Chapter Ten – The Instruments

"Before the Island, before the Wind Fish, even before the world, we eight existed, Sarde, Mahri, Nami, Rahi, Ansho, Silu, Raimei, and myself. We eight wandered the world, with no restrictions. Then, the Goddesses came.

"Din changed the earth, adding land. Continents grew where water had been. Islands exploded into existence where there had been nothing but stretches of sea. Farore then came and added life to the world. Suddenly, where the seas had been calm, life exploded into being. Fish swam for the first time, the great sharks and whales fought and co-operated as they discovered each other's existence. On life, beasts and monsters rose from the ground and, due to their nature, took up primitive arms against one another. Then Nayru came, giving peace to everything. She set laws, rules, the true foundation of the earth.

"In time, that life flourished. Islands were populated by humans, beasts, and less savory creatures. Meanwhile, we eight explored the land. We had no true forms, but we could become human and descend to the earth. To do this, we had bargained with the Goddesses. In order to become human, our powers as spirits were sealed inside eight magical objects, instruments hand-picked for each of us. Our powers were locked within these Instruments and given to us to carry with us. This was fine with us, and our powers were returned when we left our human bodies.

"However, things turned bad when we were attacked in our human forms by sirens. The horrible beasts almost killed Ansho, the spirit of the Coral Triangle. We were barely lucky to escape with our lives. Unfortunately, the Sirens made off with the Instruments that had our powers. Of course, after we healed, we went after them.

"We ambushed them on the edge of Aila Ahun. We managed to reclaim four of the eight instruments, those being the Wind Marimba, the Coral Triangle, the Organ of Evening Calm, and the Thunder Drum. Rahi, Ansho, Silu, and Raimei shed their human forms and decimated the Sirens' home. They brought us our instruments, but before we could take to the skies again, one of the few remaining Sirens swooped down and grabbed my Instrument. That horrible harpy threatened to smash it if we didn't stop attacking and relinquish the other seven Instruments to them. Of course, we obliged.

"It was at this moment that we discovered that Fate was not smiling down on us that day. At that precise second, The Wind Fish fell asleep. This island was warped into his dream, along with the Sirens and us. Once we were inside its dream, there was to be no escape, yet. The Sirens hastily sealed the Wind Fish inside an egg, sealing it with magic that could only be broken when the eight instruments were together played with the Ballad of the Wind Fish. Our Instruments, and us in them, were sealed in these dungeons and guarded over by one of the eight Sirens that first took our Instruments.

"These Sirens became the Nightmares you defeated. When you came to us in the dream, I couldn't believe it. I watched from the Horn as you battled your way to the Egg and played the Ballad. We took up your call, escaping from our Instruments and playing them. The spell broke and you vanquished the greatest Siren, the one who had forced us to give it our Instruments. With the Wind Fish again awake, we were set free again.

"This time, the island returned to its natural resting place. We stayed on the island a while longer, having grown used to it. Unfortunately, that, too was a horrible decision. While we rested, craftsmen came and used our Instruments as moulds for statues of us, though they barely knew what we looked like. They trapped our Instruments in the statues, and we were again sealed, this time literally.

"When you approached me, Link, I could feel the vibrations of the Triforce. It gave me enough power to shed my statue prison and return to the real world. I myself have the power now to free the others. We will aid you in the final battle, this I swear."

Link stood up. Kaigara had started in on this tale when he woke up, and he had made himself comfortable. "And this battle will be against who, now?"

"Dethl," Kaigara whispered. "You faced him before, but you only managed to turn the tides and put him to sleep. He is the Siren who stole my Instrument and caused us all this grief, and I will be more than happy to help you destroy him."

Link nodded. "Fair enough. Now, could you give me a lift out of here?"

"Of course," she replied. She placed her hand on his shoulder and everything started to glow, blinding Link within moments.

When his vision cleared, Link found himself standing in front of Marin and Tarin's house. Kaigara stood beside him, almost invisible in the fading sunlight.

"I go to wake the others," she whispered. "Make your way to Kanalet Castle. Surely, the man you seek is there." With that, she faded.