~ Disclaimer ~ I wish I owned Zelda. I wish I owned Zelda. I wish I owned
Zelda *holds breath* . . . darn it.
CrysSton16: Shadow Girl, you've kept us waiting long enough! Hurry and get to the chapter!
Eh? When did you get here?
CrysSton16: Just now. I heard you had a brainstorm or two . . .
^__^ Heh, heh, heh. I love my job. Gah! I know this is going to be great!! *Runs around the room* This is going to be GREAT!! Warning: I may be so hasty that there might be a few more mistakes than usual . . .
CrysSton16: *grabs up a trademark mallet* Target practice! *Chases authoress around the room* Weee! ^_^
Wait. Before the chapter . . . *THWAK* OWWW!! CrysSton!! I said wait!! T_T That hurt . . .
CrysSton16: *Hiding mallet* What? Oh, the dedications. Well, get on with it then.
Ahem . . . The chapter dedications go out to the Primagen, FantasyGamer9, Dragonkiller, Angle1, Shadow Knight, hyliansage, and Jelie36. Thank you all!!
CrysSton16: *flashes peace sign* I'll be here all day now.
Good! *Grabs away mallet* We have a score to settle now . . .
CrysSton16: 0_0 HELP!! *Runs away*
~~~~~~~
~ Answers ~
She stared at the dark blurs before her. The torturers. The fighters. They were staggering now. What had happened? The earth shook, that she realized, but through the pain and questions, she could not see the obvious. Her blood was at her feet, threatening to make her slip. Not that it would matter. She was on her knees anyway as the questioners stood over her.
The guard held the well-bloodied bamboo staff in his hands but looked at the walls, wondering, fearing they would close in as dust spilled from the ceiling. The translator leaned against the wall until finally the shudders dissipated. He commanded the guard to take Crystal away.
He obeyed, easily dragging the barely conscious Crystal through the wall. He took her over his shoulder to carry her up the stairs. Of all her parts, it was her mind they wanted to know more about. It would do no good to have it scrambled from a heavy hit. There was something odd about her. A mystery for them to discover.
Upon reaching the top level he stopped, the sight before him taking his attention away from any duty or preoccupation. Without any disregard, he dropped Crystal from his shoulder. The entire area was wiped black. Nothing, not tree or rubble was still standing within ten yards at the least. He leaned on his knees for support, trying to grasp what had happened.
Unnoticed, others gathered around him from underground. On the borders of destruction, only a few halves of buildings were still on top of the ground. In the center of the destruction, there was the limp figure of the boy. He was the one, the same who had been in the pit not too long ago. He was the same who was seized along with the girl!
With a low growl, the commander emerged from the underground section and quickly snapped more orders, "Summon the troops back from the east and west. Well, GO! The Kitsune will have heard that explosion, no doubt. They will come and we must be prepared." One of the younger ones ran to find a summoning horn, if there was any still in existence.
With a deep breath, the leader began his walk toward the limp figure. "The boy will pay for this. He will suffer for each and every one of our warriors killed. Oh, yes, he will." He kicked the boy in all his anger, sending Link skidding across the charred ground but Link never uttered a word of protest or pain.
"GET UP!!" He yelled at the young boy. So young, but so treacherous! He grabbed the boy's throat and easily lifted him of the ground. A pulse ran under his fingers, faint but still there. So, the boy was strong enough to survive. How could that be?!
He snorted and tossed the kid to the ground near the stairs. "Take him, and the girl. He will suffer aright but perhaps she will suffer upon watching him. It is obvious that she won't break under pain." He walked back and looked down at the battered, bruised, bloodied girl. "If we can't break her by body, we will break her by heart to get to her mind." The guards nodded and took both the young ones.
It would seem that their plan for the night attack was spoiled. Thanks to the boy, they'd have to do all they could just to defend themselves. NO! The mighty forces of the shadow fighters would not be fallen at the blade of one boy. One child! He would be punished. He would be shown their wrath. He would learn! They descended into the darkness, just as two white, gleaming eyes opened only a slit to look at each one of them before closing into rest once again.
~~~~~
Tarawen brightened quickly as an idea came to mind. Illusion! Why hadn't she thought of it earlier? But she couldn't go as any Kitsune. She would have to be one of the Sheikah. With the power of illusion, size and shape didn't matter.
She grinned and thought of which one to become. There was really only one way to finds out. She knew that not all the Sheikah could go, or that was a possibility. They wouldn't leave their charge, her father, behind as all of his warriors were spread out. With a momentary image of both Kohachan and Zolaris, she quickly crossed them out with a bright blush.
That left only one: The leader, Toloran. But could she pull off the personality of the responsible one? He was supposed to keep the other two in line most all the time though there was no doubt that that effort was not needed as it was six years ago when they were so young.
She clenched a fist and decided to go through with it. The worst that could happen was if she were caught. Though that thought was not a pleasant one, she shook it out and began to chant the spell.
As she chanted, she could feel the image come over her. Any who looked upon her, their eyes would be tricked to see the Sheikah leader standing or speaking before them. Ever their ears would b fooled to here the accent and depth of Toloran's voice. She looked at herself but saw herself as she was, not Toloran. She'd have to trust that the spell had worked.
With a deep breath for courage, she walked away from the hut only to run straight into Kohachan. She drew up as much courage as she could and excused herself from him, avoiding the absolute surprise in his eyes followed by a sudden smirk that appeared across his face.
Kohachan called after her, "Tarawen, knock it off. You aren't coming and that's final." Tarawen released the illusion though it made no difference to Kohachan as he could see right through the spell. She marched back to him, "You know, I have a bone to pick with you! WHY did you do that?"
What?" He asked innocently. She grew red with pure rage and began shouting at him. He stood his ground trying to make his ears stop working. But it was no use. He took a deep breath and caught both her shoulders. She nearly bit her tongue as she was forced to look in his eyes.
Without any hesitation pressed his lips against her. She slightly squeaked as well as she could but was soon silenced. Then wrapped her arms around him. Immediately she caught herself and shoved him away violently. Kohachan gave her a sly look before running off. She was left breathless and redder than she had ever been in her life.
Realizing what had happened, her blush deepened, if that was possible, and she screamed with all her might, "KOHACHANNNN!!!!"
~~~~~
Zolaris looked to the sun, ignoring the mighty scream from behind him even as all the Kitsune grabbed their ears in agony. Nothing would affect him that evening. It was nearing dusk and the brightness of the sky was beginning to fade. When night fell and the moon was right, he knew it would happen. What would happen from it, he didn't know but it would be bad. Really bad.
Decisively, he returned from the rooftop once again and went to Toloran. He was certain it would happen that night. He didn't want it to happen. Never did. But if he was in the right place at the right time . . . Perhaps it could be used it to their advantage.
"Toloran!" He yelled. Even with his lighter voice than the leader, he still managed to turn the heads of the officials in the building. Toloran waved him off a second as he stared hard over the board where the pieces were set.
Each piece was set in a strategic position. The game was almost won. In a sudden burst of anger, Zolaris slammed his fist into the middle of the board, knocking the pieces around and off the table, and looked to his leader, "It's happening tonight. I can't be here when it happens. You know I can't." Toloran rose and put his head beside Zolaris' ear, speaking quietly but sharply, "Calm yourself. You'll only make it worse.
"Don't worry, I've taken into consideration the timings of tonight as well as the mission. From what you've told me, something major happened down there." He guided Zolaris out the door, apologizing to the others for his quick leave.
He took Zolaris to a ledge looking at the coming sunset as he said, "From what Kohachan has told me, it could have been the Hylian, Link, who made that destructive swell of power and magic. I want you to go there. The fighters will try to act as a scab, gathering where the wound is.
"Tonight I want you to go there and see what your . . . other self . . . will choose to do. This will further the cause of finding out more of this demon in you and it will be a staggering blow to the fighters, no?" Zolaris sunk his head down in absolute misery of the knowledge.
He didn't care about going by himself. He wanted to do that. The knowledge that he also held a demon like Kohachan was disturbing enough. What was worse was while Kohachan held a firm grip on his demon, Zolaris' own demon would take complete control as the Hydra sword gathered all its power on the night of the full moon.
Toloran left him to think things out, knowing full well that he wouldn't see the boy again, at least for that night. Zolaris ignored the sudden silence and aloneness that fell over him. He stared at the sun, burning red as it slowly sank. Kohachan quite suddenly made himself known, red from exertion in running and from whatever shameless act he had committed.
Kohachan rested his hand on Zolaris silver hair in almost brotherly teasing as he tried to catch his breath again. Zolaris knocked him away, his irritation well formed as Kohachan leaned against the rail beside him, "You know, you never did ask for that spar I owe you."
Zolaris shrugged indifferently, "I don't care anymore. You know it's happening tonight. Do you even remember what I'm talking about?" Kohachan's eyes darkened at the memory of his own dark side, all signs of merriment vanished, "Yes, I do. Your demon, I know very well."
"So, what should I do? You have the same problem but you have a hold of it. Mine . . . takes all control. I don't even know what it does as it does it with my body! All you do is get a higher urge to kill. I'm not aloud to hold any urges, feelings, anything. I get trapped in a darkness I cannot escape." Kohachan nodded in understanding, "I found help in Hyrule. No, not Zelda. She never knew about it. It was my own secret. Well, mine as well as those who found out about it the hard way."
Zolaris looked at the sun as it was nearing the horizon. Hours had passed but he wanted time to slow even more. Delay what was to happen, though he never could. He sighed heavily, his usually optimistic spirit subdued under the threat waiting for him. "How do I escape it? How can I trust it even?"
"Has anyone died from it? Anyone who is actually good?"
"Well, no. Homes were destroyed and cattle slaughtered before their time but no innocents . . . But still it is a demon and has to be vanquished or at least controlled!"
Kohachan shook his head, "That isn't true, not completely. I needed my own demon, or else I would have been completely walked over. It was the spirit, the strength that held me up. I needed it until I was on my own two feet. You need yours and still do but you need it. A bit too much, though. If you fight for control over it rather than to kill it, perhaps you will gain that control you want. That is all I can say."
Zolaris thought over the new information. Though he was somewhat confused about it, he could try the new approach. He stood up and nodded, "Thanks, Kohan. Don't worry, I'll get you for that spar later." Kohachan held out his hand as he too leaned off the rail.
With a grin, Zolaris took Kohachan's forearm as Kohachan took his. "You are coming back, just realize that. If I have to drag you back myself, you are returning." Zolaris nodded, "I may need you to. That power I felt earlier, it didn't feel friendly. I have to go now. If I'm to get there in time, that is."
Both looked to the setting sun before releasing their grips. Zolaris shrugged, "I shall return." Kohachan nodded as Zolaris calmly walked away, taking his time until he got out of the tribe area where he would make as close to the base as he could before it was time. At his side, the eyes of the hydra gleamed. Awaiting the moonlight, thirsty for justice . . .
~~~~~
Link was confused. Everytime he was knocked out, he never realized it. But he knew it was only his spirit he controlled. Unharmed and fully clothed with the gilded blade on his back, he looked at his hands. He was himself in spirit but why was he conscious of it?
"Because it is time we met." Link spun around to see a glowing white figure in the darkness approaching him. It was small by distance but quickly growing as it drew nearer. "You've tapped into my power before and used it well. Well enough to please me, at any rate. But can you handle all of my power?"
The figure was easily recognized by then. His voice was the same he had heard just as he blacked out. The voice telling him he could not give in. {But can the Fierce Deity read my thoughts?} "Yes. Call me Oni. That is what I am known as other than the Fierce Deity, though I am both."
{Why am I here? What happened?} Link could already make out the . . . Oni's white eyes but then he could see that there indeed were pupils as well as bright, silver irises in his eyes. Oni shook his head, "Still the young, naïve kid. You wore my mask, thus bonding me to you. Myself as well as Darmani, Mikau, and the nameless Deku have become a part of you." Even as Oni named them off, each of the three appeared until they surrounded Link. They were the animate figures of the forms after performing the Elegy of Emptiness.
Link looked at the battle scarred Goron to the once fallen Zora to the simple, small Deku. "See, Link, we are as we were before our spirits were sealed in the masks." Mikau said in a bubbling voice. "But . . . I don't understand. Your spirits were healed. You passed on. Why are you all here, inside me?" Darmani boomed out, "Though you healed us and well, I might add, we are still a part of you. This is our afterlife. Ho, do not worry, there are worse endings for a life."
Link couldn't help but feel remorse. "Are you.trapped here? Until I die?" Oni spoke up even as the Deku tried to whistle and squeak a reply, "Stop being so foolish, Link. We are here, end of story. However, that is not the end of your story. We are only chapters in your story from Termina. You need us now. We are keeping you alive so you can help your friends on the outside." He grinned as the Deku squeaked its irritation at Oni.
Link sighed, he still didn't understand and doubted he would. "Why am I here? Why can I see you now? It's been a month since I wore your masks. Why now?" Darmani crossed his huge arms over his scarred chest. "Because of the fight. Obviously, the Fierce Deity here is the strongest of us but even he was exhausted after the fight with Majora. We were also quieted after the challenges. You didn't need us so we were quiet. Now, your power is drained very badly. We are her to share energies until you gather enough of your energy back-"
Oni quickly intercepted, "However, I won't let you wake up as you are. Kid, you are way too soft. I plan to take things into my own hands once again."
"WHAT?!" Link suddenly snapped. Oni glared at him, "You wouldn't get the job done. Besides, there is a great power also growing. Even as we speak, that power is also making its way here. You would never survive a fight with it and a fight is exactly what it wants. I will match against it, though the fight will be a long one.
"You, Link, will stay here in your own sub-conscious." Link fumed for a moment but then demanded, "You can't harm Crystal. If you've been with me this whole time, then I know you know about her. You can't harm her." Oni nodded, "Understood. You hold feelings for this girl. I will simply have to get some aid in that case. There should be time. But if there is to be enough, I will have to start now."
Link watched as his own power grew. So, Oni was drawing upon Link's power. Was that really enough? Link couldn't feel any strain or pressure or even strength coming to him. He saw the flame that represented his power flaring into a pillar of pure power. A feat he could not have done alone. So, Oni was simply using Link's body much as Majora had used the Skull Kid.
Oni grinned at Link, "Don't worry. I'm not that evil. We can still talk. Just think of whatever you want to tell me. I will hear you and will be able to reply . . . if I'm not too busy, of course. As in, don't distract me in a fight, got that?!" Link nodded but he still wasn't happy with the thought. Oni shrugged and vanished into nothing. Was that how Link appeared when he was conscious? Could they see him in his sleep? Could the others read his thoughts?
He looked to each of them but none responded. He sat on the ground, if it was ground beneath his booted feet and was suddenly utterly bored. {Oni, what are you going to do?}
{Enlist a swift aid to retrieve your lady.} The response came from all around him but with a greater power than just sound as Oni had spoken to him earlier. Link suddenly realized what Oni had said. Her grew red with both embarrassment and rage and suddenly yelled out, "She's not my lady! She's just a friend. Can you understand friend?" There was no response.
"Okay, so he can't hear me like this." Link shrugged. He'd yell at Oni later. If later ever came. Mikau and Darmani both settled down as the Deku fell to the ground and bounced slightly. "So . . . what do you guys do down here all the time?" Darmani pounded one fist into the other, "Take orders from that high and mighty Fierce Deity."
Mikau added smoothly despite his bubbled voice, "Well, that and jam out. Deku here dances, if you can call it dancing. Mostly Oni watches you. Especially when something is actually happening. He saw the Tyrant Wolf as you called it and saw the fighters. Mostly, he saw the guys you were fighting. Oh, he saw Gramps when you learned that totally awesome wave. He even had to aid in that last wicked performance." Mikau set the fish bones guitar in his lap as Darmani agreed, "He has been watching whatever you watched but only when he was interested. He wasn't interested in your lady but I think he doesn't care at all about your life. It's your fights that keeps him here."
Link was fuming but then asked, "What do you mean by 'kept him here?'" Darmani looked at Link in surprise, his eyebrows raising up on his gray forehead as he stated with a shrug, "He could have let you died. But then he would have no body. Literally. Neither would we so I'm kind of glad he did stay with you."
A memory suddenly came to Link, "Hey, what about my dreams. Can he see into them?" The Deku began to whistle an explanation but Mikau cut him off with a raised guitar, "Well, he was in one just recently. You probably remember cause he made it quite vivid. See, he can so long as there is no other force stopping him. Those flames? That was wicked cool but it could have claimed you and killed you. Oni didn't want that. None of us did."
He tilted his head back in thought, "Well, he couldn't get you to wake up, even though he was able to under normal circumstances." Link folded his arms and suggested, "So the circumstances weren't normal. Then what was wrong?"
Darmani laughed even as the Deku was slowly whistling in rage, sounding much like a steam pot, "He tried. Oh, he tried until he was driven to cursing every ancient and recent language that ever existed but still he couldn't get to you like he did the other night. There was a power closing him in here. It wanted you to die so it kept Oni back. Only just so but it did. Thank the Goddesses for angels, eh?"
Link nodded as he remembered the experience when quite suddenly, the Deku went berserk. Mikau began to laugh as he used his guitar to hold off the attacking Deku. With a fit of bubbles, the Deku won his way past the guard and tackled the laughing Zora as Link began trying to pull the creature spirit off and then Darmani got into it as well with his huge hands pulling Mikau out from under the Deku. Thus ensued Link's first scuffle with friends who remembered.
~~~~~
Oni couldn't help but grin as he realized Link was actually having fun. Perhaps that would keep him quiet in his head. A smart blow to the side of his head brought him to the issue at hand. The main leader of the fighters was staring him in the face. He glared straight back, not a sign of pain or fatigue marked his face as he had taken over Link's body.
Unlike Link, though, Oni could understand the fighter's language. "Soldier, remind me. How do we teach lessons?" The guard complied, "We use the bamboo, Sir." The leader grinned, "Not the bamboo. This nuisance needs something a little more . . . convincing." The guard nodded and left to another underground chamber.
Oni rolled his eyes. They expected that he would let them harm Link with the same attack Majora used? Ridiculous fools. He glanced over at the fellow occupants. There was only two. Well, two bodies but three were present whom he could not injure. One was Crystal with Navi within her, comforting and supporting her to the point that Oni could clearly see she was mostly in control. The other was the young stowaway, Matt.
Matt was an interesting case. Was he disposable? Link was preoccupied and Oni wanted him to stay that way. He would have to presume the boy was to be left out of danger as well.
The guard returned, snapping the whip. Oni turned to glare at the guard but was received with a scar across the cheek. Flames seared through his face drawing a groan from his throat. The leader laughed shortly until Oni glared at him with absolute rage. He stopped laughing but wielded the whip against Oni once again. Oni tore the black bond and grabbed the whip before it could land another blow.
He grinned maliciously, licking the blood from his cheek, he began to change, becoming himself once again. He stretched to his full height, glad for the freedom he had only experienced once before. In the back of his mind, he could feel Link's alarm and thought to the Hylian, {Calm yourself. I told you not to distract me in a fight.}
{Like you versus the shadow fighters is an actual fight.} Link stated drolly. Oni chuckled as he drew his sword {I suppose you're actually right on that Link.} Link noted the actual use of his name but stayed quiet as Oni went to work.
~~~~~
Zolaris was getting tired. Despite being tired, he was still full of energy. It was growing every second. He could feel it. More importantly, he could feel another power. It was not nearly as large as the previous explosion but it held the potential to be much greater. Zolaris felt the creature in him stirring. It wouldn't be long until he was taken over once again. He had to hurry before it could happen.
Yet, even then he wouldn't know when he is taken over. For all he knew, he could suddenly wake up before he realized he fell asleep at dawn with destruction all around. Then they would blame him. They would always blame him.
He knew he was the cause but he could never stop himself. He really couldn't help himself. But still they accused him and held him responsible. No, not all would point and cure him. Kohachan had been different. Kohachan had understood. Kohachan still understood.
Even as he was remembering the events of his life, the moon was shining down in all its glory. Soon, Zolaris knew no more. The sword gleamed brilliantly before the blade became a silver spear of pure power. It seemed as though it could be a mere illusion but that was not so. In replace of the blade was pure power.
The hilt changed only slightly. From where the shoulders of the Hydra would have been, just as the end of the hilt, two wings opened to offer even more protection. What was odd of the wings was they strikingly resembled crescent moons as the eyes were a continuous glow.
The demon fed off the pure power and claimed Zolaris body for himself. His eyes sharply leered into the night, glowing black. He laughed loudly as he looked at the sword once again. "Ah, I've returned. So, the Mystical Moon Blade is back to full power. Yes, that would explain how I'm present for the time being. It's about time as well. Zolaris has bee looking for a way to control me. What a pity. Life would be so much easier if he would simply accept me as part of him. Well, time for someone to die." He leaped into the night.
He came over the hill Zolaris had tried to cross. What he saw excited and intrigued him. It was a blackened crater. Obviously it was created by power well matching his own. From one of the holes in the ground, a glowing figure was coming out, carrying with him a young girl. What could this be? He grinned as he landed in the center of destruction and called to Oni.
Oni sighed. He had wanted a bit more time. At least enough to call upon Andrake. But it seemed that chance was gone. He'd have to make a home delivery. Matt could wait so long as this new fighter with the rather impressive sword could just wait a few seconds. "Hold! I'll be with you momentarily. You can take care of them for amusement. I won't be but a second." Oni aimed his sword at the approaching mass of fighters. Demon Zolaris smiled and prepared his blade. Before the new adversary could attack anything, Oni vanished with a prism of light, taking Crystal with him.
~~~~~
Andrake snorted as Katie paced the room, ranting throughout the long wait. How dare they cast her from her homeland! What would happen to her sweet pets? Where was the idiot responsible? She would give him a piece of her mind!
Just as Andrake was about to lose his temper, the bright prism of light appeared in the center of the room. Katie quieted upon seeing it as a strong warrior stepped from it. Over his muscular shoulder was draped the girl, Crystal. Katie snorted but said sweetly, "Why, who are you?" But she was ignored as Oni set Crystal in one of the beds, making sure she slept well before turning upon the outraged Katie.
Oni glared at her, he knew full well who this Katie was and he didn't like her one bit. With a swift motion, he brought the tip of his glowing blade to her mouth, "One more word, woman, and you will lack a tongue to utter. Andrake, I still have business elsewhere. Link tells you to take care of Crystal." Andrake nodded, only slightly imposed but greatly relieved as Katie remained silent.
Without a second word or glance, Oni left the same way he arrived. Time to test his own strength. Even if he did have the island to worry about, he would at least be able to exercise somewhat. Indeed, he was going to enjoy this fight.
~~~~~
CrysSton16: Get back here, Shadow Girl!!!
What? So I got you back! Now we're even!
CrysSton16: I didn't get you that hard!! Now stand still!
Oni: Knock it off! *Grabs mallet and turns it into dust*
CrysSton16: M-m-my mallet!
Oni! Umm . . . What are you doing here? Why . . . *thud*
Oni: Great. Now the authoress is knocked out. Well, till next time.
CrysSton16: Shadow Girl, you've kept us waiting long enough! Hurry and get to the chapter!
Eh? When did you get here?
CrysSton16: Just now. I heard you had a brainstorm or two . . .
^__^ Heh, heh, heh. I love my job. Gah! I know this is going to be great!! *Runs around the room* This is going to be GREAT!! Warning: I may be so hasty that there might be a few more mistakes than usual . . .
CrysSton16: *grabs up a trademark mallet* Target practice! *Chases authoress around the room* Weee! ^_^
Wait. Before the chapter . . . *THWAK* OWWW!! CrysSton!! I said wait!! T_T That hurt . . .
CrysSton16: *Hiding mallet* What? Oh, the dedications. Well, get on with it then.
Ahem . . . The chapter dedications go out to the Primagen, FantasyGamer9, Dragonkiller, Angle1, Shadow Knight, hyliansage, and Jelie36. Thank you all!!
CrysSton16: *flashes peace sign* I'll be here all day now.
Good! *Grabs away mallet* We have a score to settle now . . .
CrysSton16: 0_0 HELP!! *Runs away*
~~~~~~~
~ Answers ~
She stared at the dark blurs before her. The torturers. The fighters. They were staggering now. What had happened? The earth shook, that she realized, but through the pain and questions, she could not see the obvious. Her blood was at her feet, threatening to make her slip. Not that it would matter. She was on her knees anyway as the questioners stood over her.
The guard held the well-bloodied bamboo staff in his hands but looked at the walls, wondering, fearing they would close in as dust spilled from the ceiling. The translator leaned against the wall until finally the shudders dissipated. He commanded the guard to take Crystal away.
He obeyed, easily dragging the barely conscious Crystal through the wall. He took her over his shoulder to carry her up the stairs. Of all her parts, it was her mind they wanted to know more about. It would do no good to have it scrambled from a heavy hit. There was something odd about her. A mystery for them to discover.
Upon reaching the top level he stopped, the sight before him taking his attention away from any duty or preoccupation. Without any disregard, he dropped Crystal from his shoulder. The entire area was wiped black. Nothing, not tree or rubble was still standing within ten yards at the least. He leaned on his knees for support, trying to grasp what had happened.
Unnoticed, others gathered around him from underground. On the borders of destruction, only a few halves of buildings were still on top of the ground. In the center of the destruction, there was the limp figure of the boy. He was the one, the same who had been in the pit not too long ago. He was the same who was seized along with the girl!
With a low growl, the commander emerged from the underground section and quickly snapped more orders, "Summon the troops back from the east and west. Well, GO! The Kitsune will have heard that explosion, no doubt. They will come and we must be prepared." One of the younger ones ran to find a summoning horn, if there was any still in existence.
With a deep breath, the leader began his walk toward the limp figure. "The boy will pay for this. He will suffer for each and every one of our warriors killed. Oh, yes, he will." He kicked the boy in all his anger, sending Link skidding across the charred ground but Link never uttered a word of protest or pain.
"GET UP!!" He yelled at the young boy. So young, but so treacherous! He grabbed the boy's throat and easily lifted him of the ground. A pulse ran under his fingers, faint but still there. So, the boy was strong enough to survive. How could that be?!
He snorted and tossed the kid to the ground near the stairs. "Take him, and the girl. He will suffer aright but perhaps she will suffer upon watching him. It is obvious that she won't break under pain." He walked back and looked down at the battered, bruised, bloodied girl. "If we can't break her by body, we will break her by heart to get to her mind." The guards nodded and took both the young ones.
It would seem that their plan for the night attack was spoiled. Thanks to the boy, they'd have to do all they could just to defend themselves. NO! The mighty forces of the shadow fighters would not be fallen at the blade of one boy. One child! He would be punished. He would be shown their wrath. He would learn! They descended into the darkness, just as two white, gleaming eyes opened only a slit to look at each one of them before closing into rest once again.
~~~~~
Tarawen brightened quickly as an idea came to mind. Illusion! Why hadn't she thought of it earlier? But she couldn't go as any Kitsune. She would have to be one of the Sheikah. With the power of illusion, size and shape didn't matter.
She grinned and thought of which one to become. There was really only one way to finds out. She knew that not all the Sheikah could go, or that was a possibility. They wouldn't leave their charge, her father, behind as all of his warriors were spread out. With a momentary image of both Kohachan and Zolaris, she quickly crossed them out with a bright blush.
That left only one: The leader, Toloran. But could she pull off the personality of the responsible one? He was supposed to keep the other two in line most all the time though there was no doubt that that effort was not needed as it was six years ago when they were so young.
She clenched a fist and decided to go through with it. The worst that could happen was if she were caught. Though that thought was not a pleasant one, she shook it out and began to chant the spell.
As she chanted, she could feel the image come over her. Any who looked upon her, their eyes would be tricked to see the Sheikah leader standing or speaking before them. Ever their ears would b fooled to here the accent and depth of Toloran's voice. She looked at herself but saw herself as she was, not Toloran. She'd have to trust that the spell had worked.
With a deep breath for courage, she walked away from the hut only to run straight into Kohachan. She drew up as much courage as she could and excused herself from him, avoiding the absolute surprise in his eyes followed by a sudden smirk that appeared across his face.
Kohachan called after her, "Tarawen, knock it off. You aren't coming and that's final." Tarawen released the illusion though it made no difference to Kohachan as he could see right through the spell. She marched back to him, "You know, I have a bone to pick with you! WHY did you do that?"
What?" He asked innocently. She grew red with pure rage and began shouting at him. He stood his ground trying to make his ears stop working. But it was no use. He took a deep breath and caught both her shoulders. She nearly bit her tongue as she was forced to look in his eyes.
Without any hesitation pressed his lips against her. She slightly squeaked as well as she could but was soon silenced. Then wrapped her arms around him. Immediately she caught herself and shoved him away violently. Kohachan gave her a sly look before running off. She was left breathless and redder than she had ever been in her life.
Realizing what had happened, her blush deepened, if that was possible, and she screamed with all her might, "KOHACHANNNN!!!!"
~~~~~
Zolaris looked to the sun, ignoring the mighty scream from behind him even as all the Kitsune grabbed their ears in agony. Nothing would affect him that evening. It was nearing dusk and the brightness of the sky was beginning to fade. When night fell and the moon was right, he knew it would happen. What would happen from it, he didn't know but it would be bad. Really bad.
Decisively, he returned from the rooftop once again and went to Toloran. He was certain it would happen that night. He didn't want it to happen. Never did. But if he was in the right place at the right time . . . Perhaps it could be used it to their advantage.
"Toloran!" He yelled. Even with his lighter voice than the leader, he still managed to turn the heads of the officials in the building. Toloran waved him off a second as he stared hard over the board where the pieces were set.
Each piece was set in a strategic position. The game was almost won. In a sudden burst of anger, Zolaris slammed his fist into the middle of the board, knocking the pieces around and off the table, and looked to his leader, "It's happening tonight. I can't be here when it happens. You know I can't." Toloran rose and put his head beside Zolaris' ear, speaking quietly but sharply, "Calm yourself. You'll only make it worse.
"Don't worry, I've taken into consideration the timings of tonight as well as the mission. From what you've told me, something major happened down there." He guided Zolaris out the door, apologizing to the others for his quick leave.
He took Zolaris to a ledge looking at the coming sunset as he said, "From what Kohachan has told me, it could have been the Hylian, Link, who made that destructive swell of power and magic. I want you to go there. The fighters will try to act as a scab, gathering where the wound is.
"Tonight I want you to go there and see what your . . . other self . . . will choose to do. This will further the cause of finding out more of this demon in you and it will be a staggering blow to the fighters, no?" Zolaris sunk his head down in absolute misery of the knowledge.
He didn't care about going by himself. He wanted to do that. The knowledge that he also held a demon like Kohachan was disturbing enough. What was worse was while Kohachan held a firm grip on his demon, Zolaris' own demon would take complete control as the Hydra sword gathered all its power on the night of the full moon.
Toloran left him to think things out, knowing full well that he wouldn't see the boy again, at least for that night. Zolaris ignored the sudden silence and aloneness that fell over him. He stared at the sun, burning red as it slowly sank. Kohachan quite suddenly made himself known, red from exertion in running and from whatever shameless act he had committed.
Kohachan rested his hand on Zolaris silver hair in almost brotherly teasing as he tried to catch his breath again. Zolaris knocked him away, his irritation well formed as Kohachan leaned against the rail beside him, "You know, you never did ask for that spar I owe you."
Zolaris shrugged indifferently, "I don't care anymore. You know it's happening tonight. Do you even remember what I'm talking about?" Kohachan's eyes darkened at the memory of his own dark side, all signs of merriment vanished, "Yes, I do. Your demon, I know very well."
"So, what should I do? You have the same problem but you have a hold of it. Mine . . . takes all control. I don't even know what it does as it does it with my body! All you do is get a higher urge to kill. I'm not aloud to hold any urges, feelings, anything. I get trapped in a darkness I cannot escape." Kohachan nodded in understanding, "I found help in Hyrule. No, not Zelda. She never knew about it. It was my own secret. Well, mine as well as those who found out about it the hard way."
Zolaris looked at the sun as it was nearing the horizon. Hours had passed but he wanted time to slow even more. Delay what was to happen, though he never could. He sighed heavily, his usually optimistic spirit subdued under the threat waiting for him. "How do I escape it? How can I trust it even?"
"Has anyone died from it? Anyone who is actually good?"
"Well, no. Homes were destroyed and cattle slaughtered before their time but no innocents . . . But still it is a demon and has to be vanquished or at least controlled!"
Kohachan shook his head, "That isn't true, not completely. I needed my own demon, or else I would have been completely walked over. It was the spirit, the strength that held me up. I needed it until I was on my own two feet. You need yours and still do but you need it. A bit too much, though. If you fight for control over it rather than to kill it, perhaps you will gain that control you want. That is all I can say."
Zolaris thought over the new information. Though he was somewhat confused about it, he could try the new approach. He stood up and nodded, "Thanks, Kohan. Don't worry, I'll get you for that spar later." Kohachan held out his hand as he too leaned off the rail.
With a grin, Zolaris took Kohachan's forearm as Kohachan took his. "You are coming back, just realize that. If I have to drag you back myself, you are returning." Zolaris nodded, "I may need you to. That power I felt earlier, it didn't feel friendly. I have to go now. If I'm to get there in time, that is."
Both looked to the setting sun before releasing their grips. Zolaris shrugged, "I shall return." Kohachan nodded as Zolaris calmly walked away, taking his time until he got out of the tribe area where he would make as close to the base as he could before it was time. At his side, the eyes of the hydra gleamed. Awaiting the moonlight, thirsty for justice . . .
~~~~~
Link was confused. Everytime he was knocked out, he never realized it. But he knew it was only his spirit he controlled. Unharmed and fully clothed with the gilded blade on his back, he looked at his hands. He was himself in spirit but why was he conscious of it?
"Because it is time we met." Link spun around to see a glowing white figure in the darkness approaching him. It was small by distance but quickly growing as it drew nearer. "You've tapped into my power before and used it well. Well enough to please me, at any rate. But can you handle all of my power?"
The figure was easily recognized by then. His voice was the same he had heard just as he blacked out. The voice telling him he could not give in. {But can the Fierce Deity read my thoughts?} "Yes. Call me Oni. That is what I am known as other than the Fierce Deity, though I am both."
{Why am I here? What happened?} Link could already make out the . . . Oni's white eyes but then he could see that there indeed were pupils as well as bright, silver irises in his eyes. Oni shook his head, "Still the young, naïve kid. You wore my mask, thus bonding me to you. Myself as well as Darmani, Mikau, and the nameless Deku have become a part of you." Even as Oni named them off, each of the three appeared until they surrounded Link. They were the animate figures of the forms after performing the Elegy of Emptiness.
Link looked at the battle scarred Goron to the once fallen Zora to the simple, small Deku. "See, Link, we are as we were before our spirits were sealed in the masks." Mikau said in a bubbling voice. "But . . . I don't understand. Your spirits were healed. You passed on. Why are you all here, inside me?" Darmani boomed out, "Though you healed us and well, I might add, we are still a part of you. This is our afterlife. Ho, do not worry, there are worse endings for a life."
Link couldn't help but feel remorse. "Are you.trapped here? Until I die?" Oni spoke up even as the Deku tried to whistle and squeak a reply, "Stop being so foolish, Link. We are here, end of story. However, that is not the end of your story. We are only chapters in your story from Termina. You need us now. We are keeping you alive so you can help your friends on the outside." He grinned as the Deku squeaked its irritation at Oni.
Link sighed, he still didn't understand and doubted he would. "Why am I here? Why can I see you now? It's been a month since I wore your masks. Why now?" Darmani crossed his huge arms over his scarred chest. "Because of the fight. Obviously, the Fierce Deity here is the strongest of us but even he was exhausted after the fight with Majora. We were also quieted after the challenges. You didn't need us so we were quiet. Now, your power is drained very badly. We are her to share energies until you gather enough of your energy back-"
Oni quickly intercepted, "However, I won't let you wake up as you are. Kid, you are way too soft. I plan to take things into my own hands once again."
"WHAT?!" Link suddenly snapped. Oni glared at him, "You wouldn't get the job done. Besides, there is a great power also growing. Even as we speak, that power is also making its way here. You would never survive a fight with it and a fight is exactly what it wants. I will match against it, though the fight will be a long one.
"You, Link, will stay here in your own sub-conscious." Link fumed for a moment but then demanded, "You can't harm Crystal. If you've been with me this whole time, then I know you know about her. You can't harm her." Oni nodded, "Understood. You hold feelings for this girl. I will simply have to get some aid in that case. There should be time. But if there is to be enough, I will have to start now."
Link watched as his own power grew. So, Oni was drawing upon Link's power. Was that really enough? Link couldn't feel any strain or pressure or even strength coming to him. He saw the flame that represented his power flaring into a pillar of pure power. A feat he could not have done alone. So, Oni was simply using Link's body much as Majora had used the Skull Kid.
Oni grinned at Link, "Don't worry. I'm not that evil. We can still talk. Just think of whatever you want to tell me. I will hear you and will be able to reply . . . if I'm not too busy, of course. As in, don't distract me in a fight, got that?!" Link nodded but he still wasn't happy with the thought. Oni shrugged and vanished into nothing. Was that how Link appeared when he was conscious? Could they see him in his sleep? Could the others read his thoughts?
He looked to each of them but none responded. He sat on the ground, if it was ground beneath his booted feet and was suddenly utterly bored. {Oni, what are you going to do?}
{Enlist a swift aid to retrieve your lady.} The response came from all around him but with a greater power than just sound as Oni had spoken to him earlier. Link suddenly realized what Oni had said. Her grew red with both embarrassment and rage and suddenly yelled out, "She's not my lady! She's just a friend. Can you understand friend?" There was no response.
"Okay, so he can't hear me like this." Link shrugged. He'd yell at Oni later. If later ever came. Mikau and Darmani both settled down as the Deku fell to the ground and bounced slightly. "So . . . what do you guys do down here all the time?" Darmani pounded one fist into the other, "Take orders from that high and mighty Fierce Deity."
Mikau added smoothly despite his bubbled voice, "Well, that and jam out. Deku here dances, if you can call it dancing. Mostly Oni watches you. Especially when something is actually happening. He saw the Tyrant Wolf as you called it and saw the fighters. Mostly, he saw the guys you were fighting. Oh, he saw Gramps when you learned that totally awesome wave. He even had to aid in that last wicked performance." Mikau set the fish bones guitar in his lap as Darmani agreed, "He has been watching whatever you watched but only when he was interested. He wasn't interested in your lady but I think he doesn't care at all about your life. It's your fights that keeps him here."
Link was fuming but then asked, "What do you mean by 'kept him here?'" Darmani looked at Link in surprise, his eyebrows raising up on his gray forehead as he stated with a shrug, "He could have let you died. But then he would have no body. Literally. Neither would we so I'm kind of glad he did stay with you."
A memory suddenly came to Link, "Hey, what about my dreams. Can he see into them?" The Deku began to whistle an explanation but Mikau cut him off with a raised guitar, "Well, he was in one just recently. You probably remember cause he made it quite vivid. See, he can so long as there is no other force stopping him. Those flames? That was wicked cool but it could have claimed you and killed you. Oni didn't want that. None of us did."
He tilted his head back in thought, "Well, he couldn't get you to wake up, even though he was able to under normal circumstances." Link folded his arms and suggested, "So the circumstances weren't normal. Then what was wrong?"
Darmani laughed even as the Deku was slowly whistling in rage, sounding much like a steam pot, "He tried. Oh, he tried until he was driven to cursing every ancient and recent language that ever existed but still he couldn't get to you like he did the other night. There was a power closing him in here. It wanted you to die so it kept Oni back. Only just so but it did. Thank the Goddesses for angels, eh?"
Link nodded as he remembered the experience when quite suddenly, the Deku went berserk. Mikau began to laugh as he used his guitar to hold off the attacking Deku. With a fit of bubbles, the Deku won his way past the guard and tackled the laughing Zora as Link began trying to pull the creature spirit off and then Darmani got into it as well with his huge hands pulling Mikau out from under the Deku. Thus ensued Link's first scuffle with friends who remembered.
~~~~~
Oni couldn't help but grin as he realized Link was actually having fun. Perhaps that would keep him quiet in his head. A smart blow to the side of his head brought him to the issue at hand. The main leader of the fighters was staring him in the face. He glared straight back, not a sign of pain or fatigue marked his face as he had taken over Link's body.
Unlike Link, though, Oni could understand the fighter's language. "Soldier, remind me. How do we teach lessons?" The guard complied, "We use the bamboo, Sir." The leader grinned, "Not the bamboo. This nuisance needs something a little more . . . convincing." The guard nodded and left to another underground chamber.
Oni rolled his eyes. They expected that he would let them harm Link with the same attack Majora used? Ridiculous fools. He glanced over at the fellow occupants. There was only two. Well, two bodies but three were present whom he could not injure. One was Crystal with Navi within her, comforting and supporting her to the point that Oni could clearly see she was mostly in control. The other was the young stowaway, Matt.
Matt was an interesting case. Was he disposable? Link was preoccupied and Oni wanted him to stay that way. He would have to presume the boy was to be left out of danger as well.
The guard returned, snapping the whip. Oni turned to glare at the guard but was received with a scar across the cheek. Flames seared through his face drawing a groan from his throat. The leader laughed shortly until Oni glared at him with absolute rage. He stopped laughing but wielded the whip against Oni once again. Oni tore the black bond and grabbed the whip before it could land another blow.
He grinned maliciously, licking the blood from his cheek, he began to change, becoming himself once again. He stretched to his full height, glad for the freedom he had only experienced once before. In the back of his mind, he could feel Link's alarm and thought to the Hylian, {Calm yourself. I told you not to distract me in a fight.}
{Like you versus the shadow fighters is an actual fight.} Link stated drolly. Oni chuckled as he drew his sword {I suppose you're actually right on that Link.} Link noted the actual use of his name but stayed quiet as Oni went to work.
~~~~~
Zolaris was getting tired. Despite being tired, he was still full of energy. It was growing every second. He could feel it. More importantly, he could feel another power. It was not nearly as large as the previous explosion but it held the potential to be much greater. Zolaris felt the creature in him stirring. It wouldn't be long until he was taken over once again. He had to hurry before it could happen.
Yet, even then he wouldn't know when he is taken over. For all he knew, he could suddenly wake up before he realized he fell asleep at dawn with destruction all around. Then they would blame him. They would always blame him.
He knew he was the cause but he could never stop himself. He really couldn't help himself. But still they accused him and held him responsible. No, not all would point and cure him. Kohachan had been different. Kohachan had understood. Kohachan still understood.
Even as he was remembering the events of his life, the moon was shining down in all its glory. Soon, Zolaris knew no more. The sword gleamed brilliantly before the blade became a silver spear of pure power. It seemed as though it could be a mere illusion but that was not so. In replace of the blade was pure power.
The hilt changed only slightly. From where the shoulders of the Hydra would have been, just as the end of the hilt, two wings opened to offer even more protection. What was odd of the wings was they strikingly resembled crescent moons as the eyes were a continuous glow.
The demon fed off the pure power and claimed Zolaris body for himself. His eyes sharply leered into the night, glowing black. He laughed loudly as he looked at the sword once again. "Ah, I've returned. So, the Mystical Moon Blade is back to full power. Yes, that would explain how I'm present for the time being. It's about time as well. Zolaris has bee looking for a way to control me. What a pity. Life would be so much easier if he would simply accept me as part of him. Well, time for someone to die." He leaped into the night.
He came over the hill Zolaris had tried to cross. What he saw excited and intrigued him. It was a blackened crater. Obviously it was created by power well matching his own. From one of the holes in the ground, a glowing figure was coming out, carrying with him a young girl. What could this be? He grinned as he landed in the center of destruction and called to Oni.
Oni sighed. He had wanted a bit more time. At least enough to call upon Andrake. But it seemed that chance was gone. He'd have to make a home delivery. Matt could wait so long as this new fighter with the rather impressive sword could just wait a few seconds. "Hold! I'll be with you momentarily. You can take care of them for amusement. I won't be but a second." Oni aimed his sword at the approaching mass of fighters. Demon Zolaris smiled and prepared his blade. Before the new adversary could attack anything, Oni vanished with a prism of light, taking Crystal with him.
~~~~~
Andrake snorted as Katie paced the room, ranting throughout the long wait. How dare they cast her from her homeland! What would happen to her sweet pets? Where was the idiot responsible? She would give him a piece of her mind!
Just as Andrake was about to lose his temper, the bright prism of light appeared in the center of the room. Katie quieted upon seeing it as a strong warrior stepped from it. Over his muscular shoulder was draped the girl, Crystal. Katie snorted but said sweetly, "Why, who are you?" But she was ignored as Oni set Crystal in one of the beds, making sure she slept well before turning upon the outraged Katie.
Oni glared at her, he knew full well who this Katie was and he didn't like her one bit. With a swift motion, he brought the tip of his glowing blade to her mouth, "One more word, woman, and you will lack a tongue to utter. Andrake, I still have business elsewhere. Link tells you to take care of Crystal." Andrake nodded, only slightly imposed but greatly relieved as Katie remained silent.
Without a second word or glance, Oni left the same way he arrived. Time to test his own strength. Even if he did have the island to worry about, he would at least be able to exercise somewhat. Indeed, he was going to enjoy this fight.
~~~~~
CrysSton16: Get back here, Shadow Girl!!!
What? So I got you back! Now we're even!
CrysSton16: I didn't get you that hard!! Now stand still!
Oni: Knock it off! *Grabs mallet and turns it into dust*
CrysSton16: M-m-my mallet!
Oni! Umm . . . What are you doing here? Why . . . *thud*
Oni: Great. Now the authoress is knocked out. Well, till next time.