NayruGoddessOfWisdom

Members
 View profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    395

  • Joined

  • Last visited


Posts posted by NayruGoddessOfWisdom

  1. Posted · Edited by NayruGoddessOfWisdom (see edit history)

    Sheik fiddles with the mechanism on the gate which, thankfully, is unlocked. Within a matter of seconds, he opens it up, and I guide Caoilainn from the cell by her arm. The others follow, and once we're outside, Caoilainn's breathing levels out a little.

    "Remember," I say to the others. "From this point on, stealth is key - not a noise!" They nod, and we turn to make our way through the dark tunnel. I walk at the front of the group, carefully feeling my way along the walls, until eventually the flaming light of a torch appears up ahead. I press myself up against the wall, and the others copy as we slowly make our way out onto the territory. The area we stand in is hidden by a large rocky wall, but is the perfect place to listen to the Demon's conversation.

    A deep voice speaks. "We've planned the revolution from the shadows. We've lost powerful men and women in Avani, Ardaia, and Blagdan. But Demon kind will prevail. We will have dominion over this land. Any who stand against us w-"

    The voice comes to a halt when a loud clatter sounds out from behind me. I turn, my eyes wide with panic, to find a mortified looking Zelda, her hand over her mouth as colour rushes to her face. Her bow lies on the ground - she must have dropped it. That's when the tone of the demonic voices changes. They're looking for us!

    I think fast, the cogs whirring in my mind as I desperately attempt to come up with a plan, a way to avoid having our cover blown. And then it hits me. It's not elegant, and it's certainly not intelligent. I don't even quite know how it'll pan out... but at least it'll draw attention from the group.

    I stoop down, taking Zelda's bow from the ground. I feel Melaina's hand on my arm, I look up to find a panicked expression in her eyes, she's confused. I shoot her an apologetic look, before taking Zelda's bow and tentatively stepping out onto Demon territory. I'm careful not to draw any attention to myself until I'm far enough away that I won't lead the Demon's back to my friends, and then I fire an arrow. One Demon stumbles as it strikes him in the chest.

    The others turn, and within a matter of moments they've grabbed me, and I'm teleported in front of a hulking great mass that sits on an ornate throne. I'm forced to my knees in front of the beast - who I assume must be Majora. I look up, and find two round, harrowing eyes staring down at me.

    And that's when I feel something like hot lead pressing into my brain. I screw my eyes shut, shouting out in agony. I wrench my arms free, pressing my hands to my head as I try to erect mental barriers, but it's useless.

    Then I lose control of my own body. It moves of it's own accord, or rather, Majora's. Within a matter of seconds, I'm standing, and my lips move with unfamiliar words.

    "Any who stand against us will perish."

  2. Posted

    Link is already packing up the fruit and bread into bags, and Caoilainn looks like she wants to leave as soon as possible. So we all get to our feet, dusting the sand from our clothes before we press on towards demon territory.

    It doesn't take us long before we find the entrance to the demon territory. The dark cave-like gap in the wall of the rock surface.

    "What's our plan?" Sheik asks.

    "Stealth is key here," I reply. "We need to stay concealed for as long as possible, waiting for a time when Majora is vulnerable enough to strike."

    "When will thay be?" Melaina asks.

    "I don't know," I say honestly. "But just stay hidden, you'll know the vulnerable point when you see it, I swear."

    "Okay..." Caoilainn mumbles, sounding apprehensive. "Let's get this over with."

    So we make our way in, stumbling through the poorly lit tunels as we traverse. Something about the dark and the shadows just appeals to demonkind, but I suppose it explains a lot.

    "Ouch!" I hiss, as someone steps on my foot.

    "Sorry," Sheik whispers. "I'm blind as a bat in here..."

  3. Posted

    I feel something warm and wet on my hand, and snap it back immediatly when I realise that Melaina's licking my palm. I wipe it off on my leggings whilst gently pushing Melaina with my other hand.

    "Seriously you two!" Caoilaain whines.

    I laugh. "Missing Sault are you?"

    "Shaddup..." she mutters.

    The journey progresses, and even Caoilainn seems to cheer up a little as we make our way into Lanayru dessert. Although there's still an unspoken air of trepidation about her, though I suppose it's not suprising given her past experience with Majora.

    We pause for lunch a safe distance from the Demon territory, sitting down on the dry sand to share fruit and bread. We converse quietly for a while, before the conversation moves onto more serious topics.

    "So what's happened with Leo then?" Zelda asks. "Is he alright?"

  4. Posted · Edited by NayruGoddessOfWisdom (see edit history)

    I don't know if it's the clear morning air, the prospect of finally seeing Majora defeated, or just a chipper mood, but something about this mission has the blood pumping through my veins again. I feel like the Fintan who was scared of Caoilainn, who was haunted by failures has been pushed from my mind. This is my mission, if all goes well, the final one for this case - and that thought is enough to put a smile on my face.

    We can bring safety to the surface again. We can rid it of evil. I can see my mission through. And that thought's enough to cheer me up.

    "Let's go, I say to the assmebled group of Sheikah, with the addition of Link and Zelda.

    I take off with a sure stride, Melaina and Sheik just behind me. Melaina steps into stride with me, watching me with curiosity.

    "What's got you so upbeat?" she asks.

    I shrug. "We might be seeing the mission through today," I say with a smile. "Say whatever you will, but after all the trauma and ordeal it's been, I'll be proud to say we were successful."

    "That's wonderful," Melaina replies with a smile.

    "Don't get your hopes up just yet!" Caoilainn teases from behind us.

  5. Posted · Edited by NayruGoddessOfWisdom (see edit history)

    "Hold on," Sheik says, approaching us from behind. "Don't forget your mission. We still need a stealth team to approach Majora. Sault is out looking for Leoni. He's a perfectly competent warrior. He can handle this situation alone."

    "But Sheik," I say. "Leo is my friend, I can't just abandon him!"

    "You're not," Sheik assures me. "But you have a duty to do. I thought that you, of all people, should know that nothing comes before that."

    I falter for a few moments, thinking.

    "I promise you that Sault will take goodcare of Leoni. But you can't abandon your mission, Fintan."

    "You're right..." I mutter. The surface has to come first.

    I turn to Caoilainn. "Come on, let's assemble the rest of the group. We need to move fast if we're going to get the drop on Majora."

    She looks hesitant for a few moments, before evetually giving me a reluctant nod.

    "Alright," she says. "Lets round up the group and set out."

    We turn to go, and I'm suprised to find Sheik just behind me.

    I frown. "What are you-?"

    "This is important," he cuts in. "I'm coming with you."

  6. Posted · Edited by NayruGoddessOfWisdom (see edit history)

    I poke my head into the communal tent, glancing around. But no, he's not here. I duck back out, striding over towards the sleeping tents. Sault sees me approaching, and walks in stride with me.

    "Sheik's enlisted volunteers," he says.

    I nod. "That's good news."

    "What are you looking for?" he asks.

    "Who," I correct him. "And Leoni. I need to brief him about the mission."

    Sault jogs ahead of me, holding open the door of Leoni's tent. We make our way in, and I'm shocked by what I see.

    The tent is completely empty. All of Leoni's possessions have vanished, like his room's been ransacked. I stare around me silence, astonished.

    "What's happened here?" Sault asks.

    I swallow hard, trying to clear the dryness in my throat. "Sault... I think he's gone..."

    Guilt sets over his expression as he looks around at the empty tent.

  7. Posted

    "I'll make sure that's taken care of," I say as I climb to my feet, the light hearted atmosphere having completely vanished. "We'll leave at first light tomorrow."

    "You'll have to take care of Caoilainn," Sheik says to me, casting a weary glance over at my friend. "If Majora can get into her head that easily, then you'll need to be on hand at all times to drive it away."

    I nod. "I understand... are you okay with that Caoilainn?"

    She shrugs, looking thoroughly exhausted. "What choice do I have?"

    "Okay..." Sheik mutters, looking around at us all. "I suggest that you all get a good nights sleep. I'll speak to the Sheikah, round up volunteers for the mission. Obviously, your team will need to go."

    Sault nods. "Of course."

    Sheik gives us a final nod, before turning to walk away. He glances back momentarily, looking baffled. "Fintan... Melaina... why are you both soaked?"

    I run a hand through my sodden hair, pushing it back from my eyes."

    "Uhh... long story..." Melaina mumbles. Sheik doesn't look convinced, but turns to walk back to camp.

  8. Posted

    As I make my way out from my evening class, I'm greeted by the sound of loud laughter. I frown, glancing around the camp, trying to find the source. I follow the sound, working my way around the communal tent. Eventually, I stumble upon an unusual sight. Melaina sits, shivering, in a puddle of water. Sault and Caoilainn are stood just behind her, bucket in hand, cackling with laughter. Another bucket sits, empty, at their feet

    "What is going on here?" I ask, walking cautiously over.

    "I swear I am going to kill you!" Melaina yelps, jumping to her feet and running around the bench towards Sault and Caoilainn. She grabs at them, but they duck out of the way with ease, though Sault is careful to watch the bucket he holds, which is still full.

    "Can we just-" I duck out of the way. "Can't we focus on - can we... won't you take anything seriously!"

    They come to a halt then, Caoilainn and Sault exchanging mischievous looks. Suddenly they turn, advancing on me, Sault still holding the other bucket.

    "Don't you - gah!" I take off into a run, sprinting for the woods.

  9. Posted · Edited by NayruGoddessOfWisdom (see edit history)

    I tried to talk with Leoni. I comforted him plenty, said he could be honest with me, offered him guidance. But he didn't want any if it. He just sat there watching me witha perfectly neutral expression.

    I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad concerned about him. I've bottled up emotions enough times to see that it's what he's doing. It's just going to end up hurting him.

    As I make my eay out of Leoni's tent, Melaina rushes past me, a blur of laughter and blonde hair. I turn back just in time to see Caoilainn before she crashes into me and we both hit the ground.

    The air is knocked out of me and I can hear the sound of Melaina laughing from just up ahead.

    "Sorry!" Caoilainn gushes.

  10. Posted

    I try my best to fight the childish smile that's forcing it's way across my face, but I know that it's a fruitless endeavour.

    "You really did all that to impress me?" I ask.

    She nods, looking a little bashful.

    I give up on fighting my grin as I take her by the hand. "You should know you never had to do any of that," I say. "I thought the world of you, still do, actually."

    It's her turn to smile now. "Surely not..."

    I nod. "You were the one who taught me that there's more to life than a mission, than duty. I still want to be a good Sheikah, maybe even cheif some day... But it's not all I want."

    She reaches up then, leaning in for a kiss. I oblidge without a seconds thought. Her lips taste like apple and give me a swell of happiness in my stomach.

    I break away after a few moments, one hand still resting on the back of her neck.

    "I should probably go and see Leoni. It's all very well for Sault and Caoilainn to talk to him... But I think ge needs someone else right now."

  11. Posted

    I feel a little ill at ease regarding the whole situation with Sault and Caoilainn. I'm happy for them, that they've found something with each other, but I'm concerned for Leoni. He's my friend, just as much as Caoilainn and Sault are, despite the fact that I haven't known him as long. We're very similar people, and he's always been there for me with Melaina. I don't like the way that Caoilainn didn't tell Leoni about any of this, didn't even stop to find out how he felt. It just seems rather insensitive to me. I don't know, maybe I'm over reacting, but I know how I'd have felt if Melaina hadn't fallen for me, choosing someone else instead.

    Melaina smiles at me as I enter the communal tent. I help myself to some food before settling down across the table from her.

    "Hey," she says. "What's up?"

    I take a sip of water. "Sault and Caoilainn," I say simply.

    She blinks. "What about them?" I stare at her in silence for a few moments, waiting until she gets the message. Her eyes open wide "What? Really? I never would have seen that coming... does Leo know?"

    I shake my head. "No, that's my issue," I contemplate for a moment. "But that's not the biggest issue... what's wrong with you? Something seems to be bothering you..."

    She sighs, tearing her bread into little pieces. "I just feel kind of... guilty... it was my idea to bring the Hylians down to the Surface and now all of this has happened... and Bryarly, oh Goddess Bryarly..."

    I move quickly around the table, wrapping an arm around Melaina's shoulders. I pull her close to me, gently stroking her hair. "Don't you dare ever blame yourself..." I tell her softly.

  12. Posted

    "Are you okay?" I ask Melaina, glancing her up and down. She's toying with the hem of her shirt, something she only does when she's concerned about something.

    "Fine," she replies. "I don't suppose you've seen the Hylian with the red pompadour have you? Groose?"

    I shake my head softly. "Sorry, no..." I reply, glancing guiltily at Bryarly.

    Just then, the canvas tent door is pushed in as Caoilainn makes her way in, carrying a small child in her arms. Even from here I can see a sizable slash on her leg. I glance around to her, frowning - why on earth has a small child been injured? As Caoilainn lays the girl in a bed, I find that it's Thadea. I dash over immediately, kneeling down beside her bed. One of Thadea's cheeks are streaked with red marks - what looks like tears mixed with blood, and her eyelid is pressed closed, the skin around it swollen. I swallow hard.

    "Thadea... what were doing near the battle? You know that no one under the age of fourteen is allowed to fight!"

    "I'm sorry Fintan!" she wails. "I heard all the noises and I was curious - I want to be a fighter when I grow up so I just wanted to see what was happening! But I got too close and there was an arrow flying fight at me! It hit me in the eye so I screamed and I ran away, but I cut my leg as I ran and it hurt so bad I couldn't run any farther."

    Caoilainn face is creased with concern as she listens. I sigh as I sit up on the side of her bed. "Okay, just trust me," I mutter. I shield the light from her eye and carefully pull open her eyelids, waiting for some kind of reaction in her pupils - nothing. I remove my hand, allowing light to flood her eye, still nothing. I pull back, letting her eye snap shut again.

    "Thadea, can you see anything from your left eye?" I ask. She shakes her head, still softly sobbing. I chew my bottom lip. "Thadea, I'm so sorry," I say "but... you're blind in one eye."

    She wails ever harder, but I don't know if it's from shock, her injury, or whether she's just hysterical at this point. Caoilainn moves in to comfort her, and I begin to clean and bandage the cut on her leg.

  13. Posted

    The remaining Demon lords look on at the the sight of their dead ringleader with what I can only assume to be shock and disgust. Then, without so much as a glance between them, they all simultaneously teleport away, leaving their dead and wounded behind.

    I let out a broad grin as Leoni and I dash over to where the group is congregating around Sault and Caoilainn, who are hugging and beaming.

    "Congratulations to you all," Sheik says as I arrive. "Especially to you Caoilainn - I'm proud of you for harnessing your power like that!" A tiny pang of jealousy knots in my stomach that I couldn't harness my power like that, but I push it away. She's my friend, and I'm proud of her for what she did.

    "But let's not forget the circumstance," Sheik continues. "I will go back to the camp to report today's events to the rest of the tribe. But in the meantime, you need to start taking care of the wounded. I'm sorry to say this - but Link, Zelda, Leoni, a lot of your people have been lost today purely because of their airbourne position and the thunder. They'll have to be identified and your leader - Geapora, isn't it? He will have to be informed."

    Link nods solemnly as he, Zelda and Leoni set out to find their fallen knights. Meanwhile, I begin to search the battlefield for the wounded. My eyes fall on one of the Hylian boys, sat with his leg at an awkward angle. I recognise him as I approach, as one of the boys who first arrived with the Hylians, all dark hair and freckles with a bright yellow tunic. He looks up as I approach.

    "You okay there?" I ask.

    He grimaces. "That demon fired a lightning bolt at my loftwing - I managed to jump off in time but I didn't land very well, I think I might have broken my leg."

    "Okay, come here," I say, stooping down and wrapping an arm around him. He hooks an arm around my shoulders and together we get him to his feet, his weight on his undamaged leg. But suddenly, I feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. I look around, suddenly alert - there's something dark nearby.

    Then suddenly, I hear a deep, piercing voice announce: "Consider this a warning."

    Everyone looks up, turning to the centre of the battle field, where a demon lord stands. He doesn't strike me as particularly powerful, there's no overwhelming sense of power rolling from him like with Avani or Blagdan. Instead, there's just the lingering sense of darkness. His eyes look glazed, his expression slack - he's been possessed by someone, or something.

    "Majora will rise from the destruction," he announces, before his eyes roll back in his head and he vanishes from sight.

  14. Posted · Edited by NayruGoddessOfWisdom (see edit history)

    I keep off the battlefield, maintaining a position among the tree line that closely hugs the warzone. I need to keep a distance if I have any hope of finding any safe way into Avani's mind. I wasn't ready for this battle to happen so early, but you don't get to pick and choose these kinds of things.

    I clench and unclench my fists in an attempt to calm my nerves - and that's when I see her. Standing over the battlefield with a look of such effortless majesty that I almost forget for a moment that she's a demon lord. She almost looks regal, the way she commands her lesser Demons. But I don't have the time to sit around and admire her authority - I've got a job to do.

    I duck back behind the treeline, pressing my back up against the thick tree trunk. I press my fingers into the dry bark and close my eyes. I picture the mental pathways in my mind, a bridge built straight from my mind to hers. But she anticipated this - she erected barriers to block me out. I thrash against them with all my might, but they hold firm. And then I realise that this is a mental barrier - it's not something that I can think about physically attacking.

    So I strain every last fibre of my being, pushing all my focus into that wall. Slowly, but surely, a crack begins to form, crumbling like dust - and within thirty seconds, the barrier is open.

    I begin harnessing my power into stripping down her telepathic power - I don't want to do to her what she did to Melaina. After seeing all the destruction it caused, I couldn't bring myself to, so I'm careful. I focus on her powers alone, on stripping her of them. Slowly, the demonic magic begins to seep away.

    And then a bolt of lightning streaks through my mind, electric, powerful. It's enough to drag me from my focus, bringing me back to reality in a matter of seconds. I shudder as the shiver streaks down my spine - whatever that was, it was caused by something in the physical world.

    I snap my eyes open, and that's when I see a young Demon lord before me. His lips are curled into a vicious smile, his fingers pressed to my temples. He grabs me by the forearm then, and it's like I've lost all will to resist him. My limbs numbly obey as he pulls me out from the tree line. I'm mentally screaming to run, to kick the Demon off me and run. But my limbs feel heavy and useless, and I can't formulate a single word.

    "FINTAN!" Melaina screams from somewhere near by. "FINTAN!"

    But I can't do anything but follow the Demon Lord as he drags me over to where Avani stands, that cruel smirk on her face. I realise then what an idiot I am - a bridge, a mental bridge allows access both ways. I walked right into her trap.

    "Oh Fintan," she says, mocking pity in her sugar laced tone. "It seems I over estimated you."

  15. Posted

    (( The creepy thing is, that as soon as I read that, it started thundering here o_O ))

     

    "Take a few deep breaths," I say in a low, even tone. "And just clear your mind, focus on nothing but your own heartbeat." My class are good as gold today, meditating without a hint of resistance. I think I'm finally getting through to them.

    Just at that moment, the canvas door is pulled open and Sault comes rushing through completely out of breath. Students begin snapping their eyes open, their concentration instantly lost.

    "Sault I'm in the middle of a class!" I snap.

    "I know," he replies. "I'm sorry, but... it's code red!"

    "It's... what?" I ask.

    "Emergency," he replies. "We think Avani's heading out to target the incoming Sky migrants!"

    "Damnit..." I mutter, taking to my feet and dashing out of the tent. Sault follows immediately behind. The two of us race across the camp, rain already lashing down on us. I can see the thunderhead, even from here, brewing, vicious as a weapon. The rest of the team are beginning to congregate, ready to fight, some volunteers step forward, Sheik at the head of the group.

    "Not this time," Sheik mutters, suddenly so much more aggressive. "She can take us down once, she won't do it again. Fintan, what's our orders?"

    I blink. "You're the chief... you want me to give you orders?"

    "This is your team, your mission, and you enemy. You know what you're doing Fintan - now what are the orders?" he asks, his tone deadly serious.

    "Okay... I mutter, a plan already beginning to formulate in the back of my mind. "Caoilainn, Leoni, Sault, Sheik and Melaina will take up the front line - have your weapons at the ready, and be prepared to attack on her arrival! I will be right behind you - but I can afford distance to use my telepathic powers." I turn to the volunteers. "As for the rest of you - your priority is to get the Hylians to safety by whatever means necessary. We'll try and lead Avani away from camp, but the rest is up to you. Once you're sure they're safe, half of you need to stay with them - the rest come to join us - and bring any Hylians who can fight!"

    The wind picks up, rocketing in my ears, rain pelting against my cheeks like icy bullets. "We don't have time to waste," I shout. "Go! Go! Go!"

  16. Posted

    I make my way back out into the late morning sunshine. My shadow is stretched out ahead of me as I make my way across the grass, enjoying the feel of the morning dew against my feet. My mind is still swimming with all of today's news, but I felt like I needed some air, some peace of mind. I cut across the back of the communal tent as I make my way over to the sleeping tents. But as I walk, I hear the soft, melodic sound, the gentle strum of a harp.

    I duck around the tents, and sure enough, there sits Melaina, harp in hand, eyes closed as she plays. I bury my hands in my pockets, leaning against a sturdy tent pole as I watch her in careful silence. To see her there, so beautiful as she plays, restores something within me. It's wonderful to see her in her element. And it's as I watch her that I feel a warm deep calm casting over me, restoring something inside of me.

    She comes to a stop, and I gently clap for her. She looks up to find me watching her, a soft smile on her face. "Hey," she says. "I talked to Zelda about the people from Skyloft, that they have to come down here eventually... I think that they could build up a village, and you know, they could all help us in battle."

    "That sounds like a good plan," I reply, making my way over and sitting down next to her on the bench. She slips her hand into mine, our fingers intertwined.

    "Where did you vanish off to?" she asks.

    "I went to visit Avis," I reply. "I spoke to her about how I'm supposed to use my telepathy to defeat Avani. She said that I need to combat her omniscience..."

    "Wow..." she says, with a soft laugh. "I'd say that's totally right but I'm not sure what that word means..."

    "All knowing," I reply.

    "Huh..." she mutters. "I wonder what that feels like..."

    I watch her carefully, the idea finally dawning on me of how intimidating Avani must be to her. I was so wrapped up all this time in myself, worrying about my telepathy, my position as a leader, that I forgot how scary it must have been for Melaina to almost lose her memory like that...

    I squeeze her hand tightly. "I'm so relieved to have you back," I say, quiet. "I really thought for a while there that I was going to lose you..."

  17. Posted

    I leave the tent immediately after Sheik's revelation, my mind swimming with the overwhelming urgency of the situation. As a kid, I always dreamt of leading a team that would protect the surface from imminent danger - but I feel like I'm too young for this. Too inexperienced, I don't even know how to harness my own power! So my mind is made up - that's my first job. I know exactly where I need to go, back to the woman who raised me.

    I gently push back the curtain that leads to the elders tent. The air is thick with the kind of musty smell that can only come from burning incense. One of the elders, an aging lady with claw like hands and dark, beady eyes looks up as I walk in. Her name's Avis. She was one of the elders who helped to raise me - firm and taught as a line, but a wonderful teacher. That's not to mention the fact that she carries immense power of foresight.

    "Boy," she says in her thin, reedy voice. "Fintan. It is good to see you once again." I smile, sitting myself in front of her in the lotus flower position. Her aged face pulls into a soft smile. "Come closer child, my old eyes can't see you from this distance." I shuffle a little closer, as she asks, and one of her cold, bony hands takes mine. "Perhaps I was mistaken to call you a child," she says "it seems you have grown into quite the powerful telepath. It's admirable - most children of the Sheikah care little for our traditional ways of meditation."

    "Thank you," I say. "But the telepathy... that's actually why I came to see you."

    "Do speak," she says softly.

    "The Demon Lord, Avani, I've found a way to use my powers to invade her mind. And that seems to be the way to defeat her, accompanied by the physical power of the team. But... I don't know what to do once I'm inside of her head..."

    She nods softly, closing her dark eyes. "Avani is a powerful enemy to have - she was raised to be a God among the demons. True to this, she aims to possess the qualities of a malevolent God: Omnipotence, Omnimalevolence, and Omniscience."

    I frown. "I don't understand..."

    "Her omnimalevolence is a part of who she is, a result of her upbringing and standing in demon society - this is beyond our control. Her omnipotence is something the fighters must diminish and control. But her omniscience, that is the weakness you must target."

    My tongue feels like it's turned to dust in my mouth. Eventually, I stutter out a thank you and get to my feet.

    "Fintan?" she says. I turn back to look at her, and her dark eyes are full of concern. "This situation is more grave than any our tribe has ever known - I can only hope that your team has the power and the heart to succeed."

    I hope so too.

  18. Posted · Edited by NayruGoddessOfWisdom (see edit history)

    I wake early the next morning, dress quickly, and find a quiet spot to perform my morning meditation before I make my way over to the communal tent for the morning meal. As I make my way in, the place is almost deserted - it's too early for the majority of people to be up. The only tribe members here are a few gatherers, readying themselves for a day of fishing, and Sheik, who sits with one of the tribal elders, in heated discussion.

    "This can't just be ignored," he says, hissing the words. "We need to-"

    He glances up on my arrival, his expression slacks for a moment, deep in thought, before he offers me a friendly grin and gets to his feet. "We'll figure this out," he says to the elder, before walking in my direction. "Morning Fintan," he says, before breezing by and heading for the door. Even from that brief encounter I can see how tired he is, there are bags under his eyes and he walks heavily, lazily. He must have been up for the most part, if not all, of the night.

    "Huh..." I mutter as he vanishes from sight. There's definitely something that they're not telling us... but whyever not?

  19. Posted

    As the evening dawns over the camp and I finish my last meditation class, I make my way over to the archery tent, where Melaina and Zelda are hosting their session. I can hear loud laughter and the thud of arrows even from out here, so I'm guessing that the session is already underway. I pull back the canvas door and peek in. The tent is lit by two bright, burning torches. There are red and white circular targets lined up along one wall, with markers at varying distances on the ground. On the other wall is another target, rigged up to a pulley system so that the target moves.

    Most of the group are shooting at the still targets. Leoni fires at the moving targets, and Caoilainn is working with Zelda on shooting fire arrows.

    "Hey Fintan," Sault says, a cheery grin on his face as he shoots an arrow at the target, hitting it spot in the innermost red circle.

    "Good job Sault," Zelda says. "Move up to the moving targets with Leoni!"

    He does so, and Caoilainn makes her way over to help him. I watch them for a few moments, as she teaches him to keep his arrow trained just ahead of the target. She feels his posture for inaccuracies, and if I didn't know her better, I'd say a slight blush hints at her cheeks.

    "Are you just going to stand there or are you going to give it a go?" Melaina asks, grinning coyly as she offers me a bow and arrow.

    "Alright..." I say, taking the weapon from her. "But I'll warn you, this will be terrible!"

    She laughs, and I step up to the marker closest to the stationary targets. I slip an arrow into place, closing one eye as I take aim. Melaina gently repositions one of my arms. She then steps in just behind me, resting her hands on my hips and trying to view the target from my angle.

    "Okay..." she mutters, "a little to the left..."

    I reposition accordingly, and wait till she nods before letting the arrow fly. True to my prediction, it smacks uselessly into the target sideways, before falling to the ground. I let my arms drop, a soft laugh escaping me. Melaina lets her head drop onto my shoulder as she giggles.

    "Told you so!" I say.

  20. Posted

    She gives me a teasing smile as she turns away, her long blonde fishtail braid swinging over her shoulder as she goes. My ears are ringing with her revelation, the worlds goofiest grin on my face. I waited so long to hear that...

     

    ---

     

    "Sheik?" I query, poking my head into his tent. As I take in the scene, I find him sat cross legged on the ground, sewing up a rip in his leggings. He turns to look at me as I make my way in, offering me a gentle smile.

    "Fintan," he says. "What can I do for you?"

    I run my hand along the back of my neck, struggling to find a way to bring up the topic.

    "There's uhh... there's something I've been meaning to speak to you about for a while," I say. "Well... since the battle with Avani."

    A grave expression passes over his face, and he puts down his needle and thread. He gestures to the cushion in front of him, inviting me to sit. I do so, pressing my hands together nervously.

    "Uhh... during that battle... when I was looking into Avani's mind, I saw something. I didn't... I didn't quite know what to make of it. I mean, I was always told that my parents were killed in battle when I was very young..."

    His expression softens, and he runs a hand through his hair. "Aha... what exactly did you see?"

    I close my eyes, feeling a shiver pass down my spine as the picture awakens in my memory. "It was my mother... at least, I think it was. She was heavily pregnant... and Avani killed her... and then she said all these things about knowing me, recognising my aura... but I was nowhere to be seen in her memories. I just... I don't understand how any of that is possible? Was I supposed to have a brother or a sister?"

    Sheik sighs, before looking me dead in the eyes. "Fintan, you weren't alive when the demons attacked the camp all those years ago. The baby, the baby your mother was carrying in Avani's memory was you... she was killed before you were born."

    I swallow, unsure how to react to that. "So... how am I sitting here now?"

    "You were cut from your mothers womb just minutes after her death... the pregnancy was at an advanced enough stage that you could survive with the right care. It was a rushed procedure, my dad actually performed it - I was just three at the time. I remember it, hidden away in that tent while the battle continued outside... We never told you when you were young. It's not something that can easily be explained to a child, so we simplified it, told you that you were born just before the battle."

    I'm silent for a moment. I'm not exactly sure how to react to that.

    "I'm sorry, Fintan," he mutters. "I know this can't be easy to hear..."

  21. Posted

    "Fintan," Sheik says as I walk into the communal tent. "Good to see you're all home safe. What's the news from the mission?"

    "Faron has agreed to join forces with us, and we've restored Melaina's full memory," I say, with a slight nod. "And, after speaking with those among the group, we've decided to stay here and train up so that we're prepared to take on Avani when she strikes."

    "Uh-huh," Sheik says, looking thoughtful. "I'll send out messengers to the Gorons and the other two dragons in that case."

    "That seems wise," I comment.

    I watch carefully as he gathers up the texts he was previously studying. He's still looking over the demonic plans, trying to make some semblance of sense from the translations Zurin gave us. He runs a hand through his hair - the stress is getting to him, I can tell.

    "And the training... how exactly do you plan to go about this?" he asks, resting his weight on one leg.

    "Well the Hylians are working together now in combat training," I say. "I know that Sault and Caoilainn have come to some sort of arrangement. And Melaina and Zelda have a bow and arrow shooting session planned for tonight to teach the others how to use the weapon."

    "That's good..." he says "but it's worth noting that while you're capable of fighting, your real power lies in telepathy - you need to focus on that particularly," he says.

    I frown. "I know... but how exactly am I supposed to do that?"

    "Speak to the elders," he says softly. "They'll guide you,"

    I thank him, before making my way out to the bright sunshine. It's a little frightening, to be honest. I don't know how I'm supposed to harness my power, let alone improve it to the point where I can use it to take down Avani. It just feels like a lot of pressure...

    "Fintan!"

    I turn quickly, to find Melaina running up behind me. I catch her just in time, wrapping my hands around her and spinning round and round with her in my arms. Her hair flies out behind her as she laughs with joy, before I set her down on the ground.

    "I'm so glad to have you back..." I say.

  22. Posted · Edited by NayruGoddessOfWisdom (see edit history)

    (( I'm just going to back up a little bit to just after the restoration is completed... ))

     

    As the bright light fades and I lower my hand from Melaina's forehead, I feel an overwhelming sensation swell up inside of me. It's fear, anticipation, it's the nervous energy that bubbles away before every fight, before each kiss, before meeting someone you haven't seen in so long. As she stands there, her wide eyes unblinking, tears welling in those beautiful orbs, I see something I haven't seen in a long time. That look in her eyes, that look that makes her the Melaina I fell in love with.

    "Finally," I say, unable to fight the grin. "We have you back with us."

    All the emotion gushes over the surface then as she runs towards me. Our bodies collide in an eager embrace that brims with excitement and relief and impatience. Her arms hold me tighter than they ever have before, whispering apologies that her lips struggle to form. I love the feeling of having her back in my arms, it's only been a few days but it feels like a lifetime since I last held her like this. And as we stand there, together, flooding with emotion, I know that this is the most wonderful feeling in the world. It's the end of missing someone.

    I bury my face into the side of her head, pushing aside her hair until my lips find her ear. Softly, as softly as I can, I whisper "I love you."

    Our friends fill in around us, celebrating with loud voices and a group hug. I never hear her reply.

     

    (( SMUSHIEST FLUFFIEST THING I'VE EVER WRITTEN. I HAVE NO SHAME ))

  23. Posted

    (( Hello! Sorry, as Laura said, my wifi hasn't been working, it's still patchy but I can get online occasionally :) And wowee, I didn't know boy scouts was such a big thing in the states? I used to be a girl guide here in the UK, but I quit when I realised quite how homophobic the UK movement was... ))

     

    I wipe my brow as we enter yet another dungeon room. For once, Caoilainn's pessimism has been proven accurate: that is to say, this temple is too hot for anyone's liking. The air is constantly full of a dense, sticky heat that makes my shirt cling to my back, damp with sweat. I blow my breath out through my cheeks as I view what we're faced with. A long, fairly wide pathway that climbs upwards at a striking angle, to a doorway at the head of the room.

    "The spring is just up here," Link says, adjusting his belt as we all take off up the pathway. I walk in step with Melaina, though neither of us says a word. She still seems stunned, dazed. I'm so relieved to have her back, but I also feel somewhat cautious. I don't know if she remembers what transpired between us, I don't even know if what we're doing is really right. We dried up the old spring? How can something right be so destructive? I glance over at Melaina, but she doesn't look back. I sigh, opting to look at my shoes instead.

    "Just through here," Zelda says once we reach the top of the path. The doorway ahead glows bright with a blue symbol of the goddess, presumably in reaction to her, before vanishing. We proceed through, and find another spring - almost identical to the previous one.

    "Now what?" Melaina asks.

  24. Posted

    "There's actually one more thing we wish to speak with you about," I say, watching as Faron, in all her majesty, turns back to face me. She looks down on me in such a way that makes me feel tiny and insignificant. I can see what Link meant about her...

    "And what would that be?" she asks.

    I take a deep breath, gathering my words. "We're facing a threat," I say "a threat that's bigger than any we've faced before. It puts both the surface and the land of the sky at risk, and we need a lot of help to destroy it."

    She narrows her eyes, looming imposingly over me. "Where are you going with this, boy?"

    Link steps forward. "We need allies if we're ever going to protect the Surface. We were hoping you would fight alongside us, after all, your power is immense."

    She seems to respond well to the flattery, a small smile spreading across her face. "Very well then."

    I nod. "Thank you. We'll send a messenger to warn you when the time comes."

    She gives a curt nod, before she takes of, leaping into the air and vanishing from view within a matter of moments.

    Caoilainn lets out a sigh of relief. "You weren't wrong Link, she's... difficult."

    He grins. "Yeah, come on then."

    As the group takes off, Melaina glances at me, confusion evident in her eyes. I offer her my arm as we clamber up from the now dry spring. "How are you?" I ask.

    She swallows hard, taking my arm. "A little... baffled?"

    I smile. "It's kind of a long story... let's start walking, I'll explain it to you on the way."

  25. Posted

    The last temple room is more open than the rest, and contains a few side rooms and lots of tangling vines covering the walls and trees and almost every surface. The most noticeable feature about the space is a vast, open space in the centre, a sheer drop plummeting down beneath our feet. The only other exit to the room is across the space, so I'm guessing that this is our way forward. The sole way to cross it? A thing tightrope that spans the gap.

    "It's safe, trust me," Link says. He goes first, his arms spread wide either side of him to help him balance out his weight. He steps slowly and carefully, wobbling a few times, but he makes it across safely. Zelda follows, then I step up. The ropes sags a little under my weight, and it makes my stomach lurch to think about how easy it would be to topple over.

    "Keep moving!" Link calls out. "Don't stop!" I nod, putting one foot in front of the other. Slowly, surely, I find my way to the other side, breathing a sigh of relief as my feet touch solid ground. Link claps me on the back, grinning. Leoni is next to cross after me, then Sault follows, leading Caoilainn. Once we're all on the other side, Link turns to the door.

    "Faron should be just through here..."