Ori's consciousness began to emerge from the depths of the dream, like a distant echo growing louder and clearer. A voice, filled with urgency and concern, pierced through the veil of his slumber.
"o...i"
"...ri!"
"Ori!"
The voice intensified, reaching its peak until it became an undeniable call that Ori.
"ORI! WAKE UP!"
Ori's eyes snapped open, his heart racing as he sucked in a desperate breath. The tremors of the nightmare still clung to his mind, casting a shadow over his thoughts. He turned his gaze towards the source of the disturbance, finding Sein's concerned face hovering above him. "Sein?" Ori stammered, his voice laden with both relief and lingering fear.
"Thank the light you're awake," Sein exhaled with visible relief, clasping her hands to her chest. "Get up, Ori. We need to make our way to the Ginso Tree," she urged, her voice carrying a sense of urgency. Ori slowly rose, rubbing his head in a dazed manner, his mind still foggy.
"Alright..." Ori followed Sein as she led the way toward Fil. As they approached, Fil greeted Ori with a warm smile. "Morning, Ori. Did you sleep well?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. Ori let out a tired sigh, his morning voice betraying his lack of rest. "Not really," he replied, his words laced with weariness.
"Wait, hold still, Ori," Sein insisted, stopping him from moving any further. She gently placed her antennae on Ori's head, her brows furrowing with concentration. Ori stood there, feeling slightly awkward and uncertain of what to do with his limbs. He complied, trying his best to remain motionless as Sein conducted a swift examination of his body.
Sein withdrew her antennae from Ori's head, and he couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and confusion. "Uhm... why did you do that?" Ori inquired, his voice tinged with mild bewilderment. Sein met his question with a gentle smile. "I took a quick body examination," she explained
"Wha-" Ori's confusion still lingered, leaving him at a loss for words. Sensing his perplexity, Fil stepped in to provide some clarity. "Sein has a vast amount of knowledge on light and its workings," he interjected, his voice carrying a tone of admiration. "She can perform all sorts of 'extras' that we simply can't." Ori stood there, absorbing Fil's explanation, a mix of wonder and realization flickering in his eyes "Huh..." was all that could escape Ori's mouth.
"So, how's Ori doing, Sein?" Fil inquired, his gaze shifting between Sein and Ori. Sein paused for a moment, contemplating her response. "Well... surprisingly, he has only regained half of his light," she replied, a touch of concern lacing her words. "However, the amount of light present in his body indicates that he has acquired all the necessary basics." Sein's confusion deepened as she wondered why Ori hadn't fully regained his light. Ori, on the other hand, stood there once again, his expression etched with bewilderment, struggling to comprehend the significance of their conversation.
Sein redirected her attention back to Ori, her eyes fixed on him intently. "Ori, can you tell me what are the three elements that have to be restored?" she inquired, her voice patient but expectant. Ori stared at her, caught off guard by the sudden query. "Wha-" he started to say before Sein interrupted firmly, urging him to focus. "Just answer the question, Ori. What are the three elements of the forest that have to be restored?" Sein repeated, her tone emphasizing the importance of the matter. As if by some mysterious force, information Ori had never known he possessed flooded his mind. "Water, wind, warmth," Ori responded, surprised by his own revelation.
"Okay, where are they located?" Sein inquired, her voice filled with anticipation. Ori, still uncertain of how he knew the answer, replied, "The element of Water can be high a top of the Ginso Tree. The element of Wind is hidden within the depths of the Forlorn Ruins. And the element of Warmth resides beneath the fires of Mount Horu."
Fil and Sein exchanged a quick glance before refocusing their attention on Ori. "Tell us about your ability," Sein inquired with genuine curiosity. Ori took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding thoughtfully, delving into the details. "well, it's called Grapple. With this ability, I can project a silk-like substance that securely anchors itself to any object I aim at. When used against light-emitting objects, It sticks without fail, except when I intentionally choose not to and I think I have gained complete control over it now"
"Well, I'll be damned," Fil chuckled, his tone lighthearted. "Looks like someone here got their education," he teased, causing Ori to puff up his cheeks in mock indignation. Sein let out a sigh, intervening to bring the focus back to the task at hand. "Alright, let's set aside the light mystery for now. Our priority is to make our way to the Ginso Tree," she declared, guiding the group's attention back to their mission.
"So... where are we headed?" Ori inquired, curiosity lacing his voice. Sein paused for a moment before responding, her gaze focused ahead. "First, we need to navigate through Hollow Grove, and from there, we will reach Thornfelt Swamp," she explained, outlining their intended path.
"Will there be anything interesting along the way?" Ori asked, his curiosity piqued. Sein pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Perhaps I could provide you with a brief geography lesson?"
"Hm? About what? Nibel or beyond?" Ori inquired, his ears perking up with interest. Sein paused for a moment, contemplating her response. "About what lies beyond Nibel," she replied, her voice filled with a sense of wonder.
"Yeah, tell me!" Ori exclaimed, his intrigue evident in his voice. Sein smiled in response to Ori's enthusiasm. "Alright, let me think... which forest should I start with?" Sein tapped her chin
"Well, let's start with the land furthest from here, Altum," Sein suggested, capturing Ori's attention. However, this time, Fil's ears also perked up, revealing his own long-standing desire to visit Altum.
Altum, the largest forest in this world, stretches across an area twice the size of the second-largest forest. However, its land is renowned for its unforgiving weather, particularly during harsh winters when cold and blizzards prevail. Thankfully, the spirits in Altum possess naturally thick fur, shielding them from the biting cold.
The forested expanse is teeming with diverse regions, each boasting its own distinctive landmarks. In the far north, treacherous ice flows traverse the surface of the ocean, constantly shifting and providing ample fishing opportunities. As you venture south, vast frozen tundra dominates the landscape, where the permafrost impedes the growth of trees. Yet, the majority of Altum is adorned with majestic mountains and expansive ranges stretching from verdant river valleys to imposing snow-capped peaks. As far as the eye can see, boreal forests adorned with towering pines and graceful aspens paint a picturesque panorama.
Seid, known as the eye of the Spirit Spruce, wields the broadest reach and emits the most radiant light among all the Spirit Lights. With an unwavering optimism, Seid holds a deep affection for the forest and its resident spirits, even in the face of adversity. When interacting with the spirits, Seid consistently uplifts their morale, offering encouragement and fostering a joyful atmosphere.
Seid's prominence within the vast forest and their abundant light energy endow them with formidable power, making them one of the mightiest beings and the strongest eye among the seven forests. Their role as the eye of the forest grants them a unique ability to shape-shift into any creature of their choosing, thereby harnessing the inherent strengths and abilities of those forms.
Altum is also home to three prominent creatures: the Michi, Sarok, and Dark Wolves. The Michi, cold-climate relatives of the Moki, are renowned for their friendly and laid-back nature. Despite their small stature, they possess remarkable agility, expertly navigating the lakes and rivers of their lowland habitats. Often dwelling among the spirits, they form close bonds and treat each other as family. Resilient and communal, the Michi establish commonwealths, sharing resources and engaging in lively debates to overcome Altum's challenges.
Sarok, large mountain goats with snow-white fur, inhabit Altum's higher altitudes. Wise and helpful, they were the original mentors to the spirits, imparting crucial survival skills. Though not actively serving as guardians, they occasionally intervene in times of grave danger.
Dark Wolves, massive creatures that roam in packs throughout Altum, have varied relationships with the rest of the forest. Some packs are accepting and cooperative, while others remain cautious and territorial, defending their grounds against any spirits that encroach upon their territory. The more territorial Wolves are predominantly found in the southern regions of Altum.
An awe-inspiring phenomenon worth mentioning is the Light Ceremonies held in Altum. During these ceremonies, a chosen spirit ascends the Spirit Spruce and plays a sacred note on the Great Trembita. The harmonious sound reverberates through every trembita in all settlements, cascading across Altum. Simultaneously, the Spirit Spruce radiates bands of light into the high atmosphere, painting the sky with a breathtaking display akin to the mesmerizing northern lights.
Speaking of the Great Trembita. Crafted from the remnants of a former Spirit Tree, this majestic instrument has served as a beacon of hope and a symbol of unity among the Spirit Guardians for generations. As the largest stationary instrument in a network of trembitas scattered across Altum's settlements, it facilitates swift communication. The resonant tones of the Great Trembita act as a powerful alarm, alerting the entire Altum community to significant events. Meanwhile, less urgent messages are relayed through a chain of trembitas until they reach their intended destination.
Lastly, it is worth noting the skill in smithing possessed by the spirits of Altum. The abundance of metallic ores and deposits throughout the forest has nurtured a vibrant tradition of skilled metalworking among its diverse populations. Even the Michi, despite their smaller stature, boast skilled craftspeople adept at manipulating metal using stone as their medium.
"Whoa... Altum's awesome!" Ori exclaimed with excitement, his eyes sparkling as Sein finished her talk about the forest. Fil couldn't help but silently admire Altum too. "Glad to see you're loving Altum," Sein said with a grin, revealing her own affection for the forest.
"Ah, looks like we've reached the entrance... to a spider's den?" Sein said, a mix of confusion and disgust evident in her expression, while Fil and Ori appeared unfazed.
"So... what's the plan?" Ori asked, curious about their next move, while Fil surveyed the room and Sein continued to express her disgust. After completing his scan, Fil spoke up, "Well... there's an exit down there, but, uh, the floor seems to be missing." As Fil's words sank in, the others joined him in looking down, discovering the absence of flooring.
"But if we can somehow make the giant webbed-up boulder fall, we might be able to land on it and continue our journey safely," Fil explained, outlining his plan. However, before he could finish his explanation, Ori had already taken action. He swiftly shot his grapple towards the ground, the silky substance firmly attaching to the surface. With a leap of faith, Ori descended, stopping just above the spikes below.
"Whoops... a bit too far," Ori exclaimed, realizing he had descended too low. He quickly climbed back up and then began firing grapple after grapple, creating a series of interconnected platforms for Sein and Fil to land on safely.
Fil's mouth widened in an attempt to speak, but no words managed to escape. "... Huh?" he blurted out, perplexed by the situation. Sein couldn't contain herself and burst into giggles upon seeing Fil's expression. "I guess... that works too," Fil finally managed to say.
"It's quite a high fall, isn't it?" Sein said, glancing down again. "Don't worry, spirits have a natural resistance to falling... that is if we land on our hooves," Fil reassured Sein with a grin. "Just do as I do." With that, Fil leaped down and gracefully landed on Ori's platform, skillfully landing on his hooves and walking it off.
"Huh..." Sein huffed, taking a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." However, overwhelmed by fear, Sein lost her footing and slipped off the edge. "Eh-" a startled yelp escaped her lips as she found herself spinning through the air instead of falling straight down. "EEEEHHHHH!?" Sein let out a piercing scream, her mind unable to process anything else in that moment.
"... Uh oh," Fil and Ori exclaimed in a panic, their arms flailing in a frantic attempt to find a solution. Thinking quickly, Ori fired two grapples at the ceiling, propelling himself upwards. Miraculously, he managed to catch Sein in mid-air, cradling her safely in one arm while using the other to launch another grapple. With a swift swing, Ori propelled himself and Sein to safety. However, as they landed, Ori's momentum proved a bit too much to handle. Despite his best efforts to land safely, he missed the landing platform by a mere inch. Physics took over, and Ori tumbled, sliding across the ground in a flurry of motion.
"Ow..." Ori blurted out, the pain evident in his voice as he prioritized Sein's safety over his own. Sein swiftly released herself from Ori's grasp and helped him up into a sitting position. "I'm so sorry, Ori," Sein apologized, concern filling her voice. "Are you okay?"
"Are you two alright?" Fil yelled, rushing over to assess their condition. Sein appeared to be fine, but Ori was clearly in pain. "Besides my burned back, nothing too worrisome," Ori replied, his tone still carrying traces of discomfort.
"Let me heal that for you..." Sein's voice carried a mix of responsibility and sadness as she extended her hand toward Ori's burned back. Channeling her inherent power as the eye of the forest, she bathed Ori's injury in a gentle glow of healing light, mending the burns and restoring his back to its previous state.
"Let me guess, you're just too used to flying?" Fil chimed in, attempting to lighten the mood with a touch of humor. His remark drew a giggle from Ori, momentarily easing the tension in the air.
"Alright, your wounds have fully healed," Sein said with a gentle smile, extending her hand to help Ori up. He accepted her offer, allowing her to pull him back onto his feet. "Thanks," Ori expressed his gratitude. "What's our next move?"
"We're heading towards Thornfelt Swamp," Fil announced, pointing towards the exit as he spoke. Ori nodded in understanding, a hint of sheepishness coloring his expression. "Right, of course," Ori responded, scratching the back of his head.
After a while of walking, Ori's curiosity couldn't be contained any longer. "So, about the Ginso Tree," he began, his voice brimming with intrigue. Sein paused for a moment, considering the best way to explain the process. "Well, it's actually quite straightforward," she responded, trying to simplify the explanation. "We just need to reach the heart of the Ginso Tree and assess its condition. If anything is amiss, I'll use my abilities to restore it," Sein explained, hoping to alleviate any concerns.
Ori tilted his head in surprise, processing the information. "Oh... that simple?" he asked, a hint of amazement coloring his voice. Sein nodded with a reassuring smile. "Yes, pretty much. The real challenge lies in getting there safely," she added, acknowledging the obstacles ahead.
Fil suddenly came to a stop, causing the others to halt as well. He pointed ahead to a Gumon who possessed the Artifact required to open the entrance to the Ginso Tree. "Like that Gumon taking the key..." Fil remarked, drawing attention to the crucial situation.
"Yeah, pretty much-" Sein responded calmly, but her demeanor quickly shifted as she realized the gravity of the situation. "WAIT, WHAT?!" she exclaimed, causing the Gumon to take notice and immediately start running.
"After him!" Sein shouted, her voice filled with urgency. Without wasting a second, the three of them embarked on a swift pursuit of the fleeing Gumon.
Sein summoned her spirit flames, which hovered behind her, ready to be unleashed if needed. Fil, on the other hand, channeled an immense amount of light, condensing it into a luminous orb that pulsated with power. It seemed like an explosive. Meanwhile, Ori relied on his natural agility and swiftness, his nimble legs carrying him swiftly through the chase.
The Gumon is able to hop around at great speeds and seemed to go out of sight. The Gumon was also very skilled as it dodged every enemy whilst escaping.
The first adversary the trio encountered was a crawler colony, a massive, spikey blob capable of splitting into smaller creatures when attacked. However, they paid it no mind as Sein dashed forward, calling upon four of her eight orbs. With a swift motion, she merged them together, their energies intertwining. "Incinerate," Sein commanded, in an instant, a tremendous burst of blue flames erupted from her hand, Incinerating the crawler colony and reducing it to nothing but ash.
Defeating the enemy momentarily halted Sein's progress, but she swiftly regained her momentum and picked up the pace. Meanwhile, Ori and Fil pressed forward, racing to catch up with the fleeing Gumon while skillfully evading the smaller, harmless creatures in their path.
As they drew nearer to their target, a swarm of irritating Hoppers emerged. Amphibian-like creatures endowed with stomping power, seemingly determined to impede their advance. However, the Hoppers had a weakness: their strength seemed to wane if they couldn't stomp on their opponents directly.
Despite feeling a bit stressed and scared, Fil opted to proceed with caution, taking a slower approach. On the other hand, Ori saw an opportunity in the presence of the larger enemies. He swiftly fired a grapple, and as it neared the airborne Hopper, the tip split open like the intertwining roots of a tree, securely attaching itself to the creature.
Ori pulled himself forward, delivering a powerful stomp to the Hopper, sending it flying backward while he remained attached to it. "Huh, that's new," Ori exclaimed, surprised by the unexpected outcome of his grapple shot.
With a swift spin, Ori repositioned himself in the right direction. As expected, the Hoppers launched their attacks, leaping and stomping toward them relentlessly. To his surprise, the number of Hoppers seemed unusually large, as if they had fallen into a planned trap.
But he couldn't care less, retrieving the Artifact was his top priority. In the midst of the chaos, Ori quickly spotted a nearby Hopper, poised to leap. Without hesitation, he used the Hopper he was already on as a springboard, propelling himself towards the other one.
As the other Hopper leaped into the air, Ori went along for the ride. With a somewhat skillful maneuver, Ori absorbed the impact of their collision and grabbed onto the Hopper tightly. As they reached the apex of the jump, Ori took the opportunity, launching himself off the creature's back.
The Hopper was just out of Ori's reach, but he quickly adapted his plan. Instead of landing directly on the Hopper, he used it as a swinging point, his Grapple firmly attached to the creature like a vine. As he swung forward, the downward force pulled the Hopper with him. However, this unexpected turn of events worked in Ori's favor, providing him with a tremendous boost forward.
Bracing himself for the impact, Ori landed on his hooves with powerful forward momentum. Determined to keep up the pursuit, he propelled himself forward, using his arms to boost himself off the ground and perform a frontflip. Without missing a beat, Ori continued the chase.
As the Gumon grew closer, Ori felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. Suddenly, the Gumon descended, plunging into a deep chasm below. Without a second thought, Ori leaped after it, driven by his determination to reclaim the Artifact. However, as he witnessed the Gumon land effortlessly and continue its path with ease, a sense of concern washed over Ori. The display of power from the creature left him wondering.
Ori fired grappling hooks from both of his hands, anchoring them to the walls on his left and right. The tension in the ropes slowed down his descent, gradually reducing his falling speed. When the moment was right, Ori released the grapples, allowing himself to land on the ground with a solid thud.
Before resuming his pursuit, Ori swiftly fired multiple grapples, skillfully connecting them to create a vast web-like structure spanning across the walls. The intricate network of grapples formed a sturdy platform, ensuring a safe landing spot for Sein and Fil.
As Ori prepared to resume his pursuit, he suddenly noticed that the entrance the Gumon had passed through was now blocked off. Annoyance tinged his voice as he remarked, "Ah... looks like he's trapped this entire area."
Choosing to wait for Sein and Fil before proceeding further, Ori settled himself on the ground, crossing his legs and displaying patience. After a while, Fil and Sein descended, their momentum halted by the web structure Ori had created, and they landed safely beside him.
"Ori, where's the Artifact?" Sein inquired, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Ori rose to his feet, a tinge of disappointment evident in his voice. "He... got away," he replied, gesturing towards the blocked-off entrance. "This entire place is trapped."
Sein let out a deep sigh, pinching her eyes in frustration. "Okay then, we'll just have to search for him and retrieve the artifact," she said, charging one of the flaming orbs in her hand, she swiftly tossed it towards the entrance, "burst". The orb exploded upon impact, shattering the obstacles and reopening the entrance.
"Never knew you were so agile," Fil remarked, giving Ori a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Thanks," Ori replied, scratching the back of his head with a bashful smile. "I'm kind of surprised. This was your first pursuit with danger all around. Weren't you scared?" Fil inquired, genuine curiosity in his voice.
"To be honest, I was really scared. But for some reason, my body just went into action, and I went along with it," Ori explained, trying his best to put his feelings into words.
"Hm, interesting," Fil said, tapping his chin in contemplation. He quickly caught up to Sein and shared his observation, "Hey, our buddy over there seems to have a natural instinct in battle." Sein raised an eyebrow inquisitively, prompting Fil to continue, "I mean, did you see how he acted back there? Despite being scared, he just went for it without hesitation."
"That is true," Sein said, convinced, as she recalled how Ori had bravely pursued their target without hesitation. She couldn't help but find his determination attractive. Wait, what? Shaking off the unexpected thought, she focused on the task at hand.
"Anyhow," Sein began, "Is there any way we can track down the Gumon or the artifact?" she inquired. Fil paused for a moment, pondering the situation. "Not really, no... But if we're lucky, he might be waiting for us to fall into one of his manually controlled traps," Fil suggested with a hint of caution.
Ori dashed to their side. "What's going on?" he asked curiously. Sein hesitated for a moment, but Fil quickly took notice and put on a playful smirk, speaking up instead, "Ahem, we're just trying to track down the Gumon," Fil explained with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Y-yeah," Sein responded, her voice slightly nervous. She then cleared her throat and discreetly dragged Fil out of Ori's hearing distance. "Not a word about this," Sein whispered to him, her tone serious. Fil struggled to contain his laughter but managed to compose himself. Ori, who was watching them, tilted his head sideways in confusion, sensing that something was being kept from him.
As they continued walking, they found themselves on a narrow path with toxic purple water on either side. Fil and Sein walked ahead, with Ori following closely behind. Unbeknownst to Sein, she accidentally triggered a trap by stepping on a concealed pressure plate on the ground, but she was too distracted to notice. Sein and Fil continued walking unharmed, while Ori, who was slightly lagging behind, suddenly got struck by a swinging log from the side. The impact hit his throat, rendering him voiceless, but Ori's reflexes kicked in. With swift precision, he fired a grapple and swung himself back to safety, avoiding any further danger.
As Ori jogged, trying to catch up to the others, he still held his throat in discomfort. Meanwhile, Fil continued walking ahead and unexpectedly sneezed, unknowingly triggering a barely visible tripwire. Once again, Fil and Sein managed to pass through unharmed. However, Ori's luck took another turn for the worse. This time, as he moved forward, the wall beside him suddenly opened up, and a cascade of rocks came tumbling down. Despite his best efforts to dodge them, Ori couldn't avoid them all. He was struck several times, his balance teetering dangerously close to the edge of the toxic water.
Ori, rubbing his sore spots, made one final effort to catch up to the others. Just as Fil and Sein were about to continue their journey, Ori swiftly fired a grapple, halting their progress. Sein turned around, perplexed, only to find a visibly worn-down Ori who appeared far from pleased. "What... happened?" Sein managed to utter, her concern evident in her voice.
Ori, unable to speak, resorted to improvised gestures, pointing at his throat and making a punching motion towards his palm. Sein and Fil grasped his meaning, their faces reflecting understanding. "Here, let me heal you," Sein offered, stepping closer to Ori. However, as she took a step, she accidentally triggered another trap, causing her to exclaim, "Whoops!"
This time a large boulder dropped from the ceiling chasing them down, without hesitating a single second the three of them started running away from the boulder, but of course without triggering a few traps on their way, but they managed to avoid most of them.
After what felt like enduring a marathon, the three finally found themselves in a safe area. "Geez... this place is overloaded with traps..." Fil exclaimed, his voice laced with exhaustion. Meanwhile, Sein focused on treating Ori's throat, providing him with much-needed relief. "Yeah..." she sighed, expressing her own weariness.
Ori cleared his throat, coughing a few times in the process. "Yeah, I figured..." he said, wincing slightly as he pulled an arrow from his shoulder. Sein swiftly healed the wound, her light soothing the pain. "You two triggered traps without even knowing it..." Ori stated with a sigh of exasperation.
"Did we?" Fil and Sein exclaimed simultaneously, their expressions filled with surprise. Ori nodded, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Yeah... that's how I lost my voice. First, I got rammed by a log from the side, and then I got hit by a cascade of rocks," he explained, though he couldn't bring himself to get mad at them.
"Ah, we're sorry, bud," Fil said, patting Ori's back with a sympathetic smile. Ori simply let out another sigh, acknowledging their apology. "Okay... what do we do now?" he asked, looking around for any signs of the Gumon or the artifact.
"I don't know," Fil shrugs. Ori and Fil turn their heads towards Sein, who gives them a 'Are you serious right now?' stare, clearly expressing her disbelief at their lack of a plan.
"Well... all we can do is follow the path again," Sein suggests as they get up and continue along the path.
After a while of walking, they enter a large open room with cracks in the ground. Ori looks around and remarks, "Huh... I bet this is another trap."
The three cautiously descend into the room, cautiously walking past the cracks on the ground. To their surprise, nothing seems to happen. "I guess it's not a trap after all," Ori remarks, a mixture of surprise and relief in his voice.
As they walk past the room, the atmosphere undergoes a noticeable shift, catching Fil's attention. "Huh... This is Moon Grotto," he exclaims, clearly surprised that they have managed to navigate their way to this location.
"Moon Grotto?" Sein repeats in surprise. "What is this Gumon's plan?" she wonders aloud. Just then, a sudden groan echoes through the area, alerting them to a potential danger. They quickly rush towards the source of the sound.
As they draw closer, they take cover behind a pillar. Sein cautiously peeks out to observe the scene. "It's the Gumon!" she silently exclaims. Fil and Ori exchange glances, and Ori inquires, "What is it doing?"
"He's... taking a break," Sein replies, her gaze fixed on the Gumon who was leisurely enjoying a drink of clean water and indulging in some fruits.
Ori and Fil, unable to resist their curiosity, also take a peek. "He's got drinking water?!" Fil silently exclaims, a hint of frustration in his voice. Ori follows suit, silently yelling, "This is so not fair!"
The Gumon finishes his break and gets up, indicating his intention to leave. The three of them notice his movements and quickly rush out of their hiding spot to once again try to capture the Gumon.
However, the sound of footsteps alerts the Gumon, and he immediately goes on the run again. Calculating his surroundings in his head, he makes a split-second decision, jumping down a ledge and escaping through a swift path below.
Ori was about to jump, but Sein quickly grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. "Wait!" she exclaimed. Just as Ori was about to ask why, a massive purple beam shot out from a nearby tree stump, colliding with a solid wall of rock.
Fil and Ori turned their attention to Sein, their eyes widening in surprise. "Was this your doing..." Ori asked, pointing towards the recurring laser beam.
Sein nervously shifted her gaze to the side, admitting, "... maybe." She fiddled with her finger, a hint of guilt in her voice. "But! That's not important now," she quickly interjected, attempting to change the subject. "We have a Gumon to catch."
Fil and Ori exchanged puzzled glances before redirecting their attention back to Sein. Ori couldn't help but press further, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Why... how did you create a tree stump shooting laser beam?" he asked, his tone filled with intrigue.
Sein's nervousness escalated, evident in the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She stammered, struggling to find the right words. "I... I don't know," she finally managed to answer, her voice strained and high-pitched.
Feeling the tension in the air, Sein quickly changed the subject, hoping to move past the topic. "Can we just continue the chase?" she asked, wanting to focus on their mission. "Yeah... alright," Ori said, as they all turned their attention back to the beams.
The trio analyzed the pattern of the beams and found it to be relatively easy to navigate. With the beams firing every 5 seconds, they timed their movements to reach safe spots in between the bursts. As they made their way forward, they encountered a ledge they needed to jump down while simultaneously avoiding another beam. With precise coordination, they successfully maneuvered past the obstacle.
"Huh... that was easier than I thought it would be," Fil remarked, relieved by their smooth progress. As they continued their chase, they noticed a glowing presence up ahead. "A spirit well," Fil exclaimed with a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Huh... I guess we could take a quick stop," Sein suggested, acknowledging the opportunity presented by the nearby spirit well. The trio made their way towards the well, where Ori eagerly scooped up some of the radiant liquid light and took a refreshing sip. Following his lead, Fil did the same, replenishing their depleted energies. Sein found a comfortable spot to rest, allowing the healing essence of the liquid light to gradually replenish her Light energy reserves.
After a brief respite, the trio wasted no time in resuming their pursuit of the Gumon. They quickly picked up their pace, determined to track him down as swiftly as possible. Only a couple of minutes passed before they were once again hot on his trail.
"Aren't you thirsty, Sein?" Ori asked, concerned about his companion. He remembered that Sein hadn't had anything to drink during their break. Sein smiled and shook her head. "No worries, Ori. As an orb, or former orb, I don't have the same needs as you. I can survive without food or drinks for an extended period of time," she explained.
"Well, speaking of food," Ori began, playfully dropping his head down in a mock display of defeat. "I haven't had anything to eat in ages..." he continued, his voice tinged with humorous sadness. Sein chuckled softly, finding his remark amusing. Meanwhile, Fil couldn't help but feel his own stomach growl in response. He rubbed his belly with a smile. "Now you've got me thinking about food too..." Fil said
"Heheh... sorry," Ori chuckled, feeling a bit guilty for bringing up the topic of food. Fil reassured him with a smile, waving off his apology. "Ah, don't worry about it," Fil said. "I'm sure we'll find something to eat soon... hopefully." He let out a yawn, a sign of his own weariness and the increasing feeling of hunger.
As they continued their descent, following the only path the Gumon could have possibly taken, Fil couldn't resist teasing Sein. "So, have you gotten over your fear of falling yet, Sein?" he asked with a playful grin. Ori couldn't help but join in with a giggle. Sein rolled her eyes, responding in a sarcastic tone, "Haha... real funny."
As they finally reached the bottom, they spotted the Gumon once again. However, something seemed off. He appeared to be lost and disoriented. Without wasting any time, the three of them decided to seize the opportunity and quietly approached the Gumon, trying to get closer without being noticed.
As they approached the Gumon, an ominous feeling washed over them, and their instincts proved correct. In a swift motion, the Gumon flung a bola towards Ori, who instinctively raised his crossed arms to block the attack. However, it turned out to be a mistake as the bola entangled his arms, leaving him vulnerable.
With no time to waste, the Gumon swiftly reached for a lever, causing panic to surge through Sein and Fil. They tried to dash toward the Gumon to stop him, but their efforts were in vain. The Gumon pulled the lever, and suddenly, the bridge they were standing on split in half, launching them all toward the ceiling with tremendous force. As gravity took hold once again, they found themselves plummeting down a deep, dark abyss...
To Be Continued
Hey there, look who it is! It's Gumo the Gumon, and he's gone and swiped the Water Veil! What will our heroes do next?! Well, they're not about to let him get away, that's for sure! Suddenly, Ori seems to have tapped into some new combat instincts. Where did they come from? Well, that's anyone's guess, certainly not mine! What's more intriguing is that Ori seems to have gotten a bit smarter. Well, that's still up for debate!
But in this chapter, it's hard to deny that Gumo takes the crown for intelligence. I mean, have you seen the size of that noggin? It's massive! Oh, and for all you newcomers, just a heads-up: the info chapter has been updated once again! So you might want to check that out!
(⊃≧▽≦)⊃{✧ Spirit Sparkles ✧}⊂(≧▽≦⊂)
"Question: What would you rather do? Bungee jumping or dive down a waterfall?" A mysterious voice inquires, prompting the three spirits to ponder. Well, everyone except for one, who promptly voiced their opinion.
"Why does it always involve falling from great heights!?" Sein exclaimed, her frustration evident as she waved her arms about. She had a strong aversion to heights, and it showed. Ori and Fil couldn't help but stifle their laughter at Sein's reaction.
"Well, I think I'd prefer to dive into the water," Ori stated, to which Fil turned his head to face him. "No way, bungee jumping sounds way more exhilarating!" Fil countered, to which Ori retorted, "Nuh uh!" This response caught Fil by surprise, and he reacted dramatically, exclaiming, "Don't you 'nuh uh' me, young man!"
"I 'nuh uh' whoever I want!" Ori declared childishly, and Fil decided to play along. "Nuh uh, you don't!" This prompted Ori to gasp dramatically and speak in a low, menacing tone, saying, "How dare you?" This exchange left everyone in fits of laughter.
After the laughter subsided, Sein chimed in with one final comment, stating, "I still ain't doing either of them."