Derae stared at the new bracelet for the longest time. She studied every inch of it, turning her arm over and back several times, running her hand over the silver metal, but none of it made any sense. It didn't seem out of the ordinary and it had stopped glowing. She sat on her bed, a puzzled expression on her face as she stared at it. She had no earthly idea what to do about it or with it. Something about the bracelet made her heart race, like an adventure waiting to be had. She couldn't explain the sensation to anyone if she tried. A knock on her door pulled her out of her trance and with slow movements, she crossed the space between her bed and the door to the house she'd shared with her father. She was greeted by a rather refreshed looking Mamoru, his dark black hair seeming more clean than it had been the other day.
"Good morning, Derae." He greeted her, making his way to her father's chair. He sat with a loud, whump! He was not wearing the armor he wore the day of her father's funeral. She began to wonder where he'd been staying. Their small village didn't have an inn or anything of the sort.
"Good morning, sir." Derae answered as she returned to her seat on her bed. She decided against asking him where he was staying. It wasn't like she even really cared. "I've been studying this bracelet, but I can't come up with any explanations. Do you know anything?" I asked him quietly. He sat there for what seemed like hours, in which Derae spent twiddling her thumbs, when he finally stood up and walked towards her, a determined look on his face. She pulled back a bit at the sudden approach.
"Give me your wrist." He requested gruffly. Partially startled, She did just that. She raised a brow as she raised her arm for him. Without waiting he took it in his hand. His touch was gentle and warm, not unlike her friends around the village but something about it was making her blush. Her arm started to tingle as she felt heat, not only from her face, but from the bracelet. What? Her eyes shot down to the bracelet. It still was not glowing, but the heat only grew as the contact was prolonged. It started to hurt after a moment and Derae tried to pull away, the blush and thoughts of his warmth replaced by the now searing pain on her wrist.
"Ow…" She groaned, still trying to tug her arm away from him. As he released her arm, the heat immediately stopped. She'd taken a step back in shock when he finally let her go, and stare down at the bracelet once again. She couldn't wrap her head around this dang thing...
"Are you okay?" he asked her, his voice tinged with panic. She couldn't help but think of how innocent he sounded despite how much of a larger build he was than her.
"Yeah, I'm fine. But... for some reason, the bracelet started burning me. When you let go, it just stop cold." She explained, rubbing her wrist. It was red where the bracelet had been but she didn't think she'd sustain any burns, thankfully. Suddenly, they both heard a loud bang outside the house, both heads turning sharply towards the front of the house. They both ran for the door, Mamoru pulling his sword from his sheath along the way. Derae pulled her dagger as well and followed behind him, a bit more apprehensive. However, neither of them were prepared for what sat outside her door.
A dog sat on the front porch, staring up at the both of them. It's fur was mixed shades of black and it's blue eyes seemed to pull Derae in. The glanced at her dagger and then at her bracelet, completely ignoring Mamoru, who was steps away from attacking.
Who are you?
Derae heard a voice, but couldn't find the source. She looked around, trying to keep the dog within her line of sight in case it attacked them.
This is why I detest humans. In front of you. The wolf in front of you. Now answer me. Who ARE you?
"Ah... Derae." She stammered, now staring at the dog with wide eyes. Was this dog really talking? She glanced at Mamoru to find him giving her a strange look.
You're Link's daughter? the dog asked, scanning her with a look that said, 'Really? You?'
How did he know? Her father came to Ordon for refuge from the evils of Hyrule…
"Who are YOU?" She asked him, a scowl on her face to try and intimidate him into giving her information. She could have sworn he raised his brow at her...
I am Kou. I am a being sent by the Goddesses to watch over the wearer of the Sacred Spirit Orbs. Kou proclaimed, lifting his head proudly.
"Sacred Spirit Orbs?" She asked, raising her own brow at him in confusion. "D-Do you mean these?" She asked, holding up her wrist to show him the bracelet.
"Who on Earth are you talking to?" asked Mamoru, looking a bit concerned for her mental well-being.
...Yes. I mean those. They hold a very powerful magic within them. The Goddess had a servant of her's make a small bracelet and after she had bestowed it with a bit of her magic, sent him down to the surface world to find and give it to one worth enough to use it. the wolf answered her. She could faintly hear Mamoru calling her name but the wolf…
"But my father gave me this… Was he-" Derae started, a worried expression on her face.
No. He wasn't the servant. The servant died several years ago and has already returned to the Goddess. No, before Gale left this world, he spending years looking for someone worthy enough to wield such magic. Defending it from evil that wanted to use it for evil deeds, he had finally stumbled upon this village, Ordon. And in it, he saw you... He began, and suddenly an image appeared in her head, like she could see everything that had occurred as if she'd actually been there. She thought she'd seen the wolf give her a look before the image started, but couldn't focus on it to think much of it.
—
Derae saw an old man appear; grey haired and limping terribly and her heart ached for him. She gasped as she noticed dried blood on his clothing and scars along his arms and legs, her heart tightening as panic spread through her. He had barely made it through to the entrance to the village when he stumbled on a fallen branch and fell. His face contorted tightly with pain. She wanted to help but as she reached her hand for him, she noticed her arm was almost transparent and her hand went right through him. She let out a gasp, stumbling back in shock. Suddenly, before she could even register what was happening, she heard a voice that was clearly not the man's.
"Are you okay?" Shouted a child's voice from the direction of the village. Who? Derae turned to watch as a small child with long black hair appeared from behind the brush. For a moment, she wondered who she was and then realized, those were her green eyes! The old man looked up at the child and smiled weakly.
"If you'll just help me up, I'll be fine." He asked the small child. His voice was soft despite the pain she knew he must be in and had an ethereal air to it that she couldn't understand. The child nodded and hooked his arm over her shoulder and began to lift with all the strength she had in her. It took some doing, but the little girl had finally helped the man to his feet.
"Thank you so much, young one." He finally spoke to her after catching his breath. She nodded and held out her hand. He looked confused for a moment but, when realization dawned on him, shook her hand.
"My name's Derae! It's nice to meet you, sir!" She heard her own small voice speak. She remembered this, somehow... Vaguely... The man's name was...
"Gale. My name is Gale. It's very nice to meet you as well, Derae. I can't thank you enough for helping me up." He thanked her with a smile that seemed to outshine the sun.
"You have a nice smile, mister. Follow me, Daddy can help you find your way if you're lost and I'm sure a bed and some food will do you good." She spoke, oddly mature for a 12 year old girl. She sounded more like a mother than a child. It must have been how her father raised her. Derae smiled and laughed remembering how father had made her bring Mrs. Pithe's fruits back to her. As an 8 year old, she hadn't quite understood the meaning of asking for things. Mrs. Pithe had been so kind and had even given them some of her fruits every year since then.
Derae came back to her senses when she realized that the image had changed. She was now standing inside her home. Her father was pacing the kitchen floor and she could see her own black hair peaking out from under the covers on the couch.
"You have a very kind-hearted daughter, Link." Derae heard the old man say from the direction of their bathroom, his voice more ethereal sounding than before. She watched him walk through the hallway heading for the kitchen. His face seemed to glow and a faint hint of a ring above his head kind of set off something in my mind. An angel...?
"She sure is something." Her father replied from the kitchen, finally taking a seat at the table. He sounded as she remembered him, tired and gruff but not unkind. She stared at his figure, tears blurring the scene before her. He ruffled his own dirty blonde hair and glanced toward the small figure on the couch and then back to the old man.
"That she is." The old man laughed as he spoke. She hadn't noticed before but it looked like all of his previous wounds had healed... as if by magic...
"She said your name was Gale, correct?" Her father asked, noticeably unperturbed by the man's... glow. Was he used to this? She certainly wasn't...
"Yes. My name is Gale. And you are Link, I presume?" he said matter-of-factly, a hint of a smile on his aged face. Her father was silent for a moment, an unreadable expression held on his tired features. Gale continued without waiting for a response, "I know that you have had a hard time, Link. The Goddess understands, as well."
"The Goddess?" Link asked, narrowing his eyes. Derae couldn't understand why he seemed so... cautious about it. Did he know something about the Goddess that she didn't?
Gale sighed and began to explain to Link why he was here. "I am but a humble servant of the great Goddess in the sky. She sent me some years ago to become human
and find a soul worthy enough to wield a power with the ability to save all of Hyrule. She realizes that you have done your part, and now it is time for another. I never expected your daughter to be the chosen one, though. I guess it only makes sense. She has the kindest heart, and the love to protect all of our world." he told Link. She turned wide-eyed to her father. His brow was furrowed in anger.
"Leave my daughter be!" He exclaimed, slamming his fist down. Derae vaguely remembered wincing and her eyes wandered over to the small lump on the couch. "I don't want her to have that kind of responsibility! Not when I know what the weight of the world does to you." He continued, lowering his voice now, but his voice still held a harshness that she didn't remember it ever having.
"Link, trust in her spirit. Her heart is strong and she will learn to believe in herself. But in order for her to do that, and save this land, you must believe in her as well. I saw for some time a faint glow from this town; unlike any other I had seen. It was faint, but it held so much promise. I came to find that source. She, unlike others, was kind to and old and tainted man such as myself. She was not scared of these scars or this wizened face. She treated me as she does all, as a friend, an important something." Gale explained, and placed something in Link's hand. "When the time comes, give her this. She will understand with time. When you can no longer protect her, this will show her the way and the story will unfold."
"Like hell!" Link shouted, standing up. He threw the bracelet to the ground and was about to smash it to pieces when it suddenly glowed and shot out from under his foot. Where it went, neither knew and they spent what seemed like an eternity searching for it.
"I guess I don't have a damn choice…" Link sighed and closed his eyes. "Goddess protect her." He whispered, his brow furrowing.
"She will. Have no doubts, hero. Destiny is on our side." Gale smiled and crossed the room. He caressed the black hair flowing from under the blankets on the couch. He closed his eyes for what seemed like forever and then walked out the door.
Creep...
—
The image faded and Derae was back to reality, staring at a talking wolf who Mamoru couldn't seem to hear.
Do you understand now? Kou asked, looking up at her expectantly.
"Yes. I understand. Well, I sort of do... But I still don't understand how this damn bracelet works!" She yelled at him as she grabbed at the bracelet.
"Derae, stop. I'm worried. Please explain to me what's going on!" Mamoru asked, loudly and with the same expression from earlier.
"Can you not tell my friend what you are telling me?" She asked Kou, turning from looking at a frantic Mamoru back to him.
I can only speak to you. No one else. You will have to explain to him yourself. he answered her. Fat load of good that did her...
She turned to Mamoru and lead him inside, a look of distaste on her face. She wasn't looking forward to this. She explained everything to him, including what she'd seen, trying to ignore the weird looks he gave her.
"So, Kou... is the wolf? And he can only talk to you, and some old guy named Gale gave your father that bracelet?" Mamoru asked after a moment, his brow raised at her.
"The angel's name was Gale, and yes. I can only assume that Daddy knew that something would happen to him and gave the bracelet for you to give to me." She answered
as best she could, but hearing it out-loud didn't it sound any more reasonable. Mamoru just sat there awhile and finally stood up and walked out without a word. Derae blinked, watching him. She knew she'd have to give him time to think about everything that was happening but it still stung a bit. The fate of Hyrule was a scary thing...
Sighing, she decided to get some rest. She spotted Kou outside the window and decided to let him in. Getting up, She the distance to the window and opened it up.
"Would you like to come in? It's kind of cold out." She asked putting a small smile on her face. He stared at her for a moment and then hopped in through the window gracefully.
My thanks. He told her as he curled up at the end of the bed. This might not be so bad, she thought to herself. Aside from the talking wolf now laying on the foot of my bed... Kou huffed at her and she chuckled, giving up on trying to understand it. She crawled back into her bed and dozed off.
She woke in the morning with the sun in her face, having dreamt of nothing. Sitting up, she looked around, and saw Kou watching her from the end of the bed.
"Good morning..." She greeted him, an awkward tone in her voice. How long had he been watching her?
Soldiers are in the town. They're searching for weapons in case of rebels. He explained matter-of-factly, still watching her with what she assumed was a dull expression. Derae shot out of bed and put on clothes as fast as she could muster, nearly falling a few times as she slipped on khaki shorts, and made her way towards the center of town, Kou close behind. She spotted Mamoru arguing with a soldier outside of Dahlia's house, Izema crying on the porch. Dahlia spotted Derae and began to make her way closer from the porch.
"My Dear! They won't listen to reason! I don't know what I'll do! The soldiers stormed into my shop and found weapons! And- And now they're saying we're a part of some secret rebel organization!" She was beginning to cry in hysterics now, something Derae was not at all used to. Awkwardly, Derae hugged her, telling her it would be okay, that they could fix it. Kou rubbed his side on her legs trying offer condolence. Eventually, Derae let go of her and walked toward the soldier and Mamoru.
"Excuse me, can I help you?" Derae asked him, interrupting the feud between the two men while trying to keep her own tone polite. Making Dahlia cry was a punishable offense.
"Who are you?" the soldier asked, irritation clearly showing on his face. He was much taller than her, much larger too. She glanced from his face to the put belly under his armor and then back to his face.
"I am Derae, my father was the leader of these people. Can I help you?" She explained, feeling all the world like she could deck this guy right here, right now. She could feel Kou behind her, tensing up as if ready for a fight.
Calm down. I thought, hoping it would reach him. He began to relax and laid down at her feet, his blue eyes still staring up at the soldier.
"My men and I found some illegal weapons in this shop here, care to explain?" he asked her sternly. holding up a spear.
"Those weapons belong to me." Derae stated without batting an eye. She knew that he probably wouldn't listen to reason if Dahlia couldn't get through to him. So, she'd just have to talk to the man in charge. Mamoru was silently staring at the ground beside her. Yeah, okay. Great help, friend.
"Then, I will have to ask you to come with us to the castle to be interrogated by the Queen and her men." he informed her, reaching for her hands to tie them up. Despite every fiber of her being wanting to, Derae didn't resist and let him push her towards a horse.
"Do you mind if we take my own horse? I'd rather not be anywhere without her." Derae pleaded, thinking of Fiona.
"Sorry, but we can't risk it. Some of my men will remain here to watch the villagers to make sure none of them are rebels as well. Until you're name is cleared,
none of them will be leaving any time soon." He explained as he pushed her up onto the horse and had her settled in. She spotted Kou watching her from the ground.
Everything will be okay. I won't let them do anything to you. Kou explained, staring at her. She felt a certain sincerity in his voice, but she wasn't too afraid. She was confident in herself. Nodding, she watched Kou leap up to the horse's behind and curled up behind her.
"That wolf will have to come down. He might frighten the horse." One of the soldiers commanded.
"Kou wouldn't do anything of the sort. He'll be fine. If he does manage to frighten the horse you can throw him off and make him walk. He'll follow anyways." She
retorted. The soldier sighed, probably thinking it was too much trouble arguing with her.
After all the men had mounted and all of their things were packed, they set off for Hyrule Castle. Something told Derae this would be a very long day…