Hah, didn't expect two chapters in a row didja!? Well, this one has been in the works for a long time, so I was happy to get this one all typed and ready for posting. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! And here are the cookies I promised for reviewers! *slides out plate of cookies*

Bren: Now my turn. Storm doesn't own The Legend of Zelda series. She does own Adri.....and me, so no stealing!

Chapter 5: The Curtains of Twilight

"Okay, he said if he wasn't at the house he'd be at the ranch," she said to herself as she jogged, "He should be done by now anyway."

The village was fairly quit. It felt kind of like it was holding its breath for something. Well, that was expected since today was the day Link would be going to Hyrule. Adri waved to Sera, who was sweeping out on the porch of the store, then looked up towards the hill. She glanced down at her left arm, moving it gently, glad that the spring and ointment had done their work. All that was left of the wound was a thin series of scars across her forearm. Adri sighed and returned her focus to the road. Up ahead she could see a familiar horse coming down the road from the ranch with a familiar rider on her back. Adri smiled a quickened her pace.

Once she was at Bo and Ilia's house she stopped. Link saw her and jumped off Epona. "Hey Adri. Ready to go?" She noted, trying to keep from laughing, that a pair of blue earrings was hanging from his pointy ears.

"Yeah. Stuff's already packed back at your house. We'd better get going already," she said as she waved to Ilia and tried to suppress her giggles.

Bo laughed and patted her on the shoulder. "That's the spirit young lady. But before you go, Link I want to have a quick word with you."

As Link was pulled to the side by Bo, Adri walked over to Ilia, laying a hand on Epona's side. "I hope she'll be able to carry us both."

"Epona is strong. There should be no problems." Ilia then gently stroked Epona's flank saying, "The path before you is long, my sweet horse....but please bear Link and Adri safely along it."

With a sigh Adri rubbed the mare's nose, the events of yesterday either forgotten or pushed out of her mind. I must have been too excited yesturday, she thought, That's why I thought I heard a voice in my head. As she stroked Epona, completely convinced that the incident had all been in her head, there was a gasp from Ilia. "Wait....what's this?" Adri looked down and saw a large gash above Epona's hoof. Something like that could leave a horse severely lame if it wasn't taken care of. Link and Bo turned around, looks of worry on both their faces. Uh oh...., she thought and braced her ears for what she knew was coming.

"What's happened?" cried Ilia, "Link she's injured!"

Link placed a hand on Epona's leg saying, "I...."

"Link! How could you!" yelled Ilia hotly, "You were pushing her too hard again, weren't you? I bet you hurt her leg jumping fences, didn't you!"

"Ilia I..."

Bo cut in, "Now, now Ilia. There's no need to be so hot with him..."

"FATHER!!" she screamed. Both men flinched and bowed their heads.

"How can you be so easy on him? You're the MAYOR! You should start acting like one!"

"Alright Ilia, calm down," said Adri trying to keep her voice level, "You shouldn't cut your dad down like that...

"Stay out of this Adri!" Ilia snapped, "If you're defending Link you're just as bad as he is."

"But..."

"Ilia I'm sorry! If you're going to yell do it at Fado. He set up the fences, not me."

Oh....no....

"That's it! Come on Epona, you poor thing....once we soothe your leg in the spirit's spring, you'll feel better in no time."

In a huff the girl left with Epona's reins in hand. Link and Bo just stared open mouthed as they walked away. Bo came to his senses first, and called, "W-wait, Ilia! Why without Epona....the gift won't get delivered in time." He let out a defeated sigh. "Oh, this won't do."

Adri walked up to Link and opened her mouth to speak, but didn't. She so wanted to punch him in the stomach for his stupidity. Instead she figured that Ilia had done enough damage and there was nothing more that needed to be done. Link lowered his head and ran a hand through his hair.

"Let's go find Ilia and convince her to give us back Epona," growled Adri. She took off running with Link at her heels.

It didn't take long for them to reach Link's house. Just as they were about to follow the path to the spring, Colin stopped them. He looked up at them saying, "....Link, are you going to see Ilia?"

"Yes."

Colin looked down, then said, "Maybe it's just me....but those guys don't normally let people through...." He gestured to the tree shrouded path. Talo and Malo stood at the entrance like a pair of guards. Link groaned, and Adri smiled to herself. Maybe Ilia convinced them to stop us.

"Um, Link, you think.....we could all go see Ilia together?"

Link smiled and placed a hand on Colin's shoulder. "Of course, Colin. Come on."

Colin stuck close to Adri while they walked towards the brothers. Once they had approached them, Talo cried, "We've been waiting for you Link!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, yesterday was soooo much fun! Chasing that monkey was the best!" He looked down at Malo smugly, "I was just telling Malo here how we wanted to show it to him, but we let it go instead!"

"Oh really," giggled Adri. Just then Talo spotted Colin. He crossed his arms and frowned.

"Way to spoil everything by telling your dad, Colin. Nice job."

"Yeah, thanks a lot!" added Malo, "We got scolded something awful. I thought it was never gonna end...."

Adri felt Colin tense up next to her. He let out a grunt as if trying to let something out, but couldn't. She laid a hand on his head in comfort. So this is why he's so shy. This must be pretty routine. Out loud she said, "Leave him alone you two. It was your own fault that you wandered into the forest."

Talo glared at her, then let out a 'hmph' and looked at Link. "Hey, Link, lemme borrow that wooden sword! If I'd had that sword yesterday, I could've handled it all alone, definitely."

Link rubbed the back of his neck, smiling as if this was pretty routine for the boy to make this request. "I don't know Talo...."

"Awww, c'mon!" Talo crossed his arms saying, "Look, we're not gonna let you leave here until you let us borrow it, Link."

"Black-mail huh?" said Adri in a teasing manner, "That's pretty serious Link."

"Yes it is. But we need to see Ilia so....alright, here." Link unstrapped the sword from his back and handed it to Talo. The boy's eyes practically shot out of his skull when he saw what he was holding in his hands.

"Whoa! Yesss!" Talo screamed, "With this thing....I'll show 'em!"

The boy ran out of the way, Malo trailing behind him, shouting for joy. They watched him run over to the scarecrows and start swinging away. Adri heard Link sigh when he saw him. "He'll never learn."

"Link...thanks," said Colin

"It was no problem," said Adri, "Seemed pretty easy for Link."

Colin smiled nervously. He then looked back at Talo as he swung the sword wildly. He grimaced as he watched the wooden blade slice the air. "Those guys are always teasing me...." Colin's eyes hardened. "What's so fun about swinging something like that around, anyway? I hate it.....it's scary...."

Before Adri could say anything, Link jumped in, "There are a lot of things that are scary, Colin. You just need to be brave enough to face them."

The boy perked up and gazed at Link adoringly. He grinned saying, "When I grow up, I'm gonna be just like you, Link!" He ran off into the grove towards the spring.

Adri looked at Link, a smug look on her face. She placed a hand on her hip and said, "Well, well, you can comfort a poor little kid about being brave and stuff like that, but you can't stand up to a girl. Some hero."

"Shut up!"

"Make me!"

Adri took off running into the trees. Link trailed after her shaking his fist in mock anger. Adri, feeling playful, stuck her tongue out at him and sped up. However once they had reached the spring they found, to their surprise, that the gate was locked. Inside Colin stood next to Ilia and Epona. Ilia was dabbing the gash on Epona's leg with a cloth.

"Ilia, you don't know what happened yesterday...."

Colin turned around when he heard their footsteps. "Link! Adri!"

Without looking at them Ilia snapped, "If you came to get Epona back, you can FORGET it! Why don't you think about what you've done for a change and take responsibility. I'm not opening the gate until you change your attitude, Link!"

"But Illia..."

Ilia ignored Link's plea and turned back to Epona. Colin looked at her pleadingly, then turned to Adri and Link. "Listen, I don't know if she'll listen to me, but let me try to explain about Talo and the monkey, OK?"

Adri crossed her arms. "How are we going to get in with this gate being locked like this?"

"You two crawl in through the tunnel in the back while I talk to her," Colin explained, "You know the way, right Link? The one in the woods."

Link nodded and gestured for Adri to follow him. They back tracked through the trees until they came to a rock wall. The sound of gurgling water could be heard on the other side of it. Link looked at Adri.

"I used to use this tunnel all the time when I was a kid. It leads straight into the spring." He got on his hands and knees and peered through. "Might be a tight squeeze now...."

"Might as well try anyway,"said Adri, "There isn't any other way in and we need Epona badly."

"Alright then. Just let me go first. If it's too tight, I'll let you know."

With that said Link started crawling through. He disappeared as the bushes covered the entrance again. Still, she heard a couple grunts and growls from inside. She could just picture Link getting stuck inside or bonking his head on a rock somewhere. She chuckled a bit at the image.

As she was wrapped up in her thoughts, Adri heard Link's voice from the back. Must've managed to make it all way through, she thought, My turn then. Adri got down on her hands and knees and crawled in. Link hadn't been kidding, it was a tight squeeze. Kind of narrow for her but still had a bit a of elbow room. Still she made it out with few mishaps. Once she was at the end, Link helped her to her feet. Adri brushed the dirt off her jeans as she heard a shocked voice.

"I had no idea....no one told me the details about Talo's capture..."

"It's all true Illia!"

"But, Colin..."

Adri cleared her throat at that moment. Colin and Ilia both looked up at them, even Epona perked her head up when she saw Link. Ilia frowned, still trying to be tough, and made a protective grab at Epona's reigns. The horse snorted and shook her head, jerking the reins away. Ilia sighed in defeat.

"So you still prefer your master over me, huh Epona?" As Link walked up to her she said, "Don't worry about your horse, Link. Fortunately the wound isn't too serious. You three can go together."

Link rubbed Epona's forehead lovingly. The mare responded by pushing her muzzle against his hand, causing him to stumble back a bit. Adri giggled at this. It was like Epona, in her own way, was telling Link not to injure her like this again. Link smiled and said to Ilia, "Thanks for taking care of her."

Adri wanted to slap him so badly at that moment. He had that same idiotic look on his face that all the boys get at school when they see a pretty girl. Instead she said, "We'd better get going then. Bo said it would be bad if the representatives from Ordon were late."

"Hope you guys have a safe trip!" piped up Colin. Link laughed and tousled his hair.

Ilia nodded, but then paused and closed her eyes. "But Link....can you at least promise me this? No matter what happens on your journey, don't try to do anything...out of your league. Please."

Adri laughed at how red Link's face became at the request. She threw her arm over Link's shoulder saying, "Don't worry Ilia. He's got me to look out for him. I'll make sure he's safe, sound, and doesn't do anything stupid."

Link grimaced a bit at her words, but grinned back at her. "Yeah, wouldn't dream of it."

"Just come home safely," finished Ilia.

For a moment there was silence between the group. All that could be heard was the gushing of water from the spring in the background. Adri felt like the silence magnified it. She didn't get a chance to savor the moment though as she watched Link's red face turn even redder. Now she seriously wanted to slap him, wait....no, better yet punch that goofy look right off of his face.

Finally, like he was making some dramatic resolve, Link nodded. "I promise, Ilia."

Now the whole time Epona had been fidgeting. At first Adri thought it was just because she wanted to get going already and was too distracted with Link making a fool of himself to think about it, but began to realize that is wasn't nerves. The mare snorted and let out a worried whinny, jerking the reins out of Link's hands. Link tried to calm her down asking what was wrong, when the ground started to shake beneath their feet. All four of them, including Epona, looked at the gate as a rumble filled the air. The thunder of hooves pounded down the road as a huge boar crashed through the gate.

Everyone scattered. Adri dodge-rolled to the side, managing to get a glimpse of the ones riding the boar. There were two goblin like creatures on its back, one holding the reins and another armed with a bow and club. They looked a bit like the bokoblins in Faron Woods. Unlike them, though, these seemed to know what they were doing and seemed to be enjoying it. They let out screeching howls as they chased the others around the spring as if they relished in their destructive rampage. There was a murderous gleam in their little red eyes that she did not like.

"Ilia!"

Adri turned to see Link running to Ilia's side in order to protect her. But before he could reach her a goblin fired an arrow between her shoulder blades. She barely saw her collapse before hearing a scream from Colin. Adri ran towards him and pushed him away before the club could get him.

"Colin run!"

"Link behind you!"

She turned just in time to see the club come in contact with the back of Link's head. He fell like a sack of potatoes. Adri heard Colin's scream again and a groan as he fell as well. Adri gritted her teeth and glared at the monsters that had done it. She grabbed a nearby stick on the ground, hating the fact that she had left her staff back at Link's house, and readied herself for a fight, but it never happened. Instead she felt a crushing blow on the back of her skull. The last thing she heard were howls, grunting laughter, and a blaring horn.

***

A loud scream split her conscious. Link's scream. Adri's eyes flew open. Link, Ilia, Colin! Adri sprang to her feet, immediatly regretting it afterwards due to the immense dizziness. Plus she was soaking wet. "Thanks for that," she groaned while rubbing the huge bump on the back of her head. Hold it, no time for that, she thought once she looked around. Link, Ilia, and Colin were nowhere to be seen. Adri balled her hands into fists. She turned to the broken gate and started running in the direction of the village to find the one person she knew could help: Rusl.

But the minute she got into the trees, the ground began to the tremble again. This time more than before. Trusting the uneasy feeling in her stomach Adri dove into a bush. She crouched low and watched the road through the branches. It didn't take long for another boar to show up, followed by a second one, with two riders each. They stopped for a minute, exchanging a series of grunts and howls that made up some strange language. As they talked, Adri managed to get a good look at their cargo. Her blood boiled. Strapped to the saddle bags unconscious were Talo, Malo, and Beth.

The goblins rode away. Once they were far enough away, Adri crawled out. She glared at their backs. Forget Rusl! They need to be saved now!

She ran after the boars, careful to keep enough space between them so they wouldn't be able to spot her. Along the way she grabbed a handful of rocks and another short, but sharp, stick. They weren't much, but at least she would have something to defend herself with. As they neared the bridge she raised the stick thinking, I'll cut them off at the canyon. It won't be long until "oof!"

Adri slammed into something solid. At first she thought it was one of the boars and got ready to attack, but realized it wasn't. She gasped in awe and shock at the sight before her. A high wall barred the way through the canyon. It was ink black, with golden symbols all over it that glowed with the subtle light of dusk. But it was not at all like the comforting colors Adri loved. There was something sinister and dark about it that made a chill run down her spine. Of the boar riders there was no trace.

She stared at the wall, the rocks and stick falling from her grasp. Where are they? They had to have gone through here. There's no other way out!

Her thoughts turned to Link and everyone else. Adri gritted her teeth together and balled her hands into fists. In her frustration she punched the wall. Ripples ran along the surface, like ones on a black pond. Adri watched as they disappeared. But....how...there's no way.... Suddenly there was a rush of air. Before she could move a huge, black hand shot out of the wall, grabbing her by the throat. Adri was dragged through the wall. A cold feeling like slime ran over her body as the darkness blocked her vision. She could hardly breath as the blackness filled her senses and the hand cut off her air. When the black finally cleared she found a monstrous face looming over her. It could hardly be called a face for an iron plate with bizarre designs covered the head. The monster itself had ink black skin with a symbol in pink on its chest, the same like the ones on its face plate and the black wall. Black tentacles hung from its head like hair, reminding Adri of the aliens from "Predator." The hand that held her was huge with long fingers and attached to a long, sinewy arm. Despite its thin structure, though, it held her in an iron grip.

Adri gazed at the face in fear for a second, but automatically started fighting the next. She kicked at the monster's chest, but might as well have been kicking a wall of steel. Her kicks hardly phased the thing and its grip tightened around her throat. Adri choked, her fingers tearing at the hand that held her. "Let me go!" she yelled. In the back of her mind she mentally slapped herself again for leaving her staff at house.

As she fought to be free, a light began to glow on the back of her hand. With every kicked and jab it pulsed brighter until it was a brilliant flash. It flared as Adri growled, "Let...me....go!"

When the light blazed, the monster threw Adri against a tree with a screech. As she hit the ground, she watched as it slunk away groaning in pain. She wearily got to her feet and shook her fist at it. "Yeah you better run!" she yelled, then stopped, "Okay that was lame..." It was then that she took in her surroundings. She was in Faron Woods for sure, the trees confirming it, but not the same ones from the day before. A golden glow shrouded the woods in the colors of dusk, the same colors as the wall. Black pixely squares floated into the orange sky. This dusk wasn't right though. A dark energy radiated around her, an energy that chilled Adri to the bone.

A headache suddenly hit her. Adri groaned and dropped to her knees with a hand on her head. She rubbed her forehead, where the pain was worse. At the same time her vision started to blur as her heart began to beat faster. Adri gasped and went to all fours gripping the grass tight.

What is wrong with me? Was it Link's cooking or something?

Just as the headache got worse, the light on the back of her hand flashed again. She shakily flipped her hand over and raised it close to her face. In her fading vision Adri could see the same swirl from yesturday appearing on her palm with each pulse. Before she could question it the pain became unbearable. Adri let out a scream that echoed around the forest. She collapsed, the last thing she saw being the fading mark.

***

Two? There's two of them?

The imp watched as two messengers returned to collect the beast. They began to drag it away, all the while wincing at the light that it gave off. She started following them, sticking to the shadows of the trees. She was still in a combination of shock and surprise after what she had just seen.

When the first beast was dragged away, she had planned on following him. However when the band of bublins rode in through the curtain, she had held back to avoid any problems. The imp was surprised to see another boy be dragged in. At least she thought it was a boy until she heard the voice. She watched as the same events were repeated. Once the messengers returned, she floated after them, not wanting to lose either beast.

Two beasts eh. The imp grinned, revealing a small fang. This will make things interesting.

Bren: .......woah....you might've overdone yourself on that one. Better than the last chapter, that's for sure.

*laughs* Good, that means I did my job right! Hope you liked this one! Reviews are greatly appreciated! Storm signing off!