...
Issun stood over the two wolves, Link and Amaterasu, as they were still cuddled up together.
He clapped his hands twice and jumped up and down so the speck he was could be seen.
"Wakey wakey!" He shouted, waking up the two.
"Oh shut up!" Link grumbled, rolling over and bumping into Amaterasu.
"Today's the day!" Issun continues, bouncing in place. He got a smirk as he paused. "I see that you two are like one cuddly wuddly fur ball now!"
Both Amaterasu and Link lifted their tired heads and eye Issun with discontent.
"Y'know, I'm happy for you two!" Issun teased
"Shut up." Amaterasu said in a flat tone.
"So...what's first?" Issun asked with a giggle.
Amaterasu got up and stuck her tongue out towards Issun.
Link stood and pondered their next move.
"We should head to Hyrule, then we'll know from there..." He proposed.
"...or we could just head right to the temple and hope we get lucky." Amaterasu said slyly.
"Let's try to get them both." Link suggested.
And with that they left Death Mountain.
It didn't take them long for their journey finish
Three hours later they made it to Hyrule Fields.
The plains were bustling with activity, not like how it was before.
Carts filled with warriors made their way to the front lines.
Some soldiers trained, while others played a game of dice or cards.
There were tents spreaded out, all filled with men.
Link knew it was like this because of the Twilight demons.
Even all these souls were fighting….
Link felt grief.
As they tried to make their way past the camp, they stopped when they saw a wounded soldier on a cot, feverish and coughing up blood.
The soldier looked over at them with hate in his eyes, but said nothing.
Link moved forward, feeling a sting of guilt.
"Let's go." Link called.
The soldier ignored him, but continued to cough.
"Let's just go." He insisted, making eye contact with the nearby medic.
The medic shook his head, and went back to his book.
Amaterasu felt for Link as they had left the camp, heading back towards a different forest.
"I know this is hard, but we'll get Akuma back... We'll go back to that camp, help the men there and then head to the temple."
She looked over at him with hope in her eyes.
Link turned hard to Amateraus.
"Go to camp for what?! They are just dying out there! They don't know anything that could possibly help us out." Link explained angrily. It took Amaterasu a few seconds to find her words.
"Link….. We're the only ones who can help those men….."
"Yeah, and this is the only way we know how to do it..." Link turned to Amateraus with sad eyes. "Even if we help them, it just delays the inevitable..."
"I understand what you're saying Link, but we have to do something. The men out there need us."
"I know that too...this is just really hard for me..." Link sat down. "We can't just waste all of our energy fighting endless hordes. We should find the last four Light Vessels..." Link urged.
"I think we should help the good men first, then go find the vessels." Amaterasu suggested.
"The good men will die if we don't find the rest of the vessels."
Amateraus turned around sharply, steamed.
"They're dying now!" And with that Amateraus ran back towards the camp.
"Shit..." Link cursed, and ran after her.
When he caught up with her, she was angry.
"Oh? Change your mind? " She shouted in his face. She looked away. "Thought you would go look for clues or something!"
"And leave you behind?"
As they slowly made it back to camp, they saw the souls of the soldiers still preparing for whatever defense they could muster.
The medic looked up briefly, then went back to sharpening his sword.
"They won't make it if we don't get them those vessels."
Amateraus frowned and walked forward.
"I'm not leaving them to die." She admitted. Link shook his head in disagreement.
"We can't save all of them, but we can save some..." He said. "You don't understand..."
Amatersau cut him off.
"No you don't understand! Every life has value, Link!!" Amaterasu pressed. "The men are fighting for Hyrule's safety! Don't you see that?"
"If you really think that these men can defeat those demons…. , then you're dumber than I thought..." Link said as he stormed off towards the soldiers.
Amateraus didn't know how to respond. She knew he was right, even though she couldn't save them all...but this was different. These men were fighting for survival, and they needed their freedom.
Link sat on a rock mumbling. He took a moment to try to calm his nerves.
"Can't protect you if you risk your own damn life..." Link mouthed.
Little did he know that Issun hid in his fur.
"Oh, but that's Amaterasu's way of thinking!" Issun suddenly chimed, making Link jump.
"Damn it..." Link hissed as he heard laughter from within his fur.
"You said you wanted to protect us from dying...Now's your chance!"
Link eyed his fur, but just stared at the army that was relaxing and preparing.
"But we need to focus on the Vessels..." Link hissed. "We can save more men by finding the Vessels. We can possibly save All the souls!"
"Ah but don't you see?" Issun cooed. Link eyed Amateraus who was dragging a blanket full of weapons to a stockpile. She was such a hard worker. "Amateraus wants to do more then that... She wants to atone for her selfishness."
Link watched as Amaterasu worked hard as she had finally dragged into a tent.
"She feels because she focused on only you. She needs to focus on others even more..."
"Bullshit." Link mouthed his anger out towards the ground.
"You don't think so? Watch and see."
Amaterasu walked out of the tent.
Amaterasu looked out towards the field to see if she could see any Twilight beings.
She saw a few, but most seemed to be focused on the camp, preparing to attack.
One in particular was watching Amaterasu intently, though from here it looked more like hesiation.
Amaterasu walked over to Link while she still eyed the Twilight beings that still roamed the distance.
It was then it dawned on her. In the distance was a Twilight demon camp.
"How many demons do you think is in that camp?" Amaterasu asked.
"I don't know...A few...Maybe a lot? ...It all depends..."
"On what?"
Link shrugged, staring at the ground.
"If they're hiding I guess." Link decides.
"We need to do something." Amaterasu said. Link let out a breath.
"I know…"
Link eyed Amaterasu.
"... If we stop that camp from advancing, and secure these men... Can we be on our way?" Link questioned. Amaterasu nodded. However Link saw her frown harden.
"We need to make something clear though." She warned.
"What's that?" Link asked, already knowing what was to come.
"I'm not leaving that camp until ALL of these men are free."
"Of course." Link said, bowing his head.
"Good...Alright then let's do it."
Link stood and followed Amaterasu. Both of them stared ahead and they saw the Twilight being army a distance away.
Soon Link's fear rose when the army of Hyrule stood closer by the wolves.
They waved their hands and the army stopped advancing towards the Twilight beings in black. The only thing the men were doing was gathering around them.
Amaterasu stood up straight and prepared to take on the demons.
Link felt nervous when the Hylian warriors were standing behind the two wolves. The stronger of the two seemed to be trying to sense the minds of everyone in the army
"Don't worry." Amaterasu said, staring at him with her big, black eyes. Link eyed her back with concern and care.
"I just..." Link looks down sad. "... want you safe..."
"We'll do our best….. to make sure we don't get killed in the process." She said,
Amaterasu was trying to keep calm.
They waited until they could see the Twilight demons. They were all bunched up, probably from marching from a portal.
The large, black one that acted as their leader was standing still, but the other six seemed to be circling him.
Link noticed this being was more controlled then the mindless Twilight beings. Almost like a person, but without a face.
"How many men do you think there are in this army?" Link asked
"I don't know..." Amaterasu admitted.
It was then the two wolves froze. Out in the distance, they soon saw Akuma appear from the crowd of demons. He was easy to see with his hair made out of fire. He still bared his long sword as he stabbed it into the ground.
" Ahhh… Amaterasu the Sun Goddess a s her…. Little pet…" Akuma greeted. "Soo... I see Dainn has failed." Akuma realized it had to be true.
"We were hoping you wouldn't make it." Link admitted.
Amaterasu also spoke this time.
"You think you can take anything you want!?"
"I can and I will!" Akuma gestured to his army of Twilight beings. "The only ones trying to stop us..."
He soon pointed at Amaterasu.
"... is you Sun goddess..." He laughed. "Did you think your boyfriend here really could stop me?"
"Don't you dare speak ill of Link!" Amaterasu shouted, her eyes filled with anger.
There was a moment of silence as the two armies stared at one another.
"How did he take it..." Akuma started with a harsh yell. "... That you two can't be together?!"
Link blinked. Was he bluffing? Link looked at Amaterasu, who seemed to take great offense.
"I'm not your source of amusement!" She yelled, her flames starting to rise. "Now stop talking...!"
"Why don't you tell him Amaterasu?"
Link was taken back when Amaterasu seemed to get worried all of a sudden.
"Tell me what?" He asked looking at Amaterasu, but Akuma was first to speak.
"You didn't tell the one you like... That after I'm defeat…..
"That you have to leave Link...forever?!" Akuma laughed in question.
"What?!" Link angrily asked back.
"Oh don't worry kid..." Akuma laughed as he seemed to relax. "You have a few more moments... Maybe if you take your time with the Vessels you'll find them in maybe... I don't know... A year? Then she'll leave you for her duty as a goddess of the sun"
"Enough!" Amaterasu shouted as she shot her reflector at Akuma.
Akuma deflected the shield with ease as he had slashed with his sword.
"Ask her Link!" Akuma suggested with a laugh.
Link stood by Amaterasu with a questioning mind. Amaterasu looked down, nervous.
"... Is he... telling the truth?" Link questioned Amaterasu. Amaterasu kept her head down, and both of them felt a wave of sadness take the both of them.
"I'm sorry..." She said. "He tricked me..."
"No! I didn't!"
"It's what you meant to do!" Amaterasu shouted as she turned to Akuma accusingly. "You're trying to pit us against one another!"
"Ammy! Don't say such things!" Akuma leaned on his sword. "You knew from the start you would never be with anyone... And here you are playing with this hero's heart. Tsk Tsk Sun goddess." Akuma taunted.
Link looked down, feeling betrayed.
"... When were you going to... Tell me…?" Link mumbled.
"I... I didn't want to hurt you..." Amaterasu looked down.
"BUT YOU DID!" Link snapped as he turned from her. Amaterasu felt tears form.
"I'm sorry Link. I didn't... Mean... Too... "
"Shut up!" Link shook his head and he felt tears escape his eyes. "I don't care what you meant..."
He felt his heart was broken. He felt if he had known that Amaterasu was going to leave at the end of their quest... he wouldn't have gotten so close to this white wolf. Maybe he was being selfish, but maybe if he didn't think about his feelings for this wolf, he wouldn't be so hurt
Akuma slowly laughed deeply.
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Link...but I just thought someone like you should know what she had in store..." Akuma turned his back on the two wolves with a cunning smile as he faced his Twilight being army.
He raises his blade towards his Twilight Demon army.
"Take the point! As soon as we get in range... TAKE THE SOUL OF THIS HERO!"
A few of the demons were already running towards the area where Amaterasu and Link were.
Amaterasu and Link took this second to ignore the incoming army that was on its way to fight the Hyrule warriors that were getting ready for a bloody battle.
"I can't believe he did this..." Amaterasu said as she looked down.
"I can't believe... " Link felt foul inside his heart now. He felt betrayed. "...You lied to me..."
"I didn't know he would open….. That door..."
"Liar! You knew, you planned this! How could you do this to me?!" Link turned and eyed her hard. "Don't you love me Amaterasu?!"
"I do love you!"
"Liar! You should've warned me."
Amaterasu's face turned red as she cried.
They felt the army of Twilight beings nearing fast, and Link felt anger boil inside him as he stared at the wolf he was in love with. She was turning herself to fire so she could chase the demons.
"I don't trust you! Don't try to get one more kiss or hug in before you leave!" Link boldly mouthed.
Amaterasus, even though she had tears in her eyes, rolled her eyes.
"Fine!" She soon zoomed into the air.
"YOU WILL PAY AKIMA!" Amaterasu cried as she sent a barrage of fire at some of the Twilight demons.
The demons at the very least crashed into each other as some burned, but they didn't stop their advance.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Link yelled at the madness in front of him. He was actually venting his anger, but he watched the Hyrule army advance.
Link soon grunted as he bolted towards the demons.
Link soon made it to a small opening in between the army, and he jumped on the back of one of the Twilight beings.
He knew he was faster than any demon could possibly be, and he plunged his teeth right into the back of the demon's neck.
The demon screamed as it collapsed onto the ground.
Link jumped off him.
Link decided on his target.
He wanted to go after Akuma...
He wanted to kill him… . But he didn't want to fight through the mass of demons, as it was much easier just to go around.
As he was pondering this, he saw his opportunity to go around.
Amaterasu had changed tactics, and she came down as a burning comet, and she crashed into a lot of them.
Most of them were knocked on their asses, but some dodged or got out of the way.
Unfortunately, some of them were still close enough to hit the wolf on the ground.
"Ah!" Amaterasu was smacked by a Twilight demon, and she was sent skipping into the mass of the Hyrule warriors.
Link grunted as he used the distraction to dash at Akuma.
Akuma was watching Link with a cocky smile.
The demons around him were killed with ease as his skills in combat allowed him to fight off any who tried to help.
He didn't expect the wolf to fight like that.
"Hmm, not bad."
Link dropped a defeated Twilight being, as he marched towards Akuma.
"...You like making me mad... don't you..." Link mocked in question.
Akuma rubbed his chin as he chuckled.
"I do declare, I think I am just helping you out..." Akuma smirked. "No need to let Amaterasu, a goddess, use you like a tool..."
"I'm not a tool!"
"Heh heh, if you say so."
Amaterasu was about to fire at Akuma, but Link was still in the way.
"Even if Amaterasu has to leave..." Link soon got ready for battle. "...You can't destroy our worlds..."
Amaterasu's eyes were filled with fury.
The world was going dark. They were losing. But, they were far from beaten.
Akuma soon snapped his finger.
Link turned back and he didn't react fast enough.
The controlled being, that was a huge Twilight being, suddenly slapped Link away.
"I have been waiting for this forever." The Twilight being declared.
As the being stood over the wolf, it raised its arm. The being went to crush the little wolf.
Its shriek was quieted as all its sounds ceased.
"Link!" Amaterasu tackled Link out of the way of the incoming smash. The massive being's fist collided with the goddess, and it crushed her to the ground.
"You little bastard..." The being cursed as it raised its fist to once again crush Amaterasu, who was now laying on the ground, stunned.
Link sat up, feeling scared and stunned.
"Ammy!" Link jumped and he soon tackled her body in a roll, away from a killing blow, and away from the Twilight being.
"Why you little...!" The being, or rather immediately cried out in anger.
The being raised its hands up again, this time aiming for both of them.
Link grunted as he suddenly tossed Amaterasu aside, and she rolled once before landing on her stomach.
"Link! No!"
The being punched Link hard, and he was sent flying. He grunted as he slammed into the ground.
"Why won't you just die?! You're a being that should've been long dead!" The being yelled.
Akuma laughed.
"Caliban..." Akuma called, calling the being by it's true name. "...Finish off Link..."
"As you wish." Caliban, or more accurately, the being called.
The being turned back to Link, allowing Link to get up.
"Screw you..."
Link felt sore from his battle. He also felt his anger and guilt was taking it's toll.
Link's motivation was shot, and his love was tore.
Link felt like he was about to give up...but he had to try.
Right?
Maybe Amaterasu was giving up on the whole thing. She couldn't even get up to fight, as she lay motionless on the ground.
Link took a sign.
He knew he had to protect her. Link turned to Caliban who faced Link.
"Get away from her!" Link ordered.
"You don't look so tough now, do you?" Caliban asked.
"I'm tougher than I look….. "
"You sure about that, wolf boy?" Akuma mocked.
"Why are you still here, boy?!" Caliban screamed at Link. "Go! Or I'll kill Amaterasu!"
"I can't..." Link pleaded.
"Amaterasu..." Issun sounded as he was in Link's fur.
Link stepped forward to Caliban.
"Face me! I won't let you touch Amaterasu!" Link boldly declared.
"I hope you're quick, wolf boy..." Caliban said.
Caliban took a fighting stance.
It seemed like he was going to charge at
Link.
Link soon got into a battle stance.
The wind blew between Link, Caliban, and Akuma.
Soon Caliban broke the silence as he charged at him fast, swinging his claw at the ground, dragging it to slash Link.
Link dashed at him as well, but Link soon jumped away from the slash.
However Caliban then placed his claw on the ground, summoning dark matter to circle him.
"You don't look so tough now, do you?" Caliban mocked again.
"Shut up, demon!"
Link jumped hard, barely dodging the dark matter that suddenly sprang out of the ground, trying to snatch him.
He twirled around, slashing with his claw at dark matter.
"I am no demon, you're confused because you're seeing a demon! ." Caliban stated.
Link landed, and he jumped at the legs of the demon.
"You already hurt Amaterasu! Your fate is sealed!" Link bounced off his leg, and he upper head butted Caliban's chin.
"Oof!"
This attack did not work, as Caliban recovered quickly and kicked at Link, sending him across the ground.
Link skipped hard across the ground. This hurt a lot, as each skip smashed him into rocks and dirt.
"LINK!" Amaterasu cried as she had woken up to Link being hurt.
"Stay out of this, beautiful!" Caliban snarled.
He charged at Link again, who barely dodge the attack. He swung his claw, slashing dark matter.
Link felt the ground explode as dark matter hit the ground.
"Aaaahhh!" Link was sent skipping again, but this time he rolled from the impact.
Link barely landed on his paws.
He spat blood as he stared at the demon.
Caliban stumbled back, as his skin was torn, and he had a huge gash on his stomach.
"...You know I hate this..." Link admitted with a cold tone. He started walking towards Caliban. "...I hate how this entire setup is...all for destruction?!"
"Confusing, but okay." Caliban admitted with a cold tone.
"OKAY?!" Link soon dashed. "I'LL SHOW YOU HOW IT'S NOT OKAY!"
His speed was unmatched.
He swiped hard, stabbing Caliban in the stomach. The blade-like claws ripped open his belly, causing black ooze to pour out.
"Agh!"
Link jumped up, and he smashed Caliban with yet another headbutt.
However, even as Link had made a fatal blow to Caliban, Caliban got one last attack in.
He swiped hard with his claws, and he smashed Link with a slap.
"Gak!" Link was sent flying hard.
Akuma's smile faded as he turned to Caliban.
Caliban began to fade into light.
"I'm sorry master…"
Caliban, with his final words, exploded into darkness.
Akuma slowly shook his head, all in disappointment.
"...Amaterasu..." Link moaned as he slowly felt darkness take over him.
When Amaterasu stood up, she found Link unconscious.
Amaterasu turned to the battle. Many of the Twilight beings were fading as the Hyrule army raised their spears in victory.
Amaterasu turned to Akuma slowly.
"Looks like you're losing..." Amaterasu admitted as her anger burned. Amaterasu stood and walked slowly towards Akuma.
Akuma giggled into his fist.
"...Am I?" Akuma looked at Amaterasu. "Do you really think that this victory of yours... was worth it?"
Amaterasu felt her claws itch.
"Yes."
"Humans might be extinct soon, but I think we can still make a difference! I think it's time for us to take what's coming to them!" Akuma boasted.
"The only one who should take what's coming to them IS YOU!" Amaterasu soon slashed at Akuma. However, Akuma soon suddenly started to float into the sky.
A Portal above him appeared.
"...Maybe next time you have a chance to fight me... However... I'm sure Link won't ever trust you again young Sun Goddess…" Akuma waved goodbye. "You really shouldn't have fell in love with him..."
He soon laughed maniacally as he disappeared in the portal.
Amaterasu looked down on the battlefield.
She saw her reflection in the pool of blood below her.
She saw herself growling and howling at her reflection.
She slapped her reflection, despite the splash of blood.
She only calmed down when she felt Issun jump into her fur.
"Link needs attention!" Issun blurted out.
She felt guilt and sadness take her
"Let's go...!" Amaterasu said weakly. "I can carry him!"
Amaterasu looked in the direction of Link. She could only see the back of his fur.
Amaterasu ran up to Link, and when she saw the state he was in, she felt sad. She felt guilty and horrible.
Link was bruised and bloody, but very much alive.
He looked up at Amaterasu, who knelt down to him.
"Ammy..." Link mumbled as he felt the warm tears roll down his face. "...I'm...sorry..."
Amaterasu hugged him.
"Me too Link... Me too..."
After a long time, the three of them laid on the ground. Amaterasu looked up to the sky.
The sun was setting, but it didn't matter to her.
The army was also resting in the far distances.
After helping Link get up, she took Link to the edge of the forest, but she wanted to see if the army was still safe.
They were. The Twilight being's camp was gone, as Akuma had left after Caliban's defeat.
She collapsed on the ground, and let out a sigh of relief.
"You did it, Link." She breathlessly congratulated.
"Amaterasu..." Link replied. Link shook his head.
He hated it, but he was still angry at Amaterasu.
Not because she lied to him...
…. but because now he felt he had no chance for any future with her if she had to leave after they saved this world.
He loved her so much, but their time was going to run out.
Link looked away.
Amaterasu sensed his sadness.
"I wish you could stay" he said, almost yelling. "You are the only one I can trust. Wherever you go, I want to be there...with you."
Amaterasu slowly hugged his aching body.
She had tended to his wounds with her ink powers, but he still hurt a lot.
Unlike his previous wounds, these wounds would last a while.
"...I'm...still here... I...still.." Amaterasu felt the words get caught in her throat.
She wanted to say she loved him. That she would wait for him. That she'd give her life for him if she had to, but she couldn't.
Link turned away from her.
"...And yet you still have to leave me...right?" Link questioned with a tone that shown he was serious. "I'm not worthy of you?"
"No!" Amaterasu laid by him in a panic. She looked away sad. "...It's just… as a goddess... I can't take anyone with me to my real home... where I perform the duty of the sun... bringing the sun into the day...everyday..."
Link made a tsk sound and scooted further away from her.
"I get it... I shouldn't have fell in love..." He mouthed. "With a mortal...who is obviously immortal..."
Amaterasu let out a sigh of unease.
"I don't want to say goodbye..."
"Are you?"
Link never looked at her as he asked this. He was too scared of her answer.
But Amaterasu knew he had to ask, so she looked at him.
"I have to return to my temple..."
Link never turned to her. He felt his heart shatter.
She was going to leave him no matter his feelings or her own.
Link laid his head down.
"Get some rest..." He said in an annoyed tone. He wanted to end this conversation..
"I love you." Amaterasu whispered
"I know." Link replied. He shook his head.
"But... we shouldn't..." Link sat up. He felt his body shake from what his heart told him to do.
"...We...shouldn't even... try this..." Link turned to her, and he had tear stained eyes.
"...We...should...break up..." Link mumbled.
Amaterasu's mouth dropped to the floor. She felt her throat tighten up.
"Break up? Why? Why would we do that?" She protested, but her voice wavered.
"Because this isn't forever." Link answered as he stood and started forward. "You are immortal. Even I know that much. Eventually, you have to return home. I can't stay there. I have to go back to mine. You can't stay here. You have a job to do."
"But..."
"But nothing. Akuma and you both made it very clear where I stand. And that's mortal.."
Amaterasu turned from Link...
After this, they were both silent.
When Amaterasu turned from Link...
Both of them were crying in anguish, guilt and very broken hearts.