Bwa. I'm really sorry for the long wait, so I gave you an extra-long chapter. But . . . there are a few things I would like to say before we get going.
I tried as hard as I could to get the dialogue and actions from scenes in the game as accurate as I could, but I'm not sure how well I did. There's one instance where I changed something because I thought it would fit better with the story this way.
After Quill mentions the Forsaken Fortress, Tetra hisses "The Forsaken Fortress!" And it stops there, instead of going on as if she's not sure about something. ("Isn't that the place where-?")
Oh, and the end of the chapter is kind of choppy (I might rewrite it later)
I think that's it.
A young boy clothed in green appeared as if from nowhere. . . .
Weilding the blade of evil's bane, he sealed the dark one away and gave the land light. . . .
There was a ringing in my ears as the words of the legend dripped through my mind.
Known as the Hero of Time. . . .
The great evil . . .
There was an angry roar, like that of a monster, and my head cleared a bit. But the words still dripped through my brain.
that all thought had been forever sealed away by the Hero once again crept forth. . . .
But the Hero did not appear.
Was I floating? Something seemed to be supporting me, but I wasn't standing on solid ground. My arms and legs hung limply, useless.
They left their future in the hands of fate. . . .
Something was holding me, by my vest. But what was it?
What became of the kingdom?
I was dimly aware of the sounds of swords clashing and the smell of a damp, wooded area. Was I in a forest?
None remain who know.
As I opened my eyes, I heard a loud roar, and a thud, as if something heavy had fallen to the ground. A quick glance around told me I was in a forest and hanging from a tree. Well, that certianly seemed dignified, didn't it?
Gotta get down from here, I thought as I began trying to swing myself off the branch . . . or something along those lines at least. Unfortunately, about that moment, the branch I was hanging from gave way with a snap, and I fell. "OWWWCH!!" I got to my feet slowly, holding my head with one hand. Stupid trees, I thought. Stupid stupid-huh? I paused, looking at the boy before me.
"Are you all right?" I looked him over as he waited for an answer. He was about my age, and wearing green. The thought stuck out in my mind for a moment, but I pushed it back. He stood with one hand on his hip-the other held a sword. I thought of backing away, but he didn't seem to wish me any harm. "Hey. . . . " I stopped at his face. His hair fell out limply from beneath the green cap he was wearing. I swallowed. He was cute.
"Wow," I mumbled.
"What?" He waved a hand in front of my face. "Are you all right?"
Oh no! He saw my slip! I paused a minute, trying to recollect myself. "What's with that get-up?" I asked, trying to change the subject. He looked down and disdainfully held a pinch of fabric between two fingers. He opened his mouth to explain. "Well, whatever," I contined, cutting him off. "So, where am I?" I looked around, slightly confused. I was in a forest, yes, but just how had I gotten here again? "Oh, that's right! That giant bird came and. . . ."
"Miss! MISS TETRA!!" Both the kid and I looked over to see Gonzo at what seemed to be the entrance of the forest, waving his arms and jumping about like a fool. The kid gaped as he came running over to meet us. "Oh! Oh, thank. . . ." He paused, out of breath. "Thank goodness! You're safe! When I saw you get dropped on this summit, I thought for sure you'd. . . . "
"Summit?" I spoke my thoughts aloud. That stupid bird dropped me on the summit of a mountian? "So that bird dropped me on the top of a mountian?" Gonzo nodded, and I felt a scowl creeping through my face. "Well, wasn't that nice of it!" Yep, I was fully scowling. I began to make my way toward the entrance of the forest where I had seen Gonzo. Speaking of Gonzo. . . . "Well, don't just stand there!" When he looked confused, I added, "Let's go! Time to repay our debt to that bird in full!" I turned.
"But, Miss," Gonzo said slowly. My pace slackened, but I didn't stop. "What about this boy?" I didn't have to turn to know that he was gesturing at the boy in green.
"Don't worry about him! Come on!" I paused until I felt Gonzo at my heels, and then left the forest.
Once outside, I found myself on a cliff hanging high above the ocean. There was a bridge to another cliff, and on that cliff was a path, probably to the rest of the island, if I had any guesses. I heard footsteps behind me as I paused to consider how exactly we were to get off the island without attracting more attention than was needed. I didn't have to look to see that the footsteps belonged to the kid in green. He was the only one besides Gonzo and I who were in the forest, so it made sense. Suddenly, a small girl-the one I had seen in the watchtower, I realized-came running up the path, waving her arms.
"Big brother!" she called. I heard a small chuckle behind me, and turned just enough to see the kid in green wave at the girl. She came running across the bridge, and the kid in green stepped forward, as if he were going to greet her, but my attention wavered there because a distant, familiar sound reached my ears.
It was a screech.
I looked up, and sure enough there was the giant Helmorac that had caught me before, except . . . it didn't have its eyes on me, I realized in a panic. I followed its gaze to the girl. Was it after her? My eyes widened in horror.
I have to warn her-I thought, but it was too late.
"BROTHER!!!" the girl shreiked as the talons closed around her, sweeping her off the bridge easily.
No! My mind screamed. Put her down, you stupid bird! I'm the one you were after! There was the sound of ringing metal, like when I drew one of my daggers, and I looked over. The kid in green had drawn his sword-since when did he have a sword? It didn't seem to be there before-and was running for the bird. I was going to let him, but I realized his eyes were on the girl-his sister-and not on where his feet were going. The cliff! He drew closer to the edge, and I moved toward him.
"Miss?" Gonzo asked, and at that moment, the kid fell. I dove for his hand as his green cap vanished over the edge. I caught it, and began to slip-with the sword, he was heavier than I was-until Gonzo wrapped his arms about my middle and began to attempt to pull us up.
Attempted, that is.
At that moment, the kid began to squirm in my grip, and I had to fight to keep my hold on him. All the movement nearly jarred me out of Gonzo's arms. I could hear him cursing under his breath, and the kid repeating a name-Aryll, who I could only guess was the girl who had been kidnapped. I looked up-the bird was flying into the horizon, and the kid wouldn't stop struggling.
"Uhhn!" I grunted, still trying to keep him from falling. "Stupid kid! Get ahold of yourself! She's gone." I could hear him protesting, still squirming as if he were going to chase the bird. "There's nothing you can do." He seemed to take my words into consideration, and let himself hang limply. "Gonzo, help."
"Right." With a grunt, Gonzo stood up, pulling me to my own feet and dragging the kid up over the ledge. I gave a curt nod, and set off over the bridge. Moments later, I heard the bridge shake as the kid followed us.
It was a slow walk down the mountian to the village, and I was ever aware of the kid's gaze on me. I bit my lip-what did he want from me? When we entered the village, people glanced up from their tasks to look at us, and I gritted my teeth. I hated being watched, and the kid's gaze-along with those of his neighbors-were nearly driving me insane.
Stop following me! I thought. When my eyes landed on the ship floating near the island, I let out my breath in relief.
"Miss Tetra!" Niko greeted us as we approached the beach. "Gonzo! You found her!" Gonzo chatted with Niko as I heard someone coming through the sand behind me. I didn't have to look to know it was the kid in green. Suddenly, my two crew members went silent. "Who's the kid?"
I whirled around, my tied-back hair almost slapping Gonzo as I went. "What the hell do you want, kid?" I glared at him, and he back at me.
"First off, my name's Link," he said slowly. His voice sounded different-serious. "And as for what I want-you're going to take me with you on your ship." He sounded as though this were something he had planned for years, instead of just minutes.
My eyes went wide. "What?!?" I exclaimed. "You want to come with us on our ship?" I repeated the words in a daze as Link nodded. After a moment, I pulled myself together and placed my hands on my hips, raising an eyebrow as I looked at him. "Do you understand what you're asking? We're pirates!" His expression didn't change. I was getting desperate. "You know . . . pirates! The terror of the seas! What do we get out of bringing some helpless little kid along with us? I'll tell you what we get . . . a headache." His face was set. Time to try a different tactic. "I know how you must feel, with your sister having been kidnapped and all." His face fell, and I continued, sure I was going to win. "But that doesn't really have anything to do with us, now does it?"
"I don't know," Link mumbled, but another voice spoke over him.
"And how do you figure that?" We looked over to see a Rito male with a postbag slung across his chest-I supposed he was the island's postman, as most Rito served as postmen.
Gonzo, irritated, raised his fists at the newcomer. "Whoa, whoa, whoa there!" he said, as if the Rito were advancing on me rather than standing there. "Just who are you?! Where do you get off butting in on someone else's conversation?!"
"Please!" he said, crossing his arms. His tone sounded angry rather than pleading, as if my crew and I were pathetic. "All I mean to say is that if you big, bad pirates hadn't come to this quiet little island that poor girl wouldn't have been snatched away by that bird."
I knew he was right, and I felt ashamed, but I wasn't about to admit it. "And just what do you mean by that?"
"Just be quiet for a moment, and I'll tell you!" He looked ruffled, but calmed as I shut up. "Now, as my work entails delivering letters, I spend much of my time traveling amongst the many different islands." I knew that. "As a results, I hear many things." Who didn't? "Haven't any of you heard word that young girls have been getting kidnapped lately from all regions of the Great Sea?" My mouth dropped open-I hadn't. And from Gonzo's perplexed face, he didn't either. Seeing this, the Rito seemed satisfied. "No matter," he continued with a little grin on his face, proud of himself for getting the better of me. "Whether you've heard it or not, that seems to be the case. Young girls with long ears like yours have been getting kidnapped, never to be seen again."
"Where are you going with this?" Link asked.
The Rito continued as if he hadn't heard Link. "And unless my eyes fail me, the young girl who was just kidnappped from this island also has long ears, does she not?" His eyes burned with anger towards-I could only guess-myself.
I think I know where he's going with this, I thought, closing my eyes and wincing.
"Much like you do, Miss Fearsome Pirate," the Rito finished, speaking my thoughts. "My point is that the bird mistook that poor girl for you, and that's why it grabbed her!" I looked at the ground, aware of everyone's eyes on me, trying to hide my burning face. "And correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was young Link here who saved you from the monsters in the forest, wasn't it?"
Monsters? I had heard something roaring in the forest. I whirled to face Link, who seemed a mixture of proud and embarassed. "Is this true?"
"Yeah," he said. "But they weren't that tough."
But the Rito postman wasn't satisfied yet. "Oh! And while I'm at it." I winced, waiting for the next words of scorn. "I may as well tell you that the bird that kidnapped both you and Link's sister has made its foul nest to the north, on the heights of the Forsaken Fortress."
My eyes jerked open at the name. "The Forsaken Fortress!" I hissed.
"Isn't that the place where . . . ?" Link began, but the postman cut him off, still speaking to me. I didn't want to know what he was going to say.
"So, what are you going to do?" he asked. "Under the circumstances, I don't think it would be unreasonable for you to give Link a little help, now, would it?"
"Humph! I don't need you to tell me that!" I huffed, replacing my hands on my hips. "Even if I were to consider it. . . ." I broke off, resisting the urge to growl. I recollected myself and continued. "Lately, I've heard nothing but evil rumors about this Forsaken Fortress." I spoke as if I didn't know the place. I looked over Link and continued. "You can't possible mean to go there with nothing but that cheap little sword! That's not brave! It's stupid!" Link looked at his sword.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean, come on! Even a simple little island like this has to have something you could use as a sheild," I said. A thoughtful look crossed his face, and I continued. "You know, something to protect yourself with?" Link said nothing. "Anything?"
"Well, there is something," he mumbled.
"Tell ya what," I said. "If you come back with something like that, we'll let you stow away on our ship." Gonzo and Niko both balked at me, but I was satisfied. At least that stupid postman wouldn't lecture me anymore.
"Thank you!" Link said with a grin.
I hated to admit it, but he looked really cute when he was smiling.
No! I thought. Can't have thoughts like that! "Oh, and one more thing: once we leave, you won't be coming back here for a while, so you'd better go say good-bye to your family while you have the chance." When he gaped at me, I scowled. "I don't want you getting all weepy-eyed and homesick on me!"
"I won't!" he declared, and ran off.
"What do we do now, Miss?" Gonzo asked.
"We wait," I said simply, setting myself down on the island sand. "Although. . . ." I said, looking up at the postman. "He'd better get back here soon, before I change my mind!"
As we waited, Niko rejoiced. He danced a bit, saying something along the lines of, "Hello, new pirate swabbie! Good-bye, dirty pirate underwear!" while Gonzo grumbled, "That kid better do what the young miss says, and quick!"
To tell the truth, I was quite tired of listening to them. I wanted Link to get back, if only to shut them up. As if called, the green cap came bobbing into view. When he reached us, he presented an old wooden sheild to us. I wasn't too sure about it-it didn't look very reliable to me.
"Wow, that's a that's a decrepit old sheild," I commented. "Are you sure you can still use that thing?" He nodded, and I was struck by an idea. "Are you going to get splinters and cry?" He opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off. "Well, whatever. If you're ready, then let's go!" I turned and began to walk for a dingy waiting to take us to the ship. When I heard no footsteps behind me, I whirled back to face him. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah," he said, stepping foward to follow me. After a moment, I turned again, leading him to the dingy.
It was a long, uncomfortable ride out to the ship, and I refused to look at Link, Niko, or Gonzo. As a result, I was left with my own thoughts until Senza threw the ladder down, hitting me on the head.
"What was that for?" I shouted up at him, grinning inwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. I growled at my shipmates. "Come on, let's get up the ladder before something else hits us." I grabbed the bottom rung of the ladder and began to haul myself up. I was relieved to get back onto the ship, as one would be to come home after a long journey.
"Miss . . . ?" Senza asked, pointing at something behind me. "Who's that?"
"I owe him a favor, and this was what he wanted," I said shortly, not wanting to explain what had happened on the beach.
"A boat ride?" Senza asked, sounding both amused and doubtful.
"A mode of transportation," I countered, only slightly irritated. "We're kicking him off as soon as we get there. Now we're setting sail, got it?" My voice lowered to a dangerous tone as I finished my sentence, and I looked about, daring anyone to object me. "Senza, Mako, Gonzo, come on you guys, let's go!"
"Yes, Miss!" They scrambled about the deck, Senza heading for the gigantic cymbol-thing that we rang when we departed. I loathed the thing, but the rest of crew called it "tradition" or something like that. Sometimes I wondered about my mother's sanity when it came to some of the things that the crew insisted she had done. A split second later the gong was hit, sending soundwaves reverbarating all over the place and the sails were lowered. As we started moving, I saw Nudge come down the mainmast, and I caught him.
"What is it, Miss?" he asked, seeing me attatched to his sleeve.
"Don't let that kid go in my room," I muttered, glancing at Link, who was waving goodbye to his neighbors as they shouted things like, "Good luck!" and "Take care of yourself!" I looked back to Nudge, who seemed confused.
"Why not?" he asked.
"I don't want him in there!" I said. Nudge seemed to give in, but something bothered me. Why didn't I want Link in my room? I never actually let any of the others go in, but they never wanted to. So why was I making such a big deal out of it now? When Nudge opened his mouth to ask another question, I snapped, "If he asks, tell him that even you guys aren't allowed in there, or make up your own excuse! I don't care! Now go!"
"All-all right," Nudge said, and headed toward my cabin as I went up to join Link at the rear of the ship. He was waving frantically, when he paused suddenly, his eyes wide. I followed his gaze to where an older, white-haired woman standing on the deck of a house on the island. As he ran as close as he could to the edge of the ship, I had to wonder who the old woman was to him. My thoughts wandered as Link resumed waving, this time twice as hard, and I sat down on the railing of the ship above the poop deck.
"Ugh, how much longer is this going to go on, do you think?" I pondered aloud, not wanting sentimental thoughts to get the better of me in front of this strange boy. "Do you have an estimate?"
He turned, surprised and wide-eyed once more. "Hey, that's not right," he said. "I'm just waving good-bye to my grandmother. She's the only family I have left other than my sister." I winced inwardly at the hidden accusation in the words, but I wasn't about to let it get the best of me.
Instead, I sneered, tilting one corner of my mouth upward as I continued taunting him. "Are you sure you shouldn't just quit right now?" I asked. His mouth went wide. "Seriously, think about it." I sighed and leaned back against part of the ship, resting my arms behind my head and closing an eye, looking as though I were about to go to sleep. "I can tell you're just going to get more sentimental from here on out. There's still time, you know."
"Time for what?" Link demanded, his tone beginning to sound harsh and angry.
I grinned. "Are you sure we shouldn't just turn around and take you back to your island?"
"Don't take me back," Link said, truly angry by this point. "I'm fine." He walked off as I stayed there.
"Into the big blue, boys!!" I heard Gonzo shout. "Turn the ship full to starboard! We head for the northern seas!" I had to pause. Was that correct? I turned my thoughts in that direction, and suddenly, it didn't matter anymore. "Listen, shrimp, you're really creeping me out standing there like that!" I paused. Was that stupid kid in everyone's way? "Stay outta my way! WAY outta my way! Go down below and find Niko!" I got up, deciding to join Gonzo at the wheel.
Unfortunately, I ran into Link first. "Link!?" I exclaimed, not really surprised. "Listen, kid, you can't just stand around on deck! You'll get in everyone's way!"
"Yeah, but what am I supposed to do?" he asked, crossing his arms in an irritated motion. "That big guy-I think you called him Gonzo-told me to report to Niko, but I have no idea where this 'Niko' is!"
"I've told Niko to look after you," I began. Link opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off, "so you'd better report below decks and ask him what you should be doing." In truth, I told Niko no such thing, but if Link were to stay on the ship, he would need to earn his keep. And, as it stood, the only way to do that was to become a swabbie. Therefore, Niko was no longer the bottom rung, but as the second to the bottom rung, he had the task of keeping the bottom rung on task.
"You . . . told . . . ?" Link looked slightly confused.
"I didn't tell him, but he gets the point, okay? Go!" I gave him a shove.
He turned towards me. "But what about the Forsaken Fortress?" he asked.
"I'll call you when we reach the Forsaken Fortress," I said, slightly exasperated. "So until then, just go talk to Niko and do whatever he tells you."
"Fine," Link grumbled, walking away. A second later, he was back. "Which way-?" I pointed. "Thank you."
A/N: I really don't like the way that chapter ended, but oh well. And they won't let me keep my marks seperating the author's note from the rest of the story! Argh!!