Chapter five: I will protect you

This girl I know needs some shelter
She don't believe anyone can help her

(...)

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection
Massive attack “Protection”



-Dad! Dad, wake up! Dad!-

-W-what?! What is it!?- Rusl sat up without opening his eyes. He could hear Shig moaning softly and Uli yawning beside him. But Colin kept shaking him by the arm urgently.

-It’s Link, dad! Link’s in trouble!-

--

-What the heck?!- an horrible roar woke Ilia up and she all but fell off the bed. He got up with a jump and ran towards the window, already thinking of what she would shout to Fado for letting a goat escape in the middle of the night...

“What the heck’s wrong with me? Goats can’t roar...”

It was until then that she saw the spider.

She saw Link’s friends leaving the house, followed by Bo.

-Bloody sky-flies!- exclaimed Shad.

Ashei rushed foward towards Link, but Shad grabbed her by the shoulder.

-Yo, clean your glasses. Link needs help!- growled Ashei

-We need to make a plan or we’ll all end up dead- said Shad –So no rushing-

-Can we help?-

Rusl and Colin were now moving running to them.

Ilia wanted to join them too, but...

“The princess needs me more than you do and if you were the same Ilia I used to know, you wouldn’t be trying to claim my attention by being mean to her”

She huffed angrily. The princess, eh?

-Let’s see if she can help you now- she thought, walking back to bed.

--

A pair of dragon-like creatures came out of the shadows behind the spider.

-That was easy- said one of them, his scales were of a dark green and his eyes were yellow. Link still struggled against the spiders, trying to release himself from the grasp around his neck, cutting his breath. His feet still moved from side to side, but his face was slightly purple.

-And those idiots said we ought to be carefull of this brat- added the other one; its eyes were yellow too, but his scales were of a lighter tone of green –Such a waste of time-

-We could have taken that little girl just like that-

-Yes-

-Speaking of which...- the dark-green creature looked around –Were is she?-

Suddenly, the spider gave a high pitched cry and realeased Link, who fell to the ground coughing madly and grasping his neck.

-Link! GO!-

The swordsman’s eyes widened and he searched around with his eyes frantically. Princess Zelda was next to the spider, one of the farming tools Ordonians used for the pumkin harvest on her hand.

And she had buried it deep inside the spider’s stomach from underneath its legs.

-P-p..prin...cess!- called Link, between coughs

-Link, just go!- she replied, twisting the tool inside the spider’s wound, threads of dark blood fell on her head. The beast gave a loud roar, unable to reach her due her position.

-Princess!-

-What part of RUN is the one you didn’t get?!- she exclaimed –Go! You can’t help me now!-

Link froze momentarily.

“...I...can’t?”

-There you are!- the dark-scaled monster leaped foward and hit the princess to the ground. The tool escaped her hands, but remained in the spider’s body, releasing a wide thread of blood to the ground -You’ve given us a lot of trouble, sweetums!-

-Always a pleasure- mocked the princess.

But Link could see her hands shook and her face had gone even paler than usual.

-No...get...away from her!- protested Link, trying to stand up. His hand flew towards the sheath of his sword, but he suddenly was covered by thick, sticky threads from head to toes. His insults and demands became muffled sounds under the threads.

-Link!- called the princess, trying to run to him. But the monster’s hand flew to her and caught her by the hair. With a satisfied smile, the creature dragged her backwards until his face almost touched hers.

-Well, I thought we wouldn’t be meeting again, little princess!- he said with a smile –I like your new hairstyle, but...did you seriously think that would fool me?- the spider made an attempt to reach the princess, but the creature raised a hand and made a slight motion towards the forest, telling it to leave. The spider obeyed.

-Let the boy go, Xmor!- spat the princess, ignoring the monster’s comment and staying as altive as she could –He has nothing to do with this!-

-Oh. So proud!- mocked the other monster, approaching –But I don’t think you’re in a position to demand anything, or not?-

-It is me you want!- spat the princess despitefull –If you have any idea of what “Honor” means...you’ll take me and leave him alone!-

A new wave of muffled screams came from the thread bundle.

Both scaled creatures laughed.

-How charming!- said Xmor, pulling her hair and throwing her to the ground –Hey, Kujin. How about a little fun?-

-Let’s hear about it-

The princess got to her knees, her body shaking slightly.

-How about...?- continued Xmor -...Making a Hylian kebob for our lord?- he jerked his head towards Link, who still struggled against the threads, trying to free himself.

Princess Zelda’s heart gave a leap.

-Sounds like fun- agreed Kujin, showing his tounge and shaking it, like a snake.

-Don’t you dare...-

Both creatures turned to the Princess. She was still on her knees, but she stared at them from between the blonde bangs that fell over her face. Even when her face was as calm as usual, her eyes were fierce and determined, like a pair of gray blazes in a statue’s face.

-Don’t you even dare to think about it...if you lay a finger on him...-

-I’m afraid you haven’t much guessed the situation you’re in, my little princess- mocked Kujin –We will do whatever we please and there’s just no way a filthy little bag of scum like you will stop us!-

-Now be quiet, before we forget our commission to deliver you alive- said Xmor

-Leave Link alone!- The princess jumped to her feet and started moving towards them. Not loosing time, Kujin’s hand flew towards the princess, hitting her straight in the inmaculate cheek and throwing her to the ground.

-I’m getting really bored of this- he said, unsheathing a dark, short sword –Let’s make a deal, Princess, if you come with us without making such a fuzz, I’ll allow you to see the boy’s face one last time before cutting his head off. How about that?-

The princess didn’t answer, she merely tried to get on her knees again.

-Kujin, you idiot!- said Xmor, half laughing –You’re going to kill her if she keeps it up-

-My bad- laughed the other monster, looking at the princess as she struggled to get in her knees –Gods, she’s really stubborn, isn’t she?-

Link could only hear as the whole matter took place.

“They hit her. That sound I heard could only be a slap. They dared to touch her!”

He struggled against the threads despairingly.

“And I can’t get out of this freaking thing! Damn it...damn it...!”

-Link- whispered someone near his left ear.

He froze.

“Colin?!”

--

-Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of these- whispered Colin, taking out a small knife and starting to cut the wide threads that surrounded Link’s body –Dad and the others are getting ready to get the monsters by the back, so as soon as I get you out of these...-

Link tried to tell him to go. To run away from the two fiends and that giant spider, but the threads blocked his mouth and Colin couldn’t guess what those muffled sounds meant.

--

Rusl observed the monsters from his position, crawling near the pumkin patch, were his smell would be concealed by the smell of the pumkins. As instructed, Colin was now silently dragging Link towards their house. He smiled. His son was a smart lad.

But his smile faded when he heard a second slap. The princess had tried to run to the monsters and her pale face had just been struck again.

“Those monsters...” he thought, revolted “They find her pain so amusing they don’t even notice what’s happening around them”

The princess tried to get to her feet again and Kujin stroke her down. Both of the monsters laughed merrily. Rusl looked away. His stomach ached with indignation and the hits smarted him as much as they must have been smarting the princess.

“I swear to you, princess” he thought, his fists tightening around his sword’s hilt “They shall pay for this, I swear it!”

--

She fell to the ground again.

As Colin heard the monsters laughing, he thought he had never wanted to hit someone so badly. He bit his lip as he cut the last threads on Link’s chest, allowing him to crawl out of the thread coat.

-Colin- he whispered, as he did –Go get Shad and Ashei back at Bo’s house. I haven’t got the slightest idea why they haven’t come yet...-

-Duh! I already told you! They’re over there. See?- he gave a slight head jerk towards the trees –Now, come over here, we must follow the pla...Link! What the heck are you doing?!-

The swordsman had unsheathed his sword and now walked towards the monsters.

-Link! Hey, come back!! Link!- he ran behind him –Come here, you idiot!-

--

-What in tarnation?!- exclaimed Shad in a whisper

-That air-head...- grunted Ashei in reprobation –This means we’ll have to start before time-

-Let’s go then-

--

This time,when Kujin hit the princess to the ground, she didn’t get to her feet again.

-What?- laughed the monster –Is that all you’ve got? Come on, get up--ouch!-

An arrow hit Kujin scaled skin.

-What...?- he turned –Oh, jo! If it isn’t that little brat from before?-

Link was walking towards him, bow in one hand and sword on the other. Colin, behind him, unsheathed his sword and tried to look as menacing as he could. Though it was hard.
-Get your hands off her!!- growled Link, keeping his bow and grabbing the sword with both hands.

-...Link...- whispered the princess, making a weak attempt to get to her knees again.

A drop of blood rolled down her face from the top of her head, between her eyes.

Thump!

Link’s heart gave a leap.

“...the best I can do is stop being a bother”

“Because...a person who is always afraid should learn to stand the fear...and right now I’m afraid...very afraid”

“Whatever and whoever I am, I don’t deserve your mercy”

“You can’t help me now!”

Link’s eyes widened. A deep, wild growl escaped his lips between his bare, gritted teeth

It only took a single drop of blood, rolling on that skin. Her eyes...her eyes...

He remembered her eyes all those times when she called herself a coward, or said she didn’t deserve to be saved, or that last, despairfull glance she had when she claimed he couldn’t save her...

And her eyes now, as the red stain extended over her ivory-like skin...

She was terrified.

Link leaped foward with a roar.

It was merely a moment, but before they could’nt do anything, Kujin had lost his head. The lizard-like head rolled on the grass, staining the grass and ground with a deep-blue, thick  liquid; his blood. His body stood for a moment or two, still shaking. Until it fell to the ground with a loud thud.

-What...?! How?!- Xmor stared at Link -Who are you?!-

Link’s eyes darted at him, shinning menacingly. With a growl, he moved foward, ready to strike.

Xmor took out a black sword and stopped the blow.

-That wasn’t necesary- he warned Link –I’m afraid this has become a matter of honor for me now-

-Don’t talk to me about honor, snake!!- spat Link pushing him, but not managing to shake him up.

-Whatever- shrudded the monster –I don’t need this-

He pushed Link away and walked back.

-Come here, you coward!!- roared Link.

His shoulders moved up and down, with every pant he gave. The Princess could have sworn his hair was starting to stand straight up and his eyes shone ever more menacingly.

And there was a glister in his forehead.

--

-What the...?!- exclaimed Shad, stepping back

-Oh, no...not again- muttered Ashei, running towards him.

Link’s shoulders moved faster.

-Link! Get a grip, boy!- exclaimed Ashei, grabbing his shoulder –Come on! Get ahold of yourself!- Link merely growled louder.

The glister on his forehead grew brighter. The princess could now see its shape. Her eyes stayed pinned on it, unbelieveing.

“It can’t be....that mark...”

The mark became red, glowing like a burning coal on Link’s forehead. Princess Zelda’s hands shook.

“It’s the same mark he had as a wolf!!”

Link’s growls became fiercer. Colin and Rusl stood and stared at his back, disconcerted and a bit scared.

Shad took a deep breath and ran towards Link too.

-Link!!- he called, not daring to touch him -Shake it off, my friend! You can do it!-

And he added in a quick whisper.

-Keep the wolf indoors, Link!-

The princess was puzzled. Her ears were very sharp and she heard the last whisper clearly.

“Wolf...indoors? They know about that?! But, how...?!”

Link’s left hand clenched and she could see the mark of the goddesses was glowing insistently. The triangles shone like a flame, hurting her eyes.

-Dude! Just calm down, yeah?!- called Ashei, probably having the hunch that Link wasn’t listening –Listen to me, stupid, don’t go all full moon on me, you hear me?!!-

Link’s teeth gritted. Another growl escaped his throat.

-He’s trying to hold on- whispered Shad -But just in case he doesn’t, you should warn Colin and his dad...-

-Link made us promise...-

-Unless he was endangering someone!-

Link’s growl became strangled roars.

-Ashei, just go!-

-Oh, no. Not on your life, Shadley-

--

This reminds me...when I first saw this kid...

The princess’s memories lit with an image from a mind that wasn’t hers.

When that boy fell to the ground, the mark on his hand started shinning. He looked like he was in a great pain or something....and then he screamed and began transforming into that wolf-thingie and passed out...and the mark stopped shinning

She understood.

“Midna....she saw it all happen, when he transformed into a wolf for the first time....but...that means....” her body shivered “Can he still transform, even after the Twilight dissapeared?!”

Bingo, blondie! But that’s not all of it...

Link gave another growl. This one was fiercer, like a real beast’s.

“He’s...Link’s loosing control over his transformations?!”

--

The hooded figure nodded softly.

-That’s right, lassie- a slight smile appeared on her lips -He must be really, really furious, then. Any idea why?-

--

Link’s fists tightened.

“Come on...calm down!!”

But he couldn’t. His voice had become a hoarse, fierce sound and he could feel his teeth, strugling to bite, to tear something, to rip flesh open.

And that sharp pain in his forehead.

“No, it won’t happen again...not what happened on Kirehi...I won’t let it happen again!”

But he found he couldn’t stop himself. And he couldn’t warn anyone to go away, he could just stand there, feeling his body changing into a murderous beast and his thoughts becoming blurry already.

--

CRUSHHHHHH!!!!

The princess barely got out of the way in time to dodge the giant leg that almost crushed her.

“It’s still alive?!” she thought, trying to get up “I can’t believe it’s so reluctant”

The giant spider raised on her bottom legs, displaying its enourmus fangs, ready to strike on whoever stood on its way.

Who happened to be Link, Ashei and Shad.

-Link, we have to move!- exclaimed Shad

-Unless you’re looking foward on becoming a carpet!- added Ashei.

But Link wouldn’t listen. In fact, he stepped foward, challenging the spider to attack with a growl.

-Well, well- came Xmor’s voice from among the trees –And I thought brave didn’t mean stupid...-

Princess Zelda looked around anxiously.

“I have to...I have to find something...anything...that can help!”

Oh, crud. I’m beggining to think you’re not as smart as I thought

“Not now! Link’s in danger!”

You know he’s always found other people’s lives more important than his own

“That’s it”

The princess turned to the pumpkin patch.

--

Xmor’s toad-like laughter echoed on the forest.

-Whatever. Not much of a loss, I daresay- he laughed again –Spider...crush them!-

A giant leg shot towards Link.

-Link!- called Colin and Rusl in unisone.

-STOP!!-

Surprisingly, the spider stopped, Link’s eyes widened.

-Link, don’t!! Stop!- seemed to call two voices; two female voices Link knew too well...

He turned.

There stood Princess Zelda, her chin up, her eyes set on him.

And she was holding the tip of a small knife against her throat.

The mark on Link’s forehead grew dimmer.

-Princess, no!- he called, his voice back to normal.

-Your higness!!- called Rusl too.

-Don’t do it!!- called Colin, terrified.

-Now, now- came Xmor’s voice, and with the sound of his voice, the spider backed away slightly –We both know you don’t really want to, little princess. I can see your hands are shaking from here-

Indeed, Princess Zelda’s hands shook a lot, but her expression was determinate.

-I’ll do it unless you leave this village now-

-But you’re a coward, princess- laughed Xmor, although his voice sounded less confident than before -I can still remember the terror in your eyes when we ran through the batterfield, slaughtering all your faithfull soldiers...the expression of a terrified child! Even in an act such as suicide...you need to have guts!-

-What would you rather do?- asked the princess as coldlyl as she could –Take your chances and explain whoever sent you to get me why you lost the price or leave the hunt for another day?-

Silence...

-...Very well, your higness. But let’s make a deal...-

The princess merely blinked.

-My troops have this village completely surrounded, so there’s just no way you can escape...nevertless, I’m willing to withdraw my men from this territory...-

Princess Zelda held her breath.

-...IF you send that savage boy to fight me in your name-

She blinked again, and her eyes moved towards Link.

-Link...?!-

-The very day he heads to the southern territory, sword in hand, my troops will leave this place without a trace. If he manages to defeat me, I’ll take him to my superiors so he can...negociate with them...-

-As if!- muttered Link –You...-

-But if I win, he will enter my service as my loyal minion!-

-Xmor...you...- muttered the Princess

-Take it or leave it!-

She bit her lip, doubtfull.

“No...what should I do? It’s not my descicion to make at all...”

-I’ll take it!- called Link.

She stared softly. The tip of the kife scratched her skin slightly.

-What?!-

-I said I’ll take it- repeated Link –But you’d better listen, snake. I won’t have mercy on someone who finds pain so amusing...so don’t expect me to forgive you for everything you’ve said and done today-

-We have a deal then- said Xmor, with a small laughter. The sound seemed to move away, and so did the spider, until the only sound left was the river, flowing inceasantly.

Colin’s shook slightly and his father put a hand on his shoulder, trying to confort him. Ashei blinked a couple of times, like making sure it wasn’t an ilussion, Shad took off his glasses to wipe them.

The princess was still frozen in the same position, the tip of the knife still against her throat. Her mind was a rumble.

“So...so...even when I tried so hard to keep him out of this...even when I didn’t want him to get involved in my mistakes anymore...”

Her hand shook and she let go off the knife. It fell exactly where she had found it, between the harvesting tools.

You should already know. He’s the type of person who cares about everything and everyone

Link was walking towards her, a slightly worried look on his face.

-Princess..? Are you OK?-

-Link...- she muttered, her vision blurrying -...please, don’t save me...-

The world turned of a shade of gray as she started to fall into a void.