Chapter 7 - Time Will Tell
Eighteen Years Prior
The forest was dark under a moonless sky, causing the sporadic glow of fireflies drifting over the shrubbery and through the branches of trees to resemble glittering stars.
It was quiet, peaceful, even ethereal, and once Dragmire arrived at his destination, torchlight was no longer necessary to see. Instead, he'd found his way to the one place within the vast cluster of trees that glowed without any outside source of illumination, being the pedestal where the Master Sword was held.
The blade of evil's bane stood proud, glinting with a divine light amid the gentle sway of branches forming a natural canopy overhead. The entire pedestal was radiant in turn, gleaming in a manner that caused the entire grove surrounding it to glow.
Dragmire regarded the scenery with a single brow arching in thought. According to history's lore, the sword was set into the stone more than two hundred years ago, left untouched and unusable while waiting for a chosen hero to come and collect.
Lowering his black eyes, Dragmire wondered if it might be collected soon, briefly considering what he already knew. If the witch was right … .
His inner musings trailed to a stop when the sound of a horse's hooves trotting along hit his ears.
Throwing his gaze over his shoulder, he saw a white horse carrying the very woman he'd been waiting for into the grove—and Myriad didn't look thrilled to be there. Her hooded head was held low, and what was visible of her face was bereft of joy, just as expected considering she had no choice in the matter at hand.
Her only options were to assist him, or be forced into it, and while he'd already acquired the proper leverage to hold over her head, things were much easier this way. She's finally seen the light. How ironic.
Smirking at the thought, he remarked as her horse drew closer to where he stood, "Punctual, as always."
Myriad didn't respond, silently riding toward the dark wizard before tugging back on the reins only a few feet away. In turn, she regarded him with cool sapphire eyes while dismounting, her white slippers hitting the soft earth of the forest with even less sound than she'd made arriving.
Her austere demeanor made it difficult to determine what she was thinking as she started moving in his general direction, but only to pass him, evidently harboring more interest in the scenery than in the dark wizard she'd come to assist.
Coming to a stop at the landing of the narrow steps leading up to the platform where the legendary sword was kept, she regarded the weapon for a moment and softly spoke its name.
"The Master Sword." Finally turning around to acknowledge Dragmire's presence, she asked, "Ironic, isn't it?"
"What would that be, my lady?"
Motioning to the platform, Myriad answered, "That the closest link this world possesses to the realm harboring what you seek is the resting place of the weapon which will inevitably spell your doom."
Her observation put a quaint smile on Dragmire's face as he moved to stand next to her before the pedestal, responding, "I do indeed, though the prophesied Hero of Legend is a bit late to claim it if he wishes to stop me, don't you think?"
"Perhaps," Myriad conceded, her gaze turning down before adding, "and as such, it's just as you said. There's nothing anyone can do to change the story."
Canting his head, Dragmire regarded Myriad's crestfallen expression with some mild amusement, inquiring, "Why so glum? You're about to have your chance to do precisely that. Don't you find the prospect even remotely comforting?"
Once again, Myriad didn't respond. She merely stepped onto the platform and approached the Master Sword, walking around the sacred blade to stand behind it where she turned to face him.
Following, Dragmire assumed a position on the opposing side of the weapon, listening as his one time friend finally commented on the situation.
"If the prophesied hero is too late to stop you, then I can't ignore the possibility that I am as well."
"So you're pessimistic," Dragmire observed, shaking his head with a smirk. "More's the pity."
Anger flashed in her sapphire eyes before she dropped her gaze to the Master Sword and remarked, "It's difficult enough to ignore my anger and resist the temptation of attempting to overcome you in a confrontation as it is, Dragmire, so don't stoke the flames. I've spent the past week reminding myself of how slim my chances of victory in such an endeavor are, and I am here to commence because assisting you puts the least amount of lives at stake."
With that said, she inquired, "So would you rather waste time pointlessly riling me, or finally have your chance to possess the relic you seek?"
Though he continued to smirk in amusement, he conceded her point and waved a hand with the words, "I'm as ready as you are."
"Good," Myriad remarked, wasting no time closing her eyes in preparation to invoke her power despite how loathe she was to have any part in his plan to acquire any part of the Triforce.
Dragmire watched her in turn, not at all oblivious to her resentment as his own eyes shut to follow suit with no lack of fevered interest. Soon, he'd wield a piece of the Triforce and, if all went as planned, he'd have access to a second piece in Myriad.
With the thoughts in mind, he could feel his power churning to the surface as a low, distant hum reverberated around them. In no time at all, the sound was growing in pitch and volume until the two reopened their eyes with their power swirling around them. Myriad was awash in white where Dragmire was doused in clouds as black as pitch, and around them, orbs of both light and dark began forming in a circle.
A light rose from the pedestal on which they stood in response, slowly growing in brightness until the orbs surrounding them started moving. Tremors rolled through the earth as their powers combined in the process, working together in the endeavor of releasing the seal placed upon the Sacred Realm.
Finally, the light at the pedestal's center erupted, blotting out the sight of the Master Sword in a mist of clouds flowing through a star-filled abyss. In turn, that mist grew larger, blending with the trees around them in a manner which proved the seal was beginning to break.
As a result, they would soon phase from the world and into the Sacred Realm.
A gust of wind picked up their clothing and hair as the portal formed, allowing them the faintest glimpse of the golden land beyond. Indeed, the world was shifting around them, curving Dragmire's mouth into a malicious grin. In only a matter of moments, they would behold the Triforce in all its divine grandeur standing like a sacred beacon over the horizon. I'm so close!
As soon as he had the thought, the portal … weakened.
Sensing a loss of power, Dragmire's brows narrowed in confusion. Being so close to entering the Sacred Realm, he couldn't understand why their path was suddenly collapsing from beneath them—until he regarded Myriad.
Though her image was blurred by the white light rising between them, he could still make out the Sage of Light lowering her arms as she withdrew her power from the effort of breaking the seal. In turn, another tremor spread about them, signaling the portal's collapse without more energy to sustain it until it could fully open.
His grin fading as the demands on his abilities increased, Dragmire desperately tried to compensate for the loss while questioning her actions. Why would she withdraw when the portal was only half-formed? In its current state, one of them might be able to pass through, but—Wait … no!
At once, her plan hit him.
"Myriad!"
His enraged yell of her name was punctuated by a din as Myriad swiftly lifted her hand, her palm glowing white as power shot forth and dispersed, forming a barrier around her enemy. By then, Dragmire had withdrawn his own power, but not in time to prevent the barrier's formation, and while it was a simple matter to destroy it, the act provided Myriad just enough time to accomplish her goals.
Rushing toward the light rising from the center of the platform, she disappeared in a shimmering glow just as Dragmire eradicated the barrier containing him, then moved to follow her as quickly as possible. Yet the hum of the portal began fading, the light vanishing as he leaped forward to access the Sacred Realm before it was too late—only to find himself coming into contact with the reappearing Master Sword.
As a result, an insurmountable force repelled him from the sacred weapon due to the darkness within his heart, sending him flying off of the pedestal to land several yards away on the forest floor. Grunting in immense pain, he lie there motionless, incapacitated by the blow.
In those moments, there was nothing, no sound, and no movement—the forest had gone completely still.
Finally gathering enough of his senses to realize it, Dragmire looked toward the pedestal and the weapon jutting from it. Somehow, the pain it'd caused combined with the stillness of the trees around it seemed … mocking.
Myriad was gone, taking with her any chance of entering the Sacred Realm to claim the Triforce.
"No … ."
Stumbling to his feet, he moved toward the pedestal with dark energy pooling in his hands at the thought of Myriad's unexpected ploy. She'd actually sealed herself away from everything she cared for to prevent him from obtaining the Triforce, and Dragmire sent his fist sailing into the platform with an enraged cry.
"No!"
Pounding the surface as if physical force would reopen the realm, the pedestal trembled from the blows, but didn't bend.
"Myriad!"
Her name echoed through the trees, but his efforts were for naught. Without Myriad, it would take time to find another way into the Sacred Realm, possibly a great deal of time.
And yet it wasn't impossible.
The thought placated him enough to give up his futile attempt of forcing the realm to open, and Dragmire finally pushed himself up, stumbling away from the pedestal with a scowl directed at the sword resting upon it. His anger was immense, but a spark of hope remained, bringing more clarity of thought that served as a reminder that this was far from over.
He'd underestimated the lengths Myriad would go in order to prevent him from gaining the power he sought, but she'd also made her feelings abundantly clear. Not only did harnessing the Triforce go against everything she stood for, she wouldn't do so now if only because she realized it could provide him the chance of gaining at least one part of the relic without needing to enter the Sacred Realm.
So no, she wouldn't dare attempt to acquire it, meaning there was still a chance. It would take time, but eventually, he'd find an alternative means of entering the Sacred Realm to gain the power he desired.
And exact revenge.
Sneering as he backed away from the pedestal, Dragmire promised that very thing aloud before departing the grove.
"Mark my words, Myriad. When next we meet, your righteousness will be your undoing."
A short while later, he arrived at the Temple of Time and entered the Chamber of Light from the open archway leading out into the forest. Inside, numerous priests sat in silent meditation, including one of Myriad's closest confidants, an older Hylian named Brahm who looked up the moment Dragmire descended the steps.
Standing from his seat, he addressed the mage by asking, "My lord? Where is Lady Myriad?"
Without answering, Dragmire grabbed his collar and jerked him in close, ignoring the elderly Hylian's gasp while demanding, "What did she say to you before she left the temple?"
Sputtering in fear, Brahm quickly answered, "Only that she would not be returning! I begged her to tell me more, to explain why, but she would not speak."
It was plain to see the old priest was telling the truth, meaning he was of no use. So Dragmire shoved him aside with enough force to cause Brahm to stumble and fall. Grunting as his hands hit the floor, he looked back at Dragmire as the dark mage related, "Then it would appear that she has abandoned you all along with the rest of Hyrule's Sages."
Having just worked his way back onto his feet, Brahm stared at Dragmire in incredulity. "What? But why … how?"
It wasn't a good idea to question the mage, and yet his shock was too great to allow him to limit his inquiries. So it was a relief when Dragmire refrained from berating him for doubting his claim.
Instead, he answered, "She's found a way to open the Sacred Realm and sealed herself inside. I've yet to ascertain how, but I can only suppose she's after the Triforce."
After telling the falsehood, Dragmire turned his attention to the archway leading into the forest, his thoughts centering on the Master Sword. Myriad had spoken the truth when she'd mentioned the blade could spell his doom, and dark energy formed in his palms at the notion.
Seeing it, Brahm gasped and backed away to watch with wide eyes as Dragmire lifted his arms to send that dark power into the archway. Erupting from his hands, it flew toward the frame, tendrils of dark energy weaving together within it to effectively seal off all access to the forest by forming a mirror.
As it did, Dragmire remarked, "Only the chosen shall see the truth path … ." Smirking, he added, "Only the chosen will return stronger."
Purposefully phrasing the words in an innocuous manner, he hid his smirk over the truth of his spell's purpose and drew his hands back once the task was complete. If there was to be a chosen hero who could wield the Master Sword, he would have no choice but to pass through the mirror to reach the pedestal, and doing so would imprint his essence upon it.
As such, a rather distasteful surprise would be waiting for him upon his return to the temple—not that Dragmire had any intentions of explaining the true purpose of his curse.
Instead, he turned to Brahm who was curiously staring at the mirror and stated, "Myriad's abandonment is likely to anger numerous people, so this will serve as a means of protection for the Royal Forest from those coming here with the possible intent of doing harm."
"Y-yes, sir," Brahm replied despite his uncertainties over what Dragmire had done. He simply didn't have the power or authority to question the mage, leaving him unable to contest whatever he deemed proper for the situation.
With a nod given, Dragmire further surprised him by announcing, "You are now steward of this temple. As such, you'll be expected to report any happenings promptly. Is this understood?"
"It is," Brahm promptly agreed, appeasing the dark mage with his quick response as he turned for the door.
Watching him go with a grim expression on his face, Brahm waited until Dragmire had departed before turning his gaze toward the mirror, whispering dejectedly, "Myriad, what has happened?"
Outside the Chamber of Light, Dragmire adjourned to the temple vestibule in time to see the entryway doors opening at the hands of Casimir, the current Captain of the Knights of Hyrule.
Calling his name, Dragmire came to a stop nearby and inquired, "Did you come here seeking Myriad?"
"I did, at the King's orders," Casimir responded, explaining, "He believed she was acting strangely and asked me to investigate."
Hearing this, Dragmire smiled, pleased to learn of Hadinaru's suspicions, particularly considering the spell he was under that left him open to suggestion. Dragmire had not only used his magic to convince the King and Queen that his son was theirs, he'd also been working to instill doubt in the King concerning Myriad's affairs—and her most recent actions would provide an opportunity to twist the truth even further to his personal advantage.
But instead of mentioning it, Dragmire only responded with the words, "I see. Then you should stay for a while to ensure the new steward is doing his job correctly."
Confused, Casimir inquired, "Sir? New steward?"
Walking past the Captain, Dragmire stopped at the doors and looked back to state, "Myriad has opened the Sacred Realm and sealed herself inside of it. For what purposes I can't be certain, but I believe she could be after the Triforce itself. Therefore it's important that someone the King can trust stays behind to keep a watch on the temple until he can decide what needs to be done."
"I see," Casimir responded, waving a hand with the question, "Will you inform the King of my whereabouts?"
"Of course," Dragmire confirmed with a nod. "Considering the caliber of potential danger inherent in this situation, you'll likely see a contingent of soldiers arriving soon. So be prepared."
"Yes, sir," Casimir returned respectfully, watching as the dark mage departed.
And Dragmire wasted no time getting started on a contingency plan.
Despite the delay Myriad's actions created in his goal of attaining the Triforce, her absence provided a beneficial lack of interference he couldn't ignore. As such, he was able to conduct his search for the necessary keys to reopen the Sacred Realm more efficiently—and he did so with the King's sanction.
The moment Dragmire informed Hadinaru of what Myriad had done, the brainwashed monarch provided him access to whatever tools he needed under the belief that Dragmire could stop her from causing a problem. Such support allowed him to research more quickly, though his hold over the minds of the King and Queen wasn't easy to maintain.
Over time, it became evident that a group of people who knew the truth was working against him. The Myriad Stones had gone silent with the Sage of Light trapped in the Sacred Realm, and yet he would sometimes sense her power at work, as if someone had some mysterious tool they were utilizing in an attempt to thwart his magical control.
The suspects were questionable as well. As Myriad's husband, Lyonel was the most obvious possibility, and yet he'd been convincingly offended to learn of what his wife had done and even publicly disowned her for her treachery against Hyrule. Of course, Dragmire had no intentions of believing his show was anything more than a farce, but after watching the Hylian closely for several years, he never once exuded any suspicious behavior.
Still, the closer he got to achieving his goals, the less Dragmire concerned himself with rooting out those attempting to undo his work—and after seven long years, he finally acquired precisely what he needed.
The only way to break the seal on the Sacred Realm was to find six maidens descended from ancient sages and sacrifice them at the platform where the Master Sword stood. Naturally, it was no small task, and yet he succeeded in finding them after an extensive and clandestine search, inevitably bringing them to the pedestal while under the control of his dark power.
Standing in a circle around it, each maiden waited patiently under the control of the dark mage now invoking his power to sacrifice them for his personal gain. With their eyes glossed over, they issued no complaints and made no attempts to flee as his magic enveloped them.
Draining their lives away, their bodies began to shimmer before each disintegrated into an orb of light that rose high above the pedestal. One by one, those orbs moved to hover above Dragmire until they finally combined in a burst of light that engulfed his body.
With that power unleashed, the Sacred Realm was finally open once more, a hum of energy reverberating throughout the forest as he felt himself phasing from the world. Eagerness suffused him, his mind focused solely on his accomplishment as he finally accessed the realm where the Triforce was kept, impatiently waiting for the light to fade and his vision to return.
Soon enough, it did, and instead of revealing trees under an early evening sky, a blanket of clouds the color of deep garnet with swirls of emerald drifted around him.
The haze was too thick to penetrate, leaving Dragmire lifting his hand above his eyes as they scanned his surroundings. Some areas seemed to be thinning out, allowing in the sight of distant stars and even moons high in the sky—or were they worlds of their own?
It was impossible to say. He'd never seen nor conceived of anything like it, though he didn't dwell on the question after turning around to spot a distant glimmer of gold. Focusing on the glint, he lowered his arm as the clouds thinned out even more, leaving a reflection of three golden triangles radiating in his black eyes.
The Triforce.
Settled upon a massive, magic pedestal atop the Temple of Light, the divine relic overlooked the realm like a radiant beacon. Even the temple was a sight to behold with vast spires standing high above lush valleys and pristine rivers flowing as far as the eye could see. More distant moons hovered over it all, including floating islands topped by trees, some connected by bridges while others drifted alone.
It was a paradise with the Triforce shining down like the sun on a cloudless day.
If this was but a small part of the realm, who could say what else might await in the abyss beyond his sight? Answers to age old questions perhaps, or could there be other treasures such as the one he now beheld?
Both possibilities could be true, and yet his vision remained fixed on the one thing he craved, thoughts focused solely on the power it promised when an all too familiar voice spoke his name.
"Dragmire. At last you've found a path to the relic you sought seven years ago."
Turning to look back, his gaze searched the haze of clouds shrouding the rocky peak on which he stood to spot a shadow emerging from them. Narrowing his brows at the figure, his hands balled into fists as he all but growled her name.
"Myriad."
As she finally stepped out of the swirling clouds to stand several feet away, Dragmire couldn't ignore the way some of his ire over her past transgressions faded into curiosity. Physically, the Sage of Light was unchanged after spending seven years in the Sacred Realm, yet there was something in her countenance and her subdued posture he couldn't quite describe.
But instead of trying, he ignored his curiosity to respond to her statement with, "Yes, your clever ploy left me searching for quite some time to find a means of coming here. In fact, it took the sacrifice of six innocent maidens descended from ancient sages to open the portal again."
Waving a hand in her direction, he added, "You must be very proud of yourself as their demise could've been avoided if not for your trickery."
The last was spoken in an attempt to cause her temper to flare so she might make a mistake that would provide him the upper hand—and he could already hear her retorts. She'd likely hiss and tell him he'd inevitably pay for what he'd done, or just point out his fallacies.
Yet Myriad said nothing and merely approached the edge of the peak, coming to stand about seven feet away to look out over the distant scenery. Dragmire watched her carefully in turn, her hooded face a mask of calm despite his accusations.
Perhaps there was something different about her after all.
Uncertain over the matter, he inquired, "You've nothing to say, Myriad?"
"Not in response to such childish attempts to rile me," she responded plainly before finally meeting his gaze.
In doing so, he noticed a light in her sapphire eyes he couldn't recall seeing before, one that provided the Sage a wise and even ethereal look. Realizing it, his curiosity grew by leaps and bounds, making him wonder.
For seven years, Myriad had freely explored the Sacred Realm, and in that time, what secrets had she uncovered? What had her isolation in the presence of the Triforce provided?
Wisdom? Strength?
As he thought it over, Myriad related, "I know the method you've used to come here. I sensed the passing of those women just before your arrival, and I knew it was necessary. Now, they will find peace and compassion under the watchful gaze of our Goddesses in the promised land as all those who have sacrificed for fate do."
The comment gave Dragmire pause. "You're telling me it was necessary instead of berating me for coming here at all?"
Silence ensued his words as Myriad's gaze returned to the Triforce—and her response was even more curious.
"There are things you don't yet understand, Dragmire, things I didn't understand when I came here. Even after seven years, I'm not certain I fully comprehend what I've learned, yet I do know the sad truth is that it can't simply be related with words, and must instead be instructed through experience."
Finally, Dragmire's ire at the Sage of Light faded enough that his desire to know more overpowered it. The way she spoke was simply too curious not to attempt to understand this change in her demeanor more thoroughly, prompting him to ask, "Is it the Triforce? Has it … enlightened you?"
As he spoke, her gaze turned to the heavens above them with the words, "One has only to look to know this place holds wonders found nowhere else in existence, answers to questions we've yet to even consider. But the Triforce is certainly the most prominent of them all, and it takes but a moment of feeling to realize this truth."
Focusing on the distant, divine relic once more, she instructed, "Simply look at it, Dragmire. Look and contemplate how this powerful relic left by our Goddesses could both cause good or evil, light or darkness, and by simply gazing upon it, wonder at how it sheds the veil of mysteries we'd always pondered yet never solved."
Dragmire did as suggested, fixating his gaze upon the glowing relic to contemplate his questions, and already felt empowered to simply behold it. Yet there was more to it, as if he could sense a presence of its own within those radiant triangles, one perhaps best labeled as destiny—and it was calling out to him.
Feeling his desire to finally possess a piece of the relic growing, Myriad added as he took in the sight, "Seven long years have I gazed at it in question, and I can tell you in all honesty, I say the sacrifice of those maidens was necessary because the Triforce has revealed many things I previously would never have considered, just as it's doing for you this very moment."
She was right. Taking it in, he felt invigorated, as if just a glimpse of the relic could inspire thought, strength, and motivation alike. It was as if perfection was a tangible thing which could be harnessed and molded, and one had but to listen to understand how.
But it wasn't enough.
Still gazing at the Triforce, Dragmire announced in all certainty, "It is time now to finish what was started so long ago, Myriad." Finally tearing his gaze from that shining emblem to regard her once more, he added, "If it was fate which brought me here through sacrifice, then you know this as well."
"I do," Myriad readily agreed, meeting his gaze with the words, "I also know it is my fate to lead you to it."
"It is?"
"Yes," she remarked simply, though her countenance grew more wary as she went on, "but that is where my fate ends as I was never meant to harness a piece of the Triforce, meaning I will not claim it with you."
Sneering at her refusal, Dragmire demanded, "You'd continue to fight me on this despite admitting your fate is to take me to it?"
"No, and before you attempt to force my hand, there's something you need to do." Without delaying, she directed, "Now that you stand in the presence of the divine relic you've pined after for so long, admit the truth of what you want, Dragmire. Speak it aloud. What is it you most desire above all else?"
His gaze darkening in annoyance, Dragmire answered clearly, "I want the Triforce in its entirety. Why ask questions to which you already know the answers?" More suspiciously, he asked, "Are you trying to delay the inevitable with more trickery?"
Myriad looked back out across the scenery to regard the Triforce once more, and there was a look on her face he couldn't quite articulate. He could only say it seemed as if it didn't matter how many times she saw it, she was awed by the sight, and even he had trouble resisting the urge to gaze upon it once again.
As he did so, Myriad related, "I'm only delaying to take one last look at the skyline as it is now before the Triforce disappears from its grandeur. But there's no trickery involved, Dragmire, a fact you'll understand once the full relic is in your possession."
The full relic? For a brief moment, Dragmire was confused. Every bit of lore he'd studied on the Triforce suggested it was likely to separate into three pieces the moment someone attempted to possess it. Yet Myriad was suggesting he'd possess the entire relic, and she'd been privy to information most scholars could only dream about.
Or this was simply trickery designed to coerce him into attempting to obtain the whole thing?
At the thought, his anger was renewed and he reached to grasp her throat, ready to tug her in and force her obedience. Yet her form shimmered out of sight at the last moment, her voice sounding from behind.
"Still so quick to action, Dragmire." As he turned to face her, she added, "No one has touched me in seven years, and I will not allow you to do so now."
Sneering, Dragmire invoked his dark power and raised a hand in her direction. Aiming, a burst of darkness shot forth, hitting the ground near her feet to form a barrier that would keep her contained. Swiftly rising around her form, the magic solidified to bind her where she stood, providing Dragmire with a measure of satisfaction as he took a step closer.
Yet his footfalls ceased when Myriad approached the barrier encompassing her and didn't stop moving at its edge. Instead, her form shimmered as she passed through the dark magic with no effort at all, causing the barrier to crumble away behind her.
"What … ?"
Unable to help his confused stare, he had to work to focus when Myriad asked, "Now, Dragmire, will you listen to reason? Seven years ago, your magic would have bound me for a time at least, yet I'm able to walk through it now without suffering. Surely this must prove I've been privy to knowledge you could barely imagine and warrant at least a moment of consideration that I'm by no means trying to trick you."
Indeed, her act served as testament that she'd been telling at least something of the truth—and what if it was possible after all? What if he could indeed harness the full relic intact?
Unable to ignore the chance, he demanded, "Then tell me your secrets, Myriad. Tell me the secrets of the Triforce."
As the Sage of Light held his gaze, her body began to glow with the question, "Why not allow it to tell you itself?"
Dragmire would've responded, but there was no time when, with no warning, the distant scenery they'd been observing began to stretch out as if the land itself had skewed, seeming to put even more distance between them and the Triforce. Yet the land below wasn't moving, and as the rocky peak beneath their feet trembled, Dragmire realized they'd been standing upon a floating island all this time.
And Myriad was moving it.
He had no idea what means of locomotion she was utilizing to accomplish the feat. Perhaps it was magic, or some other type of power he hadn't known existed. Whatever the case, the journey they underwent overloaded the senses. At once, time and space seemed to shoot past them with a rush of sensation as if traveling at speeds too swift to measure.
The sky became a warp of blurred lines in turn, stretching father than one could imagine—and just as quickly, everything came flying back toward them only to stop nearby including the Triforce.
The floating island was now settled before the divine relic, and it … was massive. Towering over them, the glowing triangles pulsed with a low, rhythmic hum, so vibrant it blotted out nearly everything else before their vision—and it was so much more beautiful up close.
Each of its three pieces radiated with the power they contained, a vibrate red, blue, and green underlying the golden shimmer of its surface. As a result, the shine all but drenched the surrounding area in a divine light too breathtaking to ignore.
Captivated by its beauty, Dragmire continued to stand there in awe as Myriad stepped from the rocky peak and onto the magic pedestal where the Triforce rested. On the way, she remarked, "You once told me the only one worthy of obtaining a fully assembled relic would not possess the lackluster characteristics of our world. Do you remember?"
"I do," he replied, so captivated by the relic he couldn't look away. This close, the power it gave off was almost palpable, and as he stared into those triangles, a whispering sounded amid the low hum of energy contained within the pieces.
It was indiscernible, but still somehow divine, as if Din, Nayru, and Farore were speaking to him, sending shivers up and down his flesh.
"I do remember," he added breathlessly.
"Then know you were absolutely right," Myriad returned, adding, "and you, Dragmire, possess those characteristics of this holy world. By drawing forth and harnessing the powers of this realm, you've accomplished something no one before you has and proven your strength. Your knowledge in the methods of coming here and drive to harness this relic has proven your dedication to it."
Pointedly, she concluded, "You are worthy. We're all creatures made in the divine light of the Goddesses, yet you've used your gifts to gain powers that prove your mettle, and as such, your worth. After all, why would the Goddesses leave such power behind unless it was meant to be harnessed?"
Her question made such perfect sense he couldn't ignore it, and in some strange way, knowing that seven years spent in this realm had led Myriad to understand that perspective was … heartening.
The thought put a grin on his face as he related, "If this relic can enlighten one so without possession, then I am more anxious than ever to learn what it can do once fully possessed."
Myriad turned her sapphire gaze from him and up at the relic, observing on a quiet, truthful voice filled with intrigue, "It could turn them into a living deity were it desired."
"Yes," he rasped in agreement.
And if he wasn't already convinced the full relic was about to be his, Myriad's next phrase solidified his certainty.
"Take it, Dragmire. Fulfill the role you were born into and harness its power. Your time is now, your worth proven. You are … unique."
Instantly, his gaze darted from the Triforce to regard Myriad in stunned silence. Unique? That's precisely what the witch told me … .
Recalling his first encounter with the witch as a child while watching Myriad now, he was suddenly filled with purpose. He had no idea how the Sage of Light knew of it, but the matter could be discussed later.
Right now, he had a divine relic to acquire.
Lifting his hands slowly toward the Triforce, they pressed against the powerful barrier holding the pieces together. On contact, bright, powerful bands of light washed out in swift ripples beneath his fingertips, creating an energy that began to whip about like a gusting wind.
In turn, a light formed between the three triangles, and Dragmire could feel its power encompassing him, drawing into his mind, filling his body as if imprinting upon his soul.
That's when the barrier binding the pieces began to shimmer—and Myriad stepped back to await the outcome. She had not lied to Dragmire, and seven years in the presence of the sacred relic had left her wiser, enlightened her in ways she'd never before considered.
Her power had grown as a result of that newfound knowledge, which also made her task of protecting what she cared for much easier.
And she'd just succeeded.
As the barrier dispersed, the three pieces slowly began to shift away from one another with a low, repetitive pulse sounding as Dragmire watched, uncertain of what was happening. In turn, the three pieces shed their golden hue and took on their separate colors of red, blue, and green as the hum became deafening just before all fell silent.
It was in this silence that he knew the truth.
Instantly, the blue and green triangles shimmered out of existence, leaving only the red which formed into a large orb of light above him. Before Dragmire could even blink, that orb darted toward him, slamming into his body to consume him as he consumed it in turn.
And everything went black.
Myriad watched Dragmire slump onto the floor of the magic pedestal to lay still in the aftermath of his acquisition. In turn, a sound erupted in the distance with an unseen energy bursting forth from the dark mage which spread throughout the Sacred Realm, turning the once green valley so far below into a dry, nearly barren wasteland.
Exhaling slowly as the colors changed from vibrant to stale, Myriad then regarded Dragmire once more with a single thought in mind.
The deed had been done.
She'd served her purpose, and he now had access to but one piece of the Triforce. Dissected as it now was, the relic would be much weaker than if all three pieces were combined, though a single one would still grant the possessor much power—and she knew what came next.
With a deep breath, Myriad closed her eyes, keeping the faces of those she loved and sought to protect firmly in mind as Dragmire's sharp roar of anger filled her ears. Standing her ground without bothering to fight back as her enemy quickly roused, she soon felt bonds of magical energy wrapping around her to take the form of shackles.
Encompassing her body, her feet left the ground with a sphere of magic lifting her through the air, rising until she was centered upon the pedestal where the Triforce once rested as Dragmire announced her fate.
"This will be your last infraction, Myriad." His voice all but crackled with hatred in continuing, "As you were so eager to come here seven years ago, here is where you shall remain, bound within the Sacred Realm for all time, never to gaze upon the faces of those you love again, nor see the kingdom you've so futilely tried to protect."
With his verdict delivered, Dragmire took a moment to regard his subdued enemy with a malicious grin before departing the Sacred Realm, leaving her upon the pedestal overlooking the now bleak valley.
Once alone, Myriad reinforced the binds holding her in place with her own power, unwilling to grant anyone access to her abilities regardless of how remote the possibility would be of someone finding her in such a vulnerable state. Instead, there was only one person who might have a chance of doing so now—the long awaited Hero of Legend.
And if she'd learned anything after spending so many years in the Sacred Realm, it was that he wasn't quite ready to take up the fight.
So she induced herself into a deep slumber until the time was right, though not before informing her husband of her plans once he touched the only working Myriad Stone she'd left behind seven years prior. Once her slumber began, even that stone would cease glowing, and the Hero of Legend's acquisition of the Master Sword would be the catalyst to awaken her.
Only time would tell when this would happen, and as she fell into her slumber, her thoughts were with her husband and son.
Link … You and Lyonel are my final hope … .