Royal guards hurried courtiers of the main hall as King Gustaf entered, a tired, yet agitated expression adorning his face. He quietly made his way to the uncovered site of the royal library of old, a group of researchers being pushed out by guards, the Queen coming out after them, shouting before going quiet as she spotted him.
"Come now, Lysandra, calm yourself." the King called.
"Where is she?!" the Queen growled as she approached him, her teeth bared.
"There's no need for concern, Zelda will be found...she'll probably come running back before then." Gustaf answered.
"What did you do?" the Queen asked.
"That's not important, you needn't worry yourself. I-" the King said.
"You'll what?!" the Queen interrupted. "Try to harm our daughter again?"
"That was not my intention, I-" Gustaf answered.
"Save your breath, I can't even bare to look at you." the Queen said, shouldering past her husband as she departed.
The King closed his eyes, clenching his fists and drawing in a deep breath, the events of two night's prior constantly running through his head, whether he wanted them to or not. At the time, his rage got the best of him, he had a vision, plan for Hyrule's future, a future that Zelda and Jakob would usher in as King and Queen after he and Lysandra had passed on. That was before, before the boy appeared and Zelda...something about him seemed to awaken something in her, something that interfered with his plans and yet, there was something about Link, something familiar, he found himself forced to admit that the man in the portrait did bare a strong resemblance to Sir Link.
"My King!" a guard called out as he approached.
"Not now." Gustaf answered as he turned to walk away.
"My King, this is quite important." the guard answered.
Gustaf sighed while raising a hand to massage the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Out with it, then."
"Lord Lirien has arrived with an army."
oOo
Jakob strode down the streets of Castle Town, finally coming upon the the innermost circle, the part that contained the houses of nobles and diplomats while they chose to stay in Castle Town, he too had a home here, though he rarely stayed in it.
"So, you're truly sure about this?" Lord Dearing asked. Aleksandr Dearing was of similar age to Jakob, the two had been essentially raised together along with other young lords, but the sudden, early, death of Jakob's parents and his subsequent taking on of their responsibilities forced them apart.
"My father always told me that a man's mind is the strongest part of his being, it matters not how strong of body one might be, once the mind is gone so is the man." Jakob answered before turning to face Lord Dearing. "The King's mind has collapsed and thus the kingdom is no longer in good hands...we will remedy this."
"It's just...you say he attacked his daughter...his own daughter." Lord Dearing began. "Excuse me if I-"
"Have trouble believing it?" Jakob asked, an irked tone to his voice. "I was there, watching it with my own eyes, doing nothing...but I'm taking action now and late is better than never."
"You're not telling me everything." Dearing replied.
"What makes you say that?" Jakob responded, his voice in a low tone.
"You never said what happened to the Princess." Dearing answered. "You plan to go the Castle, take the throne and then what? Where is she in all of this?"
"Your questions will be answered in due time. For now, we focus on the task at hand." Jakob said.
"Fine." Dearing responded. The young lord had decided not to let on about his concerns to Jakob. Two other, less prestigious, houses marched with them, intent on seeing Jakob become King due to the promises he made. Dearing, though, didn't see how they could stop word from getting out that an army had stormed the Castle, the battle to take it wouldn't be their last, he knew that much.
"Lord Lirien!" a man called as he dashed from an alleyway.
"Who is that?" Dearing asked.
"One of my scouts." Jakob said before turning towards the man. "What news do you bring?!"
"The attack must be called off." the man replied.
Jakob froze for a moment before turning his gaze from the man, to Dearing then back again. "What? Why? Explain yourself!"
Dearing walked straight through the space between the two men and proceeded up the last incline, his eyes going wide. "Jakob."
"What is it?" Jakob asked, the confidence he had carried with him all the way from his manor to the Castle down beginning to drain quickly from him.
"Another army arrived, I don't know who they are, though." the scout explained.
Jakob ignored the man as he went to join Dearing, the two looking on in shock.
"Is it possible he knew we were coming?" Dearing asked.
"No...he's here for another reason...and I'm eager to find out what it is." Jakob said as he looked upon the banners the army carried, a black field adorned with an orange phoenix, it's wings spread and engulfed in flames upon every one.
"If I'm not mistaken, that's the coat of arms of the Queen's family...it's-" Dearing began.
"House Stern." Jakob growled.
oOo
"My Lord, another army approaches!" a soldier called as he dropped to one knee, not daring to look up.
Before him stood Lord Stern, a slightly tall man of a strong build with no hair upon his head but a large beard on his chin, he wore well crafted armor with a cloak cast over his shoulders that flowed behind him, his family crest adorning both his chest and the cloak. "Well?!" he exclaimed. "Who's banners are they flying? Did you take note of that?"
"Yes, my Lord, Houses, Lirien, Dearing, Brashford and Holden." the Soldier replied.
A grin began to form on Lord Stern's face, the other houses didn't mean much to him...but Lirien...oh he would enjoy seeing Jakob again.
The castle's main gate slowly groaned and creaked as the doors were pulled aside, Jakob attempting to keep an air of confidence as he walked in. He pushed away any hesitance he felt and strode directly to Lord Stern, a grin on his face. "Lord Stern, I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"Well, look at this, little Lord Lirien has gotten himself some nerve, about time." Stern answered.
"Yes, just like how my family have gotten ourselves a higher station than certain noble families." Jakob replied, satisfied with Lord Stern's momentary angered expression.
"All I have his time, Jakob, time to take my House's place back, a small task now that you are in charge and not your father." Stern replied. "For now, I have more important matters to attend to than...well...you." the older Lord said before turning away.
Jakob clenched his teeth as he turned to find Dearing, the other young Lord looking at him with rather extreme curiosity.
"Goddesses, I'd say he's still upset." Dearing stated.
"Oh, do you think so?" Jakob responded sarcastically. "He thinks he'll have one over on me every time we find ourselves in the same place, but his temper always gets the better of him and he has to excuse himself."
"How was it your family surpassed House Stern?" Dearing asked.
"It's simple, really, in their younger years, my father and Lord Stern were to command the Hylian forces during the battle of the basin. Our forces were in the Zora's natural habitat so they were at a disadvantage almost immediately, Stern wanted to retreat but my father decided to push on. "Jakob explained. "He used black powder kegs to destroy the western side of the basin, it emptied onto a downward slope and nearly drained it completely, forcing the Zora to fight us on land, he successfully took the basin and pushed the Zora back to their domain, making Stern look like a coward."
"The Queen mustn't have been happy about that." Dearing remarked.
"She's already Queen, shouldn't have mattered to her very much." Jakob replied as he swept his eyes across the crowd. "I'm hoping word has reached Lords Brashford and Holden that our plan isn't moving forward."
"I've sent word, but I assume they've already figured what's going on for themselves." Dearing answered before stopping and gesturing to his left. "Is that...Lord Salwood?!" Dearing called.
"Lord...?" Jakob questioned.
"Come along, he's an old friend of mine!" Dearing said as they made their way through the soldiers setting up their camps in the courtyard.
Lord Salwood was an older man with a receded hairline, a short, graying beard and a protruding stomach. Instead of armor he wore formal attire with a blade, it's sheath, hanging from his belt. "Ah, the young Lord Dearing graces me with his presence!" the older man laughed.
"Rheon Salwood, how have you been?" Dearing asked, the two man exchanging a handshake.
"The I've overseen the building of mills in Fernridge and Heron Falls as well as the redevelopment of the old Kakariko mill...the damn thing needed it after standing for nearly nine-hundred years." Lord Salwood answered as he turned to face Jakob. "Ah, who's this then?" he asked with a grin.
"Lord Jakob of House Lirien, pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Salwood." Jakob replied.
The older lord's face went blank for a moment before he took a hasty bow and stood so quickly he nearly fell. "Lord Lirien! I...please forgive me, if I had known it was you-"
"My Lord, it's quite alright, I don't get out and meet my other Lords as much as I should." Jakob answered.
"I hear you're the one leading the war effort." Lord Salwood said.
"The King has made it so, soon enough Termina will just be another part of Hyrule." Jakob replied with a smirk.
"Ah, of course!" Lord Salwood said, Lord Dearing wearing an expression of mild surprise behind him.
"Yes, I will see to that, now, we must be-" Jakob was saying as Lord Salwood cut in.
"Please my Lord, you must meet my son, he will be taking over my mills and my lands one day." Salwood laughed.
"Won't hurt." Dearing said.
"Bring him over then." Jakob said with a nod.
Lord Salwood departed for a moment, walking back to his camp while Lord Dearing slowly turned to face Jakob.
"You keep strange company." Jakob remarked.
"I swear he's usually not this...enthusiastic." Dearing answered.
Lord Salwood quickly returned a boy nearly Jakob's age following behind him. "Lord Lirien, this is my son, Dahlian."
Jakob's eyes widened as he shared a look of recognition with the boy. There was no doubt in his mind, he was one of Sir Link's friends he had aided in saving only a month earlier.
"Say something!" Lord Salwood said, nudging his son while glancing at Jakob.
"It's...it's an honor to meet you Lord Lirien." Dahlian said, a slight waver to his voice.
"Same to you, young Lord." Jakob said, narrowing his eyes.
oOo
"Who are you?" Link asked, drawing his blade while being keenly aware of his lack of armor.
"Well, in a sense I'm you." Bastion replied.
"No, you may be a replica, a dark reflection, but you are not me." Link said.
"Why? Because I'm older? Because I don't have a Triforce fragment of my own?" Bastion mused.
"You may look like me, but our spirits cannot be more different." Link explained.
"Ah, I suppose you can see that?" Bastion asked.
"No, I can tell from the way you walk, the way you speak and your lack of skill with a blade." Link said.
Bastion's amused express gave as his brow furrowed in annoyance. "I'll have you know, that friend of yours would have died by my hand if my orders had prohibited me from killing him."
"I assume you're speaking of Jakob, he's no friend of mine and his swordsmanship is good among mortals but it is not even close to mine." Link said. "Before I had even recovered my memories fully, I still not only bested you but injured you quite badly...an injury I see you've recovered from."
Bastion took a deep breath as he composed himself. "I'll allow that...for now." he said as he hardened his expression. "I'm not here to fight."
"You fired a ball of dark energy at me, so forgive if I don't believe that, not even for a moment." Link answered, tightening his grip on his sword.
"That was simply to gain your attention...believe it or not you and I have more in common than the way we look." Bastion replied.
"Explain." Link said, his curiosity piqued.
"You might want to settle in, relax a little." Bastion suggested with a grin.
"No, I don't think I will. You have a very short amount of time to say what you want to say before I tire of you...and I'll do much more than injure you this time." Link threatened.
"Fine then, I'll summarize." Bastion shrugged. "I was created to be Ganondorf's right hand, modeled after the only warrior that ever matched him, you...things went well, and continued to do so for years. One day, though, you reappeared and I suppose it reminded him of something, because he began taking out his frustrations on me, snapping at the smallest of provocations...but it all made me remember how deprived my childhood was, it was training in both fighting and magic, constantly, punishment like burns, being struck with lightning and even physical strikes for small mistakes. I struggled with reconciling this for a long time but I've come to a realization...he must be done away with." Bastion cast his eyes downward as he finished, closing his eyes for a moment when laugh rang out, causing him to lift his head and glare at Link.
"I apologize, I just...what do you expect of him? To be a good father? To someone who looks like me? I think not." Link laughed before taking on a more serious tone. "You've aided in every one of his plans, including attacking my village and abducting my friends...I know where your loyalties lie...and I know they will never be with me." Link said as he raised his sword and charged.
"Wait!" Bastion called, bringing his sword up to counter a slash from Link before fading away from a stab.
"Fight me!" Link shouted.
Bastion teleported behind Link, extending an arm and shooting a bolt of lightning at the Hero, Link dodging to the right before charging in, bringing his sword down upon Bastion, the dark version of the Hero deflecting it before stepping to the side and lunging forward with a stab.
Link parried the step before performing a sideways slash, Bastion leaning back out of the way before teleporting again. Link whirled around in time to see Bastion a dozen paces away, heading into the forest.
"You're not getting away!' Link called when suddenly a hand gripped his shoulder. Everything seemed to blend for a moment, reality becoming a mix of colors that constantly changed, blinking in and out before a new environment took form around him. Link dropped to one knee, shaking his head as he got oriented himself, his eyes shooting open as he became aware of what happened...he had been teleported. Link shot to his feet to find not just Bastion, but Veran standing across from him. "Where is he? Where is Ganondorf? I know you've brought me to him." Link asked.
"He's not here." Veran answered.
"How did you teleport behind me without me noticing?" Link growled.
"Bastion was just the distraction, I'm better at trans-location than he is." Veran replied. "Now, we didn't take you here to kill you, but to show you what you're up against." Veran said as she gestured towards the edge of the tower they stood on.
"You have our word we won't try anything." Bastion said.
"How much is your word worth, though?" Link asked, his eyes narrowed.
"Damn it, boy! We're trying to help you!" Veran snapped.
"Why? Because you want Ganondorf gone even though you've been serving him for...the Goddesses know how long?" Link answered.
"He's lost his mind and we haven't had the opportunity try anything before now." Bastion replied.
"Soon enough he'll be opening a portal to the prison he was kept in, when that happens, you can force him back in...if you help us, we'll help you with that." Veran said, once again gesturing at the edge of the tower.
Link kept his sword raised, glancing at the rampart before hesitantly making his way over to it, Link drawing a deep breath as he looked out over the city. He was in Clock Town, the tower they stood on being able to see over the walls and onto the fields below. Thousands of monsters and mercenaries made camp outside the walls while even more filled the streets and took up residence in the city.
"I'm going to take a guess and say you've never seen an army so large." Veran said.
"What do you mean you'll help me?" Link asked.
"Help us dispose of Ganondorf, and we'll make sure this army doesn't step foot in Hyrule." Bastion explained. "We know you don't believe us...but we're all you have right now."
Link took one more look over the edge, staring down at the masses below, Hyrule's armies would be vastly outnumbered, he knew that much. "And those are your terms?"
"Of course." Veran replied.
"If you don't hold up your end I'll personally send you back to the Dark World with him in tow." Link said, motioning at Bastion.
"We'd expect no less." Bastion laughed.
"And, as a show of good faith, we'll shorten your journey home." Veran said.
Link tensed, his eyes watching her carefully as she strode over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder and in a moment, he was gone.
"We are keeping our word, right?" Bastion asked.
"In a sense." Veran replied.
"Meaning?" Bastion inquired.
"I killed every member of the most recent generation of sages...that light sage he brought along with during our last meeting...he held me off because I was constantly looking over my shoulder and directing my attention elsewhere...I will kill the sages, and I will save him for last." Veran answered.
"It seems we all have grudges." Bastion said. "And when Ganondorf is gone, they will be all ours."
oOo
Eldrin lay upon the bare stone floor of his cell, trying to drown out Impa's tapping, her fingers drumming across the wall in quick succession. "Do you have to do that?" he asked.
"I don't have to, but it helps." Impa said.
"Helps with what?" Eldrin asked.
"The sounds, they bounce from wall to wall the same way no matter what, that is, until something new enters the room...then I'll be able to detect the change in reverberations." Impa explained.
"You can actually do that?" Eldrin asked.
"We Sheikah have many abilities we've decided not to let on about." Impa said.
"Didn't help you avoid getting stuck in here." Eldrin commented.
"If I can find the exact moment someone enters the dungeon, I may have enough time to plan our escape." Impa answered.
"I'll hold you to that." Eldrin said, laying his head down and managing to drift off to the sound of Impa's fingers drumming against the walls of her cell. A short while later he was roused by a voice...not Impa's...it was a male voice. Eldrin quickly shot to his feet, looking into the darkness, an oil lamp illuminating a figure. "Who are you?!" he called out.
"A friend." Captain Yotin said as he turned to face him.
"We don't know that yet." Impa answered.
"Can you afford not to?" Yotin asked. "The King wants your head." he said looking at Impa. "And I've no idea what's in store for you, but it's nothing good." he said to Eldrin.
"You're right about that, at least." Eldrin answered with a shrug.
Yotin looked back at Impa, the woman giving a nod of agreement.
The Guard Captain quickly opened the cells, Impa's first and then Eldrin the two joining him in the corridor.
"Why are you doing this for us?" Eldrin asked.
"For starters, the King has lost his mind, what I saw last night makes me think I've been on the wrong side of history...and in addition to that, I'm not going to allow the death of a fellow Sheikah." Yotin explained.
"You don't look like one." Eldrin observed.
"He's half Hylian." Impa said as she hardened her gaze. "We need to get moving."
"What are you going to tell the other guards...and the King?" Eldrin queried.
"Well, I-" Yotin said, being cut off as Impa threw a jab into his face before she grabbed hit wrist, twisting his arm at an unnatural angle and throwing him into the bars, Yotin letting out a pained groan as he slid to the ground.
"Was that really necessary?!" Eldrin snapped.
"You got too close, I pulled you in, I disabled you and retrieved the keys, that's what you're going to tell everyone who asks how we escaped." Impa said.
"I'm not thanking you." Yotin said through gritted teeth.
"No one ever does." Impa said as she started towards the exit.
"I...um...sorry about that...thanks for your help." Eldrin said, giving Yotin a nod as he went after Impa.
oOo
Zelda strolled through the halls of the temple, clothed in a simple brown dress Seres had supplied her with. She had begun to feel much more confident in her surroundings as they were no longer alien to her, she had even walked the grounds, with a couple novitiates minding her of course. She still had yet to recount the events that led her to this place, but she got the feeling she didn't want to remember why she left the castle and she also couldn't shake the feeling she didn't want to return.
"There you are!" Seres called from behind.
"Oh, Seres, I've been looking for you." Zelda greeted her.
"It's a good thing I've found you, if you had gone through that door you would have ended up in our plague ward." Seres explained, glancing at the door at the end of the hall.
"Well, I was looking for it, actually, I hoped I may be able to help." Zelda answered.
"You have a kind heart, Sarina, but right now you should be focusing on regaining your full health and trying to remember how you came to be in the position we found you." Seres suggested.
"I just feel as if I'm only taking...and not giving anything back." Zelda replied.
"Yes, and that is our choice." Seres answered.
"This plague, do you know what's caused it?" Zelda asked, attempting to change the subject.
"People say that it's passed on by beasts, that they carry plague and disease with them. It all started with a village that was raided...the survivors contracted the plague and passed it on when settling in other areas." Seres explained. "But, the spread has stopped recently, thanks be to the Goddesses."
"I was thinking I could use my magic to ease their pain." Zelda said.
"Hm, I've been doing so myself, but honestly, I could use the help." Seres said.
"You have magic as well?" Zelda asked.
"I've always had it but...recently my potential has grown so much, just overnight my I developed a new type of magic." Seres answered.
"What do you mean?" Zelda asked.
"Before my magic was simple...and I didn't have much of a talent for using it, it's almost as if a new type of magic came to me...with it I can heal both plant and animal as well as commune with nature...and while I use it, sometimes I notice something." Seres said, hesitating for a moment but being reassured by a smile from Zelda. "I notice that when I call upon this magic, sometimes a green aura surrounds me."
Zelda felt recognition, tales of the Sages her parents told her when she was a child coming to mind. "Seres."
"Yes?" she responded.
"Have you ever considered that you...that you may be a-" Zelda began.
"There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" the High Priestess called as she came around the corner.
"High Priestess, please forgive, I was merely checking in on Sarina." Seres said.
"Well, it seems that Sarina is doing well...which I am happy about, but we need your help in the infirmary." the Priestess replied.
"Right...I...I'll be right there!" Seres answered. "I'm sorry Sarina, I have to go now...maybe we finish our conversation later." she said before hurrying after the High Priestess.
Zelda stood in the hallway for a moment, considering returning to her room before deciding to follow instead. She quietly made her way down the hall, turning one corner, then another and another before coming to the main room of the temple. She clung to the corner, watching as a man in tattered formal attire carried a dark-complexioned, red haired woman into the room, Zelda instantly recognizing her as a Gerudo.
"Please, my wife, she's been poisoned!" the man called out, multiple Priestesses and novitiates rushing to help them.
Zelda watched as they carried her to a room down the opposite hall, Seres following and the man going after her. The Princess slowly crept up on the room, listening as Seres called for the others to make way for her. The room went quiet, Zelda's attention snapping to the back of her hand, the Triforce mark that she was born with beginning to glow. She looked back to the door, a faint, green glow beginning to illuminate the space underneath it, causing her Triforce mark to react, glowing dimly.
"That's it, she should be stabilized now." Seres said.
Zelda took that as her cue to leave, making her way back to her room. She had gotten the confirmation she wanted, Seres is a Sage, but what this meant for her, she decided not to think about.
oOo
Levesque slumped in a corner, looking up at Zara as she rested, sweat glistening on her skin as her breathing slowly, but surely, returned to normal.
"Goddesses, how could I be so careless...I nearly killed you." he thought out loud "If there's one thing that's for certain, that was no normal Knight we were sent after...he had looked like a boy but showed greater skill than most sword masters."
Levesque extended an arm, shooting a spine into the wall. "How could he avoid them like that? It's not natural...I swear...if Thalmont knew what he was sending us into, then both he and Jakob Lirien are next...for you...and for Hauer." Levesque breathed deeply, the thought of leaving Hauer's lifeless body in the forest for animals to peck at left a pit in his stomach.
"And people assume I feel no guilt." he said quietly. Levesque turned around, crouching next to Zara and brushing her hair back away from her face. Rest easy, I'll be back soon."
He slipped out of his room and into the garden outside of the Temple unnoticed, retrieving a pipe from his pocket and beginning to stuff it with a selection of herbs when something caught his attention. "Who's there?" he called.
A young blonde girl peered around a tree, eyeing him cautiously.
"No need to be shy, I don't bite." Levesque said as she began to emerge. "I mean, I don't bite hard." he said, noticing with amusement as she stopped. "I'm just joking." he said with a laugh. "The only things doing the biting around here are these damn flies." he added as he slapped a mosquito out of the air.
"How is your wife?" Zelda asked as she took a seat near him.
"Much better now, thanks to your sisters." Levesque answered.
"Oh...they aren't my sisters...they helped me too." Zelda replied.
"Well, I did notice you were dressed differently, decided not to say anything, thought it would be rude and such." Levesque said.
"Did you say your wife was poisoned?" Zelda asked.
"Yes, not sure how, though. One moment we're walking through the forest towards Einden, then the next thing I know, she's quiet on the forest floor...took a guess and it turned out to be right." Levesque said.
"A snake perhaps." Zelda posited.
"Snakes aren't as dangerous as one may think." Levesque replied.
"Your wife is a Gerudo, is she not?" Zelda asked.
"What gave it away? The fact she looks just a like a Gerudo?" Levesque laughed. "But yes, she is, I met her at a festival seven years ago, the Goddesses blessed her with magic but for some reason she was restricted to pyromancy and only that...pyromancy is control over fire...by the way." Levesque said, Zelda nodding in understanding. "Her talents were being wasted there...so I extended her an offer and she decided to come with me."
"What kind of offer?" Zelda asked.
"To find out if she's the best pyromancer in existence of course." Levesque said with a grin.
Zelda smiled as she looked down, her grin vanishing as she noticed the bloodstains on his shins. "You're bleeding." she observed.
"Ah, I am...took a fall in the forest earlier...and with that said, I should go check in on my wife, it's been a pleasure making your acquaintance..."
"Sarina." Zelda answered. "And I've enjoyed your company as well.
"Good day to your, Sarina." Levesque said as he went back in side.
Zelda let out a long exhale, the strange feeling that the man gave off not letting up as much as she hoped it would, the Princess finding herself even more suspicious of the man now that he was not in her sight.
oOo
"We found this man sneaking around the shores of Lake Hylia near the entrance to our domain." one Zora guard said, shoving the soaking wet Hylian in front of him onto the ground, both Zora guards placing their serrated harpoon blades upon his neck.
The Zora King took on a serious expression, the guards watching nervously as he approached the man, raising his hand, his webbed fingers, ending in pointed claws, dragging across the man's face softly and slowly. "Tell me why you're here...if I believe you, I won't cut you open and throw you to the bone fish."
The man looked nervously to his captors and then back to the Zora King before nodding rapidly. "...I'm a sorcerer under the employ of King Gustav Nohansen Hyrule the second..."
"Why are you here?!" King Oranis hissed, digging his claws into the man's cheek.
"I was sent...to heal your daughter." the man answered, voice trembling.
"Why?" Oranis growled.
"If we were to help her...I was to come back later to take her...that was the idea." the sorcerer explained.
The guards and their prisoner gave a puzzled look as the King let out a short laugh, smiling as he tilted his eyes downward, suddenly going silent, his lips contorting into a snarl. In one fluid motion, the King tore his claws across the man's cheek, knocking him to the ground and spraying blood upon the floor. "Go...go back to Hyrule,you royalist puppet! Tell your masters that their enemies have a new ally...do I make myself clear?!"
"Y...y...yes!" the man stammered.
"See him out!" Oranis shouted.
The guards nodded, dragging the man out of the room and to the edge of a large waterfall.
"Wait...I-" the man said.
"Good luck." one of the guards remarked before they tossed him over.
oOo
Blackmoore stifled a scream as he tumbled through the raging waters, relief washing over him as Koume and Kotake's trans-location spell took effect. The former Minister falling flat on his stomach, coughing up water while pushing himself back up onto his feet using his right hand, the left covering his shredded cheek.
"Aye, look what he did to me!" Blackmoore yelled.
"Quit your whining, boy." Koume replied.
"Nothing a bit of red potion can't fix." Kotake added.
"I used to be Lord Ganondorf's eyes and ears within the castle...I did everything he asked...and this is how I am to be repaid?" Blackmoore hissed.
"You're the only Hylian we had who fit the part." Koume laughed.
"You snivel quite well." Kotake chimed in, the witches cackling in unison as Blackmoore looked on, a thinly veiled anger taking hold.
"Don't you dare try to turn your magic on us, child." Kotake called.
"Or we'll return the favor tenfold." Koume responded.
"Fine." Blackmoore shrugged, generating an aura of heat around himself to dry his clothing.
"Oh, I think we might be late!" Koume said.
"Ah, yes!" Kotake agreed. "No time to waste!"
"Late? For what?" Blackmoore asked.
"Just come!" both witches called.
Blackmoore sighed before following as Kotake beckoned him over, the three disappearing in a flash as Koume called upon another trans-location spell.
oOo
Osfala and Rutelis weaved their way through the crowds of soldiers, drawing a few glances here and there.
"What's going on? Why are there soldiers every where?" Rutelis asked.
"My old master Sahasrahla used to say that; to demonstrate their worth, the High Lords of Hyrule would take a large part of their armies to the Castle to show that they are a valuable asset to the royal family...and one that shouldn't be trifled with." Osfala answered, quietly.
"They don't seem to like us being around here very much." Rutelis replied.
Both Rutelis and Osfala wore apprentice sorcerer's robes, garb that was highly unusual to see in the midst of armored soldiers.
"Pay no mind to them." Osfala demanded. "We have to find someone of higher status than Rosso when it comes to finding Link...he's been missing for nearly two days."
"Is this not normal for him?" Rutelis asked.
"I...I just have a bad feeling about this." Osfala replied.
The sound of dozens of different conversations melding into one incoherent noise only grew louder as the two entered the main hall, the two stopping to survey the crowd.
"Maybe we can find Captain Yotin or the woman Link was with when he left." Rutelis suggested.
Osfala made to answer when a gloved hand suddenly gripped his shoulder, the Sage spinning around to find the very object of their search staring back at him. "Link...what...where have you been?"
The Hero was visibly exhausted, his clothes damp and torn, his hair matted and stringy. "No where...has something happened in Castle Town...or is this just a traditional show of force?"
"I believe...the latter." Osfala replied.
"Thought so." Link responded, narrowing his eyes at the masses of soldiers, a few Knights standing among them. "Where's Jakob?"
"We haven't seen him." Osfala answered.
"Might have better luck if you asked one of them." Rutelis said, gesturing towards the nearest Knight.
"I don't think we've been acquainted." Link said, a tired and off-putting tone to his voice.
"I'm Rutelis, sir, son of King Oranis and Prince of the River Zora."
Link cast his eyes down as Rutelis extended a webbed hand, the Hero taking it and shaking it with the vigor of a dying animal before looking over at the stairs. "It was good to see the two of you are well, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get washed up, rest some and then retrieve some of my rupees in order to buy my armor back from a witch in the forest."
"Um, yes...of course." Osfala said, nodding as Link turned and headed away from him.
"He is an odd fellow." Rutelis commented.
"Odd is a relative term when it comes to Sir Link." Osfala answered.
"You two!" a voice boomed, the duo turning to find Minister Svelheim stalking towards him. "Where have you been?"
"We were simply looking for a friend, my Lord." Osfala said.
The Minister sighed while looking upon the two. "There will be time for that later, now follow me, the King ordered all Sorcerers and Mages to meet an hour ago...we've been waiting for you."
"Fantastic." Osfala whispered sarcastically, Rutelis nodding in agreement.
oOo
Bastion helped Ganondorf down the stairs to the main room of the Clock Tower, their newest lair, as they readied for their newest and most enigmatic ally's arrival. The Demon King hated to show it, but his attempt at opening the gate had taken a massive toll on his already weakened body.
"Not much further now." Bastion said as they turned, reaching the last flight.
"Don't talk down to me, boy." Ganon growled.
"I am merely doing my best to serve you, my Lord." Bastion answered as the two reached the final step.
"Shall I send for him?" Veran asked as Ganondorf eased into his seat, his brow furrowing as he cast his gaze downwards. "One moment."
"Master, are you in need of something? Maybe a-" Koume began.
"Silence!" Ganondorf growled, forcing himself upright on his new throne, his dulled, golden eyes fixed on the door. "I am...ready."
Veran nodded as she waved her hand, the doors gently gliding open, she, Ganondorf, Bastion, Blackmoore, Koume and Kotake watching as Yuga strode into the room with an unmatched confidence, a nearly manic grin embossed onto his face.
"Lord Ganondorf, thank you for having me, it is truly an honor!" Yuga said, taking a deep and enthusiastic bow.
Ganon grit his teeth as he looked upon the man in front of him, he looked like more of a court jester than he did a sorcerer. "Spare me your theatrics. You're here to answer my questions, not attempt to flatter me."
"Oh yes, of course." Yuga grinned.
"How is it that you know how to open my gate?" Ganondorf hissed.
"Is it truly yours, though?" Yuga asked, the others in the room quickly turning to look at Ganondorf, the Demon King keeping up an uncharacteristically calm demeanor.
"I know who I am." Ganon began. "I tire of your non-answers."
"I've been looking for you for a very long time." Yuga replied. "I too come from a Kingdom that shuns my people, I too found myself at odds with a princess and a Hero...but I hadn't the same power you do. I searched for many years and finally found myself searching through scrolls instead of books...it was there I found it, partially eaten by insects and hidden in the dark confines of an abandoned castle, a ritual needed for opening a gate that would grant me the power of the Demon King himself."
Ganondorf's eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed as he looked upon Yuga. "You sought to take my power?"
"Not take...join with you...you see...the ritual failed because you weren't on the other side when I reached out what's left of you on the other side of that gate only answers to you." Yuga explained.
Everyone, Yuga included, looked on in confusion as Ganondorf began to laugh, the Demon King standing and approaching the sorcerer. "You're asking me for help."
"As much as I loathe to admit it, yes." Yuga answered. "I want help returning home."
Where is your "home"?" Veran interjected.
"Somewhere so, very far away that it is all but lost to me. A land with it's own Hero, with who's blood I conducted the ritual." Yuga, replied.
"Your land's hero must not be as strong as ours." Bastion commented.
"I know I said we're at odds...but he may or may not know that yet. I was the court appointed healer, you see." Yuga laughed.
"Whatever you may mean by that...I am in need of that scroll." Ganondorf said, holding out a hand.
The group watched, Yuga hesitating for a moment before reaching into his robes and producing it, holding out towards the Demon King. "Do I have your word that you will hold up your end of our bargain?"
"If this ritual works, I'll do what I can." Ganondorf responded. "IF...it works."
Yuga looked off to the side, grumbling quietly before looking back at Ganondorf. "Fine, I expect to be kept apprised of goings on around here." Yuga said before briskly exiting the chamber.
"Lord Ganondorf, do you truly believe this man?" Bastion asked.
"If it works, I will gladly send him back to wherever he came from, if not, there will be no evidence that he ever existed once I am finished with him." Ganondorf said as he turned and headed towards the stairs, a returned strength in his step as he held the scroll in-hand.
oOo
Link laid down, for the moment unable to force himself to his feet, bathing had proved more tiring than he had ever though it could be and he more than anything wanted to rest. He thought about how he had a duty to repay Irene for her services, yet Veran had sent him to Hyrule field instead. Link's attention was suddenly taken back to that moment, Veran and Bastion had an ideal opportunity...and they hadn't taken it. Instead, they had shown him the force Ganondorf had amassed, creatures, beasts and warriors who had been waiting for his return had come from all corners of the five lands to support him, it was more than he thought Ganon could drum up and more than Hyrule had, this he knew.
Any moment he expected a knock at the door, the activity outside not having died down at all, the battalions would need their leaders, the Knights, and fortunately at times and unfortunately during others, he was one.
The Hero was roused from his thoughts as a knock came at the door, he pondered who it could be, considering for a moment that it may be Jakob, Link knowing he'd have a hard time not stabbing him on the spot...it would be less than he deserved. With a quiet groan, Link got to his feet and started towards the door to his chamber, hesitating for a moment before finally electing to open the door. As the hero opened the door, he hadn't an idea how to react, staring in stunned confusion as none other than the Queen of Hyrule stood in his doorway.
"Sir Link...a moment of your time?"
oOo
Jakob settled into his chair in the council room, shifting uncomfortably as the other minister's took their seats. He'd heard the rumors, Link had simply walked into the castle looking soaked and ragged but no less alive. If he could survive against the three assassins he'd sent without sustaining any serious injuries...Jakob stopped that thought from going any further...if Sir Link came after him...he'd be ready. Jakob took note of Thalmont's entrance, the way he made apprehensive eye contact with Jakob showed that he'd heard the rumors too...and he knew that meant.
Jakob's thoughts were taken from this, however as Lord Stern strode into the room, giving Jakob an amused glance before dropping himself into the seat that formerly belonged to Impa, the King taking his seat at the head of the table soon after.
"As you may know, due to her treasonous actions, Impa has been removed from the council and I've instated the Queen's brother, Varden Stern as the new minister of defense." the King began. "But with the changing times I've decided to change the title, you will refer to Lord Stern as the minister of war from here on out."
"As long as he still reports to me." Jakob remarked.
"Behave yourself, Jakob." the King said wryly, Stern giving Jakob an amused glance.
Lord Stern placed a fist on the table, looking over the other ministers. "We've recently learned Termina is being invaded by an enemy force, one that has no interest in stopping there, you've all been called here as Hyrule's most powerful nobles, to direct any able bodied men and women along with any wealth you can spare to the crown, as we may be at a disadvantage."
"A disadvantage? How? Hyrule has the largest military and the most powerful sorcerers in the five lands." Lady Lywater argued.
"I second that, I don't see why only now this would be asked of us." Minister Crenissa answered.
"Minister Talon." Stern said.
The minister of health cleared his throat as he looked over the other ministers. "There's a plague sweeping through the smaller villages that has begun spreading to the larger ones...it has gone, for the most part, unchecked and has now had a substantial impact on the amount of conscripts we could take from those villages."
"Do we not already have a great army?" Minister Kalwin answered, his voice a mix of confusion and fear.
"We do, but for Termina to send for our aid when relations between our countries are in their current state...I'd say that points to our enemy's forces being even greater." Stern replied.
"I'll send word to Labrynna and Holodrum, surely they'll be interested in allying with us." Minister Thalmont said.
"No." the King growled. "This is our fight, their only part in it will be watching is handle it ourselves."
"The Goddesses will see us through this." Minister Kalwin said, mostly to himself.
"Maybe we can speak to the Zora and the Gorons...they may be willing to help." Lady Lywater suggested.
"Maybe the Gorons, but King Oranis of the Zora has little love for Hyrule or Hylians." Jakob replied.
"Ha, he still calls himself a King." Gustaf said. "He's no more of a King than a bird is of the tree it sits in, maybe watching us repel an invasion force army convince him to bow to me."
"Maybe...or maybe he'll join them." Thalmont replied.
"You dare think-?" the King began.
"He has a point, my King." Stern said. "We should be keeping a close eye on them."
"Then see to it, for in a week's time, we'll be marching on Termina." the King said.
"I'll work as fast as I can." Stern replied.
"If I may." Lady Lywater cut in. "Has there been any news of your daughter? Or Impa for that matter?"
"Still your tongue." The King said in a low voice. "Or I may find it fit to vacate your seat and find someone else to fill it."
"I was merely trying to-" Lady Lywater began.
"Impa will be found and hanged and Zelda will come running back eventually...and that's all there is to it." the King snarled. "We've covered everything I had planned, I take my leave of you, now." Gustaf said before getting up and storming out, slamming the door behind him.
The ministers sat in stunned silence before rising from their seats, packing up their parchments and departing from the room, Jakob making to leave when Stern called after him.
"If you would please make this short, I must be having a word with Lord Thalmont." Jakob said.
Stern chuckled as he stood, eyeing the door for a moment. "I know what you came here for today."
"What do you mean?" Jakob asked.
"You want to remove Gustaf from the throne...I want that too."
oOo
Hello everyone, I apologize for how long it's been, there have been some circumstances in my life that have made it hard to keep up with updates as much as I would like to, but I'll continue to do my best. I want you all to know that I won't abandon this story. Anyway, thank you for hearing me out!
Ultimate Blazer: I wasn't expecting Yuga either, honestly, I thought of a few different characters who could be in his place, but seeing as I'm including ALBW characters in this he seemed to fit naturally! Thanks for the review, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Generala: The thing that always annoyed me most about the games when I was younger is how the events were set in a certain order and you had to complete them in that order to advance. In Breath of the Wild they took that away and made the game open world so you could go fight Ganon right away if you wanted...and that would never end well. I wanted to show that Link was frustrated with having to follow things in a certain order before attaining certain goals while also showing what would happen if he acted too soon, in essence, his first confrontation with Ganondorf in this story. By now you know that Jakob planned an insurrection, but he wasn't ready for the King to have an army within Castle grounds as well. Jakob has plans, but how far he's willing to go with them remains to be seen.
LoruleanHeart: Sorry for how slow the updates are, I'm hoping I can pick up the pace soon! Seres and Yuga are both going to be very important going forward, as you can see this chapter developed them quite a bit more, I'm excited for where their stories will take them! I'm really glad you liked how I portrayed Irene! I don't know much about her character so I just decided to characterize her by the vibe her character art gave me. Thank you for the review, I'll try to get the next chapter out faster!
Some of you may be surprised to see this chapter out before the next update in my other ongoing LoZ story, but when it comes to "The Prince of Demons", I'm having some trouble figuring out where to go so I'm going to take a little time to outline the story more while continuing to work on this one!
Lastly, thank you to all of those who clicked favorite and follow on my stories and my profile!
Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
-Prometheus17