Ori and the Spirits Within: Revitalized

Chapter 25: Tears

With the human and spirit finally reunited in the Soul Scape, all that was left for them was to return to Vini's point of entry and wait for Sein to finish the incantation. Vini, still carrying Ori on his back, was navigating the city streets, making his way towards the mountain he had arrived on. Honestly, Vini was still a little rattled by the recent events, not to mention anxious and worried about his own... uncertain fate. However, the young spirit on his back was distracting him with banter and teasing, playing with him the entire way. He was honestly so baffled by Ori's ability to stay positive about him, knowing what he might be deep down... but it made him relieved. Vini was happy that the spirit liked him so much, and he knew that he liked the spirit too...

The two finally reached the base of the snowy mountain. Instead of continuing the piggyback ride Ori had asked for, Vini grabbed Ori and gently cradled him in his arms before beginning his ascent uphill. Ori glanced up at him, the human he had gotten to know from this weird journey, with his beige skin and wood-colored eyes. The human had their flaws and troubles, but Ori knew they were a good person deep down, no matter what other people might say. Ori wanted to help the human find his happiness once all of this trouble came to an end. He deserved it after risking so much for him and his family...

Finally, Vini arrived back on the snowy mountain top, the desolate city standing in the distance. He looked back at the remnants of his human world conjured within the Soul Scape. He was glad to leave that place, those terrible memories. Unfortunately, he would likely never forget what he learned from his trek in the city, even if these days are long gone. Still, he had lights in this darkness, like the spirit he had been carrying up the mountain. He quickly sat down in the snow and laid Ori in his lap, seeing the bright smile from his cute face...

"*sigh* How are you always so positive?" Vini chuckled, gently rubbing his hand across the spirit's tummy.

"Heh... I don't really know, to be honest," Ori chuckled back.

"So you're happy all the time just because?"

"Well, I just want to make people happy. And you deserve to be happy before... b-before..." Ori's sentence trailed off as his ears flopped to the sides of his head, knowing what was coming in these final moments.

"I-I... I know," Vini nodded solemnly, reaching to hold onto Ori's small hands. "But everything's going to be alright. You're going to be back in the real world, living a happy life with your friends and family. It's going to be peaceful from now on..."

"But... B-But what about you?" Ori asked. "I-I don't want you to-!"

"I-I know, I know," Vini replied, breathing a deep, stuttered sigh, his body quivering with anxiety. "But that's the risk of bringing you back, and whether or not you want me to, I... I'm ok with paying that price. Plus, I never really belonged here anyway..."

"B-But I want you to stay... *sniffle* I..." Ori's eyes welled up with small tears, his fear of the human's safety finally breaking his composure. Seeing the saddened spirit, Vini quickly lifted the spirit up and embraced him, gently patting his back.

"It'll be ok," Vini whispered. "Even if I go, you'll be ok... I know you will..."

"*sniffle* *sniffle* Mmmm...!" Ori put both arms around the human, holding him close as he sobbed against the human's shoulder. Even if this might be the end for the human, Ori would never forget him and what he did for his family. Ori would cherish him forever as family... as a brother...

As the spirit cried quietly, the two felt a change in the atmosphere around them. They felt the air around them become hotter as their minds wavered slightly. Vini looked up to the sky, seeing the dozens of lights slowly dissipate one by one. Yet, the sky itself glowed brighter and brighter with each passing moment. Vini knew this was it: What could be his final moments.