Light and Fire

Far from the Tower of Gods, deep under the surface of the Great Sea, the Zola leader paced back and forth on the ledge.

"What the hell is she doing! Hanging around with a stuck up Hylian! Our sworn enemy! I'm the King of the Zola and she is supposed to be here! Didn't her stupid teacher teach her anything about them treacherous snakes!" the powerful male Zola said, walking around on his throne in his underwater palace.

"Um, Lord Savire. Our spy groups have reported that the Hylian boy and his little sister were seen by the Eastern Triangle Island. They pulled something up from the bottom and then went it full speed back to the Tower of Gods," the messenger saluted.

"Thank you, now what to do with that tidbit of information," Savire wondered turning it over in his conniving mind. Suddenly he smirked savagely as he came up with the perfect plan…

Mali looked at Nevina oddly, taking in the girl's pale face. Nevina was staring at the particular figure on the tapestry.

"Mali, that man right there is the son of the Sage of Light, Rauru. That son is my father which means I'm the new Sage of Light," Nevina said, her voice calm but she was still pale.

Mali looked as though she wasn't that surprised; she just gazed at the tapestry in wonderment.

"I wonder how many secrets are actually woven in the ancient threads of this tapestry," Mali wondered.

"If Nevina is the Sage of Light, then what is the power of old?" Link asked, looking at Nevina expectantly. Her face reddened slightly as she tried to explain, but Mali intervened.

"Link, the power of the sages isn't given freely. It must be earned," Mali said rather curtly, "The goddesses often have given a sage a task to complete, especially if they are going to be initiated into sage hood. However Nevina might not have such a task, the Sage of Light resided in the Temple of Light in the Sacred Realm, a place not walked on by mere mortals," Mali said, glancing back at the tapestry.

Nevina nodded and gently raised her arms. A symbol of light appeared on her forehead as the power of the Sage of Light came forth. The Medallion of Light appeared and floated in front of Mali. Nevina stared back at Mali with golden eyes.

"The power of a sage resides in the medallions, it is a gift to those who wield it," Nevina said and the medallion dropped into Mali's hands. Mali's eyes widened as she held the power of a sage in her hands.

"Nevina, surely the power goes to the hero?" Mali asked tentatively, glancing curiously at Link. Nevina shook her head slightly but hesitantly.

"It would have, however your linage has decided that although the Hero of Winds is indeed a descendant of the Hero of Time, he doesn't receive the power unless he becomes worthy of it. After all the box is one of your family heirlooms and so it was meant for you to open," Nevina said, gazing at the box in Link's hands.

Link looked shocked, he was a descendant of the Hero of Time? Mali slowly walked towards Link and placed the medallion in the keyhole of the chest that Link had just brought back.

There was a bright flash of golden light and the lid of the chest opened. The medallion fell back to the floor with a metallic ring on the stones.

Mali reached into the chest and extracted the silver Triforce shard and another piece of parchment. She also picked up the medallion from the floor where it had fallen. She carefully inspected the Triforce piece and gently placed it in Link's hand.

"I don't think it will fit in the box until the other half of it is found. This parchment is another location for a silver Triforce shard. It also says ignifera," Mali said, frowning slightly. The word sounded familiar to her, but it wasn't a Hylian word.

It was a distinctive word of one of the six races of Hyrule. She knew it wasn't Zoran for she was of Zoran descent. Kokiri, Gorons, Gerudo and the Sheikah all had had their own individual language but they all knew Hylian. So she wondered which race this ancient word belonged to.

Nevina had lost the glow of the Light Sage and was standing nearby watching with interest. The other sages were still a mystery even to her, but she knew they would figure out the whole riddle.

The silver pieces of Gold

The Power of Sages old

The Keys of Time's Realm

The Melody of Helm

The Treasure of Harkinian

But Nevina had to wonder, what about the other sages. They wouldn't have the privilege to see the tapestry and hear the words of the ancient sages so how would they know. Or did they already?

"Well, that was certainly a fantastic light show," Tetra spoke up, her sarcastic voice breaking though the solemn atmosphere. Mali and Link both blinked for a moment before Mali cracked a smile and Link began to chuckle.

"I'm sure we will see more light shows," Mali said with mock severity. That got everyone laughing, lightening the mood considerably. Nevina smiled while watching her friends laugh.

Mali was still laughing as she placed the Light Medallion in the carved out space on the lid for it. It glowed softly and so did the single Triforce piece in the lid.

Nevina felt word spring to her lips unbidden by any thought.

"A merchants pack I hold, the power of a sage old I know," Nevina said softly. It wasn't heard over the noise of their laughter and Nevina forgot it as soon as the thought had come.

"Miss Tetra! There has been an unknown specimen sighted to the north of the tower!" a guard from the lookout tower shouted. Mali's head snapped up and she ran to the top of the tower surprising the party.

Link followed with a confused gaze. He wondered what was going on. Mali made it up and snatched the telescope out of the hands of an astonished Zuko.

"Savire," Mali muttered angrily. Her eyes held a passionate hatred for the being that was now swimming deep down under the water.

"Who?" Link asked coming up beside her and looking down. Tetra was there shortly.

"Savire, the tyrant leader of the Zola tribe," Mali said bitterly, hurt and anger behind her voice.

"What does he want?" Link asked, his voice growing icy and dangerous.

"Me," Mali whispered, watching as the swimming figure swam into the darkness beyond the light of the sun.

"Why you?" Link asked, feelings of protection overwhelming his anger.

"He is supposed to be my husband," Mali said calmly. Link's eyes widened as he realised why she had tensed when he had touched her. She was already married!

"I'm so sorry Mali…" Link said but was interrupted by her.

"Don't be, I never told you about him and I didn't want to. He is abusive," Mali said pulling her sleeve up to show him the bruises made from his teeth.

"So you ran?" Link asked concerned. Mali shook her head.

"No, something came up and I was left behind." Link decided not to push anymore.

"Is he dangerous?" Link asked, glancing back down into the ocean. Mali nodded quietly.

"My advice that any further adventuring will be done on Tetra's large boat. The Zola warriors are few, but there are enough of them to capsize your little boat," Mali suggested. Link nodded in agreement and together they descended back down to the tapestry room where the others were waiting quietly.

"It would seem that time is starting to run short to solve our riddle. We have to get going. Mali, you said that the next silver Triforce chart leads us where?" Link asked.

"It leads to a region not far from North Triangle Island. Also the word ignafera was depicted on the chart, I believe it stands for a Goron word, but I don't speak the Goron native language," Mali said with a frown.

"Ok, we are all going on. Everyone of us," Link said, pointedly looking at Nevina. Nevina was about to refuse but then thought better of it. Tetra nodded, detecting the danger of the situation that had suddenly come to be.

"We are going to get the next chest, it is our only clue right now, other than ignafera, but until I find a Goron I have no idea what it means," Mali said lightly. Link chuckled quietly and they all boarded Tetra's ship with her regiment of pirates behind her.

Mali found her way up into the crows nest and was carefully keeping an eye out for the tyrant leader…

Savire couldn't believe it! They were using a boat that the tribe couldn't capsize!

"Hmm, well done my flower, well done," Savire muttered. He wanted his flower back safely but he couldn't for the life of him figure out what they were looking for.

All of his spies couldn't tell him what was in the chests that were pulled from the sea. He was also trying to figure out what had possessed Mali to leave him. He loved her.

"Lord Savire, do you want us to follow the Hylians and Mali?" the Zola asked.

"No, don't waste your energy. We will get her back soon enough, you've earned a rest," Savire said with an exasperated sigh.

Soon the co-ordinates for the Northern Triangle Isle brought the island into view. Link used his grappling hook to bring up the latest chest and she watched as Aryll and Tetra helped heave it up the side of the boat.

Link was about to open it when he saw the words on the chest and another circular symbol. He banged his fists down on the lid in frustration.

"Why can't it be easy for a change!" Link demanded. Suddenly Link felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to see Mali looking at him calmly.

"Those words will be easy for you to solve, I'm sure you've come across them before. The words on the chest say A merchants pack I hold, the power of a sage old I know," Mali said, reciting the text on the lid of the treasure chest.

Link blinked for a moment before realizing what it was talking about.

"The merchant sailors on Bomb Island, Mother and Child Isles and Greatfish Island," Link said, confusion on his face.

"But why would the chest send us to them, they are just like the rest of the Hylians," Link said, confused.

"I guess they are supposed to know the answer, the closest one is on Mother and Child Isles. I guess that is where we are supposed to go next," Mali said, glancing at the island for a moment. She could see the outline of the Goddess Din holding her pearl.

"I tried to retrieve the pearl when I brought up the chest by East Triangle Island, I couldn't move it," Link said quietly. Mali nodded and then recited the riddle.

"The silver pieces of Gold,

The Power of Sages old,

The Key's of Time's Realm,

The melody of Helm

The Treasure of Harkinian,

Maybe the pearls will become accessible to us after we collect all of the keys before them," Mali suggested. Link nodded in agreement.

The Golden Spirit continued northwest toward the Mother and Child Isles. A ruckus on the deck brought Link and Mali's eyes down to see what was going on right below them. Tetra was having a heated argument with Nudge and Senza.

"But Miss Tetra, what is the point of going to the Mother and Child Isles. Can't we at least stop at Windfall, we haven't been in the company of the good folk there for such a long time," Senza said, trying to convince Tetra to stop at Windfall, but he didn't look like he was doing a great job of it since Tetra was frowning deeply and her lips were pressed into a thin line.

"Do I look like I need the company of the village folk right now?" she said, her anger very noticeably ready to be released in a fury at Senza who took a step back not liking the sudden fire in her eyes.

Link pulled Mali away indicating that it was safer if they weren't caught listening in on the argument. He knew from experience where that would take a person.

"We are on a mission here! Hello!" Tetra retorted, hands out ready to strangle one of them. Senza backed down slightly but Nudge decided to try and sway Tetra.

"But Miss Tetra, we are running low on fresh water, we won't make it to wherever we are going," Nudge stated, pointing to the lone barrel. Tetra ran a hand down her face in frustration and then she lashed out.

"And how do you know we are going far?" Tetra asked in barely contained fury. Nudge visibly swallowed before venturing to answer his captain.

"We don't know Miss Tetra, but we do know that ifwe head out to open seas without water we won't make it back alive," Nudge said nervously. Tetra's eyes flashed dangerously.

"We are going to Mother and Child Isles, besides with Link on board we can get to many of the islands in a blink of an eye. If we do end up sailing somewhere that requires a long journey we will stock up then. Now get back to your duties," Tetra hissed, turning away from them angrily.

"I think we had better stay up here for a while," Link said to Mali watching Tetra stomp off to her cabin.

"I agree," Mali said, glancing back at the water for a moment. Link stood beside her watching the landmarks and soon the familiar outline of the Mother and Child Islands were visible. It was a matter of about twenty minutes before they were as close as they could get to the island without getting stuck on a reef.

"Link, you and Mali go ahead, we will wait for you here on the ship. It shouldn't take you long to find what you need," Tetra said grumpily. Nevina and Aryll decided that it would be wise to listen to Tetra. After all she still wasn't in a very good mood. They nodded and dove overboard.

Mali and Link swam quickly knowing that if Savire's spies were around they would be very vulnerable. Mali was the first one onto the island and she squeezed the water out of her hair and her shirt. Link also was wringing water out of his clothes. Link took her to see the Merchant on the top of the Child Island.

"Ah, so the little sailor has finally come to visit me. Do you have anything to trade with me?" The merchant asked cheerfully. Link chuckled good-naturedly and shook the hand of the merchant, noting the different texture of his hand for the first time.

"No unfortunately, but I do bring with me a riddle. Mali here will explain what we have found and how it concerns you," Link said, introducing the red head.

"Link speaks the truth. We have found a box that concerns the power of a sage old. We were wondering if you knew whom this sage might be and where to find them," Mali said, showing him the symbol on the box. The merchant had an unreadable expression due to the hat covering his head.

"Hmph, that is the symbol of the Sage of Fire. You will find him on Ignafera Island. That is the homeland of the Gorons; you will find it northeast of Overlook Island," he said gruffly. Mali glanced at him curiously.

"Is it supposed to be unknown?" Mali asked, looking at him knowingly. He nodded.

"Ignafera is a Goron word, do you know what it means?" Mali asked grinning mischievously at him. Link sensed that Mali knew something that he didn't.

"It means fire, and why are you so curious about me?" He asked suspiciously.

"You are a Goron yourself," Mali shrugged. He looked speechless for a moment before answering.

"Yes, I suppose I am a Goron. How on earth did you figure it out though?" He asked.

"I've seen your type before. I'm a Zola of the old world, and I remember. However we would like to thank you for your assistance but we must get going," Mali said, turning around and jumping back into the water and she began swimming for the ship.

"Yes thank you. Talk to you again and we will tell the Sage of Fire that you and your brethren are well," Link said before following Mali to the ship.

Tetra's crew threw them lines and then hauled them aboard. Mali quickly told Tetra what they had found out.

"Well, I guess we will be stopping at Windfall. Link could you get us there fast?" Tetra asked. Link nodded and pulled out the Wind Waker from his pack. He conducted the Ballad of Gales and the cyclone came and took them to the skies and dropped them just south of Windfall Island.

"Ok crew, we are staying the night at the Windfall Café so you had better be on your best behaviour," Tetra shouted as her regiment of pirates ran to the side of the boat and jumped overboard and were swimming fast for shore. Tetra and Link were shaking their heads at the pirates as they disappeared onto the island.

Mali was glancing at the island with a slight bit of apprehension. She didn't want to be alone with anybody.

"Alright, lets go Link said, grabbing Tetra and Mali's hands. They both jumped down to the docks and went to the Café leaving those that decided to stay on the boat for the time being. Tetra left Link and Mali to find her rambunctious crew.

"So, do you want to tell me what happened that you are afraid to be alone with me?" Link asked quietly. Mali was surprised that he had brought it up so quickly. They had found a nice shady bench to sit on.

"Well, um, Savire abused me and I guess I have lost my trust in all men," Mali said just as quietly.

"What kind of abuse?" Link asked, knowing deep down exactly what kind of abuse she had been put through.

"Verbal, sexual, you name it and I've probably endured it," Mali said, her voice growing even more quite and thoughtful.

"I would never do that to you Mali. You are too special," Link said huskily. Mali glanced at him before turning away.

"I appreciate that Link, but I don't think I'll ever be ready to get close to another man again. I'm sorry," Mali said, getting up and going into her and Nevina's room at the café.

Link sighed deeply before going into the café to order a drink. He couldn't figure her out. What had changed, she was still the girl that was flirting with him when she had first appeared on Outset Island, what happened to that carefree girl?

Mali was relieved to see that Nevina wasn't around and she sat on the edge of her bed. Her thoughts were confused and jumbled. She kept seeing betrayal and lies. She didn't really know trust and love. She had been a tool for the Lord of the Zolas and nothing more. And now he was hunting her down. She had no idea which way to turn. To run into the safety of Link's arms or to surrender herself to keep Link and all of her new friends out of danger? With a sigh she fell into a restless slumber.

"We are coming for you Mali,"

Another chapter done yay!

Alchemistangel- Thank you for the review.

Ultmate Lifeform – Hope you follow now lol. This chapter is for you.

Living Arrow – Thanks Arrow for the review!

Sparkly Faerie – Thanks so much, talk with you soon. I also added the riddle twice for you ;p

Dragon Sword Master – Hey thanks for the review, hope you enjoyed this latest chapter.

Emeralddestiny – Thanks Emerald, you save my life all the time with this story writing business! Great to have ya back

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Thanks to the rest of the readers, would appreciate a review though! Thanks!

Luv Kariah