***A/N: Hey guys! Sorry this took forever but I finally got a new chapter! I think from now on I will try to post at least two or three chapters each week, starting this Monday. (Sundays are usually my writing days) So here's on chapter for now and I will post again this Monday!
Chapter Seven: Gerudo Valley
Princess Zelda kept her eyes trained on the moon hovering outside her window. The arms of shadows stretched over the floor of her bedroom, keeping a silent watch. She pulled a light shawl tighter around her shoulders and did her best to keep her teeth from chattering. She had just awoken from a very unpleasant dream, in which she watched her beloved kingdom perish beneath a torrent of heavy waves, rising up angrily from a hungry sea….
She had no idea what it meant, but her past experience with dreams told her to worry about it. She could not be sure whether this was to happen—or—if it'd happened already.
She gazed out into the blue shadows outside, the castle courtyard a mere few feet below her. The white flowers turned their pale faces up to her, beckoning her to visit again. But she would not. She swore to herself to never visit that clearing again. Nothing would come of it, save for more pain and disappointment.
Her thoughts weighed her eyelids down and she turned her face from the soft glow of the window and gazed up to her pillows waiting for her at the head of her bed. She moved toward it out of habit but stopped when a light rap sounded at her door. Confused, the Princess lowered her shawl and opened the door to find Prince Marth gazing at her from the crack.
"Good evening Princess," he smiled pleasantly, "forgive me, your nursemaid had said that you were still up, otherwise I would not have bothered you at such an hour….but—might I come in?"
Zelda appraised him warily. "I don't think it is…appropriate…"
"I won't stay long," he said soothingly and a promise to keep proprietary was outlined in his next smile. Zelda stepped aside and Marth strode in, giving her room a quick look-over before facing her once more.
"As you know….we have that mission tomorrow…"
"Yes," Zelda replied simply, "you have been training for weeks now…"
"We have, I think we should be well prepared."
"I hope so."
Marth raised an eyebrow. "Are you concerned?"
"This is a war, I'm most certain I am."
Marth laughed. "There's nothing to fear, we'll all return safely….I'm sure everything will go well."
Zelda nodded but without any real effort. "What is your plan?"
"We're going to cripple the enemy. Once we get to the fort we'll plant explosives inside and set them off."
"Explosives?" Zelda repeated, mustering enough energy into her voice to raise it to a question, "what kind of explosives?"
"Bomb Flowers," Marth clarified with some disdain to Zelda's surprise, "I hear they grow notoriously fast, and are said to be grown by the Goron Tribe in the mountains."
"That's true…so you're going to plant bomb flowers inside the Gerudo Fortress? Won't you be seen?"
"Not if we're stealthy, which is what we're aiming for. We should be able to plant them inside and on the rooftops, then once they're all in place we can ignite them with fire and arrows from a safe distance."
"Sounds like a feasible plan," said Zelda.
Marth crossed his arms sourly. "Yes," he huffed, "that was the brilliant idea of that green swordsman your Captain so favors. He even took a trip to the mountains with Roy and bought seeds from the Gorons. It seems he has a great number of connections."
Zelda bit down on her lip, she wished the conversation hadn't taken this turn. "It seems so."
Marth began to pace, his fluid movements heated. "I really don't like that this supposed farmer has so many secrets. From the way he strategizes and talks you would think he was a war general—His knowledge extends far beyond his years as well—"Marth paused, obviously enduring some inner conflict by the way Zelda saw his features contort, "—Princess—I was wondering—Has this man….ever served under you? As a knight perhaps?"
Zelda looked away. "No," she whispered, "I have…never met him before…."
Marth studied her and as if satisfied with her answer relaxed his shoulders by lowering his arms.
"But," Zelda continued, "you can trust him, Marth. I know that much."
"You know that much? You just said you've never met him—"
"I know. I've learned that I am blessed with a supreme sense to judge character. We'll be safe as long as we follow his lead. If you trust me Marth, then you must trust him."
Marth narrowed his eyes but did not protest, instead, he crossed closer to her, blocking the moon's light.
"You know…I haven't been able to see you lately….I know it is because of what's been going on…but—I wanted to say goodbye before I left tomorrow."
Zelda caught his gaze just as his lips lightly pressed against her forehead. She froze, unable to say anything but Marth saved her from the obligation.
"Sleep well, Princess Zelda."
He left. Zelda sank down to the edge of her bed, her mind ticking on in the silence of the night. Suddenly, she became aware of a faint tune echoing from somewhere very far away. The notes rode on a high and light whistle, though called to her slowly and sadly. She closed her eyes as she tried to pinpoint the source of the sound and bit her lip to suppress the urge to open her windows and peer down into the flowered courtyard….for she knew what she would see: the top of a long green cap, with a blue ocarina held gently between two strong, gloved hands. She sighed. Her feet carried her to the window and before she could stop it, her hand pressed against the pane and swung it open, the music now flew to her. She peered over the banister of her balcony and sure enough watched the Hero of Time play on, his eyes closed in a trance like concentration.
Zelda listened, and leaned her cheeks on her arms as she folded them across the railing. She had heard him play many songs, many times. She had taught him most of his favorites herself, but this tune she did not recognize and wondered if he had composed it on his own. The notes began to dissipate, grow weaker as Link's eyes opened slowly and he pulled the oddly-shaped instrument away from his lips and it lay silently in his lap.
The Princess straightened and though she knew he must be aware of her presence by now, Link did not look up. She frowned, the anger she felt in the war counsel bubbled in her stomach. Did he honestly think she would not hear his ocarina from where he sat? So close to her window…in the sacred spot where they always seemed to meet? Of course he knew. Why else would he come here? But if he wanted her attention he had it, why did he not say anything?
Zelda scoffed and turned back to the comfort of her room, a sudden rush of tears threatened to spill from her eyelids.
"That's called the 'Song of Healing.' It's used to calm troubled souls….you'll never believe who taught it to me…."
His voice barely rose above a whisper, but so dense was the silence in the surrounding darkness Zelda heard, and stopped at the threshold to the inside. Now it was her turn, what would she do? Before she could decide however, his voice came again.
"When I left Hyrule…I used it a lot in this strange place called Clock Town….mostly I used it on dead people…but right now….I can't think of a more troubled soul than mine or yours…."
A sob escaped her, and Zelda clasped her hand over her mouth to hide it. Dammit, why are you crying…? You said you were going to…stop…
"I'll be leaving tomorrow….gotta go and take everyone into the desert….maybe before we blow the place up we can find out what's going on over there, or what they're planning for us."
Zelda nodded weakly, fully aware he wouldn't see—but perhaps that was best. Her eyes carried to the double doors of her room, where the Prince had just vacated minutes before. An invisible dagger twisted inside her heart. Her future lay in front of her just beyond those closed doors waiting to be opened, and her past lingered behind her, sitting patiently in the little garden playing magical melodies into the night. Zelda looked over her shoulder and when she spoke her voice was harsh and shook vigorously with the weight of tears.
"What are you doing Link? Didn't you make it clear the other night we were saying goodbye? Why do you need to say it again?"
There was a pause. "I guess because…if I say goodbye again…then that means I got to see you once more."
Link glanced up, Zelda turned back, in time for both of their gazes to meet. Link stood and walked closer to her window.
"You know," he said, "I don't think we've ever fought before…let's not start now. I'd rather not end it…like this…"
"End it?" Zelda could barely get herself to repeat the words, "why does it have to end?"
"You know why. Malon is my wife…and Prince Marth is going to be your husband. I'm sorry…"
"Me too," Zelda whispered and she meant it. Link nodded and a smile lit up his face.
"Well, what are you still doing up? You should get to bed."
"I can't sleep. I—I had a very…strange dream."
"You too?" Link turned the ocarina over and over in his hands and sat down on the white steps. "Well dreams are dreams."
Zelda rolled her eyes. "You know my dreams aren't just dreams…and sometimes neither are yours."
"Maybe….but for tonight they could be just dreams. We've got enough to worry about don't we? If you want…I'll help you fall asleep."
Link put his mouth to the ocarina once more and began to play her lullaby. A smile cracked on her lips. She couldn't help herself.
"I'm not a child anymore…" she laughed but Link did not cease playing and Zelda walked back to her bed. Snuggling in cozily, she faded into sleep with the whistling tune floating in softly from her open window.
"It's so…..hot….."
Roy's head collapsed into his raised arm, whipping a load of sweat from his brow, Ike stuck out his hand to keep him from falling into his lap.
"Well what do you expect?" Ike said irritably, fumbling with the cork of a canteen. When the cap finally decided to snap off, he offered it to the redheaded soldier, "we're in the middle of a desert, of course it's hot."
"Yeah…." Roy drawled on, "but this…is…almost unbearable, how can anyone live all the way out here?"
"Stop complaining." Marth admonished quietly and craned his body over the neck of the cliff to get a good view below. The group had succeeded in crossing the worst part of the desert with good timing. Now, the huddle sat in an alcove they had been rewarded with after scaling a tricky cliff not too far from their destination. The flat rooftops of the Gerudo Fortress slept calmly below them, unaware of her assassins' careful watch. It was the unanimous decision to wait until nightfall to unleash their carefully planned attack and Link watched the blazing sun in anguish, trying to force its searing rays below the dusty horizon.
"Looks like we got here a bit early…" Impa spoke deeply.
"Yeah…well, I guess it was harder for me to cross before because I didn't know what I was doing…"Link muttered, "that damn ghost got me turned all around…"
Impa raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Nothing, nothing," Link waved her off, "it'll be nighttime soon enough. Let's go over the plan again…."
Everyone listened attentively as the discussion ensued, probably to make themselves feel like they were accomplishing something constructive in the idle hours they had to waste. Link was tempted to play the Sun's Song and be done with it, but if he excused himself to a secluded place it would confuse the others, and if he played it now outright it would warrant thousands of unwanted questions from his companions. The hours slipped away slowly…but they slipped away nonetheless. Dark shades of the night sky inked over the last red and purple bands of dusk, and bright yellow light began to shine from the once opaque windows of the fortress.
"All right," Link whispered, "everyone ready? Have your dirt and seeds?"
Synchronized nods swept through the group and they started their trek down the cliff to plant their feet in the soft sinking sand. The group could now make out the dark silhouettes of Gerudo guards patrolling around the outside. Link drew his bow string tight and he watched the others do the same.
The air whistled in a deadly chorus as countless arrows bit through the night, and when each woman had fallen Link gestured to regroup. They huddled together behind and enormous cliff craning its bulky neck out of the sand.
"Okay, this is where we split up," he reminded them.
Marth glared. "We know," he hissed, "Roy, Ike, and I will take that side, you and Impa will enter through there, and the captain and his men go through the middle and take the left corridor up to the rooftops."
A vindictive smile stretched across Link's lips. "I'm impressed your highness. I didn't know you were listening."
Marth made a noise not unlike a growl and without any further exchanges they parted ways. Link loaded another arrow as he ran, the sound of his footsteps becoming more pronounced when he and Impa reached the stone lined floors of the Fortress. They pressed their backs to the walls and Link stalked forward, risking a glance around the corner.
"I'll cover you," he told Impa who nodded and clutched the satchel in her hand tightly. With the nimble grace of the Sheikah she dashed on, crouched behind a small wooden crate cluttering the hall, and placed a small bowl of dirt on the ground. She then inserted one giant seed and placed both her hands over the plot. Magical flames burst from her fingertips and in the next instant a bulging round ball with leaves sprouted from the bowl.
"Good work," Link said, "now let's do the rest."
The Hylian hero and the Sheikah spent most of the night hours repeating the same process over and over again, careful to place the bomb flowers in close proximity of each other, so they would all explode once the final blow was delivered.
"Let's move on to the next one," Link hurried and stretched his bow in front of him once more as they rounded yet another corner and drew back immediately. Marching steadily down the labyrinth of corridors, clad in identical purple veils was an entire cluster of Gerudo. Link motioned frantically with his hand and pointed at a tall stack of boxes for Impa to get behind. He dropped to his stomach behind a row singly stacked crates just in the nick of time. The gerudo passed by dangerously close and entered into a large archway just beyond his view.
Two other women rushed by, looking disgruntled and clearly lagging behind the rest of the group.
"Must you always be late to everything, Shyza?" one muttered to the other.
"I'm sorry!" the second replied, "I didn't know she had called a meeting!"
"You're lucky I came to get you," the first hissed back, "and you're lucky the Great Nabooru forgives these small matters."
Link's eyes flickered to Impa's automatically, wondering if she had caught the name, but of course it would not mean the same to her now. The old Sheikah only stared back at him questioningly and Link turned back to the archway, straining his ears to listen to the conversation inside, but the distance was too great. He chanced a look around and made his way to Impa when the coast was clear.
"Keep planting bombs," he told her, "I have to get into that room."
"What?" Impa sounded appalled, "to what use? It doesn't matter what they're saying in there, from the looks of it their leader is here, which is good luck for us, by tonight they'll be done for."
Link's breathing froze. He had completely forgotten about Nabooru and what her role in all of this might have been. It seemed she commanded the Gerudo, but the Nabooru he knew wouldn't declare war on the land of Hyrule….she had helped to save it after all….
"I have to be sure of something," Link replied, "just go through with everything as planned and I'll be out before it's time to set the fuse."
"What is it that you intend to do?"
"No matter. I'll be out, just trust me."
Impa appraised him thoroughly and took in a deep sigh. "As you wish, make sure you're out on time."
"I will."
"Be careful."
"You too."
Impa darted around the opposite corner and Link headed after the Gerudo. Twin torches burned proudly on either post of the archway and Link peeked around the threshold. A bundle of Gerudo stood with their backs to him, all gazing respectfully ahead at a glorified chair. A woman dressed in white sat upon it, her flaming brown hair pulled back in a flourishing tail that draped over her left shoulder. A dazzling pink jewel sat on her forehead and a matching one blazed on a golden choker about her neck. Link realized that Ganon wore a red jewel hung just above his eyes in a similar fashion—perhaps it was the Gerudo symbol of leadership.
Nabooru was perhaps the most beautiful of all the Gerudo Link had ever come across, but then again, it was hard to appraise attractiveness when the subject danced around swirling lethal blades aimed at your vital points. The now Gerudo Queen kept her golden eyes trained on the floor and did not move for several moments. The less disciplined of the Gerudo let their eyes wander or exchange gazes with her fellows. Nabooru suddenly lifted her head.
"Girls," her voice carried softly, and all eyes returned to hers, "something….has happened."
No one spoke and none dared to divert their attention this time. Nabooru stood and swept long glances over both shoulders as she walked through the small gathering of her soldiers, "as you know, the hylian people have committed countless crimes against our tribe. First, they banish us to this desert where death is as common as the wind's breath. They have shut their doors to us, and attack us if we dare to enter in their markets or streets. The very sight of our golden eyes and tanned skin boil anger and hatred in their blood, and thus we are forced to live a life of tricks and thievery. But none have dared to go as far as this haughty noble bitch that rules that land of green now."
Link's eyes stretched and wavered at Nabooru's harsh words and tone. He never would have thought this kind of behavior from the Sage of Spirit, and it troubled him greatly. He wouldn't permit this kind of talk of his Princess, even from a friend. But was this an act?
Nabooru stopped her walk and raised her voice until it soared over the heads of all in the room. "That Princess has killed our Son of Prophecy! Our great King, for whom we've waited a hundred years….a hundred years our tribe has suffered, in hope that one day…our son would lead us into a triumphant age of prosperity. Hyrule has robbed us of our future! It is only fit that their sons should be sacrificed to atone for the lost of our Greatest. In the name of our Great King Ganondorf….will all of you fight to bring down our oppressors?"
A great roar leapt from the throats of the women, it raked through the air like the ravenous claws of lions tearing through flesh of freshly caught prey. Link watched in horror as they raised their spears, swords, and all manner of weapons in the outcry, and a wicked smile seared its way across Nabooru's bold lips at the sight of it.
She raised her beautifully muscled arms and the gut wrenching howl ceased at once. "We must act quickly sisters!" she cried, "everyone must evacuate the building now! It has come to my attention that we have been infiltrated! Leave now—and you two!" Her arm reached for something unseen, "bring that man to me!"
Link felt a violent jerk slice up his arms and he realized that his feet were leaving the floor. A screeching laugh pierced his ears and he desperately tried to fight the force tied around his arms as his body was lurched forward. When he finally managed to turn his head he gasped as he saw tiny, boney, fingers latched onto the sleeves of his tunic and when he raised his head he gazed into a bulging white eye, the dot serving as a pupil swiveling madly about.
"Surprised to see us?" cackled a voice in his other ear and before he could react his body was thrown forward again, his bones smashed into the stone pavement, his face bit into the thin carpet below. Another cackled cracked overhead.
"Pretty pathetic isn't he Kotake?"
"Oh look what you did Koume! Now his face is all bleeding!"
The twin screech that acted as a laugh wrenched Link's stomach. He sat up, his head still swimming with the shock of the impact. When the haze cleared he found himself staring into the blazing heat radiating from Nabooru's eyes and in the next instant her foot hurtled toward his face. He staggered back, landing face-up and watched two very decrepit looking women twirl around each other on broomsticks, flaming fire sprouted from the top of one head, while the chill mist of ice twisted out from the other.
Link instinctively rolled away from underneath the pair and his left hand whipped to the hilt at his back.
"Not so fast!" one of the witches shrieked and Link lost all feeling in his arm except excoriating strain as his fingers became frozen to the hilt.
"Heehehehe. Good one, Kotake."
"So this is him?" Nabooru asked lowering her face to Link's, "this is the man who's responsible for all this?"
The witches jeered together. "Oh you silly girl," Koume scoffed fluttering to the floor, "he's really just a boy—"
"—trapped in a man's body!"Kotake finished leering at Link with a sickening smile, "or…maybe not…I guess by now he would have grown up for real this time."
"What?" Link gasped, horrorstruck, "you….know…?"
"Of course we know!" bellowed Koume and with a quivering jingle, a thread of fire knocked Link back into a wall. He let out a scream of agony as the bones in his left arm snapped against the force, but Koume's spell had managed to melt her sister's ice away and now his arm hung broken at his side.
"We know all about you and your time traveling spree!" Koume spat, "we're witches!"
"Our magic lets us see into the past, present, and future!" Kotake cried with another cackle of glee, "even if neither of those have happened yet!"
With another jittering flutter Koume hovered to Nabooru's side. "Yes, this is the boy you want—"
"Besides Princess Zelda, he's the one MOST responsible for the Great Ganondorf's death…." Panted Kotake taking Nabooru's other side. The Gerudo glanced between the two witches and glared across the room to Link.
"Well then, capture him. I want him to be thoroughly punished!"
"Oh yes he will be punished!" Koume half screamed.
"Especially if WE take care of him!" Kotake added.
Then swiftly, a shattering blast threatened to shake the world apart. Smoke spun into the room followed by boiling heat. The witches screamed and took to the air immediately. Nabooru got back to her feet gracefully.
"What the hell was that!? You told me they wouldn't set off those fuses until the third hour!" she screamed at the panicky old twins.
"They were! They were!" Kotake shrieked.
"Someone must have escaped and set if off early!"
"Impossible!" Nabooru yelled as another rumble nearly tossed her to the ground once more, "I had my best girls take care of the rest!"
"Aiyeee! Aiyeeee!"
"Don't just sit there screaming Kotake! Get him!"
In the midst of the confusion, Link had managed to stand and tumble through the smoke into the escaping hall. He cursed himself for his own stupidity. He had forgotten all about Ganondorf's surrogate mothers and the fact that they would still be alive. Another blast thundered and tore away the wall just a few feet in front of Link. Heavy debris rained upon him, singing his arms and shoulders with hot ash. The smoke smothered him. He could barely see through the thick muck but heard shrill voices echo somewhere nearby.
"Did you know where we're going?"
"Of course not! How am I supposed to see anything in this mess!? When I find out who set that fuse off early I'll kill him!"
"My Prince, I can smell fresh air this way…"
Link coughed and he pressed on in the direction of the three human voices. Soon, he could make out the outline of a man and he reached out and took hold of his shoulder. A pair of dark eyes swiveled to him, a single strong arm raised a heavy sword high in the air.
"It's me!" Link choked out and Ike lowered his arm.
"Oh, it's you."
"Eeeeeeeeyaaa! There he is!"
Link threw his whole weight into Ike and succeeded in tackling him to the ground just as a jet of ice slinked over their heads. His left arm screeched in protest, the sudden movement dug his shattered bones into his muscle. A stream of fire followed and Link picked himself and Ike up from the ground and broke into a run.
"What are those?" Ike asked as he glanced over his shoulder.
"Never mind! Let's just get out of here before the building collapses!"
"I'll freeze you to your soul boy!" Kotake screamed and daggers of ice hurtled after the two swordsmen. They ducked into a corner and the icicles bit into the wall with steady thumps. Link could feel cool air brushing across his face; they must be getting close to the outside. The night air enveloped them welcomingly its tranquility shattered with the chain of eruptions rattling the building to its knees just behind them.
Link and Ike sprinted across the desert into the haven of jagged rocks and cliffs where Impa waited with Roy and Prince Marth.
"Thank goodness you made it back in time," Impa sighed with relief, "I didn't think anyone else had made it out."
"Where's the Captain?" Link asked searching for him.
"He's dead," Roy rapped out, "the Gerudo caught up to his group. Link, they knew we were coming!"
"I know…" Link sighed guilt settling upon his shoulders, "I forgot all about—"
"Look out!"
The group dashed into a clutter of rock as thick flame spewed all across the desert, lighting up the night with a blistering glaze. Link grit his teeth and fastened his round shield securely to his right arm. A howling laugh carried to them from nearby, the witches were getting close.
"All of you need to get back to the caravans!" Link shouted, "I'll deal with these two."
"Who?" Roy asked and screamed as the witches popped up from the shadows of the cliffs and danced gleefully above their heads.
"Go!" Link yelled and rolled away from Koume's next attack.
"Lookie! Lookie! He has friends this time!"
"Well that's not very fair!" Kotake wailed, "maybe we should even the odds!"
Her fingers gnarled together as she twisted her wrist in a circular fashion, a build-up of ice grew thickly in her palm. With a loud shriek she thrust her fist to the ground and the sand glossed over with creeping ice, forcing Link's companions toward a hollow crevice split in the cliff side. The ice scratched its way up the opening which sealed it shut.
"How's that for a makeshift prison cell?" Kotake scoffed.
"Not very neat, but it'll do," Koume muttered, "well are you ready boy? Once you're within an inch of your life we'll let your little friends out…then I'll torch them before your eyes!"
Link stood his ground—fighting against the pain brewing all down his broken arm. As long as he had his shield, he would be all right.
"Here comes round one!"
The searing heat reached for him like a roaring dragon and Link lifted his right arm. The flames ruptured into five clawing arms upon the face of his shield and lashed back at its master, screeching with a lust for its prey. The old witch evaded the flames promptly, with a shrieking squawk as she did so.
"What!?" she screamed, "I thought we'd destroyed that shield at the Spirit Temple! How did you get another one!?"
" Oh--You're so worthless Koume!" her sister yelled, "I'll show him."
Kotake speed ahead, hurtling her small old body fast as an avid arrow. The ice formed a spear in her wrinkled fingers. Link jumped swiftly away from the blow, clutching the tattered bones in his arm tightly. The witch soared away safely without a counter attack from Link. How could he? With his primary hand damaged, he couldn't draw his sword, and while it may be possible with his right, it was laden with the heavy shield and his defenses.
He raised it once more as Kotake unleashed her spear. It clanged against the shield's face with a shutter and he fell backwards as he managed to catch another onslaught of ravenous fire.
"What's this? Aren't going to fight back?" Koume jeered and pitched another jet of heat below her. Link threw his body to the right to roll away, the combination of the soft sand and his injury made it near impossible to leap back to his feet—
"Bingo!" Kotake shouted, "see? That's how it's done!"
The back of Link's right shoulder detonated in an acute rupture of pain. While distracted, Kotake succeeded in stabbing him through with her ice. Link tried to lift his left arm to secure his fingers around the stake, but his screaming muscle refused to submit to the command.
"You only won because I weakened him first!" Kotake spat and though Link couldn't see it, he knew she began charging another attack as sweat from an impossible blistering heat swam down the back of his neck. He shut his eyes, praying it would be over quickly and fear ripped his nerves apart until he stopped breathing.
What's taking so long!?
"KKKEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAA!"
Kotake roared a searing scream and when Link turned he saw her tumbling backwards, a strange light seeming to sprout from every pour of her body. Link's eyes darted franticly in the dark to possibly find a source for this strange event and a blinding ball of light began to grow in the distance. It hesitated for only a moment and then dashed towards Link, thinning out into a skinny strip. The comet crashed into the second Twinrova sister and her howl of pain was just as earsplitting. Link spotted movement from the dark and something sleek and blue flew past him in a sliver of speed. The new comer dealt a smashing kick into Kotake's jaw, separating her from her broomstick, dropped nimbly to the ground, and repeated the process to finish the other twin.
With both witches knocked helplessly to the ground, the stranger produced a large delicate bow and loaded a beautiful arrow. Light from the stars seem to gather at its tip and once it glistened with magnificent strength the stranger fired. The arrow hit Kotake, but instead of screaming in agony the witch disappeared in a black, smoky vapor. Koume threw a look of fear at the visitor and disappeared in the same manner. The stranger lowered his bow in disappointment and flipped his long golden bangs backward.
Link's eyes widened in comprehension. He recognized the tightly fitted blue costume, the high scarf wrapped around his face just beneath red eyes and white cap. His eyes trailed across the long tear dripping from the design of a large eyeball painted on the stranger's chest.
"Zelda….."
The stranger looked to him, the red eyes expressing nothing. A delicate finger was held up to his lips hidden behind the scarf. "I think I am called Sheik….remember?"