𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕝𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝔸𝕘𝕖 - ᵖᵉᵗᵉʳ ᵖᵉᵛᵉⁿˢⁱᵉ

꧁Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 5 - Rᴜɪ꧂

"Link, Link!" I called out as I followed him. We raced through the streets as metal and glass casted bright sunlit spots from the middays glare. Rui was an island country that was quite small in size, but it made up for size in it's advanced technology. Their land had been rich in metals when found, not gold or silver but platinum and steel which their ancestors had used to build up the island.

Their firearms were plenty and they were a fortress of impenetrable strength. Their buildings made up of metal and glass always intrigued Katherine, inside the metal and glass frames people sat at wooden desks working. Aside from school everyone worked a compulsory three hours a day. However once the hours of work were finished people were able to do as they pleased.

Many stayed back in the workspaces to do extra work of their own free will however most made use of the great river Pisces that nearly divided the island in half. Fishing was done in the waters as well as laundry and the children would play in the cool waters for hours. Yet almost at the mouth of the river towered the castle of Rui, Link's home.

Next to her she heard Ananova's giggle sound, "Come on Kat, keep up!"

Shaking herself from her thoughts she had a burst of speed as she sprinted past Ananova and soon was neck in neck with Link again. He turned to see her and they both smirked as they upped their speed for the last stretch.

Katherine felt that familiar burn in her lungs and her feet seemed to lighten as if she was floating over the ground instead of actually running. She felt beads of sweat beginning to form by her brow. The clearing they were racing to came into view and she saw Raiden lazing by the apple tree near the riverbed.

Just as she thought she had broken into the first place a blur of black shot past her. Link with his black shorts, vest and hair stood smirking in the center of the clearing. A growl ripped out of Katherine's throat, Link's family had been born with unnatural speed that was gifted to the royal family many centuries ago. Refusing to give up before crossing the finish she drove all her energy into her last few steps that carried her over the white chalk line they had drawn.

She got past the white and stopped swiftly but the momentum she had gained made her feet heavy at the abrupt stop and knocking one foot onto the other she watched as the ground rose up to meet her.

The ground never caught her though, instead two muscular arms wrapped themselves around her waist and she turned to find Link's deep brown eyes on her. He slowly pulled her back up and blinked away what had happened with a cheeky smile.

"Jeez Kat nearly bowled both of us open with that fall of yours" I laughed his words and turned to see Ananova and Ada crossing the last hill, in less then a breath they were by our side. Link gave them stern looks, the two lowered their heads and a giggled at the siblings.

"You two haven't been training properly" Link began, "Annie you should have easily beat Katherine" Ananova shrugged and gave Kat a sly wink.

Ada just turned her head up to Link with her best puppy eyes. Winking back at the two I turned to Link. I shared a look with him and we gazed at each other not willing to back down finally Link blinked and looked away, clearly upset with himself.

Katherine let out an unladylike cackle and swung herself onto Raiden.

"Goodness woman, have you gone mad?" Raiden snorted as he turned his head slightly to look at me. Linked laughed and pointed at the horse.

"What he said" Link wheezed as he pointed at Raiden.

"Maybe just a little" Katherine giggled as she lay down on Raiden's back, "Onward mighty steed towards the castle in which lies great treasure and fortune, we must get away from our dismal company and make haste to a great feast"