Chapter Sixteen
"Hiya!" Vio brought the stick down sharply, one foot in front of the other for balance as he'd been taught. He swung the makeshift sword to the side, his body following the momentum as he cut down imaginary enemies left and right. Dashing forward with the stick held out to the side, he leapt from a rock, swinging the stick above his head and down in front of him, landing on one knee with the "blade" a scant inch from the ground.
"You've become quite skilled in the last year, little Vio." Vio stood and set the end of the stick on the ground, turning to see Ralis watching him practice in the fading light of sunset from one of the many exits of the domain. There was a strange look in his eyes, sadness, perhaps, but Vio couldn't be sure.
"It's been two weeks since I practiced last, and I've spent most of that time recuperating after rather thorough defeats." Vio moved into position again, more fluid than any Hylian child had a right to be. His eyes were hard, their blue jaded. "Sheik would be incredibly disappointed."
"Vio-" Ralis started forward, shaking his head. "That's not-" a look at Vio's face silenced him, and after a moment he let out a sigh. "We should find you a proper sword."
"I already asked your armory," said Vio, swinging the stick back and forth. It was nothing like practicing with the little wooden sword Dark Zelda destroyed, more a club than anything. "They said they didn't have anything small enough, but they would see what they could do. For now, my bow will suffice."
Ralis looked, but didn't see the mentioned bow. Vio smiled a funny little smile and held out his right hand, the shadows coalescing around him and withdrawing to reveal a small bow made of a strange dark wood that definitely hadn't been there before. A shiver ran up Ralis' spine. Although he'd seen Vio do this a few times now, it hadn't ceased to unnerve him.
Vio lifted his bow and fired a single arrow at the target he'd set up nearby. He hit the edge of the target, but only just. Scowling his displeasure, Vio notched another arrow and let it fly; this one missed the target completely.
"Here." Ralis knelt beside him, gently correcting his stance. "Hold the bow a little higher, like this, and lift your elbow, there you go. Now try." Vio did as Ralis instructed, and though his aim still wasn't perfect, it was significantly better.
"Thank you, Ralis." Said Vio softly. A small frown tugged at his lips, and he looked at his bow before looking at Ralis. "You taught me to shoot once before, didn't you?"
Rali's eyes widened, but he nodded. "Yes, I did. Your mother brought you here for a long visit a couple summers ago. I was practicing, and you wanted to try."
"I remember." Vio assured him softly. He left Ralis' side to collect his arrows. "We'll leave for the temple soon, won't we?" Vio asked abruptly. "I know the warp song, and Sheik assured me it still works."
Ralis let out his breath in a whoosh. "You know I still don't like it, Vio."
"If I have even the slightest chance of helping Shadow, I have to go. There is something in there that he needs, something that will save him." He lifted his bow, looking briefly to Ralis, who nodded his approval at the improved stance. Vio learned fast.
Soon enough it grew too dark for Ralis to see clearly despite the burning torches, and he placed a gentle hand on Vio's shoulder. "It's getting late. You should get some rest."
Vio looked like he might protest, but thought better of it. He collected his arrows and held his quiver and bow out for the shadows to take, returning to his room with Ralis.
Vaati floated cross-legged over his bed, a small crystal trinket placed in front of him. It was in the shape of a Zora, poised battle-ready with his spear held aloof, a gift to Ralis from the Princess Zelda for his birthday.
"Have you found her yet, Vaati?" Vio asked softly, not wanting to startle the mage. Vaati's eyes opened and he floated back down to the bed, reaching shakily for his bottle of potion before answering.
"No, I'm sorry." Vaati shook his head, lifting the figurine in his hand to examine it. "She isn't dead, but I can tell you no more than that. Whoever has hidden her, has hidden her well."
A thoughtful look crossed Vio's face as he watched Vaati. He opened his mouth, hesitated, then closed his eyes and took a calming breath. It didn't help. "Vaati, could you, I mean, would you please look for Sheik? I know he- but I just, maybe, I mean, he is Sheik." Whatever composure Vio normally managed to keep slipped, and Vaati could see the frightened boy who missed his guardian, missed his friend. How could he refuse?
He nodded slowly. "I will try, but I need something that belongs to him."
Vio frowned in consternation, but Ralis brightened. "I have something. Wait here." He left the room, returning shortly with a small cloth-wrapped package, which he laid gently on the bed. He carefully untied the cloth, revealing a small, gleaming dagger bearing the Eye of Truth. Vio gasped, reaching out to touch it reverently, as though it might vanish under his fingertips. It still tingled faintly with Sheik's magic, and Vio reveled for a moment in the familiarity of it.
"This is one of Sheik's daggers. Where did you get it?" He asked, gently tracing the familiar eye with his finger.
"I met your Sheik once, only briefly." Ralis said just as softly. "It was. . .shortly after he found you, I imagine. He. . .was very, very angry with. . ." he cast a sidelong glance at Vio, unsure of how much he remembered.
That jaded look, far too old for Vio tender age, reappeared in his eyes. "My uncle."
"Yes," Ralis sighed, moving to place a hand on his shoulder. Vio flinched before he could stop himself, but didn't shrug Ralis off. "Do you remember, now, little Vio?"
"Many things have become clear to me in the last few days." Vio whispered quietly, absently touching the scar on the back of his left hand. It was an answer, but yet it told Ralis very little.
Vaati cleared his throat lightly, snapping the pair from their thoughts. "May I?" Asked Vaati, hand held out. Ralis nodded, placing the dagger carefully in front of him on the bed. Vaati placed his hands over it and closed his eyes, his power stirring around him once more.
"Yes, boy, keep wasting your magic. The faster you use it, the quicker you will die. Won't be long, now." Gufuu cackled, amused by something. Vaati did not deign to answer him, focusing instead on the task at hand.
Vio watched Vaati relax as he slipped into his trance. He looked as he had in the last one for a moment, before an odd expression crossed his face. Something wasn't right. His red eyes opened wide, staring blankly ahead of him. His lips moved as though speaking to someone and his eyes flashed- crimson? Ruby? Quick as lightning his hand shot out to grasp the hilt of the dagger and he threw his head backwards as his back arched painfully, a silent scream falling from his lips.
"Vaati!" Vio ran to him, small hands grasping at the sleeves of his purple tunic. The spell broke and Vaati tumbled back onto the bed, Sheik's gleaming dagger dropping from his hands to bounce off the bed and land on the floor. Vaati gasped for breath, visibly trembling as sweat tricked down his forehead. Ralis moved to help, urging him to drink the replenishing blue potion.
Vio knelt to fetch the dagger. It felt warm, but the turbulent magic quickly calmed in his hands. Vio carried it to his own bed, away from Vaati, before returning.
"What did you see Vaati?" Vio reached out, turning Vaati head to look at him. His eyes were wide and not quite seeing.
Vaati shook his head slowly. "I am sorry, so very, very sorry." He whispered, his eyes, shining too brightly, meeting Vio's for a brief moment. His voice caught in his throat, his accent thickening. (None could say if it was old Hylian or Minish that smoothed and rolled his words, "I am solly, so ver-ly, ver-ly solly.") Vio's own eyes closed, and when he opened them the vulnerable child was hidden again, and only cold logic remained. He'd known the answer before he asked.
"Well, that was incredibly stupid, wasn't it? The dagger is spelled to repel evil influences. What did you think would happen if you touched it, boy?" Gufuu snorted, amused. Clearly, he'd known what the dagger was all along, but hadn't bothered to say anything. It wasn't his body that would be harmed, anyway.
". . .I saw what I needed. . ."
Gufuu's tone darkened, and his amusement vanished. "Don't. You. Dare!"
A self-deprecating chuckle was the only answer.
"Boy!"
"Your Highness!" Ralis and Vio both jumped, Vaati was too out of it still, when three Zora who had been out on patrol stumbled into the room, falling into a hasty bow. "T-They're coming your highness!-"
"the King's men!-"
" Your mother has gone to meet them, to try to stall them-"
Ralis didn't need to hear anymore, springing quickly into action.
"Thank you for alerting me. You, come with us, you two, alert my mother once we're gone. Vio, you know the song? Good." Ralis demanded. "We have to go, now, before they become suspicious."
"Vaati, I need my ocarina. Can you hear me? Where is it"
Vaati was trembling still, trying to recover from whatever he'd seen, but he nodded slowly, reaching a shaking hand into his tunic to withdraw the item he'd hidden. Vio plucked it quickly from his weak grasp. "Everyone, hold onto me!" He said, raising the instrument to his lips. The other Zora placed a hand on his shoulders, and Ralis moved to do the same, but suddenly broke away, tucking Sheik's dagger into a sheath at his waist. He returned and placed his hand on Vio's arm, his free hand taking Vaati's.
"Wait! Take these with you." The old healer had appeared from nowhere, as was his wont, and darted in, moving far more quickly than his age would suggest. To Vio he gave a bottle of red potion, which the boy quickly placed into his bag. To Vaati, he gave three bottles of blue. The mage took them almost mechanically, tucking them into his tunic. The healer nodded in satisfaction, and stepped away.
Ralis took Vaati's hand again, placing it on Vio's arm. Vio took a breath, and (after a halting start) the haunting notes of the nearly-forgotten Nocturne of Shadow echoed throughout the room, speaking to all of eternity, of a legacy of darkness, tears, and sorrow, and yet somehow comforting to the young boy who belonged to the shadows as much as he belonged in the light.
A swirl of magic and they were gone, passing out of the domain and through the mountains, on and on past the hidden village forgotten by all but one, to a ledge above an old graveyard, unused for centuries. They appeared on an old stone platform, cracked, but otherwise intact. It bore a weathered symbol Vio thought must be the emblem of Sage of Shadow from Sheik's book, but the years had worn it down so that it was difficult to be sure. Cautiously, he took a few steps closer to the edge. There must have once been a railing, Vio could see the marks in the rocks, but it had long since rotted away.
Peering down below into the growing dark of the night, he could see the old gravestones, long overgrown with weeds. Some of them had tipped over, others collapsed into holes in the ground. This had been a sacred place, once, perhaps, but nobody cared to tend it, anymore.
A shiver down his spine and an echoing cackle of haunted laughter followed by a shriek caused Vio to whip around, searching for the disturbance. Poor Vaati was huddled on the ground by the wall of the cliff face, arms thrown over his head to ward off the hovering poe.
The Zora drew their weapons, but Vio saw them hesitate. They could see the glowing lantern, but not the Poe itself, hidden in the shadows like the cowardly spirit it was. Vio felt for it with his other senses, the way Sheik had taught him. There! Vio held out his hand, but stopped, closing it. He couldn't use his bow without risking hitting Vaati.
The Poe swirled above Vaati, the shadows parting from its swinging scythe. Ralis' guard darted forward, narrowly managing to divert the blade from cleaving the trembling mage in two. Another frightened cry forced Vio to act.
Dashing forward Vio snatched Sheik's dagger from Ralis' side, leaping to slice it across what he hoped was the poe's midsection, judging by the coalescing shadows. The unearthly scream confirmed his aim, and Vio thrust the short blade forward, twisting it sharply. The scream rose in pitch, the shadows falling back to reveal the poe's glowing, lanky form. The dagger grew warm and thrummed in his hand, and the malevolent spirit shattered, dropping its lantern to the ground, before that too disappeared.
Vio knelt beside the trembling mage, whose eyes were still screwed shut. "Vaati? Vaati, it's gone now. It's all right."
Slowly Vaati lowered his arms, looking about himself. He took a shuddering breath. "Poes." He whispered between gritted teeth. "I hate poes." In his mind, Gufuu laughed, taunting him.
"Pathetic, useless little Minish, afraid of a weak poe. And you think you can act on that little vision of yours? You don't have the guts."
"Shut up!"
"No one likes poes. Nasty buggers, aren't they?" It took Vaati a moment to realize the cold voice wasn't in his head. Ralis whispered something to his guard, keeping his eyes on a figure Vaati couldn't quite see.
"Shadow!" Vio cried, taking a few steps towards him before Ralis held him back.
Dark Link laughed from his place at the edge of the cliff. "Let the boy come to me. He's the only one I want. Come, Vio, let's go home, hm?" He gave a familiar, cocky smile, but something in those ruby eyes was wrong, something more than the insanity. A warning, perhaps, or a threat.
"He's not going anywhere with you!" Snapped Ralis, stepping forward with his blade pointed at the shadow.
Dark Link only laughed again in response. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard-"
"Darkling!" A voice snapped. Heads whipped to the side, attention drawn to the woman at the bottom of the cliff. Glaring, she launched herself into the sky, coming to float just behind him. She seized the back of his tunic, hissing in his ear. "Do not toy with them! Grab the brat and be done with it! We've found him. End it!"
Ralis' eyes widened. The woman was the perfect mirror of the missing princess, except for the dark hair and glowing eyes. She looked older, too, but something told him he couldn't judge her by looks alone. Was this the shadow of the princess?
"Yes, Dark Zelda." Dark Link drew his sword, the sound ominous in the darkness. "Hiyaa-AH!" Dark Link threw up his arms and fell back and Dark Zelda let out a screech when the guard finally ceased his fumbling and held up what he'd been working on- a shadow-disperser. The sharp, piercing light fell over the shadows, driving them back. Dark Zelda hissed her rage, firing a ball of black energy that disintegrated as soon as it reached the shadow-disperser's circle of light.
"You cannot hide behind that blasted thing forever!" Dark Link shouted from his hiding place beyond the light's reach. "We'll be waiting for you when it dies!"
Ralis kept his eyes lock on the place where the two shadow beings vanished. "Vio, and you Vaati go. We'll stay here and make sure they don't follow you, all right?"
Vio nodded. "Thank you, Ralis." Reaching out to Vaati and pulling him to his feet, Vio led him through the hole in the wall and down the crumbling stairs. "Be careful, watch your step." No sooner were the words out of his mouth than one of the stairs gave way, and only a quick jerk backwards from Vio that sent them both sprawling onto their behinds saved Vaati from plummeting face-first down the stairs.
Vio gave him a deadpan look. "I said watch your step."
Vaati at least had the grace to blush.
Dark Zelda snarled in anger. "Stupid brats and their stupid dispersers." She turned to Dark Link, who stood a little deeper in the cave beneath the grave, arms crossed. She seized the front of his tunic and shoved him towards the exit. "You will get out there and watch. If their disperser fails, kill them. If not, don't let them out of your sight. I will be very displeased if the boy dies in the temple and not by your hand. Then we'll have to hunt him down all over again, you hear me? You are not leaving this graveyard. I have. . . business, to attend to." She moved her other hand to the back of his neck and dug her claw-like nails firmly into the skin there, pressing her lips to his in a searing, demanding kiss.
His responded mechanically, but must have satisfied her, for she pulled back with a smirk. "Remember, do not let that boy leave this graveyard alive, and let no other kill him but you, Darkling."
"Yes, Dark Zelda." he replied, watching as she turned and vanished in a swirl of darkness and shadows. Pulling himself from the cave, he looked up to the ledge to see the two Zora watching him closely. He scoffed, taking a seat on one of the many graves in the area. She had bid him to wait, and so he would, or risk the consequences.
All right, so a bit of shameless filler there. Vio's memories are returning, so I thought I'd take pity on Ralis and let him have some bonding time.
Depending on how long the next couple of scenes are, I should get to Vaati's thoughts in a chapter or two. Something he saw when he touched the dagger ticked Gufuu off. . . and what's with his fear of poes? A hint: I'm using them as something like dementors, Vaati's just more sensitive to them.
Thank you to the Chapter Fifteen reviewers:
Dream-Walker_94: Can I just say how big an ego boost this review was? I read it out loud to my roommate I was so proud of it. She laughed at me.
Rose_Starglen: Thanks! I hope you drop me a line more often! ^_^
Claradwor: Eep! *hides*
Kick-Aft: And I like that you're my 50th reviewer! ^_^