A sigh was heard as a blonde hero clothed in green sat on the bed he was offered, which wasn't very comfortable due to the fact it was a cloth over multiple mushrooms. He smoothed his hand over the uneven "bed", his thoughtful blue eyes slightly hidden by his somewhat long bangs.
Something's eating Vaati, He thought, taking his green hat off, remembering the goodbye gift from his friend. He's not as focused as I remember him. He's spacing out half the time. He sighed and threw his back into the bed, staring at the ceiling. Well, he probably does have a lot on his mind...but it's nothing he can't share, right?
He unsheathed his legendary blade, the Four Sword shone in the remaining light. He stared at his own reflection on the blade, memories of fighting monsters came to mind, the biggest monster being Vaati himself. He remembered stabbing the eye symbol on his chest, wounding and very much pissing "The Great Demon Vaati" off, then fighting a more impressive version of him, this time killing him, or so he thought, but instead it sealed him away to be released only days ago, but released another threat in the process. He smiled slightly at the reflection as the memories of slaying Vaati returned to him, the battle he thought was his last sight of the violet sorcerer.
Heh, how things can change...things are so different.
Meanwhile, the violet clothed sorcerer sat up in his own mushroom bed in the room down the hall, his own thoughts floating through his head.
Why didn't Link just go home? The princess is most likely still sick, plus with The Big Guy proving that he can send Shadow Beings to this world, no one in Hyrule is safe, especially not the princess.
He stood up and paced around the dark room, still deep in thought. The lack of light darkened his violet clothes into deep, almost black, purple, his eyes in the darkest red. As he turned, the light streaming from the window hit his face, his red eyes seemed to be the only thing lighting up. He took the appearance of a dark villain in the darkness, contradicting his quest. He pushed Link out of his thoughts, moving onto the next subject on his mind: the orb. Darc's words traveled into his head.
"In the myth, there's supposed to be a specific place where the spirits can answer your questions. I think I have found the place, but I can't reach it in my size. Since you guys are human, you should be able to reach it!" Darc said as he pulled out a quick sketch of the place he was talking about.
Vaati thought deep on that subject.
Spirits that can answer questions...maybe it's not really a ghost. There is something odd about that orb. Either I am going crazy or that orb was trying to answer what my questions were, and since it is not normal for orbs to show pictures of people, I'm going to lean on this answer part. He sighed, hoping he was still sane.
He glanced outside, the dead grass looking eerie in the moonlight. It was decided. The orb that had seemingly entered his mind was trying to tell him how to get to the cosplaying princess, and this time, he was going to listen.
The slight breeze was chilling in the darkness. The graveyard was dark enough in the day, nighttime tempted it into pitch black. Vaati flew in the darkness, a ball of blue energy that was held in his hand let off light, it flickered in a fire-like motion. Dodging every branch that threatened to hit him, he made his way back to the stone pillar. He found it weird that now his magic was working when before it failed to assist him when coming to the Crypt in the first place, but he decided to wonder about that later. His bipolar magic, returning monsters, the mystery of the voice that told him to come here, nothing seemed to matter at the moment. All he needed to focus on was getting the information he came for, after that, he could wonder about anything. Finding a path to the Shadow Realm would soon be one less worry in his head. He swiftly landed on the ledge of the 4 foot statue, staring at the entrance.
This is it. He thought, taking his steps toward the entrance and praying he was right. For the first time since his own shadow came, he felt like he somewhat had a chance to fullfill his promise.
The room remained the same, molded, old, and artistic. He stopped in the doorway, staring at the aqua orb he came for. The fire-like light source reflected off of the orb as he approached. He stood a few feet away from the wall holding what he hoped would be answers, looking up at the orb. All that was left was to wait and hope he was right. He continued to just stare at the orb, looking for a change, an answer, anything that would be of some help.
A figure creeped in the hallways of the stump-house. Taking gentle steps to avoid being detected, the figure walked onward, slowly and carefully. The shadowy figure slowly made it's way into the main room, the study full of books. Suddenly, a torch was lit, revealing the creeper in the dark. Linn looked at the figure, putting the safety cover over the minish torch beside a desk, his eyes showed slight surprise. The figure froze in mid-step, staring back at him with wide eyes.
"Couldn't sleep?" Linn asked, sitting down casually at his desk as Link stayed in his mid-step stealth-mode freeze.
"Ummm...not really." He said, rubbing the back of his head as he unfroze. "I didn't wake you up did I?"
"Oh no, not to worry about that." Linn said, waving his hand as if waving away the thought. "I was awake in the first place." Linn stared at Link for a moment. "I apologize, but I don't recall your name."
"Oh, It's Link." The hero replied, his blue eyes bright.
"Well, Link, I also apologize for Darcana following you earlier. He's such a child."
"No problem, really." Link said before arching an eyebrow. "Umm..." Linn looked at the hero as Link paused before speaking again. "Never mind..."
Linn stared at the curious hero. After a few moments, he decided to change the subject. "Your friend isn't awake?"
"Hmm...I'm not sure...I mean he probably should sleep, he'll need it, but he probably has a lot running around his head." Link thought out loud, slightly embarrassed that he was worrying about his ex-villain.
"Ahhh about the girl he wishes to save?"
"Most likely." Link said, slightly laughing. "And probably some other things as well."
"His quest is going to be tricky." Linn said. "He must be dedicated."
Link nodded, the flashback of dark Vaati's appearance returning. The evil ruby eyes, the pointed tooth in his smile, the mystery behind him. "Hey Linn, do you know anything on people from the Shadow Realm?"
"Indeed. Anything particular you wish to know? I'm afraid my knowledge isn't as good as..." Linn stopped himself before speaking again. "..but I will offer what i can."
Link nodded, thankful that he could at least learn something in this trip.
"Can you tell me everything you know?"
Linn nodded, thinking through what he was going to say.
"Shadow beings from the Realm of Shadow are just what their name is: a dark being. I've read of many stories about them, every one describing them as monsters. Sometimes, if the original's heart belongs in the light, a shadow being will be created that looks just like the original, quite like a duplicate. The dark being will be much close to the opposite of the original. But I'm pretty sure it needs to be created by a magic wielder who belongs to the shadows...anyway, along with the appearance of their original, they will also possess the knowledge the original had before their dark side was created. For example, let's say there was a Dark Darcana. That Dark being will only have knowledge Darcana had up to his creation. If Darcana learns something like how to use a sword after Dark Darcana was created, then the new Dark would have to learn sword moves on his own to possess the same knowledge. Now, they will also possess dark magic powers like the ability to take on a closer resemblance to their original."
That explains Dark Vaati's appearance when he tricked me, Twi, and Zelda into thinking he was Vaati. Link thought.
"I've heard that their actual appearance was exactly like their originals, just in a gothic-like color. For example, your dark self would most likely have black hair and a black tunic along with possible red eyes. But I've heard of a Shadow being not being completely gothic. I've heard that besides the color change, there will be other alternations on them, some examples I've read are things like slightly different hair style, red eyes...things like that...and that's all I can think of on the spot. I have a few books on them in my possession." Linn said, directing Link to the books behind him. "You may read until you are tired."
"Thanks." Link said, walking to the books.
He skimmed his finger along the binding of the books, reading the titles.
Forgotten Magic, Dark Magic, Easy Potions, Bio of Monsters, Hyrule's Sages, Legend of the Four Sword, Myths of the Graves...Link stopped on the last book his finger was on and picked it up, flipping through a few pages. He flipped through pictures, theories, everything until he found a hand-written note within the book like a bookmark.
Probably one of Darc's Notes. Link thought, looking at the paper. The handwriting was neat and organized, unlike Darc's slightly sloppy kid-like handwriting. He read it with ease.
Myth of the Graves: Spirits of the Relic
"Those who come to seek will find nothing, those who seek without seeking will find us."
The spirits will enter you very thoughts, your very mind. But they hold answers.
Link paused after that line, staring at the little sense it made. Sighing, he continued.
"Those who find us will find answers, but we'll give them questions to answer their own questions."
-Foresta S.
Link read the lines over and over, trying to make sense of it. He had no idea what Foresta S. was trying to say.
"How did you find that?"
Link looked behind him at Linn who was reading over his shoulder.
"I thought I lost that research long ago." Linn said.
"Oh it was right here." Link explained. "...who's Foresta S.?"
"...just an old friend of mine who wanted nothing more than knowledge. He loved to study. He came here hoping to find the same thing you came for, what he called 'Spirits of the Relic'."
"...did...he find it?" Link asked. Linn shrugged.
"He refused to say to anyone, but he told me that he had. But he refused to tell where. He let me have his notes, since he no longer needed them."
"Do you know what this means?" Link asked, giving the riddle to Linn. Linn read it over.
"Hmmm...I remember him saying something about this. 'If you go looking for your answers, the spirits will not give. But if you go, seeking only the object the spirits have, your answers you also seek will be revealed.' is something I believe he once told me. I'm not sure about the second half."
Link thought it over, wondering where it would be. He yawned in surrender.
"Well, I guess it doesn't matter if we don't know where it is. I'm going to turn in then. Thanks for the information." Link said, putting the book back where it belonged. He walked through the dark hallway, his eyes adjusting. He passed the room Vaati was in and peeked in the keyhole, checking if he was awake, then he would tell him what he learned. An open window was the only source of light in the room behind the door.
Wait...an open window?
Quickly, he opened the door and revealed nothing. No one was in the room. Vaati had snuck out. Cursing, he closed the door behind him and exited through the window.
Seconds turned to minutes. Patience turned to a string ready to snap. Vaati still stared at the orb, looking for a change, his stare turning into a glare.
Nothing. Damn it. Nothing's happening!
Frustrated, he sat down, staring at the old stone floor beneath him.
I suppose it was stupid, thinking some jewel would spontaneously animate and tell me my answers.
He glared back at the orb.
"It's just a jewel...a treasure...a treasure worth seeking but not for the reasons I believed." He sighed, standing up. "Whatever."
He turned around and walked toward the exit, giving up his belief. He felt useless again, at this rate; he would never return Twi to the world of light. He could barely survive a single year in that prison, she didn't deserve to go through that Hell. He felt a hand grab his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. He quickly looked behind him, a ball of violet energy formed in his hand, ready to attack the possible monster. What he thought was a possible monster was nothing more than a woman. The woman was transparent; her body had a slight glow. Her eyes widened as Vaati met her pale rose eyes. Her hair was cut in choppy layers; it had a slight red tint to its transparency. Vaati's energy attack faded as they both stared. The woman suddenly flinched back and took several steps away before sprinting into the wall.
"W-Wait!" Vaati called as she disappeared into the wall. "...what...was..."
He walked back to the wall holding the jewel, the same wall the woman literally ran into. He pressed his palms against it and glanced up at the wall, the orb catching his eye. The once aqua orb once again began to change into the deep blue color. Mimicking what it did before, it changed into a black and white painting, showing the same vision as before. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't take his eyes away. It was like he was forced to watch the orb as the picture faded. Nothing else was visible, the orb was the only thing not hidden. But after a few moments, the orb began to fade altogether.
"Those who come to seek will find nothing." an unknown voice said, "Those who seek without seeking will find us."
The wind blew through Link's hair as he flew. He tightened his grip on the vine reigns that was connected to the bridle, he used the same vine as the bit to control his "air steed" as he put it.
"Why didn't I think of this last year?" Link asked himself, proud of his working idea. "Then again, I'm not sure if Ezlo would've agreed..."
He steered the crow in the direction of the statue he, Vaati, and Darc had explored earlier, the only place he could think Vaati would be.
He did act a little weird before we left, but he didn't say anything. He sighed as he flew by the dead trees, feeling the wind.
Ugh...damn it... Vaati cursed, holding his head as his skull pounded. It seemed that his whole body was pulsing. After a few short moments, though, it passed as if it never existed.
The violet sorcerer opened his eyes and let his hands drop from his head. He expected to be facing the wall that held the orb that was discovered only a few hours ago, but instead he was facing a vacant room. He glanced over his shoulder; the door was no longer there.
Great, now what's going on?
"Please don't be alarmed." A soft voice said in a caring tone. Vaati looked back forward, facing the transparent woman he had seen only moments before. She was suspicious to him, he kept his guard up. The woman's rose eyes softened.
"Please don't be alarmed." She said again. "I have no powers that can match your own." Her eyes were innocent. "You seek answers, yes?"
Spirits who answer one's questions...Vaati thought, Makes sense now why she's transparent.
"Alright," Vaati finally said, still keeping up some of his guard. "And you're the spirit who will give me answers right?"
The spirit smiled sweetly with her innocent eyes, she folded her hands together in a prayer-like pose.
"Those who find us will find answers, yet we'll give them questions to answer their own questions."
A riddle? Vaati thought when she finished. What is that supposed to mean anyway?
"You'd like to know what I said means, but I sense that it is secondary to your main reason for being here." The spirit said, surprising Vaati that she knew his thoughts. "You wish to know how to reach the Realm of Shadows, am I correct?"
Vaati's red eyes widened as she spoke, barely believing that she really knew what he was here for.
"The element of Light and Shadow, that's how to reach the Shadow Realm." He said, recalling what Linn had told him.
"The element of Light and Shadow are not items. They have no physical appearance like the elements of Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth." The spirit said. "But they can be found. Seek the goddesses and you will be granted the elements."
Vaati nodded at the somewhat helpful information. Based on what the spirit before him said, the goddesses posses the element's power.
"If you wish to seek the goddesses, you will need to seek the Minish Sage." The spirit continued.
Vaati inhaled and stared at her in disbelief.
"You mean my Master." He said as she nodded. "So there's a way to pass into his world again even though the door was sealed only last year?"
The woman nodded again. "You will need to find the messenger of the sage if you wish to reach him." The spirit folded her hands together again. "Now I must send you back, for my strength to keep you here fades."
Vaati nodded in understanding, he needed to start his search for his master as soon as possible. The girl stared at him before speaking. "Ummm..."
Vaati looked up at her as she spoke again with pleading eyes.
"My dearest friend who lives in the village nearby, can you send him my word that I wish him and his apprentice the best?" She had much love in her eyes. "Please?"
Someone knows her in the village? Who?
Before he had time to ask, her image along with the rest of the room faded to black.
Alright, sorry that this chapter isn't as good as I had hoped, I ended up rushing it so I could finally get past this damn chapter! I had problems because I knew what I wanted the riddles to mean but I couldn't get it in words. So I'm really really sorry, I promise the next chapter will be better and not so rushed.
-Twi