Alright, next chapter!
Once again, apologies for the wait: I did warn you in the last chapter that these latest pieces may take longer to write, plus there's my other story I've been working on...
I'm sure my fellow writers have had this kind of problem before: You have the scenario in your head, but for some reason, you don't know how to describe it aloud.
Anyway, I've already did a disclaimer at the beginning of my story, but I'm gonna do it again for this chapter specifically 'cause I'm paranoid:
I do not own any references related to Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask; those rights belong to Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka and Nintendo.
...Okay then, that's enough from me. Enjoy the latest in this adventure!
Update (February 2021): Chapter edited and lengthened, with new/modified content!
Chapter 42 (Special): Grabbing Destiny by the Hilt
"So, we're not only not in Tokyo or Edo anymore, but we're on an entirely different continent?!"
So exclaims Inuyasha, whom like everyone else in his peer group has become seriously frazzled thanks to recent events. Not only had the Sengoku-born individuals been plucked out of their time period by their modern-born friend's enemies, but they were forced to fight their way out of Trinity's Japan base, before hopping through a portal that could've potentially send them somewhere more dangerous than their previous location...
Thankfully, the band of eight had awoken in a relatively quieter locale...But the problem is that this place - as noted - is way further off than intended, over 9600 kilometers if you want to be precise!
...Coraline was feeling especially affected, her hands absentmindedly brushing the Bell Heather as her mind reels over this familiar locale.
I'm...I'm back in Majora...How...How can d'is be?
"Cha dtuigim, I don't understand. Why would the transpor' lottery choose here of all places?"
Though a little concerned by his sister's current demeanor, Besa offers a suggestion.
"Maybe there's some kind of spiritual reason as to why we came here...Perhaps fate wanted you to come back to your old home."
Freeman eyes his brother with a skeptically-raised brow.
"Fate? Don't tell me you believe in that sort-a thing."
"I do. I believe that fate is real, and comes to us during those pivotal moments when life hands us a test to see whether or not we have the strength in heart, mind, body and soul to continue on...Of course, some think fate controls our destiny in life...but I believe it's the other way around. We have the free will to choose how to walk through life, and fate is merely a teacher who provides a basic guideline that we can either follow, or learn from."
...Everyone looks at the boy with cornrowed hair in surprise, and Miroku comments,
"My, Besa. That's quite a wise observation."
He smiles bashfully, and his twin with natural cut hair puts an arm around him while stating,
"Yep, that's my bro for ya: he's the thinker, and I'm the action-taker."
Coraline smiles slightly at her brothers, before turning an apprehensive gaze back at the distant village below the hill.
...I dunno if fate has anything t' do with this...bu' either way, I, don' feel comfortable with bein' back home.
...Is it even home?
"Coraline?...Coraline!"
"H-Huh?"
She snaps out of her thoughts and looks to her left at Shippō.
"Are you okay? You look really nervous...Is it because we're near your old village?"
"Haaah, aye, I'm, feelin' a bi' conflicted over bein' in Majora again...I try hard to rememb'r some decent times, bu' most of me childhood's muddled with loneliness and prejudice...And then, there's of course..."
"Losing your father..."
She nods in conformation at Miroku, then takes a deep breath and muses,
"Still, despite the scars on my hear'...not all of my experience in Majora was ugly. (Slight smile) I recall the friendships I had with the mysterio's creatures tha' live in the woods, like the Will O' Wisps an' the occasional Dryad."
"Will O' Wisps?"
"Dryad?"
"Yea'. Will O' Wisps are these orbs of ligh' similar to a wanderin' soul, 'cept they carry a similar mannerism to faeries. Depending on where you are, their reputation is either malevolent or benevolen'. Here in Majora, it's said tha' Will O' Wisps are guides rumored to have the power to change one's fate...Heh, they're also good playmates: I remember runnin' through the woods with several of the Wisps when I was little, carefree and, just feelin' like I had a place somewhere..."
"So when you couldn't make friends with humans, you turned to the supernatural?"
"That's righ', Miroku...As f'r the second creatur' I mentioned, Dryads: they're tree spirits tha' act as guardians of forests, protecting them and others who call the woods home."
"So they're similar to the Kodama?"
"You got it, Sango...Mind yeu, the name Dryad is act'lly Greek, but h's become an unoffic'l ambiguous term for creatures born from earth and green..."
Casting her eyes to the wave of tall green in the distance, Coraline goes on to say,
"Here in Majora, d'ere's a clan of dryad tha' call themselves the Deku, made up of a few distinct versions of tree spirits...One in particular, was one of my best friends..."
"Does that mean there aren't any demons here?"
"Well, the portrayal of demons throughou' Europe is rather different than in Japan. I've certainly never encountered one, bu' I'm familiar with a Christian belief tha' depicts demons as angels fallen from grace."
Inuyasha makes a face at that description.
"Angels fallen from grace? That sounds stupid."
"Heh, I knew you'd say that, bu' tha's just one religion's opinion. I'm not saying it speaks for other places...The world is full of various cultures and beliefs, which come w'th their own supernatural creatures of good and bad."
"Keh, right..."
...After another minute, Coraline lets out a breath and stands up.
"Alright, enough sittin' 'round...We should, start headin' down an' see if we can find someone willing to help."
...
She and the other seven had soon reached the village, an otherwise modern rural area made with a mix of brick and stone buildings lining a road of packed dirt. In the distant right, one could see a tavern, while partway between a grocer and a library on the left, we see a path leading down to a small docking area...
Eyeing her surroundings with a careful eye, including the locals, Coraline then mutters,
"It looks like we're still in the twenty-first century, and I call that a good thing. I'd rather no' try and navigate us through a younger Majora..."
The others were people-watching with more curiousity, their ears picking up on the local tongue.
"...Can anybody understand what they're saying?"
"Not me."
"Me either..."
"I can hear some English, but the dialect is beyond me..."
Freeman then asks,
"Is, your old village a mainly Irish-spoken place?"
Pausing her steps, the redhead hums,
"Yeu've noticed tha', huh?...Aye, that'll be Irish you're hearin', the Ulster dialect t' be precise."
"There's more than one?"
"Oh auy. There be many ways of speakin' a language; the Celtic ones are no differen'...And any English yous'e hearin' is likely Ulster English, a form of Hiberno-English."
"Like how you're soundin' now?"
She looks over to see Inuyasha eyeing her a little funny.
"Hm?...Oh. Heh, I-I guess me own Ulster's comin' back. Sorry."
"Tch, don't apologize; you can't help your roots...But if we're gonna be here longer than we have to be, you'll have to act as translator."
"I can do tha'. And if not me, I'm sure Freeman an' Besa can pick up the basic slack."
"...Hai!"
Eyes then turn to meet stares with a middle-aged woman of about five-foot four, with long burnt-orange hair tied into a loose ponytail, gemstone green eyes, and a soft ivory-complexioned endomorph triangle body encased in a light plum waterfall cardigan, an off-white shirt, true blue jeans and mahogany Wellington boots.
"Yousuns don't look like you're from around 'ere...Where yous headin'?"
Frowning, Coraline replies,
"What's it to yeu? I don' see a reason to give out simply for dandering, so why futer?"
"So ye are born from these lands, uh?...I'd watch your tongue, wean. You're already walkin' a boreen with those strangers."
"Hmph...whatever, carlin'."
With that, the younger redhead gestures her companions to keep moving with her, leaving the older woman behind to gape...
"Mmh, I didn't like the way that lady was staring at us."
"Neh, don't pay attention to her malarkey, Shippō. It's jus' how it is around here some days...Majora doesn't get alo' of foreign traffic, so some folks will feel a little unnecessarily insecure...The starin' should clamber down soon..."
"If you say so..."
Besa then asks,
"So what about import-export?"
"Well there's the small port down left, bu' most of the time, you'd have to go out to the bigger cities t' pick up shipping."
"Ah...Aaand, what's the story with regards to, the supernatural?"
"Hah, tha's a little more ambiguous and controversial. When I was young, the prime attitude fer anything strange was carnapitous, irritable, an' very few groups had open hearts...bu' who knows? It might'a changed since I was gone."
"You think anybody might recognize you after all these years?"
Coraline turns her head to Freeman and replies dryly,
"Doubtful. It has been five years, after all."
"...Well well well, look who's back from the dead! If it isn' the hallion freak, Coraline Croft!"
"Huh?"
Turning around from her friends, the subject of the sudden call found her vision locking on a young lady standing a couple feet away. They're about average height, sporting an ivory-complexioned mesomorph inverted triangle body, ginger-blond hair cut into a lob, murky green eyes, and dressed in a plum purple long-sleeve under a dark green waxed jacket, a dark blue knee-length denim skirt, and brown sneakers.
Just staring at the unpleasant smile on the other girl's face was enough for the young Croft to form a scowl.
"Ach! Not tha' amadán again..."
"You know her?"
She sighs to the half-dog demon,
"Unfortunately. She was one'a my tormentors from me childhood. Name's Bridget...Damn, an' here comes her posse..."
We see at least three other girls - two blonds and a brunette dressed similarly to their leader - join Bridget's side...
"Why are you back, Croft?"
"Caul as ever, I see...Wha' I don't see is how tha's any of yur business."
"Well I could'a sworn you vanished from the village fer good, joining your cod of a father who believed in livin' with faerie folk."
The four girls yonder laugh mockingly, and Coraline cracks her knuckles in anger.
Tha' cat-melodeon waggon...
Sensing her disquiet, Inuyasha places a protective hand on her shoulder, while her brothers Freeman and Besa call out respectively,
"Oi! What's your problem?"
"Yeah, we're just walking here. There's no need to stir up any unnecessary hate."
Bridget stops laughing, taking a moment to actually look the rest of the group up and down...
"Ach, I see your taste in friends haven' changed. That's gotta be the saddest mix o' misfits I've ever seen! Especially those two, the white-haired gurrier and the tiny wean on your shoulder. How far back the Kip didja go to find 'em?"
"Drh!...Wha'd you just say?"
"You heard me, freak. Isn' that all your so-called gift's been known to do, attract the abnormal? (Smirk) And considering your family background, I shouldn't be surprised. I mean, really, how are you still classified as human?"
Another growl escapes the girl under fire from the verbal insults, and Shippō takes a turn at defending his friend.
"Hey! You leave Coraline alone!"
Bridget of course doesn't understand his speech, but given the situation, she quickly deciphers the intent.
"Aww, is the wee gasúr tryin' to stand up for you? Teheheh, talk about pathetic, that is."
The fox demon child in turn couldn't translate her words, but the tone was enough to make him cringe back with a defensive glare...which shifts to confusion when he feels himself being lifted up.
"Huh?"
He's set upon Besa's shoulder, and both turn to the source of the location change.
"Take 'im, please."
"Coraline?"
"Sis?"
Sucking in a breath, Coraline slowly turns back to face Bridget with a seething glare.
"...You think yer insults are so cop-on, bu' all I hear is the same garbage from the same eejit who had nothin' better to do than make fun of anoth'a kid, jus' to make herself feel good! Makes me wonder if ye got yer manners from the local tip."
"Auh! How dare you, targe!"
"Bogging chiseler!"
"Bockety colleen!"
The parties of both girls could only watch the two continue the name-calling with somewhat perplexed if helpless expressions...until finally, Coraline pipes out,
"Ack! There's only one way we're settlin' this, there is!...A fight at The Thorns of Majora."
Bridget's eyes go wide as her friends gasp dramatically, and a stir of murmuring went through some passersby.
"Hh! A challenge has been se'..."
"Oh boy, Bridget's in for it now."
"That Croft's a bleedin' fool, making a call like that."
"I dunno; she don't look the same like when she was a wean..."
Focusing on Inuyasha and company, they turn their stares to the locals and comment on the change in atmosphere.
"Huh? What's up with these people?"
"They seem tense..."
"What's the big deal? Something about, The Thorns of Majora?"
"Heheh, good lord. This is quite a comeback for the young Croft."
They turn to see an old man with graying nut-brown hair, a long beard, and wearing a white shirt, dark-green pants with suspenders, and brown hiking boots. Besa steps a bit closer to him to ask,
"What do you mean, sir? What exactly did Coraline do?"
"Well now, she done challenged tha' young targe Bridget to a fight...an' the proposed locale's no' one t' take lightly. Y'see, the Thorns of Majora have been aroun' since the first generation of villagers. The story goes that these two men who though' they were cop-on, got into an quarrel over a young blade they met a' the edge of the forest, and decided to settle it with their bare fists. Heh, 'course, what those poor eejits didn' know was that the lady was actually a dryad, and after watchin' them actin' the cot, rejected both before leavin' into the forest for good, but not before cursing 'em to Hell. The dryad's curse spread to the area i'self, and even today, nothin' grows in tha' spot. It's since become a sor' of fightin' circle, mostly as a form of craic for the rascal gasúrs runnin' 'round."
The elder man turns his vision to Coraline's form.
"Mind you, there's nothin' preventing the girseach from joinin' in...Little Coraline's not the first heated redhead to do it either, no she isn'. Ole Amelia was as much a firecracker as she is."
Though he barely followed the fast translation of his companion Freeman, Inuyasha's eras did twitch interest at the other name mentioned.
"Amelia? Who's she?"
Hearing the question in his tone rather than the words, old man stands up and says to Inuyasha before he leaves,
"...Amelia Evans, was Coraline's mother."
The gang widens their eyes, turning to stare at the young redhead in wonder...She in turn wanders back their way and meets their eyes with a relatively calmer expression.
"...I'm sorry you all had ta see tha'...but there's no way am I takin' back what I jus' did."
She glances back at Bridget as the latter leaves with her girlfriends with a flustered glare...
"I'm through with takin' their bullshit. This stops now...even a' the cost of the bruises I'm gonna get."
Inuyasha's POV
This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder...
After Coraline called that ginger-blond out to a fight, she leads us to a small tavern going by the name of 'Grimm's Fuisce Geafta', which I'd learn translates to 'Grimm's Whiskey Gate'...Weird name for a tavern, but to each their own, I guess...
"You sure we have time to stop for a drink? Shouldn' you be leading us to this spot of thorns or whatever the heck it's called?"
"It's Thorns of Majora, smart guy, and it'll be a' least an hour before we gotta ge' our way up there...Besides, there's a person I need to pay a visit to before my karma gets worse..."
Entering the place, I immediately catch the scent of unfamiliar alcohol, probably what these humans refer to as sake. The inside's somewhat similar to what I know as a tavern, but at the same time, it was different...
"I see that taverns won't be changing much in the coming times."
Freeman nods at Miroku,
"Yeah, I guess if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all...Seems kind-a quiet, though..."
Coraline replies as she fiddles around with some weird machine by the door,
"It usually is on'a Thursday afternoon...Ach, thank god."
And just like that, she turns to us with some kind of paper currency in her hands!
"This should ge' us all a round or two of mineral."
"How'd you do that?!"
"More importantly, where have you been hiding it?"
She just shrugs it off like nothing and walks past the monk and me towards the bar.
"All you boys need know, is that women become really good at investing money in the future...Now then, is'e in today...?"
Her eyes soon lock onto some old timer busying himself with cleaning a few glasses...
"So you're still workin' your life down to the bine, are yae? Why am I no' surprised?"
"Mm?"
He looks up, and nearly trips on his feet with a wide-eyed expression.
"Ach!...Amn't seein' things, am I?...Coraline? Is tha' really you, lass?"
She nods, and the old man breaks out a hard laugh while exclaiming,
"Well isn' this a quare yoke! I should'a known ye'd be back someday; took y' long enough, you mitch."
I'm not exactly sure what he meant even after I got a rough translation from Freeman, but Coraline's response is relatively positive, barking out her own chuckle and reaching over to clap a hand with the man.
"Good t' see your sense of humour hasn' been jaded, Grimm...How 'ave things been since I was gone?"
"Eh, can' complain much. Relations between faerie folk and our eejit-like community have reached a new calm. M' tavern's had a few slow days, bu' when has i' never?...Wha' about you, girseach? How've you been since yeu took tha' bealach out'a this sleepy village?"
He then glances over our way:
"An' who're the members of yur slua behind yae?"
...We're soon sitting at two tables near the bar and each served a glass of that fizzy stuff she sometimes brought in her satchel, 'minerals' as it's called here. By this time, Coraline had given this Grimm person a basic summary of all that's happened to her recently...
"Well tha's one way to make a hames of your livelihood...bu' it seems you managed to hoke some sense...Almos' reminds me of yur father, it does, findin' the good in a bad turn of circumstance."
I see a half-smile form on her face, but it looked kind of sad and distant...
"So yeu lot are basically stuck here until you can find a way back across the pond?"
Besa replies for all of us,
"That seems to be the case...It's pure luck that we're even here instead of in the hands of Bishop and his men."
Grimm's expression gives way to a dim sort of anger.
"Ack, Bishop. Jus' hearin' the name of tha' bowsie fella's enough to make me boak yesterday's dinner...T' think he's still ou' there causin' trouble with 'is Trinity army..."
He eyes Coraline with a more serious face and tells her,
"I pray yer usin' all the intelligence you inherited from Mathias, blade. You've gotten this far by the skin of yur teeth, bu' you best be lookin' after yourself if ye wish to keep your head. Get me?"
"Of course."
"Good. Heh, I had no doubts, bu' I had to check...Now wha's this cluinim abou' you and that targe Bridget havin' a fight at the Thorns later?"
Coraline replies coolly as she takes a sip from her drink,
"It's exactly tha': I'm settlin' the score once an' for all."
Grimm hums with interest, and Sango cuts in with her own opinion on the appending brawl.
"But doesn't this seem like an unnecessary exercise? I understand that girl and some others have hurt you back when, but is violence really going to make things better?"
Coraline doesn't answer, and looks down at her glass with a scowl...I decide to throw in my own thoughts.
"I don't think it's unnecessary."
Everyone looks at me with some surprise, others with looks that suggested they expected my response.
"You don't?"
"Why's that, Inuyasha?"
"Well, think about it: these brats have done nothin' but viciously antagonize her all through her childhood, and she wasn' strong enough to really fight back. Now she has the opportunity to show 'em that she's not that same defenseless little girl. Coraline's stronger and wiser than they ever will be. (Sip...) Sure, maybe this fight's a bit too over the top, but if it'll send a message, I say why not."
...Coraline eyes me with a level of shock from my defense.
"Inuyasha. (...Smile) Thank you. That's really kind of yeu to say."
"Keh, hey. Even I have my moments."
"Aah, so yer stócach is actin' as main support, is he?"
She nearly chokes on her drink before sputtering to the old man,
"Wh-Wha' are ye on abou', ye oul lúdramán?! Chan fhuil sé me stócach!"
He just laughs, leaving the rest of us confused...
"Anyway, though I discouraged ye from blebbin' up trouble when I could back when ye were a wean...I can't very well stop ya much now tha' you're a cailín. Jus' remember to hit hard, an' jouk fast."
Coraline's POV
My friends and I would spend a little more time in Grimm's place, and in that time...I'd learn some rather, disturbing news regarding another old family friend. Apparently, Roth, my father's best friend and practically my uncle, had left for the seas about two years ago for some, 'unfinished business'...and never returned. I didn't want to believe it, and I nearly got into a fight with Grimm over it...but I knew the old man wouldn't dare lie about something so serious...Tears were shed, and I had to fight back the urge to sob and rouse anymore worry from my friends...
Eventually, I calmed down and managed to leave the tavern without any bitterness...but my thoughts were still lingering over the lost man.
...This explains why the letters stopped...
He, did mention somethin' about a trip in our last correspond'nce, so, I jus' thought he go' busy or, became paranoid of Trinity tracin' our messages.
...Devil to my naivety. Roth's no' the kind of fella to back down like a scared tonnóg.
...Fer all I know...he could be...
"Cora?"
I snap back to reality at Besa's call, turning to meet his concerned eyes.
"Are, you okay?"
"...I will be."
My answer didn't seem to satisfy him, but he dropped the subject, and thankfully no one else asked...We soon arrive at the knoll where the circle of thorns would be, and as I expected, a crowd of fellow teens and smaller children have already gathered.
Heh, guess that's one thing abou' Majora that'll never change: word of any disruption to th' peace travels fast as the wind.
They sense us coming, and make enough room so we can pass, allowing the others a good look at the ring. The area's pretty much what you would see when you leave a truck over a patch of grass for too long: barren dry dirt that has no future of growing anything again, shaped like a big circle twenty feet in diameter. What makes this circle particularly different, however, is the thorns that grew sticking up around the edge, the colour being a mix of grape purple and spring green...
"Are these thorns a part of the curse that was made by the dryad woman?"
I turn to Sango and reply,
"That's wha' the locals theorize. Some people have tried to remove them, bu' with no success."
Miroku kneels down for a closer inspection.
"Hmm...I sense a strange dark energy from these thorns, but, it doesn't seem dangerous..."
"That's because it's dorman' right now. It only acts when someone tries to pull 'em out, leavin' the person ill for the next day or two...It's no' really an evil, but more of a warning: don' mess with nature, or it comes back with a vengeance."
"I see..."
I then hear the voices of the crowd pick up...and I turn to see Bridget and her cohorts making their way through, she replacing her skirt for some shorts.
Huh, she actu'lly dressed smart for this...
Getting a better look at her face, I could see that while she's smiling at the encouragement of her friends...her eyes shine with a hidden nervousness.
Humph, guess all tha' earlier talk really was malarkey...
She's not prepared at'all.
"(Smirk) She has no idea what's comin' for her."
"Whaddo ya mean, sis?"
I turn to Freeman and reply,
"Look'a her expression...She may appear boastful and confident, but her eyes tell a different story...She's afraid, and in no way prepared for the ass-kickin' she's gonna get."
My brother looks more closely...and catches those jitters I was speaking about.
"Uh! You're right; she's only bragging!"
"Mhm, and you know wha' happens when you futer by braggin' before a fight..."
Shippō finishes my sentence:
"You set yourself up for losing."
"Right you are, lad."
I hear a kid's watch alarm go off, signalling that it was time. One of the boys from further in the glen steps up to act as referee.
"Okay! The rumble between Bridget Maron and the returnin' Coraline Croft will now begin! Fighters, step into the circle!"
I nod, and turn around to hand Besa my bags.
"Can you keep an eyes on these, bro?"
"Sure. And, Cora...?"
"Yea'?"
"...Be careful."
Everyone else says similarly:
"Yes, be careful, Coraline."
"We'll be cheering for you, of course."
"You can do it, Coraline!"
"You got this, sis."
Inuyasha's the last to speak, placing a clawed hand on my shoulder and eyeing at me with an oddly serious expression.
"Coraline...be careful in there, okay?"
"(Nod) Don' worry, I will."
"Good. (Smirk) Now get in there and show 'em what you're made of. Show them how strong you've become."
I gape a bit, before nodding with a small grin and moving into the circle, shucking off my long-sleeve shirt in the process...Bridget follows my action by removing her jacket...and before we part to opposite ends, she has the gall to give me a pleading look.
"Um, listen, Croft?...I've been thinkin', and, maybe we shouldn' dander down this ród. I mean, what's this gonna prove? I, can tell beefed up since we last met-"
"Tch, save yur half-ass plámás, Bridget. You're not gettin' out of what you started."
She looks at me with surprise with how fast I shot her words down, and I say to her,
"Yes, you. There are other guilty parties who've done similar or worse...bu' you, Bridget, are the one who kept actin' the maggot with yur slurs, and made me feel worthless when we were young. Maybe this is a bit extreme, but I'm not backin' out. You made the choice to act like a bucklepper eejit, and now you're abou' to receive the consequences for every insult, hair tug and dirt throw in my eyes."
She cringes, and I add with a menacing smirk,
"Hell hath no fury like a scorned blade. No indeed."
With that, we part to stand at opposite ends of the ring, giving eachother the nastiest glares we could muster...
"Alright, everyone remembers how this works: now weapons, no hair-tuggin', no biting, no dirty play, no hittin' below the belt, an' no futering. The fight ends when eith'a fight'r is still upright, or someone forfeits...All clear?"
Bridget and I nod firmly...
"Now...begin!"
My childhood tormentor makes the first charge with a fist raised.
"Haaaaaah!"
I easily duck from the incoming punch, and spring forward to grab her by her torso and shove her to the ground.
"Not fallin' for that, bitch!"
Everyone in the crowd gets fired up:
"Yeah!"
"Bridget, shove the hallion off!"
"Come on, Bridget!"
"Go, Croft!"
"Skitter and tackle the targe, Croft!"
I feel Bridget grip my upper arms, before rolling me to the ground and slapping my face hard.
(Smack)
"Rgh!"
I wince from the sting and shove her off me completely, then try to kick her, only for her to dodge and punch me in the shoulder. I punch her back in the stomach, and it just erupts into a flurry of strikes from our fists and feet that lasts for a minute and a half, before we wind up shoving eachother backwards at the same time, sliding back to the edges of the circle...
"Hah, hah, tha all you got, Croft?"
"Hah, you wish, Maron!"
We spring at eachother again, and I land a punch in each shoulder before she swings her foot into my gut.
(Whack)
"Aaagh!"
Ach, that's gonna bruise...!
I drop to my knees, leaving me open to a series of punches and kicks from Bridget...I block her as best I can with my arms, but she still manages to get a few good hits in...
Rgh, this won' get me anywhere. I'm jus' scunderin' m'self...!
"Come on, Coraline, get up!"
I turn my eyes outside the ring on my right, and see Inuyasha giving me a scolding expression.
"Don't let this bitch get the upper hand! Tackle her to the ground if you have to; just fight, dammit!"
Inuyasha...
"Yeah, Coraline, you're way stronger than she is!"
"You're a warrior, Cora!"
"You can do it!"
Everyone...they're, all cheering...Cheerin' for me...
I can't let them down.
With a new determination set, I wait until Bridget pauses her antics...
"Hrrrah!"
I then jump up and land a hard punch to her side, then pin her to the ground on her front while digging a knee into her spine, my hands holding hers behind her back.
"Aa-hh!"
I bend down to her ear and hiss,
"You wan' this to go on until yur black and blue? I won' stop you, nor will I be merciful. (...Smirk) But if you'd rather save yourself an extra beatin', say it. Say, uncle."
"Grh!...No way. I'll never surrender to a devil-bound faerie like you!"
"Oh? Alrigh'~, if you wan'ta prolong the inevitable..."
I get off and allow her to stand up with shaky steps, then crack my knuckles...before landing a swift fist to her cheek. She screams in pain, stumbling back and holding the side of her face as it quickly produces an angry red and purple bruise...
"You...You bogger bitch! How dare you mess up my face!"
"Oh whisht, y' big baby. It's just a bruise; it'll be gone in three, five days tops. Besides, it's your own fault for not blockin' fast enough."
She lets out a screech and sprints at me to try and retaliate...Key word, try.
(Whosh, whosh, whosh...)
But every fist that came flying at me, I dodged...and it didn't seem to matter to Bridget anymore.
She just kept swinging her arms blindly like a three-year old learning how to dance.
Must be in a blind rage...which means if I jouk long enough, I can pin 'er again.
I match each strike with a duck, side-step, and even bending over backwards...
Eventually, after a couple more minutes, she loses her stamina.
"Hah...hah...hah..."
She tries for one more feeble swing, and I grasp her arm to twist it behind her back and pin her down on her knees.
"Ah-a-hh! Nh!"
I keep my hold firm, and stare at the ginger-blond before me with indifference.
...She's got enough bruises and scratches.
As much as it may prove somethin' to beat her senseless...I'm not that coul-blooded.
I jus' wanted to prove a point.
I bend down to her ear again and whisper a bit less harshly,
"Bridget, it's over. You're pantin' like a márt when the sun's high, and have no comeback move...So you can either let this continue to it's final bloody punch...or you can qui' jadin' this out and make the call."
She freezes for a second...before letting out a reluctant and defeated breath.
"Fine...You win, Croft."
Bridget then shouts with a rueful and embarrassed tone,
"I call uncle! I surrender!"
The crowd gasps, and the boy acting as our referee calls,
"U-Uh, in that case, Coraline Croft takes the win!"
...A murmur of silence passes...before it's broken by the cheers of Freeman and Shippō.
"Yeaaah, alright, sis!"
"Yay, Coraline!"
The others quickly join in with their praise.
"Well done, Coraline!"
"You did it!"
"Good job, Cor!"
I release Bridget with a slight shove as some local teens began cheering similarly, clapping their hands at my efforts...well, save the girls on Bridget's side...But my eyes were on one person only: Inuyasha...I stand up, grimacing a touch from my new bruises, and grab my shirt from off the ground before walking over to him...He looks at my form for a second with an unreadable expression...before breaking out a proud smile.
"Keh, you did good out there, Coraline."
"Really? Y' think so?"
"Yeah. For a second, I almost mistook you for a demoness with the way you were fighting...you know, minus any clawing and biting."
I laugh at his description as he claps a hand on my shoulder.
"I'd say you got back what those brats tried to take from you years ago: your inner fire. And...I'm proud of you."
H-He's, proud of me?
I couldn't help but grin, and reach over to hug his torso.
"Uh! C-Coraline?"
"Thank you...for, sayin' yur proud of me."
"Uhm, you're welcome?"
I giggle a bit at his awkwardness, and as I part from him, I feel some familiar hands gently grab my shoulders.
"We're all proud of you, sis."
"Yeah! You totally kicked ass!"
I look at my brothers, then at Sango, Miroku and Shippō who smile and nod similarly.
Even Kilala mewled encouragingly before rubbing my leg affectionately...
"Thanks everyone. I appreciate this, really."
"...bout ye, Croft?"
"Hm?"
We turn to see a boy I didn't recognize and two of his buddies.
"Oh, hey...I'm all good."
"Good...Um, I dunno what yer plans are now, bu', ye might wanna think of seein' Old Sonya before doing anythin' more throughother. Y'know, get patched up?"
I tilt my head in surprised confusion:
"Old Sonya's still around, is she?"
"Aye, she's at the same cottage out the glen and near the loch...She doesn' let alot of us young folk ge' near though; somethin' 'bout being falsa chiselers or some other malarkey. You might have better luck, though, seein' as...well, you know, you're not as judgy about the strange."
Sonya...I haven't seen 'er in years...
But maybe...maybe she can help us find a way to get back to Edo!
"(Nod) Right, I'll look into tha'. Thanks for the tip."
He nods back and takes his leave with his friends trailing behind...
"Who's this Sonya person, Coraline?"
I turn to Besa and answer,
"She's a healer that lives in a hut not too far from here. Although, most people know 'er as a Wiccan."
"A Wiccan? You mean, like a witch?"
"Kind-of. Wiccans don' practice actual witchcraft, per say. It's more, using the power o' nature to heal the spirit, or a' least that's what Sonya does."
Sango hums in thought,
"Sounds similar to the powers of a priestess."
"Yeah, in a way, I suppose Wiccans could be compared to miko, though withou' such a heavy focus on purification...Sonya actu'lly comes from a long line of druids and bards tha' often interacted with me family clan, and she knows alot abou' the supernatural that dwells in Majora, even more than me Father did. (Frown) Come to think of it...it's possible she may know a way f'r us to return to Edo."
That caught everyone's attention:
"Really?!"
"Yes, but tha's a maybe. I can't guarantee, but it's a question worth asking."
I turn towards the west:
"I think I remember the route to 'er home. Follow me."
No POV
Come about an hour later, Coraline would've lead the group far into the outskirts from the village, over the glen and to an area near a cliffside that had a blackhouse - known as teach dubh in the Irish language - sitting a small distance away from the edge. A small herb garden is seen growing nearby, while wildflowers scatter the green closer to the forest, and some strange charms set on their own wooden stake, made from a combination of the Brigid's Cross (three-armed style), with a curious symbol resembling a many-horned mask painted on amber sitting central for each one...
"Wow...It's been more than five years, and th' blackhouse looks abou' the same as it did when I was little."
Sango takes a look at one of the posts that held a charm.
"...I see something on this charm that looks like, a horned mask..."
"That'll be a recreation of the creature this village is named after: Majora."
"Majora?"
"Aye...Majora was a powerful tree spirit said to still dwell in these woods...One day, they crafted a beautiful mask containing a power that supposingly had control over the shadows."
Everyone looks to Coraline in surprise and interest.
"Power over the shadows?"
"How's that even possible?"
"No one knows fer sure; the records are sparse...As the legend goes, the mask gained sentience and took over Majora's mind, sending them into a frenzy and attacking anything that moved. No one could escape Majora's wrath...But then, jus' when things were abou' to take a turn for the worst, a druid by name of Saoirse came and used a special charm which sealed the power of the mask, freeing Majora from their fate...They soon vanished, taking the mask deep into the forests to hide away forever, never t' be used again by wavering hearts."
"Wavering hearts?"
Miroku answers Shippō's curiousity:
"I believe that's suppose to indicate anyone who falls prey to evil and darkness."
The young Croft nods in confirmation...just as an odd progression of noises that sounded like muffled moans began to sound...
"Huh?"
"What is that?"
"...Owaaah! What are those, souls?!"
Coraline and the others turn to where the fox demon was fearfully gaping, spotting several orbs of light floating towards them. Unlike the souls of the dead seen in Edo, however, these orbs were at least half the size or less, had a more silvery celeste blue, and seemed more...alive...
The redhead of our group recognizes them instantly.
"Heha, don't worry, Shippō. Those aren't souls; they're the Will O' Wisps."
Said creatures float towards Coraline, seemingly remembering her as well...
"Hey there. Been a munya time, hasn' it? It's me, Coraline...We used to play together when I was young."
The creatures float in a listless, blank manner...before breaking into chirpy moans and whirling around her body, causing her to giggle.
"Hahaha, hey, tha' tickles! Hahahaha!..."
Her friends watch the jubilant redhead in wonder.
"Wow..."
"They really like her, don't they?"
"I guess they really are childhood friends..."
The Will O' Wisps calm down after another minute or so, and Coraline catches her breath from all the laughter.
"Hah, heheh, sorry 'bout that, you guys...I haven' felt their presence in so long, I got carried away in reminisce."
Freeman waves her off with a casual smile.
"Aw, no worries, Cor. It's good to hear you laughing like that."
She smiles back, before returning attention to the creatures around her.
"It's good to see yous again. (Gesture) I'd like yeu all to meet my brothers, Freeman and Besa, an' me friends Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Shippō, and Kilala."
Curious over the new faces, the Will O' Wisps slowly approach them, who in turn look at the orbs with a mix of wariness and wonder.
"Uuhm, Coraline...?"
"Heh, it's alrigh'. They're just gettin' a read on your energy, is all, to determine what sort'a auras yeu have."
"They can sense auras?"
"Oh auy. It was actually the Will O' Wisps who helped me train my abilities as an Aura Read'a, along with me father, of course."
"Hehahah, and boy did they give 'im a workout like they did yeu!"
"Huh?"
Coraline turns to the east...and coming out between a pair of pine trees is an elder woman with a mesomorph body of about five foot four, with long, greying red hair tied into a braid, hazel-brown eyes, and wearing a simple forest green dress of loose fit and with long sleeves, with multiple leather pouches tied onto a belt, a grey cloak and black rain boots.
"Ah! Sonya, it's you!"
The younger redhead rushes to greet the older woman, hugging her around her torso and prompting the latter to wholeheartedly return the gesture.
"Ah, Coraline, it's good to see yeu finally returned to Majora. Mo dhia, it's been an age!"
They back up from one another so Sonya could get a better look at the teenager.
"Look at how you've grown. To think ye barely came up to me elbows last I saw ye...and now, I have a beautiful cailín standin' before me."
"Heha, I dunno about that, but I'm definitely no wean anymore...I see tha' the years h've remained kind to you, Sonya. You don't look like you've aged at'all."
Sonya lets out a hearty laugh and replies,
"That's kind of ye to say, lass, but I've come to terms with becomin' a carlin' long ago. The trick is to do i' with grace and a smile...Now then."
Sonya turns to look towards the people behind the young Croft.
"I trust the youngsters thonder are with yeu?"
"(Turn) Hm? Oh, yes, they are."
Coraline gestures everyone over, and once they gathered, she makes introductions.
"Everyone, this is Sonya, a family friend from way back. Sonya, these are my spirit broth'rs, Freeman and Besa, and my good friends, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Shippō and Kilala, all of whom I met in Japan."
The older woman with greying red hair looks over each new face with a thoughtful expression.
"Hmm...I see you've acquired quite a wheen of friends, little blade...Though I shouldn't be surprised. (Smile) Ye always had a knack for connectin' with people...Though what's this cluinim about Japan, and why do you have all of those injuries?"
"It's a long story, Sonya...Actually, we came here hopin' you could help us with a problem."
"(Nod) Aye, I figured there was a more serious reason for ye to have returned after all these years...Alright, how about we all head inside, and ye can regale your tale to me."
...
...
As soon as everyone settled inside the blackhouse, Coraline began telling Sonya everything that has happened to her in these last five years, and even felt confident to mention Inuyasha and company's origins from Edo, their mission to obtain the shards of the Shikon-no-Tama, and eventually confronting Naraku...Then of course, there was the recent activity with Trinity and their unplanned trip here to Majora, and her fight against Bridget...
"Mo dhia, blade, you really haven't caught so much as'a break in these last years, have ye?"
Coraline smiles faintly and replies,
"No, Sonya. I'm more than convinced the universe has made a new sport in makin' a hames of me livelihood every chance it gets."
"Hm, well I don't think it helped yer luck by makin' that challenge against that stubborn targe, Bridget...Though based on your conversation, I suppose I can't really blame ye for getting so riled up. You're lucky I just finished making refills for some of my healing remedies."
We see that the girl with darker red hair now had a few bandages wrapped around her arms for some minor scratches and some bruises, plus a bandage on her left knee from a scab she got from sliding in the dirt.
"Yea', I know it was stupid, but I'm not here to take anymore bullshi'. Pardon my language."
Sonya nods, and Coraline adds,
"Insulting me was one thing, but I'm not lettin' anyone here badmouth my friends. If tha' means going into a rumble, then that's just how it's gonna go down. Besides, Bridget could'a backed away...but she didn't. She chose to fight me, an' the end, she was actin' the maggot and lost no' only the match, but likely a good chunk of her pride."
"Mm, fair enough. I'm glad ye were cop-on when you went into the fight, unlike some of the fool brats who just go chargin' at one another like wild eallach."
"That's appreciated, Sonya."
...Just then, a single Will O' Wisp comes zooming into the home, floating around in a dizzy circle and letting loose a few soft cries. Sonya looks up at it with amusement:
"Ah, I see you've returned, Lumos."
"Lumos?"
"Aye, I suppose you and 'e haven't met enough times that ye'd remember him well. Lumos has come and gone from here many times in the last twenty or so years, and has become a good companion."
Lumos stops circling around the room, and softly drops to hover beside Coraline...
"Heheh, seems he recognizes you, though, 'e does."
Coraline smiles at the Will O' Wisp:
"Um, hi, Lumos."
...The little orb floats up and down in a few short bursts, before settling onto her shoulder...After observing the interaction, Miroku then looks to Sonya in mild astonishment.
"I am surprised that you are able to take in our story so easily, ma'am. I imagine occurrences like these are not new for you."
After listening to Freeman's translation, the older woman replies,
"Not at all, young monk. I've experienced enough strange circumstances in my many years to have a strong constitution to almos' anything tha' dares come me way. This oul village is drawked with the unknown and unexplained...T' have a monk, demon slayer, a fox demon, cat demon and half-dog demon here, and from the Edo Period of Japan, mind you, is nothin' too new. Just different."
Shippō comes up to the elder woman and asks,
"So, you're not scared?"
"(Gentle smile) Of course not, chile. I may not 'ave encountered demons m'self, but I can sense that ye have a good soul."
She glances at Kilala, then Inuyasha:
"The same goes for the cat, and the stócach over there."
The silver-haired youth stares at Sonya eye-to-eye for a moment...before looking away indifferently...
"Heh, like t' act the gurrier, do ye?"
He looks at Coraline for clarity, who half-smiles and says,
"She means you like to act tough or unruly."
"Kh! What?"
A few chuckles escape the other males in the room, the monk commenting,
"Sounds rather accurate, if you ask me."
"Shut up!"
The girls could only shake their heads exasperatingly, while Besa asks,
"Uhm, anyway, do you know of anything that can help us return home, or at the very least Edo?"
Freeman adds somewhat jokingly,
"Yeah, I don't think we'd be able to pass airport security to fly back to Tokyo...and even if by some miracle we did, we can't be sure if the Bone Eater's Well will work for everyone besides Coraline and Inuyasha."
Coraline narrows her eyes as she postulates aloud,
"Plus there's the fact'r of Trinity...We may have escaped th'm for now, but, who knows for how long..."
Sonya forms a frown of distaste at hearing the name of the organization.
"Trinity...Now there's a name I haven't heard for an age...But I had a feeling those cretins would eventually return to cause trouble."
"You know of them?"
Sonya nods at Sango,
"Aye. They've come to Majora Village many times these last couple decades, they have, lured by the secrets and supernatural activity...The last time they came, was when they were harassin' Mathias abou' sharin' his knowledge and joining them."
Coraline darts her head to the older redhead.
"You knew father was bein' targeted?...Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because he asked me no'to."
"Uh!..."
"Hauh, you see, blade, he wanted to protect ye in every way he could from these people, and tha' included askin' me to keep my knowledge a secret...Unfortunately, the outcome was not as he wished."
Coraline looks down in her lap with a bitter expression.
"No kidding...I managed to survive, bu'...father, he...he died to protect his knowledge..to protect me..."
Everyone stares at her form with concerned expressions, her sadness almost palpable...But that would soon vanish, as Sonya clears her throat to inform the young Croft something she never thought she would have to.
"Listen, Coraline...It was not jus' the intelligence of the mysterious and unexplained your father possessed tha' he sought to protect from Trinity...There was something else he also mean' to take to his grave, a secret he, along with your ancestors have been protecting for centuries."
Coraline snaps out of her depression in an instant.
"A secret?"
"Yes...The reason I know of it is because the Will O' Wisps, who also guard this secret. They trust me because of me ties with Wicca and Druids, and do not see me as a normal misguided human like most who walk Majora today...And of course, Mathias trusted me to tell you this secret when you were old enough...bu' when you disappeared..."
"Right..."
"Bu' now, you've experienced enough trials and have reached an appropriate age tha' I can tell yeu...The Crofts are not just known as Aura Readers. Centuries ago, they were a well-known clan of Celtic warriors that kept the peace here in Majora, possessing a mystical weapon with the ability of channelin' one's spiritual energy into a formidable power."
The eyes of the youths in the blackhouse bug out considerably.
"Seriously?!"
"Auy."
"What was it called?"
"...It is known, as the ShatterSoul Sword."
"The ShatterSoul Sword..."
Freeman shivers a bit from the name:
"Yikes. That sounds pretty eerie."
Coraline then asks,
"So, my family is comprised of Aura 'Warriors' that wielded a sword which could channel spirit energy into an attack?"
"Tha's the short of it, yes...And you, blade. Ye are its next wielder."
The girl's companions exclaim 'What?!' as she sprang to her feet in her own shock.
"M-Me, wieldin' a sword?! You must be geggin', Sonya! I'm already strugglin' not to cowp from the bow and arrow, and me combat knife! How can I possibly handle a sword?! I'm no Celtic Warri'a!"
"Calm yourself, chile. I know this nuaidheacht is a slew to take in, but destiny does not lie. I even suspect the sword may have called to your spirit when ye and yer friends were travelin' through tha' portal to escape Trinity."
"...Called to my spirit?"
"Aye."
Sonya stands up and walks over to a small bookshelf to grab an old text of sorts from the higher shelf.
"This is one of few books written by me own ancestors back in the days o' Druids, a collaboration of lore between me family and the Crofts...Inside is a passage tha' speaks of an old legend abou' a warrior wielding a sword that staved off dark spirits. I am certain this is the last record of the ShatterSoul Sword bein' used by your kin..."
She opens the book a little more than halfway in, and passes it to Coraline's waiting hands while directing to the right page.
"...Uh! Is, that..."
"Aye. Looks familiar, doesn' she?"
The image presented is a young woman with long, red hair the same shade as Coraline's, her eyes aglow in the equally familiar ice blue, and wearing a fine-detailed patterned dress of forest green, the skirt occupying a checkered pattern of fall red and midnight blue mixed with the dominant colour, and a leather belt matching in material to the shoes on her feet. She's standing atop a hillside, arm raised with a long sword in hand against a giant shadow with many gleaming eyes, the overall shape of the haze likening to a certain mask...
Coraline passes the book along so everyone could have a gander.
"Whoa..."
"That woman looks like an older version of Coraline."
"And look at that sword!"
Shippō narrows his eyes in confusion at the word caption underneath.
"What's that suppose to say? I can't read it."
The young Croft replies,
"I's a ballad, Shippō, written in the language of me homeland, Gaelic."
"Oooh...Can you read it?"
The redhead nods, and translates the passage.
"In the glen beyond the róds,
a mask of truth and lies,
Control of shadows ye shall gain,
but never be satisfied,
Warriors blind by fool ideals,
sought order through'a bog of blood,
Throughother hearts were easily stamped,
while spirit succumbed to coul,
Just when the light of the glen went ou',
a maiden soon came forth,
Aided by the Deku clan,
she drew her blade and struck,
Sword that beats of heart and soul,
done eliminated the hallion,
But such victory was short-lived,
come around the-marra,
A keen of banshees echoes forth,
as the maiden drew last breath,
Drawing her strength, she drew a mark,
warning generations cometh,
Though an evil breathes no more,
danger will come again,
Always search for the hope beyond,
and read signs left by bretheren."
...The signs left behind...A mark of warning...
In the corner, Coraline spots a very small impression in a patch of dirt...
"Wait..."
She turns around and grabs out her magnifying glass from her satchel, and hovers it over the tiny impression in the image...
"Hh! Mo dhia..."
Inuyasha asks,
"What? What is it?"
"...That's...Trinty's symbol. They unleashed the mask and forced the warrior t' use every ounce of her strength to save these lands."
Everyone gasps, and Shippō exclaims with a glare,
"That's horrible! Why would they do something like that?"
"It's possible these Trinity soldiers became interest'd in the mask, but screwed up and angered it to the poin' of nearly destroyin' the village if not for this warrior. (Glare) Or perhaps, they did it on purpose, as a test of sorts..."
Sonya hums in agreement:
"Cumbersome Trinity is, they would've been smart enough t' listen for the righ' information tha' would lead them to the mask, unaware of what exactly they stumbled across...By the time i' was contained, its power grew into something nasty, something tha' could take a person's spiritual power and turn it into shadow energy for i'self to use."
Miroku asks,
"So this cloud of darkness depicted is the power of the mask?"
"Aye, monk. Of course, those eejits likely died upon impact. The mask never really took to humans, 'specially sleevens who wish to harness its power for selfish gain. It may be a sentient menace of its original purpose, but it wasn' dumb enough to trust greedy hearts."
Sonya turns her focus on Coraline:
"Even so, there's no guarantee tha' Trinity hasn' already found some sort'a inkling abou' the ShatterSoul Sword. That's what yur father was concerned about, a' least, for he knew the sword could become a dangerous weapon in their hands."
"So that's why he didn' say anything to me?"
"That, and he had suspicions that ye were its next wielder, and did not want to burden you with th' knowledge until he thought ye were ready...He, wanted to be the one to reveal it to you..."
"And 'e never got the chance..."
"(Nod) Coraline, whether you accept it or not is up to ye...but you are, and will remain, ShatterSoul's next mistr'ss."
Time Skip, Coraline's POV
It's now sunset, and we all decided that we'd crash here at Sonya's, either sleeping in the hut or camping out against a fallen log by the cottage using some thick blankets she generously provided...
Of course, given all these new revelations, sleep would elude me and cause my rapid river of a mind to run itself to the cliffside...Looking out at the loch and further out to the ocean as the evening waves roll against the jagged rock and sands...nature seemed the calmer out of the two of us.
Hauh, I can' believe this...Things have act'lly returned to a neutral state in Majora, Roth's gone...and my family's been protectin' an ancient sword with the capability of channeling your aura into a power...
I, guess I understand why father didn't tell me...but, I wish he could've been the one to.
Sonya has given me enough of an explanation about the ShatterSoul Sword and how the Will O' Wisps are the only ones left that know of its location, and possibly the Deku. Though because I'm the only Croft left alive, I'm the only person either party can tell...but, I'm reluctant in wanting to know.
Me, a Celtic Warrior...Can I even pull such a role off?
I'm already havin' enough problems bein' the surrogate reincarnation of a Jap'nese priestess.
Then again, this sort-of makes more sense...Still...
"I's so much responsibility...and I've never really pictured myself to be wieldin' a sword...Heh, but same could be said abou' the bow and arrow and my combat knife...And here I though' the rifle was gonna be the only weapon I'd learn?"
Roth would be proud of my growin' ingenuity...
Oh Roth...are yeu really gone from this world?
"I could use your guidance as much as father's righ' now...So much for livin' life as normally as possible..."
"Where's the fun in that?"
"Huh?"
I turn my head behind me, and see Inuyasha standing a few feet away with a confused frown on his face...
"Oh. Hey, Inuyasha. I didn' hear you coming...Is everyone settlin' okay for the night?"
"Yeah, I guess..."
He then walks towards me, and drops down on to sit Indian-style on my left...The air goes quiet for a moment, before he asks,
"So are you gonna do it?"
"Do whu'?"
"Kuh, you know what: seek out that sword that's been in your family for generations...Are you thinking about finding it?"
"...Hah, I don't know. I'm, conflicted...On one hand, I'd be reclaimin' a family heirloom that's been lost for cent'ries, and learning more about my ancestors...But on the other hand...I'm not sure if I'm capable for the role."
I let out a bitter laugh and characterize,
"I'm already having a trial fillin' the role as the Shikon-no-Tama's 'guardi'n'. I screwed up bad by shatterin' the daft thing, and now I'm scramblin' with the rest of yous to find the shards before they all end up in Naraku's hands. And wha's happened since then? I allowed Kikyō to snatch tha' large piece from me neck, rollin' us back to square one!...And even though my aim with the bow and arrow's gettin' better, I'm only just reachin' average, mostly 'cause I hold it the same way I used to hold a rifle..."
"Is that right? I wondered why you've been holdin' it so strangely..."
"It helps me relax more. I know it's not standard, but that's just how me brain works: I'm always doin' the opposite of what others do...While most girls my age are thinkin' about boys, shoppin' and getting their assignments for school done on time, I'm the bookish tough girl thinkin' about research, helping out 'round the shrine, and exploring the unknown and unexplained...I'm, not normal."
I clench my fist...then relax in defeat.
"I though' I've come to terms with bein' a one in a million...but sometimes, I wonder wha' would happen if I wasn' an Aura Reader, and just a regular girl with a non-crazy life...The fantasy doesn't last for long, 'cause I know it isn't meant to be. (Sad frown) Devil take me if I think abou' how I'm barely a use to the team beyond me curren' strength."
Inuyasha turns to me with an incredulous expression.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean? Are you sayin' that you think you're useless?"
"Kah, hardly...I know my primary role is sensin' the Shikon-no-Tama, which is extremely useful...But other than that, I've only really helped in causin' trouble. I mean, look at us now: thanks to my war with Trinity and Bishop, we're a long ways away from both our homes with no real way of returnin' as of yet...If anything, I've been a charm of bad luck, and if I can barely keep up as a surrogate for a priestess, what are the chances of me fillin' the shoes of a Celtic swordswoman?"
I turn away from Inuyasha's face to cast my eyes towards the hues of the sunset, trying not to think about tearing up...
"That's gotta be the stupidest thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth, Coraline!"
I jump at the sudden shout, and turn back to see my friend scowling at me disapprovingly.
"Where the hell is even coming from, anyway? You're usually pretty confident about yourself and don't take bull from no one. That ass-kicking you gave to that bitch a few hours ago is proof enough...But now here you are belittling yourself! What's the deal?"
I glare back and retort,
"I can't be so sure about meself all the time, Inuyasha! I have ta have some doubt!"
"No you don't! You shouldn't be so self-doubting, and you wanna know why? 'Cause you're not her!"
"Huh...?"
Inuyasha takes a few calming breaths before explaining his reasons behind his outburst.
"You're basing your roles off of being Kikyō's reincarnation, but...that doesn't automatically make you her. You're Coraline: a strong, stubbornly independent woman who doesn't take anything lyin' down. Okay, so your arrow make the jewel break, but it was an accident. I know that by now, and so do you...Plus, you're not just some jewel detector: you help us stay on track, always bringin' items from your era that make traveling from place to place less of a pain, and you're not half-bad a fighter either. You just haven' had enough opportunities to show off your skills, mostly 'cause...well...I made a promise to protect you, and that means I wanna keep you out of the line of fire as best I can."
"...Inuyasha-"
"I'm not finished yet. I don't say these kind-a things often, and I wanna get this out before I lose my nerve."
I nod and allow him to continue.
"Losing that large shard was not your fault. It was, all Kikyō...I don't know why she did it or why she threatened you...but, what's done is done and there's nothing we can do except get it back when we get the chance...And Trinity...that's not your fault either: it was all them for attacking...I'm, actually half-glad we got a chance to fight them, 'cause now I know what you've been up against, and who's face I gotta break next time I see him. I'll leave the main battle to you, of course, but I wanna get at least one swing at that Bishop bastard before your war's over."
...I was speechless at what Inuyasha said to me, and I guess he could see it too, for his mouth curved into a knowing smile.
"Keh. You got no argument against me, do ya?"
I shake my head as my cheeks flush, causing him to chuckle out,
"I didn't think so."
He then rests his right hand on my shoulder.
"You're no screw-up, Coraline. You're doing alright as you...which means finding and learnin' to wield a sword shouldn't be a problem."
"Inuyasha..."
I felt a smile creep up onto my lips from his encouragement.
"Thank you for se'in' me straight, again. This is the second time you've helped me remember that bein' me is just fine."
"You're welcome...So what are you gonna do now?"
I look behind me at the woods, spotting a couple Will O' Wisps floating around the branches...
"I think, I'm gonna accept my destiny...I'm gonna seek out the ShatterSoul Sword."
...
...
Come the next morning after a good night's rest, the gang and I have breakfast with Sonya, and I tell them all about my decision. They were all a little surprised, but understood...
And now, I'm preparing myself for the journey ahead, lacing up my combat boots as tight as I can. I'm also wearing a clean pair of jeans, my white tank-top, and green khaki jacket. I also tied my hair back into a high ponytail, and strapped on my combat knife...
"Are you sure about going through with this, Cor?"
I finish lacing up and stand straight again to look at my brothers, who in turn were giving me cautious expressions. I smile a little and reply,
"Positive. I think this'll be good for me; I'll be gettin' back to my roots...An' who knows? Maybe the sword can help us in some way to get back to Edo. There must be more than just usin' spirit energy as a weapon...And, I feel like I'll be honourin' me father and my ancestors by reclaimin' our family heirloom."
"Hm, yeah, I think I get that...I wish you weren't going on your own, though. Feels dangerous all things considering."
"Well it's not like I'll be going completely solo: the Will O' Wisps will be guidin' me, or at least Lumos will be. I may even run into a Deku willin' to help."
...I'm sure I heard the echo of a flute belongin' to one Deku in particular las' night...
I pray I haven' made you too upset with me absence, old friend.
I notice a lingering wariness in my brothers' eyes, making me sigh before I reach over to hug them both.
"Guys, I'll be fine, really. This isn' too different from what I've been doin' these last few months. It may have been five years since I last saw this glen, but my memory's sharp as a tack. I know what to watch out for, and won' be danderin' abou' blind...I'll be back before you know it."
"Alright, we get it."
"Just keep your wits about ya, okay?"
"I will. Promise."
We part just as everyone else comes from the hut to see me off...
"Coraline."
"Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Sonya comes forth to hand me a charm similar to the ones she's posted around her place.
"Take this with you. It will help stave off any dark spirits that may be lurkin' within, though I doubt the Wisps will lead you to such areas."
"Thank you, Sonya."
I slip the charm into my left jean pocket, just as a certain orb of light comes floating towards me.
"Hey, Lumos. You all fired up?"
He floats up and down swiftly, indicating 'Yes'...That's when Shippō hops up to be caught in my arms.
"Coraline, be careful in there, okay?"
I smile gently and pat the boy's head assuringly.
"I'll be careful, lad, I swear. You be good for everyone while I'm gone, okay?"
He nods, and hops onto Freeman's shoulder so Sango could give me a hug.
"Take care of yourself, Coraline, and good luck."
"Thanks, Sango."
I felt Kilala nuzzle me from atop her shoulder, and I give the twin-tail a pet before Miroku takes his turn (and yes, his hands behaved themselves this time).
"Safe travels, Coraline."
Then came Inuyasha, who had a conflicted frown on his face.
"...Inuyasha, please don't worry. I'll be fine."
He doesn't say anything...but suddenly envelops me into his arms.
"Uh!"
Inuyasha...
He's, hugging me like, after tha' crazy battle with Sesshōmaru when we nearly go' eradicated by Tessaiga's Wind Scar...
"Don't do anything stupid, okay? Just find that sword, and come back safe."
"Uh, (...smile) you got it."
I squeeze him back, and after a few more minutes, he finally lets me go...I suck in a cleansing breath, and turn to walk towards the edge of the woods...I stand still, and look up towards the other Will O' Wisps while awaiting their judgment...
After a minute of silence, the ghostly croons of the Will O' Wisps get louder, and they barrel down to spiral around my body...before forming a path into the dark of the woods...!
...With that, I begin my journey.
No POV
(...Whoosh...)
At the same time Coraline begins her quest for her family's guarded weapon, somewhere on the other side of the valley...a portal opens up on a large tree trunk allowing a person to jump and roll out onto the grass.
"Hup!"
...Straightening up, we see the individual as noneother than Constantine Bishop!
(...Ping)
"Bishop. You made it to Majora Village, I take it?"
"Yes, Saki. And according to my scanner, Croft has already entered the forest."
"...I'm assuming you know why?"
"Yes. She's heading for a tomb that holds an artifact her family's been protecting for generations. A blade, known as the ShatterSoul Sword."
"Interesting...How is it you know of it?"
"My ancestor was the one who unleashed the darkness of the fabled mask said to still exist in these lands against one of the last Crofts to wield the blade...My family has worked with Trinity since the old days when they were a European knighthood before expanding into what is known today."
Bishop clenches his fist as he mutters more to himself,
"If Croft reclaims the sword, Trinity will have a great foe, and my ancestor's efforts besmirched again."
"So what will you do?"
"...There is no other choice: Croft must be destroyed."
"I see...Good luck in your mission, Bishop."
(Ping)
Bishop refocuses on the woods...and after staring into the trees for a few minutes, he begins running inside.
You've lost all chances, Coraline Croft.
Now, you will feel the full wrath of Trinity, and will join your defiant father in death!
Wow, lots of good stuff, eh?
So now what?
Will Coraline find the fabled sword her family's been protecting for centuries, or will Bishop stop her before she even reaches it?
Will Coraline and Bishop meet in battle for the last time?
And will our group find a way back to Edo/Tokyo?
Find out in the next chapter to come!