Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters featured; they belong to their respective franchises of Nintendo, Namco Bandai and Arc System Works. GrimGrave does not make money for writing fiction.
To Hunt Down a Hylian
Chapter 4
To Uncover the Truth
"He… He vanished! He just disappeared?!"
Rikku, having since then dropped her daggers to the ground was now running her hands through her blonde locks in dismay. Their target, the evil knight, had just disappeared from sight, magically or otherwise, and had left the trio otherwise speechless.
Noel was staring blankly at the spot where their enemy had just stood whilst Lili, albeit shocked as well, had now begun to sport a grim expression; the man who had defeated her had first eluded her grasp only to escape her yet again.
There was a dire air around her; one could see it in her narrowed eyes. She whipped around with a quick but graceful turn. "This is your fault!"
"W-what?!" Rikku was first to react. "Our fault?! He just suddenly began to glow blue and… we literally couldn't attack him! Or, no, no that's… We could attack him! But we couldn't damage him!"
"Tch," Lili spat, "He seemed to be in pain after I kicked him. While you two on the other hand were at his mercy-"
"That was afterwards!" Rikku shouted back with a clear agitation in her voice, "Whatever it was that made him invulnerable he took advantage of it and counterattacked! There wasn't anything we could do! At least we almost had him, no thanks to you!"
A single brow arched on Lili's face to form a challenging and pissed expression. "And just what do you mean by that, pouffiasse?(1)"
Rikku stuck out her tongue like an upset child, "Nggh… Poofass to you too! If you had showed up sooner we could've have taken him faster! You… you… Ngh! Gnorbagh! See, I can make up words too you know!"
Lili rolled her eyes, "Honestly… Are you a child? I couldn't come any sooner because I-" she abruptly caught herself, coughing lightly into her balled up fist before eyeing the fellow blonde. "You managed to find him before me and held out till I came and saved you. So simple, no mystery."
The hostility between them was brewing ever stronger, like the calm before a storm – both were as unstable as powder kegs at this point.
"Y-You two…" The duo turned towards the now timid and shy Noel who walked up to them. "You s-should put your d-differences aside and focus on o-our next course of a-action… I-it's not our fault he m-managed to-"
A straight-up palm quickly silenced Noel. Lili just eyed him with a mild scowl and a disinterested look residing in her eyes. "Be quiet boy, the girls are talking. Come back when you're voice isn't cracked," were the harsh words she threw at Noel before she turned back to Rikku. Whatever the two were exchanging at that point forward was lost to Noel whose eyes were cast directly at the ground.
"….." Be a man. Man up. Be quiet boy. "…..Is it because I'm not feminine enough… am I not feminine because I'm lacking…." Noel mumbled in the tone of a whisper. "….If I ran around in my underwear like her… would I be feminine… or if I dressed up in girly clothes as her…"
"…Don't tell me it's because of my…chest… because it doesn't matter… it doesn't matter…"
"What are you muttering about boy?" Lili said harshly, "Can't you take a hint-"
Noel's eyes flared up at the elegantly clad girl, smouldering with malice that had the latter step back in her surprise. "It doesn't matter!"
Taken aback by the sudden anger, Rikku and Lili could only stare in bafflement as Noel turned her back and walked away with quick steps, nearly stomping her way down the hill.
::::::
In a series of sparkling orbs of light, Link found himself within the sanctified walls of the Temple of Time. The tranquillity and soothing air of the forest was now behind him, just faintly lingering on his person. He adjusted his gear and straightened up as he headed out towards the market town.
The market town had barely changed over the years. While still small in scale, the sheer abundance of people was still surprising the Hero – so much life residing in one place, the town was filled to the brim with activity wherever you went. Even the Bazaar was nearly packed with customers, many whom either wanted to buy goods or Gorons trying to sell bombs; through sheer determination, Link pushed his way through the crowd till he got to the burly shopkeeper.
The large man's expression brightened up as soon as he saw him. "Oh! Hey, it's… You! Hey kid! Long time no see!"
"Ah… You too," Link said, "My shield is in need of repair, how much is the cost?"
The scruffy man laughed at him like one would a bad joke, "A repair is hardly expensive, but since it's you, you can have one of my spares." He leant over the wooden desk with his large and intimidating size. "I remember you, you know. You bought that very shield way back then – not to mention that you're the Hero."
The other patrons had now fallen into silence, whispering only as they eyed the aforementioned Hero over with interest. Link was painfully aware of the attention – while everyone knew of him, not too many had actually met him.
The shopkeeper let out a bellowing laughter, "Don't mind them lad. Just take this new shield as a token of my gratitude. I can just repair your old one and sell it to someone else."
Link's face brightened and with a courteous bow he replied, "You have my thanks sir."
With that now out of the way and a new Hylian Shield on his back, Link headed towards the castle where he was soon met with the marbled lane that divided a lush garden, and the proud walls of yore. Guards saluted him in greetings as he passed by in the rich hall of Hyrule Castle but he barely paid them any mind in his rush.
As he entered the throne room he saw the princess immediately turning around to face him with her gentle smile, the one she always wore and was bright and soothing.
He could feel his troubles just melting away and pool on the floor by simply looking at the princess… A shame that this was not a matter of which he could ignore.
::::::
"Are you certain of this Link?" Zelda's expression had grown grim with anxiety, breaking her mask as she listened to Link's words.
"There is no mistake of it. I am certain of their hostility but I can't guarantee that they are backed up by an army. These warriors are not hylians – I could tell by their ears. But they shared little in common, which is why I don't believe them to be from another country. Furthermore, they appeared to be looking specifically for me."
Zelda gently tapped her chin in contemplation. "There is a possibility that they might have heard of you and been sent to assassinate you… But I can't imagine that there are any followers of Ganondorf still out there."
"Neither can I," Link replied, "Which is exactly why I'm unsure of what I'm dealing with, and also why I'm asking you to have your soldiers patrol the perimeters of the city. These women are more than capable of fighting and if they would get to the people-"
"Women, you say?" Link paused; had he imagined the slight change in Zelda's tone? "These attackers are women?"
Link nodded, "Yes, two of them - they're female warriors much like the Gerudo but they lacked any physical similarities. Not to mention that the last of them, a boy, has advanced weaponry while another doesn't use weapons at all."
"….I see," Zelda looked away with solemn eyes, her arms neatly crossed over her chest. "I have a grim feeling about this… I agree with you. I'll have the guards dispatched to the drawbridge and the walls for lookout," she looked at him straight in the eyes, "But I don't think you should face them again."
"I was unprepared and taken by surprise then," Link replied, "This time I am. They are strong, but they aren't like Ganon. I'll be alright." He brought the ocarina to his lips with a smile.
"I'll take care of them. Don't worry about me Zelda." Easier said than done – he could see that Zelda was worried about him. But as long as she was remained in her castle she would be safe, and the people would be safe.
As the gentle tunes of Serenade of Water echoed within the room, a blue light surrounded him and whisked him away.
"Link…"
As she watched the last of the blue glim vanish into nothing, the princess balled her hands into clenched fists.
::::::
The fresh air of Lake Hylia gentle washed across Link's features as the blue light eventually disappeared. Standing on the lone island in the middle of the vast lake, his eyes wandered to the natural pathway that would lead him back to the field – having chosen to take this alternate route instead, he wouldn't have to worry about these assassins to see him emerging from the city. Once a defender, always a defender.
He would not risk the safety of Hyrule's people.
Link inspected his hands, now clad in the tough leather and shining plates of his Golden Gauntlets – he could feel the added strength coursing through his grips like one would feel a gentle stream of water.
The rest of his gear was at the ready as well upon closer inspection, and the young man felt confident. He was definitely ready for a rematch – and this time there would be no holding back. He began to head towards the bridge that connected the small islands with the mainland-
"Demon Begone!"
-the Master Sword was swiftly unsheathed at the blink of an eye, it's sharp edge cutting through the wind until it clashed with steel with a loud resonating sound. He saw a blur of black and white dashing from side to side and eventually cutting his left arm before retreating with a graceful jump.
The pain stung, but the wound wasn't deep – this was nothing. Still Link cursed silently at the sudden ambush as he poised his shield before him, his narrow eyes firmly focused on his attacker-
…this was definitely none of the others, "What, there's four of you now?"
His attacker, a tall and slender-built woman with coal-black hair, stood before him with a fierce glare burning in her eyes. "So you've already met the others. I take it that they weren't up for this after all. No matter…" She twirled her weapons, a pair of daggers, around her fingers with ease before she firmly gripped them. "As expected of a demon. Man or woman, you'll kill without hesitation."
Demon? "What are you on about lady? I haven't killed your friends, nor have I slain men or women-"
"I saw you appearing here just now, demon! There was definitely magic in play there. You can't fool me." Her hazel eyes narrowed down into cold, thin slits. "I'll have your head."
´What's with these people…´ "I can't deny that I travelled here magically but I am definitely not a demon-"
A sudden blur caught Link off-guard, forcing him to hide behind his shield. Her attacks were rapid and fierce, barely giving Link pause to counterattack; he slammed his shield forward, the impact definitely knocking back the woman with enough force to allow a wild strike that kept her at bay.
Link was surprised at how she managed to keep deflecting his strikes, but at least the clashes was enough to have her struggle for balance as Link kept attacking. His strikes were both swift and strong; he pushed the woman back with each clash of their blades without respite against the tree-
-then she jumped up against the tree and flew above him, her daggers slicing his right shoulder as she did. Ignoring the pain, Link spun around with a quick slash-
-and was met with a kick that sharply connected to his chest, knocking him against the tree trunk. He felt breathless and his ribs hurt something fierce as he struggled back up on his feet. He let out a pained grunt, practically feeling his ribcage crack with his every movement.
Link groaned, "I've just about had it with you ladies… I don't know who told you I'm some sort of monster-"
As the blur of his enemy drew close Link hid behind his shield to absorb the strike. A sudden kick at his legs robbed him off his balance and had him flat on the ground, barely able to defend himself against the flurry of blades.
With his shield covering him again, Link swung the Master Sword at the now back-flipping enemy and allowing him to regain his foothold. He rose up with a ragged breathing, his chest still throbbing sore.
"Haven't you had enough?" was the mocking question he received from the woman, "You look like you're in pain."
Link groaned as his grip around the sword tightened, "You know… I lied before…"
"Hm?"
"I have only killed one man before… and it's not in my nature to harm women. Have I raised my sword against women before? Yes. Have I struck down a woman with the intent of death? Once …and only once."
He eyed the woman with smouldering glare. "I hope I'll never have to do it again, but if you're my enemy then there is little I can do. May whatever deities you believe in watch over you." He sheathed his sword and shield – the woman peered at him with curiosity, but assumed a fighting stance nonetheless as Link crouched…
…and from his hands shined a bright red light. He raised them up, his attacker dashing towards him with daggers at the ready-
-he slammed his fists into the ground as a sphere of fire materialized around him and expanded; the flames licked higher and scorched the grass until the sphere without warning drastically expanded into a wide-arced pool of fire. The blaze burned the isle, its flames engulfing the tree and partly searing the bridge in its moment of charring.
When the spell ended, Link fell to his knees on the only spot of un-charred soil left. The isle was filled with dying embers and the tree was still burning – the air was scented with smoke.
He peered around cautiously; the woman was nowhere in sight.
He sighed with relief. At least now he could catch a breather and be on his way. "One down… three to go-"
The splash of water and the thud-sound of something landing on the ground were picked up by his ears: fearing the worst, Link unsheathed his sword and shield as the woman charged at him.
"Persistent, aren't we?!" Link growled behind his shield, the Master Sword sharply connecting with the woman's daggers in a flurry of parries.
"Those are my words!" she spat back just as sharply. "So you can command fire, yet you claim to not be a demon?!"
The sound of blades clashing echoed across the valley, neither of the two getting an attack in on the other.
The woman back-flipped again, graciously evading any attacks Link attempted –but an idea struck him. He discarded his shield…
"Are you giving up already?" The woman shouted. She circled around him on fleeting feet, watching Link as he brought up another shield from… where was he storing that anyway? ´Most likely part of his foul magic…´
She sprung back into action. She was as swift as an arrow despite Link's keen reflexes but he nonetheless managed to raise his shield in time for his plan – the Gerudo Mirror Shield shined brightly with the sun's light and reflected it right at the woman. The second she faltered and covered her eyes, Link charged at her and knocked her over to the ground, the Master Sword firmly pressed against her throat.
´Finally…!´ he thought, straddling the woman's waist. "Will you tell me as to why I'm being targeted, or do I have to claim your life? I will if I must."
She didn't reply. Her stare was as cold as ice and wore no expression whatsoever – Link pressed his sword further against her throat but the woman showed no sign of pain – or even fear.
´What's with this woman? Does she not fear death…?´ They kept staring at each other for the next few minutes, locked in silence. Link didn't know what his enemy was up to, but for him it was about an answer. He needed to know, and this silence had him slowly growing frustrated.
His grip around the hilt tightened as the edge began to break through her skin-
"STOP!"
Bewildered, Link tore away from his enemy's gaze and looked over to the bridges – someone was running up to them, shouting something that came out as incoherent after the first yell.
This moment proved to be enough for the black-haired woman; with a handful of dirt she threw it at Link's eyes and punched him off herself. He fell backwards, his sword now kicked away from his grasp as he felt a weight on his already aching chest, keeping him pinned.
And something sharp pressing against his throat. "You should've killed me when you had the chance."
"Taki, stop it!" The person – definitely a woman – had caught up with them now. "Don't kill him!"
The woman turned to face her with the same icy glare. "What's that supposed to mean Cassandra?"
´Cassandra…?!´ Link turned as well to see whoever it was and his eyes widened. Azure eyes met with brightly green ones, both pairs just as filled with bafflement as the other.
"L-Link!"
"What in the- Cassandra?!"
*EDIT* (1) French for "whore", "bitch" etc.
And there you have it - updated rather soon I'd say.
I hope you've enjoyed the story so far, and hopefully as the story progresses. :3
I'll be delaying with the next update due to requests and a few other stories that are in dire need of updates themselves, but hopefully it won't be too long.
If it takes too long, I'll be sure to make it worthwhile. ;3 Until next time!