The Forge

Carol's question was answered with a coughing fit. The sickly composer covered his mouth with the handkercheif in his coat pocket.

"No, I do not." he replied after he regained control of his voice. "I compose music when I can, but performances are off-limits; doctor's orders."

Carol gave her arm to steady him. "oh you poor thing!" she fretted. "what's the matter?" she asked, then added quickly. "i-if you don't mind my asking of course"

Adagio shook his head. "I wish I knew. Half a dozen of Hyrule's greatest physicians have failed to diagnose it. I am simply...dying." the last part he barely spoke, replacing it with more of a shudder.

reflexivly, Carol's hand covered her mouth. "I... I'm so sorry..." was all she could manage.

"As am I." Adagio smirked, implying a different meaning of the word 'sorry'. "But I have ways to keep on living; one of which I learned just today..." the second part he added in a mumble, as if he were speaking to himself.

"to keep on... living?" Carol paroted, perplexed. She rubbed her eyes to rid them of the teas that had threatened to well up.

"Fantastic!" the man said, raising a hand. "Have fun!"

He snapped his fingers, and the two Gerudo's appeared in the stone crater where Ankoku was fighting the creature.

It leapt backward to avoid the sweep, and then swung a fist down at him.

---

"Well, tomorrow you can take it easy. See if you can get a day off work." Atticus said.

"What the fuck-" Demios mouthed, jaw dropping open. "He was serious!"

Fortuna drew her blades quickly, worry crossing her face as the creature attacked Ankoku. "Come on, fluff-for-brains. I might not be the smartest person out there," she pointedly glared at Demios, "but I think we need to help defeat that thing." She ran forwards at the creature, leaving him no time to protest.

Demios in turn drew his broadsword, following the more agile girl. "Weak points, weak points," he muttered as he ran, observing the creature from afar. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen. There would be no stupidly rushing into this battle, as he usually did.

-S-

"....I suppose," Ayleth muttered. She was loathe to leave any sort of job unattended, but it was in better interest for the children, she knew.

Atticus nodded. He tilted his head slightly.

He ate silently for a bit, and then paused. He closed his eyes.

"...Ayleth. I might be going on a little trip tomorrow." he said.

---

The creature brielfy turned its attention away from Ankoku, and stared at the two newcomers.

Ankoku was hit by the punch and got the wind knocked out of it, and had to thank his luck for the coming of the two warriors

"HEY! Big and ugly! Pick on somebody your own size! Or at least... y'know... closer to your size..." Demios said, approaching Ankoku and the creature quickly.

Fortuna was already within attacking range, and had both eyes locked on it, circling like a wildcat. "Are you alright, kid?" she asked Ankoku without looking back.

-S-

Ayleth felt a slight tremble in her hands. Though she refused to jump to conclusions, she knew what was coming.

"I... I see..." she said slowly, taking another bite so that she would not have to speak.

The creature stared at Demios, sizing him up. It growled.

---

"I don't know when I'll be back, but if all goes according to plan I should be back within the next couple of days." Atticus continued.

Demios raised his sword up, eyes narrowing as he observed the creature. Wonder how this is going to go down... it already seems to dislike me...

-S-

Ayleth nodded, and swallowed her food. "Be careful," she said after a span of silence.

Atticus finished his meal, and then nodded. "I will."

He paused for a moment, and then reached down to the floor. When he came back up, he had his mothers music box with him; the one he had played earlier.

"...I want you to have this." he said, pushing it towards her.

Ayleth reached out, and her fingers brushed the box. She immediately recognized the patterns.

"...Thank you," she said quietly, turning her head down.

Atticus paused, and then got to his feet. He walked around the table, and sat beside her. He wrapped an arm around her.

---

The creature stared at them, and then it screamed as it had before.

Ayleth held his arm tightly, and kissed his cheek. "Don't be long," she pleaded. "Come back to me safely."

-S-

Demios felt as if he'd been frozen in place. The scream seemed to petrify him and chill him to the core.

Fortuna had a more violent reaction; her pupils shrunk, and she dropped her swords to cover her ears.

The creature suddenly rushed forward and slammed its fist down towards Demios.

---

Atticus pulled her closer to him, and lay his free hand on her stomach. "I promise I'll be back."

Don't stand there! MOVE!

Demios couldn't bring his limbs to budge. He was sent reeling at the blow, but managed to retain his grip on his sword. He wiped the corner of his mouth as it oozed blood, and brought it up to inspect. The sight of his own blood caused him to glare at the creature with new fire in his eyes.

"It's on."

Demios called upon his magic. Nothing but music filled his ears. He hoped it would work against the terrible screams. The boy rushed at the creature, sword raised high.

-S-

Ayleth said nothing, closing her eyes. She smiled lightly, then replied, "We'll miss you while you're gone."

Ankoku got up ang got himself between the creature and Fortuna, deciding to resume fighting

The creature grabbed the blade of the sword, and pushed back at him.

---

Atticus rubbed her stomach softly. "And I'll miss you all as well." he said quietly.

Demios gripped the handle tightly, refusing to let go or be moved. Nonetheless, he felt his feet losing traction on the ground.

-S-

There was a soft kick in her stomach, as if the children within were wishing their father farewell.

The creature suddenly pulled back on the blade, trying to yank it out of his hands.

(Xant, is Ankoku going to do anything? Last I saw he was standing with Fortuna...)

(Fortuna didn't react )

((Haha, sorry ^^)

Fortuna was surprised when Ankoku jumped in front of her. "Apparently, you are okay..." she said. "Hey, don't worry about me, kid. I can handle myself."

Proving her point, she rushed to his side, blades held high.

"Now let's kick some monster ass."

-S-

Demios went with the sword, still holding on tightly. He twisted it clockwise, hoping that the creature would drop it.