~ Disclaimer ~ I don't own Zelda. I own all my ideas and have friends to
support me so that is all I need to fly. Care for a ride?
*Glowing* Very sorry for the vacation I took but I did need to get my balance back. Everything was trying to crash. I admit, I did cheat on that last chapter. As in, it was acted out between a friend and myself then adapted to suit the chapter.
Well, this one is purely of my own ideas changed only to the effect of the later chapters and the ultimate story line . . . the story line that is the backbone and base to the legend unfolding before our eyes.
CrsSton16: Woah. Heh, she is really intent on this one. I'm going to stand back and watch.
*Grins* Now, as for the dedications.
Shadow Knight (I hold no grudge. Nor does Kohachan), Jelie36 (Well, nothing posted is ever pre-written. I make it up on the spot after a lot of thought and post it after polishing. Heh, Crystal is sleeping but I got a fair idea. Thank you anyway), Primagen (what is there for me to say to you that hasn't been said? Well, thank you for all the help you provide. Seriously, you are a life-saver), Dragonkiller (I'LL GET TO THAT!!! Yes, life gets hard for all, including me, but I won't give up! Stop chewing on every tiny detail, it is impossible to warp to the gates), Great Divide (Hola! I'm glad to see another reader. Thanks for your first review! ^_^), Angle1 (Have I shown a better side of myself? She has a tid-bit of the next work . . .)
Now, enough talk. Let us get to the good part . . .
~~~~~~~
~ Can't Stop Sleeping Awake ~
Oni stared at the demon, knowing full well that the attack would come soon. Like a time bomb, he could feel the attack was coming soon. He braced himself, creating as good a defense as he could without it being noticed.
Two yellow eyes peered through the foliage. Having arrived much earlier than the encounter between the two deities. The white one could be nothing less with the shining silver eyes as well as the war paint. But the other was so much different.
Covered in black all except the pale skin and silver hair, this one held the glowing sword with no steel. Its blade made purely of radiating power. The yellow eyes saw the blade and wanted that power. Wanted it badly. He had crept closer ever so little at a time. Tension in the air between the two had built since they stopped talking.
He crouched behind the black one but several yards away and behind a mostly toppled stone wall. The white one seemed only to stare at the dark one but never noticed him. He breathed heavily into his mask as the tension in the air crackled between the two. He would have to move fast and silently as well as at just the right moment . . .
Oni finally felt the tension nap. The demon vanished only to appear only a foot behind Oni! Oni didn't miss a beat. He spun his grip on the handle of the sword and stabbed backward towards the demon but was met by the power of the sword. Unable to pierce the power that was the Light Moon Blade, he did all he could to hold off the opposing force. The demon smirked, "You can't possibly still think you can defeat me. Ludicrous."
With only a charge of the Light Moon Blade, he threw Oni off and grinned widely even as the deity easily caught himself on his hands then back- flipped to his feet. The demon looked at the moon and set the tip of the powerful blade into the earth. He spoke only a few short words and his eyes, gleaming black with a small spot of light that was the full moon's reflection.
Oni stood his ground and watched the attack unfold. A blue light seeped upward from the ground at first, bathing the demon's arms and shoulders in power before with a sudden shout of power from the demon, the slight power grew immensely into a ball of flaming blew erupting from the entire blade.
Oni held up his sword and focused all the power he could into the cross of the blade as the blue power washed painfully over him. He could feel the energy drain from himself wherever that attack hit him. Namely, his shoulders and legs. He grunted slightly and tried to recover himself but found that to be a more challenging task than first expected.
The fighter hugged the wall as best he could as the wave of power swept over him. A deadly beam of light, but the wall's shadow protected him. He looked at the blade of power with a new desire for it. If he could just claim that blade, none would stand before him. Then he could avenge his fallen comrades before crushing the Kitsune single-handed! Not to mention the red-head Sheikah . . .
He grinned as his eyes gleamed. He stood up then as the demon had his back turned to the soon to be thief. He began to quietly tap his left toe on the ground while in a half crouch. The white deity seemed tired then. Real tires after receiving at least a bit of the attack. Yet there was no doubt that Oni knew the fighter was there. He suddenly called to the demon, "What do you plan to do if you cannot even perform the ritual this night? Why waste your power for naught in fighting me?"
Demon Zolaris answered with a sneer, "Not that it is any of your business but I will destroy you this night so there will be none in my way for later. I found Crystal and she won't be leaving me again. With you out of the way, I can easily seek out the other one to open the door."
Oni laughed loudly at that and said casually, "And what if I told you that you need more than just that?" He smirked contentedly as the demon cocked an eyebrow in concern then continued, "I'm the Fierce Deity, used to every legend and lore known for several thousand years. You think the legend of the God Blade went without my knowing of it? No.
"To unlock the gate, you must have the courage to face the Dark Moon God as well as the power, or the ability, to talk to the Light Moon God. Do the two traits of courage and power sound familiar to you?" The demon's eye twitched in irritation as he yelled in an odd screech, "Yes! It is a coincidental relation to the Triforce. So what?"
Oni shook his head, "For a big and bad demon, you need to study up some more. The third part of the Triforce also plays a roll. The Triforce of Wisdom. One must also hold the third key that is the wisdom to speak to the two Gods in the unlearned tongue. Then and only then will the gates open . . . if they haven't already been opened."
The demon snorted, "As if I'm to believe that. No. Time for talk is over, Deity. Now, die!" He raised the sword upward and the wind circled the flaming blade. The wind picked up but only in front of the blade's aim. Only around Oni. The howl of the wind deafened the telltale tapping of a foot as the fighter was getting ready for his own attack.
Oni felt his tunic whip around his thighs at the suddenly high pressure of the wind. He growled and planted himself to the ground better, sending three more rapid disks at the demon. These struck as the demon's wind drew them to him but they were only enough to annoy him further.
The wind began dragging Oni forward until the ground crumbled before him, unable to stop him any further. With a roar, the demon lifted the blade upward. With the sword went the wind and with the wind went Oni.
A look of pure victory filled the demon's black eyes as he chanted the spell that was the true attack. Shining in the blade, several dozen light streaks went against the cyclone and struck into, around, and through Oni. Oni bit his tongue as each strike hurt like the hell-fire Link had felt.
Cutting through the wind, the shining slices of power created enough tiny vacuums to suck the skin apart, tearing rather than cutting into Oni's skin. As soon as the true attack was over, Oni fell limp to the ground. Limp, but well awake and aware.
The demon grinned at his fallen foe but then realized in the dead silence, an odd tapping in the air. He cocked his ears to realize it was coming from behind him. He turned to find a black clad fighter with a length of belt flowing behind him spring lightly into the air and land running.
Confused to no end, the demon didn't react as the fighter dashed past him, forcibly ripping the hilt of the blade from the demon's hand. Demon Zolaris realized what had happened and slowly turned to find the fighter stopping with a skid in the dirt, holding the hilt to one side, the glow of the non-metal blade flowing behind him a few seconds after the dash.
Oni grinned as he closed his eyes. At least that was a fair distraction. The fighter shouted in triumph as he felt the power of the blade grow through his arm, making it stronger then all through his body. Nothing seemed impossible. The demon yawned in annoyance as the fighter swung the blade like a toy then performed expert moves with it, testing it's speed and weight. His own speed was increased while he felt lighter on his feet.
Stepping toward the fighter as well as Oni, the demon said, "You've had your prank. Now, return that blade or die a very painful death." The fighter laughed loudly and shook his head. There was no way he would give up the newly acquired power.
The demon sighed, the night was going to be rougher than he thought. He spoke quietly, speaking in a language Oni barely made out and the fighter couldn't understand. The eyes of the Hydra began to glow red with malevolence.
From all around, the shadows closed in on the blade until it did seem to be solid. The fighter, unafraid of the parlor tricks, attacked the demon but the weight of the blade was suddenly too much for him.
Stopping in his tracks from confusion, he felt the blade being pulled to the ground. The tip touched the ground but then the light of the blade reflected across the hilt, over the crescent moons, and up the sinuous necks of the Hydra, taking on that form.
Soon, the power was a fog of pure light rearing over the fighter, eyes glittering red as each of the three heads growled in anger. The left head held the fighter's gaze as the right head looked to Oni with a hungry leer. The center head looked to Demon Zolaris and nodded, closing it's eyes in submission as the demon crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for the inevitable.
The hydra spirit cocked each head and opened each mouth in anticipation as they swung their attention back to the false wielder. As one, they descended into the fighter, going into his eyes and to his mind.
The fighter screamed even as the light of the blade vanished with the descending serpent. Even when the dull hilt fell to the ground, the spirit did not pull away. The false wielder would be punished for daring to touch the sacred sword.
Demon Zolaris knew this would take some time but seeing what was going on inside the foolish thief would be somewhat interesting. He calmly picked up the fallen hilt and easily brushed the sand away.
The light had gone out, into the spirit of the hydra thus into the fighter but it would return eventually. He looked at the unseeing eyes of the fighter and set his hand on the person's forehead and closed his own eyes as an image was coming to mind.
From the distance, a trap door was opening ever so slightly. After a peak around, the figure crawled from the underground tunnel. With a quick exclamation of surprise upon seeing the three in the middle of the destruction, the figure darted behind the very wall the fighter had been behind.
Glad all was quiet, the figure retreated once again but only to the trap door once again. A voice spoke softly as the figure picked up a young girl. "Don't worry, Crystal. Nothing will harm you this night. Not if I have a say in it." He lifted Crystal onto his back, letting her legs over his hips and her arms drape over his chest, he began a gentle run toward the jungle.
Eyes closed, Demon Zolaris did not see the slight movement of the shadows. He only saw the image playing in the fighter's head, where there was no escape. The fighter stood over a barren wasteland. Not even a burnt bush to hide behind as a roar caused the ground to tremble beneath him. Voices whispered promises of pain and suffering. Decay and death.
Forgetting the technique of shadow dash, the fighter screamed in terror at the next roar and began to run. Behind him, leathery wings beat the dull gray sky. The breath of the serpent beast seemed just on the fighters' neck and he continued to run with all his strength.
His heart felt as though it would burst. The sound of the creature was coming closer. His legs burned from effort but he wouldn't stop. The landscape passed under him but never changes. A dry desert of cracked dirt all around for as far as he could see. The voices never left him, tormenting him with images of his clan and family burning, wilting, dying before his eyes.
Tears began to fall down his cheeks as his knees buckled and he fell. The voices stopped, chased away by their master. All was quiet except for the sound of the swooping wings. The creature roared a deafening sound that caused the fighters blood to freeze in his pulsing veins.
There was a final shudder as the wings folded along the spiny dorsal of the creature. Three great heads commanded respect and attention. Tears staining his bare face, the fighter looked up at the creature. The eyes of the center head held him in a iron grasp. He looked into the eyes and tears flowed free as he saw faces.
Again and again, a face was shown to him. Each face belonged to a person dead. Kitsune of every different shade from black to gray to white. Young, old, grown males, mothers, children, all of them he helped to kill. Each came back to him and each announced him guilty before the beast judge before him.
The fighter cried to the hydra, crying for forgiveness. The left head reared back in rage, eyes flashing red it suddenly spoke to him in a harsh voice. Stones grinding together could have matched the enraged rumble, "How many have cried to you for mercy? How many times have you ignored their voices and slain them for pleasure? How many have you killed before they could ask for life? Babies not even born, their blood stains your hands! We see that all too clearly."
The fighter felt a great fear over him under the Hydra's rage but, when he raised his hands to bury his face in shame, they were indeed covered in blood. Blood from old matted his palms and climbed up his arms even as new bright red blood dripped from his fingers.
He trembled and his breath came quick as he looked up at the Hydra, new tears coursed his cheeks as the left head spoke, "Not all is lost. You regret and that fairs well for you." The fighter was speechless for the jump rising in his throat. This voice was different, musical and pleasant.
Finally the center head spoke with neutrality, "Justice must be done. The spirits of the lost one's ask for it, the ones left behind to mourn cry for it, and I demand it!" the wings of the hydra flared open as it reared onto its back legs.
Ghosts flew from the spans of the wings, catching the fighter's arms and legs as he jumped back, they drew him, kicking and screaming toward the Hydra's chest. Smothered against it, he felt a fire burning from the scales but it eventually faded. Eventually, everything faded.
The fighter collapsed. His body falling under the demon's hands and breaking the connection. Demon Zolaris regarded the blade for a moment in confusion. Why the lecture? Wasn't it supposed to terrorize then destroy the fighter?
Like a mist, the light seeped from the fighter's dead body and returned to the blade, creating the length of it once again. The eyes of the hydra were for some reason unexplained changed into a hint of blue among the silver. Gripping the hilt, the power of the blade was the same yet not nearly as exciting to wield as before. Why?
He regarded the weapon for a moment longer before realizing something was different. Not only was the sky turning pale and the stars fading, someone was missing! He turned around to see the trap door hanging wide open. He cursed loudly and vanished to reappear next to the pit.
It was empty. Where the two had been was obvious but they both were gone. He hadn't released his sleeping spell so she couldn't have gotten away on her own. It had to have been the boy. He must have woken up and carried her away.
With a string of several colorful and sharp curse he knew, he looked around to see only one set of footprints running toward the jungle. It was to boy. The girl had been barefoot.
He glared at the trail even as the sky was gaining shades of light. One hour left until daybreak. The nightmare had lasted a long time . . . He shrugged it off and started after the runaways.
Unable to determine how far they got, he couldn't go to them via shadow walk. He had to find the way the hard way, follow them and kill the boy. The jungle was his home while he had no idea where he was going. An all too simple task to hunt down the child. It was only a race against time.
Matt continued to jog, having lost his shirt and vest to the fighters, he wore the same attire Link had been provided but had claimed his boots as well as a dark dagger from near the wall before taking off with Crystal. The girl was breathing strong and her pulse was healthy. Why wouldn't she wake up?
Sounds behind him boded danger to him. He stopped and listened. A nearly silent sound but the hunter was being hasty and a bit clumsy, or else he couldn't help but make noise by an injury . . .
He looked around for any kind of cover. Anything to hide Crystal away in. There! It was near the stream where it was much narrower and flowed faster down a hill. He adjusted Crystal on his back and jogged with her to the thick trees.
One of them had had water flowing under it and managed to become hollow under the tree while the roots formed a dome of a shelter. He carefully set her in, feeling himself lighten up after setting the burden aside then stacked more brush and cover around her small shelter, fully shielding her from glancing eyes.
The sound of the hunter was closer then. A branch creaked under his weight while predawn was windless. Matt smirked slightly, her knew the hunter was no fox person like those who inhabited the island. Nor was he anyone he knew for they all were surely either unacknowledged to his whereabouts except for Crystal or she was the only one who cared to search for him . . .
Before he could think more of it, he turned to find the demon string at him eye-level. With a surprised yelp, he stepped backward and fell to the ground. The demon stood his full height and stared hatefully at the boy, "Where is the girl?" His voice was low and rough, hardly audible even to Matt's good ears.
He looked around and shrugged, daring a quick innocent grin to the demon. Demon Zolaris felt his eye twitch with unwanted irritation. He set the power blade of the sword too close to Matt's bare chest for comfort but the boy didn't flinch away. The demon wasn't going to kill him until he knew where Crystal was for some reason.
He used this to his advantage, daring to lean up and eventually stand. The blade was pulled away but at his confident grin, he received a boot to the head and was sent flying backward into the tree Crystal hid under. He cried out loudly as the round trunk knocked the air from his lungs. He ell to the ground, unable to catch himself for fatigue and poor health while being held captive, he fell to his knees and to his chest.
The demon didn't take his time with the boy. Bounding over to him, Demon Zolaris landed on the boys' back, possibly breaking a few ribs as the kid sucked in breath through clenched teeth and groaned in agony. Satisfied at the sound of suffering, he knelt near the kid's head, "Tell me where you put her. I know you took the girl, boy. I will promise a quick death for you if you do."
When had Matt heard that before? He tried to think and remembered listening to them from the trap door. What had the other guy said? Ah! He chuckled and opened one eye to look at the demon, "You'll have to give me a better offer than that." He kind of hoped it was correct.
Sure enough, the demon reacted accordingly. He grabbed Matt by the back of the neck and pulled the boy up. Holding him up, he asked the kid, "Well, will you change your mind?" The very top of the mountain was crowned with the golden rays of the sun.
Matt held his arms to the hand behind his head, trying to make the demon let go but it was futile. The demon shook him slightly but still Matt remained quiet. Finally, the demon squeezed Matt's neck until a satisfying pop was heard. Matt took a small gasp but fell silent, his arms falling to his sides limply, the demon grinned in satisfaction when a feeling within him pulled him under.
As the sun was breaching the horizon and the moon set under the mountain, the Light Moon Blade returned to its disguise as the normal Hydra blade. Demon Zolaris was quieted and Zolaris himself blinked rapidly to clear his thoughts. What had he been doing?
He looked down at himself to see flecks of blood on his uniform, the blade was coated with it but more importantly, his arm was extended and holding a boy by the neck. He gasped and set the kid down but he fell forward.
"Oh, no. This cannot be. This has never happened before. What . . . have I . . ." Zolaris fell to his knees on the stone ground. The bright sun filled the sky making it paler and paler blue. The stars slowly faded into the blue dawn but every thought in Zolaris mind was still dark. It was bad enough when he woke up to find a destroyed home or stolen goods. But murder? He couldn't go back. Not after this. Killing an innocent boy no less!
In anger, he pounded the ground with his fist until and couldn't keep himself. He asked aloud, "Why did I do this? What could have happened that I would do this?"
"Nothing." A voice answered calmly. He looked up to see the shining brown eyes of the boy who he thought to be dead. The boy was fingering the back of his neck but grinning widely at his own act. Zolaris eyes widened and mouth fell agape as the kid laughed out loud, "Man, you are the first one to fall for that opossum trick! But thanks for cracking my neck. Feels better now!" He continued laughing as Zolaris was rendered speechless.
"Um . . . what did I miss?" Crystal stood by the makeshift shelter rubbing a bit of sleep from her eyes then, after seeing the two, was even more confused. Matt got to his feet a bit slowly, a hand going to his tender ribs and he went to Crystal saying good-naturedly, "Nothing at all, just a bit of rough-housing and a very bad nightmare. Now, let's get out of here."
Zolaris whispered amen to that and followed the two out of the jungle.
~~~~~~~
So, what did ya think? Awe, Shadow Knight, you know I wouldn't kill your character . . . yet. *Whistles innocently*
Anyway, this actually took two days to make but is still a sit down and type kind of thing. First night I got home from vacation real late then went to bed in the a.m. cause I couldn't very well see anymore! OK, that's my rave.
^_^ More reviews please? My E-mail box is hungry for them . . .
Till next time!
*Glowing* Very sorry for the vacation I took but I did need to get my balance back. Everything was trying to crash. I admit, I did cheat on that last chapter. As in, it was acted out between a friend and myself then adapted to suit the chapter.
Well, this one is purely of my own ideas changed only to the effect of the later chapters and the ultimate story line . . . the story line that is the backbone and base to the legend unfolding before our eyes.
CrsSton16: Woah. Heh, she is really intent on this one. I'm going to stand back and watch.
*Grins* Now, as for the dedications.
Shadow Knight (I hold no grudge. Nor does Kohachan), Jelie36 (Well, nothing posted is ever pre-written. I make it up on the spot after a lot of thought and post it after polishing. Heh, Crystal is sleeping but I got a fair idea. Thank you anyway), Primagen (what is there for me to say to you that hasn't been said? Well, thank you for all the help you provide. Seriously, you are a life-saver), Dragonkiller (I'LL GET TO THAT!!! Yes, life gets hard for all, including me, but I won't give up! Stop chewing on every tiny detail, it is impossible to warp to the gates), Great Divide (Hola! I'm glad to see another reader. Thanks for your first review! ^_^), Angle1 (Have I shown a better side of myself? She has a tid-bit of the next work . . .)
Now, enough talk. Let us get to the good part . . .
~~~~~~~
~ Can't Stop Sleeping Awake ~
Oni stared at the demon, knowing full well that the attack would come soon. Like a time bomb, he could feel the attack was coming soon. He braced himself, creating as good a defense as he could without it being noticed.
Two yellow eyes peered through the foliage. Having arrived much earlier than the encounter between the two deities. The white one could be nothing less with the shining silver eyes as well as the war paint. But the other was so much different.
Covered in black all except the pale skin and silver hair, this one held the glowing sword with no steel. Its blade made purely of radiating power. The yellow eyes saw the blade and wanted that power. Wanted it badly. He had crept closer ever so little at a time. Tension in the air between the two had built since they stopped talking.
He crouched behind the black one but several yards away and behind a mostly toppled stone wall. The white one seemed only to stare at the dark one but never noticed him. He breathed heavily into his mask as the tension in the air crackled between the two. He would have to move fast and silently as well as at just the right moment . . .
Oni finally felt the tension nap. The demon vanished only to appear only a foot behind Oni! Oni didn't miss a beat. He spun his grip on the handle of the sword and stabbed backward towards the demon but was met by the power of the sword. Unable to pierce the power that was the Light Moon Blade, he did all he could to hold off the opposing force. The demon smirked, "You can't possibly still think you can defeat me. Ludicrous."
With only a charge of the Light Moon Blade, he threw Oni off and grinned widely even as the deity easily caught himself on his hands then back- flipped to his feet. The demon looked at the moon and set the tip of the powerful blade into the earth. He spoke only a few short words and his eyes, gleaming black with a small spot of light that was the full moon's reflection.
Oni stood his ground and watched the attack unfold. A blue light seeped upward from the ground at first, bathing the demon's arms and shoulders in power before with a sudden shout of power from the demon, the slight power grew immensely into a ball of flaming blew erupting from the entire blade.
Oni held up his sword and focused all the power he could into the cross of the blade as the blue power washed painfully over him. He could feel the energy drain from himself wherever that attack hit him. Namely, his shoulders and legs. He grunted slightly and tried to recover himself but found that to be a more challenging task than first expected.
The fighter hugged the wall as best he could as the wave of power swept over him. A deadly beam of light, but the wall's shadow protected him. He looked at the blade of power with a new desire for it. If he could just claim that blade, none would stand before him. Then he could avenge his fallen comrades before crushing the Kitsune single-handed! Not to mention the red-head Sheikah . . .
He grinned as his eyes gleamed. He stood up then as the demon had his back turned to the soon to be thief. He began to quietly tap his left toe on the ground while in a half crouch. The white deity seemed tired then. Real tires after receiving at least a bit of the attack. Yet there was no doubt that Oni knew the fighter was there. He suddenly called to the demon, "What do you plan to do if you cannot even perform the ritual this night? Why waste your power for naught in fighting me?"
Demon Zolaris answered with a sneer, "Not that it is any of your business but I will destroy you this night so there will be none in my way for later. I found Crystal and she won't be leaving me again. With you out of the way, I can easily seek out the other one to open the door."
Oni laughed loudly at that and said casually, "And what if I told you that you need more than just that?" He smirked contentedly as the demon cocked an eyebrow in concern then continued, "I'm the Fierce Deity, used to every legend and lore known for several thousand years. You think the legend of the God Blade went without my knowing of it? No.
"To unlock the gate, you must have the courage to face the Dark Moon God as well as the power, or the ability, to talk to the Light Moon God. Do the two traits of courage and power sound familiar to you?" The demon's eye twitched in irritation as he yelled in an odd screech, "Yes! It is a coincidental relation to the Triforce. So what?"
Oni shook his head, "For a big and bad demon, you need to study up some more. The third part of the Triforce also plays a roll. The Triforce of Wisdom. One must also hold the third key that is the wisdom to speak to the two Gods in the unlearned tongue. Then and only then will the gates open . . . if they haven't already been opened."
The demon snorted, "As if I'm to believe that. No. Time for talk is over, Deity. Now, die!" He raised the sword upward and the wind circled the flaming blade. The wind picked up but only in front of the blade's aim. Only around Oni. The howl of the wind deafened the telltale tapping of a foot as the fighter was getting ready for his own attack.
Oni felt his tunic whip around his thighs at the suddenly high pressure of the wind. He growled and planted himself to the ground better, sending three more rapid disks at the demon. These struck as the demon's wind drew them to him but they were only enough to annoy him further.
The wind began dragging Oni forward until the ground crumbled before him, unable to stop him any further. With a roar, the demon lifted the blade upward. With the sword went the wind and with the wind went Oni.
A look of pure victory filled the demon's black eyes as he chanted the spell that was the true attack. Shining in the blade, several dozen light streaks went against the cyclone and struck into, around, and through Oni. Oni bit his tongue as each strike hurt like the hell-fire Link had felt.
Cutting through the wind, the shining slices of power created enough tiny vacuums to suck the skin apart, tearing rather than cutting into Oni's skin. As soon as the true attack was over, Oni fell limp to the ground. Limp, but well awake and aware.
The demon grinned at his fallen foe but then realized in the dead silence, an odd tapping in the air. He cocked his ears to realize it was coming from behind him. He turned to find a black clad fighter with a length of belt flowing behind him spring lightly into the air and land running.
Confused to no end, the demon didn't react as the fighter dashed past him, forcibly ripping the hilt of the blade from the demon's hand. Demon Zolaris realized what had happened and slowly turned to find the fighter stopping with a skid in the dirt, holding the hilt to one side, the glow of the non-metal blade flowing behind him a few seconds after the dash.
Oni grinned as he closed his eyes. At least that was a fair distraction. The fighter shouted in triumph as he felt the power of the blade grow through his arm, making it stronger then all through his body. Nothing seemed impossible. The demon yawned in annoyance as the fighter swung the blade like a toy then performed expert moves with it, testing it's speed and weight. His own speed was increased while he felt lighter on his feet.
Stepping toward the fighter as well as Oni, the demon said, "You've had your prank. Now, return that blade or die a very painful death." The fighter laughed loudly and shook his head. There was no way he would give up the newly acquired power.
The demon sighed, the night was going to be rougher than he thought. He spoke quietly, speaking in a language Oni barely made out and the fighter couldn't understand. The eyes of the Hydra began to glow red with malevolence.
From all around, the shadows closed in on the blade until it did seem to be solid. The fighter, unafraid of the parlor tricks, attacked the demon but the weight of the blade was suddenly too much for him.
Stopping in his tracks from confusion, he felt the blade being pulled to the ground. The tip touched the ground but then the light of the blade reflected across the hilt, over the crescent moons, and up the sinuous necks of the Hydra, taking on that form.
Soon, the power was a fog of pure light rearing over the fighter, eyes glittering red as each of the three heads growled in anger. The left head held the fighter's gaze as the right head looked to Oni with a hungry leer. The center head looked to Demon Zolaris and nodded, closing it's eyes in submission as the demon crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for the inevitable.
The hydra spirit cocked each head and opened each mouth in anticipation as they swung their attention back to the false wielder. As one, they descended into the fighter, going into his eyes and to his mind.
The fighter screamed even as the light of the blade vanished with the descending serpent. Even when the dull hilt fell to the ground, the spirit did not pull away. The false wielder would be punished for daring to touch the sacred sword.
Demon Zolaris knew this would take some time but seeing what was going on inside the foolish thief would be somewhat interesting. He calmly picked up the fallen hilt and easily brushed the sand away.
The light had gone out, into the spirit of the hydra thus into the fighter but it would return eventually. He looked at the unseeing eyes of the fighter and set his hand on the person's forehead and closed his own eyes as an image was coming to mind.
From the distance, a trap door was opening ever so slightly. After a peak around, the figure crawled from the underground tunnel. With a quick exclamation of surprise upon seeing the three in the middle of the destruction, the figure darted behind the very wall the fighter had been behind.
Glad all was quiet, the figure retreated once again but only to the trap door once again. A voice spoke softly as the figure picked up a young girl. "Don't worry, Crystal. Nothing will harm you this night. Not if I have a say in it." He lifted Crystal onto his back, letting her legs over his hips and her arms drape over his chest, he began a gentle run toward the jungle.
Eyes closed, Demon Zolaris did not see the slight movement of the shadows. He only saw the image playing in the fighter's head, where there was no escape. The fighter stood over a barren wasteland. Not even a burnt bush to hide behind as a roar caused the ground to tremble beneath him. Voices whispered promises of pain and suffering. Decay and death.
Forgetting the technique of shadow dash, the fighter screamed in terror at the next roar and began to run. Behind him, leathery wings beat the dull gray sky. The breath of the serpent beast seemed just on the fighters' neck and he continued to run with all his strength.
His heart felt as though it would burst. The sound of the creature was coming closer. His legs burned from effort but he wouldn't stop. The landscape passed under him but never changes. A dry desert of cracked dirt all around for as far as he could see. The voices never left him, tormenting him with images of his clan and family burning, wilting, dying before his eyes.
Tears began to fall down his cheeks as his knees buckled and he fell. The voices stopped, chased away by their master. All was quiet except for the sound of the swooping wings. The creature roared a deafening sound that caused the fighters blood to freeze in his pulsing veins.
There was a final shudder as the wings folded along the spiny dorsal of the creature. Three great heads commanded respect and attention. Tears staining his bare face, the fighter looked up at the creature. The eyes of the center head held him in a iron grasp. He looked into the eyes and tears flowed free as he saw faces.
Again and again, a face was shown to him. Each face belonged to a person dead. Kitsune of every different shade from black to gray to white. Young, old, grown males, mothers, children, all of them he helped to kill. Each came back to him and each announced him guilty before the beast judge before him.
The fighter cried to the hydra, crying for forgiveness. The left head reared back in rage, eyes flashing red it suddenly spoke to him in a harsh voice. Stones grinding together could have matched the enraged rumble, "How many have cried to you for mercy? How many times have you ignored their voices and slain them for pleasure? How many have you killed before they could ask for life? Babies not even born, their blood stains your hands! We see that all too clearly."
The fighter felt a great fear over him under the Hydra's rage but, when he raised his hands to bury his face in shame, they were indeed covered in blood. Blood from old matted his palms and climbed up his arms even as new bright red blood dripped from his fingers.
He trembled and his breath came quick as he looked up at the Hydra, new tears coursed his cheeks as the left head spoke, "Not all is lost. You regret and that fairs well for you." The fighter was speechless for the jump rising in his throat. This voice was different, musical and pleasant.
Finally the center head spoke with neutrality, "Justice must be done. The spirits of the lost one's ask for it, the ones left behind to mourn cry for it, and I demand it!" the wings of the hydra flared open as it reared onto its back legs.
Ghosts flew from the spans of the wings, catching the fighter's arms and legs as he jumped back, they drew him, kicking and screaming toward the Hydra's chest. Smothered against it, he felt a fire burning from the scales but it eventually faded. Eventually, everything faded.
The fighter collapsed. His body falling under the demon's hands and breaking the connection. Demon Zolaris regarded the blade for a moment in confusion. Why the lecture? Wasn't it supposed to terrorize then destroy the fighter?
Like a mist, the light seeped from the fighter's dead body and returned to the blade, creating the length of it once again. The eyes of the hydra were for some reason unexplained changed into a hint of blue among the silver. Gripping the hilt, the power of the blade was the same yet not nearly as exciting to wield as before. Why?
He regarded the weapon for a moment longer before realizing something was different. Not only was the sky turning pale and the stars fading, someone was missing! He turned around to see the trap door hanging wide open. He cursed loudly and vanished to reappear next to the pit.
It was empty. Where the two had been was obvious but they both were gone. He hadn't released his sleeping spell so she couldn't have gotten away on her own. It had to have been the boy. He must have woken up and carried her away.
With a string of several colorful and sharp curse he knew, he looked around to see only one set of footprints running toward the jungle. It was to boy. The girl had been barefoot.
He glared at the trail even as the sky was gaining shades of light. One hour left until daybreak. The nightmare had lasted a long time . . . He shrugged it off and started after the runaways.
Unable to determine how far they got, he couldn't go to them via shadow walk. He had to find the way the hard way, follow them and kill the boy. The jungle was his home while he had no idea where he was going. An all too simple task to hunt down the child. It was only a race against time.
Matt continued to jog, having lost his shirt and vest to the fighters, he wore the same attire Link had been provided but had claimed his boots as well as a dark dagger from near the wall before taking off with Crystal. The girl was breathing strong and her pulse was healthy. Why wouldn't she wake up?
Sounds behind him boded danger to him. He stopped and listened. A nearly silent sound but the hunter was being hasty and a bit clumsy, or else he couldn't help but make noise by an injury . . .
He looked around for any kind of cover. Anything to hide Crystal away in. There! It was near the stream where it was much narrower and flowed faster down a hill. He adjusted Crystal on his back and jogged with her to the thick trees.
One of them had had water flowing under it and managed to become hollow under the tree while the roots formed a dome of a shelter. He carefully set her in, feeling himself lighten up after setting the burden aside then stacked more brush and cover around her small shelter, fully shielding her from glancing eyes.
The sound of the hunter was closer then. A branch creaked under his weight while predawn was windless. Matt smirked slightly, her knew the hunter was no fox person like those who inhabited the island. Nor was he anyone he knew for they all were surely either unacknowledged to his whereabouts except for Crystal or she was the only one who cared to search for him . . .
Before he could think more of it, he turned to find the demon string at him eye-level. With a surprised yelp, he stepped backward and fell to the ground. The demon stood his full height and stared hatefully at the boy, "Where is the girl?" His voice was low and rough, hardly audible even to Matt's good ears.
He looked around and shrugged, daring a quick innocent grin to the demon. Demon Zolaris felt his eye twitch with unwanted irritation. He set the power blade of the sword too close to Matt's bare chest for comfort but the boy didn't flinch away. The demon wasn't going to kill him until he knew where Crystal was for some reason.
He used this to his advantage, daring to lean up and eventually stand. The blade was pulled away but at his confident grin, he received a boot to the head and was sent flying backward into the tree Crystal hid under. He cried out loudly as the round trunk knocked the air from his lungs. He ell to the ground, unable to catch himself for fatigue and poor health while being held captive, he fell to his knees and to his chest.
The demon didn't take his time with the boy. Bounding over to him, Demon Zolaris landed on the boys' back, possibly breaking a few ribs as the kid sucked in breath through clenched teeth and groaned in agony. Satisfied at the sound of suffering, he knelt near the kid's head, "Tell me where you put her. I know you took the girl, boy. I will promise a quick death for you if you do."
When had Matt heard that before? He tried to think and remembered listening to them from the trap door. What had the other guy said? Ah! He chuckled and opened one eye to look at the demon, "You'll have to give me a better offer than that." He kind of hoped it was correct.
Sure enough, the demon reacted accordingly. He grabbed Matt by the back of the neck and pulled the boy up. Holding him up, he asked the kid, "Well, will you change your mind?" The very top of the mountain was crowned with the golden rays of the sun.
Matt held his arms to the hand behind his head, trying to make the demon let go but it was futile. The demon shook him slightly but still Matt remained quiet. Finally, the demon squeezed Matt's neck until a satisfying pop was heard. Matt took a small gasp but fell silent, his arms falling to his sides limply, the demon grinned in satisfaction when a feeling within him pulled him under.
As the sun was breaching the horizon and the moon set under the mountain, the Light Moon Blade returned to its disguise as the normal Hydra blade. Demon Zolaris was quieted and Zolaris himself blinked rapidly to clear his thoughts. What had he been doing?
He looked down at himself to see flecks of blood on his uniform, the blade was coated with it but more importantly, his arm was extended and holding a boy by the neck. He gasped and set the kid down but he fell forward.
"Oh, no. This cannot be. This has never happened before. What . . . have I . . ." Zolaris fell to his knees on the stone ground. The bright sun filled the sky making it paler and paler blue. The stars slowly faded into the blue dawn but every thought in Zolaris mind was still dark. It was bad enough when he woke up to find a destroyed home or stolen goods. But murder? He couldn't go back. Not after this. Killing an innocent boy no less!
In anger, he pounded the ground with his fist until and couldn't keep himself. He asked aloud, "Why did I do this? What could have happened that I would do this?"
"Nothing." A voice answered calmly. He looked up to see the shining brown eyes of the boy who he thought to be dead. The boy was fingering the back of his neck but grinning widely at his own act. Zolaris eyes widened and mouth fell agape as the kid laughed out loud, "Man, you are the first one to fall for that opossum trick! But thanks for cracking my neck. Feels better now!" He continued laughing as Zolaris was rendered speechless.
"Um . . . what did I miss?" Crystal stood by the makeshift shelter rubbing a bit of sleep from her eyes then, after seeing the two, was even more confused. Matt got to his feet a bit slowly, a hand going to his tender ribs and he went to Crystal saying good-naturedly, "Nothing at all, just a bit of rough-housing and a very bad nightmare. Now, let's get out of here."
Zolaris whispered amen to that and followed the two out of the jungle.
~~~~~~~
So, what did ya think? Awe, Shadow Knight, you know I wouldn't kill your character . . . yet. *Whistles innocently*
Anyway, this actually took two days to make but is still a sit down and type kind of thing. First night I got home from vacation real late then went to bed in the a.m. cause I couldn't very well see anymore! OK, that's my rave.
^_^ More reviews please? My E-mail box is hungry for them . . .
Till next time!