The loops where struggling to hold on firmly to the vines. A strange force was pulling them up mercilessly. They looked at each other and let go of the vines closing their eyes, but instead of falling like expected, they floated for a few seconds before being pulled up and spit out of the hole they had fallen through at Lost Woods.
Once they got back, the skull kids immediately noticed their presence and started shooting pellets at them.
"Keep moving!" Blast barked.
Both brothers darted through the clearing, boots pounding against the dirt as small, hard pellets hissed past them. Every dodge was a fraction too close. Every breath tasted of dust and danger. But together, they slipped through the barrage fast. They had become two blurs of motion that refused to give the enemy a clear shot.
Once they crossed entryway, they found themselves right outside the entrance of Lost Woods, just as Link had said. Blast ginned and Zy laughed loudly.
"Everything ok Chimera?" Robert asks Zidane with a mocking grin.
Zid nods "Yeah, that was fun. I did get shot on my right thigh… it's no longer bleeding as much, but it hurts like hell"
Robert rolls his eyes "Call Zelda and ask her how to make the ointment she used when Legion decided that cutting his neck open was a fucking good idea"
"Yeah…I should do that, lets head home so I can call her"
Li squints his eyes at Zid "It's not the best signal, but you can call her from here"
"No, I can't... I left my cellphone at home" Zid says smiling sheepishly.
ROBERT POV
Once Zidane pronounced those words, Li closed his eyes and raised his head to the sky irritated.
This fucking APE still does not understand that he is now playing a different game. This is no longer Australia; he does not need to hide anymore since he is no longer the prey... Now, he is the hunter.
And not any hunter, we are hoping to join a particular group of dangerous hunters, so dangerous that they are scarce… becoming a part of this secluded group will not be easy. It demands a lot of things, and one of them is CONSTANT KNOWLEDGE OF OUR WHEREABOUTS.
That moment, Blast suddenly threw a punch at Zid's face. The Pirate groaned and glared at Rob enraged. But he immediately noticed the engineer was not angry, the desperate look in Rob's eyes made him sigh and opened his arms.
"I get it… I fucked up. Do scare the remnants of my prey instincts away, just don't leave me incapacitated… I still have a job interview to attend to" Zygote said resigned.
ZELDA POV
The Princess had thrown herself to the backseats and opened her backpack to quickly change. It amazed her how the clothes fitted her. Not to lose, but not too tight either.
I am actually amazed… Ziel has actually been watching me, and was able to estimate my new measurements before passing them to Carla. Who does that? I surely can't guess someone's measurements with just one quick look.
Zelda's cellphone beeped notifying her of a new text. Link looked at her using the rearview mirror, but only for a second though since he was driving, and he needed to keep his eyes on the road. But he still used the mirror to check on her from time to time.
Zelda immediately started answering the text. Then another beep was heard, and another. Link sighted and finally spoke.
"Tell me those are messages from Carla?"
Zelda looked up at the rearview mirror and smiled noticing Link's intense stare.
"No, Li is the one texting me. Apparently, he beat the crap out of Zid to teach him a lesson about responsibility. He is also asking if I am ok… well" she giggles "the text read: has he not scared you to death yet by almost crashing into a tree?"
Zelda trusted Link's driving, but still decided to conceal the information Robert shared, since revealing it might piss Ziel, and she was not going to upset the driver.
"Ok, but what are you not telling me?"
Fuck, I thought I was… how? I should tell him; I don't want him to distrust me.
The Princess sighs "I know why your car is red"
Zelda sees Link raising his eyebrows in surprise through the rear-view mirror.
"Do tell" he says.
"SWORD really liked this car model, but they no longer had them in their signature grey color, so Zid was asked to choose the color of your car"
Link slaps the steering wheel in anger "So, the chimera decided to fuck with me… interesting" Link says somberly.
Zelda opens her eyes and mouth in panic.
"Raziel… please don't be mad. Zid is just being playful. And who knows, maybe this was the best car color available. Maybe the other's cars were yellow or green. I am sure SWORD intends on repainting your car once you are done with this mission"
The Hero sighted heavily "I know that beast more than you ever will, he is not evil. But keep in mind that his actions and intentions are not always good" he drove his car into a parking lot.
Of course he is not good. How can he still be the innocent soul he was after watching SWORD agents kill people mercilessly all of the time?
"Is it here?" Zelda asks pointing at the auditorium.
"Yes, we are going to listen to a seminar imparted by my target, Doctor Miller. She is promoting a first aid course that will be imparted in Oklahoma for teenagers, or anyone interested" Link says parking the car, and reaching for his backpack to change his attire.
Sounds like she is a good citizen, she can't really be the target, can she?
The Hero was able to quickly change into black denim pants and a formal white long-sleeved. He also wore a dark-brown vest that paired with his boots and gloves… he then put on some glasses.
Fuck… and I though he couldn't get sexier. Why is he wearing glasses? I can only assume that is part of his cover-up image, because he doesn't really need them. I mean, he was driving without them. Am I good with what I am wearing?
"Let's go" Link said as he opened the door to exit the Renault.
"Wait" Zelda says reaching forward to grab his arm.
"I don't have formal pretty clothes, is my wear ok for this seminar?"
Link nods "You are fine. I am only dressing like this to draw her attention to me… it may be cold inside, put on a light sweater just in case"
The Princess sighs with relief, and also exits the car to follow him inside the auditorium. Once inside, Ziel checked his name on the list of registered attendants, and entered Zelda as a guest. He received a name tag for himself and was told to enter.
The seminary had already started, and there was only one empty chair at back in a corner, it was isolated, like it should have been used by a security guard. Link pointed at it for the Princess to take it. But the event supervisor that allowed them in shook his head.
"The chairs are exclusively for the registered attendants use. All other guest must sand in the back of the room. No chivalry here, if you paid your entrance, you sit. If you didn't pay, you are just a standee"
That actually makes sense, I am ok with it.
Link smiles "Don't worry, she may be pretty, but I was not going to give her my seat just because she is female" he says as he sits down on the chair.
The supervisor nods and turns around to leave. Zelda also turns searching for a spot where she could stand on, but Link snapped his fingers.
"Where are you going? Sit here" He pats on his thigh, Zelda tilts her head confused but smiles.
Well, is not like he is disobeying, is it? I mean, he will remain sitting. And we are at a corner far back in the auditorium. We won't obstruct anybody's sight.
Zelda proceeded to sit down on Link's left thigh. An hour passed and the Princess was staring to get sleepy.
I thought they are trying to spike the interest of the teenagers on first aid, but this seminary is just plain boring. They would be lucky if they manage to catch the attention of 5 teens… maybe even less than that if the current speaker continues, his voice is so monotonous that I am sure many have fallen asleep already. I should go to the restroom, and wash my face. That should help me stay awake.
Zelda leans back to whisper on Link's ear.
"I need to go to the restroom"
Link pointed at the blue sign of the restroom placed on top of a door in the auditorium "Wishing you a swift and satisfying release"
Zelda's eyes bulged open and then nudged him with her elbow. As she was standing up Link pulled back to a sitting position on his lap.
"Don't move, and don't make a fuss" Ziel sighs heavily "You just started your period" Zelda gasps as her eyes start tearing up.
FUCK, why… this was not supposed to happen, it should have taken 9 more days. Am I broken? Now what do I do? I bleed heavily, so I must have stained myself pretty bad, and HIM.
"It's not that bad Princess, since apparently you just started. But it is notorious, you need a clothing change. Take off your sweater; tie it around your waist and hide inside the restroom. I will bring you jeans and panties"
The Princess stutters "Bu… b… but what about you?" she asks as she stood up and tied her sweater around her hips, effectively covering the blood stain.
"I will walk to that table that offers refreshment, grab a drink and spill it on my lap claiming it was an accident" Link casually says, then ushers his Princess off "I will send you a text once I am outside the restroom with the clothes"
Zelda just nods and walks towards the restroom.
How does he do it? He easily came up with a solution to the problem. Ziel could have punished me by allowing me to experience this shameful event. He would not be breaking any promise to my father, since my life is not in danger. But instead of allowing me to feel the full hit of shame, he behaved like a man and went into problem solving… for that I am grateful.
The Princess thought as she used her hands to wipe a few rebellious tears from her face. Then she slaps herself.
STOP CYING LIKE A BABY.
LINK POV
The Hero rolls his head, cracking his neck in the process.
All right, time to play sleepy imbecile who grabs a soda and end up spilling the drink on his pants.
Link stood up heading towards the refreshment's table, and trying to avoid drawing the attention of the other attendees. Once he got to the table, someone else took the last plastic cup. But the young female that was in charge the refreshments, started filling new party cups with soda. She flirtatiously smiled at Link as she handed him one of the newly filled cups.
Ziel raised an eyebrow and half smiled as he grabbed the cup. A few seconds later, the cup slipped from his hand, falling on the corner of the table and spilling the soda on his pants.
"Oh my god, allow me to help you clean yourself" the refreshment attendant says as she quickly grabs a rag and tries to reach Link's lap.
But the Hero stops her grabbing her hand.
"I would lose decorum if I allow you to do that" Link smiles as the girl pouts.
"I have a change in my car, but for trying to help me, thank you" the Hero of time winks at her and leaves.
Link hurriedly approaches his vehicle and opens it; he enters and quickly changes into regular jeans. Then grabs Zelda's back pack and pulls out leggings and panties. He freezes for a second and looks around, finally spotting a convenience store.
I should be able to find some pads there
*What if she prefers tampons*
I don't think so… but I will buy some just in case
*So… you think that asking for feminine products at the store will not degrade your masculinity*
Of course it will not, my masculinity is not that fragile
Link crosses the street and enters the store. Once inside, he blatantly asks.
"Do you sell pads? And good evening by the way"
The owner of the store rolls her eyes "I do sell, but not to men… you guys need to understand that it doesn't matter if you FEEL female, you are not. You can't menstruate."
Link raises his eyebrows and smiles.
"How many times have you engaged on this discussion, if you don't mind me asking?"
The chubby owner stares at him puzzled; she was ready for him to start throwing a tantrum, pushing everything off the table. She slowly removed her finger from pressing a button that was installed to call the police.
"Too many to keep count"
Ziel chuckles "The feminine product is not for me; I am only answering a call of help from a female friend"
The lady owner smiles "I recommend the nocturne ones if she just started, since blood flow is heavy at that stage. Pads and tampons are at that corner, choose wisely" she ends cracking in laughter.
The Hero picks the pads and some tampons, pays and leaves. He heads back to the auditorium, enters and leans his back on the wall next to the restroom door. He starts texting Zelda. Soon the Princess opens the restroom door looking shameful.
"Link… I am sorry to say this now, but I was watching videos about menstruation while I waited. It appears that the girls here use pads instead of rags, would you get me some?"
Link raises his left hand shaking the plastic bag he was holding "I already bought you some. Your clothes are in the bag too"
Zelda stares at her Hero joyfully "Thank you" she says with a smile and grabs the bag closing the door, her eyes appeared to be spilling tears of gratitude.
Link stays by the restroom's door when he hears loud clapping.
The conference just finished, and I didn't get to sign myself up for the first aid crash course, shit.
The Hero groaned, and suddenly, Princess Zelda got out of the restroom. She noticed the people already leaving and lowered her eyes in shame.
"Did you get to register your entrance to the course?" the Princess hopefully asks.
The Hero plainly answers "No"
Zelda's eyes go teary, as she mentally boards the self-blame train. But Link puts a stop to everything when he clears his throat and raises a palm.
"It's not your fault"
The Princess wipes a tear "But…"
Link turns to glare at her irritated "Can you control when and where to start bleeding?"
Zelda shakes her head no.
"No girl can do that. It's not your fault, so don't cry about it or I will gladly give you a reason to cry"
Zelda smiles a little, and then someone taps on her shoulder.
"Move flaxen, people have to use the restroom" the 40-year-old medium framed lady said.
But before entering, the lady noticed a taller frame, obviously male watching the whole interaction. She wanted to introduce herself to save face, suddenly regretting having spoken to the girl so rudely in front of this man. But when she lifted her gaze and saw Link's face. The lady was left with her mouth hanging as she felt the wind being sucked out of her lungs, but she quickly recovered and approached the Hero, noticing he had a name tag on his shirt, meaning that he had paid the seminar.
The lady proceeded to introduce herself "Raziel, interesting name. I am Dr. Megan Carlisle; did you enjoy the seminary?"
ZELDA POV
Din, Nayru and Farore… THIS IS THE TARGET.
Link chuckles "I did, though I found the parts where Dr. Cole spoke a little boring"
Dr. Megan cracks her head back in laughter "You are not the first to say that about Cole. Did you register for the first aid course in Oklahoma?" Dr. Carlisle asks.
The Hero sighs "I wanted to, but sadly I did not. I had an urgent matter that forced me to leave the auditorium, I just got back and the seminary is over"
The female doctor rolls her eyes "Nonsense, follow me. I am personally signing you up, and your girlfriend too if you want"
I am not his girlfriend, but Link is not correcting her so… maybe I should just play the part, since it got me a free inscription on the first aid course.
I should start a chain of prayers to the goddesses. I mean, of course it was them, right? Din decided to fuck with me and make me bleed, to publicly shame me, because love comes with a safe dose of pain. Then Nayru must have cleared Ziel's mind and softened his heart, hence making him help me. And Farore spun the wheel of fortune, making this improbable meeting with Doctor Carlisle happen. I don't personally know the goddesses, but this sounds like this was the interaction they had to make things happen for Link.