AUGH NO THE KOROKS WHATSOEVER WILL WE DO JUST READ MY WONDERFUL PEOPLE READ ON!
The bombs struck the forest with the force of an earthquake, and Link was thrown from the window with the sheer power of the blast. In a moment the entire village was blanketed in broiling heat and Link risked a glance out the window again to see the trees and ground cloaked in swaths of flame.
"Get down from here!" Zelda yelled from behind him, and Link pulled out the Deku Leaf, searching for a safe place to land, but Zelda simply shoved him out the door and they careened down to the ground. Dodging burning bridges and flaming lanterns, Link kicked out at withering wood and slowly picked his way down to the forest floor. A sharp cry echoed above him and Link looked through the smoking canopy to see a strange mix of bomber airplanes and Loftwings soaring around the sky, preparing for the next attack.
Thankfully, he landed on a flame-less patch of grass and pivoted to see Zelda lurching down from the sky, her Deku Leaf edged with tongues of flame.
"Jump!" He shouted to her, and her eyes flashed with panic. Bracing himself, Link raised his arms as Zelda let go of her Deku Leaf and jolted towards him, landing safely in his arms. With a grunt Link set her down and spun around, searching for a safe way out of the blaze.
Koroks were shrieking in terror, fluttering left and right, trying to dodge the blaze, calling out names of family and friends. A screaming whine echoed from above and Link roared, "Get down!" When another volley of bombs crashed into the village, tearing down bridges and searing through the bark of trees, spurting lava and fire. The blast threw Link to the side and he scrambled to his feet, thick black smoke obscuring his vision. A young Korok scrambled past him, sobbing profusely, and dove into the soot.
"Link!" Zelda cried out, and she plunged through the smoke and snatched his hand, tugging him to the edge of the Forest Village near the Great Deku Tree. "This way!"
Dodging smoking, spluttering flames, Koroks and roots was no easy feat, so he and Zelda carefully picked their way back to the other end of the village. The scene of joy at the lantern-lighting was no longer filled with festivity, but instead with abandoned lanterns, overturned, half-burned shops, and a tree canopy of pure fire. Link realized that if the blaze didn't kill them then the thick, black smoke would. It was already filling the air and choking out the remaining oxygen.
"We have to get out of here, now!" Link shouted to Zelda, and she shoved him towards one of the larger trees when the screaming of the bombs pierced through the screams and moans of the Koroks. One missile struck so close to them that Link's teeth rattled with the explosion, and the spout of fire that burst from the casing nearly barbecued them. A shrill screech sounded from the middle of the clearing and Link watched a Korok struggling to free itself from a fallen bridge. He stepped forward to aid it when Zelda tugged him back. Twisting to face her and protest, his attention was drawn back to the Korok when a massive branch crashed onto the bridge. The screaming stopped.
"Holy Din." Link whispered, and Zelda dragged him away again.
"Come on, we have to keep moving. Let's go!" She hissed, and Link ducked as another branch tumbled to the forest floor, bringing down an inferno with it. The heat from the blaze was choking and Link was suddenly not too keen on the clothes of the Hero, which were as well-insulated as they were fortified, a trait that certainly wasn't comfortable in the boiling heat.
The last remnants of the festival were purged in flame. Link's boot punctured the shell of a lantern and he kicked it off, forcing himself to keep moving, keep running. All around him branches were falling on the Koroks, their houses plunging to the earth, crushed under the bonfire.
We destroyed them.
The thought resounded in Link's head as he leaped over burning logs and dodged tree branches, crawled behind abandoned, smoking shops and watched a Korok draw its last breath. We did this. I killed them.
"Mama!" A childish voice whispered through the roar of the flames and the scream of the bombs, and Link turned to see a tiny Korok kneeling next to the broken, prone form of an older Korok, frozen in death. "Mama?"
"Link, come..." Zelda's voice trailed off when she saw the scene and she gasped, drawing a hand to her mouth. "Oh, no..."
"Mama, you have to get up. We have to go!" The Korok squeaked, pulling at the fallen Korok's arm. "Come on, Mama, let's go home!"
As Link watched the realization struck the Korok and it crumpled, bawling into its mother's arms, its cries dwarfed by the hiss and crackling of the blaze. Zelda let out a short sob and buried her face in Link's shoulder, trembling, and Link held her there, as still and solid as stone, simply watching the young Korok grieve.
Finally a shrill, high-pitched whistling echoed from the sky and Zelda raised her head, eyes widening in shock and terror. "Get down!" She screamed, jumping for the shelter of the thick, gnarled roots of the nearest tree when another bomb dug into the forest village and detonated, but instead of an eruption of fire a mushroom of dirt and tree roots was launched into the air, digging an enormous crater into the forest floor. A sharp snapping sound echoed from the tree and Link watched as it began to tilt forward, easily as large as a skyscraper back in Castle Town, and slowly collapsed to the ground, making the ground shake and sending up another chorus of screams and cries.
"Link!" The voice was remarkably clear in the haze of noise and fire, and Link turned to see the body of Alder, pinned by a branch, leaf-like face contorted in pain. Link darted to Alder's side and strained at the branch, struggling to free the Korok, but a sharp voice froze him.
"Link – Hero – stop. You know it's no use." Alder whispered, and his voice was eerily feeble and trembling, no longer the strong Korok Link had known. "I am old, and my time has come. But you have a legacy to live. You must flee!"
"Alder, I..." Link swallowed, trying to collect his thoughts. "I can't thank you enough. And this is how I repay you with your kindness..." He turned his face away, not wanting Alder to see the weakness on the face of the Hero. The real Hero wouldn't show weakness. He would be strong.
"My boy, Gangstadorf has been hunting us for decades. He would have found us eventually, and then what? The Deku Leaf, the clothes of the Hero, all would have been for naught. While I can't say this has been an optimal ending –" The Korok coughed, then continued – "It is for the best. I am proud that we have passed the legacy of the Hero onto you. Be strong, Link. Make the Koroks proud."
Link stared into Alder's eyes, those proud, fierce black eyes, and watched as the expression drained out of them. Soon only a glassy reflection stared back at him.
"Alder?" Zelda asked, kneeling behind him, and Link shook his head, a thousand emotions burning inside of him with the intensity of an inferno.
"He's gone." He replied roughly, then stood and started to run for the Great Deku Tree, with Zelda at his heels.
The flames had risen in intensity and height, making traversing the forest floor almost impossible, but Link picked his way through the smoking wreckage, dodging Koroks and keeping his head below the choking belt of smoke that wreathed the village. His vision wavered with the heat and he knew they had to get out of the village as soon as possible. If they waited any longer they would be trapped in this burning coffin for good.
Another missile struck the ground far behind them and Link heard the blast shatter the earth, tearing up the ground as it burrowed into the dirt and ruptured with an explosion and a shattering boom. The screams of the Koroks were momentarily silenced, frozen in terror, then resumed with reckless abandon, shouting names, screams of pain, or cries for help, all blending together into one eerie tune of desperation and terror.
"Go!" Zelda shouted at him, and he dove behind the Great Deku Tree and plunged into the cool of the forest, the chilled air a welcome relief from the broiling heat of the fire behind him, but before he could truly appreciate it Zelda was yanking him away sprinting with all of her might away from the Forest Village, leaving the ashes behind. The fresh air was welcome, too, and Link took a deep breath before plunging into the woods after her, keeping his head low instinctively, remembering the searing heat of the flames.
It seemed like they ran for miles before Zelda paused, hands on her knees and breathing hard. Link took the opportunity to scramble up one of the nearby trees and watch the Loftwings and planes circling a beacon of flame, cinders leaping from the flames, crumbling ashes. He was about to turn and tell Zelda when a brilliant fire caught his eye and he watched as Gangstadorf's men launched their full assault.
Bombs fell like shooting stars towards the earth, comets with tails of fire, so close to each other the sky appeared to be painted with a stroke of red and orange. The first bombs connected with the ground with enough force to make the tree Link was standing on rattle and shake, and the rest blasted into the village in a single tongue of flame, burning and scorching and ending. The Forest Village was gone. The Koroks were gone, all in one fell stroke.
Link climbed back down the tree, suddenly numb, and Zelda read his expression carefully, her own face grim and streaked with ash. They were silent for a moment before Link spoke, his own voice sounding alien in the silence.
"It's my fault."
Zelda let out a short breath, looking angry and exasperated. "You can't say that, Link."
"Oh, yeah?" Link jumped to his feet, anger surging over him in waves, spiking through his veins. "That lantern festival showed Gangstadorf where they were, right?"
He waited for an answer until Zelda lowered his head, shoulders hunched. "Probably, yes."
"It was my stupid festival, princess! They were doing it for me. So don't tell me it's not my fault."
"You don't think they knew the risk?" Zelda's head suddenly snapped upright, eyes flashing with tears and anger. "You don't think Alder knew what he was doing? Of course Gangstadorf would have known where they were if they did the lantern festival, Alder wasn't stupid. He knew the risk and he took it."
"Why? Why did he?" Link threw up his hands in exasperation then dragged them through his hair until his scalp stung. "I never wanted any of this! I never wanted to endanger him or his people, and now they're dead because of me. Why?"
Zelda was quiet again, but when she spoke her voice was firm. "Alder knew what he was doing. You gave his people hope, Link. You gave them someone to fight for. Now you're a rallying point. Did you hear what he said about his scouts? He sent them out to alert the world of your presence. Do you see what he did for you? Now the rumors are going to spread, and in that getup you'll attract a lot of attention. Think about it. Alder set the ball rolling, and now you've got momentum. The people will want to follow their Hero, and before you know it you've got a rebellion. Do you see what Alder did for you now?"
It was Link's turn to be silent. He sat down slowly on the ground and let out a slow breath, leaning his head back against the trunk of a tree. The smell of burning wood lingered on his clothes and carried in the wind, but it was the only reminder of the Forest Village left.
"Alder gave you a chance. Don't squander it." Zelda finished her speech and Link clapped sarcastically, although his anger was already starting to dissipate.
"I don't think anyone has used the word squander since, I don't know, a million years ago." He laughed, and her lips twisted into a small smile. It's a start.
Another minute of silence, then Link spoke up again. "How do you get over it?"
"What?" Zelda asked, midway through pulling her map out of her pouch.
"Gangstadorf killed your father, right? Sorry, that sounded really blunt. What I mean to say is, how do you get over it, death?"
Sliding the map back into her pouch, Zelda sat back, crossing her legs. Link watched emotions flicker across her face, but her voice was calm when she spoke.
"You really don't. I loved my father, and when he passed I was a wreck. Impa was always getting onto me for it, saying I wasn't some weakling kid who couldn't deal with her own problems." Zelda smiled ruefully. "She told me not to put my father behind me, not to forget him. Instead, I carry him with me. Even if he can't be here with me right now, I know he's still here." She rested a hand on her chest, then laughed. "I know what you're going to say, it sounds really cheesy. But it's what I've done with my dad and my mom. I never really knew her, but I loved my dad a lot, and whatever I do I know I'm making them proud. So, that's how I deal with it. Sorry for the speech."
"What was it like in the Castle Skyscraper? Not to bring back any bad memories or anything, I was just wondering." Link asked, brushing the ash off of his boots. The ashes of the Forest Village.
"Terrifying, most of the time. Every morning I'd have lessons with tutors, and I tried to get a lot of history in. That's how I know a lot about the temples and stuff, so I guess we can thank Gangstadorf for one thing."
"I guess we can."
"In the afternoons I'd have training with Impa. I passed her up with the bow a long time ago, but we did general stuff, like fitness and whatnot. That's helped a lot, too. But dinners were the worst – I was forced to sit at a table with Gangstadorf, in all his sleazy glory, and he'd drink wine and ask me about my day like we were father and daughter. I hated it, and I despised him, because he was the one who killed my father, and now he's trying to replace him? He was so oily and refined, you should have seen him, gloating at how weak I was, how I would bend over at his every whim. That's why I ran – to get away from him, yes, but also to show him that I'm stronger than he thinks. Seeing his phantom in that temple... It was almost like seeing him again, those jeering taunts I'd have to suffer through."
"I'm an idiot." Link replied simply, and Zelda looked up at him, confused.
"What?"
"Hey, I thought you were going to agree. Well, this is encouraging!" He grinned and Zelda shook her head.
"I think I know well enough how big of an idiot you are. Please, continue."
Link nodded, then his expression sobered. "I keep thinking this is all about me, but I never ask about you. I'm sure the Forest Village was difficult for you, too, and then I go one some rage-filled tantrum about how it's all my fault. I'm sorry for being so big-headed."
Zelda accepted his apology with a nod of her head and the silence in the forest was restored for a moment before Link spoke again.
"They're dead. All of them, burned to death. I can't believe it."
"Listen, Link, I don't want to blow you or any of the Koroks off, but don't let their bog you down. Use their deaths as fuel for your motives. Who killed them?"
Link's heart hardened when he replied, suddenly steeled. "Gangstadorf. I will kill him for this."
"Glad we're on the same page. Now, come on. We don't want to attract the attention of those bombs. Let's get back to Epona and find that sacred flame."
"I hear you, princess." Link replied, pulling himself to his feet. "I'm ready to shove the Master Sword into Gangstadorf's ugly mug."
"That makes two of us." She muttered, dragging a sleeve across her face, only smearing the ash. Any of it could be the ash of the deceased Koroks, and Link shuddered with the thought.
After walking about a mile Zelda wheeled on him, and he was surprised to see tears coursing down her cheeks. Blue eyes shining like jewels, she fixed him with a burning glare and launched herself into his arms, shuddering with sobs, and he knelt along with her, allowing himself to break down on the forest floor, reliving all of the pain of the last hour with her, holding her so tightly he could feel her beating heart against his. She cried into his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her back, each clinging to the other like a lifeline, a glimmer of light in the darkness, and even after Zelda's sobs had subsided he clung to her. Keeping her close, her fiery spirit burning away the chill of the loss.
"I'm sorry." She whispered thickly. "It's just..." Biting her lip, she trailed off, fresh tears sparkling in her eyes.
"I know." Link murmured. "I know, princess."
Closing her eyes and resting her head on Link's shoulder, she took a slow breath, then grabbed Link's hands and pulled him upright.
"Link, I need you to do something for me." Her jaw was set and Link had half the mind to draw the Goddess Sword, because whatever Zelda was about to do, she was serious about it.
"Sure, princess, whatever you need." He replied, already reaching for the sword, but Zelda's next words froze him in an instant.
"Kiss me."
Slowly a grin spread across Link's face and he lowered his arm. "Gladly, your highness."
She wrinkled her nose at him and then drew him close, at first gently pressing her lips against his, then leaning into him, hands tousling his hair, and his own hands found her golden tresses. Her sweet breath and smile pressed against his and he was smiling too, pulling Zelda closer to him, her warmth and strength merging into his, making one.
It was better than the first kiss, when he had been wounded on the temple floor.
Now they were broken again, but in a different way altogether, and together they could mend and become whole.
The Tragedy/Romance/Awkward Comedy/Cheesy AF-ness is strong with this one. Anyways, sorry this is a little later than usual, I was busy wasting time. :)
Donations go to the Refugee Fund of the Forest Village (RFFV Fund) in order to bring surviving Koroks back on their feet and in stable environments again. Although with Gangstadorf about, who knows if there even is a stable environment anymore? Or charities? All this to say, it would mean so much to me if you would review, favorite, follow, etc. I 3 your feedback!
SooooOooOO yes let's wrap things up. I hope you're enjoying this story so far and see you next week!
Until next time!