Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda. I might someday... HA! Like that'll ever happen. Hey, a girl can dream...
Note: Sorry this chapter took so long to post up. I had some crap I had to deal with in my life and I couldn't concentrate whenever I sat down to write. The crap is gone and I wrote a nice long chapter for you guys. Yay! Anyway, thanks to all the readers, you know who you are. :) And I hope you enjoy Chapter 3 of Shattered Twilight.
Ch. 3 – Reclaim, Destroy, and Protect
The silver wall that surrounded the village slowly crept up to the sky. The wall seemed to come together right above the heart of the village, making a dome like barrier.
Zelda did not stop praying until she knew the barrier was complete. Her hands came apart and the silver dome suddenly vanished from sight, like it was never even there to begin with.
"Don't worry," Zelda reassured the villagers, their worried faces scanning the area for their protection. "You can't see the barrier, but it is there. Nothing shall harm you."
A sigh and small murmurs of thanks went around the small group of Ordonians. For the first time in three days, they felt safe.
From the group, Bo stepped out and approached Zelda. He kneeled before her, "Your Highness, on behalf of the village of Ordon, we thank you. Your kindness and generosity have brought hope and peace back to this village. I just wish there was something we could do to repay you for all you've done."
Bo felt gentle hands rest on his broad shoulders. He glanced up into Zelda's smiling face.
"Do not kneel before me. I come to your village not as your princess, but as a friend," she beckoned Bo to stand. "Your kind words and hospitality are more than enough. I thank the goddesses that I was able to get here in time and that no one was killed."
"Princess," Zelda turned around to see Link guiding Epona towards her, "We are ready to go. Whenever you're ready."
Zelda nodded and turned back to the Ordonians. "I'm afraid the time for goodbyes is at hand. We must depart, for I have left my people alone for too long."
Link noticed the children were smiling and nodding to each other. They walked up to Zelda and Link and bowed before them.
"Thank you and good luck on your journey," they all said in unison.
The adults followed suit. Link and Zelda found the entire village bowing before them.
"May the goddesses of power, wisdom, and courage protect you on your journey," Bo could do nothing more, but hope that this blessing would reach the goddesses and take care of the two young Hylians that stood before him.
"And please," Ilia stepped forward, "come home safely." Ilia's words were for both Zelda and Link, but Link noticed Ilia looking right at him when she spoke.
Link helped Zelda onto Epona and then mounted himself. They both gave one last wave, then Epona was running through the burnt down woods towards Hyrule Field.
"Wait, Link!"
Link quickly pulled on the reigns and Epona abruptly stopped before the spirit spring in Faron Woods.
"What's wrong?!" Link scanned the woods, searching for an enemy, or even worse, a hell dragon, hiding somewhere nearby.
"Listen," Zelda put her delicate fingers over Link's mouth to keep him quiet.
A soft, tinkling sound like the weeping of a fairy could be heard coming from the spirit spring.
Zelda dismounted Epona and slowly walked into the spring, not caring about her elegant dress getting wet.
Link dismounted, as well, and walked up and stood beside Zelda.
"Faron," Zelda called softly.
A light orb appeared before them. Soon after, Faron's body appeared, hugging the orb as his long tail slowly wrapped around him.
"Princess Zelda… what an honor it is to see you well," Faron gave a small smile.
"The honor is all mine, Faron," Zelda gave a small bow before the Light Spirit.
Faron turned his head, "And Link, the chosen hero, is here as well."
Following Zelda's actions, Link gave a small bow.
Faron tried to smile for the two Hylians, but he was unable to hide the misery that flooded his eyes.
"Oh, Faron, does the loss of Ordona grieve you?" Zelda desperately asked. She hated to see this spirit hurting so.
Faron nodded, "Ordona's death has spread to the other Light Spirits. Hyrule is a darker place now. The devil is using those demons to destroy us, so there will be no more light in Hyrule."
Link stepped closer to the grieving spirit. "Faron, I swear, even if it means losing my life, I will not let the devil win. Hyrule will never see the evil darkness that threatens to cover it again. And," Link looked away from Faron, "Ordona died… protecting me. I will forever want to turn back time, back to that moment, so I could do something to save him. I'm truly sorry."
There was silence between the three as Faron and Zelda stared at Link.
Link gazed back up into Faron's eyes, expecting anger. Instead, Faron had a smile, slowly growing broader on his face. The misery that had once filled his eyes had drained.
"Ordona said if he ever should die, he hoped he would die doing something he believed was right. He died protecting someone. And not just anyone, the chosen hero. I now know he is in a better place with the goddesses and his light will shine from heaven down onto Hyrule, always. Oh, Link," Faron smiled at Link, "thank you for telling me that."
Link was surprised by the reaction, but he smiled at the spirit's happiness.
"Faron," Zelda stepped up to the spirit, "Ordona will shine his light on Ordon from heaven, but could you look after Ordon as well? The woods are dad and the Ordonians need hope, they need light. Please, look after them."
Faron gazed towards the border line where Faron Woods met Ordon. Lushes, green tress suddenly turned into bare, black trees. Smoke still continued to rise from the burnt out inferno.
"It will take time, but I will look after them. They shall see light once again."
"Thank you, Faron," Link and Zelda bowed again to the Light Spirit.
"No, thank you. You have eased my grief. Now I am at peace once again. I shall inform the other Light Spirits and they will be happy as well. May the goddesses shine down on you and protect you on your way."
With a bow of his head, Faron's body dispersed into what seemed like hundreds of fireflies.
Link and Zelda continued to stare until the last speck of light was gone.
"Link, we have to make one more stop before we go."
Link looked at Zelda confused, "Where, exactly?"
Zelda held her hand out. "Give me your hand."
Link slowly reached out his hand. As soon as his hand met hers, a strong wind blew around them.
The last thing Link heard was a soft humming, like the hum of a child, coming from the spirit spring.
The strong wind finally died down. Link opened his eyes. He was still holding Zelda's hand, but they weren't at the spirit spring anymore.
It took Link a second to realize that they were in the ruins of the Temple of Time… the sacred grove… the resting place of the Master Sword.
"Come on," Zelda lead Link between the two guardian statues and through the crumbling, narrow hall.
The two emerged into a large, circular, grassy area. Trees surrounded and covered the open space. The only light that broke through the trees, shone down on a sword.
Zelda let go of Link's hand and looked into his eyes. "It's been waiting for you."
Link looked away from Zelda and towards the blade of evil's bane. He took a quick breath and slowly walked towards it.
As he drew nearer, the sacred blade gave a radiant glow, sensing the presence of its master.
Link was finally inches away from the sword. As he hovered over it, he remembered how it had saved him from being trapped as a wolf. He remembered destroying countless foes and even piercing through Ganondorf with this very blade.
"Hello, old friend," Link smiled as he reached out to touch it. A surge of energetic power coursed through him as he grasped the cool hilt and pulled the Master Sword out of its pedestal.
Link held the majestic sword over his head so the blade caught the light from the sun. The glow and power that emanated from the sword told Link that it was ready for action.
A god-awful roar pierced the peace that surrounded the sacred grove.
Link quickly looked to the sky, remembering that dark, mahogany hide and those evil, black eyes. I know that roar anywhere…
"Link! My people are in danger! We must go, now!" Zelda ran up to Link and took his hand. Before he could react, the strong wind picked up again.
The roar came again and again as Epona raced across Faron Province. Dark clouds loomed and swirled over Hyrule Castle.
"I hear it, but I don't see it!" Link shouted to Zelda over the thunderous roars.
"It's probably hiding above the clouds!" Zelda shouted back. "We'll have to get closer to the castle if we want it to show itself!"
As they neared the steps to Castle Town, a thick lightning bolt shot down from the sky, right in front of Epona.
Link jerked the reigns back so they wouldn't be shocked. Epona reared up, spooked from the lightning and the dragon's presence.
Link quickly looked up to the black sky and, sure enough, he saw a navy blue dragon creep out of the clouds.
This dragon's coloring was much different than the mahogany one Link encountered. This one was a dark, navy blue, like the color of the night sky. Metallic, silver stripes lined and zigzagged over its dark hide like lightning. The only thing similar about the two dragons was the eyes. Those charcoal, black eyes, both flaming with hatred.
Link was so entranced by the beauty of the dragon, that he didn't see the sparkling energy ball forming in its mouth.
"Link!" Link came to his senses and was barely able to move Epona as the lightning struck the ground.
"No way!" Link stared in horror as the dragon disappeared above the clouds once again. "I thought dragons only breathe fire!"
Zelda shook her head. "These dragons control the elements and other phenomenon. You have to be ready for anything."
The sky began to glow.
"Run, Epona!" Link urged Epona to keep running as lightning kept flashing from the sky, threatening to strike the Hylians down.
"We'll never be able to kill it if we can't see it!" Zelda shouted as she readied her light arrows. "Got any ideas?!"
Link looked around, trying to find another idea then the one he had, but to no prevail. "Just one. Here," he handed Zelda the reigns. "Stay on my left, but don't stop running, no matter what."
As soon as Zelda had a firm hold on Epona's reigns, Link jumped. He rolled forward to illuminate the impact of the fall and took out his bow. He reached into his quiver for an arrow, never taking his eyes off the sky.
Come on… come on…
The navy blue hide appeared again. The dragon's eyes never left Link as another lightning ball began to form in its mouth.
Link knew he only had one shot because he couldn't dodge the bolt that was to come. He waited until the dragon was ready to strike. "Zelda, now!"
A light arrow pierced through the dark sky and hit the dragon's left eye.
The lightning dispersed from its mouth as the dragon gave a roar of pain. It hovered in midair as it clawed away at the arrow in its eye.
That's one. Link thought to himself as he readied his bow. He aimed his arrow and fired.
The dragon's agonizing roar grew louder as Link's arrow pierced its right eye.
The thunderous roar died down as the dragon fell from the sky and landed on the ground with a loud boom.
Link breathed heavily as he slowly approached the dragon's limp body. Blood poured from its eyes and its breathing had ceased.
Link let out a long breath.
"How sure of that plan were you, Link?" Link turned away from the dragon and saw Zelda and Epona coming towards him.
"Hmmm… about fifty percent," Link smiled.
"Only half?! You know you could've been killed!"
"I'm about fifty percent sure with all the chances I take. And about… fifty percent of them actually work," Link laughed as Zelda crossed her arms and gave him a stern look. She reminded him of a mother scolding her child for tracking dirt into the house.
The dark clouds that had loomed over the castle started to thin and disperse, revealing the bright, luminous sun.
Link lay down on the grass and breathed in the fresh air. "Man, that one was a handful. I can't imagine what the other dragons are like."
"Well… you'll find out soon enough…" Zelda's voice hardly came out as a whisper.
Link sat bolt upright at the sound of Zelda's voice. "What do you mean?!"
Zelda pointed. Link followed her gaze across Lake Hylia, to the desert. His eyes widened in horror at the sight of hundreds of dragons flying out of the Arbiter's Grounds and flying straight at them.
Link scrambled to Epona and quickly mounted her. "Zelda! Get on!"
Zelda shook her head. "I can't leave my people. I won't," she raised her bow, brought her arrow back, and fired. The light arrow hit one of the dragons and it went plummeting down into the lake. "Go, I can hold them off!"
"No! I told you I was going to fight by your side this time!"
"They want both of us. It's even worse if we're together. You must go!" Zelda fired arrow after arrow, trying to stop as many dragons as she could before they reached the castle.
Link clenched his fists, not wanting to leave, but knowing that Zelda was right. "I'll go, but I'm taking those dragons with me!" He urged Epona to run out to Hyrule Field as he unsheathed the Master Sword. The glow that emanated from the blade caught the attention of most of the approaching dragons and they pursued the young hero as he raced away from the castle.
"One… after another… after another!" Link was becoming frustrated as he continued firing arrows at the ever pursuing dragons.
Epona had been running across the Eldin Province for quite some time. Link estimated that he had shot down about thirty dragons so far. He reached into his quiver to shoot an ice dragon that was quickly closing the distance behind him, to find the quiver had about five arrows left.
"Great," Link sighed as he shot the ice dragon. "The time I need arrows, I'm basically out!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Link saw the Bridge of Eldin. If we can get across that, we could hide out in the Hidden Village until I'm able to restock on arrows. "All right!" Link veered Epona to the right.
Epona quickly raced towards the bridge with the dragons right on her tail.
The bridge seemed so far away to Link, it felt like forever till they finally reached it.
"Come on, Epona! Let's cross this bridge and we'll be home free!" Link felt a little bit of hope as they raced across the bridge.
His hope was shattered when a bright, crimson red dragon landed in front of them.
Link veered Epona to make a sharp left, which brought them very close to the edge of the bridge. Link cringed as he peered at the black gorge below them.
Epona raced back to Eldin Province to be stopped again by a dull, gray dragon.
Before he could react, Epona reared up and Link found himself falling down into the endless gorge.
He reached his arms out for something, anything, and he managed to grab hold of the edge of the bridge.
Link struggled to hold on, but it was proving to be difficult to hold on to stone.
Epona panicked as the dragons inched closer to them, but she didn't want to run without her master.
Link noticed the dragon's gaze was not on Epona. "Epona, run! You have a chance! Go back to Princess Zelda!"
Epona stomped her hooves, her eyes wild with fear of the dragons and determination to save Link.
"Run!"
Hesitantly, Epona raced around the gray dragon and back to Hyrule Castle.
As soon as he knew Epona was safe, Link brought his attention back to the two dragons that now loomed over him.
The crimson, red dragon opened its mouth to reveal a forming fireball. The dull, gray one opened its mouth to reveal what looked like dust swirling around its razor sharp teeth.
"Great! We got fire and wind," Link tried to hang on, but his arms were numb and he could feel himself slowly sliding off the bridge.
He glanced at the hell dragons above him who were preparing for the kill. He glanced at the bottomless pit below him, not entirely sure where it lead to.
Choose…
As the dragons readied to strike, Link closed his eyes and let go of the bridge's edge.
Another note: I completely forgot to write this into the story. When Link and Zelda go to the sacred grove, Zelda uses Farore's Wind to get them there. You Zelda fans probably already knew that, but just in case you were confused. Sorry if I confused anybody.