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The Legacy of Z II
Topic Started: Feb 10 2009, 07:56:31 PM (2,236 Views)
Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Having just left Medigoron's Powder Keg shop, Z noticed many Gorons standing outside chatting, cleaning, playing and doing other general daily activities. Feeling it wasn't a good time to socialize, he simply walked up the ramp leading to the bridge out of the village. While walking he continued looking around, enjoying the serene atmosphere but as he gazed away from the area where people were socializing, he noticed one Goron sticking out like a sore thumb....)

Z: *Looking down* What's he doing?

(The Goron he was watching was isolated from everyone else and steadily walking toward the ledge of the mountain. He looked around to see if anyone else saw him but none were looking in his direction.)

Z: ...Ok.

(He kept walking up the ramp but at a much slower pace as he was curious to see what exactly this Goron was doing. As the Goron was getting closer to the edge, pieces of his conversation with Medigoron flashed into his head and an eerie vibe came over him...Something wasn't right.)

(Again, he looked around to see if anyone was watching but nothing had changed. Now he became uneasy, the Goron was getting dangerously close to the edge and didn't appear to be stopping anytime soon. In a desperate attempt to stop him, he started running down the ramp and tried to get his attention.)

Z: Hey! Hey!

(But the Goron continued aimlessly walking toward the ledge. It was serious now and he started running as fast as he possibly could down the ramp. Now at the base level, he turned and started running toward the Goron, who was now only a step away from certain death. He tried to get his attention again and yelled...)

Z: Stop! Stop! *Huff* What the hell are you doing!?

(He didn't respond. He just stood on the ledge and looked down allowing Z just enough time to reach him before he presumably plunged to his death. He took a moment to catch his breath before asking...)

Z: Are you trying to kill yourself?

(He didn't answer. So Z tried again...)

Z: ...What are you doi... SHIT!

(The suicidal Goron walked off the edge of the mountain. A stunned Z instinctively reached out and got a hold of his arm, preventing his death for now. But the Goron's weight was too much for him and now the challenge was bringing him back to safety. And to top off this already daunting task, the suicidal Goron had become hysterical...)

Goron: *Crying* I, I don't wanna die!! I don't wanna die!

(Surprisingly, at least to Z, "he" wasn't a "he" at all. This suicidal Goron was a female...)

Z: *Struggling* ...You're a...girl? ugh If you...didn't want to...die ugh .... why the...*Huff* *Huff* fuck... would...you...jump!? *Huff*

Goron: *Sniff* Please! Help me! *Sniff* H-h-help me!

(She wasn't making it any easier for him as she was frantically shaking around. He was red in the face trying to pull her up but he knew he couldn't, not without her help...)

Z: *Struggling* ...Argh!!! *Huff* *Huff* You... just...pull ugh...your...self... up! *Huff*

(He wasn't getting through to her. She was too scared to think about anything other than dying. Her fear of death couldn't have come at a worse time as he was losing his grip.)

Z: *Struggling* Pull...!! ...Up! *Huff* ...Pull ugh... *Huff* *Huff* yourself...up!!

Goron: *Terrified* ...I don't wanna die! P-p-please don't l-l-let me....!!

Z: *Struggling* I....*Huff*

(It was inevitable. The strength in his arm was gone and she was too hysterical to pull herself up. But as she was slipping out of his hand, he felt a strong pull at his legs.)

Z: ...Huh?

(And then another, much stronger one came. Strong enough to pull both him and the suicidal Goron back over the ledge. Both were filled with a strange mix of emotions, terrified over nearly dying and overjoyed to be alive. While they were catching their breaths, a group of Gorons revealed themselves to be the ones who helped them.)

Goron: Are you two okay?

Z: ...Super.

(He looked over at the suicidal Goron. She was still trying to catch her breath. One Goron knelt down and started talking to her.)

Goron: Adira, what happened?

(She didn't pay any attention to him and continued breathing heavily.)

Goron: ...Adira? Say something!

(She didn't answer. Before the Goron went nuts, Z intervened and answered him...)

Z: She tried to kill herself...

(They were stunned; they couldn't believe it and became angry with him.)

Goron: You lie, boy! Argh.... What did you do to her!?

(They formed a circle around him, their noses were fuming and they were preparing to attack. As the strength in his right arm was still gone, he grabbed the handle of his blade with his left hand, preparing his defense...)

(But before anything ugly could happen, Adira snapped back to reality...)

Adira: No, wait! Leave him alone!

(Everyone stopped and looked at her. She stood up and continued...)

Adira: He saved my life... Please don't hurt him.

(They stared at her for a few moments before backing away from Z, who was still ready to defend himself at any moment.)

Goron: ...So Adira, what this boy says is true? You tried to kill yourself?

(Ashamed, she looked down at the ground as she answered.)

Adira: ...Yes.

Goron: WHY!? What could drive you to attempt suicide!?

(She paused. Seeing that everyone was focused on her now, Z stood up and backed away a bit, giving himself a head start in case anything unexpected happened.)

Goron: Answer me, Adira!

Adira: I... I *Sigh* ...I was scared.

Goron: Of what?

Adira: All this talk that Gorons were going to be persecuted and how the Demon's attacks were just the first sign that the gods were angry with us... I thought I would die soon anyway... I just wanted it to be quick and without bloodshed...

Goron: But that's no reason to try and kill yourself... Adira, you are lucky to be alive!

(She began to cry. Watching this scene unfold, Z thought about Kafei. He became disgusted at how one man's ambition could have such a subtle though profound effect on individuals and society as a whole. And it was all for his own benefit; the individuals affected, their lives and stories didn't matter. This made him think of someone else...)

(A variety of thoughts swirled in his head for a brief moment before the Gorons demanded his attention.)

Z: ...What...!

(They looked at him strangely but started walking toward him.)

Goron: Thank you for saving Adira.

(The Goron extended his hand for a shake and they shook.)

Z: The real credit belongs to you.

(The Goron smiled and walked off. The others did as he did and shook his hand. When they all left, he started to head back up the ramp but noticed Adira was still around.)

Z: You ok?

(She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up at him.)

Adira: Yes. I... *Sigh* Thank you for saving my life.

Z: Don't worry about it. I'm sorry you felt like you had no other choice, though.

Adira: ...

Z: Life's too short as it is. And it may not be all roses but death isn't really an escape from all of life's troubles. There's no dignity or freedom in it, you're just dead. ...Enjoy the time you have here with your friends and family, let the end come when it comes, don't bring it on yourself.

(She smiled and replied...)

Adira: Thank you. ...Experiencing that opened my eyes to just how precious life really is.

Z: Near death experiences will usually do that. At least for a few months anyway... Times may be hard but giving up doesn't help anyone, it just creates a bigger problem.

(She silently nodded her head in agreement assuring him that she really did understand how valuable her life was.)

Adira: Your loved ones are lucky to have you in their life.

(Just as he was about to answer, he stopped and thought about what she said. But as he was wrapping himself in deep thoughts, he snapped out of it and replied...)

Z: ...Yeah.

(He started walking up the ramp but she stopped him.)

Adira: Wait! *Smiles* I'd like to know the name of the person who saved my life.

(He pointed over to the Gorons and answered...)

Z: They saved your life, I just gave them the opportunity to. And you can just remember me as "Z."

(He waved her goodbye and walked away. He took one last look at the village and the sunset before leaving...)

(It was back to Clock Town now. He had learned some important information regarding the explosions but that's not where his thoughts were. Adira's suicide attempt was an eye opener; it forced him to look back at his past actions. But even during this moment of reflection, the issue of Damian reared it's ugly head once again...)

(A stranger waited at the midway point of the two bridges outside of the village. He was in his thirties and had a pale complexion but glowing blonde hair. His hair was the only part of him glowing though as he gave off a dark, ominous presence usually associated with muggers.)

???: Hello, friend.

(Suspicious of this individual, Z acknowledged him with a simple nod and continued on his way. Unfortunately, his suspicions proved correct as the man followed him and tapped his shoulder. He quickly pulled out his sword and turned around. The man jumped back and smiled...)

???: You really are the type that doesn't beat around the bush! Fine by me.

Z: What do you want!?

???: I'm just here to warn you. Stop snooping around in places you have no business in...

Z: A message from Damian?

???: We both know the answer to that question.

Z: Let's make a deal, you tell me who he is or at least what he looks like and I'll stop.

???: Cute. But I'm just the messenger, I don't know what he looks like. And so long as I get paid good rupees, I honestly don't care.

Z: Then you can tell Damian that I'm not gonna stop hunting him.

???: Anyone ever told you, you're very cocky? But I suppose you do have some reason to be arrogant, you are special but I'd say you're also fragile like fine dinnerware, wonderful on display but you'll shatter with just the slightest fall...

(He knew that the man's job was to get inside of his head but knowing and resisting were two different things. His anger was rising with each word that was said and a full confrontation was on the verge of ensuing...)

Z: Who are you!?

???: I told you, a messenger. Our link to the world above. But if you mean my name, it's Dhani.

(With that he smiled and started walking away. As he passed Z, he turned and said...)

Dhani: Just know that you've been warned, Z! This has nothing to do with you and I'd hate to see more unfortunate "accidents" happen to decent people.

(That was it. Z exploded into a rage and launched himself at him, unleashing an assault not seen since his battle with Alvius. He let go of his blade and ripped into Dhani's face with his fists, deriving a primal pleasure from the feeling of his fists shattering every facial bone Dhani had. He was helpless to defend himself and Z showed no mercy, he choked him by digging his bloody right thumb into his throat and repeatedly pummeled his face with his other hand. This continued until Dhani's face was completely red and gruesomely disfigured...)

(Dhani unsurprisingly was dead. And he finally stopped. He looked at the dead body, then at his hands and went to grab his sword. He wasn't thinking clearly, his rage hadn't settled and he walked off, leaving the body where it was. Dhani had delivered a verbal message and he answered with a physical one. Moments after he left the area and entered the Mountain Village, the man in black appeared and carried Dhani's body away for reasons unknown...)

(His encounter with Dhani clouded his mind as he was climbing down the mountain. Ironically, it wasn't the actual murder that bothered him, he had killed before and knew the feeling but the rage...That was disturbing. And he knew why, he fought Dhani but in his mind, it wasn't him... But like before, his thoughts were interrupted just as he was diving into the heavy stuff. This time, however, it was an interruption from a welcomed party.)

Goron Guard: Hello, again! Did you find the village?

(It was the Goron leader and his guards. Apparently, the meeting was over and judging by their dispositions this time around, it went well.)

Z: ...Yes. I found the village, thank you for your directions, they helped.

Goron Guard: I'm glad.

(Z casually smiled and continued heading down. The Gorons continued on their way as well but as they crossed paths, Derrion, the Goron leader looked closely at his face and asked...)

Derrion: What is your name?

Z: Huh?

Derrion: Your name. What is it?

Z: "Z."

Derrion: Z? You mean...The "Z," from Hyrule?

Z: ...That would be me.

(They stopped and he did the same.)

Derrion: I apologize for not introducing myself before, I'm Derrion, current leader of the Goron tribe. I just came back from Clock Town and had received word you were in Termina but it wasn't until after I left that I realized you weren't at Kafei's office. If you don't mind me asking... Why were you in our village?

(He wasn't sure how to answer but quickly came up with something...)

Z: I wanted to get out of stuffy Clock Town so I decided to take a tour of Snowhead and went to your village.

Derrion: Ah, I see. Well, were you treated cordially?

Z: As well as anyone.

Derrion: Good. Well, it was nice to finally meet you. I won't hold you any longer, be sure to visit us again.

Z: Will do.

(They parted ways. About two hours later, he reached the North Clock Town gate and entered. Since it was fairly late, there wasn't much activity on the north side of town albeit, there's never much activity in this part of town anyway. That being said, he went on his way and entered the western section of town a few minutes later... There were a few people out including performers practicing, fools playing the lottery and others at the bank. He saw the guards standing outside of the Trading Post or Kafei's office as it was being called, they were as serious as ever, not uttering a word to him as he tried to enter.)

Z: ...It's locked?

(Before he could knock, the door opened and he entered. Oddly, everyone was in the main area and those who weren't teary-eyed or wearing a mask had lifeless expressions on their faces. There was an unsettling air in the room as they all stared at him without saying a word and then he thought the worst when he saw one person missing...)

(Maria stood up, she was teary-eyed and started walking toward him. At this point, his fears were all but confirmed until she spoke...)

Maria: Z... Rauru passed...

(Everything came crashing down on him. He didn't respond; he just sat on the floor, sighed and glanced at ceiling....)

I: End
Edited by Bx, Jun 18 2009, 11:19:34 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
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Interlude: Dark Side of the Moon

(An eerily serene scene comes into view. It's a peaceful meadow with four children playing around a single tree. The hero runs to these children and notices each wearing a mask of a monster he'd defeated. To find out just what was going on, he approached one of the children...)

Odolwa Mask Child: Heh, heh... Thanks... You're nice. Umm... Can I ask... a question? Your friends... What kind of... people are they? I wonder... Do these people... think of you... as a friend?

(Before he could answer, the hero is mysteriously warped into another world and must complete the trials ahead of him. He does so easily and finds himself warped back to the meadow. Now only three children remain playing. With no other option, he approaches another playing child...)

Goht Mask Child: Heh, heh... Thanks...You're nice. Umm... Can I ask...a question? What makes you happy? I wonder...what makes you happy...does it make...others happy, too?

(Again, he found himself unable to answer as he warped to yet another world. Just as before, he completed the trials set in front of him and found himself back in the strange meadow. Something wasn't right... He desperately looked for some type of exit but there wasn't one. Now only two children were playing so he did the only thing he could... He approached one.)

Gyorg Mask Child: Heh, heh... Thanks...You're nice. Umm... Can I ask...a question? The right thing...what is it? I wonder...if you do the right thing...does it make...everybody...happy?

(Unsurprisingly though very much to his chagrin, the hero found himself in another world facing another set of trials. He succeeded in completing the trials and found himself back in the meadow. Only one child was left playing, realizing he didn't have much of a choice, he approached this final playing child and received another freaky response...)

Twinmold Mask Child: Heh, heh... Thanks... You're nice. Umm... Can I ask... a question? Your true face... What kind of... face is it? I wonder... The face under the mask... Is that... your true face?

(As expected, the hero ended up in another world facing new challenges. He finished the final challenge and hoped that he would not end up back in the meadow....but he did. He couldn't believe it, he couldn't imagine being stuck in this meadow forever... There were no children left and he was still here.)

(Losing all hope, he walked to the tree and prepared to sit down when he noticed one final child, sitting alone wearing Majora's Mask. Stunned to have missed this, the hero pulled out his sword and carefully approached this child who immediately looked up at him and said...)

Lonely Child: Do you want to play with me? OK, let's play good guys and bad guys... I'll be the good guy, and you be the bad guy...

(The child handed him a strange mask and like before, he warped into another world but this one was different; it was a single room, there were no trials, just psychedelic colors swirling around.)

(This was a room of evil, the childless and enlarged Majora's Mask began to float in the air and after looking into the hero's eyes, strange tentacles came out of it. The hero, still holding the strange mask he was given reluctantly placed it on his face to counter the evil before him and a monstrous transformation ensued....The hero grew several feet, became far more muscular and held a different, though more powerful blade in his hands and his shield was gone. And a battle began between him and Majora's Mask; the power flowing through his body was more than enough to defeat the simple attacks of the mask even after it enlisted the help of the four monster masks the children wore...)

(But Majora wasn't defeated yet. The mask floated in the air once again and grew arms, legs, and a small head with a single eye. This more psychotic version of the mask, nimbly danced around the hero, leaving trails of afterimages in it's erratic path. However, the hero, in his powerful new form was able to overpower the mask once again and this incarnation was quickly beaten...)

(But the battle still hadn't been won. Using the last of it's strength, Majora transformed once again. This time, it's limbs grew more muscular, it's tentacles reappeared and a full head came into view. It's appearance was far more demonic and it's behavior was less erratic and more calculated.)

(This version of Majora unleashed it's wrath by using a combination of the whipping, dancing and magic techniques seen in it's previous forms. And just as before, though not as easily, the hero defeated this form of Majora. Finally beaten, the mask fell to the ground and slowly began to disintegrate. But as it did, it spoke to the hero....)

Majora: ...Excellent. ...Excellent.

(While the mask was speaking, the hero took his own mask off and reverted back to his normal state...)

Majora: Heh... Heh...

(He ignored the chattering mask, sensing that even in it's final moments, it's only ambition was to try and manipulate him in the way it had so many others. He made sure he was prepared to exit through the portal that appeared on the ground and walked to it...)

Majora: ...Heh. You know...You're far worse than I am.

(Hearing this, the hero turned around and looked at the mask. Slowly but surely, it was crumbling to nothing but he was now curious to hear what it was saying...)

Majora: ...With me, what you see is what you get. Weak children and power mad fools are the only ones who can't see through my facade. Sure, to your kind I am insane, I would have destroyed everything in my path... Ha, ha, ha... But I wasn't kidding when I said I was the good guy and you were the bad.

(Majora was displaying his insanity once again and the hero knew it. Still, he was curious. He needed to hear the insanity, he was drawn to it. So he stayed there, listening to it's final words as the mask was disintegrating into oblivion...)

Majora: ...There is no universal evil in this world but my... You're the closest thing to it. Even more so than that so called "King of Evil," you defeated and sealed away.... He is like me, you know what you're getting with him unless of course, you're a power mad fool. Heh. ...Power mad fools are the easiest to manipulate and that "King of Evil" found himself quite the host, eh? Ha, ha, ha... And that brings us to you.

(He was stunned. Majora knew about Ganondorf. And it was becoming apparent that maybe it's words weren't simply an insane cry for attention but something much deeper. Either way, he was hooked and continued listening...)

Majora: I am the good guy! ...Sure, I would have brought about the end of this world but it would have been quick and relatively painless! YOU! I was saving everyone from you.... The suffering that you're going to cause, ha, ha, ha... The death! You will murder more in death than all the wars the world will ever see combined!

(This was madness... There was no way that what he was saying could possibly be true. Simply thinking about it made him tremble and terrifying images infested his mind...)

Majora: Ha, ha, ha... You couldn't answer the questions those children asked, could you? But I already know the answers... And so do you. Don't waste your time trying to explain yourself... You're a monster. It's always been within, do you think that mask I gave you was simply a coincidence? Heh... No.

(He exploded into a twisted laughter; the hero watched in horror...)

Majora: ...Yes. You're a descendant of the deity represented within that mask. And oh.... What a horror he truly was. That is the image of a cursed figure and you too are doomed just as he was... His inability to control his self-indulgences: murder, power, destruction were his downfall and they will be yours as well. Ha... You will be worshiped like the god he was and you will fall like him because ultimately even you cannot control your ambition...

(These were the most frightening words he had ever heard. Majora was nearly gone but the worst of it's prophecy regarding the future was still to come...)

Majora: ...That's right. Your two loves will allow you to manipulate and be manipulated. Both will lead to your early demise and the world left in your wake will become a bleak, disparaged one... The first of your countless posthumous murders will come not long after you are buried. You will be gone from this world but it will already be too late... The world be buried under your mistakes and a seed will be forced to dig it out.... The question that remains however... is whether there will be anything left even if that seed were successful....

(The mask had only a fraction of it's eye still left. It's end was approaching but the hero could not enjoy this moment. The words of Majora burned through him...)

Majora: ...But you are the divine hero chosen by the "gods?" There is no way that my words can be true, right? Ha, ha, ha... I think I'll allow you to cling onto that for as long as you can, after all, it is your one glimmer of hope in regards to the validity of my prophecy... And it's more fun for me that way.

(Little was left of the mask and Majora left him his final words...)

Majora: It's a bitter life, isn't it? So as I go, I ask you.... What is the true face behind your mask, Link?

(And with that, the mask and presumably Majora himself completely disintegrated. Instantly, Link was transported back to Termina... Ironically, in his final and perhaps most sinister act, the prophecy he fed Link was no longer in his head and all were left with only fragmented memories of what really happened...)


Interlude: End
Edited by Bx, Jun 19 2009, 08:40:07 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
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II: ...The Ones We Love

(For me, Rauru will always be the forgotten Sage... That's not a slight to his memory, however, it's just that in the little time I spent with him, his ways were far more subtle than the other Sages. We held a small, private funeral outside of Clock Town, everyone who knew him attended except Z. But that was him for you... Always testing others limits and making it very difficult to have any kind of relationship with him... I knew Rauru's death bothered him but not going to pay your last respects to the man, to me, that was inexcusable...)

(But like I said... That's Z, he's always been that way and I couldn't imagine him otherwise. Of course, that didn't make the next week any easier... He barely spoke to any of us and spent most of his time alone at Great Bay, fishing. I followed him one afternoon and finally confronted him...)

Maria: Z...?

(He turned around looked at me. I knew by his expression that he was surprised to see me.)

Z: ...You followed me?

Maria: Yeah.

Z: Why?

("Why?" If he's asking questions with such obvious answers then maybe this is worse than I thought...)

Maria: Because you've barely said a word to anyone for the past week. You're gonna spend the rest of your life fishing, now?

(I upset him. But I wanted to... If he can challenge us without any inhibitions than we can do the same.)

Z: What's wrong with fishing?

Maria: Nothing. But it's all you do now. Come on, just tell me what's wrong.

(He didn't answer. In fact, he turned around and cast his line. I was tired of being passive so I reached out, grabbed the fishing rod and tossed it into the bay. He turned and looked at me with a burning rage in his eyes but I didn't care, I did the right thing...)

Z: What the hell are you doing?!

Maria: You should ask yourself that...

(He started pacing back and forth; he was furious and then oddly enough he calmly stopped, looked out at the sea for a brief moment and turned to me...)

Z: ...I just wanted a break.

("Finally," I thought, he will tell me what's really bothering him...)

Z: Since I arrived, I haven't had a moment's rest. I needed to take some time for myself.

(I felt bad now... And a little insensitive. But he kept on...)

Z: I killed a man. ...On Snowhead.

(I was disturbed by that statement but I didn't say anything, I just allowed him to tell me the rest of his experience at Snowhead.)

Z: ...And that's what happened.

Maria: Wow.

(I had a mix of emotions, I loved how he saved the Goron from suicide but I was horrified by his murder of Damian's messenger. I didn't know what to really think, he explained to the Goron how valuable life was but only moments later, he so viciously took another man's life. "What's really going on in his head...?," that was my only clear thought at this point.)

(I was at a loss for words and so was he. I stared at the ground while he watched the Clock Tower. There was nothing left for me to say and as if he sensed my thoughts, he finally broke our silence.)

Z: I didn't go to the funeral because I didn't want to see Rauru buried anywhere but in his home, Hyrule. ...I thought I was honoring him by not attending but I was only being a self-righteous jerk. Too concerned with my own feelings to worry about anyone else, even my dead friend.

(And at that moment, I felt that he'd finally turned the corner. Again, I didn't say anything, though, I just let him speak...)

Z: ...Link.

(This was a sensitive topic. He never spoke about his father; he was venting, finally.)

Z: I learned who Link really was after Alvius died. I learned how much of a self-serving, manipulative asshole he was. And it was all through his own words.

Maria: What?

Z: Remember the journal that Alvius spoke about? The one that he said my father had written, the one that was stolen?

Maria: Yes. You were the one who stole it?

Z: No. The real "hero" did.

("Huh? Real hero? What's he talking about...?" He was the one who stopped Alvius. I was confused and asked him...)

Maria: Who is the "real hero," Z?

Z: Eagles.

Maria: That Zora...? But didn't y...?

Z: He was watching over us the entire time. If it wasn't for him, Alvius would have been victorious. He did all the dirty work and left helpful items that saved my life, both of our lives actually.

Maria: ...Really?

Z: Yeah. I just the closed the deal, he made it all possible.

(I could tell he wasn't lying or being modest. It was an honest account of what happened but that didn't make hearing it feel any less strange. His story was already being romanticized but I guess he really didn't see himself as a "hero." Maybe that title is thrown around too much but still... To me, he'll always be the hero of that catastrophe.)

Z: He gave me Link's journal and I read it on the boat ride over. ...Like I said, I learned who he really was. Not that biased "hero worship" crap that everyone was feeding me before. Not telling me the truth, that bothered me. I lost respect for the Sages and began to despise those who were ignorant enough to revere that man that I read about.

(I suspected that he held resentment for his father but I didn't know how deeply it went... The look in his eyes changed, no longer complacent but full of anger. I knew he wasn't going to try and hurt me but it was very unnerving seeing him like this...)

Z: ...I stalled coming here because I didn't want to be reminded of his memory. But he was everywhere, I couldn't find an escape and that's why I'm here now.

Maria: But Z...

Z: His mess. That's what we've all been forced to clean up. He should have died sooner then maybe things wouldn't be as bad as they are now...

(What a thing to say... He's completely vilified his father. I could never understand that line of thinking, the memory of my father is one of the most cherished things I have. And he'd want nothing more than to rid himself of his.)

Maria: Is that what's been bothering you this entire time?

Z: For the most part.... But I'm through wasting time talking about him. He's done enough as it is... I missed the last moments of my friend's life and no I'm not happy about that but I'm through feeling sorry for myself an...

(He stopped. His eyes lit up, I knew that look. Something important donned on him...)

Z: ...Last moments of a life. Maria, have Kafei's kids been by to see him since that day we saw them?

(I really wasn't expecting that, to say the least. But I answered...)

Maria: No, not that I know of... Why?

Z: If your father was nearly killed recently, wouldn't you try to see him as much as possible? More than once, at least...

Maria: ...Yeah.

Z: That's right. Which means something's wrong... Come on, we're gonna go find out what.

(He started heading back to Clock Town and I followed. Somehow through all of that, he found a way to get back to his hunt for Damian. As is always the case when I deal with him, I had a mixed feelings. I was glad that he opened up a bit and told me what was bothering him but at the same time.... I knew he hadn't told me everything. He gave me a sampling but nothing is ever as simple as he'd like to make it seem with him...)
Edited by Bx, Jun 19 2009, 11:52:00 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(They reached West Clock Town a few hours after their meeting on the beach. But their destination was in East Clock Town, the Stock Pot Inn. Maria had a room there while Z was refused service due to his crude attitude toward the owners, Kafei's children. Along the way, in South Clock Town, they spotted a group of men being fitted with armor and weaponry. It was strange because there were no openings for the Town Guard but they found out what they were doing when they read a sign on the wall.)

"Tired of running away? Tired of living in fear? Tired of keeping your children inside? Do you want to go down in history as a legendary hero? If so, sign up to be a Demon Hunter. Search for the plague that has ruined out great nation and taken the lives of our loved ones. Don't let their deaths be in vain, they deserve to be dignified! Take the challenge! Success means that you will be remembered as a legend! 400,000 rupee prize guaranteed for the person or persons who slay the Demon!"

(After reading the sign, Z looked at the ragtag group getting fitted for armor. They were some of the sloppiest, straggliest-looking guys you could find. Out of shape and probably just money hungry, he knew these men had no idea what they were getting themselves into...)

Z: ...They're sending them out to die. Look at those guys, Maria.

Maria: I know. It's sad.

Z: Hmph. Taking advantage of others misery... Guys like Kafei are good for that.

(She knew where this was going so before he could say anything, she kept heading toward East Clock Town. He followed behind and they reached the inn.)

Z: It's pretty late. You've got your key, right?

Maria: Yeah.

(She pulled out her key and tried it on the door but was surprised to find it still open.)

Maria: ...I guess I didn't need it after all. It's still open.

(She opened the door and walked inside. Kafei's daughter Chloe was waiting at the front desk.)

Chloe: Hello, Maria.

Maria: Hi.

(When Z walked in, her disposition changed drastically.)

Chloe: Maria! That boy is NOT allowed in here! I thought you knew that.

(She looked at her without a response. And Z simply ignored her and kept walking. Chloe became irate...)

Chloe: What are you doing!? Can you not hear!? I said LEAVE! Maria, get him out of here!!

(But she didn't move and he walked up to the front desk while Chloe began screaming...)

Chloe: JAMES! JAMES! We have a problem!

(Several people staying at the inn came downstairs to see what all the commotion was about. Seeing them painted embarrassment across her face as she looked at them and said...)

Chloe: ...Just go back upstairs. It's nothing serious, you're in no danger, we're just having a misunderstanding!

(They ignored her and continued watching.)

Chloe: ...JAMES! GET IN HERE!!

(And he finally showed up. His eyes were heavy, she had obviously woken him from sleep.)

James: *Yawn* Wha...?

(She looked at him and continued yelling.)

Chloe: When I say I need you, that means I need you! You should have been here minutes ago! What if there was an attacker?!

(He yawned again. Having seen (and heard) enough, Z banged his fist on top of the desk getting their attention.)

Z: There wasn't an attacker so stop exaggerating this. You're scaring your customers...

(He pointed to the people still watching by the stairs. They were wide-eyed, obviously frightened. Seeing this, her fury calmed a bit and she gave them a phony smile...)

Chloe: Eh...Everything's ok! Really, I uh...

(She couldn't get the words out so Z helped...)

Z: She mistook me for an intruder, that's all. It's been a long day, it was just an overreaction. Have a good night.

(They bought it... Well, not really. But they did go back upstairs and she breathed a sigh of relief.)

Z: ...You're welcome. *Looks at James* You can go back to bed too.

(James, who was standing asleep, opened his eyes and thanked him before heading back to his room. Chloe watched as he walked off but didn't say anything. When he was out of sight, she turned to Z and sighed...)

Chloe: ...Thanks. Sorry about that.

(She kept her head down while speaking to him. Being a very prideful individual, she was embarrassed by her own actions and the fact that he had helped her.)

Z: ...Don't worry about it. At least we know your lungs work.

(She meekly chuckled.)

Chloe: ...You can have a room, I suppose.

Z: I don't want one.

(Maria's eyes widened.)

Z: I came here because I need to ask you something, a personal question.

(She looked up at him.)

Chloe: What?

Z: Your father. Are you angry with him?

(The "meek" Chloe went away and the fiery one came back...)

Chloe: Your nerve... Why would you ask me something like that!?

Z: Because you've only visited your dad once. He nearly died in that explosion. Concerned children would have visited more often.

Chloe: Are you implying that I do not care about my father? You're a pretentious...

Z: I'm not implying anything. I'm asking you why you haven't shown up. There's two of you running this inn, you don't have any excuse for not taking a few hours out of the day to see your dad unless... you're angry with him.

Chloe: I have visited my father more than once for your information!

Z: You're screaming again. Anyway, what do you think of that white mask he's covering his face with? Personally, I think he's worrying about his image too much.

Chloe: That mask is fine. His face is charred, it's a great cover for it.

Z: I'd respect your opinion a lot more if your dad was actually wearing a white mask.

(Her face became red again. It wasn't clear whether this was from embarrassment or anger but she looked at Maria.)

Chloe: Get him out. Right now.

(She didn't move.)

Chloe: Maria, I will throw you out of my inn if you do not move!

Maria: I won't. He's done nothing wrong.

(Chloe glared at him now.)

Z: If you're not gonna tell me about your dad then what about your mom?

Chloe: That's enough! I will not tolerate that in this inn. You will leave, immediately!

(But he continued.)

Z: Why'd they break up?

(She wasn't listening anymore. She came around her desk and confronted him.)

Chloe: Leave.

(Seeing the tension rising, Maria grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the door but he kept talking...)

Z: What are you hiding?!

Chloe: You're both banned from this inn, permanently!

(Stunned, Maria let go of him and turned to her...)

Maria: What!?

Chloe: You heard me. Now get out.

Maria: But my stuff...

Z: You can't do that to her!

Chloe: I just did. Don't worry about your stuff, though, someone will deliver it to you... But you're not going back to your room and you most certainly aren't ever returning to this inn, understood?

(Maria was just as heated as Z but contained it better. Choosing not to challenge her, she simply led the still yelling Z out of the inn. Outside once again, they talked...)

Z: You're not gonna try and get your stuff?

Maria: I'll get my stuff later. Don't worry about that.

Z: I can't believe that lady... She's hiding something, I know it.

Maria: Or maybe, you were asking questions you shouldn't have been asking.

Z: What?

Maria: Come on, Z. How would you feel if someone you didn't know just started asking you questions about your mom and dad?

Z: ...I'd tell them the truth.

(She rolled her eyes.)

Maria: I bet you would... But realistically speaking, I don't blame her for not answering your questions especially when you got so crazy.

Z: Crazy? No, no, that lady, she's the nut. I didn't start yelling until she did.

Maria: Still...

Z: Just forget it.

Maria: Yeah, that's probably best...

Z: But believe me, Maria, there's something more to this than you think.

Maria: Well, we can find out some other time. *Yawn* I'm tired... Aren't you?

Z: ...You go ahead. With Rauru gone, there's a space for you at Kafei's office.

Maria: And what are you gonna do? *Smiles* Go fishing?

Z: Funny. But no, I don't know... You said that was a bar over there, right?

Maria: Yeah. Mr. Barten owns it. It used to be a members only place but that changed a few months back when thugs from the Underground trashed it. That place is dangerous, though... Every other night they say those guys come and trash the place. You sure you want to go there?

Z: Sounds interesting.

Maria: If you say so...

Z: I know so. You know what? Come with me.

Maria: Z...I'm really tired.

Z: Come on, just for a little while. Take your mind off of things.

(She sighed but agreed...)

Maria: Alright... Just a few minutes.

(He smiled and said...)

Z: Of course.

(He grabbed her hand and led her to the bar. Along the way, they noticed how empty this section of town was, realizing it must have been later than they had thought. Minutes later, they entered...)

(It was a dazzling place illuminated by glitzy lights. There was a large musical stage as well, though, there was no performance tonight. Fittingly for Z at least, the place seemed to be empty as they heard no chattering voices and walked down stairs.)

(As they were walking down and the actual bar came into view, Maria turned to see what was going on but found out why there were no voices, letting out a horrified scream...)

Maria: ...Z!

(He'd already spotted them. Spread all over the place were several bodies. Dirty, rough-looking bodies. They immediately ran down the stairs to further inspect them and made a startling discovery...)

Z: ...These people were from the Underground.

Maria: You mean...

Z: Yeah. I think these were those guys you were talking about...

Maria: ...?

(Looking at the bodies, he noticed that most of them were barely wounded. A blade wasn't used but there were no marks of a brutal beating either. They were killed by an expert; the cause of death could not be identified. Poisoned drinks? Maybe but hard to believe when there were no glasses anywhere. And even less likely after Maria's discovery...)

Maria: Z! It's Mr. Barten! I, I think he's alive!

(He ran behind the counter and saw him. The old man was out cold but still breathing. They were both puzzled by this terrifying scene prompting him to remark...)

Z: ...What the hell happened here?

(She didn't bother trying to answer and worked on trying to resuscitate Barten...)
Edited by Bx, Jun 20 2009, 12:47:39 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(She was finally able to get Mr. Barten conscious. The old man sat up and thanked her for everything. While he was trying to regain a sense of normalcy, Z wasted no time in asking...)

Z: What happened here?

(A chill came over him. He was somewhat shocked and a little frightened by his blunt questioning...)

Barten: Uh... I... Uh...

(He continued like that and looked at Maria for help. She understood and nodded. Z, on the other hand was less sympathetic, he wanted answers immediately. His pushiness was the product of his encounter with Dhani and the warning he received about "unfortunate accidents," yes, the scenario of Damian having men from the Underground murdered was probably an unlikely one but he needed to make sure. A little disturbed by his edgy disposition, Maria looked at him and said...)

Maria: Calm down. ...Work on those mood swings.

(He gave her a dirty look and then focused on Barten again.)

Z: Stand up.

(He disdainfully watched him stumble to his feet before going back into his questioning...)

Z: Ok, you're fine now. Tell me who did this?

Barten: Well... I uh... uh.... I'm not...

Z: Spit it out already!

Maria: Relax...

(An angry, impatient Z was the last thing he needed. He was already on pins and needles from the massacre and now he had to deal with this. His only hope was Maria, who was more willing to work with him. She pushed Z aside and consoled him...)

Maria: Don't worry about him, Mr. Barten. He didn't have any home training. Talk me, tell me what happened.

(Z laughed at what she said, partly because it was true. Either way, Barten's inability to speak clearly seemed to go away with her questioning...)

Barten: ...It happened so fast. Those thugs... They waltzed in here like they always do, ready to cause trouble and then... I don't know... One of the guys just... Snapped I guess.

Z: What do you mean?

(He became intimidated and lost his train of thought.)

Barten: Um... I mean... well... uh...

(Maria punched Z on the arm and then told Barten...)

Maria: Really, don't worry about him. Pretend he's as insignificant as he looks. Now go on.

(Again, Z chuckled at her comment. And like clockwork, Barten became "smart" again...)

Barten: Yes, yes. Well, you see there was a new guy with them... Not one of the usual bums that comes in here. I just figured he was another ruffian but... Boy was I wrong. The minute they started causing trouble, this guy just... Like I said, he snapped or something. He... was just... I don't even know how to describe it... Just... *Sigh* And I blacked out...

(After hearing his anti-climactic explanation, she knew what was going to come out of Z's mouth so before he could say it, she said...)

Maria: Stop!

(He looked at her and smiled. Barten was as nervous as ever and started chomping on his fingernails. Seeing this, she politely questioned him some more.)

Maria: So, Mr. Barten, can you describe the individual who did this? Like what was he wearing? Tell me stuff like that.

(He nervously glanced over at Z, who was busy taking another look at the bodies.)

Maria: Uh...Mr. Barten?

(He got himself together and answered...)

Barten: Sorry. Ok... Um... What did he look like, what did he look like, hmm...

Maria: You do remember, don't you?

(He glanced at Z again.)

Barten: Uh... Yeah.

(Z stood up and looked at him.)

Z: No you don't. Come on, Maria, let's go...

(Frustrated with his attitude, she fired back....)

Maria: Z, shut up!

Z: We're just wasting time here... This guy doesn't have a clue as to what happened. He told us the one thing he knew. Now let's get out of here...

(Barten sighed. She knew Z was probably right but didn't want to just leave him like that, especially after such a traumatic experience. So she asked him again...)

Maria: Mr. Barten, are you sure you don't remember what he looked like?

(He slowly nodded, "Yes." Hearing that, she let out a sigh and replied...)

Maria: ...Alright then, thanks.

(He smiled at her as she got up and followed Z up the stairs and out of the bar. Now alone, Barten nervously surveyed the bodies around him. Outside, Maria punched Z's arm again...)

Maria: You were so mean to him... He was scared of you.

Z: If I scared him then I'm surprised the guy didn't have a heart attack when that massacre happened. He's lucky...

Maria: See? Stop being so mean.

Z: I'm not being mean. I just want to find out what's going on... I just hope this didn't have anything to do with what Dhani told me.

Maria: About unfortunate accidents happening?

Z: Yeah...

Maria: But why...

Z: I already know what you're going to say. And yes, I thought about that but... I don't really know, anything is possible.

Maria: Um, where are we going?

Z: To find a guard. Someone's gotta clean up that mess...

(They walked around East Clock Town in search of a guard. Since it was late, finding one shouldn't have been difficult; they'd pretty much be the only guys out but to their surprise, none were around.)

Z: Hmm...

Maria: What?

Z: I'm just wondering about the guard.

Maria: Maybe they're off duty.

Z: ...Let's hope.

(They headed for South Clock Town. As they walked through the gate, they heard the sound of metal clashing accompanied by...)

"GET HIM!"

"THIS IS IT!"

"MAKE HIM PAY!!!"


(Hearing this, they hurried through the gate and saw their fears justified. The town guard and the newly formed "Demon Hunters" were attacking a figure atop the wall surrounding Clock Town. Maria tried to run out to help but Z stopped her.)

Maria: ...You're not gonna help!?

(He pointed at the figure on the wall and said...)

Z: Look who it is.

(She looked closely at the man.)

Maria: It's him...

Z: Yeah. ...There's no reason for us to go out there.

(And they watched as the guards and Demon Hunters shot arrows and launched spears as well as axes at the enigmatic figure. But he dodged the arrows and batted down the weapons with his sword. The men kept at it, however, not realizing that they had now angered this beast. Their arrows were consistently ineffective and when one brave heart tested his aim with his axe, the Demon showed him his own aim and violently sent the axe to the man's face, splitting it in half... Horrified by what she'd just witnessed, Maria exclaimed...)

Maria: ...Did you see that...? My...

(When the other "Demon Hunters" saw their comrade's fate, they dropped their weapons and ran. But their "prey" wasn't gonna let them get away that easily; he hopped off the wall, took care of the remaining guards and chased after those who'd been brave enough to try and kill him...)

Maria: What are we gonna do?...

(Unsure, he just started running. She followed and together they chased him. If their efforts were to try to save the men, they failed miserably. He'd already caught and slaughtered them. With his goal accomplished, he turned and there they were. Z pulled out his sword, ready to fight; In response, the Demon put his away. Nervously watching, Maria turned to Z and said...)

Maria: Don't...

(But he wasn't listening to her. He gripped his blade more tightly and slowly approached him... But the Demon didn't back away or flinch, he merely pulled out a long, rolled paper from his back pocket and handed it to him when he was near.)

Z: ...?

(Suspicious, he slowly grabbed it. And the Demon turned and walked off toward the southern gate. Maria ran to Z when she saw him approaching and together, they watched him fade in the distance...)

Maria: ...Why didn't you...?

(He tuned her out and unrolled the paper he'd been given. It was the poster for the recruitment of "Demon Hunters" they had seen before with one change... At the bottom, someone, presumably the Demon wrote...)

"What would you do?"

(And for that, he had no answer. He handed her the poster and quietly surveyed the area, replaying what just occurred in his mind...)
Edited by Bx, Jun 21 2009, 10:32:13 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(The next morning, Z awakened in his trademark sleeping bag outside of Kafei's Office. Walking inside, he saw the Sages and Maria were already up. This was an awkward moment, he hadn't spoken to them since Rauru's death. And for at least a minute, there was silence in the room. Neither side had the humility or the guts to break the ice. He was waiting for them to initiate conversation and they were waiting for him to do the same. And just when it seemed like this would go nowhere, Saria spoke...)

Saria: Hi, Z.

(Two simple words. That was all it took. He looked at her and smiled. The Sages were both stunned and pleasantly surprised by this gesture; And just like that, the ice was broken, tension eased and both sides warmed up to each other.)

Impa: How are you, Z?

Z: I'm fine. Better than last week.

Impa: Good.

(Darunia stood up and walked to him. He extended his hand for a shake and they did.)

Darunia: Great to have you back.

(He smiled and replied...)

Z: ...Thanks.

(Darunia walked back to his seat and sat down. Nabooru then asked...)

Nabooru: So, you're not angry with us anymore, Z?

(Not the question he wanted to hear. Truthfully, he still held some resentment toward them but Rauru's abrupt death made him realize that tomorrow's not promised to anyone. And they were still his family, regardless of what happened in the past, they each had some hand in raising him. He wouldn't be here today if not for them. Because of that, he answered....)

Z: No. ...And I apologize for the way I've been acting.

(Maria smiled. To her, this was him growing up; he swallowed his pride for everyone's benefit. And while she was thinking that, he looked around at everyone and continued...)

Z: ...I really am sorry. I just... I don't know. But...

(Ruto walked over and hugged him. It was the first time since he was ten years old and getting ready to leave Johan's prison that they truly embraced each other. For all the hate he had for his father, he still loved his mother dearly. Everyone watched with a glow in their eyes, especially Maria, who thought about her own mother and smiled while watching.)

Ruto: I love you.

(She backed away from him. For all the instability and mystery surrounding Termina, this was one of those rare moments where everything was just as it seemed. Sadly, these moments were few and far between and just as soon as they came...Reality crashed down.)

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!


(A series of thundering knocks pounded the door. Z opened and standing outside was a mob of angry, frustrated residents of Clock Town.)

Z: *To himself* Kafei...

Woman: Where's that Mayor!?

(Not wanting to get himself involved with a violent mob, he pointed to the back and stepped out of the way. The Sages also stepped aside as the rest of them stormed back there...)

(Screaming and banging was heard. Not long after, Olivia came out with a grin on her face prompting Z to ask...)

Z: Something funny?

Olivia: Hey, Z. Kafei has the worst luck, I just think it's funny, that's all.

Z: It's not luck. The guy brings it on himself, everything that's happened to him has been his own doing... Which actually brings us back to Damian.

(A more serious look replaced her smile as she asked...)

Olivia: Damian...? Don't you mean that massacre from last night? That's the reason that mob is back there.

Z: Actually, no.

(Maria gave him a funny look as well and said...)

Maria: Huh? Z... We saw the Demon kill those men last night... That's not Damian.

Z: You're 100 percent right. But for lack of a better word, the Demon is "boring." We've seen him and what he can do for the most part, we even know why... At least for what happened last night.

Maria: You make it sound like that massacre was justified....

Z: I'm not saying that.

(The Sages, who had remained quiet in all of this now became curious...)

Ruto: So you've got new information on that Damian person?

(He turned to her and explained what happened on Snowhead minus the murder of Dhani. Both the Sages and Olivia were reasonably alarmed by the news; although the blast was a couple of weeks ago, it was still fresh in their minds. Seeing their concern, he reassured them with a lie...)

Z: But I wouldn't worry too much. Nothing's happened since that blast, the guard is pretty eh... competent too.

(The first sign of a lie in Clock Town, mentioning how "competent" the Town Guard is. This was especially true after a massacre of several guard members and the "neighborhood watch." Either way, they didn't buy it but they didn't panic either. Although a certain level of uneasiness filled the room...)

(A few minutes later, the mob returned. Strangely enough, they no longer seemed angry, in fact, they seemed..."satisfied." Each of them walked out calmly and exited without even slamming the door. Needless to say, everyone was left a bit confused with Olivia remarking...)

Olivia: Well... That wasn't quite what I was expecting....

Z: It never is with Kafei. ...Time to go find out what lie he fed those people.

Kafei: It was no lie, Z.

(He was standing in the hall.)

Kafei: Good morning everyone. Can I speak with you in the back, Z?

(He sighed but followed him anyway. The hallway was trashed and the lounge in the back was even worse. He could only imagine how the office must have looked.)

Kafei: No point going in my office, we can talk out here. Just excuse the mess...

Z: What did you tell that mob?

Kafei: What they wanted to hear.

Z: And what was that?

Kafei: That the Demon would be taken care of.

Z: And how are you gonna manage to accomplish that?

Kafei: ...Don't worry about that. We haven't spoken in a week, don't you have anything to tell me?

(He didn't really want to explain what happened on Snowhead again but did so anyway. Afterward, Kafei was trembling. He kept feeling around his mask, probably reminding himself why he was wearing it in the first place.)

Z: Alright, keep your composure. Let's focus, are there any gangs here in Clock Town that you know about?

Kafei: ....

(He was too scared to think clearly.)

Z: Kafei, snap out of it!

Kafei: ...Huh?

Z: I asked if you knew of any gangs here in Clock Town?

Kafei: Oh. Um... No, I don't.

Z: Listen, you need to relax. The sooner we find this guy, the sooner you can stop pissing your pants whenever his name's mentioned. Now come on, get it together.

Kafei: Yeah... Yeah, you're right.

Z: Ok. You're sure now, there are no gangs that you know of?

Kafei: No...

Z: What about in other regions?

Kafei: You'd have to go and find out for yourself. I only concern myself with Clock Town.

Z: What about that incident at the bar? Any news on that?

Kafei: I've got no official word but... it seems that someone did us a favor.

Z: A favor? A favor is turning those guys in to the guards, not murdering them.

Kafei: ...They had to be put down some way.

(His smugness was back on display, much to Z's dislike.)

Z: So let me guess, you're not gonna have the guard spend any time looking into that?

Kafei: If you're thinking it was Damian's doing, I'd suggest you think again. Whoever did it wasn't after Barten, they were going after the thugs from the Underground. A little vigilante justice is a good thing, in my opinion...

Z: Hmph. Yeah, I bet it is "in your opinion," just like that explosion at your office.

(Disgusted, he turned and started walking away but stopped to ask...)

Z: Your kids, have they been by recently?

Kafei: ...

(No response to such a basic question left him even more suspicious. But for now, he decided not to inquire about it as he came up with other plans...)
Edited by Bx, Jun 22 2009, 10:22:46 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Back in the main area of the office, everyone was discussing last night's massacre.)

Maria: I can understand where you're coming from. But at the same time... Look at everything he's done. He's a murderer and I saw what happened, those men were running scared. It's not self-defense anymore when you're chasing the victim away...

Nabooru: That's true. And I wasn't trying to justify his actions but I do understand what it's like to be persecuted, that mindset of "kill or be killed" really takes over.

Maria: I guess...

Darunia: Well, I must admit if I saw a poster like that I might want to go out and send a message too.

Maria: But you guys are missing the point, there's a reason there's such a huge bounty on his head, he's a MURDERER!

(Z walked in the room. Everyone turned and looked at him.)

Impa: What did Kafei say?

Z: Nothing important.

Maria: So you were back there that whole time talking about nothing...?

Z: That's usually how it is with Kafei.

(Olivia smiled. But Ruto let out a sigh before asking...)

Ruto: ...Why do harbor so much anger for that man?

Z: He just rubs me the wrong way. It's nothing personal... At least not yet.

Saria: So you're just gonna hang out here for the day, Z?

Z: No. My vacation's over, time to get back to work.

Saria: ...Well, it's not like you wouldn't be doing anything here. Today, we're gonna start planning how to reconstruct Hyrule. Some pretty important stuff is going to be discussed, sure you don't want to stick around?

Z: Positive. But I'm curious, are your plans based on the funding you may receive from Termina?

Impa: Well, to a certain degree.

Z: ...Then I definitely should continue with my investigation.

(Olivia sighed loudly. He turned around and looked at her.)

Z: I don't have much of a choice.

(She nodded and said...)

Olivia: ...I understand.

Z: Sorry.

(The Sages looked around at one another and then discreetly glanced at Maria; they didn't know Olivia's feelings about his search for Damian and were suspicious that "something else" was going on. Regardless, Z exited the building and Maria followed.)

Maria: Where are you heading?

Z: The Underground.

Maria: You want to just get straight to the source?

Z: Yup.

Maria: It's dangerous down there. Remember last time? If it wasn't for that Jim guy I...

Z: I know. So that means you're not tagging along?

(She paused. Twice she'd been on the receiving end of attempted kidnappings, one was successful and the other time, it was sheer luck that saved her. Naturally, she had a tough decision to make but he waited patiently for her answer.)

Maria: ...I can't.

Z: Alright, stay inside. I'll be back later.

Maria: Watch yourself...

(She went back inside and he started heading for the Underground. As he was walking his thoughts were bouncing around, one minute he thought about Damian, the next Dhani's threat and then of course, the Demon. Just as he was about to enter South Clock Town, he heard someone running.)

"Wait!"

(It was Maria. She caught up to him quickly and took a moment to catch her breath.)

Z: You're coming now?

Maria: *Huff* Yeah... *Huff* I thought about it more...

Z: You're sure?

(She coughed a few times before answering.)

Maria: You know, I'm not as fast as I used to be...

Z: Are you sure you want to come, Maria?

Maria: ...Yeah, I'm sure.

Z: Ok, let's go.

(They headed into South Clock Town. Unsurprisingly, few people aside from the guards were out. They were on high alert, nervous about another attack. When they approached the entrance to the Clock Tower, a guard halted them. He paid special attention to Z's weaponry.)

Guard: It's dangerous down there. What business do you have?

Z: ...Ask the Mayor.

(Annoyed, he nearly walked past him before Maria grabbed his arm. A combination of surprise and anger filled his voice as he asked her...)

Z: What?

Maria: Show him some respect...

Guard: That's right. I am on duty. And I do have the authority to arrest you, citizen.

(Unimpressed with the guard's "tough guy" act, he mumbled...)

Z: Give these guys a little scare and they try to act tough...

Guard: What was that?

(He looked to the sky for a second before focusing on the guard again...)

Z: Sir, can you please just let us through?

Guard: I need to know your business.

Maria: But we really are doing something for Mayor Kafei!

Guard: I need to know your business.

(Z gave her a disgusted look and said...)

Z: And I'm supposed to respect this guy?

Guard: Yes you are young man. Now why don't you two just go home or something.

(Z looked at her again and nodded. She returned the nod although she was unsure what he was planning but then he quickly grabbed her hand and...)

Guard: HEY!

(They blew past him and entered the tower. Once inside, he let go of her hand and they both ran on their own while the guard chased after them. Seeing him on their tails, she yelled...)

Maria: Z! He's chasing us!

(He looked back at the guard. The armor he wore was slowing him down and even without it, he knew that he would only chase them to a certain point...)

Z: Don't worry, just a little further.

(He was right. Once they reached the landmark signaling the "entrance" to the Underground, the green river, he gave up and turned around.)

Guard: ....Those kids'll be sorry. Stupid bastards...

(Now free to move at their own pace, they walked into the city. It was as bleak as ever. Like before, the only source of light came from small candles on the shacks and that was just enough to see a few feet ahead.)

Maria: Seeing this place doesn't get any easier...

Z: I can only imagine what kind of "mansion" Damian must live in... Son of a bitch.

Maria: Calm down. Save it for when you meet him.

Z: When I meet Damian, I won't be talking.

Maria: Anyway, I really like how you made up with the Sages this morning. That said a lot.

Z: Life's too short to hold...

Maria: To hold grudges? Wise words. Maybe you should take your own advice some time.

Z: ...

(She didn't respond either and they both stayed silent strolling through the barren "streets." He looked around at the houses while she grew tired of feeling like a zombie, silently and mindlessly walking through this wasteland and initiated conversation again....)

Maria: So Olivia's really worried about you, huh?

Z: Seems like it. I can't blame her, though, imagine being in her shoes. Subjected to this lifestyle and then having the little that she did have taken away, it's sad.

Maria: It is.

Z: You're not still jealous of her, are you?

Maria: I was never jealous... I just... I didn't know her. She basically just always kept to herself. And... Why am I explaining myself? Ok, main point, I like Olivia. I feel sorry for her, actually.

Z: I don't think she wants that. I get the impression that she's not looking for sympathy, she's already accepted that life isn't fair. Guys like Kafei get to lead privileged lifestyles while people like Olivia are forced to live in garbage.

Maria: ...I wouldn't say his situation is very "privileged" right now but you really do despise him...

Z: He's all about himself. That's what I can't stand, it's that "Me" first attitude. A little humility would go a long way with that guy... Not even getting his face charred could do it.

(She sighed while he continued ranting. Tuning him out, she looked around the area and found something that caught her attention.)

Maria: Hey, Z. *Points to figure* Isn't that...?

(He looked where she was pointing and his eyes widened.)

Z: ...Jim?

(Jim or a man who looked very much like him was standing outside of one of the shacks. Curious, they ran and as they got closer, they were now certain it was him even yelling...)

Z: Jim! Jim!

(Hearing their calls, he quickly turned and looked at them before bolting inside of the shack.)

Maria: Huh?

(Although it was obvious he didn't want to be seen, they reached the place anyway. Z peered through the one window the shack had but couldn't see anything. He turned to Maria and shrugged his shoulders...)

Maria: What do you think is wrong?

Z: Who knows?

(Extremely curious about his strange behavior, she knocked on the door several times but received no answer.)

Z: I guess he doesn't want company.

Maria: So what now?

Z: We... ?

(The door opened and Jim appeared. Nervousness was painted all over his face although he tried to hide it while he spoke...)

Jim: Hello, guys.

Z and Maria: ? Hey... Jim?

(He nervously smiled at them.)

Jim: Um... Sorry I just left without saying anything after that incident.

Z: It's fine.

Maria: ...Is everything ok?

Jim: Uh...

(And before the words could come out, a teenage girl appeared and stood next to him. Her belly was poking out; she was pregnant.)

Z: Oh, hi. Is this your daughter, Jim...?

(The girl laughed but Jim's face became flush. Z and Maria looked at one another and put two and two together just as the girl answered...)

Girl: Jim is the father of my child.

(Very awkward. Jim was a middle-aged man somewhere in his forties and this girl couldn't have been much older than they were. Now his strange behavior made sense, he was trying to hide this from them. This fact prompted an angry response from Z.)

Z: So you're ashamed of your kid, huh?

(Jim just stared at the ground and didn't answer.)

Z: ...Some "hero." That's why you're down here. Searching for Damian was just your excuse so no one would find out why you're really always here.

Girl: Hey! Jim's always been here for me throughout my pregnancy.

Z: I'm sure he has. But it's not because he's proud to be a father... It's because he needs to keep his image intact. I guess you are a real "hero," the kind I know anyway.

(Maria placed her hand on his shoulder to try and calm him down.)

Maria: Z...

(But he continued...)

Z: For a moment, I thought you were a stand up guy but now I see you're no different from the rest of the pack. No better, no worse. ...Later.

(He stormed off, leaving Jim with his head hanging and speechless. Maria apologized in his place and ran after him...)

Maria: Z! Stop! Stop!

(He looked back and allowed her to catch up. When she finally made it, he started shaking his head.)

Maria: ...What was that back there?

Z: The kind of stuff you see too often...

Maria: I mean with you.

(He sighed.)

Z: ...I don't wanna have this conversation again so... come on, let's just go.

Maria: No. What you did was totally uncalled for.

Z: What he did was uncalled for.

Maria: There was no reason for you to blow up like that. That was an awkward situation; Did it ever cross your mind that maybe he was a little embarrassed?

Z: ...That's the problem.

Maria: About the AGE DIFFERENCE! Look at how old he is compared to her, she's probably our age. He was unsure how we'd react....

Z: Still...

Maria: Oh, now I get it. You weren't upset with him, were you? *Sigh* Why won't you just tell me the whole story?

Z: There's no story to tell.

(And just as he was beginning to make progress in her eyes, he started taking steps back. She was frustrated but didn't let it out, deciding it would be easier to just end the discussion and continue moving. And they did just that, they walked silently into the heart of the city reaching the old market area they'd seen on their first trip. But the semi-lively marketplace they had witnessed was no more. The tents were burnt, rotting food was splattered all over the place and the entire area was a disaster. Seeing this, they thought to themselves, "What could have happened?" but soon found out...)

Maria: There's a sign over there.

(It was placed in the center of the marketplace. They walked over to it and read it...)

"Patrons of the Underground Marketplace. As you can see, the marketplace is no more. And thus, food distribution will undergo major changes. At random times, a select amount of food will be placed in this area. It won't be enough to feed you all, so starving citizens... Check often."

Maria: ...How cruel.

"No one's really sure why these restrictions have come about..."


(Startled, they turned around and saw Jim behind them.)

Maria: Jim?

Z: ...

Jim: ...I'm sorry about earlier.

(As if he didn't acknowledge his apology, Z asked...)

Z: ...What did you say about the restrictions?

(He looked away as he answered...)

Jim: A couple of days ago, we just found the place in ruins... No warning of this or anything, just an act of cruelty on Damian's part, I guess....

Maria: But that doesn't make any sense...

Jim: You're right. It doesn't... But everyone down here is just gonna have to accept it, it seems. This marketplace was probably the only good thing down here.... It really fed a lot of people. And a lot of those people are gonna starve now, this place is gonna become even more of a hell....

(She sighed and replied...)

Maria: Damian's a monster...

Jim: The worst is yet to come, I suspect. I'm...Well, we're secure because I can get food from above ground but...Everyone else...

Z: That son of a bitch...

Jim: Z, listen, I'd really like to apolo...

Z: Save it.

(Jim sighed. Maria shook her head disapprovingly but asked...)

Maria: What now, Z?

(He shrugged his shoulders and looked at Jim.)

Z: How have things been in the city since we were last here?

Jim: No one comes out unless the food arrives... It's sickening. Fights break out, some have ended in death. All for food...

Maria: ...

Z: And Damian's men?

Jim: They hightail it out of the area as fast as they can.

Z: What?

Jim: It's true. A couple of guys come through with a wagon and take some food for themselves before tossing the rest to the people who've come. Like I said, it gets extremely hectic so they do their best to get out of here before it gets too nasty. Truth is, these restrictions don't benefit anyone including them... I just don't get it to be honest with you...

(There was a brief pause and they each stayed silent but Jim broke it when he asked...)

Jim: ...You're here to find him, aren't you?

Z: That was the plan.

Jim: Well... You two be careful. Remember last time.

(Z nodded and started walking away. Before following him, Maria looked at Jim and asked...)

Maria: What are you going to name the baby?

(He smiled and answered...)

Jim: Well, I'm kinda hoping for a boy and came up with the name "Tommy." But we're not sure what we're having so... May have to come up with a girl's name...

(She smiled and replied...)

Maria: Well, good luck and congratulations.

Jim: Thanks.

(She looked back at Z and saw that he was waiting for her but before leaving, she looked at Jim again and said...)

Maria: See ya.

Jim: Alright.

(She caught up with Z a few moments later and together they continued walking down the path leading to Olivia's old house...)
Edited by Bx, Jun 24 2009, 12:24:49 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Walking down the dark, empty path to Olivia's old house was a reminder of how horribly wrong their first experience in the Underground went. As it was where Maria was nearly kidnapped and then further down at the rubble of Olivia's house, they were chased by the overgrown rats. Despite all of this, they walked through with their heads high although cautiously.)

Z: Almost lost you again here.

Maria: I don't need a reminder...

Z: I guess not.

(She didn't follow up with anything so he looked to see if she was okay. She wasn't. Or at least, her expression said she wasn't. Concerned, he asked...)

Z: What's wrong?

Maria: Huh? Oh... Nothing.

Z: You're having flashbacks, aren't you?

Maria: No. It's not that.

Z: Then what?

(She sighed and answered...)

Maria: Aren't you the one who never wants to talk? Now when I don't want say anything, you're getting all bent out of shape.

(He threw his arms up in the air and said...)

Z: Sheesh, forget it.

(She put her hand over her forehead and closed her eyes before finally answering his original question.)

Maria: ...I was just thinking about what Jim said.

Z: About the food?

(She brought her hand away from her face and looked at him, answering...)

Maria: Yeah. I just... I mean, honestly even back in Hyrule things didn't get quite that bad. I mean don't get me wrong, what happened in Hyrule was a tragedy and horrible all in it's own way but at least people could still eat. But here...

Z: I see what you mean.

Maria: I know it's wrong of me to compare but...

Z: Don't worry about it. I don't think the dead will come back to haunt you.

Maria: ...After what we saw in Ikana, I'm not so sure about that.

Z: I'm not so sure about what we saw in Ikana. Again, say whatever is on your mind.

(She smiled.)

Maria: ...I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's terrible to see people subjected to this. They've been jerked around by everyone not just Damian.

Z: So you've finally come around to my side of things, huh?

Maria: About Kafei?

Z: Yup.

Maria: Sorry, you're alone in that one. The difference is that you think he's the scum of the planet, I know that he may not have exactly helped their situation but he's not the sole cause of it either.

Z: That's too bad.

(Smiling, she replied...)

Maria: You'll get over it.

(Thankfully, they made it to Olivia's house relatively quickly and without a hitch. Remembering last time, he made sure no one was around, thoroughly searching the surrounding area for anyone or anything. Finished with that, he focused his attention on the remains of the house much to her dismay...)

Maria: Z, didn't we check everything last time?

(He lifted himself out of the rubble and looked at her.)

Z: No. We were cut short, remember?

(She looked up in disgust while he went back under and continued searching...)

5 Minutes Later...

"I got something!"

Maria: You did!? Wha...?

(She realized it wasn't his voice she heard. Her heart sank and she nervously looked back...)

Maria: ?

(Nothing. Scared, she yelled.)

Maria: Z!!

(He slowly pulled himself out of the rubble and once she saw the top of his head, she started running to him. As he was shaking the debris from his face, he turned to her, just in time to see....)

"Z!!!"

(Her snatched away. The abductor, a fairly large man, covered her mouth and ran past the rubble into the area of the Underground they hadn't yet visited. Seeing this, he instantly pulled himself out of the wreckage and gave chase into the darkness...)

(While he was chasing him, Z pulled out arrows from his quiver and tossed them at the man although he missed each time. Giving up on that, he pulled out his Hookshot and tried shooting at him but as with the arrows, his aim was off. With his tools ineffective, he simply continued his chase nearly stumbling over medium-sized rocks hidden within darkness. Light was particularly scare in this section of the Underground as there were few shacks lined up and even fewer with candles. It was a difficult chase but the thought of losing her again forced him to push himself harder...)

(With Z gaining on him, the abductor's path became erratic. He was literally zigzagging through the pitch black area. Unable to see, Z followed the sound of his heavy breathing to stay on his path. After a few more grueling minutes of this, light appeared and they both ran toward it. Although upon reaching it, Z may have wished he hadn't...)

!!!

(It was a trap. He'd been led to an ambush, two men not including the abductor were waiting for him. He couldn't quite make out their faces but once they moved in a little closer, he got a terrifying surprise...)

Z: ....Dhani!?

(Dhani, the man he horrifically murdered back on Snowhead was standing in front of him with a far more intimidating presence than last time. And as he approached, he laughed...)

Dhani: Ha, ha... Funny stuff. You gave your chance up to lie just like that.

Z: Huh?

"Dhani": Dhani was my brother. My twin brother. I'm Vladimir. I figured you'd be stupid enough to come back down here after my brother's disappearance. Now tell me since we already know you've met... Where is he?

(Surprising news to him. He'd figured they already knew what happened to Dhani.)

Z: ...I don't know.

Vladimir: Don't play stupid. There's three of us here and your girl is in our hands. We have all the leverage.

(He took a good look at Maria and continued...)

Vladimir: Looks like a nice girl. I could be wrong but I'd rather not have to make an example of her.

(Z looked at her, she was terrified, watching the entire thing play out....)

Vladimir: She's scared. Does my brother have that same look in his eyes wherever he's at?

Z: ...

Vladimir: We live by an "Eye for an Eye" down here, Z. I'd suggest you tell me otherwise we'll have to assume the worst. I'll say it again, I don't want to have to make an example of her but I will do what's necessary to make you talk. And if that means getting rid of "precious," believe me, I will not hesitate to do so.

(He looked at Maria again. Her eyes were bulging. With one option, he pulled out his blade. There were three of them but he knew only two could fight unless the one holding her was stupid enough to let go. But that was the best scenario to hope for as it would allow them a chance to escape. Seeing him with his blade unsheathed, Vladimir and the one not holding her went into a defensive stance.)

Vladimir: I won't underestimate your skill. But if you'd just tell me where my brother is at, all of this would be unnecessary.

(Had Dhani been alive, he would have had an actual choice but that obviously wasn't the case and without further delay, he answered...)

Z: He's dead.

(Vladimir's eyes widened. He was frozen. In a rage, the guy next to him lunged at Z. He retaliated by quickly sidestepping to the right before slashing the guy's back...)

"AHH...!!"

(He fell to one knee and tried to place his hand over the deep wound but couldn't. Blood was rapidly shooting out, splattering all over everyone. The man holding Maria let go of her and went after him now. This was the big guy but Z had the blade and as the big man was preparing his attack, Z delivered his.)

"Ugh.... Ugh...."

(He fell to the ground....Dead. Stabbed in the throat. Vladimir was still in a daze with blood splattering all over him so Z focused on Maria, she was on the ground staring at the dead body in front of her...)

Z: Maria? Are you ok!?

(She looked at him and nodded, "Yes." He helped her up and they looked over at Vladimir, bloodied...And fuming. Out of his daze, he clenched his fist and turned to them. Predicting his next move, Z shoved Maria out of the way just as Vladimir launched himself at him, knocking his sword out of his hand. Maria leaped up to grab it but Z quickly stopped her...)

Z: Don't!

Maria: ?

Z: Just don't!

Vladimir: HAH!!!!

(Without warning, Vladimir sprung himself at her but she dived out of the way. Z used his failed attack to his advantage and started punching his back. This only annoyed Vladimir and he slapped Z with the back of his hand but he returned the blow with a shot of his own to his jaw. Stunned but not beaten, Vladimir threw a wild though off balance right hook that Z blocked and followed up with a hard left uppercut.)

(The blow sent him to one knee though he continued to stumble, desperately trying to stand on both feet, punching at the air along the way. With Vladimir dazed once again, Z gave him a few left and rights that finally put him flat on his back. Then he suddenly stopped, looked back at Maria who was holding his sword and reached out for it. She handed it to him and he placed it's edge on Vladimir's neck, enough pressure to give him one hell of a scare but not kill him.)
Edited by Bx, Jun 24 2009, 11:29:25 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(With the edge of his blade across Vladimir's neck, Z started questioning him...)

Z: Now I have the leverage.

(Vladimir finally snapped out of his daze and gasped when he realized his predicament. From his wide-eyed expression to his heavy breathing, he was terrified and there was no hiding it.)

Z: Relax your breathing and talk.

(Still in a panicked state, his heavy breathing continued as he stared into Z's eyes gauging his intentions. But after a few more deep breaths, he stopped and shifted his eyes to Maria, who was standing over Z's shoulder.)

Z: Look at me!

(He quickly focused on him again.)

Z: Tell me about Damian.

(He didn't answer. Angered, Z dug the blade into his neck just enough to open a wound.)

Vladimir: Ahh....

(He placed his right hand over the blade but dropped it back; it was an attempt to alleviate some of the pain. Again, Z became even more frustrated and was about to apply more pressure when Maria grabbed his arm and said...)

Maria: Don't.

(He looked at her and then back at Vladimir, now wearing a frightened smile.)

Z: You're lucky. She's given you your life for a few more minutes. Now repay the favor and tell us where the hell your boss is at!

(He gulped. He knew he wasn't kidding, his dead comrades beside him told him that so he chose the road they didn't take and gave in.)

Vladimir: ...Ok. What...do you want?

(As if he didn't hear him, Z placed more pressure on his blade and dug into his neck even more. Vladimir screamed in pain and Maria quickly stopped him.)

Vladimir: AHH!!! ...AHH!!!

Maria: You're killing him! What the hell is wrong with you!?

Z: ...

(His silence was troubling. It was uncertain whether he even knew what he was doing... Either way, the killing blow had been delivered. Blood was pouring everywhere and although in pain, Vladimir's screaming stopped. It was inevitable, he was going to bleed out and die; with only minutes remaining before this occurred, he spoke...)

Vladimir: ...I... I... I was going *Huff* ....It doesn't matter, anyway.

(His words weren't registering with Z; his actions were replaying in his head. And although she was also trying to make sense of his actions, Maria listened to Vladimir's last words.)

Vladimir: ... Did you...really kill Dhani...?

(Unsurprisingly, Z didn't answer. Mistaking his silence for arrogance, Vladimir tried to unleash a venomous tirade condemning him but choked just as the words were coming out.)

Vladimir: *Cough* *Cough* ....*Cough*

(His end was nearing but Maria tried her best to get him to speak again, asking...)

Maria: What do you know about Damian?!

(He didn't answer.)

Maria: Please... Who is Damian?

(He coughed some more but kept his silence. He could feel his last moments upon him but his anger for Z's "unjustified" actions kept him from speaking. But she wasn't gonna accept that and asked again...)

Maria: ...I didn't know your brother and I don't know you but please, for everyone else suffering down here... Tell me, forget Z, just tell me what you know.

(He stared into her eyes for a moment and then slowly closed his own. Trying to keep him alive just a little longer, she started banging on his chest but it was all in vain... She stared at him briefly before sighing and turning to Z.)

(He was no longer in deep thought and had actually seen everything. Just as she was about to angrily criticize him for his inaction, Vladimir began speaking...)

Vladimir: ...I tried Dhani.... I tried.... Wherever you are, I love... you...

(And with that, he died. Yes, he attempted to kill or at the very least harm them but his death was still difficult to watch. He was still a human being, after all. In unison, they both sighed deeply and looked at each other.)

Maria: ...Now?

(He uttered, "I..." but paused. He looked at the three dead bodies in front of him and then at his surroundings, ahead everything was dark. "Is this my sign to turn back?," he thought... And then his thoughts flashed back to Dhani's death and then Vladimir's. Both eerily similar, not in terms of brutality but in that his anger wasn't directly aimed at them yet they suffered the penalty... Unable to come to a decision, he looked at her and asked...)

Z: ...What do you want to do?

(Quite unexpected. It left her surprised to the point where she couldn't come up with an actual answer. So she reluctantly replied with a question of her own...)

Maria: Why did you do that to Vladimir...?

Z: I thought about Link.

(That was a surprise. She didn't expect such a quick, honest answer, there was no evasiveness or anything, he just...truthfully answered. Again, she was left without knowing what to say or do...)

Z: ...It happened with Dhani, too.

Maria: You pictured them as Link?

Z: Yeah...

Maria: But that...

Z: It's not a big deal. Don't worry about it.

Maria: What do you mean, "Don't worry about it" You killed two...

Z: I know. But honestly, does it make what happened any better or worse? I don't enjoy killing people but those guys would have killed us both. I'm not being coldhearted, I'm just being realistic. It's kill or be killed, Maria... Put it out of your mind and keep going, that's the only way anything gets done.

Maria: "Kill or be killed," I hear that a lot these days...

Z: And you're gonna hear it a lot more if we don't find this guy. Come on.

(He started walking further into the darkness, leaving her to shout...)

Maria: I thought it was my decision!

(He looked back at her and said...)

Z: I've already made up my mind now. There's no reason to prolong this.

Maria: *To herself* Finding Damian's not the answer to everything, you know... And just when I was beginning to believe you'd start to open up. I guess you really like doing that, you just love getting my hopes up and tearing them down... I don't even know why I'm surprised, it's not like it's anything new... But whatever.

(Despite her feelings, she caught up with him and they went deeper into the Underground...)
Edited by Bx, Jun 26 2009, 12:20:39 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Pitch black. Everything was pitch black. Traveling through this part of the Underground was unnerving, the city was extremely dangerous with dim light and now with complete darkness, aimlessly walking around was comparable to suicide. At every step they cautiously stopped, listening for footsteps, breathing or other telltale signs of a nearby presence but thankfully, each time they heard nothing suspicious and kept moving.)

(It was a silent journey through the darkness. And while Maria wanted to find out more about Z's issues with his father, she also knew that talking could potentially attract unwanted company so she kept her mouth shut. He was fine with the silence; the more he focused on finding Damian, the less he had to think about his own troubles. Ironically enough, just as the silence was making the journey monotonous, a loud, cringing scream was heard to the east...)

"AHHHH!!!!!!"

Maria: Who's that!?

Z: It came from the right.

(They looked to their right, where they originally heard the distant, high-pitched scream and then it came again...)

"AHHHHH!!!!!!"

(This time even louder and more terrifying. They both stared into the darkness, waiting for the other to take the first course of action. And then the scream returned...)

"...AHH!!!"


(It was softer and more distant but even more frightening because it meant that the victim was probably losing hope. With the victim's situation presumably worse than before, Maria looked at Z for an answer on what to do.)

Maria: Z, what are we waiting for!?

(He didn't answer.)

Maria: Come on! What are we going to do?!

(Strangely enough, he got down on his knees and placed his ear to the ground.)

Maria: What are you doing?!

(Again, he didn't answer and kept listening to the ground. She didn't understand and started running in the direction of the screaming. Before she could get too far however he lifted his head up and called out to her.)

Z: Wait!

(She turned to him.)

Maria: There's someone in trouble. It could lead to Damian!

Z: I was checking the ground for vibrations to see if there was anyone near. I know you want to help but we can't be stupid either, it could have been another trap.

Maria: Well, is it?!

Z: No. At least I don't think so.

Maria: Let's go then!

(This display of courage was a bit of surprise to him but nevertheless he pulled out his blade and followed behind. The trail leading to the voice or at least the trail they thought lead to the voice was very rough, rocks of all sizes were scattered about and impossible to spot with the darkness but they managed to avoid them until...)

Z: ...Damn it!!

(He tripped and skidded across the ground. Maria went to his aid and helped him up, asking...)

Maria: You tripped over a rock?

(The friction from sliding burned his skin and he rubbed his right arm as he said...)

Z: Shit, that burns... But yeah. I'm alright.

Maria: Ok.

(She took the lead again and the two of them continued down the trail. There were less rocks now but the trail's difficulty had increased; they couldn't tell if they were heading in the right direction anymore. The faint screaming they'd heard before was gone. She stopped and looked at him as he was just catching up.)

Z: What's wrong?

Maria: I don't know. The screaming stopped... Do you think we're heading in the right direction?

(He rubbed his arm some more as he answered.)

Z: I guess. I mean, it's not like we've changed direction or anything. If it was the right path then, it's the right path now.

Maria: Yeah, you're right.

(He took the lead this time as they headed deeper down the path. After several more minutes of running, they reached a location where a few shacks were lined up though widely spaced apart...)

Z: I think we were on the right trail after all.

(Looking around at the shacks, she asked...)

Maria: You think one of these uh..."houses" is where the screaming came from?

Z: Yeah. Actually...

Maria: Huh?

Z: Shh...

(She did as he asked and didn't say anything although she was unsure why. And then he started slowly walking toward one of the shacks. Confused, she tiptoed behind and as they got closer, the reasoning behind his actions became clearer.)

(In the shack, it sounded as if a woman was moaning. They cautiously approached and placed their ears on the door.)

"Oh.... Ah.... No... No...."

(There was no mistaking it. A woman was moaning, suffering from some pain. To remain inconspicuous, Maria whispered to him... )

Maria: You think that's the woman?

Z: Yeah. But stay quiet, I'm gonna peek through the window...

(She stayed by the door while he sneaked over to the window and quickly peered through it before dropping his head back down. What he saw, he couldn't believe. He crawled back to Maria to tell her...)

Maria: What's going on?

(He looked at the ground while he answered.)

Z: ...She's being raped. He's already cut her up real bad...

(Her jaw dropped while he slowly eased over and twisted the knob. It was locked.)

Z: Shit...

Maria: Z, we've got to find a way in... We can't let that woman get raped.

Z: She's already been raped. We've gotta make sure she doesn't die...

(The two of them searched for quick, easy ways inside but there were none. Throughout this, they heard the woman's chilling moans while she begged for mercy. It was a disturbing scenario and neither of them could think straight. And then the screaming started getting louder, piercing their ears while her body was being degraded.)

Z: ...Fuck it!

(Unable to take it any longer, he gave up on trying to sneak in and bashed through the window with the handle of his sword. It shattered and both the startled rapist and victim watched as he entered with Maria. The rapist immediately pulled up his pants, pulled out a small knife and attacked him. He answered by blocking the attack with his sword but the rapist came back with a cheap kick to his nuts.)

Z: Ooof....

(He fell on one knee, grimacing in pain while the rapist went to work and slashed at his face leaving a nasty wound on his cheek. With Z still in pain from the cheap shot, Maria came to his aid and attacked the rapist from behind. While the two of them struggled with each other, the victim ran outside.)

Rapist: Get... Argh... Off of me!

(He flipped her over his shoulder and attempted to stab her throat when...)

Rapist: AHHH!!! ...You son of....a bitch. *Huff* *Huff* Ahh.....

(He fell to the ground, stabbed in the side. Z pulled his sword out of him and tended to Maria while he squirmed in pain.)

Z: Maria, are you alright!?

(She blinked several times before answering...)

Maria: ...Yeah. My..ah... My head just...hurts.

Z: But you'll be ok, right?

Maria: I think so...

(He looked over at the rapist and then back at her.)

Z: Bastard...

Maria: I'll be fine. ...Where's that girl?

Z: She ran outside. But really, are you ok?

Maria: Yes, yes... It was just a fall.

Z: Stand up.

(She slowly stood up although her knees were wobbly. For now, that was alright but he made sure she was balanced before he walked over to the rapist. Picking up his knife on the way...)

Z: So you're another one of Damian's goons, huh?

(He tried spitting in Z's face but only ended up with wet lips. As retaliation, Z took the man's knife and stabbed his right hand....)

Rapist: AHHH... Jeez, man.... *Crying* My... hand... My hand...

(When he started crying, Maria gave him a disgusted look and walked outside to find the victim.)

Z: Save your tears, coward. You're scum. Now who the hell are you!?

(The tears continued to roll down his face and he didn't answer. Furious, Z lifted his foot and pressed on the knife causing even more tears to rush from his eyes accompanied by more screaming. Unable to take it, he gave in...)

Rapist: .....Alright, alright... *Crying* please... no...please....

(Z put more pressure on the knife before letting up.)

Z: Now talk!

(He sobbed for a few more minutes and just as Z was about to place more pressure on the knife, he spoke...)

Rapist: Ok... *Sniff* Ok... My name is..is...Vincent.

Z: Ok, Vincent. You work for Damian, don't you?

(He slowly nodded his head, "Yes".)

Z: Why did you rape that woman?

(He opened his mouth to answer and then paused. This cowardice infuriated Z further as he shouted...)

Z: Tell me!

Vincent: Ok, ok... I... I enjoy it.

Z: You enjoy it...?

Vincent: ...It's all a game to me.

(He was disgusted. Vincent was as sick as anyone he'd ever met; he actually reminded him of another psychotic freak from his past, Manson...)

Z: So you just do this for "fun?"

Vincent: ....Yes, mostly. ...Though there are times when... it's not just for "pleasure," I guess... you can say...

Z: And when are those times?

Vincent: ...When I find someone "special..."

Z: Someone special? What do you mean?

Vincent: Like that girl out there... She's a dangerous catch but oh was she worth it... Listening to the screams of a woman who's helpless or shall I say hopeless while I'm inside of them... Oh, there's no greater sensation in the world...

(Listening to this "explanation" from this sociopath made his stomach turn as he angrily said...)

Z: You sick fuck, what the hell are you trying to say!?

(Apparently these stories had a calming effect on Vincent as he was now smiling. Before he answered, he even closed his eyes and exhaled slowly almost like he was reliving his experiences...)

Vincent: ...That the women of the Underground are easy prey. Most of them are lonely and destitute but this girl was different... She had...

(He paused and slowly dragged his tongue across his lips. Furious, Z's fist was shaking uncontrollably but he refrained himself, allowing him to finish...)

Vincent: But needless to say... Taking her was.... mesmerizing....

(Maria walked back in with the victim and a disgusted Z turned to them, asking...)

Z: Is she okay?

Maria: What do you think?

(The victim hid her face from Vincent and turned to face the door. Angered, Z lifted his foot to put more pressure on the knife but as he looked at it, he stopped and looked at the victim again. Taking note of the wounds ripped through her bloodstained, dingy white dress, his memory recalled an eerie similarity...)

Z: Those wounds...

Maria: What?

(He ignored her and questioned Vincent more.)

Z: Ikana. You've been there?

(With that sick smile on his face, he answered...)

Vincent: Heh... Yeah, I've been in there...

(Enraged by his response, Z stomped on the knife; it was now completely nailed into Vincent's hand. As expected, he let out a painful howl and pounded the ground repeatedly with his left hand.)

Z: Shut up!

Vincent: Ahh.... Ugh.... Ugh...

Z: Shut the fuck up!

(He took his own sword now and held it to Vincent's chest. Remembering what happened to Vladimir, Maria rushed over and grabbed his arm. Looking at her, he asked...)

Z: What are you doing?

Maria: ...You'll kill him.

Z: ...

(He let her take the blade without a fight. By this time, Vincent's screaming had been reduced to a very annoying moan but he could deal with that and continued questioning him.)

Z: You killed Pamela, didn't you?

Vincent: ...That woman from Ikana?

Z: That's right.

(Asking him about that horrible act seemed to both alleviate his pain and elevate his ego as he replied...)

Vincent: Of course. Listening to her cries for help among the spirits of Ikana, my.... that was empowering!

(The sociopathic tales gave each of them the same eerie feeling. They were disgusting, psychotic accounts of heinous sexual acts described with almost childlike joy. It's an understatement to say it was sickening....)

Z: ...Alright enough with the stories! Who is your boss!?

(But Vincent had already gotten the attention that he wanted, he felt in control once again and replied...)

Vincent: Heh. Forget you... Kill me. End me... I won't talk unless you want to tell me about some of your "exploits."

(He looked at Maria and then back at Z before continuing...)

Vincent: Ha... She looks like a screamer. I bet she'll moa... Ugh...

(Z punched him in the face without allowing him to finish and said...)

Z: Go there again and she won't be able to save you like before. Now tell me about Damian.

(A visibly shaken Vincent replied...)

Vincent: ...Why... Why do you want him so badly?

Z: Who is he?

(It was a power struggle but despite his physical disadvantage Vincent knew he had the upper hand because he had the information. It was another boost to his ego and with a hint of arrogance, he replied...)

Vincent: Heh. You wouldn't know him if you saw him, why should I tell you anything? He's a good man, though. Better than you, I must say...

Z: Fine. Where is he then?

Vincent: ...In the Underground, of course.

(Z started pummeling his face to get him to talk but his will was strong and his ego was bloated. Realizing his efforts were useless, he stopped punching him, giving him yet another chance to speak...)

Vincent: ...Get over it. I've already asked that you kill me. You want him so badly, you can find him yourself. I'm done. Murder me...

(He was requesting death but Z didn't want to do it. Partly because all of this death was making him feel like a murderer and the thought alone was nauseating enough without the act. At the same time, he knew Vincent wasn't going to talk, he knew there was no point in even trying to make him say anything else. So he looked over at the rape victim and Maria, understanding what he wanted, brought her over but she kept her back turned to Vincent...)

Vincent: Her...?

Z: What's her name?

Maria: "...Hope."

(He looked at Hope and asked...)

Z: Hope, I know this is a terrible time for you but I'm going to give you the opportunity to decide his fate.

(She looked at him and shook her head, "No." He sighed and Vincent began laughing...)

Vincent: Heh. She can't... I'm inside her head. Heh. Please, Z... Just kill me.

(He was egging him on. Begging for death, begging for Z to accept another murder on his conscience but he tried his best to ignore him.)

Maria: What are you gonna do, Z?

Z: ...

(He looked at Hope again but she kept staring at the ground. He let out a deep sigh and looked at Maria.)

Z: Give me my sword.

Vincent: That's right... Do it, you little bastard. My hand's already numb from pain. Give me what I want and place another target on your back...

(She handed him the sword and he walked over to Vincent, who was still smiling, it was a drastic change from his attitude just minutes earlier.)

Vincent: ...Ask that Mayor if he enjoyed the flames for me.

(That statement left no room for doubt, Damian was responsible for the explosions in Clock Town and Vincent may have implicated himself in taking part in it. This was reason enough to give him what he wanted but Z outsmarted him...)

Vincent: AHH! ...AHH!! Wha... AHH!! ...That's....AHH!!

(Rather than kill Vincent, he repeatedly stabbed him in select areas of his body including his limbs as well as his other hand. Essentially leaving him as a useless human being, one who could only move his neck and nothing else. He was now practically a quadriplegic and more importantly would never rape again...)

(His anguish was heard throughout the house but Z didn't care; he didn't pay it any mind and left the place with Maria and Hope.)

Maria: ...You didn't kill him.

Z: Were you expecting me to?

(She didn't want to answer him truthfully out of fear of upsetting him.)

Maria: I didn't know.

Z: Either way, another one of Damian's goons has been taken out.

Maria: It almost sounded like him and Damian were good friends.

Z: They're not anymore...

Maria: If nothing else, at least we found Pamela's murderer.

Z: But not why, at least not a real reason.... ...Son of a bitch.

Maria: Hey, relax.

(He looked over at Hope.)

Z: You're gonna need some medical attention.

(She quickly glanced at him and nodded before looking away again. Noticing her strange behavior, he told her...)

Z: Listen. You'll be alright. We've taken care of the guy, he won't be a problem anymore.

(She didn't respond. Knowing that he wasn't handling her situation properly, Maria went over to him and whispered...)

Maria: I'll speak to her, okay? It's nothing personal but I'm a girl, she's more comfortable with me.

(He understood and left it at that. He took another look back at the shack before starting back up the path.)

Maria: Where are we going now?

(Too busy staring at what was ahead, he didn't answer. Annoyed, she walked up to him and then stopped when she saw it too...)

Maria: Wha...?

(A huge, trail of fire was moving incredibly fast in the direction leading out of the Underground City....)
Edited by Bx, Jun 27 2009, 12:04:09 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(It was an amazing sight, a bundle of fire moving furiously on a fixed path. The questioned remained however as to the nature of this fire and more importantly, it's origin. Naturally, they watched in awe at this spectacular sight until Maria realized that something just wasn't right...)

Maria: Z.

Z: Shh...

(She pulled her hair a little and tried again.)

Maria: Z, listen...

Z: Shh... Just watch.

(She grew even more frustrated, walked in front of him and placed her hands on his shoulders...)

Z: ...the hell?

Maria: Listen to me! That's not a natural fire, forget about how beautiful it is, just look at it for what it is. Darkness all around us and then out of nowhere we see a huge moving fire, it doesn't take a genius to realize something's not right.

(He thought about what she was saying, it made too much sense not to be true. "This isn't a normal fire but then what...?," he asked himself before answering.)

Z: You're 100 percent right. Uh... Let's find out what it is, I guess.

(She looked at him like he was stupid.)

Z: Um... Wasn't that what I was supposed to say?

Maria: You know, it is a huge fire, fire burns, I figured you'd know about that more than anyone.

(He smiled and then had a frightening flashback of his experience with Volvagia six months ago.)

Z: ...Well, what do you want to do then?

(She laughed and shook her head.)

Maria: I was just kidding around with you. What else are we gonna do, Z? That's why we're down here, to find Damian and I suspect a giant moving fire may have something to do with him.

(He looked over at Hope, she had been watching quietly. For whatever it was worth, it hurt him to see a person so fragile after such a traumatic experience. But like he did with everything else, he tried to just put it out of his mind and focus on the task ahead: trailing the moving fire.)

Z: You ready, Maria?

Maria: So long as you are.

(She glanced at Hope and asked...)

Maria: Are you ready?

(In an almost zombie-like manner, she nodded, "Yes." Z stared at her for a moment before he turned and started walking up the path toward the fire, still blazing through the area...)

Maria: Look at that thing... It's huge.

(As she described, the fire became larger as they neared it. Although it may have been a bad omen, it's light was certainly a help as it illuminated the area allowing them to see what they couldn't on their way down. Because of this, Z was able to see the rock he tripped over earlier due to the marks in the dirt near it...)

Z: ...Stupid rock.

(Maria chuckled and they continued up the path. The light's illuminating glow was leaving as the tail end of the fire was moving out of this section of the city. Seeing this, she yelled...)

Maria: Come on, before it's gone!

(She started running faster. Z watched her as she ran and then looked at Hope who also started running harder, quickly passing by him. This prompted a sarcastic response from him as he said...)

Z: ...It's a huge fire, remember?!

(Neither of them responded but he let out a heavy sigh and said...)

Z: ...Man, I'm tired now.

(Despite the fact that fatigue was starting to settle in, he sucked it up and ran to catch up with them. When he did, Maria noticed how hard he was breathing and stopped, asking him...)

Maria: Are you ok?

(He was bent over and breathing heavily, the stress and lack of adequate sleep were catching up with him. When he didn't answer, she asked him again...)

Maria: Z? Z, are you alright?

(He waved her to keep going but didn't say anything. She didn't move. He looked up at her and yelled...)

Z: ...I said go!

(Here she was concerned about him and all he could give her was his frustration. His attitude was disgusting but she did as he said and continued heading toward the flame. He watched them run off again and took this time to give his lungs a break. It was the worst time for his body to fail on him. Frustrated with himself and determined to do what he wanted and not what his body allowed, he started running again.)

(But it wasn't any better, he managed to catch up to them and actually keep up for a short distance before his lungs gave out.)

Z: *Huff* *Huff* ...

(Maria and Hope both stopped.)

Maria: Don't tell me to go this time because I'm not. What's the matter? You're tired?

Z: ...Yeah. It just hit me.

(He looked at the trail of fire. They were a lot closer to it now then before and he carefully examined it. After a few minutes, he figured out the fire's origin.)

Maria: Z?

Z: Torches.

Maria: Huh?

Z: ...They're torches. That's the fire. It's a mob of people running with torches in their hands...

Maria: What? But why would...?

Z: Remember what Jim said, it must be meal time...

(It all made sense now. She looked at Hope to verify it.)

Maria: Is this how it is when the food comes?

Hope: ...Yes.

Maria: Why didn't you...?

Hope: I wasn't thinking... I'm sorry.

(She understood. She could only imagine what it must have been like for her, as a female, she could empathize with her on a much more personal level than Z could. But now wasn't the time to focus on Hope, so she quickly shifted her thoughts back to the mob.)

Maria: We know where they're going then, Z. We can take our time so you can...

Z: No! I thought about it... We've got to catch whoever brings the food and trail them back to Damian. We have to keep moving as fast as possible.

Maria: But you can't handle it.

Z: Don't tell me what I can't handle.

Maria: Don't be stupid.

Z: Listen, we came here to find him and this is our best shot. Yeah, I'm tired but I'll get through it, now stop worrying and keep moving.

(She sighed in frustration while he ran ahead of them this time. Now it was just a grueling nonstop race for the torch-wielding mob or it would have been without his need to stop every so often to catch his breath. The path leading to the destroyed marketplace had never been harder, more tedious or more testing combined with Z's aforementioned breaks and the physical side effects of running full speed over several intervals, following the mob wasn't something they'd reminisce about in old age...)

(But their morale received a boost when they passed the rubble of Olivia's old house; it meant they were close and gave them just enough of an energy boost to make it to the marketplace without stopping. But at the marketplace...)

Maria: Oh my...

(Animals fighting over their kill. That was what this scene could be compared to, it was horrific, people were literally going at each others throats for sparse quantities of meat, bread and vegetables. And then they witnessed one of the sickest acts a man could commit...)

Woman: AHHH!!!!!! I'm burning!!! I'm burning!!!

(A woman was running around, engulfed in flames screaming for help. A man desperate for the celery she was after had used his torch to set her on fire and then almost like they were inspired by this act, those who had torches were lighting those in their way on fire. In mere moments, at least a third of the people there were on fire, scattering around, pleading for life before they fell and died leaving flames for the unburned to stumble upon.)

Maria: ...Horrible. I...

(She couldn't believe her eyes, what was playing out in front of her was madness and she or rather they were powerless to stop it. Not even Z could do anything but watch as his lungs wouldn't allow him to try and help. Hope, seemingly unaffected by the horror nearly ran out to snag some food before Maria caught her by the arm and stopped her, telling her....)

Maria: You don't have to... You'll have food, I promise.

(While the horror was playing out, Z saw two of Damian's men by their wagon, preparing to leave. Wanting to sneak onto it, he attempted to head in their direction but only fell to his knees after taking a few steps. Maria lifted him up and noticed someone...)

Maria: Raphael?

(Olivia's boyfriend, Raphael was in the mix of things, doing what he could to gather food. Once he got what he wanted, he ran toward them. As he got closer, he realized who they were and asked...)

Raphael: Z? Maria? Why are you here...?

(Z opened his mouth to answer but stopped; his fatigue was even affecting his speech. Maria answered in his place.)

Maria: Searching for Damian. But why are you down here? Can't you get food in Clock Town!? ...This is awful!

Raphael: No, I can't, it's too expensive. I need to eat too, you know... The food is there, I can't worry about ethics down here.

Maria: ...

(He looked over at Hope.)

Raphael: Who's she?

Maria: Hope. It's a long story...

Raphael: Oh... Ok.

(He looked over at Z, who was now on his knees crawling toward the wagon.)

Raphael: What the hell is he doing?

Maria: Z!

(He ignored them. "Get on the wagon and get to Damian," that was his only thought and he was determined to fulfill it. Just a few feet from them, he lifted his left arm and then everything went black...)
Edited by Bx, Jun 28 2009, 01:15:07 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Z blinked several times before fully opening his eyes. He was no longer in the Underground but at Kafei's Office, in the back. He heard someone breathing to his right and sat up.)

"Feels good to be awake, I bet."

(It was Olivia. She was sitting by her chessboard, playing a game with herself. He looked around to see if anyone else was in the room but it was just them. Responding to his silence, she smiled and asked...)

Olivia: You didn't forget how to talk, did you?

(He focused on her again and answered.)

Z: Of course not. ...Where's...?

Olivia: Maria?

Z: Yeah.

Olivia: She left with the Sages. They went to that temporary infirmary to see how that girl was doing.

Z: Hope?

Olivia: Yeah.

(He paused and tried to remember what happened before he blacked out.)

Olivia: What's the matter?

Z: I'm trying to remember what happened...

Olivia: Raphael said you were crawling and then just fell on your face.

(Hearing that, everything came back to him and his frustration returned. He pounded his fist on the bed; it was his best chance to find Damian and he blew it.)

Olivia: Hey, if you keep doing that you're gonna knock yourself out again.

(He sighed and looked at the wall, still thinking about how he missed his opportunity. She walked over and sat at the foot of the bed, asking...)

Olivia: Why are you so upset?

Z: I blew it.

Olivia: Blew what?

Z: ...My best chance to find Damian.

(She looked at the ceiling for a few moments and answered...)

Olivia: Maybe it was best that you didn't.

(Angered by her comment, he looked at her coldly.)

Z: I know you don't agree with my search but you can't possibly believe that I was somehow "lucky" to miss my chance to find that guy.

Olivia: Relax. And yeah, I do believe that.

Z: But your parents...? And everyone down there...?

Olivia: I've accepted the fact that my parents are gone. My mother may still be alive but who knows? And yes, it hurts everyday but at the same time, I can't change that it happened. I'm not gonna dwell on it and let it disrupt my life.

(Her words made him think about his own situation regarding his father. "The past is what it is, accept it and move on," that was his mantra, it was how he dealt with every challenge except this one. But again, he shut away his thoughts and finished listening to her...)

Olivia: ...But it's not just that. I've been thinking about it a lot lately and I've come to the conclusion that the Underground needs Damian.

("Ridiculous," immediately popped into his head after hearing that...)

Z: What do you mean, they need him? Who in their right mind needs a dictator!?

Olivia: Nobody needs a dictator but everyone needs a leader. Even if we don't know who he is, he's done more for the Underground than Kafei ever has.

Z: You haven't been down there in a while then...

Olivia: Raphael told me about the food restrictions but that's kind of how it was before Damian arrived anyway.

Z: What?

Olivia: It's true. Clock Town never provided for the Underground, they left us to fend for ourselves. Do you know how many people have died down there due to starvation? When Damian came, it all changed, the market was established.

(The inkling of respect that he had for Kafei evaporated with that statement. He was just as much of a monster as Damian; the suffering, the death and Damian himself all led back to him. He created the monster and took no responsibility for it... That was the type of person he despised.)

Z: ...No wonder they hate him.

Olivia: Who wouldn't?

Z: Do you hate him?

(She paused.)

Z: Olivia?

Olivia: ...I'm not sure. He has allowed me to stay here after all...

(She got up from the bed and went back to her chair.)

Z: Is Kafei here?

Olivia: No.

Z: Where'd he go?

Olivia: He went with the Sages too.

Z: ...A nice move for his image, I guess.

Olivia: Seems like that's all he cares about.

(She started moving her chess pieces and he watched her silently. Feeling a bit awkward, she looked over at him and asked...)

Olivia: We've already had this conversation about chess, haven't we?

Z: About how you practice?

Olivia: Yeah.

Z: Yeah, we have.

Olivia: So why are you so quiet now?

(He shrugged his shoulders, got out of the bed and sat in the chair opposite her. Smiling, she asked...)

Olivia: You wanna play?

Z: Uh...

Olivia: Come on, don't be afraid to lose.

Z: You'll beat me, no doubt but you're still a little too cocky.

(She laughed.)

Olivia: You don't think you're a little cocky? I think it takes a certain level of "confidence" to become some "one man army" and take on a tyrant basically by yourself.

Z: If you say so...

Olivia: Set your pieces up.

(He started scratching his head and although he didn't really want to play, he started setting up his pieces while she did the same. Now all set, they started...)

Z: Uh....Who moves...

(Before he could finish, he noticed how intensely she was studying the board and said...)

Z: ...Guess I got my answer.

(She made her move.)

Olivia: You're up.

(He mimicked her by studying the board for a while but mainly because he had no idea what he was doing... Seeing him, she started laughing hysterically. With his "concentration" shaken, he looked up at her and asked...)

Z: ...What's so funny?

(She continued laughing. So he asked again...)

Z: Uh... What's so funny?

(She finally stopped and answered.)

Olivia: It's just... That look... *Laughs* that look you had on your face. It was priceless...

Z: Oh.

Olivia: But go on, don't mind... *Laughs* me.

Z: ...I hate this game.

(A bit embarrassed, he made a quick and reckless move to which she answered with a fast though far better move of her own. He sighed and started shaking his head, he knew he was done for...)

Z: Ok... What next? Hmm...

(He glanced at her, she had an impish grin on her face. She smelled blood and he knew it. Regardless, he tried to focus and made another move.)

Olivia: Hmm... Not bad, Z.

Z: But not good either...

(Still grinning, she made her move.)

Olivia: Yup.

(He studied the board for a second and then made his next move. She quickly countered. Once again, the pressure was on him.)

Z: Alright... Um... That looks good.

(He made his move and she smiled.)

Z: What?

Olivia: Nothing.

(She glanced over the entire board and made her move. The game wasn't over yet, which meant that he wasn't going to be beaten as badly as last time. He also knew that didn't mean it was necessarily gonna be a good game either but the embarrassment would be slightly less this time around. Feeling a little better, he carefully surveyed the board before making his next move.)

Z: Hey, at least I've gotten a little better.

Olivia: You lost so quickly last time because you weren't focusing.

Z: I think you're underestimating how terrible I am at this game...

(She didn't reply and moved another piece. Oddly enough, he quickly countered and she retaliated immediately. He looked down at the board to make his next move but then looked up at her smiling face...)

Olivia: Checkmate.

Z: ...Great.

Olivia: Good game, Z.

(She extended her hand and they shook. Now that it was over, she started setting up her pieces again but did not place her queen on the board.)

Olivia: You know, the King is the most important piece in a game of chess but the Queen is the most powerful. Had I never learned how to play chess, I would have never thought that. I mean think about it, what's one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of a "King?"

Z: ...Powerful.

Olivia: Exactly. And I guess you can say the same for a Queen but... I don't know, it just...

(He gave her a funny look and asked...)

Z: So what, you think it's symbolic or something?

Olivia: Not really. It's always struck me as kind of odd, actually. To me, the world is like a game of chess, too much like it to be honest with you. All of it's there, strategy, deception, pawns, knights, kings, queens, what more is there? ...At least from a political standpoint. It's just, I don't know... ironic that the Queen of all things would be the most powerful piece.

(He thought about it. And it made a lot of sense, the world was a lot like a game of chess. At the same time, thinking about it made him feel uneasy.)

Z: I see what you mean.

Olivia: ...And just like life, it's unfair. ...But thanks for playing with me again, Z.

Z: No problem.

(He got up from his chair and went back to lay in bed.)

Olivia: Tired again?

(He sat up and turned to her.)

Z: A little. What time is it?

Olivia: Probably a little past 7 (p.m.)

Z: So what happened to Raphael?

Olivia: He went back to the Underground.

Z: He doesn't come a lot, does he?

Olivia: He's always working.

Z: Where does he work?

Olivia: He does odd jobs for people in the Underground, he has to start saving up rupees because once I'm able to leave this place, he's got two mouths to feed.

(His respect for Raphael increased tremendously after hearing this.)

Z: Sounds like you've got yourself a good man.

(Smiling, she replied...)

Olivia: Thanks. But I don't think the Sages even realize he's my boyfriend.

Z: And why's that?

(She paused for a second.)

Olivia: ...Because they seem to think that "something" is going on between us.

(His eyes widened and he asked...)

Z: What?

Olivia: Yup. That's just what I thought. But it's true, that's what they think.

Z: How do you know?

Olivia: Well, before you left for the Underground, remember how we spoke to each other? While we were talking, they looked at Maria and then at each other like they wanted to see if she saw how we were talking. Plus, the way they questioned me after you left...

(Embarrassed, he put his left hand over his forehead and closed his eyes before asking...)

Z: ...What did they ask you?

Olivia: Nothing directly but they made sure I knew that you and Maria were together.

(He took his hand from his face and opened his eyes.)

Z: ...Technically, we're not.

Olivia: Hmm?

Z: I mean that nothing's been officially stated or anything. Don't get me wrong, I love the girl but we're not "boyfriend and girlfriend" yet at least officially or... you know what? Forget it... Just forget it.

Olivia: Judging by that answer, I'd say you're official. Either way, I think you're a great guy Z but Raphael's got my heart.

(He chuckled.)

Z: And Maria's got mine. So anyway, how did you two meet?

Olivia: He was an acquaintance of my brother so I knew of him in passing before I really got to know him. We've been together since I was 15 and we really hit it off after my mom hired him to do a roof job on our house.

Z: So you just clicked like that?

Olivia: Yup. He knows me better than anyone...

Z: I guess he's the "King" in your life.

(She laughed and replied...)

Olivia: Yeah, that's a great way of putting it.

Z: But there's a bit of an age difference between you two, your parents didn't care about that?

(She looked at her chessboard for a moment before answering...)

Olivia: ...The truth is that my mother and I were never really close. My dad... Well, he was you know so I kind of did what I wanted. ...I guess it could have ended up horribly for me if Raphael wasn't such a good guy.

Z: I see.

(Relaying his original question back at him, she asked...)

Olivia: So what about you and Maria, how and when did you two meet?

(He smiled after hearing the question but didn't respond immediately as he stared at the floor, reminiscing about that boat ride to Hyrule all those years ago. After a few moments like this, he looked up at her and answered...)

Z: ...About six years ago right before I boarded a ship in Johan heading for Hyrule. I guess you can call it my "original" journey or whatever. But I remember being so scared standing in line... I was only ten years old and getting ready to board this huge ship alone. I was really nervous because looking around I only saw adults until I spotted her with her mom... I felt a little more at ease knowing I wouldn't be the only kid on the ship...

(Seeing the fervor in his eyes while he explained the story made her smile to herself... It was very telling of his feelings for Maria.)

Z: My fear came back though when the guy who checked the tickets questioned me about being alone but luckily Maria's mom, Tesla, got me out of that jam. And that's when we first met...

(With a glow still in his eyes, he laughed and said...)

Z: I remember the first thing she did was make fun of my nickname... But that's her for you.

(Still smiling herself, she replied...)

Olivia: Aww, that's sweet. So where is her mom at, anyway?

(The glow dimmed and his face sank as he looked at her and slightly shook his head... It was obvious that she'd just dug into an old wound so she said...)

Olivia: ...Sor...

(But he interrupted and answered...)

Z: She um... was captured and killed. I...

(He placed his left hand over his mouth and stared at the ceiling for a moment. Wanting to get off the subject, she replied...)

Olivia: Z, you don't have to explain...

(But he pulled his hand away from his mouth, looked at her again and continued anyway...)

Z: ...It happened because Maria and I left the house with a stranger really and said that we were off to see horse races but it was a lie. We just used that as our excuse to go get my stuff back from this thief. When the guy came back without us, outrage sparked in the village and he was branded a pedophile. Somehow it sparked into a full blown riot that was squashed just when we arrived back in the village... Tesla was captured and had I not been so lucky, Maria would have been too...

(He paused and let out a sigh before continuing...)

Z: ...I admit I feel guilty about the whole thing. She lost her mom because she was helping me... I know it wasn't my fault but knowing and believing are two different things... Whenever I have idle time I find myself going back to that day a lot. I try to put it out of my mind but it's kinda hard sometimes. I guess that's part of the reason why I can't stand not having my mind occupied with something...

(They both stayed silent. He was reflecting on what he'd just said while she was simply taking it all in... For her, this was him at his most honest, he really allowed her to see some of those old scars...)

Olivia: ...I'm sorry, Z.

(He nodded slowly and watched a crisp, dark bug crawling across the floor. Now thinking about his feelings toward Maria, her mother's death and even his own mother, he laid back on the bed but rose when Olivia said...)

Olivia: Can I ask you something, Z?

Z: Shoot.

Olivia: Why are you hiding your left hand? And don't tell me it's because of some injury again, not the way you use it.

(He looked at the ground and didn't answer...)

Olivia: I mean, I've never seen you tak...

(She stopped and watched him. He was taking his glove off. Once it was completely off, he showed her...)

Olivia: ...!? Isn't that...?

Z: It suddenly appeared earlier this year in January. ...Call it an unwanted gift for my sixteenth birthday. And an odd one since I'm not left-handed...

(On the surface of his left hand was the symbol of the Triforce. He twisted his wrist back and forth, studying it's glow while he spoke...)

Z: From an outsider's perspective, it's an honor to have. For me, it's just a reminder of someone I'd rather not think about.

Olivia: ...Your dad?

(In a sarcastic tone, he replied...)

Z: How'd you guess?

(He stopped looking at his hand and looked at her. Catching his eye, she asked...)

Olivia: You hate your father?

Z: I didn't know him.

Olivia: ...

Z: It's probably hard for you to understand my feelings seeing as how you recently lost your own father but.... Let's just say my dad wasn't much of a fatherly figure.

Olivia: But you said you didn't know him?

Z: Well, I'll put it this way, I know him well enough to know he's not someone I'd aspire to be like. He always put his interests above anyone else's and that's all I have to say...

(She didn't say anything, merely staring at the wall while he continued...)

Z: ...I'm not hiding this from anyone but myself. Maria tells me I need to open up but...

Olivia: Why are you telling me this...?

(He looked at his hand again and then at her.)

Z: Because I know I can trust you. You're a friend. And I know you won't tell anyone what I'm telling you.

Olivia: So you haven't told Maria either?

Z: ...She'll know eventually.

(She looked at his hand, thought for a moment and replied...)

Olivia: ...So that's really what it is.

Z: What?

(She looked directly into his eyes and answered...)

Olivia: You're not looking for Damian because you want to find him or because you're trying to help Kafei. You need something to take your mind off of your father, off your life in general. You said it yourself, you can't stand having idle time...

Z: ...

Olivia: You're selfish and going about it the wrong way. You're putting yourself and everyone around you in danger because you're hoping that all of this will just go away but it's not! You need to...

(He didn't let her finish and harshly replied...)

Z: I'm handling it the best way I know how. Besides, what would you know about how to handle my situation?

(She paused and stared at the ground briefly before answering.)

Olivia: I wouldn't. But I know people and...

Z: I'm doing what's best for me. I don't need someone trying to psyche me out or analyze me or whatever it is that you're trying to do. That's the last thing I need.

Olivia: Just because it's convenient for you doesn't make it right... You really need to open up...

Z: If I want someone to tell me I need to open up, I'll talk to Maria...

Olivia: You were expecting me to say something different?

(And just as quickly as he'd blown up, his attitude deflated and he spoke more softly.)

Z: ...No.

Olivia: You're the most confused person I've ever met, you have no idea which way to go but you're dead set on this one path and absolutely determined to go down it.

(He simply kept his head down, thinking about everything she was saying...)

Olivia: If you really do care about your friends then face your demons and stop running from them. Find a way, any way but confront them because eventually they're gonna return to tear you apart. Life's too short to live with that on your heart. Talk, open up or you'll just end up hurting the people you love.

(They were powerful words and left a firm impression on him as he laid back and shut his eyes...)
Edited by Bx, Jun 28 2009, 11:57:55 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
"Z!" "...Z!!" "Get up, Z!!"

(Startled but groggy, he opened his eyes to the sound of a panicked voice. It was Maria's, she was standing over him with a grave look on her face...)

Maria: Z, wake up!

Z: Hu...?

Maria: Get up, it's Kafei!

(Now fully coherent, he quickly sat up and looked around, noticing they were the only ones in the room.)

Maria: What are you doing!? Kafei's in trouble! Come on!

(His eyes widened and he looked at her.)

Z: ...In trouble? What!?

Maria: Get your stuff, I'll explain along the way!

Z: Alright.

(More curious than actually concerned, he rushed to grab his sword and put on his boots before they left the room and entered the front area. Olivia was waiting here with a nervous look on her face as well. Knowing there was no time to talk, they waved at her before exiting...)

(Outside, it was still dark and now raining. Whatever was going on was serious, Maria was running as fast as she could toward the southern part of town while he was having a hard time keeping up. Remembering his situation, she looked back at him and stopped...)

Maria: ...I'm sorry, I forgot.

Z: *Huff* *Huff* It's ok... But... *Huff* *Huff* What's going on?

Maria: I was with the Sages at the infirmary and...

Z: I know that. Tell me what happened.

(She looked up and answered...)

Maria: Kafei was attacked by a group of Damian's men...

Z: Where?

Maria: Just outside of the infirmary...

Z: Where were you guys?

Maria: We went ahead of him, he said he had some other business to take care of and then it happened.

Z: And the Sages?

Maria: They ran to stop them...

Z: Where did they go?

Maria: Out in Termina Field, through the Southern gate.

(He didn't reply and started running toward South Clock Town. She trailed behind for a short distance before catching up just as they entered Termina Field. The Town Guard must have been on the hunt as well since there were none in sight within the town walls.)

(In Termina Field, the rain was much heavier though yelling was heard traveling through the blustery wind.)

Maria: They're not far.

(He caught his breath for a few moments before tailing her after she went on ahead toward the action. After running for a couple of minutes through the soaked, muddy terrain, they saw them... A few guards, the Sages, Damian's men and of course Kafei, shielded behind the guards. Seeing him secure, she breathed a sigh of relief and said...)

Maria: Kafei's safe... Good.

(She ran ahead while he rested his lungs; Seeing Kafei protected assured him the situation was relatively stable. But he was a bit peeved that she woke him up for nothing, even asking himself...)

Z: ...She got me out of bed for this...? *Huff*

(Now rested, he walked closer to the Sages, who were still battling Damian's last henchman; the other four of which were on the ground, dead. With the situation nearly wrapped up, he tapped Maria's shoulder and sarcastically said...)

Z: I thought it was a "dire" situation?

(Slightly embarrassed, she didn't answer and looked over at the battle. He gave her a dirty look before also turning his attention to the action. Ruto and Impa were taking care of the attacker, a man in his late-twenties using a machete-like weapon against them.)

Impa: Give up, you scum!

(She slashed at his face with her short sword but he dodged it only to run straight into the edge of Ruto's fin. It left a nasty cut but he recovered quickly and lunged at her but Darunia stepped in right before he made contact and held him by the collar of his shirt. This allowed Impa to slash his chest several times until...)

Maria: ? ...You hear that, Z?

(He tuned out the sounds of the battle and heard it. Hooves running furiously accompanied by clashing metal and yelling coming from the east. He looked in that direction but couldn't see anything as it was too dark and still raining very hard. This development replaced his grouchiness with fear as he turned to her and said...)

Z: Yeah. ...Yeah, I hear it.

(He knew those hooves and the inevitable appearance of the rider made him extremely uneasy. Seeing the look on his face, she asked...)

Maria: What's wrong?

(He continued watching as the sound was growing louder; the rider and his accompaniment were getting closer. His silence worried her and she asked again, hoping to receive a favorable response...)

Maria: Really, Z, what's wrong...?

(He kept staring into the darkness but answered...)

Z: I know who it is...

(The tone of his voice combined with the trembling in his hands disturbed her and she nervously asked...)

Maria: ...W-w-who?

(The rider answered as he came into full view, it was just as Z feared, The Silent Demon... With his fears confirmed he knew who was chasing him and memories of the massacre in South Clock Town pervaded his mind. He looked over at the Sages, they had taken notice of him as well but had not yet defeated the remaining member of Damian's assassins. With the Demon's presence they were torn between continuing the fight or fleeing for safety.)

(As the Demon was charging full speed toward the Sages, his pursuers finally appeared, Zoras dressed in full body armor. Unlike the failed Clock Town counterpart of the "Demon Hunters," they actually knew what they were doing and hunted him as a squad rather than as individuals. This, of course, didn't change the fact that the Sages were in danger and each dived out of his path when he and his horse stormed through. But fear of being trampled didn't stop Damian's ambitious assassin as he launched himself at the horse's rear leg, gripping onto it's hoof and escaping death at the Sages' hands....)

Maria: That guy's insane!

(The Zora "Demon Hunters" rushed through as well, ignoring everyone they passed; they were good. They knew their mission and were intent on fulfilling it. Presumably inspired by this display of combat excellence, the town guard marched off with them to engage in the hunt as well. Kafei, remembering the massacre himself yelled out...)

Kafei: Stop! Stop! Don't!

(They ignored him, the only thing on their minds was the 400,000 rupee prize. Enough to make all but the most reasonable of men ignore rational behavior. With the panic over, the Sages got to their feet and immediately tended to Kafei...)

Impa: Are you okay, Kafei?

(He was fine. Aside from a slash across his mask, he was virtually unharmed.)

Kafei: ...Yes, I'm fine.

(He sighed and looked in the direction where the guards had run off...)

Kafei: I just hope those men are ok...

(Both he and the Sages quietly watched the darkness, hoping the men would return safely though history said otherwise. When they realized Z and Maria were approaching all eyes shifted onto them.)

Z: Hey, guys.

Kafei: Wow, when did you get here, Z?

Z: Not too long ago.

(Ruto stretched out her arms and gave him a hug. Letting go, she asked...)

Ruto: You feel alright?

Z: I'm fine. Still a little tired but ok.

(She smiled.)

Ruto: Good.

(Their relationship was improving, it was becoming a "Mother-Son" relationship again as opposed to the "Sage-Hero" one that developed after their four and a half years apart. Even now, his mother's love calmed him; it made him feel nostalgic and easygoing, the way he remembered himself prior to what happened in Hyrule....)

(But he didn't allow himself to get caught in this feeling, there were still plenty of questions that needed to be answered and he started with his usual target, Kafei...)

Z: What happened, Kafei?

(He adjusted his mask a little and answered...)

Kafei: What do you think? Damian's after me. Same as always...

(He sighed and continued...)

Kafei: ...I can't have a moment's rest. Thank goodness I was hidden behind the guards, had those Zoras spotted me...

(He chuckled and Z immediately became disgusted. As always, Kafei was worried about himself and how he looked despite the fact that those same men who protected him may have sentenced themselves to death...)

Z: Your men...

Kafei: What?

(He looked away and bit his bottom lip before continuing...)

Z: Nothing. Finish explaining what happened.

Kafei: Ok. Everyone had left the infirmary, I stayed behind to take care of some work with the head of the office and just as I was leaving, this group of men approached and grabbed me. They said it was time for me to "pay" for what I'd done.... And at that moment, I knew...

Z: Damian?

Kafei: Yes.

Z: Hmm...

(He looked over at the Sages.)

Z: So how did you know they'd taken him?

Nabooru: The guards, of course. They immediately went after the men and we followed behind.

Z: I see.

(He glanced over at Maria.)

Z: And that's when you ran to get me?

Maria: Yes.

Z: Ok.

(To their surprise, he just started walking back toward Clock Town. His mother called out to him...)

Ruto: Z, what are you doing?

(He turned around.)

Z: I'm going back to bed.

(Everyone's eyes popped out. "He's going back to bed? ...Why?" That thought, in some form or another, went through each of their minds. However, Maria was the first to speak on it...)

Maria: But Z, you're not gonna chase after...?

Z: Why should I? There's no point in it. I'm in no condition to chase anyone right now. I just need rest.

Ruto: But those men, you can't just...

Z: It's gonna sound a lot colder than it is but they made their choice. I said it before, I'm after Damian.... What happens with the Demon is not my concern right now.

(It was true. The Demon wasn't his prime concern, he believed Damian to be a worse threat or rather a more intriguing one. With no response from anyone, he turned back around and went on his way to Clock Town. But Maria didn't allow him to leave that easily and called out again...)

Maria: Z! One of the guys who attacked Kafei got awa...

(He didn't turn around this time though he answered...)

Z: Whoever he was, he won't be a problem. Think about it, from that kind of "ride," he won't have much skin left to do anything and even if he does make it out of that, the Demon will kill him. Like I said, he's not my concern and that guy is as good as dead...

(He walked off toward Clock Town leaving them speechless. As he was walking, he felt their stares but ignored them. His thoughts were centered around both what he'd just witnessed and his conversation with Olivia....)
Edited by Bx, Jun 29 2009, 11:52:07 PM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(The next morning at Kafei's Office, the Sages were in the front talking about last night's events. While Z, Maria and Olivia were in the back having their own discussion regarding the attack...)

Olivia: I don't think Damian's going to stop until Kafei's dead...

Maria: That's pretty obvious.

(Z got up from his chair and started pacing back and forth around the room. He was thinking but not about last night, instead, he was wondering about Hope's rape. For him, it was a more significant event and he tried fitting it into what he'd already learned thus far regarding Damian. Both Maria and Olivia curiously watched, they knew he was thinking but it was still odd to see him so tightly wrapped in his thoughts...)

(But he either didn't notice their stares or didn't care. He had all of these puzzle pieces: Anju's kidnapping and possible murder, Pamela's rape and murder, the theft of the powder kegs, the deaths of Dhani, Vladimir and maybe Vincent, Hope's rape and Olivia... "Olivia." This thought broke his trance and he looked at her. The sudden look combined with his pensive expression prompted her to ask...)

Olivia: Yes, Z?

(He studied her for a moment before Maria snapped her fingers to wake him up. He turned to her and nodded before focusing on Olivia again.)

Z: Sorry. I was just thinking about something...

Olivia: Ok... So what's up?

Z: How many men burned down your house?

(She sighed and closed her eyes. She was reliving that day... Without opening them, she answered...)

Olivia: Four. Four men.

Z: Four guys? Hmm... Did any of them say their names?

(She walked to her bed and sat down without answering. Her reaction struck both him and Maria as strange but just as he was about to ask, he remembered...)

Z: ...Is it too personal?

(She nodded, "Yes." He had forgotten that like Hope, she was also raped before her house was set ablaze. It was clear that he was reopening the gates of that experience with his questions but at the same time, they needed to be asked. Realizing what he needed to do, he gulped and turned to Maria...)

Maria: What?

Z: I need to speak with her, in private.

(She gave him a funny look, Olivia turned around and looked at them.)

Maria: Um... About?

(He knew it kind of looked suspicious but he had no choice, he could explain it to her later. Right now, he had to find out what happened and if that meant angering her for a few minutes or...hours then so be it.)

Z: Listen, it's not what it...

(And right before he was about to put his foot in his mouth, Olivia interrupted, saying...)

Olivia: It's ok, Z... She doesn't have to leave.

(He smiled and was relieved to hear this; she spared him from Maria's wrath later on. But this smile lasted for only a moment as she began speaking...)

Olivia: ...Truth is, I was waiting for you to ask me about my uh...situation.

(Maria looked at both of them. It was obvious she didn't know all of what happened to Olivia and asked...)

Maria: Well, what's going on?

Olivia: Prior to coming here, I was raped, Maria.

(Her eyes dilated and her jaw dropped. This revelation came as a complete shock but her initial response wasn't directed at Olivia but Z...)

Maria: You...knew?

(He nodded, "Yes.")

Maria: Why didn't you tell me?

(Honestly, he'd forgotten. Olivia mentioned it in a very subtle manner; she never actually used the word. And at that time, he had just arrived, he was tired and angry. But rather than say that, he lied...)

Z: It's her business, if she never told you, I figured there was a reason for that.

(She understood and Olivia reclaimed their attention, saying...)

Olivia: Before you ask... Yes, the man who attacked me was the same man you found with that girl. ...Vincent.

Z: So you knew him?

Olivia: No. But...

(She paused and sighed. A person doesn't just remember that kind of traumatic experience, they relive it whenever it's mentioned. It's sown in their mind and each time it's brought up the more frightening it becomes. She was no different, the only other time they'd seen her so shaken was when they talked about her brother. And although she didn't hide her reluctance, she knew how important this was to him and continued...)

Olivia: ...He wanted me to remember his name. He demanded that I repeat it, over and over again while he...

(She stopped and now all they heard were faint pieces of the Sages conversation on the other side of the building. But none of them were paying it any mind as she was reliving her experience while they were imagining it. During this time, Z pictured Hope's wounded body and looked at Olivia's, asking...)

Z: He didn't cut you, did he?

(She looked at her arms and then back at him to answer...)

Olivia: No, why?

(He saw this as somewhat strange, it didn't fit Vincent's pattern. Or at least what he'd seen with the other two victims which led him to ask...)

Z: You said you didn't know Vincent, right?

Olivia: Yes. Again, why?

Z: ...It doesn't fit his pattern.

(Hearing about this "pattern," Maria raised her eyebrows and asked...)

Maria: What "pattern?"

Z: Pamela and Hope were both badly wounded when they were raped but she wasn't. I'm just wondering why...

(Olivia's expression changed dramatically. No longer melancholic but filled with anger making it quite clear that he had struck a nerve. She wasn't the only one disturbed by his comment though as Maria lashed out at him, saying...)

Maria: Z, what's wrong with you!?

(In contrast to Maria's fiery question, Olivia closed her eyes, let out another sigh and with a tinge of hurt in her voice, calmly asked...)

Olivia: ...Yeah, Z. What...do you mean by that?

(He felt like a heel. He'd been reckless with something that should have been handled more delicately but he accepted his mistake and apologized...)

Z: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. But you guys took it the wrong way or maybe I asked the wrong way, regardless, I wasn't implying that you had something to do with your own rape, that's ridiculous. What's got me curious, though is why a sick bastard like that would show you "mercy."

("Mercy" may not have been the best term to use but despite that, her temper cooled. And his apology was sincere; it really was about Damian, not her. Still, both girls were wondering where exactly he was going with this...)

Maria: So...What does this all mean, Z?

Olivia: Yeah. What are you thinking?

(He heard them but couldn't answer. He didn't know how to answer, he didn't have an answer, only questions. And sorting everything out was mind-numbing, it was difficult distinguishing the significant details from the insignificant ones. He'd given it a great effort but couldn't fit any of the pieces together. With no answer, he stayed silent...)

Maria: Uh....?

Olivia: You don't know?

(Busted. He exhaled and replied...)

Z: No.

Maria: Great way to build up the suspense...

(He chuckled. Her comment wasn't funny but he was frustrated and laughter was his immediate reaction. He kept asking himself, "What's the missing link?," hoping that "lightning" would strike and then the door swung open. It was Kafei.)

Kafei: Good morning, everyone.

Maria: Good morning.

(He walked past them and entered his office briefly before returning. Looking at each of them, he put his head down and said...)

Kafei: I don't have good news to report...

Maria: What happened!?

(He shrugged his shoulders and replied...)

Kafei: ...The guards who went after the Demon never came back. I tried sending out a search party but...

(He paused. Already edgy, Z bitterly demanded he continue...)

Z: Tell us!

Kafei: ...No one's willing to go out there. I told the guards what happened but they're afraid to leave Clock Town's walls now.

Olivia: Can you blame them?

Kafei: Of course not. Thankfully, word hasn't spread throughout the rest of town but I suspect it will and then I'll have another problem on my hands...

(His image once again was his main concern and Z's blood began boiling until he finally unleashed his latest tirade...)

Z: I thought you said you'd take care of the Demon!? That's what you told those people, isn't it?!

Kafei: Yes, that's...

Z: So what the hell was your grand plan!?

Maria: Z, calm down!

(He rolled his eyes while Kafei, now trembling, answered...)

Kafei: I, I... I really didn't...have one. ...I just told them that the Gorons were taking care of it...

Z: The Gorons... Using them as your scapegoat again, huh?

Kafei: The prejudice against them was at an all-time high, I needed some way to restore their reputation!

Z: You could have told that mob the truth!

Kafei: I was doing the Gorons a favor!

Z: You were covering your ass! You were being a politician, you piece of shit...

(The back and forth arguing finally stopped. He delivered the killing blow leaving Kafei shell-shocked, to say the least....)

Z: Everything that's gone wrong in your life has been your fault. You've tried to push away everything that could potentially ruin your image. You're a con artist, a fraud and obviously a terrible father. It's no wonder your kids hate you and your wife left you.... You've been running from every challenge and now your mistakes are coming back for you....

(Absolutely stunned, Kafei slowly took off his mask revealing his distorted, teary-eyed face. Maria couldn't believe what she'd just seen and heard, it was Z at his coldest. Olivia silently watched with a blank expression, leaving anyone to guess her thoughts. But Z was unmoved by his tears and continued...)

Z: ...Even now, you're looking for sympathy. A man who's been handed everything...

(He looked at Olivia.)

Z: ...And a girl who's been given nothing. How dare you cry in front of her.

(Still teary-eyed, Kafei looked at her but she didn't meet his eyes while Z put the finishing touch on his rant..)

Z: Save the crocodile tears for your next election. ...You are the key to all of this Kafei. It all flows from you yet you're too much of a coward to confront it.

(With nothing left to say, he turned and walked out of the room. Something good did come out of the conversation, however, he regained a sense of where to place his focus in his hunt for Damian, on Kafei. A point he had nearly forgotten with all of the turmoil in the Underground...)
Edited by Bx, Jul 1 2009, 01:00:34 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Maria ran and grabbed Z's shoulder before he made it down the hall. He already knew it was her and prepped himself for the "inevitable" criticism before turning around. The disappointment in her eyes validated his thoughts but hoping to deflect a potential argument, he said...)

Z: No point talking about it.

(She shrugged her shoulders and looked away, slowly shaking her head. Although it wasn't simply a matter of apologizing, he wasn't even willing to take that step and continued his "deflection" strategy by asking...)

Z: ...I'm heading to the inn, wanna come?

(She nodded, "Yes." It wasn't a good sign for him, though. Silent responses usually meant she was really upset. But he couldn't do anything about it, at least nothing he was willing to and turned, entering the front where the Sages were talking. Upon seeing him, they stopped and Impa asked...)

Impa: We heard yelling in there. Is everything okay?

Z: Yeah.

(They didn't buy it and he knew what was coming next...)

Darunia: So what happened?

("Never fails...," he said to himself before answering...)

Z: I just a had a disagreement with Kafei, that's all. Nothing new.

Nabooru: He told us about the guards...

Z: Yeah. Bad news but did you expect a different outcome?

(No one replied.)

Z: Well, Maria and I are gonna leave now. See you guys later.

(They started walking toward the door. As he placed his hand on the knob, Saria grabbed his arm.)

Z: ?

Saria: Where are you going?

Z: We'll be in East Clock Town.

(He twisted the knob but she tugged his arm again.)

Z: What?

Saria: You never asked us how our meeting went.

("Huh?," he thought before remembering what she was referring to.)

Z: ...Oh. Well, with everything that's happened, I forgot.

(He looked at everyone and asked...)

Z: So what did you guys come up with?

Ruto: Considering the state of Hyrule and the lack of an heir, we believed it best to model the new government after Termina's.

Z: What?

Ruto: We're implementing a Grand Council to make decisions. With Rauru's death, that leaves five of us and since we headed the evacuation, we figured that the people would believe in the new government so long as we were the decision makers.

(Stunning news. Hyrule, a country always ruled under a monarchy was now going to operate under a completely new form of government. Nabooru further explained the reasoning behind this decision, saying...)

Nabooru: The idea is that we're trying to prevent a legitimacy crisis from ensuing. Wars have forever been fought for that very reason and we don't want that to crush what's left of Hyrule.

(Hearing that, he thought of Alvius' dying words....)

Alvius: ...It. It is...not over... Ha, ha, ha.... Th-this country h-h-has no heir, w-who will....rule?.... Ha, ha, ha... A leg-ggitimacy crisis will....ensue and.... Hyrule will be...in constant turmoil...war t-t-that not even...you...can stop....

(Everything he said was coming back, he'd been ignoring it this entire time but with Hyrule closer to reconstruction then ever before, those words were never more chilling....)

Alvius: ...I...followed...part of Ganondorf's...ph-philosoph-phy....and have....ensured that....you, "hero" w-will n-not receive a moment's...rest. As...I die, the....other will take....my place...

(He became lost in this haunting flashback; he hadn't told them what Alvius said primarily because he wasn't sure whether he said it to screw with him or because it was true. But now wasn't the time to dwell on this and he snapped out of it with his mother asking...)

Ruto: You okay?

(He looked around, they were all staring at him...)

Z: ...Yeah, I'm fine. The uh... shock of the news...got to me.

(Obviously a lie. He began stroking his chin and licking his lips, still thinking about that last encounter. Everyone continued studying him before Ruto, hoping to kill the awkwardness, asked...)

Ruto: ? ...Okay. Well, what do you think of our plan?

(The ripples in his brow eased and he seemed to regain some of his composure, replying...)

Z: It sounds good, I think. Different and not what I expected but smart... Real smart.

Impa: We saw how well the Grand Council here worked and I guess it kind of inspired us.

Z: I see. Hyrule will have the "Council of Sages" now, huh?

(They all laughed but Impa, in her usual serious tone, said...)

Impa: Now only the questions surrounding our funding and population remain. Hopefully, at least one of those will be resolved soon. And I suppose we can only hope that it's just mere days or better yet hours until this Damian issue is weeded out...

("Wishful thinking...," Z told himself before Ruto chimed in, saying...)

Ruto: Well, I guess we'll let you two go now. Be careful.

Z: We will. And good luck guys.

(They nodded approvingly while he checked to see if Maria was alright, she seemed okay but still upset. He breathed a muffled sigh and they left the building. As they were walking through South Clock Town, she finally broke her silence...)

Maria: Pretty interesting news, huh?

(Used to her silence, he hadn't been listening and asked...)

Z: What was that?

Maria: I said the news about the Sages was interesting.

Z: Oh.

Maria: Something wrong?

Z: ...No.

(She didn't believe him but didn't care to inquire about it either and changed the subject.)

Maria: Were you lying when you said we're going to the inn?

Z: No.

Maria: But we're not allowed in there. Did you forget?

Z: Nope.

(She sighed, pulled her hair from her eyes and asked...)

Maria: ...What are you planning now?

Z: If we're gonna find Damian, we're gonna have to find out what Kafei's not telling us.

Maria: And what's that?

Z: That's what I want to find out.

Maria: You know they're not gonna let you in, right?

Z: You sound like you're not coming with me.

(That statement further soured her disposition, edging her closer to giving him another tongue-lashing but holding back, she said...)

Maria: I'm not. Not if you're trying to do something stupid. And I already know you are since you're saying you're gonna go into a place you've been banned from.

Z: That wasn't my fault. That lady was a nut...

Maria: No, it was your fault. You're an idiot with a big mouth...

(Surprised by her tone, he said...)

Z: Listen, I get it, you didn't like what I said to Kafei but...

(Before he could finish, she interrupted, saying...)

Maria: You're right, I didn't. And you know Z, this may come as a real surprise but believe it or not, you're far from perfect. And we get it, you hate Kafei but have you ever listened to yourself whenever you decide to get on your high horse and criticize him for every little thing?

("...No," was his answer but he kept it to himself while she continued...)

Maria: Next time you decide to go one of your "rants," stand in a mirror and listen to yourself, watch yourself then come back and tell me what you see. ...And that's really all I have to say.

(She was on a roll and as much as he wanted to engage her in verbal warfare, he realized he'd only be proving her right. With that in mind, he took the high road and replied...)

Z: Fine. I'll keep my mouth shut just to make you happy...

("Make you happy," those words gave her the ammunition for her sarcastic response...)

Maria: Good. That's what you're best at...

(That hit a nerve. He held in what he wanted to say but just as they were about to reach East Clock Town he decided to spin it back to her, saying...)

Z: You know what? Since we're almost at the inn and you think my plan is stupid, I'll let you decide where we should go now.

Maria: Shut up.

Z: No seriously I...

Maria: Just shut up!

(He stopped, looked at the sky and placed his right hand over his forehead dragging it across his face while she asked...)

Maria: I know I said it was stupid but what was your plan to begin with?

Z: I wanted to try and break...

Maria: Alright, alright. Enough. I don't even know why I bothered asking...

Z: ...You know, that's kinda why I told you to make the decision.

(Ignoring his sarcasm, she looked back at the Clock Tower then at him again.)

Maria: It's still too early to go see Hope so I think... I think we should go find out what happened to those soldiers.

(Not what he wanted to hear. He'd put his foot in his mouth because now he had to follow through with her "plan." It didn't take long for him to realize that she chose this to spite him. Still, her "brilliance" charmed him and he chuckled before agreeing...)

Z: Okay, okay. We'll go.

Maria: I know.

(In a playful manner, he twisted his left arm and extended it forward with an open palm, winking at her before she took the lead. Walking past the inn, he stopped and asked...)

Z: Wait a minute, why are we going this way?

Maria: Because they ran off in this direction.

(She was right so he kept quiet while they exited the town walls. Now in Termina Field, they took a few steps before...)

!!!

Maria: Oh... my...

(Spread across the entire field were bodies, both Zoras and town guards... Each violently killed by the monster's blade. Patches of the field were drenched burgundy red making for bloody soil soaking the mutilated bodies. They examined each one silently leaving Z to question whether he could continue ignoring this "silent" crisis...)
Edited by Bx, Jul 3 2009, 12:26:33 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(At every step, a different grotesquely battered body lay. They were at a loss for words; there was so much to say yet nothing could explain the insanity. Not since leaving Hyrule had they seen carnage on this scale... It was the work of a man with no conscience leaving Z to wonder what this man, this "Demon" saw in a mirror, assuming he could even look in one. But looking at the pile of bodies, they made two intriguing discoveries: Damian's assassin was not among them and a trail of bloody hoof prints led into the Southern Swamp....)

Maria: ...Looks like he went into the swamp. And that guy who tried kidnapping Kafei isn't here either...

(Z studied the bloodstained trail silently for a while, deciding whether to follow it or not. It was a difficult decision, he wanted to spend all of his time searching for Damian but part of him felt guilty over this latest massacre and another part now believed there was a strong possibility that the Demon and Damian were connected due to the absence of the assassin's body. With a sharp headache creeping in, he looked at Maria for some type of sign on which way to go...)

Maria: What's wrong?

Z: ...I don't know what to do.

Maria: What do you mean? We have a trail that leads...

Z: Not that. I mean I don't know if we should follow this trail or not...

(She didn't understand what he was saying. Six years ago when they first met this would have been a no-brainer, they'd simply follow the trail. Taking a moment to ponder the cause of his internal debate she finally realized the difference between then and now, the childish naivety was gone. But even with this realization, she had no answer for him and replied...)

Maria: I see... Well, what do you want me to say?

(He thought about it and tried breaking his indecisiveness but only ended up sharpening his headache. Once again, he figured it was time to put everything into her hands...)

Z: I want you to decide what we should do.

Maria: I thought we were already going with that plan...

Z: Come on, Maria, I'm being serious.

Maria: I know. Okay, um...

(Now she was having doubts as to what route to take. But once she remembered her two frightening experiences in the Underground, she quickly made a decision...)

Z: Don't tell me you don't know either...

Maria: I do. We're gonna follow this trail, Z.

(Although he was leaning toward the other option, he'd prepared himself for either choice and said...)

Z: Alright.

(Stopping him as he turned, she asked...)

Maria: ...You're not still mad at me, are you?

(Smiling while he watched the overcast sky, he replied...)

Z: I should be asking you that. But I really hope you don't think I'm that petty.

(She grinned and answered....)

Maria: No, I don't. But what I do know is that you're extremely stubborn.

(He rolled his eyes but laughed. She followed suit, playfully hitting his arm for their earlier "argument." But now with their minds made up and their spirits high, they followed the trail and entered the Southern Swamp. Their spirits sank, however, as they stumbled into another scene baring the Demon's "mark.")

Z: Damn...

Maria: ...Here too?

(He'd left another more frightening trail in this barren wooded area, a line of Deku bodies. Each sliced in half and left as little more than rotting wood. Further inspection revealed that they were soldiers or guards, most likely the Deku variant of the "Demon Hunters." With this latest discovery, it became plainly obvious that thus far, the results of the so-called "Demon Hunters" had been tragically disastrous...)

Maria: Poor Dekus...

(Z was awestruck by the butchery before him. Surveying the bodies, he said to himself, "The Demon is destroying everything in his path... How can one man do this alone...? It's scary just thinking about it..." His right wrist began twitching but he clenched it with his left hand, quietly asking himself...)

Z: Who is this guy...? ...Or what?

(Maria had been watching the entire time and sensed an eerie vibe from both him and the swamp itself. There was an unsettling air vibrating through the breeze forcing her to say...)

Maria: I'm not so sure I want to keep going now...

Z: You wanna turn back?

(She glanced at the bodies and gripped a few strands of her hair, continuously pulling through them. Seeing this nervous tick, he became concerned but before he could give her words of encouragement, she said...)

Maria: Please don't make fun of me but... I... I'm kind of scared, Z.

(Her hands began trembling; they were both thinking alike, whoever or more appropriately whatever this Demon was, it was not to be taken lightly. But in the hope of easing her worries, he grabbed her hand and put on a phony smile, saying...)

Z: It'll be okay, don't worry.

(He was lying. He had her same concerns but knew he couldn't crack, not when she was like this. Despite his "hidden" uneasiness, her trembling calmed and he said...)

Z: Come on, we've been down worse roads, remember? This...

(He paused and focused on the bodies. The longer he stared at them the worse they appeared and despite the confidence in his voice fading, he continued...)

Z: ...This...this is nothing...

(She pulled away from his hand and wrapped her arms around him, this display of affection was a sharp contrast from her earlier attitude. "This is really getting to her...," he told himself before slowly, almost reluctantly, returning the embrace. His reluctance was a product of his guilt, he had no idea what they'd see beyond this point. Still holding her, he closed his eyes but more bodies flashed in his thoughts and he quickly reopened them. Determined to tell her the truth, he said...)

Z: Maria...

(But with her head now pressed against his chest, she was in her own world and didn't answer but he tried again...)

Z: Maria...

(Again, nothing. Now he thought it better to let her live with the lie and hope for the best rather than spoil her moment... When she finally let go, he looked at her, moved his hand through her hair and smiled. But before he could say anything, she said...)

Maria: Thanks. ...And you're right, we should keep going.

(Not exactly what he wanted her to say but one can only ask for so much. Either way, they walked past the dead Dekus and entered the heart of the swampland.)

!?

Maria: W-w-wha...? No...

(The swamp water was red, blood red. Waterlogged and rotted Deku bodies were drifting aimlessly in their own blood. Absolute carnage, there was no other way to describe it. This discovery horrified both of them with Maria shaking her head, saying..)

Maria: ...I don't know, Z... I don't know...

Z: Relax. Remember what I said.

(She looked into his eyes but shook her head, "No." He couldn't blame her, reality was all around them and he'd lied to begin with. Despite his own fears, he asked...)

Z: Maria, are you at least willing to go with me to see what's in this house over here?

(She stayed quiet. He grabbed her hand and asked again...)

Z: Can you come with me to this house?

(She looked at the house, it was only a few feet away and then back at him.)

Z: What do you say?

(She focused on the house again. Closing her eyes, she breathed a sigh but nodded.)

Z: Good.

(To be honest, he was kidding himself. He didn't want to go in that house any more than her but he couldn't show that it was getting to him. So together, they walked towards the house on the platform, taking note of the small boat underneath before climbing up a ladder to the door.)

"KNOCK! KNOCK!"


(No one answered. He looked at her, she was shaking her head, "No" but he knocked again...)

"KNOCK! KNOCK!"


(No answer. He looked at her again, she was still telling him, "No". With her well-being in mind, he started to turn back but curiosity overruled her feelings and he twisted the knob... It opened. Preparing for anything, he pulled out his blade, grabbed her hand and walked inside.)

(It was a mess. Everything from boxes to photographs were scattered all over the floor. But there was no one inside so he snooped around a bit much to her displeasure. After several minutes of searching, he found nothing of interest and was ready to leave as soon as he turned over one more box...)

"AHHH!!!!"

Z: Holy...!!!

(Under this box was a man, an older gentleman oddly dressed in green. He was breathing heavily with his head down avoiding eye contact with Z...)

Z: Uh....Who...?

???: ...Don't. I, I, I'm.... not a-a-a De...ku... Please...

Z: What are you talking about? Who are you?

???: ...Puh-Puh-Please.

(The man was hysterical and unsure how to handle him, he looked at Maria, who surprisingly took over...)

Maria: Sir?

???: Oh no.... Y-y-you've got...a girl now too?.... Oh no...

Maria: No, sir, you don't underst...

???: Please... Please... Take anything.... Anything...

(There was no getting through to him. Z tapped her shoulder, whispering in her ear...)

Z: It's no use, he's traumatized. ...We'll take him up on his offer though.

Maria: Huh?

(He pulled himself away from her ear and replied...)

Z: He said, "take anything." Remember that boat under the house? We'll use it to navigate the swamp.

Maria: ...

(He put his hand on her shoulder, saying...)

Z: ...Before we do that, though. I'll ask you. Do you want to come with me or not? Or really, can you come with me?

(It was a tough decision for her but she gave him a surprisingly quick answer...)

Maria: ...Yeah, I'll come.

(His eyes dilated but he paused. As simple a statement as it was, it rang volumes in his head. "She...really trusts me," he said to himself before nodding slowly, replying...)

Z: Thanks.

(He started for the door while she stayed behind, staring at the box...)

Maria: You're just gonna leave him here?

(He turned around.)

Z: ...I'm a little afraid of what he might do if I put a finger on him.

Maria: Oh...

(She took another look at the box before heading toward the door as well. Looking back at the box himself, he remarked...)

Z: I guess he'll be okay...

(She shrugged her shoulders and they left. After climbing down the ladder, he looked at where the trail ended before hopping on the boat with her. After a few minutes of preparation he was ready to launch and turned to her, asking...)

Z: You ready?

(She was too busy looking at the dead Dekus in the water to reply.)

Z: ...Guess that's a "Yes."

(He launched the boat and they cut a path through a small opening nearby, passing an old house and another slew of dead Dekus. Watching each body they passed, she said...)

Maria: Gosh... How could anyone...?

(It was a tough ride, murdered bodies everywhere. For Z, it was a grim reminder of what he'd seen in Hyrule just before leaving. For this reason, he made an effort not to look at them... The brutality reached it's high point when they reached the palace, though. The Demon left no Deku breathing, each of their throats slit and carelessly left without a burial...)

Z: ...Wow.

(They docked and got off at the palace, stepping over the dead that surrounded them and entered... Inside, it was more of the same, a bloodbath in it's most despicable form... Floating among the bodies were papers, Maria snagged one. ...It was another one of those "Demon Hunters" propaganda posters. She sighed and placed it back in the water. Looking around the palace, Z realized something and stopped, saying...)

Z: Wait a minute...

Maria: What?

Z: Who rules...

Maria: That's right! The Queen!

(She closely followed behind as they made their way into the Queen's chamber. But when they arrived...)

Together: ...We're too late.

(The Queen was laying on her throne, dead. They started walking to her body when...)

???: ....She did it to herself.

(They turned to the sight of five Deku noblemen with Z asking....)

Z: What do you mean...? She...killed herself?

(Each of them nodded but only one replied...)

Nobleman: Precisely. ...We were doomed to fail just as prophecy foretold. Our way of life was failing even without the Demon, his attacks on those "mercenaries" simply gave us the "push" we needed...

Maria: Push? What are you saying?

Nobleman: Our forefathers ruined our generation, their arrogant isolationism left us without any true allies after we lost our fortune.... The gods were undoubtedly making us pay for our behavior and although our wonderful Queen tried to right their wrongs... It was too little, too late. The Demon must be the gods' avenging spirit, he is their reaper and our efforts to dispose of him....As I'm sure you saw, disastrous. So we knew he'd come for us just as he did his "hunters" and our glorious Queen, our "Suicide Queen" allowed us to go with dignity rather than humiliation....

("No... No...," went through both of their minds as Z asked...)

Z: Are you saying...?

Nobleman: It was her finest order. Those who refused were put to death by the loyal ones willing to accept their fate and honor their Queen. And now, we will do our honor. Her honor. To us! ...And our "Suicide Queen!"

(All five of them pulled knives out and held them to their throats. In a desperate attempt to stop them, Z and Maria ran toward them, shouting...)

Z & Maria: Wait!!!

(But it was all in vain. Each of them, dead by suicide... This scene shredded their original fear as it became clear that the plethora of bodies they'd witnessed earlier was not the work of the Demon... No, it was a mass self genocide and their Queen, their "Suicide Queen" as they affectionately dubbed her, decreed it...)
Edited by Bx, Jul 4 2009, 12:27:40 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Self-fulfilling prophecy... That's all it was. They feared their demise so much that they ended up causing it. Macabre tales like this happen every day but rarely on such a grand scale, the Dekus of Termina essentially wiped themselves out. Unfortunately, for Z this was nothing new, he had seen it on a much lesser scale with Adira. Her reason for attempting suicide was the same as theirs, fear of a brutal "inevitable" death. The irony was all around him and it made her seem that much luckier...)

(He walked to where the Queen's body lay and stared at her. Even dead, the fear and uncertainty could be seen on her face. She led her people to die with the hope that it would bring them everlasting peace but all it brought them was a brutish end. Death is just as it seems, the end of life and that's it. With the shock wearing off, he was never more certain of this...)

Maria: Z.

(He turned and faced her.)

Z: Yes?

Maria: ...I think we should leave.

(He stared at her for a moment, trying to gauge her feelings. He got the sense that she was neither frightened or saddened, she just seemed...detached, either due to shock or because tragedy was becoming commonplace. But without another word, he started walking toward her and they left the palace...)

(They waded through the bloody swamp water, silently looking at every dead body wondering what type of life they led and lost. Having gone the opposite way from which they came, they were nearing another spot of land with a house not far off in the distance. She looked out at the patch of land, wondering if he was going to stop, telling him...)

Maria: ...You can stop if you want. I'm...not nervous anymore.

(Wonderful. It would have been great to hear under different circumstances. But he didn't feel like exploring, he wanted to go back to Clock Town and be with his mom. He hadn't spent much time with her since arriving and witnessing all of this gave him the desire to open up and explain everything to her. As he neared the landing spot without slowing down, Maria asked...)

Maria: You're not gonna stop?

Z: Do you want me to?

Maria: Not really. I just wanted to let you know I didn't mind if you did.

(He started thinking about why he was here in the first place. It was to find the Demon, to follow his trail... Everything that happened here could be attributed to him, this murderous monster and... And he wasn't to blame. Pointing the finger at him was easy but it wasn't right....)

"What would you do?"

(Those words written on the "Demon Hunters" poster immediately flashed before his eyes and he thought to himself, "Was it or really is it all for self-defense...?" If what he believed was correct, he only harmed the Deku Demon Hunters and as their name implies, they were pursuing him. Thinking about it, his headache returned and he stopped the boat leading Maria to ask...)

Maria: We're getting off?

(All he wanted was to be with his mom but he didn't want to come back here either and answered...)

Z: ...Yeah.

Maria: Okay.

(They got off and walked down the path leading to the house. It was no different from the other parts of the swamp, everywhere lay Deku bodies. There was no trail of blood to follow yet they stayed on the miserable path until the house came into full view. It was an odd-looking place, shaped like a bottle actually with Maria asking...)

Maria: Who do you think lives or...lived here?

Z: No clue. But I'd rather find out now than wish I had later...

(They climbed the ladder leading up to the door. Z knocked several times and to their surprise it opened. Cautious, he held the hilt of his blade while entering. Inside was an old man surrounded by all kinds of ancient artifacts, plants and even potions. He looked troubled but this came as no surprise after walking through the literally dead swamp. Motioning for them to come in, he said...)

???: I wasn't expecting visitors... Why are you here? It's like a battlefield with no survivors out there. To travel through that, I hope your business is of some importance...

Z: Eh... Truth is, we just kinda stumbled upon this place.

(The old man's eyes widened.)

???: You would disrespect the dead and simply walk over their territory? Flippant children...

Z: It's not like that. ...We were looking for someone.

(The old man's expression changed from one of repugnance to curiosity and he asked...)

???: Who?

Z: The Demon that's been terrorizing Termina...

(Saying that didn't sound as truthful as it once had. But oddly enough, the curious look in his eyes vanished, replaced with his earlier world-weary expression as he replied...)

???: Ah...I see.

Maria: You know who we're talking about?

???: I've heard stories.

Z: But no encounters?

???: Not that I know of. From what I've heard of that demon, you two are quite brave to go looking for him.

Maria: ...

Z: ...I guess.

(The old man started walking toward them. Unsure of his motives, Z backed up a little though the man simply extended his hand for a shake.)

Z: ...Oh.

(He returned the gesture and the man did the same to Maria with the same result, of course. Afterward, he introduced himself...)

???: My name is Malachi. I am a... magic man of sorts. As you can see by my home, I'm also a bit of a collector.

Z: I'm Z and this is...

Maria: Maria.

Malachi: Nice meeting both of you. ...I wasn't sure what your business was, that's why I was distant earlier.

Z: It's okay.

Malachi: I suppose everything that's happened has made me a bit uh...cautious, to say the least.

(He walked back to his desk and lifted a bottle filled with a red substance, saying...)

Malachi: ...I tried so hard to help those who were being murdered around me...

Maria: What do you mean?

(He sighed and answered...)

Malachi: I didn't know the Queen had ordered the genocide and when I saw Dekus running for their lives from their own kind, I didn't know what to think... I rushed out to help those I saw wounded but... I was too late. I couldn't help them...

(He closed his eyes and placed the bottle back on the desk. Sympathetic, Z walked to his desk and said...)

Z: Hey, you did what you could. I can only imagine what that must have been like...

(He opened his eyes and smiled, saying...)

Malachi: You're a nice kid. But you don't understand. It's been a recurring theme in my life. I've always been too late...

(It was obvious he was no longer talking about the Dekus but something else. Looking around at the bottles, plants and mystical artifacts, Z had an idea as to who this man was and asked...)

Z: Were you a teacher?

(His wide-eyed expression and thoughtful pause left little doubt about his answer. Maria was less perceptive, however and looked at Z, wondering about his question until it hit her as well...)

Malachi: ...Yes. Uh.... How?

Z: A man named David. He was your student?

(He smiled upon hearing the name but frowned shortly after, replying...)

Malachi: ...A good kid. Had the potential to be a wonderful illusionist. He knew the art well... If I may ask, how did you know?

Z: We met him and his little sister is a friend of ours. She mentioned something about a teacher when we were talking about him. And looking around, it just seemed to fit.

(His earlier curiosity returned and he quickly asked...)

Malachi: You... You met him? How is he?

Maria: ...Not good.

(His excitement quelled.)

Malachi: I suppose that means he's still...

Z: The Nirn. What is it exactly?

(He opened his desk drawer and pulled out some leaves, the same ones they saw scattered around David's hideout. Staring at his hand, he started explaining...)

Malachi: This is Nirn. It's a powerful plant that has mind-altering psychological effects. Ever since I lost David to it, I've been trying to fully understand it but it's deceptive much like a great illusionist. Sometimes I think that's why he became addicted to it...

Maria: So you don't really know what it is either?

Malachi: Sadly, no. What I do know is that just it's scent can distort one's perception of reality so imagine the effects of ingesting it. Despite all of it's mysteries, one thing is for certain, it is a dangerous substance.

(He crushed the leaves in his hand but upon reopening his palm, a fire appeared and they both jumped back. Seeing their fear, he nodded and said...)

Malachi: An illusionist makes others see what they want them to see but if that gift is combined with the Nirn... There is the potential for something truly frightening if there is malice in one's heart.

(The fire faded and he continued...)

Malachi: Anyway, the Woods of Mystery are behind my house. The Nirn can be found in those woods, I know David frequents there.

Z: But if you know...

Malachi: ...I'd rather remember David as the good kid I knew. I don't want to see him until I know I can help him...

(Upon hearing that, Maria frowned and slowly started shaking her head. His grandfatherly appearance reminded her of Rauru while his story made her think of Z for some reason. She glanced over at him while he said...)

Z: He's not a bad guy, though. And he does still practice with illusions.

Malachi: I know and I'm sure he's brilliant... But he's not "David," either. ...Tell me, how is his sister? I only remember her vaguely.

("Tell the truth or lie?," that was the question. Malachi was obviously guilty over the "loss" of David and telling him Olivia's life was basically a wreck probably would have crushed him so he decided...)

Maria: Not good.

(...She beat him to it. Who knew Maria was so brutally honest? Hearing this, Malachi placed his hands over his face to which Z said...)

Z: Don't you think you're being a little too hard on yourself? It's not your fault.

Malachi: ...

(Z looked at Maria for a second and remembered her mother's death. It was a reminder that even he struggled with his last statement. Looking at the ceiling, he blew a breath of air before Maria tapped his shoulder.)

Z: ...?

Maria: I think we should go...

(He nodded and they headed for the door. Before they walked out, however, Malachi stopped them, saying...)

Malachi: Hold on.

(They turned and looked at him. He let out a sigh, picked up a bottle of red potion but placed it back on the desk and said...)

Malachi: ...I know he's in the woods now. I just thought you'd like to know... And please, don't give up on him.

(They nodded and left. After climbing down the ladder, Maria stared at the entrance to the Woods of Mystery, just behind Malachi's house. Watching her with his eyebrows raised, Z asked...)

Z: You're interested?

(Without looking at him, she replied...)

Maria: ...I feel sorry for him. All of them, actually.

Z: So you want to go look for David?

Maria: I think it would make Olivia happy if she could see her brother again.

("Olivia" and "happy," those two words weren't together very often when it came to her personal life... With so much hopelessness around them, giving a friend a "gift" would have been a welcome change. But without his reply, she continued speaking...)

Maria: But I know you want to get back to Clock Town and continue the search for...

(She stopped when she saw him walking toward the forest...)
Edited by Bx, Jul 6 2009, 12:30:41 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Back in Kafei's Office, the Sages had been discussing various affairs ranging from Hyrule's new government to Z. Out of all of them, Nabooru seemed to be locked in the deepest thought, silently staring at a painting of a ship hanging on the wall. Noticing this, Saria walked to the wall and stood in front of the painting, asking...)

Saria: What's the matter, Nabooru?

Nabooru: I was just thinking about what Z said.

Saria: What?

Nabooru: About our plan. Without rupees...

Ruto: You mean if Termina were to not help us?

(She looked at her and nodded.)

Darunia: We shouldn't be thinking like that...

(He caught Nabooru's disapproving gaze but only shrugged his shoulders, allowing her to finish...)

Nabooru: Positive thoughts got us nowhere eleven years ago when this mess started. We can't be naive and allow our bad judgment to tear Hyrule down again. It happened once before and I don't want all of our work, all of Z's work to be in vain... We have to develop a backup plan otherwise...

(Everyone fell silent. She didn't need to finish, they knew what she was going to say anyway. Last time Hyrule's fate was in Z's hands, this time, it was in theirs. And she was right, they needed a backup plan but rebuilding a nation without rupees is a near-impossible feat. There was no other way, they needed Termina's help.)

Impa: ...Well, do you have one, Nabooru?

(How could she? Realistically, they had one option and it was entirely dependent on the Grand Council's decision. She knew this but the concreteness of it all, that scared her. Desperate to come up with another solution, she stared at the ground for several minutes before shaking her head, saying...)

Nabooru: No, I don't Impa.

Impa: I see.

(She looked around at everyone and asked...)

Impa: Does anyone?

(No one looked at her. And just like that, it was settled.)

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!


(Several knocks pounded the door and Darunia answered. It was Clock Town's Guard Captain. Wearing an urgent look, he greeted him, saying...)

Captain: Hello. The Mayor is in, correct?

Darunia: Yeah. Come on in.

(Stepping inside, he quickly greeted the rest of the Sages before rushing to the back. Both his behavior and look raised red flags. Naturally concerned, the Sages looked around at each other before Ruto pointed out...)

Ruto: ...Something's wrong.

(She breathed a sigh, fearing that it may have had something to do with Z. Before anyone could reply, the Captain along with Kafei appeared. Without allowing either of them a chance to utter a word, she asked...)

Ruto: What's going on?

(The Captain looked at Kafei, waiting for him to explain...)

Kafei: ...The guards as well as those Zoras didn't make it. It also seems as though the Dekus were struck by the Demon...

Saria: The Dekus were attacked? Why...? That's so sad...

Kafei: It is. But that's what appears to have happened. There was a trail leading into the Southern Swamp.

Darunia: What do you mean "a trail"?

(He put his head down. Taking over, the Captain answered...)

Captain: Deku bodies. I sent men to go see the Queen but they've yet to return.

Ruto: What a monster...

(Kafei picked up his head and looked around, saying...)

Kafei: Unfortunately, there's more...

("More? How bad can things be?," they thought upon hearing this.)

Kafei: My plan backfired...

(No one knew what he was referring to but he'd become distraught, nervously feeling the texture of his mask. It was an early and obvious sign that something had either gone terribly wrong or was going down that road. Even with everyone hanging on his every word, he took the cowardly route by delaying his response, leaving Impa to ask...)

Impa: What plan?

Kafei: ...The Gorons.

(The thought of Kafei committing another bonehead move against the Gorons infuriated Darunia. But he maintained his composure, taking a few short breaths before asking...)

Darunia: What did you do to the Gorons?

(He looked up at him. Seeing the fumes emitting from his head, he quickly looked down again. This further enraged Darunia and he shouted...)

Darunia: Kafei!!

(Still holding his head down, he answered...)

Kafei: ...I-I told that mob that they'd be responsible for getting rid of the Demon. And...

(Darunia was already in a rage but doing all he could to contain it. Trying to calm him, Nabooru put her hand on his shoulder whispering in his ear, "Relax," while Kafei nervously continued...)

Kafei: ...And now the citizens have formed another, larger mob...

(Like a coward, he stopped. The Captain, doing his mayor an honor, continued for him...)

Captain: They've got weapons and are threatening action against the Gorons...

Ruto: No...

Impa: They can't do that!

(It was horrible news, if Clock Town's citizens attacked the Gorons, their plans for Hyrule's restoration would die along with those caught in combat.)

Captain: But they are and they will.

Ruto: No one's going to stop them!?

Captain: ...With all the men we've lost, we don't have the manpower to...

(That was the tipping point for Darunia and he lunged at Kafei in a rage, shouting...)

Darunia: You bastard! How could you!?

(The other Sages as well as the Captain prevented him from doing any harm although restraining him was a challenge in itself. Hearing all the commotion, Olivia came out of the room, asking...)

Olivia: What's...going on?

(Impa glanced at her while trying to hold Darunia back and said...)

Impa: We.... have to....urgh....go!

(Still confused, she looked over at Kafei. Fearing for his life, he started running to her but she simply stepped out of the way allowing him to enter the back. Now that he was gone, the Sages let go of Darunia and Saria began pleading with him...)

Saria: Darunia... Darunia, please...

(He looked down at her and crossed his arms. He wasn't going to attack Kafei but he wasn't happy either. Not underestimating how drastic the situation had become, Nabooru yelled...)

Nabooru: We must go! We have to help the remaining guards and prevent that mob from marching into Snowhead...

(She was right. With their focus restored, they turned their attention to the Captain. Upon receiving their looks, he pointed at the door and said...)

Captain: I'd imagine they're on their way to the Northern gate. I'll look after Kafei. Watch yourselves, that crowd is armed. ...And the last thing they need is another spark so act with caution.

(Without further hesitation, they stormed out of the office and started up the path, heading for North Clock Town via South Clock Town. Along the way they saw a familiar man hurrying down the path, Raphael. Judging by his panicked expression, the situation was as serious as the Captain described. While running, he waved his arms and shouted...)

Raphael: It's crazy out there! Is Olivia okay!?

(With no time to talk, they answered with a nod as they crossed paths. Inside the office, the Captain was explaining the situation to Olivia...)

Olivia: ...I can't believe it.

Captain: I kno...

(The door burst open. It was Raphael, like the Captain, he too looked concerned as Olivia ran to him and asked...)

Olivia: What's happening out there?

(He looked at the captain and then at Olivia before shaking his head, saying...)

Raphael: That uh... mob is getting bad. I was doing a job for this old lady and all of a sudden they just...

(As his voice trailed off she looked back at the Captain. He was holding his chin between his index finger and thumb, thinking about his actions or lack there of. There was nothing more frustrating to him than sitting on the sidelines as a bystander. "Babysitting" wasn't what he signed up for when he joined the Guard but he had a duty to protect his Mayor. Everything was on the Sages' shoulders alone and despite his conflicted feelings, he accepted it. Turning to head for the back, he said...)

Captain: ...I'll go tend to Kafei.

(He walked to the back, leaving the two of them alone. Raphael grabbed a chair and sat down, placing his right hand over his forehead while letting out a sigh. Olivia stared at him for a few moments before walking to the back. Pulling his hand from his forehead, he watched her as she walked away...)

(The Sages on the other hand were just getting into the thick of the action as they entered South Clock Town and saw them; it was just as the Captain said, a huge mob wielding all sorts of weapons storming toward the northern part of town. All of this because of Kafei's foolish lie and he didn't even have the guts to show his face in public.)

Saria: This is terrible...

Ruto: Where's Z?

Nabooru: He said they'd be in the eastern section of town. But knowing him, they're probably in North Clock Town right now.

(They scanned their surroundings, trying to find any signs of Z or Maria but of course, there were none. After another minute examining the crowd, Impa realized that they were wasting time and said...)

Impa: Forget it, guys. We have to stop this somehow...

(She took the lead and started running through the mob, the others surveyed the area one last time and spotted a figure being chased...)

Ruto: Him! There's that man from last night!

(She pointed him out, the assassin who attacked Kafei; he'd survived the Demon's wrath (if he'd even felt it) and was blazing through the crowd with another person hanging over his shoulder, a female...)

Saria: That's Hope!

(Now it made sense. The caretakers of the temporary infirmary were chasing him because of the kidnapping. But they clearly couldn't keep up with him as he slashed through the mob, undoubtedly on his way to the Underground...)

(Now it was decision time, focus on this assassin or stop the mob, those were the choices. Impa had already disappeared into the crowd so the four of them quickly turned to each other, saying...)

Saria: We can't just let him take her...

Nabooru: We'll split up.

(Pointing at her, Ruto said...)

Ruto: Okay. I think it'd be best if you and Darunia follow Impa and stop the mob. You two are far more imposing than Saria and I. You can make these people listen to you. While you're doing that, we'll finish what we should have last night.

Saria: Yeah, that works.

Nabooru: Fine. Come on, Darunia!

(They each went on their assigned paths until Damian, flexing his "unseen" muscle, literally burst onto the scene...)

BOOM!

(A monstrous explosion rocked the temporary infirmary, blowing a nasty combination of glass and wood into the streets. But time stopped as smoke quickly spread throughout Clock Town, creating an all too familiar experience for the once rowdy citizens. Those fortunate enough to have not been caught in the blast were left awestruck by the scene...)

(Moments later when their daze wore off, the Gorons disappeared from everyone's thoughts and chaos ensued as people scattered in a frenzy, desperate for refuge. Caught in the mob, Saria and Ruto contemplated their next action...)

Saria: ...

Ruto: We...

(She watched the burning building and citizens flying past her toward it. Taking a step in their direction she stopped when Hope's image reappeared in her memory. It wasn't a choice anymore as she looked at Saria, telling her...)

Ruto: ...Come on.

(But fear still had her frozen so grabbing her arm, she led her into the Underground while many of former rioters as well as the remaining Sages rushed over to the disaster site. While running, Darunia became concerned about Ruto and Saria's welfare, asking the others...)

Darunia: Did Saria and Ruto already head down to the Underground?

(Neither Sage answered. He looked around for them but they had since gone under. Unsure what to do, he simply kept running with everyone else...)
Edited by Bx, Jul 7 2009, 12:32:51 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Wandering for what felt like hours through the Woods of Mystery, Z and Maria sensed they were lost. Regardless of the direction they traveled, the turns they made, they found no exit. They had already given up on David despite discovering masses of Nirn leaves scattered across the ground.)

(With night casting it's shadow over them, their surroundings began blending together. Landmarks they made earlier were appearing in areas they never previously visited. Through confusion, their minds were making it quite clear that the search needed to end. David's elusive nature had already bested them and now it seemed that the forest itself would as well...)

Z: ...I wish he would have told us this forest was a maze.

Maria: It's a forest, Z. It's kind of a given, don't you think?

Z: If you say so...

(She laughed and replied...)

Maria: Well, there was also the name, "Woods of Mystery." I don't know how much more of a hint he could have given us.

("Yeah...," he said to himself before pulling a few leaves off of a nearby tree. Crumpling them in his hand, he looked at her smiling face and said...)

Z: Why are you so happy? We're lost...

(Still with a wide grin, she turned to him and asked...)

Maria: You want me to get upset?

(She chuckled as he waved his hands back and forth, answering...)

Z: No, no, that's fine. I'd rather not see "the beast" again today...

(Shaking her head but in a jovial tone, she replied...)

Maria: "The beast," so that's what you're calling me when I get upset, huh?

(He continued crumpling the leaves while replying...)

Z: No, that's not what I'm calling you, that's what you are when you get upset. This morning you told me to go stand in front of a mirror the next time I have an argument with Kafei now I'm telling you to do the same when you get mad. Seriously, you'll see a difference. The pretty face just vanishes and this...

(She burst into laughter as he began distorting his face to create a "beast-like" appearance complete with growling sounds. Wearing this face, he continued...)

Z: ...This arrgh... monster comes out.

(She continued laughing while he reformed his expression and finished, saying...)

Z: It's scary stuff.

(She didn't reply, only rolling her eyes with her indelible grin as they continued through the forest...)

(They felt the brisk night air creeping in as the sun set, allowing the moon dominion over the sky. Having been on their feet all day, they had a cocktail of emotions after reflecting on the day's occurrences. It was draining, both physically and mentally, leading them to now search for a place to rest as opposed to an exit. They stumbled on a nearby stump large enough for both of them to sit comfortably so long as their backs were to each other.)

(For a few moments, it was quiet. They felt the moon's glow through the leaves and simply enjoyed the serenity of it. A wonderful contrast to the tension felt in the swamp...)

(The silence made Maria reminisce about how they similarly got lost in the Lost Woods of Hyrule when they were younger. It was a special moment for her, it was right before everything became complicated and when she really started to look at Z as a little more than just a good friend... She looked back at him and saw that he was playing with the leaves he'd found.)

Maria: It's like deja vu, you know.

(He picked his head up but didn't look at her, asking...)

Z: What?

Maria: Don't you remember when we got lost in Hyrule's forest?

(He thought about that day, it was still fresh in his mind. Like her, he too held wonderful memories of that experience, compared to now it was simplistic and in some ways, magical. The thought put on a smile on his face as he answered...)

Z: Yeah. I remember.

Maria: Yup... I had to bail us out, like always.

(They both laughed. Maybe it was just the nostalgia clouding their minds but reminiscing was relaxing. She continued doing so, leaving out the dark moments of her past and focusing only on the special ones such as the day she met him which prompted her to ask...)

Maria: You still have that ocarina?

Z: The one you kept for me?

Maria: The only one.

(He didn't reply but slowly pulled out the ocarina. She stared at it and thought about when they played together on the boat leaving Johan. He was also staring at it but unlike her, his thoughts were conflicted. The ocarina made him think of two people he held vastly opposite feelings for...)

Maria: You know while we were apart, I tried my hardest to learn how to play it as well as you but I never could. I never had the magic that you had...

(He smiled and handed her the ocarina. Surprised, she hesitated to take it, asking...)

Maria: What? You want me to take it...?

Z: Yeah. It'd be best kept in your hands. It's yours now.

(She didn't know his true feelings and refused to accept it, telling him...)

Maria: No, Z. I can't take that from you...

(He pushed it closer to her and replied...)

Z: It means a lot to both of us. But you'll treat it a lot better than I will. Please, just take it.

(Although hesitant, she took it and played a simple note.)

Z: Good start.

Maria: Thanks.

(Silence swept through the woods once again. There was tranquility in this as their minds eased with the moon rising through the trees. For the first time in months, Z felt completely uninhibited, almost vulnerable but he found a sense of comfort in it. This feeling filled him with the courage he'd been lacking, giving him the push to finally express what he'd been keeping from her. He turned and saw her fiddling with the ocarina. Watching silently he thought, "...Good," before pulling his glove off. Staring at the Triforce symbol on his hand, he said...)

Z: Hey.

(She turned to him, asking...)

Maria: Yes?

(He clenched his left hand and showed her the symbol. Stunned, her eyes widened and she gasped soon after, saying...)

Maria: That's the...Triforce. When...?

Z: When I turned sixteen, earlier this year. It just appeared...

(She wasn't sure how to respond. It was overwhelming but he continued...)

Z: ....I hid it because I didn't want to look down or pick something up, see it and then think about him. He also had this on his left hand from what I know...

(She grabbed his hand and gently felt the symbol. There was no getting it off without tearing the skin, it was embedded within it. While rubbing his hand, she remembered that his birthday was in January and that it'd been over two weeks since his arrival. "Gosh, he's been hiding this for so long...," she thought before asking...)

Maria: Why didn't you tell me earlier?

Z: I wasn't sure how to explain it. ...Guess I thought that if I hid it, it might just disappear.

(Hearing this hurt her a little and she stared at the ground without a response. But it allowed her to realize her naivety in believing that he would tell her everything. Because this was his first true step toward opening up, she waited for him to continue but when he stayed silent, she cautiously asked....)

Maria: ...Why do you hate him so much? I remember there was a time when you looked up to him. You appreciated everything he did but now it's like he's your worst enemy... What could have possibly been in that book to make you feel the way you do?

(He stayed quiet thinking about her question until he was able to formulate an answer...)

Z: ...I read the entire thing. The last entry was a week before his death. Everything he did and felt, he put into that journal, it was his memoir. His plans with Hyrule's former King were filled with greed and deception, he used his fame and influence to subdue other nations, it was politics.... Dirty politics.

(Hearing this, she could see why he would hold some resentment toward him but it still didn't seem like a reason to despise him the way he did. And as she suspected, he continued...)

Z: But I knew that prior to reading the journal... And yeah, it tainted my opinion of him but that's not why I ha...

(Stopping just short of the word, he looked to the sky and nodded before continuing on another note...)

Z: I don't know if I ever told you but my birthday, January 17, was also the day he died. My mother held me for nine months leading up to his death and not once... Not even on a single line was there a mention of me in that journal. What kind of "proud" father wouldn't even mention his wife's pregnancy? I'll tell you. The kind that marries for their image...To make himself look good in the public's eye.

(Her mouth hung open but she was at a loss for words because if what he was saying was true....)

Z: My mother loved him, she adored him. I remember the sleepless nights she had in that prison, sobbing over his death and the only reason he married her was because it looked good. A real "hero" keeps his promise to marry the one who asked his hand in marriage no matter how "awkward" the relationship appeared. Quite a "valiant" thing to do, huh?

(Her heart teared after hearing this. She imagined how it must have felt for him to read that, in his father's own words, no less. But she kept her silence, allowing him to fully vent...)

Z: ...But he did have a love. One that wasn't pretend. The number of times he mentions her, amazing... Just amazing. And how many times do you think he mentions my mother, Maria? He mentions her only as a Sage and nothing else. But all throughout the journal, he professes how madly in love he is with that other woman... My name...

(He placed his hand over his forehead and paused. Finally understanding his pain, Maria turned, wrapped her arms over his shoulders and pressed her head against his as he continued...)

Z: ...I was a mistake. The whole "marriage" was a mistake, it was a fraud. And it still bothers me... But what really eats away at me, what really gets under my skin whenever I look at them is how they lied to me, all of them. I'm not sure if my mother knew but I know the rest of them did.

(He paused and exhaled. He clasped his hands together and pressed them against his chin before displaying a slight, defeated smile. A breeze sighed through the leaves as he stayed like this, thinking of the right words to convey his feelings. Still latched onto him, she closed her eyes and waited for him to continue baring his soul....)

Z: ...I couldn't deal with it. Do you know how it feels to learn everything you've been told is a lie? To have the people who are supposed to love you undermine your childhood because they're cowards? I'd expect that from a stranger but not from friends, not from family... In the end, I realized that I should have put my trust in the stranger from the start. Eagles gave me the book and the truth along with it.

(Breathing his final sigh, he placed his right hand over her left and said...)

Z: ...I'm sorry for not telling you this earlier.

(Everything made sense to her now, his antagonism towards Kafei, his desperation to save Hope and the anger he displayed towards Jim for hiding his girlfriend's pregnancy from them. It could all be traced back to this "confession," his experiences were an unwanted reminder of what he'd read. He was wounded but for her, it wasn't about trying to heal him, he'd do that on his own, instead she wanted to facilitate his faith in his loved ones, starting with herself...)

(Paying no attention to the sounds of a guitar awakening the once silent forest, he began gently rubbing her arm. She returned his caress with a gentle stroke of her own, moving her hand across his chest. Ready to take it further, he turned his head towards hers and they briefly looked at each other before giving in to instinct, bringing their lips together for a long sensual kiss. After separating, a million thoughts were racing through their minds but one, in particular, dominated them all as he said her name...)

Z: Maria, I...

(She placed her index and middle fingers over his upper lip and brought it down, saying...)

Maria: Just stop talking...

(All doubts surrounding their relationship were cast aside as they acted on several years worth of feelings, kissing once more before making love to the sounds of an enigmatic melody serenading in the distance...)
Edited by Bx, Jul 8 2009, 12:34:38 AM.
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Bx
Notorious
[ * ]
(Around 3:00 a.m. Z awakened in a cold sweat. Groggy, he sat up and looked to his left before glancing at Maria. Her sleeping smile was contagious, placing one on him as he nodded and thought, "Thank you, Maria..." After wiping the residue from his eyes, he placed his hands behind his head and tilted back before noticing it...)

Z: ...Music?

("What the hell is that?," he thought as the music's tranquil, lullaby-like sound shifted to a distinct chugging, pounding tune. Needing assurance that he wasn't crazy, he placed his right hand over Maria's arm and began shaking her, yelling...)

Z: Maria! Maria! Get up!

(Though startled, she blinked several times before fully opening her eyes and smiled upon seeing his face, asking...)

Maria: Wha...?

(Without hesitating, he quickly asked...)

Z: Do you hear that?

(Her smile faded when it finally registered that something was wrong and she asked...)

Maria: ...What, Z? What's wrong?

(He pointed his right index finger at the sky and repeatedly drew an imaginary circle before saying...)

Z: The music. You hear it, right?

("Huh?," she asked herself before the tune began ringing in her ears. Watching her eyes expand, he knew her answer before she nodded, "Yes." He had an idea who the culprit was but sensed her anxiety and attempted to calm her, saying...)

Z: Hey, don't worry. Yeah, it's a little freaky but... I don't think it's something we haven't already experienced.

(It worked as she realized what or rather "who" he meant, asking...)

Maria: You think it's...?

(Handing her her outfit, he nodded and replied...)

Z: Yeah. So get dressed.

(She took her clothes and dressed quickly. He pulled out his sword as a precautionary measure and they took a few steps toward the music. But they stopped upon realizing that the music was coming to them. However, the distinct chugging waned replaced by a much softer, tender melody. The music's intensity increased with each second leading her to remark...)

Maria: He's coming to us...

(She was right. Mere moments later, branches swayed, leaves floated and he appeared from behind the trees...)

Z: ...David.

(He was as ragged as ever with unkempt hair, a dingy white shirt and dark, rumpled pants. In his hands, he held his guitar playing the smooth melody they'd heard. On his back was a large sack presumably filled with Nirn leaves. His eyes were shut and he chewed with every step toward them...)

(His slow, trance-inducing stride was in the rhythm of the melody he was playing. His thin, dancer's frame meshed perfectly with this walk, further showcasing the grace he'd shown during their first meeting. He was an enigma, from his appearance to his songs but one thing was clear, he was no enemy. About three feet away from where they were standing, he stopped, rolled his mouth's contents around and opened his eyes. Eager to establish a connection, Maria shouted...)

Maria: David!

(He responded by rolling his eyes into the back of his head and inhaling. Unnerved by his appearance, Z looked at her and asked...)

Z: What's he doing...?

(Before she could answer, David shouted, "Aaow!!!" as a swarm of black butterflies emptied from his mouth heading straight for them...)

Z: Shit!

(They ducked, placing their hands over their heads for cover. A few moments later when they believed everything was safe, they took their hands away from their faces and got an intriguing surprise...)

Maria: Z...

(She looked at him to see if he saw it too. Even without a verbal response, his popped eyes and hanging lips affirmed her fear. They were no longer in the forest but in what appeared to be the inner workings of the Deku Palace. David was gone but his song could still be heard traveling through the empty halls... And on the ground was a trail of leaves, Nirn leaves. Rotating his head, looking at his surroundings, Z asked...)

Z: We're not in the forest anymore, are we...?

(She nervously shook her head, "No." His eyes widened again as he answered...)

Z: ...Great. Almost wished I was going crazy...

(Staring at the Nirn trail, she tapped his left forearm and asked...)

Maria: You...you think we should follow the trail?

(He placed his eyes on the trail and slowly nodded, saying...)

Z: Unless you have a better idea...

(With no recourse, she shook her head, "No" and gulped as they began following the Nirn trail. The more they walked, the louder David's song became, an obvious sign they were getting closer to him. Despite their initial fears, the trail was without traps or frights placing their minds at ease while they strolled along. This comfort was illustrated by Maria's small talk...)

Maria: You think this is all an illusion, Z?

(Still looking to his left and right every few steps, he answered...)

Z: Yeah. I think in his own weird way, David's trying to help us again.

Maria: I hope so...

(They kept following the trail but as time passed, the music faded in favor of an eerie moan. Whatever comfort was established earlier crumbled leaving a frightened Maria to say...)

Maria: Tell me you don't hear that...

("David, what the hell are you doing to us!?," he asked himself before he began using his "calm" facade from earlier, answering...)

Z: You want me to lie? But um...

(The moan grew louder and he was now looking around at every step, expecting a beast or ghoul to pop out at any moment but he continued...)

Z: Um...

(Sensing his paranoia despite his "calmness," she grabbed his hand and said...)

Maria: Thank you. And I know what you're trying to do but it's okay for you to get scared too...

(He stared at her, thinking, "Thanks...," before saying...)

Z: ...Sorry about that.

(This exchange eased some of their tension and they continued down the path, cautiously watching for a lurking enemy...)

(And with the moan becoming more pronounced, the music returned. Fitting for the scene, the rapidly repeating chords created a sense of dread that went hand in hand with the moaning. Although there were no monsters or enemies around (to their knowledge), the music greatly heightened the surreal and chilling atmosphere. For David, the visual aspect simply wasn't enough, his "work" needed to impact all of the senses.)

(To go along with the unending surprises, the trail forked, leaving them forced to choose which direction they'd now travel, left or right. Overcome with a slew of emotions, Maria exclaimed...)

Maria: Why is he doing this to us!?

(He had no answer for her and chose silence over some boneheaded explanation. All he wanted was to get out of this place, this illusion if that's what it really was. And the only way that could be accomplished was by following the trail, on the left side the moaning was heard and on the right, the music was dominant... They thought surely this was some clue as to the correct route, assuming there was one.)

Maria: If we follow the left trail, I don't want to know what we'll find... And no, Z, we're not separating.

Z: I wouldn't do that to you, Maria. But you want to take the right path?

(She paused and looked down both paths before answering...)

Maria: ...Y-yes.

(He had no idea which way to go, neither seemed right. One lead to the moaning, the other led to the ominous tune but his indecisiveness forced him to agree...)

Z: Alright...

(Before taking a step, he looked at her again and asked...)

Z: You're sure now?

(She looked down both paths once more but after hearing the unsettling moan growing louder with time, she quickly nodded, "Yes." He breathed a sigh and thought, "Please, just be right...," then placed his hand over the handle of his sword as they entered the path...)

(The moaning ended but the music became faster and more terrifying... That same recurring tune, over and over again; they didn't know what to expect as it grew louder contrasting with the dimming light. They grabbed each other's hands as darkness encompassed the path but light soon reappeared to go along with a...)

"NOOO!!!!!!!"

(A Deku slaughtered with an axe right before them... And then another and another. All around them were Dekus being murdered by their own kind with the survivors left to commit suicide and as they vanished with each death, the Queen appeared. She was standing by her throne, positioned to deliver a commanding speech but they were her only witnesses, watching while she said...)

Deku Queen: The gods have sent their reaper... They have shown us that they've decided our fate and to spare harsher judgment, we will give them the greatest gifts we can offer, our lives!!

(She pulled out a small blade, placed its edge on her chest and paused to look across at her people. Seeing the carnage around her, she frowned but without hesitation, she quickly stabbed herself...


(Then, she too vanished and the path cleared. They looked at each other in disbelief over what they'd just witnessed.)

Z: Spirits? Was that how it happened...?

Maria: I...

(Without finishing, she paused and listened. The music had stopped. Believing this to be their chance to escape, he grabbed her hand and said...)

Z: Let's go...

(Wasting no time, they ran through the opening ahead and found that they had exited. They were outside, right behind Malachi's house and in front of them stood David, no longer playing his guitar. Elated to be outside but desperate for answers, Z shouted...)

Z: David!

(No response.)

(Frustrated, he ran up to him but David was unafraid, simply staring while he asked...)

Z: What was that!?

David: Your...trauma. Beautiful Nirn opened it for you...

("Huh...?," he said to himself before asking...)

Z: ...Was that all an illusion?

David: The way you needed is what you got. The Nirn saved you...

(The "riddles" were just the icing on the cake as his frustration reached it's tipping point. Ready to unleash a tirade and probably more on him, he clenched his fist but Maria quickly acted, grabbing his shoulder, telling him...)

Maria: Forget it, Z.

(He turned to her and asked...)

Z: Why?

Maria: ...We're out of the forest. What we saw, I don't think that matters...

(It was a reasonable statement and he accepted it. The remnants of his "tirade" were released via a grunt. But regarding David, he concluded to only expect the strange and surreal from him. With this realization, he turned to him again...)

David: What you saw back there is what you've already imagined. The Nirn allows you to truly visualize it, to experience it. It is a beautiful thing...

Z: What do you mean?

David: The Nirn is beautiful... It facilitated your escape and facilitates mine...

(Before the two of them continued charging at walls with this conversation, Maria intervened, shouting...)

Maria: Olivia!

(They both looked at her with David's gaze surprisingly one of indifference. He seemed more concerned with why she yelled as opposed to the name she yelled. Disturbed by his apathy, she asked...)

Maria: Your sister... Don't you miss her?

(He didn't answer. It left Z both saddened and curious as he looked at him hoping to gain a better understanding of his action or lack there of. But wanting to believe the best rather than the obvious, Maria tried again...)

Maria: You heard me, right? Your sister, "Olivia," don't you miss her?

(He closed his eyes and started strumming the strings on his guitar again... Playing a slow, somber tune. Taking this as a possible sign that he remembered Olivia, she said...)

Maria: David?

(But he kept playing until he stopped and let out a sigh. Staring at her eyes, he reached for his bag and pulled out Nirn leaves. Stuffing them into his mouth, he swallowed, closed his eyes and played a note before....)

THUD!


(He fell back and crashed into the ground. Z put his ear to his chest and mouth, checking to see if he was still breathing, he was. Maria looked down at him and asked...)

Maria: What now?

Z: Olivia...

(He paused and started thinking, eventually telling himself, "Yes, yes, that might work..." Watching him, Maria asked...)

Maria: What?

(He looked up at her and said...)

Z: Maybe this was a blessing.

Maria: Huh?

Z: We can drag him to Olivia now.

("How...?," she asked herself but as if he read her thoughts, he replied...)

Z: Look at him. He's a pretty thin guy, not a lot of meat on him, I think we can carry him.

(She squinted her eyes and poked her lips out a bit before saying...)

Maria: All the way to Clock Town?

Z: Yeah.

(She pointed at Malachi's house and said...)

Maria: Malachi's house is right there, though.

Z: Malachi doesn't want to see him, remember?

(He was right. And she was the reason they went looking for him to begin with so she reluctantly agreed, saying...)

Maria: ...Alright.

(He smiled and referring to last night's events, jokingly asked...)

Z: What, three's a crowd now?

Maria: Not at all. I'm used to it actually, dealing with you is like dealing with two different people.

(He laughed and shrugged his shoulders while shaking his head. After taking a short rest, she lifted David's legs while he grabbed his upper half and together they carried him toward their boat, making their way back to Clock Town...)
Edited by Bx, Jul 9 2009, 07:50:25 AM.
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