Ah, so much for inspiration!To be perfectly honest I've been sitting on these chapters for years now. I was hoping to build up more of a backlog, to have more of the story complete, before posting it, but it seems that's not going to happen. Still, before, getting reviews helped me shape the story, and now I have my life a little more under control, I might be able to do just that.
Yes, it's been another six months since I updated this fic. Given the 18-month gap the last time, it's an improvement... right? Yeah, I know, okay... Getting out in the real world sucks. Last year I wound up in severe depression after getting a horrible office job and trying to stick it for the money. I finally gave it up and took a few months off, trying my best to find some creativity, but the things I came up with during those months are not for general consumption. A couple of months after the previous chapter was posted, I got another office job, but this one's better - a smaller company, more local, with a good journey in (it would take me nearly two hours to get to my previous office) and a more prominent role in the company. My team is business-critical and I feel like I'm doing something useful here, which is great, although in the last couple of months it's going Dilbert-y just like the last one. Yay. Anyway, I'm now renting my own place close to the office (and also close to town) which gives me some freedom and independence. I'm learning the ways of the world, somewhat painfully - I owe a lot of money now and don't seem to be earning it fast enough!
So, the chapter. Well, I know where it's going from here, and have the next couple of chapters written. This is where the storylines start to intersect and should hopefully clear up a little more, although I make no apologies for one of my trademarked endings ;) Things will really kick off next chapter.
I do need to say a special thank-you to everyone who reviewed. I am so glad people are still willing to follow my story even after so long neglected. I hope I can fall into some kind of schedule now that my life is more stable, but unfortunately I cannot promise anything. I don't want to rush through my backlog of chapters because refining them may inspire me down the line. I would love to hear what people think of the chapter, though!
Enjoy!
Chapter 8
First Steps
(*)
"Hey… Zelda?"
A gentle voice coaxed her back to wakefulness. The brunette woman's eyes flickered open to meet Link's. Smiling, she quickly remembered the task she had adopted the previous night and blushed, apologising.
Link shrugged it off. "Don't worry about it. Thanks for covering for me."
Zelda smiled meekly. She stretched her arms and legs before pushing herself up from the chair. Her eyes caught sight of the early morning light. "A true, new day…" She whispered.
"Sunrise won't be long," Link told her.
Zelda gave him a quizzical look. "You didn't sleep for long, then."
Link shrugged. "I never used to. It must be something I can't change."
"I would love to watch the Sun rise again," Zelda smiled. She took in the room once more. She noted the empty beds. "Where's Midna?"
The door clicked. Link looked up, smiled, and nodded his head as an answer.
The blue-skinned woman nudged the door closed without disturbing the tray she carried. She set it on the uncovered bed.
The smell of food caught the others' attention. Link felt his mouth water for the first time in a very long time, remembering the old pleasure of eating. As a wolf, he had no problem with hunting and eating a fresh kill, but the simple pleasure of cooked food remained unbeatable.
That said, his face fell when he caught sight of the food Midna had obtained from the small shack out front. It didn't look particularly appetizing.
"You think this is bad," Midna said flatly, noting Link's face. She took a slice of what appeared to be toast. "You should see what they call the 'Full Hyrulean' breakfast. It looks like it's been fished out of a barrel of oil!"
Link took a slice himself; it was almost cold and when he knocked it against a plate, it began to fall apart. Very dry.
Assorted pastries littered the plates on the tray, along with fruit jams that Link and Zelda found far too sweet. Midna, still able to remember Twili food, was overwhelmed by the strong flavours, but, she noted, that didn't necessarily mean she enjoyed it.
"Didn't come cheap, either," Midna announced when they had finished. She fished in the pocket of her robe and placed the change on the bed.
Link eyed the gems nervously. "Our money isn't going to last long."
"Part of that went when I ran into our eternal friend Staven at the front desk," Midna said sourly. "He was ready to throw us out as soon as you two woke up until I paid him a little extra. He's still going to get 'The Boys' to kick us out at noon."
Zelda sighed. "I'm not saying greed and money have never driven people, but…"
"…I've never seen it so obvious either," Midna finished. She picked up a blue gem and examined it in the dim light. "People here seem to be a slave to their rupees."
Link grunted, turning his head to the window. "At least there's some good news," he said, brightening. The others turned to follow his gaze, both cracking smiles. Link rose and opened the large window, revealing a small balcony beyond, and the trio stepped out onto it.
Far away, over the horizon, rays of gold exploded into the morning sky. As they watched, the magnificent Sun climbed over the edge of the world, and they felt its warmth rush out into the land. They remained there until the beautiful light had steadied, and the Sun had begun its daily climb into the sky.
Zelda and Link clutched the balcony's handrails, both beaming almost as much as the Sun. "Beautiful," whispered Zelda. Link nodded in response.
The magical moment was broken by the clearing of a Twili throat. Link and Zelda turned to face her.
"Before we all get teary-eyed at the old ball of fire…"
Link rolled his eyes. "Don't act like you don't like watching the sunrise."
Midna sighed, flicking her hands up in defeat.
"Besides," Link added, turning back to it. "It means our friend under the cloak hasn't yet harnessed the Triforce, or there wouldn't be any sunlight today…"
Zelda sighed. "Quite possibly true," she noted. She felt a hand lay on her shoulder and turned to Midna.
"Let's find him," the Twili suggested.
Zelda nodded.
"What do you need?" Link asked.
Zelda turned to him. "Some space, and no interruptions."
"Right," he agreed, returning to the room. He pushed both beds to the very edges of the room, clearing a space on the floor.
"Here," Midna said from behind him, throwing him a small scrap of stiff paper as he turned. He read the front: 'DO NOT DISTURB', as well as a suggestive, scribbled image of a bed. Looking back at Midna, she added, "I've seen them on the doors all over the place. Might as well try the same thing, right?"
Link shrugged and did so, placing the chair behind the door and settling into it. Midna and Zelda knelt in the cleared space on the floor, facing each other. Link very quickly realised something. "Hang on, isn't this going to release light and shadow magic in the same place?" He said nervously.
"Yes," Midna nodded. "I think that's Zelda's plan."
Link shot Zelda a nervous glance.
"Do not be alarmed, Link," Zelda assured him. "We need the merged power of light and shadow to search farther than one power could alone. I practised awakening my powers last night." To demonstrate, she raised her right hand and snapped her fingers. Golden sparks danced around her digits, and seemed to be directed by turns of her head and motions of her fingers.
"We'll try to limit the amount of power we use," Midna said seriously. "I think my magic is steady now."
"What happens if you lose control?" Link inquired nervously.
"It shouldn't happen," Zelda declared. "But if it does, my advice would be to drive your sword between us."
Link gave her an odd look.
Zelda calmly explained, "The Wolf's Fang is a blessed blade, Link. It carries its own enchantments, and its own magic. It should be enough to disrupt our merged magic, and allow us to break it apart."
"I'm still not sure about this," Link said quietly.
"We can handle this, Link," Midna reassured him. "Please… trust us."
Link took a moment to consider, before drawing the Wolf's Fang, resting it against his leg. "I trust you both," he said sincerely. "It's magic I have an issue with trusting."
"Agreed," Midna nodded. "But we can do this." She turned to Zelda and gave the other once-royal a firm nod.
Zelda echoed the nod and bowed her head to the floor. She placed her hands, palms down and cupped, before her knees, lightly touching the floor. Midna copied her before bowing her own head.
"Acetan luris chersher kuro…" Zelda whispered, her voice taking on a familiar, yet haunting, otherworldly ring, and Link felt himself clutching the sword's hilt tighter than ever. Zelda repeated the words three times, her voice becoming rhythmic and more pronounced.
Midna mouthed the words as she listened intently for the correct pronunciation. On Zelda's fourth repetition, she began to cast the same spell with Zelda. Their voices chanted the words, now somehow much stronger; the words were powerfully weighted, and Link felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he felt the air thicken. He knew at once what that meant.
Magic.
Powerful, powerful magic.
In his mind's eye he saw gold and ghostly black shapes circle the pair on the floor. Light and Shadow magic swirled within the room, at first separate, before overlapping… merging… Uniting.
The powerful energy shimmered into being, thickening the air and straining the casters' control. Midna and Zelda gritted their teeth, panting as they repeated the incantation, barely in time with each other. Finally the spell reach a peak.
"CHERSHER!" Zelda declared, pressing her hands flat against the floor; just in time, Midna echoed the gesture, and the powerful magic exploded out of the room.
(*)
HYCOMM (ARYLUS): SIGNAL ||…
SIMPLE MESSAGING SERVICE
01113332525 (08:11AM): Green, its Black, code 1 emergency now!
Me (08:12AM): Black? How TT did u get my no?
01113332525 (08:12AM): Dont ask. This no does not go beyond u n me, k?
Me (08:12AM): Yes. What up?
01113332525 (08:12AM): Major source of powerful magic in Arylus, near u. Get there fast
Me (08:13AM): How do u no?
01113332525 (08:13AM): Morons in military dont encrypt their alert messages. Hacked in rite on time
Me (08:13AM): Impressive
01113332525 (08:14AM): Forget how, jst get there NOW! Mil wll b all over it quick!
Me (08:14AM): Address?
01113332525 (08:14AM): Motel in Turris. Address is coming next
(*)
It was an exhilarating rush, to harness that magnificent power once more. Midna relished the chance to use it. This power had been the key to defeating Ganondorf. It had destroyed Azréalus.
It had killed Link…
'Midna, focus!'
Zelda's voice sounded in her mind, and Midna shoved the thoughts aside. Instead, she devoted her mind and power to the magic rushing through the land.
The united power of light and shadow expanded without limit, reaching out to the very borders of the land like a wave upon the sea, and the wielders rode that wave; it carried their eyes and their hands as they combed the land, searching, feeling for the unmistakable power of the Triforce.
Much time passed, but the signature would not show itself. Both Midna and Zelda focused harder; Midna shared the feel of the Triforce of Power with Zelda as they concentrated, searching as hard as they could through the haze of golden-black magic.
There was an almighty crash.
Both women could not tell where, and the distraction was just enough to crack their concentration.
Like a column of sand collapsing under its own weight, the magic began to unravel. Both sorceresses immediately refocused their powers, but it was too late. The magics began to break apart, and soon it became apparent they would have to do the opposite, force the powers apart safely. With a powerful shot of both magics, the united power shattered, the millions of invisible pieces glistening to their senses as they vanished into the air.
Midna and Zelda collapsed forwards, almost knocking each others' heads as they caught themselves. Panting from exertion, Zelda was the first to look up. Blinking, she looked away, before returning her gaze to the apparent source of the commotion.
"Midna…" Zelda whispered.
The Twili hissed at her failure, but wrenched her head up.
"Oh for Din's sake…" She said flatly.
Unsurprisingly, the sound originated from Link, seemingly from pinning a second man against the wardrobe.
With the room door.
Sure enough, the frame was empty, and the chair Link had sat upon was overturned. Link had the door turned sideways, and appeared to have quite effectively blocked this individual from leaving. A sour look of feral anger was on his face. The newcomer appeared to be fearing for his life.
"You were at it for about an hour, then I heard knocking at the door," Link growled, focusing his strength on holding the door in position, his eyes locked with the man's face. "I get up to look through the hole, next thing I know, I'm on the floor seeing stars, the door's on top of me, and he's on top of the door!"
Midna gave a dry laugh, picturing the pile. "Who the devil is he?" She fired, picking herself up off the ground.
The man was struggling against the door, rattling the weak wood of the wardrobe in the process. He had lightly tanned skin and long black hair, the fringe of which was long enough to shade his eyes. Most interesting were his ears.
"You're Hylian," Zelda noticed.
Link saw she was right; his ears were indeed pointed underneath the long curtains of black hair. The first Hylian they'd all seen in a long time.
"All right, start talking," Midna ordered, appearing beside Link. "Who are you?"
"I- I can't tell you," the man gasped, still struggling against the door.
Midna gave a shark smile, grasped the hinge and twisted the door, pressing the edge into the man's neck. As he coughed and spluttered, Midna casually asked, "How about now?"
"O-okay! Okay!" The man choked. Midna relaxed the door. "L-let me down! I'll explain!"
Midna glanced sideways at Link, catching his eye and nodding. Link sighed and relaxed, allowing the man to retake his feet. He appeared not much older than their current bodies, late twenties at a rough guess, and about as tall as Link. As Link removed the door to replace it on the hinges, it revealed strange clothes reminiscent of the young man they'd met the previous night. A thin grey jacket was open onto a light, purple-coloured shirt, and he wore trousers made of thin grey material. The man collapsed to his knees, gasping for air.
"Care to explain yourself?" Zelda inquired.
The man nodded. "Yes, but we have to leave, now!" He rose and bolted for the door, only to resume his coughing and spluttering; Link's quick hands had seized the collar of his shirt, causing him to jerk backwards and nearly collapse once more.
"Answers first," Link demanded, yanking the man back to him before pushing forwards, settling him on his feet.
The man rounded on Link, his eyes pleading. "You are the magic users, yes?" He said quietly.
"Magic?" Midna said, feigning ignorance.
"For your own safety," the man continued, "follow me out of here!"
"And what if we don't?" Zelda shot at him.
At that moment, the sounds of machinery could be heard through the open window. Curious, Zelda approached it to see a black carriage move sedately into the pitch field, choosing a spot for itself and settling. From within it, two men wearing dark clothes appeared. Their eyes were covered by strips of dark material. Unlike their guest, both were human.
Zelda was suddenly yanked to the floor by a hand, which was just as quickly removed; from the crash of furniture, Midna had just thrown him against the bed.
"You saw them?" Came a weak voice.
Zelda turned to see him picking himself up from the floor, shaking in minor pain. She nodded warily.
The man dusted himself off. "They're here to take you with them. And people they take, don't come back."
Link picked up the Wolf's Fang from the floor, spinning it. "Thanks for the warning. We can handle ourselves."
"Not against them," came the reply. "They're extremely dangerous, trust me!"
"Why should we? You barged into our room uninvited," Zelda shot. "As far as I care, they're just looking for a room!"
"Look," the man pleaded. "They are coming for you because you have magic. They will bring you with them, willing or not." He glanced sideways at Link. "And they'll kill you if you even step in front of them." He looked back at Midna and Zelda. "You have magic, right? Get out of here, a place of your choosing!"
Zelda gave Midna an uncertain look, as though willing to trust this man's words. Midna responded with a face that suggested they had less to lose by trusting him.
"Just go, NOW!"
"Fine," Midna said, as Link walked over to them, sword sheathed and ready to warp. She nodded at Zelda, who reached out and grabbed the man by the back of his shirt. "And you're coming with us!"
"No, wait!" Was the unfinished protest as Midna gave a grunt of effort, hugged the group together and sent them swirling into the void.
Moments later, the two black-suited human men stepped into a room reminiscent of a tornado strike. With a quiet obscenity, they spun about their heels and left.
