I don't own Legend of Zelda. Enjoy! :)
Chapter Eleven
A tunnel of blackness stretched before him as Link stood before the entrance to the Sacred Meadow—so said Saria.
"You sure I need whatever this power is?" The girl nodded. "Yes. Through there is a maze that will confuse you. The first part is easy, listen with your ears; the other part you'll need your Sheikah to guide you." Link nodded. "Ok. So, once we reached the Sacred Meadow, I'll somehow get the power?" she nodded again. "Yep! Just be careful and listen to Sheik; I'll be waiting here for your return." Link nodded again and turned towards the brooding Sheikah, who was leaning against a tree.
"Are you coming Shiek?" With a curt of his head, Sheik moved from his position and fell behind Link as the Hylian ventured forth in the tunnel.
Darkness enveloped them both, their footsteps echoing around the tunnel. Light shined at the end and Link blinked as his eyes adjusted to the brightness, his gaze landing upon three different tunnels. Link looked the Sheik, but the Sheikah shook his head at his unspoken question—he didn't know which tunnel either.
Sighing, Link inspected each tunnel to see if there was a difference between them, but they looked all the same, no markings that defined them. But his ears picked up a sound in one of the tunnels; a faint, playful tune echoing from the beyond. Checking to make sure the others didn't have the sound, Link nodded to Sheik and walked into the tunnel, with the Sheikah following behind.
Five more tunnels with the tune inside led Link and Shiek to an open meadow. Trees grew tall and proud, the flowers with petals bright with happiness. Link couldn't help but smile at the beautiful scene, untouched by the bloody hand of war. He was about to step onto the soft-looking grass when Sheik pulled him back.
"Sheik, wha-"
"Don't go another step."
Link didn't step another inch, though he couldn't see what was wrong. The grass seemed safe enough, though Sheik was staring intently at the scenery.
"What's wrong Sheik?"
"This place is wrong. What do you see Link?"
"It's a beautiful place; no wonder it's called the Sacred Meadow. All this life blossoming and happiness radiating—it's a magical place."
He heard Sheik smirked. "True, it is magical. But your eyes deceive you. Your Goddess gave you Hylians to hear their whispering voices and soft music. My God gave my Sheikah kin eyes to see through deception and illusion. What you see is not real; instead of this meadow you talk of, there's only a plane of death and decay. The ground is filled with traps that'll plunge you to the depths below and wicked vines are the only growth here, catching its prey and dragging them to their doom."
Link looked from Sheik to the peaceful meadow before them. He couldn't see any hint of decay anywhere, but he trusts the Sheikah word.
"Alright, you lead the way. I'll step where you step and no more." The Sheikah nodded and stepped around the nice patch of grass, his eyes looking for the safest path. Link followed him step for step, carful to not place his foot anywhere else. The meadow beckoned him to come lay under a tree or smell the inviting aroma of the flowers. But Link never strayed, keeping his eye on his Sheikah friend.
They reached the end of the meadow and Link turns, seeing the illusion dispelled, the beautiful scene transforming into a plane of death. Link was glad that Sheik came with him.
Before them stood a huge worn-down doorway, the etchings upon the stone faded with age and the green growth hung with maturity. Link could feel a great power from within and he glanced at Sheik and saw in his eyes he felt the same.
"I guess I go on alone then." Sheik nodded.
"Yes, but I believe you'll come out fine. Trust in yourself; you have courage in you." Link smiled and nodded. Taking a breath, the Hylian pushed away the vines and entered the dark. Though, it wasn't all blackness, there was a dim light shining ahead and Link kept it in his sight. The light slowly grew as he walked closer to it.
Upon reaching the end of the tunnel, Link blinked as sunlight shined through onto the meadow before him—the true Sacred Meadow. It wasn't as lush and steaming with plane life like the illusion, but seeing the simple grass and worn-down stone basking in the rays of light, gave Link the sense of familiarity and home. He cautiously moved forward, incase this too was a trap, looking around for what he must collect. Moving closer to center of the Meadow, Link noticed mist rising around him. He tensed, gripping his sword at his side, his eyes darting back and forth. Silhouettes joined the mist, moving around him. Link twist and turned, following the shadows as they danced around him.
One silhouette stopped and Link stopped with it, the tension rolling off him. The shadow came forward, dressed in a green tunic and brown gauntlets and boots. Blond hair flowed over blue eyes, its gaze blank as it pulled a sword from thin air. Link pulled his sword from his sheath and prepared to battle.
Seconds passed before the figure attacked, lunging at Link. He quickly parried its blade, before twisting the blade away and attacking its open side. But the figure easily saw it, quickly spinning and blocking his attacked. They exchanged blows, neither gaining nor losing ground. Link tried every trick he learned, every strike of the sword. But this thing blocked him moved for moved—he never had such a close match before. It was then he realized this figure was him, copying his move. When the idea crossed his mind, only one move was in his head—a move his father used on him every time they sparred. As the other him swung its sword downward, Link blocked it, kneeling on the ground. With speed, he grabbed its forearm and disarmed both him and his other self, then flipping it over him onto the ground. He easily grabbed his sword near me and held the tip at its throat. A smile broke across his other self. "Well done…" And it disappeared back into the mist.
Link panted but quickly stood up as another shadow dressed in a green tunic, though the green was duller than the last one, it stood before Link. The Hylian readied his sword, but the figure stopped him. "I'm not here to fight you… I'm here teach you… A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage… There's techniques I'll teach you so you can defeat your enemy… Shall we begin?" Link nodded and readied his mind and body to learn.
This new other self, taught him seven skills to perfection. Link never knew these skills existed—he wondered where this figure learned such talent. After learning all, the figure nodded. "You're ready… Remember… A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage…" And it disappeared along with the mist, revealing a sword resting inside a pedestal in the center. The hilt was purple with green lines twisting around it and the blade shined with pure light. It seemed to call him and Link obeyed, gripping the sword and pulled it up. Link felt empowered by this sword, feeling its energy coarse through him. He strapped the sheath to the sword to his back and sheathed the weapon. As he walked out, he saw the two figures stand before him. "You now wield the Master Sword, the Blade of Evil's Bane… With it, you'll overcome your fears and doubts and strike down your enemy… You're the next Hero, Link son of Jedin… Go and bring light back to Hyrule…"
Link nodded. "I will." And they faded as he walked back into the tunnel. The last thing he heard was a whisper of comfort. "We are watching over you…. Always…"
Sheik twiddled with his dagger as he waited for Link to return from the Sacred Meadow. He had a hunch of what power laid inside. The tales of old had been passed down, from Sheikah to Sheikah, parent to child, of great evil ruling the land and only one weapon could bring the downfall of that evil and bring light and peace to the land. The Master Sword, the Blade of Evil's Bane. But only the Hero could wield it and use its awesome power to strike down darkness.
Sheik chuckled as he realized what position he plays in this—the Sheikah guide, the one to lead and help the Hero along his journey. He heard of his ancestors doing the same thing to other Heroes, before, but they went unnoticed, drowned in the glory and praise of each Hero. Then again, what did he care about being recognized? Once this war was over, he could go back to defending his homeland from barbarians and bandits.
He tensed as he sensed another presence—two actually. Slowly gripping his weapon, Sheik posed his dagger for throwing when he stopped mid-throw as he two of himself before him—one with short-shaggy hair and the other woven in a long braid. Sheik believed he gone mad, seeing two versions of himself. But they disappeared as Sheik felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw it was Link, with the Master Sword attached to his back.
"I see you've found the power." Link nodded.
"Yep, though I don't know how a magical sword would help end this war. Anyways, why do you have your dagger out?" Sheik looked back where the two versions of him were, wondering if he imagined them.
"I thought I heard something, but it's nothing. Let's be on our way; no doubt that Kokiri has more tasks for us." The Hylian nodded and started walking across the death-filled plane, careful of the traps, and Sheik soon followed, not before he heard voices whispering on the air.
"Protect him at all costs…"
Impa kneeled before a small stature of the Sheikah God, Shikei. She prayed for her last surviving brother is well and that they'll be reunited—either in life or death.
"Impa."
Impa opened her eyes as she felt Lithe kneel next to her. "He'll return; you'll see."
"I know Lithe… But I can't help but send good prayers towards his way." Silence filled the room as Impa finished her prayers. She turned to look Lithe, seeing the way his brown-blond hair trailed down his face, slightly covering his deep-red eyes. Seeing all the nicks and scars adorning his face, reminded her of how many battles he's been in. A strong-spirted warrior he is. She smiled and then began praying again.
"What are you praying now, Riäv?" Impa smiled at the endearment.
"That when our kin win this war and peace is returned to our homeland, we will be united as one." She smiled at him, her eyes twinkling. Lithe grinned back at her and lightly kissed her lips.
But the happy moment soon ended as a lower Sheikah entered the small makeshift shrine.
"Hkirv-Lithe! Khaik-Impa! An Irrev spotted Ehir-Sheik walking with a Nyuukos; they're making camp soon." Impa immediately stood up.
"We'll rescue him and capture the Nyuukos as soon they sleep." She ordered a few Sheikah to come with her. She will rescue her brother at all costs.
Link leaned against the cold bark of a log, staring into the flames of the small fire. When he and Sheik met Saria earlier, she informed them of death of the Hylian King. Link was shocked—what happens now? Is the war over? He looked over at Sheik, seeing the disguised happiness at the end of the Hylian ruler. Did Sheik know and led him on a pointless journey? But Saria contradicted his thinking; the war was still on. Now Sheik had a surprised look on his face and Link could guess what he was thinking—how can a war continue without a leader leading its army? Then Link remembered. At the death of a King, if the heir is too young to rule, the appointed Regent of the Throne would take over and continue the duties of the King—continue the war.
Silence surrounded and clung to them as they started to find a place to camp, the light growing dark. Saria followed them, 'til she disappeared to make sure nothing was going to attack them tonight. Link started on the fire with the timber and small sticks lying around as Sheik sat away from the fire, staring into the blackness of the forest. Link didn't bother him, leaving the Sheikah alone to his thoughts.
Link didn't know he nodded off 'til he felt someone leaning on him. Looking over, he saw Sheik against his arm, his ruby-red eyes puffy. Link wrapped an arm around him, holding him. Neither spoke as they enjoyed the small comfort they gave each other and it wasn't long before they fell asleep to the dimming fire.
But the peaceful moment was interrupted as Link was roughly pulled away from Sheik. He struggle with all his might to get to Sheik, but was quickly knocked in the head and blackness enveloped his vision. He heard Sheik shouting his name before he fell to unconsciousness.
Paitely placed her hand upon Ernest's head, casting a spell to make him not wake. Once finished, she dons her Sheikah warrior armor, fitting her form nicely. She just finished bandaging her right eye—her blue eye—when her subordinates approached her.
"What are our orders, Milady?" Paitely took her time making sure she had every arsenal on her before she gave an answer.
"Watch over that Hylian while I'm away." And with that, she used a deku nut to transport herself to her desired destination.
Upon arriving, she looked below to small village, all asleep in their abodes. Turning around, she looked over the twenty Sheikah that were captured by the Gerudo man and brainwashed to do her bidding. Most of were between the ages of eight and fourteen. Young, yes, but easier to control. Turning back onto the village, Paitely gave the order and the Sheikah dashed forward unto the unsuspected villagers. Screams filled the air as the massacre began.
Translation
Riäv - Soulmate
