[Establishing Hyrule]

"I was under the impression that the Goddess put an eternal spell on the land," I say. "And now you're saying that the power is... diminishing?"

The Headmaster nods, his expression stern. "We don't know what's causing it, but there's more than just Skyloft at stake. I've only been down to the Surface a few times, but I understand there's more than just the Sheikah and the Hylians living down there..."

Link nods. "There's also Parella, Kikwis, Gorons... it would take all day to list them all."

"I see..." The Headmaster mutters, his expression stern.

"Hold on..." I say, pulling the Demons plans from the pocket within my breast plate. I glance them over, trying to figure something out.

"What is it?" Sault asks, glancing over.

"The Demonic plans were based around five key players who were summoned by Majora: Blagdan, Ardaia, Caoilainn..."

"Who's next?" Link asks, his brow creased.

"The name is..." I pause, squinting. "Avani... and according to the plans, her power revolves around the earth. It's elemental power, one of the strongest kinds to be found..."

Link narrows it's eyes. "What do you want to bet that she's got something to with this?"

[Establishing Hyrule]

"This could end nastily..." I sigh as I watch Melaina and Caoilainn walk away.

"Or it could end really well," Sault says. "You never know."

"Good point," I say. "So... are you okay? I know the Demons can be pretty rough, how are you feeling?"

Sault nods. "I'm okay, actually. We managed to escape from the Demon's not too long after Caoilainn left, we were holed up in there trying to find a way to escape. I hate to admit it, but I don't know if we'd have managed it without Ardaia bringing Caoilainn to us."

"I suppose you're right," I say, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Even if Caoilainn and I are struggling, I find it comforting that she still has friends amongst the group in Sault and the others, maybe even Melaina if their conversation goes well.

"Speaking of which..." Sault says, suddenly rummaging through his pouch. He pulls out some pieces of paper, half of them scribbled in a language I don't understand. "I found these in the Demon hold, I thought they might be important so I got Zurin to translate them. I don't know all of the people they're talking about... but it doesn't look good to me..." he hands me both the original texts and the translation, scrawled in Zurin's slanted script.

I read over the lines, picking out the key pieces of information. My stomach begins to twist inside of me as a picture begins forming in my mind, each piece of the puzzle slotting together. I understand now, their fascination with Caoilainn, what she said about Blagdan being just a henchman, about why Ardaia was disguised as just a mere guard. I glaze over the diagrams depicting the plans, the battle strategies...

"It's bigger than we thought, by the looks of it," Sault says, looking concerned.

And that's when my eyes fall on the image printed at the bottom of the last page. The spiked shape, the demonic colours, the harrowing, round eyes. For just a second I stop breathing.

"I still don't understand," Sault muses. "Who's Majora?"

"Majora..." I reply, my voice brittle. "Majora is... the living nightmare."

[Establishing Hyrule]

It feels strange to be back in Skyloft. I don't know enough about this place to feel comfortable here just yet. Everyone splits up, Zelda, Link and Bryarly head back to the academy to catch up with their old friends, Sault and Leoni head off to find Zurin and Batreaux, claiming to have business to attend to - leaving Melaina and I with Caoilainn. I don't think it's right to leave her on her own at a time like this, but she doesn't seem to want to be in our company. Eventually, she settles down near the edge of the lake, dipping her toes into the water. Melaina and I sit far enough behind her to give her space, but close enough that we can keep an eye on her. We're sat just behind a pumpkin patch, our backs pressed up against the wall of what appears to be some kind of storage shed.

"How's the wound?" she asks.

I shake my head. "I don't want to talk about that," I reply, ignoring the dull ache.

"Ok..." she mutters, her eyes still fixed on Caoilainn's back. "Riddle me this. Why are you kidding yourself?"

I blink, startled by her abrupt response. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about how you're pretending that you're ok with Caoilainn. Looking after her, playing like you've still got her back..." I chew the inside of my cheek, not taking my eyes off the ground. "Why are you doing that to yourself?"

I sigh, pressing my eyes closed. "I appreciate your concern, and all you did for me with Caoilainn... but getting angry won't help. What, I shout at her? Scream? What good is that going to do?"

"It'll make her realise exactly how awful what she did is!" Melaina says. I can tell by her tone she's growing a little frustrated.

I glance at Caoilainn, my heart sinking into my stomach. "Don't you think she's lost enough?"

Melaina takes my hand, reassuring as ever. "Her losing something doesn't make what she did to you justified..."

[Establishing Hyrule]

Link takes control of the boat, being the only one familiar with sailing. He guides the wooden contraption across the clear blue water that surrounds it in a strange bubble. It's strange to see that this vast expanse of sink sand was once such a beautiful ocean. I sit near to the edge of the boat, watching the scenery roll past us.

I feel Melaina slip her hand into mine. I turn to find her stood next to me, the wind blowing the loose strands of hair back from her face. Her amber eyes watch me carefully as her fingertips trace circles on the back of my hand.

"Are you okay?" she asks.

I nod. "Of course I'm ok."

Her lips press together as she tilts her head. "Fintan, I wish you wouldn't lie to me."

"Fine," I say. "It's just the wound, I swear."

"And you?" I ask.

She laughs. "Are you kidding me? I'm always ok."

Though she can't hide the soft ache in her eyes as we pull closer to the land.

"Ok..." Link says. "What do we think... head for the Sky? It's be much quicker to get back to the Sheikah camp that way."

[Establishing Hyrule]

I raise a kick at the Demon Lord on my case, sending him stumbling back. I'm in no fit state to fight: my stab wound throbs and this demon won't quit - I don't know how much longer I can hold out for. And that's when I hear a blood curdling scream. The Demon that's attacking me stops, glancing over his shoulder. Caoilainn is on the ground, head in hands, dribbles of blood on the ground all around her. The Demon Lord that stands over her straightens up, turning to look at his fellow guards.

"I've done what we came for... let's not waste any more time."

There's a few collective grunts, and then they vanish in a series of random teleportation spells. Leaving us alone, each and every one of us watching Caoilainn. Blood dribbles between her fingers as she wails. I feel distinctly uncomfortable, I don't know what to do. No one else moves to comfort her, I don't think they know how. But this is my mission - I need to take control of the situation.

I make my way over to her, gently kneeling down in front of her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She flinches at my touch, but doesn't remove her hands from her face.

"Caoilainn," I say, being careful to keep my tone even. "It's okay, they're gone."

But she still won't move.

"Are you hurt?" I ask, leaning a little closer.

Not a word.

"Look at me," I say, firm.

"I can't..." she sobs.

So I reach up, gently taking her hands and pulling them down from her face. And then I realise what she meant, and my stomach lurches at the sight. She collapses onto my shoulder then, wailing and wailing endlessly, her arms wrapped around me. I shift, still not entirely comfortable in her presence.

Stop it, I think to myself. I wrap and my arms around her, forcing myself to hug her back.

"You'll be ok," I say, though I don't make any promises.

[Establishing Hyrule]

I storm straight over towards the Spirit Temple. It's mostly empty when I enter, everyone already having eaten apart from Melaina who's chewing bread.

"Hey!" she says, smiling.

"She took a whipping," I say, my tone bitter. "She did it again... I swear to Hylia that girl is on a self destruct mi-"

But I don't get further than that before a tall, willowy figure suddenly appears between us as if from thin air. It takes me a few seconds to register that it's Ardaia - Caoilainn's old guard who is supposed to be dead... Before I can even figure out a way to react, he extends his palms outwards and those blasted Demonic chains leap forward like poised snakes. One wraps deadly tight around my shoulders, working downwards and pinning my arms to my sides before wrapping around my legs too. I scream in agony as it pulls tight against my stab wound and I'm knocked onto my back. Within a matter of seconds, it wraps around my ankles and I look up to see Melaina similarly struggling, wrapped in chains.

Then everything vanishes, and the setting changes to Sheik's tent, the one I left just a few moments ago. The stench of blood fills my nostrils as Caoilainn turns to see Ardaia, confusion clouding her vision. She doesn't say a word, just stares at him in baffled silence.

Meanwhile, he sets to work ensnaring Leoni in his Demonic chains. Once he's suitably secured, Ardaia grabs Caoilainn by the wrist, extends his field of teleportation, and whirls us all away.

I find myself somewhere that I don't recognise. Every corner of the room is filled with crates and boxes full of different devices and collections of junk. Link, Bryarly, and Sault stand together, looking somewhat startled, but certainly in a better position than Leo, Melaina and I. Caoilainn is still staring at Ardaia in silence, blood lashes streaked across the back of her shirt. Tears spring in the corners of my eyes as I drop down to the hard ground, my wound bleeding once again. But I'm unable to move because of the chains. 

"I don't understand..." Caoilainn mutters.

[Establishing Hyrule]

I wait until I'm sure that Melaina's out of earshot, before pumping one fist into the air. It sends a streaking pain up through my torso, cutting my celebration short. I double over in pain, but I still can't fight the buzz at the back of my mind. I finally did it! It took me forever, but I finally did it!

I make my way out of the tent, searching for Leoni to tell him the good news. He's been behind me for this since day one... Caoilainn was the first person that I told, but I can't imagine her being particularly happy for me at the moment. I walk across the grass, one hand pressed to my wound in an attempt to ease the pain a little as I search around for Leoni. Sure enough, I find him sat just a few feet away, near to the entrance of Sheik's tent.

"Leoni!" I call out as I approach. "I did it! I finally did it! I kissed her!" I say.

"That's fantastic," he says, though his smile doesn't quite add up to it.

I frown, slowly lowering myself down to sitting with a grunt. "What's wrong?" I ask. "You're not happy for me?"

He nods. "Of course I'm happy for you. It's just... Caoilainn's in there..." he hooks a thumb over his shoulder towards Sheik's tent.

I frown. "Aren't you supposed to be leaving to rescue the others in an hour? What's she doing in there?"

Leoni swallows, not quite meeting my eye.

"Leo, what's she doing in there?" I repeat, suddenly concerned.

And then I hear it, the unmistakable crack of a whip. The sound resonates through the air, slicing through the usual early morning calm. I feel sick to my stomach as it sounds out again. I turn, looking at Leoni, but he's pulling apart strands of grass in his fingers.

"Wh- why-" I stutter, my voice cracking. "Why would she do that?"

[Establishing Hyrule]

Most of the others are already sat around the breakfast table, eating mixed fruits. As I approach, I hear Leoni talking to Caoilainn.

"I wouldn't worry about the sand sea," he says. "The others told me that on their first adventure down here, they rescued a ship that once belonged to the pirate captain. I'm willing to bet he'll help us out when we tell him that that Link and Bryarly need our help!"

Zelda gives me a warm smile when she sees me approach. "Morning Fintan," she says.

"Morning," I reply, avoiding looking Caoilainn in the eye. "Is Melaina up yet?"

"Sorry," Zelda replies, shaking her head. "I heard her moving, but she hasn't left her tent yet."

"I'll go check she's ok," I say, grabbing an apple and heading out of the temple. I take a bite as I walk slowly across the grass to the sleeping tents. Walking has gotten a little easier, but I'm still in no fit state to go on a mission. I had to change my bandage this morning... it bled far too much for me to be close to healthy at this point. But I need to see Melaina before she leaves. I've got this whole scene planned out in my head... but whether or not it'll actually go to plan is another thing.

"Melaina?" I say, pulling back the door of the tent. She's just stuffing a potion bottle onto the little pack at her hip, glancing up as I walk in.

"Fintan," she says softly. "I wasn't expecting you..."

"Sorry," I reply. "I just wanted to see you before you leave."

She smiles softly at me, and I get caught up for a moment, before I remember why I came here.

"I-" I mutter, reaching up and carefully untying the necklace from around my neck. "I wanted to give you this... The juniors gave it to me to make me feel better... I thought you might like it for luck."

Her eyes soften and colour stains her cheeks. She reaches up, pulling her plait out of the way and turning her back to me, exposing the back of her neck. "I'd love that."

I drape the amber beads around her neck, drawing the black string together. My clumsy fingers fumble as I try to tie the knot, she laughs, turning the necklace and tying it herself before putting it back into place.

"Thank you," she says, then pauses. "I was actually hoping to speak to you too..."

"You don't have to," I reply. "I understand... just... try not to kill Caoilainn today, okay?"

She laughs, and I feel a wave of relief that I can make her laugh at a time like this. I watch her, my heart pounding as I remember part two of my plan.

"I can't make any promises," she says with a wink, straightening her hair and making her way over to the exit.

It's now or never.

I reach out, taking her hand and causing her to pause in her path. My hands find their way up her arms. One pauses to rest just below her shoulder, and my other finds the soft curve of her waist. She looks a little startled, but I don't let it deter me. I move from her shoulder to the nape of her neck and pull her a little closer. Her eyelids flutter shut as I press my lips to hers.

[Establishing Hyrule]

"So it was a metaphor," Melaina says, brushing the creases from her clothes. "Well Fintan's a person, a real, living, human being."

Caoilainn turns back, angry as an animal, poised and ready to attack Melaina. Leo grabs her by the arms, holding her back with great difficulty. Out of instinct, I go to step in front of Melaina, but she puts a hand on my arm.

"That's a bad idea and you know it," she mutters.

Caoilainn battles against Leoni's grip, reminding me of a caged wild animal. Leoni rather looks like his struggling, so I turn to face Melaina, who's still provoking Caoilainn. She's angry, angrier than I've ever seen her.

"Stop it," I say, my tone serious. "This isn't you..."

But she's too distracted to listen, she tries to slip past me, but I grab her by the arm to try to stop her. She's just a few inches away from the writhing Caoilainn. She tugs hard against my grip, trying to lash out at Caoilainn.

"Would you pack it in, the pair of you?" Leo grunts, his arms around Caoilainn's waist.

That's when Sheik pitches up, looking thoroughly irritated. He must have heard all the commotion and come running all the way here in order to arrive so quickly.

"Enough... ENOUGH!" he yells, ducking between the furious girls. "Honestly, the pair of you are acting like children! You're leaving for a mission together first thing in the morning and you're fighting like sworn enemies! You know how we deal with things in the tribe - by talking! You don't need to attack each other!"

Caoilainn breaks free of Leoni's grip, but Sheik catches her in his arms as she charges. "I SAID CUT IT OUT!" he yells.

They both fall still, watching him.

"I'm so disappointed, in all you," he adds, giving Leoni and I meaningful glares. "Now, back to camp, the lot of you."

[Establishing Hyrule]

My wound is throbbing by the time I reach the forest, but I had to get there. I had to find out what all this commotion is about. With the help of a few Sheikah and some attentive listening, I eventually stumble upon Leoni, Caoilainn, and Melaina. Melaina is stood, looking something between guilty and angry, with my wood axe in hand. Caoilainn is kneeling on the floor, her back to me so that I can't see her face. Leoni kneels in front of her, a thick trunked tree lying on it's side between them. It takes me a few moments to realise that it's Caoilainn's tree, and a few more to piece together what must have happened here.

I'm about to say something to make my presence known, when suddenly Melaina begins to speak.

"I don't think you understand, Leoni," she says. I'm impressed by how strong her voice sounds, the way that it carries through the open air, slicing the atmosphere like a sharp sword. "You want me to be the bigger person? Fintan helped her, and she treated him like dirt! I watched her doubt him, punch him, betray him, stab him! I honestly thought for a moment there that I was going to lose him... she thought that an apology could fix everything. Well I thought that maybe if she felt something, maybe she'd understand that an apology is worthless. You want me to be the bigger person? This is being the bigger person, this is child's play compared to what she did!"

"Don't do this!" Leoni snaps, a vein throbbing in his forehead as I hear him shout for the first time. "You're supposed to be better than that!"

Melaina throws my axe into the ground behind her out of frustration. It sticks into the earth, fixed at an odd angle. "I thought he was going to die! She needs to know how it feels to lose what you love!" Melaina yells back.

I can feel my heart hammering against my chest. My world slows down. I blink.

Did Melaina just say she that loves me?

[Establishing Hyrule]

((Sorry for not replying sooner guys! I was throwing a birthday party... it took ages to prepare for and clean up after! But it was loads of fun - one friend even made me a cushion with a cute little cartoon Link on it which I thought was adorable! Anyway, I'll post a reply now ))

 

I'm shaking as I sit with my back against the wall, legs curled up in front of me, hands clasped between my knees. There are goosebumps on my arms, but I'm not cold, not even in the slightest. I want to scream, I want to lash out, I want to cry. I'm cursing myself for being so passive, for not speaking my mind, telling her what I thought when I had the opportunity. I wanted to tell her that this isn't something that can be fixed with a flimsy word - if you smash a plate, then apologise, it's still broken.

More than anything else right now, I want to get to my feet. I want to do something productive, to rescue my friends, to kiss Melaina, to rid my eyes of these goddess forsaken tears. But I know that getting up alone will be painful, I know that I can't rescue my friends if I'm not allowed on the mission, and I know that I'm in too much of a state to be dragging Melaina into my mess.

But it's okay, because Caoilainn will be gone in the morning, at least for a little while. They'll all be gone, and I'll be able to deal with things, just myself. I know that I can sort myself out... it's just figuring out how to do it.

That's when I hear a loud creaking sound from a distance away, then a heavy thud and the rustling of leaves. I frown, glancing towards the door. Slowly, excruciatingly, I haul myself to my feet with the assistance of a stool. I make my way over to the door and slowly push it open, glancing around camp for a hint as to what that noise was, but I can't see anything.

I wipe the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand, growing more determined. If I can't go on a mission, I can at least keep an eye on things here in the camp.

[Establishing Hyrule]

My voice trails away into silence as I watch her clamber through the entrance to my tent. My blood chills in my veins at the very sight of her, my wound suddenly so much more painful. Just looking at her makes me feel like I'm being stabbed over and over again.

She glances up, hesitant to meet my eye as Leoni clambers into the tent after her. Melaina scowls at the sight of him, drawing her hands back from mine and crossing her arms.

"Brought your back up have you?" she asks, her voice taut.

Leoni straightens his tunic, looking more than a little uncomfortable. Caoilainn takes a careful step towards me, meeting my gaze. I haven't moved from where I'm sat - I feel like I'm paralyzed.

"I'm just," Caoilainn mutters, "I'm here to say that... in all sincerity, I'm sorry." She reaches into her pocket, pulling out a thick blindfold, wringing it in her hands. "I know that sorry is just a word, and that what I did was utterly, irretrievably wrong... but I really mean it."

I don't know what to say, so I don't say anything. Caoilainn falters, looking a little deterred, but she continues regardless.

"I want you to know that above all else, I'll be staying with Sheikah from here on out. What you said... about the aims of the demons and my morality... it really hit home. I don't want to be a part of that world, not any more."

I still don't know what to say, or do for that matter. My arms lie limp against my legs, fingers flopped over the edge of my knees. My heart is pounding against my rib cage as Caoilainn watches me, expectant, looking almost desperate for an answer. But I don't have one. I don't have any words to say to her. I feel Melaina's hands rest on my shoulders, she gives them a comforting squeeze. Caoilainn's head drops, clearly disappointed by my lack of response. Leoni puts one hand on her shoulder to reassure her.

No one says a word for a long time. I feel like I'm trapped in a stalemate.

Eventually, Melaina's voice breaks the silence. "I think you should leave."

Leoni goes to turn Caoilainn around and guide her to the exit, but for one fleeting moment as she turns, her eyes meet mine. And I feel it again, that sharp, searing, stinging pain in my gut.

And then she's gone.

[Establishing Hyrule]

(( Thanks for all the birthday messages guys! Much appreciated And don't worry Laura, I was only teasing ))

 

All of the Sheikah and Hylians in camp come to see how I'm doing at some point or another throughout the day. All of them, that is, apart from Caoilainn and Leoni. I don't hear so much as a peep from either of them. But I'm not keen on seeing Caoilainn anytime soon, and I'm willing to bet that Leoni is with her, so I'm not all that upset by their absence. Especially seeing as a small group of the Sheikah juniors came to see me earlier in the day. They bought me a necklace that they'd made out of amber gems, which I wear around my neck as I make my way into the small garden behind the temple. I've got a little time before the evening meal... just enough time to get in some meditation. Walking is somewhat difficult, each step jolting my wound, but I know I can get as far as the temple ok.

I let out a heavy grunt as I sit down on the warm grass, trying to ignore the throbbing ache in my torso. I tuck my legs up into the lotus position, press my fingertips into my palms, and gently close my eyes. I focus on the rhythm of my pulse, which is a little harder to do today because it's difficult to block out the pain. But eventually, I manage to tune out of reality. I draw up the connection between my mind, soul, and body, and finally sink back into my Palace of Balance.

It's a welcome relief, because I don't feel any of the pain I previously felt while here. I'm free from my own body, and it lets a feeling of tranquility envelope me. I open my mind a little farther. I know that Sheik would never let me go on the mission so soon after sustaining a serious injury, but I can at least help by finding out where our missing friends are. I broaden the horizon, stretching to scour the surface for any trace of my friends.

And that's when I find them - three aura's glowing brightly slap bang in the middle of the Lanayru sand sea. I probe a little farther, and sure enough, the aura's directly match Sault, Link and Bryarly.

Perfect.

[Establishing Hyrule]

(( Hey hey GUYS. Never trust Laura with anything - she'll just go and forget even if it's something UBER important like... I dunno... your birthday? You know I only tease baby ))

 

"Melaina..." I say, a smile creeping across my face as she makes her way into my tent. Her eyes are a little swollen, like she's been crying... but she looks just as beautiful as she always did. She stares at me in silence for a few moments, like she's unsure how to react. The silence settles over us for a few seconds, a few more seconds than I'd like. She's staring so intently... I raise my eyebrows, shifting a little under my blanket.

"...Melaina...?" I repeat, my voice sounding rather uncertain.

She blinks three times, shaking a head a little like she's pulling herself out of a trance. She breaks out into a broad smile and rushes at me all at once. She jumps onto me in a blur of colours, wrapping her arms around me and knocking me onto my back. I laugh a little, but it's cut short as her hip presses into my wound, eliciting a yelp of pain from me.

She clambers off me immediately, a look of guilt on her face. "Oh my goddess... did I hurt you? I'm so sorry! I-"

I let out a deep chuckle, through it summons another bolt of pain through my torso, cutting the laughter short. "It's ok... I'm just... I'm really happy to see you again."

She helps me to return to a sitting position. Once I'm comfortable, I wrap my hands around her waist and pull her down onto my lap, sat slightly to the right hand side so she can avoid my wound. Her eyes are a little glassy as she rests one hand along my jawline, a smile tugging at her lips.

"I'm so glad you're okay..."

[Establishing Hyrule]

((Awh thank you Franne!))

 

Every breath aches.

That's the first thought that crosses my mind as the fog begins to clear. A jolt of pain comes with every breath, in and out... it feels like barbed wire has been coiled up inside of me. I want to thump my fist into the ground with each antagonising breath - but I don't, I just lie there.

I don't want to open my eyes. I don't want to have to deal with this. I know that Caoilainn will be out there somewhere, and I know that when I open my eyes I'll have to do something. I'll have to speak to her, to face her - and I don't think I can do that. After all this time, after everything she did, after three attempts on my life... I'm still supposed to be Fintan - passive, forgiving, everything-will-be-ok Fintan. I can't do that anymore, not with her.

And then I think of my friends, of Leoni, of Sheik, of Zelda. I think of Sault and Link and Bryarly, who are still out there with the Demons, who still need my help. I think of my mission, how the Surface needs the Sheikah... and I think of Melaina. I remember the way it felt to have her cool, rain-soaked palm pressed against mine, and I know that I have to at least try to get up.

So I force myself to open my eyes. The light is painfully bright at first, but gradually my eyes begin to adjust. I take in my surroundings. I've been moved from the back room of the temple into my own tent. Someone's put a cushion beneath my head and draped a blanket over me. I can feel a dressing just above my left hip as I struggle to push myself up into a sitting position.

"Whoa, take it easy..." Sheik says, putting one hand between my shoulder blades and helping me to sit up. His deep red eyes glance me up and down as I grimace. "How are you feeling?" he asks.

I honestly don't know how to answer that.

[Establishing Hyrule]

(( Her wifi isn't working right now, so she can only reply when she's at her nan's... It's impossible to tell when that will be, so I'd go ahead! Write around it if need be - make her so distraught that she's unable to function... Something like that ))

[Establishing Hyrule]

((Haha thanks! We've been friends for a long time, talk every day... it's hard not to end up planning ahead! And DAYUM Knuckle, way to step it up!))

 

It's hard to make sense of anything when it feels like nothing in your body is properly functioning. My eyes blur, white speckles dancing in my vision, my ears are drowning out almost everything - it sounds like I'm underwater. I try my best to breathe deeply, in through the nose, out through the mouth - but it's doing very little to help. The ache in my abdomen is impossible to ignore, sending jarring pain through my torso with every breath. I don't know how long I can hold out, but I'm adamant not to faint.

That's when the door is throw open, and a blur of yellow rushes through. I feel warm hands on my body. The figure pulls me from my balled position - every muscle in my body screams out to curl back up - but I have to believe they're helping me, so I resist the urge. Voices sound out, but everything is still muffled, I can't make sense of anything being said. In a matter of moments, the figure has left me, and I curl back up into my protective ball. It occurs to me, at this point, that it might be so much easier to just give up - to pass out.

That's when the sound of hysterical screaming breaks through the muffled mess in my head. I can't keep track of anything being said, apart from the fact that it's a stream of insults. The voice is unmistakably Melaina, and that's somewhat of a comfort to me. I rest my head against the floor, the ground cold against my skin. The cool sensation lasts no longer than a second, because I feel strong hands tugging at my shirt. Sheik, who looks like a speckled blur right now, begins unbuttoning my shirt before pressing something against my wound.

And that's the last thing I think of before the blackness drags me out of conciousness.

[Establishing Hyrule]

I guide her from where we stood with the others to a little side room, cut off from the rest of the temple. She looks hesitant as I carefully close the door behind her. I can see she's putting up a mask of confidence, but there are cracks in the surface, her nerves seep through.

"I have to ask you something," I say. "And this has to stay between you and I." She nods, looking weary, so I continue. "The day of the exchange, when we were supposed to give the Demon's that Blade of Duplicity in return for having you back with us, safe... when you turned on us, held that blade to my neck..." I swallow hard, forcing myself to get out the words. "If things had been different, if Blagden hadn't been killed by Leoni... if he'd have made the command... would you have- would you have killed me?"

She blinks, looking a little stunned at my question. "Fintan... I..." she looks down, swallowing hard. "I haven't been myself lately..."

I swallow the lump in my throat as I feel the anger begin to rise inside me. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She crosses her arms, clutching them close to her body - it's not an aggressive stance, but a protective one. "Don't do this, Fintan."

I clench my hands into fists. At this point, trying to maintain my composure feels rather like trying to put a cap on an erupting volcano. "Don't do this?" I say. "How dare you tell me what to do when you-"

"I apologised didn't I?" she snaps, the hurt in her gaze turning to fiery annoyance.

"Yes," I say, stepping a little closer to her. "You apologised for running off and abandoning us all, you apologised for betraying the group - but..." I press my fingers into my temple, suppressing a grunt of frustration. "But you never apologised to me! You compromised my mission, you left me to clear up your mess with Leoni... you held a knife to my neck! Damnit... I thought we were supposed to be friends?"

She's trembling by now, her fingertips pressing into her arms so hard that I'm sure she'll leave bruises. I can't tell if she's feeling guilty or readying herself to punch me. But I'm too worked up to care now - the cap has cracked, the lava is beginning to break through.

"What part of you ever thought that betraying us for the Demons was a good idea? We were there for you when they killed your parents - when you had nowhere else to go! Did it never occur to you that your father left the Demons for a reason?"

She rips her arms apart then, turning to directly face me - her eyes blazing. "Don't you dare talk of him!"

"Why?" I ask, revelling in the feeling of finally letting my emotions out after bottling them up for so long. "Your father was a good man - demon or not! He cast off his Demonic past and started a new life! I'm willing to bet that he did that for you - you and your mother. How do you think he'd feel if he knew that you betrayed your friends for the people he tried to protect you from? Do you think he'd be proud of you?"

I don't know what she's doing until it's too late. I don't see anything but an angry girl and a flash of silver. Her intentions don't occur to me until I feel the griping pain in my gut, the pain that steals all traces of anger from my body. With a hot sob, she pulls the knife back from my skin, her other hand is shaking as she covers her mouth. I don't know what to do - my brain can't seem to process anything but the pain. I press a hand to the stab wound on my lower abdomen, the blood already soaking through my shirt. I drop to my knees, one hand pressed to the ground, the other still clutching the wound.

My breath leaves me in a series of short shudders as the blood spreads over my hands. The pain is unbearable. My arm gives out and I drop, landing roughly on my shoulder. And it's there that I curl into a ball, one hand pressed to my wound as Caoilainn sobs beside me. And it's in that fleeting second that I realise that I pushed her to the extreme, took it too far. That's the problem with capping your emotions - when the seal breaks, and the volcano erupts, nothing is left standing...

 

((Don't worry guys, I'm not crapping all over BBB! She's in on this too, we've been discussing it for a long time!))

[Establishing Hyrule]

I don't know what to expect as we touch down in Faron woods once again. I must admit that I don't understand Caoilainn's intentions. All I know for definite is that she must know something about the kidnapping of our friends, and whether or not that's her motive for going back to the camp, I need to find out what part she's played in the kidnapping. I'm at the point now where I want to be friends with Caoilainn again, but I'm seriously doubting whether I'll ever be able to again. But what I do know, is that we need to at least try to save them.

There's a steady drizzle falling from the sky as we make our way over to the Sheikah camp. Some of the Hylians look confused - but I suppose that being above the clouds, they don't get rain in Skyloft. The air is rife with anticipation as I walk at the front of the group. Melaina walks in step with me, her held high with the most beautiful kind of confidence. I slip my hand into hers, our damp palms touching as rain water trickles down the back of my neck. I feel the fears quell within me, her touch a simple comfort.

Within a matter of minutes, we cross over the border to the Sheikah camp. Fellow members of our tribe turn to watch us with idle curiosity, but we don't hold their interest for more than a few moments before they turn back to their daily work. We march right across the camp, and push open the doors of the Temple of Spirit. And there she stands, next to Sheik, dressed in her black and red clothes. She looks tired, she looks run-down. She doesn't look like the Caoilainn I knew - not like the fearless fighter, the crazy, colourful friend of mine. I hear Melaina nock an arrow beside me, but Sheik raises a hand by way of a warning.

"No one fights - not inside these walls," he says, stepping protectively in front of Caoilainn. "And no one is to say a word until you've heard her out."

[Establishing Hyrule]

"I couldn't sleep, and I heard you were awake... I came to see if you're alright..." I say, stepping in and closing the door gently behind me.

She watches me steadily for a few moments, before she begins to crumple like a discarded piece of paper. Her head drops, resting on her cupped hands as her shoulders begin to shake with tears she must have been holding in for a long time.

"I'm just so sick of it all!" she weeps. "I try my best but I'm too careless or too thoughtless! You were kidnapped by these people, chained up. They've taken Sault and Bryarly and Link... they've turned Caoilainn over to their side! I'm fighting here - fighting with all I've got and I end up killing a man with innocent intentions?"

I blink at her, unsure of how to react as she yells and weeps, tears streaming down her cheeks. I sit here, feeling like a spare part as she lets everything out.

"And you!" she says, turning on me. "You just take it all - you sit there with this blank expression on your face like you just don't care! Our friend abandoned us! More of our friends are being hurt! People need you Fintan - damnit... I need you! And you don't do a thing!"

She turns away from me then, her whole body shaking as she openly sobs. I feel like I should say something, anything to comfort her, but my tongue is weak and I've never had much of a way with words. She looks at herself in the full length reflective glass, sniffling as she tries to calm her own outburst. I approach slowly, slipping my arms around her waist and resting my head on her shoulder.

"I'm somewhat... ineffectual- when it comes to things like this..." I say quietly. "But I swear I'm trying."

She lets her arms drop to rest on mine, her fingertips pressed into the backs of my hands. She tilts her head to the side a little, pressing a damp cheek to my temple. "I know..." she says, her voice hoarse from yelling.. "But sometimes I feel like there's only so much that I can take..."

[Establishing Hyrule]

"They... they what?" Zelda stutters.

"They took Sault, and Bryarly, and Link... there was nothing I could have done to stop them, they were gone too quickly," he says, still struggling to catch his breath.

My mind is swirling, more than one clone? Taken the others?

"We shouldn't stay here," I say, looking around. "It's getting dark already... we don't have the time to return to the Sheikah camp. Will we be alright to stay in Skyloft for another night?" I ask.

"Absolutely," Zelda replies. "Father won't mind one bit."

I turn back, looking at Caoilainn. "Are you coming with us or not?"

She blinks steadily, looking uncertain. "I need to return Ardaia's body to the Demons... I can't make a decision like this so quickly."

"Really?" I mutter. "Because it didn't take you long to decide to leave us all behind." The words taste bitter in my mouth, but I'm too exhausted to care.

So we head over to the nearest bird statue and take off into the sky, leaving a very sour looking Caoilainn behind. We're met with a warm welcome in the academy, a hot meal, and the lady who works in the academy kitchen offers to wash our clothes for us. After our supper, we all change into our night clothes and sit in Groose's room together, sipping hot cocoa. Leoni, who's now calmed down and gathered his thoughts, relays his story of the past few days to us, and we tell him what he's missed with us. Eventually, everyone grows weary and we head off to our beds.

And it's as I lie in my bed, trying to clear things out in my mind, that I hear the sound of gentle footsteps. I frown, sitting up in bed. It looks like I'm not the only one who's got trouble getting to sleep. I throw my covers back, clambering out of the bed. The halls are quiet as I make my way out of Groose's room, making it much easier to follow the sound of the footsteps. As I near Melaina's room, I hear the gentle sound of muttering too. Is she talking to herself?

I reach out, taking the door handle and gently pushing it open. She's on the other side, pacing back and forth, her fingers pressed to her lips as if she's thinking. She glances up as I walk in, pausing dead in her tracks. Her long braid snakes down her back, loose hairs coming out at the front and falling over her soft features. She's dressed in a pair of soft leggings and an old shirt of mine - it's too big for her, but the deep red colour suits her tanned skin.

"What are you doing here?" she asks, her voice soft in the dimly lit room.

[Establishing Hyrule]

((Don't even worry about it Andrew, I'm just glad that we can all be friends and carry on with this RP!))

 

I stare at the body of a man, of a demon that I never even knew, and I feel sick to my stomach. And as I watch him there, black blood pooling around his chest wound, my mind is thrown back to that very first moment that I realised the truth about Caoilainn. The way she looked at me, with a darkness in her eyes that I didn't recognise, the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Is this what you wanted?" I ask, my jaw pushed forward as I fight to suppress the annoyance building inside of me.

"What are you talking about?" she asks, though she doesn't look at me, her eyes still fixed on her guard, who I now know was called Ardaia.

"This..." I mutter. "Because if things keep going this way, it's going to end up with us either having to kill you, or you killing us."

She turns to me then, wearing an expression that I've never seen before. I can't quite pinpoint what it is. "Don't talk like that," she says, her tone edged with severity.

"Tell me it's not true," I reply.

She looks like she's going to scream, like she wants to punch me, like she's going to break down in tears... somehow all at once, yet she doesn't make a single move. Her eyes are glazed, looking over my shoulder. I turn slowly, and that's when I see Leoni running towards us as fast as he can, feet pounding against the earth.

"What are you doing here?" Melaina asks, her voice still shaking from her earlier outburst.

"Link..." Zelda mutters "Where are the others?"

Leoni comes to a stop, stooping over, hands pressed on his knees. His face is flushed and I can see beads of sweat on his forehead. He must have run a long way. "The clones... they... they've got... more than one..." he says between gasps for breath. "But they... they... they took... the others... Bryarly and... and Sault... and Link..."

[Establishing Hyrule]

((I'm with Knuckle if you're looking for a definitive answer. The only reason I didn't give one before is that I wanted to leave the decision up to you, as it is your character at the end of the day. But if you're looking for my opinion, then yes. And I will apologise, because I'm sorry if I upset you. I'm a beta reader, I can't help but be critical, sometimes a little too critical... I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I can help you come up with something new if you like?))

[Establishing Hyrule]

((I have to say that I agree with Knuckles. I know it seems like it's a good solution to create this connection between Leoni and Caoilainn but I thought that Leoni was a strong, relatable character before, and this compromises that. It's not only that, but it then doesn't fit with what you've been writing in the past, he's always been writing from the perspective of a Hylian, and now this invalidates those words. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but Leoni seemed like a strong character before))

[Establishing Hyrule]

"We got her, come on," I say, tapping Zelda on the arm as she was just about to doze off. The three of us get to our feet, racing down the sloped pathway towards where Caoilainn stands with her guard. I know that they've seen us, but they're making no move to leave, which I'm looking at as a positive.

Caoilainn watches us with a dark look in her eyes as we approach, her guard standing close by her side.

"Stop wasting your time," she says. "I'm not coming back."

"Caoilainn," Zelda pleads. "You don't have to do this!"

Caoilainn narrows her eyes. "What do you know of what I have to do? You can't possibly understand how it feels! I don't belong with you all, I'm a Demon, why can't you accept that!"

"Because it's just biology," I say, taking a step forwards. "You and I both know that your Demonic side is just your biology."

She sneers. "Just biology - biology makes me aggressive, biology means that I'm completely unable to feel!" she sounds exasperated and exhausted, as if she's tired of trying. "Why is it so hard for you to just let me go!"

I step forward again, looking Caoilainn in the eye. "I know you feel like you belong with the Demons... but you can't just pick and choose which parts of the truth you want to see."

"What are you talking about?" she sneers.

"I'm talking about how you've fought your whole life for prosperity on the Surface, you've fought to take down the Demonic power, you've fought to establish what someday could be a mighty kingdom. And now you want to turn away from all that? I know you, Caoilainn. I know that despite whatever conflict you're fighting within you, you don't want to see your home fall into the hands of evil. If the Demons win, if they control the surface, innocent animals and innocent people are going to suffer. Your friends will be killed as mercilessly as your parents were. I know for a fact that you don't want that."