Indivisible Legends
Chapter One: The Journey Begins
A sixteen-year old, bronze-skinned young woman with wild brown hair that barely reached halfway down her neck offered an annoyed sigh before she put her hands on her hips. She wore a flowing, short-sleeved tan shirt with brown trim on the collar, and a blue mini-skirt tied down with a red sash and black shorts underneath it. A leather bracer was on her left forearm, a golden bracelet on her right wrist, and brown sandals protected the bottoms of her feet with white bandages wrapped around her shins. Red prayer beads were tied into her hair with a white tassel, and they clattered slightly as she moved. "I get it, Tael!" She snapped before turning to fix her dark brown eyes on a dark purple ball of light with translucent wings. "I was just taking a break for the morning. I can still train just as well in the afternoon!" She went on while leaning forward, eyes flashing angrily.
Tael let out an uncertain chime as he fluttered back from the young woman. "But Ajna, you told Link-"
"I told him I would see him there. I never said what time!" Ajna interrupted the soft-spoken fairy sharply as she took a step towards Tael, who fluttered back again. "I swear, him and Dad only think about training!" She went on exasperatedly and the fairy gave another weak chime, this one of agreement. Even as she opened her mouth to continue her rant, a soft nicker had both of them turning.
The two of them were standing in a moderately-sized, one-room house set with a table by the curving wall, three hammocks hanging around the room as well, and other personal items set about. An opening with a purple cloth served as the doorway, and pushing through that cloth came an auburn mare with a white stripe going down the front of her head. The mare walked up to Ajna, who watched warily at something she saw in the horse's azure eyes. She only took a few steps before quickly turning to the left and hitting the young woman with her snow-white tail.
"Epona!" Ajna exclaimed angrily as she spat out against the hairs while Epona turned back with an amused neigh. "Oh, you think you're so clever…" She growled out before stomping towards a rack holding several chopping knives.
Tael let out a sharp chime when Ajna's right hand snapped out to grab something and then dashed back at the mare in a blur of motion.
When she was back in front of Epona, a smile was on her face as she offered the mare a carrot. "Well, you are." The brunette said with a laugh as the horse chewed on the orange vegetable.
"Ajna…" Tael fluttered over to her, and this time the brown-haired girl sighed.
"I know, I know." Ajna said with a quick pat of Epona's strong neck. "Besides, if I'm late I'm sure your annoying big sister Tatl and Dad will get on my case." She went on with renewed annoyance.
"Ummm…" Tael trailed off with a soft chime and Ajna looked over at him curiously. "Well, since you wanted to take the morning off at first…"
Ajna froze and her eyes widened as she caught on to his meaning. "Oh no!" She exclaimed before rushing out the doorway, dropping what remained of the carrot to the floor. Tael let out a sharp chime before flying after her.
The young woman raced through the village, beads occasionally clattering and sash flapping behind her, and several villagers took note of the tan and brown blur trailed by a dark purple orb as they raced past. All of them shared knowing looks and laughs.
"Oh man, Dad's gonna kill me." Ajna groaned before shooting a narrowed glance at Tael as he easily kept pace, his wings beating rapidly. "If you say I told you so…" She trailed off threateningly but received a reassuring chime in response. A relieved sigh escaped her lips as they started going into the forest, dodging and jumping over all manner of obstacles. "Thanks, Tael… sorry for snapping at you earlier." She apologized softly while vaulting over a massive root.
"It's okay." Tael replied back warmly. "I'm sure you could talk Link into another race as 'agility training' later to the fishing spot." He offered and Ajna's eyes glittered at the suggestion. The two remained silent after that as they focused on getting through the forest, and after fifteen minutes they ran into a clearing.
In the clearing was a variety of training dummies, tied-up targets, and various weapons carefully stored on pegs hammered into the sides of trees. It seemed a perfect place for training, out of the way and yet offered a serene view. However, what caught her eye was the young man in the middle.
Fair-skinned with unruly blonde hair under a long green cap and intent blue eyes, the young man wore a short-sleeved green tunic cinched down with a brown belt, a brown pouch tied to it, over a pair of green shorts and a pair of brown boots. In further contrast his ears extended outward almost like knives rather than rounding out like Ajna's. In his brown-gloved hands was a beautifully designed broadsword he took through a series of slashes and thrusts with smooth, effortless precision. The hilt looked like the green stem of a flower and the guard was the start of the blooming dark purple blade, which held a green rectangle with a double rose design set in it. The Great Fairy Sword gleamed as the sunlight played over it while he moved, resulting in a coruscating effect.
Not far away from him hovered a yellow ball of light with wings, which let out a chime when she noticed Ajna and Tael. "There you are!" Tatl called out, her sharp, commanding tone the opposite of Tael's softer, more uncertain one. "What took you so long?" She demanded while Link worked on finishing his dance-like routine, shifting from two-handed to one-handed attacks and back again.
Ajna's right eye twitched but didn't break stride as she continued into the clearing. "I got a little sidetracked on the way here." She replied with a carefree shrug. "Besides, it looks like I beat Dad here anyways, so it's not like I'm late." She went on with a triumphant smirk.
Her smirk quickly faded as she saw the ghost of a smile on Link's face and the way his ears flicked while he continued his routine. Brown eyes went wide as her guard instinctively went up at his expression, and with it felt something that had her turn and bringing her left arm up in a strong guard.
The block was perfectly placed to stop the open-handed side blow from a massive man who seemed to have just appeared behind Ajna. His clothes were simple, a flowing white toga under an off-white shirt with a brown cloth flowing from his left shoulder. The elderly man's hair, to include a beard and mustache, was white and pulled back into a bun that showed an X-shaped scar on his forehead. His dark brown left eye, the only open one, was stern as he looked down at her. "You're late, Ajna." Indr said gruffly as he brought back his foiled right hand, disregarding Tael's soft chime as the fairy fluttered back.
"Sure is!" Tatl chimed in with malicious cheer.
"You shut up!" Ajna rebuttal was as sharp as her movement to pivot and point at the yellow fairy, but Tatl just chimed in amusement. "As for you, I was already here before you!" She went on while glaring up at her father. "Technically, you're the one who- Ow!" Her rant was cut off as Indr delivered another strike, this one connecting.
"I see that without Link giving you a hint your defense atrophies." Indr remarked while Ajna rubbed the side of her head. His stern gaze shifted to Link, but the blonde was turned away at that point in his routine.
"My defense is just fine. I just didn't expect my own Dad to hit me without warning! That's not fair!" Ajna retorted angrily with a glare.
"Combat is rarely fair." Indr replied bluntly and his daughter crossed her arms as she turned around in a huff, her eyes closing in her aggravation.
"I guess you're right!" Ajna exclaimed the last word in an exhalation to increase the strength of her spinning right palm heel strike at her father's midsection.
Indr effortlessly deflected the strike with his left hand while simultaneously reaching out with his right to smack her up the side of the head once again. "Too slow." He remarked gruffly to her pained complaint.
"Are you okay?" Tael asked as he fluttered up next to her.
"Her head or her pride?" Tatl put in with a self-satisfied tone.
"I'm fine." Ajna reassured Tael before shooting Tatl a quick glare. "Don't worry about me. You should be worried about this old man when I get serious." She added with a challenging glare.
"As always you're too excitable." Indr said with a shake of his head.
Ajna smiled cheerfully at the comment, taking it as a compliment. "I'm just fired up!" She exclaimed as while punching her right fist into her left palm.
"Your best and worst trait." Indr remarked with an exasperated sigh, running his right hand through his beard.
Ajna chuckled while Tatl gave an agreeing chime and Tael fluttered back to her shoulder. "That's right! I'm just a hot-blooded teenager!" She declared proudly with a wide smile.
Indr closed his eye with another sigh. "Such a weird child." He said with another shake of his head as his eye reopened.
Ajna raised her right eyebrow at his comment for a second before motioning to the purple Tael and yellow Tatl. "Hm?" She asked and Indr's eye twitched. "Hmm?" She went on while motioning to the long-eared, fair-skinned Link as he continued moving his his rose-like sword and this time he glanced away for a second. When Indr looked back she now was gesturing towards him." "HMMM!?" She demanded emphatically.
At that Indr coughed lightly into his right hand. "F-fair points." He admitted.
"Hey!" Tatl exclaimed indignantly with a sharp chime.
"W-well, we are unusual for this place." Tael put in with a conciliatory tone.
A soft chuckle came from Link, putting in his agreement with Ajna's observations.
"Ha!" Ajna laughed triumphantly. "Score one point for Ajna!"
"You should be trying to 'score' a blow on your old Dad." Indr retorted simply as he resumed his easy stance.
"Maybe I will." Ajna replied as she cracked her knuckles. "When I have… Mom's Axe!" She exclaimed and lashed out with a right roundhouse kick, pivoting perfectly on the ball of her left foot for maximum damage.
"Fool!" Indr's retort was as sharp as his movements as he blocked her kick with his left forearm and then smacked the side of her head with his right hand, sending her stumbling back several steps. "How many times must I tell you to stop projecting your attacks!?" He scolded, his stern gaze now a frightening glare that sent Tael hiding behind the cringing Ajna.
While this was going on, Link stood straight and brought his blade up before his closed eyes vertically in a two-handed grip. With one last, slow exhalation the blonde brought the sword down before twirling it in his left hand up to the green, vine-designed sheathe on his back. With that complete, Link turned in time for the brunette to get over the third blow to her head.
"You're still not listening to me." Indr sighed as his expression returned to merely stern when he saw Ajna finish rubbing her head. "Looks like we'll have to go back to the basics."
Ajna's eyes went wide at the comment while Tael came up over her shoulder. "Again?" She complained, this time ignoring a taunting chime from Tatl.
"A strong defense is essential to combat!" Indr scolded while pointing his right finger at her. "From there your true potential will blossom." He went on but Ajna's discouraged expression didn't change. "Do well in this and we'll talk about Mom's Axe." He tried, hoping this would get her invested.
"R-really?" Ajna asked with wide eyes as she stared at him in surprise.
Link found himself blinking in surprise as well while Tatl and Tael let out disbelieving chimes. This had been a sore subject for at least a year now between father and daughter, so this sudden capitulation was unexpected.
"If you can manage to keep your defenses up." Indr reminded sternly.
Ajna was hardly daunted by the reminder or tone. "All right!" She cheered while pumping her right hand into the air. Before her father could say anything she quickly calmed and took an easy stance, her body shifted to the right. "Activating flower defense!" The brunette stated firmly, her eyes glowing with an inner fire that brought a quick facial twitch from Indr that could have been a small smile. "Tael, look out. I'm only defending and I don't think Dad's going to hold back." She said in a serious, low tone.
The purple fairy gave a soft chime before flying off to join Link and Tatl where they watched.
"How long do you think she'll last this time before going on the attack?" Tatl asked, to which Link offered a confident smile. "You really think she'll go the whole way this time?" She asked doubtfully and Link nodded in response.
"Ajna seems serious this time." Tael offered when he reached them, but before Tatl could say anything else Indr blurred forward.
The old man unleashed a barrage of punches against his daughter, each one building to the next in a smooth transition that seemed without end.
Ajna, though, reacted instantly, deflecting each attack with a perfectly placed block that moved the blow just far enough away to prevent a hit. Her expression never changed in the face of the barrage, remaining set and determined as she stood her ground.
This went on for a couple of minutes when Indr suddenly ducked down and pivoted his entire body to deliver a palm heel strike at her sternum. "Hmm!" He exhaled sharply to give more power the attack.
The sudden change in tempo, direction, and force had surprise flash in Ajna's eyes momentarily, but she quickly brought both arms up in a cross block while pivoting her body behind the block. The brunette let out a sharp exhalation and tensed her entire body right before the attack hit, absorbing most of the impact. She was still sent skidding back a couple of feet, but that was the only negative result from the block. "How was that, old man?" She asked with a triumphant smirk.
Indr offered a grunt as he stood straight. "I expect better." He said sternly and his daughter's smirk disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Even I was a little impressed." Tatl allowed while Link shook his head. The blonde knew what was about to happen and brought his hands up to his ears.
"Ajna, I think you did-" Tael started to say but was cut off by an indignant shout.
"'Expect better'!?" Ajna erupted angrily, her hands clenching down into fists. "Who says that to their own daughter!?" She demanded with a glare that took Indr aback.
"Oh no…" Tael said softly before looking back at Link, but the green-clad blonde was already walking towards the two.
"Ajna, I only want you to be stronger." Indr said while bringing one hand up imploringly. "Now please, you need to calm down." He said and her brown eyes flared angrily.
Link immediately froze at his words, knowing that the bomb known as Ajna's temper was about to go off.
Tael gave a few frightened chimes before rushing to hide behind the blonde.
"Oh no, I think I'll calm all the way up!" Ajna retorted angrily and Link sighed.
Indr gave her a one-eyed stare of disbelief at her words before shaking his head. "You're not making any sense." He said with a tired sigh.
"You want to talk about not making sense?" Ajna asked while planting her fists on her hips before motioning to Link with her right hand."I know more about some pointy-eared guy that's been here for a few years more than my own Dad!" She exclaimed and Indr's eye twitched.
"Th-that's a bit much…" Indr muttered, but when he looked towards Link found the blonde glancing away from his gaze.
"Oh really?" Ajna challenged before crossing her arms over her chest. "Link is fifteen years old. How old are you?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"W-well… I…"
"Too hard?" Ajna asked archly. "Okay then, Link is from Kokiri Village; where everyone has the same obsession with the color green. Where are you from?"
"Th-that's not really important…"
"Still nothing? How about how did Mom die?" Ajna went on with ever-increasing ire and Indr locked up at the question. "I don't even remember anything about her anymore, but you-"
"Enough!" Indr roared as he glared down at her.
"No! We're having this talk right now!" Ajna shouted back, her gaze still just as intense as her father's. "Every time I try to find out more about you, you just blow me off without telling me anything!" She ranted at him, entire body tensed and looking ready to strike.
Father and daughter continued to glare at each other for several seconds before Indr abruptly turned around. "There's no talking to you when you're like this." He said tightly before walking to the edge of the training ground back to the village.
"There's no talking to you at all!" Ajna snapped while she glared at his back. "Don't you walk awa-!" Her rant was cut off when she felt hand on her right shoulder and snapped a glare at Link.
"Wait until you've calmed down before returning!" Indr shot back as he left the clearing.
Ajna let out a growl, but refrained from walking after him when Link tightened his grip slightly. Not hard, but a definite reminder he was there.
Several minutes later, the two were sitting side by side near a hanging target with Tatl and Tael hovering nearby. Ajna hugged her legs to her chest while Link sat cross-legged, his sword to his left so nothing was between them.
"Stubborn old man…" Ajna grumbled as she glared at the ground. "I just want to know more about him and Mom. Is that so wrong?" She demanded with a glare to her left.
Link gave her a reassuring smile to show his agreement with her.
Ajna's expression softened and a small smile came to her in response. After a few seconds she sighed and shook her head. "Sorry for making you stay behind to hear me vent. Dad's just so aggravating and stubborn sometimes!" She went on, ire growing with her words.
"Surely no one else in his family is like that." Tatl remarked dryly and cut off the building rant.
Ajna blinked before a rueful smile spread across her face. "I guess you have a point." She admitted with a chuckle. When Link echoed her chuckle she sent a mock insulted look at him. "So you think I'm aggravating?" She demanded with mock indignation, her legs instinctively going to a cross-legged position as she came out of her tantrum.
"Stubborn." Link corrected easily.
"Oho! Finally a word!" Ajna declared while pointing a finger at him. "But who are you to call someone stubborn?" She demanded with a playful shove and Link looked at her in mock surprise. "You're the one who decided to take on that bear after you first arrived without help. When Dad insisted on joining you the following day, you had left before sunrise!" The brunette exclaimed and Link looked away while scratching his left cheek with one finger.
"Link had fought worse before." Tael out in helpfully as he fluttered over Ajna's head.
"Besides, he had us." Tatl put in firmly over Link's head. "But you have a point. Your stubbornness pales in comparison to his." She remarked with an amused chime.
"Hey! I'm just as stubborn as Link!" Ajna retorted with a glare towards Tatl but received a mocking chime in reply. "You little-!"
"Is that smoke?" Tael's question got everyone's attention, and when they saw where he was looking up followed to see a large plume of smoke in the sky.
"Is it a forest fire?" Ajna asked with a serious expression while she and Link smoothly went to their feet, the blonde grabbing his sword as he stood.
Tatl and Tael both flew up over the treetops to better view the source of the smoke, and that they saw made them both chime in shock. "It's Ashwat!" Tatl exclaimed before the yellow and purple fairies flew back down.
"T-the village?" Ajna asked in shocked disbelief, a disbelief Link shared in with equally wide eyes. Blue and brown eyes quickly narrowed in determination as Link looped the sheathe over his left shoulder while Ajna started running towards the smoke.
"Link?" Tatl asked while Tael hurried after the brunette. However, she quickly understood when he reached in to his pouch and pulled out an off-white headband with floppy bunny ears on it.
Link placed the Bunny Hood on his head over his cap, tweaking it to ensure a snug fit. When he was sure it was secure the blonde crouched down slightly before launching forward in a green blur, the ground cracking at his starting point. He easily caught up to Ajna and picked her up bridal style, getting a sound of embarrassed surprise from her, and left Tatl and Tael to hurry after them.
After a couple of minutes, Link's eyes narrowed as the panicked screams of the villagers reached him. Ajna noticed the change in his expression but did nothing to distract him, her own imagination and familiarity with Link allowing her to make a few guesses. Her own eyes narrowed in concern and anger at those guesses, and a minute later she was able to hear the same screams.
"Link, hurry!" Ajna shouted over the wind caused by the blonde's speed, but he was already going as fast as he could.
A few torturous minutes later they cleared the trees and continued to speed towards the village when a weak neighing made Link skid to a stop. "No…" He said softly while Ajna looked at him in confusion shifting to anger. Before she could demand why he had stopped the blonde took off towards where he had heard the call. In seconds Link stopped at his destination and Ajna let out a gasp while Tatl and Tael let out sharp chimes.
"Epona…" Ajna said softly before repositioning to stand when Link started to put her down.
Link looked down at Epona as she lay weakly before them, eyes wide in disbelief. A weak nicker got him moving to the panting, bloodied mare, quickly going to his knees to cradle her head. The motion brought a pained snort from her and made Ajna take a step back.
"No…" Ajna denied as tears came to her and Link. A sudden thought occurred to her, a nightmarish possibility from the sight before her. "Dad!" She called out while turning to run further into the burning village.
"Ajna!" Tael called out and started after her before freezing, torn as to what he should do.
"Tael." Link said softly and the purple fairy turned towards him. He brought up his tearful gaze long enough to motion towards the retreating brunette before returning his gaze to the weakening Epona.
Tael went down and touched her neck for a second before flying after Ajna.
Tatl watched her brother for a couple of seconds before fluttering down next to Link's hand as he stroked the strong neck.
Epona let out another weak whinny, eyes starting to dart in a growing panic, and the blonde took a breath.
Hm hm hmmm. Hm hm hmmm.
Link's humming in conjunction with the continuing strokes caused the mare to calm as she focused on the tune. Blue eyes met blue, and the blonde saw a hint of appreciation in their azure depths.
Five Years Ago
"Fairy boy, let me introduce you to my friend." A 10 year-old, blue-eyed redhead in a white dress said with a cheerful smile as she and Link stood in a large ranch. "It's this filly, Epona!" She went on cheerfully with a gesture to the young horse by her.
Link, a blue fairy over his left shoulder and a small sword and wooden shield on his back, looked at the girl, Malon, curiously before taking a step towards the filly.
Epona let out a high-pitched neigh of protest before turning and running away. She only went a short distance before turning back around, but pawed at the ground anxiously as she looked between blonde and redhead.
"Oh no… here, let my try her favorite song." Malon offered before closing her eyes and taking a breath.
Oo oo ooo. Oo oo ooo.
Epona let out a snort as her ears perked up, but another glance towards Link stopped her from walking forward.
The young blonde looked back with a sad, uncertain expression before something occurred to him. He reached into his brown pouch and pulled out a light brown instrument, his Fairy Ocarina, and brought it to his mouth.
Malon noticed the movement and stopped her singing. "Oh, are you going to play the song?" She asked and Link nodded his head. "Okay then, I'll start slow so you can follow along." She said and with that started her song again. It didn't take long for Link to pick up on the tune and was soon playing along.
After a minute, something soft and moist nuzzling against his hand made his eyes open in surprise to Epona's face. There was trust in her eyes now, and Link gave a small smile as he reached up to stroke her neck.
Today
Link continued to hum Epona's Song as her movements became weaker, trying to keep his voice strong for her after all she had done for him.
Four Years Ago
Malon stood waiting outside of Hyrule Castle's Market Town with a portly, brown-haired man, her father, Talon. The two of them had just finished a delivery, both of Lon Lon Milk and of Link to a summons from Princess Zelda.
Talon gave a pat to a brown stallion hitched to their white-tarped wagon while Malon did the same to a saddled Epona. The filly gave a snort and shake of her head, and the action had Malon look over the drawbridge to see Link waking across it alone.
Malon smiled at the sight, but as her friend came closer the smile faded. His expression was troubled, sad, yet firm. When he reached them, a small smile came to him that didn't reach his eyes. "You have to leave… don't you?" She asked without preamble.
Link locked up at the question before looking away sadly and nodded his head.
Malon looked down sadly as well, but took a breath and looked back up with a smile to her side. "Well, Epona, should he leave alone?" She asked and Link looked back in surprise at the question.
Epona gave a snort and stepped forward to nuzzle Link, who instinctively reached up to pat her even as he continued to stare at Malon in surprise.
"I'd say the answer's no." Talon remarked with a grin that pulled Link's attention. "Don't give me that look, son. That filly's as stubborn as Malon, so I'm not likely to change her mind." He went on and a small smile of acceptance came to Link's face even as Malon shot her father a quick glare.
"Thank you." Link said as he stroked Epona's neck.
Today
The light went from Epona's eyes and her side stopped heaving with one last breath. After a few seconds, Link's humming started to break apart as more tears welled in his eyes.
"Dad!" Ajna's agonized scream made Link jerk towards the sound.
"It's Ajna! Tael, she, and Indr must be in trouble!" Tatl exclaimed and Link's face tightened.
The blonde looked down at Epona and brought his head down to her neck for a second. "Thank you." He forced out past the lump in his throat before getting up and blurring into the village.
Ajna
"No no no no! Dad!" Ajna called out as she pulled the blood-soaked old man to her lap. "You'll be okay." She swore with tears in her eyes while Tael flew over Indr's body.
"So the old man had a daughter." A dark-skinned young man with snow-white hair said in a cold, arrogant voice as a mass of men and monsters could be seen departing in the distance. His dark eyes showed a burning zealotry as he regarded the three, and his focus was so great he hardly seemed to be bothered by the fairy. He wore black armor with gold trim, a large, metal pauldron on his left shoulder, a red scarf around his neck, and a black sheathe tied to his back with red cord. "I shall grant you a final farewell, but then you shall perish as well, heretic." He said, snarling out the final word as his grip tightened on the single-edged cleaver with golden guard in his right hand.
Behind him were two massive, red-skinned creatures with a pair of broadswords on their backs. Both had the faces of monstrous canines, jaws elongated and filled with dagger-like teeth, and amber eyes that burned with a barely controlled frenzy.
"Ajna… I'm so sorry…" Indr said weakly as he looked up at her, the fires burning intensely around them. "You were right… I should have talked to you earlier… there's so much I wanted to tell you." He said regretfully.
"You can tell me later! Just conserve your strength!" Ajna pleaded desperately.
Tael let out a soft chime as he came to realize the severity of the wounds hidden under the blood. "It's too late…" He reported softly as he fluttered back to the brunette.
"Shut up!" Ajna yelled with an angry glare that had Tael flutter back. "It's not-"
"He's right…" Indr cut in gently as he reached up to take her right hand in his. "Ajna… your mom… was a strong woman… unmatched with her axe…" He started but Ajna shook her head.
"I said tell me when you're better!" She yelled at him, her tears falling to his face.
"Guru!" Link called out and then suddenly he was there, his speed making the black-garbed young man take a step back in surprise. The blonde went to his knees at Indr's other side, and his stricken eyes widened at the amount of blood on the old man.
Tatl wasn't far behind and was soon over the blonde's shoulder, her own chime indicating understanding of his state.
Indr's gaze went to Link before letting out a small sigh. "Link… I owe you an… apology as well." He said and the blonde's eyes narrowed slightly in confusion. "I wish… I could have… given you the… guidance you needed…"
"You put me on the path." Link put in firmly, his tone brooking no argument, and the old man's mouth twitched in a momentary grin.
"Yes.. the path…" Indr muttered before looking back at his daughter. "Ajna… I'm sorry for… being so hard on you…" He slowly got out. "But your path… will be harder… you must… be strong… become stronger…" He finished with a gasp.
Ajna took in a shaky breath as her head slumped down. "Of course I'll be strong… you were the best teacher… the best Dad I could have asked for." She sobbed out.
"You won't be… alone…" Indr gasped out, his eye closing from the pain, and Link immediately nodded his head in agreement while Tatl and Tael sounded off in agreement. The old man opened his eye and gave them both a warm smile, something that took them by surprise. "You two are the best students I could have asked for." He said, his voice gaining a strength that came from serenity, and they both took in a shaky breath. Ajna froze as his hand came up to gently cup her face, making her look down at his content expression. "Ajna… you're the best daughter… we could have… hoped… for…" Indr trailed off, the light leaving his eye, and his hand fell to the ground limply.
"Dad!" Ajna cried out as she slumped over to give him one final hug and Link's eyes closed in pain.
All was silent for a couple of seconds before the white-haired man took a step forward. "Enough. Save your tears for someone who cares." He said coldly as he regarded them and the two tensed. "A daughter and a student… both of you shall die today. For the glory of Lord Ravannavar!" He declared fervently and slashed down at them, but the two easily dodged away and stood side-by-side before him.
"You killed my Dad…" Ajna forced out through gritted teeth as Tael came to hover over her shoulder. "Burned our village!" She shouted while Tatl went over the equally enraged Link's shoulder.
"As well I should have!" The young man shot back as he assumed a ready position with his sword. "All villages that would get in the way of Lord Ravannar's dream of a peaceful world shall be destroyed!" He declared fervently.
"The people of Ashwat are strong. We'll rebuild!" Ajna countered as her hands tightened into fists.
"I'll ensure there's no one left to rebuild." He returned arrogantly.
Link and Ajna tensed before looking at each other, anger and resolve burning in their eyes. "Link… he's mine." She declared hotly and received a slow nod in reply.
"I'll be more than enough for-"
"Hyaaa!" Link roared as blurred past the killer and stabbed his suddenly unsheathed Great Fairy Sword into the face of the monster on the right before it could react. There was a loud thump as it hit the ground, and the movement caused the Bunny Hood to wave about momentarily. As the other creature and the killer turned to look at him in surprise Link glanced over at the monster with burning eyes.
"I'm your opponent!" Ajna declared and the killer quickly looked back in time to see a sandaled foot inches from his face.
He swiftly jumped to the side to avoid the attack, and from the corner of his eye he saw as his other creature pulled out its swords in time to block another attack from the blonde with a roar. His eyes widened slightly as he saw it have to strain against the purple blade with both of its own. His attention quickly returned to the attacking brunette and a cold rage filled him. As she came in he retaliated with a swift slash at her neck meant to remove her head.
Ajna ducked under the blade and sent a turning palm strike at his midsection, which he narrowly got his left arm in the way of.
The killer grunted with the impact before gritting his teeth. He then took a quick breath before shifting his right foot slightly to the side.
"Ajna, get back!" Tael called out and she quickly moved away, barely avoiding a stone spike that shot up under her. "It looks like he can manipulate the earth at will!" He reported while flying over to her and got a nod from the brunette.
"Prattling bug!" The killer snarled at him before his amber gaze went to Ajna. The sounds of furious combat between Link and the creature was punctuated with grunts and cries of pain from his losing monster. This girl might be almost as skilled as I, and that unusual blonde appears to be no slouch either. He thought before tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword. "I'm through playing with you, girl. It's time to send you both to join that old fool in death!" He declared angrily as he prepared to charge.
Ajna's eyes flared wide with rage at his words. The image of Link lying next to her father in death, consumed by the flames of her burning village, came to her. Teeth grit at the thought, and a pulse of energy went out that made Tael flutter and struggle against. When it reached the killer, his eyes widened in surprise as his hair and scarf fluttered wildly as well.
Link blinked in surprise as the pulse hit him, making the blonde look over from the bloody, one-armed corpse that was the second monster. His eyes went wide as his clothes and hood settled while Tatl let out a chime of surprise.
White hair blew about as if in a wind as the previously brown-haired Ajna glared at her father's killer with unrelenting fury. "I'll destroy you…" She said in a soft, intent growl before taking a step that cracked the ground beneath her foot. "If it's a fight you want…" The whitette went on with another ground-splintering step.
"Earth, give me strength." The killer chanted softly, his wide eyes narrowing with zealotry once more, and his sword began to glow with a tan light.
"It's a fight you'll get!" Ajna roared as she launched at him.
"For Lord Ravannavar!" The killer declared as he launched at the same time.
Link blinked, finally able to tear his gaze away from Ajna's change before launching at the killer's back. He had no idea what it portended, but he feared what effect it might have on his friend's mind. The two white-haired combatants let out a sharp cry as they prepared to attack and Link's grip tightened as he closed in, but what happened next no one expected.
The killer became engulfed in a white light that rapidly shrank in the same instant. The now fist-sized ball of light shot towards and then into Ajna's head, taking the killer with it. "Gah!" She called out in surprise, and in that instant her hair returned to normal.
Link's eyes widened in surprise but he narrowly managed to jump over Ajna rather than slam into her. He spun in the air while pivoting to steal some of the momentum from his charge and landed behind her, sliding for a few feet before stopping.
Ajna spun around defensively at the sound but paused when she saw who it was. "Where did he go?" She demanded while looking around guardedly.
"What did you do to me!?"
The sound of the killer's voice had her once spinning defensively again, taking Link, Tatl, and Tael by surprise. "Where are you? Why can't I see you?" She demanded and Link's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Release me this instant!"
Ajna winced and brought one hand to her head at his heated demand. "It sounds like you're screaming directly into my mind." She complained and in the next instant Link was at her side. She looked up to see him regarding her intently but she had no answer. "I…" The brunette paused and took a breath to still her thoughts. Hands came up, right one with fingers extended to the sky and over her left one, which was placed finger and thumb tip to tip in a small circle.
Link took a step back as her breathing deepened into meditation before looking at the roaring fires. "Will she be okay?" Tael asked and received a nod after a small hesitation. The blonde sheathed his sword and then reached into his pouch to pull out the artifact he had been sent from Hyrule to protect, the blue Ocarina of Time.
"Link?" Tatl asked as he took a breath and brought the ocarina to his mouth. "Which song are you going to play?" She demanded worriedly but stopped as a fast-paced song began to sound, immediately causing the clouds above to darken and expand.
Inner Realm
Ajna opened her eyes to a thirty foot patch of grassland surrounded by a vast white nothingness.
"You!" A familiar voice yelled and she turned to her father's killer pointing at her with his sword. "Release me from this cage!" He demanded angrily, though his eyes hinted at how unnerved he was by this strange occurrence.
"Release you? I didn't do anything!" Ajna denied hotly as she glared at him.
"You think I did this to myself?" The killer asked incredulously as his grip tightened on his sword. "You and your village magic did this. Now release me immediately, witch!" He demanded again but Ajna just crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly. "Fine… then die!" He yelled and rushed towards her.
Ajna went to a defensive stance and moved to the side to avoid his downward slash, right hand moving to his arm to further push the attack away from her. Their eyes widened as her hand instead went through him, and the surprise caused them to hesitate long enough for his legs to phase through hers.
They separated and looked at each other in wide-eyed shock before Ajna walked up to him. The killer tensed slightly at her approach, but curiosity stayed his hand. She poked her finger into and then through his chest, and though he flinched slightly neither felt anything.
"W-what is this?" The killer wondered uncertainly as he placed his hand against his chest solidly.
Ajna looked at her hand for a few more seconds before shrugging. "Well, if I can't kill you then I'll just leave you here." She said before closing her eyes.
"No, wait!" The killer said and looked up in a sudden panic, but before he could anything else Ajna was gone.
Real World
Ajna opened her eyes and immediately brought her hand up to block against a torrential downpour. "What the- Link!" She complained before freezing when she turned to look at him.
The green-clad blonde, the Bunny Hood now out of sight, had been looking over the dying embers of the partially destroyed homes before her voice had pulled his sorrowful gaze.
"Are you okay?" Tael asked worriedly from her water-plastered hair.
Ajna was silent as Link once more put the Ocarina of Time to his mouth and played the same three notes back to back, causing a ray of sun to cut through the storm clouds and expand to dismiss the storm. She looked down at the body of her father and somehow knew that faithful, frustrating Epona was also gone. "No…" She finally said softly before walking over to kneel by the unmoving Indr while Tael let out a sad chime.
Link went over and knelt down next to her, and after several seconds she looked over at him and Tatl.
"Will you-?" Ajna started to ask, but Link nodded his head before she could finish. A small, sad smile of gratitude came to her at his immediate agreement to help bury Indr. She knew the question had been unnecessary, but it was still good to to have his confirmation.
The Next Day
Link and Ajna stood side by side before a stone block to mark Indr's grave, eyes closed and hands together in prayer. Tatl and Tael were silent as they hovered over the pair, waiting for them to finish paying the old warrior their respects as they had Epona.
"Link… what did Dad mean about guidance be…before he died?" Ajna asked as they brought their hands down and opened their eyes. The two of them continued to look down at the gravestone, though, and her question went unanswered for a few seconds.
Link's hand went to his pouch and his eyes narrowed in fear and pain.
Four Years Ago
"No! I didn't mean for this to happen!" A wooden imp, eyes a glowing orange and beak gasping, begged as he back-crawled away in a panic.
"Link, stop!" Tatl ordered but to no avail.
"You… you don't have… to do this…" Tael said weakly, timidly, as he hovered behind his sister.
From the corners of his eyes large, muscular arms brought up a sword comprised of a thin blue blade and a thin green blade twisting around themselves in a helical pattern. "HYAAA!" A deep voice cried out as the Helix Blade was thrust down into the imp.
"GYAAAA!"
Today
"Control." Link answered softly and he brought his hand back down to his side as the hazy memory faded.
Ajna glanced over in surprise at his reply, but the pain and fear still in his eyes made her pause. She opened her mouth to ask more, but paused as the pain from losing her father flared up again. "Link, I'm going after this Ravannavar… Dad has to be avenged." The brunette said instead and Link looked over at her. "Will you come with me?" She asked, confident in the answer.
However, Link shook his head instead.
Ajna's eyes widened in shock that swiftly turned into a burning rage as she fully turned to face him. "What?" She demanded angrily before reaching out to grab his collar and force him towards her. "You don't want to avenge Dad and Epona? I thought you cared about them, about-" She paused in her rant as Tatle gave a sharp chime.
"Don't you dare finish that." Tatl warned as she flew down next to Ajna. "Even you should know better than that." She went on with quick, sharp chimes as she fluttered there.
Ajna's expression didn't soften, but she did remain silent as she glared into the implacable blue eyes of her friend.
"Not for revenge." Link explained and confusion mixed in with the anger burning in Ajna's brown eyes. He pointed to the side with his left hand, and she looked to see what he would be talking about.
Ajna froze as she looked at the villagers moving about the damp remains of Ashwat. Due to Indr's actions, both in preparation beforehand and his stand during the invasion from that army, not a single villager had died. As Ajna had predicted, the villagers had returned and were even now preparing to rebuild from the ruins.
"His army will return… will destroy other villages." Link said as she looked back to see determination burning in his eyes. "Not for revenge." He repeated firmly.
Ajna was silent for a while before a small smile of acceptance came to her. "For the living." She agreed with a nod, getting one in return from the blonde. "But Link, promise you'll allow me the killing blow." She went on a couple of seconds later, her smile fading and her expression serious.
Link was silent as he regarded her for several seconds before nodding. "I'll do my best." He said, and though Ajna grimaced at first she nodded in understanding. Link wouldn't take the blow if he could help it, but neither would he allow others to die because of any hesitation on his part.
"I think this is a great idea." The killer's voice echoed in her mind and Ajna grimaced again, getting concerned looks and sounds from the other three. "I can offer the two… no, four of you as tribute to Lord Ravannavar." He went on in amused condescension.
"If that's the case, you'd be willing to get us to your army to find our way to him." Ajna replied as she looked back and up towards the crown of her head. Link's expression cleared as he realized she must be talking to her prisoner, anger flashing in his eyes for a moment. "Which way would they go?" She demanded sharply.
"It's not that hard to figure out." He replied and her right eye twitched in aggravation. "They would follow the main path to minimize delays. Thus, I recommend cutting through the forest. I can guide you to Lord Ravannavar's fortress." He went on and Ajna's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "If you doubt me, then understand I am trapped in this… inner realm of yours. I have no desire to see what would happen to me when you perish in a foolish attempt to engage my forces." The arrogantly amused tone the killer used had the brunette grit her teeth in anger.
However, other than his tone and the burning hatred for him, Ajna couldn't find a flaw with his advice. When she looked forward again, it was to Link's questioning expression with Tatl and Tael close by. "The murderer thinks we should cut through the forest and avoid this Ravannavar bastard's army. He said he could get us to some kind of fortress." She explained and Link's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Lord Ravannavar!" The killer corrected sharply. "And my name is Dhar." He went on irritably.
"I say we follow the murderer's advice." Ajna went on, ignoring both of Dhar's statements and getting a grunt of annoyed disbelief from him.
"What could go wrong?" Tatl muttered sarcastically but subsided when Link nodded his agreement with Ajna's plan.
Ajna gave him a confident grin before taking off into the forest with Link a step behind.
"Well, we had a few years of peace at least." Tatl murmured to her younger brother, who let out a sad, soft chime as they followed Link and Ajna on a new adventure.
Ikki, Rune Magus, Doomsday's Hero, Kaiser Dragon, Intotheunknown, Guest-sama, and KongKing94.
These people convinced me to get Indivisible and now this story is in my head. *sigh* Anyways, this is a post Majora's Mask Link now in the world of Indivisible. Explanations and whatnot will come about as story progresses.
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.
Till next time.