Ori and the Spirits Within: Revitalized

Chapter 7: Departure and Return

It was a bit more bland of a day in Niwen, the sky being covered by a thin white veil of clouds. Despite this canopy over the sky, the sun's light shot through them and lit the land with its dim radiance. The air was a little bit cooler than the day prior, but still warm enough to be enjoyed by all kinds of folk. It seemed to be a moderately pleasant day, though Ori and Ku's plans would mean they wouldn't get to enjoy it in Niwen...

The two siblings had woken up early to prepare for their flight towards Nibel. Naru and Gumo both woke up soon after to see their children off. Before heading out, however, Naru suggested that Ori gather some fruit before they leave, just in case. The forage took less than ten minutes though, since Ori only decided to grab a few fruits in the local trees. He didn't think they'd need that many, and if they did, he assumed he could just grab some of the fruits in Nibel.

After tying up the small bag of fruits, Ori trotted back into their cozy cave on the edge of the Glades, seeing Naru and Gumo finishing a small conversation with Ku as they waited for Ori's return...

"Alright, I think we have enough to eat," Ori stated, raising his small bag in the air. "Are you ready, Ku?"

"Yep," the owl nodded back. "It shouldn't take too long to get there."

"You'll be alright," Gumo said, kneeling down before Ku as he gently petted the top of her head. Ku responded to this by putting both of her wings around her adoptive father, to which Gumo chuckled and reciprocated. Ori looked over to Naru, seeing her gazing at him with a neutral expression. Seeing her lack of joy, Ori trotted over to her.

"Are... Are you ok, Naru?" Ori asked.

"I'm just... I didn't expect you to be leaving again so soon," Naru nodded solemnly. "W-We only just got you back, and now, you're going across the ocean."

"I... I'm sorry, but... I-I really want to figure out my memory situation," Ori replied.

"I know, and I'm more than willing to let you figure that stuff out. I'm just... I'm going to miss you, honey," Naru stated.

"W-Well... I'll be back before you know it," Ori smiled, trying to brighten her mood.

"*sigh* Right..." Naru replied, her face slowly morphing to a smile as well. Ori nodded and held his arms up, giving her the opportunity to pick her son up and cradle him in her arms.

"I love you, Ori," Naru said, leaning down to give her adoptive son a kiss on the cheek.

"I... love you too, Naru," Ori smiled back.

Naru slowly put her son back on the ground as he and Ku traded places, the owl walking over to Naru for a hug. Knowing that the owl was too big for her to hold like Ori was, Naru sat down before her and brought her in for a hug, laying her forehead against Ku's. Ori walked over to the Gumon, still kneeling on the ground.

"Thanks for letting us do this," Ori spoke.

"No need to thank me," Gumo chuckled. "This is for you and Ku, and we don't want you to be unhappy. Though... I can't say I'm not a little worried."

"I understand," Ori nodded back and walked in to give Gumo a soft hug, which he reciprocated kindly. "But we'll be ok."

"I know you will. Forgive me..." Gumo chuckled, his intentions still hidden.

"Forgive you? Y-You don't need to be sorry for that..."

"Oh, no... not for that. For this!" Gumo smirked at the spirit before both of his hands dug into Ori's ribs, sending tingles through his body again.

"G-GAH! N-Noohohoho! G-G-Gumoho!! N-Nahat again!" Ori laughed as he struggled to break free from his father's now cage of a hug.

"Oh-ho, no you don't," Gumo smirked, prolonging his tickle attack on Ori. "I went two months without seeing you smile and laugh like this. I've gotta make up for lost time."