Chapter twenty-one-
The Hero of the Winds, present day-
It is an unusual experience, standing in front of a dozen warrior women with swords, even if those blades are sheathed. It gives one an uneasy edge, knowing that each of those women could cut a moblin down with a single stroke, if they so desired. But I did not come here to battle with them... no, I am here to turn them into an army. An army that will take out the threat of Shadow Link and Pol in one swift stroke. With their help, I can prevent the two villain's home grown army of monsters from swarming over the great sea, and wreaking havoc.
After I ran into Tetra and Rhea, the two pirates escorted me to the Forsaken Fortress. The gerudo had reclaimed the ruins of the fortress after Ganon's defeat, and have been using it as a base ever since. With most of the inhabitants of the greatly hostile towards Gerudo (due to their chose pirate profession), there are very few places a Gerudo ship can come into port. At this fortress, the Gerudo can take shore leave, relax, pawn off their stolen goods... and conduct business between ship captains in the pirate council.
It is just such a council I stand before now. The eyes of all of these women are focused on me... and frankly it makes me a little nervous.
"Well, speak, hero!" One of the Pirate Captains snapped. "Why have you summoned the council here?"
"Ganondorf's monsters are threatening the entire great sea once again." I finally blurt out. "I need your aid in bringing them down."
"Why do you need our help?" Another captain scoffed. "You're the Hero! It's your job to protect everyone!"
"This time, that is not enough." Tetra said, rushing to Link's defense. "Shadow link is building an army, in the caverns below Stone Watcher island."
"We must unite all the gerudo ship crews together into our own Assault force." Rhea added. "And invade stone watcher island."
"Why should we help the other races?" another captain scoffed. "The only things they give us are mistrust and contempt!"
"Maybe if you didn't steal from them." I replied sarcastically. "They would treat you better!"
Nearly every Gerudo in the room reached for their scimitars at that. Rhea motioned for all of them to sit back down, and Tetra shot me a dark look.
"Link! You know the Gerudo pirates only steal from rich merchants, and those who deserve it!" She scowled at me. "They never hurt anyone! My pirates are no diffrent."
"Sorry" I reply sheepishly. "Besides, now's not the time for snarky remarks-we need to get thier help."
"And remember." Rhea told all of them, looking around the room. "We're not exactly on the king of evil's good side any longer. After they subdue the other races... they'll be coming after us, next!"
There was silence in the room after that, until one of the younger captains piped up. "I say we help the Hero!" Other voices joined her in agreement.
It wasn't long before the concil decided to ready an assualt force. Link smiled. Soon, he would bring all of Shadow link's plans down crumbling down around his arrogant pointy ears.
---
Stone Watcher Island, present day-
The Rito woman sat in Shadow Link's room, quietly strumming her harp. It had been five days since she had arrived here, and so far everything was going smoothly. She had been able to keep Shadow Link distracted... through her music, and... other means. His distraction had slowed down the final preparations on the assault force, which was hopefully buying Link the time he needed to assemble his assault force. When she wasn't busy 'entertaining' Shadow Link, The Rito girl wandered through the corridors and pathways of the hideout, learning where every doorway was, every weapons was kept. The Moblin guards- not being very bright creatures- simply left her alone, and the Darknuts let her pass, merely dismissing her as Shadow Link's 'plaything'. She memorized the location of everything i the base... for she was certain that would come in handy later.
It wasn't long before she heard Shadow Link's footsteps approaching, and she felt her Skin crawl. She had come to hate even being in that monster's presence, as his cruelty radiated from his very body. When he entered the room, his red glowing eyes glared down at her.
"Ah, I must admit, my pet... you've managed to keep me more entertained for longer than other females of your race." He poured himself a glass of wine, then poured her one. "I may let you live longer than I did them."
She had to work hard to repress her anger at his comment-how many innocent Rito women had died in this sick monster's clutches? But she put that thought out of her head, and took the glass. "I thank you, great one, for paying this humble Rito such a compliment."
He gestrued towards her harp. "Play me a song, my dear."
She nodded, and began playing a soft, sensuous melody. Shadow Link listened, seemed lost in it for an eternity... until he moved behind her, and began to stroke her hair. She kept herself from wincing under his touch, and put her harp down. The Rito woman stood and turned to face him, and pressed her lips against his. As Shadow Link began removing her feathery dress, she thought of all of those poor slaves she had seen down in the pens, and dreamed of the sweet vengeance they would wreak on their Captors once Link freed them.....
---
Forsaken Fortress, present day-
It had been a mere three Days since the Gerudo council, and already the female pirates had gathered thier ships into a mighty assualt fleet. Liked stared down at all of the ships sitting in the docks, being fitted with cannons and provisions. He was so preoccupied watching the fleet that he failed to hear Tetra walk up behind him.
"They're quite a sight, aren't they?" She quipped.
"Huh? Oh, hi Tetra." He said in surprise, turning to face her. "Hopefully, they'll be enough to overrun the monster's defenses."
She looked away from him and said softly. "I'm sorry, Link. I shouldn't have been angry at you for marrying Medli. You didn't love me, and I acted like a spoiled brat." Tears welled up in her eyes. "You have a right to be happy, no matter who you love."
Stunned, Link put his hands on her shoulders. "Tetra..." He said sadly. "I never meant to hurt you... I'm so sorry."
Pushing forward, she hugged him. The two shared a long embrace of friendship, then returned to helping assemble the fleet.
---
Forsaken Fortress, present day-
Several hours later, the Rito woman woke up, lying on Shadow Link's bare chest. Climbing out of bed, she wrapped her naked form in a sheet, and walked away from the Still-sleepinmg Shadow.
The Hero of the Winds was out there somewhere, she thought to herself, and he would be coming here. Together, they would spring the trap over Shadow Link, and end the threat he posed to the Great Sea once and for all.
"Link...if you can hear me..." She whipsered softly. "By the goddesses, Link... please hurry..."
---
Hero of Twilight, centuries ago-
The final battle is upon us, I can feel it.
We have fought long and hard, and it has not been an easy road... But I've managed to survive all of my trials and tribulations up until this point.
I wish I could go back to the way thing were before... that I could go back and undo all of my mistakes, and go back to the innocent person I was before the iron claws of destiny scarred and changed me beyond recognition.
But I cannot, for the road in front of me leads only forward, never back.
I can only hope my actions from here on out will help end all of the misery that evil has brought upon the land... and that I can make a difference.
Now, as I make my final preperations for this last battle, I pray to the godesses that even if my fall in battle this day, my foes shall go down, as well.
But now... the time for reflection has passed.
Let the battle begin.