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Ice Maiden Olivier: action packed chapter! cannot wait for more! :D
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And now on with the story
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for my OC Dianne
Chapter 24: Traveling Through Time, A Reuinion At Last
(Dianne's POV)
As we soared up to the sky we headed towards the beacon that leads to Faron Woods. As we flew over the gap which leads to Faron Woods and dived towards The Sealed Temple. As we landed on the surface we headed towards the temple, and open the doors to the temple.
When we entered the temple we saw Groose as he said, "Well it's about time you two showed up! What took ya so long?!" "Complications..." I replied quickly when I saw Groose open his mouth, "Trust me... You don't wanna know." I said to Groose
An ancient and familiar voice echoed behind you, "Ah, your weapons! There can be no doubt. The sacred flames have purified them. Well done, those weapons hold tremendous power. Link, you must now open the Gate of Time."
Taking a deep breath, Link drew his sword and stepped up before the giant slab of cold stone. Raising his blade to the sky, a pure, white light reverberated around the metal like the fingers of a fire. With one strong sweep, Link charged the light at the stone, and instantly a great quake vibrated beneath our feet, sending chills up our spine. "I wish it had not happened, but there was no other way to open the gate. You must imprison the beast again."
Groose smiled and tightened his gloves, "All right! Bring it on! This is what I've been waiting for." He grabbed my hand and grinned, pulling me outside, "I've got something to show you. I followed Groose outside, and my jaw dropped at the sight. Working railway tracks spanned the entire circumference of the pit held up by pillars of ancient wood. Groose raced up a short pathway to a funny looking catapult, "So whatdya think? This is what I've been working on while you were gone. The Groosenator will put a big hurting on that ugly monster, just tell me where to place my shots!" He winked at me, "Now get down there!"
Taking the signal from Groose, we drew our weapons and leapt into the pit, confronting pillars of black smoke that erupted into the mighty behemoth. To my horror, you saw that it had grown a pair of arms thicker than the greatest tree in the forest.
Sucking in my courage, I charged towards the feet to the beast, remembering how to take it down. Avoiding getting stepped on, I sliced at the monster's toes, covering myself in white puss. The battle was filled with heart pounding moments of near death as flaming chunks of plant rained around us as Groose's machine hurled bombs at the imprisoned. At the last few sweat soaked moments, Link used the last of his strength to pound the spike back into the beast's head. We gripped our ears in pain as the roar of the monster reverberated around the pit, shaking us to the bone. And at last it was over.
After we had defeated the Imprisoned again... We headed back inside the temple We could feel a wave of starry heat pass by us as the stone glowed blue and broke apart. Link stepped back in awe as I watched the stone transform into great glowing gears, creating a dark tunnel into the very fabric of space.
Link turned to me after his awe was stunted, "Let's do this..." He said and grabbed my hand. Taking his with a firm grasp, I took a step into the tunnel. It felt like I was being pulled by my heart through the dark, guiding my steps back through time.
It was quite colder inside the tunnel, but hot at the same time... We weren't sure. Though it felt like hours had passed, which were only a few brief moments, we were swamped by light, as we stepped on the cold ground of the forest temple.
Our confusion was broken by a voice, "Hello Link, Dianne." Turning away from our sights, we noticed Zelda's guardian, Impa standing next to the gate, "Where are we?" I asked. Impa smiled, "You have passed through the Gate of Time to an era of the distant past. You must go through the doors behind me. It is there that the person you've risked life and blood to defend waits for you..."
I caught an excited and fearful sigh from Link as he heard the news. Running up the stairs, I followed hesitantly behind. He sensed I hung behind and turned to me, "You coming?" I glanced down at the floor and sighed, "I think it's best if you take this on your own..." "Alright..." Link turned hesitantly and entered through the two large doors.
(Link's POV)
As I opened the two large doors, I walked in and saw Zelda as she turned around and said, "You've come so far. Link... I'm glad you made it. I imagine Impa filled you in on everything. We've travelled very far from home... to the distant past. In this era, the wounds inflicted on the land during the battle between the goddess and the demon king known as Demise have not yet healed. All the fairy tales about that war we heard growing up in Skyloft... And as incredible it may seem, they appear all too real. I think it's time you learned the whole story." she said.
"What do mean by the whole story?" I asked. "Let me try to explain." she said as she looked up. "Alright." I said, "The old gods created a supreme power that gave anyone who possessed it the ability to shape reality and fulfill any desire. They called it the Triforce. In his thirst to make the world his own. Demise readied an army of monsters for war. He sought to take the Triforce for himself by force. The goddess feared for her people. She used her power to send both them and the Triforce into the sky on a slice of earth she cut away from the land. This floating rock became the new home of our people. In time, it came to be known as Skyloft. After a long and fierce battle, the goddess, Hylia, succeeded in sealing away Demise. However, soon after the demon king was imprisoned. It became clear that the seal would not hold long against his fearsome power. Hylia had suffered grave injuries in her battle with the demon king. She knew that if he broke free again, there would be no stopping him. And if the demon king were to free himself, it would mean the end of the world for all of the beings of this land. In order to put an end to the demon king. Hylia devised two separate plans and set them both into motion." she said to him.
I was shocked that I knew what would happen if Dianne and I were to fail our quest. As she walked down the stairs and explained what plans that the goddess set in motion. "First, she created Fi. She made the spirit that resides in your sword to serve a single purpose: to assist her chosen heroes on their mission. Her second plan...was to abandon her divine form and transfer her soul into the body of a mortal. ...She made this sacrifice, as you have likely guessed, so that the supreme power created by the old gods could one day be used. For while the supreme power of the Triforce was created by gods, all of it's power can never be wielded by one. Knowing this power was her last and only hope, the goddess gave up her divine powers and her immortal form. You've probably figured it out by now, haven't you, Link? You and Dianne are the chosen heroes, and I, Zelda... I am the goddess reborn as a mortal. The day of the ceremony. Ghirahim's tornado tossed me out of the sky and down to the world below. I was nearly captured by the demon's forces, but I was rescued at the last moment by the old woman who lives in the Sealed Grounds. I had no memories at all of my existence as Hylia, but she explained it to me. She helped me to remember who I was... And what I had to do. I was set out to pray at the goddess statues located in each temple across the land. Each statue stirred up memories within me. After I visited them all, Impa, an agent of the goddess, led me here... to the past. All of this is part of the same great effort to prevent the revival of Demise. Stripped of his true physical form by the seal that binds him, he takes the shape of an abomination. But even in his hideous state, he's more than capable of devouring this land if we allow him to do what he desires. We must stop him from freeing himself from the seal that imprisons him. At any cost... That is why I intend to remain here in this time and place... To sustain the seal as best as I can. As long as I continue this vigil, we may be able to prevent the demon king from fully reviving himself in our own time. I must maintain the seal that Hylia rather, that I created so long ago and keep it strong for as long as I am able. With the memories of my former life returning to me, I can see now that this is my purpose."
"Link, the goddess created Fi and the great blade she's apart of for very specific reasons. For the task of standing against Demise in his monstrous form he now assumes rests solely on yours and Dianne's shoulders. Back in our time, you two have already driven him back into his prison twice now. I can't thank you both enough for that, Link. During your long journey you've both grown so much. You have both learned wisdom from solving devious puzzles and traps. You have both gained power by honing and tempering both yourselves and your techniques. And by overcoming the trials set before you by the goddess, you have both found true courage. Now that those qualities reside in the both of you, you two are now worthy of wielding the power the old gods left behind for our kind. You two can now claim the Triforce." She said.
As I took her hand and bowed, she closed her eyes and said, "Valiant hero, you have endured many hardships and journeyed far in your quest to reach this place. Along your travels you have found wisdom, power, and courage, and for this I shall bless your sword with the goddess's power. May it give you strength to drive back the abomination that threatens this land!" She said as a triangle mark appeared on my hand. "The mark you see upon the back of your hand is proof that you are one the heroes of legend and that within you dwells sacred power. It is the mark of the Triforce. Stand now, Link. Draw your sword." she said.
As I drew my sword the power of the goddess flowed through the Master Sword as it achieved it's final form, and now I wield the blade that will defeat Demise. As Zelda turned around she said, "Link, before I say another word. I feel like I owe you an apology." She said sadly. "What for?" I asked. "Well you see, the mark of the Triforce on your hand is a symbol of the greatest power in this world. If you can obtain the actual Triforce, we will have the power to vanquish Demise once and for all. The problem is, among the countless souls in this world, only a select few, those with an unbreakable spirit can wield its might. It's impossible to know the true reason why the old gods created the Triforce. But I have a theory of my own. The gods created the Triforce, yet they specifically designed it so that their own kind could never use its power. Somehow, I think that may have been their way of giving hope to all the mortal beings of the land. ...Which brings us back to you. To face Demise and give the land hope, the goddess, Hylia, needed someone with an unbreakable spirit. That someone is you, Link. But spirit alone wasn't enough. You two had to overcome many trials and awaken the heroes within yourselves so that you could wield the sacred power. And so Hylia... I mean, and so I... I knew that save it meant saving Zelda, you would throw yourself headfirst into any danger, without a moment's doubt... I... I used you. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for pulling you into this, Link. But you have to understand this is a war, and the fate of the land hangs in the balance. I need your strength to tip the scales in our favor."
"All that may be well intentioned and true, but it doesn't mean it's right... and it doesn't excuse my actions. But I'm prepared to pay the price for what I've done. To ensure that the seal holds, I will remain here in this time... deep in sleep for thousands of years." She said.
As she turned to me and looked at me with eyes filled with regret, and sadness and said, "Link... I can't say it enough. I'm so sorry for the way I had to involve you in this. But until my memory of things before our lifetime returned to me, I had no idea we were fated to carry such a heavy destiny. Before all this, I was happy just spending my days hanging around with you in Skyloft. I wanted that feeling to last forever." she said.
As a beam of light enshrouded her body, I ran up the stairs as fast as I could, and as I reached the top of the stairs as her body was now being covered in light. I pounded on the barrier, afraid of what would happen to her. "While it's true that I am Hylia reborn. I am still my father's daughter and your friend... I'm still your Zelda. When Demise is finally gone, there will be no more need for the seal that binds him, and then I'll be able to wake up. So I'm going to ask you a favor, sleepyhead. Ever since we were kids. I'd always wake you up when you slept in. But this time, when all of this is over, will you come to wake me up?" she asked. "I promise." I said to her. And after that she was encased in amber, asleep until Demise is destroyed, and when that happens I be here to wake you up, but until then Dianne and I have do everything we can from Demise breaking that or everything that been fighting for it will be for nothing. As I walked down the stairs and to regroup with Dianne.
(Dianne's POV)
Taking a deep breath, I sat down on the stone steps facing the gate, trying to piece together recent events. What if this was the end of my journey with Link? In a way I'd be relieved of the pressure of life and death situations, but... The last few weeks my friendship with Link grew tremendously. The bond between us was so precious to me... Could it just be over? Even his crush on me felt like it was slowly dissipating with every second he spent with Zelda.
With another sigh, I put my face into my hands. A stern but calm voice interrupted my thoughts as Impa sat down gracefully beside me, "Afraid to see Her Grace? My jaw clenched at the thought of Zelda being a goddess and I mumbled, "No... just... I don't feel it's my place..." Impa nodded, "Your mind is troubled. Weighed down by your feelings for him." I sucked in a sharp breath, "Yes!...How'd you know about...Ghirahim? "I used to be your age too. I know love when I see it..." She smiled. "No... I'm not..." I glanced at Impa who raised an eyebrow in contradiction. I sighed knowing it was no use, "Maybe. There's just so many obstacles." "Like?" "If he wasn't so evil... being my arch nemesis..." Impa looked at me with wisdom, "You'd be surprised what the heart can do..." She put a hand on my shoulder, "Don't give up.
Before I could react to her comment, a bright light exploded from behind me. I instantly drew and strung my bow, racing into the temple interior to see Link slumping down at the base of a giant amber stone, with Zelda encased inside. "Link! What happened?" As I ran to his side and helped him stand.
Link quickly brushed away a stray tear, "everything's OK, as is Zelda." He gestured to the goddess's sleeping figure. He turned to me and said, "Dianne, we have to find the Triforce to end all this and set her free." "The Triforce?" I asked as Link turned away, clearly a lot on his mind. "I'll explain later." He murmured as he left the temple.
I hated how troubled Link seemed, and was about to leave when a voice entered my mind, "Dianne, wait! My chosen Heroine, look at me..." It echoed and I recognized it as Zelda's voice. I turned towards the amber stone, barely breathing at the thought of Zelda being inside your head. "Dianne. You still underestimate your destiny. There is a reason you have been chosen. Do not be afraid of the power you hold." I felt a warmth spread through my fingers on my right hand. Glancing down I saw the symbol of the Triforce glowing on my glove. It was foreign to me, but somehow I felt as if I was connected to it. "Guide Link on your journey. Keep him safe for me, and above all... Never give up hope." Staring at the pale yet beautiful slumbering features of Zelda, I felt determined to help my friend on his quest.
Turning away with a heavy sigh, I accompanied Link back to our own time with a final glance at Impa. Taking in the warm air of the forest, we stepped out of the gate with heavy thoughts.
Wandering over to Groose who stood at the far corner of the temple, I smiled as he turned around and gleamed with my presence, "Hey! Did you find Zelda? Is she OK? I nodded, "yeah, she's fine, but this isn't over yet..." I glanced back at Link who exchanged words with the old woman. Groose saw the weight on my mind and quickly changed the subject, "Hey, great job mugging Big Ugly back there. You've turned into a real warrior." The complement lighted the mood, "Thanks, but we couldn't have done it without you." He chuckled as he folded his arms, "You give me too much credit, Dianne. You were the one who got me to stop feeling sorry for myself and put my energy into doing what I could to help." His golden eyes sparkled.
I smiled and wasn't quite sure what to say as I avoided his gaze shyly, "Are you coming back with us?" Groose sighed, "Actually... Just for a little bit to grab my things. I'm going to stay here with Grannie." I jumped at his remark, "What? but..." "I can't explain it, Dianne. I just got this feeling in my belly that there's work to do here. Maybe this is my destiny? Ya know what I mean? Guarding Big Ugly and all."
He brightened up a bit, "Hey, check it out..." He gestured to a soft mound of free earth in the center of the temple, "Everything grows perfectly here. Even the weakest sapling could grow into a beast of a tree in soil like this. It'd brighten the place up a little too.
I let out a small chuckle as I looked at the broad-shouldered figure of Groose. Groose the bully as he used to be. He looked at me funny, "Your laughing at me?" I pushed the hair away from my face and smiled, "No... I just can't believe what a man you've become." "Thanks... I think..." He grinned as I shoved him in the shoulder. A voice behind me interrupted, "We better get moving," Link tightened his gloves, "We've still got a long way to go...
I nodded and followed him outside with Groose trailing behind, "Where to now?" Link looked over his shoulder as he answered, "Gaepora's the only one who would know of the Triforce. We have to speak to him first." Giving him a reassuring remark, I glanced beside me at Groose and then back at Link. I had been so busy with the weight of my responsibilities that I started to overlook what I was becoming. With all my heart I wished I could see what I've become. How had I changed through this turmoil?... Only time would tell I guessed. Even the flight back to Skyloft through the watercolored puff of early morning clouds, even our loftwings seemed to represent me even more, I practically forgot my appearance, covered in a crusty, white paste, dirt and blood from numerous creatures. It didn't bother me as much as it used to though. As we landed, glances of awe and curiosity from early risers followed us all the way back through the academy. As we made our way to Headmaster Gaepora to ask him the whereabouts of the Triforce.
Author's Note: okay, and stop. So sorry, I would've posted this sooner, but I was sick this week and I had school, that and the fact that this chapter was long, and is my longest chapter so far yay! We now have 385 views for this story yay! Be sure to review, if you have any ideas, questions or comments then put them in your reviews or you can PM me, and if you like this story then fav and follow. I hope you guys had a great Labor Day Weekend last week.
Next Time: The Search For The Triforce