Veil of Twilight

Chapter XII
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The sun was beginning to fall behind the horizon of emerald trees. They sat in the grove, arranged in a loose circle in the grass. The wind mage sat directly across from Link. On either side of the hero were his companions, Midna to left, Ilia to the right.

Saria sat next to Vaati, leaning her head against his shoulder. Link saw her watching him intently as he faced Vaati; ever since she had returned to consciousness, she had been gazing at him in disbelief, as if he might disappear at any moment. Vaati had seemed not to notice, as Link told him of the circumstances that had brought them to the forest.

“Well,” Vaati finally spoke, breaking the long silence. “First things first.” He made a gesture towards Midna. “How much has she told you?”

Link turned to face her. Midna looked away from him, her expression unreadable. He turned back to Vaati.

“Not much, to be honest,” he answered. “The princess gave me little detail to work with. I’ve more or less been doing what her and Midna have told me to, so far.”

Vaati nodded, his face set as his visible eye wandered in thought. Finally, he stood up, all of their gazes on him. His eye fell on Midna.

“The Twilight King’s curse has not touched this province,” he said to her. “His power is faint here. I can give you your body back.”

The silent three switched their stares from Vaati to Midna, their expressions confused. The Twili’s face was slack, apparently from shock. She nodded, almost timidly. Vaati nodded in reply, closing his eyes and pressing his hands together.

“What are you…?” Link started. Saria shushed him. They all watched as the change began. Midna’s skin began to glow, the light emanating from her matching the golden color of the sun setting around them. The light glowed brighter and brighter, until it was impossible for them to see their friend transform.

Then the light faded, and in Midna’s place was a hunched figure, draped in a black robe. The figure rose to face all of them.

It couldn’t be Midna, Link thought as he stared. The person before them was one he had never seen before. She was tall, draped only in that robe, exposing her light, turquoise skin. Her face was regal and angular, with tresses of red and blonde hair falling at either side of her head.

It was her eyes that changed his mind, though. The strange, stunning girl looked disbelievingly at her own hands, her gaze traveling up her arms and to the rest of the group, stopping on Link’s own slack jawed face. Her eyes were as familiar as the smirk that followed a moment later.

“What’s the matter?” She asked; her voice was unmistakable. “Cat got your tongue? Or am I just so beautiful that you have no words left?”

Link tried to speak, and found that he could think of nothing to say. Ilia’s voice came from beside him.

“Midna, is that you?!” Ilia stood up and wrapped her arms around their newly transformed companion. “You look gorgeous!”

She let go of Midna, who took a hesitant step forward, as if unused to her own feet. Her scarlet eyes locked with Vaati’s gaze.

“Thank you… I…” she trailed off. Vaati nodded, not waiting for the rest of her reply.

“Your curse shall remain lifted until you leave this forest; enjoy it while you’re here.”

Vaati sat back down in the grass, the rest following his lead. Link tried his best to pay attention as the mage spoke, but found himself distracted by Midna’s transfigured appearance; she swung her vibrantly colored hair this way and that beside him, toying with it, purposely drawing his attention. Apparently her teasing personality had not been affected.

“Saria and I have lived in this forest since before any of you were conceived,” Vaati said, drawing Link’s ears. “I knew your ancestor, a hero of the Imprisoning War. I am… indebted to him.”

“Since the war ended, and time was corrected to allow peace, I have watched the ages unfold, waiting for you.”

“What do you mean ‘waiting for me?’” Link asked.

“I have been waiting for the new Hero to appear,” Vaati answered, is if it were obvious. “You know about the Triforce?

Link nodded, holding up his left hand.

“Well,” Vaati continued. “Although the Goddesses essentially control fate, They cannot control a power that equals their own; hence, the Triforce. Every so often, some force or another attempts to use the Triforce to gain power and dominance, for evil. Every time this happens, since They cannot directly intervene, They bestow a shard to a Hero, so that he may rise up and vanquish the evil.”

“So…” Link started. “Zant is that evil? He has a Triforce, too?”

Vaati nodded. “You are the sign that leads me to believe so. You are obviously the Hero the Goddesses have put forth. Although, I must admit, I am a bit confused by Their reasoning.”

Giggles from Midna and Ilia. Link ran over the sentence again before it clicked.

“Hey!” He cried. “What’s that supposed to mean?! I thought you just said I was the Hero’s descendant?” More giggles. Vaati remained ever composed.

“Actually, I never said that. It is what vexes me. The Hero did leave descendants, but you are not one…” He paused, then continued. “But, you are closely related, and come from a capable lineage. I have no doubt in your potential ability.”

“Whatever,” Link said. “I have more questions. What’s with this sword I just found? And what are we supposed to do about Zant? He took those things Midna and I were collecting, and he’s taken Hyrule Castle…”

“That sword,” Vaati started, “is the Blade of Evil’s Bane, the Master Sword. It was used by the Hero before you, and is the most useful tool you’ll have on your quest, no doubt. It certainly was for him.”

“As for Zant, what he stole were the Fused Shadows; they’re a dark, powerful magic that Midna would have done well to warn you of. They very well could‘ve been the end of you.”

Link turned to glare at Midna. Suddenly something clicked. The monsters in the temple, the way the Goron Chief had worn that thing on his head like a mask; he had thought that all of that had been to guard those stones, but the way it seemed now, they were causing all the darkness. Those Fused Shadows were dark, and dangerous. And Midna had known. As he glared, fuming at her, she seemed unperturbed, even unaware of his anger, too preoccupied with her new body. She cast him a casual glance and stuck her tongue out. He opened his mouth to yell, but Vaati interrupted him.

“Calm yourself, Hero,” he said flatly. “It’s behind you now. Besides, the sword you wield now is more powerful than those Fused Shadows ever would have been to you. As for Zant and the castle, well… there is another way to defeat him, and save Princess Zelda and all the others. But you will be unable to, if you die of exhaustion first.”

Vaati rose to his feet, the others scrambling to join him.

“Now that you are all caught up,” he said to all of them. “Saria and I welcome you as our guests. You can rest here in the forest until your wounds have healed, and you feel well enough to pursue your next objective.”

Link nodded gratefully, unable to vocalize his thanks. He had been performing tasks asked of him before, blindly and unquestioningly. Now he finally had some answers.

Still, though, there were more questions. One of them, the most pressing, was for Midna, and her surprising transformation. He turned to see her in conversation with Ilia and the green haired girl, Saria. She cast him a quick glance as she spoke to his two friends. Her behavior was strange, he thought; she had never explained what had prompted her to faint.

As he watched them still, they all turned to leave. Link made to follow them, but he felt a hand grip his shoulder.

“Tell me,” Vaati’s voice came, neutral and detached. “That sword… how practiced are you?”

…

A ways from the grove, amidst the maze of lush green forest trees, there lay a small spring. It was beautifully clear, and steam rose from the surface. At one far end of it was a picturesque waterfall, pouring out of the side of a cliff and crashing down into the spring, causing a beautiful haze. It reflected the ever waning sunlight as Midna tested the water with one of her toes. The temperature was perfect; hot, but not too hot. More likely than not it was the result of some magic.

Midna let her robe fall from her body, stepping nude into the water, sighing audibly as it massaged every nerve of her body. It had been too long since she had had a bath. She wasn’t used to such long stretches without the luxuries the title of princess usually afforded her, but she had missed simply bathing the most. She damn well wasn’t going to miss the opportunity now, especially while her body was as it should‘ve been.

She heard another soft splash as the surface was disturbed again, Ilia wading past a moment later, pedaling backwards, her face a beaming portrait of indulgent relaxation. Midna smiled. There probably were no springs like this, wherever it was that Link and Ilia came from.

Her grin widened as the boy’s name crossed her mind. She definitely owed him an explanation; or several. But that would come later. She had sneaked off purposely to avoid it. He probably wasn’t too happy with her, but that was the way Midna liked it. Link was a big baby, getting harried with her all the time, but she found it endearing. It was almost kind of cute.

Another splash as the third woman stepped into the pool. Saria waded past, smiling as she went, headed toward the waterfall, where Ilia was already enjoying the spraying mist. Midna followed her; the water rose gradually, but never reached any higher than their shoulders, allowing them to stand comfortably. This really was a perfect spring. They reached the waterfall, the mist soaking their hair in seconds. Ilia was the first to break the silence.

“So, do you know Link?” It was directed at Saria. The pretty girl flushed for a moment, apparently embarrassed over her earlier episode.

“Oh… no,” she said, her voice melancholy and wistful, toying with a soaked lock of her long, green hair. “I thought I did. I knew the old Hero, you see, very well, and… well, your friend looks so much like him. For a second, I thought it was really him, and I just…”

Midna noticed the momentary flash of jealousy across Ilia’s face, at Saria’s thinly veiled attraction for Link, but she paid no attention. There was a more pressing question within that story.

“You knew the old Hero?” Midna asked. “How old are you?”

“Fifteen…ish” Saria said, giggling cutely. “I’ve been around much longer than my appearance would tell. Vaati and I don’t age.”

“I see…” Midna trailed off, suddenly glad for the mist and water surrounding them. She had seen Saria momentarily as they had shed their clothes, and though she claimed to be the youngest, she was far more rounded Midna herself. She almost laughed aloud as she saw Ilia drawing a bit more into herself, apparently thinking along the same lines.

“What about you?” Saria asked. “You looked so… different, before Vaati changed you…”

Midna couldn’t answer, at first. She hated talking about it, hated to be reminded of it. She simply wanted to enjoy her real body while she had it, and not hear a single breath about that disgusting little imp she had been moments before. But, as always, she caught herself, veiling her hurt with humor. She was a princess, after all. She was expected to remain composed, and strong.

“Oh, you know…” she said. “There’s not always time for beauty sleep when you’re saving the world. It hardly matters, anyway, now that your friend has changed me back…” She trailed off, remembering painfully that this would only last while they remained in the forest. Saria was nodding at her words, her blue eyes full of affection as she spoke.

“Yes, he certainly is special…” she said lovingly, referring to Midna’s mention of Vaati. Midna could attest to that. Anybody who could do what that young man had done for her was certainly someone to be considered. Plus, he wasn’t bad to look at, either: with that pale skin, and the red eyes, he almost held the appeal of a Twili, like herself, though just different enough. And then there was his attitude, the powerful but quiet type, so much unlike Link’s whining, incapable self. It was sexy.

“So…” Midna started, “you and Vaati are an item, then?” Saria’s smile flickered, her eyes narrowing a bit.

“Yes,” she said coolly. “We certainly are. I suppose you and Link are, as well?”

Midna was about to laugh at the ridiculous notion, when she saw that Ilia, whom had been happily running her fingers through her hair before, had suddenly tuned into the conversation. Midna smiled devilishly at Ilia, her voice full of mischief.

“Absolutely. The poor boy can’t get enough of me.” Saria, who seemed to notice Midna’s gaze, turned to face Ilia, as well. At first, the blonde looked genuinely sad. Just for a moment. Then she realized what Midna was doing, and her face turned from hurt to offense. She tried to look angry, but still was smiling. She made a big motion with her arm and splashed a big jet of water right in Midna’s face.

The Twili shook the matted hair out of her eyes, sputtering and coughing. She could hear Saria doing the same, apparently drenched herself. Midna quickly collected herself and retaliated with a splash of her own. She felt more water hit her from Saria’s direction, who apparently didn’t care who she hit at this point.

Another splash, and then another. Within moments the girls were churning the water at each other furiously, ducking and dodging and laughing with one another.

It settled a few moments later, when Ilia and Midna noticed that Saria was no longer participating. She was looking upward, towards the top of the waterfall. Ilia and Midna followed her gaze, in disbelief at what they saw.

“You’ve got to be kid-”
…

There was an echoing clash, and Link felt the sword fly from his slick grasp once more. Within seconds, Vaati’s thin rapier blade was at his throat. The mage eyed him with vague disappointment.

“Come on now,” he mocked casually, his cool tone of voice only making his words more cutting. “You cannot expect to win a duel if you can’t even hold onto your sword. It’s no wonder Zant defeated you so easily.”

Link crouched and retrieved the Master Sword from the grass, gripping tightly and propping his shield up with his right arm, readying his stance. They were in the woods, on some cliff-side path overlooking yet more trees. Vaati had been attempting to train him in swordplay, but Link was frustratingly slow to pick it up. “Again,” he said impatiently. Vaati nodded, steeping towards him.

Link parried the first blow with his shield, swinging wildly afterwards with his sword. The mage dodged effortlessly and thrust again, causing Link to step back, retreating. This was his most glaring flaw, Vaati seemed eager to remind him; he didn’t hold his ground.

Vaati stepped into Link’s retreat, closing the distance and pressing the tip of his blade once more to Link’s chest.

“You lose, again, Hero,” he said. “You are quite terrible. I know you’re new to this, but I was expecting a bit more…”

Link batted the rapier blade angrily away from his body. “Again, then,” he said shortly, once more taking the stance Vaati had taught him. He swung first this time, steeping in and catching the mage off guard. Vaati quickly recovered, but Link still held the advantage this time, matching him blow for blow, bucking with his shield to gain footing, pushing Vaati back.

They made their way along the path that way, stepping forward and back, swinging and thrusting and blocking. Though it was a better spar this time, Link was gradually being pushed back along the path, losing his ground.

He heard the approaching roar of water, and felt a fine mist dew his skin, mingling with the sweat as he parried and stepped back methodically, struggling to keep Vaati’s sword away from him. He took another step back and felt his heel hanging over the edge of the cliff. There was nowhere to go.

Vaati struck again, causing Link to buckle and crouch to absorb the blow. The mage prepared to strike again, but then stopped, his visible eye transfixed. Link followed his gaze, amazed that something would distract Vaati from a winning strike. He understood as soon as he saw what it was that had mesmerized him.

Below, at the bottom of the waterfall, was a small spring. The girls were down there; all three of them, Ilia, Saria, and Midna. They were all completely and wonderfully naked, laughing and jumping around in the water, splashing each other, veiled just slightly and very provocatively by the waterfall’s mist, completely unaware that Link and Vaati could see them.

A small part of Link told him that he should look away, that he was some kind of weird pervert for spying. A second, much stronger part told the first to please shut up. He looked up back at Vaati, who was standing over him, sword still raised, equally transfixed by the beautiful sight below. A thought crossed Link’s mind, and a smug grin played across his face. This was his chance.

Link kicked up his foot and pressed it to Vaati’s chest, kicking upwards in an effort to send him over the cliff. It worked.

Almost. Vaati made a small noise as he was caught off guard, dropping his sword, stumbling towards the edge, pin wheeling his arms for balance. Finally, gravity took it’s hold, and Vaati teetered over the edge. Link felt one sublime moment of victory; then he felt a hand clutch his tunic, and with the sensation came a feeling of regret. Oh, no…

Link rolled over the side of cliff, having been pulled by Vaati as he fell, the both of them now plummeting towards the water. Link saw the mage in the air next to him, his face calm even as he fell. Then there was a gust of strange wind, and Vaati was suddenly gone.

“You BAST-” was all that Link could exclaim before he hit the water. He plummeted deep, touching the bottom, before rising to the surface for air, gasping and choking; he really hated swimming. He looked and saw the girls. The three of them had surrounded him, glaring furiously. He tried frantically to explain.

“It’s not my-” He didn’t finish his sentence. A moment later there were hands all over, slapping at his head, water being splashed at him.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

“PERVERT!”

“WHY DO YOU ALWAYS RUIN EVERYTHING?!”

“PERVERT!”

GET OUT! GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT!”

“PERVERT!”

Vaati watched Link take the abuse from the cliff top, a safe distance away.

“Looks like I win this round, as well, Hero.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Finally, a new chapter. Sorry it took me so long. Hope you guys enjoy it, and thanks for all the support. Tell me what you think.