Crystal clear sapphire sky. Puffy white clouds. Link is bewildered. He feels suddenly peaceful. 'Am I dead?'
Link pats his chest. The gaping wounds are gone! Sitting up, memories strike him like an arrow. He can taste bitter iron in his mouth. The sticky substance is stifling. Zelda's screams of horror sharper than clashing blades. An approaching darkness leaving him quivering and cold –outlandishly numb.
Ganondorf had won; stabbing the hero with a sword embedded with sinister magic.
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A captured fairy had previously sewed up a lethal wound so he had no other way to withstand another fatal blow. 'How…am I still alive?!' He started sprinting urgently. 'I must get back to the castle and defeat Ganon!' Briefly, Link wondered how the injuries had sealed up as if they've never been. He quickly supposed it was just luck.
Vast landscapes are unfamiliar. Mountains, pastures, rivers, everything is bizarre. So empty. Quiet even. 'Am I in Hyrule at all?'
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A small village is discovered. Staying stealthy is essential. Who knows what dangers are ahead? 'Do I still have my-'
Excellent! He has the Master Sword and a bow.
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Nobody's around. The town looks abandoned. Yet, the buildings look pristine and he can smell sweet pastries. Link suspects a trap. Blue eyes sweep shadowy streets.
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A frightened man staggers towards the hero. Falling to his knees the guy cries. Frantically he pulls on Link's tunic shouting, "Please help me! A yoma is chasing me!" A towering goblin beast hovers into view.
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Chuckling, the yoma leaps into air preparing to strike. Sharp claws collide against metal. In a blink it swings at an opening. Link manages to parry just in time. This creature has unbelievable agility!
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"HYYYYAAA!"
The yoma's hand is hacked off. For payback teeth latch onto Link's shoulder, tearing a chunk of flesh. The beast spits it out in disgust. "Pyaa! You smell horrible and taste even worse! I never ate human so awful before!"
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'Human? What does it mean?' Spinning, Link's sword punctures the yoma's gut. Swinging up he severs its face in half. Purple blood paints his face and attire. The human bows gratefully, grasping Link's boots. "Thank you so much! I owe you!"
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The warrior was about to politely object when a woman clad in bizarre armor appeared. Bewitching silver eyes analyze the scene. Link sees her sheathing a giant claymore single-handedly. Short golden locks frame small features. He's instantly enamored by this mysterious warrior. Link waves shyly.
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"It seems you've slayed the last yoma in this village." She says. "You look strange. Are you a Claymore like me?"
Link shook his head.
"I guessed so. I don't sense any yoki from you. The Organization hasn't made any male Claymores for generations either."
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She smiled. "What's your name?"
"Link."
"I'm Clare. I'm on my way to help my friends hunt down an awakened being. It's been tormenting these villagers a while now."
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"Before you depart," the elderly man stood up shakily. "Let me repay you two for saving me. I'll give you a horse for the journey."
They accept his offer. The pair rides into the mountains.
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"I could just run there but this way I look less suspicious. Yoma often put on clever disguises." Clare informed. Link handled the reins and surveyed serene countryside. He's curious about Claymores and yoma. The hero has never encountered any of this before.
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Clare describes Claymores, yoma, awakened beings, and the ominous Organization. "A lot of us left the Organization but still help others when we can. I'm half-awakened now because my best friend Elena saved me from transformation. We…we're all preparing for a war. Awakened beings are extremely powerful."
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Link can relate. Ganon is a fearsome foe.
"So, what about you?"
He's reluctant to say anything at first. What if Clare didn't believe him? But, she was kind enough to explain everything to a wayward warrior like him…
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"Sounds reasonable."
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at her.
"Well, you look out of place. Like from some wonderful fairytale. I've traveled far distances and have never seen someone as interesting as you before. Maybe you were brought to this world for a reason, Link."
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After a pause Clare adds, "Your world sounds whimsical. I'd…like if you could tell me more about it sometime."
Link promises to do so.
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Icy air withers summer breeze. Surreal frost contrasts vibrant woodlands. The snowfall isn't refreshing or pretty like regular winter. It feels suffocating as if sucking life from every creature.
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"Be on your guard. I'm reading a lot of yoma energy here." Clare looked around. "Only one awakened being. Good. Let's go."
Link nodded as the two brandished their swords.
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Snow crunching underfoot feels more like blades than soft powder. Trees turn into brambles and thorns as they walk further. Link detects movement between tiny gaps.
"Keep moving," Clare whispers. "They haven't noticed us."
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Link and Clare find a glade. From the trees they see a giant monster surrounded by yoma. Below, they're torturing and battling women similarly dressed like Clare. "I'll attack the awakened being. You help my friends, okay?"
He nodded.
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Sprinting at extraordinary speeds Clare speared the awakened being's armor. Link slays four yoma –surprising both parties. He helps a Claymore up to their feet.
"Thank you." She teleports.
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The woman reappears, leaving a duplicate besides Link. She starts to assist Clare. Another yoma attacks and makes him stumble. An extended arm yanks Link into the safety of other Claymore. "Looks like Clare brought some muscle. I'm Helen."
"Deneve!" Another called while slicing yoma with two swords.
"I'm Elena! Nice to meet you!" She decapitated an adversary.
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Link smiled and reentered the fray. Deflecting a flurry of attacks he defeated more yoma.
"Impressive techniques!" They complimented.
"Not a good as yours!" Link exclaimed in amazement.
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Above, the awakened being summoned heavy blue fumes. This made it hard to jump or breathe. Though injured and bleeding, Clare and friends kept their stamina. "We need to help Miria and Clare!" Deneve shouted.
"We're being swarmed!" Helen stabbed a yoma, saving her friend.
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"Cover me," Link told Elena. "I got an idea!" He scaled one of the taller trees. When the awakened being casts blue mist it reveals a weak spot. Equipping a bow, Link waited for the right moment.
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Blue clouds obstruct the air. Link shoots an arrow just as it dissolves. It pierces the beast's throat dead center. Screaming, it falls over. The earth trembles. Miria and Clare chop the awakened being into pieces. The frost melts. Sunshine recovers among colorful flora.
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"Yes! We did it!" Helen cheered. Link returned, brightly grinning.
"Thank you-"
"Link."
"Link. You saved us." Miria said. "I'd repay you but we don't have many funds."
"No need. All I want is a good meal. I'm starving!"
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Clare and Link are the only ones left at a campfire. Miria went into town to inform the villages of their success. Helen, Deneve, and Elena went to forage more food. The warrior scoffed down the meal and drink like he hadn't eaten in ages. Clare watched on, amused.
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She giggled, amazed at Link's endless apatite. He blinked. "You…you have a pretty laugh, Clare."
"Me? Oh no…" the Claymore gazed at the brilliant starry sky. "It's been so long. But, you remind me of when I was human. You and I, we're wayward warriors aren't we?"
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Putting his head upon her shoulder he pulled Clare into a side hug. Link felt an unsettled forlornness in her words.
"I'm glad you're here Link."
"So am I Clare. Even though I'm far, far from home. When I'm around you, things don't feel as lonely or uncertain."
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Link's unsure if he'll ever get back home. Clare's kindness and sweet personality comfort him –reminding him of all his friends and previous adventures. He holds her hand. In turn she hugs him.
"I wish to stay by your side and help anyway I can." Could it be love at first sight? Yes, he believes so.
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"I do as well, Link." The two had a lot in common. Within that is depthless security and understanding. Silver gaze latches onto blue. 'Thank you for reminding me what I'm fighting for.' Clare leans in to kiss his cheek. "I think we'll be an outstanding pair."
The Master Sword faintly glows, as if affirming Link's new path in this unknown world.
'I may have failed in a different dimension but I won't accept defeat in this one.'
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Chapter Notes: Slight AU where Raki doesn't exist. Clare and friends also abandon the Organization earlier on