(Chapter 8)
(So I'm finally back with another chapter. I will hopefully start putting out chapters a little faster. So you can all hope for more chapters in the near future. So I would love to hear some feedback or ideas for the story if you guys don't mind.)
Link drew his sword the moment heard the familiar malicious voice.
"Oh look the cute couple added a fifth wheel." The voice spoke mockingly.
"Who are you, show yourself!" Ralis shouted at the darkness.
"Ralis don't panic, but this is the guy we talked about." Link told him.
"Oh you told him about me, I'm so flattered you informed him about little old me." The voice mocked them again.
"How about you stop talking and start fighting coward!" Link shouted at the darkness.
"Oh but you can't fight what you can't see Hero." The voice mocked.
"Well then why don't you start fighting fair." Link challenged the voice.
"Well if you insist..." The voice paused before suddenly the stone sheets covering the lava slid back. The room was once more bathed in orange glow. The boy was sitting on the chest dangling his feet.
"Who are you and what do you want from my friends!" Ralis demanded.
"You three are in no position to demand anything." The Boy shrugged his shoulders.
"And we are not in the mood to be dealing with your stupid games." Link hissed at the seated boy.
"Oh but my games are so much fun." The boy said while throwing his arms up. He shot the three a malicious smile as he did.
"Well none of us are in any mood to be playing games." Midna hissed at the young boy seated on the chest.
"Oh and that's where you are wrong beautiful..." The boy paused for a brief second as he clapped his hand together and stood up. "There's always time for fun and games." Link could see the boy reaching behind his back. Link motioned for Ralis to stand back.
"Link are you sure you can handle this man?" Ralis asked before he backed away.
"Yeah, we've dealt with him several times now." Link told him.
"Then why is he still here?" Ralis asked.
"Well let's just say that he is very stubborn." Midna butted in.
"Yes, and now please stand back." Link told Ralis once again. Ralis took a few steps behind Link and Midna
"Now if the happy little family is done chatting..." The boy had since drew his sword and stood waiting. He began to slowly approach the group. Link shot a quick glance at Midna to see how she was holding up. She had her sword drawn and was looking straight at the dark-clothed boy. He was now almost upon them. He began to wave his sword back and forth slowly.
"Link what is he doing?" Midna asked Link.
"I don't know so be ready for anything." Link quickly responded. The boy still inched ever closer to the two of them. Ralis could see two dark figures slowly rising from behind the two.
"Link behind you!" Ralis shouted at the two. The two turned around and saw the figures. They quickly slashed at the shadows and they dissipated.
"So what do you think of my new powers?" The boy had stopped and ceased waving his sword.
"Are you even capable of fighting fair?" Link harassed the boy.
"No one ever fights fair Hero, not even you." The boy mocked back.
"And just what do you mean by that." Link asked slightly offended.
"You think wielding a sacred blade is fair!" The boy shouted while raising his sword. He brought it down with all his might. Link brought up his blade to block the strike. Their blades collided and Link and the boy fought. Midna was watching the power struggle and noticed another dark figure rising up. She slashed at it and it dissipated, but soon another one began to rise. She needed to watch Link's back against these shadows. Link surged forward and shoved the boy back. The boy hopped back from Link. The boy stood and looked at both of them. He smiled and his eye's glew brighter. Several shadowy figure rose from around the boy. They all wielded similar blades and rushed at the two.
"Coward!" Link shouted at the boy as he slashed one of the many shadow figures in half.
"This is just evening the odds." He smiled maliciously.
"Don't worry about him Link, focus on the enemy." Midna told him. Link nodded as he continued slashing away at the shadow figures. They both kept hacking away at them. The boy stood grinning as more figures emerged from behind him. Link was slowly getting closer to the boy. He got close enough and swung at the boy. He felt his blade connect and the boy leapt back, Link could see something crimson seeping through the boy's tunic. The boy clutched his chest and growled at Link. He slowly sunk down into the shadow before Link could get close enough for another swing.
"This isn't over Hero!" Link could hear the boy's voice echo in the room. Link looked around to see if any more shadows persisted. The room seemed empty and silent as it had been when they entered.
"Midna are you alright?" He asked as he looked over at the remainder of his group. Midna looked very tired.
"Yes Link, I'm fine..." She spoke out of breath. Link ran over and helped hold her up.
"Link we should rest Midna is tired from protecting me and you." Ralis told Link.
"Yeah you have a good point." Link said with a small chuckle. Link gently laid Midna on the ground.
"Link I swear I'm alright..." She told him out of breath
"Midna relax, you need to take a break." Link said while placing his hand on her cheek.
"Link..." She spoke softly to him.
"Just relax, me and Ralis will watch over you." He brushed back her vivid orange hair. She sighed and closed her eye. Link rested her head on the ground and stood up. He pulled a bottle off of his belt and pulled out the cork. He held Midna's head up and offered her the potion. She grabbed it and slowly began to drink it. She tilted the bottle up as she emptied it of it's contents. Link laid her back down and sat next to her. The group sat in silence as they waited for the potion to take effect.
Midna awoke and sat up, She quickly glanced around the room. The room was still bathed in a familiar orange glow. She could see Link sitting nearby, He was busy cleaning a sword. Ralis was resting his head on Link's lap. She could see he was asleep by the steady rise and fall of his chest. Link saw that Midna had woken up and gently removed Ralis's head and put him on the ground.
"Midna your awake, you had me going for a while there..." Link's voice trailed off as he spoke.
"Link like I said before, I'm fine I assure you." She told him again.
"You've been out for about half an hour, I don't think that constitutes fine." Link told her firmly.
"The last thing I need is you fussing over me like a child." Midna scolded him as she sat up.
"Midna look I was really worried about you alright, I've lost you once and I won't let it happen again." She could almost hear sadness in his tone. They both turned to look at Ralis who was now sitting up and yawning loudly.
"Oh Link, how long have I been asleep?" Ralis asked.
"About as long as sleeping beauty here." Link motioned to Midna.
"You've finally awoken Midna, Link was so worried about you he refused to rest himself." Ralis said while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"It's no big deal, I'll be able to rest once we finish up here." Link told the two of them.
"Link if you keep going on like this your going to hurt yourself." Midna said while placing a hand on his forehead.
"Midna you worry too much, I'm made of sterner stuff then Gorons." Link said with a hearty chuckle.
"Link your so hard-headed!" Midna scolded him.
"Yeah I know." Link nonchalantly responded.
"Someday your gonna come across something just as hard-headed as you, then what will you do?" Midna scowled as she spoke.
"Don't know, never happened." Link shrugged the question off. Midna scoffed but secretly she loved his immense amount of confidence.
"Shall we get a move on?" Ralis asked after a few moments of silence.
"Yeah that might be for the best, none of us are getting any younger." Link said as he sheathed his blade and handed Midna hers. She offered him a quick thank you and sheathed her blade and stood up. She still felt a little fatigued but nothing she couldn't handle.
"Link what was in the chest?" Midna asked him after she thought for a second.
"Oh right, that thing." Link said while he glanced over at it.
"You might want to open it, whatever is inside might help us." Ralis told him.
"Yeah, yeah I'm getting to it." Link waved his hand dismissively as he walked to it. He kicked it open and reached inside. Inside the container was an old looking pair of worn metal gauntlets. He picked one up and looked it over. It had a small red gem sat on the exterior. They looked to be quite old even ancient.
"So what was it Link?" Midna asked as she walked over to what he was looking at.
"Not sure, they just look like an old pair of metal gauntlets." Link said as he held it up.
"Do they fit, have you tried them on?" Ralis asked as he approached to look as well.
"I guess I can." Link said as he slipped his hand inside of the gauntlet. The interior felt like rough leather. He grasped the other and put it on as well. As he did he saw the red jewel glitter faintly. As it glittered he felt a surge of energy course through his body. He stretched his arms out and flexed his fingers to check the fit.
"Well how do they feel?" Midna asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Alright I guess, just feel like any old pair of gauntlets to me." Link shrugged.
"Well why would that guy guard something as mundane as a musty old pair of gauntlets?" Midna said asked she placed her hand on her hip.
"Maybe because our stalker is crazy?" Link said with a smirk. Ralis let out a small chuckle as well.
"This isn't funny Link, He really didn't want us to get whatever was in this chest." She explained to him.
"So then there must be something more to these then just looking nice." Ralis asked as he examined them closer. Link took them off and handed them to Ralis.
"Maybe if we polish them up we can sell for a pretty penny." Link said as he grabbed the cloth he had been cleaning his sword with. Ralis handed them back and Link set to work polishing them. As he polished them the glittering of the jewel seemed to be getting brighter. He finished after a few moments and looked at them. The orange glow glinted off them, it almost seemed to reflect the light. The jewels were now shining brightly instead of glittering. He slipped his hand inside again. As he did the jewels shone brightly as he felt a huge surge of strength course throughout his body. Ralis noticed Link behaving strangely as he sat with Midna waiting for Link to get ready. Link was standing there and flexing his arms and fingers. He stood up and walked over to Link.
"Link are you alright?" He asked.
"I'm better then alright, I feel awesome right now!" Link said with glee as he flexed some more.
"What's with the sudden burst of energy?" Before Ralis could finish Link had grabbed and heaved the young Zoran prince into the air.
"These gauntlets are amazing, you feel like you don't weigh a thing." Link said as he held the boy aloft. Midna had heard the ruckus and went to check on Link.
"Link is everything alright?" She said as she turned the corner and saw Link holding the Zoran Prince aloft. She rubbed her eyes to make sure what she was seeing was real. Link had turned and noticed her.
"Oh hey Midna, I found out what so special about those gauntlets." Link said as he sat Ralis back on the ground.
"Yeah I can see that." She said still slightly amazed by the situation she walked in on.
"They either make things super light or make me super strong, I still haven't figured that out. Link said rubbing the back of his head.
"Well either way Link I say we need to get a move on." She told him as she handed him his sword.
"Alright we can get going then." Link said as he nodded and grabbed the sword. The trio collected their stuff and exited the room. They entered back into the lava chamber. They chose to take the upper path this time. Link had never noticed the massive boulder that now sat in front of the door.
"Well this is an inconvenience, Link do you think you could move this?" Ralis asked.
"Yeah I bet I can." Link said with a smug grin as he approached the boulder. Link motioned for them to move. He placed his hands on the boulder and pushed. He slowly felt the boulder give way and shift. Before he knew the boulder was rolling away down the sloped walkway. They all heard a loud groan as the metal railing was bent as the boulder flattened it. It plummeted down and splashed into the lava and slowly sunk.
"Did you really need to do that?" Midna asked him looking at the bent railing.
"Yeah, not sure just how powerful these gauntlets are yet." He shrugged as he pushed the door open. The room was large, flat and open. Across the room were large iron crates and massive buttons. The exit door was locked behind a series of bars.
"I'm guessing each set of bars are linked to a button somewhere in the room." Ralis speculated while looking around the room. Link was just behind him looking around as well. Link saw a familiar ice creature atop on of the buttons. Link could see it's many red eyes dart around the room.
"Ralis hold up." Link said while grabbing his shoulder.
"Something the matter Link?" Ralis asked while turning to look at Link.
"There are freezards around." Link pointed to the ice creature.
"Oh my, it seems docile enough." Ralis told him.
"That's because they can't move, but they have a nasty surprise when you break them." Link explained to Ralis.
"Like what?" Ralis asked. Link pointed to a small cone shaped chunk of ice. It was slowly sliding towards the two of them. It's single red eye darted between the two of them. It slid faster towards Link. Link put his boot out and it bounced against it. He then pulled his sword out and shoved the chunk of ice into the wall. It cracked and quickly slid away from them.
"That was a mini-freezard, the big guys break into them when you bust them up." Link explained as he placed his shoulder against one of the crates. Link slowly shoved the crate onto the button. A tone sounded as one of the bars lifted. The cracked mini-freezard returned with a small battalion of other mini-freezards.
"Looks like your friend is back Link." Ralis pointed to the small group of mini-freezard. Link grinned as he drew his sword and swung it through the small group. Most of them shattered into an icy mist. Those that weren't broke make tracks away from the duo.
"Problem solved." Link said with smirk as he returned to shoving crates. Another small group of mini-freezards showed up. Link sighed and once again dispatched them.
"Link do you want Midna to help?" Ralis asked him.
"Yeah might help to have someone deal with these little buggers." Link told him. Ralis called out to Midna.
"Alright I'm on my way." She responded to them. She navigated her way around the crates and over to the duo.
"Midna if you don't mind could you keep these little buggers off me?" Link asked.
"Keep what off you" she asked. Another small group of mini-freezards rounded the corner and headed for Link.
"Those little buggers." Link motioned to the small herd of mini-freezards. She nodded and quickly reduced them to a small pile of frozen chunks.
"Was that really all you needed Link?" She placed her hand on hip indignantly.
"Don't you worry yourself, there are going to be more." Link said as he went back to shoving another crate. He slowly continued shoving the crates onto the buttons. While Midna continued to fend off the mini-freezards. Link finally pushed the final crate onto the switch.
"Now onto the big guy right?" Midna asked pointing to the large freezard.
"Yeah I guess that's the only crate left." Link shrugged his shoulders. Link aimed a fire arrow and let it fly. It struck the freezard and it roared as the flaming arrow struck it. It melted away slightly.
"Link why don't we just walk up and bust it up?" Midna said while walking up to it.
"Midna wait!" Link said as he grabbed her by her shoulders and pulled her back. She felt her back hit Link's chest. The freezard opened it's frozen maw and icy blast shot forth. Midna could feel the air in front of her grow bone-chillingly cold.
"What was that about!?" She shouted back at him. Link embraced her in a tight hug.
"That was a close one." He said to himself.
"Link..." She responded. He held her at arms length.
"Freezard breath can freeze almost anything solid, your lucky I grabbed you otherwise frostbite would've been the least of your concerns." Link scolded her for your foolhardy behavior.
"You don't always know what's best for everyone Link." She told him as she pushed his arms away.
"Midna, I've been doing this for a lot longer then you can you even imagine." Link told her as she started to walk away from him. She scoffed at him.
"Well then do your thing Hero." She told him slightly aggravated. She leaned back against the wall and waited. Link walked up and put his hand to the wall and stood in front of her. Link brought his face close to Midna's. She could feel his warm breath in the cold room.
"Because I care about..." Link whispered to her.
"Link..." She mumbled under her breath. Link brought his face closer.
"And I never want to see you get hurt." Link whispered before pulling his face away. He stepped away and nocked another arrow. Midna could feel her heart racing from the encouter. Why would someone she spent so much time with suddenly make her feel this way. She took a few quick breaths to clear her head. Link launched the last arrow and the freezard melted with one final pathetic roar. As she watched him shoving the last crate she could feel something welling up inside of her. She felt a certain longing in the pit of her soul. She felt a yearning for something that could never be. She shook her head and sighed loudly. A final tone sounded as Link finally pushed the crate into place. The last set of bars slid up and finally granted access to the chest. Ralis returned from looking at the bars to report to Link.
"Way's clear Link, the chest is all yours." Ralis told him. Link nodded and made his way to the chest. Ralis stood next to Midna and waited for Link to open the chest. He glanced over and noticed Midna looking flustered.
"You'll need to give me a minute, dang locks froze shut." Link shouted over to them.
"Midna is something bothering you?" Ralis asked her.
"Ralis, have you ever yearned for something that could never happen?" She asked him.
"I often yearn from my own mother's love and affection, but I must accept that she is gone and won't ever come back." Ralis said with a certain sadness in his tone. Despite the tone he smiled at her.
"Dang lock!" Link's voice echoed through the room as he fought with the chest.
"But there are things one must come to terms with and accept to move on, I remain true to my heart and it has never done me wrong." Ralis said while looking longingly at the roof. Midna gave him a warm smile in return.
"Stay true to my heart huh?" Midna thought to herself. A shout of triumph resounded off the walls.
"Looks like Link got the chest open." Ralis said seeing Link walking proudly waving the boss key.
"Look what I found everybody!" Link shouted over to them. Midna and Ralis congratulated the Hero on his good work.
"So that means that we are on the final stretch right?" Midna asked.
"Looks that way, but I could be wrong." Link told her. The trio made their back to the other path they hadn't taken. The path led to the left. They took that as it was the only unexplored path. The room had a small path that led to another door The rest of the room was dominated by a massive funnel like corridor that lead downwards. Along the funnel there were many different crystal switches and a larger on at the bottom of the funnel. Link reached for an arrow, but he grasped at nothing.
"Any ideas Hero?" Midna asked.
"Simple enough, but I'm out of arrows..." Link said dishearteningly.
"Link what about those?" Ralis pointed to a small wall port that had a small boulder near it. Link walked up and looked at the boulder. The boulder was very smooth but appeared to be made of sandstone. He heaved it over his head and approached the funnel. As he did the funnel began to slowly churn in a circular motion.
"Great so now I need hit a moving target." Link grumbled. Small sections of wall rotated into view. Link let out a heavy sigh as he rolled the boulder down. It picked up speed and barreled right into a section of wall and busted. Another sandstone boulder rolled out of the port. He picked it up and rolled it down. It missed the wall sections and collided with one of the rotating crystal switches. One of the braziers on the wall lit up.
"Only two more to go Mr. Hero." Midna waved her hand and sarcastically cheered him on. Linked tried about a half a dozen more times. The final boulder rolled down the funnel and the last brazier was lit. the bars slide open and allowed entrance. The next room was a large simple metal door. Link sighed again.
"Looks like the only way through is past that metal door." Ralis pointed out. Link approached and couched down and wiggled his fingers under the door. He grunted as he lifted the still heavy door. He concentrated and finally held open over his head.
"Everybody hurry up, this thing is heavy." Link motioned with his head for everyone to move. Ralis and Midna ducked under the huge metal door. Link dropped his arms and rolled away as the metal slammed shut.
"Looks like we only have one way to go now." Midna said with a smirk. Link sighed again. This dungeon had quickly taken quite a physical toll on him.
"Yeah hopefully we are near the end soon." Link said while brushing his hair back. Midna grabbed him by the arm and pulled him towards the door to the next chamber.
"Come on Mr. Hero, the sooner we finish this up the sooner you can spend time with me." She smiled at him. Link smiled and nodded. Ralis looked a little confused but smiled at how happy they were together. The trio made their way into the next chamber...
(SUPRISE! I'm not actually dead! I've just been busy with other boring life stuff. But now I have a system in place so hopefully you will see this a little more common. And boy am I ever sorry for the six month hiatus. So hopefully I'll be a little more consistent with chapter for now. Hopefully you enjoyed it. I made a new forum for discussing ideas and stuff. That about covers this update but thanks for waiting so long... "Steel thy Shovel and ready for combat!" For-Shovelry out.)