Chapter 28
Malon leaned back against the Great Deku Sapling, her eyes closed, as one branch stroked her hair. The leaves rustled, the sharp edges of the twig sometimes catching in her hair, giving her slight tugs. She didn't care, she found it comforting none the less.
"Oh, Great Deku," she said softly. "Why me? Why this?"
"You cannot worry about such things," the tree said in a low rumble. "You cannot change what you are."
She sighed, watching the Kokiri gather fruits from other trees and dig up vegetables from the soft soil of the meadow. Their only sources of food, provided and maintained by Great Deku himself as he tapped into the natural energy that bound the land. The Kokiri worked happily, their carefree laughs floating in the air as faeries danced around them sprinkling light.
"It's almost time for me to leave," she said with a sigh. "I tasted life for such a short, sweet time"
"You were never dead, only asleep," the tree replied. "Like Link when he was asleep for seven years."
She gently pulled a leaf from Great Deku's branch, letting it roll around her fingers.
"But I will be," she said. "When all this is over…if I'm successful…then I will be gone."
Great Deku did not answer, and Malon let the sounds of the Kokiri Meadow envelop her, the childlike laughs, the squeaks of the faeries, the rush of tumbling water.
"Lorfor is almost ready," Great Deku said. The tree, not yet grown to its true stature as it had before Ganondorf had poisoned it when Link had been a child, still spoke in its usual gentle and wise tone.
"Yes," Malon answered. "And as soon as he is, I leave for the Gate."
There was a pause. "Where is the Key now?"
Malon breathed deeply, inhaling the smell of fresh flowers. She closed her eyes and opened her mind, harnessing the ancient skill the Sages of old had developed as an alternative to magic.
There was a pause as she watched the swirling images right themselves. The Great Deku Sapling waited patiently.
She flinched as the vision finally came to her.
"They're…they're under attack…" Her voice was stretched. Muscles in her cheek twitched. "The Key is still with them."
Malon hissed.
"What is it, Sage of Hyrule?" Great Deku asked, concern spreading though his gravelly voice. "What do you see?"
"I…see the outcome of the battle," she said, her voice nothing more than a croak now. "I see the future."
Her eyelids shuddered as the intensity of what she saw overcame her.
She gasped.
"At the end of this day," said Malon. "One of them will be lost forever."
*
Zayna and Zelda backed up one of the winding paths as they fought off five of the hissing, howling Wraiths. A low ceiling covered this trail as it led upwards, almost like a tunnel in itself, though there was only one wall. Their swords clashed, the Wraiths' shimmering blades seemingly managing to wrap themselves around the two women's weapons. They dug their heels into the earth, letting dust swirl around their feet. Sweat flew off their faces with every thrust and parry.
They had been separated from the others during the initial attack and now they dodged and weaved, relying on each other as an extra eye, an invisible shield. A Wraith, just out of sight, reached for Zelda and Zayna instantly had her bow ready in a fluid movement.
"Your Highness."
No more needed to be said. Zelda ducked and Zayna released the arrow, watching it ram home into the Wraith's head.
"Zayna."
She jumped, and Zelda's sword flew under her, cutting into one of the creatures that was trying to sneak up on her.
Despite their situation, Zayna couldn't help but let the intense feelings of friendship wash over her. It had been too long, if ever, that she had felt this way about any group of people. Too long had she hid under the cover of mistrust, always trying to second-guess other people's intentions, always thinking the worst.
Zayna peered from the corner of her eye, looking down at the cavern floor where the four men fought. Even Tessa was getting in on the act, throwing rocks and screaming curses at their shadowy foes. The Imp swung wildly from her back, kicking and uttering obscenities. Zayna smiled grimly at the farmgirl's bravery. Stupid, but definitely brave.
She and the Queen took another few steps back as the Wraiths continued to hound them. Zayna glanced over her shoulder, her eyes managing to see through the gloom to realise that they were being driven back towards one of the granite outcroppings that hung high above the cavern floor.
"They're trying to push us over the edge," Zayna said with a grunt as she dodged another strike.
"I see it," Zelda answered, her voice thick with tension.
"Another last stand, Your Highness?" she called, ducking an attack.
"Don't give up yet, Zayna!" her old mistress cried, kicking one of the creatures in the chest. The Wraith hissed and lunged towards her, but she spun away, letting him collide with the hard rocky wall.
Zayna heard the concern in the Queen's voice. "Don't worry," she replied. "I'm not planning to."
She wanted to turn to Zelda and smile, trying to reassure her friend, but a flicker of darkness snatched her eye. She looked up. A liquid black blade swung down towards her. Instantly, she flung her sword upwards blocking the blow. Tiny sparks burned into her face. The force was too strong though, and she felt her knees buckle as the Wraith pushed down.
It hissed, its red eyes burning through her. She screamed in rage, feeling her legs shake with pain. She would not let them beat her. She would not!
The creature craned its neck forward, forked tongue darting out between needle like teeth as it grinned in victory.
A chance!
Zayna jerked her head forward cracking it into the Wraith's jaw. Its grip on its sword loosened, and Zayna pulled her blade up ferociously disarming it. She cracked it in the chest with a sharp kick and it fell to its knees, stunned. Another smooth swing with her sword separated its head from its neck.
She stepped away, gasping for breath. She looked around, searching for the Queen. Zelda had backed further up the path, ducking a swing from one of the Wraiths while parrying another. She was standing dangerously close to one of the granite ledges. Zayna ran towards her, twirling her sword.
A foot snaked out from the shadows and she fell, her jaw bouncing into the grit and sending shooting pains into her mouth. Her sword flew from her hand, spinning off the edge of the outcropping. She caught a glimpse of a sparkling sharp point falling towards her like a shooting star and she jerked left, then right, dodging it. Zayna no longer had the time to think, acting purely on instinct and adrenaline.
She flicked her leg up in an attempt to kick her assailant, but it side-stepped easily. She rolled, needing to get enough space so that she could stand and fight back. Zayna felt the dirt streak her face and lodge under her fingernails. Her heart hammered in her chest and her breath was too short and too quick.
Zayna tried to get up to one knee, but a massive, meaty shadow of a hand ploughed into her neck with a force she thought would snap it. She gagged as she was lifted effortlessly up, her eyes bulging. She clawed at the creature's arm and kicked at thin air. Dark blots coloured her vision and her eyes swam. Choking pain burned down her throat. She felt the Wraith's other hand grab her and she was lifted up completely, her world spinning.
Zayna saw where the Wraith was going, saw clearly what its intentions were. She braced herself, knowing the pain that was certain to come. Her mind drifted, and the image of her mother's sad face cane to her. At that instant, Zayna finally realised how much pain her mother had had to go through, bringing up a daughter on her own and knowing what that child truly was. Zayna hoped that wherever she went next, she would be able to see her mother one more time just to apologise for everything and soothe the scars in her soul.
And then she was thrown straight towards the edge.
*
Ruto spat at Redstar as she gripped the bars of her cell.
The young Morolak wiped it off his face, regarding her with an amused look. She hated the way he looked at her, that lecherous curve to his mouth; his intentions clear in the gleam in his eye. It sickened her.
She looked back at the other prisoners, tied up and huddled together. There about six to each cell, when there was only room for two. Their necks were bent with despair, and every time they accidentally brushed against one another, they snapped. Which is exactly what their captor wanted, Ruto thought. If the prisoners were too busy being annoyed with each other they would not be able to unite and plan some sort of escape.
"Looks like I'm going to have to teach you to be a lot more affectionate," he said, his breathing becoming heavier as he stepped closer.
She glared at him. "You disgust me," she snapped. "There is nothing you can do that will make me do anything you want."
"My, my, my," he chuckled. "Such harshness from such a sweet mouth."
He raised his hand, letting it pass through the bars, meaning to touch her face. She kept her face still, forcing her muscles to clench, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch. Mistaking her defiance as compliance, he edged his hand closer, his lips opening slightly in anticipation. With an abrupt snarl, she opened her mouth and bit down on the young man's fingers.
He howled, backing away.
"How do you like my sweet mouth now?" she hissed, a trickle of his blood rolling down her chin.
Redstar growled, breathing deeply and nursing his injured hand. She tried to keep the look of satisfaction from her face, knowing that that would provoke him more than her bite ever could.
Or so she thought.
"Let me show you who's in charge here," he spat, attempting to regain his composure.
He clicked the fingers of his healthy hand.
Ruto swallowed as she saw his guards drag in the form of a fallen Zora. She peered down closely to see who it could be, though the chill that had settled on her heart had told her enough.
Redstar grabbed the Zora male by the hair and pulled his head back, revealing the face of Mayro, her husband. Trepidation gnawed at Ruto, as she wondered what the Morolak would do. It had taken her one full year to win Mayro's heart. She had coaxed him playfully; popping up when he had least expected it, in short, becoming such a regular fixture in his life that he had had no choice but to embrace her onslaught. Other might scoff, but that was the way she did things.
They had married, spending many sweet summers together. They had been gifted with many children though she did not know where they were now.
And now, it could be all taken away from her.
A dark emptiness opened in her heart and she forced her tears back.
"See this?" the Morolak said with a laugh. "Take a good look, Princess. Because after I've finished with him you wont recognise him at all."
Ruto screamed, clinging onto the bars and shaking them uselessly. "No!"
"Oh, yes," he said, pure malignance coating his voice.
*
Zelda dived into Zayna's path, preventing her fall. Her friend slid away, still perilously close to the edge. Zelda's heart leapt to her mouth. They reached for one another, their fingertips brushing.
Zayna tumbled over the edge with a shocked yelp, holding on only with her fingers.
Desperate, the Queen scrambled towards her and reached. She shrieked as a foot stomped into the back of her knee.
"Protect the Key!" she screamed, turning around to look up at her attacker. She heard urgent shouts from below and saw Zayna try to claw her way back. Her friend slipped, losing her grip with her left hand and swinging out over the abyss. Angry at not being able to help, Zelda thought back to the many summers' of training her first Advisor, Impa, had given her in the Sheikah skills. Always think two steps ahead, always keep your opponent off guard. She rolled back, then sprung to her feet, her sword in her hand instantly.
The Wraiths surrounded her, their weapons prodding.
Zelda stood straight, her blade pointing down. She let calm serenity ease her face and relax her body.
Confused by her reaction, the Wraiths hesitated.
Just as she wanted.
In a blur, her sword was thrown into the roof of the tunnel and a shower of rocks fell. She dodged, watching with grim satisfaction as the Wraiths fall into unconsciousness.
She leapt towards Zayna, reaching for her hand and –
- Zayna finally slipped and the Queen snatched at thin air.
"No!" she gasped in shock.
Zelda slid to the edge, falling flat on her stomach. She peered out cautiously, gulping as she feared the worst.
Zayna had landed on Chizan, Tyron and Fran. They lay there in a tangled heap, moaning in pain.
Zelda let her head fall to the ground in relief. They were probably hurt and may even have some broken bones, but they were all alive, thank goodness.
The Queen got to her feet, her knees shaking as she leant on the wall for support. She breathed deeply, trying to still her hammering heart. Zelda peered into the tunnel beyond, a shadow obscuring her view.
And then the shadow moved.
She ran as the Wraith bounded after her. Up and up she went, the twisting, turning path passing by more of the granite outcroppings that led to thin air. Once or twice, she slipped, her ankle cutting into sharp rocks in her path. With a scowl, she willed herself onwards as the muscles in her legs screamed in pain.
Another outcropping appeared and suddenly her feet lost all traction. This time she did fall, skidding towards the rim and the great yaw below.
Something gripped her ankles and she shrieked as she was lifted into the air. A few steps and then she was dangling over the edge, catching faint glimpses of the piles of jagged rocks spinning below. There would be no one to break her fall; the others still tied up in a heap. She was far too high and her head swam seeing the tiny figures of her friends below.
Panic seized her and her mind and soul turned instinctively to the only person that truly mattered to her, the only person she knew could save her.
"Link!"
She swung slowly high above the cavern floor, like a leaf being buffeted to and fro in the breeze. She scanned the ground, wanting to see his face one last time.
"Zelda!"
She heard his anguished shriek and turned her head towards the sound of his voice. Zelda saw his wide-eyed, panicked expression as he ran, sheathing his sword. Their eyes locked. Despite everything, despite what she had seen him do in the forest, despite the fact that she knew she was going to die, the miniature look on his face tugged at her heart. Large, blue eyes filled with concern, blonde hair flapping, he looked just like he had as a child, innocently accepting her quest to find the three Spiritual Stones.
She smiled.
And then the Wraith let go.
*
Cyle let himself go as the waves gently swayed his ship. Sleep washed over him, and he welcomed it, feeling content at last. The sour taste of defeat had finally been removed by the sweet nature of his total conquest. It was amazing how everything had fallen into his lap. Once again, he couldn't help but think that it was destiny guiding him towards his final victory.
Well. Everything had fallen into his lap except the Key.
He sat up, listening to the steady creak of the ship as it bobbed up and down on the sea. The vessel cut through the ocean like a fiery arrow, pushed along by Chalance Vance's magic. He still did not understand exactly how – or when – the sorcerer had augmented his power.
Still. That was the least of his concerns. The Key was still out there somewhere. And Zelda had her.
That last fact burned him more than the defeat at Narik's Rock ever could. He simply would not allow Zelda – and by extension that mongrel Link – to possess a being of such power. The Key was his, he was born to take it, use it and ultimately discard it as he saw fit. It was simply intolerable that she was not in his grasp right now.
No doubt his Queen and the snivelling Hero would not take advantage of the power inherent in the Key. They would try to hide her from him, or help her or Triforce knows what! He could imagine their conversations now, worried expressions mixed with gentle voices as they discussed what the kindest way to deal with the Key was.
He sneered at their weakness.
He heard an urgent rap at his door.
"Yes, what is it?" he called.
"Sire," came the voice from outside. Probably one of his soldiers, newly recruited from the forced conscription in Hyrule. "Our destination in is in sight."
The smile came to Cyle's face without him even thinking about it and he felt his heart tremble with a mixture of hope and joy. He ran up the steps to the deck, letting the wind ruffle his hair. At the bow of the ship he saw a thin line of steam hiss, making his vessel appear that it was being driven along by a cloud. Another feature of the ship's now enhanced speed.
Chalance Vance turned to him as he approached the port side of the deck.
"There," the sorcerer said simply.
He needn't have said anything, as the small island was perfectly clear, sitting there on the horizon with a deceptively calm charm.
The muscles in Cyle's throat tightened and he leaned forward to grip onto the railing at the ship's edge. He saw the traces of green vegetation lining the edge of the coast and tall, thin trees jealously guarding what was within from prying eyes. Wrapped around the entire island was a fine, slow moving mist.
The King of Hyrule sighed in deep satisfaction. "It's beautiful."
*
"No!"
Link's hookshot was in his hand as soon as he had seen the dangling Zelda and he had fired it before the creature had even dropped her. The spike caught into the wall far above and he was lifted dizzily towards the plummeting Queen. She spun, the rocks on the floor drawing nearer and nearer. His eyes tight with pain, Link could do nothing but watch as a cry of despair escaped from the back of his throat.
The hookshot was too slow! Too slow!
Please, please, PLEASE!
When he was high enough, he shifted his weight and swung down in an arc, as Zelda continued to fall. Closer and closer he got, and he reached out, screaming as her body tumbled.
Too late! He was too late!
His fingers brushed touched her tunic, her face heading for a point blank collision with a jagged spike of rock that leered up from the ground –
- and he caught her at the last instant, savouring the warmth of her body as they swung back up.
She lifted her face to his, tears flowing down both their faces. Her mouth split into a wide, shining grin. It was the most beautiful sight Link had ever seen. They melted into each other's arms, weeping.
"Link, you saved me!" she cried.
They landed up on another ledge, and Link disengaged his hookshot, watching as the chain snaked back towards him.
They held each other, shuddering with sobs of relief, nothing else mattering to them at that moment except the other. The hiss of the Wraiths faded to muffled whispers, all thoughts of Cyle, the Key, the Joining, and their friends drifting away. There was nothing in Link's eyes, mind and soul except Zelda. Their grips were tight, cutting into each other's skin and yet, to them, it was the most exquisite pain they had ever felt. Nothing could have torn them from each other at that moment, nothing.
Link lifted his eyes, trying to sniff his tears away. He caught a flicker of movement from further on down the passage. Anger curled his mouth as he saw one of the Wraiths trying to slink away.
They tried to kill Zelda! Make them suffer!
The Hero pushed the Queen away from her, making her face crease with confusion.
"Link…?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.
He drew his sword and marched after the creature, his ferocious steps crushing pebbles into dust. Fury twisted his features, and his eyes narrowed.
Let me deal with this! Let me have control!
The Wraith saw Link coming and he backed up, hitting a wall. Seeing the look on the Hero's face and seeing no way to escape, the creature clawed against the rocky face, desperate.
Link caught up to it, and it whirled, sword ready.
Let me have control!
The Hero of Time swung his sword in a smooth arc, slicing through the Wraith's sword arm. It howled and slithered to the ground, defeated.
An insane sparkle glazed over Link's eyes as he raised his sword. The Wraith looked up at him fearfully.
Let me…He weakened, the world around him dissipating into a funnel of hate directed at the Wraith.
"…have…"
The word tore from his throat in a beast like utterance.
…control!
"Link, stop!" Zelda's voice rang out. It was shaking with icy apprehension. "He's beaten. You've won, you don't need to slay him like this!"
It only took a moment.
Link hesitated, as if he was hearing Zelda's voice for the first time in his life. Her voice caressed him, reached into the depths of his soul where his true heart lay, beating strong, proud and pure.
Don't listen to her! Let me have control!He turned his head slowly, the sword shaking in his hands. He saw Zelda's pained expression and his eyes widened in shame and pain. Horror lined her face and her eyes were pleading as she stood rigid with clenched fists and tight, pale knuckles.
It only took a moment.
His jaw trembled and he felt his cheeks burn with shame. How could he have let her seen her like this? How could he have let himself become this? And finally, he realised, like a coin dropping in his head. He knew why she had avoided him ever since that encounter in the forest. Known what she must have seen.
It only took a moment.
"Zelda," he whispered. "Forgive me."
He felt the blade start to slip from his hands.
It only took a moment…
…for the Wraith to reach down, grab its sword and plunge it straight through Link's heart.
He fell to his knees, his eyes rolling as Zelda's agonised scream tore through the cavern, horror, pain, fear and disbelief reverberating therein.
Slowly Link dropped forward, as the Wraith rolled and scampered away. His head hit the ground with a thud.
The blonde haired Hero of Time closed his eyes for the very last time.