11. PRAISE THE SUN!
Thank you to Andromeda's Protector and LogosLogic for your reviews ^^ There's gonna be a fair amount of fanservice/easter eggs in this chapter.
The feel of a wet drop on his face made Link blink his eyes open to see a dark heavily clouded sky above him as light drops of rain fell from above. With a light stretch he felt two bodies and his eyes darted up feeling the soft warmth he was slowly becoming used to seeing the Gerudo goddess smiling down at him as Link seemed to be laying on her lap with his blonde hair brushing against her flat exposed stomach while her fingers brushed through his hair.
Link discovered he wasn't as shocked anymore though as his gaze dropped he saw a young girl, probably a bit younger than Rodana curled into his side happily napping while half laying on his left side, his hand held to her chest. She wore simple dark green shorts and a sleeveless loose shirt though she wore no shoes, evident by the dirt on the bottom of her feet, her hair was a bright verdant green like leaves with the sun shining through them and the tips of long ears pointed through her hair.
The scene made him smile as he relaxed gently holding her hand while his body relaxed into the Gerudo's body. With another glance around the area he saw that many of the burned trees had fallen over while small trees began to grow again though still only saplings. His gaze then moved to the woman in blue who laid to his right, this time she laid asleep with her face buried in her arms like a child when the curtains were pulled open from a window, the blindfold that once covered her face laid a foot away slowly dissolving into water.
"Wisdom is still searching... Though Courage has awoken..." A high but soft voice caught Link's attention and he looked to the girl in green to see her brilliant green eyes staring up at him with a big smile on her face before a bright golden flash shone from her chest making him close his eyes again from the light.
~X~
As Link's eyes opened this time he found a beautiful golden haired woman laying in front of him still asleep while the sheets draped over them both made it clear they were both naked beneath. A red blush spread across his face as he remembered the night before although it made him hold her a bit closer realizing now where his hands were and they moved slowly rubbing her body feeling her soft curves and the muscle she had developed beneath. Link's eyes closed again as he felt up her back and her leg tightened on his own nestling herself closer and making him feel her breasts against his chest as she made soft sounds under her breath. His hand moved a little lower to her round full ass which made Cindy moan low before her soft lips claimed his again kissing him slow and full of care before she smiled and pulled back.
"Ya know sugar, I think those last few rounds made me sore~3" The woman teased as Link's eyes opened seeing her emerald ones staring into his while her lips were curled into that playful smirk.
"Mmm, is that a no?" Link teased back as he rubbed her body so keenly aware of her her figure flowed together so beautifully. Though that was before Cindy lightly smacked his hand and sat up.
"No." The woman spoke clearly as she sat up letting the sheets fall to her lap exposing her beautiful body and Link noticed the tan lines across her skin though her lips still had that playful smirk as her golden hair fell down across her back while she stretched before getting out of bed. "So what's the plan today sugar?"
"I... Didn't plan that far ahead." Link admitted as he thought about heading to Solvale though he would have to get Volga first, he prayed that Baris hadn't tried to dissect him and sell him in portions.
"Hmmm, so you planned last night?" Cindy commented playfully as she went over to her closet giving him a full view of her full rear and the unruly gold mane that covered her back as she picked through finding clothes.
"Not a chance, you're way out of my league." Link smiled as he sat up seeing his clothes on the floor beside him.
"Hush, don't talk about yourself like that." Cindy snapped the playfulness and teasing in her voice disappeared while she grabbed her clothes.
"Would last night have happened if I was twice as wide?" Link asked her slipping his pants on while he heard her sigh before her hand caught his shoulder and pulled him down onto his back before leaning over him and kissing him deeply upside down. Her warm soft lips silenced him as he reached up brushing his fingers through her hair until she pulled back from him her green eyes serious.
"Yes, it would have happened even if you were a girl with pigtails and wielding crossbows." Cindy said matter-of-factly before leaning up to get dressed in clothes similar to what he had seen her wear before though they were less smudged and dirty. Once she was dressed she slipped her hands around the back of her neck to bring her hair out from her top before reaching out to grab her hat from the bed post.
"You're still half-dressed hero." Link blushed again realizing he had been staring at the woman before sitting back up and grabbing his shirt, mail, and tunic before slipping them on over his head making Cindy chuckle softly.
"Still too much protection for lil ol' me sugar." Cindy teased and blew him a kiss before walking out of the bedroom leaving Link to turn red and glance at the shield that hung from the bed post on his side. At least it didn't pop off again last night.
"You're incredible you know?" Link called out as he finished collecting his things and followed her into her kitchen and living room where she stood by her counter getting a small lough of bread before splitting it in two and tossing him half.
"Oh I know." Cindy responded with that same glimmer in her eyes before turning to open a chest that let out a pale smoke when she opened it and retrieved a jar. "Apple preserves, wanna try?"
"Sure, what is that though?" The blonde asked and moved over to her to see what she was doing as she opened the jar and grabbed a spoon before making a divot in her bread and spooning some of the preserves in and doing the same with his bread before handing it back.
"Oh it's an enchanted chest, it keeps things cold for me, got it a couple years back from a yeti." Cindy explained happily though the information about a yeti shocked him, he knew they were one of the newer races to start integrating but hadn't seen or heard much of them. Link then took a bite of the bread and froze as he tasted the apple infused with brown sugar and quickly devoured the bread. Cindy just giggled however as she ate hers and put away the jaw while sucking the spoon clean. "I call it the Apple Jack Special, named it after one of Talio's fillies."
"It tastes so good, haven't had anything like that since I left home." Link replied though the mirth sapped away as he said so thinking back about his home and how little progress he had made in over a week since he left.
"Hun?..." Cindy quietly tried to get his attention not realizing how long he had been quiet making him smile embarrassed before rubbing the back of his head.
"Sorry about that, got home sick." The young man admitted quietly while Cindy touched his cheek offering him a small smile before walking past him to her table and sitting waiting for him to join her.
"So tell me hero, what are you really doing out here? Besides breaking the hearts of innocent green eyed produce sellers?" She asked him with a soft smile and reaching over to hold his hand.
"I... Long story short, I'm looking for my brother, he went to Castle Town before the lock down, I've had some people say that someone in Solvale can help me so that's probably where I'm heading next." Link said while drawing random patterns on the surface of the wooden table with his finger.
"I know you must be worried, but if he's anything like you I'm positive he's fine." Cindy said reassuringly.
"Bigger, stronger, not as smart." Link replied with a small smile though Cindy caught the brim of her hat and took it off to fan herself with it like she was hot.
"Oh sugar don't tease me like that, I couldn't handle a burly version of you~" The woman swooned playfully loving the look she was getting out of Link as he shot a glare at her before she finally broke out laughing.
"Adopted brother." Link muttered which just made Cindy laugh louder filling the small building with her soft laughter.
"Oh sugar don't be jealous, I told you I'm picky." Cindy smiled leaning over to kiss Link's nose before standing up with a wide grin as she slipped her hat back on. "Well as it happens, I have a shipment coming in from Solvale in soon, I'm sure I could convince them to give you a ride there, though it won't be as much fun as the ride I gave you3"
"Really? That's amazing, thank you so much!" Link stood up shocked that she could make it happen, not because he doubted her just that she was able to help him so much. He rounded the table and pulled her inot him so quick she made a noise of shock before relaxing in his arms and hugging his shoulders. "And I don't think anyone could give me as good of a ride as you did."
"Heh, damn right." The woman smiled into Link's neck taking a moment to relax in the afterglow before she stepped back and gently booped his nose with her finger. "Well let's go hero, I still gotta open the shop and you had better make sure you're ready to head out."
"Yeah you're right." Link answered reluctant to let her step away from him but he remembered Volga as she told him to be prepared. "Fuck..."
"Heh we don't have time, what is it?" Cindy teased as she took him outside and began to lead him through the streets.
"I forgot I need to get a friend before I leave, I left him with Baris last night." Link commented as he followed her not remembering the way they took to get there but figured he found his way to the main street as long as he followed the sounds of people.
"Baris? She had a guy over? I thought she was an explosexual." Cindy commented thoughtfully, he was about to ask how they knew each other but since he was from a small village he figured everyone knew everyone until you got to places as big as Castle Town or Goron City.
"Yeah he was... helping her with a new bomb." Link quietly said not sure what she would think of Volga being a dragon.
"Ah that explains both parts of it." Cindy responded giggling softly. "She has never shown interest in much of anything besides bombs and Rodana."
"Oh, it's good they have each other." Link said in response thinking of them kind of like Ganondorf and himself, though he didn't notice as they stepped out onto the main road.
"Heh, well this is where we part ways for now hero, see ya soon." Cindy smiled and kissed his cheek before heading off towards her store leaving Link to head to the Bomb Emporium to see the fate of his red-scaled friend.
"Baris?... Volga?..." Link quietly called out as he stepped into the dark building only able to make his way through the metal structure thanks to the few streams of light piercing into the building from windows. As he made his way up the stairs to Baris' workshop he heard a loud sound which he instantly recognized as snoring thanks to his brother. The blonde shook his head as he climbed the last few steps and saw Baris asleep at her table with Volga asleep on top of her shoulders. Link couldn't help but smile as he looked around, a large glass jar filled with what looked like red sand was probably shavings of Volga's scales, a pale blue bomb sat in front of Baris without a fuse that she happened to be holding, a few feet away laid his bomb bag filled with the fruits of her efforts.
"Heh... When she sets her mind she works hard." Link spoke softly as he put away the refilled bomb bag before slipping the fuse from her hand and picking up the red head. Volga yawned and shifted at the movement moving along his arm to his shoulder before resting once more while Link carried her up another set of stairs before laying her in her bed and pulling the sheets over her. On his way back down he heard another loud snore that made him grin as he made his way out and locked the door behind him so no one would intrude on her.
"Mmm hey... I changed my mind, she's cool." Volga muttered tired, Link had no doubt the two were up late working though the shift the dragon had over the course of the night amused him compared to the fear of her chopping him up the night before.
"How'd that go by the way?" Link asked while reaching up to pet the dragon noticing he was now distinctly a shade brighter then before.
"Awesome~ She gave me a bath, got tons of soot off, got me like 3 pounds of meat... Mmm... Oh and she just groomed be to get the scales, what she needed was pretty much like dead skin for me." Volga explained spreading one of his wings showing off his shiny bright red scales now polished and devoid of the darkening soot. "So how was your night?"
"It was... Eventful... Got a way to the next town." Link commented quietly while Volga raised one of his brows looking at him.
"Your neck got warmer when I asked that, bad liar." The dragon quipped before laying its head back down leaving the blonde to quietly fume while they made their way to Cindy's shop by Eldin's spring. Although before he opened the door he heard the call of a hawk pierce the sky and looked up for it although the sudden movement shook the dragon. "What are you doing?"
"You didn't hear the hawk?" Link looked over to Volga who closed his eyes once more.
"You're hearing things, there's no hawk, my hearing is better than yours." The dragon commented sure of himself. The attitude the little wyrm was giving him was making him debate dropping the spitfire from his shoulder but he just shook his head before pushing the door open.
"Hey Cindy? I'm back." Link called out since he saw that the 'closed' sign still hadn't been flipped over to 'open'. Volga quietly looked around curious seeing a real shop for the first time and looking over all the fruit and vegetables as Link walked along the counter.
"Yeah hun I'm in the back, one sec!" The woman's voice called out and Link reached up to slip Volga off his shoulders and onto the counter where he began to look around of his own accord. Link continued along to the back and as he stepped through the door way he was hit with a large bag of apples, he had been in this position before. His hands scrambled to grab the bag so it wouldn't hit the ground while he sighed in discomfort from the abrupt assault via fruit. "Good catch, help me stock up."
"Could've given me some warning." Link lightly glared at the woman who simply gave him a huge grin while she herself carried four bags of equal size instantly making him feel inadequate compared to the powerful woman but he shook his head and walked out into the store with her close behind him though her high-pitched eep caught his attention as she froze in place staring at Volga.
"D-D-Dragon..." Cindy quietly stuttered as Volga looked up at her tilting his head before moving along the counter towards her. "It's gonna eat me..."
"No no it's okay this is Volga he's the friend I told you about, I met him on Death Mountain." Link calmly explained reaching over to hold her shoulder, her wide gaze moved to him before nodding while Volga bowed his head towards her respectfully.
"Pleasure to meet you ma'am, from what I've read you have an amazing amount of variety for this section of Hyrule." Volga happily spoke having already looked over each of the stalls positioned around her shop.
"I... Um... Thank you. Volga." She calmed but was confused as the dragon complimented her however she quickly overcame her lapse in composure thanks to Volga inflating her pride. "I'm happy to have some of the best produce available even compared to Castle Town."
"It really is impressive, you have Faronian and Ordonian vegetables, Eldinae and Tabanthan wheat, Hebran roots, Lanayus fruits, and oceanic fruit. Your selection is truly amazing." Volga said while his tail swayed, which as far as Link could tell meant he was interested in the topic. Wait, Hebran and Tabanthan? "Personally I love Gerudan plums."
"Well, well, our hero here never told me he had such a cultured friend." Cindy cooed setting down her sacks of produce before leaning forward to stroke along Volga's neck. "Well, stock from the Gerudo, Tabantha, and Hebra areas are pretty rare... Buuuut I've got a secret stash and you're just the cutest little thing."
"Where are Tabantha and Hebra?.." Link asked out of hand though the looks he got from Cindy and Volga instantly made him feel stupid as Cindy walked behind her counter and Link heard a chest open before she came back up and set a bright purple round fruit with small fleshy spikes covering it down before Volga who instantly bit into it eating happily.
"Well you are from the boonies if you haven't heard of them. Tabantha is a relatively new territory to the North-West of Hyrule, it's mostly made up of snowy mountains and the Yetis occupy the area, it used to be a part of Lanayru but the Zora really aren't interested in the cold. Tabantha is between the Gerudo Desert and the Tabantha Tundra, it's easiest to call it highlands and the area was recently explored and found a new race lives there, the Rito tribe, a civilization like the Goron or Zora." Cindy explained while she pet Volga and met Link's gaze, the information was amazing to think that whole new areas of Hyrule were still being discovered and explored, though it wasn't that surprising since the mountain range beyond Kakariko and Death Mountain hid a vast ocean that spanned far to the south ringing Faron and Ordon.
"That's awesome, wonder if I'll be able to see it some day." Link commented thinking of the highlands Cindy spoke of unaware of the huge smile she wore happy to see such a look on the young boy.
"So pure, that's one of the reasons I chose you." The woman commented before looking down at Volga whose face and claws were covered in purple juice from the plum. With a soft peck of her lips on his scaled head she slipped away to grab her produce again and begin to fill the stalls. "Come on hero, help me before my shipment gets here."
"R-Right sorry." Link stammered as he moved to where he remembered the apples were and began to fill it while Cindy danced around making the job look effortless and coming to drape herself over his shoulders done with her four sacks by the time he was done with his one.
"Mmm thanks sugar." Cindy whispered in his ear before kissing below it and slipping away stealing the empty sack from his grasp while Link was left standing there blushing. "Flip the sign for me?"
Without an answer the young Hylian moved like he was mindless to the door and flipped the sign that hung behind the glass for her while Cindy got a wet cloth and began to wipe down her counters and wiping away the little juice leftover from Volga's snack, who had now transferred to her shoulder.
"Mk and that's done." Cindy happily said looking over her shop ready to do business as she grabbed a jug from behind the counter and proceeded to walk over to him hooking an arm around Link's before going out the door with him in tow. The bright light of the sun made Link wince as he moved with Cindy letting her guide him while his eyes adjusted as she pushed him down onto a bench, and as his vision came into focus he saw her smiling above him before moving to sit beside him and taking a drink from her jug before offering it to him.
"What is it?" Link asked cautiously taking it and sniffing it which earned him a jab in the side from the woman.
"It's juice, dork, I wouldn't give a kid booze." Cindy shot him a look jabbing at him for the assumption. With a shrug he trusted her and took a drink tasting the sweet yet tangy flavor, after another drink he handed it back while she smiled and watched him. "Can you tell what it is?"
"it's familiar, like strawberries." Link commented as he thought about the taste.
"Exactly, Fresh from the base of the volcano, the ash and heat bring out their flavor better than wild strawberries." Cindy happily responded but as her gaze moved she sighed while a wagon pulled up and a young girl happily waved at Cindy. As she hoped down Link saw a cascade of straight pink hair and pale alabaster skin as she ran over to hug Cindy as she stood up. "Hey Shy, how was the trip?"
"B-Bumpy, but ok-kay." The young girl answered happily before seeing Link and shifting behind Cindy as she peeked at him. "H-Hi."
"This is Cheyenne, she brings me some of the best roots around, though she's so bashful I just call her Shy for short." cindy explained with a smile as she ruffled the pinkette's hair. "Shy this is Link, I wanted to ask if you could take him back to Solvale with you, he's helped out Kakariko a lot and I wanna return the favor."
"I g-guess I could, c-can he shoot a b-bow though? I-I was going to hire s-someone anyway." Shy asked quietly looking between the two blondes.
"Can he shoot a bow? Of course he can shoot a b- you can shoot a bow right?" Cindy started confidently before realizing she had no idea and looked back to the Hylian who quietly pulled a bow from his sack.
"I hunt for my village, so yeah I can shoot." Link confirmed which made Cindy regain her grin and pat Shy's head.
"See? You got an archer!" The woman declared before moving around to the back of the wagon and grabbing a few sacks of the roots she had mentioned and taking them inside.
"Nice to meet you." Link offered with a smile holding his hand out to the pinkette though she simply stepped back and her turquoise eyes darted over him. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."
"It's ok-kay, it not y-you." The girl offered with a small smile her hair falling to cover one of her eyes before she moved around to the front of the wagon to pet her horse. Volga and Link quietly watched and before either could do anything else Cindy kissed his cheek out of nowhere.
"well this is it hero, come back to see me some time okay?" The woman asked with a smile while Shy moved around to climb onto the wagon.
"Yeah, I'll try to." Link answered with a small smile while Volga nodded.
"Good, Shy take care of my boys okay?" Cindy called over to her friend who smiled at her and nodded her head. Cindy returned her smile before moving so that Link could climb into the back of the wagon. "And you both look out for her."
"You got it, thanks again Cindy, for everything." Link spoke softly looking into the woman's emerald eyes.
"Don't mention it sugar, now get before you make me blush." Cindy chided him before stepping away and waving to Shy who then moved the reigns and making the horse move forward. As they moved along the main road Link waved back to Cindy who used her hat to wave back sending them off.
"Hm she's extraordinary." Volga happily commented pleased with their progress and Cindy herself while Link smiled and watched her head back inside.
"Yeah tell me about it." Link responded softly before finally sighing and looking ahead as the narrow path Shy took out of Kakariko passed the path up to Death Mountain and slowly began to spread open into a large canyon.
Link now understood why she was looking for protection, a spot like this could be a death trap if someone was organized enough to try and take on a caravan moving through the canyon. Better safe than sorry, Link reached back to get an arrow and set it in his bow while he kept a look out feeling antsy as he saw large outcroppings coming up that looked almost like giant roots spanning the canyon like stitches.
"And if you look deep in her eyes~ She will put you in trances~" Cheyenne sang quietly to herself, she didn't seem to worried as she kept to herself, Link figured she wasn't concerned since she had just made the journey through here. With her carefree attitude he relaxed a bit while Volga slept on his shoulders still recovering from his all-nighter with Baris.
As they passed under the stone pillars he saw a few birds and lizards but nothing out of the ordinary like Bokoblins though the sudden dip of the road made Link's heart jump and pulling his gaxe forward again. Seeing they had reached the vast Eldin plain though as he looked back he saw a steep ramp roughly 3 feet in height where the canyon spilled out to the road they were on now.
"Hehe, it g-gets everyone the first t-time, they say the pl-plain fell a few feet wh-when the other land f-fell." Cheyenne softly explained, though before Link could ask the bright reflection of the sun caught his attention to the East where it glittered off the ocean. It was the first time Link had ever seen the ocean and he was silenced by the huge expanse of water that sprawled out to border the plain. "I know it's pr-pretty but keep your op-pen."
"Right, got it." Link shook his head after Cheyenne's warning and steeled his focus just as he heard a monstrous cry and looked up in time to see a beast that looked like some kind of mutated hawk diving towards them. With a firm pull on the bowstring, Link's other arm raised the bow aiming on a dime to fire his arrow straight into the creature's eye socket downing it in one shot. However as he reached for another the wagon lurched forward putting him off balance as his gaze shot forward anticipating another threat. However he was completely mistaken as Shy was now leaning forward and the horse had shot forward like an arrow and she was leading it like an expert.
"Watch the ground!" Shy called back and Link moved around to get a better vantage around him while drawing another arrow in his bow. The ground around them seemed to twist before puffs of dirt shot up a few yards ahead of their path, what looked like green blobs with teeth emerged and started toward the wagon but Link fired before they could move more than an inch. He didn't know what they were but he was sure they were the problem. The rough speed of the wagon forced Link to crouch or risk getting thrown from the wagon though he could still see well enough and could hear the grinding of the dirt as they emerged over the galloping of the horse. "Almost there!"
Link looked up ahead of them to see what looked like a city wreathed in twilight as it seemed to shine like metal. More than that though there looked like there was a bubble over the city and they were coming up on it fast. A few more of the blobs appeared along the road but Link quickly shot them down with no issue. However with his focus on the road he had neglected the sky and after he had let the last arrow fly he saw another of the flying creatures however it's beat was no less than a foot from his chest and he felt time slow to a crawl. In that single instant a tint of gold passed over his eyes and the back of his hand as he grabbed the handle of his sword and swung with all the force his one arm would muster cleaving the bird apart with a Mortal Draw. Time snapped back just as quickly as it slowed and Link closed his eyes as blood showered his arm and the halves of the bird fell to the road moments before they passed through the barrier.
"What was that..." Link quietly looked at his sword not even sure how it ended up in his hand or how he managed to react like that.
"The fliers are Kargaroc and the blobs are Leevers." Shy answered out of turn not even looking back at Link as she coaxed the horse to calm down as hey trotted toward what looked like the main street for the city. Although rather than heading down the road Cheyenne pulled up along side the first building and slowing to a stop.
"Th-thank you for your service s-sir, we have arrived." Now she turned to look at him and let out a nervous eep seeing the creature's blood that soaked his sword and arm. Her hands closed over her mouth as she looked it up and down before grabbing a jug that sat behind her in the wagon and handing it to him. "w-water... so you c-can wipe it off."
"Thank you, for this and the ride." Link offered her a light smile as he uncorked the the jug and poured some of the water along his arm directing the flow to the ground beside the wagon as best he could while seeing the dark crimson leave the iron and green of his tunic. Satisfied with the low amount of water he used Link resealed the jug before setting it down and hoping out of the wagon which woke Volga and his claws clung to his chain mail.
"What happened? Where are we?" Volga tiredly asked looking around at the few buildings that were in view from where they were. Link just shook his head before looking back to Shy.
"We'll be on our way, thanks again." Link bowed his head to the girl which earned him a light smile and she nodded before whipping the reigns again directing her horse along the outer edge of the city. After she had gone a fair distance Link turned o round the corner and head down the road enjoying the views the city had to offer. The large buildings certainly stood out including the shine everything seemed to have as people looked around at vendors like Kakariko but their were bigger buildings as well though Link wasn't sure what they were.
"Come one! Come all! See the magnificent sword swallower perform!" A man called out standing on a stage long the wall of one of the buildings, as far as he could tell it was an act of some sort but he didn't really have time for it or the blood bath from the act going wrong.
"This is Solvale?" Volga quietly asked looking around at all the people while Link moved down the street.
"Seems so, guess the name should have given it away." Link commented while he looked at a few of the larger buildings with people going in and out while shielding his eyes from the reflected light. However his stride was interrupted as he walked into something extremely hard making him fall back.
"Ow what the hell is a wall doing in the middle of th- ...uh oh." Link began to complain rubbing his head before he looked up and instantly regretted not paying attention. Before him stood not a wall but a man, a man easily two heads taller than his brother and almost twice as wide built out of muscle from what he could tell. "I... I'm sorry."
"Nonsense! I'm sorry my boy!" The man declared as he bent down to offer Link a hand and help him up. He looked nice enough despite his huge stature, a blonde handlebar mustache hid his mouth while a simple curl of hair sat atop his bald head and his blue eyes stared into Link's with an intensity that made the young man pause before taking the man's hand. Once he had, the man's large hand closed around his and pulled him up off the ground with a bit more air than Link expected and he staggered to keep his footing as his feet hit the ground. "I was standing here debating on what kind of book I wished to get from the library today, I recently finished a tome detailing the properties of all of the fauna in the Eldin region and it was quite exhilarating indeed!"
"It's no problem sir, I wasn't watching where I was going." Link quietly explained surprised such a muscle-bound man enjoyed reading, guess you can't judge a book by it's cover.
"It's quite fine young man, I am Alexander Strongarm, if I may ask what were you looking for? I've lived here for quite some time so I'm positive I cane be of assistance!" Alexander proclaimed proudly as his head gleamed briefly from the light. Wait was that a sparkle?...
"I'm Link, right now I'm looking for someone called Magus, two men named Talio and Renado told me he could help me get somewhere." Link explained though the look on the man's face instantly changed from happy to suspicious as he began to look Link over noting the traces of blood covering his arm.
"Well then young man, I have good and bad news for you. I know Magus personally, however I am also his bodyguard, and you can see how it looks to have someone randomly looking for my employer, covered in weaponry and sporting blood stains." Alexander explained which boosted his spirits but instantly dashed his hoped as well. He looked over himself quietly not meaning to come off as a threat but considering the man's job he understood what he meant. "I'm sorry young man but I can not in good conscience take you to hi-"
"Is that a dragon?" A voice cut off Alexander from behind Link and he spun quickly to see a tall man in dark glasses and a trench coat inspecting Volga on his shoulder. As the dragon looked back at him still not terribly used to people. "How much you want for him? Immortality would be nice."
"My friend is not for sale." Link glared at the man and reached up to grab the handle of his sword while Volga let out a sound and disappeared down Link's shirt. However a powerful force surrounded his forearm and Link looked back to see Alexander stopping him from pulling the blade free.
"Now now, no need to get violent, I respect you wanting to protect your friend, Alexander he's fine." the man waved his hand toward Alexander and the man's hand released Link's arm which he slowly lowered while Volga's head popped up under Link's chin looking at the man.
"Magus I presume?" Link asked putting together Alexander's rather forceful change in demeanor once Link had become hostile.
"The one and only, the grand architect of Solvale, I even created the barrier you passed through, it keeps the monsters out." The man claimed proudly with a smile, his voice boisterous and filling the block they stood on. Now that Link got a better look at him he took note of a green crystalline scepter that he held in his hand like a cane though it looked obviously magical.
"I'm Link, I was told you could get me into Castle Town." Link said quietly not expecting the man before him to in fact be the person who built the city.
"Ah yes, I can make that happen. Walk with me." Magus said before walking past Link and Alexander expecting them to follow though Link and Volga shared a look before following after him. "As I said before I built this city myself, that clock tower? Built it. The strip club? Built it. The Library?... I did not build that. Alexander they have a permit correct?"
"Yes sir." Alexander responded promptly to Magus' question.
"Ah good, we also have a variety of shops and services here. The black smith's guild for arms and armour. The weaver's guild for clothing. The assassin's guild. The alchemist's guild which our friend Alex takes part in. The butchery, which works with the assassin's guild from time to ti- I should look into that. Alex make note please." Magus listed a variety of places while leading Link through the city and gesturing to the mentioned places before pausing to think about the connection between the wholesale murder of people and the sale of fresh meat. Link paused briefly looking at the shields on display outside the blacksmith's shop, though as he did Magus lowered his shades looking at the clockwork shield on his back. "Oh wow you found my shield!"
"Your shield?" Link quietly questioned looking at it over his shoulder before slipping it off.
"Yeah I was working on that a year or two ago when it got stolen."' Magus explained as he took the shield and examined it fondly. "I've made better designs but man does it take me back.
"It sucks... It left me when I fought a lava beast and came back when I was... naked." Link complained before catching himself still shy about his night.
"Hey hey to be fair, it wasn't completed, where did you find it?" Magus said in the shield's defense while flipping it over and messing with the components, his staff standing on its tip effortlessly.
"At the top of Death Mountain." Volga commented as he watched Magus tinker leaving Link somewhat bored before Magus handed it back to him.
"There ya go, for the most part it was a priority issue and I've also reconnected the energy barrier so it can deflect magic attacks now." The man said happily while Link looked over the shield quietly, still looked like the same scrap that had left him defenseless on a volcano but he shrugged taking the man's word for it.
"Thanks, so about Castle town?" Link began to question as Magus nodded his head and grabbed his staff before beginning to lead him once more.
"The issue with your request is that Solvale is a very... neutral place, I won't go out of my way to deal with threats facing Hyrule unless said threat ultimately threatens Solvale, you can imagine how the kingdom sees us. So in light of that, I can get you in but it won't be easy." The rather ecliptic man explained while he lead Link down a few streets until they reached a large building with a glittering golden sign.
"The Hive?" Link quietly read aloud while Magus stepped inside opening the door with a gesture of his emerald staff.
"Why yes this is my lounge and home, I find pleasures should be kept close at hand while relaxing." The man said as Link followed him in and almost instantly his nose was assailed with an extremely sweet scent like perfume and honey mixed together. A firm though gentle hand caught his back as Alexander politely ushered him further. It seemed the large man didn't quite fancy the Hive either, Link couldn't guess why but as he followed Magus onto the floor a deep red blush formed on his face. He could guess now.
Hordes of women flitted about the area clad in skimpy insect themed outfits with glittering wings attached to their backs while they served the men and women lounging in booths with drinks and cigars, the floor was jet black while the booths were clad in purple velvet and pink and purple lights moved through the lounge coloring the smoke.
A light cough pushed through Link's throat as the smoke of the patrons finally hit him though he stayed focus on Magus and followed him along the edge of the room while graciously moving out of the way of the women. Link's gaze narrowed slightly not sure what to think of the man as he continued along before passing through another set of doors. Before Link stepped through the doors he felt rumbling under his feet and that alone made him nervous as he followed the man inside.
Link froze mid-stride seeing a large track of some sort dug into the ground with two black orbs racing underneath a steel grate. Women in shiny black plate walked around the room taking bets from people that leaned on the barrier watching as the orbs raced along the track. In Link's momentary hesitation he lost track of Magus and looked around for the man for a few moments before he finally caught site of him. He sat at the back of the room in a large booth all his own with a girl in his lap around Link's age with blonde hair down up in pig tails and what looked like gems on her cheeks, that much was strange but Link could swear he saw her wings twitching on the bee girl's back as he approached to stand at the side of the booth.
"Ah Link my boy, this is Agathia my favorite girl here and my personal waitress." Magus told him though Link simply raised his eye brow. The girl in question simply giggled curled into his side as she fluttered her long lashes at Link wh looked back while tilting his head slightly, she was cute sure but he guessed Cindy made his taste more... womanly?
"Um nice to meet you? Magus how is this relevant?" Link looked back to the man now aware of he emerald and amethyst rings worn on his fingers that clutched the emerald staff.
"Manners young man, and I see you eyeing my scepter, a great magician in dark purple armor gave it to me when I was a boy, he said it has the power to send people to a shadow realm but I can never quite get it to work." Magus commented blandly and aiming the wide end with the large crystal set into it at a man chained to the wall before a swirling black mass appeared that simply made the man disappear. "It creates a gravity well that just crushes people... Oh don't worry about him though, he was imprisoned on four counts of child rape."
Link could only stare at where the man had been, the only remnants left were the few drops of blood on the shackles that now hung from the wall. While the man's status as a criminal did dull Link's compassion it still felt off to see someone killed so callously. With a quick shake of his head Link looked back at the scepter taking note of the shape before pointing to the tapered end opposite the orb.
"Have you tried the other end?" Link quietly offered which made Magus laugh loudly filling the room though no one but Link Agathia and Alexander seemed to notice.
"Oh that's rich, you see the big crystal here? That is typically the place where magic comes from. It's not like I can just flip it around and say 'I banish you to the realm of shadows!' and expect it to wo-" While Magus was laughing and speaking he actively flipped the scepter around holding it like a wand but before he could finish what he was saying a black bolt shot out underneath a barrel in the corner beside them and black hands shot up out of a portal grabbing onto the barrel and pulling it within before the portal closed with the echoes of the damned disappearing from the air. "Well... I was wrong, we never speak of this again."
"Right..." Link silently said while rubbing the back of his head noticing that Alexander seemed to have taken his leave while his charge was in his home, as far as Link could tell. Volga however had disappeared into Link's shirt again probably frightened by on or both of the magic forces they both had just witnessed.
"So anyway back on topic... Tell me why you need to get into Castle Town." Magus calmly shifted the subject while idly spinning the magic staff between his fingers looking at Link through his dark glasses.
"My brother left our home before the darkness fell to tell the castle about the monster we fought, I left to follow after him but I was told they were under lock down and that you could help me. So I ended up here, Talio and Renado suggested I look for you." Link calmly explained hearing a bout of cheering and boos from the patrons as a race seemed to be completed.
"Ah, both good men, Talio is gifted with horses which I love and Renado helped take care of Agathia not too long ago when she was fiercely ill." Magus spoke calmly and looking at the bee girl fondly when he spoke of her. "Well if both of them are endorsing you then I can't very well turn you down, however I will require a favor from you in the future, nothing too taxing I'm sure, what do you say?"
"You've got a deal, I have to find my brother." Link quietly agreed as his Blue eyes stared into Magus's with shear determination.
"Good, good, now then." Magus stated with a large smile before tapping the end of his scepter against the floor and a crate materialized beside the man's large seat. "Let's get started."