Brief Author's Note: Hey everybody! I realized it's been a long time since I've said hello and shown my appreciation to you guys. Things have been going pretty well, especially since the start of summer, and of course I've had more time to write since then. However, these last two chapters in particular (this one even moreso) have been a really trying process, as they are pretty crucial parts that I wanted to make sure I got right. So I realize that it's been almost 2 months since I updated, but I sincerely hope that this is worth the wait. As always, to those of you who read this, thanks so much for taking the time to read my story, and to all you reviewers out there, you have no idea just how much your feedback is appreciated. Thank you all!
Chapter 35:
He kissed me...
I raise my fingers to my lips, almost unable to believe it...
I can still feel the heat rushing through my veins, only this time I don't try and push it away. I embrace it, and let it take over.
I'm not scared. Not at all. I'm...I'm...I don't even know...
...I've never felt like this...
I don't know what it is. I just know that I feel like a weight's been lifted from my shoulders. Like if I wanted to I could fly...I'm grinning like a lunatic...
I must be going insane.
But you know what?
I couldn't care less.
The adrenaline pumping through my body is unbelievable. I feel so...alive. I can see the battle going on in front of me, just waiting for me...calling for me to join in... It's like an imaginary force is pulling me there.
To where I belong...
I want to fight. More than I've ever wanted to in my life.
And even though he's made it more than clear that I'm not supposed to...
...that I'll be breaking royal orders if I do...
...and that by doing such, he can in fact have me arrested...
...rules have never stopped me before.
A mischievous grin crosses my face.
What can he do to stop me? Right now...I can do anything.
I don't have to think.
I know where I'm meant to be.
I run.
I run faster than I ever have in my life. I can't even feel the rain or the cold anymore. Every inch of my body is warm and electrified with energy and excitement and adrenaline.
It's with eagerness that I leap into the fray.
It's chaos. What was once unwavering loyalty has become utmost hatred, as the Gerudo leap at each other. I can see Jahnna not far ahead, snarling at a girl in green, but even as I spot her, another Gerudo leaps at me, her scimitar raised high.
I just keep grinning.
I've faced monsters much more terrifying than this.
I throw up my sword to block the blow and give her a good kick in the gut, getting her out of my way as another Gerudo in orange launches herself at me. Without hesitation, I throw out my hand and send a fireball hurtling towards her. It nails her full-on in the chest and she falls back, steam rising from her wet form.
That's the best one I've done yet.
I have gotten better.
Now I'm not only unafraid. I'm weightless.
And as I become more and more sure of myself, everything is suddenly less threatening. I'm moving so quickly, I could fly. The Gerudo are quick, and whenever one falls, another's in her place not seconds later, growling and ready to kill. But I'm handling it. And dammit...
...I'm handling it well.
"Are you insane?" Navi screams shrilly above me. At the sight of her, my already ridiculous grin widens.
"You found me!" I shout back, beaming at her. And I was worried about going to fight without her.
I've been doing great even without her help. Hell...
...I'm on fire.
Though that doesn't mean I'm not happy to see her.
She doesn't seem to return the sentiment. She just points ahead of me, her eyes wide.
"Look out!"
I turn my head back just in time to see two more Gerudo headed my way. I duck just in time to avoid getting my head cut off by the first, and as the second one leaps forward, I knock her right out of the air with another fireball. The first one takes a strike at me, but I parry it and throw her back, slashing across her stomach. She screams and collapses.
Navi's a lot more worried than I am. Though to be fair, I don't think I'm worried at all.
"What do you think you're doing?" Navi demands, as I wipe the sweat off my forehead. "You're going to get killed out here!"
"You worry too much!" I only laugh, spinning around and defeating another Gerudo that was sneaking up on my right. Navi just lets out a cry of frustration and flies down into the battle with me, doing her little yellow thing next to a Gerudo just a few feet ahead of me and about to take out one of our own. I launch forward and slam my blade through her back, then throw her body to the side, extending a hand to the Red on the ground. She accepts it gratefully, before hurling herself back into the fight.
"I don't know if you're crazy or just plain stupid," Navi tells me. "But if they don't kill you, Nabooru will."
"Trust me, Nabooru's the least of my problems!" I yell back. I can see Christian not far off, watching me with an expression of mingled fury and horror.
Not that he can do much to stop me now. At the moment he's got his hands full with a Gerudo in lavendar giving him a hell of a time. It seems they've set up their own colors to show their rank, and seeing how few there are in lavendar, I think it's safe to assume they're considered elite.
But I still just keep grinning ear to ear. Because nothing can bring me down right now. Not Nabooru, not the fact that Christian's probably going to kill me after this, nothing -
Something flies out of nowhere and hits me, sending me hurtling to the ground. I barely touch wet sand before I hurl myself back onto my feet, looking for my assailant.
I just hear laughter.
The red-haired man's wide grin greets me as I throw my sword up in front of me. And despite the fact that I know I'm in quite a bit - scratch that, a lot - of danger I can only laugh. "Ah crap..."
"C'mon sweetheart," he taunts, beckoning me towards him with a finger as another roll of thunder sounds overhead. "I know you want a go at me."
Hell yeah I do. I can remember the torture like it was yesterday.
It's payback time.
Without a second thought I hurl myself forward, my sword cocked back and ready to strike - but he doesn't even lift his sword. His lip just curls even more and he raises a hand...
By the time I figure out what's happening, it's too late. A giant black orb of electrical energy flies from his fingertips and hits me square in the chest, knocking me off my feet and sending all air from my lungs. I can hear the sizzling of the rain hitting my hot, burnt clothing, and see the steam rising from my chest.
Oh Farore...owwwwwww...really should have seen that one coming...
"Perhaps it's a good thing the boy is in charge," the red-haired man muses. At his words anger wells up in my chest and spreads along my neck to my cheeks in a hot wave. "You're still just as careless-"
He barely gets the words out before I send a fireball hurtling towards him and nail him front on. With a grunt of pain he falls back, catching himself on a knee.
"I can take you on my own," I hiss, rising to my full height. Navi buzzes around my ear nervously, apparently not nearly as confident about that statement as I am.
Nice. I can just feel the support.
At that he only begins to chuckle again, slowly pulling himself back to his feet. "He doesn't seem to think so," he grins, motioning behind me. I steal a quick glance over my shoulder.
Christian's fighting his way over this direction. He's getting closer.
Dammit.
This is my fight. And for once in my life I'd like to prove that I don't need any goddess-damned help. I can do this. He knows I can.
"Cut him off," I tell Navi in a low tone. Her eyes get so wide that they look like they might pop out of her head.
"You can't, not without me-"
"Cut him off," I only repeat, this time more firmly. "Trust me, all right?"
And for once...she actually does. Though I can see that every fiber of her being is against it, she clenches her jaw, takes a deep breath, and flits away, off towards Christian.
She can't do much, I know, but she can yell at him and keep him busy long enough for me to take down this son of a bitch. I'm going to have to do this completely alone.
"Going to fight without your fairy guardian?" the red-haired man says, raising an eyebrow. That damned grin never leaves his face though. "Brave...but awfully foolish."
"Pity, it seems I'll never learn," I growl, then leap forward, my sword raised high. It slams against his blade with a loud clang, and he only grows more amused. In his other hand, he starts to form another ball of electricity, but this time I whirl around him, slashing upwards along his back. He lets out a yelp of pain as I draw back and prepare for my next attack.
His grin is gone now. As he raises his blade again, I can see the anger in his eyes. Now I've really pissed him off.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
Whoa...wait a sec...
His sword suddenly begins to glow and shift in his hand, settling into the form of a long, pointed staff, and as it does...his features start to shift back and forth as well... they never settle into clarity, but it's though he's slipping into another person...
Is that a disguise...?
Almost as quickly as it began, it slows and stops. He has to grit his teeth to regain control and bring himself back to one clear form, but he manages to do so without terrific effort.
I've never seen anything like that...
"No more games," he growls. Without another word, he raises his staff high in the air and begins to twirl it around his body. All the while, a ball of energy forms at the tip, black and surrounded with crackling electricity. I brace myself and raise my sword high in front of me, in an attempt to defend myself. As he hurls the orb toward me, I clench my fists around the hilt of my sword, squeezing my eyes shut and slamming my sword into it just like in the Fortress.
When I open my eyes, I can see the blue glow around my sword. I've deflected it, just as before. The red-haired man steps out of the way just in time to avoid its path, but it hits and takes down an enemy Gerudo behind him.
I can hear my heart pounding in my ears.
"You learn quick," he hisses. "Just like the last Hero."
At his words, I freeze.
My father.
He knew my dad. But how...he doesn't appear much older than I...he can't be old enough...
"You can't fight with your head, but you also can't let someone get in it."
His words echo in my ears, and I try to shake my mind clear of it. That's not what's important right now. What's important is defending myself and taking this man down. Out of the corner of my eye I can see that Christian's already gotten past Navi and is nearly over here. I don't have much time if I want to prove myself.
"But every man has his weakness," the red-haired man continues, and the smallest traces of a grin return to his face. There's a disconcerting glint in his eyes. He knows something.
I can't let him in my head. I shrug it off and come at him with my sword once more with a cry, but he's one step ahead of me.
He doesn't raise his staff this time. He slams it against the ground.
The sphere of electricity hurls out from it and onto the ground where it explodes, throwing me backwards. With a growl I throw myself forward again -
- but he just beats me to it. This time the explosion knocks me off my feet. Painfully.
Goddess dammit, ow! There's gotta be some way around it!
With a grimace I pull myself to my feet, sword at the ready. But this time, he's not really paying attention to me.
Christian's finally broken through to us, and he has him dead in his sights.
I don't hesitate. I don't even have to think about it. I take off running.
My sword's already hurtling down towards the red-haired man when he suddenly turns on me.
He hadn't really forgotten about me. A trick.
His staff catches my blade and knocks my arm to the side, leaving me open and vulnerable if only for a second. "See for yourself," he whispers, withdrawing a gleaming dagger - one that I've seen before.
I try to recover and defend myself -
- and suddenly, I'm hit by something.
I go flying forward, landing on the ground just a little gentler than before, and my head whips back around.
Christian.
He knocked me out of the way.
All it takes is the look on the red-haired man's face for me to understand.
His dagger flies forward, dealing the blow he wanted him to think was intended for me.
"Christian, no!" I scream - but it's useless. The blade buries itself deep in his chest. He lets out a cry of pain before the dagger is wrenched from his body, and he stumbles back, clutching his wound. It's on his right side...his sword arm is useless...
That idiot. There was no way he could have defended himself. He knew that...
He drops his sword and falls to his knees...he looks like he's in incredible pain...
"As I thought," the red-haired man says, watching him with that cruel grin. As I pull myself to my feet, he raises his staff above his head, preparing for a fatal strike -
No...
I throw myself in front of Christian, whipping my sword above my head just in time to deflect the red-haired man's blow.
And for a moment, time slows. I can see some sort of realization blossoming in his eyes...and then an even crueler delight.
I don't take the time to think about it. I throw myself out of it and hurl my sword around towards him, landing a blow before he can regain the defensive. But even still, he doesn't stop grinning. Even as I watch his face begins to blur and shift once more, and I raise my sword yet again to try and steal another hit...
His features become a little clearer and I stop...
That face...
I know that face...
My arm is suddenly knocked back and I receive a harsh kick to the ground. But as I look up I see that the red-haired man has been knocked down as well, and regained his normal appearance.
Dark Link stands over his form.
Crap crap crap crap crap.
"You were banished for your incompetence many years ago," Dark Link snarls. "What business do you have here?"
Banished...?
"Same as yours," the red-haired man only grins through blood-stained teeth. "And I'm already miles ahead of you."
His words only seem to make Dark Link even more angry. But as confused as I am, understanding this is not what's important right now. From beside me, Christian lets out a groan through gritted teeth, and my heart tears a little.
I have to get him out of here.
Dark Link's back is turned to us...it's now or never...
"Leave," I hear as I help Christian to his feet, pulling his arm over my shoulders. He manages to walk, with what little support I can give. "Leave now and I'll spare your worthless hide, phantom."
We're far enough away to be safe now...I can only barely hear them above the fighting. But I still turn my head around to look through the onslaught.
"I have all I need," the red-haired man only grins, now on his feet. "Let the race begin."
And with that he simply disappears into a cloud of thick smoke.
"Aeria!"
Navi's voice brings me back to where I am as she flies to my aid. She's looking frantic.
"There's more-"
She's cut off as a scimitar whips dangerously close to my side, but the message is clear.
Gerudo. We have to fight our way out.
Christian grits his teeth and tries to lift his sword, but his arms shakes with the effort it takes to do so and his grip is weak. I can see the pain he's ignoring in his eyes.
"No," I say firmly, lifting my own sword up and gently lowering him to the ground. He lets out another groan, but he still refuses to give up.
"Look out," he hisses.
I whip around just in time to catch the blade of the Gerudo behind us. With a heave, I throw her back and set loose a fireball. I don't have time to see if it hits however, as another one, this one in orange, comes hailing down on me from the side. I manage to swing my sword around and slash her across the ribs before she can get an attack in, but even as she falls, I can see more coming.
Christian can't fight. He's barely supporting himself right now, on his knees and hand, the other clutching his blood-soaked chest.
"Just hang in there," I tell him, as I gauge the attackers coming in. This is going to be harder than before. They're not going to try for just me. They're going to try and take him while he's down too. They'll try and keep me busy long enough to get rid of him before attacking as a group.
"I'll take care of you."
As the first two Gerudo come rushing in, I bury my hand in my pocket and withdraw a few throwing stars. With Navi's yellow light as a guide through the thick rain, I immediately let them fly, landing a blow right in the first one's neck and downing her, while the second receives a slice across her arm before slashing both scimitars towards my head. I duck just in time to dodge it, and slash at her feet. I can't waste any time with recovery. Not with this many on me at once. If I'm not quick I'm dead.
I focus all of my energy on forming a radius between her and Christian while attacking simultaneously.
My next attack hits and knocks her down, but the victory is short lived as another enemy Gerudo leaps into the fray not even a second later. I move like lightning, stabbing my blade through her as I'm flanked by two more. They try to go for Christian, but I kick one to the side and manage to whirl around and slam my elbow into the other one's jaw before she can land a hit. As they fall back, three more enter, this time one in lavender. None of them ever smile.
A loss for one Gerudo is a loss for all the Gerudo.
I take a deep breath, preparing myself before I thrust my sword out and enter the chaos once more.
The orange and green as a team are difficult to take down, but I manage to at least push them far enough back to keep Christian safe. Meanwhile, the lavender's focused all of her energy on me, and is launching furious blow after blow as I try to defend us both. It's nearly impossible. Two more Gerudo enter the fight as I manage to take down the green, making it even more difficult. And yet...despite these impossible odds...
...I'm still not at all afraid.
I'm still alive.
I feel alive.
I have to live through this to protect Christian. I can't lose him. I need to survive this, at least for his sake.
That's all the reason I need.
I'm moving so fast I amaze even myself. A fireball to the face takes out the orange. A kick in the gut knocks back another Gerudo in time for me to stab down the one behind her. Meanwhile the lavender just keeps evading all blows and attacking at every opportunity.
I need something stronger...more expansive than fireballs...
I haven't practiced it as much but it's all I've got...
"Din's Fire!" I shout as I throw myself over Christian and focus all of my energy into the spell. The lavender's charging at me with her scimitars high, and I close my eyes tight and pray...
There's a howl of pain and the scimitars never fall. I open my eyes and try to ignore my roaring heart.
There are scorch marks as far as 10 feet away, and a circle of fallen Gerudo.
I pulled it off...
It's not great yet , but I mean holy Din, Nayru, and Farore...
I actually pulled it off...
Christian moves and I step away as I he tries to pull himself to his feet. As he does his expression becomes even more grim. "Aeria..." he gets out through clenched teeth, his eyes fixed on something behind me. I whirl around with my sword at the ready.
Dark Link.
He found us.
I get a horrible feeling of deja vu as he advances. Christian defenseless. I alone in the fight. At least this time I have a sword instead of a shabby candlestick.
This time he doesn't grin though. This time, his expression is stony and determined.
His sword is extended downwards as he makes his way slowly towards us. I keep my sword up and level, bracing myself. As he reaches us, he stops. He waits.
I don't have the patience for this. If there's going to be a fight I want to get on with it.
"Come and face me like a man!" I challenge, surprised at how confident I sound. I'm still not afraid.
He lets out a dry laugh, but raises his ebony blade.
This time he doesn't speak. He whips his sword at me and I block it. A test. He slowly withdraws, before doing the same to my other side. I've improved. He's trying to gauge how much.
As he pulls back, readying himself before battle, I catch a glimpse of Christian trying to raise his sword once more. "No," I tell him once more. "Stay out of this."
He doesn't move. He just keeps wearing that same determined expression.
Stubborn ass.
"Christian-" I hiss, but Dark Link suddenly flies towards him. With a growl I leap forward, pushing Christian to the ground and out of harm's way. Dark Link's blade skims down my back, and I let out a cry of pain. I'm already covered in scrapes and cuts and blood from previous hits but this is the first one I've really felt.
Even as I try to attack though, Dark Link continues to go for Christian. I leap over him and catch Dark Link's blade before it can hit him, but his sword slides off mine and slashes my thigh. It stings, and I let out a hiss.
The anger is bubbling through my body rapidly...it rises to my face...and the words explode from my mouth much more forcefully than I'd expected.
"Face me you coward!"
That gets his attention.
His eyes narrow into red slits and I swallow, realizing exactly what I've just done. But it serves its purpose. He turns away from Christian, preparing to take me full-on.
A coward. I bet that's something he's never been called before.
He really doesn't seem to like it.
I raise my sword and steel myself, taking a deep breath.
What did I just get myself into?
At the same time, we both leap forward, throwing ourselves into battle.
This fight is more of a dance than the others. As Dark Link slices, I dodge. As he pulls back to transition into his next attack I take the offensive and try to find a vulnerable area. It goes back and forth between us in a rhythmic to-and-fro, of slices and dodges, stabs and swings. He launches a blow towards my chest and I knock it back, trying to kick him away. He evades my attack and comes spinning around with his blade, but I duck just in time.
And then it picks up speed.
His attacks become lightning quick series, each move still flowing smoothly into the next despite how fast he's moving. And yet...I'm still blocking his attacks. My movements don't have as clear precision or smoothness, but...
...I don't have to think about it.
The motions are like breathing. I begin to feel my sword's position in the air, like it's an extension of my own body.
He notices, drawing back and creating a pause in the battle in order to steal some recovery time. As I watch, his eyes narrow even more.
I only brace myself, preparing for the next wave of attacks...but even as I do, an eerie feeling of familiarity creeps through my soul.
Dark Link hurtles towards me with a stab and I sidestep, meeting my sword to the side of his blade. As he retracts I immediately jump forward with a series of sharp thrusts and slices, all of which he manages to block.
My eyes widen. I've fought this battle before.
While my focus is thrown off he's going to -
I throw myself to the side, just dodging the kick to the gut that I knew was coming.
How was I right...?
"You've learned." His expression becomes not just determined anymore, but fiery and furious.
I can't feel my fingers anymore. They're clenched so tightly around the hilt of my sword that they've gone numb. I'm shaking. But I have to try and stay focused.
This isn't the end of the fight.
He aims for another strike, but as I parry, his other fist comes slamming into my stomach and I double over in pain. Before I can right myself, the hilt of his sword comes smashing across my face. Stars explode in my vision, and I fall to the ground beside Christian, feeling blood streaming from my forehead. His face only grows more determined as I cough up blood and try to pull myself onto my knees.
The world is still spinning when I see Dark Link raise his sword high over the two of us, but there's no time for it to fix itself. I can't block it. One option left. With a cry I throw myself over Christian's body.
"Nayru's Love!"
The blue protective shield flies up just in time, and Dark Link's blow is knocked back. The shield is stronger than my original attempts, but even as I watch it whirl around us, I know it's still not as strong as my mother's. It still won't protect us long. Just like at Death Mountain.
That's when Dark Link smiles, and I feel my stomach wrench itself into knots.
It's the same smile. The one I saw him wear as I stood inside a shield just like this with my mother and father. The one he wore knowing we couldn't escape.
The one he wore before he killed them.
Christian lets out another groan, and I can feel him shaking from the effort it takes to support himself. It's all down to me.
I grit my teeth as I pull myself to my feet and raise my sword. The shield is already flickering...it won't hold any longer.
And then, suddenly, Dark Link's grin disappears. Slowly, he begins to retreat, taking a couple of steps back. Even as the shield breaks, he continues to back off.
Though I don't understand, I cautiously follow him anyway, still poised for battle.
As Dark Link stops, I chance a glance behind me. And suddenly it all makes sense.
There's a legion of Gerudo at my back, ready to attack.
This time I grin.
But Dark Link's expression only becomes more determined and angry, and he addresses me with a growl.
"You're already mine."
With that, he vanishes into thin air.
Relief floods through my body in a wave, as does warmth. The sun. I finally realize that it's stopped raining. The Gerudo are cheering.
He's gone. Dinzra and her forces are retreating. We've held them off.
Christian lets out another groan. I slowly pull him up to his feet once more, draping his arm over my shoulders and supporting him as best I can. Most of our forces are heading back to the Fortress already. There'll be help for him there. As though she can read my mind, Navi flies ahead to find someone to help us.
"C'mon," I tell him, helping him forward. "We're going to get you help."
He doesn't speak. He doesn't even look at me. His jaw is clenched and he lets out small winces of pain as we go.
The heat starts to seep through my body, and I can feel my heart trying to rip itself from my chest. But I can't focus on that right now. As hard as it is, I ignore it and keep pressing forward.
Aw crap.
Nabooru and a group of two other Gerudo are hurrying towards us from the Fortress. My heart sinks a little, anticipating the angry expression on her face. Like Navi said, if they didn't kill me...
They reach us in minutes, coming to Christian's aid. I specifically avoid Nabooru's gaze as she and one of the other Gerudo pull him from my arms, taking both of his over their shoulders and giving him even greater support than I could have.
"We can take him from here," Nabooru says...though her voice is not nearly as firm or reprimanding as I'd expected. In fact, it's soft...reassuring. I finally take a chance and look up towards her...
...she's smiling...
She's not ready to kill me for endangering myself out there...?
"You did good kid," she says, throwing me entirely off-guard. There's nothing but sincerity in her eyes, and her smile only widens at my disbelieving face. "He's going to be just fine," she adds in a comforting way, before motioning towards the third Gerudo in the group. "She'll take you to get cleaned up."
The words don't really register in my mind, but she doesn't seem to notice. She and the other Gerudo turn and start helping Christian back into the Fortress. All I can do is watch his back as he moves further and further away. I don't even feel any pain or weakness, despite the fact that I can see the blood practically all over me.
So why do I suddenly feel helpless?
"You should tend to your wounds-" the Gerudo who's been left with me starts, but she's cut off by a very loud and familiar whoop.
Pike doesn't waste a second before pouncing on me.
"You little minx!" he practically explodes with delight before throwing his arms around me in a bear hug and almost squeezing the life out of me. I yelp and squirm in protest, but he doesn't seem to notice. "You beautiful, devious little minx!"
"Set her down before you kill her," Tom advises with a smile as he makes his way towards us, Jezabel, John, and Hayden at his side. At that Pike relinquishes his grip on me, thank the goddesses. I can breathe now. My Gerudo escort looks entirely unsure of how to react as I take in deep lungfuls of air, so I give her a thumbs up to let her know I'll be okay. Though dubious, she seems to accept that and makes her way back to the Fortress on her own.
Probably thought Pike actually was going to kill me.
"What did I do?" I gasp. At that Pike only laughs harder, and even Jezabel chuckles.
"Well I don't know about you," she grins, "but from where I was standing, I'm pretty sure I saw someone getting awfully handsy with a certain prince..."
Oh no.
I feel like all of my blood has rushed to my face at once, and I open my mouth to speak...but nothing comes out. I just stand there stupidly, unable to utter even a single word in my defense.
"I don't know about you," John chimes in with an identical grin, "but I'm pretty sure everyone in the Fortress saw that."
If possible my face grows even hotter. Oh Farore that is not what I wanted to hear...I don't even know how to react to...that...and now everyone else knows...
What do I even do from here...?
"Relax," Tom reassures me - but goddess dammit he still can't wipe that smile off his face. He's apparently very pleased with this. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Hell, it was about time, we were waiting for ages-"
"What?" I practically explode. All of a sudden I feel really faint. Though that might be blood loss. Everything's catching up to me at once.
"Oh hon, we've seen this coming for a long time," Jezabel says, patting me on the shoulder. As if that's supposed to help. "You two were just too stupid to figure it out. I mean, finally!"
"Speaking of which, we win," Pike pipes in gleefully. "200 each please!"
My heart is pounding so fast it's not even funny. Never have I felt more confused. "200 what?"
"Rupees of course!"
"Rupees?"
Pike only grins wider, and Hayden and John both shake their heads. I look around at all of them, completely bewildered and finding myself becoming more and more overwhelmed.
"They might have had a pool going," Tom explains, rolling his eyes. "On how long it would take."
Oh no they didn't...
"You were betting on me...on him...on?" I sputter. They don't really seem to notice.
"Technically I was closest," Jezabel notes as I gape in disbelief. "So as a result of our agreement, the winnings get split 60-40."
"Fine by me," Pike agrees with a laugh. "I should team up with you more often!"
It's too much. Whatever focus I had during the battle is lost. The kiss, the battle, Dark Link...it's all too much...
"Oh, Aer," Jez starts again, and I brace myself for the worst. "I almost forgot. There's...well, there's someone who's been wanting to see you..."
And just when I feel it's impossible to be more overwhelmed, there's a tap on my shoulder. I turn around slowly, and as soon as I see him my heart stops dead.
Blaze.
He's soaking wet and covered in sand and a couple of scrapes. Signs of battle. He fought with us. He came back...
He came back...
"I leave you alone for more than a second and you go get yourself landed in the middle of a battle," he says with a weak smile. All I can do is stare. "I couldn't let you fight on your own."
Oh Din, Farore, and Nayru...
I can't handle this right now...
He just stands there watching me, waiting for my reaction, but I can't move or think or even speak. All I know is that I'm confused and frustrated and overwhelmed and wrestling with a thousand different emotions at once and oh crap I'm going to start crying, I need to get out of here now...
And you know what? Blaze understands immediately. As always. He knows me all too well. With a gentle smile he takes my arm over his shoulder even before the tears start welling in my eyes.
"I'll go get her cleaned up," he tells the others as they work out the results of their bet. They just nod, before he starts off escorting me into the Fortress.
We barely make it into one of the rooms designated for medical care before I start bawling.
"I'm - so - sorry..." I sob as he seats me down on one of the tables. Thank Farore there's nobody in here to see me like this.
"Aer, it's all right," he says soothingly, lifting the leg of my pants over my injured leg. "You have nothing to be sorry for."
"I shouldn't have left you in the dark, I should have told you, I shouldn't have screamed at you to get lost-"
"Hey, hey." He grabs a bandage and gently wraps it around my wounded leg, reassuring me as he does so. Though he's still wearing that small smile, the gray in his eyes is clear. "If there's anyone who should be apologizing, it's me."
"But-"
"No," he cuts me off. He swallows, and I can see the guilt in his expression. "I was selfish and thoughtless. I didn't stop to think about how you felt or what you wanted. I shouldn't have pried or interrogated you." He sighs, as ties the bandage around my leg. "I guess I just felt a little jealous."
"Blaze, I-"
"Not done yet," he interrupts once more, a very weak smile forming on his lips. "I was just so focused on how you helped me with dad...and when you came out of there...you were with him..." He stops, and I open my mouth to speak once more, but this time I don't have any idea what to say. "And I wanted to help you. But I wanted to be the one that you went to. I wanted to know more than he did. I wanted to be the one that you depended on. Just like the old days." He turns his back on me once more to get a wet washcloth and starts dabbing it along the long diagonal stripe across my back. It stings, and I wince, to which he gives me a small squeeze on the shoulder. "I wanted to be what you were for me," he starts again. "I just didn't stop to think that maybe you didn't want to talk about it."
With a shuddering sigh, I try to wipe away the tears with the back of my hand. "I didn't tell him everything."
"Well I figured that much."
"I really didn't tell him very much."
His expression grows grim. "Don't tell me that," he says darkly.
"But it's the truth-"
"I know," he stops me. "But then I made an even bigger ass of myself than I thought."
I swallow hard, gripping the edge of the table tightly.
"Blaze, you're my best friend."
At that, his grin widens. "I know," he says as he walks back in front of me, focusing on the cuts on my arms. I can see a little more green in his eyes as he bandages me up. "I was just afraid of being replaced."
"I would never-"
"Aer." He just shakes his head, chuckling a little under his breath. "I know. You don't have to say anything, so let me apologize properly please." At that I give him a very weak smile, but a smile nonetheless. "So I went back home and I thought about it for ages, and I was so mad...and then I realized...back then...you never harassed me or interrogated me on what happened or how I felt. You just tried to get me moving forward. You just went and stole my flute and tried to get me so pissed off that I wanted to kill you."
At that I let out a small, guilty laugh.
"And I felt terrible and I knew I couldn't leave you alone," he continues. "That's not what friends do. Plus," he adds, a sheepish look coming to his face, "you should have heard my mom when she heard what I'd done. She wailed on me non-stop for days. And I mean days," he laughs, and pretends to shiver. "So when I'd heard you'd come back here, I packed up and headed out after you. Sure as hell wasn't easy, but I mean, you got my mom so back to normal that she's even yelling at me again. I can't just let you get away with that."
The tears have stopped, and I'm even grinning. That seems to satisfy Blaze, but even still...
"Blaze...when I went back..."
"Don't want to hear it," he cuts me off yet again. "If you still want to tell me later, you'll tell me later. I think you're a little overwhelmed as it is."
"And what makes you think that?" I laugh softly. He just raises an eyebrow.
"Well, the tear-fest kind of tipped me off," he says with amusement. "Just tell me when you're sure you really want to tell me. I don't want to hear a word otherwise. And I mean that."
With a deep breath, I look back to his face. He's grinning still, and now his eyes are actually mostly green. He really does mean it.
I take a deep breath and nod. "Best friends?" I ask weakly.
He just stares at me incredulously. "I just willingly went through a monster-infested field so I could get here, the place I most openly hate in the world, the hottest, most goddess-forsaken place on this damn planet, all to get back to you and this suicide mission, and you're seriously asking me that?"
"Answer it."
"Best friends," he finally gives in. "Farore, Aer."
I just grin while he goes back to wet the washcloth once more. He's back. He's not angry. I have my best friend back.
He's smiling as he comes back and starts focusing on the cut on the side of my forehead. Gently, he blots away the blood all over the side of my face and matted in my hair.
"So..." he starts once more. "You like him."
That catches me entirely off-guard. My eyes widen and I somehow manage to lose my balance, slamming my hand against the table to catch myself and sending the bowl of water he's been dipping my washcloth in flying off the table. He just takes one look at the spinning bowl on the ground and shrugs, but there's a grin growing on his face. "Thought so."
"I...I didn't even know..." I stammer, my cheeks growing hot. "I didn't even realize till today...how could you know?"
"Well," Blaze answers, heading over towards the door and retrieving a new bucket of water to replace the bowl I spilled everywhere, "John may have been pretty spot on about everyone in the Fortress seeing..."
"Oh shit," I moan, burying my face in my hands. I can hear him chuckling, and he pulls my hands away from my face so that he can continue working on that same cut.
"You know," he points out, "it probably doesn't make much of a difference anyway. I mean from what they were saying down there I think it's pretty safe to say that everyone already knew."
"But I barely even knew!" I cry, throwing my arms in the air in exasperation and interrupting Blaze's work in the process. He just pulls my arm back down and places a hand behind my neck to keep me from messing him up again, and resumes blotting. "I mean, I knew there was something, I just didn't know what it was..."
"And everyone else did," he explains. Then frowns. "Well mostly everyone else. Looking back I really don't know how I missed it. If I hadn't, I probably wouldn't have blown up like I did. Jez even told me about the bet-"
"She told you and you didn't tell me?" I instantly demand. He throws his hands up in defense.
"Easy there, she didn't tell me what it was about!" he retaliates. "That's not the point. The point is it's not a bad thing."
I only moan once more. "Blaze, I just...I just..."
"Hey," he says, his voice softening as he puts the washcloth away, having finished tending to me. "You like him. There's nothing wrong with that."
"I just don't know what to do now..."
"Well, I'd say you probably ought to go talk to him."
I was afraid he'd say that.
With a deep breath, I slowly start to pull myself off the table. Blaze frowns.
"Where do you think you're going?
To that I just stare. "But you said..."
Realization dawns on his face, and he smacks himself in the forehead. "I didn't mean now," he rolls his eyes, and almost laughs. "Aer, the guy just took a knife to the chest. Let him get taken care of before you go up to him and start talking about other things in that region."
I sigh. "Blaze...I really am sorry...I can never replace you..."
"Oh relax already," he just rolls his eyes, helping me down from the table and nudging me in the ribs. "I already told you, I know. And even if I didn't, now that I know you like him it's totally different. You're like my sister. I could never ever and I mean never look at you like that. It's too icky and gooey and ugh." He shudders and I laugh. "We're not even the same category. Thus, I have no competition."
"Oh really," I laugh.
"You know no one else can compare," he grins as we make our way back outside. "By the way...I totally called it first."
"How did you call it first."
"Remember, I told you you were bound to find him attractive," he says with a hint of smugness. "I told you before you even met him."
"Oh come on, that doesn't even count-"
"And I asked you what you would do if you did, and if you had just answered my question in the first place I would have totally known what to expect and I would never have blown up. Really, that makes it all your fault."
"You're such an ass."
"You missed it."
It's nearly sunset, and everyone's spirits are still higher than ever.
Even John and Hayden, short 200 rupees each, are still grinning ear to ear. You can feel the excitement in the air.
We're still powerful. There are enough Gerudo on our side to defend themselves. And you can tell, even among those who were unsure to start, there is no questioning the strength of their loyalty now. They're in this together. And they're strong.
In celebration, we're having a feast. The Gerudo have gotten a giant bonfire together and are roasting an enormous wild boar on a spit over it. Blaze is sitting in the sand beside me, practically foaming at the mouth in anticipation. Thinking with his stomach as always. Funny, I'm even happy to see that. He's been gone too long.
The others are just behind us, and Navi's perched on my shoulder, looking very satisfied. There's laughter coming from everywhere. There's just so much joy. Even Nabooru walks by and gives me a wink.
A win for one Gerudo, a win for all the Gerudo.
And a win for all the Gerudo, a giant party for everyone.
There's no complaining about that.
"I thought you said Nabooru was going to kill me," I say as she passes, giving Navi a frown. She just smiles.
"Well...don't let this go to your head," she warns. "But you were kind of amazing out there."
"Just kind of?" I grin, and she rolls her eyes.
"Let's just say your practicing's been paying off."
My grin only widens.
"Would you say that I've proven myself?"
"Don't push it," she laughs. I'll take that as a yes.
But it's not enough.
I should be happier than I am. Everyone else is. The celebratory mood is abundant and infectious enough to lift my spirits a little, but even still...I can't stop the feeling gripping my heart.
Christian's not here.
Tom's seen him and assured me that he's fine. He's been bandaged up nicely and even given the okay to go out and about, but apparently he refused to leave the room. My stomach's been flip-flopping all day...if I thought it was hard not talking to him before...this is torture.
Blaze gives me a squeeze on the shoulder. Apparently my feelings are plastered all over my face. "Just relax already. Try not to think about it."
I just groan. "I can't."
"Try harder." I give him an irritated look. "Look how happy everybody is. We're having an awesome party. It's actually not stifling hot right now but a pleasurably cool temperature and soon we will be gorging ourselves with delicious heaps of meat." He gives me a wide, goofy grin, but I don't have it in me to let out even a small chuckle. His grin drops and he sighs. "You're not going to be able to relax until you talk to him, are you."
I don't have to answer. He can see it on my face.
With another sigh, he gives me a gentle smile and nudges me in the arm. "I'm sure he's had enough time to recover. Get out of here."
I give him a weak smile. "Thanks," I tell him as I rise to my feet.
"Good luck," he says, before returning his attention to the enormous and wonderful smelling boar. Oh Blaze...
Without another word, I slip out from the crowd and make my way into the Fortress.
My heart pounds furiously as I make my way towards the rooms where they were taking care of all the wounded. Multiple thoughts run through my mind. First, that I must be going insane. Second, that I have absolutely no idea what to say. Third...if my heart beats any faster it's going to explode and I'm going to die in the absolute dumbest possible way ever.
As I get to his room, the heat begins to pool from my chest and into my veins, and I feel my face growing hot. I have to take a deep breath before I open the door and look in -
- nobody.
He's not there.
Well great. I just got myself worked up for nothing. Fantastic.
With a sigh, I turn back and make my way along the outer balconies of the Fortress. I'm about to make my way back to the bonfire when I hear footsteps above me. My eyes follow the sound...
...it's him.
My heart starts roaring again, but I try to quell it as he walks by. He doesn't see me. He just keeps making his way forward, to where I can't determine. But I follow him.
I follow him up staircase aftercase until he reaches the very top of the Fortress. Right before I reach the base of the last set of stairs, I stop. My heartbeat has only grown louder and faster, and my stomach is churning like no other, but I take a deep breath and brace myself.
No matter how I feel, I have to see him. Now.
Here goes nothing...
Slowly and hesitantly, I make my way up each stair. I can see Christian leaning against the balcony, watching the sunset with an unsettled expression. He doesn't see me at first, but I can't find the ability to speak anyway, so I simply wait and watch him.
He's been well taken care of. His bandages stretch across his chest and his wound over to his shoulder, and he seems to have regained some ability with his arm. That calms me down a little. At least he's all right.
It's a couple of moments before he notices me. When he does, he pulls away from the balcony and turns toward me.
His eyes are a vivid shade of amber...and the fire in them is readily apparent...
"Aeria..."
My heart nearly stops.
One word. He only said one damn word and my heads already spinning and I feel like I can't breathe. His expression shifts to concern as he watches me, and he slowly makes his way to me. I'm not even trying to hide my emotions anymore. There's no way I could.
"You...you look good..." I stammer quietly. And then stop dead, blood rushing to my cheeks once more as I realize exactly what I just said. "I mean...your wound..." My heart pounds even harder as he stops just in front of me. I avoid his gaze, instead focusing all my attention on the blood stain on his bandages. "You shouldn't have done that," I say quietly.
His expression doesn't change. "I couldn't let him hurt you."
"He wasn't going to. He just wanted you to think he would."
"All the same."
I only swallow, never pulling my eyes away. There's a lot of blood...
"Thank you," I whisper softly. If it had been intended for me he'd have saved my life."Does it hurt?"
"No," he assures me as I slowly reach up towards his wound. As I place my hand over it, he winces. "Well, not terribly," he admits. I move to slowly pull my hand away but he catches it in midair and reclaims it. The fire immediately leaps into my fingertips and travels down my arm like lightning. My eyes fly upwards, desperately trying to read his face.
There's a small hint of surprise, but otherwise he looks...calm...all uncertainty and confusion that had clouded his face for the last few days has seemingly vanished, and he looks a lot more at ease than he did. But even so, as I squeeze his hand, I can see the fire flare up in his gorgeous eyes...he's watching me...he's waiting...
"Christian..." I whisper, dropping my gaze and pulling back. But he doesn't let go of my hand. He only moves forward with me.
"Yes?" he asks, and as I look back towards him, I see something else in his face...desperation...and that all-too familiar emotion that I'd never been able to read...
I can feel my heart tugging against my chest...trying to escape...and I can feel my emotions starting to whirl around and build, but I press my other hand against my chest as if to hold it in, all the while trying to keep myself under control. "Christian...I..." I start, but break off, unable to continue. His expression becomes even more desperate.
"Please..." he begs. "Tell me."
The look in his eyes is too much for me to bear...
I have to pull back again in order to calm myself down, this time pulling my hand from his. The reaction on his face is almost agonizing, but there's no way I can do this with his touch sending me over the edge. I wrap my arm around my body, trying to hold myself together. It's just too much...
"Why did you kiss me?" the words wrench themselves from my body in a whisper.
He doesn't answer right away, but I can see the emotions shifting across his face. It takes a moment before he can find the ability to speak, and he takes a deep breath.
"I thought that would be obvious..."
It's not enough. It's not an answer. The fire flares up in my chest again and I can feel the flash of pain shooting across my face as I press my hand even harder against it. The concern in his eyes grows.
"I..." I let out, struggling to regain my composure, but it only gets harder. "I need to know..." It's barely even a whisper. "If you were just trying to stop me from fighting...or if..." I break off, swallowing hard. "I just can't take anymore...I can't handle you...toying with me...if you are...again..." I'm shaking. My emotions are spinning wildly out of control, and at this point there isn't much more I can do about it. "So I need to know..."
Christian doesn't move. He just stands there, frozen, as a million different emotions flash through his eyes at once.
And then, realization blossoms across his face and his beautiful eyes widen with shock.
"You feel the same..." he whispers in disbelief. And slowly, a weak smile forms on his lips.
All I can do is watch him, waiting, feeling as though my heart is going to rip itself in two...I feel like I'm going to cry...oh Farore please don't let me cry...
As I feel my bottom lip beginning to tremble, he even laughs, softly, but somewhat incredulously. "Oh Aeria..." he says soothingly, taking my hands back in his and pulling them in towards his chest. My left hand grazes his wound, but he doesn't even seem to notice, let alone care. After laying my hands down he releases them, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me even closer, one arm around my waist and the other at the nape of my neck.
"I wasn't just trying to stop you from fighting."
My head snaps up, my eyes rising to his instantly. His smile's grown even wider, and the desperation in his eyes has been replaced with joy...
"I didn't know what it was..." he whispers, his tone alive with excitement. "Not for ages...and when I finally figured it out, I tried to tell you, but every time...every damn time..." He cuts off and lets out another laugh as I watch him, desperately hanging on to his every word. "Aeria...I'm falling for you..."
My heart stops and its feel like it's going to take a miracle to get it started again. I search his beautiful brown eyes and find nothing but absolute sureness.
He's falling for me too...
Before I can even form a single thought I throw myself forward and the next thing I know, I'm kissing him.
The fire explodes throughout my body once more, and my heart stops threatening to wrench itself from my chest. Instead it just starts thumping loudly and contentedly, and as he kisses me back I realize exactly why it no longer feels like mine anymore.
Because it isn't. It's his.
"Wow..." he exclaims breathlessly as we pull away. "You wouldn't believe how badly I wanted that..."
"Christian, I-" I start, already stammering and feeling the start of tears coming on...oh please please please don't let me cry... "I couldn't tell - I didn't know what it was...and then today...before the battle...and then it hit me...and you kissed me..."
He cuts me off, pulling me in once more and kissing me even more deeply. I find myself getting dizzy as all of my blood catches fire and races underneath my skin once more...and yet...I don't think I've ever been happier...oh Farore. "Like that," I get out weakly, and then stumble as my legs nearly give out. He only laughs as he catches me and pulls me back to my feet, his hand rising to the side of my face and his thumb tracing up and down my cheek. "If it's not already obvious...Christian...I'm falling for you too..."
That beautiful smile only grows even wider, and I find myself smiling as well as he pulls me into an embrace and kisses the top of my head.
"I didn't want you to fight because I didn't want you to get hurt...I didn't want to lose you...and I know that you have to, but every time..."
"Hey, I think I handled myself pretty well," I argue, fighting off the tears welling in my eyes...though it's fairly unsuccessful. Oh dammit...
"Aer, you were...incredible," Christian admits with a tone of amazement. "I've never seen you fight like that...all that practice I guess...I mean, Aer, you..." As his eyes return to my face, I watch as they immediately pick up on the one single rebellious tear making a run for it down my cheek. "Aer..." he starts again, completely taken aback. The expression on his face becomes suddenly worried. "Aer are you...are you crying...?"
"It's just been so much in one day," I explain quietly, immediately wiping away the next few tears that have made their escape down my face. Dammit, I'm actually crying. "Everything...and I'm just happy is all..."
Christian just shakes his head the way he always does and chuckles, the smile returning to his face. "You really are crazy," he says.
At that I laugh even through my tears. "Shut up." He just puts on a look of seriousness.
"No, I mean it," he continues. "You're certifiable." At that I give him a gentle whack, laughing as I wipe the remnants of my tears away. "Oh Aer," he sighs, pulling me in once more for another hug. I just bury my face in his chest and take him in, while he kisses the top of my head again. He doesn't let go until I've finally stopped crying and I've taken in all the comfort I need.
"So it looks like quite the party down there," he says as we pull away. The laughter is audible even from up here, as is the music that's started up. With a grin he extends his good arm. "May I escort you, milady?"
I smile, accepting and taking his arm.
"Absolutely."