~ Disclaimer ~ As a friend said, we authors/authoresses don't own Zelda.
We are just here on ff.net to write down our own ideas. I agree with him.
Hmm . . . this legend needs to move a little bit faster, eh? Unfortunately, I doubt we'll be looking at Katie for a long time to come. But she is still out there with the other freed slaves.
Back on the home court, so to speak, Link seems busy with keeping everything together. Okay, so Oni is busy but then he is using Link's body, making it his own. That is just confusing but you know what I mean. And Kohachan attacked Tarawen! Well, Angle1 had a good point. Kohachan wanted his own space. But I can give this much away. He is not Shasta's chosen Warrior. Remember? There are three ^_^
Kohachan: You are right. We had better move along or this legend of MonoChronos design is going to get too confusing and far out of control. Looks like some time gaps will come into play.
Yep. And thanks for reminding me! This legend was thought up by MonoChronos and he has given me permission only to write it out. Thank you, MonoChronos!
Kohachan: Why not simply go to the dedications so we can get underway?
*Looks at the red head* Me thinks the story is messing with you here. Hey, what did you do to Shadow Knight?
Kohachan: *points upward* He will be quiet for a time now.
0.o; *looks up to find Shadow Knight hanging on a flagpole* Okaayyy . . . But yeah. Let's get this going. This chapter is for:
Shadow Knight's characters. Umm . . . sorry about that.
Jelie36. In all truth, those blades being switched WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN T_T But it did so we have to hang on for dear life to try and understand how the heck tat happened. And, it does work in favor of an interesting twist.
MonoChronos. *Bows* Yes, I know this legend is yours and no, I'm not using you. I'm in debt for your letting me borrow your ideas and the credit still goes to you.
Catrinastars. Yeah! You understand everything pretty much perfectly! Except one thing pointed out earlier. Three demons -_^ Kohachan is playing the part of the middleman, so to speak.
LunaYami. *Laughs* Okay, make up your mind. Who are you voting for? Yeah, Tarawen could have taken care of herself but then bloodshed would be included, though Kohan is already bleeding . . .
Omega Zero. Glad to hear you're still out there. Hey, I don't blame you for partying when you can. But save some drink for me! *Flinches at a glare from Kohachan* Okay, nevermind. Heh ^_^; Under age here. So the challenge is still up? Cool.
Angle1. Yep. Demon Kohachan has a different personality from our redhead friend all together. Yet Kohachan is still in there and more conscious than Zolaris was.
Well, now that that is understood, more or less, let's see how far this chapter takes us! Unfortunately, there is a lot of ground to cover so bear with it. ^_^;
~~~~~~~
~ Explanation, Please ~
So, life is going to get a lot more interesting, Andrake thought to himself. Yet, even as he ran across the field, easily losing anyone who was chasing him, he was smiling to himself. He felt as though, with that simple act, he had freed himself up also. As though a yolk over his shoulders has finally been lifted and he was free to run at his own pace.
Yet, as always, this freedom came with a price. This land he had served was going to have to be left behind in his wake. Home was not to be the same for him. But that was only a concern of the heart. He would survive. With his newfound comrades and a new purpose, life would go on for him. There was no reason to regret. But did he?
Andrake laughed aloud for a moment then let his grin spread as he was nearing Gramp's home. He didn't regret at all! Crystal would want to stay with that boy, Link. Well, he could just stay in that land as well with Link.
The land of pointed eared people.
That did sound interesting enough. Had he not been running at his fastest, Andrake would have done a quick dance step as his soul leapt for joy of this freedom. Despite himself, he was breathing harder than he had wanted by the time he stopped before the forest leading to the old house. His grin only slightly faded as he saw Gramps and Matt both screaming at each other over something he couldn't make out just yet.
With a grin, Andrake remembered his screaming with the old man. It only happened twice before as he could remember. But the old man would never give in. Cait stood near Diamond while Shekro was content to stand guards over the house before perking his ears to Andrake. Cait saw Shekro then turned to Andrake as well before running to him and hugging his waist while talking a mile a minute about what was going on.
"Easy there . . . everything is okay. Now . . . what is going on?" Andrake asked between breaths. Cait calmed down and tried again, "Matt and that old man began talking about why we are here but we are trying to find Gramps and the old man wants to know why but Matt won't tell him cause only Gramps needs to know. Matt asked where Gramps is but the old man won't tell and still wants to know why Matt is looking for Gramps." She took her own deep breaths as Andrake tried his hardest to keep from busting out in laughter.
He thought for a moment of teasing Matt but then a flash of Crystal's condition came to mind. When he had last seen her, she was on Death's doorstep. Time was precious and he quickly went to settle things, Cait following on his heels.
"Matt, stand down. This old man is Gramps." Matt turned to Andrake's voice but ignored the comment before drawing his staff onto the old man, aiming for a blow to one shoulder. Andrake grinned to himself, seeing the dire mistake the boy was making in drawing a weapon on Gramps. He held Cait back as she wanted a closer watch.
To Matt's surprise, Gramps revealed a sword from his side and managed to defend against the high swing. Using the sword to shove off the staff, Gramps brought it around quickly to strike at Matt's unprotected ribs with the flat of the blade. Cait winced and even Diamond shied away as Matt fell to the side.
Growling as he rose, Matt leveled his staff at Gramps with one hand and patted himself down from the dirt gained on his vest. "Okay, old man, you want to dance? Let's go!" He brought the staff around him and tried to thrust one end of it at Gramp's chest only to have it parried to the side again and the flat of Gramp's blade striking his shoulder rather hard.
Again the others winced in sympathy. However, Matt did not fall from this attack. He was ready and kept his feet under him. He grinned then and used the staff to help gain height as he leaped up then tried kicking down at Gramps only to see the old man move out of the way and strike Matt on the back of the neck with the hilt of his blade. "Enough!" Gramps roared, though Matt seemed to want to continue the fight.
Andrake nodded as he let Cait go to Matt's side. Though, all she did was ask if he was okay then scold him for being an idiot in a fight. He grinned at her and patted the slightly tender shoulder. Gramps called to Andrake, "I'm glad to see you are alive. But where is Crystal?"
"She is in Hyrule. I came to get her things and to tell you of this. Before you get riled up again, let me explain, please."
~~~~~
"Let me see that, already." Tarawen was her humanoid self again as she took Demon Kohachan's bloodied hand. He stiffened at her touch as mostly forgotten pain was flared anew at the movement. Oni and Link were indifferent as the information Kohachan had given them sank in.
Closing her eyes in concentration, Tarawen gripped that hand tighter. His own curiosity growing, Demon Kohachan watched as his wound closed and the scar cleared away from his palm, though his hand and wrist were still coated with his dried blood. He nodded as Tarawen opened her eyes and let his hand go quickly enough.
"How could the blades have been switched?" Link asked as he looked to the Sheikah demon once again. Demon Kohachan shrugged and crossed his arms, never minding the blood set into the ash on his tunic. "How it happened is unknown. But it did happen. Nine nights are all we have. Make your peace with the Goddesses by then, Hero."
Leaning away from the support beam then, Demon Kohachan started walking away from the clearing and toward the forest. The moat around the castle flowed through the forest there and eventually on to a river to the ocean again. The feel of blood coating his hand, even if it was his own blood sickened even him.
Not missing a beat, Tarawen followed him, holding her arms against the cold even as Link called to them, "Hey, go to the castle or Kakariko later. We have to find the others, okay?" Tarawen nodded to him, "I'll be sure we are there. Wherever Kakariko is."
"Kohachan knows, I'm sure. See ya there!" Link played his ocarina then. The Prelude of Light pierced the noon day air and with a flash of yellow light, Link vanished to the Temple of Time near the marketplace and castle. Tarawen grinned at Link's trick then chased after Kohachan, "Wait up! Where are you going?"
He shrugged lightly, knowing she would catch on eventually. He also was thinking of the blades of the moon. How had they been switched? A slim yet strong hand closed over his shoulder and spun him around once more. Again he was facing an annoyed Tarawen, "Do not ignore me, Sheikah. Now, where are we going?" She studied his features as they seemed lighter than before and his eyes were bright red once again.
With a small grin, Kohachan held the bloodied hand before her face, knowing it would make her back up somewhat. "I'm going to wash, that's all." His tone was lighter and even carefree as he turned to continue on his way. Tarawen recovered herself and followed quickly. The feel of fresh water after being amid the ocean for so long would be more soothing.
She perked her ears then, to the sound of chopping. Someone was cutting down a tree?! She became a tiny fox and tried to dash past Kohachan to find who I was and stop them. She didn't get far, though. Kohachan plucked her up by the scruff of the neck and held her out of claw range. A fox's claws are not nearly as painful as a cat's but they could scratch nonetheless.
He locked eyes with her, becoming more serious, "Tarawen, hunters search through these woods looking for small 'legendary' rabbits. You could be mistaken for one. Stay with me, if anything, while in that form." He set her on his shoulder then and continued along the way to the stream even as the gray clouds overhead even under the sun let fall the first of snowfall.
The stream was still a bit of ways ahead but the leaf littered path made it a pleasant, if less than silent, walk. Despite the dried leaves, though, the Sheikah made less sound than a deer. Tarawen watched the snow and realized how cold it was without the heat from the burned building and the demon's anger keeping the area warm. She shivered slightly, her fur rising up as she watched the snow in fascination.
{This is snow?} Kohachan nodded and cocked an ear to the chopping. The sound bringing back flashes of both memory and other scenes, the ring holding the script on his finger began to glow slightly as he could see in his mind flashes of axes at his door. He had to stop and set a hand to a nearby tree, the other, bloodied hand going to his head. {Kohachan, what is wrong?}
More flashes, scenes of the men wearing hoods their eyes still visible filled with hate, fear, and determination. Boots kicking the splintering door in. Three entered the room, two remained outside. The largest one looked around and finally his rough, builders' hands closing over the picture of him and his mother. A knife carving expertly into the back with their trademark symbol before spitting upon it then throwing it out the window, crashing the glass. Knives, axes, hammers, everything destroying the house and items inside before the raiders left from the building.
Fire. Torches held with cheers and hollers all rising. Then the torches going through the side windows of the house. The bed chamber, the washing place, even the study room with walls of text and history hand written went up in slowly spreading flames.
As the visions passed, Kohachan stood steadily again, the chopping rang in his skull until he went into a dash after the sound, southward. Tarawen's claws slightly dug into his shoulder as she held on. {Kohachan, what the heck are you doing?!?} Unable to ignore her voice but choosing not to answer, Kohachan kept up the run then paused as the chopping was near. He kept his side to a tree then glanced out to see.
The carpenter's father was chopping at a large, evergreen tree near Kakariko village. He was the one. He had carved the insignia. He had led te raid. He was the one who would pay the price of losing Kohachan's past.
The steam from the carpenter's nose and mouth showed man's breaths were coming hard and quickly. He was tired. Tired from working in the cold, to be sure, but also from working from sunrise to sunset. But the thought of those who would appreciate the heat this wood would bring was enough to keep him going. Another tug at his scarf to protect his neck and he continued the work. Yet something felt wrong. He felt he wasn't alone. Looking to the woods, though, he saw and heard no one at all. He shrugged and brought the ax up to continue chopping bits of wood from the already dented tree.
Kohachan had pulled away from spying. He could still see the target in his mind's eye and knew exactly how to approach. The prey wouldn't know what hit him before it was too late. Kohachan had a knife in his hand before the thoughts were fully perceived.
His eyes dilating, Kohachan shifted his weight slightly, ready for a fast dash. Tarawen felt the gentle shift, saw what was going on, then gasped before sinking her teeth hard into Kohachan's pointed ear. Widening his eyes even as they flecked with gold, Kohachan stopped himself from closing a hand over the tiny fox to squeeze the life out of her. Rather, he knelt to balance on the balls of his feet, and smothered the yelp in his throat. His thoughts danced in turmoil of murder, pain, betrayal, and even gratitude for the interruption.
Taking a few moments to regain himself did cost him. The tree was felled behind him and the carpenter had left to find his sons to help in chopping manageable pieces. Tarawen carefully didn't speak to him as he looked back to where the carpenter was only to find him gone off to finish the job some other time. But still, the hunt was on and it would not so easily be put off.
Several minutes passed without disturbance and a fine coat of snow had settled unnoticed over them both. When it seemed he was calmed, Tarawen pressed against his cheek a bit. {Come on. We have to get out of this cold and get you cleaned up. Link said to meet up with him in Kakariko. Let's go there, please.}
Kakariko. Yes, that is where the carpenter and his sons lived. Silently, his face unreadable, Kohachan stood from the kneeling position. The snow falling from his back and sides as Tarawen brushed off his shoulder. Both were wet from snow melting by body heat and the blood on Kohachan's hand was mostly cleaned off. Tarawen held easy balance as Kohachan started through the forest again. Both their breaths steamed in the air. He finally added, "Yes. He did say to meet him there. And it will be warmer and dry indoors."
Tarawen wasn't put off by his tone but she left him alone for a bit. Perhaps he just needed to get over his home being destroyed. The very thought made her mentally grimace. "Getting over" such a thing was not a simple task, she knew. But at least she wouldn't leave him alone to cope.
~~~~~
Link hoped Kohachan would be okay. He had a feeling Tarawen would take care of him. Through the woods, he ran for all his might. He was home. This place, though unfamiliar, held the same feeling the rest of Hyrule did. He was home and wouldn't let any troubles catch him. He reached the end of the tree line only to reach a bit of a cliff.
Looking down to the middle of the pit, he found himself at the Kakariko graveyard. Leaping down the cliff and landing with a forward roll, He hopped to his feet and kept up a running pace, his arms to the side as though he would fly. He ran down the stairs from the graveyard then under the large wooden signpost between a line of trees. Running down the path, he soon found himself in the old village of Kakariko.
The back of the archery place, the pen where the cuckoos were kept with the chicken lady ever present there. Even the old well and the windmill just beside him. Everything was as he remembered them. Smiling brightly, Link ran through the village as e had done in the past. Both the one he had experienced, and the one that supposedly never happened. Let Oni stew over the legend and the confusions. He was himself as he was promised to be.
His thoughts snapped back to his new friends. Zolaris and Toloran must've still been with the ship, or something. He would have used the ocarina but the only point closest to the beach was the one upon Hyrule Lake. Looks like Link was hoofing it. Another realization rocked him. Epona! He had left her in Dondoran! That brought his light spirit crashing down. Link reasoned to himself, it was only right to let her owners know about it. Otherwise, they'd become suspicious of seeing Link without her.
His resolve set, Link continued his run out of Kakariko and toward the field. Running endlessly, he knew he could reach the ranch soon enough. Even as his feet flew to not stumble down the steps, his mind raced with exactly what he was going to say. How could he tell them he lost their favorite mount? Well, perhaps Zelda could help him out in arranging to get Epona back. But then she was a very clever horse. She would stay safe and return to Hyrule sometime.
Link's pace had slowed as he still didn't know what to tell Malon and her father just yet. He took a deeper breath, the air of Hyrule filling his lungs once again. A glance around refreshed his memory with every hill, fence-line, and the plateau set in the center of the field. In that same glance, he saw a rather unusual sight.
Going toward the ranch at a pretty slow pace was a two-wheeled wagon. Crates were loaded on it as an old yet well-muscled horse pulled it along. There seemed to be four people around it. Two sat at the front, one sat on the back of the wagon, feet dangling off the end while the fourth walked behind it talking to the one sitting there.
The one sitting on the end of the wagon was a young girl. Her hair fell mostly down her back and even from the distance, Link could tell she wore a dress down to her ankles. He watched them while he picked up his pace a little. One of them in the cart driving the horse was a large man. He even had a bulbous nose as he calmly drove the horse through the snowy field. Link grinned, easily recognizing that duo to be Talon and his daughter, Malon.
They were heading for the ranch. But who were the two with them? The other riding beside Talon looked as though he were either freezing or growing sick. But the other talking to Malon seemed fine with the new falling snow. It could have been the two other Sheikah, but Link wasn't sure just yet. He continued his unnoticed pursuit, slowly gaining on them as the horse lazily plodded along, dragging the obvious heavy cargo.
~~~~~
They decided to talk it over in the house and over lunch. Andrake bounced on leg in impatience till Cait had to ask him about it. He waved her off then finished his whole story, "So, I've left them and am now here with these two and trying to get back to Crystal." He drank down the last of his milk as though it were liquor.
Gramps smoothed his beard, thoughtfully stoking it as he absorbed the story. "Well now, after explaining this deal about the Sheikah, that smoothes out a lot of riddles and mysteries of happenings around here as of late." He met Andrake's questioning glance as the ex-knight's leg quit bouncing. He waved it off but rose and went to the main room with the fire hearth. Beside the hearth, the dragon hilt sword was leaned against the wall as Gramps had disarmed himself.
Andrake followed him, soon pursued by Cait then Matt, who didn't want to be left behind. Gramps fingered the head of the dragon that was the end of the hilt. His fingers stroked its neck to the wing like guards opened before the sheathe. He grasped the neck-like hilt and picked the blade and sheathe up to hold it in both hands then unsheathed the blade again.
The metal was tinted black still from the recent event. He shivered slightly at the memory and the nightmares just before and after that night. Cait tugged on his tunic, "What's wrong? You're pale . . ." Gramps patted the child's head and smiled at her before turning to look at Matt. "You . . . you might be able to take on this blade."
At that point, Andrake threw a fit, "What?! How does the boy get that blade? Gramps, don't you think that if Matt could barely defend against you, then he shouldn't be allowed to attempt to wield it? Why won't you give it to me to wield? I'll leave this sword to you!" Andrake unbuckled his own long blade from his side and offered it to Gramps. Yet, with a raised hand, Gramps denied Andrake.
"You, Andrake, are too ambitious to hold such a blade. Not to mention you probably could gain the power this thing has shown as of late." He regretted those words as soon as he spoke them. Under the stare of both young men as well as the curious eyes of Cait, Gramps heaved a sigh then began while sheathing the blade, "This sword, is not an ordinary blade.
"It began only about ten nights ago. First, they were waking nightmares. Nightmares of darkness, born by dragon's wings. A raging beast, demanding a foe. That sword was the origin of the monster. The jewel eyes of the hilt would glow." Gramps didn't notice if they were listening or about to comment, though they weren't. He stared at the blade, at the jewel eyes of the dragon's head, "One night, it wasn't just a dream. Oh, the darkness was not a dream at all. It was a full moon outside but that moonlight seemed to be held back by the shadows, or blotted out before entering the window. I crawled out of bed to see to it and the blade seemed to hiss in it's sheathe. Something drew me to it. Against all logic, I wanted to grasp the hilt and draw the blade from its confinement.
"Thankfully, Shekro here was more immune to the spell cast." Gramps grinned at the black wolf even as Shekro was sticking by Cait's side for some reason. Matt and Andrake both looked at the sword under a new light before Matt pointed out, "There are actually a lot of magic blades. Not all of them are unlocked so easily. Usually, it can only be unlocked by the right hands. So if either knight boy here or I used it, it wouldn't matter. We both have swords. Let's duel for it!" He faced Andrake challengingly.
Andrake scoffed, "Like we have time for that! We have to go now!"
"But what about the sword?"
"We'll leave the cursed sword!" Andrake was up to yelling again.
Gramps cut in. "No, you cannot leave this blade here. Call it a swordsman's intuition but this blade has to go with you! Andrake, you should not be the one to carry it because of the sword abilities you already know. All except that which I taught Link. Your powers might unlock the swords' darkness again."
With a light groan, Matt asked monotone, "And you think I have no ability with a sword? But heck, the reason it needs to go to Hyrule is that the blade is probably looking for the wielder. It changed a few nights ago? That's when Zolaris went demon on us. That blade must have something to do with that demon." Before Gramps could comment, Cait grew restless then wrapped her hands around the blades' sheathe and began walking off with it. Before any of them could object or take it away from her, Cait said honestly, "I'm only a little kid, so I don't completely understand what you three are talking about. But it seems if either swordsman was to carry it, something bad will happen. Yet it needs to go to Hyrule, and we're the best to take it. So I'll carry it."
She went up to Matt, "Can we go now? I want to see if Crystal is okay." Matt scratched his head. He wasn't sure about it, though Andrake laughed outright, "The kid has a point! Come on, Matty." Andrake turned toward the door, walking with a quick enough pace for his cape to flare gently behind him. "Don't call me Matty!" he followed nonetheless but paused and grinned to Gramps, "You still owe me a fight now. I'll be back!" Cait grinned sheepishly at her friend then followed the two boys out even as Gramps accompanied them.
Through talking and lunch, Matt and Cait had busily packed up supplies for the journey. Matt and Cait would double up on Diamond, though that would slow them down and the horse wouldn't be able to run so far so long. Gramps sighed as he looked at the over burdened palomino. They expected to travel like that? He raised his fingers to his lips and blew a gentle tune Crystal said Link play before.
Sure enough. A young, well-muscled red and white-coated mare charged through the woods to reach them. Snorting in confusion, she reared slightly then settled, her eyes growing calm, as Gramps spoke to her and she recognized a few of the people. Matt was a stranger she was not sure of, though.
Andrake smiled a bit as he recognized Epona. "Well, now, that cuts the trip time down somewhat. Okay, let's get this re organized. Hmm . . Cait, you'll ride Epona while carrying that sword. Don't worry, I'll fix a way for it to strap to your back. That'll make it easier. Now, let's get ready to go!"
~~~~~~~
A reviewer once asked how I deal with school and still update so fast. I'll answer that now. I can't -_-; Have no clue how I did, but can't anymore. That's why this one is late. Hopefully, the next one will be sooner ^_^;
Hmm . . . Kohan bent on vengeance, Link rounding everyone up, and Gramps' sword is going back to Hyrule. Anyone have a clue on what will happen? ^- ^;; lol Well, it'll come ever so slowly. Building tension here! Just as Demon Kohachan said, both blades went off together, despite one didn't have a wielder. Now the blades are getting together, so to speak. That's all for now, folks. So . . .
Until next time!
Hmm . . . this legend needs to move a little bit faster, eh? Unfortunately, I doubt we'll be looking at Katie for a long time to come. But she is still out there with the other freed slaves.
Back on the home court, so to speak, Link seems busy with keeping everything together. Okay, so Oni is busy but then he is using Link's body, making it his own. That is just confusing but you know what I mean. And Kohachan attacked Tarawen! Well, Angle1 had a good point. Kohachan wanted his own space. But I can give this much away. He is not Shasta's chosen Warrior. Remember? There are three ^_^
Kohachan: You are right. We had better move along or this legend of MonoChronos design is going to get too confusing and far out of control. Looks like some time gaps will come into play.
Yep. And thanks for reminding me! This legend was thought up by MonoChronos and he has given me permission only to write it out. Thank you, MonoChronos!
Kohachan: Why not simply go to the dedications so we can get underway?
*Looks at the red head* Me thinks the story is messing with you here. Hey, what did you do to Shadow Knight?
Kohachan: *points upward* He will be quiet for a time now.
0.o; *looks up to find Shadow Knight hanging on a flagpole* Okaayyy . . . But yeah. Let's get this going. This chapter is for:
Shadow Knight's characters. Umm . . . sorry about that.
Jelie36. In all truth, those blades being switched WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN T_T But it did so we have to hang on for dear life to try and understand how the heck tat happened. And, it does work in favor of an interesting twist.
MonoChronos. *Bows* Yes, I know this legend is yours and no, I'm not using you. I'm in debt for your letting me borrow your ideas and the credit still goes to you.
Catrinastars. Yeah! You understand everything pretty much perfectly! Except one thing pointed out earlier. Three demons -_^ Kohachan is playing the part of the middleman, so to speak.
LunaYami. *Laughs* Okay, make up your mind. Who are you voting for? Yeah, Tarawen could have taken care of herself but then bloodshed would be included, though Kohan is already bleeding . . .
Omega Zero. Glad to hear you're still out there. Hey, I don't blame you for partying when you can. But save some drink for me! *Flinches at a glare from Kohachan* Okay, nevermind. Heh ^_^; Under age here. So the challenge is still up? Cool.
Angle1. Yep. Demon Kohachan has a different personality from our redhead friend all together. Yet Kohachan is still in there and more conscious than Zolaris was.
Well, now that that is understood, more or less, let's see how far this chapter takes us! Unfortunately, there is a lot of ground to cover so bear with it. ^_^;
~~~~~~~
~ Explanation, Please ~
So, life is going to get a lot more interesting, Andrake thought to himself. Yet, even as he ran across the field, easily losing anyone who was chasing him, he was smiling to himself. He felt as though, with that simple act, he had freed himself up also. As though a yolk over his shoulders has finally been lifted and he was free to run at his own pace.
Yet, as always, this freedom came with a price. This land he had served was going to have to be left behind in his wake. Home was not to be the same for him. But that was only a concern of the heart. He would survive. With his newfound comrades and a new purpose, life would go on for him. There was no reason to regret. But did he?
Andrake laughed aloud for a moment then let his grin spread as he was nearing Gramp's home. He didn't regret at all! Crystal would want to stay with that boy, Link. Well, he could just stay in that land as well with Link.
The land of pointed eared people.
That did sound interesting enough. Had he not been running at his fastest, Andrake would have done a quick dance step as his soul leapt for joy of this freedom. Despite himself, he was breathing harder than he had wanted by the time he stopped before the forest leading to the old house. His grin only slightly faded as he saw Gramps and Matt both screaming at each other over something he couldn't make out just yet.
With a grin, Andrake remembered his screaming with the old man. It only happened twice before as he could remember. But the old man would never give in. Cait stood near Diamond while Shekro was content to stand guards over the house before perking his ears to Andrake. Cait saw Shekro then turned to Andrake as well before running to him and hugging his waist while talking a mile a minute about what was going on.
"Easy there . . . everything is okay. Now . . . what is going on?" Andrake asked between breaths. Cait calmed down and tried again, "Matt and that old man began talking about why we are here but we are trying to find Gramps and the old man wants to know why but Matt won't tell him cause only Gramps needs to know. Matt asked where Gramps is but the old man won't tell and still wants to know why Matt is looking for Gramps." She took her own deep breaths as Andrake tried his hardest to keep from busting out in laughter.
He thought for a moment of teasing Matt but then a flash of Crystal's condition came to mind. When he had last seen her, she was on Death's doorstep. Time was precious and he quickly went to settle things, Cait following on his heels.
"Matt, stand down. This old man is Gramps." Matt turned to Andrake's voice but ignored the comment before drawing his staff onto the old man, aiming for a blow to one shoulder. Andrake grinned to himself, seeing the dire mistake the boy was making in drawing a weapon on Gramps. He held Cait back as she wanted a closer watch.
To Matt's surprise, Gramps revealed a sword from his side and managed to defend against the high swing. Using the sword to shove off the staff, Gramps brought it around quickly to strike at Matt's unprotected ribs with the flat of the blade. Cait winced and even Diamond shied away as Matt fell to the side.
Growling as he rose, Matt leveled his staff at Gramps with one hand and patted himself down from the dirt gained on his vest. "Okay, old man, you want to dance? Let's go!" He brought the staff around him and tried to thrust one end of it at Gramp's chest only to have it parried to the side again and the flat of Gramp's blade striking his shoulder rather hard.
Again the others winced in sympathy. However, Matt did not fall from this attack. He was ready and kept his feet under him. He grinned then and used the staff to help gain height as he leaped up then tried kicking down at Gramps only to see the old man move out of the way and strike Matt on the back of the neck with the hilt of his blade. "Enough!" Gramps roared, though Matt seemed to want to continue the fight.
Andrake nodded as he let Cait go to Matt's side. Though, all she did was ask if he was okay then scold him for being an idiot in a fight. He grinned at her and patted the slightly tender shoulder. Gramps called to Andrake, "I'm glad to see you are alive. But where is Crystal?"
"She is in Hyrule. I came to get her things and to tell you of this. Before you get riled up again, let me explain, please."
~~~~~
"Let me see that, already." Tarawen was her humanoid self again as she took Demon Kohachan's bloodied hand. He stiffened at her touch as mostly forgotten pain was flared anew at the movement. Oni and Link were indifferent as the information Kohachan had given them sank in.
Closing her eyes in concentration, Tarawen gripped that hand tighter. His own curiosity growing, Demon Kohachan watched as his wound closed and the scar cleared away from his palm, though his hand and wrist were still coated with his dried blood. He nodded as Tarawen opened her eyes and let his hand go quickly enough.
"How could the blades have been switched?" Link asked as he looked to the Sheikah demon once again. Demon Kohachan shrugged and crossed his arms, never minding the blood set into the ash on his tunic. "How it happened is unknown. But it did happen. Nine nights are all we have. Make your peace with the Goddesses by then, Hero."
Leaning away from the support beam then, Demon Kohachan started walking away from the clearing and toward the forest. The moat around the castle flowed through the forest there and eventually on to a river to the ocean again. The feel of blood coating his hand, even if it was his own blood sickened even him.
Not missing a beat, Tarawen followed him, holding her arms against the cold even as Link called to them, "Hey, go to the castle or Kakariko later. We have to find the others, okay?" Tarawen nodded to him, "I'll be sure we are there. Wherever Kakariko is."
"Kohachan knows, I'm sure. See ya there!" Link played his ocarina then. The Prelude of Light pierced the noon day air and with a flash of yellow light, Link vanished to the Temple of Time near the marketplace and castle. Tarawen grinned at Link's trick then chased after Kohachan, "Wait up! Where are you going?"
He shrugged lightly, knowing she would catch on eventually. He also was thinking of the blades of the moon. How had they been switched? A slim yet strong hand closed over his shoulder and spun him around once more. Again he was facing an annoyed Tarawen, "Do not ignore me, Sheikah. Now, where are we going?" She studied his features as they seemed lighter than before and his eyes were bright red once again.
With a small grin, Kohachan held the bloodied hand before her face, knowing it would make her back up somewhat. "I'm going to wash, that's all." His tone was lighter and even carefree as he turned to continue on his way. Tarawen recovered herself and followed quickly. The feel of fresh water after being amid the ocean for so long would be more soothing.
She perked her ears then, to the sound of chopping. Someone was cutting down a tree?! She became a tiny fox and tried to dash past Kohachan to find who I was and stop them. She didn't get far, though. Kohachan plucked her up by the scruff of the neck and held her out of claw range. A fox's claws are not nearly as painful as a cat's but they could scratch nonetheless.
He locked eyes with her, becoming more serious, "Tarawen, hunters search through these woods looking for small 'legendary' rabbits. You could be mistaken for one. Stay with me, if anything, while in that form." He set her on his shoulder then and continued along the way to the stream even as the gray clouds overhead even under the sun let fall the first of snowfall.
The stream was still a bit of ways ahead but the leaf littered path made it a pleasant, if less than silent, walk. Despite the dried leaves, though, the Sheikah made less sound than a deer. Tarawen watched the snow and realized how cold it was without the heat from the burned building and the demon's anger keeping the area warm. She shivered slightly, her fur rising up as she watched the snow in fascination.
{This is snow?} Kohachan nodded and cocked an ear to the chopping. The sound bringing back flashes of both memory and other scenes, the ring holding the script on his finger began to glow slightly as he could see in his mind flashes of axes at his door. He had to stop and set a hand to a nearby tree, the other, bloodied hand going to his head. {Kohachan, what is wrong?}
More flashes, scenes of the men wearing hoods their eyes still visible filled with hate, fear, and determination. Boots kicking the splintering door in. Three entered the room, two remained outside. The largest one looked around and finally his rough, builders' hands closing over the picture of him and his mother. A knife carving expertly into the back with their trademark symbol before spitting upon it then throwing it out the window, crashing the glass. Knives, axes, hammers, everything destroying the house and items inside before the raiders left from the building.
Fire. Torches held with cheers and hollers all rising. Then the torches going through the side windows of the house. The bed chamber, the washing place, even the study room with walls of text and history hand written went up in slowly spreading flames.
As the visions passed, Kohachan stood steadily again, the chopping rang in his skull until he went into a dash after the sound, southward. Tarawen's claws slightly dug into his shoulder as she held on. {Kohachan, what the heck are you doing?!?} Unable to ignore her voice but choosing not to answer, Kohachan kept up the run then paused as the chopping was near. He kept his side to a tree then glanced out to see.
The carpenter's father was chopping at a large, evergreen tree near Kakariko village. He was the one. He had carved the insignia. He had led te raid. He was the one who would pay the price of losing Kohachan's past.
The steam from the carpenter's nose and mouth showed man's breaths were coming hard and quickly. He was tired. Tired from working in the cold, to be sure, but also from working from sunrise to sunset. But the thought of those who would appreciate the heat this wood would bring was enough to keep him going. Another tug at his scarf to protect his neck and he continued the work. Yet something felt wrong. He felt he wasn't alone. Looking to the woods, though, he saw and heard no one at all. He shrugged and brought the ax up to continue chopping bits of wood from the already dented tree.
Kohachan had pulled away from spying. He could still see the target in his mind's eye and knew exactly how to approach. The prey wouldn't know what hit him before it was too late. Kohachan had a knife in his hand before the thoughts were fully perceived.
His eyes dilating, Kohachan shifted his weight slightly, ready for a fast dash. Tarawen felt the gentle shift, saw what was going on, then gasped before sinking her teeth hard into Kohachan's pointed ear. Widening his eyes even as they flecked with gold, Kohachan stopped himself from closing a hand over the tiny fox to squeeze the life out of her. Rather, he knelt to balance on the balls of his feet, and smothered the yelp in his throat. His thoughts danced in turmoil of murder, pain, betrayal, and even gratitude for the interruption.
Taking a few moments to regain himself did cost him. The tree was felled behind him and the carpenter had left to find his sons to help in chopping manageable pieces. Tarawen carefully didn't speak to him as he looked back to where the carpenter was only to find him gone off to finish the job some other time. But still, the hunt was on and it would not so easily be put off.
Several minutes passed without disturbance and a fine coat of snow had settled unnoticed over them both. When it seemed he was calmed, Tarawen pressed against his cheek a bit. {Come on. We have to get out of this cold and get you cleaned up. Link said to meet up with him in Kakariko. Let's go there, please.}
Kakariko. Yes, that is where the carpenter and his sons lived. Silently, his face unreadable, Kohachan stood from the kneeling position. The snow falling from his back and sides as Tarawen brushed off his shoulder. Both were wet from snow melting by body heat and the blood on Kohachan's hand was mostly cleaned off. Tarawen held easy balance as Kohachan started through the forest again. Both their breaths steamed in the air. He finally added, "Yes. He did say to meet him there. And it will be warmer and dry indoors."
Tarawen wasn't put off by his tone but she left him alone for a bit. Perhaps he just needed to get over his home being destroyed. The very thought made her mentally grimace. "Getting over" such a thing was not a simple task, she knew. But at least she wouldn't leave him alone to cope.
~~~~~
Link hoped Kohachan would be okay. He had a feeling Tarawen would take care of him. Through the woods, he ran for all his might. He was home. This place, though unfamiliar, held the same feeling the rest of Hyrule did. He was home and wouldn't let any troubles catch him. He reached the end of the tree line only to reach a bit of a cliff.
Looking down to the middle of the pit, he found himself at the Kakariko graveyard. Leaping down the cliff and landing with a forward roll, He hopped to his feet and kept up a running pace, his arms to the side as though he would fly. He ran down the stairs from the graveyard then under the large wooden signpost between a line of trees. Running down the path, he soon found himself in the old village of Kakariko.
The back of the archery place, the pen where the cuckoos were kept with the chicken lady ever present there. Even the old well and the windmill just beside him. Everything was as he remembered them. Smiling brightly, Link ran through the village as e had done in the past. Both the one he had experienced, and the one that supposedly never happened. Let Oni stew over the legend and the confusions. He was himself as he was promised to be.
His thoughts snapped back to his new friends. Zolaris and Toloran must've still been with the ship, or something. He would have used the ocarina but the only point closest to the beach was the one upon Hyrule Lake. Looks like Link was hoofing it. Another realization rocked him. Epona! He had left her in Dondoran! That brought his light spirit crashing down. Link reasoned to himself, it was only right to let her owners know about it. Otherwise, they'd become suspicious of seeing Link without her.
His resolve set, Link continued his run out of Kakariko and toward the field. Running endlessly, he knew he could reach the ranch soon enough. Even as his feet flew to not stumble down the steps, his mind raced with exactly what he was going to say. How could he tell them he lost their favorite mount? Well, perhaps Zelda could help him out in arranging to get Epona back. But then she was a very clever horse. She would stay safe and return to Hyrule sometime.
Link's pace had slowed as he still didn't know what to tell Malon and her father just yet. He took a deeper breath, the air of Hyrule filling his lungs once again. A glance around refreshed his memory with every hill, fence-line, and the plateau set in the center of the field. In that same glance, he saw a rather unusual sight.
Going toward the ranch at a pretty slow pace was a two-wheeled wagon. Crates were loaded on it as an old yet well-muscled horse pulled it along. There seemed to be four people around it. Two sat at the front, one sat on the back of the wagon, feet dangling off the end while the fourth walked behind it talking to the one sitting there.
The one sitting on the end of the wagon was a young girl. Her hair fell mostly down her back and even from the distance, Link could tell she wore a dress down to her ankles. He watched them while he picked up his pace a little. One of them in the cart driving the horse was a large man. He even had a bulbous nose as he calmly drove the horse through the snowy field. Link grinned, easily recognizing that duo to be Talon and his daughter, Malon.
They were heading for the ranch. But who were the two with them? The other riding beside Talon looked as though he were either freezing or growing sick. But the other talking to Malon seemed fine with the new falling snow. It could have been the two other Sheikah, but Link wasn't sure just yet. He continued his unnoticed pursuit, slowly gaining on them as the horse lazily plodded along, dragging the obvious heavy cargo.
~~~~~
They decided to talk it over in the house and over lunch. Andrake bounced on leg in impatience till Cait had to ask him about it. He waved her off then finished his whole story, "So, I've left them and am now here with these two and trying to get back to Crystal." He drank down the last of his milk as though it were liquor.
Gramps smoothed his beard, thoughtfully stoking it as he absorbed the story. "Well now, after explaining this deal about the Sheikah, that smoothes out a lot of riddles and mysteries of happenings around here as of late." He met Andrake's questioning glance as the ex-knight's leg quit bouncing. He waved it off but rose and went to the main room with the fire hearth. Beside the hearth, the dragon hilt sword was leaned against the wall as Gramps had disarmed himself.
Andrake followed him, soon pursued by Cait then Matt, who didn't want to be left behind. Gramps fingered the head of the dragon that was the end of the hilt. His fingers stroked its neck to the wing like guards opened before the sheathe. He grasped the neck-like hilt and picked the blade and sheathe up to hold it in both hands then unsheathed the blade again.
The metal was tinted black still from the recent event. He shivered slightly at the memory and the nightmares just before and after that night. Cait tugged on his tunic, "What's wrong? You're pale . . ." Gramps patted the child's head and smiled at her before turning to look at Matt. "You . . . you might be able to take on this blade."
At that point, Andrake threw a fit, "What?! How does the boy get that blade? Gramps, don't you think that if Matt could barely defend against you, then he shouldn't be allowed to attempt to wield it? Why won't you give it to me to wield? I'll leave this sword to you!" Andrake unbuckled his own long blade from his side and offered it to Gramps. Yet, with a raised hand, Gramps denied Andrake.
"You, Andrake, are too ambitious to hold such a blade. Not to mention you probably could gain the power this thing has shown as of late." He regretted those words as soon as he spoke them. Under the stare of both young men as well as the curious eyes of Cait, Gramps heaved a sigh then began while sheathing the blade, "This sword, is not an ordinary blade.
"It began only about ten nights ago. First, they were waking nightmares. Nightmares of darkness, born by dragon's wings. A raging beast, demanding a foe. That sword was the origin of the monster. The jewel eyes of the hilt would glow." Gramps didn't notice if they were listening or about to comment, though they weren't. He stared at the blade, at the jewel eyes of the dragon's head, "One night, it wasn't just a dream. Oh, the darkness was not a dream at all. It was a full moon outside but that moonlight seemed to be held back by the shadows, or blotted out before entering the window. I crawled out of bed to see to it and the blade seemed to hiss in it's sheathe. Something drew me to it. Against all logic, I wanted to grasp the hilt and draw the blade from its confinement.
"Thankfully, Shekro here was more immune to the spell cast." Gramps grinned at the black wolf even as Shekro was sticking by Cait's side for some reason. Matt and Andrake both looked at the sword under a new light before Matt pointed out, "There are actually a lot of magic blades. Not all of them are unlocked so easily. Usually, it can only be unlocked by the right hands. So if either knight boy here or I used it, it wouldn't matter. We both have swords. Let's duel for it!" He faced Andrake challengingly.
Andrake scoffed, "Like we have time for that! We have to go now!"
"But what about the sword?"
"We'll leave the cursed sword!" Andrake was up to yelling again.
Gramps cut in. "No, you cannot leave this blade here. Call it a swordsman's intuition but this blade has to go with you! Andrake, you should not be the one to carry it because of the sword abilities you already know. All except that which I taught Link. Your powers might unlock the swords' darkness again."
With a light groan, Matt asked monotone, "And you think I have no ability with a sword? But heck, the reason it needs to go to Hyrule is that the blade is probably looking for the wielder. It changed a few nights ago? That's when Zolaris went demon on us. That blade must have something to do with that demon." Before Gramps could comment, Cait grew restless then wrapped her hands around the blades' sheathe and began walking off with it. Before any of them could object or take it away from her, Cait said honestly, "I'm only a little kid, so I don't completely understand what you three are talking about. But it seems if either swordsman was to carry it, something bad will happen. Yet it needs to go to Hyrule, and we're the best to take it. So I'll carry it."
She went up to Matt, "Can we go now? I want to see if Crystal is okay." Matt scratched his head. He wasn't sure about it, though Andrake laughed outright, "The kid has a point! Come on, Matty." Andrake turned toward the door, walking with a quick enough pace for his cape to flare gently behind him. "Don't call me Matty!" he followed nonetheless but paused and grinned to Gramps, "You still owe me a fight now. I'll be back!" Cait grinned sheepishly at her friend then followed the two boys out even as Gramps accompanied them.
Through talking and lunch, Matt and Cait had busily packed up supplies for the journey. Matt and Cait would double up on Diamond, though that would slow them down and the horse wouldn't be able to run so far so long. Gramps sighed as he looked at the over burdened palomino. They expected to travel like that? He raised his fingers to his lips and blew a gentle tune Crystal said Link play before.
Sure enough. A young, well-muscled red and white-coated mare charged through the woods to reach them. Snorting in confusion, she reared slightly then settled, her eyes growing calm, as Gramps spoke to her and she recognized a few of the people. Matt was a stranger she was not sure of, though.
Andrake smiled a bit as he recognized Epona. "Well, now, that cuts the trip time down somewhat. Okay, let's get this re organized. Hmm . . Cait, you'll ride Epona while carrying that sword. Don't worry, I'll fix a way for it to strap to your back. That'll make it easier. Now, let's get ready to go!"
~~~~~~~
A reviewer once asked how I deal with school and still update so fast. I'll answer that now. I can't -_-; Have no clue how I did, but can't anymore. That's why this one is late. Hopefully, the next one will be sooner ^_^;
Hmm . . . Kohan bent on vengeance, Link rounding everyone up, and Gramps' sword is going back to Hyrule. Anyone have a clue on what will happen? ^- ^;; lol Well, it'll come ever so slowly. Building tension here! Just as Demon Kohachan said, both blades went off together, despite one didn't have a wielder. Now the blades are getting together, so to speak. That's all for now, folks. So . . .
Until next time!