Chronicles of Zelda I: Darkness Rising
Chapter 30: Hyrule's Stand
Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda is property of Nintendo
"Why are you doing this, Father?" Tawahn asked softly, sadness heavy in his voice. Hearing his son address him so caused King Tawahn's eyes to flash with sadness for a brief second, but that moment did not go unnoticed by the prince. "I know you're not in control, Father," he continued, "And I don't know what's wrong but you must let me help you." The struggle which was seemingly taking place in the king's mind, made evident by the strain in his eyes and face, slowly ceased, and the cold glare of hatred returned.
"How kind," King Tawahn sneered, "Offering to help 'daddy' out. There's nothing you can do for him, boy."
"Who are you?"
"You will know soon enough," the stranger spoke through the king's mouth, "But right now I suggest you worry more about the lives of you and your friends."
"You must let them go," the prince argued, "You do not need them anymore."
"On the contrary," the king said, "They have not exhausted their usefulness yet," he turned to the Calatian audience, "Citizens of Calatia," he boomed, "This is the prince who has betrayed you!" As he gestured to the younger Tawahn many shouts of agreement rose into the air, though, greatly angering the king, a few voices still rang out in the prince's defense. "He has committed treason and turned on you, his people, with malevolent and horrifying intents. He-"
"I have done nothing wrong!" the prince shouted in desperation, his voice overpowering his father's, "My father is not in control of his actions. You must not heed him!" The king's sword was pulled from its sheath at this moment, and the ruler raised it above his head as if to cut the prince down. The blade fell, but the struggle returned to the king's mind and the weapon stopped just above the younger man's head. The monarch's arms began to shake and he gritted his teeth, straining against some unknown force, but the prince continued without moving, "See how he acts! You know that these are not the ways of your king; he is being manipulated!" Excited murmuring was heard throughout the crowd; some claimed the prince was insane while others were beginning to believe him. The younger Tawahn turned to face his father, whose arms were still struggling with his sword. Upon seeing the face of his son, the king grimaced and, with much effort, tossed the blade to the side where it clattered atop the stone wall.
"My son…" he said, his eyes gentle but his voice strained, "You must run…I may hurt you if you stay…Please, go…I am sorry…"
"I will not leave, Father," the prince said defiantly, and his look darkened as the thing inside the monarch regained control.
"I will not kill you yet, boy," said the voice, "You have proven to be stronger than I had originally judged. Guards, bind the prince and show him to his room in the castle." A set of royal guards complied and Tawahn's hands were tied behind his back before he was led forcefully from the top of the wall, down a set of stairs. "People of Calatia," the king said loudly, "I apologize for my actions. I was hardly able to control myself when I witnessed how traitorous my own son has become. I assure you he will be punished…"
Link and his companions breathed a sigh of relief as Tawahn was led safely out of sight.
"He's actually alive," Rayen commented, disbelief in his voice, "Maybe he was right about his father; there could be something else at work here."
"I know there is," Link said quietly.
"So you think they're gonna let us out of here?" Dek asked, looking around at the guards that surrounded them.
"As for you, Foreigners," King Tawahn was facing the weary travelers, speaking as if to answer the elf's question, "Your escapade through my lands ends here. Guards, dispose of them," he waved his hand dismissively.
"This guy just doesn't get it," Link drew his sword, "We're still gonna get out of here, and this whole fighting-off-guards-thing is getting really old."
"Get to the cart to our right," Zelda said, "It'll give us a fast way down the hill." The Calatian soldiers had, by now, begun marching toward the allies as if to smother them. "Get ready," Zelda formed a small ball of flame in her hidden palms, "Wait for the explosion." Rayen opened his mouth as if to ask what she was talking about when the princess hurled the sphere of magic into the group of soldiers to her right side. Upon contact with the ground, the small flame exploded into a powerful Din's Fire and expanded, throwing guards back and leaving a large hole in their ranks; and a straight path to the empty cart.
The comrades charged toward the wagon before the soldiers recovered and leapt upon it. Zelda grabbed the reigns of the two horses attached to the cart and pulled back, surprising the steeds into a blind run down the hill. Link, Lunari, and Dek picked off attacking soldiers and the princess handed the reigns to Rayen.
"I'm gonna use Farore's Wind to get us up on the wall," she explained.
"You can't take us all," Link argued, "After all the magic you've used lately it'll drain you. I'll use my hookshot and take one other."
"Too risky and too time consuming," Zelda pointed out, "I can do this." The hero looked ready to object further but merely nodded as the cart careened down the hill, nearing the large stone wall. "Grab onto my shoulders," the princess instructed; her demand was immediately followed. Closing her yes and falling into deep concentration, she slowly formed a green light around their bodies. Link watched in alarm as the horses broke away from the cart and it rolled toward the stone blockade. Just as he braced for impact, he felt the familiar magic, along with the disorientation that comes with using it, and found himself momentarily blinded by a flash and then atop the castle wall. Zelda gasped and slumped, falling into Link's waiting arms and breathing heavily from exertion.
Dek loosed two arrows and took out the two approaching soldiers while Rayen looked below for a way off of the high wall. To his surprise, a cart filled with cloth sacks of some kind was waiting below them. The driver of the wagon looked up and beckoned the bounty hunter down.
Don't really have a choice but to trust him…
"Down onto the cart!" Rayen yelled, directing Link to the edge of the wall. The Hylian, supporting Zelda, understood and leapt from the walkway with the princess by his side. Lunari and Dek followed, and then the bounty hunter, after which the driver of the wagon immediately snapped his two steeds onward, and they thundered away from the castle with the cart behind them. A number of civilians attempted to mob the escaping wagon, one even managing to tear Zelda's bag from her back, but to no avail; the skilled driver soon escaped the crowds.
"Who are you?" Link asked their rescuer once they were somewhat safe.
"Haldamir," the man answered, "I think you may know my son."
The name registered in Link's mind, "You're Amir's father?" he asked quickly.
"Yes," Haldamir paused, "I was imprisoned for speaking out against the king; my son was exiled."
"How can we trust you?"
"You don't have a choice if you plan on escaping the country," the Calatian pointed out as he directed the cart down a narrow street, "You can stay at my place for the night; you won't be found. You'll have to set off tomorrow."
As Link agreed Dek looked down the road to see two steeds and a strange sphere-shaped creature rapidly approaching the passenger-laden wagon, kicking up dust as they came.
"Looks like the soldiers found us," Rayen said, studying the same thing.
"We can't turn around," Haldamir said, "You'll have to fight them." Rayen readied his crossbow while Lunari drew her twin blades. Link was preoccupied trying to keep the semi-conscious Zelda in the cart and, curiously, Dek did not ready his bow.
"What are you doing, elf-boy?" Rayen asked, confused.
"I don't think those are soldiers," Dek gazed ahead. Link, too, turned his eyes to the road and noticed an important fact as the two horses neared the cart. The coat of one of the steeds was a chestnut color; a color he had only ever seen on one horse in his life.
"It's Epona!" he said with excitement, then realized who was atop the mare, "Don't attack! It's Malon!" the others gave him confused looks, "She's a friend from back home," he quickly explained.
Haldamir pulled the wagon to a stop, as did Malon and her Gerudo companion with their steeds, when the two parties neared. The creature that had been traveling beside the two came to a stop and stood, revealing itself to be a large Goron. Another creature that resembled a reptile was perched on the back of the black horse; the mount of the Gerudo woman.
"Link!" Malon called out excitedly as the boy climbed out of the wagon, supporting Zelda, who had insisted on getting out so as greet their friend. Epona charged toward the hero, shoving her muzzle into his face and nearly knocking him over as he laughed and patted her affectionately. Malon dismounted, "And Zelda!" she studied the princess, "What happened to you?"
"Very long story," Zelda smiled, "I'll definitely tell you later. It's so good to see you."
"I completely agree," Link said as Malon quickly embraced both of her friends.
"I can't believe you're here," the farm girl said, relief evident in her voice, "We were all so worried about you."
"We're going to have to save the talk for later," Haldamir pointed out, "Those soldiers'll find us soon."
"What soldiers?" Malon said in confusion, "You mean you've got Calatian soldiers on your tail?"
"Uh, yeah," Link said simply.
"Then what are you standing here for?" the girl said angrily, "Get back in the wagon!"
"Fire!" Mikau roared and another volley of arrows flew into the sky, plummeting down toward the Coshrak forces. The projectiles were doing little to stop the beasts, though; it took many shots to fell just a single enemy. "Fire at will!" the general ordered as the creatures came within direct firing range and advanced on the wall, "Draw your swords! Defend the gate!"
"You heard him, men!" Ingo barked, directing a portion of the Hylians to the gate below while he left some above to defend the wall before charging down himself.
The Coshraks were now sprinting madly toward the wall at an almost unbelievable pace, especially considering the snow that blanketed the ground and was now falling through the sky. The wave or enemies hit, and the majority of the beasts threw themselves into the weak gate, smashing it and tearing it apart with their bare hands.
"Gorons!" Darunia yelled, "Hold that gate!"
"Archers! Take down the attackers at the gate!" Mikau ordered, then watched in surprise as a number of Coshraks leapt up the fifteen foot wall, grabbing the edge and pulling themselves over. The archers wouldn't be able to defend themselves in the narrow space atop the wall.
"Zora! To me!" Mikau boomed and charged into action, his fin blades gutting a beast as he leapt in the air and drop-kicked another with both feet. The Zora warriors, hearing his call, scrambled up the ladders and engaged the Coshraks. "Cover the archers!" the general commanded, "Archers, keep working on the beasts at the gate!"
The Coshraks were relentlessly attacking the wooden gate, making progress although Gorons braced the door and Hylians frantically reinforced it with more supports. The first beast, finally using his massive war hammer, swung with all his strength and splintered a portion of the gate. Though he was immediately slain by a Goron's broadsword, others charged in after him, widening the gap until there was nothing left of the door. The beasts poured in, demolishing the first ranks of Gorons and Hylians and filtering into the village.
"Push them back!" Ingo yelled, "Don't let them break our ranks!" The realized that is was an especially dangerous game now; if the Coshraks broke the Hyrulian ranks they could surround the defenders and obliterate them. The Hyrulians had to bring the fight back outside of the Halfling village, where the wall would keep that event from occurring, though at the same time corner them.
Ingo grunted as he bent back to avoid the reach of a Coshrak axe and killed his attacker. He turned toward another and bellowed a war cry, charging madly.
I'm getting too old for this…
Ruto screamed in anger as she plunged her fin blade into her opponent's neck and severed his head. The princess was into the flow of the battle now, moving as smoothly as the river that flows from Zora's Domain back in her home. She knew she was ignoring every piece of advice offered to her on the matter of her involvement in the battle, but she refused to hide as her people fought and died for a just cause. For the moment, this was where she belonged; she felt like she had been born to fight here.
The presence of Impa fighting very near to her atop the village wall was somewhat unnerving, though. Ruto felt as if the Sheikah's eyes could pierce her disguise, which, she realized, was basically true. The hooded cloak and Zoran armor she wore could conceal her from comrades, but not a fellow sage. However, if Impa knew the truth, she said nothing, and Ruto silently thanked her for allowing her this opportunity.
The princess knew that she should not be wasting her thoughts on such trivial matters when the future of Hyrule hung in the balance. It was as she turned her concentration to the battle that she realized how hopeless the situation truly was. The Coshraks were swarming up the wall like insects as others finally broke the Hyrulian ranks and encircled the defenders. Thousands of beasts still had not yet even fought, but were pressing on toward the wall to take the place of those who fell.
The Hyrulians would all die…
Something to Ruto's right caught her eye and drew attention away from the battle. A flicker of light appeared just outside the left flank of the Coshrak army and expanded. It tore a hole through reality as it grew, and for a moment the princess imagined she was seeing the green of Hyrule field.
I must be going crazy…
Any doubts about her sanity were erased, though, as hundreds of soldiers charged, roaring and bellowing battle cries, through the shimmering portal.
Very familiar looking soldiers…
"It's General Kard!" Impa yelled in realization, showing her astonishment at seeing those who were though to be dead and ignoring her Sheikan training.
The Coshraks, confused by the magic that had just occurred, paused. Some turned to face the fierce new menace, but it was an effort in vain. Kard led the soldiers in a brutal onslaught, charging over the first lines of beasts and driving a wedge into the enemy forces. The new Hyrulian troops, fed by rage and thoughts of revenge, as well as an untold number of other emotions, slaughtered hundreds of Coshraks before the beasts even gathered themselves for a counterassault.
The tired defenders, witnessing this event, renewed their courage and determination and bellowed to match the war cries of Kard's troops, using the beasts' surprise to their advantage. The defenders atop the wall decimated their opponents, but the Hyrulians below continued to encounter trouble fighting off the enemies that surrounded them. As if in answer to their dire situation, a call rang out from the direction of the village, behind the defenders.
It was not a Coshrak cry, and it was unlike any Ruto had ever heard. The sources of the call soon came into view, and the princess was overwhelmed by emotions of gratitude as scores of Halflings poured from the village roads, fully armored and armed. The Halfling soldiers, with amazing ferocity, overwhelmed the Coshraks who had circled around behind the Hyrulians and freed the defenders from attack on both sides. The combined troops engaged their enemies and slowly forced the beasts back outside of the village walls.
Kard's strategic move had been completed; his wedge in the Coshrak forces effectively split the remaining enemy ranks in two. The general trusted Mikau to understand his strategy and take care of the beasts closer to the wall while his forces engaged the larger rear of the opposing army.
The Hyrulians may have gained the advantage for the moment, but the battle was far from over.
Ingo winced as a blade grazed his shoulder, soaking his sleeve in blood and drawing a satisfied growl from his attacker. He blocked the beast's next swipe with his own sword, his arms shaking against the strength of his opponent. The Hylian, thinking quickly, spun his blade around and let the Coshrak's broadsword fall past him before plunging his weapon into the enemy's gut and twisting. The creature howled in pain and crashed to the ground.
Ingo felt little joy at his small victory, however. His soldiers were falling all around him and, though they each seemed to be killing a good number of beasts, it was disheartening. The general scanned the battlefield with his eyes, which focused in surprise on one particular scene.
Talon was locked in combat with a large Coshrak, straining under the beast's deadly battle axe as he held it away from his body with his Hylian sword. The creature was victorious in the contest of strength, though, and Talon fell to the ground on his back, the axe dropping into the ground just a hair's breadth to the side of his face. The farmer lay, injured and helpless, as the creature raised its weapon for the final blow.
Ingo's mind, in the heat of battle, suddenly flashed back to an event which occurred days earlier.
The farmhand watched as Malon packed her horse, saying farewell to her father with a long embrace. Talon, with tears forming in his eyes, turned and walked sadly away. Ingo slowly stepped forward to say his goodbyes as well.
"So you're really leaving, eh?" he said sourly, "Never though you'd be the kind to do something this crazy. It's that boy, isn't it? I always told your father he was a bad influence."
Malon smiled, accustomed to Ingo's endlessly grumpy attitude. "I'm going to miss you too, Uncle Ingo," she said, giving him a quick embrace that he didn't know quite how to react to. In truth, Ingo Haelstrom was in no way related to the girl, but long ago Malon had awarded him the affectionate title of 'Uncle'. "But don't worry; I'll come back."
"Don't try to change my mind about this with all this mushy stuff," the farmhand said, "I still think you're crazy."
Malon sighed and looked off into the distance, "So do I," she said quietly, then returned her eyes to the retired colonel, "Ingo, promise me you'll take care of my father."
"There are professional baby-sitters for that job," Ingo joked, but then realized the girl was serious.
"Promise me," she said again, her eyes staring up at him, pleading.
Ingo looked at her for a moment, "Alright…I promise…"
I made a promise…
Ingo steeled his nerves and charged toward the beast assaulting his friend. Time seemed to slow in that instant; the axe of the Coshrak fell as Talon stared up in fright; Ingo poured all his strength into his legs, running desperately; the axe fell still closer; the farmhand leapt into the air, flying toward his enemy. His shoulder slammed into the Coshrak's body, sending the beast to the ground and disrupting the path of the axe so that it fell from the owner's hands onto the ground beside Talon; time accelerated to its normal speed.
The beast roared in anger and rose to its feet, lashing out with its enormous arm and smashing its fist into Ingo's face. The farmhand collapsed to the ground from the reeling blow and his opponent stomped a large foot down onto his chest. Ingo could feel his ribs crack under the pressure and he grit his teeth in agony as the beast repeated the devastating attack. The general's hand searched around blindly for his blade as the blows of his enemy rained down upon him. Finally he felt the familiar hilt of his sword and gripped it, swinging upward and catching the Coshrak off-guard. The sword severed a few fingers and cut a deep gash in the beast's chest, eliciting a roar of pain as the creature stumbled backward.
Ingo grimaced as he struggled to his feet, his sword and light armor seeming to weigh ten times as much as they had just minutes ago. His opponent had recovered his axe and stared down at the general, towering far over his head. The weary Hylian stood as straight as his broken ribs would allow, drawing his only source of energy from his adrenaline.
The beast, taking its time sizing up its opponent that it had underestimated, swung his massive axe through the air with ease, displaying his strength. Ingo did not flinch, continuing to eye his enemy carefully. The Coshrak finally seemed to have had enough of this standoff and charged forward, raising its axe above its head.
Ingo, knowing that he could not dodge his opponent forever and that his injuries severely handicapped his speed, did not move as the beast came at him. Just as the battleaxe descended toward him, he raised his sword and lunged forward, plunging his blade into the Coshrak's neck and up through its head. It was too late to save his own life, Ingo knew, for even as he lunged the axe cut into his shoulder and down through his chest and stomach, severing his left arm and nearly splitting him in two, leaving a fatally deep gash where it had passed.
The Coshrak stared down in horror at this man who had beaten him before finally falling back onto the ground, dead. Ingo allowed himself a brief smile before he, too, fell into the bloodstained snow.
When was the last time I smiled…It's been too long. Doesn't really matter now, anyway…I hope that when I get to where I'm going I have friends as good as the one's I made here. Goodbye…
The farmhand vaguely noticed Talon huddling over his body, shedding tears, before his world went dark.
"Take him down," Mikau ordered the two archers nearest him, pointing toward an exceptionally large beast who was slaughtering Hylians all about him with ease. The Zoran general assumed it to be the leader of the Coshraks; it was the largest by far and was wielding a massive broadsword. The other creatures followed wherever he carved a path, charging through the Hyrulian defensives.
Mikau watched in dismay as two arrows pierced the beast's flesh in its shoulder and chest but did nothing to impede its rampage. The two archers immediately fired again, and another time, but the creature's skin was too thick to pierce with their projectiles. The monster continued leading his troops toward the wall, pushing back the Hyrulian forces.
The Zoran general motioned for the two archers to cease fire before looking down to see another soldier fall to the leader's blade. Deciding that the beast must be stopped, Mikau dove from the wall as the Coshrak passed under him. He held his forearm blades in front of him as he fell, aiming for the leader's neck; the beast, though, seeing his approach, attempted to sidestep the attack. Mikau's blades bid deeply into its chest and shoulders, infuriating the creature.
The general tried to flip so that he hit the ground feet first but the effort was in vain; he did not have a sufficient amount of time. He landed on his back upon the soft snow and rolled, barely dodging the blade that crashed down beside him.
The leader of the Coshraks roared in anger and attacked again, continuing his barrage so that all Mikau was given time to accomplish was one desperate dodge after another. The general, though, as the beast's sword fell toward him, chose to roll forward instead of to the side, passing underneath his opponent. The Zoran held his fin blades out, cutting gashes in the leader's legs, and leapt as he came up behind the creature, twirling and scoring numerous hits to his enemy's unprotected back.
Mikau threw himself back just as his opponent's blade swung around in a vicious arc to meet him; the general's life was saved for the exchange of a small gash made in his chest. He gritted his teeth and ignored the pain, now standing fully upright to face his enemy. The other Hyrulians and Coshraks had spread out to form a circle around the two fighters, ceasing in their battle so that they could see which of their leaders would triumph.
The Coshrak leader now roared and charged, swinging his broadsword in a low horizontal arc that Mikau avoided by leaping into the air. The general cut into his opponent's arm as it passed, but was caught by surprise when the beast's other arm punched into his back from behind, sending him plowing into the ground with a sickening crack.
Mikau rose slowly and painfully, turning to charge his enemy. He attacked viciously but intelligently, weaving between his opponent's attacks and carving numerous gashes into the beasts hide. After the Coshrak was bleeding profusely from many wounds and seemingly slowing down, Mikau leapt up and aimed his blades for the creature's head. The leader, though, jerked his head aside with amazing speed and clamped his deadly jaws onto the general's outstretched arm. Mikau unwillingly screamed in pain as his opponent shook its head rapidly, flinging the Zoran around and tearing into his arm. Raising his free arm, the general concentrated and released his fin blade, firing it at the beast's face like a boomerang. It cut through the enemy's eye and forehead, spraying blood onto both fighters and eliciting a howl of pain as well as freeing the Hyrulian from capture.
Mikau fell to the ground as his blade came back to him, clutching his mangled arm. The Coshrak, with blood pouring from its eye socket, swung his sword blindly in a mad rage, the flat side catching the general in the ribs and throwing him across the makeshift arena. He raised his head to see his opponent stalking toward him, broadsword in hand. The Coshrak soon reached him, towering overhead and looking down at the warrior with something akin to respect. The beast raised its sword…
…and howled in pain, flailing wildly and seeming as if there was something stinging its back that it couldn't reach. As it turned, Mikau realized that the assessment was basically true; a hooded Zoran warrior clung to the creature's back, his fin blades wedged between the beast's shoulders.
Although the general was thankful, he was also a bit angered and surprised that a Zoran soldier would interfere in a one-on-one battle. It was against warrior code.
The Coshrak finally grabbed the intruder in its massive hand and slammed him into the ground. As the newcomer rose, Mikau felt as if an arrow had pierced his heart. The hood had fallen from the Zoran warrior's head, revealing her to be Princess Ruto. The beast, unaware and uncaring of this fact, swung his blade down toward the interferer with tremendous force. Ruto raised her fin blades in vain to block the attack, but the broadsword shattered the natural weapon on her right arm, severing her hand through the middle of her forearm. The princess screamed in agony and fell to the ground, cradling her wounded arm. The leader of the Coshraks prepared to bring its sword down on her body but suddenly a pair of fin blades exploded from its neck, severing its head as they were pulled outward.
Mikau leapt off the beast's back as it fell to the ground, eliciting a cheer from the Hyrulian observers. The nearby Coshraks, seeing their leader defeated, whatever the circumstances, howled in fright and anger, most turning to flee this battle. The Hyrulians, encouraged by their general's victory, charged after them, adrenaline racing as they slaughtered their opponents. This one victory turned the tide of the battle as the Coshraks lost their nerve and fled, the defenders pursuing them and leaving none alive.
Mikau kneeled over his injured princess, scooping her up in his strong arms. She seemed to have lost feeling in her injured arm, which, the general figured, was probably a bad thing, for as he lifted her she opened her eyes and gazed up at him.
"Princess, you should not have come out here," he said strictly, "It is far too-"
"Oh, shut up," Ruto said playfully, grabbing Mikau's head with her good arm and pulling him down to give him a kiss he would never forget.
"Alright let me look at those wounds," Zelda said, wringing out a cloth soaked in alcohol and water as Link sad wearily down upon the single bed in the room Haldamir had told the group that they could sleep in. It had not yet been decided yet which of the five would get the comfort of the bed; Dek had said something about later playing a game of cards for it.
In truth, they all felt like just drifting off to sleep, but were unwilling to let their first chance since Halthierien to relax together like normal friends pass them by. Haldamir had assured them that they were safe here for at least one night, and after sleeping for a few hours they had decided to enjoy their "night off", as Rayen had put it. Once they were out of Calatia in just a few days they could sleep easily. Malon and Alria had already gone out to buy food, a deck of cards, and some clothes for Zelda, since nobody had brought any extra, with what was left of Link's money after paying off Brigade and Slick; Haldamir had told them that he knew somebody that would gladly transport them from the country on his ship for free. The two mercenaries had disappeared; Brigade had said something about going out to scout for information, and Slick was probably annoying somebody or causing mischief. Dek and Rayen had set up a wooden target in the living room of the house and were trying to best each other at a game of darts while Lunari laid back and watched. Zelda has insisted the Link clean his wounds, knowing that they were numerous, and after the hero refused she had literally pulled him up into the room where he sat now. Lunari had, of course, made a comment about how the two wanted some "alone time".
"Do we have to do this?" Link asked, "I'm perfectly fine."
"I saw how many times you got hit out there," Zelda argued, "Now hurry up and take your shirt off."
"You fought too," Link grumbled as he pulled his tunic off over his head; he had already disposed of the dress tunic given to him for the banquet and donned his familiar green one. The hero, clad in his brown pants, raised an eyebrow at Zelda, whose cheeks were tinted slightly pink, "Why don't you have to go through this 'treatment'?" he asked, finishing his statement.
"Well sorry, Link, but I'm not taking my shirt off for you," Zelda retorted.
"It's not like there's much left of it anyway," Link mumbled, though the princess heard him clearly. And although his statement was true; Zelda was still wearing the tattered banquet dress since her pack had been lost, she glared at him. In reality, the gown, or what was left of it, didn't look as bad after having been washed by Lunari while Zelda bathed.
"You know that was your fault," the princess stated, dabbing some of the alcohol-water mixture onto a gash in Link's shoulder with a cloth, "The stupid chandelier is what ripped the bottom, and I believe that leaping up there was your idea."
"Well the other one wasn't me," Link pointed out, wincing as his treatment continued and the stinging sensation shot through his body, "The attack that left it in two pieces."
"What do you think happened to Din and Nayru?" Zelda changed the subject suddenly.
"The king needs them for something," Link said, frowning thoughtfully, "That much is clear. He's manipulating everybody, even Halberd, but I have no idea what he's planning. Tawahn seemed to think that someone else was pulling his father's strings."
"Could be that sorcerer," Zelda though aloud, "But I don't think even he is powerful enough to control someone like what Tawahn was thinking. I mean- he was beaten by you."
"Ha-aha-aha," Link laughed falsely, "Maybe I shouldn't have dragged you back here and should have just let the king have his way with you."
"You would never do that," Zelda pointed out.
"No, but I would think about it."
"No you wouldn't. Even if you did, you'd feel guilty," the princess continued cleaning the hero's wounds, bandaging some of the larger with a roll of cloth from Malon's pack, "Something called a conscience."
"Which can be easily disregarded."
Zelda pressed the alcohol-soaked rag onto a large gash on Link's back, causing him to unwillingly gasp in pain. "You know, you're a lot tougher then most guys. My other patients usually howl in pain when they get cleaned up," the princess complimented.
"You mean the little girls in the castle?" Link said, taking in air as the stinging sensation assaulted his back.
"Why is that when I compliment you, you still make fun of me?" Zelda said, sighing overdramatically.
"Lots of talent and practice."
The princess ignored him and moved back into his line of sight, beginning to clean two large gashes on the hero's face; one across his forehead and another extending down his cheek from his ear to his chin. "Both of these are going to leave scars," she said, dabbing the cloth across Link's forehead.
"Scars are something to be proud of," the hero said, "They show where you've been in life."
"To a royal banquet?" Zelda joked, "It'll be interesting when you explain where you got these from to your grandchildren. It'll definitely make a good story."
"So will the one about the half-naked princess and the tentacles of doom."
"Right up there next to the one where the brave hero rides a phantos off a cliff."
"To rescue an entire town, of course."
"Yes; and was saved by a very beautiful damsel, if I remember correctly."
"Isn't that a little backwards?"
"It was getting to cliché anyway," the princess threw the cloth she had been using into a wooden pail and picked it up by the handle, "I guess we're done; let's go play for the bed."
"Zelda," Link said hesitantly, stopping the princess at the door, "Thanks for caring."
Author's Notes:
And so the story continues to grow ever closer to its end. I'm thinking there should only be a few more chapters, though my judgment seems to be wrong often times. I'm kind of at a dilemma, though, so I decided to ask everyone's opinion on the matter.
I've basically got three choices here.
I can choose to finish this story but set it up for a sequel. This means that a lot of loose ends wouldn't be tied up just yet and it would end, in a way, at a sort of cliffhanger. The sequel would finish everything up (bad guy is defeated, everyone's happy, etc.). Now that would seem like a good idea, and it was my original plan, but it is very likely that I'm going to have a lot less time on my hands soon. I'll be a lot busier than usual and next year I'm going into college, so whatever I don't finish between now and then will sadly be left unfinished. It is very likely that the next story in the series won't be finished.
The second choice is to end this story without setting it up for a sequel and to pursue a story in the Final Fantasy VIII section, which I've wanted to work on for quite some time. That story, though, would be shorter, less epic, and more action-oriented. There would be less world-building attributes and less enormous battles. It's an avenue that I'm somewhat interested in, though.
The third choice is to just finish this story and be done, so that nobody will be left hanging and it can just be over. I would gladly continue to write, and I've got some awesome ideas for a sequel, but I don't want to leave it undone.
So, please review and express your opinion.
This chapter was one of my favorites, by the way, so I hope you like it.