A Rebel's War – Part 4
-Link-
After fruitlessly searching the alleyways for the old woman, Link and Ouhon Mitagi were able to track down where she had gone to shop before Link's brief encounter with her. Now at the market district and not one to let circumstances go to waste, Link browsed through many shopkeepers' wares. There were a variety of market stalls selling everything one could think of, and one by one, the pair took each shop keeper aside to ask about the woman. They asked for everything: a name, a place of residence, anything they could use to find her. After Link went into excruciating detail about the woman to clerk after clerk, one finally knew who Link was talking about. However, with so many customers in the day, the clerk did not know details such as where she lived or where she goes. They got the name and nothing else. It was Roku Cian. Ouhon did not recognize her nor her family name.
Every shop keeper was selling wares related to some recent celebration the Mitagi had. Ouhon expected this, but Link had never seen so many colorful things. He had never seen a confetti pop nor a firework. He had never waved a little hand-held flag of Qin nor seen so many colorful masks. He had never seen so many pretty dresses to dazzle his eyes. Every article fed his imagination of what beauty meant for female and male attire. There were games, prizes, and more than Link could ever hope to experience in a day.
The next shop to question was owned by a masked salesman. So far as they were told, this salesman was new to town but already built a steady customer base. He was quickly becoming renowned for the variety of his masks and the incredible talent put into them. Link could see why: the shelves held hundreds of different kinds of masks, and the artist who drew them must have been incredible. Link had never seen masks look so real.
The shop bursted with customers trying to obtain masks and reach the counter where the seller stood. People pushed and bumped by each other so much that Link and Ouhon couldn't see the shop keeper amongst the masses.
Link shoved his way into the crowd and disappeared. Only a moment passed and he was roughly thrown back out.
"This is a madhouse…" Link said.
Ouhon stepped forward. "Allow me," he said. He then cleared his throat and exclaimed towards the swarm. "All of you!" His tone brooked no argument and immediately the room stilled. Link even froze. "By the authority of Ouhon Mitagi, you are to clear me a path. We are to have words with the shop keeper." Every word Ouhon spoke bore the power of a Mitagi.
Instantly, a path cleared.
"That works," Link ungratefully muttered. He glared up at Ouhon before following him to the counter.
At the counter was a spindly man who constantly rubbed his hands together, either out of nervousness or greed. He also had a smile stretching from ear to ear.
"What can I help you gentlemen with?" The excessively happy mask salesman asked.
"We are looking for a woman by the name of Roku Cian," Ouhon explained. "She bought the mask of a fox from you." He described the woman with the details given by Link. The salesman steadily nodded as he spoke.
"Yes, yes, I know of this woman," The mask salesman said. "I have sold many such masks, but I shan't forget her. Her grandson gave quite a cry when I had sold out on those masks last time, and we agreed for her to be among the first orders in the next shipment. She came to my shop two days… No? How long ago was it? Yesterday? I swear, I haven't slept since I came to this town! Either way, she came and picked it up. I told her not to, I could have just brought it to her, but she wanted to pick it up while she was out."
"So you know where she lives?" Link questioned.
"I… yes," The mask salesman answered, uncertain of the reasons behind the question.
"Can you show us?" Ouhon pressed.
"Is this important? As you can see, I am at the peak of the sales day."
"It is very important. Surely you heard of the attempt on the princess' life yesterday?"
"I- oh, my- yes! I do hope she is alright!"
"She is alive and well, but we believe Roku may have information that can help us with finding who made the attempt on her life."
"I understand then. Why you come to me. I shall do what I can to help you." The happy mask salesman faced the crowd. "Everyone! I will return when I am done with these fine gentlemen. For now, everyone gets one free mask of their choice! Show it around with your friends and family!"
Everyone cheered, picked a mask, and filtered out. To Ouhon's great surprise, Link also picked some masks.
"First, while we're here, I need your help deciding," Link said. "I want to get a little something for the princess. What do you think suits her?"
"Are you serious?" Ouhon asked.
"Very. She is in such a bad mood that it just might pick her up a bit."
The mask salesman looked between them. Ouhon sighed and motioned for the salesman to help Link. "Be quick about it. We have a job to do."
The salesman passed Link and selected a mask off the shelf. It was another fox faced mask, but white, as opposed to the typical yellow. "This one should be befitting of a princess. It is the mask of the snow fox: the most beautiful and noble of the fox spirits."
"Then I will go with this," Link said. "And that one." He pointed behind the counter. There sat a mask of a woman with red hair and dark skin.
"A Gerudo mask?" Ouhon questioned. "What point is there in that?"
"Are you sure?" The mask salesman inquired.
"Yeah, I'll take these two. How much?" Link asked. The salesman told the price for one mask, as one was free, and Link handed over a small fistful of rupees without counting.
"This is way too much!" The mask salesman exclaimed.
"Meh," Link shrugged. Ouhon stared.
"Are you done now?" Ouhon pressed, allowing a hint of annoyance in his voice. Link nodded, so he bowed his head for the mask salesman. "Thank you for your patience, but would you kindly show us where this woman lives?"
"Certainly. This way, gentlemen." The salesman locked up, and the three left his shop for the streets.
As they walked, Ouhon watched Link. He expected certain things when he first heard of the young man, but what he came to experience was different, to say the least. "You are certainly an odd one for your reputation," Ouhon said. "When I heard the Spear of Nayru was passed on, I expected the new bearer to be someone… different than this."
"What did you expect?" Link wondered.
"In all truth, someone more typical of the reputation given to you. I expected a noble, a noble's son, a commander, or trained soldier in our military. I didn't expect someone so young or… impulsive. Not to mention you surely must own better attire at your mansion?"
Link burst out in laughter. The mask salesman did not turn around, but he listened closely to them all the same.
"You find this funny?" Ouhon seriously asked. "I find it disconcerting. I wish to understand the noble spirit Ouki Mitagi saw so much of to pass his weapon on to you."
"Noble spirit!" Link snorted. "Sorry, but I think you have me confused with someone else. I'm just Link. Back home, I was always kinda the village idiot who boasted a lot."
No wonder Ouhon was always so incredibly polite to him, Link thought. The guy thought he was a noble! If Link was of a more mischievous mind, he might keep Ouhon's belief going, but he was too honest.
"Ouhon," Link admitted. "I'm just a war orphan who was raised as a slave. I worked hard, came upon a friendship with the princess by chance, and have been rewarded with some small honors for my effort. I don't own a mansion nor an estate. I own a hut that's barely better than an outhouse."
"You're really a friend of the princess?" The masked salesman inquired.
"Yep," Link said.
"Is that so… How very interesting…" The mask salesman whispered, smiling even wider.
Ouhon stopped walking entirely. Link noticed a little late and backed up to him.
"So… you're not a noble?" Ouhon asked, his eyes wide.
"Nope," Link said.
Ouhon raised his voice. "You aren't an officially trained officer in our military academy?!"
"Technically, yes and no," Link continued, oblivious to Ouhon's growing anger. "I am officially in the military. I am an independent officer appointed by Ouki, but I was never officially trained and didn't go to the academy. I'm just a slave who worked my way up the ranks."
"You… you're a slave," Ouhon murmured. "No… you were a slave. Now… you're just a commoner."
As Link watched, everything he was said processed in Ouhon's eyes. Before, the man had been respectful, polite, and accommodating. Then, he was confused by Link, but went along with it. All of this went away and Ouhon's eyes slowly narrowed in anger. What little respect Ouhon felt for Link disappeared.
"Ouki Mitagi, the Bird of Qin, gave his most prized possession to you, a nobody?!" Ouhon hissed. He trembled in rage.
Ouhon snapped up his spear so the point of it stared at Link's face. "Drop it! You dirty my house with your touch! Ouki was a fool! He should never have let you even hold it!"
"He did, though," Link firmly answered. He didn't flinch at the spear in his face. He didn't want to be angry with Ouhon, but he wasn't going to put up with his insults. "You want to have a problem with me, go ahead. But don't you dare spit on Ouki's decision. He was ten times the man you are."
Ouhon spit. He glared down at Link. "Ouki was an outsider."
Link grit his teeth. "Shut up."
"He was a traitor, through and through. He betrayed his own house to join the lowest branch of the Mitagi."
"Shut up."
"Then, like the thief he was, he usurped our glory for his own, as if to overtake us as well. And he gave away one of our prizes to you… a nobody. As if for no other reason than to spite us. He was a thief and a traitor to the end!"
Link heard enough. His blood boiling, he activated his Gift.
-Meanwhile-
The Guardian beneath Mitagi Fortress lifted his head from where he sat. He looked up at the stone ceiling and clenched his fists tightly.
"No… It can't be…" He growled. "How long… how many times will it take before you are satisfied?!"
-Link-
Link dropped the Spear of Nayru and closed the distance between Ouhon and himself. He punched Ouhon across the jaw and knocked him to the ground. Link hissed, his cheek suddenly stinging. He raised a hand to it, and to his surprise, blood was on his face. The same blood dripped from Ouhon's spear. Despite Link's speed, Ouhon had kept up.
"You are fast, I will give you that," Ouhon said.
Ouhon raised himself up and swept himself down. Link managed to ruffle his feathers, at least. A deep bruise developed on Ouhon's jaw, but to Link's disgruntlement, it didn't faze him at all. Ouhon looked down on Link with disdain born from a noble's pride. His ego was not wounded by the injury. It seemed he had instead found satisfaction in it. He looked as if he was proven right about something.
"But not so fast that my spear cannot find you," Ouhon whispered. "Attack me again, and next time it will find your heart. Remember this. You may possess the Spear of Nayru, and you may be a servant to the princess, but you are a hundred-man captain. I am a three-hundred man captain, and the heir to the Mitagi house. If you were to injure me, your life, by law, would be forfeit. There wouldn't be a question asked if I killed you."
Link grit his teeth. He allowed Ouhon to get under his skin. He had tried to be more mature, but he was still too spontaneous.
Ouhon faced the mask salesman. "It appears my peer is not one for politeness, so I must apologize on his behalf for this interruption. I also apologize for my contribution to our wasted time. I was not thinking clearly. Despite his methods-" Ouhon gave a wicked grin, "-It succeeded in calming me. We still have a mission. Let us return to it."
"C-certainly," The no-longer-happy mask salesman stuttered.
"If that is okay with you, commoner," Ouhon challenged Link.
Link said nothing. He was angry. He was angry with Ouhon, and most of all, angry with himself for being influenced by Ouhon's words yet again. Despite his personal misgiving, they was on a mission. The least he could do was remember that and contain his anger.
"Yes, let's find her," Link agreed.
Without any further interruption, the three of them entered an alley and the salesman presented them to where his delivery would have occurred. For all extents and purposes, it was a normal house. From the amount of noise coming from it, there must have been several occupants.
"This is it?" Ouhon asked.
"That is correct, my lord." The mask salesman said.
"Then you may return to your shop. I apologize for having taken so much of your time."
The mask salesman bowed, wished them well, and returned to the markets. Ouhon returned to face the door and knocked. The one to answer was the grandson, wearing his new toy mask. Link smiled. He thought the boy looked absolutely adorable.
"Young man, is Roku Ciao present?" Ouhon asked, once again perfectly polite.
"Yeah! One moment." The boy yelled into the house. "Grandma!"
After a bit to walk to the door, the old woman presented herself. Thankfully, it was the correct person. Link recognized her and confirmed to Ouhon she was the right one. At first, the woman was predictably fearful. Most people would be afraid when armed officials show up at their door. However, there was nothing for her to be scared of. They inquired further about what happened to her when Zelda was attacked, and Ouhon observed her closely. The inquiry only lasted a few minutes, but they left satisfied.
"She was not lying," Ouhon said.
"How can you tell?" Link asked.
"Live with a father with no discernable facial expressions, and you naturally learn body language."
"F-fair point," Link conceded. With their job done, the two of them returned to the castle without incident, and Ouhon reported their findings before disappearing somewhere. Link got the impression that the man wanted nothing to do with him. The feeling was mutual. After settling back in, Link began to search for Geoffrey and found him leaving the banquet hall.
Link ran up to him with a worried expression. "So where does this leave us?"
"You obtained nothing, which is acceptable. The absence of an enemy is just as important as his location," Geoffrey replied.
"Like our mission to scout the forest from the war?" Link asked.
"Precisely. What this means is that the assassin's skill is greater than the Sheikah." Geoffrey sighed. "And there is no way I can think of to stop such skill. What confines him? If our guards cannot stop him, will the doors and walls? For now, the only thing I am assured with is he is not so bold as to directly fight or unnecessarily reveal himself."
Geoffrey looked out a window into the city. "Link… Swear to hide what I am about to tell you. I will tell the princess myself, but for now, as her personal servant, and as a man honored by my lord…"
"I swear."
"We have checked everywhere. Every weapon from the armory is accounted for. Every officer stationed in the keep is accounted for, and they all, without exception, made account for their men. They were all where they should be."
"Were there not men around the chariot? One of them could be the assassin."
"You are right to assume so. Each were investigated, questioned, and their weapons confiscated. All were cleared. The assassin was not among the men supposed to be stationed there."
"What does this mean?" Link asked.
"This means the assassin is not in the Mitagi records… and may not even be a Mitagi soldier. Zelda had made an enemy of Zant's followers, and though Zant is dead, there is no accounting for who of his followers survived. The assassin may even be Gerudo."
"Gerudo?!"
"They are unknown, yet always present. Their army is always on the border, and their assassins never even risk pulling their knives from our dead necks. Their agents are as skilled as our Sheikah. I wonder if perhaps a master Gerudo is involved."
Link gulped. A former Zant follower, a master Gerudo, or something more? None of the prospects were pleasant. Link couldn't wrap his head around it. He couldn't see the battlefield as Geoffrey did. He was growing into being a one-hundred man officer, but he still saw things from a simple perspective. He grew up as one who took orders and didn't have to think any deeper than that.
Link found his voice again. "What are your orders, sir?"
"Return to the Princess' side. Do not leave it. Be vigilant. The Mitagi elders, Sheikah, and I are giving our full support in finding this assassin, but it will reassure me to have you by the princess." Geoffrey smiled. The smile reminded Link of Ouki: the same mischievous, slightly-rebellious manner. "I do not see what she sees in you, nor what Ouki saw. To me, you are a valuable man, one with so much luck it is as if you are blessed by the Goddesses themselves. You are one with great loyalty, humility, and are determined. If I could, and if you were a little more disciplined, I would happily have a hundred of you. But as far as you go, you are still a man. There are greater men, so why Princess Zelda and Lord Ouki would go so far for you… I cannot see it. I hope one day I will see you as they did."
Link blushed heavily under the praise and awkwardly bowed while saluting him.
"Go on, then," Geoffrey ordered.
Link left to search for Zelda. Geoffrey returned his attention to the city out the window.
Geoffrey had a great deal to do. The Majora would need to be warned and escorted to safety in the castle without being noticed by the assassin. The Mitagi made a terrible error in allowing a grand occasion to welcome the princess. They believed an assassin would not dare expose himself, but he did. And he showed himself to be greater than they feared.
The trial of Ganondorf Dragmire would need to be put off or rushed. They could not afford to keep it on proper schedule, as the assassin would find that predictable and possibly make another move. It was better to throw him off by disorganizing Zelda's schedule. Zelda was insistent on eventually meeting him face-to-face, and from what Geoffrey had seen of her, she was a stubborn one. She would try to meet with her would-be killer with or without permission. With that in mind, Geoffrey thought it better to work with her and merely attempt to modify her plans, instead.
Defensively, all they could do was lower the risk of anyone getting to her. Geoffrey knew that wasn't enough. What of the offensive? What options were there in finding an assassin who kept eluding them? The assassin was an unknown: unknown skills and unknown origin. The one thing that was known was his skills were unparalleled and he aimed to kill valuable targets.
Geoffrey put a hand on his sword and scanned his surroundings. "I should set a guard for myself, as well…"
-Zelda-
Zelda was displeased with the meeting. So far as meetings go, it went as well as it could have gone: she had the full support of the Mitagi and Sheikah clans in securing the city, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She had come to the Mitagi Fortress to make a social obligation, to show her face to the Mitagi in a pleasant light. She needed to advertise her role as Heir Apparent and the kind of wise leadership she would have as king to more people. Instead, she was nearly assassinated and found the crown jewel of Qin defenseless before what was likely a single man. She could not expose herself outside of the castle. She felt Geoffrey would allow her to see Ganondorf Dragmire, but he would have heavy demands in ensuring her safety. It appeared she could only trade one prison for another.
The sound of squealing snapped her from her morose thoughts, and Zelda left her bedroom door to see Sarah chasing Malon through the halls. The guards at every corner smiled, and Zelda took a moment to bask in it. The innocence, the simplicity of some people, truly made her marvel. Even in such dire times, Sarah found ways to move through it, to endure, and to help others endure.
Link passed them but was nearly knocked down by their erratic running. He shook his head with a smile.
"Did it go well?" Zelda asked.
As Link got closer to her, his smile dimmed. "Depends on your idea of 'well.' We found the woman and questioned her. Ouhon did not find any reason to doubt her. I reported as much to Geoffrey, and he believes that to find no enemy is as good as finding one."
"I will take his word for it."
"He also orders me to return to your side."
"Anything more?"
"I expect he will tell you his thoughts himself. It's not my place to say."
Zelda raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh? That's unusually respectful for command. Are you going to develop table manners next?"
"Respect for command, my ass! Geoffrey is a man I respect."
"And I am not one you respect? You have never given such an obligation to me."
Link waved her off. "Bah! You're different."
"I would very much like to know how," Zelda pressed.
"Because I would never dream of giving Lord Geoffrey a gift!" Link laughed. His laughter grew as Zelda staggered forwards and gave him a baffled expression.
"You? A gift?" Zelda scoffed. "Surely not."
"It is so! A gift you've never had, too."
"Oh? I own large partitions of land, the capital, the wealth, and people within it. Then I have cities outside of my land at my allegiance, as well as their wealth and people. I have armies. I have the throne. Was is it you possibly think I do not have?"
"Okay, okay, you own much, your highness." Link bowed sarcastically. Zelda smiled again. "So let us make a wager. I shall give you something you have never possessed. Something good. If I am right, you owe me."
Zelda sat on the bed's edge and looked up at him, pondering his little game. She couldn't help but smile. Link was, in his own way, trying to play the game of politics, favors, and debts. It was a small and simplistic version, so Zelda did not fear. She was rather amused and found it fun.
"And just what would I owe you?" Zelda asked
"Hm… don't know yet. I'll come up with something. The last time you owed me, Ganondorf mentioned I could have asked to be a ward to a noble," Link joked.
Prince Link.
Zelda stared at him, wide-eyed, after the terrifying thought jolted through her head. She suddenly felt like a bucket of ice fell over her head. But just as quickly as she felt it, Zelda composed herself. She hoped Link would not notice, but a subtle shaking remained in her hands.
What could she do? Zelda feared. As much as she wanted to dissuade her worry, it seemed reality continued to slap her in the face. Looking back, Zelda recalled Ouki and his pension for games. Perhaps there was a lesson to be learned and used in it.
"And… If I were to win…" Zelda cleared her throat. "If your gift is already in my possession, then I would ask that you try to surprise me again."
"Oh? You think you can take me on again?" Link jeered.
Zelda rolled her eyes. "It truly baffles me how you have yet to learn your place, Monkey."
"I'm a stubborn one, that's my charm. But enough out of you! Close your eyes! Put out your hands!"
"Keeping my eyes closed in your presence is dangerous."
"Please…"
"Fine, fine," Zelda sighed. She closed her eyes and put her hands out. "I swear, Monkey, if this ends up being a turd, I will have your name officially changed. When you finally become a great general, it will be under the name: The Great Monkey of Qin."
"I can live with that."
To Zelda's relief, what he placed in her hands was not a turd. It felt like a light construct of polished wood. Zelda rubbed her fingers across it and found bumps, ridges, and a light layer of polish.
"Open," Link said.
Zelda looked down at the white fox mask with confusion. Of all the things in the world she could imagine, this was not among them. She expected a weapon, an animal, or perhaps even clothing that he thought she would look good in. But a mask? She thought. A child's toy?
"I can see from your confusion that I have victory. Your mind is blown with the smartness of my gift."
"You are right to say my mind is blown," Zelda mumbled. She turned the mask over and around in her hands. "It's a mask."
"It is," Link agreed with a knowing smile. "I am sure you possess many, somewhere."
"Then why do you look so much like the victor?"
"Because what I offer is more than a mere mask. If you will humor me a moment: put it on… please?"
"If I must continue with this charade until you are satisfied," Zelda sighed, "I will." She put the mask on. To her relief, there were eyeholes and a slit to breathe through. Link took her hand and guided her over to the changing closet. "You play a dangerous game, laying your hand on me. I can have your head for this."
"Yeah, yeah. I am insolent. I am a lowly monkey before your holiness," Link said sarcastically.
Zelda laughed. "And don't you forget it."
Link brushed aside the curtains from where Zelda would change clothes. Zelda frowned. The mirror was still there. "Sarah! I said to put that mirror away!"
Link hushed her, "No, no, Zelda. This is the gift."
Zelda frowned. She struggled to see him through the small eyeholes. "What are you talking about?"
Link stepped in front of Zelda and tried to look into her eyes through the mask. Zelda had beautiful green eyes, always capable of showing who she was. At times, they were as cold as the iciest tundra, and other times as fierce as a fire. They could be blank like an empty mask, revealing nothing. But worst of all, they could be like a ghost, haunted and empty.
"You hate mirrors. I don't know why," Link began. "I cannot claim to know why, but I think it is because you hate yourself. You hate your own appearance. You chose a common concubine instead of a truly beautiful one. Perhaps you hate beauty because you are beautiful."
Zelda didn't know whether to glare at him, kick him, or blush. She was less prone to lash out at things that reminded her of her mother than other things, but she still didn't appreciate a reminder of her being brought up. All the same, Zelda decided to patiently watch and listen as Link spoke. She couldn't help a deep blush hidden behind the mask. It was awkward for her to be described as beautiful by someone she considered a friend, not to mention a man.
"Your point?" Zelda pressed. She succeeded in keeping her tone level.
"Close your eyes, and after a moment, open them and look straight ahead," Link said.
Zelda's ponderings deepened. So he wanted her to look at herself? He was getting on very thin ice, but Zelda was willing to trust him enough to see where he was going. Zelda closed her eyes and then opened them again straight ahead at his word. She saw herself. As she predicted, she saw herself.
But it was also not Zelda. It was not her mother's eyes, nor her mother's face looking back. It was not her own face. It was that of a white fox. A painted animal with Zelda's hair, clothes, and body. For all extents and purposes, Zelda still saw herself, but her appearance did not immediately bring harsh memories. It did not make her revile or hate what she saw.
Zelda stared into the mirror. For the first time in her life, she looked at herself and did not feel the overwhelming instinct to crack the image to pieces.
"It's a mask, yes, but I think it's one that suits you." Link smiled as he stood to the mirror's side. "I think a chance to look at yourself without wanting to kill a man is a gift to you… and to your victims."
Zelda turned and smacked him on the shoulder. Link laughed and pretended to cower but paused when Zelda stumbled in place.
Link frowned. "Zelda?" He extended a hand, but Zelda knocked it aside. Her breathing grew erratic.
"Leave me," Zelda whispered.
"Zelda… if I offended you I-"
"I said to LEAVE ME!"
Link gulped, bowed, and left. He gently closed the door behind him. Zelda then shakily reached up to her mask and removed it. She turned it around to look on its painted side. Tears fell onto it.
"Thank you…"
From the hallway to Zelda's room, Link sighed. Malon cried as she held the disturbing mask of the Gerudo woman. Sarah gave him a scathing look while hugging the girl.
He felt he just couldn't do anything right these days.
-That night, somewhere in Mitagi-
A particular man hurried about in his shop. He loathed traveling again, but times were urgent. First, King Ganondorf Dragmire appeared in the Mitagi gates and disappeared just as quickly. Then, Zelda, Heir to the State of Qin, appears. An assassin tries to strike, and suddenly the whole city is shaken. Guards and soldiers filled Mitagi. The city was a fortress and the military capital of Qin, so soldiers are to be expected, but not like this. There was always a strictness in everyone's behavior, but never like this. The city was almost under martial law. There was no curfew, but the man could not help but feel like he was being watched by the soldiers who stood at every corner. Soldiers who were ever watchful and wary.
It was a subtle thing, how air changes. The people were oblivious, and the orchestrator of this quiet state of martial law was a genius. The man gave the hidden general great credit, but unfortunately for him, he was no simple man. He had experience in subtly, in hidden wars, and battles inside the confines of cities.
The man smiled widely. "May the Ice Queen bitch get what's coming to her."
What fortune! The man thought. Of all things, for the Ice Queen's friend and man-servant to come, seeking a mask exclusively for her. What was it but fate! His smile grew even wider at the thought.
"She has met with a terrible fate."
It was a subtle thing, the art and craft of the Majora. A subtly he quickly learned, and desired to learn further. For example, when some masks were placed together, the combination could be something more. Taking two masks, the man placed them together. They were both empty masks, lacking in what bound them like other Majora masks. But he had found, stumbled actually, upon the truth of their special combination.
As a trigger.
His task done, the mask salesman piled his coin and rupee on his back with his mask collection. He also pulled a mask out, and after looking down on it, placed it on his face. Instantly, he transformed. He shapeshifted into a great wolf, larger than even the wolves of the Majora or Kokiri. The mask salesman became a wolf once considered so great it was a monster amongst wolves. His bulk filled the room and he quickly became as large as a house.
With the subtly and strength a great wolf wields, the mask salesman fled into the night and disappeared.
He went far and succeeded in avoiding attention, but a scent hit his nose. The wolf-mind rose and snarled at the scent. The metallic odor of blood mixed with something else, something unnatural. It smelled close. He peered into the night and followed the trail a short distance. He soon came across chewed and mangled guards on the ground. That explained the scent of death, he realized. But where was the-
Something jumped onto his back and bit into his flesh. The mask salesman roared in pain, spun, and tried to thrash the invader off. The beast on his back clawed back at him and bit him over and over. The wolf-mind roared louder, beating at the mask salesman's mind, and demanding to react. The mask salesman believed in keeping control, but he was a survivor first. He let himself go, and the wolf-mind leapt to the forefront of his perceptions.
The great wolf jumped into the air, spun, and slammed the earth with its back. The attacker let go, stunned. It was a moment, but it was enough for the wolf to act. It rolled to its feet and faced its opponent.
The monster was a beast with glowing orbs, akin to blinking eyes, covering its back, sides, and legs. Its underbelly was exposed and open, showing organs barely held by a protruding rib cage. Its legs were thin and numerous, and its hide was a hash of fur and scales at once. The space not occupied with the orbs bore hooked claws and thorns, and its mouth glowed alongside its many eyes.
The wolf and the mask salesman both paused in surprise. The man-mind was petrified of the horror before it. While the wolf-mind did not fear, it was uncertain of what manner of beast it was. The wolf-mind did not hesitate to know it was 'enemy,' but it did not know what arsenal this 'enemy' had.
The monster rolled back onto its legs, but it took far too long. The wolf noticed its struggle. The many spines and thorns kept it from rolling properly. Then the wolf noticed its organs were openly exposed. In quick decision, the wolf lurched forward and sank its teeth deep into the exposed rib cage and organs. The monster roared in agony before falling silent.
The lights all over the monster's body exploded, and bright lights flew into the sky like small fireflies. The wolf yelped in surprise and stepped back. A mighty gash grew across the beast's back and more lights flew from it into the air. The monster turned to black as the light fled. Smoke rose from its body and organs. The wolf noticed the blood in its mouth became unnaturally hot, burning even.
More sounds arose from nearby, and the wolf faced the source. Its eyes widened but quickly narrowed. Its ears peeled back and a snarl rose from its throat. More monsters appeared out of the darkness. The wolf could not count the same way a man could, but the man-mind first counted three, then five, then seven. Several were just in front, while others hid deeper in the alley's shadows. Every one smelled unnatural and of death.
Slowly, they crawled forward, pressing hard on their bellies. Some were smaller, and some were larger. Some had few lights on their back, while others had clusters. They walked forward as one, and the wolf, step by step, went back. The wolf-mind did not fear, but it was wary. It recognized the smell very slightly now. It was the smell of someone the man-mind knew very well.
Ganondorf Dragmire.
But how could that be? The man-mind speculated. How could these monsters smell that man, Ganondorf Dragmire?
The monsters reached the center of the newly made arena, and with a great snarl, lunged past their dead comrade. The wolf snarled in return, its fur raised. One monster jolted forward incredibly fast, yet the wolf was still able to snap down on its neck when it neared. The monster squealed in pain. It felt the wolf's teeth sink deep, its burning blood filling its attacker's mouth and throat. The many thorns and spikes adorning the beast (for the wolf gleaned this was the alpha) pierced the wolf's gums and tongue. Having enough, the wolf put a paw down and ripped its head off with a snap.
The other monsters stepped back. The ones who feasted on the dead monster licked their glowing lips, pulsed, and grew before the wolf's eyes. Several glowing orbs appeared on their backs like eyes opening from sleep. More spikes shot out of their hides and their overall masses just increased. For several of the beasts, there were other changes. One had flesh grow over its ribs and more muscle on its back legs, so it could rise onto its hind legs. One grew wings like a giant fly, and they fluttered about while their owner growled. A third monster's mouth grew brighter, changing to a reddish hue, and with a deep breath, fire flew from it.
The wolf yelped as flames licked its fur, and it fled into the alley. The wolf-mind and the man-mind shared one thought: they should flee the city. It was now under Ganondorf Dragmire's shadow.
-Zelda-
Having calmed and composed herself, Zelda allowed Link to return and resume his place. Night fell, and Zelda retired early. Sarah and Malon would come in to sleep later, but since Zelda felt the burden of events and expectations heavier than them, she wanted to sleep now. Link lay on the rug by the fireplace. Zelda insisted as much, not wanting him to be in pain again.
Zelda didn't know what to do or how to feel. His 'gift' shook her deeply. To be able to look at herself, acknowledge herself, and think about things other girls were obsessed with without feeling disgusted was unsettling to say the least. Zelda was used to holding disgust, resentment, towards seeing herself. This mask presented something else, something she didn't know how to process or feel. And this confusion was Link's idea of something positive…
At the very least, Zelda appreciated the thought of Link's gift. He wasn't one to give wealth, land, animals, or slaves. His presents focused on things more meaningful. Moments like this drove a knife into her gut, twisting and churning her around.
One moment it sounded like he was hinting at 'Prince Link,' and the next he was 'Friend Link.' He had failed her multiple times, yet he was doing his best despite it.
Zelda sighed. If Link was one thing, she knew, he was resilient and stubborn. Zelda would move on and forgive him quickly enough. 'Friend Link' was a good foundation to rely on. Having enough of these thoughts, she closed her eyes to sleep. Something tickled her nose at some point, but she curled up tighter and ignored it.
Zelda heard the metallic step of a boot and the clinking of armor. She opened her eyes and found a surprise. A soldier stood in the moonlight of the window, a sword in hand. Zelda could not see his face, for he was armored from head to toe. He looked as tall as a mountain, veritably towering over her.
Zelda began to panic. How had he entered the room? There was no door on that side. The window was closed, and they were in a tower. Had he climbed all the way up the side?
The soldier's helmet shifted left and right. The man inside likely just scanned the room. He took another step towards the bed.
Behind Zelda, the guard on point, unfortunately not Link, but a female soldier who replaced his shift, rose and drew her weapon. She dashed towards the interloper. The man snapped his attention to her as she yelled and charged.
The guard's yell was cut short as his blade protruded from her neck. Zelda shook fearfully. It was the assassin. Had she not witnessed it herself, she would never have believed what happened. He was in front of her one moment and behind her the next. His speed was purely unnatural. Zelda could not follow it at all. It was as if he could teleport.
"Quiet," The assassin whispered in a hoarse and dry tone.
He drew his blade back and the guard fell over. He turned his attention once more to the room around him. He opened the closets and ran a hand through the clothes within. Then he approached the bed where Zelda lay. She kept shaking, unable to move. Terror filled her and left her numb. The assassin stretched forward, his blade dripping blood.
He took hold of the bed and upturned it. Zelda fell onto the floor with the mattress and sheets over her. Zelda groaned painfully. She reached a hand forward and tried to crawl out. She expected a blade to go through the mattress and into her back, but with each second, it did not happen. She heard him walking around the room, to and fro, searching for something. Since it never ceased, Zelda gathered he never seemed to find his quarry.
He had clearly seen Zelda. She wondered if she wasn't even his target.
Zelda popped her head out of the mattress and gasped for air. She looked up. The room looked massive to her current view, and the man towering over her was nothing short of a giant encased in thick armor. He scanned the room, his feet barely a few inches away from her face.
In a flash of green light, he disappeared.
Zelda lay there, stunned, and tried to understand what had just happened. The assassin had spontaneously appeared in her room. She realized he must have possessed a power greater than the Sheikah and a speed greater than Link. Zelda had seen Link using his Gift: he was a blur. This man wasn't even a blur. He was gone. He was clearly searching for something or someone in her room, though. Zelda presumed it was her, as he was willing to murder to get to his quarry, yet he looked directly at her and did not kill.
Zelda felt Link and Ganondorf's heartbeats pick up with her own racing heart. Ganondorf was very distant, but Link was drawing closer to her by the second. After a moment, Link, in his typical blur, slammed the door open and ran across the room. He looked down at the dead guard and searched the room. Just like the assassin, Link opened every closet.
"Zelda!" Link cried out.
"I'm here," Zelda answered.
Link turned around, his eyes understandably wide and panicked. His head continued to search the room. Finally, he approached Zelda. For some reason, she thought he looked abnormally large. He stepped in front of her, threw the mattress to the side and froze.
His spear dropped from his hands.
"Oh… shit," Link muttered.
"Am I injured?" Zelda inquired.
Before Zelda could do anything, Link bent down and picked her up. She squirmed uncomfortably by being suddenly curled in his arms, but he ignored her and all but ran headfirst out of the room to Geoffrey.
Link slammed open Geoffrey's door. "General! We got a problem!" He exclaimed.
Geoffrey jumped from his bed. He lacked a shirt but was otherwise decent. He reached for his sword. "What's the matter?"
In answer, Link held Zelda by her armpits. Zelda was not amused.
"You got a pet?" Geoffrey asked, confused, and a little angered at being disturbed for this.
"Excuse me, who are you calling a pet?!" Zelda demanded, but was unheard.
Link dropped her. Now she was miffed. Zelda shook her head. She looked up, and suddenly gasped. Geoffrey was huge to her, too! She spun around and whisked her tail to-
Zelda stopped and stared. The white tail froze.
Zelda spun, and the tail also moved. She sat and looked at herself. She had white paws. The triangle lit up her right one, so she knew she was still Zelda, at least. Zelda looked up and discovered she was about waist level to Link. Then she finally saw a reflection of herself in Geoffrey's shield.
She was a white fox.
"This is not a pet. This is Zelda," Link said.
Geoffrey shook his head. "Link… what are you going on about?"
"Yeah… I might have had something to do with this. I did something… something bad."
"Did you make the red-head cry again?"
"No…well, yes…but I did something else. Something far worse."
"Okay, this I have to hear. I can see you have come to me for urgent advice. I promise I will respond appropriately."
-Outside the city-
The mask salesman stopped his escape and looked back. It sounded like he just heard a man yell 'OH, YOU F***ED UUUUP!'
