I never intended to drop this story, I just needed a break to get better at OCs... which I have. I love this story and missed it, so I am still writing it. Just look forward to updates...
"Very good Collin, your movements are nice." Priam knelt down, watching as Collin moved through the motions that he had been taught. A false sword, a training sword found in the rooms of a fallen child, was in his hand. It was not a perfect match to learn from, but it was good enough for the time being. "Remember to keep your eyes up, you need to be able to examine everything around you. What your opponent is doing, any outside influence, anything you might trip on... the works."
Collin nodded, a determined look on his pale face. "I am trying, sir."
"I know, and you are doing quite well." Priam turned his gaze to Beth, who was sweating heavily. "Hmm... it is a little heavy isn't it? I would prefer if you had a rapier, that would be better for your size but I have faith in you girly. Your doing well."
Beth frowned. " I hate this, why do I have to learn? Isn't it a boy's job to protect me?"
"It is everyone's job to protect everyone, that includes you. You should never want to be helpless child, by any means possible you should know how to protect yourself. You never know when your life is going to be in danger, especially in times like this."
Beth made a sound in the back of her throat, disapproving. " Well, I hate it."
"I Know you do, but it is vital. You want your friends to be in danger or would you rather have the power to ensure their survival?"
Finally his words had an effect on the girl, shame and embarrassment crossed her face. "I would want to protect them..."
"So work hard and get good..." He turned and walked over to Talo, who was pumping and shooting shots with his new slingshot. The kid's aim was poor, but improving no matter how much it frustrated him. "I see a marked improvement. Seriously, your going to be great kid."
Talo's eyes lit up, happy and proud. " Really!"
"Yes, no one is good at anything at first. Even me and your beloved Link. It took me a solid month to become a fair enough archer. You will get it kid-" Sudden, sharp, severe pain shot through Priam's heart, a warning from his talismans. " Everyone inside!" His words, his command, was strong and without question the kid's obeyed his words. They ran as fast as they could, rushing into the safety of the Altar House.
Priam on the other hand hid behind the building with his new trident at the ready.
A thundering filled the world, and powerful Bulblins riding their wicked boars rushed past his talisman and into the heart of Kakariko village. Priam cursed, charging his trident as he readied for a fight he knew he was likely to lose. There were three of them, with the largest being utterly massive... larger then any man, with Green Skin and powerful horns. He had a giant axe upon his back...
And Priam knew this was the being that kidnapped the kids, as it matched perfectly the stories that they had told him.
Without hesitating, he placed a hand on the Altar house, and allowed his magic to surge into it. Now that his powers were fully restored, in the presence of a Light spirit, he could easily cast a powerful barrier without draining his powers too much or saying a verbal spell. A white gossamer curtain rippled into existence around the Altar house, tied to the talisman they had crafted with the kids in the day since Link had left to visit Ordan once more.
Thankfully it was hard to see in natural light, so the Bulblins didn't seem to notice anything as they charged hatefully through the town.
'It would be better to snipe them... with spelled arrows...' Dispelling his Trident, he summoned his bow and chanted. "Din's fire, bless this arrow, burn through my enemies... char the world... " Golden flames erupted around the arrow his nocked onto his bow, charged by the power of a goddesses spell.
Throwing himself to the side, he aimed and allowed the arrow to fly forward slamming into the center beast. An explosion of flames rippled through them all, knocking the beast off of it's Boar and sending the other two flying. They died on impact with the ground, dispelling as all monsters did. Their demonic boars dispersed as well, leaving only the massive Bulblin behind.
Priam's feet flew as he launched more and more arrows, unspelled, at the fallen beast. They each hit it, and he felt it's lifeforce leaving it. He did not let his assault let up, even for a moment, launching more and more arrows as the monster but still it did not dispel. It's lifeforce was too strong for that, it's body too durable. Only when he went through half of his thirty arrows did he stop, summoning his Trident and buckler, waiting for the beast to stand and slowly it did, grunting loudly. It turned to him, it's beady red eyes showing nothing but hate and intelligence.
It flinched, and the arrows all fell from it's thick skin, tiny trickles of blood fell from it's charred body.
With great speed, it yanked off the axe from it's back.
They strafed each other, waiting for the first strike.
So distracted were they that neither noticed the thunderous cries and hoofbeats of Epona, Link's mighty steed that he had recently saved from Bulbins just before he left Kakariko. At least, they didn't notice it until they were both forced to dodge, throwing themselves to the side to avoid being struck down by the mighty Horse. The Massive Bulblin actually slammed into a fence leading up to what once was an inn where as Priam scrapped his skin against the rough earth.
"Priam, are the kids okay?" Link called out as he dismounted, his sword at the ready.
"Their fine, let's kill this thing."
As once they charged the Bublin, Link slashing and Priam stabbing as one. The beast could not dodge and was sent back, horrible wounds carved into it's green flesh. The thing stood no chance against the two of them, falling backwards as it bled out, dying before them... though it did not dispel.
Link, huffing, sheathed his sword. " What happened?"
"They charged in here as the kids were training, I barely got them inside before they passed my talismans. At least we know they work." Turning to Link, Priam gripped his forearm. "Thank you for aiding me, it was too durable to be taken easily. It withstood a Din's fire spell, not many beings can do that unharmed."
"I was happy to help... let's go check on everyone... oh and I brought you the stick and the water from the Spring." He showed a bottle and the stick, summoning it from Midna's shadow.
"Wonderful, with this and my magical circle I can cast a powerful barrier around this place." Happy, he and Link moved towards the Altar house... only to falter at the sound of Hoofbeats, forcing them to turn around with weapons draw only to watch the Bulblin charge away, bleeding and limp against it's beast, rushing out of the village on the opposite side from which it came.
Both boys shared a look, then a sigh. " How strong was that thing?" Link asked.
"Too powerful, it is the peak of it's species... we should have known better, Monsters dispel when killed. We were foolish."
"Yeah, we were... but with your barrier we won't have to worry about anything... Right?" Link looked worried, pained.
Priam couldn't lie to him. "It will stop normal beasties, but nothing strong enough to destroy a Light Spirit... at least not for long. I am a powerful sorcerer, I can acknowledge this but compared to the power to do that... I am nothing. We can only pray they do not return, whomever it was that did this."
"Then that is what we are going to do." Link stood tall, his beautiful blue eyes hardened as only a soldier could manage. "I have faith that you'll protect them."
"I will... at least until we leave to restore the next spirit. I want to teach them to protect themselves and hopefully get the Gorons to help once we figure out why they have muted themselves as they have."
Link nodded.
"""
The kids were happy, beyond happy, to see Link but sad to see him leave towards the Mountain. His message that their parents knew of their condition and sent their love seemed to uplift even the rude Beth and sarcastic Malo.
"Now, kiddos, we need to cast this barrier spell... I am going to need silence and help. I need you to stand around and pray, to Din and Naryu and Farore and Hylia. Pray for power, for protection... and hope they listen and carry a fraction of strength into this barrier." The kids nodded, obediently and with some fear. They each walked around the barrier and started to pray as all children were taught, to the goddesses of Hyrule. Slowly, Priam walked into the Magic circle he had set up and slammed the stick, soaked with water from the Ordon and Farore spring, right into the center of the circle. Grabbing the bottle of water from both springs, he poured it around him, feeling it's lingering might fill the air around them with subtle power.
Kneeling, he focused and channeled his own great power, linking with the magic around him and the presence of the Goddesses he hoped the kids and Renando would manage to invoke with their prayers.
"Din... with your firey arms, wrap around this place with your strength... Nayru, with your wise mind, pour within this barrier the understanding of Dark and Light... Farore with your rich soul, let flow the power of life into this spell... Hylia, with your command of time and powerful presence, stand with us. Great Goddesses of the World, protectors of Hyrule, stand with us in this hour, bind to this place a spell to protect us, your humble children...
Do not let them fall, do not let the Spirits suffer from Darkness once more. In the name of Light, in the name of the Twilight people like Midna, I beg of you, beseech you... protect your children! "
He was not ready for the immeasurable surge of energy that filled the air. The coal drawn circle glew a bright white, lifting from the ground, swirling around him until it was a deep blur of light. Brighter and brighter, the spell stole more and more of his power, collecesing until it exploded, shooting upwards and falling like a thousand fireworks. The trails of light blurred together, creating a gossamer curtain of pure power, descending and fitting snugly on the barriers of Kakariko village.
Exhaustion and wonder overcame Priam, he collapsed to the side, coughing weakly. Renando ran up to him, using his considerable strength to lift him up so he could lean upon his shoulder. "You did well, my child."
"Thank you... the branch and the circle is the center of the spell... it must be watered daily with spring water, a prayer spoken over it... the Goddesses listened..."
And darkness stole him, sweeping him into the realm of sleep, where the pain of magical exhaustion could not hit him and fears of his spell failing could not bother his weary soul.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was beyond fun to write, I missed this story a whole heck of a lot.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.