An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Because of the nature of the content going forward in this fic, I have decided to move it onto my new Ao3 page. I will still make the chapter avaliable to reach as links on my Tumbler page. But I won't be posting full chapters here any more.
I hope those who have been reading this fic will continue to follow my characters over onto Ao3.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Chapter 8 of Twilight Warriors is up on Ao3.
@st0rmyskies and I discussed Dark's role in the narrative quite a bit so I wanted to explore his motivations for his abuse of Warriors later in the story. It was really fun writing an evil character and their twisted perspective on the world. Enjoy!
Maari leant against the bookshelves in the library, gazing out the window at the mountains beyond the desert. Somewhere out there, hidden among the rocks and snowdrifts, her mother could only be a few miles away. Meanwhile Zelda was working feverishly beside her, leafing through book after book.
"Hmm, this text looks similar," she uttered, staring at the dusty page. "Some of this lettering resembles the other runes, but I'm not sure it's close enough to be the same language."
Zelda paused, looking up at Maari.
"Are you listening to me, or did you doze off?"
"Hmm, oh sorry Zelda. I phased out there," Maari stammered. A little pink flushed her cheeks as she realized she hadn't been listening to a word Zelda had said for quite some time.
"It's okay, we've been going for a while. I might take this down to show Link. Err, Wild. It still doesn't sound right calling him that."
Zelda patted the book she had been reading and picked it up with a handful of other papers. Though Maari noticed she neglected to pick up her Purah Pad.
"I get it, but when there's more than one of them around it makes sense," Maari replied.
"I guess so," Zelda chuckled. "Goodness knows how many Princess Zelda's there have been. I'm going down to the bunker, care to join me?"
"I'll see you down there. I'm going up to my room first."
Maari waved to Zelda as they parted ways at the door. As soon as Zelda turned the corner Maari hurried back into the library, snatching up the Purah Pad and shoving it into a pocket. Next Maari went to her room and quickly grabbed her stealth gear and her weapons. There weren't many guards around the guest chambers but two were posted in the throne room. Maari entered as nonchalantly as she could manage.
"Sav'orr," she greeted them politely.
"Sav'orr," one of them nodded as she approached.
"I've just seen Riju heading to the training ground, she said she wants to speak with all the guards urgently." Maari explained.
The guards exchained uncertain glances.
"Why did she send you, why didn't she send a servant?"
"I was nearby and I said I didn't mind passing on the message."
The guards exchanged an uncertain glance, but clearly decided in Maari's favour.
"Thank you, we'll make our way there presently."
The guards nodded and marched off out of the throne room towards the training grounds. Maari let out a sigh of relief as they disappeared from sight. Alone at last, Maari walked over to the throne and looked out at the desert. She glanced quickly behind her to check no one was watching, before silently jumping down onto the sand below. The only sound she made was a muffled thud as she hit the sand.
"Little late for an afternoon stroll isn't it," Wars' unmistakably sarcastic voice emanated from behind Maari.
"Aren't you supposed to be at a meeting with Zelda right about now?" Maari retorted, turning to face the Captain with a smirk.
He was leaning against the secret entrance to the underground chamber, looking at her with a sly smile on his face. Link had left behind his trademark blue scarf and his pauldron, Maari assuemed the desert heat might have had something to do with that decision. Even though it was approaching late afternoon, it was still maddeningly hot
"I'm sure they won't miss me for a while." Link shrugged. "What about you? Don't you have somewhere important to be?"
"I think you know where I need to be," Maari said, lowering her tone.
"Hmm, did you manage to get it?" Link, asked, stepping away from the door.
Maari took out Zelda's Purah Pad and held it in front of him.
"Zelda left it behind in the Library. I managed to figure out how to see the map. By the looks of it we need to hug the north wall of the city, then make our way up Karusa Valley. According to Wild's notes on the map the Yiga hideout is somewhere in the valley." Maari explained.
"Good, looks like we can climb up that hill there and drop in from above too," Link pointed out.
He traced his finger across the map showing the potential path up the cliffs. His mind already assessing the terrain for potential ambush sights. He had to admit there were a lot. But if they stayed on high ground that would eliminate a lot of them.
"Good idea," Maari paused, as another thought crossed her mind. "You were careful not to be seen leaving weren't you?"
"Please, you may be a Sheikah but I can also be pretty stealthy when I want to be. Don't worry, no one noticed me leave."
Meanwhile, inside the bunker Hyrule nudged Four as he sat down in the dining hall. The smith was sharpening his sword but he gave Hyrule an acknowledging hum as he sat down.
"Hey, did you notice Wars sneaking out through the passage a minute ago?" Hyrule asked.
"Yeah, where d'you think he was off to? He knows he can't go into the city." Four remarked.
"I bet I know here he was going?" Legend scoffed from nearby, sitting with an embroidery hoop on his lap.
"Oh yeah?" Hyrule asked eagerly.
"It's obvious to anyone with eyes he likes Maari, so I'd be willing to bet he's snuck off to hang out with her." Legend explained, as though delivering some profound revelation.
"Yeah that tracks," Hyrule sighed.
***
Out in the Gerudo desert Maari and Warriors reached the mouth of the Karusa Valley. Maari checked the map on the Purah Pad, holding it in her shadow to keep the sun's glare off the screen. It was late afternoon but it was still hot and the walk to the valley mouth had been tough for both of them. Link was gulping water while Maari took off her mask to breath a little easier.
"If we head up this slope on our right," she gestured to the gradually sloping sides of the cliff. "We should be able to reach the heart of the Yiga base without drawing too much attention."
Link followed her gaze and nodded.
"We better get started, the sun will start going down before we know it. I don't know about you but I'd rather not be wandering around on these mountains in the dark."
"Agreed. I bought a small lantern with me but it only lasts for about an hour, so we should only use it in an emergency." Maari explained.
"I didn't bring much with me. I left my armour behind because I didn't want to be too encumbered in the desert."
"But you have your shield don't you? And besides," Maari nudged him playfully. "I'll protect you."
Link laughed, though only to humour Maari. Together they began their climb up the side of the valley. It was tough going, the map hardly gave an accurate representation of the topography of the landscape and Maari was certain the hill was much steeper in reality.
"How you doing down there Link?" Maari asked, pausing to look down before reaching for the next ledge.
"I'm alright," Link huffed behind her. "I just wasn't built for climbing."
"You need a break?"
As Maari reached the next flat she turned around and reached out a hand. Link took it greatfully but only marginally let her pull him up the slope.
"No I'm okay, just need some water and we can keep going." Link shook his head and uncapped his canteen.
A few moments later they were on the move again. As the ground started to level out a little Maari noticed her shadow starting to grow longer ahead of her. She turned to watch the sun begin to dip towards the tops of the mountain plateaus.
"What's that up ahead?" Link asked from just a few feet away. When Maari turned to look she saw he was pointing at what looked like a large hole in the ground.
"I think that's the far end of the hideout."
They rushed forwards a short distance to get a better look. Down below, within the large open space were Yiga banners and flags emblazoned with the upturned eye. There were no lanterns or torches lit and Maari couldn't see any movement. But these were hardly signs that the hideout was uninhabited.
"We need to be careful," Maari stated. Getting to her feet and looking for a safe way down.
"Bit late for that isn't it!" Link jested.
"Very funny. I'm serious Link."
"I know, sorry. Do you see a way down?"
Maari spotted some ropes hanging from an overhang of the pit. They were covered with ribbons but looked sturdy enough to hold them both. They went down one at a time, making sure one of them was keeping their eyes on all possible entry points. Once on the ground they kept to the edge of the canyon wall as much as possible, though Link was tempted to peer down into the chasm in the centre. Maari headed for what looked like the main door. Everything was deathly silent and in the shadow cast by the cliffs it felt as though night had come early. Maari pressed her ear up against the door but heard nothing.
"Sounds quiet inside," she uttered.
Maari's heart was racing, suddenly the reality of what she was doing hit her. Link stood behind her, his presence strangely comforting. He gave her added courage, and the nerve to push on the door. It opened without resistance and this fact alone sent alarm bells ringing for both of them.
"Feels like a trap," Link said warily.
"I got that feeling too. But I just..." Maari struggled to say what she wanted.
"I know, you need to know if she's in there. It's alright. I'll watch your back."
Link drew his sword and hoisted his shield, Maari nodded and took out her katana. Slowly they entered the hideout, walking into almost pitch blackness. Lighting her small lantern Maari advanced into the first chamber. It was mostly empty and from what she could see the architecture seemed quite familiar. The next room was larger, filled with crates and storage boxes of all sizes. Maari opened one to find it full of extremely ripe bananas. The second was filled with what appeared to be Yiga uniforms.
"They're definitely still using this base," Maari whispered.
"Which makes me wonder how we managed to walk in here," Link whispered back.
"Oh you didn't walk in, we allowed you in." A chuckling voice echoed across the room.
Maari and Link spun around in it's direction, but the only light in the room was still coming from Maari's lantern. Somewhere in the darkness they heard the light tapping of many footsteps. They were very much not alone and if they weren't careful they could quickly find themselves surrounded.
"Show yourselves, traitors," Maari barked, holding her lantern higher.
Link questioned her brashness, but he was also itching for a fight.
In response, several torches sparked into life around the walls, illuminating the room and the people below. Around a dozen Yiga warriors were arrayed around the room. Poised on top of boxes or hanging from the rafters. They all stared at Link and Maari. A dozen would probably prove a challenge but Link believed he and Maari were up to it. So long as they didn't get cut off from their escape route they should be fine.
"What are you doing here little light worshiper?" Asked the Yiga who had spoken before. They stepped forwards, wielding a blackened eightfold blade. "Why don't you show me what you can do with that little sword of yours."
Heat started to rise in Maari's stomach, anger flared in her chest and every muscle in her body twitched with anticipation. If the Yiga hadn't been wearing a mask Maari guessed she would have been able to see their smug expression. She was going to enjoy wiping it off.
"Why don't you come and let me give you a taste of it," she goaded, tossing her lantern aside and taking her sword in two hands.
Link settled into a fighting stance and held his sword and shield at the ready. He waited, watching the enemies before him, gauging which one would strike first.
"Little Sheikah, there is no where for you to run now. You will die here or you will join us. Either way your life will serve our lord and master."
As they spat the last word, the Yiga sprang towards Maari. They moved with inhuman speed, slashing violent cuts of their blade at Maari. Two soldiers advanced on Link, pushing him back towards the door. Maari used the crates to gain height before spinning and attempting to drop-kick the Yiga in the head. She missed by a hair as the soldier rolled out of the way just in time. Maari landed and rolled to absorb the fall. She spotted Link heading for the door and followed.
They bypassed the first chamber and headed back out into the large courtyard. More Yiga started to appear from windows high up in the walls. Dusk was fast approaching as lanterns were lit to illuminate the scene. Maari scanned around looking for an exit if the fight didn't go their way. She spotted the slope leading up out of the valley and marked it as a good option. However, more and more Yiga soldiers kept coming, some appearing from a swirl of crimson runes.
RUNES!
"Link, I know what language those runes are written in!" She shouted, but Link was too preoccupied keeping the Yiga at bay to hear her.
