"You know, Zelda, I could have done this on my own. You could have stayed with your father."
"I know, Saria. But this is something I had to do."
Zelda and Saria, riding on Epona, passed through the tunnel leading into the Kokiri Village. In all her years of knowing both Link and Saria, Zelda had never visited the Lost Woods. She supposed on some subconscious level she had been frightened of the ghost stories attributed to the forest. Now that she had a chance to see it first hand, she was struck by the beauty of what she saw.
Though she supposed it would have been even more breathtaking if half of it hadn't been burned to the ground.
As they rode on through the village, she saw homes—like children's forts—in various degrees of destruction as well as construction. She saw the Kokiri, some carrying lumber, others working on rebuilding their homes. Some looked their way and smiled when they saw Saria and Epona. Their expressions changed, however, when they fell on the Zelda. Though she was dressed in simple clothes and was wrapped in her cloak, but somehow she didn't think that was why they glared.
Saria looked back from her place in Epona's saddle. "It's nothing personal," she explained. "Other than Link, Kokiri don't trust 'big people'. And now thanks to all this…" She choked on the last words and turned her face away. "We're here."
They stopped in front of a tall tree house, which had sustained the least amount of damage due to its height. The dismounted Epona and left her to graze in piece of grass that was reserved for her. Saria started up the ladder with Zelda close behind, and parted the curtain hanging from the door. "So this is it. Link's home."
Zelda had often wondered what it would look like, but she didn't think it would be as…odd…as it was. The walls were adorned with masks and a virtual armory of weapons, yet the room as a hole exuded a sense of humbleness. Again, Saria noticed her expression, and this time she smiled. "Funny isn't it? That something so simple could be so complicated. Just like him."
"In all the years I've known him," Zelda said, examining a mask of a bird, "I never really knew him. What does that say about me?"
"Nothing," Saria assured. "What it says is that he's a hard guy to know. I've known him since the day he came to the forest, and I still only know what he tells me. He doesn't mean to be secretive, but…I dunno, that's just the way he is."
Zelda didn't respond. Her eyes fell on a blank spot in the wall with the masks. "Link said that one of his masks was stolen during the fire. What did it do?"
"I'm not exactly sure," Saria frowned. "Neither is Link. It's called the Fierce Deity Mask. He brought it back from his adventure in another world with all the rest of these. As far as he could figure, it bonded his spirit to some ancient war-god of that world. He was given the impression that only he could use it, but apparently Ganon knows something about it that Link doesn't."
"Another advantage he has over us." Zelda studied the masks a few moments longer, then turned to Saria. "I'd like to see the Deku Tree now."
* * *
"Princess Zelda, it is an honor to finally meet you."
"The honor, Great Deku Tree, is all mine."
The Tree shaked its leaves at the compliment. "I think I may be too young to be called 'Great' just yet."
Zelda smiled a little, then went on. "I am sorry for what happened to your forest. I had hoped that one day that there might be a greater union between the Lost Woods and the rest of Hyrule, but in light of what has happened, I don't think the Kokiri and the other creatures of the forest would be too pleased."
"Alas, I am afraid that that will forever be impossible, though through no fault of yours. The Lost Woods and all its inhabitants will forever be isolated. So it was said in the beginning, so shall it be in the end." The Deku Tree paused for a moment, then said, "What can I do for you, your highness?"
Zelda stepped forward and stood straight, as was proper for a princess. "Saria tells me that while you have a encyclopedic memory of all that has happened in Hyrule since creation, you cannot predict the future, at least not with any certainty."
"Though there are rare exceptions, that is true. Please, continue."
"Thank-you. Surely you know of the illness that has befallen my father, the king. So far, I have been able to cover it up, but rumors are spreading, and I do not know how long I can keep the truth from the people. What I would ask of you is if you have any knowledge of a cure for my father's ailment, and also if you have any insight into the fate of Link and the others' quest."
The Tree was silent for a while, as if sifting through its vast array of knowledge. Finally, it replied, "There is a cure for the king's sickness, though acquiring it will nearly impossible."
Zelda's heart leapt with hope. "Tell me! What must I do?"
"The potion itself is actually very simple. Most of the ingredients can be found here in the forest. However, it is the key ingredient you will have difficulties in attaining."
"What is it?"
The Deku Tree paused again. "You will require a piece of the enchanter who cast the spell."
The elation Zelda had experienced quickly vanished. "A…piece…of Rolondrof?"
"I'm afraid so."
She looked away, trying hard to fight back tears. The Deku Tree waited patiently for her to compose herself. "And what of the others?"
Again the leaves on the branches shook, this time as if in anxiety. "I have no clear insight as to the Chosen's fate. My contact with the Sacred Realm is limited to the occasional visions sent to me by the goddesses. I cannot tell you what has transpired there, or of how Link's final quest will end."
Zelda's neck snapped up. "His final quest? What do you mean?"
The Tree spoke slowly, as if uncomfortable. "Saria has not told you?
"Told me what?"
"The hands of fate have only one more use for Link, and that is this quest to the Sacred Realm. After that, the goddesses will leave him alone. What that means, I cannot tell you. But I have…a feeling…that whatever may happen, Hyrule will never be the same again. Whether brought about by Link's success or defeat, I do not know. But the odds do not look good."
* * *
"Where are they now, Shumbo?"
"They have crossed the ocean, Lord Necron. We are still on their trail."
Necron nodded and turned his attention back the expanse of water before him. Behind him rode Shumbo and large contingent of his banished army, the rear few towing a gigantic metal machine covered in a tarp with their air-bikes. They were several hours behind the Chosen, as Necron had planned.
"Do they know of our presence, my lord?" one of his men asked over the hum of the wind.
"Of course, fool," Necron snapped. "Unlike you, the boy has somewhat of a head for tactics. He is not foolhardy enough to believe that their escape could have been anything but my wishes. He knows that he is leading us directly to the Triforce. His only hope is that they reach it before we can steal it from them."
"But if he is really the Hero of Time…" The soldier's words were cut short as a bolt of red emanating from Necron's gauntlet struck him. His body disintegrated, and his bike fell down towards the waters.
Shumbo gulped and looked to his master. "My lord, the fool has…had…a point. He is the Hero of Time, and he has brought the Sheikah of prophecy with him. They are destined to destroy you!"
"Shumbo," Necron replied in an almost lazy tone, not bothering to look at the wizard, "You realize, of course, that once I have the Triforce, I will no longer have need of you. I will be immortal, and I will escape back to Hyrule without your help. Therefore, it may be wise to garner my favor, so I might be tempted to forget this doubt you have expressed in my abilities."
The old mage paled significantly, but remained silent. Necron smiled behind his skull-like mask. "A wise choice. Now, I suggest you save your energy. You will need it to power the weapon."
"Yes, my lord."
* * *
Ganon stood in the middle of the circle, fully clad in his heavy armor. With him in the ring were five men, all cowering at the edge, trying to break through the ring of Lizaflos and mercenaries in Ganon's army. The soldiers were laughing and jeering at the men, pushing them back towards the center. Ganon grinned wickedly at their sport and stepped towards the victims.
Seeing the futility in the struggle, one of the men charged Ganon. The Dark Lord caught him by the neck with one hand and squeezed. With a sickening snap, the man's neck shattered. He dropped the corpse and took another step forward, his grin even wider. The others, also seeing the futility of their struggle, also ran at him. The first two swung fists at his head. He caught both fists in his hands and pulled hard on the arms. The shoulders dislocated, and Ganon then twisted the arms together, as if trying to tie a knot. The roar of the crowd drowned out the screams of pain as he converged on the other two. These two tried a different approach, one attacking high, and the other trying to tackle Ganon at the waist. Ganon blocked the first's attempt at a punch, and didn't even flinch as the other grabbed his waist. He took the first's head in his hand and twisted, snapping this one's neck as well. Dropping the first, he looked down at the other's vain attempt, almost amused. He lifted the man away from him, as if pulling at a child, and raised him above his head. Ganon brought the man's back down onto his knee, shattering the spine. He picked up the screaming man by the head, and a red glow began to emanated from his fist. The screams died as the man's face began to melt.
The crowd roared with laughter as Ganon held the skull up high. He then walked over to the two victims still writhing on the ground and stepped heavily on each of their necks, ending their struggles. The crowd parted as he left the ring and walked back towards his tent. Rolondrof and Skorn were waiting for him at the entrance and followed him in as he entered. "I take it you have eased your boredom, my brother?" Rolondrof said as Ganon sat down in his throne.
"Yes," Ganon replied casually. "I have."
"My lord," Skorn said, "Though it is not my place to question your motives, I must ask why we are not pressing our attack. The traitors are cowering like dogs. They are disorganized, leaderless. A swift strike now would lead you to victory."
Ganon laughed heartily at this. "My dear, dear brother, you truly are innocent. We wait, because a simple victory will not suffice. I wish not only to defeat my enemies, but to totally and absolutely annihilate them. I want the battle to be a slaughter. And to that, I still require two keys to that end. Necron is taking care of the one, and now I—I must now take care of the other."
Rolondrof stared at Ganon in disbelief. "You…you are going to the second front? Personally?"
"Yes, I am. It has been conquered for months now, and now that we have some semblance of a foothold here, I must ensure the victory there. And you Skorn, shall come with me."
Skorn thumped a fist to his chest—a fist still guarded by Link's Golden Gauntlets—and bowed. Rolondrof just stood there, still gaping at his brother. "But who will lead the army here with Skorn gone?"
Ganon just smiled at him. "You have proven yourself to be fairly competent, Rolondrof. I'm sure you can manage." His gaze shifted back to Skorn. "We leave tomorrow at dawn. I trust you will be ready?"
"As you wish, my lord."
Ganon smiled again, but now it seemed as if he were talking only to himself. "Yes…as I wish. And this time my wish will come true."