Chapter 14: The Sorceress of the Valley

After the Hyrulean Army had been properly rested and preparations had been complete, Impa met with Link and Lana inside her tent to discuss their strategy. As they began, Sheik walked in on them.

"What do you want?" Impa asked.

"Nothing." the mysterious youth answered, "I simply wish to be apart of the conversation."

"That's it!" Lana exclaimed, "She'll fit in perfectly with my plan."

The general looked over at the sorceress, "Which is..."

"Cia's at the top of the ruins at the northernmost part of the valley, where she's summoning the monsters we've been fighting this far. I drew a layout of the valley on this piece of paper. Here."

Impa and Sheik looked over the makeshift map as Lana continued.

"To take her out, we'll have to be quick and decisive. We-"

"If we capture the two keeps near the center," Sheik interrupted, "we could use them as a foothold against the keep Cia's in."

Everybody looked at Sheik, utterly shocked at the obvious experience she was showing.

"She's right." Lana said as Sheik awkwardly averted their gaze, "I think if we split into teams of two, and lead half the army to the east and west side of the ruins, we'll have better success."

A nod of agreement from Impa was all the confirmation Lana needed.

"So," Lana began with a smile, "who's with me?"

"Impa and I will attack from the east. That leaves you two."

Lana, flustered, glanced auickly and Link, and back at Sheik, "But I think if we-"

"Lana." Impa cut in, "It's okay. Besides... I have an idea."

"So..." Link cut in to stop the rising tension, "It's decided, then?"

"Yes." Impa replied, "Let's move out now so we'll still have the element of surprise."

Just as Lana planned, the Hyrulean Army split into two groups, with Link and Lana leading the western unit, and Impa and Sheik leading the unit in the east. As far as either side could tell, the plan was very effective.

In the east, however, Impa intentionally trailed behind Sheik as she studied her suspicious ally. Her claimed allegiance with the Hyrulean Army was definitely convincing, but Impa was no fool. And she certainly wouldn't be made to be one by some imposter. And so, when she was sure Sheik wouldn't notice, the general gradually changed route. Perhaps once Sheik realized Impa was gone, she'd be lulled into a false sense of security, and that's when Sheik will expose her for the imposter she is.

But the general did not expect any interference with her plan, at least not this soon. Just a little ways ahead, she saw him. The Dragon Knight himself, Volga. The man had just finished burning a soldier until she was nothing more than a pile of burning flesh and bone.

"Worthless," he admonished, "You vermin barely qualify as exercise." he then turned to another soldier, who stared at his fallen comrade in horror, "It really is pitiful that a child gave me more of a challenge than any of you."

Volga was barely able to dodge and attack from behind by Impa. The Dragon Knight looked at her with a scowl. "An attack from behind..." he spoke, "Where is your honor?"

"'Honor'?" Impa scoffed, "One who goes around, killing innocent people has no right to speak of such a concept."

"But that is the world we live in: survival of the fittest; only the strong survive. That is why species go extinct; that is why there is such a concept as winners and losers; and that is why you will fall to me in battle."

(Insert line)

By now, Link and Lana, along with the half of the Hyrulean Army they were leading, had made it to the western keep near the center of the ruins, and made short work of the monsters inside, save for a rather tall monster in armor. As Link battled the creature, he could tell it was a master of the sword, and in top physical condition as it swiftly attacked Link despite it's undoubtedly heavy armor. After being pushed back by the monster, Link took a moment to gather his bearings. Damn... he cursed in his thoughts, I can't land a single hit on this guy.

Just then, a bolt of lighting struck the creature's body, killing it instantly.

"Are you okay?" Lana asked as she walked up to Link from behind.

"Yeah." he answered, "Just wishing I had powers like yours."

Lana looked away with a bashful expression.

"How do you think the others are doing?" Link continued, "Think they're ahead of us?"

Lana giggled at Link's competitive spirit. "I don't know. But... it makes me think, though."

"Huh? About what?"

"What do you think Impa's plan was? And why could she only work with Sheik to pull it off?"

Link scratched his head, "I dunno. But honestly, I prefer working with you, anyway."

Lana blushed, "Y-...You do?"

"Yeah, well, the General's kind of a downer, and Sheik keeps asking me about... well, you were just the better option is all."

"...Oh..."

In the east, Impa was having an enormous amount of trouble with her serpentine opponent.

"He's fighting hard." Impa noted, "But I have to fight harder!"

Volga landed a few yards in front of Impa, "Pah... you're no fun. Don't you have a stonger warrior for me to duel?"

"Damn you..." Impa growled, "It looks looks like I have no other choice..." I wanted to avoid using any magic until the battle with the sorceress. But it looks like I'll have to use it now.

Impa rushed toward Volga, who easily blocked her giant sword with his staff. Then Impa formed a hand sign, prompting another, smaller sword made of water to form in her left hand, which she jabbed toward her opponent.

Volga quickly leaped backwards into the air, and launched a fireball at Impa. The general countered with a shield of water, creating a thick cloud of water vapor from the collision which she leapt into so Volga wouldn't see her next attack. However, as Impa erupted from the cloud, Volga was able to see, and quickly block her attack. Not missing a beat, Impa formed another hand sign, taking advantage of the remaining moisture to create tiny water daggers, all of which, were launched at Volga, and sent him careening toward the ground. As Volga landed on his back, he launched another fireball at Impa, which she, again, countered with a water shield, creating another cloud of water vapor. Volga was again able to detect and block Impa's downward attack, but not the daggers Impa created from the second cloud of vapor. Impa jumped back to avoid the fireball launched at her yet again. Then, with more hand signs, Impa made a blue symbol of the ground beneath her, prompting four replicas of her sword made of water to appear around her. As Volga stood, he was struck with three of the blades, and sent flying by the fourth.

Impa sheathed her blade as Volga landed on his back, soaking wet from her attacks.

"Face it." Impa told him, "You're at an elemental disadvantage. You can't win. Surrender and you'll be spared."

"Ah." Volga responded, "You give yourself too much credit, human." Impa's eyes widened as Volga rose to his feet. The water on him evaporated as he stood. "Besides, this battle isn't over yet." the Dragon Knight took up his staff as he continued, "Now... you've shown what you're capable of when it comes to offense... but how will you fare on defense?"

"I won't give you that chance!" Impa shouted. The general formed a hand sign, aiming to encase Volga in a bubble of water. To her shock, the water quickly evaporated. The Dragon Knight scoffed at her before charging. Impa swung her giant sword at her opponent, but Volga used his staff to deflect the attack, knocking the general off her feet. Volga then leaped into the air, in preparation to bring his staff down on Impa. With no time to form a hand sign, Impa used her sword to block the attack as she crashed onto the ground.

"It's true that the flames of my wrath won't last against your water." Volga began, "But what will you do when those flames become too hot to be quenched by anything you're capable of?"

"THIS!" Impa shouted, firing a water kunai. The knife hit Volga directly on his forehead, causing him to stumble back. Impa quickly rolled away to put some distance between the two, but as she stood, she was shocked at what she saw next...

A deep, bloody gash on the forehead of Volga began to heal itself immediately after it was inflicted. The general stared helplessly at the Dragon Knight as he took slow, methodical steps toward her. "Crafty." he spoke, "But as long as dragon blood courses through my veins, inflicting external damage will you no good."

"What... What are you?" Impa asked in horror.

As Volga approached, he raised the blade of his staff high in preparation to end the battle. "Your maker."

SLASH!

Sheik drew a horrified gasp as soon as she sensed it. It began just a monent ago, but she knew well what was happening. It was Impa's life force. And it was draining... fast.

Just then, the Sheikah jumped back to avoid an attack from a red monster.

What do I do?! she panicked, Impa's life force is fading, and I'm in the middle of a battle!

After a few more seconds, Impa's life force took a nosedive. It was over halfway gone.

I... I have no choice...

Link and Lana led their troops toward the center of the ruins. There they began the slaughter of every monster in sight. Lana looked up at the northern ruins, which was completely visible by now. "Just a little longer..." she spoke, "Just a little longer... and this will all be over..."

Lana!

The sorceress looked around. Nobody was looking in her direction, telling her nobody was speaking to her.

Lana!

"Who's there?!" Lana asked as she searched frantically for the owner of the unfamiliar voice. The only thing that stood out of the ordinary was Link looking at her as if she grew another head. "Heh heh." she chuckled awkwardly, "I thought I heard somebody calling for me."

As Link turned to look up at the ruins, the sorceress let out a lengthy sigh, I wonder what that was... she thought.

It was me! Sheik!

"Sheik?" Lana repeated, "But... you don't sound like her..."

A pause...

Lana, please! I need your help!

"Can't you hear me? What's wrong?"

No answer.

I must be hearing things... Lana thought.

No, you're not!

"Look, I can't help you if I can't see you. Just show yourself, and I'll help anyway I can."

No answer.

Lana sighed. I can't worry about that now. I need to focus on-

You have to help Impa! She's dying!

Lana thought for a moment. Could whoever this is only hear her thoughts? Where is Impa?

Just south of the keep east of the where you are now. If you hurry, you can still save her!

Um... okay!

Lana bolted away.

"Where are you going?!" Link called.

"Nowhere! Don't follow me!"

"...Whatever." Link uttered under his breath.

Impa slowly rose to her feet. Their previous clash left her with various wounds across her body, including a deep cut across her arm, rendering it completely useless. Both of her calves were badly burned as well.

"You humans certainly are persistent." said Volga, "But that's all you are, a human."

Impa growled, "I... I can't lose here... not... like this."

"Still refusing to give up? Your resolve is admirable."

Volga drew a deep breath, the let down a stream of fire at the Sheikah.

Just then, some sort of barrier shaped as a rectangular prism rose from the ground, shielding Impa from the flames.

"What?!" Volga shouted in disbelief.

.

"Looks like I'm just in time!"

.

Both Impa and Volga looked toward the top of the ruins to see Lana jump down onto the ground, just in front of Impa.

"Reinforcements?" Volga asked.

"How... How did you know I was here?" Impa asked in a strained voice.

"Sheik told me." Lana replied in simplicity.

Impa gasped in shock. Perhaps she was wrong about Sheik after all.

"Perhaps you can give me a better fight than this weakling."

"That's enough out of you!" Lana yelled, opening her spell book.

"Be careful." Impa warned, "He's strong..."

"I know." Lana replied with a kind smile, "But I'm stronger!"

Sheik and her assigned half of the Hyrulean Army had made it to the center of the valley. There, the Sheikah warrior searched frantically for Impa.

"Looking for someone?"

Sheik spun around to see Link walking towards her.

"Impa!" she yelled, "Where's Impa?!"

"I haven't seen her. Maybe that's where Lana went off to ."

"...Lana?"

"Yeah. She just went charging off over that way."

Sheik followed Link's finger as he pointed toward the southeast.

She must've heard me after all. Sheik thought.

"Hey." Link called, snatching Sheik from her thoughts, "So what's with you and Impa, anyway? Are you two close or something?"

Sheik sighed, "Something like that... simply put, she's been there for me since I was a young girl."

Sheik's a girl?! Link thought as the warrior continued.

"Through bad or worse, she was always there to support me... If I ever lost her, I'd just..."

"Wow," Link replied, "I've never heard you open up like that before." Link walked up to Sheik, and place his left hand in her shoulder. "Believe it or not... I know how it feels to lose somebody important to you." Sheik looked over at him and, for the first time since they met in the Eldin Caves, made eye contact as he continued, "I know how worried you must be... but General Impa's one of the strongest people I know. Just believe in her... She'll pull though..."

Sheik's eyes widened, "...Link..." Sheik breathed as she turned completely toward him, "I..."

Suddenly, Link jumped back, alarmed.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's... It's my birthmark! It's... glowing!"

"What?!"

"Look!"

Link turned the back of his hand toward Sheik, who gasped in response.

"I don't know why it's doing this!" Link shouted.

"It's... you." Sheik told him, "You're the one... You've been the one this whole time..."

A smile grew across the sorceress' face. "Yes," she whispered, "They're here..."

"Mistress." Wizzro called, "I've completed the task you assigned to me."

"Good." the sorceress answered. "I have another assignment for you."

"What is it?"

The sorceress's smile grew wider. Perhaps we can take advantage of nobody knowing where that princess is...