Outsider Chronicles: Legend of Lief
Getting reborn as the hidden prince of a nation consumed by Darkness is not fun. Especially if that means you're basically going to be forced to go on a pretty intense scavenger hunt to find a bunch of magic stones. Of course, that alone would be to little of a headache for the bastard who put me here, so I naturally have to have a glowing birthmark on my hand. This is really gonna blow...
And we're back. Nothing really to say, so lets dive right in. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
Seria led the way through the trees as the rest of the Kokiri danced and played among the trees. As we made our way through the forest, I could have sworn that the formerly dark surroundings were beginning to lighten, although that could have been the vast numbers of fairies that were emerging from the trees and buzzing around the Forest Folk.
Eventually we reached a large clearing near the base of a cliff that had a rather large cave at the base and a number of trees that seemed to have been turned into homes around the clearing that the Kokiri were zipping in and out of, gathering food and cooking supplies. At the sight of the clearing, Jasmine stopped and stared.
"Is something wrong?" asked Barda.
"This...this was the Wennbar's leir," she said, "How did it change so much so quickly?"
"A combination of Magic and the fact that the Curse affected our homes, as well as our bodies," said Seria, "We'll need to do some repairs, but for the most part, our home is untouched."
"Well, thats good," I said.
"Yep, really good," said Seria, "But thats for later. For now, lets eat!"
"YEAH!" cheered all the Kokiri.
We spent the night among the Kokiri, eating and watching the child like beings celebrate being free. At one point, Seria and a male Kokiri named Fado struck up a lively tune on an ocarina and violin I recognized as Seria's Song. Eventually, though, people started conking out and the party began to wind down around midnight. Considering the day I'd had, I was one of the first to pass out.
Fortunately, the Kokiri don't have the ability to make alcohol, so the next day we were all able to be up and about with no nasty after effects.
"So, you're going to show us where this Knight is hiding?" I asked as I eyed Jasmine who was looking somewhere between annoyed and embarrassed.
"I still think its a bad idea, but yes," she said, "Seria said she would do it, but the Kokiri need time to regain their feet. Besides…I can't help feel that I HAVE to do this."
I stared at her for a moment longer, before shrugging.
"Sure, whatever," I said, "Yo Barda, you ready to go?"
"I am," said the big man as he hoisted a bag over his shoulder.
I nodded and turned to Seria who had just walked up with a box in her hands.
"Thanks for the hospitality," I said, "I get the feeling it will be the last we have in a while."
"It was the least we could do," said the Kokiri, "You saved us from centuries of suffering, Hero of Deltora."
I blinked. Huh, looks like I get a title of my own anyway.
"Oh, before I forget, I should probably return this," I said, taking the Ocarina out of my pouch and held it out to Seria.
The Kokiri smiled and shook her head.
"No, you keep it," she said, "It belonged to another Hero long ago, back when these lands were still known as Hyrule. You might need it in the future. Also, take this."
She held out the box and opened it, releasing a flash of light. I blinked spots from my eyes and looked into the box. Resting on a bed of leaves was a boomerang made of polished wood with a metal colour in the middle with a decorative, kite cut topaz set into it. Well, that was...actually expected. Seriously, I'm the Hero, so I was obviously gonna get a weapon I could use to defeat the boss after beating the Mid-boss. I reached into the box and pulled out the boomerang, feeling a slight thrum of magic against my fingers as I did.
"Whats that?" asked Jasmine.
"Thats a Boomerang," said Barda with interest clear in his tone, "I've heard stories about them, but I've never actually seen one. Supposedly they come back when thrown."
Jasmine snorted.
"Thats impossible," she said.
"Oh really?" I asked with a smirk.
I turned on my heel and threw the weapon with a flick of my wrist. It spun through the air, cutting through a branch at the edge of the clearing as it went, before curving back and slapping into my palm as the cut branch fell to the floor with a thud.
"Um, oops," I said, "I wasn't expecting that…"
"The Topaz Boomerang is a weapon that was made by our ancestors for the Hero of Legend, should he ever rise again," said Seria, "It is tied to the Topaz and can draw power from it. However, even without it, it will always return when thrown and can cut through stone. It cannot harm living beings however, other than giving them a solid whack to the head."
"I have a feeling that this is gonna be a huge help Seria," I said, "Thanks."
Saria giggled as I patted her head.
"No problem Lief," she said, "Now hurry and help the Deku Tree!"
I nodded and turned to my companions. Jasmine and Barda both nodded and we headed out into the forest.
We quickly headed into the treetops as we followed Jasmine through the trees, moving away from the light areas and deeper into those still cursed with the Darkness.
It was noon when they crossed a small clearing and entered the middle Forest. Despite that, it was dark here as the trees hid all but a few rays of the sun here. To make matters worse, the air was nearly completely silent. Not a bird called, not an insect moved, hell, even the trees and vines through which they climbed were still, as though no breeze dared to disturb the dim, damp air. Jasmine had begun to move more slowly and carefully. Filli huddled against her neck, his head hidden in her hair. Kree no longer flew ahead, but hopped and fluttered with them from one branch to the next.
"The trees tell us to go back," whispered Jasmine, "They say that we will die."
There was fear in her voice, but she did not stop. Barda and I followed her through the thickening Forest, our ears and eyes straining for any sound or sight of danger. Fortunately, there was nothing but green all around us and the silence was broken only by the sounds of our own movement. Finally we reached a place where we could go no farther thanks to a wall of heavy, twisting vines criss-crossed and tangled together, smothering the huge trees, making a barrier like a huge, living net. This was it alright, I could feel it. Just like with the Wennbar, the back of my hand was starting to itch, a feeling I was quickly learning indicated that Darkness and Evil was nearby.
"It is the center," breathed Jasmine.
She put up her arm to Kree, who flew to her at once.
"We must go down to the ground," said Barda.
Jasmine paled shook her head rapidly.
"There is terrible danger here," she murmured, "The trees are silent, and will not answer me."
"That doesn't surprise me," I muttered, "If these things could seal the Deku Tree, they would have no problem with normal trees."
Jasmine nodded, her eyes were filled with grief, pity and anger.
"They are not dead, but they are bound," she said, "They are prisoners. They are...in torment."
"Lief, we must go down," Barda muttered again.
He turned to Jasmine.
"We thank you for all you have done for us," he said politely, "But you can do no more. We must go on alone."
I glanced at the pale and shaking Jasmine and gave a reassuring smile, before following Barda down to the forest floor. For such a big man, he was actually pretty graceful. As we reached the halfway point between our starting point and the floor, I paused as the belt began to warm against my skin.
"Its here," I said.
"Are you sure?" asked Barda.
Instead of answering, I pulled out the Boomerang. Sure enough, the topaz on the weapon was glowing faintly.
"Seria did say it was bound to the Topaz," I said.
Barda nodded and we continued down towards the floor. As soon as we did, we sank almost knee-deep in dead leaves. It was dark and utterly silent, even the leaves we were walking through seemed muffled. Spiderwebs frosted the trunks of the trees and everywhere fungus clustered in ugly lumps. The air was thick with the smell of damp and decay.
As we continued through the darkness, I felt both the warmth of the belt and the itching in my hand increase until the former was nearly hot enough to burn and the latter was replaced with an instinctive tightening of the muscles, ready for a fight.
"Its coming," I said, narrowing my eyes as I held up my sword and shield at the ready.
"Over there," said Barda, pointing with his sword.
I followed the weapon and saw a gap in the wall of vines with the hulking form of a knight stood in front of it. However, it wasn't the golden knight I was expecting. Oh, it was definitely a Knight, but he looked more like a Stalfos, clad in cracked and rusted armour painted with faded, red symbols, a three horned helmet with one horn missing and armed with a single handed sword in his left hand and buckler in his right. Set into the crossguard of his sword was a shining, yellow gem, the Topaz.
"Is that the Guardian?" muttered Barda.
"I think it must be," I said, "But who...AH!"
I winced as my left hand suddenly flared up as the Triforce flared brightly. As if in response, a single, red light appeared in the skeletons left eye socket and he began to move. He looked up, scanning the clearing, before his crimson gaze fell on me. Without thinking, I brought up my shield, just in time to catch the Stalfos' blade on my shield. The sheer force of the blow nearly drove me to my knees, but I gritted my teeth and pushed back.
"You...I know you," said the Stalfos in a voice that sounded like the rattling of teeth on bone.
"LIEF, GET BACK!" roared Barda as he charged, drawing back his sword.
In response, the skeleton shoved me back and spun, slamming his shield into Barda's gut and sending the big man flying back. He hit the vine wall and immediately the vines slithered down and wrapped around him, binding him in place.
"Do not interfere," said the Stalfos.
It turned back to me and eyed me as I got to my feet.
"Who are you?" I asked, "Are you the one who cursed this place?"
The Stalfos cocked his head on one side.
"Who am I..?" he said, "I...I'm not sure if I know the answer to that. It has been so long, I don't even remember how I got here, let alone my name. Did I curse the tree...theres a distinct possibility of that."
He shook his head and fixed me with a glare once more.
"But that is irrelevant," he said, "I may not remember how I got here, but I do know my purpose. I must protect this place from all comers, no matter who they may be!"
With that said, he surged forwards, shield leading the way. I met the charge and the two of us clashed in a flurry of steel that kicked up a number of leaves and shredded them. It quickly became obvious that he was much stronger and far more experience, but despite that, I was somehow holding my own. I frowned and swung my sword, locking my blade with his.
"You're holding back," I said.
"What are you talking about?" asked the Stalfos, "I am doing no such thing."
I scowled.
"You could have killed me at least three times in that last exchange," I said, "So why didn't you?"
The Stalfos looked oddly surprised by that, although how I knew that when he had no face to look surprised with I have no idea. He shoved me, hard, sending me sliding back and breaking the lock.
"Why indeed?" he mused, staring down at his sword hand, "Perhaps you remind me of someone I knew, long ago…"
He trailed off, but I wasn't about to leave him to his contemplation. I reached into my pouch and whipped out my Boomerang, flinging it into the trees above the undead knight where it sliced through a branch and the vines keeping said branch in the air. I jumped back as the massive chunk of wood began to fall, the creaking sound snapping the Stalfos out of his musing in the process. His head snapped up to see the branch dropping towards him at incredible speed. There was no way he could dodge it, this fight was…
"RAGHHHH!"
My eyes widened in utter shock as the Stalfos jumped to meet the branch and swung his sword, shattering the branch into splinters in a single blow. I gulped as the Stalfos landed and turned to glare at me, the red light that was his eye brightening in response to his anger.
"That was a very foolish thing to do, little Hero," he growled as he stomped forwards.
I scrabbled back, only for my foot to catch on something hidden in the leaves and send me crashing to the ground, my sword slipping from my grip. I sat up, spitting out leaves, only to freeze at the sight of the Stalfos looming over me, sword held at the ready to take my head off. I quickly held my shield up to defend myself, only for the monster to grab it and throw it aside.
"LIEF!" roared Barda from where he was bound.
I didn't hear him though, my hands too busy scrambling for something, anything to defend myself. My fingers closed around something in the loom and I whipped it up, only to find that it was the ocarina that had apparently slipped out of my pouch. Well, that was useful. However, instead of taking my head off, the undead knight paused at the sight of the instrument.
"Wha...that Ocarina," he breathed, "I...I've seen it before…"
I blinked and looked from the Stalfos to the instrument as a rather unpleasant suspicion took root in my mind. The Knight slowly lowered his sword and crouched down to take a closer look, reaching out to run his fingers over the smooth wood.
"Yes...I think I have," he said, "I...I remember...a name, yes, a name...what was it? Saria? Yes, thats it…"
My stomach dropped. Yep, that pretty much clinches it. This wasn't just any Stalfos or undead guardian of the forest. This was the Cursed Swordsman, one of my predecessors! Now the only question was, how in the world did he end up here as a guardian of the Dark and protecting the Topaz? Surely the stone should have helped him clear his mind...right? Then again, who knows how long hes been stuck here or what happened to affect his memories. Magic gem or not, there's still a limit to what you can do. However, it looked like seeing Saria's Ocarina had loosened some memories, now its time to see if I can loosen some more.
I hesitantly drew back my hand, but the Hero's Shade didn't seem to notice the Ocarina had been taken away, and lifted the instrument to my lips. As soon as the first note of Saria's Song hit the air, the Hero's Shade relaxed, the light in his eye flickering out as his sword slipped from his fingers.
The song wasn't long, so it didn't take long for me to stop playing. As the last note faded, the undead swordsman seemed to take a deep breath and the light in his eye flickered back on. However, this time something was different.
"Hero...thank you," he said.
There was a brilliant flash of light and, when I could see again, the Hero's Shade was gone, leaving nothing but the Topaz sitting in a small area that was free of leaves. I blinked at the rather anticlimactic ending.
"Wha…"
I was interrupted by a loud crack and looked up, just in time to see a massive crack appear in the dome of vines, sending a large chunk of wood plummeting towards me.
Ohhh, aren't I mean? Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I need to wrap this up and go to bed. Plus, I wanted to get this out.
So, Gorl is nowhere to be seen and was replaced by the Hero's Shade, also known as the Hero of Time. But how in the world did a being like that end up as the focal point of a curse? And where is he now? Only time will tell.
I don't plan to change all the Guardians, but that may change as I get to them. The method of defeating them will be different.
So yeah, all of the weapons Lief will get will be tied to the Belt and the Gems. If anyone has any suggestions as to what he could get, I'm open to them. However, the next one will be the Ruby Clawshot since the Lake of Tears will be the equivalent of a Water Temple. Deep joy. Oh, and I plan to have him get the bombs at Dread Mountain. I wonder if you can guess why?
Oh, and before I forget, Saria and Fado are NOT Sages. They just happen to look the same and have the same names as the Sage of Forest and Sage of Wind. Plus, they wont be the only characters from Zelda appearing since they tend to show up over and over again. Chances are we'll be seeing Malon, Rusl and possibly even Linebeck if I can spin it. I hope I can, Linebecks awesome.
And with that, I'm done. Don't forget to leave a review on the way out!