LoZ: Dark Times

Out of her snug pouch in Fortuna's saddlebag, Zadi the Minish peeked out fearfully, her green eyes glistening with frightened tears as her Gerudo friend slashed and hacked her way through the monsters and men.

"What in the-?!" Fortuna exclaimed as she watched the monsters attack the barrier. She knew it was sorcery - she'd never been fond of fighting magic, as it wasn't within her own potential. She yanked on the reins, pulling the horse in the opposite direction and instead setting her task on rescuing hapless civillians from the new, terrifying creatures.

She saw one surpass the barrier, preparing to attack the little girl... without a thought, she let out a "yah!" and urged the horse forwards, attacking it from behind with a swipe of her sword.

Konbei caught a glimpse of Niamh and went to make a run for her, but something solid smacked him across the face hard and knocked him back some. "Shit, no!" He cursed when he tuned back and saw the monster towering over where he had last seen Niamh.

"They are around, I sent her to find her father, he was with us when we got here, but he probably went down into the market." Gwene said.

=====

Niamh was terrified, she backed away, eventually tripping on her own feet, there was nothing she could do, she was too scared to cry, and too petrified to scream.

A caped soldier went to whack one of Fortuna's horse's legs as it galloped by, trying to force the Gerudo off the steed.

Deserax was strong, about against about a thousand people, he couldn't hold out forever. He held on as long as he could, but eventually, the barrier shattered, and set Deserax sprawling to a near by building.

Groaning, the boy finally managed to shove himself up to his knees. His eyes opened and he groggily looked around-

And his bright, blood-red eyes snapped open in terror at what he saw.

"What... the hell...?!" he gasped, finally finding the energy to stand himself up fully, looking at the terrorized town before him, and the monsters as they slaughtered and destroyed everything around him. He staggered once, but caught himself and put a hand to his forehead, swearing violently under his breath. What... what the hell had happened?! Where was he?!

It was then that he heard it- above all the other cries for help and roars of fury, he could hear the terrified and desperate call of a man, crying out for someone. Shadow's eyes snapped over to the side, his head whirling around to face where it had come from- he could see, from a distance, a young man being ambushed by shadow monsters, but where his gaze was...

... "Holy shit, that's a kid!" Shadow gasped, his jaw falling open.

His blood began to boil.

"You fat bastards, come after ME!" he roared, his rage piquing as he sprinted forward- and, when he was in range, shot up his fists in front of him, blasting two massive balls of shadow magic out from his hands, barreling towards the shadow monsters. One struck true on the other's head, the other missed by a breath, and the beast whirled around to its attacker. Shadow was approaching fast, his eyes blazing red amidst the terrifying black of the night and the dark powers at work.

The second beast turned back towards the girl- and, with a single swipe, scooped the girl up in his massive, blackened claws, cackling with laughter.

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Shadow roared as he slammed his fist into the shadow monster which opposed him, sending it flying backwards. He set his sights next on the beast that had kidnapped the girl-

But, before he could do anything, a massive explosion rocketed from the side, and Shadow cringed lightly, looking to the side with terrified eyes at what he saw. The fire-barrier from before had failed- and resulted in a massive burst of dark energy, as the monsters began to overrun the still-safe part of town.

"D-Damnit!" Shadow gasped, panting. He felt his energy drained- what the hell had happened to him, brought him here?! The hell was going on?! From his very essence he tried to pull as much power as he could, sending it towards the building in hopes of building a massive shield. He had only done it once before, but he would surely be able to-

-And, with a gasp, Shadow felt himself collapse to the ground as he was struck from behind, his energy leaving him in an instant in a dazed, shocked clump on the ground. From the ground, he could see the monster run off with the screaming girl. His mind was swimming. What the hell was going on?!?

"Agh!"

Fortuna turned her head, her eyes narrowing as the caped soldier attacked the stallion. "Leave the animal alone, you swine!" she seethed as she struck out with her own blade. The horse reared, nearly throwing her off, but she maintained her balance.

Zadi gripped the pocket tight, shrieking in terror.

The second Niamh was taken, she couldn't take it anymore and screamed her lungs out, calling out for her father "Papa! Papa!" the tears now falling from her eyes as she fought to escape, but to no avail.

The soldier blocked the attack with his mace without saying a word. The upper part of his face was hidden underneath a decorative version of the standard Hylian helmet. He tried to swing at one of Fortuna's legs, not caring if he hit the Gerudo or the horse.

"Papa! Papa!"

... That was it.

Shadow's eyes snapped open, and his teeth ground together as his blood boiled. He would not let that child die. Screw the fact that his powers weren't working at full capacity, he would get that girl back, or he would die trying.

Forcing himself up off the ground, Shadow yelled in rage as he raced through the mob of murdering shadow monsters, using his dark magic to swing punches, throw beams of darkness, and all around beat down any and all in his path as he raced after the one who had taken the girl, following the sounds of her screams.

As he ran, however, in the midst of the fight was Arthur, riding atop his massive horse and laughing loudly.

"VILLAGE OF KAKARIKO!" he roared above the sound of the destructive flames, screams of terrors, and roars of rage. "TODAY, YOU FALL BEFORE THE MIGHT OF THE TRUE KING OF HYRULE! ARTHUR, SON OF DAPHNESS II, HAS COME TO CLAIM HIS RIGHTFUL REIGN OVER THIS LAND!"

Shadow could hardly understand the screams as he ran, dedicated to one thing- getting back that girl.

Finally, he broke through- and saw the monster which held her.

He fell silent and still, his fists shaking as heavy dark magic built around him, entirely surrounding him in a maddening rage of power.

"Let her go, you slimy bastard," he snarled, his breath low and dangerous. The shadow monster screeched in response- and Shadow took his chance, lunging forward and slamming his magic-surrounded fist straight into the monster. However, at the same time, he wrenched the monster's claws apart- and as it fell backwards, the girl was freed, stumbling off to the side.

Quickly, Shadow knelt by the girl's side, putting a hand over her shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?" he gasped, his eyes narrowed and fierce- yet still showing concern. The sounds of roars and explosions still swam around them- and, looking back to her, he yelled above the sound, "I'll get you out of this, alright? Stay close to me and keep your head down!" Without another word, he grasped the girl's hand, ready to move- but not until he could see in her eyes that she had understood and was ready to run.

Niamh understood, but her legs didn't, she was still very scared.

"Niamh!" Konbei shouted again, but he couldn't catch up to her. His heart was pounding in his chest with panic and he felt like he could be sick as the monster disappeared from his sights and Niamh's screaming faded to nothing.

(sorry, gtg for a bit - don't go too far :/)

Shadow tried to move- but the girl refused to budge. She was frozen with shock to the spot. Shadow hesitated. He couldn't leave her, but...

Finally, he sighed and knelt down beside her. "Alright," he said, gritting his teeth. "Then wrap your arms around my neck, and don't let go!" Wrapping an arm behind her back, and keeping one under her legs, he scooped up the girl, cradling her carefully in his arms. His eyes blazed ahead at the wreckage before him, searching for an exit.

The town... was lost. Shadow beasts had completely overwhelmed it- no place in this town would be safe any longer. That left only one option. And though he couldn't do the massive barrier from before... He still had his magic.

Gritting his teeth, Shadow summoned the last bit of his powers- and created a shadow barrier around him and the child he carried.

"Hang on, kid!" he shouted as he started to run, away from the damage of the town, the barrier protecting them from any and all monsters that tried to attack them as they fled.

"AHHH!"

Fortuna and Zadi screamed in unision as they were both violently flung from the back of the injured horse. Fortuna's legs flew over her head as she landed with a 'thud!' and Zadi retained her grip on the bag, her paw-like feet scrambling in panic through the open air.

The girl groaned as she forced herself up, grabbing the blade that had fallen by her side and looking for the assailant.

Niamh did as she was told.

"TAKE NO PRISONERS!" Arthur yelled as he continued to run through the madness of the burning, nearly destroyed town. "BURN EVERYTHING TO THE GROUND! LET THE CORRUPT KINGDOM KNOW THE MIGHT AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF A FALSE QUEEN UPON ITS THRONE!"

The sorcerer's screams, however, went unheard by Shadow- after all, from anyone else's point of view, he was just a non-see-through shield of dark magic running through the chaos. The barrier he had erected was strong and dense, and would protect them from any outside attacks. But he knew he could not hold it up forever. So instead he kept running, running, hoping no one was following him, until finally he reached one of the downward hills which marked the end of the town.

"Hold on, kid! This could get bumpy!" Shadow shouted through grit teeth as he started running down the hill. It was indeed a bumpy ride, and many times Shadow nearly tripped- but, remembering the child in his arms, kept himself upright and ran along, only slowing down when they reached the bottom, a good many yards away from the destruction of the town behind him. Slowly, his barrier faded as he stood there, his muscles shaking and aching, and his chest heaving in deep, labored breaths.

Still, his wide, bright red eyes looked over at the child in his hands with worry.

"You... You alright, there?" he asked through gasping breaths.

Niamh nodded slowly, this thing was like one of the things that had taken her before, could she trust it? She felt she didn't have much of a choice.

The caped soldier walked through the chaotic scene towards the Gerudo he had forced off her horse. He did not try any sneaky tactic against her, just simply walked up till he was three or four meters in front of her; his mace being turned in his hand with anticipation.

------

A dozen or so shadow creatures snuck in close to Deserax on all sides. They pounced on the lad ready to tear him to shreads, when suddenly they were all engulfed it a powerful light and vanished to oblivion.

From a nearby rooftop, Prometh looked down on his apprentice briefly, before focusing on the aboinations attacking the village.

((Sorry guys, gotta go to bed. Goodnight! ))

Miles trotted up and down the line of about 50 lancers before him. Many were already rubbing their eyes and looking forward to a nights sleep. Well they'd have time for that later.

"Good morning gentlemen." he said to them "For reasons that elude me, someone up the chain of command decided to abandon the town of Kakariko. We're going to hold the town until command comes to their senses."

"Captain, look!"

Although the soldier spoke out of turn, Miles turned to look. Out in the darkness, there was a soft orange glow of fire...right about where Kakariko was...

"Well come on then, we've got a job to do!" he yelled back at his soldiers. He turned his horse around and set off at a gallop, and his soldiers followed close behind.

((Aw man. Night Theo! It's bed for me too, anyways. ^^))

Fortuna took her poise, not liking the way this soldier was presenting himself at all. It sent warning signs flashing through her mind. Even if that was her imagination, her opponent's size was certainly not. Yet she faced him as if she did not realize how little a threat she was posing.

"Zadi... you might wanna watch out. It's gonna be a bumpy ride, so hang on tight, got it?"

The Minish could only nod as Fortuna raised her blades.

The town was nearly in ruin, Arthur continued to laugh maniacally as his shadow monsters set ruin to the town. Even if soldiers were to come now, there was much too much death and destruction to save the place that had once been a village. In a way, he hoped there would- just so he could enact more terror on those of the kingdom who still fought under that lie of a ruler, his pitiful niece.

Still swinging his staff back and forth, black magic surrounding him and his horse, Arthur grinned madly as he commanded his beasts to slaughter anything and everything they saw.

=

Shadow could see it in the child's eyes- she was terrified of him. A bitterness ate away at his chest, but it was a pain and a feeling he'd long gotten used to. Frowning, he calmly set the girl down, making sure she was steady on her feet before letting her go entirely. And still, he kept a calm hand on her shoulder. Frowning, he looked back off to the side- at the burning village not too far off.

His frown deepened as his red eyes burned against the red light of the dancing flames. Where in the hell was he... and just what had he been dragged into...?!

Konbei ran a hand through his hair while the other gripped his sword so tight his hand had gone numb, or was it the reality of what had just happened setting in that made him feel like that? He backed away from the fight and for once fear shone in his blue eyes. He paid no attention to the battle happening around him; he didn't even care if the whole damned village burnt to the ground. All he cared about was Niamh.

He saw a hill and before he could even think about it he was running up it and scanning the area for any sign of his daughter when suddenly his heart skipped more than a beat and his stomach backflipped. There she was! Just down the other side. But someone else was with her... From a distance the figure looked an awful lot like the shadow monsters that had joined the attack and something clicked inside Konbei. It was a mixture of anger, relief that he had found her but also panic that she was still in danger.

"Hey!" He shouted at the figure, his tone was hostile and white energy gathered around his free hand. "Don't you dare fucking touch her!" There was no question about it; as soon as he had Niamh back, he would kill her captor before they could even make a move.

Shadow could easily see the man break away from the crowd and look down at them. He frowned, taking a subtle step in front of the child, his hand on her shoulder lightly pushing her behind him. He just went through hell to get her through that mess, no damn way he was going to let anyone-

And then the man shouted as he began walking towards him. Shadow blinked- he recognized that voice, from not too long ago- the man who had cried out for the child, first alerting Shadow to her plight. He frowned- was he her "papa"? Either way, he wasn't afraid of his advance- and took a calm step to the side, looking down at Niahm, his hand still on her shoulder.

"You her father?" Shadow asked calmly with a frown. He had no need to threaten, raise his voice, or show any other acts of violence. He knew exactly why the man was angry and threatening him and cursing at him, and he wasn't about to blame him for it. But at the same time, he wasn't about to take any physical damage from an insane father. He was safe, he knew this much.

Calmly, Shadow knelt down beside Niahm, ignoring him for a moment as he looked at the girl.

"Well, go ahead to your "Papa", then," he said with a calm, yet almost bitter frown to the girl, jerking his head lightly in the direction of the advancing man and letting his hand fall off her shoulder. As far as he was concerned, she would probably be safer in her father's protection than in his anyways.

Niamh quickly ran to Konbei's side and held him tightly, she was still scared "He saved me." she managed to whimper.

The Assassin was caught in the turmoil. As the soldiers had surrounded him, the seemingly unarmered man had two blades slide from his sleeves, and with that he began a dance of death through the forces. He moved with an unatural speed, never swinging his blades to much; one stab in a vital area with expert precision was enough. There was no anger in his violent spree, slowly cutting himself a path out of the village, no fear; there was just a aura of grace and coldness around him as he fought, like the battle around him was a mathematical equation.

He broke out of the fighting nearby, and he leapt up onto a low ridge, and looked down at the turmoil. He could see the bodies of women and children strawn everywhere under the blanket of violence that was the battle...

From the gates of Kakariko come a blast of strange, ink bluish black dark energy, and a hooded figure dressed in black ran into the village. He stopped, and walked slowly for a second, giving some of the soldiers enough time to surround him. He looked between then, and then slowly drew hs swowrd, and threw back his hood.

"Come on." Atticus said quietly to himself as he joined the fray,