Oh my lord I'm on a roll and school started only today! (This is a clear sign I will disappear for two months before the next update I'm a terribly unorganized writer stuck finishing my final year of high school.) Anyway, I've noticed that some reviews have pointed out that Rusl seems too angry for the Rusl within the game, which I didn't notice until the reviews pointed it out, so thank you! But, given he was attacked by monsters and (while not recognising* him of course) attacked Link while in beast form, I thought it would be understandable that Rusl would be much more cautious than prior to the Twilight invading Hyrule etc. etc.

BUT.

Yes, there is a but.

This chapter will clear up any misunderstandings or... misinterpretations that I might have caused and I'm sorry! Now, please enjoy and I apologise if I disappear for another two months or more! Enjoy :)

~EmmyTheTurtle

* I am Australian so this spelling is no typo pls forgive me American readers ;-;

Scroll Ten

Gentle Heart

Something is wrong.

He – he did something to me.

Link – help me – I –

Her vision turned blurry for a few moments before growing clear. But it wasn't sight she knew as a human. Her vision seemed dark, yet she could see everything around her. She heard Link's words, but they sounded hazy, unfamiliar. As if the common tongue no longer meant anything to her. She didn't see Link as she once saw him; he was a familiar scent, a creature that walked on two legs and held a shining blade in his hands. The Hylian's hands were gentle on her back as he cooed her, whispering gentle words to her. Somehow, she wished she could understand what his soft voice was saying. She felt the presence of another beside him, but she couldn't pinpoint where the unfamiliar being might be.

This unfamiliar presence must have been hidden. That was all she could think of.

She recognised a word he said, and it made her feel… acknowledged, perhaps: Nyx.

Perhaps it was… a name?

Yes, that is what it had to be.

Nyx.

That was her name.

"Link… look at her." Midna's voice was soft. "She's gone. Whatever Zant did to her, the effect is permanent."

Link watched Nyx's body shake and grow still. Her gold eyes were cold, contemplative. The same calculating gaze a wild beast would give its prey. Midna was right; Nyx didn't seem to be… there, anymore. She had simply faded away into the depths of her own mind. "How… how can we get her out of here, Midna? Nyx isn't going to listen to reason anymore; not while she's like this."

Nyx lifted her head at the sound of her own name and slowly nuzzled his palm. He stroked the back of her head and Nyx let out a deep sigh. Link took it as gratitude. "Do you think she'll follow us if we leave?"

Link stood, gesturing to the south exit of Castle Town, "We can take her to Kakariko."

"Rusl would kill her, Link," Midna protested. "He's far too dangerous right now. He didn't trust Link, and he believes that a female black beast tried to kill his wife and unborn child. Do you truly think he'll willingly let the same black beast stay in Kakariko while his son is there? Do you really?"

"I do."

"What makes you say that?"

"He's just angry, Midna. I can prove she's no threat. I mean, look at her now." Midna followed his gaze to Nyx, who watched them with clouded eyes. "She'll recognise them like she recognises us… in that strange way we don't understand."

Midna sighed and shook her head. "This is a terrible idea, but… but it might just work if he doesn't raise his sword. She's not Nyx anymore, Link. She's a beast. And she'll act like one; dangerous and protective. That what beasts do."

It was nearing midday when they arrived at Kakariko. She looked up at the sun with stinging eyes, murky memories reappearing in her mind when she caught the scent of small Hylian children. A girl with kind green eyes, singing a song through the grass shaped like a horseshoe, a boy who reeked of fear and hesitation. But there was a kindness she sensed in all of them through their scents. She would not hurt the children. Somehow, she understood that they were important the man she travelled with. There was an anxiousness she didn't understand, as though a greater threat might linger over them until they arrived. He now had a powerful blade strapped to his back. The power seeping through its sheath sent her hackles up.

His words to the invisible being she didn't understand were small. Quiet. Even if she could understand him, she knew it was because of this anxiousness. Somehow, her thoughts whispered, thoughts she didn't quite understand herself. I must keep myself at ease. Calm. I must not hurt these children.

As they strode through the gates, the Hylian man leapt down from his chestnut steed and led them towards the small, dry town. As they entered the village, she heard the delighted cries of the children. Their words were cheerful, joyous. The feeling was contagious. Their tiny footsteps grew to a screeching halt as their eyes fell on her. Almost as soon as she saw their faces, she understood their fear. She was no Hylian like them; she was a beast. Beasts attacked their families. Stole them away from their families and left them for dead. Of course they would be afraid of her.

With a soft voice the Hylian man in the strange green hat began to speak. His words, while unfamiliar to her, were reassuring. She recognised the tone of his voice. He had used the same tone on her the moment she woke. Their shaking slowly began to cease. Whatever he was saying, he was calming them. The young green-eyed girl slowly edged herself forwards, slowly extending her hand. Fear… fear makes them hesitate… With a slow movement, she lifted her head until the girl's shaking hand brush over her soft black fur. The girl gasped and her hand snapped back, her voice echoing with surprise. The Hylian man laughed and guided her hand down back to Nyx's head.

She a nervous chuckle, the girl crouched down and scratched underneath her chin. With what might have been seen as a grin, she rolled over to her back and the children began to scratch her belly and tickle the sensitive areas under her paws. They were laughing, their contagious laughter filling the air. But it was quickly brought to an abrupt halt as an enraged Hylian man made his way towards her and the children.

"Link."

Rusl's voice was dark and furious. Nyx quickly spun and, somehow sensing his anger, dashed behind Link for safety. Rusl stormed over, yanking back Colin behind him. "What is that beast doing here?"

"Rusl, let me–"

He inhaled deeply, cutting Link off. At first, Link thought Rusl might snap again before he shook his head, sighing, and lowering his hand from his sword. "Fine, Link. I'll hear you."

"She's the same beast you've seen patrolling the village for the last few days. But–" Link held up his hand as Rusl began to interject "–she's not dangerous. I promise. Please let me show you, Rusl."

Rusl edged his way towards Nyx and glanced at Link with suspicious eyes before kneeling on his knee. He extended his hand out towards Nyx, who glanced at Link with strangely cautious eyes. She edged herself forwards, sniffing at Rusl's hand before lifting her nose into his palm. Rusl's eyes grew wide before Nyx snuggled up beside him and whined softly. With a shocked hand, Rusl ran his hand over her fur and stroked her fur. Within moments, Rusl sat on the dusty floor with Nyx prompt lightly in his lap.

"I…" Rusl's voice was gentle; it reminded Link of better days. "I have misjudged this species. Perhaps it was simply my own misjudgment or my own anger that blinded me from seeing what gentle creatures they are. How did you tame her?"

Link shrugged. "She approached me, I suppose."

Rusl smiled and frowned at the sight of the marks that branded Nyx's skin. "She was injured, it seems; these are horrible scars…"

Tiny tufts of fur were missing along the lines of Nyx's fur where her marks glowed blue in Link's eyes. There was a strange beauty to the marks that lined the left side of her body. There was a strange beauty to Nyx overall. He imagined her pale skin, the way those marks lined her arms and ribs like a tattoo and glowed in the dark night. He felt privileged to be able to see her marks for what they truly were, rather than pale scars across her body, like Rusl and Ilia did. Later that night, when Nyx slept on a mat Renado had made in the short time of their arrival, Rusl approached Link and sat beside him.

"I'm sorry, Link. For all the grief I've caused these past few days. But there is one thing I'd like to ask you before you depart tomorrow morning."

Link lifted his head from the fire. "What is it, Rusl?"

"Where is Nyx?"

Link had been asked this same question several times now. His excuses were running thin. But he simply shook his head. "She decided to travel back to Snowpeak, to see if there could be any survivors… she wants to heal her village."

"I can only imagine the pain that girl suffered," Rusl murmured.

"She's gone through things none of us could understand."

Barely audible, Midna whispered, "No one but you, Hero of Time."

Link looked back to the black beast, who slept soundly on the thin mat across from the fire. He wondered what she dreamed of, whether her memories were there, whether or not anything that made Nyx… Nyx, was hidden away inside of that body she both loved and despised. He wondered, before settling into his bed, if she could recognise him at all.

She dreamed of a world filled with white,
A boy whose eyes shined with a great light.
She wondered through her dreams, a dull desire within her.
She wondered through her heart, where memories began to whither.

And there we have it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll write you next time! ... And yes, my poetry skills are much lower than my usual writing... sorry...

Have a good morning/day/afternoon/night people :D

~EmmyTheTurtle