After the day's celebrations, Ruuya just wanted to head to her mat inside her tent, roll up and fall asleep beside Veil. Unfortunately, all three were still under the bright desert sun, far away from this world of darkness and beasts.
Now, the Village of Outcasts was covered by a thick morning fog, casting it in an eerie green glow. Ethereal fae lights floated and flittered in the mist, aimless, wispy, carefree. Her people often said these were the eyes of souls long departed, still watching the world from the realms beyond. She felt a chill, but decided to ignore those superstitions as her exhaustion nibbled at her feet, and her eyelids grew heavy, as though she had tied stones to her lashes.
Damn, she thought, biting back a yawn. The inhabitants of the Dark World certainly know how to throw a party.
Once the night had stretched into the early hours of the next morrow, she had finally been able to escape, ducking out of the party after she claimed she wasn't feeling well and had – rather conveniently – started her cycle. Cresting the low hill at the center of town, she spotted the roof of Alysse's manor house in the distance. Unfortunately for her sore feet, it was still some ways away. She sighed, but continued on, reaching the house at long last. In the green fog, it appeared like a dark monolith in the night, a story higher than most of the other shadowy buildings in the village. Standing there behind the gate to the front yard, the cold damp air seemed to grow more frigid. The night more dark and bitter.
I can't go back, she thought. It didn't matter that Alysse had sought her out during the party. The woman had initially disappeared as soon as Vaati had finished his speech. They hadn't truly spoken then, and Ruuya dreaded what Alysse might say. She had not only stolen that book, she had brought back a demon as well, even if he might be the very key they needed to open a link between worlds.
Some things simply could not be forgiven.
Ruuya nearly turned to go, but something caught her eye. A figure stood on the porch despite the hour, a lantern in hand. She edged forward, curious. It was not the wispy owl, nor the short yet stout young goat, but was taller and broader than both. Solid, like a mountain, with that same noble bearing as the majestic snowcapped peaks of the north. She felt a jolt of shock at the sight. Why would Joshua of all people wait up for her? He had barely spoken with her even when she was a guest in his house. Upon noticing her, he gave her a firm nod, beckoning her forward. There was no point in fleeing now; her curiosity had gotten the best of her.
"Alysse wanted to wait out here herself, you know," he said. "She's always been a stubborn one, but no one is quite as stubborn as Joshua the goat."
Ruuya nodded, climbing the short flight of steps onto the covered wooden porch. "Is...is she still up?" she asked, glancing around with a sudden jolt of nervous energy. Skittishness. Maybe she could still flee.
"Most likely, young lady," he answered. The goat-man smiled, then took a long drought from the steaming mug in his other hand. "I could no more convince her to get rest when she needs it than I can talk a mountain into moving. Believe me, I've tried it. The mountain was easier."
"The...what?" Ruuya blinked.
"Dynamite," he said, giving her a one armed shrug. She didn't know what that word meant. "It took a lot of well-timed explosions and water. Lots of it. This...this… I see. I'm not explaining this well."
That was an understatement. "Are you...some kind of builder?"
"An engineer," he said.
Ruuya stared, bewildered. "A...a...what?"
"I suppose it is a type of builder," he answered, releasing a hearty laugh. Great. Why, exactly, was she having this conversation? "Aye. I suppose I still am one, but most projects here...just haven't been that much of a challenge. You might say that next to moving a mountain to create a new system of pipes and aqueducts, building a bridge across a sluggish stream or new canals to water our fields just isn't a match."
She nodded, hiding a yawn behind her paw. Ruu, she heard Veil, whispering in the back of her head, that's rude, even if you hate anything that's remotely related to math.
"Ah, I'm sorry," he said, bowing his head slightly. "Please feel free to take your leave of me, Ruuya."
She gave him a grateful smile, moved to go inside, then looked back over her shoulder. "Thank you," she said.
He nodded. After they stepped inside, he hung the unlit lantern on a peg next to the door, then wandered over to Alysse, who sat on a plush chair in front of the fireplace. On her lap laid a quilt, and on top of that, half a knitted scarf, two knitting needles in her hands. As usual, she wore her glasses, but those had slid down her face, nearly falling off of her beak. Joshua tapped Alysse's shoulder, but didn't seem to catch her attention. Then he whispered into her ear. That didn't work either.
"Alysse, dear," he said. "She's back."
The woman started, then huffed, gesturing at him with one of her knitting needles. The goat-man smiled warmly, placed his large hands on hers, then spoke to his wife in a low voice, glancing back at Ruuya and sending her a nod. Alysse did likewise for a split second, then looked back at him, their quiet conversation continuing as it had before. Ruuya froze, wishing she could sink into the carpet on which she stood, or maybe become one with the stone door frame behind her. Either fate would be preferable to facing Alysse's wrath, she decided. That piercing gaze the old owl had her sent had been unmistakable. She was displeased by Ruuya's presence and what she had done.
She should've never come back, but it was too late now. A Gerudo knew better than to violate the trust of someone who had shown you hospitality without expecting something in return. One did not steal from one's host, at least while you were still staying there. Every Gerudo knew that, even those who had forsaken the Great Ganondorf and become silly merchants.
She had violated that sacred law...and then Joshua wished her a good night and went upstairs, his hoofsteps echoing in the great room below. For several moments, they were the only sounds beside the crackling fire and the soft tap of needlework. Soon, the sounds up above faded, and Ruuya was left there: frozen, numb, and unable to speak.
"Ruuya," Alysse said. At the sound of her name, Ruuya's insides tightened. "Have you eaten?"
Where was the rage she'd seen earlier? The anger? Ruuya faltered. She didn't know how to respond to that.
Have I eaten? Ruuya asked herself. She couldn't actually remember. Certainly there had been food at the celebration, but as the center of attention since Vaati had gone with Flow and left her behind, she realized she hadn't gotten even a single bite since breakfast.
Ruuya shook her head, her stomach rumbling in reply.
"There should still be shepherd's pie in the kitchen," said the woman. Ruuya wasn't familiar with the dish. It wasn't something they had out in the desert. "There may not be much left... But it's the best I can do."
Without a word, Ruuya headed into the kitchen, both to fetch a plate of food and to gather her thoughts. She didn't understand why the old owl hadn't lashed out at her, why Alysse was acting so pleasant. Perhaps the anger she had seen earlier hadn't been related to anything she had done. That doesn't make sense, she thought. Has she not discovered that I took it?
She didn't know, but her stomach growled demandingly. Thus, Ruuya headed over to the kitchen table and scooped out the last of the pie onto her plate from a strange ceramic dish that had kept it surprisingly warm. Considering the swirling wind symbol on top of its lid, it was probably a gift Flow had given them.
With a deep, nervous breath, Ruuya stepped back into the great room and joined Alysse next to the fire, having decided that there was no use in running now or delaying the inevitable by eating her dinner in the kitchen. She ate quietly, devouring the pie, then leaned back against the back of the matching cushioned chair.
Even after she had finished, she still did not know what to say.
"Was it good?" asked Alysse.
She nodded.
"I'll tell Joshua that. He's never made it before tonight, and he always gets anxious whenever he tries a new dish," she said, then laid her knitting needles upon her lap. The azure scarf was certainly longer than it had been before. "Ruuya. I may have known you only a few days, but I seem to recall that you're of a more talkative disposition."
"A talkative...what?"
"There," said Alysse, her eyes alight with mischief. "Or temperament."
Ruuya tilted her head. "Like...temper?"
"I suppose so, more that you are somewhat prone to chatter," she said. "At least where books and translation are involved."
Ruuya studied her, frightened. She felt a bit of vomit rise to the back of her throat.
"I stole it," she admitted, unable to keep her secret in any longer. Ruuya looked down in shame. Perhaps she should give it back, but even if she wanted to, only the gods knew where Nan had put her sack.
"Yes, I know," Alysse said. Ruuya felt a sudden chill, but then frowned. Oddly, Alysse didn't seem that angry. "It's good to know that someone else in this godsforsaken village gives a damn about scholarship."
Ruuya's thoughts sputtered to a halt, like a goron rolling into an unseen wall. "What?"
"But," she said, lifting a knitting needle and stabbing it in Ruuya's direction, "don't do it again."
Ruuya nodded quickly, still stunned. Her mouth felt as if she'd swallowed a handful of sand.
"I will always promote any woman who has an interest in scholarship," she said, closing her eyes. "You may keep the book, consider it a gift if you must, but…I doubt you will have much luck translating it."
Wow, she's optimistic. She was also right, Ruuya realized. Still. She wasn't one to just let an argument die out.
"The world is large, but all languages come from somewhere," said Ruuya. She smiled tentatively. "I think it is possible."
The old owl snorted. It was amazing given that all she had was a beak. "Indeed," she agreed. "But it takes years to learn to read, write, and translate ancient languages and linguistics, even under the tutelage of a skilled scholar, and that book is a challenge even for one such as I."
Ruuya's drummed her fingers on her knee. If only she'd known where her bag was.
"You're offering to teach me," she stated, grinning from ear to ear. Thoughts of Vaati and her earlier exhaustion were pushed aside. She didn't need to know what had provoked the old owl's anger, for now. This...this was wonderful. It was like finding someone else's buried treasure and claiming it as your own despite knowing that it belonged to them.
"I am considering it," said the owl. Slowly, she raised a finger. "If you promise me one thing. On the name of the Goddess of Sand."
Ruuya swallowed. Damn. That was an oath she would not dare break. She nodded, however.
"You'll keep Nan safe for me."
Ruuya smiled. That was no fur off her back. She was more than glad to do so. "Of course, I swear it."
Alysse's eyes crinkled. "Good. Then I will teach you," she said. "Now I -"
Alysse frowned, then glanced outside, her eyes lingering on the windows.
Ruuya tilted her head. "Alysse?"
"What is that?" Alysse asked, her eyes widening. She put both the unfinished scarf and needles on the end table between their chairs, placing her glasses there as well. Slowly, the owl-woman stood, crossing the room and looking out the darkened window. She stood there for several moments before looking back at Ruuya.
"Grab the lantern."
Ruuya frowned. She didn't see anything out there herself. Why was the old owl so alarmed? "What?"
"In all the time that you have been here," said Alysse, "haven't you noticed that the nights are never truly dark in this realm?"
Ruuya lifted a hand to her chin, considering Alysse's words. Each night, either the moon had been full and bright red, casting an eerie glow on the earth below, or a dense fog had lit the ground, providing a dim light by which to see. Strangely, for a place called the Dark World, it was never truly without light.
Ruuya glanced outside again. She saw nothing but the deep inky blackness from before. "That…is weird."
"Light here may be fickle, but one must have light to notice shadow. A contrast. That," - she pointed to the darkness beyond, the night without a shimmer of light - "should not be. It is unnatural. We must investigate."
Ruuya swallowed, backing up further into her chair. The chair legs slid across the wooden floorboards, making an unpleasant squeal. "You want to go out in that?" she asked, gasping slightly. "Are you insane?"
The old owl smiled at Ruuya with her eyes. "Yes," she answered. "Quite. Considering who I confronted this afternoon, you should know that…"
"He doesn't have magic."
"Which means I was very lucky," she said. "If you don't wish to accompany me, then at least you can fetch the lantern, young lady."
Ruuya flinched. Before, Alysse had treated her with respect, never once making her feel like her youth or lack of education made her any less of an equal in the owl-woman's eyes. Now, though…
She's manipulating you again, Ruu, Veil said.
She sighed, but decided to relent despite that thought. After all, she was curious, too, and if she wanted to learn from the woman, it was probably not a good idea to irk her again. Vaati had said the spell would be finished by the next morn, and it was technically morning now, even though the grandfather clock only read a quarter past three.
"Fine, I'll come," she fetched the lantern off of its hook beside the door and handed Alysse a cloak, "but I don't like this."
"That is why we're investigating." Alysse slung the cloak around her shoulders, tying it with steady hands. From beside the fire, she took her cane. "A great scholar never runs from questions."
Ruuya smiled. "Is that what you call brave stupidity?"
She shrugged instead of answering, stepping out into the night. Quickly, Ruuya followed, lantern in hand. The shadows barely fled from the lantern. Instead, it formed a small bubble of pale yellowish light around the pair as they traversed through unending night. Slowly, they treaded along the roads in the dark, neither star, moon, nor lit lanterns greeting them on their way. It seemed the perpetual shadow had eaten the light, and the World of Darkness was at last living up to its name.
"Do you hear that?" asked Alysse, breaking the silence that had befallen on their solemn trek through the abyss. "It sounds like…"
"Chanting," Ruuya finished.
They met each other's eyes. Somewhere in the shadows, a voice arose, an eerie melody filling the void. Words she did not know fell from the sky, but as the pair got closer, Alysse picked up the pace. Her footsteps determined. Her face stilled, her eyes enraged. At last they crested the hill at the center of the village. At the top rested a circular dias, four broken statues at its base. Upon it rested a young woman bathed in ethereal light falling from the heavens above. Her hair fell to the earth, fanning around her minute figure; her dress of cloud and sky, her skin pale, untouched by time or age.
Alysse gasped, breaking away from Ruuya. "Flow?"
Ruuya frowned. How could that be Flow? Flow was an old woman, not this, this...child. Then she noticed it, a small hand mirror trimmed with gold sat on Flow's lap, sparkling in the dim light.
They had fixed it, Ruuya realized with a start. Oh no, dear gods.
The woman tilted her head back, her eyes transfixed on the sky. She lifted the mirror above her head, and these words rang from her lips:
"Gatekeepers, I command thee thus, open the way to the Realm of Light!"
Four brilliant beams of violet light shot forth from the statues, slamming into the mirror Flow held above her head. White light blossomed from the mirror, pulsating steadily, and rippling out in waves around her.
"No…" Alysse said, her voice nearly lost beneath the tide of thunderous magic. However, she stepped forward, covering her head with her arms and pushing through the waves of wind and light. "Flow! Stop this!"
"Alysse!" Ruuya yelled. "You can't stop her…!"
Her voice, however, had been lost beneath the cacophony arising from the ancient sorceress. Alysse marched on despite Ruuya's words, then as the light came down in another great blast, Ruuya ran forward, tears spilling from her eyes.
She could not let Alysse touch Flow, not for those women's friendship nor for Alysse's sense of duty. That spell will consume them both!
"No!" Ruuya cried. Alysse reached out to grab Flow's shoulders and pull her back, but Ruuya tackled her just as the tips of her feathers were blackened by magic. They tumbled into a heap of yellow fur and white feathers, then were hit by a powerful wave of energy, slamming against one of the four statues that surrounded the small dais upon which the sorceress knelt.
Finally, the young woman looked upon them, smiled, and said, "Thank you."
And then was consumed by light.
The world dissipated around them, turning bright. A tingling sensation spread from her toes to her head, wrapping around her like a blanket. Slowly it intensified, until the white light faded.
Laying on a soft bed of grass, Ruuya opened her eyes. The world around her was blue and green. Grass and wildflowers sprouted from the ground, and a thin canopy of tree branches spread out overhead, dimpled sunlight falling through their leaves. The air was fresh. The wind was gentle. It brushed her skin with a cool breeze. Instead of fur and claws, she wore sturdy trousers, a simple blouse, and her new boots. At her hips, her scimitars rested in their sheaths, two reassuring weights at her side. She was Gerudo again.
She sighed in relief. It was beautiful. It was wonderful. It was perfect.
It didn't matter.
Before her, a young woman still knelt, her head raised to the heavens, a sparkling mirror in her hands and a serene smile on her face. Ruuya reached out and touched her.
Flow's flesh had become stone, her dress crystal, and at her feet, blood covered the grass. When Ruuya's fingers brushed her arm, the statue crumbled to dust. Ruuya fell to her knees, splattering blood as she did so, and covered her eyes, sobbing. Time passed, voices rung in the distance, but Ruuya wept, too overwhelmed to care. At last, a willowy hand landed on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. Ruuya looked up through tear-blurred eyes. The hand belonged to a woman with hair like flame and startling blue eyes, filled with knowledge and wisdom.
Alysse. The woman – her friend – gave her a watery smile. "She left us a note." She held up a white envelope. It had been stamped shut with a strange symbol, like winds and wings, but the seal was broken.
Throat thick, Ruuya managed to croak, "What did it say?"
"She called me brave and said: 'you must keep your promise and protect them'," Alysse said, gaze locked onto Flow's remains. "But by the gods, Ruuya, I don't know how."
End of Part 1
A/N:
Jazzy-kandra: Interludes are coming sometime soon. Don't worry, she'll get Jamila back.
SmashQ: I'm just going to go scream into oblivion now. So long, Flow. And thanks for all the cookies.