The Story of a Shadow: chap 7

The Story of a Shadow
Chapter VII
Overboard!!

Out side was hot. Dark could see the ground waver and shift with the effects of the blistering sun. It was way to much for him and he removed the parka the Gerudo had given him.

Barg, the self proclaimed terror of the sea, had challenged Dark to a duel. Dark had excepted, forgetting that his sword was not with him at the moment.

Barg and Dark stood across from each other, the old sea dog had his sword ready for action and Dark raised his fists, ready for….whatever. The man that dark challenged laughed at this and motioned for one of his men, who gave Barg his sword. He tossed it at Dark’s feet.

“Can’t have you sword less, now can we?” He chuckled, and Dark picked up the sword. It was in bad shape, and Dark wondered how any swordsman could go out in battle without dieing of embarrassment with this poorly made weapon. But he was thankful, anyway, that he had something to fight with. He readied himself and without having to utter a word, both swords men knew it was on. They both lunged at each other and met in the middle. Dark, now knowing that he wasn’t really human after all, had an easy time moving about. His opponent was stronger but Dark was much quicker. He leapt up into the air and landed behind the pirate, And attacked his back. Barg turned just enough to counter the swing and Dark jumped back and landed just a few feat away.

“You know a lot ’o fancy tricks, I see. But tha’ wont get you nowhere.”

Dark rushed at him again and their swords collided once more. Barg was strong and had an easy time over powering Dark. The sword twisted from Dark’s hand and was sent flying, and under the pressure, Dark collapsed. The sea man lifted his sword but again Dark was quicker and rolled out of the way just as the sword came crashing down.

Dark leaped to his feet and scurried for his sword, when he turned around Barg was right behind him and Dark did not have enough time to attack before the pirate punched him in the cheek. Dark grabbed his jaw and turned his head back to the man just in time to have another blow to his other cheek. Dark grunted and leapt out of the way before he could strike again. He landed, but on his back.

’what’s wrong with you?’ He thought to himself ’you could have this man on his back right now’ Dark frowned and stretched his legs out, tripping the pirate. He landed next to Dark, cursing. The shadow boy got to his feet and grabbed his sword. He needed only to pin the man, not hurt him. He went to draw his sword to the sea dogs neck, but he was crawling away on all fours. Dark couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Dark jumped and landed with his legs on both sides of his opponent, only to find a sword pointed in between his legs. Dark sighed a long breath and backed off, and Barg got to his feet.

“You’re good, boy, but not good enough.” He charged Dark, feet rattling the ground, Dark made another attempt to jump behind him, but Barg had already anticipated his move and was turned around.

He grabbed Darks foot and hurled his body across the clearing. Dark felt the stinging sensation of water hit his eyes. He tried to move but he was stuck. He tried flailing his arms but he would not budge. Dark began to panic. The water suddenly felt like fire, and began to burn, he panicked more.

Then he felt a pull on his legs and the water started to flow off his body. He found himself looking at the waist of the pirates body. He craned his neck and saw Barg holding one of his feet with his hand, and he was laughing.

“Ha ha. Can you believe it, fellers? This boy here’s afraid of the water.” Laughter rang in Dark’s ears and he craned his neck back to see that he had fallen into a water trout. He could feel his face begin to burn with embarrassment.

“Let go.” He shouted angrily over the laughter. Barg didn’t stop laughing and let go of his foot and Dark fell to the floor.

Dark cursed and raised himself up from the ground. The laughter was dieing down to faint snickers, and Barg held out his hand to help the wet boy up. Dark refused the man’s help and pulled himself to his feet. He brushed off the dirt on his pants and then smoothed his hair, trying to look dignified and uncaring.

Barg placed his hand on his hip. “Well, Dark looks like I won. You ready to show me around Hyrule castle?.”

Dark looked at the sea man, his mind deep in thought. What harm could it do? He’d be dead in a few days anyway. And, he frowned as he thought about it, He was still a shadow. Maybe he wasn’t so full of love and life, after all. Maybe it was time to take revenge on Link. He smiled. ’Time for my grand finale’

Barg had instructed Dark to pack so they could leave at sundown. Martha supplied Dark with food drink and a new sword. She had claimed the smithy had “owed” her one, whatever that meant. Dark thanked her, sorry he did not get the chance to know her more. He kinda liked her bubbly personality, then he chuckled as he thought of how annoying that would become after awhile.

Dark arrived at the docks right at sundown. Three large ships that looked all alike stood before him. The sails all had the same symbol; A skull with blood running out of each eye. The thought of entering a pirate ship would scare a lot of people, but not Dark. He felt right at home.

Barg was waiting by the middle ship, yelling orders at his crew as they loaded supplies into the great boats. When Dark approached He patted him on the back and directed him to where he would be sleeping, saying “Good luck” to him as he boarded.

The second Dark walked on deck he felt his stomach do a back flip. He tried to concentrate on the directions the captain had given him to his room but couldn’t help but wonder if this would be to much for him, considering that they had not even left the docks yet.

Dark walked down to the lower level of the ship. There he found hammocks tied up all over. He guessed this was were everybody slept, except the captain, of course.

’how primitive’ he thought as he tossed his sack onto a random hammock. Then he heard a “hey!” and turned around. He was met by a skinny fellow with a rugged beard, and a very unpleasant scowl on his face.

“That’s my hammock get yer own!!” from total reflex Dark drew his shiny new sword and quickly had it to the mans throat.

“You were saying?” sneered Dark. The man began to tremble

“N…nothing….it’s yours.” he squeaked and left the room in a hurry. Dark had a feeling it was going to be easy to scare these guys. They seemed like such armatures compared to himself. Dark chuckled to himself as he thought back to his fight with Barg. Maybe he was losing his touch. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for love or any of that stuff. Dark looked up towards the ceiling and silently cursed the goddesses. They knew it all along. There was no way to love in such a short time. Not him, anyway. Yes, it was much better this way.

Dark was interrupted from his thoughts as he heard the captain bark orders and he guessed they were leaving. He headed up the stairs and looked out past the railing. The sun was almost gone and the sea looked so majestic with the blue tints mixed with the oranges and pinks of the setting sun. Seeing this filled Dark with tremendous confidence…until the boat started to move. Already he could feel the sickening feeling of the boat as it crept from the dock. Dark figured he had better keep focused to occupy his mind. But before he could get anywhere he leaned over the edge, green as Hyrule field. He heard the chuckles of a few crewmembers but ignored it and went down below to get some shut eye.

Dark woke abruptly and found himself on the ground. He heard the sound of the crew shouting things, then a rush of water poured in from above. Dark looked out to the sky. The clouds above him where pitch black and flashes of lighting struck dangerously close followed by a boom that was swallowed by the sounds of the wind and the water being tossed about. Shipmates ran around like chickens with they’re heads cut off and Barg was at the ships wheel, trying to keep a straight course.

Dark walked across the ship, the wind blew hard at his face and he caved to the power of the moving ship as it was rocked about by the waves. Water spewed over the sides of the boat and Dark had to keep his mind determined to keep from running back down to lower level of the boat.

Suddenly the boat rocked tremendously, Dark was caught off guard and was tossed to the floor and skidded across the width of the boat. He sputtered and spat as he lifted himself up, using the railing for support.

The boat rocked again and Dark was tossed over the side of the boat, his hand grasped the railing and he slammed into the side of the ship. He tried to reach his other hand up as he panicked at the sight of the dark, monstrous water below him. It seemed almost alive, like it was determined to swallow him.

He stretched his hand a bit more, his fear driving him, and gabbed a hold of the railing. There he hung screaming for help. The sound of the wind and water was to great and Dark could not be heard over their harsh screams. Thoughts raced though Dark, why couldn’t he get up? All his energy seemed to be sapped by the blue depths below. And yet in the mist of his terror Dark could not help but laugh on the inside.

A shadow, and evil force, scared by a little thing like water. By this thoughts Dark’s fear was eased, just a bit and he was more relaxed. Now he could summon his strength and lift himself up. Dark pushed his feet as hard as he could away from the boat’s side. As he swung up he let go of the railing and spun himself over it to the ground. He landed perfectly and rushed to Barg.

“Are we going to survive?” Yelled Dark over the noise. Barg looked at him, squinty eyed and smiled a wide smile, holding up his thumb. Dark guessed that was a yes. And went away to help a young sailor hold some ropes.

The storm went on for what seemed like forever. Then finally there was a break in the clouds and the lightning stopped flashing and the waves stopped roaring. Dark collapsed to the floor while the sunshine soaked his face. He was covered in water, wet head to toe, and shaking violently. But he felt good. And for the first time Dark realized just how much he liked to be alive. If he even really was in the first place. He felt something inside him tug at his heart and he began to wonder if maybe there really was a chance for him. No that was dumb, love in less than a week. He liked to live, but he could not love and Dark figured that was what separated him form the real world. He could not love, so he could not live.

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