Darunia
"Everyone, assemble." Ralph enters the former home of Darunia's mayor, now the shelter of the six rebels. In the largest room, four of the six sit apart in silence, comfortable in it until the King of Labrynna and Holodrum joins them. To his left sits the Loruleans, Hilda sitting with her head between her knees, Ravio tapping his sword. To his right sits Oren, the Zora playing with her powers with a glass of water. Zelda is behind him, quietly in thought until Ralph calls out to them. Link is not present, not that Ralph expects him to be.
While the six of them took their losses hard, the Hero changed for the worst. The jovial, carefree Link became a silent shell, void of his personality. He became a blank slate, a puppet for another being to be represented in this world. He took the loss hard, a loss none of the others could understand. Ravio, Hilda and Oren lost kingdoms, they all lost family, but Link lost sometimes possibly even more valuable-himself. Link died two days ago at the same moment Spryte died.
They all glance at Ralph, whose tone is more of a command than a suggestion. All eyes on him, Ralph holds on hand forward towards the ground, a green aura surrounding it. "I have a plan." No one voices interest or complaint, making Ralph feel very awkward. Usually when he says that, someone comments. "Umm...are you guys just looking at me or are actually paying attention?"
Hilda rolls her eyes. "Ralph, if you have an idea, that's better than none of us sitting here on our asses with no clue."
"Yes, but...usually you oppose me. One of you do."
"There is nothing to counter your idea with," Oren states as she stands up. "But we are all on the same accord that in five days we must confront Vaati. Maybe even before. How much weaker can he be without the Triforce aiding him?"
"He easily put down Ganondorf when he was consumed by Ganon and when he had the Triforce of Power. I say that he is just as strong, if not stronger, than Zelda now. But we cannot depend on her and Ganondorf to fight every battle. Besides, Veran is mine. I cannot fight her with a sound mind if it risks Nayru. So, Oren, going to North Castle without being prepared is our march to death."
"Then what is your plan?"
"Well…" Ralph blanks on how to explain his country's hidden Oracle. The existence of the Oracle of Secrets is just that, a secret. A secret he swore to defend as king to his death. But given the situation, is it his kingly right to reveal her? "...Before I begin, I must hold each and every one of you to a promise to never reveal what happens in here. Not to Link, not to Ganondorf, not to Riju. The four of you in here will know my kingdom's best-guarded secret. It a secret I am sworn to die for. Is that understood?" They all nod, affirming to keep Ralph's secret a secret. Ralph turns his attention to his glowing hand. He searches for her presence in the world hoping she was not caught in Vaati's wish or Veran hadn't dug through Nayru's memories yet. The latter scares him more.
"Your Majesty?!"
"Farore! Thank...Farore." Ralph waves his hand in a fish-tail pattern, summoning an apparition of the child-like Oracles of Secrets. As her form materializes, Ralph greets her with a bow. "I am happy to see you well."
Farore bows to the king. "As well am I, Your Majesty. I had thought I was truly alone in the world…"
Ralph bows his head. "So you felt Din's fall and Nayru's corruption. On that note, Oracle of Secrets, I need a revelation. But," he gestures to the other beings in the room, the four other sages out of Farore's eyesight, "you are going to make a public secret at that."
"Public?" Farore turns to the others. At first, she's quiet, looking at the sages with uncertainty. That mood changes quickly once the Oracle glances at Zelda, looking to the space beside her. "Three are missing."
Zelda glances down to her right, where Farore stares. "You know of Link, Ganondorf, and Riju?"
"Sure. But let me introduce myself. I am Farore, the Oracle of Secrets. I'm sure Ralph prepped you, but I protect all of the worlds' secrets, both old and new, past and current. I will oracle future secrets as part of my duty. That is why my existence as an Oracle is secretive, and what I am truly the Oracle of, a deeper secret. To answer your question, yes I know of you, of all of you. Din and Nayru spoke of you guys and, well, I guess I shall admit this to you Your Majesty, but our meeting is nothing short of fate."
"Really?"
"Yes. Two nights ago, I received a new secret." Farore opens a hand, in it a leather book manifests. She flips through the pages, scanning for the new secret. In the meantime, Oren steps closer to Ralph, curious as to the origins of the girl. "You employ a child to guard the world's most dangerous secrets? Why would her sisters allow it?"
Ralph understands Oren's (and the others) confusion. He once lacked the understanding he now possesses. "Nayru, Farore, and Din are named after the sister goddesses, but they are mere titles, not their true names, nor are they truly sisters by blood. Rather, they were selected to take upon these positions at a much younger age before the ones they succeeded passed. The Goddess of Power shaped our world, so the Oracle named after her possesses the most powerful force on earth-seasons. The Goddess of Wisdom gave the world law and order, the greatest of them all is time-which Nayru the Oracle oversees. The Goddess of Courage breathed life into the world, so to protect it, Farore guards life's secrets. Despite her size, she is actually our age."
"Aha! Here!" Farore holds the book to Ralph. "Read it."
"Okay." Ralph apprehensively takes the Book of Secrets, alternatively titled "Farore's Memories," then turns to his friends. "It states:"
When the light of the world extinguishes,
The candles of its foil begin to flutter
A betrayal gives rises to malice
A sacrifice lets ten lives
The beginning of life shall save time
A mask will cover the fierce one's face
A trident controls the tears of the world
An uneasy alliance shall be born
When all is said and done
The fourth youth, to save her home, controls the coin
The second and third, betrayed by blood, belongs to evil
The first, broken by loss, unleashes his rage.
When all is said and done
Hyrule will be split in third
The seventh day will end the world known
A single wish to birth a new one.
"...This is a prophecy." Everyone looks to Zelda, the princess fiddling with her fingers. "But what does it truly mean?" As Zelda goes silent, Oren steps past her and the others, heading for the entrance of the house. With every step, droplets of water orbit her hand. She steps outside, the small storm circling her arms raging violently.
"She knows something," Ravio states, eyeing the King of Labrynna. "You should go talk to her."
"Sure." Ralph lowers his gaze to Farore, bowing to her. "Thank you, Oracle. I promise to you, I will avenge and save your sisters."
"I will pray for your success. For all of you, save this world." Farore vanishes, as does the aura around the king's hand. The room darkens, not just in lighting but in respects to the atmosphere as well. Ralph immediately steps out after Veran, Hilda and Ravio return to their spots in silence, Zelda does the same but the gears in her head are running. Her mind focuses on four lines alone.
The beginning of life shall save time
A mask will cover the fierce one's face
A trident controls the tears of the world
A uneasy alliance shall be born.
"'The beginning of life'...a infant? No. The end of the line, 'shall save time,' is it reference time...no, but someone who controls it. Nayru controls time. So what does it mean by the 'beginning of life shall save time?'"
"Life begins long before birth, Zelda." Ravio spins his sword on the ground. "Loruleans consider that life begins the moment the essences of mother and father join together. In the animal and plant world, that idea is consistent. If that is the correct interpretation, we're looking at either a seed or an egg."
Hilda agrees. "Then what about the next line, "A mask will cover the fierce one's face?' What does that even...Hey, Zelda, do you still have those masks you recovered from Midoro Palace?"
"Hmm? Sure, but I do not think they're the one we're looking. I just took the Deku, Zora, Keaton, and Goron Masks."
"That means the others are still there. We need to go back." Hilda sighs as she drops her hands in her lap. "I hated that place."
"Then there's the next line, 'A trident controls the tears of the world.'"
"I can explain that." Oren steps back in the house, anger still on her face. Ralph follows her in with caution, telling that his presence could not quell the storm brewing in Oren. "The trident is a Zoran heirloom, one wielded by the Queen of Zoran. It is said that it has the power of the seas and that with the abilities of the Sage of Water, it is one of the most powerful relics in the world. The problem is that...the last time I saw it was the last time I was here in North Hyrule years ago, when…"
Ravio finishes Oren's sentence. "The Octoroks."
Oren nods. "Yes...My eldest sister, Mipha, was Queen at the time Ruto Town, or as we call it, Zora's Domain, was attacked two years ago. I do not know if my sister Ruto got to it, but I know I never saw it in Lake Hylia. That means it is still in Ruto Town...where the Octoroks make their home."
Everyone hears the unsaid words of Oren. For Ralph, it speaks of vengeance, something he understands well. For Ravio and Hilda, the lost of a home due to an invading force resonates in them. It explains why Ralph steps towards Oren, draws his sword, and stabs it in the ground. "How come you never spoke of it before?"
"I...pushed it back in my head. The last time I talked about it was when I saw Ruto again."
"Well, whatever you plan on doing, I'm going with you. You help me with my home, it is time I return the favor."
"We are going too." Hilda stands alongside Ralph, Ravio right behind her. "We know what it is like to lose a home, and if we could take it back as you can, then we shall assist you."
Oren looks at the three with gratitude. "I do not wish to sway you from our objective."
Zelda smiles. "Do not worry, Link and I will find the mask. Your task is much more perilous than mine. In the meantime, we shall keep our ears grounded for any signs of the first line. As for the last one...I rather not think on that one yet."
Ralph picks up his sword and sheathes it. "Do we tell Ganondorf and Riju? We can use their help."
Hilda nods. "Yes, but I suspect we'll get help from Riju only. Ganondorf will have his own personal mission."
"Midna? She has not returned?"
Ravio shakes his head. "I cannot detect her."
Ralph sighs. "Damn. until we're all in Hyrule, we're screwed. Well, we have our missions. First light, we set out. It's about 48 hours since Vaati made a wish. That leaves us with five more full nights until he can do so again. Ravio, get in touch with Ganondorf and Riju. Hilda, Oren, and I will prepare for our travels. Zelda, I suggest you go find...Zelda?"
The Princess of Hyrule had her attention drawn to the outside. Slowly she steps out, her eyes facing southward. Something has prodded her head since the conversation started, but now it is more pronounced. She's unsure how no one else has felt it, it is strong enough to give her a headache. "Do you guys...feel this?" She turns her head to four blank expressions, answering her question. Something, someone, is drawing her out.
No, it that was the case, it would be closer. If this is Vaati's doing, he knows where she is, yet as she allows her senses to examine the presence, she can confirm that it is not the Wind Mage nor any of his minions. This one...it is evil.
It is rage.
It is malice.
It is hatred.
It is undying.
It is somewhere to the south, and if she had to make a guess, it is close to Mido Town. "Ravio, get Riju and Ganondorf now."
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing to concern yourself about. Well do, but I can sense it. It is for me...and if it is for me, it is for Link as well. Ravio?"
Ravio's face is pale with fear. "Riju...her presence is very faint, and Ganondorf is in better condition but I can tell he's in some sort of trouble. Are you sure you want to go about yourself with Link?"
Zelda nods while she tries to mentally find Link. "Yes. If we're not back in an hour or even communicating, leave Darunia and head straight for Ruto." With a lock on Link, Zelda disappears in a flash of light, leaving her allies in confusion and alarm.
Ralph turns to Oren, scratching her head. "Think she...is on her time of the month?"
Oren sighs as she turns away from the king. "Dumbass."
