Hey guys! Wonderful to be back again. Sorry chapter 8 took its sweet time, but with so much stuff happening in my life, I had to put this story on the back burner for a while. I apologize, but it was necessary. I'll let you guys read on.
Also special thanks to Soul of Hero's for some helpful creative flow tips. I got the inspiration for the dice game mentioned in this chapter because of that.
Also, some of the events in this chapter I used, GREAT liberty in using. Such as the situation with the dice game. I needed a way to bring up certain aspects of Link's life to his fellow resistance fighters, and some of you might think it's a tad childish or too easy to get out of. However, I thought my resolution was the perfect opportunity. It also helps open with what I plan for the next chapter. That's just my reasoning.
Anyway, as always, PLEASE read and review and tell me what you think! Or if you don't want to review just send a note over and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Thanks and happy reading!
Chapter 8: Undaunted
As the increasingly darkening cloud expanded over Snow Peak Providence, a presence breathed deep within the frozen ground, eager to resume it's dark designs.
It clawed desperately toward the surface, sensing the opportunity it had to survive once again - the need to live on persisted no matter how many times a sword went through it, and the idea for revenge was just at the edges of its mind.
Finally it breached the surface, the being's shadowy edges resistant to the persistent cold of the mountains. It looked around with its red yes - no one in sight. Probably due to the heavy storm just over head of the creature's resting place. It felt disappointed - even angry - that nothing was there to inhabit, and the feeling of frustration grew within. It needed something to occupy soon if it's plans were to resume.
Ganondorf might have failed it...
But nothing would stop it's return.
Not even Farore's child.
Not even.
The creature roared its return to the heavens, and the world shivered.
"Well... aren't you going to step in, your majesty?" Sheik politely asked, gesturing with a gentle hand toward the portal. He inclined his head just so, as if ready to take her cloak at the front door of a party. Midna's momentary awe stopped at Sheik's gesture, and she looked at the portal warily as if it would move over and bite her. Cocking her brow in suspicion, she sent a mild glare the Sheikah's way.
"If this is any kind of trick," Midna warned with her royal voice she barely used, "You'll be sure to pay for it. And by pay for it, I mean being ripped to shreds with all the twilight tribe's power. And I warn you it's very painful."
Sheik's act of chivalry vanished as he returned to his normal posture, his red eye looking unimpressed by the Twili's threat, "I am a Sheikah, highness. I bare on me the Eye of Truth. Never shall I lie. As it stands, however, I highly suggest you walk in instead of stand there."
"I'm sure it... won't be anything life threatening," Warren assured, though the advisor didn't seem so convinced of it himself. He batted his eyes nervously - Midna felt the same as he did, but she certainly didn't want to show that out in the open. The portal did not look stable, and light poured out of it destroying the calming gleam of the Twilight Realm. "Just like the light realm" Midna thought, "Nothing can hurt me there... it's just like the light realm."
The Twili Queen's eyes locked onto the portal and she strode over to it as if ready to strike it down with her stare - she bore herself stiffly and then right at the portal's entrance, she shut her eyes entering the white oblivion. She swore she could have heard a faint gasp from Warren's lips before entering, but it was too late to think about turning back now. Either way, she knew it had to be done.
Strange breezes rushed in around her, past her, and even through her as she held her eyes closed. The light almost felt suffocating, enveloping her into some false sense of security that she knew was all but a lie. Horrible memories flashed through her mind - memories of pain and struggle... memories of sorrow and rain soaking her to her bones. Wet fur against her skin, and the lack of wind - the heavy crown upon her head which made her wish she never put it on. the idea of revenge was folly and she had paid for it... Link paid for it too and the only thing left for them was a hollow Princess locked away in her burned castle.
But the memory faded as soon as it hit her, and the feelings of defeat left to the increasing intensity of the light. Midna used her arms to shield her face away from glares and flashes and for the briefest moment, she wondered if she had made the right decision in stepping into the portal.
Suddenly, her body was sent hurtling forward into an awkward stop - almost as if she had been running and saw a cliff up ahead, barely teetering over the edge. The intense light completely vanished, and her eyes were able to bare the burden of sight once more. Lowering her arms, Midna looked to where this portal had taken her:
It was nothing the Queen had ever seen in her entire life - strange waterfalls fell from nowhere and off into oblivion, creating an ambient blue light which cascaded down on the platform she was now standing on. Truly, this felt more surreal than the Twilight Realm in some ways, considering there was nothing else in the... calming abyss other than this platform, and the strange blue falls. Midna looked down and discovered that she was standing on a dais shaped like the Triforce; smaller platforms surrounded the Triforce Symbol - each one was a different color, and they seemed important. Different symbols decorated the tops, some in which Midna had seen before in the Light World... in fact, she remembered seeing all of them in one place - The Desert Prison?
Yes... that was where she had seen them before - each symbol representing a sage of some sort; but these pedestals seemed... older, long forgotten from mortal minds and perhaps even the constant river that was time. The pedestals were worn and cracked - one of them was completely destroyed, save for a few crumbles of blue that remained. The only ones that seemed they were in fit condition was the gold one in front of her and the dais she stood on. Looking at the remnants made her feel uncomfortable, and though she didn't want to admit it, a little bit worried for her own safety.
Just as she was about to question whether or not she did something wrong going through the portal, Sheik landed gracefully with Warren in tow (Warren landing with the upmost care by stumbling and hands flailing about), the Sheikah looking calm as ever. The feeling of normality radiated off of him, and Midna was tempted to stick her nose up in the air to make sure Shiek knew that she was just fine. Why she felt defensive, she couldn't guess. She owed the Sheikah nothing... at least she hoped not.
"I hope you're landing was much better than mine... Highness," Warren said, a touch of embarrassment in his voice.
Midna allowed herself to smile a bit, "I think it was. I think it would have been much better if you landed on your face. But that's my opinion."
"Your sense of humor never ceases to amaze my Queen..."
"Wouldn't have any other way, Warren... now where are we?" The later question was mostly directed toward her Sheikah friend in a more threatening tone than what Midna knew was necessary, but the Twili had no room for being nice at the moment. Sheik remained impassive and emotionless despite the edge in her voice, and instead of some scathing remark, the Sheikah stayed forward with her.
"We are in the last bastions of the Sacred Realm, your highness. It used to be named the Chamber of the Sages - however, those sages are long gone from here. It is now simply a structure for protection to the unfortunate and no more."
Midna's eyes widened a little. "The Sacred Realm?" She thought, "That's impossible... Warren and I would not have been able to come here... it is forbidden to Twili to step foot in that place..."
Warren seemed to read her mind, "How... that can't be right, Sheik. Twili cannot enter the Sacred Realm. If we were truly there, then the Goddesses' servants would be sending us back... and probably not very nicely."
"Ah but you forget young friend," Sheik replied, "The Sacred Realm is no more. You saw evidence of that enough from the Twilight Realm. The Goddesses' servants cannot control it due to it's taint and the separation of the Triforce pieces. Therefore, you two should be fine. In any case, we're not staying here long. This is merely a jump point."
Midna pursed her lips and looked at her advisor in an unimpressed expression, "I'll have to admit that your friend knows a lot, Warren."
"Well, um... he's definitely well learned if that's what you mean..."
"Yes... yes I suppose."
Sheik suddenly moved to the center of the dais that Midna and Warren stood on, moving his hands in odd patterns and furrowing his brow in concentration. Midna watched him in an amused state, finding it slightly comical to see someone so serious making random shapes in the air that didn't look like they did anything. All in all, the Twili felt rather entertained, even if it was something not necessarily funny.
After a few minutes, the ancient platform glowed a golden light, almost the same intensity as the portal before it - Midna shielded her eyes against it, wondering whether or not to be more bothered by the fact she was blinded, or how portal travel was becoming tiresome.
"The way is open," Sheik stated, lowering his hands and shielding his own eyes against the light, " We'll be in the light world soon enough."
Hyrule field had always been something of a wonder for Link - the vast grasslands, the cliffs and chasms, and general beauty were enough to capture the eyes of any artist or person who was generally touched by such a thing. Link would agree that there couldn't be any place more beautiful than the land that Hyrule owned. But as he traveled its great expanse, he realized that it wasn't its beauty that caught his attention, but rather what it brought to him.
There was something special about it; a magic in the air that the Ordonian found invigorating and frightening at the same time. A sense of awe and inspiration perhaps? A feeling of connection as Epona galloped across the landscape? Whatever it was, the feeling had stayed with him as Midna and he moved across it. In fact it felt more prominent now as his allies rode behind him, following him on to whatever danger lied ahead. Link thought he liked this feeling, however unknown it was to him, and pressed on with more intent than he had before. It made the travel easier than he remembered.
But as the Hero knew, the day was only long enough for some thought, and the setting sun brought reminders of rest.
Link and his old resistance friends finally decided to stop traveling for the night, the group staying under an alcove in the northern reaches of Hyrule Field. They all traveled long and hard, and by the time everyone got off of their horses, they were glad to be able to stretch out their legs and try to get rid of the saddle sores that worked into their thighs. Link didn't feel too bad off, but Shad and Auru seemed to be a bit shaky - Auru for his age, and Shad for his hobby of reading and researching rather than traveling. Ashei seemed completely fine, considering she showed no outward signs of weariness.
The Hero patted Epona's snout gently and then let her go to feed somewhere close to the small camp they began to set up. His previous thoughts while riding were all but gone now, his body eager to go rest somewhere. Ashei was starting a fire, whilst Shad and Auru were setting up there sleep rolls for the night. Link never bothered to bring one, and never had one for that matter, preferring the ground. During his adventures he had grown used to soft tufts of grass, along with using Epona as a means of warmth. He also liked the idea of traveling light, and a bedroll just didn't sit well with him.
Link walked over to the fire slowly, certain he looked tired from the days travels; he was actually quite glad that he did not have the first round of watch. Shad and Ashei had volunteered for that, and even though Shad looked more tired than Link imagined himself, the scholar insisted anyway. He claimed that he liked to stay up to catch up on notes he had written down or even more research. By far, Shad's packs were the heaviest due to his many thick volumes of knowledge. The hero felt like it was useless baggage, but he was not a scholar, and certainly didn't care to be. Shad's definite joy in life was to find out things and record them for others to know - something Link was a little worried about when all this was over (he liked to keep his hero life a secret, and frankly it just felt better that way.)
Ashei had been set up for a while now, her mountaineering skills coming into view. Whatever sleeping roll she had, Link couldn't see. Her eyes were set in that familiar frame of seriousness and bluntness, ready for anything. The Hero was grateful that Ashei was a skilled scout, otherwise he wouldn't have felt comfortable sleeping with just Shad watching.
Making it to the fire and past it, Link found a nice patch of grass to settle himself in. Sighing as he laid himself down, he couldn't help but feel the tiring ride though his limbs now. As trail blazed as he was, nothing wore him out more than a long ride - and a long ride it had been at that. His back ached more than anything, and he wished a pair of small hands could get it for him. He suddenly decided against it, however, and just slumped down into a comfortable sleeping position while listening to Ashei and Shad rant about something that probably wasn't even important. Link wondered how Auru could get any sleep with the two around, but just settled on the fact that perhaps the old adventurer was just that: old. And with age came the ability to deal with things easier, or just in a better fashion. As it was, Link found the old man fast asleep already, yet still alert and resilient as ever.
By the time Link actually settled himself enough, Shad and Ashei's comments slowed and he found his consciousness slipping into the world of dreams. It felt odd this time, mostly because he was actually acutely aware of drifting off, and the feeling felt uncomfortable to the young Ordonian. He tried to pry open his eyes so he could try to reposition himself, but his body did not let him go. He felt himself plunge into the darkness...
... And then found himself dying in the western desert. The sands scratching against his skin as the night air took root and harrowed deep into his being - a night that couldn't be colder. There were no wounds to be found, are any scratch of any kind...
No... no he wasn't dying.
But it felt like he was.
She was gone and that cold wind felt more welcoming than anything in the world- because he felt something other than what had happened in that damn prison. The cold didn't make him feel so dead as those shattered bits of glass had.
Zelda stood with him against the wind, avoiding him. He was glad for it; not because he didn't like her, but he just didn't want the company. If anything else, he wanted to be alone - perhaps alone forever if he could bear it. A part of him thought that he might be overacting or taking her leaving too harshly, but the fact remained:
He deeply loved her.
It wasn't the kind of love that he and Ilia had exchanged... it wasn't just a crush he had for the longest time - this love that he felt was much different than the things the adults in Ordon talked about. There was no fluttery feeling, no cloud nine - just a serene calm. A silent pet on the beast's snout. He never felt awkward around her or felt like he had to hide something from her... he trusted her.
He realized he was lucky to have what he had had for that long - he was young and naive in some ways after all this was over... naive in personal affairs and who to trust. What he had grown to see in Midna was something delicate - something special.
Now... it was gone.
"Link...," Zelda hesitantly said, her voice hard to hear due to the wind, "Link I am sorry."
He decided not to respond. Zelda had nothing to apologize for. Midna leaving forever was not her fault. It was circumstance, it was fate...
... It was destiny and those Goddesses that made her leave him.
"Why are you apologizing for something you obviously had no control over?" Link asked, finally lowering himself down on his knees and covering his thinly clothed arms, "She left... she left because she had to, that's all."
The wind gave a powerful gush before Zelda replied, "You cannot hide the fact that you are bitter about her leaving. It is obvious in your actions and demeanor."
"She... she promised me... she promise me she'd stay..." he uttered, his voice sounding completely pathetic, but Link figured he had the right to be now.
"Pardon?" Zelda asked. Link could hear her footfalls in the sand, coming closer to him.
"She promised me... two weeks ago that she'd always be there. She wanted me... she wanted me to have my happy ending... she... she..."
"...She loves you and always will Link... never doubt that. I think what Midna would want you to do is grin and bear it, as you always have."
"Bearing it is harder than it looks..."
"I know."
... Link's eyes were finally able to spring up from his sudden dream - a vivid memory he'd rather had forgotten, but he certainly wasn't in control where dreams ruled. His eyes stayed wide for a moment, reveling in the fact that he was awake. He was afraid to move, unsure of what to do. But eventually, the quiet voices of Shad and Ashei reached his ears.
"Just play the damn game Shad. It'll pass the time, yeah?"
The mountaineer's voice was strangely mischievous, not to mention it had a hint of daring in it. Link's ears perked up a little bit. He decided against sitting up for the time being, and instead decided to eavesdrop.
"Ashei, I could hardly call this a game, if anything at all. More like a... cheap way to learn secrets."
Shad sounded overly embarrassed, possibly very flustered. Link guessed Ashei was trying a cheap trick to have the scholar keep his eyes open for the rest of his watch. Either way, from the way they were acting, the Ordonian guessed that he hadn't been asleep for too long. He could still hear the fire crackling loudly from where he lay.
Ashei's voice picked up again, more mischievous sounding then the last time, "Oh come on Shad. Just let loose a little bit. It's only me after all. And what could I do, yeah?"
The Scholar scoffed, sounding offended or disbelieving, "Ashei, knowing you, you could do a lot of things. Most of those things I know, for a fact, are dangerous and painful. I'm not going to play this game."
"Yes you are, and you're going to have what normal people call fun, yeah?"
"Ashei! For the Goddesses sake-"
"This isn't a duel, Shad. It's a game, yeah? What could I possibly do to you during a game?"
Link sat up slowly now, more than a little curious at Ashei's implications of whatever game she was putting Shad up to. The game sounded interesting, whatever it was, and it appeared to be a nice way to quickly cover up whatever emotions had ambushed him after the dream like memory. He pushed himself up on his feet, and walked toward the campfire.
The scholar looked up, and seemed more than happy to have Link come and save him from Ashe's taunts and jibes at his bravery. The Ordonian gave him an empathetic smile, and sat down next to him, "So... what's Ashei doing to bother you now, friend?"
"Link, I'm glad you decided to join us!" Ashei said in hushed excitement, "You didn't sleep for very long."
Link nodded in agreement, "I figured as much... how long was I asleep for?"
"About three hours I believe," Shad replied, adjusting his round glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose, "I hope you feel rested."
"More or less... what were you guys talking about?" It was an easy lie, not that his friends had to know that.
At the inquiry, Ashei beamed, "We were about to play a game. Right, Shad?" Her look became threatening toward the scholar and Shad tilted slightly away from the mountaineer, his eyes filled with uneasiness.
"Oh... well, yes! Yes we were!"
The hero had to admit, he felt pretty sorry for the guy. It was quite embarrassing when a girl was harassing you. However, Link mentally took it back. If there was ever an expert in why women bossed people around, he was definitely not the expert in that field. Midna, Ilia, and Zelda were enough proof.
"What kind of game is it?" Link asked, getting off his mental ranting and sitting down next to Shad and Ashei. His curiosity was getting the better of him, and he had to admit that any kind of game to pass the time couldn't be so bad.
"Well... it's something of a truth or dare game," Shad replied, his expression ranging from complete panic to utter humiliation, "Ashei says that it's just a game to get to know your friends better, but I like my privacy."
Ashei scoffed, folding her arms in a huff "Oh come on, Shad! Why not have a little fun, yeah? It's just a game!"
Link's eyebrows rose a fraction, "What are the rules to this game, Ashei?"
"Rules are simple," a grin spread on the mountaineer's face, looking all too eager for the opportunity, "I have a dice right here. Six sides, three different colors: red, green, and blue." Ashei pulled out the aforementioned dice and indeed it had three different colors. They were all scribbled on, suggesting Ashei made the dice herself. Link could only guess as to when she came up with the game, but he perked up when the mountain warrior continued, "Each of the three colors represents a category, yeah? Green is dare; whenever you roll a green, the person to the right of you has to give you a challenge to complete. Blue means knowledge; whenever you roll a blue, someone to the left of you has to ask you a challenging question. Kind of like trivia. If you get the question wrong, you have to roll again. Red is reveal all; nobody likes rolling a red" Ashei's face scrunched up, her obvious distaste for the color evident in her eyes, "Red means the person to the right of you has to ask you a deep relationship question. Like really personal stuff, yeah? Course, it rarely happens - there's only one side of the dice that's colored red. So if you roll that, I'd say you're luck isn't so good, yeah?"
"That is an... interesting game, Ashei." Link couldn't hide his expression enough. It was a mixture between amused and closed off. This talk of blurting out secrets to one another was making him side with Shad on this one. There were some things too personal in which you didn't share with friends.
Ashei's grin grew expectant, "So how about it, yeah? It's just something to pass the time before Link can take the watch for us."
Looking at Shad, Link found himself hard pressed to accept such a dangerous invitation. The scholar's mouth was downturned in a nervous frown and was constantly taking off his glasses to clean them. The hero didn't need further evidence of what Shad wanted to do - he actually wanted to do the same. It was just a game after all and nobody would blame him if he wanted to back down from it.
It was... it was just a game after all.
Just a game.
"Come on, Link and Shad," Ashei said, looking disapointed, "You guys telling me you aren't man enough to play a little game?"
Link scowled into the fire...
After pushing back the Twilight from Hyrule Castle Town, the city was once again a font of activity - people hustling to and fro and not a care in the world other than their destination. Numerous cats roamed the streets and dogs barked along the side of the walkways sitting with the unfortunate beggars. Bards sung, bakers set out their new loafs of bread, stands were filled with merchandise. and to make the town complete, Hyrule Castle stood proud, however damaged, against the noon day. It's spires struck the sky in a way that captivated the young hero, wondering if the shield that surrounded the castle would ever go away. His eyes returned to the town, and his thoughts turned away from that of evil magic.
"I've... I've never seen anything like it...," Link awed, his blue eyes wide with wonder and delight. He still couldn't believe how massive the town was compared to his little village of Ordon. Rusl was right about this... if only Colin and the other children could see it too...
"Quit gawking wolf," Midna's ever petulant voice rang out, it's strange mystic chime ringing in his ears, "We need to resupply after that... incident."
Link rolled his eyes, "Yes, I know Midna. You'll have to forgive me if I can't remember the streets too well."
"Well, you were here before."
Link scowled, "Of course Midna. Just because I was here once in a traumatized panic as a wolf definitely means I know where I'm going now. Oh... don't forget I had someone dying on my back, and anybody who saw us was completely horrified at the site of a monster complete with another monster running through Hyrule Castle Town's supposedly safe streets."
"Would you keep your voice down!" Midna protested, "Nobody wants to see someone rant to thin air! I get it!"
"Glad you do," Link huffed, folding his arms. Now that the annoying Imp had her life returned, he found it hard to believe that the poor creature suffering on his back used to be the same Midna that had enough bravado to threaten things three times her size. Link decided that he preferred her that way. He had thought that her previous huffs of breath would have been her last - thankfully Zelda managed to save her... even though he wasn't sure what exactly that cost was.
He looked up again toward the towers of Hyrule Castle once more, the strange shield pressing around it like a great diamond. Whatever that shield was, it was protecting an empty castle - full of collapsed stone, dust, and burnt memories. Perhaps if Link had been able to ask, he would have asked the Princess what exactly was going on. Then again, maybe she hadn't known at all.
"Hey! Wonder boy! Come on it's time to -"
"Going somewhere, lad?"
It took Link a moment to realize that someone who wasn't a shadow was trying to talk to him. He turned to his right, and to his surprise, found the most oddly dressed person he had ever seen in this town to date. The man had a mischievous grin, his eyebrows cocked in a way that made Link want to take on whatever this man threw at him. A green puffy shirt and tight dark green pants covered him, many belts and random tinctures tied from wherever looked convenient adorned his body like a medicine man. A distinct pointed hood covered his head - the cowl almost reminded him of his own hat in ways, but there was still little resemblance. And to Link's greatest annoyance to date, the man made it clear that he was taller than him.
Link coughed, trying to cover up any evidence that he was talking to Midna, "Uh... I um... yes, I was just... debating where with myself."
"With yourself eh? That's what I do all the time good sir, all the time!" His voice was very loud, but in no ways horrible to listen to. His strange smile was only increasing, however, "Sometimes it's better to say what you think out loud don't you think?"
"Well, yes, I suppose... anyway I really should be - "
"That's just the stuff we're looking for here good sir! Just the stuff for my little establishment right over there."
The tall man pointed toward a towering tent in a corner plaza close by. Link had wondered why he hadn't noticed something that out of place to notice it before. The tent was adorned with bright colors of paint, directed with zig zags and popping shapes. Many people were crowded around it, curious as to what was inside. Link noticed that a lot of young ladies were staring at the tall man and him expectantly.
"Just the stuff... you're looking for?" Link questioned, furrowing his brow in confusion.
The tall man nodded, "Yes, yes! Just the man I'm looking for... the perfect candidate..."
"Um... for what?"
Suddenly, the man looked flabbergasted - almost as if he was shot by an arrow - at Link's inquiring, "For what good sir? For what?" At this he stopped down to Link's eye level, a twinkling in his eye, "Why for only one thing good lad..."
"And... what would that be-"
"The S.T.A.R. game!" he exclaimed, jumping up with amazing vigor, "What of anything else other than the S.T.A.R game! Where you too can become a star!"
The hero felt mildly shocked at the tall man's enthusiasm, "Sorry sir... um... I'm not exactly in a position to be playing games right now-"
"On the contrary! Why wouldn't you have time?"
"I... I have stuff to do-"
"That stuff can't make you happy... look at how sad your face looks! You need something to lift you up, up, and out of that mood!"
Link heard Midna giggle off to the side of him, "Oh don't mind him," she whispered sarcastically in his ear, "The scowl is natural."
"I dare you to say that again Midna," Link whispered back, aforementioned scowl deepening, "Really I do..."
"So whaddya say good sir? How about a round?"
The hero looked back toward the tall man, trying to muster up a somewhat pleasant expression, "Sorry... I... I just don't have the time -"
"What's the matter good sir? Not man enough to try?"
The crowd around the tent burst into a tirade of laughter, men bending over and women modestly putting a hand to their mouths to stop their giggling. Whatever expression Link had conjured up to portray politeness was instantly removed and replaced by an aggravated wolf - for a moment Link thought he actually growled. The smile on increased on the other man's face, and the Ordonian wanted nothing more than to show this side show attraction what he could really do.
"Come on Link, there's nothing for us here -"
Link grit his teeth in an eager grin, "Fine. I'll play you're star game. But you're going to regret it later."
The tall man's face brightened, sending his face into a euphoria of fake enthusiasm, "Folks, we have a player!"
"Link... by what in Din's name are you doing? We have a mission here!" Midna's voice said, her tones making it obvious she was angry.
The hero snorted, "I'm going to show this Milk Goat how a man plays this stupid S.T.A.R. game, that's what."
Whatever reply Midna would have given couldn't really compare to the exasperated sigh she let through the air as he stomped over to the vibrant tent.
... Link let go of the memory quickly, a familiar scowl coming onto his features.
"You're saying I'm not man enough to play a simple dice game?" Link questioned Ashei, the sudden scowl being replaced by a confident smirk. Ashei seemed very pleased by Link's sudden interest to play. Shad looked horrified.
"Come on now Shad, there really isn't anything to lose," Link reasoned, his gaze shifting over to Shad expectantly."
The scholar frowned, "Other than our dignity?"
"Oh shut up, Shad and get closer so you can play," The mountaineer sneered all too eagerly. The Scholar gulped, and reluctantly stepped closer.
"You caused me to do this you know," Shad said to Link, grimacing at what was to come by the luck of the dice, "Women always playing the trump card, am I right?"
Link smiled, "Maybe it is, maybe it isn't... but I'll be cursed by the Goddesses themselves if I'm going to be afraid of a simple dice game."
"Well, Shad, I never thought I'd see the day where you would strip down to your underwear and gallop around the camp. I'm surprised Auru didn't wake up." Ashei said through fits of laughter and snorts, "I thought for sure he would after that third whoop, yeah?"
The scholar looked completely livid as he tightened his belt, "Well, just so you know Ashei, it wasn't my choice. It was all your idea - I should have known better than to take that dare..."
Link was hunched over with a hand covering his face in embarrassment, trying not to laugh at Shad's misfortune. Since the game started he had rolled six straight greens. Six. Ashei couldn't get enough. The hero thought the Mountaineer couldn't come up with anything worse than purposefully sticking your hand in an ant pile... but Ashei had enough tenacity to break boundaries not broken before. This last turn proved that.
So far, he found himself to be holding up well to the dice. Every time he had rolled he had gotten blue until just barely. His last turn had been a dare issued by Shad; It was to stick an twig up Auru's nose unawares.
He had to admit, it was more enjoyable than he'd thought it would be. Auru didn't even notice - the traveling probably worn him out more than Link thought.
Ashei had her own moments of utter humiliation; Link managed to dare to do the Ordon tree swing. In other words, you had to the climb the highest tree closest to you and hang upside-down from a branch, making the most ridiculous faces possible to anything that came your way. She put up quite the show - Link was still chuckling. Even Shad had enough gall to laugh at her. However, Ashei didn't put up well with that.
Now that Shad's turn was over, it was Link's turn to roll the dice once again. Whatever he rolled, It was Ashei's turn to request. He hoped it would roll another blue.
"Alright Mr. Hero," Ashei said, glaring at him playfully, "Let's see what I get to do to you next!"
"Good luck, old boy," Shad said grimacing and handing him the dice, "You'll need it with her as you know."
Link nodded, "Oh believe me... I know."
"Hurry up and roll the dice, stick boy." Ashei said, grinning.
The hero took the dice from Shad's hand and began to toss it around in his palm. The other two resistance fighters looked eagerly at his hand, waiting for the moment he would toss it on their makeshift table ( a stump standing in the middle of their circle). After deciding he had done enough jostling around, Link let the dice drop down onto the stump. It popped a few times, rolled on it's side, and finally stopped moving. Everyone looked down to see what Link had rolled.
To Link's dismay, the blaring color of red showed it's ugly face for his friends to see. Shad actually gasped and muttered some apology to Link for sending him bad luck. Ashei seemed too satisfied with the results.
He stared down at it as if the Goddesses were going to strike it down with lightning any second, but no such miracle came.
"Oh this is not your lucky night, Link... yeah?" Ashei stated, obviously pleased with the chanced roll. The twinkle in her eye already suggested what kind of question she had been saving for this occasion. It subtly reminded the Ordonian of that cheating tall man from the S.T.A.R. game - of course, Ashei wasn't that man... but that didn't mean she couldn't be cruel in some ways.
Link was liking the idea of mountains less and less.
"Let me see, let me see...," Ashei mused, as if she were pondering what kind of question to ask him. Link wasn't sure what kind of question she would ask, but it looked like she had been dying for him to get this roll... Shad too, "What should I ask you..."
Suddenly, a fake spark spread across her face in an epiphany, "Oh I know! Now... forgive me if this is a little brash, but I'm not known for my manners, yeah?"
"I... am so sorry old boy," Shad muttered.
Ashei's grin almost seemed feral, "Alright Link, here's my question - have you ever had sex?"
"Ashei! How could you be so blunt?" Shad all but yelled.
The mountaineer continued to grin like a high peak's cat, "Oh shut up, Shad... yeah? I can be as blunt as I want to be in this game, and so can you. There aren't any rules to that. Now come on Link, answer the question!"
In all honesty, the Ordonian had not been expecting a question of that nature - now he was thinking of how foolish this game idea had been. To play a game where you might have to leak out your deepest secrets? Perhaps he had been a little bit too over his head... he quickly became nervous and his previous willingness to play this dice game dropped significantly. If he didn't answer soon enough, Shad and Ashei were going to make random assumptions. He wasn't willing to go through topics such as that for the rest of the trip.
And what if he answered too soon? Ashei would immediately call him out on it, probably making this awkward situation worse.
"It's just a damn question," Midna's voice said in his head, as if t were his moral guide, "who says you have to specify? All she's asking is if you've done it before... you can leave them in the dark. Leave them wondering - just like I did to you on so many occasions. Who said you didn't learn anything from me, hm?"
The voice made sense; Midna always spoke sense after all. Her logic was always worth following. Link always took too long to think about things anyway.
"Come on Link, answer the question! Have you, or have you not had sex, yeah?"
Shad still looked offended on Link's behalf, "Ashei, what kind of question is that to ask to a... a seventeen year old? People don't just go around wanting something like that... unlike you!"
"Shut up, Shad. I've asked the question and I'm not taking it back, yeah?"
With the mountaineer's exclimation, Link suddenly stood up and folding his arms. He set his face into a deep and contemplative glower. His eyes pierced into Ashei's, and the mountaineer quieted down without a fuss. The Ordonain's features soon lightened, and then his mouth curved up into a knowing smile. He hoped he looked amused as Ashei once did.
With the most calming voice he could speak with, he was sure that he was going to surprise them both.
"Yes."
With that, Link took the stunned silence as a motion for him to begin his watch.
"Nobody should know...," Link thought as he walked away, "Nobody should know..."
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