Author's Note: This story is cannon with the original Ori and the Blind Forest game and its sequel: Ori and the Will of the Wisps. I do not own the definitive edition of the first game, and therefore content within the definitive edition will not be referenced. Thank you for deciding to read this, I hope you enjoy!
"The light of the Spirit Tree lives in us all. He is the reason we're alive, he's the reason we grew. When he called out to find you many years past… We were attacked, wounded, and killed by our foe. Now these Ancestral Trees are all that's left behind. Come closer now and feel the light of Fil, the spirit inside."—Sein
The light of the Spirit Tree and his Spirits soared above Hollow Grove, setting the skies ablaze with the azure radiance of the Light. Spirits teemed within Hollow Grove for miles, all contributing their own miniscule source of the Light. Fil was a scrawny Spirit with tufts of white hair that stood straight up on his head. He was perched on a rock high above the Hollow Grove, on the edge of the Spirit Caverns. Small and insignificant as he was, his blaze was one of the brightest.
All for a tiny Spirit lost in a storm, Fil thought as he gazed at the Spirit Tree. He knew that the tree cared for all Light-embodied creatures, but why all this? Fil stared down at the hundreds of Spirits, their Light flaring up into the sky. Surely, this little spirit, Ori, couldn't be so important as to demand all the Spirit's Light.
But of course, Fil also knew he was wrong in thinking such things. One Spirit out of place could cause a catastrophe. If the Spirit did not consume the Light of an Ancestral Tree, it may be permanently weakened. Fil burned his flare brighter as a punishment. Veyl, his mentor, had taught him better.
Being an apprentice of the tree's guidance, in training to take over in case something happened to the tree's current Transcriber, he should have known to keep his thoughts more in line.
As he was thinking this, Fil noted an ebony figure shoot through the glowing firmament. Maybe we should stop… Fil thought. His Light weakened to the point of being less than a speck. You're training to be a Transcriber, and you can't even keep a consistent light! he chastised himself again.
Yet, the shape darted overhead once more. This time, by the glow of the all the Spirits' Light, he could see it was an owl. Peculiar, Fil thought. Nibel hasn't seen an owl since the fall of Niwen.
The owl was gaining speed and circled closer to the festival grounds. A few Spirits below stopped to watch it.
The bird flew far enough into view to make out it's dark violet feathers…and its fiery white eyes that were steadily cast on the Spirit Tree. As it neared closer, its eyes changed direction to the Spirits.
Its piercing talons were fully extended as it crashed onto the ground, crushing several Spirits under it. "Watch out!" Fil yelled, but his words were overcome by a sky-shattering shriek.
Fil could feel Spirits' Light shatter, some his friends, as they were swept to the ground and died. Their Light went out like a candle, with one soft flick. With every life destroyed Fil's soul jolted. He stood frozen as the owl slaughtered hundreds.
"Impossible…" Fil whispered.
The owl swerved its head, and started to stomp towards Fil. He desperately tried to run, to even just move his head, but he was frozen by the horror displayed before him. It looked as if the owl would have him.
But before the owl could reach him another spirit smashed into Fil. Still, more of the Spirits shattered. Fil and the other Spirit somehow managed to skid to a stop right before the ledge above the Spirit Caverns.
Fil went limp, his mind numb and disbelieving. How…how could this have happened? Fil thought.
"You were almost killed," the other Spirit gasped as he stood up. "What was that?"
Fil looked above to the dead, dark sky. Overhead he saw the shape of the owl, a claw of talons clutching…Sein. Blackness threatened to consume Fil's vision. Nibel…surely it couldn't…but without Sein, the Spirit Tree's Light…
A realization hit him. Veyl…was dead.
"Are you okay?" the other spirit asked. It ran over and nuzzled Fil's shoulder. "Don't die! Please, you'll leave me all alone."
Fil couldn't answer. His mouth was dry and tears fell freely down his nose. All his energy was depleted, and he was barely hanging on by the little bits of life that were left in him.
"Just say something!" the Spirit urged. He wasn't nearly as thin as Fil, but he was still young and had big, dark eyes that filled half of his face.
"I…" Fil's thoughts strayed. "I need…silence."
And so Fil slipped to the ground, gazing up at the sky that once held the Light of hundreds of Spirits, all now extinguished. In just one night, because of just one Spirit, Nibel had fallen. Fil's mind buzzed and swirled.
The other Spirit had curled up in a ball, and a small puddle of tears sparkled below his big eyes. The cold wind whipped his ears. The ledge they had landed on was steady at least.
"Do…do you think we are really the only ones left?" Fil finally asked, grasping at the bits of his sanity that were left.
"Maybe there are more." The other Spirit sounded hopeful, but his face betrayed him. "We should go and check…My name is Ano, but I don't think that really matters anymore, does it?"
"Words and thoughts matter most," Fil spoke softly, recalling what he had been taught. He picked himself up. Maybe Ano was right…maybe there were more Spirits still alive. "I…I'm Fil. Let's try to find a way back into the Hollow Grove."
They walked in solemn silence to the cliff that they had tumbled over. Fil's legs trembled. His mind froze again with sorrow, until Ano asked a question and Fil had to request it be repeated.
"I asked, 'Do you know any way up this wall?'" Ano tilted his head.
Fil swallowed and held back more tears. "Just give me a moment please."
Ano nodded his head.
The Light, Sein, was stolen, destroyed maybe. Now the three elements…There would be droughts without water or wind. And only Lights knew what would happen to Mount Horu. And the generations of spirits…Fil's friends, family, and comrades…all gone. Fil's tears splattered against the rock.
Ano attempted to scale the wall in front of Fil, but failed, thumping to the ground and causing pebbles to scatter.
But now was not the time for pity. Even though Fil believed there was no hope, it was no use sitting and crying, waiting for the end. It was time for action. If they could find other Spirits perhaps Nibel would be saved.
Fil stopped his shaking, harnessing his confidence. No hope…nothing left… It wasn't very comforting, but neither was the prospect of crying about it.
He approached the wall and steadied his joints. "Take my paw." Ano complied. Fil sprung up and clutched onto the cliff's face at a higher point. He jumped off again and grabbed onto the cliff farther up. Fil spun and bounced up the wall until he reached the top of the cliff, tired, but determined. The momentary look of amazement on Ano's face was also a reward.
Fil and Ano looked out onto the eerie scene. The spirits were gone, and even though the Spirit Tree still glowed, the light was faint. Without Sein, the Tree could not command the elements, and Nibel would eventually fall to the Decay. No one knew how long or quickly that process would take.
"There!" Ano shouted, his voice bursting with excitement. He pointed to the base of the Spirit Tree where two tiny specks of white sat, emitting traces of the Light. The Light signatures were so small Fil would never have noticed them.
Fil and Ano sprinted across the field till they reached the two Spirits. One was small and couldn't be too much older than the missing Ori. The other bore a few scars and a thick, bright body; signs of strength.
"Where are the other remaining spirits?" Fil asked, expecting but dreading the answer.
"Don't know if there are any," the bright spirit confessed. "We may be the only ones left. I will try to protect you the best I can, but I've had a hard enough time trying to protect my apprentice, Reem." He nodded to the small spirit.
"Protection…" Fil pondered. "If The Light is truly gone…we're all as good as shattered. Spirits don't last long in Decay. Without enough Light in the air, we will not be able to replenish our energy and without enough food our life will run out. No protection could save us now."
"True," the bright Spirit agreed gravely.
"What if we fled?" Reem asked timidly.
"We will not flee!" the bright spirit commanded. "The only other forest nearby is Niwen and that forest has been under the pressures of the Decay for a long time. All the spirits are dead."
"Then what should we do?" Ano asked, voice trembling.
"We cannot restore the Tree without Sein, and Sein must have been destroyed by now," Fil said. "Only when the Tree's life is paired with Sein's energy is the forest in balance. It was from the complete Spirit Tree that the Ginso Tree was grown, Forlorn Spires built, and Mount Horu made. Without the light…"
"The Light is not completely gone," the bright spirit said. "We were born of the light and so hold it. Maybe…"—he looked around at his comrades—"…we could restart the elements by ourselves."
"That's crazy," Fil said. "It would require way too much light. We can't make that much by ourselves. We could die."
"Well, we'd die anyway," the bright Spirit argued. "You're a Transcriber, aren't you?"
"Wait," Ano interjected. "We don't have enough light to restore all the elements, but what if we just restore the element of waters for now? The Ginso Tree isn't too far away, and water is essential for food."
"But the light needed…" Fil moaned.
"Do you know who I am, small ones?" the bright spirit asked. "I am Ilo, head of the Spirit Guardians. I have protected the Spirit Tree for dozens of years. My Light is strong. And Reem's light is young. With all of us working together, we may be able to secure Nibel from the Decay. Only for the time being, but that is enough for now."
Ano forced a smile.
"But we will need more spirits if we're to restore Nibel," Ilo said. "What are your names?"
"Ano," Ano introduced then pointed at Fil. "…and Fil. I'm afraid I haven't even reached apprenticeship yet."
"But you have a keen sense for Light," Ilo observed. "And you, Fil, you are a Transcriber, correct? Very knowledgeable?"
"I try," Fil said through gritted teeth. He knew about Ilo. The head of the Spirit Guardians was well known, but this "plan" was…impossible. Spirit Guardians were known for arrogant optimism in Fil's circle. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic, Fil thought. But the strongest light there was had already failed. If they were to proceed, they couldn't rely on Ilo's strength. They must rely on their wits and agility.
But then again…Fil's mentor's teaching rose into the surface of his mind. What had she said? He only felt right then that she would be disappointed in him.
"Thornfelt swamp could be highly dangerous if the Decay comes early. You may only be an apprentice, Fil, but you are more trained than Reem," Ilo stated. "The Spirit Caverns should not pose a huge threat if the Decay begins to inhabit them. I am giving you a very important mission."
Fil looked up, his anxious thoughts dispersing.
"Find the missing spirit, Ori," Ilo said. "She is young and her light should be strong. We will need her. Go through the Spirit Caverns, find Ori, and return to Thornfelt Swamp. Hopefully by then the Element of Waters will be restored and we shall be on our way to restoring all Nibel."
"Me?" Fil asked, astonished. "But…I'm not strong and, well, wouldn't I do better with my knowledge if I stayed with you?"
Ilo laughed. "I've been around so long that unless Sein itself communicates its thoughts to you I would match your knowledge. Ano and Reem may not yet be strong enough, but I have faith in you, Fil."
Fil thought this a stupid speech, full of false confidence and clichéd phrases, but he nodded with a determined jaw. "I will set off immediately." His tone was downcast.
"Good," Ilo said with a returning nod, not bothered by Fil's lack of confidence.
"Goodbye, Reem and Ilo," Fil said, turning to leave. "Goodbye, Ano. Thank you for saving me. Hopefully I shall see you soon."
Ano nodded timidly. "Until then. Goodbye."
Fil bounded across the fields, focusing on the air around him and trying to restore himself. He slid down a ramp into The Spirit Caverns.
This plan was madness. It was all based on hope… Hope. That was what Veyl had said.
"Hope is a small, yet meaningful word."
Maybe Fil had been thinking about this whole situation incorrectly. Perhaps, just perhaps, hope was what they needed most.
Fil's life before the attack had its flaws, but it still retained the splendor of life in Nibel. Once in the past, he had walked through Hollow Grove under the Spirit Tree next to his mentor, Veyl. He had held a stack of papers in hand, and stepped tentatively, careful not to step on any roots, while at the same time trying not to drop anything.
Fil had just begun his training to be a Transcriber in those days. A Transcriber was one who heard the tree and made sure the orders it gave were carried out. Veyl had been a Transcriber for a long time and she did not give any hints of retiring soon.
"Why do we need Transcribers?" Fil had asked as he and his mentor continued their hike. "Can't everyone hear the Light's voice?"
"No, not as we do," Veyl had replied. "All the spirits in Nibel hear to some extent, I think. The real reason you and I are unique, Fil, is because of the way we harness the light. Some use it in the form of power to fight back invaders, others use it as a method of healing. Still others use it for farming, building, and even exploration.
"But we are unique, for we hear Sein, the light of the tree, better than all others." Veyl had stopped and looked to the top of the tree. "It is not will or sincerity that gives one the ears to hear Sein. It is simply a gift."
Fil had contemplated her response before asking, "What are our tasks today?"
"We must do the sacred duty of checking the tree's leaves." Veyl had set a paw on the tree's bark.
"What?"
"If climbing the tree were not safe for it, we would not do it. Come now." Veyl had hopped and scurried up to a small ledge.
Fil had looked behind him where the fields of Hollow Grove stretched out for miles. He made sure no one was watching, readied himself, and bounded up the bark of the Spirit Tree. He found it was easy to jump and grab onto ledges.
Soon Fil had perched on a branch overlooking the whole of Nibel. He could see the Thornfelt Swamp's glades and the Ginso Tree spilling its waters. He saw the marvel of Forlorn Spires's floating mechanisms bellowing out the winds. Mount Horu rose in the distance, an ember glow against the healthy green that rushed across the landscape.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Veyl had climbed onto the branch Fil occupied. "You see, when we find our gift, this is what we use it for. For this land full of hope."
"Hope," Fil had said. "Hope is such an empty word though."
"Really?" Veyl had asked. "Is that what you think?"
"I mean, well, not really," Fil had backtracked. "Hope's good."
Veyl had nodded. "Good job climbing up here. You look like an expert."
Fil nodded absently, thinking. "Veyl?"
"Hmm?"
"What…what would you ever do if the Decay started to creep into Nibel?"
"I would fight it." Veyl had sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing. "What would you do?"
"I would also fight," Fil had declared.
"At what cost?" Veyl had pondered. "How much would you be willing to give? Even if all was almost lost to the Decay?"
Fil had looked down, then did the same straightening of his back and narrowing of determined eyes. "Even a candle in the darkness is a light. If I could keep that candle alive to fend off the darkness…I'd die for it."
Veyl had nodded. "You see, that is what hope is, Fil. Light in the darkness. We would fight then, because of hope."
The words had finally sunk into Fil's heart.
The two had looked out across the flowering landscape for a few quaint moments longer. Spirits scurried down below, playing, or working. By the time they had finished their task, all that remained below was the tiny Lights of Spirits sleeping in the darkness.
Those days were gone, but the pledges Fil had made were not. How could he have forgotten this lesson? But now that he had remembered it, he was more determined than ever. His Light, even if less than a flickering candle, would blaze until it was snuffed out.
The Decay had come surprisingly fast to Nibel. The wind had gone silent and the birds had stopped chirping. All the plants were dry, and the water had taken on a purple tint that Fil surmised was not good for swimming. The earth beneath him trembled occasionally for a reason he could not fathom.
Fil continued to troop down the dry caverns. He had visited the Spirit Caverns only once with Veyl when he was a young apprentice. These were nothing like he remembered.
He wondered how Ano, Reem, and Ilo were doing. Fil picked up the pace, picturing himself with them and Ori. They could restore the Element of Waters and hide out in Thornfelt Swamp. And the Gumon were probably already working on restoring the Element of Winds at Forlorn Spires. His new perspective had given him great determination.
It wouldn't be long now. Soon everything would be fine, just fine. But how would they deal with the owl? And what had gotten into such a peaceful creature in the first place? Niwenian owls were known to be peaceful and loyal to the Light… Maybe the Decay in its homeland had affected it somehow. If the Decay was left to itself, it would manifest its own form of "life."
Fil slinked along the ground. He was tired. Most of his energy and life had been used up during the attack. He could rest a moment, but… No, it was too urgent to stop for a break. He pressed himself harder, breaking into a sprint and leaping from wall to wall to speed up the journey.
The deeper he went into the caverns the darker things became. It seemed to be a void with only him lighting the shadows. He heard something skittering in the darkness. Then he heard a frog's ribbit. That was good, the normal animals were not all—
It jumped at him. It looked like a frog but had hungry blank eyes and purpling skin; signs of Decay infestation. A Hopper, Fil realized. Spirit Caverns was on the edge of Nibel boarders. The invaders must have been waiting for an opening like this disaster.
He kicked the Hopper back, slamming it against the wall. The Hopper in return kicked him and sent Fil tumbling down rocks and cliff edges. Fil caught a ledge and tried to hold on, but he had already used so much energy and life that his strength gave out and he fell to the ground.
He rolled until he reached a small room. By his Light he could see the walls…and the half-a-dozen Hoppers waiting for him there.
The Hoppers leaped at him, and he sprang upwards and flung himself to a wall, bounced off it and gave one Hopper a large kick. The Hopper collapsed at the base of another wall. But after that, a Hopper jumped and crushed Fil under its weight.
Fil managed to kick it off, only to have another Hopper slap him across the room. He would have been defeated there if not for his determination to continue. I made a promise to protect this land, Fil thought. And I'm going to keep it!
Fil sprang back up and kicked one of the Hoppers hard in the chest two times. It doubled over to the floor. He climbed up a wall, flung himself off a loose branch and flipped in the air as he descended upon another Hopper. It crumpled beneath him.
But the Hopper now behind Fil struck him with its long tongue. Another beat him into the ground, and yet a third smashed him in the head.
I won't allow…the Decay…to win, Fil thought. Veyl is dead, but I haven't forgotten her lessons. I will continue to follow what she taught me! My Light, my Hope, will continue to burn!
He picked himself back up and swung at one of the Hoppers. It dodged and hit him back. Fil felt something snap in his back. Another Hopper hit him, then the world went numb.
The Light, his Light faded as he seeped into the ground, all thoughts turning to null as his soul was carried away from the dark caverns back into the Light. His single flame of Light joined the eternal fire.
A little while later a flower appeared. It shone with the Light and was deeply connected to the Spirit Tree's roots. Some might say it looked like a candle in the vast darkness of the Spirit Caverns. It would be able to ward off the darkness in more ways than one.
"Heed my words, Ori. Remember that any amount of Light and Hope is worth fighting for. But do not press yourself lest you fall into the Decay's way of waste and dust. In my time as the spirit Fil, I learned more than the simple ability to climb the walls; I learned determination and hope. It is funny that I was sent to find you, and now I meet you first, after my death and defeat. Take on my knowledge and my skills. Restore Nibel and hear the Light."