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 7

The Beginning of a New Adventure

The trio had left the awkward entrance leading to Lake Hylia (why there were fences blocking the path remained a mystery to Link) and ventured uphill, now overlooking the stout walls of their destination.

Irritated, the proud ninja eyed Link warily. "Tell me – how did you destroy Soul Edge?" Taki said sharply, as if reprimanding the green-garbed blonde. "I don't care what Cassandra have said. I want to hear it from the man himself."

Link shot her an unamused look. "If it helps convincing you, then fine. Long story short, Cassandra and I travelled together as we searched for Soul Edge and its wielder, Nightmare. After a few months of tracking we eventually found him with the help of a rather… odd woman named Ivy Valentine and a few others. I aided the destruction of the blade by keeping Nightmare at bay, but the sole credit is not mine," he replied. "Is that sufficient enough, Lady Taki?"

The ninja nodded. "For the time being."

"Don't mind her, Link," Cassandra nudged his arm. "She's overly cautious, but for good reasons. It's not personal."

"…Very well," Link said, rubbing his neck with a sigh. "As long as I don't get pummelled into the ground again…"

Taki scoffed. "No promises."

"HOLD IT!"

The trio turned around to see a cape-wearing figure quickly descending the hillside.

:::::::::::

"So what's our first course of action then, Miss Wet-Dreamer?" Rikku snickered at Lili's flustered expression, but earned herself a punch to the arm. "Ow!"

"Don't assume such lewd things! I was most certainly not dreaming of him –or anything else of that nature!" Noticing the attention she had gained from the townspeople, the elegantly clad blonde straightened herself, her face still blushing profoundly. "A-anyway I suggest we look around town a bit more before we move back to the field."

Rikku pouted. "But there's nothing to find out there! We found him on a whim… We'd have a better chance of finding him around civilisation you know…"

"This town isn't particularly big. If he was around then we would've noticed him by now. We give this town one last thorough search and then-"

"Hey you! Hold it right there!" The trio noticed the commotion of townspeople clearing the way as guards, heavily clad in layers of thickened armour, rushed forward. "In the name of the Princess and the High Law of the Goddess Nayru, I hereby place you three under arrest!"

Lili sighed. "Them again? I thought you knocked them out, kid." She gave Noel a disapproving scowl before looking back at the guards with a smirk. "But I could use a stress-reliever…"

::::::::::::

"You're the one called Link, correct?" the blue-haired woman inquired as she slowed her pace and simply walked over to the trio.

"I am," Link replied before leaning over to Cassandra. "Is she with you guys…?"

The Grecian shook her head. "No, she wasn't with us when we were first summoned."

´She's not a Hylian either…´ "And just who might you be then?"

The woman stopped just a few feet away, her arms crossed over her chest. "My name is unimportant for the moment. I have questions I need answers for," she studied the blonde man for but a moment. "As long as you answer truthfully, you'll see that there won't be any trouble."

He narrowed his gaze. "Is that a threat?"

She shook her head. "A promise," she replied. "If you have nothing to hide, then you have no reason to feel threatened, no?"

"…So what do you want from me? I was in the middle of something here."

"I told you already: answers. Are you in a hurry?"

Link nodded. "You could say that. There's something I need to clear up, lest there'll be dire consequences."

The caped woman studied him, eyeing him thoroughly. "I see. Of what nature would these consequences be? Personal?"

"Yes, but not entirely. There could be… casualties."

She remained silent at first and her stare shifted elsewhere as if she pondered. "What affects you more; the casualties, or your personal consequences?"

´What's with this woman? She's not a Hylian, so she might have been summoned as well… but Cassandra denied seeing her…´ "The casualties. I can defend myself, but the people cannot."

"I see…" Link bristled at her response. The woman seemed to be locked in thoughts again for a brief moment until she returned to further scrutinize him. "You care about the people… why?"

"Why wouldn't I? This is my homeland after all."

"…So, for the sake of your home and kin…" Her words trailed off, her gaze cast to the ground. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Very well, answer me this: you're walking down a road when you notice a person being attacked by bandits. It's off the road, near a forest, and you can't tell how many the bandits are, nor do you know if the person deserves that fate. What do you do?"

Link eyed the woman with a mild scowl and crossed his arms. The questioning was getting irritating, but if this woman was indeed an enemy then ignoring her could cause even more trouble. And if she was giving him a chance…

He sighed deeply. "I would-"

A loud scream interrupted him. Link turned, a slight chill zipping down his spine as the origin of the scream – a soldier – was falling from a moderate height into the ground, his helmet and pieces of his armour scattered around him. Not far behind fell another soldier down against the drawbridge, and a third falling into the mote.

A chiming laughter was carried with the wind and Link cursed silently under his breath.

"Looks like we found you again!" the elegantly clad blonde exclaimed and gently brushed a few strands of hair aside. "I won't let you get away again."

"Oh! Oh, Hey! Hey guys!" Rikku shouted happily and waved her arms at Taki and Cassandra. "Did you guys already catch him? Lucky! Now we can go home!"

She began to jog over when Lili stopped her. "Idiot, does it look like he's been apprehended? He still has his gear, look!"

"Calm down guys!" Cassandra pleaded. "This has all been a huge mistake! Link here is not-"

"Aww, so they're against us too…?" Rikku pouted and twirled her daggers around her fingers. "That's no fun…I don't want to do this…"

"Just listen to us! Link is not the enemy-"

"Save it!" Lili interrupted. "It's perfectly clear just what is going on, and I'm not going to let this chance go to waste! This ends right here-"

Before anyone even noticed, a huge blast erupted before Link and co, scattering them. Link groaned, vaguely noticing how the strange boy with the odd weapons blew away the smoke that ventured out of her weapon's opening.

The strange, blue-haired woman was nowhere to be seen, but there was no time to worry about her: despite the initial shock, the boy's companions were already charging at him and his friends. With sword and shield at the ready, Link charged forward to do battle with the girl yet again.

His shield took the brunt of her powerful kicks, but the occasional jabs managed to bypass his defence and struck his torso. The blonde villain managed to dodge his sword strikes, but got out of the way when he was pressing on, creating distance between the two.

She leapt at him again, but Link smirked: he pulled out a deku nut and tossed it between them.

A sound plan, had it not been that the girl kept running as she shielded her eyes with her arms, shouting at top of her lunges. "Enough of your cowardly tricks! Fight me!"

Meanwhile, Taki and Rikku clashed blades furiously, neither receiving an edge in the outcome.

The blonde pouted. "Why are you guys on his side?! He's the one we're after!"

"I am uncertain of his true nature," Taki admitted. "But he and my friend seem to know each other. If she claims that he's innocent, I'll take her word for it."

Taki quickly aimed a kick at the blonde's legs, to her mild surprise she missed as Rikku jumped graciously out of the way. "Impressive dodge."

"Thanks!" Rikku giggled before their blades clashed yet again, neither landing a strike on the other.

"To think you were actually nimble…"

"Hey! What do you mean by that?!"

::::

Lastly, Cassandra found herself struggling to get close to Noel-the gunslinger's attacks missed her, but at the same time kept her at bay and preventing her from attacking.

Dirt and grass whirled in the air and the choking smoke of the blasts filled her nostrils. While Cassandra was a veteran warrior, it took all her strength to dodge the incoming attacks, leaving her too depleted to dash through and get close.

Her legs were beginning to give in after jumping around so much: the pain was starting to kick in, and her breathing was growing shorter and ragged.

´If only he could leave an opening for just a moment… that's all I need…!´

"Type XI: Optic Barrel…"

The ear-piercing boom sent Cassandra flying up in the air, flailing like a ragdoll, before she crashed back down onto the grassy earth. Her sword and shield had landed elsewhere and her body barely able to respond, and her vision was a cloudy haze.

What had just happened?

She saw Noel adjusting his aim, the maw of his weird weapon pointing directly at her, still fuming with smoke. "Next shot won't miss…"

Was he really going to kill her? The Grecian struggled for breath, to scream, but all that came was a wheezy groan: Noel's weapon clicked…

"Link…"

"We just want to get this over with and go back home."

His finger enclosed around the trigger…

"NO!"

And pulled – the bullet shot through the air with a loud boom, followed by a tearing scream and the cries of pain.

Liquid scarlet sprayed into the air and dyed the grass as Link fell limply on his side with a blood-soaked abdomen.

::::

"LINK!" Cassandra's voice tore through her dry throat as she scrambled over to her fallen friend. "Link! Oh Heavens above! Link!"

Taki hurried over to their side, her face turning grim: the blood was pouring out, draining the entire colour from Link's face until he was starting to look pale.

Noel on the other hand simply stared wide-eyed with a look of not having the faintest idea what was going on. "He… He just jumped in front of…"

"Cet idiot!" Lili spat. "Did he suddenly have a death wish?! Why would he…"

"Link…!" Cassandra crawled over, fear zipping down her spine at the sight of his blood gushing out. "No…!"

"Don't look, girl," Taki ordered her. "There might still be time, but I need to you to be brave and first get me some cloth. If I can-"

"B…b-bott…" The two immediately turned to the blonde who weakly shifted his arm. "Bott…le…"

The kunoichi shook her head slightly. "He's already delusional."

´Bottle…?´

/ "You're wounded!"

The blonde Hylian peered over at his side and the small streams of blood that stained his tunic. "No defence is impenetrable…"

"This is no laughing matter! It might've gotten an organ!" Cassandra exclaimed. "We need to find a medic right away! I can do little to-"

Though softly laughing, Link grunted from the pain as he reached into his pouch, extracting a clear glass bottle – Cassandra watched it with bewilderment, it was glowing a dim pink light from within.

As Link uncorked the bottle the light darted out, it's glow now brighter, and flew around him until it vanished overhead…

The next thing she knew, his wound was gone, with only the stains on his tunic being evidence of it ever being there. /

´A bottle!´ "T-Taki!" Cassandra wheezed. "Check his… his pouch! Find a g-glowing bottle, quick!"

The kunoichi gave her friend a puzzled glare. "Are you out of your mind as well-"

"Just DO IT, Taki!"

Reluctantly, the ninja did what she was asked and began to search the pouches and undid them from his belt. They were just about the size of her hand, yet when she opened them and search them, it was as if they were larger – she felt countless items inside, varying in shapes and sizes, but eventually…

To her own disbelief, she pulled out a bottle (almost larger than the pouch) that definitely glowed pink from within.

Without pause Taki opened it, appalled by the glowing light that flew out encircled the blonde until its light was reduced to fading pink particles…

Like her, the rest of the group was shocked to see the wound now gone. With a groan, Link got up to a sitting position, clutching his abdomen through the hole in his tunic.

"How… how did you…" Lili began, shocked. "I-it's like right out of a movie…"

"…." Noel didn't say a word, she didn't even blink: her eyes were fixated on his abdomen, where a meaty hole gushing with blood should be. Yet it was as if nothing had ever happened to him – was this the reason for his recovery last time they'd fought?

"…Cool…." Rikku murmured in awe. "Just like a phoenix down…"

Taki gawked at Link, just as bewildered as the others. "What was that sorcery? What were you containing in this bottle?"

"It was a fairy, wasn't it?" The group turned towards Cassandra, who was smiling at Link. "That's what it was, right?"

The blonde Hylian nodded and returned her smile. "You're correct."

"…A fairy…?"

"It's difficult to explain," Link stated. "But they are essentially magical. I've lost count how many times they've saved my life…"

"Doesn't matter," Cassandra replied, wincing slightly as she shifted to a sitting position. "You saved my life, Link…"

Taki nodded and – for the first time since coming here – smiled. "My friend is safe, thanks to you, boy. It was fortunate that you had one of those… things on your person."

Link chuckled weakly. "Luck indeed… I didn't think I had any left on me."

The ninja peered at him intensively. "You… You intervened without knowing if you would survive? That, boy, is nothing but foolish." She got up on her feet and stared down at him coldly before reaching out her hand, her lips curling into a genuine smile. "But honourable nonetheless."

Accepting Taki's help, Link got back up (though wobbled occasionally) and in turn helped Cassandra up. The Grecian was leaning onto him, one arm around his shoulder.

"How are you feeling, Cassandra?"

"I've been better… Say, you wouldn't happen to have an extra fairy on you, by any chance…?"

The Hylian shook his head dishearteningly. "I'm afraid not – I didn't carry too many with me. However, there's a nearby fairy-cave on the other side of town-"

"Wait."

The blue-haired woman walked over to them with a small flask in hand: its content was azure with a similar consistency to water.

She held it out to the Grecian. "Here. Drink this."

Cassandra eyed it with a troubled look. "… What is it?"

"It's an elixir," the woman replied casually. "You'll feel better right away when you drink it."

"Aren't you our enemy?"

She sighed and shook her head. "I could've been. Now that I know for sure just who you are," she nodded towards Link. "I'm now quite the opposite."

The Grecian reluctantly accepted the vial and drank: true to her words, she immediately felt her body gradually feeling better, her bruises slowly disappearing.

Eventually she could stand on her own, refreshed and curated. She handed back the empty flask. "T-thank you…"

"The opposite?" Link inquired. The woman gave him a firm nod.

"No one who's evil at heart would recklessly throw away their life to protect someone else. You are not an evil person, Link," she said, offering him a small smile. "Which only confirms my suspicions about that certain man…"

Link's azure orbs narrowed. "That certain man?"

"He was indeed suspicious," Taki replied, arms crossed over her chest. "But I think I speak for nearly all of us that we simply went ahead because we wanted to get back home."

"Wait a minute here!" Lili exclaimed. The blonde stepped into the middle of the small gathering, her features twisted into a dark scowl. "What are you imbéciles talking about? This," she pointed at Link. "Is a good person?"

"Surely you're not that gullible, girl," the woman said to Lili, ignoring the glare she received in turn. She looked back at the Hylian. "Allow me to first introduce myself – I am Lucina. And I believe we all have a lot to talk about."

"Is it about the elderly man?" the Grecian inquired.

"Yes," the woman – Lucina – replied. "I assume you're here because of him – and his intentions are far from sincere. Whoever it is, he's aiming for your life, Link."

"This is crucial and all, but we should head somewhere else for this discussion," Link interrupted. "I – we – must clear the air with the princess." His azure orbs locked with Lili's. "I apologize, Miss, but you'll have to wait to settle your score with me."

"Tch…"

"We need to head to the castle, first of all. Once we talk this over with the princess we can-" He came to a halt when the gunslinger stepped in front of him, sheathing his guns in their holsters. Olive-shaded orbs shyly locked with Link's azure ones, altering between gawking and averting.

"I'm…" he began. "I-I a-apologize… w-we just a-a-assumed… a-and…"

"After what you put me through, it's too early for me to forgive you," the Hylian said sternly before his features greatly softened. "But I appreciate it."

Olive eyes focused on him and the gunslinger gasped-

"You're really a good guy, aren't you?"

"…"

-and immediately cast her gaze towards the ground.

"Hm? Are you alright?"

"…"

"Don't bother, ´Mr. Nice-Guy´," Lili said, arms crossed. "That boy is prone to fall into depression and then lash out for no reason."

"Huh? What do you mean by-" he replied, but was interrupted by a faint groan from the gunslinger.

"I," ´he´ said through clenched teeth: ´he´ was stomping the ground like a child, letting out a continuous frustrated groan until it became a silent scream as the wind kicked up. ´His´ blue balmoral cap was caught in the gust, revealing long blonde locks which whirled wildly, and ´his´ large, blue hooded cloak was thrown off by… herself, thus revealing a slim figure underneath her uniform dress, with a noticeable (albeit small) chest.

"I. AM. NOT. A. GUY!"

::::::

Back in the castle, Zelda remained idle. Most affairs of the day had been taken care of (such as meeting with nobles, discussing politics with diplomats from the Goron tribe and the Zoras, and addressing foreign topics) so the blonde could only remain in her chamber with nothing but her handsome Hero on her mind.

Today was the day – she would tell him, open her heart up for him, and let him know just how much he meant for her.

The distant, metal-clad footsteps brought her back from the daydream and she turned around to see a guard stand at the doorway.

"Your Highness," the guard said. "Sir Link has returned to the castle. It would seem that he has brought-"

She hurried past him before he could finish.

::::::

"…"

"I know this looks… odd, to say the least. But hear me out, please."

The princess' expression was unreadable. "What is the meaning of this, Link? Who are these people?" Her face twisted into a scowl. "Are these perhaps the intruders you mentioned?" Her gaze trailed downwards with horror as she took a closer look the ruined and stained tunic. "And what happened to you?"

"There was some… struggle at first. But yes, they are the women I spoke of," Link admitted. "But they have been deceived by someone to have me killed. Miss Lucina," he gestured at the blue-haired warrior. "It would be better if you'd help shed some light on the matter."

Zelda eyed the female warrior warily – then the others, each more foreign than the next – and her scowl darkened further, her gentle glove-clad hands balling up into small fists.

She didn't like this – she didn't like this one bit.

::::::

"…And that's how I ended up here on this so-called Hunt. I can only assume the others were fed the same false information as well."

The two Hylians remained silenced. Locked in troubling thoughts, they cast only a glance at each other in quiet understanding: a renegade sorcerer, somewhere on Hylian ground, sought Link's life.

Pushing away her concern about the ladies – who, with the exception of Lucina, was waiting in a nearby lobby – Zelda voiced her opinion. "If there is a threat to Hyrule, then we must act swiftly. If we allow him any foothold-"

"With all due respect, Princess," the female warrior interrupted. "He might not be too much of a threat. If he was really that powerful, then surely he would've acted by himself instead of going through the trouble of enlisting help."

"What do you think, Link?" Zelda inquired.

Link sighed. "Miss Lucina has a point, but we must find and stop him, and quickly. He will most likely continue to stir up chaos if we let him be – who knows if he hasn't summoned someone else already?"

Lucina nodded. "A valid point."

The princess bristled as a trickle of displeasure zipped up her spine and down her arms and had her small hands ball up into fists. But she chose not to voice her ire.

Instead, she calmly gave Link a gentle nod before turning to Lucina. "Then we don't have any time to waste. Miss Lucina, was it? Do you know the way back to this sorcerer?"

"I do."

"That settles it then. Link?"

The green-garbed Hylian nodded. "Looks like I have a new adventure ahead of me…"

"You mean we have a new adventure ahead of us." Zelda said, causing Link to nearly gasp in shock and she frowned, knowing fully well what he would say next.

"Wha- N-No! Zelda, you can't be serious." He gave Lucina an apologetic look. "My apologies, but could we have some privacy?"

With nothing but a polite nod, the blue-haired warrior returned to the foyer with the others, leaving the two Hylians alone. Link sighed, a sorrowful look in his clear azure orbs, and shook his head. "No… No I can't allow it."

"I'm the princess. My word is final."

"It's because you're the princess that I can't allow it, Zelda. Hyrule needs its monarch – and correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you to be coronated soon?"

Her expression softened. "I appreciate your concern, Link… But this is my kingdom. I can't sit idle. Not this time. Besides, who was it that was always ahead of you back then? Teaching you the melodies, guiding you… I hid myself from Ganondorf for seven years."

"Hiding and fighting are two different rupees…"

"Impa taught me much, trained me to defend myself," she countered. "I know the arts and tricks of the Sheikah."

Link rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out another sigh. "…I really don't want to see you get hurt… or worse."

He paused. "Besides, why now, if you don't mind me asking."

Zelda's brows knitted together anxiously, her pink lips curling into a frown. "Your past adventures were outside of Hyrule, and last time it was your Destiny and yours alone. This time I've grown – we've grown – and I will do my part to properly protect my kingdom. Who else are you going to take with you anyway?"

"….Well, there's always-"

"No."

Link blinked. "Uhm… what?"

"You can't be serious… you trust them?"

He stifled a chuckle. "No… But I trust one of them – someone whom I met and fought at my side during one of my adventures. Her friend is on her side and Miss Lucina… She doesn't strike me as evil. That's three plus me, four, who can keep the others in check."

"But-"

"Zelda," Link said. He took her hand, tenderly cradling it with his own. "I don't want to involve you in any sort of danger… Your people need you out of harm's way… I need you to be safe. Please…"

Azure eyes met sky-blue ones and the princess felt her knees weaken and her heart skipping a little beat. What were it with him and his tender gaze, the way he caressed her hand so carefully as if it was brittle glass and the way his words seemed to weight more than hers…

::::::

Later, near the main gates of the castle.

"You're going to confront him, aren't you?"

He gave Cassandra a nod. "I am."

"Then I will go with you!" she exclaimed but quickly stepped back, looking away. "I m-mean… If you d-don't mind… I would like to-"

Link laughed softly. "I would've asked you, you know," he said and offered her a smile before addressing the raven-haired ninja and the blue-haired warrior. "What about you two?"

"Where Cassandra goes, I'll follow. I will re-direct my animosity towards our summoner, where it rightfully belongs." The corners of her mouth curled upwards into a small grin. "Besides, I wouldn't want to miss a chance to further witnessing the prowess of the man whom aided in the destruction of Soul Edge."

"Ah…" Link was taken aback, but returned the blithe expression. "Thank you. Miss Lucina?"

"Must you even ask?" There was a hint of playfulness in her voice. "This may not be my world, but I shall not tolerate evil to settle down if I come across it. I will come with you."

"Thank you," Link replied. "I imagine you want revenge on him as well. Then we should probably leave as soon as we-"

"Attendez une minute!" The group turned to see the others, spearheaded by the elegantly clad girl, Lili, stepping out behind one of the marble pillars with a notable scowl adorning her features. "If you're going to the old man, then we're coming with you!" she said, pointing directly at the green-garbed blonde.

"If you're going to cause trouble-"

"I haven't given up on defeating you," Lili interrupted. "But I was kidnapped you know! I have my own score to settle with him."

´And once he's taken care of, I'll be coming after you… I'll have you licking the soles of my boots in no time…´

"That kind of goes for all of us…" the bubbly blonde – Rikku – added. "We've all been kidnapped, basically."

"…." Noel merely nodded.

Link emitted a ragged sigh and rubbed his temples. He knew he ought not to trust them – Lili especially – for he knew fully well what they were capable off. Noel had damn nearly killed him twice already, and the last one, Rikku, was probably just as much of a nuisance as her friends.

He looked back up with a frown and his mouth opened up to speak when a hand grabbed him by the shoulder.

"You shouldn't be too hasty to renounce them," Taki said sternly. "As much as I understand your reasoning for wanting to, they have just as much right to tag along as Cassandra and I. It'll be better if they come with us peacefully than to make matters worse by denying them their right?"

There was a brief pause and, with yet another sigh, Link turned his attention back to the three flaxen-haired girls.

"Alright… You can come with us."

Lightly tanned arms wrapped around him and a sudden weight was thrust upon him, clinging onto him tightly and nearly causing him to lose his balance. "Yay! Thank you!" Rikku exclaimed. "You're so nice! I can't believe we actually fought you earlier!"

The Hylian stumbled to get a proper foothold, but what made matters worse was that A: the girl, although not heavy by far – she was surprisingly light - kept pressing onto him, and B: her chest was only lightly clad and was pressing up against his bare area where the tunic was ruined.

´Soft…´

He caught himself and finally straightened up. He gently pushed Rikku off him, his cheeks gradually growing hotter and he bristled. "I… Don't mention it. Now, if you excuse me ladies, I have to speak with the princess again… and make some last minute preparations."

"Tch…" Lili bristled as she watched him disappear into the castle hallways. "He better not try to escape…"

"He never runs away from anything," the Grecian warrior said with a hint of a grin, her arms crossed proudly over her chest as Lili glared daggers at her. "If anything, he'll rush headlong into the fray."

"You speak as if you know him."

Cassandra giggled. "I do know him. I've met him before in my world."

The bubbly thief bounced over to her. "No way! You know him, for real? You've got to tell us how he is! As a person, I mean."

"I concur," Lucina added. "There seems to be some… doubt, still," she glanced over at Lili. "If you know him, it would certainly be of help if you were to tell us about him."

The Grecian was taken aback a bit, but she smiled as she thought back on her first time meeting the strange man who'd eventually become her object of affections.

"It all started when I was travelling across my country…"

Thought I'd forgotten about this one? Nope!

Looks like my hiatus is postponed for a little while longer - to celebrate that I'm on 200 members' favourite list, I've created a poll. Go check it out!

Until next time.