CHAPTER 5
"I'll kill him!"
"Not if I get to him first!"
"Yeah, well, weren't you going to 'cut him down to size' earlier? That really happened!"
"Ha! This coming from the person that was looking straight at him, and didn't see him until he zapped her!"
"Oh, yeah?"
WHAM!
"All right, you two, don't break anything!"
Wynn sighed, watching Tane and Shezarah bicker. His spirits had been down ever since he had woken up in Jier's home, surrounded by his friends. Each of them had been a little hurt. Tane, Shezarah, Jier, and Fami had suffered light burns. Nerah had a large bruise on the back of her head. Wynn, however, had been the most effected: the fall had nearly broken bones, and he had a bad headache from his head slamming into the ground.
"How are you?" purred a voice in his ear as a pair of slim arms wrapped around his neck.
Wynn sighed, only saying, "Fine."
Fami let go of him, coming around to face him. "Dear, it wasn't your fault."
"We almost had it!"
"We'll get him next time, love."
Wynn didn't argue, merely looking away to where Tane and Shezarah had been arguing. To no surprise, he found them engaged in a deep kiss. That seemed to be the only way for them to stop arguing.
This sight nearly caused Wynn to smile, but thoughts of his nemesis ended that. Seron had hurt him again today. One way or another, Wynn vowed, this would be one of the last times he did.
"Wynn," said a quiet voice from behind the hero. Both he and Fami turned, seeing Jier standing nearby.
"What's wrong?" Wynn asked.
"I think I have figured out Seron's next target. The closest Pendant to us…is in Zora's Domain."
Wynn nodded. "Well, I guess we wait till morning to leave. Seron probably has nowhere to stay, so he has a head start, but we will be better rested."
"We're going home? Yes!" exclaimed Nerah, a grin on her face.
"Great. We visit the fish people. Maybe we can leave her in a puddle somewhere," Fami smirked.
"Fami! Be nice!" scolded Wynn jokingly, sliding an arm around Fami as he stood. "We need to sleep now…we have another long hike in front of us."
"Hike?" groaned Tane, finally returning his attention to the conversation.
Wynn smiled. "Yeah, partner. Rest well."
Drooping his head, Tane walked away.
"Well, good night, everyone. Be ready to go in the morning…" Wynn said, a grim smile crossing his face, "Because we have a wizard to hunt down."
******
Jevax stared out across the land of Hyrule from a cliff on Death Mountain. He saw it as a jewel, but unrefined. It was up to him to own it, to clean it, to eliminate its flaws…and Jevax knew just the tool he needed.
He had searched the old records, peered through book after book of history, searching for the item he needed. He had found it, but still could not reach it. His eyes narrowing, he silently cursed Icarnos for ruining his path to conquest.
He smiled as he heard the footsteps behind him, but did not acknowledge them. She could wait. He returned to his dark thoughts, hearing the feet stop behind him and not move again. Moments later, he finally turned to face the girl.
"What is it?" he demanded cruelly.
The Zora girl looked at him, resisting the urge to hang her head. "I could not find them."
Even with her highly trained reflexes, she did not see the backhanded slap until she was on the ground. She did not wince, but merely glared at Jevax with pain in her eyes, but no hatred. Jevax stared down at her.
"You little fool! You're worthless! You are lucky I don't do to you what I intended to do to them, before you let them go! I should kill you!" Jevax screamed, his body seemingly to glow with darkness.
The girl didn't respond. She closed her eyes, taking the brunt of his verbal attack. To her, the words hurt more than the slap.
Jevax yanked her from the ground, holding her face in front of his. "Find them."
She nodded. "Yes, mighty Jevax."
Jevax smiled as she walked away. A jewel, indeed. Rid it of its weaknesses…
And even a jewel can be deadly.
******
"Unh…"
For yet another time, Seron drifted back from unconsciousness. He tried to shield his eyes from the glaring sunlight, but could not. With another loud moan, he pushed himself up by his arms, then to a sitting position.
He looked over at his companion. The Tekiton was still out cold, its body discolored in places as bruises formed from their fall the night before. Both he and it had been very lucky to survive.
He sighed as he remembered the previous night's events. Jevax had nearly killed him by blasting him off that cliff. And, no doubt, the girl had been looking for them. Fortunately, Seron had retained consciousness long enough to drag the Tekiton and himself into a shielded crack in the cliff walls lining the trail.
He smiled ironically. Kiara would have his hide for getting hurt like this…
Oh no! Kiara!
He roughly shook the Tekiton awake. As the monster chirped unhappily, he stood, dusting himself off and running a hand through his dark hair. As the monster hesitated, trying to fall back asleep, he hauled it to its feet.
The two ran into Kakariko, dashing towards Kiara's house. As Seron slowed himself near her door, his hand was already raised, and he knocked desperately. To his utter dismay, there was no answer. He tried again, and again, pounding on the door and calling in. He moved to a window, peering in, but saw nothing.
Seron punched the door, furious at the world in general. When the Tekiton pulled on his sleeve, he whirled, ready to attack it. To his surprise and satisfaction, he saw what the Tekiton was calling his attention to. Oblivious to him and his monster, Wynn and company were walking out of Kakariko. Seron smiled evilly, happy to find something to vent his anger on. Signaling the Tekiton to be silent, he followed the group, ready to find where they were going and attack them. He would use them to calm down a bit…and to delay the inevitable.
******
Wynn smiled as the group entered Zora's Domain. He looked over to Nerah, who was practically beaming at the sight of her home. He chuckled to himself, but didn't truly understand her emotions. After the destruction of his own home, he had not had a place to call his own, and feelings like she had at that moment were foreign to him.
As they progressed into the home of the Zora race, more and more of the fish-people came up to them, greeting them. The Zora's were typically a loner race full of individuals that often shunned outsiders, but after Wynn and his friends had saved them all from Ganon's assault the year before, they had come to acknowledge them all as heroes.
It was no surprise to see Captain Zaruu stroll up to them, nodding in greetings to them all and then engage in a conversation with Tane. Next came Jaco, attacking Nerah with a bear hug and kiss, which she joyfully returned. Last was Panu, offering to take bets on a local political race, but all declined.
The group continued through the cavern that housed the Zoras, for once not taking time to enjoy the splendor of the fountains and waterfalls. Instead, they walked right up to the throne room. After a few words to the king, Jier led them past the portly leader and into the Zora's Fountain, leaving the other Zoras behind. Nerah bid a quick farewell to Jaco, promising to see him again soon.
Jier led the other five up to a platform towards the center of the fountain, which was an immense lake a quarter of the size of Lake Hylia. The area was peaceful, and there was nothing but large rocky protrusion jutting up from the water, creating hills in places. Wynn could spot a couple of small groves of trees over the hills.
"From here, we swim," Jier instructed, pointing to where the tops of a few trees could be seen over a particularly large hill. "I believe there is where the entrance to the Great Fairy's Fountain is located."
Fami grimaced. "We have to swim all the way across the lake?"
"What's wrong, shrimp? Afraid you'll shrink more than you already have?"
"At least I don't have to worry about being mistaken to be food by the fish, bait breath!"
"I wonder if Kokiri wanna-be's sink? From the looks of it, probably…"
Wynn sighed, then dove into the water. Hearing four splashes behind him, he began the long swim across the lake, enjoying the feeling of the cool water. He was halfway across when he saw Nerah pass him, swimming rapidly with fast elegant strokes. She zoomed ahead, making it to the land before any of the others were even near. Wynn was also passed by Tane and Shezarah, who were in fierce competition. It wasn't long before all had made it, with Fami coming in last. The former Kokiri spluttered indignantly as she came ashore. Nerah merely smirked at her.
Wynn grimaced as Jier sighed. Once again, the Sheikah had led them to a blank wall.
"It's right here, I swear!" Jier exclaimed, scratching his head.
Wynn rolled up his sleeves, charging his power. "I'll blast it."
Hearing this, his friends immediately stepped back, desperately looking for cover. Wynn laughed self-consciously, rubbing the back of his head. Seeing his friends had found adequate shelter, he turned back to the wall, releasing a powerful beam of light aimed right above a small boulder leaning against the wall. To his shock, it merely cratered the wall, not bursting through. He tried again, with the same results.
He looked back at Jier, coolly questioning the dark warrior. Jier shrugged. Annoyed and angered by the stubborn wall, Wynn decided to vent some anger by blasting the boulder. To his surprise and chagrin, the resulting explosion shattered the wall.
The group of six heroes entered the cavern, finding themselves in a very familiar fairy fountain. Fami stared about in wonder, having missed the last two trips to the fountains. Wynn walked straight up to the fountain, anxious to get the prize.
He had nearly reached it when a shadow came across the light coming from the door. Two shadows.
Wynn whirled. "You followed us."
"Brilliant deduction, hero."
"You have a death wish, Seron?"
"Yeah…I wish for your death."
"Welcome…mortals. Welcome to the Fountain of the Great Fairy of Magic."
Hearing the
voice of the Great Fairy followed by the fairy's chilling laughter, Fami
turned, looking in shock at the creature. It
was identical to the other two, but still oddly enrapturing. All eight of the group stared at her, sensing her power enter the room.
"I know you desire the Crown I hold. But, do you have the Courage to earn it?"
Wynn stepped forward. "I do."
"As do I." Wynn glared over at his rival.
The rest of the group, excluding the Tekiton, nodded in assent.
"Then here is your test of your courage and faith in yourself. Those with weak hearts will not be able to see the truth, but those with strength of will will gain the prize. Good luck…" And the Great Fairy disappeared.
As did the rest of the fountain. The group suddenly was standing in a large cavern, dark and dank. Wynn looked around, his guard up. He never saw it coming.
A curtain of darkness fell over his eyes. When he was able to open them, he was standing alone, with total darkness surrounding him. He looked around, reaching for his sword, but finding it missing.
"You failed me."
Wynn whirled, seeing his father staring coldly at him. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came forth.
"You failed me."
"You failed me."
"You failed me."
Wynn screamed silently, seeing his friends whirl by him. Tane and Shezarah falling to their deaths. Jier in the form of the Assassin. Nerah, dead and alone. Zelda and Link, powerless and afraid. Arco, Malon, Kesler, Greer, the Cucco Lady, Jaco, Zaruu…on and on the chant went.
Then, Icarnos, a shell of the man he had been, came to him, then vanished. Then came Fami, hanging on the arm of a laughing Seron, calmly saying, "You failed me, you failed me…", her brown eyes cold and black. Slowly, Wynn faced Seron, whose face slowly changed into that of Solan.
"You failed me."
Wynn turned, in agony, facing his last challenger. He stood before himself. His dark clone stepped forward, and Wynn winced, retreating a step. "You failed me."
"I didn't fail you! This is merely a mirage…a test…" Wynn steeled himself. "I won't give up. Not to a shadow of reality like you."
Without hesitation, he ran forward, touching the image of himself. The second he did, the world vanished, and he returned to the fountain. He had won.
He turned, watching his friends. They were in agony. Many were rolling on the ground, flinching from imaginary attacks or words.
Jier was the nearest to him. Wynn grimaced as he heard Jier moan in fright, "No…Ganon, stay away! Please!"
Moving on, he passed Tane, who had tears running down his face. "Mom! Dad! No! Deihawk, leave them alone! NO!"
Shezarah was jumping from spot to spot, shaking in fright. "Horrid rats! No! Please! Tane, help me!" Wynn's eyebrows raised, surprised the warrior woman was afraid of something so simple.
Nerah moaned, gasping as if she was dying from heat. "Please…my sister…"
Fami was calling out for Wynn, then Link, then the Great Deku Tree.
Last was Seron. Wynn paused, watching the man, now pitifully curled up into a ball. "No, Icarnos…please…Ganon…no…Jevax…" Abruptly, he jerked up, tears erupting from his eyes. "Kiara, NO!"
Wynn froze. Who was Kiara? And why did she concern Seron? Shaking his head, Wynn proceeded to the main fountain. Hanging in the air was a finely sculpted crown, with green crystals imbedded in it. A smile hanging on his face, Wynn gently held the crown, then placed it on his head.
It was if a string had been cut, freeing those it had bound to their worst nightmares. Each of the six that had been held by their fears groaned, snapping out of it. Wynn smiled to each of them, fixing Seron with a smirk that let the other know he knew exactly what had happened in his vision.
Seron jumped to his feet. "You may have won this one, hero, but you'll pay! This I swear!" He turned, stalking out, the Tekiton following meekly behind.
Wynn smiled as each of his friends slowly realized what had happened. He had triumphed over Seron, and at the same time discovered what hidden fears had plagued him. With a new power in his step, he led the others out of the fountain.
He was barely out in the open when he was attacked. Seron, floating in mid-air, rained lightning onto Wynn, who dodged and prepared to return fire. Wynn's back was to the water, so he couldn't see the monster until it had him.
The Tekiton leaped out of the water, plucking the crown from Wynn's head. The hero whirled, sword searching for the monster, but Seron caught him in mid-turn with a blast. Wynn collapsed as Seron swooped down, grabbing the Tekiton and speeding across the water.
Wynn's friends tried to stop the wizard. Seron dodged explosions of water and vines, then finally burned an arrow from the sky right before it bit into his back. Each of the heroes sighed, knowing Seron had beaten them once again.
Wynn groaned, clenching his fist. Not again…
The six heroes wearily made their way back to Zora's Domain, defeated and tired.
******
That night, as darkness held the land, a figure slipped out of bed, slipped into his armor, and made his way for the exit. Picking up his sword, he paused, gathering his nerve. Nodding, his made his way for the door.
The group of adventurers had chosen to spend what little remained of the day at Zora's Domain. The nightmare visions had seemed like they had lasted minutes, but in actuality had taken up hours. It was late evening when they had returned to the Domain, and Nerah had convinced them to stay.
Dispirited as the group was, they had not needed much convincing. The only one to protest had been Wynn, who had complained that Seron would already be to the next Pendant by the time they started the next morning. Jier had rationalized that Seron's most probable next stop would be at Hyrule Castle, and Seron would have difficulty getting into Hyrule Marketplace at night.
Wynn had finally backed down, but he knew Jier was wrong this time. He sensed Seron had no intention of going to the Castle now…his target was the Haunted Wasteland, west of the Gerudo's Fortress. His friends wouldn't go with him, but Wynn wouldn't let Seron get the next prize unchallenged. He would go alone.
Quietly, Wynn slipped out of his room. He knew that his friends would try to stop him if they caught him, so he had to make sure they didn't see him. He stealthily slipped down towards the exit.
"Yawn…Wynn?" came a sleepy voice from behind him. Wynn grimaced. So much for quiet.
He turned. Standing at her door was Fami, wearing a loose-fitting flowing green nightgown. She was obviously less than half awake, but had a worried expression on her face. Wynn stared at her, not knowing what to say.
She sighed, walking up to him and hugging him tightly. "Be careful," she whispered, then lightly kissed him. Wynn smiled as she walked back into her room.
He turned, and walked away. Time for him to finally beat Seron at his own game.
******
The next morning, Wynn's friends awoke to find their leader gone. Each immediately knew what had happened, and a few were angry, but Fami was silent, standing alone off to the side. They gathered their gear, and were off to find the hero.
They progressed down the trail next to the rushing Zora's River, nearing the area where the river ran into Hyrule Field. When they passed the two massive columns marking the end of the trail, Jier froze. His hand fell to his dagger, and his eyes narrowed to slits. They were in danger.
The other four were oblivious to the threat, but Jier snapped into action. His eyes scoured the area, coming to rest on the columns, where a dark pair of eyes met his own.
Jier started to yell to the others, but was attacked. The figure dove off the column, his foot seeking Jier's body in a savage kick. Jier dove to the side, but a twirling strike from a staff floored him. He tried to flip up from the ground, but the last thing he saw was a boot heading for his face.
Jevax smiled as he surveyed his handiwork. He heard the others running at him, and smiled. "Where is Wynn?"
Tane drew his ax. "That's no concern of yours, creep!"
Jevax sneered at him. "Tell me and I won't beat you…too badly."
Shezarah twirled her scimitar/spear. "You'll be the one injured. Who are you?"
Jevax laughed. "But that blade down, little girl, before you get hurt."
Shezarah sneered. "I'll enjoy crushing you."
"If you won't tell me, I'll just look for myself. You could have saved yourselves a beating, but your unconscious bodies will warn anyone that thinks of not doing what I say."
Shezarah feinted a kick at Jevax, who twirled out of the way. Tane came at him with a punch, which the villain ducked under, slamming a fist into Tane's gut. Shezarah sweep kicked Jevax, who merely rolled over it, his staff a blur as it cracked against the Gerudo's skull. She moaned, stumbling as Jevax prepared to finish her. He didn't get the chance, as a punch from Tane slammed into his kidneys. Jevax whirled, his foot sweeping Tane's legs out from under the hero as the staff came up. Shezarah rained fast hard kicks onto Jevax as Tane collapsed, but Jevax moved faster than the Gerudo had believed possible. So fast, it seemed he left shadowy images of himself whenever he moved. Very soon, she joined Tane in his slumber.
Fami narrowed her eyes. "Even if you beat us, you won't find Wynn. And if you do…I pity you."
Jevax laughed heartily. "It is yourself you need to worry about. NOW!"
Jevax dashed at Fami, who sent up a wall of vines to protect her. Unfortunately, Jevax had no intention of attacking her. A shadow leapt from the second column, striking her before she had realized the other was there.
As Fami crumpled to the ground, the figure turned to face Nerah. Their gazes met, and both froze. Their eyes spoke volumes as they stood as still as statues. Both tensed, their mouths slowly forming the silent word, "You."
Suddenly, the wall of vines was breached. A figure, identical to Jevax but seemingly composed of shadow, flew out and lashed out at Nerah, sending her to the ground, her eyes never leaving the other Zora's until they closed.
The shadow disappeared as Jevax walked through the hole in the wall, which was wilting. A smirk was on his face as he slipped an arm around the other girl, saying only, "Pity, indeed."
The girl looked back at the devastation, her eyes sad. "Nerah…" she whispered. And then, she was gone, back into the shadows.