The Duel... Not quite yet. Link needs to learn how to control combat magic before I plunge him into an all-out duel with a seasoned Warrior. (Even if Link's luck helps him out of most situations.)
The Master Sword will play an integral part in this chapter, (as it will in others), Remember, no one has seen the sword since the last hero. Which was a century earlier.
Link: "Please tell me there won't be anymore creepy appearances by sages or Kings?"
Me: "Why? I thought you were supposed to be recklessly courageous?"
Link: "Who told you that? Sometimes my publicist over-exaggerates things."
Me: "Really? And how does that make you feel?"
Link: "..."
Me: "Good."
Enjoy!
"How did you get here?" Link asked as they traversed down the stairs.
Largos grinned, "Why Link! You underestimate me, I traveled her by portal of course." Gesturing grandly at a stone archway at the stair's base, a thin stream of blue energy emerged from his fingertips and coated the space in the arch like a window. "This portal is directly linked with a mirror in my chambers, we can return through here."
The Hero's eyebrows lifted in amazement, "Can you teach me?"
"No, unfortunately... portals are strictly linked to points of high magical concentration in our land." The King frowned, "A true pity, it would make travel so much quicker across our land."
Link nodded his agreement and watched Largos vanish through the whirling maelstrom of magic.
A light bump on his left temple alerted him to Jess' words, "What are ya waiting for? Go on!" When he did not respond, she flew behind him and pressed against the small of his back, "Move it!"
Taking a shaky step forward, the world melted into a haze of muffled sound and blurred color. He tried to think. He tried to speak. But those basic functions seemed to escape him.
Jess materialized on the tip of his nose and giggled like a little girl, "Cool it, there's no need to struggle. Portals only force travelers to stay still so nothing is lost in the transition."
Link nodded his understanding and ceased to move. Several minutes later, the pressure on his body lessened and the miasma of color began to coalesce into a vaguely recognizable shape. The grey background smoothed out into a sturdily built stone wall with several richly decorated tapestries hanging at ten foot intervals around the room.
The King stood with his back to the mirror as Link stepped out, "I trust things went fairly well on your journey?"
When Largos did not turn, Link's vision turned grey briefly; then a voice in the back of his mind growled, "Evil..." His whole body went numb. The hair on his arms stood on end as the air filled with raw energy.
"Heh... I hear that you require training in the use of magic?" Largos turned. His face was a pallid green like that of a corpse that had been underwater for several years.
"Fortunately, the king has seen fit to ask me to oversee your training. My name is Vesanus." He bowed deeply.
Link swept the Master Sword from it's sheath and bared it at Vesanus, "Where is Largos?"
"The King? He is in the throne room... he asked me to meet you here."
"What are you?"
"Ah... I am Gerudo... I know about the reputation my people carry, but I assure you Lord Ganondorf's time has long passed. I am merely here as an ambassidor." Vesanus bowed his head and touched his forehead, "I also have heard of your... qualifications. Imagine that, a boy from Ordon is found to be the last heir of the First King's youngest son."
As Vesanus spoke, a tingling sensation filled Link's mind. This man was evil, he could feel it.
"It is an honor most high my leige." Vesanus bowed even lower.
"That's all well and fine...Vesanus, but why would the King choose you to train me in magic? Are you a Sorcerer of some sort?"
"That I am... I am trained in the usage of Spirit Magic. After all, my people guard the Spirit Temple so it is only right and proper... Ah! And with your new status as the Hero of Time, you must also be trained in the usage of the six Elemental magics." His cloak billowing like windswept darkness, Vesanus raised his arms and uttered a few unintelligible words.
The world around the both of them faded behind a light haze, the walls twisting and contorting into shapes that could never be assumed by physical material.
"Welcome my lord... To Regna Spirituum. The Realm of Spirits." Vesanus gestured at twisted walls. A long drawn-out howl echoed like a long-forgotten memory.
"What the?" Jess appeared from under link's hat and gasped.
"Ah! You have a fairy? I am not surprised, it is customary for the Hero to have a guardian." The Gerudo turned from Link and drew a deep breath, "I love this place!" Another echoing scream filled the air. "Mind them not young Hero. They are only the spirits of the dead... this world is their domain, but they may not harm those still among the living."
"Why did you bring me here?" Link gripped the Master Sword tighter.
"Only to teach you what you need to know about Spirit Magic." Vesanus smiled wildly, "Here in this world, you may learn things that would take an Acolyte many years to learn. As a practitioner of magic, I can impart to you vast knowledge of Spirits." He waived his hand, a long thin stream of orange energy cascaded from his fingers like a shower of water. The surrounding air crackled with energy. "Unlike others of my race, I alone possess the ability to directly control the spirits of the dead." A wide maniacal grin spread across his face. The mist around them collapsed into dense knots and began taking on vaguely human shapes.
Link lifted the Master Sword warily and shouted, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Vesanus looked taken aback, "Why... teaching you how to wield Spirit Magic of course."
"By summoning creatures? Aren't there some kind of exercises or tests?"
Vesanus chuckled heartily and lowered his raised arms, "What do you take me for? We do not have the time to run over course-work! I am going to implant the necessary into your soul." With a light flick of his wrist, the half-formed spirits charged Link from all sides.
With a shout, Link swung at the immaterial beings but to no avail. he collapsed with a pained grimace on his face.
"LINK!" Jess shouted and dove into the cloud of mist that surorunded his prone form. A few breathless moments later, Link emerged with an enraged expression on his elven face.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF DIN WERE YOU THINKING? I OUGHTA CLEAVE YOUR SLACK-JAWED HEAD IN TWO!" He raised his sword to execute said attack, but Vesanus stopped him with a grin.
"Can you not feel the powers flowing and ebbing inside of you? You are now a fully-fledged master of Spirit."
The Ordonian froze. Vesanus was right! He could feel an odd weightless sensation in his chest behind his heart. Jess popped up next to his dazed face, "That was completely unorthodox! Just you wait until Nayru hears of this!"
"Easy there my minuscule friend... It was the only way to convey to Link all of the information he required! I apologize if my method startled you, but as I have been saying, it was the only way."
Jess did not seem convinced. She landed on Link's shoulder and crossed her arms defiantly, "It still was unorthodox!"
Link, who had been speechless the entire time, smirked and raised his left hand to eye level. A thin amber mist effervesced from his fingertips and dripped to the ground like liquid. "This is amazing! I can really control the spirits of the dead?"
"Yes. In order to make the exchange stable, I imparted some of my own abilities to you." Vesanus wagged a finger, "But you must not use your powers for the next two days. We do not want your body attempting a relapse until it has had time to suppress all of the energy inside of you."
Link nodded absently and looked at the fairy on his shoulder, and frowned at her disapproving expression, "Rupee for your thoughts?"
She scowled and stuck out her tongue, "They're worth more than that."
"How much?"
"You don't have enough to afford me hon."
"Alright, I concede five rupees!" A sarcastic grin signalled his humor. But Jess did not seem amused.
"Go jump into a swamp!"
"Jeeze! looks to me as though someone could use a time-out!" His eyebrows cinched together.
"You wouldn't dare!"
Link growled, "Try me, Pixie."
She stood and pressed her nose to his. Vesanus gave a sharp 'ahem' and startled them out of their argument, "If you don't mind, would you like to return to the realm of the living?"
Jess scoffed, "If we must."
"Very well." Vesanus spread his hands, and the haze faded. The walls returned to their original shape. "I suggest you return to your chambers Master Link, and recover your strenght." With a wide smile, he vanished through the door.
My dearest friends. I apologize for the delay, the next week will be finals week. I shall remain ever faithful to finishing this story, but I must pay some measure of attention to my studies. (Even though I haven't done any proper work for a while now.)
With that, I bid you happy reading and farewell.