Nine: Hidden Threat
(The Following Day/ DAY SIX)
After Groose and I had rested up, we decided to head out again.
The forest was foggy today, heavy with mist.
"Tomorrow makes a week. Can you believe it? We've been stuck out here for nearly a week! This fog isn't making it any better." Groose griped.
"It's too early to be complaining." I snarled.
If our situation wasn't bad enough, the sun wasn't going to make an appearance today. The sky darkened as if to confirm out suspicions.
"Let's go." I said.
"Where? We're lost!"
"Please stop Groose. We don't have time to argue. We can kill each other later."
As we walked, I noticed a peculiar set up of some flowers; it looked like someone had done it on purpose. The flowers gave me a sense of calm and I bent down to observe them.
"What are you doing you idiot? Don't you know those flowers emit fumes that can knock you out? They're great for beddy-bye but now is not the time!" Groose growled, pulling me to my feet.
I began to laugh,"Are you sure? Wow I didn't know you paid attention in class!"
He smirked,"I don't. How do you think I have so much spare time to piss you off? I get my boys to steal Karane's notes. That bitch writes like a damn Instructor. It doesn't help that Strich has chicken shit handwriting."
"Don't you mean chicken scratch, bonehead?"
"Whatever! Let's go!" Groose barked, yanking impatiently at our chain.
Today we had to do everything in our power to get back home. I wondered if the others had made it back yet.
I hope Groose and I aren't last.
We walked faster than our usual pace, both of us felt that something was amiss...
"Here's the plan: I say we walk all night. We can't afford to lose any time. I doubt the other teams are any better off than us."
"Groose that overconfidence is going to get us killed. Don't waste your energy on gabbing. Hurry up." I said, walking faster to make a point.
"But Link, there's something else I wanted to mention. Who were you talking to last night?"
I was dumbfounded, I thought he was asleep! If he knows I'm friends with a demon, it's all over for me.
The thought was enough to send my heart hammering.
I came up with a quick lie,"It's always been a nervous habit of mine. I've always been this way."
Groose gave me a once-over, hand at his chin and nodded.
"Yeah but I heard a another voice. Sounded like a bigger wimp than you." he countered.
"I'm really good at making weird voices," I lowered my voice "You will address me as Instructor Owlan. I am not your friend."
Groose guffawed,"Okay, now that's talent. You gotta use it sometime."
We stopped to gather berries and replenish our strength for the long road ahead.
The night came on pretty quick. Only a few more hours till dawn.
"The Goddess of Time is not in our favor." Groose groaned.
Neither were the heavens. The thunder in the distance was the preamble to our hell.
"Do you think it's going to start raining? I hope not." I said.
We continued to slink through the shadows; I was beginning to miss the warm feel of the sun.
Then Groose tripped an fell into a rose bush.
"Watch where you're going you oaf." I sniggered.
He hissed in pain,"Fuck. Whose bright idea was it to plant a rose bush here?"
"That's it!" I exclaimed "The rose bushes could lead us back. Someone must have been around to take care of them and keep them trim."
Groose got up, he had cuts all over,"Makes sense."
"You better clean yourself up or we'll have some unwanted company. Let's follow the rose-"
"There is only one rose bush..."
"Well at least it can point in the right direction." I quipped.
The thunder continued to crack above and our mood began to plummet with the weather. It was so dark, the only thing I had for reference was Groose's bright red hair.
"If we had those matches we wouldn't be in this mess." said Groose with a frown.
"Bargaining will get nothing done. The forest is not our friend." I replied.
Suddenly the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and an unforgiving wind blew past Groose and I.
"Do you feel it? Like someone is watching us?" I asked, trying to not let my paranoia seep through.
Groose looked right at me and nodded gravely. Even in the darkness I could tell her was scared.
Groose began blabbing,"I hate this damn place. It's driving me crazy. I hope the younger kids don't have to go through this when it's time for their Transformation."
"Same. You would think they wouldn't want us stressed before the Transformation. Oh well. Maybe one day we'll be the ones giving out these tests."
"You really think so? We'll be old geezers by the time we get our power. I don't really see us getting old... I wouldn't make the kids do these insane trials. What do they prove? That we're just physically fit?"
Groose has a point. I didn't think he was anything like this. In a way, he doesn't want others to suffer like we did. Also since when did he have the courage to think for himself. Maybe I'm changing him, I thought smiling.
" I don't see us getting back to the village." I moaned glumly.
"Shut up! Don't you think I know that? Get your head out of your ass and smell the fresh air! Even if we don't make it back in first place, we can still have the satisfaction of surviving. Who cares if we bomb this last test? Even if this mission is going nowhere, we're going to pull through."
It's times like these when I think Groose would make a great leader...
Without warning, we heard wolves howling, making Groose and I jump. However these howls were distorted somehow...
In my heart I knew those were the howls of Wolfos.
"Wolfos." was all I could muster.
Groose and I began to pick up our pace. I wanted nothing more than to wake from this nightmare.
"H-how do you know?" Groose asked, his voice starting to waver.
"Trust me on this one."
"Have you seen one?"
I responded,"Yes."
"How?! You know Wolfos don't normally roam in these woods..."
I debated whether I should tell Groose the truth, in the end I decided it would be a bad move, Maybe he already has me all figured out...
"I just do. It's instinct!" I shouted.
Groose managed a weak smirk,"If you can't keep up with me, you'll be mincemeat for the Wolfos. I'm not going to get eaten because of you."
I snorted,"If anything you're the one that's going to be left behind."
A thought came to my head that kept me reeling, What if my super speed activates? It happened the last time I was chased...
"Link why don't we just climb up some trees? They can't get us up there."
"No. We'll be stuck up there all night. Besides Wolfos have been known to be able to materialize out of thin air, although I didn't see it during my encounter. Besides there are probably other miscreants that lurk there." I countered.
"Like what? There aren't supposed to be monsters here... It should be safe!"
"Keese, Guays, and a lot of other little bastards could be up there. Plus if we fall, we're dead."
We continued our journey, knowing all the while that we were in imminent danger. The barking of the Wolfos grew closer, until I swore I could feel one breathing down my back.
"Maybe if we ignore them, they'll go away." Groose suggested in a low voice.
I shook my head,"They aren't the same as people or normal animals. On three we run like hell."
"But they're faster than-" he objected.
I put my finger to his lips,"Put that thought out of your head. Give no indication you're scared, they can smell that-"
Groose interjected,"Do you really think we have a chance of winning?"
"Yes. Now shut up. On three."
I started,"One."
"Two."
"Three."
It felt like the death knell had been sounded for us. For a moment we were transfixed.
Groose then roared,"RUN!"
Our dream of subtlety had been dashed. gnawing at our heels. boost up.
He pulled me forward with a force I didn't know he had, and I yelped at the abruptness. My legs finally responded and we were sprinting for our lives.
The Wolfos that had been hiding in the thicket sprung out and reciprocated our gusto.
They yipped, and I swore I could feel the beasts gnawing at our heels.
I glanced over at Groose, tears were streaming down his face. We were lost and death became a very real possibility.
One Wolfos managed to snag a piece of Groose's clothing. Alarmed by this, Groose grabbed our chain with two hands and swung me with all his force.
When I was airborne, I kicked the Wolfos's snout.
"Never do that again!" I warned briskly.
Lighting flashed, making my vision go white for a second. The thunder clap was so loud, it made my teeth rattle.
As if things couldn't get worse, I recognized a distinct scent in the air.
I remember as a kid Eagus had taught us about wildfires. He told that they were extremely volatile, and if we ever had the misfortune of witnessing one, the chances of survival were low. A workshop he did exposed us to fire and I remember him telling us,"If you smell fire run. Just make sure you're running in the right direction."
"Fire!" I screamed.
In an instant it became apparent that the hellish flames were engulfing every inch of the forest.
Groose and I were growing weary; both of us were sleep-deprived and starving, definitely not in our best shape. Our lives were on the line.
Groose paused suddenly.
"Groose what the fuck?! KEEP MOVING!" I shrieked, tears making my vision blurry.
He wheezed,"So... tired."
His breath came out so shallow, I thought he was dying. I didn't care. I used what little strength I had left to hit him upside the head.
"Dipshit you're not going to be deadweight. Run or die." I growled.
I tugged Groose up and cleared his mind of our sorry state.
We broke into a run again. I was becoming delirious at this point, Will we ever get out of here? Am I going to meet my end in this wretched place?
My last thought tempted fate as we came to a flat rock wall. There was nowhere to go and we were surrounded instantly.
"I don't want to die!" Groose cried.
I looked around for anything remotely resembling a weapon.
Groose picked up a stray sword and handed it to me,"You should use it."
I wasn't able to ask him why but, his rash decision was a good one. A Wolfos lunged at us and I cut into it's shoulder. The monster bellowed in pain and ran away.
"Oh shit you stabbed it! Did you see how that coward ran?!" Groose exclaimed.
There were at least two others. Groose gave one a good punch to the snout.
"I got an idea!" I hollered.
I told him that we could use the chain that bound us to our advantage. We could trip the Wolfos and the rest of my plan would fall into place. Groose agreed and said it was worth a shot. If it failed, I would just outright slay the beast.
Groose began mocking the Wolfos, sticking his tongue out and blathering nonsense. The giant charged and both of us swiftly moved out of harm's way. The Wolfos hit the rock face hard and passed out.
Groose and I used the Wolfos body as a boost up to help us start climbing.
"I can't believe that worked. That was a pretty good idea Stink." said Groose.
I grinned,"Thanks."
Already slick with sweat, climbing was a bit of a chore. I feared that at any given moment the foundation beneath us would break and we would tumble to our doom. Neither Groose nor I could lag because the chain would only become a greater nuisance.
Groose got to the top first and held out his hand to me. I accepted and he pulled me up. Our hands were raw, red, and bleeding a little.
"We better hurry. We don't want to be around when it wakes up. It will probably call it's friends." I murmured.
"Monsters have friends?"
I shrugged.
Even with everything that had happened, I felt a lightness in my gut; the end was near.
Groose and I burst out if some bushes and within a few more strides, we came face to face with the village.
We starting whoopind and jumping for joy. Groose got on the ground and started kissing the earth.
"We really are hopeless." I whispered.
Finally a blessed rain fell upon us, which probably dowsed the raging fire behind.
Grit, blood, and sweat melted off of me, making me smile like and idiot.
"We're alive! Thank the goddesses!" Groose yelled.
"The people you have to thank is yourselves! You passed!" a large voice boomed.
I turned to my right and saw...
"Eagus!" I cried.
He cackled,"That's right boys," he paused and suddenly became somber "You both passed, but you two were the only ones who made it back."
"You're joking!" I screamed.
Eagus shook his head sadly,"It's the truth."
Groose snarled,"Shut up! You're bluffing. We come back and first thing you do is dump this shit on us? Is this some sick joke?"
Eagus laughed," It is! I guess the forest has sharpened your senses. You two came in second place!"
He kept laughing until I was sure his belt would burst and his chest would split open.
"Who came first?" asked Groose.
Eagus wiped a tear and said,"You can come out now, Fledge, Cawlin."
Some bushes rustled and the duo stepped forward.
"S-sorry Link we didn't mean to trick you. Instructor Eagus pressured us into it..." muttered Fledge.
I glanced at Cawlin who looked absolutely livid. He had mud matted in his hair, all over his face, and on his chest. Eagus was looking too and stifled his laughter.
A hideous frown was set on Cawlin's face. He then hissed,"Wondering why I'm covered in mud? This jackass," he motioned to Fledge "got scared and dragged me through the mud. Complete and utter disregard for my well-being and my rights as a human. Imprison him at once."
Ignoring Cawlin's ruler rant Eagus said,"Okay you boys are in the clear. We'll just wait till some other groups show up. You can sit down or take a nap on those wet cots."
Both Groose and I decided to unwind on the soft, wet earth. I grabbed a clump of mud and smeared it on Groose's hair.
At first, Groose gave me the evil eye. I thought he was going to punch my head backwards. Then they two of us were chuckling. Relief was spreading among us, but I still worried about the fate of the others.
Answering my prayers, Karane and Zelda came from underbrush to the left. Strich and Pipit were flanking them. The girls didn't look much different, just a little tired and with a few scrapes and cuts, nothing serious.
Last to arrive were Strich and Pipit looking like total shit. Both were dirty, had bags under their eyes, and were probably famished. Strich wasn't as bad as Pipit.
Pipit looked like a war victim; he was in a sorry state. He had two black eyes (I don't think he could see a thing) and his hair was lightly singed.
"Pipit what happened to you? Were you playing with fire again?" I asked. (A/N: By fire I mean the girls and the actual fire XD!)
"Aww you got here before me? Lame. Fuck you dude. Glad you're alive though. Well my hair is a little burnt because I was getting a little comfy in my hammock when the fire started... My black eyes? I'm sure the girls can-" Pipit was babbling a slew of nonsense.
Eagus snickered,"I took a picture with my pictograph. The girls gave him a beating!"
Zelda and Karane giggled like demons.
Sometimes girls can be terrifying, I thought.
Eagus beamed,"Well since everyone's here, you should congratulate yourselves for surviving! Tomorrow we will go over what happened this past week. Questions and comments will be taken at a later time. We meet at the plaza. Two days rest then it's Transformation time. Alright, you guys can go now!"
All of us ran to our homes cheering; we had done so well to make it this far. Someone suggested having a celebration, but everyone was ready to knock out. When I got home I slipped into my bed, not caring that I was filthy. Finally our time of awakening was near. Even being so excited, I still fell asleep.
Afterword: Words cannot express how sorry I am. I didn't put a note at the beginning because that would be mean. I'm bad when it comes to updates. I considered putting this on hiatus, but I refused to give in! Since my writing mojo has been rejuvenated, I've taken up my pencil again. For those of you still reading I'm glad you've been so patient (even with my horrid updates). I know have some idea of where this story is going so hooray! I've noticed that at the end if most chapters, Link falls asleep... Comments and constructive criticism are welcome. I really wanted to make the next chapter the Transformation but an idea threw a wrench in my plans. I think Link and his buddies deserved a banquet or at least spa treatment after their excursion. They didn't get shit and sat in the mud XD! Anyway, try guessing what the next chapter will be about (even thought Eagus announced most of it). Been nice seeing you. Bye bye :D!