Nature Sage - Ch 3
You know, I tried my very best to keep this series short, but...get ready for a really long part. Just too much going on to keep it small.
Hyrule Castle was bigger and more elaborate than ever. The castle walls were a beautiful, pearly white, and the tops of the towers were royal blue. About halfway up each of the four towers, there was a stained glass window, showing a scene as if it had been painted while the three goddesses of Hyrule were creating the world. Malon couldn't wait to see how nice it was on the inside.
Princess Zelda sat in her throne, looking worried, as usual. She couldn't get over the fact the kingdom was now hers. She sighed and looked up, just in time to see Link, Ruto, and Malon come in. She attempted a warm smile.
"What can I do for you?" the Princess asked politely.
"Malon is the Sage of Nature," Ruto explained happily. "I discovered her."
"Yeah, and I should be a Sage," Link added.
"Oh, no," Malon moaned. "Are we back on that again?" Zelda laughed.
"And I suppose you think she's ready to enter the Sacred Realm?" she asked.
"I do," Ruto said resentfully. "She parted the waterfall in Zora's River! On her first attempt!"
Zelda looked faintly impressed. "We'll see what she can do. Link, prepare the Test of Courage."
"Yes, Your Highness," Link said, turning around to get the test ready. Then he stopped, looked back, and said, "What is that, and where do I find it?"
Zelda sighed. "I'll do it," she said, casting her power. "Now, 'Malon,' go into the Chamber of Farore. There, you will be tested on your courage and speed."
Malon nodded. She focused her energy and teleported herself into the Chamber of Farore. At first, it just looked like an empty room, but soon, the area began to flourish. It was as if she was outside again. Grass suddenly sprouted from the ground, and the ceiling seemed to extend up forever. There were even clouds up there, she realized. Trees appeared along the walls, and it felt like the middle of the forest.
Suddenly, Malon was struck in her side bey a powerful bolt of magic. She twisted around just in time to avoid another blast. She looked up to see who her attacker was, and was shocked to see Zelda.
"Why are you doing this?" Malon asked, jumping aside to avoid another hit.
Zelda didn't answer. She just continued striking at Malon.
"Oh, I get it," she said to herself. "This isn't the REAL Zelda, just like this isn't a real forest or real grass..this is a test.."
She whirled around to face the aggressor. She focused all of her power and energy, and sent an enormous bolt of energy toward the imaginary foe.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Zelda's look-alike screamed, collapsing to the ground. She then proceeded to vanish into thin air, and the grass and trees and sky all melted back into Zelda's throne room.
"Well done," the real Zelda said, in a slightly sour tone. "The next test is held in the Chamber of Nayru, across the hallway. No need to warp there; it seems you're already pretty worn out."
Malon was lying on her back at the Princess's feet, trying to recover her lost energy. She tried to say something, but didn't succeed. Link peered down at her, looking concerned.
"Well?" Zelda said impatiently. "What are you waiting for? Go!"
Malon realized that Zelda had become very heartless since Link had destroyed Ganondorf. She knew the the kind, soft Zelda was still burried on the inside.. perhaps it was the Evil Realm bearing its effects on the Princess. She shrugged it off, and stood up warily. Giving Zelda a smirk, she warped herself to the Chamber of Nayru.
Again, what started out as a bare, boring room was transformed into a mystical sky kingdom. The only thing that made Malon feel safe in the whole room was the tiny chunck of land she had to stand on. Even though she knew it was only her imagination, it still looked and felt very real.
She looked around cautiously, ready for anything. This time, Ganondorf came from nowhere to strike her.
Hard.
Malon fell to the edge of the island she was on. Instantly, and ocean of fear gripped her. No way did she want to end up losing to that snotty Princess, or the King of Evil, for that matter. The fear quickly turned to anger, and she was after that monster.
Small, but strong bolts of energy errupted from Malon's fingers. Ganondorf staggered back, and reached the end of the platform. He glanced down.
"That is a loooooooong way down," he said to himself. Malon felt awful about what she was about to do, but she didn't let it stop her from acting as quickly as she could. Before Ganondorf knew what was happening, Malon had send a jolt of power that sent him toppling off of the edge of the island. He screamed, and Malon winced. Then, she found herself back in the throne room, with a very unhappy Zelda, a very proud Link, and an even more proud Ruto.
"Okay, so you passed the Test of Wisdom," Zelda moped. "There's no way you'll pass the Test of Power. Go now to the Chamber of Din!"
Malon did, and found herself in a firey pit. Nothing was imaginary about this room, she feared. This time, the whole thing was real.
"Malon," someone said from behind her.
She whirled around and saw Link, grinning devilisly, and a whole new feeling of fear passed over her. The last thing she wanted in the world was to hurt Link, and here she was, about to destroy him. Only it wasn't really him.
But it felt real enough to her.
"Zelda," Malon said. "I can't do this. Get me out, okay?"
Nothing happened.
"I mean it," she said, starting to panic. Link was edging toward her, insanity in his eyes. He held his sword at an angle, as if he were trying to defend himself, but the look in his eyes made it look like he was a complete psycho.
Malon took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She held her hands out and shot out the most powerful bolt of magic she had ever dreamed of, made purely from fear. She heard Link's scream, and shut her eyes even tighter. She shivered from the loss of energy, and the amount of terror she had built up inside herself. Then, she realized that there really was nothing to be afraid of. It was just that she hated the thought of destroying someone who was so close to her.
"You did it!" Ruto's voice sounded kind of far-off. Malon peeked one eye open, then the other. She breathed out a heavy sigh of relief.
"Not even I could destroy me," Link commented, smiling. "I'm way too adorable, funny, outgoing, just an overall great guy."
Malon let out a giddy laugh. "I was so scared..but then I got so scared that I actually tried to kill it.." She started to cry. "I didn't want to die! I would rather have killed you than let you kill me.."
"C'mon, it's not that bad. You knew that wasn't the real me. That me was really messed up in the head. This me is just all-around perfect."
"THAT'S IT!" Zelda screamed, furious. "You can go into the Sacred Realm! Ha! The ultimate punishment!"
She cast her power once more, and a void of darkness opened up before them.
"GO IN!" she yelled.
"This is the Sacred Realm?" Link asked nervously.
"You've got to remember, the Evil Realm is gaining control," Ruto reminded.
"GO!"
The three of them got up and ran into the darkness, but Malon could see a blue light shining from deep within it.
End of Ch 3. Like? Don't like? Tell me! Review! Please, please review!
Ch 4 coming soon! And, once again, I ask that you please review! Thank you!