Prince I'solde strode through the halls of his palace stewing in his anger having just read the report that Zelda Helen... no Zelda Al'mere has wed. He crumbled up the paper throwing it away in disgust, he was going to kill this Myrideen and take Zelda for himself. He growled loudly sneering at everyone, the servants scurried away as he powered down the hallway. He finally came to a stop in front of the large double doors that lead to the throne room; he shivered feeling a powerful evil presence one that stopped him cold. No matter how much he willed his body wouldn't respond and he couldn't move, though while his body was paralyzed his senses still worked as he heard words emanating from the other side of the double doors one was from his master the other was a dark voice one that was neither male nor female. The voices stopped as the oppressive force lifted permitting I'solde to move once more, he approached the doors cautiously moving closer to the door before opening it. Light shone through the small crack as the door opened I'solde attempted to peek through and before I'solde could react he was pulled into the room by a powerful force, he never noticed the door slamming shut behind him, and to anyone else all that was heard throughout the halls of the mansion were his screams terror and pain.
Gannondorf stood in front of a black cloaked figure but what was strange is it wore not a thread; its body was surrounded by a haze obscuring its features. The fire haired man watched as his master suspended the puny human's body in the air and the little man had trouble breathing in the master's presence. Gannondorf was immune to the effects mostly due to the Triforce of power. As he watched on he felt a tiny sliver of fear enter his bones but quickly banished it from himself, if his master sensed fear he would capitalize on it making him a slave instead of a servant. He watched on as the master raised his hand pointing it at I'solde's body, a dull red glow covered his hand before the human screamed in pain as his master spoke "You worthless human, you dare listen as I instruct my servant" it asked rhetorically.
I'solde felt like his insides were burning and that fire was running through his veins, the pain was far too intense as he couldn't speak only cry out begging for mercy. The master stopped looking into the man's black heart and smiled, this smile unnerved Gannon for all he could see was a mouth full of fangs but what he saw next was unlike his master. He dropped the human waving his hand over him, after a moment he stood looking at him in confusion "Human you may have your uses. Therefore I grant you immunity; I see in your heart and mind you have sent a small force to Hyrule."
I'solde nodded "Yes master" he said his voice quivering in fear.
The evil creature smirked "Good, I want you to invade Hyrule. Kill this Hero of time Link and as recompense you can have the princess."
I'solde nodded "I have sent for and received word from Termania that they will aid us. I will begin sending my army to Hyrule" he raised his hand making a fist "we will crush them." He watched as the figure smile evilly before disappearing leaving the king of evil with the human they looked to one another before Gannon gripped I'solde by his clothing and throwing him to the ground growling "I'solde you may have been granted immunity from the master but you still serve me."
He looked up at his master and nodded "Yes master, what do you wish of me" he asked.
Gannon smirked "Just continue what you were doing sending the army to Hyrule" he finished laughing manically.
Hyrule
Deen awoke to someone jumping up and down on the bed; he groaned opening his eyes he sighed seeing Rain jumping up and down on the bed trying to get his attention and for him to wake up. He sat up quickly wrapping her in a headlock and puller her down, "Papa let go" she squealed struggling to get out of his grip. He merely chuckled before changing tactics and began to tickle her, she screamed before laughing. Deen temporarily forgot where he was as he tortured his daughter unaware that her screams and laughs had caused his wife to wake. She sat up with a groan as the bed shifted and bounced turning she found her husband mercilessly tickling hi... she paused at that though and smiled their daughter. Deciding to get in on the action she tapped Deen on the shoulder when he turned she flashed him a devious smile and he smirked.
When he stopped Rain took the opportunity to try to escape but her father had a death grip on her, she squealed when she turned and saw the smile her new mother held. Zelda started to tickle the girl causing her to laugh; Deen chuckled watching the two before moving to the adjoining room to get dressed. He pulled on a silver shirt with a pair of brown trousers and boots, he tied a dark blue sash across his waist, looking into a mirror adjusting his hair to the way he wore it. Striding back into the room he found Zelda and Rain cuddled together talking about something or another, he smiled at the two and left the room stepping into the hall he turned headed out of the door. Stepping out he was met by Malon, who wasn't paying attention and ran into him. Deen quickly recovered and caught her before she hit the ground.
When Mallon's sense returned she found herself pressed against a very solid body and looking up she found her brother in law staring down at her in concern. She smiled up at him and slowly pulled away, they fell into conversation as they walked down the hallway. Malon wanted to go visit her father, Deen who still had yet to meet the man agreed to go with her. Entering the stables Deen grabbed his and Malon's saddle, she of course protested this until he handed her the saddle. Riding through Castle town Malon window shopped, how could she not. Being married to the hero of Hyrule she could get almost anything on his name alone but she wasn't one to take advantage of that.
Though on their way out of the town she noticed that all of the women and girls in town were eyeing him and glaring at her as if they were together. Malon smirked moving her stallion a little closer to Deen thinking nothing of riding a little closer to her brother, Deen apparently had noticed the looks as well because as she moved closer he chuckled. It wasn't long before the ranch came into view and she smiled, Deen could sense her excitement riding past the gate she yelled out "Papa."
Deen covered his ears wincing playfully "Wow, Malon" he said rubbing his ears "you have a big mouth" he laughed.
She turned and hit him "Shut up" she muttered.
He dismounted and helped her down, hearing the door open Deen watch a short rounded man exit the quaint little home; he wore a red shirt with coveralls. He was balding with a pony tail tied in the back, the man's eyes lit up as they landed on Malon with a smile he rushed over and pulled her into an embrace. Deen watched on for a moment before going to put the horses up, but the man's voice stopped him, his baritone voice broke the silence "Don't worry about the horses boyo me ranch hand will take care of them" he turned and yelled out "Ingo, we have visitors come put their horses away."
Malon froze looking to Deen relaxing when she saw the smirk on his face, she had never told her father what Ingo did and now Ingo was going to pay for it. Of course Link had hurt the scrawny man but Deen was far less forgiving than his younger brother, so she watched with satisfaction as Ingo rounded the corner muttering about something and Deen stepped into his path. Ingo ran into his and backed up rubbing his long nose about to curse the person but as he looked up into the face of the man who looked similar to the boy who had beaten him, he paled backing up at the cold eyes and malicious smile he held. Ingo looked to his employer for assistance who was glaring daggers at him and next to him was the little girl he had savagely beaten whispering into his ear. Talon walked up to the man "Boyo, show him what happens when he goes after family" he said in a somewhat Irish accent.
Ingo paled more "Family" he stuttered out.
Deen smiled "Yes family." He pointed to Malon and Talon "They are my sister and father in law, her husband is my little brother. A man whose name I'm sure you know well" he said smiling as the man paled more.
"Link" he gulped.
Deen nodded "Yes" he advanced on the scrawny man "when Malon told me what you did to her I swore that anyone who hurt her would suffer my wrath." Quick as lightning Deen rushed him gripping the front of his coveralls and lifted him into the air "And now that I get my hands on you, I'm going to repay you tenfold for every strike that you let grace her body" he growled before pulling the man closer. Deen stared into his eyes and smirked at the fear in them "One last thing I am nowhere near as forgiving as my little brother" he said before throwing the man against the barn.
Malon watched as Ingo bounced off the wall and hit the floor with a sickening thud, she knew Deen was far from done as he kicked the man across the ground yelling at him to stand. Ingo could only get to his knees before another kick landed against his ribs breaking a few of them, Malon thought she would take satisfaction from seeing Ingo receive the beating of his life but the savage beating Deen was handing to the poor man caused her to bury her face in her father's shoulder. Talon wrapped his arms around his daughter as his son beat a man... no a thug he once called a friend into a bloody mess. He watched on as the one sided fight continue, Ingo had tried to get up and fight back but the younger and stronger man quickly delivered him to the ground. He finally had enough as Ingo threw up blood, looking to the sky he figured that Deen had been beating on him for around an hour "Boyo, I don't want to see the horses arse dead on my land."
Deen who was holding up Ingo's lifeless form let go, kneeling he poked the man who groaned "Listen and listen well. I am going to purchase a horse for you, and you are going to leave this country, do I make myself clear" he asked waiting for a response. It was all Ingo could do to just whisper out a yes, Deen turned around to Talon "Do you have a horse that I could pay for to send the trash on his way?"
Talon stroked his chin in thought before smiling "Aye as a matter of fact I do." He said before heading into the stable taking Malon and Deen's horses to settle in for the night, Deen strode over to Malon cleaning the blood from his hands and pulled her to him. Malon sighed as she leaned against him melting into the embrace as he wrapped his arms protectively around her. Moments later Talon exited with an old Stallion saddled and ready to ride, Deen stroked her hair before going and lifting Ingo on to the animal and sending them on their way. He turned and studied the sky and sighed "They will be raising the bridge about now."
Talon nodded "Aye, it appears so" he turned to them "make yourselves at home and let me finish the last of me chores and we can then get supper going hmm" he smiled at the two.
Malon nodded "Yes papa" she said taking Deen's hand leading him inside so she could start on dinner. As they entered he took a deep breath before moving to the hearth and starting a fire, she started preparing food thinking about what happened earlier. Deen had repaid Ingo in spades for his cruelty, when he tried to fight back he had taken the arm and broken it in several places. The sound alone was almost enough to make her throw up. Then a soft sound coming from the living room broke her from her reverie and drew her attention, when she poked her head in she giggled at the sight of Deen leaning against the back of the sofa arms splayed out, head back, eyes closed, mouth open, and snoring softly. Pulling herself back into the kitchen she mused on much the men in her life acted like children, especially Deen and Link it seemed that they had a talent for falling asleep at will. When her father had returned to the house she shushed him before he could say anything and motioned to the sleeping man, Talon chuckled lightly and moved into the kitchen to help Malon "It seems me little girl married into the right family."
Malon blushed "Papa."
He chuckled and they set about making dinner and when done Malon woke Deen up. Supper at the small home was quite mostly due to what happened earlier but they knew after everyone was done Deen went upstairs and go to bed. The next morning Deen and Malon said goodbye to her father before setting off back to the castle, after dismounting he helped her down letting the servants to take the horses away. They decided to walk around the castle for a while and before they knew it they found themselves in front of the throne room where what sounded like a heated discussion was taking place. Both being curious stepped into the room revealing the king and Zelda in their seats while Link along with the rest of the family stood on either side as their attention was focused a girl in the middle of the room holding what looked like a weapon.
To Malon the girl was dressed in a strange fashion but to Deen it was an all too familiar garb, but what he found funny was the so called translators running around trying to communicate what she was trying to say. She had shiny long blue hair hanging to her mid back cut straight across, she wore a white Kimono top and long blue skirt tied at the middle with a blue sash with white diamonds in the middle, most of her skin was hidden due to the long clothing, but he knew her skin to be pale. Zelda had smiled when Deen entered the room she had been worried about him, before turning her attention back to the girl who none of the royal scribes could understand, her language was very foreign but by the look on her husband's face he understood every word she spoke.
She was very surprised when he took a step forward and spoke in the same tongue; the girl had a look of shock before schooling her expression and turning to see who had spoken to her. Her eyes narrowed she knew the voice but when her eye landed on him they went wide, she had been tasked to deliver the sword but never expected to see him again. She remembered the day he rescued her from the clutches of the Highway men, he had stepped from the trees and looking back on it she found his approach. Comical. He moved toward the camps' fire muttering about something while picking twigs from his hair. She smiled thinking back on it but was drawn from her trip down memory lane as he spoke again about to repeat his question but seeing her face he stopped.
As she turned Deen stood there dumb founded "Yuti, is that you" he asked softly. She smiled at him and moved slowly to him and stopped just short of him tilting her head up she stared into his face. He knew she was Vapatian Priestess; the people of Vapan were smaller in stature to than people of Alturan continent. She nodded in affirmation to his question but he forgot something he schooled his expression and kneeled down in front of her "Forgive me priestess Shiku."
Zelda frowned when he knelt down in front of her but she placed a hand on his should and motioned for him to rise as he did he towered over her small form, at that time she threw her arms around his waist and nuzzled into his chest. Though the reunion was cut short as a servant rushed into the throne room panting heavily and in haste tripped, Deen quickly moved to the man helping to his feet. When he got a good look at the man's face it was deathly pale looking up to the King "Your majesty, invaders" he yelled out.
Tarsus 'Tori' Calin woke to a familiar sight, his room in the Mage's guild was simple four walls a small desk and a bed. He sighed Mages weren't allowed much really just their clothes and staves. He stood from the bed his black hair had its trade mark wind swept look to it, his eyes were an icy blue, dressing in a set of grey robes that had black trimming on it that concealed his lean body. He took his stave from it place in the corner before heading down to his first lesson of the day. He joined the Guild shortly after realizing he had the potential but he didn't know that being a Mage was so much of a... well 'curse' would be the best way to describe it. The way they taught him felt completely wrong and it took too long to cast, when he voiced this opinion he was reprimanded for it. So he took it in stride, being a commoner he learned to roll with the punches so to speak.
Magic users were fear as well as revered because they were more open to possession and the darker urges, Magic was a powerful tool one that most didn't know how to respond to. He was musing on this and before he could reach the room where the lesson would be held he was stopped by the master of the Guild the Arch Mage "Tori." The Arch Mage was an elderly man sporting a long white beard and hair; his eyes hold a gentle wisdom that all but tells you his age. His dark grey robes holding gold trimming and two rings on either arm sporting the colors of Red and Green on the right symbolizing Fire and Earth, on the left Blue and light grey symbolizing Water and Air. Looking up to Tori spoke "Yes Elder?"
The older man's eyes took on a worried sheen "We have been summoned by the Princess to repel invaders to our lands" he looked around as if searching the empty halls for something "with most of the senior council and guild members away myself and a the few instructors have been asked to use all resources available to us to drive them back. We are taking all of the novices and Adepts in to battle to guard the city."
Tori's eyes opened wide in worry "Battle" he said fear staining his voice. He hoped the Arch Mage was joking but for as long as he had known the man he never joked, when he ushered Tori out of the building and to the wall he reluctantly went not sure of what was going to happen. As he found the other students they fell in line as the three elder's lead them on to the field, Tori looked out on to the field finding a small force, a few feet in front of the soldiers were three figures. Two he recognized one as the princess and the other as the hero of Hyrule Link but the third man he didn't know, the princess wore a long white dress with her golden belt, along with a deep pink top though the armored shoulders were missing. The hero was dressed in a red tunic covering chain mail and carrying a red shield with a mirror surface, though the third man was garbed in a dark blue tunic that covered a chainmail set, his loose brown pants did the same with a pair of shin guards, his arms were covered by gauntlets that left his hands free and a strange sword strapped to his side, it was around two feet in length the blade was curved and narrowed at the end the hilt was of a square design and the handle was long enough for two handed use and was covered with black binding that criss crossed leaving the shape of diamonds.
Tori was pulled from his thoughts as the Arch mage stopped next to him "Tori you are to guard the princess with Verin and Valin" he said.
Tori nodded "Yes elder" he said sighing in relief. The princess would be behind the lines. He turned hearing a horse approaching and watched the princess ride up to the arch mage, he always through the princess to be beautiful but knew she was out of reach. She stopped to talk to the Arch Mage and he listened in "Elder Verto" she smiled "it has been too long."
Verto smiled "Yes it has. You were my best student Zelda and I congratulate you on your recent marriage." He said warmly "I have picked out my best students to protect you in this battle. Tarsus, Valin, Verin step forward"
Zelda smiled "Thank you elder" she said looking to the three students the one that caught her eye was the tall lanky boy something about him was different. She couldn't place it but back to the task at hand she motioned them to follow her behind the line of mages, as they did they tasked Tori with holding the shield seeing as he couldn't use attack magic well. They stood out in front of the princess in a triangle with Tori standing with her. He look up to her briefly before the sounds of battle drew his attention, he watch in awe as the small Hyrulian force was holding their own against the massive invading force.
Zelda watched the battle begin she was scared for Deen and Link they were on the front line battling for the wellbeing of Hyrule, what she didn't see was the detachment that was coming for her. At least until two of the Mages that were tasked with protecting her fell to arrows, turning quickly she found a sizable force coming for her. She could feel the shield that Tori held and dismounted to heal the other two but they would be out for the rest of the battle. She drew the arrow from the first students shoulder and started to heal him, the sounds of attacks against the shield pulled her attention and she watched Tori struggle to keep it up. She closed her eye "Deen" she said softly tears forming in her eyes.
Tori watched his fellow students fall and paled looking to the foreign soldiers attacking his shield he wouldn't be able to keep it up much longer, he knew he had to do something and soon. He turned back to see the princess working on Verin he had to buy her time but his shield was breaking, when he heard she was married his heart fell but he was happy for her and when she whisper the name he was sure was her husband along with seeing the tears something in him snapped. His face hardened and he turned to face the troops "I. Will. Not. Yield" he roared.
Zelda looked up as he bellowed sitting there in shock as he let the shield fall, he adjusted his stance thrusting his stave and hands forward the ground under one half of the first line exploded sending bits of Earth and charred bodies in every direction, the other half was either impaled by ice spears or cut in half by what she could only describe as wind blades. She watched as the jewel on the tip of the stave shatter and the staff itself burst into flames, she had never seen anything like it they were supposed to handle one to two elements but he somehow used all four. He dropped it and started what looked like a dance, his arms and body flowing fluidly as he casted no; she could see it he was weaving magic. The force against him was being repelled, some he burned, and others he froze, crushed under boulders, or cut them down. She watched Fire and Earth came from his right hand while Air and Water from his left this boy was an unstoppable force.
She had finished with the first student and turned to the next, but her eyes never left Tarsus. He turned to her briefly during his dance with the power she saw his eyes swirl with the colors of the elements; it was like a tornado had replaced his iris and pupils. Her eyes widened as she understood he was using his body as the medium to the power. This was unheard of and within a matter of minutes he destroyed more than half of the force but he was wearing down. His moves were becoming sluggish but the strength of his attacks never wavered and as she caught a glimpse of his eyes she found instead of the four colors she found white and gasped. He was using spirit his own life force to fuel his attacks, the sounds of hooves drew her attention and she watched as Link and Deen approach swords drawn and at the ready.
Zelda saw a lone soldier try to sneak up behind him and before he could strike Deen let from his horse tackling the man to the ground, Link did almost the same but rolled in front of Tarsus and stood facing the remaining soldiers. It was at this point Tarsus dropped to the ground exhausted, Zelda rushed over to the boy and sighed heavily seeing he still had a pulse. She didn't bother to look up as her husband and brother dealt with the rest of the soldiers.
Deen watched from the corner as Yuti scurried about the room tending to the injured, he himself had received a small cut just under his right eye which is why he was sitting here amongst the other injured. He grumbled Zelda had pretty much forced him to come and have his scratch dealt with. His eyes scanned the room it looked like a battle had been raging not only out on Hyrule field but here in the hospital wing. There were enemy soldiers as well as Hyrules' own scatter about the room most moaning in pain, but what got to him was a few of the Telitia soldiers were muttering about a demon in human form of course Deen had torn through the ranks but most of those who were rambling he never saw in the fray. Their bodies were burned, suffering from frost bite, limbs crush or other severed but the cuts were to clean to be a sword. He remember after Link and himself were about to finish the small force before they surrendered, he looked around after securing them.
The earth was destroyed, fires burned on bodies or the last patches of grass, charred and frozen bodies littered the area while others were cut in half entrails scatter on the ground like party decorations. He looked over to his wife and saw her cradling a young man's head in her lap, he had seen what the boy was capable of and was going to with his wife's agreement make him a royal mage. The only problem he foresaw was the boy being common born, but he could be raised to battle mage and given title and land. Though he still had yet to wake, Deen had spoken to Yuti about it and all she said was he used his life force to fight, and while drained he would recover but it might be days before he woke.
He smirked thinking back on the meeting in the throne room after greeting her. She had given him a sword her father had promised him and something he had not been expecting. He shook his head how in the world was he going to explain to Zelda that the girl Yuti Shiku would be their house mate from now until he died. Because he saved her and her culture she held a life debt to him. He tried to absolve her of it but she would hear nothing of it, and now she was making herself useful by tending to the wounded. They had run out of red potion some time ago, Deen smiled he didn't know anyone better with healing herbs and natural remedies. Link had said they didn't have enough red potions and was suspicious of Yuti but Deen set him straight, he frowned remembering that conversation.
"Deen" Link came up to him a hint of anger in his voice "are you really going to trust this girl? She could be working with them."
He turned to Link and frowned "Link I know her and she is not from this continent."
Link cut him off "How do you know?"
"Do you remember those three years I didn't visit and only sent letters" He asked not turning away from donning his armor.
Link nodded "Yeah, what about it" he ask indignantly.
Deen glared at him making him back down "I was studying in a foreign land called Vapan. While there I met a sword smith whose daughter was a priestess, she was kidnapped and he asked me to go after her" he paused remembering the days he spent tracking her down. He turned back to Link "When I returned her to her father he promised me this sword" he said raising the blade "now are you going to tell me you don't trust a priestess?"
Link opened his mouth and closed as he couldn't form words, and Deen spoke again "Besides she has the most extensive knowledge of healing herbs of anyone I know."
Link of course was taken aback but he accepted it as she tended to the wound on his arm, Deen lifted the sword removing it from the sheath finally taking a moment to study the blade. What caught his attention was the fox emblem on the handle "Blade master" he murmured. Link had heard him staring at him as the blue hair girl applied a salve to his arm and wrap it in a bandage. When she finished he looked to his arm very surprised at her work he smiled at her his opinion changing but before dealing with that he turned back to his brother "Deen."
He looked up from the sword to Link "Yes?"
"What is a blade master?"
Deen smirked "A blade master is someone who has either preformed all styles in front of an audience of seven masters, or has beaten a master in fair combat." He raised the sword "The fox is the symbol of a master, when I went after Yuti she was being held captive by a blade master. I rescued her and killed the master. After returning her to her father he promised to make me a special sword one fit for a blade master. The kitsune marks as they call them are a blend of two metals to ensure the strength of the blade and that it won't dull." He finished sheathing the blade.