Chapter 11 : Deathly Hiking
It had now been a little over an hour since we left the sanctuary, like last time, Link looked like he knew exactly where to go, but the village was much bigger, something that I already knew from last time I went there, it still took us a good moment to navigate through the houses to find the insects.
I could feel that Link was getting frustrated by all of this, and how much time it took us to get the tears, he was releasing a bit of that anger on the monsters passing by and … It wasn't a pretty sight to see to say the least … A bit later we got to the top of the bomb shop, and as we entered the wooden cabin, I suddenly remembered something.
"Wait Link !" But too late … He had already in his mouth a wooden stick that he burned up, in a cabin full of explosives … "We have to get out of there !" I yell at him, before seeing him get knocked to the side by one of the bombs he exploded, probably unconscious ... 'This is not good .. Not good at all …' I saw the tiny sparks emitting from all over the cabin, and I had to react, and fast !
Using a bit of my magic, I teleported Link to the Village's spring, and went as far as I could from the house myself, teleporting two persons was way more demanding than just me, and I didn't have enough time for that, I floated as far as I could, and got caught a bit in the explosions of the cabin, knocking me onto the ground for a bit.
"Ouch … That is … One way to do things I guess …" I felt a sharp pain in my back, and decided to lay on the floor for a bit, Link had to go back himself after all, I had a bit of time to rest …
'Urgh … What … Happened ?' Link emerged from his unconscious state quickly, and got back up, trying to recall what had happened, seeing his paw in front of him, he remembered where exactly he was.
'I was collecting the light tears and … We got to that cabin with Midna and …' He suddenly perked up 'Midna !' He looked around him, not finding his usual impish companion anywhere 'No … She didn't …' Rushing through the village as fast as he could, trying to get back to the wooden cabin.
'Not again ! I can't lose her a second time …' An angry expression could be seen on his face, and any monsters or Hylians seeing him right now would most probably be taken of a sudden fear seeing the murderous look the beast gave, but … Link was not angry at anyone but himself this time around …
'She tried to warn me ! I .. It's all my fault !' rushing even faster, tearing through the remnant monsters of the village like nothing, all he could think off was the health of his partner 'Please Midna … Be alright !'
Finally, he arrived at the site of the explosions, seeing the remnant of the house, totally destroyed and burned 'No … No … No !' He searched around him frantically, trying to find any sign of life, when finally he caught on to a familiar shape a few meters away from the house 'Midna !'
Running to the idle body of his friend, he try to move her with tiny hit of his muzzle without much success, 'I .. No … Did I ?', Link was confused and lost, not knowing what to think when seeing the unconscious body of his partner, and knowing that it was … 'All my fault …' He told himself
Suddenly, Midna's body start moving again, slowly waking up
Wasn't the first time I woke up from an unconscious state, but … Still wasn't really a pleasant experience, as I wake up and try to put myself back up, I feel something soft at my side, helping me standing up properly, looking up, I see Link with the most worried expression I ever saw him wear.
"Oh … Hey Link" I greet him "Sorry, was just taking a break from … Escaping exploding houses and all of that, yeah I know, how lazy of me, right ?" I try to lighten up the mood with a stupid joke, but it doesn't change his expression one a bit, as he rush to my side, almost like he's hugging me.
"Hey hey hey, I'm alright Link" I look at him straight in the eyes "Don't worry about me, you big softie Eh-Hee-Hee, I'm alright I promise" I winced a bit at the pain in my back "Will probably hurt a bit in the morning, but I'm mostly alright, I swear" Apparently was convincing enough for him, as he lay a bit on the ground next to me, signaling me to hop on.
I take my time slowly floating away on his back, as he stand back up slowly, making sure I'm alright, "I told you to not worry, didn't I ? The seats are top quality, I'm ready for the ride Link." I see him relax a bit, as he advance slowly to the tears of light.
Like always, they cover me up of their lights as well for a brief second, and my back start feeling a bit better already, even if not totally healed … 'Guess I shouldn't expect light to be useful to me, when it usually burn me up alive uh ?' Link was back on track chasing the insects, while still giving me some looks here and there when nothing was happening.
'Ah … This is gonna last until we're finished, isn't it ? Oh great …' I now have an over worried wolf taking care of me while chasing monsters and insects away, my life really did get weird didn't it …
"Elder Ebizo !" The guardian Goron knew as Dangoross rushed inside the room of the elder, usually assigned to guard the weapon belonging to the Hero of the Past, it was a rare sight to see him out of his ordinary room, and one that couldn't mean anything good …
"Dangoross ? What bring you to this room ? Aren't you supposed to be on guard duties ?" The Elder inquired.
"Y-Yes ! That is indeed my job ! But … I can't guard a treasure that isn't there anymore ! The weapon … It's not there !" Dangoross looked absolutely lost and panicked, and tried to keep his composure as he announced the news to the Elder.
"Wh-What ? What do you mean ?! Please explain yourself Guardian ! Who could have taken the weapon while you were guarding it ?" Ebizo was lost, Dangoross wasn't the smartest Goron around, but he was good at his job, who could have possibly bested him …
"That's the thing Elder ! The weapon simply disappeared ! No gorons, monsters or even hylians came around my room, but when I checked the treasure, it simply wasn't there anymore !"
"Will you stop yelling Dangoross ! I'm old but I can still hear your voice from there !" The Elder retorted back "The weapon … Disappeared you said ? No one entered the room are you completely sure ?"
"Yes ! I was watching the room since earlier, and protecting it from those black creatures earlier, and I'm completely sure that none of them got by me !" Toning down his voice, he explained, trying hard to remember everything that happened
Ebizo take a second to think "Mysterious things have been happening since those monsters have first appeared … First the chief … Now our weapon …" He look back to Dangoross "Alright, you are to continue guarding the same room, even with an empty treasure, the one that stole it may come back for more, you are to double down the security in there, ANYONE that enter have to be considered an enemy, we cannot take any risks …" He said looking back at his key, before handing it to Dangoross.
"Take it, and keep it with you at all time, next time if someone want to steal that treasure, they will have to pass by you, you are much more suited to defend this key than I am …" The Elder look at Dangoross putting the key firmly on his armor, before greeting the Elder goodbye
'Some strange things are happening around here … And I don't like it …'
Death Mountains was … Not a dream destination to say the least, it was incredibly hot, narrow, and dangerous … it's name was well earned, and unlike the in-game one, those meteors were much, much more dangerous than just removing half an heart…
"Link ? What are you doing ?" I saw Link stop suddenly to listen to something, and as he advanced carefully, I remembered the reason why, the singing stone … Those apparently really existed …
"Oh, wanna sing the melody ? It sounds good, and I'm sure your wolfy safe have a beauuuutiful singing voice Eh-Hee-Hee !" I tease him, and while he look angrily at me, he does start to hum the song that the stone was emitting.
Remembering what happened last time he met his ancestor, I decide to float away a bit, and sit down, I was right to do so, as I see him go completely limp out of nowhere, suddenly unconscious, and he would be for some minutes if last time was any indication.
'Welp ! Time to relax a bit then !' I lay down on the ground next to him, looking at him while being on the floor 'I never took the time to actually … Think about it but … It's really like … Link right there … The same one that allowed me to have my adventures as a kid …' I think back to everything that happened.
'I have so many fond memories of adventure at your side Link … But I never wished to live them like that, not to diss you or anything but … Your life is frecking dangerous !' I look at my hand 'How many months have it been since I got here … How much time passed since I became Midna … I have no idea, and it scares me … What is even going on in the Real World now …' I laugh at myself
'Real World … This one look really real too, I shouldn't really call my world like that' Looking back at Link 'They all have emotions … A story … Desires … they aren't simple game characters … And hell, if they are, so am I right now …' Looking at myself once more 'At first I just wanted to do this to get home but … What sort of person would I be to let people suffer like that when I can actually do something to help them ? It would make me as guilty as Zant …'
I sigh deeply, I may not like the constant danger of this land … But I couldn't say I didn't enjoy traveling this world I saw so many times, alongside my childhood hero 'I never wanted to be part of it, but since I'm here … Might as well make the most of it uh ?'
Right as my thought reached their conclusions, I saw the sleeping form of Link waking back up, look like his meeting with the Elder Link is over !
"Hey Link, you're alright there ? Kinda went unconscious again …" I see his torn expression, probably figuring out how to explain to me "Don't worry, I get it, that Golden Wolf once again isn't it ?" His surprised but confused expression is practically yelling at me his question "I only saw you get like that one other time, wasn't that hard to figure out Eh-Hee-Hee" I tell him before hopping back on him
And without a second thought, Link was rushing toward the mountain once again.
Well … It's official, I hate this mountain, after almost getting crushed by two rocks of the size of a Goron, one giant molten rock of the size of a building almost crushed both of us, not the most welcoming place ever .. But I knew what this Rock would be useful for later on.
The rest of the collect went good, the Shadow Beasts didn't stand a chance against our growing Team Work with Link, and soon enough, we had all the Tears of lights, and were back to the spring
I laid back in Link's shadow, and watched everything from there, the light of the day got back in after all, and I'm still sensible to that, I didn't like it much, but … Can't really do anything about it..
I watched as Link got to meet everyone of the village, and watched the heartwarming scene that unfolded when the children saw him, those little guys were really attached to Link, and you could see that in their eyes as they saw him for the first time since King Bubblin's attack …
I would have wanted to introduce myself to them too, but I don't think they would take the appearance of a Shadowy person from behind Link really well, so I just stayed and watched, I thought that Link would have wanted a day off with them, but apparently, his determination to find everyone was more important than that, really admire that from him … The title of "Hero" is not given lightly it look like.
He went on to a quiet place, and called out to me, "Midna ? Are you there ?" I popped back from his Shadow and in front of him.
"Where else would I be, Mister Hero?" As he looked at me, I could see his guilty expression, he was about to talk, but I immediately stopped him "Don't apologize again Link, I get it, and no, you don't have to worry, once again, I'm fine."
"But I almost killed you !" He retort "It was my own fault, and through that … You still risked your life for me !" He looked so remorseful and … Just plain sad too …
"Of course I did Link … You're my partner, my friend, and you would have done the same for me." The look in his eyes as he heard that, it was … Heartbreaking, I go closer to him, and take him in my arms, well … The closest to that I could offer "I'm alright Link, I promise, you saved me too when I made a mistake that almost killed me, remember ? So yes … Of course I would do the same for you …"
I felt him shaking a bit, and then he simply hugged me back, 'First time since I got there that … I got one of those … Feels nice …' I meant every single words of what I told him, he may only have been a Game Character back home, but now he was a real person … And more than that, he was a friend
I let go of the hug and look at his face, seing a little tear fall off, "Now come on, dry that tear will you ? It doesn't look good on you Eh-Hee" He smiled back at me, wiping it off with a finger
"Look who's talking … It doesn't suit you either you know ?" He retort 'Uh ?' I put my finger on my cheek, feeling the wet feeling of a tear, didn't even notice that one … Guess I was missing human warmth more than I thought I did … Well, Hylian warmth now I guess.
"Eh-Hee-Hee, I guess you're right." I tell him, before looking at the mountain in our sight "Maybe we should go there now ? We got some people to save after all, don't we ?" And with a smile, he started heading to Death Mountain once again.
Once he arrived there, he tried to test out his strength against the Goron, which … Of course didn't end up well for him, face down the ground, the hero was looking mighty covered in dirt…
"You alright there Link ?" I call out from his shadow "May not have been your brightest idea yet to try to suplex a rock guy bare hand, don't you think ?" He pulled himself back up, an annoyed expression on his face.
"I had to try something, didn't I … And you were the one to propose to go there now, weren't you ?" He tell me, smirking a bit.
"Point taken !" He look pretty lost in thought, probably trying to think off a way to get there, "I can help out with your suplex idea, but ... I can't really do it in plain day, so we might need to wait some hours together, why not go back to the village in the meantime ?" Technically true, but I knew we'll get something far more interesting if we got back there anyway.
Link nod silently, as he take the road down to Kakariko, the priester was waiting for us, well, him, and told us about Boo defeating the Gorons, once he was gone, he murter "Well Midna … Look like we have a few days of traveling to go through" thought he looked tired, he also sounded really happy to get back to this village he dearly missed.
"We should pack on for some fo-" He stopped mid sentence, his expression turning serious as he heard something coming, the heavy sound of hooves hitting the ground could be heard, as Epona came forth, bursting through the gate, by reflex toward that, I immediately hide in Link's shadow.
'Horses still scare the heck out of me uh ?' Well, I sitted tight in his shadow, as I watched him regaining control of her slowly but surely, he looked … Pretty happy to have his horse back, I wasn't all that pleased, but at least it would cut down our travel time, so that's still a good thing.
Once he had the horse back up, he settled it down near the spring, and went to get some provisions, once he came back with a bag full of food, he attached it to Epona, and we were ready to go through the gates of Kakariko village once again.
Once we were outside, he started talking to me again, "You know that no one else is here Midna, right ? You can come out to ride with me, I don't think anyone will see you." He sounded a bit confused, and I was … A bit embarrassed to tell him the truth …
"N-No don't worry Link, I'm good in there, just … How much time do we have until Ordon on Epona ?" I asked, wanting to know just how much time until we could finally be on firm ground again.
"With Epona right here, and at the speed we're going …" He thought about it for a bit before continuing "It should take us half a day to get there, then we can probably sleep at my house, and be back here in the evening, isn't that great ? She seemed to have fought valiantly against those monsters to find me again" He redirect his glance toward Epona "Didn't you girl ? I'm sure that Fado will be happy to see you again !"
Well … He was definitely happy to have her, that make one of us … But I couldn't say that I wasn't happy about the travel being so fast, just that I wish it didn't come with one of my only fears in life … 'Well, I'll just try to rest before we arrive'
And with that thought, I drifted off to sleep
A few hours later, I was finally awake, looking around my surrounding I could see that we were at Ordon, but no sign of Link … Both me and Epona were at his house, looked like I accidently slipped in her shadows instead of Link's … That's a new way to 'sleep walk' I guess ?
A few minutes later, with still no sign of him, I decided to sneak around the village and try to see what he's up too, not the first time I did that either, I know my way around
And right as I was getting myself ready to go inside the village, Link came back with some more food in a bag, looking happy but exhausted, probably had to go through the whole Sumo exercise too now that I think of it.
"Midna ?" He calls out "Are you awake ?" He was settling down the food on Epona, while keeping some on himself, and talking while looking on the ground, I pop back from behind and tap on his shoulder.
"I don't know ? Am I ?" I tell him, enjoying the surprised expression on his face, probably wasn't expecting that, it looked precious, I laughed a bit at it "Eh-Hee-Hee, you should have seen your face."
"Please don't scare me like that Midna …" He catch his breath for a bit, and then smile at me "I'm about to prepare some food in my house, do you want to join me, or do you prefer spending the night outside ?"
I look at Epona before responding quickly "I'll come !", he laughed a bit at that, before entering his house, motioning me to follow
Once I entered, I got surprised by the size of it, it was muuuuch bigger than the game one, multiple rooms, a functioning kitchen, and while his bed was still upstair like in the game, it now came with a full room instead of just a balcony, "That's a nice house you got there Link, you live alone in there ?" Of course I knew the response, but … I was curious about the details
"I do, I lived with some of the Villager when I was younger, but when I got old enough, they gifted me this house for me to start living on my own" He frowned a bit "I never really knew my parents, the village was just a sort of big family to me, so it never bothered me that much" He looked determined and serious once again "That's why I have to make sure that all of them are alright, they all took care of me as a child, now … It's my job to look out for them."
'That … Explain some things …' So … Just like in the game, this Link don't really have parents, and I'm ready to bet that the "Villagers" that took care of him, are Uli and Rusl, that's why he have such a deep bond with them, and with Collin …
"I'm sorry to bother you with all of that Midna, it's just … Important for me to give something back to them, after all they gave me…" He looked at me again, before smiling "Anyway, you can sit at the table right here, I'll be there with the food in a moment"
And so did I, and a few minutes later, he came back with two plates of what I could only assume was the famous "Ordon Pumpkin", I waited for him to settle down, and started digging into it, it was indeed quite good !
"What about you Midna ?" He say, as I perk my head up to him "Where … Do you actually come from ? I know that you're a Twili, but … Where do you all come from ? If talking about it don't bother you, I'm curious" I gulped down, I was worried he would ask that one day … Let's try to answer him still.
"Well, I came from an alternate dimension to this one, wasn't really supposed to cross with yours but … Some things that even I don't know the full detail off, which were most likely caused by Zant, and it lead me to Hyrule" Technically all true, even if I'm talking about the wrong alternate dimension.
"I see .. I have to admit that it's a lot to take in, I didn't even know much about the outside world of Hyrule a few days before, so hearing about Alternate Dimensions is … A first for me" He stop for a minute, and then continue "And … How was life in that dimension ? Before all of that I mean …"
I looked at him, feelings of sadness coming back with the memories, I force a smile, and continue "I … It was pretty peaceful, not the most eventful life, but a good one, I was happy to live there, even if I kinda wished to discover more" I look at myself sadly "Wish granted now I suppose ?"
He looked at me, surprised and … With an hint of sadness "So just like me then … The goddesses seem to have a twisted sense of irony, granting both of our wishes in the worst possible way …" I guess it's pretty similar … My fates and his … "Well, at least it would have brought us to meet each other, and to travel together, even if I wish it was under better circumstances … I'm glad I met you Midna."
'That … Okay … That's …' I try to compose myself before the sincere smile that he was giving me, smiling back at him "I'm glad I met you too Link" I stop for a minute, before asking "Now, how about you tell me how the villager were ?"
The conversation went on, as he told me about all the villagers, about his training with Boo, how he got the Iron Boots, and soon enough, the night had setted in, and we were both off to sleep, he had a separate bed in another room, so we were able to both sleep on a comfortable bed for the night.
That night … I fell asleep with a smile on my face, a first since I arrived here.
The morning, we departed quickly, back on that damn horse … But we were quick to arrive near Kakariko Village, when I got a dark reminder of something that totally went off my mind, the sound of a blowing horn could be heard from the distance …
It took me a single second to piece that together, I yelled at Link "Oh no ! Link ! That's King Bulblin's Horn ! The one that kidnapped the children !" It took him only a mere second to switch from surprised to serious, as he gave Epona a tap, the horse rushing like never before toward the town.
We arrived just in time to see King Bulblin with Collin in his hand 'Oh no … How could I forget about that !' As his boar rushed through the gate, tearing it open, Link started rushing toward it
At the entrance though, Renado was waiting for us, and yelled at us "Link ! Take this !" And threw at us … The Bow and Arrows ?! 'Why … Do you have this ? It's supposed to be in the Temple ?! Well no time for that ! This will be useful …'
"Link ! You know how to use a Bow ?" He looked at me, as I could see from his hand, the same yellowish glow from the Triforce.
"I somehow do, I never used one before, but I think I can handle it !" He respond to me 'So it's definitely this … Good to know that the Triforce is useful for something !' We arrived on the field, an army of Bulblin were not wasting any time to start rushing at us.
"Alright ! Well time to prove it then !" He nod at me, and take the Bow in hand, aiming at the bulblin and taking them down one by one, their mounts crashing down on the ground confused, I looked at the sun setting down 'Dammit … I can't help him out, there is no shadows here !'
The battle raged on for a good time, Link was skillfully taking down each one of the bulblin , while having Epona rush down at the King, trying to take a few hits on him, a few minutes later, the sun at totally finished setting down, and I could take a part in the battle.
"Alright Link ! Focus on the King, if he's defeated they will just retreat with him, I'll take care of the small fry !" Seeing him nod and redirecting his arrows toward the King, I floated away, and started grabbing the Boar laying on the ground, and use them to throw over the rest of them.
After some time, it seemed like no more reinforcement was coming, and so the King started heading toward the bridge, I rejoined Link, while looking up, I saw the two Bulblin ready to aim for the Wooden structures near the bridge, look like it was like in the game … The King wanted a face off against him.
Thinking fast of a way to defeat him, I doubted that simple arrows would stun him for long after all the hits he took … 'Maybe … If I try that on him it can work ?' I look at my hair hand, and gets the perfect idea "Alright Link .. I know that I'm gonna ask you something crazy but …" I take a breath in and out "Rush straight at him, alright ?"
He looked at me confused, but ultimately decided to trust me, I sitted myself on front of Epona, and got ready to intercept him … It's a much smaller boar than Ganon, so technically … I should be fine.
Just as I planned, Bulblin also charged right at us, most likely hoping that throw us over, but got surprised at the giant hand that suddenly stopped his boar "Now Link ! Save the kid ! I can't hold him off for too long !" I could feel the boar trying to get out, and tightened the grip on him.
Link was already reaching for Collin, his sword in hand, when I saw King Bulblin look up, and waving his hand weirdly, I didn't understand what he was doing … Until a flaming arrow hit me right in the back.
'Oh … Those green assh-' I couldn't even finish that thought, before my vision went black, and I fell unconscious,
The last thing I could hear was Link desperately screaming my name.
And that's it for today's chapter everyone ! This chapter is a pretty big one ! The biggest one I wrote so far in fact !
A lot of things happened, and while it could have been cutted into two smaller chapters … I didn't feel like any moments were good to cut, so I continued writing until that point.
Explosions, Tears, Hugs and … Flaming Arrow in the back, all those things don't usually go well together, but look like for the better or the worse, Me-Dna had to go through all of that one after the other !
I hope you enjoyed today's chapter, and that the wait wasn't too long for you all ! As always, I'll look forward to discussing everything with you guys ! See you right there !