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- Howl's Den -

Nighttime, lighter rain, drizzling

Chai and Ori would traverse the new pathway created from their last battle, with 808 following Chai from his side, floating. They would enter a place deeper in the forest called "Howl's Den". Ori was well clutched onto Chai's left shoulder. However, 808 was not pulsing any beat, and Chai's music player in his chest was silent. Ever since they defeated the wolf, the sound atmosphere around them became more eerie. Adding to the fact that Chai jumped from a high point and descended below the altitude of Niwen's usual grounds, something was a little off.

Chai took a good look around him, "Let' see here... This seems to be fox den..."

Chai observed to see that the place was large enough to be a home to the giant wolf he last defeated. The place was also well underground, so there was no need to use an umbrella. He disassembled his weapon and stored the magnetic rod back in his arm. Scanning some more, he could see that he was standing on bones of previous fallen creatures, likely to have been prey by the wolf. Ahead of his position were platforms. From those, Ori felt a pulling towards the direction, as if a source of light was calling him. Ori gestured Chai to go to the direction of the platforms.

Macaron responded from 808, "Look Chai, the little creature is telling you to go that way."

Chai said, "Got it, Macaron!"

Thankfully, traversing the platforms was a breeze for Chai. Reaching the other side of the area, they found themselves standing on a ledge. Looking down, the height was shallow, safe enough to jump down. What really sparked intrigue was a very, very strange looking tree. Shorter than most trees, ominous even. The trunk appeared to be housing a vessel of bright blue light, which was exactly the thing that was drawing Ori's attention before. Ori would jump off Chai's shoulder to take a look at the tree.

This is called an Ancestral Tree.

Chai observed from the ledge, "Whoa... Now isn't that thing a beauty compared to what we saw at R&D..."

While 808 hovered closer to the tree, Peppermint simply said, "This is gorgeous to look at..."

CNMN added, "Definitely nothing we have seen on our journey so far!"

Chai replied slightly amused, "Journey? It's only been a few hours since we technically started."

The team would banter amongst each other for a few seconds, almost unaware that Ori jumped off the ledge and walked towards the ancestral tree, being drawn near to its power. Ori walked closer towards the tree. A bit closer. Now being too close, Ori touched the light vessel in the tree's trunk. Just immediately, the area glistened and radiated a bright blue tint of light. Blue streaks of light curved around Ori, then enveloping him as Ori started hovering above and away from the ground.

"As an ancient light awakened"

Chai would finally notice while shielding his eyes from the bright light, "Ori? Ori! Wait up-"

The ritual enveloping Ori was finished, as all the light from the ancestral tree was absorbed by Ori. Light around the area had returned to normal, allowing Chai to see clearly. Due to the surge of power, Ori fell from the air and back to the ground, passing out. 808 would float around Ori's body, observing its unconsciousness.

Chai spoke to himself, "Bummer! I should NOT have let him off my eyes like that!"

CNMN apologized, "My apologies, mister Chai. I distracted you from not looking after our friend like that. But remember-"

Chai stopped the robot, "That's all, CNMN! No buts!"

Peppermint joined in, "Hurry up and check on Ori! Hope he is not dead or something!"

Macaron informed, "Careful, Chai. We don't know what that ritual thing did to our buddy. Step forth with caution."

Chai affirmed, "OK, OK. Slowly..."

The magnetic rod from his robot arm popped out, then it was wielded onto his robot hand, assembling his scrap guitar weapon. Oddly enough, Chai never questioned how Niwen even had pieces of metal scrap laying around, as the forest itself was, well, a forest, not an industry. It is safe to say that the scrap on his weapon were the exact same scrap he kept assembling and disassembling upon arrival to Niwen. Not a big deal, but still odd.

Chai slowly strode up to Ori's laying body, extending his left hand forward with the palm outward. His weapon was held tight by his right robot hand, steadily by his side. Also, at this point, the rain stopped, and the sun arose once more.

- Nibel Shores -

"Naru and Gumo sought through the night"

Since Ori and Ku's disappearance from their home, their mother Naru struggled to search for them, with Gumo at her side. Naru called out. Nothing. Then, they both looked across the waters to see the land of Niwen. It was made evident by the large, tall standing barren tree in the distance. It looked like the tree at succumbed to the Decay. Naru and Gumo had witnessed the Decay before, so this was certainly a lead to finding their children. So, Naru and Gumo used their skills to make a raft, setting course for Niwen, awaiting the horrors.

- Back at Howl's Den -

As Chai was getting closer to Ori, sun rays streaked and gave light to the area. Finally, after those previous moments of silky night. Once Chai did happen to be around one meter from Ori, he saw the little spirit open its eyes. Ori was alive, thankfully. The spirit stood on its legs.

Chai said relieved, "Phew, ok. Ori is well up."

Ori did a reality check to make sure his parts were still intact. He looked at his hands, the palms, wiggled his fingers, and clapped them once. Hands are fine. Next, he pivoted his arms and legs. Those were fine as well. Then, he stroked his ears. Nothing ripped, that would be a nightmare to deal with. And then, as Ori was finished checking, he saw around him meerkat-like creatures popping into the vicinity. These were called "moki". Chai saw these with Ori too, although the expression on his face was conveying cautiousness. One moki jumped close to Ori to talk to the spirit.

The moki spoke, "You two are not like the others."

Two other moki enlightened, "The shrieker! The howler!"

Unfortunately, Chai could not understand the language of purrs and sniffles from these moki creatures.

Chai turned to 808, "Gang? Do we have a translator anywhere?"

Peppermint replied, "Negative, Chai."

CNMN added, "Nope! Not me either, Sir Macaron never thought of it."

Chai would only have to rely on visual clues to think what exactly the moki are saying to him and Ori. Luckily, the spirit himself knew what the moki were saying.

The moki continued facing to Ori, "In you shines and ancient light. The tree remembered."

The same two moki added on, "It knowed! It glowed!"

Then the moki finished, "It has shared its memory with you."

Ori looked at his hands and wriggled his fingers to see if they felt any different. There was something tingling within his fingers, an energy waiting to be awoken. Else, Ori probably just wants to look for a fight. Raising one of his hands above his head, palms upward, amazement struck. A beam of solid light unleashed from Ori's hand, extending about one meter from his overall length. This is weapon is known as the Spirit Edge.

Chai was actually impressed looking at Ori's new weapon, "Whoa... Might be lethal."

Macaron said via 808, "Our friend looks to be ready to handle himself now. And with that, you two could dish out some major teamwork."

Chai took note, "Got it, Macaron!"

The moki spoke a few more words before exiting the area, "Now use the light. We want to see!"

In order for Ori to test his weapon out, he had to find enemies first, of which there were none in the area.

Chai would speak, "Ah, there are no enemies around here. Why not we head back to the surface now? We could probably find a few of those leapers we saw earlier."

Ori took Chai's words and nodded. He jumped high, and landed back on Chai's left should, eager for the long road ahead.

Chai added a sentiment, "Using the light, we will bring in the fight..."

Peppermint was absolutely not amused by what Chai added.