Usagi bolted upright, cold beads of sweat dangling from her tousled golden bangs. She brought a shaky hand to her forehead, and then quickly to her stomach. A raspy gasp escaped her throat at the feel of bandages where bare skin should have been.
It was nighttime, and Usagi could only make out dark shadows, and outlined shapes by the moonlight. She felt her side receive excruciating shots of pain as she unsteadily got to her feet.
Ignoring the overwhelming throbbing, Usagi shuffled onwards, her eyes straining towards the lifeless Dodongo. Her blue orbs were filled with fear as she slowly approached the massive creature. She lightly rested her palm on its head, observing it as she came into contact with the rough skin. With a small intake of breath, her hand shot back at the feel of liquid. 'Blood…' she whispered hoarsely.
Her ear caught a faint snore as she tumbled backwards in surprise. She let out a nervous laugh and glimpsed sideways. Taro was slumped against a tree trunk, appearing almost peaceful as he yawned and flipped over.
Usagi blinked twice and scanned the area quickly. 'But, where did Link go?' she thought quietly. 'Did he… The Dodongo?' she yelped and scrambled backwards at the idea. 'Did the Dodongo eat him?' her nose wrinkled. 'Link wouldn't allow himself to be eaten by a… a mere lizard.'
She looked hesitantly towards the sleeping Taro, whose snoring grew louder by the second. Deciding upon it, she crawled forwards until she was before him, his face barely visible. Her hand outstretched, and she gently shook the sleeping mercenary.
Taro lazily rolled over, let out a snort, and swished her hand away. 'I wanna sleep,' he whined drowsily. Usagi frowned and slapped his shoulder forcefully. Taro was upright in an instant, his eyes half shut. 'Eh? Usagi?' he looked at her carefully, if not doubtfully. 'Are you feeling better?'
Usagi nodded reluctantly and put a finger to her lips. 'Where is Link?' she asked quickly. 'I woke up, and the Dodongo was slain, but alas, no Link to be found!' her fingers tugged impatiently at Taro's sleeve.
Taro cocked an eyebrow at her eagerness. 'I tended to your wounds…' he paused as his voice faltered uncomfortably. '…I didn't see anything, promise you that.'
Usagi scowled and urged him to continue with another yank of his sleeve.
'I think Link felt a little guilty. He finally left, claiming he had things to take care of.' Taro gave out a long yawn and slouched backwards. 'Can I sleep now? I'm really tired…'
Usagi nodded slowly, not really paying attention to the question. 'But… When will he return? Will he return?'
Taro sighed and faced her. 'If he's that content on protecting you, I can assure you he'll come back… soon enough.'
Usagi gave the smallest of smiles and ran her fingers through her hair. 'Good night, Taro,' she said before lying back on the tree.
'Yeah, see you tomorrow then,' he mumbled groggily. 'And I'm not waking up again, so don't hit me.'
Link peered down at his sword, running his fingers over the polished blade and quietly setting it beside him. His feet barely touched the water's edge as he sat huddled near the stream. 'Too late,' he muttered roughly. 'It's my fault.'
'I agree.'
Link jumped up and grabbed his sword, holding it out vertically before him.
A young man stood in front of him, his shallow eyes appearing quite amused at Link's reaction. His hair was charcoal black and messy as he ran his fingers through it. 'No need for violence, Link.'
Link blinked and quickly narrowed his eyes. 'How did you know my name?'
The man let out a husky laugh and grinned at him. 'For now, I'll keep that a secret…' he paused, frowning slightly. 'You've completely destroyed her innocence. Unforgivable.'
Link gripped his sword tighter and clenched his teeth together. 'What are you talking about?'
The taller man stared at him intently. 'Poor sage, her purity was completely wiped out… And to think she trusts you?' a grin played his lips. 'You're not worthy.'
Link's eyes widened. 'Usagi?'
He grinned in response. 'She isn't like you. She isn't stained with the blood of war. You are foolish to think so. Her heart yearns for freedom, and yet you shadow it over with your own darkness…'
'Enough,' Link murmured. He bowed his head and allowed his sword to fall from his grip. 'Enough…'
'Come, Link. Don't be a fool and torment her precious soul. Set her free and come with me…' His hand raised, and a faint mist enclosed Link's form. '-And prevent her suffering…'
'Wake up! Please!' Usagi violently shook the sleeping Taro by his shoulders, anger beginning to blaze in her blue eyes. 'Wake up now!'
Taro opened one eye and groaned. 'Usagi, I'm really tired…' he whined, desperately trying to turn over.
'No! Link hasn't returned… I'm getting very worried! We must go find him!' she looked at him pleadingly as tears welled her eyes.
Taro sighed and sat up, running his fingers through his bangs. 'Well, I guess that's a pretty good reason to wake me up…' His mouth curved into a sheepish smile and he let out a yawn.
Usagi frowned and pulled him up beside her. 'I've got nobody to blame but myself. How could I simply allow myself to sleep!'
Taro merely shrugged his shoulders. 'I did.'
'Never mind… Let's just go find him…'
'I am Mamarou, at this moment your master. I serve the mistress of darkness, and your instructions are to capture Song and slaughter the mercenary. I will give the command and you will obey…'
Link's head remained bowed until the final word was spoken. His head slowly lifted, and his blank eyes met Mamarou's. 'I will conform the dark mistress…' he repeated coldly.
Mamarou grinned and waved a hand over his face. 'Be ready.'
Link rubbed his head. 'Was it just a dream? I felt like I had lost consciousness… What happened?' he eventually opened his eyes and glanced sideways. His sword lay on the ground, untouched. He snatched it up quickly and faced the stream. 'Who was he?'
'I've found you!'
He turned around quickly, only to be powerfully forced backwards and into the water.
As Link rapidly broke surface, he span around to find a very drenched Usagi, choking out some access water.
'Usagi?' he sputtered, eyeing her with uncertainty.
She brushed her bangs back and cheerfully smiled at him. 'I'm here, Link!' her smile faded. 'Was I too weak? Is that why you left me?' Her eyes gazed at him with concern.
Link waved his hand in defense. 'I honestly don't find you weak, Usagi… I simply came here to clean my sword…'
Usagi eyed him suspiciously. 'It takes you all night to finish an effortless task?'
'I was confronted by a man, although I do not remember what he told me. I woke up with throbbing pains in my head," Link replied hastily.
Usagi looked at him worriedly. 'I'll never forgive that man for bringing you pain.' She laughed cheerfully and flung herself at him. 'I missed you! I thought that lizard had swallowed you whole!'
Link let out a nervous laugh and looked towards Taro, who was grinning smugly.
Usagi peered around nervously as the three tramped through the dark cave. 'I don't… I don't recall this passage being so… gloomy…'
Taro grinned and placed a hand on her shoulder. 'I'll protect you, Usagi.' His smile widened as he noticed Link's reaction. Link's fist clenched and unclenched. 'So will I,' he whispered harshly.
Usagi smiled widely and continued forwards, humming faintly under her breath as she observed the surroundings with curiosity. 'We have almost arrived.'
Taro cocked an eyebrow as he approached the temple. It was extremely massive, with crumbling walls and lava spilling out the sides. Two torches could be made out at what seemed the entrance, and two shadowed figures at either side. What was even stranger, the entire temple was floating, sitting atop a massive rock, located directly above the lava pit below. A single bridge was the only access point.
Usagi, however, smiled undauntedly and clasped her hands together. 'Just like I remember it! Storm desired the solitary life, and so she chose to live somewhere private…' Her eyes cast towards the dark figures among the entrance, and she frowned. 'Although I do not recall them…'
Link unsheathed his sword in an instant, it's blade gleaming dangerously. 'Then they are the enemy.'
Taro smirked and crossed his arms. 'I think the green guy's got a point… If he is prepared to fight,' he paused to wink at Usagi. 'Then I am.'
'Green… Guy?' Usagi repeated, a hint of amusement tracing her voice. 'That's a new one.'
Link hastily scowled back at Taro and continued forwards. 'I'm not a green guy.'
As they drew nearer, Usagi ran in front of Link, at the foot of the bridge. The shadowed shapes were now visible, clad in long, gloomy black robes, hooded faces, and long poles topped with blades.
'Face me, demons,' Usagi demanded with a snarl. 'I am the Song Sage, come to free Storm from your darkness!' Her blue eyes blazed with rage as she rolled up a sleeve.
The two hooded forms tapped their poles to the ground, each letting out a long, dreary moan.
'For all the suffering you have caused us… You will pay. Now, you will completely feel the pain we had to feel!' She thrust her hands out in front of her, her fingers spread apart, and her teeth gritting together. 'No longer will I tolerate this. Unforgivable.' Her eyes flashed and her body racked with irrepressible rage. 'Unforgivable!' Two beams of white light shot out towards the unsuspecting pair. The entire temple quivered as they were hit, and forced back into the wall, defeated.
Usagi stood, still in the same position, panting heavily. 'You will all pay, I swear.'
Taro took a surprised look at Usagi, but quickly replaced it with a casual expression. He tapped her shoulder, laughing inwardly as she jumped at his touch. 'Now why didn't you just use that stuff on that giant lizard, eh?' He chuckled good-heartedly.
Usagi blinked as drew both her hands to her sides mutely. 'Because I have greater hate towards this darkness… So much wrath I wish to bring out on them…'
Taro grabbed her arm, a questionable look written on his face. 'May I see?' He motioned towards her hands. Usagi, hesitantly, nodded her head and slowly raised them.
Taro raised his eyebrows as he unhurriedly examined her palms. 'They're… burnt?'
Usagi's head was bent, her bands now shielding her face. 'It… It really doesn't hurt as much, if it is a bad situation…' she murmured under her breath.
Link curiously peered over Taro's shoulder, and nearly fainted at the sight of her hands. 'Does this happen… every time?' he managed to say.
Usagi looked up at Link, who was stunned to find her smiling. 'I ignore it, for I use my powers when I seriously mean it. So… it doesn't hurt.'
Taro frowned in return and ran his fingers over the burns. 'It's amazing you can even deal with these conditions… I'm going to bandage them right away.'
'This is the final room…' Usagi clutched the faintly glowing crystal, storms soul, tighter to her chest, gulping slightly. 'And the aurora is sickening.'
The massive boss room door stood tall before the three, a glistening golden lock securing it.
Link eyed her with concern, and then the door. 'If you do not wish to go in, don't,' he stated gruffly. Taro grinned and bobbed his head in agreement.
'No!' Usagi cried. 'No… I want to be there. I want to be nearby to make sure you don't get hurt!'
'You're stubborn when it comes to safety… If aiding us is going to bring you pain, I'm asking you not to worry for us,' Taro replied, glancing back at her. 'We both can handle this, I assure you. If something happens, I don't want you to protect us, but yourself.'
As they entered the room cautiously, Usagi had immediately scrunched her eyes shut, drawing the small crystal even nearer. 'Something horrible occupies this room…'
Link observed his surroundings, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness. His palms were sweating uncontrollably, and his head began to pound as he made his way to the center of the room.
Usagi gasped as the door behind her automatically disappeared, a solid black wall in its place. She abruptly turned around, a look of panic written on her face. 'We're trapped, Link. I don't like the feeling of this room!'
Link seemed to ignore her, remaining in the middle, unable to make a move as he heard Usagi's faint cries.
'So you've come… You have the Sage, you even brought the mercenary. Now is the time. You are under the control of the darkness.'
'It's you,' Link muttered, tilting his head up towards the hovering man above him. 'What are you talking about?' He backed up as the man extended an arm, a look of amusement hinting his features. He instantly felt a piercing sensation overwhelming his body, and he clutched his chest, gasping for air.
'Link?' Usagi watched, horror stricken, as his shoulders slumped, and a low hiss could be heard from him. 'Link! What's going on?'
Link spun around rapidly, an icy grin playing his lips. Usagi brought a hand up to her mouth as she gazed back into his gloomy, glazed eyes. He approached her slowly, his long sword vertically drawn to the side.
With a clank of metal, Taro was in front of Usagi, shielding her with a protective arm. His sword was much bigger than Link's, different symbols carved into the blade, which was now pointed towards Link. 'I really don't like the look in your eyes.'
Link scowled and brought up his own sword up, followed by a low growl. He quickly lunged forwards, his own blade powerfully colliding with Taro's. He hissed angrily and pivoted on his heel, bringing it up once more to strike.
Taro, already prepared for the attack, caught the blade as it plummeted towards him with his own hand, and swiftly flung it and Link over his shoulder.
Usagi was at the side, her eyes gleaming with fear as Link readily flipped and again charged towards Taro. 'No… Why is this happening? Why is he like this?'
Taro grunted as Link's sword narrowly whipped past his head, slicing his white headband into two. 'He's good.' He exhaled as Link swerved around and lashed a deku nut out at Taro, who had already rolled backwards and dodged another attack at his head. 'Snap out of it!'
Link only smiled darkly and took out four arrows. One ice, one fire, one light, and one normal. 'Just try and evade these,' he snapped. With a laugh, Link shot two out at him.
Taro brought his massive sword around horizontally and easily sliced them both in half. Link only smirked and threw the ice one at him, quickly spun around, and hurled the other at Usagi.
Taro rapidly avoided the arrow meant for him and threw himself before Usagi, his sword thrown out as a shield. As the arrow collided, the blade was instantly frozen, now useless to him. He cursed inwardly as he realized both his hands were also iced up, stuck right to the blade.
Link laughed bitterly and slowly approached him, his sword aimed directly towards his chest. All at once, he broke into a run, and threw himself towards Taro.
At the last possible second, Link drew his sword into the air, and with one move, brought it crashing down.
'Stop this!' Usagi screamed suddenly, throwing herself in front of Taro. The blade barely missed her, and her hand lashed out at a surprised Link, striking him squarely on his cheek.
He instantly stumbled backwards, slowly bringing his head up.
At that, blank charcoal eyes met bright lively cerulean, and the entire room seemed to spin around them.
'How… How could you?' Usagi spat, speaking through gritted teeth. 'How dare you…'
Link only stared back, almost in fear, as her blazing glare sank right through him, stabbing at his soul like venom.
'To think… To think someone like you, someone I trust, someone I admire… Could actually become a hazard, a threat.' She never looked away as she spoke. 'Why?'
Link felt his eyes widen, and he collapsed to the ground, his sword still clutched tightly in his hand. 'A threat…' He could make out the sounds of soft footsteps approaching.
'We should get out of here now, I don't like the presence…' Link cringed at the sound of Taro's carefree chuckle. 'You're a good fighter.'
'How can he be so calm?' Link's head remained bowed as he ran it through his head. 'Is he amused about it all? Does he find it funny I almost killed Usagi?'
'Come on, Green Guy, everything's fine now.'
'No… Everything isn't fine…' Link gritted his teeth together, gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. 'I'm not green. Stop calling me that. Stop pretending I haven't done anything wrong!'
Time seemed to slow down as Link slowly lifted his head, followed by a sickening rip of flesh. Usagi's piercing screams rang through the room, echoing far off into the distance.
Link now stood, his eyes filled with horror as he stared back at Taro, who was back looking up at him with confusion written on his face. Backing up, Link released his sword, taking in the scene before him. His blade had struck Taro right through his stomach, and he collapsed backwards with a soft thud, his sad eyes never leaving Link.
'I have slain the mercenary… I have destroyed an ally…' Link shook his head in disbelief at the lifeless heap before him. 'Have I become the enemy?'
'No!' Usagi screamed aloud, refusing to look at what was before her. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks and soaked into her clothing. She cried out again, falling helplessly to her knees and pressing the crystal closer to her chest.
Taro, mercenary of Sparati, lay sprawled across the floor, Link's stained sword still buried into his chest.
