A/N: The crazy text is a tad crazier than I would have liked. However, it seems only in this platform it gets so distorted. Let me know if it is too difficult to read, for it may appear more in future chapters! Thank you!
The rain cascaded with force on the land below, naturally pushing so many to any shelter available. However, there were a few that wandered still under the crying sky. After quickly distancing from Seir, Zerin has to slow down to both breathe and pacify the pain she inflicted. A wide cut on his chest that his armor held back, but it still felt like he was cut. Heavy gasps escape him as he leans on a rock somewhere secluded from sight in the marsh. The jolting energy of Seir's attack lingers, draining Zerin of valuable strength. The wearied general focuses deeply, but not on the wound itself. But something within. Multiple words are murmured to him, appearing to come from different beings until they become a single entity.
"A̸c̴cept me̸, I c̴an̴ g̵iv̵e y̸o̴u t̶h̴e̷ p̵o̷we̷r yo̶u n̶eed."
The words are cold and ghastly. A sinister voice coming from nowhere nearby, but telepathically. No living being would transmit such a sensation. This is the very voice that assaults all infected by the miasma of Decay.
"Begone from my head," Zerin replies firmly, focusing all his will to push it away. Yet it doesn't work. This sense of dread crept inside Zerin's mind, growing stronger every time. "You have nothing I need!"
"I w̵il̶l c̵ur̷e y̴o̷u o̸f a̶l̵l i̵l̵l̷s, l̷i̵ttl̷e ̴g̶en̵er̶al. J̴us̷t l̵ik̵e y̴ou̷r d̶isci̷pl̶es."
"I swear to the undying light that–" Zerin groans from the throbbing pain inside his mind.
"̷Wh̴y r̷es̵ist? Yo̷ur b̷e̵l̶o̶v̶e̶d cr̸eat̴o̴r t̵o̸o… i̵s̵ h̷er̵e."
"Silence!" Zerin immediately retorts and holds a humming crystal of light. Clenching hard around it, Zerin draws into himself the crystal essence. The luminous energy attacks Zerin, causing no visible damage but bringing an agony of burning on vengeful flames. It happens fast, and Zerin can withstand the ordeal in order to keep the voice away. What pain Seir had caused was small compared to absorbing the very light of the Spirit Willow, or a fragment of what it once was.
After all, Zerin belonged to the light no longer and would find no solace in it. The light may attack Zerin's corrupted form but on the flipside, it helps him to keep the influence of Decay at bay. Help keep the voice away in emergencies… for a short time.
He could only stare at the weakening crystal in his hand, the only means he had to protect himself, fading. He would have only one more use, and after that, Zerin would be dragged into the abyss in little time. It was no use to think about it. Zerin climbed back up and refocused, noticing the presence of a dragonfly.
He offers his armored hand for the small bug to land. It vibrates its wings in short, sporadic bursts. It was communicating the words of Miria, his only ally.
"I have met one of the outsiders. Their goal appears to be Seir's chosen and so far proved to be reliable in combat. I will try to further earn their trust, they could be our only chance."
It appears Miria saw this group spread out and one of them has gone towards the Silent Woods. If Miria sees hope in them, then Zerin would make an effort too. But the boy would require some sort of protection lest Seir reaches him. It was uncertain where Seir would strike, and even more uncertain of what consequences would befall the world by denying Niwen its renewal. It was not a matter to be pondered anymore. Seir is no longer fit to rule. And the innocents that still struggle to live do not deserve any more suffering. Kwolok will be the last casualty they suffer. Zerin swore to make it so. There is no more room for doubts. Failure is not an option.
"Be careful when interacting with the chosen if the outsiders are nearby. They won't hesitate to attack." The dragonfly continued. "At this moment, only one of them has found the chosen. It would be ill-advised to approach without means to prove we are not enemies."
Zerin pondered for a moment, "If they can arrive here unharmed, they must have the means to leave too." he told the dragonfly. "Who is the leader of this group?"
"It appears to be an archer spirit. He is the one who headed to the Silent Woods. He also appears to be a grand warrior, he vanquished one of my hornbugs effortlessly."
Zerin's goal was set. "Good work, Miria. I will see to it. How is your light crystal?"
Miria has a crystal that functions the same way the one Zerin carries. Miria however had no joy in her following words.
"...Spent. I am afraid, Zerin. What will become of us?"
Zerin could not say it. But both of them know what awaits once the creeping voice begins its mental assault. Accepting incoming demise is a cruel and unforgiving exercise of one's mind. And one Miria was not truly ready for. She is not a soldier, she never wielded a weapon. Zerin lamented in silence. A silence that told Miria much.
"With possible aid, I… I will make preparations to free Mora. I pray the spider queen of Mouldwood Depths can be of any help. And if I still have time left, I will seek Baur."
The eyes and the strength of the forest. Two beings of great might, just as Kwolok was in presence and wisdom. Although they would not easily be earned as allies, Zerin could hardly compose his next words. Miria has less time than him in the coming battle.
"Clear your mind, Miria, there is still light for us in Niwen." In the pain of losing another comrade and the deafening rain pouring down, Zerin planned something to soothe Miria. "Come meet me."
…
Earlier that day, Ario and Sein traversed the decaying forest with utmost care. Ario had ample experience in traversing many terrains and it helped him to make brief of any obstacles. Alongside the spirit, Sein flies around wherever he goes. Sein had first pleaded to investigate a stain upon the land that she could feel from meters away. And as Ario followed east, this vision would soon meet them.
"Anything around us?" Ario asked as his ears tried to keep attentive to any anomalies.
Sein takes a moment to reply, her light shining brighter and toning down repeatedly. She is pensive, afflicted by the presence of Decay so intensely. "I… I feel nothing besides the Decay ahead. It is difficult for me to focus on anything else. It feels like I am blinded in darkness."
The forest had shifted from its greenery state to a more yellowish appearance. To the locals of Niwen, that marked the end of Kwolok's influence over the marsh. Beyond that point, life slowly withered away from all things in the forest. Continuing forward, the daylight began to feel distant, the surroundings darker at every new step. The once bountiful trees were dry and fragile, some even twisted.
"What… happened here?" Sein asked as they continued moving, traversing the forest's ill terrains one by another. So far no creature even showed itself. This eerie air only grows and a chill runs Ario's spine. The ground below quaked ever slightly, almost unnoticeable.
"Be careful, we are… in the sights of something."
Sein hovers around, "Eh? There is something here? I feel nothi…" Then Sein's senses warned of immediate danger. The earth below began to tremble. And underneath them, something enormous showed its fangs in an ambush.
Like a shark swimming up, the sieging bug exposes its toughness breaking through the ground under the duo. Ario immediately jumps out of the way and Sein follows along. It crawls into sight, screeching powerfully and protected with a tough-looking chitin carapace. With his preferred bow, Ario analyzed the creature.
"A corrupted hornbug," Sein revealed. "Its size was absurdly increased. Its carapace might be incredibly tough."
The hornbug advances, battering upon anything in its path and raising a curtain of dust. Ario disengages to the side, avoiding the foe's charge, and as expected, it has difficulty in changing its trajectory. Its weight is its own curse.
"What we gonna do? I may be able to crack the carapace if I charge up my light."
"No need," Ario responded, his eyes fixed on the creature. It turned around and faced the duo again and this time Ario would attack. "Its carapace is already damaged. There is a chance a focused strike in the right place could bring it all that size down without much trouble."
"Are you sure? Decay can regenerate wounds in mere seconds. Wouldn't that be just a scar?"
"We'll discover it soon enough."
There was no time to discuss. The hornbug's gleaming eyes were clear behind the fog of dust. It roared and demanded attention as it quickly propelled itself forward. This time, Ario stood in place, dismissing the bow, and in its place, two small blades appeared. Sein observes the twin blades, fascinated seeing Ario with a different weapon than the usual spirit arc.
Ario prepared himself, and once the hornbug was close enough, he leaped over its enormous horn and landed on its back keeping his balance stable. Though the beast was charging for a few more seconds, Ario felt unsafe even out of the reach of the horn and soon learned why. The carapace twists as it senses movement and weight above it until a spike springs out from below, aiming to impale, but piercing only air as Ario manages to dodge in time.
"How dirty," Ario commented calmly. "Yet I think it's expected." He had no time to lose, finding balance on the carapace as quickly as he could, Ario began running.
While Sein flies higher to observe attentively, Ario runs across the hornbug's body faster than the spikes could grow and once on the spot, Ario plunges both of his blades down the tough armor. For a moment it seemed foolish to try and break the carapace, yet, the blade sinks into the creature, drawing blood and its skittish cry.
It worked. The flawed gap was more than easy to breach. And as the carapace cracked further, the beast halted all its momentum. Wasting no second, Ario continued to force the blades to cut through the increasing gap as Ario descended to the ground. After the wide cut was made and Ario back to land, he rolled away as the hornbug writhed in agony. Its back and flank take time to regenerate. Its tantrum provoked a mild earthquake and made the mistake of turning around, exposing its behind that had no defense. Ario notices the unprotected-looking organ, rapidly swapping back to the bow, and aims carefully but quickly. The arrowhead gathers a luminous energy, one that draws from the light of Ario's scarf which begins to float a little above his neck.
Concentrated, and holding his ground against the quakes, Ario readied himself to release the string of the bow. "Spirit Art: Star Surge.'' The arrow is fired like a beam of light and pierces through the beast's weak spot, piercing through its entire body and coming out shattering the armor from its head. Not a moment longer the foe ceases all movement and collapses on the ground.
Ario breathes more calmly, sensing no more threats at the moment. Sein quickly flies closer.
"Nice work," Sein praised. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine." Ario dismisses the bow. "Though I can't say much about that creature. It was simply a peon, mindless and without purpose. I noticed that its carapace had fractures from a previous battle, it seemed, and could take advantage of it."
Sein gazed at the dead creature for a moment. "It didn't regenerate like I expected. To have such a flaw is odd. Maybe this creature hadn't completely succumbed."
"You mean… was there a way of saving that bug?" Ario asked.
Sein remains in silence for a moment, showing no hopes. "There is no healing once Decay infects the body, but the victim can resist for a period of time. I do not celebrate the loss of life, but I'm happy it ended quickly. To wonder how many more may have fallen…"
"It's a shame. But it is one more free from the grasp of Decay. Let's press forward, I don't want to stay to find another."
"Agreed," Sein replied, pondering silently if there was a possibility of the hornbug being charmed, controlled somehow by another influence different from Decay, but couldn't dwell on it. Both proceeded further where sunlight could not reach. The path was erratic with many rises and falls. Irregular most of the way. Noticing the drop in temperature, Ario and Sein decided to use a high point to view what they could expect of the land. Luckily it didn't take them long to head to a moderately high hill nearby. Sein wished not to be so tense. While they moved she decided to begin a convo since things looked calm to distract herself. "May I ask why you name your attacks before doing them? Seems unfavorable."
Dodging a few holes and obstacles in the land, Ario grinned while thinking of an answer and found none. "Ah, I don't know why. It seems cool for some reason."
"You literally alert the enemy what you're going to do. Isn't this a disadvantage?"
Ario felt embarrassed. "Hm… maybe? But it doesn't mean much beyond feeling cool. I remember Yali doing the same thing."
"And you even taught it to Layla. She adapted the spirit ignition line before her attacks."
"True, but I didn't teach Layla that. She saw me doing it and copied it to her own style. There is no evil in that, even if it brings the opponent to know beforehand what we do. It's all part of feeling good about oneself."
Sein could agree that it meant little in the long run, but still found it odd. "Well, if you say so. Somehow Ori still hasn't been doing his spirit something yet."
"Yet." Ario emphasis. "He still has a long way to go."
Sein shined a little bit at these words before her attention returned to the creepy land. Ario and Sein come to a halt upon the top of the hill they had found. It wasn't the best for sightseeing, but it should work. Still, before them, an ominous fog covers the horizon ahead. The very borders of the Silent Woods.
"So much mist," Ario said. "You think this is similar to what Nibel had?"
"It isn't. I believe this mist comes from the temperatures in this place," Sein replied, drawing Ario's attention upwards. "See the clouds? This region must not have seen sunlight in a long time but is not deprived of rain. Warm air must come to this cold environment and condense like this. Still… I wish not to believe it, but these clouds seem… unnatural."
"You think Seir is to blame? The element of storm should be capable of this."
"It can be, as was the barrier surrounding Niwen. However, these dark clouds have no thunder and cover the sky as far as the eye can see ahead." Sein becomes pensive, conflicting with the sight of the landscape from earlier. These can't be Seir's clouds, Sein was sure. A dread began to increase in the wisp's mind. What lies beyond this mist? How big is this stain of Decay? It is nearly overwhelming in presence. How does Seir allow this to happen?
"We must be getting close to the place you wanted to investigate. Do you feel alright?" Ario asked due to the wisp's silence. Ario could not perceive things the same way as Sein but understood that she was getting horrified.
Sein couldn't answer as she focused to see what lay beyond. Flying high and gathering energy, she releases a powerful and bright pulse forward that disperses the fog far and wide. While not completely removing it, much now could be seen. And Sein couldn't feel more speechless.
"Merciful light," Ario muttered under his breath as both could witness the land properly. Ash and stone were across what her eyes could see. Uncountable corpses… Petrified and defiled, leaving only sorrow behind. Roosts of dark owls, unrecognizable creatures, and smaller denizens of the forest lay frozen in their last moments.
Sein took a while, chilled to the core, but descended to ground level. Her spherical form dimmed a few times. "What… is… this?" She placed the hat aside and shifted to her spirit form without ceremony.
"Oh! Sein, you shouldn't–" Ario stopped himself. Sein wasn't playing around and cared little if Seir appeared now. In fact, maybe Sein would definitely want to find Seir depending on what she discovers from this dead landscape.
Laying her hand on the stonified earth below, Sein could not feel a single vestige of life, a single shred of hope for this soil. Despair only increased in the wisp's eyes. Not even Nibel in its darkest hour got close to this. What… what is capable of this? How much time has this place been forsaken by light?
Ario noticed a glimmer nearby on the ground. Investigating, it seemed to be a piece of armor, a chest plate. Hues of silver and gold adorned the equipment but had no forging brand. "Hey, Sein, I have found…" Ario saw how disturbed Sein was, her eyes showed much.
Sein finally rose to stand. With much more power at her disposal, Sein's blue markings shone much more brightly like the set of flaming orbs hovering above her head. Not only that, but a cloak of blue flames also blew behind her. A considerable heat emanated from her naturally.
That was the sign that Sein would not reserve energy if she so decided. Ario respected that completely. "The cloak is new," he commented, trying to ease the atmosphere, but Sein would not relax.
"This place… is lost." Sein mourned, looking at the landscape. "There is no light that can heal this soil, these victims. Decay has devoured all life here."
Sein took a moment, drained of enthusiasm but minded her companion. "What have you found?"
Ario presented the piece of armor nearly buried in the stone ground "I found it just beside us, nearly buried. It seems like armor."
Taking it out of the ground would be challenging and more likely snap the worn steel, so Sein contented in just analyzing with her eyes. It didn't take long for Sein to suspect a grand conflict happened here as well. The armor had no brand, but lines of gold.
"Armor suited for a guardian spirit." Sein noticed. "The scars left here are deeper than they look like. Did something attack Niwen?" Sein wished not to believe, but it probably wasn't something, but someone. Kuro had made it clear. "Was Seir… who started it all?"
Rain made its presence suddenly before the duo. Ario gives it attention, but Sein remains lost in her mind for long seconds. The heat in the air increases. The falling drops fail to douse Sein's flame and evaporate on contact.
"Besides the dark clouds, the weather gave no indices of rain," Ario observed. "This type of rain is the most ominous of them. Hopefully, it is all right out there. Let's find shelter, Sein."
Sein sensed more in the presence of rain. It seemed… like the sky was weeping. Sein needed answers. This rain and what she witnessed determine Sein's next actions. "I require to see Seir. Immediately." She states with urgency.
Ario takes a moment to think, and calmly replies to Sein, "I understand what you feel, but we came here to find Ori and Ku. Let's first try to ensure their safety."
"This…" Sein felt conflicted with her objective. As a wisp, Sein was a protector of all life and was wired to see to the land and purge Decay before anything else. Just that, Ori and Ku were also a priority on her list. Sein had to make a choice.
"I don't know for sure, but can either of them be lost around here?" Ario continued, and that sufficed to make Sein reconsider her next goal. The land can't be ignored, every ounce of her being urged Sein to fulfill her duty, but for now, dear ones required help. Sein changed focus and gazed at the ashen fields ahead. Her eyes shone in blue, searching for any sources of life…
In short moments, Sein perks positively. She saw a few untainted beings, yet one was... puzzling. Nevertheless, they had to move. "I found living beings! Deeper in these woods! Hurry!" Sein nearly celebrated. If not for Ario, Sein would have left to find Seir and not have spotted this sign of life. Helping all beings from corruption is also part of her duty. Sein shifted back to her true, spherical form and flew ahead. Ario nods and hurriedly follows Sein deeper into the Silent Woods.
…
The heavy rain accompanied the group returning from the Luma Pools. A wondrous land full of aquatic sights but with none to gaze into them.
The way back to the Wellspring Glades had to be taken cautiously but also hurriedly to not dwell in the rain for long. Mokk and Meena guided the party. Opher and Grom served as protection as Ori was impacted by Kwolok's death. Everyone was impacted to be precise, no one muttered a word, and only the sound of the rain could be heard for long minutes. The marsh on rainy days was not easy to travel in.
"We are almost there," Mokk said, being the group's sight. "Careful with any muddy surfaces."
Before long, Mokk sights the glades' entrance, notifying the others they were home at last. Already soaked, no one reserved another second to spend in the rain and rushed to the closest home to have a roof over their heads. This home was precisely Tuley's. Tuley stood at his door with a bright lantern and waved at the returning party. Everyone is quick to accept the hospitality of the gardener. "Oh! Be most welcome back, everyone! Please come in!" Tuley said overjoyed, receiving the party.
Yet, Ori continued walking, saying no words and not looking bright either.
"Oh dear?" Tuley was confused.
"Let him be, Tuley" Grom said briefly, not explaining things, but Tuley stopped worrying. Ori must be tired, he thought.
Making use of the house Grom had built for him the first time, Ori thought that many of the houses must have the same design on the inside for managing space. It didn't bother Ori, as a large round bed and a fireplace was honestly everything he wanted. He walked slowly to the fireplace, lighting it with blue flames to dry himself and flopping on the bed next. With a restless mind, Ori struggled to grasp what he was feeling as a mix of anger, frustration, and sorrow started to show when twisting the sheets in his fists.
Meanwhile, at Tuley's home, the space availability was similar. There wasn't much, but a cozy fireplace, a bed, and plenty of comfy chairs to rest were available. Each slowly made their way in and settled to dry themselves. "Ah, yes! We were waiting for you for a grand supper!" Tuley shared the grand news.
"Supper?" Opher repeats in disbelief. "We were out risking our lives and you all made a banquet?"
"Why yes! It is to celebrate! We were so worried about you guys. About our guardian. But I can see everything went alright? I am missing the small tremors Kwolok did when he waddled out, haha! Uh… speaking of which, Kwolok decided to rest on the Luma Pools and then come back home? I imagine he missed being there. We never forget our first home."
The group was silent. No one had the courage to tell the news. But one thing that didn't slip past them was that Kwolok foresaw it. He asked all to celebrate his fulfilled life.
Opher turned his face away. Grom did not look bright. Mokk and Meena were sad.
"Is Kwolok all right?" He asks slowly, now afraid of the answer. Yet the continuous silence was enough for Tuley to understand.
Kwolok didn't make it.
The beaver's face froze along with the body and soon the eyes began watering. "I… Fair heavens above… Kwolok…" Tuley takes good moments trying not to cry. Composing himself over the grim news. "How will we tell this to the others?"
"You said to be preparing a large meal, right?" Meena asked. "This will be difficult. But we will need it to replenish our spirits. We will need it to keep ourselves together."
"Y-yes. I… I will try to give them the news. The food should be nearly ready. Please join us when ready at the Old Oak. By the way, has anyone seen Layla?"
The group perks to the name, "Layla? Who's that?" Mokk asked.
A knock on the door reaches them and outside, Layla bit her lips tense, wishing not to appear suddenly but, she needed to present herself. Hesitation held her back, but yearning to see Ori well couldn't wait any longer. The door opens, and before the group another guardian spirit is in sight, moderately taller and older than Ori.
Layla does not appear bright and cheerful but is understanding of the situation. Her gaze quickly scanned the place, but no signs of Ori.
"Welcome, miss! I have heard the news. Come rest if you wish." Tuley invited her and Layla nodded accepting it. Layla is quick to dry herself by using a fraction of her ignition, but that's pretty much all she does for now. The party's gaze follows her all the time while she simply approaches. Opher looked unfriendly, irritated. Grom was tired and patient while the mokis were curious but reluctant.
"You must be the one who caused that orange flash. Were you not?" Grom asks, allowing Layla to finally speak.
Calmly, Layla tried to create a bit of space for herself. "Yes, I was. I am Layla, companion of Ori."
"Oh, that champ's companion?" Grom looked impressed for a moment. "We are… in a difficult moment. As you may know, we could not save our friend."
Layla smiled softly in understanding. "I am truly sorry I couldn't be of more help. I beg your forgiveness, but I need to check on Ori."
"Head straight down the main village road, on ground level. On the foot of the third tree you see." Grom advised. Layla gestured in gratitude and began to leave.
"What help you guardian spirits are!" Opher stood up, lashing out. "Our only hope to set things right and can't help a single being against your sworn enemy."
Grom frowns, "Hey, Opher, compose yourself. If it weren't for them things could have been much worse."
Opher was suffering like everyone else. Trying to deny and then to blame the fault of losing their guardian to someone to no avail. Opher only growls and punches the wall in frustration. "Damn it all! What serves to restore the flow of the waters if the core of our people is now missing? Gone!" Opher breaks into tears. "If I was stronger… If just…"
"I'll meet you all there. Please, take as much time as you need." Tuley heads out while the group tries to cope with recent events.
"Where was the damned Light of Bravery that hovered above him for so long? Where was she?!" Opher continued. "That damned ball was our wisp. For years she hovered above Kwolok and now she simply vanishes!"
Layla did not take to heart Opher outburst. They are all grieving in their own ways and she remained in respectful silence.
"Her Grace would never help any of us. What Niwen suffered should be more than evident to that." Meena threw her salt into the wound.
"Independent of how our wisp acts. Kwolok had - indeed - made a choice," Grom tried to reason. "One that cost him too much. But it was something he did not turn down for anything. You've all seen how determined he was."
"What good is it to die for it?" Opher asked. "Was the price worth it?"
"Beyond the protection of our waters? Of our home? We… will never know. Our only grace is that Kwolok fulfilled what he had in mind. Only the spirit tree will know. Pray that his soul is safe."
"May that be… But there is no spirit tree anymore, Grom. It is gone like the fucking rest of the forest! It was all for nothing, don't you understand? Kwolok threw everything in the trash for fucking nothing!"
"Language, Opher," Grom spoke firmly. "Kwolok would hate to see you belittling everything he had done for us. Unlike your father, Kwolok kept us together in highs and lows. Never denied the next refugee to take home here."
"My father at least would not have left us all because of some unknown reason to go on a suicide mission."
"You're right. Your father would have sent you alone on such a mission. Dooming you for a few laughs and use it as an example of weakness."
Opher and Grom moved in to fight but Meena and Mokk positioned themselves between them. "Enough, both of you! The fighting is already over! Don't you remember what Kwolok told us? He wanted us to celebrate!" A life as full as his… shouldn't be mourned, please."
An impossible request, but one that mayhap could be exactly what their wounded hearts required to bid their farewells to the ancient guardian. Grom and Opher step back. Both grunted with soft sobbing under their visage.
"Fine. I will take my spot at the banquet table. See you all there." Opher left first. And soon Grom moved ahead politely. Mokk, too, decided to accompany them in case they began brawling. Meena stayed behind with Layla.
"I am sorry for our bittering. We… have our nerves on the edge for quite some time. And now, a whole new test is upon us."
"It's all right. Kwolok must have been a heroic figure for you all." Layla replied sympathetically, earning Meena's silent gratitude. She gazes to nowhere as she wanders her mind, wanders in the past.
"Kwolok was more than a guardian. He was a friend. A grandfather to all of us. Long ago, Kwolok lived in the Lima Pools where you had seen him. A being with a heart of gold. Many of us would visit him at his pools seeking wisdom for whatever ailed us. Others would pay tributes at a temple built for him." Meena smiled faintly as she spoke. But her lips soon quiver in sadness.
"Today, we give our farewells to our dear guardian." Meena began to sob again. "I- I am sorry. Thank you for your help. Hope you can join us at the Old Oak."
Meena takes a hurried leave from the house. Layla observed the door where they all left, staying behind and reflecting on their experiences, and what they may have been through so far. And how Ori was probably feeling guilty for not saving Kwolok. Layla finally makes her way out to see him.
After about a minute of walking, Layla arrived at the coordinates shared with her. This house looked identical to many others, but through the window, Layla could confirm Ori was inside. She knocks on the door without delay, restless out of her mind. In short seconds, the door slowly opens, and the one who appears is none other than him. Ori's eyes widened, he had not forgotten her appearance at the Luma Pools. It just… he couldn't give it attention. Yet seeing his friend now was a sight for sore eyes.
"L-Layla…" He stutters so faintly, nearly breaking into tears. She smiled warmly, shedding a tear herself to finally see him after his disappearance, and knowing herself, she needed no words for that particular moment.
Layla stepped forward and embraced Ori without any more delays. She dries herself quickly, and then, just holds him firmly for long, long seconds. Ori slowly allowed himself to sink in her arms and even returned the hug with tearing eyes. They were not unfamiliar with hugging, knowing well Layla was very fond of it. But Ori couldn't speak a single thing but sob quietly into her shoulder.
"Thank the light I found you," Layla said in relief amid his quiet sobs. She knew he needed time, so she would give it all and more. She didn't need immediate explanations. Just him in her arms was enough.
With every passing second, Ori grows louder and more communicative in the comfort of a friend's arms. He felt undeserving, but as Naru had done many times before, independent of the situation, it triggered an environment where he knew he could feel safe to speak and cry.
"I am so sorry!" His voice wavers as he repeats himself a few more times.
"It's alright. It's alright," Layal said, trying to soothe him. "You did your best. Nobody is upset with you."
He might speak about the guardian of this village, who had just passed away. After long minutes, Ori calmed down a little and both settled in the small home. The silence grew between them as Ori didn't want to listen or speak much since they had parted. Sitting in the bed with him, Layla then caresses the top of his head and Ori gently reacts to it. He does not deny it, which is a relief to Layla. Ori was safe, that's what mattered most, but there were no signs of Ku. It was also a difficult moment and perhaps not the best time to question things.
"Hey, if you ever need it, you know my arms are open for you." She said sweetly, doing a new cafune before retreating her hand. "Rest a little. Later we can catch up, okay?"
Surprising to Layla, Ori pulled her hand back to his head, silently asking her to not stop. The gesture is nearly enough to make her heart melt. She wanted to squeal and hug him as tight as possible, but she managed to tone it down.
"This reminds me of the first day we met. Sein was hurt and you were so down in guilt." Layla recalled.
Ori shifts slightly, appreciating her caring hand silently. "I… am sorry for disappearing. We didn't mean to." His voice lacked the enthusiasm that Layla knew and loved.
"It's all right. What matters is that you are safe. Is Ku here too?"
Slowly Ori was talking more and more. "She is safe, but not here currently. It's… hard to explain everything."
Layla breathed easy. It was great to hear the siblings were okay even if in different locations. Perhaps Ario and Sein have luck in finding her. For now, Layla focused on Ori.
He seemed submerged in thoughts now. Thoughts he didn't know how to convey into words, but he wanted to. "Is something on your mind?" She asked, gently surrounding her arms around him and bringing him close again. "Knowing you, you'd try to escape me, and make me chase you around."
"I am sorry. I wished… I wished I could…" His fists clench together. "There is so much I want to tell."
"Don't worry. There is time for everything."
Time…
Seir appeared in his mind. Ori conflicted if he could allow himself to relax like this. The way Niwen is currently… the state of the Willow… The loss of Kwolok would aggravate much more terrible things to these people. The fiend was finished, but now Seir was the only one who could possibly help. There was no time.
Ori doesn't say it. It was far too difficult to convey into words what he needed to say. What he needs to do if Niwen is to get a new chance.
"Do you mind?" Layla interrupts his flow of thoughts and brings him to perk slightly as his head is induced to rest on her chest. "Rest a moment, then we can seek help with Ario and others. There is even a surprise for you we brought from Nibel."
Layla was eager and so tense, afraid he'd resist, but so far he didn't even flinch. Layla always wanted to do it since she learned with Naru how to magically induce Ori to sleep. It was so simple and quite endearing. His head comes to settle nicely on Layla and his ear automatically finds the spot like it's an instinctive driven action. Ori began listening right away, barely having a moment to think to ask what Layla meant with surprise. Thoughts and questions and worries drifted away without any more means to hold them in place thanks to this sound.
A heartbeat. Ori didn't think he'd ever listen to one in Niwen, but oh, how wonderfully it worked even today. An unbeatable natural lullaby.
*thumb thumb*
*thumb thumb*
Layla grew euphoric to his cuteness as she induced Ori to sleep. His face grew drowsy as he allowed himself to listen. Eyes slowly closing. Layla wanted to melt away but remained as calm as possible to not accelerate too much her heartbeat as Naru instructed that a hasty heart wouldn't work as well. Soon even his breathing comes to ease up and open passage for a thankful sound Ori usually does when comforted like that. A purring, vibrating, and adorable. It fills the air quickly as Ori closes his eyes to sleep.
*purr*
*purr*
Oh, beloved Seil, I… I actually managed to get him to sleep! It worked so well, lady Naru! Oh, hopefully, it was the right thing to do. So stressed and down like this. A moment of rest will help and I can't wait to see my Ori happy again. I may not be as soft as Naru, but I think I passed the test. I wonder what all you might have been through this short time we were separated. What matters now is that I am here for you.
Layla smiled the entire time as Ori was safely resting in her arms. The trails of tears were still under his eyes and Layla gently wiped them out. To then continue patting his head. Time flowed forward, minutes became hours and even Layla settled to sleep together with Ori.
…