This chapter took forever! I had to type up three drafts before I finally wrapped around the right sequence and story. I was going to have this fight with some Twilight messengers, but it got canned because it didn't have the right feel when I wrote it out. So here you go, the eighth chapter of Farore's Wind. Sorry for the two month long wait, but it's finally done! Enjoy!
Bren: Storm does not own the Legend of Zelda series or characters. The only one she can actually afford to own is Adri. And me.
Chapter 8: Woods of Twilight
The inky shadow slowly passed over Adri's fur as they were pulled through. It was slippery like oil and she almost felt like she couldn't breath, but that was quickly cut off as a glow began to fill her eyes. Without any warning the hand that had been holding her and Link relinquished its grip and dumped them unceremoniously onto the ground. Adri let out a grunt as she hit the dirt on her stomach. She could hear Midna's giggle ringing in her ears again, but ignored it as she got to her paws.
When she saw the woods around her, though, she couldn't help but gasp. Sure, technically she had already seen them, but that had been a frantic "get the heck out of there" moment. Now that there was no monster to deal with Adri could better take in the dark world she found herself in. Everything glowed in the earth real light, distorted and almost twisted as if she was underwater. Greens and blue were absent and replaced by dark hues. Sounds seemed to gain echoes in her ears. Even Adri's own breath sounded like it was reverberating off the trees. All the while a dark energy was radiating from the air, energy that made her fur stand on end. How could this have happened? Link and I were in these woods yesterday and they were fine!
Another one of Midna's giggles brought her attention back to Link. She saw the imp drop out of thin air and land on Link's back, the shield covering her face like some bizarre mask and the sword held in her hand. Adri noted the missing weight on her back, but focused on the strange scene in front of her. She rolled her eyes and moved a bit closer to the pair. The imp continued giggling behind the shield.
"Hm! So these are the weapons you use in your world?" she said.
Link snorted saying, "Of course. What else would we use to defend ourselves?"
Midna's response was another laugh. "You really think this can slay creatures of twilight?" She started rotating the sword saying, "How do you use these things anyway?" Without warning Midna started swinging the sword around wildly, the shield still covering her face. Link yelped in surprise and ducked as the blade zipped over his ears. The blade came Adri's way and she leaped away with a snarl to avoid being sliced by the sharp steel. However the imp stopped swinging as quickly as she had started. With a loud 'hmph' she stuck the sword into the ground blade first, just inches away from Adri's nose, and let the shield fall onto Link's head. He let out a startled bark and started shaking his head.
Adri shot another glare at Midna as the shield hit the ground growling, "Watch it! You could've hit us!"
"Oh please!" Midna chuckled, "I didn't hurt either of you, did I?" She crossed her arms continuing, "Besides, I'm not using these, but I'll hang onto them for you if you need them so badly." She snapped her fingers and the weapons disappeared in a flurry of pixels.
Adri growled, but made no comment. Instead she started focusing on a sound. It was a long, sonorous note, almost musical in tone. Link apparently heard it too and had turned his attention to it. Adri perked her ears forward in order to catch it better. The note was beautiful, more beautiful than any instrument could accomplish, yet at the same time there was an almost sorrowful quality to it. Almost like the whole forest was mourning its current state.
"Teehee, you hear it don't you? That's the lamentation of the spirit that had its light stolen," Midna said.
Adri looked at her. "You mean that's the actual spirit?"
"Right!" Midna then reached over and patted her on the head. "Good girl, you're catching on nicely."
A split second later Adri snapped at the imp's hand. Midna jerked it away, her eyes sending daggers at her. Adri growled, "Do that again and that hand's gone."
The imp narrowed her eyes saying, "Hmph, I guess a promise is a promise, no matter how rude someone is….I trust you two enough to help then. I'm going to need you to gather some things for me in exchange though." Link was about to protest, beating Adri to the point, but Midna stated, "Look, I can't tell you the details now. And you better get going, don't you think? Don't blame me for your world's fate if you don't hurry up and find that light!"
Link growled, but didn't complain. Adri couldn't think of much of a comeback either, but she did turn to Link. "Come on, let's get to the spirit."
He nodded and started running down the path, Midna clinging to his fur. Adri followed after him. As they ran, the glow of the twilight filled her vision and the trees became a blur. There was no sound in the forest other than the spirit's call and the sound of their paw. Not even the wind could be heard in the treetops. Sure Adri had to admit the golden glow possessed a surreal essence and almost calmed her, but when she remembered the former state of the woods she couldn't help but shudder. How can light be blotted out like this? I ever see that man again, I'll kill him.
They traveled in silence and didn't speak until they had reached the spring. Just like everything around them, the spring was cast in a shadowy glow with the black pixels rising into the air. The water looked almost like flowing liquid gold now. Floating above the water's surface was what looked like a small cloud of smoke, and from it omitted the sorrowful sounds. Adri flicked her ears towards it as they walked into the spring.
As soon as they did, another note echoed in the air. A sound like a moan drifted from the flickering light down to them. Blue-eyed Beast...Beast of Shadow...
Link stepped closer, his eyes focused on the dying light. "You're the spirit of Faron Woods, aren't you?"
Yes...I am a spirit of light... There was another moan and the spirit continued, Please...retrieve my light...stolen by the dark beasts...but be careful...these woods...have been transformed...by the power of twilight...
"We don't care," Adri barked, "We'll find your light and restore these woods to normal. Just tell us what we're looking for."
Link shot a look at her that screamed, "What are you doing!?" But the voice came back in an almost amused tone, I knew...only the Beast of Shadow...would ask in such a manner...Yes...dark insects...are the beasts you seek...my light...keep it...in these vessels... There was a dim glow and a strange object appeared in the air before them. It looked like a bunch of pale grapes on a vine, only they seemed to be made of glass. Sixteen glass balls in all. The vessel then split into two, each bearing one half of the bunch, and floated towards them. A vine spread from each vessel and wrapped around their necks. With the bunches securely fastened, the voice came again, Be wary as you search...the dark insects...shadows lurk... It faded with one last groan and the light dimmed even more.
Adri let out a small whine, moving closer to the hazy glow. "Wait! Isn't there more?"
"Adri, it must have used much of its remaining power to create these vessels." He then looked up at Midna saying, "Well then, where should we start?"
The imp didn't respond. Her eye was closed and her hands were held out in front of her as if she were searching for something. "Shh!" she hissed after about ten seconds, "I'm trying to locate those bugs. If they're creatures of Twilight, then I should be able to find them."
Adri rolled her eyes at this, but then felt something. Her fur started to bristle as she sniffed the air. It felt almost charged and smelled of electricity, as if someone had cut a wire. She growled, not liking the static feeling at all. Link looked at her with his face filled with confusion.
"Adri, what's wrong?"
She growled even lower as the crackle of sparks filled the air. Without warning Adri saw a flurry of sparks diving straight at her, but not before Link's jaws were around it. What squirmed in his teeth was a huge, pale gold beetle. Feeble sparks danced on the insect's wings as it struggled to free itself. Link simply bit down hard on its shell and the thing exploded in a burst of greenish light. The light drifted in the air for a second, then floated towards the vessel hanging from his neck. With a slight plop the light disappeared and a glass ball glowed.
Midna's mouth formed a thoughtful frown. She floated off Link's back to examine the collar-like vessel. "Huh, so that's what the spirit meant by 'insects.' These things must be the light given dark forms." As she tapped a finger on the one glowing globe she added, "Gotta have a strong anchor for this kind of magic. Still, I can't believe he's this stupid!"
Adri shot the imp a look. "What are you talking about?" she growled, "You're acting like you know this Twilight King." The response she got was a loud yawn and a giggle. Adri growled louder, but another sound caught her attention. It was another spark and it was right next to her. With a jerk of her head she had another bug clamped between her teeth. Adri wanted to gag as the thing wriggled, but bit down on it. A crunch later and the bug burst apart leaving the light behind. Just like with Link's the light collected in one of the globes in Adri's vessel.
A smile played at the corners of Midna's mouth. "Well then, I believe we've found our source." She floated back onto Link's back saying, "Now all we got to do is kill the things."
Gagging on the awful taste in her mouth, Adri looked at Link. "Let's just find and kill all those suckers so we can get the place back to normal."
Link nodded. Without another word they took off down the path leading towards the tunnel. Within seconds the crackle of sparks filled the air again, but that was quickly stopped with a snap of their teeth. Adri whined a bit as she struggled not to puke when she felt the bug crunch in her mouth. She rubbed her muzzle with a paw thinking, When this is over I'm giving my mouth a good rinse!
The tunnel came into view. And, much to Link's dismay, the gate that had been open before was now closed shut with a padlock. Another whine escaped Adri. "Great, how are we supposed to get any further with this thing locked?"
"You know, you're making a very sorry excuse for a wolf," Midna stated, crossing her arms, "You really need to learn how to start using your senses."
Before she could tackle the imp, Link's voice broke through the storm of bad thoughts raging in Adri's head, "Adri look over here!"
Still growling, Adri turned to him. He was standing to the right of the gate digging fiercely at the ground. The dirt was flying from his claws, but she could see he was struggling. Adri sighed and positioned herself next to him. The strong scent of soft soil hit her as she did. Mentally slapping herself for not recognizing it before she asked, "Need a hand?"
Link nodded. Together they started digging into the dirt. They made rapid progress and before she knew it they were under and over to the other side of the gate. Adri shook the loose dirt from her fur barely noticing Midna land on Link's back out of nowhere. How did she- the thought broke off when she heard a familiar crackle. Once again Link was quicker. Before she could move the thing was crushed beneath Link's claws and another globe glowed around his neck.
He smiled at Adri laughing, "Two for me, Adri."
Adri narrowed her eyes, her lips forming a smile as well. "Is that a challenge?"
"Oh gods please tell me you two are not woooooaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!"
Adri would have laughed at the imp's scream if she hadn't been occupied. They shot into the tunnel. Adri gained the lead fairly quickly, a barking laugh escaping her when she saw Link's face. The darkness of the tunnel held no fear for her this time, even if the Twilight made it even darker. Wolf eyes could see through the soupy atmosphere without much trouble. She raced through, glancing behind her to see Link gaining. Adri grinned and sped up barking, "You're not winning that easily!"
"Adri look out!"
She turned back just in time to see something black lunge at her. Adri let out a yelp and leaped back before it could clamp itself on her leg. The thing hissed and reared its distorted head back. It looked like an overgrown venous flytrap with a black bulbous head and thin stalk for a neck. Black saliva dripped from its purple lips as it readied itself for another attack. Not before Link had his jaws around the stalk. He jerked his head and ripped the thing right out of the ground. Within seconds the plant hung limp in his teeth.
Link growled and spat the thing on the ground. Adri gulped as the plant burst apart into a flurry of black squares. She looked at Link saying, "Thanks."
"That was a Deku Baba," he growled, "This twilight must have warped it. If this was what happened to the Babas, I hope that the bokoblins are either asleep or gone."
Just like that the competitive atmosphere evaporated. Now all their energy was focused on getting through the tunnel and to the glade on the other side. Dim, golden light filled the black ahead, growing larger as they neared it. The light filled their vision as they finally exited the tunnel. What they saw next made Adri's stomach drop. A sea of purple mist spread outward from the old dock, a shadow version of the lake that had clearly once been there. A hissing sound like a thousand snakes filled the air, as if the mist was alive. Even worse was the smell that radiated from it.
Adri wanted to gag when the scent hit her sensitive nose. She covered it with her paw gasping, "I don't like this. This stuff screams danger."
"I have to agree with the girl on this one," said Midna, her hand covering her nose and mouth, "This fog isn't natural, not even by Twilight standards."
However, a loud snort was Link's response. He turned around to face Midna saying, "The rest of the bugs are on the other side of this swamp, right?" Upon her nod he growled, "Then we're going through, fog or no fog."
His tail held high, Link trotted forward into the purple mist despite the tugs at his fur from Midna. Gulping, Adri started to follow when a series of coughs stopped her. Link backed out of the valley gasping for breath. He shook his head, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he panted. He started to slump to the side, but Adri caught him and kept him up with her shoulder.
On his back Midna yelled, "I told you this stuff was bad! If you had stayed in there any longer you might've been killed you stupid boy!"
"Quiet!" Adri snapped. Link began to fall again, but she kept him standing straight. With a grunt she pushed him up until he was standing fine on his own. He was still panting, but at least he wasn't falling so much. Adri shot a glare at the mist below them.
"Any ideas on how to get across this stuff?"
Link coughed, glancing at the mist. He glanced at the cliff side, then paused. He squinted his eyes saying, "Adri, what is that?"
Adri looked in the direction of his muzzle and saw what he was talking about. Near the edge of the bank was an old stump, and a short jump away was another bank. She grinned as she realized what this meant. Perfect! All we need to do is jump across and we'll be able to take it from there. Adri trotted over to the edge of the bank, her tail wagging with excitement. "We'll jump from here to there," she stated, "It'll be easy for us!"
Link nodded, another short cough escaping him. "Alright then. Just give me a second and-"
"No, you're going to stay right there," said Adri, "You still look wobbly on your legs and there's no way I'm letting you fall into this fog. I'll test it and let you know if everything's fine."
"I'd listen to her, wolfie," stated Midna, pulling back on Link's neck fur like a bridle, "If it's safe I'll help you get across when she's done."
He growled a bit at the idea, but the wolf nodded and stepped back. Adri turned her attention to the stump. It seemed to be floating there just waiting for her to make the jump across. Around it the mist hissed as if daring her to try to make the jump. She narrowed her eyes and backed up. Her muscles tensed up and like a spring she bolted across the mist. Adri heard it hissing below as she sailed through the air. PleaseletmelandonthatthingPleaseletmelandonthatthing! For a second she thought she might've overshot her jump, but when she felt the wood beneath her paws she knew she was fine.
Adri sighed with relief. God, I thought I'd screwed that up. She straightened herself, but didn't relax her muscles. There was still one more jump to make. Adri glanced behind her and saw Link's anxious face. She wagged her tail to reassure him, but as she did something didn't feel quite right. She forced herself to get ready for her next jump, but the feeling was still sending chills through her fur. The stump felt soft and soggy beneath her paws. Wait....if it's like that then- her thought was cut off by a splintering crack. Adri yelped as the stump started to fall apart from under her. OhGodOhGodOhGod
"Adri jump!" Link howled.
Without a second thought Adri launched herself toward the other bank. As her back legs pushed against the stump, the wood that had been creaking under her weight gave away and crumbled into the fog. She landed flat on her stomach barely missing the purple swamp. Adri scrambled to her feet, turning to look back across at Link and Midna. There was nothing left of the stump, thus nothing for Link to jump onto. She doubted he would be able to make it with or without Midna's help in the condition he was in.
"Adri!" Link barked, "Are you alright?"
Adri let out a shaky breath. "Yeah, just peachy."
Midna glared at where the stump had been. "Great, now we can't get across and you can't get back. What do we do now?"
The question was answered by a sudden buzz. Before she could move Adri felt something slam into her side. A sharp, painful shock coursed through her body as the bug that had delivered the blow hovered above her. Through her dulled senses she could hear Link howling her name. She saw streaks of darkness from Midna hit the insect, but they had no affect on it. Twilight magic doesn't work then, she thought, only tooth and claw. A low growl started in her throat. Adri rose to her feet and faced the insect, narrowing her eyes. More sparks flashed across its wings and it flew at her again. This time she was ready. Adri leaped to the side as the bug passed, making a quick about face when she was back on the ground. With a snarl she lunged as the sparks died and delivered a crushing bite on the thing's shell. It exploded and the turquoise tear filled another globe in the vessel.
"Hey!" she barked, "There's some more this way!"
"How am I going to get across though?" Link whined, "You can't go alone, Adri."
There he goes with the chivalry again. I'm not some damsel in distress! Adri turned to Midna saying, "How many are floating in this mist?"
The imp closed her eyes in concentration, then opened them. "There's a lot, but something's off." She roughly jerked Link's head around back toward the tunnel entrance. "I don't know how, but I missed some back at that house for some reason. We need to go back."
Link didn't look too happy, but he nodded. He looked back at Adri with worry in his eyes. "You sure-"
"Get going already!" she barked, "The sooner we get this done the sooner we can get to Ilia and the kids." A quick nod was all that Link gave her as he took off back into the tunnel after the bugs they had missed. Now Adri turned away from the opposite bank and to the trees that grew around the grove. There was an overhang that stretched into the trees, giving her an idea. Adri raced up the slope and leaped from the overhang. She landed safely in a nearby tree. Her entrance was greeted by the buzz of another bug. Adri easily took care of it and another globe glowed. Below her the fog hissed and swirled as if in anger that it could not get at her.
Alright, all I need to do is keep going like this and I'll get across. She winced as a wiff of the purple mist hit her. Just have to be careful about breathing in this junk. Ugh, this is worse than LA in the middle of summer.
Adri found her next target and leaped onto a branch. It cracked a bit under her weight, but held firm. Another bug was her reward. She continued the leaps through the tree branches, each one containing a single Twilight insect. The mist was still bothering her, but since she was so high up it didn't have as devastating an effect as it had with Link. Adri let out a sigh of relief when she saw the other side of the grove in sight. She leaped for a storm-blasted tree, then for the higher ground. As soon as her paws touched the dirt Adri took in a deep breath. She could smell the clean air flowing from the trees ahead. Finally! Adri touched the vessel, seven globes glowing with the tears. "One more to go then." She turned back to see the other side, but the fog obscured her vision. "Hope Link's alright."
Come to me....
The voice was dark, sending shivers down her body from her head to her tail. A blast of freezing air hit her face, along with a low hissing sound. This one was different from the one behind her in the grove. It was darker, far darker than anything she'd ever heard. Adri growled and shot into the underbrush. As the leaves passed by her vision the hiss grew louder with a few growls added. Obviously whatever was ahead was angry about something. A monster, Adri thought bitterly, Hmph, whatever it is I'll have to deal with it before Link and Midna can get here.
Still, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. The clearing was just ahead now. However she didn't rush out into the open. As soon as she got near the edge of the bushes she laid low. Adri peered through into the twilit clearing. Her blood froze when she saw what was hunched over sniffing the ground. It had unimaginably long arms, black skin with midnight purple markings all over its body, a reptilian head, and deadly claws. It was the monster that had attacked her in the woods.
The same feeling from before crept through her body again. Her body felt numb, so numb that she couldn't move let alone run away from what she was seeing. The beast raised its head, blindly sniffing the air and growling with frustration. Adri fought back the whine that wanted to escape. Need to stay quiet....just have to stay still....
"Where are you?" the thing growled. Adri nearly yelped when she heard actual words come out of that mouth. "I smell you, light dweller. Your disgusting scent is all over this forest." It raked its claws across the ground snarling, "When I find you I will finish what I started with your arm."
Stay calm, stay calm! Stupid gift of tongues! she mentally screamed, remembering the gift that Ordona had given her and realizing that was the reason she was hearing the words come out of that horrible mouth. It wasn't working very well. Her heart was pounding so hard she knew the thing could hear it. A bitter smell was coming off of her fur, something she had a feeling was the smell of fear. Adri felt her legs shaking beneath her. Still she kept chanting her phrase to keep her body under control.
Finally the thing looked up at the sky. It snarled one last time, then sliced at the air. There was a rush of wind and a black gash appeared. The monster leaped into it and with a sickening zip the gash was gone.
Adri couldn't move. The cold feeling had left both the atmosphere and her body, but she was still frozen. I-It wasn't a dream! That thing is still looking for me!
"Adri!"
She turned at the familiar howl. There was a snapping of twigs and Link came running through the brush. Midna was clutching his fur tight in her hands, but other than that she seemed fine. Around his neck she could see seven globes glowing just like her's, meaning there was one left for each of them. Adri felt a wave of relief pass over her as Link butted his head against her neck.
"We got across," he said, "There was an outcropping of rock that we used to get across to that other bank. It was easy to get through the rest of the grove after that."
Adri nodded, wagging her tail a bit. "Good, I'm glad. I just got over here myself."
Midna narrowed her eye. She peered through the leaves into the clearing saying, "Then what's wrong? You know you look like you were scared out of your wits."
"I'm fine. I just smelled something weird, that's all," Adri lied, "I'm not quite used to this body yet." The last thing she needed was Link worrying about her again.
The imp fixed her with a cold stare, but then shrugged. "Hmph, well whatever it was, it's gone now, right?" Adri nodded. "Good. Then we should keep going. Judging by those vessels there's two left."
The two wolves nodded. Without another word they raced out of the trees and across the clearing. All the while though, Adri couldn't shake off the numbness that had filled her veins. The monster's words chilled her to the bone. When I find you, I will finish what I started with your arm. Adri gulped and mentally slapped her cheeks. Stop it! That thing is gone now and you won't have to worry about anymore.
They had reached the ancient tree's valley. Link raced across the bridge with Midna holding on tight and Adri following at his side. As they neared the massive trunk the familiar crackle of electricity filled the air. The two insects dive bombed them and they had to dodge. However it was just as easy as the first time. Adri's jaws crushed the carapace of her bug the second Link got his. The released tears floated into the air then rushed into the vessels. With the last of the globes filled the vessels began to glow with a blue light. Adri gasped as the light enveloped all three of them. It filled her senses and before she knew it she felt herself drifting away. There was one last flash, then the glow they were encased in shot off towards the beginning of the woods.
See! Told you that monster was going to show up later! It's coming back to if you hadn't guessed by its murderous words. Heh, yes I'm going to torture Adri some more.
Bren: *rolls eyes* Reviews are greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Ranuu for that critic of the first chapter. Anyone flames, they answer to me.
*slides out plate of cookies for Ranuu and all others*