Chapter 19:
The Unknown Goes Unseen

Ventus

Leaning against a particularly sturdy tree branch, Ventus looked out into the woods where he could occasionally catch a glimpse of swinging lights. They danced at the edge of his vision, and if he couldn't feel their eyes staring at them through the foliage, he would wonder if they were there at all.

Rini was practicing how to be more precise with her mana, squinting as she held the branch to the light of the setting sun. It had taken on a form of a smaller dagger, and she was carefully moving it down the length to remove the bark. They had already made cordage for their makeshift shelter, but it was good to have some in reserve. They learned that lesson the hard way in the past.

"Do you hear something?" Rini's question broke him out of his reverie and he looked at her, the small golden dagger floating around her head.

"No. Saw some poes though further in the woods."

"They're probably lost souls. It's not a problem unless they come this way, you know that," she said before throwing him some of the bark she had peeled off. "Instead of staring into space, make yourself useful and start twisting. We don't have much longer before it's completely dark."

Grunting, he took the willow branches and began to carefully twist them, not bothering to argue.

Since fleeing Nouka's dungeon, an unspoken agreement came among them. They would return to Kakariko Village as soon and as carefully as possible. Rini was the one who suggested they come back the way they came. Staying to the treeline was the safest bet since they were traveling on foot and the other way presented more dangers.

Neither spoke of the ordeal, nor what was waiting for them when they returned to Kakariko. Part of Ventus wished they would. Rini, however, refused to. The only thing she really focused on was to practice her magical abilities and make sure he did as well. Rini kept harking on him to figure out his death magic to "do something about the stals and poes" no matter how many times he told her he didn't have death magic.

At least Rini didn't treat him as odd for his Sheikah abilities. Barely blinked really beyond asking if he finally got over his fear of ghosts. Which wasn't fair because he was never afraid. He was just realistically wary. The villagers of Sickle's Hollow thought he was touched in the head for rescuing Ceres. They never said it where they thought he could hear them, but he did. Nor did he miss the looks they gave him.

He wondered if this is what Eli felt like. Part of him felt guilty for pointing out there was nobody there, especially when he could feel the eyes too. He thought nothing of it, being in a bustling city or village. The jerk was still a bit of a weirdo, but it was because he liked to hang around the well which made Ven feel queasy each time he approached it. Maybe that's why his eyes were so unnerving. You stare into creepy ass ghosts for a long time, it leaves a mark on you.

Suddenly his ears twitched and he turned his head, the sound of squeaking wheels tickling his senses. It was unusual to hear such sounds at this hour.

"Rini!" he hissed, adjusting himself so he could see better. From the corner of his eye he could see a couple more orbs appear before they awkwardly took the forms of daggers. The most she could juggle was three at the moment, and even then that was pushing it.

"What is it?" she asked, climbing a bit higher in the tree to get a better vantage point.

"I hear a wagon or something—listen."

There was a moment of silence between the two siblings before Rini broke it.

"You're right. It can't be monsters. Gerudo would have no reason to use a wagon now, right? Do you think it's Nouka?"

"Who else could it be?" Ventus hissed, though his head was swimming. How did he find them so fast? They made sure to leave no marks. They even stole his mana potions so he couldn't easily follow them with his plant horse. Did he suspect they would take this route because he knew they stuck to the trees? "Pass the spyglass down. I'll take a look."

Rini took it out of the bag—they had switched bags with Rini carrying mom's bag with Anna in it and Ven carrying the larger backpack with the mana potions—but didn't pass it down.

"I'm higher, I'll take a look," she said before pressing it against her eye. Ventus swore, but Rini waved him off with one hand. "Shut up! I'm concentrating!"

"On what, looking?"

One of Rini's daggers came down and smacked him. It didn't hurt, not really, but still he made a disgruntled choking sound. However, before he could pick a fight, she spoke up in a shocked whisper. "It's Germanin!"

"What? Let me see!" Without waiting for her to pass it down, he scrambled up next to her and yanked the spyglass out of her hands. Looking frantically around the field for a moment, it took a moment to find him, but when he did, Rini was right.

There was a wagon several yards out from their treeline, led by one horse and a man at the reins. His profile was unmistakable with his shaggy mane of dark hair peppered with gray and a short beard that followed suit. His broad form in dark traveling tunic and duster, and his sword was strapped to his back. It was the older knight.

Suddenly hope bloomed in Ventus' chest. While Germanin wasn't the Serwens, he was one of the next best things. He knew the old man and knew he was a close and trusted friend of his father's. Plus sometimes he had a sneaky suspicion the old man used the chaos he caused at the castle while looking for his father as a way to train the newer guard members.

"This is great, he can help us!" Ventus said a bit too loud and without a second thought jumped from their tree fort and began to run toward the wagon. He could hear Rini behind him swearing up a storm and calling him every variation of idiot she could think of. Still he could hear her feet pound after him.

The older man's hand snapped to his sword, hearing them before he saw them. He turned his head sharply in their direction and then paused like he was confused. The wagon slowed to a creaky stop, allowing them to catch up quickly.

"Germanin!" Ventus yelled, and for the first time in what felt like years, threw his arms around the lower torso of an adult he knew and trusted. Rini caught up to him a moment later, gasping for air at being forced to try to match his pace.

Germanin grunted with the impact he made in his hug. "Ventus? Rini?"

"We're so glad to see you!" Ventus said, pulling back and rubbing his eyes. He wasn't going to cry. He was a man now.

Germanin stared at him for a moment longer, his green eyes taking in their features in a sweep. "I heard Sakirven was hit, but I had hope that… nevermind."

His stare went beyond them to the makeshift shelter they were making in the treeline. "I was going to stop for the night in any case. Get in."

Neither child needed to be told twice, quickly scrambling into the carriage. It wasn't as safe as in a tree, but then again Germanin was around and he was a knight. Ventus hadn't noticed anything recently beyond the poe further into the woods anyway, and it wasn't like they hunted them down like the wolves or skeletons.

"Where are you headed anyway?" Rini asked, slipping her bag off her shoulder and putting it next to her.

Germanin turned the wagon so that it headed for the treeline and their shelter. "Kakariko."

"We're headed there too. We're hoping to meet up with Auntie Amaya and Uncle Tori." Ventus paused and then, "Are they there?"

"I have not been to Kakariko myself since the first attacks. I can't imagine Amaya not getting her family to safety unless Ganondorf himself stood in her way."

Ventus' hand twitched and for a brief moment he could feel Garrik's blood on his hands as he tried to staunch the knight's bleeding. It haunted his nightmares, along with the unmoving body of his mother, lolling head of Killian and mangled body of Tessa. Recently the empty eyes of the Gerudo girl started to make an unwanted intrusion as well.

"That's a relief. A certain someone thought they would be at Lake Hylia." Rini shot Ventus a glare, clearly still not forgiving him for his mistake.

"Don't tell me you were headed all the way there?" Germanin grunted in shocked disapproval.

"I mean we're headed to Kakariko Village," Ventus said, tapping his fingers together. It was different when Germanin disapproved than Nouka or Rini's constant stream of sarcasm.

"Now. We already checked Lake Hylia. They weren't there, of course."

The eldest knight shook his head heavily. "You must have Farore watching over you and Nayru guiding you kids."

Ventus put a hand around his necklace, which bore Farore's mark. He hadn't taken it off since his mother gave it to him. It was the last gift she gave him, the last birthday present he received from his mother. He left the wooden sword behind—Uncle Killian needed it more for a grave marker.

"Mom gave me a talisman for my birthday," he said quietly, Rini falling quiet as she played with her gloves. "And sent us an owl to look after us."

"I still think she would be pissed to know you named it after her," Rini muttered under her breath.

Germanin said nothing, just sighing. It was tired, a defeated sigh when there was nothing to say. They sat in silence in the wagon as it creaked and rattled up to the edge of the forest. Once there, they piled out and Germanin hid the wagon further back in the trees and then came to where they were constructing their makeshift shelter for the night.

There was a small hoot and Ventus looked up just as a dead rat landed on his face. Wiping it off, he could see Ceres ruffling her feathers proudly at her present. Rini on the other hand pointed and laughed at him.

Ventus grumbled under his breath, but picked up the rat and inspected it. The thing wasn't very big, but with Germanin here maybe they could cook it for once.

"I hope you got something to eat too," Ventus said, looking up at Ceres. The owl just hooted in response and watched him, as if waiting for him to eat the gift.

Instead, Germanin handed him and Rini some jerky to eat. "I would see if you can get her to eat it instead."

Ventus waved the jerky up so she could see it and took a bite. After a moment, he broke open the rat, ripped some meat off it, and tossed it up. Ceres flew down and caught it, landing on his shoulder and gulped it down. She looked over at Germanin and the jerky, as if appraising it before scooting down to Ventus' arm and eating the remainder of the rat. Still Ventus couldn't help but feel she was sulking the way she kept shooting Germanin looks.

Ventus moved to pet her but suddenly found he couldn't. His eyes suddenly flickered to Rini and Germanin, each of them frozen still in their movements. Rini with another jerky stuffed into her mouth and Germanin reaching into his satchel for something.

What the fuck? Ventus tried to move. He really did. Ceres squawked and hopped up and down, pecking at his hand as if that would move him.

A dark figure stepped soundless into their little camp to his right. As he now focused on this figure, they were a slender form, draped in a black traveling cloak and holding a dark, twisted stave. The hood was up, making their features nearly impossible to discern.

Still he could feel there was something there. Someone there. Nearby. Staring at the figure before looking around. Ceres squawked angrily, hopping up and down, pulling at his hand as if trying to pull him up to his feet.

The hooded figure raised their other hand and pulled down their cowl, revealing his features. He wasn't old like Germanin. His hair was black, not gray or white. It clotted together in stringy bunches that hung past his chin. Ventus wondered if he had heard of soap or knew how to use it. His face was expressionless as well as pale and sallow, almost like the sick people back in Sakriven. His eyes were brown and staring at Germanin who sat across from him on a rock to Ventus' left.

His eyes flickered back over to Rini, pushing against the paralysis as he tried to move; Ceres' claws and teeth were beginning to draw blood. Rini was staring at him and her eyes flickered over to Germanin briefly back to the greasy man. The Hylian man only glanced briefly at him and Rini before returning his shit brown eyes to the older man.

Dull light blinked into their sights. It was a muted gray color, but it reminded him of the glowing amber mana things Rini did. It changed shape too, breaking into four separate lights that shot over to Germanin. They went around his wrists and ankles, in a snap the knight's hands were brought together, and he was on his knees before the darkly clothed caster. The other spell must have stopped too, because he heard Germanin bark out a name.

"Sylric," he spat and lifted his head to glaring up at him.

Sylric? Who was Sylric? A few months ago, Ventus would be unsure why a Hylian was attacking a knight of Hyrule when the real enemies were the Gerudo, but the world was in shambles now. Nothing was like it was, as if a poisonous cloud had descended upon Hyrule. His own fingers itched to go toward his sword, to cut this man down. Protect them all, just like his father.

"What in the name of the Three are you doing?" the knight growled. Strangely enough, Germanin had not been expecting this man to do this.

At first it seemed the greasy caster wasn't going to answer. When he spoke, it was quiet, almost soft, though Ventus heard him just fine.

"Where is Zelda?"

The question took Ventus off guard and out of the corner of his eyes he could see Rini's eyes widen as well.

Zelda. Zelda?! This mother fucker was chaining up a knight to ask about the princess?!

This mother fucker, Ventus thought, baring his teeth as he pushed to move, Ceres claws digging more into his skin as small streams of blood began to run down his hands.

Ventus wanted to yell. Curse. Part of him knew he should have learned his lesson when he fought against the Gerudo in Sakriven, to be careful against an opponent who was much more powerful than him. Powerful enough to even chain down Germanin, but all his instincts were screaming at him to move. To do something.

Zelda.

Ventus hadn't heard anything about her since that day when he saw her clutched in Impa's arms as they escaped on horseback hours before Castle Town burned. He hadn't thought about it but the fact there was no whispers of her whereabouts was good or bad. Ventus didn't know her too well, but had enjoyed her company in the stolen moments at the castle when he sat on her window ledge waiting for the guards to pass.

There was no way he was going to let this greasy asshole get close to her.

Germanin glared harder at the caster, Sylric. "You're with Ganondorf this time around? I thought you hated the Gerudo after your mother died. You killed enough of them."

Sylric blinked, still emotionless. "Zelda?"

"You think I know something like that?" the knight spat. "I'm taking supplies to Kakariko in this wagon."

Sylric stared at him for another moment before turning away, walking toward Rini.

Fear sparked in Ventus' eyes as Rini's eyes widened, locking with his. She didn't speak, but he heard the whispered pleas. Ceres bit him harder, more insistently. Blood began to collect on the forest floor as a fire began to burn in his eyes.

Don't touch her. Don't you fucking dare!

"Isn't that dangerous to do with two children in tow?" His voice was still whisper-soft. He stood over her, staring into her eyes. His hand reached out and brushed some of her wild blond hair from her face.

Germanin was rendered speechless, driving Ventus mad as he knew exactly what he would be saying to this fucker right now. Not for the first time, his gut sank as the old knight gaped at the caster, dumbfounded.

"What are you doing?" he choked out in outrage. "They're just some kids I know. I found them wandering in the fields."

But the caster did not move away from Rini. His fingers stroked her cheek. "I know. I saw you find each other … The girl does magic, a bit young though."

"Then you know I'm not lying to you," countered Germanin. "We don't know anything about Zelda."

Suddenly there was movement from Rini, and Ventus wasn't sure if his heart was dropping into his stomach or stopping all together. She jumped back from Slyric and raised her hands only to look dumbly at him.

No daggers came out.

"What?" she whispered, though Ventus could hear her perfectly. Something was wrong.

Move. Protect her. You're the big brother. You're the adult. Fucking do something!

Blood was covering his entire hand now from Ceres digging into him. It would leave scars when it healed. If it had a chance to heal. Rini's eyes darted between himself and Germanin, as if weighing her options.

Suddenly she dropped down as if in a crouch and did a dance move she must have learned from Farah, a rather nice Gerudo lady who came into Castle Town to dance. She always was willing to answer Ventus' questions and played with the two of them when they were younger and nobody was watching them.

And for a moment Ventus wondered why the fuck she was dancing—that was until it swept at Slyric's legs and all at once Ventus understood.

And in the same breath he understood how Rini felt that day he stood up to the Gerudo. Rini's leg met a ghostly bubble shield that appeared around the caster. She clicked her tongue and gracefully gripped the ground as she then dashed toward him.

No, Rini! Run far from here!

"Come on dipshit," she hissed, reaching him and shaking him slightly. "Move."

The greasy man was coming toward them, and Rini slumped slightly, holding on to him tightly. Ventus could feel those other eyes boring into them. No, into Rini.

"Ven …" she breathed, clutching tightly to him as if he was the only thing holding her up. She was moving fine earlier, and the caster hadn't even done anything to her. He could hear her labored breathing and thready pulse in his ears. What was wrong?

"I believe you weren't lying, Germanin. Yet… I find you wanting for truth perhaps." He stood over Ventus, his eyes shadowed and empty. "If anyone were to know Zelda's whereabouts, it might be you."

"Impa is back in Kakariko; why don't you ask her?" hissed the old knight.

"That seems a bit too obvious. I'm here to investigate other leads."

Never once did this greasy fucker look away from Ventus' eyes. If looks could kill the man would be dead by now, withering on the forest floor as fire consumed him.

"Then this one is a dead end too. I'm just running supplies and picking up people when I find them. I was lucky to make it out of Castle Town. I don't even know if the princess is still alive. We all last saw her fleeing with Impa on horseback."

Germanin paused and then said, "Sylric… your hands haven't been moving for some of those spells."

What does that matter? Do something! Stop just talking! Ventus wondered, pushing against the invisible chains as Ceres flittered anxiously near Rini who was clinging to Ven, her hand going slowly toward his bag.

He remembered Rini saying something about movements and words being needed for magic on top of concentration, but there was someone else here.

"Ventus, I don't feel well …" Rini murmured. "Do something. You promised."

The dark man reached down, his fingers sinking into her blond hair and then gripping it into a fist. He yanked her sharply back, pulling her by the hair. "I'm the one asking the questions."

Rini yelped as tears began to fill her eyes. She could barely move though she tried. Ventus' entire body felt on fire, like it was close to combusting. Yet all he could do was watch helplessly as she reached out to him.

Move! Move! MOVE YOU STUPID FUCK!

"I don't know!" Germanin snarled. "I can't tell you something I don't know. All you will have gained is brutalizing a child! And what for? To please your new king? What has become of you?"

"You know nothing of what I have gained." His staff hovered as his other hand let go of it and reached into his cloak, drawing out a knife. "There are two children. You have two chances to tell me anything you know about Zelda, aside from what we already know. You remarked on my kill count during the war? It had more to do with the fact I merely find it easier to do than others."

He pressed the blade to Rini's neck. "Do you know how many Gerudo children I slayed in the war?"

Fresh blood began to dew at the knife's point in her throat.

All he could see was his sister crying. The blood running down her neck. The dagger pressed against her throat promising death. Promising to take away the last of his family. He didn't realize he had moved. That he was moving. All he could think about was getting to his sister. Getting her out of harm's way. All of his energy, all of his attention was on Rini and this monster before him.

Move. Move. Move.

But then he hit something hard. A dim gray bubble shield met his face.

Ventus snarled and pulled the sword free and in a movement which was a mirror of Killian's, slashed at it not wasting a single movement. His father's sword didn't even feel heavy in his hands. It just burned as his blood congregated around the hilt. The gray bubble disappeared, though Ventus wasn't sure if it was his own power that had broken through it. He didn't care. He grabbed his sister roughly and pulled her behind him while moving the sword up at the same time to block any physical attack. Instead it found a purchase cutting into flesh of the arm which at one point held his sister captive. It drew blood but not enough blood to satisfy Ventus.

Shrugging off the bag, he threw it to Rini and slid back into a move defensive stance. He could hear the bottles clanking as Rini fumbled for a mana potion. The fact they stole from Nouka was a blessing in disguise now.

"We're not alone!" he yelled, warning her in the only way he knew how.

"Fuck!" Rini swore, instantly getting what he was saying.

"Run you two!" roared Germanin as he stepped forward and slashed at the caster as well. His sword clanged against another gray bubble shield.

Ven hesitated for a half a second before looking at his sister to see she was staggering. Any and all bloodlust toward the man was momentarily muted. His sister came first. Rushing forward, he scooped her up easily with a strength he didn't know he had and pushed himself forward as fast as he could.

Faster. Faster. Faster. You need to protect Rini. Faster.

He didn't pay attention to where he was running. Didn't care. He needed to get away, far away, with Rini. He could hear the wing beats of Ceres next to him. The forest itself seemed to move and shiver around him. There was rattling, cracking of bones. He could feel for a moment a flash of eyes, but he ignored it all.

Yet the deeper into the woods he got, he began to hear something different. Music.

Help.

Without a second thought, Ventus began to run toward it.