Chapter 6: the sage time

The next morning, Link was getting prepared for his upcoming battles. Kai watched him practice with his sword in the early morning, Link practiced moves that used both his sword and shield. Riku then showed up.

"Morning!" Riku greeted.

"Morning, Riku!" Link greeted back. Kai just groaned.

"What, did you not want me here?" Riku inquired. Kai just shook his head.

"No, it's not that. It's just that I'm not a morning person." Kai slurred while yawning. Link rolled his eyes at him.

"Well, you didn't have to come out here with me." Link stated. Kai groaned at him. Sari then bounced off his head.

"Come on, kid. Stop being a sour fox." She then pulled Kai's cheek, trying to snap him out of his sleepy state. Cecily then came over and pulled on Kai's other cheek. The two fairies kept on pulling his cheeks until he finally swatted them away.

"I can still feel pain!" Kai cried out. He rubbed his sore cheeks. "Why does everyone want to pull on something that's attached to my body? What's next, are they gonna start pulling on my tail?" Sari and Riku then gave Kai a creepy smile. Kai sweat dropped at them. "W-what?"

"You know, that doesn't sound like a bad idea." Riku said as he took a step towards Kai. Kai took a step back.

"I agree, Riku." Sari agreed, fluttering towards Kai. Kai took another step back. Kai then turned around and started running in the direction of castle town, with Sari hot on his heels. Riku stayed behind while laughing. He then walked over to Link with his blade in hand.

"Wanna spar?" Riku offered. Link took up his offer.

"Sure!" Link and Riku stood in a fighting stance across from each other. They both drew their swords and raced towards each other. Their swords clashed against each other as they sparred. Riku side stepped Link's attack and knocked his sword out of his hand and kicked him to the ground.

"Oof!" Riku laughed and helped Link up. "Thanks. Man, you're so good when it comes to using a sword." Link praised. Kai came back, covered in sweat. He saw Riku and Link laughing with each other.

"What's so funny?" Kai asked. Riku and Link's laughter died down.

"Oh, it's nothing." Riku chuckled. Kai frowned at Riku and walked towards Link.

"So, when are we going to commence with our plan?" Kai whispered to Link. Riku looked at them suspiciously while Kai smiled at him innocently. Link leaned towards Kai.

"We'll go through with it once the tournament is over." Link then saw Sari fly towards them in the distance. Sari landed on Kai's head.

"Shouldn't you two get going?" Sari gestured towards the direction of the castle.

"The tournament!" Link and Riku yelled simultaneously. They hurriedly gathered their things and raced off towards the castle.

"Come on, let's go watch the tournament." Cecily suggested. Sari nodded in agreement.

"Okay!" Kai, Cecily and Sari ran after Link and Riku to the arena.

At the arena, Kai and Riku had trouble obtaining some seats. Finally, Kai saw some seats at the edge of the arena, with a perfect view of the battles that occurred the day before.

"It's a good thing that Link's and your matches didn't happen at the beginning of the day." Kai commented as he and Riku sat down in the bleaches. Riku nodded in agreement.

"Link's match should begin pretty soon and my match is after the next one." the two boys then heard the gong go off, signalling the battle had begun.

Link and Riku had won many battles against the other contestants until the time came when they had to verse each other.

"Finally, after witnessing many great battles, we are now in the Semi-finals! The four final contestants are from the 4th division, number 102 and from the 6th division, numbers 38, 103 and 131!" The crowd cheered as the numbers were announced.

"Alright! Link and Riku made it to the semi-finals!" Kai cheered. Sari and Cecily cheered along with Kai.

"I shall now announce who is fighting who! For the first battle, number 38 vs number 103! And in the second battle, number 102 vs 131! Good luck!" Link looked over at Riku and smiled towards him, but Riku didn't return his smile. Link turned towards Riku in confusion.

"What's wrong, Riku?" Link asked.

"Link, in the arena we will not battle as enemies nor friends. We will battle as rivals." Link then smirked at Riku, Riku was completely taken off guard by this.

"I know, that's why I want this to be a fair fight." Link stated. He then took out his hand.

"We're rivals!" Riku smirked and shook his hand.

"Rivals!" Ralph then walked up to them with a smug look on his face.

"It doesn't matter who wins because you're gonna lose this tournament either way!" Link glared at Ralph as he walked away. Riku then put his hand on Link's shoulder.

"Don't let him get to you." Link sighed and nodded. He and Riku started walking towards the bleaches where Kai was waving at them.

"Hey, guys! Over here!" Kai called out to them. "So, looks like you're both versing each other." Link and Riku nodded their heads. All three boys heard the gong sound and looked towards the arena. There, they saw Ralph going against another boy, looking to be the same age as Ralph. No sooner had the fight started, Ralph blocked number 103's sword with his shield and used his sword to cut his opponents arm, not enough to cut it completely off though. 103 cried out in pain, dropping his sword and shield as he nursed his injured arm as blood poured out. Ralph wasted no time in kicking him, he kept on assaulting number 103 until he was bashed and beaten unconscious. The gong sounded, ending the battle.

"The winner is, Ralph! Someone get this boy a paramedic!" the crowd booed at Ralph while he just scoffed at them and walked of the arena. The paramedics hurried onto the arena to aid the fallen swordsman.

"I'm going to go and help them!" Cecily claimed as she flew off to the boy's aid.

"That was horrible!" Kai said horrified. Riku nodded his head.

"And to think that one of us has to fight him in the finals." Riku then turned towards Kai. "So how is Cecily going to help him? does she have healing powers or something?" Kai turned to Riku and nodded his head.

"Yes. You see, there are different types of fairies. Pink fairies can often heal wounds and injuries, while green fairies are forest fairies, blue fairies are navigation fairies. There are some rare types of fairies though, for example; yellow fairies are fairies of light and dark purple fairies are fairies of shadow. Do you understand?" Riku scratched his head.

"I think so. Hey Link! Do you have any idea what Kai was talking about? Link?" when Riku looked at Link, Link had a look of horror and anger on his face.

"That stupid arrogant selfish brat! He's not a true swordsman!" Link yelled out in frustration. Riku calmly put his hand on Link's shoulder.

"Hey, calm down."

"Calm down!? How can I calm down when that snobby brat thinks he can do whatever he wants.! Swordsmen are supposed to help the weak, not beat them up so bad that they can't even move anymore!"

"Listen Link, not all swordsmen are good people. I agree with what you said, but this was a battle. At least he didn't do this type of thing towards an innocent bystander." Link sighed and considered what Riku said.

"You're right, but still! He didn't need to go so far."

"Um, I don't know much in the ways of the sword, but I know that you can beat him in a sword fight, Link. The both of you can!" Kai encouraged. Link and Riku smiled at Kai.

"Well, we'd better head down to the arena for our fight then." Riku said as he got out of his seat and started walking down the arena, Link followed suit.

Link and Riku stood in the arena opposite sides of each other, waiting for the gong to ring.

"Remember, no holding back!" Riku told Link.

"Same to you!" not a moment later, the gong rang, signalling the start of the battle. Riku charged at Link and thrust his sword at him, Link side stepped his thrust and aimed for his stomach with the hilt of his sword. Riku however, saw this coming and stopped Link's blow with his shield. He then attempted to trip Link with his foot, Link did a backflip to avoid the tripping and created some distance between him and Riku.

"Come on, Link!" Kai cheered. "You can do it!" Link and Riku didn't take their eyes off each other. Link ran towards Riku hoping to catch him off guard, Riku also ran towards Link and their swords clashed together as they fought for dominance. Since Riku had a bigger build than Link did, Link was getting pushed back. An idea then came to his head. Link allowed Riku to push him back and when he had reached to the point where he would fall over, he slid under Riku, catching him off guard. Link then jumped up and swung his sword down on Riku's head. Dazed, Riku tried to fend off Link, but Link had the advantage. He threw his sword up in the air, successfully drawing Riku's attention away from him, even if it was for a second. Link then pushed his shield into Riku, successfully pushing him closer to the edge of the ring.

Before he could fall off, Riku grabbed Link's arm and swung himself over Link's head, picking up Link's sword in the progress.

"What are you gonna do without your sword!" Riku taunted him.

"This!" Link placed his shield in front of his body and ran towards Riku's shield. He picked it up and placed both shields in front of him. Link then ran towards Riku. Riku swung the sword in his right hand at Link, then his left. Link parried both attacks and did something Riku didn't see coming, he pulled his head back and head butted Riku. Riku dropped Link's sword, taking this opportunity, Link picked up his sword and kept swinging at Riku, forcing him towards the edge of the arena. Once he and Riku were at the edge of the arena, Link pushed Riku and himself off the arena. As soon as Riku's body hit the ground, the gong was rung, ending the match.

"Time! Wow, was that an intense battle! The winner of this match is, number 102!" the crowd cheered as Link got up. He then offered his hand to Riku with a smile. Riku smiled as well and took his hand gratefully. Kai then ran over to Link and Riku and tackled them both to the ground.

"Ha, ha! You two were great! I was practically falling out of my chair watching you two!" Kai exclaimed. Link and Riku laughed. Sari and Cecily showed up, agreeing as well.

"Ah, Cecily. How's contestant 103?" Link asked.

"Oh, he'll be just fine. I managed to heal most of his wounds, he's only left with a minor concussion." Cecily stated. Link sighed in relief.

"that's good."

"so, when's the final battle?" Sari asked.

"In 15 minutes." Link answered. Kai then offered Link and Riku some water.

"Thanks." They both said while taking the water gratefully.

After Link's 15-minute break, he was called back to the arena. Link got up from where he was sitting and headed into the arena. Link saw Ralph at the other side of the arena and immediately glared at him. Ralph only smiled at Link smugly.

"Here we are folks, at the finale of the tournament. Who will win? Will it be number 38 or number 102? Who knows, you will have to wait and see the outcome of this tournament. And, begin!" the gong sounded, signalling the start of the battle. Ralph and Link charged at each other with looks that could kill and let their swords clash.

"You better just give up now, you're gonna lose anyway." Ralph clenched out, trying to push Link back. Link gritted his teeth.

"there's no way in hell I'll give up!" With a surge of strength, Link pushed Ralph back and jumped back to create some distance between himself and Ralph. Dammit, got to admit he is pretty strong! Link held up his shield in front of him in a defensive stance when he saw Ralph charging at him. Link kept dodging his attacks with ease. His moves are completely random! It reminds me of my battle with Ganondorf! Link dodged Ralph's next attack, causing him to get angry.

"That's it! Come here you little punk!" Ralph then made a lunge for Link, but Link was faster than he was and sidestepped him. Ralph ended up falling face first onto the ground. He then threw his shield at Link. Link blocked the throw with his shield, then realised he made a fatal mistake. Ralph had run up to Link while he threw his shield towards him and knocked Link almost off the edge. Ralph then forced Link closer and closer to the edge, with Link struggling to get out of his grip.

"Link!" Kai, Riku, Sari and Cecily called out.

"Ha, ha, ha! This match is mine!" Ralph laughed.

"I don't think so!" Link clenched out and slid under Ralph just like he had done with Riku. Link then used his back to force Ralph off the arena using Ralph's strength against him. Ralph fell out of the arena with an 'oof', sat up and rubbed his head. The gong sounded, ending the battle.

"And we have a winner! The winner of this year's young swordsmen's tournament is, number 102, Link!" the crowd cheered for Link as he rubbed his head bashfully. He then walked over to Ralph and offered his hand to him, but Ralph swatted his hand away and stood, then ran out of the arena. The King of Hyrule then came with two guards behind him. Link's body stiffened when he saw him. it was King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule! Link immediately began to tear up as he thought of the King of Red Lions.

The King walked up to Link and held out his hand, but instead of taking his hand, Link hugged the King. The guards were about to tear him away from the King, but he raised his hand, stopping the guards assault. Realising what he was doing, Link let go of the King and bowed down. The King chuckled at him.

"Stand, young one." Link did as he was told. The King grabbed the sack of rupees and the magic enhancer charm and handed them both to Link. "Congratulations on winning the young swordsmen's tournament. You are the spitting image of The Hero of Time." Link took the sack of rupees and the charm gratefully. The King then shook Link's hand and left with the two elite guards trailing behind him. Link was about to call out to him, when Kai and Riku called his name.

"Link!" Kai and Riku called as they ran up to Link.

"You did it, Link! You won the tournament!" Kai cried out as he hugged Link.

"Yeah, congratulations!" Riku congratulated him. Link smiled at the both of them.

"I couldn't have done it without the both of you guys." Link exclaimed.

"What are you talking about? You so could have done it without me!" Kai stated. Link shook his head in disagreement. Sari then flew up and whispered into Link's ear.

"Don't you think it's about time to commence with our plan?" Sari inquired. Link shook his head.

"Not yet."

"So, are you gonna celebrate?" Riku asked.

"Unfortunately, I can't. We have to do something really important." Link claimed.

"Oh, then I guess I won't be seeing you for a while." Riku stated sadly. "Well, it was nice knowing you, Link. You too Kai, Sari, Cecily. I hope we meet again someday."

"Yeah." Link hoped. Kai started to cry.

"Aw, come on Kai, don't cry" Riku told Kai. Kai then ran up to Riku and hugged him, this shocked Riku, but then he smiled and hugged Kai back. He then opened his arms towards Link and Link ran and hugged him. they let go of each other.

"Well, I better get going. See you around." With that, Riku ran off towards castle town. Link sighed, then he turned towards Kai.

"Are you ready?" Kai asked. Link nodded his head, he then handed Kai the magic enhancer. Kai looked at it confused.

"So you don't burn on too much magic fuel." Kai nodded in understanding.

"Okay, gather around me and I'll teleport us into the temple of time." Link, Sari and Cecily gathered around Kai as he muttered an unknown language. A green wind then swirled around the group. When the group opened their eyes, they found themselves inside the temple of time.

In the temple of time was a pedestal with three gems sitting atop them. One was green, the other was red and the third was blue. They somehow stayed afloat in place. Link walked up to the pedestal when suddenly, a bright light appeared. Link and company covered their eyes at the blinding light. when Link opened his eyes, he saw a beautiful woman. She had long midnight blue hair that reached her ankles and blue-bell eyes. She had pink lips and fair skin, she wore a long white dress that was short at the front and cascaded behind towards her hind legs. The dress showed her delicate shoulders and had sleeves that hid her hands. She wore pure white sandals with the straps rapped around her legs. She had long ears, making her a Hylian.

"Greetings o young ones." Her voice was silky smooth as she spoke.

"Who are you?" Link asked.

"I am Raura, I was once known as the sage of time." Raura answered in a delicate tone.

"The sage of time?" Link had never heard of the sage of time before now.

"Yes, I was the guardian of the seal of the seven sages."

"Was?" Kai asked questioningly, as he walked up to her and Link.

"Yes, as you can see, I am now deceased." Raura stated sadly. She then looked towards Kai. "please, show me your true form." With a flick of a wrist, Kai's Hylian ears had been replaced with his fox ears and his tail had appeared. Kai stared at the woman astonished.

"H-how did you?" Raura merely chuckled.

"I knew who you were the moment you first stepped into the temple of time." Link then brought Raura's attention back to him.

"What happened to make you deceased?" Link asked. Raura looked into the distance with a pained look.

"I was murdered by the one known as the demon king." Link and Kai gasped in shock.

"You were slain by Ganondorf!? When?" Link asked. Raura looked back at Link and Kai.

"On the day when the King of Hyrule moved the blade of evil's bane, the master sword, into Hyrule castle."

The King of Hyrule entered the temple of time with three sacred stones and the ocarina of time.

"Sire, are you sure this is a wise choice?" Raura asked the King of Hyrule.

"Yes, I'm sure. Now once I place these three stones onto the pedestal, the doors of time should open. When they do, I want you to pull the sword from its pedestal and move it to the sacred room in the castle." Raura bowed down to the King.

"As you wish, my King." The King placed the three sacred stones onto the pedestal and played an ancient song. The doors of time then opened, revealing the master sword. Raura gracefully walked towards the blade of evil's bane and pulled it from its pedestal. A rumbling was then heard as darkness pooled out of the pedestal. Raura gasped as the darkness continued to pour out. She then turned towards the King, handing him the master sword.

"Hurry, you need to quickly place the master sword in the sacred chamber! I'll hold off this malice while you do." The King of Hyrule quickly made his way to the castle on horse-back. Meanwhile, Raura was fighting off the darkness inside the temple of time. The darkness then formed into a blade and struck Raura through the chest. Wounded, she used the last of her power to seal the darkness away into the sacred chamber as the King placed the sword into the new pedestal. With the darkness temporarily sealed, Raura collapsed onto the ground as blood gushed out of her wound. She started to lose consciousness and in her final breath, she whispered.

"Let my champion come soon."

Link and Kai remained silent after Raura finished her sad tale.

"Wow, you're really bad at your job." Kai commented. Link then swatted him on the back of the head.

"Ow! Sorry, that was insensitive of me." Kai apologized. Raura smiled at him.

"I'm so glad I chose you." Kai then looked at her confusedly.

"Chose me for what?" Raura looked at him sternly.

"The seal that locks the darkness away will not hold forever.We need a new sage of time," Raura paused, then continued, "I need you to be my champion, Kai. I need you to become the new sage of time!" Kai looked at her shocked.

"M-me!? Become the sage of time!? Sorry, no can do." Kai rejected.

"You are the only one with enough power to be the sage of time!" Raura was looking desperate. "Listen Kai, there is only one species that can handle the power of the sage of time and that is the Kitsune tribe. You are the sole survivor of the Kitsune tribe and have great power." Kai looked at Raura as if she were crazy.

"Great power? Yeah right! I only know, like, three spells! How is that power!?" Raura looked at Kai sadly. Link nudged Kai in the side.

"Ow, what?"

"You should just accept that you're the new sage of time, Kai." Kai shook his head at Link. Raura then sighed.

"You really don't remember, do you?" Kai looked back at Raura.

"Remember what?"

"How you escaped Ganondorf's wrath." Kai stiffened when he heard the demon king's name. "You had used your powers to teleport to safety. Before you escaped though, Ganondorf had shot an orb of darkness into you, sealing away most of your powers. The three magic spells that you were left with were spells granted by the three great fairies of Hyrule. Nayru's love, Din's flame and Farore's wind." Kai put his hand to his chest. Then a thought came to him.

"Hold on, you say that the Kitsune tribe is the only race that could handle the powers of the sage of time. Then how come you look Hylian?" Link also realised this.

"Kai's right. How come you look Hylian?" Link inquired.

"I am hardly considered a Hylian. I was created by the ancient goddess, Hylia and have been here, protecting the master sword, since the beginning of the master sword's birth. I was merely given this look, I am actually a deity." Raura stated. Link and Kai looked at her in shock.

"So, what happens if I become the sage of time?" Kai asked.

"You will be bound to this duty for the rest of your life."

"Oh, yeah that sounds really assuring." Kai said sarcastically. Raura looked at Kai with a look of melancholy.

"I am so sorry, Kai. I never wanted to put this burden on you, but you were the only one that I could turn to." Kai looked at Raura's sad look and gave in.

"Sigh, fine, I'll be your champion. I'll fulfil my duty as the new sage of time." Raura smiled at Kai.

"I know this is hard for you to accepted. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart." A ball of light then emerged itself from Raura's chest and floated over to Kai. "Absorb that orb. By absorbing it, you will have accepted the powers and the roll of the sage of time." Kai hesitantly touched the orb, it then went inside of him. Kai waited for something to happen but nothing did.

"Nothing happened." Kai stated.

"You don't feel the effects of the orb just yet. You have to give it time."

"Okay so what do I do now?"

"You will need to travel to the temples of the seven sages to break the curse by defeating the darkness in each of them." Kai then slowly turned to Link.

"L-link, you'll be with me, right? Right?" Link nodded his head. Kai sighed in relief. Raura turned her gaze towards Link.

"I can sense that you are not from this time. Are you?" Link remained silent. Kai looked at Link.

"Link, what does she mean by that?" Link remained silent.

"I understand." Raura decided not to say anything more. She then started to dissolve. "It looks like my time is up." Kai and Link gasped.

"W-wait! Raura! I need you to tell me how to get home!" Link called out to her.

"And I need you to tell me where to go!" Kai yelled out.

"Head to the forest temple in the lost woods. And as for you Link, you shall find your way home once you have helped Kai regain his former powers. Farewell, I leave Hyrule's fate into your hands." After those final words, Raura had dissolved into nothing. Link and Kai looked at where the former sage of time had once stood. Kai then used Forore's wind to teleport him, Link, Sari and Cecily to the entrance of castle town. Kai and Link remained silent.

"How about we quickly buy a few supplies with the money Link won. We need more food anyway and it would be wise to buy a couple of potions." Cecily suggested. Kai and Link agreed and headed towards a food stall. Link looked at all the types of food there was. He then grabbed some bread, meat, cheese, apples and picked up some carrots for Epona. He then paid for the items with them coming to a cost of 85 rupees.

Meanwhile, Kai had gone into the potion shop, looking for some red potions and green potions. Kai walked up to the shop attendant.

"Excuse me, can I please purchase 2 red potions and 2 green potions?"

"Sure! That will come to a total cost of 110 rupees with the red potion costing 30 rupees each and the green potion costing 25 rupees each." Kai handed the man the money, collected his things and left the shop. Link and Kai had a total of 405 rupees left. Link and Kai met up at the gate entrance. Kai saw Link saddling up Epona with his two fairy friends. He then walked over to them.

"So, are you ready?" Kai asked, Link nodded.

"Yep! Let's make our way to Kokiri forest." And with that, Link and Kai boarded Epona and rode off towards Kokiri forest.