*********
Chapter 11
In the throne room, the mask salesman laughed and laughed. His face was the picture of absolute delight, as he lay lazily on the throne.
Link could only feel the icy grip hold him down. He was immobilised, unable to do anything. *No....* He tried to speak, as he looked into the face of the obscure being.
The salesman stopped laughing and looked pitifully at Link, as if he did not understand his discomfort. His attention appeared almost diverted, as he shifted his eyes.
"Let... us... go NOW!" shouted Impa, straining against the magic.
The salesman placed his attention to her. "Now now Impa, do not think me stupid. I will release you all, provided you swear to hear me out... and not hurt me. Do we have a deal?"
Impa scowled at the wretched creature. "I will kill you!" she shouted, her protective instincts over Zelda solely driving her.
The salesman looked disappointed. "I so hoped you would understand. Link, do you understand now? I thought you would at least begin to understand by now..."
Link felt himself lost at his hypnotic voice. But before he could reply, Navi started to speak telepathically. "Link, me and Sayl are using our powers to break his spell."
As the fairies encircled the group, they casted their counter spell. One by one, the group found they could move.
The salesman stood up from the throne, though not in the slightest bit surprised. "Excellent! Fairy magic! You have strong friends, Link. I hope they are strong enough," he grinned. He could place the paralysis spell again, but he needed their co-operation this time around.
"You will undo what you did to Zelda now!" said the freed King, mustering all the authority he could. Or I will have you rot in our dungeons. Guards!"
"Don't bother calling the guards, we are quite alone." said the Salesman.
The King remained defiant. "You will help her NOW!"
The salesman laughed aloud again. "Zelda's mask? Oh yes, Link's bunny mask. I trust she found the gift particularly interesting? Let me see..." He teleported from the throne, to in front of the princess.
Impa immediately brandished her sword in front of him.
"A bit touchy, aren't we Impa?" said the salesman, running a hand though the sharp sword lightly.
"You will not hurt the princess." Impa stated unwavering.
"Please, I mean you all no harm. Tell me, have I harmed any of you? Have I done something to merit punishment by your sword, Link?"
Link was startled a little by this situation. He expected a fight or something from him by now, talk was the last thing he expected. "You made Malon a ghost, you've forced Saria into exile, you changed Darunia into a kid, you've done this to Zelda, and Goddesses know what you have done to Naburu."
"But no harm have I done," smiled the salesman quite proudly. "One could say I gave each what they desired!" he said excitedly.
"What about me?" said Ruto.
The salesman expression saddened. "Ruto... my dear child. Truly, I am sorry. The Kokiri mask was not meant for you, it was my mistake alone." He spoke shamefully.
"She would have died," said Saria softly. "Like all Kokiri."
"I know... and I corrected that mistake, did I not? I am no killer. I give experiences, nothing more, nothing less."
"And what about Naburu?" said the King. "You may have started war with all our nations. Just what did you do with her?"
"Naburu... the self proclaimed greatest thief," thought the salesman as he remembered. "Yes, I gave her exactly what she wanted. She wanted the grace of the greatest thief, so that none can topple her in power. It mattered not to me her reason for desiring it. She wanted grace and power, and I delivered."
"You didn't..." Link thought in realisation.
The salesman teleported in front of the boy. "Didn't I? Link, of course I did."
"What Link? What did he do?" asked Saria alarmed at Link's expression.
The salesman grin broadened. "Yes Link? Tell me, what did I do? What creature have you met that can exist in our world, and can be hidden in an instant? Which mask do you have which allows you to pierce their fog? Which animal has the attributes that a thief would give anything for? Perhaps even become that animal? Do you know?"
"The keaton mask." said Link looking into the piercing eyes of the salesman.
"The Keaton! Or be it may, the Kitsune as they call themselves. The Magical creatures of this world!" the salesman said even more excited. "Who knows? Naburu might learn to control her new powers and come back..."
"What's a Keaton?" asked Saria.
"A creature not seen in Hyrule for thousands of years, at least in legend." said Shusar. "I've noticed that pictures of them are very popular with our children."
"They are very real. I met some of them in Termina," explained Link. "They pride themselves in obscure knowledge and are... a bit strange."
"Then where is Naburu?" said the King concerned.
Link would not let himself feel intimidated by the salesman. "She's gone, isn't she," he said to him.
"You _are_ understanding, Link" the salesman nodded. "Keaton exist in what you may consider a pocket universe. That is their natural world, where they normally stay. The power and grace of the Keaton mask is difficult at best to control without knowledge of Mask Magic. When released to its full potential..."
Impa's senses alerted her to another presence. "Someone is here," she thought, glancing to the side of the throne.
The salesman was also alerted, and approached in front of the spot. "Well well. Looks like Naburu is trying to make it back into our world. Personally, I do hope she makes it... I have to ask how the other Keaton treated her."
"Naburu," said Link surprised as he walked to the spot.
Everyone watched, as a figure started to materialise within a mini cyclone. The figure struggled against the powerful wind, trying to break some invisible barrier.
"I can see her," said Zelda keeping watch of the vague outline.
"She will not make it," said the salesman shaking his head. "She is fighting against the current. She has to turn it's power inward, not outward... and she must go twirling, twirling, twirling!" he laughed insanely, and uncaring.
Link outstretched his arm into the eye of the cyclone.
"Careful Link!" shouted Saria.
"It's okay," said Link, feeling Naburu grab on to his hand. "I think I have her..." he pulled out his hand, as Naburu jumped out of the raging wind tugging onto them.
"Naburu!" said Zelda.
Naburu collapsed onto the floor, exhausted.
"That was most foolhardy Link," said Impa. *And quite brave* she thought.
The mask salesman teleported to the unconscious Gerudo thief. "Yes... integration has occurred... not as much as Zelda, but it's a start."
Zelda noticed the fiery tails that Naburu had, as did everyone else.
Link bent down, to get a closer inspection. He counted at least three long tails, spreading at the base of her spine. He turn her face up, trying to help her. He noted that surprisingly, her face did not change.
At least, not yet.
Navi also analysed her with Z-targeting. "I detect an increase in her skills. She is now quicker and far more agile."
Link nodded. "It's the Keaton mask. It's changing her into one of them."
The salesman clapped his hands into applaud. "Glorious great powers! Link, your masks are truly remarkable! Such a skill! Such-"
Naburu suddenly became awake. "Where am I?" she asked alert.
"Welcome to Hyrule castle, Naburu," said the King in an almost normal tone.
Naburu then saw the salesman. "YOU!" she lunged at him, her tails spread in an angry fashion.
The salesman was shocked for a moment, then teleported a safer distance. "I take it you are not satisfied with the mask?"
"Satisfied!? Remove the curse from me, or the Gerudo will swear vengeance on you and all your kind!"
The salesman waved the threat away. "You threaten that which does not exist here, Naburu. Besides, what you ask... What all of you ask, is impossible."
Everyone gasped. Naburu paused in her advances at what the Salesman had just said.
"Why is it impossible?" asked Link, trying to decide if he is lying.
"The masks you all wear are sealed to your being. They are now integrated with your own life force, so to speak. To remove them would be the equivalent of removing a piece of you. You would not survive."
"You are lying!" said Impa. "I have seen people like you before. All mighty, all-powerful, and this is no different. You inflict misery to get your way, and I will be damned if I let you do anything to the princess."
The salesman observed Impa quietly. "I am the Mask Salesman. I deal solely in form. The forms of Good and Evil are the same to me. I myself have no form of my own... You can not condemn me, Impa."
"But the song of Healing..." said Link holding the Ocarina of time.
"Yes. The song of Healing is very powerful. Using it, on that particular instrument, makes it even more powerful. It is the song to create potential masks, and heals the soul. You saw that in Termina Link, but these are no longer masks... Observe Saria for example. Saria, do you feel a mask on you anymore?" he questioned.
Saria shook he head. "Actually, I am starting to feel... normal."
"Exactly. It's as if you are a Hylian. You knew you had the mask in the first few hours, despite the similarity of Hylians and Kokiri, but you can no longer tell the difference. And for you Zelda, the mask itself is gone. And I bet you are starting to hear very well with those new rabbit ears..." he smiled.
Zelda just gave a cold stare.
"And of course, let us not forget our resident thief Naburu. As you noticed, her face has not changed, but her form is beginning to alter. In time, she will be a Keaton. She will be accepted as one of them... I hope you like your new home. Give my regards to them please!"
"I will kill myself before I am transformed by you," said Naburu.
"Ah." The salesman paused. "The termination of your life. You can try... but Kitsune are immortal. You will live for a very, very long time Impa. And I will probably be with you, to the end..." He thought that would be an interesting situation if things don't work out.
Naburu was shocked. "I-Immortal? I am immortal? I can not die?"
"Well... Not by normal means anyway. The kitsunes are magic by nature. They live of magic, and die without magic. But you will learn all that once you are transformed. Now, be happy! I have explained all!"
Naburu became quiet as she thought about the implications of immortality.
"Why have you done all this? What is it you want?" said the King. "Money? Power?"
"Sam'kemesa," he whispered. "You want it. I want it. As of right now, it is the only power able to change any of your friends back to their true forms."
Link stepped forward. "You want me to get it, right?"
"Yes Link." the salesman nodded. "Would you like to hear about it?" He didn't wait for an answer, as he waved his hands in a dramatic fashion. "Of course you want to know! As you have no doubt found out, Sam'kemesa is a mask. But not just any mask, it is... one of _my_ masks."
"But why go though all this? I may have gone to find it anyway, to help the Deku tree."
"Yes. Indeed you would have," he thought. "Alas, you would have failed. In a sense, by doing this, I may have saved your life. Strange isn't it?"
"Why?" he asked.
"You need help Link..." The salesman relaxed his stance. "The place Sam'kemesa exists is devoid of all power. All magic is nullified, aside from a few special powers such as my masks and yours."
"Then, why did you do all this?"
"Two reasons. First, it is what I do. I am the Mask Salesman, giving masks is my cause. It fills me with the greatest of pleasure, to give forms people enjoy... or regret. Happiness, more then sadness. But both do occur. No greater honour exists for me."
"And the second?" asked Saria.
"The powers wished it. There must be a balance. No exception. It simply must be."
"What are you talking about?" said Link confused.
The salesman sighed, as spoke as if telling the most basic principles. "Even your most ancient knowledge knows of balance," he started to recite. "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For every weight, must be a counter weight. For every fate... a counter fate must be present. Each equal and opposite."
"Stop speaking in riddles." said Impa annoyed.
The salesman ignored her. "Link, you are a force directed by fate. The deeds you do are a result of a counter fate of an opposing force. Gannondorf, the stalkid, an enemy, anything. Do you want Sam'kemesa?" he said suddenly.
"I- I have to get it," said Link as he wondered where this is going.
"Sam'kemesa is the key to great power. You can not just _have_ it. Your friends are counting on you now. You desire the mask even more. Not even I can help your friends at this time, only you."
"Stop giving him pressure!" said Ruto. "Link, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. He is just a bully trying to get what he wants, don't listen," she gave a reassuring hug.
"Thanks Ruto," he said, to the Zora taking her webbed hand in friendship. He turned back to the salesman. "You helped Ruto, and I cured Malon myself" he reasoned.
"Yeah!" said Ruto happily. "He doesn't need your Sammy-what-ever."
The salesman glared. "I helped Ruto, as the mask was not sealed. As for Malon... she was a practice. I actually considered using the cow mask on her... but, I loved her voice. So beautiful... I did not have the heart to do that. I used the stone mask instead."
"I still cured her" Link reminded.
"Yes, As you knew, it is one of the few masks which can be cured with ordinary red medicine... and you managed to give it to her. Of course, a mask swap is dangerous. It was risky of you to do it. Very risky and... Unhappy."
"How do I know you are telling the truth?" asked Link.
"I am literally many things, Link. But I always speak the truth," he said back.
"Then how do we know you can be trusted?" said Saria suspicious. "If Link gets this, how do we know you will let us use it?"
"You have my word," said the Salesman. "To us salesman, a deal is a deal. It can not be broken. Very unhappy."
"So basically," said Naburu, "You have held us hostage, and creating the incentive Link need, to get this item you wish." she said with complete contempt.
"Crudely spoken, but I guess that is how it might appear" shrugged the salesman.
"That is exactly how it is," said Impa.
"Debate it between yourselves. Anyway Link, you must get Sam'kemesa... your friends need you." he added. "Will you?"
Everyone looked at Link.
"Where is it?" he said, fully decided.
"Link! He's playing you like an instrument! We can't trust him," said Saria.
"Saria... I have no choice. I have to help you, and Zelda, and everyone else."
"Link..." Saria didn't want Link to always do this. Why couldn't things be the way they were?
"I swear to you Link, Sam'kemesa can be used to restore your friends, restore life to your precious Deku tree, and bring peace to your world... well maybe not that. But everything else can be done. The trouble is to acquire it."
"Where is it, Mask salesman?" Link repeated with determination.
The salesman rubbed his hands gleefully. He has him completely. "Sam'kemesa lies on the Island of Time. The winds will take you there, as soon as you board a seaworthy vessel. The island is full of traps, both visible and invisible. The mask you seek lies in the center. I will explain more on the trip!"
"I'll get it," he said.
"Then we have nothing more to say. Time for me to start packing! Good luck, Hero of Time. I will meet you on the ship of your choice." The salesman bowed before vanishing.
**********
"I have to get going," said Link. "You guys, sit tight."
"You are not going alone, Link," said Saria.
"It's best I do Saria. This island could be far away. I will be gone for quite a while, and it will be very dangerous. I don't know what I would face there."
"We will face it together" she argued. "I travelled with you this far, didn't I?"
"Thanks, but a sea trip is a little different," he said concerned. Saria had only seen the best parts of Hyrule. He didn't want to take her somewhere he didn't know.
"Sea?" Saria realised she didn't know what the sea looked like. However, she was anxious to find out. "I can help you anyway, can't I?"
"Don't worry Saria. I can do this," said Link giving a reassuring smile.
The King was not as optimistic though. "Link, I know you are a resourceful child, but you are barely ten."
"I'm eleven now," said Link.
"I can not in good conscience send you."
"You aren't sending me, your majesty. I have to do this," he said in his most mature voice possible.
"Be that as it may, I can send the soldiers of Hyrule instead. I myself can lead them and get this item to cure Zelda. With skilled soldiers, and larger numbers, we stand a better chance. I can't leave something as important as this in your hands."
"Majesty... I wish it could be done that way," he sighed.
"It can!" said Ruto. "Come on Link, you did your bit. Take a rest now, and let someone else do it. We can have fun instead!"
Link shook his head. "It has to be me. I feel it, I always feel it."
"It's true," said Navi. "I feel it as well. If you send others, they may lose their lives needlessly. Link and I will get this mask." the fairy promised.
"Give Link the chance, father" said Zelda. "He will cure me and everyone else. I know he will."
"Zelda. I don't know about this..." The King really hated not taking charge of this.
Naburu stepped to his defence. "Believe me, Link is no mere child, despite his age. He is a warrior of the same standing as the Gerudo, and I wish him well on this journey."
"Umm thanks Naburu," said Link embarrassed.
"Very well Link." decided the King. "Although this may go against my better judgement, the salesman apparently wants you alone. I have no choice in this matter."
"I will get it highness." promised Link.
"Please hurry," said Shusar. "I will take steps to see what else I can do to help Zelda, in the meantime."
"Agreed," said Impa. "Come princess, we do not wish our subjects to see you in this state. Lets take you to more private rooms."
"Alright," sighed Zelda sadly. She knew image was important in the royal family. It would be a problem if gossip spread about a curse on her. At worse, it could cause a riot.
"I guess we should prepare. Do we have any ships available?" said the King quickly.
"Yes," said the wizard. "We have your personal ship sire. It is the fastest and strongest of them all. The rest have not been maintained since we stopped exploring... aside from the fishing boats, but they are not good for a long voyage."
The King hesitated for a moment. That ship was his most prized possession. He really loved that ship, even if he didn't travel much on it. "Give it to him" he said. "I entrust it's keeping to you Link."
"Uh sure." Link could see that it meant a lot to him. "What's the ship called?"
"The name it used to have is inappropriate for this. It is now yours, and you should name it" said the King.
"I.. I don't know what to say." said Link flattered.
"Just name the ship before you set sail. It's bad luck if you don't. Shusar, please take Link to the peer. I am sure he will like the new ship." said the King giving a short smile. "And find someone to instruct him on how to use it..." *This is madness* a part of him said. A ten year old sailor? He hoped he learns fast.
"At once sire." said the helpful wizard.
"Hold on," said Link. "I want to make a warp point here. It would be faster to get here in case of an emergency."
"Warp-point?" said Shusar. "Oh, of course. You can use my laboratory." He had not seen an actual warp point being made, he hoped he could learn how it was done. He wondered, if he should make Link his apprentice when he gets back. He certainly has potential.
"I must send word that I am okay," said Naburu. "I take it my people have left Hyrule already?"
She got an affirmed nod.
"I will do what I can..." thought Naburu.
***************
Once again, she was pushed into the background.
"Why do we do this?" wondered Saria as she watched Link leave. Link was always so alone in the Kokiri village. Outside the forest, he seemed even more alone. No one saw this but her. She was not used to seeming so... unimportant.
Ruto had an idea. "Well, if he is going on a sea journey, I think I will follow him. We Zora are just made for the sea after all!" she smiled happily.
"He said he want's to do it alone." said Saria sadly.
"He never said that. He said he _thought_ he should go alone. I am going to convince him otherwise. Later, forest girl!" the Zora started running off.
Saria was left alone again. She was starting to hate it, although she was glad to have her fairy for company. Link didn't even have that for a long time. The other Kokiri all made fun of him because of it. Her trail of thoughts was then interrupted.
"Excuse me." said a voice.
Saria saw the princess. "Oh, it's you Zelda," she said. "I thought... weren't you were taken back to your room?" she asked confused.
"Well, I was. They can't keep me there for long anymore!" she laughed. "This mask has some useful powers after all. Actually, I wanted to see you."
"Oh? Why?"
"Link talked about you briefly once. But I just wanted to know, your kind can never leave the woods can they?"
"No..."
"It's strange isn't it," thought Zelda. "Here, I sometimes feel like a prisoner. I can exist outside this castle just fine. But because I am the princess, I can not leave here. Those woods must be huge though. I would love to see them all and explore-"
"It is still just a huge prison," said Saria feeling a bit depressed.
"I know." agreed Zelda. "Expanding the castle feels the same."
Saria thought it was ironic. "Most of us Kokiri don't think of it as a prison. It is our home, it is where we are safe," she said.
"But not you?"
"No... Once, but not anymore."
A short silence descended on the kindred spirits.
Are you and Link close?" asked Zelda.
"Um well, we are... close friends." said Saria. *Why does everyone ask?*
Zelda frowned a little. "Link told me a lot about the future, how he managed to vanquish Gannondorf. Even though I have no memory of it, I can't help but feel responsible. My memory of things are very sketchy... I don't know how he handles such situations."
"Alone..."
"Alone?" said the princess confused.
"After his journey, he searched for Navi all alone. Link doesn't even have a home to return to in the first place. No family, no beginning... anywhere. Nowhere..."
"That is so sad," said Zelda feeling even guiltier. *What did I do? * Even if she didn't do it, she did take those actions from Link's point of view. Now, everything was reset.
Saria was startled, as a telepathic message came from Link. *Saria, I am about to leave soon...*
"I-I have to go," she said.
"I know," nodded Zelda. "Take care." she said
"Goodbye Zelda..." Saria ran off to the direction of the peer.
*************
Zelda used her new-found speed to get back to her room. As she anticipated, she wasn't missed. She hoped to hear more about Link from Saria. Since Link was going to be gone on this journey, it would be good to hear from her about the mysterious hero.
"Why did she say goodbye like that?" she asked herself.
*************
The salesman was excited. He could almost feel the power call him now.
He appeared above the peer, many miles in the air. "The pieces are all together... Mask of Majora, I call on your power. Mask of Majora, call your power. Power of Majora, use the winds to guide us. The journey is right, the time is now..."
He felt the bonding of energy... but it was not enough.
Not yet.
"I call on the happiness... Link's happiness, Termina, Hyrule, the happiness that flows..."
More energy rippled on the mask of Majora. The eyes glowed a strong red.
Still, it was not enough.
With great force, the Salesman called again. "I now call the power of the sages... Forest, water, Stone, Spirit... YES! Now the power of the seventh sage! The nexus point!" He felt his connections to the masks grow. The minuscule power he managed to get was only a tiny amount compared to the sages' full power, but he dare not take more.
The sage of water was inaccessible now, thanks to his mistake, but the happiness for the short time made up for that. He didn't even want to contemplate gaining Light and Dark.
This time, the power was enough.
Somewhere, on the distant horizon, The Island of Time had resurfaced. He could feel Sam'kemesa call him, just as Majora did.
"I will have my mask... at long last, all of them are here... Thank you, Link."
Link was determined, but that alone was not enough. In fact, it was possible it would destroy him. "Yes. I will help you, Link."
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To be continued.