A/N- Normally I put the author's note at the end of the chapter, but I figure I owe an explanation for the long absence between updates. There are two main reasons: the first being that I was proofreading the previous chapters as well as developing an outline for the remaining chapters until the end. The second, and bigger reason, is that I simply lost motivation for a while. There have been several major changes in my life, some expected and unexpected, that have required my full attention. But God has got me through them. Which brings us to the good news. I am now fully committed to seeing this story to the end! Updates should be more frequent now; I'm aiming for twice a month at the minimum. I hope my long absence has not caused some of those who have been reading this story to lose interest. If you've been with me a while and are still reading this, I thank you for your patience and loyalty. And for those who have joined only recently, I hope this story has been worth your time. The next few chapters are ones to look forward to. Well, it's been a long time coming, but without further ado, I present Chapter 43! Enjoy!
Link's hand trembled slightly against the wooden railing of the ship, his heart pounding against his chest like a tribal drum. He closed his eyes while short, sporadic breaths forced their way through his mouth. The sense of panic gripping his chest was overwhelming; the hunter was now the hunted. He closed his eyes and tried to overcome the surge of dread washing over him. The warm, ooze of Colin's blood still lingered on his tongue, sending lashes of disbelief and shock shivering through his body. The charcoal drawing that had started it all, also stained with the youth's blood, lay tucked in his tunic; the hero would not dare let it be seen.
The hero took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the railing, the wooden splints digging into his tense fingertips. He opened his eyes and gazed out to the endless sea of blue that had become the norm for the last few weeks. The waves jumped and slapped against the side of the ship harder than usual as if trying to grab him. Dark storm clouds threatened him with a low rumble in the distance, stretching over the entire sky like a giant's hand. A cold, damp wind swept right past him, carrying the scent of rain.
A large flock of seagulls caught the hero's eye as he scanned the ominous horizon. Over two dozen of the native birds flapped in a circle several leagues out, crying restlessly as they hovered over the water looking for something he couldn't see. Link squinted and peered into the distance, but the muffled sunlight made it impossible to see what had caught their attention. He quickly dismissed it.
Link turned his current predicament in his mind. Like every one of the puzzles he had solved on his adventures, there was a solution waiting to be found. He had learned from his travels the only way to reach it was to remain calm and assess what he knew. His double life hadn't been discovered quite yet. Colin had mistaken the wolf for Atrayu, causing everyone to look for her instead. If he could act innocent and avoid arousing suspicions, he might be able to keep the blame on her.
Link closed his eyes and sighed. How could he even think such thoughts? Had he really sunk that low? On the other hand, he needed to survive, and his options were quickly running out. His adventures had taught him that sometimes it was really survival of the fittest.
A firm hand on his shoulder made the hero jump, shattering his thoughts like broken glass. He quickly looked back to find one of Balthasar's sailors. The man was a short, stick-thin fellow with a small goatee and a rather large nose.
"Ay' matey, watcha' see out ther'? Ya find that bloomin' mercenary yet?" He asked.
Link turned to face the man. "Not yet. Nothing but a flock of seagulls out there."
The mate's face scowled. "Bunch o' gulls, eh? And a storm brewin' on top o' that. Nothing but bad luck if you ask me. And we're so close."
The hero had traveled many places, but the sea was one frontier he hadn't explored. The man's hostility took him by surprise. "Something wrong?"
The seasoned sailor shook his head. "It's nothing fer ye' to worry about. I suppose ye have 'nough to deal with." He began to walk away mumbling beneath his breath when he stopped suddenly. "Oh, the young lad with the blonde hair be lookin' fer ya." The man spit on the deck and continued on his way.
Link growled to himself. He pushed back the hair brushing against his eyes. He didn't realize how much it had grown in the last few months; his cap had always held it back. With the wind blowing in his face, his hair was agitating him more than usual.
"Link! There you are!" The hero cringed as he heard Colin's voice approaching. The boards thumped as the youth walked from the captain's quarters to where Link stood.
The feral warrior took a deep breath and turned around. "Colin. How are you?" His eyes were immediately drawn to the youth's hand, which was now thickly wrapped in crimson-stained bandages. "What in Farore's name happened to you?"
The youth's face instantly flashed with anger like lighting from the approaching storm. "How didn't you…? The whole ship…? Where…?" At last, Colin caught himself and the inner storm seemed to pass. His facial muscles relaxed and his shoulders slumped. "Atrayu did this." He held up his bandaged hand so Link could clearly see it. The sight of it made the wolf's stomach churn; he quickly directed his gaze elsewhere.
"That's…I don't know what to say," Link lied, unable to face Colin. He feared his expressions would betray what he really knew, so he continued to stare out at sea. "I thought we could trust her. But why would she just attack you?"
Colin leaned over the railing and spit into the sea. "Does she need a reason? She's one of them."
The hero nodded and tried to act himself. He didn't want to sound too eager to accuse. "What was she doing before she attacked you?"
"She was in your…well…whatever you call it. Where you've been sleeping. I went down there to give you something." A look of horror jumped on Colin's face and he jumped off the railing. He winced at the pain in his hand. "Din! It's still down there!"
"What's still down there?" Link prodded.
Colin's gaze shifted to the galley leading below deck. "What I wanted to give you. I don't really want to go down there…but I wanted you to have it."
Link quickly cut him off. "We can get it later. You've been through enough already. We should focus on Atrayu. If she did this, then she can't be trusted."
"What am I being accused of this time?" The mercenary responded coolly from behind them. "Is that why everyone's chasing their tail to find me?"
Silence consumed the air except for the grumbles of thunder. Neither Ordonian moved. The wind blew harder as the storm clouds loomed over the ship. Raindrops the size of small pebbles pelted down on the trio, while the restless water battered more violently against the hull of the ship. Gulls cried out as the storm's winds picked up and tossed them through the air.
The shifter was unmoved by the tempest around her as her hair whipped in the wind. She wiped the water from her face and sharpened her gaze. "Do I need to repeat myself?"
Colin was the first to respond. "Don't play dumb with us. This time, you won't get away." He placed his fingers to his hand and whistled loudly over the storm. "We found her! Everyone come quick! he yelled.
Shouts stirred from other parts of the ship as word got around. Link finally mustered the courage to look Atrayu in the eyes. Amber irises seemed to gaze right through him.
"What's going on here, Link?" the mercenary asked. "I've been minding my own business looking for decent fish on the sea. When I come back, everyone's hunting me like I'm some sort of dangerous animal."
The hero was at a loss for words. He tapped his boots against the ground and looked to Colin, who awaited his reply with an expectant glance. Realizing he had to say something, Link swallowed hard and mustered his resolve.
"Atrayu…what you did to Colin…it's unforgivable." The youth nodded his approval even as Link felt guilt clawing at his stomach. "I don't know what you were thinking when you attacked him, but I…we can't allow this to continue."
The mercenary shifted her weight to her right foot. She looked from Link to Colin and back to Link. "What in Valoo's name are you talking about?" She looked to the dead fish in her hand; a trophy from her hunt. "If I defeated someone in combat, I'd own up to it. But I haven't even been here."
Link didn't respond right away. Fortunately for him, he didn't have to as the rest of the party soon joined him and Colin beneath the stormy sky. They eyed the shifter with a mixture of curiosity and fear. If she had really attacked Colin, what was to stop her from lashing out at them as well?
Midna took one look at the shifter and back to Link. She didn't like where this argument was heading, but she kept quiet. She knew nothing she said would change anything.
Kari was the first to step forward, the Wind Waker tight in his grip. "I have no personal quarrel with you, Atrayu. However, if what Colin speaks is the truth, and you attacked my friends, then I cannot stand idly by. I suggest you stand down while you still can."
Tifa tugged on the wind tamer's cloak. "Why are you yelling at her, Mister? Animal lady is a nice person. She wouldn't do anything to hurt us."
Colin waved his injured hand in front of Tifa, causing her face to grow pale. "See this, Tifa!" He pointed to the bandages. "She attacked me without reason. I wouldn't call that nice." The Kokiri girl turned away, unable to stand the sight of gore.
Atrayu folded her arms in annoyance. "Attacking you wouldn't be worth my time. Besides, what makes you think it was me?"
The youth's anger was aroused like the surrounding storm. Thunder crackled in the distance as he pointed an accusatory finger at the shifter. "Because a wolf attacked me! Tell me who else that could be!"
The shifter's eyes lit up as she began to understand what was going on. "Your accusations are testing my already thin patience." Her amber eyes glared at the hero. "Link, do you have anything you'd like to say? Care to explain how I could attack someone when I'm not even here?"
The feral warrior felt a weight heavier than his rain-soaked clothes as all eyes turned to him. He looked around as lightning flashed in the sky, charging the tension already in the air. At last, his eyes settled back on the mercenary. "There's no need for me to say anything. Your past actions speak loud enough. You should leave now while you still can."
Atrayu dropped the fish, letting it flop on the floor as she extended her claws. "Going back on our deal to cover your own dirty secrets, Link?" She cracked her neck. "So much for a hero's honor. If it's a fight you want, then I don't want to disappoint you."
Tifa clung to Link's arm, her cheeks wet from her tears mixing with the cold rain. "Stop it, Link! You two shouldn't fight like this!" she shrieked.
Tatl hovered close to Link's ear. "Are you crazy, Link? This is no place to fight. You'll tear the whole ship apart."
Link pushed the Kokiri girl off him and reached for the Master Sword. "It can't be helped." He eyed the mercenary and wondered if she could sense his weak resolve. "I won once and I'll win again."
It's either me or her.
Lightning struck. Rain fell. Thunder rumbled. The two combatants ran at one another and their duel began anew. However, before their weapons could meet, the whole ship shifted violently as if it had struck a rock, knocking everyone to the hard wooden surface. Water surged over the railing, soaking the floor and those on it. The ship groaned like a ReDead as its course was painfully redirected.
"What's the navigator thinking? Did he have one too many rums?" Midna muttered under her breath as she lifted herself from the puddle-filled floor. The crews' shouts began to blend with the storm as Balthasar's men ran frantically around the ship, attempting to adjust the sails and correct the vessel's course.
The source of the ship's trouble soon revealed itself. With a massive splash, a large squid-like monster rose from the raging sea. Its body towered above the mast, and its tentacles extended long enough to choke the entire ship. Multiple slimy yellow eyes leered at the ship and those aboard it. A large whirlpool swirled around it, the same vortex that now ensnared the ship and its frightened passengers.
"What the heck is that thing?" Link gasped, the conflict with Atrayu now a distant thought.
"We call it a Big Octo. It be a sailor's worst nightmare." Balthasar explained with a grim expression. This was the first time Link had ever seen the captain with a straight face. "It means certain doom for all who see it."
"Eeeek!" Tifa screamed. "It's so disgusting and scary!"
"Colin! Tatl! Take Tifa down below! We'll take care of things out here!" Link tried to shout above the pounding of the rain and the groaning of the ship. The wind was picking up now, making the droplets sting even more against his face.
"But I want to…" the Ordonian began.
"You need to protect Tifa. Besides, your hand!" Link shouted back.
The youth wanted to argue but knew he couldn't. "We're counting on you," he said quickly before taking Tifa by the hand and leading her down the steps. Tatl fluttered close behind.
"How do you beat this thing?" Midna asked.
Balthasar grit his teeth. "Argh, I wish I knew." He paused for a moment as he beheld the monstrous beast. "What about targetin' the eyes? If the bloody beast can't see, then we may still be able to save this ship and our hides."
Midna rolled her eyes. "Why are monsters' weak points always so obvious? You might as well paint a target on it."
Link nodded and took out his bow. "Sounds simple enough."
The twili groaned. "Of course. Because it's not like the ship's moving or a storm's raging. It'll be easy, like sharpening a sword with a toothpick."
The wind tamer looked at her curiously. "You are awfully confident."
"And you're about as perceptive as a moblin eating its own dung."
The Sheikah hesitated for a moment. "Is that supposed to be a compliment? Because it doesn't sound like one."
"Enough, you two!" Link barked. "Kari, you help me here on the ground. Midna, keep those tentacles from hitting the ship." The hero looked to the shifter and swallowed his pride. "Atrayu, we need you to attack from the air."
Atrayu crossed her arms. "I'm sorry. I thought you wanted me to leave only a minute ago. I really need to pack up my bags."
The hero groaned. "Okay, I was wrong. We still need you. But can we discuss this later? There's a battle to fight."
The shifter smirked. "Fighting is better than talking. It's much simpler."
Kari's face curled into a solemn scowl. "This fight will not be so simple. Look who else we have to deal with."
As they looked up, they noticed a silhouette standing on the monster's head. A flash of lightning illuminated the shadowy figure of Zant. With his daggers drawn and battle mask dawned, he sneered at his opponents from his lofty perch.
"The blasphemer is mine." Kari said. Without waiting for a response, he leapt onto one of the sail hoists and began climbing up the mast. With skillful manipulation of his baton, he directed the wind to aid his ascent. Wind filled sails so he could climb the gaffs, and air currents that would have blown him off were cleaved in two. The Sheikah climbed towards the topmast with purpose, his eyes focused only on the man that had tried to kill him.
The storm whaled on the unprotected shinobi as he reached his perch. Despite his skillful manipulation of the wind, the storm continued to tug and blow on him. Lightning crackled in the sky ahead, and the torrent of rain beat down on his face. The behemoth roared and thrashed before him, sending large splashes every time a tentacle crashed into the ocean. Down below, Link unleashed a volley of arrows from the boat, plucking off the lower eyes with relative ease. Meanwhile, Atrayu sailed through the air, using her sharp talons to attack the monster's upper eyes. Midna held her ground on the ship, fighting the rocking and tossing of the waves while she concentrated on binding the monster's tentacles with her shadow magic to keep the ship from getting ripped apart.
Kari had no intention of letting Zant watch from his vantage point while the ship was under attack. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he manipulated the storm's gust to encircle his unsuspecting foe. With a quick flick to the right, the gusts threw The Twili off the monster's head. Recovering quickly, Zant dug his daggers into the Octo's side to slow his descent. As he fell, he spotted Kari and jumped onto the monster's tentacle, sliding his way towards the ship. He jumped off it and onto the ship as the slippery tentacle splashed once again into the sea. The villain landed on the fore topmast, eyes glaring through narrow slits at his opponent as they stood on separate posts.
Kari refused to let his opponent rest, sending several gusts of air aimed to blast Zant off. The Twili slid down one of the ropes to a lower sail and countered by firing dark energy balls of his own. The Sheikah jumped off the mast and began to free fall. He manipulated an updraft to slow his descent and spread his cloak like a flying squirrel to catch it, allowing him to glide towards Zant. Dipping and dodging, he avoided the villain's attacks until he came to rest on the same sail gaff the Twili stood on. With the sail below them pounding in the wind and the rain beating on their backs, they resorted to close-range combat. Kari dodged Zant's wild slashing by jumping from gaff to gaff, while the villain dodged the Sheikah's own attacks with unnatural flexibility. Kari kicked, and Zant blocked. The Twili slashed, and the wind tamer ducked. With neither one able to gain an advantage, they continued to spar on the heights of the unstable ship while the storm blasted around them.
Meanwhile, down on the main deck, the ocean storm rebuffed the rest of Link's arrows. With each draw and release of the bow, the storm winds and rain beat down on the arrow until it was nothing more than a misguided projectile. With three eyes pierced, the rest were out of his range. Luckily, Atrayu seemed to be having more success with the upper eyes. The ship was edging dangerously close to the Big Octo, carried along by the whirlpool's merciless tides. The monster's roars were almost deafening now, causing the hero to block his ears as he ran along the puddle-filled deck to find a better angle. He notched another arrow, pulled back, and fired, but this too was cast aside by the storm's strong winds.
The boat shook under him like an earthquake, and more water splashed over the railing. Several of the tentacles came dangerously close to the ship, stopped only by Midna's exhausting efforts to bind it with shadow magic or brush it past with telekinesis. The hero cast a worried glance below decks; there were only two eyes left but they were quickly running out of time. The ship was falling apart despite the crew's best efforts to keep it together.
"Link! Watch out!" Midna screamed as the hero took aim at another eye. Before he knew it, she had grabbed him and pulled him towards the ground. Link's bow slid a few feet away. Seconds later, a tentacle crashed right where he had been standing, sending splints of wood everywhere as it tore through the hold and main deck. Part of the deck fractured off, lurching the ship and causing the bow to slide over the edge and into the sea.
"Are you alright?" Midna asked, the two of them now clinging to one of the ropes hanging off the mast. The ship started to tilt into the ocean.
"I am. But what happened?" came Link's quick response.
She shook her head. "I can only focus on one tentacle at a time. We're so close. There was no stopping the other one."
The tentacle soon rose out of the ocean again, hovering over the ship like a cobra about to strike. It slapping down furiously, further fracturing and splintering the vessel as if it were a toy. The sudden impact jolted Midna's grip on the rope, and she began to slide towards the ocean. Link dove after her and grabbed her hand, sending a sharp pain through his shoulder. It felt like his muscles had ripped apart. The ship tilted steeper into the water. His other hand was all that held both of them from slipping down the steep wooden slope. He watched helplessly as several of the crew around him tumbled into the ocean.
"Midna! Hang on!" Link cried out, gritting his teeth as he strained to prevent her from sliding into the icy waters. "Don't let go!"
"I'll try," came her feeble response.
The storm continued to beat down on the pair with torrents of rain and growls of thunder. Waves crashed into them. The stormy gales whipped their faces. The mast groaned beneath all the strain around it. Link held on as tightly as he could, but despite his efforts, he could feel his grip on Midna loosening.
First one finger, and then a second, until soon there was nothing left for him to hold onto. The hero watched in agony as she plunged into the icy water, a victim to be claimed by the ocean waves. He instantly dove in after her, refusing to let them die here.
Meanwhile, Kari watched in horror as the ship slowly came out from under him. One by one, his friends fell into the unforgiving ocean while he dueled with Zant. First it was Link and Midna, and those in the hull soon followed. Balthasar, his crew, and Tifa and Colin were all tossed into the unforgiving storm like pebbles dropped in a lake. He thought he saw Atrayu dive down after them, but it was impossible to tell in all the chaos.
"Fool! You shouldn't have let your guard down around me!" Zant chastised as his blade came at Kari's face. The Sheikah bent his head back just in time, but the dagger's tip still scratched his chin.
The boom they were standing began to collapse without proper support, and Kari felt his footing sweep out from under him. He called for a gust of wind to slow his descent and managed to land on a large fragment of the ship floating on the waves. Driftwood rode the stormy waves all around him, providing small islands of refuge for his friends to cling to. The waves rolled and billowed mercilessly at the storm's command while Zant's monster thrashed about, eliminating all traces of Balthasar's beloved vessel. Rain pounded against the Sheikah's skull as he observed the ship's graveyard. He wanted to help, to be of use, but he was powerless. All because of the one secret he guarded carefully.
He couldn't swim.
He felt the frustration build inside him, but he had no time to release it. Zant's icy hand came from nowhere and twisted Kari's arms behind his back and forced him to the ground. The Sheikah was stunned; his hold was so flawless that Kari couldn't even struggle.
"You fought well, but you let your emotions get the best of you." Zant's voice chastised him. "Your head was clouded. That is why you lost."
"So what will you do with me?" Kari spat back, tasting the salt water as it slapped him in the face.
"I will throw you into the ocean, the place you fear most," the Twili responded coldly.
"How…how did you?" He recomposed himself quickly. "If you are trying to kill me, you will fail. You failed before and you will fail this time as well."
Zant nodded. "I know that. I wish to test you again. But before I leave you at the ocean's mercy, I have one last thing to tell you."
"I have no interest in what you have to say," Kari said quickly.
"You have no choice in the matter," Zant responded, bending down so his mouth was by Kari's ear.
The Twili whispered something to the Sheikah that made his face turn pale as a snowball. Before he could say anything back or even respond, Zant pulled his head away. With two strong arms, he heaved the wind tamer into the ocean. Kari struggled for a few seconds, arms and legs flailing as he tried to stay afloat. However, the waves soon overtook him. Zant watched solemnly as the water submerged the wind tamer into a dark and cold abyss.
The villain's mouth curled into a melancholy frown. "I'm sorry things have turned out the way they have, though I suppose it's my fault and not yours. We will meet again real soon. I am sure of it."
SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH!
The sound of crashing waves against the shore greeted the hero's ears as he began to regain consciousness. He was lying flat on his stomach, with his torso pressed into the beach and his face mushed into the sand. Salt water splashed against his legs and playfully retreated before reaching his chest. The cries of gulls rung in his ears and the coarse texture of sand rubbed against his face. The heat of the sun pounded his back, drying his sand-crusted clothes and skin. As he lifted his head and opened his eyes, everything appeared white. As his vision came into focus, a small crab crawling a foot from his face greeted him, threatening to pinch his nose if he didn't act quickly.
How am I still alive? Where am I?
Link felt a biting exhaustion in all his muscles as he pulled his body from the ground to rest on his hands and knees, spitting out a healthy helping of sand in the process. He swiped through his hair to pick off the accumulated seaweed. He lifted himself to his knees and shook off his tunic, fine particles jumping off the fabric to rejoin their comrades on the ground. His arms felt like slabs of meat; moving them was more difficult than he remembered. He checked his back; the Master Sword was still secure in its scabbard, and his Gale Boomerang was still in its pouch. His shield was at the bottom of the ocean with his bow now, having been too heavy to stay afloat with it.
As the hero looked around him, he felt his heart sink. Whatever beach he had washed up on was no ocean paradise. The entire atmosphere stunk like a salt marsh. Seaweed and rocks covered the coast. The water that licked up against his boots was murky and cold. Further out from the water, beach grass waved in the frigid breeze and sharp cliffs cut up suddenly from the shore even further out. Small, stagnant pools dotted the coast from the storm. There was no sign of civilization in sight.
Link slowly rose to his feet, stumbling for a moment while his muscles adjusted to the added weight. The damp sand squished beneath his boots as the waves continued to lick up against them. The hero's heart grew heavier when he realized he was further alone; none of his companions were anywhere to be seen. The only remnants from the ship were a few pieces of the ship that had washed ashore with him. He scanned both sides of the beach for any signs of hope, but pounded his fist to his knee when he found none.
ROAR!
An angry growl echoed through the entire coast, catching Link by surprise. He didn't think he was that noisy. Another loud roar grabbed Link's attention toward the sky, where a red dragon of plentiful size soared through the air. Powerful wings flapped through the air with relative ease as it soared over the coast with purpose towards some unknown destination. He didn't think the dragon had spotted him, but the hero stayed close to the ground and motionless nonetheless. The monster continued to roar angrily as it passed over the cliffs and out of sight, the terrifying growls fading into the distance.
As he rose to his feet again, Link felt a strange emotion swirling inside him. It wasn't fear, or even a lust for battle like he expected, but one of homesickness. Whatever the reason for feeling this way, he couldn't afford to dwell on it. If any of his friends were still alive, he had to find them.
In one last desperate attempt, he transformed into a wolf and sniffed at the air. However, the salt water overwhelmed his nostrils, making it impossible to sense anything. So instead, he closed his eyes and listened, tilting his ears to the wind for anything that might be his companions.
"Ugh…"
The wolf's heart skipped a beat. The voice didn't sound that far off! Someone was still alive! His paws dug into the ground and sand kicked through the air as he took off to find the source. He trotted along the coast, just dodging the reach of the ocean waves. His nose soon detected a familiar scent, and his paws beat all the faster.
Eventually, Link came upon more wreckage from the ship. A large boulder stood in the sand, while more debris and several other belongings from the crew were scattered nearby. A quick scan along the beach yielded disappointment. However, not one to give up too easily, Link checked the one place he couldn't see: behind the boulder. There, much to his relief, he saw Midna lying in the rock's shade.
Her eyes were partially open, and she seemed to just be coming around. Her clothes were soaking wet and covered with sand and seaweed. She groaned in a half-conscious state and coughed softly, but she seemed unharmed otherwise.
The wolf, unable to contain his delight, trotted over and nuzzled her cheek with his wet nose. She groaned louder this time, turning her head and pushing his face away with her hand.
"Ugh…go away," she complained.
Link pushed back harder this time, determined to wake her up. The wolf brushed his head past her hand and licked her cheek, the saltiness of her skin tasting stronger than he anticipated. His action seemed to work as her eyes shot open and she sat up.
"I said stop it!" she shouted, grabbing a nearby shell. She cocked her arm and prepared to throw it. Her eyes softened when she realized it was Link. "Oh, it's you." She put the shell down and half-smiled. "You couldn't find a nicer way to wake me up? I'm soaked enough without your slobber."
Link became human again and collapsed in the sand. "That's what you get for oversleeping," he said with a smirk.
The Twili rolled her eyes. "Well, excuse me, Hero! I'm sorry that I'm exhausted after fighting a sea monster, falling off our ship, and nearly drowning at sea!" She began to look around. "How did we get here anyways?"
Link looked down at the sand by his feet. He began to draw circles in it with his finger. "You were thrown overboard. I dove in after you and managed to pull you to a floating piece of debris. At some point, it broke and we got separated. The current must've carried us here, wherever that is. It's a miracle of the goddesses we're still alive."
Midna closed her eyes. "And what about the others?"
Link paused, grabbling a clump of sand and letting it slip between his fingertips. "I wish I knew."
The twilight princess simply nodded and drew her knees to her chest. "I guess you can only ask for so many blessings." She looked to the shore and watched as the waves splashed onto the bank. "Well, I guess we better start looking for them. Time to put that wet snout of yours to work."
Link shook his head. "It's no good. The salt water erases any scent I'd try and pick out. We'll just have to look for them on foot."
Midna stood on one knee, placed some pressure on it, and slowly rose to her feet. Like Link, her muscles groaned and complained about having to work again, but she stood up all the same. "Ugh, my body hates me right now." She stretched out her arms and took a few steps. "Sometimes I still wish I was an imp. Then I could ride on your back all day or hide in your shadow instead of walking everywhere."
When Link gave her a funny look, she quickly clarified. "I was being sarcastic. Don't tell me you're getting as bad as Kari."
The hero rose to his feet. "No…of course I knew what you meant. I was just checking." He cleared his throat and pointed towards the mountains. "I guess it doesn't matter which direction we go; this shore seems to stretch for miles. Let's just start walking."
"Looks like the wolf licked up so much sand he can't come up with a good response," Midna chuckled to herself.
"What'd you say?" Link asked.
"Nothing. Let's get moving," she replied quickly.
The two walked along the beach for a while, their footprints in the sand tracing how far they'd come. Yet, no matter how far they walked, they found no signs of their companions. All that greeted them were crushed seashells, hungry gulls, and the roaring sounds of ocean waves. After an hour of walking, they decided to sit in the sand and rest.
Midna occupied herself by collecting the broken seashells around her to see if they somehow fit together. She cast a quick glance to the hero sitting beside her. He sat with his hands on his knees and a gaze that stretched out past the ocean.
"We'll find them, Link," she said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
The hero smiled half-heartedly and continued to stare out at the ocean. "I know."
She lifted her head and looked at him curiously. "Then what are you thinking about? Or are you just losing a staring contest with the sea?"
The warrior held her in suspense before answering. "Do you want me to be perfectly honest?"
Midna nodded. "Of course. You don't have to hide anything from me."
Link's finger drew random patterns in the sand. "I was thinking about the future. About what'll happen if we manage to stop Mudora. What will happen to us?"
Midna's lips quivered as she looked up to the sky. Tiny beams of light poked through clouds of all shapes and sizes. Flocks of herons and other birds flew in v-shaped patterns as they migrated south for the approaching winter. The air was so calm and peaceful that it was hard to believe there had been a storm only a few hours ago.
"To be honest Link, I haven't really thought about it. After all, I don't think there is much of a future for me once all this is over."
Link scowled. "Why would you say something like that?"
Midna hugged her knees to her chest and looked out to the ocean. "Because I failed my people. Not just once but twice. There isn't even a Twilight Realm for me to go back to."
The hero was at a loss for words. He decided it'd be better to listen than to speak.
She grabbed a handful of the shells she had collected and started throwing them towards the water one at a time. The waves devoured them hungrily as they landed with a soft sploosh. "I was and am a terrible queen. Zelda's out there fighting for her kingdom while I'm stranded on a beach." She sighed. "Even Zant made a better ruler than I am. At least he kept people alive."
Link grabbed Midna by the shoulder and gave her a firm shake. "No! Don't let yourself be dragged down with guilt! What's done is done."
The Twili didn't resist. "That's easy for you to say. How would you feel if you had failed Hyrule? If Ganondorf had killed all those people because you weren't strong enough to stop him?"
The hero had to pause for a moment. If he was perfectly honest, he would feel the same way Midna was now. He had always held himself to high standards, much higher than most men could even dream of attaining. As a result, each failure he carried was like a scar on his body. If he had failed Hyrule…or if he failed in this mission, he wasn't sure if he'd have the strength to keep going.
Of course, he wasn't going to tell Midna that.
"I admit. It would be difficult. I would probably be devastated," he admitted at last. "But I wouldn't give up. The future always has hope; you just have to take one step at a time and trust the goddesses to guide you, I suppose."
Midna laughed cynically. "You sound like a children's storybook. If only life were that simple."
Link's hand turned the Twili's face towards his own. "Midna, you may think you're a failure, but I think you're amazing. The first time your kingdom was under Zant's rule, you didn't give up until you got it back. There's no reason you should give up now." He brushed a sandy hand through her hair. "You have so much going for you: you're beautiful, funny, talented. Need I go on?"
The Twilight Princess cracked a small smile. "Link, your words are kind and your heart is true. At least one of us feels that way." She placed a hand on his cheek. "Maybe I should just stay with you when this is all over."
Link grinned from ear to ear. "I wouldn't be opposed to that."
Midna's nodded. "Well, first thing's first. We have to finish what we started here." She rose to her feet. "I'm rested. How about you?"
The hero rose effortlessly to his feet. "Are you serious? I was waiting for you; I could go all day."
The Twili rolled her eyes. "Oh, right. I forgot you're Mr. Invincible. Able to swim across the ocean without breaking a sweat and run across all of Hyrule without taking a break."
Link shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "I might be able to do it with a small break."
He received a punch on the shoulder. "Shut up," Midna said.
The hero just laughed. "Well, let's get going."
The two continued their search along the beach, walking along the cliffs. Link reached for Midna's hand and clasped it in his as the two walked side-by-side. The clouds were beginning to disperse, revealing a sun ready to set over the horizon. The celestial ball turned the ocean a darker blue and the clouds a lighter orange, all the while setting the sky ablaze with autumn colors. The gulls had retreated to their nests, leaving just the soothing sound of the waves to fill the air. The scene could've been quite romantic, Link thought, if it weren't for the fact that their companions' lives hung in the balance.
"Link, there's something that's been bothering me," Midna said after a while had passed.
"What's that?" Link said absentmindedly, caught in the atmosphere of the moment.
"That bite on Colin's hand. Was it really Atrayu?" she asked cautiously.
The wolf man halted where he stood, slipping his hand away from Midna. She thought she saw hostility hidden in those feral eyes. "Where did that come from all of a sudden?"
Midna looked at him. "Well, I was just thinking about it. Atrayu wasn't even on the ship. The wolf down there was where you'd normally be. It's not hard to put two and two together."
Link's heart beat faster. The fear of getting caught stabbed at his mind and his thoughts. "Well…you don't know for sure. Maybe Atrayu just happened to be…"
"Link. Just stop it. You're a terrible liar." She paused so her words would sink in. "I already know about your inner wolf, so why are you trying to hide it from me?"
The hero looked around the entire beach before directing his eyes at her. He felt like an animal in a trap, looking for any means of escape. "I'm not, Midna. I just don't want to talk about it right now. As long as Colin and the rest don't find out, everything will be fine."
Midna shook her head. "I'm not so sure. If you're not careful, you're going to find yourself in a situation you don't like."
The hero started walking at a brisk pace as if to escape the conversation. "Then I just have to be more careful next time. Thanks for your concern, Midna, but I can handle it."
Midna had to jog to catch up to him. "I'm worried about you, Link. I've seen what you're capable of. It's one thing when you're attacking monsters. But when you attack your own friends, I wonder if you're really in control."
Link's eyes flashed and his voice bordered on a growl. She was edging onto dangerous territory. "Of course I'm in control. I don't want to talk about this anymore. Let's just focus on the task at hand."
The twilight princess sighed but decided against pressing the issue further. A stiff silence hung between them like a dense fog as they continued walking. She cast a quick glance at him; his expression was hard as if carved from stone. His gaze stayed forward and his pace was brisk. She wondered if it had been worth bringing the subject up; his mood had literally changed in a heartbeat. She felt isolated from him; as if the inner beast were pushing her away so it could remain undisturbed. She feared how long he would remain like this.
Fortunately, his mood quickly changed back.
"Is that a Zora?" he asked, eager to change the subject. The hardness had melted from his face by now. He pointed off in the distance to something jumping through the water. A silver blur cut gracefully in and out of the water like a sword as it made its way towards them. "Midna, I think that's a Zora! And it's headed this way!"
Their spirits filled with hope when his hunch proved correct. Sure enough, a Zora woman with a violet dress and an affinity for jewelry splashed out of the water and walked onto shore. A coral necklace, pearl earrings, and seashell bracelets completed her wardrobe.
The surprise on her face was evident. "Oh. You're not Rishu." She began to look around. "Have you seen him? He was supposed to meet me here."
Link shrugged his shoulders. "Who's that?"
The Zora pulled so hard on her necklace Link feared it might break. "Oh! That man is so frustrating! Sometimes I wish he'd just get eaten by an eel!" She looked up at the two strangers. "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to see that." She gave a quick curtsy. "Well, I suppose my expectations for you were too high. If he's not here, he might've already left."
Midna stopped her. "Wait! We're not exactly locals. Could you at least tell us where we are?"
The Zora placed her hands on her hips and looked both of them over. "I kind of figured. Your weird clothes give you away." She paused for a moment. "Well, welcome to Great Bay, I suppose."
"Great Bay?" Midna asked.
The Zora nodded. "Yeah. It's on the western coast of Termina." She crossed her arms. "You really don't know much about the area, do you? It's a wonder you're still alive. Where do you call home again?"
"We're from Hyrule but sailed a ship from Labrynna and got run aground. We washed up on shore and found ourselves here," Link explained.
The Zora raised her eyebrows. "Well aren't you two the world travelers? And yet you know so little about Termina. Your ship didn't get attacked by that dragon, did it?"
Midna shook her head. "Dragon? No, I wouldn't call what attacked us a dragon."
Link nodded. "Well, no. But I think I know which one you're talking about. I saw it a little while ago."
The Zora looked at him with fascination. "You did? And you survived?"
Link shook his head. "It didn't see me. It seemed preoccupied with something else." He looked around. "By the way, I'm Link."
"And I'm Midna."
The Zora extended her hand. "Oh, of course. The name's Lola. Nice to meet you." They shook hands.
"Lola, why are you out here?" Midna asked. "Were you looking for someone?"
Lola began to fiddle with her bracelet, rotating it around her wrist. "Well, I was looking for my boyfriend, Rishu. He was supposed to meet me here before heading to Clock Town for his concert." She paused for a moment, her grip on the bracelet tightening. "It'd be nice if he settled down for a change. Or at least waited for me before leaving." She paused again. "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't mean to burden you with my problems. You both look exhausted. How would you like to come back to my village? You can rest up there before heading on your way."
Midna and Link looked at one another. This was one offer they weren't going to refuse.
"Of course. We'd be happy to accept," Link said. "You lead on and we'll follow."
Lola looked at them. "You both can swim, right? That's the only way to get there. I hope you can keep up because I don't feel like slowing down."
As Lola waded out to the water, Midna whispered in the hero's ear. "No wonder this Rishu left her here. She's irritating!"
Link chuckled. "Agreed. But for now, she's all we've got. Let's hope she can help us find the others."