Hello everyone, I'm back from writer's block. Let's get this show on the road!
Warning: Suicidal thoughts
Lena hit the ground roughly on the palace floor as she was teleported away from the battle. Darkness clouded her eyes for a brief moment as she became aware of her surroundings. The dark grey skies, the growing storm brewing in the atmosphere, it all meant something tragic was about to happen. More blood will be spilled tonight.
The sorceress laughed bitterly, it all meant nothing to her. This life that she had now been reduced to, the one that she so eagerly traded away. She was no longer the same Lena as before, the battle had transformed her into her lowest state of being. All her deepest fears had been resurfaced and she wanted nothing more than to wither away into nothingness.
Her world had changed when she made a contract with Vaati long ago.
Lena remembered it as if it were yesterday when she met the mage. She was fourteen years old and orphaned, with no home. She had been kicked out of every orphanage and ostracized. It was all because of her eyes, she did not have eyes like other children. No one had purple eyes like her. Purple eyes were the color of witches and demons.
On the outskirts of town was a secluded forest that no one entered, there was an abandoned house sat right in the middle of the forest. Lena found her solace there. She shared refuge with the spirits and fairies of the forest, for a time, they were her only companions; To which she knew could not harm her.
Back then, she had wished to been born a fae herself. To escape her trodden existence, she pretended to be one of them and would spend hours playing make-believe in the forest.
One day, there had been news spread all over the land of Hyrule, that a sorcerer had kidnapped the seven holy maidens. The Princess of Hyrule herself had even been taken. Over time, various girls had also been kidnapped one by one, seemingly at random. Mothers grew ever more worried and gave their daughters early curfews. Husbands forbade their wives from going on walks alone. The whole kingdom was gripped with worry and fear, but not Lena. You see, she had nothing to be scared of, what could be already worse than what she was living? She had no real home, no family, she was alone.
That fateful day when they had cross paths had been unexpected. As usual, she was alone in the forest away from civilization. Lost in her own world of dreams and fantasies, when he had found her. There stood before her, a man she'd never seen before. There stood before him, a girl lost and abandoned. He held out his hand with an offer, and she accepted it.
That had been the beginning of their exchange, to leave one life for another.
As time went by, Lena would be willing to pledge her allegiance to Vaati. For he had helped her after all. Through the exchange, she had wished to become immortal, just like him.
In his power, he was able to fulfill that for her. She was eternally gratefully.
Ever since then, she had been serving under him as a wizzrobe sorceress. She was first trained under his wing, witnessing up close his incredible strength.
Then she was introduced to a wizzrobe named Gilard. He was an ancient and cunning wizzrobe who taught her how to summon and control armies of monsters. Gilard had taken her under his tutelage and gave her a sense of familial bond, one she had never had before.
Lena reached up and touched her face, feeling the coolness of her skin. Tracing her features, she realized she forgot what it was like to be human again. Droplets of rain began to fall from the sky and down onto the fallen sorceress. She stared at her reflection through the cold marble floors, she smiled, maybe she was just better off dead.
She brought this on herself and was foolish to think she could win in the end. Lena brought her knees up and huddled in the cloak that did little to shield her from the oncoming downpour of rain. What was she going to do? She had nowhere to run to, and she had no way of leaving this wretched place now.
Her momentary silence was interrupted by footsteps in the far distance. Though she didn't care, she had absolutely no purpose, no home, and no will to keep going.
She closed her eyes and waited until death took her.
Lily turned on her heel," Robbie, tell me how I can get down there," She stated rather than asked.
Robbie sighed and floated to the edge of the palace, "Well, I'm not sure if this will work, but if your willing to trust me..." he trailed off.
Lily stopped in her tracks and turned around, "I trust you, Robbie." She confirmed. Robbie smiled.
"Alright, we should hurry then. Follow me."
As they made their way through the palace, rain began to pour down from above. The rain made it difficult for Lily to see what was in front of her, she silently cursed and wiped away the blurriness of her vision.
In the distance, they saw a huddled figure on the ground. Both Lily and Robbie looked at each other in confusion as they approached it. Before them, was a pale gaunt woman in a cloak, her damp hair hiding her expression. Lily looked on in confusion, unable to recognize the person.
"Oh, dear..." Robbie muttered anxiously.
The girl in the cloak shielded her face in her hand and turned her back to them, not wanting to be seen.
Lily took a careful look at her before taking a cautious step forward, not wanting to anger her. " Who are you? Are you working under Vaati?"
The cloaked girl slowly looked up, but still kept her gaze covered, "Not anymore." Her voice whispered.
Lily furrowed her brow, what did she mean by that? "How did you end up here?"
There was a silent pause before the girl answered, she lifted up her gaze a little, "I'm sorry, Lily, but I..." Her voice trembled, tears welling in her eyes.
As she did that, Lily paused. How did she know her name? She looked to Robbie, who in turn, looked just as confused as she was. Lily crouched down to eye level with the girl, "You knew my name. How did you know?"
A teardrop fell from the girl's eye, she looked up fully this time, "I was ordered to kill your father...And I almost succeed. Not before he stopped me. If it wasn't for him I'd..." She trailed off, her eyes widening. "I would have killed him."
Lily was taken aback at what she heard, but, something didn't seem right. Taking a deep breath, she spoke.
"Please, tell me who you are and how you know my father."
Robbie slowly hung his head, "I'm afraid I already know who she is...That voice is awfully similar to..." He quietly trailed off.
Lily turned to him, then slowly turned to look at the girl. A sad realization hung in the air, one that neither of them wanted to accept. If that were true then...She closed her eyes.
Lily did not want to think about Lena killing her father.
When Lily had first met the sorceress, she had been nothing kind and considerate to her. She had always been grateful for that. Lena always seemed to be there whenever she needed support or someone to talk to.
"Fate is a dangerous thing is it not?" A voice was heard behind them.
Lily and Robbie turned around to see none other than the old wizzrobe, Gilard. His one glowing eye narrowed as he surveyed the scene before him.
He slowly moved towards them, cane in hand, "And by all means, fate has given you a generous end, dear Lena."
Lena slowly craned her neck at him, her eyes dull and tired, "Have you come to taunt me? if so then save it. Just let me be."
The old wizzrobe softly tutted, "No Lena, I have not. For you see, I can see the very life in your eyes fade as we speak. Haven't I told you, dear, not to lose yourself in battle?"
Lena shot him a look that could break glass.
Gilard chuckled, "There's some spirit I like to see. Instead of focusing on what you've lost dear Lena, focus on what you still have. "
When she still didn't respond, he continued, "You have your life, you're still alive and breathing. Yes, Vaati took away the wish that you sought since a child, but he was willing to spare you. Take that into consideration, Lena."
Lena was silent for a moment, then she stared up at the sky, her hair falling away to reveal both of her eyes. "I don't know who I am anymore." She whispered.
Gilard hummed, "Incorrect, you are the great sorceress Lena of Hyrule. Silly child."
Lily took this moment to speak up," Lena, I know there's still some old you left." She placed a hand over her heart, "I can still feel it."
Robbie shifted uncomfortably, "I'm not sure if it's too late...But I've known you since I began serving under master Vaati. I know this isn't who you are, the Lena I knew helped and looked after everyone. She was kind and selfless..."
The sorceress stared off into the dark gray skies, her gaze blank and unmoving. The rain pelted against her skin, its coolness leaving a chill down her spine. She turned around to face them. Lena surveyed each of their faces, and she couldn't believe it. They were all concerned for her.
Before she could speak she felt a wave of dizziness overcome her, her eyes rolled back and darkness took over.
Lily and Robbie both had bewildered looks on their face as Lena fell to the ground, but Gilard tutted and strode over to her body.
"Poor child, this may all seem like a bad dream. But I assure you, things will be very different from now on." He picked up her cloaked body and turned around, finally acknowledging their presence.
"Give her some time, She'll come around eventually. Now, off we go." He says, levitating Lena's body off from the ground. "Oh and Lily, do tell Vaati that the keese has been wiped out by yours truly." He adds before carrying Lena into the palace.
Lily watched as they left, an aching feeling growing in her heart. She felt terribly bad for Lena, though of course, she hadn't known the reason as to what pushed Lena over the edge. Perhaps it was when she had lost herself in the midst of balancing her loyalty to her while carrying out Vaati's orders. Lena had always looked out for her, that she knew.
Taking a deep breath she stared down below the clouds. A deep sense of apprehension filled her as she knew what would await her, she would finally see her father...And confront Vaati.
Lily straightened up and turned to Robbie, "Okay, I'm ready."
The timid wizzrobe gave her a nod and pulled out a whistle from his robes. It was more like a long pointed bone than a simple whistle.
Lily surveyed the strange-looking object with a raised eyebrow, "Were going to use that thing?"
Robbie let out a nervous laugh and shook his head, "No, we're going to use this to call the Helmeroc King."
The Helmeroc King?
Lily wasn't familiar with the name, although she imagined it to be a gigantic monster of sorts.
"Alright, though I'm not sure who the Helmeroc King is..." She trailed off.
Robbie held out the whistleblower, "He's the only reliable source at the moment I'm afraid. With a blow of this whistle, he can be summoned within three minutes."
Lily held a skeptical look on her face but slowly nodded, "Three minutes, okay."
Robbie then brought the whistle up and began to blow a hard-sounding tune that blew across the sky. They both waited in anticipated silence as the tune faded into the air. Lily stared up at the clouds and waited for this 'Helmeroc King' to appear.
More silence followed as two minutes remained.
Then one minute.
After that, silence.
The sound of beating wings flapped in the far distance in the sky, it could be described as a vibrating 'whooshing' noise. Lily's ears perked and her heart raced, she didn't know what to expect, but she hoped whatever it was, was friendly enough to help her.
A large bird-like shape came into view, along with a flash of purple and green feathers. The size of the bird was a sight to behold, But that was not the only thing that stood out.
A strange mask sat on top of the bird's head, complete with yellow glowing eyes. The giant bird was in full view and fast approaching the two, its gaze set upon them.
Lily froze in place as the giant bird landed gracefully not far in front of them. She let out a breath she had been holding in.
Robbie whispered to Lily, "Whatever you do, don't show hesitation. Tell him what you want of him, don't make offers, he'll take that as a challenge."
Lily, not taking her eyes off of the Helmeroc King, nodded slowly.
The Helmeroc King straightened his back and lifted his head to peer at them, his intimidating height and presence making them shrink in comparison.
He slowly approached them and stopped but a few feet away. Lily stood her ground and held his gaze, she could not show fear, not when her life depended on it.
"And whom may you be?" the king spoke. His voice coherent but rumbled deep, Lily took a deep breath before speaking.
"My name is Lily Daphnes Nohansen. I am the daughter of the King of Hyrule and the remaining Heiress...And I ask for your assistance."
The Helmeroc King's eyes narrowed down at her, either unpleased with her request or not buying her title.
"I do not know such a title in all the land of Hyrule. Do not lie to me human."
Lily paused, feeling as though her voice wasn't being heard, "I'm not lying, I am telling the truth."
A deep amused rumble sounded from the Helmeroc King, his helmed head lowered in a fit of amusement.
"Human, do you not know the very ground you stand on? This is the Palace that the wind tribe created eons ago. Its history echoes through throughout the skies, leaving its imprint on these walls." He emphasized that by suddenly moving his wing and blowing a harsh gust of wind towards the palace.
Lily stood her ground, though her heart was racing. Robbie stood beside her, shaking his head and looking downward.
The Helmeroc king continued, "Such impudence is beholding for a child of your stature. If you are indeed the legacy of the throne of Hyrule, simple words will not suffice."
He then lifted his wings slowly, his talons emerging from the feathers underneath his feet. The Helmeroc gazed one more time at them, "If you have nothing to show me, then spare me this meaningless transaction and let me be on my way."
Lily's heart quickened, no, she couldn't let him leave yet. She had to do something.
"Please, you have to listen to me. The proof is standing right in front of you."
Again the Helmeroc king bellowed out a laugh, his chest puffed out and his colorful feathers ruffled.
"Proof? if this proof is standing right before me, then show me. "
The young Princess paused and slowly closed her eyes. If a fight was what he wanted, then a fight he would get.
updateMay 23, 2021:
Nine months and we are back. I have been caught up with life and other things that don't involve publishing another chapter of this story. My computer also died so that's nice. As of right now I don't have a laptop and no docs of this story, but I will think of something fast and keep writing. Thank you for your patience.