Author's Note: Well, this thing took long enough to get up. O.o Yes I take forever to get off my rear and write something!
Copyright and Disclaimer: Okay okay I admit it, I'm a distant cousin of the great one yes. We're 100,000,000,000th cousins, so of course I consider this all mine ^.^ *hears a pounding on her door… gulp* Um, Alright alright!! I meant 100,000,000,001th cousin, and any characters and places that are creations of Nintendo from the mighty and great Legend of Zelda video game series is not mine. Boohoo… BUT, any other characters that do not belong to Nintendo come from my own jarred up brain, *slams a jar with a brain on the table* they are not related to any other story, and if that isn't true it's coincidence.. I swear! So, in other words, don't steal, you don't want to play "hide the soap" with Bubba your cellmate at the local prison. Now, have a nice day. ^.^
Major Editing note: (August 18th, 2002) Okay, new readers won't notice this but the two or so people that have been keeping track of these chapters, I have finally decided to get rid of the mysterious voice in Lyndsey's head while fighting this beast. It doesn't fit with the rest of my story, so I explained it a little better what happens to her, plus I didn't like the stupid voice anyways.:p That's it, read on!
Chapter 3~ edited 08/18/02
"How stupid am I? Sprinting off into some forest like a crazed nature lover in the middle of the night, having who knows what kind of furry critters drooling over me like I'm some beefed up appetizer." Lyndsey grumbled on, and on, and on. After running through the forest for some time a stumble into a thorny bush brought her back to a painful reality. It was some unknown force that pulled her into the forest in the first place. Like a foreign voice and spirit tried to take over, ordering her to run. To keep running, never to stop, but once she stumbled, it was gone. It felt like a sudden jolt out of a dream.
Everything looked the same. Every turn was no different than another. Lyndsey could have been spinning circles without knowing. If only she could remember during the point where she meaninglessly ran. When Lyndsey would try to recall that all she could pictured was a forest bathed in moonlight, and the voices within the trees growing louder.
"What is happening to me?" She whispered, stopping at that moment. She turned to the right, left, behind and in front of her. "Trees, just the same tree over and over…" Lyndsey decided to keep going forwards, taking too many turns would get her even more confused, if that were even possible. The forest seemed silent, but watchful. Maybe that little imp was hiding somewhere else ready to rob her blind once more. The voices of the forest ceased, making the air seem heavy with anticipation.
By now she had begun to notice how much undergrowth there actually was. Large bushes were fairly scarce but vines and crawling weeds entwined all over the ground. Some demanded so much space they slinked up trees, wrapping their weaving arms around the base. They gripped and clawed around Lyndsey's ankles, jealous of a being with height and the ability to move at will. The vines pulled, desperately trying to bring her down to their level. Going was slow, and Lyndsey got frustrated fairly quickly.
"Grrr. Can't one thing go right?!" She yelled to the sky and the world, clenching her fists. Lyndsey tried to take a step but saw she was entangled halfway up to her knees. Muttering incoherently she jerked her feet. No use, Lyndsey really was stuck. She lifted up one foot, then when finding out that one wasn't loose at all she tried the same thing with the other. These weeds really kept a death grip. Then, jerking ahead too far and too violently Lyndsey fell forward, falling and landing with a loud "thump!" The ground felt like cement and she felt the fast escape of air through her lungs.
One arm extended far ahead of her head, and she wiggled her fingers to search for solid ground to brace them with. Her fingers felt something cold, but it wasn't the ground. It couldn't be, it had a smooth texture, nothing near that of dirt.
Lyndsey lifted her head. Woven deep within the undergrowth something shone like newly polished metal. The moonlight bounced off it, causing the object to shine like a torch in a pitch-black room. She ran her fingers along it, the side edges slanted, ending at a point. This was a knife, or some other sharp object. Lyndsey sat up, using her other hand to pull away the weeds that hid the object. The object was a small sword, almost child-sized. The hilt was made of gold; a small red stone set in it. She held it up into the moonlight, the sword' s metal causing the light to bounce off it in all directions. It looked so untarnished, as if it was newly forged, but yet seemed so old. The sword had to have been old, for sword making was a trait long forgotten.
Curious, and a bit stumped on why this sword ended up here, Lyndsey continued to turn it in the light. It was so small; the hilt would have fit in her grasp if only she was a good five years younger. Too fascinated in her newfound treasure Lyndsey had never noticed how quiet the forest had become. A breeze came up, blowing her hair so it framed her face. Lyndsey stood up; the forest had become dead still, and the feeling that every pair of eyes that were focused on her clouded her brain.
A rustle came from behind her, causing Lyndsey to spin around, sword gripped tightly in hand. Something stood there, its figure crouched low, shadowed by darkness. Eyes opened, revealing pale yellow spheres with black slits. A soft rumble erupted from its throat as it took a step closer. Its eyes focused in with Lyndsey's. She couldn't move, her body quivered. Lyndsey's eyes shone with great fear. Something snapped inside her mind, much like what happened before. She felt exactly like she did when she entered the forest, like someone was taking over her. It was as if someone else's mind controlled her movements. She would have tried to fight it, but she was not herself anymore. The old self would have ran, but these new thoughts told her to be brave, and courageous, that this creature was no match for her.
She put both hands on the small sword, crouching like a cat. All the fright had left her, and she was as calm as the breeze on a clear sunny day. She narrowed her eyes, and separated herself from the rest of the world. It was just her and the beast now.
The beast blinked one in disbelief. 'How can it that she. She! Could challenge something as great as I!?' was what its eyes seemed to say. The creature's head lowered, as the lantern eyes burned brighter. Its lips curled back to reveal ivory white fangs that dripped with saliva. Lowering its head the beast hunched its back, showing as much tension as a bunched up spring.
Lyndsey twitched, suddenly losing her cat-like abilities. Her mind whirled, and she almost felt sick. Whatever sense of some calm peacefulness left her in an instant. What are you thinking!? You idiot! You're about to become- -
But before she could finish that thought the beast sprung. Its front legs stretch far ahead of its head as Lyndsey was tackled to the ground. The sword was knocked from her hands, and now both were used to keep the claws on the beast's paws from shredding her to pieces. She extended her arms out to their fullest length, so its head was only inches away from hers. The beast snapped and jerked frantically, trying to get just one small bite out of her. Its hind legs scraped across the ground near Lyndsey's knees. Too terrified to even think right she moved on instinct, and by that annoying little voice that was commanding her earlier. Hunching her legs up so that the tips of her toes were just under the beast, she then pushed with her feet and hands, throwing the beast aside.
The creature landed with a thump, but whipped around to take a quick swipe. Luckily Lyndsey rolled out of the way in time. Finding the sword again, Lyndsey popped up onto her feet, wishing at this moment that she had some superglue.
The beast shifted weight from shoulder to shoulder. It was built much like a large dog, it had to have been a wolfo. Lyndsey was almost sure of that, being she had a close enough look at the thing! She tried to straighten out her priorities as the wolfo started to circle her. Keep your hands on the sword. Keep your hands on the sword. Keep your "AHHHHH!!!!!!"
The wolfo pounced and Lyndsey jumped aside, swinging the gold sword as the beast flew by. It landed in a heap, making Lyndsey's heart leap with the sudden thought that she killed it! With one slice! Those feelings quickly melted. The wolfo stumbled, raising slowly on shaking limbs. A gash stuck out on its right front leg, with bright red liquid dripping from the wound like rain. When turning its head Lyndsey clumsily dropped her sword when getting a look at those eyes. Like a cover was pulled over them the eyes glowed a deep red. Lyndsey dove to the ground, just in time as the beast took another jump at her. The wolfo flew over her, silently padding out of sight. Standing up she picked up her sword once more, but this time she was alone. A howl shook her nerves, seeming to come from behind every tree. The unsettling silence rolled in like a fog bank, and Lyndsey couldn't see anything.
Her ears twitched, something inside her gut was screaming at her in hysterics. Loud as a siren her mind flashed. Behind you! Behind you! Turn around, NOW!!
Lyndsey twirled, the sword flying from her hands. Straight as an arrow it flew, its target only admitting a yelp before it was permanently silenced. The wolfo lay on the ground, the sword protruding out of its forehead. Too disgusted by the scene Lyndsey cringed, not wanting to be the one to pull that sword out. She could always just leave it there. Why would she need it again anyway? To scare off Gary? Perhaps. The job did not have to be done though; a loud hiss came from the body as a green flame erupted from its core. The fire licked at every corner, and every bit of hair. Soon nothing was left of the wolfo, and the small sword fell too the newly bare ground.
Overcome by relief Lyndsey slumped to the ground. "Run after a purse and almost become a wolfo's supper. This day is just getting better and better. I wonder what else could there be to pop out."
A giggle answered Lyndsey's spoken thoughts. A giggle much like a child's. "You seem to have the spirit, but your fighting needs a little work." The voice was high, matching the exact ton of a young girl. It came form the trees above Lyndsey, and after what has all happened Lyndsey wouldn't be surprised if it were a tree that was talking.
Lyndsey groaned, "I knew it. I knew something else was going to happen." She stood up, looking into the trees around her, yelling out after making a circle of the trees around her. "Who are you? Show yourself!"
A loud thump followed her demands. In the limited light the trees allowed Lyndsey could see a figure before her. It wore a long cloak, a hood draped over its face. After getting her first glimpse at the mysterious figure Lyndsey's eyes narrowed. The sword was tightly gripped in her right hand.
"You don't look too happy to see me. Do I upset you?" The figure piped. Its voice was like a carefree child's chatter. At any other moment Lyndsey would almost have to smile at how cute and innocent those few words were.
Lyndsey took a few steps, not saying a word. Her royally ticked expression was still intact.
The figure gulped, cautiously stepping back. Lyndsey didn't notice then but what caused this figure to gulp was the fact that her eyes turned from pale to bright and cold blue. The seemed to glow with an unknown source of light.
"It can't be… The ancient one is already beginning to awaken…" The figure whispered, continuing to back up as Lyndsey advanced.
"What was that!?" Lyndsey snapped.
The figure whipped around and ran off back into the woods. Her feet padding quickly on the forest floor.
"Oh no you don't." Lyndsey muttered, throwing the small sword right in the direction the figure ran. 'Thwack!' The sword had dug itself into a nearby tree, with wood splintering in all directions.
"Hey!!" A high voice squeaked. Walking a few steps forward Lyndsey could clearly see the figure once more, yanking at the piece of clothe jammed into the tree along with the sword. Seeing Lyndsey beginning to walk towards her, the figure began to tug even more frantically at the cloak.
Grabbing the figure by the collar, Lyndsey lifted her up to eye level. The cloak ripped and Lyndsey yanked the dagger out to hold it to the child's face. "Give me back my purse!!" She yelled with unbottled rage.
By now the hood had fallen back. A long braid of bright green was unleashed, tumbling to chest length. Sapphire eyes stared right through Lyndsey. The child-like face seemed to belong to a mind and body far more aged. "But--"
"I mean NOW--" Lyndsey cut the last word short, dropping the girl and
letting the dagger slip through her fingers. Buckling over, she felt pain ran
through her body like an electric shock. She gripped her right arm tightly, as
if it would explode if she would loosen her grip. Even though it seemed like an
eternity, the pain soon subsided enough for Lyndsey to bring her hand away.
Large gashes traveled parallel to each other right above her elbow. He fingers
stuck together from the blood that leaked from her.
The girl had hit the ground hard, but quickly brushed the dirt off of her. It was a shock that she didn't run away again. "Can I see the wound?" The girl asked softly, her eyes rounded to show sympathy.
Lyndsey eyed her suspiciously.
The girl almost giggled at her look before commenting, "Even though a stump could sense the mistrust in your eyes. I promise you, I am not here to do you any harm."
"No harm!? No HARM!?" Lyndsey flared. Three hours of sleep and the fact that these last few minutes were the most exciting and life-threatening minutes in her entire life had finally caught up to her. She began to vent, her words moving so fast she was barely understandable. "I have just followed what looks to be a ten-year-old thief into a forest, which inside my mind is almost alive, was a nice mat for a huge wolfo to test his claws on, and have found out after I picked up some "sword" for the first time I have some kind of fighting ability! This, all because I go after a purse I don't even like!" Lyndsey stopped suddenly to breathe, looking as wild and frenzied as her sudden burst of emotion. Her eyes burned, and she looked to the girl as if to burn her to a crisp right there. All she wanted to do was go home.
The girl looked to the ground, grabbing an object out of the cloak and flopping it onto the ground where it sat lifelessly.
Grabbing it and the dagger hungrily, Lyndsey turned around ready to sprint back home. Right after taking one step though, she froze. She had no clue which direction she was even facing. Moonlight shined through cracks in every direction as if it was held back by loosely tied knots in a net.
The girl's voice came from behind her. "Don't know your way?" It was soft and reluctant, but still sparked with a hint of sarcasm.
Lyndsey didn't listen, she didn't even turn in the girl's direction. Thinking and muttering to herself she concluded, "Straight is as good as any other direction."
Two steps later lead to a loud groaning, like stretched wood to the point where it will.. 'SNAP!' Lyndsey jumped. Another snap followed, then another, and more. Each more quicker in coming than the last. All closed with the click a lock would admit. Lyndsey turned her head from side to side, in the direction of each snap she was able to catch. The light, the beams of light were all beginning to shut off like a switch was pulled. Each crack in the trees was snapping shut, locked tightly. This net was now being woven as strong as possible.
Instantly Lyndsey turned to the girl, who had not moved. Her figure grew shadier with each snap. The forest was becoming dark, like a city during a massive blackout. Snaps and groans grew loud like the climax in an orchestra piece. It was madness to try to listen. There was too many, far too fast! Falling to the ground, Lyndsey covered her ears, wanting an escape.
As quick as it all began the snaps and groans just stopped. The forest grew silent once more. But now, the drastic change was that there was no difference if Lyndsey opened her eyes or kept them closed. A breeze chilled her, and loosened the leaves on the trees above her. The leaves then began to rain down around Lyndsey like on a fall day. Hesitating at first, she opened her eyes. A circle of light began to form around Lyndsey as the leaves continued to fall. Healthy leaves they were, but yet they fell as slowly and peacefully as snowflakes. Lyndsey looked up into a clear sky, the light of a full moon shone silver upon her.
"The forest can sense it as well as I can see it, you are the descendant of him."
Lyndsey looked forward as the small girl stood above her. In the silver light she looked much older, older than Lyndsey herself. This made Lyndsey even more confused, and she didn't bother to hide that fact. "What do you mean? And what just happened?"
The girl sighed, "The legendary hero of Hyrule, and the land can sense just as well as any other creature. It can see that a hero has come again, to save the world from total destruction."
"Oh, yeah, right. And these trees can tell that?" Lyndsey paused a moment, then chuckled at some memory that she muttered, "I always knew my relatives were a bit strange."
"How can you think of this as a laughing matter? Don't you realize what this means!? A dark time will arise again, because evil has already began it's wicked work." Her eyes welled up as she blinked back a tear. A memory, a hateful memory plagued her.
"Enemy? Dark times? Hero? Wicked work? You know, if I didn't know any better you were reciting lines from a cheap fantasy novel, or a plot from a video game." Lyndsey remarked, still not taking this situation seriously. Hyrule's history is as exciting as learning the anatomy of a slug. This couldn't possibly be true. She thought to herself, Legendary hero of Hyrule, along with some dark and wicked enemy? Please.
The girl tilted her head, "So you think this is a lie? That it's all a trick, or a dream?"
"Yes." Lyndsey answered simply.
Slumping to the ground the brightness in the girl's eye suddenly left her. She knew it would be hard to convince a person with such a modern mind, but this was already beginning to seem hopeless. She stroked her braid while talking softly. "I knew you would not understand. It will come to you though." The girl then proceeded to look up, giving Lyndsey strong, solemn look. "This is only going to get worse. It's only the beginning. If you would open your mind you would begin to see a much clearer picture. And I advise you'd do that before it is too late."
Lyndsey looked down, silently. She still won't believe this whole ordeal, not yet. The girl's threats meant nothing, but her stare.. There was no hint of a lie in those eyes. A sharp sting shocked her as Lyndsey instinctively grabbed her arm. Those slashes were really starting to burn.
"I can bandage those for you." The little girl offered, her speech perking up slightly. "Those cuts will being to look very ugly if they become infected."
Lyndsey forced out a half smile. Might as well accept her offer, and she seemed harmless. Also, who knows what this forest will do if she doesn't? "Alright, sure."
The girl instantly bounced to her feet. Offering a hand, she helped Lyndsey get to her feet. The forest had slowly gone back to normal as the girl led Lyndsey further away from the city. The girl would try to explain later, and soon Lyndsey will begin to see the truth of who she really was. Though, the girl only hoped it wouldn't be too late before Lyndsey did realize the truth.
