Attention to the wind, to the surroundings, to the earth, and the skies, Ori could not let his guard down. So focused Ori was that he increased his pace, almost running towards the objective.
"Hey, Ori, can you slow down a bit?" Mokk asked, trying to catch up to the spirit's faster pace, pushing away the forest's bushes and hopping over roots and stones.
Ori listens and allows Mokk to catch up. "Sorry, I am just worried."
"About the little owl?"
Ori takes a moment, looking away. "Yes."
Mokk notices the heavy air of guilt on him, it should do good for him to rest for a few minutes. Since the recent fight, Ori hasn't stopped for anything and only pushed himself to go faster and faster. Not entirely his fault; a dear one disappearing was something Mokk felt as well.
"Look, let's take a short break," Mokk suggests placing a hand over Ori's shoulder. "Just five minutes and we can continue."
It wouldn't be bad at all to at least catch their breaths, so Ori concurs. Making sure that they were safe from the forest's ill state, both settled on the high branches of a leafy tree. One that looked healthy and strong. They could see everything below nicely while they could get a cover of leaves hiding them.
"Here is a good place." Mokk commented, rummaging his bag and grabbing a small waterskin. "Here, drink a little."
Ori observed the offered water receptacle, noticing that he could use some water to quench the thirst after all the earlier rush. Ori accepted the water and began drinking, gulp after gulp, emptying the container and ending with a satisfied sigh.
"There we go. Feeling better?" Mokk asked, receiving back the waterskin.
"Many thanks again. I needed that." Ori replied with a grin.
"No problem!" Mokk playfully said, guarding the container.
"How do you get clean water for everybody, Mokk? I mean… the waters here are not that safe."
"We boil it!" Mokk replied right away. "We boil the water to cleanse much of the dirt and bacteria. Then we leave it to cool on a clean recipient. Grom is the one who helps us a lot with that."
"Oh, I'm glad to know. Soon you won't need to boil it anymore. I would be happy to see everyone having water to drink as they please."
"We thank you for your help. We wished not to burden you, but nobody was able to get much done in years.
Ori shows a distinct worry. If nobody managed to do it, how would he be any different? In one way, maybe Ori mustn't worry at all, since he had practiced and learned how to handle many kinds of trouble and opponents, but not the true experience. Anxiety arrives and Ori asks himself if he is truly capable of doing it.
"Hey, If it is okay with you, can you tell me more about your owl?" Mokk asked, taking the conversation to a new way and calming the spirit's racing mind.
"Well, she isn't just my owl, but my sister."
"Sister? Oh, adoption!" Mokk realized joyously.
"Yeah. My family and I adopted her after a great conflict. Her mother…" Ori feels an ache upon remembering.
"Hey, it's okay." Mokk reassured him. "Sometimes, life gets rough, I feel you. She must be happy that you could take her under your wing."
Under your wing, a warm grin formed on the spirit's face. Somehow those words had an uplifting impact.
"I know how it is. I work with children most of the time and let's say… every day is a surprise. At least it never gets boring." Mokk shared proudly.
"You must have a difficult time, no? Different from me, you look after many."
"It gets easier with experience. The trick is to always keep them interested in something so they don't disperse. If one is intrigued, so shall be all others!"
"Just like I was to them, right?" Ori remembered.
"That's right. And bet that they will swarm you again at any given chance. I hope that's okay!" Mokk giggled.
"It's fine, really. My experience playing with a baby owl has been great too, so I think I can be flexible with them. I think Ku would love to meet them. She is a playful owl that loves sweets and storytimes."
"That sounds lovely. Another friend to keep them in place." Mokk laughed. "Say, I am not an expert on owls, but of what kind is she?"
"A Dark Owl. The kind that has prowess dominating the shadows."
Mokk grows surprised. "Really? But these are huge, right?"
"Their babies are small and fluffy, it takes some time for them to get to that size."
"Ah, I see." Mokk tilts one ear to the side, a little pained for him. "I know for sure that she must be well. Dark Owls are strong and witted, after all."
Ori wished not to drown in worry again, he brought himself to calm down and refocus.
"It's alright. I may not know how she is… but I'll not give in to despair. Let's go Mokk, the Mill awaits us."
"Okay."
Ori descends from the tree and awaits as Mokk remains at the treetop for a few more seconds, reflecting...
"I thought these owls were extinct…" Mokk muttered under his breath. Would it be right to let him know? No, it would only make things worse. Mokk would only pray that when he sees their abandoned home, he doesn't lose hope. Mokk soon hops down to the forest floor and both of them proceed.
You are a clever owl, Ku. I know you're well. Just hold on a little more… Ori said to himself on the run, now closer than ever to the grand structure. Ori and Mokk stop by a high point to see it in better detail. The day was reaching high noon, and dusk would follow rapidly.
"This thing is so huge. Who made this?" Ori asked.
"Nobody knows." Replied Mokk. "It's said to be here since ancient times. Maybe even before Kwolok."
Ori's eyes zoomed from point to point on the structure; there were too many wheels to count. Some were spinning without purpose while others, frozen still by the Decay vines. Its walls seemed to be made of fine wood. The doors, round and greatly sized. Whoever made it was a huge fellow.
Carpentry was something Ori never learned much about. He had seen woodcraft before, like the airship Zephyr but this had to be on another level. The impressive part was that it meant no harm to the forest and as from its purpose, the mill teaches the waters to flow.
"Well, about the mill, " Mokk began. "there were those who overlooked it in ages past too."
Ori pays attention to Mokk's insight.
"They were the Hui tribe, a humble tribe of monkeys that were dear to the Light. They were physically strong and agile, they serviced willingly in many tasks around, one which was to supervise the waterworks."
"Oh, were they that built it?" Ori asked.
"Nah, I think it was the Gorleks. The large doors tell me something like that."
"But the Gorleks are not that big. At least, not Grom."
"That's... a good point" Mokk ponders. "Then I was wrong all this time?"
"And what about those Hui? Are they well?"
"With time, I learned that many fell in service. But they still exist, like Opher."
"Who's Opher?" Ori asked, and the individual appeared.
"Woooooo!" A creature looking like a baboon comes swinging from vine to vine and lands close to them. Ori gets scared by the Hui's arrival. "Did I hear my name?"
"Talk about the devil." Mokk rolled his eyes. "This is Opher, protector of the Glades."
Opher had a mane of white fur around his pink face and a long mustache and beard. Opher wears brown clothing and wields a bamboo staff, with a piece of string attached to it. And additionally, golden eyes, just like Meena and a few others had.
"My eyes deceive me?" Opher began to stage a dramatic scene suddenly as he marveled at the form of a spirit guardian for the first time. "I am blessed to meet such beauty! Oh, who am I to doubt the-"
"Shut it, bachelor prince. Behave yourself." Mokk interjects.
"You shut it, Mokk! Leave me be!"
Opher then faces Ori and bows down with his head touching the ground.
"Oh, I beg your utmost pardon! My eyes feasted in such holiness and I-"
Mokk steps on the monkey's head. Interrupting the scene yet again.
"You're embarrassing me! Stop that! Act properly before a spirit guardian!"
Both Mokk and Opher grew annoyed by each other.
"Wanna fight, insolent rat?" The baboon invited Mokk to rumble, and it kinda seemed to be a common and friendly behavior towards the moki.
"I'm down. I'll have you learn how to rehearse a better presentation than that shit show!" Mokk replied, making a frowned face to match Opher's taunt.
Ori was feeling out of place, but he also felt that it was nothing serious. Mokk and Opher seemed like rivals or just weird friends.
"Hm… guys?" He called the two, but Mokk and Opher began a childish brawl over the place. Growing irritated, Ori yelled for them to stop it.
Miraculously, the two cease the little fight. "We beg your forgiveness!" Both of them say with heads slammed to the ground and finally regaining their composure.
"Ahem." Mokk cleared his throat. "This stup - guy here, is a member of the Hui tribe that served Her Grace in ages past. As I had said, they are good combatants but this one only knows to put that staff in business he's not invited to!"
"Ha! I am protecting Meena from your unholiness! She deserves better!"
Mokk frowns like he was stung where it hurts most. An immensely annoyed moki emerges. Anger veins pop on his head.
"You insufferable... Are you happy? Do you rejoice in the pain of others!?"
"Actually, just you! Only the bad and worst to you!" Opher releases a monkey's laughter.
Mokk struggles to relax his annoyed face. "That's why I give your bananas to the children! Leaving none for you!"
Opher gasps. "No! It was you all along?!"
"Really?! You only discovered it now?! How dumb can you be?!"
"You evil monster! I demand retribution!"
"You will demand only for mercy after I wreck your face!"
And back to the brawl, they went. Each on a scratching, gnawing frenzy. Ori was mildly amused but sighted as he had no control over the two. He gave them a little space as their childish fight was to last a few more minutes. Insults and taunts flew about and that ended up being an entertaining show. Even getting a laugh to escape from the spirit.
Eventually, Mokk and Opher came down from their fuss and started behaving. Both making peace for now at last, or until the next spark ignited a new surge of agitation.
"I have heard of many tales regarding the combat prowess that spirits possess. I hold great expectations on you, spirit guardian." Opher said with gleaming eyes like a super fan. "Oh, or should I say Ori."
"Uh… Yeah, thanks." Ori replied nervously, honestly not knowing how to respond.
"We could even spar here and now!" Opher added. "I am always open for a combat session. A shame nobody seems interested."
"It is because it is in your genes to fight." Mokk informed. "I don't know how your kind won Her Grace's favor in ages past, but it's annoying how much you like to fight."
"You're annoying!" Opher retorted.
"No, you!" And Mokk responded. The sparks of the odd rivalry escape anew.
"You guys seem like good friends!" Ori commented with a smile.
"I HATE HIM!" They tell Ori, pointing to each other.
"In any case!" This time Ori intervened before the brawl restarted. "I am no stranger to fighting, so we can spar later, Opher."
"It would be my honor! I am eager to serve!"
"Serve?" Ori asked, perplexed.
"Why, yes. We, Hui, only wish to serve Her Grace's will as well for all spirits."
Ori exchanged a look to Mokk and the moki does not correct Opher. That was no lie. "He also lacks coherence every now and then, don't mind it."
"What will?" Ori asked.
Opher surprisingly takes a good moment to gather his thoughts. Looking confused. "Uh… We serve so… what again? Uh…"
"It's almost funny how you don't know what you say." Mokk said. "Before you burn your monkey brain, we are going to see the Mill. Wanna come, Opher? If not, get the hell away."
"What did you say?! I am here to protect your useless arse so you don't slow down the mission. It would be far better to go back home and leave the strong to work."
"I have been here since the start! Didn't you see the tracks of battle just a few meters from here?"
"I did, and I know you didn't do shit."
Mokk was pissed, but that was the last straw. "Why you…!" He snarled and went forward to fight.
"Okay, that's enough!" Ori separated them. "The three of us are going there! Mokk will aid us with information while Opher offers protection. I will go ahead and explore and possibly, get rid of the corruption there. Was I clear?
"Wo! Yes sir!" Opher agreed militarily.
"Okay. But why do I get stuck with this guy?"
"No objections! Let's go!" Ori ordered and they were back on track. Mokk still had a pissed face, however.
"You should learn to behave, pipsqueak."
"Shut up, baboon."
"Do you want a banana?" Opher offers the fruit, slowly getting Mokk's attention. Until provoked enough, Mokk accepted and began eating it with angry eyes.
"...Thanks."
"You're welcome!"
Opher giggled, getting Mokk to growl but they behaved like good friends. Ori smiled at their style of conversing. It was problematic and heated, but there was no doubt they were bonded in one way or another. Quite a unique duo. And as they finally made progress, the surrounding area of the Mill, of course, had diverse even more troublesome creatures. Again, from the insect kingdom, large praying mantis visibly mutated by Decay patrolled the area. Their front legs looked especially sharp and scary, with purplish-colored skin instead of green.
Not only them but more of those so-called skeetos flew around. Entering the Mill wouldn't be that easy it seemed.
"Okay, do you guys think we can go unnoticed?" Ori asked while Opher and Mokk followed behind.
"Hard to say. Opher seldom prefers the silent option." Mokk replied.
"Really? Why is that?" Ori looked behind him, sighting Mokk, but not Opher. "Wait, where is he?"
Mokk pointed upward, to a high tree.
"Here I gooooo! For glory!" The baboon's voice filled the air and so he appeared swinging into action. He lands smashing one of the creatures and becomes the center of attention quickly. He wields the wooden staff and taunts every surrounding foe. "Bring it on!"
"What!? We gotta help him!" Ori felt concerned, but once looking at the fight again, Opher… had superior control. Which made him study the situation.
Mokk rolled his eyes. "Hmph, exhibitionist."
Opher not only showed incredible courage to face so many deadly foes at once but also had the lead and dictate the pace of combat. Swinging and spinning the staff, Opher created distance and attacked from afar. Agile and slippery as a monkey, Opher easily took each foe out one by one. The mantises possessed fragile limbs and Opher made good use of that, striking precisely where it would hurt most and inhibit the creature powerlessly. The skeetos had the most advantage thanks to their aerial dives, but little they could contribute in taking the baboon down. Opher dodged their swoop and sharp proboscis, putting them down swiftly.
It all happened in a handful of moments, and Opher stood above the creatures with glee.
"I'm the boss! That is right!" Opher flexed his victory, mostly to his opponents. Ori and Mokk soon approached.
"That was amazing, Opher!" Ori began, and the baboon immediately toned his victorious joy down, trying to be respectful.
"I am undeserving of such words. I simply took care of unimportant foes. A spirit guardian shouldn't bother with such trash."
"...Okay?" Ori felt awkward. Those creatures were weak? Ori didn't know how to deal with them like that!
With the baboon's words, Mokk sensed a weird atmosphere that could possibly be harmful around Ori and Opher, so Mokk decided to speak up. "Hm, I am aware we never have seen a spirit before, Opher, but couldn't you stop this formality?" Mokk goes closer to whisper. "Also, manners on that heavy faith of yours. Don't pressure him."
"Oh my, I was just showing respect, but I see your point." Opher clears his throat. "I will strive to be more humble."
"That's good… Yeah, just try to keep it cool, okay?" The moki was relieved that Opher could open up to see other points of view. So much that he expressed a strong reaction of relief exhaling in a big phew.
Mokk had already seen that Ori was not a glorified soldier or fighter, but also a living being with weaknesses and flaws. Mokk feared that Opher would put too much pressure on Ori with such expectation to see a spirit in battle. If in any circumstance Ori were to disappoint Opher, Mokk would be pissed if the baboon would lack respect at the said moment.
"Let us move, friends. Today we shall return with great news for the people in the glades!" Opher took the lead
And so they went in and entered the Mill...
…
Meanwhile at Nibel things had grown uncomfortable for the search party. The time for reuniting had arrived and no fireworks were fired to signal success to find the siblings. To the north, at Mount Horu's region, Ario spent extra minutes dedicating himself to the search.
Almost... I feel like I can almost hear her chirp or a exhale of his breath. But as I dug every corner I could, my mind became desperate. After some time, I couldn't even distinguish the sound of a normal bird from a dark owl. And much less… of a young spirit. Strangely, it feels like I haven't heard his voice in years. It hasn't even been a day, and yet… I feel restless like it has been much longer.
Damn it! Why do I keep hearing things? Every bird I hear is not Ku, every creature I see is not Ori. I call around the tranquil woods, scaring animals and letting the winds carry my words, but it little seems to aid me. Dusk was arriving quickly and I should be going back. Stopping to think, I didn't hear my firework signal being fired, therefore… they haven't had luck either.
There are no tracks of hooves that I haven't tracked or checked. The last one I had found guided me to a nest of armored rams. So far no luck, no traces of their whereabouts. There was nothing for me to search for.
…I feel so lost in worry. I can't imagine how Naru must feel.
With the sour taste in my mouth, I learned that it was useless to keep searching. They were not here, I made certain of it. My last hope is to ask for help from Yali and Sein, but I wonder if they would be willing to make a deep search across the entire forest after them. Last time it had grievous impacts, but this time Yali would not be surprised by an enraged owl. I made my way back with a weight in my chest I never felt before. And I can say that this is the same pain Naru feels.
Back at our rendezvous point, I meet nobody. Franz, Daruk, or Layla were nowhere to be found. I realized that I took too long to return. I decide to take a new turn and head to the heart of the forest. Luckily, I find them reunited with Sein.
"There you are. We were waiting for you, please be welcomed." Sein greeted Ario. "I am aware of the occurrence."
"Guys… No luck?" Ario questioned his crew present and they replied with a shake of their heads. Sadly not even a single clue was out there. Ario bit his lips in anxiety and directed himself to Sein.
"Hello, Sein, please, help us. Can you..." Ario's voice quivers. "Can you please search across the forest? I will protect you if you so need it."
Sein takes a moment, letting her light shine and transmit calmness to the troubled spirit.
"We feel the same worry, dear. Please try to calm down. You won't be able to proceed with a staggered form."
Sein had the attention of those involved. With Ario regaining composure, Sein had information that none of them could gather.
"Friends, allow me to tell you that Ori is alive. His light still shines somewhere. Our link hasn't been severed." Sein moved a hand to her chest of her spirit form as a gesture that she was just as afflicted. "As for Ku, I can't feel her but I pray that she is okay"
Naru struggled on Gumo's support, walking forth with difficulty. "Do you… do you know where they went?"
Sein takes a new moment, pained for the mother. "Naru, I invite you to rest. Your health will be compromised if you keep forcing yourself awake."
"I am fine! I don't need sleep."
Sein approaches a hand towards Naru, resting it at her cheek. "You're a brave mother. But this time, I wish you to be safe, okay?" Sein's words danced for Naru. "Rest here and when you awake, Ori and Ku will be in your arms. Do you trust me?"
Naru almost immediately felt the calming energies of Sein coursing from the soft touch on her face. Quickly, sleep replaced the adrenaline of worry and Naru stopped fighting.
"I… do…" Naru replied sleepily. "Please… save them."
And then, Naru closed her eyes, finally to meet her required rest.
"Gumo, please watch over her."
Gumo returns with a determined nod. And so Sein returns to Ario with new information. Sein takes a long moment as she struggles to form words to explain.
"Forgive me for such a display of my part. Naru has all rights to participate but I won't make her risk herself again. With her asleep, I feel a bit more secure."
"We understand. We can solve this before she grows far too stressed." Ario commented and moved to business." So, you know something?" He asked with a hint of nervousness, expecting the worst.
"They… are not in Nibel." Sein replied.
And that, of course, had the expected shock on those present. At least it wasn't enough to consider the case doomed just yet. But many things had to be considered. Firstly… how?
"That flight… I honestly can't believe it. Ku left Nibel?" Ario asked in disbelief. "She is an owlet! As Daruk had said, she shouldn't be able to fly far or even be able to withstand the wind currents."
"Indeed," Sein replied respectfully. "No bird in such age could endure travels further than a few yards away from their nest in their first flight. However, Ku is no mere bird. She is Kuro's child and certainly has an elevated endurance just as the mother."
"I can understand that, knowing how Kuro was. But Ori went with her. He would stop her if things would get out of normal!"
"In one aspect I wish you understand, Ori is also young, an adolescent in touch with his inner child. And by that, he probably enjoyed the experience and allowed the fun to prolong. My deepest fear is that something had struck them and dragged them to the unknown."
"Is there any way we can know the way they headed?" Layla asked.
"Perhaps we can." Sein returned. "Moments before I lost sight of them, a flock of migrating birds were headed southwest. To the same direction they went."
"Ku used to observe many flocks of birds flying." Layla commented. "You think she followed one of them?"
"Precisely."
"But these birds… Ku flew into the open sea!?" Ario asked spooked, gathering details. "I cannot believe it!"
"Be calm, I too don't want to believe, but I am certain that they were not taken by the ocean. No matter how well Ori could swim or allow himself to float, Ku would not resist. Since plenty of hours have passed since then, I can say with almost absolute certainty that they arrived on land."
That had been a rollercoaster so far to them. Keeping calm, they tried to formulate a plan to be able to search for the siblings.
"We can pick the Zephyr right away!" Franz gave the idea. "Let us check every island to the southwest!"
"My thoughts exactly." Daruk complimented the quito's quick suggestion. "Better worry while searching than standing still."
"Yes! We should start right away!" Layla added.
"Hold." Ario interrupted and returned to Sein. "Sein, to the southwest lies a grand forest… Not Kainar, and not Friol. The 'neighbor' of Nibel, if I can say."
Sein looks to the sunny skies breathing deeply as if she mustered the strength to say something.
"Niwen." She completed. "This is a very likely chance. Niwen is the closest forest to us and truly, I wish I could discard this possibility. Ku shouldn't be able to sustain a trip there. Niwen is located miles away and yet… my heart can't rest on the possibility."
"Kuro and the dark owls are native to Niwen." Ario recalled. "We know that Kuro flew from there to here, a difficult task for an owl, but perhaps, you're right, Sein. These owls are no joke regarding their power." Ario remembered his encounters with Kuro. "I was not present when I had to leave you that fiery day. Sein, I must ask you what you've learned about Kuro, and about Niwen."
Sein knew the day would come. The day she would share the words Kuro said to her that difficult night. With Ario seeking details about the dark owl, he certainly considers Niwen to be the next searching place. Not to finally begin the quest Yali had asked for help, but to find Ori and Ku.
"Very well." Sein agreed, taking a new deep breath. "Please mind that I don't have the whole picture and I collected whatever pieces were available to me."
Sein gathered her thoughts, wishing to inform them without consuming too much time in order to start the search soon.
"During the battle, we learned that she sought a second chance. I can't be certain of what she fought against. The Decay wasn't her only foe..." Sein stops momentarily." 'The Decay is not the only miasma of this world', she had told us. And the second force that Kuro meant was… the Light."
"Wait, wisps commonly are not aggressive. You think the owls were fighting for power?" Daruk asked.
Sein takes a moment, turning her back and facing the Spirit Tree. She rests a hand on the tree's hardened bark and feels the life-giving energies running through. To one regard Sein looks pained for something like she loathes or laments a weight of old. "No. In the way Kuro shared her thoughts, the owls were not the one who threw the first stone."
Sein returns to face the group.
"I know my sister... And I have a strong suspicion of what made the turmoil of hatred so strong in Kuro. Seir assaulted the dark owls."
Sein remembered that Kuro had "time burrowed". If Sein deducted it right, somehow Kuro was allowed to live for a much longer span than she could with the price of her loved one. Sein couldn't be certain what that meant exactly.
Ario becomes more serious letting his worried self sit to the side for now. "Are you sure? Kuro told you something like that?"
"I can't be completely sure, but I fear that Niwen is in great peril. Much worse than what Nibel had lived. Kuro managed to escape Seir, but all of her kind didn't have the same luck. Whatever may be the reason, the dark owls can also be in danger."
Ario begins to worry again. Thoughts amassing unstoppably. This can't be good. What's up in Niwen since then? If Ori and Ku arrived there...
"I wished not to consider Ori and Ku ending up in such troubled land. But if they did so, the only option left is to take them out of there. We will make preparations to depart immediately." Ario announced.
"One more thing I think you should learn." Sein spoke. "Seir is one to value strength above everything else, if you are to seek an audience, you may need to battle your way to her."
"I was not thinking of asking her anything. Do you recommend that I do so? To ask where Ori and Ku are?" Ario questioned.
Sein reconsiders, afraid. "Definitely not. Keep Ku hidden from her at all costs!"
"Understood. Considering how Seir could be, we will not try to pull her attention. We will only fight when it is crucial, otherwise, we will remain low. We're leaving."
And with that, the conversation had reached its conclusion. The crew began to move and prepare themselves. Yet Sein felt reluctant but dared to speak.
"One last thing." She calls them with determined eyes. "I am going too."
...