You don't get any more alive. It's not really possible you see. The feeling of your feet spinning and barely touching the ground in an intricate dance of lies, deception, and many other feelings. Lights moving like fire flies touching all your senses together weaving them in a way that blows your mind. Music filling your ears and laughter and chit-chat moving through your head.
This was how Princess Mononoke felt. Never being with humans heightens the effect. Princess Mononke had always felt out of place. She was with the wolves as one but being so different affected her greatly. Now twirling in this boy's arms, she couldn't help but smile. The feeling was definitely different. She smiled under her mask. Her inner spirit yelled at her. Take off the mask! It screamed. She tried to ignore it but it was tugging at her hand and whispering in her ear. To subdue the voice she talked with the Earth Boy.
"So you just live in the forest?" He asked her. She nodded and the mask clicked.
"Yeah." Her voice trailed away awkwardly.
"That must be strange. Is that all you know?" She looked up at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Is that the only life you know of?" He asked. She was silent for a moment.
"Well... yes. I have no memories of anything but the wolf clan." She paused. Trust him. She sighed. "Except one." He cocked one eyebrow.
"Oh?" She stopped again. She had never told anyone. Not Haki, her own brother, not even Nania her mother. This was difficult. But something was screaming out to her to tell him. So she would.
"Well... I've never told this to anyone. Not my brother. Not my mother. So don't you even think about telling anyone I'll kill you otherwise." He lifted his brows. She sighed. "Thing is I know somehow you won't tell... You just seem... trustable. It's...weird." She closed her eyes. On instinct she rested her head on his shoulder as they danced.
"Well... this is what I remember. I remember... A man and a lady. They're standing over me. The lady has auburn hair that floats like it's underwater. The colors shift like fire. She's really pretty. The man has purple eyes... I think purple hair too... I can't be sure. They look like they've been crying." Link held her in the waltzing position and slowly moved around as she talked, head on his shoulder. He looked down at her and tried to place his feelings. "They're talking. The woman starts crying. He holds her. Blackness. Then there's a light. Nania, my mother, is opening the darkness with her muzzle. She looks at me for a moment then blackness. I don't have any other memories until I reached about three." Silence.
"Wow." He said slowly. "I... I didn't know." He was silent. The silence felt good. Princess Mononoke kept her eyes closed. His shoulder just felt so good to rest on. They danced in silence for a little while. She opened her eyes slowly. A blonde girl caught her eye. She wore a beautiful pink dress and golden jewelry. She was staring at the Princess and Link with bright blue eyes. They registered many emotions that she could read. Sorrow. Confusion. Hatred. Who is that?
Then all emotion faded except hate. It took over and spread. Her eyes narrowed. She bent over and yanked something out of her shoe. A dagger. Mononoke stopped. Link looked at her.
"What's wrong?" Mononoke yanked out a dagger too. The girl in pink lunged.
"KYAAA!" She screamed. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!" She held the dagger aimed at the Princess's heart.
"ZELDA NO!" Link screamed. People started screaming. Mononoke dodged easily. Then the sound of heavy low breathing and claws on tile screamed toward them. Haki jumped over the crowd. As he landed, Mononoke jumped landing easily on his back. She put away the dagger and summoned her spear out of the air.
"You dare attack the wolf clan?" The princess bellowed with the authority of a queen. Her voice echoed and she looked down on Zelda scornfully. Zelda growled and looked almost tribal. Haki growled back. Zelda jumped back. She readied herself to lunge when there was a bang.
"Zelda stop!" A girl was behind Zelda. The same girl that had been at Links house when she woke. "You don't want a wolf as an enemy!" Zelda struggled against her grip. The girl waved a hand and Zelda disappeared in a black portal. She turned to Mononoke.
"I'm sorry your highness. You will have to wait in the dark realm for just a bit." Blackness.
"Haki?" He growled. "Where are we?" He sniffed.
"Stay on my back. This is where dark originates from in its fullest form. That was the half-blood. Just stay silent she'll let us out soon enough."
---
Kara turned to Link. He froze. "I have to talk to you brother." And they were all the sudden in Kara's dinning room.
"What was that about?" He bellowed.
"Shush." Kara snapped. "I didn't know the girl you saved was the only human in the wolf clan why didn't you tell me?" He rolled his eyes.
"Gee, well maybe because I didn't know?" She made a sarcastic noise. "Well never mind." He was silent.
"You miss Lyra don't you?" He put his head on the table. Silence.
"Have you found her yet?" His voice was shaky. She was silent.
"No." Kara looked at him for a moment. "That girl. Princess Mononoke. Is it just me or... is her aura... familiar?" Link looked up.
"Now that you mention it... Do you think...?" She shrugged.
"I don't know. I don't think so the aura isn't the same." What about the memory? Don't those people sound familiar somehow? He contemplated. I promised I wouldn't tell. Probably isn't her anyway. She's long gone. He sighed.
"It doesn't matter. She's gone." He stood. "Take me back now. I need to face the facts." Kara looked worried.
"But-?"
"Just take me back. She'll kill us if she doesn't get it her way." He interrupted her. She looked like she would cry. He hugged her. "It's fine. I knew I would have to face it eventually." A tear fell down Kara's cheek.
"I just... I know you loved her! I just can't figure out why she left or where she left to and..." She burst. He patted her shoulder.
"It's ok. I've faced the facts by now."
---
Light again. Mononoke was back. Haki growled mercilessly. A flash. Link was back and was the girl. Zelda was up by the king. Link looked like he was ready to face the death sentence. Why do I always lie! Her mind screamed. I didn't tell him the full story and I feel like I should. Link started to walk to the throne. Mononoke clenched her fists. She was shaking and was trying to figure out weather she should tell him or not. He was almost to the throne.
"Link!" She screamed. He froze. Zelda's face reddened. "I was ignorant to not tell you the full story." She yelled to him. He didn't turn. Haki shot her a What are you doing? look. She gave him the Just trust me. look.
"I have one other memory. The one my family does know. A name passed down to me. From who, I don't know. Why I am telling you I don't know either." She reached up and yanked off her mask. Her long blue hair fell out along her shoulders. Kara gasped.
"I have many names. Princess Mononoke, Daughter of the Wolf clan, and my secret name." She stopped. He remained turned away.
"My name is Lyra Firestone. I am not a wolf by blood but by nature. I was put in the hands of the wolf clan. Why? I don't know for I have lost my memories. All but my name, the people and one person. I remember not his name or face. I know not what his voice sounds like but how his hands feel. Don't ask why I felt the urge to tell you for I don't know." Silence. Kara stood shocked. Link still had his back to her. Zelda looked furious. The king just stared.
"King! I am sorry but now we must depart. You have the clan's best wishes." She and Haki bowed. Haki then bounded over the heads of the crowd. They bolted out the door.
Kara was the first to regain her senses.
"LINK THAT WAS LYRA!" He slowly turned. His eyes were soft and zoned out. Kara jumped into the air and sprouted her wings. "We can't let her escape!" She bellowed and flew after her. Link stood in shock.
"L-Lyra?" He stuttered. Zelda grabbed his arm.
"No more delays Link! We're getting married!" He yanked away and walked to the king. Zelda was yelling at him but he paid no attention. He went to his knees.
"Please." He begged. "I must go after her." The king looked worried.
"Give me your best reason."
"I kissed her heart." A gasp ran through the crowd.
"Link! You didn't! NO! You love ME!" She cried and fell to her knees in tears.
"She bears my mark. The mark as a symbolism my love for her. You must let me go. I've lost her many times over and I won't let it happen again. Please." Zelda leapt forward and held Links shoulder sobbing and crying jumbled sentences. Link paid no notice.
"Please." His eyes kept contact with the kings. He sighed.
"Go." Link stood.
"Many thanks." He bowed and started for the door.
"No daddy please stop him please!" Zelda cried. The king was silent. She grabbed Link's arm. "Link honey please-" He shook her loose. He turned and gave her a demonic look.
"You will not interfere with me finding her again." Zelda fell to her knees and watched him leave.
---
Epona trotted through the forest. Link had on all his warrior clothing. It had cost him a trip to his house to get them but he knew he would need it. This wasn't any old forest. This was the Forest of Lies. The name made the forest sound bad but it was anything but. This forest was the mother of all forests. Gods walked these grounds. Link knew he was in danger being here. He looked up to see Kara soaring over him. He looked back ahead. He cautiously pulled his hood over his head a little more. Suddenly Epona stopped.
"Epona." He whispered urgently. "Common girl." Epona took a step back and started jumping nervously. Link knew the forest wanted her out. He dismounted.
"Careful girl. Meet you at home." He let go. She dashed away. He slowly crouched down and looked around. There was a strange aura in the air. He narrowed his eyes.
Kara was no longer above him. She was flying above the tree tops way ahead of him unaware he had stopped.
Link slowly crawled to the nearest tree. He put a hand on its trunk.
(May I climb your branches?)
(What purpose do you have?)
(I want to scope out the area. I'm looking for something.)
(And what would this something be?)
(Princess Mononoke.)
The tree groaned in shock. Link didn't move. What was wrong? Did I make a mistake asking the tree for help?
(You want to find the only human that walks among the animal gods as an equal?)
(Yes.)
The tree was good. All trees in this forest were. But if you didn't have the spirit of earth within you, most of the time you were not welcome. Sometimes there was an exception. Still humans did not enter the forest. It was special.
(I do not understand your purpose human but I trust you. The Princess is very important to us and if she is hurt by your hands you die. Understood?)
(I couldn't hurt her if my life depended on it.)
(Climb then.)
Link opened his eyes and stealthily climbed into the trees branches. He climbed halfway up and scanned the forest floor. The tree creaked. It was talking.
Another tree creaked in response in a slow conversation of those that had been on the earth for as long as man remembered. The sighed awed Link.
Then he saw something. Two things were emerging from the forest. He switched his ears to hear the language of spirits.
(I smell a human scent.)
(Can you tell from where?)
(No. It is concealed. What I want to know is why they are here. There's another in the sky. But that one has an aura like the Princess's. We can trust that one. As for this one I can't tell. That one is concealed greatly. All I can tell is it's a earth bearer. It also bears water. And… Light and dark… Strange…)
(Strange. Indeed.)
Link froze. The two talking were two wolves. One was the size of the wolf the Princess had ridden. The other was twice the size. She was huge. Then another presence emerged.
(Haki. Nania.)
(Ah. Wen.)
(Wen. There is a presence here. Where is it?)
A very big wolf appeared it looked old. Old and wise. Link looked at him through spirit. His aura showed wise ness and respect. His voice of spirit was rich and lustrous like eating honey.
(Haki!) Nania snarled. (Have some respect!)
(It is fine Nania. I'm curious my self. No human can hide from me.)
"Human. Show yourself." Wen's non spiritual voice was low and growly and still carried the richness of his spirit voice. "I do not want to hurt you. Mother earth stands against it. Come out of hiding." Link hesitated then dropped out of the tree. He reached on his back and took off his bow and quiver.
"I lay my bow down." He bowed.
"Thank you. Remove your hood please." The wolf turned and faced him directly. Link obliged. All was silent.
Suddenly Haki turned to Nania. Wen looked at them out of the corner of his eyes. Then Nania turned to him swiftly and snarled. Then Wen turned back to them. Nania made a protesting noise and Wen turned back to Link. The other two left.
---
(Mother, Wen. That's the boy Lyra was with!)
(Do not say her name!) Nania snarled. (He has spirit ears.)
(This is the Earth Boy?) Wen turned to them.
(Yes.) Wen was silent.
(Wen what are we going to do with the boy?)
(Go.) Wen said and turned back to Link.
(But-)
(Trust me.)
---
The air was stiff as Wen stared at Link. Then he stepped toward Link. Link didn't move. Another step. And another. Until he was at Link's nose. He sniffed at Link.
"Who are you?" Wen asked.
"I am Link Raven Jade." Wen nodded with approval.
"I know not who you are and I am very worried about you being here. The Mother Earth says to trust you and I trust her. Be warned though, you hurt the Princess I will kill you." Link resisted the urge to step back in shock.
"I couldn't hurt her. I would die before I harmed her." Wen nodded.
"I wish you luck finding her." And he left. Link knew not to chase after him.
Link wandered through the forest. This might take a while. Where in the hell is Kara! He thought irritably.
(Kara.)
(Yo.)
(I talked to three wolves just now. Haki, Nania, and Wen. Who are they?)
(YOU DON'T KNOW WHO WEN IS?)
(Uhhm... should I?)
Link was currently slinking through the woods bow ready for an attack.
(Wen just doesn't talk to anyone. He's never talked to me and sent someone else to represent him to the party. He's the most lone wolf I've ever seen. He's the wolf king you idiot! I hope you paid him enough respect!)
(I'm sure it was fine.)
Link severed the conversation. For at that very second he crashed into a clearing. A lake lay there in the darkened night. Shafts of silvery moon light fell through the gaps in the trees. He looked around in awe. This is no place for a human. He found himself thinking. But I have to find Lyra. Then he saw something. There was a blue light across the lake. The water shimmered with it. Energy spread from the light in great shafts spreading glittering lights dancing around. They rode on the small waves caused by the breeze that drifted through the trees. The figure turned to him. He fell to his knees. I fell into the home of a goddess! She'll kill me for sure!
(Who goes there?)
Link gasped. The goddess's voice was rich and textured. He fell lower to his knees.
"I'm so sorry to have stumbled across this holy place!" He shouted to her.
(Speak in the tongue of the spirits. Human voices may not lay on this place. Why are you here?)
(Forgive me please. I was just looking for an acquaintance of mine! I did not know of this place.)
Silence. The goddess started walking toward him. Her footsteps echoed eerily.
(Well because you are already here you may stay. I have something very important to deal with. Do not move speak or interfere.)
Link nodded. He could not speak. He was in awe. The aura around her spoke of beauty but he could not see her face through the brightness that surrounded her.
As he watched three lights descended from the canopy. The goddess walked toward them. Links eyes widened.
(I welcome you.) The first one said her arms outstretched.
(Many thanks.) Nayru responded first. Her hair was gently flowing around her.
(Yes many-) Faore begain but Din cut her off.
(Why is a human here?) She snarled.
(Ignore him. He appeared as I was awaiting your arrival. He knows nothing of what we speak. Do not worry.) The first one said and waved and uncaring hand in his direction.
(Hmph.)
(Calm Din. Do not worry about him.) Faore put a hand on Din's shoulder. Din shrugged it away.
(Excuse her.)
(Do not worry. It is fine.)
(What have you called us for?) Nayru said.
(I need to know where the other half-blood is. I, due to the fact I lost my memories, do not know who she is. I also need her to regain my memories.)
(She has been found. She doesn't know of our meeting. Luckily, she is looking for you at the moment and is in the forest.) Din said, still watching Link wearily.
(For... me? Why?)
(She would be looking for anyone else?) Faore's words ensued a bit of silence.
(Well... I don't know... You know I don't know anything at this point due to the problem I have forgotten everything. Everything except two memories and my name. That doesn't help mush. Not really when the memories are just a feeling and two people crying.) She sighed.
Link blinked. Was that...
(Lyra?)
There was silence. The goddesses slowly turned.
(You dare speak to the half blood in that manner? It's bad enough you dare to be here but to address her so?) Din turned and bellowed at him.
Din lunged angrily. Link threw his hands over his face. There was silence.
(Stop!)
Lyra took a weary step toward him. He couldn't tell it was her. Her voice was different and he couldn't even see her face. Her beautiful face... I haven't even seen her lately... How can she just... be there... without me even knowing...
She laid a hand on his face. It was cool like water and soft like silk. He looked up into her face. Well where her face was. All he could see was a sun-like glow.
(Why are you so familiar human? Why?)
(If I only knew...)
She stepped back angrily. The aura around her flashed with pure fury.
(Lies!)
She snarled and lunged forward and was in Link's face. He didn't flinch. She stared at him her eyes flashing with thunder. Link could even see it through her sun-like aura. He just gazed back in saddened eyes. She snarled again and there was a bang. Link's head was turned to the side. She had slapped him.
(You don't remember me do you?)
His voice was layered with thousands of emotions. Most of all... sadness. He looked back into her face. Lyra took a step back.
(GO AWAY!)
She screamed in his face. He showed no emotion. Then Lyra saw something past the sadness.
Love.
(LEAVE ME ALONE!)
She screamed. Then she leaped into the air and flew away. The goddesses were silent. Then Nayru left followed by Faore. Din glared at Link then left him. Left him staring at the glassy waters. Silent as his mind screamed in agony.
---
That night it rained. Link sat at his window staring out as the waters streaked down the window panes. He walked to the door and franticly searched the skies. Searched for just a hint of her.
Meanwhile Lyra flew over the land. She was obscured by an aura of blackness as she thought. Thought of who she was. Who she would be. Who she had been and forgotten.
Lyra shot upward through the clouds. Wisps of it followed as she shot up into the starry sky above the dense clouds. She soared among the clouds hoping for just a blink of what she had been.
"And who the hell are you!" A voice snapped. Lyra looked into the face of a girl with black hair with white streaks. She had lots of black and white on. Nice get up.
"Uh yeah I heard that." Lyra blinked. "I like my 'get up'."
"Ok well considering-" Lyra began.
"Considering your in my damn skies!" She glared. "You don't fly here without MY permission!" Lyra narrowed her eyes.
"Damn you I own the skies idiot. Back the hell off. You think your high and mighty news flash I am the skies." The girl blinked. Then she flew quickly toward Lyra in attempt to knock her over. Lyra darted upward. Then she had an impulse. She opened her mouth. Fire shot out. Lyra was in an intense state of battle and was subconsciously doing this.
"The hell?" The girl darted sideways. Lyra shoot a jet of flame at her again. "Would you stop?" She screamed.
Then the world twisted. It wrenched this way and then the other. She was losing consciousness. Then she dropped like a stone.
---
She awoke once again in the Earth Boy's room. She groaned. She sat up. Still in flight form. I don't think they know who I am. But why were they after me? She pondered for a second and then remembered Nania saying to her once, "There are people out there who will want to kill you. There are people that are after you. You MUST be careful." What if these are some of the people Mother spoke of? But then why does Mother Earth say to trust him? She thought about it some more and decided that her duty was done here. I'll just change so they'll never know who I am.
All of the sudden the world tilted. Lyra's eyes flew wide. Then she remembered something. Her earth life. She grinned mischievously The only poblem is she didn't remember all of it.
Kara and Link walked in to see Lyra standing up. Link lunged.
"Oh my god Lyra! Lay down you just fell out of the sky!" She sidestepped with an annoyed look on her face.
"Seriously Lyra lay down." Kara said. Lyra shoot her an angry look.
"Hell! What if I dun wanta? Whatta ya gonna do about it huh?" She swaggered toward Kara in a bendy kneed way. Kara immediately recognized the walk. Jack Sparrow walk. She remembers earth! Kara smiled.
"Lyra you remember earth?" Lyra stopped.
"Yeah what about it?" She even talked in earth tones. The lingo.
"Then surely you remember me! And Link!" Lyra gave her a puzzled look.
"No." Kara's heart sunk. Not the important things I see. Lyra turned and looked at Link. She smiled mischievously. She walked toward him.
"Well hello buster. Who might you be?" She got close to his face and ran a playful finger across his jaw line. He stiffened.
Kara sent a burst of magic at Lyra. She doesn't even know who we are! Lyra whisked a hand through the air dismissing the spell. Kara blinked.
"Nice try. Amateur." Kara's face registered a look of, 'THE HELL?' "Whattsa matter fry? Cat got your tongue?"
"Lyra do you even-" Lyra whipped around. She got close to his face.
"You don't have to be cute with me. I know what you guys are up to." She leaned back in that self assured swaggering way. "You're after me. Hell I don't know why but why in the hell should I care?" There was silence. She shrugged.
"Oh well you'll never see me again." There was a flash and in Lyra's place was a small dragon. It took flight and burst out a window, shattering it.
Link and Kara stood shocked. Link blinked. Kara regained her senses.
"Damn it!" Link sat down as Kara started storming around the room ranting bad words. "I'm going to go find her!" She leapt out the window sprouting her wings the moment she was free and flew off.
She's in a state of self assuredness. She's still going to be in the air. Kara called out to Will, the spirit of the wind.
"What's going on?" Will said. His hair whipped around his face in a very hot way. Kara swooned.
"I need to find Lyra. She's flying in the form of a small dragon." Will shrugged.
"Will I get a date out of this?" Kara nodded.
"I need to find her. A date it is now go." Will grinned and disappeared. A second later a huge gust of wind rushed by. Kara flew scanning the skies. After five minutes, Will was back.
"She's not in the skies." He shrugged. "I'm sorry. She's long gone. You underestimated her." Kara nodded a sick feeling swelling in her gut.
"Ok... thanks Will. She slowly sunk out of the sky landing in Links front yard.
---
Lyra flew for a few minutes then dropped to the ground, and changed again. She changed into a girl with brown wavy waist length hair and green eyes. Then she began running. She judged at the speed she was going she would reach the city of Hyrule in 20 minutes.
About 20 minutes later as Lyra had accurately guessed, she arrived at Hyrule. She halted, sending a cloud of dust up, and gazed to the sky. It's about noon. She thought. She caught her breath and walked inside the gate. The city was bustling with people running about on their many errands. Lyra looked around, a smirk playing upon her lips. She waltzed to the fountain in the middle of town. Now I'll just make some money, and go to the nearest port... She snapped and a map appeared in her hands. She inspected it. Aha... Port Mendora. There she could assemble a crew and buy a grand ship and begin pirating. But a job was first priority. She sprouted wings and flew up to a roof top and gazed about. A restaurant that pays well... something fancy... She smirked and jumped down and walked over to a fancy building.
---
"You lost her!" Link shouted. Kara nodded looking vaguely sick.
"She dropped out of the skies and must have changed form... Will lost her tracks." Link rolled his eyes.
"Will is air itself! How could he LOSE someone?" Kara shook her head. "Well what do you suggest we do?"
"Well I'm guessing she's going to start pirating. She always wanted to and since she probably remembers wanting to, I'm guessing she went to the nearest port." Link put his head in his hand.
"What port is nearest to here?" Kara paused.
"Port Mendora." Link nodded. "She's probably there or in Hyrule city. Either getting a job and or stealing, working up money for a ship."
"Alright. You check Mendora, I'll check Hyrule." Kara nodded and flew off. Link watched as she flew away and then headed for the field behind his house. He walked over to Epona.
"Hey ready for another sidetracking adventure shish kabob?" He asked grinning. Epona gave him a Are you kidding me? look. Link laughed and jumped onto her back. The wind rustled through his hair and he said to Epona,
"Let's get this girl of mine back shall we?" Epona reared on her hind legs and took off in a dead run. Link laughed. The weight he had been carrying fell away as he sped toward Hyrule city.
