The three of them turned their gaze toward the Ginso Tree, which wasn't far from their current location. "Well then... let's heal the first element," Leru spoke up, and the four of them began walking toward the Ginso Tree.
"Wow, taking another look at it, this tree is truly colossal," Ori remarked as all four of them stood in awe before the entrance of the Ginso Tree.
"Yeah, the Ginso Tree is even taller than the Spirit Tree itself," Sein chimed in. "Its canopy reaches high enough to brush against the very clouds above."
"Really?" Leru chimed into the conversation. However, Fil swiftly activated the Water Veil, causing the entrance of the Ginso Tree to open and unleashing an enormous wave of radiant energy that washed over the surface.
Even though the entrance was located deep below on the surface, a mysterious being sensed it open. "Finally... geez," it muttered while rubbing its head, removing a boulder that had concealed a hole leading to its hideout.
"You could've given us a heads uap, Fil," Leru exclaimed, taken aback by the sudden surge of light energy. "Sorry about that; I thought it would be a bit quieter," Fil replied, scratching the back of his head. "But hey, it's also a fun way to remind us that it's time to get moving," Fil added with a chuckle.
The three of them shrugged off their initial shock and ventured further into the Ginso Tree. Their objective was crystal clear: they had to reach the Heart of the Ginso Tree, where the Water Element resided. Healing the heart was their sole hope to cleanse the water, which had taken on an acidic and ominous appearance.
As they entered, Fil couldn't help but voice his dismay. "Well... this looks like a complete mess," he remarked, casting a critical eye over the initial section of the Ginso Tree. "It's all rotten and dried up! And what on earth is that?" He pointed in shock at a pink-purplish blob. "Is that a tumor?!" His voice echoed with a mixture of disgust and frustration.
Sein's expression mirrored Fil's displeasure, while Leru also wore a disheartened look. Ori, although not fully comprehending the situation, sensed the unhappiness in his friends. It was abundantly clear that this place was far from how it was supposed to be.
"If this place is already infested with tumors, it can only mean the heart of the Ginso Tree is completely covered in them," Sein muttered to herself, lost in thought. "Can we even destroy the tumors?" She wondered aloud, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Fil, always quick with a response, snapped his fingers. "You probably can, if I'm being honest. Even if you burn the heart, you can definitely heal it too."
Leru, ever the pragmatist, raised a crucial question. "Now the real challenge is how do we get to the top? My wind won't do the trick; there are too many ceilings and obstacles that would stop us from utilising my wind platform."
While the others contemplated their options, Sein couldn't resist a mischievous idea. "Hey, guys, have any of you ever been here before?" she inquired, prompting all three to shake their heads in response.
"Alright then, could you guys keep an eye on that blue portal while I go through it?" Sein requested of the three. "If something comes through that isn't me, you either run or deal with it," she instructed, receiving nods of agreement from her companions.
Sein confidently walked through the portal, leaving the trio to watch it intently. As time passed, their nerves began to fray. "...should one of us go check?" Fil finally ventured, his voice quivering with uncertainty. Leru and Ori exchanged glances before turning their attention back to Fil.
"Should I... go check?" Fil squeaked, seeking confirmation. Ori gave a thumbs-up while Leru nodded in agreement.
With trepidation, Fil slowly approached the portal-like structure. Leru and Ori watched anxiously until a voice whispered, "What's going on?" right between them. Startled, Leru tried to explain, "Fil's going to check on Sein..." before realizing the unexpected presence.
"You've got to be kidding me..." Leru muttered in frustration, while Sein fell onto her back, laughing uncontrollably. "Really!?" Leru directed her exasperation at the wisps of the forest, while Ori gave Sein an unamused look. Unaware of the commotion, Fil walked through the portal, only to discover it was connected to the one behind them.
"...You've got to be kidding," Fil grumbled under his breath, observing Sein's laughter, Ori's displeased expression, and Leru's complaints. Despite his annoyance, he knew they had a mission to accomplish.
"Haha, very funny. Let's get on with restoring the forest, shall we?" Fil suggested, his irritation evident in his tone. Sein, finally calming down, replied, "Oh... okay, okay. Yeah, all right." She let out a huff. "Alright then... We need to pass through the portal and make our way to the top," Sein states.
"Well... that doesn't sound too difficult," Ori spoke up, but the other three fixed him with a stern gaze, causing his confidence to waver. "...Right?" he ventured again.
"Yeah, pretty much," Sein eventually confirmed, her tone casual. "We just need to be cautious," she added.
Ori let out a relieved sigh. "Well... what's our next step?" he inquired. Sein looked at him and pointed upwards. "We're going up," she declared.
Ori stared at Sein with a bewildered expression, silent for a moment before finally responding, "I figured that much..." He crossed his arms and tilted his head sideways, his curiosity piqued.
"Well, anyway, the plan is relatively straightforward," Sein began, laying out their strategy. "We can't always predict where these portals will lead us..."
"...So we need someone who can act swiftly in the face of danger..." Leru boldly stepped through a portal, only to find herself plummeting towards a pit of spiky slimes. She created a wind platform just in time, saving herself from a sticky end. Ori, Fil, and Sein, following closely behind, were caught by Leru's wind platform, which guided them safely to the next portal.
"...In potentially precarious situations, I'll position myself behind Leru, defending us from incoming threats so that Leru can concentrate on maintaining the wind platform that keeps us afloat..." They floated over another perilous chasm, this one filled with corrosive water, when suddenly an explosive crawler dropped from the ceiling. Sein reacted swiftly, effortlessly blasting it out of their path.
"...Between Fil and me, we have Ori, who can bail us out in case of the unexpected. In the worst-case scenario, Ori can save us all if the wind platform fails. Additionally, Ori can reach items that are out of our grasp..." While riding on the wind platform, Leru was unexpectedly struck in the arm by a quilled crawler. She lost her concentration, causing the wind platform to vanish. Ori, with lightning-quick reflexes, fired his grapples rapidly, catching Fil, Sein, and Leru. Then, in a remarkable display of agility, he transferred all the silk to one hand and shot out another grapple to prevent them from plummeting further.
"...Lastly, we have Fil, who will assist Ori in obtaining items that are otherwise unreachable, which may be essential to clearing obstacles in our path..." The four of them found themselves back on the platform as Ori connected Fil to his grapple. Fil leaped from the wind platform, swinging from Ori's grapples until he managed to secure the elusive keystone. Ori then reeled Fil back onto the wind platform, completing their daring maneuver.
"Well... that went rather smoothly," Ori remarked as the quartet seemed to have navigated past immediate danger, now treading on ground that was both safe yet ominously treacherous. His impatience surfaced as he asked, "So, how much longer until we reach the heart of the Ginso Tree?"
Sein responded, "Well... we still have quite a journey ahead of us." Her words were met with groans from the other three. "Yeah," she continued, "the Ginso Tree dwarfs the Spirit Tree in size. We're only about 30% of the way to the heart of the Ginso Tree."
Leru let out a big yawn, her exhaustion evident. "Man... I'm tired," she admitted, rubbing one of her eyes, setting off a chain reaction of yawns among the group. Fil brought up an important question, "Speaking of tiredness, when was the last time any of us had proper rest?"
Sein pondered for a moment. "Well... Leru recently woke up but is already feeling exhausted, which is understandable since she's been using her abilities constantly. Her Light Energy could be running quite low. As for us, it's been quite some time since we last talked to the Spirit Tree, and I can't recall exactly when that was."
Fil chimed in with his observation, "We, or at least Ori, Sein, and I, have likely been awake for over a day, considering the sun was already up when we exited the cave." His memory recalled the sky when they had entered and when they emerged.
"Wow, that's quite a while," Ori commented, rubbing the side of his neck. "So... are we considering taking a rest soon?" he inquired.
"Yeah, we're in dire need of some quality rest, especially given the long journey still ahead," Sein agreed. "We should find the safest spot we can and slowly drift into slumber."
After trekking a bit further, they finally stumbled upon a reasonably safe zone—no menacing foes, corrosive water, or spiky thorn bushes in sight. "So, this place seems, uh... decent enough, right?" Fil ventured.
"Frankly, I doubt we'll find a better spot than this," Sein chimed in, prompting nods from Leru and Ori.
"Well, now that we've settled that," Fil said as he plopped down on the ground, "what's on the agenda before we get some sleep?"
Ori's eyes lit up with excitement. "I wanna hear about the other forests! How many are there, again?" he asked.
Sein lifted her hand, showing seven fingers, each one representing a forest "All in all, there are seven forests," she began, "We've got Nibel, Altum, Niwen, Noiton, Kainar, Hoa, and Friol." With each forest name she mentioned, she lowered a finger.
"Since we're currently in Nibel and I haven't gotten around to filling Leru in on Altum yet, I'll just go ahead and give you a quick rundown of each forest," Sein offered. "So, shall we kick things off with Altum? Let's dive in..."
Altum is a frigid forest blanketed in ice and snow, virtually transformed into a winter wonderland. Central to this frozen realm is the Spirit Spruce, the tallest spirit tree among all seven forests. At its pinnacle is the Seid, the luminescent wisp of Altum, which radiates the most potent light of any of the Sei. The native spirits of this forest are uniquely equipped to
navigate their mountainous terrain and harsh conditions. They boast a thick, soft coat of fur for insulation and are natural-born climbers.
Geographically, Altum is the most expansive of the forests, partitioned into three distinct zones. The forest is U-shaped, resembling a crescent moon with a notch at its top center. In the north, precarious ice floes drift atop the ocean, ever-changing and thin enough for fishing. To the south lie expansive plains of frozen tundra, where the permafrost is too severe to support tree growth, except for the centrally located Spirit Spruce. However, much of Altum's land is mountainous—sweeping ranges that run the gamut from verdant river valleys to imposing, snow-capped peaks that remain frosted all year long. Boreal forests of Pines and Aspens stretch as far as the eye can see.
Kainar predominantly features a sprawling, open savannah, punctuated here and there with pockets of geography and bustling communities. Far from desolate, the plains brim with life as a diverse array of creatures coexist in hubs of mutual progress and collaboration. While the environment itself is generally benign—save for the scorching sun—Kainar is renowned for being the habitat of some of the most aggressive creatures across all the forests. At the heart of Kainar stands a mighty Baobab tree, which houses Seil—the forest's wisp—in its core. Seil enjoys a communicative relationship with the forest's inhabitants and regularly engages with them.
Adapted for life in Kainar's unique conditions, the Baobab Spirits possess robust, muscular legs designed for long-distance running. They also have thick tails sturdy enough to support their weight, allowing them to lean on them and kick defensively when the need arises.
In terms of geography, Kainar is essentially an expansive savannah, relatively lacking in notable landmarks. However, the most significant area lies at the forest's center where the Spirit Baobab stands. Co-inhabiting this central region with another species known as "The Ruam," they've constructed a city called Korios City. The metropolis features dual layers of defense—an inner wall encircling the Baobab and an outer wall securing the entire city's perimeter. The hustle and bustle are constants here, as individuals of various kinds perform an array of roles, keeping Korios City lively and functional.
Hoa is a picturesque valley filled with meticulously cultivated, flowering trees. Featuring a temperate climate, the forest often enjoys refreshing winds that rustle through its leaves. The forest is segmented into twelve distinct areas, each with its own unique landscape and atmosphere. The Spirit Sakura, Hoa's venerated Spirit Tree, stands at the forest's core, close to Dandelion Lake—the largest body of water in the region.
Adjacent to the lake is Blossom Forest, a sanctuary in the heart of Hoa where many spirits find peace. It serves as a communal area for relaxation, playful activities, and training. To the south, where the Mizu River meets the ocean, lies the Mashlands—a unique biome unlike any other in Hoa. The Slopes of Dusk feature glades teeming with autumn-hued flora. West of Dandelion Lake, you'll discover the Crystal Garden, an enchanting place where colorful crystals naturally sprout from the ground.
Nestled between the northern mountains is the Vale, the dwelling place of the ethereal species known as Atma. The Daar Storage is a curious area marked by overgrown, ancient structures, and it serves as the home base for Daar creatures skilled in craftsmanship. Above this lies the Observatory, designed by the Daar to be Hoa's gateway to the celestial realm. To the far north, the Northern Archway serves as both a natural landmark and the entry point for the Mizu River into Hoa. Beside Blossom Forest, the Forsaken Maze—an ancient library wrapped in a perplexing labyrinth—challenges any who dare to navigate it.
Residing within the Spirit Sakura's first arc is Seip, the forest's wisp spirit, who has a near obsession with maintaining Hoa's aesthetic beauty. Emotionally intense and sometimes overly dramatic, Seip holds deep affection for the spirits of Hoa. These spirits are notably smaller and lighter than their counterparts in other forests but compensate for this with their remarkable agility and grace. They have the unique ability to sprint on all fours for extra speed and possess dual tails that function as counterweights, allowing them to execute tight turns at high velocities.
As Sein began to recount her story about the seven forests, a wealth of information and legends hidden within them, she noticed that Ori and Leru had already succumbed to the embrace of sleep. Fil, who had been teetering on the edge of slumber for some time, struggled to keep his head upright, his eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. Sein herself felt the weight of fatigue settling in.
"Fil," Sein spoke in a soothing tone, "you can simply lay down and let sleep take you." In response, Fil, with little ceremony, flopped onto his back, surrendering to the call of slumber that beckoned irresistibly. Sein, feeling the weariness in her own bones, followed suit, reclining slowly as the gentle tendrils of sleep began to claim her as well.
A muscular spirit with battle-hardened features paced through the labyrinthine corridors of the Ginso Tree. His body was a canvas of scars, each a testament to his fierce defense of the land from malevolent entities threatening the Spirit Oak's sanctity. Notable among these scars were one below his left eye and another gracing his hand.
"Ah, this can't be happening," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with annoyance as he rounded a corner, unexpectedly locking eyes with a horde of corrupted spirits. "That accursed creature really did corrupt every last spirit in the Ginso Tree," he mused, a sense of urgency clouding his thoughts.
"When I finally lay eyes on that abomination," he snarled, memories of why he had left his safe haven flooding back. "First thing's first, I've got to find those newcomers." The challenge, he knew, lay in confronting the infestation of corrupted spirits, and this was not a mission that would conclude without shedding blood.
"Tch, for crying out loud," he hissed in irritation. With a steely resolve, he harnessed his Light Energy, turning it into a tangible force. With fists clenched and legs poised, he unleashed an onslaught against the corrupted spirits, using them as stepping stones in a frenzied dash towards a semblance of safety.
After a seemingly interminable struggle, the spirit finally found a momentary reprieve. His rampage had taken out merely 17% of the corrupted masses. Time had lost its meaning, but the weight of his exhaustion was undeniable. "Why does this have to be so insufferably difficult?" he sighed, burying his face in his hands.
"Enough of this child's play," he declared, a sense of finality in his voice. Landing agilely, he took up a unique stance, arching his back slightly and positioning his arms in a peculiar arrangement before his chest. His palms faced each other, as though he were gripping an invisible talisman. Inhaling deeply to center himself, he proclaimed, "Maximum Technique... Fever Dream Realm."
Fil was the first to stir from his slumber. Immediately, his eyes landed on the moss beside him that he had ripped off prior to drifting off to sleep. "Seems like it's been roughly 5 hours," he softly mumbled, giving the back of his ear a scratch while momentarily closing his eyes.
Caught in a dilemma between snoozing a bit more and fully waking up, Fil hesitated for a couple of seconds. However, the recollection of their ongoing mission nudged him toward alertness. "Sein, Leru, Ori... time to rise and shine," he called out, the drowsy timbre of his voice apparent.
Ori moved, transitioning from lying on his side to sprawling on his back. "Mmmh..." he grumbled. Just as Fil was about to extend his hand towards Ori, Ori spontaneously punched himself awake. "Morning," he muttered, turning his groggy eyes towards Fil, who made a slightly perplexed face in response to this peculiar awakening method.
"Five more minutes," Leru mumbled lethargically as she flipped onto her stomach, tucking her face into the crook of her arms. In contrast, Sein had successfully pulled herself into a sitting position, massaging her right eye and letting out a robust yawn.
As Sein, Ori, and Fil were somewhat upright, though still not entirely awake, Leru was still in the blissful embrace of sleep. "Leru..." Sein attempted, her voice gentle but getting zero feedback. She escalated, "Leru," slightly louder this time but still met with silence. At last, showing a trace of exasperation, Sein amplified her volume. "Leru!" she yelled, causing Leru to spring upright, hollering, "YES MA'AM!" as if she'd been zapped awake.
"Excellent, you're up," Sein commented, to which she received a cranky, sleepy glare from Leru. "Do we genuinely have to start moving right now?" Leru inquired, her voice laden with a sleepy grumble.
"we do... we've got other crucial tasks to tackle, so we've got to get a move on," Sein affirmed. Taking this cue, Ori and Fil got back on their feet, both pausing to stretch out their muscles. Though Leru emitted a groan of reluctance, she too got up, joining Sein, Ori, and Fil in a preparatory stretch before embarking on their journey.
After thoroughly stretching, the foursome stood in a brief moment of collective reflection. Eventually, Fil broke the silence, "We should really get a move on. There's no telling how much more distance we need to cover to get to the Ginso Tree's core," he remarked, absentmindedly scratching the nape of his neck.
"Yeah, you're right," Sein agreed, then proceeded to crack her back with an audible pop. "Ah, my back is absolutely killing me today," she moaned, her tone veering toward annoyance...
After a rough start, the four spirits found themselves back on the trail, resuming their previous marching positions. "Um, so this might sound a bit odd, but I've got some questions," Ori chimed in, instantly capturing the full attention of the group.
Pensive and slightly uneasy, Ori began while staring at the ground beneath him. "Sein, you mentioned that there are seven forests, right?" Ori posed the question, and Sein confirmed with a nod. "Could there possibly be... an eighth forest?" Ori looked up to lock eyes with Sein, his expression unmistakably earnest.
In Ori's mind, he recalled standing in an expansive field of black decay. He had watched a small sapling sprout and flourish over what felt like years in fast-forward—each second representing an entire year. In this desolate landscape, life seemed absent, as if nothing could survive. Perpetually shrouded in dark clouds, sunlight never graced the area. The haunting dream concluded with dark leaves tumbling to the ground, which then coalesced into some form of living entity. Just then, he was awakened by Fil's voice.
Sein was visibly taken aback by the question. She had, in fact, come across mention of an eighth forest in an ancient tome, but that book was securely hidden away in a remote, underground library. "Uh, well... I can't say for certain," Sein hesitated, her voice tinged with both apprehension and confusion.
"Ah, never mind," Ori quickly retorts, eager to ease any tension he may have instilled in Sein. "It was a bizarre question to begin with," he adds, closing his eyes and making a dismissive hand motion as if to wave away the awkward moment.
With Ori's step as the signal, the rest of the group resumes their journey. Leru still leads the way. Both Fil and Leru are now equally intrigued by Ori's cryptic question, but they both sense that now isn't the best time to pry further. Shortly, they reach a level where everything is laid bare—various portals and lifeforms are all clearly visible.
Yet what truly unsettles them, sending chills down their spines, is the sight of a lifeless body. "Is that..." Fil begins, as all four spirits fix their gaze on the macabre scene just meters ahead
of them—a fallen spirit who had met an unfortunate end.
Drawing nearer to the corpse, they begin to discern what could have led to such a fate. The body of the spirit is entangled in some sort of dark purple root. Fungi and vines protrude unnaturally from the flesh, making the entire tableau a horrific sight to behold.
"... who could've done such thing" Fil spoke his tone covered in horror, Leru who was holding both hands over her mouth eyes widened, Ori who looked at the body with wide eyes his mind filled with anger and sorrow while Sein just looks at the lifeless body with a sadness.
Suddenly, Sein broke the silence again. "...This occurred hundreds, no, thousands upon thousands of years ago," she said, capturing the undivided attention of the other three. Ori quickly responded, "You don't have to discuss it if it makes you uncomfortable," detecting the emotional complexity in Sein's voice.
"No, it's alright. You three absolutely deserve to know our history," Sein assured, lifting her hand as a sign for them not to fret over her emotional well-being. "As I was mentioning, it happened thousands upon thousands of years ago..."
Eight spirits possessing immense Light and Light Energy output ascended to carve out their own domains: one ventured south into the frigid cold, another moved southeast where the sea was a companion, one explored east to discover a land of immense beauty, one journeyed northeast into the realm of the unknown, one went north where a balance of nature existed, one traveled northwest into welcoming wetlands, one went west to find a land harmonized in freedom and peace, and the last one moved southeast where the arid and hot lands were located.
These spirits not only claimed these lands but also merged with them, giving birth to the spirit trees. Initially, these domains existed in harmony, but as years passed, discord erupted into the First Forest War. A group of rebels opposed to the war intervened, initially seeking harmony. When that proved impossible, they wielded their power to break the continents into eight immense islands, known today as the eight forests.
These forests were Nibel, Niwen, Altum, Hoa, Kainar, Friol, Noiton, and... Nyxus. While Noiton and Friol largely remained in their original locations, the other forests slowly drifted until their spirit trees rooted deeply into the Earth, even below sea level.
Our story zeroes in on Nyxus—the dark eighth forest. The trigger was their increasing might and the presence of their Black Locust spirit tree, which wasn't the most positive influence. Believing they were entitled to more territory, another war broke out. An alliance among the Seven other forests formed to counter Nyxus.
What was truly chilling was that Nyxus was on the verge of winning. Their unique composition of both Light and Dark energies made them nearly twice as resilient and potent
compared to a normal spirit. This imbalance in power was so great that even the united front of the other seven forests struggled immensely against Nyxus.
Victory was eventually clinched when the rebellious group chose to align with the seven forests. These rebels were all users of light burst techniques, but they were pitted against one powerful user of shadow burst. Despite facing severe challenges, they managed to overpower and practically obliterate the forest of Nyxus until it seemed like nothing remained...
"...But as each year passed, that 'nothing' might have actually been 'something'," Sein concluded, putting an end to the ancient tale. "What I've shared is merely the tip of the iceberg—a condensed version of a story so extensive it could fill an entire library. So, interpret it cautiously," she added, aware that her abridged account might spawn more questions and confusion.
"Nyxus..." Ori whispered, prompting Sein to swivel her head towards him. "Ori, may I inquire about what you witnessed in your dreams?" she questioned the male spirit, who met her eyes. "Well, to put it straightforwardly, I was rooted in place within a shadowy realm, watching a sapling grow to maturity. As it released its leaves, those leaves transformed into spirits of both black and white," Ori described, attempting to accurately portray his dream's imagery.
"I see," Sein replied, her thoughts racing internally. 'There could be two scenarios here, and I'm fervently hoping we're on the side of the more favorable one.' Taking on a tone filled with severe gravity, she added, "If we're lucky, those spirits might've largely lost their grip on Light and Light Energy by now. 'Cause if not... well, we could find ourselves in some serious hot water."
"...Could you beat them? If we were pitted against one of these... spirits?" Leru asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. Sein paused to ponder before responding, "Well, let's just put it this way—I wouldn't lose" Her words carried an undertone of assurance, designed to alleviate the concerns festering among the trio.
"As for now, let's keep moving. If we hustle, we could make it to the core of the Ginso Tree by either sundown or sunrise, whichever comes first," Sein suggested, and the others nodded in agreement. With a final, lingering glance at the lifeless body they'd discovered, the quartet stepped through a portal.
Blood splatters from the male spirit's mouth as Light Energy erupts from his body, gradually dissipating into the surrounding air. He executes a few final stretches, and as the view zooms out, it becomes clear that this lone spirit has vanquished all the corrupted spirits surrounding him.
"Color me impressed," a shadowy voice rings out from one of the many darkened corners, bearing witness to the spirit's full-throttle display of power. "I was pretty sure I'd transfigured some of those spirits to be extra strong, too," the voice adds, almost disappointingly. The male spirit responds with an expression that clearly reads "not amused."
The spirit scans the area intently. "Who are you and where are you hiding?" he bellows, his voice tinged with irritation. From an entirely different direction, the hidden voice responds, "My whereabouts aren't important right now. As for who I am—you can call me a ghoul," followed by an eerie, unsettling giggle.
The male spirit's annoyance is palpable; he's being toyed with. "So, curious to know how my ability works?" the enigmatic voice inquires, its tone laced with mockery. "Why on earth would you disclose that to me?" the spirit retorts skeptically. The voice answers back with relish, "Oh, because it'll make everything just so much more entertaining, that's why!" and bursts into laughter.
"Fine, go ahead and entertain us both with your so-called abilities," the spirit retorted, his annoyance barely contained. "Oh, fabulous! I absolutely adore describing what I can do!" came the voice, so buoyant you could practically hear the owner clapping his hands together twice in delight.
"Brace yourself," the voice commanded, and without further ado launched into its spiel. "I've named it Soulvine! Here's a little quiz just for you: Which do you reckon is riskier to assault— the body or the soul?" The spirit, standing amidst a tangle of inert bodies, sighed. "The soul, I presume? And your Art is based on that concept?" A burst of applause erupted from the hidden ghoul. "Ding, ding, ding! Double whammy! Isn't this just exhilarating?"
The spirit could only manage an irked side glance in the direction of the disembodied voice. "As you've likely deduced, my Art enables me to tether my plant-based abilities directly to the souls of my victims. Once the transformation is complete, the corrupted are essentially puppets under my control," the voice explained, breaking into a delighted giggle. "While my Art may not boast an expansive array of moves, the effectiveness of what I can do, as you've experienced, is truly staggering."
The focus then shifts, blurring the image of the male spirit and gradually revealing another figure standing behind him—a nearly complete inverse of him. The colors on this so-called Ghoul were inverted: whites to blacks, blacks to whites, but with additional green and purple blotches sprinkled across his form. The dark parts of this spirit appeared almost like a very deep gray, and his eye sockets—or rather, the whites of the eyes—were jet black like normal spirits, framed by white pupils.
"To initiate the transformation," the Ghoul began, his voice noticeably closer now. The spirit spun around to see the inverted-colored figure standing near, casually ripping off its own finger. "Under ordinary circumstances, I feed them this digit," he elaborated. "But let's face it, I wouldn't be the one chosen for this unique assignment if I were just 'ordinary,' now would I?"
The male spirit's thoughts raced: 'An assignment, you say?' Meanwhile, the Ghoul continued, "However, when these thorns are engaged," he hoisted up his palm revealing an ominous green aura, "I can also just slap my victims to instigate the transformation process."
"Ah, but you, my dear friend, make for an ideal experimental subject," the Ghoul sneered, assuming a combat-ready stance. "Let's get one thing straight—I am not your friend," the spirit shot back, also bracing himself for the inevitable clash.
The male spirit ponders for a moment, 'The palm slap does pose a threat, but it can't be without a catch. Perhaps the transformation isn't instantaneous. Maybe he has to inject some substance or transfer his Light Energy into me?' Weighty questions, indeed, but there's only one way to really find out.
Making the first move, the Ghoul lunges at the spirit, aiming for a powerful right hook. His attack, however, is skillfully deflected, providing the spirit with an opening to land a solid left hook of his own, using his right fist to deliver a resounding blow to the Ghoul.
Unfazed, the Ghoul grins and summons a vine directly from his wrist. With a fluid motion, he whips it several times toward the spirit, who deftly blocks and sidesteps to evade the incoming strikes.
In a split second, the spirit seizes the vine and yanks the Ghoul toward him. Launching his fist a mere moment before they collide, the Ghoul momentarily lets his guard down, thinking it's a miscalculation. To his surprise, he's struck by a delayed impact.
Lag Motion - A Physical Art that employs minimal Light Energy to execute a time-delayed assault. When the user delivers a swift punch, the trailing Light Energy lingers momentarily, eventually culminating in a secondary strike at the location of the initial blow.
The Ghoul bursts into even more gleeful giggles. "Oh, this is all so fascinating!" it exclaims as it jabs its finger into its own flesh, injecting some unknown substance that bolsters its physical capabilities.
Emboldened by the newfound boost, the Ghoul dashes toward the spirit, palm outstretched for a powerful slap. Just when it thinks it's caught the spirit off guard with its sudden burst of speed, the spirit releases his knees and hips and deftly drops down, going flat on his back and executing a well-timed horse kick aimed directly at the Ghoul's abdomen. This propels the Ghoul upward and away from him.
The spirit smoothly returns to his feet. "You know, I think I read about you fellas in one of those contraband books," the spirit says, sounding amused. "And I've got to say, you guys have really lost your touch," he adds mockingly. The Ghoul doesn't seem to take kindly to the taunt.
Fuming with anger, the Ghoul races back toward the spirit, shouting, "Take that back!" As it slams into the ground, a series of thorny vines burst up from the floor. The spirit nimbly
dodges them, but then finds them being manipulated and launched at him by the infuriated Ghoul.
Miraculously avoiding harm, the spirit finds an opening as the Ghoul moves in for yet another strike. This time, yet again the spirit was faster, landing a powerful punch right in the Ghoul's gut. As the fist makes contact, a puff of blue light emanates from it.
Sent reeling backward, the Ghoul coughs up blood. 'That blow was far more potent than the one to my jaw... What just happened?' Confused and wary, it looks up to see the spirit, who appears to be smirking. "Seems like my luck's still holding. Scored a critical strike on my first try."
Critical Strike - The user shrouds their fist in a substantial amount of Light Energy, enhancing their striking power. This attack carries a 3/7 chance of landing a Critical Strike, which inflicts two times the damage of a standard punch. However, even if a Critical Strike isn't achieved, the Light Energy is expended, with a greater amount used compared to a typical punch. Utilizing this move is a gamble, with the potential for significant rewards if the Critical Strike connects.
The Ghoul's pupils constrict, and one of its fingers takes on a deep purple hue. "I hoped I wouldn't have to resort to this, but you give me no other option," it declares, raising the hand with the altered finger. "Time to pull out all the stops," it says, biting off and swallowing the finger whole.
A resonant, heavy heartbeat sound reverberates as the Ghoul undergoes a transformation. Purple markings branch out from its chest, extending along its arms. "Maximum Art: Soul Deity," it mutters in a grave, low voice.
At first, the spirit doesn't think much of the Ghoul's apparent power-up. 'How much stronger can one boost make them?' he thinks, but he's almost immediately proven wrong. The Ghoul's newfound speed takes him by surprise; he barely dodges an attack that grazes his left cheek.
The relentless assault continues, leaving the spirit unsure of his next move. Unable to form the hand signs for his own Maximum Technique, he realizes his best shot at survival is to make a strategic retreat. 'This incredible power-up has to be depleting their Light Energy. I've got to drag this out and make my escape when they're weakened,' he thinks.
The Ghoul's strategy is more straightforward—simply wear the spirit down through incremental damage until the time is right to strike.
It becomes a game of cat and mouse, each trying to outwit the other. In a precarious moment, the spirit's left knee gives out. Seizing the opportunity, the Ghoul lunges toward a nearby wall, ricocheting off it to collide with the incapacitated spirit. Bracing for impact, the spirit instinctively channels all his remaining Light Energy to his abdomen just as the Ghoul's palm makes contact.
"Game over!" shouts the Ghoul, but it doesn't realize that the spirit has other plans. Just before the transfiguration process can begin, the spirit ingeniously repels the Ghoul away, launching it into a heap of rubble and bark. Using meticulous footwork, the spirit propels himself to safety.
Before the Ghoul can resume its pursuit, the Spirit has already vanished into the shadows. The Ghoul's purple markings start to fade. "Tch, it's pointless to chase him now. I'm running low on Dark Energy, quite injured as well..." it mutters, a tone of resignation seeping into its voice. But then its mood lifts, "For the first time in a while, though, that fight was actually entertaining. Oh, I forgot to ask his name!" The Ghoul chuckles softly to itself, savoring the remnants of the thrill.
Cut to the Spirit, who managed to elude the mayhem. He's propped up against a wall, clutching his stomach riddled with numerous shallow but agonizing punctures. "If my Light Energy hadn't acted on its own to shield my soul, I'd be toast by now," he muses, a tinge of relief in his tone. Gathering his thoughts, he stands up, "I should be safe for a bit; he's likely drained of his Light Energy by now." With that in mind, he rises and resumes his quest to find the other spirits.
To Be Continued
YOOOOOO, who do you think that Spirit is?! Ah, never mind, most of you reading this have probably played the game already. Plus, there's only one ancestral tree in the Ginso Tree, right? Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter! Catch you in the next one!
(⊃≧▽≦)⊃{✧ Spirit Sparkles ✧}⊂(≧▽≦⊂)
"Do any of you listen to music?" the narrator inquires, prompting the four spirits to pause and ponder. Ori is the first to chime in, saying, "Well, I haven't been exposed to a lot of songs or anything, but I really enjoy the melodies that Naru used to hum to lull me to sleep."
The narrator's voice perks up, "Could you hum that tune for us?" Ori nods, responding, "Sure, I can try...but let me think for a moment, how did it go again?" After a brief pause to recall, Ori closes his eyes, puts on a comforting smile, and begins to hum the melody. (For the readers: Ori hums a motif from the final 30 seconds of 'Naru Embracing the Light.')
"That's such a soothing melody!" Leru exclaims, enthusiastically clapping her hands together. "Okay, so, my turn. I remember hearing this song while I was wandering around the central area. Some musicians were playing it," Leru says, proceeding to generate a simplistic tune using her wind manipulation powers, while also humming a series of "nnnh" notes. (For the readers: Leru is crafting and humming a motif from 'The Spirit Tree.')
"Okay, I'm up next!" Fil announces, enthusiastically clapping his hands together. "So, I heard this particular tune when I was journeying across the varied lands of Nibel. Can't exactly recall where, but the melody really struck a chord with me." Fil then attempts his best to
beatbox the tune. However, it didn't quite turn out the way he had envisioned, sparking a burst of laughter. A sheepish Fil ends up scratching the back of his head. (For the readers: Fil was aiming to beatbox a motif from 'The Crumbling Path.')
Sein claps for each performer, appreciating their efforts. "You know, I don't really engage much with music," she announces, eliciting gasps from Fil and Leru. "Hold on, you mean to say you haven't liked any music you've ever heard or even bothered to listen to any?" Fil queries, his voice tinged with disbelief. Sein merely shrugs her shoulders in response.
"Alright, if you're not a music aficionado, could you at least tell us which melody you've enjoyed the most among those you have heard?" Leru inquires, locking eyes with Sein in a moment of palpable seriousness. Pausing to think for a brief moment, Sein rubs the back of her head. "Well, if I had to choose, I'd say I find Naru's humming the most comforting," she eventually says, glancing towards Ori.
"Ah, blatant favoritism!" Leru exclaims, suddenly rising from her seated position to theatrically kick the air. A bewildered Sein retorts, "What on earth do you mean by that?" At that point, Fil chimes in, "She's saying you're clearly biased towards Ori and not us." Upon hearing this, an unmistakable mark of anger becomes visible on Sein's forehead, while Ori simply sits there, silently bracing for whatever is about to unfold.