Well, my friend has kindly given me her cold. Which is not fun, especially when you have a 1500 word essay exam to do. I'm glad that I can finally write something fun instead of the advantages of texting. Thanks to the people who reviewed/favourite/followed/read this! You are actually awesomely awesome. Enjoy the very first boss battle.
Chapter 2
In which Link portrays his stubbornness and inability to die…
The creature hovered in front of them, four wings flapping lazily. Its many arms extended around so they made a circle of thin bony limbs. The mass of feathers were semi-transclucent, the edges a sharp white-turquoise.
The two wolves faced the creature, snarls on their muzzles and tails held high. Around them lay the ashen corpses of those they had slain. There was a moment of calm as the beasts faced off. Neither wanting to make the first move.
Balls of white light flared into life in the palms of the creature's hands.
"Bugger." Silver growled.
She and Link threw themselves sideways as the creature threw the balls of light at them. Link rolled as he hit the ground and immediately began running around the monster. Silver, on noticing his change of tactics, followed. They both ran round the creature in opposite directions, often switching direction without warning. As soon the monster's attention was focused on one wolf, the other would leapt from behind and tear as many arms off as they could manage. It worked, though the minster lacked any facial features, its instinct to lock onto one object meant that the wolves could attack it.
As Silver leapt at the monster, half the remaining arms suddenly threw their fireballs at her. Silver yelped and manage to twist out of the way. However, one fireball clipped her shoulder, sending searing bolts of pain to her brain. The wolf hit the ground hard. The area were the fireball had hit her was smouldering. Yet though was no damage to the fur or skin. Silver tried to focus and see where her enemy was, but her world was flooded with white flames, as if she were looking through an inferno. The pain in her shoulder stopped her from focusing on her senses. The pain was spreading through her like wildfire. A shadow fell over her and the snarling in her ear grew louder.
Link stood over Silver, snarling. The creature turned to him, fire balls in hand. Link knew one touch of those, however small, would burn his spirit, just as it was doing to Silver's.
The monster threw a fireball at the wolf. Link dodged it and it exploded behind him. The monster threw two, and he dodged them both. The monster threw a barrage but Link easily ducked and and dodged them. As the monster threw a third hail of fireballs, Link noticed, as one exploded beside him, that the explosions were less violent. A wave of relief washed through Link, it was getting tired.
Now the monster was showing signs of tiring, Link began pouring magic into his tail, preparing for a colossal great spin. However, the one of the fireballs was low, its trajectory taken it straight to Silver. The mist clumped around the two of them, forming a translucent blue gem-like wall between them and the monster. The fireball hit it and exploded.
With Link's concentration split between the wall and the great spin, the rate of charging decreased dramatically.
Enraged the monster continued to throw fireballs, aiming lower this time. The mist took the beating, hail after hail the wall stood. But the mist was tiring. Each hit brought another crack to the wall.
The monster held a few of its hands up above its head. Light rushed to the circle created by its hands forming a fireball twice the size of the others. The monster threw it, hidden behind a barrage of smaller fireballs. It impacted on the shield. There was an ominous crack.
Link stared at the mist in horror as hairline cracks became larger and larger until they were like webbing across the gem-like wall the mist had created. The wall suddenly shattered, with the sound like a thousand tiny diamonds hitting a marble floor. The monster didn't waste any time, and threw a fireball at Link, aiming it low. Link didn't move. The fireball was weaker than the one that had hit Silver. But it still hurt like hell. Link stumbled but didn't move. His great spin was charged yet.
The monster threw another fireball, tentatively, as if suspecting a trick. Link took the hit, crouching low over Silver so that his belly fur just brushed her.
Link could've sworn the monster was smiling underneath all those feathers, because then it started throwing hails of fireballs. Most of them hit Link, though thankfully each fireball was weaker than the last. Through the haze of pain, he felt the great spin reach its peak.
His vision now completely whited out and his ears filled with the roar of the fire. Feeling the heat of another fireball being thrown. Fighting a wall of pain, he stood straight, and released his great spin. A thick band of light emanated from his tail, spreading outwards. It cleaved through the fireballs and went straight through the monster. The light then dispersed on the other side.
For a moment, nothing moved. Then the top half the monster slid off the bottom and hit the floor. The bottom half dropped soon after.
The immediate threat dealt with, Link stepped back from Silver and lay down beside her. His spirit was already fighting back the fire. It wasn't for another ten minutes though, that he could move without pain. Now he just ached…but that would pass.
The wolf looked at Silver but she hadn't needed his help. The triforce on her paw was flashing. Her own spirit song floating on the air around her. She looked lifted her head and looked at the monster.
"What did I miss?"
The wolf chuckled and licked her ear.
"We should leave before Nubia sends some more psychopaths after us."
He nodded.
The two wolves got up and padded away, each wincing at the strain on the aching muscles.
Breaking into a lope, the canines ran all through the night. Overhead, the silent silver eye of the moon watched from above as it ran across the sky, chased by the pack of wispy clouds. A scent-laden wind blew from behind, bringing the scents of west Hyrule with it and hiding their scent from pursuing enemies. The whirling chaotic melody of a storm was stronger on the wind now. As if it were a great predator stalking Hyrule, waiting for the opportune moment to pounce.
They reached Lake Hylia just as the moon was diving down beneath the safety of the horizon. The grey twilight before dawn turned the lake into a perfect silver mirror. The faint stars dotted its surface, like diamonds beneath the surface of the water. Wisps of clouds, like sea serpents were reflected in the lake. There was no movement below, and the eerie silence reminded Link of his first impressions of the lake back when it had been bathed in the invading twilight. A pang of longing caused his breath to hitch in his throat. He could do with Midna's guidance right now, however brutal.
"The long way down?" Silver asked.
Link went to nod, when the white wolf froze.
"Don't look now Link, but I think we have company."
Link didn't turn around, instead scenting the air. Honing his senses, he scoped around him, no longer relying on his eyes.
There was something behind them and around them, penning them in. A myriad of spirits, though ones he could not discern. Unable to turn around for fear of alerting their ambushers, Link instead asked Silver for a descriptions.
"I can't see much, but I think they're lupine…or at least some sort canine. Vulpine maybe? Anyways, they've got bows and some of them have other weapons as well."
She paused as he replied.
"Goriya? But I thought their existence was yet to be confirmed." Link gave her a poignant look. "Yeah alright, no need to make me sound like an idiot."
Link scoped around. If they took the long route, they'd be picked off with arrows. Link didn't want to take his chances jumping down, when they hit the water, they would be easy targets. The only option that left was to cross the bridge and hope the path on the other side was clear or at least a means of getting down. If not, they could always head north for the secret cave that led to the zora's domain. But he wanted to leave that as a last resort, if the monsters managed to find it Farore know what havoc they could wreak on the zora population. He quickly relayed this to Silver.
"It's not much of a plan but it'll have to do." She cast a glance behind Link. "They're getting agitated, I think they suspect us. Ready to run?"
Link dipped his head.
"Three…"
An arrow shattered on the boulder behind Silver.
"Screw you!" She cursed, leaping into a run with Link right behind her.
They sprinted across the bridge. On the other side, appeared primate like creature covered in thick leather armour. Each of their long fingers ended in bone blades, with their middle finger a bone blade devoid of all flexibility, like little rapiers. Their black greasy fur was clumped in patches and their yellow eyes seemed to glow with their own malicious hatred.
"Oh for Din's sake!" Silver cursed again, wheeling around and heading back the way she came.
She crashed into Link who was snarling at Goriya. It drew back its bow and fired. Link rolled aside, the arrow missing him and taking out one of monsters behind them.
The monster drew back its bow but Silver was already on it. Link was right behind her. Too late did he see the trap. He broadcast a message to the wolfos (should I just call Silver a wolfos so I can differentiate quickly between Link and Silver?) Silver managed to leap back, the force sending the monster wheeling back. A flaming arrow hit the ground, causing Silver to yelp in pain as the scentless oil caught fire with a whoosh. Silver scrabbled back behind Link, favouring her singed paw.
"I'm fine!" she snapped.
Link snarled and mock charged the creatures barring their way. They backed up but did not flee. Link went to attack.
Under the boughs of the tree that grew from the large island, Link failed to see the shadow.
"Link!"
The wolf abandoned his attack, twisting in midair. Something heavy hit him, sending him to the floor. He heard Silver throw herself aside and yelp as she was likewise caught. A heavy net with weighted ends was curled round him, trapping him. Link sensed the monsters advancing. Link felt a sickening wave of de ja vou. Hauling himself to his feet, he snarled at the monsters and sent the mist out. Combined with the smoke he broadcast his idea to Silver.
"Are you bloody insane?!" A pause. "If we survive this…" Link didn't need to know the answer.
Hauling himself up onto the stone fence, he and Silver threw themselves off.
As they tumbled through the air, the enraged howls of the Goriya floated down to them. Arrows pierced the air, tearing through the sky like angered hornets. One lucky arrow managed to embed itself in Link's shoulder, coaxing a pained yowl from the wolf's throat.
The descent seemed to take an age…they just kept falling and falling. Silver felt for sure they'd never reach the bottom. She dared open her eyes and saw how far they were from the bottom.
"WE'RE STILL FALLING!" She howled.
Link was too occupied with fighting the net and dealing with his shoulder and they fact they were falling from an insane height…again…to answer. The same height…twice…in one lifetime…curse you gravity!
Then the water was rushing up to meet them. It was like hitting stone. Link felt his shoulder dislocate. Midna wasn't there to slow their fall this time. His mouth and nose filled with water. Link kicked out, trying to swim. He didn't know which way was up. He couldn't breathe. There was panic inside him. The net restrained him, no matter how hard he kicked. He couldn't see, the water was red, everything was red. There was a dull thud as he hit the bottom of the shelf, the weighted ends securing him to the floor. He kicked out, trying to dislodge the net. His legs became even more entangled, his lungs crying out for air. Blood roared in his ears like a thousand dragons. He couldn't see Silver…he couldn't sense anything but the crushing water. Thrashing wildly, the wolf rolled off the edge and sunk…
Epona cantered into Faron Woods. Fannar was still there with the other council members.
"Epona? Where be Link and the little one?" Fannar asked, his old accent coming back.
"Hyrule Castle…over run…giants…mosnters…slaughter…help…" he panted, over exerted from her extended sprint.
"Shhh…calm down…take a deep breath." Xylia said, standing next to the mare.
Epona panted for a moment. She looked spent. Foam flecked her lips and neck. Her sides heaved and steam curled off her back despite the mild conditions. Her ears sagged and her head was low. Her muscles were still trembling from the exertion.
Once she had somewhat regained her breath, Xylia repeated Fannar's question.
"We arrived at Hyrule Castle and it was deserted. There were no bodies in the street, nothing at all. In the castle, we found the bodies of the residents. Maids, soldiers, palace dogs the lot. Everyone seemingly torn to pieces. I was to warn you. Then out of nowhere these giants appeared. Easily seven or eight feet tall. They carried weapons and never tired. They chased me out of Hyrule Town. Its only because I managed to throw them in the gorge I survived. They didn't tire and they ran with inhumane speed. It was all I could do to stay in front. I nearly fell in the gorge myself facing them. Of Link and Silver I've heard nothing."
"But listen, Nubia has taken control of the capital. Someone has to warn Zelda and we need to get a message from Link and Silver or wait for them to howl for us. Nubia's made her next move, we need to stop her from taking the other towns."
The present council members listened in stunned silence. The memories of the Twilight Invasion still very fresh in their minds.
"I hate to ask this of you old friend…" Xylia began. "But can we detain you from Link a little longer? You're our fastest runner and if Nubia's a grey as you say, howling isn't a safe method of communication anymore. Can you inform Zelda and the others? We must start planning a counter attack."
"She is right." Fannar boomed. "They take the human capital, all lost to us. The sooner we fight, sooner we can stop slaughter."
Epona nodded.
"Give me a few hours to eat and rest and I'll go."
"Of course." Xylia said, lightly touching the mare's cheek with her snout.
As Epona trotted to the spring, she heard Xylia and Fannar speaking.
"You can't put her through that! She's been through enough already! And what of the little ones? They've gone through hell and back!" she heard Xylia's pleas.
"Children or no, they must fight or we all be doomed." Replied Fannar in his gravelly tones.
"I know…but it isn't right…we should be protecting them not the other way around…"
They moved out of earshot.
Epona looked up at the fading stars of the previous night. The Great Mare shining fiercest of all.
"Stay safe you two…"
Another cliffhanger? Oh dear I'm cruel. But yeah, serious de ja vou much! Urgh, my cold is back and I have too many tests and I have my scan tomorrow and…and…this sucks. My teacher's do not help…advice guys: never take a pep talk from british and Russian teachers, they do not pull any punches. Dyslexic? Really? Good job I'm not bothered by those kind of peptalks coughinsultscough. Anyways, enough of me. Sorry this is late, school is cruel and evil. But yeah, excuse the change in writing style again. Poetry analysis did this!
