*Part Three: Tears for a Princess
This time, Cassie and Angie didn't fall from the sky. Instead, they awoke with a jolt in separate beds, dreaming that they fell and opened their eyes before they met with the ground. They sat up and looked at each other.
"Human," Angie said.
"You, too." Cassie replied.
Breathing a little heavy, the girls looked around the room. They were in a castle with beautiful white marble walls and stone floors. In the room there was a window set in the wall next to Angie's bed. They were pretty high up, it looked like. The room was sort of set up like a hotel room: There were two identical beds with a wooden table between them. Instead of a TV in front of the beds was a large dresser with trinkets on top. The handles were carved into amazing designs and looked too fragile to touch. There was a small round table with two chairs under it near the dresser. Tapestries hung above the headboards of the beds, both blazoned with the same unknown symbol.
Then, to Angie's horror and Cassie's delight, the girls found themselves in dresses. Jumping out of the bed, Cassie squealed and twisted her upper half, making the dress swish with each pivot. Both were casual dresses, so they weren't terrifyingly puffy.
Cassie's was a pale sky blue with sleeves that came all the way down her arms and made a point on the flat of her hand, a loop of fabric through her middle finger and holding the sleeve at the point. The neckline was modest, to Cassie's liking, but the back dropped down quite a bit, revealing her rather bony shoulder blades. A belt of gold rested on her hips, and a golden pattern lined the hem. Her hair was thrown back gracefully into a bun, a single braid coiling around it.
She turned to inspect her friend and gaped. Angie, now standing with a sour look on her face, was wearing a deep violet dress. Her sleeves cut at the elbows with a frilly edge. She wore gloves that stopped at her wrists with the same purple frill. Her neckline was complimented with silver lining, which was also at her hem. Angie, too, had a modest neckline with a plunging back. A silver band hugged her waist. Her hair was pulled back into a long plait. Wisps of stray hair tickled her face, and Angie batted at them with annoyance.
"You're beautiful!" Cassie cried, her hands on her cheeks.
"You're gorgeous!" Angie countered, a grin on her face. "But, where are we?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's-"
The door at the opposite side of the room behind Cassie burst open. A dark-haired man was in the doorway, pointing at the girls. Behind him were two other men, one with blue hair and the other with red. They pushed past the servant, stumbling into the room.
"These two, your Majesty." The dark-haired servant said accusingly. "I found them here and-"
"No way!" The red-head yelled with a smile.
"Roy!" The girls said, Angie surprised and Cassie laughing.
"I knew it," Cassie told Angie. "Altea, this is the last place."
Roy, the red-head, had grown a lot in the last two years. He was much taller and much, much more muscular. Both girls had to catch their blush before it flared. His bright blue eyes crinkled with laughter, and his tan skin looked like melted caramel. He stomped over to them and put his strong arms around them, lifting them effortlessly into the air.
"Goodness, it's great to see you!" Roy said, his voice also noticeably lower.
"That makes one of us," The blue-haired prince muttered, still sulking in the doorway.
Roy released them and turned to the prince. He shook his head and pointed a finger.
"Don't be a liar, Marth!" Roy countered with a smirk. "Just a few days ago, you wished to see-"
"What?" Angie and Cassie shouted, staring wide-eyed at Marth.
He didn't change a bit. Marth was leaner, a little taller. Under his blue tunic, the girls could see that he was somewhat stronger. His face was the same with his blue eyes, which were narrowed. Upon his head, to the girls' delight, was what looked like a tiara.
"Roy, I have no idea-" Marth started defensively.
"You were never good at lying, buddy." Roy cut him off, still smirking. "You wanted to see them again."
"I-!" The prince stopped, and then sighed. "Fine. Yes. I, no, we wished to see these two again-"
"We're flattered," cut in Cassie with a smile.
Marth mumbled something under his breath, crossing his arms huffily. Roy rolled his eyes at his friend.
"Don't mind him. He's been in a mood since…" The red-head trailed off, his eyes losing the happy sparkle.
"Since what? Angie asked gently, putting a hand on Roy's forearm.
Roy glanced at Marth, who looked suddenly on the verge of tears. In fact, both young men had turned rather sad. Cassie looked pasted Marth and out the door.
"Elice; where is she?" asked Cassie.
She asked the wrong question. Marth broke down and ran from the room. Cassie started after him, but Roy reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Don't bother," He whispered. "He probably locked himself in her room."
"Roy, what happened?" Angie questioned.
The red-head hesitated. He dropped Cassie's arm and turned away, looking out the window. Minutes flew by before Roy turned back. His eyes were misty.
"She's fallen ill." answered Roy in a broken voice. "We don't know exactly what she has, but it's, it's killing her-" Roy's voice cracked, but he continued. "It happened a few nights ago, and she isn't getting any better. We fear that she has…but no, it's impossible."
"Has what?" Cassie pressed softly.
Roy rubbed his eyes and then his fingers trailed up to his forehead. He released a deep breath before answering.
"The Gwyllgi Plague," He replied, a tear rolling down his cheek.
"Gwyaljahi?" They both said, trying to repeat the word.
"No, no, Gwyllgi." Roy said clearly with a small laugh at their attempt. "It's a terrible creature with three dog heads-"
"Like Cerberus?" Angie put in, referring to the mythological beast.
"Um, sure? I dunno, but it's very deadly, and huge. It's almost as big as a wyvern!"
He stretched his arms out to show, but neither was sure what a wyvern or a Gwyllgi was. At their confused expressions, Roy lowered his arms with disappointment.
"What does…that have to do with a plague? Was Elice bitten by one or something?"
"We, honestly, don't know how she got it." Roy said sadly. "It's been centuries since an outbreak. You can get the plague from a bit, but also from contaminated food, water, or air. She's the only one in all of Altea that has it, so the plague cannot be returning. It's just…her."
"How can she be cured?" Cassie asked worriedly.
"That's the interesting part," He answered. "The Gwyllgi causes the disease and can give the only cure. We need the tears of one of the beasts. And who knows where a Gwyllgi is anymore. There haven't been any sightings for years. And, as far as I know, their native land has been desolate for just as long."
The room fell silent. Roy was now sitting on the edge of one of the beds. He had his head bowed in frustration and sadness. Angie knelt down and put a hand on his knee. Cassie sat down next to him, placing an arm around his shoulders. Roy sighed and stood up after some time.
"I suppose you wanna see her?" He asked.
"If, if it's alright." Cassie murmured.
"Yeah, we don't want to cause any trouble." added Angie, both girls now standing.
"Well, she hasn't given it to either me or Marth, so you two should be okay. Come on."
Roy took them out into the corridor. The hallway was lined with doors, no doubt leading to more bedrooms. But he walked down the hall, past servants and doors. Those who they passed gave a solemn look. One woman servant even burst into tears before dashing into a room.
Finally, they got to the end of the hall. The door was smaller, and looked a bit older and worn. The handle had a lock, and Roy pulled out a key on a piece of leather string from under his tunic. He inserted the key and quickly ushered the girls inside.
There was a small window right across from the doorway, leaking in the afternoon sunlight. The light didn't make the room much brighter, but just enough so it was dim. A bed was directly under the window, and the Princess of Altea was resting on top of it. The light didn't hit her, so the princess was in shadow. A chair was pulled up next to her bedside, and her brother, Marth, was sitting down, holding her hand. He didn't even look up at them.
"She's asleep." Marth whispered.
"That's alright," Roy replied, moving forward.
The girls followed slowly, looking down at the sleeping princess. Elice was as pretty as she was two years ago. Her long, blue hair framed her pale face, but as they got closer, the girls could see that her skin was not pale. It was grey, a pallid, sickly grey. She looked skinnier and-
Then, her eyes opened.
Angie couldn't help but yelp and jump back. Cassie shot her a look, but then gazed back at Elice. The princess smiled for a few seconds before it faded away and was replaced with the violent coughs. Marth and Roy immediately jumped to her aid, but Elice pushed them away. Her coughs subsided as they all watched helplessly.
"I knew you'd come," She wheezed when she could speak.
Her voice was much like Link's: raspy, dry, and soft. Cassie wanted to cry, and she turned away briskly, covering her face.
"I dreamed of you two ever since we've left," Elice continued weakly. "And now, you're here. You are here to-"
"Get those tears," interrupted Angie. "We're going to save your life, Elice."
Everyone stared in surprise at her. Cassie turned back, face wet, with disbelief. Roy was the first to speak.
"Surely, you wouldn't risk your life for-?"
"But we would," answered Cassie. "That's why we're here." She moved closer to Elice, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Elice, you are a friend. We aren't just going to stand here and watch you die."
"It's suicide though!" exclaimed Marth. "…on second though, why don't you go?"
"And we'll come with you." Roy said.
"I can't ask you to do that," started Elice as she struggled to sit up but was quickly, and gently, pushed back down by her brother.
"You don't have to; we already are." Cassie said firmly.
After a rather heated argument, Marth agreed to go. Once Roy accused Marth of being a terrible brother, the prince was much easier to persuade. They had left Elice's chamber before and were now back in the room the girls' arrived in. Roy called for a servant to go and retrieve the weapons master while another escorted the girls to what looked like a large closet.
It was bigger than their room. Much bigger. The walls were lined with shelves and closet doors. On the shelves, piles of cloth, shoes, and accessories burst forth, threatening to all come down and drown the girls. Even the closets looked ready to explode. In the aisle formed by the walls was a small glass table with cushioned chairs. Hanging from the ceiling was a crystal chandelier with thousands of candles burning brightly.
Angie and Cassie stared with amazement at the spectacle. When the servant left them, with the soft click of the door, Angie jumped and began digging through the shelves.
"This is awesome!" cried Angie, pulling out a lilac tunic. "Look at all the clothes! Do you think this is Elice's closet?"
"Weren't you listening? The servant said it was."
"Huh?"
Cassie rolled her eyes at her very distracted friend. She moved away from the now flying clothes and opened a closet door. It seemed to go on forever. Formal dresses hung on one side in an array of colors and designs. On the opposite side, the total opposite of the dresses, were tunics that looked brand new. 'Of course; Marth's not going to let his baby sister do anything that would have to do with wearing these,' Cassie thought as she rubbed the fabric between her thumb and forefinger. It was still smooth and soft, not worn out one bit. She turned slightly towards the doors, hearing Angie tear open drawers and fling out clothes.
"I think I found what we can wear," called Cassie, taking a pale green, sleeveless tunic off its hanger.
"Did you say something, Cass?" Angie's voice shouted.
Cassie rolled her eyes again and took a turquoise tunic with grey tipped sleeves before going back into the main closet. Angie was buried under piles of clothes, her eyes wide with excitement. Cassie, staying outside of the Island of Clothes, dangled the two tunics in front of Angie. The girl locked her gaze immediately on the new clothes. She stared at the turquoise one.
"I want it."
"Good, because we need them." Cassie threw it at Angie. "Get changed; and put this all back."
It took awhile to drag Angie from the Closet of Wonders, but she was more than happy to gear up.
Along with her turquoise tunic, Angie had a brown belt around her waist. Gauntlets covered her forearms, and a clasp at the hollow of her throat held a grey hood. Under the tunic was a brown garment that crept up her neck and won to her toes. A pair of light boots came up to her knees. Her light brown hair was now loose. A braid framed the right side of her face.
Cassie put on the sleeveless tunic with two golden clasps on her shoulders that held a jade green good and crap, which draped slightly over her shoulders, in place. She had dark green gloves that came up to her elbows, and she had similar boots. Her wavy chocolate brown hair was pulled up into a side ponytail with a few stray hairs about her face.
They were taken outside to the barracks where Roy was sparring Marth in the sparring ring. Despite the cool weather, both young men were shirtless and working up a thin layer of perspiration. Cassie and Angie stared, but were taken inside the barracks.
"What's with all the wished for peeps being hot and muscular now, huh?" Angie asked, her voice sounding more approving than objective.
Cassie's shoulders moved upward, but her shrug froze when her eyes fell on a general, by the looks of him, that was waiting for them. Cassie screamed and almost peed herself.
Standing there, inspecting a blade, with his short cut blue hair and red tunic was none other than Ike. He jumped slightly at her scream and eyed them curiously.
"You must be those girls that…appeared." said Ike, his voice deep but not terrifyingly low.
"Eep." Both girls breathed.
"Hm, yes…" Ike trailed off, now looking at them warily. "Well, Roy informed me of your adventure for the princess-"
"Are you coming with us?" Cassie interrupted, eyes wide as she learned forward.
"Unfortunately, no. While the prince and Roy are away, I'm kind of in charge of Altea." He paused as the girls groaned their disapproval. "Anyways, I have your weapons here. Roy said, well, guessed what weapons would suit you best."
Ike lifted the sword he was holding up in the air, and the sun peeking through the ceiling windows glinted on the metal. He then put the sword in the bejeweled sheath. Ike placed it on the table as the girls watched with enrapt attention that also had an assortment of daggers. He stretched out his hand, gesturing to the blades.
"He told me that you," Ike pointed at Cassie, and she squealed. "Would probably like a nice swinging sword. I threw in the daggers-"
"Thank you," said Cassie quickly, smiling at him.
The general faltered, confused, but not surprised with these girls' behavior. He was used to young woman fawning all over him. It was annoying, but something about their demeanor was different. He sighed and muttered something under his breath before moving to another table.
"And for you, Roy said you'd like something smaller, something-okay," Ike snapped, slamming his palms on the table. "You two are ogling me like I'm a long lost friend. I'm surprised you haven't hugged me yet! As far as I know, you are, like, from another dimension or something, I dunno. So, why are you looking at me like this?"
The girls stared, not knowing how to react or what to say. Unofficially, Ike had become their best friend through playing the video game Super Smash Brothers Brawl. He was "amazingly awesome", quoting Cassie. So, they merely looked at him.
Ike fumed, but brought his hands calmly back to his sides. Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, the general stared back at them.
"Well?" pressed Ike impatiently.
"Uh-"
"Never mind," Ike said with a roll of his eyes. "Anyways, you'll have this crossbow. It's light and more compact than other ones. I threw in some daggers and poison bolts, too."
He then sighed, fingering the weapons with what looked like longing. Cassie stepped forward to the first table and wrapped her fingers around the hilt while her other hand gripped the sheath.
"Come with us," She ordered, meeting his eyes fiercely.
"Hm? Of, I've already told you." Ike retracted his touch, putting his arms behind his back formally. "I'm in charge-"
"Marth doesn't have to come." Angie put in.
"What?" Ike shouted, obviously shocked and offended. "This is for his sister. Marth may not be a warrior, but he is no coward, and he will not abandon his sister in her time of need."
The girls exchanged glances, but didn't have to answer because Roy and Marth came in, followed by a cluster of servants offering towels. Both young men pushed the towels away, hanging onto the ones lounged around their necks. Ike immediately bowed at the waist as the servants left rather disgruntling at the wave of Marth's hand.
"Your Grace," Ike greeted.
"'Hi' to you, too, buddy," Roy said playfully with a grin.
Ike ignored Roy's remark, looking only to Marth. And the girls tried not to stare at the young men. Ike and Marth walked away slightly to talk amongst themselves, leaving the girls with Roy. He smiled at them, sensing their slight awkwardness. The red-head sighed happily, and the girls glanced at him.
"Hello, ladies," Roy said. "My, you two look great. I hope these weapons are-"
"That's not fair," Cassie interrupted, looking into his eyes and his eyes alone. "Go put a shirt on."
"He doesn't have to do that-" Angie muttered in disagreement.
"We'd like to leave by dusk," continued Cassie. "Get your things together."
"You don't want to wait till morning?" Ike questioned, who came forward with Marth.
"We don't have time," Cassie replied.
None of them argued.
Preparations were sped up in and around the castle with servants running into each other around every corner. Bags were dropped, supplies scattered, and flasks broken. It seemed that every servant was pitching in to help their beloved princess in anyway.
Twilight was just approaching as the group was ready to set off. Marth insisted on a few extra men, but Cassie refused.
"Less people to worry about," She told him.
"We'll go faster with just us." agreed Roy.
Displeased, the prince mumbled his okay. So, it was just the four of them. They decided against horses, which Cassie knew she'd regret immediately.
The young men had large satchels on their backs; Marth had a long falchion and Roy had a large two-handed sword, both in their sheaths on their hips. They wore their signature outfits that the girls knew all too well.
"It's like we're playing the game," Angie said to Cassie softly as the young men were making final checks.
"But this is real, Ang."
"I know," She paused, putting her arms around herself. "That's what's scary."
They were silent for awhile. It's strange; they weren't afraid when they were battling Ganondorf or Onox, and they were barely shaken when meeting Bella. But both girls had something those times. Both had special powers in Hyrule and Holodrum, and they were vampires in Forks.
But here, they were powerless.
Cassie's and Angie's thoughts were interrupted by Marth's voice. He and Roy moved back to them now, saying something.
"What?" Angie said vaguely, still holding herself.
"I said," Marth started again, obviously annoyed. "That the healer told me that Elice has f-four days at best-"
He cut himself off, turning and marching away. Roy sighed sharply through his nose, watching Marth storm away.
"Which means we should get going." Roy finished for the prince.
"Of course," Cassie murmured, gazing at the oncoming night. "Let's go."
The group approached Altea's main gate, and they went around the city instead of waltzing through town. Marth insisted on leaving quietly, and the others agreed. The less people that knew of this rather impossible quest, the better.
Four days, that's all they had. Really, they only had three days now. Cassie kept staring at the slow ascending moon nervously. Angie took her arm and gave a reassuring squeeze before releasing her friend. It helped her a bit.
Two guards came forth, and one whispered something in the prince's ear. Marth shook his head gloomily and murmured something back. The men bowed and went to open the gate. In the dancing torchlight, the girls watched the guards pull down on the wheel-mechanism, raising the gate. Slowly and making a lot more noise than the group wished, the gate clunked up.
Darkness awaited them beyond the walled city. As soon as the gate made its final climb upward, Roy strolled through briskly with Marth close behind. Both girls hesitated, but also went through. Marth waved his hand, and the gate came crashed down loudly, causing a sudden gust to buffet them from behind. Their tunics blew about them and the girls' hair whapped their faces violently. Angie and Cassie quickly brushed their hair away. Roy and Marth were already fading into the shadows of the night.
"Good luck…" The girls heard a guard say as they rushed forward to the young men.
Cassie groped blindly for Angie's hand, and when she found it, Cassie held on for dear life. Angie made a noise of protest, but kept hold.
It was so dark that the girls almost ran into Roy and Marth, who had stopped to wait for them.
"Don't you have a lantern or something?" Cassie demanded, her voice more soft than harsh.
"You're the one that wanted to leave at night." scolded Marth coldly.
"Shut up," Angie snapped defensively. "She didn't ask for your opinion. She asked for a lantern."
Since it was rather dark, they could barely see each other. Only the faint outlines of their bodies were seen by the waning moonlight. Cassie was thankful at first; she didn't want the guys to see how terrified she was. But the light would make things easier. And keep her from flinching at every little sound.
"This is a stupid idea," Marth huffed. "I should've gone on my own-"
"And what?" Roy muttered. "Get lost within one step?"
"Enough," Cassie said quietly. "Do you have one or not, Marth?"
Grumbling, the prince dropped his satchel to the ground. He bent his knees and started the search. Cassie slowly let go of her friend's hand, but made sure that Angie stayed close. Roy began to whistle softly when Marth stood back up. He fiddled with a small lantern for a little bit, and then there was light.
It cast a blanket of white around them, leaving a dark void along the edges. Cassie gave an inward sigh, reaching out for the lantern. She wriggled her fingers with impatience, and then Marth, with a roll of his eyes, handed the handle to her.
"Thank you," She whispered, wrapping her fingers securely around the handle. "Let us continue."
"Glad we have permission," Marth growled as he slung his satchel back on.
Roy shook his head, but said nothing. The red-head led the way with Cassie next to him. Angie stood behind them, and Marth brought up the rear. Neither young man had his sword drawn, so the girls kept their weapons in their casings. They hoped that they wouldn't have to use them.
Silently, the group ventured forth with Roy confidently leading them. The forest seemed to bend inward as they got deeper into the wood; it was as if the forest was trying to trap them. Cassie anxiously eyed the branches. Roy, upon seeing this, leaned his head toward her.
"You got nothing to worry about, Cass." He told her reassuringly. "This isn't the Possessed Wood."
"What? That exists?" Cassie exclaimed, jumping closer to him and watching the trees with fear.
"No, no," chuckled Roy. "Harmless trees, that's all they are."
Cassie narrowed her eyes at him, irritated. Roy gave a smile and elbowed her playfully. She only paused, letting Roy continue to walk until she was next to Angie. Once Angie was at her side, Cassie began to walk again. Roy looked over his shoulder at her.
"Oh, loosen up, will you?" He said. "When you're with me, you've got nothing to worry about."
From behind, Marth snorted. Roy looked back sharply, but again, said nothing. He turned back, and a silence took hold once more. That is, until Marth cleared his throat a few times.
"What is it?" Angie snapped, glancing behind at him.
"I have a question." The prince stated softly.
The way his voice sounded made both girls pause briefly. His permanent sneer was erased from his face and replaced with a genuine innocence. Cassie gestured for Marth to approach them, which he did slowly. Once he was standing next to Cassie with Angie on her other side, the girls could see that his face was beet red.
"Marth-?"
"Whitney." He murmured so quietly that both almost missed what he said. "How is she?"
Angie and Cassie exchanged a look, a desperate look. They figured this would come up. Marth and Whitney, a friend of theirs from the real world, had gotten real close two years ago near the end of the visit. But now…
Marth looked at them sincerely, waiting for an answer. When Cassie looked to Angie for support, Angie only widened her eyes and shook her head the slightest. With a huff of frustration, Cassie titled her head towards the awaiting prince.
"Honestly, Marth," She started gently. "I don't think she remembers you." A look of pain flashed across his face, so Cassie quickly went on. "It's like that whole thing never happened to her. I know how awful that sounds, but, you know. It's weird. Only Angie and I can remember you guys being there. Plus, we haven't really talked with Whitney ever since graduation because we went to different high schools. I mean, who knows, she might of some memory of you…"
Cassie trailed off, wishing she didn't say the last part. Because she knew that it wasn't true. No one but herself and Angie recall the time of the Fictionals. She stole a glance at Marth, and she saw that he was expressionless. With a simple nod, Marth stepped back behind the pair.
No other words were said for quite some time.
They walked for about another hour when they came to a clearing. A brook bubbled nearby, and the rustle of animals escaping the light was heard. Roy glanced up at the dark, star-freckled sky. He clicked his tongue before looking back at the group.
"It's almost midnight." He said, and both girls felt suddenly sleepy. "We can camp here till daybreak."
"What?" exclaimed Marth as he stomped forward to poke Roy in the chest. "We've wasted enough time already! My sister's life hangs in the balance, and-!"
"We're doing the best we can!" Roy roared, causing Marth to stumble back a few steps. "You're not the only one that care-no, loves Elice, Marth."
A heavy silence flew into the clearing. The girls exchanged glances before staring at the grassy floor. Marth glared at his best friend, and Roy raised his eyebrows, as if challenging the prince to try something. Finally, Angie spoke up.
"We won't save her by arguing," whispered Angie.
And that seemed to jar the guys out of it. Marth looked away, his face a flurry of emotions. Roy ran a hand over his face, dropping his bag. Cassie knelt down and put the lantern gingerly down on the floor. She sat there, staring blankly into the light.
"We'll rest for three hours." Cassie said, surprising them all. "Marth's right; we don't have much time."
Cassie didn't even realize that she fell asleep until Angie shook her awake in panic. She was screaming at Cassie, but Cassie only caught something about Roy and fire-
And then she felt it, the hot, searing tongues of flame. She was awake and aware, yanking her sword from its sheath.
"No!" Angie cried, shoving her friend's sword back into its sheath. "Water!"
Confused, but listening to Angie, Cassie jumped up to meet a frenzy of activity. The sun was up and blinded her a bit, but what really blinded her was the column of fire that turned out to be Roy. She could see his dark form in the center, but she only caught a glimpse because Angie shoved her towards the brook.
Just as they were about to dip their cupped hands in the cold water, Marth shouted at them to move. The girls jumped away and still felt the heat radiating from Roy as Marth pushed him into the brook. The brook was very shallow, but as soon as Roy touched the water, the flame extinguished.
"What the hell?" All four of them shouted as steam clouded their vision.
When it cleared, the girls and Marth stared at Roy, who was shirtless and smoking in the ankle deep water. Water that was dripping on his skin soon evaporated. Roy himself was radiating heat. He panted, looking among his friends. They could only stare back, incredulous. But, Cassie had an idea of what just happened.
"Manakete." Cassie whispered, mostly to herself.
"No, impossible!" Marth breathed. "Roy, he couldn't be a-"
"Dragon?" Roy finished for them before he covered his face. "My mother, Marth…"
"Ninian, right?" Cassie asked.
"How do you know all this?" demanded the prince while Angie sulked back a ways, more confused than in Hyrule.
"You're a video game back home, remember? I could Google you and have millions of results!" Cassie answered, but she quickly continued upon seeing Marth's and Roy's expressions. "Anyways, your mother, Roy, she was half dragon, right? So, yeah. Roy's a Manakete."
Roy, still sitting in the brook and smoking a little, stared at Cassie through his shaggy red hair in disbelief. She shrugged and bowed her head, mumbling about how everyone back home knew that. Angie, hearing what her friend said, snorted in disagreement. Before Cassie could defend herself, Roy started to stand. They all reached for him, but he was still like a furnace, making the air around him unbearably hot. They all cringed away, standing up, too.
"Here." Marth murmured, throwing a spare tunic at Roy.
They expected the cloth to burst into flames, but it was still a regular old tunic when Roy slipped it on. By now, Angie was picking up the camp. Marth started talking in hushed tones with Roy, so Cassie went over to help Angie.
"Nerd." coughed Angie as her friend looked up towards the sky.
"We've lost too much time…" Cassie said softly, ignoring her friend's remark. "Guys, we gotta get goin'."
"You're telling me!" Marth shouted as he and Roy picked up their satchels. "All this, and remember something about three hours? Yeah-"
"Marth," Roy cut off coldly; Marth was immediately silent. "We've clarified already that we have less time and that arguing doesn't solve it. Let's go."
And so, they set off again with Roy at the head. They stayed in the same formation with Cassie and Angie walking side-by-side behind Roy and Marth behind them. They went noticeably faster, and they finally made it out of the forest silently. The group entered a flat stretch of land around noon, and they didn't stop until almost midnight.
They didn't even set up camp; they sat down for a few minutes. Both girls felt tired, wishing for a nice bed. But the young men were relentless. Soon enough, Cassie collapsed, dehydrated and exhausted. Marth threatened to leave her behind, but neither Roy nor Angie would allow that. Roy poured a whole flask of water down her throat, but she was still weak.
"I'm slowing us down," She muttered. "Just, come back for me later-"
"No," Angie and Roy snapped.
Roy bent down and picked Cassie up easily. He assured that the mythical, but very real, Land of the Gwyllgi was near. Three days. That's all they had to get the tears and back to Altea.
In the back of her mind, Cassie wondered how Roy knew where to go, but she was busy falling in and out of consciousness. She felt warm in Roy's arms and soon found herself sweating. But Cassie soon forgot about that, too.
Angie had to practically job to keep up with Roy to stay by his side, as well as Cassie's side. She was starting to feel rather woozy, but Angie would not let herself fall, too. As awful as it sounded, Angie did not want to become a burden to this quest. She pushed the thoughts of water, rest, and food to the back of her mind, focusing on dabbing her friend's brow with some cloth. Meanwhile, Marth strayed behind, fingering his hilt nervously.
"Almost there," Roy called over his shoulder. "Almost."
They went on at a strenuous pace in the moonlight for about a half hour, making it half past on in the morning on the third day, when Roy suddenly stopped, kneeling down to place Cassie gently on the flat, desolate ground. Angie instantly fell to her friend's side, draping the torn piece of her own tunic (which she knew she'd regret later when explaining it to Elice) that she soaked in the last of her water over Cassie's forehead. Cassie released a soft moan in response.
"We're dangerously close." informed Roy as he cautiously drew his sword and started to pace. "Angie, you stay with Cassie while Marth and I-"
"No," Cassie's voice was dry and husky. "We promised that we'd help."
Roy moved back to Cassie, getting down on one knee. The full moon shone brightly behind Roy, leaving his face in shadow but outlining his broad body. A few steps away, Marth had also drawn his sword, waiting impatiently.
"Cassie, you are in no condition." He quickly continued before Cassie could muster and argument. "I know you promised Elice, and you fulfilled that promise."
"No," Cassie said more firm as she attempted to sit up.
Angie moved to push Cassie back down, but Cassie waved Angie's hands away, but Roy had already turned away.
"Damn it, Roy, I promised her!" Cassie cried, feeling a little funny cursing.
Angie raised her eyebrows in surprise. Her friend rarely cursed. It also made Roy turn sharply. His gaze was fierce, but Cassie, unfazed, met his blue eyes that turned black in the darkness. A flash of fear crossed her dark eyes, though, when she remembered how easily Roy could shift. Well, not so much as remember, but rather figure, guess. Anger was a powerful emotion. So, she remained on the ground, but was sitting up on her own.
"I promised," breathed Cassie.
Roy's jaw became tight, and Marth looked ready to explode with anxiety and impatience. Angie looked between Roy and Cassie, her face frazzled and distraught. Roy slowly approached Cassie.
"I'm sorry." He murmured.
Cassie saw his arm, outlined by the moonlight, move incredibly fast before she saw nothing at all.
Cassie hated being unconscious. And it seemed to be happening a lot to her. She'd come to every now and again, but she mostly just heard things. Cassie heard Angie's worried voice asking no one when Roy and Marth would return. She also heard a distant roar and the cashing of swords against something just as hard.
Then, a sudden rush of heat passed over the girls, breaking Cassie out of the darkness. The sun was rising, but Angie was staring at column of fire that blasted upward. Cassie was able to catch a glimpse of it before it channeled back down.
"Dragon," Angie whispered.
"We gotta help."
Angie yelled, startled by Cassie's consciousness and outburst. She stared at Cassie with rather crazy eyes. Cassie regarded Angie with a slight indifference as she attempted to stand. Unfortunately, Cassie's legs were still wobbly. She nearly fell forward onto Angie, but Angie was now snapped out of her surprised being and so she reached out to catch her friend.
"But Roy said…" Angie muttered as Cassie struggled to stand again.
"Screw that, Ang." Cassie disagreed, finally managing to stand up and, surprisingly, draw her sword. "Can you hear that? They're struggling with that…that thing!"
Cassie threw her arm out towards the noise traveling up to the pair. It was mostly sounds of clanging, shouts, and two roars mixing together in a rather odd, but perfect, harmony. Angie's face went white.
"Cassie-"
"You're scared now? Ang, we've gone up against a wizard of darkness that was also a dragon, a power hungry sorcerer, a crazy, crazy newborn, and giant wolves." Cassie snapped, counting all they've encountered on her fingers. "I think we can handle a friggin' three-headed dog thing."
"Looks like we're gonna find out!" Angie screamed.
With an ear-shattering roar, the Gwyllgi came pouncing directly at the two girls. Marth was riding it, desperately trying to force his sword into the monster's many necks. Cassie managed to pull a paralyzed Angie out of the animals' destructive path just in time. The Gwyllgi trailed past, kicking up clouds of dust as a large shadow passed over.
Then suddenly, Angie snapped out of her second trance. As the Gwyllgi changed course, running wildly in a half circle to turn back towards the girls, Angie shoved a poison bolt into her crossbow, which she took off her back in a fast motion. Cassie watched, mouth agape, Angie hold out her crossbow, one handed, and shoot her bolt straight into the middle head of the Gwyllgi. It reacted right away, screeching and skidding to a stop not two feet from the girls' position.
Marth flew forward, straight into a speechless Cassie. The two crumpled to the dusty ground, limbs entangled while the giant shadow passed over again along with a growl. Marth, shouting obesities at Cassie, removed himself from the tangled mess. Stunned, Cassie remained where she was, barely holding her sword that managed to not stab Marth.
The Gwyllgi wasn't dead. The poison merely incapacitated it for a little bit. The creature was currently snorting and whining into the ground, its paws rubbing at the middle one's muzzle in a desperate attempt to remove the bolt and numbing sensation it caused.
Roy had landed with a whoosh and a thump directly behind the Gwyllgi, holding its back side firmly with one of his clawed-dragon hands.
Both girls were momentarily mesmerized by the dragon's beauty. He was at least five times larger than the Gwyllgi with shimmering scales that sparkled in the rising sunlight. He wasn't just red; Roy's scales were all the reds capable of being created, and even reds that didn't exists. His blue eyes were dazzling sapphires that glinted in the light. His wings unfurled, but then curled back up again with his stressful rage. He lifted his head and issued a growl of impatience.
"Hold it tight," Marth warned as he stepped towards the creature with a sword and a flask.
Roy grunted, and Cassie swore that he rolled a giant, blue eye at Marth's precaution. Angie had now moved next to Cassie, and both watched warily and surprisingly as Marth fearlessly approached the slightly struggling Gwyllgi. With the flask aimed under the middle one's eye and his sword's tip pointing threateningly at its neck, Marth was finally directly in front of the creature. It didn't react much with the poison still seeping through its veins.
And as it lifted its heads, the girls saw a glint of light reflect off the middle head. The tear. It was the tear. Both gasped with a sort of relief as Marth quickly captured the tear in his flask. It filled half of it.
"Is it enough?" Cassie called.
"More than," Marth answered, coming towards them.
As soon as the blue-haired prince was a safe distance away from the Gwyllgi, Roy tightened his grip on the monster before throwing the conscious and snarling beast far towards the horizon. It went incredibly fast and disappeared into the now blinding sunlight, nothing more than a black spec. The girls thought their jaws were going to fall off, but Marth was composed as he beckoned Roy forward.
"Get on; there isn't much time."
Marth didn't have to say another word. He urgently lifted Angie on top of Roy's scaled back. Cassie crawled on behind her friend, looping her arms around Angie's waist. Marth sat behind Cassie, barely holding on to her.
Then, Roy took off, nearly sending Angie backwards with the sudden jerk, which almost sent all of them flying back. Cassie cried out, hugging Angie tighter with her eyes shut. Roy was going fast. Really fast. But Altea was still far away.
Her eyes still closed, Cassie felt her hair become free of the ponytail and whip violently behind her. She giggled when she heard Marth curse as the band whapped into his face, but she had to jerk her head to the side to avoid Angie's free hair that also flew out behind her and right into Cassie's face.
Roy's wings beat furiously, and with each best, his passengers were jostled about. It was awkward enough being a dragon for the first time, and now he had three people on his back.
But that wasn't really on his mind.
The day soon dragged into night. Cassie could see this now because she eventually did open her eyes. The landscape beneath them flew by, becoming a blur of colors. As the moon started to rise, both girls fell asleep with Cassie resting her forehead on Angie's back. Marth, too, fell into sleep's embrace, but Roy kept going.
Finally, just as the sun was creeping up on the forth and final day, Altea Castle's spires appeared. Roy went faster, elongating his body into a streamline. All three, now very much awake, slid forward with Angie now holding on for dear life on one of Roy's horns. Both girls were now screaming as they changed course abruptly, going straight down towards the courtyard.
Shouts of alarm could be head from below, and Cassie was pretty sure that she felt a few arrows whiz by her. Marth yelled something, flashing his drawn falchion in the air. The arrows stopped.
"Oof!"
Angie, Cassie, and Marth all were knocked off when Roy landed. By the time they were back on their feet, a blast of heat radiated like a wave to reveal Roy as a human.
"Come on!" Roy cried, his tunic gone and skin smoking.
Marth took off at a sprint into the castle, closely followed behind by the others. They ran through the halls and up stairs when they reached Elice's door. Roy pushed himself to the front, and he easily kicked the door off its hinges. He was at Elice's side in seconds. She didn't even react to the sound of her door being shattered into a thousand pieces. She was weak.
"R-roy?" She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You're going to be okay, Elice." He whispered before gently kissing her forehead.
"Hot…" She breathed, cringing at his touch.
Roy immediately released her and stepped away, his face unreadable in the dim light. Marth took his friend's spot, tipping the flask into Elice's mouth. She moaned, trying to turn her even paler and gaunter face away from the tears, from her salvation.
"Please, Elice." Marth begged, bringing the flask back. "It's going to help you."
The girls watched anxiously, their own tears gathering at the corners of their eyes. Marth, his voice shaking, urged Elice on till she finally let the Gwyllgi tears slide down her throat.
A few seconds of agonizing silence passed. Then, the room seemed to brighten. Elice sat up slowly, her face peachy and full with a bright smile. The walls themselves sighed with relief, and Marth threw his arms around his healed sister. The girls looked at each other happily, letting the tears spill over onto their cheeks.
"Roy," Elice said, reaching out to him.
At first, he didn't move. Roy looked at himself with a guilty expression, and then slowly met her loving gaze. Marth stood up, moving aside for his friend. Roy glanced at the prince, who nodded. He approached Elice again, and gently, reluctantly, took her hand.
"I like you warm,"
Elice grabbed his face with her free hand and gave him a kiss. Marth cleared his throat rather loudly as the kiss continued. The couple pulled away, both blushing. Elice looked over at the girls with a smile.
"Thank you," Elice told them.
"Of course," Both replied, moving closer to embrace the princess.
"They didn't do anything." Marth snarled.
"Oh, you missed them a lot, didn't you?" said Roy.
Cassie motioned for her and Angie to leave the room, give the others some privacy. Once they were in the corridor, they stared at each other.
"Well, that was the last test. But, why did we have them?" Angie questioned.
"Heck if I know…but I think I'm ready to go home. I kinda miss it."
"And I wonder how long we've been gone…"
Before Cassie could respond, the corridor started to shake. At this point, neither reacted much to the cracking floor and blinding light. They joined hands as the cracking spread faster, heading right towards them.
They fell into the floor.
Hi there!
I want to apologize for my lack of activity. I feel really bad for those you who appreciate my works. I just want to let you know that a lot has been going on. My brother was arrested near the end of July, and I just couldn't do anything for a long time. I finally got around to finishing this story (Yes, I'll post the final part soon) As of right now, he's awaiting another trial in November. I'm trying my hardest to get something written down, and I actually have a few short fanfics of Tron: Legacy and Eragon, because I'm reading that again :3 Again, my apologizes!
Catie