Fan Fiction Friday: The Man Behind the Masks – Part 24b

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Frowning, I stared back at death and confirmed that fate really did have something against me. I applauded my sanity, what little was left, to try and cope with the series of disasters that had befallen my good self. So far these had included; attempted murder by monster inhabitants, war, witness to the annihilation of an entire race, betrayal, drowning, kidnap, engagement to a Gerudo and confrontation with the Gerudo King. Now, battle with a resurrected dragon could be added to that list, marvellous.

I flexed the magi-clay between the fingers of my left hand. It wasn’t as malleable or strong as before. Constant use takes its toll I suppose. I couldn’t complain. It had been my choice to stay. The bugs made their charge and it took all restraint not to flee. I believe the turn of phrase is ‘stand your ground’ but were I not floating, I doubt my jelly legs would be standing at all.

My teeth gnashed together as I focused on stretching out the magic.

“Your human tricks will not work,” the dragon said.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one, I thought, feeling the air temperature rise at an alarming rate. The swarm surrounded me in a cocoon of fire. I’d seen honeybees do something similar to a hornet too near the hive. They cooked the enemy to death. Nature could be cruel sometimes.

Sweat dripped in my eyes, but I couldn’t afford to wipe it away. How the Gorons tolerate living inside Death Mountain I will never know. Such heat is torture. Nearly there, nearly there…

“Prepare to die, Happy Mask Salesman,” Tatsumaki bellowed.

Yes, yes, do join the orderly queue. I’ve made more than a few enemies by now.

“What are you trying to do?”

To think waving a net and clearing buzzing nuances could be so soothing. I swooped through the sea of fire. Every scoop warped silvery scales to who knows where, so long as they were away from me. The flaming bugs tried to circle around to no avail. I’d caught over half of the swarm before they were called back.

“Leaving so soon?” I asked in surprise. Giving chase was an obsession, like clearing every speck of dust from a room.

Once more eye to eye with the dragon, it appeared my plan had worked to some degree. “Goodness, whatever happened to your lovely scales?” The dragon’s outraged snarl made me laugh.

“You will pay for this.”

“Perhaps,” I agreed, as my warp hole sputtered out. “Shall we call a draw?”

Tatsumaki’s grey eyes narrowed to slits. “Never.”

He must have known. Bid his time, slowly whittled down my energy spell after spell. A spasm tore through my chest. I sucked in air, grasping the spear with shaking hands. I’d pushed too far. I needed to learn my limits, except events wouldn’t allow me the chance to draw breath. I will not call him, I thought stubbornly. That foolish promise has vexed me to tears. No more, let this be the end of it. Mr Muryō, you were quite right. I have met with a terrible fate after all…

“By the Goddesses, Ronri!”

Dragged backwards, a flurry of golden feathers and rainbow rays shot past. The clamorous chirps and calls came from nowhere. Then the sky. A glorious blue sky and –

Thump!  

“A tree?” A water birch actually, tall, with graceful branches and diamond shaped green leaves. I’d seen one in Mrs Kibishi’s scrap book carefully pressed and preserved between wax paper.

“You moron.” Yasei’s freckled face obscured the tree from view. Her eyebrows hiked and I knew the grip on my shoulder was going to leave marks. “You left… You left to fight a dragon!”

“I had to protect the Watarara-”

“Fighting a dragon — on your own! Look at the state…” She sank teeth into the hem of her robe and pulled, ripping the flimsy material.

“To keep you and Kilton safe,” I snapped back. “Ow, that stings!”

Said husky whined and lay down, covering his ears with two large paws.

“Ronri Okane, I could strangle you.” Yasei pushed the tattered cloth even harder against my torso. “How can I have your back, if you keep leaving me behind?”

“With my luck, you need to stay as far behind as possible, my dear.”

With those words, something sliced through the magnificent tree’s crown. The groaning crack of splintering wood made my skin crawl. It toppled over the ledge and splashed into the lake below.

“Stop him at all costs,” Elrora rallied her warriors.

Tatsumaki wasn’t done. His body may be too big for the shrinking portal, but his right claw took another swipe. I yanked Yasei to the grassy floor and cradled her head. The claws caught the tree trunk instead. Three deep gashes forever etched into the brown wood.

Rather the tree than us, I supposed.

“I’ve just about had enough of this.” Yasei stood. “Kilton, he stays,” she said firmly and grabbed my spear.

“No, wait!” Kilton plonked his heavy behind on my stomach. I squirmed under the weight and smacked pathetically at the bulky, fluffy mass. “Please, be reasonable.”

But the faithful hound refused to listen. His master stomped over to Tatsumaki, who bit and snapped. Elrora dived with her talons bared, going for the eyes.

“Miss Muryō?” Guufo did a doubletake. “What are you doing?”

Yasei held the glittering spear aloft with a murderous scowl. “Something,” she yelled and rammed the sharp point into one nostril.

A shower of fine green blood spurted into the air. The dragon shrieked, lifting the woman clean off the ground. He tossed his head savagely.

Taking the advantage, the entire Watarara tribe combined their efforts into one last push of coloured light. It hit the dragon squarely in the chest and drove him back into the portal. With a bright flash it closed for good.

In the aftermath of heaving breaths and tears from the younglings, Kilton finally let me up.

“Yasei?” I spat out a mouthful of fur. “Where is she?” My voice bordered on hysteria. “Yasei!”

Featured art: Alison Patten via Canva.com

Alison Otwl continues her Fan Fiction here at Zelda Dungeon. She likes reading manga and collecting Japanese wind chimes. Her favorite Zelda game is Ocarina of Time. Check out more of her fanfiction over at: Otwl.