CHAPTER 2
Wynn shook in his sleep. He rolled back and forth, deep in the hold of a dream...a nightmare.
******
Wynn stood alone in a whirling black cloud. He couldn't see out, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get out.
"Wynn...help us!" begged a voice from beside him. He whirled. It was Nerah and Fami!
"Wynn..." they cried. He ran to them, but, before he could reach them, they faded away.
"Wynn!"
"Partner!" Wynn turned again. There was Shezarah and Tane. "Where are you? We need you!" they yelled. Wynn moved to them, but they were gone.
"Wynn..." Wynn slowly turned at the sound of the voice. He knew whom he would witness, and was right. There was a man, dressed all in black, with the symbol of a red eye on his chest. His hair was jet-black. He was tall and wiry. It was Jier.
"Look what will happen because of you!" Jier yelled angrily. The air behind him faded to reveal a horrible landscape. Scenes of Hyrule flashed through Wynn's mind. Scenes of the devastated fields. Scenes of the vacant towns. Scenes of the desolate, lifeless forests and lakes. Finally, scenes of his dead friends.
"I will kill you!" Jier screamed hoarsely. He lunged at Wynn, dagger drawn. Wynn yelled as his friend came at him, closer and closer, until...
******
"Wynn! Wake up!" Fami screamed at the hero. She turned back to her friends. "It's no use. He won't even stop yelling!"
"I can fix that," Nerah said, smirking. She concentrated, and a geyser of water appeared, drenching Wynn.
Wynn woke up, spluttering. "What...? Jier? Where..." He shook his head as the realization of where he really was came to him.
"Are you alright, Wynn?" asked Fami, concern in her eyes. She sighed in relief as Wynn answered her with a nod.
"Don't worry, it was just a nightmare. I'll be fine," Wynn assured her.
Before they could ask what the nightmare that had frightened Wynn so consisted of, a Gerudo burst into the room. "Shezarah! Something has happened!"
Shezarah moved to the frantic girl. "What is it?"
"I don't know! I was on guard duty, when suddenly, the image of a man appeared. He was dressed all in black. He demanded the hero Wynn, and, when my partner refused, a blast of dark lightning came from the image, knocking her out. He sent me after Wynn." The Gerudo looked to the drowsy hero. "He says he wants to speak to him, man to man."
"A man, dressed all in black? Dark lightning? Seron!" Shezarah growled.
"He wants to see me? That's a surprise. I had believed he would never stop running." A cold look came into Wynn's eye. "At least I won't have to hunt him down."
Wynn, followed closely by his friends, left the room, and was led by the Gerudo to where the image of Seron still laired.
"Well, well, Wynn. Looks like your still live. Good. I shall get to be the one to kill you," Seron gloated.
"Kill me? You don't even have the guts to show up in person, and-"
"Do you honestly think I would show up at the Gerudo Fortress? Do not think me stupid, little hero. I would not fight you when you have the upper hand."
"Where do you suggest, then? In your dark lair? I think not," Wynn smiled sarcastically at the wizard.
"Perhaps...A neutral ground, then. And I know just the place."
"Where?"
"Outside Kakariko, in a cove above the graveyard. Meet me there, in a day's time. I shall finish you, and take my rightful place as ruler of Hyrule."
"On one condition, Seron. You must tell me of the location of my parents."
Seron laughed. "Why, of course, Wynn. I shall even assist you even more; I will take you to them. Then, you will die."
"One of us shall die, certainly. But it shall not be I."
"Farewell, Wynn. Enjoy your last day of breath." With those words, the image of Seron faded.
Wynn frowned. "Farewell, Seron. Soon, our rivalry will be just an unpleasant memory, and I shall be able to finally get rid of you." He then turned, and walked back to the fort, preparing himself for what would be one of the most important and trying battles of his life.
******
"Is the girl going to be all right?" Captain Greer asked quietly. Jier turned to face the gruff old soldier. As always, the man, commander of the Survivors, was wearing his dented and tarnished armor and helmet. He stood stiffly, head inclined toward the young man caring for the Cucco Lady.
Jier sighed. "I hope so. She dodged the blast, but the splinters from the wall behind her hit her pretty hard. I think I got most of them."
Greer nodded solemnly. "Good. Kesler is recovering, too. He took that blast pretty hard. His armor saved his life."
Jier grimaced. "Seron caused way too much damage. He is getting more and more dangerous. Someone needs to stop him!"
Greer again nodded. "But how do we find him?"
"I don't know how, but this I swear. When I do find him, he will pay. When next we meet, Seron will be no more." Jier looked down to the comatose form of the Cucco Lady. "Or I will die trying."
******
General Rosburn, High General of the Hylian Army of Defense, laughed as he stepped into his chambers. What fools, his subordinates. They were all following his orders to withdraw, without question. Little did they know, they were in fact following the orders of an enemy.
Rosburn tossed his yellow cap, complete with red plume, to the bed nearby, and turned to the mirror. He smiled as he inspected the self-proclaimed 'Most important man in Hyrule'. His bright red hair was neatly groomed, as was his handlebar mustache. His yellow chain mail armor was gleaming, untouched by sword or other weapons. His yellow tunic and pants completed his image.
"I am impressed, Rosburn," came a soft voice from behind him, as all the light in the room faded. "You have done well in aiding me and my master."
Rosburn turned and faced the twin red eyes. "Why, thank you. I live to serve," he said arrogantly.
"I have one other thing to ask of you, before our plans are complete."
"What would that be?"
"Oh, something simple. I merely want you to leave a certain area unguarded, at a certain time. And then..."
"I will finally get the power I deserve!" Rosburn crowed.
"Yes..." the eyes hissed. "Now, we must discuss our plans..."
The two villains set into their conversation, laying the plans for what would be one of the most important battles in Hyrule's history.
******
Wynn stepped out into the morning light, and looked to the sky. The sun was hidden behind a thick layer of black clouds. It looked as if it was going to storm again. It was a fitting day for the coming battle.
Fami and Nerah came out behind him, glaring at each other. They, too, looked up to the sky, and shivered as a cutting wind gusted past them.
Wynn turned around as Tane and Shezarah exited the fort. "It's time," he announced quietly. His four friends nodded, and they set off for Kakariko, ready to face the wizard apprentice that had caused them so much trouble and pain.
******
It was evening when they reached Kakariko. If anything, the sky had gotten darker and more ominous. Wynn frowned as another gale-force wind assailed his group. Soon, he would finally finish his rivalry with Seron. And it couldn't happen any sooner.
Together, they climbed the stairs leading to Kakariko. All around them were the signs of battle, complete with dead Tekitons. The group stopped. This was Seron's work.
They soon went up into the town, and towards the gate leading into the graveyard. Halfway there, they were stopped by a shout.
"Wait! Wynn!" They all turned. Wynn almost smiled when he saw who it was.
"Hello, Jier," Wynn said as his friend ran up to them.
Jier nodded in greeting to the others, and turned back to Wynn. "Wynn, I have bad news. Seron-"
"I know, he attacked this town. But now, we are going to challenge him. This time, he won't get away."
"I'm coming with you," Jier stated. Wynn nodded, and the six friends set off without another word.
******
Fami looked around the vacant graveyard. The air was still here, and everything had a cast of hopelessness to it. The dark gravestones stood as if sentinels, guarding this place of no good.
"Well, you finally arrive. I had thought you to be too cowardly, but no matter now. Are you ready?" Seron yelled from a cliff above the graveyard.
Jier tensed, ready to lunge at the wizard. Wynn glared at Seron. "First, my parents. Take me to them."
Seron chuckled. "Certainly, little hero. Follow me." A ladder appeared, leading up to the cliff where Seron stood. Wynn climbed first, then Jier, followed by the others.
Seron led them along a path, and up a hill. When they descended to the other side, they found themselves looking into a cave. Seron proceeded in. The cave was maze-like, with many twists and turns. Finally, they entered a large room. Along one wall were two crystals, both man-sized. Inside them were two figures, both very familiar to Wynn.
"Father! Mother!" Wynn gasped.
"A happy reunion, how touching. Now, Wynn, DIE!" Seron raised his gloved hand, and a blast of his lightning flew at Wynn. Wynn moved out of its way, but it scorched his armor. Wynn jumped at Seron, sword drawn. Seron drew his own weapon, and the two clashed.
Fami watched as Wynn and Seron battled. She was nearly beside herself with worry for Wynn, and she noticed Nerah was acting similarly. She also noticed Jier stood with muscles tensed, as if ready to pounce.
Wynn slashed down and to his left, his Biggoron sword diving for Seron's shoulder. Seron danced out of the way, and stabbed at Wynn with his much shorter sword. Wynn withdrew a step, and the sword caught only air.
Wynn glared at Seron. "Surrender, Seron, and I won't kill you."
"You heroes, you never learn. You can't stop me! I am invincible!" Seron lunged at Wynn, his sword cutting a wide swath across the air. Wynn deflected the blow, turning as Seron moved by him. Seron turned to face Wynn, and saw the adventurer's sword coming at him. He backpedaled, but the Biggoron sword caught his own, and sent it flying away from him.
Seron frowned, looking at his empty hand. "Well, I never was much the swordsman. But my other talents are more than equal to yours, Wynn!" He raised his empty gloved hand. "Face my magic!"
The familiar lightning assailed Wynn, but the hero was quick enough to dodge it. However, Seron attacked again and again, and the lightning was flying throughout the room. One tendril flew blast the other five heroes, and blasted into the two crystals. The crystals shattered, spilling Baro and his wife to the cave floor.
Wynn cried out as he saw his parents fall to the floor. Seron saw that the hero was distracted, and charged his magic to kill him. But, he never got the chance.
"NO!" Jier yelled, running at Seron. The apprentice saw him coming, and whirled, ready to finish what he had started at Kakariko. But Jier jumped into the air, and delivered a devastating kick to Seron's face. The wizard was knocked to his back, a good distance away.
Seron stood, glaring at Jier. He again raised his hand, and shot his magic, but the black-clad hero was too agile. Jier flipped over the magic, and again.
Wynn watched his friend battle Seron. He whirled as he heard his father's voice come from behind him.
"Wynn..." Baro gasped weakly.
Wynn moved to his father's side. "Wynn," his father continued, "you must use our magic to stop Seron, before he causes any more damage. Go!"
Wynn nodded. He raised his arms above his head, closing his eyes in concentration. An aura of light surrounded Wynn. It soon grew brighter, and then disappeared. When it was gone, two spheres of light appeared over his hands. They circled his hands, moving faster and faster. Wynn slowly lowered his arms, until they were pointed at Seron. A breeze seemed to enter the cavern, gusting over Wynn, his hair moving in the wind. His eyes shot open as the spheres collided. The spheres formed a beam of light. The beam careened at Seron, and the apprentice didn't even see it coming.
Jier jumped away from the wizard, getting out of the way. Seron whirled, and his eyes grew larger as he saw the beam hurtling at him.
"Nooo!" Seron screamed, throwing himself to the ground. The beam narrowly missed him, devastating the wall behind him. Seron jumped to his feet, and dashed for the exit to the cave.
"You're not getting away that easily!" Jier yelled, running after the coward.
"Wynn..." Baro gasped, a smile coming across his face. Wynn looked at his father. He was the same as when he had been stolen away by Silver Knuckle. He looked like an older version of Wynn, but with a few differences. He sported a bushy mustache. His hair had signs of gray, but was still dark. He was thickly built, and muscular. His face was a tad more angled and sharp than Wynn's. His face was also tanned, and worn with age.
Baro grabbed Wynn in a bear hug. Wynn's mother followed suit. Fami smiled, watching the re-united family. She now knew that the thing Wynn had searched for, he had finally recovered. And now, his quest for his parents was over. But none of them knew that Wynn's other quest, the most important and dangerous of all, had just begun.
******
"Seron! You can't get away this time!" Jier screamed hoarsely. Two things motivated the adventurer in his pursuit: Stopping Seron before he could hurt anyone else, and revenge for what the apprentice had done to his beloved.
Seron hovered down to the graveyard from the cliff. He looked around, desperate. His mind still whirled from his thoughts. Prevalent was the most devastating of all: He had failed. He was beaten.
But now, he wanted to escape, to regroup. He would avenge himself later. But where to go? He had to shake Jier, but could not outrun him. Finally, he spotted his means of escape.
Jier plummeted to the ground from the cliff, landing shakily. He dashed after the fleeing Seron, who had stopped in front of a gravestone across the graveyard. He nearly had reached the wizard when a bright light flashed. When Jier could see again, Seron was gone, as was the gravestone.
Jier stepped up to where the gravestone had been. A large hole was there, leading into a murky darkness. Jier shrugged his shoulders, and jumped in after Seron.
When he landed, he found himself in a cavern, dimly lit by torches. Seron was running away from the room, through a small passageway. Jier ran in pursuit. They ran through a labyrinth of tunnels, never stopping.
After what seemed like hours, Jier had nearly caught Seron. He leapt forward, tackling Seron, knocking them both sprawling to the ground. They were in a large room, with a few red torches lighting it. Large columns held up the roof of the room. It reminded the combatants of a tomb. They both stood, glaring at the other.
"You're a fool. I will kill you!" Seron growled.
"I will make you pay for what you did to the Cucco Lady!" Jier drew his dagger.
Seron snarled, and released his lightning. Jier jumped over the blast, planting a kick on his opponent's chest. Seron flew to the floor, cape fluttering. He stood, and attacked again. Jier charged, slashing wildly. The lightning grazed his leg, burning through his pants. His swipe missed, and he fell. He climbed back to his feet, grimacing in pain.
Seron laughed confidently. Jier responded by flying at Seron, delivering a punch to Seron's jaw. Seron fell, and looked up to Jier, cradling his chin. He released a powerful blast of magic, and another, and another. Jier dodged, but he was fighting a losing battle.
Jier frowned. It would have to end, now.
Seron was now on his feet, ready to finish his opponent. He raised his gloved hand, and released the shot meant to finally defeat Jier.
Jier flew at Seron, dagger aiming for the apprentice's chest.
Jier's dagger found its mark, sinking into Seron's chest.
Seron's magic found its mark, burning into Jier's chest.
The two were flung away from each other. With their last breaths, they collapsed, looking to the distant roof.
I failed... Seron coughed, and slumped to the ground, to move no more, his dreams of conquest dying with him.
Beloved... Jier finally succumbed to the darkness, and his last breath escaped him.
Had either of them lived a second longer, they would have noticed the shadow looming over them. Along with it, as the torches finally extinguished, twin red eyes appeared, burning with satisfaction. Now, two of his tasks were complete. Soon, Hyrule would be defenseless.
Ha ha ha!