Is it chapter five already? Wow…these chapters are really flying by fast for me. ^_^;; I can't believe its already time to introduce this part of the plot. First, I'd like to apologize for the short chapters, and the lack of much happening in the story so far. Oh, and for the sad lack of updates in all my fics. ^_^;; I wrote and rewrote this chapter so many times that it isn't funny. There's something very different about this one, and I wasn't sure if it would make you all dislike it. ^_^;; That said, thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate them! So…yeah. I've said enough up here already, so I'll just quit ranting and let you read the thing already.
Thank you to LinkSage, H7, catsiy15, Kimna, CPJ, Erinamation-limited2-nothing, Kirby of Rainbow Chaos, and Kaori for reviewing. ^_^ for reviewing. Your support is appreciated!! Yay!
Warnings: Wow. There's nothing in this chapter, for once…O_O
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The youth slipped off his shoes, and slid his feet into the cool water. He smiled tranquilly down at the small stream, seemingly entranced by its quite trickling.
He sat like that for a long while, his tranquil red gaze of ice and fire seemingly deep in thought. Absentminded fingers wandered across a small harp, finding a melody in nothingness.
He found the notes he was searching for.
The morning sun reflecting off of his golden hair, his young voice found the words to match his song…
"Let me tell you a tale of heroes
A clumsy ballad though it may be
And let my minstrel's tongue relate
The tale of the hero who set us free.
The hero came and the hero saw
Clad in the green of the forest was he
He traveled through time with sacred sword
With a stout heart and courage to save you and me.
Once won, to leave it all behind was his hope
He left to see and love lands unknown
Ready to relive a life he had never had
N'er again needing his skills to loan.
But the fighting for him would nverer stop
Once 'round the lands his name was known
Though memories of blood and death haunted him
In every city and country his martyrdom was known.
And so, evil found his mind again
The same evil had had once slain
And saw him as its only path to escape again
And didn't care it would cost a hero's death and pain.
The madness overtook the hero's mind
Half-mad dreams reeling in his brain
Tattered, tortured, twisted pasts of lies
He almost died just from the pain…"
The youth paused in his song, a single tear rolling down his tanned cheek. He didn't wipe it away. His face was calm and impassive. He continued…
"…No wander can stay lost
Least of all a dying hero
Though he turned them all away
None of his friends would say no.
And now the lost are back again
Battered, beaten, sick, but home
Dying though he may feel he may be
No one can ever be truly alone…"
"How long are you going to keep singing that unfinished song?" The old voice cracked, and the youth felt red eyes piercing into his back. He chuckled.
"Until the day that it is complete." He smiled softly, and turning around, "How long have you been here? Have you been sent here?"
"Why so surprised to see me?" She cackled, a twinkle in that old eye, "Sheik…"
The youth stood, staring impassively at the hag. Finally, his eyes seemed to decide on something, "This is more than a simple summoning. You weren't sent by the Royal Family or the sages…"
"I'm acting from higher orders. The Three sent me this time."
"And your purpose here is…?"
"To ask a favor."
* * *
"I understand." The young Sheikah sat down on his perch next to the stream again, "I will do as the Three command, should the time for such a situation arise."
"Excellent. The Goddesses will be pleased to hear it." The hag cackled and started away, "So, you can go back to your music until the time comes. I'll see you later, little protector."
She disappeared.
Sheik plucked at the strings of his harp, his notes a bit more troubled than before. He sighed deeply.
The sounds of a future hope shined from beneath his torrid requiem.
* * *
"Requiem played sad and slow,
Let future hope shine through,
For even the dead are never lost,
Nothing will always be lost to you.
Heroes exist not only in ballads and tales,
Heroes still exist in this day and age,
Even when all hope seems to die within,
Without is always upon another page.
Give us the future, though it's sad and slow,
I will not let everything fade into dark so easily,
Reawaken, oh hero, and face destiny unflinching,
As long as nothing dies, you can living is done easily."
"Though the dark may corrupt and devour you,
Do not write your own eulogy quite yet,
Hope can help, and hope can change,
No future and no past is ever entirely set."