Scattered Heart Chain- Chapter 16 pt.2

    ¾    It appears you are not that much of a listener—said an appearing dark figure before Twi—I can clearly see only you, dog boy, and pretty-face Time came here.

Twi growled and curled his body tight as he showed sharp fangs.

    ¾    Calm down, you little beast—he threw an object at the animal—sniff that.

More tranquil, Twi smelled the object. It was the scent of the man he looked for.

    ¾    Heh. That glow in your eyes; you love the scent, don’t you, darling?

The wolf was triggered by the use of such word. He stared at the man before him.

    ¾    Nice to see you, too—expressed Dim—You know, I could easily take you to where he is, but that wouldn’t be interesting at all.

With his long nose, Twi pushed the scented object towards Dim.

    ¾    I took it from him while he was unconscious. That ocarina helped him a lot, so naturally, I took that comfort from him. You should hurry, unlike you, his shape in this world is not of much use.

Dim disappeared.

Twi, concerned, took the ocarina in his mouth and continued to look for even the faintest scent. Dim then made himself back to the chamber where the other shadow beings awaited.

    ¾    Dim! Where were you?

    ¾    Gloomy boy, I just went to help our fellow Links.

    ¾    What did you do?—he expressed, clearly uneasy.

    ¾    I gave the ocarina to wolf boy. That’ll help him.

    ¾    Why didn’t you just take him and Time out of this place? They could not remain in their human forms, which means they are not ready to be here!

    ¾    Woopsie, I forgot—he said, sarcastically.

    ¾    Dim! Stop it! I know you hate them, and I don’t like them either, but in this occasion, we either win or fail together. I don’t want to fade.

    ¾    Gloom—interrupted Dusk—Time is a deku, or that is what Dim said. Twi is a wolf. If I recall correctly, canines do not enjoy the scent of deku wood.

    ¾    Yes, it’s true—Gloom looked back at Dim—You clearly hate Time, don’t you?

    ¾    Unlike both of you, I remain truthful to my nature. Maybe the glow inside my chest is not enough to quench my desire for his blood. You both have pure counterparts; your Links are noble. But mine, he is not free of sin, and so I am of more evil than you two are.

    ¾    Undoubtedly, you are. I need to find the scrub before Twi does—affirmed Gloom and banished.

    ¾    Dim, thou hast to control the wrath within thee. As Gloom toldeth thee, we must make our natural desire for Links demise aside. We are in danger, too. As he, and as thee, I do not wish to fade into light.

    ¾    I recall when we didn’t care about anything and were unaware of the fact we could fade. Having a heart, even if small, has become nothing but a burden to me. You and Gloom are different, Dusk—Dim kneeled with his head down.

    ¾    Is that why thou hate him?—Dusk sat by his side—Because thou expected to be like us? Because Time’s heart is not as pure as Twi’s or Sky’s that its glow does not suffice thy needs?

    ¾    Well, aren’t you smart?

    ¾    Perhaps we need thee to remain this way.

    ¾    Why? I only cause problems.

    ¾    Certainly thy evil is concerning, but thou remain logical. If Gloom and I begin to care excessively, thou can still be a voice of reason.

    ¾    Hm, maybe you are right—he stood back up—Say, where is the pipsqueak?

    ¾    Shadow is not far from here. He is playing with the huge pig.

    ¾    What will we do about him and the other kids?

    ¾    They will find a way to attack again. At most, we can retain them as much as possible.

    ¾    I think I’ll go and help Gloom. I caused him trouble.

    ¾    Is that the reason?—Dusk stood up—Is it not the fact thou share hearts of a loving couple?

    ¾    Tsk!— expressed Dim, annoyed—No. Take care of the little brat.

Although uneasy by Dusks words, Dim departed in the search for Time. It was an easy task; he could feel the scrubs presence from afar.

    ¾    Time?—he was startled by the scene he found.

The small scrub laid on the ground. Deep wounds covered his body and the orange glow in his eyes was gone. By its side, at a short distance, stood Gloom with the wolf insanely trying to loosen from his grip.

    ¾    Was it him?

    ¾    No—replied Gloom—He’s angry because I won’t let him near Time, but he would only make it worse.

    ¾    Then, what was it?—Dim picked the light deku in his arms—He’s not dead, but this doesn’t look promising.

    ¾    We have to return them to the Light World—Gloom took Twi by one of his ears—Listen, doggy, calm down or your man dies.

Twi, concerned, stopped his violent movement in Gloom’s hands.

    ¾    Good—Gloom let him on the ground—Stay here.

Twi was worried to the point of tears, but he did as Gloom told.

    ¾    Whatever got him was not happy—he glanced around—And it’s not near anymore—he looked at the wounds carved into the body’s wood—They are deep. He won’t survive unless he goes back, and soon—he looked back at Twi—Wolf, come here, boy.

Twi followed his lead.

    ¾    We’re sendin’ you two back. Don’t return to this place until you are ready. The weaker the shape you take here, the most problems you carry with you. I am not sure if you’ll be able to be human, but your wolf form should do. Make sure Time gets better and fixes what’s troublin’ him. A scrub is not meant to be here.

The wolf nodded in understanding.

    ¾    Also—added Dim—if you see Bianco, tell him I need a word with him.

    ¾    Bianco, Marshall or Marshmallow; whichever name he told you to call him—made clear Gloom.

A drowsy feeling invaded Twi, and so, it all became darkness. From the distance, a noise echoed in a defined pattern, but unclear words. It became closer each time, louder and clearer. “Twi, Twi…”

    ¾    Twi! Please, speak to me.

Still stunned, he pressed one of his hands over his head.

    ¾    Hm…

    ¾    Ah, at least thou woke up.

    ¾    Sky?—Twi looked to his sides.

    ¾    Thou art in Lin’s room.

He noticed Time by his side, yet unconscious.

    ¾    Hah—he gasped—Will he be fine?

    ¾    When thou appeared from the other side of the mirror, I woke up Lieb. I helped bring both of thee here. He cured thee, but he also mentioned Time’s condition is concerning.

    ¾    Has he woken up?

    ¾    Not even once.

Twi took a deep breath in discomfort.

    ¾    What happened, Twi?

    ¾    We were separated once in the Dark World. I don’t know why or how. I looked for him with help from the ocarina he often carried. When I found him, he was already beaten to the ground. I wanted to get near, but Gloom found me and kept me away. Dim and he sent us back. They said we were not ready.

    ¾    Fuh—Sky sighed—Art thou fine?

    ¾    Yes. I wasn’t hurt.

    ¾    I am not referring to thy body, Twi—he hinted at Time.

    ¾    Oh… no. I am not.

    ¾    Remember thou hast all my support, Twi.

    ¾    Thank you.

    ¾    And Time needs us.

    ¾    Which reminds me, Dim told me to contact Marshmallow. He left an orb here.

    ¾    On a staff?

    ¾    Yes. Could you bring it?

    ¾    Certainly. It is downstairs.

In his moment alone, Twi contemplated the man by his side. He was heavily injured, and it appeared as if he would never open his eyes.

    ¾    He is in bad shape—said Sky returned—Here is the object you requested.

    ¾    Thanks.

    ¾    What is it?

    ¾    This, they call it a Bubble. It has Ravio’s powers inside. Maybe we can call Marshmallow through it.

    ¾    Marvelous!

They both stared into the crystal ball, and Twi called the man on the other side several times.

    ¾    Uh… Marshmallow, please, answer.

    ¾    I hear you—he replied—You sound troubled. How can I help you?

    ¾    Oh, thank goodness!—exclaimed Sky.

    ¾    Hey, nice to hear you, too, Skyboy.

    ¾    Marshall, you see, Dim told me he wanted to talk to you. We did not have a good trip to the Dark World, and now Time is very hurt.

    ¾    Dim? The “dark darling”?

    ¾    Yeah, him.

    ¾    What sort of injury does Time have?

Twi and Sky took a quick glance.

    ¾    It looks like rope—explained Twi.

    ¾    It is as if the skin was strangled until it gave in—added Sky.

    ¾    Rope, eh? Did anyone see the perpetrator?

    ¾    Sorry, no—said Twi.

    ¾    Don’t worry—responded Marshall—I think I know the cause. Twi, baby, please place the Bubble in a larger place, away from Sky and yourself.

    ¾    Sure.

Twi placed the orb on the ground in front of Lin’s bed. The object spun back and forth, and from inside a human figure popped in carnival-like form.

    ¾    Whew! I had not done that in many years—said Marshall undusting his purple robe—I need to see this with my own eyes.

Sky and Twi stared at the man, mesmerized.

    ¾    Boy, you two look shocked.

    ¾    You are the one who came out from that thin’!—shouted Twi—How do you do that?

    ¾    Twi, do not become so agitated— plead Sky.

    ¾    We have our ways of doing things—expressed Marshall—Now, let me see the big guy.

The two Links stepped aside.

    ¾    Hmm—Marshmallow examined Time—He needs to rest his body and ease his mind.

    ¾    Do you know what hurt him?—asked Twi.

    ¾    Well, I know you know about Majora’s Mask – he observed the night table beside the bed as his eyes glowed green—it was there, in the bottom drawer. It escaped—with his sight he followed the trail left by the mask—It went downstairs and made it to the mirror. If we are correct, it was Majora who attacked Time.

    ¾    We?—questioned Sky.

    ¾    Dim and I. I know he told Twi to contact me. I can read your thoughts, remember? And the reason why he called is that he might believe Majora is back. Being a part of Time, we know well about this, specially me, brother of the man who experienced Majora’s dark magic.

    ¾    Will he be fine?—Twi asked, yet again.

    ¾    Calm down, lover boy. Time only needs rest and good care.

    ¾    Is there anything we can do meanwhile? If we cannot enter the Dark World, what is to be done? – inquired Sky.

    ¾    You have fixed things with your partner, so don’t worry much. As for you, Twi, it seems everything should be fine considering the creature you transformed into was a beast, something strong. Our concern is sleeping beauty here. Once he wakes up, take him back to his land of Hyrule.

    ¾    Where to?

    ¾    Kokiri Forest—said Marshall and departed, disappearing again into the crystal ball.

    ¾    The forest—continued Sky as he set the Bubble atop its staff—I know where that is. Windy and I were by the entrance before.

As if he was deaf, Twi sat on the bed clearly frustrated.

    ¾    Hey— Sky sat by his side—Worry not. Time will be fine.

    ¾    I wish I could’ve helped him.

    ¾    Thou were not even in such capability. Now, we must be cautious and forge on.

    ¾    Sky…

    ¾    Yes?

    ¾    How do you do not to worry so much about your boyfriend?

    ¾    Hm?

    ¾    Yes. Since Time became that important to me, I only want to be with him, to help him; if I can’t, I feel so useless and unthankful after all he’s done for me.

    ¾    Oh, Twi—he smiled—it is only natural. Thou art in love.

    ¾    I’ve never felt it before.

    ¾    So Time is thy first love?

    ¾    Yes, he is… and I hope he’s the one.

    ¾    I believe he wishes the same.

    ¾    I want to tell you somethin’.

    ¾    What is it?

    ¾    When Time got his eye taken, Lieb told me to help him wash himself, and we were left in Lin’s shower room.

    ¾    Yes, I recall it.

    ¾    Well, Time was sad and I tried to talk some emotion into him; I was very worried for him -as I often am- but the thin’ is he—

    ¾    What?

    ¾    He kissed me.

Sky opened his eyes widely and inhaled deeply in a prolonged gasp.

    ¾    How did thou respond?

    ¾    I guess I kissed him back, I mean, I didn’t push him or anythin’, I let him do it as long as he wanted. He was the one who stepped back.

    ¾    Twi—Sky placed one of his hand over his own lips.

    ¾    You think I’m weird, right? I know, that’s why I told him to keep it a secret—

    ¾    No, no! – Sky interrupted—I do not believe thee insane or rare in any way! I am rather happy to know such event occurred—he explained honestly—How dost thou feel nowadays in regards of this memory?

    ¾    I like it. Sometimes, I wish he would do it again, but I suppose it’s my fault he never has because—

    ¾    Thou toldeth him to remain silent about that happening.

    ¾    Exactly.

    ¾    Hm, why dost thou not try to kiss him?

    ¾    Me?

    ¾    Surely.

    ¾    Ah, I’m not sure about that.

    ¾    He must require it.

They both looked at the sleeping man.

    ¾    Twi, really, canst thou tell me thou see him and not find him of a great beauty?

    ¾    I’m not denying the fact he’s handsome. You know, it’s funny. The first time I saw him, I only saw him as that very tall guy with extremely blonde hair. Now, he’s so charmin’ and…

    ¾    Perfect?

    ¾    He’s an angel.

    ¾    Oh, dear. Thou art in the corniest of phases!

    ¾    Sky! You said you supported me.

    ¾    I do! But thy loving self is quite amusing. Thou were quite different when we met. I am glad thou art better.

    ¾    Now, I need to ask.

    ¾    What is it?

    ¾    When I found you and Pipit in your room, what is it exactly that you were doin’?

Sky blushed and looked away.

    ¾    Oh, that. Umm—

    ¾    I know that because of what happened to me, what I understand of what you were doin’ is wrong—he interrupted—I know that you love each other, and that’s why you do it, but it still confuses me.

    ¾    Thy only experience was the one of abuse?

    ¾    Yes.

    ¾    Twi, listenth. If something as such is meant to happen between Time and thyself, thou shall be ready. He would never force thee, or make thee hurt. Worry not.

    ¾    What if I can’t? He could get tired of me.

    ¾    Sweetie—Time, who they believed asleep, spoke—That won’t happen—he tried to move.

    ¾    Hey, don’t do that!—Twi got close to the man—you have to rest. Don’t put so much effort.

    ¾    Then sit here, next to me.

Twi sat by Time.

    ¾    Oh, gracious!—expressed Sky—I recall Lieb would need my help to bring your meals, Time, I better go and see if everything is ready—he left.

    ¾    I’m not that hungry—said Time.

    ¾    You know you have to eat, and I’m sure Sky left on purpose.

    ¾    Being so, darling, what was all that about? Why are you concerned about us?

    ¾    Sometimes I feel I am not worthy of you. I feel I’m not good enough. This feeling of misery somehow comes back even if I’m not thinkin’ negatively.

    ¾    Sweetie, you are worth and more. I love you with everything and your past. The question is, do you love me?

    ¾    I do!—he replied with no hesitation—I want us to be together, always. That’s the reason why I’m afraid I won’t be able to please you.

    ¾    Twi, you’re my pumpkin pie. You already please me.

Time wrapped his arms around Twi’s shoulders, pulled him down, and made his lips seal against his own. Twi corresponded, hugging the man fiercely within the bed sheets.

    ¾    Time.

    ¾    Yes?

    ¾    Please, take care and rest—he whispered, still attached to him—Make sure to eat well, and sleep. We have to go to Kokiri, Time.

    ¾    What?—he let go of Twi—Why?

    ¾    Marshall. He said there are things for you to fix there. If not, you will never make it in the Dark World.

    ¾    I suppose I have no other choice.

    ¾    Sky and I will be there for you, so don’t worry. For now, just rest.

    ¾    Thank you, sweetie.

    ¾    It is a relief to see thee better—said Sky as he returned—I brought thy meal.

Continues in part 3
Scattered Heart Chain, Tale of the Masked man
Written by Kim-SukLey