Previous Chapter Recap: Last time on A Link Between Worlds. Link, a humble blacksmith's apprentice had woken up from his recurring nightmare and reported to his job. But when the Captain of the Guard visiting forgets leaves his sword behind, Ienzo sends Link to return it to him. Now our hero travels to Hyrule Castle to find the Captain.
Carefully following his map, Link followed the path straight to Hyrule Castle, home of Zelda, the Princess of Hyrule. As he reached the castle, he couldn't help but stop and admire the beauty of it. The castle was large, far larger than any house in Hyrule. Link himself had never visited the castle nor had he met Princess Zelda in person. But he had heard lots of wondrous things about her. She was renowned throughout Hyrule. Many said that despite her youth, she ruled with the unparalleled wisdom that befits any just ruler of a kingdom. It was also said that her wisdom was matched only by her kindness and compassion. But as much as he wanted to visit the castle, he had a job to do.
Walking up to the castle gates, he was met by a guard. "Morning, Link." The guard greeted. "What brings you here so early? Delivery for the captain?"
"Yes." Link replied. "He left his new sword behind when visited the shop. Ienzo told me to return it to him. Do you know where I can find him?" The guard put a hand on his chin as he stopped to think. "Hmm. Well, he's not at the castle, that much I can tell you." the guard replied. "I do know that he was planning on visiting the Sanctuary. He probably got hung up there. I hope he comes back soon. We've had an outbreak of vandalism. All over the walls-paintings everywhere!"
"Really?" Link asked.
"Yeah, and we don't know who's doing it." the guard replied. "Anyway, if you need to find him. I'd say head north of the castle. That's where the Sanctuary is." He then pointed to his right with his spear. "Thataway is a shortcut." he said. "Thanks." Link replied as he walked to his left. As he did, he stopped to see another soldier attempting to wash the painting of a knight off the wall. Attempting was the operative word as no matter how hard he brushed, the painting refused to come off. "Need help?" Link asked the soldier. "Nah." came the reply. "We've been up since dawn washing these paintings off the walls. Crummy joke if you ask me."
Link walked closer to the painting to examine it himself. It was a man in blue armor wielding a bow. He looked far more intimidating than any of the Hyrule soldiers. But as he got closer to the painting... the eyes suddenly moved to look at Link! Startled, Link let out a yell and stumbled backwards, falling on his rear. "You okay, kid?" the soldier asked. "T-T-The painting. I-I-I-It moved!" Link yelled. The guard turned to look at the painting. "I didn't see anything." he said. "But, I'm telling you! It moved! The eyes moved!" The guard looked back at the painting. "Well, they're not moving now." The guard said. "You sure you're okay?"
Link took a deep breath to compose himself. "I'm sorry. I haven't been getting much sleep lately and I think it's getting to me." he said.
"Don't worry, kid. I have days like that." the soldier replied. Link picked up the captain's sword and continued on, passing by more soldiers attempting to wash soldier paintings off. He then took a left and headed north through the forest until he reached the Sanctuary. There he saw Seres, a nun and the daughter of the Sanctuary's priest, Marcus, talking with Dampe, the Sanctuary's gravekeeper. Seres was a beautiful young girl with short green hair who wore a blue dress with a matching blue mantle. She wore a white cap on her head.
Dampe himself was an old man who had worked at the Sanctuary for most of his life. He wore a tattered faded-green shirt with blue pants. He always carried his trusty shovel with him wherever he went. Link walked up to the two of them just as they finished their conversation. "Oh, look who's here!" Seres exclaimed. "Welcome to the Sanctuary, Link. Eager as ever, aren't you? Is there something I can help you with?"
"Hello, Seres." Link replied. "I'm here to see Captain James. I was told he could be found here. He left his new sword behind when he visited the shop earlier, so I'm here to return it to him."
"I see, I see... You're looking for the captain." Seres replied. "Well, you're at the right place. He's come to see my father. The captain forgot his sword? Oh, how unlike him to be so careless! Just a moment, I'll fetch him for you." And with that, she walked into the sanctuary, leaving Link alone with Dampe. "Coming and going! Going and coming! The captain stops by here more than anyone..." Dampe said.
"He must really be good friends with Priest Marcus." Link replied.
"You think he wants to yak with the priest?" Dampe chuckled. "No, sir-just makin' excuses to see Seres there. She hasn't got a clue, either. But I s'pose that's what's so lovely about Seres. Carefree as a bird... But ol' Dampé sees more'n people think. Like those paintings on the castle walls this morning." That statement made Link paused, remembering his earlier incident with those paintings. "What do you know about those paintings?" he asked.
"You noticed it too, huh?" Dampe asked. "How those paintings feel alive? So has Dampe. Something big's about to happen. I can feel it in my gut. There's trouble brew--"
"AHHH!" came the shrill scream of Seres. At that moment, the Sanctuary doors instantly slammed shut. "Wh-what's happening in there?!" Dampe exclaimed. He attempted to pry the doors open, but to no avail. Link then began repeatedly hitting the doors with his elbow while Dampe whacked it with his shovel. But still, no results. "Th-th-the doors are shut tight. Can't get them open!" Dampe shouted. "Wh-what can we do? That was Seres crying out! Dampé doesn't have a key! Dampé just digs the graves around—! Wait! Dampé remembers! Dampé once heard the priest talking about a secret way into the Sanctuary, hidden right in my Graveyard. Bad luck, Dampé thinks, messing around with graves. Worse luck, going under the ground..."
Dampe then turned to Link. "But YOU! You do it. If you get scared, just swing that sword around!"
"What? Me?" Link asked. "But this sword is for the captain!"
"Forget that! Get to swinging that sword around!" Dampe commanded.
"But I can't..." Link began to say.
"What?" Dampe asked. "Saving Seres is way more important than some delivery. You're using that sword-even if Dampe has to tie it to your hand!" Link gave a defeated sigh and said. "Okay, fine. I suppose I'll use it if I have to."
"Good." Dampe said. "If you get into trouble, just swing that sword around. Also, take this with you." Dampe then gave Link a small lantern." This'll be able to help you see in the dark. Dampe would help, but these old bones are falling apart as it is. So go find the secret passage. It's got to be hidden somewhere in the Graveyard." Link ran to the nearby graveyard and began to search for the secret entrance. Link decided to go for the most likely place. Though it was against Dampe's rules, he figured in this situation he wouldn't mind. He grabbed the grave in the middle of the graveyard and began to push. Slowly, it revealed a set of stairs.
"Guess ol' Dampe's not as crazy as people think." Link thought to himself. He attached the lantern to his belt and made his way down. In the middle of the dark room, there was a sign that read. "The path will open to the one who lights the way." He then caught sight of two torches. Lighting them both with his lantern, the door began to open. Link walked into the room, lighting more torches to improve his vision. Fortunately, the only threat so far were the rats that infested the room. Link made his way to the door only to find that it was locked. Thinking that there might be a key somewhere in the room. Link walked along the catwalk until he found a chest. He opened the door and found a key in it.
Link went back to the door and unlocked it. He walked into the room and was confronted by a startling sight: Ghosts. lots of them. The ethereal beings swarmed around Link. Link performed a Spin Attack to kill the ghosts in one fell blow. Luckily, Captain James would teach Link the art of swordplay in his free time, so Link's sword skills weren't too bad. The next room Link was in had two levers on the walls. It seemed that one of them opened the door. Link went to the one on his right and pulled it, only for two snakes to drop behind him. Link killed the snakes and went to pull the one on the left. At that moment, the door opened.
Link raced up the stairs and into the Sanctuary, praying to the goddesses that Seres would be okay. When he made it into the sanctuary, he heard a man shout in pain, recognizing it to be Priest Marcus. It was then followed by a shout of "Father!" by Seres. When he rushed into the room, he was appalled by what he saw. The priest was lying on the ground in pain. On the left wall was a painting that all-too resembled Captain James. Link also saw Seres cornered by what appeared to be the priest's attacker.
He was a slender, effeminate man with albino skin, a pointed nose, and red, braided hair. He wore purple eyeliner around his eyes, lipstick, and diamond earrings. His clothing consisted of a headband decorated with a ruby gem, a black robe with a reversed Triforce symbol on his chest, a purple cape with red trimming, puffy blue pants with black stripes and yellow elf shoes. In his hand, he held a strange, golden staff whose top glowed with a rainbow fire, making it resemble a cross between a torch and a paintbrush.
"What do you want with Seres? I swear if you hurt my daughter...!" Marcus threatened through pained speech. "And what sort of fiend dares to defile the Sanctuary in this manner?"
"Fiend?" The man asked with a condescending, almost mocking chuckle. "How quick you are to stoop to such petty insults. Though, at the least, I should introduce myself. Manners and all. My name is Yuga. I am but a humble artist who has come to this dreary land seeking nothing less than... perfection." He then turned to face the cowering Seres. "And you, my dear, are perfection." He said as he stroked Seres's cheek with perverse affection. "How can you stand being so lovely? Surrounded by these filthy fools. I will put you on a pedestal. Or rather, a wall-perfect forever."
"No! Don't hurt me!" Seres pleaded.
"Relax, my dear. This won't hurt a bit." Yuga replied as his staff began to glow. "Now hold still. Everything has to be just right." And with a wave of his staff, Yuga created a portrait frame behind Seres, then fired a blast of magic at her. The young nun screamed as the magic enveloped her, with Link watching in horror as she was slowly transformed into a painting. Yuga picked up the portrait and sighed. "Ah! As I suspected. You're even lovelier as a painting." he said. "I think Her Grace will be most pleased."
"Seres!" Link yelled, causing Yuga to turn and look at him. "Oh? What have we here? Another worm comes wriggling in?" Yuga asked. Marcus turned around to see Link standing over him. "H-How did you get into the Sanctuary, Link?" Marcus asked. "Run, child!" Link didn't move, but continued to glare at Yuga, who stared back with an arrogant smile. "W-why do you just stand there? RUN!" Marcus commanded. "Not even the captain stood a chance against him!"
"I believe this worm here wishes to tangle with me." Yuga chuckled. "Are you sure you want to do that? Not even that captain of yours stood a chance against my might." He gestured to the painting of the captain on the wall, confirming Link's horror that it was indeed Captain James. "For all his spit and polish, he made for but a crude doodle on the wall. A waste of my magic." His anger growing, Link's grip on the blade tightened. "Oh? Well come on then. Wriggle, wriggle, little worm!" He taunted, making a teasing gesture with his finger. Enraged by his taunts, Link charged at the sorcerer, fully intending to strike him down with his blade. Yuga, however, turned into a painting and merged with the wall, causing Link to crash right into it. "Really should've thought that through a bit more." Link thought to himself as he fell to the floor.
"You think you can challenge ME?" Yuga asked. "Why, I am the portrait of perfection! While all of you...? Mere scribbles and squiggles. The very sight of you offends my eyes! Still, I'll be leaving this ugly world soon enough." He then reemerged out of the wall. Link attempted to get to his feet, only for Yuga to kick him aside. "Gah! Out of my way!" he said as he marched out the Sanctuary. "Farewell, fools. I'm off to acquire what little perfection I can find in this gaudy world of yours." But as he made his way to the door, he was stopped by Marcus, who clung to his cape. "N-n-no! Don't take my Seres...!" he pleaded hoarsely.
"Unhand me you filthy animal!" Yuga demanded as he tried to wrest his cape from Marcus's grip.
"Please! I'll give you anything! Just don't take my daughter!" the priest pleaded.
"Oh, shut up!" Yuga yelled as he gave Marcus a solid whack with his staff, knocking the priest into a nearby pew. "Ugh! Now, I'll have to get this cape cleaned to wash your filth off of it. Pathetic insect." He then walked out the Sanctuary, leaving Link and Marcus alone. "We must...warn...Princess Zelda..." the priest said before losing consciousness. Link tried to stand up, but his body was wracked with pain. All he could do was utter, "Princess... Zelda..." in a weak tone before fallng consciousness as well.
And that's the second chapter. Link meets Ravio and Princess Zelda next time, so stay tuned!