The sun was bright in the sky. The land had lush life as Sei designed. Niwen knew peace for a time.
A time long in the past. Where it all began. Three tasks were given.
Iyo had been summoned to the Spirit Willow. In that magnificent ridge where it rested, it was possible to overlook almost the entirety of Niwen. Kwolok, Mora, and Baur, the ancient protectors of the Spirit Willow rested vigilantly around.
Naturally, the ambitious and hard-training hunter diligently answered, eager to hear the words of his beloved wisp. Arriving at the beautiful willow, its golden light danced elegantly at the tree top. Iyo took a knee, "I am here, Your Grace. How may I serve you?"
Iyo never had seen Seir beyond the usual or how she'd looked in the form of a spirit, but never stopped worshiping her as their beloved savior. She was a wisp, after all, one of the seven lights that gift their lands with life and prosperity. They deserved to receive all the love. All the adoration. And her words were the most precious thing Iyo could wish to hear.
He doesn't remember how it all began, how the devotion for Seir made him one of her favorites. He was a spirit that took joy in noble hunting. Sometimes for sport, sometimes for food. And sometimes savagely disrespecting the rules too. But the greatest part of it is that Iyo had grown so much in his hunting skills that granted him the most delightful opportunities to carry out Seir's will. The will of a wisp.
"Welcome, Iyo, my fierce hunter," Seir spoke, her voice was divine and music to his ears. "Our efforts to ally with the people of shadows have been severely difficult. I wish to ask you about an important task. Along with your allies."
"Your wish is my pleasure. Just ask and I shall see to it."
"Wait a moment!" Another voice exclaimed. A spirit wearing fine and precious armor arrived, the Archlancer and general of Seir's army, Zerin. "You promised me a moment to commune with my creator if I lead your armies, Seir. I will not follow another command unless you grant me my rightful wish."
Iyo frowned, wishing to beat Zerin for such insolence. "Still you have not learned to tone your voice before the Light of Bravery. I can tone it down for you."
Zerin disregarded Iyo completely. It wasn't the first time that they shared a bitter relationship, but the armored spirit had greater concerns than sharing words with a fanatic. Iyo was pissed and raised to get proper attention from the offender. "Hey, Zerin, I'm talking to you." When placing a hand on Zerin's shoulder, Iyo is quickly out-skilled by Zerin threatening to twist his wrist.
"I do not have words for you, Iyo. Be wise for once and stay quiet." Zerin then let go as a warning that he wasn't in the mood for any of Iyo's bittering. Iyo retreats his arm once able, growling quietly and respecting the armored spirit.
It hurt. Zerin was simply superior as a prodigy. A genius of combat and dedication. Iyo had been taught by Zerin combat prowess and hunting knowledge in his early years, they were once friends, but as time passed they took different paths. Deep, deep inside, Iyo had kind regards for the Archlancer, despite them not having much of a good friendship anymore.
Seir's light shone above them. "Welcome, Zerin, my trusted general." Zerin did not feel the same joy as Iyo did. For the general, Seir's voice was not as pleasing to hear. More like an empty sound that regarded no respect for anything. "Once again, the spirit willow is unable to attend to you at this moment. For her duty is ever-draining. Once my soulbind feels ready, I shall inform you."
Zerin wanted to lash out. That had to be an excuse. It's always the same thing. Time and time again he is denied listening to the words of his creator, the Spirit Willow. He clenched his armored fists, anger nearly visible under his visor. But respectfully, he remained quiet. A third spirit arrived, the head researcher and life advisor of Niwen, Miria. Tidy-looking as always. Iyo only rolled his eyes at her desire to look perfect in scientist clothes. Miria always regarded her own appearance with lots of caution and care. Many knew that she feared being called ugly and similar due to a rough childhood. She was once labeled a freak due to her ability to befriend insects. Nowadays many respect her for her service.
"Greetings, Iyo, Zerin. Hope no fights break out between the two of you already." She said to both of them.
"All normal," Iyo replied. Zerin remained quiet and distant. "What does the bug lady need here?"
"Why, I have been called. Just like you." Miria replied as a couple of ladybugs and dragonflies landed on her awaiting hand. Iyo could never understand why insects are so fixated on her. Why did she never use it as a weapon for Niwen? Such a waste of talent.
"Good, you are all reunited. Welcome, Miria. Your expertise shall be necessary." Seir said, "I require one task for each of you. Each task is fundamental to aiding Niwen's growth. Help the Light reach ever further into the unknown."
That sounded important and being called especially for that made Iyo rejoice already. Seir chose him for a mission! He barely could hold back his glee. All the hard work perfecting and mastering the bow and knife-throwing, honing the art of the hunt, paid off. What glorious hunt will he go after? What joy will he be able to taste before anyone else?
Seir began, "Alpha Hunter Iyo, your hunting skills have grown exponentially. The formidable beasts you conquered have led you here, to receive a glorious opportunity to find your place among legends."
Such flattering words! Iyo couldn't be happier to be cast upon such divine Light. "By fang and claw!" Iyo boasted a battle cry. "I am ready!"
"Your task shall be to judge and extinguish the flame of resistance of the people of shadows in the Whispering Woods. Judge those who are worthy to join our cause. Judge the unworthy with swift retribution."
Zerin and Miria react uncomfortably. Shocked to hear such a thing. Seir continued, "The Noy tribe grows in power every day. Their ability to harness shadows is worrying. Together with formidable beasts as the shadow wolves, I fear their rebellion. They are vulnerable to corruption and we cannot risk having the element of shadows turned against us any longer. I grant you the complete power to decide their fates keeping in mind your task always. I am interested in having them in my ranks. Especially the wolves. Do what must be done to ensure their path to the Light. Otherwise, cull them as you see fit."
Miria, an expert in life forms of a variety of fields, is unhappy to hear such words. "Your Grace, are you suggesting the slaughter of these species? Of an entire tribe!? They are not happy to abandon their roots because you ordered so! Please reconsider! The last thing we need is conflict!"
"Quiet insect woman! This is not yours to question!" Iyo interjected then thrilled to answer Seir. "I accept this task utterly! I will test those miscreants and give them the opportunity to swear loyalty to your graceful light."
Miria enraged. "What does this do in service of life? Are you serious that you are willingly shedding the blood of a tribe that has lived with us for the entirety of Niwen's history? They just want to live their lives in peace!"
"No rules! No limitations! My hunt will be bountiful! " Iyo laughed. "Besides, I never liked that bunch anyway. Prefer the shadows? Gloom? Ha! They either adapt with us. Or are discarded. I like it."
"You will not do any of this madness!" Miria firmly said to Iyo but unfortunately, she had no control over the hunter.
Zerin stepped up, "I did not teach you to kill, Iyo. Listen to reason, you will get nothing from this. Your worth does not come from acting to her bidding."
"You taught me how to hunt. And that's precisely what I am going to do!" Iyo talks back aggressively. "You said I had talent! You said I would be big someday. This is the moment I've strived for! And I see now. You are jealous that I am taking the honor to carry the will of Her Grace, huh? The pupil surpasses the master! I am greater than you now."
Zerin was deeply disappointed, disturbed by how far Iyo would take this. "Your obsession for her approval will be your downfall."
"Shut it! I have a hunt to complete. "
Iyo was just like a beast sometimes. The chance to test his skills to Seir hyped him far too much, regardless of the consequences. As a loyal follower, of course, he wouldn't think twice. Miria had to reach a diplomatic solution.
"Wait, Iyo!" Miria is held back by Zerin so she doesn't say another word. Seir's light shifted for a moment. The roots of the Spirit Willow ran with jolting electricity. It was far too bitter, but Miria would be punished for defiance by Seir if she continued.
"I am sorry, Miria," Zerin said, as Iyo rushed to his newfound objective. "Iyo has always been difficult. You cannot reason with him."
"Zerin, this is madness! We cannot allow this to pass!"
They hear the overjoyed hunter in the distance. Miria was in disbelief. That couldn't be happening. Seir had to explain the reason for this maddening task. Yet when she turned to the willow, Zerin aided her again to control her emotions. "Do not talk. I know you are frustrated, but we can't do anything here. The owls will intervene. Iyo will be defeated."
Seir pulled their attention, seeking to deliver the next task to the most suited. "My children, I strive to see life grow and persevere against the cruelest storm. All races deserve a chance to prove themselves. To be powerful under the golden dawn. All will have the opportunity to join us in the Light. For together, we shall become stronger and cleanse this world from the vileness of Decay."
Yet what Miria and Zerin did not expect was that the nightmare was just beginning. The Light of Bravery had a task for each. And what they heard, shocked their whole world.
…
The Silent Woods suffered reverberations of one force awakening. The night was high upon the skies of Niwen.
Howl was in his element in the darkness of night. Not even a single shade couldn't be controlled.
Gazing proudly upon the awakened wolf, Iyo had two things in mind: Glory. Ecstasy. Things that only Seir could quench his thirst once his task is fulfilled. "Let's see if you can make it more interesting than your pathetic kind!"
Without further ado, Iyo went for his quarry. One axe is thrown at the prey and Iyo follows up by charging in while the axe flies.
Howl stood still and barked. A wave of forceful wind smashed Iyo away along with the weapon, wrecking through any rock or object in the way. Immediately after being blown away, Iyo is already standing and rapidly going back in. Another bark and all Iyo's bones break in the sheer pressure of the wind wave.
Iyo this time slowly rises back, healing and seething. "Gonna bark all day, dog?" Iyo whistles and corrupted beasts pounce on Howl from all sides. Canines, felines, and avians twisted and lost. Howl snarled and stomped the ground, black spikes sprung from their own shadows, impaling them mercilessly. Iyo is quickly back at Howl and aiming for the throat. Howl gazed into the hunter's eyes, full of motivation and madness. It was almost worthy of pity.
A black spike impales the flying hunter, halting him in the air. Iyo sought to break the spike with brute force but as he refocused, several clones of the wolf surrounded Iyo. He watched powerless, there would not be enough time to regenerate and escape. And naturally, Howl would have no mercy. All wolves bark at the same time, creating a compressive and crushing field that shreds Iyo's body beyond recognition. It is extremely impactful, Iyo this time healed much slower.
"What happened to noble hunting? Where is the code all of you made?! Is all of that lost like these grounds?! All I see before me is a starved and pathetic creature. Bound to die again and again."
"Noble—hunting?" The impaled hunter barely said. "There is no such a thing here." Iyo's maniacal laughter could scare any that'd heard it. He breaks the black spike and returns to the forest floor.
Howl is not visible in the darkness around, so Iyo seeks to smell him out. Armed anew, Iyo goes in Howl's direction once he caught the scent.
"Your tricks do not work on me!" Iyo struck the shadow, confident that Howl would be revealed, but suddenly claws swipe at his middle, throwing the hunter into a shock of pain.
Iyo retreats a few steps with a hand over the wound that slowly heals. This time the pain reached him. Somehow surpassed the protection of Decay. Iyo had labored breathing, unknowing how Howl managed to do it.
"What's the matter, noble hunter?" Howl's voice echoed from the darkness. "Has your divine protection faltered? Has Seir's power failed you?"
Iyo began to feel the rage of losing control over the battle. Something Howl delighted to see. Iyo decided to summon beasts to his aid, but none came. Then he decided to draw Howl out of hiding, armed with knives, he spun in place once, launching the blades in every direction.
Shadows shifted all around and all knives flew back and pierced Iyo, giving the hunter yet another shocking surprise. Iyo screams. The pain struck his senses again, the pain of being struck with dozens of knives.
"Andronius, you coward! Show yourself!" Howl heard, having stirred the rage upon the hunter. Iyo was losing composure and thus losing reflexes.
"You attacked these woods under the order of your wisp. Slaughtered every shadowborn wolf and owl alike. You stomped over every noy monkey and every moki that you saw. And I'm the coward?"
"You all were a threat to Her Grace by refusing to be baptized. Your inferior race had it just as deserved!" Iyo said back to the darkness.
"Inferior? You gave us no chance of choice. You attacked behind our backs knowing you had no chance of victory If you had any honor! Now… they are merely shadows…"
From the darkness, shadows took shape and walked toward Iyo. Non-sentient shadowy figures in the shape of mokis, noy monkeys, shadow wolves, and dark owls appeared, baring fangs and claws. Demonstrating the rage of the fallen.
Iyo did not feel afraid of such a trick, he would strike them down all simultaneously with another fan of kni–
Howl had seen that coming and prepared beforehand. Iyo suddenly feels the piercing pain of a black spike impaling him again, negating any action he could take. Now the hunter felt a pang of vulnerability, fighting as hard as he could to break the spike.
The shadow clones resembling those of the past stepped forward and pounced. The groans and screams of pain Iyo were almost like music to Howl. Unbridled wrath released in the form of punishment.
"Get. Off. Of. Me!" Iyo overpowers the attacking shadows, blasting them away. Iyo's form still could regenerate and various tendrils were lashing out from his body. Iyo was succumbing to corruption more and more. There was no telling how insane Iyo could become. It was time to finish it.
"Damn you and all those cowardly tricks! Once I find you, I swear–" Iyo felt a sinister and cold shiver run up his spine. He scanned around but found nothing. Iyo felt like death was approaching but knew not where it came from. Survival instincts were desperately telling Iyo to run, but he didn't do that.
Iyo felt fear. Something he deemed completely impossible. This was the threat Seir spoke about? About their powers?
"You do feel it, don't you? The terror coming your way. Just like you did to my brethren."
"Silence, you inferior scum! I will have you cleansed and purified under the renewing light of Seir!"
Iyo felt the same shiver again, fearing for his life and noticed something strange in his own shadow. The light of the moon had it cast on the ground large and wide, while it mirrored his shape, Howl's violet eyes could be seen on it. Iyo widened his eyes, knowing he was caught off guard.
"Feel the cold embrace of death, like we did!"
Howl immediately bites down Iyo's shadow and tears it apart. No physical damage is done, but Iyo freezes to a slight sting of pain, and the body stops responding. Strength quickly seeped from his limbs and his vision blurred. Iyo drops dead on the ground. The battle was over.
Howl dismisses the veil of darkness around and sits to rest for a moment. Iyo could not regenerate that which had no flesh. His very soul was bitten and damaged. A lethal and forbidden attack, but in cases like this, an exception could be made. Souls are not to be harmed as a spirit tree will not be able to guide them to the afterlife, yet still Howl couldn't care less about Iyo. Howl confidently turned around and focused on other demands.
"You're nearly there."
"Such power. All yours."
"Complete the task."
Whispers. Voices from the beyond assaulted Iyo. Beseeching the fallen hunter to rise, refusing to let him die. Much of Iyo's mind was torn apart to force him to get up.
Iyo fidgets and moves, pitifully climbing back up. Howl heard the foe getting up, and couldn't believe how it was possible. He growled so deeply and so infuriated. "How I wish you would remain dead!"
Howl pounced to deny Iyo's recovery but was forced to dodge a deadly axe swing from the mad hunter. Iyo was back up. But something had changed. His gaze looked more empty, unfocused, not until Iyo locked eyes on Howl. Iyo charged in viciously, and Howl answered with a wind wave to blast him away.
Howl was suffering from severe fatigue. He wouldn't be able to last much longer, nor keep his awakened form over shadows. The moment he wavers, Iyo wins. Yet it was a gamble to see if Iyo's healing factor had a limit. It must have a limit! The fight had already taken a heavy toll on Howl. A trail of blood oozes from his mouth, a sign he can't keep up fighting.
"You… are my only goal…" Iyo said weakly as he regenerated. "No code… No rule shall keep me from taking at least one shadow wolf…" Iyo's was halfway from fully regenerating. From dying so many times the healing factor indeed became slower, but in consequence, the hunter's madness increased.
"I will kill all and everyone before I see my task fulfilled. By fang and claw. I will take you! I WILL TAKE YOU!"
Iyo leaps at Howl at impressive speed without healing fully. So much that has taken Howl by surprise. The savage laughter filled the surroundings, Iyo would sink an axe straight at Howl's skull. Howl is forced to retreat and disappears into the shadows as Iyo swings the air missing completely. It infuriated Iyo to keep failing again and again. Pushed even further into the despair of rage, Iyo throws a tantrum.
"DO NOT HIDE!" His arms stretched with monstrous lengths and destroyed the woods around in great range. Howl finds safety for a while and studies the foe.
Decay is completely overwhelming his being. He is growing more powerful yet healing much slower. His impulsiveness toward his goal is making him succumb deeper to corruption. His form is twisting, changing as a true abomination. Iyo… I can't bring an end to your disturbed soul.
"ANDRONIUS!" SHOW YOURSELF!"
What can I do? Abandoning this battle is one of the best options. Tsk, I detest the possibility of letting this monster attack another day. If I don't deal with this here and now, this nightmare won't end. Howl had considered his life in the first place. Shadow suffers a severe disadvantage against Decay. A wise call is to retreat, and Howl considered it more and more with each inch that Iyo came closer in erratic blows.
Howl's moment of planning comes to an abrupt halt. Of all places, Howl is surprised by a spiked slime that was too close to comfort and was startled. Seeing the thing, one horrid realization arrived in that instant. Startled as it is, its defensive reaction is to shoot spikes! There was no more time besides a quick reflex to kick it away, but the inevitable happened way too fast. The little creature shot its sharpened spines in various directions and one got embedded on Howl's hind legs. The wolf whines to the pain, and the audible sound attracts Iyo.
"Found you!"
Iyo slices the trees in the way and can bask in the wolf's form again, this time struggling to stand. Wasting no second, Iyo swings his tendril-like arm for the fatal blow. A smile adorned Iyo's nearly unrecognizable face and an enormous cloud of dust rose when the impact finally hit the target.
Iyo began laughing. Savoring the kill. But, something didn't feel right… The blade struck him… but it didn't feel… fleshy? The feeling was so metallic. Iyo found it strange. It certainly struck him! No doubt! Curse this cloud blocking vision!
Iyo pulled back his arm and went for another swing. There was only one way to confirm! Let's hit it until it feels fleshy enough! And he lunged again. But the sensation… the sensation was of hitting something far harder than soft flesh! Iyo's eyes widened in frustration.
"What is happening?!"
The cloud of dust was lifted and the answer was puzzling. Purple flames? A black creature? A decay sword… What is this… thing? Iyo contorted his head to see from another angle. Is it a spirit? It held back my attack?!
"Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey. HEY!" Iyo shouted. "What are you?!"
Howl saw clearly. Blue flames, a white creature. A bright sword held back both blows. Ori held back the attacks with all his might and continued keeping them away. "Kid… What are you–"
"Get up! Now!" Ori yelled looking over his shoulder.
Howl is hit with the urgency of Ori's voice. And soon remembered why that was. A shrieking voice reached them and that owl flew quickly directly at them. This was bound to happen sooner or later.
"Howl! Get up! Hurry!"
Shriek. Howl had no time to suffer the wound and brought himself to stand. Although with much difficulty. Iyo sees the competitor for the prey and goes to contest it. A swing of his axe reaches Shriek but merely scratches her. Shriek immediately turns her attention to Iyo and lands atop him.
"Begone, owl! This is my hunt. This is my quarry!"
Shriek stared at the whimpering thing below her, not understanding a single word but it did attack. It is a threat. Shriek lets out an agonizing screech and stomps Iyo with her malformed wings forcing silence onto him. There was no blood, Shriek had a false sense that the threat died. She picks up the remains of the fallen hunter and hurls him away.
In the meantime, Ori pulled off the spike and cauterized Howl's wound with the use of Sein's flames, making it bearable to walk and run. "This is no common flame. Is this the power of a wisp?"
"Let's leave this for later," Ori replied as their time to breathe was over. Shriek turned to them and shared no friendly intentions. Howl had to create distance so he picked Ori up and ran as fast as he could.
Ori is tossed upwards and grabs Howl's pellage to hold on to the moving wolf's back. The rage of Shriek follows close behind. "Howl, what are we going to do? How do we deal with this?" Ori asked worriedly.
"Kid, I need you to do something for me," Howl said as he evaded one of Shriek's attacks, ignoring the pain and running as fast as he could. "The enemy I faced cannot die by normal means. I need you to bring an end to this!"
"Wait what? What were you facing? And what are those shadow ribbons on you?"
"We don't have time! I will deal with Shriek. Bring an end to the hunter that killed my pack and family!"
Howl forcefully stops and launches Ori forward into the forest floor. With no more time, Howl attracts Shriek away, leaving Ori next to where Iyo should have landed. He rapidly climbs back up, nervous to the core. Ori also worried about Howl and gazed in the direction he went.
Ori truly wasn't alone, he quickly learned that by a metallic grinding against the stonified earth. "What are you?" Iyo's voice came from the darkness. "My brethren, corrupted? How did this come to be?"
Ori could only stare shocked at the person that crawled out of the dark. Iyo's arm hadn't fully regenerated and dangled elongated like a tentacle. He trudged under the harsh conditions his body faced. Ori also realized that this person was a corrupted spirit, much like the lady that was atop the Wellspring Mill. Do they have a connection? How are spirits suffering the taint of Decay?
"Zerin made a grave mistake, so it seems… I will have this mistake reported to Her Grace. That blasted genius will face consequences. No… My hunt… I must return to my hunt…! Yes…" Iyo's gaze felt distant, losing all focus before he returned to look at Ori with enraged eyes. "You! You dare to stand in my way? Your death will be agonizing and slow."
Iyo moved forward, expecting to simply vanquish the corrupted spirit in his disturbed mind. Yet Ori faced the true corrupted, speechless and in horror. Ori stood ready, there was no time to get lost in thought. The enemy had disproportionate features, a broken wrist, a crooked torso, and a tentacle for an arm. Eyes of sickly pinkish purple like the many many creatures inflicted by the disease of Decay. He must be agile, must be resistant. Howl said he doesn't die by normal means. Nevertheless, Ori would take the first strike.
Ori dashed forward and slashed, but Iyo defended himself. Ori dashed back in, and Iyo swung the tentacle arm to repel the attack, forcing Ori to retreat.
"Defiler! You are an obstacle to my sacred task!" Iyo said.
Ori gathered his thoughts and breathed to calm down. "What happened to you?"
This time, Iyo moved unpredictably, swinging his arm to deliver fast attacks. Ori reads the movement in enough time, dodging the axe's high swing, and hopping over a low strike. The third attack has the long arm coil around Ori and binds his arms. The end of the tentacle reserved an axe that soon would meet the bound spirit. Ori focused his light energy to do a charged jump and create an opposing force to uncoil the tendril. He freed himself and saw an opening to strike. While in the air, Ori grabbed the tentacle and impulsed himself to Iyo, blade ready, delivering a clean cut on Iyo's chest.
Iyo squirms in pain, the blade of light had much more impact than any weapon of shadow. His skin burned. A pain so great that Iyo rolled on the ground, trying to calm the burning wound.
Iyo had a realization that the wound was not closing. Blood began to pour out. "Blood? I am losing blood?"
Ori could only try to understand what was happening but touching the tentacle allowed him to see small fragments inside Iyo's mind.
"The task."
"Hunt them down."
"Take him for Seir. Take the wolf for Seir. Kill!"
"For glory."
Voices. Whispers. Ori could hear them thanks to his quirk. Similar to mind-reading, but with just a few fragments due to the little time they touched. Ori had felt it before, these whispers assaulted the mind of the many corrupted animals too. It compels the victim to act for them through mental torment.
Iyo was looking much worse since the beginning of his confrontation with Howl. The regeneration was failing, barely returning him to his normal shape. The ruthless pursuit of the wolf was turned into confusion, his mind was in shambles.
"Glory awaits."
"Seir will praise you."
"Behead them. Skewer them."
Iyo was listening to them much more clearly. The whispers became louder. They are imposing. Alluring. The hunt, the promised joy of bathing in Seir's light! Is there even a greater reward? Iyo struggled, forcing himself to move towards Ori, eager to strike, to complete his mission. Yet the attack is simply pitiful, his body was on the brink of collapsing. Iyo stopped again, the whispers forcing him to continue, to destroy himself in pursuit of glory. Complete the hunt.
"Please stop! You can't fight anymore!" Ori pleaded, but the whispers spoke louder to Iyo.
"You're nearly there."
"Kill the frail. The impure."
Iyo could not keep up anymore. To a point, he began to struggle to remember what he was doing originally. Names and words flew around his mind. Seir? Andronius? Zerin? Corrupted? Task? What are those? Iyo had no more focus, his body becoming numb.
"Your name is Iyo, right?!" Ori shouted, bringing Iyo to look at him. "Listen to me! Do give way to those voices!"
Iyo saw Ori as a mere and unfortunate corrupted spirit. Of course. Iyo served the Light of Bravery, Seir. Everpure. Ever glorious. The corrupt must be purged, just like the infidels. Purge. Purge. Purge! Iyo ran at Ori and attacked and Ori promptly adapted in defense. Iyo upon being repelled, lost focus again. He struggled more and more, the voice of Ori had a different sound. It was clear and soothing compared to the whispers. A light in the darkness. If Iyo could, he would beg for Ori to talk more, allowing him to hear more. But could do nothing but crawl pathetically.
"Enemy of the Light"
"By fang and claw. Cleanse the impurity."
"Your task is nearly succeeded. Seir's gift will be glorious!"
Ori struck Iyo in the neck with the dull side of his sword, forcing Iyo down. The whispers screamed louder, his mind faltering. Iyo stopped moving for a moment and began to twist himself. Large claws and fangs began to grow. The pupil in his eye was gone and his voice growled in suffering. Those signs alerted Ori of so much danger. Iyo was transforming.
Ori shook Iyo to keep him awake. "Hey, don't give up! Listen to my voice! Do not sink into corruption. Don't give up!"
"It's useless." A new voice has Ori on alert. Another fallen spirit. Wearing armor that covers almost his entire body appears and exhales a mysterious aura. Thankfully he is unarmed. "Iyo is succumbing."
"Succumbing? Who are you?!"
It was difficult to read the face of someone with a helmet on, and still, Ori could swear that they showed little to no motion. "I am Zerin. And Iyo is suffering the inevitable end of all those tainted by Decay. He cannot hear anymore. He will be less than a zombie in a few minutes. A mindless monster." Zerin explained coldly
Ori wished not for this soul to be condemned to Decay. Ori could peer into the nothingness that was Iyo's mind now. There were no more goals, no more motivations. Desire, wishes, thoughts, memories. Nothing. An emptiness except for the maddening whispers. They laugh. A feast was being served. Iyo's soul would feed the crude and morbid decadence that festers the world. It is a bridge that binds the soul to eternal suffering. A fate worse than death.
"Help me! He is your friend, isn't he? You must do something!" Ori begged. He could not fully comprehend why he was so preoccupied with helping this individual, but he felt for Iyo, felt the pain. The cold void even if just a small taste. And it is beyond horrifying.
"Why do you feel sympathy for Iyo? He killed many innocents during the rule of Seir. He is a merciless killer that was motivated by compliments." Zerin enlightened Ori. "He nearly killed your wolf friend, and was a threat to your owlet."
Yet the once grand ex-general was surprised by how the child of Nibel responded. "I do not care about that! I need to help him from being dragged into that void!"
"How do you know about this? Does your light allow–"
"I have no time to explain! Help me, please!"
Zerin was amused, though he did not show as such. He would share the information Ori wanted. "I doubt there is saving for Iyo. But I know a way that may help and silence the whispers, grant him a sliver of peace."
Ori gazed straight at Zerin determined. "Tell me. What must be done?"
"Pierce his heart with your blade. The light will do the rest."
There was no other alternative. Ori only had that to work with. If it would save one soul from the Decay, then so be it! Ori raised and readied his blade and pointed it straight to Iyo's wounded chest, where the heart is. Does it still beat? Is it frozen since the day he was corrupted? Ori felt sorrow for someone cruel, but he also believed that nobody deserved the hell that is that chaotic nether realm of Decay. He pushed his sword firmly in, piercing the body and finishing Iyo off. The corrupted hunter takes a gasping breath as if he was resurrected, opening his eyes for a moment, and closing them slowly,
"Zerin… I am so-rry for not… listening." Iyo quietly breathed as he passed away. Leaving silence, undisturbed once again.
Ori heard the whispers assaulting Iyo no longer. Hopefully, it worked. But doubt about where his soul would head was impossible to imagine now. Or even if he could reside inside Ori for a while. At least, his passage should be quiet and, with hope, peaceful.
Zerin observed Ori speechless and motionless, equally quiet in respect for his old colleague. Ori mourned the fate Iyo had. How could this be? How foolish one can be to feel pity for a killer? Zerin slowly shook his head. Iyo at least… had more mercy than many soldiers he commanded in battle. At least… there are people that will do the right thing. They do exist.
Zerin moves to pick up Iyo's body, lifting him and begins to leave. Ori did not deny Zerin but brought himself to say something. Anything, "I… I am sorry for your loss."
Zerin stopped and looked back. "Save your empathy for those who deserve it."
Ori would not accept those harsh words for granted. "I don't know who Iyo really was, even if he did unthinkable things. But I learned that he had kind regards towards you."
Those words. Ori studied that Zerin was impacted by them and a mix of anger and regret feelings erupted. "You are a fool! Iyo never deserved a flake of respite. After all that time he refused to listen to anyone. Refused to follow the code of noble hunting so many times. Always so impulsive. Always so full of energy."
Zerin's rage slowly was replaced by sorrow. "The crazy hunter that I failed to tutor did not deserve what you did for him. But…" He pauses, gazing at Iyo with the visage of a calm passing. Zerin acknowledged how better this end was for his comrade. Although not the best, it was more than enough. None would give him that, except for this strange child. Zerin was grateful.
"...Thank you." His words carried guilt. Zerin wanted to cry. "Iyo will join the many others that have fallen before him."
Zerin continues to walk away slowly into the darkness. "Hey, what happened to all of you? Why is Niwen like this?" Ori requested to know. "This land suffers so much. I bet even Shriek does. That girl too! The people of the glades. Howl and Kii." Ori takes a moment. "You."
Zerin did not reply.
"There must be a way to help. It has to be!" Despite the young spirit's caring words, Zerin lacked the will to answer. Lacked the courage of saying the truth.
"Child, leave this place before you are caught. Niwen is broken. There is no healing for any of us." He says nothing more and goes away. Leaving Ori alone in the morbid silence of the silent woods. Ori pondered what Zerin had said.
After a couple of seconds, Ori remembers he has no time to waste. Howl is still being chased by Shriek! Ori dashed away onto pressing matters.
...