Captain Eldrin made eye contact with Link before turning to the sword embedded in the wall next him, examining it's hilt before pulling it free and eyeing the Hero. "I think you dropped this."
"Trying to downplay the situation?" Link asked as he descended from the roof of the shop he stood on.
"Trying to talk you down, more like." the Captain answered as he tossed the blade back to Link. "You did just throw that sword at my head."
"To get your attention, I missed on purpose." Link said.
"There are easier ways to start conversations." Eldrin said.
Link suddenly charged forward, grabbing an unfazed Eldrin by the shoulder. "How do you know so much about me?"
"There are books, long forgotten ones, that I studied that detailed the Princess, the Demon King and yourself." Eldrin answered.
"But not the reincarnation cycle." Link growled. "Only the royals knew about that."
"Link, listen-" Eldrin began.
"No! You listen! I've been taken advantage of by those claiming to be my allies before...I won't let this happen again." the Hero growled.
"I've known where you were all of your life, if I were an enemy don't you think I would have just...you know...killed you by now?" Eldrin asked.
"Even after all these years, I'm no expert on the inner-workings of the minds of villains." Link stated.
"Well, what is is then? Are we just going to sit here and talk all night?" Eldrin asked.
"I'm not letting you go until I receive a straight answer." Link responded.
"I've given you my answer, if it does not satisfy you, I'm sorry." the Captain said.
"I know it to be a falsehood...I usually don't resort to these tactics, but unless you provide me with a satisfactory reason for why you know so much of Zelda and I...I will kill you."
Captain Eldrin grit his teeth for a moment before taking a deep breath and locking eyes with Link, the fire that lit within him dying as fast as it came. "So be it then, strike me down with the blade that I returned to you."
"The fact you gave my sword back to me means nothing!" Link shouted. "Your attempts to gain my trust are as feeble as a Bokoblin's mind! No away with you!" Link shouted as he swung his blade at the Captain.
Captain Eldrin stood rooted to the spot, Link's strike coming as if it were in slow motion, the man realizing nearly too late the danger he was in. At the last possible moment, Eldrin dodged to the side, Link's blade striking his shoulder plate and knocking him to the ground. "Goddesses! You actually tried to kill me!"
"I must commend you on your agility, I definitely wasn't expecting that." Link said dryly.
"That's cold, Hero." Eldrin said pointedly.
"I've had to kill many men throughout my multitude of lifetimes, it gets easier over time." Link answered, eyeing Eldrin.
"Fine, you want honesty? You've got it." the Captain said. "Years ago, when I was still a trainee, my squadron was sent to defend small villages in the Desert Province from strange attacks by ghost like creatures."
"Poes." Link replied.
"Exactly." Eldrin said. "We weren't ready for the fight, these Poes, they weren't like others...they were larger...they carried scythes the size of a man...they easily cut through the my fellow guardsmen and forced what was left our squad to run...you see, while they were preoccupied by the men on the front lines we in the back ran into a close by temple and formulated a plan. As soon as the Poes were done dealing with the others, they came for us...we managed to collapse a corridor on them which was surprisingly successful. We thought it was done, that we'd killed them...but one made it through and I was the one unfortunate enough to be closest to the corridor's exit as it made it's way out...I was struck by it's scythe and that's all I can remember, soon after a member of our team, a Shiekah man, revived me using the Poe's essence...and once that essence entered my body, my mind became one with the Poe's for a moment...it was being controlled directly by Ganondorf."
"Are you telling me your mind was bridged with his?" Link asked, still not lowering his guard. "That gives me even less reason to trust you."
"It was only for a moment...everything he knew about this whole...order of things filled my mind...I was not ready for that, my mind wasn't made for it like yours is...I almost died that night from that alone...but when I pulled through it gave me an edge...I knew what was out there...what to prepare for...that's all I can offer you." Edlrin said.
"I suppose that's how you rose to the rank of Captain." Link replied.
"I like to think it had more to do with my skill and tenure." the Captain answered.
"Fine, that's good enough for now, but don't expect us to work closely in the future." Link said.
"Link." Eldrin began. "I know your angry, you went to the Castle, found Zelda and nothing went the way you wanted or expected it to, but that's no reason to shut the door on an ally."
Link grit his teeth, holding back the urge to lash out at the Captain, but instead decided to ignore his attempts to appeal to him. "Here, take this." Link said, tossing a piece of parchment to the Captain.
"What is this?" he replied.
"That's where Dahlian, Zinnia and Viktor are staying, bring them back to Lake Hylia Township before things start to get bad...if Ganondorf truly is back, then that wont' take very long." Link said.
"Link, you can't expect me to-" Eldrin began, looking up to find the Hero gone. The Captain had a decent idea of where he had gone, but elected not to follow, Link was already upset enough as it is.
"I almost thought I'd have to intervene." Impa said as she leapt from the roof of a nearby building.
"That would've complicated things." Eldrin answered.
"True, with Zelda's poisoning and the attacks on our borders, the Hero turning on us is the last thing we need." the Sheikah woman said. "Are you sure it was wise to lie to him like that?"
"It wasn't completely a lie...that did happen to me, our encounter with the Poes was how I learned of Ganondorf's return." Eldrin said. "But that's not important, do you have any suspects in Zelda's poisoning yet?"
"Hmph, whatever you so...and no, not officially...though I know it to be Blackmoore...but no one seems to believe me." Impa said.
"He's a Minister, the head of one of the most prominent houses in Hyrule and his specific family lineage is descended from the one Blackmoore that didn't turn against the Royal Family and helped but them back in power...so of course they won't believe you." Eldrin said.
"I know, but something must be done about him." Impa responded.
"If we do something about Ganondorf, that might neutralize Blackmoore as a threat...if for a moment." the Captain said. "Are the Sheikah ready to fight?"
"They are...but they are so few of us left, our Elder is hesitant to join our cause." Impa said.
"Goddesses, you are nearly two-thousand years old, you're older than their ancestors...can't you assert that authority?" the Captain asked.
"Can you assert that authority over Link...or the King?" Impa asked pointedly.
"I know, I know...it's the Goddesses' will that we keep our identities a secret...but it's a damned inconvenience to say the least." Eldrin replied as he began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Impa called after him.
"I have some children to retrieve."
oOo
The Bulblin Emperor roared as he drove his poorly crafted axe into the back of a hapless villager, the roar turning to a laugh as the man fell dead onto the ground.
All around him, a similar scene played out, Lizalfos, Dinolfos, Moblins, Bokoblins and Bulblins cutting down villagers and ripping apart their homes.
"Leave some of them intact, they taste good slow-roasted over a fire." the Bulblin Emperor said as he strode through the village square, the other beasts making way for him.
Suddenly the wind began blow, building to the point that it was whipping around them, blowing the remains of homes away and knocking the smaller beasts off of their feet.
The Bulblin Emperor narrowed his eyes as a red flash illuminated the forest for a moment, the wind dying down. "What's going on our there?!" he called, the other beasts stopping what they were doing and falling in behind him as he took a step forward.
Everything seemed to come to a standstill as a tall and powerful looking figure clad in black and gold armor strode out of the forest, a blood red cape flowing behind him as he brandished a massive sword, the blade black and it's lower half lined with spikes.
"Who in the Dark World are you?!" the Emperor spat.
The figure said nothing as he continued forward, the other beasts and even the Emperor himself begin to step back, something about the man's presence disturbing them greatly.
"You had one order." Ganondorf said, his voice low and threatening. "And you couldn't even get that right." he added as he removed his helm.
"L...Lord Ganondorf!" the Emperor cried out, the other beasts beginning to chatter behind him before they fell to one knee.
"I told you! Do not reveal yourself until the time is ready! I've let my underlings reave and plunder at will in my past lives and it has only ever served to alert everyone in the realm to my presence." Ganon growled.
"We apologize, my Lord, we only meant to capture more riches for you." the Emperor replied.
"Tell me, what riches have you found pillaging farming villages?" Ganondorf responded.
The Bulblin Emperor's eyes shifted from said to side as the words failed to come to him. "We...we've found any rupees and a small amount of ornaments that humans wear...such as this." he sputtered as he held out a hand, showing Ganondorf a silver necklace.
"Why would I need such things?" Ganondorf hissed.
"To...to buy Mercenaries...my Lord?" the Bulblin Emperor stammered.
"I needn't buy Mercenaries! I already have loyalists waiting for me...I thought the same of you beasts, but apparently you're all too dense to heed my words, however few of them there may be...this isn't working. I'm finding someone else to lead you all as your Emperor seemingly cannot follow simple directions." Ganondorf said.
The Bulblin Emperor stood rooted to the spot, a quiet murmur beginning behind him, the beasts snarling and growling to each other, their eyes flicking over to him after every word. "You! You cannot tell me I do not lead the hordes...I am their Emperor, I was born to be such!"
"You dare defy me again?" Ganondorf said.
"I lead the hordes, that's the way it is and the way it will stay! You are a false leader, a coward who hides away in deserts and forests, so afraid you are of the Hylians, especially the boy and his Princess!" the Emperor roared, feeling emboldened as Ganon did nothing other than raise an eyebrow. "And look at you! You're an old man! You're shriveled and pathetic, you'll die before you can start this war! We need to eat, so we'll keep on reaving and pillaging instead of following the orders of a pathetic human who doesn't even respect us! You heard me right...you are just a human, nothing more, did you think my kind would overlook how we composed the bulk or your army yet you always placed the humans in charge? No longer will I stand for this!"
Ganondorf raised a hand to his mouth to stifle a yawn before looking back at the enormous Bulblin. "Are you quite done?" he asked. "I suggest you seek a tree or a rock to pontificate to, because at least then you can pretend they care."
"I'll cut you down like the frail old man you are!" the Emperor shouted as he pulled forth his axe, raising it high above his head as he charged at Ganondorf, the Gerudo man staying completely still. The Bulblin Emperor roared as he brought the weapon down on Ganondorf's head, a wide smile that perfectly displayed his grotesque teeth on his face slowly fading away as Ganon caught the axe, the blade failing to even bruise his bare hand.
"Care to try again?" Ganondorf asked as he gripped the blade and shoved it back, the Bulblin Emperor stumbling backwards along with it.
The Emperor looked back at the beasts, the creatures trying to avoid his gaze as authority diminished more and more by the moment. "We are monsters! We are fear!" he yelled as he dashed towards Ganondorf, slashing his axe towards him diagonally. This time, Ganon swiftly side-stepped the strike before performing an upwards vertical slash, blood spraying through the air.
The Bulblin Emperor cried out in pain as he stumbled forward and fell to his knees, looking over in horror at what remained of his arm, only a bleeding stump greeting him. "My arm! You've cut off my arm!" he snarled as he made to clutch at the wound, not being able to bring himself to fully grasp at it, his fingers flexing and twitching before it instead.
"I will not stop there." Ganondorf said as his irises began to glow a dark red.
"Attack him!" the Bulblin Emperor commanded, the beasts failing to move, their eyes following Ganondorf. You will obey me! I am your King!" he bellowed.
"And I am their God." Ganon said as he raised a hand, the Bulblin Emperor lifting into the air.
"Wait! My Lord! I'm sorry! Please have mercy! I'll be loyal! I'll follow whoever you choose to lead us!" he cried out, trying in vain to save himself.
"Tell me, have you ever wondered what it's like to have each and every one of your cells light aflame at once?" Ganondorf asked, the Bulblin Emperor looking back at him from midair in horror. "Wonder no more." the Demon King said as he clenched his fist, the Emperor letting out one last, short scream before be exploded in a flash of or blue flames, not even ashes remaining.
The beasts let out whines and worried whimpers as Ganondorf strode over to them, sweeping his eyes across the horde. "Does anyone else have any big ideas? The beasts went silent, even the largest and fiercest of their number cowering in fear. "Who was his right hand?"
Heavy footsteps were the only sound to pierce the air as an abnormally large Moblin stepped from the crowd, uttering a barely audible grunt.
"When I killed your Emperor, you stayed where you were and said nothing, one might say this is cowardice, but I believe your loyalty and your fear of me drove you to inaction...for that you will be rewarded..." Ganondorf said, trailing off as he thrust an arm forward, flexing his fingers as a stream of blue energy shot from his palm and struck the Moblin, the beasts chattering and roaring excitedly as he grew in size, his fur turning white and shaggy as two tusks burst forth from his face, his fingernails turning to massive claws as his skin beneath turned a deep purple.
"You will be the first Blin Emperor! King of all Moblins, Bokoblins, Bulblins and commander of all beasts!" Ganondorf said as his new creation laid eyes on him, it's chest and shoulders rising and falling as the strain of the transformation wore off.
"Thank you, my King." the Blin Emperor said in his deep and guttural voice.
"Take the hordes back to your domain and keep a low profile until I give the order...don't forget what happened to your last King when he grew too arrogant." Ganondorf said as he warped away.
At the Forest Temple Veran and Bastion watched watched the scene through a vision conjured by the Dark Fairy, Veran swiping her hand through the air, scene fading away.
"What does that mean for us?" Bastion asked.
"It means there's now another player in this game that we have to rid ourselves of...luckily he's just a beast. You can kill him, slaying massive beasts is in your blood."
Bastion smirked in acknowledgement before taking a step closer to Veran. "Are you sure about this?" he whispered.
"Don't let your fear get the best of you now, Bastion." Veran said. "Once we assemble the Mirror of Twilight, he won't hesitate to go in take his vengeance...then we'll shatter it and the only thing we'll have to worry about is the witches."
"I know, it's just, he's my creator, I owe my existence and my powers to him." Bastion replied.
"You were a means to an end, nothing more." Veran answered. "Follow through with this plan...and we're free."
Bastion nodded towards the Dark Fairy hesitantly, the two sharing a moment of silence when the floor suddenly shook. ages of dust being shaken from the ancient wells while cracks spiderwebbed across the floor. "He's back."
"And he's not in a good mood."
The two walked briskly towards the Temple's main room, coming to a halt as the saw Ganondorf stagger towards his throne, Koume and Kotake attempting to aid him.
"What's happened?" Veran asked, feigning concern.
"He's put too much of a strain on himself." Koume answered.
"Make yourselves useful and find some blue potion!" Kotake shouted.
"There's none left." Bastion responded.
"How could this be?" Kotake replied.
"He's had to consume it all, the amount of energy he uses anchoring his soul to this plain and the effects it has on his health require it's near constant use." Veran said, eyeing Ganondorf, she almost believed she could kill him right now, her resolve fading when Ganon looked up at her, his irises a burning red.
"Water of Life...in my quarters." the Gerudo man said.
"I'll get it." Bastion replied, quickly taking his leave of the room.
Veran stood there, watching Koume and Kotake panic over their 'son' as they called him. When they pulled her from the Dark World and promised her vengeance against the one who put her there and the humans that took her home from her, she readily agreed, even knowing that with the witches Ganondorf was always part of the plan. She hadn't expected his sheer brutality and unreliable nature, forcing her to the conclusion that he would not help her achieve her goals. The Dark Fairy was roused as Ganondorf got to his feet, blood dripping from his palm as he inspected it.
"I...I cannot heal it." he growled.
"Here! I have it!" Bastion called as he ran into the room, a small bottle filled with clear water in his hand.
"Don't waste time, boy! Give it here!" Koume called.
Veran watched as the witch took the water, pouring it out into Ganondorf's mouth, the Demon King's breathing slowing as his wound healed.
"These potions, elixirs and substances..they are nothing but temporary solutions...I still feel the pull of my prison...we have to speed up our plans or the next time my soul is pulled from my body I may not come back to it...I don't plan on waiting for the rebirth cycle to bring me back." Ganon said as he got to his feet, walking away in an aggressive manner.
"Veran, what's wrong?" Bastion asked, the Dark Fairy having gone silent during Ganondorf's collapse.
"Bastion, the wound on his hand..." she began.
The Dark Warrior narrowed his eyes, picking up on her meaning instantly. "I thought he was invulnerable to weapons such as that."
"That's precisely my point." Veran said with a growing grin. "He's losing his powers."
oOo
Viktor hung his head as he followed his friends, both Zinnia and Dahlian having fallen completely quiet too.
"I can't believe not a single magician would take me as their apprentice..." Viktor bemoaned.
"Well, you don't seem to have a knack for any certain area of that field." Dahlian answered.
"Do you really have to be such a cad?" Zinnia jabbed at Dahlian.
"No, I don't, but it eases my mood." the boy answered.
"It's okay, Zinnia." Viktor said. "Maybe we should just go back to Lake Hylia...maybe my old instructor will take me back."
"That's the spirit." Dahlian replied sarcastically.
"No! Are you two even listening to yourselves?!" Zinnia shouted, people around them being startled by her sudden outburst. "We can't just go home! Link is still out here...we can't leave until we find him."
"Did you not hear the vendor we asked about him?" Dahlian snapped. "Link left us...crept out in the middle of the night so as not to wake us...no note, no explanation in any form...you need to face it, he didn't want to be with us."
"That can't be true...maybe he's back at the inn waiting for us." Zinnia argued.
"Ah yes, the inn that I'm paying for." Dahlian said as he narrowed his eyes. "I was fine with paying for two rooms back when our objective was saving Link from his life choices being taken away...I mean...being a soldier is a noble profession and I admire those who have the bravery for it...but it should have been Link's decision, not Eldrins...and we accomplished that, Link got away, started his life elsewhere...we did it...we can go home."
"I...I just..." Zinnia stammered.
"You want to find him so you can tell him how you feel." Viktor said.
"You know?" Zinnia asked.
"Everyone knows." Dahlian answered. "You never planned to come back with us, did you?"
"...No...I...I was going to stay here...with him." the girl admitted.
"Goddesses damn it, Zinnia!" Dahlian yelled. "You planned to just send Viktor and I back minus you and Link with what...a goodbye letter for you parents?"
Zinnia maintained eye contact with Dahlian for a moment before looking away, shifting uncomfortably.
Dahlian sighed deeply. "Goddesses, there's really a goodbye letter, isn't there?"
"Dahlian, let her stay...it should be her choice." Viktor said.
"You can't be serious." Dahlian retorted.
"I am...we can go back, give her parents the letter and...life goes on." Viktor said with a shrug. "If her mother and father want to find her, they can come and look themselves."
"Thank you, Viktor." Zinnia said, looking up at the night sky when suddenly her attention was called away.
"Aye, you three!" a Guard called out, two more following behind.
"Is there a problem?" Dahlian asked.
"The Captain's enacted a curfew, all citizens are to return to their homes immediately." the Guard answered.
"Did something happen?" Zinnia asked.
"You'll learn more if the King deems it necessary, now head back to your homes or it's a cell for the three of you for the night." the Guard said, a serious tone to his voice.
"Understood, we're on our way." Viktor said, beginning to walk away.
"Wait...but I-" Dahlian began, groaning as Zinnia went off after Viktor, the Guards giving the boy a hard stare before he left after his friends. "I wanted to know what was going on." he said as he caught up with them.
"They mentioned the King, so it sounds serious." Viktor said.
"I feel like I could have gotten more out of them." Dahlian replied.
"You don't have as much influence here as you do at home, that's for sure." Zinnia laughed.
"Laugh all you want, I'll own Hylian Township someday." Dahlian said before slowing his pace to fall in step with Viktor.
"You want something?" the other boy asked.
"You alright? I know you fancied Zinnia." Dahlian said.
Viktor sighed as he looked up Zinnia as she walked ahead of them. "I did...and still do to an extent...I thought I could use my magic to impress her, but I was never a match for Link...he's my friend...but I envy him, his looks, his sudden skill with...pretty much everything and the way that it makes Zinnia look at him...but he's my friend and so is she, so I can move past that."
"That's mature of you." Dahlian remarked.
"That's how it should be, being angry at someone because they don't feel about you the way you wish they would is...it's not right." Viktor replied.
"Well, in any case, if we ever see Link again, I'm happy to know you'd be there right with me to welcome him back." Dahlian replied. "Even if he is a thoughtless cad that runs off in the night and leaves his friends worried."
Viktor smiled slightly and nodded, electing not to say anything as they came upon the inn, even outside one could hear the atmosphere had become even more raucous than it usually was due to the curfew, people having to find things to do within the confines of their homes, or in this case, the inn in which they stayed.
"Either of you want to sit for an ale?" Dahlian asked with a grin.
"Maybe tomorrow." Zinnia said as she headed towards the inn.
Dahlian made to answer as they passed an alleyway when suddenly a strong arm wrapped around his neck while another grabbed his arm and wrenched it behind him. "Unhand me!" Dahlian managed to growl. He looked up to find Zinnia and Viktor in a similar situation.
"You two again?...Oh, and you have a friend this time." Viktor hissed through his teeth.
"Where's your friend?" the leader asked. "The one who tried to slit my throat."
"Don't you think you're being a bit overdramatic." Dahlian said, the man responding by tightening his hold.
"I guess your friend's not here yet, so we'll just have to amuse ourselves." the man said, releasing Dahlian before pushing him to the ground, dropping his knee onto the boy's back. "You know what to do!" he shouted at the other men.
The man holding Zinnia released one arm and took a firm hold of her arm. "Get your hands off me!" she screamed, slinging her free arm back and catching them man square in the nose, causing him to let out a cry of pain before stumbling back.
"I'm going to make regret that." the man said through his fingers as he cupped his bleeding nose.
Zinnia spun in circles, backing away from the man who held her while also trying to stay close to Viktor and Dahlian.
"Damn it, just get her already!" the leader yelled, the man charging at Zinnia only for an arrow to fly past him, stopping him in his tracks.
"Link?" Zinna breathed.
"That's about enough." Captain Edlrin said as he emerged from an adjacent alleyway, several other Guardsmen behind him, the number including Castle Town Guards. "Nice shooting, Carac."
"Thank you, Captain." a younger Guardsmen said, his bow trained on the men.
"Ey, they attacked us first!" the leader called.
"That's not how it looked from here." Eldrin said as he motioned to the other men behind him, the Castle Town Guardsman moving to apprehend the men. "Some time in the dungeons will do you all some good." the Captain said as the men were shackled.
"Thank you, Captain." Zinnia breathed.
"How'd you know where to find us?" Viktor asked.
"Link, was it?" Dahlian said, Zinnia and Viktor turning towards him.
Well..." Eldrin began.
"I told you, he just wants us out of his life." Dahlian said angrily.
Zinnia felt her heart drop, she had plans for them, she though maybe he didn't disturb her because she was in a different room, but now she knew, he had moved on from all of them. She got up and began to head for the inn when something suddenly caught her eye.
"And what was with you? You know how to use magic, do you not?" Dahlian snapped.
"I tried...I...I just couldn't." the boy stammered before looking over at Zinnia. "Hey, are you alright?" he called.
"I...I saw him! He's here! Link's here!" Zinnia called as she shot off towards and alleyway.
"Hey! Wait up!" Dahlian said as he dashed after her, Viktor right behind him.
"Ey! Wait!" Eldrin shouted. "Damn...just...after them!"
Zinnia reached the alleyway first, heading down it's narrow width towards the figure at the end, his golden hair seeming lighter than usual in the moonlight. "Link, you came...I mean, you were a little late, but Dahlian believed you left but I...I knew you wouldn't."
Link turned around, a smirk forming on his face, Zinnia almost went to embrace him when she felt a pit open in her stomach, she took a step back as she looked him up and down, he was taller, his skin pale and hair nearly silver, but it was his eyes that got to her the most, his dark red irises fixed on her. "Y...you...you're not Link." she stammered.
"Hm, what gave it away?" Bastion smirked.
Viktor and Dahlian rounded the corner just as the man outstretched a hand, telekinetically pulling Zinnia into his grasp as they girl screamed. "Let go of me you...you bastard!" she snarled.
"My, what a mouth you have." Bastion laughed.
"Let her go!" Dahlian demanded.
"Dahlian..." Viktor began. "That voice."
A shiver went down the other boy's spine as the realizations struck him. "You're the one who attacked our town." he said.
"Well now, I can't take all the credit." Bastion said as he snapped his fingers, two Moblins appearing out of thin air and picking up both Dahlian and Viktor, the boys kicking and screaming as the beasts lifted them into the air.
"Put them down!" Captain Eldrin said as he rounded the corner, the archers taking aim at Bastion and the Moblins.
"Good to see you again, Captain, but it's about time I get going, but before I go, here's a parting gift!" he called as he extended his sword, a ball of energy shooting from it's tip and striking the Captain in the chest, sending him flying into the men behind him. Zinnia screamed and began fighting more, Bastion tightening his grip on her. "Relax, he'll be fine, it's all part of the plan." he said as he began to warp away, looking upwards to his right as Impa came down towards him, sword aloft, the Dark Warrior warping away, right as she landed, her sword crashing down onto nothing but cobblestones.
"Gen...General Impa?" one of them said.
"Don't just stand there, get him to a healer!" Impa called, the men picking up Eldrin and carrying him off quickly as Impa stood in the alley, rain beginning to fall as she echoed Bastion's words. "It's all part of the plan..."
oOo
Zelda lay in bed, staring out the window, it was a cool cloudy morning, rain had begun to fall outside as a light fog engulfed the Castle's courtyard below, the gardens taking on a mystical appearance. She still felt some discomfort from the poison, but it wasn't something she couldn't ignore, she wanted to get up and out of her room, she already spent too much time in it as it is. Most of all though, she wanted to meet the boy that saved her life, her Father and Mother didn't want to speak of it and Jakob seemed especially evasive in their short time together that morning, which only served to pique her curiosity further.
The Princess couldn't remember much about that night, but she could remember his face and the feeling of familiarity that came over her when they met, a feeling she knew she couldn't tell Jakob about. Beyond all other things, though, was how she felt when she was dying, the way he healed her awakened something inside of her, something she felt like she wasn't yet supposed to have. "What is this?" she wondered aloud as she looked at the glowing Triforce mark on the back of her hand, the Triforce of Wisdom being especially bright. She marveled at it for a short time when a knock came at her door, the Princess shoving her hand under the blankets before lying back.
"Come in." she said.
"Good morning, Zelda dearest." the Queen said as she entered, a small tray of food with her.
"Mother...you didn't have to do this." Zelda said.
"Ridiculous, can't I spoil my own daughter a little here and there?" her mother said.
"Father didn't want anyone he didn't trust in my chambers." Zelda said as she looked off into the distance.
"It was difficult for him to even allow me in here, but Gustav thought it unbecoming for a King to be waiting on someone, even his own Daughter." the Queen laughed, going quiet as Zelda stayed silent, her gaze still fixed on the outside world.
"Have I ever been to Death Mountain?" the Princess asked suddenly.
"No, definitely not...we Hylians aren't on the greatest of terms with the Gorons...it's been that way for a century now." the Queen replied.
"I had the most interesting dream about it...the views from atop the Mountain were beautiful, you could see all of Hyrule." she mused.
"Maybe someday you'll be able to do more than dream about it...as Queen you could heal relations between our people...the Goddesses know your father won't even try." her mother responded.
Zelda placed a hand under her head as she laid down fully, the silhouette of Death Mountain towering in the distance, it used to be mysterious and wondrous for her, but now she felt she knew it well. "Mother...who was that man who saved my life?"
The Queen's smile suddenly faded, looking around uneasily before turning back to her daughter, the Princess' eyes not leaving her. "All I know is that he was not invited to the ball, sneaked in and is not from a Noble family, in fact, he seems to be from no family at all...he saved your life so your father granted him a Knighthood, a very impulsive decision, in my opinion."
"Mother, he saved my life, I must thank him." Zelda insisted.
"Zelda, he's just a peasant from the countryside, they'll sending him straight to the front lines anyhow, so his identity won't matter for much longer." the Queen answered.
"But...he's a Knight, you can't send him to the front lines." the Princess argued.
The Queen looked hesitant for a moment before locking eyes with her daughter. "Zelda...you have to understand, your father had to make a show of his gratitude in front of our guests...but...the Knighthood was mostly just to get that boy away from you."
"But he clearly knows who I am despite never meeting before...I...I can't let him be sent to die." Zelda said, determination burning in her eyes. "I'll find him and I'll tell him that his Knighthood is just a pretense to get him killed...I can't believe you would go along with this." Zelda argued.
"I didn't want any of this!" Queen Lysandra said as she stood up. "You were supposed to live a quiet early life, socialize with the other young Lords and Ladies of the land before getting married to Jakob and ascending to the throne...not...lust after some lowborn commoner." the Queen said, tears forming in her eyes.
Zelda leapt out of bed even though she was still unsteady on her feet, locking eyes with her mother. "I don't lust after him, I just want answers...and I'm going to get them."
"Zelda, please." the Queen pleaded.
"I must get changed now, please, leave me." Zelda asked.
"I...I'm fetching your father...this cannot stand." the Queen said as she made her exit, gritting her teeth as Zelda made no effort to reply. As soon as she closed the door she sensed something to her right, turning to find Veran smirking in her direction.
"My, my, losing control of your dear daughter?" the Dark Fairy asked.
"Nevra! Thank the Goddesses...I hate to ask this of you, but-" the Queen sputtered.
"You want me to use my magic to change your daughters mind." Veran said in a sinister tone.
"Is this a possibility?" Lysandra asked.
"Of course, it will exact a price, though." Veran answered.
"Whatever it is you desire, I can have it arranged...Goddesses why does Zelda have to complicate things so?" the Queen lamented.
"Children are often difficult, someday they will come around...but luckily for you, you have me, so you don't have to wait." Veran responded. "What I desire is not simple, I'm afraid, but it is just one thing...the shard of the Mirror of Twilight said to be assembled by the Hero of the Goddesses himself centuries ago."
"I've never even heard of such a thing...I don't know where to look." the Queen answered.
"The Royal archives, underneath the furthest shelf, hidden beneath the stones...it will be wrapped in an old cloth...as long as you can get it for me, you'll get what you-" Veran said when suddenly she was thrown violently into the wall.
The Queen looked back to find Zelda in her doorway, hand outstretched. "Get away from her, mother! I can see her true appearance...she's not a fairy."
"Zelda, what have you done?" Lysandra breathed.
"Oh dearest Zelda." Veran groaned as she got back to her feet. The Princess tried to telekinetically shove her back once more but the Dark Fairy held up a hand, blocking the attack. "You misunderstand...I am a fairy, just not a type you're used to."
"Nevra...what do you mean?" the Queen asked, a horrified expression slowly taking over her features.
"I was once a Fairy of the forest, but the evil and greed in the hearts of man drove away my light and left only shadows...you've done well for me...it's sad that our partnership is forced to end." Veran hissed.
"Nevra-" was all the Queen had the chance to say before she was seized from behind by Minister Blackmoore, the man placing a hand on her head, violet energy arcing across his hands and into her.
"What are you doing to her!?" Zelda cried, her bad feelings about the man finally being affirmed.
"I'm not killing her, if that's what worries you, I'm merely holding her in place." the Minister answered with a smirk.
"Think you can handle her?" Veran asked.
"I know I can, it was that one I was having trouble with." the Minister said, nodding at Zelda.
"Come here, little Princess." Veran cooed, beckoning with her finger, a long claw growing on the end.
"G...Guards!" Zelda called, shaking as Veran drew nearer.
"You'll find that all of the Guards and Servants are...well...sleeping on the job." Blackmoore taunted.
"You see, there's no one here to help you...NOW COME OVER HERE!" Veran roared before taking a step towards the Princess.
"Go to hell!" Zelda screamed as she released a blast of light energy.
Veran made to deflect it, her eyes going wide as it split into a volley of light arrows, each striking the unprepared Dark Fairy.
"Veran!" Blackmoore called, looking over to Zelda, the Princess' eyes flicking to him.
"Nice trick, I see your memories are starting to seep through...unfortunately I wont afford you the chance use any other tricks you may have recalled." the Dark Fairy said as she released a blast of crimson electricity, the blast knocking the Princess onto her back.
Zelda winced as she tried to get up, her whole body feeling like it was covered with hot embers.
"Just be a good little Princess and stay right there, I was initially here for the shard but why not finish his job while I'm at it." Veran said, glancing at Blackmoore.
Zelda tried to crawl away as Veran drew nearer, the Dark Fairy producing a dagger as she stood over the injured Princess. "Time to get you out of the way." she said quietly, quickly jerking her head to the side as a cry of pain pierced the air, Minister Blackmoore falling to the ground near the unconscious Queen as he clutched at his wrist, his severed hand lying in front of him.
"You two are done here." Impa said as she stepped over the man.
"You." Veran hissed.
"I see my reputation precedes me!" Impa shouted as she charged at the Dark Fairy.
Veran held out a hand, unleashing a barrage of dark energy bolts, Impa deflecting every one before clashing with the Fairy, Veran's dagger barely holding back the Sheikah woman's sword.
"It's over for you." Impa growled.
"Not yet, Sheikah." Veran said. The Fairy brought a leg up and kicked Impa away, the Sheikah woman recovering quickly and darting in with a series of slashes, Veran dodging the strikes before teleporting behind her.
"Predictable." Impa growled out as she swung a fist back, catching Veran in the throat before kicking away the Dark Fairy's hand, the energy blast she prepared flying into a wall instead. Impa brought up her sword to strike her opponent down, only for Veran to disappear again.
"This won't be the last time we meet." Veran said as she reappeared near the Queen and the Minister.
Impa dashed towards them, blade aloft, she cried out as she readied herself to bring it down on the Dark Fairy, a stunned gasp escaping her as Veran took on a non-corporeal form, turning to pure dark energy as she entered the Queen's body. The Shiekah woman heaved back on her sword, stopping it right before it hit the possessed Queen.
"Like I said, we'll meet again." Veran said, warping away with Blackmoore while still in the Queen's body.
"Impa." Zelda said as she got to her feet. "She's going to the Royal archives."
"Princess, you're alright!" Impa said, her happiness showing through, despite the fight she'd just been involved in.
"Never mind that." Zelda replied. "Just go!" she urged her bodyguard.
"Yes, of course!" Impa said as she ran off.
oOo
Osfala stood among the other recently taken students of the Hyrulean Academy of Sorcery, the class only numbering eleven students, two of them being Zora.
"You are all here because you are the elite among the elite, we the magic capable founded this Kingdom and still rule it today, being trained by me is a privilege that will be taken away at the first sign it's being taken for granted...do I make myself clear?" Minister Svelheim asked.
"Yes, Master." the students said, Osfala joining in slightly late.
"I nearly forgot to mention, we have a special guest with us today, why don't you take a step forward, Osfala." the Minister said.
"Oh, yes Master." Osfala said as he complied, trying to avoid the stares of the other students.
"Osfala here was being taught by a common magician in the slums before his Master was killed in a robbery." Trond began.
"Wait, that's not entirely-" Osfala began.
"I'm not finished yet." the Minister said as he glared at the boy before going back to his speech. "His Master was a friend of Minister Kalwin and thus they were both invited, but Osfala here used the extra invitation to sneak his friend into the ball which lead to them being in the right place at the right time to save the Princess' life. This mess has made our friend here quite famous...and I don't stand for famous...none of you will treat him differently or acknowledge him as anymore than he actually is."
Osfala grit his teeth and clenched his fists, it was all he could do to stop from lashing out. "And what am I, Master?" he asked pointedly.
"Despite being forced into my academy by General Impa, just another student is what you are, and I'll see to it that you're treated like it, do I make myself clear?" the Minister asked.
"Yes, Master." Osfala said with a sideways glance, the other students shifting uncomfortably as he stepped back into line.
"Alright, let's get started." the Minister said as he strolled across the room. "Who can tell me what the definition of Magic is?"
Osfala's hand shot right up as he made eye contact with their instructor, Trond looking at him for a moment before one of the Zora boys slowly raised his hand.
"Ah yes, Rutelis!" the Minister said.
"Imposing our will upon the elements..?" Rutelis said in an unsure tone.
"I'm afraid that's not quite correct...anyone else?" the Minister asked, sweeping his eyes past Osfala twice before sighing and gesturing at the boy. "Osfala?"
"The definition of magic is the synchronization of the natural energies within our bodies with those of the land around us and imposing our will upon the land's energies with our own just as one would exert force upon in object with their limbs." Osfala answered.
"That's...that's correct." Minister Svelheim sputtered.
"Master Sahasrala always said it was important to know the theories behind magic in order to understand and use it." Osfala said.
"You might have some knowledge here and there, but that won't ensure that you'll make it through." the Minister said. "Now, onto our first lesson, levitation." he continued.
Osfala sighed, this was going to be a long day.
oOo
Link had spent the entire day going through drills and strategic exercises with the other Knights, Jakob making sure to get them ready for the battle with Termina. Although he could take it, he knew he was being unfairly targeted by Jakob, the Knight setting him to bothersome and near impossible tasks in order break him, such as fending off three opponents at once while trying to plot and escape route and help an injured villager all at once.
"Next we have weapons operation drills, it's important that while commanding the Soldiers in the field we know how are weapons work so as to repair them just in case." Jakob called out.
"If a bow or crossbows drawstring breaks, it can be replaced with a tendon from a Moblin." Link remarked, the other Knights looking at him as if he'd just sprouted another head.
"That's disgusting and savage, I guess that's what you learn when you grow up as a farmhand." Jakob said, not even trying to hide his disdain.
"I wasn't a farmhand, I was a fisherman...and someone has to teach them what to do in a desperate situation, you won't always have new parts right behind you." Link replied.
"And I suppose you know what it's like to be in such a situation...I hear trying to reel in a fish is quite the battle." Jakob laughed, the other Knights joining in.
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you." Link growled,
"Well of course not." Jakob said. "You're a peasant fishmonger, nothing more...don't expect this Knighthood to last long, now get back in line!"
Link bowed his head begrudgingly before stepping back into place, Jakob smirking at him in a self-satisfied manner before stepping back in front of the group.
"Now, as I was saying-" Jakob began.
"Lord Lirien!" a voice called.
"For the the love of the Goddesses." Jakob sighed.
Captain Yotin ran into the training yards, two guards behind him. "Jakob, the King is calling you back to the Castle, something has happened to Zelda and the Queen and he needs to see you at once."
"Zelda?" Jakob and Link said in unison, the two glaring at each other."
"Don't you speak her name as if you know her you delusional wretch." Jakob snarled.
Captain Yotin looked around hesitantly before resuming eye contact with Jakob. "Actually, the Princess wants to speak to him too."
"You can't be serious...this is a joke, is it not?" Jakob asked incredulously.
"It would seem not, I'll walk with you." Link said with a grin.
"I...I...you..." Jakob stammered unable to find his words.
"Go ahead Jakob, I must speak with Sir Link first." the Captain said.
"Sir Link, what a Goddesses' damned joke...and a cruel one at that." Jakob groaned as he walked away.
"What do you need?" Link asked.
"Captain Eldrin was nearly killed last night...and I'm afraid that's not the only news I have for you." Captain Yotin began.
"What? Is the Captain alright? I just...please just tell me more." Link said.
"He was trying to prevent your friends from being abducted...he failed...he communicated this all to me less than half an hour ago when he woke up...Sir Link, I want you to know that my men are doing all they can to locate your friends." the Captain said.
Link began walking away, his mind racing, completely unable to focus. "Do you know who it was that took them?"
"The only clue was something that was burned into Captain Eldrin's armor by the energy blast, it appears that were meant to find it." Captain Yotin said, producing a piece of metal cut from Eldrin's chest plate.
Link stopped to look at it, reading the inscription carefully. "You can find them where all lost things are, but be quick, lest they lose themselves." he read.
"What does that mean?" Yotin asked.
"He's keeping them in the Lost Woods...when he says 'lest they lose themselves'...he's talking about losing their human identities and becoming Stalfos...that's what happens to humans who get lost in those woods...I have to find them!" Link said as he ran off.
"All this right after the Queen is found unconscious in the Royal archives...what in the Dark World is going on?" Captain Yotin said.
Link dashed into the main hall, looking around frantically, suddenly freezing up as he saw her. Zelda stood opposite Jakob and her father, all three noticing him at the same time.
"Do we have to associate with him?" Jakob groaned.
"He knows something about me...something I must find out." Zelda replied.
"My King?" Jakob begged.
"I have other things to worry about, Jakob." the King said. "Handle it as you see fit."
Link wanted more than anything to approach Zelda, but now was not the time, he made eye contact with Jakob before turning away hesitantly and running off.
"Wait!" Zelda called.
"Worry not, if speaking to him makes it so you never have to be in his company again, I'll drag him back down here, for you, my love." Jakob said before taking off towards the stairs.
Zelda stayed behind, her father standing with her as he gazed into the chamber that had opened in the Castle's main hall, one he hadn't known was there, the old Royal archives.
oOo
Osfala began his trek back to his quarters, hoping Link would be there so he'd at least have someone to complain to about Minister Svelheim.
"Hey! Osfala, right?" a voice called.
The boy turned around quickly to find one of his Zora classmates standing opposite him. "You're...Rutelis, right?"
"Yes, I'm not surprised you remembered, Minister Svelheim called on me near constantly." Rutelis said.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Osfala asked.
"I...um...no...I just wanted to tell you not to take the way Trond treats you too personally, he just favors me because my father is the King of the River Zora and...he wants that connection." Rutelis said. "I'm named after the great Queen Ruto of old...I don't know if that tipped you off."
"No...on the contrary I had no idea." Osfala answered.
"Well, Osfala, I noticed that you excelled in all of our exercises...it was amusing watching Master Svelheim become so vexed by that." the Zora boy said.
"Thank you...our teacher does seem easily annoyed, especially by me." Osfala replied
"I was wondering...would you help teach me? My father expects me to be excel when it comes to sorcery but I find myself falling behind." Rutelis admitted.
"Maybe...I could make that work if I have the time." Osfala responded.
"Well, I must be going, but I'll be back for my answer tomorrow." the Zora boy said. "Farewell for now."
Osfala waved as Rutelis rounded the corner, just a week ago he was helping Sahasrala with house work in exchange for magic lessons and now he was becoming acquainted with Zora royalty...he wished Sahasrala were around to see it.
"Osfala! Osfala!" a frantic voice came.
"Link?" Osfala exclaimed. "What? What is it? What's going on?" he asked as the Hero neared him.
"I need to warp us somewhere." Link answered.
"I...I don't know how to perform such a spell." Osfala admitted.
"You're a damn Sage, you'll figure it out." Link growled.
"What's got you in such a panic?" Osfala asked.
"Ganondorf, he's taken my friends from my village. I need you to take me to where they're being kept." Link explained.
"I..uh...alright...I just don't know how to do this." Osfala said.
"Don't worry, I'll help you." Link said as he placed a hand on Osfala's shoulder. "Call upon your magic, imagine it coursing through you...beginning to move you...take you someplace else."
Osfala did as instructed, starting to feel his magic rise inside him until it began to envelop his body, slowly wrapping around Link. "I...I'm doing it." Osfala breathed.
"I'll take it from here." Link said, calling upon the Triforce, it's energy combining with Osfala's. The Hero thought of the Lost Woods, images of the cursed forest filling his mind for the first time in centuries. Link felt the two begin to dematerialize, their bodies warping away when suddenly he heard something, he could barely make it out at first before it was suddenly right beside them.
"You're not going anywhere!" Jakob yelled as he grabbed onto Link.
The Hero looked back, making to knock away Jakob's hand, but it was too late, as all three were warped away to the Lost Woods.
oOo
Wow, it really has been a good minute since I updated this story, I've been working near full time and going to school along with that, so time's been tight, so sorry about the wait, I hope it was worth it!
Generala: That is...quite the visual, Jakob is starting to get his, though. He cares for Zelda, but he just has to work on the respect part, but for now he's too occupied with Link to focus on that. Link and Zelda will interact more soon enough, and no, Jakob won't like it.
Ultimate Blazer: Bastion desperately wants to be free of being Link's shadow, even if it means betraying his creator, hopefully this chapter showed some of that.
LoruleanHeart: Blackmoore's relationship with the King is something I wanted to explore a bit more, but it didn't fit into the story too well, this isn't the last you'll hear of Blackmoore, though. I'm glad you found Zelda's interaction with her family realistic, I was worried I was being too mean to her. She had all these vague memories and ideas she's trying to reconcile with and she knows they're the key to what's going on, but because she's young and her ideas strange..and because Jakob doesn't know how to treat people, no one takes her seriously. I'm also glad you liked the details of the poisoning, I really wanted everyone to be able to visualize it. Loving the new name, by the way!
GrumpyLizard: Thanks for showing your interest! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Before I wrap things up, this was something I wanted to get out there for a while. My story "Kings and Demons" is going to be taken down so I can heavily rework it. The story was based far too much on "Game of Thrones" and it's obvious. I can't help but feel like this has hurt my credibility and made the story seem like it doesn't fit in the timeline I'm building. It's going to undergo a lot of changes to tailor to a more original and unique story while still keeping the basis of explaining Blackmoore's origin and motivations.
Anyway, thank you to all of those who hit follow and favorite on my profile and my story! It really means a lot!
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
-Prometheus17