Disclaimer: The lyrics in the beginning of the chapter belong to Linkin Park.
Author's notes: Well, it's finally getting interesting. I hope you enjoy this chapter, because it totally drained me to write. -_-;
Chapter Fourteen
Roy's POV
"It's like I'm paranoid, looking over my back
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
It's like the face inside is right
Beneath my skin."
"So, tell me, Luigi," I began as I walked with my partner through the area surrounding the camp site, against the setting sun. "Why did you go with Falco over your brother?"
"Well... Falco was right. It was quite a scene, really. Mario seemed to be the only one who wasn't upset about what happened to you," he looked down for a moment, as if he was contemplating what the true answer to my question really was. "Well, he was upset, but with different reasons. I guess it made me realize exactly where we stand as living individuals in his mind. Also, he always told me that I needed improvement in my fighting skills, but his training wasn't helping me. Falco just seems like a better leader."
In response, I simply nodded once. The main reason for our walk was to get away from the camp site; Pikachu had returned, but with him came none other than our former leader himself. Of course Luigi didn't want to be around him, and Mario seemed less than happy to see me. It was almost as if he didn't want to see me alive, more than likely because he felt that if I failed on my mission, I deserved what I got as my punishment. In his eyes, it wasn't that I had done a noble act in the name of the team; it was that I had let him down by not gathering information.
My pondering was interrupted when Luigi tapped my shoulder. "Did you hear that?" he mumbled.
As I had been lost in my thoughts, I had heard nothing. "Did I hear what?"
Before he could answer, a sharp clattering noise filled my ears. Startled, I jumped slightly and inhaled sharply, before collecting myself and examining the trees surrounding us, looking for the source of the noise. While my head was turned, I heard a shout. I quickly jerked my head back and saw that it came from Luigi, judging by the panicked look on his face. I turned to see what his eyes were planted on, only to find that I wished I hadn't.
Coming straight from the woods, almost half a dozen creatures, resembling skeletons, were heading directly toward us. They were slightly larger than a human, and they bore swords and shields. Tattered and decayed cloth hung from their bones; it was like a childhood nightmare.
I immediately pulled my own sword oout; the power of fire had to hold an advantage over their blades. Luigi still seemed quite frightened and unprepared, so I stepped in front of him and held my sword before me, ready to fight them off. As I did so, they stopped their charge. The one that seemed to be leading the other four examined my position, then flashed a demoniacal grin. Something about that look sent a cold wave deep inside of me.
The leader let out a strange grunting noise, and the others leapt for us. Before I could attack the one coming straight for me, another one grabbed me from behind, taking me completely by surprise and causing me to loosen my grip on the sword. The one before me jumped me as well, and the force knocked the sword from my hands completely. I struggled for them to release me, but it did no good; their claw-like fingers dug into my skin, drawing blood and making it impossible to escape. I then realized that these creatures belonged to Ganondorf. But why hadn't I seen them in my dreams...?
A cry filled the air, and I turned to see that the other two were on Luigi. But there was one difference in the way we were being held; they weren't attacking me.
I shouted and struggled as much as my will would allow me to; I couldn't just stand aside and watch that happen. Their swords tore through his flesh repeatedly, and his fear and pain held him back from retaliating. The whole time, the just stood beyond the battle and watched. But I couldn't understand why they were attacking him and merely restraining myself. What had Luigi done to deserve that?
My eyes burned as I watched my partner fall to the ground, defeated. "No!" I cried, pulling and making the restraining hands rip through my arms and stomach. I ignored the sharp pain and continued to pull, trying to break free and make the monsters pay for their actions. The leader finally stepped forward. It dug its claws into my chin and throat to weaken me. After my resistance calmed a bit, due to lack of strength, the monster reached onto the ground and picked up my sword. Without even looking back at me, it walked over to my fallen companion, who was barely breathing. It lifted the sword overhead, pointed at Luigi's stomach. My eyes widened in horror, knowing very well what it was going to do, and knowing that I couldn't stop it.
Although I had no strength, when it dropped the blade into my own partner, I lunged for it, but fell to the ground, further feeding the slashes in my flesh. I could no longer ignore my own injuries--as much as I tried--and I cried out in pain. The monsters finally released me, but I didn't even have the energy to stand. I watched as they disappeared back into the forest, leaving me on the ground and my sword buried in my wounded partner. I wondered why they left so abruptly, but my question was answered just as soon as it was asked.
I heard the voices of my comrades, calling out our names. They must have heard all of the noise. I silently thanked them; Luigi needed help, as soon as possible. But as I took a glance around the scene, that all changed, as I realized what it looked like. I instantly panicked and tried to rise to my feet, getting there slowly. I had to retrieve my sword before they thought... It was no use; my legs collapsed under me, sending me back to the ground.
I shut my eyes and turned my head to the side, cursing in my mind. 'Damn you, Ganondorf... You're cunning, of that there is no question.'
Falco was in front when they arrived, and he immediately stopped at the site of the atrocious scene. I didn't raise my head; I didn't yet have the energy to do so after falling back down. It wasn't until I heard that one voice that I turned my attention to them; the voice that belonged to the one I loved--the one who degraded me the previous day. "What happened here?" I detected not only confusion in his voice, but also something close to horror.
I lifted my view to meet his timorous eyes. "Marth, I..." I climbed onto my knees, in another attempt to stand, "I know what it looks like, but--"
"What the hell is this?!" the all-too familiar voice of Mario interrupted me, as I was about to explain just that.
I finally made it onto my feet, although I had a great deal of trouble keeping my legs straight. "I can explain this," I uttered, my voice slightly rough from the screaming that took place earlier.
The older man's burning glare tore into me, penetrating my own eyes. "What have you done to my brother?"
My mouth opened, but his officious stare made me hesitate to speak. "It's not what it looks like, I swear," I panted in a fretful voice.
"What have you done to my brother?!" he repeated with more force and stepped closer to me.
"I didn't do--"
"You didn't do anything?! That is your sword in him! You can't tell me you didn't fucking do anything!" the man continued to approach me, until he was breathing in my face. "How dare you lie to me?" he growled.
I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see that Falco and Zelda were helping Luigi. That gave me some relief, but it didn't change his furious brother standing before me. I realized that the frightened look on my face wasn't helping me convince anyone that I was being truthful, but I couldn't change it.
"You just... snapped, didn't you?" Mario continued to tear me down. "I don't blame you, after being stuck at Ganondorf's fort. Who knows what he could've done to you?" his voice lowered as he spoke, but immediately rose again. "And that is exactly why I knew you shouldn't have come back! How could these people trust you after being in his possession?!"
'In his possession...' Something about those words got to me. But I couldn't linger on it long; my attention was brought back to reality when I felt Mario push me back a bit. I almost lost my balance, but at that time, I had regained a little more strength.
"I never would have let you near my brother, or any of the other members. They should have known better than to take you back," he shoved me once again, causing me to step back. "Once you were taken by him, you couldn't be trusted again," he turned to face the rest of the team behind him. "He's gone mad. You made a mistake bringing him back, and I don't want to see anyone else fall victim to him."
I almost couldn't believe what he was telling them, until I remembered who was saying it. What I couldn't believe was that they seemed to be listening to him. I gathered my strength and stepped up to them. "I-it's not true... I didn't do anything to him. There were these creatures..." my voice was shaking; I was afraid that my protests might not have any use. "Please, you have to believe me."
They were all silent, and they just stared at me. Still trying to convince them, I walked up to my best friend. "Link, you believe me, don't you?"
The Hylian sighed and looked at me with heavy eyes. "Roy... I don't know exactly what happened, but you need help," he set his hands on my shoulders.
"No," I quavered, shaking my head and fighting back tears.
"You need help that we can't give you," he continued, trying to keep me still.
I still managed to pull away, and I turned to the one standing next to him. I looked to the azure eyes before me and took in a shaking breath. He had to believe me. "Marth..."
I placed my hand on his arm, but he quickly shrank away. I looked back into his eyes with disbelief and pain. He scowled at me, and shook his head. The look in his eye... He felt betrayed. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but he was at a loss for words.
"Marth, you can't do this to me," I cried. "Please, I didn't do anything..."
His expression didn't change; he looked almost disgusted with me. I had hurt him, even further than he had done to me the day before. But how could I have hurt him if I wasn't guilty?
"Link, Marth... How can you do this?" I narrowed my eyes at the two of them, still sobbing. "I'm your best friend, dammit. Why can't you believe me?"
"Get out," a voice from behind me demanded. I turned and saw that Mario looked more furious than ever. "Get out of here; you're not wanted. You've already betrayed us."
I looked around, desperately searching for someone to disagree with him. "I--"
"Get out of here," he growled, "before I get rid of you myself."
I looked at my former companions one more time, and slowly stepped away toward the woods, their downcast glares chasing me the whole way.
I swerved past randomly set trees in the near black forest, trying not to look behind. I had no idea where I was going to go or what I was going to do, but those thoughts were pushed aside with frightening abruptness. I felt a sensation coming over me, sending chills all through my body. It was an eerily familiar feeling... Those dreams.
I took a good look at the surroundings--or what I could make out of them. They were nothing short of identical to the setting of that first dream in the woods. I had the same cold feeling as I did in that dream. It was all coming together... My body began to shake violently. I couldn't let that just happen; I had to do something. But what could I do? I gathered all of the strength I could muster and ran. I didn't know what I was running from, or where I was going; I just hoped to outrun what I seemed to be destined to.
That thought proved itself to be more than accurate when I realized that I was falling right into the same trap by doing so. Although I was still reliving the dreams, I couldn't stop running. Maybe I could do something--anything--to change it...
Eventually, my legs just wouldn't carry me anymore, and I stopped in my tracks. Just as I did so, I felt a cold, horrible presence. As a reflex, I reached for my sword, but remembered that it was still at the site of the attack when I felt nothing but my empty sheath. A terrifying feeling overwhelmed my entire body when I realized that I had already fallen into his trap, and I couldn't escape it. I felt a demonic presence behind me, and I had no choice but to turn and face what I couldn't avoid...
Author's notes: Well, it's finally getting interesting. I hope you enjoy this chapter, because it totally drained me to write. -_-;
Chapter Fourteen
Roy's POV
"It's like I'm paranoid, looking over my back
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
It's like the face inside is right
Beneath my skin."
"So, tell me, Luigi," I began as I walked with my partner through the area surrounding the camp site, against the setting sun. "Why did you go with Falco over your brother?"
"Well... Falco was right. It was quite a scene, really. Mario seemed to be the only one who wasn't upset about what happened to you," he looked down for a moment, as if he was contemplating what the true answer to my question really was. "Well, he was upset, but with different reasons. I guess it made me realize exactly where we stand as living individuals in his mind. Also, he always told me that I needed improvement in my fighting skills, but his training wasn't helping me. Falco just seems like a better leader."
In response, I simply nodded once. The main reason for our walk was to get away from the camp site; Pikachu had returned, but with him came none other than our former leader himself. Of course Luigi didn't want to be around him, and Mario seemed less than happy to see me. It was almost as if he didn't want to see me alive, more than likely because he felt that if I failed on my mission, I deserved what I got as my punishment. In his eyes, it wasn't that I had done a noble act in the name of the team; it was that I had let him down by not gathering information.
My pondering was interrupted when Luigi tapped my shoulder. "Did you hear that?" he mumbled.
As I had been lost in my thoughts, I had heard nothing. "Did I hear what?"
Before he could answer, a sharp clattering noise filled my ears. Startled, I jumped slightly and inhaled sharply, before collecting myself and examining the trees surrounding us, looking for the source of the noise. While my head was turned, I heard a shout. I quickly jerked my head back and saw that it came from Luigi, judging by the panicked look on his face. I turned to see what his eyes were planted on, only to find that I wished I hadn't.
Coming straight from the woods, almost half a dozen creatures, resembling skeletons, were heading directly toward us. They were slightly larger than a human, and they bore swords and shields. Tattered and decayed cloth hung from their bones; it was like a childhood nightmare.
I immediately pulled my own sword oout; the power of fire had to hold an advantage over their blades. Luigi still seemed quite frightened and unprepared, so I stepped in front of him and held my sword before me, ready to fight them off. As I did so, they stopped their charge. The one that seemed to be leading the other four examined my position, then flashed a demoniacal grin. Something about that look sent a cold wave deep inside of me.
The leader let out a strange grunting noise, and the others leapt for us. Before I could attack the one coming straight for me, another one grabbed me from behind, taking me completely by surprise and causing me to loosen my grip on the sword. The one before me jumped me as well, and the force knocked the sword from my hands completely. I struggled for them to release me, but it did no good; their claw-like fingers dug into my skin, drawing blood and making it impossible to escape. I then realized that these creatures belonged to Ganondorf. But why hadn't I seen them in my dreams...?
A cry filled the air, and I turned to see that the other two were on Luigi. But there was one difference in the way we were being held; they weren't attacking me.
I shouted and struggled as much as my will would allow me to; I couldn't just stand aside and watch that happen. Their swords tore through his flesh repeatedly, and his fear and pain held him back from retaliating. The whole time, the just stood beyond the battle and watched. But I couldn't understand why they were attacking him and merely restraining myself. What had Luigi done to deserve that?
My eyes burned as I watched my partner fall to the ground, defeated. "No!" I cried, pulling and making the restraining hands rip through my arms and stomach. I ignored the sharp pain and continued to pull, trying to break free and make the monsters pay for their actions. The leader finally stepped forward. It dug its claws into my chin and throat to weaken me. After my resistance calmed a bit, due to lack of strength, the monster reached onto the ground and picked up my sword. Without even looking back at me, it walked over to my fallen companion, who was barely breathing. It lifted the sword overhead, pointed at Luigi's stomach. My eyes widened in horror, knowing very well what it was going to do, and knowing that I couldn't stop it.
Although I had no strength, when it dropped the blade into my own partner, I lunged for it, but fell to the ground, further feeding the slashes in my flesh. I could no longer ignore my own injuries--as much as I tried--and I cried out in pain. The monsters finally released me, but I didn't even have the energy to stand. I watched as they disappeared back into the forest, leaving me on the ground and my sword buried in my wounded partner. I wondered why they left so abruptly, but my question was answered just as soon as it was asked.
I heard the voices of my comrades, calling out our names. They must have heard all of the noise. I silently thanked them; Luigi needed help, as soon as possible. But as I took a glance around the scene, that all changed, as I realized what it looked like. I instantly panicked and tried to rise to my feet, getting there slowly. I had to retrieve my sword before they thought... It was no use; my legs collapsed under me, sending me back to the ground.
I shut my eyes and turned my head to the side, cursing in my mind. 'Damn you, Ganondorf... You're cunning, of that there is no question.'
Falco was in front when they arrived, and he immediately stopped at the site of the atrocious scene. I didn't raise my head; I didn't yet have the energy to do so after falling back down. It wasn't until I heard that one voice that I turned my attention to them; the voice that belonged to the one I loved--the one who degraded me the previous day. "What happened here?" I detected not only confusion in his voice, but also something close to horror.
I lifted my view to meet his timorous eyes. "Marth, I..." I climbed onto my knees, in another attempt to stand, "I know what it looks like, but--"
"What the hell is this?!" the all-too familiar voice of Mario interrupted me, as I was about to explain just that.
I finally made it onto my feet, although I had a great deal of trouble keeping my legs straight. "I can explain this," I uttered, my voice slightly rough from the screaming that took place earlier.
The older man's burning glare tore into me, penetrating my own eyes. "What have you done to my brother?"
My mouth opened, but his officious stare made me hesitate to speak. "It's not what it looks like, I swear," I panted in a fretful voice.
"What have you done to my brother?!" he repeated with more force and stepped closer to me.
"I didn't do--"
"You didn't do anything?! That is your sword in him! You can't tell me you didn't fucking do anything!" the man continued to approach me, until he was breathing in my face. "How dare you lie to me?" he growled.
I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see that Falco and Zelda were helping Luigi. That gave me some relief, but it didn't change his furious brother standing before me. I realized that the frightened look on my face wasn't helping me convince anyone that I was being truthful, but I couldn't change it.
"You just... snapped, didn't you?" Mario continued to tear me down. "I don't blame you, after being stuck at Ganondorf's fort. Who knows what he could've done to you?" his voice lowered as he spoke, but immediately rose again. "And that is exactly why I knew you shouldn't have come back! How could these people trust you after being in his possession?!"
'In his possession...' Something about those words got to me. But I couldn't linger on it long; my attention was brought back to reality when I felt Mario push me back a bit. I almost lost my balance, but at that time, I had regained a little more strength.
"I never would have let you near my brother, or any of the other members. They should have known better than to take you back," he shoved me once again, causing me to step back. "Once you were taken by him, you couldn't be trusted again," he turned to face the rest of the team behind him. "He's gone mad. You made a mistake bringing him back, and I don't want to see anyone else fall victim to him."
I almost couldn't believe what he was telling them, until I remembered who was saying it. What I couldn't believe was that they seemed to be listening to him. I gathered my strength and stepped up to them. "I-it's not true... I didn't do anything to him. There were these creatures..." my voice was shaking; I was afraid that my protests might not have any use. "Please, you have to believe me."
They were all silent, and they just stared at me. Still trying to convince them, I walked up to my best friend. "Link, you believe me, don't you?"
The Hylian sighed and looked at me with heavy eyes. "Roy... I don't know exactly what happened, but you need help," he set his hands on my shoulders.
"No," I quavered, shaking my head and fighting back tears.
"You need help that we can't give you," he continued, trying to keep me still.
I still managed to pull away, and I turned to the one standing next to him. I looked to the azure eyes before me and took in a shaking breath. He had to believe me. "Marth..."
I placed my hand on his arm, but he quickly shrank away. I looked back into his eyes with disbelief and pain. He scowled at me, and shook his head. The look in his eye... He felt betrayed. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but he was at a loss for words.
"Marth, you can't do this to me," I cried. "Please, I didn't do anything..."
His expression didn't change; he looked almost disgusted with me. I had hurt him, even further than he had done to me the day before. But how could I have hurt him if I wasn't guilty?
"Link, Marth... How can you do this?" I narrowed my eyes at the two of them, still sobbing. "I'm your best friend, dammit. Why can't you believe me?"
"Get out," a voice from behind me demanded. I turned and saw that Mario looked more furious than ever. "Get out of here; you're not wanted. You've already betrayed us."
I looked around, desperately searching for someone to disagree with him. "I--"
"Get out of here," he growled, "before I get rid of you myself."
I looked at my former companions one more time, and slowly stepped away toward the woods, their downcast glares chasing me the whole way.
I swerved past randomly set trees in the near black forest, trying not to look behind. I had no idea where I was going to go or what I was going to do, but those thoughts were pushed aside with frightening abruptness. I felt a sensation coming over me, sending chills all through my body. It was an eerily familiar feeling... Those dreams.
I took a good look at the surroundings--or what I could make out of them. They were nothing short of identical to the setting of that first dream in the woods. I had the same cold feeling as I did in that dream. It was all coming together... My body began to shake violently. I couldn't let that just happen; I had to do something. But what could I do? I gathered all of the strength I could muster and ran. I didn't know what I was running from, or where I was going; I just hoped to outrun what I seemed to be destined to.
That thought proved itself to be more than accurate when I realized that I was falling right into the same trap by doing so. Although I was still reliving the dreams, I couldn't stop running. Maybe I could do something--anything--to change it...
Eventually, my legs just wouldn't carry me anymore, and I stopped in my tracks. Just as I did so, I felt a cold, horrible presence. As a reflex, I reached for my sword, but remembered that it was still at the site of the attack when I felt nothing but my empty sheath. A terrifying feeling overwhelmed my entire body when I realized that I had already fallen into his trap, and I couldn't escape it. I felt a demonic presence behind me, and I had no choice but to turn and face what I couldn't avoid...