#01. puxrlunae

[balladetto]

cont. from here / @puxrlunae

     Has pain always sounded like that? Like nuts splitting open, or a tree cracking beneath the might of lightning — a decisive cleaving through the frenzy of a battle he didn't think could get any worse. Link's world tilts as he realises it can and has, grinding to a creaking stop. For half a second, Amaron is all he can see: collapsed for a hit he shouldn't have taken; shouldn't have had to take; shouldn't be anywhere close to even being able to take but was, 'cause his brother's too rotten and stupid and weak to let him go.

     Then the monster moves, and Link lets himself sink into the bottomless hole it's carved of his rage.

     Later, when they talk of this, he will recall the victory less clearer than the harried steps he makes towards his brother. He doesn't think he'll ever forget the way he lurches, or how he folds to scraped knees beside Amaron, or the horrible limpness of the body he turns over and the hand he instinctively seeks out with his own. Navi floats above them, tracing circles as she tries to reassure him, but the crash keeps echoing in his head. Louder. Louder. Louder—

     "A-mar," Link gasps, choking on fear, on guilt, on globs of tears he refuses to let fall 'cause it can't be that bad, his brother can't be— can't be— "No, nn-no no no, Amar—"

     "Wait, Link, don't—!"

     He lifts Amaron up, awkward in his desperation as he shoves an ear against his chest for a pulse that has to be there. How long is too long for someone to black out? It was seconds back at home when someone hurt themself to this point, but maybe it's different out here. Maybe it's okay if it's more. 'Cause Amaron— he's been out for too long if it isn't, he needs to wake up, he can't drink a potion like this and Navi can't heal...!

     Link squeezes his brother so tight, it's starting to make his arms tremble. It must hurt. It must hurt and— and be really annoying! Link's being really annoying, so wake up! Wake up, wake up, please, please, please wake up!