X

I, Link stood beside the great Princess of Hyrule and apparently I had reverted back to the silent, shy individual that I was upon our initial meeting. I hadn't any idea of what to say, but with every step I knew I was losing precious time, because I long ago discerned that my time with her was fleeting. Despite my one hope, my one desire that she be allowed to remain with me…I knew that wouldn't and couldn't be allowed. Dead was dead, no matter what many of the fairytales told by the Kokiri suggested. This unfortunate fact brought me to my next observation about the one beside me…she wasn't the Zelda I knew. True she looked, and acted like my Zelda but there was just some quality, almost a vacancy in the way she operated. However for now it was easier for me to pretend she was the one I knew and loved.

For her part, Zelda merely walked, (or perhaps a more adequate word would be floated) beside me. She, unlike me was apparently completely content with the silence. There were so many things that I wanted to say, so many things that needed to be said but I seemed at least for the moment impaired. I wanted to kick myself for allowing her to be so close and yet say nothing. I glanced straight ahead and I could clearly see the white picket fence that indicated the entrance to Lake Hylia. I had so few moments left with Zelda and I was trying to coerce myself to say something, anything to her, anything that would put my mind at peace for what I allowed to happen. About all I could sputter was:

"So tell me about this cavern."

As if awaiting my voice Zelda suddenly turned to me and began to speak in an oddly distant voice. "It's existence has long since been rumored but never proven, well not by the Hylians anyway."

"Why?"

"The Goddesses preferred to maintain secrecy. They couldn't allow the possibility of the cavern's contents to be contaminated, especially by someone as vile as the Lord Ganon."

"Just what is in this cavern?" I couldn't help but ask.

In a voice nearly drenched in fear Zelda spoke only one word, but even that one singular word trembled from her lips as if every morsel of her being was terrified: "Power."

XI

Off to the side of the Lake was a small fisherman's hut where I remember spending much of my time as a child and even a few hours of my adult life. I remember catching a fish that was so large that the proprietor of the shop called it a lunker. I had only fond memories of that small building, but even that small shop had not remained untouched by Ganon's evil nature. Though the shop still stood, it looked abandoned and all along the side and roof were arrows and spears. I moved slowly up to it and Zelda came with me saying nothing but remaining by my side as if my last vestige of hope. I lifted my hand to put it on the shop and was amazed to discover that it was shaking. My eyes closed and as I lay my hand flush across the wooden door frame, I lowered my head despairingly. From behind I heard Zelda say:

"Link this is another reason why you must put the beast that is Ganon down."

I exhaled heavily and said in a monotone voice. "You are not her, please don't pretend anymore. Also do not drag this out any longer, I need no other validation that Ganon must be dealt with…just take me to the cavern."

"As you wish." Came the reply but it did not sound like Zelda, and for that I felt the slightest pang of sadness, however I refused to look at the one accompanying me for I wanted to keep my lovely Zelda's image in my mind.

We passed by the fisherman's hut and continued to the farther side of the Lake where there was a small depression in the rocks that I must have missed all those times I had been here previously. The one that I had been traveling with moved before me and started to float into the entrance. I was amazed that she had retained the appearance of Zelda despite what I had said to her moments ago. I couldn't deny that I felt strengthened just by seeing Zelda's incredibly beautiful image guiding me.

After I stepped into the cavern entrance I noticed that it twisted around a corner, but with Zelda moving in front of me and with her body shining a deep green I was able to have some light shed before me.

"Ok so you told me that what is in this cavern is power but what is it really?" I questiond.

Zelda lowered her head as she moved further in and down the cavern. "Link you know I cannot tell you exactly what is in the cavern. That is something that you must discover for yourself."

"I just want to be better prepared is all."

At this comment Zelda stopped moving and stayed still for the better part of two minutes, after her brief silence she turned to me. "Link you know I feel the same for you as you do of me…"

At first I rolled my eyes thinking: 'I've told you, you are not her!' However instead of voicing that thought I instead said: "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because when I tell you what I must next, I want you to know it comes from someone who cares for you deeply, and not someone wishing to upset or insult you." She said unabashedly and at that statement my eyes narrowed as I scrutinized her. "You have had all the preparations you will ever need, your fear and lack of confidence is why you've failed."

I gritted my teeth. "My fear!?" I said. "Don't you mean my guilt?" Zelda just peered at me with the deepest, most sorrowful eyes. Even her sympathetic eyes would not deter me. "I asked you a question…Princess."

Zelda looked angry that I required this question to be answered. To her I thought she may believe it need not be answered. "Link! You failed because you were afraid of Ganon and you are far more frightened since he triumphed! That fear MUST be purged if you are to put up a fight against that demon."

"Purged? How?"

We began to advance forward and I could tell the entire time that Zelda was enraged with me, so much so that it almost seemed that she was deliberately avoiding my question and it remained that way for the next hour and a half of walking. We continued proceeding down the steep cave until we had surely moved far beneath the lake and finally I felt the earth become level. We now stood in a circular room that looked to me to be nothing more than a dead end. Zelda rounded on me with her lips pursed and threw out her left arm pointing to an image that blinked into view. The image was of the Hylian shield I at one time carried. On the shield was the picture of the Triforce and below Triforce was one lonely upside down golden triangle.

When she spoke her voice reverberated around the entire area. "Since the appearance of the Triforce there have been rumors that there was a missing piece that belonged in the center. This piece supposedly would unify the others into one solid unbreakable piece."

I licked my dry, cracking lips nervously and shook my head disbelievingly.

"If you desire further validation look up at that image, that image of your shield! There is a fourth piece of the Triforce. That is not just a clever design…Link there is a final piece! This piece is the Triforce of Unification." Princess Zelda's voice became more urgent as I almost thought I noticed her image dim a bit. "I have little time left so I must speak fast Link, I apologize if this may confuse you but in time you will understand. Link, there is another Goddess." This revelation staggered me. "This cavern you must enter was created by her servitors."

"A fourth goddess?" I exclaimed.

"I didn't say fourth." Zelda replied urgently. "I said another goddess."

"I don't follow."

"Long ago before the goddesses "descended" upon Hyrule, they as well as the Triforce were unified."

"Excuse me?"

"The Goddess of Unification Fa'yrin was the only goddess. There had been some great battle and Fa'yrin was…broken, divided into three separate entities; Nayru, Din, and Farore are all a part of Fa'yrin. Nayru, Din, and Farore's descent to Hyrule was not as you had learned, intentional. By Fa'yrin having lost her essence and being split into the three goddesses Hyrule's creation occurred, but at the expense of Fa'yrin."

I was almost speechless, however when I was able to find my voice I said: "S-so this…" I looked around. "All of this is a lie?"

"To an extent." Zelda replied.

"Then what the hell am I fighting for?"

Zelda's gaze lowered. "Link, I have been killed. Ganon has two pieces of the Triforce now. He wants the one you carry, and if he acquires it, he will know of the final piece and he will get it. If this happens Ganon will be as powerful as Fa'yrin was. Link he will be capable of rewriting every single aspect of the history of creation itself. It will be hell." She waved a hand outward. "In this cavern is a chance, it's not a guarantee, but merely a chance to fight! Find the Triforce of Unification, and with the Triforce of Courage that has always been yours make a stand against Ganon's tyranny. Please beloved end him! I beg of you."

Those beautiful blue eyes were begging for me to do this, grant her this last request and my heartache far outweighed my fear of Ganon at this moment. While this entity before me was surely not the one that I fell in love with, I knew she looked and acted so accurately that I found myself nodding my agreement to continue the task. It was Zelda's eyes that continued to transfix me. They carried the same passion as my beloved, the same fire as when Princess Zelda was alive.

"On my own?" I asked.

Her head lowered. "There is no one else to help you."

"What of the Hylian Guard?" I asked.

"They are no longer a factor in this."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Please Link, just enter the cavern." She said waving a hand across stale cavern air and a portal of blue light blinked into view. I hesitated and then Zelda gazed into my eyes and I witnessed her fear and longing for me. "I know you doubt yourself, doubt me, but you can do this. As for your thoughts that it is not your Zelda before you…let me assure you it is. I gave up something very important for these precious few moments with you."

"Gave up something? What did you give up?" I asked as my eyes widened.

"It is not important, I got to see you one last time, and that is all I desired. I have been able to give you your confidence back, and that is what you needed." She moved closer to me and ever so gently put her hand to my cheek, but I wasn't able to feel her physical touch and I felt a lump appear in my throat as my vision became blurry. "I have been given the chance to tell you I don't blame you for my death, and also to tell you I am so very proud of how far you have come. Link, my champion, my hero…my love you can set things right, now go be brilliant." She leaned in and I closed my eyes feeling tears slide down my cheeks.

The kiss lasted only but a moment and then it was gone, she was gone, leaving me to my solitude. The portal of blue light stared at me as if my failure was being displayed out in physical form before me, and with a resolve I did not know I had I stepped through it into the cavern beneath Lake Hylia.

XII

I stepped into the cavern beneath Lake Hylia and was amazed by what I witnessed. It were as if I all I had done maybe even the fabric of history itself was converging upon me, upon this very location. My eyes couldn't move fast enough to take everything in so I allowed myself a moment to try to prepare myself. I must have inadvertently closed my eyes during my "preparation" for I found myself instinctively opening my eyes when I believed I was ready. I glanced around and suddenly thought:

'This place is unlike any I've seen before.'

Surrounding me was an immense rock barricade that had a bizarre black, oily substance slathering its entirety. This substance appeared to be frozen in time making it appear almost like a window, however the contents within surely weren't. Moving about within the almost window like substance was what appeared to be sharp, thorny vines colored a deep forest green. They always strained to extend further along the wall, passing other obstructions such as rocks and even some skeletal remains. I then watched as the vines coiled around what looked to be a Moblin skull; it constricted the skull pulverizing it with little effort.

My eyes moved a bit further down and I noticed an odd sickly yellow globe of liquid. The vine had made its way to this globe and like with the skull it had coiled itself around it intending to pulverize it I surmised. There was a sudden illumination and then the vine and the globe of yellow liquid had solidified into a dark slate colored statue-like object. I then heard a light trickle and coming from the statue within the rock wall was what appeared to be sparkling blue water. It flowed further along the wall until it reached what looked to be a block of solid ice.

This block of ice seemed normal, however burning and crackling from within the block of ice was a light sky blue flame. It danced and flickered within the block but never melted any of it. The sparkling blue water touched the block of ice and suddenly the flame within burst into orangish-red brilliance. The flames were audibly crackling as if finally being able to breathe after being suffocated for so long. As the firelight began to extend towards the remainder of the small circular room I was in, I then caught sight of another globe further along the wall much like the sickly yellow globe I had witnessed before. This specific globe seemed covered by a preternatural darkness. The flames continued to burn brightly and as they did so I began to see small specks of golden energy appearing within the darkened globe, but only on the left hemisphere until the entire left side was burning bright while the right side seemed to still be covered in shadow.

The instant half the globe lit up I heard something from behind me crumbling to the ground and when I turned to look I caught sight of a portal in the rock, however as it fell it looked more like sand then rock.

I began to move towards the portal cautiously and as I did so I suddenly heard a familiar voice ring out:

"HEY!"

XIII

Darting all about me was a small sphere of light with two sparkling wings protruding outward. However unlike the last time I saw her, Navi's body was a deep sapphire, as opposed to her normal light pink. Though I could scarcely see little more than a blip of light, I nevertheless got the impression that Navi appeared saddened by something.

"N-Navi?" I sputtered.

"Hello-o!" She replied in that all too familiar sing-song voice I recalled so well.

I watched as she took residence beside my right shoulder like she used to during our collective journey together. For a moment I felt warmth wash throughout me.

"What is happening here?" I asked.

"Fa'yrin is trying to reunify herself, and she is trying to do this by combining all you have done before Zelda's death."

"Is that why every dominant aspect of all the previous dungeons I had visited seemed to be intermingling back in that wall?"

"Yes Link." The sprite replied.

"Before I proceed, answer me this…" I couldn't help but sigh in nervousness. "…Are you the Navi I know?"

It was a long time before the tiny sprite answered, but after I became relatively sure I already knew the answer she affirmed it vocally. "No. I am her essence, projected forth by the remnant energy of Fa'yrin."

I couldn't help but lower my head. "Then Navi too is…" I couldn't finish the sentence, as if vocalizing it would make it even more so.

"Link nearly everyone connected with you has been erased from this world…and that is not because of you, that is because of Ganon. This was his plan, do you not realize this? Kill all those you love so dearly, so that when the true final battle came, you would be alone."

My eyes widened. "Are you saying he predicted that I would come for him before even I knew?"

"Link…he has the Triforce of Wisdom, that grants him prophetic abilities. Didn't you realize that was why Princess Zelda was able to discover that his intentions were not wholly benevolent so long ago?"

"She said she witnessed his evil deeds." I replied rather automatically.

"The King of Hyrule never allowed Zelda near Ganon. It is true she saw his vile deeds, but through visions granted by the Triforce of Wisdom. In truth Ganon was and is a magnificent manipulator. There are actually still those that believe him to be a generous ruler."

"How could he ever be looked at as generous?" I exclaimed.

"He knows the right individuals to grant estates to."

I shook my head angrily out of a lack of being able to do anything else. "You said he has the Triforce of Wisdom and of Power right? So how can I have a hope of defeating him now?"

"You must outwit him." Navi said to which I immediately scoffed.

"Doesn't that contradict the fact that Ganon has the Triforce of Wisdom, which according to you gives him prophetic abilities?" I snapped back.

"It is true that he has the visions as Zelda, but he utilizes them differently."

"How so?" I inquired.

"Ganon is looking at the grand picture, the final battle. He cares not how you get to it only that it happens."

My mouth hung agape for a moment in confusion and when Navi gave me nothing further to go on I simply stated: "…And?"

"Ganon knows nothing of this place…yet." Navi began. "I will guide you through as I once did and at the end you will understand Link. This place will give you everything you need…if you are strong enough."

I was about to protest when all of a sudden I heard something that sounded almost like a crackling noise. I thought it almost emanated from within the scabbard so I cautiously pulled free the Master Sword. I was in the middle of inspecting it when I noticed a tiny fleck of black make another crackling noise like before and then the piece of black dislodged itself from the Master Sword and fell to the ground, leaving the slightest glimmer of the weapon's silver blade. My eyes widened and my breath was suddenly caught in my throat. I looked at the portal leading into the cavern and I said: "Let's go."

XIV

I slammed my right shoulder against the slick wall of the dank cavern as I started to catch my breath. It had been a long time since I had seen this much action and my body wasn't used to it. I breathed heavily as I gripped the Master Sword in hand, I could hear more coming down the wall behind. I swiped the blood from my chin and spun around just in time to witness three Moblins lunging at me each with a spear in hand. Their hideous pig snouts growled in anger, and in anticipation of a weakened quarry. However perhaps I was playing a bit more exhausted then I actually was for I instantly dipped beneath the first Moblin's spear and stabbed him up into the rib-cage. There was a bizarre almost crack like noise and then the Moblin disappeared into a puff of white smoke. It took me by surprise for just the slightest fraction of a moment, but in that moment another of the Moblins' was trying to impale me, and if not for Navi I surely would have been.

"H-ey! Look out!" She yelled and at the last possible moment I dodged from the spear strike rolling on the ground till I was behind the Moblin. I then kicked up with my feet and spun in a circle whilst leaping high as I passed the Master Sword through the Moblin, and like the first it exploded into a puff of white smoke. The final Moblin just glared at me as its pig snout continued to snort disgustingly. Lightning fast I pulled free my The Hookshot and aimed it at the beast, but it didn't move, it merely continued to glare at me. I squinted my eyes at it confusedly and then clicked the button. The result was instantaneous; the final Moblin was slammed against the ground where, like its brothers before it, it too burst into a puff of smoke. Once it was gone I noticed a small treasure chest reaching up to my waist blink into view.

This was one aspect of my journeys that always captivated me, the unknown. Anything could be in this chest, be it riches, weapons, anything. Sometimes I would even come upon traps that lie in wait for some unwary journeyer to open it, like a Pandora's Box of sorts. As cautiously as I was able I moved up to the chest and ever so slowly I cracked it open. I glanced inside and as I did so I noticed a small silver key. I picked it up and saw something scrawled across it. In the dimness of the cavern I couldn't read it properly so my eyes found a crackling torchlight attached to one of the walls and I lifted the silver key up to the light in both hands. It is rather funny for if someone were to survey me doing this, they might believe me to be holding up a trophy of sorts. Whatever was scrawled across the key was in some language I was unable to read. I pocketed the key and continued to find my way around the room of this now emptied cavern.

I advanced around the perimeter of the dim room and as I reached the halfway point I caught sight of a cracked portion of the wall. Lying beside the weakened bit of rock was what I had long ago learned to be named the "Goron's Special Crop". It was bizarre, for it almost appeared as if it had been left for me to lead me deeper into this cavern. I rubbed the small golden bracelet I had gotten from the head of the Gorons while I was a child and I gripped the "crop" tightly. I lifted it and instantly heard the fuse ignite. Knowing what this meant I hastily moved forward placing the "crop" before the weakened portion of the wall. I retreated enough so that I would not feel the explosion. When it resounded along the interior of the cavern I felt apprehension for I almost believed the cavern may actually cave in, however it seemed to remain solid enough so I proceeded through the hole made by the explosion.

Once in the newly opened portion, I caught sight of a doorway that seemed to be locked up tight by a crisscrossing and thickly welded metallic chain. In the center of the chains was a dangling keyhole that looked just the size for my key. I had seen far too many locked doors in my journeys; however I now held the key that would unlock this door. For what it as worth I at least would not need to backtrack this time as I had so many others. I took a step further into the room and then I felt heat from behind me as a large barrier of flames suddenly arose and blocked the way I had come. The locked door that I had been on my way to suddenly also turned dark red as flames blocked that exit as well. To further display that I would be unable to get through the door I noticed five vertical bars descend down from the top of the door.

I shook my head and sighed. "Maybe overdoing a bit don't we think!" I said loudly and then as if to answer my statement I heard a tumultuous roar arise from my side. I glanced to the side as a titanic claw smashed down in the dim torchlight. I gave a sarcastic snort. "Of course."

XV

I could see little more than a massive hump rising up from the hole in the room. As it rose I witnessed two amber orbs of light suddenly blink into view. Another immense appendage slammed down, however unlike the first, this one appeared to almost be tentacle-like. It had suckers splayed out along the underside of the appendage, and as I looked closer I noticed that the suckers were gripping the earth. Protruding from the suckers were what appeared to be tiny curved scythe like objects that I almost thought were similar to the upper beak of a parrot's.

It pulled and scraped itself further forward until it's entire body was before me, and I could do little more than look on in utter disgust. All the prior titans I had felled were surely hideous in their own right, but this revolting visage was something altogether different. It stood up and as it stretched its body back I heard an incredibly loud crack all along its back which almost sounded like ice being broken by a foot. Its hateful glare settled upon me and I heard it give a heart-pounding roar that made my blood run cold…and then all of a sudden there was a massive explosion. Fire leapt up from the entire right side of its body and on its left I witnessed what appeared to be gleaming sheets of black ice.

It moved about on four insectoid legs and like the upper portion either side of the lower extremities seemed to have opposing elements. The right two legs were shining a brilliant, almost pearly white, while the left two legs seemed to be overtly shrouded by a dark mist. There was another explosion of fire and unfurling from the beast's two shoulder-blades were two enormous wings. The one protruding from the icy shoulder blade was an incredibly thick bramble of leaves and tree branches, while the one coming out of the fire covered side was a hauntingly light blue incorporeal wing that merely didn't move but hovered menacingly.

The head of the creature was by far one of the most hideous aspects of its entirety for both its eyes and mouth were sewn shut and coming out of either side of the mouth were small tentacles. It had scraggily hair that was currently matted and covered in grime, and then my gaze shifted to its chest. From just below the neck down to its belly-button was long slit which opened up to reveal a gnashing mouth full of razor sharp teeth.

It almost appeared as if it were attempting to convey a message to me, however with its mouth shut it was unable to do so. It's frustration became all too apparent as veins of weird blue liquid began to appear. At this moment I, Link heard it let loose a horrific ululation however it emanated from that sadistic looking chest cavity. Unsure of what else to do I pulled free the Master Sword.

In a flash Navi flew before me. "Hey! Hello!"

"What is it?" I said urgently as the beast loomed over me.

"Forest…fire…ice….shadow….light…lastly spirit."

I shook my head. 'Can't it ever be easy? It seems there is always some trick to this…just let me hack away at it.' I sighed resigning myself to the task of killing, however I suddenly felt the Master Sword jolt forward. I was perplexed and then it did it again. I had a sudden impression that the blade felt alive, I felt it almost desired little more than to end this corruptor of all that is light.

I heard that ear-piercing roar again and I felt a sudden surge of strength inject itself into my very bones. I glared at the beast and readied my body for the onslaught. If I had been a bit more aware of the world around me I would have seen three more specks of black break loose from the Master Sword. My teeth were gritted as I unleashed hell upon the beast. It was pure fury incarnate and many times I only just avoided being hit because I attacked so viciously that the creature had to abandon offense mid-attack. Only one time did I feel the sting of its wrath, but not entirely for Navi intervened and warned me in just enough time to block much of the attack by one of its tentacles. I regained my footing hastily and with a roar jabbed at the beast.

"Link! Hey! Listen!" I heard as my jab found purchase only in the empty space the monstrosity had just vacated from. It flew above me but all I could see was a thick fog of inky black and then without warning I felt something collide into my back. I was thrust forward near to the point of falling into the great chasm this beast had clambered up from. At the last moment I stabbed my blade into the ground anchoring myself to keep from falling into the great expanse below.

I heard it making a slow advancing movement toward where I dangled helpless and then Navi took off up toward the ceiling and I immediately caught sight of what had drawn her attention. Jutting out a bit from the ceiling was a square black of stone and inside the square was a circular indentation that I had seen many times before. It was a prime spot to shoot my Hookshot into.

With a deep breath I withdrew my sword and started to free-fall but before I had fallen further than a few feet I thrust my hand into my tunic and withdrew the Hookshot. I aimed it exactly where Navi was flying and clicked the button that sent out the Hookshot. I felt the satisfying thud and was then drawn toward the ceiling. I caught sight of the great beast below me and was surprised to see it had gotten closer to where I had been than I thought.

It had not expected such a rapid escape on my part so I took the quick advantage and came up to it with my sword at the ready. I felt only minor resistance as the blade cut through the abomination's left wing. It roared out in pain and looked away for a moment nursing it's wound and in that moment I, Link saw a murky haze of green mist making its way over to me. It settled around the Master Sword and then I could swear I almost heard a sharp intake of breath from the blade itself. The moment I heard it the mist faded away and the Master Sword started to glow. As it did so a large chunk of black eroded away from it to be replaced by shimmering light.

Whatever had just happened seemed to have restored a bit of the glimmer once displayed within the Master Sword…and then I understood. In order to restore Evil's Bane I must take this creature down in the same fashion or order if you prefer as I had Ganon's dungeons years ago. I felt even more like my story was coming full circle. I gazed at the beast that was only just now starting to regain its bearings I could see rage stare back at me.

"Hello!?" Navi said moving overtop the other wing. "Fire next!" She said though I already understood. I nodded to her and went to task.

XVI

I slashed the beast a sixth and final time watching as the life began to leave its eyes and I somehow felt at home with the blade in my left hand. The creature's body suddenly fell forward and as it did so I could see it starting to burn away. I twirled the Master Sword's hilt in my hand and right as I was about to sheathe the weapon I caught sight of the actual blade. While the final remnants of the blade's dark taint seemed to have relinquished their hold on it, the blade looked a dull grey instead of the brilliant silver sheen I recalled.

It was at this moment I heard a familiar sounding chime…almost like that of a wind-chime and appearing before me was a large wooden and gold trimmed chest. I hastily sheathed my blade and kicked the chest open. I leaned down and noticed three items within the chest. The first being the Lens of Truth, the second a small pouch of ten bombs, and the last was an ornate golden jewel-encrusted key. I'd seen this type of key before usually it led to the guardian of a temple, or the dungeon I was traversing.

I heard another audible chime and the barriers blocking my way deeper in the dungeon were opened except for the lock which I had a key for. I unlocked the door and threw the lock aside hearing it clatter to the floor. I put my hand on the door and it slid open. Once inside I saw six small chests, 3 on either side of me. Off further in the room was an enormous drop-off with 3 pillars scattered across the chasm, or were there four? Around one area I saw haziness so I pulled out the Lens of Truth and peered through it. I then saw not only one hidden pillar but four more, that if timed correctly would lead me over to a cracked wall. It looked near crumbling and I thought for a moment that perhaps I could bomb the wall, but there was no ledge to stand upon or even to place a bomb on.

I was left with only one choice but it was something I had only ever written about and never actually tried. Nevertheless I withdrew the bow. It was good to feel it back in my hands once again but I set it down and pulled an arrow free, it too I placed on the ground beside the bow. Next I plunged my hand into the bomb bag and pulled one free. I then withdrew some flint intending to light the bomb's fuse. I inhaled deeply and…hesitated. I knew how powerful these explosives were as I had been little more than singed on a few occasions. I couldn't help but glance at my right forearm where a burn scar was present.

I pushed all the nervousness down and lit the bomb's fuse; I then stood up and tossed it as hard as I could towards the cracked wall. As fast as I could I grabbed the bow and arrow, took aim, and released the arrow. The explosion was deafening and I even thought I may have heard parts of the walls around begin to splinter and crack. While the dust settled I knelt down and opened the six chests around me. Five of them held red rupees while the last one contained golden gauntlets that would inject pure adrenaline into my forearms.

When I looked up the cracked wall had been cleared of dust and I was relatively sure I would be able to make my way into the chamber beyond which had golden light coming from it. I made my way up to the pillars and just before leaping onto the first one I placed the Lens of Truth before my eyes. It again revealed secrets to my eyes, but I had to make sure and be wary of how long I held it up to my eyes, for it was draining to look through.

Cautiously I leapt from pillar to pillar until I stood in the cavity in the wall that I had just blown up with a bomb. I took a deep breath and advanced deeper within the opening. I got a feeling that something lay within the inner confines of where the golden light was coming from. Though she had been quiet for some time I knew Navi still rested just beneath my cap so I paused and through what I hoped was not a nervous voice I asked: "Is this the challenge that I am to face then? In that room?" She said nothing, which was entirely unlike Navi. There were times I almost felt like I couldn't shut her up in our journeys but now all I wanted was her words to break the silence…they would be comforting…however she said nothing.

I exhaled and moved into a small circular chamber lit by twenty torches placed in the holders of the same number of pillars. The exterior of the chamber was rather drab and moss covered but the center of the room was almost the complete opposite. There was a circular, red satin carpet laid out in the center of the room with not so much as a singular crease in the fabric. In the center of the carpet was a small dais and atop the dais was an ornate looking white marble door with an enormous golden flaming lock. I could see the image of the Triforce on the door and below the Triforce was a single lonely upside down triangle.

'The Triforce of Unification.' I thought.

I must have stood for a few moments before I blinked and said aloud: "This is it isn't it?"

I heard Navi reply in a very quiet voice. "Yes."

I bit my lower lip. "This is where we say good-bye isn't it?"

"Yes." She said again.

"I'll never see you again will I?" I asked but she did not reply. My eyes became blurry and I almost didn't want to say anything more. To my surprise Navi spoke and this time it wasn't in her typical sing-song voice that I was used to.

"It has been my pleasure to see you come this far." I felt her leave her spot on my shoulder. She moved directly before me. "I am proud of you." I looked away.

"Navi…do you think I can really do this?"

"I do…more than anything."

"It still doesn't matter though. I can never undo all those that died…"

"It isn't about that, it is about making things right." Navi said. She quickly flew to the door and then back to me. "It is time. Quickly unlock the keyhole and move one step closer to ending Ganon."

I nodded and moved forward pulling free the Dungeon Lord Key. I put it in the lock and twisted. The sound of it unlocking was deafening to my ears, but even so I was able to hear Navi say one last thing to me: "Good-bye."

XVII

I moved beyond the marble door and into an enormous area with stark-white sand as far as the eye could see and in the center of the room was a withered and dying tree. The tree had hundreds of what appeared to be lesions covering its base. It truly was a horrific looking object and the longer that I looked at it the more unnerved I became by it. I looked around and found that I could see no definable exit besides the door I just entered from, only when I turned to it I witnessed it fade from existence.

'That figures.' I thought to myself.

I shook my head and turned back but as I did so I saw a dark figure swiping at me with a gleaming silver blade. By instinct alone did I dodge away from the attack and as I saw it lunge at me I flipped back gaining some distance. I took the moment to unsheathe my blade and get a look at my foe. I let my eyes roam overtop of the figure before me and suddenly I realized I knew this figure, for it was my very own shade. I had fought this dark version of myself before whilst traversing the water temple years before. The only difference being that this time it held the Master Sword gleaming in all its glory. I took a quick glance at my own weapon and it started to dim to an even duller gray.

I growled and leapt at my shade leveling a flurry of attacks at it but each attack was deflected with its own blade. I took but a moment to breathe and once I did that my shade took advantage and attacked me. I blocked the first attack, the second, the third and just barely dodged the fourth again putting some distance before myself and it. My heart was beating like a drum and yet I did not slacken my pace, I did not so much as take my eyes from the one before me. I suddenly reached into my tunic and pulled free a Deku Nut throwing it on the ground in hopes that it would stun the shade, but it did not, in fact it actually had the opposite effect. Instead of stunning the shade it caused the one before me to launch into another flurry of attacks. I dodged or blocked most of them until I overstepped myself and started stumble. The shade took advantage and sliced me across the chest. I staggered out of sword's reach and with my right hand covered the shallow wound on my chest. I was breathing laboriously and thought my shade would launch an all-out assault on me, but it stayed where it was as if waiting for something…and then it came to me.

Everything that the goddesses had told me about the challenge laid out before me flooded my mind and I realized why this fight was so important, so much more important than any other I have had. I understood how this being could be so much more powerful than Ganon, and yet not be a danger to all of the Hylians. It was like a deluge of thoughts running through my mind and I realized that only I could be the one to defeat this foe. I glared at the shade before me twirling the Master Sword in its hand as if beckoning me to fight. I stood up and the shade readied itself. I gripped the Master Sword tighter dimly noticing that it was starting to brighten a bit.

"You!" I said loudly as the shade tilted its head to the side. "You are me!" I squinted my eyes. "Or at least the reason why I couldn't defeat Ganon before, you caused me to fail before and you are trying to do the same thing again." My eyes were a red hot fire. "You are the reason that so many have died…the reason Zelda died!" I roared. "You…are all my uncertainty and you are trying to make me fail again, but I will not fail, not ever again. I've lost too much. Whether you like it or not I will defeat you, and then I will end that bastard Ganon, and there is nothing you or he can do to stop me."

Without another word I leapt forward and where before it seemed like my shade was watching, mirroring my movements here it simply was at a loss. I attacked with the viciousness that could rival that of Ganon's himself and before long the shade lay on the ground struggling to push itself up, but I came forward and placed a boot on its chest. My teeth were gritted and rage coursed through my entire body. "I'm done with all the doubts, I'm done with the guilt, I'm done with all the sadness…it's time for me to take hold of the destiny bestowed unto me." I looked down at the shade. "And so by the will of Fa'yrin you are banished from here…forever." I stabbed the shade through the heart with the Master Sword and once I did so an enormous pillar of white light exploded upward. The blade left the shade and shot upward and me with it until it was at least twenty feet from the ground.

I, Link saw the pillar of light begin to infuse itself into the blade of the Master Sword until all the light was gone. Slowly the blade and myself were lowered to the ground. I looked at Evil's Bane and it was far brighter than it ever had been before, almost to the point of my having to turn away from it.

All of a sudden I heard a loud voice call out into the chamber. 'The Master Sword has been restored Link, now come to me and receive the Triforce of Unification.'

XVIII

I turned to the right and witnessed a portal appear with light that seemed to be more intense than all around me. I cautiously moved forward until I was but mere feet from the opening. My throat was dry and I was finding it difficult to breathe but I nevertheless began to advance into the portal of light. After walking through I realized that it was not far brighter but instead a bit muted compared to where I just was. In fact where I now resided was actually pretty dark. It almost looked like a cavern with a rock wall that was solidly packed together. I took a cautious step and the moment I did so hundreds of candelabras blazed into life. What lay before me was a small pool of water with ten or twenty fairies fluttering here and there.

'What is going on?' I asked myself, and the moment I voiced that inwardly all the fairies began to swirl closer together, until I noticed them all dive-bomb the pool of water. Though I had seen it before it really was a marvel to watch and like so many times before I was almost hypnotized by it. After what seemed hours I saw a singular figure begin to rise from the pool of water. I could see no definable facial features on her otherwise pale blue exterior and in fact the only aspects of this entity that seemed somewhat unique was her pale blue covering that appeared almost like that of a dress. Other than the "dress" I witnessed her hair, and I use that term loosely for it looked not like hair in the traditional sense, but instead cobalt flames wreathed her scalp. The final aspect I could see was two wings that were a mirror image of the smaller fairies' that had just dive-bombed the water moments before.

When she spoke I couldn't help but jump. "Welcome Link, you have done well in coming this far." I couldn't answer, all I could do was inhale and exhale shakily. I knew that she was not looking directly at me but her attention was fixed solely upon me nonetheless. "I know why it is you do not answer me. I know how much you have sacrificed to get here." I turned away as a tear crept to my eye.

"Why do you appear as a fairy Fa'yrin?" I asked.

"Why do you think young man?" She inquired.

It came to me all too suddenly. "That was you, all this time you were the one in all those pools. When I felt exhausted and near death it was you bringing me back alive wasn't it?"

"Yes it was." She replied.

"But I thought you needed me to defeat the shade to appear." I said.

"I needed you to defeat it so that I may be able to appear to you as I do now, to speak to you as I am now…to tell you the truth and to give you the Triforce of Unification."

"What do you mean the truth?" I asked.

"Did it ever occur to you why you were able to continue living after receiving wounds that surely would have killed most others?" She questioned.

"Well I- uh I assumed…" But I had no answer.

"Though I was unable to make my return fully I was able to blink in and out of existence here and there. I was able to appear and tender some help so that you may proceed further in your quest, though it became far easier as time went to appear in smaller broken forms hence…"

"The small fairies!" I answered and though she didn't move I almost envisioned her nodding.

"Yes… I needed you to persevere, because I knew what was coming."

"Wait what?" I suddenly said tilting my head to the side as if trying to hear her better.

"Link I wish I could tell you that it wasn't all part of the plan."

Instantly my heated glare came upon her. "What?" I spoke through gritted teeth. "What do you mean 'part of the plan'?"

"Everything that has come to pass has been arranged long ago."

My jaw quivered and my eyes welled up with a new found rage. "Are you saying…I was never supposed to kill Ganon four years ago? Are you saying I was meant to fail? That- that Zelda…" But I couldn't finish what I was about to say.

"That is exactly what I am saying." Fa'yrin replied emotionlessly.

I roared at her and withdrew the Master Sword swinging it at her with as much force as I could muster. The Master Sword made contact with Fa'yrin and like with the shade a pillar of light erupted from where she had risen from. Like before the blade was raised up and like before myself with it. The pillar of light was infused with the light from Fa'yrin and then I was lowered to the ground, only I immediately fell to my knees.

'Everything was a lie.' I thought. 'I've got nothing left.'

XIX

I remained in the puddle with my head lowered for how long I don't know, but what I do know was never before have I ever felt as useless as I did at this moment. I was never meant to kill Ganon. All those that I thought I was going to save never had a chance, Hyrule never had a chance. This had all been some grand scheme and I was merely a pawn on the board being moved by unseen forces. I was little more than a passing joke and I was the only one not in on that joke, until now. I let my arm gripping the gleaming Master Sword fall and release the weapon until the pool of water flooded over it.

How could this be? How could everything have been allowed to play out this way? I tried to deny this knowledge by shaking my head vigorously, but to no avail. I feel like I have just discovered that the goddesses never existed. I long for the ignorance of the knowledge I now have. I wish, I pray that I never had this divulged unto me, but for some reason I don't know why it is that I wish so vehemently for ignorance. My jaw quivers, and my throat becomes dry, yet try as I might the tears surge forth with no sign of ebbing.

The pool of water long ago became still as has my slumped body, with the exception of my chest for it was moving in and out sharply as I breathed. I was lost and had no way out of my inner, as well as outer turmoil…and so I remain on my knees in the pool of Fa'yrin's fountain. While it is true that I brought honor, dignity back to the blade of Evil's Bane I have been broken in the process. I am lost with nothing to keep me going…and then it comes to me. The answer of why it is that I hungered, yearned for ignorance is because the instant I discovered the truth sealed my path. Now that I know the truth I cannot simply stand by and let it pass. Ganon cannot remain in control of Hyrule, even if I die in the process I will make sure I end that bastard with my final breath. Then I will see Zelda again, and everything will be as it should be, yes that is what I must do. I must continue this journey unto the end no matter what happens or has happened.

At this moment I begin to notice a golden light starting to flicker before me and for the first time since I took the Master Sword to Fa'yrin I look up. What I see is an upside triangular shape beginning to take form before me. I presume that it is the missing fragment of the Triforce and as it appears fully I realize that it is indeed a piece of the Triforce, however whether it is the Triforce of Unification I can't tell. With a shaky hand I reach out towards it and at my lowest possible point in time, when I have nothing else and no one else with me I take the plunge and put all I have left into touching that singular triangle before me.

XX

After touching the Triforce of Unification it disappeared, but not before showing me countless images of Ganon's acts of violence over the years…as if I needed another reason to feel hatred for him. The piece of the Triforce disappeared, and then I was brought to the entrance of the cavern. Any normal person would have been surprised by this, but it had happened to me so often and with my state of mind as it was I was truly unfazed by it. I let my vision fall in the direction of where Hyrule Castle was and rage ignited within my being. I knew this to be my destination and resigned myself to the possibility that this may be the last time I witnessed Lake Hylia in all its glory.

I thought of Ruto, of our time together and of the Zora's who seemed to forever be cursed with some travesty befalling either them, or their home. It felt like it was so long ago that I saved Ruto from the ire of the Great Jabu-Jabu; an enormous fish that was like a god to the Zora's. He truly couldn't be blamed for what he had done all those years ago, for as with everything else that occurred these last twelve years, Ganon was at the center of it all. He had infected the great beast and as with everything else it fell upon myself to rid the Great Jabu-Jabu of the taint Ganon placed within him.

I reached behind my back and pulled free the Master Sword which almost sparkled in the light of day. It was a long time since I had seen the blade without all the corruption covering it, however as I looked at the blade of Evil's Bane I almost thought it was far brighter than it ever had been before. I gripped the hilt in my hand and turned my gaze back to where Hyrule Castle used to stand, now however what stood there was a demonic looking dark castle built by Ganon's own malice and avarice.

The Master Sword brightened a bit and though I couldn't be entirely sure I almost thought I felt it jab forward in the direction of Hyrule Castle. I remember this happening whilst in the cavern during my battles but I was almost sure that it was my imagination then…now I was sure that the Master Sword was trying to pull me forward, as if it had a will of its own, and that will was forcing me towards Ganon. I looked down at it and was about to say 'Soon' but before I could even get a chance to utter anything I heard her.

My head whipped to the side and there sprinting from the opening gates of Lake Hylia was my beloved Epona. Her golden brown coat was unmistakable in the sunlight. I felt my heart skip a beat as she didn't even slacken her pace after making her way onto the first of two wooden rope bridges. This was something I was amazed by for she was always so nervous being on the bridges that we had to move slowly, however now she seemed so intent on reaching me that she simply wouldn't let the bridges deter her.

I found myself sheathing the Master Sword and advancing onto the second bridge as Epona's sprinting form grew closer. My throat was very dry and my vision became blurry as I watched her come to me. I realized in that moment just how deeply I missed her. She stopped on the island that connected the two bridges, the area that I had spoken many times with the Great Owl Kaepora Gaebora. I walked up to her and with tears in my eyes I cautiously moved my arms up to her as if asking if I might greet her hello. She shoved her head into my loving embrace, and for a few moments I allowed myself to become lost in memories that I had shared with my…my friend whom I missed dearly.

"I missed you terribly girl." I said to her and she buried her head deeper into my chest almost to the point of shoving me back. My tears covered her snout, though she did not pull away or in any manner protest to my tears wetting her. My legs felt unsteady, for all the death Ganon caused, all the heartache, and all those close to me that have been slain because of my failure… yet Epona lived. It was almost like an electric shockwave was sent through me. I suddenly pulled away and looked into Epona's emotional eyes, which were filled with tears like my own. I caressed her neck and in just above a whisper spoke to her: "I know you understand me, you always have…you've always been smarter than you let on. You are a very special friend, so it is with great regret that I must put you in danger once again. Epona I need your help…I need to end it, though I can't get there fast enough. Epona would you be willing to go on one last journey with me?"

At this request Epona pulled back until we were a few feet away and looked deep into my eyes. She hesitated only but a moment and then she lowered her front into a deep bow which was something she did when agreeing to do something she knew to be very dangerous. I could barely get the words 'thank you' out before my voice broke. I inhaled a deep breath knowing that after her surviving so much I could very well lose her in the coming battles. If this happened and I lived through it, I may just die from the anguish of losing her, but I had no choice. The only way I could get there quickly was by Epona. If the Temple of Time still stood I would be able to travel there instantly…but Ganon saw fit to annihilate that building the moment following Zelda's demise.

Epona stood back up and put her head in the air nobly. "To Hyrule Castle then, to end this!" I said and Epona snorted loudly nodding her head.

XXI

I raced towards Hyrule Castle Town after making the briefest of stops in Kokiri Forest…the place where I grew up. I hadn't been here in years, whether that was because I was too ashamed to see the destruction that was wrought because of my failure I did not know. What I do know is that the ruination of the Kokiri and their home has furthered my resolve.

'Ganon will not live through the night this I vow with my own blood.' This is what I had said after taking in slaughter of those I grew up with. I clenched my right hand and suddenly winced as the shallow slice I had made before making this blood vow began to bleed free once more. I wrapped a cloth around the wound and continued urging Epona forward…to Ganon, to my destiny.

I inhaled deeply and looked down at my clothing as I couldn't help but smile. It was almost like my story was coming around full circle. While I was riding out of Lake Hylia, a thought came to me. 'If I am to fight Ganon I cannot do it disguised. It must be garbed in those that raised me.' I made the conscious choice to set aside the clothing Zelda disguised herself as Sheik with. I had changed back into my green tunic and cap. Even now I can't help but feel as if this is exactly what I was meant for, this moment in time will forever be burned within my mind for this is the first time in years I feel fully aware, fully awake.

I ride Epona harder than I ever have before, but I somehow have a feeling that I have little time left and the urge to travel faster keeps coursing through me. It is almost as if I being pressed to make the journey as hastily as is possible…and then any thought of how quickly I am traveling leaves me for I see Hyrule Castle Town appear before me. I remember what it was like the first time I saw the almost gleaming stone wall the first time while I was a child. It was no longer magnificent to behold, now I almost felt as if I were staring into the depths of some hellish place.

Fires, ever-burning, ever-present licked the buildings like some great beast come calling. The once grand wooden bridge that would close with that all too familiar creaking was broken and in the moat. I stopped Epona just before the bridge and dismounted. I took a long look at the stone barrier surrounding Hyrule Castle Town and then I turned to Epona. I took her head in my hands and held her tightly for a long while.

"Please go. This is not your task any longer. I won't have you die here. You go, live." She pressed into me as if she were about to make her way into the town and I held her steadfast. "I need something to look forward to…if I win. You are that something. You're all I have left. If I do nothing else right I want to do this. Please go." She looked into my eyes deeply, penetratingly. "Please…" I said again. With a heavy head she turned from me and began to retreat further into Hyrule field. I watched her leave and then inhaled deeply as if collecting myself and turned back to the entrance. 'Here I come.'