Chapter Eleven
The Ancient Pool
In one fluent movement, the Links grabbing their own respected hookshots, and went up and over the last cliff in Hyrule. The map was interesting, for it maybe one of the only one of its kind in Tingle's repertoire. It mapped a segment of Hyrule that no scholar has ever known about. Tingle was a perfectionist. He mapped all of Hyrule and Link promised himself that after this mission was completed, he would turn over the map to the Hyrulian historians and mapmakers and to make sure Tingle would get the credit for his findings.
One by one, the heroes landed into a thick forest surrounded by tall oaks. The air seemed different to the four, as if it was cleaner or untouched. The land itself appeared greener and fuller of life, that of which no man has ever stepped before. There was a magic in the air. All of it was lost to the Hero of the Golden Land.
"Quit standing around and let's get going. The sooner we see this fairy the sooner I can defend my home," the knight declared.
"You will address her as Queen Venus," the champion snapped, calming immediately he cleared his voice. "I understand your urgency but we can't forget who we are."
The knight eyed his counterpart but nodded in agreement. Both the hunter and wanderer looked at each other and back to the other two Links, speculating if they could actually work together. The Hero of the Golden Land has been too headstrong and proud and so far he's picked three fights with the hero of this land.
"Come," the Hero of Time began. "I hear music in this direction."
Skeptical, the other three followed. No one understood the woodland, especially enchanted woodlands, better than Hero of Time. To the untrained ear, the music would sound no more than the wind and chirping of birds, but to Link, it sounded like a choir of high pitched bards, singing in perfect harmony. Within minutes, the four entered a grove with a huge, ancient pool with the clearest water they have ever seen. The music ended abruptly.
"Welcome heroes," a warm, soothing voice announced. Gradually, a beautiful woman with thin, fluttering wings behind her appeared before the four, hovering above the pool. A tiara sparkled off her brow, clearly telling them that they found the right place. Three of the four knelt, leaving Hero of the Golden Land standing alone.
"Your majesty, Venus…" the champion started.
"I know why you've came. I was readying the pool to imbue, Quardaeria, the Four Sword until I heard that you foolishly used it against the Wind Mage," Venus interrupted, with a hint of disappointment in her voice. The Hero of the Four Sword drooped where he knelt.
"Excuse me, but how did your blade bring me here?" the knight asked rather harshly.
"It was not my doing. My fairies have already told me that you know the story behind Quadaeria, the Four Sword. The blade's magic was made to divide one into four, not grab three other incarnations of one to this place in time. That… would be beyond my magic. Meaning, sending any of you back from once you came is also beyond my power," the queen gently said, but the news still hit the three foreigners hard. Even the knight fell to his knees. He was lost in time and his home was in dire need of him.
Going from one Link to the other, Venus measured each of them. A broken knight, a defeated hunter, and a wanderer who seemed to even except this new hardship was difficult for the queen to see. Finally her gaze settled on the hero of the land today. Seeing something in the Hero of the Four Sword, she remained motionless, staring at, or rather through the champion. After a long silence, her smile returned.
"All is not lost," she started, drawing the interest of all four of the heroes. "Vaati, a villain, plagues our land and we have four heroes to thwart that enemy."
"This isn't my fight," cried the knight.
"No, it isn't. But look into yourself. Can you stand by as Hyrule is in jeopardy?" the queen asked. Sir Link stared hard at her for several moments, and then slowly shook his head.
"Then it is settled. This fight is yours, all four. It is only logical that our Link leads you since this is his land and he knows it well. As you are here, I will aid you the best that I can. Vaati cannot be defeated without the Four Sword, so please toss the handle of Quardaenia and the Master Sword in the pool."
"I need the Blade of Evil Bane to save…" the knight started.
"When all is done, you may have it back, or not. I doubt the sword will help your home at the moment anyway. The only one who doesn't hold a single sword is the Hero of the Four Sword," Venus finished as both the champion and knight threw both items into the pool. Reacting to the items, the clear water flashed a brilliant white. In a single heartbeat a new blade emerged from the pool. Taking the blade in hand, the queen of the fairies offered the item to the Hero of the Four Sword.
"This is Quarsciltz, the Four Master Sword. This blade is more powerful than either sword, but the true power of this blade cannot be unlocked with the heart of one alone. All four of you must put something into it to vanquish Vaati," handing the blade over to Link, Venus faded before all eight eyes.
Many hours passed since the fairy queen left the four heroes baffled and confused by her last statement. It seemed that in any era, the fey was equally enigmatic. Even when the land is in danger, they always have to leave a confusing riddle behind. Now the four traveled back to stand before the wizard, hopefully figuring out how to unlock the true power of the sword before then and even if they did, they weren't sure if it would be enough. The Hero of Time stopped suddenly.
"What is it?" the champion asked questionably.
The wanderer's ear twitched. A loud roar was heard a moment later. Nervously, all four glared to the side as a huge wave of water descended upon them. The wanderer sighed, the hunter shrugged, the knight cursed, and the champion's eyes widened. Another moment later, the heroes were swept off their feet under the pressure of thousands of gallons of water.
