Standard explanation: #This notation# is for telepathic communication.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Parallel Destiny: A Parallel Legend of Zelda
Part II: Twilight
Chapter Two: Skyward
"Mmm." Gorko peered at the bottle, looking Proxi over with a critical eye. Faron Forest was disturbingly quiet around them. "Yup. You definitely need a Great Fairy."
Link bit back a scream. I know that, Gorko! he raged within, but kept his expression neutral. "Can you help us find her?" the Hero asked quietly.
"I think so, bud," Gorko replied, nodding slowly, and Link was immediately grateful for his forbearance. "I can't be sure until she shows up, but I found a stream coming off Rutela River that leads to a waterfall, which ends in a pond surrounded by mushrooms." The Goron took a scroll from his backpack, going over it studiously. "According to our lore, fairy fountains are quite distinctive." He pursed his lips. "There might have been fairies around it, but they didn't talk to me, so I suppose they could have been fireflies..."
"It's our best lead so far," Zelda cut in. "You have our thanks, Master Gorko." Gorko smiled shyly and took off his hat, nodding to the princess.
Dorgan glared at the thickening woods around them. The Hero could sense him watching the growing darkness warily. "Are you sure the Cult won't follow us in here, Link?"
"Goddess, no," Link admitted, "but the largest fairy host in the world lives in the heart of Faron Forest. Even an army of Ganon-spawn would think twice about attacking this place."
"Their odds of success in a full assault are extremely low," Fi added evenly. She floated above the Hero, blank eyes shining in the fading light.
"For now," Impa grumbled, eyes narrowing. Ma? Link wondered, watching the Sheikah look around them. "Every report is worse than the last. Somehow, the invaders simultaneously attacked every province across Hyrule save Ordon."
Gorko looked at Impa with disbelief. "What? I thought it was just the capitol. How is this possible?"
"We'll figure it out," Link assured him quickly. "For now, we need to get to that fairy ring."
Continuing on with a nod, Gorko threw his hat back on and led them forward. "What's the situation around the capitol? With the Wind Charm network down, all we know is that the city was overrun." He cleared branches aside, hands bending or snapping them with strength extraordinary even in a Goron. "What about the countryside?"
"Most of the environs were easy enough to evacuate," Zelda whispered. "The villages had enough advance warning to retreat, and the flying shops proved invaluable." She smiled sadly. "I intend to see Master Beedle awarded a medal for his efforts, should we survive." Her smile vanished. "The primary exceptions were Alon Charms and Fun Fun Park. Alon was a primary target, and surrounded early." She looked away. "Tyto's sacrifice saved many of the Alons' people, and much of Marin's work." Link's heart clenched. Tyto too? Farore, no! he grieved. "Fun Fun was too many people in a small area with winding paths."
"We were able to evacuate most of them," Link rasped, shaking at the memory. "Dohdoh found a crossbow somewhere. He must have been covering people as they ran out one of the back exits." The Hero closed his eyes. His memory spat out the image of Dohdoh's body, pinned upright by a Moblin's spear, still holding a patrol crossbow, eyes and mouth frozen open in shock. "He didn't make it." Fi vanished into the Master Sword then, as if in response to the memory's pain. Sear it, I don't have time to mourn. Proxi's still alive, and we're going to keep her that way.
Gorko let out a wordless growl. "We're almost there," he rumbled, pushing aside brush to reveal a small downward slope. Below them was the promised pool. Fairies! Link exulted, feeling real hope for the first time since returning to Castle City.
And they were indeed, glowing in the evening's shadows. Tiny winged balls of light, primarily blue and pink but representing every color of the rainbow, swirled up as they approached. One of the pale blue fairies flew up to the bottle, gasped, then shot into the waterfall. Link rushed down the path to the water's edge, his companions immediately hurrying to catch up.
The moment they reached the water's edge, the waterfall parted, and through it came a tall, elegant woman in a blue-white dress, with delicate-seeming fairy wings waving gently in the air behind her. Long hair of sapphire blue cascaded down her back, while a fairy's glow shone around her heart. She opened her eyes, and they gleamed like gentle golden suns. When her gaze fell on the Hero, the fairy's smile was beatific. "Hey," she whispered fondly.
Link let out a gasp, then dropped to one knee and held out Proxi's bottle. "Great Lady. This is Proxi, my companion."
The Great Fairy shuddered, then held out her hand. The bottle uncorked, and Proxi floated out to her. "Oh, my baby," she lamented, "what have they done to you?" She looked back to the Hero, the cork sliding back on. "Who could do this?"
"My Shadow," Link replied bitterly, shoving the bottle away. "I don't know how. I don't remember this ever happening, in any lifetime."
The Great Fairy nodded, her mouth becoming a grim line. "I remember, once," she said, "Dark Link capturing me in a bottle. Still, this is...new."
As one, Link and Zelda gaped. "Navi?" the Hero whispered, eyes wide.
Navi nodded, the smile returning at last. "Hello, Hero. It's been a while." She looked down at Proxi, a spherical blue glow forming around her hands. "Can you wait here, just a bit?" Link nodded, and Navi shot back behind the waterfall, which closed like curtains behind her. The Hero fell back, sitting roughly on the ground.
"What do you think, Zelda?" Dorgan asked suddenly. "Is she going to be all right?"
Zelda licked her lips. "I hope so," the princess averred. "The Great Fairy – gods, Navi – radiated a power unlike any I've known in this life. Yet as she said herself, this is without precedent."
"She'll be all right," Link said fiercely. "Proxi's tougher than she looks." His eyes flickered to the waterfall. I hope.
To the Hero's amazement, Navi emerged at that moment. "How could she not be? My daughter is companion to the Hero." Link's eyes bulged. What? Navi floated to face him, holding out a hand. He accepted it, and she helped him up. "Proxi is going to need time and rest, but the magic of our people and the potion you gave her were enough." Link shuddered. Thank Hylia. He forced himself not to glance at Zelda.
"That is fortunate," Fi replied, emerging from the Master Sword. Navi blurted a very Hero-like sound, darting back a pace. "The Master has formed a strong bond with Proxi."
Navi blinked. "That's new, too." She looked at the Hero insistently.
The Hero took a deep breath. "Navi, this is Fi, the spirit of the Master Sword. She was instrumental in forging the Blade, then slumbered until Dim woke her up trying to lock her down." Navi giggled.
"'Dim?'" Dorgan asked.
"Link's nickname for his Shadow," Navi explained, then grinned at the Hero. "Gods, I've missed you."
"This is fascinating!" Gorko exclaimed. "Is there still an intermediary stage, like the Kokiri?"
"The Kokiri weren't an 'intermediate' stage," Navi sighed. "Great Fairies are those fairy folk with advanced magical prowess, chosen by the Goddesses to guide and protect our kin. Kokiri were eligible, but it's not nece–" She sighed. "Farore, I'm doing it again." Navi glanced across the clearing, and the tiny fairies around them swirled through the air, gathering behind the Great Fairy. "Listen, as much as I want to catch up, we really don't have time for pleasantries." She held out her hand, indicating a faint path that lit up with a fairy glow as they watched. "The Cult of Ganon waited all this time for a reason. They've been building the magical energy for this invasion, probably knowing they'd never get another chance."
Zelda nodded. "Once we determine how they did this, Hyrule's Sages can likely ward against another such incursion."
"Almost certainly, Your Highness." Navi shrank until she was just large enough for her outline to be discernable in her glow, then flew to the Hero's shoulder. "Ganon has always perverted the Sacred Temples of Hyrule, but something new has happened." She landed, and the glowing path pulsed, directing them forward. "Some terrible curse lies within the mana of Hyrule, as you've suspected in more than one life. This time, however, the enemy has used this curse to create a temple. I think. Down this path is an observatory I know as Skyview Temple, but I can't tell you how I know."
"The same way you know the names of the monsters?" Link asked innocently, starting down the path. The others followed quickly.
The Hero felt Navi's grin as if they were bonded. "Didn't you accuse me of making them up?" she asked wryly. Before Link's denial could form, a memory throttled it. Oops. Navi giggled at his forming blush. "Okay, you can relax, Hero," Navi insisted. "That was five thousand years ago. My point is, I know where the names come from – the lore of the Sacred Realm, though my folk often use the Demon Realm's taxonomy." The Great Fairy's glow dimmed. "This one, I'm not sure. It feels like a...time thing. That's all I can guess."
"But you traveled with the Hero of Time at the dawn of history!" Dorgan exclaimed. "The Cult of Ganon couldn't summon forth the future." He looked away. "Could they?"
Navi laughed gently. "The 'dawn' of your history had centuries of its own. Hyrule was already ancient when the Princess of Destiny was a child." She swirled up to the brim of Link's hat. "I don't know exactly when it's from, but it's definitely from the past."
"Skyview was one of a pair with the Earth Temple," Fi explained in her sing-song pattern. "The Zelda from the time of my reforging learned of her heritage at them."
"'Heritage?'" Navi asked, her glow brightening again. "What, she really is descended from the gods?"
Zelda slowed briefly. "I was Hylia," she whispered.
Navi fell off her perch, dropping almost to Link's waist before flying back up to his neck. "You were what now?" she asked. "Never mind, that actually makes sense," the fairy added quickly.
"So people keep telling me," Zelda replied, grimacing. "Considering Hylia bound the Hero to this cycle, perhaps you can explain it to me."
Link tensed when Navi was silent for several seconds. Then the Great Fairy laughed. "Tell me he didn't volunteer," she insisted.
"That's what I keep telling her," Link added, a gentle grin forming. #Thanks, Navi.#
#Any time,# Navi replied. Link almost stumbled in shock. We are bonded! he thought wildly. Again, Navi laughed, sounding like bells. #Five thousand years, and you still don't get it, do you?# The Hero felt her shake her head. #Make that ten thousand. You're the Hero of Time, Link. As long as you want us to be, our fairy bond is reborn with you. How do you think you ended up with my daughter?#
Before Link could think of a reply, the forest-shrouded path opened up to an enormous field. It was peaceful, almost like a park. In the center, surrounded by a handful of trees, was an ancient temple of carved stone adorned with leaf-like carvings, and curling branches blossoming from its center. "Great Hylia," Link breathed. He winced a second after Zelda did. "Sorry."
"It's okay. I know it'll take some time to get used to," Zelda admitted.
"A report, Master," Fi intoned, floating over a pedestal surrounded by rubble. "I calculate a high probability that this was once a bird statue, which you used to travel to Skyloft in Her Grace's first mortal incarnation." She gazed down on the ruin, and for a moment her expression changed slightly. Was that melancholy? Link wondered. "I detect faint demonic energies where the damage occurred."
Navi shot over to Fi's side. "There's time magic, too, isn't there?" she asked. Zelda peered at it curiously.
"Many of Her Grace's wonders were partly constructed of Chronolyte," Fi observed. "Their secondary function was to save the Hero through temporal distortion as a final protection."
"The way I used the Ocarina back in the day?" Navi asked excitedly. Gorko scribbled notes with alacrity.
"The Ocarina of Time is made entirely of Chronolyte," Fi replied. "It is highly probable that the first Zelda created it in the period following the Hero's victory over the original Demon King."
"Save spots," Link muttered, walking over to them. "Like a Charm game."
Fi turned and regarded the Hero for a long moment before nodding. "It must be noted, however, that such temporal magic lacks the certainty of a game's rules. The Demon King would certainly interfere with their function if possible."
The Hero nodded back and looked around. "So where are the monsters? This is too easy."
While Dorgan slowly facepalmed, Zelda walked towards the Hero. She stopped suddenly, a faint bouncing noise echoing as she stumbled back. "Nayru. What was that?" She felt out with her hand, quickly finding the barrier that stopped her.
"You just had to say it," Dorgan grumbled.
Link exhaled fiercely, walking back to the group. Gorko joined Zelda in probing the field, while Impa and Dorgan looked it over with their respective magical sights. "It doesn't work like that." He reached through the field, offering his hand to the princess. Zelda took it, but when he tried to draw her through the field, her fingers stopped anyway. "And this shouldn't work like that. How can Fi, Navi and I pass through the field, but not someone I'm touching?"
"A report, Master," Fi replied. "The field is an invisible barrier of evil energy. The Power to Repel Evil infuses you, and those companions bound to you. As a projection of the Master Sword, my immunity is innate. However, without some other magic, that protection does not extend to any other."
"If it did," Zelda noted wryly, "Ganon and Vaati wouldn't be able to grab me in every life."
Link glanced from his friends and mother to the door, then back. "I'll keep going," he said, drawing the Master Sword. "I always beat these places anyway, right?"
"Assume nothing," Impa demanded, one hand forming a fist. "Beware everything. However sacred this temple once was, it was drawn forth by the Demon Realm's forces." Link nodded, then turned to begin his eternal quest anew.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Zelda trembled as the door slammed shut behind Link. She pounded the magic barrier with one fist. "Gods, I never wanted to see that again."
Dorgan glanced at her, one crimson eyebrow raised. "See what?" he asked, conjuring a sphere of light to illuminate the clearing.
"The Hero, going into a temple cursed by Ganon, alone." Zelda folded her arms and glared fiercely. "The three of us follow him all the way from Lake Hylia – four, with Gorko here – and all we can do is watch and wait."
"Maybe there's a puzzle," Gorko said, flashing the princess an encouraging smile. "That's how the Hero's quest works, right?"
"For the Hero," Zelda replied quietly. My doing too, she thought miserably, kicking the field in frustration. Hylia, beloved goddess of the Blessed Kingdom. What a joke.
Two score motes of Dark Fire burst to life around them. From each emerged a Bokoblin, which hooted at the four heroes as it waved its weapon exultantly. Zelda sighed. Impa placidly drew her knife, transforming it into her Sheikah Naginata. Gorko gasped, leaping into a ready stance. Dorgan laughed. "Well, now we know why they didn't invade Ordon," he quipped, drawing his swords and gathering his magic. "Look at this. There's barely enough of them to challenge a patrol unit."
"Were you not just lamenting how Link called our approach easy?" Impa noted. Dorgan's smile vanished. "Let us banish them and be done with it. Link has enough to worry about."
"That was talking smack, not tempting fate," Dorgan insisted, throwing a ball of crimson power into the nearest Bokoblin pack. "Of course this is just the first round." The explosion sent them flying.
"Waves," Zelda cut in, throwing a ball of Din's Fire at a knot of soldiers, then following up with a wave of golden force. "They're waves. This is just the start, Dorgan, and it's not a game."
Dorgan scoffed, but none of them replied until the Bokoblins had been obliterated. It took less than a minute. Gorko huffed, leaning on his knees, while the others looked over the battlefield. "This," Gorko breathed, "is going to be a long war."
"It always is," Zelda whispered.
The next wave appeared in spurts of Dark Fire. The foot soldiers were Stalkin this time, but with them were a handful of Stalfos, two Lizalfos, and a Darknut. The quartet looked at each other, grimly faced the platoon, and charged. Zelda's Light magic and Impa's Sheikah Arts kept the force off-balance, while Gorko crashed through the unit and Dorgan blasted the more powerful monsters with his wizardry. After a few minutes, they were clear once more.
A third surge of evil erupted before them. This time, there were Bokoblins and Stalkin alike, as many of each as in the previous waves, accompanied by Stalfos, ReDead, Moblins, and a Big Poe in the center. "Ka-ru-na," the 'blins cried, spears raised. "Ka-ru-na!"
"Again with the chanting," Dorgan muttered. "What's a Karuna?"
"Not now, Dorgan. There's too many to just overpower them," Zelda insisted, forming her Light Bow. "Circle them, hit and run." She took her own advice, darting back and strafing the invaders. "Work on the little ones first, so we can deal with their larger cousins."
Impa darted in the opposite direction, throwing kunai into the mob. "A sound strategy for now," she agreed, "but I doubt their commanders will be so accommodating."
Dorgan planted himself in the demon force's path, drawing both swords. "Then let's give them something else to think about. Hyah!" With that, he raised his right sword high, and lightning gathered around it. With a savage slash, the lightning raked the ground, cutting through the entire pack with explosive force.
Gorko charged through a pack of Stalkin, crushing them in his wake. "Goddess, if I survive this, I'm buying a magic hammer from – oh crap."
"Behind enemy lines?" Dorgan sympathized, slashing at the edges of the force. Gorko nodded, then grabbed a Bokoblin sword from the several littering the ground. It was almost comically small in his hand. "We should be able to find you one back at camp."
With a fierce cry, Gorko tore through the ragged edges of the force's remains, leaving only two ReDead, a Moblin, and a handful of Stalkin. "Let's live long enough to worry about it, bud!"
"Indeed." Zelda gathered her magic, felt the Light filling her, then dashed in when she noticed one of the ReDead leave itself open. She unloaded her Light Bow on it, then slashed with her saber. When she felt the moment upon her, she called on her memory of the Triforce, and a delta of Light erupted beneath their foes. Both ReDead collapsed into Dark Fire. The Moblin turned on her, its too-small face scrunched in anger, but Impa appeared behind it and tore its crimson flesh to shreds with her Sheikah blade and power. "Well done, Impa. Let us hope the Hero is not much longer."
"He will succeed," Impa replied, glancing warily at the temple, "but he faces puzzles and riddles as well as monsters." The Sheikah heroine looked around them. "Remain wary. There will almost certainly be more."
Gorko shrugged, stomping the last Stalkin into the ground beneath a single massive boot. "That was the third wave. In the tales, these things always come in threes," he noted.
With a flourish, Dorgan spun his swords and gathered more power. "Unless it's three and a boss monster," he retorted, watching the field. As if on cue, the remaining motes of demon magic swirled together, becoming a huge, multi-limbed mass. That coalesced into a strange spider-like creature, with four legs, two pincer-like arms, and two limbs ending in bony half-shields. The shields hovered around the monster's enormous single eye. "Yep. Here we go."
"That's a Gohma," Impa observed evenly. "Her eye is her traditional weakness. One that now seems to be protected."
"Lovely." Zelda readied her Light Bow once more. I hope Dorgan is right about this horror being the last for now. Even we cannot keep this up forever. The princess aimed for its eye. "Let us probe this thing's defenses together." She poured magic into her arrow. And hope that our Hero is well.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
After activating another crystal with his crossbow, Link entered what appeared to be the central chamber, the door dropping shut behind him. Turning reflexively, he saw bars slam down over the exit. I was wondering when that would happen, Link thought. When he faced the room again, he saw a massive shadowy figure at the far end. "Ah, Hero," it said, and a wave of cold tore down Link's spine. Phantom Ganon? Here? How?
The phantom turned, holding out one enormous hand. Shattered ruins of some golden artifact spilled through his fingers. "No enchanted Beetle," Phantom Ganon intoned with finality. "No exit. No escape." He smiled, cold and cruel and filled with hate, and summoned a massive sword. "With your allies trapped outside, the Hero's quest ends here. Even if you defeat me, this chamber will be your tomb."
Link snarled and leaped, drawing the Master Sword while in the air. Navi darted behind the phantom, resonating with him from there, while Fi remained within the blade. Phantom Ganon parried and riposted. The Hero barely raised his shield in time. He learned from our last duel, Link realized. I'd better do the same, fast. He darted to the side, tossing a bomb at the villain, then firing a Light burst from his crossbow. The latter did no harm to the phantom, but Link's foe recoiled at the sudden bright flare. Wasting no time, Link dove at his monstrous enemy, stabbing with the Master Sword before following up with a spin attack. Phantom Ganon slashed at him with a roar, but the Hero was able to roll out of the way. I'm faster than him, if only a little. That's my best chance here. Link began to dart sideways around the phantom, slashing and moving.
"Enough!" Phantom Ganon slammed his sword into the ground, creating a pulse that shoved the Hero back. "I leave you here, helpless and alone, to die forgotten!" With that, the monster vanished in a cloud of Dark Fire.
Link scanned the room. Only a shattered chest and the broken device remained. "A Beetle, he said," the Hero muttered, dropping to one knee before the pieces. He picked them up, examining the ruined wonder carefully.
Fi swirled out of the Master Sword, while Navi hovered over the Beetle pieces. "I detect no functionality in the device, Master," Fi reported. Her tone was even, but there was a hint of concern in the synthetic spirit's expression.
"There's got to be a way!" Navi insisted. "If it were this easy, Ganon would've done something like this thousands of years ago!"
Link nodded. "Navi, Fi, would you fly out the openings above us? See if there's a switch of some kind nearby." He continued staring at the pieces.
"Uh, sure," Navi replied uncertainly. Fairy and spirit looked at each other, then flew up through the openings in the ceiling. That left Link to contemplate his situation. Navi's right. Hylia – Zelda – sacrificed her divinity to ensure that we could always overcome Ganon's evil. What is the logical solution to this problem? He carefully laid the pieces of the Beetle on the ground, then smiled. The Song of Time. He took out Zelda's Ocarina and played.
Its response was not what he expected. Knowledge and memory swirled around the Hero, potentials past and future alike. This is what happened long ago, when Ganondorf defied the laws of Time, Link remembered, seeing an owl's silhouette in dim recollection. A new song – or perhaps an old one – filled his mind, along with the title "Minuet of Forest." Knowledge of the Din's Hand spell followed. The Hero grinned. Maybe now Dorgan will stop teasing me about never picking that one up. On cue, Fi and Navi returned. "There's a cluster of crystals above the door that feel like they'll open it, but we couldn't hit them."
"I can confirm Lady Navi's supposition, Master," Fi added. "However, neither of us detected any additional options for activating the switch."
Link nodded. "Don't worry." He held out his palm, and a Din's Hand formed over it. Navi gaped. Fi's head cocked to one side. "Cheaters never prosper." Link concentrated, and the Hand soared up and out. The Hero could project his senses with the Hand, directing it to the crystal. One touch activated it, dispersing the Hand, but opening bars and door alike.
Navi whistled. "You haven't missed a step, Link. How'd you do that?"
"Zelda's legend has rules," Link explained. "When evil's champions break them, they suffer the consequences." He pocketed the Ocarina, then scooped up the pieces of the Beetle and dropped them into his pouch as well. "Let's go." He strode out, Fi floating serenely behind him. Navi hesitated briefly, then darted to his side.
"A report, Master." Fi flew ahead of Link as he strode onward, casually banishing the Bokoblins and keese that attacked him. "I detect no further anomalies ahead, save for the chamber that is our destination." She looked ahead of them, then back to the Hero. "I do not sense the presence of the Demon Lord."
Link stopped and stared at Fi, blinking in surprise. "Demon Lord?" he and Navi asked in unison.
"Ghirahim," Fi explained, "the Demon King's champion, and terrestrial vassal." She shifted to float at Link's side opposite Navi. "Ghirahim was my counterpart, eventually serving as the spirit of the Demon King's blade when you defeated him."
Grimacing, Link struggled to recall the creature as he worked his way through the temple. Images of a pale figure, clad in a white body suit and red cloak, flickered through mirrors of memory. Mocking laughter echoed around the swordsman. Cruelty. Contempt. Menace. Though his power could not equal his master's, Ghirahim was an evil that surpassed even Ganon, who at least had some semblance of honor. "Didn't we kill him?" Link asked.
"No, Master," Fi reported. "Shuuen, whom the Sheikah called 'Demise,' transformed him into a sword. There is no logical reason he could not have been transformed back." She waited while Link used his crossbow to knock down vines to swing from, in place of the slingshot.
Once they were on solid ground again, Navi swirled over Link's head. "Why do you think this Ghirahim character would show up again?" the fairy asked. Link felt her cross her arms. Wow. That's been a while, he mused.
"While several cycles are echoing into this one," Fi explained, "I calculate a 90% chance that Zelda's first mortal incarnation has the most relevance to this era. My awakening, the presence of loftwings, Impa's appearance and nature, and the current state of the hordes that have overrun Hyrule all indicate a parallel to the Skyloft Era. None of those alone were conclusive, but the layout and obstacles found in this temple are highly indicative. Only Phantom Ganon's presence in place of a Stalfos duelist has thus far differed to a statistically significant degree."
Navi whistled. "That's...pretty solid, yeah." She bobbed in place as Link worked his way forward. "I'm guessing the weird sword-phantom was a deliberate change on the bad guys' part?"
"That is highly likely," Fi replied. She watched patiently while Link opened a ruby-adorned chest and withdrew a golden carving. What the heck? Link wondered. "You hold the key to the final chamber," Fi explained.
Link glanced at Navi. "This isn't the first time we've doubled up on temples."
"Right," Navi sighed, "the Arbiter's parallel time streams. Just remember, Ganon can change stuff."
Link grinned. "Sure, but if he tries outright cheating, it backfires." The Hero held out his hand, and red-gold light emanated from his palm. "Now, instead of claiming an artifact, I know more magic. That's got to be good for our side."
"That is also highly likely," Fi agreed, "but there is another difference in Ghirahim's absence. Please use caution, Master."
Link nodded, worked his way to the large golden-sealed door, and pivoted the key until it slid into the lock. Okay, that was just bizarre. The Hero shrugged as the door swung open, then strode into the chamber.
Standing there, contemplating an entirely golden door adorned with Hylia's crest, was Volga. He leaned casually on his spear, gazing on the crest with a strangely meditative focus. Only when the door inevitably closed behind the Hero did the Dragon Knight turn, sporting a predatory smile. "Hero," Volga said, twirling his spear. "Alone at last."
With speed born of lifetimes, Link drew the Master Sword, then pointed it at Volga. "You again? Careful. Cia might get jealous."
Volga's smile vanished. "The Dark Sorceress desires you for...other purposes." He shifted into a ready stance. "We are warriors. Such schemes are beneath us."
"Didn't you call Cia 'friend' in her manor?" Link demanded, circling warily.
"And meant it," Volga insisted, matching Link step for step. "You will never be hers in that manner. Your heart belongs to the princess. I mean for Cia to survive that revelation." His smile returned. "Your blade has a much simpler purpose. Face me!"
"If you insist," Link retorted. As one, they charged. Volga's spear whirled like peahat blades, slashing and striking with lightning ferocity. Link blocked the assault with sword and shield alike, waiting for his moment. The instant Volga's attack relented, he dove in with a powerful lunge, forcing the dragon knight to fall back with a pained grunt.
Wasting no time, the Hero rushed into to press his advantage, but Volga was ready. Crouching, the dragon knight lashed at Link's feet, knocking the Hylian's legs out from under him. With a squawk of surprise, Link fell, staring in horror as Volga leapt to impale him. He rolled back, feeling the spear brush through his hair just before the Hero sprang back to his feet. Volga held up the spear, smiling once more, Link's hat pierced on the point. Navi gasped.
A sudden fury, far greater than damage to a hat would evoke in most, rippled through Link. "That's mine," he hissed, twirling his blade. Volga flicked his spear, tossing the hat aside, and beckoned the Hero with his free hand. With a roar, the Hero charged, and Volga's smile vanished at the fierce intensity of his attack. Link ignored a handful of blows from the dragon spear in exchange for hammering Volga with the Master Sword.
"Link, be careful!" Navi blurted, circling above Volga rapidly. With a snarl, the dragon knight transformed into a true dragon, flying up, then diving towards the Hero. Link leaped back, shielding himself from the explosion of flame that accompanied Volga's landing, then jumped forward with an overhand slash.
Volga barely parried the blow, then darted back and saluted Link with his spear. "Magnificent," he rasped, pressing his free hand against a wound. "This day is yours. I look forward to our next battle." With that, he shifted into dragon form once more, flew overhead, and vanished in a burst of flame.
"I'll be waiting," Link whispered, sheathing the Master Sword.
Navi darted back to him, and Link felt her brush against his forehead. "What's gotten into you?" she demanded. Did she just slap me? he wondered. "I know you're attached to that head-tail of yours, but even your hat's just a hat!"
Sensing the Heart Container descending, Link waited until he could claim it, then strode to the golden door as his wounds healed and his strength grew. A Din's Hand reclaimed his hat, calling it to his hand. "Sorry, Navi," he replied, "but I don't have much patience for Ganon's thugs any more. The hat was just what set me off." He looked down at the speared cloth. For a moment, he imagined a bright yellow beak, but the image faded quickly. Placing the hat firmly back on his head, he turned to face the door, only to watch the Goddess Crest glow before the door vanished entirely. "Huh." Link walked up the stairs revealed by the disappearance, and found himself at the end of a pathway surrounded by columns and waterfalls, leading to an exquisite spring with a statue of Hylia. Another Goddess Crest floated below the statue, hovering in the air.
"Raise your sword skyward, Master," Fi reported, "and you may activate the crest." Link obeyed, firing a strike at the crest, and watched as it spun and vanished. Fi suddenly began to spin and dance around the statue of the goddess. The Hero felt something...stained...vanish, the Light of the Goddess washing the temple clean. A glow formed above Hylia's folded hands, floating over to Link and becoming a partial slab of stone. There was a map carved on it, as well as an emerald on the broken corner. "A report, Master. This is the Emerald Tablet, the first of three pieces of a map."
"Of course there are three pieces," Navi quipped, landing on Link's shoulder.
Fi glanced to Navi, then back to the Hero. "During the Skyloft Era, the Ancient Tablet was used to find and open portals to the surface. Each gem embedded in the Tablet activated one such portal." She flew closer, peering down at the slab. "Neither the map nor the jewel's location precisely matches that of the original."
Link stared intently at the stone map shard. "Skyloft," he muttered. "This map looks like it matches the present day. Sure, it's stylized, but – the point is, the emerald looks like it indicates someplace just south of Castle City. Like the Sealed Grounds."
"So let's get flying, Hero!" Navi prodded.
Fi shook her head. "That is an unlikely method for reaching the Sky, Great Fairy," the spirit reported. "No portal has activated with the acquisition of this piece of the map."
Navi flew to the map, landing next to the gem. "So if you get all three rocks, they can lead us to this Skyloft place?" she asked.
"Given the purpose of the original Ancient Tablet, I calculate a high probability that you are correct," Fi agreed.
Link concentrated, and the tablet piece vanished into his pouch. "Let's go." The Hero stood, then played his new Minuet of Forest, the song carrying him back to the entrance.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Zelda forced herself to breathe normally, ignoring her body's demand for air. I dare not show weakness to this thing, she decided, circling the Gohma carefully, Light Bow drawn and ready. Impa had vanished, silently stalking the creature, while Dorgan and Gorko flanked it. Gerudo and Goron struck the creature, leaving it confused, and it flailed out with a heat-flash beam from its eye. Zelda easily dodged, then countered with another arrow. As before, the blow to its eye caused it to flail and drop. All four pounced, attacking it mercilessly.
Just as it was starting to recover, there was a familiar, welcome cry from just outside the temple, and a flash of sacred light spiraled into the monster. That left it open, and Zelda wasted no time in blasting the Gohma with the full power of her Light magic. It vanished into motes of Dark Fire, and the princess turned, relieved to see her Hero approaching from the bird statue. Link sheathed his blade and strode to her side. "It looks like things were interesting out here, too."
"Interesting," Dorgan rumbled, eyeing the Hero wearily. "You could say that."
Zelda held up her hand, and Dorgan stopped. She scanned the area carefully, her wizard sight searching for Demon Realm energies. Nothing, she realized. "Link, it's clear that you overcame the temple's challenges. What happened next?"
"There was a spring in the back of the temple," Link explained, "with an altar to the goddess. I struck a floating Goddess Crest there with a Skyward Strike, and the statue there sent me a piece of a map." He reached into his pouch, but Zelda placed a hand on his arm.
"We can look at it back at camp," Zelda replied. "Do you sense any corrupted energies around us?"
Link glanced around, then looked over his shoulder at the Master Sword's hilt. Fi swirled forth. "Fi? Navi?"
Navi darted across the field. "Looks clear to me, Hero," she called.
"I detect no demonic emanations in this region, Master," Fi added.
Thank the gods. Zelda let herself smile in relief. "You did it, Link. This province is free of Ganon's invaders."
"It cannot be invaded directly," Impa clarified, folding her arms. "The Hero's quest is clear, and that is to the good, but the Ganon-spawn have commanders. With this victory, those commanders will drive for us relentlessly."
Zelda's smile vanished, and she nodded reluctantly. "We should return to camp, then. If our own commanders can take advantage of this opening first, we can claim the initiative." She turned to the Goron explorer. "Master Gorko, would you join us? Your knowledge and combat skill could both prove invaluable in the fight to come."
Gorko doffed his hat and bowed deeply to the princess. "I would be honored, Your Highness." He straightened, threw his hat back on with a jaunty flourish, and turned to Link. "That will give me plenty of time to question the Hero about that temple."
Navi laughed. Zelda felt Link suppress a sigh. An auspicious start, at least, the princess decided. Let us pray the true gods continue to favor us. She glanced mournfully at the temple. Was this part of Hylia's plan? My plan? Zelda searched her memory, but found nothing save more questions.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
"The front line seems well in hand, then," Zelda said evenly. To Link's ear, her voice seemed flat, almost lifeless. "When do you believe we will be ready to take the offensive?"
Aveil and Eagus looked at one another, both mouths tight, grim lines. Not any time soon, then, the Hero thought wearily. "Your Highness," Eagus murmured waving at the war table, "it has been less than a week since we fled Castle City. Our forces are still recovering. The bulk of the surviving Gerudo are under siege in the Arbiters' Grounds, including Chief Goselle herself. A significant percentage of the Sheikah are trapped behind enemy lines in Kakariko. Unless we can find another one of these temples, it will be at least three weeks before we can field more than scout units with serious intent."
Zelda's hands clenched. Link winced. "I see," the princess continued. "What about rescue operations? Can we escort refugees to Lake Hylia?"
At that, Aveil smiled. "That is one of the primary reasons we cannot risk attacks at this time. Our forces are spread across Hyrule, bringing its people to safety here." Zelda relaxed slightly. Link exhaled. "Our estimates indicate that the first wave will taper off within two weeks. Projections indicate a further week of recovery and reintegration."
The princess nodded. "No one could ask more, High Ministers. I am certain you are both doing all you can." She glanced briefly at the Hero, then turned back to Aveil. "How is the High Sheikah?"
"In need of more bandages," Aveil drawled. "Your Highness, Luda should not be sitting up, but the stubborn woman is striding about giving orders as if she'd returned from a three day leave."
"Much like you would be?" Eagus quipped. Aveil glared daggers at the general. "My Justice counterpart is exaggerating somewhat, though Minister Luda does seem to be pushing herself."
Zelda's eyes fell, gaze dancing across the ground. "We will all have to push ourselves to the limit in the months to come. Nevertheless, I will have a talk with our Intelligence Minister. She cannot take the field at this time, and can direct the Sheikah from a chair as easily as her feet." Aveil bowed, and the princess looked back up in response. "In any event, our priority is clear. We must find the temples perverted by the Ganon Cult and cleanse them."
Aveil and Eagus both glanced at the Hero before continuing. "We've cleared Deputy Minister Henya of involvement with Decole," Aveil reported. "She's livid at the man's betrayal and intends to do everything in her power to restore communications. For now, she's got the State Ministry's couriers working with the Sheikah and our scouts to help with the temple search."
"Gorko," Link muttered. He let out a surprised yawp when all three stared at him. "Um, Gorko knows more about Hyrule's sacred places than just about anyone. If Zelda doesn't have any ideas about where we can find the corrupted temples, he might."
The princess nodded again. "An excellent idea, Hero. Please, find master Gorko and bring him here?" Link bowed in wordless obedience and left the tent, stopping to scan the camp once he was outside.
In spite of the makeshift state of the encampment, the people of Hyrule were already beginning to adjust. While the tents had been hastily and sloppily erected at first, the vast majority were now fully upright and in good repair. Old-fashioned message spells flickered overhead, delivering non-critical reports and letters between refugees. Magic sluiced water through the camp from Rutela River, ensuring that no one was going thirsty. Veiled spellcraft likewise handled sanitation. A surprising number of banners flew overhead, carrying Hyrule's defiance on the wind.
Link's assessment turned grim quickly when he approached the healers' camp. Too many, soldiers and civilians alike, were prostrate on mismatched cots and pallets from across the kingdom. Too few healers worked their way from those in the worst state down, with apprentices easing the pain of those in the most discomfort. Runners delivered potions to a largely-empty rack, returning to the brewers for more the moment their deliveries were complete. Worse still were the food stores, near the defensible center of the camp alongside the wounded. They were down by nearly a third from what the fleeing populace had brought with them a few days before. I can't believe we've survived a dozen invasions from the Demon Realm, only to be threatened by famine. The Hero swallowed his frown before it formed. We can fish for a little while, but Lake Hylia will be empty in a few weeks at most. He glanced eastward. We could retreat to the ocean, but we'd have nowhere left to run. Ganon's never invaded like this before.
#Oh, here we go,# Navi sighed. #Link, Hero of Worry.# She fluttered down from Link's cap to rest where his shoulder met his neck, and the Hero felt her tiny arms press against him in something akin to a hug. #Proxi's going to be fine, she just needs some time and rest. You've got a whole host of heroic friends and mentors this cycle. Hyrule's never been this advanced. Most importantly, they have you, trained and ready to kick Ganon's ham back into the Underworld.# Link radiated wordless thanks in reply, resuming his scan for Gorko. #Okay, what are you not saying now?# the implacable fairy demanded.
#Our advances are working against us this time,# Link whispered. #In cycles past, Hyrule's people mostly fed themselves. Sure, a full invasion would overrun farms and herds, but the populace would be ready to pick up and start over. Now, most people get their meals from a market.# He nearly grimaced, then mastered himself when a few civilians he passed looked at him with concern. #We don't have magic that can conjure food or medicine from whole mana. We're in trouble, Navi, and it's trouble I can't fix.#
Fi's musical voice echoed through the bond. #No one person can solve every problem, Master, not even the Hero chosen by Her Grace.# Link's jaw tightened, teeth nearly grinding in frustration. #For the moment, might I suggest dowsing for your Goron friend?#
Navi perked up. #What? Wait, you can find stuff, too? Where were you five thousand years ago?#
#In a slumber meant to be eternal,# Fi replied, her tone as even as ever. #Master, I have recorded Gorko as a viable dowsing target. Hold out your sword, and you will sense the archaeologist's bearing and distance.#
#Fi, I can't walk through camp blade-first,# Link groused. He glanced around them. #Give me a minute.# Finding a relatively clear field, he drew the Master Sword, slowly pivoting until the strange purple haze gave him a bearing. #That felt close.#
#Agreed, Master,# Fi reported.
Navi chuckled. #At least someone gives you a bit of respect.#
Link sheathed the Blade and started walking. #Have I mentioned how weird it makes me feel to have someone call me "Master"? I keep suppressing the urge to look for who Fi's talking to.#
#Did you never wonder about the origin of the Sword's name, Master?# Fi asked, floating above them. #Any worthy person may wield me, but only you may draw me from the Pedestal of Time. You are the Master of the Blade of Evil's Bane, chosen by the Goddess for your courage, wisdom, and power. I will use another title if you wish, but it brings me pleasure to serve one as worthy as you.#
#Some-one's blush-ing,# Navi added in sing-song tones. Link tried to ignore the heat that seemed to glow from his face.
"Hey!" Link heard, recognizing Gondo's voice. The Hero came to a quick halt when he saw Gondo with Peatrice and Gorko, the former two looking up from a large pile of supplies. The engineer waved, grinning broadly. His goggled mask was smudged and scratched, but Gondo himself seemed well. Peatrice's eyes and ears drooped, her smile for the Hero clearly an effort. Gorko, by contrast, clearly relaxed at the sight of Link, tension fleeing the Goron's back as he turned.
"So," Link said, sounding more confident than he felt, "what did I miss?"
With one gesture, Peatrice made the source of her concern clear. Stacks of supplies had been lined up in vast rows parallel to the bank of Lake Hylia. In all likelihood, Link thought bleakly, we have more arrows, clothing, and shelter than we'll ever need. The shopkeeper glanced down their row and shook her head. "I've gone over rationing plans more times than I can recall, since we got here," Peatrice breathed. "Even with Zora help fishing, I give us a month."
"We'll find a way," Link insisted.
Peatrice turned abruptly, surprise widening her eyes. "Gods, Link, I didn't mean to put this on you." She looked down, gaze flickering through the grass. "It's just, my sources in Ylisse haven't responded to me since the invasion." Link's jaw sagged. "It's one thing for them to not want to get involved militarily, but Hyrule fed their people for years. I don't understand it."
"I do," the Hero whispered. "It's not their fault. Decole cut us off. Until we can get someone to Ylisstol, we're on our own." Peatrice nodded back. She still looks grim, the Hero observed, but at least there's more hope in her eyes now.
"Well," Gondo insisted, thumping Link on the shoulder, "it's not all bad news. Here." He handed the Hero a bug net. "I found lots of new stuff when I hauled my kit out here." Link turned the net around, gazing at it with curiosity. "Gaepora and I have been finding all kinds of interesting old notes in what we were able to grab on our way out. It looks like our ancestors found all sorts of uses for insect parts."
"They were also," Gorko added dryly, hefting a dark iron mallet, "able to find me a Magic Hammer. It's no Megaton, bud, but it'll do in a pinch."
Link nodded. "Which we are decidedly in."
Fi appeared, to the trio's surprise. "A report, Master." She flew around the net, then over Gondo's supplies. "It appears that the reappearance of this knowledge is the work of Her Grace's blessing. The net Gondo found is functionally identical to the one you purchased from the shop owner Beedle in the sky, complete with its upgrade provided by master Gondo."
"That's...amazing!" Gondo gushed.
Fi nodded. "It is extremely unlikely that such knowledge would have survived without some intervention. Even the craftsmanship of Skyloft should have fallen victim to the ages."
"I'm leaving a little something extra on the altar to Hylia," Peatrice insisted, tracing a triangle over her heart. "Whatever – or whoever – she is now, the Goddess has truly graced Her people." Link couldn't help a tiny smile at that.
Horns sounded the alarm on the edge of camp. Link gasped, nodded to Peatrice and Gondo, and leaped onto Epona as she formed beneath him. "Fly," he pleaded, hands on the control ring, and she obeyed, wings unfurling. In moments, he'd raced to Eagus' side, where the general bleakly watched the horizon.
It moved.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
"Report," Zelda commanded, marching to Aveil's side. Impa followed, nearly invisible.
The Justice Minister bowed, fist thumping against her chest. "Your Highness." She straightened, and the three women strode behind the forming battle line. "The enemy comes in force. Our scouts report that they are led by Volga and Wizro. With that twisted wizard in the approaching army, we must expect more dangerous forces than hordes of Bokoblins and Stalkin."
"You suspect he will summon something more dire?" the princess asked.
"Without a doubt," Aveil insisted.
Lovely, Zelda thought. With a nod, the princess turned to her bodyguard. "Impa, find Dorgan and get him on Wizro's flank. Then tell Link to engage Volga the moment Eagus gives the order to march. Once Wizro flees Dorgan – which it will in short order – then you strike."
Brief worries raced across the normally placid Sheikah face, under control again an instant later. "As you command, Your Highness." Impa vanished.
Aveil crossed her arms, looking more than a little cross herself. "I wish that were likely to be enough." She gestured casually to a pair of Gerudo Guards, and they ran to the duo, marching behind them. "Whatever you and the Hero managed in the south, it has them worried. If we can drive back this offensive, Hyrule has a fighting chance."
Zelda glanced sharply at the Justice Minister. "'If?' Is the military really in that bad of shape?"
"We've recovered physically, as much as we're able," Aveil conceded, "but Hyrule lost more than good soldiers when Castle City fell." She passed a finger across her eyes, subtle magic magnifying her vision. "If we can cut off their demonic reinforcements, this becomes as normal a war as war ever gets. That's a fight I trust Hyrule's champions to win. The more temples Link cleanses, the better our chances."
"Right now, though, our people are still reeling," Zelda replied, "and their numbers remain almost limitless." She reached out, forming the Light Bow in her hand. "So they've come to crush us while they can." Aveil nodded. "We can expect Dinrova, then, and whatever horrors they have to hand."
The Justice Minister nodded again, then pointed out their front line. "Our forces stand ready to protect this refuge, at least," she reported. "It will be rough going at first, but if we can drive back the demons' first wave, I believe our people will hold."
Zelda nodded back. "Then we must have faith in Hyrule's defenders." She cast a thought out to Impa, the returning Sheikah's expression solid as stone. "We will join our forces as well."
#I presume,# Impa drawled, #that there is no point in arguing this with you.# Zelda smiled faintly. #Very well. I will handle transportation, with Your Highness' permission, of course.# Once more, Zelda nodded, and Impa drew them both into Shadow.
The shift was so brief that Princess Zelda didn't have time to feel the Shadow's chill before they emerged again. They'd returned behind a hill, just below the crest, where the duo could observe the advancing force without being spotted immediately. The demon army was comprised primarily of Bokoblins and Stalkin, their numbers uncountable. They were bolstered by a smattering of Moblins, Lizalfos, and Stalfos. Their two commanders led them from the center of the mass, Volga grunting directions and pointing forces forward with his spear while Wizro floated at his side and cackled. Zelda suppressed a shiver. Agahnim's phantom. Well, I'm not a defenseless girl this time. She felt the Light energy that would suffuse her saber and form her bow, drawing comfort from it. #As you commanded, I gave your orders to Dorgan. He should be en route. Now what, Your Highness?# Impa asked calmly.
#We wait,# Zelda explained. #Once Volga and Wizro are engaged, we strike at the army's main body, and get in position to deal with any major reinforcements that arrive.#
#Like Dinrova,# Impa agreed. Zelda's smile at that was without mirth.
Volga roared and pointed his spear at the defenders. The Bokoblins shouted with glee and charged. And so it begins, the princess thought grimly.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Dorgan snarled and slashed the air. Crimson power exploded through the world, throwing demon spawn in all directions. "Wizro!" he roared, charging across the now-clear field.
To the Gerudo's amazement, the spectral sorcerer giggled and flew towards him. Well, fair's fair – the super-Poe's no coward. Dorgan didn't break stride, simply letting his twin swords flare out like wings as he ran the monster down. The instant he was close enough, Dorgan lunged at Wizro, both massive blades whistling. The creature deflected both blows with a magical shield, but Dorgan felt it weaken the moment his mana-filled weapons struck. "Still feel like laughing, monster?" he rumbled.
Wizro snarled and spun, throwing balls of Dark Fire in all directions. Clearly not, Dorgan noted wryly, and resorted to defense himself. Crossed swords forming a magical barrier, he absorbed blow after blow from the barrage of evil sorcery. Hyrule's infantry scattered, a few screaming and burning as they were consumed in the false flames. Dorgan blocked out the smell and nausea, charging Wizro again. This time, the ghostly foe fell back, letting its allies swarm the Gerudo wizard.
In seconds, Dorgan was surrounded by a mass of Bokoblins and Stalkin, all howling and stabbing at him. Great, I'm up to my armpits in monsters. With broad, powerful slashes, he drove his foes back, but for every one that vanished in a puff of foul mist, two more rushed to take its place. "Zelda? Tell me there's a plan!" he shouted.
Her response was lost to the wind and chaos. Dorgan gritted his teeth and turned his attention back to the ankle-biters surrounding him. With workmanlike chops, he crushed them one by one. Sear it! At this rate, they'll spawn faster than we can banish them. He looked up briefly, scanning for Wizro. His erstwhile sparring partner had moved on to a Hylian Knight, laughing as he drove the unfortunate warrior back. Well, Impa's going after Wizro anyway. A quick check around the battlefield showed no sign of more powerful monsters. They don't need Dinrova to overrun us. I hope you have another miracle on hand, Link, because if we don't pull one off now, Hyrule won't last long enough for you to reach the next temple.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Flame and bone hammered into the Hero Eternal, and the sky spun wildly above Link as he fell. Epona vanished, returning to her Charm. With less time to spare than he would have liked, the Hero deployed his Sailcloth, transforming his landing from leg-breaking to merely teeth-rattling. Volga laughed as he landed with earth-shaking force, massive spear wreathed in fire. The knight in crimson straightened, his wings melting into his back. "Poor form, Hero. Are you less a warrior without your rage for fuel?"
Link rolled to his feet before Volga's first sentence was complete. He circled the villain, occasionally twirling the Master Sword. His arm trembled with the need to carve through him. Calm. Patience. Trust Zelda, and Hyrule. For now, win the fight in front of you. With expert speed and grace, Link flashed his sword's tip at Volga's eyes, forcing the knight back. "I'm controlling my anger, Volga. To your sorrow."
To Link's surprise, Volga smiled in response. "Good. Show me your strength!" With that, the dragon knight attacked, and even the Hero was hard-pressed by the whirling dragonbone spear. Sparks flew across Link's shield from blow after blow. Fire and wind roared around the Hylian, burning and buffeting him. Farore. He's more powerful than ever. Link thrust at Volga, stabbing where armor plates met, but Volga's spear struck home twice in that same moment, one end slicing and the other pounding. #Fi, Navi, analysis!#
Knowledge streamed in from detached spirit and impassioned fairy as one moment of clarity: Volga was empowered by the combined magical might of Cia, Dinrova, and Phantom Ganon. He also wielded the draconic power of the Hero of Time's enemy Volvagia, condensed into a human form – save for when he unleashed his legacy. Neither sacred blade nor earthly glamour could divine the source of his dragon's might.
While Link fell back, Volga leaped into the air, becoming a monster of power and fury. He spiraled down and slammed into the Hero, the explosion throwing Link back with insulting ease. #Link!# Navi sent, her terror at his plight overflowing through the bond. #Hang on for just a little longer!#
The Hero staggered to his feet, then barely rolled away from a charge that threatened to impale him on Volga's spear. #Reinforcements?# he asked, doubting the notion even as it formed.
#Not the sort you mean, but – just give me some time,# Navi insisted. Link nodded, already weary from the damage, and readied himself for Volga's next assault. Both knights paused as they weighed each other, and examined the battlefield. The Hylian line held – barely – but warriors struggled to survive the enormous wave of Ganon-spawn at multiple points. Moblins. Stalfos. Lizalfos. Too many of them, and not enough of us. He grimaced and turned his attention back to Volga. Hyrule's warriors fight bravely, but we have to do something soon. I have to do something, soon.
#A report, Master,# Fi added, circling beside the Hero to avoid blocking his view of Dinrova's champion. #Volga's power is bolstered by evil magic, but does not derive from it. Therefore, the Power to Repel Evil has limited functionality against it.#
Great. Link shook his head rapidly, then locked eyes with Volga. On the clock, Hero. Hyrule needs you. Zelda needs you. He held his sword aloft and waited. Volga laughed and charged. Link unleashed his Skyward Strike in the exact moment the dragon knight lunged. The blast rammed into Volga's face, and he screamed just before Link deflected the spear into the ground. Volga followed, levered into the earth by his own weapon. The Hero danced back and prepared himself. His sparring partner didn't disappoint. Volga roared, breathing fire in an arc at him. Then he transformed one arm into a massive dragon's claw and flew at Link once more.
The dragon knight's charge came to a sudden halt when several green arcs of air magic struck at him from above. Elwind? Link wondered, recognizing the spell after a moment. But that means–
Robin smiled, floating toward the duo from above. "It's going to be all right," he told the Hero. The Grandmaster landed lightly, slashing his Levin Sword through the air, then pointed the lightning blade at the Demon Realm army. "Time to tip the scales!" With those words, a roar emerged from the distant trees, and Ylisse's Shepherds charged toward the battle.
Volga glared at Robin and snorted, flames bursting from his nostrils. "Your courage does you credit, boy, but this is a private duel. Leave."
Robin's smile grew and sharpened, and he reopened the tome in his left hand. "No."
"Yes!" Link shouted back. "Help Zelda!" Robin's smile vanished. "You have an army we need desperately, and you're the greatest strategist alive. Hyrule needs you. I'll be fine."
"Volga's bloated on dark power!" Robin objected, sliding into a ready stance. "This is no one's idea of honorable combat." Volga shuddered, then bared his teeth at the Ylissean.
"I have the Master Sword," Link replied, circling Volga as the Shepherds' charge approached. The Demon Realm forces swarmed aimlessly, unable to choose an opponent. A sideways glance allowed Link to catch Impa in fierce combat with Wizro. "It's close enough. Go!" With a dark grimace, Robin obeyed, another leap sending the sorcerous tactician towards the Princess of Destiny. Nodding to himself, Link faced the dragon knight once more.
To the Hero's surprise, Volga was in a defensive stance, spear held out warily. "Do you agree with the Tactician, Hero?" the crimson warrior rumbled. "Does our battle lack honor?"
Link couldn't hold back a glare. "This duel is the least dishonorable thing about your invasion, Volga," he growled. "You summon an endless army to soak Hyrule in the blood of its people, and now you fret over magical minutiae?" The Hero summoned a bomb to hand. "The Dark Fire will not avail you, flame of Death!" Link heaved the bomb at his foe, but didn't wait for Volga's reply. Instead, he rolled to one side, waited for the red knight to destroy the explosive with his flame, then crouched to leap in.
Link paused, staring, when Volga tried to sweep the bomb aside with one arm. It exploded, leaving Volga staggering. I'll take it, he decided, diving in and stabbing. Volga roared and swung wildly, leaping back from the Hylian's blow. Link easily ducked under, bashing Volga with his shield and slashing the villain with a spin attack.
Another roar spat flame, and Link was tossed back by Volga's counterattack. "I don't need bombs, Hero," he snarled, racing spear-first at the Hero. I believe it, Link admitted to himself, barely raising his shield in time. Even then, Volga's blow pushed him back nearly a foot. "And you need more than weapons."
Incongruously, gentle music drifted on the wind around them. Fairy fountain chimes? Link wondered, looking around them when Volga halted in the middle of another attack. "Good thing he's got me, then!" Navi shot back. The more familiar chime of fairy flight rippled toward him, and for the first time in days, Link felt Proxi soaring through the sky.
#Honestly, Link, I leave for a little convalescence and you're up to your eyeballs in trouble,# Proxi quipped. When the tiny fairy reached him, she alighted on his chest, then flew into it. Power thundered through him, unlike anything he remembered feeling in any lifetime. Fierce Deity? The Triforce? Link wondered. It reminded him distantly of both in scope, but was utterly different from either in nature. It feels like – me.
"What is this?" Volga watched the Hero as he circled, spear spinning at the ready. "Have you found a power to equal mine?"
"Found?" Navi flew above Link, returning to her full human size. "No. Given. For thousands of years, the fairy folk have guided the Hero, and been protected by him in turn. We would have done this long ago, but Link has never wanted power, only wielding the spells and weapons destiny required of him." She pointed at Volga, eyes narrowed. "You have changed the balance of that destiny, dragon warrior, you and your masters. Did you think the gods would ignore this gluttony?"
Dinrova teleported in overhead, screeching wildly as she circled. "Attack! Attack! Kill the Hero, now!" she demanded, and Bokoblins charged Link in a rush. Still dizzy from the raw fairy might coursing through him, the Hero attempted a single spin attack. Instead, he ripped through the company of demons like a scythe through grass, slicing through dozens of them as he flew across the earth. When his spin came to an end, an impulse convinced him to slash the air, another spiral blast flying from the Master Sword to tear through several more. The Gerudo villain's terrified scream almost brought a smile to the Hero's lips. No. Hyrule first. Power like this might turn the tide.
When Link turned to face the battle, however, Volga laughed and flew at him again. Oh, for Din's sake! Hero and villain threw themselves at each other, sparks flying as spear met shield and blade struck armor. For several seconds, the overwhelming powers the champions wielded were evenly matched.
To Link's surprise, Volga's smile vanished, and he fell back. Looking down, the dragon knight saw streamers of Dark Fire boiling away in holy light. Fi spiraled out from the Master Sword. "My report noted that I would be less functional against you," she noted, her lips turning up just a touch at the ends, "not ineffective."
"You should run now," Proxi growled.
Volga's eyes narrowed, holding his ground as a trio of Moblins led a force of their smaller cousins in a charge on the Hero. Link spun through them, decimating the Bokoblins, then dodged the Moblins' spin attacks to strike them while they floundered. "I might have fallen back if our numbers seemed to give me an untoward advantage. Do you think I will abandon my position now?"
"Matching your courage against the Hero's?" A lithe figure in blue, masked, but wielding a sword Link could never have forgotten, strode to the Hero's side. "More the fool you."
"Retreat!" Dinrova screamed, as if on cue. "Fall back!" Volga grimaced.
Link exhaled, letting the weariness show at last. "Then you won't abandon your forces to indulge in a personal duel either, will you?"
Surprising the Hero again, Volga grinned and saluted him. "Indeed. Still, this time the advantage was mine, until the Great Fairy saved you." Volga joined his force's rear guard, breathing the occasional gout of flame at aggressive Phoenix Knights. "As gratifying as our contest has been, now duty makes its demand. When next we fight..."
"...no quarter," Link replied, looking down. "I know." Once Volga had fallen back, Link turned to face the newcomer. He sheathed the Master Sword. "Hey."
"Hero," the Ylissean replied simply, nodding. "You may call me–"
"Marth!" Link cried, wrapping 'Marth' in a fierce hug. "Great Hylia, it's good to see you!"
When the masked figure coughed quietly, Link put the Ylissean back down. "You must realize I am not the Marth of old," the ally replied, looking away.
"And I'm not the Hero of Time," Link noted, smile broadening. "You think I wouldn't recognize your soul, old friend?" Even beneath the mask, Link could make out Marth's blush.
A bellow shook the battlefield. Rolling from amidst the fleeing Bokoblins came a Dodongo King, uncoiling to roar its challenge to the champions of Hyrule. Link and Marth looked at each other, took deep breaths, braced themselves, and charged.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Zelda collapsed against a surviving section of wall, letting the electricity of battle drain away. Fatigue took its place, making her skin feel leaden. King Dodongo was still vanishing, returning to the Dark Fire that had conjured it. Link and Aveil watched the body warily, still weighing bombs in their hands, while Dorgan and Lana leaned on one another for support. Goddess. Where's Impa?
Zelda's Sheikah protector appeared from her shadow. "Your Highness," Impa said, not quite asking.
"I'm fine. Just tired." The princess let her eyes fall closed. Impa has always seen well enough for us both. She pictured Link, just seconds earlier, throwing a half-dozen bombs in a volley. The fairy magic that had radiated from him soaked into the champions of Hyrule capable of channeling it – Dorgan, Lana, Aveil, Gorko, Impa, Orielle, and much to Zelda's surprise, herself. There will be others, but not many.
The princess opened her eyes and looked at Gorko again. His body had changed, torso broadening, legs shrinking. His head had likewise grown, expanding to match his body. He seems to have become half-stone. It's as though...as though he's become a Goron of old, the princess realized, an image of the Gorko from millennia past flashing through her memory. He hasn't become an exact match, but the resemblance is unmistakable. Her eyes flickered to Orielle. The Zora hadn't changed as much as Gorko, but her body was now a brilliant sapphire blue, her hair had become more like a fish tail's, and small fins poked at her sleeves from within. They are becoming less like Hylians, and more like their people once were. Zelda glanced between them, Orielle grinning, Gorko pointing at his arm and chattering with excitement at a patient Navi. Both seem pleased with their states.
Robin strode to her side, Lucina shadowing him. Why she wears that mask is beyond me, Zelda wondered, though she fits Marth's uniform better than she did Ike's. The strategist nodded to the Hylian princess as he reached her, then followed her eyes to Gorko and Orielle. "Is that okay?" he asked.
"They are both pleased, and that is all that matters," Zelda explained. "No – it's more important than that." She folded her arms and looked towards Castle City. "I don't know why the people of Earth and Sea chose to be more like Hylia's children. I'm glad those days are behind us, though. Hyrule's greatest strength has ever come from its many facets. Trying to press conformity to any one vision, even that of a goddess, is unwise."
The Beorc nodded. "And their unique abilities will come in handy in the battles to come," he noted.
"We will not press for their people to change," Zelda insisted quickly. "All must decide for themselves." Her smile returned. "Fear not, my friend. Both peoples have been investigating their pasts, seeking something each felt they'd lost. Gorko's life quest has been that search." Robin nodded.
"Well enough," Lucina agreed, scanning the field, "but for all our advantages won today, they will prove fleeting if we don't capitalize on them." She touched the mask, looking away.
Zelda forced a gentle tone. "You don't need that, you know."
"Your people need legends," the Ylissean princess insisted. "The Hero is one. You are another. A Beorc child from across a troubled border is not. Marth is remembered a hundred generations later. Morale is better served by the legendary king reborn than an untested heir."
Inevitably, Zelda turned to Link, who had left Aveil with Dorgan and Lana and was heading back to her. "Hyrule needs heroes, not legends. Your choice is your own, but Marth died a very long time ago. I would face battle with the swordmaster beside me, no matter the name or face."
"Huh," Robin quipped, folding his hands behind his head and leaning against the wall. "This sounds familiar."
A wry grin spread beneath the mask. "Stick to strategy," Lucina retorted. "It's what you're good at." She glanced back at Zelda, sobering, hand falling to Falchion's hilt. "With respect, Your Highness, you are the Princess of Destiny. Weathering storms that shake the world's roots is what you do. If it helps defeat the King of Evil, a mask is no trouble at all."
"That uniform is enough, you know," Link said with a nod. "You were Marth, and that skill, that presence, remains in the person you are today. After today's battle, everyone must know it."
Lucina turned from princess to Hero and back. "Perhaps after we have fought more battles together," she relied slowly.
Robin chuckled and put an arm around Lucina's shoulders. "Might as well give up for now. When 'Marth' here gets stubborn, you can use the footprints for cornerstones. Without any stone."
Link shrugged. "So, do we use 'he' or 'she' for you, Marth?"
With that, Lucina's droll grin returned. "I bear Marth's legacy, but with the Shepherds here, there is no point in pretending I am male." She watched the Ylissean force as they aided Hyrule's military restore order. "Besides, a few of them could use the reminder that swords favor no gender."
"Really?" Link asked, eyebrows rising.
Zelda patted his arm and headed back to camp, noting Robin accompanying her while Link and "Marth" continued their discussion of vestigial Ylissean sexism. "Yes, Tactician?"
"Just checking in," Robin said, hands sliding into his pockets. "I helped fight a war like this. I know what it does to good people."
The princess shrugged. "I'll be fine." She smiled at him. "I wouldn't be saying that, had you not arrived when you did."
"You have Link." The Beorc gestured towards their sword-masters with a sideways nod. "Hyrule would have managed. It always does." Zelda nodded absently, examining their ramparts as they approached. Goddess. What a mess. All at once, she felt very small. Except I am the goddess, and it's my mess, isn't it? Robin cleared his throat. "I have to say, I admire your patience. I'm a very tolerant man myself, except when it comes to holding a grudge."
Zelda stumbled briefly, chuckling as she righted herself. "I'm sorry, what?"
"The answer you're looking for is, 'because you laughed.' It looked like you could use a joke," Robin explained, grinning. "You can't take life too seriously. No one gets out alive."
"I didn't know you were part Gerudo," Zelda quipped back, straightening her hair with one hand and a flicker of telekinesis.
"My mother was Hylian. I've been around, that's all." Robin's shrug was broad enough to warn Zelda. "Time is the best teacher. Unfortunately, it kills all of its students."
At last, the princess laughed outright. "Stop," she pleaded, face in hand as it grew warm. Robin shrugged again and bowed a touch. "Wizard, strategist, comedian. Is there no end to your talents?"
"I can't dance," Robin continued casually. "I tried once for my mom. She begged me to stop before I summoned Agahnim." Again, Zelda laughed, waving in surrender. "All right, you have to look dignified, I know." His smile vanished when they stopped, and he looked over the emplacements while the princess composed herself. "Please, Your Highness, try to take care of yourself. I haven't been any version of the Hero for a long time, but I remember enough to know what you've given for our world. It's been too much already."
Zelda shook her head for a moment, then hugged the Ylissean. When Robin squirmed, she let go. "On one condition. Remember to take your own advice," she insisted. Robin nodded quickly, heading towards his Shepherd compatriots.
Impa rose silently from Zelda's shadow. "It is good to hear you laugh, Princess Zelda," the Sheikah said. Zelda turned to face her, and Impa's wan smile faded away. "Orders, Your Highness?"
"Put Eagus, Aveil and Robin together as soon as our Ministers can be spared," she ordered. "As for the Hero," Zelda continued, fingernails biting into her palms, "he must travel to the next temple as soon as possible. Unless we know of a closer one, that means Mount Eldin." She strode towards the command tent, which still rose above the rest of camp in spite of a few rips.
Her lifelong protector said nothing, only a brief flicker of her crimson eyes showing any sign of reaction. "Crossing most of Hyrule will be a challenge," Impa noted, following Zelda without hesitation.
"It will likely be harder with Gorko, at first, but Link will almost certainly need him once they return to Eldin Province," Zelda continued, eyes locked onto the tent. Was I laughing just seconds ago? she wondered. Every battle seems to consume a lifetime. Impa nodded. "I welcome any advice on the matter," she added, voice weaker than she'd hoped.
"If I had any," Impa admitted, her watchful demeanor unshaken, "rest assured I would share it. Aside from suggesting that you not underestimate Dean Gorko, I will only say this: we must have faith in the Hero."
The tent sheltered them in its shadow, a sapphire haven two stories tall, topped by the banner of her people. For now, this is Castle Hyrule. She nodded to Impa and entered, praying that they could change the fate Ganon's army had written for them.
