Naru returns to the cave, defeated and saddened, where Ori still rests peacefully. Naru's search for any nourishment turns up empty and the few (and presumably last) little clusters of fruit are nestled high in a tree, far from her reach. Even the Spirit Tree, which once watched majestically over Nibel, is reduced to a crumbled silhouette amongst dusty gray clouds. Where beautiful greenery and blossoms once bloomed, only wilted plants and dry trees can be found. She leaves a sleeping Ori in the cave and attempts to find more food, but once outside, it is obvious that Nibel has been drastically altered. Finally, as the Spirit Tree narrates that 'hope never came', the player's control shifts to Naru. Several fades show the change in Swallow's Nest over time, each passing moment revealing dying vegetation and less fruit. Ori stares in shock at this amazing event, only to be pulled to the safety of the cave by Naru, fearful of the Spirit Tree's summoning cry.ДЇollowing the devastation during which Kuro stole the Spirit Tree's light (a plot point not revealed until later), the forest begins to decay. At the entrance to the cave, Ori is stopped by a dull roaring in the distance, as the Spirit Tree calls out to them in a brilliant display of light. Ori and the Blind Forest Cover Concept ArtДЄfter Naru and Ori make it to the other side of their part of the forest and collect an abundance of fruit to consume, the player controls Ori to return to the cave where they live, carrying a pile of fruit in their arms. They spend their days harvesting fruit from the lush trees and building bridges and nests over the sparkling creek, as the player directs Ori throughout Swallow's Nest.

As the Spirit Tree narrates, Naru adopts the spirit, named Ori, as her own and raises it as her child. Naru lifts the illuminated form of the sleeping spirit and brings it into a loving embrace. She watches as the leaf makes its descent to the ground, subsequently bursting in a gleam of light which subsides to reveal a small, white spirit, weakened and exhausted. She suddenly spies the shimmering leaf as it flies overhead, and she follows it through Swallow's Nest. Naru, a creature of Black Root Burrows, sits idly on a ledge overlooking the woods. A powerful gust of wind sends the leaf tumbling in fluid, dazzling motions along the air currents, far from its home. A great storm breaks out, pummeling the forest with heavy rain and lightning and breaking off one of the shining leaves of the Spirit Tree. The peace in the forest of Nibel, which at first glance seems to be kept well by the harmonious branches of the Spirit Tree, is suddenly shattered with a breathtaking roar of thunder.

(The prologue offers minimal gameplay with control alternating between Ori and Naru)

Child of light dialogue bug