THE BEGINNING:
"Sheikah, Candlelight, and the Strangers"
(The Winds Relive the Past)
Link barreled through the yard outside, each step making him more and more anxious about that night's game. By the time he met up with his friends at the pre-determined Tree not far from his house, he was quite out of breath. The group of children basked in the moon's night gaze, the arms of the Tree hovering over them like the loving arms of a mother.
The rules of candlelight were simple:
I. Everyone, minus one person, lays his or her candle at the foot of the Old Oak Tree, unlit. The one person who keeps their candle lit counts to twice his or her age, while covering their eyes and leaning up against the Tree. That person is known as the sentry.
II. The sentry has to guard the tree, all while looking for the others.
III. The goal of the marauders, which is everyone else, is to stealthily hide until the sentry finishes counting, and then make it back to the tree without being tagged.
IV. If a marauder is tagged, they become a new sentry (the next round), while the sentry that originally did the tagging, becomes a marauder (again, the next round).
V. The sentry can tag as many marauders as he/she can within one round.
VI. If a sentry does not tag a marauder, he/she/they remain(s) a sentry.
The game gradually becomes harder when the number of sentries increases. It's game over when only one marauder is left, being the victor.
Before each game the children were keen on mustering and filling each other in on any interesting things that had happened throughout the time between games or spell since they last saw one another. Parents may have their discussions at the dinner table or before bed, but this was the children's way of 'discussing' - or in other words, gossip - of different goings on. Of course a big topic was the 'incident', as it was dubbed, earlier in the marketplace.
"Did you see him?" Link overheard someone say.
"No, what did he look like?" another kid said.
"I heard he had wings!" a third said.
"Nuh-uh! He had magical boots!" a fourth said in contradiction to the third.
"Well, whatever he had," the first child then interrupted, "he looked very familiar… Like someone I know…"
"Who?" a handful of children questioned in unison.
"I'm not sure," the first one said in a very perplexed it's-on-the-tip-of-my-tongue type tone.
As Link stood beneath the strong arms of the old Oak, listening intently at the conversation, his curiosity from earlier returned. Just as he eavesdropped a "Is it true that they kidnapped someone?" a girl around his age glided her way over to him. Her brown dress matched her eyes and her hair, which rested behind her ears and reached her shoulders. "Hi, Link," she said as she giggled.
"Hey, Malon," Link said very politely, his one ear on Malon, the other on the children.
"So, how did you guys enjoy your dinner?" she said as she blushed slightly.
"It was great. Thanks," Link said with a twinkle of gratitude in his eye. Oh, man! The topic of conversation for which he eavesdropped upon evolved into something else…
He tried to retain his pleasant face amidst being quite disheartened not to hear the response to such a provocative question. That was the kind of question that sends a young child's imagination spinning completely out of control. But, alas, his air-faring vessel plummeted to the earth, only to burst into flames and have its ashes carried off to distant lands in the winds…
*sigh*
"Yeah," Malon said as her eyes quickly shifted from Link's whenever she noticed his eyes meeting hers, "Your dad did a great job of cleaning up after Mr. Ingo today…"
"That Ingo…" Link reached his hand to the back of his neck and rubbed it as he tilted his head. "He's such a weirdo!"
They both chuckled.
"Yeah, I know…" Malon said as she held her hands behind her back and swayed to and fro. "My dad was pretty upset about it, but your dad really helped us out. He does a really good job around the farm for us."
"Yeah…" Link said as a small swell of pride welled up within him. "So, uh, do we have you to thank for tonight's dinner?" he asked as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other a bit.
"Me?" Malon seemed to flinch somewhat. "Oh, well, I told my dad about the great job your dad was doing - cleaning up and all - and it was kind of an unspoken thing…" She kicked at the ground a little.
"Oh… wow… thanks…"
"Yeah… Sure… No problem…"
They both stared about the ground for a bit, as if they were looking for a hidden message of sorts until the congregation finally accumulated under the tree.
First thing's first: The rules.
Each and every time they play, they diligently take the time to refresh everyone's memories of the regulations of the game. Therefore, if any single person were to have a qualm, there could be no argument (who were they kidding - they're children!) as to the nature of the problem, if there truly be one. Of course, every now and then, some of the older children like to give the younger ones a good goose here and there, which prompted Neekle, a boy a year or two older than Link, to speak up to the crowd. "And remember! No one is allowed in the Lost Woods unless they wanna come face to face with a ghost!"
This, naturally, ensued with myriads of "Oooohhhh"s from the older crowd to the younger, causing the younger ones to either become a bit flustered (needless to say none of which attempted to hide it) or mock their deriders.
"Yeah, them Poe's 'll getcha!" a boy shouted.
"Well, how do you know if there's one there, it's so dark anyways…" a younger girl responded very skeptically, while all the while trying to outwit someone older than her.
"You see," Neekle cleared his throat, "… a Poe carries a lantern to help guide 'em through this world and into the next." The children all gathered closer. "'Cause a Poe doesn't see light or feel feelings or touch, and only sees everything as darkness… They're hopelessly lost between the light and dark dimensions…" A couple youngens clutched their older siblings. "So if you see a light comin' toward you, you'd better run! Or you'll be floatin' through the darkness trying to find your way home along with 'em…"
Silence hung in the air.
"Boo!"
"AAAAhhh!" a few children screamed as they jumped and turned around, only to find a latecomer. The rest of the group shared a hearty laugh.
"Where you been, Kayle?" Neekle shouted out. "Isn't your brother comin?"
"Nah," Kayle said as he chuckled from his little scare-the-littluns escapade. "He can't come out 'cause he's sick. My parents said it's cuz of the 'evil' air that's been comin down offa the mountain. He wasn't even allowed to go out on one of his normal bug-catching sprees today… Everyone's getting so weird…" He rolled his eyes and made a peculiar face. "Besides," he said, looking at Neekle, "Poes don't roam the Lost woods… They say that if non-forest folk go in there, they'll either be lost for all eternity," he said in a mock-spookish manner, fingers twiddling about in the air, almost like grandpa earlier, "or turn into some kind of monster or Deku or somethin…" His hands came back down. "Pffffttt…"
The mountain Kayle spoke of is a range of rocky hills, network of caves that connect to an assortment of ridges and clearings within the rock-face, and mountains (of course) just north of Hyrule Kingdom, known simply as Death Mountain. The name originally was acquired by a semi-dormant volcano but later became the entire breadth of the span. A peak that juts out toward the entire kingdom, where one could see the forests, deserts - everything - and even as far as the vast oceans that surround its entirety, is called Spectacle Rock. Death Mountain itself is actually quite the misnomer for it is a very inviting territory (unless one comes ill-equipped, which could mean death by landslides or the indigenous life forms with inhabit the territory) which is home to a race called the Gorons, a stone-eating people that are known for their lively music, incredible muscle, and tremendous emphasis on brotherhood. It is said that the clouds surrounding the peak reflect the condition of the mountain. Lately it's been a concoction of peace (normal) and what could only be described as ambiguous despair or lack of prospect or possibility (grayish and somewhat tumultuous).
A bit of unrest was felt throughout the group. It hung in the air like razors, piercing into everyone. Until finally Kayle spoke up, "Link, isn't Mena comin' tonight?"
"What?" Link's mind wandered elsewhere, amidst all that he had experienced in just the passed few hours. "Oh, yeah, um, no, she's not. She had stuff to do in the castle or something."
"Too bad… It must be nice to live in the castle though…"
"Yeah," Neekle corresponded. "I heard Princess Zelda has pro… pro… prosthetic visions in her dreams or something."
"That's prophetic," Kayle corrected in a joking manner.
"What's that mean?" a younger kid asked.
"It means that she can see the future in her dreams," Kayle educated the whippersnapper, with an I'm-your-elder-ish look.
"Pfff, no way," Neekle scoffed as a look of disbelief saturated every expression he made, his syllable also sodden of skepticism.
"I'm serious! My dad told me that! He also said that a Sheikah lives in the castle with them," Kayle said, his arms flailing in a manner that said "You've-gotta-believe-me!" with every quick gesture.
"Now, I heard that too…" Neekle said as he pointed at Kayle, to gesture that Kayle might be on to something, which he then proceeded to, "Buuuuuttt…" in a mock opposing manner. "None of them have been seen or heard of for how long now…"
Again the same child who asked of the definition of "prophetic" inquired as to, "What's a Sheikah?"
The same look came over Kayle's face as he once again instructed the youngster. "A Sheikah's what some people call the 'Shadow Folk', or the shadows of us Hylians." The kid's eyes suddenly became saturated with curiosity - as they should have. "They swore allegiance to the King of Hyrule and guarded the Royal Family for centuries. For generations upon generations they guarded the royal family, but with the long peace that we've had, they've sorta just vanished."
"Wooowww…" the boy breathed.
"My dad did say," Kayle said as he glanced over at Neekle, each syllable dripping with a hint of disdain, "… that one of them did build Kakariko, the next village over, and tried to raise a family there."
Neekle just pursed his lips and flicked his head in an upward motion in the direction of Kayle.
Kids…
"Anyways!" Link interjected, in an effort to get their previous engagement underway before it got too late. Anticipation resides in one who deems himself or herself the eventual champion.
Neekle and Kayle exchanged one quicker glance then let all that was said be in the past. That's what friends do.
With all that out of the way, a game can finally begin - kind of. Normally a lot of playing time gets wasted while one and all attempt to decide whom the first sentry would be.
Not tonight.
Link immediately volunteered, confident in the fact that he possessed a secret weapon - his mask. The game hadn't even begun and everyone had already won - the argument that is. One by one the children put out their candles, not even thinking to question Link's motives, and set them at the foot of the Tree. Link quickly lit his candle off of another boy's, who in turn put his out and joined it with the others on the ground. Malon's face beamed as she waved to Link, who returned a wave and a quaint smile. Boy will they all be surprised… Everyone's expecting what's-his-face to win… But not this time… As Link set is candle firmly upright in the soil, covered his eyes, and leaned against the Tree, the kids all scampered off, each trying to find the best possible hiding spot.
"1... 2... 3... 4..."
The footsteps all faded in the distance.
"5... 6... 7..."
As he counted, recent memories from earlier in the day came flooding back, as if he could feel what caused his curiosity to beckon for retort. Through his fingers he peered at the loose patch of earth beneath him. He could quench his curiosities thirst right then and there. All he had to do was kneel down, pierce his fingers through the soil, and retrieve the pouch… It was that simple… No one would even know…
But he would… Mena trusted him. To betray a friend's trust is to dishonor one's self in an immense degree, which could never be reconciled. So without a second thought about it, he closed the gaps in his fingers and lifted his head back up to what felt parallel to the ground.
"8... 9... 10... 11... 12... 13..."
A cold chill crept up his spine like a thousand spiders slinking toward prey and swallowed the light breeze that blew.
"14... 15... 16..."
The hair on the back of his neck stood at attention as though the cold were their commander. Link paid it no heed, for he was determined to win this night's game. He was so excited. The thrill and anticipation overwhelmed him.
"17... 18... 19... 20... 21..."
He will win.
"22... 23..."
Ready or not…
He took a giant breath and -
"24!" he shouted as he quickly slipped on his mask and swiped up his candle, ready to achieve victory and ruin the streak of seven wins by another boy. Link was not one to have his motives or beliefs swayed or intimidated by past accomplishments or dominance, even if it was seven - seven - victories. Not to mention, consecutively! Adrenaline replaced the anticipation pumping through his veins.
So on he set, to bag those marauders and become one himself. He looked around as he slunk at trees, bushes, barrels - anything that looked to be a suitable hiding place. Each one faded away, revealing what lay behind.
No one…
On he traipsed, his determination fueling his desire to be crowned victor.
Spot after spot yielded no souls.
After growing quite disparaged and much less hopeful -
Alas! His trickery finally began to pay off as big bush beside a house dissolved and let him see a boy and his younger sister behind it. Reclaiming that feeling of a seemingly inevitable triumph, Link slid off his mask, crept up, and "Ha!" tagged them both.
*SLAP* "I got you, Eamon!" *PAT* "I got you Alyssa!"
The two who knelt behind the bush jumped in surprise and turned around. "Oh, man!" Eamon sighed as he and his sister stood up and she kicked the ground in an "Awww, shucks" manner.
Link let out a triumphant "Ha ha!" and he escorted them back to the Old Oak Tree. After arriving, he discovered that the rest of the posse had eluded him completely and made it back to the tree without being nabbed. Doesn't matter… As long he remains uncaught he will be safe… He will be successful in his mission for supremacy. The two captured marauders lit their candle off of Link's.
VII. When there is more than one sentry, they all count up to double the eldest one's age (in this case it would be 22). If the number sentries is equal to or outnumbers the number of marauders, the count is the average of the ages (which is a roundabout figure - the kids don't really derive much pleasure of doing math (read: 'school work') outside of school).
With his candle on the ground amongst the others, signifying him as a new marauder, the new sentries planted themselves to the Tree and covered their eyes.
Link's mind raced, thinking of the perfect place to hide. By the time he realized it, the rest of the gang had took off in search of their concealment, and Eamon and Alyssa were at 13. So without haste Link beat feet.
He came across a set of barrels next to another person's house and quickly, yet quietly, knelt behind them. The anticipation for his self-assigned inexorableness was almost too much to endure. There he sat, his mask removing the barrels before him from his vision so he could clearly see where the sentries were at that present moment.
Oh, the excitement!
What a sneak I am! he giggled to himself, with his hand over his mouth.
He sat for a few minutes, until he caught a glimpse of one of the sentries. He squinted his eyes to try and make out which of the two it was.
Eamon.
He was alone.
That's odd… Eamon and Alyssa normally travel in a pair, but apparently they must have some tactic hidden up their sleeves…
As Link tried to make heads or tails of this new turn of events, Eamon slowly walked toward the barrels all the while trying his hardest to keep as quiet as he could. Silence will always be a virtue…
Link held his breath, his hand still over his mouth from when he giggled.
Eamon stopped just on the other side of the barrels.
Link was ready to rip his heart from his chest for it felt as though it were a thousand drums trying to beat loud enough so the sound would carry up into the heavens, to the gods who kept watch from above, and expose him.
What was Eamon doing? He just stood there…
Link then realized that he had been biting his lower lip so hard, and for so long, that it throbbed.
Just leave already! You don't know that I'm here!
Where's Alyssa?
*SNAP*
A noise from nearby made Link's head jerk and peer in the opposite direction from his possible impending capture.
Are they teaming up? he thought.
But nothing was there… Hm…
He quickly turned back around to find that Eamon had crept away in the opposite direction.
Link exhaled slowly and quietly in relief.
No sudden slap on the back or loud "Hey, I found you!" came… So what made that noise? Link turned back to the source of the noise. Through the barrels he saw a tree, which, too, began to dissolve, revealing a man in a dark cloak, bent over and walking slowly. Link couldn't quite make out any definite features but he did know one thing for certain: The man from earlier… The one that helped Mena… This time the stranger walked in the direction of town and brandished a sword which he held before him as though he were ready for something… There was a strange luminescence that swathed the stranger.
The chill returned with a vengeance. And with it came a familiar sense of something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Link crawled out from behind the barrels to get a better look at the man - or whatever it was - but could not find him again. On the other hand, though, he did find something else - something that appeared to be a totally different man, this one was riding horseback riding into town. It looked like a man… Yeah, it was a man, all right… But a man that had no –
"Ha ha! Gotcha!" Alyssa squealed in delight as she tagged Link, who at that point had unknowingly risen to his feet and stood at full posture.
His eyes never left that general direction from the unfamiliar, very odd sights that swam through his head, igniting many flames of inquisitiveness.
"Don't worry, buddy, they got us too," another boy said as Eamon and a few other kids walked over.
Link's gaze never faltered.
"Whatcha' looking at, man?" Eamon asked as all the kids looked around, aiming to find the point of major interest.
The chill became colder and so did the feeling that rode in on its back.
Malon rushed over with Link's candle already lit in her hand and gave it to Link, who only reached out his hand and grasped it once it touched his skin as his gaze never faltered from what lay just out of everyone else's ordinary vision. "They got me too… Link?"
He didn't respond.
"Link?"
A steady darkness followed the man on the horse into town.
All the children looked around, trying to catch if only a glimpse of what grasped Link's attention so well, but none of them could see… He wasn't sure if he wanted them to or not. He could tell them. He could keep it a secret. Part of him was so very enamored with the sight, more than anything before that had ever taken hold of his concentration, but the other part of him wished he had never witnessed it. Regardless, one thing was for certain: he couldn't tear his eyes from it and he had no idea why…
The chill was so cold that it felt like he lay in a pool of ice, causing him to shiver, and the feeling that came with it was a feeling that he had hoped he would never have to feel again - loneliness… He hadn't felt that powerful of an emotion - let alone that exact same thing - since…
He finally ripped his eyes from that powerful adhesive, took off his mask, and looked around the group to see if anyone else felt as he did. If they weren't pre-occupied with looking around or talking to someone else, they were all giving him the same baffled look. The emptiness grew within him even more as he realized that no one else could feel it.
Without warning, all the children jumped in unison.
An invisible, numb breeze seemed to blow, extinguishing Link's flame. Why did every child become startled? They each seemed to know before they looked down at their own candles, or at nearby sentries'.
All continued to burn, casting shadows upon surrounding surfaces.
Not even a strand of smoke rose from Link's wick.
"Link?"
No one moved.
"Link?"
It was dad.
"Link!" He had his "dad" tone…
"Yeah?" Link bellowed back, his eyes swimming throughout his sea of thoughts that filled his oceanic head.
"Come on in, son!"
That seemed to snap everyone out of his or her daze. When one parent comings a-calling, others are surely to follow… The antidote for being-a-kid-and-having-fun-itis…
"But, why?" Link whined back.
"'Cause grandpa says a storm's comin!"
All the kids looked around to see if there was any validation to his comment or if there was plausible reason for argument on their behalf.
"But it's just fine out here, dad!"
"Link," dad sure did have his 'father' tone, "Just do as I say and come inside!"
"Fine!" Link scoffed as his arms went limp and swung at his side. "I'm coming!"
How in the world could grandpa possibly know a thing like that? Was his knee acting up again or something? Either way he was to make haste with getting home. So naturally, after saying his goodbyes, he trudged scornfully. With each step, he muttered something contemptuous under his breath, all the while hoping that somehow all his grumbling would, in one way or another, allow him to remain outside for just a little while longer. If not for seeing his friends, then for winning the game! But a father's word is law…
After arriving back home, he stuffed his candle and mask under the loose floorboard beneath his bed, all the while his murmuring remained ongoing. He could still smell his candle even after he replaced the plank - it smelled as though it were still lit.
After he put his things away, dad had him get ready for bed then tucked him in. He and grandpa were very uneasy about something - a little on edge to boot. They wouldn't even light a candle - not for any reason whatsoever. The house was pitch black inside. Could it be because of what he saw?
Who was that cloaked man? Was he definitely the same from the market earlier as previously assumed?
And the man on the horse? If not a man, then what was it?
It looked exactly like a man…
A man missing his head…
