A/N: (sigh) I'm stuck in writer's block...
SSG: Not anymore! Cause guess who smote the evil writer's block! (pulls up Link)
Link???
Link: (blushing, holding the Master Sword behind his back)
SSG: Yep! He smote it all by himself!
YAY!!! (hugs him) Thank you, Link! You rock!
Link: (big ol' happy grin) Somehow making NN1 happy feels good... :)
Thanks to Link, this story ain't dead! You guys better thank him! Anyway, here's the chappie!
Rise of the Heroine of Time: Chapter 8: Reunion, Recognition, and a Bold Plan
Florence ran though the endless halls of the Gerudo Fortress, searching for any exit that wasn't heavily guarded. She was in no shape to fight fresh guards, still injured from the battle before. Despite the harsh pain from many wounds, Florence pushed on to find a way out of hell hole.
In her desperation, she passed a table in one room without even acknowledging the familiar being who sat in a small cage as she ran by. The tiny being blinked in surprise, quickly recognizing the woman who had just passed by.
-Wait, Florence! Stop! It's me!-
Florence froze in her steps. She had not heard a send like that in years: a Fairy-send. She turned back to find...
"Kili!" Florence cried, rushing up to the trapped fairy. She looked the same as she did ten years ago, except she wore a long, leafy dress, and her hair was done up in a long braid with a purple flower holding it in place. "It's been so long! Where have you been, and what're you doing here?"
"I'll explain later!" Kili said hastily. "Just get me out of this cage!"
"Okay, alright!" Florence looked the cage over, searching for a way to open it. "I don't see a lock or latch anywhere... I could try and break the cage, but I don't want to hurt you..."
"Go ahead! Break it! I'll be fine!" Kili then formed a small, pink bubble around herself. "Do what you have to do, just hurry!"
Florence was hesitant, but focused her energy for a magic spell she had learned not too long ago. A tiny ball of flame formed on the tip of her finger and floated above the cage. The moment it touched the metal cage, it exploded in a burst of flame. Pieces of the now-destroyed cage flew in all directions and bounced off Kili's force field. The bubble faded, and not a scratch was on her.
The two looked at each other. They had never before seen each other perform magic so easily.
"Wow..." Kili uttered quietly. "That was Din's Fire, wasn't it?"
Florence nodded, hearing voices down the hall. "Come on, let's go!"
Kili didn't question as she followed her partner down the halls. As she hovered by Florence's head, she continued, "So you've been learning some new magic skills, huh?"
"Yeah..." Florence responded, panting. "And it looks like you did too!"
"Well, what do you think I've been doing for the past decade?" the pixie laughed.
"So what're you doing here?"
"Well, I recently completed my magic training, and I was on my way to meet you again. I knew there was a war going on, but I was kinda surprised when I saw the big battle in Hyrule Field. I knew you'd be fighting in the battle for sure, so I tried looking for you, but a monster caught me first and put me in that cage. What about you?"
"Well, I was captured, mistaken for my father. Ganondorf must be trying to find and kill him!"
"Well, we can't let that happen!" the fairy exclaimed. "We have to get out of here before--!"
But she stopped when Florence gasped, as the same stranger who had kidnapped her stood in her way. He had an unreadable expression on his face.
"It's no use to waste your energy," he said in a soft tone. "All the exits are guarded."
"Who are you!?" Florence bellowed in question. "And why did you save me back there!?"
"My name is Jurich," he introduced himself, ignoring the last question and looking at her carefully. "So... you're the daughter of the Hero of Time? Our fathers are quite different."
Florence looked at him closely, seeing the outfit he wore and his features were all too similar to the King of Evil himself. This only made Florence more angry.
"You! You're Ganondorf's son!" she bellowed.
"Yes, I am," he admitted. "But it's not what you--Wait!"
Florence had quickly darted away from him with Kili following. Briefly discouraged, Jurich then proceeded to chase Florence down the halls.
"Wait, come back! I'm not the enemy!"
"Then why did you capture me!?" Florence shouted in question, still running.
"Please, just let me explain! Stop!"
But Florence didn't listen as she continued to run, searching for a window or anything that could get her out of this place. But suddenly...
-Kalm...-
Florence froze in her tracks as she heard her soul name through a soft send. Kili looked at her oddly.
"Huh? Why'd you stop all the sudden? What is it?"
But Florence didn't move, left in shock. Jurich slowly approached her, placing a warm hand on her shoulder. Slowly, she turned to face him, and the two locked eyes.
-You know as well as I...- the half-Gerudo sent. -...the truth, Kalm.-
Florence knew the truth indeed. It was the truth called "recognition." Her parents told her about it long ago, so she knew what it was. Soul meets soul when eyes meet eyes...
-...Tyryn...-
The two gazed into each others' eyes silently, fearing they'd shatter such a delicate moment. Kili looked at the two in utter confusion.
"Um, Florence?" She landed on her partner's shoulder. "Hello! Hyrule to Florence! Are you okay?"
But Florence didn't hear her as she continued to stare up at this mysterious, handsome young man. His backgrounds no longer concerned her, as love took the place of hatred.
Finally, Jurich spoke softly. "I can help you in any way you wish, if you can trust me."
After moments more of silence, Florence nodded slowly. She suddenly gasped lightly in pain, clutching her side.
"You're hurt," Jurich allowed her to lean on him, looking concerned. "Let me take you to a safer place."
Florence quickly nodded, and Jurich hovered in the air, carrying her carefully throughout the fortress. Kili followed, still a little suspicious of this Jurich.
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Soon, Jurich found a fake wall in the highest corner in a large room of the fortress. Through this secret opening was a small, rocky nook, small, high, and cozy enough to keep safe. Jurich slowly set Florence down, settling next to her. Kili settled on her shoulder carefully, making sure not to hurt her.
"Shall I heal you?" Jurich asked.
"No, I can handle it," Florence answered, placing her fingers on her wounds and healing them. Both Kili and Jurich watched her curiously until she finished.
"So," Jurich mused. "You are a magic user as well."
"Yes," Florence shifted to a more comfortable position, for she knew she'd be here a while. "I inherited it from my mother."
"I see. But your ability to engage in battle must be a trait of your sire's."
"Indeed. Though he does know a small bit of magic, they were given to him later in his life, including his ability to send."
"I know," Jurich sighed. "Which is why I gave out an open Black-send during the battle. It was my task to capture your father, but for some reason I grabbed you instead... Like I had no other choice..."
Perhaps there was no other choice... Florence thought fleetingly.
"So, who are you, then?" Kili asked Jurich. "Who's side are you on?"
Jurich sighed, preparing for a long explanation. "Well, I was created using Ganondorf's and someone else's blood, sand, and magic, and my sole purpose for being created was to join my father's side when he was free and help him conquer Hyrule. But after Twinrova was killed, Nabooru took care of me and taught me better. She taught me how to use my sire's gifts for good instead of evil. My goal now is to aid in the defeat of Ganondorf, for now I understand how dangerous and evil he is."
Florence looked at him thoughtfully, while Kili asked, "So, you're acting as a sort of double agent?"
"You could say that. I obey him because he is stronger and could easily overpower me, but I know he must be destroyed, especially after the dreadful battle."
"Destroyed!?" Florence looked slightly shocked. "Can't we simply seal him in the Sacred Realm again?"
"Seal him!?" Jurich looked somewhat horrified. "Only to have him break out again in the future!?"
Florence considered this, then sighed, "You're right. The only way to eliminate his threat is to eliminate him."
"How do we do that?" Kili asked.
"Well, I believe we need both the Master Sword and the Sages' Power." Jurich answered.
Kili brightened up and faced her partner. "Florence, we should summon your parents! Link is the Hero of Time, and Zelda can summon the Sages' Power when needed!"
Florence nodded. "And you can escape the fortress and send them the message."
"It's settled, then," Jurich approached the fake wall. "You deliver the message, little winged one, and you stay here, Florence, until we come get you."
"What about you?"
"I must report to Ganondorf before he becomes angered. I shall meet your parents upon their arrival."
"I'm sure you won't get a warm welcome. They'll know you were the one who took me."
"It'll have to work. I'm sure they will understand. I must hurry now," Before leaping out, he paused and added, "And don't worry, I won't tell anyone of our encounter, I promise."
Florence looked into his purple eyes, and knew he was trustworthy.
He leaped out of their safe cover. After exchanging good tidings in a Fairy-send, Kili followed the half-Gerudo. Florence watched them go with many thoughts in her mind.
Tyryn... she felt the young man's soul name ripple through her mind.
A/N: Okay, for reference on recognition, refer to Elfquest, or the last chapter of "Before it All Began." (snuggles Link) Thank you, Link! I luv you so much!!
Link: Hehe... :)
SSG: Now we know who to call for Writer's Block Extermination!
Link: Hmm... I'll like the sound of that...
SSG: YEAH!!! Start your own business of exterminating writer's block!
Link: Yeah!... But I have no business sense whatsoever...
SSG: Then you can just help us!
Yeah, and we'll demand gifts from the readers for you!
Link: Alright! :D
So, provide Link with gifts, readers! He deserves it! (snuggles him) REVIEW!!
