Chapter Twenty
Oni looked up at the war cry and smirked; so he's finally come out to play? He stepped back and threw his hands forward, destroying the final wall with pillar of light. Majora's army had fallen back after he took down the fourth wall and were now regrouping into a massive army. His own army regrouped and all his best warriors stood in ranks on either side of him as Majora landed, his mount flying off back into the sky above to circle like the others.
"Alive and in the flesh, Deity… pity," Majora said, shaking his head. "After all you did seal me away only to be betrayed by your sisters. Isn't that shameful?"
Oni said nothing, not falling for the bait, though his fists tightened only slightly at the jibe being sent at him about his sisters stabbing him in the back, almost literally. Majora laughed as he held out his arms to the sides gesturing to his much more impressive army. But just because they had sheer numbers didn't mean Oni's didn't have skills.
"And I have to say you have wonderful tastes in wives… That cute little Hylian will make a wonderful bed ornament! And not to mention the faces he makes are just… erotic… Did you know he cries out so prettily when you are rough?" Majora practically giggled out as Oni's jaw tightened, his eyes visibly changing from pale red to a dark gray.
Ganon snarled lowly, his demon was scratching at the surface, knowing its mate and masters were in danger as well as angered that this piss-ant would dare to lay his hands on its cub. Yes his inner demon had adopted the Hylian child as its child and therefore raged all the more violently within him. Bertha crouched low, her hands holding her knives in tight grips as her golden eyes blazed with hellish fire. Many other Gerudo had the same reaction; they adopted Link into their Tribe like a younger brother and held him in high respect.
Isis grabbed Bertha's shoulder, a silent order to stand down. The bigger woman snorted, but did not drop her stance. She wanted to be ready to leap into action at the given order. Rutela and Darbus both glared at Majora, the mask hiding his face from sight, but they were sure that the sick bastard made himself look like the Hylians to blend in better. Delulu and Venus hung back, tending to the still unconscious Impa, but both glaring at the demon as he continued to taunt and mock Oni.
"You have some rather lousy timing, not to mention you also have annoying little brats to do your dirty work-"
"You killed Skullkid… You used him to kill an entire country! Innocent people who have done nothing wrong! Women and children! And even then you are not satisfied…" Oni hissed.
"Satisfied? Do not make me laugh!" Majora cackled as he shook his head before pointing at Oni, the frown heard in his voice, "I won't be satisfied until I see you suffer in eternal misery! And I'll start with your whore!"
Oni snarled, making to step forward, but jumped back when three bolts of light struck the Earth. One was red, another blue and the last was green. Cursing his luck, Oni watched his younger sisters make their appearance at long last. Din, the fiery red head was dressed for war, her sword held in one hand looking too massive and heavy to wield and yet she held it in one hand alone. Nayru stood with her lance at the ready, her long blue hair pinned back and out of her face as she glared around while Farore stood with a bow in hand, but she was not battle ready, her green hair falling about her in a hasty mess as if she had been woken up and forced to come fight without even making herself presentable.
All three were glaring at Majora as both armies tensed considerably. Hylians stared in awe of their Goddesses, but at the same time apprehensive. Not sure they believe in their blind faith or the harsh truth of the Sheikah. Bo swallowed as he felt the incredible ire coming in waves off of the three beautiful women.
"Majora…. When I was told you still lived, I admit I wasn't concerned… but then the Sages vanished and even worse, my loyal Servant told me that Deity was back." Nayru hissed, sneering at Majora's small mortal form.
Majora's eye twitched before shooting a glance to Oni, but because of the mask no one noticed it. But Oni had his head bowed and seemed to be fighting off a headache. So he wasn't planning on facing his sisters? Well not until he got his powers from the boy that is… Fine, then. Majora will just have to abandon the battle and take Oni's power by force then.
"You should have worried… After all I have in my possession the boy who holds Deity's piece." He said cockily, grinning behind his mask as all three Goddesses frowned.
"What are you talking about? Deity's piece has been lost forever, much like how HE should have been…" Din hissed, her red eyes glaring holes into the mask.
"Fools… I've spied on your so-called bearers… The Gerudo King is very much alive-" he said indicating Ganon, who snorted as Din turned her piercing gaze on him. "And the Hylian Princess is in hiding with the Hylian boy."
Nayru snorted, smirking at him superiorly.
"At least she's smart enough to escape this madness… and the boy; is he blonde with blue eyes?" She asked. "If so he is the bearer of Farore's piece, not Deity's."
"Farore's, you say? But surely you three are not so stupid to sense the massive power the boy possesses surpasses even your own…" Majora purred, grinning at the idea of gaining not on, but TWO pieces of the Golden Power.
Oni seemed to have sensed his sudden elation because he dashed forward, between his sisters pulling out a short sword and jumping into the air as three Garo guards blocked him off. Nayru snorted, seeing the Sheikah warrior robes he wore before holding up a hand and firing at Oni's back.
Ganon growled, Bertha broke from Isis's hold to protect her God, but stopped when a barrier appeared, protecting Oni as he pinned Majora down; sword digging into the Twili King's shoulder.
"Where is Link!?" He demanded.
"Ask the princess… she took him and vanished with the help of the Skullkid." Majora hissed out, grabbing the blade in his hand and slowly forcing both it and Oni off of him.
Oni pulled back and dodged Din's sword as Majora barely dodged it as well.
"You shouldn't be so focused on the Twili, Sheikah…. This time we won't just make you smaller and weak… we'll wipe out the infection that is the Sheikah and Twili." She growled out. "Then I will deal personally with my Gerudo King."
Ganon snorted, looking defiant as he walked up to her and passed her without fear for his life. Nayru gave a disgusted scoff and looked away.
"Why not destroy everything and make it new?" she asked. "After all we're the Goddesses."
"You forget, dear sister, we need our pieces back in order to do just that… Farore." Din snapped at the youngest of them all.
The green haired girl sighed and nodded, raising her hands as plants bloomed from the ground, but withered and died a moment later. She blinked, how was that possible? She tried again, but nothing. Din growled and summoned an orb of fire, throwing it at Oni, who cut through it, landing beside Bertha, the large woman was crouched; knives held in a protective gesture over her chest as the others in their army seemed to mix with the Twilis. Everyone was wary of the man or woman around them, but a silent agreement had formed: As long as the goddesses were here, they were temporary allies…
Ilia wiped Link's brow once more, the young man was pale and sweating horribly. Eful sat beside them worried, his large eyes looking glassy with tears as his dolls hung around them, lifeless, but somehow emanating their own concern for Link. Zelda paced in the small space, dressed like Sheikah warrior. She sat down and slapped Ilia's hand away from Link's face as she concentrated on a spell.
Ganon had allowed her, her powers back, but with a strict limit. They were only for healing or defensive purposes. The only offensive magic she had could only be directed at Majora. She mentally cursed because now would be the perfect time to kill Link, but because of that damned Gerudo, she had no choice but to aid him. Ilia watched the princess closely as did Eful, his dolls having silently took a position that if she caused Link the slightest bit of harm, he'd kill her.
At first nothing seemed to happen, before a low, raspy gasp escaped from Link's mouth, his brow knitting together as if in pain, but he showed no signs of it. Zelda eased her hand down his face and over his body, forcing him to sweat more. Ilia looked ready to protest, but Link coughed and curled up in her lap, gagging as if he was about to vomit. Zelda pulled back as Ilia held Link steady when he emptied his stomach's contents.
"That should clear his system…" Zelda said, standing up once more to pace the room. "As soon as he's able to, we're getting out of here…"
Ilia glared at her and just held Link close as his body seemed to shut down and he fell back into a deep sleep, but then he let out a soft groan and began to sit up slowly before he shot up and looked around.
"Ferlia!?" He called looking for the Twili woman, but when his eyes landed on Ilia he let out a choked sob as he hugged his friend close. "Ilia! But- how did you get here?"
"Some Sheikah guy said he wanted to save you and fight this Majora creep. I decided I wanted to help, mainly you." She said, blushing softly.
"Gag me." Zelda spat, making Link turn and face her.
For a long while they stared before Link stood up slowly, Eful bracing him as best he could while his dolls hung closer, ready to catch Link if he was still too weak to move. He smiled in thanks before walking up to Zelda, for a long time they stared one another down before Zelda broke away first.
"Don't expect any thanks, Zelda… I still haven't forgotten what you and your family have done. But I do appreciate the help." Link said sternly, his voice void and edged with the hurt and anger he felt. "Where are we?"
"Ask the demon." Zelda spat.
Link twitched and turned away from her, as he looked around the room. He nodded to himself and sighed, walking over to a wall and pushing on a block. It sunk in and the room began to fill with water.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Zelda screeched, trying to stop him.
"Getting us out. Eful got us in, but he can't take us out since this is Majora's palace and he doesn't know the layout and besides as soon as we are out on the surface, Eful can take us to safety." Link said calmly as he wrapped Ilia's arms over his neck as the water got higher and higher. He began to float in the water as Zelda was forced to hold onto him as well. Neither girl was a strong swimmer, but drowning was not looking appealing. Eful just stood on the water's surface, giggling as he watched the three Hylians in the water, making sure they didn't drown.
"Hey Link; I have permission to play a special song! Do you know where we can find the dead?" Eful asked with a giggle.
Zelda made a face as Ilia turned slightly green with the thought of whatever this god of the earth had in mind. Link shook his head and said that they needed to get out of this well first before he could help him. Eful nodded and sent up a couple of dolls. They came back a moment later and Eful frowned.
"They say there's solid stone at the top. You'll drown." Eful said sadly.
"No we won't…" Link said, shifting in the water to a wall and as they reached it, Link told Zelda to grab the chain and pull it.
"How do you know what to do?" Zelda asked.
"You think I'm an idiot… Whenever I was sent on those field trips, I always wondered the temples, and palaces. I found mechanisms that trigger others into opening doors and setting of domino effects that can open up more than one area… Now pull it!" Link growled, while holding her to keep her above water. Ilia watched as Zelda began to pull but wasn't strong enough to pull it more than a few links out of the wall.
"Ilia, you're going to have to help her; I need to keep you both above the water, you'll drown." Link said.
"I'm not that bad of a swimmer."
"But you can't keep afloat." Link pointed out at Ilia's indignant protest.
She sighed and helped to pull it. It went out further and Link saw the metal gate above them open up. Thinking quickly he told Eful to grab the girls and head to the gate while he pulled the chain.
"Are you crazy!?" Ilia demanded.
"I'll be fine, Ilia… Like I said I've done this before and it is child's play to me anyway." Link said as the water kept rising, as soon as he was sure he could climb the ledge into the gate, he nodded to Eful who had his dolls grab the girls and he stood ready in case there was monster waiting for them this deep in the palace.
Link dove below the water to the chain and grabbed firm hold of it. Placing his feet on either side of the chain he pulled it out. Slowly at first before it finally gave and he heard a muted click. He pulled again, hearing the click two more times. When he couldn't pull anymore he waited a moment before shoving off the wall to head up while dropping the chain at the same time. Swimming as fast as he could he pulled himself onto the ledge and on the inside of the gate before it slammed down, locking its self once more.
"Told you so." Link said getting up and looking at the dark tunnel.
"Where to, O'smart one?" Zelda asked snidely.
Link rolled his eyes and began walking. This place reminded him of the Zoras' Water Temple as well as the Gorons' mines. Following his gut as well as the vague pull of Oni's aura, he led them out of the tunnel and into a wine cellar. Ilia was impressed as Zelda rolled her eyes and moved ahead of them, pulling out a few poison darts and slowly opening the door. Link sighed and walked up behind her with Ilia. Eful looked up, his head tilted to the side before he frowned, more dolls falling from nowhere.
"Stop… I don't like the feeling coming from outside… I feel THEM." He said.
"Who's them?" Ilia wondered.
"Din, Nayru, and Farore." He said.
Zelda smiled brightly, eager to meet the ones she served so dutifully all her life, but Link grabbed her and forced her away from the door.
"Are you crazy!? They'll kill us!" Link hissed. "Or are you really that stupid?"
"They won't kill us! They trusted me with everything; I kept order and balance for them in Hyrule ever since father was killed! Besides I hold the Tri-Force of Wisdom! You have the Tri-Force of Courage, why would they kill their bearers?"
"I don't know, maybe because you failed to kill me and I know the truth about the 'Tri-Force' or should I say the Golden Power?"
"Don't call it that!" Zelda hissed. "That Devil will never be a God!"
"He is a God, he is older and lot stronger than the three Goddesses." Link pointed out. "If not for him, none of us would exist."
"If not for him, none of this would have happened!" Zelda hissed back.
"No, if Din, Nayru and Farore weren't so greedy, none of this would have happened nor get as far as it did." Link said. "Face it, Zelda. Deity is going to reclaim his throne and the world will no longer blindly follow what you or the Goddesses say anymore." Link stated. "And I'm not going to sit here and let more lies be spread as the truth and those who know it are killed off into silence. You're no better than the bastard that tried to rape me. So shut the hell up."
Both girls gasped in shock, Link never cursed nor was he prone to anger, but seeing the heated glare on his face and hearing his acidic words made them fall silent and obey. Link turned to Eful and told him to find Midna.
"Okay!" He then jumped and twirled in place, vanishing in a burst of leaves.
The dolls remained, floating on their strings lazily, but Link knew they were very much aware of all around them and would react quickly and with deadly intent if they sensed any threats nearby. Ilia chewed her lip, she wasn't completely aware of what was happening, but she didn't want to ask in case it would upset Link more than what he already was.
"Link?" She began, waiting for him to acknowledge her, when he did she continued, "Are you feeling better, do you still feel sick?"
"I'm fine Ilia… I'm pretty sure that Zelda wouldn't be able to use any of her magic if Sheik or someone on his level of magic didn't allow her to use it, unless it is to help me." Link assured.
"What do you mean?" Ilia asked.
"That's none of your business, peasant!" Zelda snapped, but settled down when four of the dolls looked at her, their dead eyes flashing a bright red, a signal that they were alert and ready to attack. When the hostility died down, they resumed their placid positions, but were facing Zelda.
"It means that while I was supposedly kidnapped by the Sheikah and the Gerudo, Zelda disguised herself in the very outfit you see now to blend in with the Sheikah tribe." Link began to explain. "She planned on killing me, but she tried to do it with magic first. When Sheik picked up on it, she resorted to trying to kill me with a blade, but she foolishly tried to kill Sheik first."
Ilia gasped in shock before her eyes turned furious on Zelda, said princess scoffed, glaring at them both.
"How could you do such a horrible thing!? Link's you're best friend! He's been there for you since we were all kids! He rescued you!" Ilia shouted.
"Tsk, he knows too much!" Zelda growled.
"And whose fault is that, I wonder?" Link asked, but he fell silent, as his ears twitched upwards and he focused on the door.
They backed up as the doll seemed to from a ring around them. There was something demonic in the air; they could feel it like ice in their veins. Link glanced around the cellar; there wasn't much they could use around the room since all that was there was large casks of wine. Biting his lip he wondered where Eful-
"AAAAAAAAAH!?" Link screamed when he was picked up into the air and then suddenly he was face to face with a large red eye that was surrounded by gold and a big massive ball of black around it, minus the claw like hand holding him in the air.
"Relax; I was only trying to make sure you were fine…" Said a familiar voice.
"V-Vaati?!" Link gasped in shock as the eye seemed to smile at him before he was lowered to the ground and the ball of black shrunk and standing before them was Vaati. The Minish smiled a toothy smile as Ilia sighed, her heart hammering in her chest as Eful giggled and appeared out of thin air with Midna appearing from the shadows.
"Midna?" Link asked. "What happened to you? Are you alright?"
"Yep… don't worry, I'll be back to normal in a while… I'm a bit upset that we traveled the whole castle looking for you only to have Eful here tell us he rescued you and brought you down here." Midna said. Eful blushed and giggled as he pulled out his trumpet.
"We need to get out of here. The others got out with the other prisoners and servants… We found Ferlia." Vaati's voice took a somber tone and Link lowered his head so his bangs covered his eyes. He grit his teeth as shook with pain, sorrow and anger.
"She tried to help me, she tried to protect me… and Majora killed her… bent her in half like a doll!" He hissed, before muttering a few choice words in the Gerudo tongue making Vaati blush slightly.
"Well, Link! I had no idea you could have such a filthy mouth." Vaati teased as he looked about the cellar. "But still, Eful. What is that Oni said you could play again? I know Saria's Song is your favorite to play, but we need something to get us out of here…"
"What?" Ilia asked.
"Oh, Sheik called it Lost Woods…" Link said. "So it's a song your ancestor passed on?"
"I guess… I've never heard of it before…" Ilia said.
"I will play a special song! But… you can't get scared okay? It'll hurt my feelings." Eful said sounding like a kicked puppy.
Link nodded and he brightened up. Placing the trumpet to his lips he began to play a slow, but haunting melody. Everyone felt shivers travel down their spines, but otherwise were not bothered by the song. That is until Stalchildern and Stalknights began to claw their way out of the ground around them. Ilia almost screamed, but Midna clamped a hand over her mouth and made a shushing motion with her free hand. Link saw three large ones appear and blinked when they bowed low to him. Eful finished the song on a sad note before lowering his trumpet.
"You have summoned Soldiers with no Hearts. We are the imperial army of Ikana Valley. I am the King, Igos du Ikana and your loyal bodyguard, Lady Link." Said a Stalknight, who had bright green eyes where as the others had a golden red, and stood taller than the rest, only two other Knights matched his height.
Zelda made a face at the title Link was given, both insulted and giddy by it. She finally laughed cruelly at Link, drawing their attention to her.
"LADY Link!? I see I'm not the only one who believes you were better off born as a girl! You seemed to like putting on my dresses and pretending to be a woman!" She laughed. "I bet you even prefer to be the 'woman' in your disgusting relationship with that Sheikah dog!"
Link's jaw tightened, he did not justify her words with a reply nor did he give her any satisfaction to see how deeply her words had cut him. Igos frowned, but Link shook his head.
"Don't bother; you'll just be wasting your breath…" Link said, removing the earrings Oni had made for him and replacing them with deep nephrite hoop earrings.
They nodded and Vaati sighed, looking at the now gathered group. Holding his hands up, a gust of wind started to circle them.
"We need to get out of here. I sensed a change in the air earlier and well… to be frank, it scared the living crap out of me." Vaati said. "Hold onto your stomachs."
And like that they were all teleported out of the cellar…
They landed on a cliff face overlooking the battle field and Zelda gasped when she saw a massive battle going on. Vaati looked as well and felt his body shudder as if his human form would not hold and he would fade into the very wind he commanded. Eful ran to the edge and peered down before his large orange eyes got even wider and he screamed in terror, running to Link and burying his face into his chest.
"Link! They're here! They're here! They'll hurt master again and then I'll be lonely and-"
"Shh, it's okay… I'm still here; see?" Link said holding him closer, though he understood what Eful meant. "Vaati, don't use anymore magic… You'll fade if you do."
Vaati nodded his head and stepped back. They jumped when the ground began to shake violently before a gigantic Stalchild appeared.
"Captain Keeta." Igos du Ikana greeted, smiling at his captain. "Take Lord Deity's Bride and return to Hyrule Palace. Sage, go with him, you as well Minish."
"But I'm not leaving-" Vaati began, only to stop when his body shuddered again. "Fine… Tell them that I've gone to get the civilians and we are headed to the Grove. Not to worry, we'll be fine. Eful, go on ahead and prepare the palace for guests!"
"Right! Come guys, we need to wake up the others!" Eful giggled, vanishing as his dolls turned into shadows once more and vanished into the ground.
Ilia gasped as the giant skeleton picked her and Link up and place them under his rips that seemed to grow until their eyes were barely seen and a 'floor' of bone kept them inside the cage.
"Minish, please come…" Keeta said, holding his hand to the weakening Minish Prince.
Vaati nodded, wishing Midna luck as he sat in the hand and Keeta began to run off, Kaien and Kinnat, Igos's two guards took off after him. Igos bowed low to Midna and took his leave. The two princesses glared one another down before Midna snorted as she vanished from sight, most likely to join the battle. Zelda snorted as well, they could all die for all she cared, and she had unfinished business to take care of…
Zant cried out as he was slammed into a wall by one of the giant Shadows. He hissed in Twili, the disk headed creature just roared back, pinning him down as it grabbed the helmet on his head and began to crush it. He struggled, but it was looking to be in vain. Ganon and the Gerudo were neck deep in fighting off Garo, Stalfos and the rouge Twilis. The Sheikah were busy trying to set up a binding circle for Oni to use.
What was left of his own army was driving back the stronger Shadows and Twilis as well as collecting the Poes souls so they could not reappear. Zoras and Gorons dodged the furious attacks of the goddesses as Dekus and Fairies, flew over head, trying to get to the injured or dying to heal them. He cried out once more, the helmet was cracking, and digging into his own skull, but still he tried to get free. The helmet shattered around his head, some of the stone cutting his face and head, as the hand now gripped him in its crushing hold.
Groaning lowly, he wondered where the Minishes were and if they got to Midna and Link okay. Closing his eyes, he waited for his death only to have the Shadow shriek out its death cry and to collapse to the floor. He groaned as he felt someone help him up and he gasped seeing his mate's child like form before him, her impish smile was in place as she wiped a bit of dark green blood from his mouth.
"Era uoy thgirla, ym evol?" came the beautiful voice he loved so much, speaking in their tongue as she healed his minor injuries. "Nac uoy llits thgif?"
"Sey, ym etam… Ydal Kinl?"
"Efas; Lufe si gniraperp meht ot og ot eht Dercas Evorg…." She assured him before floating up to be level with him "M'I llits kaew… Tub I evah eht Desuf Wodahs…"
Zant nodded his head and smiled. Midna took a moment to admire his face, the face he had hidden for so long, even from her. Zant's face was relatively flat, though youthful. His large yellow eyes reminded her of an Owl as his purple lips had this natural quirk to them like he had a permanent smirk on his face. His nose was straight and fit in his face as his hair was a deep blue color, short and always slicked back with oils so it would not bother him beneath his helmet.
"Reven niaga edih ruoy ecaf mrof em… Eb droup fo ruoy sracs." She told him, kissing him softly before she spun in place and let out a hellion scream.
He smiled as he watched the rouge Shadows, Twilis and Poes shriek in agony or trying to block the sound out. But in doing so, left themselves open to attack. Zant floated into the air as well, hovering a mere three inches from the floor as he began to spin, pale green copies of himself began to appear and then fly into the madness, taking down enemies and helping allies in their paths as Zant himself began to spin, cutting through the enemy like a deadly top.
Midna smirked before she focused on a group of loose boulders and quickly used her telekinesis to grab them and drop them onto the large Shadows, crushing their heads and making sure that even if she missed one and it revived the others they could not move with the heavy rocks pinning them down…