Musterion (A Zelda AU)

Soon - Chapter 22

When I open my eyes, it's dark out. My chest feels light, like a weight is missing.

I sit up, rubbing an eye as I look around. 

"Hello?" I try to keep quiet, but confusion clouds my logic when I don't see anyone laying in the bed under the stairs or the one upstairs.

I jump at the sound of crackling, quickly getting to my feet. A blanket falls from my shoulders, landing on the floor. I relax when I lean down to grab said blanket, and realize the fire is still burning. I pull the blanket around myself, suddenly aware of the nakedness that is my chest. Usually I wouldn't mind, but I don't want someone to walk in here who isn't a Gerudo and for them to get the wrong idea. 

Walking to the kitchen, I look at the remains of an untouched dinner sitting on the table. I grab a piece of paper sitting next to it, unfolding it. The message, neatly written in Gerudo, is a telltale sign of who had written in.

Ganon:
Went out with Zellie to find some clothes that I would feel more myself in, be back soon
With love, Alibi'eh ♡

I sigh, looking at the food left on the table. A simple soup and a sandwich had been left, which didn't look too appetizing cold. My stomach growls, making my hunger known to the world as I pick up the soup bowl to rewarm.

I sit by the fire, taking the sandwich and note with me. I set the soup over the fire, leaving it to sit on a stick meant for cooking and rewarming food via hanging. As I eat my sandwich, I notice that Zelda had left the locket on the ground by the fire.

I grab the dull metal object, picking at the rust with my broken thumb nail. 

"It's quite the necklace, isn't it?" A familiar voice hums, stepping on one of the floorboards that creaks. The sound is unpleasant, harsh against the sounds of the fire. I should be worried, scared even, but I feel calm. The urge to get up and grab a scimitar is quickly dissipated as the voice speaks again. "One of my own works. A way to see all possibilities of an event, if you will."

Azazel steps beside me, squatting, their face lit up by the flames as they take the locket. "I'm so glad you found it for me. I suppose I should repay you for putting up with it's magic. After all, you had no way of controlling it."

I reach for my soup bowl, setting it on the floor to cool. "Is that what it is?"

"Yes. A way to see into other timelines, even. Live through them. Of course, there's no way to go to these places permanently. It's simply a window into the world of 'what if's' and 'how do's'."

I feel a strange sense of deja vu as I turn to look at Azazel. I look at the locket once more, reaching out to touch it now that the rust is gone.

"Ah ah," Azazel smiles, pulling their hand away. "You've already used this too much. A mortal such as yourself wouldn't be able to handle the true horrors this thing can unleash upon your mind."

As much as I want to reach out and snatch the locket to keep, my arms don't move in any way towards Azazel. I can only continue eating. "You say mortal as if you're any different."

"I am. I'm above any mere race here in Hyrule, my oddly muscular friend."

"We aren't friends."

"You'll want to be." Azazel stands, flicking his wrist as the locket disappears. "Give it a few more days to think on my deal offer. Let's talk next week. Same time, in a cabin you've yet to build. At least I believe so. If anything goes wrong don't worry about it."

I hesitantly nod, fearful of what else could happen if I say no.

Azazel reaches out, patting my head before stepping back. I don't hear the floorboard squeak this time. "I'll see you soon, Ganon."