I wrote this chapter in three days and it only took me another two to edit, so here's another update ^_^ I honestly can't promise that updates will be this quick, but I'm going to try my best while I juggle another fic on Wattpad. I promise it's all coming to a close- just hold on! – ShadowLink5
I saved naming this until I was completely done with it for some reason. But I'm not entirely happy with the title.
Thalia's POV
The next morning I wake up to the sound of clanging pots and the smell of breakfast. Everyone loves Red's cooking, and he insists on making every single meal for us, which is very nice of him considering he's a great cook. But as much as I love his food, I'm getting tired of this quest. I wish this'd be over soon so we can go back to the camp.
Sitting up, I yawn loudly and rub my heavy eyes. "Good morning, Thalia!" our cook greets cheerily. I look over and see him stirring a big pot of something while Blue sits by, looking quite unamused at having to help him. "We found the next note!"
"You did?" Maybe this'll be over quicker than I thought. If we keep finding notes at this rate… "Where?"
He giggles and points to his forehead. "It was here when I woke up this morning, stuck there overnight! I wonder who did it!"
"Kind of disturbing when you think about it," Blue interrupts, handing Red a small tin of spices from his pack. "Someone sneaking into our camp and sticking things on Red's forehead."
"I'm just glad nobody was harmed." Green walks over and sits beside me. "We don't know who drops them and leaves them around; it could be anybody."
Shadow joins the group followed by Vio, both sporting messy purple and blonde bedhead. I can't help but stifle a giggle, earning joking glares from them. "It was probably Vaati."
"Well, I can't wait to get moving!" Red smiles, gesturing for silverware and bowls from Blue. "Breakfast is served!"
After cleaning up our dishes and packing our overnight things, we set off on today's journey, walking in a single-file line down Zora River Valley. Green reads me the contents of the message.
"Remember the pretty; remember the sweet,
Remember the girl that you most want to see.
Visit her house, but beware of the fear-
If you succeed, you'll receive Baby's Ear.
"We figured that, since it was Red's note, it was Erune he wanted to see," he explains as we traverse down the grassy path bordered by Zora's River. "So we're going to the Village of the Blue Maiden."
"Isn't it in ruins?"
"Probably," Green shrugs. "But that doesn't really matter at this point. Her house is probably still standing, at least to some extent."
Vio chips in. "And even if it isn't, that won't stop a battle or a puzzle from happening. Or deter Red from getting the seashell."
"That's right!" Red chirps.
Blue goes to hit him on the head but forces his arm down. "You're too happy this morning- you know that, right?"
"It's not possible to be too happy in the morning! I happen to like being a positive person!"
Vio rolls his eyes. "There is no logical evidence that being happy in the morning is a bad-"
"Nobody asked you!" Blue yells, cutting him off.
"Everybody settle down!" Green commands, causing everybody to fall silent. At least we have a good leader and not just a clique of argumentative dorks.
Vio comes up beside me quietly and keeps walking without a word; out of the corner of my eye I notice Shadow looking irritated. Maybe if I speak it'll relieve some tension. Is this really all about me like Vio said the other night?
"Are you alright?" I whisper, trying not to be too loud in the group. Though of course it is nearly impossible as everybody else is very quiet and will probably hear everything being said.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Vio gives me a quizzical look. "Oh, are you talking about yesterday and getting the shell?"
"Yeah."
"It was pretty rough, I have to say. I nearly died in there. But thanks to you- I mean, thanks to all of your guys' cheering, I was able to make it through." He smiles warmly at me, earning even more silent rage from Shadow.
"Glad to hear it." We keep traveling down the mountainside and into Hyrule Field once more, making our way towards the village on the horizon.
OoooOoooO
The Village of the Blue Maiden is just as desolate as we had found it earlier when we were still fighting the Infernalfos. Now three-quarters of the buildings are completely burned to the ground, their ashes scattered around what the village once was. The wind blows harshly against our team, whining eerily. Only a few houses remain standing.
"It's so deserted…" Red murmurs. "So frightening…"
"I guess Princess Zelda and Kakariko Village didn't think it was worth it to repair this place," Green replies.
"They should eventually, though. Zelda can't have refugees in the castle forever, and Kakariko isn't big enough for people of both towns; it'll certainly be a project. But there isn't anything stopping them. The threat is gone," comments Vio.
"Well, not all of it. We still have Vaati running around."
"I guess that's true."
"Red? Are you going to go or what?" Shadow sighs.
"Oh…" The smallest Link looks down at the ground, suddenly quite reluctant. "I guess so…"
Blue grabs him by the collar and pulls him forward. "Don't be such a wimp! Go find the monster and let's get out of here! The sooner you do it, the sooner we can leave!"
"Be gentle with him, Blue." Listening to Green, he releases Red with a grumble. "Let's go to Erune's house, if it's still standing."
It's not a far walk, and soon the six of us stand in front of a house only half-eaten by the earlier destruction. Erune's house is in somewhat good shape I guess, but it gives off the vibe that if you stepped inside you'd have to be careful, as the roof slightly caves in. Red is the most nervous I've ever seen him; he's biting his fingernails to the bone again.
"Alright, bud. Time to fight your battle." Green gently pats Red on the back.
"I don't want to! It's scary!"
"Do you need me to come in with you, you baby?" Blue growls.
"That'd be nice…"
"Ugh, fine." Taking him by the shoulders, Blue pushes him along, helping him walk forward every step of the way until they reach the front door.
Red looks back at the rest of us in complete panic. "Are you guys sure you don't want to come with us?! At all? Please? Please? It wouldn't take a long time, all I have to do is-"
"You'll be fine with Blue there, Red," Vio waves him off. "Now get to it. We don't have all week." I feel slightly sorry for Red; this has to be the scariest place to get a shell, and out of all of us, Red is the one who gets chosen for it. But at the same time, I agree with Vio. He should be okay.
Blue opens the door for Red and they step in together; it slams behind them, leaving them all alone in Erune's house.
OoooOoooO
Blue's POV
"Blue!" Red yelps as soon as the door slams behind us. "Did you close the door?!"
"Yeah, yeah, I did. Don't be such a baby." The truth is, I didn't, but I don't want the little wimp to freak out any more than he already has.
"Do you think there are ghosts?!"
"Why would there be ghosts, stupid?"
"Because this is a ruined house in an abandoned village!"
"I'm pretty sure there aren't any. Now, let's get going." Grabbing his arm, I lead him forward.
The house is dead silent, only our echoing footsteps and the sound of Red's heavy breathing keep us company. I guess Red's fear isn't all that irrational; I'm getting the creeps myself. But there's no way I'm letting him know that.
We step into the front room and go through the adjoining living room on the left, but nothing's there. We walk across the hall into the kitchen and dining room, but nothing's there either.
"We have to go upstairs?!" Red shrieks. "It's going to be even scarier up there!"
Gripping his arm roughly, I drag him behind me up the stairs anyway. "For the millionth time, Red, I swear to Farore! You're going to be freaking fine! There are NO ghosts, it's not scary AT ALL, you are being SUCH a baby, and-"
The hair rises on the back of my neck as we greet a giant knight standing silently at the end of the hallway.
"See, Blue!? I told you-"
"Shh, you idiot!" I hiss, cupping my hand over his mouth to mute him. "I don't think he's seen us yet! But if you be ANY LOUDER, he'll hear us!"
Holding back tears (and making me feel immensely bad), he nods and I let go. "Now, Red. We have to approach this carefully."
"Okay, what are we going to do?" He whispers.
"I'm going to walk ahead of you and get his attention. You stay hidden behind something and when I lead him past you, you attack from behind. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Alright. Stay here." Wielding my Four Sword and shield, I creep forward through the hallway. If I get too close, the Darknut will notice. Honestly they're a lot of fun to battle for me, but Red might not be able to handle one in the state he's in.
About halfway through the hallway I go to take another step and a magical force field shocks me, sending me flying backwards with a cry. Red rushes straight at me. "Blue! Blue! What happened?!"
"I told you to be quiet, idiot!" I snarl at him. Red looks over and sees the Darknut slowly approaching. "I can't help you fight it, it's your monster- remember?! You have to do this on your own!"
"But I can't leave you here!"
"I'll be fine. He's coming, Red! Get your sword out and battle him!" Nayru, he's so stubborn sometimes.
"I'll be back for you!" He sniffles, standing up. It doesn't hurt too badly, so I get up and stand off to the side where I won't be in the way.
Red approaches the Darknut and they both take a battle stance. I can see him fighting back tears as he forces his shield upright. Now they are in range of each other, ready to fight. Please do well…
I see Red still trembling and am tempted to shout at him, but for once I refrain. It'd probably be best not to distract him or make him feel even more nervous. He takes a deep gulp.
"Alright!" Yelling, he crosses swords with the large knight and they fence back and forth. To beat a Darknut, you have to find the chink in its armor. I just hope Red gets to that point soon, because he might not hold up too much longer.
All of a sudden he rolls to the back of the Darknut, slashing the armor off its back and exposing it. It whirls around, taken off guard. Good job, Red. Now it'll get a bit easier.
The Darknut does its best to keep itself facing Red, but the small Link keeps rolling backwards and hitting its chink. More pieces of armor fall off as he cuts the Darknut in more places. It can barely hit him; he's too light and fast for it.
All of the armor finally falls off and Red strikes the knight's sword out of its hand, causing it to fly across the room near me. "Finish it!" I yell, unable to hold back my cheering any longer. "Don't wait!"
He nods at me and runs as fast as he can towards the Darknut scrambling to retrieve its weapon. It's too slow. I watch it collapse onto the ground as Red plunges his Four Sword into its back and disappear into a puff of purple monster smoke.
"Great job," I grin at Red, walking forward to meet him. The force field no longer exists, having been tied to the life force of the Darknut. "Let's get that shell now."
"Which room do you think it's in?" He asks.
"I don't know. Try Erune's bedroom first, like the note said."
We come to the end of the hallway where the Darknut was standing and push open the first door on our left. All that greets us is a small bedroom with four beds, and it isn't Erune's.
"Hey- isn't this the room where we all stayed?"
I take a look at the windows and the way the beds are arranged. "Yeah…it's been a while, but nothing seems to have changed."
"I think her room should be directly across the hall then," Red concludes. "At least, that's what I think I remember." I follow him out and let him push open the door.
It's dark in the room but a faint glow comes from beneath something at the head of the bed. Red flips the light switch on. This is definitely Erune's room- there are pictures of her and her friends hanging on the pink walls; a vase of flowers decorate a quaint little dresser in the corner.
Her pillow seems to be radiating something. "I think I found the shell!" Red exclaims, rushing over to the bed. He flips the pillow over only to reveal a very bright light. I have to shield my eyes.
"There you go." I watch as he struggles to pick it up; his eyes shut tight, he puts it in his adventure pack. Once it's dimmed, he opens his eyes. "That was really bright…"
"I suppose we should get out of here, since we're all done," I suggest, heading out of the room. He trails behind me and we make our way back down the hallway, down the stairs and out to our friends once again.
"That was quick," Green says, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure there's not something bigger coming for us? Like a trap?"
"Nope!" Red smiles, taking it back out of his pack and handing it to Green. Now it just looks like a normal shell. I have to say it doesn't quite look like an ear, but it's close enough, considering that it'd be hard to find a seashell that perfectly replicates a Hylian ear. Ugh, I'm starting to think like Vio!
"Well, if that's all there is to it…" Shadow begins. "We should get out of here."
"Agreed," adds Thalia.
"What are we waiting for, then?!" I shout. "Come on!" Not bothering to wait for the others, I reel around and start heading back to the front gate of the village.
"Wait- there's just one thing!" Vio calls after me. "We don't have the last note."
"Where are we going to get it?!" I stop and yell over my shoulder, agitated. I just want to get this stupid thing over with and battle Vaati NOW. In fact, I know I could beat him myself! But no, we just have to go on a seashell quest!
"We don't know yet, stupid."
"Who are you calling stupid?!" Enraged, I wheel back around and stomp back to the group, reaching for Vio's collar to teach him a lesson. Red's hand stops me midair.
"Come on, Blue- give it a break."
Shadow smirks at me. "It definitely serves you righ-ouch!" Everybody turns to him, alarmed by his sudden yelp. He rubs the back of his head. "What the frick was that?!"
"Look by your foot," Thalia points out. Shadow stoops down and picks it up. It's a black sphere, similar to the blue one that gave us Thalia and Green's notes. "It's another note."
"Woah, cool," The shadow grins, turning it over in his hands. Why didn't I get such a cool ball like him?! "How do we open it? It hasn't exploded like the rest."
"Try throwing it up in the air," suggests Vio. Shadow gives it a toss about 2 feet up and it explodes like the other two, the black note floating down into Shadow's hand.
"That thing is so cool!" he exclaims. We gather around him as he reads aloud the poetic riddle, written in neatly-printed white cursive.
"Congratulations on making it this far, but don't be fooled by your success-
Let magic fight magic, and then you'll see who is best.
Which darkness will rule the throne? There is none who can tell-
If you win the challenge, you'll win another shell."
"What does that mean?" Red ponders aloud.
"Well, the magic refers to Shadow, but we all know that," says Green.
"Thanks, Captain Obvious," I mumble under my breath.
"It doesn't say our location!"
"But it does," Vio points out. "'Rule the throne'. It's the only line in the entire riddle that could answer that question. We're going to Hyrule Castle."
