The Sunstone, Sorrow Pass, Nibel, Gensokyo - Late Afternoon

Let's just say the journey to the Sunstone itself was treacherous, again. Spikes? Check. Decay? Check. Dead ends? Check. Confusing paths in a maze? Check. Wind currents that blow off the course? That would be the only new thing, but still. Check. However, the trio of Marisa, Ori, and Sein managed as usual. Ori used his Bash to deflect enemies to broken walls, opening new pathways. Marisa shot lasers to whatever Decay got in her way, and already depended on her flying. Sein used lasers too, dubbed "Spirit Flame" to take care of enemies as well. The wisp was lethal, so to say. Any doors that required keystones, the trio would work together to find them, or Marisa would use her magic missile to demolish the door. All was going well so far.

After exploring vertically thorough the Sorrow Pass, they finally reached the top, breaking through a layer of clouds and landing on a stone plateau. Marisa stood, looking in the distance. To the North, she saw Mount Horu, the volcano that was a considerably long distance away. To the west, she viewed the whole landscape of Gensokyo, ranging from the youkai mountain, the Scarlett Devil Mansion, the Human Village, and the misty lake. To the southeast, she saw Hakurei Shrine. Everywhere else around her was the gorgeous sight of Forest of Magic, what she now knows by its native name: Nibel.

Marisa was taken by the sight, "...Whoa..."

Then Marisa looked to her right, making a visual on the Sunstone. The Sunstone looked like a narrow triangular pillar, made of rocks and orange light cracks, radiating with light. Marisa and Ori walked close to it.

Sein would inform Marisa and Ori on this artifact, "No wonder Kuro is avoiding this place. The Sunstone radiates the light that she fears."

Marisa added, "Well don't mind if I take it!"

Sein startled from this, "Marisa wait!"

Just as Marisa was trying to reach out try and grab the Sunstone with her hand, even though she didn't know she couldn't do it, Sein stopped her by floating to her hand and pushing it away from the stone.

Marisa sort of whined, "Aw c'mon!"

Sein scolded, "I will carry this one. Please, your hand is not worth burning up."

Marisa complied, "Well... fair then."

Ori lightly chuckled.

Sein would activate the Sunstone, causing the stone to make synchronous motions with the rocks around it as if a contraption was happening. Once finished, the Sunstone was released from its holding cage, allowing it to be freely picked up. Of course, Sein was the one who picked up the stone, magically shrunk it, and stored it in what inventory the wisp held.

Sein would speak, "With the Sunstone, we can now pass through Mount Horu's gates."

Marisa was about to say something, "Ok, I see the mountain, I mean, volcano, let's-"

She was interrupted by a gentle but noticeable earthquake rumbling the ground.

Marisa stuttered, "Uh oh."

Sein said, "Mount Horu is close to spewing fire, there is no time to lose! Ori, Marisa, we must go!"

Marisa acknowledged while preparing her broom, "You know the drill, Ori!"

Ori latched onto Marisa's shoulder as she ascended from the ground. Sein marked the destination on the map: Mount Horu.

Swallow's Nest - Evening

"Their journey inspired even he who had doubt"

Gumo ran afar from the Forlorn Ruins, his former home. Being a gumon, traversing through the Forest was not much trouble for him, compared to a spirit like Ori. While carrying the Gumon Light Vessel close to him, he came across the cave of the Swallow's Nest. He decided to investigate to see if Ori's mother, Naru, was anywhere in the cave. Just like that, within the cave, Gumo found Naru as her lifeless body was leaning on its side. Gumo approached the body, cautiously and slowly. Standing high besides the body, he held the Light Vessel over Naru's body. He then switched his hands, with his left hand on Naru and right hand holding the Vessel high. He closed his eyes as the Vessel started glowing brighter and brighter. Then, the Light Vessel dispersed into fragments of light dust, floating around Gumo and Naru. After a second, this little ritual was complete, and Naru's eyes reopened. Naru had now been resurrected by Gumo.

"Gumo had found a place to belong"

Gumo made a hand motion to Naru as if he was telling her to follow him outside. Naru followed Gumo to the ledge of Swallow's Nest, both now catching a glimpse at Mount Horu in the distance. They knew their new mission now, and that was to save Ori from the clutches of Kuro. Of course, Marisa too.

Mount Horu - Late Evening

"Darkness brought them to this forsaken place"

"At the gates of Mount Horu, a tough decision was made"

Marisa, Ori, and Sein arrive at the entrance to the Mount Horu volcano. The entrance was a large stone gate, similar to the gate back in the Forlorn Ruins, only there was lava and fire literally everywhere.

Sein spoke, "I will place the Sunstone into the key socket of this gate. Brace yourselves."

Marisa perked, "Wait wasn't that my line?"

Apparently, Marisa would have no idea of Sein's reaction to her question, so there was a small window of silence from thenceforth. But behold, the gate opened.

Sein informed, "Nibel's source of warmth, all its glory has burned."

Marisa took a good look around her, taking sight of the lava and fire in dynamics. Seemed obvious.

Sein continued, "Let's be careful, many of those that entered this place never returned."

Marisa exclaimed, "Well, what are we standing around for? Let's save-!"

Sein interrupt, "Marisa."

Marisa impulsively yelled, "WHAT?!"

Sein responded, "Your hat."

Indeed, Marisa's hat was crooked. Even wisps have a sense of humor, it seems. Now, the trio enters the gate of Mount Horu.