Darkness Rising, Pt. 2
"I have no idea why he's done this," Fado says in response to what Azrael might be up to. He and both Holden and Impa are now inside the throne room of Castle Hyrule, discussing the recent arrival of Fado, and the gift of the Wind Waker. "He came to the Wind Temple, and said that he had plans. He wants to be rid of Ganon, that much I know. To do that, he said he needed me to be whole, so he ripped the taint from me, and told me to come here to give you the Wind Waker. He said that it should be used by Link."
"I suppose it makes a certain kind of twisted sense," Holden says, sitting himself on the throne and turning the Wind Waker in his hands, studying the strange silver device. "Ganon is responsible for turning him into what he is, from what Link and Zelda have told us. And Aganham, a loyal disciple of Ganon, is the one who…burned him alive. I'd probably want revenge too."
"True enough," Impa agrees, pacing in front of the throne. "Still, it won't make much of a difference if we have no Hero of Time to use the it. And use it for what I wonder?" Impa muses. "I fear this Azrael knows much more than we do."
"There is much more to this creature Azrael than you know Shadow Sage," a whispy voice says as a cold wind kicks up, and forms itself into the shape of a young woman. "My name is Aria, and I am the Sage of Wind. Thanks to Azrael, the Wind Temple is free once more, and now I can move on. It is time for you to accept your destined mantle Fado."
"I…am ready," Fado says, moving to stand before her. He turns his head upwards to look into her eyes. "I have much to make up for."
"Do not let your guilt overwhelm you young one," Aria says. "The taint of Ganon is powerful. Your journey is just beginning, and you will need to remain strong. But now, my journey is done, and finally, I can feel peace." Her form dissipates into mist, and as silver light overcomes Fado, finally settling into him.
"So, two sages to go," Holden remarks as Saria and Darunia hurry into the room.
"Fado!" Saria exclaims, rushing over to the Kokiri and dropping to her knees, embracing him. "I thought we'd never see you again."
"It's alright Saria," Fado says, returning her embrace. "I am…better now. And I have been awakened as a Sage."
"That's a lucky thing," Darunia says abruptly, studying the little Kokiri. "Three Black Dragons approach. We spotted them from atop of the castle."
X X X
"What must I do?" Link asks of Valoo.
"In my present form, at this age I would stand no change against my…siblings," Valoo explains. "However, were I to age into maturity, my power would be significant. We would stand a chance."
"Yes, but how do we do that?" Link asks. "You spoke of Ganon using dark magic to do the very same thing to the other dragons, but I know nothing of such things. And I would not use the Power for dark purposes anyway."
"Whether the Power is light or dark comes from your intent, and what you seek to accomplish," Valoo explains. "The Power is the Power, it simply exists. It is neither good nor bad. It is the person wielding the Power that determines its purpose. Think back seven years, to when Zelda used the Ocarina of Time along with her own significant power to turn back the clock for everyone. You can do the same, only more focused. Use the Ocarina of Time and the Power, and turn the clock forward. Not for everyone, only for me. Bring me to maturity, and we have a chance of stopping the other dragons."
"But, isn't that just as wrong as what Zelda did?" Link says. "It would be wrong for me to steal those years from you."
"Often times, the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the one," Valoo replies. "And, I freely give you my consent to do this. Besides which, as a dragon, I will live and extremely long life as it is. And, being a Guardian Spirit, even longer still. A few years will not matter. And this must be done, or Hyrule might not have any hope. The world might not have any hope."
"Alright," Link says tentatively. "How?"
"You must find your center, and focus your energies," Valoo explains. "You must concentrate on your goal, aging me, and only me. A century should bring me to full strength."
"A century, but that is…" Link begins.
"A lifetime," Valoo interrupts. "Yes, a lifetime for a human or hylian perhaps, but for a dragon it is not much at all. Our bodies grow quickly, but it takes nearly that long for us to attain our full power. "Now, once you see your goal in your mind's eye, begin playing the Ocarina of Time. I believe you already know the song."
Link nods his head and settles himself. He closes his eyes, and instinctually allows the Power to fill his being, suffusing himself with warmth and life. In his mind's eye he pictures Valoo as he is now, a juvenile dragon. But his desire is Valoo a century from now. In his mind the image shifts and shapes itself, from something small and that can be loosely considered cute to a massive, terrifying beast of crimson red. A creature brimming with strength and power. That image locked in his mind Link, with his eyes still closed, automatically reaches for the pouch where he keeps the Ocarina of Time, one of his magic pouches, given to him so long ago by Saria. Reaching inside the pouch his hand clasps onto the object he seeks, the cool metal of the ocarina. He brings it out of the pouch and to his lips, and on their own accord his hands move to form the notes as he begins to blow into the instrument. The mountains, usually silent aside from the crumbling of rock, are now filled with music that is beautiful and somber, the Song of Time. As Link continues to play, the inherent power of the Ocarina, combined with the magic of the song and Link's own power begin to mix and manifest.
Already Valoo can feel the changes within himself, his vision tinged blue. The same blue glow surrounds Valoo's body, until finally a circular wall of blue energy erupts around the young dragon, stretching skyward to the clouds themselves. Link continues to play, and, even with his eyes closed he can see the changes taking place in his mind. He can see beyond the wall of energy, and a part of his mind watches in fascination as Valoo morphs from the young dragon of only moments ago, into the massive beast Link had pictured in his mind. Feeling the changes he needs complete, Link lets the ocarina fall silent, and his Power die back down. As he opens his eyes the wall of blue energy fades into nothingness, leaving only a giant crimson dragon. "It has worked my friend," Valoo says in Link's mind. "Now, quickly climb onto my back. I fear we may not reach your friends in time as it is."
X X X
"Saria, do you have the arrows?" Impa asks as she and the remainder of the sages, along with Holden, stand atop the Pinnacle Stone, the great observation floor atop Hyrule Castle.
"I do," Saria replies, pulling a sliver arrow from the quiver on her back and notching it in her bow. The pervious evening, after defeating the first dragon had been defeated the sages had spent many hours pooling their power and creating a quiver full of the special arrows, in hopes that they may be of further use against any further creatures Ganon might send against them."
"They'll raze the city to nothing bust dust before we can defeat them all," Holden says quietly for the group.
"We do what we can," Darunia says, though in his heart, he knows what Holden speaks is true. When the day is done, Castle Town will be most likely be no more.
In the middle of the group of a dark swirling cloud appears, and expands into a shimmering plane of darkness, through which two figures step out. One is dressed head to toe in flowing robes of blood red, along with a mask covering the lower half of his face. The other is similarly dressed, only his clothing is completely black, with the red eye of the Shiekah upon his chest, his white hair a stark contrast to the black of his clothing. "Such stunning optimism from the so called protectors of Hyrule," Aganhim says from beneath his mask. "The Dark Lord Ganon wishes for your existence to end Sages of Hyrule, and what the Dark Lord wishes, must be carried out."
Impa's eyes narrow as she gazes at Vaati, her anger rising at the sight of symbol of her people emblazoned on the chest of this murderer. "Blood Traitor," Impa curses, her long twin daggers appearing in her hands as if by magic. She charges Vaati, catching him off guard, and the two disappear over the edge of the castle to the depths below.
"Well, more for me then," Aganhim says, and with a wave of his hand a wall of dark black flames erupt around Darunia, Laruto and Ruto, walling them off. Now, only Saria and Holden remain to face the powerful dark sorceror. "I'll deal with you first little girl," Aganhim says, facing Saria. "Can't have those pretty little arrows of yours hurting Kareena's pets, now can we."
"Sure we can," Holden says, launching himself at Aganhim, wielding the large broadsword once used by his father.
Aganhim parries the blow with his own sword, and with his left hand motions and sends Holden tumbling across the roof with an invisible blast of the power. "Fool," Aganhim sneers. Holden slides against the lip of the roof, and, while coughing he looks up over the edge, and watches as the three dragons arrive, reigning yet more fiery destruction down upon Castle Town, which, thankfully at least has already been emptied of all its people.
"No," he whispers, watching as the flames erupt all over the city.
As Holden speaks flashes of dark green and dark gold appear on the rooftop, revealing two more figures. Both dressed in black, one is hooded and masked, the other is a young woman, her hair raven black with a scar on her lower lip. Holden stairs up at the woman, recognizing her. "Sister," he says, shocked.
"In another lifetime," the woman smiles and viciously kicks Holden in the head, sending him into unconsciousness. "So, is he the one who burned you my love?" this Dark Zelda asks, motioning at Aganhim.
"He is," Azrael answers from behind the black mask of his hood. "You concentrate on the dragons girl," he says, his head turning to look at Saria. "The wizard is ours."
X X X
"By Farore, it's already begun," Link says from his place atop Valoo, just behind his head. As they streak down from the sky Link can easily see the three dark beasts, sweeping down across the city, sending fire down into the streets and igniting buildings ablaze. "So how do we do this?"
"Any way we can," Valoo answers him. "This will be…brutal."
"Alright," Link says, the form of a plan beginning to take place in his mind, "I have an idea."
"Please tell me you're not going to do what I think you're going to do," Valoo answers, sensing the feelings behind Link's plan.
"Probably something stupid," Link says with a smile he doesn't really feel. "Just get in close."
"Hold on," Valoo says, folding his wings to his sides and diving down towards the city. They plummet through the sky, and, as they reach the city Valoo unfurls his wings, snapping himself and Link level and soaring of the city. "There," he says, referring to the dragon streaking from the sky down towards the city for another pass.
"As we pass, make sure we're right alongside it," Link says, readying himself.
"Good luck my friend," Valoo says, and, as they sweep alongside the black dragon Link quickly times his jump, easily making the leap to the black scaled creature.
Link rights himself quickly and sprints forward across the creatures back, heading for its head. As Link runs he quickly pulls the Master Sword from its sheath, and it begins to glow as Link allows the Power to flow into it. Link reaches the dragon's head and, with a twirl of his sword he drives it straight down through the creatures head. The enchanted blade, charged with the power easily slices through scale, bone and into the brain, releasing a massive wave of the power, killing the beast instantly. In one swift motion Link returns the Master Sword to its sheath and leaps from the dragon, letting the creature plummet into the city. And just as quickly Valoo is there, under Link who lands atop Valoo's back. "Guess that wasn't as stupid as I thought," Link says, returning to his position behind Valoo's head. As he and Valoo swing around Link watches as a streak of silver flashes across the sky, piercing another one of the dragon's through it's throat. The creature gurgles in agony as it crashes into the city below, settling to rest and moaning in agony as it bleeds out through it's throat. "I guess there's only one left."
A flash of dark golden light appears behind Link atop Valoo. When Link turns around, his mouth drops in shock, "Zelda," he gasps.
Dark Zelda grins mischievously, "I'm way better stud. But that'll have to wait for later," she says, backhanding Link and knocking him off Valoo and falling towards the city. "The last one is for me," she says, disappearing from Valoo's back.
X X X
As Impa and Vaati plummet from the tallest tower of Hyrule Castle , they disappear in a flash of darkness, and quickly reappear outside the Temple of Time, rolling and tumbling across the grass outside. "You've turned against our people traitor," Impa spits, quickly regaining her feet and setting herself for attack.
"You know nothing of our people foolish woman," Vaati says, ripping the mask from his face, the rage of hatred burning in his violet-red eyes. "You know nothing of our true suffering. We should have continued to rule an empire, but instead that fool Kheal threw away it all away, choosing to live in exile."
"You threw in with Ganon long before Khealdon threw away his title," Impa replies, leaping to attack with her twin daggers. Vaati easily parries with his long curved sword, meeting her blow and forcing her back.
With a startled shout Malon exits from the rear entrance of the Temple of Time, pulling up short when she spots the figures of Impa and Vaati squaring off against each other. "Malon, get back inside the temple," Impa says forcefully, not daring to take her eyes off Vaati again.
But just then a flash of green appears in the garden, and with it Link comes tumbling across the grass, which provides Vaati distraction enough to grab Malon, the sharp edge of his sword held against her throat.