A few days passed, gloriously and mercifully boring. Zelda and I continued to act like the love-sick couple we both somewhat grudgingly acknowledged we were, Shade actually left his room for longer than five minutes, revealing that Midna was indeed still in the house, and I made a very pointed effort to avoid my twin and his incessant inuendoes about how he had spent the last few days. I was more than happy to remain entirely and permanently oblivious to his and Midna's actions.
Within those few days, Sheik and Hunter left for Hyrule Castle, the latter saying he'd be back in a few days and that we should let him know if anything came up. I assured him that we were all adults and that we were capable of taking care of ourselves. I couldn't help but notice that he didn't look very convinced or comforted.
Eventually, the day of the thing at school rolled around, and everyone who had my number was texting me to ask if I was really going to the thing. Apparently, it was of vital importance that I was there. Teenagers were really weird sometimes. I figured it was only polite to say that yes, I was going. Anyone that followed up with asking if I was dating Zelda got ignored though.
Somehow, I managed to find out that the event was going from two in the afternoon to about six, so Zelda and I decided to wait a little before going and getting swamped by people. So instead we sat around and played some video games. Of course, just playing was no fun, so we made a rule that whoever won got to kiss the looser. It was good fun, until I learned how good Zelda was at fighting games. I lost so many games that Zelda was running out of teasing places to kiss on my face and had to resort to my hands. Of course, admitting defeat would have been wussing out, so I stuck with it, getting progressively worse as time went on. Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore, especially when she really started to take her time with it. I made the executive decision that the game was over and tackled Zelda to the floor, kissing her as she laughed hysterically.
Eventually, three o'clock rolled around and we decided to make our way over to our now former school.
"Odd to think that just a few months ago we were coming here every day," I remarked as we walked up to the school's doors. The parking lot was full of the cars of former and current students, forcing us to park a little way away.
Zelda nodded in agreement. "I didn't go here that long, but I know what you mean. It already feels like so long since we were here last," she said as we pushed the front doors of the school open. The hallway was unsurprisingly deserted. "Party's in the gym, right?" I nodded, pulling out my phone to make sure.
"Yep, the gym and the field behind it. I'm surprised we can't hear everyone already. Party's been going for a while."
"On the contrary," a voice suddenly said from behind us as the doors slammed shut and locked. "now that you two are here, we can finally get the party started for real." I spun around, dropping into a crouch and reaching for the multi-dimensional pocket I had taken to carrying everywhere.
A rather bored looking 20-something sat on top of one of the trophy cases on the other side of the hall, one leg swinging back and forth leisurely. He was decked out in bleached skinny jeans that looked a bit too tight on his super thin legs be comfortable and a loose white muscle shirt that didn't really fit his lanky, extremely lean frame. Straight white hair fell down around his pointed ears.
"Seriously, Moroth went to all the trouble of convincing Master Ruin to let him put this on for you. The least you could do is show up on time. Granted, he was a bit winy about it all, I mean seriously dude, it's just an arm. Stick another one on or something. I've got no idea what his anatomy is like to be honest. But anyways, very rude you two, being late. I know he's pissed about it, so be sure to apologize to him."
Zelda looked just as confused as me about the rambling person on the trophy case, which at least made me feel like I wasn't missing something. "Okay, cool. So, who are you?" I asked hesitantly. If he knew Moroth and served Ruin like he seemed to indicate, there was no telling how dangerous this person was, or if he was even a person.
The guy rolled his eyes dramatically. "So ignorant. You should at least figure out who you're going to be fighting. Makes the introductions later shorter and we can get to the killing faster. I'm Keritan, one of my Master Ruin's lieutenants. I'm really just the welcoming committee for Moroth, since he's a bit busy right now." He picked at his fingers as he talked, oozing an air of indifference. "Don't worry though, you'll see him eventually. Well, provided you live that long, but I think you will." Keritan looked over at us like he was asking a favor. "He really tried hard to set all this up for you Link. But then you weren't here, and he had to improvise. Do try to appreciate it and don't spoil the fun. Don't worry though Zelda, he got a few things set up for you too. Can't have our boy here having all the fun." He stood up and brushed off his jeans. "Okay, got to go. Got to find this Ganondorf guy for my master. Shouldn't be too hard though, he's getting close to us, like a moth to a flame. Makes sense I suppose, but whatever. You two have fun and try not to kill too many of them, alright?" The thin guy bent over like he was bowing to us, but he kept going until he tipped off the case and passed right through the glass on the front of the trophy cabinet and disappeared. I waited a minute before slowly relaxing, pulling the Master Sword from my pocket as I did.
"Think he's coming back?" I asked Zelda as I slowly strapped my belts to my chest, wary of any surprise attack. Zelda was equally cautious to respond.
"I don't think so. He didn't seem to care for whatever is apparently going on here very much." She walked to the front doors and looked out before nodding slightly. I quickly joined her and saw that everything beyond the parking lot was intersected by a dark purple barrier that looked like it probably curved around the whole school. And also the doors were locked. "Somehow I don't think this really is a class reunion or anything like that." I nodded in agreement. We had very clearly been lured in and caught in a trap.
"Looks like we don't have much of a choice but to play along with whatever's going on here," I said, looking in the direction of the gym. The hallway was darker than normal, despite all the lights being on. I finished strapping what weapons I had to my body for easy access, handing Zelda her Divine Staff and a dagger we had procured for her, figuring it a good idea to have some sort of non-magical protection. "Of all the days to not bring my shield," I grumbled. The Hylian Shield didn't fit in the opening of any of my magic pockets, forcing me to carry it around the old-fashioned way. And I somehow hadn't thought I'd need a shield for a school party where the most dangerous thing that would happen was someone trying to climb onto the roof. Should have known better.
"What do you think's down here?" I asked Zelda as we walked down the darkened hallway.
"Hard to tell. I'm not even sure of what's going on here exactly. I am worried that there's no one around though. I'd think there'd be at least a few people wandering around or finding somewhere to make out. The emptiness is—look out!" Zelda yelled, prompting me to duck and dodge as she shot a blast of water at something behind me. I turned to look and saw a ghost.
A literal ghost hovered in the air where my head had formerly occupied. It really didn't look like much other than an old tattered robe with glowing eyes peeking out from under the cowl. Grasping gnarled black hands that looked more like a skeleton than an actual limb poked out from the shredded sleeves and clawed in my direction.
Zelda fired another shot of water at the specter, which screeched in irritation but was otherwise unbothered. It refocused on her, which gave me more than enough time to pull the Master Sword from my back and slash at the ghost. My blade passed straight through it, but it wailed in anguish before crumbling and evaporating into thin air.
"Well," I said, looking around for more ghosts, not seeing any. "That was fun. I guess we know what's infested the school then." Satisfied that we weren't in any more immediate danger, I looked back to Zelda. "Shall we then?"
We made our way down the hallways cautiously, wary of any more surprise attacks, of which there were plenty. The ghosts, or Poes as Zelda informed me, really only had the element of surprise going for them. Once we found out that they really didn't like light magic, it made it even easier to get rid of them, since Zelda could just blast a cluster of them, making them all evaporate back to wherever ghosts hung out.
Eventually, we reached a split in the hallway, one hall leading towards the cafeteria and the other towards some classrooms. A really weird sign sat against the wall.
It was a wooden post with two swords stuck through the wood in opposite directions, apparently acting as a signpost. I looked closer and saw that the sword pointing towards the cafeteria had the word 'Whore' etched in it. Likewise, the other one read 'Incompetent.' A piece of paper with some writing on it was stuck to the post with a small dagger. I pulled it off and started reading it out loud.
"'Link and Zelda, sorry about the sign, I keep telling Moroth that he should put a little more effort into his directions, but he just ignores me. He likes to cut right to the chase. Get it? Oh, I guess you wouldn't yet. All in good time, I guess. Anyways, he wants you two to split up. Apparently, the 'whore' is Zelda and Link is 'incompetent.' He didn't even bother to explain why he calls you that. I feel left out. Anyways, do what he says and have fun. Keritan.'" We looked at the note and the signpost for a moment before I said something. "Should we do what they want?" Zelda took the note from me and read over it quickly before flipping it over.
"'P.S. If you don't do what he wants, all your friends die,'" she read from the reverse side. "I guess that answers that question. They must have lured everyone here to act as hostages to make us play along. I don't think we have much of a choice." I nodded in agreement.
"Think you'll be okay?" I asked, taking a short step towards her. She just scoffed and summoned some crackling sparks to her hand and twirled her dagger in her other.
"Yeah Link, I think I'll be okay. I've got the power of the divine in my blood and a stabber to boot." I couldn't help but laugh despite the seriousness of the situation.
"A stabber? Really?"
"Yes really." Zelda raised an eyebrow, daring me to challenge her further on the matter. I just laughed again and kissed her on the forehead.
"Alright, whatever. Good luck then. I'll see you soon." Zelda was quick to grab my shirt and pull me down to her level, kissing me soundly on the lips. Of course, just one wasn't nearly enough, two was too few, and three wasn't right either. I eventually forced myself to pull back to breath. "Careful, you'll make me want to leave everyone else to die if you keep that up." Zelda rolled her eyes before sneaking one last kiss in.
"As if you could," she said, finally turning away from me and walking down her hallway. "I'll see you soon. Blow something up if you need help, I'll probably be able to hear that." She waved over her shoulder one last time before disappearing around a corner. I shook my head as I walked down in my own direction.
"What am I going to do with her?" I wondered to myself as I cut through another two floating Poes.
After a few minutes of navigating the halls of my former school, I saw the light on in a classroom with the door open. I stepped towards it, wary of another attack, but the room itself was brightly lit and missing the darker shadows of the hallway. In fact, there was only one person in the room, sitting on one of the desks, and I recognized the bright red hair immediately.
"Cremia?" I asked. Surprised didn't begin to describe what I was feeling. Why was she here with all these ghosts around? And why only her?
"Hi Link," she said, her voice sounding a little hollow as she remained looking out the window. "I knew you'd find me." I stepped fully into the room, still on edge. Something about this wasn't right.
"What are you doing here, Cremia? Where's everyone else?" She shook her head and scoffed.
"I could ask you the same thing. Where's your new girlfriend?" I was taken aback by the venom in her voice. "You know, it makes sense to me now. You just couldn't resist her. That bitch was just too good." To say I was shocked would be wildly incorrect. I didn't know the word 'bitch' was even in Cremia's vocabulary.
"Cremia, what are you saying? You think I left you because of Zelda? That's ridiculous." Cremia let out a harsh laugh.
"Of course you would say that. As if you would start being honest with me now. No, you're fine to keep galivanting around with her instead of being with me. But you're wrong!" she shouted suddenly as she finally turned around. Her normally green eyes were instead a dark grey, as if all the life had been sucked out of them. "She doesn't deserve you! No one deserves you but me!"
Her words blew my mind. The girl I knew could never harbor such a grudge against someone. Her attitude towards Zelda was not only shocking but completely out of character. Through my shock at Cremia's outburst, I also noticed that there was what looked like a rather large scythe next to her and the necklace I had given her around her neck. It was much darker than normal looking like it was holding blood instead of fire. Something was decidedly very not right. Maybe I could diffuse the situation…
"Cremia, I promise I didn't abandon you for Zelda. I only realized I liked her that much a little while ago." I took a slow step towards her, hoping she would either come towards me or step back, really go anywhere but near that scythe. She didn't. "I swear to you that I didn't feel anything for her while we were dating." Okay, not entirely true, but it was close enough for the situation. "It's no one's fault, we just weren't right for each other." Cremia's face contorted in pain and anger.
"You don't get it, we ARE right for each other! I'm the only one right for you! Not Zelda, not Ruto, not any other girl in this damn school, not any other girl in this whole Goddess-forsaken world! And I'm going to make sure no one else can have you." She grabbed the scythe, carrying it surprisingly easily, and started walking towards the door. I immediately stepped between her and her escape.
"I'm not going to let you hurt anyone Cremia, no matter how you feel. That's not who you are." I thought I saw the normal green of her eyes flash for a second, but a suspicious gleam from her necklace drew my attention away. When I looked back, her eyes were still that flat grey.
"I guess there's only one way to make sure you're mine," Cremia said, voice even more flat than before. She abruptly swung the scythe at my neck, forcing me to duck my head while I still had one. I didn't have time to so much as yell at Cremia though before she was swinging at me again, beginning an elaborate dance around the classroom.
"Cremia, what are you doing?! Would you please stop?" My pleas for mercy got cut off as I jumped to the side, leaving the unfortunate fate of being cut in half to a chair. "Why are you attacking me?"
"You can't leave me if you're dead," she remarked. I couldn't help but deadpan.
"Okay, you sound way too casual about that." I immediately had to duck under another swing of her scythe. Cremia didn't answer, just kept up her assault with the scythe.
I knew I had to end this fight before I messed up. With every swing of the scythe, Cremia was making more obstacles for me to dodge around out of desks and chairs. The longer this went, the more likely it was that I would trip on something. So what did I do?
I begged.
"Cremia, please, if you cared about me, you wouldn't be doing this!" Her attacks faltered for a moment, but I saw her necklace glitter darkly again and she came at me harder than before. Two scythe swings and one quick thought later, something occurred to me. "Is it really that easy?" I asked myself. Once the large weapon had passed me again, I lunged forward and grabbed necklace and yanked it from Cremia's neck. The cord snapped and she immediately tumbled to the ground, completely unconscious. The necklace in my hand burned with an evil power. One quick swat from the Master Sword and the gem broke to pieces, and whatever evil was there disappeared with a howling scream.
Cremia immediately groaned as she regained consciousness. I was on edge for a second, until I saw that her eyes were their normal vivid green. I quickly put away my sword before she could get scared and helped her to stand up.
"Cremia, are you alright?" The girl nodded blearily as she looked around the room, taking stock of the rather destroyed classroom before her eyes settled on me and lit up with recognition.
"Link!" She threw her arms around me in a tight hug. We both quickly let go, feeling rather awkward. Cremia looked around again, actually seeing the wrecked classroom this time. "What happened in here?"
"You came at me with a scythe," I said quickly, ignoring the confused look she gave me. "What happened? Where's everyone else?" Cremia looked confused for a second before she seemed to remember.
"We were all in the gym when two guys came in and started yelling for you to show yourself and face them or something. Apparently, they didn't know you weren't there and got really pissed. They talked to each other for a few minutes before they did…something. All I remember after that is being really angry at…well, kind of everything…" she trailed off before looking at the floor. "Is it true that you're dating Zelda?" she asked quietly.
To say I was conflicted was an understatement. On one hand, I wanted to explain what was going on and comfort my former girlfriend. On the other, I didn't really want to talk about my new relationship when our own breakup was still relatively fresh. I also had to get through the school and find everyone else.
"In short, yes." Cremia looked at me, sorrowful expression on her face. "I promise to explain later, but for now I have to figure out what's going on here. Head back to the school entrance and wait there. You won't be able to leave yet, but don't worry, I'll figure the rest of this out. Okay?" She nodded and pulled herself to her feet. We both walked to the door of the classroom, leaving it in its wrecked state. I'd deal with that…at some point. Probably. "Go straight to the entrance. Do not wander around," I warned. Cremia just nodded.
"You really own me an explanation after this though," she said, before walking down the hall the way I had come.
"Yeah, that's going to be fun," I muttered to myself, walking down the hall in the opposite direction.
Greetings, comrades and idiots! I have returned, safe from the crushing grip of the vile organization known as AU, also known as Academic Universities! They thought they had me with their final weapon, Finals...but, as all heroes do, I was able to overcome it with the power of friendship (actually it was studying movement patterns and tactical distractions, but whatever). Always remember guys, never leave it up to the final to decide whether you pass a class. 'Cause that's some stress right there.
Sorry it took a little while to get this up (why am I apologizing, I don't owe you anything? *ahem*), but I was busy with finals and work and sitting around doing...honestly, not much, I just wasn't a huge fan of this chapter. But then I fixed it, and now we're good. Which is...good.
Eloquence.
Now, how's about them reviews? Twilit Lord, yep, everyone needs a good boob grab. I mean cliche. I definitely mean cliche. Helpme,I'mlonely. Sure you can be in the same universe, we'll see. Don't forget the Gust Jar, though knowing all the Links that've existed, there's no promise that its still intact. Nightwing, your efforts are appreciated, but don't underestimate Twilit Lord. Pretty sure Catwoman and Joker couldn't shadow travel. And there's a lot of shadows down there. Don't worry, your advice was heard. For now. I actually reread the last chapter and realized just how much I lead that on. Again,I'mlonely,sendhelp. Sand Seal, thank you very much, I am not disappointed. And yes, I can tell, funny enough. If this chapter wasn't indication enough, yes, we'll see a little more of Cremia. I did indeed study, and I hope you did too. Glad you like 'Goddess', I'll try to write something new for that at some point soon. Raviofan, thanks for dropping a review. We do indeed have our two protagonists, but if you're paying attention, we actually have to antagonists as well. Well, one antagonist and one purposely left vague character that will show up a bit more soon-ish. Foopuff, you will not be forgiven. Your outburst puts Sand Seal's to shame. Maybe. Hard to say. I'm somewhat ashamed to say that I suffer from occasional cases of RFGD as well. Despite being decidedly not a girl. But I have my defenses. I really love Zelda (the games, not necessarily the character. Most of the time...), and there are just some things that are too awesome. If you do make your dog deaf, just be sure to get it new ears or something. I think that's how it works. Glad you liked Mikau. I see Zelda as one of those people who worry and deliberate about things for a long time before committing to their decision. So yes, there were some reservations and now there aren't anymore. What will happen next? Dunno, but let's hope its decent. Pure fiction stuff still needs some work, will probably work on that more once this story is finished. I agree, mortars to the face aren't usually fun. Usually. Got to keep an open mind. And open face and back of head if that did actually happen, but moving right along!
Thank you all for your fantastic reviews, both past, present, and future (because you know you're going to review. RIGHT?). I feel like I should thank you all more for them, but I think the review paragraph takes care of showing that I care pretty well for the most part. If you think it's lacking, you can... I don't know, go complain on Twitter and suck it, or something. I never said I was funny. I mean, I am, but I don't like to boast. But be sure to review, because how else will I know you're enjoying the story? What's that? Based on follower and favoriteing statistics, you say, weird disembodied voice in my head? Well, you're right, but that really just means their entertained, not that they care. And I want them to care, damn it! Oh, you guys are still here. Care, damn it! No one can do it but you. I sure can't, look how long I take to update this thing. If I cared, I'd have posted this way sooner.
Anywho. I'll try to get another chapter worked on quick for you guys, maybe get it out for Christmas? No promises, but maybe. Possibly. Still got to work, then deal with family, then get ready for the next semester of school, then ask myself why I feel so empty and go to bed crying. Just kidding, I'm only doing three of those things. Enough rambling for you? Because it's enough for me. Remember, sweeping carpet isn't super effective. I'll see you all next time! Cheers.
~Aro
