(Hey, fun fact, everyone-- for my birthday last week, my parents took me to see Les Miserables. Damn, it was really good, too!
This chapter is short. Actually, so far, it's the shortest chapter. There's a couple short chapters coming up, just so you know-- but I promise you lots and lots of trauma.
Er... drama.
Yes.
Let's begin.
All characters © Nintendo
The Great Illumination © Nintendo Nut1 and me, but mostly her)
The Temptation of Darkness
Chapter Eight: The Fall
The Great Illumination traveled to the worlds of its children, seeing only strife and chaos wherever it went...
Then it knew for sure.
"Ike. Ike, wake up."
A low groan escaped the mercenary's lips, but he refused to open his eyes.
"Ike..."
"Here, let me."
Taking only a split second to aim, Link jammed his foot into Ike's ribs.
"Ow! Okay, okay, I'm up! By the goddess..."
Link chuckled quietly as Ike sat up, muttering crossly as he held a hand to his side, massaging his ribs.
"What time is it...?"
"Dunno," Marth shrugged, his fair skin taking on a golden hue in the light of Ragnell's shimmering blade. "Can't really tell without a sun..."
"It doesn't really matter. We should get going," Link announced, tapping his toes against the shadowy ground. "The sooner we get Pit's light back, the sooner we can get the hell out of here."
"Then let's go," Ike responded, rising to his feet.
The swordsmen began walking once again...
"...hey, how are we going to get out, anyways?"
Ike thought briefly on Marth's sudden question.
"...a way will reveal itself."
From there, they traveled in silence.
The moon really was quite... he had a hard time choosing the right word. Pit felt that beautiful wouldn't quite describe it; there was something about the way it could light up the earth while still leaving everything in darkness that intrigued him...
Pit had fallen asleep in the early afternoon, and only just woke up; the silver light of the moon gently brushed away the final traces of drowsiness from his dull sapphire eyes as it fell upon his pale face, giving the young angel an unearthly sheen.
He felt a cool breeze gently blowing in from the window, stirring his limp locks of hair; it was strangely soothing, considering the chill that had taken over him just a few moments ago. Slowly, the young angel closed his eyes, idly twirling his hand in the blankets on his bed...
A quiet sigh escaped his lips.
All traces of the feeble amber light of that world were long gone as Ike, Link and Marth walked further into the darkness. Only the glow of the holy swords illuminated their path; the golden light shone over the swordsmen, giving a gentle shimmer to their eyes...
But soon, even the sacred shine could not overpower the shadows that surrounded them; darkness descended, a blanket of eternal black...
"...Marth? Link?!" Ike called when he realized that he could neither hear his friends behind him nor see Ragnell in front of him. "You guys still there?!"
"Yeah! Just-- stop walking, we'll run into you!" Link shouted back, his voice sounding so distant...
The mercenary stood still, waiting...
"...wh-- whaaaaa!"
Ike's head spun at the sudden sound of Marth's panicked cry...
"Marth?!"
"Gaaaaah!"
"Link!"
Darkness suddenly coiled around Ike's body, crushing him in its tight grasp; a pained gasp escaped his lips as he suddenly flew upward--
"Let me go!"
The mercenary came to an abrupt halt; the force made him drop his weapon, and icy gusts blew over his body, but Ike refused to be distracted-- this was his chance...
"This is cheap!" he bellowed. "At least give us a chance to defend ourselves!"
Ike could feel the darkness laughing around him.
And why should I let you? it hissed, tightening its hold on the mercenary. I'd have to kill you all... that would do me no good. It is better to just take you...
"If your goal's to use us as your pawns, then you're wasting your time with the other two," Ike snapped, sensing an opportunity. "They'd die instantly-- they're too attached to the light... they wouldn't be able to tolerate your force."
And neither would you, then; you dwell in the light as well... I suppose you leave me no choice but to--
"You think wrong."
Oh?
The mercenary's navy eyes burned with determination.
"Let them go," he began, "and use me as your pawn. I will not perish so easily..."
Silence...
This is a laughable trap you're trying to set up.
Ike froze.
"Wh-wha--"
I applaud you for trying...
A shocked cry escaped Ike's lips as he was suddenly thrown to the ground; pain coursed through his body upon his harsh landing...
But I do think I will grant your silly request and accept your foolish offer.
Ice suddenly flooded through the mercenary's veins, his hands flew to his chest as his scream of agony echoed through the void--
"Link! Link!! Gods damn you, Link, get up!"
Link groaned, shaking his head slowly as he opened his cerulean eyes...
"Finally! Link, listen-- do you hear it?"
"Ngh... hear what, Ma--"
The Hylian's words died on his lips as the faint sound Marth mentioned rang in his ears...
"That... that's Ike! Quick, we need to--"
His thought was interrupted by a blast of fiery magic slamming into his back.
Link cried out in shock as he was suddenly thrown forward; Marth spun around, searching for the attacker--
He didn't have to look far.
Ike stood before the Altean prince and Hylian hero, Ragnell's blade extended...
His normally navy eyes burned crimson.
(End chapter eight.
Well, shit! Things don't look good for our heroes now!
Man, things are getting so good now...
Please review!)
