Luckily for Marth, Lissa's spell quickly fixed things up. The cleric's magic made it easier for him to breathe, which was a sign of relief for Ike. Still, even the plain air itself was too cold for Marth. The azure-haired male was still shivering uncontrollably in his bed sheets.
"Is he going to be ok?" Ike asked Lissa as she left the room.
"Yes, but he might get another..." Lissa paused before continuing. "How should I say it...? Breathing-attack. Please keep a close eye on him."
Ike nodded in understanding and Lissa left him alone with Marth and Link. Link went to the door, opened it, and looked around the hallway. Through the large windows, he spotted light glittering in the room.
"It's nearly morning..." Link yawned.
Ike nodded sleepily and said, "I'm still tired..." He turned to Marth, who looked back with flickering eyes. "How are you feeling, Marth?"
"B...Better." Marth answered with a small smile. "Thank...you."
Ike noticed Marth trembling as he spoke. "Are you cold?" he asked worriedly. He as down in the bed next to Marth.
"Y-Yes...very!" Marth replied, clutching his covers tightly.
"Hey, I'll stay with you." Ike told the shorter bluenette as he lied down next to him. He stayed close to him, hoping to give him more warmth. "Does that feel warmer?"
Marth snuggled closer to the larger male. "Yes... Thank you."
Link suddenly went to Marth's bed and lied down on Marth's left side. "Hey, I'm not leaving you guys alone!" he said. He set a gentle hand on Marth's forehead. Although it was coated with slick sweat, it was strangely cold to the touch like ice.
"Thank you, Link." Marth smiled at the Hylian. He suddenly remembered something. "Oh yes, I overheard you guys talking about some curse..."
"Really?" Ike questioned uneasily. "Well, sorry about that, Marth."
"I'm ok. Besides, I think we can end it." Marth continued. "If we work together, we can begin a happy life here in Hyrule."
"I agree." Link said.
"Did you guys find anything in the library about where Demise could be?" Marth asked curiously.
"A book mentioned that he might be residing in an active volcano known as Origin Peak." Link explained. "The problem is, it didn't say where Origin Peak is located."
"What about the Dragon's Table?" Marth suddenly asked.
Ike and Link blinked awkwardly. Why did Marth want to know where that ominous alter was?
"Why do you ask?" Link questioned. "Do you want us to take you there, so we can sacrifice you to Medeus?" he joked.
Marth's cerulean eyes widened quickly in alarm. "N-No! It's just that, in case the Risen take me, you guys know where to go to save me!"
"I see, so you're planning ahead!" Ike said, understanding Marth's plan. "Books mentioned that it is located on the other side of Mount Prism. If we went there by pegasi, we might get there quickly!"
"That's... Great!" Marth said. He yawned softly. "I feel...so sleepy..."
"Me too..." Ike replied exhaustedly.
Marth nodded sleepily before resting the side on his head on his pillow and drifting to sleep. Before he let his consciousness run wildly into the dream world, Ike threw his arms around Marth and tightly embraced him, so the smaller male would not jolt awake by the sudden cold. Link caught notice of this and imitated Ike.
No matter what the circumstances, the three would fight on and support each other until the end.
"See that, Dad?" Roy asked as he, his father, and his friends stepped out of the tunnel, into the sunlight. Roy pointed up to the sky, which was covered with gray clouds. "That's the sky. Well, it's usually blue, but it's covered with clouds now!"
Eliwood squinted his eyes as he looked up at the endless realm that sat above his head and nodded. His sensitive, blue eyes were not used to the bright sunlight.
"It is really nice here..." he remarked, as he watched several Pidgeys flutter across the sky.
"I know! It's better than living underground, isn't it?" Roy piped up.
Eliwood nodded in agreement.
"Everyone, we need to hurry." Fox spoke up. "Don't you remember? Marth's condition?" he reminded.
"Oh, right!" Roy said. "We need to hurry! Dad, I'll point out and name these things for you, ok?"
"If that's what you like." Eliwood replied, smiling and shaking his head at his son.
"Let's go." Fox said, gesturing at them to follow him.
As the travelers hurried into the forest, Roy began to point out every object in the forest to his father like an excited, small child.
"This over there is a tree." Roy said as he hurried behind Falco. "The green things on the ground are grass. That large, gray thing is a rock. And...!"
Falco mentally groaned loudly. This might become annoying!
Meanwhile, Samus was watchfully standing in front of Marth's room. Dressed in a sky-blue shoulder plate; light, black shoulder plates; knee-length, leather boots; and armed with her gun, she warily peered around the hallways for any Risen or Ghirahim himself. Although the hallway was slowly being lit with the morning's gold light, Samus did not dare drop her guard. She knew that Ghirahim and the Risen were patiently waiting for her to lower her attention, so they could suddenly strike.
After when Ike and the others successfully returned with the deathly Marth, Link reported to Zelda that Ghirahim was Demon aiding Demise, and was willing to do anything to capture Marth. Ever since that, Zelda ordered strict security in the castle. Mysteriously, Ghirahim was nowhere to be seen, which increased paranoia in the knights' hearts.
A small sound of footsteps walking down the hallway caught Samus's attention. Not willing to take risks, she loaded her gun and prepared to shoot.
Samus noticed Chrom, who was doing his round, enter the hallway, look around, turned, and disappeared through a wall.
"Everything's clear here!" he called to the other guards.
"Right!" Frederick's voice called back.
Hearing the two guards' calls of security gave Samus a little bit of reassurance. Maybe she was being overprotective here! Ghirahim might've given up on capturing Marth! Wait... Given up? Samus mentally slapped herself in the face for that silly thought. Ghirahim giving up did not sound quite right. He was willing to do anything to please his master Demise!
So Samus set up her guards while staying cool at the same time, hoping for the best.
Soaring through the open sky, Pit cautiously looked down at the earth below for any signs of Risen; or Roy, Fox, and Falco returning. The wind's chilly breeze blew against his face and flapping, white wings; Pit did not feel cold, as he was used to this kind of weather.
After flying around several more times, Pit flew back to Hyrule Castle Town. He landed in a towering, stone watchtower, where Lucina and Owain were on the lookout. Unlike Lucina, who was carefully peering around for any signs of enemies, Owain was carelessly looking down. For him, patrolling the area was the equivalent of watching paint dry.
"Did you see anything?" Lucina asked Pit.
Pit shrugged and shook his head no. "I didn't see any Risen, which is a good thing. However, I also didn't see Roy and the others. I'm worried, what if something happened to them?"
Lucina, who was listening to Pit, noticed her blond cousin slowly dozing off. She sighed in frustration and slapped him in the back of the head.
"Ywoch!" Owain exclaimed in pain. He gave Lucina a comical, angry look. "In the name of Naga, what was that for?!
"Be on the lookout." Lucina sternly warned. "The Risen might be looking for a perfect time to attack!"
"Fine." Owain signed. Setting his head on the stone wall, he began to gaze tiredly around his surroundings.
"See anything yet?" Pit asked. His question was answered with Lucina's and Owain's head shaking no.
All of a sudden, Owain's teal eyes caught a few tiny figures hurrying out of the forest. The hope in his heart quickly rose like bubbles in the ocean. Could it be?!
"I see something!" he shouted, pointing at the four figures.
Lucina hurried towards Owain's side and squinted her blue eyes in attempt to recognize the hurrying figures. "What are they?"
Pit quickly grabbed a telescope and used it to look at the hurrying figures closer. "It's Roy, Fox, Falco, and... I think Roy's father!"
Lucina gave Pit a strange look. "What do you mean by 'I think Roy's father'?!"
"Well, Roy told me that his dad looks like him, so I'm just assuming." Pit explained. "But still, Roy and the others are here! That means they have the medicine for Marth!"
"Open the gates!" Owain shouted at the other guards, who were in the other watchtowers. "Roy and the others are coming!"
"Tell Ike." Lucina ordered Pit.
With a nod, Pit took flight and went towards the castle, excited to tell the news.
"They are coming!" Pit's voice shouted outside, waking Ike up. "Roy, Fox, and Falco are arriving back!"
Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Ike felt excitement and joy rushing into his body, perking him out of sleep. Yes! Roy, Fox, and Falco were back with the medicine! Marth's untimely demise might be prevented!
"They are here!" Ike said to Link, who was slowly waking up, with a large smile.
"Roy... Fox...and Falco?" Link replied. The corners of his mouth slowly rose.
"Yes!" Ike exclaimed, sounding like a joyful child for a split second.
"So, they...are back?" Marth asked as he carefully opened his eyes.
"Roy and the others are back with the medicine." Ike said happily.
This caused Marth's lips to curve into a smile.
"Let's go!" Link said as he jumped off the bed. He took his sheathed sword, which was resting on the ground, and hung it over his shoulder. "Let's not waste time!"
"I'll carry you." Ike quickly said to Marth as he got out of his bed. He scooped Marth into his arms and carried him out the sore, which was held open by Link.
The three were immediately greeted by Samus once when left Marth's room.
" Roy and the others are back!" she impatiently said, fidgeting with his fingers. "C'mon, let's hurry!"
Samus guided Ike and Link down the hallway, towards the entrance of the castle. At that moment, Zelda was leading Roy, Fox, Falco, and Eliwood into the castle. Ike felt happiness bursting through his veins. This was too perfect! He could not wake up from this dream of reality!
Zelda took notice of the three. "There they are!" she gasped.
"Over here!" Fox exclaimed.
Ike slowly kneeled down and carefully set Marth on the flat ground. Before they knew it, Fox, Falco, Roy, and Eliwood were surrounding them. Although it seemed that he and his friends were the only occupants in the area, Link kept his guard up. This moment was so perfect, something dreadful was bound to happen.
"The medicine! Hurry, Dad!" Roy whispered impatiently to Eliwood, who was trying as fast as he can to open the bottle.
With a snap, Eliwood twisted the bottle's cap off and slowly poured some medicine in it. Careful so he wouldn't spill a single, precious drop, the older redhead gave the cap to Marth, who shakily took it and quickly gulped down the bitter-teasing substance. Once when the tonic entered his system, Marth began to feel its healing effects take place. He felt strength returning to his arms and legs. A warm, flesh color turned his face into a lively pink.
"Is it working?" Ike asked Marth as he stood up.
"Let me see..." Marth held his hand up to Ike, who took it and carefully pulled him up. He took a few steps before clumsily stumbling. Luckily, Link, who was standing nearby, caught him in his arms.
"Marth, the medicine doesn't heal you right away." Eliwood quietly chuckled at the bluenette. "You still need some rest."
"Still, you look better than before." Ike said, going up to Marth.
Marth smiled back at Ike. "It's over. Everything's finally over now."
A small sound of a bow being retracted was caught by Link's sensitive ears, shattering the peaceful moment. He instantly looked up and spotted a Risen archer hidden behind a pillar, in the dark shadows. Pulling back its pointy arrow, which was dripping with a mysterious, deadly poison, it took aim at Ike, who was giving Marth a warm, reassuring embrace. Marth was so relieved; tears begin to flow out of his eyes as a sign of joy. Yet, Marth's joy would not last long.
"Ike! Look out!" Link shouted in alarm, just as the Risen released its arrow.
Luckily, Ike had quick reflexes and hurriedly pushed himself and Marth out of the way. As the arrow whizzed through air and struck a wall, the others gasped in shock and turned fearfully at the source of the projectile. While Fox, Falco, and Samus loaded their guns, Eliwood protectively took Roy into his arms. Link unsheathed his sword as Zelda quickly thought of a spell to cast. Ike quickly released Marth as he could only helplessly gaze at the Risen.
"No... What's happening?" he could only ask.
Author's Notes: Something tells me I shouldn't have included so many characters in this story.
Here's chapter 15! Just a heads up, that the story is nearly finished. I think it will be finished in 3 to 5 chapters. Thank gods. TBH, I don't think this is one of my best stories, lol.
As for the poll so far, LinkXZelda has the most votes with ChromXSumia as the runner-up. So check out my poll if you hadn't already!
Story Questions:
Who is your favorite character in this story? Who is your least favorite character?
Out of these characters (Marth, Link, Pit, Roy), who should be the main character in future stories? (Ike hogged up the spotlight, ok?)