#a spear then took out a sword and when we had to stop i landed off my horse made sure my lil sibs were running then cut this weird bag bomb

[just-another-wren]

my dreams recently have both ended in an awesome like. music video thing and I'm sad cause I can't figure out how to do them

[ifishouldvanish]

"A god should know, where all her dragons are."

I've seen plenty of discussion about how it's shitty of Erzsebet and Drolta to refer to Olrox as a dragon, because Quetzalcoatl isn't really a dragon, but it's like... Extra shitty on other levels?

I mean, this quote is already somethin' because dragon or not, she's referring to him as hers and just making it clear that she does not intend to afford him any agency in this """partnership""".

But I keep Having Thoughts ™ about the role and symbolism of dragons in European folklore.

In the most general sense, they represent power. In a lot of these stories, the dragon is an obstacle between the heroic protagonist and some kind of secret treasure or knowledge (Wealth! Land!). Or the dragon is terrorizing a nearby village (Never mind if the 'dragon' was there first!!). Or the dragon is unfairly hoarding riches it has no use for (don't worry, the colonizers will show the 'primitive savages' how to make the most of their land!! Isn't that nice of them??)

In these stories, it's up to the hero to eliminate this obstacle that's separating them from some resource they feel entitled to, or to 'tame' it and exploit its power for their own purposes. As such, they're pretty on-the-nose colonialist propaganda when viewed under the right lens.

So I wanna talk about The Golden Legend of Saint George and The Dragon, which is one of the most famous of these stories.

Story goes: There's a dragon who's been terrorizing a nearby village. The people start offering the dragon livestock to appease it, and when they run out of livestock, they start holding a regular lotteries to sacrifice one unlucky person to the dragon.

St George shows up before the next person (king's daughter) is about to be eaten, and he doesn't kill the dragon, no. He dominates it:

S. George was upon his horse, and drew out his sword and garnished him with the sign of the cross, and rode hardily against the dragon which came towards him, and smote him with his spear and hurt him sore and threw him to the ground. And after said to the maid: Deliver to me your girdle, and bind it about the neck of the dragon and be not afeard. When she had done so the dragon followed her as it had been a meek beast and debonair.

*(debonair in the archaic sense = gentle)

Erzsebet makes it clear that if she can't be worshipped, being feared is the next best thing. She can't get Olrox to ally with her willingly, so she resorts to force. In the end, she's getting what she really wants: obedience and subservience. For him to follow her like a meek beast.

The Golden Legend doesn't stop there though:

Then she led [the dragon] into the city, and the people fled by mountains and valleys, and said: Alas! alas! we shall be all dead. Then S. George said to them: Ne doubt ye no thing, without more, believe ye in God, Jesu Christ, and do ye to be baptized and I shall slay the dragon. Then the king was baptized and all his people, and S. George slew the dragon and smote off his head, and commanded that he should be thrown in the fields, and they took four carts with oxen that drew him out of the city.

A couple things here that slot right into the themes of colonialism in the show:

The dragon is used used as a way to coerce people into converting to Christianity. Just as Olrox would have watched the Spanish settlers do to his people: under threat of force.

The dragon is feared by the villagers despite no longer being an actual threat, but St George does nothing to dispel those fears—he exploits them. Just as prejudices of all kinds are used to justify settler colonialism as necessary or inevitable.

The dragon is slain and discarded once St George is done with it. Just as Olrox would have watched the Americans betray and displace the Mohican people who allied with them during the revolution.

Erzsebet and Drolta calling Olrox a "Dragon" isn't just ignorant or disrespectful because he's not a dragon. It's downright degrading. They're not just refusing to address him properly—they're telling a man who has survived settler colonization twice over that they intend to use him as a tool with which to do it again.

Olrox spends the season carefully stepping around every appeal Drolta makes for him to pledge loyalty to Erzsebet. And he's damned good at it: never giving up his true intentions by saying no outright, but wiggling out of ever having to say yes by instead asking pointed questions and making cutting observations that always land the ball back in their side of the court.

But then this scene happens, and he can't wiggle out of it this time. They've got their dragon where they want him. He's pinned and 'meek'—and I can think of nothing more infuriating and degrading for a character like Olrox than to be paraded about in his own land to help Erzsebet build her empire across it.

Olrox isn't a dragon, but she's going to make him one.

[viaarts404]

Shadow Wings: Chapter 3

- Michael?! Like the archangel Michael?! -Husk questioned loudly. He didn’t want to believe it.

- Yes. That Michael. -Lucifer replied, dropping his usually happy and cheerful personality. He stood up. „Why now? What could he even wa-” thought Lucifer but he froze once he realized.

- Dad? -Charlie placed her hand on her father’s shoulder, noticing him zoning out.

- Adam…-Lucifer stated, his eyes wide as he stared up at Michael who was getting out of the rubble of Lucifer’s room. The archangel dusted himself off then jumped off. He landed swiftly and faced the demons. Lucifer’s heart was beating faster than ever. He was terrified.

- Charlie, take everyone and go! -Lucifer ordered, his voice becoming louder and louder with every word. Charlie opened her mouth to protest but decided to go along with it. She nodded and turned to the others. Angel Dust, Vaggie, Husk and Nifty were present.

- Charlie? - Vaggie asked, her voice filled with worry for her lover. She placed her hand on Charlie’s cheek.

- We got this, Charlie. Let’s go. -Vaggie tried to encourage Charlie. Charlie nodded and held Vaggie’s hand.

- We are going to the caste! -Charlie ordered and started running, dragging Vaggie along with her. The crew followed close behind. Lucifer looked at them then back at Michael but by that time, the angel was gone. Lucifer’s eyes widened as he looked at the running crew in a rush.

- GET DOWN! -Lucifer screamed at the group of demons. Charlie looked back at him. Lucifer stood there for a moment in silence, anxiety rushing through his body. Lucifer’s body became numb for a moment. Just a moment. He stared at Charlie looking at him. He was frozen and couldn’t move one bit. It was like time has stopped completely. His confusion showed on his face as Charlie screamed. He didn’t know why she scream. Shs started running towards him but he didn’t get why. He looked down at his hands in confusion. His eyes widened in shock. That’s when the pain in his chest began. The gold blade splitting his chest open from behind him took him by surprise. The blade seemed familiar and he couldn’t feel anything but…happy for a second. That’s all it was. Just a second before Michael tore it out of his chest. Michael had his hand on Lucifer’s shoulder which helped him to stay standing but once Michael let go, Luci couldn’t help but fall. The gravity pulling him down felt stronger than what he could manage. He was tired. Oh so tired. Charlie stopped in front of him but was far out of reach.

- I will not kill you, little brother. Not yet. I won’t let you die. -Michael said, his voice sounded calm. Lucifer could read him tho. He was furious. Heartbroken. And Lucifer knew it.

- M-Michael…-was all Lucifer could force out his throat. The taste of his own golden blood disgusted him. He wanted to gag and throw up but couldn’t. His eyes got filled with tears. He knew this was his fault. If only he hadn’t allowed Charlie to meet Adam at all. He shouldn’t have let her go to heaven either. Charlie kept screaming out to Lucifer but he did not respond. Charlie hesitated but rushed up to her father and knelt down next to him. She quickly turned him onto his back. Lucifer stared at her lifelessly. He gave her a small gently smile. Oh how it broke her heart. He gently scooped him up and hugged him. Tears kept rolling down her cheeks. Michael looked down at the two of them. He closed his eyes for a moment. He might have hated who Lucifer became but he still somewhat respected him. While Michael silently stood there, Vaggie took the chance to attack him from behind. She swang her spear on the same lever where Michael’s neck it, only for the spear to fall into 5 different sized but perfectly cut pieces. Michael slowly turned his head towards her. That look pierced through her body. -You, traitor, are someone I would really like to kill. -Michael stated as he held his sword out to the side. Vaggie stood there in silence. She took a step back out of instinct. Michael turndd around, raised his sword and started attacking Vaggie. She tried to block the attacks with the pieces of her spear’s handle she had left. The handle kept getting shorter and shorter with every attack until there wasn’t even enough to block with, forcing Vaggie to start dodging. Michael attacked her faster and faster with more and more force put into it every time. Vaggie started getting tired for sure. Michael had enough of her. He stepped on her closer foot, pining her down as he tried to strike him down. Michael raised up his sword and was about to bring It down on her with full force but his arm got stopped by shadows wrapping around it. Shadows ran up his entire body, stopping him from moving even a little bit. Michael groaned in annoyance. Vaggies eyes lit up with hope as she moved away from him and rushed back to Lucifer and Charlie.

- Come on, Charlie! Let’s get your dad out of here. -Vaggie suggested. Charlie looked up at her. She nodded, her eyes filled with determination. Charlie picked her dad up bridal style. Vaggie waved for the others to go as the two lovebirds followed close behind the group. Alastor walked out of the half-ruined hotel and stopped in front of Michael though he knew to keep his distance. -Hello, Michael. I’m Alastor. t’s a pleasure to meet you! -Alastor held his hand out for a handshake then giggled.

- Oh! silly me! You are captured and cannot shake my hand. What a pity! -Alastor’s laugh pissed Michael off. Michael hummed in response. Michael strengthened the grip on his sword and brought his sword down with full force, breaking the shadows as he did so. Alastor froze like a deer in headlight. It was half a milimeter that saved him, otherwise he’d be cut in half right now. He jumped back.

- Well, that was a close one. -Alastor exclaimed. He sighed then looked towards Michael, only for him to be right in front of him. Michael kicked Alastor in the stomach, sending him flying back. Michael’s breathing got faster. He rushed at Alastor, jumped up and landed on his arm, pushing him and pining him down onto the ground. Alastor groaned in pain and looked up at Michael. Alastor smirked at how controllable Michael seems to be.

- Adam is alive. -Alastor stated. Michael stared at him, eyes wide, in silence.

- What. -Michael asked back. He was way to shocked to fully register the information.

- Lucifer has him. - Alastor added. Michael stepped back from him. Michael stared at him in silence before he turned around and vanished...

[writtenjewels]

"(Everything I Do) I Do it For You" by Bryan Adams

“Look, there's Salim!” Jason pointed, letting out a breath of relief. He reached for his radio. “Salim, come in man. You there?”

“I'm surrounded,” Salim whispered back. “Vampires... so many vampires.”

Jason felt his heart plummet into his stomach and grow cold. His brain went into a panic. He knew Salim could handle himself, but that was only against one vampire. Their explosions woke up who knew how many, and they were all pissed.

“Too risky,” Nick argued. “You go down there, you'll die with him.” That was true. If Jason went down there, he'd be putting his life on the line. Jason couldn't imagine a life where Salim was gone.

“Salim's one of us now,” he decided, “and marines don't leave their own behind. You hearin' me, Salim?”

“If I don't make it,” Salim replied, “tell my son I did everything I could.”

“Tell him yourself. I'm comin' to get you.”

Jason hopped down into the vault and charged forward. He would do whatever it took to get to Salim, to keep him safe.

– – –

Gunfire announced Jason's arrival. Salim's heart soared seeing the marine. He spared Jason a smile before turning and finishing off the vampire Jason had distracted.

“So you've come to join the fun?” he asked with a laugh. Jason flashed a smile back, switching out his rifle clip with a fresh one. He was so focused on that he didn't see the vampire rearing up behind him. “Jason!” Salim cried out. He reacted without thinking, hurling his stake like a javelin. Jason ducked out of the way, the stake making impact in the vampire's chest.

Salim rushed in and pulled the weapon out, smacking the vampire across the face to knock it to the ground. He stood over it and staked it again to make sure it was dead. Salim looked up to catch Jason's eye. The man was staring at him with his mouth hanging open.

“Did you seriously just throw that thing at me?” he demanded.

“I did,” Salim answered with a laugh. Jason grinned at him but quickly shook it off.

They ran to the exit side by side. Salim glanced Jason's way again. Some movement behind them caught his attention and he looked over his shoulder. Some ancient thing was watching them leave. It had a spear in its hand. Horror seized him a moment before the ancient one made his throw. Salim didn't even pay attention to where the creature was aiming. All he knew was that he had to protect Jason.

He grabbed the marine, pulling him out of the way. The two of them hit the ground and rolled. Salim heard a metallic thunk and stared where it landed. Right where Jason would have been standing. Salim's hands tightened around the marine for just a moment before the two were scrambling on their feet and running again.

– – –

They stood side by side, a knife in one hand and a flare in the other. This would be their last stand in the six minutes of darkness.

“It has been interesting knowing you,” Salim said.

“This? This is bullshit. I'm not here to honor the dead. Truth is, my life was goin' nowhere fast. I jumped at the chance to sign up.” … “When those towers were hit, I was stoned outta my fuckin' skull. I didn't even hear about it 'til a week later. How's that for profound?”

“Zain is all I have left in this world. After my wife left us, I gave him my all.” … “My boy has made me very proud. If only he would stop stealing.”

“If we both want to live, we must fight as one: the sword and the shield.”

“Whatever happens down there, I got your back.”

“Let's light these fuckers up!” Jason said. Their eyes met and they shared a quick smile. It was a dire moment, but they would both choose to stand here together than anywhere else alone.

– – –

Sunlight was glowing through the holes in the shepherd's hut. Screams from the dying vampires finally stopped. The five of them exchanged tired smiles. Finally it was over. Salim gave most of them a passing glance, lingering the longest on Jason. The marine met his stare. Salim wished he could express how much this man meant to him the past few hours. Especially that moment when Jason charged in to save him.

The rhythmic thumping of helicopter blades cut through the silence. Jason abruptly rose to his feet. He gave a little jerk with his head before walking into another room. Salim waited a few beats before following.

“I fuckin' forgot Eric called in air support before the mission,” Jason blurted out.

“It was a smart decision,” Salim reasoned.

“I thought so at the time, but now...” Jason's brow creased, his eyes tense with worry. “I'm sorry, Salim.”

“If you're apologizing for saving me, I don't know how to feel about it,” Salim said, trying for a light tone. Jason pressed his lips together in a stern line.

“I can try to distract 'em,” Jason offered. “Give you time to escape.”

“No. This time, I'll charge into danger for you, Jason.”

Jason opened his mouth, closing it again with a dazed expression. They stood there in silence, gazes locked, until Jason broke it. Salim followed after him where the other Americans were already gathering outside. Military men wearing gas masks exited the helicopter. They were guiding the survivors inside. Salim instantly held his hands up in a sign of surrender.

“Easy, fellas,” Jason warned before any of them could point their guns at Salim. “He's with me. I see any of you point your guns at him, your ass is mine.”

They saluted in answer. Jason stuck close to Salim's side just in case, sitting next to him inside the copter. He caught Salim's eye again and nodded to him. Salim gave him a little smile in return. If Jason could face vampires, Salim could face the US military.

He didn't even feel afraid. He knew the consequences of his choice, but he would make it all the same.

– – –

Jason squirmed restlessly in his chair. He was getting tired of going over the story. No matter how many times he said it, the situation wasn't going to get any less fucked.

“Fuck!” he burst out. “How many times do I have to keep tellin' you the same damn story?!”

“I understand,” the person in the hazmat suit responded. “However, CENTCOM needs to iron out any... irregularities.”

“Such as?” Jason fumed. “The whole fuckin' thing was irregular!”

“Such as why you allied with an enemy combatant?”

Jason knew they were going to bring that up eventually. Rage boiled just under the surface. Why didn't they just slap him with the label of “betrayer to your country” and get it over with? He was about ready to jump out of the chair and deck the guy, just to make it official.

“You weren't fuckin' there! Those things were rippin' us to shreds! I don't give a damn who it was, we needed all the help we could get!” He let out a frustrated breath, but he wasn't done yet. Not even close. He wanted these people to understand exactly where he stood. “I stepped back into that hell to save Salim,” Jason declared. “That man is worth five of you people! Semper-fuckin-'fi!”

Silence hung in the air after his rant. They would understand what he was saying. Always loyal to Salim. Not to you, not to the goddamn military. So go fuck yourself.

[skyward-floored]

Whumptober Day 18: Blindfold, Tortured for information

So today’s is actually a little goofier, and a bit of zelink snuck in, but hey! It’s nice to mix things up 👍

I also had the prompt “I tend to deflect when I’m feeling threatened” in mind while writing this and you can tell lol

Read on ao3

Warnings: injury, blood, concussion, torture-y elements.

————————————————————

Warriors couldn’t see.

He grunted in frustration, trying to rub his face on his arm so he could knock his blindfold loose, but no matter what he did, the coarse fabric stayed where it had been tied while he was unconscious.

He was sore, his head ached from where it had been struck, and his arms hurt where they were bound behind him, but the lack of sight was what was bothering him the most, not being able to see making his skin crawl.

It... bothered him more than he would prefer to admit.

“Hero.”

Warriors stiffened, trying to pinpoint where the voice was coming from. Multiple sets of footsteps echoed around the chair he’d been tightly bound to, making the sound difficult to pinpoint, but he could tell when a pair of them stopped right next to him.

“You have something we want,” the voice continued from much closer, and Warriors let out a chuckle.

“Oh yeah? Well you already took all my stuff, if you can’t find whatever it is, then that’s on you.”

Something connected with his ribs, and Warriors let out a grunt, unable to brace himself since he couldn’t see the blow coming. So it’s going to be like that, is it?

“What we want isn’t an item,” a different voice said, sounding annoyed. Good. “It’s information, that only a select few are in possession of.”

“Are you going to just keep me in suspense, or tell me what you want already?” Warriors drawled, and he expected it this time when he was struck again, even harder.

It still hurt though.

“Listen well, Hero, I will not repeat myself,” the first voice growled, and Warriors froze as a hand grabbed his face. Nails dug into his chin, and he hissed in pain. “We want to hear everything you know about Princess Zelda.”

Warriors felt his blood run cold.

“...What?” he asked, and bit back a cry as another hit landed on his middle. At this rate they’re going to break something.

“Princess Zelda. You work closely with her, you must know all of her powers, her weaknesses,” the voice snapped, releasing his face. “We want to know it all.”

“And why on earth would I tell you anything?” Warriors growled, and the voice went silent.

“Because you have no choice.”

Warriors’ head snapped back as a blow hit his face, and before he could even begin to recover, something sharp was pressed to his cheek, the tip of what had to be a dagger sending a little spark of fear through his chest.

“Fine! Fine you want to know about Z— the princess?” he said, and the knife eased a bit. “Okay. Well first of all, she’s great with basically every weapon she picks up, sword, bow, spear, she can do it all. She always wears pink but her favorite color is actually blue, about the color of my scarf which you’ve so kindly taken from me actually, she’s one of the best musicians I’ve ever heard, her eyes sparkle like Lake Hylia on a clear day, and when she sings, wow you fellas are missing out, oh, and Zelda isn’t her full name, it’s actually Princess Zelda Artemisa Lyra—”

“Shut up!” Someone roared, and the knife dug a line right below the blindfold across Warriors’ face.

He cried out in spite of himself, pain burning across his cheeks and nose, and the hand grabbed his chin again, sharp nails actually digging into his skin this time.

“That information is useless,” the voice hissed, and Warriors smirked, despite how badly his face hurt.

“You wanted to know about Zelda. I delivered.”

“Not her eye color,” the voice spat, and Warriors shrugged his aching shoulders.

“Well you should’ve been more specific then,” he said easily, then yelled as something hit his ribs, hard.

Something cracked, and Warriors doubled over as much as he could with how he was tied up, gasping as his chest lit up in pain. That had definitely broken something that time.

The hand was back at his face again, and Warriors coughed, feeling blood trickle down his cheek.

“Tell us your Princess’s weaknesses,” the voice said more calmly, and when Warriors didn’t say anything, the knife was dragged along his cheek again without warning.

Warriors bit back a cry, and felt his breathing speed up as the knife let up, then sliced him again in a new spot.

“Or we will cut you up until the only part of you that can move is your mouth, so we can hear every single way your cursed princess can be defeat,” the other voice hissed, and Warriors coughed out a laugh.

“Nice. Very... very dramatic. Only one problem with that,” he breathed, tasting something metallic on his tongue. “Zelda doesn’t have any weaknesses.”

His head was slammed backwards into the wall.

Sparks of light shot into his vision, and he might’ve cried out, but he wasn’t sure through the odd high-pitched sound that had filled his head up like one of the Champion’s octorock balloons.

I wonder how he’s doing... he thought blearily, wondering vaguely if the nausea that had suddenly made itself known was going to make him sick. Since he was closest when I got caught...

The high-pitched sound began to die down, and Warriors heard some other sounds through it, talking sounds.

Right... right. Right. He needed to focus.

Zelda might be in trouble.

He strained his ears, trying to focus through the pain pounding across the back of his head, and breathed in a little unsteadily. For some reason, breathing was awfully tricky.

“...hear how he called her Zelda?” one voice said, and Warriors tried even harder to focus through the ringing in his ears in order to listen. “I think perhaps the Princess has a weakness after all... the Hero.”

Warriors felt a bright ball of fear drop into his stomach.

“Sh... she cares nothing for me!” Warriors tried to shout, but his voice caught on the words, and he coughed out something thick in his throat. “You won’t... it won’t...”

The spinning and pain in his head and the ringing in his ears was suddenly too much, and Warriors felt a darkness sweep over him, despite how he resisted.

Something might’ve grabbed his face again, but Warriors slipped away before he heard any of the words they spoke.

Zelda... don’t do anything stupid for me...

(...)

He wasn’t sure how long it was before he came to, but when Warriors opened his eyes, he was still blindfolded.

And his head still hurt like a moblin had been using it as a set of drums.

He let out a low groan, and realized he was on the ground somewhere now, his cheek pressed against grass. The fact that there was grass against his face and not something else was important he thought, but he couldn’t remember or focus enough to figure out why.

He wished he could see.

A boot suddenly set itself on his side, and Warriors’ breath hitched a little, the action sending a pang through the sharp ache in his middle. Why did his head and middle and everything hurt so much?

It was as if the answer was hovering just out of reach, and no matter how he jumped for it, he couldn’t grab hold.

...Was somebody talking?

Warriors strained his ears, and heard several different voices, some lower, and higher, and scratchy, and more commanding...

They went quiet suddenly, and Warriors frowned. Why had they stopped?

The boot sitting lightly on his side suddenly stomped down, and a scream was ripped from Warriors’ throat, pain flashing up his entire side and middle and making his vision white out with stars.

The talking might have started up again, but Warriors couldn’t hear it over the agony burning through his chest, worse than his head, worse than his face. A loud noise sounded nearby and the weight of the boot disappeared, but Warriors couldn’t even focus enough to wonder why.

His world had narrowed down to pain, slow and freezing and hot and fast, switching back and forth so quickly he could barely stand it.

He coughed, something warm spattering on his cheek, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care.

A sudden crashing sound came from nearby, one oddly familiar. Despite how it made the pain increase, Warriors listened carefully, trying to identify it. It kept happening, over and over as Warriors listened, and he suddenly realized it was two swords, hitting against each other.

But who’s swords? Who’s fighting? he wondered desperately, and winced when a much louder crash rang out.

He really wished he could see.

“Link!”

A couple sets of footsteps sounded by his head, and hands tugged at his bound wrists and ankles, then near his hair, pulling at the coarse fabric. He froze, and all of a sudden the blindfold fell away, Warriors finally able to see again.

He blinked in the nearly blinding sunlight, squeezing his eyes shut before slowly cracking them open again. Something shaded his eyes, and Warriors looked up at golden hair and blue eyes the color of Lake Hylia.

“Arte... Zel..?” he said dizzily, and the worried look she’d been giving him was replaced with a small smile.

“Yes. We’ve got you Link, just hold on while somebody grabs a fairy.”

Warriors blinked up at her, his vision swimming a little. Wow. Had Zelda’s voice always been that pretty? He wasn’t sure. He should probably tell her.

“Oh geez, yeah that’s a concussion,” somebody who wasn’t Zelda commented, and Warriors honestly had no clue who it was. “Unless he usually goes around complimenting your voice?”

“Not normally, no,” Zelda replied, a bit of her hair falling in her face. The sun caught it and made it light up into a brighter yellow, and Warriors tried to raise a hand and touch it. It didn’t really work.

“Hair’s glowing?” he mumbled, and heard a stifled laugh. “‘S pretty. I ever tell y-you... Arty... you’re pretty?”

Artemis blinked at him in surprise, and this time there were a few ooohs along with the stifled laughs that went up from the people he couldn’t recognize.

“Why don’t you tell me later, Link?” she said, and Warriors furrowed his brow as she carefully turned his head. Later? Why later? What was so bad about right now?

“Now, no, why wait?” he managed to get out, his chest aching again as somebody touched it. “You’re beautiful, you... your hair... Hair looks kind of... butter,” he said, confusedly, squinting. The color was pretty darn similar in his opinion, had Zelda ever noticed that? “...Butter color. ‘S butter in your hair?”

There was laughter that was much less muffled that time, and Artemis had an odd look on her face as somebody appeared next to her, something pink in their grasp.

“Alright Captain, here’s a fairy, hold still.”

“Hold who?” he said dizzily, but then the pink swirled all over his vision, sparkles like snow drifting over him. It moved so fast he could barely watch it, but the steady pound in his head began to fade, and the horrible burn in his chest eased considerably.

What felt like a soft wave washed over him, and it took with it almost all the fuzziness that was clouding his head.

He opened his eyes (he’d closed them?) with a sigh, and met Artemis’s eyes, a tiny bit of blood on her chin.

“Oh. Hi,” he said a little dizzily, and made to sit up. He couldn’t quite made it though, his head still a little heavy-feeling, and Artemis’s arms pulled him up, along with somebody else’s.

“Hi yourself,” Artemis said with a bit of exasperation, and as Warriors stared at her. Suddenly everything that had happened while he’d been tied to a chair came back, the questions and blows and a knife dragged along his face—

“Artemis,” he startled, and lurched forward to frantically study her face. “Are you okay? Those men were trying—”

“We know Wars,” Wind’s voice said kindly from nearby. “We took care of ‘em.”

Warriors blinked at him. “Really?” How much had he missed?

“Really,” Time said with a hint of amusement. “They are no longer a threat. You pretty much missed the entire battle.”

“...Oh.”

Warriors rubbed his head with a wince, trying to sort through his memories of the past half a day or so. His head throbbed unpleasantly, and he made the decision it could perhaps wait a bit until his headache died down. The others could probably fill him in... right?

“So, you gonna tell her highness she’s beautiful again?” Legend said innocently, and Warriors stared at him.

Maybe that’s not a good idea.

“...what do you mean again?”

Several snickers went up from the group, and Artemis gave his shoulder a careful squeeze, her hand still on his arm.

“You had a concussion,” she explained, and Warriors could swear she was blushing a little. “Still do, I believe. You... rambled a bit.”

Warriors felt heat rise in his own cheeks. “...What about?”

Artemis smiled, and she squeezed his shoulder again, sending a pleasant warmth up his arm.

“Nothing bad. I’ll tell you later,” she said with a mischievous look, and Warriors felt his cheeks darken even further for some reason. “But we should get you inside. The fairy helped, but I really don’t think you’re all the way healed yet.”

Artemis helped him stand then, and Warriors leaned heavily on her shoulder, his head spinning a little at the change in altitude. They began to walk, and Warriors drifted along in a bit of a haze, the others’ conversation floating around him.

“I’m glad you’re all right,” Artemis said suddenly, voice quiet enough not to be heard by the others. “When they dragged you out, we... we thought the worst.”

Warriors blinked back the ache behind his eyes, and smiled over at Artemis, trying to focus on her face.

“I’m alright,” he reassured, and squeezed her arm. “Glad you’re okay too.”

She sighed, and brushed some hair out of her face. “I was never in as much danger as you, Link. But thank you.”

A smile twitched onto her lips.

“And I think your hair looks a bit like butter as well.”

Warriors stared at her, and Artemis stifled a laugh as he spent the rest of the trip trying to figure out what on earth she meant by that.

[saphira5]

141 x (Platonic) Captain Reader - Callsign "Achilles" Part 3

Y/n put her helmet back on and the sword back in its sheath. Y/n looks over at the kneeling men, "Είμαι ο καπετάνιος y/n/m, το διακριτικό Αχιλλέα, εννοώ κανένα κακό για εσάς ή τους δικούς σας ανθρώπους. Θα πάρω τους συντρόφους μου και θα φύγω. Αύξηση." (I am Captain y/n/m, insignia Achilles, I mean no harm to you or your people. I will take my comrades and leave. Rise). 

The people rose and walked towards us. The person who spoke to Y/n untied me and Wick, while another person went to untie Yeti and remove his blindfold. Wick and Yeti ran over to Y/n and hugged her tight, crying. Y/n hugged them back, and I walked over to them. Wick let go of Y/n and body slammed me to the ground. He put his hand around my neck. 

"WICK, GET OFF HIM NOW!"  

Wick let go of me and stood up. Wick turns around and looks at Y/n. "WE’RE ALL HAVING A TALK BACK ON BASE," Everyone looks at Y/n, "Yes, Captain."  

"Το πόδι σου," (Your leg). Y/n looks down and sees a stream of blood flowing from her leg, creating a puddle of blood around her. A younger sounding man speaks, "Ορίστε, επιτρέψτε μου να σας βοηθήσω," (Here, let me help you).  

Y/n looks at the young man, “Σε ευχαριστώ για την καλοσύνη σου, νεαρέ πολεμιστή, αλλά η ομάδα μου και εγώ πρέπει να φύγουμε τώρα." (Thank you for your kindness, young warrior, but my team and I must leave now). 

Y/n slightly bows to him. Then they all left the house and came back with our taken gear and weapons. Walking over to each of us, they returned to us our gear and weapons. Once we had everything on again, I pulled out a tourniquet (a strap that is tightened around arm or legs to stop major bleeding) and walked over to Captain Y/n. I asked if she could extend her leg a bit for me to wrap it so I could stop the bleeding.  

It stops the bleeding; I stand up and move beside Captain Y/n. Wick was following my every move with his eyes. Y/n looks at me and nods, "LET'S MOVE." We all nod, and head outside. Y/n turned around and bowed to them. It took some time to get to the safe house and then get an evac back to base.  

When we landed back on base, Y/n looked at me, "Garrick with me," the doors opened and the medics took Y/n to the med bay, I was right behind her. Y/n got patched up and was told by the doc that she would have to be on bed rest for a week or two.  

"I will be back. I need a word with my men," the doctor nodded in understanding. Y/n got up and looked at me, "Corporal, with me." We both walked to her office. She walks in and turns on the light. Then she walks over to her chair and sits, "Close the door and sit down."  

I closed the door behind me and sat down on a chair. "I am sorry on how Wick acted; we had a couple of incidents with people being spies and joining my unit. One of my good friends Sgt "Dragon", had died due to this. But still, it doesn't mean we act uncivil with a new member of the team." "I understand, Captain," Y/n nods, "can you get the others?"  

"Of course, Captain," I walk out and grab the others. When I returned with the others, Y/n began giving Wick a piece of her mind, and I shut the door behind me.  

… 

“Wick was put on cleaning duty for a while but after he treated me like a friend. Y/n was wise for someone young or so I thought." 

A knock on the door has Price, Soap, Ghost and Gaz looking at the door. Y/n opens the door and steps inside, closing the door gently behind her. Y/n looks at Soap and sees a shocked expression on his face; Price has a proud smile on his face. Ghost stares for a bit, but then looks away, and Kyle is smiling at you.  

"Telling my story, Kyle?"  "Of course, Captain." Y/n huffed, "we were sent to Greece, and I happened to speak the language. I also knew how to fight with a spear and how to use a bow and arrow." 

"The young man before gave Y/n a bow and arrow before we left, and Y/n showed me how to use it."  

Y/n looks at Kyle and smiles, Kyle smiles back at her, "she is a great shot, a true archer." "Isn't that right, Archie," Y/n laughs, "tell us more, Captain y/n." Y/n looks at Soap. Y/n walks over and stands beside Kyle, "Where to start”. 

Post 09/08/23

[itsthestutterforme]

Dark Sapphire (Aemond Targaryen x black!reader)

Summary: In the midst of his war crime, Aemond moves you away from Kings Landing to keep you safe. A week later, you get a letter from Queen Alicent with some bad news.

Notes: GIF is not mine, all mistakes are my own, dark themes (implied smut, murder, faking a death, character death, LOTS of angst), featuring Geralt of Rivia and Yennefer

Prompt Credit @ogdoadfates : “We won’t grow old together will we?” “No, but we made memories that’ll outlive even us.”

**

The halls in the Red Keep were so quiet you could hear a pin drop and the mice scurrying in the corridors. Aemond has bounced from the Council Room to the Iron Throne to the his mother’s chambers, and back to the Council Room in a viscous cycle.

He grew frustrated with the constant summoning and rushing around. He’s had enough, so he announced that no one should bother him in his chambers unless one of Rhaenyra’s or Daemon’s dragons flew about King’s Landing.

Which very well could be a possibility. He kill Lucerys after all, even if it wasn’t intentional. It was an act of war, and now King’s Landing and it’s allies must prepare. That includes preparing you for what’s the come.

The two of you laid bare in the sheets from getting lost in each other throughout the day. It was now almost nightfall. Your thighs grew sore from the countless orgasms he pulled from you. His hair was pulled from its tight ponytail, fanning out as he laid his head on your chest. Your leg rested in between his while you comb your fingers through his perfect, silver locks.

“Aemond,” you start, and he hums in response. “I want to fight for Kings Landing,” “Absolutely not,” “It’s my duty as-“ “Y/N, please. I don’t want to fight.” He mediates, slowly peeling his face from your chest. “I can’t focus on my responsibilities if I’m worried about you.” His sapphire eye glistened in the dim lighting of the candles. “How do you think I would feel knowing my husband is going to war while I’m sitting safely here in the castle?”

“You won’t be in the castle. No, I’m taking you somewhere else. With someone I trust.” “Where? ” “Geralt of Rivia,” “Shouldn’t Haelena with us?” “No, her status will only bring attention to you. She’ll be safe with the Kings Guard. But you need to leave Kings Landing altogether.”

“When?” “Tonight,” “No, Aemond. I want to be with you.” You shook your head, sitting up and away from him. He followed you, holding your face and pulling your head close to his. “Listen to me… you are my everything. If I lose you, I would join in death soon after.”

“Please, just listen to my instructions for once,” he adds. “What if.. what if war takes you from me, Aemond? This isn’t a normal war with swords and spears. You have Dragons that could burn entire castle to the ground.”

Tears blur your vision and soft sobs left you. You cowered in his hands, gripping his wrists for dear life. “I took this day to prepare you. We’ve had our sentimental moment. But now it’s time to talk about the harsh truth.” He let out a deep breath, keeping his own emotions in check.

“Truth is, you’re right. The chances of me surviving are slim.” “Stop saying that. I won’t hear it.” “I need you to be strong for me, my love.” “I can’t, Aemond. Please.” You sobbed harder and he held you against his chest, you buried your face into the crook of his neck.

Tears left his own eyes; he hated seeing you in pain. “It doesn’t matter what happens to me, I’ll be happy as long as you’re safe.” He says, rubbing circles on your bare back. “Come with me,” “They’ll never stop coming for me after I killed Lucerys,” “Then we’ll fight them together,” you reasoned.

“You have to go tonight. There is no other choice, Y/N.” Tears mindlessly streamed down your face as the two of you sat in silence. “We won’t grow old together will we?” You croaked, sniffling every so often. “No, but we made memories that’ll outlive even us.” He retorts. “Avy jorrāelan, byka zaldrīzes,” he adds. (I love you, little dragon).

“Avy jorrāelan tolī,,” (I love you too)

**

Once you got the letter with Queen Alicent’s seal, you felt your heart drop to your stomach. You didn’t bother opening the letter. You had reasoned with Geralt to take you back to King’s Landing, though it took at least thirty minutes of reasoning.

You didn’t hear much after Queen Alicent said, “I’m so sorry, Y/N. Aemond is gone.” She placed a comforting hand on your arm and you shrugged it off. “Have you recovered his body?” “Yes, he’s with the maesters. The funeral is tomorrow at first light. A private function.” She explains.

“I shall make my way to the maesters then,” you stood from the chair and made an advance to the door. “Do you want company?” “I’m afraid not, Your Grace. There’s no telling what my reaction is going to be when I.. see him.” You offered her a small smile before one of the Kings Guard opened the door for you.

You chewed at your bottom lip anxiously as you neared the preparation room. “Princess Y/N,” the grandmaester greets outside of the room. “I wish to see his body,” his face falls at your words. “The condition of his body is not fit for a princess to see,” “That matters very little to me. He is still my husband. Let me pass.” You mentally curse yourself hearing the sound of your own voice trembled slightly.

“Very well,” he says after a eyeing you a moment. He opens the door and your eyes fell to Aemond for the first time in a week. The eye where the sapphire occupied was now empty, as was his other eye. His silver locs were brushed back and his skin lost its life. A thin white blanket covered from the middle of his stomach on down.

“Oh my love, what happened to you?” You asked him once you reached his side. You lifted your hand to touch his head, gasping at the chill and toughness of his skin. “Aemond, no,” You croaked, your body trembling.

“Why can’t I tell her, mother?” Aemond asks, alive and well in his mother’s chambers. “The less people that know, the safer you are.” “Well how long until I explain to her what happened?” His eye widens at his mother’s lack of response. “Surely you’re not implying that I may never tell her?”

“It’s for your own safety, Aemond.” “It is cruel. I’m have to tell her. We tell each other everything.” He advances to the door. “I did not pay that mage a fortune to perform a protection and cloning spell on you for nothing, you fool!” She hisses, warranting Aemond to stop in his tracks.

Alicent sighs, holding her face in her hands as she drops to the small couch. “Surely you can tell her, but wait until things are going back to normal. The war was brutal. Many lives were lost. As far as anyone is concerned, I’m a grieving widow who’s lost her all of her children. I’d like to keep it that way.” She explains. “She’s safe, that’s all that matters, right?.” She adds.

As the days turned into weeks, you’ve constructed a plan of vengeance for your beloved Aemond. The survivors of the war, excluding the children, were met with your blade. There are whispers of your doings, coining you Dark Sapphire. For you left a sapphire on each of your victims bodies. The same sapphire Aemond used to have.

Once you took the life of your final victim, you visited Aemond’s grave. “I did it, my love. I avenged you like I said I would… I thought about what you said, ‘if I lose you, I would join in death soon after’.” Little did you know Aemond was watching you from behind the tree, concealing his body and identity with a black cloak. He could tell immediately that this visit was different from the others.

It sounded eerily similar to a goodbye. By the time he ran towards you, you had already sheathed your blade slick with your latest victims’ blood. “I’ll see you soon, beloved.” You let out a soft breath as you pierce your own heart with the blade. “No!” Aemond yells, rushing to your aid. His eye grew wide when he sees how much blood was rushing from your chest, some drops of blood escaping your mouth.

You groaned at the copper taste, your eyes watering from the searing pain of the blade and your lungs filling up with blood. “Y/N, look at me. I’m alive. See?” Aemond says frantically, panicking when he notices your eyes glazing over. “Please, my love.” He adds, crying when he heard your pained wheezes. You were struggling, fighting to breathe.

He took your hand into his and you used whatever strength you had left to squeeze his hand. Your head fell to the side as he cradled your head in his lap, releasing your last breath. “No, hold my hand. Don’t leave me.” Stray tears left his eye, landing on your forehead.

Rocking you slowly in his arms, an idea rung in his head. The mage. The mage that performed the protection spell should have a resurrection spell of some sort. He gathered you in his arms and carried you into his mothers chambers. “Mother, you must summon the mage.”

“Oh my God,” she gasps, covering her mouth when she sees the state of your body. “What happened? Who did this to her?” Alicent asks, setting off a fire in Aemond. “You did! I told you from the first time she went out to murder my cousins. I begged you to tell her, and you refused!”

Her lips pressed into a frown, clasping her hands in front of her. She didn’t dare to speak. “You’re so selfish! You couldn’t let me be happy, could you? I swe- you will summon the mage and she will bring her back to life or I swear to the gods, I will expose you for what you really are.”

“Aemond, I-“ “Just summon the bloody mage,” he tells her, his nose flaring in contrast to his tear stained cheeks. “Very well,”

**

They had cleared her chambers of her furniture, replacing it with a thick slab of marble. Aemond stares at your lifeless body laying on the slab, the only thing audible was his shaky breaths. His mother met Criston Cole at the gate of Kings Landing to escort the mage, Yennefer, to her chambers.

It was the only time Aemond spent any time alone with you. Yennefer was his only hope at getting you back. “Aemond, the mage is here.” Alicent announces as Cole opens the door for them. “How long has she been dead?” Yennefer asks, pulling off her cloak and setting down her satchel.

“Six hours,” Aemond answers. “Her body hasn’t started to decompose. That’s good,” Aemond inhaled sharply at her words. “Can you resurrect her or not?” “I can. But there are consequences.” “It doesn’t matter, just bring her back to me.”

“What would those consequences be?” Alicent asks. “There’s a chance she may not wake up if she’s moved on or have been dead for too long. A consequence is that you must take a life. A life for a life.”

“A fair exchange,” Aemond says. Yennefer shares a look with Alicent before making preparations for the spell. Candles were lit. Barriers were drawn. Blood was shed. Yennefer held Aemond’s hand over your body, chanting an incantation.

Aemond opened his eye when Yennefer pulled away from him. Alicent was pacing around the room, her hand pressed to her lips. “My love,” Aemond said softly, taking your hand into his. The silence in the room was deafening. “I’m sorry, my Prince.” Yennefer says softly.

“Do the spell again,” he commands. “It will have the same result, I’m afraid.” “Try ag-“ your body shot up, clutching your throat as you gasped for air.

[justakidicarus]

Dark Link - The Fall of a Hero (2/?) Part 1 - Recruiter's Call

The second instalment of the Dark Link series. This part is much longer. Assumptions are in the Prologue, and I don't have much else to say.

More notes for parts of the story mentioned and different pieces of worldbuilding I haven't been able to integrate into the fic are beneath the fic. Spoilers for the trailer of Echoes of Wisdom. This fic should be considered Non-canon to the events of Echoes of Wisdom and is heavily canon-divergent. Fic below the cut.

---///---

When Link awoke, it was to loud pacing. He silently whined as he twisted, trying to find a way to stand so he could move from his current resting place. Whatever he was lying on was coarse and a bit moist. He didn’t like it.

“Oh, finally tha brat’s awake.”

A three-fingered talon grabbed onto Link’s tunic so suddenly that he yelped, dragged up onto his feet by an unknown creature as he quickly got his footing, twisting around and reaching for his sword as he took in his surroundings. The sky was midnight black, split with purple fractures as if the sky were a broken mirror. Various islands and bodies of water floated aimlessly around the land, ignorant of the laws of nature such as gravity. Behind him were the walls of a Blackstone castle, each brick oozing waves of dark liquid into the moat at his heel. Underneath his feet was grass a strange shade of dark blue. Wherever he was, it wasn’t Hyrule. Currently, that was the least of his worries.

Before him stood an army of monsters, possibly thousands strong. Each creature from Bokoblins to Gleock’s was armed to the teeth and staring at him as if he were their next meal. In the front of the line, a silver Lizalfos stood, armed with a Hylian sage staff. The Lizalfos didn’t look like the rest that he could see in the army. While those Lizalfos had a flat snout, short legs, and long, thick tails, this one had a blockier muzzle, longer legs and a shorter, thinner, tail. It also wore a canine skull over its head, obscuring most of its face besides its golden eyes and mouth. Other bone and strangely leather ornaments decorated its body and staff, swinging in the soft breeze.

“Now, tha Bossman wants ya whipped inta shape by the next full moon. Ah reckon we can get it done in half the time. All you Hylians are the same after all. Easy tah break in. ‘Not sure why the King wants ya in tha army instead of serving in tha mines but hey, I’m just here to follow orders. Besides, we’ll make due, won't we?” The silver-coloured Lizalfos monologued, twirling its staff as it paced down the line of monsters. Link was more concerned with the fact it could speak in the first place.

“Welcome to tha Demon King’s army Hero. We’re gonna ‘ave a lot o’ fun together.” The Lizalfos grinned as it gestured almost lazily with its spear. ‘Charge’ the signal read, as the entire army of monsters descended on Link.

He wasn’t about to give them the chance to beat him.

He drew his sword and charged back, his blade slashing through the first line with ease born of a Hero who journeyed over 7 times in the past.

The battlefield was a blur as Link cut down monster after monster, taking out Lynel’s and Moblin’s left and right as anything lesser fell before he could blink. That Silver Lizalfos remained out of reach, hanging off the side of a Gleock’s flank as it seemed to record whatever was happening

Link lost track of time as he fought. The sky didn’t change, he never felt fatigued, and his enemies didn’t stop coming. Over time, his sword whittled away, and he was forced to rip the blade from a charging Lynel to continue his fight, repeating whenever his latest weapons broke. Over time, the overseeing Lizalfos became more and more irate. Link could barely spare a thought, focused on his eternal battle. If he could make it through the horde, he could find a way to escape. If he managed to escape, he would be able to get back to Zelda. Then she could make a plan so they could get the Triforce of Courage back and beat Ganon for good. He just needed to defeat the horde first.

“Alrigh’, this ain’t working.” A voice shouted out before a pair of talons slammed into his back and drove him to the ground. Link yelped as he went down. He tried to swing his stolen blade into the new threat, but a staff quickly hooked around the cross guard and threw his only weapon to the side.

“Ah can see why tha Bossman wants you on the frontline Brat. Ya know yer way with tha blade, can’t deny that, and you’se got a viciousness tha’ puts mah best Lynel’s tah shame. Still, if ah don’t figure out how to kill that blasted Light o’ yours it’s mah head on the chopping block. The bastard is making her way through her lil kingdom and if she gets out here with tha’ blasted staff then we’re all toast.” The Silver Lizalfos that had been watching everything rattled on, shifting its weight from side to side as it kept Link pinned to the ground. He listened with vague confusion. What did it mean, ‘the frontline’? ‘Kill the light’? He wasn’t daft, he knew the Lizalfos was acting under orders from Ganon, but what was the demon king’s goal? What light was it talking about? Ganon already had the Triforce of Courage, what more could he want?!

“New plan. Ah can tell yer listen’n to me, Brat, so tha’ means at least the Darkness is doing something to ya. Le’s see if we can get it to do my job for me. Pheon!” The Lizalfos called out as it lept off his back. Immediately, Link jumped to his feet and whirled around, searching for a leftover weapon he could grab. Before he could move towards the nearest Bokoblin, holding its sword lax with the blade practically on the ground, he was ripped from the ground by a large talon around his body. The Gleock the Lizalfos had been riding earlier had grabbed him in its claws.

The Lizalfos twirled its staff, ‘Obey’ in its movements as the silver-scaled monster spoke “Take the brat for ah dip in the moat, will ya? Le’s see how he deals with tha Bossman’s darkness in its most concentrated form.” Link paled as he tried to pry the Gleock’s talons apart. He did not like the sound of that. The winged monster took off, heedless of his struggle, as it immediately dove for the black waters surrounding the dark castle. Link thrashed harder in its hold, but its claws never relented. He would rather land on the hard ground than in the Onyx River.

He was very suddenly freefalling.

SPLASH!

Link sunk through the liquid like a stone as it rushed over him, dark claws tearing at his skin. He lunged for the surface but could barely tell which way was up. His breathing came panicked as his body warred with his logic. He shouldn’t be able to breathe here, he was underwater! Voices whispered in his ears, mocking him, screaming at him, laughing at him. The Hylian grit his teeth as his fingers brushed hard rock.

He felt like growling as he looked up, spying on the shimmer of the sky above him. He swam the wrong way. He hissed as he leapt from the rock bottom of the moat, kicking upwards towards the surface as he breached the surface tension of the river, swallowing down the liquid Darkness in his throat as he paddled towards the shore, intent on getting out of this stupid dark water.

A long staff was lowered down in front of him, and he grasped it without hesitation, being dragged across his front up the slope and onto flat and dry land.

“Now tha’s what ah like to see! No more o’ that stupid gold on ya. I’ve gotta say, Silver and Onyx is a good look on ya Brat.” The Lizalfos chirped, seemingly nonchalant as she inspected her claws while leaning on her staff. Behind her, the army fussed about, ignoring the General and Hylian in favour of their gossip.

Link growled and got to his feet. “Don’t call me Brat,” he huffed before he froze. His voice isn’t supposed to be that deep. Come to think of it, why did he talk in the first place? Usually, it was a fight to get his words to work properly, especially among enemy forces.

“Ah’ll gonna call ya what ah want Brat. Don’t know yer name and ah don’t care tah learn it.” The General dismissed, waving her staff in a ‘Stay put’ motion. Link felt himself freeze against his will before scowling. What was going on with that staff? Was it some kind of magic artifact of its own? Link forced himself to move, taking a shaky step forward before almost stumbling as the force holding him in place left. The General didn’t seem to know she had no more power over him, even as the nearest pack of Bokoblins startled and started chattering and pointing. “Ah’ll call it into tha Bossman tha’ we got through and we can start the evaluations and see where you’ll be placed,” She said, waving a claw lazily through the air to articulate her thoughts.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Link snapped; hands clenched into fists at his side. The General froze at her pace, looking back over her shoulder before groaning loudly

“Oh, Ordona ‘ave mercy! Why can’ ya jus give in?” The General roared, the surrounding monsters screeching in surprise and fear as they backed away.

“I’m not going to follow some- monster around!” Link shouted back, eyes darting to the crowd, as he tried to ignore his stutter. This wasn’t normal.

“Brat look at yerself! Yer just as much ah monster as the rest o’ us!” She growled, jabbing at him with her staff as his own eyes widened. What did she mean by that?! Link yanked his tunic into sight and his breath hitched. The normal forest green tunic was now a dark Onyx black. His tan skirt was a sharp silver colour. What he could see of his skin was this pale grey colour that looked almost sickly. The strands of his hair that dangled in the corners of his vision were a rich purple, not a hint of blond in sight. “Ya think a Hylian can see in tha Dark realm? Ya think a Hylian can breathe its air? Hero or not, yer one of us now Brat. Start actin’ like it or ah’ll bring yer insubordination to tha’ King.” The Lizalfos spat, slamming the blunt end of her staff into the ground in a ‘Warning’ motion. A jolt of fear zapped through Link at the staff’s motion, but what made it stick was her words.

He took a step back, much more mindful of the drop into the moat as his blood pumped in his ears. “No, you’re wrong. I’m not a monster,” he growled, glancing at the army before him. There was a path through, he just had to take it. The General seemed to notice what he was scheming, and her eyes narrowed under her mask. She raised her staff but Link didn’t intend on giving her the chance to thwart his escape again. He charged for the gap in the lines, monsters screaming in surprise at his sudden dash and leaping out of the way as if he were a raging Lynel, before realising that they were supposed to be stopping him.

Link dodged a Lynel Crusher bearing down on his head and leapt over a pack of Bokoblins making a dead sprint through the much thinner crowd. Behind him, he could hear the Lizalfos shouting orders as Aeralfos swooped at him and Keese shrieked in his ear. Still, he kept pace, darting for the woods surrounding the plains the army had gathered on. A couple of Chu’s sprung up in his path but his pace never relented, instead, he growled and shot forward, dashing through the Chu’s as if they were never there.

He didn’t quite notice when the attacks had stopped, but by the time he disappeared into the tree line no more monsters were chasing after him. He was free. For now.

---///---

Previous (Prologue) -> Current (Part 1: Recruiter's Call) -> Next (Part 2: (The Hatchling's Interlude)

I'm sorry if the accented writing is a bit much. The Lizalfos speaks with a country accent and I wanted to include that in the writing without having to say 'southern drawl' every so often.

Notes

Link has been unconscious for two weeks since the events of the Prologue. This has given his body time to adjust to the Darkness in the realm and adopt it for itself. In case it wasn't clear, this is the reason he can understand the monsters.

The Silver Lizalfos' name is Drakeon. Yes, she is a recurring character. She wasn't going to be but then she kept showing up and I wanted to write more on her and now we're here.

The ways Drakeon moves her staff correspond with how Ganon moves his own to command the army. The Darkness within the monsters responds to these movements. Drakeon’s training helps reinforce the commands, so they don’t fail when Ganon needs to use them. Warning (used to threaten higher-level monsters) is slamming the staff into the ground. Charge is a forward thrust. Obey (used for complex vocal commands) is a twirl. Waving side to side means Stay. Follow is swinging the staff downwards.

Note: Darkness can take any three forms without issue, often transitioning between them freely. The Darkness in Link’s lungs just became Vapor, which at this point is breathable for him

Yes, Drakeon swore to Ordona from Twilight Princess. No this isn’t set in the Child timeline. This will be elaborated on in the next part, which is set in Drakeon's POV.

When Link dashed through the Chu’s he summoned a suede weapon from Darkness and cut through them, but he didn’t realise it. I don't think I could have written it in any further so I just put it here.

Onyx is the word the monsters use for black-tier monsters.

Dark Link's appearance is sort of a mix between Shadow from the Four Sword Manga and Dark Link in BotW/TotK.

That's about it for my notes. Any questions feel free to ask them in the comments or ask me directly. See you in Part 2: The Hatchling's Interlude.

[alinalioness]

Alina in Wonderland 7 Chapter:The escape.

The guards pointed spears at the heroes. They had no choice to escape.

Balan:We have reached a dead end.

Queen of Hearts:Now, chop off their heads! Better yet, cru-

???:(In a man's voice) Stop it! (Everyone stopped) You can't go on forever. I'll ask the guards to remove the spears (The guards put away their spears).

Queen of Hearts:What are you doing?

???:I'm going to ask you to keep quiet. And all the spectators except Alina and friends leave the hall. (Everyone leaves the hall) The White Rabbit too.

White Rabbit:Okay (He leaves the hall).

Queen of Hearts:(Angry) What are you doing? Who are you listening to!?

???:And now... (A purple mist appears in the hall, which causes everyone except the heroes to get lost) Alina and friends run out of the hall. (The heroes run out of the hall) Now to the left, where is the heart.

Alina:Once the heart, (With friends running) forward.

When the fog disappeared, the Queen and the guards noticed that there were no heroes.

Queen of Hearts:(Angry) What are you standing for? Push and search (The guards stomp, which makes she put her hand to her forehead)!

Meanwhile, with heroes.

The heroes were already running far from the courtroom and stopped tired.

Bruce:I can't take it anymore, old age is not a joy.

Leo:Listen, I think we're heading for the exit.

Emma:So this is the work of the Cheshire Cat.

Cheshire Cat:Right. (The heroes noticed him) I did it all. I heard that you wanted to leave, but you decided to deal with the queen first.

Heroes:(Nodded) Yes.

Cheshire Cat:Great. But first, you need to increase from the usual size when you come to the garden. (The heroes bit off the mushroom and grew to a normal size) Now get on top of me and hold on tight.

It increased and the heroes sat on it.

Haoyu:Are we going somewhere?

Cheshire Cat:To the library.

He took off at high speed and the heroes were a little scared of it, but they got used to it.

Alina:That's the speed. Sorry about that.

Balan:It's okay, as long as we all get home.

They landed near the gate leading to the library. The heroes opened and were surprised to see what a large library was with a height of the sixteenth floor.

Leo:It's going to make my head spin.

Cheshire Cat:And now I'll take you to the right place. Follow me.

The heroes followed him as he flew. He stopped at the fifth shelf, and the heroes stood on a metal circle on the floor.

Aero Acrobat:And is this the right place?

Cheshire cat:These are still flowers.

When he moved one of the books, the characters noticed that they were descending somewhere on a metal circle. The Cheshire cat joined them while they were descending.

Alina:And you've been watching the kingdom for a long time.

Cheshire Cat:I'm always curious and make sure there's no trouble. Three puzzles are waiting for you.

When the elevator stopped, the heroes noticed a garden of red, blue, green and yellow roses.

Yuri:Perhaps we need to find differences here.

The Cheshire cat flew up to the window with the image of a woman with a sword, a singer, a queen and twins.

Cheshire Cat:No, here you need to choose who owns the roses.

Alina:Hey, I know. The red fighter, the singer of the blues, the queen is green and the twins are yellow.

The cat pressed on the people and the gate opened.

Cheshire Cat:Right, how do you know?

Alina:It's just that someone came up with a horror story.

Emma:Oh, it's pretty creepy.

Cheshire Cat:All right, let's go.

Meanwhile, with Queen of Hearts.

The Queen and the guards reached the library and the guards immediately began to search.

Queen of Hearts:(Angry) Everyone, look for it now!

Guard:Your Majesty! One of the books in the basement is touched.

Queen of Hearts:(Angry) Follow him!

Meanwhile, with heroes.

The heroes were in the second room, where the floor was like a chessboard.

Forti VI:Ha, yes, it's easy.

Fortstopher IV:What if it's a trap?

Leo:Cheshire cat, can you fly us over from there?

Cheshire Cat:I'm afraid that magic won't let me take off.

Alina:What about using the stone for experiments?

Balan:That's a great idea.

Leo took one of the stones and put it in one tile, which does not work.

Leo:Great.

Cheshire cat:Then let's get started.

The heroes managed to get through the tiles with traps with the help of a stone. They immediately reached the third gate.

Balan:Yes, we got there.

Leo:(He threw a stone on one of the tiles) Although it is difficult, but still.

They noticed how the ceiling had pushed through the stone on the tile.

Cheshire Cat:All right, let's go.

The heroes found themselves in the last room, where there was a gap and holes on the wall. And there was an arch at the end of the hall.

Emma:It's scary to look at the abyss.

Leo:Probably need to grab for holes in the walls.

Voice№1:Grab us!? (The heroes were scared) We won't let you!

Heroes:Who's here?

Voice№2:Don't you know who actually executed us?

Alina:This is the Queen of Hearts. It's not our fault.

Balan:I think it's... (Souls come out of holes) souls.

Guardian's Soul№1:Many years have passed and we don't know who you are.

Maid's soul:Are you the Queen's servants?

Emma:No, we're good. We're running away from the queen ourselves.

March Hare:Hey, we know them. They came to us and chatted.

Mad Hatter:Let's believe them. They need to go home.

Guardian's soul№2:We don't even know who they are.

Cheshire Cat:Believe it or not, these people are friendly. Just tell me how to get out of here.

Maid's soul:The abyss allows us to touch something.

Chisher Cat:Great. Make a bridge, please, and they will cross the chasm.

The souls had no choice and immediately made themselves a bridge. The heroes just moved to the other side and found themselves near the arch. The souls immediately hid in the holes until one blue eye appeared on the arch.

Arch:To get out of wonderland, you need to solve three riddles.

Leo:Riddles?

Alina:So what, let's guess and that's it.

Arch:The first riddle. It's round, but you can't roll it.

Leo:So guys, what happens when it's round?

Haoyu:Wheel.

Yuri:The lens is from a magnifying glass.

Cass:Ball.

Balan:But what can't we twist?

Emma:Exactly. This is our planet earth. It's round, but it's definitely not easy to twist.

Arch:Right. The second mystery. Time has passed and you can't return it in reverse.

Aero Acrobat:Appearance?

Guardian Bird:(Shakes his head) No, since it's about time, there must be something else.

Leo:I understood. This is the age.

Arch:Right. The last mystery. What comes without coming, goes without leaving.

Cuckoo:The mystery is even more complicated.

Leo:It's probably like with ours. (There is a flashback where Freddie was going to go somewhere, but changed his mind) It's like Freddie goes somewhere, but no.

Emma:(A memory appears where SpongeBob came to Krusty Krab, but not in the other one) Or how he comes to work with SpongeBob, and then sometimes he doesn't.

Alina:He comes, he doesn't leave... That's right, these are memories. We try to remember something, but it doesn't come back. If we want to forget, we don't forget.

Arch:Right. (Shining blue) The entrance to the real world is free.

Cheshire Cat:We'll all have to say goodbye. But before that, you need to deal with the queen.

Queen of Hearts:Not so fast! (The heroes noticed her) You have nowhere to go... (Noticed the shining arch) it's late, but I'm not giving up. The bridge!

Card guards make themselves a bridge to the heroes. The queen was ready to go, but the souls began to tickle the guards. Why did they not stand up and fell into the abyss and the Queen grabbed the floor and hung.

Cheshire Cat:Run to the portal, I'll hold them off.

The heroes immediately run to the portal while the cat approached the enraged queen.

Queen of Hearts:(Angry) You have nowhere to run!

Cheshire Cat:Late.

He released the claw from his paw, which made the Queen of Hearts want to hit him. But he dodged and the Queen fell screaming into the abyss.

Balan:Everything worked out for us.

The portal began to act very quickly, while the Cheshire Cat looked at the heroes with a smile.

Cheshire Cat:Goodbye.

*The screen turned black from teleportation*

To be continued...

[fioreofthemarch]

Finding Her - Chapter 15

Link makes notes, takes photos and keeps time on his quest across Hyrule, in the hopes of finding Zelda and staying sane until he does. [ Previous | Next | First | AO3 ]

Purah Pointer: Walk, don’t run! There’s so much to see in Hyrule. Avoid rushing into combat or unfamiliar territory without assessing the local terrain and your own abilities first.  --- Log date: 9:55. 8th month, 13th day 104 AC Location: Gatepost Town Ruins, Central Hyrule  Weather: Rain

Summer is ending. I can taste it in the air, and see it on Garini’s face. He frowns at every cloud. He needs warmth, he says, he needs light!  

We’re camped at Gatepost Town Ruins. There’s a small group of people here. Not travellers, they live here. Say they settled down a month before the Upheaval and weren’t going to let any so called Demon King get in the way of their plans to rebuild. 

Maybe we aren’t the cursed ones after all. Ganon is the one always trying to destroy a Kingdom full of people who refuse to go down with out a fight.  I know he hasn’t gotten to you yet, Zelda. I can feel your presence. On the wind, in the sun, in the rain. You’re here, somewhere. I didn’t go to hell and back to stop believing that. 

Priority is to get to Lurelin and find the next geoglyph, after we deal with the pirate problem. When we set off from Lookout Landing, Garini swore he could only lead me to Lurelin and no further. He’s not a fighter, he said. I asked him how sure he was about that, it’s his home under attack after all. Well, yesterday I found him practising with a fishing spear. 

The locals heard our plan and laughed. They said that a three-headed beast has taken control of the Bridge of Hylia. It flies, it spits fire, it shakes the foundations of the earth, apparently. ‘You’ll never make it through, boys!’ they said. ‘It’ll take the Hero of Hyrule himself to cross.’ 

Garini grinned at this, and shot me a less than subtle wink. ‘Let’s hope he shows up then,’ he said. 

A photograph of Link, in his Champion Leathers, brandishing a Zora silver sword fused with the an Ice-Breath Lizalfos horn from Herba. On his belt are a few vials of fireproof elixir purchased in Eldin. His hair is worn half loose, with the crown braided in the Gerudo style around a diamond circlet. 

Caption: Gleeok schmeeok. 

---

Log date: 14:00. 8th month, 14th day 104AC Location: The Bridge of Hylia, Faron Weather: Clear skies

Right. That ROCKED. Garini is helping write this. ‘Not a fighter’ he says. Ha! 

The Gleeok was… it was beautiful. It was massive, and it was ANGRY! Can still feel the searing heat. Now that’s warmth! Garini cried. 

First came the fire beams. The tower on the northern side of the bridge provided cover for that. Patience, calm, wait for the right moment and then – Ascend! Up through the tower and out the other side with a bow in hand and keese eyeballs ready. The first head went down easy. The Gleeok did NOT like that. It thrust its wings into the air and beat down, sending a battering of gusts our way.

Gotta close the distance! I think I yelled to Garini, and got to work improvising a rocket cart using Zonai parts that I had in storage. This seems like– Garini was halfway through saying when I blasted myself towards the Gleeok with my blade raised. I managed to cut off a second head before I ran directly into one of the Gleeok’s wings, and was knocked clear over the edge of the bridge – like a bad idea, Link! 

By some miracle, I managed to grab ahold of an outer stone ledge while the Gleeok roared and took to the sky, raining down hellfire so hot I could feel my hands burning. Had to get out of there, and fast. Not sure where the next idea came from. I think once you get one bad idea, they just start forming a line. I hauled myself up to the edge, and yelled, Garini, throw your spear! Not at the Gleeok, at me!

At you!? I can’t do that!

Just be brave and throw!

Brave? Brave or STUPID, Link!? 

If you don’t throw that spear, I will make SURE that Gleeok eats you first!

Garini has forgiven me the threat, he says. But it worked. He gathered all his strength and threw the spear clean and quick. Holding on with my left hand, I raised the right arm and - ding!

The spear snapped to a halt an inch from my face, and in the spare moment I grabbed ahold of it. A second later I was flying backwards towards Garini and the safety of the northern tower and then – click! The spear dropped to the ground. 

Recall. It almost felt like cheating. 

The Gleeok was still raining down fire upon us. I caught an updraft, rode it into the sky and loosed a single arrow into the final Gleeok eye. The beast fell back onto the bridge in a crushing heap, and was dead. 

Afterwards, Garini and I set about collecting the monster parts it left behind, and for his invaluable contribution to our victory, I fused one of the Gleeok flame horns onto his fishing spear. 

He’s just now discovered that when he catches a fish with the spear, it comes out of the water already cooked, which he say is the coolest thing he has ever seen in his whole life. And… I mean. I’d think downing a flying beast from hell would be up there, but each to his own.

A photograph of Garini of Lurelin Village, proudly holding his Gleeok Flame Horn Spear. He stands in front of the slain Gleeok, a foot perched on the long neck of one of his heads. Without anyone to speak to the contrary, the photograph might imply that Garini killed the beast on his own. 

Caption: This is going to go to his head, isn’t it?

---

Log date: 10:00. 8th month, 16th day 104AC Location: Lurelin Village Overlook, Faron  Weather: Partly cloudy 

Arrived outside Lurelin. Elder Rozel and Bolson of Bolson Construction fame camped on an overlook outside the town. The town is infested with monsters. Gonna have to get through them if I want any chance of reaching the next geoglyph. We’re outnumbered but with a plan we can pull through. I hope. 

Adversaries 

Twenty monsters or so in total, but there’s probably more in hiding.

Pirate Ship: Half a dozen bokoblins. One of them is a big guy with a horn. Garini said bokoblins can’t swim. It’s why Lurelin has mostly been safe in past. Focus on pushing the monsters into the water. 

Restaurant: Group of bokoblins here. Lower rank. Distracted by some meat and fruit they’re roasting. They’ve burnt it though, can smell the smoke from here. A waste. 

Houses by the shore: Lizalfos in the water. Dangerous to fight them in their home territory but it has to be done. I think I’ve got some Zonai shock emitters in storage. Will tell Garini to stay out of the water. 

Treasure shop: Big building, hard to tell exactly who’s inside, but can see some bokoblins out front. These ones seem bored, could be an easy target.

Inn: More lizalfos by the water. They’ve really torn up the inn. Bolson insists he can fix it. Asked him how long it would take and he just rolled his eyes. “It takes until it’s done!” 

Assets 

Garini: Still has his fire spear. Precise and quick, surprisingly strong throwing arm. Not a lot of combat experience. Very cocky after the Gleeok fight. Glass cannon. Will direct him to stay close, shout if he needs help (like REALLY shout) and to retreat the moment he so much as gets a scratch. 

Bolson: Said he’s been known to be pretty good shot with a brick in past, and will provide ‘aerial support’ from the overlook with some palm fruit that he’s gathered. Won’t deny any help we can get. 

Rozel: Non-combatant. Have asked him to stay back and tell the story of our tragic end if things go south. 

Link: Just over one-hundred shrines complete and wearing my girlfriend’s handmade armour, so feeling pretty strong. Slew a Gleeok two days ago, also a probably bit cocky about that. Still without my Sword – in its place have a collection of weird monster-horns fused onto whatever weapon I can find. 

Plan

Me to lead, Garini flanking to the rear, picking off any weaker monsters. Bolson throwing palm fruit as crowd control. The Pirate Ship is the priority – if we can sink that, maybe the monsters will scatter. Have instructed Garini to use his spear to set fire to anything and everything on that ship that’s not already below water. 

No idea how this is going to go. Been a long, long time since I’ve had soldiers in my care. Just have to move fast, hit hard, give clear orders, and get out them all out alive. 

A photograph of Lurelin Village and the Pirate Ship on its shores. The huge, horned skull on the bow leers with blank menace. On the ship, a group of bokoblins and their boss bokoblin dance and jeer. 

Caption: Where did they even get that thing? Is the Demon King a shipmaker too? 

---

Log date: 15:45. 8th month, 16th day 104AC Location: Rimba Beach, Faron Weather: Cool

Success – and only a few bruises and cuts to show for it. Most for me, though Garini is proud of the busted brow he sustained - Mubs will think it’s so dashing! 

Exhausted. Two big fights in as many days. Forgot the fatigue. The way your muscles rebel. But we got it done. All over in about twenty minutes. The monsters here had gotten fat off their own victory, eating fish and fruit for three months, and weren’t ready for an ambush. The ruffians put up less fight than cut grass. 

We sank that pirate ship in the end. If ‘obliterated’ counts as a sinking... Garini’s fire spear was doing its job well until we noticed that the monsters had stockpiled explosives on deck, for some reason. Never felt fear like realising the netting it was sitting on had caught fire. Never felt so alive than when we tore across the jetty to get as far away from the ship as we could before if blew. Bolson said the sight of an enormous fireball and bits of wood and monster parts flying everywhere was almost pretty, if you squinted, or even just closed your eyes all together. 

I’ve left the task of rebuilding to Bolson, Garini and Elder Rozel. I spared an hour ultrahand-ing some palm tree trunks in place for the building foundations, but I had to move on. 

There’s a clue about Princess Zelda nearby, I explained to them. Garini understood. “Rebuilding’s better when you have someone to share it with,” he said, and with a hug thanked me for this adventure. When he turned back towards town, I overhead him telling Rozel how happy his wife is going to be about the news… 

A photograph of Cape Cresia, containing the shimmering, dagger-shapped geoglyph. The fallen dragon tear is visible among the snaking lines. The sun is setting, and the sky is cast with golden hues. 

Caption: I’m… I’m nervous…

---

Log date: 16:05. 8th month, 16th day 104ACLocation: Tabantha Snowfield Weather: Blizzard  

Hylia help us, we're in it now.  

Came straight here from Lurelin. The vision there… Queen Sonia… when I saw what happened to her and that you were right there Zelda, I had to know. I just had to know. Teleported to the nearest Shrine and stumbled through the snow until I found this tear in the middle of the tundra. What the Ancient Sages warned us of was true: Secret stone. Demon King. 

What the… what the hell am I doing? Mucking about with pirates and gleeoks while hatred and malice incarnate has returned to Hyrule and could reawaken at any moment. That was him, wasn't it? That creature that we found underneath Hyrule Castle was the Demon King from the visions. He killed Queen Sonia, nearly killed you, Zelda. And Rauru — the Ancient Sages said he sacrificed himself. For what? For nothing, if we aren't ready. 

I haven't reached the end of your story. There are still two geoglyphs left. But I know that after the Demon King came to be, he led a terrible war -- you told me that yourself, Zelda, before all this even started. It's a war that we still have to fight. 

I have to find the fifth sage. I need to get my Sword back. So I have to stop searching for you, for Zelda, for just a little while. I’m sorry. As soon as I know Hyrule is in hand, I’ll find you, I swear it. I’ll find you and we’ll end this together. 

A photograph of the sprawling Tabantha geoglyph, depicting a demon-like figure with hands outstretched, descending upon the land of Hyrule.  

Caption: Come and fight then. 

[random-chaotic-bitch]

Siren's Song - Chapter 3

Alisha stirred in her sleep. The Force blared warnings into her mind, forcing her to wake up. She opened her eyes to a skeleton standing before her, grinning maliciously. Panic set in when she realized her spear was in the hands of said skeleton. From her position on the forest floor, she winced. "Ah... shit. This isn't good."

The rest of the Skeleton Army cackled. Someone called out from behind them. "Alisha, don't do anything dumb!"

She scoffed, effortlessly kicking up onto her feet. "Oh, we're way past that," she snarled. The siren started fighting the Skeletons for her weapon before quickly being subdued. She was added to the tied-up group consisting of Cole, Jay, and Zane, the former of whom shook his head with slight disappointment. "I thought I said don't do anything dumb."

Alisha rolled her eyes. "I don't listen to you. I thought you knew this."

As the skeletons strung them up to a tree, Alisha wormed her hand over to her waistband, where she kept a small pocket knife. Cole coughed as the Skeletons drove away loudly. "Great. Now what?"

From behind Alisha, Jay spoke up. "Now, we get outta here," he replied. Alisha turned to see Jay holding a Skulkin sword. She shook her head. "Jay, wait!"

Cole gasped from Alisha's right. "Uh, Jay. Before you do that, you might wanna-"

Jay cut the rope attaching them to the tree, making them crash to the ground. Alisha yelped upon hitting the ground, grateful that the knife blade had landed on the cords and not her side or hand. Cole groaned. "Warn us."

Zane jumped up to his feet. "Let's go!"

The four grabbed their weapons, racing after the Skulkin. They began to catch up when they started climbing through the trees. Cole motioned to where they were driving. "There they are!"

Alisha caught his gaze. "You and I will pull them to a stop. Zane and Jay, retrieve the weapons when we slow them enough."

The boys nodded. Cole leaped down from the trees with Alisha, the latter grinning beneath her mask at the free-fall feeling. She landed with a roll, rising into a run down the road. She pulled the chain on the back of the big truck via the Force, whipping it towards Cole. In practiced synchronization, they each grabbed an end of the chain, digging their heels into the ground and pulling back. Alisha added some extra pull with her use of the Force, eyes flashing with determination. 

The two noticed Zane and Jay jumping on unnoticed, thanks to their distraction. They locked eyes and grinned, Alisha hollering, "It's working!"

Cole motioned towards the truck. "We should help them now that they're on!"

The siren nodded, kicking into a run as she used the chain to pull herself onto the truck. As she hauled herself up, she hit the retract button for the chain, dragging Cole in as well. She offered him a hand, tossing him up to the Golden Weapons. She heard a thwack and a cough. "Oh gods," she muttered upon hearing Cole exclaim, "Jay! Sorry, I didn't see you!"

Alisha shook her head, climbing up to meet them. She felt the truck speed up to the point where she began slipping. "No, no, no!"

She shrieked when she lost her grip, rolling in the road a few times before lying still, yet fully conscious. Yells from ahead told her that the others had suffered a similar fate. She sat there for a second, catching her breath and watching the sky above them until a white-clad figure entered her vision. "Alisha, are you alright?"

She groaned, rolling over and onto her knees. "Take a guess," she replied snarkily. Zane offered his hand to her, which she took reluctantly. "Oof," she gasped as she got up, feeling the pain in her side. She limped over to the others, wheezing slightly when she spoke. "So, we've lost?"

Cole and Jay nodded in response, taking a double-take as they turned around. Cole gasped. "Alisha!"

She tugged her mask off, cracking a grin. "Oh, it's that bad?"

Jay nodded, wide-eyed beneath his mask. He gasped out something unintelligible, making Alisha wince. "Yeesh. You really fucked over your vocal cords, huh?"

The blue-clad figure pointed at Cole, looking irritated. Alisha shook her head. "That was that thwack sound I heard on the truck, wasn't it?"

Cole sighed. "Yeah, that may have been my fault. But you have a budding black eye, you're favoring your left ankle, and you're wheezing when you talk. You are much less okay than Jay right now."

Alisha sighed. "We can worry when we find Kai and Sensei Wu. Let's get back to camp and track them from there."

A loud sound drew their attention to a temple-looking building they hadn't noticed before. "Scratch that, we're just going to assume they're at the temple."

The trek was slow and tedious, but Alisha kept pace with the others despite her pain. Upon reaching the temple doors, Cole started calling out for the rest of the team. "Kai! Sensei!"

Zane placed his hand on the ground lightly, narrating what had happened there. "The Sword of Fire was here, as well our friends, but I only sense loss. We are too late. The Elemental Weapons have left this realm and are now in the Underworld. The end is drawing near."

Alisha sighed from where she leaned against a pillar. "Cheery stuff," she commented under her breath. Cole sighed. "Ugh, great. The one place no mortal can cross over."

Kai's voice came from inside the temple. "We might not be able to cross over," he called out. The temple started to open entirely, walls splitting open. The openings revealed Kai and a teenage girl on what was evidently the Guardian Dragon for the Sword of Fire. "But a dragon can!"

Cole shrieked, hiding behind Alisha's pillar. She would have laughed if she wasn't near screaming in fright herself. Or if her ribs weren't flaring with pain. The girl behind Kai spoke up. "Our father used to tell us stories about the dragons, that they were mystical creatures that belong to both worlds and ferried between them."

Alisha tugged off her mask, internally gagging at the sulfur smell around them. Cole stuck his head out from behind the pillar, eyes wide in panic. "Are-are you insane?!"

Kai jumped down from the dragon's back. "Once he realized we were trying to protect the Sword of Fire, he actually became quite a softie," he explained, laughing as the dragon nosed at his back. "Knock it off," he nudged back. The girl laughed from atop the dragon, blue eyes sparkling. Alisha took note of her tired appearance, with dark eye bags and messy, short black hair.

Jay tried to ask the girl a question, but his face fell when he realized he was still completely unintelligible. Zane sighed, turning to her. "He cannot talk, but he wants to know if you like blue."

She nodded from atop the dragon. "It's my favorite color," she replied. Jay pumped his fist, gasping out a "Yes!"

Kai shook his head in annoyance, turning back to the girl, who had climbed off the dragon's back. "Nya..."

Her face fell. "This is goodbye, isn't it?"

When Kai nodded, she sighed, a small smile crossing her face. "Come back to me in one piece, okay? I don't wanna have to run the store on my own."

Kai smiled, hugging Nya tight before quickly climbing onto the dragon. "I promise I won't be gone for long."

The black-haired girl smiled. "I'll keep a candle lit outside our shop until you return."

Zane, Jay, and Alisha climbed onto the back of the red dragon with Kai. Alisha turned to Cole. "Cole, come on!"

Cole stuck close to the pillar, panic-stricken. "You guys go on ahead. There's not enough room for all of us on that... thing."

Kai smirked. "You're right, Cole. But I got a way to fix that."

Alisha's eyes widened in realization when Kai's words clicked in her head. "Wait, you don't mean..."

A nod of confirmation answered her question for her. By the next day, all four ninjas had a dragon. Alisha sat behind Kai, deciding she trusted the fire dragon more than the others. They listened to the conversation the others held before Alisha spoke up. "Y'know Jay is absolutely besotted with your sister, right?"

Kai turned to meet her eyes. "Besotted?"

The blonde chuckled. "Besotted. In other words, he's completely head-over-heels smitten with her."

The fire ninja shook his head. "Still don't like it," he insisted. Alisha smiled to herself. "You don't have to. It's something out of your control. You're just gonna have to accept that she's growing up, and someday she's gonna have a boyfriend. Or maybe a girlfriend."

The conversation was interrupted by Cole hollering, "So how do the dragons cross over to the Underworld?"

Kai looked at Cole, replying, "I think we're about to find out!"

Alisha broke out into a laugh. "Hold on!"

The dragons shot into a dive, making the others scream. Alisha laughed, soaking in the feelings of the free-fall. Then the dragons started spinning into a form of Spinjitzu, causing Alisha to shut her eyes tightly as her stomach churned. "Ooooh, I hate spinning! I think I'm gonna be sick!"

Kai yelled back. "Well, don't throw up on me!"

After a moment, the spinning stopped, and Alisha relaxed a little. Cole asked from behind her, "Is it over?"

Kai shook his head. "Hardly! I hope these dragons know what they're doing!"

He hadn't even finished talking when the dragons sped up, flying through tunnels with expert precision. Alisha gasped, shutting her eyes again. "Oh, not again!"

Eventually, they shot into pitch-black darkness, no sound or light reaching them. After a moment, they came out of the darkness, falling off the dragons as they skidded to a stop. Alisha landed on her front, gasping for air as she yanked off her mask. Cole spoke up from where he lay on his stomach. "Solid ground. We made it!"

The team climbed to their feet, taking notice of the structures in the Underworld, especially one large building. "Sensei's inside," Zane commented. Alisha nodded in confirmation. Kai gestured to the checkpoint before the main bridge. "They're expecting us," he added, turning to Alisha. "What should we do?"

Alisha examined the guarded spaces and checkpoints, tilting her head with curiosity. "Going in on the ground is a no-go," she began, shifting her gaze to the top of the caverns. "But going in from the top and dropping down behind the checkpoints should be easy enough. We can swing across the stalactites like monkey bars and drop in on the far side of the bridge."

Kai piped in. "Stalagmites."

Zane shook his head. "No. Stalactites is the correct term for rock structures hanging from the ceiling of a cave. Stalagmites grow from the cave floor," he explained. Cole sighed. "No time to bicker, Zane's right. Come on, let's get over there already!"

After a few minutes of climbing, the team had made it about halfway there across the ceiling, reaching the checkpoints. They stopped to catch their breath, and Cole whispered, "Can I be the first to say it's been an absolute pleasure since Jay lost his voice?"

Kai and Alisha nodded in agreement, the latter stifling a giggle. She tilted her head back to get more air, eyes widening when she saw a massive spider above her. She tracked its head to the body to the legs... to her hands. A small cry of terror escaped her lips as she instinctively let go of the spider, seeing the others do the same. They fell into a heap on the ground, groaning.

Alisha faintly heard a conversation between two skeletons until the former screeched, "NINJA!!"

She quickly climbed to her feet, pulling her spear from its sheath. The others formed up in a circle beside her, each facing outwards. Cole hefted his scythe. "I count ten boneheads to every one of us. I think I like these odds."

Alisha grinned below her mask. "Oh, they're screwed," she scoffed. She had barely finished speaking when the spiders from earlier dropped to the ground, somehow looking even larger than before. Her eyes widened in horror. "I retract my previous statement." 

A sharp intake of breath came from Alisha's left, where Kai stood. "Uh-oh. Anyone got any bright ideas?!"

No one spoke up as the Skulkin closed in around them. Alisha shook her head. "I got nothing!"

Kai sighed. "Any ideas? I'm still all ears!"

Jay gasped out something unintelligible behind them, confusing the team. "What?" "Huh?"

Cole tried to translate whatever Jay said. "You feel a strange sensation?"

Jay shook his head, groaning out a no. Zane tried next. "You ate an odd crustacean?"

The blue ninja repeated his idea, still unintelligible. Kai's eyes widened. "I got it! Two natives are on vacation. Huh?"

Alisha sighed. "That's definitely not it."

Jay took a large breath, regaining his voice as he yelled, "Tornado of CREATION!"

The rest of the team collectively replied, "Ohhh!"

Zane patted Jay's back. "Welcome back."

Cole's eyebrows furrowed. "But it could lead to disastrous consequences!"

Kai held his sword before his body, warding off a few skeletons who were still advancing. "We're about to have a disastrous consequence!"

Cole sighed. "Let's do this. Earth!"

The rest of the ninjas followed Cole into Spinjitzu, leaving Alisha to watch their individual Spinjitzu tornados merge into one. She recalled her own words from the other day. "The Tornado of Creation. The power to create something out of nothing," Wu replied. Alisha nodded. "Legend says that it could be strengthened with the powers of a Siren and her individual Song," she added. Zane frowned. "But that's... a legend."

The siren smirked, brown eyes flashing almost dangerously. "Every legend holds a shred of truth," she replied enigmatically.

Alisha grinned. "Thanks, past me," she muttered to herself. She sheathed her spear, opening her mind and body to the full power of her individual Siren's Song. The blonde let the Force fuel her and from there, sent her Song flying from her body, supercharging the Tornado of Creation. She felt her feet lift from the ground, brown eyes glowing purple-pink. The colorful glow spread to her entire body as she fueled the tornado until it split back into the individual tornados of the four ninjas. She settled back to solid ground as they slowed to a stop, the burning sensation on her wrists the only reminder of what had just transpired. 

Alisha looked up with the rest of the team at the massive bone-constructed Ferris Wheel that enclosed the skeletons. "Huh," she commented. "So that's what happens."

Kai looked around at all of them. "Come on! There's no time to waste!"

They followed the fire ninja down a spiral set of stairs, Zane and Alisha just opting to jump through the middle and catch themselves at the bottom. They entered a chamber to see Sensei Wu fighting Samukai, the former only holding the Sword of Fire, whilst the latter fought with the last three weapons. As they moved to assist Wu, Kai held out his arms, holding them back. "No," he explained. "This is Sensei's fight."

They watched their Sensei fight the Skulkin general until the former was disarmed. Garmadon, whom Alisha only noticed at that moment, gave Samukai an order. "Bring me the Four Weapons."

The Skulkin, picking up the Sword of Fire, quickly turned on the dark figure. "No! You will obey me now!"

Garmadon laughed mockingly as Samukai began to lose control over the weapons. Wu joined the ninja and Alisha where they stood, reiterating, "No one can handle all of their power at once."

Samukai looked at Garmadon in horror, to which the latter replied, "Selfish fool. Did you think I wouldn't plan on your betrayal?"

The Weapons lifted the Skulkin general into the air with their power. He cried out, "What's happening to me?!"

Garmadon continued his little speech. "You've fallen right into my master plan. Not even I can handle all of their power! But now that they're combined, it'll create a vortex through space and time, allowing me to finally escape this ghastly place!"

Samukai screamed as the power of all four weapons vaporized him into nothing. The Weapons fell to the ground, creating a portal. Garmadon went to travel through it before Wu tried to stop him. "Father would not want you to do this, Brother!"

Garmadon scoffed. "Father is no longer here! Good and evil, there has always been a balance. Where I go, the balance can be destroyed. Soon I will be strong enough to possess the Four Weapons, so I can recreate the world in my image!" He turned back to Wu. "You! You were always his favorite," he snarled, walking through the portal. As it closed, the team jumped to the weapons, Wu not far behind. As they gathered near the weapons, Wu sighed. "He is gone, but he will return."

Kai picked up the Sword of Fire. "Then we'll be ready for him," he promised. The others grabbed their own weapons, Cole saying, "And keep an eye out in case he has any more of his evil plans."

Alisha nodded. "And when he returns, he'll be due for a ton of kick-butt!"

"Then I have done my part. The balance has been restored... for now," Wu replied. 

A few hours later, the team landed in Ignacia, outside of a small blacksmith's shop. Kai's sister, Nya, ran out of the shop, tackling the fire ninja in a hug. "Kai!"

Alisha had to laugh when Jay hollered, "Hey, my turn!"

She joined Kai and smirked when she saw the ninja smile. "Glad to see you took my advice," she commented. He shook his head with a grin. "She can handle herself. I'm more worried for Jay, honestly," he teased. Alisha laughed at the final comment. "No, you're still worried about her."

"Yeah, fair."

Nya turned back to Kai. "I'm so happy you're back!"

Kai smiled ruefully. "For now...but it's not over. Lord Garmadon will return."

The faces of the Ignacians fell. Cole quickly piped in. "And we'll be ready for him."

Alisha grinned. "Damn right, we will. And when he does come back, he's in for a load of kick-butt!"

Cole laughed. "Yeah!"

The team gathered and held their new (for some) weapons in the middle. As the Weapons connected, a sharp blast threw them to the ground. Alisha groaned, her side flaring up again. "Ouch."

Kai groaned from where he sat up. "Okay, we gotta remember not to do that again."

The rest of the boys agreed with the fire ninja. "Good idea." "Yeah, we'll stick to high-fives instead." "Agreed."

Alisha hauled herself to her feet, eyes sparkling despite her tiredness. "Couldn't agree more. Now, I think I see a smithy in need of a cleanup. If all six of us pitch in, it won't take long," she pointed out. Jay groaned. "Ugh. Cleaning."

The next hour and a half was spent cleaning and restacking armor and weapons in the shop. Nya and Alisha eventually ended up sitting together on the floor, wiping down the armor and various blades together in a comfortable silence. "So," Alisha began. "A little birdie told me you can handle yourself pretty well with weapons."

The dark-haired girl laughed. "Well, if I've learned anything from managing the weapons shop my whole life, it's that you pick up a thing or two."

Alisha smiled. "Yeah, that's a story I know fairly well. I've been training to fight since I was about eight years old."

Nya raised an eyebrow. "Wow. That's impressive."

The siren blushed. "Couldn't have done it without the mentor I had. She was amazing. Taught me just about everything I know when it comes to combat. And sarcasm."

The younger girl frowned. "What happened? If she was so great, how come you aren't still training with her?"

Alisha sighed. "A lot of things happened. It came to a head when I ran away from home. She was the only one I told before I left, and she covered for me. That was about two years ago. I haven't seen her since."

Nya nodded an empathetic smile on her face. "Chin up. I'm sure your paths will cross again."

The girls' eyes met, comforting blue and distressed brown. Alisha smiled sadly. "Thanks, kid. I think we're almost done with the armor unless you have anything else on your side?"

Nya shook her head. "Nope. We're done, finally."

They got up from the floor, Alisha wincing as she put weight on her ankle. Nya noticed her hesitation but thought nothing of it. They made their way outside, the exhaustion from the day hitting Alisha head-on.

As the team climbed back onto their dragons, Alisha felt herself growing more and more tired. Cole caught her when she stumbled and irritated her injured ankle. "I gotcha," he assured her, to which she nodded. "Thanks," she mumbled, eyes drooping. Cole had to hold a laugh back at Alisha's sleepy voice. "Yeesh, you're really out of it, huh?"

She nudged him in the side, half asleep at this point. "Shush, you," she chastised tiredly. Cole let go of Alisha to get on his dragon. Upon getting seated, he held out a hand to help her on behind him. "Hop on," he invited. Alisha took the invitation gratefully, squeezing between Cole and the back of his seat. "Thanks," she mumbled, wrapping her arms around Cole's waist and leaning on his back.

Cole noticed halfway back to the monastery that Alisha had fallen asleep on his shoulder. When they landed in the courtyard, he carefully shifted the two of them so that he could carry Alisha inside easily. As he brought her to her room, she began to stir. "Huh?"

He grinned. "Just me, 'Lisha. We're back at the monastery, and I'm getting you to an actual bed so you can sleep. When you wake up for real, we're going to take a good look at that ankle and your side."

Alisha, satisfied with the answer, relaxed and fell right back asleep. Cole gently set her down on her bed, internally wincing when his ribs twinged at the movement. "Sleep well, Alisha," he whispered as he shut the door, going back to meet the others outside.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Work is Ridiculed

1 And when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he became angry and was greatly enraged; and he mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke to his brothers and the army of Samaria and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the dust heaps, though they are burned? 3 And Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, Even their stone wall that they are building, if a fox were to go up on it, he would breach it. 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised; and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them as spoil in the land of captivity; 5 And do not cover their iniquity and do not let their sin be blotted out before You, for they made provocations before the builders. 6 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a heart to work. 7 And when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabians and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem was advancing, that the breaches were beginning to be closed up, they became very angry; 8 And all of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and cause confusion in it. 9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. 10 And Judah said, / The strength of the burden bearers fails, / And the debris is great; / And we are not able / To build the wall. 11 And our adversaries said, They will not know, nor even see, until we come into their midst and slay them and cause the work to stop. 12 And when the Jews who dwelt near them came, they said to us ten times, They will come up against us from all the places that you turn to. 13 So I set men in the lowest places behind the wall, on the exposed areas, and I set the people by families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And when I saw the situation, I rose up and said to the nobles and the rulers and the rest of the people, Do not be afraid of them; remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses. 15 And when our enemies heard that their counsel was known to us and that God frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each man to his work. 16 And from that day half of my servants labored in the work, and half of them held the spears and the shields and the bows and the armor; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17 Those who built the wall and those who carried burdens took the loads with one hand doing the work and with the other holding a weapon. 18 And as for the builders, each had his sword strapped to his side, and so they built; and he who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated on the wall, each far from the other. 20 In whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, gather yourselves to us there. Our God will fight for us. 21 So we labored in the work; and half of them held spears from the start of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, Let every man and his servant spend the nights inside Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and work by day. 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each had his weapon at his right hand. — Nehemiah 4 | Recovery Version (REC) The Recovery Version of the Holy Bible © 2009 Living Stream Ministry. All rights reserved. Cross References: Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:29-30; Deuteronomy 23:3; 2 Samuel 17:14; 2 Chronicles 34:13; Ezra 4:9-10; Nehemiah 5:1; Nehemiah 5:9; Nehemiah 6:16; Psalm 69:27-28; Psalm 83:8; Psalm 122:3; Psalm 149:6; Jeremiah 46:4; Ezekiel 33:3; Daniel 1:20; Matthew 2:16

[dizzy-miss-lizzieeeeee]

OF MONSTERS AND PRINCESSES - CHAPTER 1

Zelda, the princess scholar of Hyrule, has always been fascinated by monsters. Unlike many of her predecessors, who saw them only as a threat to be eradicated, she believes that they are endangered creatures that must be protected. She spends her days pouring over ancient texts and maps, trying to learn everything she can about the monsters that roam the land.

But when her father, the King of Hyrule, decides it’s time to put an end to the monsters in his country, Zelda knows she must act fast. She decides to hire a bodyguard to accompany her on her investigations to prove monsters aren’t as dangerous as they seem, and her advisor suggests Link, a skilled warrior who has a reputation for being the best in the land.

As they travel through Hyrule, facing the dangers of the wild, Zelda and Link must also navigate their growing feelings for each other.

You can read on AO3 here

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Chapter 1: The Princess 

The mornings were always cold in Hyrule Castle. The old and gray walls that surrounded the big fortress were as tall as the trees in the Great Plateau, and even though spring had just started, the only warmth inside came from the fires the maidens lit every morning to keep everyone comfortable. 

The routine was pretty simple. The people in service that had stayed up all night trying to serve the Royal Family in case they’d woke up in the middle of the night would go back to their chambers and rest while the people that worked in the morning took their places to serve the family.

The silence, cold and quietness that every morning brought with it, was interrupted when a creature ran into the dining hall, fast as lightning, along with seven royal guards chasing it.

“Watch out! It’s a Lizalfos!”

The maidens preparing the table for breakfast screamed when they saw the reptile creature, not as tall as a raccoon but quick as one of its kind. The little Lizalfos bumped into a wall and was cornered against it. The seven guards pointed their swords and spears, ready to give the final blow to the creature.

“Everyone stop now!”

The princess Zelda’s voice made the guards, the maidens and even the Lizalfos stare at her, stopping them from their fight. She wore a frown on her face. Even though it was early in the morning, she looked like she had run a marathon, with her golden hair disheveled and her forehead pearled with a little bit of sweat.

She looked up and down at everyone as if searching for something, and gasped when she saw the little Lizalfos staring back at her with its big yellow eyes.

“Hugo! I told you to never leave our chambers, come here young boy!”

The little Lizalfos, Hugo, took advantage of the confused looks the guards were giving the princess to run towards her and climb from her leg to her shoulder and snarl a little bit, feeling more powerful now that he felt protected for someone.

One of the royal guards had to clear his throat and put aside his sword, looking ashamed in front of the princess.

“My apologies, Your Highness, we didn’t know it was your pet. We thought it was a dangerous beast that had sneaked into the castle.”

If everyone in the room knew better, they would have thought that the princess had snarled at that comment, just like her Lizalfos had done a few moments ago.

“Hugo is the only Lizalfos in all Hyrule with this size and a lighter green shade in his scales. I suggest you pay more attention to the little details, Sir Ronald.”

The look Sir Ronald had on his face would probably mean that he couldn’t find any difference between Zelda’s pet and the Lizalfos that swam every day in Hylia Lake, but trying to argue with the Princess of Hyrule wasn’t the way he wanted to lose his head, so he kept his thoughts to himself and only bowed before leaving the dining room, leaving the princess, her Lizalfos and the maids alone.

“Your Highness,” one of the maids that wasn’t scared of Hugo approached them and gave the little reptile a cookie before addressing the princess with a bow and a smile. “Would you like a cup of chamomile tea with your breakfast today?” 

“Yes please!” Zelda said with a smile. “And bring breakfast to my chambers, I don’t want Father to see-”

“Good morning, my darling.”

Zelda hissed when she heard her father’s voice behind her and when she turned around, saw his giant figure walking towards her. All the maids curtsied before him and Zelda did as well, not only before leaning in and giving him a kiss on his cheek. 

“Good morning, Father. I was waiting for you to have breakfast!” She said, with a cheeky smile as she followed him to the table.

“Were you?” King Rhoam asked with an arched eyebrow as he sat down on the head of the table, maids getting his food ready. “Because I thought I heard you say you were going to have chamomile tea in your room. Maybe my imagination, or my old man ears.”

Zelda couldn’t help but giggle as she sat by his right, putting Hugo on the floor by her side and letting the maids bring her chamomile tea.

“I didn’t know Hugo was going to have breakfast with us today.” Rhoam said, looking at the creature eating fresh fish from a bowl, then at Zelda with a serious but warm look in his eyes. “You know what I think about monsters in the dining room.”

“I know, I’m sorry, Father.” She said with a sigh in her voice. “I was about to bring him back to my chambers when you arrived, and I didn’t want to leave you alone here.”

“I heard he made a fuss this morning. Try to keep him controlled so you don’t lose a lung next time you have to run towards him.” He said, a smirk and a wink was enough to let the topic aside, to Zelda’s relief. 

They started to have a normal morning breakfast as father and daughter, talking about their agendas for the day, the plans for the kingdom and basically anything that came into Zelda’s mind that made her father either laugh or look at her with a concerned look in his face.

As they finished their breakfast and Zelda prepared to leave the table to continue with her activities for the day, the King grabbed her hand gently, making her stay for a little bit longer.

“Don’t go yet, darling.” He said with a serious voice as he took a deep breath. “I know about your… interest in the creatures that roam our kingdom, but the attacks against our villages have only been increasing since the beginning of last year. Tell me, have you made any progress in your research?”

Zelda had always been different from the other princesses of Hyrule. While they spent their days learning courtly manners and embroidery, she spent hers buried in dusty old tomes, poring over ancient maps and legends. She was fascinated by the monsters that roamed the land, and she saw them not as mindless beasts to be destroyed, but as endangered creatures that needed to be understood and protected.

It was this fascination that led her to her current project. For weeks, she had been studying reports of monsters attacking in various parts of the kingdom. They were violent, cruel, but they never killed anyone unless they engaged into a fierce battle. She knew that she had to investigate further, but her investigations hadn’t given her the results she was waiting for.

Zelda sighed and sank on her chair, feeling so little and defeated every time she had to talk about her current research. She was so sure that monsters weren’t evil creatures that just attacked people for the sake of it, her hypothesis said that there had to be a reason for every monster in every corner in Hyrule to act the way they did. But her research had gotten into a point that wasn’t making any progress.

“No, I’ve been reading every book in our library, every journal, and interviewing every knight in our castle, but I don’t get to determine the reasons for these attacks. If only I could go out and see the habitats of these monsters, maybe I could…”

Rhoam, who was always so calm and patient with his daughter, gave a slam to the table, making her shiver for a second.

“How many times I have to tell you this, Zelda?” He said, voice tired as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “There is no way you’re leaving this castle to go investigate monsters on your own! Why are you so stubborn about it?”

“Father, the success of my research depends on seeing these creatures interact in the wild. What’s the use of hunting them and bringing them here for me to study them if when your soldiers get scared at the first chance they…” She leaned in and whispered the words so Hugo couldn’t hear her. “Kill them.”

Rhoam sighed and held Zelda’s hand once again, a frown of concern on his face.

“I’m sorry Zelda, but you’re the most precious thing I have and I can’t bear to lose you to some scholarship. I’m not letting you wander Hyrule alone, so please obey me.” He said before kissing her knuckles. “I’ll give you two more months to complete your research, but if there’s no progress, I’ll start the raids, are we clear?”

Zelda sighed and looked at their joined hands before putting her free one over them and smiled at her father, nodding with a sense of defeat in her shoulders. Two months weren’t enough to complete her research, but she had to attack fast before any more blood spilled to the land.

“Alright, Father, I’ll do as you please.”

Rhoam smiled and after a few moments of enjoying his tea, he kissed his daughter’s cheek and left to attend some important meetings he had with the Royal Council, leaving Zelda and Hugo alone in the dining room.

Zelda, on the other hand, was feeling defeated and embarrassed of not putting up for herself a little bit more. She knew her father was only trying to protect her from the dangers of the outside world, but she couldn’t help but think she needed to be out there, in the field, not only to prove her point that monsters weren’t dangerous creatures, but also to protect and teach the people of Hyrule how to defend themselves the proper way. 

Even though Hugo was a Lizalfos and didn’t speak the Hylian tongue, he could sense Zelda’s mood and the only thing he could do was climb to his lap to try to comfort her and protect her from her own feelings. And that thought only made Zelda’s gears of her brain start to work.

She stood up, making Hugo stand on her shoulder as he always did and called for a maid.

“Tell Lady Impa that I wish to see her in my studio as soon as possible, please.” She said before leaving the dining room and walking towards that place, her brain started to come up with a plan that would help her achieve her goal and her father’s too.

After a couple of minutes she arrived to her studio, Lady Impa, leader of the Sheikah, entered and bowed in front of her, “Were you looking for me, Your Highness?”

Zelda looked up at her, and let Hugo play on her desk as she got closer to Impa and closed her door.

“Yes, I need to ask something from you and I was hoping you could help me. I need a bodyguard," she declared, pacing back and forth in front of her. "Someone who can protect me while I conduct my research about monsters."

Even though the Sheikah, especially Impa, were loyal followers of the princess over the King, she looked at her nervously. 

"Your Highness," she said hesitantly. "Surely you don't need a bodyguard. You have the Royal Guard and my Sheikah warriors to protect you."

"I need someone who can keep up with me," Zelda retorted. "Someone who can handle themselves in a fight. And I want someone who is discreet - I don't want word of this getting out to the public. Or my Father."

Impa couldn’t help but frown at her declaration. 

“Why aren’t you asking me to protect you if that’s the case?” She asked, feeling a little offended. “Aren’t I good enough to keep you and your secrets safe?”

“Please Impa, don’t take it like that,” Zelda said as she sat in front of her desk. “I didn’t ask you because I’ll need you to cover me here in the castle while I’m outside, you’re the only one I trust that can help me on this, who can help me with my Father.”

Impa nodded reluctantly. She didn’t like anything about Zelda’s schemes, but she wasn’t going to go against the princess wishes. She could only find someone worth of taking care of her.

"I'll look into it, Your Highness," she said, and with a bow, she left the room.

Zelda knew that finding the right bodyguard wouldn't be easy. She needed someone who was skilled, trustworthy, and most importantly, someone who wouldn't get in her way. But as she sat at her desk with Hugo on her lap, surrounded by maps and scrolls, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. This was the start of a new adventure, and she was ready to embrace it.

Next

[redsoul-writing]

Chapter 9- Color of Arms

Previous chapters

DISCLAIMER: I OWN THE PLOT AND ONLY THE PLOT.

Picture below is for reference. This is a Bardiche. It's a polearm weapon that's like a spear but slightly different. The Bardiche y/n uses is identical to this one, but you can picture it however you like. For convenience you'll find me referring to it as a spear often.

Y/n landed on her butt for the third time today.

“Ow…” she rubbed the sore spot as she stood up.

“You’re an alright sparring partner, but you’re lacking.” Mihawk speaks.

“Way to put it bluntly.” She deadpans as she clutches her staff.

“That staff is very durable, where did you get it?” Mihawk asks.

“It’s not a staff, it’s a Bardiche.” She glanced at it. “I found it on an uninhabited island we stopped at. When we were looking for a place to rest, I found a cave. It was just…standing there.”

“Standing?” The swordsman raised a brow.

“Yeah, it's hard to believe, but I took it. I needed an upgrade from my old spear. I was getting too strong for it.” She answers.

“Let’s try again. You gave me some type of challenge.” Mihawk seemed to be reasoning with himself at this point.

Y/n was getting frustrated with the gap between them. ‘Should I use… no, it’s too risky. I haven’t mastered it.’ She started contemplating something.

Mihawk saw this and decided to pull her out of her thoughts, throwing a slash at her.

She narrowly dodged it, turning back to a sword inches from her face.

‘Yeah, screw this, I’ll do it.’

Her forearms were encased in black, Bardiche parrying the sword ever so slightly before she punched Mihawks abdomen, her arms going back to normal.

He stumbled for a moment before regaining balance and stood there in shock.

“What?” She sweatdropped.

“You didn’t tell me you had color of arms.” He answered. “Why didn’t you use it earlier?”

“I haven’t mastered it… I can’t control it for long…” she paused encasing her arms again before they return a second later. “As you can see.”

He stood there for a moment, seeming to be thinking about something.

Y/n slowly lost herself in her thoughts.

‘What is he thinking about?’

‘It’s about me isn’t it…’ she looked at his Yoru

‘Is he mad?’ She glanced at his face.

‘It’s kind of hot.’ Y/n noticed how much she was sweating.

‘He’s kind of hot.’ Her eyes glanced at the sweat droplets rolling down his chest.

‘Wait- what?!’ Y/n covered her face, scolding herself.

“Y/n.”

“Hm? Oh, yeah?” She calmed herself down.

“I would like to train you.”

…

“Huh?! That’s so sudden!” She gaped.

“I’ve thought about it. Haki can’t be bad, just untrained.” He explained.

“Yeah but…” she mumbled

“It’s also possible that you have other types of haki. When did you obtain it?”

“My friend Hina helped me out.” Y/n started thinking to herself.

—————

Hina is her good friend. She’s also her senior, a Captain, Much stronger than the commander. Hina not only took a liking to y/n’s character, but was filled with joy that she’d met another female marine officer. There aren’t very many.

—————

“Captain Hina?” Mihawk guessed.

“You know her?” The commander was surprised.

“I read the newspaper, I’ve never met her.”

“I see.” She paused. “Well, I’ll gladly learn from you. But do you think I’ll master it before the meeting?”

“That depends on you. Do you think you can do it, y/n?”

The (h/c) haired thought for a moment.

—————

Ana’s voice rang in her head.

“Y/n, you need to be more confident in yourself. And your looks.”

—————

“Yeah. I can do it.” She ignored the last part of what her sister said.

“Good.” He smirked.

Y/n started realizing just how handsome the Spanish Swordsman was, his smirk bringing some heat to her cheeks.

—————

As they sparred, y/n seemed to gain control over color of arms. Mihawk was on the offensive though, and she was struggling on the defense.

It was difficult when she kept glancing at his countenance, the sun kissing it.

“You’re tense.” He snapped her out of her daze.

“Oh, sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, just focus.” He sneaked a kick from below.

She jumped onto him, finally finding an opening.

She swerved and tried to throw him over her shoulder, but he just pulled her wrist. She fell towards the ground, pulling him with her.

Thud.

“Oops.” She giggled as she opened her eyes.

Not a second later she went silent, her eyes widening. She was laying underneath Dracule, her grasp on his chest as he trapped her between his arms. His face was inches away.

Y/n prayed that her mask hid her tomato-red face. Unfortunately, it didn’t cover the bottom half of it.

Hawkeyes stared into her eyes for a moment before he smirked. “Your face is a little red. Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine!” She looked away. From him.

‘His eyes are like magnets! Why do I keep looking at them?’ She glanced at said Hawkeyes.

He got up and offered her a hand, which she hesitantly accepted.

“That’s enough for today. You’ve progressed.” He walked towards the mansion.

“Really?” She beamed.

“You’ve gained more control over your haki.” He glanced at her face.

Y/n quietly pumped her fist in the air until she noticed his gaze on her. She covered her face in embarrassment.

“I’m hungry. Let’s go make dinner.” She speed-walked to the mansion door.

‘Cute.’ The warlord chuckled to himself.

[blackicephantom]

Genshin Impact - Wrath of a God 5

Finish Line! We did it!

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Childe struggled back to his feet and took slow steps back, because not even the battle hungry Eleventh Harbinger wanted to stand in between two Archons about to fight it out. Especially if one out of those two was the oldest of them.

As swift as he could he retreated towards the wall far away from her Majesty and tried to be ready for almost anything.

Both Gods watched each other, blazing gold against frostbitten blue. The Tsaritsa was the first to move. “I know exactly who you are, Morax. And I have to say that I’m disappointed.” Snowflakes started to dance around her hand, forming a sharp blade made of ice. Widening his stance just slightly, Zhongli replied coldly. “I’m sad to say the same about you.”

There was a clash of  the elements and at first it looked as if they were on equal footing but it didn’t take long for the rhythm to change. Even if his dear Queen had fought many of her battles by herself, it was  clear that she was just no match for the God of war that stood before her. For every step she took forward, the brunette would push her back three. For every wound she tried to inflict, he would cut her four fold. 

Embers flew when their blades crashed into each other, both weapons glowing with unnatural lights. The Tsaritsa rushed up ahead, building frozen steps to gain height, before jumping over the older one's head and swinging her sword down. But Zhongli anticipated that move and braced himself. He held his spear up above and absorbed the hit, only to push her away mere millimeters and then sent a geo steele straight into her stomach. The construct hit her damn hard and even as an archon she had to cough and fight for air. Before she could completely recover though, the older already sent his spear flying, the blade barely missing her face and instead cutting her veil. Right in the next moment he came crashing after his weapon, the female just fast enough to roll to the side and climbing to her feet. 

Beneath her heels Tartaglia could see the clear shimmer of a Cryo emblem and with a swiping move of her hand big icicles, almost freaking icebergs , shot out from four different directions , with a fifth growing right out of the ground. But that was still not enough.

The older Archon dodged the first two, blocked the next two with two more of his steeles and simply crushed the last one with his bare hand. But the Goddess was not ready to give up yet. “You come here, into my land, my home! And intend to steal from me. Just how far have you fallen Morax?” Cutting apart another set of icicles and stepping through an oncoming shuriken hail said male glared at his fellow god.

“You entered a written agreement, a contract signed in blood, with me and refused to go through with it. Everything was set, arranged to perfection, right to the most important moment. I was ready to overlook your first mistake, having already given over my Gnosis. But then your other Harbinger told me that you won’t fulfill your second part either.” Stepping over the crushed ice he swiftly kicked his Vortex Vanquisher around to stop the ice golems that were starting to climb out of the fallen snow. Following this Zhongli summoned three more of his Geo constructs, so that they circled both Archons. And each `pillar´ gave a soft pulse, until they slowly synced with each other, resonating with the Geo energy they were emitting. 

Childe could see that the mistress of this palace was starting to run out of steam. Even if her hands were still steady, her breath was already quite labored, her  elemental attacks losing strength and her moves losing their grace and finesse. But the insulting part was this: Zhongli was not even out of breath, didn’t even break a sweat and hadn't even summoned his jade shield. Not even once. And he was still unharmed, whilst the Tsaritsa had gathered a good amount of wounds. Towering above her, Morax asked her. “ Now tell me, dear Tsaritsa, who is the fallen one?” 

The ginger couldn’t take his eyes off of that absolute beating his Lady was receiving. With the Geo Lords next swift attack, spears of his element followed the attack's path and cut not only her dress. Next he brought down his blade, crushing the very ground they stood upon when the younger Archon jumped away. But she was unprepared for the spinning spear, almost too slow to parry. And definitely too slow for the next hit from above.

It was like a dance, a very deadly one, that Zhongli led with an iron fist and relentless assault. The Queen's dress was drenched in red, her beautiful face a sweaty grimace and even her noble sword could no longer withstand that overwhelming power it was bombarded with. With their next clash, her blade got chipped, with the one after that it cracked. And with one last powerful kick, it broke.

The impact of said kick sent the woman flying backwards, where she hit the already crumbling wall. Before she could collect herself the orange glowing tip of her opponent's blade buried itself in her still wounded stomach. Screaming she tried to focus, tried to call for her snow lances or ice spears. But everytime she tried the heated steel inside her moved forward, slipping deeper inside her delicate body. Panting she looked up, looking straight into the burning eyes that she , too, once feared. Then her gaze slipped past his towering figure and locked onto the ginger haired male she wanted to keep at all odds. No matter what may happen, she knew she could not win. Not now and probably not even in hundreds of years. Not even with the Anemo Gnosis in her possession.

Suddenly the blade was removed, blood splattering on the ground and her vision blocked by the scaled coat Morax favored over his mortal years. No matter what may happen, she still got one last trick up her sleeve. She clenched her fist and let it fall to the floor, the icy energy traveling fast on the wet and cold ground. But before it could reach its target, a gold glowing shield manifested around the boy, causing it to crash against it and race up towards the ceiling, where it simply crashed and froze. Then she opened her hand again and beckoned to her Harbinger. “Come.” she called oh so sweetly. 

Both males registered fast what she was planning and yet only one seemed actually concerned about it. Ajax felt dread and felt sick, that’s why it took him a few seconds to notice something very important. Even though her Majesty gave him a direct order, he doesn’t have that disgusting feeling of compulsive obedience, that reflexive need to do her bidding. And after she called for him again without the desired outcome, the Cryo Archon came to the same conclusion, which made Morax chuckle.

Tartaglia watched as the consultant stepped back and pushed his spear into the broken ground before putting his hands behind his back. An insult in the face of every warrior and soldier, the demonstration that he no longer perceives you as a thread. “It seems that you have forgotten something else too, my dearest Tsaritsa.” 

His deep voice was gentle, mocking, meant to be soothing and yet to hurt deep.

His fellow Archon didn’t understand. She just couldn’t grasp the meaning behind this.

Full lips pulled themself into a sharp grin, draconian fangs on full display and Childe…. fucking swooned. And by the soft snicker he received Zhongli noticed too.`Ohhhhh Fuck….´ Then these piercing eyes were back on the beaten Queen and explained. “This may be your land, your home. This entire region may be your ice cold domain.” His eyes slitted again, just for a single moment and his face was showing almost sadistic joys when he said the next part. “But even underneath your layers upon layers of ice and snow, rest the everlasting presence of the earth. Which, as we both know, belongs to me.” Another rumble, as if said earth agreed and even Childe had to swallow. Of course it made sense, it was nothing but pure logic. Even if Snezhnaya was known as the frozen land, its cities and even this palace were built on solid ground. No matter how thick the snow may become, the fact remains that the rich earth will wait underneath. 

“You wanted to trick me, twice.” Pale blue lips snapped shut when Zhongli slowly stepped closer.  Suddenly gripped by an instinctual fear the poor Goddess tried to scramble away, backing up even if there was no more room behind her. To make matters even worse for her the other Archons form slowly started to change. His brown clothes turned into a white coat that left nothing to the imagination, leaving his corded, golden veined arms on full display for the young Harbingers hungry eyes. Next were the wide pants that replaced his form fitting ones and Childe, no Ajax, could do nothing but go down on his knees. This was the God he was sent to fight against. This was Morax in all of his Celestia given glory.

Tsaritsa meanwhile was close to hysterics. She knew that Rex Lapis did this on purpose, knew that he wanted to inflict trauma and make her remember times that are better left forgotten.  With every step he took towards her she felt so foolishly young again. Desperate to escape she shook her head, tried to look for one last way out. But the older God was faster than her. An almost burning hand took hold of her chin and made her look up into burning Cor Lapis.

“Last time, you had to renovate and repair two different wings of your castle.” His fingers tightened and his smirk was bone shattering close to obscene. “What shall it be this time?”

Silently sobbing she did the last thing that came to mind. “Please… Please, Morax! No more!”  A low growl was his answer. “So you want the mercy that you have denied one of your own?!”

Tartaglia was floored. There was only one person he could mean with this. 

`Does this mean my prayers were heard?´ The small voice from back then answered him `It does.´

Morax just kept watching as the cold facade of the younger God started to fall away.

Even if it looked rather different, he took no joy in this psychological torture, he was way past these methods. But his fellow Archon had an important lesson to learn. And he would make sure that it stuck. Letting go of the still crying woman, he changed back into his regular clothes and finally turned around so he faced the one he came for. While walking towards him he still talked to the Tsaritsa. “You’ve broken the contract, so you were faced with the wrath of the rock. You’ve tried to trick and steal from me, so you will face the wrath of a God.”

Right in front of Childe the shield broke and Zhongli just picked him up, ignoring his small squeak of surprise and his feeble complaints. With his target secure in his arms he made steps out of steles and started to climb up towards the still frozen roof. Right underneath said roof he switched his precious cargo onto one arm so he could use his other one. He clenched his fist together and then gave the structure above an almost gentle tab, causing the whole archon damned roof to crumble and fall away, so that the clear sky was on display. And Ajax honestly just gave up. He buried his flaming face into the soft fabric of the others trusted coat and let out a rather embarrassing whine that he will deny forever and a day. 

Letting out a rumbled chuckle the taller male looked back down at the fallen god.

“Let this be your lesson and your warning Tsaritsa. As stated in our previous contract, Childe is no longer your vanguard and from now on in my care.”

With these last words the sky above them first darkened, then suddenly lit up as an honest to Celestia and Archon damned meteor descended from the heavens. The former Harbingers eyes nearly fell out of his head at this sight and not even the renewed jade shield could keep away the heat of the falling piece of earth. Just before it hit though, Zhongli took him away. And Tartaglia has to say, even if the circumstances were absolute rubbish, he was content. So he sighed and just cuddled into the solid arms of the Lord of Geo.

Who knew what the next morning would bring and what obstacles lay ahead of them?

_ End _ 

[firewolfphoenix]

Eliza’s other worldly adventure chapter 11

Fox was standing at the entrance of Kitsune village, he was keeping an eye on Zeus who was sitting on some rocks. A few minutes later, Eliza flew down and landed a few feet away from Zeus. Fox was waiting for Phoenix and the others to appear to help Eliza fight Zeus, but they never came.

“Glad that you came, worried that you wouldn’t come for our fight,” Zeus said with a smirk.

“I would never back down from something,” Eliza scowled.

“Well let’s begin,” Zeus smirked.

Zeus summoned a sword, while Eliza summoned a sword made from light. Zeus rushed towards her, but Eliza was ready, she stepped to the side and stabbed Zeus upper thigh. Zeus screamed from the surprise stab, he then sliced Eliza’s arm. The sudden slice didn’t bother Eliza, she kept fighting Zeus who was blindly swinging his sword around at her, she kept dodging the swings, she also kept punching him.

While the fight was happening, the villagers and Fox were watching from the entrance of Kitsune village. They were impressed to see Eliza putting up a good fight with Zeus, who was now getting really angry. He attempted to shoot a shadow arrow at Eliza, but she blocked it. Eliza was about to strike Zeus again, when she heard cheering from the children in the Kitsune Village, Zeus also heard the children cheering on for Eliza.

“If I can’t kill you, I might as well kill the whole village!” Zeus shouted angrily.

Zeus pointed his hand towards the Kitsune Village, Fox saw what he was going to do, he yelled for the villagers to hide and take cover. Eliza stood in front of the entrance of the village, waiting for whatever Zeus had planned. Spyros took over Eliza, as Zeus summoned shadow blasts at her, Spyros blocked the powerful blasts with a shield of light.

Zeus stopped summoning the shadow blasts, to see Spyro and the village still standing. Zeus got very angry, he screamed then began glowing a dark purple.

“What is happening?” Eliza asked in Spyros’ mind.

“Zeus is getting very angry, he’s going to explode, we have to do something about it,” Spyros replied back.

“We can take the fight to the sky,” Eliza suggested.

“That’s a good idea, let’s do this,” Spyros said.

Eliza summoned her wings, then flew into the sky and Zeus followed behind her. Eliza’s plan was to take advantage in the sky, by hiding in the clouds and attacking Zeus until he exploded. After Eliza and Zeus flew into the sky, Fox came out of the house. He watched the whole thing, then watched as Eliza flew into the sky, he was worried what Eliza’s plan was.

In the sky, Zeus was chasing Eliza through the clouds, but every so often he would lose sight of her. Then he would get struck by Eliza, by appearing out of nowhere, Zeus’ dark purple aura was growing as he got more angry. Every so often, he would shoot a shadow spear randomly thinking he would hit Eliza but he missed every time.

“Come out so I can kill you stupid girl!!” Zeus yelled.

“Eliza listen to me,” Spyros began. “We can’t permanently stop Zeus, but we can temporarily stop him by triggering the explosion by stabbing him,”

Hiding inside a cloud, Eliza summoned the light sword and flew towards Zeus quickly, who had his back to her. Eliza stabbed Zeus through the back, taking him by surprise. Eliza flew in front of him, she saw that Zeus had intense anger and hatred in his eyes.

“You think you have won today, I will defeat you one day!” Zeus growled.

Zeus began glowing brighter, the glowing was getting more intense. Spyros told Eliza to get as far away from Zeus as possible, for when he explodes so Eliza flies away quickly as far as she could. Zeus exploded into dark purple light, Eliza was far away but got caught from the blast of the explosion and got knocked back. She got knocked back into the pond next to the Kitsune Village, a couple kids at the village helped her out of the pond and took her to where Fox is.