"Hoot! That girl sang her song in front of the Egg! Her 'Ballad of the Wind Fish' is a song of awakening! Did she actually intend to wake the Wind Fish?! The next Sirens' Instrument is in the west. Play your melodies so the unliving stones might hear! Show your courage! The Wind Fish waits for you! Hoot!"
Chapter Eighteen: Battle of the Winds
Dragon Roost Cavern…
Lord Xander and his troops scaled the cavern, taking care not to lose to anyone from the lava. The Rito refused to accompany them into the cavern, stating the place being sacred. But they were to meet at the shrine at the top.
The Windfall nobleman knew that was where his property headed as he had stolen the Sheikah Slate Lenzo was using to keep in contact with the hybrid. Lenzo assured him that it was only for pictograph taking, as Kiba expressed interest. Lord Xander doubted that as the man did help him escape. So, he imprisoned Lenzo and Ms. Marie for their role in helping his property flee the island…and keeping him one step behind the freak.
The group of thirty arrived at a large door with the image of a dragon holding a fiery orb on it. Lord Xander nodded to his forces to open it. Instead of pushing it to open, they placed several bombs, connected them all by string. The forces took cover as the fuse was lit and the bombs went off, blasting the door open permanently.
A strong breeze blew through the cavern and the rotund man smirked. He was getting close to getting his possession back and he had the first of his forces on Dragon Roost Island. Taking Lenzo's Sheikah Slate, he pressed a few buttons and the image of the leader of the island's navy, Kane, appeared.
"What is it, milord?" he asked.
"Are you nearing the island?" Lord Xander asked.
"Yes. We're a few miles away," Kane replied.
"Good. Make sure to arm yourselves before stepping on the island," Lord Xander ordered.
Above the clouds, Elder Siroc's house…
"Ah, and there you are," an elderly woman in the Wind Tribe's blue and red said as Kiba entered a meeting room.
He looked around, seeing many members of the Wind Tribe. Most had red hair like Medli. Others had auburn hair, a mix of brown and red. Their eyes were either red, blue, or a combination of two out of the three. Kiba could feel the power of wind with them and there was something else too, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Medli and Komali were also in attendance as well as Sarada. Kiba sat next to Sarada, who sat on her knees, Sheikah-style. She smiled and said, "Feeling better?"
He nodded and heard Hasan say, "You just needed something to eat."
Sarada gave Kiba a confused look and Elder Siroc said, "I never knew I would live to see this day. The day that you would return to us."
Kiba tilted his head, not understanding what she meant. Siroc smiled and said, "Lord Hasan, I sense your presence. I doubt that you'd remember us, the Wind Tribe."
"Ah! Can she see me?" Hasan asked, his ethereal image standing behind Kiba.
Siroc nodded and Sarada said, "I knew I heard a voice! It was yours the whole time, wasn't it, mister?"
Medli and Komali looked at each other, confused just as everyone else, and Siroc said, "So, the stories of the Hero being shattered are true."
"Hero?" Sarada, Komali and Medli said in disbelief.
They looked at Kiba, who whimpered. Hasan assured him everything was going to be fine, but Kiba didn't like the sudden attention. He really didn't remember being a Hero or anything heroic.
"So, that means…he could help us, right?" Mistral asked.
Siroc said nothing and Sarada said, "No. There's no way. I heard that he died seven years ago!"
"I heard the same from the imperial soldiers that would visit the island. They said that they arrested him, his family and friends and he died while imprisoned," Komali said.
"The winds told us the same, but…" Mistral added.
"But, we only was given some of the story. Do you remember what happened afterwards, Mister Kiba?" Elder Siroc asked.
Kiba shook his head and Hasan said, "Me neither."
"Well, that doesn't help…" Sarada mumbled.
"The winds told us that the Hero was corrupted and he acquired the weapon, the Four Sword. It shattered upon his touch and he did as well," Elder Siroc started.
Kiba felt dizzy and Hasan asked, "Do you mind if I ask a question?"
Before Kiba could give or deny permission, he swayed and nearly fainted. He felt different, but the same as his usual self. Sarada gasped, as well as the other Wind Tribe members.
When the hybrid came to himself, he saw that he wasn't where he was sitting. Instead, he was where Hasan was standing and Hasan sat where he was. Almost as if they…switched?
"Who are you? Who are you? Who are you? What are you? What are you?! What are you?!" Sarada yelled rapidly, jumping away.
Hasan looked around, checking himself and said, "Huh. Never knew I could do that. Sorry, Kiba."
Kiba was surprised to see that he did switch with his Gerudo-esque counterpart. His hair went from short and midnight black to a long and deep red. The wolf-like features had disappeared while his skin became a deep tan and was marred with scars. His clothes were still the same, the white and black attire of Kiba's.
"So, you can…shapeshift?" Medli asked.
Hasan nodded and said, "Well, I didn't know that we could switch bodies or anything. I'm Hasan, by the way."
"So, is Kiba still…?" Sarada asked.
"He's still here. But I had a question about all this. And apparently that caused the switch…" Hasan told them.
Sarada didn't trust him and she kept her distance. Hasan turned his attention back to Elder Siroc, asking her, "So, what happened here? I only have a few vague memories…"
"Well, long ago, around the time your previous life of being 'Hasan', we had a blood feud with the Rito, the bird-like tribe that can fly. They're also the postal workers for the empire. Anyway, we of the Wind Tribe are one with the wind. Our ancestors mastered the wind, learning Wind Magic from their exposure to the Wind Element."
"After the Hero of the Elements drove back the darkness and restored the Hylian princess of his era to normal, we migrated to the skies above the Great Sea. But, we encountered the Rito Tribe once we reached Dragon Roost. Due to their natural suspicions of strangers, they avoided us originally, but then something happened to make them raid our villages we had on the island," Elder Siroc said.
Komali added, "I was always taught that the Wind Tribe were the first ones on the attack, raiding our island and bringing the empire to our steps."
The Wind Tribe members, including Medli, glowered and Komali quickly said, "D-Don't think I believe it for a second. We have similar beliefs about the wind, our magic and the sky spirits. So, why not be friends? That's what I think."
"Good. You question it. We also question what really happened. Hasan, do you have any memories of what happened?" Elder Siroc asked.
Hasan shook his head, the memories of his past life not there. But, he knew something terrible happened as Kiba's recent dreams were about the two tribes. Elder Siroc seemed disappointed and she said, "Memories long buried are hard to awaken. But, we need your help. The winds tell of a coming tragedy that will befall the people of the winds. The Rito have already succumbed to it."
"Wait, what? What are you talking about?" Komali asked.
"A Lord Xander has arrived on your people's island and have tricked your father into joining his cause. What the man really wants is domination over all the islands of the Great Sea. And he'll do anything to get them all. But his ambitions will incite the wrath of the empire," Mistral told them.
"So, how did he find us? Is it…?" Sarada asked.
She asked Hasan for the Sheikah Slate, but he hadn't a clue. Kiba pointed to his back pocket and Hasan quickly checked it. Before he could examine it any further, since it looked normal to him, Sarada snatched it and popped open the back. There, near the power source, was what seemed to be a tracer.
The half-breed took it off, closed the slate and threw it out of a window. With a glare, she said, "That guy was tracking us. That explains why he found us every few days."
"But why is he going after you? And what is he trying to do?" Medli asked.
"I don't know, but I'm sure he's trying to amass power to fight against the empire. But, it will not work as the only one that can free us from the dark empire's clutches…is you," Elder Siroc said, looking at Hasan.
Kiba whined and Hasan said, "Well, um…not just me."
"I know. The other parts of you that are scattered around the world. But, that's not the pressing matter," Elder Siroc said.
"So, a power-hungry guy invading my island and is coming after Kiba and Hasan isn't pressing enough for ya?" Komali asked.
Elder Siroc shook her head and said, "It is pressing, but something far worse is coming. The end."
"Uh, what?" Medli asked.
"The end of the world, the apocalypse, the Evil One winning for eternity…Any more spelling out for you?" Sarada said.
They looked at her and she said, "My dad, Daruk, told me about it. He said that the weather going out of whack, spirits not moving on and the empire getting stronger every day is a sign of the end. And since the Hero was shattered, everything's started to get worse…Like people turning into monsters during the Blood Moon."
She took a quick glance at Hasan, but hardly anyone noticed.
"At least we have one person who knows the plight of the world," Elder Siroc said.
"Um, well, I know we've had many days where the wind didn't blow and it was hard to fly for long periods of time. But, I don't think…" Komali started.
"Not just that. The seas haven't been producing their bounty lately as the ocean's temperature been fluctuating. The remaining Loftwings we used to travel have disappeared. And the island below has been shaking with violent quakes," Elder Siroc told him.
Komali was about to question that when Medli said, "Yup. Sometimes it was very dangerous to explore."
The Rito glared at her and was about to ask something when Hasan said, "So…if…if I, or we, could come back together, what then? How are we supposed to fix the weather, prevent the Blood Moons and fight the empire…especially since Ganondorf is…?"
"Huh? What? You know the emperor?" Sarada asked.
Hasan clamped his mouth shut and Elder Siroc asked, "The emperor…who is he to you?"
The redhaired man looked around, his hazel eyes suddenly showing fear and suspicion. Almost as if he was hiding info that they needed. Sarada could feel that he had affection for the guy, as the emperor was a father-figure to him, despite feeling terrible about it. One thought was that he wanted him as a father while the other wanted him to be defeated, seeing him as nothing but evil. The conflicting thoughts clashed and Sarada could feel his confusion.
'Maybe that stems from his past selves?' she thought.
Elder Siroc seemed to notice and said, "Never mind. Whoever he is to you, you must remember that you have to fight. The Hero always fights evil, no matter what form it takes."
"He's not…!" Hasan blurted out.
He held his head and shifted back to Kiba. The raven-haired hybrid was confused and Sarada placed a hand on his shoulder, muttering, "Welcome back."
"Aw, I was hoping that Hasan would tell us more about the emperor. We could've used his knowledge to defeat the empire," Mistral said.
"I doubt he was willing to tell us anything else," another Wind Tribe member said.
Elder Siroc looked disappointed and told them, "Despite his refusal, the Hero must fight the darkness. And he cannot do it alone. We must also find the Sages, the legendary peoples who are attuned to the elements. As the elements are eight in number, so are the Sages. When all of them are found, they can calm the weather and oddities that have been happening. They will also imbue the Hero with their power, giving him the ability to fight the Evil One head on."
"But…the sword that he's to use…We don't have it and don't know where it is. So…" Sarada started.
A loud explosion that rocked the foundations interrupted her and everyone in the room immediately became alert. A Wind Tribe member came running in and said, "The…The Rito!"
"What about them?" Komali asked.
"They're on the clouds and are attacking the town! And that Lord Xander man…!" he said.
Elder Siroc stood up from her seat and said, "Get everyone to the Palace of Winds. Let Gregal know what's going on and activate the defenses."
"Mother, what about you?" Mistral asked.
"I'll stay and buy you some time. I'm sure that Lord Xander wouldn't pass up the chance to gain the Wind Tribe's allegiance," Elder Siroc told her.
"But…! But!" Medli said.
Her grandmother shook her head and said, "Flee from this place. I'll be fine. I've given myself to the goddesses long ago and protecting you all is my life's work. So please, flee."
Mistral grabbed Medli, leading her out of the room. Komali, Sarada, Kiba and the others followed, heading to the roof of the building. As they made their escape with the young ones of the Tribe, such as Sora and Haley, Kiba and Sarada saw the Wind Tribe defending their home against the Rito and Windfall invaders. The Rito on the ground used spears and the Windfall used swords and small cannons, while the Wind Tribe defended with wooden staves and barriers of Wind. The Rito in the air began shooting with bows and arrows, taking out Wind Tribe members who dared to use their powers to get airborne.
Buildings off in the distance was set ablaze and screams filled the air. Smoke darkened the area and Kiba couldn't stand the sight. Sarada held his hand and said, "C'mon. Let's go."
"Over here!" Komali yelled, pointing at a stairway leading to a large tornado.
He spotted a Rito descending towards them and he whipped out his bow, shooting them out of the air with ease. Another three tried to descend and he struck them down, guilt apparent on his face. Medli and Mistral ushered the Wind Tribe's survivors towards the tornado and each person hopped into it, shooting up to a large cloud about a mile high in the air.
Sarada gulped and said, "Uh, do we have to?"
"Unless you want to get killed, yes!" Komali said.
He pushed her into the tornado and Sarada screamed many curses as she was shot into the air, towards the large cloud. Medli was next and Komali jumped in afterwards. Kiba was about to jump in when he saw Mistral in a defensive posture.
He whined and she said, "Go in. I'll be fine. Someone has to stay to stop the portal."
Kiba gave another whine, louder, and Mistral told him, "Just tell Medli not to worry. She'll have a great role to fulfill and I'm doing the same. Please, Hero. Protect my child on your journey to save the world."
The hybrid tried to pull her towards the tornado, but Mistral swung at him, sending a blast of wind. Kiba was knocked back and pushed into the portal. He yelped, the portal sending him upwards as Mistral gave a sad smile. She threw a bomb at the stairs, blasting them to bits and the tornado portal shut off.
"Be careful…" Mistral muttered.
Turning to the Rito invaders, she asked, "So, is this what it's come to? You destroy our home and scattered our people even more? What does this profit?"
The Palace of Winds, entrance…
"Keep running guys!" little Sora said.
The Wind Tribe ran down the halls of the palace, a castle in the sky that held the Wind Element long, long ago. It was used as a final defense for the Wind Tribe, only appearing when the tribe needed help. As they left the entrance, they were met by the elder who ran the place, Gregal.
The redhaired older man in blue looked at the newcomers and ordered his people to take care of the children. The crying youths were taken to safety while Gregal confronted Komali, Medli, Sarada and Kiba. He glared at Komali and said, "So, your tribe seriously attacked? Why? And why are you here?"
"I'm sorry, sir. But…I don't know why they would. We're not trusting of humans and trusting such a man…" Komali said.
"Yes…The winds told me thus. But, do not think that your differing views will gain my trust easily. We'll keep an eye on you and…" Gregal said.
The palace started rocking and the old man asked, "What was that?"
"The Rito…and the Windfall…There's a fleet of airships heading towards us!" one of the soldiers said.
"Activate the palace's defenses! We must protect the children at all costs. They're our future!" Gregal ordered.
He looked at the four and said, "Follow me!"
They followed and Kiba turned to see the hallway change to a pathway with missing barriers that caused anyone who strayed to plummet to their deaths. Illusions of monsters also appeared, as well as high winds. Sarada kept her eye on Komali and Medli, as she dared not to look down. Kiba treaded carefully, following Gregal.
As they went through the palace, the scenery changed with their every step, becoming more trap filled and dangerous for their enemies. When they reached the hub of the palace, scared children and the few parents that came, were huddled in corners in the dark. The guards held lanterns and Gregal said, "Protect them all with your lives, people."
"Where are we to go then, sir?" one asked.
"To the City in the Sky: Skyloft. They'll be safe there…" Gregal said, sounding a bit unsure.
The name "Skyloft" caused another headache and Kiba snarled as the splitting feeling returned. Sarada looked at him, saying, "You okay?"
Kiba shook his head and Gregal said, "Siroc told me to protect you all as well. I don't know why she would want me to protect a Rito and a tafrah from the empire…but…"
The building rocked again and Gregal said, "They're attacking the exterior, for now. If they get pass the traps, then…"
Kiba fell to his knees, the splitting headache becoming violent. Sarada gasped, asking, "Hey! What's wrong? C'mon! Pull yourself together, Kiba!"
She could hear multiple voices shouting at the same time, all of them urging to defend the palace. Medli knelt at his side, asking, "What's going on? Do you need…?"
"I'm fine."
A blast of wind and flames struck everyone nearby, sending Sarada, Komali and Medli flying towards nearby walls. The guards and Gregal defended themselves and others near them with wind barriers. The previously unlit torches were lit by the red flames, providing so much light and allowing Sarada to see the scared children and few families that escaped.
But…Kiba wasn't to be found. Ashes were where he was and Sarada couldn't sense his presence. Almost as if he disappeared.
Komali helped her and Medli up and asked, "Wh-What just happened? Kiba's…"
"What did you all do to cause their ire?"
A sigil, created by green fire, appeared, taking the shape of the Crest of Farore. The winds whipped around the flames, taking the form of a humanoid. The flames and wind dispersed, revealing a man with long hair like Hassan's, but black like Kiba's. His skin was pale like Kiba's, but marred with scarring like Hasan's. His eyes were gold and his hands were clawed. He was in armor that looked like a mix of Hylian and Gerudo styles, with sandals like Kiba's and shin guards, arm guards, pants and chest armor.
He glared at Gregal and the older man asked, "Who-Who are you? What are you?"
The palace rocked again and the newcomer said in an echoic, dual voice, "Something happened before I arrived on the island. Only blood feuds would cause such hatred."
"Ah! You…!" Sarada said, recognizing him.
The man was some form of…fusion between Hasan and Kiba, but…someone else was there too. The Hero, Sarada thought? Or at least a portion of him?
Komali looked to Medli, who shrugged. Gregal, suspicious, asked, "Why should I answer you…fiend?"
"'Fiend'? If you're not going to say anything about what happened, then I've no reason to stay or defend you all," the armored man told him.
"Hasan, or Kiba, or…um, whoever you are…We don't really know what happened," Medli said.
He continued his glare at Gregal, as if knowing the Wind Tribe elder knew something. Another rocking of the floating palace and Gregal said, "Alright…Alright. Fine…All I know is that one of our tribe members long ago had went exploring Dragon Roost Island. They wanted to created good rapport with the Rito, the two tribes agreeing to find the fabled Din's Pearl. The Pearl was said to lead the way to the lost Sword of Evil's Bane and both tribes wanted to find it as it was a step in finding the Hero. If they had found it without casualties, then…"
"Casualties?" Medli asked.
Gregal nodded and bit of the ceiling had started to break. The children cried and the man said, "They found it in a lava filled chamber deep in the caverns of Dragon Roost, but they were ambushed by a Gohma…a gigantic Gohma. They tried to fight, with the Rito shooting arrows and one of our members stunning it with wind. But their powers were weakened as they were deep in the mountain and…"
"The Rito was killed…" the fusion said.
Another nod from Gregal and he said, "And I know this because that story had been handed down from the progeniture of my family, Lady Aulea. She was there as an ambassador, only to have the entire tribe branded as cowardly traitors as the Rito was a prince from Komali's family. They were best friends, so there was no way that she would just leave him to die."
"So, did she find the pearl?" Komali asked.
Gregal nodded and Medli said, "Maybe that's why your father joined forces with that Lord Xander guy. To take over the skies and get that pearl."
"And to get Kiba as he may know what he is…" Sarada said.
The armored one scoffed, muttering, "You all should've said something that day."
The exposed parts of his arms began glowing with green light and he held up his arms, chanting, "Farore's Wind!"
Bright green light filled the floor, blinding everyone. Its light filled every nook and cranny, followed by the sound of rushing winds.
Outside, Windfall Aerial Vessel, the Kazekami…
Lord Xander watched as the small airships he invested in, those no more than the size of fishing vessels, attacked the dragon-shaped Palace of Winds. They aimed for the exposed orbs that powered the fierce winds that kept most of his troops from entering the palace. The Rito that did manage to enter were lost to illusions, a small price to pay to see the fortress' defenses.
The takeover of the heavens above Dragon Roost Island was a breeze, literally, as he had the Rito tribe on his side. Revali, wanting to avenge his family, was easy to control and Lord Xander knew that with their help, the northern Great Sea was his for the taking. All he needed now was Kiba, a fragment of the Hero that could take on the empire and win. And if he had all of them, then he could destroy the empire and everything would fall under his control, effectively creating the Great Sea Empire. Much, much better than that wimp of a Gerudo man and those Hyrulians.
Elder Siroc of the Wind Tribe and her daughter, Lady Mistral, were among those that resisted and paid the price. If only they had seen things his way and the Rito weren't so…prideful, they would've made terrific allies. Revali and his men took the Wind Tribe members they encountered out, leaving the town a burning, bloody mess. Such ruthlessness…Something that Lord Xander needed to take on the Hyrulian Empire.
"Milord, the palace!" one of his captains, Fuzo, told him.
Bright green light burst from the palace's windows just as his airborne troops took out the final orb and dropped the barrier. An explosion, followed by several more, rocked the floating fortress and they found the place falling out of the sky. Fire burst from many places, smoke coming from the falling building that was careening northward, towards Star Island. Lord Xander wasn't too worried as the island was uninhabited, but he was worried about the falling parts of the building that crashed into the sea. The Zoras would surely confront him about it…
The palace finally reached its final destination, Star Island, and crashed with a sickening explosion. When the dust settled and the fires died, there was hardly anything left of the building. The Rito went down to investigate, trying to find survivors. Lord Xander's airship landed in the water and he went to the ruins, trying to find his prize: Din's Pearl.
He quickly ordered his men to join in the effort, but the Rito were looking for their own and any traitorous Wind Tribe members. After several moments, someone shouted, "Hey! I found something!"
One of the Rito had found a glowing, fire red pearl that had Din's Sigil on it. Another of Lord Xander's men, Kane, grabbed it and took it to his employer. He handed it to him and Revali asked, "So they did have it all this time?"
"Yes, and this will help us end the empire once and for all," Lord Xander told him, grinning as he ogled the pearl.
Revali shook his head and said, "Well, our role in this has ended. We've avenged our tribe of the Wind Tribe and…."
"The Wind Tribe doesn't live just above your skies. They're in many places. And their capital is the constantly moving Skyloft. If you join me, we can fulfill your full vengeance, all while freeing the skies of imperial influence," Lord Xander said, looking at the Rito.
The elder wasn't buying it and Lord Xander said, "This victory will be short-lived if you don't. The empire will send their forces from what happened today, as that tribe was like you, subjugated by the empire by having their Loftwings taken and scattered from them."
Revali rolled his eyes, asking, "So, what do we do now?"
"We find the next pearl, Farore's Pearl, in the south. Then Nayru's. And afterwards, we present them to the Tower of the Gods and it'll draw the fragments of the Hero there…and will reveal where the Blade of Evil's Bane is," Lord Xander explained.
"And we can attack any Wind Tribe settlements?" Revali asked.
"Yes. That is the terms of our new agreement," Lord Xander said.
The two leaders shook hands and Revali said, "Don't make me regret this more than I've already have. I've already lost my son because of you."
And there's chapter 18. Wow, Revali and the other Rito…took things a bit too far…