Refresher:
Sky is I.
Shadow is II.
Time is III.
Twilight is IV.
Wind is V.
…I think I may have needed that more than you guys do…
And I just hit one hundred pages for this story in the app that I use! Yeah! No one else? Just me? …I'll just go celebrate in the corner then…
To SkyPirate0614: Ah yes, Twilight's fatherly instincts are kicking in there…perhaps he considers Time to be a goat…wait, what? I didn't say anything…
I've been reading too many humor fanfictions…I really have got to stop and become serious again…(completely ignores the line of text above)
Chapter Twelve
Twilight
IV.
The barrier of Twilight flickers a husky black, orange Twili patterns snaking its way up it, disappearing high into the heavens. Time and Wind stand beside me, Time visibly shaking. For a moment, I consider grabbing ahold of his ear again, but it's already red enough as it is.
"Okay, we're going to have to wait…" I say. "I hope it's infested with shadow beasts, that's the only way we get in…"
"What?" Time's expression quickly turns to alarm. "We have to wait for beasts to appear?"
"And not fight them," I say firmly. Time's jaws snap closed and I spot Wind from the corner of my eye stifling a laugh. "They're going to grab one of us, but don't be alarmed when—"
Suddenly a smooth, black clawed arm reaches out from the barrier. Time and Wind instinctively draw their swords, but I let it come to me.
"Twilight!" Time shouts, but I still don't move.
It locks around my body cruelly and I'm hurtled through the barrier. I can feel the shadow beast's claws gripping my throat, suffocating me. Only, I am changing. Being forced into wolf form. As my neck thickens, the beast lets go of me. It lunges for me again, but this time I dodge out of the way, swiftly lunging forwards.
I then notice the other shadow beast. It seems fixated on the barrier, and as I watch, it thrusts an arm…leg? Limb? One of the three, through the barrier and cries out as it gets something. Within the next second Wind is pulled forcefully through, the boy tumbling head over heels.
I quickly dispatch the beast restraining the Hero of Wind, the other beast now becoming interested in the barrier. Wind looks at me, excitement shining in his eyes. But then his Triforce begins to glow.
Don't fight it! I tell him, knowing how painful it was when the Triforce of Courage tried to fight against the forces of the Twilight.
Wind grimaces and lets out a feeble whimper, falling onto the ground where he writhes. A great yell makes me glance up quickly from where the boy had fallen. Time is thrust into the Twilight, where he lands with a loud thumb on the ground. He shakes his head, and the Triforce on his hand starts glowing.
Now that they're both through, I turn my attention back to the shadow beasts. Swiftly I latch onto both, ripping into their necks with my pearly white teeth. They quickly fade into shadow, and I turn back to Wind and Time, both of whom are twitching on the ground.
Wind is the first one to convulse. He lets out a scream of agony, and suddenly replacing Wind—
—a smaller, amber wolf. Wind, now in his Twilight form, falls to the ground, unconscious.
Time then raises his head in the air, his open eyes staring at the sky far above. He also lets out a scream, identical to Wind's, and falls to the ground, just as he turns into…
…the wolf I howled with so long ago.
…my mentor.
The past few days I've almost forgotten Time is my mentor who taught me precious hidden moves, such as the Great Spin Attack, the last hidden skill I was ever taught. I never thought I'd set my eyes upon the wolf again. Only, Time's Twilight form doesn't have a missing eye.
I think—for a fleeting moment—about telling Time about his teachings. I quickly dismiss the idea, thinking it'll interrupt the timeline. I nudge the two closer together and tilt my head. They almost look like family, with Time maybe as the father…
I let out a bark, seeing as I can't smile as both of them stir. When they get up, they quickly look at themselves in alarm.
Surprising? I ask them, and both stare back at me with wide eyes.
I mean, I wouldn't exactly call this enjoyable… Time says, narrowing his eyes. You could have at least given us a little bit more of a warning!
Nah, you've been through plenty of situations where you have no idea what was going to happen, right?
Yes, such as if Mido was going to pull down my pants or if he was going to put eggs in my lunch. Usually it was one or the other.
Once you guys are done talking, Wind says, the youngest of the three. Why don't we investigate? Find out what's causing the Twilight?
Time and I quickly agree, and we set off on a trodden path, towards the village. Time and Wind quickly adapt to their new bodies, but Wind keeps falling behind due to his shorter legs.
So…who's this Mido person? I'd certainly like to meet him…
No, Twilight, you don't. He's a bully and just…just no.
A bully? So the great Hero of Time can't stand up to a bully?
Time lets out a soft growl, and Wind huffs.
No! Time shouts back in my head. You don't understand…and that lip…his top lip was just…
I think we'd have fun pulling pranks on you… I say, giving Time an un-wolflike wink. I mean, pulling down your pants would be kind of fun, but Wind would have to get your tunic off first so…
Twilight! Time's voice is dangerously harsh, even in my head. You stop right now or…or…
Wind collapses, seemingly convulsing. I hurry to him, concerned, until I realize he's laughing. If I could, I'd be smiling…
We finally reach the village after Wind and Time have their own argument, somehow ending in the word pineapple (don't ask; I have no idea), the ruins of the battle still prominent.
I let out a small gasp as I see a spirit hovering just outside of one of the houses. Someone's been left behind! I make a quick note to come back to the area once we're done with the Twilight.
We push forwards into the center of the village, small Twilight shards flying upwards around us. The houses look subdued in the orange light, casting strange, twisted shadows on the ground. It's beautiful, in its own way, yet dark and mysterious.
What are we even searching for? I think, hoping the others didn't hear. I give them both a sideways glance, but they don't react, thankfully.
I try to lead the other two as best I can, but doubt rises inside of my throat until I have the strange urge to howl. I stop outside one of the small houses, allowing the others to rest.
I lift my nose to the Twilight far above. I let an elongated howl with specific notes. I don't realize I'm howling the Ballad of Twilight until it stops. I look down upon Wind and Time, who stare at me with wide blue eyes.
"Hero of Twilight."
I whirl around, but Time and Wind haven't moved, still panting. Did they not hear the voice? I peer through the silent streets, but I can't make out anyone. It wasn't a sinister voice, but rather, a wise one I have certainly heard before.
"Hero of Twilight…" the speaker is much closer now. I let my eyes wander over to where Time and Wind sit, still unconcerned.
Suddenly I see him. Except he's older now.
A man in a green tunic, far older than any of the current heroes, emerges from behind one of the houses. I leap to my feet.
Twilight? Time's voice comes. What is it?
N…nothing, really, I respond quickly, sitting back down.
The man nears us, and as he does I see one of his eyes…one of his eyes is scarred and covered in a strange black felt. His blond hair is golden in the Twilight. The Hero of Time…yet older.
"It is strange to see myself, I must admit," Time says, looking at his past self, who doesn't react in the slightest. "But, Hero of Twilight, I have been summoned to guide you…"
I let out a bark of joy and scramble to my paws, Wind and Time rising instinctively.
I can get us there! I tell them, but they don't respond, only stare at me in shock.
"Follow me!" the Hero of Time orders, and I lope after him easily as he turns and sprints faster than I thought he could have. Our group struggles to keep up, especially with Wind's small legs. He races forward, just out of reach, as we scramble after him. Or…I scramble after him, Time and Wind just following me and shouting questions in my head. I ignore them and move quickly through the houses until we reach Ariele's.
I follow the green clothed man until we burst through the interior of the hedge witch's home. The Hero of Time presses a finger to his lips and creeps forward silently. I follow him, flicking my tail to signal that Time and Wind should stay quiet as we enter the living room.
The house is uncannily noiseless, the silence pressing in upon my ears. Of course, until Wind scuffles his paw on the carpet. I whirl around and give him a glare. He shrinks down to the floor in a submissive behavior. Then I realize—we're not a wolf pack! What am I doing? I shake myself and continue to follow the Hero of Time.
He leads me to the fireplace, where he kneels in front of it.
Suddenly, he disappears.
No, he doesn't disappear; he drops down into a hole. A hole? I glance at the other two and nod my head towards it, dropping down into it after the Hero of Time.
I feel the sensation of falling, a stirring in my gut. Then I hit the ground rolling, pain streaking through me for a brief second. I hear thumps behind me, and know the other two have landed.
The Hero of Time is in front of me, grinning at me, his one blue eye sparkling. He beckons me forward, and I follow in a trance-like state, not minding the cobblestone walls of the concealed sewer.
We troop through corridors of stone, the ground beneath my paws rocky and uneven. My eyes are perfectly adjusted to the low light.
Where are we going Twilight? Time asks. How did you find this place?
The spirit of the hero helped me, I shrug my shoulders, knowing full well that he literally did. I just felt like I was being…guided.
"And you were," the Hero of Time calls back. I give him a look, and he responds with a smile. I thought he was wise, too other worldly…but as the Hero of Time gets into his comfort zone, he seems more and more like the Time I know.
Time…just thinking about it makes an awkward feeling stir in my chest. The feeling of a suppressed secret. I shake the thought away and continue to follow the Hero.
He finally stops in a corridor. He steps aside, and I can see past him—
—it's like the throne room in the Twilight Realm.
Only, it's not Midna seated on the throne. It's not Zant…no. Another Twili has her slender legs crossed, a small smile plastered to her face.
"I see the heroes have finally made it…but those lupine forms are certainly not fitting…" she says, her voice smooth and silky. She gets up, her black Twili-patterned robes fluttering with the small movement. She waves her hands, and suddenly I'm back to my Hylian form, kneeling on the ground.
I get up, slowly, unsure of what to do next. Time and Wind are behind me, now also in their usual forms. They stare at the Twili, wide-eyed.
"Hero of Twilight, do you not recognize me?" She asks, her eyes wide with a fake hurt. "Do you not know who I am?"
I shake my head slowly, drawing the Master Sword. She hasn't revealed her intentions yet, but just to be on the safe side…
"I can't believe you!" She shouts, and I raise my sword, waiting for her to speak again. "You insolent fool! You think you can just win over someone's heart then break it the first chance you get? You think you can abandon someone in need?"
I frown. "What…what do you mean? Who are you?"
The Twili glares at me, and suddenly something about her is…familiar.
"I am the result of the emotions of all those you have touched," she hisses between clenched teeth. "I am the grief Midna felt as she abandoned you, I am the sorrow Zelda had when you left her to return to Ordon. I am the hurt Ilia had felt when you left her—seemingly forever. I am the emotions of all the villagers of Ordon as you deserted them, sucking all the life out of the village!"
Her blue eyes are glowing with an intense light now, and I flinch away. I…I thought I had restored peace to Hyrule! Is that not the case? I brush the thoughts away and take up a fighting stance against her, guilt and doubt pricking my mind.
"You may call me…Aspen," the woman says, taking a seat. "I'm not here to fight you, as you may have expected. In fact…" she tilts her head, thinking for a moment. "You can't leave. You've fallen right into my hands…"
I glance around at the corridor we have just left, alarmed. What does she mean? The corridor is suddenly gone, replaced by smooth stone. Time and Wind are frozen in their places, still staring at the woman. There's no way out!
Panic rises inside of me. To be trapped, trapped anywhere, is one of my worst fears. No, not fears. More like…dreaded circumstances. Being trapped in wolf form while the cursed crystal was…
I shudder and have to lean on Time for support, pain blossoming once more in my ankle. Time quickly shifts his position to be able to hold me upright.
The Hero of Time who has lead me here gives me a concerned glance.
"I'll try to be here for as long as I can," he says, his voice echoing in the vast cavern, but no one but me knows he's here. "The wheels of fate are turning, and who am I to miss it?"
Does he have any regard for how we're going to overcome this? Then I realize—he already knows the outcome. I try to find out what it is through his facial expressions, but he remains impassive.
"I wish you luck, old friend…" the Hero of Time whispers. "You'll need it…"
Suddenly I wish I hadn't have followed him. I'm trapped, with a Twili. Granted, I am with Time and Wind, but she gives off a dark aura. One I haven't been prepared to face. The emotions of all the people I've ever interacted with…
"Now, then, where shall we begin?" She spreads her arms and smiles in a jubilant manner.
Great goddesses, help me, I think as we slowly approach Aspen, each step another step towards my fate.
What will happen to Twilight in the next chapter? How will he overcome the emotions of the people he's ever made an impact upon? And...how will the return of an old friend affect his emotional state? Find out in the next chapter!
...now I feel like one of those guys that advertise a lot...and some can be Asian...I am Asian...
