"Careless words are the most dangerous weapon of all"

-A Sheikah proverb

The Oracle of Earth

By Pata Hikari

Based off Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons by Nintendo and Capcom.

Chapter 14: Reversed situation

They had talked through the night. Hours dedicated to silly, inconsequential things.

Now Diran was asleep, lying on her bed, spread out over the blankets. Seilta was sitting on the chair, having fallen asleep as well. Yet, sleep no longer came to her. It was time for a new day.

"Well… damn it." Seilta muttered, "Stop getting close to her…" She stood up, sighing. "She's our prisoner…" She reminded herself, because they were gaining a tendency to forget.

"Soooo…. What was your childhood like?" Diran asked with a slight smile.

Seilta shrugged, "I didn't have one."

"You were never a child?" Diran raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I was young once. But that youth wasn't a childhood." Seilta sighed, "Childhood is a time when life is simpler, when life seems more pure and easy. I never had such a time." Seilta smiled ruefully, "Oh well, I try to avoid dwelling on the past. What about you?"

Diran smiled, "Well, for most of my life I thought I was normal." She closed her eyes in remembrance, "I was born in the Echoes Gerudo Tribe. My mother then left the tribe shortly after. I was raised by everyone." Her smile faded, "Then, about six or seven months ago I had a dream. My sist- err… Nayru and Farore told me who I am…" She shook her head, "Let's move on…"

There were things about Vira that confused many people. For example, despite the fact that he looks like he's about to be blown away by a passing breeze, he's rather strong. Nothing compared to say, Seilta. (That girl can crush steel with her teeth.) But he wasn't weak.

Another thing was the way he had on sneaking up on people. This one he liked using on a certain girl.

"Hi Lunel…" He whispered into her ear.

"Ack! Don't do that!" Lunel shouted, jumping into the air.

He's also the only person in the whole universe (and several other universes) who Lunel had never considered seducing, a fact he used to every advantage.

"Why should I surprise you, Foreteller?" Vira asked.

"…" Lunel shook her head, "Never mind." She placed her hands on her hips, "What are you doing here anyway?"

"Waiting." Vira shrugged, "There isn't much to do as until it's my turn to meet the Hero."

Lunel grinned, "I can't wait to meet them." She giggled, "They're all so… cute!"

Vira just rolled his eyes, "Anything else?"

"No. Not really." Lunel shrugged, "Well, other then things are really boring right now."

Link watched the sun rise. He smiled as the warm light washed over him. "I wish every day could be just like this…" He said to himself. "Life really should be boring." Link chuckled, having long ago gained an appreciation for boredom. Things are best when quiet. He sighed, leaning down onto the cool grass.

"Unusual view on life." Link opened his eyes, seeing that strange person with silver eyes in the Kokiri outfit looking down at him.

"When you've gone through what I have, you learn that excitement is highly overrated." Link smirked.

"I see…" The person laughed, "How strange." He continued to look at Link, "So… Mr. Hero… how is Saria?"

Link frowned, "What's it to you?"

"I'm interested in her." The guy smirked, "She's… under my protection, you may say." He sighed wistfully, "I assure you that our goals are one and the same."

"Humph." Link narrowed his eyes, "Yeah, whatever."

"Well, I'll be going. A word of advice, though. Solan will be needed." He smirked, vanishing into thin air.

"…" Link shook his head, "What a weirdo." He sighed, leaning back again.

"Guess who?" Two gentle hands covered his eyes.

"A Moblin?" Link smirked.

"Oh, meanie!" Saria giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Good morning." She said quietly, leaning over his shoulder.

"Hey." Link smiled, "Sleep well?"

"Somewhat." Saria stretched out, "It's been interesting here." She rolled around, flopping her head down on Link's lap. "I always have wanted to see the world."

Link chuckled, "You seem playful today." He started running a hand through her hair.

"Maybe." Saria closed her eyes, "You have very nice hands, you know? So soft…" She sighed with pleasure.

"Never really noticed that." Link kept on stroking her hair, running his other hand across her face.

"Mmmm…" Saria was nearly purring.

"Your hair is growing out." Link said, feeling her green hair. "You letting it grow?"

"Hmm?" Saria opened one eye, "No. It's just doing it on its own. Must be part of that weird growing up thing Rauru told me about."

"I know what you mean." Link grinned, "I've actually had to cut my hair to keep it from becoming to long."

"You think I'll have to cut my hair?" Saria thought about it, "Never done that before. Mido did, once before you were born. After I suggested that he'd look better with shorter hair."

"Really?" Link raised an eyebrow, "So, how do you think I'd look better? Longer or shorter?"

Saria thought about it, "Don't know. You decide."

"Ah well." Link smiled, "I prefer it like this." He brushed through Saria's hair.

"Can't argue then." Saria leaned up, giving Link a quick kiss. She held it for a second, before parting. "Everything about you is soft." She giggled, pressing their lips together again.

"Oh, gag." Maple suddenly appeared behind them, standing in front of thee entrance to the chamber. "Get a room you two."

"Eeep." Saria instantly backed away from Link, "Erm, good morning Maple."

"Good morning." Maple yawned, "As good as it is to see a prime example of hormones at work here, I'd rather not see you two make babies." (Saria paled.) "The two bugs and Shady aren't awake yet, though."

"Fine by me." Link stood up, "I'll start making some breakfast…" He paused, glancing at Maple, "Shady?"

Maple blushed slightly, nodding. "Yeah, it's my nickname for him."

"Uh-huh." Link smirked, "The hottie?"

"Exactly… damn it!" Maple glared at Link, "You tell anyone about that and I'll make you drink lava!"

"What do you mean by hottie?" Saria asked.

"It means she finds Shadow very attractive." Link grinned evilly, "I wonder what he'll think of this?"

"No!" Maple grabbed Link's shirt collar, "Don't you dare!"

"Oh, I'll dare." Link chuckled.

"No no!" Maple paled, narrowing her eyes, "Don't even think about it!"

"Don't even think about what?" Shadow walked out of the building.

"Well, you see, Maple here- umph" Maple clamped a hand over Link's mouth.

"Link's being an asshole." Maple said casually, dropping him to the ground. "Nothing new."

"Morning." Shadow waved, "Navi and Kalo are coming up soon, they're just talking about something."

"Well, let's wait for them." Link pulled himself up, "Don't want to have to explain everything twice."

"How do you get out of here?"

"Huh?" Seilta was taken aback by the question.

"I mean…" Diran twiddled her thumbs, "How can you people leave the castle, but I can't?"

Seilta frowned, "Well… it's somewhat hard to explain. We basically slip between gaps in reality… moving instantly through the Void…" She sighed, "And… I won't lie to you. It is possible to take other people with us. If I was able too…" She closed her eyes, sighing sadly.

Diran sighed, "So… you really do want me to be here. If getting out is so simple."

"I'm sorry… I'll find a way to make it up to you." Seilta whispered.

Diran yawned as she woke up. "I… oh right." She sighed, "Well, what to do now?"

She stood up, "I'm not hungry…" She yawned again, "I wonder where Seilta is." She paused for a moment, "Hey! Moblin!" Diran shouted.

"You called, Madam?" The Moblin butler said, appearing behind her.

"Gah!" Diran jumped, "Don't do that!" She screamed.

"Do not do what, Madam?"

"Don't… sneak up on me like that!" Diran sighed, realizing that odds are the Moblin didn't understand what she meant. "Just… tell me where Seilta's room is."

"Ah." The Moblin nodded, "Lady Warbringer's room is downstairs in the east wing. Second hallway, third door to the left."

"Thank you." Diran smiled.

"Rrrah!" Seilta screamed, driving her sword down through an invisible enemy. "Hiiah!" She spun around, cutting another imaginary foe. She stopped, placing her two swords back into their scabbards on her side. "Hhuh… hhuh…" She took a few deep breaths, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"You know, there are better ways of relieving stress." A familiar irritating voice said. Vira and Lunel had entered her room.

"Shut up Lunel." Seilta muttered.

Lunel laughed, "Seilta, dear, you need to stop being so bitter." She leaned in close to Seilta, "You big hypocrite." She said cheerfully.

"W-what?" Seilta glared at Lunel, "What does that mean?"

"Well, Warbringer, we have been noticing that you've been spending lots of time with the Oracle." Vira added.

"So? Should we just have her suffer?" Seilta growled.

"I recall you warning us about getting to close to her." Lunel grinned, "Yet here we have you, acting all chummy with her."

"She makes a good point." Vira said quietly.

"Shut the hell up Decayer!" Seilta growled, "Since when do you side with Lunel?"

"Why, are you so defensive about this?" Lunel smiled sweetly.

"I- I-" Seilta stammered, a faint blush forming, "It's not my fault she asks for my company!"

"So?" Vira shook his head, "You don't have to do everything she asks."

"I…" Seilta growled, "You think I like this? Well I don't!" She screamed, "She's a bother and I wish I didn't have to do it!" She glared at them both, "You satisfied now?"

A quiet gasp was heard. Diran was standing in the doorway. A horrible look on her face, tears covering her cheeks.

"Wow. I didn't see that coming." Lunel said.

Seilta's eyes widened, "D- Diran! Wait, I-"

"I'm a bother?" Diran hissed, "If you hate so much, you shouldn't have kidnapped me!" She screamed.

"Wait, you don't-"

"You lied to me! You said you wouldn't!" Diran shouted, "I thought I could find friends in this hellish place! But it was all a lie!" She spun around, storming away.

"Diran!" Seilta started to run to Diran, but Lunel grabbed her and kept her from catching up. "What are you doing?" She screamed at Lunel.

"I can't let you go to her right now." Lunel hissed.

Seilta stared hopelessly as Diran left her sight. She instantly went limp, collapsing to the floor.

"Good, you listened to reason." Lunel said condescendingly.

Seilta narrowed her eyes, "You bitch!" She screamed, drawing her left sword. She spun around, slashing at Lunel. Lunel jumped back quickly, but the sword brushed against the mirror hanging around Lunel's neck. A screeching sound was heard as the blade scratched the mirror.

Lunel gasped, stumbling, she clutched her chest as she collapsed. She took a few shuddering breaths, looking up to see Seilta swinging her sword downwards. She rolled to the left, her eyes widening, "What is wrong with you?"

"You knew this would happen!" Seilta spat. She reached for her second blade. But red lights formed around her wrists and ankles. Her arms and legs straightened out, and she was unable to move. "Gah!"

Vira was holding out his hands, they were glowing with an identical red light. "Stop this Warbringer!"

"You goaded me into that; you knew she'd see it!" Seilta growled, struggling against her newly gained bonds.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Lunel stood up, her balance shaky. "I can only see the results of the actions that are in front of me! I can't see things not in front of me without my mirror. Besides, seeing the Oracle's fate is pretty much impossible!" She shook her head, "Though, I could see what would have happened had you just chased after her." She sighed, "Just… give it a few hours."

Vira let the bonds go, Seilta collapsed to the ground.

"Look… I was just teasing you, Seilta." Lunel sighed, "I didn't mean to get you in any trouble… but hey, maybe this is a good thing…" She stopped when she noticed the glare Seilta was giving her.

Navi and Kalo weren't talking to each other. Both of them had come out, and instantly flown to their child's shoulder, neither of them would say what it was about…

-Wonder what they're fighting about?- Akime asked.

"Probably me…" Shadow muttered, sighing.

"OK." Link said, "Now that we're all here," He drew out the Noble Sword, "We can get down to business." The blade was once again faintly flashing.

-It's the one where you fought that Agahnim dude in. Where the Gentle Rain rests. But the path isn't clear anymore. The nearby Gailen Swamp had flooded, the whole area's now under about six feet of swamp water.-

"I know where the next one is…" Shadow said quietly.

"You do?" Maple looked at him in surprise, "Heh, you're good."

"Really?" Link raised an eyebrow, "Should I be surprised?" He shook his head, "OK, where is it?"

"Umm…" Shadow paused, "It's to the northeast, in a field next to a swamp. Though the area might be flooded by now…"

"Good job!" Saria said, smiling broadly, "It's good to see that you're helping."

Shadow blushed, "Th-thanks." He grinned sheepishly. Maple glanced at Shadow, frowning slightly.

"Flooded?" Link frowned, "What makes you think it's flooded?"

Shadow shrugged, "Educated guess based off what I already know."

-It ain't a guess if you took the knowledge from me Shady.- Akime said dryly.

Water was beginning to leak into the chamber. How… perfect.

The Destroyer thrust his fist through a wall, laughing as water rushed in. "Let's make the Hero of Time earn the right to face me."

The creatures he commanded stepped back as their master worked. They couldn't quite understand why he was doing everything he was… but there had to be a good reason.

"And we're walking and walking and walking and walking…" Navi droned on as they marched through the trees.

"Holodrum's filled with forests, isn't it?" Saria asked.

"Yeah." Kalo nodded, "Very rocky too. They import most of their food nowadays, not much good farmland, you see."

"I can feel the spirits of the Forest." Saria said dreamily, "They're not as powerful or as numerous here as they are at home… but they're here." She frowned, "They're crying out, the land is suffering. Plants are dieing before their time… At this rate this whole country will become a lifeless pile of rock within a year. The rest of the world will follow it within ten. Once the earth can't support life it will crumble away, vanishing into nothingness."

Kalo's eyes widened, "They're telling you that?"

"Yes." Saria nodded, "Their words have easier to understand since I got the Scepter of Earth." She frowned, "They're louder today."

"You think they're worried?" Kalo asked.

"Of course they are!" Saria sighed, "I am too… Still, we're doing this… so I think things will turn out fine." She smiled, "I'm fine, and we'll get through this OK."

"…and walking and walking and walking and walking…"

"Sooo…" Maple walked beside Shadow, "What do you think of Saria?"

"Huh?" Shadow looked over at her, "I think she's a good person and a great friend to have."

"Uh-huh." Maple said flatly, "How do you think she looks?"

"Me?" Shadow glanced at Saria, who was chatting with Kalo about something "Well, I'd say she's very pretty."

"Pretty…" Maple nodded, "OK, what about me?"

"You?" Shadow blinked, "What about you?"

"How do you think I look?" Maple asked, narrowing your eyes.

"Oh..." Shadow smiled, "I think you look nice."

"Nice?"

Shadow nodded, "Yeah."

"So Saria's pretty while I'm just nice?" Maple growled, "Oh, I see how it is…" She stomped ahead of him.

"Huh?" Shadow stared, "What did I do!" He shouted.

"…and walking and walking and walking and walking…."

"Navi," Link said, gritting his teeth, "Please shut up."

Navi glanced at Link, "Ok, chuckles, how do you suggest I pass the time?"

'Something not annoying?" Link said flatly.

"Hey, come on. I'm just keeping us in step!" Navi smirked, "I seem to remember you liking it a while ago." She grinned, "Remember the games we used to play?"

Link's face turned red, "Please don't bring those up."

"Remember that time you decided to try and milk Malon's cows?" Navi asked, grinning evilly.

"Gah!" Link blushed, "You promised you'd never speak of that again!"

Navi stuck her tongue out, "I don't remember that…"

There was a knock on their door.

"What is it now?" Syrup muttered, pulling open the entrance. There was a boy standing at the door.

"Excuse me… Miss Relom. But the Magistrate wishes your families company." The message boy handed her a note before leaving as quickly as possible.

"Uh-huh." Syrup looked down at the note, "I wonder what they want now?" She turned around, "Wafla! Miken! We have business to deal with!" She didn't get a response, "Probably off attached at the hip." She smirked, knowing that Maple rarely let her parents spend quality time together. She paused, "Oh well, it's probably nothing." She shrugged, calling up a little note saying where she was going, and left.

The room was filled with the simple sound of laughter. Diran leaned against Seilta's shoulder. Her eyes almost glowing with mirth.

"By the gods… you really did that" Diran asked.

Seilta blushed, "Yes…"

"But why? I mean, surely you would have realized that Lunel telling you to go into a bar, filled with drunks, wearing nothing but your underwear, was bad?"

"Well… we were drunk." Seilta grinned sheepishly. "Safe to say we didn't touch alcohol for a long time after that." This caused Diran to laugh again.

"Oh dear…" Diran snorted, "How do you put up with her?"

Seilta shook her head, "Lunel may get on my nerves some… most of the time. But she's still like a sister to me… it's the same with the other three." She smiled broadly, "I can't ask for better friends."

Diran's expression fell, "What… about me?" She shook her head, "I mean, you're keeping me here… will I ever get out?"

Seilta's eyes widened, "Of course! You won't stay here forever; I thought you were told that!"

"Just making sure…" Diran muttered, "But after that… you guys have been a big help." She smiled brightly, "You especially, Seilta. Can you guys visit me… after you're done with this?"

Seilta froze… "I- I- I don't know…" She winced as she saw Diran frown, "I'll… try. I'll try and see you after this. It's the best I can do."

Diran smiled, "Thank you, Seilta."

Lies. All of it lies. Diran thought. I should have known… why would they care about me? She growled, "Damn them to hell!" She screamed, her eyes glowing red. Black fire forming in her hands. "Damn them!" The flames spread around her, slamming into the walls. Destroy! Her mind ran with the powers of Shadow and Death.

The black fire burned at the walls, trying to tear them into nothing. Diran screamed and screamed as she poured the dark, destructive powers of Din… of herself… into the walls. She ordered them in her mind to shatter, to let her free.

Nothing. The walls weren't even toasted after the fires faded. She fell to her knees, sobbing.

Heavy footsteps were heard. "Is… something wrong?" It was Onox… the one who had taken her here.

"Why did you take me here?" Diran asked, her voice broken by her screams and sobs.

"To protect you." Onox answered.

Diran turned to face Onox, "How can I believe you?"

Onox paused, "I swear by my life and honor. I am here to protect you." He got down to his knees. "My dear Diran."

Diran stood up, "Then throw out those "Heralds'." She snared.

Onox looked up, "You mean the five who have been especially useful?" He frowned, "They are-"

"They are liars!" Diran screamed, "They promised me friendship and love and only gave me distain and hate! They… they hurt me."

Onox shot up, "What? My dear Diran, I shall cast them out of this castle! They won't haunt these halls anymore!"

Diran nodded, "Thank you… after you do that…" She gave him a faint smile, "Let's go to your room and talk."