Harry Ron and Hermione just watched as Ghirahim flirted with Ron's brother as he continued to give them a tour through the reserve. They stopped at the first of the large enclosures Charlie turning away from Ghirahim to look at Harry.
"Hey Harry, want to see the Horntail you faced last year?" Charlie called. Harry moved forward and looked into the enclosure as Charlie looked him over for a moment. Harry smiled then looked spotting the horntail sleeping.
"Dragons have really changed over the eons." Harry muttered before turning away hearing a horse cry out. Harry frowned and looked in the direction the cry had come from, then looked at Charlie.
"What's with the horse cry?" Harry asked as Charlie sighed.
"Oh, we had a couple horses donated to become food as they refuse to obey anyone." Charlie explained with a shrug. "I could show them to you if you want. One of them is huge." Harry nodded and frowned wondering what was making him want to go see what was to be food. Charlie led the group around to a different As the corral holding the horses came into view Harry stiffened in shock.
Standing within the corral was a huge black horse with a reddish main and tail. He stepped forward with a soft gasp. He slowly moved forward and then ran leaping the Corral's fence in a single leap causing Charlie and the others to gasp.
"Gerudo Cavraah." Harry cried out softly before leaping onto the horse's back and grabbing on tight as it reared up with a cry. Charlie and the rest cried out in shock as the Horse leaped. Harry tightened his grip in the horse's mane leaning his chest against its neck. Then began to softly whistle an ancient Gerudo song he could remember. The horse started to slow in it's bucking as Charlie watched in surprise.
"Nem, nem, Tiraak'haal, nem*." Harry murmured as the horse shook its head then stood still. He sat upon the horses back before looking around lightly patting the horse's neck. The horse turned its neck about to look at Harry. Harry's golden eyes looked into one of the horse's eyes as it nickered at him.
"Tiraak'haal.*" Harry murmured again and hugged the horse's neck burying his face into its mane. Charlie stared in shock at how calm the huge horse had become and gulped.
"Harry, what the hell have you done?" Charlie asked. Harry blinked a couple of times and shook his head.
"I'll pay for the horse, but I can't let you guys feed Tiraak'haal to the dragons. He is a Gerudo War Stallion. I have no idea how whoever gave him to you found him." Harry explained.
"This has to do with everything I've been hearing has been going on with you?" Charlie asked as he stared at Harry sitting on the horse and it being absolutely calm.
"Exactly Charlie. Tiraak'haal here was and has always been my war steed. Every time I returned he did. I think in some ways he is like a familiar." Harry stated with a shrug. He looked over the rest of the horses most showing signs of something being wrong with them. Either the horse was lame or it obviously has poor breeding when his eyes land on another powerful healthy-looking horse. This one a mare and smaller than his stallion the brown and white coloration being very recognizable.
"Wait a minute Charlie… I may need to buy 2 of these horses." Harry said before lifting one hand up to his lips with a frown. He remembered seeing and hearing this song played by Link but couldn't remember the exact pattern immediately. He knew he had to check if this was the same horse as every time Link had faced off against him he had, had a horse.
He worked on the tune a few times and watched as the mare seemed to look around once or twice as though in confusion. Harry nodded finally figuring and remembering the tune so whistled it out in full and watched as the horse moved towards him. He groaned then looked over at Charlie.
"Yup paying for two of them. Sorry if I'm stealing food from the Dragon's but I can not let these two horses be killed." Harry explained as he groaned softly. This was not going to be a cheap purchase but Link would kill him if he allowed his Epona to be killed and there was no way he would allow Tiraak'haal to be killed not after all the stallion had gone through with him.
"I'll have to talk to my boss about this Harry… I mean nothing like this has happened before." Charlie said still staring. Harry looked down at Epona then at his horse and encouraged it to move. It was soon galloping around the edge of the enclosure Epona following not far behind. At the last moment, the two horses leaped over the corral fence Harry pressing himself tightly to the stallions back.
"No problem probably need the sent to Hogwarts, and if the owner won't sell them… There will be issues." Harry stated as Ghirahim chuckled a bit.
"He will steal them if the head of this place tries to keep them." Ghirahim whispered into Charlie's ear. Charlie attempted to pull away from Ghirahim only for him to take a step right with him. Harry chuckled and leaped off of the stallion before moving up to its head lightly running a hand over its velvety nose.
"So are we going to go see the dragons or not?" Ron interrupted bringing the attention to what it was supposed to be on, to begin with.
"Sorry for distracted everyone from the reason we had actually come here." Harry said then walked away from the huge horse.
"It's okay Harry dear. This was your choice to do. We are not about to stop your desires." Molly said from her spot as the twins kept their eyes one what Ghirahim was attempting with their older brother. Harry shook his head and paused next to Ghirahim and Charlie once more narrowing his eyes at Ghirahim.
"If you hurt him Ghirahim, by all three Goddesses you will not like what I do to you." Harry threatened the mark on the back of his hand glowing bright enough to draw Ghirahim's attention fully away from Charlie and to Harry. Ghirahim's eyes widened just slightly before he gave a slow nod of agreement. Seeing the nod Harry grinned brightly and glanced at the shocked face of Charlie.
"So you were going to show us the Horntail I faced in 4th year correct?" Harry asked the light fading from his hand.
"Yeah and Harry I'm an adult I don't need someone watching out for me that closely." Charlie said and led the group back to the enclosure. Harry stopped at the edge of the enclosure before frowning a moment seeing the Horntail sleeping within.
"I forgot how far the race has fallen. Where is the connection to the great Volvaga." Harry muttered as Ghirahim looked the creature over and shook his head.
"That is not a dragon. It has none of the power or intelligence of the great dragons." Ghirahim stated with a snort causing Harry to smirk.
"It does look more like a stupid overgrown Lizalfos doesn't it?" Harry asked as he frowned the dragon looking up at them it's small eyes seeming to narrow in rage at being watched. Ghirahim leaned forward-looking the creature over and almost seemed to start dancing with a smirk.
"Oh, my such a loss. The beast's servants are now nothing but beasts!" Ghirahim started to laugh. Harry shook his head as the Horntail spread its wings and reared up before sending a blast of fire at the edge of the enclosure. Harry stepped back as did everyone else except Charlie and Ghirahim. Charlie laughed softly as the flame hit a magical barrier and painted the edge of the enclosure in brilliant reds and oranges. Harry stared as Ghirahim blinked a couple of times then shook his head.
"Impressive shielding. However, do you keep such a thing powered?" Ghirahim asked as he glanced over at Charlie.
"We have a ley line node that powers the runic wards around the enclosure." Charlie admitted with a shrug. "Most reserves are made around a node for this reason."
"Interesting so your people have learned how to tap into the power within the world itself." Ghirahim murmured as he reached out to touch the shield with one hand. Feeling its strength through the touch.
"Ghirahim what are you talking about?" Harry asked moving back to look at the Horntail.
"The energies of the earth were always ours to play with, but we desired to use those of the sky too. The Goddesses denied our request so when the Hylians opened a mine entrance into our lands we took it out on them as they had been granted the right to the power of the sky. Now the descendants of one of the other people have learned to tap what was ours." Ghirahim growled in irritation.
"So that's what started all this? Hmm though the humans learned how to tap into the leylines long after the age of the golden goddesses was forgotten." Harry pointed out knowing that the modern age of magic started long after Hyrule ceased to be. Ghirahim nodded slowly with a frown.
"But the modern mages still hold the magic gifted by them." Ghirahim pointed out causing Harry to frown.
"How do you know that? I mean they no longer use any of the ancient magics. That were gifted. That is lost and I'm actually surprised I can use them now." Harry growled out. Ghirahim rolled his eyes expressively nearly facepalming at the foolishness of his mortal master.
"Master you still have the cores of internal magic that pull from the sky." Ghirahim explained shaking his head. "You just learned to use them in a different way. Since the goddesses spirits no longer granted access to them"
"Really never would have known that, but that suggests all humans have a core and just some of us have opened the connection to it without aid from a form of a middleman." Harry stated as Hermione just stared at the two discussing topics she would never have dreamed of hearing from Harry let alone a being that was as different as Ghirahim was.
"How much of this information can you be sure of?" Hermione timidly asked. Ghirahim blinked and grinned widely at the young girl before leaning forward.
"Oh pretty much everything up to all humans having a core. How you unlocked and access them now I have no idea, but I was there when it all started." Ghirahim explained with total nonchalance.
"Ghirahim, even demons have a limited life span, how are you still alive if you were around for so long?" Harry asked his eyes narrowing. Ghirahim stiffened and turned away from Harry stepping away from Charlie his face becoming angry as he walked some ten feet away.
"You were not the only one screwed by Demise's spirit. I don't know how he gained immortality for he had but I was not a willing tool." Ghirahim growled. Charlie frowned looking between Harry and Ghirahim slowly. It was an interesting discussion happening between the two but really they had to continue with the tour to some point or his boss might come after him. He blinked seeing the huge black horse slowly and surprisingly silently moving up behind Ghirahim then lower it's head to lip at the Demon's pointed ears. Ghirahim yelped and instantly teleported behind a suddenly laughing Harry.
"Keep that beast away from me!" Ghirahim exclaimed rubbing at the now wet ear tip. Harry snickered before looking at the two horses that seemed to both be trying to look innocent.
"Tiraak'haal don't even try it. I know you better than that." Harry said to the large horse that blinked its eyes at Harry slowly. Harry walked over to the large horse and lightly rubbed at his velvety nose once more then looked over at Charlie.
"Sorry about that. Let's get back to the tour. We seem to be getting away from it a lot, and I know you still have a lot of work to do within the reserve and not just make time for us." Harry admitted. Charlie nodded and lead them passed many enclosures explaining how they work to protect the keepers on yet keep the dragon safe and comfortable. Harry and the others grin as Molly started to relax about what one of her sons had decided to do with his life.
"Charlie! We need all the Dragon Handlers at Faiabasuto's enclosure!" A man cried out running up. Charlie spun and looked at the other handler running up.
"You guys stay here." Charlie said then ran after the other handler. Harry frowned and glanced at Ghirahim for a moment.
"I have a feeling we might be of help over there." Harry said and then took off running after Charlie, Ghirahim just rolling his eyes and teleporting to the destination they were all headed too. CHarlie froze seeing Ghirahim just appear where all the handlers were gathering trying to stop the wards on the enclosure from going into complete failure as a large brilliant red Fireball sent huge gouts of flame into the wards.
"My oh my." Ghirahim murmured watching the dragon twisting around. He could see the rage Through the creature but the intelligence he remembered to be in the race was gone. Charlie saw him but ignored him as he moved to help the other handlers. Ghirahim frowned feeling the energy being pulled from the wards so he started to circle the enclosure as Harry caught up with him.
"What is going on Ghirahim?" Harry asked as he followed the quickly moving Demon Lord.
"Something or someone is draining the power from the wards." Ghirahim explained then paused seeing a short little figure dancing around next to the wards. On its head was a conical straw hat and it had a strange horn held within its wood-like hands. Harry blinked and stared at the creature that looked so much like a living scarecrow or marionette. Ghirahim frowned at the creature as it spun around to face the two. It tilted its face at them then grinned widely.
"Oh yay! New playmates! I slept so long I was afraid I would never find someone new to play with!" A child-like voice came from the scarecrow-like figure. Harry frowned and tilted his head a bit.
"Who are you and why are you draining the wards here?" Harry asked. The being looked at him then blew the horn he was carrying at Harry. The sound pulled three actual marionettes into existence in front of Ghirahim and Harry which began to leap towards the two. Harry growled and threw a powerful ball of energy at one of the marionettes shattering it in a single hit as he tried to track the being causing this chaos. The creature glared at Harry before pointing at him as Ghirahim physically takes out the rest of the marionettes with flying daggers.
"Cheater! This is my game no obvious magic!" The thing snarled before stomping with a foot similar to a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. Harry attempted to keep the things attention on him as Ghirahim teleported behind it and grabbed it tightly in his arms.
"No no! Cheater! This isn't how the game is played!" The thing screamed and struggled.
"It is when you are risking the lives of innocents." Harry growled moving towards the now held creature.
"Old friend was better. He played right!" The thing said with a pout.
"Do you know how long ago your old friend played?" Harry asked confused at its attitude as Charlie and the other handlers collapsed as the ward over the Chinese Fireball stabilized.
"Slept most of the time. Needed to refresh and the power around here is the best I could find!" The creature declared as it wiggled in Ghirahim's hold.
"Fine so no idea how long it has been. What is your name?" Harry asked hoping to narrow down the creatures being. The thing tilted its head strangely at the question then looked around.
"Never had a name. Though people did start to call me Puck before I went to sleep last time, I need to go. Need to return to lost woods and set up the last test!" The being exclaimed happily. Harry stared then stepped back.
"You were one of the Master Swords protections?" He yelped causing Ghirahim to chuckle.
"Did Bluebird ever actually talk to you?" He asked softly. The creature looked between then two then suddenly escaped Ghirahim's grip startling the other.
"No idea who Bluebird is! But need to go. Seeing horsey over there tells me he will be active. Bye-bye!" The thing stated before vanishing causing Harry to start swearing as Ghirahim blinks a few times in shock.
"What was that?" Ghirahim exclaimed shocked and surprised.
"That my sword was a creature I would have expected to be extinct. Yet more and more beings of ancient Hyrule are proving to still be around." Harry explained before walking over to the dragon handlers and making sure they were okay.