Author's Note: So I finally got done with the second chapter! A lot has been going on in my life that kind of stopped me from writing for a long time, but now things are a little bit better so I'm able to do so a little bit more. I still want to continue this story. I hope you like it! Please R&R! Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Uneasy Feeling
Impa, Zelda, Inlaya, and Kandadara made their way to Sayaia's room, with Kandadara practically sprinting to get there.
Sayaia was Kandadara's younger sister and the Sage of Spirit of that era. Her magic consisted of raw psychic power but she also was able to use light and dark magic, albeit considerably weaker than Inlaya's or Kandadara's magic. Her magic was much about the balance of the soul, as it were.
Like Kandadara, she also was very shy and introverted, but was a bit more eager to please and more idealistic. Sensitive, kind, and peaceful, she always did her best to help others.
People with magical abilities were a rare phenomenon in Hyrule, but it wasn't unheard of. The ability to use magic required a certain mental capacity and ability, usually something that was a birthright. Those who had magical abilities typically came from a family or clan that were well versed in it, suggesting a genetic link. The most well known example of this was the Hyrulean Royal Family, as many of them had great magic ability, some examples being Zelda and Inlaya. However, there are exceptions to these rules, as it wasn't unheard of for someone with magical abilities to be born into a family who typically didn't have the affinity for magic. Though magical affinity and ability is often something someone is born with, in rare cases, someone can will themselves to be able to use magic through both major dedication and intense mental training over the course of several years at minimum.
Though everything seemed fine with Sayaia when Kandadara awoke from her nightmare, she couldn't help but be more than a little worried. Sayaia was also a Sage, so the chances of her having the same type of nightmare was high.
They now were before the door to Sayaia's bedroom, but Kandadara stopped before the others could do anything. She turned to the others and said, "Wait here for now, I'll check on her."
Impa nodded silently, complying with her request. She glanced at Zelda, who despite her attempts to hide it, the anxiety she was emitting was almost palpable. She then glanced at Inlaya, who seemed to put on a brave and happy face, though she sensed uneasiness from her as well.
Kandadara opened the door to see Sayaia sitting on her bed, amethyst eyes staring blankly into space, as if in another world. She hadn't acknowledged Kandadara's presence, which was rather unusual for her. She seemed so engulfed in her own thoughts.
Kandadara inched closer to her until she sat down on the bed right in front of Sayaia. She asked gently, "Sayaia? Are you all right?" She treadedly lightly, not wanting to cause any unnecessary ruckus.
It was then Sayaia's eyes wandered over to her worried sister and murmured, voice barely audible, "Kandadara...?" She didn't seem entirely lucid, still seeming like she was still far away, just barely comprehending Kandadara's words.
Kandadara placed her hand on Sayaia's shoulder, asking once again, "Are you all right?"
Sayaia seemed to slowly come to, registering Kandadara's concerned aura. She smiled weakly, trying to reassure her elder sister, "I'm all right...I just had a nightmare is all..."
At that moment, Kandadara paused. Her eyes went wide in horror, her body went stiff, and a sick sinking feeling crept inside of her. She didn't want to hear that.
Seeing Kandadara's sudden reaction made Sayaia feel more than a little uneasy. While Kandadara being anxious over something wasn't uncommon, Sayaia couldn't register any reason why she would be anxious. She couldn't help but wonder if something happened.
But before she could reply, the door swung open again, Zelda came rushing into the room, concern on her face evident. Inlaya had followed suit, giving Sayaia a weak smile, though Sayaia could see the uneasiness in Inlaya as well. Zelda asked, worried, "Sayaia are you all right?"
Upon seeing their expressions, Sayaia felt an overwhelming sense of dread. This was all so unlike them, especially Zelda, to just barge into her room, let alone looking like they just witnessed some kind of murder, which made it all the more disconcerting. Just what was going on?
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Sayaia managed, discomfort evident in her voice.
"We came in to check on you," Kandadara explained, "We all were a bit worried about you."
The last thing Sayaia wanted to do was make all of them, especially Kandadara, worry themselves to death. All of them had a full plate as it was with so many of their own problems and responsibilities.
"Why would you guys be worried about me?" She laughed nervously, her tone dismissive and uncomfortable, as if she'd rather think about anything else. "I just had a nightmare, it's not the first time I've gotten them." When she said those words, she couldn't help but wonder if she was trying to reassure them or herself.
Zelda stepped forward, voice pressing, "What nightmare was it?" She just had to know. Did Sayaia, too, have the same nightmare as Kandadara, Inlaya, and herself?
Something told Sayaia that Zelda wasn't asking out of sheer curiosity and wouldn't let it go unless she relented. She'd rather think about or talk about anything else, but she just wanted to know why they were all acting like that. She sighed once again, as she recalled, "I was surrounded by darkness and then saw Hyrule in ruins...But everything else was a blur."
At this, fear overtook Zelda, knees buckling from underneath her and fell to her knees. She murmured, "Oh Hylia...I knew it..."
Inlaya sat down beside Zelda and hugged her, trying to calm her down. She said, "Don't worry, Zelda, I got you."
For what felt like eternity, all of them remained silent, engulfed in their own anxious waves of thought.
Zelda realized now what it all truly meant, even though she didn't want to believe it. Her nightmare wasn't a mere dream, but rather some sort of premonition of evil to come. But if it was, then when would it come to pass? Could they avoid the catastrophe that the nightmare foretold or was it already too late? Did they have any time at all to prepare for it at all? Would her people suffer or perish at the hands of evil? Above all else, would those she loved most dearly be condemned to such a fate as well? It was her duty as the heir to Hyrule's throne and the reincarnation of Hylia to protect her people, she couldn't bear the thought of letting everyone down. But the possibility of that was so real.
In all the years she knew Zelda, Sayaia barely ever seen Zelda so shaken up. As expected of the next heir to Hyrule's throne, Zelda was typically calm, thoughtful, and wise. While it wasn't unheard of for Zelda to feel overwhelmed, worried, or emotional, she very rarely let it show. Zelda was compassionate, but she was raised to have restraint. She couldn't allow herself to show such weakness in front of her family, court, or people. Sayaia knew that the expectations to be perfect weighed down heavily on Zelda's shoulders and she struggled with the burden more than she'd let on.
Though she did her best to hide it, Inlaya couldn't help but worry too as she came to the same conclusion as Zelda. She couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen.
Kandadara turned away from the emotionally charged Zelda to face Sayaia, while trying to keep herself from having a panic attack herself. But what was she supposed to do?
"I should have expected this...I can't say it surprises me, though." came another voice, which caused them all to snap back into reality.
The voice belonged to Impa, who was standing in the doorway, observing the entire spectacle before her.
Sayaia spoke again, beyond confused and nervous, "W-What's going on? I don't understand what's going on."
"We'll explain later," Impa replied to her, making her way to Zelda as she helped her up. "For now, I need to help Zelda and calm her down. You all stay here."
Inlaya blurted out, "I'll go with you too, Impa. I want to make sure Zelda's all right." It wasn't a lie, she was really worried about Zelda. But she also didn't want to be left alone with those worrisome thoughts. She just really needed a distraction. "I need to go with you."
With that, Impa, Zelda, and Inlaya left the room, leaving the sisters.
Sayaia and Kandadara glanced at one another, another several moments of silence passed, both unsure of what to say. While silence between them wasn't usually an uncomfortable thing, this was an exception to the rule.
Sayaia finally finally broke the silence, desperate to know, "Sis, what the hell is going on? Can you tell me please? Why did Zelda react like that?"
Kandadara replied, voice grave, "These aren't mere dreams...These are premonitions of a great evil arising..."
At this, Sayaia's eyes went wide in horror and what little color she typically had in her pale face drained, a wave of denial washed over her. She protested weakly, "That can't be! Right...?" Sayaia trailed off, hoping in vain that Kandadara was pulling her leg. But she knew Kandadara was a serious type, she would never joke about something like this. Though she heard of the legends, she never expected that in her lifetime. It could with certainty be said that none of them had.
Kandadara shook her head sadly, "I'm sorry to say that it is so. We all had the same dream, so I don't think it's a coincidence now."
Sayaia ran her fingers through her midnight black hair, trying to make sense of the situation. All of this was really happening. She asked, sounding so unsure, "What do you think will happen? What should we do?"
She admitted, at a loss, "I really wish I knew the answers to that, Sayaia."
A thought struck Sayaia. She murmured meekly, "Will we always be together? No matter what happens?"
Kandadara hugged Sayaia protectively, which Sayaia returned. She remembered Sayaia asking that very same question when they were children after their parents had died. Back then, she had given a very resounding "yes" and she desperately wanted to believe that. They had always been inseparable, but after the tragedy they became very protective over one another. Sayaia was all that she had left. She wished she could reassure Sayaia that everything would be all right, there was no certainty to the future now. No words seemed appropriate.
Sayaia was aware of the fact that she had asked that question before long ago. Since their parent's death, Sayaia had always been scared that she'd lose Kandadara, too and she knew Kandadara felt similarly. They were not only sisters, but best friends. She knew it was likely in vain, but she wanted that reassurance that Kandadara gave way back when they were still kids. But perhaps it was selfish to ask for that now.
All Kandadara could say was, "I'll do my best Sayaia, I can at least promise that." She knew that reassurance was weak, but it was also the most honest and heartfelt thing she could say.
"So will I," Sayaia promised as well. Promising to try their best to be there for and protect each other was all they could do. Sages with powerful magic or not, they weren't infallible. They were still human.
After a while, they finally let go and just sat there silently, processing things.
Kandadara came to a revelation, some ray of hope. She normally wasn't so optimistic, but in this case, she had to be everyone's sake, including Sayaia. She stood up and spoke again, "I think if things are going to happen, we should find the hero of this era. Maybe he can put a stop to what's to come. We just have to find him."
Sayaia nodded and got up as well, "Yeah, that's probably our best plan. But I wonder where he is?" There was hope in her heart.
Kandadara pondered any possibilities. "Um, maybe among the knights or their trainees? Perhaps that's a good place to start."
Sayaia agreed, "That makes sense."
A soft smile curled upon Kandadara's lips and a small chuckle escaped her. She said, a slight teasing in her tone, "Just don't gawk at the at knights just because they're attractive. All right?"
Sayaia blushed at this. She couldn't deny it, many of the knights were rather handsome. But she couldn't let Kandadara have that one, so she replied in retaliation, giggling, "Are you sure you're not just going to do the same thing? Especially at Damien?"
Now it was Kandadara's turn to blush. She and Damien had always been childhood friends, but she always held feelings for him. But did he feel the same about her? She wished she knew.
Both of them laughed and smiled at one another. Even if it was temporary, at that moment the future didn't look so bleak.
"Should we head to the courtyard?" Kandadara asked.
Sayaia nodded, while grabbing a matching robe to put over her nightgown since she didn't feel like getting dressed at that moment and put on slip on shoes. While her nightgown didn't show anything and it was unlikely for anyone to say anything, as she wasn't royalty, she still wanted some extra coverage.
No matter what, they had to keep strong in the face of adversity and find the hero of that area. With that, they left to go to the courtyard where the knights trained.
Author's Note: I can't say I'm completely satisfied with this chapter, there's things I like and dislike about it. However, overall, I think it's pretty decent. This chapter is a bit shorter than the first one, but it's still a good length. Like always, I may go back and change some things another time, but I'll put edits as I do so. I wanted to show Kandadara's and Sayaia's sisterly bond, so I hope I did that well. I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner rather than later. Sorry Link hasn't appeared yet, but don't worry! He'll appear VERY soon (hint hint)! I could never forget that hunkster hero! I hope you like all of this! Please do let me know your thoughts. Until next time!
-Luminous Luminita