#anyway i have strong feelings about ffvii and lately i've been thinking a lot about that part 2

[gintrinsic-writing]

The Hero of Hyrule and Strife's Delivery Service

Globs of bloody saliva flew from the monster’s mouth as it screeched one final time. Lurching forward, it snapped its teeth in defiance once, twice, then toppled over. Its many tentacles twitched in a pattern not unlike a thready heartbeat before the monster stilled altogether. 

Hyrule gulped in desperate breaths and hesitantly lowered his blade. Despite the frigid temperature, sweat made his tunic cling to his back. Goosebumps broke out across his skin; already, his fingers felt stiff with cold, and every breath burned like fire in the back of his throat. “Who—” He wetted his lips and tried again. “Who’re you?”

On the other side of the monster, a man in a strange, black outfit swung his sword up and over his shoulder until it rested flat against his back. The blade was longer than Hyrule was tall, but the motion appeared effortless. “Could ask the same of you,” the man said quietly.

Instinct made Hyrule suspicious of the situation, though he fought to remind himself that sometimes people were simply good. His time with the others had taught him that. “My name is Hyrule. I got separated from my friends.”

“Hm,” the man answered noncommittally, crossing his arms. “Weird place for a friendly weekend getaway.”

“I’m not actually sure where I am.”

If anything, the man looked even less impressed than before. “Twenty miles south of Gaea’s Cliff.” He frowned briefly at the monster, then glanced back at Hyrule. His eyes seemed to glow in the fading light. “Treasure hunter?” 

“Ah, sure,” Hyrule answered awkwardly. It sounded better than “destined hero on a quest across timelines.” “Pardon, you never said who you are…?”

“Just a delivery boy.”

“A… delivery boy,” Hyrule repeated. He eyed the fallen monster again. “And that?”

“Malboro.” 

Hyrule shook his head. He was beginning to shiver in earnest. “Never heard of—Whoa!” Suddenly, the monster dissolved into blue-green shimmering light. Within seconds, nothing remained of the fight except trampled snow. Hyrule couldn’t help but think of Wild’s sheikah tech. “Did it teleport?”

The man raised both brows. “It returned to the lifestream.”

 “Right…” He rubbed his arms, teeth clacking faintly. He hoped the others had landed somewhere a little warmer. “Well, thank you for your help. That, ah, malboro took me by surprise.” 

“It was a lucky hit.”

Hyrule eyed that ridiculous sword again. “Sure.”

The man sighed. “Maybe you should call your friends.”

“Oh, um, sure.” Hyrule shrugged, then cupped his hands around his mouth. “Legend! Time! Anybody! Hello?” His voice echoed faintly before it succumbed to the sounds of nature. Nobody called back.

“I meant…” The man huffed. “Do you not have a phone?”

“A phone?” Hyrule asked, ears twitching uncertainly.

The man blinked at him. For a moment, his eyes looked more green than blue. “Never mind. You’re clearly not…” He waved vaguely toward Hyrule. 

“Not what?” 

“Nothing. Come on, let’s mosey. Whatever you are, you’ll freeze to death without shelter. Probably.” That said, the man turned on his heels and began striding across the icy tundra.

“But…” Hyrule hurried to catch up. His toes felt numb. “What about my friends?”

“I’ll find them.” Somehow, the man sounded both confident and unenthused. Hyrule thought he and Legend might get along. 

“Okay, thanks. I can help, though!” It would only be right, and besides, Hyrule still didn’t entirely trust this guy. And it was obvious the feeling was mutual. “Are you not cold?” 

“No.”

“No to help, or no to the cold?”

“Yes.”

Hyrule fought a sigh of his own. He followed the delivery boy and prayed this wasn’t a new Link.