The only original characters I have created are Veno, Viro, Ancestor, and Liri. All others come from either Will of the Wisps or Breaking Through Stone. Thank you Kinroth!
"What is that thing?! Lights above, what is that?!"
"Calm down, it's okay! It's dead, I killed it!"
The writhing bloody mass finally stopped moving.
Ever since the sky turned red, Liri was beginning to envy a certain someone's blindness. Each new event seemed more horrific and grotesque than the last. She could not bring herself to tear her eyes away from the now deceased abomination; even without its head, it had stubbornly persisted before a few more jabs of Spirit Light put it down.
Things were only getting worse. The mountain known as Willow's End, the great tree's resting place and where Ancestor had been leading Veno, was now a smoldering waste, reduced to rubble at the hands of...whatever was over there. Kwolok was simply unable to sit back and watch this happen, so he had gone to join the fight. From what little Liri could gather from the distant sounds—and even some sights—it wasn't going well. Central Niwen was accosted by explosions, earthquakes, and many screeches of unbridled hatred.
It was a losing battle. If the monster decided to come to the village, it would all be over.
Even so, there were a few silver linings. All of the Gladians had evacuated safely westward, not counting Veno, herself, and another couple named Mink and Ikko. They were staying to watch over Mink's brother, the famed Savior of the Lost, Monk, who...was still unconscious.
In addition was the pleasant fact that of the four remaining Moki, there was not one, but two pairs. I know it's foolish to feel this way at such a time, but...just look at him.
She watched proudly as Veno investigated the monster's remains, showcasing not some phony Spirit warrior, but the true hero within. Seeing his rapid growth and self discovery was serving as a great motivation for her, not to mention that big speech about self-value that was a wake up call for herself as well.
Also, his new Spiritually-gifted athleticism was certainly no deterrent to her affections...
But alas, at the moment there was a much more pressing issue in the form of the blood creature.
It was a horrific thing, one she couldn't even place as being alive. The mass of thorns, claws, and teeth was somehow held together by ever-shifting blood. By being composed of these disturbing dark powers, the beast proved to be immune to physical attacks, and it was only taken down by Veno's Spirit abilities. It came from the east, so more would no doubt be on the way.
"Did it come from the battle at the Willow? It reeks of Decay," Ikko pondered, feeling ill to even approach it. The blind hybrid standing nearby debated that thought with a click of the tongue, a softer and gentler blue glow shining from what remained of his eyes.
"It is Decay, but unlike anything we've ever seen. Ancestor doesn't recognize it either; it's more like magic that can control blood. But now that he has encountered it, he can trace it." Judging by the following lull and meditative pose, he was doing exactly that. Liri still found it hard to believe that the person she loved also held another within his soul, but then again, she had seen what Ancestor was actually like. Still not the biggest fan, even if the two of them working together now was uplifting. Veno then tensed. "There's some more coming our way, but the majority are much farther away, surrounding a much bigger and stronger Decay signature who must have spawned the monsters."
"Is that thing coming our way too?" Liri asked, knowing just what they were talking about. An aptly timed screech echoed in the distance.
"No. I'm guessing it's focused on a different sort of battle." The weighted words held space for no argument as they all listened to the far off sound. Mink finally spoke up, certainly the softest of them all but by no means broken down by the power they were facing.
"I guess that helps us a little, even if it's not so good for the heroes. Veno?" She held Ikko's paw a little tighter, brow knitting with a bittersweet expression. "It's been so crazy that I haven't had the chance to say anything. Thank you for coming back. Hope is in short supply right now."
His response was to sigh wearily, and Liri attempted to stave off the exhaustion in her own legs as well. It had been a very tough day so far, but it wasn't about to let up now.
"Of course. Life is beautiful, and it needs to be preserved. I'm going to defend my home until my last breath." I can't tell if his bravery is awesome or stupid. I guess I like both. "What about you all? We have a bit of time before those creatures get here, but not much. Any secret combat experience would be great."
"Veno...you know I'm about as useful in a fight as a tree stump is in a race. But I refuse to run away and not bother trying. Not when we've already come this far."
To her modest surprise, the other two Moki wholeheartedly agreed, and the only hope among them seemed to accept that choice without a second thought.
What, no trying to protect me? No "it's too dangerous"? I at least wanted a concerned look...
"Alright. I'm trusting you guys to stay safe out there."
"B-but wait a minute," Ikko interjected, holding out his arm even if it would have no effect. "Our lack of skills aside, how are we supposed to fight those things in the first place?" The poor guy still looked disgusted by the very idea; he seemed to be on the yellow-bellied side. "We don't have skills like you do."
He huffed out a breath as acknowledgement, rubbing the back of his head thoughtfully. The hybrid had since regained his walking staff, and it already looked more natural in his grip. She could only hope to make this change at least a little easier for Veno...
"Wait a minute. I think...really? Hold on." As though to himself, the former artist asked a silent question. Then, upon receiving his answer, Veno held out a palm, tensing as a soft blue light began to gather in the air.
It looked easy for him to accomplish—too easy, and Liri assumed this was the work of Ancestor.
To her surprise, the gathering light suddenly solidified in three different locations. The strange and ghostly constructs took the form of weapons that were easy enough to recognize; one was a blade, the other a bow, and another a sphere that pulsed with energy. They hovered in the air even as Veno relaxed, awaiting their weilders.
"Try these. Let me know which one speaks to you the most, cuz we probably only have time for a crash course in how to use 'em. Still, the more help in fighting these...Bloodlings, the better."
Someone's good at naming. Oh! What if he had to name a pup one day—ah, calm down Liri.
The ill-equipped team of defenders gathered in the center of the village to test out these gifts. Liri took a little bit of time to debate her choice. I've never held a weapon in my life, let alone had the strength to weild one properly. Finally, she found herself drawn to the simplest weapon, the sword. Surely that made sense; all she would have to do is swing it around in the general direction of a foe.
Her gravitation towards the blade was evidently uncontested, so she took hold of the small and round area that looked like the handle. As odd as it was to feel the solidifed Light—it had a vague warmth and a smooth, metallic texture—she also found the Spirit Edge to be very lightweight and easy to hold. Even with Liri's nonexistent experience, her few practice swings cut through the air with an unparalleled precision.
"Careful everyone. I know first hand that Spirit weapons can hurt us just as they do anything else." She immediately held the Edge still, pointing the sharp end to the ground. Come to think of it, he wasn't terribly specific about the accident...could that be what he meant?
Veno, with a grim expression that hid any evidence for her thought, tapped his way over to Ikko first. The nervous Moki had chosen the most unconventional tool, the sphere, so Veno began instructing him on its use with knowledge imparted from Ancestor.
This naturally led Liri and Mink to chat. The former didn't know her counterpart very well—going it alone will do that to you—but she was now genuinely interested in making more friends. After all, the only friend she ever had was now her potential mate.
"Hi, Mink. I know we shared introductions a bit ago, but uh...I'm kind of a failure when it comes to socializing..."
"You and Veno must have that in common," the older Moki giggled. "He's really come out of his shell though, so I'm glad to see you're working on it too." Liri swished her tail anxiously. It had actually been ages since she'd properly talked with another girl. Then again, what was there to say?
"Trying. Heheh...so do you think you're ready?"
"Of course. My lovelight is fighting too; if he's willing, anyone is." While a bit of a dig towards his cowardly nature, she had nothing but fondness in her voice, watching Ikko awkwardly toss the sphere which exploded in a flare of light before reappearing in his paw.
Fortunately, Liri was able to spot her opening into conversation, and attacked it.
"How long have you two been together?" Surprisingly, Mink's soft smile lost some of its joy.
"It's been several years now. Back before Shriek...changed, we lived in the Silent Woods." That was all one needed to say to elicit sympathy from any Moki. "We couldn't really keep track of the time, so I don't have an exact number."
"Oh...I'm sorry. I can't imagine how challenging that was." She could imagine. She knew that exact circumstance.
But that was a long time ago. Fear wasn't something she had dealt with very much until, well, now. And perhaps a little bit during that time where everyone mistakenly believed there was a "game" of silence.
"We had more than enough scares. But looking back...it could have been much worse. I had Ikko there every day, and getting to see his face when he came back from foraging was worth the wondering whether or not I would."
So love does make you stronger, and capable of almost impossible things. But they could only get there because they were living in such a terrible time. Is that the secret? Does the threat of death make your love for others deepen?
"What about you?" Liri instinctively shook her head to clear away the thoughts and stay invested in their conversation. "How long have you been with Veno? We first met him a few days ago, before Shriek announced the first deadline."
"Oh. Uh...you're not gonna believe this. We've been friends and neighbors for a long time, but we took our next step...no more than an hour ago." While this surprised Mink, it was in a positive way. That's good, right?
"Really? My. I suppose being in a situation like this would lead to making some last-minute confessions." Last-minute? Wait, was this actually the wrong move? What if proclaiming love was really just placing another burden that would beleaguer their final moments? "What's the matter, Liri? There's nothing wrong about that. It's best not to leave any regrets if you can help it."
"Maybe...but don't you think it could hold him back, too?" Liri's soft yellow eyes dimmed in fear, seeing various mental images that were increasingly unpleasant. "I'm more of a liability now. Love can make a person so much stronger, but it can also be their biggest weakness."
Mom knew that much...it's what led me here to begin with.
A gentle paw rubbed her shoulder, but for a brief moment, Liri could only see that acidic swamp. Slow. Painful. And then she could see a face, forever frozen and unchanging.
I never wanted to fall in love, but here I am.
It was broken apart by someone tapping her on the nose, with a polite and friendly aggression.
"Come on, now. He said yes, didn't he? Strong or weak, it doesn't matter. You have each other now. That's a beautiful thing in and of itself. When you have a bond, when you mean the world to someone else, it doesn't matter what happens."
I...didn't I just say that earlier today? Wow, am I a hypocrite... Liri took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. Mink's advice was no doubt true, but she was still having a hard time coming to terms with it. That would have to be resolved after this conflict. Assuming there would be an "after".
"Thanks for your help. Let's just try and deal with these monsters so I won't even have to worry about it."
"That's the spirit! Oh—is that a pun?"
Veno came by and showed Mink how to use her bow. While it didn't come with a quiver, an arrow of light would appear nocked and ready whenever her paw grabbed the string. In this way, it was extremely beginner friendly, and though she had a bit of a struggle pulling back the ghostly bowstring, Mink's preliminary shots found their targets, leaving scorch marks on some nearby rocks. Her more confident nature made the process go by much quicker.
Then, the hybrid moved on to the final defender.
Despite everything going on, and the serious nature of their activities, Veno offered her a compassionate smile.
"I bet you never thought you'd be charging into battle with a Spirit Edge."
"Um, I don't think there'll be any 'charging'." Without sight, he had to gently guide her hands on how to properly hold the blade. However, he hesitated, paw lingering on her wrist.
"...Liri, you're shaking." I am? She only then noticed her digits quivering, and the tip of the sword wavering ever so slightly. It was barely conscious, nor could she get it to stop. Am I...scared? I can't be! "Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?"
"I can't sit back and let my home be destroyed. You taught me that." I'm brave now. I promised myself never to let it happen again!
"But you can't run forward until you're sure of your footing, either. That's what happened to Ancestor. Lights, that's what happened to me. You have to be honest with yourself and your own limits." B-but she, what if I, agh!
She couldn't keep it in anymore. That spring of tension that had been building up finally exploded.
"Veno, I watched my mother die!"
It seemed sudden, yes, but Liri had felt that long-gone memory coming back over the course of this terrible day. It had been ages since she had ever contemplated her parents, let alone her past.
She made sure to set down the weapon to avoid any accidents, and then the rest of her pain made its way out. Everyone else could only watch in shocked silence. "We were trying to escape. Everyone in the village said it was suicidal to try and cross the Silent Woods by ourselves. But ever since Dad became a statue, Mother knew deep in her heart that it would be even more foolish to try and stay. We made it so far—we were quiet, we saved up rations, we hid wherever possible! But it wasn't even Shriek's fault. We had to cross the bog, the swamp of acid. S-she tossed me over to the next piece of wood. The forest was so close. I-I thought we made it! I looked back, and—"
Tears overtook her words, and the tale was left unfinished. The Moki fell to the nearest point of refuge, a somber Veno who held her and tolerated her fierce grip of anguish. "A-a wave g-goodbye, her face—bones, and—it was all—she's—"
Unlike Veno, Liri had buried her grief and allowed it to fester into trauma, which was now suddenly springing forth as a result of the desperate circumstances.
Best not to leave any regrets.
Unsure of what to do, Ikko softly asked if he and Mink should keep an eye out for Bloodlings while this new issue was...resolved. Veno nodded and sent them on to stand guard, weapons in hand.
Meanwhile, clarity of thought was restored to the crying Moki, but it did little to soothe her outburst.
Why now? Why does this suddenly jump to mind at the worst possible time? I'm not helping anyone like this. What do my issues matter when the whole world is ending?
She was barely conscious of a head resting on top of hers, an invitation to rest and let the feelings pass. She took it.
It didn't take her as long as it probably should have to eventually stuff those feelings down. Liri snorted back any last remnants of her sorrow, knowing it would all release some other time. Still, the paws softly rubbing her back didn't release quite yet. She looked back up to see a smile beneath a purple bandana, tainted red by the light of the sky.
"So...I want to say something cool and heroic here that will bring you encouragement, but that's not really me. And obviously, I can't...speak for your mother. But from what I've gathered, it's clear to me that she knew just how valuable you are. She knew just how much of a difference you could make in someone's life. Liri, I've said it before and I'll say it again. You're the best. Without her sacrifice, I'm not sure if that would be possible."
That—was true. Mother had given up her own future so that her daughter's might flourish. How could I throw a gift like that away?
This of course meant she just had to fight for all of Niwen's future, too. Why not?
She gained a small bite of courage. Enough to take a much-needed step back, under her own power. And even enough to firmly grasp the sword from the ground, meeting her lover's blindfolded gaze with a confident look of her own.
"I wouldn't call that cool or heroic, but it's all the encouragement I need. I'm ready now, and when this is over, I have a burning desire to kiss you that will most definitely be resolved."
Veno's resulting blush was swiftly washed away by a blue glow, and Ancestor's voice came out of him next. But it was joyous this time, playful even.
"Ha! Allow me to cover the aspects of coolness and heroics, Moki: I, Viro of the Seirkin, Hero of the War on Decay and Chosen of the Spirit Willow, vow to you that on this day, none of the individuals standing here shall come to any harm, my vessel included. I swear it on my very honor!"
She actually found Viro to be fun at this moment, perhaps even a little humorous. But if there was anyone who could change a bitter, vengeful Spirit into a confident and heroic one, it would be Veno.
The time for seriousness came back too soon. The hybrid's Spirit ear twitched, and he gritted his teeth while facing the forest. Liri reluctantly finished admiring her new partner to do the same.
"Let's go." It was all he had to say.
. . .
They joined back up with Mink and Ikko, who were growing a little nervous but still holding fast.
"Alright everyone." While no longer possessed, Veno was still speaking seriously, adapting to the role of leader. "Stay as far away from these things as you can. We've yet to see how they can actually harm us, but there's no need to find out. And remember, all we have to protect is Monk and ourselves."
"R-Right," Liri added, moved by this most of all. "Buildings can be repaired. People can't."
The matter was agreed upon, and everyone settled in, awaiting foes with their goal in mind. An eerie red glow continued to shine over Niwen, casting the region in morbid moonlight. Yet through everything, the courage of the people, who had fought their whole lives for a safe and happy home, would not submit.
There was also a grim fact the defenders had to accept: everything was silent. The wind itself had stilled, and there was not so much as a sound from the once climactic battle at the Willow. It was most likely over. And it was clear who won.
However, much closer to them, from the edge of a dilapidated and abandoned village, a monstrous and gurgling squeal echoed out.
"We've got one." As predicted, a hideous bloody thing emerged from the forest to the east, just as repulsive as the first. It could barely be dignified with being called a living thing.
The Bloodling flapped around on veiny, spike-covered wings, making its own cacophony of disturbing noises as it went. Just seeing the thing was enough motivation to want it dead and gone. However, to Liri's great surprise, it didn't get very far.
A mysterious blue ring that looked like a hole leading to outer space suddenly shot out from Veno's outstretched arm. The portal swallowed up the creature, causing it to disappear. It shrank into nothingness, and just like that, their foe was gone. Woah. Is it that easy?
"Got it!" Veno then summoned his own weapon, a small dagger attached to a rope that she had only glimpsed when he used it before. It glimmered the same Spiritual blue as the other implements.
He used it as a grappling hook, preparing to swing into battle via an overhanging tree branch. Liri noticed Viro taking control—or perhaps just helping—which explained his accuracy and also reassured her that with a combat veteran on their side, that promise would be upheld. "Watch out for its friends!"
Sure enough, upon listening carefully, the Gladians could hear similar cries of hatred and aggression from the forest. It didn't sound like there were too many...but there were enough.
Mom...if you're somehow watching me, from the great beyond, or whatever it may be. Lead me through this and push me on, as you did in your last moments. Give me the strength to persevere!
Liri extended the Spirit Edge with confidence, aiming its tip towards the affronts to nature on their way. She would follow the example of the friends, heroes, and family who had also committed to the ultimate sacrifice.
The first Bloodling of this wave broke the tree line. While the monsters posed a significant threat and could not be harmed by normal means, they seemed to lack advanced minds. It was very good fortune for the defenders of the Glades that they simply flew forward, driven by bloodlust and hardly a strategy. The beings didn't even appear to acknowledge their own kind.
As such, several were quickly picked off before they could even pose a threat. Veno's unseen attacks came from high in the trees. Liri just barely glimpsed the amazing sight of duplicates, made from Spirit Light, all weilding their own rope darts and leaping about the wind-torn tree branches. Their weapons burned with blue-white power, cauterizing blood and immobilizing the creatures. Others were swallowed up by more portals, and some were torn apart by what looked like spinning ring-blades.
Comprehending these attacks was challenging for Liri, especially with how they came from her only friend, but things were absurd enough as it was.
A few Bloodlings broke through the onslaught, and would have advanced on the village had they not been stopped dead by arrows of Light.
"W-Woah!" Mink exclaimed, watching her perfect headshots pin the squealing monsters to the ground. (At least, what they assumed was a head, and proved to be just as fatal a weakness.) "I didn't think I would hit anything! These arrows must have some sort of guidance system!"
"Then please keep shooting!" Her mate exclaimed, lobbing his first explosive into the encroaching wave. The Bloodlings, as though compelled by some beacon of order, only continued to fly forward, heedless of their kin falling around them. Thank goodness they are only mindless drones. And thus, the only melee user among them had no reason to rush in and risk harm. Mink and Ikko were swiftly dealing with anything that made it past Veno, leaving Liri as a last resort.
Speaking of her former artist, he was disturbingly efficient at taking these things down. It was probably Ancestor doing most of the work, but the way he was flying around the forest at alarming speeds, cutting down Bloodlings like crops, was downright shocking even then.
"Ah! Watch out!"
The Decay creatures simply numbered too many to have none of them slip through the projectile onslaught.
One lone Bloodling had made it through, and was now so close to Liri that she could see its gnashing teeth. Driven by instinct in a sudden panic, she jabbed her weapon forward, and it dove right into the thing's thorny body with next to no resistance. It screeched in its repulsive way as sizzling Decay-blood sprayed from the wound, splattering uncomfortably all over her arm.
"Oh ewww! You are so creepy! Go away!" The decent length of the Spirit Edge thankfully kept the beast far from her body, leaving it unable to inflict any damage, so Liri did what little she knew: flail the sword around and slice the thing to ribbons.
Every slash left behind blue flames that cut deep into the Bloodling's ever-changing body. The blood sizzled and burned, unable to reform and rendering her foe helpless.
Soon enough, it was nothing more than a coagulated pile of sludge on the ground. Gross.
But much easier to accomplish than she thought! This could actually work!
A quick survey of the battlefield showed that while the two ranged attackers had thinned out the Bloodlings out in the open, the remaining freaks continued to advance on the small house that had to be protected—Monk's ward. They need help!
She ran over, blade at the ready, and joined her new friends in the fight of their lives.
The battle wore on for what felt like forever, but what was more like ten minutes. Thanks to a home-town advantage and their relentless determination, the team of four continued to cut down Bloodlings with relative ease, a task not terribly arduous. Whenever there was a lull between the waves, Veno would swing back over, give them an update on the entire area, and then grapple over to the Spirit Well in the center of the Glades to recharge. Apparently this worked, despite him only being a Spirit in part.
These lesser Bloodlings were fairly easy to defeat. And for once, the citizens of Niwen had finally caught a break.
Finally, when Veno came in to announce the defeat of wave three, he stopped.
"Guys." While he couldn't see the growing fatigue, Liri definitely could. They weren't struggling to defeat the monsters, but the greater challenge came from stamina; Mink's bowstring arm was shaking from overuse, and the tip of Ikko's tail had been lightly singed from a misplaced bomb.
She feared what he would say next. If these things just kept coming, they would fall eventually.
"...Take a break."
Liri shared a big breath of disbelief with her comrades. It couldn't be over that simply, right? Was there just more time between this wave and the next?
The hybrid turned to face the east edge of the village, now littered with ugly puddles to the point of being unrecognizable. Blood was sprayed everywhere, making it look like something much more tragic happened instead. "I've checked several times, more than I care to mention. And none of them are left alive. None coming from the north, south, or west either. All of the remaining Bloodling traces are at the Willow alongside the big Decay source."
"What does that mean?" Mink asked carefully, not letting go of her bow just yet.
"At the speed these things seem to normally travel, they'd be more than an hour away. We have a little time to rest."
Wow. Not quite a victory yet, but they were all still alive! Incredible! ...Kind of. An unbearable smell of death and combustion now hovered over the town, and their team of four looked like they had been through a massacre with all of the harmless yet disgusting blood in their fur.
But now that they had the freedom to, everyone crashed to the ground in exhaustion. Veno also rescinded the Spirit weapons to conserve energy. The hut housing Monk was right nearby, always ready to be protected. The Savior of the Lost was somehow still asleep despite the chaos.
"That was terrible," Ikko groaned, trying to clean some muck off to no avail. "What is this world coming to? Here I thought the worst problem I would have to face in life is deciding what's for dinner!"
What an unpleasant reminder. Liri's stomach instinctually growled, showing to her that in the midst of the apocalypse, food had become an afterthought.
"That's a good point," Mink replied, thinking along the same lines. "It feels like I haven't eaten in ages." Inspiration struck her, and the Moki fought through quaking muscles to get back on her feet. "The refugees didn't take very much food from the storerooms because it could spoil! There should still be some in the west side of the village!" Thank goodness. Now I know not to fight on an empty stomach.
"Take someone with you," Veno mumbled from his spot on the ground. "No point in taking risks." Mink regained her bow before catching her second wind, which allowed her to pull up a reluctant Ikko from the grass.
"Come along, my love. We'll be back in a few minutes!" The pair ventured out into the eery silence of the village. They talked happily along the way, their bond unbroken by fear and tragedy. Truly a beautiful thing that they can hold hope in the darkest of times because they have each other.
Liri stared up into the sky. It changed nothing; the red glow remained, spelling doomsday for those beneath its haze. The world—or at least, her world—was ending, plain and simple. It was difficult to come to terms with given all of this time to think about it, but there were two truths about death that she knew for certain: it is definite, and it is inconsistent.
For every person that slowly wilted away in old age or disease, there was a person killed instantly by a monster or natural disaster. For every noble and honorable sacrifice, there was an embarrassing accident.
For every petrified body of stone, there was a body melted in a scalding swamp.
She wasn't sure what kind of ending this was. But thinking about death would do her no good; it's what you do with the time you have that matters.
So Liri wanted to truly commit to her feelings.
She took her time to plan what she wanted to say and how to articulate it before sitting up.
"Veno?"
"Yes. I'm listening."
"I'm not sure if it came across this way before, but...when I said that I love you—which I do—I mean that in a way where we aren't just friends." He didn't move, breath catching at her heartfelt words. It's sweet how easily he gets flustered. I guess that's proof enough he feels the same way. "I genuinely have feelings for you. Have for a while now, actually. The real reason I stayed away from the village was because of what happened to my mom. I didn't want to connect with anyone, to love anyone, in the event that I would end up forcing them to make a sacrifice like she did. But when my neighbor, who I thought to be a kindred spirit, suddenly put himself out there and was brave enough to bond with others, I realized how foolish I was. And how amazing he is."
Liri felt the emotion well up inside, and she couldn't refrain from moving closer to Veno, laying a paw over his own. And then a few seconds later, that too proved to not be enough to soothe her affections. She made the bold choice of straddling her blushing hybrid, putting them face-to-face on the hillside. The stains in their fur were largely relegated to below the shoulders, so it wasn't nearly as gross as it could have been.
Then, with a delicate touch, she removed his bandana, and was treated to those eyes, those that had once torn the world asunder to be reassembled by his brush. Now the eyes themselves had been ripped apart, needing someone else to admire them the way Veno did life itself.
His face quivered with the unfamiliar feeling of exposure, and she soothed that pain by gently massaging his cheek. How she longed to cherish this person, to show what before was subconscious. To prove that he was worth loving, and that she was able to trust him enough to love again. He needs it straightforward sometimes.
"I want us to be together. I want to be your mate."
Veno could barely answer—he still looked shocked—but his tail answered for him by gently wrapping around her middle in acceptance.
Liri took a deep breath, calming herself down while still staring deep into her only friend. Getting brave enough to finally admit all of this was definitely tough, but still a breeze compared to fighting blood monsters.
Hollow sockets stared back into her, never focusing, laced with disrupted veins that produced a shimmering amber color where there once was gold. I wonder if he would have liked to do a self-portrait...
"Being honest...that bewilders me." Veno placed a cautious paw on her shoulder. This position of theirs was kind of incriminating, wasn't it? Yet even without his bandana on, his eyes still conveyed so much emotion that it was hard to believe. "I don't see what I've done to deserve you. But I will accept the honor. So no need for more big speeches, okay?"
Big speeches? Poor, clueless Veno. I guess that's just how I express what I feel.
Even with this decreed, Liri didn't want to overstep too many boundaries; as tough as Veno had become thanks to these new Spirit powers, he was still quite vulnerable emotionally, much like herself. Except in their case, unlike most other Moki, it didn't show, and would be bottled up to be expressed later. It would be a crucial mistake to assume they had the same interpretation of what romance looked like.
So she reluctantly stood up and backed off from him, sacrificing the heat-inducing, tickly feeling of being so close. Her gut churned in confused excitement from the new, mild emotion, along with the realization that there was now a theoretical future where she could pursue that feeling at will.
Upon detecting a major blush clouding her face, Liri bashfully realized that this sensation was something...more personal. Reasonable, given Veno's lithe, sleek frame and durable build, which were added bonuses to the real reasons she cared for him so deeply.
"Phew," the hybrid declared as he finally stood up. He carefully replaced his eye covering. "It's been nothing short of an exhausting day." His effort to change the subject could not be more obvious, but she welcomed it still. Too much had happened in a short span of time.
"Tell me about it. It's hard to believe that—"
LIGHT.
In a complete contrast to the Willow's destruction what felt like hours ago, a great surge of wondering hope suddenly exploded out across Niwen with an audible boom. A strong blue glow drove away the red in the sky, and a gust of wind acted as a cleansing wave that washed over the land, touching every living soul.
It felt like...life. Something that had seemed so fleeting and hopeless just moments earlier.
Liri could not bring herself to move, drawn in a trance-like state to the coursing power that reached a peak before ebbing back inwards.
Silence followed in the wake of this resounding display. No one dared to contest it.
As the shimmering and gentle blue light graced the sky like an aurora, the remains of the fight against the Bloodlings seemed to drift away, leaving behind only stains. But to those involved, it abruptly felt like it had never happened. Any sense of impending doom or terror was nonexistent.
It didn't require intense thought to understand that something very good just happened. Either the side of the heroes just got a great advantage against the Decay, or they won outright.
Eventually, basking in the healing light finally seemed to be enough, and the Moki could break from her trance.
"Wow...thank you..." So much for having to accept death. Any morose thoughts left her now, replaced with amazement. And she had someone to share it with.
Veno was just as breathless, mouth agape and his body aglow with a Spiritual blue. She did only what she could at the moment, which was to softly link their arms.
I wish you could see this...either of you...I'm so grateful you gave me this.
Perhaps, deep down, she knew they would succeed. There was too much effort put into all of this for it to amount to nothing.
"Do you guys feel it too?!" Mink and Ikko returned, both ecstatic and confused, forgetting to bring back any food in their haste.
"We do," Liri replied, any strong emotions being smoothed out by the new atmosphere and the gentle fur brushing against her own. "Isn't it wonderful?"
The other duo rushed over, and the defenders of the Glades were caught up in a group hug, reminiscent of the infamous Moki-Pile.
They had a future again.
Once it finally ended, Liri discovered an increasingly vibrant glow emerging from her new mate, and ghostly blue tears began to slowly drip from his bandana. Everyone backed away, watching with curiosity and the smallest hint of caution.
Ancestor then spoke, calm and solemn.
"Seir...I promised I would come back, but you have chosen another. I suppose you could wait no longer. I was too late. This world has moved on from me long ago, yet I still foolishly clung to my former glory, endangering innocent lives...it is no small wonder you want nothing to do with me..."
Liri was unsure what to do. She had never seen Ancestor be anything but confident. How does one comfort an ancient Spirit residing in a living person?
Somehow, Veno did this for her.
"You don't know that for sure." It was a little uncanny to hear two different voices emerge from the same glowing hybrid. He spoke towards no one, for the matter was internal. "You cling to life because it is our greatest gift. We always seek it out. I've learned a lot by observing others for my art, and I've realized that the measure of a good creature is the desire to create and preserve life. Losing it...will always be the greatest pain we will ever face."
That experience rested deep within everyone there. She was reminded of Monk, torn inside by the loss of his beloved family. Everyone had experienced some unfortunate loss. And yet here they all were, fighting to keep whatever life they could. That was proof enough of his weighted words.
"If there's one thing life does, it perseveres. Through all the destruction, a flower still takes root. In a desolate wasteland ruled by a creature of darkness, pockets of civilization still survive, even in fear. When the world around you crumbles, a tree of light bursts forth to guide your way.
"Even if a family member gets sick, and a possibility becomes an inevitability…someone will still find a way to make something beautiful."
A pause followed. A moment of silence was left for those that had been lost—but again, it was only a moment. Moving forward was the most important part.
"I see now," Ancestor breathed. "I attempted to destroy life from within, but you, Moki, you fought for that which you have always sought to preserve. ...I shall fulfill the purpose of my own life, and return to Seir."
He turned towards the others gathered, the blue glow beginning to coalesce in the center of Veno's chest. Ancestor's voice no longer came from his mouth, only echoing from the rising flame. "And I will leave this Moki, who has suffered by my hand, so that he may fulfill his own desires as he was always meant to. His life is precious, as is that of everyone under the stars. And I will always fight to defend them."
The phantom flame finally emerged, prompting Veno to exhale sharply as the wisp left him. Liri made sure to hold up her love as he staggered.
Thus, the Ancient Spirit of Viro floated off into the dense forest, presumably to Seir.
Just like that, he was gone.
-- --
I don't believe it. The Twilight Luminary...
How could I ever doubt the Prophet? To think I almost destroyed Her incarnation...
"One who is called Shriek! Please wait!"
"H-huh? What are you?"
"I come to offer my sincerest regret. In my arrogance, I could not believe that you were to be Her vessel. Oh, how I have been proven wrong."
"I-I'm sorry. I don't think I recognize you, Mister...ball of fire?"
"You need not concern yourself with me anymore. Simply know that as the last of the Seirkin, I am entrusting the future of this land to you. Treat the power of Isikahra with care, great owl. Her grace shines upon this land once again, and it is a blessing for my old eyes to witness."
"Oh...o-okay. I didn't do anything special, though..."
"You will, great owl. You will."
How beautiful She is...young Veno could recognize it before even I could. I can leave Niwen in good care.
"Hey, w-wait a minute! Where are you going?"
. . .
"The soul of a Spirit? This cannot be. I have reclaimed all of the Willow's children, and Tyn is far too young yet. —Who seeks entrance to the Light?"
I have waited far too long, Seir. But I suppose you know how stubborn I can be.
"Viro! How is this possible? Were you not lost to the Decay?"
It shames me to admit...I, Viro of the Seirkin, engaged in K'Nin'Na.
"And yet you have returned?"
The Moki I inhabited persuaded me. I should have lived my life as I was destined to, not persisting on with a forbidden art. Now, I have chosen to end my life as destined for my comeuppance.
"There will be no such punishment. You know well enough that there is always rejoicing when a lost soul comes home."
I threw away my glory as your chosen warrior, Seir. How does this not enrage you?
"The Twilight Luminary has returned to us. What reason have I to be angry?"
...I suppose that is true. So you shall accept me?
"Always. Welcome home, Viro."