"On behalf of all humankind, I apologize for the unfortunate demise of your kin."
Nothing beats shouldering responsibility for the actions of a slice and dice happy hero from the past. I attempted a low bow, which is difficult when floating within a dimensional stream.
Tatsumaki blew a smoke ring in my face. "Pay with life."
I coughed savagely. Of course, the dragon wants blood, just look at the stains on his teeth. Goodness knows why Yasei wanted to extract one! "No thank you, I have someone waiting for me and she's far scarier than you."
My eyebrows creased together as he sucked in air through those large nostrils. His belly swelled like a balloon. I plummeted. Looking up, the golden flames stretched out like a rippling river. The heat made my skin want to dig into the marrow of my bones. Ah, so the fairy tales did get something right after all…
"Now, now, let's not get excited. Perhaps we can come to some sort of compromise?"
The next burst singed a few hairs on the top of my head. I frantically wet my fingers to smooth them out, the smell had a sulphuric quality that smelt of rotting eggs. Reasoning with a dragon would not be easy.
"You will die," Tatsumaki boomed.
All I ever wanted was to make masks. A simple life of creating things that brought happiness to the wearer. I could ask myself over and over, why had I left the safety of my shop and travelled with Yasei? Why?
I clapped my hands together to form a purple orb. I'd taken to calling this pulsing substance – magi clay. After all, I could shape the magic into any form I wished. I fashioned a long spear. It sparkled in my hand and hummed slightly. If I ever did find a weak spot, it would give the brute something to think about. Still, I hesitated. Fighting… I hate fighting. I wish someone else would do the fighting for me.
The dragon glared with bulging, bloodshot eyes. He charged; his large body moved faster than I expected. He snapped at me; a fire wave spread across the whole area burning the fog away. I watched as the hulking mass spun around to return. His deafening roar set my teeth on edge.
Ducking, diving and weaving, I took lessons from irritating flies that zip around a room to evade capture, but never quite make it out the window. Tatsumaki's frustration grew; muscular arms swiped in vain. His movements became sluggish. Coordination failing. Gasping with fatigue.
Had Yasei and the Watarara made it out? I stretched more magi – clay until it became thin and rubbery.
"Lord Ganondorf," the dragon cried out. "Give me more power."
Suddenly, the two horns nestled near his bony temples grew. They pierced through the skin, leaving thin trails of green blood trickling down to his maw. The silver scales on his back stood on end and began to hiss. Cruel laughter echoed faintly from far away.
"Yes, loyal servant, take revenge on those who slaughtered your brothers. I command you, burn the Happy Mask Salesman to ashes."
Ganondorf, you really are a troublesome fellow, aren't you?
My game of tag with Tatsumaki changed rather abruptly. Caught by a strong gust, I spiralled out of control for a moment. He came again with those large horns. Chasing the dream of impaled prey.
I retaliated with a purple lightning strike. The same move had killed a Wall Master in the Spirit Temple. Tatsumaki merely shook his large head in irritation. Some of the hissing silver scales grew razor sharp wings and took off.
For the love of Hyrule…
I despise flying insects. Particularly headless ones that want to kill me. As I tried to stab at the bugs, another swarm appeared ready to ambush their target. I turned too slowly. The resulting pain was like hot pokers being dragged across my chest. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts, my primal brain screamed.
In desperation, I thrust out my arms, the warp hole spat me out at the edge of the tornado's rotating shell. A little space. A little time. I looked down at my heaving torso and winced. I'd seen shredded, charred meat on a spit that looked much the same. I… I mustn't let them touch me again!
The only silver lining to be had was evidence of bare patches on the dragon's arms. Frayed strands of an idea came to mind.
"How long can you keep this up, human?" Tatsumaki hauled a ghastly smile over dry, cracked lips. "I can feel how tired you are."
"I highly doubt you have any concern for my wellbeing."
He huffed and further scales were sent flying.
My counter barrage of black discs knocked out a few, however, they were relentless. Between fire, tornados and creepy crawlies, I pitied the poor hero that had to fight eight of these things! Which brought up a good point.
Cupping my hands around my mouth, I shouted, "I confess to being a little curious. In the legend, all the dragons were killed. So, how exactly did you survive?"
"My Lord chose to resurrect this pathetic soul," Tatsumaki growled.
"He brought you back from the dead?"
"I will have my revenge."
At once, I couldn't see the brute anymore. A buzzing, silver sea of wings had hidden Tatsumaki, whose patience had finally run out. The hisses and clicks rose to a fever pitch. His great intake of breath drew debris and myself towards the swarm and I struggled to pull away. The world became an inferno. The 'bugs' set ablaze in blinding blue and white that you would only see in the centre of Din's hottest flames.
I stared in disbelief. If I survived this farce, there were a few things I wanted to set straight about those campfire tales. Firstly, that a dragon's oral hygiene is simply horrific. Second, that duelling with said horned creatures isn't particularly heroic, but in fact rather tiresome. And finally, to never underestimate a dragon's desire for revenge even from beyond the grave.
Frowning, I stared back at death and confirmed that fate really did have something against me. I applauded my sanity, what little was left, to try and cope with the series of disasters that had befallen my good self. So far these had included; attempted murder by monster inhabitants, war, witness to the annihilation of an entire race, betrayal, drowning, kidnap, engagement to a Gerudo and confrontation with the Gerudo King. Now, battle with a resurrected dragon could be added to that list, marvellous.
I flexed the magi – clay between the fingers of my left hand. It wasn't as malleable or strong as before. Constant use takes its toll I suppose. I couldn't complain. It had been my choice to stay. The bugs made their charge and it took all restraint not to flee. I believe the turn of phrase is 'stand your ground' but were I not floating, I doubt my jelly legs would be standing at all.
My teeth gnashed together as I focused on stretching out the magic.
"Your human tricks will not work," the dragon said.
We'll have to agree to disagree on that one, I thought, feeling the air temperature rise at an alarming rate. The swarm surrounded me in a cocoon of fire. I'd seen honeybees do something similar to a hornet too near the hive. They cooked the enemy to death. Nature could be cruel sometimes.
Sweat dripped in my eyes, but I couldn't afford to wipe it away. How the Gorons tolerate living inside Death Mountain I will never know. Such heat is torture. Nearly there, nearly there…
"Prepare to die, Happy Mask Salesman," Tatsumaki bellowed.
Yes, yes, do join the orderly queue. I've made more than a few enemies by now.
"What are you trying to do?"
To think waving a net and clearing buzzing nuances could be so soothing. I swooped through the sea of fire. Every scoop warped silvery scales to who knows where, so long as they were away from me. The flaming bugs tried to circle around to no avail. I'd caught over half of the swarm before they were called back.
"Leaving so soon?" I asked in surprise. Giving chase was an obsession, like clearing every speck of dust from a room.
Once more eye to eye with the dragon, it appeared my plan had worked to some degree. "Goodness, whatever happened to your lovely scales?" The dragon's outraged snarl made me laugh.
"You will pay for this."
"Perhaps," I agreed, as my warp hole sputtered out. "Shall we call a draw?"
Tatsumaki's grey eyes narrowed to slits. "Never."
He must have known. Bid his time, slowly whittled down my energy spell after spell. A spasm tore through my chest. I sucked in air, grasping the spear with shaking hands. I'd pushed too far. I needed to learn my limits, except events wouldn't allow me the chance to draw breath. I will not call him, I thought stubbornly. That foolish promise has vexed me to tears. No more, let this be the end of it. Mr Muryō, you were quite right. I have met with a terrible fate after all…
"By the Goddesses, Ronri!"
Dragged backwards, a flurry of golden feathers and rainbow rays shot past. The clamorous chirps and calls came from nowhere. Then the sky. A glorious blue sky and –
Thump!
"A tree?" A water birch actually, tall, with graceful branches and diamond shaped green leaves. I'd seen one in Mrs Kibishi's scrap book carefully pressed and preserved between wax paper.
"You moron." Yasei's freckled face obscured the tree from view. Her eyebrows hiked and I knew the grip on my shoulder was going to leave marks. "You left… You left to fight a dragon!"
"I had to protect the Watarara-"
"Fighting a dragon - on your own! Look at the state…" She sank teeth into the hem of her robe and pulled, ripping the flimsy material.
"To keep you and Kilton safe," I snapped back. "Ow, that stings!"
Said husky whined and lay down, covering his ears with two large paws.
"Ronri Okane, I could strangle you." Yasei pushed the tattered cloth even harder against my torso. "How can I have your back, if you keep leaving me behind?"
"With my luck, you need to stay as far behind as possible, my dear."
With those words, something sliced through the magnificent tree's crown. The groaning crack of splintering wood made my skin crawl. It toppled over the ledge and splashed into the lake below.
"Stop him at all costs," Elrora rallied her warriors.
Tatsumaki wasn't done. His body may be too big for the shrinking portal, but his right claw took another swipe. I yanked Yasei to the grassy floor and cradled her head. The claws caught the tree trunk instead. Three deep gashes forever etched into the brown wood.
Rather the tree than us, I supposed.
"I've just about had enough of this." Yasei stood. "Kilton, he stays," she said firmly and grabbed my spear.
"No, wait!" Kilton plonked his heavy behind on my stomach. I squirmed under the weight and smacked pathetically at the bulky, fluffy mass. "Please, be reasonable."
But the faithful hound refused to listen. His master stomped over to Tatsumaki, who bit and snapped. Elrora dived with her talons bared, going for the eyes.
"Miss Muryō?" Guufo did a doubletake. "What are you doing?"
Yasei held the glittering spear aloft with a murderous scowl. "Something," she yelled and rammed the sharp point into one nostril.
A shower of fine green blood spurted into the air. The dragon shrieked, lifting the woman clean off the ground. He tossed his head savagely.
Taking the advantage, the entire Watarara tribe combined their efforts into one last push of coloured light. It hit the dragon squarely in the chest and drove him back into the portal. With a bright flash it closed for good.
In the aftermath of heaving breaths and tears from the younglings, Kilton finally let me up.
"Yasei?" I spat out a mouthful of fur. "Where is she?" My voice bordered on hysteria. "Yasei!"