The knight led the group to one of the common stables to drop off Telma's horse. He looked back at the group and said, "We just need to head over to Telma's bar and let her know her horse is safe and sound."" Amra and her friends nodded while Stacy narrowed her eyes.
Stacy scowled at him, "You want us to go to some shitty bar? Are you kidding me? I thought we were going to a castle. " Josie sighed and placed a hand on her hip, "Can you stop bitching for more than five minutes?" Stacy turned her way, a retort on her mouth until Amra interrupted.
"Why don't we just head to the castle and the knight go to the bar, it's not like we can't see where the castle is," Amra said, looking up. She could see the tall spires even at the edge of the city. She doubted it take long to reach it.
"Hmmm….well….I can't think of a reason why not, except that Link wanted me to keep you ladies safe!" The knight exclaimed, to Amra's annoyance.
How useful would you be in a fight if you run away from bugs?
Amra shook her head, "We can take care of ourselves, trust me." The knight thought about it and eventually agreed, waving goodbye as he made his way to the bar. Josie grinned, "Nice job Amra!" Even Stacy was happy, though it mattered little to Amra.
At least now she'll shut the hell up...
Emily looked worried however, "Are you sure that was a smart move? I mean...what if Ghirahim shows up again?" Amra placed a comforting arm around her friend, "Don't worry Em, it's only been a day since we saw last saw him. I doubt we're gonna see him so soon, especially since Link kicked his ass pretty hard." Emily smiled, "That's a good point, you're probably right!" With that, the group started making their way to the castle. Though Amra believed what she said, a small part of her now doubted her choices.
He wouldn't come back so soon….right? Damnit! I hope this doesn't bite me in the ass.
They made a few wrong turns but they eventually made it to the center of the city. A beautiful fountain with the same triangle symbol Amra's seen before was in front of them, small children were playing around it in a game of tag. The center of the city was a giant circle, various shops and restaurants all around them. Stacy pointed to a grand staircase that lead up to a massive wooden door, "That's it over there!" Amra looked over, grinning to see Stacy was right. Behind the door was the castle!
All right, we made it!
Stacy ran ahead, Amra and her friends following close behind. They had almost reached the steps when suddenly Stacy vanished. "Stacy!?" Amra shouted amidst similar shouts from her friends. She heard a horrifying familiar chuckle.
"Over here!"
Amra turned, rage in her eyes when she saw Ghirahim holding a knife to Stacy's neck. She had tears coming down her face and magic over her mouth, sealing it shut. The townspeople noticed him and started screaming, Ghirahim grinning at the sounds. As the townspeople ran the knights surrounded him, one of them shouting, "Halt fiend! Release the lady this instant or else!"
Ghirahim laughed and his knife vanished, Stacy looking relieved. However it didn't last. Ghirahim snapped his finger, a circle of diamonds encompassed them. Once the knights realized they were trapped they started to panic, some even throwing their weapons in their confusion. Amra sneered at them, picking up a stray sword. It was a simple iron sword, heavier than the one she used last time. She used the sword to point at Ghirahim, narrowing her eyes at the demon as she said, "Let go of her now!"
Ghirahim clicked his tongue, "Such hostility! I'm surprised...didn't your mother teach you any manners?" Amra flinched, tightening her hold on the sword. Her eyes held ice daggers as she looked at Ghirahim, "Don't ever mention my mother again!"
Ghirahim gave her a false pout, "But that's why I'm here. I wanted to ask a few questions about her...like for example where is she?" Amra shook her head, her rage boiling. She didn't know why he was asking about her mother, but it pissed her off. "You aren't gonna learn a single thing about her, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" She roared at him. Ghirahim snapped his fingers and his knife reappeared. He placed the blade on Stacy's neck, "Tell me where she is or your friend here will have a beautiful bloody grin streching across her neck!"
Josie came and stood beside Amra, placing a hand on her shoulder and giving her a comforting squeeze. She gave Ghirahim a glare, "Why do you want Amra's mom? What do you want with her?" Amra looked at her friend, surprised she herself didn't question the reason as to why he would want to find her.
"That is between her and I, no one else," He said, digging the knife deeper in Stacy's neck. He smirked, "I'd hurry and tell me what I want to know, patience is not one of my strong suits." A series of clanging surrounded them, Amra looked around and saw cracks forming in the diamonds.
"Let them go!" A familiar voice shouted. Amra looked right, relieved to see Link slashing his way in. Ghirahim glared at him, "You again! Your timing is incredibly annoying!"
Link made his way into the circle, coming to stand on Amra's side. He asked Amra, "Is anyone hurt?" Amra shook her head, "No, everyone's OK." Link sighed in relief and turned his attention back to Ghirahim, "Let her go, now!"
Ghirahim's eyes flashed, going completely black as he said, "You dare to order me around!? You insulate fool!" He threw Stacy to the ground and rushed forward, two swords in each hand. Link faced him head on and their swords clashed. Amra and her friends ran to Stacy, who was trying to get rid of the magic on her mouth.
Josie and Emily helped her while Amra looked back at the battle before her. Both Link and Ghirahim moved so fast they were practically invisible. She brought her sword up and kept her eyes on the flashes of movement before her. Amra heard a tearing noise and looked behind her. Josie had somehow ripped off the magic sealing Stacy's mouth. She was rubbing her lips and frowning at Josie, "That fucking hurt!"
"Is that what you're concerned about now!?" Amra yelled at her, Stacy turning her scowl to Amra. She stood up and pointed at Amra, "You bitch! You were going to let me die, weren't you!?"
"What are you talking about?" Amra asked her, turning her back from the fight. Stacy screamed at her, "What am I TALKING ABOUT!? I'm talking about not telling the freak that had a knife on my throat about your mother you fucking psychopath!" Amra shook her head, "I wasn't going to let him hurt you!"
Suddenly, Amra was pushed onto the ground. The sudden momentum caused her to close her eyes. She opened her eyes, seeing Link gritting his teeth above her. She helped him stand up, seeing several knives sticking out off his back.
He...he covered me from Ghirahim's knifes!
Ghirahim laughed, leaning against the fountain with multiple cuts on his body. He grinned at Link, "Oh how noble of you Hero! Taking the attack instead of finishing me off, you really are just like that sky child!" Amra couldn't stop herself from screeching at him, "You son of a bitch, I'll kill you!"
She tried rushing forward, only to be stopped by Link. He held her back, whispering in her ear, "Don't. He's baiting you, he wants you to attack him."
Amra took a deep breath, trying to distill her anger. She looked back at her friends, Emily was on the ground with tears in her eyes while Josie was trying to get her to stand. Amra lowered her sword and Link loosened his hold on her.
He then glared at Ghirahim, raising his sword in one hand and pushing Amra behind him with the other. Ghirahim pulled his two swords out, his grin turning wicked. Both Link and Ghirahim were at a standstill, waiting for the other to make the first move. Stacy looked between the two men and snapped, "Y-you won't find Amra's mom anywhere, so just leave us alone!"
Amra whirled on her, "What are you doing!?" Stacy ignored her and continued, "She's been gone for years!" Ghirahim chuckled, "I know she's gone mortal, that is why I am trying to find her. Humor me though, why do you seem so certain I will never find her?" Amra tried to stop her, "Don't tell that fucker anything or I swear I'll-" Stacy interrupted her, her words cutting into Amra.
"You'll what!? Kill me like you killed your own mother!?"