~Forever Forgotten~

**Zeldaeinstein** · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:53 pm Post subject: ~Forever Forgotten~

This was familiar. It always happened, there really was no denying it, always on cue. The dream was simple. He was lost among a mist so thick, it was as if it were eternal and never to lift. Shadows flitted past him, whispers absorbed his ears with harsh, inaudible tongues. And then in the far reaches of sight, that's where he stood, so far away, so close, it was impossible to tell. Glowing red eyes drifted through the fog consuming him, a deep and guttural laugh followed perfectly in-tune with his minions. This was hell. This was that Nightmare.

Mervil awoke in a cold sweat. Thoughts going back to his unconscious self faded, he forgot everything he just experienced, as usual. He lay in a shabby old house, abandoned for years on the outskirts of this land, no one knew he was there, just the way he liked it. Brushing the thick black hair away from his eyes he arose from his dirty cot, fully clothed in his black cloak. Today was his biweekly excavation to the nearby village down the mountainside, he'd quickly purchase what he needed before the mass majority of villagers awoke, he was more of a mystery then flash and blood to them.

Cold winds were tracing the hillside Mervil called home. Touching lightly against his scar, he shuddered and clotted the robes around him. His humble abode was only two rooms large, holes in the walls and ceiling did not make it comfortable in the slightest. A kitchen with a grimy rusted pot belly stove was to his left, the bed chamber where he now stood led outback, literally into another kingdom. Built perfectly, Mervil did not belong to any land, right on the border he was neutral, but this Hyrule place...he'd rather call his true home more than anything else.

Bundling up a good sack of rupees he dispatched into the dawning light, the village rested far below, a long trek was ahead, it was going to be worth it. Monsters were common place. For some bizarre reason however they never bothered the man, it certainly wasn't hated. Kakariko Village, a grand place compared to his horrid home, he could easily afford a room at the Inn for years, but he wasn't going to show any loyalties or take any luxuries away from others. The ravaged sign came into view among the mist, strange, the journey seemed shorter today to him, getting lost in his thoughts always did that, took up time, took up monotony. But his train of mind was cut short.

"Well, who do we have here?" A snide voice of a man came from behind a dislodged boulder, likely someone involved with the group of bandits Mervil heard about plenty of times on his travels through. "A misshapen straggler eh? It certainly seems you aren't entirely poor" Two men came bearing arms from what seemed to be thin air, they were going to try and mug him, how predictable, how laughable. "How about we make a deal. You give us everything in your pockets and we won't kill you, sound nice?" No reply would be wasted on them, only a smile as he continued to walk. "You've got guts to do that man, aren't you afraid? See normally people don't bring death on themselves, it's usually not that pleasant I've heard." The tallest of the two gruff looking men lashed out with a dagger. Wrong move.

Mervil darted to the left, raising his hand high. Searing flames slithered from his open palms and formed into a sinister looking weapon. Almost immediately the two bandits began to back off. He ignored their frightened looks, he was not going to put up with this idiocy. The Flame Scythe hung by his side and he threw his sack of rupees onto the moist cliffside.

"Look...look guy, we, we didn't mean to make you angry we...we were just." The outlaw was shivering from fright, an expected reaction.

"I don't think this is going to learn you a lesson in the slightest." Mervil's calm voice was like ice, his glare seemed to read them to the very soul. "Souls such as yours aren't worthy to bear life, I think you've caused enough harm for a lifetime, haven't you?" He dashed forward, the two men turned around quickly and made a run for it. The cloaked man merely smirked and used his free hand to do an action through the air. A precipice opened up among the earth, stopping the criminals in their tracks. Fear crossed their vision as the strange man approached them, his flaming scythe casting an evil glow across his face. He pulled back and hacked one time across their torsos, burning through their clothes and onto their flesh. They cried out as they fell to the ground, alive, marked. "Take this as a lesson, those with souls who are not righteous, bloodied, I will not die until they are destroyed, you have been cleansed, take your past knowledge and use it well, you do not get a chance to be marked twice."

The two bandits fled, leaving their weapons behind, they would catch a nice price, would make good gifts...be useful for the men of the village to use...exactly. Mervil snapped his fingers and his weapon disappeared in a puff of smoke, he grabbed his rupee sack and entered town, no one knowing of what had just occurred. The Bazaar was near the other side, no big deal, he wouldn't be seen at this time of day...but off in the Inn, someone was looking out, someone who watched him everyday, trying to figure out his purpose. She disappeared as he cocked his head slightly in that direction for no reason. The pale blue eyes of Mervil scanned the quaint village, oh how it reminded him of home...his wondrous home...his soul yearned...the cries went unheard and he continued with his business.

Who's up next ^_^ ?

**Tap** · Site Admin Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 14

Tap was sitting on the thick branch of an old oak tree, happily munching on a luscious green apple, legs swaying to and fro. She was facing a rather large lake covered with autumn leaves. Surrounding her were the sounds of the forest, crickets and cicadas chirping nosily, squirrels jumping from branch to branch, trees rustling with the wind.
Tap finished off her apple and tossed the remaining core into the lake, watching the ripples spread far. It was only about half an hour ago when she’d decided to break for lunch. Having finished her meal of bread, a slice of dry cheese, and an apple, she made herself comfortable and laid back on the branch, deciding that after a quick nap, she’d continue on with her journey. Her journey of retrieving her lost memories, starting with hunting down the black hooded figure, the only person she could remember, and interrogating him.
It’s a depressing situation, really, when one can’t recall who on earth he or she is. There’s a feeling of hopelessness and confusion. A feeling similar to Tap’s. Heck, she didn’t even know her own name. The name Tap had been given to her by her rescuer and only friend she knew of, Xanath, as a result from her habit of tapping when she became nervous or excited. All this was racing through her head.
When she was finally able to quiet her mind, she felt the feeling of sleep overcome her. The warm sun embracing her slightly tanned skin was making her drowsy and she let out a great yawn. She tossed her long red bow and bag of arrows onto the ground bellow, making more room for herself, and rolled onto her stomach, resting her head on her arm and letting her other arm dangle freely from the branch. She’d only been asleep for a few minutes when the sound of two men shouting from a distance startled her into consciousness. Curious as to what the men were arguing about, she sat up and strained her ears to listen in on their conversation.
“This was all your fault, you idiot!” the smaller one said to the other. He looked badly injured, though not as much as his partner. Both had on poorly washed clothes, which were badly torn at the torso. Blood had seeped through the bandage, which was feebly tied around the wound.
“My fault?! It was you’re idea to attack that freaky black cloaked guy!” Freaky blacked cloaked guy? Could they be talking about the man from Tap’s memories? She leaned further in the direction of the two. Bad move. Tap went crashing down into the hard ground below, both startling and drawing the attention of the men. Totally red with embarrassment, she scrambled to her feet, dusted herself off and leaned against the tree, arms crossed, as if that humiliating (and painful) event did not just happen. The men looked at each other for a moment and burst out into laughter. “What the hell is wrong with her?” laughed the taller one to the other.
“I have no idea!” responded the shorter one. “Maybe she thinks she’s one ‘a them cuccoos and was trying to fly!” Tap, clearly not amused with their horrible sense of humor, decided to leave before things got too extreme. She went to gather up her things, namely her bow, arrows, and pack of food, but was intercepted by the taller man. “Hey, wat’cher got there, kid?” He turned to his partner who was still snickering. “Hey, Railin, go see what stuffs this person’s got!”
“Oh yeah yeah, sure thing, Kaz!” Railin went over to Tap’s belongings and picked up her bow. “Well look at this!” exclaimed Railin, giving the bow a good look over. “This thing is in really good condition. Looks kinda neat, too.” He handed the bow over to Kaz. “You’re right,” agreed Kaz. “Hey, how much you think this’d sell for, ya think?”
“Uh, excuse me,” said Tap, boldly approaching the guys, “that’s not for sale.” She held out her hand, hoping they’d get a hint and give her back her bow. Instead, Railin went and grabbed some of Tap’s arrows.
“This is just what we need,” he said. “Thank you for these weapons.” He and Kaz turned to walk away, snickering amongst themselves, but Tap walked up in front of them, blocking their path.
“See, that’s the thing,” said Tap, fighting to keep the tone of her voice pleasant. “Those are my weapons. I’d like them back, now.” Once again, she held out her hand. Kaz looked down at Tap and glared, eyes seething with anger.
“Look, girlie, I’ve been having a bad day, and I’m in no mood for your crap. So I suggest you get the hell outta my way before I kill you.” Before Tap could respond, he smacked her on the head, knocking her to the ground. Stunned, Tap looked up at her attacker, eyes wide open, the cheek that was hit, stinging harshly. For a moment, everyone was still. Then, Tap slowly got up, hands and teeth clenched tightly.
“You…you jerk!” yelled Tap, eyes watering. “You stupid jerk! That's my stuff! Gimme back my stuff!” She pushed Kaz roughly and in return got a push back from Kaz.
“Sorry, little girl, but these are my things now,” Kaz jeered. “So get lo-“ Before he could finish his sentence, he found himself pinned to the ground, a 9-inch dagger at his throat. Panic began to fill poor Kaz’s little heart, as he realized the little girl had tackled him.
“You better freaking give me back my stuff,” Tap said, filled with fury. Kaz groaned. Once again he was about to suffer a near death experience.
“Okay. Okay fine, you win. You can have your stuff. Just…get off of me.”
“You promise you’ll give it back?” asked Tap suspiciously.
“Yeah, I promise.”
“Drop it.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Drop my stuff. Then I’ll get off.” Kaz glared at her for what seemed like an eternity, then threw the bow as far as he could (which wasn’t really far actually, considering the fact that he was lying on the ground). Tap smacked him on the face then got up to retrieve her bow. Once again, another bad move. As soon as she got off he kicked the dagger out of Tap’s hand, tossing it into the air and caught it.
“Railin, let’s go!” he yelled. Turning to Tap, he said “Thanks for the knife,” in mock gratitude and they both started running through the woods.
“Hey! Come back here!” shouted Tap. “You promised!” She wouldn’t be able to catch up with them now; they had a big head start, surprising Tap by knocking the dagger out of her hand.
Picking up her bow, she put an arrow in place and concentrated on aiming for them both. Back in her training with Xanath, she’d learned that if she concentrated hard enough to aim at more than one person, her arrow would multiply in a single shot and would pierce through thousands. It was quite shocking for Tap when she’d first discovered this handy trick of hers as she was using trees for her targets, and she’d wondered how on earth was she able to do that. As time passed, she decided that it was just something else she’d have to learn about herself.
So with a twang of her bow, the arrow split into two and sped after the two thieves. Upon hearing an odd whizzing sound, they looked back and saw too late the arrows after them. The force of the arrow was enough was to pin them back into one of the many trees surrounding them. Wincing in pain, Kaz dropped the dagger. Tap walked over to them and picked up the dagger. “You see what happens when you steal?” she lectured. “You get hurt!” She sheathed the dagger and attached it back to her belt. Then she began to pull the arrows out of the tree, freeing them. As soon as Railin had been freed, he ran as fast he could away from Tap. Kaz, who was more in a state of shock, just stood there.
“What, aren’t you going to keep us trapped here?” asked Kaz in amazement.
“Hmm?” replied Tap absentmindedly. “Now why would I do something like that?” She began digging in her pack for some fresh new bandages. “I know it’s in here somewhere…”she muttered. “Oh there we go!” She pulled out a first aid kit. “Okeydokey, let’s get you all fixed up!” She grabbed the front part of what was left of Kaz’s shirt and the bandage and ripped it off. She then proceeded to apply some type of red healing ointment on the cut on his abdomen and the pierce on his shoulder and wrapped up the two wounds with fresh clean bandages.
Kaz was astounded. Never in his life had a stranger ever cared for him. Actually, he couldn’t recall anyone in his life that had ever cared for him. He looked into Tap’s eyes and saw nothing but compassion.
“Why…are you helping me? I don’t deserve this. I’m a thief. A bandit. I could easily kill you right now.” He slowly got up but was shoved back down by Tap.
“But you can’t, can you?” replied Tap, a mischievous look in her eyes. “Heck, I could take all you have and ditch you right here! But I wouldn’t do that. Nope, I’m way too nice for that.” She got up and dusted herself off. “Well, it’s time for me to get going now. Have fun and enjoy life.” She picked up her things and walked off in the direction of Kakariko.
Kaz sat there for the longest time, just thinking about what’d happened. Then he got up and headed in the direction of Kakariko.

**Yazstromo** · Guard Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Australia

"Fish are curious creatures. They're covered in scales, breathe water, and taste delicious when cooked. Want some?". The man, tired and starving, gratefully accepted Yazstromo's offer of food. Watching him devour the fish, Yazstromo decided to inquire a little more into the curious day the man had just undergone. "So, first a cloaked man whips out a flaming scythe, and gave you that nasty scratch on your chest. Then, some savage girl pinned you to a tree with an arrow. That sound about right?" Railin nodded, the memories of the past day fresh in his mind. "Then you ran for about an hour, afraid that if you stopped, someone else would get you. I suppose that explains the screaming when you ran into me..." Yazstromo grinned, then picked up a vial filled with a light-blue liquid. "Now, Mr. Railin, I want you to make sure you have a swig of this every few hours, for the next two days. That should stop the bleeding, but I'm afraid that scar's going to be permanent. I guessed as much when I heard what sort of weapon made that mark. If a scythe doesn't sound like a cursed weapon, then a flaming scythe definitely does." Railin looked at the vial, then up at Yazstromo. "Well, now, that's mighty kind of you, mister. Say, you wouldn't happen to have a little money you could spare, seeing how that scythe guy took mine?" Yazstromo, still smiling, reached into his cloak and pulled out a small bag of rupees. "I'm afraid this is all I've got on me at the moment, though I can easily conjure up a little more. So, I suppose you may as well have it" He tossed Railin the money, then leaned back and pulled out a pipe. "So Mr. Railin, how long have you been a bandit for?"

Railin froze, a flicker of surprise passing over his face. He looked up hesitantly, before Yazstromo caught his eye. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to attack you or anything. I myself have nothing against people others would consider unsavoury. Everyone has to make a living somehow. I just noticed the greed in your eyes when I mentioned that I can conjure up some money, and got the impression you were about to use force against me. I felt I should warn you against that particular course of action." A spear then materialised and plunged itself into the ground beside Yazstromo, who was busy lighting his pipe. At this point, Railin was shivering, his eyes desperately searching for an escape route. "I think it's time for me to get going...I lost a friend of mine to that girl...he's probably worried sick...I just..." Still smiling, Yazstromo got up, cracking his neck. "Well, then, I suppose we should go find him, then. I hope that girl didn't hurt him too badly." Railin looked at Yazstromo, puzzled. "So, you're not going to hurt me?" Chuckling, Yazstromo began packing up his things. "Weren't you listening? I don't mind robbers, so long as they've got the sense not to rob me. And I'm fairly certain you won't be trying to rob me any time soon. Now, before we move, I say we figure out where we're going." Yazstromo pulled out a leather pouch, reaching in and grabbing a small spoon covered in magical symbols. He threw it at the ground, and in a flash of smoke, a large map appeared. "So, you last saw him over at this little wooded area...well, if he's still alive after being viciously assaulted, common sense dictates that he'd head to the nearest town, which according to this map is Kakariko Village. I think that sounds as good a place to start as any." Yazstromo looked up at Railin, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "We're going on an adventure, Railin!"

Link64Master · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:31 pm Post subject:

Galysses was walking to Kakariko Village, trying to find who had really killed his father. He set down is rigid sword and rounded shield by a lake to take a rest. He stared down in the lake, for what seemed like forever, staring at his icy cold stare and his boney face, wondering, questioning who and what he was, and where he was headed.
Suddenly, he heard voices in the distance, it sounded like two males. He picked up his things, and approached the strangers. Carefully and slowly, he walked, catching bits of information on what they were talking about.
"All I'm saying is," the younger one said. "that I don't know who she was. She just fell out of a tree, like a cucoo with a broken wing."
"Hmm," the older one said. He looked quite wise. "She must be someone, who is mischeivious, always watching....." His sentence was stopped. "What was that, by the lake, did you here it?"
"Yazstromo, I didn't here anything, it was probably the wind blowing the leaves or something." The young one said. "C'mon, lets just go, I need to find Kaz."
"No, Railin, it wasn't the wind," Yazstromo said. "something is there, I saw it. It had clear white texture, it was the arm of something. I am going to check it out"
"Ok, just hurry back, Kaz could be in grave da............."
"RAILIN! HELP! A STALFOS!"
"I'm coming!" Railin hurried, only to find that Yazstomo was on the ground, groaning, moaning. A rigid sword next to his gut.
"Stand back," Galysses said loudly. "One more step and he's dead."
Railin slowly stepped back, shocked, his guide and guard, in a near death moment. There was a long silence. Galysses let go of Yazstromo. Yazstromo slowly got to his feet, catching his breath.
"W-Why a-are you her-re," Yazstromo said slowly but boldly.
"I am here to find whoever killed my father, Galyes," He said strongly. "It wasn't you two was it?" Galysses wondered but eagerly awaited the answer, with sword ready to strike.
It was Railin who spoke first, "What if we did? What would you do?" Galysses quickly took a glance at Railin and struck him in the legs.
"Does that answer your question," Galysses said angrily. "I will take that as a no, so where are you guys headed?"
"To Kakariko Village," They said in unison.
"Great, I'm coming with," Galysses confidently said.
They all are headed in the same destination.
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Join soon.

**Supreme Dirt** · Guard Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 6

(OT: Yeah, I'm FINALLY posting.)

Vicious sands whirled around him. The sun was but a faint circle in the sky. Whilst it did impede his sight, Allanon was thankful for the relative darkness. He struggled through the biting winds. He had not foreseen a sandstorm impeding his mission. He needed to reach the desert oasis, lest he lose the one chance he had of preventing the catastrophe that was set to hit the world, first destroying Hyrule, then reaching to the western lands of Labrynna and Holodrum. Luckily, his homeland, a small island known in the legends of this land as Koholint, would be spared, as the mortals that populated the rest of the world could only visit in their dreams.

A small whirling sound caused him to turn around. An oversized leever was coming towards him with frightening speed. He reached his hand out, meaning to summon the power of an Iron Knuckle from the sands, but withdrew it. Wisps of smoke curled up from his arm. He had forgotten the sun. He shook his head, and then, with his other, gloved hand. He pulled forth his sword, and with a single sweep, his sword and the sacred fire he had summoned to it vanquished the beast.

Turning, he continued, hoping he was not too late. He reached the oasis, and discovered something, something which would have utterly horrified any other person.

However, he was not a person.

The oasis was gone. In its place was a barren, rock-filled hole. And strewn around it was the remains of Iron Knuckles. Most would think this a great deed, worthy of song and legend. But Allanon, knowing the true nature of the mettalic soldiers in the valley, was greatly saddened. His ancestors' guardians had been destroyed, and he suspected the Gerudo Lapis Lazuli, the source of his peoples' power, was likewise gone. He decided to travel east, to Kakariko Village, and steal - borrow, he told himself - a map of this land. For he did not know much of it, and desperately needed a way to familiarize himself with the land. And then he would head to the sacred Temple of Time, to collect 3 of the spiritual stones he most desperately needed, arcane treasures stolen from him long, long ago. The ancient sheikah had not been satisfied with his gift of the most powerful blade ever to be wrought, one which could repel evil, but had stolen 6 gems from him, and had the nerve to name them after the races of this realm - Sheikah Diamond, Gerudo Lapis Lazuli, Sage's Diamond, Zora Sapphire, Goron Ruby, and the Kokiri Emerald. The collection of these 6 stones would restore his former strength.

And then he would aid the warriors who would save the land - although they did not yet know it, they were tied to the salvation of the planet.

Pulling out an ancient instrument, the Full Moon Cello, he played a simple song. Light flashed, and Allanon had vanished.

**Zeldaeinstein** · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:30 pm Post subject:

Mervil was in and out of the village in quick succession. The few supplies he had purchased were tied to his side beneath his heavy cloak; beads of sweat trickled down his brow in the rising sunlight, it was supposed to be entering fall by this time. Looking upon the small cliff side he had dealt with the two bandits, he chuckled quietly, leaving the village behind in a quiet stir. Today was apparently the Autumn Festival, the little celebration held at the castle where everyone was invited, supped and slept if need be. Every few years a small longing to take part had drifted upon Mervil's mind, the old days back at the Royal Birthdays were ones he always wanted to relive, but he just couldn't go.

The people of Hyrule seemed to make this festival out to be more than it really was. A common belief was that the Goddesses left the realm after creation at the beginning of Autumn, letting things die into winter and spring forth at the melting of the snow, almost as if it truly was the day of Creation. It'd certainly be a party to remember with such a hot and blazing sun in the sky... Great deals of people and races joined together on the day in the castle, the music, the dancing and the scent seemed to drift on the wind every year on this night, maybe he'd go, just once. The poor shack he called home gazed back at him with empty black eyes.

* * *

It wasn't that far to Kakariko Village, a mere few hours walk, run, hobble, the three of them all had their method of transportation, some less graceful than the other. The hulking form of Galysses cast a shattered shadow behind him as he made his slow lumbering way ahead, red eyes scanning the horizon, a horizon filled by a group member. Yazstromo was leading them, the one most qualified to lead them about the way, his walk was erratic with a rise in his step that was from no where. Hyrule Field was large and empty, mostly empty, a few peahats peered out from the grasses, a few crows soared up high and trees were as scarce as always. Travelling today was proving a bit more work than originally thought, the weary Railin tailed, half from fear of the Stalfos and half from the unnatural heat. He thought about saying something, about taking a rest, but the other two were too involved in getting to the village to bother stopping for him; although, he was the first tailgater and would override Galysses authority, but that hope soon died.

"My, it IS warm today." Yazstromo had stopped a few feet ahead of everyone, gazing up to the cloudless sky and sighing. "It will only make the arrival that much better, a nice rest after a long journey, a long and perhaps boring journey."

"Yeah, boring." Galysses snapped his knuckles against a rock, or a tree, whichever it was sickly resonated the sound across the expanse causing Railin to shudder. "Before things get a little too sentimental, talking of nature or beauty, or whatever, don't you think we'll enjoy the rest a bit more if we don't take any on the way there. Some of us have more pressing matters to take care of other than stopping to smell flowers or to think for the sake of thinking."

"I guess you are right my Stalfos friend, there are many things that need to be done, we can't be burning daylight, unless it burns us first." He shaded his face with his hand and tilted his head toward Railin. "But don't you think for the health of our third, Railin, that we should probably take five, or eleven, which ever pleases him most?"

"I'm fine, we can keep going." Railin shook himself to get up off the ground he so graciously had sprawled across when they had stopped. "The sooner we get there, the better. And you never know, weather like this might give us a storm that we won't want to get stuck in." He watched Galysses roll his eyes and fold his arms, and Yazstromo merely shrugged, looked around for a few seconds and continued his walk to the village. Stumbling along the way, they advanced to Kakariko.

I'd write more, but I'll let the other sections work along themselves with their writers or if others wish for initiative. Go on and write Tap ;P
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