Gareth Coker
"Now Use the Light, We Want to See!"
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Xbox Game Studios

- Howl's Den -

WAIT A MOMENT, WHAT?

On the way back to the surface, Chai would not encounter the leapers he mentioned. What, or who he did encounter... was none other than SMIDGE. Otherwise known as a Vandelay robot, the model VA-SF07 was developed by Macaron himself to be a solution to personal training and nutrition... in the form of a hovering refrigerator with a face on it, as well as a WAY too energetically helpful personality.

Smidge said to Chai, "Oh! Hello again!"

Chai only let a stare of silence exit his face. This talking fridge has been on his nerves since the beginning of his adventure. To see it in Niwen, a forest with zero hints to industrial machinery... Yeah. Exactly.

Chai asked while looking at 808, floating by his left side in ball form, "Macaron? How did Smidge get all the way HERE? LITERALLY HERE! (Ori is also on Chai's left shoulder).

Macaron answered, "Like I said Chai, I programed Smidge to help, being as nice as it can be."

Chai complained, "Um, not only did it pass personal boundaries, but DIMENSIONAL BOUNDARIES?"

Macaron attempted to reassure, "Well..."

Chai just said, "Macaron, we need to have a discussion on privacy, like actually."

Peppermint said skeptically, "Sureeee, Chai, as if you would be fit for that kind of topic."

Chai blurted, "Listen here, hacker girl-"

Smidge then completely interrupted, "Ahem, as I was saying, can I be saying things now?"

Chai reluctantly agreed, although also agreed anyways, "Fine."

Smidge continued, "So! You have a new -FOREIGN EXISTENCE- to your disposal! His name is Ori. I can see that he is resting on your left shoulder!"

Chai complimented the fridge for once, "Ah, so you have taken notice? He has been of great help so far."

Smidge indulged, "Ori is equipped with a long, gleaming beam sword that can be used to strike enemies with ease."

Chai added, "Oh, yeah. Saw that."

Smidge said more, "Ori can swing his sword up to five times in any direction before he needs to pause. Why not test it out, then?"

Hearing the words of the talking refrigerator, Ori hopped off Chai's shoulder, onto the soft grassy ground. Smidge did a quick twirl and drew a six pack with a marker on his torso, then whipped out a rubber shield with his arms.

Smidge encouraged, "Go on little one, hit me!"

Ori started out with a 5-hit sword slash combo.

Smidge delighted, "Wonderful! I know the move you will have fun with too, your upwards attack! Go ahead and try it out!"

Ori swung his sword upwards, using leverage below his arm, sending the refrigerator flying high. It then crashed in the ground and got up fine.

Smidge congratulated, "Hooray! Here is a refreshing drink to cool you off from the training exercise!"

The fridge opened the door on its front revealing stacks of healing drinks that Chai used to replenish even his health bar. Smidge grabbed the inside of his own torso and handed a bottle to Ori. However, the spirit was a little too suspicious of the substance within the drink, so he politely declined.

Chai went in, "I'll take it, Smidge."

Smidge said, "OK! I'm sure you and Ori will make a great combat team! I'll return back to Vandelay Campus now! Ta-ta!"

The refrigerator spun rapidly and then disappeared from the vicinity.

Macaron spoke, "Apart from that, I don't think I ever programmed it to teleport like that."

Chai said with relief, "Ugh, finally it's gone. Now, where were we? Ah! Right! Back to the surface, Ori!"

Ori hopped back on Chai's left shoulder. Chai's journey back to the surface of Niwen was actually pretty graceful, with 808 floating by his right side this time. Secret areas too small for a human? Chai let Ori do the honors. Places too high to reach? Either person could jump, so that is all well and good. Too tight and too high? Chai would help by giving the spirit a boost of air. Any platforms that were too far to jump to would have Chai use his dash ability. Ori would get this at a later time, though. Eventually, both of them made their way back to the surface. They then found themselves face to face with another talking creature. This happened to be Lupo, a map maker in Niwen.

Lupo spoke to Chai, "Greetings travelers! I am Lupo, Mapmaker Extraordinaire!"

Chai introduced, "Lupo, huh? I'm Chai. Over on my left, that's Ori. Over on my right, that's 808."

Lupo asked, "Quite a storm that passed through, hasn't it?"

Chai agreed, "Certainly, but I handled it. As with some other companions who refused to get wet at all."

Peppermint felt defeated via 808, "Well played Chai, got us right there..."

Lupo was confused, " 'Other' companions?"

Peppermint tried to explain, "Yes, who you are speaking at is 808, but she is actually a relay for me, Peppermint, back at a home base."

Lupo pondered, "Fascinating... Not that I understand, though."

Peppermint gave a chuckle, "Technology back in mine and Chai's world is different. We're just trying to get back."

Lupo suggested, "Get back, eh? I think I may have some help. I have made maps, though they are a little soggy from the rain, so they will be half off."

Chai skepticized, "Half off? We uh, don't have anything of 'money' at the moment."

Lupo corrected, "No, but your little friend Ori does. After all, rumor has it your quest involves looking for a friend. And what's better for finding things than a map?"

Gladly enough, Ori had pocketed bundles of spirit light within his inventory, the presumed currency of Niwen.

Lupo asked once more, "Care to purchase a map of these fine fens for 25 spirit light?"

The exchange was quick as Ori tossed a handful of spirit light to Lupo, with the latter catching it with ease.

Lupo thanked Ori and then gave Chai a paper map, "Much obliged!"

Chai complimented, "Aren't you filled with ideas, Ori? Nice."

Chai took a look at the map, then he commanded 808 to scan the map, having Peppermint save the terrain on her computer as well.

Peppermint gave an order, "Alright, let's take a look. There is an unexplored part northeast from our position. That should be our lead."

Chai affirmed, "On my shoulder, Ori! Let's go find your friend Ku!"

And so the adventure in Niwen continued.