Inside the Volcano, Mount Horu, The Forest of Magic (Nibel), Gensokyo

- Near-Hyperthermic Temperatures -

Upon entering the inside of Mount Horu, the temperature increased instantaneously. Within a few seconds, Marisa and Ori were already starting to sweat from the extreme heat. Sein, well, do wisps even sweat at all? Most likely not.

Marisa spoke, "Sein... Let's make this quick... And let's definitely try not to get ourselves roasted... Hoooh it's hot!"

Sein responded, "The Element of Warmth is close, but the mountain? I have never seen it this way."

Marisa would add to that, "It's our first time here, not surprised! Oh, you ok there, Ori?" she said to the spirit on her shoulder, who was using trying to use his hand as a waving fan. Still, Ori nodded.

Sein then said, "We have come so far, so much has been lost. We can't give up now, we must enter the fray."

Marisa asked, "Fray? More enemies?"

Sein clarified, "Yes, but also there are six contraption blocks within this volcano. Activate them, and the lava will drain. This should allow the Element of Warmth to be accessible to us."

Marisa confirmed while pointing to a direction, "I think I see the paths, over there, and there."

Sein acknowledged, "Lead, Marisa."

Marisa perked up excitedly, "Whoa Ok! Awesome!"

And they were off, platforming and flying, extremely cautious of any of their physical skins touching lava or other hot surfaces, solving navigational puzzles, and while of course, blowing up enemies of the Decay.

"As they fought for their lives admist the fires of Horu"

Interestingly, or suspiciously, whichever way is put, no youkai were around the volcano.

"Naru wished soley to see her child again"

Just outside of the gate of Mount Horu, Naru and Gumo had ventured so far from Swallow's Nest. Piles of dark clouds exited from the volcano's vent, entirely covering the sky above them. At this point, nobody knew the correct time of day. Around Naru and Gumo, the atmosphere looked as if it was collapsing around them, dangerously scattered with fire and lava. There was a platform they were climbing on the reach the gate, but then suddenly a large fireball from above descended. The platform was split in two, forcing Gumo and Naru to part ways due to the blockage the fireball has caused.

Gumo said to Naru, "Please... save your child. I will go and rescue the egg." (it is likely Gumo know about Kuro's egg while venturing on his own time in the Blind Forest)

Naru replied, "Take care, Gumo, take care..."

Returning back to the interior of the volcano, the trio had successfully activated all six contraption blocks within Mount Horu. This prompted a waterfall of lava (or lavafall) to stop flowing, draining most of the lava within the volcano, like a curtain opening a new pathway. This way would lead to the Element of Warmth. However, the temperatures of the volcano still stayed the same.

Marisa said excitedly either way, "We are so close! This has to be the last bit!"

Sein informed, "Tread carefully."

Ori made a happy sound while stilling riding on Marisa's shoulder. The trio went through a triangular shaped passageway with a glowing orange ring displayed above it. Entering, they saw a massive spherical rock that looked like it was empowered by magma. It had holes and grooves protruding bright orange fire and light. This was the housing place of the Element of Warmth, the final step to restoring the Forest of Magic. Marisa and Ori stood facing the Element, while Sein hovered.

Sein spoke, "The Element of Warmth is within our grasp! With the elements restored, we can undo the effects of her wrath."

Marisa muttered, "Huh, if this is gonna result in another runaway sequence..."

Sein activated the Element of Warmth, causing the fire on the spherical rock to turn blue now.

Then Marisa asked, "...That's it, that's gotta be it! We're done-"

Not so fast. A shriek of an owl was heard. Kuro flew immediately in the vicinity, attempting to stop the Ori from restoring the Light. She landed on top of the spherical rock, unharmed due to her extreme resilience. Looming over the trio, Kuro then let out a shriek in their direction. This was Marisa's third time seeing the giant owl up close. Though nervous, she was ready for a fight about to happen next. However, Ori just comedically threw a rock at Kuro, catching the owl's attention rather quickly. This however, prompted Marisa to snag Ori onto her shoulder again. Sein would follow through.

Marisa boomed, "FIGHT'S ON, YOU STUBBORN OWL!"

Marisa took to the air to increase her area of combat, which would allow her to use her powers more efficiently. It won't be a typical danmaku spar. It will be a fight for survival. Upon getting to a position a distance from Kuro, the whole sky was covered with gray clouds, probably erupted from Mount Horu, and small fireballs. Marisa fired the first shots.

Her Magic Missiles fired at Kuro, but of course, as demonstrated times earlier, Kuro was just so dangerously agile. Kuro caught up to Marisa for one charge, but skillfully enough, Marisa evaded and repositioned. She went back to using illusion laser, faster and less lethal, but hopefully more of a chance to hit. She tried to aim her shots for Kuro to lead into them, except Kuro's reaction time was also extremely quick, avoiding the leading shots with ease. How could an owl this humongous do these kinds of aerial tricks? Now it was time for a spell card: Stardust Reverie. Marisa would blast patterns of stars in numerous directions. The downside to this spell is that the stars did go in a pattern, which allowed Kuro easy reading of such. Kuro then went for an attack with her talons on the flying broomstick. Marisa's evasion was another close one, with a talon blade almost swiping the skin on her face. Call that a near miss. Marisa and Kuro were now hovering mere meters from each other, carefully observing each other's moves for whatever comes next. Suddenly, their observance gaze of them both would be interrupted by a large wide tree, on fire, timbering over and separating their sides. Kuro took this as an opportunity to retreat. Marisa did the same herself and searched for safety. The owl has been repelled. Let's hope that is the last time Kuro will see Ori.

Marisa saw a long ledge away from the direction of the volcano that was big enough for her and Ori to stand on and away from any other hazards. She descended, relaxed, and sat down, while also setting down her broom beside her. Ori would hop off her shoulder, a little shaken by the combat she was in with Kuro. They both would catch their breath as Sein was hovering over them. Over in the far distance, across from the ledge, the Spirit Tree was there, all barren without leaves, yet still emitting Light from its trunk.

Sein exclaimed, "The Spirit Tree, so close, he's our only hope left! There is one more step to take. The Forest of Nibel will live once again!"

Marisa responded exhaustedly, "Hold on... Sein... Just... a breather..."

While breathing for a few extra seconds, Marisa took a good observation around her. The sky was clouded gray, the grass was decayed with some patches burning embers, the trees were leafless, some trunks lay on the ground, and much, much worse. Marisa thought, was all of this caused by the Light Ceremony or Kuro herself? Perhaps both? It might be too complicated, there is a misunderstanding somewhere in there. However, too much to think now. Marisa got up on her feet. It was time.

Marisa affirmed to Sein and Ori as she made a fist of determination, "Ori. Sein. Let's go home."

Ori heard this and already began gliding towards the Spirit Tree.

Marisa wielded her broom and playfully scolded, "H- Hey! You could've at least warned me of a head start!"

She and Sein followed behind Ori.