There was a sudden outburst of water in the Wellspring Mill and such a copious amount ruptured a hole on the highest levels. Despite the building suffering from the uncontrolled income, it stood tall and its wheels began to turn naturally with the pressure. The water that escaped from the newly opened passage, expelled Ori and Opher, along with the Foul Presence out of the mill. From the grassy soil surrounding the mill's lake, Mokk discovers the location of Ori. He was washed away in the current and hurled down to the lake below. The worst part was that he didn't fall alone. Mokk was inert by the sight of the creature. He could not go into the lake and help his friends due to knowing the beast's presence. They all disappeared under the waters. A second pass and then another, but Mokk fights himself to act.
I-I have to do something! I need to help them! Swallowing dryly, Mokk faced the lake, observing his reflection on the shifting waters. He recited in his mind.
You're Mokk the Brave. There is nothing you're afraid of! Get in there! Get in there! Don't think about it!
It's happening again. My cowardice appears when I need to make a move. I wished to run back home, I wished to save myself from that danger. I have always been like that. The day I lost my parents to the rot of Decay, where I could've helped them. I could've thought of something! While their bodies were consumed and turned into stone… I froze and then... I fled.
These memories haunted me back then. And honestly, still do.
Since I was a child, I was easily scared of anything. And my parents always soothed me or backed me up. When I lost my home and their guidance, I only grew more and more cowardly. I tremble before the slightest nuisance. I run for my life without minding anybody else. I never consider risking myself to any problem.
This overwhelming fear controlled me for years, and as I was forced to change from my normal life, as I fled my village with other vagrants, I met Opher and Meena. Two children just like me, traveling the forest and coping with the loss of their homes. We looked alike, and so I sought friendship with them. And thankfully, we got along pretty well. We helped each other pass the time. Wandering for days in search of a safe haven wasn't easy, but with them, I managed to grow the first seed of courage within me. A will to keep on living. Even if I lost my parents. They did what they had to do for me to keep moving on.
And we had the chance to learn about one another in that meantime. What I learned was that they were much, much braver than I ever was.
Meena had defended her family from a Leaper with mere rocks once. And Opher had climbed a large tree and stolen eggs from the roost of a dangerous avian to eat. Things that I would never ever have done. I believe that I… would just die if I ever dared to be so courageous. Deep in my mind, there was always that voice, whispering that the danger or any conflict is not worth it. Better be hungry, better be cold, better be lonely.
Opher and I became good friends with lots of mock aggression, poking fun about my cowardice. It could sting, but I learned I could grow and I eventually tried a little more every day. Meena also supported me, giving me ample knowledge of how to cook, where to find food, and what to avoid. How lots of animals behave and how to shoo them away and even how to create tools with natural resources for better survival. She was wise with diverse subjects and a treat to my eyes. While Opher, a stupid and audacious guy with one or a few screws loose. But I ended up loving them with all my heart.
I had so many episodes that I wanted to run. That I wanted to give up something precious just to evade the possibility of ending up physically hurt. My friends taught me much, and so I nominated myself as the brave, to always remember who I want to be. Of who I was inspired to be. A courageous moki, a hero for our little ones.
And now, my reflection on this lake would show me who I really am. My inner struggles whispered. In no world, I am able to confront such a creature. They are probably already dead anyway. Why don't I accept being a coward and save myself? This…
...Is beyond me.
I slap myself to stop myself from thinking those things. I was taught how to survive, how to focus. We have to break our limits sometimes. I can't abandon Ori or Opher! I CAN do something! There are things worth fighting for! I cannot afford to lose them!
"I am Mokk the Brave!" I tell myself, determined. "I will not turn away!"
Hesitation quickly turned into adrenaline. Mokk breathed deeply and plunged headfirst into the water. The light could penetrate the water so much, and despite the recently created waterfall, the lake was still rather polluted and inky. Mokk already knew he had been spotted but swam ever deeper, denying himself a chance of escaping. This was all or nothing, life or death.
I am NOT afraid of you! I'll show you what happens when you mess with us!
The Foul Presence lurked in its element. Covering the space around the moki in from the darkness. Mokk scavenged his bag for the right thing. He had no weapons besides a slingshot, which is useless underwater. He then felt the texture of two distinct small stones separated by a small enclosure. Precisely what he wanted. A Gorlek Ore, a shadowy infused mineral, and a Light Crystal, a clear gem said to be created by spirits years ago.
Their energies are opposite and should not react well when combined directly. Capable of creating a powerful and stunning flash. Mokk even felt reluctant to use such a precious gem.
These crystals are so rare! This is the only one I have ever found. I will miss it so much!
Mashing them together should be enough. So, Mokk took both stones in each hand and poised to put them into use. Mokk awaited mere seconds, and the beast got closer. The tentacles swam all around him. Its terrifying face and ghastly maw were visible. Ready to savor a helpless prey before the other two.
Mokk wanted to give in to panic at that sight. But held firmly on his promise. However, Mokk learned that that thing has no eyes and his plan was all wasted. The little voice came back to mock him. What will a flashbang do? He, unfortunately, had no more time to consider his items as the tentacles moved like snakes on their way to Mokk. It was all or nothing. Mokk closed his eyes and pressed the ore and crystal together, their light and dark natures entered in conflict. Both stones glow brightly and explode with a flash of lightning. The light burns the creature's bloated skin even underwater. It hisses in pain and retreats loathing such brightness and before another hits it.
The creature escaped by swimming to the surface and up against the current of the river and waterway, wasting no second being exposed to sunlight. With that chance, Mokk returned to the surface and gathered air, and promptly went after the two that fell down.
"I have done it!" Mokk told himself while swimming. "I scared it away!"
He spots a silvery being floating face up, managing to breathe even if with difficulty. But he didn't see clearly, and there were a scarce amount of bubbles coming up from the lake's bottom. Mokk swam closer to the floating figure and discovered it was Opher. Then the one down there was...
"Hold on, Opher!" Mokk tells the monkey, breathes deeply, and dives in. The waters progressively cleaner thanks to the new, unpolluted waters washing away their impurities, allowing Mokk to swim freely without worry. Yet, the worry was all he had for the spirit and swum deeper into the lake, where darkness became heavier. Mokk followed the few bubbles coming up, praying that he'd still get him in time, and a faint glow pierced the dark.
There he is!
The spirit was almost at the bottom of the lake and his glow flickered. Mokk reached down and grabbed his hand, the light energies almost gone from his body.
Don't worry! I got you! Please hold on just a moment longer!
Moving as quickly as he could, Mokk pulled Ori back to the surface, bringing him to the lake's borders and onto land. Still, the spirit is unresponsive. His glow is still flickering and weakening.
"Hey, Ori!" Mokk shook him. "Don't die on me! Please, hold on!" He places an ear close to Ori's mouth and nose, learning that he is not breathing. A new panic arises. Without time, Mokk thankfully remembered an option. Having a past experience that a child reached near-drowning once has given Mokk the knowledge on how to work with the situation. Mokk carefully begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Firmly pressing both hands, one on top of the other at the center of the spirit's chest. "Come on… Come on!" Mokk mumbled both terrified and concentrated, doing precise chest compressions repeatedly and yearning for a reaction. Several seconds in and no signs are shown. Mokk grew more stressed at each passing moment, but kept going. A couple seconds more, feeling like an eternity, Ori coughs out water, giving signs of life.
Mokk breathed in relief, rejoicing that he had success. By the light that was too scary! He wobbled back, panting all the while. Ori gasped for air and opened his eyes, slowly managing to recover.
"You gave me a good scare." A moki's voice reached him, with forest-green eyes and a mix of light and dark brown fur sitting at his side. Mokk had an eased expression but rapid breathing just like him, someone that had just faced dismay recently. Ori then remembered the mill, the girl, the monster, and the fall. The dread of drowning. And learned who had rescued him from such fate.
"Mokk… Thank you." Ori spoke softly in between his panting, but enough for the moki to hear.
"Don't mention it. It was the least I could do."
"Where is Opher? Where is that thing?" Ori asked and tried to get up, but his aching body demanded him to just lay on his back and relax.
Mokk's ears shot straight up. Opher is still floating in the water! "Oh, I'll be back in a moment!" And an audible splash of water fills the air.
"Hey, Opher! You alive?" Mokk swam to the half-awake baboon mumbling something unclear. "Yeah, I'll take that as a yes." And Mokk made the honors to pull him to land.
"You look okay, to me... " Mokk didn't have to worry much about the monkey's condition. But that weird mumbling was giving him the creeps. "Can you stop the murmur?" Mokk asked, annoyed but Opher didn't stop. Mokk was unsure if Opher was even awake. For that reason, Mokk had just the solution.
*SLAP*
Opher immediately covers his hit cheek. "OW! What the hell, Mokk!? You damnable lemur!"
"Oh, you're awake. Yay." Mokk faked even being happy, just to add a bit more spice to Opher's anger. "Your fault for reciting strange things, you acolyte."
"I didn't recite anything, idiot. I just happen to dream too much..." Opher checks around. "Wait, what happened? Where is that thing?"
"Hmph. I saved your ugly arse from that creature." Mokk revealed with a smug face and arms crossed. "You can thank me on your knees."
"Wait, really?!" Opher lets out a wheezing laugh. Which irks the moki. Not only does Opher not believe it, but his attempt to piss off the monkey backfired! "You? I mean, YOU?"
"Who else?! Tell me a name!"
Opher calms down the laughter, leaning on Mokk with an arm over his shoulders. "Sorry, sorry. It's just that I -" Opher wheezes a bit more. "It's hard to believe you know? I would believe in ya if you said we were all dead. But I must say that I am impressed. Really! I am so-" And the laughter went on, taking Opher to cough and clear his throat.
"Hope you wheeze to death, you braindead. Should have left you in the water!"
Ori meanwhile sighs to the duo restarting the infant rumble. Yet it is comforting to have them conversing in their style, with the sun rays peeking through the forest's canopy, the cool breeze blowing. It all feels like the forest is one step closer to healing like it is happier and thankful. Blending everything to a calming ambient. But Ori still had much to consider on the encounter atop the mill. Dusk would arrive soon, and Ori wondered how he'd get to Ku… How must Naru be faring since they didn't return home… How Ario would react to their disappearance… Too much is going on…
He feels drowsy. He hadn't had a good rest since he fell into this strange land. His eyes struggle to remain open. Ori resists the need. He cannot rest until Ku is safe. Until...
A few minutes pass with the sounds of nature echoing around, the insults of Mokk and Opher flying about to a point where they eventually cease their silly behavior.
"Okay, enough. I have more to do." Mokk took distance and showed no interest in fighting anymore.
Opher grunted. "You better run. I am victorious as always!"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let me patch both of you." Mokk took care to bandage Opher's hands with natural resources since his binds were drenched and unusable. Some banana leaves from the nearby trees would do the trick for now. Then he moved to Ori to learn he fell asleep. Quietly using a bit of time to rest
"Oh, dear." Mokk felt a little fuzzy. But happy that Ori was doing okay. With caution, Mokk manages to bandage Ori's wounds without waking him up.
Opher comes closer and too observes the sleeping spirit. Any wish to provoke a fight was nowhere in his mind. He sits by a tree, and Mokk soon sits close to him. The two friends stay quiet for a moment, enjoying the good weather and tranquility. It is still sunny despite it being afternoon already.
"It is weird, isn't it?" Mokk smiled. "Have you ever thought you'd see a spirit sleeping?"
Opher shakes his head, drawing his wooden staff and putting it to the side. "We always heard that spirits were perfect fighters. Invincible. I even thought they were never required to eat or sleep."
"Kwolok told us much. I can understand your line of thought. But," Mokk claps his hand softly. "It is not what it seemed, right?"
"What do you mean?" Opher asked, confused.
"Guardian Spirits are much more than what Kwolok taught us! They share the same feelings as we do. They have ambitions and goals. They suffer and bleed too. We have the living proof right before us."
"Which makes them imperfect. Just like us." Opher pouts. "I always admired their tales of conquest. They don't have to train to become stronger, their latent talent and light give them an arsenal of weapons. Guardian Spirits are born perfect. They are amazing! Unbeatable and untamed. Yet, I think something does not fit with this vision." Opher observes Ori tentatively. "Or, this vision is false."
"Who knows," Mokk told Opher. "I, for one, like this revelation. Makes them much more approachable, don't you think? In Kwolok's case, I believe he just wanted us to feel good with all those stories of glory and the power of the light. We felt inspired and thankful for their service years ago. And that is fine, I guess. Kwolok always wanted to give us a fulfilling life, and his stories were great to hear. Regardless of what we learned, I fear that we may see that spirits are much more than what Kwolok told us."
"Ah, that's too much stuff to think about!" Opher yawned and placed both hands behind his head, eager to take a nap. "I will always love Zerin and Iyo's tales though. They were cool spirits, I wish I could be a badass like that."
"What about Miria?" Mokk asked. "She was extremely clever and gracious. She managed to impress Her Grace with a so-called useless skill of charming insects to her command."
"Oh yeah. Cool tales. Although I don't remember much about them. I hope we can get the light of Her Grace back."
"You don't remember Miria's? Come on, I will refresh your memory."
"Nah, no need. Tell it to Ori or the children of the glades. They will like it." He takes a moment. "By the way Mokk, who did you save first?"
Mokk smiled mischievously. "You know you're my favorite. Already the last in the list."
Opher snickered at that response. "You cheeky asshole. Good stuff man."
Mokk backed away, and Opher drifted to nap. Both of them took a moment to relax as the waters relearned to flow. Every river and creek of the waterways were cleaned in a matter of minutes. The mokis of the glades noticed the change and spread the good news. In no time, they began celebrating and let Kwolok know, which gave his people the widest smile he could muster. Rejoicing with them.
The waters found their way to devastated parts of Niwen and Howl noticed a subtle change in the air. The land rejoiced a little. They could have more water with less trouble or danger. It was like a gift, a message.
Lastly, Mokk was visited by a rushing chameleon. Running desperately and out of breath. Mokk saw the rushing reptile coming in and placed a finger in front of the mouth, telling him to be quiet. Motay arrives with heavy breaths seeing Ori asleep and Opher napping as well.
"Motay? What's the hurry? I thought you always kept yourself hidden." Mokk said to the distressed chameleon.
"Mokk!" His voice sounded so tired. "Glad I found you, guys. Listen, I have some urgent news."
Mokk was curious. Motay was the type to share information about everyone from time to time. A bit creepy but nothing too invasive. Seeing him like that feels like he saw some sort of ghost. "What is it? What made you rush to us?"
"You should listen! Spirit too!" Motay suggested. But, Mokk really didn't want to bother them. The morning was not easy, to Ori even less.
"Can we not? I really wish to not disturb Ori right now. You can tell me and then I'll inform them."
"You sure?" Motay asked, only elevating the tense feeling Mokk began to feel.
Mokk gave him a nod, and Motay prepared to release the words. "Listen… I-I don't know if I heard that right. But… but Kwolok may be hiding Her Grace's at his side."
Mokk raised a brow, generally confused. "What? Our wisp? Her Grace was lost like… a century ago?" Replied the moki, not yet quite convinced.
"I have no physical proof. But I am not crazy. I am certain that I heard Seir's voice. She is at Kwolok's side all the time. That floating golden orb is her!"
Mokk didn't know how to react. "Ahm… The orb with Kwolok is just a fragment of Her Grace's power. And not her as a whole. Are you sure?"
"Most definitely!" Motay showed certainty. "The question is why is Kwolok keeping Seir with him. Why didn't he tell anybody about that? Why secret?"
"I am getting scared here." Mokk still was not grasping everything. "You`re telling me that our wisp hasn't been lost as we originally learned by Kwolok himself?"
"Something in that direction." Motay answers. "I don't know the truth. But something is fishy." He says, arousing a feeling of suspicion.
Mokk wasn't really buying it. He honestly wished to believe that Motay was just messing around. But Motay is not of that type. Hearing such a thing from Motay had a ringing of truth. "Okay… Ahn, would you investigate it a bit further for me?"
"Yes! I am a good informant!" Motay came to agree. "However, I am afraid. Very dangerous."
"I comprehend." Mokk wouldn't put any pressure on him. "Go slowly and carefully. I will also take a closer look with Kwolok about that topic. Yet this doesn't feel quite the right thing to do… What if it was a secret that he kept hidden for our good? Ahn, I will think about what I can manage." Informed, Mokk, but couldn't help to feel apprehensive.
"Understood. Me leave now." Motay turned back and returned a moment later. "Give my thanks for the spirit for cleaning water. The glades must be partying right now." And off he went.
"Oh, partying, you say?" Mokk liked the sound of that. "Damn, I feel tired but can't miss a festivity like that."
Mokk thought if he should touch the peculiar subject with Kwolok, but preferred to enjoy some fun and rest before moving to that matter. He went to Opher so he could transport the spirit while he was asleep and keep the party secret for the time being.
...
Somewhere deep into the forest, where a once majestic tree that shone upon the world now lies defiled and only a former husk of what it once was. A broken soul sat patiently on its grand, withered roots. The surroundings were ravaged by Decay and no normal life existed. Everything was torn and twisted, the landscape a vision of nightmare. Miria flew by and landed close to the broken soul.
"I have returned." Miria presented herself.
"You seem different. Your robe is even more damaged." A strong male voice came calmly from the individual. "How was your experience?"
The stranger was once a spirit but didn't change much from the original appearance. Despite losing their touch with the light and having greyed-out fur. He wore a gleamy, light special armor of Niweni origins. Umbral purple and silvery in color. Forged specifically to fit the body of a spirit; small pauldrons, thin breastplate, and chaustess that were flexible and comfortable. With space for the tail and a special hoof piece. The helmet covered half of the spirit's face but had openings to let the long ears, nose, and mouth. Also a visor in front of the eyes. The armor pieces, however, were not in their best condition. Crumpled from prolonged use.
"I… don't know," Miria said with uncertainty. "The child of light is not moved by what we thought. He is much younger than we believed. And he seeks their missing sibling primarily."
"Interesting. There are those who saw him arriving on a winged companion. And by the looks of it, this sibling is in the Silent Woods."
Miria glanced around, seeking something that she didn't find. "Where is Iyo?"
"He's roaming after his prize. Bound forever to the hunt. He doesn't hear me."
"You can't force him to calm down? He will succumb to corruption if he doesn't stop that nonsense!"
"Miria, you shouldn't worry about Iyo. He has always been like this. Enslaved by rage. A hunter that swore himself to that purpose. For now, it's just the two of us against the world."
"I know that it's just-" Miria lets her eye peek through the opening of her hood, and quickly hides it again.
"You seem happy, but you struggle with it." He observes. "You should not be ashamed of your eyes."
"Stop it, please. I still can't stand this change. Of all this time becoming… this." She takes a moment, remembering Ori's words. "What shall we do next, Zerin. The flow of water has returned. But our corruptor has not yet fallen."
Zerin slowly stands up. The unnatural night skies illuminate his visor and show the thousands of souls frozen in stone around the crude landscape. "We should be patient. With Decay already spread, there is little a single spirit can do. Let him search for his sibling."
"The child of light is not a master of combat, but he is versatile. Given enough time, he may succeed in restoring Seir." Miria argues.
"May that be, it will only weigh on his poor, young mind. I wonder how he will fare against Iyo in the Silent Woods. If Shriek doesn't kill them all, that is. Moreover, the corruptor has repositioned itself. Kwolok won't stay idle."
"You mean the Luma Pools? Kwolok… You think he will make a move?" Miria seemed to catch Zerin's line of thought.
"Exactly. It pains me, but it can't be helped. Kwolok always puts his people above himself. He won't let the corruptor free."
…
Nearly after one hour of walking, Opher and Moki were close to reaching the glades. Ori groaned and yawned from his rest and woke up to notice he was carried on Opher's back. "Where are we?" He asked.
"Hey there, you can sleep more if you want. We are almost back home." Mokk replied.
"Wo. Can you hear them?" Opher asked excitedly and Ori came to hear them too. Young and adult voices cheering, celebrating but it was unclear to understand what they were saying. The Inkwater Marsh looked different and prettier. The impact of flowing waters was quickly healing much of the scenery.
"I can walk now. Let me down, please" Ori said, hopping to the ground and struggling the first seconds to stabilize his balance. Awkward first seconds to be precise. Mokk almost thought Ori would fall over. But he appeared fine. The spirit could still feel the impactful weight that hit him when falling to the lake, but it was much more manageable, finally to be able to stand with balance.
"Is something happening in the glades?' Ori came to ask.
"Well, why don't you take a look?" Opher invited him, and in a few more steps, after leaving the dense marsh and being under clear skies, they were on the village's gates. Wide-open they were to welcome the returning heroes. The voices were louder and now mingling with a crowd of noises. People all around visited the creek with buckets to gather the drinkable waters so joyfully. The trio watched the village in full celebration, partying avidly. Mokis of many ages sang their favorite songs, the gorleks hitting their tools like instruments and other races danced all clumsy, but happy like never before. All while many collected all the water they pleased.
"Look at this!" Mokk was in awe and Opher wanted to jump in right now and join the excitement. Ori too watched with quiet wonder of such a rejoiced folk. He couldn't help but feel happy as well. But that was the last handful of seconds of peace Ori would have. Soon he heard, "They have arrived! They're here!" The watchful mokis shout. They spread and tell around. And as soon as the word was spread, the whole village shifted their attention. Felt like the world had stopped and resumed again. Every young and grown moki alike ran towards their hero.
"Spirit!"
"Bringer of water!"
"Hero!"
Their voices amassed and a stampede ran towards them. Towards Ori specifically.
"Hey, guys! I am happy to see you all too!" Mokk opened arms to receive them, but the spirit was the star of the show.
"Eh?" Ori was stunned by the amount of overjoyed mokis and soon the first launched itself to hug his face then a second, then a third. Finally to have a group hug with many adorable creatures. And their numbers just stack, fully covering the spirit in a swarm of mokis.
Mokk observed all that and pouted for being left out. "Guys, I am here too!" He is ignored. "Disky? Luli? Gebo, even you?" Mokk felt a tad betrayed and defeated as some of the most attached to him gave eyes only to Ori.
"I helped too, you know?" He crosses his arms jealous and Opher soon comes to laugh at his miserable state.
"Hahahaha! Nobody cares about Mokk the brave!"
Mokk felt that one, and angry veins popped on his head. "And neither about you!" He returned.
"But I'm not crying over it!"
A double strike! "Why you…!" Mokk would pounce, but Opher signals him to stop.
"Jokes aside, don't mind them. Ori is something new and an awaited hero. Of course, he will have their attention. Let's just enjoy some water!"
"Oh, okay." Mokk blinked twice, he was quite surprised that Opher didn't push the annoy button more. He was right. And both of them considered joining the festivity. Just that, Mokk felt he had just forgotten something, but meh, it shouldn't be important. While in the meantime Ori was stuck with a ton of children eager to play with a spirit.
"He'll play with us!" A group of mokis pulls the spirit's right arm.
"No, with us!" Another group pulled the left arm in a heated competition of who would have the spirit's attention. Ori was being stretched a bit beyond comfortable levels.
"Guys, can we play all together? You're going to split me in half!" He tells the children, but little they hear.
"Only the chosen may play with spirit!" The left group tugged.
"The chosen are not wise! The spirit favors wisdom!" The right one tugged back.
"Spirits feel pain too, you know?" Ori sighs defeated. It will be a long afternoon, it seems. They would play tug of war, where the Ori was the rope.
Dusk was arriving, and the bothering thoughts of Ku never left him since they separated. With the new waters, the path of the waterway should be accessible. Ori had no time to lose, but…
"No more harm! Spirit is unhappy!" A little moki came to surprise Ori. All the pulling left and right ceased.
"Thank you!" Ori said to the little one, thankful that these children are not that wild. But then they don't quite release his arms.
"Arms are sore. Pull by head and legs!" And that made a shiver run down Ori's spine.
"The ears! Grab the ears!" Another suggested.
"We get tail too!"
"Good idea!"
"Can't we discuss it first?" Ori asked, sweating cold before the children could grasp the parts he wished not to be pulled. "Like, we can make a drawing, smell a flower, play on the swing…"
They were not listening, and the moment they released his arms, Ori dashed out of there. Gaining a considerable distance from the swarm–- group. "It's not nice to pull someone by the ears!" Ori hissed at them.
"Spirit fleeing!" The first one pointed. "GET HIM!" And the rest followed through, forming that earlier stampede vision after a spirit.
"Oh, beloved Sein. There are too many!"
Then a grand chase around the glades began. Mokk in the meantime was having fun and quenching his thirst and not paying mind to his surroundings. The mere sounds of various childish voices or a spirit running from naughty kids were the same as his lively gulps of freshwater.
"Anyone seen Meena?" Mokk asked around. He still hasn't seen her. After a while of no answers from water-drunk partygoers, he went to stop by her house. Her hut was considerably bigger for her famous soup-making cauldron. And by approaching her home, he enters and spots her sleeping. He feels uneasy. Why would Meena sleep at such a moment? She hadn't seen the waters? Was something wrong?
"Meena? Menna, wake up! We are back."
She shifts in her nest, her golden eyes shine like always. "Mokk!" She calls with renewed vigor. Giving a hug of welcome back and melting Mokk to a love fool state.
"Thank the light you're safe. How was the journey? How is the spirit?" She releases the hug.
"Hug me more… I mean, it was crazy! But we all made it alive and succeeded. I have much to tell you, but I feel I should report to Kwolok as soon as possible."
Meena smiles. "Wonderful, I will prepare my specialty spice soup to celebrate!"
"I like the sound of that. I'll be back in a moment, then!"
"Mokk, before you go there." Meena stops him in his tracks.
"Hm? What's up?"
"My recent visit to Kwolok was… weird. I don't understand much, but I felt paralyzed, and… felt like I fainted."
Mokk gets concerned. "Oh, are you feeling alright? Is that why you were resting?"
"I feel better now, but… I feel a new presence with Kwolok now. I just don't get what it is, exactly. I just wanted to let you know."
That hit the spot that Motay was trying to say. Mokk understood better. And worse, Meena was struck by it? He hoped not. Is the wisp truly there all this time? And she did something to Meena? Mokk kept his temper and showed no suspicion.
"Alright, Meena. I will be careful."
Mokk left the hut feeling nervous. Kwolok was always an anchor of wisdom and hope. An elder that spent days and nights caring for them all. But this time, something felt wrong. Mokk wanted to speak to him and report what he went through alongside Ori and some baboon. And would do so. There couldn't be harm in that. In any case, there was no use in overthinking. So he calmed down and moved on to Kwolok's pool.
…