The Dusk Dragons: Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Forgotten

He didn't even make it to the end of the corridor.

Considering that there was an entire army stationed outside, along with the most sensitive wards that would trigger even if he breathed across the threshold, it was mostly bad luck that he ran immediately into a patrol squad of several bokoblins.

As Groose was dragged back, they again fastened him to the icy stone tablet that he was propped upon, and made no move to resist as they fashioned the shackles, adamantly bracing every movable prop of his body but his mouth. As the soldiers filed out of his prison cell, carrying the unconscious keeper he had knocked out, a sharp clang indicated the iron bar dropping. Again Groose was forced to recollect what was happening, if this was a dream, or if this was reality.

It was a vivid memory, as if the events had happened only yesterday, yet many weeks had passed since he was captured. As his conscious faded on the stormy night he saw Link felled by the swordsmanship of a nebulous enemy, no simple feat. It happened so fast, he was hit by some weapon on the back of the head, and blacked out. Next thing, he was here, this dingy, cramped dungeon room that smelled of crap.

So far his captors had made no attempt to interrogate him, yet he still seemed of some importance to him, for he was still alive, no? Pondering on his worthiness, he heard the iron bar slide open, and the groan of the hinges as the rusty grate slid open, revealing a cloaked figure, flanked by several guards enter the prison chamber.

A blast of cool, fresh air flowed in, a relief to his tired lungs, growing weary of the dank dingy stench that reeked in his cell. The

At first glance he didn't know who this person was, but then he saw the sheen on his face and he knew it was Erebus. Taking off his hood he was surprised at the youth that radiated ominously from his facial features, and as he strode up to take a look at him he suddenly realized how bleak his situation was, in contrast to the battle of Demise.

"I would have you killed, but that wouldn't have served my purpose, however you have pushed me so close to doing so." His pacing stopped and his gaze dropped down. "Of course you are wondering why you are of some decent use to me..."

"You have something in your possession that is of quite useful..." Groose cringed at the words...no he couldn't have possibly known.

"That cursed Goddess reincarnation Hylia protects the Triforce with the most powerful seal, the only way to break it is by using extended amounts of dark energy, which is unfortunately not at my disposal....or...using a hidden encryption of thoughts and memories which will lower the defenses temporarily, which I have detected such complex patterns from you."
"Your ultimate fate is already sealed within the fabrics of time...it would be for the better if you would just hand over and surrender to our mighty power?" On cue Groose felt something  begin to probe his mind....a finger of such dastardly deeds that would instill such thoughts....as it passed through his consciousness it would implement depression, of death, oh pain!

Groose crumpled to the ground, growling in the sheer pain and agony of it sheer force and forte that was stricken with the awe. Eyes clouding, the desire to resort to the encryption was astounding, the white, merciful fingers of love, life, and harmony all were so...enchanting. However uttering a cry he halted himself, the memories concealed within the writhing grasp, followed by such a force it threw him across the room, or was it, he didn't know, the world was reeling across him. What use was it? He questioned himself hoping to find solace...and then it ended, the bearing lead weights suddenly shifted away, and he was allowed to slip into the deep recesses of his mind, where he could hopefully shy away from the thoughts of reality, forever.

When he woke up he was still chained to the cold stone tablet, left to rot there for the rest of whatever remained of his life.....

***

The door opened, Groose almost didn't even care that his daily ration of food was delivered to him, he'd rather lick the dust of his chains. Yes, the same, young aged woman set the platter down, and with the exception of her first visit, he paid no attention that she was also human. However, due to his immense boredom and underlying hunger, he spoke five, simple understandable words.

"What are you doing here?" As she paused in the doorway, and he could see a hint of surprise and anguish mix in her expression. For a short moment she paused, and then began to leave.

"I said..."

"I heard you the first time.....it wasn't of my will, nor it was yours to be here..."

"You think?"

"Now isn't the time for such petty jokes, and you wonder why you got captured?"

Groose had no comment.

"How my race and I are here is a very complicated story"

"Don't worry sis, I got all year...."

"Allow me," She walked up to the tablet, she undid the chains and Groose fell limp onto the ground with a loud thud. "Shh...you don't want the guards in here do you?" He scrambled into a crouched position.

"The story....has been passed down for many generations, as it is as old as the war between Hylia and Demise. For this ill fated century, I have been entrusted with passing on the legend of the purple night. As if the Gods of Old have built this world, for the misfortunes were to be sealed away, to keep all of humankind away from such disastrous deeds and sins..... However another Deity was working in the shadows of light, for there was the Demon Lord himself, who had conquered power, time, and only lacked immortality.

"However, despite his immense might and sheer force, his army was of no match against the united humans, who quickly drove back the hordes of demons with their vastly skilled warriors and generals. Demise needed another weapon, one that would split the humans into two. His devious mind knew that the humans too wanted the lust of the Triforce, but it had to be retained in its holding chamber, for only the highest of ruling leaders, those who are pure of heart, could use it. Along with this knowledge he had known the place where the core of in which the world's evil were diverted too. So humanity, became a use against itself.... here is the story of the purple night....."

***

She was an enchanting young woman, but even for her alluring beauty she was a loner at heart, a member of a rag-tag team comprised of a few friends. It was another beautiful day, but while her male companions were off being recruited, sent off to the nearly done war against Demise, her other friends were off chasing other, older men.

A meandering path lead through a thicket of woods, the filtered light emphasising her dark hair, she subsequently heard another pair of footsteps behind her.

"Lugh," She knew it by the mere shuffling of his feet, exclusive only to him. "Joining me on such a fine afternoon?"

The shuffling stopped, and she turned around, and the strong young man stopped in his tracks, dumb stuck for a moment, then blurted out, "Why...um...yes...what a lovely afternoon, is it not?"

"Indeed," she waited for him to catch up, but as he walked toward her, she felt...a strange feeling, as if a magnet pullingher toward a singularity, it was curious, passing almost, but, she decided to explore and investigate what its origins were.

"Oh, wait up!" Lugh, stumbled over a rock and clumsily chased after her, while she  cut through the brush, the sense of belonging taking over, as if this place was one where she knew from ages ago. For a moment she stopped and turned around, her pale blue eyes fit her flirty personality perfectly.

Suddenly they came up a large depression into the land, where there was a small cave in the side of, and she wandered toward it.

"What's that? Must be from the rains last week." He stared across the crater, and watched in sheer lust as she trudged over to the cave.

"No, I don't think we should go in there...." Lugh advised, but she put it aside.

"C'mon you wimp, afraid of the dark?" Laughing it off, she charged straight into the tunnel.

"I'll just wait out here...." He sighed, sitting down on a stump, waiting for a few minutes before her friend came out.

Immediately a loud bang followed by a fluid whooshing noise came from the cave, he stood up, and began to walk into the cave when she walked out, an elated expression spread across her face. With apprehension, he asked her if she was okay.

"Is there anything wrong, Majora?"

"No, in fact, I feel much, much better...if anything."