Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters featured; they belong to their respective franchises of Nintendo and Shouzou Kaga, Namco Bandai and Arc System Works. GrimGrave does not make money for writing fiction.

To Hunt Down a Hylian

Chapter 10

The Occultist

"Rikku, stop hugging him already!" Cassandra exclaimed as she tried to pry the bubbly blonde thief off Link. After having saved the thief from life-threatening danger, Link had become the object of the latter's (seemingly endless) gratitude if her tight hug was of any indication.

"Not done yet!"

"Rikku!"

"I said I'm not-!" the thief began but her words trailed quickly off, her embrace on the Hylian hero lessening to the point that she was stepping back. Green, swirly orbs widened, Rikku's usual bright, bubbly persona falling as she nearly screamed; "S-someone's coming!"

Already a step ahead of her, those still battle-able rushed over to their companions' side as Link quickly spun around, Master Sword in hand-

"No! Wait, she's not the enemy!"

-before he quickly sheathed it on his back, a sigh of relief escaping him as the fellow warriors ceased on the spot. The figure stood before them, crimson eyes scrutinizing them with a mildly disdained look before striding over to the green-garbed male… who strode equally fast towards the newcomer.

"Link, do you perhaps know this person?" Lucina inquired as Link walked by.

He didn't look at her, but he replied; "I do." He sighed. Face to face with the figure, his eyebrows knitted together with concern. "Why are you here, Sheik? Or should I call you Zelda?"

There were gasps and murmurs coming from behind him, but the Hero of Time remained locked with those red orbs that didn't even seem to blink.

"Hmph."

The warrior – Sheik – took a step back and directed her arms, as if to draw a seal in the very air, and her right hand glowed bright, then brighter, until Sheik was cloaked in a radiant shell.

As the light faded, the warrior had become what Link had revealed beforehand to be the Princess of Hyrule.

"Zelda," the male Hylian began. "Perhaps we should talk in private?"

The princess gave him a steely stare. "Suits my purposes."

"You shouldn't have come," Link said, rubbing his temples. The Hylian duo had walked a stone's-throw away from the others behind a few lone trees to discuss this matter. "You're the princess. You should stay in the safety of the castle."

"I've told you, I can't sit idle this time. This is my homeland too, and my people," Zelda replied.

The flaxen-haired male groaned. "And what will your people do if you were harmed? Or… worse."

"I am not a helpless victim, Link. I am adept at magic, and Impa has taught me everything she knows. You're forgetting that I evaded Ganondorf for seven years while waiting for you."

He sighed. "No… I know." Link leaned up against one of the trees. "But I can't help but worry. Besides, why are you so insistent on doing this?"

Zelda's sky-blue eyes strayed from his, cast to the ground. "…You would not understand."

"You're right – I'm clueless. So help me understand!"

"It is not that simple, Link. I want to protect this realm and its people – a land consists of the people, not by its ruler."

If Link did have a reply, he didn't voice it. They stood there for a moment, silent, until the young sovereign broke it. "You can't tell me what I can and cannot do, Link. My words are final, and I will see this through to the end."

"…Okay."

She looked up at him again. "Pardon?"

"I can't stop you, no matter what… But I can help you. I'll be your shield, so… Stay behind, out of harm's way, when you can… Please?"

Had it not been for the scarlet hue one the Hylian princess' cheeks, she would have been blanched. Her eyes widened and her lips parted but no sound came. She looked away, hiding her face, but she looked back at her Hero with the faintest – but ever so brilliant – smiles.

"Okay."

"What do you think they are talking about?"

Taki glanced over at her friend who was sitting on a lone rock. The group-members were occupying themselves as they waited for the Hylian to return – everyone but the Grecian, who was just sitting there, impatiently tapping the ground with her foot.

"If it's something he's willing to share, I'm sure we'll know as soon as they return. I imagine it has something to do as to why the princess is all the way out here," the ninja replied, arms crossed. "Patience."

"I am patient, Taki."

"Your leg begs to differ," she said with a vague smirk and Cassandra looked down, ceasing her frantic movement. "What's bothering you, Cassandra?"

The blonde sighed as she buried her face in her palms. "… It's nothing. I'm being silly."

"You know fully well that you can talk to me," Taki reassured, gently squeezing her friend's shoulder. "It'll probably feel better if you do."

It was silent for a moment, and the warrior didn't move. It began with a glance, than full eye-contact, until the blonde looked fully up at her friend with watery eyes.

"Taki, I… the truth is, I'm…" She paused – hesitated. "…I actually… About Link, I… I l-"

"Oh mon Dieu!"

Everyone in the area instantly turned their heads towards the fancy-clad golden-haired girl. "This is unbelievable! It's been several minutes already – what are we still doing here?!"

"Miss Rochefort, was it?" Lucina asked and stepped over to the blonde. "With all due respect, Link and the princess did have what I imagine to be important matters to discuss-"

"Hmph!" Lili merely turned her back to the swordswoman, arms firmly crossed over her chest. "I know that!"

The cobalt-haired girl shot her a puzzled stare. "Uhm…Very well. Please don't cause such uproar again."

Tch. ´That guy better get back here very soon… why is he even talking to her anyway?´

Lili bit down on her index-finger in frustration, baby-blue eyes staring aimlessly. ´I don't like this… I don't like this at all. I can't possibly be upset because of-´ Lili paused. ´No, ce est absurde! I just want him to hurry back so he can carry me! Oui, that's it!´

Lucina glanced back at the blonde. "Is she always like this?"

Taki nodded. "Since the moment we met her, at least."

"I heard that!"

"And we know for a fact that she has at least a working set of lungs."

"Ain't that the truth!" Rikku chimed in with a giggle as she ignored the death-glare from Lili. "I'm surprised though; how come the princess is all the way out here?"

"We'll have to wait and see if they'll tell us," the raven-haired ninja replied. "Have patience."

"I suppose…" the thief said with a sigh, her swirly orbs straying over to the currently lone-wolf of gang. "Hm? Noel?"

…

"Noel? What's wrong?"

Still no reply.

Rikku pouted. "Noel!"

The gun-slinger, startled, turned to face the others, her expression nervous. "Y-Yes?!"

"What are you doing, daydreaming?" The thief stepped closer, amused. "Don't end up like Lili now."

"N-no…" the gunslinger replied. Her eyes were cast downwards to the ground, avoiding everyone's and anyone's gaze. Despite the caution, Noel reminisced about the blonde young man; there was no denying that Link was a good-looking male and the young girl's heart skipped a single beat at the thought of him, gallantly battling-

"Noel!"

Olive-green orbs widened and met the swirly-pupil ones of the thief with a startled yelp. "Y-yes?!"

"You're really starting to become like her," Rikku said and nudged her head towards the still-yelling blonde. "Just what were you thinking about to zone out like that?"

Milky white cheeks flushed red, hot with shame as the blue-garbed blonde stepped back. "N-nothing…"

Rikku giggled and raised an eyebrow suggestively. "Nothing, huh? You're not convincing, Noel~"

"Ah, Link!" Lucina suddenly exclaimed and the group's attention shifted towards the arriving Hylians. "I take it that Her Highness will be joining us?"

"I will," Zelda replied. Her expression twisted into a scowl as she glanced over the other women.

The cobalt-haired warrior nodded. "If you deem it wisely then I will not object, Milady. Perchance we should go through what plans we have?"

"I'm already aware of what your plans are," the princess said. "I've gained intelligence of my own."

"So," Taki said. "You've kept track of us and gained knowledge of our plan, without being noticed? I'm impressed, princess."

The female Hylian's stare was passive. "Thank you." She turned back to Link, her demeanour noticeably changing as full lips curled into a warm smile. "Shall we be on our way, Link?"

"Yes," he replied. "But you should probably… Uhm, change first. We'll surely encounter more dangers in the woods."

"Of course." The princess' right hand glowed and she moved her arms, as if drawing a seal in the air once more as light enveloped her and transformed her to the red-eyed warrior, Sheik. "Let us be on our way, then."

"Tenez un moment!" The fancy-clothed girl strode past the others with determined steps and forcing her way to the green-garbed Hylian. "My legs have yet to recover thanks to those… those filthy beasts! And if we're really going to continue marching, then you will carry. Right now."

Link (and a few others) stared with a stony glare at Lili. "I've seen you fight – I'm sure you have plenty of strength to spare. Can we get going, please?"

"You listen to me, you… elf!" Lili snapped. "These flawless calves are my pride and strength, and they're sore now! Thet are my weapon, if you will, and I'll likely be more of a hindrance than of help if you insist that we continue without ample time to rest!"

Lucina, before anyone else, stepped forward. "Miss Rochefort! How can you voice such a selfish demand? We can't very well afford to lose more time because your legs are tired, you should-"

Without a word, the male Hylian turned his back to Lili – who immediately grimaced and about to voice her anger – and got down on one knee, grunting; "Fine, get on. Don't blame me if you hit your head on a branch."

The wide smirk on the Monegasque's face spoke volumes as she straddled Link's shoulders.

´It's Jabu-Jabu's belly all over again…´ Link thought as Lili readjusted her position on his shoulders.

The group had traversed well into the woods and the change in their surroundings was noticeable: the deeper they reached, the more trees were either slowly withering, or completely dead. The sound of birds was nowhere to be found, not even crickets made a sound.

The ground was barren and what little grass was to be found was dry. They had passed what most likely used to be a river but now had become more akin to a dry gulch; a lifeless crack through the earth.

"It's as if life has been… purged," Cassandra stated. "What manner of evil is this…?"

"We're dealing with a warlock – of that I'm certain," Sheik replied and Link turned to her, upon which she continued. "Ganondorf had more than just monsters under his command, Link. Some humans fell under his sway when he seized control of the land."

"Why would anyone do such a thing…"

"Not all men are strong, or resilient. I could name hundreds of different reasons, and we may never know for sure. All I can say for sure is that this warlock was once in the service of the King of Evil." The Sheikah alter-ego's red eyes glanced over at the Hero. "And that would explain why he was specifically targeting you."

Link nodded. "Revenge. And without me around, he'll be able to freely influence others…"

"The pieces come together," Lucina added. "The old man told us – outsiders – lies in order to ensure we would assassinate you without question. Your people surely know the truth, so he wouldn't be able to fool them."

"He may have fooled some of us," the raven-haired ninja said from the back of the line. "But it all came down to him kidnapping us to do his dirty work in exchange for sending us back home. There was little choice for us in that matter."

The thief further back pouted. "I can't believe it! When I find him, he'll be in for a world of hurt!"

Lili let out a lady-like grunt. "Not when I'm done with that connard," she said. "I'll have him broken under my boot."

"With these legs?" Link questioned agitatedly, patting the (surprisingly smooth) legs he was forced to hold on to anyway. "These here?"

"Do not touch any more than necessary!" Lili shouted, slapping the Hero on the head. "I already feel sullied! And I believe I've broken a nail since arriving here, too!"

"We're facing life-threatening dangers, girl, and you're worried about nails?" Sheik's tone was steely and harsh, and for a moment the young girl being carried was stunned into silence. "If you have the time to fret over such small things, surely you can afford to walk on your own."

The comment didn't go unnoticed, especially by Rikku and Noel who stifled their giggles when Lili's baby-blue orbs shot them a dark stare.

The group fell into silence after that, traversing through the dead forest with oddly enough no monster encounters but still remaining vigilant.

The sun was setting, the sky an impressive golden red hue as the bright star was crossing the horizon.

Nightfall was coming and they would have to set up camp soon.

The Grecian suddenly let out a groan. "Just how long is this forest? It feels like we've walked for ages."

"I'm unable to say," Sheik replied. "While we're still in Hyrule, these woods have remained uninhabited as far as I know. It's possible there's nothing but more woodland until we reach the Hyrulian borders."

Rikku sighed. "I don't remember there was such a long way from here to the old man's place…"

"He must've used magic to help us reach his enemy quicker," Taki replied. "In reality, he's nestled deep in uncharted territory – keeping himself safe and hidden from prying eyes."

"A craven…" Lucina stated. She looked up at the sky. "The sun is setting. Perchance we should start thinking about clearing a campsite?"

The Sheikah nodded. "We can settle for the night when we reach the next clearing."

"Tenez un moment! You're saying we're actually going to sleep like this?! On the ground?!" The elegantly clad blonde gestured around her. "With not as much as a roof?"

The ninja slammed an open palm into Lili's back and startling her, causing her almost to fall from Link's shoulders. "It's hardly a problem. The sky looks promising so we don't have to worry about sudden downpour, and as long as we keep a fire going we'll be warm."

The blonde bristled and glared daggers at the dark-haired woman. "I am not sleeping in the mud!"

"There's not even any mud, the ground is all dry…" Link said, and to his regrets earning him the girl's heels into his sides. "Owch!"

"I am not some kind of filthy animal!"

The red-eyed woman in the lead came to an abrupt halt and spun around, looking the Monegasque straight in the eyes. "Then you're welcome to go back to Market Town and find yourself an inn," Sheik said. "Don't let us stop you. Also, isn't it about time you step down from riding on Link?"

´Ride him?´

/She envisioned herself standing above the now beaten Hylian, his half-naked form defenceless and at her mercy. His toned chest was rising and sinking with each ragged and raspy breath. She lowered herself until she straddled his abdomen, keeping Link pinned to the ground.

"Now, chéri, we'll see who ends up passing out…"/

"Are you listening, girl?"

Baby-blue eyes snapped wide open and Lili was startled. "O-oui…?"

"Your face is red – are you coming down with a fever?"

Catching herself with the indecent thoughts, the blonde girl began to kick her carrier frantically. "I-I'm fine! Y-You, elf, put me down! Put me down!"

"I'm not an elf," Link said with a grunt. He got down on one knee and his burden got off, visibly fuming but managed to calm herself.

"Oui oui, as you say. Just… You stay there!"

The green-garbed youth frowned. "So you finally can walk on your own then? Now it's my shoulders that hurt…"

"Are you suggesting that I'm heavy?"

Link rolled his eyes and rubbed his shoulders. "We should keep going."

"H-hey!"

"Aptly put," Lucina said, taking the lead. "As Milady said, we can camp for the night in the next clearing."

"…We've g-got the… f-firewood…" Noel said shyly, dumping the gathered wood on the ground of the group's established camp site. Rocks and stones had been placed in a neat circle at the centre so to prevent the fire from spreading.

The bubbly thief brightened. "Good work, Noel! I'll get a fire going-"

The wood suddenly burst into flames and lit up the camp. Startled, Rikku yelped at the sudden fire. The two turned to Sheik, whose fingers glowed with the small crackle of fire.

"Ah… Thanks!" Rikku exclaimed as she dusted herself off. "That's nifty!"

"Mm."

"Link!" Cassandra called out as she jogged over to the now seated Hylian. "How are your shoulders?"

Link chuckled. "A bit better, but somewhat sore, still."

The Grecian's expression became somber. "That won't do! Why don't you allow me to give you a good massage, and-"

The Sheikah alter-ego took a seat on the log next to Link right then and a pair of tanned hands firmly gripped the Hylian's shoulders.

"She's right, I can tell that you're in need of one," Sheik said and started massaging the Hero. Her gaze met Cassandra's, who didn't look pleased. "I've got this."

"…So I see." The Grecian warrior scowled and took a seat next to her ninja friend, who had already begun eating.

As the party ate their fill of rations they had picked up in Market Town, the fire burning brightly and strongly in the darkness, they were unaware of the dangers yet to come – and the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

To be continued...