Chapter Six: Icy Depths Of Zora's Domain
Usagi stared at her surroundings in disbelief. Everything is frozen, she whispered in shock. She felt Link put an arm around her and she glanced at his face. She was startled to see his eyes shining with unshed tears.
It wasn't like this seven years ago, he tried to explain.
You haven't visited here in seven years? Usagi asked her face showing her confusion.
Link sighed the sound causing Usagi to glance at him in worry,No, Usagi my soul has been trapped for several long years. Usagi's blue eyes widened and were immediately full of questions, but Link staved them off by holding up his hand. We don't have time for me to explain what I said right now. I promise to tell you later.
Usagi nodded in understanding. Link smiled slightly for a moment before he remembered his friends could be in trouble. Lets visit King Zora first, Link suggested. Usagi watched as Link left her side and raced up a narrow path. She looked one last time at her frozen surroundings and shivering slightly turned to follow Link.
Link raced up the stairs hoping against all odds that King Zora and his feisty daughter Ruto had survived Gannondorf's control. He came to a complete stop as he caught sight of the king. Navi, what is that red barrier around him? he asked.
The small fairy circled the king for a moment. It's a spell Link, only blue fire can melt this red ice. Link frowned deeply at this news.
Usagi finally caught up to Link and stopped as she stared at the odd fish like thing. Come on, Usagi we have to see if Lord Jabu Jabu is still here, Link ordered as he grabbed her arm and propelled her up a small flight of stairs right of the fish creature.
Usagi shivered in cold as Link led her around the immobile king and into a passage behind the frozen ruler. Usagi followed Link her blue eyes quivering with fear. Link forged ahead of Usagi and smiled faintly as the ice underfoot became water. He exited the small cave and entered Zora's fountain.
He's gone, Link whispered in shock as he stared at the place where the local deity had floundered several years ago. He looked up as Usagi finally caught up. He was about to speak when he noticed the dark yawning mouth of a cave on the other side of the large fountain. He frowned deeply as he noticed the icy path required to reach it.
Usagi are you a good swimmer? Link asked as he stared at the cave. Usagi followed Link's gaze and she paled. Link noticed her loss of color and lowered his head. Gomen nasi, Usagi, but you have to come with me. It's too dangerous for you to wait here, he explained softly.
Usagi whimpered as she stared at the floating ice tiles that kind of resembled lily pads. Her whimpers grew louder as Link explained the best way to jump onto the ice without falling into the freezing water. Link sighed as he recognized the familiar shapes of the Octorocks. I'll go and destroy those to make the way easier for you. Usagi turned towards him gratitude evident in her eyes. Link smiled before walking onto an ice platform. Kneel down and let your shield protect you. I'll be back as soon as possible Wait here until then, Link instructed. Usagi nodded and knelt to the ground letting the heavy Hyrulian shield cover her.
Link leapt to the first piece of floating ice and struggled to retain his footing. He rolled to the middle of the ice and surveyed his surroundings. He brought out his bow and arrows and aimed at the nearest Octorock. He fired a wave of arrows at the creature and nodded in approval as the thing was destroyed. One down, four more to go, Link whispered to his self as he jumped to the next section of floating ice.
**
Sailor Venus followed Sailor Mercury around a curve and frowned as she noticed something sticking out of the water. The thing spit a rock at them. Sailor Jupiter tackled her fellow senshi to the ground to avoid the rock. Sailor Mercury watched the one and a half foot boulder sail by and crash into a rock wall. Is everyone all right? she queried. Sailor Mercury twisted her small blue earring and a blue see through visor slid over her eyes. The rocks that creature is spitting out are being expelled with an incredible rate of velocity.
Sailor Venus sighed,What does that mean in English? she prodded.
Sailor Mercury twisted her earring again and the visor vanished. It means that even though the rocks that are being thrown are small if we're hit by one of them it could be a serious injury. She turned towards Sailor Jupiter. Your lightning powers should work well against it.
The tall sailor nodded and prepared her attack. Sparkling Wide Pressure! she howled as she threw a discus composed of lightning at the creature. The lightning hit the Octorock and easily destroyed it.
Sailor Mars frowned uneasily at what appeared to be a giant leaf hovering over the ground. Is it safe, Mercury? she questioned.
The blue-haired senshi nodded, I'm not getting any negative readings from it, but we should still be careful.
Sailor Mars stepped onto the leaf and was startled when she felt it start to lift in the air with her on it. She leapt off the leaf and landed gracefully beside her friends. She watched the green foliage fly away and out of sight before she spoke, I think we should follow that leaf thing and see where it leads. The others agreed and started to go in the direction the leaf had flew off in. Sailor Venus gasped as the leaf reappeared and retraced its route all the way back to the ground.
Sailor Jupiter jumped onto the leaf before her friends could stop her, I'm going to see where this leads, you guys wait here. Sailor Jupiter and the giant leaf slowly elevated and floated away. The other Sailor Senshi sighed as they were forced to wait.
**
Link destroyed the last of the Octorocks and scanned his surroundings for any other enemies. Satisfied that the whole area was cleared of the last of his enemies Link returned to Usagi. Navi flew in front of him and stopped him. A slight frown was on her delicate face. How can you expect her to live like this? she demanded.
Link stared at her in confusion,
Navi sighed, Usagi, she doesn't understand the full rigors of what we must go through, and if you insist to dragging her with us she may be hurt or even killed.
Link frowned at the small fairy, She'll be fine, Navi. I told you I'm not going to let anything happen to her.
Navi let her wings flutter for a moment before she spoke, What happens to her if we fail, Link? she asked softly traces of sadness in her tone.
Link shook his head side to side in denial. I won't fail, He vowed as he gazed at Usagi.
Link gently rapped on Usagi's shield and she cautiously lifted it. He smiled at her and helped her to her feet. Usagi leaned against Link as she prepared herself for the task ahead. Link enfolded Usagi in his arms and savored the sweet-smell of her hair. Usagi raised herself on her tiptoes and brushed her soft lips against Link's own. Before Link could respond she ducked underneath his arms her eyes playfully teasing. I'm ready, she stated boldly.
Link grinned and grabbed her hand. You go first, he instructed. I know you can make it. Usagi smiled at Link's praise. She readied herself and made the first leap from the ice platform.
Usagi landed on the edge of the ice and she could start to feel herself slip into the water. She dropped to her hands and knees and suppressed a scream as she felt her feet being submerged into the icy cold water. Her eyes narrowed in determination and she forced herself to claw at the ice until she got a good grip. She grit her teeth and pulled herself to the middle of the piece of floating ice. She breathed a sigh of relief as she got to her feet.
I told you that you could make it, Link congratulated as he easily jumped onto the ice beside her. Now you only have three more to go, he instructed excitedly. A soft whimpering sounded from deep inside Usagi as she took a breath and prepared to make her second leap.
Usagi landed in the center of the ice and held her breath as it bobbed for a moment before returning to its stationary state. Usagi smirked in triumph and jumped to the next piece of ice. She easily gained her balance and laughed in delight. I think I've got the hang of this, she informed Link as she turned to make her next jump.
An air of depression settled over her shoulders as she stared at the piece of revolving ice in front of her. How am I supposed to keep my balance on that thing? she demanded her depression quickly becoming anger. She pouted for a moment as she contemplated the task ahead of her. She sighed and made her jump. She landed to the far side of the slippery ice and a shrill scream tore itself from her throat as the freezing water submerged her whole body. She was vaguely aware of Link's outstretched arm trying to reach her and pull her to safety. She swam toward the hand and was oblivious to everything else around her. Including the piece of ice she swam head first into.
Link watched in horror as Usagi's eyes closed and she sank underwater. Only when the air bubbles appeared did Link break out of his shock and leap into the water. He held his breath as he dove for Usagi's rapidly sinking figure.
After only a few seconds Link could feel his lungs threatening to burst like a paper bag as his body attempted to float to the surface. If I don't save her right now she'll be lost forever.' He thought in despair. He reached out with one hand and his fingers brushed the soft cloth of Usagi's outfit. He struggled harder and managed to grab a hold of Usagi's arm. He closed his eyes in concentration and with one arm grabbing Usagi he started to kick with all his might to reach the surface. Just when he thought that he couldn't hold his breath any longer he emerged from the water and started to gasp. He took another deep breath and put one arm around Usagi's chin to prevent her from ingesting any more water. Link started to swim to shore and hoped that he wasn't too late to save Usagi.
Navi frowned deeply at the bluish pallor of Usagi's skin. Link, she needs air now! ordered Navi.
Link's eyes were filled with confusion and tears. Please don't die on me Usagi, he pleaded. He remembered Navi's words and with one hand opened Usagi's mouth with pressure on either side of her jowl. He covered her mouth with his and exhaled. He frowned as he realized her nose was expelling all the air and none was getting to her. He took his free hand and pinched the bridge of her nose before he tried again. He was overjoyed to feel her chest rise due to his ministrations. He repeated the procedure until Usagi's eyes fluttered open.
Usagi turned her head to the side and coughed for a moment dispelling the icy water. She smiled weakly at Link as he brought out a red tunic and gently wiped her mouth. You saved me, she whispered. Link was about to say something when Usagi grabbed the back of his neck and gently brought his lips to hers. Thank you, she whispered before she kissed him.
Link was again amazed at how soft her lips were and was annoyed when he heard Navi's voice. We don't have time for that Link, we have to get going now! she demanded.
Link frowned but pulled himself away from Usagi. Usagi, it's too dangerous. You're going to have to stay here after all. I can't risk you getting hurt again. Just stay here and I promise I'll be back as soon as possible." Usagi watched as Link easily made his way across the ice and paused to look back at her one last time before he entered the cave.
Usagi waited until she was positive Link had entered the cave before she got to her feet. I won't be left behind this time. I'm going to help Link, she vowed as she readied her mind and body to cross the icy obstacle course.
**
Sailor Jupiter returned on the leaf and grinned at her friends. This leaf is a shortcut and bypasses more those octopus things and some weird colored spiders. The other Sailor Senshi sighed in resignation and boarded the leafy transport.