Death comes... whether you like it or not.
***
Zelda sighed, listening to some music on the radio as Robin slept with his cat, making Zelda smile softly. He always fell asleep during long car rides, and he would sleep for twelve hours more than the small nap.
She paid attention to the road almost the entire time, occasionally peeking over at the other boy holding the tiny kitten. Oh, how precious they looked together, she was definitely going to take a picture when she stopped at the pet store.
After driving around a bit longer than she should've (mostly to let Robin sleep a little more), she pulled up into a parking spot, and as she promised herself, she took a picture of the two before gently shaking him awake.
"Mehhhh..."
"Get up."
"Nooooo..."
She sighed and said, "Why can't you just get upppppp?"
"Sleepy..." He yawned, curling up around the cat. Zelda sighed and picked him up bridal-style, walking into the pet store as he yawned once more, his eyes closed as he nuzzled up to the little kitten.
"Okay now, get on your feet, I carried you for enough time." She groaned, sitting them down on the floor. He groaned and stood up, wobbling slightly.
"I'm not picking out the things, it's your cat."
Robin glanced down at the small, fluffy kitten, stirring awake as he scratched it behind the ear. With a quiet mew, he smiled and looked up at Zelda, giving her a gentle nod, and rushing off to see what his little kitty wanted. Zelda sighed, browsing items herself, though she found little interest in them, unlike a silver-haired boy looking around excitedly.
She glanced over, noticing the countless freckles dotted along his nose and cheeks, and vibrant green eyes staring at some colorful birds with a happy expression.
Loud screeches escaped their beaks and they flapped their wings at him violently, though it just seemed to amuse him even more. Zelda couldn't help but smile at his innocence. He noticed her, and quickly gave her a friendly wave.
"Hello there!" He called out, soon holding his hands behind his back. "Aren't the birds here beautiful?"
"Oh- um, yeah!" Zelda replied, a bit startled by the sudden conversation she had now found herself in.
Ew. Social interactions.
But then again, this child seemed friendly.
"What's your name?" He asked, smiling at Zelda and cheerfully hopping towards her.
"I'm Zelda," She responded, giving him a gentle smile and looking over at the birds, before one flew at her, causing her to jump. She forgot that the glass was there, so ultimately, it just ended up flying into the glass.
The silver-haired child let out a small, quiet giggle, already making Zelda feel like an idiot.
"A-anyways," He cleared her throat, looking back at the other. "What's your name?"
"My names Ashe!" He replied with innocent bliss, making Zelda cry on the inside (oh how can a single child be this precious dear god-)
"Ooh, that's a pretty name!" Zelda smiled, clasping her hands together. "My friends here buying something for his cat, and I was forced to tag along-"
"I just like coming here to see the birds." Ashe stated, pressing his face up to the glass and staring at them. "My friend took me here because I helped him out with some house chores a couple days ago!"
Zelda nodded softly, before a bubbling white-haired boy tapped her shoulder, arms loaded with supplies, and a tiny kitten on his head.
"We're buying all of that...?"
"Mhm!" Robin cheered, before leaning to the side, and seeing Ashe. His eyes lit up, and he said, "Hey, Ashe! Nice to see you again!"
Ashe waved, responding, "Greetings, Robin!"
"You know each other?" Zelda asked.
"Yeah," Robin said. "We have a couple classes together, we're preeeeeetty good friends."
Zelda nodded, about to say something, before she heard a loud crash. Startled, the group looked around, Zelda immediately running forward to check the issue.
Shattered glass speckled the floor with the ceiling lights reflecting off of the tiny shards. Zelda maneuvered her way around the crowd of people before seeing a strange looking figure, shrouded in a black fog, irises glowing a blood red color.
A weapon, specifically a spear, colored like obsidian was in its hand, in a battle-ready stance. Ashe and Robin followed behind, each donning their own choice of weaponry. Robin his tomes and Ashe his bow and arrow, quiver slung around his shoulder. Zelda gave them a nod, before she sent a burst of flames at the shadow-like figure.
They didn't seem to be phased by the attack, only gripping their spear and eyeing its new prey, before dashing at her with a sick smirk, tossing his weapon forward. Zelda spun out of the way before she could get hurt, a Thoron beam shot after the shadow mere milliseconds after.
The electricity stunned said shadow, revealing a tiny crystal in the heart of the enemy. Ashe shot his arrows at the target, and almost immediately, the black fog dissipated.
Clouded beneath said fog, was a tall blonde man, who instantly fell on his knees after being cleansed from the darkness around him.
Ashe instantly dropped his bow, running hastily towards the lip body collapsed on the ground in a panic.
"D-Dimitri!!" He screamed out, inspecting the other for wounds. His body was clean, but his skin was a sickly pale. Tears pricked in Ashe's eyes, relief coursing through his body when he heard the sound of sirens grow nearer and nearer.
Robin and Zelda dashed towards the two, the blonde mans eyes slowly fluttering open.
With a quick glance, the blue hues noticed Ashe, and smiled sincerely. "Ashe... you okay...?"
The smaller males arms instantly wrapped themselves around the other, pure relief in his green eyes. "I-I'm so glad you're okay!!"
"Wait, Ashe... what happened...? I... can't seem to remember..."
Zelda stared at him for a few seconds, and then cleared her throat, explaining the entire fight that had just occured. A mixed look of confusion, shock, and worry formed on his face as he thought.
"I really did that...? I hope I didn't harm anyone... you three are okay, correct...?"
Ashe nodded, a tender hand gripped onto the blondes shoulder. "D-Dimitri, we should get you home so you can rest..."
"I can take you." Zelda offered, which was quickly followed by pleads and thank yous from the small boy. They all helped the tall blonde onto his feet, before slowly making their way to the car.
"T-thank you..." Ashe smiled, running a trembling hand through his hair. "I really appreciate it!"
Zelda gave him a gentle smile, starting up the car as Robin piled all the supplies into the trunk, holding his sleepy kitty close.
"Of course, but..." She went quiet for a bit.
"What exactly was that thing...?"
