~Chapter 2~
"Yo, Faren!" a voice called out across the courtyard of Hyrule Castle. Faren froze where he stood, apple in one hand and his other flew toward the hilt of his sword in surprise. How he knew that voice so well that he heard it in his sleep; how he hated that voice. He slowly turned his head to look behind him, and a look of agony overtook his expression as he saw his peer, Link.
Link smiled and waved happily. He wore the similar soldier training uniform, a green tunic with chain mail, and in his hand he held a bow. His deep blue eyes shone with his usual cheerfulness as he began to move toward his friend, his blonde hair shone in the sun. Faren tried to smile, but instead got what looked like a grimace. Link took no notice of the look.
"What's up?" Link asked excitedly, reminding Faren of a child who just found out it was Christmas. Faren just wished he could tell the kid that Santa wasn't real, just to wipe that smug grin off his face.
Managing a small smile, Faren answered, "Nothing." He tried to remove his hand from his sword, but it had a mind of it's own; it refused him. To avoid sighing, he asked in return, "What are you doing here?"
Link's smile widened, and he sat down on the low-garden wall. Putting his bow next to him, he stretched and yawned, and Faren could tell that Link wanted something, whatever it was.
"I heard that you went to Kakariko Village, no?" Link questioned. Faren sucked in his breath.
"Yes, I did. Are you here to make fun of my captains? Trust me, I did not see a ghost, so don't bother me," Faren answered coldly, and Link shivered as though an arctic wind just swept through the garden.
"How cruel, I was just wondering." Link rubbed his chin. "Though you're right, I already knew the answer to that question." Faren eyebrows knotted together with irritation, and he raised his hand to throw his perfectly uneaten apple right at Link's head.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry! I was getting to my point! Hold on!" Link pleaded, putting up his arms in defense. "Besides, don't waste that apple! It's bad to waste food!"
Snorting, Faren placed the apple on the wall. Also sitting down, Faren let loose a sigh as he rubbed his temples. He was already tried of Link's constant chatter; it gave him headaches. He stole a glance at Link's face, and saw a white smile shine at him. He couldn't understand why he was so popular with everyone in the castle. No matter where he went, everyone spoke of how Link had great potential to become a great soldier. Oh, he heard often, what a cutie! I just LOVE Link! He's the best swordsman ever!
Faren growled at the thought.
But that Faren, he also heard, is so serious. Why does he look so like Link? They could be twins! He's so cold to Link. Poor Link tries to be nice to that boy but gets nothing in return but a cold shoulder. What a jerk.
It's not my fault, he thought. I just don't like him.
"So, from what I heard your leaders saw a ghost. Well, guess what else I heard!" Link said, his eyes shining even brighter. He picked up his bow and began to fiddle with it. "Go on, Faren, guess!"
Faren shrugged, uninterested. "I don't know, but I have a feeling that you are going to tell me."
"Yup!" Link said gleefully, laughing. Then suddenly, his expression changed. His smile disappeared from his face, and his eyes looked down at his lap. He fingered his bowstring, pulling it back and slightly letting go. It made a soft ping noise as it returned to its taunt position. Faren watched as his companion played with his bow for a moment, then was about to say something when Link looked up.
"The mayor of Kakariko Village sent a crew to explore that well. They say that they were able to find that ghost again, but according to the crew she's alive." Link looked up at the starry sky. "In other words, that girl has been living under that well for years, and no one knew about it."
"Why are you telling me this?" Faren growled angrily. "Why scout me out in this big castle just to inform me that the ghost story is true, and that that ghost is alive and not dead." He snatched his apple up and took a bite out of its red skin. Sweet apple juice filled his mouth, and he calmed down after the taste of his snack.
Link shrugged. "Thought you should know, because after all she isn't like us."
Faren stopped eating to look Link straight in the eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Link smiled at his friend's sudden interest. He loved it when Faren took notice of him; it made it feel as though his efforts to get through it him was worth it. "I mean, she isn't Hylian. She's something else; a race that everyone thought had gone extinct years ago. From what I heard, the last of her species known alive was around fifteen years ago, then she suddenly disappeared. No one knew where she went." Link stood up, his excitement once again rising. "Don't you see, Faren? This is an amazing discovering!"
"I'm still confused," Faren said carefully, "She's not Hylian? Then what is she?"
Giggling, Link answered, "Sheikah. She's a Sheikah."
Faren let himself take a moment to comprehend this. A Sheikah. One of the most mysterious races ever known, a race of shadow. It is said they can talk to the dead, control the shadows, and even live past death. Faren has heard so much about them, yet has never saw one himself. Of course not, he thought, they are extinct. Or, at least, they were.
"So," Link said, breaking into Faren's thoughts, "this news has taken to the interest of the royal family. I mean, after all, the Sheikah once served the Hylian Family. They were their most trusted servants. The family wants to use the girl as their guard, and will have it happen by any means, using any method."
Faren gasped and stood up, dropping his apple in the process. Faren understood what this meant, judging by past actions of the soldiers and the royal family. He jumped in front of Link, so that to make sure that he is not lying. "Are you telling me that they are going to kidnap her?" he asked sharply. Link nodded, looking solemn. He placed his bow on his back, and heaved a sigh.
"If she doesn't cooperate, of course. If she refuses to come, then they will take her by force. I wouldn't really call it kidnapping, though. They have the right to."
Faren's fist clenched together with anger, and he grabbed Link by his collar. Link blink in surprise, but did nothing to stop Faren. Faren's face grew red with his fury, and his words with slurred together as he had trouble speaking.
"The right to? Why the hell would they have the right to?" Faren yelled at Link's face. Link placed his hands on Faren's hands, and coughed slightly. He did not feel comfortable around Faren when he got like this, especially when Faren lost complete control.
"Of course," Link whispered, "after all, the Sheikah vowed to serve the royal family through life and death. They cannot, no matter what, break that vow."
Shinda's heart leaped to her throat in dismay. She was truly horrified, and felt as though her whole life was turned upside-down.
No more than a day later after her terrifying encounter with those strange people, another group of them appeared. Their loud voices echoed through the well's walls, and entered her head, screaming through her mind. She tried to block out the sound, but it still amplified in her soul. The Skulltula that slept by her shot up the wall in fright, and the Wallmaster clung to the ceiling. Shinda reached out to them, but they ignored her. She has never seen her friends like this before, hiding and refusing her. "Wait, don't leave me!" she cried, afraid to be alone. The creatures suck into the shadows, leaving her as bait. "Come back!"
"I heard something!" a voice cried out, and the sound of pounding feet grew louder as the enemies approached. Shinda drew out her shuriken, feeling their sharp edges with her finger. She was not going to let those monsters hurt her or her friends. Her mother's words echoed through her mind.
Shinda, you must never let anyone find you. They will take you away if they do. Stay hidden, my child!
Mother, Shinda thought sadly, if only you were still alive. Then you would know what to do. Shinda's hand shook and large tears formed at the corners of her eyes. If only she was careful! Why did she let herself be seen? What do these creatures want with her? Why are they after her?
A man came into view, causing Shinda to stiffen. The creature was similar to the others from the day before. Hair grew from its face like an infection, and it wore no shirt, exposing Shinda it's bare skin. It has a flat chest, Shinda noted, unlike her mother and herself. It's black beady eyes surveyed the room, carefully noting each crack and corner.
It can't see me, Shinda whispered. I know it can't. It only sees walls and floors; it does not see the doorway like I can. Just like Mother, it cannot see what I see.
Shinda wanted the creature gone. Dead, destroyed, lost in the world of the underworld. Deciding on an action, she raised her shuriken slowly, not wanting to make a noise. It would be weak at the neck for sure. One shuriken is all it takes. Aiming, she found her target, took a step forward to throw her weapon, and…
She didn't get to throw it. "Told ya!" a voice cried out behind her. "This wall is fake! They are all over the darn place." Two men walked through the unseen doorway, coming up right behind Shinda. Taken by surprise, she dropped her weapon, causing the men to jump.
"Good lord, she was about to kill Kye!" the short one cried, pointing an ugly finger at Shinda. Shinda tried to run, but terror ruled her body, gluing her to the floor. Come on, move Shinda, she screamed at herself. Her body, controlled by her emotions, ignored her pleas. Kye, meanwhile, heard his friend's voice, and ran through the wall.
"Though so, stupid wall's not even there!" Kye swore. He saw Shinda and his mouth dropped open. His brown eyes saw Shinda in her attacking position, shuriken on the floor where she dropped it, and another in her left hand. "Holy shit, I could have died!"
The men wasted no time to attack Shinda. "NO!" she screamed, but her cries fell to deaf ears.
Chapter two done! I'm not going to lie, I got lazy with this one. I found this chapter to be somewhat boring to write. Oh well, things should be better soon!
Thanks for reading! I feel so happy when people read my stories. :D Please, I would love to hear from you! Review!
Anyway, thanks again, and look forward to chapter 3. I promise, it will be so much better than this chapter! And longer! When I fail to keep up with my reading, my writing plummets. I promise to do better in the future!
~Maannga