Please forgive my lack of updates and accept this long chapter. ;_; I mean, really, it's eight pages long! That's the longest one by far! 4'013 words!
We reached Kakariko.
Okay, I wasn't here for this part, but I already knew what happened.
Malo and Beth were chatting in the middle of the road when the Kung Bublin guy came on his ugly boar, scaring the two shit-less.
Malo ran, Beth stayed, and Colin pushed her out of the way.
The Bublin had Colin when Link and I came in.
"Link, you Boomerang!" I shouted, and Link pulled it out from beneath his shield and tossed it at me, though we didn't slow our pace.
We reached Hyrule field, and the 'King' was already blowing his horn, summoning more of his minions.
"Take the minions." Link said, just loud enough for me to hear.
I nodded briskly, snapping my left hand. Fire sparked with that snap, and it soon covered my whole arm, not damaging my clothes.
We separated soon enough, and I raced off, chasing the minions while Link disappeared.
-x-
Lemme tell ya, these guys were a PAIN. I got a ton of scratches and burns from their fire arrows, and I was surprised that I, being able to control fire, didn't affect fire being able to hurt me.
I raced to the bridge of Eldin, just in time for the 'show' to begin, with the Bublin setting both sides of the bridge on fire.
Link calmed down the slightly spooked Epona, then the fight begun. And within two spin attacks, the Bublin fell off the side of the bridge, allowing Link to grab Colin.
I killed the fire on the little gates to let Epona jump back out. Man, she was panting. Poor thing.
"Thanks for your help." Link panted.
"Let me take Colin. Just until we reach Kakariko." I held out my arm.
"Why?" His voice was suspicious.
"Because Epona is tired as hell. The last thing she needs is more weight on her."
Link pondered for a few seconds before draping the knocked out boy over my arm, and I pulled him onto Sólsetur. "Come on." I said, taking off for the village.
We got there to everyone gathered near the spring, surprised at how beat up I was, when Link was the one who did most of the work.
I hopped off Sólsetur with very little grace, picking the boy up and placing him down on his back, just so Link can go and hold him up.
"Link…" I heard him murmur. "Is everyone… OK?" He asked, still a little out of it. "Good…" He said after a few seconds. "Beth… I'm sorry. You know… for shoving you… Are you mad?"
Beth's eyes widened slightly and she shook her head quickly.
I quickly washed off most of the blood, not caring about the cuts, just as long as I looked neat. I got tired of waiting, so I went on my way to the mountains, and Link didn't know that I stole his boots. He was too worried over stupid Colin.
I mean, really. That kid gets captured more than Zelda! Well, not THAT much, but still, quite a lot.
Sólsetur walked by me, already having a bond. "Sólsetur…" I sighed. "You have to stay here, okay?" I patted the horse's nose to hear him whinny sadly and softly. "Sorry, boy." I kissed his nose and started to climb up the railing.
And I heard Link call my cousins name just as I reached the top. I turned around and saw him get off Epona, so I quickly ducked so he didn't see me, strapping on the boots.
"Oh! You back again, human? You will never pass! You cannot hope to match our brute force!" He curled up into his ball and started charging at me, and I got into a defensive position.
I latched my hands onto his rock-hard body, then, with a loud grunt, I tossed him over my shoulder and off the ledge, just missing Link's head.
He looked at me with a look of 'how the fuck did you do that?', then quickly shook it off and looked at me with anger. "What are you doing?" He asked, watching me unlatch the boots.
"The job." I replied curtly, turning around and starting to walk off, if only he didn't grab my shoulder.
"That's not what I meant. Why didn't you wait for me?" He turned me around, and I sighed.
"Because I don't like waiting."
"Not even to see if Colin's okay?"
"He's fine, Link." I slapped his hand off of my shoulder. "Calm down. As long as he has someone like you, everyone will be fine. Why would you care if I got ahead of you, anyway?"
"Because we're supposed to be a team!" He shouted.
"How can we be a team when you're worried about your friends?" I shouted back.
"Oh, is it not good that I care about them? Well, sorry that you don't have anyone to care about! Maybe if you opened up to me a litt—"
I cut him off. "You want me to open up? Fine! I'll open up! My father and brother abandoned my sister, mother and I when I was three, my mother lost it and moved in with her sister, taking us with her. We lived there for six years then moved to the other side of the nation, just so my mother could see my brother again! My brother's a smoker and he drinks himself silly all the time! My sister and I never speak anymore after she left me, and then my mother left me to be on my own when I was twelve!"
Link's eyes widened as I spilled everything out to him.
I was panting; the shouting took my breath out of me. "There. I opened up." I pivoted on my heel and stomped away, though I was only able to take two steps, because Link grabbed my arm, twisted me around, and pulled me into an embrace.
"What're you—"
"Don't talk." He ordered in a harsh tone. "I know you've wanted one for a while."
I was shaking, but I didn't know if it was because I was mad, or because he was true. I slowly wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning my forehead on his chest.
A few moments passed, and I gently pushed him off of me. "We need to get going." I turned around and started walking, ignoring Link's sigh, and probably the roll of his eyes.
We reached the main area after throwing some Gorons over our shoulders. "Look." I pointed up at a couple of Gorons talking to each other, then one curled into a ball, the other one climbed on, and was then shot into the air.
"Look out!" Link shouted, suddenly pulling me away as a large rock on fire landed where we were just standing.
"Those are…" I scrambled to my feet, pulling Link with me as another one crashed next to us. There was a huge shadow that came over the middle of the area, and a large, no, HUGE, tall boulder smashed into the ground, making the ground shake, and making me balance on Link.
"Whoa…" Midna said, peeking out of Link's shadow. "This looks dangerous… Is this the common Death Mountain welcome?" She giggled, then went back into Link's shadow.
"Come on." I pulled Link's boomerang out from beneath his shield. "Let's get to the top." I said, walking over to a Goron that pulled its fists up.
It swung, but I ducted, making it lose its balance. I then threw the boomerang at it and it immediately curled.
"Come on." I said, glancing at Link before hopping onto the rock creature.
-x-
We 'defeated' a few more Gorons before we reached the inside of the mountain, where we were welcomed by about six Gorons charging at us.
Link and I got into a defensive position, but they stopped when they heard, "ENOUGH."
We turned to the entrance of the dungeon, where Gor Coron was walking in. "Are these young ones such imposing enemies that you must all gang up on them? I think not, Little Brothers." He put his hands on his hips and told us to go over to him, which we did.
"I am a Goron elder, little humans. I am called Gor Coron." He introduced. "Because of certain… circumstances, I must lead the Goron tribe in place of Darbus, our trial patriarch. Tell me, little humans, do you come from the village below?"
"Sort of…" Link squinted one side of his face. "I come from a village called Ordon."
Gor Coron nodded understandingly. "And you?" He turned to me.
"I come from Castle Town." I replied with a small shrug.
"You two have done well to come this far. You are strong… for humans. However…" He turned slightly and crossed his arms to seem more intimidating. "The mines beyond here are sacred to my tribe. Outsiders are not allowed. Unless…"
Link bowed his head slightly and starred at the elder with an intense gaze.
That made him smile. "I could make an exception… but you have to beat me in a contest of power. Are you willing to try that, little human?"
Link glanced to me before nodding. "I accept."
"Very good." Gor Coron then walked over to the arena, and Link strapped on his iron boots.
"Be careful…" I muttered, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Link smiled at me. "I'll be fine." He said before dragging his feet to the 'stage'.
I stood by two Gorons and crossed my arms, watching them.
Link easily beat the elder.
"Young warrior… You have a strong will… and sharp eyes. Fine traits… Want to see how well you can use them?"
Link wobbled down to our level, struggling with his iron boots still on.
"You have seen it, I would bet… The mountain, erupting without pause… When the mountain began to rage, all four of us elders and Darbus, our patriarch, went inside to investigate its anger." He explained when I was at Link's side again.
"We have a treasure that was entrusted to us by the spirits, and we must protect it. Do you understand?"
We both nodded.
"But the moment Darbus reached out and touched the treasure… everything went wrong. He collapsed… and before our very eyes transformed into an unspeakable monster!
"He began to rage through the mines, trailing ruin behind him… and the eruptions grew more frequent and more severe. We used all of our strength to seal him deep inside the mountain… It… grieved us to do this to our patriarch… but we had no other course of action.
"I ask this favor of you, young warriors… Go to the aid of Darbus! Make no mistake, the spirits have guided you here. I, Gor Coron, need your help… On behalf of our entire clan, I ask for your aid! You two!" He turned to the two Gorons blocking the entrance. "Let the young warriors pass!" He ordered, and the two Gorons moved away right away.
"Be careful." He called to us as we ran inside.
"Whoa!" I exclaimed when I felt the intense heat blast in my face.
"Did you expect it to be cold or something?" Link teased as we made our way down the steep area.
~xx~
We were now at the mini-boss area, Dangoro.
"Come on." Link took my hand and pulled me forward, but I stopped at the edge of the stable metal.
"I can't…" I muttered, looking up at him with a nervous expression.
"Why not?" He asked, looking at me with a confused look.
"I have a feeling that that platform is gonna give way… And without the iron boots, I'm most likely gonna fall off." I tucked some hair behind my ear nervously.
Link turned back to look at the platform, and then sighed. "I guess your right…" He muttered, before turning back to me.
I put my hands on his cheeks. "Be careful, okay?" I said, smiling very weakly.
Link smiled back and hugged me quickly. "I will." He said, his dirty blond hair tickling my neck as it brushed against it.
I felt his hand slip out of mine as he ran to the arena.
"Whoa… Human?" The Goron asked, surprised. "What business does human have coming here? None! No business! This is a forbidden place! I will protect this treasure from you!" The Goron leapt high into the air and landed in front of Link, the four chains snapping and sending them into the lava.
"Link!" I shouted, running to the edge and getting onto my hands and knees, watching them from high above.
-x-
Link eventually finished off Dangoro, and the lava level rose so the platform was back at its normal level.
The first thing I did was run over to Link and hug him, after almost tripping over myself. "Are you okay?" I asked, pulling back and looking at him, my hands holding onto his arms.
"I'm fine." Link replied breathlessly. "I'm just tired…" He smiled weakly.
"Come on, drink this." I pulled out a red potion and held it to Link, but he refused. "Too… tired…"
"Aw, come on!" My head fell back in exaggeration. "You're so lazy!" I laughed, then put the bottle to his lips and pushed it up a little so he could drink it, which he did.
"You baby." I said, tucking the bottle away. "Come on." I slipped my hand into his and pulled him out of the room and into the next one.
I opened the chest and showed him the Hero's bow, where he looked nervous. "What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't really know… how to use a bow…" He rubbed the back of his neck, though he was still holding my hand with the other.
I rolled my eyes. "Lucky for you, I do. I'll teach you how when we're done here." I turned around and shot two ropes that held a door up, allowing it to smash into place.
We ran through and activated the Beamos (such a wise name). "Watch this." I said with a smirk, kneeling to the ground and shooting all of the rubies on the first try.
"Whoa…" Link's head fell to the side stupidly. "Hopefully I can get as good as you."
I laughed. "If you practice for about eleven years, sure." I nudged his side playfully, collecting the rupees and whatnot from the chests.
~xx~
We were standing in front of the Boss' Room, just… looking up at it.
"You ready?" I asked after a few moments.
Link gulped. "Yeah." He turned to look at me, and I could see the nervousness in his gaze.
"Hey, I can control fire, man. We'll be fine." I patted his shoulder.
"Yeah, but…" Link looked to the door before looking at me again. He looked at me like he wanted to say something, but he didn't.
I leaned in and kissed his cheek lightly. "We'll be fine." I said with a small smile. "Just… be safe in there."
Link took a deep breath through his nose. "You too." He then shoved the key into the lock, helping me open the doors.
It was dark inside, and the huge bear-like beast was sleeping in the middle, though he was all chained up.
We walked forward until his gem started to glow in a threatening way. He started roaring, before lighting himself on fire.
Link took out his sword and shield, almost as an instinct.
Fyrus then snapped his chains off and roared again.
Twilit Igniter: Fyrus. I thought in my head, which was what the screen would say right about now.
"What now?" Link shouted over the roaring and clanking of chains.
"This!" I shouted back, taking aim and firing at the creature, making him swing his arms around. "Go grab onto the chains and pull!" I shouted, and Link was already running behind him, putting on his iron boots and tripping Fyrus, sending him to the ground.
I took out an arrow and started hacking away at the gem before Link came, pulling out his sword and slashing at it until he got to his hands and knees.
"Run!" I shouted, taking his arm and pulling him away from the beast.
Fyrus got to his feet and roared, sending out a wave of fire.
I stood in front of Link and sent the fire in different directions from us, though it took some of my magic away. After that, I took aim again and fired, making Link run behind him and trip him, once again.
We finished him off after about three or four times.
His gem was spewing something at us, and he flailed for a few seconds before the gem exploded into a heart container.
HE then exploded, and his epidermis formed into the second Fused Shadow, and Midna popped out.
She congratulated us, told us the obvious, then told us about Zant and how we're basically never gonna defeat him.
She then opened up a portal for us.
"Are you okay?" Link asked when he saw me lean on my knees, panting.
"Yeah. Just tired from using my magic too much…" I laughed weakly. "Go get the… container." I steadied my breathing, then straightened myself out and walked over to Midna.
We were teleported back to the spring, where Eldin was waiting.
"Heroic Link… Heroic Noel… North of here, across the plain and past the great stone bridge… in the lands guarded by the spirit Lanaryu… You shall find the one you seek…"
Link stiffened slightly, then gasped a little when he saw the group standing a few feet from us, Luda helping Colin, though he fell about halfway.
Link ran over to his side and gripped his shoulders gently.
"Ilia…" Colin said, lifting his head to look up at Link. "You've got to save Ilia! Those monsters left me with the other kids, but they must've taken her somewhere else!"
Link gasped a little.
"Whenever I thought I couldn't go on, I would think of you and Ilia and hold on, Link…" He looked at me for a few seconds, and then got back to his feet.
"See? I… I'm fine now." He nodded a little, and Link smiled lightly.
"Remember what I told you back in Ordon, Link?" Colin went on. "So you don't have to worry about me anymore! Go save Ilia!"
"Leave the children to me." Renado walked over to us. "I will watch over them. I swear it."
But he didn't say he'd protect them… I thought.
"Do not let their fates trouble you. Go to those who need you. In Hyrule, countless tales are told of the ancient Hero… And your deeds bring them all to mind… May the graces of the great goddesses who shaped Hyrule bear you on your way." He bent his right hand and bowed to Link, the other kids following his lead.
Link nodded, and then turned to look at me, who was leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the spring, looking down at the small waves lapping at my feet.
My arms were crossed and so were my legs, and I was just watching the water, waiting for this to pass.
"Are you ready to go?" Link asked as he jogged over to me.
I looked up at him and nodded a little. "Yeah…" I didn't move, though.
Link turned and started to walk off, but stopped when he saw that I wasn't following. "Are you alright?" He asked, walking back over to me.
I shrugged. "You have no idea how lucky you are, Link." I turned my head to look at him. "You have everything."
"What? No I don't." Link's eyebrows knit.
"Yes, you really do. You have people who look up to you, friends who love you, you have a home, you have people to say 'Welcome back' whenever you come back from something as simple as a walk." I turned my head back to the water, my voice staying calm all the way through. "I don't have any friends; I don't have a home, and I don't have anyone to say 'Welcome back' to me." I shrugged. "You really are lucky."
Link was quiet for a few seconds. He then walked in front of me and took my hands. "Then I'll be that person. I will be your friend. I can't give you a home, but I will say 'Welcome back' to you whenever you come back from something like a walk." He smiled lightly at me, his eyes warm.
I snorted a little. "Really?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"If it'll get you to be happy, yes. I'll do whatever you want me to. I'm your friend, Alek." He snaked one hand behind my neck, his other hand still holding onto mine.
"Do whatever I want you to…?" I asked, my face turning a light shade of pink.
"Yes, whatever." He smiled at me.
I took a deep, shaky breath. "I…" I looked down for a few seconds, and then looked back up at him. I quickly slipped my hand out of his and rested them on his cheeks again, pulling his face to mine, kissing him.
I felt his body tense beneath mine, though he relaxed after a few seconds and he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him.
I arched my back slightly, though I pulled back after a few minutes, really. "You can be my someone." I said with a smile.
Link laughed breathlessly. "I will be your someone." He rested his forehead on mine.
"We should… get going." I muttered, feeling paranoid that the children were watching.
"Not yet." Link replied, his voice low. "Not just yet." He pressed his lips to mine again and I gave into this little defeat.