Seven Years, part 8.5

This should finish off the hanging bits of the last section... don't have lots of time so here it is...

Draq glared back at her over his shoulder from the foot of the stairs. Hurt was plain in his eyes, and Shiek suddenly realized that she had just confirmed something he already believed. Stretching a hand out, Shiek took a step closer.

“No, Draq, sorry, I- I didn’t mean it at all…”

“Well, you should have; it is true after all.”

“Draq, I-” she froze as she felt icy fingers pierce her mind. The evil presence she had been sensing was nigh, and it was much, much, more evil then she had though at first.

“DRAQ! LOOK OUT!” she screamed throwing herself prone.

A huge horse and rider thundered into the courtyard. When Shiek got a look at the rider, she nearly died. It was Gannondorf. Something was wrong though. The evil magus was glowing an odd purple color, and the voice that boomed out seemed to come from the air above Gannondorf, and not actually from him.

“So, it’s that last little Shiekah who thinks he can topple the great king Gannondorf, and his pathetic axe wielder. It was you in the fields yesterday, wasn’t it? Well, I won’t let you off so easily this time, boy. Phantom, destroy them now!” The horse reared in reply, and the glowing version of Gannondorf brandished a long golden staff.

Phantom? What the hell is this thing? Whoa! Now is not the time for speculation, Shiek! She quickly rolled, avoiding the large hooves that crashed down to crush her. Coming up in a defensive crouch, she saw the phantom point his staff at Draq. Draq leapt off the stairs as a bolt of lightning shot out from the staff’s tip. It struck where he had been standing, and obliterated the stone staircase to the temple.

Forget chasing after Saria now, Shiek thought, looking up at the temple door, easily twenty feet above the courtyard.

The phantom twisted on his steed, staff glowing again. Draq crouch, axe level in front of him, cold hatred gleaming in his eyes. Shiek knew this was the end; Draq wasn’t fast enough to keep dodging the blasts of energy, and if she didn’t intervene he was dead. Grabbing a rock, she flung it with all her might at the phantom’s head. It bounced off with a dull thud. The phantom turned to look at her, and evil chuckle rumbling out of it. Even with her quick reflexes, Shiek barely dodged the energy ball the exploded where she had been. It was then that the awful realization that she couldn’t save Draq, nor could he save her, dawned on her. The phantom was much too powerful for either of them.

Draq must have realized it too.

“Shiek, get the hell out of here!” he screamed. Shiek knew neither of them could out-run the phantom on horse back, and she knew Draq must have known this as well. It could only mean one thing; he was going to stay and slow the phantom down, giving her time to break away and play a teleporting song outside of the phantom’s hearing.

No way are you going to do that Draq, we’ll live or die together.

Rolling over to the cover of a tree, Shiek grabbed a handful of rocks. The horse reared again, letting out a screeching nay. The phantom laughed again, and held his staff ready for another blast. Shiek let a few rocks fly as hard as she could and watched them bounce harmlessly off their target.

Ok, scrap THAT idea… she thought, bounding away from another blast. She rolled into a defensive crouch not far from Draq.

“I said get out of here. You can’t kill him.”

“You can’t either. I’m not leaving you here to die, Draq.”

The two jumped away from a blast that struck between them. Darting back over to where Sheik stood by the exit of the courtyard, Draq hissed in her ear.

“Get out of here now Shiek. You have to live, just in case that hero of yours ever actually shows up. Tell Malon I loved her, and tell her I’m so sorry.”

Reaching out with more speed then she thought he was capable of, Draq grabbed her by the collar and nearly flung her out of the courtyard. Slipping off balance on the first step, Shiek tumbled headlong down the short flight of steps leading from the courtyard.

“Draq!” Shiek screamed as sounds of Draq’s battle cry and the phantom’s evil laughter reached her.

She felt frozen.

She felt helpless.

She felt scared.

Then she remembered Draq’s last words to her. Draq was giving his life to keep her cause alive. Maybe he had believed after all. Now that belief would cost him his life, but she was determined it would not be a vain payment. Stealing herself, she turned and ran. She quickly blitzed through the maze in front of the temple courtyard and headed straight for the magic glade, and its warp points that would take her far enough away to risk playing a teleporting spell. Shiek reached the glade and dove headlong into the pool. A few swift kicks brought her to the warp point at the bottom of the pool and she felt herself pulled through it, along with the pain that always accompanied the warping process. Her vision blurred and then cleared at the bottom of the well the warp led to. Shiek broke the surface gasping for air. She pulled herself onto the ledge overlooking the great river that flowed nearby the well, and fell prostrate from exhaustion. After a few seconds her breathing began to slow.

Then what just happened hit her.

Shiek had never lost someone under her command before, and never had someone so obviously sacrificed for her. It felt like someone had punched her in the gut.

Punched her insanely hard.

Her eyes burned, but tears refused to come. First came the shock. Sitting up, Shiek hugged her legs to her chest. Tremors began to flit through her. For what seemed an eternity to her, Shiek sat there, unable to believe what had happened. The scenario kept replaying in her mind over and over, with immensely vivid detail, but it seemed so surreal. In the wake shock and the realization of Draq’s death flooded guilt. He had died saving her. But guilt was quickly enhanced, and nearly overwhelmed, by a burning hatred. Standing shakily, Shiek looked out over the river below her, out on to Hyrule Plain. Rage began to well up within her.

“Damn you Gannondorf! Damn you to hell! You’ll pay for this! Do you hear me, you bastard, I’m gonn’a make you PAY!”

Her voice sounded shrill in her own ears. Her fists were clinched so hard that her fingers began to cramp. She was still shaking with raw emotion. Unable to stand any loner, Shiek collapsed to her knees, tears finally beginning to flow. Thoughts of all the people the evil king had played a part in killing sprang before her. Her father, his supporters, the Shiekahs, possibly Impa, and now Draq; all of them filled her mind as sob after sob wracked her thin frame.

After some time, Shiek had cried herself entirely out. Rage, guilt, grief; they had all given away to a dull ache. She felt empty, completely drained, as though she burned all the feeling out of her. Standing slowly on wobbly legs, she mutely slipped out her harp. Methodically, she fingered a few notes. The serenade of water, she played it almost without realizing what song she was playing. She felt the ground slip away, and opened her eyes to see the waters of Lake Hylia.

Why did I come here? she thought, walking across the long bridge that connected the teleportation spot on the island to the shore. She reached the end of the bridge and stared dully at the boxy laboratory standing at the edge of the lake.

Scela will be there now… do I want to see him? Shiek shuddered at the thought. Scela idolized his brother, but now Draq was dead, and it was her fault. She stood silently at the door of the lab, staring at it without actually seen it. Her mind felt blank; she was barely able take in the fact that she had stopped moving.

Scela was in there.

He would hate her.

After counting off a full thirty minutes, she still couldn’t bring herself to open the door, but she couldn’t bring herself run either. Suddenly the decision was made for her as the door was pushed open from the inside, and Shiek found a startled Scela staring at her.

“Uh, Shiek, what are you doing here?”

RUN! Her mind screamed. Get out of here! But her legs refused to move. She swallowed hard, but her throat seemed to be swollen shut. She couldn’t croak out a single word.

“Is there something wrong Shiek?”

Her mouth worked a bit, but still no sound came out. Her eyes started to burn again, tears beginning to brim over. Finally, she got one word out.

“Draq…”

Scela was obviously becoming agitated. He stepped forward, taking the slightly shorter Shiek’s shoulders into his hands. Giving her a firm shake, Scela’s voice took on a worried tone.

“What about Draq? What’s happening to him?”

“Dead…” just saying the word gave her a feeling like a punch to the stomach. Scela released her and took a staggering step backwards. The color drained from his face, and his arms fell limply to his sides. Shiek still couldn’t speak, and but she heard her voice somehow relating the events of the courtyard. As she reached the end of the narrative Shiek trailed off, not able to think of anything to say.

Scela looked at her blankly for a second, and Shiek was just beginning to think he hadn’t believed her when the young archer turned and walked back into the lab, letting the door slam in her face. Shiek stood outside the door, unable to run away and scared to go in. Slowly her hand reached out to grasp the door handle. Turning it slowly, she pulled the door open and stepped into the lab.

Shiek had only ever been in the lab once, several years ago shortly after Gannondorf’s revolution. I was as creep now as it had been then. The dark single room had the smells of molds, herbs, and other dank odors. The old lake scientist didn’t help the general atmosphere either. A grotesquely ugly man, his leering wide-set eyes seemed to always be on you, no mater where you stood. It was widely rumored that he was older then the very lake water he studied, alive by his own unnatural methods. Scela rummaging in a box on one side of the dark room, while the walleyed scientist gawked questioningly at both of them. Scela stood up and turned back to face Shiek. She took in at once what his plan was; the knives in his belt, the bow in his hand, and the deadly gleam in his eye told his intent more then any words could.

“Scela!” Shiek said, a bit of panic creeping into her voice, “you can’t go there! He’ll kill you!” She took a step back to place herself against the door, blocking Scela’s way out. His face twisted in seething rage as he stepped towards her and the door.

“Out of my way, Shiek.”

His voice had a cold sound, like angry steel. They no longer looked sapphire blue like normal; they seemed to have taken a grey tint. Shiek shook her head, eyes staring pleadingly into his.

“Scela! This is suicide! I can’t let you go!”

“Get out of my way, Shiek. I don’t want to have to hurt you!”

She prayed fervently that this was a hallow threat. She knew she had the training and ability to take Shiek apart in a hand-to-hand fight, but she had no will to fight.

Scela knows I can beat him… surely he wont- suddenly pain shot through her. Faster then she had realized, Scela had thrown a spike at her, striking her in the left shoulder. The pure shock that Scela had thrown a bladed weapon at her was enough to render Shiek entirely combat ineffective, and the precision aim of the archer had landed a shot that completely immobilized her left arm. Gasping, Shiek fell to her knees, collapsing down further to prop herself up with the other arm. Another gasp of pain tore from her. Sheik felt Scela brush past her through the door.

“Take care of Shiek. The wound isn’t serious,” Scela called over his shoulder as he left.

The door closed, and Shiek found herself alone with the lake scientist.

He took a step towards her, giving a grotesque smile.

“Well then, Shiek is it? I’ve heard a lot about you… quite an impressive young man!”

A tremor ran through Shiek, and she tried to push herself back across the floor.

“Keep away from me,” she rasped, pushing herself back so her back rested against the wall.

“Just be still… I’ll fix you…” the words were ominous enough, but it was the grin that accompanied them that really caused Shiek to shiver. Reaching down with her right arm, she pulled out the seven inch knife she kept strapped to her lower leg. Holding it out in front of her, Shiek winced and glared at the old man.

“I said keep away from me!”

He stopped moving forward, but continued to gawk at her. By Din, he is so repulsive! Shiek thought, watching the grotesque, straggle-toothed mouth open and shut. Suddenly a wave of nausea and dizziness swept her. Seeing this reaction flash over her face, the scientist smiled in triumph.

“You’re bleeding Shiek… I give you about ten to fifteen minutes before you pass out. Ooo, don’t glare at me like that, young man… after all I’ll be taking great care of you, so you should really be thanking me…”

Shiek shivered again. Pain throbbed through her shoulder and large black splotches began to flash across her vision. She knew he was right. There was no way she could make it to anywhere before passing out. She would bleed to death before she could even reach health. Drawing her hand back a bit, Shiek consented but remained cautious.

“If you want help, then get something to stop my bleeding.”

The grin widened, and the old man lurked closer.

“Well, young man… it seems as though you have more then just a throwing spike in your shoulder. I can smell blood on your mask. Maybe you should let me take it off…”

Shiek could feel blackness closing in on her again. Fighting back at the dizziness, she glared at the old man.

“Touch anything other then my shoulder and you’ll be digging this knife out of your chest…”

He grinned again and bent towards her. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around the handle of the throwing spike.

“This might hurt a bit,” he chuckled, before tugging it violently free of her shoulder. Pain rocketed through her, and colors exploded across her vision. Gasping, she felt her other arm go numb with shock, and the knife slipped from her hand. Faster then she thought possible the scientists leg shot out, kicking the fallen knife across the room.

There… I like that setup better,” he chuckled, “now, let’s look at this.”

Shiek was still reeling with pain, and could only groan in protest. The gnarled old fingers began to probe at her shoulder.

“It looks clean and easily fixed… I’ll need to get your shirt off.”

“Cut off my sleeve.”

“What?” the ugly mouth gawked at her.

“If you have bear my shoulder, then you’ll cut off my sleeve,” Shiek insisted, trying to focus her pain-scrambled mind enough to glare at the scientist. He gave a weird grin and left her side. He returned with Shiek’s knife and bent down to her left shoulder. Slipping the knife through the cloth high on the shoulder near the collar, he cut around the sleeve. Pulling the sleeve away, the scientist set down the knife to continue probing the wound. Shiek snatched up the knife and pressed its tip against her neck.

“I like this set up better… now, fix it.”

The old man didn’t even flinch. The weird grin widened as he worked staunch the bleeding and clean the wound. After applying gauze and wrapping the shoulder, the grotesque old man leered down at her.

“The shoulder is fixed, now for the rest of you…”

“Back off now, freak!”

He shrugged and moved over to his desk. Rummaging with a few bottles on the counter, he spoke over his shoulder.

“Wonder where Scela went off to… he seemed kind of steamed.”

“No kidding…” mumbled Shiek, struggling to push herself further up the wall. She starting to get very worried about him. There had been something so familiar about him when he had left. Something about the look in his eyes. Then it hit her.

He had looked like Draq.

The old scientist turned towards her, holding a bottle filled with a red liquid.

“Here,” he croaked, holding the bottle out towards Shiek, “this will help you recover faster.”

Shiek warily sniffed the red water. It looked much like same medicine Scela had given her earlier, only the scent was slightly more potent. Closing her eyes, Shiek drained the bottle with a toss of her head. Her pain began to subside almost instantaneously.

“I need to go after Scela,” Shiek said, gathering her strength in preparation to stand.

“No, you can’t,” the old man grinned, “the medicine I gave you is extremely potent. It will heal you completely, however you will become paralyzed for a awhile… not long though, don’t worry.”

Just long enough for you to get what you want, freak… Shiek thought, panic beginning to grip her. She found herself able to stand, but feeling was already beginning to slip away. Her legs seemed more and more rubbery, and dizziness was returning. The old man smiled, leaning back with a look of expectancy.

“Don’t worry… it passes after about two hours.”

“Too bad you won’t get to witness it,” she replied, taking the door handle into her grasp.

“It’s not safe out there… you don’t seem to realize that you won’t be able to move…”

“No, I realize that perfectly… THAT’S why I’m leaving.”

Shiek was able to get the door open and walk to the gated entrance of Lake Hylia before her legs gave out. She felt herself stumble forward, falling. She spread out her hand to catch herself, but her arms refused to move. Shiek saw in horror the iron rails rush towards her.

Then there was blackness.