CHAPTER 6
"Where do we go now, pal?" Wynn demanded, panting in exhaustion. The two heroes were near the entrance of Kakariko. They had fled there from the river. They had finally eluded their pursuit, and were alone.
Link looked back at him. "Maybe you can stay here, while I do all the work. Just like at Zora's Domain."
"Ha! At least I had the nerve to fight for my friends and not run!" Wynn snapped.
"Why you little-"
Link jumped at Wynn. Wynn backpedaled, watching as Link tripped and fell face down into a mud puddle. Wynn started to laugh, but never got the chance. He hadn't noticed how close he was getting to the river, and landed with a splash.
Boys! Now is not the time!
Link looked to the sky indignantly. "But, Zel, I didn't-"
You have to go warn the Goron's! They are the only race that hasn't been warned or overwhelmed.
"What about the Kokiri?" demanded Link.
They are all fine, Link. Worry for them not.
"Mido? Saria? Fami?"
Wynn jerked at the sound of his friend's name. He turned away.
You haven't learned about Fami yet, Link?
Link shook his head.
She is Hylian, like you.
"Really? Where is she? Can I see her?" asked Link anxiously.
"She's dead," Wynn said coldly, his back turned so Link wouldn't see the tears glistening in his eyes.
Link's mouth dropped. "What? How?"
The minions of our foe attacked her and the rest of Wynn's companions. Without their sacrifices, you would still be trapped in the past.
Link's face fell. "Wynn, I'm sorry..."
Wynn whirled. "We have to stop the monster responsible for this! We have to kill him before he can take everything from anyone else! I will do anything to finish this!"
Link nodded slowly. "I understand. Come on, we have to get to Goron City."
Wynn nodded, and the two made their way towards the entrance to Kakariko. Their destination, high on Death Mountain, awaited.
******
The Assassin stopped, looking up to his master. He bowed slightly, his red eyes never leaving those of the shadowy figure. His master gave him a short nod.
"Have you finished your task?" It was a demand.
The Assassin nodded, never making a sound.
A twinkle of amusement entered the dark figure's eye. "You always were the quiet type. Tell me, did Silver Knuckle complete his job?" The shadowy figure laughed as he received another short nod. "Good. He shall stay there, insuring no one dares to warn the defenseless Gorons. It will not be long before they, too, fall under my shadow."
The Assassin merely stood there. "You are dismissed." The shadowy figure watched the Assassin disappear. He frowned. There was something unnerving about that minion...It was no matter. Nothing mattered, besides conquest.
******
The Assassin watched his master. The fool. He thought the Assassin just another minion. But he was greater, far greater. He would wait until the fool completed his conquest, and he would be just another corpse on the Assassin's blade.
He just hoped the shadowy figure would keep his promise. If he didn't, he would die much too soon. The Assassin sneered. If the fool lied...The Assassin didn't usually utilize torture, but he would make an exception.
The Assassin, still unnoticed, walked away, hand on his dagger, which was gleaming red.
******
Wynn frowned, his hand on the hilt of his Biggoron Sword. He was alerted by the lack of noises. It was as it had been at Zora's River. It was as if all the animals had hidden, terrified by this new foe. Wynn almost smiled. Not a bad idea.
They had passed Kakariko on their way to the trail. The town was peaceful, undisturbed by the war. However, he had noticed the lack of soldiers protecting the village. That blasted idiot Rosburn must have recalled the soldiers, he had surmised grimly. Now, there was no one left to fight for the town. But why hadn't it been attacked yet?
"Hey, Link, where'd you get that sword?" asked Wynn politely, trying to start a conversation to break the silence. Plus, he was genuinely curious about the wonderful sword which had frightened the monsters so much at Zora's River.
Link smiled as he unsheathed the sword. The blade seemed to glow a soft blue as Link slashed at nothing, showing off the weapon. "Sorry, Wynn, but this is one of a kind. Its my most prized possession. The Master Sword, also known as the Sword of Evil's Bane."
Wynn's mouth dropped. That was the only weapon capable of harming the King of Evil, Ganon. It could only be used by the purest of hearts. Plus, Zelda had once told Wynn that it possessed other, more mysterious powers.
Wynn started to comment on the sword, but was interrupted. He whirled. Standing not too far away was a familiar foe. Wynn drew his sword, glaring at the creature advancing towards him. "You." The word was an accusation.
"What? An Iron Knuckle? No problem!" Link laughed, starting towards the monster. Wynn caught him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"No, this is my fight. You go, warn the Gorons. I'll take care of him," Wynn started forward. Link nodded, hearing the seriousness in the young man's voice. He turned, and left the two foes all alone.
"Wynn, run away," Silver Knuckle pleaded.
Wynn frowned, confused. He still didn't know the truth about Silver Knuckle's identity.
"Wynn! Leave! I don't want to hurt you!" demanded the armored figure.
"What's wrong with you? I am no friend of yours!" said Wynn, stepping backwards.
Silver Knuckle's eyes flickered. "Wynn, you're wrong. I can't explain how, or why, but I am a friend. But your enemy controls my body! He wasn't powerful enough to change my heart, but he will make me kill you!"
Wynn frowned. "How do I know you speak the truth?"
"Wynn, trust your heart. I am Solan."
Wynn gasped. Solan was dead! But, Silver Knuckle didn't lie, he could sense that. It was indeed his long-lost friend, after all these years!
But before Wynn could acknowledge Solan, Solan ran forward, ax arcing towards the hero. Wynn back flipped, the ax missing. Solan grunted as he swung again, but Wynn was too agile.
"Fight it, Solan!" Wynn yelled, dodging strike after strike.
"I...I can't!" Solan said, straining as he tried to regain control of his body.
Wynn stepped back, his eyes widening as a realization came to him. He raised his arms. Not too much, he thought, and not too little...
Solan lunged, but a beam of magic, not powerful enough to do physical damage, knocked him back. He landed in a clatter of armor. Wynn watched, muscles tensed, as Solan stood and walked towards him. The red eyes were shining brightly, but with a warmer light.
"Wynn, you did it!" Solan said, looking at his arms in amazement, finally able to control himself. Wynn laughed. The two looked at each other, the two friends finally together.
"Solan, I-"
"A happy reunion. How utterly disgusting." Wynn whirled at the sound of the voice behind him, a voice that could only be described as purest evil.
"Who are you?" demanded Wynn.
"I am the one that will see you die on my dagger. But first, I have to take care of this infidel. So long, Silver Knuckle!" The Assassin raised a hand, palm pointing at Solan. A wave of dark energy emanated from it, enveloping Solan totally. Wynn jumped at the Assassin as he heard his friend scream, but he was too late. The Assassin moved out of the way, a blur, and Wynn slammed into the ground hard. When he looked up, Solan was gone.
"No! Solan!" Wynn gritted his teeth. He had just lost his best friend for the second time.
"Well, hero, looks like now I get to finish you. Any last requests?"
Wynn glared at the Assassin with intense hatred. "Who are you?"
"Oh, no one important. Just the future ruler of Hyrule! And..." the red eyes glittered, "The murderer of Fami."
"Monster!" Wynn leaped at the Assassin, fury burning in his eyes. The Assassin tried to move out of his way, but Wynn was driven by his anger, and caught him easily. Wynn attacked, slashing again and again. However, his blade seemed to pass through the monster like through a mist.
The Assassin raised a palm, and blasted Wynn away. "Give up and die!"
"Never!" screamed Wynn hoarsely, climbing to his feet.
"You will never win! I will kill you!" As the Assassin moved to finish Wynn, he noticed someone behind him. "No!" He jumped to the side as a shining sword sliced through the air where he had been standing.
"The Hero of Time! I thought you were trapped in the past!" said the Assassin, sounding shocked.
"Well, I'm not!" shouted Link, driving the Assassin back towards a cliff. The two battled, dagger versus sword, good versus evil, red glowing eyes against blue glowing sword, neither giving even a step. Wynn grimaced. There was nothing he could do.
"Wynn! Your magic!" Link shouted, ducking under a vicious dagger-swipe. Wynn nodded, charging his powers. "Now!" Wynn released, sending an orb of light at the two.
"Noooo!" The Assassin screamed as the orb slammed into the ground. Link hurled himself out of the way as the orb exploded in an enormous flash of light.
"Link! Are you alright?" Wynn yelled, running to the motionless hero. Link coughed weakly, raising up on his elbows.
"Is...he...?"
Wynn nodded slowly, looking back to the cliff. Most had crumbled, falling into a black abyss. An unsurvivable fall. There was no sign of the Assassin.
Link sighed. "Good night." Wynn looked down. The hero was already asleep. He sighed, standing, taking first watch. He looked around, something tugging at the edge of his memory.
He sighed. What was it that the Assassin had said? 'I will kill you!' But, what was so familiar about that statement? Enemies had used that statement many a time before, but...it was as if he had heard the Assassin say it before. And he had never met the monster, before the just-finished conflict! He sighed, looking around. Silence surrounded him still. And even he knew he was being watched.
******
The two set out early in the morning. They walked in silence. Clouds hovered over both them and their moods. It was if the storms that plagued Hyrule would never go away.
They crossed through Kakariko. The town seemed dead, all life cooped up in houses. The doors were bolted, the windows blocked. The shops were closed. Wynn frowned. Life would never return to normal here until their foe was dead.
They continued out of town. "Where do you think we should go next?" asked Link, looking around.
Wynn's eyes widened. "Lon Lon Ranch."
******
As the two hiked onward, they talked of many things. Wynn told Link of his previous quests. Link spoke mainly of his journeys to find a way to defeat Ganon.
"So, Link, where do you live? And why were you sealed behind that wall?" Wynn inquired.
Link laughed easily. "It is a long story. You see, Wynn, I live two lives." Seeing Wynn's arced eyebrow, he continued. "The Master Sword allows me to travel in time. With it, I can go back seven years, to the time when Ganon first began his conquest."
He paused, his eyes getting a far-away look to them. "That is when I first came to this time. I was sealed in the Temple of Time for seven long years, asleep. When I awoke, I found the world devastated. I was able to travel back to my old time, however, using the Master Sword. I beat Ganon, returning to my time. Ganon, defeated in this time, is gone there as well. In that time, Hyrule is peaceful, wonderful. It has a bright future in front of it."
He shook his head. "But I owe a debt to this parallel future. I must protect it. Zelda can telepathically contact me, calling me from the past to come here to fight for Hyrule. But, if the Door of Time is sealed, then I am trapped in the past."
"That's why I and my friends had to recover the Spiritual Stones, right? To open the door," Wynn assumed.
"Yes. Now, here I am, ready to save Hyrule yet again," Link gave the other a cocky grin, then looked ahead of them. "Hey, we're almost to the ranch!"
They started moving faster, hurrying toward the home of Talon, Malon, and Ingo. The high-walled ranch was immense, and well defended. It would be no easy task for the dark army to take over this place.
Link stopped in front of a barred gate at the entrance. "I could have sworn-"
"Halt!" Link stopped in mid-step. Wynn looked up, searching for the source of the command. Perched up on the wall were groups of archers, bows bent, arrows aimed for the two heroes.
"Wait! We are friends!" declared Wynn.
"Why should we believe you?" demanded the man. Wynn recognized him from somewhere...It was a Survivor! But hadn't they been at the castle?
"Let them pass!" came a voice from inside the gate. The door opened, revealing a young woman. Her red hair flowed down her back, and her blue eyes looked over the two. It was Malon, friend to both. "Get in, quick!" The two consented, stepping inside. Malon closed the door behind them, barricading it.
Malon led them silently past the ranch houses into the main part of the ranch. To both men's shock, there were dozens of the different races of Hyrule, all camped out inside the ranch's walls. They were refugees, living in the ring of protective walls. Here, they had nothing to fear from the dark swarm. But, was it wise to stay grouped together so?
"This is the product of this war. We have enough in the stores to feed all these mouths for a while, but, if we face a long siege..." The girl shuddered. "We're all depending on you to save us."
Wynn started to say something, but was cut off by a shout. "Shift change!" The guards along the wall started to climb down. More refugees, all armed and sitting at a long table cluttered with empty plates, stood, hefted various weapons, and started for the walls. The men lining the walls walked toward the table.
"Its time to eat. You can eat at our tables while I take care of something." Malon smiled at them, and walked off. The two heroes made their way through the food line, and moved to sit down. Wynn chose an empty spot across from the Survivor he had seen outside.
He sat down at the bench, his nose wrinkling as he smelled the odor seeping from the man beside him. He frowned, looking to the man. When he saw him, his eyes widened. "You!"
The man looked at him, his own eyes widening. The man's mouth dropped, and he jumped from the table, tripping over the bench, landing face-first in a mud puddle. Wynn sighed, setting his food down, and then turned back to the man, his hand grabbing the collar of the other's tunic, hauling him up from the ground.
"What are you doing here, Agno?" Wynn demanded. Agno, a failure mercenary that Wynn had met long ago, cringed at the hero's words. He had joined the marauder gang led by Deihawk, and had fled after its disbanding. His face was crossed by scars, some Wynn could probably claim credit for.
"Please don't hurt me!" begged the man. Wynn grimaced, shoving the man away. Agno fell back to the ground, still begging for mercy.
"Stop your pleading! Now, what are you doing here?" Wynn asked, a frown on his face.
"I am here because this is the only place left!" yelled the man, a once almost-arrogant mercenary reduced to a shameless shell of his former self.
"The only place?" asked Link from beside Wynn.
"Every town has fallen! Gerudo's Fortress, Hyrule Marketplace, Zora's Domain-"
"What about Kokiri Village? And Kakariko, we just came from there and it was still perfectly alright," Wynn said, looking suspiciously to Agno.
"Kokiri fell yesterday. It seems the dark forces were able to break the Deku Sprout's protection," the Survivor said quietly.
Wynn looked sympathically to Link as the Hero of Time sat down, looking as if he had been punched. Kokiri had been his birthplace.
"No one can get in Kakariko. Anyone that tries, the monsters get. The only reason they probably let you out was because they weren't strong enough to fight the Hero of Time," the soldier continued. "Two of my fellows tried. They're now prisoners."
Wynn sat down, ignoring Agno. "What happened to the rest of the Survivors?"
The man looked down, his face shadowed. "When the castle was attacked, we were there to fight for it. They wouldn't have taken it so easily, if we weren't betrayed."
Wynn grimaced. "This is just a hunch, but your betrayer, was it...Rosburn?"
The man nodded, his eyes still burning with hatred of the man. "Yes. He opened the gates. The monsters swarmed in, capturing our whole force without any problem. I was knocked out in the fight, and obviously fell into the moat. When I awoke, I had washed up far from the castle. I started walking back, looking for anyone left. I found two of my fellows. They told me none were left at the castle, and the best we could do would be to help protect someone else. I agreed. However, we disagreed on where to go. They wanted to protect Kakariko, like we did before Rosburn interfered. I thought it would be good to protect this ranch, where the lieutenant's girl lived. Kesler would be thankful for that, I knew. So we split up. I was nearly here when I decided to check on my companions using this," he pulled from a pouch at his side a small spyglass. "They were at the entrance to Kakariko. As I watched," he shuddered, "The monsters came. They caught them by surprise."
Wynn sighed. "Don't worry, we'll get them back, like the rest. Me and Link here can do it, no problem," Wynn said, forcing a smile to his face. He turned, and he and Link exchanged nods.
The soldier laughed, nearly beaming. "With Hyrule's greatest heroes on our side, how can we lose? By the way, my name is Arco."
"Nice to meet you," Wynn said, exchanging handclasps over the table.
The two sat back down, exchanging more light conversation over their meals. Soon, Malon walked up, another young woman trailing her. Wynn's face fell. It was the Cucco Lady.
Malon cut Wynn off before he could offer his condolences to the other woman. "Wynn, we have a big problem."
Wynn and Link stood, moving away from the table. "What is it, Malon?" Link asked, alerted by the fear in her voice.
"That is our problem!" Malon said, pointing upwards. The heroes followed her pointing finger. Simultaneously, their mouths dropped.
"That is..." Wynn started. It was an immense island, floating high in the clouds. Perched on the island was a dark castle. The castle was certainly evil, ringed by spikes and topped by a single menacing tower.
"Ganon's Castle," Link said gravely.
Wynn frowned. This didn't look good at all.
But before either could ask a question, a shout broke the air. The shout was full of fear, and inspired the same in everyone in the ranch. It was the one thing Wynn wanted least to hear.
"We're under attack!"
******
The dark figure laughed. His conquest was nearly complete. Soon, Lon Lon Ranch would fall. Then, there would be only one obstacle to his conquest.
Now that the Assassin was dead, his broken body probably still lying on the rocks under the cliff, no promises mattered. He could storm Kakariko, take its inhabitants, and be finished. Then, Hyrule would be his.
He stood from his throne, feeling the power surge through him. None would stand against him now.
******
"They can't get in! The walls will hold them out!" Malon reassured everyone.
"Tell that to them!" Agno shouted, pointing to the walls. As they watched, the monsters flew over the walls, jumping incredibly high. The men along the walls were easily being captured, hustled towards certain points along the walls, and then thrown off. Both Wynn and Link knew that on the other side of the wall, the men were landing on the black crystals and being sucked in.
More of the monsters jumped over the walls, attacking those inside. Wynn and Link ran for the walls, followed by Malon, Arco, Agno, and the Cucco Lady. The heroes drew their weapons, heading for a crowd of monsters that seemed to continually jump over a certain point on the wall. But as the heroes neared the wall, the crowd of monsters parted, revealing the General and a black crystal.
"Well, well, look what we have here. Attack!" yelled the General.
Wynn frowned. That voice was familiar...
The monsters charged. Wynn and Link fought, whirling and slashing, devastating the monstrous mob. Arco stayed back, picking off Tekititons with his bow. Malon and the Cucco Lady fought at the edges of the crowd, using daggers borrowed from refugees. Even Agno fought, stabbing at a wounded Tekititon.
The heroes worked together, reducing the mob dramatically. They were so deep in concentration they didn't hear Arco's calls for help. He was being grappled, maneuvered by a Tekititon towards the crystal. Wynn noticed this, and rushed to help, as did Link. Both were too late, however, and Arco disappeared into the crystal with a flash.
"Enough of this!" yelled Wynn. Both he and Link lunged forward. Wynn slammed into the General, knocking him down. Wynn stood above the man, his sword at the other's throat. "Who are you?" demanded Wynn. The General laughed, shimmering and glowing for a second. Suddenly, he flashed. Wynn fell back, covering his eyes. When he looked again, the General was gone.
Link, however, had a different target. He charged at the crystal, Master Sword pointed for its center. The Sword of Evil's Bane slid in easily; sending cracks spreading throughout the dark surface. The crystal shattered with a crash. Link laughed, the laugh soon changing to a sound of astonishment. "What in the name of Farore is that?" he asked, incredulous.
When the crystal had shattered, it had created a portal of dark energy. It swirled, a whirlpool. Link stared at it warily. He started to speak to Wynn, his eyes never leaving the portal. "Hey, Wynn, what do we do with this? It-"
He never got the chance to finish. A monster, smaller and a different color than the rest, slammed into him in a hurry to escape the battle. The collision sent him sprawling into the portal, leaving behind only a short cry of surprise.
******
The last Tekiton chirped quietly to itself. It hated living here, cooped up in this ranch. It hated how everyone treated it, with revulsion and fear. And most of all, it hated the food!
It looked to its sword. It almost missed Seron, no matter how mean he had been. But now, it was all alone.
Suddenly, it heard something. They were under attack! It ran out of its tent, looking around. Those dratted Tekiton imitations were everywhere! It shrieked in fear, running for the exit. There was no way it was going to stick its neck, or whatever counted for one on it, out for the other refugees!
It sprinted towards for the only way out. Suddenly, monsters jumped in front of it, giving it menacing glares. It looked at one, at the other, back, and shrieked loudly. The two advanced, hands reaching for it.
The three began scuffling, a mixture of overly-long limbs. Finally, they separated, the Tekiton dangling miserably from the hand of one of the bigger monsters. It shrieked loudly as it was tossed, flying through the air. Fortunately, a green-clad man stopped its flight. The monster didn't even stop to thank the man, which had disappeared into a portal, as it was running for the gates.
******
Wynn gasped, watching Link disappear into the portal. He stopped, thinking. Only one thing to do. He had to help Link.
Wynn jumped into the portal.