Ocarina and Wind Sage of Time
SO YEAH, THIS CHAPTER WILL BE A FLASHBACK CHA- Nah, I'm not that cruel… Hehe…
So I don't really know what to do about the boomerang. Yep, out of everything I could be having trouble with it's deciding how the boomerang actually functions… To me the boomerang is a wooden item that, in the game, you throw and it either slices through tentacles parasites in Jabu-Jabu, paralysis' enemies or kills them. How the hell does it work? I'm assuming it's magical, but how does it choose between doing damage or paralysis? For that matter, if it can slice through stuff why doesn't it slice through your hand when you catch it? Maybe it's sentient like the boomerang is in Twilight Princess and we just don't know it… I don't know. If anyone has an opinion on this then feel free to let me know however you want, because I don't know how to perceive it.
Disclaimer: I haven't stolen anything from you Nintendo! I've only stolen time from the readers as they discover what I've been doing with your property…
Chapter 11: Suddenly It Changes
First impressions are said to be very important. Surely when you meet someone for the first time your first impression of them will define how you view them for a while to come.
He was young.
That was my first impression of Link. Okay, so I technically saw him in the lost woods, but that was only for a split second at distance. Now that I was studying him close up and under the rising sun I realised just how young he actually was. I was only 13 and he was even younger than I was, although physically we were probably the same age now because of whatever the goddesses had done to my body... Regardless, I already knew I was older than him subconsciously of course, but it only properly started to sink in after I saw him close up with his intense blue eyes studying me.
So young… And yet a hero.
Who would want to be a hero though? Call me cynical but your reward as a hero often involves death or a maiming injury…
"What would you like me to call you?" The hero asked. "Perhaps Wind Demon? Wind Sage maybe? Or do you go by your name, Sophie?"
I resisted the urge to blanch at the fact he knows both my titles and my names before I had even met him. Wow I feel infamous.
"Sophie is fine, Link," I told him with a sigh.
"Well, Sophie… I figured I'd meet you eventually after Zelda helped break you out of prison," Link said.
Ruto gasped dramatically.
"What? That's not true is it?" she asked.
"Ah it is, the king didn't like me having this on my hand and decided to keep me as a pet in his dungeons," I dryly told her, showing the weird "inverted" triforce I had.
"But why?" she pushed.
"Because this marks me as the "Wind Sage", a person prophesied to do a bunch of stuff and he is one of many people that either want to control me or kill me."
"But what -"
"I'm afraid that I need to talk to Link in private, Ruto," I interrupted her, figuring it would be the easiest way to get rid of her before Link somehow revealed every possible bad thing that could be associated with me.
Although, maybe that might make her feel less inclined to marry me… Ah, but it'll get annoying with her interrupting every couple of minutes, just let her go.
She stared at me for a moment, before nodding with a sigh and slowly walking away.
"Ruto!" I called out to her.
She turned, hopeful at whatever she was expecting me to say.
"I still need that boomerang back!"
She twitched.
"Fine! Have your stupid boomerang!" She yelled, throwing it at me as hard as she could before storming off.
I instinctively raised a barrier and watched as the boomerang was deflected in a curve towards Link, who snatched it from the air before it could collide with his face.
"No, you're going to need it," I told him as he held it out for me.
He gave me a look as if unsure of something, but pocketed the boomerang regardless.
We stood there in an awkward silence for a few moments. His whole body seemed tense and ready to react. Obviously he didn't trust me, not that I had given him any reason to.
"So… How did you know about me getting thrown in prison?" I asked.
"Zelda and I saw it all from the courtyard, through a window," was the reply. "Why did you run from me in Kokiri Forest?"
"I..." I trailed off.
That was a good question. Maybe I should've prepared answers for his questions in advance?
I think it was because I didn't want to meet Link in person and I felt I was more likely to get dragged into the upcoming conflict and have to save the world with him. I'm no hero! I don't want to get dragged into anything if I can help it!
"I, uh... I can be a little anti-social at times and didn't want to distract you from your quest..." I muttered.
What else was I supposed to tell him? That the goddesses had taken me from another world and given me divine powers to help him fulfil a quest to save his world and that I really didn't want to go through with it?
Because telling him that would obviously go down so well.
Link didn't even say anything to my reply. I wonder what he was thinking.
Probably that it was such a terrible lie that it's not even worth answering. Although, I'm sure I can be anti-social at times, so it's not a complete lie… Maybe…
"I um, decided to go ahead and get this while you got the other one," I handed Link the Zora's Sapphire.
He studied it, holding it close to his eyes and turning it in his hands before he seemed satisfied with whatever he was looking for and storing away.
"Well then Link, you've got all three Spiritual Stones, so let's go back to Princess Zelda!" a high pitch voice squealed out from underneath his hat.
"Oh! Navi, you were being so quiet I thought you had gone asleep," Link said surprised.
"Hey! I don't talk all the time Link!" she shrieked.
"I never said you do," he replied complaisantly. "By the way, what do you think about Sophie?"
"Listen! I don't trust her and you shouldn't either!"
I twitched and slowly began to grind my teeth together as they started to have a discussion about me while I was standing right there in front of them. Luckily for them, Navi disappeared back from where she'd come after a few seconds.
Otherwise, who knows what I would have done...
And I thought Navi was annoying in the game. In the game you could just ignore her, but reality is a much crueller mistress indeed...
"Let's head back to Hyrule Castle!" Link exclaimed suddenly.
I blinked.
"You do realise that there are wanted posters up for my arrest right?" I asked.
And I don't want to hang around you and end up catching heroism...
"And?" he shrugged. "Don't get caught. It's not that hard…
"No, I'm not going to risk it."
"But you have to! Hyrule needs you!"
"No!" I shouted.
"Why?" He asked quietly.
I just stared defiantly at him.
"Whatever," he shook his head with a disappointed sigh and trudged away towards Zora's Domain.
I really don't want to help save a world that isn't even my own! Why the goddesses thought I would I have no idea. Besides, I have enough on my plate with trying to stay out of Ganondorf's sight for a whole seven years...
Oh wait.
I could just skip seven years if I stayed with Link couldn't I?
I'm an idiot.
"Wait!" I called out, rushing after the green clothed child, catching up to him quickly.
He turned a gave me a questioning glance.
"I'll come with you," I said with a sigh.
His face was marred with confusion as he stared at me for a moment.
"What…?" He just shook his head. "Whatever, come on then."
I followed him silently, smiling to myself. He obviously wanted to ask why I had changed my mind.
I wonder why he didn't ask? Maybe he doesn't care, so long as I come… Or maybe he feels I may change my mind again if he asks?
Whatever his reason, I'm glad he didn't ask. I would've had to come up with an excuse on the spot.
"My daughter has returned safely to my side!" The king joyously announced as we walked past. "If you have a need be sure to call upon the Zora nation young Wind Sage! And thank you for your willingness to help as well young man."
Ruto stood silently by his side, glowering at me. Link's face was impassive as he kept going.
Travelling with Link was… Interesting…
As in, it was kind of awkward…
The silence was deafening…
Well at least between us. Navi always seemed to have something to say and he would often just nod and pretend he was listening.
But we didn't say anything to each other. I didn't for many reasons; I didn't want to accidentally reveal something I shouldn't, I didn't want to befriend him when I knew that it would inevitably lead me into being dragged around Hyrule by him and helping him do everything. I wanted to keep my distance.
I wouldn't dance to the goddesses tune, no matter how hard they played their silent instruments or tried to pull their unseen strings on me, their 'puppet'…
I guess he just didn't want to talk. I'm sure he had his reasons though. Although, if I was him, I would be questioning my suspicious companion quite rigorously while travelling with them.
I'm not saying I'm suspicious or anything…
Yeah, I wish.
As we got close to the drawbridge I realised my little plan had a small snag. When Ganondorf turned up he probably wouldn't just leave without me and might try to take me with him. I mean, it's obvious he wants me and if I was to just appear in front of him then who knows what would happen?
Luckily I thought up a solution very quickly. When Zelda throws the Ocarina of Time into the moat I'll simply jump off after it and hide in the moat while Link and Ganondorf have their little bonding moment.
So many things could go wrong with this, but having no time to think of anything better, I figured it would be better than having no plan at all.
If everything goes bad and I need a quick escape I could always try and launch myself over the Hyrule Market wall and hope Ganondorf either won't come looking for me or that I can escape him in the bustling crowds and frequent alleyways. Of course, that's only a last resort because then I wouldn't be with Link and I'd have to survive seven years before Link came back to kill the creep.
Muscles taut and coiled tight like a spring ready to explode into action, I followed Link onto the drawbridge ready to dive into the moat as soon as Zelda threw the Ocarina of Time at us.
Nothing happened.
I looked around confused. Where was she?
And why is the drawbridge already lowered? Shouldn't it have been raised and then lowered as we got closer?
"Sophie?" my companion asked.
I realised I had stopped walking and quickly followed after him into the marketplace.
I resisted the urge to constantly look around and make sure I wasn't attracting attention; instead I kept my head down and almost literally walked in Links shadow. Luckily the adults that were roaming around the market were a lot taller than us and we slipped through the crowds without being spotted by any guardsmen on duty.
Link took charge easily, having already broken into the castle once before. I simply had to follow him quickly and quietly. We raced up to the top of the vines and Link waited until the guard on the bridge turned away from us before climbing up and giving me a hand up. We then rushed towards the ladder that would go down to the gate.
The guard on the bridge was walking away from us so we reached the ladder with no difficulty. Link urged me down so I went first.
Once I was down a few rungs Link reached down to grab the ladder, but a sudden shout made him look up in surprise.
"Uh oh, you got spotted Link!" a shrill voice erupted from his hat.
"Keep going and stay at the bottom of the ladder," Link whispered urgently, before standing up and walking out of sight.
I ignored the shouting that was occurring above me and clambered down to the bottom of the ladder and stood there twiddling my thumbs and waiting for Link to circle back around to the ladder again.
The door suddenly opened and I jumped, ready to have to fight my way out of the area. Link walked in, cool as a cucumber.
"How?" I asked, glaring at him for scaring me.
"The guard let me through the gate for 10 rupees" he shrugged and motioned for me to follow him.
I sighed.
The next couple of hours were probably the tensest of my entire life, and boring as well.
Yes, hours.
It may have been faster if I wasn't a wanted criminal that would go to jail if we got caught and Link would probably join me on grounds of association. And there were two of us trying to sneak in as well.
Yeah, we weren't taking any risks, making sure guards weren't going to spot us before moving on.
By the time we reached the courtyard where Zelda apparently spends all her free time, the sun was almost starting to set, making long shadows across the flowers and grass.
Zelda was on her knees when we arrived, admiring the nature, but stood when she saw us approaching. Impa was nowhere to be seen, but I guessed she was close by and ready to defend the princess from any dangers.
"Do you have them?" she asked.
Link nodded.
"Thank you for keeping your promise," she glanced at me.
I grunted. If I say I'm going to do something then I will try to do it, in my own time and way.
"Oh so that's why she went to Zora's Domain, because you sent her there right Zelda?" Link grinned.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Zelda looked confused.
"She already had the Zora's Sapphire when I got to her."
"But I sent her after you, in the direction of Death Mountain..." She turned and stared at me. "How did you even know where the Spiritual Stone was? If my memory serves me correctly, I never told you anything about them, just that we needed them and Link could tell you more..."
I barely avoided wincing.
Damn Link for bringing this up! And damn Zelda for following through!
I opened my mouth to find some reason for my knowledge, but was interrupted before I could speak.
"Zelda! Darling, it's time to come inside now!" A male voice called out.
I turned, feeling like a pig in a slaughterhouse.
Just in time to freeze alongside the king and his two guards as they saw Link and I standing next to his daughter.
Well, more likely because of me than Link.
"Zelda, get away from her, quick!" the king called out desperately.
The guards readied their pikes and inched forward, until Zelda shook her head.
"No father, you know as well as I do she is no criminal."
"Young lady, get over here this instant!" he bellowed, his face colouring a slight shade of purple.
"She is blessed by the goddesses and is their champion father, you know that. Do you mean for your authority to be greater than the goddesses? You go too far."
The king was taken aback by this, floundering for something to say to his defiant daughter. The guards stood silently, looking at their royal members in confusion. Link and I remained by Zelda's side, hoping this would end well.
If it doesn't, I wonder if I could pretend to take Zelda hostage and use her to escape...
Suddenly, the king's head exploded.
Silence and shock from everyone was shattered by Zelda screaming and trying to rush forward towards the headless corpse of her dad. She was restrained by Impa, who suddenly appeared.
All eyes locked onto Ganondorf as he casually strolled into the courtyard.
"Your majesty, I came to tell you I was taking over the castle, but it seems like I no longer need to," he said, looking down at the corpse. His lips twitched and his frame shook slightly in mirth.
His hands glowed ominously as energy began to gather in his palms. The guards gave a cry and charged at him. A ball of dark matter slammed into both of them, the metal of their armour squealed and shredded; the guards themselves collapsed to the floor.
"Now then, today's looking like quite a lovely day." Ganondorf said.
Three glaring faces looked back at him. Zelda was busy retching in Impa's arms.
I felt like being sick myself actually.
"Oh come now, you know there's no possible way for the four of you to beat me," he smirked. "Why not save yourselves and surrender? I promise to let you live if you do."
"Like we'd ever do that!" Link exclaimed angrily, drawing his sword and shield.
But he is right though... I don't think we can beat Ganondorf as we are. He's even more powerful than I thought he would be. I've only got one choice...
"I surrender." I stated, walking towards Ganondorf and ignoring the shouts and exclamations that erupted from behind me.
I reached his side and kneeled with my head bowed, hair cascading over my face and obscuring my vision. Ganondorfs laughter echoed throughout the courtyard.
And nobody saw the small smile on my face...
Okay, another chapter done! I'm sorry to say, especially after that cliffhanger, I will be going on hiatus for two years. I'm going to New Zealand to do volunteer work for my church and won't be able to work on this story during that time.
I know, it sucks. But the next possible update from me will be in two years. Until then, be sure to spam me with annoyed messages saying how much you want me to update! Ah, I joke, but if you do send me messages then I will be sure to read them when I return to England.
Until then,
Demon Eliot
