WHOO! Long wait, huh? And it's been gosh knows how long since "Legend of Advertisement!" and "WTF!" have gotten any love. Then there's that one about Homecoming that I don't even remember the title of, and the recent one: "Dog Days". But at least the story with a clear-cut plot has been updated, right?
Excuse? Uhh… I got a Gamecube, and you wouldn't believe how enthralling Tales of Symphonia is! Well, now that this update is done, I think I'm gonna put a cap on "Legend of Advertisement!" and write another shorty for "WTF!", then invest some work into polishing off the Homecoming one. Somewhere along the line I'll get around to writing about Link's adventure with Murphy too.
For now, here's the only update yer getting out of me. Hope ya like it!
Chapter 7: Crest of Water
"Lielu says that we're probably heading towards the Eastern Zora civilization," Maris sighed, her hand trailing in the water. Zephyr placed a hand on her sister's shoulder to console her. They were both still upset, at least to some degree. "You know, I wonder where River's father is," he pondered aloud. Maris gazed ahead at the small craft with the curved bow from which dangled a lantern. They had been following that gentle glow for what seemed like hours.
"River's father… Wouldn't he be the king of Seabound?" the girl suggested. Zephyr shook his head in contemplation. "Queen Ruto said that she was the fiancée of a man named Link. River's father would only be king if he had married Ruto, but apparently he couldn't since the queen was already engaged."
"You think a lot more than me," Maris pouted, evoking a chuckle from her brother.
"Look! Look!"
River's excited voice caught the siblings' attention and they turned their gaze past the little flame that guided them. They had noticed the climate growing warmer, though the night had kept things rather chilly. The island before them, however, looked almost tropical. Colorful flowers bloomed on the shore and grass actually sprouted where the beach receded. Zephyr eagerly leapt off of Lielu's back and onto the sunbathed sands. He was already in the process of shedding his cloak and boots, since the weather hardly called for such wear.
Maris followed her brother's example, then hurried across the beach to keep up with them. The only thing the children had ever seen was ice and ocean. This tropical coast was a whole new world for them. River, however, seemed unimpressed. "Guys, stop acting like such children!" the prince called after his excited companions. Doroki lumbered along behind him absent-mindedly.
Zephyr took his sister's hand and they waited for the prince to catch up. "This is Zora Village, home to a small tribe of Zora, among them being my… father," River explained. Zephyr noted the way his companion averted his gaze when he uttered the word. I wonder what kind of relationship he has with his dad, he mused. He always thought it would be fortunate to have a mother and father to rely on when things got tough, or to console him when he was hurt or sad. Apparently that wasn't always the case.
"The great Chief Lurias of the Eastern Clan," Doroki thought aloud. Wow… Mr. Doroki has thoughts, Maris contemplated in surprise. River nodded once. "Yeah, Lurias. My father. He couldn't marry Mom because she was already engaged to some warrior guy named Link, so he went to the other side of the world and became a fierce fighter in an attempt to impress Mom. She still said that she couldn't marry him because all Zora engagements are absolute. Time and time again she said that she wished she could marry him, but she just… couldn't."
"I didn't know the Zora were so strict about their customs," Doroki commented. River nodded. "Mom always told me that she loved my father, but… well, you get it by now. Dad wasn't happy about it. He always said that if he ever saw this Link dude, he'd kill him to get Mom out of her engagement. As it stands, there's nothing that can be done."
"I'm sorry, River," Maris said. The prince raised an eyebrow. "Why? Did you set up Link with my mother?" he chuckled. The girl shook her head. "No… but still. I just… I'm sorry. That's all…"
The Zora smiled. "Yeah… I know what you mean. …Thanks, Maris."
"Look!" Zephyr interrupted as he pointed across the landscape. There was a fleet of Zora approaching. The one at the lead was built well and carried himself regally. He held a long spear in one hand. "Thank would be Chief Lurias," Doroki noted as he stuffed a fistful of sand into his mouth. "Eww… This isn't rocks!" he complained.
River pressed his lips together and stalked forward with the demeanor one would expect a prince to maintain. He met the fleet and bowed. "Greetings from the Western Capital," he said as he gazed solemnly ahead. Lurias nodded. "Greetings from the Eastern Clan, my son," he replied, returning the bow. River gestured towards his companions. "Mother sent us here, presumably for the Crest," he explained.
Lurias turned around and dismissed his fleet. When the last soldier had departed, still he did not turn to face his son. "The Crest of Water can only be given to its complimentary Chosen," he reminded in a grave voice. "Among you are naught but children and a Goron warrior. The Goron is out right away, for his kind is intolerant of the Element. The other two are far too young to receive the trials the Crest will offer."
Zephyr nudged his sister forward. "Um… My name is Maris. I hail from Snowbound, and I am the Chosen of Water," she introduced in a bold voice.
Lurias spared her a glance, but still did not turn to face her. "You can have no more than ten years to your name, young one. There is no way I will permit one so inexperienced to face the trials of the Crest."
"Wait a minute; I'm lost," Zephyr interrupted. "What 'Crest'? And what trials?"
Lurias glared at his son from over his shoulder. "It appears the young prince has neglected to present you with the information you require," he said aloofly. "There are four imperial cities throughout Hyrule: Seabound, Sunbound, Earthbound, and the fabled lost empire of Skybound. These cities are the keepers of the four Crests, a different Crest for each Chosen."
"What of Snowbound?" Maris inquired. Lurias cleared his throat. "I am far from through," he said coldly. Maris bit her lip and withdrew to her brother's side to allow River's stern father to continue.
"The Crest of Water should reside within the walls of Seabound, but since Queen Ruto has claimed to raise our son herself, I took the Crest with me when I returned to Zora Village. Everyone in Hyrule still thinks that the Crest of Water is safe within the armored walls of the western oceanic capital."
And that's why the Dread Serpents attacked there, Zephyr concluded. "Is the Monastery aware of the Crests? And, just what are the Crests for?" he asked. Lurias sighed in frustration.
"Let us exchange remarks no more upon these sands. Come. We will continue this discussion within my own abode," he suggested as he started off across the island. River beckoned that the others follow. Doroki seemed to have his 'mind' on other matters and didn't come along. It looked as though he was searching for rocks to devour.
Young Zora girls danced about with wreaths of pink and blue flowers around their heads and necks. The boys sparred with fallen branches from the palm trees. Women conversed as they carried out their chores, and men marched about as if training for battle. They all turned their heads and spoke in hushed tones as Lurias and his companions passed. Before long, the entourage had arrived at a grand house situated in the center of the humble village. They entered, and the chief gestured that they have a seat at the table in the center of the room.
"This girl is the Chosen of Water, yes?" Lurias reassessed. Zephyr nodded and nudged his sister. The girl grumbled in an "I know" sort of way and faced the Zora warrior with her full attention.
"Unacceptable," the man dismissed, waving his hand. "Not only is she but a tadpole, but she's also a girl. I will not allow her to receive the trials of the Crest."
"You've yet to tell them what the trials are, father dear," River grumbled sarcastically, earning himself a sharp glare from his father.
"When you first come into contact with the Crest, it will bestow upon you three trials to identify you as a worthy Chosen. These trials will test your mind, body, and spirit. If you cannot overcome them all successfully, you will die. Many of my own village have been convinced that they were the Chosen of Water and died a most gruesome death at the hands of the Crest. Do you not see why I cannot grant you such a dangerous item?"
"Maris is different, Lurias," River announced. "She's strong. Even though she's never been exposed to the true nature of the Element before, she can control water very well. She can even heal!"
"Do not become so foolishly excited, my son," the man advised, closing his eyes in grievance for the lost souls who faced the trials and failed. Maris bit her lip and stood from her seat.
"Chief Lurias of the Eastern Clan," she began in a demanding voice, "my brother and I refuse to leave until I have undergone the trial—and succeeded. Trust me, you cannot deter me by any means! If the Crest shall have my life, so be it. I will accept my fate."
Lurias sighed in frustration. "Fine, you impudent child. Your shortsightedness will be the death of you," he finally agreed, standing and moving towards a door decorated with shells and wreaths of kelp and sea flowers. There was a large room through the passage, and in the middle was a pedestal. Upon the pedestal sat a small cerulean orb. Within it was a darker blue swirling shape that resembled crashing waves.
"There is the Crest of Water, young Chosen. It is not yet too late. You can still leave and ensure your life. Perhaps you could come back much later when you are more able to withstand the conditions you will be forced to meet," Lurias suggested in a last-ditch effort to keep Maris away from the Crest.
"I said I'm doing it, so I'm doing it. Besides, it's not like there's any other way," the Hylian girl said with determination as she reached forward and touched the Crest. A blinding light tinted with a pale blue hue filled the chamber, enveloping Zephyr, River, and Lurias.
I came up with a better excuse! I've spent all my spare time tending my forum, which needs lots of love to blossom into the gorgeous flower I know it can be! Well, I think it's gotten plenty of love, but still. I'm a part of it, as well as the moderator, and I need to be there!
Expect a Tales of Symphonia fanfic outta me some time soon. You can probably read it and understand what's going on completely without ever having played the game. I'm writing it that way, so… yeah.
Reviews make for faster updates! Notice how just one week after Nee-san's review rampage, I updated! Come on, you know you wanna read more! It's a total cliffhanger!