Chapter 2: Death of the Zora King
In peaceful Zora's Domain, a young Zora of 15 years walks along with his girlfriend at his side. They are having a rather grave conversation. "I can't believe that. How did it happen?" asks the young male.
"Apparently, one of his own kind did him in. It's so sad. And shocking. The Gorons are such peace loving people. How could one just turn rogue like that?"
"It happens very easily, Flora. Maybe he just went mad. It is terribly tragic though. I can't imagine just losing our leader like that. I'd feel... empty."
"Don't worry, Rapho. That will not happen. Not to us." Rapho smiled at Flora, and they were soon lost in each other's eyes. Behind them, the shadows begin moving. A figure materializes from out of them. "Hmm... a difficult choice. Which to choose?" says the figure. "That male seems most vulnerable. Yes, he'll be next." The figure then liquidates back into the shadows and slithers toward Rapho. As he leaned forward to kiss Flora, his eyes widened in shock and he threw his head back. Rapho began to shake and shudder. Flora was terrified. "Rapho? What's wrong? Rapho!"
Rapho couldn't hear his girlfriend. All he heard was a cold voice in his head. "Do not resist, Zora. Give your mind over to me. Comply or suffer. Your choice." The young Zora felt searing pain shoot through his entire body, and screamed loudly. Finally he shouted "Please, no more! I'll give in!'
"Rapho? Who are you talking to?" Flora questioned. Suddenly, Rapho stopped shaking and brought his head back down. He had his eyes closed. When he opened them, they were a deep red and shone with cold hatred. Flora backed away in fear. "Rapho. What happened?"
"Silence, fool! I'll not waste my time on a child like you! I've business to attend to!" Flora was stunned. Rapho had suddenly turned into a monster. She began to sob loudly as Rapho headed in the direction of King Zora's chamber. King Zora was old now as well, and he had aged visibly. He was talking with his daughter, Princess Ruto. "Now Ruto, I know you wanted to be with Link, but you must choose a husband from within our own kind. Plus, he's married and the King of Hyrule. You know that."
"But dad, we were engaged. It happened long ago, yes, but we were still engaged."
"You still forget that he returned the sapphire. That is a sign of his decline. You know that."
"But dad- hey! What are you doing in here, Rapho? This is royal business. Get out, now!"
"Shut up, you obnoxious wench! I've no time for your stupidity!"
"Don't you dare speak to your Princess like that!" King Zora boomed. "Show some respect!"
"I'll do no such thing, you fat oaf! Now, it is time to meet your doom!" A spear appeared in Rapho's hand. It seemed to be made of the shadows around them. "What are you doing, Rapho? This is treason!" Rapho said nothing and leapt up to the waterfall where the king sat. He backhanded Ruto and she fell down into the small pool below. Rapho pointed the spear at King Zora and lunged forward. The spear went up and in, and back out the other side of King Zora's chest. "Father! No!" cried Ruto. King Zora coughed and spluttered, then fell off his throne and down to where his daughter lay. Rapho smiled wickedly, then disappeared in a cloud of shadowy smoke. King Zora lay dying in the pool of his chamber, his blood trailing through the water and heading down the high waterfall to the left. "Father. Don't leave me!" Ruto said, beginning to sob, uncontrollably. "I... must.. Ruto. I'm old... and... that wound is... too... much!"
"No, father! We'll fix it! You'll make it, don't give up!"
"Farewell... my sweet little... Ruto." He gave a last deep exhale and then closed his eyes and layed his head down. Ruto wept over her father's broken body. She buried her head in her arms and continued her sobbing. Outside the domain at the river, Rapho laughed wickedly. "Well, that's another one. Hopefully, this will draw out the good king and his friend. Then, it will be time for my revenge!"
Back at the castle, an urgent meeting is taking place. King Link, his wife, Queen Zelda, Impa, the Sheikah nursemaid and I, all sat in the throne room of Hyrule Castle. The good King was speaking. "This news from Goron City is very disturbing. I have yet to figure out why this happened but, I do have a theory."
"Why don't you tell us, then?" said Impa.
"Well, I believe something happened to Noro, the Goron who assassinated Darunia. I believe he was somehow possessed by an evil force."
"What?" I said, with a tone of confusion. "That's absurd, Link. There isn't an evil person left alive with such a capability."
"That's precisely what I think. It is someone no longer living. It is the spirit of someone evil."
"But who?" asked Zelda.
"I have a feeling... it is the spirit of my deceased brother, Olan." I felt the shock of it like a blow to the face. "Wait a minute! You mean to tell me that Olan possessed a Goron and killed Darunia from beyond the grave?" Impa inquired.
"Yes, Impa. I am almost certain. Even after all this time, Olan remains an entity in this world."
"But, why would he be after Darunia?" Zelda asked.
"Alas, I have yet to figure that out. I figure, if he were to go after anyone, it would've been me or even Joran. But, Darunia? It makes no sense. Maybe, he wants me to feel guilty for his death. Maybe that's his plan for vengeance."
I found that hard to believe. "Guilt, Link? You really believe that Olan killed Darunia, from beyond the grave, just to put you on a guilt trip?"
"It's just a theory, Joran! It's the first thing I could think of that made any sense at all!"
"Well, you don't even know if it is Olan's spirit at all. It could be Ganondorf's doing" Zelda said.
"Yes, that is a possibility. Well, let's not dwell on it any further. Joran, you will accompany me to Goron City. I need to meet with Link, the patriarch. We will investigate this further."
"Of course, your highness."
"Joran, what did I tell you about formalities?"
"Sorry again, Link. I'm just so used to it. All right, let's go." With that, Link and I departed the throne room, leaving Zelda and Impa to ponder the discussion we just had. We walked all the way to Link's royal chamber. Link then said
"Go and wait for me at the castle gates. I just need to change and get some equipment. When I arrive, we'll get the horses." I nodded in agreement and left as Link entered his chamber.
He changed out of his kingly attire, and changed into his Kokiri tunic. It was a replica of his old one, as he had grown too big for it. He put on his old, brown boots, and put a green chest plate over his tunic. He left his hat off, as he found it much better suited for a child. He grabbed his new sword, a beautiful blade with a fiery orange tint. At the tip of it's handle, the shape of the phoenix avatar gripping the Triforce in it's talons could be seen. The handle itself was orange in colour, the same as the blade, but the hilt was his favourite colour, forest green. It kind of clashed with the rest of the sword, but Link liked the way it looked. He had called this sword Greenfire. It was a fitting name. He then grabbed his coveted Mirror Shield and put them both on his back. He left his royal chamber and headed out into the hall.
He descended the winding stairs of the tower, and came outside at the courtyard. He walked to the gates, where I was waiting. The guards there saluted as he passed. Link returned their salute. We then headed down the path a ways to the stables. I had left my horse, Eldina, there. Epona was in there as well, but she was left in the care of a young girl named Alianna. Link's new horse was a beautiful, strong white stallion called Lightning. He was a fast horse, hence the name. When we entered, Alianna was stroking Epona's head.
"Hello there, Alianna" Link said, cheerfully.
"Hello, King Link. Are you headed out?"
"Yes, Alianna. I am taking Lightning to Goron City. Joran is coming with me."
"Oh I see. Is your horse that beautiful red female, over there?" she asked, turning to me, and pointing at Eldina. "Why yes, she is."
"She is a fine one. I think Epona is jealous of her." I saw a look of compassion in Link's eyes when she said it. "Oh my dear Epona" he said, lovingly "you can't possibly be jealous of her. You're the most beautiful horse in Hyrule."
Epona reacted with a deep sigh. "Yes, you are. Alright. It's time for me to go, Epona." I smiled at the way Link talked to his old horse. I, in fact, spoke to Honor and Eldina the same way. However, Link seemed to have a much more profound connection with Epona. It was like they were best friends. "All right, Lightning. Ready to go, boy?" Lightning responded with a loud snort. Link climbed up into his saddle and trotted out of the stable. "Take good care of Epona, Alianna." he called from outside. "I will, King Link." I then mounted Eldina and followed Link outside. "Ready, Joran?"
"That I am, Link"
"All right, let's go." Link shouted a "Hya!" and Lightning took off in the direction of the Market. I sighed at Link's foolhardy charge. He always liked to ride through the bustling town at top speed. I told him it would get him killed someday, but he never listened. I leaned down to Eldina and said
"Nice and easy, girl. Let's go." Eldina then moved forward at a steady trot and moved slowly down into Castle Town. We finally reached the drawbridge, and saw Link and Lightning off in the distance, already halfway to Kakariko. I sighed again. I leaned forward again and said
"Show him what you're made of, girl. Go catch Lightning!" At this, Eldina whinnied loudly, and charged straight toward Link and Lightning. I felt exhiliration at Eldina's incredible speed. As we raced onward, a shadowy form appeard behind us.
"Excellent. They're taking the bait. Wait until they find out about King Zora. It will bring me even closer to my goal!" The dark spirit of Olan laughed maniacally, then disappeared into the shadows once more.