x_x A bit disappointed I haven't gotten many reviews, but ah well. Too many
people are Link/Zelda 'shippers, and simply cannot abide my style of
writing anyway. At least I hope I have an audience, even if it's an
audience of one. Hmm... I bet the reason I've not many readers is because
there's no yaoi or sex in this story. Either that or the plot's taking too
long to get going. Well, I apologize for that, but a good fanfiction should
be long and well thought out.
Oh yeah, when Lance refers to Link as his 'ger fada,' that's Kreyan for 'my friend' or 'my brother/sister' (depending on who it's said to). No, it's not a real language. Yes, I made it up.
Chapter Eight
Link's eyes snapped open as he was flung violently across the length of his and Lance's cabin. He smashed into the wooden wall near the door and struggled to his feet.
As soon as he stood up he was thrown violently towards the bunk and nearly missed knocking himself out. Shakily he clutched at his bed, confused and disoriented. Then he realized it was a storm, and by the sound (and feel) of it, it was a big one.
He managed to crawl to the door, his fingers digging between the cracks of the boards, praying that the ship itself wouldn't be torn apart.
Link opened the door and immediately wished he hadn't. Water poured in, roaring angrily and flinging him back to his bunk.
Hurriedly Link snatched up his pouch and tied it steadfast to his belt, which he put around his waist. There was no time to put on a shirt; he'd have to go out in pants and nothing else.
Had he known what would happen, he would have brought one.
It was a struggle for survival as Link staggered his way across the deck. The whole crew, soldiers included, were bailing the water out in order to keep the ship afloat.
Link found Lance hauling water just like the rest of them, only too close to the railing for his liking. The Hero of Time fought his way over to the young sailor and shouted at the top of his lungs,
"How long has this been going on?!"
"For an hour!" yelled the dark-blue-haired teenager. "Didn't really get violent until ten minutes ago! I 'spect the worse hasn't even begun, so hold onto yer hat, ger fada!"
Without warning the ship bucked fiercely and everyone was thrown into the air, even those who were clinging for dear life.
'The might of this storm isn't a coincidence,' Link thought frantically, reaching for purchase as he was flung overboard.
"MATEY!" Lance screamed over the angry howls of wind and rain. "LINK!" Without a moment's hesitation he dived into the water after his friend.
The world became a deadly muted thing, filled with dark blue-black water and flashes of lightning barely visible through the depths.
Link fought madly to reach the surface, but all sense of orientation was lost and he had no idea which way would lead to sweet fresh air. He struggled angrily, refusing to give up, his eyes searching desperately for some sign...
Unexpectedly something snatched at his foot, and Link screamed, forgetting for a bare second that he was underwater. But that one mistake cost him dearly; he began choking, and his lungs filled up with water as he was dragged deeper into the depths.
Lance resurfaced and screamed out his friend's name. He looked around wildly, saw the ship, but the crew gave no sign that Link had been hauled back up. The young sailor made a strangled noise of despair and dived back under.
Dawn came sweetly; the epilogue of a terrible disaster was always to make a beautiful exit. The wind whispered gently, forgetting its terrible anger so quickly. The clouds parted, promising a beautiful day.
But the people aboard the ship Cloud Drifter felt no peace, saw no hope in the aftermath. Lance's searches had been fruitless; of course they had been futile from the beginning, but... people dwelled upon hope like plants upon sunshine. The hope died out by morning, when there was no sign whatsoever of the Hero of Time.
Lance sat in the lookout, silent, mourning, tears unshed in his dark blue eyes. He had not been able to save his only friend. Even after Lance had assured protection of Link after Link had assured protection of him... none of it had been carried out.
The young sailor grieved. He had failed to save the only person who could have made a difference in the war. He had been so caught up with his own problems with the Aquarians that he had not realized it also posed a danger to Link.
Hylians. The Aquarians hated Hylians. And if they had somehow gotten to Link first... Lance didn't cherish the thought.
"He's so close to death, let him die," a gruff voice said angrily.
"Nonsense," a firmer female voice countered. "We need his help. Assentia would not have sent the storm had we not needed his help, Volar."
"I still don't think it's a good idea," said the one named Volar. "A Hylian? Disgusting that we would stoop to the level of the land livers to solve our problems. You, Preya, have no honor."
"Volar, there is no honor in our situation. You kill or you die. And I refuse to die without a fight."
Link slowly opened his eyes. He had no idea where he was, or what had happened. He remembered crawling out of his cabin, but after that... his head hurt to think about it.
"You're awake," a gentle voice stated serenely. "Good. Tell Preya to come here immediately." The Hero of Time sat up abruptly and winced. A dull pulse of pain began at the very center of his brain, but he refused to give in. At the moment, anyway. "I am Prince Kellen of the Aquarians. And you are Link, the Hero of Time. Welcome to Aquaria, our city."
"Wha...?" The blonde teenager blinked dazedly. "How did I get here? I was on Cloud Drifter not too long ago..." The prince nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, we know. We saved you from a terrible death of drowning, in order to bring you down here."
"...I thought... Lance... Lance told me that Aquarians hated Hylians..." Kellen closed his eyes for a moment and sighed wistfully.
"Yes, that's the common belief. Most of us still do. However, the ones who know better do not. Fortunately for you, I am one of those few. We need your help. Had we not, we would have never sent the storm." Link's eyes narrowed in anger.
"You sent the storm? Why? Did you give any consideration to what I wanted? I was on a mission to go to Ontharn and save the country of Selinta and a friend, but obviously you think your problems are far more important than mine are. And so now you're going to use the fact that you saved my life against me, to get me to do whatever the hell you please? Damn you."
"Listen, Link. Your war is our war. A terrible event has set off a chain of reactions so utterly destructive that we all had to swallow our pride and ask for your help. Would you have me get down on my knees and beg?" Link said nothing, but his face lost the indignant look it had acquired. "Thank you. I promise you, we will not harm you, and we will deliver you to Ontharn safely."
"So what do you want me to do?" Link asked, after he had rested well and eaten a little. They were walking swiftly down a marble hallway, towards a destination unknown to the Hero of Time. "And if this is underwater, then I'm the Queen of Rinthen." Prince Kellen laughed softly, and shook his head.
"No, this is what we call an Air Bubble. It would be terribly inconvenient to live in water and have to adjust our diet accordingly. It would be horrible to eat raw food. No, we live in giant Air Bubbles. Of course, there are times when some of us prefer to live in the water and then come in here to eat, but no matter.
"You see, my brother, Prince Venoli, went hunting several days ago, and when he returned, he was bloody and badly injured. He told of a great deep- sea monster that was loose, and only yesterday we received news that one of our neighboring cities, Cyberian Citadel, was attacked and ravaged horribly.
"We want you to seek out and destroy the monster."
Link stopped in his tracks, utterly nonplussed.
"You want me to destroy that monster? Why didn't you just send out some of your army or something..." Prince Kellen shook his head.
"I'm afraid we can't do that. There is an air of superstition about this monster. It is said that it is only released when the Daughter of a God is fallen, and the Temple of Life is deteriorating. No Aquarian wants to be cursed, Link."
"...So you're going to send me to take the curse for you. That seems completely safe and utterly fair."
"I apologize, Link, but we thought, since perhaps you are not Aquarian, the curse would not affect you."
"Well, I guess it depends on the curse."
"The curse is that one who unsuccessfully attempts to slay the monster will be forever condemned to the Dark Depths, a black ugly hole at the bottom of the cavern where the monster emerged."
"Well, I could be cursed. And then I'd be dead down there. I think it'll affect me." The prince looked warily at Link.
"Please, we need your help. We had heard tales of your bravery in defeating the unholy Ganondorf. We ask of you, Link, to help us. Would you so eagerly turn your back against a cry for help?" The Hero of Time sighed.
"Everybody thinks I'm absolutely wonderful ever since I defeated Ganondorf and had him sealed in the Sacred Realm, but no one ever takes into consideration just what I want. I want to find someone... to share this with. Lance, my friend, has helped me considerably since Jeremy died, but... it's not enough. Every time I think I'm ready to settle down a little, something like this comes up. Fight a war, slay a monster, rescue a girl... It's... it's too much. I started this whole 'fighting evil' business when I was ten... and I haven't had a day of rest since then, and if I had, it was because I was injured.
"But I'll help you. I won't like it, but I will. And I need to get to Ontharn as soon as possible."
"We will do all in our power to assist you, my friend," Kellen replied delightedly. "Thank you, Link! You truly are the Hero of Time!"
Oh yeah, when Lance refers to Link as his 'ger fada,' that's Kreyan for 'my friend' or 'my brother/sister' (depending on who it's said to). No, it's not a real language. Yes, I made it up.
Chapter Eight
Link's eyes snapped open as he was flung violently across the length of his and Lance's cabin. He smashed into the wooden wall near the door and struggled to his feet.
As soon as he stood up he was thrown violently towards the bunk and nearly missed knocking himself out. Shakily he clutched at his bed, confused and disoriented. Then he realized it was a storm, and by the sound (and feel) of it, it was a big one.
He managed to crawl to the door, his fingers digging between the cracks of the boards, praying that the ship itself wouldn't be torn apart.
Link opened the door and immediately wished he hadn't. Water poured in, roaring angrily and flinging him back to his bunk.
Hurriedly Link snatched up his pouch and tied it steadfast to his belt, which he put around his waist. There was no time to put on a shirt; he'd have to go out in pants and nothing else.
Had he known what would happen, he would have brought one.
It was a struggle for survival as Link staggered his way across the deck. The whole crew, soldiers included, were bailing the water out in order to keep the ship afloat.
Link found Lance hauling water just like the rest of them, only too close to the railing for his liking. The Hero of Time fought his way over to the young sailor and shouted at the top of his lungs,
"How long has this been going on?!"
"For an hour!" yelled the dark-blue-haired teenager. "Didn't really get violent until ten minutes ago! I 'spect the worse hasn't even begun, so hold onto yer hat, ger fada!"
Without warning the ship bucked fiercely and everyone was thrown into the air, even those who were clinging for dear life.
'The might of this storm isn't a coincidence,' Link thought frantically, reaching for purchase as he was flung overboard.
"MATEY!" Lance screamed over the angry howls of wind and rain. "LINK!" Without a moment's hesitation he dived into the water after his friend.
The world became a deadly muted thing, filled with dark blue-black water and flashes of lightning barely visible through the depths.
Link fought madly to reach the surface, but all sense of orientation was lost and he had no idea which way would lead to sweet fresh air. He struggled angrily, refusing to give up, his eyes searching desperately for some sign...
Unexpectedly something snatched at his foot, and Link screamed, forgetting for a bare second that he was underwater. But that one mistake cost him dearly; he began choking, and his lungs filled up with water as he was dragged deeper into the depths.
Lance resurfaced and screamed out his friend's name. He looked around wildly, saw the ship, but the crew gave no sign that Link had been hauled back up. The young sailor made a strangled noise of despair and dived back under.
Dawn came sweetly; the epilogue of a terrible disaster was always to make a beautiful exit. The wind whispered gently, forgetting its terrible anger so quickly. The clouds parted, promising a beautiful day.
But the people aboard the ship Cloud Drifter felt no peace, saw no hope in the aftermath. Lance's searches had been fruitless; of course they had been futile from the beginning, but... people dwelled upon hope like plants upon sunshine. The hope died out by morning, when there was no sign whatsoever of the Hero of Time.
Lance sat in the lookout, silent, mourning, tears unshed in his dark blue eyes. He had not been able to save his only friend. Even after Lance had assured protection of Link after Link had assured protection of him... none of it had been carried out.
The young sailor grieved. He had failed to save the only person who could have made a difference in the war. He had been so caught up with his own problems with the Aquarians that he had not realized it also posed a danger to Link.
Hylians. The Aquarians hated Hylians. And if they had somehow gotten to Link first... Lance didn't cherish the thought.
"He's so close to death, let him die," a gruff voice said angrily.
"Nonsense," a firmer female voice countered. "We need his help. Assentia would not have sent the storm had we not needed his help, Volar."
"I still don't think it's a good idea," said the one named Volar. "A Hylian? Disgusting that we would stoop to the level of the land livers to solve our problems. You, Preya, have no honor."
"Volar, there is no honor in our situation. You kill or you die. And I refuse to die without a fight."
Link slowly opened his eyes. He had no idea where he was, or what had happened. He remembered crawling out of his cabin, but after that... his head hurt to think about it.
"You're awake," a gentle voice stated serenely. "Good. Tell Preya to come here immediately." The Hero of Time sat up abruptly and winced. A dull pulse of pain began at the very center of his brain, but he refused to give in. At the moment, anyway. "I am Prince Kellen of the Aquarians. And you are Link, the Hero of Time. Welcome to Aquaria, our city."
"Wha...?" The blonde teenager blinked dazedly. "How did I get here? I was on Cloud Drifter not too long ago..." The prince nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, we know. We saved you from a terrible death of drowning, in order to bring you down here."
"...I thought... Lance... Lance told me that Aquarians hated Hylians..." Kellen closed his eyes for a moment and sighed wistfully.
"Yes, that's the common belief. Most of us still do. However, the ones who know better do not. Fortunately for you, I am one of those few. We need your help. Had we not, we would have never sent the storm." Link's eyes narrowed in anger.
"You sent the storm? Why? Did you give any consideration to what I wanted? I was on a mission to go to Ontharn and save the country of Selinta and a friend, but obviously you think your problems are far more important than mine are. And so now you're going to use the fact that you saved my life against me, to get me to do whatever the hell you please? Damn you."
"Listen, Link. Your war is our war. A terrible event has set off a chain of reactions so utterly destructive that we all had to swallow our pride and ask for your help. Would you have me get down on my knees and beg?" Link said nothing, but his face lost the indignant look it had acquired. "Thank you. I promise you, we will not harm you, and we will deliver you to Ontharn safely."
"So what do you want me to do?" Link asked, after he had rested well and eaten a little. They were walking swiftly down a marble hallway, towards a destination unknown to the Hero of Time. "And if this is underwater, then I'm the Queen of Rinthen." Prince Kellen laughed softly, and shook his head.
"No, this is what we call an Air Bubble. It would be terribly inconvenient to live in water and have to adjust our diet accordingly. It would be horrible to eat raw food. No, we live in giant Air Bubbles. Of course, there are times when some of us prefer to live in the water and then come in here to eat, but no matter.
"You see, my brother, Prince Venoli, went hunting several days ago, and when he returned, he was bloody and badly injured. He told of a great deep- sea monster that was loose, and only yesterday we received news that one of our neighboring cities, Cyberian Citadel, was attacked and ravaged horribly.
"We want you to seek out and destroy the monster."
Link stopped in his tracks, utterly nonplussed.
"You want me to destroy that monster? Why didn't you just send out some of your army or something..." Prince Kellen shook his head.
"I'm afraid we can't do that. There is an air of superstition about this monster. It is said that it is only released when the Daughter of a God is fallen, and the Temple of Life is deteriorating. No Aquarian wants to be cursed, Link."
"...So you're going to send me to take the curse for you. That seems completely safe and utterly fair."
"I apologize, Link, but we thought, since perhaps you are not Aquarian, the curse would not affect you."
"Well, I guess it depends on the curse."
"The curse is that one who unsuccessfully attempts to slay the monster will be forever condemned to the Dark Depths, a black ugly hole at the bottom of the cavern where the monster emerged."
"Well, I could be cursed. And then I'd be dead down there. I think it'll affect me." The prince looked warily at Link.
"Please, we need your help. We had heard tales of your bravery in defeating the unholy Ganondorf. We ask of you, Link, to help us. Would you so eagerly turn your back against a cry for help?" The Hero of Time sighed.
"Everybody thinks I'm absolutely wonderful ever since I defeated Ganondorf and had him sealed in the Sacred Realm, but no one ever takes into consideration just what I want. I want to find someone... to share this with. Lance, my friend, has helped me considerably since Jeremy died, but... it's not enough. Every time I think I'm ready to settle down a little, something like this comes up. Fight a war, slay a monster, rescue a girl... It's... it's too much. I started this whole 'fighting evil' business when I was ten... and I haven't had a day of rest since then, and if I had, it was because I was injured.
"But I'll help you. I won't like it, but I will. And I need to get to Ontharn as soon as possible."
"We will do all in our power to assist you, my friend," Kellen replied delightedly. "Thank you, Link! You truly are the Hero of Time!"