"Hm..." Ori hums as he scratches his unusually itchy wrists in annoyance. "Geez, why are they so itchy?" Ori mutters to himself, scratching his wrists one by one.
He lets out a deep sigh, deciding to ignore the discomfort and continue restoring the forest. As he walks past dead trees and withered flowers, a sudden burst of colors catches his eye. He envisions trees vibrant with life, and creatures of his kind playing in the lush green grass.
"..." Ori snaps back to the present, shaking off the thought. "Are these... your memories?" Ori asks, putting a hand over one eye as he turns towards the giant tree.
"Heh... you don't have to answer. I promise to bring these colors back," Ori says, removing his hand and giving the giant tree a determined smile, before advancing further into the forest.
Soon, Ori comes across a fork in the path, one leading downwards and the other continuing straight. Peeking down the downward path, he sees a bottom filled with purple spikes. "That looks deep and nasty... well, I know which way I'll go," he says, getting back on his feet.
Taking a quick glance at the distance he needs to jump, Ori scoffs, "Pff, I've jumped much farther than that." He backs up a little, takes a running start, and just as he is about to jump, he slips...
"Eh-" Within seconds, Ori hits his head against the ground and starts falling towards the spikes. "Ow! Whoa, whoa, whoaaaa!" Ori screams in panic.
"I should've kept my mouth shut," Ori scolds himself as the spikes loom closer. But in a split second, he hears a voice calling out to him, "Wrists! Shoot!"
"Wrists? Shoot? What does that mean?!" Ori wonders, but quickly realizes he has no other choice. He points both his wrists to the walls beside him, and two rope-like things shoot out of his wrists, attaching themselves to the walls and slowing Ori's fall.
"Haha, yes!" Ori cheers in relief, glancing behind him and realizing he's still dangerously close to the spikes. "Oh, no, no, no! Aaaaaaaah!" Ori grasps onto the ropes, his momentum halted just in time.
"Ah, thank the light... But how am I supposed to get out of this mess?" Ori asks himself, before hearing the voice again, "One release, one pull."
"Alright," Ori focuses, but nothing happens. "I have no clue how to control these things," Ori groans, but quickly regains his confidence. "No, I got this." He lets go of the rope on the left, and it comes loose, detaching itself from his wrist.
"Yes!" Ori cheers, successfully following the voice's instructions. But then he struggles to remember the second part. "What was the second thing again?" Ori wonders, just as a slight poke on his behind reminds him to pull himself up with the other rope.
"Ow! Right... pull up," Ori remembers, and he swings himself to safety, landing on the ground where no spikes are in sight.
"Phew..." Ori sighs in relief, before hearing the voice again. "Sit... speak..." The two words alone tell Ori what the voice wants, so he sits down and closes both his eyes, ready to comply.
...
...
...
"Hey, you can open your eyes now," a now much clearer voice called out to Ori, and he obediently opened his eyes.
"Whoa, where..." Ori spoke up, finding himself sitting in a place full of wonders.
"We're in your mindscape, or so I think, who knows," the voice said behind him.
Ori turned around to see another spirit, long and sleek with two orange dots on both of his hands, sitting on the swing that Naru and he made together. "Sup, dude?"
"H-hey..." Ori managed to say, still feeling overwhelmed. This couldn't be his home... could it? There were many things missing, and the only thing that resembled home was the swing.
"Don't worry, I'm not an enemy," the spirit assured Ori, who was about to say something but was interrupted. "I know, I know... you want to know who I am," the spirit said, looking at Ori with a playful grin.
Ori retracted his hand, nodding. "Yeah..." he tilted his head to the left, and the other spirit giggled as he stood up. "Let's just say that ability of yours was originally mine."
Shock filled Ori's head as he looked at his wrists and then back at the other spirit. "Don't worry, I... died a long time ago," the spirit said, noticing Ori's expression. "Look, I'm a chill dude, and I'm here to tell you all you need to know about Grapple."
"Gr-grapple?" Ori stammered, and the other spirit came closer, kneeling down. "Yes, that's the name of my ability. It allows you to shoot a silk-like substance from your wrist. It's also very durable and sticky, but you can determine the strength of it, though there is a limit, of course."
"Grapple, silk, durable... but why do I have this? I... I don't remember being able to control anything" Ori said, confused, looking the other spirit in the eyes as the spirit sat down beside him.
"Heh... the Spirit Tree stores up all our light and presents them to the newer generation in its base, as they shall grow it further, evolving it. And I... I made the biggest evolution. A grappling hook that only sticks to light turned into a silk-like substance that sticks to anything," the spirit explained, placing a hand on top of Ori's head.
"... I- I shouldn't," Ori tried to speak, but the spirit interrupted him again by roughly stroking his head. "Nonsense, listen to me, bud. I'm going to transfer all my knowledge of this ability to your lil' head, and you're going to save the forest," the spirit said confidently.
"But-" Ori started to protest, and the other spirit stood up, cutting him off. "Listen, you may be the last hope of the forest... and I'm going to give the last hope of the forest the strength he needs to save it because... I have faith in you, bud," the spirit said, placing both hands on Ori's shoulders.
Ori couldn't hold back his tears any longer. "Now, now, no crying, hey? Now evolve this ability further, no, to the MAX!" the spirit said, swinging both arms in the air before placing them back on Ori's shoulders. "You got this, it's time to wake up," the spirit told Ori, giving him a final reassuring pat on the head.
...
...
...
Ori slowly wakes up from his so-called nap meeting, only to find himself in a cave with a putrid-looking purple lake. "Yegh..." Ori groans as he gets back on his feet. "What happened again?"
"I have faith in you, bud," a voice echoes in Ori's head.
"... right." Ori rubs his right eye as he approaches the lake cautiously, noticing that the water seems to be different than before. He dips one of his fingers into the water and immediately recoils in pain. "This ain't that bAAAAAAAAAAA! IT FUCKING BURNS!" Ori screams, waving his hand frantically to soothe the burning sensation. After a minute of agony, the burning subsides, leaving behind an irritating itch.
"Why did I think dipping my finger in the lake was a good idea?" Ori chides himself, lying down on the ground.
As he surveys the area and the lake, he comes up with a plan to cross it. "If I take a running start and jump from that spike to that log, then to that other spike, and finally to the vine... vine... WAIT! I have a grapple? What am I- UUGGHH!" Ori groans, rubbing his head before sprinting towards the lake and shooting a grapple onto the ceiling. He jumps, pulls himself up, swings, and lets go to shoot another grapple with his other wrist, swinging himself all the way to the other side.
Landing safely on the other side, he jumps in excitement. "That. Was. Awesome! Why was that so fun? Swinging over a deadly lake shouldn't be fun, but it was," Ori mutters to himself as he continues walking in the opposite direction of the lake.
Suddenly, Ori hears something behind him break, and as he turns around, he sees a Rammer Beetle crashing through the wall. "Another living creature?" Ori says, cautiously approaching the beetle.
"Hey there, buddy-" Ori starts to say, but before he can finish his sentence, the beetle charges straight at him. "I'm friendly, I'm friendly!" Ori waves his hands in front of him, trying to signal the beetle to stop.
However, the beetle shows no signs of stopping and rams into Ori, dragging him along with its front horn. "UGH-" Ori coughs in pain. "Come on, now, how about coming to a stop?" Ori asks the creature, still in pain. But the beetle only seems to be speeding up.
Ori quickly glances behind him and realizes that he's about to be cornered by a wall. "Oh no, nonononono," Ori exclaims, taking quick action and shooting a grapple upward to pull himself up. The beetle, however, rams into the wall, revealing what's on the other side.
"Whoa, now buddy, how about we calm-" Ori tries to speak with the beetle again, only for the conversation to end abruptly as the beetle gets crushed under a boulder. Ori's eyes widen as he looks at the broken rocks and then notices something in the distance. An orb.
"What is an orb doing out here in the wild?" Ori says in surprise and immediately heads towards it.
As he approaches the orb, Ori realizes that it's actually the tail of another spirit like himself. "They look hurt..." Ori mutters as he examines the spirit's body.
"Hm... it's better if I take them into the cave. I guess I'll have to set up base here for a while," Ori decides, picking up the other spirit and carrying them into the cave.
Ori carefully arranges the spirit in a more comfortable position and surveys the cave, considering what they might need for the night. A campfire for warmth, beds for comfort, food for sustenance, and herbs for healing all come to mind. Ori's new silk-shooting ability sparks an idea - could it be used to create a hanging mat or a blanket?
Lost in thought, Ori ponders if there might be other ways to use the silk, but unfortunately, there seems to be only one way to shoot it. Ori shrugs and thinks, "That's fine, I can still work with this." He sets out to find large leaves that he can use for his plan.
As the sun begins to set, Ori returns to the cave with the materials he gathered. Seeing the unconscious spirit on the ground, Ori realizes how uncomfortable they must be. He wastes no time and starts constructing a small bed, or rather a hammock, using the large leaves and his grapple ability.
After carefully binding the leaves together with the silk, Ori shoots a grapple to one side of the wall and attaches the other end to one side of the hammock, repeating the process for the other side. Ori then gently lifts the other spirit and places them on the hammock, hoping it will hold. "Please don't break, please don't break," Ori mutters, crossing his fingers. To his relief, the hammock seems sturdy, and Ori jumps up in victory.
Realizing he didn't gather enough materials for his own bed, Ori considers making a hammock out of pure silk. He's hesitant but decides to give it a try, shooting out his grapple repeatedly until the makeshift hammock seems somewhat sleepable. "Eh, could've been worse... come to think of it..." Ori suddenly notices his wrists. The grapple ability seems to have no cooldown and he can use it whenever he wants. "There must be something I don't know," Ori muses, glancing at the other spirit. "Maybe I can ask them about it."
In the meantime, Ori quickly makes a blanket for the other spirit using the same method he used for the hammock. Once he's done, he places it over the spirit and settles into his own hammock. "I guess it's time to get some shut-eye," Ori tells himself as he drifts off to sleep, his eyes closing fully as he enters a state of light slumber.
...
...
...
CRASH
"OUCH..." Ori winces and reaches up to rub his face as he realizes he has fallen out of his hammock. "How did I... whatever." He sits up abruptly, trying to recall what happened yesterday.
Ori hums to himself as he remembers, "Okay then, brought back to life, almost died again, new ability, almost died part 2, found another of my species, went to find supplies..." He gets up from his sitting position and gives himself a light slap on the cheeks. "Alright, let's get on with today."
As Ori gets to his feet, he casts a quick glance at the other spirit who is still unconscious. "For now, I should stock up on supplies that will last me through the next couple of days," he decides. With that in mind, Ori leaves the cave in search of food that will sustain him for a while.
He scans the area, keeping an eye out for essential items for survival or medicinal purposes. Perhaps he can find herbs or fruits that are still viable in this blighted forest. Ori also makes a mental note to look for materials to make a pestle and mortar, as he may need them to process his findings.
With that in, Ori sets off on his quest to locate any useful resources that may be hidden in the seemingly barren landscape.
After scouring the forest for what felt like a good three hours? Ori estimated it was already past noon. He had managed to gather a handful of nuts, dried berries and fruits, along with some fragrant lavender leaves. He had also found a thick, small log that he could use to craft a pestle and mortar, and a sturdy sharp rock for carving.
Returning to the cave, Ori carefully set down his findings on the ground. He picked up a few nuts, sat down near the entrance of the cave, and began carving the log to create a mortar, using the sharp rock as his tool. He took his time, shaping the wood with precision, while also working on the pestle.
The sun was casting a warm glow through the trees as Ori focused on his task, fully absorbed in the process. He occasionally paused to examine his progress, making adjustments here and there to ensure that the pestle and mortar would be functional.
As he worked, Ori couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. It had been a productive day so far, and he was pleased with the results of his foraging and crafting efforts. The anticipation of having a proper tool for processing his findings and utilizing the herbs and fruits he had gathered fueled his determination to complete the task.
After a while, Ori set down the sharp rock, admiring the handcrafted pestle and mortar he had created. He picked up one of the dried berries, placed it in the mortar, and began grinding it with the pestle, testing the effectiveness of his creation.
With a nod of approval, Ori smiled. He now had a reliable tool for processing his gathered resources, and he felt better equipped to survive in this challenging forest. He was ready to make the most of the supplies he had collected and continue his quest for survival with renewed confidence.
Ori first examines the other spirit's body again, noting a few dried-up cut wounds and bruises. His instincts kick in, and he recalls the lavender leaves he had gathered earlier. He makes his way to the pestle and mortar he had crafted and starts grinding the leaves into fine bits until they form a smooth paste.
With the paste ready, Ori carefully approaches the unconscious spirit, taking gentle care in applying the lavender paste to their wounds and bruises. He spreads it evenly, using his fingers to gently massage it into the skin, hoping that the natural properties of the lavender will help with the healing process.
As he tends to the wounds, Ori's mind races with concern for the other spirit. He wonders how they ended up in this state and what could have caused the injuries. Despite not knowing the spirit personally, Ori couldn't bear to see anyone in pain and was determined to do what he could to help.
Once he finishes applying the paste, Ori takes a step back and observes his handiwork. Satisfied with his efforts, he hopes that the medicinal properties of the lavender will work their magic and aid in the other spirit's recovery. He silently sends a wish for their well-being before turning his attention to other tasks that need to be done.
With a sense of accomplishment and compassion in his heart, Ori takes a deep breath and prepares himself to face the challenges of the forest once again, hoping that his actions will make a positive difference in the other spirit's condition.
After applying the lavender paste, Ori felt a renewed sense of energy and determination. He decided it was time to practice using his new ability, Grapple. With a sense of excitement and curiosity, he made his way into the forest.
Ori scanned the trees, searching for the perfect ones to swing from. He carefully selected his targets, considering their distance, height, and strength. With a deep breath, he activated his Grapple ability and launched himself into the air, soaring through the forest with a newfound sense of freedom.
At first, Ori's movements were hesitant and cautious, but as he gained confidence, he started to swing more gracefully from tree to tree. He laughed with joy as he felt the rush of wind against his face and the exhilaration of moving through the forest like never before. He practiced tirelessly, pushing himself to go faster, higher, and further.
As the day turned into night, Ori reluctantly decided it was time to stop and rest. He found a suitable spot to set up his hammock and settled in, feeling physically exhausted but mentally invigorated. He looked back on the day's events with a sense of accomplishment, proud of his progress in mastering his new ability.
The next morning, Ori woke up to the gentle rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. He felt a renewed sense of excitement as he prepared for another day of practice. With each swing, each jump, and each landing, Ori grew more skilled and confident in his ability to navigate the forest with his Grapple.
Days turned into a few weeks, and Ori's mastery of Grapple improved by leaps and bounds. He could now swing effortlessly from tree to tree, covering great distances in a matter of minutes. He felt a deep connection with the forest as if it had become a part of him, and he was no longer afraid of its challenges.
With each passing day, Ori's confidence and skill grew, and he began to embrace the unknown with open arms. He welcomed the adventures and obstacles that came his way, knowing that he had the ability to overcome them. He treasured the memories of his practice sessions, which not only improved his physical abilities but also nourished his soul and enriched his journey.
After two and a half weeks, the other Spirit finally stirred, slowly regaining consciousness. Ori had been grinding the freshly collected lavender leaves into a fine paste, focused on his task.
The other spirit's body appeared frail, and they could only manage to sit up. Their face showed signs of pain as they glanced toward Ori. Summoning all their energy, they weakly uttered, "Hello?" Ori was immediately alerted and stopped what he was doing and turned around, noticing that the other spirit was awake. He rushed over with the paste he had prepared, eager to help.
"Hey... are you okay?" Ori rushes to the other spirit's side. "How do you feel? Do you need something to eat?"
The other spirit struggles to catch their breath and ease their pain. "What happened...?" they manage to ask. Ori sits down next to them. "I'll tell you everything I know while I apply this paste to your bruises, okay?" The other spirit nods.
"Well... let's see, not too long ago, and this might sound crazy, I came back from the dead. I was given a quest to restore the blinded forest, and I also gained a new ability called Grapple. I eventually made my way to this area and found you unconscious on the root of a tree. I brought you to the cave and made some makeshift beds. I also gathered supplies for both of us to survive. And that brings us to now, with you waking up," Ori explains, spreading the paste gently on the other spirit's bruises.
And done," Ori finishes applying the paste to the spirit's wounds. The other spirit tries to recall all their memories, attempting to piece together what happened exactly. Their head is still spinning, making it difficult to remember things clearly. Frustrated, they let out a deep sigh. They wanted to remember everything, but for now, it seems elusive.
"Hey, how about you return to sleep? Maybe you'll feel better tomorrow," Ori suggests gently, helping the other spirit lay back down.
The other spirit is unsure of what else to do, but they trust Ori's guidance. So, they nod and decide to go back to sleep, hoping that rest will help them recover their memories and feel better in the morning.
...
Ori watches as the other spirit drifts back to sleep, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. Despite their awakening, he couldn't gather any information about what happened to the forest months ago and why it was in such a dire state. He takes a deep breath and decides to clear his mind by going for a practice run.
He walks outside, taking in the fresh air, although the cave already has clean air. Swinging from tree to tree, he lets his thoughts run wild, trying to come up with a plan to restore the forest and uncover the truth behind its blight. As he moves gracefully through the forest, he feels the familiar rush of adrenaline as he uses his Grapple ability to swing from branch to branch, soaring through the air with a sense of freedom and purpose.
After a while, Ori returns to the cave, feeling refreshed and invigorated. He checks on the other spirit, who is still asleep. Ori takes a moment to reflect on his journey so far. He realizes that he has come a long way since he first woke up in this mysterious forest, and he has grown stronger both physically and mentally. He feels a sense of determination burning within him, driving him to continue his quest to restore the forest and uncover the truth behind its plight.
As the day turns to night, Ori settles down near the entrance of the cave, keeping watch over the other spirit as they sleep. He knows that they still have a long way to go, and that there are challenges ahead, but he is determined to persevere. He stares into the darkness of the forest, his mind filled with thoughts of what lies ahead.
Finally, Ori decides it's time to rest, so he makes his way to his hammock and settles in for some much-needed sleep.
Publish Date: 2nd May 2023
I don't know why, but I had the urge to share the first part of the book. Maybe it's to give you a taste of what to expect and get familiar with my writing style. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed reading the first chapter, and well, see you in September :)