A/N: Hello everyone, I am here with the continuation of my version of the Blind Forest story. I am entering in the Will of the Wisps territory, and by that, I feel many people can guess what awaits.
I've been thinking, I still have quite a lot to write in this story. I've been thinking a lot in which direction I want to take this tale. Allow me to say, this version of mine will not share many similarities with the original source. I am changing many aspects from how the game originally was, creating more space and elements to interact with the world and characters.
I am not able to leave a release date this time around, I am sorry. However, the weekends still are the most probable time for me to upload.
Finally, I wish you a good reading. May the Spirit Tree guide your steps.
1 - New Seasons (Prologue)
A new season had begun. Nibel welcomes the serenity of autumn to its midst. Where a bronze-colored landscape painted every green leaf to a dry, but beautiful orange. The windiest season, where days are shorter and plants stop giving food. A most comfortable warning that it's the equinox to the winter's solstice. The forest becomes more chilly in consequence of less daylight, but all had their natural means of seeking refuge and warmth, be it their coats of fur, scales, or feathers or a family to cuddle with.
Two years had passed since the Great Blindness of Nibel. Beloved be Sein, the wisp of this wondrous forest that allowed no evil to encroach on their home since then. She was not stressed by the events that transpired here but gave much more attention to the land itself and to its inhabitants, her simplicity and kind nature allowing her to befriend all those who approach.
Being the eyes of Yali, the Spirit Oak, Sein would always give much attention to her soulmate. While her clones were out there doing her will, she minded always his happiness above herself. What Yali always liked to do from time to time was simple, she wished he would ask more from her, but in the end, it is just a simple wish that comes and goes. A simple desire to watch over that special group in the Swallows Nest.
A simple family, a simple crew. Family and friends that always were on the loose. The youngest of the heroes, covered in white with pure lines of smooth fur, nominated by Yali himself as the Light of Nibel lived happily and freely as a spirit, out and away from the responsibilities of a guardian. A just lifestyle to compensate for his traumatic childhood.
Now a fully developed teen, his glow intensified with a gentle blue tone among the whiteness of his body. A trait of maturity, yet he was as playful as ever before, and sometimes an airhead. That was not all. Tipped with a black, twitchy nose that only grew more sensitive with time to smell all types of scents. His long, narrowed and tapered ears, thickly rounded in its middle bit to catch many sounds and funnel it down to his eardrums to filter its source and position were all but improved. His senses were sharp and trained, his black eyes with white pupils always would find his target.
It was a new training session. Alongside friends, he was kept busy to not lose aim during that time. The cool atmosphere of autumn blew the leaves that were cut down by his blade, the Spirit Edge, a most common weapon of spirits, but his had a uniqueness of its own. Bluish flames that he inherited from Sein coated the blade and followed it wherever he swung.
Together with Layla, they danced in a new duel. They spared for a fun time to see how each other would fare in battle. He fought a friend filled with cuisine qualities. Being a chef and a dancer of her homeland, Kainar, Layla had different traits to define her female body and distinguish her from a spirit of Nibel. She carries a much thicker tail that can withstand her own weight, detailing with smaller and sharper ears, curly tuft-horns and overall shorter fur that allowed her to better live in arid climates. She also had a definition of muscular legs that made her the dancer she is.
She would never wield a weapon, for her legs did the job just right. A skilled user of the Spirit Ignition, a power that combusts her Light into power, Layla used her ability to boost her physical traits, mostly strength, and agility to greater levels. Although the overuse of the ability can cause harm to the user, she mastered how to diminish the consequences with training to be able to enjoy more time empowered.
Although they faced each other, someone was watching to keep them from getting hurt. Ario was this judge, a grown-up adult of similar characteristics to Ori. He wore a vestment that usually spirits don't bother to wear unless there is a ceremony for the occasion, but in his case, it was a gift given from a rather distant relative. For him, the scarf was a part of himself. He was inseparable from the simple, yet singular muffler. He was a spirit that mastered the Spirit Arc, a traveler that reunited the Zephyr's crew. Ario was also an artist and loved to capture pretty landscapes on self-made canvas through his ability, the Spirit Art, a technique of controlling the environmental light to his bidding through the use of a quill pen so to draw.
Through blue flames and orange-colored energy clashed, Ori had difficulty to breach her defense and get her vulnerable. Ori charges forward with the intent to swing wide his blade and Layla hops high, stepping on his wrist giggling while he swings. She shifts her position while Ori still tries to recover, she is ahead, stepping down on his shoulders and using her weight to bring him down. Ori resists the weight by fortifying his legs to hold his position, which was also countered. Layla simply and quickly charged a jump using Ori as a trampoline, displaying him flat on the forest floor, and before he could move again, Layla was above, locking his movements. The defeat was guaranteed.
"Okay, enough." Ario claps loudly, announcing the victor. "Layla wins!"
Layla aids him to get up, comforting him for the fun duel.
"You did well." She compliments Ori. "Try always to not leave your intention too clear to your opponent. In battle, you may require more finesse than force to win."
"That is right." Added Ario. "Once in a true battle, you must not let your foe know your intentions, it will allow them to counter you more easily. That said, I liked that you're trying hard, your skill has improved. Now let's practice your aiming, shall we?"
Ori nods before the next task. Ario takes his quill pen and draws multiple simple motionless targets that hover to their positions. Ori summons his Spirit Arc, a ranged weapon, capable of firing arrows of light energy. He takes aim, pulling the string and firing the arrow to the first target. He hits it and prepares to fire the second.
"Layla." Ario tilts his head suggestively, telling her to difficult things for him. She nods and channels her ignition, charging towards Ori aiming.
She dives in, hoping to strike the distracted spirit while he shoots the second target. Ori was alerted, he ducks out of her dive kick and proceeds to the third target, aiming firmly without losing focus. Before he could let go of the string, Layla attempted to sweep and knock him over. Ori jumps out of her range and fires midair at the target, hitting it and already aiming for the next one. This would be difficult, Layla already prepared a new attack, this time it would be undodgeable.
They had already experienced it before, Ori had lost countless times to the detail of Layla cornering him and inevitably ruining his focus. An archer must not waver, as must not anything else in the heat of battle, he was taught. Ori had to overcome this simple problem, and after all this time he would answer in kind. They moved in slow motion, moments before he could be kicked Ori had dismissed the bow and prepared to repel Layla. Ori summons his blade and clashes against her, pushing both away and giving him space to resummon the bow and firing away at his targets.
"Nice." Ario commented from afar.
Only one remained, the farthest and highest of targets. Ori had to charge the arrow to travel further, he needed a small portion of seconds but also to keep Layla in check. Her agility is not easy to read, her movements dazzling to the eye. He aimed not at the target but rather at Layla. She approached doing zigzags and the hope of hitting her was thin, but that was not his plan. Ori shifts the arrow tip to an orb, a Light Burst, and discharges it. He detonates the orb moments after firing it, creating a smoke curtain, this should give him a few seconds of reprieve. Ori charges jump out of the curtain and Layla does the same, however, Ori was ahead and aiming down at her. Another orb, this one would push her down. Should she use more of the ignition to air step out of the way? She would prefer not to require such a thing but seeing how hard he is trying, she would do so as well. Her enhancement intensifies, she manages to get out of his aim. Yet Ori was unaltered, still aiming at the same spot. Layla felt confused, she is not the target? Where is he-
She sees it. There was another orb left on the ground, one that she did not notice. But as she realized it Ori fired at the orb and it bursts twice as strong. It provoked strong chains of winds that blew in every direction. Layla is pushed away and loses balance while Ori aims at the final target triumphantly. He charged the arrow, fortifying it to travel long distances, it grows in size and he shoots it. The arrow flies freely and achieves a bullseye. It settled his first victory over her.
Layla was impressed and sat down a little tired. She cheers for him as he descends back to land. He felt overjoyed, he celebrated upon landing.
"Congratulations! You made it." Ario bolsters his hard work. "Your aim was impeccable, to hit such a far target is no simple feat, midair even!"
"Thanks!" Ori smiles flattered, huffing through the adrenaline. "I was so focused, my blood is boiling!" He confessed.
Ario chuckles. "That's good. Means you were in the flow of combat. It allows you to be much more efficient in decision making in these crucial moments. You have honed this feature. Feel proud. You are talented, my guy."
The two calm and pacific years that Nibel lived were a great opportunity for Ori to simply relax and enjoy his days, but he was interested in training to sharpen his skills. "Why?" He was asked, but his motives were simple, "To protect those I love." He replied with determination. A most benevolent of reasons, pure and straightforward. Ario could only oblige before his shiny eyes. Although it took two years, it brought fruitful results. No training is meant to be short; it is a journey, a learning experience that he will take with him forever out there. Simple lessons on how to look for yourself in the field of battle are important, because… soon or later, all must face what fate has in store.
With the celebration met and done, they finished training for the day. Tomorrow would bring more exercises and problems for him to deal with. Ario and Layla were always on point and available to help him out.
"Very well then, I will return to the Zephyr and assist Daruk and Franz." Ario informed. "We must prepare ourselves for the arrival of winter too." Ario gazed at the skies, the daylight growing dim as they arrived in the afternoon.
"Alright! I will accompany Ori to their den." Layla replied. "Tell them I sent greetings!"
"Of course." Ario said to them. "Layla, I'll expect good behavior from you, as always."
She blushes and rubs the back of her head sheepishly. "I promise! I won't bother lady Naru too much!"
Ario gives her a short chuckle. Like she will behave herself… "Alright, do your best. Ori, if she becomes an annoyance, do inform me to take appropriate measures."
"You meanie!" She complains. "I am never an annoyance, right, Ori?"
Ori goes silent with a shy smile. "Hum… I don't know!" He replies with a vague response, leaving both hanging confused.
Ario does a quick hum. "Fine. Now go. We will be repairing the Zephyr." He turns away and before walking to the Thornfelt Swamp, he goes back. "Ah, one more thing, Ori. If Gumo is available to help, say that we're expecting him."
Ori agreed to the request and walked back to his den together with Layla. She and Ario were the closest friends since Daruk and Franz often stayed at the ship. They do visit sometimes as does Ori but Layla is quite special, she is almost the entire time around with Ori, be to cook meals or to be a friend, she is quite inseparable. Ario feared she was becoming a nuisance, but Ori is always fond of her company. If Ori said the word she would be scolded, which he did not want to happen to her.
Is not that she is bad-mannered, stubborn or noisy. On the contrary, she's a formal spirit that always helps out Naru in many activities. However, she has her inner child very active, which makes her chase after things that she finds cute. And on her radar was Ori, of course. Even if he had grown her interests remained strong.
"How is the ship doing, Layla?" Ori asked.
"Oh, most of it is functioning. The propulsors, sails, and propellers are good to go, but there is the forge to be repaired. By what I understand of it, that machine is what conduits the energy to boost the engine and activate the systems of flight, allowing further controls for navigation."
"I see." He replied. "It's been a while since the repairs began, right? Must be difficult to deal with such a vessel."
"Yeah, but that is more problematic to the boys there than it is to me. I don't hate traveling, but I wished Ario would settle down. Live a pacific life and stuff here in Nibel." She sighs. "Now more than ever we have a great task ahead of us. At least I had a nice vacation."
"It is about the seven forests, right?" Ori asked.
"Yes. Since he told me about Yali, I am fully pledged to aid him however I can." Her expression turned heavier and worried. "This will be one great adventure, perhaps the greatest we ever had."
"I can go with you if that would make you feel better." Ori tells.
She smiles and rests a hand on her chest with fuzzy feelings. She takes a deep breath and slowly releases it. "Don't worry about me. You have your family here in Nibel, soon the owlet will be born and you promised to keep it safe, right?"
"Yes, but… Will you be alright?" He asked worriedly.
She had an urge to hug him but behaved herself. She tries to evade eye contact, trying to not worry him, which was not working.
He wondered how he could help, so he got an idea and walked up to her and stood still. She was lost in thoughts and failed to notice Ori approaching and standing silent right in front of her. Soon she takes notice and tries to not look pained.
"Want a hug?" He offered knowing she wouldn't refuse. He reaches out his arms open for her.
Her ears perk back up with the invite; smile flourishing warmly. "Hey, It's the first time I see you openly inviting me. What drives you at this moment?"
"I've learned that hugs are powerful. it is the best medicine for troubled hearts. Mom taught me that."
Layla lets out a soft giggle. "Naru is lovely, isn't she? Now I will be taking the offering, delightfully."
She charges forward and embraces him firmly, lifting him and spinning around joyfully. The winds of autumn blow evermore, carrying many leaves as Ori comforts a friend. Soon Layla lets him go and she looks much better.
"Thank you, Ori. It means a lot!" She feels restored. It would be a feeling she would miss when they would depart. So she made as much use of the time as she could.
"My pleasure." He replied ever so kind. "Just so you know, I will beat you in the duel for good next time!"
She feels hyped up. "I will be looking forward to it. Don't think because you won the arc exercise that you can win in a defined dance. But enough of that, let's go home and relax. I wish to cook a meal for you and everyone."
Ori hums with interest. It was past time for lunch and he couldn't wait. They settled in, greeting Naru and Gumo who were occupied in their chores. Naru was trying to cook their meal, a honey salad. A dish that uses a mixture of vegetables and fruits with heated honey to add a special flavor. The preparation of the honey is very slimy but soon would harden with heat turning it thicker and used as a coating over the dish. its sweetness mixes and blends with every appetizer when poured over. Layla gives aid and they feast on their lunch soon enough.
Gumo had been building some platforms like playgrounds for the soon to arrive new family member. He had made stairways, roads, and trampolines around their cave. He joins the others in the mealtime, chattering as a normal band of friends.
"Gumo, GumO guMo! (Oh, this is so good!)" He took another spoonful on the bowl.
"I wonder how we will live without Layla to help me with these recipes. Oh, I feel so distracted while cooking." Naru commented.
"Fear not." Layla giggles. "You will learn normally as you try. The way of cuisine requires training like anything else. Just don't give up."
"I'll do my best." Naru replied joyfully. "I am super grateful for all your help, Layla. I hope you may be able to create even more delicious recipes to teach me later!"
Layla takes a moment. "Of course. I would love to return someday…"
The first to finish their bowl was Ori, who asked for more. They emptied the cauldron very fast and once they were satisfied, they returned to their affairs. Gumo went outside to find things to build. Ori sat down and tried to draw on the cave's walls their new family, he tried to imagine how the owlet would look like. He had a nice space reserved for it in the picture. The painting had him, Naru, Gumo, Sein, Ario, Layla, Franz, Daruk, Kuro, the Zephyr, and the Spirit Tree all happily together. It had the blank space for the owlet, and he couldn't wait to be able to fill that space. It was not stylish art compared to the drawings of Ario, but he minded not many details. He painted and drew the best he could, it was sloppy but had passion, which was the core importance of any creation.
Meanwhile, Ori's hearing caught the voice of Layla pleading not far from him.
"Naru, please please please, I must hear it! It is a chance of a lifetime!"
"Hmm…" Naru was thinking. "I don't know if he would like it, but there is no harm in trying."
What are they discussing? He titled his long ears, perking them to the side to hear better.
"Oh, that's great! I can't wait!" Layla seemed overjoyed, what made her like that?
"Okay, but I can't confirm it will work. Since he has grown… " Naru sighs. "They grow up so fast! Oh…" She places one hand on her cheek.
"Believe, lady Naru. It will work! I need to witness this." Layla encouraged her.
Hm, are they talking about… Ori? He felt weirdly embarrassed. What could they be seeking to accomplish?
"Right, let's go to him." Naru affirmed.
Go to him? Right now? He tried not to look aware and just played cool on his mind.
Naru and Layla approach. Oh no, he is indeed the target! He felt weirder. He turned around to see the two towering over him. He lets out shy words in the situation...
"H-hey… how can I… help?"
"Excuse me, love. We need a moment of your cooperation." Naru stated. Layla was quiet but very excited.
"Hm… Okay?"
Naru went right to work. She holds Ori under the arms and lifts him. Even if he had grown, he weighed almost the same as his younger form. Naru had no problems to carry him and adjust him to lay on his back on her arms, on her embrace. He stood quietly as he was brought closer to his mother enveloping him as she would do for many nights. He was a bit too old to be held like a baby but he remains very quiet and doesn't resist.
Layla felt like melting already. The cuteness of him laid down with Naru was just astounding. He was cooperating just nicely. He could deduce what being positioned like that would mean.
"Mom, is it time to sleep already? It's not night yet." He brings a solid argument, but as much he deduced right, they planned to provoke something from him.
"It's been a while since I carried you like that, right? Do you remember how fast you used to sleep?" She gently squeezes him to tuck his arms and legs, affectionately reducing his space, so the "baby" could feel protected.
The sensation started to pour in. It's been a while since he last had his lulling bedtimes where Naru made him sleep. Since the day she returned, they would do it every night in the previous years. But as he grew more independent in some regards he started to sleep by himself, without his mother's help. Another sign of maturity every child passes through. It's just nature's way.
Even so, he enjoyed the sensation after this long. He could easily drift to a good nap like that. His tail had space to waggle about as the only part of him that could move. He felt calmer and relaxed, drowsiness gathering and turning his eyelids heavier.
"Now, for the finale, Layla. The secret weapon that I had to induce him to sleep flawlessly was simple. Observe."
Layla paid much attention to them and how Naru brought his head a bit closer to her chest. She made a new, pushing squeeze on her elbow and directed his ear closer. Once she had his ear on the spot, it was just a matter of time...
Ori's eyes firstly grew mildly wide, like something struck him. Layla watched with eager eyes. Did it work? And soon Ori had a softening expression on his face, his breathing easing and eyes slowly closing to the sound he could hear…
"Heartbeats." Naru revealed. "It is the ultimate solution that can tranquil him from anything. It seems it works just fine as ever before. My father had taught me: When you listen to the heartbeat of a loved one, it can do miracles to wash away stress and worse. This gentle sound has a calming effect."
Not only was he being soothed to sleep but he also couldn't contain his own body from demonstrating gratitude. He began purring, began emitting his low-vibratory sound of spirits, much similar to felines. It was a heavenly sound to Layla, she started to tear up at the sheer beauty and cuteness of him so peacefully falling asleep. It was a magical sight. By the Light of Seil, this was the cutest thing she had ever seen or heard.
"Helloooo." Ario arrives at the place and hears a familiar purr. Layla and Naru were focused and neither of them gave attention to him. He approaches and sights Ori sleeping and purring to his heart's content. He remembers when he had the feat to have him sleeping like that once… It was a good memory, his proof of forgiveness.
He smiled and Layla would shed tears of joy. He would have asked why Layla was taking so long to bring them their meal but once he saw it too, he forgot about it. Such a peaceful sight to behold, it was calming even to those close by. Then he visualizes the drawing right to their side, the big family painting that was partially incomplete. The egg was in its nest, comfy and warmed. The time it needed to hatch was long, they couldn't explain why not even Sein. But the time was close, soon Ori would be able to complete his family painting.
"So, he likes to take naps?" Ario asked to break the silence.
"Ah, not really." Layla replies shyly. "I… wanted to hear him purring. So I pleaded to Naru if she could help me. As you can see, listening to heartbeats achieves it just right, plus it puts him to sleep. I am in love~."
"Interesting. Can I tell them how to make you purr, Layla?" Asked Ario.
She blushes and almost freaks out. "Of course not!" She crosses her arms.
"Alright. Let's leave that for another time." He says playfully. "Since Ori is sleeping, you are hereby free to join us at the Zephyr, Layla. And by that, I demand you to feed us. We are hungry."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I wished to take my time here, so, yeah. I am on my way." She turns to Naru. "See you soon, lady Naru. Thank you for the gift! I loved it!" She murmurs to not disturb Ori's sleep.
"You're most welcome." She replied. "Until next time."
Then the duo moves out of the place, discussing between them.
"Can't you cook meals too?" Layla asked, a little annoyed. She glances back over her shoulder briefly. "I wanted to hear more…"
"I could. "Ario said. "But you made me addicted to your cooking so it can't be helped. Moreover, you can hear him purr more often now since you know how to trigger it."
Layla started to daydream and blush. "Ah, I can't do such a thing. I am not worthy. He would not listen to my heartbeat, would he?"
"I don't know why he wouldn't. You may need a moment where he is distressed and unable to sleep to have an opening. Then you're good to go."
"Nah. I hope to never get to see him in such a state just to satisfy my need to hear him purr."
"True, he had enough trouble already." Ario commented and wondered. "This brings back memories. I got him to hear my heartbeats once. It was kinda accidental, but I had no idea it had such a good impact. He was so angry…" He remembers the events of the Black Root Burrows.
"What?" Layla asked, shook. "And you never told me?!"
"I feared for his health if I had told you." He laughs.
"Why you…!" Layla tightens her fists and channels her ignition angrily. Ario wastes no time running off as Layla pursues him, taking her back to the Zephyr and others.
Little did they know. They lived the eve of the grand day. The egg was swinging on the nest, doing little shakings from the inside. The time was close.
…
After spending the rest of the day resting, the next dawn brought a different exercise that he still had to beat: Weaponry Management. A frenetic simulation where Ori has to make use of diverse weapons of Light he learned to summon to fight against a swarm of insect-like blobs.
The Spirit Smash, a slow, but large hammer capable of delivering heavy impacts; The Spirit Star, a throwable bladed shuriken that can even be a boomerang; The Spirit Spike, an extended spear with a sharpened point refined to be hurled at opponents. All that plus his trusty flaming Spirit Edge and the Arc, giving him a variety of options on how to fare in battle. With quick reflexes and aptitude, he was able to do much more compared to the previous years.
The Spike in special is the most energy consuming and most powerful of the weapons, it requires much of the user to manifest it and its launch can cause a devastating blow and explosive effects.
Through swapping between weapons is quite hard, it is not so exhausting after two years of training. Finesse is built with dedication and the burning desire to be strong. Ori slashed, smashed, and spiked the moving targets while being swarmed by them. A simulation of how to deal with surrounded scenarios.
They won't cause damage, but none are allowed to touch him. Ori swiped them away with good use of the flames of his sword, but that alone won't save him. He quickly bashes the first target that breached his defense and leaped out to a safe distance. He throws the shuriken, hitting most of the floating drawn blobs chasing after him.
"A good tactic." Ario observed. "He knows that being surrounded is disadvantageous, so if he can manage to focus all targets in front of him makes things easier."
"Do you think he'll do it?" Layla asked. "After so many tries, I feel like he may finally get it."
"He just might. Since yesterday, he has been doing much better. He got the hang of it."
That move gave him a good amount of knockouts, but there were still many more. Trying to keep them all in his front rather than around, Ori leaps back wherever he has space to. He summons the Arc and aims an explosive arrow combining the Light Burst. One, two, three shots create a good impact but they're all scattered. A small amount remained but now it would be hard to cover so many sides at once. Ori takes a small retreat, running away and allowing the flying blobs to go after him. He dashes in circles, gathering the unintelligent swarm and once they are all reunited again, Ori charges jump up, going as high as possible and once he reaches the maximum peak, he gazes down to the swarm hot on his tail. He summons the Spirit Edge, and starts to create a momentum of a spinning motion as he descends. The flames and his rapid rotating movement makes his defense unbreachable. That movement was difficult to handle, but since gravity was moving him, all he had to do was spin to win.
The swarm had no chance. It was obliterated as his blade met all of them charging unrelenting. Ori lands on his hooves, the sword on his back, and the other hand on the soil. He had done it, he managed to beat the swarm after many, many tries across all his training. It was two tests down in two days, things couldn't get better!
Similarly, Layla comes dashing and celebrating. Ario walked calmly right after.
"Yahoo! You did it, Ori!" Layla boosted. "That cloud of flies had no chance!"
"These were not flies." Ario corrected her. "It was simple blobs of light. Ah, nevermind."
They celebrate avidly, cheering his hard efforts across the years. Challenges that were so difficult before, now done masterfully. Layla carries Ori on a piggyback ride using her Ignition to sustain her.
"So, it seems I am going too easy on you. May I spice things up?" Ario asked.
"Do it!" Added Layla. "He had never seen an easier challenge. Right, Ori?"
"No, no, no!" Ori protests. "I had a lot of difficulties getting through it! Don't you dare to ruin my victory! I'll beat you up!" He said angrily and got a good laugh from Ario and Layla who just were messing with him.
"In any case, it seems you can switch much more freely between your armaments. With that settled, I do hope you put it to good use."
"I will. it will be perfected when-" Ori is interrupted with a rambling of branches and bushes swagging by the great windy weather. Yet Ario caught something in the sounds flying by. Footsteps; not too heavy, not too light. As soon as the wind gust ceases, Ori and Layla could hear it too. A gumon, rushing through and panting heavily. Ario doesn't take conclusions and awaits for Gumo to arrive.
"Gumo! GUMO GUMO! (Ori! SHE'S HERE!)"
They look curious by the gumon's words. It sounded worrisome, so much that Layla and Ario awaited for Ori to translate for further details. Ori takes a long moment; outrightly shocked. It just adds the perturbing feeling. Something bad happened?
"Ori?" Ario calls, breaking his trance as Layla too shakes him on her shoulders.
He calms down, and happiness erupts from him. She has arrived!
"She's here!" He shares the news. "She's finally here!"
"She?" They asked, and right after the massage went through. Joy peaked higher than ever before. After all the long years awaiting her arrival, it comes right in a great opportunity where they were in the mood of partying.
"She is here!" They shout.
…
