh?! Lord?! He is your lord!?"
"Seems you made a new friend, Kii. Well done in securing the owl."
"Indeed. She is a good listener. Your arrival made her silly though."
"HEY!" Ku interjected.
"Owl." The wolf pulls Ku's attention, soothing her adrenaline. "You must have learned that silence is valuable here. Tone it down."
The voice was impacting but not that overwhelming. Ku wondered. Was this wolf the creature they hid from before? No, clearly not… He came as silently as the flapping of a butterfly's wings. No way he was the one stomping the land.
"W-who are you?"
"I am the Night Hunter. The Exiled. The Light's Nightmare. The-"
"The Please Cut That Crap, please." Kii threw a bold insult to interrupt the wolf's presentation. An astounding silence erupts as the great predator snarls mildly.
"There, I said it."
"Kii, can't you see I am trying to appear cool? Asshole."
Things went from 100 to 0 so quickly after that little play. Ku was uncomfortable, but feeling a lot calmer after seeing how the wolf and Kii's relationship were weird.
"You're not evil?" Ku asked.
"Unless you give me a reason to be so, that depends."
"He's the type that hates everyone, but deep down loves everyone." Kii reveals.
"You're daring today, old friend. Care to shut the f*** up?"
The wolf walks in and makes himself comfortable in the open space of the den. He rests laying on his side with hind legs extended but with torso raised and supported on the front legs. Ku takes proper distance and keeps her silence. After all that, Ku couldn't deny the wolf was dangerous and yet majestic. Somehow he is not transmitting his wolfish side, and Ku wished not to see it.
Kii approaches the wolf and begins to climb his front paws. Slowly walking on the mighty beast's limb.
"My lord, you're hurt!" Kii points to the scar on the wolf's face. "Was it-"
"Yes, it was."
"Don't tell me you tried to eat him."
"I did. I was angry, okay?"
"You moron, stupid wolf! How can you be so rancorous?!"
Ku notices an ample scar on the wolf's cheek. The damage was made of a high heated tool. The skin was burned...
"You know I hate them. I could barely think at that time."
"You were supposed to bring them here safe and sound! Have you really ingested him?"
"What if I did?"
"Wait… What are you talking about?" Ku approaches fearing the worst. "Eat… who?"
The wolf shows a toothy grin seeing an opportunity to trigger Ku's rage.
"My lord, please don't."
"Your beloved spirit."
Kii slams his mask on the wolf's pellage.
"He is joking, child. Don't take him seriously."
"No…! Where is he!?" Ku becomes enraged. Feathers puffing to make her look larger and threatening.
"You have no idea how tasty spirit flesh is. Have you ever eaten one?"
"Where is he!?" Ku's furious expressions soften and become sad. The wolf snorts in disappointment but tries one more time.
"In my belly."
It didn't bring the desired effect of Ku enraging and invoking her Shadow energy. Instead, Ku directs herself to the wolf's middle. She takes a few seconds and begins calling her brother's name. Unable to hear Ori's voice from the other side she grows stressed with tears pouring forth. Soon to use her talons on the wolf as a feeble attempt to free him from the organic prison.
Kii shares a gaze of disapproval even if said gaze was hidden behind a mask. With a sigh, the wolf decides to stop playing and respect Ku's innocence.
"He is not there. Don't cry, owl."
Ku holds back tears. Hope comes back to her by learning that Ori is not stuck in there.
"Your spirit escaped me. I planned to bring him here partially digested. Kinda."
"My lord, you heard time and time again about the prophecies. You had the grand chance to find the spirit vulnerable and alone. Now he is probably surrounded… and listening to that frog."
"Why would you eat him? What did he do to you?!" Came the little stressed owlet questioning the wolf.
Ku had lost her fears because of her family love. Although she didn't understand much what was happening in general, she challenged a predator ten times her size or even larger.
"The one you call brother may never have mistreated me, but that doesn't free him from what he is: A pawn of the Light."
"He never did a bad thing! Mom always had good things to say about spirits!"
"Owl, there is much for you to learn."
Ku falls silent as the wolf rises with menacing anger, pressing the owlet against the wall. Meanwhile, Kii is climbing the wolf's head and sliding his forehead to sit on his muzzle.
"I could not hold back my rage. But I resisted the urge to kill in the spot."
"Okay, calm down." Kii tried to soothe the wolf by hitting the stick on his nose.
"I despise their superiority. I loathe their freedom at the top of the food chain. Spirits are so frail, why do I fall prey to these tiny beings and their god?"
"I'm gonna stab your nostril if you don't chill."
"I am Andronius! I serve no one! I am-"
Kii shoves the long wood stick down the wolf's nostril forcing them to whine and sneeze in discomfort. Kii is tossed away and now Ku fears Andronius would attack both of them. Intense brief seconds followed as the crimson eyes were fixed on them but no attacks were made. The wolf regains his composure, turns his back grumpily, and lays down to sleep.
"Child, worry not. The spirit is safe." Kii tries to comfort the owl after almost digging their own grave.
"How… how crazy can you be?" Ku asked, stunned.
"You mean that?" Kii looks at his wood stick. "My lord is ill-tempered, but he's a good boy."
"Good boy? Do you want to die?"
Kii laughs. "Oh, my sweet child. Everyone, even the most fearsome ones has a heart. What I do... is to keep our flames burning bright."
Ku falls silent shortly, it seemed these two shared much more than just tolerance or cooperation. Kii had informed, the wolf was a key presence in his life. What could these two have lived across together?
"Your lord… ahm… Andronius seems nice if given due time."
"You can call me Howl."
"Yes, sir!" Ku replied in obedience.
Pausing to think, Ku had completely forgotten the stench of the den and slowly started to fit into the temporary house. Still, the cold temperature only increased in these sunless woods. Ku wasn't resisting by herself. They must have a way, right? Ku brought herself to ask.
"How do you warm yourselves in this place?" She asked Kii.
"Come to me, owl."
Ku did not understand at first. "W-what did I do?" She asked, fearing she had provoked the wolf.
"Breathe easy. My lord may not look like it, but he is very warm. Come."
Kii walked and climbed the wolf's flank and stood on top, showing what Ku had to do to warm herself. Oh no, Ku denied that. She was NOT going to snuggle with Howl! Being so close was not one thing she was comfortable doing yet. Shyness, fear, and insufficient trust keep Ku separated from them in the far corner.
Ku understood that she can't deal with the temperature by herself. She tried to control her shivering, knowing clearly that she needed help. Slowly Ku reconsidered… Howl is a bit scary, but maybe he is not all that bad? Rejecting the offer of aid was not something she had the power to. She gathered courage while they talked to each other.
"My lord, how are we going to do this?"
"Kii, you worry too much. You know there are two in the prophecy. It does not only involve the Light."
"Yes, but… You know he may be in danger later on."
Howl feels a little force pushing on his chest. It seems the owlet put aside her fear. With a rejoicing grin, the wolf allowed Ku to make herself comfortable on the thick layers of soft fur of his chest. Allowing her to find warmth where she never expected in such a cursed land.
"Patience, old friend. We have the owl, we have what he seeks. It doesn't matter what he learns, you just have to show the truth."
"I pray it will be enough… Speaking of the owl, where is she?" Kii asked from the wolf's back.
"Under me. She already fell asleep."
"Oh, poor child… She must barely have slept the previous night."
Howl takes due care not moving too much to scare or hurt Ku.
"I commend Kuro for her courage. But It seems she too… did not escape. Unfortunate. At least she found harmony for her children to live with the Light..."
"Harmony… A word none of us know and never will. This land still feels the pain of every shadow owl. Of what that monstrosity did here…"
"Let's not lament. We shall recover from this. Maybe this hardened soil can bathe in sunlight again. And if not, may all find somewhere else to stay. Including you, Kii."
"I am never leaving your side, Andronius. I am today and always, your loyal servant."
Howl chuckles. "You titled yourself like this."
"I have. As did my brothers that you protected."
"Protected, huh? Remember me why you're the last survivor of your tribe."
"I am sure that I need not explain that."
"Fair enough." Howl laughs. "A storm is approaching, Kii. Prepare yourself for what is to come. I trust you to guide the owl."
"As you command, my lord."
They focus on the exit, to the outside world and gather determination to challenge the ruined land when time proved right.
"The silence will be broken."
Like a premonition, Howl's snarling battle cry travels with the wind to reach the one that could aid them in achieving freedom for a new tomorrow. From the somber silent woods to the Wellspring Glades, where a spirit and a moki set foot out of safe grounds to reach their goal.
Ori stops like he had heard the message. He gazes around at the sky, and surrounding flora but is unable to comprehend what he just heard.
"Is something wrong, Ori?" Asked Mokk.
"I… I think I heard a voice. Somehow it was not unfamiliar to me…"
"You hear things? Maybe sleeping in the rain wetted your brain? Or was it the howler?"
"The wolf? Hm, maybe. It wasn't so different, to be honest."
"The howler curse!" Mokk pretends to be scared. "What are we gonna do?!"
"Curse?" Ori ponders. "For what I could see, the wolf was not affected by Decay. But enough of that. Show me the way, Mokk. Time is of the essence."
"Aiyo! let's-a-go! Let's get clean waters for us to drink again! Mokk the Brave will show the way! For I am Mokk the Brave!" The moki laughs heroically.
Ori smiles at Mokk's funny but sincere way to raise their spirits in his silly way. It was strangely fun to hear. Mokk certainly shined on his way. Even for a creature born Lightless. Determined to reach Ku, Ori braces himself for whatever is to come.
"I am coming, Ku. Please hold on a little longer."
And off they went. To the Wellspring Mill.
...