Eremento Supirittsu
"Link. I must show you something. Come." Link yawned as Gounomono walked to the sacred place of the shrine. The smell of incense filled his lungs as Link glanced around, looking at all the charms and sacred objects. He looked forward to see his master burning more incense and chanting in Japanese. After Gounomono finished chanting, he led Link to a special spot in the Zen garden marked by a circle. By then, colored winds rose from nature, flowing toward the center of the circle. The winds took form, revealing the spirits that were to aid his quest. Link could only identify these spirits by appearance: a human fairy, a phoenix, a dragon, a goddess, a tiger, and a ghost. Link gulped. The spirits surrounded him as they started to talk amongst themselves.
"Wow," the fairy muttered, "He's cute. I like him already."
"Slow down Yousei," the goddess said, "You barely know him. He
should, however, know who we are." The goddess slowly turned to Link and introduced herself. "Greetings. I am Megami, the
goddess of the light. You have already
met Yousei, the guardian fairy of the forest."
"It's a pleasure," Link replied, bowing toward the spirits.
"Ah, I already see the honor within you," declared the dragon. "I
am Kouryou, the great dragon of the water."
"You may call me Hou." The
fiery feathers flared from the phoenix's skin. "You can see I am the guardian of
fire. It shall be a pleasure teaching
you."
"I don't know what the rest of you are thinking, but I for one am not going to be so trusting." The death black hair of the tiger glowed as he growled at the boy. "The name is Shisou, tiger of the shadow. Remember it. It will be the name of your grueling training, if you survive."
"Pay no attention to Shisou, Hero of Time," the ghost said floating towards Link. "I am Seirei, the last of the spirits. I am the guardian of the spirits themselves. I understand that you have something to show us."
"Oh! Forgive me." Link reached into his sack and displayed all of his medallions. The spirits were in awe.
"So," Seirei said in her monotone voice, "you really are the legendary savior of Hyrule. Only the Hero of Time could do such a
thing."
Hou observed the determination of this one and looked closely at the medallions. There was no doubt. He was the one. "Listen to us closely," he said, "These medallions do have much more power than you think. I'm surprised that the Sages did not tell you any of this, but with our help, you shall see." The spirits bowed as they disappeared. "You shall start as soon as you see fit. We await your presence."
Link was stunned. So there were sages at the eastern
border. Well, if this was how he was to
learn, so be it. Link bowed to his
Sensei for the last time, and set off into the wilderness. So this is it. Zelda, I will find you.
~*~
Link arrived at the first location of his training. He looked around, comforted by this familiar forest scenery. This seemed to be the only place of serenity that he could find, and it suited him perfectly. Link sat on a stump and sighed. For the first time, he felt fully relaxed.
"HI LINK!"
Link's heart jumped as he fell over in shock. Recovering, Link looked up and screamed again. A green fairy girl was hovering much too closely above him. "Don't…do…that," he stammered.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Here, have some
tea." Yousei handed him a cup. "It's a special herbal blend made specifically for energy. You're going to need it for this lesson."
"Right." Link sipped the tea, savoring its organic flavor. He looked to his right to see Yousei giggling. Oh no. She's got a crush on me. Link calmly shuffled a few inches to finish up. "So, can we get started?"
"Alright." Yousei hovered toward Link and reached into his sack, pulling out the Forest Medallion. "You see, this is how it works. For every element, there's a spirit representing that element. In order to prove yourself worthy, you have to accept and complete the challenge the spirit shall give you. I'm no exception."
"So that's it? Fine! What am I going to have to do?"
"You are going to catch me!"
"Catch you? That shouldn't be so hard. You're much bigger than Navi."
"Is that so?" Yousei giggled and poked Link's forehead. "Well you're going to have to keep up with me first!" Yousei gave Link a playful shove before dashing off into the forest, giggling as she disappeared from view. Link cursed as he proceeded to catch the fairy.
Several hours passed by and Link was exhausted. Every time he came close, she'd always dash off. Yousei knew the forest well, and knew exactly where to hide. He remembered how she effortlessly flew through the trees, giggling along the way. There was no way he could get past those roots and branches before she ran off again. Once in a while, a root would spontaneously lift from the ground and trip him. Other times, Yousei would pull back a low branch so that it would smack him silly when he'd come close. This was too much. He sat on the same stump he started on and slumped. There had to be a way to catch this woman. Then again, what was the point? Are you tired already?" Link jumped to see that Yousei was sitting right next to him. He outstretched his arms, but she disappeared. Man, Navi was nothing like this! "If you really want to know why I'm doing this," Yousei's voice echoed, "be one with nature!" Her giggling echoed throughout the forest, making it impossible to follow her voice. Suddenly, it hit him. Link smiled and secretly thanked his friend.
Yousei flew around aimlessly in such maneuvers no human could withstand. Finally, she sighed and sat on a rock by the bushes. How she wished she could just tell him. He was awfully cute too. Maybe I should go easy on him. She proceeded to get up, but something didn't feel right. She turned around and saw that a human-sized bush rose up and grabbed her. "Hey! No fair!" Yousei struggled to break free, but his grip was too strong. "Ok! You win! Put me down!"
The bush dropped her and pulled off the foliage from his face. "Gotcha." Link smiled as both he and Yousei started to laugh out loud. Finally, Link explained, "You said to get in touch with nature, so I did. Not too bad, huh?"
"Well, not what I had in mind, but effective." Yousei bowed to him and gently plucked the medallion from his hands. She chanted some words, and dropped it onto the ground. Vines and roots generated from the medallion until a huge mass of plants were growing to the sky. "This is the power of the Forest Medallion," Yousei said, "be careful with it. It's a force to be reckoned with." She looked to her side to see the mass of vines and roots swinging Link's body wildly. "Maybe I should've mentioned that."
The next place was high on top of the mountain. Link hiked the steep rocks towards his next destination, following the telltale glow of Hou. When he got there, Hou had already spread his wings and started several fires. "You're good kid, very good." Hou's feathers flared up to the figure below him, "but Yousei's challenge is child's play. I won't be so easy." Link looked straight at the fire spirit as the flames started to encircle him. "My challenge is for you to endure the heat of the holy fire itself. Only then shall you prove you are worthy of the element fire." The shrill of the bird echoed as the fire around Link flared into a wall. The fire floated around Link and started to burn him. Link clenched his teeth and endured as much as he could take. "You're tougher than I thought, but I'm not done with you yet. There's more to this fire then you'll know."
"Teach me then. Or better yet, show me what you got."
The phoenix cried again, and this time an inferno broke out. The rocky landscape that was once a dusty land of bedrock broke out in heaven's fire, with Link caught in the middle. Link screamed from the searing heat, but concentrated on the warmth and light of the fire. "Accept the flame, and no harm shall come to you." Link let the fire embrace him, much to Hou's pleasure. "And like the flame, you must also show not only your heated fierce side, but your calming passionate side." The flames subsided from monstrous form to a calmer, more pleasing flicker. Link smirked as Hou landed in front of the hero. "You've done well. I'm impressed." Hou flapped as he took the Fire Medallion in his claws. Like Yousei, he too chanted. But this time, the Fire Medallion floated into the air and a fiery whirlwind surrounded it. "The power of this medallion is the winds of fire. It possesses as much fire as Din, but it focuses into a whirlwind rather than a dome." The fire subsided as the medallion floated back into Link's hands. "Remember, the flame takes many forms. Use it wisely." Link thanked Hou and proceeded down the mountain and towards the shores.
Link took one good look at the Sea of Japan. It felt like being at Lake Hylia, only it had a much bigger scale. The oceans lapped at the sandy shores, showing of a perfectly peaceful scene. From the endless blue, the great dragon Kouryou arose. A roar let out as his serpent like body swarmed from the waters and landed toward Link. "So! You now know the power of two of the three elements of nature. Very good. Now you must survive my challenge to prove your worth to the power." Kouryou rested his head near Link, indicating that he was to ride the dragon. "Now I will show you my element. The seas, the oceans, and the rain. All are mine to control, and you must experience them in full force. I hope you have a good grip." Kouryou roared before plunging into the sea. Link held his breath and wished he brought his Zora tunic. The rush of the water crushing his body grew as Kouryou dove deeper and deeper. Link thought that he was going to die until Kouryou rose back to the surface. Link gasped for breath as Kouryou started to fly towards the surface of the water, creating massive waves along his body. "Had enough yet?"
"What?! You mean there's more?!"
"I'm just getting started!" Kouryou looped into the air and crashed though the waves. He then looped again, this time towards the sky. "The rains of the storm are upon us. Can you feel it?" Link didn't need to answer that. It wasn't very easy to miss the feeling of the pelting rain or the piercing winds. Time passed, and finally Kouryou landed back onto the beach. Link tumbled off his body and expelled all the water that was caught in his throat. That was a wild ride. "Congratulations. You have passed. Any other man would've fallen off of me and forever be swallowed by the sea, but you held your own. Perhaps you will be the one to save us all." The dragon's eyes glowed as the Water Medallion arose and settled on the ground. A watery pillar arose from the medallion and shot straight towards the sky. "You have mastered the elements of nature. Now, you must master the elements of the soul."
Link headed back to the shrine. He held forest, fire, and water in his hands. Now to learn light, shadow, and spirit. He looked back and saw Yousei, Hou, and Kouryou looking back. "Thank you." Link smiled and continued. Tomorrow was another day.
~*~
Link woke up early, before the dawn arose. He knew what was up next. "You're awake. Good. I would've had to throw you anyways." Link glared as the tiger leapt from the shadows. "Let me make this blunt. I'm not too keen on doing this for you. As a matter of fact, I don't like you."
"Save it. Let's just get this over with. Give me your best shot."
"Well, at least you're not afraid." Shisou growled as the darkness of night
started to blind Link. "You lesson here is to embrace your dark
side. Think like the enemy, and you are
sure to come out victorious." Link
drew his sword as he tried to find the spirit. Black. That was all he could
see. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain at
his back, knocking him forwards. "Unlike yourself, your enemy may have no
honor. They will do everything they can
to kill you. You must be prepared for
that." Link put up his shield and
defensively followed Shisou's voice. Again, from nowhere, the tiger pounced and struck Link in places no
honorable knight would dare touch. "Your enemy will also stay concealed in the
shadows, not to be seen. They will
always find the best place to strike, wherever it may be. Come on! I don't expect a weakling like you to understand!"
"Weakling?" Link could feel a twinge of rage, "I am the Hero of Time!"
"Then prove it! Give me your best shot!" the tiger roared as he pounced again. However, Shisou felt the force of a huge metal plate rebound his attack. Link stood still and concentrated, trying to see if he could sense the attack with no eyes. A rush of danger befell Link and he struck in that direction. Eventually, Link could sense Shisou's attacks from anywhere and fight as though there was no darkness. Link pushed of the tiger for the final time before pointing his sword towards the spirit. "Well, you're better than I thought." Shisou stumbled onto his feet as he faced the only mortal to ever defeat him like this. "Very well then. You shall know the secret of the shadow." The tiger roared as the Shadow Medallion floated ominously, dark energy flowing from the object. "The shadow's power can blanket your enemies in darkness. Use it to your advantage." A black mass exploded from the Shadow Medallion, covering the entire area in pitch black. When the darkness subsided, the dawn had arrived. Shisou was gone.
Link looked to the sky as dawn's light touched the Earth. A glow followed, revealing the figure of Megami in front of the hero. "I see you've done well in your training." Link smiled as he showed off the proof. "Ah yes, I see. Well done." Megami led Link to the sacred shrine. "Now, you shall know the power of the light."
"Pardon me for interrupting, but I think I know the power of light well enough as is."
"You still need to learn more. The light is not as easy as it seems." Megami waved her hands at the torii and it glowed with a divine light. Cherry blossoms surrounded Link, beckoning him to enter. The brilliance of the light would blind even the holiest of priests. "Walk."
Link hesitated for a moment. It looked easy, but there had to be a catch. Link touched the gateway and felt a strange burn surround his arm. "I can't go in. Why won't it accept me?"
"That is because you have spilt much blood. Because you are a killer, you cannot exist in purity. Can you renounce your ways?"
"Then…that would mean I cannot fight again."
"It is your decision. What is your choice?" Link thought about this hard. His only purpose was to fight. So that was the catch. "Choose wisely."
Link looked at his sword. It was for the greater good. He dropped the sword and entered the torii, confident about his decision. The light engulfed him, and he fell unconscious. When Link woke up, he found himself on his back with Megami hovering over him. The Light Medallion glowed in the palms of her hands. Link got up as the medallion floated into his own hands. "Only the pure of heart would be willing to make such a decision. Here. From this medallion may no evil come near." The Light Medallion glowed with a cleansing light before subsiding into Link's sack. "All you need to do is call for it's power, and it will come to you, just like the other medallions. Your final challenge is at the graveyard. Seirei is waiting." Link thanked the goddess and proceeded to his last lesson in training.
Link approach the cemetery with much caution. Many tombstones stood with various kanji carved in their stony facade. He could feel the voices of the dead creep up his back. He finally came to a memorial statue, where the guardian spirit arose and confronted Link. "You've come."
"I know that you are the last of the spirits. I also expect that this should be one of the greatest challenges of all."
"That it shall, Hero of Time." Seirei took a small breath and caressed Link with one gentle blow. Link felt fatigue taking over, and it wasn't long until he fell into a deep slumber. Seirei extended her ghostly hand and awoke Link. When Link looked down, he was frozen in shock.
"I'm…dead!" Link's body was resting at his feet, and death was the only way that could have happened. "I'm a ghost! This is just terrific!"
"There is no cause for alarm. You are not dead. This is merely astroprojection. You will be able to return to your body, but first you must follow me." Seirei led Link's spirit to the statue, which opened up to reveal Meikai, the spiritual plane. "Now, you must learn to contact the spirits and control your soul. This can be achieved by traveling the realm of the dead."
"That's it? I thought this was going to be hard."
"Oh, it is. Many before you have tried to do what you are doing now. They were impatient, and that led to their downfall. You must have the stamina to endure the moans and sufferings of the spirits that have gone before you. If any of these poor souls were to seize you, you would forever be lost."
Link looked at the endless hall to see many ghostly hands coming from the walls. At the end of the hall there was a passage back to the realm of the living. Link drew several breaths, and then proceeded forward. Everywhere, spirits were pleading and begging to take them with him, but he couldn't. Some of the spirits got a hold of Link and almost pulled him in, yet he was much to strong for their ghostly hands. Link couldn't bear to hear all their moans, and he stopped for a moment. "Listen to me," he began, "I know that there is no way for you to come back." The spirits stopped their moaning and stared at the newcomer. "However, this doesn't mean it's all over. If I am to extinguish this threat, you may be of help. Will you accept?" The spirits were surprised, and yet they warmly accepted. A flash of light appeared and Link woke up back in the cemetery. Seirei looked down on Link, pleased with his success. He had passed.
"You are now worthy of carrying the power of the spirits. Whenever you need to, just give the incantation and they will come." Seirei took the medallion and demonstrated, summoning the spirits from the ground. "Although powerful on their own, the power combined is unsurpassed. May our blessing and the guidance of the sages be with you." Link left and met up with his master. Now, he can face the Oni.
~*~
A small fuseya was hidden in the forests. Within this cottage, a woman carefully thought out her plan. She washed herself and took a bottle of sweet smelling oil. Slowly, she rubbed every portion of her bare body until the fragrance was sure to attract any man. She smiled slyly to herself as she slipped on her robe. There were other ways to capture this man other than beating him senseless. After all, Link is only human. If Mitsukai was to get him, then she will grasp him not by force, but by emotional will. A smug laugh left her lips. Only human.