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

An unsuspected ally

—Recap—
Aris' own journey has continued. He's closer to his real home, than where he was before. But Aris had encountered something along the way. At first, he thought it was a demon. But now, it's someone who names themself Ilani. Just who is this Ilani? Are they a friend or foe?

After Ilani took shape mirroring Aris' physique, the very words from which he spoke echoed in his own mind.

'The darkness you absorbed'
It was far too much for him to process, Aris was focused on finding his origins but Ilani's appearance only fed to the conundrum.
"I absorbed you? How is that even possible?!"

"I'm not sure, but first let me introduce myself. As you already know my name is Ilani, I come from a race of shadowlings."

"Shadowlings?" Aris rudely interrupts.
Ilani, who couldn't exactly show emotion, was not pleased.

"As I was saying...
I came to these woods to have a moment alone from my kin. It's a constant 'this' or 'that' from them! I only wish for peace and quiet!...
This place, from which we both now stand in is formerly known as the Willow Woods."

"Willow Woods..." Aris whispers. To not interrupt Ilani a second time.

"It borders a different forest by the name of Nibel. And by the looks of it... it seems you're heading to that forest, no?"

"I am."

"As I suspected."

"You... suspected?"

"How could I not? I reside within you, so I can see, hear and feel what you can."

"Even those voices and that vision?"

"Voices and a vision?" Ilani responds confused.

"Oh uh... never mind. But enough of that! How did I absorb you?"

"I was lost."

"Lost?"

"Yes, lost. This fog from which resides around us has an adverse effect to those who roam within it. Even I, a shadowling, can be mislead endlessly by this fog. It appears the same has happened to you." Ilani explains.

Aris didn't quite fully understand that. He didn't feel lost at all. At least... not like before. He knows where the spirit tree is so it's unlikely he would suddenly change direction because of this 'fog'.

"I was left to drift around with no hopes of returning to my clan. As much as I wished not to. Until... I found you. Well... the leaf version of you, Aris."

"...I'm sorry, leaf? And wait wait... Aris?"

"What else should I call you? Before I took this form I pieced together some things about you. Your light sure does react in strange ways."

"But how did that give you a name?"

"It's uh... complicated. But that doesn't matter! As I was expl- wait... what was I?... oh right, a leaf. You were a leaf. A glowing one at that. Almost transparent too. Before you formed into what you are now, you were but a mere leaf."

Ilani paused and drifted around Aris, resting his two hands onto Aris' shoulder.

"I was curious and decided to come closer. Though during this, I suddenly felt weak? No no... it wasn't that. Let's just say, I was pulled towards you by a force I couldn't resist. I continuously shifted closer and closer whilst I myself wished to move away. The light is known to be fatal to shadowlings so if I got too close, I would certainly die. But the strange thing is... I did not. As I mentioned before, you absorbed me. For reasons I don't completely know. My mind went black and I didn't regain my senses until you reached the pond moments ago."