Exhausted from his recent endeavors, Knil had no problem falling asleep, not even caring where he was. Malon proved to be a rather good nurse. He wasn't even the least bit sore when he woke up. Knil breathed in deeply, rubbing the back of his neck as he sat up. He was still tired, but didn't feel it'd be too good for him to keep sleeping.
"Master?" Knil yawned widely when he heard Ivan call to him. She was perched next to the wound on his leg, working on healing it. "How are you feeling?"
Her motions confused him as first. Somehow, the knowledge that she could heal wounds had slipped his mind. Maybe it wasn't Malon. Knil drew his knees up, knocking the little faerie from his leg and glanced over at the window. The light outside seemed to be fading into what Knil highly hoped was dusk. An unfamiliar feeling was settling in his chest. He wasn't sure what to make of anything that was happening anymore. He felt lost, and a bit scared.
"Master? Is something wrong?" She landed on his shoulder, trying to gaze into his face.
Knil glanced sideways at her, feeling his voice was still too tired to work. He opened his mouth, confirming that he couldn't talk. His feelings of hopelessness and confusion must have been evident on his face, because Ivan stepped forward and patted his cheek. She seemed about to say something when the door opened.
Malon backed into the room, holding a first aid kit. Her eyes flitted to Knil, widening a bit when she saw him. "Oh, look at you. Finally awake, I see." She smiled broadly, making her way over and settled on the bed. A hand went up to Knil's forehead, a frown crossing Malon's lips. "Your fever still seems a bit high. Maybe you should lie back down." To both his and Ivan's surprise, he didn't object to her pushing him back against the bed. "Now, let's see." Malon pulled the covers aside to get a better look at the wound on his leg. She unwrapped the bandages, examining where she had sewn the wound up. "It's looking a lot better. Maybe just a little bit more." Malon rummaged in the kit and pulled out a small vile of red potion. "Here." Knil took the potion without protest and drank it while she wrapped his leg up again.
He seemed barely aware of what was happening. Maybe it was the fever that made him feel so strange, but doubted it truly matter. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep again.
xXx
Link walked in silence behind Luith, an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. The tunnels were dark, the only sounds were their feet, and subtle drips of water, echoing throughout the underground maze. Link couldn't even make out where his guide was, merely following his steps. The only time he got any inclination that Luith was even still there was when he reached back and grabbed his arm to turn him down another section of tunnel. It wasn't even clear how he knew which way to go, but as long as he did it didn't particularly matter. Link could feel Navi quivering in the collar of his tunic. She didn't like the dark. The only thing that truly frightened Link in all of this was the potential of enemies attacking them down here in the dark. Well, that and a lingering uncertainty that Luith didn't truly believe Link wasn't a spy for the Gerudo. For all he knew, the now tiny giant could be leading him into a trap, or could just as easily spin around and strike him down, and he'd never see it coming. Link's hand started to creep towards the handle of his sword.
"Relax, Young Hero."
Link gasped, wondering how Luith had seen him.
"You're safe as long as you are here with me."
Link hesitated slightly before responding, "How can I be sure?"
Luith laughed lightly. "You sound suspicious."
"Shouldn't I be? You almost killed me last time we met. How do I know you're not intending to lead me into a trap?" He heard Navi whimper. Evidently, she hadn't thought of that.
"Believe me, son, if I had wanted you dead, you would not be here now. Besides, I do not resort to petty methods, such as traps. Those cowardice ways are known better by your Gerudo."
Link's eyes shifted down towards the ground, though he couldn't particularly see it. "They're not 'my Gerudo.'"
He heard Luith laugh again. "I suspected as much."
Link looked up to where he believed his guide was. "But how can you just believe that I'm not here on their behalf?" The moment it left his mouth, he felt it was a risky question, but there was no way to take it back now.
Luith's silence was far more unnerving than if he'd just stated, 'I don't.' Finally, after a short while's contemplation, Luith finally spoke. "I just know. I've always had a good sense about people, Young Hero. You have a very brave, and honest aura about you. One that I feel is pointless to question. Besides," Link could nearly feel Luith smiling back at him. "You're exploits have even reached all the way down here to my humble home. How can I possibly question the savior of Hyrule?"
Link felt his heart skip a beat at that proclamation.
Luith hummed softly. "You seem troubled. Did I say something wrong?"
Unwillingly, Link's mind shifted to wonder what Knil would have said if he heard that, and he sighed. "No. It's nothing?"
"Where's your friend, by the way?"
Link jumped, beginning to wonder if Luith could read his mind. "What? What do you mean?"
"The one that you jumped into the river to try and save. What happened to him?"
Link sighed, not really wanting to think about it. "He's ok."
Luith seemed to wait for him to continue for a short while. "I sense an uncertainty about that statement."
"I just don't know where he is. Knil just took off shortly after we got back to Gerudo Valley." Link hesitated slightly. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about him."
"Understandable. Losing a piece of yourself is always hard."
Link's eyes shot up to look at Luith, his eyes finally adjusting enough to be able to at least see where he was. "How did you?"
"I told you, Young Hero… I'm good at reading people." There was almost a sense of smugness about his tone. Soon after he stopped, holding out an arm to hold Link back.
"What is it?"
"We're here." Luith reached a hand out, laying his palm flat against the stone wall in front of him. A faint glow started to form around his hand soon erupting into an intricate design which covered the entirety of the wall. Link brought a hand up to shield his eyes against the fresh light that Luith didn't even seem to notice. The runes appeared to dissolve the rock, forming an archway for them to walk through.
Link followed Luith through the archway into a vast, brightly lit, cavern. Once his eyes had adjusted to the bright light, his expression melted into astonishment at what he saw. It was like a whole other world down here. They stood on the cliff's edge, staring down into a deep valley, where many stone houses were positioned in a square type structure. There was smoke coming from some of the chimneys, children running around in the make-shift streets. Families, even pets, playing and going about there lives, almost reminding him of Kakariko village. There were even caves and a small forest, but no real sign of fresh soil for this greenery to be able to grow. The strangest thing was that the only light source seemed to be a fountain in the middle of the square, but it was as bright as day. Link was held in awe at the small village.
Luith turned to him and smiled, gesturing out over the valley. "Welcome to Biloba Village."
xXx
The next time Knil opened his eyes he could barely make out the dim light of a lantern outside his window. He slid from the bed and made his way over to the window. Knil's head started to feel fuzzy, and he had to sit on the ground when his vision started to haze over to black. He leaned back against the wall and groaned, a hand coming up to his forehead.
A light violet glow flew over to him, and Ivan landed on his shoulder. She touched a hand to the side of his face. "You don't look so good. Are you ok?"
Knil shook his head. "I think I'm just tired."
"You still have a fever."
"It'll break." Knil stated, starting to stand again. He made his way back over to the bed, and began searching around for his things. A sharp pain in his leg was still keeping him from walking without a limp. "I need to get out of here."
"What?" Ivan zipped over. "Don't you think you should rest? If you push yourself too hard, you could die."
"Don't be so dramatic." Knil secured his rucksack and started towards the door.
Ivan flitted onto his shoulder, and folded her legs in. "But it could still be bad. Maybe take a few more days to heal." Her eyes fell, and she wrung her hands. "Plus, I kinda like Malon."
"I don't care if you like Malon." Knil snapped, casting a sideways glance. "I've been nothing but a burden ever since I got out of the Water Temple." He turned away to watch the way before him as he exited the door, and looked around for signs of life. "I don't need people to take care of me."
Ivan lowered her eyes and mumbled. "It's not a bad thing to ask for help."
"What was that?" Knil snapped.
Ivan jumped, floating off his shoulder. "Nothing. I was just thinking it couldn't hurt to stay a few more days, if you're not feeling right."
"I'm fine. I'm just tired. Now, hurry up, or I'll leave you."
Epona was sleeping in the corral, when Knil climbed over the fence. His leg still twinged a bit with the pressure, but at least his head was clearing. The cool air seemed to be doing him some good.
When Knil got closer, he started to realize she wasn't wearing her saddle. It was hanging over on the wall, along with a few others, and some blankets. "I can figure this out." Knil plucked the saddle from the wall, and looked down from it to Epona, then back. "Wow, this things a lot heavier than it looks." He headed over, and plopped it on Epona's back.
Epona woke up, and looked back at him.
"What? Don't suppose you know how to do this, do you?"
Epona shook her head, and stood up, shaking the saddle off.
Knil frowned. "Snippy mare." He picked up the saddle, and tried to put it back on her. "Come on, we need to get out of here."
Epona snorted and moved so he couldn't put the saddle back on her.
"Stupid horse. Stop being so stubborn." Knil lunged forward and set it on her back again, but she bucked up and threw it off.
Ivan fluttered around Knil's head. "Maybe she's trying to tell you something."
"Yea, she's trying to tell me that she's a bitch."
"Not quite." Knil turned to see Malon inside the gate, and walking toward him. She was dressed in a orange robe, rimmed with violet trim, with a white nightgown fluttering under it. "You're not doing it right."
Knil was somewhat shell shocked to see her. His face burned in embarrassment. "How hard could it be?"
Malon laughed lightly, making her way over and rubbed Epona's nose. "You don't do this very often, do you?" When Knil didn't answer, she glanced over at him, her expression falling. "Why are you trying to leave? Are you feeling better?"
Knil diverted his gaze. "I'm fine. I just really need to get going."
Malon glanced back at Epona, her eyes taking on a glint of sadness. "I see. So, where are you going?"
"Does it matter?"
"I was just curious is all." She looked back up at him. "Are you going back to Link?"
"No." Knil snapped, a bit harsher than he meant to. "Why would I be going back to him?"
Malon started, but settled down shortly, and sighed, her face flushing. "I just figured you were borrowing Epona, and you'd have to give her back."
Knil's gaze fell as well, as he ran a hand over Epona's neck. "I'll give her back. I just need her a little bit longer."
There was silence between them, only broken when Epona snorted. "So, um." Malon began lamely. "Do you want me to show you how to do this?"
"Yea, sure."
Malon smiled as she made her way over to the wall. She selected one of the blankets, and threw it over Epona's back, shifting it into place. "She was throwing it off, because it was uncomfortable. If you put the blanket on, it cushions the pressure of the saddle against her back." With a kind of strength that was rather surprising, for a girl her size, she heaved the saddle up, and showed him how to hitch it into place. "So, why do you have to leave so soon?"
Knil sighed. "I just want to get out of Hyrule as fast as I can." Knil almost expected her to ask, 'why', nearly kicking himself for saying that much.
"Well, if you're going on a journey, at least allow me to give you some food."
Knil started, glancing up at her. "What? No, I can't take-"
"Don't be silly, I insist." She grabbed his arm, and dragged him back towards her house. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm doing it for me." She smiled warmly back at him. I wouldn't be able to sleep if I let you go out there without food."
"Uh." Knil glanced up at Ivan, who shrugged. "If you insist."
xXx
"This place is beautiful." Link gasped, staring in awe at the valley below him. He turned to face Luith. "I didn't realize a place like this could exist in the desert."
Luith smiled to him. "It truly is a wondrous place."
"So, this is what you were protecting."
"In a sense." Luith started down the cliff-side, and waved back at Link. "Come this way."
Luith led him towards the village square. "This land was established some time ago, by my ancestors. The people that live here now are mostly refugees. Folks with no other place to go, or were stranded in the desert. Though it's difficult to maintain an Eco system in this type of environment." He glanced back at Link. "What with the harsh sun, and the natural sand storms."
A few children rushed by, in the opposite direction, laughing, a kite in one of their hands. Link watched the children run by and smiled. He hadn't yet thought about the absurdity of there being wind. "I thought the wall of sand around the oasis was strange. How can something like this be possible?"
"By our treasure." Luith stopped in front of the glowing fountain, and waved a hand out towards it.
Link was a bit unsure, but walked closer, looking down into the pool of water. It was nearly blinding from this angle, but he could almost make out the source. A shining pyramid like structure could be seen through the rippling water. He couldn't get a clear view of it, but understanding began to dawn on him. "Is that the Gerudo Diamond?"
Luith smiled. "It is indeed."
Link stood up, turning to address him. "But I don't understand. How's it emitting so much energy?"
Luith settled down on the stone structure around the fountain. "The Gerudo diamond is one of the five spiritual stones."
"Five? But I thought there were only three."
Luith shook his head. "Fire, water, and forest are the three directly connected to the three Goddesses, so they hold most of their energy. However, there were two others created to balance out the matters of life and death. Each one, at one point, enshrined in the five temples."
Link glanced back down into the pool. Navi fluttered to sit on the edge of the fountain. "So, this is the Spiritual Stone of life?" She asked, shielding her eyes.
"It sure is." He shrugged. "Well, Spirit, but I feel Life better describes it."
"That's amazing." Link stated, not able to take his eyes from the gleaming crystal. "So this stone is responsible for the oasis being able to maintain life?"
"Yes."
Link glanced up at him, his eyes saddening a touch. "And if it were stolen?"
"We wouldn't be able to live for much longer."
Link sat down on the side of the fountain. "So, you weren't just guarding the stone. You were protecting these people as well."
"It's my duty to protect the people in this village."
"But, if losing the stone will make this place uninhabitable, then why not leave? Live somewhere else. Just in case. I mean, living off of one stone seems like a very unsteady existence."
Luith grinned down at the ground, folding his hands into his lap. "You bring up a good point, and don't think I haven't considered it. However, there's a problem."
A sense of foreboding settled in Link's chest. "What kind of problem?"
Luith's eyes fell to where he almost seemed like he was going to start crying. "We've tried it before. Apparently the stone's energy is fully infused into our systems now. If we are away from the stone, for too long, we would still parish as though it were stolen."
Link's jaw dropped. "That's awful."
"Even our children are born with a deep connection to the Spiritual Stone."
Link looked out, watching the children continue to play. Women hanging laundry. Whole families seeming so content on such a fragile coil of life. He almost started to wonder if they knew everything that was going on around them. Link's head fell toward the ground. "But the Gerudo feel it rightfully belongs to them. They won't stop until they have it again."
"This is why I have to fight them off. Fortunately, my magical capabilities were also passed down to me, along with the stone."
"But what if that doesn't work? The Gerudo are growing. Soon, they'll be able to overpower you."
Luith's face fell again. "Then there's not much I can do. I'll just have to hope that day never comes." He smiled back at Link.
"Daddy!"
"Cole." Luith stood, holding his arms out to receive a small boy, probably about eight or nine years old. "Link, this is my son, Cole."
Luith had a son? He definitely wasn't expecting that, but the resemblance was uncanny. He had the same muddy blonde hair, and round face as his father, but his eyes didn't spark the same green as his. They were a soft hazelnut brown.
"It's getting late. Are you hungry?"
Link was a bit caught off guard by the offer. "Uh, yea, sure."
"I'm starving." Navi flew up, enthused by the prospect of food.
Luith laughed lightly. "Very well. Follow me. My house is just over there." Cole nearly skipped ahead of his dad.
Navi took off after them, waving a hand for Link to follow. "Come on, Link."
Link stood, and followed. A few people around the village started staring at him. Some whispered amongst themselves, others waving. Link jogged to catch up to Luith, and Navi took her normal perch on his hat. "So, do you happen to know where the Spiritual Stone of Death is?"
Luith shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
"Oh? Thinking of finding it, are we?"
Link paused briefly. "Maybe I should."
"That's a strange thing for the Hero of Hyrule to say. Are you intending to use it?"
Link started. "No, of course not. It's just, seeing how much power this one has, I'm a little worried about what may happen if the other one falls into the wrong hands."
"Decent point, Young Hero."
"Please stop calling me that. My name's, Link."
xXx
Knil had been riding for what felt like hours. The sun was starting to come up, but at least he was starting to get the hang of riding. It was strange, almost like it was natural, but there didn't seem to be any end to Hyrule. Malon had pointed him in this direction, saying something about an adjacent land. However, this place really was bigger than he thought, but he had to be getting close to the edge of it.
Knil steered Epona around the corner, and before he knew what had happened, she whinnied and jumped over something, flinging him off the back. Knil yelped, hitting the ground hard. He groaned, starting to push himself up onto his elbows. "You stupid horse. What'd you do that for?" He started to trail off when he finally saw what she had jumped over. There was an old man, prodding at a fire in the middle of the path. He was wearing a long violet robe, and had long silver hair with a beard to match. The old man was staring at him in seeming shock.
"Master, are you ok?" Ivan flew over, having been thrown off the front.
Knil rubbed his sore shoulder. "Yea, fine. Hey, Gramps, what do you think you're doing, getting in my way like that?"
"Excuse me, young man." He responded in a calm steady voice. "But I believe you are the one that is intruding."
Knil stood, instantly disliking this man. He held his arm, walking over. "What's an old codger, like you, doing all the way out here anyway?"
The old man turned back to his fire. "I could ask you the same thing. So, I will."
Knil started at the odd sentence. "I'm just trying to get out of Hyrule." Epona had turned around and made her way back to Knil. "Oh, there you are."
"Is that all?" The old man stood, dusting off his robes. "I'd ask why, but I can tell you're not one to tell me."
"Hmph. Ya got that right, Gramps." Knil snorted, climbing back onto the saddle. He tugged on the reins, turning Epona towards the way he was going.
"Well then, just take that path there." He indicated to the one leading into the forest, adjacent to the path he'd been going. "There's a harbor down there, and the ferry will take you to Termina."
Knil glanced down the path. "Oh. Thanks, Gramps." He started to head down it.
"You won't find any further answers there, young man."
"What?" Knil stopped glancing back.
The old man knelt back down and started setting up a kind of metal structure over the fire. "Many people come by this way, thinking there's a better life for them somewhere else, but they are mistaken. Merely changing your location doesn't make your life any better. It's just different."
Knil snorted. "Believe me, Old Man, there's nothing back in Hyrule for me anymore. I'm better off getting a fresh start in Termina."
"You may think that now, but I guarantee you're mind will change. It happens far too often. People I see, journeying down this path, searching for a better life. They never find what they're looking for. Eventually, they all start to feel despair for their home. For the part of themselves that was left behind."
Knil's eyes widened at the last statement. Did he somehow know about Link?
"Just a fair warning, Son." The old man groaned, moving to stand again. "The choice is still yours to make. Just remember that it can be dangerous to go alone." He turned around, heading into a cave that was carved into the side of the mountain.
Knil watched him grow smaller into the dark depths of the cave. His attention was diverted when Epona shook her head. He patted her neck, staring at the back of her head.
"Knil?" Ivan settled on the top of Epona's head.
They were both silent for a short while, Knil's mind reeling. Soon, he shook his head, turning Epona to head down the path towards the harbor.
xXx
After a while, Knil began to wonder if he'd ever reach the harbor. The sun had risen and started to fall again since he'd left the ranch, but he'd finally made it somewhere near dusk. He pulled Epona to a stop, gazing around at the boats floating along the dock. There was a small crowd of people bustling around the harbor. At least ten boats were tied to the dock, people filing in and out of them. "I think this is it." Ivan stated, as Knil slid from Epona's back. He stared out at the vast ocean for a bit, beginning to doubt his own motivation.
"Hey you." Knil's attention was diverted to a man that was making his way over to him. He had a large bundle flung over his shoulder, and was kinda dressed like a pirate. "You here for the ferry?`"
Knil stepped away from Epona, still holding onto her reins. "Uh, yea."
"Well, you better hurry then. Where ya goin?"
"Termina."
The man just gave him a odd look. Almost like he had no clue what he was talking about.
Knil huffed, eying the long trail of boats. His eyes narrowed on this annoying man again. "I wanna go far across the water."
He the man rolled his eyes and jammed a thumb towards the second boat to the left. "Just take that one there. I can give ya a ticket, but it'll cost ya."
Knil's eyes widened a bit in confusion. "Cost? Cost me what?"
"It's twenty Rupees to ride the ferry. Do ya got it or not? I have things to do."
"Uh." Knil fished around his pockets. He didn't have any Rupees. How could he?
The man rolled his eyes. "Get out of here, Kid. You ain't got Rupees, you're not ridin the ferry." He started off, and Knil groaned, beginning to ponder how he could sneak onto the ferry. A small nudge, and Epona pushed her nose into his back. "What?"
She reached her head around and plucked a small brown bag from her saddle, and plopped it in Knil's hands. Knil opened the bag, his eyes widening. He smiled up at Epona. "You're an awesome horse."
She snorted as if to say, 'I know' as Knil ran to catch up to the man. "Will this cover it?" He held the bag open for the ticket man to see, and his eyes lit up with a near hunger. "Uh... yea." The man smiled with a quirk that wasn't supposed to be wicked. "This'll cover it just fine." He snatched the bag from Knil's grip, and cranked out a ticket for him. Knil stared down at the small slip of paper, a little unsure of what had just happened.
Knil looked back up at the man, his eyes narrowing. Pocketing the ticket he marched after him. One hand twisted his fingers into his hair, the other holding the black sword against his throat. "Look here, you. I may not know everything, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let scum like you take advantage of me. Now, give me back the bag, and take the right amount for it, or I'm going to cut you a new air-hole." Knil growled, pushing the blade in more.
The man seemed startled and caught off guard at the sudden attack. The hand holding onto his hair came around to hold out flat next to his head. He rummaged in the bag, pulling out a silver colored Rupee and deposited the bag back into Knil's outstretched hand.
Knil closed his fingers around the bag, and shoved him away. The man pocketed the Rupee, wondering if he would realize that wasn't the right amount, and hefted his large burden back onto his shoulder, and headed off at a relatively quick pace.
With an exhaustively annoyed sigh Knil moved to put the bag back on Epona's saddle. She shook her head, stepping sideways. Knil looked up at her. "I can't take this. It's Link's."
Even as he said it, it didn't sound like him. He knew he'd need Rupees when he got to Termina, but these weren't his. As much as he tried to give them back, Epona seemed insistent. Finally she snorted, bumping her nose against his arm. She bit at his sleeve, and Knil smiled, stroking her nose. "You need to go back now, girl."
Epona snorted again, shaking her head.
"I'll be alright. You need to go back to Link now, Epona. He needs you more than I do."
She nudged him with her head, and Knil moved back around, pulling his bag from her saddle. He patted her flank, trying to nudge her on her way.
It took Epona a little more incentive to leave, but finally, she trotted on back down the path, casting what could almost be seen as a solemn look back at him.
Knil watched her go, and turned back towards the ferries. His heart sank down into his feet. That was a lot of ocean to cross. That had to explain the sick feeling in his stomach. The weight in his chest. That old man didn't know what he was talking about.
xXx
After a rather nostalgic meal, mainly because everything was home grown, Link took to exploring the little house, while Luith put his son to bed.
And he really did mean small. Luith and Cole had to share a bedroom, there was a kitchen/dining/den area, a bathroom and a couple closets. A short trip through the hall lead him to another small closet, with the door cracked. Link pushed the door open, and peered in. All that was in the closet was a small table lined with unlit candles. Sort of like a shrine. The candles circled a picture of a woman, held in a black wooden frame.
Link picked up the picture to get a better look at the woman's face. She was rather pretty, but there was a very distinct feature that stood out to him. She had Cole's eyes, or rather he had her's. "This has to be..."
"My wife."
Link jumped, not having realized Luith was standing behind him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."
"It's alright." Luith took the picture from him, staring at his wife's face. "It's been so long since I lost her, it doesn't hurt quite as much anymore."
It was so strange to see his demeanor change so suddenly. "What happened?"
Luith sighed, his eyes briefly fluttering closed. "Rina was a very kind and beautiful woman. However, she was also rather adventurous. She didn't much like being restrained to this village. So, the three of us set out to try and make a home for ourselves elsewhere."
Link cringed, starting to understand where this story was going. When Luith didn't continue, Link stated timidly, "That's how you knew that leaving would be bad."
Luith sniffed, setting the portrait back in it's place. "Cole and I were alright, because we're infused with magic." He shook his head sadly, closing the closet door. "But when Rina started to get sick, we tried to make it back, but insisted otherwise. She kept saying that she'd rather die out in the open, than be trapped in here again."
"I'm sorry."
Luith shook his head. "Don't be. It's not like you did anything wrong." He turned to Link and smiled, a tear starting to glint in the corner of his eye.
"But, still."
"You should get some rest. You're welcome to stay here as long as you like. Just be careful you don't stay too long, y'know." He chuckled lightly, starting off down the hall. "Good night, Link."
"Good night." Link's eyes fell. Poor Luith. He couldn't even begin to imagine how he must feel. Having to go through all of this, just because of that stupid stone. Link shook his head, confusing himself for thinking of a Spiritual Stone that way. They were a crucial part of Hyrule's lore, and history, and... ok, what all purpose do they truly serve, in this world? Link pulled back the heavy black curtains, and the bright light flooded the tiny hall. He pushed it back in place, checking to see if he had woken his hosts. When they seemed thoroughly asleep, Link crossed to the door, and slipped outside, having to cover his eyes against the glow.
The glow of the Stone hadn't dissipated at all, but apparently this was what they called night. Course it also explained why they all had black out curtains in their windows. Link, however, couldn't sleep. His mind was going a mile a minute, wondering about the people that lived down here, and how it must feel to have to survive on the energy of a Spiritual Stone. It sounded like a nightmare to be stuck in one place like this. As horrible as it was, he could understand Rina's desire to get out of this place. Against his will, his mind settled back onto Knil. He was trapped in the Water Temple for years. Was he able to go any further, even into the temple, or was he stuck in that one room? Course it wasn't nearly as beautiful as this place. At least they have other people around. Link was wondering around outside, soon settling down against the trunk of a tree.
His expression fell, beginning to wonder where Knil was now.
"There you are." Navi flew over to him, landing on his knee. "You ran off on me. Are you ok?"
Link sighed, dropping his chin into his hand. "Yea, just thinking."
Navi's eyes saddened, from the look on her partner's face. "You're thinking about Knil, aren't you?"
Link rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm just worried about him. I don't like the idea of him being out there alone."
"He's not alone. He's got Ivan." Considering this statement didn't seem to make him feel any better, Navi fluttered up, and laid a hand against his cheek. "He can take care of himself. I'm sure he'll be fine."
Link sighed again, curling his knees up to rest under his chin. "Doesn't mean I can't worry about him. I mean, he is a part of me, after all."
Navi's gaze fell again. She had something she wanted to tell him, but it slipped her mind, when she saw something moving over towards the fountain. "Link, look." Link turned to where she was indicating, and crouched behind the tree, his eyes narrowing. "How did she get here?" Link started to move out from behind the tree, and drew his sword. "Navi, wake Luith."
"Ok." She saluted, and took off towards his house.
Link crept down the path, ducking behind trees, and watching as the figure climbed into the fountain, surprisingly making little noise in the water. When she bent over, into the spout, Link rushed out and seized her around the waist, holding his sword to her throat. "Don't even think about it."
Samira smiled. "Well, well, Brother. It seems you truly have turned full circle. I suppose this is your sense of nobility pulling through."
Link pushed the blade more into her neck. "I can't let you take the stone. You have no idea the significance it has to these people."
"I'm afraid you have no choice."
Link saw movement out of the corner of his eye, and looked around to see at least ten Gerudo warriors, all with their spears aimed directly at his neck. Another line circled them, with bows drawn on him as well. He quickly crushed the notion that they would shoot each other, knowing all too well the accuracy of this race.
"The choice is yours, Brother." Samira continued, still harboring that smile. "Either step down, or die."
Link weighed his options. He could just slit Samira's throat, but then they would definitely kill him, and still get the Spiritual Stone. That seemed to be the only option where he knew the outcome. If he stepped down, they would either capture him, or kill him for turning against them. Or both. Either way, he'd be no use in protecting the stone. He had to buy some time, until Luith got there.
Coming to a decision, he turned back to address Samira. "How did you get down here? That tunnel was a maze. Only Luith knew his way through."
Samira laughed. "Are you truly that foolish, Brother? Did you really think we wouldn't follow you if you went back into the desert?"
Link's eyes widened. "But, you all were so preoccupied with Knil's leaving. I didn't even think you'd notice me."
"We didn't realize when you left, no. But I placed a tracker bug on you, when we last met." She pulled what looked like a small red ball with wings, from her pocket. It's wings fluttered feebly in her hands. "Remarkable little critters, really. They can latch on to anybody, without their detection, and leave when they arrived at their destination. Then they return here, and lead us right to you." She laughed again, mainly because she could feel his shock. "So, you see, Brother, the downfall of this pretty little community is all your fault."
Link boiled against her mocking, and pushed the blade in just enough to shut her up. A line of blood, issued from the cut.
Her laughing stopped, and the other Gerudo's pushed their spears in as well. Link's eyes narrowed back to them.
"Be smart about this, Brother." Samira warned, the note of amusement in her voice gone.
Link still hesitated, seeing the impatience on their faces. Finally, he sighed, pulling the sword away, and dropping it to his side. Three of the Gerudo's holding the spears, lowered their weapons and dragged him from the water. They took his weapons, locking his arms in irons behind his back.
Samira adjusted her clothes, wiping away the blood on her neck. "Wise choice, Brother."
"Don't call me that." Link snapped.
"Oh my. Someone's got a temper. I think you've been hanging around the other one too long."
Link's eyes fell again. "On the contrary. I don't think I've been hanging around him enough, or else I could have avoided this."
"Sure ya could. Girls take him away. I'll figure out what to do with him later."
They started to drag Link back up the hill, towards the entrance. Link watched helplessly as Samira moved back in to retrieve the stone, but a sort of invisible force hit the water, and threw her from the pool.
Luith almost literally flew down into the valley, his eyes gleaming a sort of violet glow. Samira drew her swords and side-stepped him, swinging in to slice into his back. Luith groaned, stumbling into the ground. Samira stood over him, smiling. "You don't seem as resistant in your smaller form. Pity." She had raised her sword over him, when Luith thrust his hands forward. All Samira saw was a bright green light, and she was thrown back several feet, the front of her clothes erupting in fire.
"On your left!" Link cried, causing the Gerudo holding him to smack him in the back of the head, with the butt of her spear. Stars sparked before his eyes, and he dropped to his knees.
Luith spun around and summoned what looked like a fire whip out of thin air, and snapped it around the oncoming Gerudo, who screeched in pain, and collapsed to the ground. He didn't seem nearly as coordinated or strong in this form, but was evidently resisting the urge to take on his giant form, to avoid damaging the village. It looked as if he was trying to drive the Gerudo back towards the entrance. Unfortunately, it wasn't working.
Three arrows flew, slamming into his back, breaking his concentration. Luith screamed and fell to his knees. The Gerudo took the brief moment of weakness to rush him. A shock wave emitted from his body, knocking them away again. However, that last ditch effort seemed to drain him, and he collapsed fully to the ground.
"Luith!"
"Dad!" Cole rushed down the hill, his eyes starting to spark the same energy as his father. A few of the other citizens had come to witness the fight, and some of them rushed forward to grab Cole. Tears streamed from his eyes, as he tried to pull himself free.
Luith was pulled to his knees, one of the curved blades balanced at the crook of his neck, arms chained just as Link's had been.
Samira stood over him, the Stone shining brightly in her hands. "Any last words."
Luith simply glared at her, his lips curling into a smile. "There's no escape for you. You can't win."
The Gerudo holding the sword, pulled back, when a bolt of energy hit her square in the back, knocking her over. Samira's eyes snapped over to see a subtle haze of smoke surrounding Cole's hands. Luith used the moment of distraction to kick the Diamond from her hand.
The Spiritual Stone spun high into the air. Link realized the lax grip against his arms. He slammed his elbow into one of the guard's stomach, fully breaking her grip, and kicked the others legs from under her. His eyes flicking up to the diamond, he managed to bolt forward, turning in a way so as to catch the Diamond behind his back. Several of the Gerudo lunged at him, but Link avoided them, as well as a few arrows that flew in his direction.
"Link, run!" Luith called
Link glanced around the small valley, soon deciding to rush into the forest. Navi took off to follow. "After him!" Samira called, pointing after Link. Luith jumped up, swinging his arms under him to bring them in front, and held them ready to fight. His magic may be spent, in this form, but that didn't mean he couldn't fight. "You'll have to get past me first."
Link found the Diamond was a real pain to hold in this position. Not to mention the fact that it was still glowing really brightly, and making it nearly impossible to hide. Navi was sitting on the irons around his wrist, reaching a hand in to try and unlock it.
"Hurry, Navi."
"I'm trying. This isn't as easy as it looks." Finally, there was a soft click, and the weight fell from his arms. Relieved, Link pulled his arms around in front to better grip the Diamond. There was a rustle in the bushes that diverted his attention. He clutched the Diamond and ran, trying to factor a way to keep it from glowing so brightly.
Link ducked into a cave, set the Stone down, and pulled off his tunic. He wrapped it around the glowing stone, noting how it at least dulled the glow.
"Why don't you bury it?"
Link contemplated the thought for a while. "I don't like the idea of it leaving my hands."
The distant rustling caught his attention again. They were some ways away, but it still made him nervous. Coming to a decision, Link ran as far back into the cave as he could. He fell to his knees, digging his hands into the surprisingly soft dirt, behind a large bolder, in the corner, and placed the Stone in the hole. Relief washed over him when he pushed dirt over the stone and realized it cut the light off fully.
Link ran to the edge of the cave, peering out for any intruders. Seeing the coast was clear, he ran out a few yards and dropped to his knees again, digging another hole. When it was deep enough, he pushed the dirt over it, and started off again. Navi watched her partner in confusion, as he did this again. Time after time, he darted through the forest, digging more holes. Having grown up in this environment, Link could move through the trees a lot more quietly than the Gerudo, so he always knew where they were. Careful not to start digging anywhere they were near, but also try to make his moves erratic.
"What are you doing?" Navi finally asked after who knows how many holes. Link smeared dirt on his face, as he attempted to wipe his sweaty brow, and started to push the dirt back in the hole. "I'm trying to-" But he was cut off, when an arrow ripped through his arm, knocking him back against the forest floor.
Several Gerudo raced out, and seized him again, locking his arms back in place. One of the Gerudo's snatched Navi from the air, stuffing her in an empty potions bottle. She raged, slamming against the sides. "LET ME OUT! YOU'RE GOING TO REGRET THIS!" One of the white haired Gerudo stood over Link, holding the tip of her sword to his throat. "Nice effort, Brother, but you shouldn't take us so lightly. Take him back to Samira."
The other Gerudo dragged him to his feet, leading him from the forest.
When they got back to the village, there seemed to be even more Gerudo now than before. Many were holding back the on lookers, another mob surrounding Luith, who seemed to be unconscious on the ground.
Link's fought the hold on his arms, wanting to at least check if he was alive.
"Where's my Diamond?" Link's attention was diverted when Samira approached him.
"He doesn't have it on him. He must have hidden it somewhere."
Samira looked Link over, taking his face in her hands, and noticed the smudges of dirt. Link snatched his head from her grip, his eyes landing on Luith again. Luith's eyes were open but he didn't seem to be able to focus. Desperately, Link mouthed, 'it's safe' in hope that he could understand.
Samira was behind him, and her attention had fallen to his hands. "He buried it. How disgraceful." She seemed a bit bitter towards him, and walked back in front.
"You'll never find it." Link growled.
"We shall see. You three, search the forest." She indicated three of the warriors that had taken him from the forest. They stood at attention, then went without a fuss. Samira's attention turned back to Link, taking his head in her hands again, a snide smile spreading across her lips. "This one's coming with us. I have a particular sentence for you."
AN: I'VE FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW I'M GOING TO END THIS! And I broke a record. Typically my chapters are 5 to 8 pgs long, but this one reached AN: 19. Just figure that's a little present for you guys having to wait so long. I've also come to realize that this story is no fun when Link and Knil are apart... bummer. Hope Knil comes back.
