Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the property of Nintendo. All original characters belong to me, and cannot be used without permission.
THE LEGEND BEGINS: RESURRECTIONBy: Janus Kamaren
Chapter VII: A Divine Standard
"Arise, Hero of Legend," Farore said. Link rose, keeping his eyes to the forest floor. He felt ashamed in the presence of his patron goddess.
"Had you forgotten us, Link?" Farore asked.
"O-of course not, my Lady," Link responded quietly.
"Then what happened?" Link took a breath. He realized that Farore knew his heart and mind, but he had to accept the responsibility of his actions. He still kept his eyes to the ground.
"I…" he began, "I put all my trust in my own strength. I've been attacked so many times over the last two years, and I told myself it was foolish to keep going on faith." He took a breath.
"But as I continually relied on myself alone, things only got worse. I knew the real reason why, but I refused to admit that I needed help. That I had made a mistake." Link looked up. Farore was looking at him expectantly.
"My Lady, I am so sorry," he said finally, looking down again. "I feel horrible."
A soft smile came to her lips.
"You are the Hero of Legend, Link, but remember that you are also mortal- you are not without flaws in character. Fortunately for the world, your strengths are far greater than your vices.
"However, do not believe that this exempts you from your own spiritual growth. Ganondorf Dragmire has made his move, and you do not have time for inactivity and indecision. Link, it is well that you have admitted your guilt, but we need action as well. I want you to show us your conviction." Farore extended her hand.
"Take my hand," she said. "You have matters to deal with in Castle Dragmire. It is time, Hero of Legend." Link looked to her outstretched hand, and back into the eyes of Farore. The goddess smiled once more. Link's hand joined hers, and Farore's smile grew fuller. The wind blew heavily, and in the blink of an eye, they were gone.
"Prince Talius, son of Harkinian the Bold."
"High Chieftain Gnollfang, village ravager," Talius responded.
The Hylian army, the badly wrecked Rauru Town behind them, faced the much larger Moblin army. Talius and Gnollfang, both mounted and flanked by bodyguards, had met in the middle of the battlefield.
"First," Gnollfang growled, "you will surrender Rauru Town, and pay us reparations for our losses, along with tribute to our people. Secondly, you will give us free reign over the Lost Woods. Finally, you will not intrude on our efforts to restore our lord Ganondorf Dragmire any longer. You will meet these demands, or we will kill every man, woman, and child present here, beginning with you, your grace."
Talius regarded his foe. Gnollfang spoke more intelligently than most Moblins, but he carried the same one-track mind of his brethren.
"No," Talius said simply. "I will not agree to that. Chieftain Gnollfang, as prince of this realm and as the son of King Harkinian the Moblin-slayer, I order you to return to your tribal grounds and never trouble our people again, or you will die this very day."
Gnollfang grew angry.
"Foolish boy, I fought your father in that old war- I have nothing to fear from you."
Talius nodded.
"Then I see that battle is our only option. This is the last mistake you will ever make, Gnollfang."
The two groups turned and headed back to their respective armies.
"Krin, this will be our only chance. Wait for my signal."
"Yes, my lord."
Talius turned back to the opposing army. The Moblins had begun a loud war chant, banging their spears into the ground, snarling and tearing at their own flesh. Talius squinted.
"What are they-?"
"They mean to frighten us, Prince Talius," Krin explained. "It is the beginning stages of their war chant, a ritual that's known to make even the most hardened veterans cower."
Talius looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Then let's not give them that opportunity." He motioned to one of his captains, who nodded in response.
"Archers! Fire!" A volley of arrows flew up into the morning sky, raining down into the Moblin army. The Moblins cried out, desperately raising their shields as they saw several of their companions fall to the ground.
There was a loud roar.
"I think you got their attention," Krin said. Talius unsheathed a sword, steadying his horse as the Moblin army began its charge. Foot soldiers took their place at the front line, holding their pikes in front of them. Volley after volley of arrows flew into the air, causing considerable damage to the Moblins.
"Steady!" Talius ordered, watching the Moblins come closer, more arrows raining down on them.
The cries of soldiers and clashing of steel rang out as the two armies met.
Link looked around, finding himself in a dark stone room. The air inside was chilling. His eyes slowly adjusted to the lack of light.
"Welcome back to Castle Dragmire, Link," Farore said. "The time has come for you to claim your birthright. Link, you have been chosen to bear the Triforce of Courage."
Link looked up to her. He was about to question this, but closed his mouth.
"You have exhibited the necessary character traits, and while not without flaws, you have borne your adversities with patience and strength. You have held and honored the title of Hero of Legend, and rightfully so. You have love, compassion, empathy, strength in body, mind, and spirit, and a firm commitment to duty. You have proven in the past that you hold the courage to do what is right for the world, even at great personal sacrifice."
Visions of his battle with Nathan flooded Link's mind.
"Link, son of Arn, as the Goddess of Courage, I ask you to once again prove your courage. Will you accept this test?"
Link looked to Farore again. He nodded.
"I will."
Farore nodded and closed her eyes. Suddenly, torches lit themselves and the goddess disappeared. Link walked down the now-lit corridor, taking a torch from off the wall. He heard approaching footsteps.
"Who's there?" he called out.
No response. He heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed. Link immediately drew the Master Sword and locked swords with his assailant. His eyes widened- his attacker was a shadow version of himself, different from the Dark Link he had met in his last battle. Its red eyes glared at him.
"Let us be one," the shadow said in a chilling voice. "I'll get us everything- power, money, glory, women- anything we could ever ask-"
Link rammed his torch into the shadow's chest and kicked it away. The shadow screeched as it burst into flame, suddenly rushing back at Link. Shouting, Link sidestepped and struck it in the back with the Master Sword. The apparition disappeared as quickly as it had come, its screams echoing down the hall.
Link wiped the sweat from off his brow. He continued down the hall, holding the torch out in front of him, keeping the Master Sword ready in his left hand.
Link stepped into a large, circular room. He dropped his torch- the room was lit enough. As he stepped further, a door slammed shut behind him. Cursing his luck, Link readied his sword, looking all over the room. It was large and empty, with a domed ceiling featuring stained glass windows that depicted images of Hyrule's god's and goddesses.
Link tensed as he heard the sound of stone scraping against stone. The wall on the opposite end of the room opened.
Through the opening stepped Ganondorf Dragmire. He drew his sword as the wall closed behind him. He had no readable expression on his face.
Link wasted no time. He rushed towards his foe.
Ganon took a few steps forward, but he suddenly stopped. He held his sword out in front of him, and let it fall to the ground.
Link came to an abrupt stop, completely bewildered.
"What is this, Dragmire?"
Ganondorf fell to his knees. He undid his blood-red cape and threw his ruby ring to Link's feet.
"I am finished," Ganondorf said, looking to the ground. "I was beaten when I first began planning my campaign. I'm tired of all the bloodshed, Link, and I want to put a stop to it." Ganondorf took a deep breath.
"I surrender," he said. "Please accept it, I beg of you."
Link thrust his sword beneath Ganondorf's chin. There was fear in Dragmire's eyes.
"I should kill you right now, Dragmire."
"No! Don't kill me, please! Please allow me to at least confess my guilt to Hyrule, though I may be executed for my crimes!"
Link knew that this was a part of his test, but his anger and hatred for the real Ganondorf Dragmire was taking control.
Kill him… something inside of Link spoke. It was the shadow again. His anger flooded him. Nathan's death, along with the deaths of countless others, were on this man's head. Were it not for Ganondorf, Link's life would have been much simpler. He would never have had to kill his friend, nor fought off numerous attackers for the last two years, nor have had to accept the curse of being Hero-
No, he thought, being the Hero of Legend has made my life harder in many respects, but easier in more worthwhile ways.
Kill him! the shadow spoke again. Being Hero of Legend is a curse! Take revenge for-
Link had no more time for this. Ignoring the voice, he looked back down to Ganondorf, who was still whimpering.
If it weren't for Ganondorf, Link would never have met Zelda. Link almost smiled, it was so ironic.
He removed his sword from beneath Ganon's chin.
"I accept your surrender," Link said.
Ganondorf looked up, overjoyed. He glowed white. There was a flash, causing Link to cover his eyes. When he lowered his arm, he gasped. Farore stood in Ganondorf's place, wiping dirt from her gown. She smiled warmly.
"Excellent, Link. Excellent."
"My lady, if I had struck-"
"Then you would have been in serious trouble, Hero of Legend," Farore answered with a grin. Link sheathed the Master Sword.
"What happens now?" he asked. Farore said nothing at first. She took his right hand and removed his gauntlet. She held his hand in both of hers.
"Link, you have been judged worthy of the Triforce of Courage. By holding this relic, you will be expected to stand as a defender of righteousness at all times. To do so will require unfailing vigilance, but will yield the richest blessings we have in store for you. Failure without reparation will result in terrible punishments in the world to come. Will you accept this responsibility?" Link nodded. He knew he could do it now.
"I will," he said. Farore smiled, and uncovered his hand. The symbol of the Triforce was there, with the bottom left triangle glowing softly.
Farore suddenly embraced Link, planting a kiss on his head.
"I've never been more proud of you, Link," she whispered. She squeezed him a bit tighter and let him go, taking a step back.
"Now," Farore said, growing serious, "it is time for you to face the soulless creature Dark Link, and put a stop to Ganondorf's evil. Ganondorf intends to cheat death, and he has found an effective way to do so. However, he failed to note an immediate consequence of this. Under normal circumstances, access to the Shadow Realm is limited to one person, and the way cannot be opened again for another month, although once you have entered, you are allowed to come and go as you please. Since Ganondorf chose to create an abomination, in turn you are allowed to enter the Shadow Realm immediately, despite Zelda's recent entrance. Furthermore, you may bring another individual to aid you."
Farore stopped for a moment, and then continued.
"You may choose anyone who is living and not currently in the Shadow Realm, or request that we grant temporary life to one who has died, with their willing consent."
Link looked to her. He didn't have to think twice about whom he wanted with him. Farore smiled.
"I will summon him for you."
Nathan looked up quickly.
"What is it?" Zelda asked. Nathan didn't answer at first.
"Things are looking up," he finally said. "I'll be back, I promise."
"What's happening? Where are you going?"
"The Goddesses are calling me to do something. We're ending this. Think you can handle Darky for me while I'm gone?" he added with a grin.
"I'll manage," Zelda smiled. "Good luck."
Nathan nodded and faded away.
Zelda laid her head against the cell's cold bars, closing her yes. She was so tired, despite the sleep her body was receiving in Hyrule.
"Zelda," someone said softly. Zelda snapped her eyes open to find Nayru standing in the cell with her. Zelda went to her knees.
"No, Zelda, you're exhausted. Rest."
Zelda lay back against the bars again.
"Lady Nayru, what brings you here?"
"Link has obtained the Triforce of Courage. He'll be making his way here shortly."
Zelda was ecstatic. She felt more hope than she had the past few days. Nayru sat next to her.
"So here we are again," Nayru smiled. Zelda didn't answer at first. She had a question that had been bothering her for quite some time.
"Lady Nayru, how did Ganondorf find the Triforce of Power?" Zelda asked. Nayru sighed sadly.
"Ganondorf was a great man long ago, though you may not believe it. He was a military leader then, but also an avid explorer. In his travels, he found the Triforce of Power almost by accident. We spoke with him when he found it, and warned him of the dangers of using power without wisdom. At the time, Ganondorf accepted this. He kept the Triforce of Power, but he chose not to fully wield it. He used it only to defend himself from brigands on the road home.
"Things changed when he made it home a few months later. Ganondorf returned to his castle only to find his wife in the arms of another man."
"Did he-?"
"No, he did not kill either of them. They were exiled, and Ganondorf began to raise his and his wife's son alone.
"Ganondorf was away from home for months at a time, conducting negotiations with various monster tribes, and striking down those who would not cooperate. Even then, he never partook of the Triforce's full power, though he kept it with him, again only using it in defense.
"Things changed. Word spread of the relic that Ganondorf held, and there were numerous assassination attempts."
Zelda was silent. This part of Ganondorf's story was not unlike Link's.
"To make matters worse," Nayru continued, "a message was delivered to Ganondorf, informing him that his son had been killed after a disagreement at a tavern turned violent. He had lost his only son, and Ganondorf's grief quickly turned into wrath. We tried to console him, Din most especially, but he would have none of it. He began using the Triforce more and more, yet he still did not take of its fullness, somehow still remembering our warnings. He used his relations with monsters to unite many of them under his banner.
"Ganondorf also prolonged his life- he is actually decades older than your father. And finally, two years ago, he broke and became one with the Triforce of Power. They can never be separated, unless he either gives it up or he is killed. If the latter, the Triforce of Power will pass to whomever slew him."
"How is he still doing all this? Is he still alive?" Zelda inquired.
"No, and neither is he dead. Ganondorf had lightly studied black magic, for defensive military purposes, but he had never practiced it. After his son's death, he began to try it himself, his hatred and anger allowing him to become quite proficient with it. At the end of his life, he used the Triforce to amplify his power. He created Dark Link, but also made certain that his spirit would not pass on after his death."
"If he's a spirit, how can he be parted from the Triforce of Power?"
"As a spirit, he has to give it up willingly."
Zelda sighed.
"This can never end," she said. "There will always be those willing to shed innocent blood for the Triforce- for any sort of power."
"The power of the full Triforce- to grant any wish save those destroying free will- is indeed a tempting one."
"This will never end," Zelda repeated. "Never, unless-" Zelda stopped. Her eyes widened, and she quickly looked up to Nayru.
The Goddess of Wisdom nodded.
"Then you know what you must do."
