Ura Zelda 64: The Goddess's Ocarina

The Village of Outcasts

Once Linika and Rythern left the Temple of Light, they found themselves surrounded by a bunch of curious faces. The Village of Outcasts was peaceful, yet somber. The sky above them was dark and forboding but beams of light periodically shot down through the dark clouds.

One woman with red hair and blue eyes approached the twins and took their hands. "Welcome to the Village of Outcasts. Were you two just sacrificed by the witches?"

"Uh, no..." Rythern was startled by the gesture. Linika put her hand over the woman's hand and squeezed it.

"We've just arrived from Hyrule on purpose. We're here to fix the Triforce."

"You are?" the woman's eyes widened. A small group of children tailed behind her and the woman looked like she was about to cry from happiness. "That's a relief. Maybe then, this world will be a little easier to live in."

"And who are you?" Rythern asked.

"My name is Rala. The children of this village call me the Village Mother. Many of them came here without parents so they find themselves in my care." Rala released the twins' hands as the children began to grab at her skirt in shyness at the two new strangers.

"It's nice to meet you. My name is Linika and this is Rythern, my brother. We've just talked with Rauru and we know what's going on here. This Village of Outcasts...it seems like a cozy place," Linika commented.

"It's not much, but it's home," Rala said and waved her hand around. They were surrounded by a natural forming rock wall and many wooden fixtures that gave the village some makeshift houses. Fires were burning in every corner to give a constant source of light and some fields had a few blooming flowers and crops growing. "We all play a role here to make life more bearable. Zoras help us with water and fishing. Surprisingly, there are fish in this world. Gorons help keep us warm with fires burning and they act as the first line of defense when monsters try to get in. Hylians help grow food and make new clothing out of materials we can find. Rauru uses his powers to give us what we need but we try not to exhaust the poor man. Please, I implore you to help yourselves to whatever you need and feel free to treat this place as a home. The Village of Outcasts welcomes everyone sent here."

"Thank you," Linika said.

"Can anyone offer us information about this world? Or even about the Evil Sages?" Rythern asked.

"There's an old man named Aginah who says he was the first sacrifice. He's made notes about the layout of this world and about the sages. You can find him in his hut along the path here," Rala said, pointing in a direction. "He says he used to be a scholar when he lived in Hyrule and studying things come naturally to him. I would start with him."

"Many thanks," Linika said. "I think he will be very helpful."

"Good luck. Everyone in this village is counting on you. Even if we can't go home to Hyrule...at least life here will be a little easier," Rala said before walking away.

Rythern was silent throughout the exchange. He gazed around the village and saw the tired and fearful expressions of the people that lived here. But there were so many people...how many sacrifices did Twinrova make before they finally gave up?

"Linika, can you go meet with the scholar? I want to take a tour of this village and see more of it first," he asked.

"I can. But why?"

"These are my people. They're people from Hyrule, too. And I want to check in on how they're doing. Maybe...maybe there's something I can do for them as a future king."

"Sure, go play make believe," Linika taunted. "I'll work on getting us out of here and back home."

Rythern shot her an angry look and stormed off. Linika headed in the direction Rala told her about.

It didn't take long for Linika to find Aginah's hut. The small structure had a book shape carved on the front door. She hesitated for just a moment before raising her hand and knocking gently.

"Who's there?"

"Is this the residence of Aginah?" Linika asked. "I've just arrived in this world. I'm looking for information on the Evil Sages. I've heard you can help me?"

There was some shuffling noises and the door opened to reveal a very tired-looking old man. He wore robes that gave him the appearance of a scholar and his head was bald. He turned his head from left to right and said, "Can you please say something? I need to hear your voice to know where you are."

"Sir? I'm standing directly in front of you. Can you not-" Linika was cut off as Aginah turned to face her. With a jolt, she realized his eyes were a milky white. "Are...are you...blind?"

"Yes, I am. Does that surprise you?"

"A little bit. Rala had told me you were a scholar. So I thought..."

"You think those who cannot see are stupid, girl?" Aginah's tone changed to an annoyed one. "Just because I can't see what is around me, does not mean I am helpless." He inhaled deeply through his nose. "Ah...I can smell it. Blood, steel, dirt...you must have been a soldier."

"N-Not quite..." Linika stammered out. "I mean...you're not too far off. I was in a battle very recently. But I thought I was clean!"

Aginah let out a laugh. "That's what everyone says. I may not be able to see but my hearing and smell are second to none. I can tell just what sort of person you are by how you smell. And you, girl, smell of death and earth. The smell of a warrior. If you are not a soldier, what are you?"

"It's complicated," Linika said. "I'm only seventeen and I'm still trying to find my purpose in life. But I can fight as good as any man or maybe better. My father taught me."

"Ah...but your mother does not approve?" Aginah asked.

"Wh...how did you know?" Linika was shocked again. "Just what secrets do you possess?"

Aginah laughed until he started to wheeze. "No secrets, girl! Just intuition! I can tell you're a girl by your voice. Your scent tells me you are very different from women in Hyrule who desire to be protected. You would rather do the fighting and you are not shy about taking a life if it means protecting something or someone of importance. However, such a lifestyle is very frowned upon for a woman to have. Your mother would likely have wanted you to be just like every other girl and find a suitable husband to do the protecting instead."

"Yeah, well, she's got my brother to worry about instead. Look, we're getting off topic. I'd rather not talk about my family dynamic to someone I've just met and sounds as patronizing as my caretakers. I need to learn about the Evil Sages." Linika was now the one getting annoyed. It seemed incomprehensible that an old man who couldn't see could know so much about her within five minutes.

"Very well. Come on in. Please do not move anything around in here. Take a seat at the table, preferably the chair on the left. The one on the right is mine."

Linika followed Aginah inside. The hut was very clean and spacious with everything laid out in a very uniform manner. There was a small bed right next to the door, a table with two chairs in the center, a desk with some makeshift paper scattered all over it and a small hearth with a pot set above it. The hearth's glow was the only source of light in the whole hut. Not wanting to disturb anything, Linika went straight for the chair she was told to take.

"Do you care for tea at all? Rala gave me some tea leaves that she just grew. It is quite delicious. I never thought flowers were good for tea until she arrived."

"I guess I'll take a small helping," Linika said. Aginah moved to the hearth with precision and poured some water into the pot. He moved his hand close to the ashes and paused. "Hmm, a little cooler than it should be. I think I still have some fire wood..." He moved to his right and waved his hand around until it hit a stack of logs. "Ah, perfect."

"Uh, can I do that for you?" Linika asked and started to stand up.

"No no, I've got this. I've been doing this my whole life."

"Wait, you've been blind your whole life? And you're a scholar from Hyrule?" Linika couldn't help herself.

"As I said, being unable to see does not make me unable to think and do." Aginah placed a log on top of the hearth and rocked it back and forth until a small fire started to burn. "Yes, I was born blind. But my parents were scholars themselves and I spent a long time learning how to adapt myself to any situation and study. I may not seem like it but I am the one who created the Hyrule Atlas."

"You did?" Linika couldn't contain her surprise again.

"Yes. I admit I did have help from some other scholars but it was mostly my effort. I drew the map and other scholars helped me perfect it. And yes, I can draw. I can write. I can do almost anything a person with sight can do, maybe even better."

Linika stayed silent and watched Aginah take two cups out from a storage cupboard, pour the water without spilling any and place two flower buds into the cups. He took out two small sticks, placed one in each cup and then placed one in front of Linika. The smell of the tea was very pleasant and she stirred the flower bud until the water began to change color.

"Now then...what are you looking to learn about the Evil Sages?" Aginah asked.

"Mostly where they are and what sort of weakness they all have so my brother and I can defeat them and get the Triforce shards they hold," Linika answered.

"I think I have something that will help you more than any explanation I could ever give you. I was able to draw a map of this world before it was taken over by the Evil Sages. It's not too perfect but it should help give you a general idea of the lay of this land and where they can be found. Here." Aginah went to his desk and retrieved a rolled up parchment paper. He unrolled it and laid it out in front of Linika.

"I think this area is a reflection of Hyrule that was mirrored from Rauru's heart. The man was from Hyrule originally and held much love for the country. This world is almost identical to Hyrule in every way. There is a mountainous region, a forest, a lake, vast land and an area that seems to resemble a desert. However, the influence of the Evil Sages have changed the landscape drastically. The mountains have become full of rocks and seem impassible. The forest has grown windy. The lake region is cold and unforgiving. This area here..." Aginah pointed to a region that corresponded to Kakariko Village's area in Hyrule. "...has grown stormy with relentless thunder strikes. And this desert-like area has become immensely dark, according to some of the villagers who tried traveling there and returned. It's my belief that you can find Notus in that windy forest that I've branded Gale Woods. Enki Gor is within the mountains, surrounded by rocks and mudslides that protect him from harm. I have branded that area as Rockfall Mountain. Elan is in the lake region in the south and takes great joy in turning anything into strange ice sculptures. That area is now known as the Ice Graveyard. Thunderbird is located here, where lightning strikes are abundant and ruthless. I have named this the Thunder Plains. And both Dalena and Zeth are hiding out here, where dark sands hide them. These areas are called the Dusk Dunes. I must warn you of something else." Aginah's tone became grim and even more serious. "Dalena is the one Sage that never attacks or sends any forms of cruel punishment here, while the others do. Zeth keeps boasting about how Dalena is his bride. The men in this village claim Dalena is the most beautiful woman to have ever existed and can render men incapable of anything. You mentioned you had a brother you were traveling with, correct? Be careful that Dalena does not bewitch him."

"I will." Linika took the map and rolled it back up. "Thank you. You have been very helpful."

"If you can successfully banish the Evil Sages, our way of life can become that much better. If you need more information, please come back to see me. If you want to know which Sage to defeat first, I would go with Notus, please. Her wind powers cause what little food we can grow to be destroyed in an instant. If you can find a way to stick to anything solid, you won't be blown away by her powers. I did have an item that could accomplish such a feat but she stole it away and hid it within her palace so no one could defeat her," Aginah said.

"I'll keep that in mind. And I'm certain I'll come and see you again. I hope you have enough tea for me," Linika said. Aginah let out a hearty laugh as she left his hut.

Meanwhile, Rythern was examining the layout of the Village of Outcasts. He instructed the latrine area to be moved as far away from the food storage as possible and the village quickly agreed when he told them of how sick everyone could become. The huts were already in the process of being reinforced with stone with one of the carpenters hauling busted rock back into the village. The populace was already resonating with his leadership skills and he continued to figure out improvements to the village for better living.

"This must be what being a king is like. Helping the people see things they might not otherwise see and improve their way of life."

A hut was already being constructed for him and Rythern could not be more grateful. A small piece of privacy away from his sister and others was what he craved more than anything. Once he informed the group of carpenters that he was here to fix the Triforce, they were quick to build him some accommodations.

As he examined the growing area, a Hylian nearby had commented on the Sage of Wind's mischief and how her constant wind storms would rip up premature crops before they could even eat them. There didn't seem like anything he could do, unless...

"Having fun yet, Brother?"

Rythern inwardly groaned and turned towards his sister. "As a matter of fact, none of this is fun. I'm simply doing what my birthright dictates I do."

"Sure. Tell people what to do, pay you Rupees every month and sit back as its done for you. Isn't that how you and Mother run things?" Linika asked bitterly.

"Linika, you have no idea what it truly means to be a monarch! Mother and I don't just sit around and tell people what to do! The very idea is preposterous!" Rythern bellowed.

"Whatever." Linika started to fish around in her bag. "I have something here-"

"If you had ever sat in on mine and Mother's political discussions, you would know this," Rythern couldn't hold himself back. "Instead, you selfishly ran off without ever giving a thought to your people's needs and way of living. Fishing and camping was more important to you than your people."

Linika froze. Rythern's words hit her in a way she hadn't expected. She steadily put her hand back in her bag and gave a glare to her brother.

"Go ahead and glare, Linika. I'm not playing games and I refuse to give in to you believing I am. Did you not notice that these people were using an area next to their crops to relieve themselves? And most of the children in this village are sick from that. The huts here are also not reinforced with stone so they're susceptible to collapsing more easily. The carpenters here couldn't figure out why they wasted so much wood until I told them. The drinking water here is not clean, the rock walls need better traps and-"

"Shut up! Do I have to go and kill these Evil Sages myself?!" Linika shrieked. She hated being reminded that she was a princess that didn't act princess-like.

"Laima told us we had to stay together. You can yell and stomp your feet all you want but we're twins and we're going to accomplish this together. I just want this done in a way these people won't suffer."

Linika hid her sneer and grabbed the map Aginah gave her. "Then get ready. Our first destination is going to be the Gale Woods to find Notus. She's the Evil Sage of Wind and Aginah says she should be the easier one to defeat."

"Hold on, are you actually thinking about killing her?" Rythern felt bile rise up.

"I'll do what I have to in order to go home."

Welcome to my Dark World.

I will admit the names I gave the new locations here aren't terribly original. My creative excuse is Aginah gave the locations simple names that corresponded to the Evil Sage that occupies that part of the land for the sake of simplicity.

The Village of Outcasts had its own track in the URA Zelda OST done by Nitroflasher. The melody is very somber and sad, which is what inspired me to treat it as a village of people who were forcibly sacrificed by Twinrova. It is very unlike the Village of Outcasts in A Link To The Past, which was more of a thieves' haven.

Speaking of ALTTP, you may recognize a name here. Aginah is the old man who was hiding in the desert that tells you about the Book of Mudora! This Aginah has no relation to that character and is another name I've pulled from Zelda lore. However, the character retains his appearance as an old man with a bald head and robes.

Rala is another character that will continue to appear as well. This character is completely made up by me.

This chapter was one I really wanted to highlight Rythern's strengths and Linika's selfishness. I hope it was good.

Have a cheesy-filled weekend.