"Champions...Friends of Old.
I've neglected your powers, your gifts.
Please, once more, grant me your power so that I may protect those I love.
Revali, Duruk, Urbosa, and Mipha.
Grant me your strength again."
Link took a deep breath through his nose. The scents of the wild air did wonders for his stressed body. He yawned loudly and laid back in the saddle, lying flat across Epona's back.
Above him, dotting the blue sky, were Rito scouts wearing Hyrule soldier armor, they were scouts and were ready to fly ahead to check out the fortress.
"Link, stop that!" Zelda chastised the hero. "That's not how you ride a horse."
"Says the novice." He retorted casually, eyes closed and his hands behind his head. "Your stirrups aren't buckled properly."
The soldiers behind them snickered at their bickering, whispering behind to the ones who didn't hear what had happened, more giggles followed.
"Ugh, never mind." Zelda huffed, unconsciously staring down at her stirrups which, now that she noticed, were indeed not buckled correctly. She pet the stallion's mane. "Forgive me, Rhoam."
"I happen to enjoy this." Twilight stretched, arms raised. "It's pretty warm today, I half-expected it to snow when we moved out, I guess Winter is coming late this year."
"That I hope for." Sidon shuddered slightly, riding behind Agahnim and Tennessee with his fellow companions.
"What's wrong? Scared of a little cold?" Riju teased.
"It's not the cold." The Fish Prince said matter-of-factly. "It's being frozen that concerns me..."
Shade looked over his shoulder for moment, grumbling something under his ghostly breath before continuing onward, shoulders sagged with guilt.
"It should, Zora." Agahnim remarked. "That's a fate that has be-fallen many of your kind...often by Ganon's hands and magic."
"Why do you think I wanted to join you?" Sidon flashed a grin. "I've only ever heard about Ganondorf through stories, given that he wasn't born in my lifetime, or even my father's. Yet, I heard that he did seek to hurt my people. So after seeing him in the flesh the other day, I'm more than willing to seek him out and destroy him, for the sake of my people."
"You'd be wise to not do something so rash, Sidon." Link said from his laid-back position. "Ganon is quite powerful in his current state, we'd need Shade's magic to fully defeat him, and then some."
"I concur." Riju nodded. "I have plenty of reason for wanting him dead as well, yet I'd rather not fight with imprudence in the face of death."
"Fair Point." Sidon shrugged, looking past the Chief and to the Rito Champion. "On the topic, what about you, Teba? Surely you have reason to join us as well."
The warrior shook his head slightly. "I have no recollection of Ganon or his forces ever doing anything sinister to my people in the past, only in the present with Vah Medoh and Master Revalli."
"So, you fight for your people today?"
"My People, my Family." He nodded. "Yes."
"Good man." Sidon laughed heartily. "Now, Yunobo, what is your means for battle?"
"We Gorons love a fight, so I'm sure we've held back Ganon's attempts to wipe us out plenty of times." The formerly-chubby Goron mused. "While I'm sure that the Heroes of Old aided us then, it still doesn't change the fact that Gorons possibly died to Ganon's villainy. So I fight for the honor of the fallen."
"Well, ain't life grand?" Link snarked, still laid back.
Everyone laughed, devolving into bawbling chat as they journeyed further down the road. The Central Fortress was in-sight the entire time and Rito Scouts were dispatched to survey the area and enemy that dwelled within.
Twilight waved them down, their report rather positive despite the circumstances. It appeared that a Bokoblin army of Ten thousand or more had taken in that fortress.
"Nothing special then." Tennessee smiled proudly. "We'll take then on in a full assault, overwhelm them with superior numbers."
"No." Twilight shook his head, fiddling with his green tunic. "We work to prevent unnecessary loss of life, not promote it."
"Indeed." Link nodded. "Move the army back, around the mountain and into the Passeri Greenbelt. We'll set up camp out there, just a bit aways from them."
"Camp, sir?" One soldier questioned. "Wouldn't they attack us?"
"It takes time to plan an effective attack, if they see our numbers, they will hesitate." Link frowned. "But be on alert and keep the tents ready to be taken down at any moment. Dismissed."
Slowly, the massive army turned face and moved back down the road towards the Castle, breaking off the path to go around the mountain and into Hyrule field proper. With a great view of the side of the Fortress, they had been behind it, they began to set up a main camp, with many tents and a large command one.
It took about an hour to do so, with some help from the more-experienced Heroes and Princess.
"Link, what are planning to do?" Zelda inquired as they walked through the camp. "It's not like you to deny a battle."
"As much as my own blood boils for a battle, I'm not stupid." Link frowned. "Agahnim thinks that there is humanity in the Bokoblins and other monsters, so I'm willing on a compromise. There is a way to end this without either side getting hurt."
"Which is?"
He began to walk away to his tent. "You'll see."
Zelda frowned, crossing her arms and huffing. "Fine."
"Ro, gaze out!" Taven's accented voice hollered from her tent, pointing behind the young Zora.
Ro looked up from his tent, blinked and turned 'round, coming face to face with a giant blue blob with two little eyes. "WAH!" He jumped back, staring in confusion at the giant mass of slime. "Ew! What in Rutela's name is that thing!?"
"It's a chuchu, nasty bugg'rs." Taven walked over, sword drawn.
The lady of war thrust it into the Chu-Chu's "belly", the creature bursting into a collection of slime blobs, tucking her black hair back as she sheathed her sword.
"Gross, what're these?" Ro knelt down, grabbing one and squeezing it, it popped in his hand, a slimy liquid running through his fingers. "Ugh, disgusting!"
"ChuChu Jelly." They turned around to see Link passing by, not even looking at them as he rounded a corner and continued on. "Keep them on hand, they're pretty useful when elementally charged."
Blinking, the two shrugged to each other and collected the little slime blobs, slipping them into their packs.
"Does he have a quarrel?" Taven asked, setting her pouch away and fixing up her tent. "It's odd f'r the General to disuade from a fight, especially with monsters."
"I think he mentioned a plan that he came up with that Agahnim guy." Ro mused, slipping off his helmet and shaking his head.
"Wait, the Gerudo boy?" Taven frowned.
"I think he's in his twenties actually, he's almost as tall as Captain Twilight."
"Either way, I don't like the look of 'im, he looks fishy, no offense. I doubt he's truly on our side." Taven sat inside her tent across from the Zora. "What'd you think of him?"
"I..." Ro frowned and scratched behind his gills. "I'm not too sure about it, he seems rather sincere in his efforts."
"...Well, I'm still not sure." The raven-haired Hylian huffed.
The day continued on, with little to no action. This made the soldiers restless, but was quickly relieved when Link, Twilight, Zelda, and Shade went about the camp.
The Princess and Spectre made small talk with the army, easing their worries, even if they were a bit frightful near Shade. Link and Twilight observed training drills and made selective choices to send some men out on hunting parties in the plains and forests.
Overall, the day went by fast and soon, the sun dipped into the horizon. Link walked through the rows of tents, a certain scent catching his attention.
"Herbs?" He murmured, walking towards a tent with a bright-red cross on the flap. He entered and was met with a hastily-built doctor's room.
Off to the side, dabbling with some ingredients, was Levia. A few stray strands of her blonde hair sticking out from her glasses' rim, giving a rather ragged feel to her appearance.
She wrinkled her nose as a potion curdled and fizzled. She set it to the side and turned around, wiping her glasses off before catching sight of him.
"Gah! Whoa, Goddesses, you scared me half to death!" She growled. "Next time, say something!"
"Hehe, sorry." Link put his hand on the back of his head, grinning. "I just didn't expect to see you here."
"Neither did I." She sighed, turning back around. "Shouldn't you be resting? Your injuries are far from healed."
"On the contrary, they are indeed healed." He rolled up his sleeve to show off his arm, the scratches and bruises there faded.
Levia stepped forward and took his arm, studying his skin intently for several moments. Then she scoffed, letting his arm drop.
"I take it that Agahnim guy did something?" She crossed her arms. "His magic is quite top-notch if I hear correctly."
"Yep, better than yours I suppose."
"Hmph!" She huffed. "Whatever, he won't be everywhere at once, so I still have to do my part. It's in my blood to help those in need."
"Oh?" Link raised an eyebrow, leaning on a table. "Are you descended from ancient heroes like myself?"
"Of course not, Baka." She rolled her eyes. "I was descended from Knights, but not heroes. My family has been dabbling and mixing witchcraft and swordsmanship for years, ever since the Era of the Sky. That's when my earliest ancestor was about."
"What was his name?" Link inquired.
"Her name." Levia corrected. "It was Karane, she was a 'sky knight' or something like that."
"Rather odd name for someone back then." Link mused.
"Says the guy who's entire line of ancestors share the same name." Levia retorted flatly. "I bet even if there was a female version of you, it'd still be the same name."
"Ha! What? Linkle?" Link teased.
"Whatever, just get out, I'm busy." She shooed him out. "And don't get any soldiers killed!"
Link laughed as he stepped out and closed the flap behind him. He looked up to see the moon on the horizon, a blanket of darkness having fallen over the fortress. Earlier, you could've heard the Bokoblins within, but now it was all quiet.
As he walked, he squinted up at the harrowing structure, faint lights of torches marked along the towers and walls, obviously where archers were placed.
Needless to say, his plan on sneaking in would be tricky.
He stepped into his tent, already peeling off his bracers and straps. Moving about the room while stripping his Champion's tunic off, he gathered a pair of clothes from the chest kept in his room in the castle, brought with him for the journey.
Standing in his boxers, he laid the Sheikah Stealth armor across the center table. Inspecting the material for wear, he began to formulate a good plan, his strategic mind already plotting different methods of infiltration and possible assassination.
"No, No." He muttered to himself. "Remember the plan."
He began putting on the Stealth outfit, adjusting it accordingly and pulling the black face-mask over his mouth, the large white scarf around his neck, his blonde hair tied into a topknot.
He felt ready as ever.
He strapped the Master Sword to his back, forgoing his shield since it would make too much noise. He kept a sheikah short-blade in his belt, along with a lightweight Knight's bow.
The tent flap opened, and in walked Agahnim. The Former was dressed in a black shirt and baggy black pants, dark golden gauntlets on his wrists. Patterns moved across his trousers and shirt that gave it an eerie, but clear look to them. They were obviously enchanted to be more stealthy. He wore a black hood to hide his face and used a short-blade that was strapped to back.
"You ready?" Agahnim inquired. "We're burning moonlight."
"Yeah, have Twilight and Shade done their part?" Link adjusted his gloves.
"Yes, there have been sightings of two wolves on the opposite side of the fortress. A grey one and a gold one" Agahnim smirked. "They seemed quite scary, so the guard has doubled on that side, while the guard on this side has been reduced to a few sentries and archers."
"Excellent." Link nodded. "Let's head out."
Quietly, the two exited the tent and ran along the outside of the camp, making nary a noise in the tall grass. They moved through the field under a shroud of darkness and eerie quietness, up to the giant black wall of the fortress. A row of spikes around the base to prevent someone from climbing it.
"Ready?" Agahnim whispered, holding his hands out to boost him.
"Born Ready." Link stepped into Agahnim's hands and was tossed high into the air. With a quiet yelp, he reached forward and grabbed onto a snag in the wall. He turned back to see Agahnim leap of the spikes and onto the wall, climbing up to join him.
Together, they scaled the massive wall, climbing closer and closer to the top, while stopping every now and again to catch their breath from the tedious task.
But, at one point Agahnim looked down to see if Link was alright, eyes widening upon looking past the hero.
"Link..." He sighed quietly, annoyance in his voice.
"Huh?" Link looked up. Agahnim nodded his head downwards, past him. Link looked down to the ground, seeing another figure climbing up after them.
Someone in Sheikah garb.
"Oh, for Farore's sake." Link groaned.
They waited for Zelda to catch up with them, hanging loosely off the wall with their feet planted in little nooks to preserve stamina. When the Princess got up to them, she was quite out of breath and copied their pose to do the same.
"Zelda, why did you follow us!?" Link yell-whispered, waving his hand around frantically.
"Link, I am Not a damsel in distress anymore..!" She hissed. "Not to mention I am completely capable of a stealth mission, especially now."
"Sorry, Princess." Agahnim said. "Gotta agree with Link, we chose two for this because it meant less people to worry about."
"Besides, do you even know what we plan to do?" Link asked.
"Well, I assume you'd assassinate this 'King Bokoblin', or what have you." She frowned. "Rather barbaric if you ask me."
"Strategy." Agahnim said matter-of-factly.
"Zelda, we don't plan on killing him." Link nodded to Agahnim. "According to Agahnim, these Bokoblins have a hierarchy based on those who're strong. They pledge themselves to those stronger than them, so we're gonna beat their leader into submission."
"And if that doesn't work?" Zelda inquired.
Agahnim looked at his triforce, the mark glowing sinisterly.
"We persuade him." He said simply.
"Look, I don't agree with this." Zelda muttered. "But I want you to know, you don't have to keep protecting me. I can handle myself."
"Zelda, I though the same about myself..." Link frowned sadly. "That only led me to a grave."
Link turned around continued climbing, looking back for a split moment.
"I know you understand..."
Zelda paled at bit, fully knowing his meaning well.
His death. Everything that had happened to them.
The Traumas and Loss.
Now that she thought of it, these moments had slipped by them, hadn't they?
His memories, the past, everything really.
They had become so wrapped up in the present, they forgot that past still needed to be remembered, especially for Link. His memory was still incomplete and she had simply forgotten about it.
Did he still had flashbacks? Had he had any while she wasn't around?
Questions filled her mind as she stared at her gloved hands on the smooth black wall.
"Princess." Agahnim's voice snapped her back to attention. "I don't agree with you following us, but you're more than welcome to join. Just be stealthy, please?"
"No Problem." She nodded firmly, climbing up after them.
A faint light gleamed off the platform as the Bokoblin standing atop meandered over the stiff plans. It grumbled to itself when it heard a noise coming from up the wall, bow aimed down as it peered over the edge.
Nothing.
It grumbled once more, turning around to continue looking. Perhaps scouting out the Hylian's encampment a short distance away.
It never got the chance as it was knocked unconscious via a heavy blow to the head.
"Nice Hit." Link murmured to Agahnim, helping Zelda up onto the platform. The Gerudo quickly snuck over and blew out the flames on the nearby torch, bathing them in darkness so they could observe the fortress unheeded and unseen.
"I have to admit..." Link squatted down, peering across the structure. "Ganon knows how to make a decent fort."
The Fortress was divided into four sections. The main gate, which had a courtyard with a good amount of the Bokoblins lurking in the darkness there. The 2nd and 3rd yards, each separated by another Gate, each holding a building that either held weapons or food.
Then finally, the throne room, so to speak. It's entrance was up high and at the top of a large flight of stairs, if someone was to challenge the leader, they couldn't bring an army with them without it being tedious and cramped on the way up.
The room itself was long and had several shutter windows, their way in.
"This place is built to last." Agahnim frowned. "Getting in was too easy, but this'll be rather difficult since we don't know the interior's layout."
"We'll sneak in through the windows and stick to shadows, until we can make a good assessment." Link hooked his fingers on the platform's side, hopping off the side. Dangling from his fingertips, he let go and landed on the wall pathway with a muffled thump, Zelda and Agahnim followed.
A sentry along the wall began to move towards them, lantern raised high and horn at the ready to warn his comrades. Zelda noticeably stiffened upon catching sight of him, four needles sliding into her fist from between her fingers.
"No!" Agahnim hissed, holding his arm over her chest. "No killing, that won't help us at all. We need to be in and out, no complications."
Zelda frowned, but nodded, the needles withdrawing into her sleeve, another set replacing them in her hand, a green liquid dripping from them.
With expert skill and aim, she tossed them across the walkway and into the Bokoblin's neck. It had just enough time to reach up and pull one out before the poison took effect, making it fall unconscious, the lantern clattering nosily to the stone.
Link wasted no time, quietly sprinting over and extinguishing the flame. Agahnim took a moment to check the Bokoblin, finding it simply knocked out, he gave a silent nod to the Princess in appreciation.
Link motioned for his companions to follow, contiuing along the wall until they reached the long side of the Throne room. Unfortunatly, the stone there was a solid, smooth black obsidian, impossible to scale.
Having to improvise, Link had Agahnim boost him and Zelda up, then he pulled the Gerudo up as well. They jumped a few gaps until they reached the window, the metal shutters closed tight.
This mattered little, as with a wave of his hand, Agahnim released the lock and the shutters slowly and quietly opened, allowing them to slip inside unnoticed.
The hall main hall was lined with black banners and a gray carpet down the center, leading into the rotunda. What was of peculiar interest was the large dark wall a in the center of the room, it's surface appeared to move unnaturally, as if made of jelly.
"Odd." Link peered around. "We are alone, I hear nobody in here."
"Let's search around then." Zelda suggested.
"Alright, but remember, keep to the shadows."
They moved down from the window and onto the marble floor, their footsteps muffled as they began to spread out through the room.
The ceiling was tall and a single chandelier hung in the main room, candles shone a dim light onto the room, casting deep shadows that embraced the intruders.
Zelda moved towards the rotunda, unable to see any thrones or chairs whatsoever, just this moving wall that seemed to cast darker shadows than those present.
"Anything?" Link's hushed voice called out.
"Nothing." Agahnim replied.
Zelda slowly eased out of her hiding place near the corner, stepping silently across the room and towards the center. Standing a few feet from the black wall that formed an arena of sorts, bigger than the Sanctum back in Hyrule Castle.
"What is this stuff?" She murmured, reaching out to touch it.
A hand grabbed her quickly, she turned in surprise to see Agahnim.
"Don't." He warned cooly. "This is dark magic, observe."
He released her and held his own hand out, his Triforce glowing gold. The wall seemed to react in fear, attempting to move away from the holy light.
"Fascinating..." Zelda said in wonder.
Link walked up to them. "They'll be plenty of time to study it later, Zelda." He jabbed his thumb behind him. "We need to find their leader and quick, before we are discovered ourselves."
Suddenly, a loud clap resounded through the room. The lights flashed on, dissipating all shadows and startling the trio. They moved to draw their weapons as they turned around in haste.
On the stairways on both sides, leading up to a outdoor balcony, were at least four Archers on both sides, arrows trained right on them.
But that wasn't what made them freeze...
It was what was behind them, there stood a bulbous monster the size of a Lynel...
No, it Was a lynel.
"Then by all means, you've found me." It chuckled, speech eloquently, with a slight accent similar to Zelda's. "Now, now, don't tell you're surprised."
The Princess and her Knight looked taken aback, but Agahnim seemed more or less unfazed.
"Fenrir, we were just looking for you." The Gerudo nodded his head.
"Oh, I heard everything." The Lynel, Fenrir, chuckled. "Tell me, False King. What was your plan upon finding me?"
"Well, I happen to be very Charming, so maybe my wits outta win you over, correct?"
"Very droll, False King." Fenrir snorted. "Tell me, if Ganon is the Dark Lord, are you the Bright Lord?"
"It'd look great on a business card." Agahnim shrugged.
Fenrir chuckled, turning to Link and Zelda. "Ah, yes. The Queen of Hyrule and her Loyal Knight."
He bowed comically, showing off a bronze crown fit snugly around his head. "King Bokoblin at your service, but you may call me by my birthname, Fenrir."
"She's just a Princess, actually." Agahnim corrected. "Not married quite yet."
"All the same then!" Fenrir laughed, turning to the Archers behind him. "I'll be fine boys, go back to patrol."
They nodded wordlessly and left the room, Fenrir turning back to face them again, a smirk on his face.
"Y-You're a lynel." Zelda stuttered out, eyes wide as saucers in shock.
"Well, what were you expecting, a Bokoblin?"
"Um...Yes?" She gulped. "Y-you are 'King Bokoblin' after all..."
"Goddesses no!" Fenrir snorted. "Those creatures are far too simple-minded, as intelligent as they may be, to run a fully-fledged system of government. The process is quite complicated for Bokoblins, however their counterparts, the Bulbins, in the past have possessed the smarts to do such a thing, like King Bulbin of the Twilight Era.'
"...You talk...fancy." Link noted, bewildered.
"Of course, haven't you ever thought Lynels were just as smart as they were tough?" Fenrir questioned.
"No...Although, I did notice some sophistication behind their movements." Link scratched his head. "They would stare me down, waiting for me to make a move, instead of coming right after me."
Link cringed. 'Oh great, I'm having a conversation with a Lynel, ain't that grand...'
"Indeed." Fenrir motioned to the side. "Please, follow me."
They walked around the center wall, the lights showing off golden finishes to the room previously unseen in the darkness. Tables and chairs were laid out, along with a special one designed just for Fenrir.
It wasn't a throne room, but an arena.
Zelda tilted her head and stared up at Fenrir, his mane was Golden with red highlights, obviously meaning he was one of the newer, rarer breeds that'd just started appearing. His body was covered in scars, similar to his kin. He wore what amounted to as light armor, most likely relying in his natural resistance in combat instead of armor.
He looked like a warrior king than a savage lynel.
"Now, I am a wise creature." Fenrir said, trotting over to table with an assortment of chalices and kegs. "I suggest we keep this Civil...but first, take off your masks. You look silly in the light."
He poured a purple liquid into one and drank from it, a gleam in his eyes. Agahnim pulled down his hood, Link and Zelda did the same with their face masks.
Fenrir stopped mid-sip, staring at Link for a moment, before gulping the rest down.
"Now, you want me to either join your side, or die for Ganon's favor..." He folded his arms, blue eyes narrowed. "Is that correct?"
"In a way." Link put his hands on his belt. "I've killed many of your kin with this sword alone, no shield needed."
"Hmm...Yes, I know." Fenrir smirked. "The Lynel you fought a few nights ago was my brother. He walks the Fields of the Dead if I hear correctly."
"Indeed, would you like to settle the score?"
"Of course not." Fenrir scoffed. "Zataro died a warrior's death, but he was weak, and I am not foolish enough to pursue vengeance for a weakling."
"Alright then, what do you propose so that we may ally themselves." Link folded his arms.
Fenrir motioned to the stage, the chairs, the throne, and arena.
"You've noticed the Arena?"
"Yes."
"You've noticed that dark magic is at play?"
"Mm-Hm."
"Then that is your answer." He held up his finger. "But I must warn you, you will not face monsters, at least not of the present."
"Present?" Link frowned.
"He summons those of the past. Your past." Agahnim said, gaze cold. "He has the power to look into your previous battles and summon your opponent for you to face once more."
"A useful power gifted to me by the true king." Fenrir grinned. "But what the false king doesn't know is that I don't just choose any simple battle, but the ones that affected you the most emotionally. It'll be not just a physical battle, but a mental one as well."
"Sound challenging." Link snarked, then smirked. "I'll do it."
"Link!" Zelda hissed. "This is a terrible idea, your mental state couldn't possibly handle such a fight."
Link shrugged. "Well, won't that be fun."
"I wouldn't worry of it, Princess." Fenrir glared at her, smiling. "You two have fought only one major enemy..."
Zelda's eyes widened again, stepping back at the thought.
"...But sadly, I cannot summon Calamity Ganon. It's just not in my power." The Lynel chuckled. "We'll just have to settle with your forces, you must prove their worth in battle."
"Really?" Agahnim frowned.
Fenrir lazily looked at him. "You have one enemy as well, but I cannot summon him either. Which leaves no battles, which is unsatisfactory for a deal."
"Now wait a second, how about we bring in our strongest warriors instead of an Army, huh?" Link tapped his foot impatiently. "Their skill rivals and possibly exceeds my own, they have histories of battles of unmatched power. How's that, alright?"
"Hmm...Well, aren't you the bloodthirsty one?" Fenrir chuckled. "Agreed, Retrieve your friends, I am interested in their battles."
Fenrir allowed them to walk out through the main gate, the Bokoblins within only giving them passing looks, without much of a trace of apprehensiveness.
"He was expecting us..." Agahnim growled. "Dammit."
"Why didn't you tell us he was a Lynel?" Link asked, his features hardened.
"It slipped my mind, I suppose." Agahnim blew out a breath. "But he's deadly, make no mistake."
"What's his story?"
"He is Fenrir, known among his kin as 'The Son of the First'." Agahnim explained. "He is the son of the First Golden Lynel, he's been around since the age of the Minish, working outside Hyrule for millennia until recently."
"How is he still alive then?" Zelda frowned.
"I do not know, but it is a dark magic." Agahnim inclined his head. "Why do you think he was eyeing Link like that? That blade he carries is the only blade in the land that can kill him. And he knows that."
"Then it'd be good to keep a short leash on him." Link nodded, grabbing the Master Sword's hilt.
"Yes..."
"Link..." Zelda whispered. "We must not do this."
"Zel, We have to and we shall prevail." Link smirked, letting his hand drop. "I trust in Twilight and Shade's abilities, they shall prove him wrong."
Upon returning to the camp, their absence un-noticed, they changed into their regular armor and searched for their competitors.
They found Twilight and Shade resting under a tree, staring into a crackling fire and chatting. Upon explaining the situation, Link had expected to get yelled at, but the two were surprisingly okay with reliving a past battle.
"Emotion-Based battle?" Twilight mused. "I'd like to face Zant again...I would probably destroy him though."
"Majora is a possible contender for myself." Shade agreed. "It would a decent warm-up to face them again."
The three looked at each other in surprise, then simply shrugged. It seemed Link got his Blood-Knight tendencies from them.
As they headed back to the fortress, Agahnim explained what he knew of Fenrir and how his games worked.
"There shall be three battles, each one has had an impact on your character and ideals as a whole." His gaze went cold. "It'll be hard, but remember, it's just an illusion."
"Been there, done that." Both Heroes said in unison.
They went back through the Fortress, this time gaining a lot of looks among the Bokoblins. They looked at Twilight and Shade with fear...and respect, judging from the way they nodded and bowed as they passed.
"It seems we have a reputation amongst these creatures." Shade noted, his red eye casting it's deathly gaze about. "I do not even recall fighting them, yet they fear me."
"I killed the Bokoblin Queen in my time with aid from King Bulbin." Twilight said. "It's obvious this green tunic is a sign of great respect amongst them."
"Let's see if this Lynel King holds the same view."
Fenrir had waited patiently, sitting in his throne, a cup of...something in his hand.
"And they return." He grinned, downing the contents. "...and with the contestants."
Shade glanced at the so-called King, looking him up and down. His skeletal face set in stone as he spoke. "You speak with malice, as if one with the darkness that Ganon blots the light with. Why switch sides so willingly?"
"Willingly? Ha!" Fenrir laughed. "You must be joking, as I have no intentions of joining your side before you give me some amusement."
"You speak valiantly, perhaps there is a secret as to why you are still alive to this day?" Shade's gaze narrowed. "Darkness permeates your soul, holding it in a cold grasp, unwilling to let go."
"You are observant, Hero of Time." Fenrir closed his eyes. "...Hmm, you have had many a battle, haven't you?"
"He's reading our minds..." Twilight murmured, nonplussed.
"Many Traumas...Much death. Interesting." He turned his head to Twilight. "...The Hero of Twilight, a favorite Era of mine...Your battles are stained with guilt, yet only the earliest have affected you intensely."
He waved for Link, Zelda, and Agahnim to move to the side to sit, then for Twilight and Shade to stand side by side. Both seemed bored and similarly uncaring for the Lynel's readings.
"You." Fenrir pointed to Twilight. "You shall go first. Go into the Arena."
He waved his hand and a section of the black walls in the center moved away to allow access.
"Fine." Twilight rolled his eyes, drawing his Sword and Shield. But before he could go, Shade took him by the Shoulder.
"If these battles are constructed via dark magic, then use the Blade of Evil's Bane. It shall be your light." Shade instructed. "These battles are cheap and shall attempt to corrupt you, fight back with the Master Sword."
Twilight nodded, continuing forward. He held the Ordon Sword out, twili magic seeping onto the hilt and blade. It's shape morphed and a familiar light began to pierce through the blackness engulfing the blade.
The Particles shattered away to reveal the Master Sword of Twilight's Era, the heavenly glow gleamed off the blade.
Shade noticed, with a transparent smirk, that Fenrir had dug his claws into his armrests in shock.
Twilight entered through the blackness, the walls leaping to get away from the Holy Blade he carried. He watched as the uncovered ceiling and translucent walls darkened until he stood in a room of black, the glow of his Master Sword his only light.
On the outside however, the Walls lightened until Twilight could be clearly seen, but the darkness he stood in was still present to let the spectators know what he saw.
In this case, nothing.
Slowly, Light faded in to the arena, allowing Twilight to see his opponent standing a few feet in front of him.
A tall opponent in black armor, the helm he wore all too familiar.
"The Darknut from the Temple of Time." Twilight blinked in surprise, he didn't remember that battle being emotional.
Slowly, just like back then, the Darknut turned to face him, swinging his sword experimentally before entering combat stance.
Twilight followed suit, eyeing his opponent for differences. The only thing of note was that his grunts was even deeper than before.
Twirling his sword idly, Twilight shuffled around the lumbering giant, keeping light on his toes at all times. The Darknut brought it's massive sword to bear, swiping downwards onto the marble floor.
Twilight rolled to the side and onto his hands and knees, scrambling up and towards his opponent. He smashed his shield across the Darknut's cheek, the ringing of his metal helmet stunning him, then clashing down on his arm that still held onto the massive great sword, the armor peeling off like paper. Using the Darknut's bent knee as a booster, he flipped over it's head and slashed at the back of it's neck.
The helmet was utterly wrecked by the Helm Splitter, flying away in pieces as the Darknut stumbled to his feet. But before it could react, Twilight landed and swiftly let loose a Great Spin, absolutely shredding it's back armor.
"Too Slow." Twilight smirked, readying his defensive.
The Darknut lumbered to it's feet, turning to glare from inside it's chainmail helmet. It slowly stomped it's way over to him, readying another attack upon getting in range.
Just as Twilight was about to dodge, his armored foe burst into a swarm of black insects, buzzing in a massive swarm around the room. There a single white one among them.
"That's new..." He frowned, keep an eye trained on the white one.
The insects swarmed and circles around him, the white one escaping and entering his vision ever few seconds.
"Now! HYYAAAH!" He unleashed another Great Spin, obliterating the insects. The white one shivered and vanished, reappearing as the Darknut, who promptly collapsed on the floor. Twilight wasted no time and lept into the air, planting his blade in the fallen Darknut's chest. It expelled it's last breath quietly and noticeably slumped in it's armor.
Leaping off the body, which soon faded into the air, Twilight barely had enough time to dodge a Twili-Style Scimitar nearly taking his head off.
"Zant." He growled.
The former Twilight King screeched an unbearable scream, swinging his dual scimitars wildly in an attempt to injure the hero. Unfortunately, even back then, the Style was sloppy and it didn't take long for Twilight to slice the False Twili king arms off, then cleave his head from his shoulders, the helmet he wore clattering noisily away.
Zant's body disappeared as well, so Twilight breathed out slightly.
A ball of eletricity came from nowhere, requiring a quick roll to avoid being painfully eletrocuted.
"I recognize that..." Twilight murmured, eyes going wide when he noticed the ground he stood on glowing gold. In the shape of a triangle.
He lept quickly, narrowly avoiding a flash of damaging light erupting from the floor. He rolled back onto his feet, staring up at his assailant.
"Ain't that grand..." The Hero sighed. "Never liked that part anyway."
Meanwhile, outside the arena, the real Zelda gawked at her counterpart.
"Is...that me?"
"Of a different Era, yes." Shade nodded. "She is in her possessed form, however. A reunion would be ill-advised, lethal even."
He chuckled, glancing at Fenrir. "It shall end quickly."
Back to the fight, Twilight narrowly dodged the flying monarch's dive stab. Unlike in his time, he was smart and dragged the Master Sword along her back. She screamed in pain, voice deep and sounding similar to Ganon's, just like in the actual battle.
The puppet Zelda charged another energy ball. Twilight, on the other hand, had no intentions of playing another game of Deadman's Volley with her.
He held his sword in both hands, leaning back as the Blade's glow intensified as it built up energy. When the Puppet Zelda sent out her attack, Twilight met it with a ferocious Jump Strike. Striking it twice, the ball was sent back fast to the Puppet Zelda, who managed to deflect it once.
Then Twilight landed the ground strike, unleashing a room-shaking shockwave that sent the ball right back into her face. She screamed in agony as electricity coursed through her body. But she would soon recover.
Only for Twilight to sheath the Master Sword, grabbing at the Fused Shadow on his belt, then forcing his other hand upwards at her. The Puppet screamed with a greater intensity as her body began to come apart in black particles with no clear destination, leaving it to be disintegrated by the light as she faded into nothingness.
Twilight breathed out, releasing his grip on the Artifact on his belt. Looking around for a second, he popped a grin and walked out of the arena in triumph.
Fenrir, however, seemed quite displeased with the outcome, his armrests straining underneath his grip. Face unreadable, but noticeably stressed.
"What was that?" Link asked, bewildered. "Disintegration? That's a new move."
"I technically warped her away, but with no destination. So the Twilight Particles she became were destroyed by the light. She's dead."
Zelda hopped out of her chair. "Wait, was that really my Ancestor!?"
"Oh course not." Twilight shook his head, chuckling. "She's never wanted to kill me That bad. That was her body possessed by Ganon. Long story short, she used her Soul to keep my partner Midna alive and her soulless body was taken over."
"...Oh...?" Zelda frowned, also bewildered.
"Anyway, how're you faring, Fenrir?" Twilight glanced to the Lynel. "You look very wound up, is the strength of the Hylians too much to bear?"
Fenrir glared at him, before quickly laughing. "Of course not. I simply underestimated you is all. We shall see how the Hero of Time fares, however."
Twilight looked to his Ancestor. "You sure you're up for this, Shade?"
The Hero's Spririt nodded, turning and walking to the Arena as well, the Fierce Deity Mask in his hands.
"Wait!" Shade turned to look at the now standing Fenrir. "I think it'd be more appropriate for you to fight in your...natural form."
Shade simply glared at him, which Fenrir met with a similar intensity.
"...Indeed." The Hero's Spirit chuckled, leaving the mask on his belt.
As he stepped into the arena, a bright light overtook him, covering his whole being as it shrunk down.
To the size of a child...
Time stepped forward, shrouded in darkness just like his descendant. His golden hair caught the dim light extremely well as he observed his surroundings. His sharp ears honed in to try and deduce the identity of his opponent...
Clicking...Shuffling...Leaves crackling.
Gohma?
No...There was stomping now and heavy breathing, along with pops of lava.
Dodongo?
Not that either, and he'd half expected Barinade to show up, but it didn't.
Perhaps they were from the Future when he fought Ganondorf?
A giggle...
"Majora!" Time whirled around to face the demonic mask staring down at him from up high. The artifact only giggled in response, it's appearance morphing to go right into it's final Wrath form. Time couldn't help but grin as he placed the Fierce Deity Mask on his face, the transformation occurring in an instant.
In seconds, he was bearing down on the Demonic entity with furious strikes of his Double-Helix Sword.
Outside watching, Twilight was still surprised that Shade had even considered reverting back to his Hylian form.
"So..that's what the Hero of Time looked like?" Zelda inquired. "A child?"
"You yourself told me you read his Biography. It shouldn't come as a shock." Twilight remarked. "Although, I am still surprised he did it. He's only ever turned back into a Hylian once and that was when I was still alive in my Era."
"So...do we still call him Shade or...?" Link asked.
"He prefers the nickname 'Time' in this state." He noticed the stares they gave him. "Cheesy, I know."
Even if Majora was empowered by Dark Magic, Time's skill as the Fierce Deity had increased exponentially and soon, the Evil Mask fell to his might. It's body dissipated and left behind the mask itself, which Time promptly crushed under his boot.
"I should've done that several millennia ago." He smirked, taking off the mask.
Keeping on guard for the next enemy, he was surprised when he heard a deafening roar. He looked up in shock as a red Dragon flew from the darkness, circling overhead.
"Volvagia..." He whispered, voice soft.
His body changed in a quick flash of light, from his Young Self to Adult Self.
"Time! Shade! No, don't stop!" Twilight yelled suddenly. "It's an illusion! Remember!"
"What? What's happening?" Zelda asked in a panic.
"Okay, I don't want to explain the full thing but here's the basics:" Twilight explained. "When Shade was young and starting his adventure, he adopted a baby Dragon known as Volvagia. He took care of it and it even learned to say his name, they were great friends...Then after he woke up from his Seven Year sleep via the Master Sword, he found his friend brainwashed by Ganondorf. He had to slay his friend to break the curse."
"...Wow." Link said, surprised.
"Indeed." Fenrir grinned. "Let us see how the Hero of Time faces this unwinnable situation again."
Agahnim glared at him, face contorted with anger.
Time glanced about, watching his former friend fly above. A faint smile on his face, he couldn't help but just watch him fly freely.
But faintly, he recognized Twilight's voice calling to him, telling him to break the illusion. He sighed, knowing this was not real.
But at least, for a moment, he enjoyed his friend's company.
He reached for his blade, drawing the Master Sword of his era. Time had to stop a moment to inspect the blade, surprised to find it within his grasp again. He peered up to the red dragon sadly.
"Sorry, Old Friend."
Volvagia roared as it snaked through the air, diving down to ram right into the hero. But he was ready, jumping on top of the beast and stabbing it repeatedly in the head.
And with one lean slice, cleaved it's head right off it's neck.
Volvagia's body squirmed and began to burn up, but Time paid no mind to it, except for the head. It lost it's red color and became a sickly green.
It's big eyes glanced up at him, tears streaming down it's cheeks as the pain registered.
Yet, Time knelt down, having seen this once before.
"Li-" A whisper escaped the Dragon.
"Hush, old friend." Time whispered softly. "Go fly high above the Fields of the Dead, free once more."
Volvagia's body shivered and turned black, disappearing into the darkness.
"When I came back to my time. I found and raised you, promising to avoid the fate you'd receive in the Future. I remember when you came of age, you flew off into the Sky to find someone to be with. I never saw you again...But since that Dragon around Death Mountain is here...I guess you did find someone after all..."
He smiled a bit.
"Rest easy, old friend."
Time stood up and sighed, a pit had formed in his stomach from what had just occurred. It wasn't easy saying goodbye to a friend, let alone twice.
But he'd suffered worse...
He took a step forward, stepping in something wet. He looked down to see nothing, only a simple marble floor like before. He frowned, looking around in confusion before taking another step.
Once again, he stepped in something wet.
He swung the Master Sword around, seeing if he was being snuck up on. In the reflection of the blade, he noticed someone staring back at him with beady red eyes.
Himself.
Time rolled forward, the whoosh of a blade going over his head met his ears as he found that he seemed to be in ankle deep water, facing his Doppelganger once more.
"An interloper?" Twilight murmured. "Interesting."
He was so intently focused on the battle, he didn't notice was Link fidgeting next to him.
Time frowned a little bit, he never liked the Doppleganger since it just copied his moves. Not to mention the only reason he was even considered an Emotional battle was because he had hurt Navi during the fight.
That didn't sit well with him, of course.
Time breathed out, twirling and sheathing the Master Sword and Mirror Shield. He simply stood and stared his counterpart down, his guard lowered and body relaxed.
Even his Shadow seemed bewildered at his behavior, unsure whether to attack or not. It slowly moved forward, weapons at the ready for any surprise attack. Once it was within range, it immediately attempted to stab it's opponent.
Unfortunately, Time caught the blade with his palm, the edge scrapping on his Golden Gauntlets. He then, ever so slowly, began to bend the Shadow's Sword downwards, until it was bent completely sideways with the point downward.
More bewilderment followed as the Shadow stared at it's weapon in shock, completely unaware of Time reaching for his own weapon. By the time it looked up, it was too late.
Time brought down the Master Sword in such a devastating Mortal Draw that it cleaved the shadow in twain from the shoulder to the hip. It let out a deep scream of pain as it dissipated into the air.
"Well, that was fun." Time said flatly. He held up his hand, his triforce mark glowing brightly as the black walls of the arena disappeared without a trace. The golden glow fading back into his wrist.
Once that was taken care of, he cast a glance towards Fenrir.
"Your Promise, Fenrir." He nodded his head.
Fenrir stood up from his throne, standing tall as he looked around at them all.
"Bokoblins! To me!" He roared, surprising them all. Within seconds, all the Bokoblins in the Fortress poured into the room, surround them all. While the Heroes kept their weapons within reach, Fenrir remained calm, trotting over to Zelda.
He stared down at the Princess, gaze calculating and cold.
"Your warriors are strong, there is no doubt of it." He said. "They even ignore emotional trauma...Something that most warriors fall to."
"They, are my friends." She said proudly, arms crossed. "And while their strength is mighty, you've yet to see what Link and I can do."
Fenrir tilted his head, scratching at his furry mane.
"Princess, do you honestly wish to defeat Ganon?" He asked.
Zelda nodded firmly. "Yes, We do."
Fenrir gave a great big smile.
"Then, there is no side I'd rather follow." He pumped his fist into the air. "Hail The Hyrule Kingdom!"
The Bokoblins joined in with warbled war cries and shaking of clubs and swords. Agahnim sighed with relief, putting his face in his hands. Link smirked in triumph and Twilight and Shade, or in this case, Time saluted one another across the room.
The First Fortress had fallen.
But, of course...
Many more remained.
First things first! News:
1. I want to rename this Fanfic, but I haven't come up with a good name yet, please let me know what it should be! I'm thinking about "LOZ: Echoes". Since it fits more.
2. I am going to look more into "Imprudence" and other stories regarding Twilight when I get the chance.
3. I am going to be rewriting the Popular fic "When They were Young". I liked the story of that fic, but the grammar was kinda bad, so I'm gonna redo it for everyone to fully enjoy! (See my Profile for more Info!)
4. With all this, plus school, updates for Routine/Echoes will be sporadic, but not too far apart.
Onto the story:
Yeah! My wishes are coming true!
My main goals were to have Shade become Hylian again, since he's powerful enough to do so, but just doesn't feel like it. The other was to have all three Links wield their respective Master Swords. Goals are being completed and it makes me happy! :D
Fenrir was originally just a simple Bokoblin who happened to be smarter than his kin, but I thought..."Why not make him a Lynel?" He's named after the Giant Wolf in Norse Mythology. He is fearsome, cold and calculating, but has a goofy side too.
Got a "Bright Lord" joke in. Woo!
One thing about the fights was to not for callbacks or anything, but to show exactly where Twilight and Shade/Time are at during the story. Both can easily fell previous bosses with little effort now, since they both have years of experience.
Don't be fooled, the next chapter will have an increased amount of BOTW influence, since I've strayed to far from the original concept.
Like I said before, I want to rename this Fanfic, but I haven't come up with a good name yet, please let me know what it should be! I'm thinking about "Echoes". Since it fits more.
Thank you! :D