That same evening, at a concealed cave under unnatural night skies, Ku had awakened from rest. She left Howl's warm underside, stretching her wings wide, ready to spend her energies. The great wolf behind Ku remained laying down with front paws crossed, observing her chirp after a good rest. It was comforting to know she had slept well despite the recent occasions.

However, her joy soon shifted to a concern, the same as she had when arriving at this strange place. There was no sunlight outside, the place was still so cold. This was not her home. Howl noticed her change of mood and it couldn't be helped. Yet, he reached down his head towards the small owl facing away and gave her a little push along with a wide and quick lick. Trying to say that everything will be alright.

Ku reacts surprised and turns around to meet the wolf's nose up close, doing a new little push on her. "Hey. What are you doing?"

Howl retreats and exhales loudly without responding. Howl seemed to be deep in thoughts and finally replied with a sleepy yawn, returning to sleep.

"You mustn't worry." Kii presented himself. "Canines often lick those they care for. He's in a friendly mood."

"Oh, okay." Ku felt calmer and watched the great wolf return to dozing. Things hadn't changed much since she had arrived. Ori hasn't come yet and outside was too creepy to even consider going. These little pokes of discomfort were building up. So far from home and family, Ku had no choice but to try to know better those who share with her company. Kii in her eyes was a big friend of the wolf, Howl; A very old monkey that uses a walking stick to support himself. Also wears a stone mask for unknown reasons.

And on the other side, there is the big wolf, Howl. He has a variety of titles and Howl isn't his actual name. Little Ku knew about him in general despite being strong and fearsome. With a touch of meekness towards those he trusts.

Ku wanted to know them better, but Howl was now sleeping. So she tried to analyze Kii for a convo topic. It would help pass the time while they wait. The first thing that Ku looks at is the stone mask Kii wears, and in it, there seems to be some sort of drawings. It seemed to be a variety of different smiling faces.

"Kii, what are the drawings on your mask?" Ku began.

Kii seemed to be easily captivated by the topic. "Oh, these are the smiles of my brethren."

That proved to be interesting so far! Ku just learned something. "You have a family!"

"I do." Kii laughs shortly at her overjoyed response. "Each face carved in this mask represents one of my relatives."

Ku went forward and counted each face resulting in nine in total. That was a large family to her.

"There are so many! It must be a lively family when united. When do you get to see them?"

That question was rather difficult for Kii to reply to.

"Only through these carvings. These smiling faces are all that I have."

Ku hadn't understood. "I mean when do you get to see them?"

"Unfortunately, they are no longer among us."

"How come? Are they too far away?"

"They are dead." Howl took the liberty to answer what Kii struggled to. And knowing this truth bothered Ku. She was uncomfortable and delved in silence.

"Jeez, you could have worded it differently."

"The best way to get a message across on an unpalatable matter is, to be frank."

Kii went to Ku and gently patted her head.

"I am sorry… I just wanted to talk." Ku lowered her tone, feeling guilty.

"Don't listen to him. He's a bore sometimes."

"But… you don't feel sad?"

"Hoho, you are very sympathetic for a child. But don't worry about me, the important thing is to always remember what you have left. That way, there will be less space for grief as life moves on."

"And… What do you have left? Your family is gone..."

"I have this home." Kii replied. "I have yours and Howl's company. I have… the memories that I built with them. Everything builds up in amelioration."

Ku looks genuinely confused by the last word. "A… aeliodation?"

Kii chortled at Ku's way to pronounce the word. "Amelioration is a process that one thrives to make something better. Be it physical or emotional. When you are brought down, remember what you still have left, and work on improving yourself. In time, you'll see that the good lasts longer and the bad will hurt for less time."

"Still, it must be hard."

"Everything passes, young one. The pain, the sorrow, and happiness. They all come and go, like people, like day and night. In the end, our mission is to always look forward."

Ku seemed a little happier like she was reflecting on what she had just heard. Kii wanted to keep talking to her so before the silence could stretch for too long, he initiated a new conversation.

"Tell me, how do you live with your family?"

Talking about herself was inviting enough. Ku was ready to say it all. And she unleashes herself to talk. She begins presenting those who live with her, those she knows, and how her home is. She talks about the pranks she used to do with uncle Gumo together with Ori back at home. How Naru was always on point with their food. How things were so good back at home and how she missed it dearly. To be now lost in a scary forest without anything familiar was difficult and Kii tried to lower that cargo on her back by listening to her.

She does say how the company of her elder brother was always soothing, she didn't know why. But sleeping in the same nest was always awesome, she'd fall asleep in mere seconds once both of them were settled. Kii was intrigued, what effects exist by just standing close to a spirit? He never had the opportunity to learn about it.

"I can't really explain. It feels calming, I feel safe. I never had a problem sleeping during the nights."

"An owl sleeping at night." Howl laughed by himself.

"Fascinating." Kii returned and mused. "Maybe the light of spirits can affect us in certain ways? I would say that by their nature to be guardians of the lightless."

"Hmph. Spirit guardians served me only headaches." Howl grunted annoyed.

"What do you mean? You have a spirit in your family too?" Ku innocently asked.

"I never had. Much because I never trusted them." Howl said back. "It is fairly easy for a spirit to be insolent to others since they are protected by their wisps. Attacking one of them can turn your life upside down, even if it would be in self-defense."

"Spirits are not free from irritating or disrespectful behavior. We all know that. They are mortals just like us, it all depends how they are raised." Kii shared.

"Speak for yourself. You were never attacked by them before."

"Surely, misbehavior is no excuse to be harmful to others. There are worse cases. But I think I've said enough."

"Howl, I am sorry if you were bothered before." Ku tried to comfort the great wolf. "But I promise you that Ori is not like that. I hope you give him a chance. I think you two would be great friends! That would give you peace of mind!"

The wolf was charmed by the proposal although he doesn't show it. To have peace of mind was always a dream so far away from Howl. And probably will never be reachable. Still, hearing such words was sweet, aiding Howl to begin to believe even if just a bit.

"Everything can improve! So let's all work for our aemeration!"

Kii and Howl listened attentively to the little owl. Both were content to hear her talk and break the silence just a little, warming the place with a bit of life.

"Beginning with this place!" Ku announced her plans and Howl was a little surprised seeing her a thousand times better.

"So, we have this boring cave that barely has illumination. I was thinking of actually moving somewhere else where there is sun and life. Maybe a bit more of colors and such!"

"You changed too quickly."

"Dear me, she is looking forward to it." Kii laughs.

"You know, Howl. Mom always said that we can always use good friends in our lives and I wish you to get some."

"Exactly how do you expect me to do that?"

"Being less scary overall. And probably smiling more often."

"I will take your advice, little owl. By the way… what is your name?"

"I'm Ku!" She presented herself excitedly.

"I see." Howl wags his tail one more time. "Tell me more about you, Ku. And your relationship with spirits."

Ku would gladly oblige as she shared every detail about her home and family. In this meantime, Kii observed that Ku had a lack of feathers on one of her wings. Soon he realized that she is not able to fly and talking about it must hurt her. He mused, how come she arrived here if she can't fly? Or perhaps where is the missing factor that allowed her to arrive in this place?

Perhaps it roamed out there, hopefully in the right hands.

…

Right after passing by the entrance, Ori, Mokk, and Opher were welcomed by the great machinery interior of the Wellspring Mill tangled in roots and blight. The place was larger than expected and they were required to find the exact source of the decay's corruption.

"The place is larger than I expected." Opher said as he glanced around with Ori and Mokk.

"This place is unusual. How many gorleks must have been united to build all of this?" Mokk wondered.

Ori breathed deeply to focus up. He had to be agile to solve this problem and hurry up to Ku. "Well, at least it is quite quiet here. But keep your guards up. There is no telling what awaits in here."

Mokk and Opher agree and they all search around for any clues to get to the goal. Beginning the walls around had a surprising number of scrolls all piled in rows. Opher was the first to see them and couldn't resist checking it.

"Oh, look at that! Is this old knowledge of something? It is very hard to read…"

"What is it?" Mokk arrived curiously and checked the scroll Opher held. "Hm, Opher… this is unreadable. The texts have worn out as the parchment grew older. Whatever it is, was made hundreds of years ago."

"Shoot, maybe it could have information to who built this whole thing."

While Opher and Mokk chatted about the mill's curious records, Ori went to check another curious thing about the place. And was also repugnant. The decay vines were everywhere, stretching from west to east in the great structure. The ceiling had many of them dangling from something. The appendages were thick and looked more like a tentacle than a vine, it radiated trouble and the same feeling of what attacked Nibel once.

Ori analyzed the many objects to be gears and wheels that should be rotating.

Opher and Mokk approach and observe the same vines Ori took a bit of time to check.

"These vines belong to Decay, right? They look disgusting." Mokk said.

"Hm, I would certainly never swing on a vine like that one. Nu-uh." Opher shook his head.

"Guys, maybe if we get rid of the vines, the mill would work again?" Ori asked.

"We shall see." Mokk replied. "But we require something like fire to get rid of it, right?"

"Wo, if we get fire here, the whole thing will burn!"

"Do not worry. I think I have the solution."

The flames of purification. Ori had an ace up his sleeve for that. Still, the warning he had remembered is that Sein's flames work like any normal fire. It just burns the impurity of Decay thrice as fast while it works normally to anything else.

"Wo, I can't wait to see this!" Opher said excitedly. He always wanted to see a guardian spirit in action.

Ori went closer to the vine and summoned his flaming blade. Opher was in awe of the blade's appearance and how it shone like a torch.

Ori concentrated and needed not to cut the vine per se. All that was required was to spread the flame. Approaching the blade's heat to the vile tendril, it twitches like it was in discomfort. The three are taken by surprise.

"Hey, it lives!" Mokk took three steps back.

"Yeah, that's quite creepy." Opher said, picking up his nose.

"Stop that!" Mokk asked disgustedly, taking two new steps away from the monkey.

Despite the surprising reaction that the decayed vine was somehow 'alive', Ori couldn't back away. He went decisively and brought the flame to it. Almost immediately the flames combust and spread across the length of the tendril. It twitches disturbed as it does not release the machinery of the mill in any way and begins to disintegrate. Fortunately, the flames went after decay matter only and didn't spread to the mill's wood.

The flames kept chasing the whole vine until snap! The vine severed itself to prevent the flame from continuing.

"Oh, how clever!" Mokk commented. "It preserved itself by cutting off the limb."

"The fact that it is not a super complicated nonliving mass of corruption makes me sick." Opher followed with his opinion.

"Well, it is almost everything you said, just that it certainly lives!"

"Damn it, Mokk!"

It was obnoxious. Decay often had surprises in the littlest things and Ori thanked the skies for it not going rampant and flailing about.

Okay… How am I going to do this? It would be simple to just burn what doesn't belong here, but the way it reacted forces me to consider it is not a simple vine. What possibly could have spawned it? I grow a bit anxious diving in thoughts, but I cannot show it to Mokk or Opher. Before I realize I feel like I want to run away.

I take deep breaths, okay… just relax. They're counting on me. This kind of pressure was one I never felt before, but nothing I can't handle.

Wish I had your aid, Sein!

I shake off this feeling of helplessness and focus back. I am grown and able to do much, much more than in my early years. I am thankful for Ario spending all that time with me and showing me new ways to combat. The problem is, I don't feel like battling anything here.

"You okay, Ori?" Opher asked with a hand on the spirit's shoulder, giving Ori a quick scare that Ori was able to hide.

"Yes, yes! I'm fine. I was… just thinking how to proceed."

"Wo, that's good. With a guardian spirit like you with us, there is nothing to fear!"

Opher goes ahead to a new way that proved clear with the burning of the tendril. A stairway leading up.

Mokk stayed behind and waited for Ori to come. But the reluctance to make the next move took him time, so Mokk decided to check on him.

"Hey, man, you okay?"

Mokk understood almost immediately that a spirit, unlike the stories they have been told, wasn't so engaged to dive in danger for the sake of their forest. Ori had lowered ears and a fearful expression. That was fascinating to say at least. Perhaps the tales didn't tell everything.

"You know, Kwolok has told us many things about guardian spirits and their willingness to give their lives for our forest without thinking twice. When I look at you, I see that you possess the same courage. Just that you require something to unleash it."

"Mokk, you don't feel nervous?" Ori asked, revealing his worried side.

"I would be trembling on my paws, but since I am not alone here, I can press on. You have us, so don't be afraid of doing it alone. Whatever happens, we get out of here as a team."

That was refreshing and needed. Ori almost wanted to slap himself for showing such behavior. In any case, Ori managed to stand calmer and mood restored. That was right, Ori was not required to prove anything, he just needed to do one step at a time.

"Thanks. I apologize for not being the spirit that you wanted to see."

Mokk smiled. "Don't apologize. You are much more."

Both ascend the steps and are met by more of the notorious vine all around. It looked like they formed a maze and a cabin with controls could be accessed close to them.

"What were you two doing?" Opher asked because of the brief wait.

"Checking for treasures." Mokk invests an excuse and Ori laughs.

"There are treasures in here? Have you found any?"

"Never mind that. What do we have here?"

"Bah, look around!"

And Ori does that. There seemed to be no staircase but the way still should be up. The tendrils all came from a hole in the ceiling. If they wanted to reach the source, it would be there. That said, the room had a few big-looking wheels that were stuck and potentially, could serve as a boost to climb to the hole. First things first: clean up the tendrils.

"Guys, our potential goal may be up there, where all these vines come from." Ori points to the hole.

"Hm, nicely observed. But we have no real way to get there."

"That may be. Unless..." Ori looks to the control cabin Mokk and Opher follow. Their next move is to inspect the panel that should be the only way to operate something.

"Okay… I have no idea what this is." Mokk asked as he never had seen anything like a machine full of buttons and a few levers.

"I have seen something like it before. This is probably kainari technology!" Ori showed to have experience recalling the familiar design to originate from Kainar, the homeland of Layla and where the Zephyr was built.

"Really? You gotta tell me more!" Said the moki interested. The new name was exotic and to learn about it felt like a new exciting adventure.

"Usually what a warrior needs is a weapon and unbreakable will." Opher shared. "This is new for me too."

Mokk crossed his arms "Sometimes even a warrior will need to reevaluate their weapons. And by most, a weapon does not need to be physical."

"Wo, the weapons of the mind, I see. Like control objects, read minds, bolster morale and levitate. Woo, I like it."

Opher, too, got excited thinking about the weapons of the mind. He spins around playfully and separates from Mokk and Ori. While they observed the baboon being silly and content, Ori took the liberty to talk to Mokk.

"Why is Opher, ahm…"

"Unnervingly immature?" Mokk completed.

"I mean, he does not act like a grown-up."

Mokk sighs. "I guess it falls to raising methods. The Hui tribe always were joyful but tough if required. Opher is from this batch, he was raised with the dream to be a warrior of the light together with spirits. What the Hui did was only to train to be strong and fool around. Like it was a noble goal. Opher can get mad and serious, but can't grow smart. Many Hui never learn how to read, thankfully Opher is not one of them."

Opher was now chasing a butterfly.

"Are there other tribes?"

"There are two that we know of. The Hui and Noy tribes. The Noy tribe was the very opposite of their cousins and were hated by the light."

"Hated? How come?"

"These monkeys opted to be skeptical and scholars. Completely turning their back to battles and glorious combat. They did not follow the light and turned to shadows. It was said the Noy were hunted down and probably fate wasn't kind to them."

Ori wasn't happy to learn that. Was it because they turned to shadows? What was the problem with choosing the shadow as their element? Opher came back to them.

"Forgive me for distracting myself. What are we waiting for?"

"Let's move then! Ori, you must tell me more about this kainari thingy! I want to handle it." Mokk expressed himself.

"Alright." Ori stepped forward with the blade in hand. "I can't have precise knowledge, but each circle you see here is a button and upon pressing one, something will happen. I suggest you try it out slowly since we can't be sure what may happen."

"Aiyo!" And Mokk went forward to press the biggest button. To their delight, nothing happened immediately. Then, a dull sound of grinding gears and wheels attempted to turn and spin but were held still.

"It seems to control the mill." Mokk observed. "I will remain here to see if I can have any help. Do your thing, Ori!"

No longer scared of what the tendrils could belong to, Ori went forward and cleaned them off. Nimbly platforming across the entire place. Diverse wheels were released and able to turn if applied any pressure, but that was just the start. A few of the tendrils remained far and unreachable.

Ori firstly checked the ceiling and the Decay hadn't been bothered. So he just had to press forward.

This should be easy, the fall is not deadly and the environment is quiet so far. Those things coming from up there are far too still. Makes me wonder what could possibly be there. A dormant creature is my guess. I can't even know if Opher or Mokk expect something to happen here.

No use overthinking again. Let's get this done and move to where Ku is. But if something happens here… I got to prepare for the worst.

...

Back at the Wellspring Glades, a concerned moki sought a bit of solace with the Voice of the Forest, Kwolok. The wind was calm and the sunlight was warming, yet not enough to calm Meena from the danger the ones sent to the mill could be running.

Her steps upon the temple's waters make enough noise to awake the old toad. And there he stood, in his large pool.

"Greetings Meena. How do you fare?" Kwolok greeted the worried moki, seeing already what troubled her.

"H-hello, Kwolok. I have come to ask you if you know how they are doing."

"Rest assured. I sent Opher to accompany them as an extra layer of protection. I do not doubt the spirits might, but all care is never enough."

Meena breathed a little more easily. "Opher? The one that strives to be the strongest of Niwen?"

"That's right. Mokk and Opher are good friends despite their will to annoy each other."

"That is great! I hope they don't end up bothering the spirit."

Kwolok smiles as he imagines. "Their friendship may help the spirit to settle better among us. After all, he is an outsider and must be feeling under crushing pressure. He has a goal of rescuing a lost family member. And we will aid him however we can and then they may choose their path."

At that moment Meena was frozen with her golden eyes showing no more light. She was in a zombified state and remained standing there with a lifeless and empty gaze. Kwolok frowns upon what befell the moki with clear anger on his face.

"After remaining silent for so long… How rude of you, Seir." Kwolok demonstrates to be bothered by how Meena was forced to paralyze. "Why do you attack the innocent, yet again?"

Nearby, a chameleon that was eager to share details about the spirit to Kwolok arrived crawling by the temple walls thanks to his gecko-like glue on each foot. But the moment he entered the room, he was startled to see Meena's abnormal state. Motay quickly hid in the environment. The second he thought he had heard wrong but the name Kwolok had just said was too familiar. Now captivated and rather scared, Motay did take the chance to note whatever he could learn from a spooky find by listening to the conversation.

The flying golden orb close to Kwolok moves to his front. A female and whispery voice came forth.

"You have grown old and stagnant, Kwolok. You know that I need that spirit for my rebirth. And yet, you dare say to set him free."

"You should do well by remembering that he is not niweni. In the best-case scenario, you should commune with Sein for your plea."

"What fell in my land is mine by right."

"You play a dangerous game, Seir. You will intent the wrath of one of your sisters? You can settle matters without more bloodshed."

Seir chuckles. "Sein is as her nature suggests, too pacific to attempt facing anyone. I would be astonished if she even sent a word."

"You never learned anything from your shattering, have you? How am I supposed to keep the people safe if you will simply disrupt everything I stand for."

Seir tried to shine brightly but was incapable of doing so. She wanted to gather her power, but in such an imperfect state, it proved painful for her. Her glow stops growing and returns to look sparkle-like.

"I am the light of Niwen. I am Sei's courage incarnate. Obey my command and guide the spirit to their destiny. Lest the earth claim you and your beloved people fester upon-"

"Silence!" Kwolok fiercely ordered. "To this very day I safeguarded these people and I will do so in my own way. Until my last breath."

"Hmph. You made your choice."

Still in hiding thanks to camouflage, Motay remained silenced and in disbelief of what he just heard. Seir was no ordinary name, it is the name of one of the seven wisps! The one also known as 'Her Grace' taught by Kwolok! Motay dared to remain no longer crawled his way out to safety.

"Free the moki, Seir. And never touch them again."

By the order, Meena recovered her senses and her eyes recovered the light of life. She gasped for air like she had forgotten how to breathe for long minutes.

"Easy there, Meena. The worry might have caught up a bit too much." Kwolok calmly said.

"Oh.. what has come upon me? I.. felt so breathless."

Kwolok lets out a short and calming laugh to share tranquility. "Stress doesn't do well to your health, you should rest a moment. Let Tuley check upon the little ones."

Uncomfortable beyond understanding, but at least relaxed now about the party was doing okay. Meena gladly would take a chance to rest. The scare to feel like not breathing for so long disturbed her.

"I will do as you say. Thank you and see you again soon."

As Meena moved home to rest. Motay was the worried one now. He didn't know what to do or who to talk to. But he knew that Kwolok was hiding something. And probably it isn't good!

News! Bad news! Or good? I don't know! What a detail-oriented reptile such as me can do? Nobody will believe me! They'll say that I am crazy! But I am crazy… I'm not! Maybe a bit. Huh… I need to inform someone! But who?

Motay checks the journal and notations about the recent arrival of a guardian spirit in their midst.

Yes! Maybe it will work! Hard to explain! But I should try!

And away to the Wellspring Mill, Motay went.

...