"As for now, let's keep moving. If we hustle, we could make it to the core of the Ginso Tree by either sundown or sunrise, whichever comes first," Sein suggested, and the others nodded in agreement. With a final, lingering glance at the lifeless body they'd discovered, the quartet stepped through a portal.
Cut to the Spirit, who managed to elude the mayhem. He's propped up against a wall, clutching his stomach riddled with numerous shallow but agonizing punctures. "If my Light Energy hadn't acted on its own to shield my soul, I'd be toast by now," he muses, a tinge of relief in his tone. Gathering his thoughts, he stands up, "I should be safe for a bit; he's likely drained of his Light Energy by now." With that in mind, he rises and resumes his quest to find the other spirits.
"Heh, you're looking a bit worse for wear there," one Ghoul said, staring down at another. "What happened, Neshan(Neh-SHAHN)? Got your ass kicked by a lowly spirit?" The Ghoul chuckled at his own joke.
"So what?" Neshan retorted, brushing off the dirt from his body as he stretched. "That spirit's way more interesting to fight than the rest. And by the way, I heard your mutant Mortar Worm got taken out. Did you leave it to fend for itself or something?" Neshan shot back, grinning slyly.
"Tch—fair point," the other Ghoul conceded, scratching the back of his neck. "The Wisp of Nibel was the one who offed my Mortar Worm. She's probably in this vicinity," he explained. "I'm guessing she's making her way toward the heart of the Ginso Tree," he added, gesturing skyward.
"Aw, come on! This place is like a labyrinth! How are we even supposed to navigate it?" Neshan complained, flopping down onto the ground in irritation. "That's gonna be a you problem. I've got my own ways to get there," the other Ghoul replied, rising from his spot and preparing to depart.
"So what the hell am I supposed to do, huh?" Neshan spat, glaring at the departing Ghoul. "Get out of the Ginso Tree and go defend some other area or whatever. Besides, there aren't any more spirits left around here," the other Ghoul barked back.
"Tch, you always get the good stuff," Neshan grumbled under his breath. "Fine, do whatever you want, but leave that one beefy spirit for me, got it?!" Neshan yelled, pointing at the spot where the other Ghoul had vanished. Realizing he'd been flat-out ignored, Neshan's face comically turned ghostly pale. He then launched into an exaggerated fit of rage, jumping and swinging his fists wildly in the air.
The quartet—Ori, Sein, Fil, and Leru—had been trekking for a considerable amount of time, their journey marked mostly by the sound of their footsteps and the stillness of the air. Led by Leru, they all maneuvered cautiously through the labyrinthine paths. It wasn't long before they sensed a shift—an unidentifiable surge of Light Energy began to fill the air around them.
"That aura is likely emanating from somewhere above us," Fil suggested cautiously. "Given what we've witnessed earlier, I don't want to gamble with our safety. Perhaps we should split up temporarily," Fil proposed.
"Are you out of your mind? How would we ever locate or identify one another in this maze?" Leru interjected, clearly skeptical. "What makes you think splitting up in this labyrinth is a wise choice?"
"To be quite frank, the labyrinthine nature of this place is exactly why we should separate," Fil began. "Look at it this way: this labyrinth isn't a straight path. It branches out in various directions. Our best bet is to cover as much ground as possible, and to do it swiftly."
Leru inhaled deeply, pondering the situation. "Alright, I get your point. But do you actually have a concrete plan in mind?" Leru asked, prompting Fil to pause and consider his next words.
"Let's keep this straightforward," Fil finally said, shrugging a bit. "Ori and Leru possess abilities that can provide safety. Leru and Sein are both formidable enough to handle adversaries. And, well, I bring the tactical expertise to the group. So the logical pairing would be Leru with me, and Sein with Ori," Fil laid out the first phase of their splitting strategy.
"As for maintaining contact, it might be a bit risky, but emitting a surge of Light Energy should suffice. Let's agree to do that only once one of the teams reaches the Heart of the Ginso Tree. That will also serve as our rendezvous point," Fil concluded.
After a conclusive exchange, the four adventurers split into pairs, choosing different paths to embark upon. Ori and Sein opted to bypass the immediate portal in favor of one situated a bit further away. In contrast, Fil and Leru decided to step through the portal closest to them.
"Say, if you don't mind me asking," Fil initiated the conversation, "do you have any idea how the Gumon managed to transport you to the Ancestral Tree of the Wind Burst?" Fil's question prompted Leru to engage in deep contemplation.
"Hmm... To be completely honest, I think I was unconscious when that occurred," Leru revealed, thoughtfully tapping her chin with the back of her thumb. "But I would wager that he may have had some allies who could have possibly known the tree's location," she added, snapping her fingers as if hit by a realization.
This made Fil ponder as well. "Well, I'm not saying it's outside the realm of possibility," Fil began cautiously, aware that Leru was attentively looking at him. "But who or what being possesses such intimate knowledge of those locations?" he questioned, prompting Leru to merely shrug her shoulders in response.
"Well... I guess we'll have to personally interrogate the Gumon about that ourselves," Fil sighed, placing his hand on the side of his neck and giving it a leisurely stretch. "So, what's our next move? Should we follow the trail of Light or make our way directly to the heart of the Ginso Tree?" Fil inquired, waiting as Leru pondered her options.
"I'd rather—" Leru began, but before she could complete her sentence, something—or someone—burst violently through the wall adjacent to them. Caught off guard, Leru let out a startled yelp, while Fil couldn't help but jump slightly.
The instant Ori realizes that the others have moved away from their immediate vicinity, he takes the opportunity to speak up. "Are you okay?" he asks, genuinely concerned. However, Sein seems lost in thought and doesn't acknowledge him, continuing to walk straight ahead.
Feeling somewhat disheartened by Sein's apparent lack of response, Ori jogs up to her, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "Sein," he says, catching her attention and startling her a tad. "Are you feeling all right?" His voice is tinged with noticeable concern.
"Huh, oh... yeah, I'm fine," Sein responds, but Ori isn't convinced in the slightest. "You know, even I can discern that you're lying," he counters. "You haven't seemed yourself since sharing that story with us. Could it be that you're worried the so-called 'Eight Forest' hasn't been weakened but has actually retained its previous strength?"
Sein finds herself not just surprised but genuinely taken aback by Ori's uncannily accurate guesswork. "Or could it be that you're anxious because they might've infiltrated our lands and are potentially behind this whole mess?" Ori adds, making Sein feel internally astonished. At this point, it's clear that Ori isn't just making educated guesses; he's eerily intuitive.
"Yeah, I guess you've hit the nail on the head," Sein finally concedes. Sensing the palpable tension, Ori tenderly pats her on the back. "How 'bout we change topics?" he suggests, quickly brainstorming the first question that pops into his mind. "So, interested in teaching me the basics of using Light Energy in battle?" he inquires.
"Well, I suppose I could, in a manner of speaking," Sein says, prompting Ori's eyes to light up. "Awesome!" Ori exclaims but then recalls what Sein just said. "Uh, what do you mean 'in a manner of speaking'?" Ori probes further.
"That's mostly because around seventy percent of your innate potential is shaped by your inherited Light Art," Sein clarifies. Ori's face falls, letting out a disappointed, "Aww..." Sensing his dismay, Sein reassures him by patting his back. "Don't fret; I've seen plenty of Spirits climb the ranks even with less potent Light Arts," she says, hoping to lift Ori's spirits.
"So what could I potentially learn?" Ori asks, his voice brimming with curiosity. Sein takes a brief moment to think. "Well, there are 'learnable techniques' which are intrinsically tied to 'physical techniques'," she elaborates further. "I have to confess, I'm not exactly an expert when it comes to physical arts," Sein admits.
"But the fundamentals of Physical Arts are quite similar to any other Art. The key lies in channeling your Light Energy in ways that would be advantageous in combat scenarios," Sein elaborates, "To execute Physical Arts, you direct that energy specifically towards your limbs—be it an arm or a leg, a fist or hooves," she adds, tracing an imaginary line from her heart to her fist for emphasis.
"Why did you trace a line from the heart to the fist?" Ori questions, clearly puzzled, as the full mechanics of Light Energy haven't been disclosed to him yet. "Ah, you see, that's because Light Energy originates from the heart. Not only is it the place where it circulates throughout the body in minimal amounts, but it also serves as our primary reservoir for storing Light Energy," Sein clarifies.
"Ah, that's good to know," Ori remarks, "Before diving into the practical stuff, could you elaborate a bit more on what Light Energy is?" he inquires, giving Sein a moment to ponder the most effective way to elucidate the concept. "Well, let me see..."
Light Energy serves as one of the vital life forces—although not essential for mere survival, it's crucial for functionality. Without it, a Spirit becomes considerably weakened. This energy is the essence of every Spirit, whether they hail from the Spirit Trees or the Sei, which includes beings like myself. However, when the Sei assume their spirit form, their near-limitless reservoir of Light Energy dwindles, still maintaining a sizeable reserve. To put it in numbers, let's say it reduces by approximately seventy-five percent, but the quantity we hold as a wisp is another matter.
A Spirit's durability is deeply connected to its Light Energy reserves; the greater the supply, the more capable they are of withstanding harm. This energy enables them to fortify their skin, making it substantially more resistant. This enhancement can be enacted either manually or automatically, as well as reflexively.
Each Spirit harbors a unique form of Light Energy, often tied to their lineage—a versatile resource that can be tapped for a variety of Light Techniques. Furthermore, every Spirit, or their family branch, boasts a distinct, innate Light Art.
Pure Light Energy inherently carries a negative charge, which is why it can be utilized in techniques that bolster the physical body or are deployed for offensive maneuvers. The replenishment of Light Energy is a continual process, akin to a slow, progressive build-up. The more a Spirit abstains from using Techniques, the faster this regeneration happens.
"...and that just about sums it up—at least as a basic overview," Sein concludes. "I could delve much deeper, but that would probably turn into a lecture lasting well over an hour."
"Hmm... I think I've got the basics down," Ori asserts, giving a thumb-up for emphasis. "Alright, that's good to hear," Sein responds, lifting her hand invitingly. "How about trying to channel some Light Energy into a straightforward punch? Should be a piece of cake, right?"
"sure hope so," Ori mutters, focusing intently to funnel Light Energy into his clenched fist. Believing he's succeeded, Ori throws a punch at Sein's waiting hand. Nothing. Sein starts to lower her hand to speak, but then— "Yowch!" A surprising second impact makes her yelp.
"Uh, did I mess up?" Ori wonders. After pondering briefly, Sein enlightens him. "Not exactly. Your initial hit didn't hurt; my hand was reinforced with Light Energy. But then came an unexpected second impact without the protective energy."
"So, I did it then?" Ori asks, his face lighting up with a proud smile. "In a manner of speaking, yes," Sein affirms, amused. "Though what you performed is known as 'Lag Motion.' It's a technique where you intentionally delay the Light Energy behind your initial punch, resulting in a two-stage impact."
"Was this move accidentally discovered, then?" Ori probes. Sein nods in agreement. "Exactly. Some spirits never experience this 'lag,' making it harder for them to master the move. Others train themselves to control their Light Energy more precisely, giving birth to this technique. It's also because most Spirits don't invest much time in mastering Physical Techniques; their innate Light Art usually outshines it."
"Before you start incorporating Light Energy into more complex techniques, we've got to smooth out that lag issue you've got," Sein advises. "Huh? But I've never had a problem using Grapple. What gives?" Ori queries, scratching the back of his head in puzzlement.
"Considering you've managed to use Grapple repeatedly with ease, I'd venture to say it either requires an extremely low amount of Light Energy or perhaps none at all," Sein speculates. "Let's go with the latter theory: it probably consumes next to no Light Energy. That means the subtle, steady flow of energy constantly circulating through your body would suffice for Grapple," she clarifies.
"To sort out your lag issue, you'll need a deeper understanding of how to properly channel and embed Light Energy," Sein articulates. "And that's best achieved by intimately knowing Light Energy itself," she attempts to add a wise tone but backtracks, "That didn't come out the way I'd intended... Uh, what I mean is, strive to be at one with Light Energy, perhaps?"
"..." Ori gives Sein a blank stare, trying to make sense of her words. "Uh, alright. To get a handle on controlling Light Energy, you need to maintain a significantly higher amount circulating throughout your body, deliberately," Sein attempts to clarify. "Right now, your heart is passively pumping a small amount of Light Energy around your body. What you need to do is actively control a larger flow."
"I think I'm starting to grasp it," Ori replies, fidgeting with his hands as he tries to gauge the level of difficulty. "It's challenging at first, no doubt," Sein assures him. "But with time, you'll find it becomes much easier and almost second nature."
"Alright, so how exactly do I channel a more abundant supply of Light Energy throughout my body?" Ori questions, as Sein places three fingers on her temple, contemplating. After a brief pause, she clenches one fist and smacks it into the palm of her other hand, as if struck by an idea.
"Look at it this way," Sein initiates. "Light Energy originates from the heart. Its main function is not just to pump blood but also to circulate Light Energy. During battles, your heart rate quickens due to adrenaline. However, this doesn't necessarily amplify the amount of Light Energy coursing through your body—it does speed up its regeneration, though," she elucidates, to which Ori attentively nods.
"In the heat of battle, we can leverage that accelerated regeneration to accumulate a stronger protective layer of Light Energy," Sein continues, as the light in her left hand visibly brightens. "But you can also accomplish this outside of combat by deliberately allowing the Light Energy to naturally build up. Skilled guardians can even do this instantaneously. Are we on the same page?" Sein elaborates.
Ori shuts his eyes, hand on his chin, and utters a ponderous "I see..." Then, he unexpectedly opens his eyes, which are elaborately detailed for comedic effect, and flips the script: "No, I don't." Sein responds by massaging the side of her face in mild exasperation.
"Okay, let's simplify it," Sein offers. "Imagine your Light Energy as a tangible object, and you're a telepath. You use your telekinetic powers to manipulate the Light Energy," she outlines. Ori's form begins to glow brighter. "Oh! Did I do it?" he exclaims with an open-mouthed smile, causing Sein to theatrically tumble to her side, shouting in disbelief, "THAT ACTUALLY WORKED?"
Sein steadies herself, the focus narrowing onto her as if zooming in for emphasis. "Alright, well, those were just the basics of the basics," she begins, providing some enlightenment. "During combat, it's vital to maintain full control over your Light Energy. Sometimes, you'll specifically need to channel it to shield a particular area of your body that's about to get hit," she elaborates, enriching Ori's understanding.
"Understood, got it," Ori responds, offering a thumbs-up for affirmation. "In addition to that, you can likely boost your Grapple technique using Light Energy. But that's something that will be explored later," Sein says.
As the billowing smoke dispersed, a mutated giant ram beetle lay sprawled on its back, its previously unbreakable shell now showing fractures. "Tch... troublesome..." grumbles a masculine voice, emerging through the opening he's just blasted in the wall. He then pivots his head toward the other two visibly shaken spirits. "Ah, there you guys are," he observes casually.
Hiding nervously behind Fil, Leru musters up enough courage to respond, "...Hi?" to the unfamiliar spirit in front of them. The spirit appears to have sustained a rather nasty wound on his stomach. "Who... are you?" Fil inquires cautiously, intrigued by this mysterious spirit.
"Huh?" the spirit reacts, looking somewhat puzzled. "We've collaborated before; you should recognize me," the masculine spirit elaborates, sounding slightly irritated. "Don't tell me you've already forgotten," he adds, displaying an unmistakable expression of disappointment when Fil cocks his head in confusion.
The masculine spirit merely studies the other two spirits momentarily. Then, breaking the silence, he utters two words: "Snakes... war?" Upon hearing these keywords, comprehension dawns on Fil. "Oh, OH! You're Reem!" Fil exclaims. "You're still alive? No, of course, you're still around. I'm so glad you're still alive; this increases our odds of success!"
"Yeah, yeah," Reem replies, idly scratching the back of his head. "But that's beside the point. I'm fairly certain I detected two more presences around here, and I have a strong hunch they were with you, right? One of them must be Sein, I assume?"
Fil gives a nod of agreement. "Yes, you're correct," he affirms Reem's suspicions. "We divided into two separate teams. The other pair consists of Sein and Ori," Fil elaborates. "They are also on their way to reach the peak of the Ginso Tree," he adds for clarification.
"Hmm... alright, alright," Reem mutters thoughtfully. "In any case, you haven't by any chance spotted a mysterious black figure resembling a spirit, have you?" he questions, only for both Leru and Fil to shake their heads in denial.
"Why are you asking?" Fil interjects, a flash of memory reminding him of something Sein had mentioned. "Wait, are you implying..." He's cut off mid-sentence as Reem chimes in. "Yeah, those creatures from the tales that were hidden away," Reem elaborates.
"So they really are here," Fil mutters, placing his hand over the lower half of his face, deep in thought. "...This complicates things considerably," he quietly mumbles to himself. Reem overhears and says, "We heard you. But don't worry, even I was able to match pace with one of them."
"You could actually keep pace with one?" Fil exclaims, noticeably surprised. "Absolutely! If I'd gone all out, I could've overpowered him easily," Reem claims. "However, I underestimated him and nearly got myself eliminated," he admits with a reflective sigh.
"But! that's a secondary concern," Reem dismisses it offhandedly. Fil and Leru just give him a blank, disbelieving stare. "...You almost perished because you weren't fully committed?" Fil starts, and Leru finishes his sentence with, "Because you didn't give it your all?" "Exactly!" Reem confirms, turning his gaze back to the downed ram beetle. "That besides the point, this creature was summoned," he informs them.
Intrigued, Fil takes a few steps closer to inspect the beetle. His suspicions are confirmed. "This is definitely summoned," he notes, detecting that the aura radiating from the beetle is substantially darker than usual. "This creature was spawned by some sort of dark energy source," he further elaborates.
"And those dark sources are those ghouls," Reem reveals, only to be met with puzzled looks from both Leru and Fil. "... the creatures from the tales that are generally kept secret?" Reem hastily clarifies, eliciting synchronized exclamations of "Ooooh!" from Leru and Fil.
"Ugh," Reem exhales, pinching the bridge of his nose in mild frustration. "In any case, while I'm fairly certain that Sein could handle one of these ghouls, it's prudent for us to regroup. These creatures are not something to be taken lightly," Reem advises, receiving affirmative nods of agreement from the other two spirits.
Pivoting, Reem then turns to address the fallen giant ram beetle. "As for you," he intones, locking his gaze directly into its shimmering emerald eyes. His fist ascends, glowing a faint ethereal blue, and the last thing the creature perceives is enveloping darkness.
So, if I'm understanding correctly, you're implying that for me to become an even stronger spirit, I need to fully restore all my Light, right?" Ori starts off. "But given that the Spirit Tree is currently dormant and won't awaken until we've restored all the elements, I have to find an alternative way to replenish my Light?" Ori questions further, breaking down what Sein had previously told him.
"Y-yeah," Sein affirms, internally musing, 'Did I actually share that much information? Is he becoming more intelligent?' "Um, that's true, but only if there's actually an alternative way out there," she adds aloud, still a bit uncertain.
"We could potentially seek out an Ancestral Tree," Ori proposes. "However, that would likely mean encountering one of our fallen kin, which isn't something we'd really desire," he continues. "But if such an opportunity were to arise, it could be a viable path, couldn't it?" Ori inquires.
Sein nods, her eyes widened in disbelief. 'No, he's most definitely becoming smarter,' she thinks to herself. "Yes... that's certainly one feasible way to fully restore your Light—by absorbing the essence of one of our lost kin," she articulates, her voice tinged with a note of bitterness toward the end.
"I guess we'll have to see," Ori states, as both he and Sein traverse through another shimmering portal. They emerge on the opposite end, immediately confronted by a trio of ominous creatures that resemble dark ravens but are roughly one-fourth their size. As the ravens dart menacingly toward them, Sein eliminates one by swiftly summoning and firing off one of her Spirit Flames. Meanwhile, Ori deftly manages to catch the remaining two birds, which had aimed for his head and Sein's shoulder, securing them tightly within his grip.
"Oh wow, you actually caught them?" A voice emerges from a shadowy corner. "They're designed to dash at extreme speeds, you know. I mean, I expected the lady to defend herself, but you? I was gunning for a one-shot headshot," the voice continues, chuckling mockingly at its own joke. Ori's eyes narrow in annoyance, and even Sein doesn't seem too pleased.
"But I suppose I've underestimated both of you," the mysterious voice admits, making a dramatic entrance as it leaps down from its dark hiding spot. Sein's eyes widen in sheer shock. "You're a dark spirit!" she exclaims, her tone tinged with surprise and concern. "Nah, 'dark spirit' is an outdated term. We go by Ghouls now," the entity retorts.
Sein is attempting to piece together the situation, but Ori beats her to the punch. "So you're implying you're no longer connected to Light Energy, correct?" he asks, his smile tinged with nervousness, and a tiny sweatdrop materializes on his forehead.
"Ah, quite impressive," the Ghoul notes. "How did you catch on so quickly? Is it because my aura radiates less menace than you'd originally anticipated?" it queries, making a mockingly exaggerated face as it languidly waves a hand in their direction.
"I was right—call it intuition," Ori quips, eliciting a hearty laugh from the Ghoul. "Man, you're hilarious!" the Ghoul chuckles, but quickly returns to a more serious demeanor. "Alright, enough joking around," the Ghoul says, taking a moment to assess the situation and survey the surroundings. "I have some pressing matters to attend to, and you two are inconveniently in my way," he states, spreading his hands to reveal a pulsating Dark Goop.
"Ori, stay behind me," Sein instructs, summoning her Spirit Flames as the Dark Goop begins to quiver violently, almost as if eager to burst open. The Ghoul smirks and casually drops the Dark Goop onto the ground. It erupts into numerous tiny Dark Goops, each one morphing into what appears to be a small portal. Snappers—piranha-like fish that are even more dangerous and substantially faster—shoot out towards the duo at breakneck speeds.
Sein quickly gathers four flames, condensing them into a concentrated mash before letting loose 'Incinerate.' Blue flames roar through the area, instantly incinerating all the Snappers. Unfazed, the Ghoul regurgitates more Dark Goop, catching it in his hands and kneading it briefly before hurling it. The mass morphs mid-flight into a Mutated Mortar Worm, which immediately burrows into the ground.
"Ori, take care of that worm," Sein instructs, locking eyes intently with the Ghoul. Ori nods and positions himself in front of the portal, generating a cacophony of noises to lure the subterranean creature. Sein leaps high into the air, releasing a barrage of Spirit Flames, which are surprisingly deflected by the Ghoul, whose arms have somehow morphed into a protective shell.
The Mortar Worm suddenly leaps out from the ground. In a lightning-fast motion, Ori fires his Grapple, effectively locking onto the Mortar Worm's gaping mouth. Using his momentum, Ori jumps backward into the portal, successfully pulling the Mortar Worm along as it falls and follows through the portal.
Before Sein even has a chance to touch the ground, the Ghoul dashes up to her with incredible speed. His arm, covered by the protective shell, glows an eerie green before he lands a solid, heavy blow. Sein is hurled back through the air, the protective shell crumbling away in the aftermath of the devastating strike.
"'Shell and dash...' What's the pattern?" Sein ponders while attempting to arrest her backward momentum. Coming to a complete stop, she theorizes a strategy. Meanwhile, the Ghoul disgorges more Black Goop, his pupils disappearing as he smirks devilishly. He tosses the dark goop skyward, where it transmutes into Arachne—dark, menacing spiders.
The Arachne spiders swiftly shoot out their webs, anchoring themselves firmly to the walls. The Ghoul's left hand begins to glow green again, and with an abrupt surge of speed, he dashes directly toward Sein. This time, however, Sein is prepared. She jumps, using the Ghoul's head as a stepping stone to propel herself higher into the air. The Ghoul's punch misses, but the stored energy still unleashes, blasting a clean hole through the adjacent wall.
The protective shell disintegrates as the Arachne fire two bolts of venom toward Sein. With quick reflexes, she counters each bolt with a Spirit Flame. Landing back on her feet, she consolidates four Spirit Flames into two intense bursts, hurling them toward the Arachne and annihilating both spiders. What she didn't anticipate, however, was a lightning-fast fist already near her face. Struck on the side, Sein is thrown backward yet again—an attack so rapid, it's like watching a mantis snatch its prey.
Coming to a complete standstill, Sein lifts her gaze and discovers the Ghoul donning a puzzled expression. "Why'd you send that guy alone after the Worm? The three of you needed your combined strength just to stand a chance against the first one," the Ghoul taunts, throwing Sein a scornful, disdainful smirk. However, that mocking expression is short-lived; Ori descends from above like a bolt from the blue, plunging a sharp piece of wood deep into the Ghoul's shoulder, using the creature's body as a springboard to catapult himself to safety.
"Ori–" Sein utters, noticeably surprised and relieved. Ori, visibly sweating from the exertion, replies, "Hey... been a hot second, hasn't it?" Their tense conversation is underscored by the sight of a severely entangled Mutated Mortar Worm, wrapped up in copious amounts of Grapple silk. "So, what's our game plan now?" Ori inquires cautiously, eyeing the Ghoul as it winces painfully, clutching its bleeding shoulder.
"WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK–" the Ghoul curses explosively, blood gushing steadily from the wooden piece deeply lodged in its shoulder. Veins around its eyes bulge in a grotesque manner. With a swift, forceful tug, it wrenches the shard of wood free, causing fresh blood to splatter wildly. However, the gaping wound eerily begins to seal shut all on its own.
Sein discerns that the Ghoul's wounded shoulder isn't exactly healing in a natural way; instead, it's repairing itself with some kind of unnatural substance. "You're gonna seriously regret that," snarls the Ghoul, lunging furiously toward Ori. However, its aggressive charge is abruptly interrupted when Sein lands a powerful punch on the side of its skull, sending it veering wildly off course.
The Ghoul's hand morphs into a menacing, claw-like structure, arresting its own momentum by plunging its newly formed talons deep into the ground. Flinging its arms back, the claw disintegrates, and the Ghoul encases both arms in a renewed protective shell once more as one glows a bright green.
Dashing directly at Ori, Sein quickly readies herself for a calculated counterattack. But there it is again— that lightning-fast jab, mimicking the striking speed of a mantis. Although the upper body is somewhat easier to defend, the lower torso isn't as straightforward to shield. The Ghoul's punch zeros in squarely on Sein's vulnerable abdomen. Just before the punishing impact, a black flash of blinding light erupts, causing Sein's eyes to widen and pupils to constrict sharply as she's catapulted into a wall, coughing up blood.
The only reason Sein avoids having a massive, gaping wound in her abdomen is that she had instinctively channeled all her Light Energy to that critical point of impact, minimizing the trauma as much as possible. 'Heal, heal, heal!' Sein frantically screams inside her head, struggling hard to regain her footing and composure.
The Ghoul now locks eyes with Ori, death glaring in his eyes. "What's your name, punk?" the Ghoul sneers, wearing an evil ear-to-ear grin. "...O-" Ori starts, but before he could complete his sentence, a vicious punch is hurled straight at his face. Ori bends backward just in time to dodge it, and before the Ghoul can throw another hit, Ori smashes his head against the Ghoul's with significant force.
Ori also leaps back to gain more distance. 'Channel the Light Energy...' Ori instructs himself mentally. The Ghoul vomits up more of the Dark Goop, hurling the globs at the ground as Snapper fires off at Ori again. 'Improvise!' Ori thinks quickly. Without much contemplation, Ori spreads his arms wide as he fires off eight different Silk Strings from each fingertip, masterfully weaving them up, then down into a cross and back to the sides again. He successfully neutralizes every high-speed Snapper in time, rendering them completely harmless as their mouths are securely shut.
The Ghoul sprints up to Ori, fully prepared to land a devastating blow. But what the Ghoul didn't anticipate was Ori's pre-emptive upper body block. In the heat of the moment, the Ghoul had assumed it would be difficult to target Ori's lower body, but that was exactly where its rapid strike was aimed. However, just as Ori gets struck, he cleverly manages to shatter the Ghoul's arm, striking it with both elbow and knee simultaneously at the exact weak point on opposite sides of the limb.
Ori is flung backward, gripping the side of his liver that had just been struck. Through the pain, he watches the Ghoul wince, clutching its left arm. "WHY YOU— ANNOYING PEST!" the Ghoul roars in unmistakable fury. Ori struggles to recall his own actions until a brief flash of memory reminds him. He had hammered the Ghoul's arm with both his elbow and knee, a move so reflexive he couldn't initially remember doing it.
Shaking his head to clear it, Ori aims to keep the Ghoul's furious focus solely on him. "What, can't handle the pain?" he taunts. The Ghoul's reaction is immediate, his fury intensifying. "You did not!" the Ghoul snaps, gritting his teeth in sheer annoyance.
Abruptly, the Ghoul lets go of his limp arm, allowing it to dangle lifelessly like a discarded ragdoll's appendage. Then, with unsettling focus, the Ghoul regurgitates more Dark Goop, catching it skillfully in his right hand before smashing it into the ground. Out of the foul substance emerge two rotten roller beetles, accelerating directly toward Ori. His first impulse is to leap over them, but he realizes that such a move would land him in a precarious situation.
Instead, Ori meticulously sidesteps the rolling beetles, which keep rolling until they collide with a wall and explode. Right when Ori dodges the second beetle, the Ghoul makes a sudden appearance on Ori's right side. Ori first thinks it's a puzzling move, but in a fraction of a second, he realizes the Ghoul had a calculated motive. The Ghoul was attempting to obscure his injured left arm. 'Could this guy really be—' Ori's internal monologue is interrupted as the Ghoul gears up to throw a punch with his left hand.
With pure reflexes, Ori narrowly avoids a fatal blow. He uses his own left hand to adeptly redirect the Ghoul's clenched fist, feeling it lightly graze his cheek. A shockwave of incredible power whooshes past his ear, causing the hard shell surrounding the Ghoul's fist to crumble away into nothing.
Frozen in sheer disbelief, the Ghoul simply stands there. Seizing the fleeting moment, Ori spins around even more swiftly than he had before, driving his elbow directly into the Ghoul's lower jaw. This action sends the Ghoul careening backward, but the creature regains its footing almost instantly, coming to a complete halt. Clutching his jaw, the Ghoul thinks to himself, 'This guy doesn't seem to have much control over his Energy, but his strikes pack so much power... I'll need to be more cautious.'
Locked in a tense staredown with the Ghoul, Ori notices Sein is now back on her feet, albeit struggling somewhat. Sensing the need for an opening, Ori opts to wait for the Ghoul to make the first move. He's formulating his own plan in the back of his mind; he doesn't know for sure if it'll work, but if it does, the Ghoul is finished.
"Scared to make a-" Ori attempts to taunt the Ghoul once more, succeeding as the Ghoul's pupils visibly shrink in indignant fury. Readying itself, the Ghoul raises its left arm, now covered in a shell that's glowing green again. Ori defensively throws his arms up while simultaneously taking a slight hop backward.
Smirking malevolently, the Ghoul anticipates that if Ori tries to block this assault, his arms will be blown clean off. What the Ghoul fails to foresee, however, is that just as its punch is about to land, the arm gets deflected upward— an unexpected delayed impact.
Before the Ghoul can fully retreat to regurgitate another batch of Dark Goop, Ori suddenly grapples its neck, yanking it forcefully. This flings both Ori and the Ghoul toward each other. While the Ghoul is still recovering from the initial shock of what just occurred, Ori lands a devastating right hook that leaves the Ghoul slightly dazed. Before the Ghoul can even form the word "YOU-", it's interrupted by Sein, who descends from above to deliver a scorching, fist-first strike right on the Ghoul's head.
The Ghoul's upper body bows downward, his pupils noticeably dazed, as he gasps for air. Just as he starts to raise his upper body, Ori swiftly knees the Ghoul's head right back up, eliciting yet another audible gasp from the creature. Even before the Ghoul can formulate a plan to instruct his body to respond, Sein lands a sharp karate chop between the Ghoul's neck and shoulder, causing it to drop to one knee while coughing up saliva.
Then, before the Ghoul can even attempt to rise again, Ori delivers a sharp uppercut that lifts the Ghoul slightly into the air. This is immediately followed by Sein's powerful elbow strike to the Ghoul's backbone and Ori's focused punch to its abdomen. The sequence of attacks culminates with a Sein's impactful blow to the Ghoul's liver, sending it into a brief, dizzying spin. And so the relentless barrage of attacks continues...
'I can't seem to do anything—' the Ghoul internally monologues, 'Every time I try to command my body into action, I'm hit with a powerful blow that essentially hard-resets me.' Frustrated and desperate, the Ghoul thinks, 'I need to find a way out before I end up getting myself killed.'
While continuously hammering down on the Ghoul, Sein finds herself hesitating. She's contemplating whether to use one of her Light Art Techniques, but is wary that it could provide the Ghoul with even the slightest chance to escape. Although Ori seems to be managing well, Sein is still not fully recovered from the devastating blow she received earlier, and she's beginning to have difficulty keeping up.
Just as she lands another punch on the Ghoul, Sein begins to summon her Spirit Flames, hoping it will buy her enough time to unleash a potent attack. Another punch lands, and Sein finally makes the decision to fully charge all eight of her summoned Spirit Flames.
However, in that crucial moment, the Ghoul's pupils suddenly sharpen as he utters, "... Maximum Technique: Grand Escape." Almost instantaneously, he vomits up a large wave of Black Liquid Goop that morphs into a swarm of smaller creatures.
"I messed up—" Sein curses. With the Spirit Flames still amassed in her palms, she impulsively releases them toward the ground, annihilating all the creatures in the immediate area. However, in her heated moment of rage, she forgets that Ori is also on the battlefield. Ori takes the brunt of the attack, his arms and legs showing visible burns as he clutches them.
"Ouch..." is all Ori can mutter. Sein covers her mouth in disbelief, rushing to say, "Oh my light— I am so, so sorry, Ori!" She hurries over to Ori to quickly tend to his burns. "It's alright," Ori responds, but follows it up with a weary sigh, "Though... the Ghoul got away." his eyes glancing toward the spot where the Ghoul had been just moments ago.
The scene shifts, revealing a darker, more ominous part of the Ginso Tree. There, the Ghoul is found, its breaths heavy and labored, its right arm serving as support for its injured left. Gradually, the heavy breathing transforms into a sinister, almost maniacal laughter. "I will kill them... I'll kill every single one of them," it mutters under its breath, determination fueling its every word as it staggers through a tunnel, revealing the corrupted heart of the Ginso Tree, encased in layers of dark, ominous goop.
"If I can't take them down myself, a whole army certainly will," the Ghoul declares, its sinister laughter continuing to echo throughout the space. "But... I need to decide whether to bring them here or to wait for them," it ponders aloud, a wicked smirk playing on its lips. "Perhaps it's wiser to lure them to the Heart faster," it concludes, its eyes fixated on the corrupted Heart, plotting its next move.
"Hey, Reem?" Fil called out, breaking the silence. Reem swiveled his head to face Fil, raising an eyebrow in question. "What's on your mind?" he inquired. Fil, with his face scrunched up in a mix of nervousness and resolve, hesitated before spilling out, "Before we push forward..." He paused, locking eyes with Reem, his look one of unwavering determination, "Would you be willing to give us some combat training?" he asked, to which Reem's expression morphed into one of utter confusion.
"Huuuh!?" Reem blurted out, so taken aback that his mouth hung comically agape. Fil's expression of determination melted away in an instant, replaced by his previous anxious demeanor. "I-I mean, only if you want to, of course—" Fil stammered, hastily backpedaling. With a wave of his hand, Reem silenced him, indicating that Fil should refrain from any further explanation.
"Yeah, I get where you're coming from, but... wouldn't it have made more sense to ask Sein?" Reem proposed, addressing the duo of Spirits with a slight frown. "Besides, I'm hardly the best when it comes to teaching," he added, his gaze returning to the path ahead as he resumed their trek toward the heart of the Ginso Tree.
"But you possess a deeper understanding of physical techniques," Fil persisted, causing Reem to halt in his tracks once more. Releasing a deep, contemplative sigh, Reem finally relented, pivoting to face both Fil and Leru. "Alright then. Leru, why don't you try manipulating your wind into the form of a circular disc, akin to a shuriken?" he suggested, shifting his attention to Fil. "And you, Fil, are you familiar with Piercing Fist?" he inquired. After receiving an affirmative nod from Fil, Reem continued, "What about Smart Strike?" to which Fil responded with a shake of his head, signaling his lack of knowledge.
"Then focus your training on mastering that," Reem directed, his tone shifting into that of a seasoned instructor. "Smart Strike is a precise karate chop aimed at the adversary's weak points. It's crucial to remember that these vulnerabilities can differ among spirits. Hence, identifying them during combat is key," he elaborated to Fil with a patient, mentor-like demeanor.
"How about we start by identifying my weak points?" Reem proposed, a playful challenge in his voice as he raised his arms invitingly. Fil scrutinized Reem's posture, trying to deduce a weakness. "Perhaps the liver?" he guessed tentatively, to which Reem's hand came up swiftly, delivering a light slap to Fil's cheek. "Ow!" Fil exclaimed, more startled than hurt.
"While the liver is indeed vulnerable, I'm seeking a different kind of answer—ones that aren't vital organs," Reem clarified, adopting a more serious tone. "Search for areas that are structurally weaker than the rest," he instructed before executing a swift strike to the space between Fil's third and fourth rib, causing Fil to buckle onto one knee from the unexpected pain and numbness that ensued.
"What—" Fil gasped, his hand clutching the stricken area as a wave of both pain and numbness spread from the impact point. He scanned Reem's stance anew, frustration mounting at his inability to pinpoint the elusive vulnerabilities. Reem, observing his struggle, decided to offer a breadcrumb of guidance. "Consider this: every spirit possesses five fundamental weak points," he hinted, his voice trailing off as he left Fil to his contemplation and moved to observe Leru's progress.
"Leru, how's the technique coming along?" Reem called out, causing Leru to jump slightly. She had been deeply engrossed in her task, her fingers nimbly manipulating the swirling wind into shurikens. "I think it's shaping up quite well," Leru replied with a hint of pride. Yet, without warning, Reem nonchalantly swatted away the shuriken with his arm. "Eh—" escaped Leru, her words trailing off in surprise.
"It didn't leave a mark," Reem observed, showing her the arm he had used to dismiss the wind shuriken. "Try to condense the wind more, forge it into something lethal... um, that's about all the advice I've got," Reem admitted, scratching his head in a rare moment of helplessness. "You might gain more insight from Sein," he suggested with an air of sincerity.
Leru nodded, turning her attention back to her wind manipulation, her focus intent on densifying it, which inadvertently led to the wind disk bursting apart, sending gales scattering. "Perhaps you should attempt to form it into a sphere initially?" Reem proposed thoughtfully as he made his way back to Fil, prompting Leru to consider her hands with a new perspective.
"Have you had an epiphany yet?" Reem inquired, returning to Fil who confidently nodded in response. "Show me," Reem encouraged. But before he could even brace himself, Fil executed a targeted strike just above Reem's knee, causing it to stiffen reflexively. With practiced ease, Reem tapped the spot himself to alleviate the tension. "Quite impressive. How did you deduce that so swiftly?" Reem asked, genuinely taken aback by Fil's quick-witted reasoning.
"Well... since you targeted my torso, I deduced it was one of the weak points. You mentioned there were five in total, which led me to suspect the limbs," Fil articulated his thought process. "After you hit a specific area on my upper body, I figured dividing my body into ten equal zones might reveal a pattern," Fil continued, pointing out the segments from his abdomen to his neck. "And it certainly did. You struck between the sixth to tenth sections," he observed, finding Reem nodding in acknowledgment.
"Then, I analyzed the structure of your leg to ascertain the most susceptible area, which seemed to be between the fifth to tenth section," Fil expounded, gesturing toward Reem's leg as he illustrated his point. Reem's expression shifted to one of respect. "That's impressive... but I have to confess, I didn't catch all of that," he stated with an air of unabashed candor, prompting Fil to feign a dramatic collapse.
"Well, moving forward," Reem began with a tone of closure, "Leru, you can continue to refine your technique as we journey towards the Heart of the Ginso Tree." He called over to her, and Leru, looking up from her task with a mix of determination and anticipation, responded energetically, "O-okay!" Her voice carried across the distance as she started walking towards Reem and Fil, her concentration unwavering on the nascent wind sphere between her hands.
"For the time being, I want you both to steer clear of combat. Leave that to Sein and me," Reem instructed, his voice carrying an edge of severity. "Intervene, and you could very well find yourselves in a fatal predicament," he cautioned them sternly. The gravity of his words hung in the air as both Leru and Fil swallowed hard, visibly digesting the seriousness of the situation.
"Understood?" Reem demanded, seeking an affirmation of their comprehension and compliance. Both Leru and Fil, with a newfound sense of gravity about their roles, nodded solemnly. "Alright then, let's move out," Reem declared with finality. He took the lead, setting off once more, with the two other spirits trailing behind, each absorbed in their own thoughts about the forthcoming journey.
To Be Continued
Well, we've reached the end of this chapter, folks! I really appreciate your patience—I know you've been waiting a bit longer than usual. Exam week had me completely tied up in studies, but we made it through. Thanks for sticking around! I hope you found this chapter, with its mix of training and action, enjoyable even though it was brief. But don't you worry, Leru and Fil are gearing up for their moments in the spotlight!
This chapter stretched out a bit, didn't it? Tipping the scales at 8k words, it's bulkier than our usual 6k-7k word adventures. I suppose I got carried away, but hey, we're closing in on the end of this arc, right? With the next installment wrapping up everything inside the Ginso Tree, this chapter serves as the semi-final step. It's been a shorter arc, I'll give you that, but trust me, there's plenty more action coming up in the future arcs, and they'll be brimming with chapters! hopefully—
Alrighty, let's talk about what's next: an XL chapter is on the horizon! We're talking around 14-16k words. Your patience, as always, is golden, and I'm doing my best to ensure it's rewarded. If by some twist it falls short of expectations... well, let's just say I'll own it. I'm still an amateur, after all. But remember, FAIL stands for First Attempt In Learning. Life's full of these moments, so we'll just keep pushing forward and improving.
(⊃≧▽≦)⊃{✧ Spirit Sparkles ✧}⊂(≧▽≦⊂)
What was your favorite thing to do?
"Hmm...?" Sein glances at the camera with a hint of surprise. "Oh, I did have this little thing where I'd morph into my spirit form, slip down to the district to pick up some delectable treats, then I'd float back up to the Spirit Tree," Sein shares with a soft chuckle. "I'd find a cozy nook, pretending to keep a vigilant watch over the forest while I savored my snacks..." Sein goes on, a playful grin spreading across her face as she glances over her shoulder, ensuring they're alone, "But if I'm being totally honest, that whole 'vigilant watching' thing was more of an excuse to just kick back and relax," she confesses with a whisper.
"Me?" Ori responds, pointing to himself with a mix of curiosity and excitement. "Aside from lending Naru a hand with her daily tasks, you mean?" He pauses, lost in thought for a moment. "When I'm not caught up in all of that, I love to scout out a peaceful spot, perhaps under the shade of a leafy tree, to indulge in some fruits we've gathered," Ori muses. A hint of longing colors his voice as he adds, "Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed assisting Naru in the kitchen. I really long for those days..." Ori concludes with a heartfelt, melancholic sigh.
"I'm mostly out and about, adventuring through the forest, seeking places untouched and unknown," Fil begins, his voice tinged with a sense of wonder. "But beyond that?" He taps his chin, emitting a prolonged "hmmmmm..." that stretches into the silence before he brightens with a revelation. "I absolutely delight in stumbling upon areas where music echoes through the air. There's something about a good melody that just sets my mind alight!" Fil declares, his words dancing with an amused smile.
Acrobatics," Leru blurts out with an adorable squeal, punctuating her enthusiasm with a spontaneous backflip. "Back when my wind control was still in its infancy, I'd revel in performing outrageous stunts that would totally awe my friends. They'd joke around, calling it witchcraft," she recounts with a giggle, her eyes lighting up with the fond memories. "Those were some truly joyous times," she reflects, her giggles subsiding into a deep, longing sigh, "I deeply wish they were still around," Leru confesses, the joy in her tone giving way to a touch of sorrow.
"Why the curiosity, huh?" Reem shoots back, his gaze piercing and direct. "Well, if you must know, I'm a bit of a risk-taker. I tend to wager my belongings," he confesses, a smug expression playing across his features. "Lucky for me, I come out on top a good eighty percent of the time," he boasts with a knowing chuckle, implying a secret edge. "Probably has something to do with my Light Trait," he admits unabashedly, "but that's just part of the thrill!" Reem bursts out laughing, then his laughter fades to a more contemplative expression. "That's also part of the reason I've skated through many escapades in the past..." he adds, his demeanor shifting to a more reflective state.