(OUTDATED) Ori and the Spirits Within

Chapter 15: Cognitive Dissonance

It was dusk in Nibel and Sein was at her desk sleeping. Ori was still unconscious on the couch, and the spirits were still outside doing their normal chores and activities. Sein eventually woke up from her slumber, giving a slight yawn, and moved towards Ori.

Still asleep, huh? Well, he's not in any danger. She looked at the beautiful sunset that covered the sky in a bright orange color. She thought for a moment, before looking over at the contraption she made a few weeks ago. It was a small wooden construction, with 6 strings that laid down a carved part of the object. She picked it up, and strummed the object, letting a beautiful sound ring out.

Yeah... today's a good day. She left through a passageway leading out on the porch of his house, and took a seat on the ledge towards the sunset and wilderness. She breathed slightly, and strummed the instrument again. It wasn't the best background noise, but she could work with it.

Sein took a small breath...

...and began to play.

The light strumming of her instrument accompanied by her moving voice attracted the spirits around to her sounds. They felt...happy, and emotional at the song she was playing. Sein looked down towards all of them and smiled as she began to sing in her beautiful voice.

Wandering the path of melodies
Searching for a wandering noise
Across the valleys, through the seas
I will let loose my own voice

Bravery, Courage, and Kindness
What kinds of things do they say?
A beautiful person worthy to bless
He will always show me the way

The spirits looked up at her, playing a beautifully constructed song on her instrument. Some simply gave a smile as she played, while others almost cried at her passionate voice as she kept playing. She didn't have a name for her instrument, or the song for that matter, but that's ok. There doesn't need to be a name for passion. It was her instrument, one meant to serenade those around her... and the one closest to her. Plus, she needed it if she was going to compete in Nibel's music contest. She had some stiff competition after all, and she needed to develop her voice correctly in order to win. Plus, she needed it if she was going to win over his heart.

The song played on and on, as the day drew closer and closer to its end. All the spirits joined together in a group hug at this point, looking up at Sein, swaying as a group. Sein was unfazed by the crowd's reaction, and finished her song.

As I show you my power!
No reason to cower!
Behind a lock and key

Allow me to keep you here
The guardian of my keep

As she finished the song, all the spirits applauded her emotional song, and she smiled down at them. She noticed two other spirits looking up at her, a bit of anger showing in their faces. Sorry, boys. Seems like they enjoyed my song.

Seems like you're a popular face today.

"It was nothing, Tree. Just something I've been working on from time to time." Sein said, blushing.

Well, it was very impressive. You even got Ori to wake up. Sein instantly turned around, seeing the floured Spirit Guardian standing in the passageway, applauding her performance.

"O-Ori, you... you're up..." Sein got a little embarrassed. Ori laughed and stood next to her.

"I assume you're going to play that for him, right?" Ori asked.

"Huh? Well... I..."

"You made a good choice of instrument, too. A guitar is one of the best ways to serenade someone."