~ Disclaimer ~ *Sitting in a confessional booth* Okay, I admit. I . . . I
don't own Zelda. *Is sad* ;_;
Kohachan: Aiy kalahar . . . Shadow Girl, can't you be serious? The story is getting to get heated up again.
*Jumps up* This I know! *Rubs her hands together plottingly* Yes, everything is getting ready, set, and about to BLOW! *Mushroom cloud from a nuclear bomb explosion forms in the background* MUAHAHAHAHAA!
Kohachan/LunaYami/Tarawen: *biiiig sweatdrop*
Tarawen: Kohachan, did you induce her with your sugar highs?
Kohachan: What?! Who, me? Nuh-uh. This is all hers. *Under his breath* Unless she found my secret stash . . . *Gasps* 0.0;
Tarawen: *Gives Kohachan a look* Please tell me you are joking, Mellon nin.
Aaaaanyway, like he said, things are finally going to get heated up. So, without further stalling, lets name off the dedications. Heh. That will be easy this time around. I can do it all by myself! =^-^=
LunaYami: But I wanna help . . .
Okay, okay. But the line-up of dedications is going to be somewhat changed ^-^; First off, I'd like to dedicate this story to LunaYami and MonoChronos. Both have been my co-writer type people and both became my dear friends, whom I can't thank enough. Ah, but they are not my only dear friends on this crazy journey. It also goes out to Shadow Knight (Seems I'm not the only one on sugar ^_^; Roll em up, roll em up lets us see what tragedy the dice will read ^-^), and to Angle1 (Gah! Azure was trying to follow you! Aiyah! Oh, and Kohan doesn't always use fairies but at that moment, being injured isn't the best way to be when night settles in ^_^;) They too are my true friends as well as loyal supporters to never give up on me. This story is going out to all of them! XD
LunaYami: *blushes* hehe . . .
It also goes out to Mithrandir (Hello, Chris! And Mithrandir, if you thought this story was good, you should read Shadow Knight's story. He can defend himself really well but his ability shines in his story making and such. This coming from me, as well as his other loyal readers and people. Seriously, it would be worth your time.) And Dragon killer (Yup! No problem. Was my pleasure to keep it simple and some of the best writings come late at night. Not that that was even close to being one of the best writings -.-; . But you seem to know this already ^_^) Thanks for the reviews guys!
Now, onto the chapter! Heh . . . This chapter will have more plot development than the last . . . I hope x.x;;
~~~~~~~
~ A Brush of Darkness ~
The Land of Hyrule, still blanketed by snow, seemed to be at peace again after the storm. In Kakariko, the chicken lady still cared for her precious cuckoos. The carpenters stayed busy, despite the snow around them to build what would be an archery practice room. Even the soldier at the gate stood his post. To them as well as for the rest of Hyrule, it was nothing but another nice day.
But to Link and his friends, it was possibly the last day of peace. With the group still separated and a few of them still injured, there was little chance of making plans. The odds were against them.
Back at the Gerudo Fortress, Link was led to a sleeping quarter and decided to get his own well-deserved rest. Though he slept, Oni Link was restless. Remaining at the back of Link's mind, he stewed over the coming night. He stared into the darkness while his thoughts were far away.
From one of the shadows, the Zora Spirit appeared and puzzled, "Dude, what ya zoning out about?" The voice was bubbly despite being not of air or water but of thought speech.
Oni Link growled in his throat for being interrupted then muttered without looking at Mikau, "Only contemplating the balance. There is always evil in the world and there is always good to combat it. If there was only one or the other, that one would destroy itself. Evil turns upon itself, good would turn upon itself."
Mikau yawned and rubbed his neck, "Yeah. What ya getting at? The sages seem to know that already. Why stress about it?"
"Idiot. Everyone is focused on Demon Zolaris. The chosen of the Dark Moon God. That is only because the full moon is his night. He has proven the hassle." Oni snorted lightly and narrowed his eyes almost to scold others. "I only wonder why Link and his new friends as well as the sages haven't stopped to think about how things would be if it was Demon Toloran's night.
"Through Link's memories, I have seen how some, such as the Gerudo, were once under Ganondorf's rule. However they changed from being under his evil rule to act right under Nabooru's rule. This would not matter to the chosen of the Light Moon God. He would only see that they were once evil and would be convinced that they would need to be eliminated.
"Everyone has a fault in them. No one is perfect. In a way, even the Light Warrior is tainted for taking lives. It depends on what you see as to be good or bad and to what extent. Thus, he is just as bad as the Dark Warrior." Mikau yawned again after Oni's explanation and stretched his back. "Whatever, man. But I think Link has the right idea. I say we all get a bit of shut-eye."
Oni snorted lightly and ignored the Zora until Mikau eventually wandered away. He was still ill at ease. If one were defeated, the other would lead to the destruction in trying to make the world right in his eyes.
And who could defeat the Moon God Knight? For, if either warrior managed to gain the other's blade and form them into one with the souls, that is what he would be called. If such a thing would happen this night and not be ended on the same night, then there was nothing left to hope for.
Both would have to be stopped before the Moon God Knight could be born. Or just held back until the night was over. The latter was impossibility for both sides had powers neither would show. Potential they held back so none could see and form a counter against such ability.
He already knew how to match Demon Zolaris' ability to teleport, as long as there was no barrier. But what other tricks had the Demon not shown yet? Oni Link hoped that Link and his little friends knew exactly what they were getting into before making any decisions. Too many factors were to be put into play to form a plan. They would have to do all that they could and hope for the best.
Oni clenched a fist at that. It wasn't enough! But what was to be done? Hide the keys? Never before had either of the warriors been so close to victory. The keys were gathered neatly on the same land when each had once been scattered over the seas!
The situation defied what the Fates have intended, it seemed like. Even then, each of the keys seemed to be at three separate corners, assuming Kohachan had gone off elsewhere. He was not with Matt in the fortress, after all. And knowing the Sheikah's dislike of the castle, he would be away from Crystal as well.
Still, this only proved that this night was the last thing that was supposed to happen. It still did not change the fact that the keys were practically at arm's reach of the warriors. It wouldn't take much time to find and claim each of the keys. None of them could fight against Demon Zolaris and hope to escape unless by some slim chance that the Dark Warrior gave up the hunt for the moment. That chance would be eliminated this night.
Oni stood and took a steady breath as he said aloud, "Sleep well, Link. Tonight, Hyrule is probably going to need your strength once more." Restless, the Deity took to wandering through the darkness.
~~~~~
Elsewhere in the Gerudo Fortress, the three injured were either already awake or waking up. Nabooru had left her able women to take care of business and re-post guards while she was away. Sitting at the table of the deemed recovery room was Matt and Cait while Andrake still was lying on the ground, half-awake.
Matt was eating at the warm stew while listening to the Gerudo's around him and trying not to look up from the stew, less his eyes stared at the wrong parts of the ladies. Cait seemed equally uncomfortable but for other reasons as she kept as close as she could to Matt and ate her own soup.
The two Gerudo sitting across from Matt and Cait seemed frustrated. Matt was still nervous, and yet tempted, to look up at them while Cait was simply afraid of them and their sharp features, naturally firm voice, and of the weapons a couple of them still carried. The first Gerudo woman, Trina, questioned again, "Boy, what is your name?"
Matt finally gave up on trying to stay quiet around the women. He muttered his name and took a few hasty spoon-fulls of soup and finally tipped the bowl to drain the last of it.
Trina grinned, "Finally, at least word from you." She glanced at her partner, Amora, and added, "Now if we can only bring the little one from her silent state." Amora didn't return the glance and kept looking at the young girl. "Hm? Amora, what is it?" Matt slightly tensed, not liking the sudden attention drawn to Cait. He glanced up at them through his hair, keeping his face down.
"Hmm . . ." Amora finally looked to Trina, "Just noticed the young one is a Hylian while the boy is not. Noting too important. Just curious." Trina nodded her agreement to that. She cocked an eyebrow inquisitively as Matt lowered his eyes once more then questioned him again, "Where did you two meet?"
With a full belly, he felt somewhat better and slightly braver. Matt looked up and sat back a bit more as he answered, "We met here in Hyrule. It was a long time ago. I'm a traveler, really. Now, where is my stuff? And how did we get here in the first place?"
Amora decided to answer him, "Your equipment is being kept safe for as long as you are here. As for how you got here, the Kitsune, Tarawen, led a small band of warriors to go and find you and your comrades. But what are you doing here?"
Matt returned the volley, "Tarawen got us out of the snow, eh? Mighty kind of her. I just came for the sake of seeing a friend who was brought here before. Yet, we were attacked." His heart leapt suddenly as he remembered something. The sudden jump also made him flinch in expecting pain yet he was in none.
Shaking it off, Matt asked the two warrior women across from him, "Hey, what time is it? Is it close to the rising of the moon?" He kept his eyes on hers and cursed his hormones as his eyes kept trying to drift down.
Both women seemed curious of his last question then figured he was worried that he had slept the day away, which he did. Trina leaned on the table a bit, tilting her head curiously as she answered, "The moon is just rising. It will be a bright night tonight. Why do you ask?" She was left confused as Cait gasped lightly and Matt was sent to swearing in various languages under his breath. Matt sighed at last and muttered, "Out of time . . ."
~~~~~
Crystal watched the sunset and sharpened her daggers. Tired of being in the castle and wondering where her friends were, she had gone to the roof of the main hall between two spires and looked over the land of Hyrule. Her boots and the blanket she had taken with her were both wet from the snow but that was all.
Finished sharpening her daggers, she sheathed them both and stood up, picking up the blanket after her. No longer able to wait, she decided to go and find her friends. Demonic night or no, she felt they needed to stay together. That was the only way they had overcome hardships of the past.
Sliding down the roof without fear, she landed on the flat just above the main entrance. It was not too long a jump but she didn't want to chance that there could be ice on the stone bridge. She looked back to the horizon to see the sunset fading. Time was running out too quickly.
Taking a breath for courage's sake, she leapt off the roof and judged the landing, landing in a crouch to absorb the impact yet her feet slipped on the ice and she fell on her backside. Groaning from the sudden but not crippling ache, she slowly got to her feet and brushed herself off.
She knew Zelda would not have advised the escape much less offered a horse to help her with. And after that fall, it would be a bit before riding was comfortable again. Still, Zelda seemed to not really understand how much she wanted to be with her friends. Despite her words, the Princess had advised her to stay yet had to leave for some meeting of the sages. Talking would get nothing done for Hyrule in defense of Demon Zolaris. Action needed to be taken.
Crystal began running from the castle, despite the ache in her lower back, and headed for the fields, chasing the darker side of the sky. It was ironic, running in the direction that the moon would rise. Almost as though she ran to her own defeat. Defeat or victory, she corrected herself. There had to be a way to get around the demon long enough for the night to end. And if there was a way, she had a feeling that Link would be able to find it, wherever he was.
From behind her and over her shoulder, the sound of a fairy flitting quickly through the air chased her. A purple light came to the side of her head and began to glow a bit brighter white to light the way through the growing darkness. The light was not yet needed as the sun's light was still on her back. Crystal smiles lightly nonetheless while she ran, "Coming with me, Navi?"
Navi flew beside her almost effortlessly, used to following Link in such runs and laughed, "But of course! You are going to find Link, right? And it was getting boring in the castle!" She landed on Crystals' shoulder for a moment then took to flying again without getting in Crystal's way.
Crystal nodded still with a grin and began somewhat working harder to get through the snow. At least she would be let out the gate at the end of the road without an upset. "Thanks, my flying friend. You're more than welcome to come, Navi. So long as you don't snitch that we are running away."
The fairy giggled and nodded, bobbing in the air a couple of times. The twosome managed to get to the very gates leading out of the marketplace but the drawbridge was being drawn and torches on the outside of the wall were being lit.
"Wait!" Crystal yelled as she redoubled her effort in running to the gate. Yet the guard took no heed of her. Navi flew a bit faster then looked back at Crystal, urging her on, "Come on! We can still get up the gate! Come on, come on, come on!" Crystal nodded and clenched her fists before relaxing the grip and working up the long wooden gate as the chains clanked louder and kept pulling the bridge up.
She made it to the top and held onto it with her elbows before pulling herself up onto the wood and looking across Hyrule field. As the sun's light died away and the moonlight stabbed down from the horizon, a stab of fear took over Crystal. She suddenly felt alone before the vast, bitterly cold landscape.
Navi flew by her and landed on her shoulder, reminding Crystal that she was still with her. Crystal smiled to Navi and stood up on the drawn drawbridge. "Well, where do we go, Navi? And how do we get there before the moon rises into the middle of the night sky?" Navi shook her head a bit and drifted to fly once more and look across the glittery, snow-covered land. "I think . . . we should head . . ." Navi paused, trying to listen to her intuition but Crystal interfered, "How about that way?" She pointed to the southwestern area.
Navi started at that then looked to the distance though she couldn't see beyond the rise of the land and protested lightly, "But that is where the Gerudo Fortress lies. He wouldn't be there, would he? And why would he be? Well, then again, the Gerudo are his friends. He might have gone there to ask if they've seen anything odd. Like a Demon running around. Okay, we can go there and check!"
Navi waited for a response but Crystal had jumped down into the snow past the moat and looked back up at the chatty fairy with a grin. Flushed, Navi flitted down to join her and they began to run or fly respectively.
~~~~~
"Aren't women supposed to lose their flexibility as they grow up?" Kohachan scratched the back of his head in wonder as Tarawen, in her human form, was stretching out under the light of the setting sun. The two had stopped riding near the middle of the field, and already knew that they weren't going to get anywhere close to safety before the moon rose. Thus Tarawen wanted to be ready.
She laughed lightly as she twisted herself forward and to the side setting her left shoulder to her right knee while lightly holding her ankles to pull the stretch a little farther than it would naturally go. "No, Kohachan. For one thing, I am a Kistune. Kitsune have natural flexibility like this. And if kept up and even stretched even more from youth, then we are more flexible that in youth."
Still the Sheikah tried not to stare in wonder and scratched the back of his head, still mounted on Trasul. The black horse never minded the antics of the fox-like woman and sniffed at the air, perking at minor changes in the pattern.
Kohachan patted the stallion's shoulder, "Looks like Trasul is getting edgy. Even he knows what's coming up tonight." This was no surprise, as all of the animals of Hyrule and areas have a sense of coming calamity.
Straightening her form only to bend backward and set her hands to the snow down and behind her, Tarawen agreed, "Indeed. And you should be getting ready as well, should you not?" She let her hands go to her elbows, bending her back and stretching her stomach a bit more before raising back up again to her hands.
Kohachan let his hand go to his katana and recalled his last fight with Demon Zolaris. The ring was the only thing that had saved him from having his soul taken. But this night when both Warriors of light and dark walked the earth, the shields would be rendered as useless as any common armor against the sword that slash the soul.
He shook his head and said calmly, "There would be no point, really. All we can do is fight our hardest and hope we can either hold Demon Zolaris off or avoid him all together."
Tarawen turned on him sharply after rising back up normally once more, "Tell me . . . if the sword manages to steal a soul . . . thus gaining a key . . . and the key was not used . . . then what would happen to the soul taken? If the warrior holding the soul failed and daylight came again, would the soul die?" She kept watching his features though he avoided her gaze.
"I don't know, honestly. It would be hard to look that far ahead. But we might find out eventually, it seems. Or you will find out." Kohachan knew those words would hurt her or else earn him a sound beating over the head. Either way, it was the only truth he could speak. Even if the truth hurt, it had to still be accepted.
When there was no reply, Kohachan looked to Tarawen. Tarawen bit her lower lip lightly and cocked her ears in attention and looked around. Trasul slightly pranced, as though catching a sense of what Tarawen already felt. Kohachan calmed the dark horse with a few words and kept his eyes on Tarawen, his own eyes slightly darkening in the rising feeling of doom.
"It's Demon Zolaris, isn't it?" The question was more a statement. Tarawen nodded and went back to Kohachan and his mount and set a hand on the stallion's shoulder, keeping her eyes on him. "I don't want to see you taken that easily, my friend. Ride away. If he comes here, he will have to contend with me. He won't steal my soul. I am not a key for him to use."
Kohachan grinned bitterly. He appreciated her offer yet found it to be useless. Answering her quizzical glance, he muttered, "That would be a waste. Weather the soul is a key or not does not matter. He can still steal it. Thus end the life of that person. Or else leave a living yet empty shell of the person behind."
Kohachan looked back down at her even as he could feel the light of the moon growing over the snow around them giving it an eerie glow. "Thank you for the offer but it is you who would be the more tragic lost. Ironic, it would be, if Demon Zolaris would strike you down. But that won't happen. I can't let you take that chance, Tarawen."
She growled suddenly and snapped at him, "That is noble of you. Noble and selfish. You would be taken as well as the other two keys. Then the world would be lost. In this situation, my life is not important." A warning glance from Kohachan managed to silence her but not quiet her thoughts against him.
Under the choked silence, the air felt different. Demon Zolaris was getting closer and his ability had grown exponentially from the last encounter. "Tarawen . . . Crystal and Matt don't know all there is to know about this night. If Matt is safe as you say, his own shield must have saved him." Kohachan dismounted calmly to the snow again on the other side from Tarawen and looked at her over Trasul's shoulders, "You have to find them and do your best to protect them now."
Tarawen held his gaze, his sharp red eyes no longer driving her gaze away or causing her to flinch under them. She answered with an equally steady voice, "You want me to tell them that their 'shields' are useless now? And Matt will know what I speak of." She mounted, the fur raised on the back of her neck at the Demon's approach. It felt like Demon Zolaris was standing just nearby, watching with sadistic glee.
She tried to shake off the feeling and looked down to Kohachan again, "But what about you? Are you just going to wait here and let your soul be taken?"
"Of course not. If he faces me first, then he and I will fight again. It will settle the match from the night before. Ride hard, Tarawen. This stall might not last long enough to give you much time." He looked around, expecting the Demon to spring from no where. Tarawen sighed lightly at his pessimism yet could find no words to say otherwise.
Knowing that that was possibly the last time she would see her friend, she wet her hand on his forehead and spoke softly in her own language, "Hold fast to your faiths. May your blade stay sharp and your vision clear. The path of Fate will clear before you in time." Having given her blessing, she did not wait for any longer reply and sped off with Trasul back to the Gerudo Fortress.
Taking a deep breath after the blessing, Kohachan released the clasp to his cloak and let the fabric aside. He drew his katana and looked back at Tarawen's trail. She was already fading by distance to the desert grounds. He gripped the hilt of the katana and brought it before him, clasping it with both hands.
A flash of shadow-like motion flew over the snow. Acting on instinct, Kohachan slashed at the object only to vanish a small haze of formless shadow energy. He cast a glance along where the energy had come from only to see the dark shade of a horse and rider approaching him from the haze of the Legendary night.
The moon glinted off the silver-like clasp of the cloak then revealed the hood of the cloak was pulled off. Silver hair with pointed ears created the silhouette. The rider continued riding closer revealing black piercing eyes and a cruel smirk of power and control. The look on his face was that of a hunter having trapped a long-sought prey.
A gleaming blade was held in the right hand of the rider, the gleam seemed unnatural even under the light of the rising full moon. A grin flashed over the rider's face and the blade came up again sharply, sending another stream of dark energy flying through the air. Again Kohachan sliced through the energy, hoping Demon Zolaris would continue taking his time.
Unfortunately, that was not to be. Demon Zolaris let out a sharp yell and dug his heels into the Gerudo stallion's flanks, charging the animal at Kohachan, the blade coming out once more and still gleaming. Kohachan jumped back from the blade tip and stayed on his feet. Of anything, he had to avoid the gleaming sword first.
Evil laughter filled the night air as well as the snorting of the Gerudo Stallion. Demon Zolaris kept his grin as he brought the stallion around to walk calmly toward Kohachan again, black eyes gleaming with an inner darkness. He chuckled darkly in his throat, "Seems you aren't going to come easily. You always were a stubborn one, Kohachan." He dismounted and brought the blade to bare though the gleam dimmed back to steel and the glowing eyes of the Hydra dulled slightly once more.
"So . . . let us settle what we began just last night. But now, all you can do is run away." Demon Zolaris put as much a jeer into his voice as he could and was pleased as Kohachan took up the blade once more and silently glared at him. "Not running this time, eh? Good. Perhaps this will be entertaining." Demon Zolaris came at Kohachan, drawing the Dark Moon Blade into a vertical slash but the attacked and cast aside.
Kohachan didn't wait for Demon Zolaris to recover. He tried crouching in the snow to sweep kick the Demon's legs out from under him but it was avoided the same way as last time. Still crouched on the ground, Kohachan was made to stop another attack from coming down on him. The two swords clashed loudly in the night as the struggle of power between the two continued.
Kohachan's thoughts began to wander even as he fought with automatic movements, keeping the steel blade away from him. He knew the fight was useless yet he refused to give up. Crystal, Matt, Tarawen, Link, even Toloran and Zolaris as well as countless other lives counted on the legend not being fulfilled. Time was of the essence!
He began to fight back against the blade bearing down on him but as soon as he began to stand from the snow, Demon Zolaris kicked Kohachan in the chest to send him backward again into the snow. Kohachan rolled to the side before another stronger streak of dark energy could slice over or through him. The snow where he was a moment ago immediately melted from the dark power.
Kohachan jumped to his feet just in time to meet another larger wave of power. He used his katana to slice through the shadow energy but the final larger one pushed him back a few feet in the snow. "The blade . . . more power is being unlocked from it before the full lunar eclipse . . ." Kohachan observed.
The Dark Moon Blade was indeed gleaming a bit more darkly as it seemed to leak with black sparks after sending the attacks. Demon Zolaris smirked, "Now do you see? As the night wears on, my power grows greater. There is no pestering Kitsune to rescue you now. And I have my own rightful blade in my hands. Your fate is sealed!" Demon Zolaris ran at Kohachan once more, the Dark Moon Blade gleaming with black energy to strike against the Katana and send the energy tearing through Kohachan.
"Not yet." Kohachan tapped into his own magic and felt the embers in himself grow and spread into the blade. It had been a while since he had to use such magic to fight but he was confident in his ability. The katana began to gleam with a light of it's own and clashed it against the gleaming Dark Moon Blade. Sparks, both black and white, flew through the air and melted into the snow around them.
The clashes continued across the snow, adding light to the full moon night. Kohachan drove the attack, gaining a bit of ground on Demon Zolaris but then was forced to fall back under the Demon's own attack. It was not long after the shift of control that Demon Zolaris managed a sharp slash across Kohachan's arm, weakening the Key of Wisdom's grip.
Kohachan hissed in pain and tried to defend against another attack but his hold on the blade as well as the magic was weakened. The black aura around the Dark Moon Blade grew as the two swords clashed once more. The katana flew, the blade sparking with dark magic, and fell into the snow, point first.
Dark Magic also seeped into the wielder of the katana. A ripple of pain then a sudden and sharp pain flew through his arm as though a thousand knives stabbed at his flesh. Kohachan gripped his injured arm, feeling the last of the magic seeping into his shoulder and back as well as his chest. He glared at the grinning Demon and felt a rage deep within him stir.
"Oh, no you don't, Kohachan. Your Demon will not be allowed to help you out either. It will be over before then." Demon Zolaris proved his words true, bringing the flat of the Dark Moon Blade to the side of the Sheikah's head, sending Kohachan to the snow again on his injured side.
Kohachan looked up as Demon Zolaris and saw the Dark Moon Blade gleaming with the same black energy then saw it drip with the power like excess venom from a snake's fang. Demon Zolaris grinned sadistically once more and brought the blade to his side, preparing a horizontal slash over Kohachan's body.
Staring at the blade with hazed eyes, Kohachan knew it was indeed nearing the end. He let his eyes close and turned his thoughts to his friends once more. In his mind's eye, he could see a final light. That light was the form of a small Hylian boy with a fairy close beside him.
Link? But how would Link be the light amid the imminent darkness?
He could not finish his thoughts as the sound of the attack being released made his heart leap before pain seared through him from the attack.
A scream of complete agony filled the night air. The sound of intense suffering echoed over the land, through the forest, across the cold sands, and off the far mountains. The scream sounded the alarm of danger though it was an alarm that would go unheeded by the sleeping people of Hyrule. Many awoke to it and few stayed up from the fearful sound. Yet there was nothing that could be done as the scream died down then faded away startlingly quickly.
Demon Zolaris grinned in satisfaction and held up the gleaming Dark Moon Blade. One of the three sets of eyes began to whirl in a wonder of light then gleam a solid bright blue. He looked down at the fallen Kohachan. Kohachan's features here soft once more even after the scream of agony.
Well, he would not have to worry about suffering again. He only had one purpose to serve other than proving to be an amusement. And he was one step closer to serving that purpose. Demon Zolaris caressed the third Hydra head with the gleaming blue eyes then called to the Gerudo stallion.
Mounting once more, he envisioned the blade holding a pair of green eyes and red eyes to go with the blue. That was when each of the keys were his. When the moon was in the full eclipse, the temple would be revealed. Demon Zolaris would be there, waiting for that time. He would defeat the ever-annoying Warrior of Light and claim the Light Moon Blade once more. After that . . . true power would be his.
Demon Zolaris grinned down at Kohachan's still form in the snow. Then he gave a mock salute with the Dark Moon Blade and dug his heels into the black horse, driving the Gerudo horse through the snow and back to the Gerudo Fortress. It was only a matter of time before the final two keys were in his possession. He would be invincible.
~~~~~~~
And there is another chapter! Look! Things happened this time!
Gaahhh!!! Kohachan is gone! His soul is kept in bondage while his body is left to freeze. Is he gone for good?! Am I truly that evil?! And what of Crystal and Matt? Are they doomed to share Kohachan's fate?!? Can it be true that Demon Zolaris is really unstoppable?? And what of Kohachan's final vision? We will have to wait and see next time!
*Cackles evilly* Ahh . . . been so long since the last evil cliffie. Er . . . so you can't blame me for dying to make another one! *Earns a swat upside the head* Owie! What was that for? And who did that?!
Oni: You only gave me the first section. Yet you said that I was going to have a larger part in this chapter.
Eep! Oni! Oro? I said that? O.o;; When?
Oni: Before you started writing, you were going to give me a larger part than that!
Umm . . . Well, things changed and you know you'll get the big part to play later on . . IF you are nice to me! XD
Oni: *Fingers his blade* Be glad I don't cleave your chair into a stool. Or worse.
Heheh . . . yeah . . . well . . . me going to beg again. Tis not as last as last time though! Heheh! Next chapter should come just as quickly as well! *Gets hit over the head to stop her babbling but consequently is knocked out as well*
Oni: *Snorts lightly and picks Shadow Girl up over his shoulder* About time. She needs to stop pulling all-nighters only to write. Only one last thing to say . . .
Until next time!
Kohachan: Aiy kalahar . . . Shadow Girl, can't you be serious? The story is getting to get heated up again.
*Jumps up* This I know! *Rubs her hands together plottingly* Yes, everything is getting ready, set, and about to BLOW! *Mushroom cloud from a nuclear bomb explosion forms in the background* MUAHAHAHAHAA!
Kohachan/LunaYami/Tarawen: *biiiig sweatdrop*
Tarawen: Kohachan, did you induce her with your sugar highs?
Kohachan: What?! Who, me? Nuh-uh. This is all hers. *Under his breath* Unless she found my secret stash . . . *Gasps* 0.0;
Tarawen: *Gives Kohachan a look* Please tell me you are joking, Mellon nin.
Aaaaanyway, like he said, things are finally going to get heated up. So, without further stalling, lets name off the dedications. Heh. That will be easy this time around. I can do it all by myself! =^-^=
LunaYami: But I wanna help . . .
Okay, okay. But the line-up of dedications is going to be somewhat changed ^-^; First off, I'd like to dedicate this story to LunaYami and MonoChronos. Both have been my co-writer type people and both became my dear friends, whom I can't thank enough. Ah, but they are not my only dear friends on this crazy journey. It also goes out to Shadow Knight (Seems I'm not the only one on sugar ^_^; Roll em up, roll em up lets us see what tragedy the dice will read ^-^), and to Angle1 (Gah! Azure was trying to follow you! Aiyah! Oh, and Kohan doesn't always use fairies but at that moment, being injured isn't the best way to be when night settles in ^_^;) They too are my true friends as well as loyal supporters to never give up on me. This story is going out to all of them! XD
LunaYami: *blushes* hehe . . .
It also goes out to Mithrandir (Hello, Chris! And Mithrandir, if you thought this story was good, you should read Shadow Knight's story. He can defend himself really well but his ability shines in his story making and such. This coming from me, as well as his other loyal readers and people. Seriously, it would be worth your time.) And Dragon killer (Yup! No problem. Was my pleasure to keep it simple and some of the best writings come late at night. Not that that was even close to being one of the best writings -.-; . But you seem to know this already ^_^) Thanks for the reviews guys!
Now, onto the chapter! Heh . . . This chapter will have more plot development than the last . . . I hope x.x;;
~~~~~~~
~ A Brush of Darkness ~
The Land of Hyrule, still blanketed by snow, seemed to be at peace again after the storm. In Kakariko, the chicken lady still cared for her precious cuckoos. The carpenters stayed busy, despite the snow around them to build what would be an archery practice room. Even the soldier at the gate stood his post. To them as well as for the rest of Hyrule, it was nothing but another nice day.
But to Link and his friends, it was possibly the last day of peace. With the group still separated and a few of them still injured, there was little chance of making plans. The odds were against them.
Back at the Gerudo Fortress, Link was led to a sleeping quarter and decided to get his own well-deserved rest. Though he slept, Oni Link was restless. Remaining at the back of Link's mind, he stewed over the coming night. He stared into the darkness while his thoughts were far away.
From one of the shadows, the Zora Spirit appeared and puzzled, "Dude, what ya zoning out about?" The voice was bubbly despite being not of air or water but of thought speech.
Oni Link growled in his throat for being interrupted then muttered without looking at Mikau, "Only contemplating the balance. There is always evil in the world and there is always good to combat it. If there was only one or the other, that one would destroy itself. Evil turns upon itself, good would turn upon itself."
Mikau yawned and rubbed his neck, "Yeah. What ya getting at? The sages seem to know that already. Why stress about it?"
"Idiot. Everyone is focused on Demon Zolaris. The chosen of the Dark Moon God. That is only because the full moon is his night. He has proven the hassle." Oni snorted lightly and narrowed his eyes almost to scold others. "I only wonder why Link and his new friends as well as the sages haven't stopped to think about how things would be if it was Demon Toloran's night.
"Through Link's memories, I have seen how some, such as the Gerudo, were once under Ganondorf's rule. However they changed from being under his evil rule to act right under Nabooru's rule. This would not matter to the chosen of the Light Moon God. He would only see that they were once evil and would be convinced that they would need to be eliminated.
"Everyone has a fault in them. No one is perfect. In a way, even the Light Warrior is tainted for taking lives. It depends on what you see as to be good or bad and to what extent. Thus, he is just as bad as the Dark Warrior." Mikau yawned again after Oni's explanation and stretched his back. "Whatever, man. But I think Link has the right idea. I say we all get a bit of shut-eye."
Oni snorted lightly and ignored the Zora until Mikau eventually wandered away. He was still ill at ease. If one were defeated, the other would lead to the destruction in trying to make the world right in his eyes.
And who could defeat the Moon God Knight? For, if either warrior managed to gain the other's blade and form them into one with the souls, that is what he would be called. If such a thing would happen this night and not be ended on the same night, then there was nothing left to hope for.
Both would have to be stopped before the Moon God Knight could be born. Or just held back until the night was over. The latter was impossibility for both sides had powers neither would show. Potential they held back so none could see and form a counter against such ability.
He already knew how to match Demon Zolaris' ability to teleport, as long as there was no barrier. But what other tricks had the Demon not shown yet? Oni Link hoped that Link and his little friends knew exactly what they were getting into before making any decisions. Too many factors were to be put into play to form a plan. They would have to do all that they could and hope for the best.
Oni clenched a fist at that. It wasn't enough! But what was to be done? Hide the keys? Never before had either of the warriors been so close to victory. The keys were gathered neatly on the same land when each had once been scattered over the seas!
The situation defied what the Fates have intended, it seemed like. Even then, each of the keys seemed to be at three separate corners, assuming Kohachan had gone off elsewhere. He was not with Matt in the fortress, after all. And knowing the Sheikah's dislike of the castle, he would be away from Crystal as well.
Still, this only proved that this night was the last thing that was supposed to happen. It still did not change the fact that the keys were practically at arm's reach of the warriors. It wouldn't take much time to find and claim each of the keys. None of them could fight against Demon Zolaris and hope to escape unless by some slim chance that the Dark Warrior gave up the hunt for the moment. That chance would be eliminated this night.
Oni stood and took a steady breath as he said aloud, "Sleep well, Link. Tonight, Hyrule is probably going to need your strength once more." Restless, the Deity took to wandering through the darkness.
~~~~~
Elsewhere in the Gerudo Fortress, the three injured were either already awake or waking up. Nabooru had left her able women to take care of business and re-post guards while she was away. Sitting at the table of the deemed recovery room was Matt and Cait while Andrake still was lying on the ground, half-awake.
Matt was eating at the warm stew while listening to the Gerudo's around him and trying not to look up from the stew, less his eyes stared at the wrong parts of the ladies. Cait seemed equally uncomfortable but for other reasons as she kept as close as she could to Matt and ate her own soup.
The two Gerudo sitting across from Matt and Cait seemed frustrated. Matt was still nervous, and yet tempted, to look up at them while Cait was simply afraid of them and their sharp features, naturally firm voice, and of the weapons a couple of them still carried. The first Gerudo woman, Trina, questioned again, "Boy, what is your name?"
Matt finally gave up on trying to stay quiet around the women. He muttered his name and took a few hasty spoon-fulls of soup and finally tipped the bowl to drain the last of it.
Trina grinned, "Finally, at least word from you." She glanced at her partner, Amora, and added, "Now if we can only bring the little one from her silent state." Amora didn't return the glance and kept looking at the young girl. "Hm? Amora, what is it?" Matt slightly tensed, not liking the sudden attention drawn to Cait. He glanced up at them through his hair, keeping his face down.
"Hmm . . ." Amora finally looked to Trina, "Just noticed the young one is a Hylian while the boy is not. Noting too important. Just curious." Trina nodded her agreement to that. She cocked an eyebrow inquisitively as Matt lowered his eyes once more then questioned him again, "Where did you two meet?"
With a full belly, he felt somewhat better and slightly braver. Matt looked up and sat back a bit more as he answered, "We met here in Hyrule. It was a long time ago. I'm a traveler, really. Now, where is my stuff? And how did we get here in the first place?"
Amora decided to answer him, "Your equipment is being kept safe for as long as you are here. As for how you got here, the Kitsune, Tarawen, led a small band of warriors to go and find you and your comrades. But what are you doing here?"
Matt returned the volley, "Tarawen got us out of the snow, eh? Mighty kind of her. I just came for the sake of seeing a friend who was brought here before. Yet, we were attacked." His heart leapt suddenly as he remembered something. The sudden jump also made him flinch in expecting pain yet he was in none.
Shaking it off, Matt asked the two warrior women across from him, "Hey, what time is it? Is it close to the rising of the moon?" He kept his eyes on hers and cursed his hormones as his eyes kept trying to drift down.
Both women seemed curious of his last question then figured he was worried that he had slept the day away, which he did. Trina leaned on the table a bit, tilting her head curiously as she answered, "The moon is just rising. It will be a bright night tonight. Why do you ask?" She was left confused as Cait gasped lightly and Matt was sent to swearing in various languages under his breath. Matt sighed at last and muttered, "Out of time . . ."
~~~~~
Crystal watched the sunset and sharpened her daggers. Tired of being in the castle and wondering where her friends were, she had gone to the roof of the main hall between two spires and looked over the land of Hyrule. Her boots and the blanket she had taken with her were both wet from the snow but that was all.
Finished sharpening her daggers, she sheathed them both and stood up, picking up the blanket after her. No longer able to wait, she decided to go and find her friends. Demonic night or no, she felt they needed to stay together. That was the only way they had overcome hardships of the past.
Sliding down the roof without fear, she landed on the flat just above the main entrance. It was not too long a jump but she didn't want to chance that there could be ice on the stone bridge. She looked back to the horizon to see the sunset fading. Time was running out too quickly.
Taking a breath for courage's sake, she leapt off the roof and judged the landing, landing in a crouch to absorb the impact yet her feet slipped on the ice and she fell on her backside. Groaning from the sudden but not crippling ache, she slowly got to her feet and brushed herself off.
She knew Zelda would not have advised the escape much less offered a horse to help her with. And after that fall, it would be a bit before riding was comfortable again. Still, Zelda seemed to not really understand how much she wanted to be with her friends. Despite her words, the Princess had advised her to stay yet had to leave for some meeting of the sages. Talking would get nothing done for Hyrule in defense of Demon Zolaris. Action needed to be taken.
Crystal began running from the castle, despite the ache in her lower back, and headed for the fields, chasing the darker side of the sky. It was ironic, running in the direction that the moon would rise. Almost as though she ran to her own defeat. Defeat or victory, she corrected herself. There had to be a way to get around the demon long enough for the night to end. And if there was a way, she had a feeling that Link would be able to find it, wherever he was.
From behind her and over her shoulder, the sound of a fairy flitting quickly through the air chased her. A purple light came to the side of her head and began to glow a bit brighter white to light the way through the growing darkness. The light was not yet needed as the sun's light was still on her back. Crystal smiles lightly nonetheless while she ran, "Coming with me, Navi?"
Navi flew beside her almost effortlessly, used to following Link in such runs and laughed, "But of course! You are going to find Link, right? And it was getting boring in the castle!" She landed on Crystals' shoulder for a moment then took to flying again without getting in Crystal's way.
Crystal nodded still with a grin and began somewhat working harder to get through the snow. At least she would be let out the gate at the end of the road without an upset. "Thanks, my flying friend. You're more than welcome to come, Navi. So long as you don't snitch that we are running away."
The fairy giggled and nodded, bobbing in the air a couple of times. The twosome managed to get to the very gates leading out of the marketplace but the drawbridge was being drawn and torches on the outside of the wall were being lit.
"Wait!" Crystal yelled as she redoubled her effort in running to the gate. Yet the guard took no heed of her. Navi flew a bit faster then looked back at Crystal, urging her on, "Come on! We can still get up the gate! Come on, come on, come on!" Crystal nodded and clenched her fists before relaxing the grip and working up the long wooden gate as the chains clanked louder and kept pulling the bridge up.
She made it to the top and held onto it with her elbows before pulling herself up onto the wood and looking across Hyrule field. As the sun's light died away and the moonlight stabbed down from the horizon, a stab of fear took over Crystal. She suddenly felt alone before the vast, bitterly cold landscape.
Navi flew by her and landed on her shoulder, reminding Crystal that she was still with her. Crystal smiled to Navi and stood up on the drawn drawbridge. "Well, where do we go, Navi? And how do we get there before the moon rises into the middle of the night sky?" Navi shook her head a bit and drifted to fly once more and look across the glittery, snow-covered land. "I think . . . we should head . . ." Navi paused, trying to listen to her intuition but Crystal interfered, "How about that way?" She pointed to the southwestern area.
Navi started at that then looked to the distance though she couldn't see beyond the rise of the land and protested lightly, "But that is where the Gerudo Fortress lies. He wouldn't be there, would he? And why would he be? Well, then again, the Gerudo are his friends. He might have gone there to ask if they've seen anything odd. Like a Demon running around. Okay, we can go there and check!"
Navi waited for a response but Crystal had jumped down into the snow past the moat and looked back up at the chatty fairy with a grin. Flushed, Navi flitted down to join her and they began to run or fly respectively.
~~~~~
"Aren't women supposed to lose their flexibility as they grow up?" Kohachan scratched the back of his head in wonder as Tarawen, in her human form, was stretching out under the light of the setting sun. The two had stopped riding near the middle of the field, and already knew that they weren't going to get anywhere close to safety before the moon rose. Thus Tarawen wanted to be ready.
She laughed lightly as she twisted herself forward and to the side setting her left shoulder to her right knee while lightly holding her ankles to pull the stretch a little farther than it would naturally go. "No, Kohachan. For one thing, I am a Kistune. Kitsune have natural flexibility like this. And if kept up and even stretched even more from youth, then we are more flexible that in youth."
Still the Sheikah tried not to stare in wonder and scratched the back of his head, still mounted on Trasul. The black horse never minded the antics of the fox-like woman and sniffed at the air, perking at minor changes in the pattern.
Kohachan patted the stallion's shoulder, "Looks like Trasul is getting edgy. Even he knows what's coming up tonight." This was no surprise, as all of the animals of Hyrule and areas have a sense of coming calamity.
Straightening her form only to bend backward and set her hands to the snow down and behind her, Tarawen agreed, "Indeed. And you should be getting ready as well, should you not?" She let her hands go to her elbows, bending her back and stretching her stomach a bit more before raising back up again to her hands.
Kohachan let his hand go to his katana and recalled his last fight with Demon Zolaris. The ring was the only thing that had saved him from having his soul taken. But this night when both Warriors of light and dark walked the earth, the shields would be rendered as useless as any common armor against the sword that slash the soul.
He shook his head and said calmly, "There would be no point, really. All we can do is fight our hardest and hope we can either hold Demon Zolaris off or avoid him all together."
Tarawen turned on him sharply after rising back up normally once more, "Tell me . . . if the sword manages to steal a soul . . . thus gaining a key . . . and the key was not used . . . then what would happen to the soul taken? If the warrior holding the soul failed and daylight came again, would the soul die?" She kept watching his features though he avoided her gaze.
"I don't know, honestly. It would be hard to look that far ahead. But we might find out eventually, it seems. Or you will find out." Kohachan knew those words would hurt her or else earn him a sound beating over the head. Either way, it was the only truth he could speak. Even if the truth hurt, it had to still be accepted.
When there was no reply, Kohachan looked to Tarawen. Tarawen bit her lower lip lightly and cocked her ears in attention and looked around. Trasul slightly pranced, as though catching a sense of what Tarawen already felt. Kohachan calmed the dark horse with a few words and kept his eyes on Tarawen, his own eyes slightly darkening in the rising feeling of doom.
"It's Demon Zolaris, isn't it?" The question was more a statement. Tarawen nodded and went back to Kohachan and his mount and set a hand on the stallion's shoulder, keeping her eyes on him. "I don't want to see you taken that easily, my friend. Ride away. If he comes here, he will have to contend with me. He won't steal my soul. I am not a key for him to use."
Kohachan grinned bitterly. He appreciated her offer yet found it to be useless. Answering her quizzical glance, he muttered, "That would be a waste. Weather the soul is a key or not does not matter. He can still steal it. Thus end the life of that person. Or else leave a living yet empty shell of the person behind."
Kohachan looked back down at her even as he could feel the light of the moon growing over the snow around them giving it an eerie glow. "Thank you for the offer but it is you who would be the more tragic lost. Ironic, it would be, if Demon Zolaris would strike you down. But that won't happen. I can't let you take that chance, Tarawen."
She growled suddenly and snapped at him, "That is noble of you. Noble and selfish. You would be taken as well as the other two keys. Then the world would be lost. In this situation, my life is not important." A warning glance from Kohachan managed to silence her but not quiet her thoughts against him.
Under the choked silence, the air felt different. Demon Zolaris was getting closer and his ability had grown exponentially from the last encounter. "Tarawen . . . Crystal and Matt don't know all there is to know about this night. If Matt is safe as you say, his own shield must have saved him." Kohachan dismounted calmly to the snow again on the other side from Tarawen and looked at her over Trasul's shoulders, "You have to find them and do your best to protect them now."
Tarawen held his gaze, his sharp red eyes no longer driving her gaze away or causing her to flinch under them. She answered with an equally steady voice, "You want me to tell them that their 'shields' are useless now? And Matt will know what I speak of." She mounted, the fur raised on the back of her neck at the Demon's approach. It felt like Demon Zolaris was standing just nearby, watching with sadistic glee.
She tried to shake off the feeling and looked down to Kohachan again, "But what about you? Are you just going to wait here and let your soul be taken?"
"Of course not. If he faces me first, then he and I will fight again. It will settle the match from the night before. Ride hard, Tarawen. This stall might not last long enough to give you much time." He looked around, expecting the Demon to spring from no where. Tarawen sighed lightly at his pessimism yet could find no words to say otherwise.
Knowing that that was possibly the last time she would see her friend, she wet her hand on his forehead and spoke softly in her own language, "Hold fast to your faiths. May your blade stay sharp and your vision clear. The path of Fate will clear before you in time." Having given her blessing, she did not wait for any longer reply and sped off with Trasul back to the Gerudo Fortress.
Taking a deep breath after the blessing, Kohachan released the clasp to his cloak and let the fabric aside. He drew his katana and looked back at Tarawen's trail. She was already fading by distance to the desert grounds. He gripped the hilt of the katana and brought it before him, clasping it with both hands.
A flash of shadow-like motion flew over the snow. Acting on instinct, Kohachan slashed at the object only to vanish a small haze of formless shadow energy. He cast a glance along where the energy had come from only to see the dark shade of a horse and rider approaching him from the haze of the Legendary night.
The moon glinted off the silver-like clasp of the cloak then revealed the hood of the cloak was pulled off. Silver hair with pointed ears created the silhouette. The rider continued riding closer revealing black piercing eyes and a cruel smirk of power and control. The look on his face was that of a hunter having trapped a long-sought prey.
A gleaming blade was held in the right hand of the rider, the gleam seemed unnatural even under the light of the rising full moon. A grin flashed over the rider's face and the blade came up again sharply, sending another stream of dark energy flying through the air. Again Kohachan sliced through the energy, hoping Demon Zolaris would continue taking his time.
Unfortunately, that was not to be. Demon Zolaris let out a sharp yell and dug his heels into the Gerudo stallion's flanks, charging the animal at Kohachan, the blade coming out once more and still gleaming. Kohachan jumped back from the blade tip and stayed on his feet. Of anything, he had to avoid the gleaming sword first.
Evil laughter filled the night air as well as the snorting of the Gerudo Stallion. Demon Zolaris kept his grin as he brought the stallion around to walk calmly toward Kohachan again, black eyes gleaming with an inner darkness. He chuckled darkly in his throat, "Seems you aren't going to come easily. You always were a stubborn one, Kohachan." He dismounted and brought the blade to bare though the gleam dimmed back to steel and the glowing eyes of the Hydra dulled slightly once more.
"So . . . let us settle what we began just last night. But now, all you can do is run away." Demon Zolaris put as much a jeer into his voice as he could and was pleased as Kohachan took up the blade once more and silently glared at him. "Not running this time, eh? Good. Perhaps this will be entertaining." Demon Zolaris came at Kohachan, drawing the Dark Moon Blade into a vertical slash but the attacked and cast aside.
Kohachan didn't wait for Demon Zolaris to recover. He tried crouching in the snow to sweep kick the Demon's legs out from under him but it was avoided the same way as last time. Still crouched on the ground, Kohachan was made to stop another attack from coming down on him. The two swords clashed loudly in the night as the struggle of power between the two continued.
Kohachan's thoughts began to wander even as he fought with automatic movements, keeping the steel blade away from him. He knew the fight was useless yet he refused to give up. Crystal, Matt, Tarawen, Link, even Toloran and Zolaris as well as countless other lives counted on the legend not being fulfilled. Time was of the essence!
He began to fight back against the blade bearing down on him but as soon as he began to stand from the snow, Demon Zolaris kicked Kohachan in the chest to send him backward again into the snow. Kohachan rolled to the side before another stronger streak of dark energy could slice over or through him. The snow where he was a moment ago immediately melted from the dark power.
Kohachan jumped to his feet just in time to meet another larger wave of power. He used his katana to slice through the shadow energy but the final larger one pushed him back a few feet in the snow. "The blade . . . more power is being unlocked from it before the full lunar eclipse . . ." Kohachan observed.
The Dark Moon Blade was indeed gleaming a bit more darkly as it seemed to leak with black sparks after sending the attacks. Demon Zolaris smirked, "Now do you see? As the night wears on, my power grows greater. There is no pestering Kitsune to rescue you now. And I have my own rightful blade in my hands. Your fate is sealed!" Demon Zolaris ran at Kohachan once more, the Dark Moon Blade gleaming with black energy to strike against the Katana and send the energy tearing through Kohachan.
"Not yet." Kohachan tapped into his own magic and felt the embers in himself grow and spread into the blade. It had been a while since he had to use such magic to fight but he was confident in his ability. The katana began to gleam with a light of it's own and clashed it against the gleaming Dark Moon Blade. Sparks, both black and white, flew through the air and melted into the snow around them.
The clashes continued across the snow, adding light to the full moon night. Kohachan drove the attack, gaining a bit of ground on Demon Zolaris but then was forced to fall back under the Demon's own attack. It was not long after the shift of control that Demon Zolaris managed a sharp slash across Kohachan's arm, weakening the Key of Wisdom's grip.
Kohachan hissed in pain and tried to defend against another attack but his hold on the blade as well as the magic was weakened. The black aura around the Dark Moon Blade grew as the two swords clashed once more. The katana flew, the blade sparking with dark magic, and fell into the snow, point first.
Dark Magic also seeped into the wielder of the katana. A ripple of pain then a sudden and sharp pain flew through his arm as though a thousand knives stabbed at his flesh. Kohachan gripped his injured arm, feeling the last of the magic seeping into his shoulder and back as well as his chest. He glared at the grinning Demon and felt a rage deep within him stir.
"Oh, no you don't, Kohachan. Your Demon will not be allowed to help you out either. It will be over before then." Demon Zolaris proved his words true, bringing the flat of the Dark Moon Blade to the side of the Sheikah's head, sending Kohachan to the snow again on his injured side.
Kohachan looked up as Demon Zolaris and saw the Dark Moon Blade gleaming with the same black energy then saw it drip with the power like excess venom from a snake's fang. Demon Zolaris grinned sadistically once more and brought the blade to his side, preparing a horizontal slash over Kohachan's body.
Staring at the blade with hazed eyes, Kohachan knew it was indeed nearing the end. He let his eyes close and turned his thoughts to his friends once more. In his mind's eye, he could see a final light. That light was the form of a small Hylian boy with a fairy close beside him.
Link? But how would Link be the light amid the imminent darkness?
He could not finish his thoughts as the sound of the attack being released made his heart leap before pain seared through him from the attack.
A scream of complete agony filled the night air. The sound of intense suffering echoed over the land, through the forest, across the cold sands, and off the far mountains. The scream sounded the alarm of danger though it was an alarm that would go unheeded by the sleeping people of Hyrule. Many awoke to it and few stayed up from the fearful sound. Yet there was nothing that could be done as the scream died down then faded away startlingly quickly.
Demon Zolaris grinned in satisfaction and held up the gleaming Dark Moon Blade. One of the three sets of eyes began to whirl in a wonder of light then gleam a solid bright blue. He looked down at the fallen Kohachan. Kohachan's features here soft once more even after the scream of agony.
Well, he would not have to worry about suffering again. He only had one purpose to serve other than proving to be an amusement. And he was one step closer to serving that purpose. Demon Zolaris caressed the third Hydra head with the gleaming blue eyes then called to the Gerudo stallion.
Mounting once more, he envisioned the blade holding a pair of green eyes and red eyes to go with the blue. That was when each of the keys were his. When the moon was in the full eclipse, the temple would be revealed. Demon Zolaris would be there, waiting for that time. He would defeat the ever-annoying Warrior of Light and claim the Light Moon Blade once more. After that . . . true power would be his.
Demon Zolaris grinned down at Kohachan's still form in the snow. Then he gave a mock salute with the Dark Moon Blade and dug his heels into the black horse, driving the Gerudo horse through the snow and back to the Gerudo Fortress. It was only a matter of time before the final two keys were in his possession. He would be invincible.
~~~~~~~
And there is another chapter! Look! Things happened this time!
Gaahhh!!! Kohachan is gone! His soul is kept in bondage while his body is left to freeze. Is he gone for good?! Am I truly that evil?! And what of Crystal and Matt? Are they doomed to share Kohachan's fate?!? Can it be true that Demon Zolaris is really unstoppable?? And what of Kohachan's final vision? We will have to wait and see next time!
*Cackles evilly* Ahh . . . been so long since the last evil cliffie. Er . . . so you can't blame me for dying to make another one! *Earns a swat upside the head* Owie! What was that for? And who did that?!
Oni: You only gave me the first section. Yet you said that I was going to have a larger part in this chapter.
Eep! Oni! Oro? I said that? O.o;; When?
Oni: Before you started writing, you were going to give me a larger part than that!
Umm . . . Well, things changed and you know you'll get the big part to play later on . . IF you are nice to me! XD
Oni: *Fingers his blade* Be glad I don't cleave your chair into a stool. Or worse.
Heheh . . . yeah . . . well . . . me going to beg again. Tis not as last as last time though! Heheh! Next chapter should come just as quickly as well! *Gets hit over the head to stop her babbling but consequently is knocked out as well*
Oni: *Snorts lightly and picks Shadow Girl up over his shoulder* About time. She needs to stop pulling all-nighters only to write. Only one last thing to say . . .
Until next time!