Destined for Calamity (zelink)

Chapter 11

After bathing, I enjoyed a moment of solitude, away from Dark's presence. However, I couldn't help but notice his occasional glances in my direction. I knew time was of the essence and that we needed to continue our journey, yet there was an unusual sense of calmness emanating from him. He didn't exhibit any signs of urgency or restlessness that I had expected. I couldn't help but wonder what might be going through his mind, what reasons lay behind his lack of haste.

As I explored the debris scattered around, searching for anything of interest, my eyes widened in astonishment. There, nestled amidst the wreckage, I discovered a captivating dark stone that shimmered with a mystical glow. My heart quickened with excitement as I recognized it to be a Luminous Stone, a rare and precious gem known for its ability to emit a soft, cyan light. However, to confirm my suspicion, I would have to wait until nightfall, as the stone's true brilliance would only reveal itself in the darkness. Filled with eagerness, I knew I wanted to embellish a weapon with its power, and hopefully, Dark would allow me to use his sickle for the task.

Approaching him, I observed Dark sitting against a tree, seemingly lost in a moment of rest. His eyes were shut, and his damp, untied hair cascaded over his face, while his lips were gently parted as he breathed softly. I noticed that his previous wounds appeared to have healed; the gash on his shoulder was now nothing more than a small scar.

A small fire crackled nearby, skewered fish cooking over its gentle heat. I took charge of tending to it, ensuring the fish wouldn't burn. With the flames steadily smoldering, I finally settled beside Dark, the black stone held delicately in my grasp. I let it slide between my fingers, examining its intricate details.

Decidedly, I leaned towards Dark, intending to borrow his sickle. Suddenly, his hand shot out and firmly seized my wrist, startling me. His touch sent a cascade of goosebumps rippling across my skin. A wave of nervousness washed over me, causing my throat to become dry as I swallowed anxiously.

His narrowed eyes locked onto mine, and he questioned my actions with a hint of suspicion in his voice, "What are you doing?" Despite the uneasiness creeping into my voice, I held his doubting gaze, trying to maintain composure.

"I wanted to fuse a stone I found earlier with your weapon," I explained. "To enhance it, you know, make it stronger... But it's okay, never mind. I should have asked," I hastily added, feeling a mix of embarrassment. I took the opportunity to pull my arm back as his grip loosened.

As I was about to put the stone away, berating myself for the foolish idea, Dark looked through his bag, retrieving a small dagger. He studied me before handing it to me and saying, "Show me."

I stared at him in bafflement, surprised that he accepted my offer. It seemed that he had somewhat gained a level of trust in me. Carefully, I took the dagger in my hands, examining it closely.

"A Gerudo Scimitar," I remarked, my voice filled with knowledge. "It's quite common in the Gerudo deserts. As they are made of metal, they can conduct electricity and are resistant to scorching climates. They are highly valued by the Gerudo people, who possess the skill to forge the legendary Scimitar of the Seven, a powerful weapon with a rich history. Legend has it that the last known replica was wielded by the only Gerudo boy in the century who turned to evil in his relentless pursuit of power... Have you ever heard of Ganondorf?" I questioned, looking up at him, only to see a shocked expression on his face.

"How do you know all this?" he asked, his curiosity evident, eyebrows furrowed.

"I've always had a keen interest in weaponry... Let's just say my skills are unique," I replied with a slight smile. Taking the stone in my hand, I pressed it onto the blade of the dagger. We both sat there in silence as the stone seemed to seamlessly meld into the weapon. My eyes darted to Dark, who watched me with awe as I worked on enhancing his weapon. The stone, though initially small, appeared to grow in size, covering the entire blade. Finally, the transformation ceased, and the stone materialized, its surface as hard as before.