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CHAPTER 11
DAWN OF THE FOURTH DAY
Entering Dark Tides.
Early morning set upon Termina... It was still pretty dark out, and the air was cool and quiet. However, off around Clocktown was nothing but panic. People were speaking about the strange black portals appearing over the four main regions of Termina just last night... The fifth hole right above town. Guards were not on job, due to having been called to the mayor's office about the strange things happening in Termina, discussing what to do if danger befell town. Clamor left citizens scared and restless. Not long ago, people spoke of a darkness engulfing the South Swamp, before it vanished again. After hearing such news, people feared the same would happen to town.
In the clamor, one person wasn't so on-edge... As a matter of fact, the strange happenings in town gave this certain person an advantage to fulfill his goals. He was but a deku scrub. He'd come from the clock tower. Little did anyone know, he'd just returned from the country of Hyrule from the portal beneath the clock tower. Of course, not the same timeline of Hyrule Iris was from. This scrub was Terminian, but spent his time in Hyrule for the most part, and hated returning to Termina. He made his way toward the market place west of Clocktown. He never spoke a word to anyone who passed him. He had no leaves, and the top of his bald head was marked black and was soft to the touch- which was unusual given a deku's usually rough and thick skin. He carried a rucksack on his back, and wore a tan suit unlike any other you'd see a regular scrub wear. He had a bow on his back, but an empty quiver. He carefully approached the weapon dealer in hiding, but he was rather surprised to see that the merchant was arguing with a group of people. The merchant was distracted by chaos, just as the whole town.
The deku scrub smirked at this, "Well, looks like this wont be too hard." He murmured. He crept up out of sight, and examined the table until he saw some arrows out. There were different sizes available, and simply grabbed the bunch of arrows fit for his size. When he felt he wouldn't be seen, he ran. He continued running until stopping in South Clocktown. He laughed a little "The town's troubles are in my favor." He unwrapped the arrows, and filled the quiver with them. He then looked up, catching sight of the huge portal right above town. "I don't want to stick around long enough to find out what's going on, though... I wasn't expecting to see something like that here..." He muttered, before making it back to the clock tower. He'd have stuck around longer to see what else was up for grabs, but as far he could tell, Termina was pretty much gone to disaster. Back in Hyrule, he happened to be in the woods nearest to the Termina portal, so just came here to restock. He shrugged "Well, it's these people's problems, not mine."
He opened the gate to the clock tower, and began walking through to the stairs going down. When he reached the bottom, he approached the huge metal door that lead even further beneath the tower. However, before he could open the door he heard a sound and stopped. He quickly reached for an arrow and his bow and readied it. "Who has followed me!?" He growled, his spirit-lit eyes glaring into the darkness of the tower's interior. Two acid-green eyes appeared from the dark next to the water-way, towering high. The deku scrub ordered again "I wont ask again, who are you?" He pulled back on the arrow. When no answer came, he let the arrow fly, as it pierced through his follower's arm. The creature grunted in pain, but pulled the arrow out as if it were a splinter. When the creature had gotten close enough, it turned out to be a huge dragon-like monster standing like a man. It had wings and twin tails, both of which had blood-stained axes on the ends of them. It's face was twisted into a nasty smirk "Please, a shot to the arm wont do you much good."
The Deku then tried another, aiming for it's forehead. The monster used one of it's tails to smack the bow from the deku's hands before he could let the arrow fly, being mindful not to hit him with the ax. The deku grunted, and ran to grab the bow, but was lifted from the ground. He squirmed to get away, but before he could say a thing, the beast put him down lightly, giving him the arrow that was shot at his arm earlier... Leaving the deku utterly confused.
"I come offering a job, and you try to kill me... How rude." He spoke, not in the least bit serious about being offended, his gruff and large voice chuckling at the end.
"I'm afraid I wont just do any job, beast." The deku declined on the spot, holding the arrow in case he needed to use it. He was slowly moving to reach for his bow, though. "I've got better things to be doing."
"But my master asks that you at least listen to our proposition... Skreemin."
Just then, the deku scrub scrambled for his bow faster. Once he had the bow, he put the arrow in place and aimed "How do you know my name!?" he spat "Answer me now, before I lodge this arrow between your eyes!"
The creature laughed as if it were a joke "You may very well be the one we're looking for! You've got guts threatening a Dragalfos. I could burn you alive here and now if I wanted. You remind me a lot of another meddling scrub I know, but with more bite and less bark." He then looked to Skreemin "I'll tell you my name, given I have no secrets to hide. I'm Drigos, the lead commander of the Dragalfos. I was sent by my higher master to ask you of your services."
"I'm not the helping type, especially to none like yourself. Still, you never answered my questio-" He spoke with acid in his tone as he continued aiming the arrow, but he was cut off.
"Maybe the talk of pay will change your mind?"
Skreemin paused. "How much...?"
"As much as you ask, dear friend." The Dragalfos dragged out the friend part about as smoothly as a road of rocks. He didn't seem happy calling this guy friend.
"... For now, you have my attention." Skreemin spoke, still sounding as if he wouldn't trust the beast.
"Good." The creature showed it's nasty, gritty, yellowed teeth in a smile.
"But, I'd like to speak with your master about this..." He ordered "Take me to him. It'll be then I judge whether this is a task worthy of my attention." In all honesty, Skreemin couldn't believe he would possibly turn down the offer of pay, especially when he was told he was in control of how much he was given. But, he didn't even know if this thing was telling the truth. He wanted proof. All at the same time, Skreemin was on guard for if this thing attacked. Drigos then held out his hand, a black orb appearing. "Allow me to contact my master, because I'm afraid he can't be here at the moment." The orb formed completely. A gruff sound came from the orb.
"Oh, I see you found Skreemin, Drigos." the dark voice spoke.
Skreemin shivered at the voice, but showed no fear. "What do you want? How do you know me?" He quickly jumped to questions "And what is this job and talk of pay...? So help me, if this is a bluff, your friend here wont be coming back." He gestured to the Dragalfos.
"Dear me, how scary." The voice laughed. "Though, that's the kind of attitude I like. Alright, Skreemin..." It paused, before saying "I'm sure you have noticed the dark portals hanging above Termina?"
"Yeah, so make this quick." Skreemin huffed.
"I've seen you and your work. You're quite the conniving scrub, being one of the few who knows of Hyrule's passage to Termina. Not many do. It comes in handy for your great plan... I know well what you seek. And you hate Termina, and all those within it. So do I."
Skreemin was getting uncomfortable by this stranger having known so much about him. But he hated Termina? Termina wasn't where this person... Or beast, lived?
The voice continued "You hate those at the Swamp. They used to laugh at you, and mock you for being different... For something you couldn't help..."
"Shut up!" Skreemin shouted angrily, now shaking "Just shut up! How do you know all this, you b-"
"Tsk, tsk. Language." The voice merely said "Don't bother threatening me, I'm not even in Termina, so your threats on me are empty. I know you suffer a great injustice. If you should suffer so unfairly, why should everyone else be happy? When they laugh so cold heartedly at someone who had done nothing wrong in those days of your childhood? And even as you grew up, no one showed you acceptance or help, and it hurt you badly... Those fools should pay for what they've done... You were but a child, cursed to be this way the day you were born. They lack dignity or respect, even your own father and mother disowned you... Such insolent beings should all perish and suffer."
Skreemin was shaking in anger, and rubbed the back of his soft head as he thought back. He was cursing everyone he ever knew in his mind... The voice had done a fine job to get Skreemin's attention enough by first pouring salt into an emotional wound, then showing twisted sympathy by wanting to make all of them pay. Skreemin wanted to make those who mocked him suffer.
"I come offering a chance to fulfill your dream, as well as payback. I know you had plans for pulling off a heist at Hyrule Castle for the riches that could help you cure your problem. But, I offer riches far beyond the royal family; A new, cleansed world... Clean of ignorant fools. I want to wash this world clean of the worthless. I deem you worthy as being one to survive. I see great power in you, I am not bothered by your differences. I'll let you know my only wish is to make this world a better place, but sometimes dirty deals need to be made."
Skreemin listened with a glare, he was still shaking. "Just get on with it."
"I have a job offer for you... And I'll pay you handsomely. Or even, cure your abnormality."
The deku scrub's eyes went wide, and he dropped his bow in shock. He then roared out "How!? Tell me!" He ordered.
"I am a person who holds great powers... How do you think I know so much about you? There is much I can do, miracles even... I just need to make my way to Termina... But this is where you come in to play. There are three people trying to stop me, by closing off my portals around Termina... They'd rather this world stay as it is... A filthy, twisted place, instead of my new beautiful world." The voice paused, then answered gleefully, seeming happy to finally reach his point "I need you to take care of these three... And for your efforts, I will give you any prize you desire when I come to Termina. I promise."
Skreemin crossed his arms. That was an offer he wasn't willing to turn down. The thing he craved most, and all he had to do was snap a few necks? "Show me these three if you can."
"Gladly." the orb began showing an image. Three other deku scrubs were walking through the fields to the Western shores.
Skreemin raised an eyebrow "Three other scrubs, huh?"
"Yes. This is Jace, Iris, and Ilye... Their next destination is far West. These are the three you must assassinate, for they pose as a problem to me, and as well as for you by standing in the way of what you desire most."
Skreemin laughed a little "Are you kidding? These termite-eaten pansies don't stand a chance..."
"I like your attitude. I'll be watching, so if you need my help, just look up Drigos."
"I don't need any help..." Skreemin huffed.
The unknown person chuckled "Alright then. Glad to have you aboard, Skreemin."
Skreemin grabbed his mask from his rucksack. It was decorated with red around the eyes and snout holes, looking rather intimidating as he placed it on his face. He growled "One thing, though... Don't call me that... You should already know my alias is Snipe."
The mysterious voice continued "Of course... Now, these three should be on their way right now. I'll have Drigos escort you there by flight, given that they already have a head start."
Skreemin chuckled "Seems fair."
"Meet us outside in the fields, and we'll carry on from there."
Skreemin nodded lightly. He put his bow around him and situated his rucksack to where it was comfortable, and began back up through the clock tower. As soon as he left, Drigos began speaking.
"Sir, of all people... You're putting your trust in some lowly creature like him? What about my men, they could've taken on-"
"Hush now." The voice spat "No offense, Drigos, but this is deku-to-deku business. I'm sure he'd be able to handle them better than your men could." In all actuality, this shady being knew very well how brainless the Dragalfos could be... Skreemin at least seemed to be able to handle himself without needing an order every two minutes.
Drigos carried on "Don't blame me when he stabs us in the back." he uttered with a growl.
"Since when were you afraid of being stabbed in the back? The mighty leader of the Dragalfos?"
"You know well our numbers dwindle since we lost our true Chief three years ago... Since that deku girl killed him, we've fallen apart as a race. This is our battle as well, I only agreed to help you because we had similar goals." Drigos huffed, fire puffing out his nostrils. "And the boy had massacred hundreds of us. We have a bone to pick with them. I'd personally love to snap them clean in half for myself."
"Oh, how sad." The voice responded rather insincerely. "Relax. I know what I'm doing. You'll still get what I promised you, Drigos... I'll revive your Chief, and the brats will be pushing up daisies in the end of this."
Surprisingly, cold-hearted Drigos seemed to be more concerned for his people than anything. All he wanted was revenge on Jace and Iris for killing the leader and murdering all the other Dragalfos. However, those three years ago, Drigos or his men weren't aware that Majora was the one who caused all the carnage. Jace wasn't the one who killed the army- but rather Majora-possessed Jace had. And Majora was now long gone and presumed dead due to Jace breaking through his possession and impaling him with his sword. As far as Drigos was aware, though, Jace and Iris were VERY strong according to what he knew.
"I just hate working with the one race that tore us apart." Drigos growled.
"Are we there yet?" Ilye asked tiredly.
Jace groaned "No. Have you seriously NEVER been to Great Bay?"
Ilye responded after a moment "Nope."
"I can't believe you, of all people, have never been to Great Bay."
Iris sighed after looking to Skits. Skits shrugged his wings, looking as if he didn't know what to tell Iris. They had been walking for some time now, just now reaching Termina Field.
"I'm still tired from being up nearly all night..." Ilye yawned. Jace tried to ignore her yawning to keep from yawning himself. Ilye continued "It was kinda weird being a bird for a day and night, then waking up this morning as deku scrubs again. To be honest, I wish I had been born a Watarara, then we wouldn't have to walk everywhere."
"Then we'd have to flap our arms everywhere... Which would be just as- if not, more- tiring than walking." Jace assured. "Besides... It's nice to be a deku again. Just to feel myself burning with energy from the sun's rays... I missed it."
All grew quiet again. The group enjoyed the morning air as they passed through Termina field. Ilye enjoyed the view even more so than Jace and Iris, for reasons. She always acted like it was her first time in the field- which confused Jace and Iris... But they started shrugging off her oddness a while back. Iris felt bored, and couldn't stand the silence anymore. "So Ilye, were those stories that you told to those kids last night true?"
Ilye paused, having a straight face for moment. She then rubbed the back of her head "Heheh, well... Yeah. I-I wouldn't worry too much about those old stories, though."
"Your father sounded like a nutsy deku scrub." Jace joked "Kinda reckless, actually... No offense."
Ilye suddenly lost herself laughing. The couple stopped to stare at her, wondering what was so funny. They chuckled a little at her reaction, but... Thought it weird. Ilye ceased her laughing after seeing their stares, and she replied "Heehee, I'm sorry... I just- GODS, if you told him that..." She chuckled "You-, He just... If only you guys could meet him." She patched her jabbering up in the end, and continued "He'd probably say the same to you, Jace. He was a guard in my village. He was once even offered a job as a Palace guard when he was young. He refused though, and moved to the wildlands with my mother, where they settled down and had me. But yeah, he knew about you guys, he always spoke about how reckless you are, Jace, according to tales."
"O-oh, really now?" Jace snickered "Well then... Guess we would get along well then."
Ilye seemed to be holding back more laughing, to which Jace and Iris just shrugged and kept walking. Ilye noticed, and followed, snickering as she went. Had Keaton been here, Jace and Iris would be sharing thoughts of how they thought Ilye was a little insane. They had to wonder if the storm at Hokubu's Temple knocked something loose... But then banished the thought.
The walk had been long, and Jace was glad the sun was out now. The rays energized them a bit for the travel, and they finally reached the entrance to Great Bay. Ilye seemed to slip a little as she stepped onto the sand. Iris just giggled, remembering that she did the same thing the first time she stepped on the soft sand. With how well traveled Ilye seemed to be, it was a wonder HOW she'd never been to Great Bay. It was one of Termina's most attractive areas. Great for vacations and getaways. Ilye must've grown up PRETTY far into the South Wildlands to never get the chance to travel this far, it was the closest place to the Swamp- except Ikana, but who wants to go there for a vacation...?
"Aw man, Ilye... You're gonna love Great Bay... Beautiful place. Given, of course, we don't reach the place and the Ocean be all green and nasty again." Jace spoke, reminiscing on his and Iris' first crazy adventure.
"Oooh, I heard about that... Um... From the Zoras. They said you guys saved them by helping return the Great Fairy."
"I'm surprised word of that got to the Wildlands." Iris questioned "That must've been a pretty big thing to everyone."
Ilye chuckled lightly "Well, of course."
The first wind of ocean-spray hit them as they drew close to the water from the path. Ilye's eyes grew in awe, and she ran to the shore. "The water's so clear and beautiful."
"Just don't drink it..." Jace told Ilye- and glanced at Iris, who glared at him.
"Hey! Don't look at me!" Iris spat "I-I was young and curious."
The blond boy snickered a bit "It was three years ago, you weren't too young."
"Well, I'm sorry for being a complete neanderthal and not a pure flawless genius like you. You try growing up in Hyrule for most of your life, because there is no ocean, so I wouldn't have known it was salt water. Usually, ANY water is good for deku scrubs."
"I prefer sanitized water, thank you..." Jace said with disgust, to which Iris answered jokingly with- "That's because you're not a deku, you're a big pansy. You can't even spit deku nuts."
"I prefer not to." Jace corrected sheepishly "I am plenty capable of spitting deku nut's effectively."
"Sure, sure... Just stick to your sword and daggers and you'll be fine." Iris finished.
Ilye sat at the shore with her feet in the water for a little bit. She then sighed "So relaxing. Just what you need after a long walk."
"Don't get too comfy, we're gonna keep moving soon." Iris spoke.
Ilye whined a bit "Aw, but why so soon?"
"Um, because of that." Jace pointed up, and Ilye saw the Twilight portal sitting high above the ocean...
"... You're right, let's go." Ilye hopped up, emptied sand out of her shoes, and placed them back on. Skits flew off Iris and enjoyed some time flying around the area as the group talked.
"So, where to?" Iris asked Jace and continued "We can't really lollygag too much."
"I already have one place in mind. I asked Alowette where the Western flock lives. She said they actually live up on the hills around Great Bay, but she said there's a far out island North-West of here where they nest occasionally. She said she herself has never been there, but receives news from them from time-to-time. And even Hokubu mentioned an island and that we would need to do sea travel. I think we should head out that way. I see a tiny speck out there on the horizon. Though, barely. Could be the island, but only way to know is to go."
"Great." Iris responded sarcastically, thinking it a bad idea already. "How do you expect us to get there...?"
"You know where the boat is." Jace added, to which Iris looked around. She didn't remember what he was talking about at first, but then spotted that old boat they used a long time ago to get over to the Pirate's old Fortress back when the Dragalfos were using it. The boat was sitting dragged ashore. Iris never liked those tiny boats. "Jace, you seriously think we can row that tiny turd all the way to that speck? You've got a screw loose."
"Well, I don't see any huge ships around, and we can't swim there. That little boat is all we have." the boy responded, understanding Iris' deterred answer.
Iris looked at the boat, then cut her eyes at Jace "You're a mad scrub..."
The girls hopped in and Skits flew back to Iris, then Jace pushed the boat into the water with all his strength. When it was far enough in, Jace climbed up, slapping water in the girl's faces. Skits just sat behind Iris and laughed.
"Here Ilye, be useful and help me row." He handed her a paddle.
She grabbed it after wiping water off her face "Aye-yi, sir." She joked. Jace just rolled his eyes, before he began paddling. Iris sat in the middle, looking at her reflection in the water. Jace glanced over at the Pirate's Fortress, and the gate was down. It was still abandoned and blown to smithereens. Obviously, no one's done anything with it yet. Jace thought maybe now that the Pirates aren't around anymore, and he assumed the Dragalfos were gone, that something would be made of use of that old location with it pretty much demolished. Had they been more observant, they might have noticed two suspicious faces land on and watch them from the rocky hillsides.
"You can hit 'em from here, just shoot already..." The shady Dragalfos said with a pointed finger.
"Don't be hasty... You're not that bright, are you, Scales? They're way out there, and them rocking the boat back and forth like that, I'm not wasting an arrow." Skreemin responded, well aware there was nowhere nearby to stock up on arrows if he lost any "I can tell you don't like my company and want me gone, and to be quite frank, I'm not too fond of yours either." Skreemin said, and Drigos just cut his eyes and puffed smoke out his nose.
"Twig, had my master not hired you, I'd turn you into a bonfire." He growled.
Skreemin just smirked. He felt proud of himself to say he stood over this beast with importance. Drigos was not to be feared, because he knew he'd be in for it if he harmed Skreemin- which made Skreemin even happier. He had this brainless-firebreathing-behemoth wrapped around his finger.
"If it makes you any happier, I just need you around to get me where they're going without being seen. Once we find out where they're going, you don't have to follow me anymore, got it?"
Drigos liked that idea, but groaned "I might as well stick around until you have to leave... You wouldn't be able to leave from where they're heading otherwise."
Skreemin just ignored him. He was through arguing with Drigos, it was like arguing with a brick wall.
"Anyway... They're heading out pretty far. As a matter of fact, I see a coastline way out there, and they seem to be heading in that direction. Fly me over there, Scales. Can you even fly that far?" Skreemin finished.
"Stop calling me Scales. You know my name."
Skreemin didn't seem bothered by the correction. "Whatever..."
"Anyway… Of course I can make that flight. Just hop on, before I decide to leave you behind... Snipe." He said Snipe with acid in his tone. Skreemin climbed up between Drigos' wings, and Drigos dove off the rock wall. He made sure to fly far out of sight next to the rocky hills, but he never took his eyes off the targets. Skreemin was just enjoying the fact that he was able to order Drigos around. Far better than walking everywhere.
Time seemed to slink by, and Jace and Ilye were getting tired. Jace had never traveled so far from Great Bay's shore before. For once in his life, this'd be territory he knew nothing about in the West, which made him excited. Back in the past, getting Iris to go on a dangerous journey like this was less than likely. He glanced back at Great Bay's coast. It was pretty far back there...
"Iris... I think you may have to take the paddle, my arms are hurting." Ilye spoke.
Iris sighed "Okay, hand it here."
"What about me?" Jace chuckled "I may be the man here, but it doesn't mean I can go without breaks."
"There's only three of us, Jace." Ilye laughed aloud. Skits was laughing as well, which made Jace glance at Skits.
"Why not Skits? It's about time he started pulling his weight around here." He retorted to Skits' laughing. Skits stopped laughing and glared. Jace continued "We'll tie a rope to his leg and tie the rope to the boat, and he'll just lead us the rest of the way, how's that sound?"
"For some reason, I don't think that'd be possible." the autumn-leaved Hylian scrub snickered.
Jace finally couldn't do it anymore. He laid the paddle down and looked to Iris "I need a break..."
"Jace, we're out in the middle of the ocean, we can't just stop." Iris stopped paddling to look back to Jace. It was usually Iris who did the complaining.
Jace shrugged "Sorry..." He gazed out. The Island was still pretty far out. He sighed "Maybe we should've found that giant Turtle to take us instead?"
"We don't even know where he is, Jace." The Hyrulean sighed "I don't know about you, but I'm burning up in this sun. Sun rays are nice, but too much is too much."
Ilye's eyes went wide as she saw a shadow beneath the boat. "Uh, guys... We're not alone..."
Jace's leaves bristled, and he leaned over the side. He saw the shadow, too, leaving him with a chill. "Oh, gods, I think we got sharks..."
"Sharks!?" Iris began trembling.
"Everyone, let's hurry and get out of here!" Jace grabbed his paddle again, but Iris huffed.
"Yeah, like we can outrow sharks! Nice job, genius!"
"Oh, so how are the sharks my fault?"
"You thinking we could row out here this far on our own!"
Ilye looked back and forth to Jace and Iris as they bickered. Now certainly wasn't the time. As they continued on, something popped out of the water behind Ilye.
"Whoa, little dudes, what's up?"
Ilye nearly flipped backward from the side of the boat out of shock, and Jace and Iris stopped. They all stared at the person in the water, their hearts racing. It was a zora man. He raised a brow at the deku, and remarked "Kinda odd seeing a couple wooden blokes like you out this far. Don't you know these are dangerous waters? Especially to be rowing over with a small dinky boat like this."
"..." The couple looked at eachother, then back at the zora. Jace began "Where... Where'd you come from?"
"Just out swimming and exploring, dude. lookin' for waves, y'know? I saw you guys hop on the boat, and it made me curious as to why three deku scrubs like yourselves would go for a boat ride. It's kinda odd-..." He stared at Jace, then at Iris. "Hey... You guys are those deku kids who drove the Dragalfos out of Great Bay three years ago, and saved the Great Fairy!"
"Heheh, yeah. We're heading over to that island out there." Jace pointed to the far out shore. "We've got some important and urgent matters to look into... Think you can give us a hand?"
The zora chuckled "Gladly. Anything for heroes. If you guys are curious, it must be important."
Iris blushed and smiled at being called a hero. The zora continued "So, what is it you're needing?"
"Could you help push us out that way? Just rowing was... A mistake on my part." The boy chuckled sheepishly "My arms just aren't built for it."
"Haha, sure thing man." The zora swam behind the boat, and began pushing. Iris and Jace rowed a little to help out. The boat was going much faster now with help. And with someone who knows the ocean, it was a more comforting trip.
"You best be careful, though... I heard people who sail to this island are never seen again. And us zora... Well, we've never set foot over there. I've heard rumors that terrible monsters live there."
"Oh, lovely." Iris said sarcastically. "Hear that Jace? This place is right up our ally."
"I'll say." Jace responded seriously. Iris stared at him for a moment, Ilye just sitting quietly with a snicker... Soon, his fiance just rolled her eyes at him, per norm.
"Sometimes, I worry about you." Iris uttered enough for Jace to hear, and Jace smirked cockily.
"So, if you don't mind my asking... Why are you all heading over to this island?" The zora asked "Especially with all these weird things happening. With that giant black thing hanging over the ocean, I have a terrible feeling that the whole West coast is in danger. Surely you guys don't think you can stop that?"
"Those black things are hanging over Ikana, Snowhead, the Southern Swamp, Clocktown, and Great Bay. So it's not just here." Jace looked up at the sky towards the portal. "We're here trying to get rid of them, yeah. We kinda have an idea as to how."
"All the way out on this deserted island? Not to sound harsh, but... What good can you all do about them? I mean, monsters are one thing dude, but we don't even know what that is."
"We know what they are. Don't worry about us, sir." Iris assured the zora.
The zora still wasn't faithful in their skills… Sure, they saved Great Bay once, but that was on land, on lands that were marked. He wasn't sure what would be on this island that'd stop the portals, but he didn't verbally question them.
After about an hour or so, the island came close.
Ilye leaned against the side of the boat "Whoa, guys! Are you seeing that view!? That island is huge, and so beautiful! It's got a tropical jungle and everything!"
"Ilye, sit down! You're rocking the boat!" Iris clenched the sides of the boat in panic, making Ilye sit down.
"Sorry."
Jace once had to call Iris on standing in the boat. Was funny seeing Iris do it now. Jace sighed, before he began rowing again. It was far more than his poor arms could take. He was just too eager to reach land. The zora began "Alright, this is where I stop."
"Are you heading back?" Iris asked.
The zora waited a bit. He felt bad leaving them on this island alone, with who-knows-what on it, but he was afraid of the island itself. He nodded "Yeah."
"Oh... Well, okay then." Iris responded unsurely. Jace didn't like it either, but he was sure the Zzora had things he needed to be doing.
"You crazy kids stay safe here, and don't get gobbled up."
"We'll be fine." Ilye responded. They watched as the zora dove down, surely heading back home. It was a long swim, so at least the zora was nice enough to get them this far.
Iris pointed her gaze to Jace, speaking worriedly "How will we get back?"
"We'll figure out a way, don't worry." Jace smiled "What's important is that we're here."
When the boat finally got to shallow water, Jace hopped out and pushed the boat back onto the sand. Or, was trying. Pushing it back on land was harder than pushing it into the water. Iris hopped out, and squeaked loudly upon touching the water, making Jace jump and look at her.
"S-sorry, wasn't expecting the water to be so cold." Iris cleared her throat and walked to the back of the boat and pushed it with Jace. Once it was on the sand, they walked up on land, and Jace instantly found himself sitting beneath the shade of a tree. He rubbed his arm, then saw Iris sit down next to him. Then on his other side, Ilye sat. They all sighed, enjoying a short rest.
"Geez... Next time, we need to find a better way to travel by sea." Ilye sighed.
The blond boy liked the sound of that "That probably would've been a good idea. We're lucky that zora followed us out this far, otherwise we'd probably still be rowing."
Iris wanted to make a comment on Jace's idiocy, but held it back due to being tired. Skits was sitting in the tree, puffed up and sleepy. Jace looked up, noticing how tired the bird looked "Oh, don't you even... You didn't do anything, unlike us."
Ilye's spirit-lit orbs were dimmed by the sunlight as they looked to Jace "I guess we can't sit around too long."
"Like heck we can. I need a drink..." Jace chuckled "We owe it to ourselves." Jace reached for his rucksack, grabbing the canteen from it. The water was hot, but water was still water. He took the lid off and drank some of it "Better than sea water." He handed it to Iris, who took it and drank from it.
She sighed "Thanks, babe." Jace glanced at her when she said babe and smiled. Iris handed the water over to Ilye.
"Hey guys, what time do you think it is?" Ilye asked after taking a gulp.
Jace stared at the sky for a bit, then looked at the shadows around them. He was just assuming, but answered "I'm gonna guess a few hours after midday. We've got plenty of time to rest."
"Hmm..." Ilye leaned back. Suddenly, she was acting as if she wanted to get things done, and fast. Jace was expecting her to hop up and run around the coast looking at everything like a mad woman, given how excitable she is. But she seemed uninterested now... And not because she was tired.
Off a ways, on another shore, Drigos had landed and let Skreemin off his back. Drigos groaned in pain as he stretched his wings. "Ugh..." they ached from flying for as long as he had. He'd flown all across Termina before, but he still rested in between flights. However, there's no where to rest in the middle of the ocean.
"Alright, we're here..." Drigos growled.
"I see that." Skreemin responded. He walked a ways, leaving Drigos to stand and rest to stretch. Skreemin needed to stretch his legs after not doing anything for so long. He'd have tried shooting at the other scrubs from the air, but it'd have been a little hard aiming from where he was at a moving boat. Besides, they had to stay pretty high in the air to avoid detection... Even if he did just want to drop down there and kill them off, regardless of Drigos wanting to stay hidden. As Drigos sat down, Skreemin stood far off from him and began digging through his rucksack.
"What're you doing?" Drigos asked grittily.
"That's none of your concern." Skreemin responded with a tone of ice. Drigos just huffed, and looked off toward the water. Skreemin stood next to a tropical and odd looking tree, and removed two jars and a packet from his rucksack. He pulled the lid off one of the jars, which had grounded soil in it. He stared at it coldly for a bit, then downed some of it. Drigos' attention was caught by some coughing and saw Skreemin lay the jar down. He looked as if he had a hard time eating the contents. It left Drigos baffled why he would even do that. He kept his crocodile-jaws shut while Skreemin ate some of the contents in the packet- which was sugar. Then finished with a drink of water from the other jar. When he put them away, his expression was still screaming his disgust from eating the contents of the first jar. He was hoping Drigos wasn't watching, but Drigos spoke up "… You do know that dekus don't have to eat soil, right? You may be a plant, but I was sure even you'd know that much. You take being a plant a little TOO literally." Drigos chuckled a bit. Within a second of that, he felt a big stone smack the side of his head, and Drigos held back a roar of pain. His head shot over to look at Skreemin, who was giving a dirty look as he held his slingshot. If looks could kill, that expression would've murdered Drigos.
Drigos began to rage out "What was that for!? Just what the h-"
"I said what I do is none of your concern! Leave it at that! And if you make one more crack at me, I'll skin you and sell your hide for leather, got it!?"
"I'm not scared of you and your little threats. But so be it..." Drigos stood up and rubbed his head. He was glad that stone didn't hit between his horns, or it'd have killed him right there... Given that soft spot that every Dragalfos accursedly has. He wouldn't dare tell Skreemin where his one-hit kill mark was, and tried not to make it apparent. Regardless of being a deku, he was nothing like Jace. Sure, he was tough, but he seemed like the kind of guy who'd show no mercy regardless of who you were. He was starting to see just what use Skreemin was to his master's plans. Maybe another deku was what the doctor ordered.
Skreemin was hurting as he looked back on memories. People always made fun of his problem. He couldn't help the way he was, though... He had to eat the contents of those jars due to his deformity whether he liked it or not. A lack of leaves mean he can't be fed by them, he had to keep healthy in less desirable ways. He threw his rucksack over his back, and started walking off. He soon smirked, thinking about what all his reward for assassinating these three will grant him.
"Where're you going?" Drigos asked.
"Away from you, and doing what I was gonna get paid to do. Unlike you, I'm not gonna loaf around." Skreemin finished as he walked off into the jungle. Drigos watched silently, then huffed. He was still mad that he was pretty much replaced by a deku. But he figured he himself would only get in the way... And he didn't want to be punished by his master for screwing up, so let Skreemin do what he had to alone "Good riddance."
To Be Continued...
Skreemon belongs to sgtpieman on DeviantART.