(OUTDATED) Ori and the Spirits Within

Chapter 21: One More Step

The day was as bright as ever, with the leaves falling down ever so slightly in the breeze. The cave was as happy as ever, now with everyone on good speaking terms with each other. Vini, harboring Ori's body, discusses the details with Ori's family, eventually leading to the final step of the plan.

"So, now there is only one thing we have to do now." Vini said.

"Yep, just one last step." Sein added. "We have to find the shrine to the Spirits of Old."

"The Spirits of Old?" Gumo asked.

"It's... a bit complicated," Sein said. "They were the first spirits to exist, and they were able to forge their own powers."

"Although," Vini interjected. "You never really explained why we needed to go there specifically for the procedure."

"Those shrines are a home to massive amounts of pure light. Using that light, we can ensure that the procedure to split your souls goes along well."

"Ok." Ku said. "So just find the shrine, and Ori comes back?"

"It's a little more complicated than that, but you're essentially correct, Ku." Sein answered.

"And... what would happen to Vini... after all of this?" Ku asked.

Oh boy. He looked at Sein, who turned away. All eyes were on Vini. This won't end well. He took a deep breath, and explained.

"Well, our situation hasn't really happened before, so we can't be too sure on the exact effects of the procedure. From what we can understand, 1 of 3 things could happen. One, my soul, harvesting some of the light in the procedure, will transform into a new body for me to live in. Two, there isn't enough light to create a new body, and I remain a soul. In that perspective, there is a slight chance that my soul could return to my original body, but we are unsure about that. And..." He began to get nervous, knowing what comes next. "Scenario Three, the process damages my soul too much, and... I die."

Naru and Gumo tried to keep a calm face, but Ku fell into shock hearing his words. He looked at them all worriedly, knowing that they care about him as well as Ori. But, he had to do this.

"I know you guys care about me, but... I don't belong here. I never did... and I never will. I'm doing this to help all of you out, because all of you deserve it. If I'm going to die because of it, then that's the cost. And I'll pay it, no matter what the consequences are." Ku rushed up to Vini, embracing him in a tight hug.

"No! Y-You can't! I-I won't let you!" Ku cried out. Naru and Gumo looked at each other, and slowly stood up, moving towards Ku and Vini. He understood her feelings. She didn't want him to disappear from her life, much like Ori, but he's doing this for them. Naru and Gumo embraced them both, with Sein still standing off to the side.

"Vini... I'm not going to tell you what you can and can't do." Naru said. "It's not my choice to make. But... are you sure you are ok doing this? I mean, you are risking so much."

"I know, and I understand your worry." Vini spoke. "But...be honest, you want to see your actual son, right?" Naru remained silent. "I'll be fine, Naru. In life or in death, I'll feel accomplished if I can do this. If I can help you. All of you."

"...ok." Naru said sadly, letting go of the hug.

"So...where exactly is this shrine?" Gumo asked Sein.

"From what I can tell, it is somewhere to the north." Sein replied.

"There are only two places to the north." Ku said. "Baur's Reach and Willow's End. But, Willow's End was nearly destroyed in the battle between Shriek and Ori."