Ori & Aris the Journey Through Nibel (proofreading and improving chapters)

The endless forest

"If light is your heart, you will find your way home"
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—Recap—
Ori's life had finally returned to normal, his long needed moments of relaxation were finally rewarded. Although, a strange force outside of the known regions of Nibel was discovered by Ori himself. Something that could potentially prove dangerous to all life in the forest. Other than having an interaction with his friends, Ori left to speak to Sein. Seeing what she, herself, has to say. At least, that's not the only thing occurring in the forest.

~Back in the unknown woods~

Aris, had previously began his newfound journey. He had not a clue how long it would take nor, the effort needed in order to prevail. At least, that didn't matter to him.

The voice of the spirit tree just seemed to speak in his mind over and over, especially the word 'spirits'.

"That's... who I am?" Aris mumbles during his walk. A hint of fatigue was also noticeable in his tone. He looked up, his eyes just barely half open accompanied with bags under said eyes.
'Why am I so tired?' He thinks to himself. But no answer was ever clear. He assumed this walk was tiring him out, yet, it hasn't even been that long. Or, has it?

"Tree after tree... just when will it end? My body, weak. My mind, fading. Just how long has it been? Hours? Days? Possibly weeks?! I can't keep track of the time as this damn forest is always so dark!" Aris blurts out in anger, his fatigue was definitely taking its toll.

It was clear his legs couldn't handle any more walking, then again, Aris continues to stride forward regardless. Resulting in the pain in his body to only strengthen.

Overall, the further Aris got. The more he felt lost and hopeless.

The path ahead seemed to repeat itself, the same tree coming into view again and again. As if a magical circle had Aris trapped inside it.

"I'm getting nowhere! I swear! I already past this tree several times already! Uh, great!" More anger consumes him.

Aris struck the very tree with his fist in an act of frustration. This only hurt the hand from which he just used. "Ah! Dammit!"
He quickly pulls his arm back, cradling his now injured hand like a baby.

The sudden strike onto the tree shook its branches, resulting in an apple to free itself from its branch. Causing it to fall straight onto his head.
"O-ow! What was tha-... oh, it's just an apple..."
Even without the light, it's handy he knew his fruit.

His stomach did rumble not too long ago, so an apple would suffice. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself, using a nearby stump as a seat.

He takes a bite from the apple and quickly spits it out. His face squinted in disgust as the apple was definitely not sweet. Alas, this apple is the only food he's found so far. So it's either toughen up or starve. He chose the former.

The stump from which he sat on was covered with moss and had plants growing out of it. This did bring a thought to Aris. He raised his head upwards, to look at the trees. To his discovery he noticed everything was more nourished than before.

Each and every tree was bushier compared to his time back at the boulder. His first assumption was he was getting closer. To his home. The only downside however is that the bushier the trees get... the darker it also becomes. The darkness already was slowing down his progress drastically, including it doesn't help either that his body is constantly dimming by the second. Meaning eventually, visibility will be non existent.