The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ The Desert's Rose ❯ The Stones ( Chapter 5 )

The Desert's Rose

 

Warnings: Slash, violence, angst, cute little kids

Disclaimer: Zelda, Sheik, and the word Sheikah aren't mine. The ideas, plot, and Sheikah culture ARE.

 

Chapter 5
The Stones

 

The Horde didn't give them time to say anything more. The reared up, forming the shape of a gaping mouth with their tiny bodies and the screeching intensified. Sheik cursed and his eyes darted past the beast to see what they could use.

Then he saw it.

There was an alter, beautifully carved and encrusted with jewels but the focal was a red stone bigger than his head. It pulsed with power, glowing infernally and casting its light upon everything around it. And below…

Below was the river. Energy sparked and flowed through an open conduit that both elated and terrified him. He could feel the heat of it already against his skin and it chilled him to the bone. The huge doors had managed to hide its feel but now it washed over him like a tidal wave.

There was no time to contemplate the Stone or the river for the Horde decided they had waited enough and screamed onto the warpath. Ar'chern and Sheik immediately set into the attack, swords slashing through tiny bodies that snarled and bit at them. As one of the Horde fell, five more took its place, quickly overwhelming the two warriors.

Sheik knew that they'd be dead before long. Already, both were wounded and though the Horde had relatively small mouths and claws, there were so many of them that it was impossible to dodge every strike. The wounds were small, shallow, but the blood loss would add up quickly with exhaustion.

“Goddamnit, die already!” he heard Ar'chern growl out somewhere in the gloom but the Horde blocked off everything around him. He could barely hear over their screeching. Sheik grit his teeth and continued to fight. He was running out of time, fast.

The river suddenly invaded his mind. He knew he had to get there, to replenish himself and save Ar'chern, and there was no other choice. Even if it killed him, burned his body to nothing, he had to destroy the Horde. Sheik let his sixth sense overtake him, leading him through the screaming bodies towards a power that scared him more than anything in the world.

At last, he broke through the black veil and threw himself into the conduit. Screams ripped from his throat as pain invaded his ever pore. He couldn't think, couldn't move, for the maelstrom of raw, unadulterated power rushing through his body had stolen everything from him. It seemed like forever before the pain ebbed and he was able to open his eyes. He could still feel the river flowing over him, continually depleting and revitalizing him. He felt like the lowliest creature alive and at the same time, a god among men.

Sheik sought out Ar'chern, sensing his life force since he couldn't see the man. The Horde had been barely affected, though dozens of tiny bodies littered the stone floor. However, the Horde no longer concerned Sheik. He was so richly empowered, so above it all… Godly. That was the only word for it.

Lifting a hand, Sheik felt himself saying words but couldn't hear over the rush of blood pounding in his ears and the screeching of the Horde. He felt the magics coil and gain purpose, filling his body until he thought he would burst, and then it released. The pain returned but he grit his teeth, forcing himself to concentrate and control the raw magic ripping through him.

He hadn't know the form he'd chosen, only the purpose. The magic swirled around him and up, forming itself into a tornado of raging blades. Descending upon the Horde, it tore at their tiny bodies, tearing even louder screaming from them. Sheik reveled in the power of it, even as his body ached down to the bones.

With a shock, Sheik saw Ar'chern. The man was down to one knee, bleeding badly from all over, but his wide eyes were on the spectacle before him. His sword arm hung limply as he held his side, sword resting on the floor beside him. Sheik watched his lips move over an astonished curse and then his face turned with fear as the tornado continued ripping through the Horde…

…Heading straight for him.

Sheik cursed himself and viciously jerked the magics back towards him. It fought, wanting to continue the killing rampage and as it slammed back into him, Sheik could only scream through the pain.

At last, it was over. Sheik collapsed before the alter, his body shaking with the after effects. He could barely see and felt so cold, but the burnt feeling he'd had after the sandstorm didn't return. All the power he'd commanded, controlled, hadn't been his, after all. His magical stores were refilled.

Scattered Horde flew around in confusion but most of it had been ripped into shreds. Blood was everywhere, covering the walls, the floor, even the alter. The remains beyond the blood, Sheik tried very hard not to see.

Ar'chern hobbled up and collapsed beside him. He was panting, his face pale, but there was a grin on his grizzled face.

“Damn,” he murmured, awed. “That was some nice spellcasting.”

Sheik gave a pained chuckle. “Nice to know that kick in the ass wasn't for nothing.”

The Horde survivors didn't seem ready to try and go after the two that managed to kill so many of them. They flew along the ceiling, some hooking themselves to the uneven surface to screech uncertainly at one another.

Sheik wasn't sure if he'd be able to walk anytime soon. Thankfully, fate intervened. Two sections of the walls opened up on either side of the chamber and the two other groups stumbled through.

“Well,” the mapmaker said with an astonished look, “Looks like the old man took care of business for us!”

“Don't you blame this shit on me,” Ar'chern grumbled as one of the others came to examine his wounds, another pulling what medical supplies he had out. “It's all Blondie's fault.”

“Damn!” A few eyes graced Sheik, who was still shaking, and he could see their evaluations of him rising.

Once their wounds had been take care of as best they could, one of the other magic users volunteered to try the river. Sheik warned him of how it had been but the man only grinned and said, “Well, I'm a wimp so if I can deal with it, those weak little full mages can.”

He got a few grins and then the three non-mages stood around the river conduit to pull him out if needed. He took a breath and then stepped inside. Sheik, propped up against the remaining magic user, watched. The man's eyes widened, glowing with power as he howled out, his limbs thrown out, head back. To Sheik's enhanced senses, he could see the river pouring into his magical pathways, soothing the burns and filling his stores. Finally, he collapsed into the others' waiting arms, his body seizing faintly as he grit his teeth.

“N-n-not a g-g-great ride, is it b-b-Blondie..?” he managed. Sheik shot him a little smile.

“No, not really…”

The three wounded were helped to their feet by the other three and the six of them headed back. Apparently, they'd shown themselves worthy enough for Fira to stop moving the rooms. They finally got to the first chamber and were met by the dismayed others.

Ar'chern took over from there, explaining what had gone on. Apparently, the six of them had been gone nearly a full day and another group had been readying to go after them. Thankfully, it wasn't needed.

The second group ended up being comprised of ten warriors and seven mages, including Dae'rin'tul. They headed off, using the mapmaker's instructions, while the six of the first group settled for a well-deserved rest.

Tallic skirted the fall of torch light around them. Sheik could see her, from the corner of his eye, but didn't call her over. He'd already decided to let her keep making the first moves for now.

Finally, the child seemed to collect herself and she strode towards him with purpose. Ar'chern glanced at her with a lifted brow, then looked off to give them a little privacy. The mapmaker had pulled out a deck of cards and a nice group of people were betting little pebbles they'd found around the chamber.

Tallic pursed her lips before she sat down in front of Sheik, legs crossed under her and hands resting on her knees as she leaned forward, looking at him narrowly. Sheik just let her stew, waiting.

“So,” she said finally, lips twisting impertinently. “So, you fought stuff, right?”

“Yes,” Sheik responded, trying not to be too amused by the question.

“Tell me about it,” she demanded, brows furrowed. It was as if she couldn't bear to ask for she thought she'd be denied. If she ordered and was denied, well, then she could blame her rudeness and not an unwillingness to talk to her. Sheik sighed a bit and settled back as he started to tell her all about the adventure. He noticed how she lost the aggression, her eyes widening slowly as she got into the story, forgetting to keep up her guard. There was a childish joy in her gaze that Sheik found himself wanting to see more of.

By the time the second group got back and a third went, Sheik had finished and Tallic sat back thinking about it all. She still looked a little mesmerized. Thankfully, she decided to keep quiet and internalize the whole thing for Sheik was so exhausted by then, he could have slept for years.

Dae'rin'tul came to sit with them, moving slowly as his old bones creaked a bit. He looked as tired as Sheik felt and the younger man offered him a little commiserating smile that the Archmage returned.

“Well, this certainly has been an adventure,” Dae'rin'tul murmured with tired amusement. “Belkanin's always telling me to leave these things to more able bodies and I think I might finally agree with her…”

Sheik chuckled, then wondered who Belkanin was. A female with a three syllable name? She was likely an elder if the Archmage spent any great amount of time with her, and a woman to have shown greatness in some fashion. Tallic had caught it as well and tilted her head.

“Belkanin,” she mumbled, face screwing up a bit as she tried to remember what the name meant to her. Then her face brightened. “You mean the Battle Rose? You talk to the Battle Rose?!”

Sheik, who had no idea who the `Battle Rose' was, blinked a bit when the Archmage chuckled.

“Aye,” he murmured, smiling gently. “Bel and I have been friends for a long time, since before the Battle of the Singing Woods, since before the Bjorn Encounters.”

Tallic's eyes were wide and awed as she scooted up closer. “Tell me! About Singing Woods and the Bjorn and the Battle Rose!”

“Mm, I would be happy to, child, but not just now.” Her face fell and Dae'rin'tul reached over to tossle her dark hair a bit. “Ah, I'd almost forgotten…”

Sheik blinked as the Archmage dug in his robes a moment and then he produced a red bead. This he presented to the younger man with a smile.

“For opening the Fira Temple to us so valiantly,” he said rather cheerfully. Sheik felt eyes on him as he accepted the bead, running his fingers over it. In letters so tiny he could barely read it, he found the words “Fira's Release” etched into it. Dae'rin'tul had just given him a battle bead. Without a word, Sheik carefully strung it onto his warrior lock. There were five beads in all now, the initial two whites from warrior status, one red etched with “Consort Spirit” and the other red with “Holy War”, and now “Fira's Release”. The two red ones from before were from long before, when he battled the Sheikah to save Zelda and from his defeat of Ganondorf in the spirit realm. How the bead makers had known of his participation of the second event and even been cordial enough to make the first… Sheik hadn't asked.

“I'm honored,” Sheik murmured reverently. Dae'rin'tul just smiled and gave a similar bead to Ar'chern.

They bedded down to rest while the fourth and last group made their way through. It was midday next before they began their journey home. The mages were still tired, would be for a few days, but they traveled at a good pace and made it by nightfall the second day. Boh welcomed them with much joyful celebration. A great bonfire was built in the center of the city and people scrambled to prepare food as musicians gathered. Sheik had never seen a Sheikah festival but what he saw now brought back memories of that horrible night when he'd revealed Star as the Child Consort.

The night fell on them fully and the fire was lit. Music rose, tribal and thumping through his body like a distant heartbeat. The music was as angry and fierce as he'd remembered, calling to bloodlust inherent in his people. Dancers moved, spinning and writhing in dizzying speeds and patterns around the bonfire. Sheik stayed back, watching from where he sat upon a short wall. He drank sweet wine slowly, watching them, and tried not feel the longing in his heart for another place. Another face…

He knew homesickness would come and go, but he wondered if being away from Link would make him ache so deeply for as long as they were apart. In a way, he hoped so but also longed for the pain to leave him. He needed something to take him thoughts, something to distract him…

The Stones.

It came to him without warning. Boh had been floundering since losing the Stones. Recovering one helped, but Boh would be strongest with all five Stones. Sheik latched onto the idea. He'd been floundering on what he could do here to help his people and now he had something.

Sheik waited until the next day, giving at least that long for the village to rest after such an accomplishment and the after celebrations. He then brought it up with Ze'rin, who considered the idea even if he was worried over what could happen to Sheik on the journey.

“You young things never take time to care for yourselves,” he mumbled. “Always looking for the next adventure…”

Still, he helped Sheik get an audience with the Warriors Guild leader. Most things done in Boh required permission from such a leader and Sheik knew that though he could embark on the journey without, he needed guidance as to where to look, how to find the elusive stones.

The Guild house was a huge place with banners covered every wall in scenes of great battles. Sheik looked at them as he waited for the guild leader, wondering if he would ever live up to these great deeds. He paused at one, studying the form of a young woman in full armor, carving through the thick neck of a serpent. Women were few in the banners, but this was the only one given a banner alone. He couldn't help but think of the woman Dae'rin'tul had mentioned, the Battle Rose…

“My apologies for making you wait,” came a old, wizened voice. Sheik turned and gave her a short bow.

“It's no trouble. I'm the one inconveniencing you, madam,” he replied. The old woman smiled a bit, shaking her head. Her white hair was pulled into a half tail then left to fall down her back in wavy tresses. Dark pink eyes regarded him with curiosity. Her face was wrinkled with age but there was a great dignity to the woman in her blood red robes. She took a seat in a beautifully carved chair along one side of the chamber and beckoned him forward.

“Ze'rin tells me you wish to embark on a journey for the Stones,” the guild leader murmured without even bothering to introduce herself.

“Yes, madam,” Sheik replied. “I mean to find them and bring them back for Boh.”

“I see.” She folded her hands, resting her chin upon them and Sheik suddenly knew that no matter how old she was, this woman was a force to behold. “Have you been told that many a man has gone on this quest and perished? No Stone has been brought back but one.”

“I understand, madam, but I still must try. I will go without permission if I must.”

Her white brows lifted as she gazed at him and then she smiled.

“Good. I'd have it no other way.” For a moment, I didn't understand what she meant, but then she waved over an assistant from the shadows. “Please bring me all information in our records on the Stones.”

She looked at Sheik, still smiling, “You'll want to be prepared for this. There will be many obstacles.”

Relief flooded through Sheik and he found himself returning the smile with a small one of his own.

It took most of the rest of the day for the information to be gathered and for Sheik to ready himself. He wanted to leave immediately, get back to the questing he was so used to by now.

Sunrise the next morning, Sheik checked his supplies once more. The scrolls from the Warriors Guild and a good map of the desert were tucked carefully into a saddle bag along Evalus's flank. The horse himself was happy to be getting on the road as well. Sheik had brushed him carefully before fitting him with saddle and bags. They would be very busy in the coming days, weeks, however long it took.

He said good bye to Ze'rin and just as he was about to mount, he heard someone.

“You don't really think you're going alone do you?”

Sheik blinked in surprise, staring at the young girl. Tallic had her arms folded over her chest, a brow lifted. She had a pack on her back and was dressed in a traveling cloak and hood, ready to go.

“What?” Sheik asked without meaning to. Tallic rolled her eyes and moved closer.

“You're really dumb sometimes. Of course I'm coming with you. You're going to teach me to fight.”

“When did I agree to that?”

She gave him an unimpressed look. “You can agree now and save me the trouble of convincing you. Or you can refuse and I'll follow you anyway and if you leave me behind, I'll starve and die in the desert and it'll be all your fault.”

Sheik just stared at her. He was rather sure she'd do it, too. Swallowing thickly, he went over his options. He couldn't let the girl die and he'd been thinking of perhaps asking to apprentice her to someone anyway. If this was what she wanted… Well. It seemed he didn't have an option, either.

Shaking his head, Sheik swung himself up onto Evalus and took Tallic's hand, pulling her up behind. She flashed him an open, wide grin that made it worth it.

They left rather quietly and set on their adventure.