Ori and the Spirits Within: Revitalized

Chapter 17: Memories of a Hero

Sitting outside with the people of the Glades, Ori got a chance to enjoy another miniature feast and hear everyone's voices again. It was a jovial time all around, everyone thanking Naru and the others for serving a wonderful meal. Despite the liveliness of it all, the spirit simply ate in silence, opting to listen to all of the conversations going on around him.

Now that the excitement of Ori's revival had mostly gone away, Ori got a chance to hear the people of Niwen talk about a menagerie of things: Daily life, curious discoveries, funny memories, quick jokes, intriguing history, outlooks on the future, all of these people had a lot of unique things to share amongst one another. He hadn't paid any attention to it before, mostly due to his scrambled mind at the time, but these people and their lives seemed... pleasant, and if they weren't that, they were intriguing. There seemed to be a mystical essence around this world, one that filled his mind with possibilities and... excitement.

Though... it was unfortunate, knowing the possibility that he might not stay in this realm for long.

...

You deserve this world, Ori... These people, your family and friends... they want you, not me...

He quickly pushed those negative thoughts away, opting to listen to more of the people's conversations. After everyone was done eating, opted to hang around the younger moki for a little bit, engaging in some gentle play and chatter with them. He knew that he was engaging in childish things, but he never really considered it a problem before. Perhaps learning of his true self, looking and sounding more mature, gave him this complexion? Whatever the reason, he knew that Ori would probably have done the same thing, having gotten to know the little rascal. He was sure that Ori would love to play around with them if he got the chance, and at the end of this journey, he hoped that the spirit would get that chance.

Plus... it was nice to push that anxiety away for a while and just enjoy himself...

It seemed like time flew by. Before he knew it, the afternoon turned to night and everyone went back to their homes to rest and relax. Of course, Ori and Ku did the same thing, walking back to their little cozy cave near the edge of the Glades, with Naru suggesting they share a smaller meal as dinner for tonight. It wasn't long after finishing said dinner that conversations between the family arose...

"So, I'm sure you two have some things to talk about," Gumo smiled at his two adopted children. "How was Nibel?"

"Just as lovely as I remember," Ku replied with a smile.

"Did you do anything special?" Gumo asked the owl.

"Uh... n-not really," she replied, telling a small lie that she'd rather keep to herself. "Just did some flying and reminiscing."

"What about you, Ori?" Naru asked.

"Oh... it was nice... I guess," Ori shrugged.

"Did your trip help you remember some things?"

"W-Well... I mean, not... not really, but... um..." He knew he couldn't tell them what he learned with Sein... not yet, anyway.

"Well... there is something you remembered," Ku interrupted with a solemn nod. "And... I do think we need to discuss it."

"We... We do?"

"Remember? You had a little panic attack when we first arrived because of... well... you know."

"O-Oh... that," he nodded. He had honestly forgotten that small vision he had when he first arrived. He was shocked that he didn't remember, considering it was such a vivid nightmare.

"What happened at the nest?" Gumo asked, hands under his chin.

"W-Well... i-it was right when we landed for the first time. We just got into the nest and I-I was looking around, and... it was all nice and clean, but... all of a sudden, the place... ch-changed. And I... saw some things, some... unpleasant things."