[Warhammer sits on the fountain in the center of Hyrule City, and everyone
go by as they do.]
WH: Truth is ubiquitous, but it must be found first.
TWHammer presents
The Force of One: Chapter 4: Vague Clarity
A work of fanfiction based on the game created by Shigeru Miyamoto
Noticing the wide variety of people coming and going through the streets of the town, Link found himself struggling to keep the warnings of Mareg in mind as he moved through several people.
He also looked around many a time for some sort of sign for the one that Mareg said would be looking for him.
"Wait, who's Sheik?" he wondered aloud. Navi, who hiding within Link's hat at the moment, was about to answer his question before a rather large and human shaped projectile just missed hitting him.
Link remained dumbstruck as he looked to his left to see a scuffle occurring at the entrance of a tavern. From what he could see, the man being attacked was outnumbered by about five to one. Link wondered about intervening, mostly because his first trip to Hyrule had also made him the witness to another tavern brawl. Every one of them was drunk and it was too ugly for him to continue watching and continued to the castle.
Yet this one was vastly different than the last fight. Though drunk, the man suddenly turned on his attackers and started to punch his inebriated foes down one by one.
The drunkard started to laugh heartily as two more of his attackers fell. Link got a feeling that he'd seen this man before, though he had never known any Hylian that had long white hair, a few facial tattoos, a pale blue tunic, a half-plate of onyx colored armor covering his arms and upper body, and an evident liking to strong drink and fights.
"Next time, gimme someone who doesn't need a nap in the middle of a fight!" the man said before downing the last of his assailants with a good fist in the jaw. Among his full-throated laughter, a disgusting belch sent anyone with a weak stomach away before he lost balance and fell backward.
Link and Navi, who had seen the fight by peeping through the edge of his cap, stared in shock at what just happened.
"Don't bother, boy," an elderly woman said passing by them. "He's always like that. He's one of those mercenary types that are only in it for the thrill. You'd do good to avoid him."
Link was about to ask about the man before the woman interrupted, "He arrived here a few months before and has been working in the surrounding villages and this town as well. All we know about him is that his name is Zidroam Kaneil. Never said anything about where he came from, what his real business is, or anything else. Like I said, it is better to leave him be."
The woman left them and Link found himself torn at what to do. The other drunks had gathered themselves together and had left as quickly as they had appeared. The only one left was Zidroam, snoring loudly on the ground and annoying most people within earshot.
Link wavered between wanting to help the man or simply going about his business. The fight never involved him and he had to get to the castle. Yet, he couldn't just let this man lay in the middle of the street. Sighing, he figured a few minutes to get the other man out of the way wouldn't hurt, unless the drunkard woke up and started to attack him, but judging how heavy the air was with liquor, Link guessed he would be out for a while.
Holding his breath, Link dragged the large mercenary out of the street and into a neighboring inn. He asked the owner for a room for his 'friend' and went with him to a room just large enough to give Zidroam the nap he needed. With what few rupees he had, Link was able to get the mercenary the time he needed to recuperate from his fight and inebriation.
The keeper gave him a strange look and asked, "Aren't you going to ask him for your money back when he wakes up?"
The Kokiri boy shook his head and answered, "Just let him sleep until he wakes up." The keeper nodded, but was still confounded at Link's choice.
Leaving the inn, Navi whispered into his ear from beneath his hat, "That was nice of you, Link."
He shrugged it off as they continued towards the castle. "Well, I don't really owe him anything, but it didn't look like anyone else was going to help."
The little fairy smiled inwardly, fate had definitely chosen correctly as to whom time's hero would be.
Because of the increased size of the town, Link had found finding the castle a bit more difficult than it had been many years before. Large houses towered over him and obstructed the view from the town of the castle beyond.
Though he could not simply walk through the center of town and head into the entrance of the castle, he could see the path and a few signs that pointed in the general direction. Looking up, he saw a sign that held the location of several important places in the city. It was then something dawned on him.
"I can't read!"
"Are you serious?" Navi piped from beneath his hat.
"Yes. I can count and stuff like that, but I don't remember ever learning how to really read. Worse yet, I can't read Hylian."
"Oh, for the love of Naryu," Navi groaned before floating out and up to the many signs. It appeared that she had spoken too soon about Link's capability. Granted, he was only a boy of twelve and the rest of the kokiri were, at best, six times his age and had already learned how to read and write.
If Mido was still around, she needed to give him a serious talk about how he should have helped Link. She'd yank his ears until they stretched twice their length if need be. There was no excuse for Link not being able to read and write.
"Let's see, by the looks of this, the castle's still north, but we have to traverse through the training grounds in front of it."
"Training grounds?"
"Yeah, the Hylian army has a space for their barracks and ground to train their troops. It's where the castle used to be, if I can see it right."
"Then where's the castle?"
"Right behind it and at the base of a mountain," Navi said before flying back into Link's hat. "Let's go."
"Hey, since when did fairies ever give orders? Aren't we supposed to be partners?"
"Yes, but until I can find a way to help you understand basic Hylian, I'm going to have to tell you what everything means, which also means you have to listen to what I say."
"Just don't forget who's bigger here," Link pouted.
Holding back a chuckle at the Kokiri boy's face, Navi answered, "This coming from someone who should be ten years younger and still can't read."
Link huffed and started on the direction Navi had earlier indicated. He always wanted a fairy so he could be like the other Kokiri, but now he was starting to regret it. "Just be grateful you weren't chosen by someone else I knew. She would have yanked your ears off," Navi said, catching that thought from his expression.
"Who was she?"
"A razor tongued jerk by the name of Tatl! We never got along; no matter how hard we tried." Link could tell that Navi was quite passionate about her dislike of the other fairy, because the top of his head felt significantly warmer than before. "The only people she bothered being nice to were her brother, Tael, her parents, and our elders. She always knew what to say to get someone else mad!"
"Alright! Calm down, you don't need to burn me because of someone you knew. I admit, I wanted to hit Mido whenever he teased me, but I was always smaller than he was, so I couldn't do anything. And now, I don't really care anymore. I'm out here doing something bigger than that and now it just seems silly."
Navi let herself snort for once, "Well, you don't know how bad some fairies get. Especially fairy godmothers. They have the absolute worst tempers and anyone that basically gets in their way is as good as dead."
Link forced a smile. "Well, I should be glad I don't have one."
"You should be." Navi paused as they exited the town's northern exit, leading into a large open space with a building over the expanse. "In all seriousness, Link, I'm glad you're the one that was chosen as my partner."
Link smiled and patted the top of his head gently, "So am I."
*
The valley itself was a small one. In fact, the hill that raised the ground in front of the moat was still there as well. It seemed untouched by time's jaws as Link walked over the grass and past a few trees. Instead of where the castle was, several small buildings sat in close formation in the bottom end of the valley.
Link considered going through the barracks to ask if an audience with the queen would be too much to ask. The thought of having to sneak through the castle like last time did not appeal to him very well. And if Navi was right, the soldiers here would be a bit more alert than the ones at the castle.
Peeping through the gate, he noticed that a good number of the soldiers were in various positions of training. He noticed a few men, without their armor, wrestling each other to the ground, under the gaze of their instructor. Across from them, a man and a woman were sparring, using wooden swords and shields. At the far end of the grounds, several men and women were taking turns at the archery targets, refining their aim with every other shot.
"Intruder!" a female's voice screamed and a few seconds later, an arrow sped towards Link's heart. Only a quick hop to the right spared his skin, if not his tunic. Within seconds, over thirty Hylian soldiers had scattered and regrouped to surround Link and prevent his escape. Hylian steel was drawn, arrows were pulled back, and shields were raised with amazing speed.
Seeing no alternative, Link raised his hands and said meekly, "Um... I surrender?"
A good number of the soldiers looked to each other in confusion. Finally, the commander stepped forth, "What's your business here? Civilians aren't allowed in the barracks."
Under the commander's hard gaze, Link found it difficult to maintain his composure. "I was just on my way to the castle, and..."
"It's you!" a woman's voice proclaimed.
The commander and Link turned to see one of the archers take off her helmet and step towards them. "I knew you looked familiar." The archer had thick red hair, with a touch of orange and yellow on the back. It only took Link a few minutes before he too recognized her face.
"Malon?"
"That's right, fairy boy. I never thought I'd see you again," the farm girl said happily.
The commander raised an eyebrow, "You two know each other I take it?"
Malon turned to her superior, "Yes sir. We knew each other about ten years ago. He helped work at the old ranch before it got burned down."
"I see." The commander then turned to the rest of the soldiers and ordered them back to their training regime. "Don't take too much time reminiscing, you've still got the rest of your exercises to do."
Malon saluted, "Yes sir." She turned to Link and smiled, "Don't worry about that old war horse. He tries to act tough, but the rest of us know better. Most of us call him 'dad' just to get him mad."
Link couldn't believe how much the singing farmer girl who held a special place for cuccos and cows in her heart had changed. Her face had thinned and refined into a nicely plain, but beautiful sight. He remembered that as a child, her hair had grown to her waist, but now it was cropped short to where it touched the base of her neck.
"So, you said you were going to the castle, but what for?" Malon asked, leading Link around the rest of the training grounds.
"I need to see Zelda. I've heard a lot of things from many people about her and they aren't good."
"I see. But even if it was all true, Zelda's done a lot of good for Hyrule."
"Like what?"
"She's been able to bring a lot of other people from other countries to Hyrule, so we're not so isolated anymore. Also..." Malon found it hard to continue, "She took me in when the ranch was destroyed."
Only now did Link realize that Malon had mentioned something about Lon Lon, but he never had a chance to follow. "What happened?"
Malon sighed as they drew close to the archery range. "Thieves broke into the ranch, stole all the cows and cuccos, they torched our houses, and ... they killed my dad and Mr. Ingo. I barely made it out alive."
Link failed to hold back his shock. He knew Talon was a good man, a bit absent minded, but good enough so that he didn't deserve the fate he had gotten. He remembered using a newly hatched cucco to awaken Talon after he had fallen asleep by a number of crates by the entrance to the castle. He also had earned a good deal of respect from the man by working at the ranch a few times and helping in taming Epona.
Now the ranch was gone. Link didn't want to admit it, but he felt he had just woken up in a world that was intent on destroying everything he ever cared about.
"But why are you a soldier? I mean, wouldn't you try to start over? You'd do a good job with some help."
"I did consider it, but I wanted to thank her highness properly... and the other reason is..."
"Grasshopper!" another woman's voice screeched before a pair of arms wrapped themselves around Link's head and began to strangle him.
"Romani! Stop that! You'll kill him!" Malon screamed and pulled the girl in question off of Link.
"But it's Grasshopper! Romani thought he went away and never came back!" Romani pleaded after letting go and standing up.
"Wait, how do you know Link?"
"He came to the Ranch a long time ago. Grasshopper helped me stop..." Romani's face suddenly went dark, "THEM!"
Malon sighed. "Oh would you stop it! You've told everyone that story and no one has ever seen these... things you keep talking about. Just give it a rest, Romani."
Romani still persisted, "But Romani did see them! Grasshopper came and made them go away! They never came back."
Malon put her hands on Romani's shoulders and said, "Just get back to the targets, ok?"
Romani frowned, stuck her tongue out, and scurried back to the target area. Malon reached down and lifted Link back to his feet, "That's my cousin, Romani. She was named after the ranch her family has in the east." She leaned in close, "She liked riding the cows a bit too much, and so she often fell off and hit her head."
Link blinked a few times, "Is that why she's..."
Malon nodded, "Yes. Dumb, stupid, take your pick. Her own sister, Cremia, said that Romani's a few arrows short of a full quiver."
Romani's behavior and involvement in the Hylian military stirred a question.
"Say, is Romani the other reason why you're here?"
Malon nodded. "I came to her highness and asked if there was some sort of cure for her condition. So, in return for serving in the military, Zelda and her best healers would work on a treatment for her mind."
"How long will it take?"
"A few more years. Romani's mind has been returning, but at a slow rate. She's almost to the point where she can take care of herself. I can only hope that when she does recover, she'll be able to return home. Then I'll be able to start another ranch."
Walking out of the camp, they noticed the castle up ahead. Dug into the side of the mountain, it had the good fortune of having a strategic placement as well as a strong rear defense. Even with its entire splendor, Link could not get Malon's condition out of his mind.
"How was Romani able to get into the military?"
"Don't you know? Just because she's not the smartest does not mean she's bad with a bow. Her accuracy is unmatched. She's the only archer this side of the great mountains that can do a 'Locksley'."
"What's that?"
"A shot that hits the exact angle and spot another arrow has hit, effectively destroying the first arrow."
Link was shocked. Romani's sanity was not entirely there, but the fact she could shoot anything with a bow became a bit unsettling to him.
"Anyway, I got to get back to the barracks, I still got to take care of the rest of our exercises. You take care, Link." She turned and started on her way back to the barracks.
"You too, Malon. And I hope your cousin gets better soon."
Turning back to the castle, Link noticed four soldiers at the entrance. Each of them armored and armed to the teeth, ready to fight. Two of the guards were conversing quietly amongst each other and the other two had kept their eye on the visitor.
"You think it's him?" one of the soldiers asked his companion.
"It could be. I didn't get a good look last time we hunted him." Loi Meves was wary of Link as he approached closer. The other day had left a bad mark on his record and the Executor had been very displeased with him. The complaint from the people of Kakariko had only made the Executor's ire worse.
Now, as a mere sentry, his resentment at demotion gave a bad feeling to his fellow soldiers. He was sure to take out his anger on them, even though it would amount to nothing because he was significantly shorter than his peers were.
"Halt!" another one of the soldiers announced as Link reached the edge of the bridge, "state your name, home, and business."
Link gathered his courage, "My name's Link. I come from the Kokiri Forest in the south, and I came to see Zelda."
The other soldiers looked towards each other as Link announced his intent. No one had ever been so bold as to come out from the blue and desire an audience with the queen. Especially from some unknown boy from the south.
"Let's see that weapon of yours," Loi pressed a little too eagerly. He wanted to make sure that if this boy was the one from yesterday, this could be his chance to return to his previous position.
Hesitantly, Link drew the Master Sword from the sheath on his back and held out the blade for all four soldiers to see. The kokiri boy was still worried at the thought that these men would arrest him for 'stealing' the weapon, but had no clue how to get past this.
"I knew it!" Loi hissed, "Arrest him! He's the one that stole the Master Sword..."
"You'll do no such thing, Meves." Another male voice had appeared behind Link and all turned to see Alyx Tein marching to intercede. "I have been given orders from the Queen herself that he is to be granted an audience," his gaze turning especially harsh on Loi.
"But he stole the sword! The law says that thieves are to be punished!"
"Yes, but then again, since when did anyone live in that temple? The old text stated that weapons such as those were crafted for their wielders. So, by law, the sword belongs to him. Is that clear, Meves?" Alyx said with a tone of finality.
"Very clear... sir," Loi growled, not attempting to hide the resentment in his voice.
"Good," Alyx replied before continuing viciously, "I'd hate to see the Executor demote you again. A sentry describes your capability perfectly."
Link felt the unrestrained hate the two shared thought it wise to remain silent.
Turning to Link, Alyx said politely, "Shall we be off?" Link nodded and kept his distance from Loi as they passed and entered the castle.
If the interior of the castle from when he was a child was extravagant, then the new castle's design was beyond mesmerizing. Soldiers, scholars, and officials walked through the finely crafted arched hallways adorned with flags made by expert tailors.
Through the main hallway, leading to the central audience rooms, and to the central structure, supported by several stone flying buttresses, they entered.
"What do you think of it?" Alyx asked Link casually.
Link had wanted to slow down several times to take in the exquisite beauty of the architecture and art that castle contained, but feared losing Alyx to the point where he did not have enough to look at everything, which he wanted.
"It's... amazing," he replied, searching for an appropriate word.
Noticing the child-like curiosity of Link, Alyx offered, "If you wish, I could give you a tour of the castle and the changes that were made when it was rebuilt at a later time."
Link smiled, "I'd like that."
Looking into the throne room, the captain of the guard sighed, "It appears that we came at an inopportune time."
"Why's that?"
"The dignitaries from Kurast and Travincal are still with her highness at the moment. It appears we're going to have to wait for a few minutes."
Sitting down in a spare chair, Alyx motioned Link to sit in the one beside him. "Pardon me, but I seem to have forgotten your name."
Not at all offended, the Kokiri boy replied, "I'm Link Mordix. I used to live in the Lost Woods to the south."
Alyx was surprised, "Really? For what I've learned, no Hylian has ever lived there before."
"Not true!" Navi piped up, flying out of Link's hat. "Ever since Link was a little baby, he was living in the Kokiri village."
Alyx's eyes widened further as he reached up to touch the blue light, "A fairy? My goodness, I've not seen them ever since the last war. And even then, they were only those smaller healing spring fairies."
"Don't the people see more fairies?" Link asked.
Alyx shook his head. "The queen knew they were a resource of powerful healing magics. However, she ordered their locations to remain secret to maintain their lives and potency save for emergencies."
Link was now getting even more confused. When he had first returned to Hyrule, he had been hearing constant accusations of Zelda's wrong doing to the Gerudo, and the testimony of the two Shiekah. Now, hearing what she was doing for Malon, her cousin, and the fairy people seemed to throw even more confusion into his mind.
"Are you alright, sir?" Alyx asked placing a hand on Link's shoulder.
After a pause, Link nodded. "Yes, I've just had a lot on my mind."
At that instant, the delegates from Travincal walked out the door and into the central courtyard. Two of the representatives spotted Link and whispered to each other as they passed the fountain outside,
"'Tis him. The one Que Hagan Luther did speak of." The taller of the two spoke just about a whisper to avoid being heard.
"Art thou sure?"
"Yes, canst thou sense the aura about him?"
"I couldst not tell; powerful magic at work here prevents me from knowing."
"Didst thou at least get a good look upon his face?"
"Yea, I did. I do find it uncanny to think that 'tis him and at the same time, 'tis not him."
"May the Great Light forbid we confuse ourselves so."
"Pray thou earnestly, brother. Though we have become confederate with the Queen of Hyrule, I doth fear dark times ahead."
The smaller of the two took another look back to Link's location before following his companion back to the entrance of the castle. Luther had to be told of this new development at once.
*
Standing up and walking towards the exit, Alyx continued his inquiry, "Did you grow up alone?"
Link nodded, "Yes. I never knew either of my parents. I was the only one that never had a fairy among the kokiri."
"My condolences." Alyx came from a well-to-do family and was grateful for his life. Looking back to Navi, he asked, "Do all kokiri have fairies?" Link nodded. This thought gave Alyx a reason to sigh, "The Lost Woods never should have been burned. The people and a few members of the Grand Council were against the burning, but before any sort of protest could be presented, it was already done."
Link could say nothing as he and Navi followed Alyx into the throne room. What would be the point in saying anything? The deed was done and nothing could be done about it. The throne room lay in the heart of the castle's central tower and was adorned as extravagantly as the rest of the castle was.
In front of the throne itself, the Queen and the Praetor were speaking of the recently concluded meeting as her gaze settled on Link and Alyx. Farlein also noticed their entrance, bowed to the Queen and left through a separate door.
Zelda's appearance had definitely changed over the years. Her eyes were solemn and emotionless, her cheeks permanently flushed, mouth set in a straight line and lips pursed, eyebrows in a scowl. Looking up from the set of papers in her hands, her seemingly cold face warmed at the sight of Link.
Setting the papers aside, she walked forward and turned to Alyx, "Thank you, Captain. I shall call you later." Alyx bowed, turned, and left Link and Zelda alone.
Both of them stared at each other as other members of the committee left them alone. Only Link, Zelda, and another woman watching them like a hawk from the other side of the room remained. Link sighed as he tried to find the words to say and looked to the floor. Zelda sensed his anxiety, walked forward and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Are you well?"
Link shook his head, ignoring the glare from the sun. "Ever since I got back from wherever I went, I feel like I've come into a completely different world. My home's gone, my friends are gone, and I have no idea what's to happen next."
"What have you learned?" she asked.
Turning back to her, he related everything that happened the very second he awoke in the chamber of sages. Zelda listened intently to every word he said as the night started to crawl across the land and into the throne room. She remained silent even during the parts when the Gerudo and Sheikah had accused her of wrongdoing.
"...and now I'm here. I don't know what I am supposed to do."
Leaning against the desk, which sat opposite of her throne, Zelda unfolded her arms and rested her hands on the desktop. "I could tell you everything from my perspective, but I feel that doing so would only complicate things more than they already are."
He turned towards her, "What about that prophecy? Weren't you sure that the person in black was Ganondorf? If it was, things seem to well off for even needing that prophecy."
Zelda shrugged, "I was only twelve years old at the time. For all I know, it could have been someone else. I already had a bad feeling about Ganondorf the very second I laid eyes upon the man." A scowl formed on her face, "That monster killed Impa and without her, I could trust no one. I did not wish to survive ten long years in silence. Always suspecting that someone or something will try to take advantage of your backside and strike when your gaze is not on them."
Her frown vanished and she smiled sadly, "Some would say it is the price you pay for being in power. Someone else always wants it."
"The Triforce you mean?"
She nodded, removed her right glove, and revealed her hand with three small triangles that were glowing softly. She put the glove back on and stood in front of him. "I thought that by getting all three, I'd be able to stop Ganondorf from destroying Hyrule. But I suppose there was a much deeper meaning to my dreams that I've still not been able to decipher."
She continued in a normal tone, "You want to get something from the kitchen? I'm sure the cooks are still there finishing dinner for everyone."
Link was about to press about wanting to know what she had to say, finally realized that it had been far too long since he had any sort of food in his larger stomach. "I'd like that." His gaze soon turned to the other woman in the room and he asked worriedly, "who's that?"
Zelda turned to the slightly shorter woman with a deathly pale complexion, hair as black as midnight, and a stare as cold as the northern mountains, and sighed, "Ah yes, forgiver her. Calbrena is my bodyguard and rarely trusts anyone."
Link forced back a worried chuckle, if that woman was indeed Zelda's bodyguard, his instincts warned him repeatedly to be wary. He could not place an exact reason, but during his time in traveling through the Lost Forest, Lord Jabu Jabu, and the Goron's Tunnels, he had discovered that the more silent the creatures were, the more dangerous they were in combat.
Link figured it would be best to leave well enough alone for the time being.
*
Though the cooks were shocked at seeing the Queen appear in the kitchen, they were able to settle down to a point where Zelda and Link were able to get a make shift meal with a few unused pieces of cooked meat, bread, and a little wine.
When Zelda was certain that the hour was late enough, she led Link through the near silent hallways of the inner cloister of the castle that would lead to her study.
Zelda's study seemed more like a library due to the impossible number of books that lined the walls. Ranging from every sort of subject one could conceive, she seemed to possess many books on even the most simple of subjects.
Link suddenly felt smaller than he ever did as Zelda took a seat at one of the several desks, "Large, isn't it? Reading books was one of the things I often found myself doing when I wasn't busy with important matters."
"It's amazing!" Link said with awe.
"One could say that. Is there anything you'd like to read about? More likely than not, I have a book on it." Zelda said with a smile.
Link was about to ask if there were any books on the Lost Woods before he stopped himself and looked to the ground. "I... it doesn't matter. I can't read."
Zelda was taken back. "What? You can't read?"
Link sighed, "I grew up in the Lost Woods, we didn't have any books there and I never got the chance to learn how." Though he did feel embarrassed to say it in front of Zelda, he had no recourse.
Zelda only stared at him for a minute before turning to one of the farther shelves, reached out, and pulled out a small and well-worn book from the shelf.
Returning, she took Link's hand, led him to one of the desks, sat him down, and sat beside him. "We recently were able to employ some scholars from a land called Guardania to come and begin public education. Not that many people in Hyrule knew how to read and write when I was a child. I don't want my people living in ignorance."
She placed the book on the desk in front of Link and continued more subdued than before, "In addition, I doubt it's a proper apology, but I hope it's the first of whatever I can do to amend for what I did to the Lost Woods."
From what he had heard from Mareg, Link felt that Zelda had done it as a way of making an example out of the thieves, but the look in her eyes told him otherwise. "I didn't want to do it, Link. I promise you that I did not want it to go that far, but I was left with no other choice." Alyx's testimony of Zelda's kindness to the fairies was proof of that.
Link replied, "Your highness, I am not sure what to believe anymore."
Zelda saw his forlorn look and smiled, "If it helps any, I too am going through that same ordeal. And please, call me Zelda."
"Thank you."
Link's heart settled down as he reached for the book Zelda had brought out and opened it up. Though Link did recognize the symbols that were the seemingly complex Hylian alphabet, his still young mind had a hard time understanding what each one meant.
Zelda leaned forward beside him, pointed to the first symbol on the first page and explained simply what that symbol was and how it was pronounced. Though Link knew how to speak, to see the words he often used broken down into something so complex was slightly overwhelming at first.
For the next hour, the Queen of Hyrule and the young man from the Kokiri forest delved into something that only children growing up indulged in. The first five of the thirty-three Hylian characters were difficult to start with, so Zelda thought it best they limit their study to that many or less so Link could comprehend them easily.
They were going over the fifth character when a soldier entered the door. "Your highness, the man you sentenced the other day has been executed."
Zelda stood, give a casual nod, and gave a scowl that ordered him to leave at once. The guard noticed her eyes, bowed quickly and left as fast as his legs would carry him. Turning away from Link, Zelda could tell his eyes were on her back and more likely than not, wanting an answer.
"It was a necessary precaution. That man had murdered two women in the past month and he was stealing money from several people as well." She turned to him with a stance of finality. "I will not abide such people here. There are enough infidels in the world as it is."
She closed her eyes. "I'm sorry you had to be the witness of such news... but the fact is I've seen so much of death and blood in the past ten years that I've become desensitized to such things."
Link, with the book in his hands, found his voice gone as he had discovered how drastically the princess had changed over the past ten years.
*
Link found peace of mind much harder to come by as he sat on the balcony of his room from the quarters Zelda had given him until he could find something more permanent. Navi was also surprisingly quiet from the time he had met Zelda. He tried to get some sort of response out of her, but she flew up to the roof of the room and hang onto the chain that held the single lantern.
"Navi, what's wrong?"
The fairy started to quiver, "I... I've never been so overwhelmed before... When you got near Zelda... the sheer amount of magic nearly suffocated me. Link, I'm scared."
Link remained silent as the little fairy held the chain harder.
"You seem troubled, young man," a voice said from outside the balcony. Both the fairy and Link turned to see Kaepora Gaebora, the same enormous owl they first met outside of the Lost Woods several years ago. He was presently perched on the rail on the balcony and seemed to keep his balance despite his size.
"Your future's present is not what you thought it to be, I take it?"
Link smiled sadly, "You could say that."
"Old Mareg told me about your journey from the west to here. Surely it must have been a surprise to see how much everything has changed in ten years."
Link nodded and leaned against the wall.
The owl poked his head inside the room and with his head upside down and hooted, "I love what you've done with the place."
Link chuckled at the owl's comment, "Well, I could take credit if I did live here, but I don't. My home is in the Lost Woods... or what's left of it anyway..."
"It pains you to know that a home is something you do not have, does it not?" Link nodded. "However, that is not necessarily true. It is foolish to say, but it is true that your memories of home travel with you, wherever you go."
Link raised an eyebrow, "So, my home is still with me?"
Kaepora tilted his head, "In a manner of speaking, yes."
Link continued to ponder the owl's words as the fairy flew from the lantern and in front of the owl. "Master Gaebora, if it's not too much to ask, could you take Link and I to the Lost Woods for a while?"
"Why, whatever for?" the owl said, feigning ignorance.
Navi turned to see Link furrow his brow in conflict. She knew that Link wanted to see what remained of his home and she felt he deserved to know the truth. Link rounded the corner and faced the owl, trying to gather the courage to ask for a ride.
The large owl, sensing his apprehension, nodded pleasantly, "Need you ask such a question? I'll be sure to return you before you're missed."
Spreading his wings wide, Kaepora began to flap his large wings, creating a gust within the room. Having received a ride from the owl in the past, Link stepped forward and remained still as the owl took hold of his arms. With a firm grip upon his arms, the owl flapped his wings harder, and began his journey south.
Within minutes, another shadow in the shape of Sheik saw the owl leaving with Link in its talons. Though he was not worried about the boy, he was slightly disappointed for not being able to speak with him. Crossing his arms over his chest, Sheik sighed silently and remained still on the balcony.
"You never could stay in one place for very long, could you?" he whispered with a smile. Sheik often envied the ability for Link's wanderlust to guide him to lands that the former could only dream about.
The scurrying of feet behind him and sound of a dagger being drawn brought him out of his reprieve. He leapt out of the way and bounced off the wall to a position behind his attacker to see the Queen's bodyguard.
"Too slow, as always, dear Calbrena." The Sheikah whipped out several sharp pins and threw them straight at the dagger's blade. Without hitting her hand, the pins knocked the blade into the wall.
Calbrena remained silent as her weapon fell still on the ground. She moved slowly to show her disadvantage to the thief that seemed to elude her at every turn.
"You do not belong here, shadow man." Calbrena whispered, not hiding her contempt.
"I'd be more than happy to be leave, but the thought of leading you around in circles gives me much more pleasure than anything else." He bundled up another set of pins in his left hand and readied the steel whip in his right. Whenever someone wanted another dead, one was wiser to never turn their back on their foe.
"Laugh while time permits it, thief, there will be a time when your back is turned and I will be there."
Keeping Calbrena's eyes on his own, Sheik moved a flash bomb from his sleeve in between the folds of his whip. "Just make sure to let me know when that day comes." A quick flip of the wrist later, the Queen's bodyguard shielded her eyes as the flash of light died down and found the Sheikah man gone.
Frowning, Calbrena walked forward and knelt at the spot where her target had been a moment before. Looking closely at the rug, she felt the depressions made by a flurry of steps leading to the window. Running to the balcony, she looked everywhere within its field of vision but found nothing. She turned around and looked to the roof and figured that it was now pointless to try and follow.
Since nothing more could be done, Calbrena returned to the room and to the door, thinking dark and evil thoughts of what she'd do once she got her hands on the Sheikah thief.
*
In the heart of what was once the Lost Woods, several dead trees remained as the last testament of the once vibrant landscape that permeated the land. Hollowed, charred, and decaying, the charcoal piles were all that remained of the stumps that were once populated by the Kokiri.
Kaepora and his two passengers stepped slowly over the barren ground to the burnt stump that was at one time, his home. He placed his hand on the base of the tree and remembered all that had happened. Even the prank that Mido played on him by carving a rather inaccurate representation of Link at the trunk still remained fresh in his mind.
"It's horrible..." Navi said hovering over Link's head and looking at the rest of the clearing where the village was.
"It is unfortunate." Kaepora hooted before continuing, "Yet, given time, the forest will return, provided that the ground has not been poisoned."
A familiar voice countered, "A bit late for speculation, eh birdy?"
All three turned to see Ganondorf Dragmire in a ranger's cloak leaning against the wall by the exit. He held a large sword at his side and kept it in hand as he stepped forward and walked to the three visitors. "Whatever sent this fire here not only knew what they were doing, but they wanted to make sure that the Lost Woods wouldn't grow back."
Kaepora tilted his head, "And how would you know, Gerudo man?"
Ganondorf knelt down and picked up a handful of dirt, "The residual magics left by the fire that burned the forest down. They're too powerful for it to have been any normal fire."
Navi floated beside Link. "What are you getting at?"
"What I'm getting at, firefly, is that we got another necromancer in Hyrule somewhere..."
"Another?"
"Yeah. It makes me feel jealous that someone's been able to summon the Black Flame before I was able to." He picked up a blackened branch, "Although whoever used it knew what they were doing, the Black Flame is not something to toy around with."
Navi faltered, "The Black Flame? Impossible! No one's been able to use that in countless generations."
Link turned to the owl, which seemed to sense the question coming on. "The Black Flame was a weapon developed by the Lord of Terror, Diablo. The Black Flame not only consumes the actual substance of what it burns, but the energies within as well. It was said that Diablo used it against many angels in the wars between the heavens and the hells. And for a mortal to wield such a deadly weapon against a forest, the wielder would be placing his life in danger as well as everything within the forest. It's a miracle that there's anything left."
Link frowned. "But that still doesn't answer the most important question." He turned to Ganondorf. "What are you doing here?"
The Gerudo said with an as matter of fact tone, "I came here ever since this place got burned down. It's quiet here. It gives me a chance to get away from the rest of the Gerudo." The questioning looks from the other three made him frown. "Despite what you think, it's not easy being the only male Gerudo among all those women."
Ganondorf started tramping about with a frown, as his anger grew worse. "I swear! I can't count how many times those annoying twins woke me up with a fire spell! As if that weren't bad enough, a lot of the other Gerudo perpetually squawk like a bunch of old cuccos! One of the reasons why I wanted the Triforce of Power was so I could finally make them shut up!"
He turned to Link, "I was telling you the truth when I said that conquest is overrated. Being the ruler of one race is bad enough, but to rule the world is just too much trouble."
Silence permeated the clearing as Link absorbed the words of the Gerudo King. He wanted to deny it and say he was lying, but there was something about what he said and how he said it. A part within him was saying that Ganondorf was indeed telling the truth but he wasn't sure what it was.
"Look out!" Ganondorf roared before diving to out of the way just before a large shape landed where he had been a second before.
At first glance, it appeared to be simply a pair of gauntlets and metal boots, suspended in mid-air. Upon closer inspection, there appeared to be a wave of distortion that comprised the humanoid body of the creature. The legs were jointed like a wolfos, cocked and ready to pounce at a moment's notice, ominously prepared.
From where the head should have been, a pair of dark blue slits appeared and centered on Ganondorf and Link.
Its target was here and good fortune seemed to be smiling upon it. Not only was the Gerudo man here, but an extra morsel of mind was ready for the Inkling to devour.
Link and Ganondorf drew their weapons and started to back up as Kaepora took wing.
"What is that?" Link screamed.
"It's called an Inkling, a mind predator to be exact. It enters your mind and devours it from the inside, leaving you nothing more than a living corpse," Ganondorf mumbled, keeping his eyes set on the monster before them. "Whatever you do, do not let it maintain eye contact with you at close range."
"Let me guess, it'll kill you?"
"Close, but no. It'll get inside your head and you'll wish it killed you."
The Inkling wound up and dove at them both, only to miss as they went different directions at the same instant. Using its mistake against the monster, Ganondorf charged and with a hand covered in purple flame, struck the monster in its side, sending it into the air. Jumping after the monster, Ganondorf mumbled a few words in his own language before taking hold of its shoulder. The space of the Inkling's body was electrified and with a powerful heave with his foot, Ganondorf sent the monster into the ground.
"Where did this thing come from?" Link asked moving slowly around the hole the Inkling was in.
"You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you," the Gerudo said after landing on the ground beside Link.
Link frowned, "Try me."
The Gerudo's frown matched Link's and upped the ante, "Alright. Zelda summoned that thing from the Plains of Despair in the Burning Hells to kill me for killing her precious nanny."
The Inkling started to emerge and though Link kept one eye on the creature, he growled back to Ganondorf, "I can't imagine why she would."
"Whatever, kid. Either way, if you want to get away from this place in one piece, we better cooperate."
The Inkling emerged and rose to its monstrous eight feet and roared. The sound was loud enough to send both Gerudo and Kokiri off their feet.
Link held his head as the throbbing subsided, only to see the Inkling in mid air, ready to land on him. He rolled out of the way as the creature tried to grab a hold of him time after time, but only hit the soft earth. Rolling to his feet, Link readied his sword and was ready to swing when his head was caught in the grip of the monster's right claw.
Ganondorf stood up and shook out some dying grass from his hair to see Link in the grasp of the Inkling. "Kid! Don't look at the eyes!" He sprang up, grabbed his sword, and charged, but it was too late.
All sight and sound was lost as the gaze of the Inkling consumed everything Link understood in a glare of blue tinted darkness. Though his body felt no pain, there was something within he could feel was dying.
Resist as he would, he felt the powerful pull of oblivion draw his mind into nothingness. He felt his mind stretching apart further and thinner, soon to snap apart at to be left at the mercy of the merciless mind predator.
An unnatural surge of light destroyed the connection between Link and the Inkling, throwing them both away from each other. Ganondorf wheezed and fell to his knees. As well versed as he was in the Necromancer magics, he was grateful for the extensive knowledge in Shamanic lore the Gerudo records had acquired long before his birth. Yet, his inattention to learning how to fully understand the forces of nature and use them against the Inkling took their tool on him.
The Inkling faded into nothing, but would regenerate itself at another time and search him out once more. With any luck, they'd all be long gone by the time it recovered.
"Link!" Navi screamed twirling around Link's inert form. Kaepora landed softly and examined Link carefully. In all his years, he'd never seen the result of someone's mind being attacked. He turned to see Ganondorf walk to Link's body and kneel by the Hero of Time.
The Gerudo extended his hand and felt the damage done by the creature. He blinked in surprise when no damage upon Link's psyche was found. "Odd. As far as I know, he should be a living vegetable."
"You mean he's ok?"
"Yeah. I summoned the power of an elemental to sever the connection, but even then, the kid's mind would have been as good as gone. Something else must have happened to protect his mind from that thing."
Kaepora spoke up, "I sensed it too, but it was nothing that came from Hyrule. That much I know."
Ganondorf frowned, "Mind telling us, birdie?"
Kaepora shrugged off the insult and continued, "To the best of my knowledge, most magic is used by the strength of the soul. Yet, what happened here was much deeper. Though I could be wrong, this sort of magic is more strewn to the person's soul itself as opposed to one utilizing the strength of one's soul to use magic."
The Gerudo raised an eyebrow; "An Aura?"
Kaepora nodded, "However, I have only heard of people taking advantage of this power, never once have I seen it actually in use."
At that time, Link grabbed his head and groaned in pain as he sat up. His head was throbbing from not only the intrusion of the Inkling's presence, but of something else he 'saw' once the connection was severed.
A single figure, encased in black, making identifying who exactly it was impossible, spoke to several hideous monsters created by the fire. The figure spoke in whispers and ordered the monsters to wipe everything out.
The monsters obeyed their master and laid siege to the forest and to the Kokiri's home.
Fire was everywhere...
The spirits and creatures of the forest were crying in pain...
The Kokiri ran for their lives...
He wanted to stop the madness, but found himself only as a silent witness to the events.
Then it all ended and he found himself back in the remains of the village with the Kaepora, Navi, and Ganondorf encircled about him.
"I saw it..."
"Saw what?" Navi asked floating in front of him.
He turned to each of them as he spoke, "I saw everything getting burned down. I saw the Kokiri running for their lives. But I couldn't tell who exactly did it..."
Ganondorf began to grimace, "Wake up, kid! Zelda did it. Or are those pointy ears of yours just for decoration."
Link frowned back, "I only saw one person using that Black Flame you kept talking about. Also, it didn't seem like it was Zelda herself doing it."
Kaepora turned to Ganondorf, "Could this have been the other necromancer you spoke of?"
The Gerudo nodded, "If I read those old scrolls right, summoning the flame should not be much different than summoning a golem or minions. The actual spell is simple enough to cast, it's the amount of power needed to imbue the regular flame with the black one is hard to come by."
The owl looked down somberly, "And for all we know, this one could be in the employ of the queen. She did order the burning and all she needed to use was one man."
"So, it only means more trouble for us all in the long run." Navi sighed, landing on Link's hat.
"Oh, by the way," Ganondorf said in an 'as a matter of fact' tone, turning to Link, "That's two you owe me, kid."
"Even so, you're going to have to wait to have it repaid." Link said standing up.
"Who said I wanted restitution now? I'm waiting for the time when those favors might come in handy." Ganondorf was grinning slyly as he picked himself up and started for the exit. "Take care of yourself, kid."
When Ganondorf had left, the fairy and owl returned their gazes to Link. Still troubled over the visions he saw, the light that came when the Inkling tried to devour his mind was even more distinct. The light was reminiscent of the same glow he had seen in that earlier dream of his before the Gerudo rescued him.
Link's ear suddenly perked up at the rustle of bushes at the far end of the clearing. Drawing his sword, he dashed the other way as he heard the source of the rustling dash away.
Leaping over burnt log and dying bush, he followed the shadow until he reached the clearing where the remains of the Great Deku tree still stood. Realizing his speed was far greater than his initial intention; he turned his feet and slid to a stop over the rocky ground.
He stood his ground to see the offspring of the Deku Tree still was alive and growing underneath a ray of light. Like the Deku tree before it, the front part of trunk had a face that resembled the face of any other person. The highest leaf of the tree just barely reached higher than his head as its growth seemed to be progressing steadily.
"Hello, Link."
Link turned about to see no one.
"It's me. The Deku tree. I can speak to your mind, just like the other did."
He turned to the growing tree, his voice lost in bewilderment and confusion.
"I know what you want to say. Yet I can't speak for long. You see, ever since the forest was burned down, I've been trying to restore the magic and life back into this forest and I need to continue or else the residual magics left by the Black Flame will consume me and all that I've been trying to restore. Saria will be able to tell you the rest."
Link's eyes widened at the revelation. "Saria's alive?" If the Deku Tree was telling the truth, his first friend would still be living and she could tell him exactly what happened.
The Deku Tree responded somberly, "Yes... though I wonder if she would have been better off dead... Saria. You can come out. He's not a predator."
By then, Kaepora and Navi had flown to his location to see an old hag walking out from behind the blackened husk of the previous Deku Tree.
Link took a second to see the hag before looking around to find the location of his first friend.
"Where's Saria?! Please! You have to tell me!" Link said desperately, kneeling in front of the old hag.
The old woman gave him a sad look and replied weakly, "I never left the forest, Link. I can't. Remember? The Kokiri are linked to the forest and if they leave, they die."
Link gasped as he realized how rash his words were. His mouth agape, he took a much closer look and discovered to his horror that the old hag was indeed Saria... or what was left of her.
In only a few years, Saria had changed from a child-like elf into a withered old crone. Her back was arched, the clothes she wore were ragged, torn, dirty, and gray. Even her hair and eyes, once a beautiful forest green, had matched the same ash gray color that resembled most of the remnants of the forest.
Ashamed, Saria turned her back and started to walk away.
"Saria, wait!" Link cried out as he grabbed her hand...
...then turned to see the Kokiri village once more engulfed in flame. It was the same dark fire that Ganondorf had described before and it was a horrifying sight to see it destroy everything it touched.
He saw Saria, braving the predatory wisps of flame, searching for other Kokiri. By then, she was starting to change into the hag she was now. Yet, with what time she had, she was determined to get the Kokiri to a safer place. Yet, a log sticking out of the ground caused her to trip and fall. Pushing herself to her knees, she looked through the flames to see two figures. They were definitely taller than Kokiri and somehow unaffected by the fire.
Narrowing her eyes, Saria peeked through the flames to see a man and a woman. Both looking about to be the age of Hylian adults... the man was dressed in a dark cloak with armor that resembled the bones of dead animals. His skin was pale as death, as was his hair, and his expression gave no indication of emotion that she could see.
The woman was dressed in a white gown, adorned with golden plates on her shoulders, and an additional vest of dark blue cloth that reached to her knees. Her golden hair danced in the air as the flames tried to grab at her locks, but were repulsed at every attempt.
The woman turned to the man, "That's more than enough. Begone before the Shiekah get here," the woman's gaze momentarily took notice of Saria, though the man had not, "I'll follow as soon as I can. There's a few items of business that I prefer to take care of myself."
The man bowed and ran through the flames and out of sight. Saria, her condition now worse with the burning of the forest, tried to get away, but breath became short as she heard the woman following her. Casually, the woman stepped through the black flames without so much as a burn and stood only a few scant feet away from where Saria lay trembling with fear.
The woman's eyes were an oddity. They contained gentleness, yet a much more vicious appearance dominated the pupils.
The woman spoke softly, her voice somehow becoming more audible than the flames, "Please understand, Sage. I bear you no ill will. Yet, I cannot allow random forces to rise in confederacy against me. Otherwise, the whole world would follow the same destiny as your forest. I'd rather not have that happen."
Without another word, the woman turned and vanished into the dark flames. Leaving Saria to cough heavily and pass out. Only to wake up to find herself alone and weakened to the point where she could only run and hide from wolfos that scoured the desolate village for remains...
...Saria snatched her hand away and fell to the ground. His breath was short as he took in what he just saw. Like the time Mareg had told him of this tragedy, he did not want to believe it. Something had changed Zelda... or maybe Zelda had changed herself. Hearing of the execution before he left the castle was proof of that.
Pushing herself to her feet, Saria whispered, "I suppose I don't need to tell you what happened."
Link collapsed to hold himself up with his hands as confusion played its vicious game with him.
Saria continued, showing a cynicism and coldness he never thought she had. "There's nothing more for you here, Link. You were never a Kokiri."
Link had figured that out himself every time Mido and his cronies would pick on him. Yet, for Saria to say that was an even worse blow than any of Mido's insults.
"Then... where did I come from? If I'm not Kokiri, then what am I?" Link asked in desperation.
Saria looked on without emotion as she considered his pleads.
"Follow me. If you can do what I thought you did, then you may answer that question."
Turning to Navi and Kaepora, he motioned to the owl to stay put. The giant owl nodded and waited patiently as Navi hovered about his head, just as curious as he was.
*
Saria walked slowly through the brush as Link and Navi followed her as closely as they could. Bit by bit, the ground began a transition from brown to green, ultimately leading to a glade where the Black Flame had evidently not touched.
The last Kokiri lead them to a small clearing where a large patch of earth, now covered in grass, sat silently.
Catching her breath, Saria gestured to the patch, "This is where your mother now lies. When you were just a baby, she had barely escaped a war and became lost in these woods. Her wounds were severe and she had no hope to survive."
Reaching over the patch, Link tried to keep his composure, but found it difficult knowing that he now stood over the grave of his mother. His fingers then brushed across two solid objects; one circular and the other a twisted shape. Taking both into his hands, he pulled out two pendants by their strings, the first made of silver and pearl, the second made of gold and obsidian.
The first appeared to be a silver serpent of some sort. Yet, what stood out was the pair of pearl angelic wings, which seemed to be an integral part of the pendant's design. The serpent appeared to be flying in a circle, as if it were protecting something within, but all Link saw was a hole that the beast's body made.
The second seemed much simpler, yet stranger than the first. It was a sun, made of obsidian, while the flames, which stretched out, were made of gold. It was a marvel to behold, for whoever did the workmanship was truly no novice.
"These were the only things your mother had, and she begged me to give them to you when the time was right. You're confused as to what's right, I can tell. Maybe, maybe not, these pendants may help you find the way."
Saria pointed back to the clearing where the giant owl waited, "There's nothing left for you here. Go in peace."
Gathering both pendants into his pouch, Link took a last look at his friend and nodded sadly. He didn't want to leave, but the truth in her words forced him to stand up and leave the forest.
"The east," he whispered in mid stride.
"Huh?" Navi asked, floating by his head.
"I have to go to the east... I don't know how far east it is, I just know that I have to go to the east."
"You would do well to search the maps at Hyrule Castle. You may find your answer there." Kaepora spread his wings and began to flap, preparing for Link's assent to return him to the castle. The kokiri boy walked into the grasp of the owl and as the three of them was on their way back to the castle; Link's gaze did not waver from the east.
It was in the east, the truth lay in wait.
[Warhammer, on the path to Lon Lon Town, watches Kaepora fly overhead as they head back to the castle.]
WH: Another few months, another chapter.
First off; I want to thank LauraC for writing 'Quill and Ink'. It was there that the idea that Link could never read came from in the first place. So, any and all credit belongs to her.
As for all the goofy names you keep hearing around here, let's cross our fingers and hope that I can get the plot going before I think up of any more annoying new characters.
As for Navi and Tatl knowing each other, I would imagine that there had to have been some sort of society that they came from. So, there could have been a chance that they knew each other, but then again, I'm just taking creative license here. But as for fairy godmothers being as vicious as Navi described, I remember hearing it somewhere. If anyone knows a source to clarify this, I'd be most grateful.
Probably one of the hardest things about writing fanfiction stories when you put in characters you create is trying to keep them as 'accessories' to the cannon characters. A friend of mine said that we often write our own characters in because they're the kind of characters we want to be or want to know. Taken in the right light, it can either make original characters in fanfiction sound wistful or downright pathetic. :p
Next, the thing that I am somewhat unsure about would be Malon's choice to join a military institution. Normally, I would imagine Malon would try and start over should something like that would happen. What do you folks at home think?
Oh, as a side note, the whole idea of fairies yanking on them pointy ears was inspired by a gag comic where... well, you get the idea. Link acts like his usual self, Navi gets impatient and the yanking begins. It goes on for so long that when Link reaches Zelda, his ears are literally three times longer than normal. Not the funniest gag manga in the world, but unique enough to stand out.
Romani's speech pattern struck me as odd, since she always referred to herself in the third person. Also, seeing her during the Romani ranch side quest of Majora's Mask with the bow and all got me thinking that if she continued shooting, she'd be pretty good and of course, become the clichéd 'mentally retarded person has the capability to do something better than normal people'... or is that a cliché?
Now, despite the fact that in the Diablo II game, people of Zakkarum speak like everyone else, I always loved hearing people speak in the Biblical/Shakespearean/Old English so, once again, creative license strikes again.
The hardest thing about this chapter had to have been writing Zelda as she was. With the help of LauraC's descriptions and speaking with her and a few others, I was able to pull it off... I hope. It's easy to state an opinion on how to correctly characterize, but it's harder to actually do it to a character that is fundamentally different that the creator's original intention.
Any and all who can understand that piece of jargon in the previous paragraph, gets fifty bonus points. Make sure to keep score.
Many thanks to Gamefaqs.com for holding a F.A.Q. that had the owl's name. It would have been kinda awkward to keep on referring to it as 'the owl', even if Kaepora Gaebora's not the most usual name in the world.
Again, thanks and credit goes to LauraC for coming up with the name for the mind predator. The actual design was inspired by the final boss of Namco's 'Soul Caliber', Inferno. All the character is comprised of is a pair of boots and gauntlets, with fire made of its body, and a helmet of sort. Oh yeah, and the capability of knowing all the styles of every character and kicking your butt if you let him.
I was planning on adding a few more scenes at the remains of the Kokiri village, but I felt that this chapter had dragged on for too long and I'll find a way to include those scenes in a latter chapter.
In closing,
Link, Navi, Zelda, Sheik, Kaepora, Ganondorf, Rauru, Malon, Cremia, Hyrule, Lon Lon, and every other thing related to Zelda belongs to Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto.
Diablo, Zakkarum, Travincal, Kurast, and everything related to Diablo belongs to Blizzard.
Guardania belongs to Sega.
Every other reference to anything not of my own creation belongs to their respective owners.
My thanks for the patience of all whom actually waited for this. All four of you. :p
[Warhammer runs off to get his homework done so he can live with himself the next morning.]
WH: Truth is ubiquitous, but it must be found first.
TWHammer presents
The Force of One: Chapter 4: Vague Clarity
A work of fanfiction based on the game created by Shigeru Miyamoto
Noticing the wide variety of people coming and going through the streets of the town, Link found himself struggling to keep the warnings of Mareg in mind as he moved through several people.
He also looked around many a time for some sort of sign for the one that Mareg said would be looking for him.
"Wait, who's Sheik?" he wondered aloud. Navi, who hiding within Link's hat at the moment, was about to answer his question before a rather large and human shaped projectile just missed hitting him.
Link remained dumbstruck as he looked to his left to see a scuffle occurring at the entrance of a tavern. From what he could see, the man being attacked was outnumbered by about five to one. Link wondered about intervening, mostly because his first trip to Hyrule had also made him the witness to another tavern brawl. Every one of them was drunk and it was too ugly for him to continue watching and continued to the castle.
Yet this one was vastly different than the last fight. Though drunk, the man suddenly turned on his attackers and started to punch his inebriated foes down one by one.
The drunkard started to laugh heartily as two more of his attackers fell. Link got a feeling that he'd seen this man before, though he had never known any Hylian that had long white hair, a few facial tattoos, a pale blue tunic, a half-plate of onyx colored armor covering his arms and upper body, and an evident liking to strong drink and fights.
"Next time, gimme someone who doesn't need a nap in the middle of a fight!" the man said before downing the last of his assailants with a good fist in the jaw. Among his full-throated laughter, a disgusting belch sent anyone with a weak stomach away before he lost balance and fell backward.
Link and Navi, who had seen the fight by peeping through the edge of his cap, stared in shock at what just happened.
"Don't bother, boy," an elderly woman said passing by them. "He's always like that. He's one of those mercenary types that are only in it for the thrill. You'd do good to avoid him."
Link was about to ask about the man before the woman interrupted, "He arrived here a few months before and has been working in the surrounding villages and this town as well. All we know about him is that his name is Zidroam Kaneil. Never said anything about where he came from, what his real business is, or anything else. Like I said, it is better to leave him be."
The woman left them and Link found himself torn at what to do. The other drunks had gathered themselves together and had left as quickly as they had appeared. The only one left was Zidroam, snoring loudly on the ground and annoying most people within earshot.
Link wavered between wanting to help the man or simply going about his business. The fight never involved him and he had to get to the castle. Yet, he couldn't just let this man lay in the middle of the street. Sighing, he figured a few minutes to get the other man out of the way wouldn't hurt, unless the drunkard woke up and started to attack him, but judging how heavy the air was with liquor, Link guessed he would be out for a while.
Holding his breath, Link dragged the large mercenary out of the street and into a neighboring inn. He asked the owner for a room for his 'friend' and went with him to a room just large enough to give Zidroam the nap he needed. With what few rupees he had, Link was able to get the mercenary the time he needed to recuperate from his fight and inebriation.
The keeper gave him a strange look and asked, "Aren't you going to ask him for your money back when he wakes up?"
The Kokiri boy shook his head and answered, "Just let him sleep until he wakes up." The keeper nodded, but was still confounded at Link's choice.
Leaving the inn, Navi whispered into his ear from beneath his hat, "That was nice of you, Link."
He shrugged it off as they continued towards the castle. "Well, I don't really owe him anything, but it didn't look like anyone else was going to help."
The little fairy smiled inwardly, fate had definitely chosen correctly as to whom time's hero would be.
Because of the increased size of the town, Link had found finding the castle a bit more difficult than it had been many years before. Large houses towered over him and obstructed the view from the town of the castle beyond.
Though he could not simply walk through the center of town and head into the entrance of the castle, he could see the path and a few signs that pointed in the general direction. Looking up, he saw a sign that held the location of several important places in the city. It was then something dawned on him.
"I can't read!"
"Are you serious?" Navi piped from beneath his hat.
"Yes. I can count and stuff like that, but I don't remember ever learning how to really read. Worse yet, I can't read Hylian."
"Oh, for the love of Naryu," Navi groaned before floating out and up to the many signs. It appeared that she had spoken too soon about Link's capability. Granted, he was only a boy of twelve and the rest of the kokiri were, at best, six times his age and had already learned how to read and write.
If Mido was still around, she needed to give him a serious talk about how he should have helped Link. She'd yank his ears until they stretched twice their length if need be. There was no excuse for Link not being able to read and write.
"Let's see, by the looks of this, the castle's still north, but we have to traverse through the training grounds in front of it."
"Training grounds?"
"Yeah, the Hylian army has a space for their barracks and ground to train their troops. It's where the castle used to be, if I can see it right."
"Then where's the castle?"
"Right behind it and at the base of a mountain," Navi said before flying back into Link's hat. "Let's go."
"Hey, since when did fairies ever give orders? Aren't we supposed to be partners?"
"Yes, but until I can find a way to help you understand basic Hylian, I'm going to have to tell you what everything means, which also means you have to listen to what I say."
"Just don't forget who's bigger here," Link pouted.
Holding back a chuckle at the Kokiri boy's face, Navi answered, "This coming from someone who should be ten years younger and still can't read."
Link huffed and started on the direction Navi had earlier indicated. He always wanted a fairy so he could be like the other Kokiri, but now he was starting to regret it. "Just be grateful you weren't chosen by someone else I knew. She would have yanked your ears off," Navi said, catching that thought from his expression.
"Who was she?"
"A razor tongued jerk by the name of Tatl! We never got along; no matter how hard we tried." Link could tell that Navi was quite passionate about her dislike of the other fairy, because the top of his head felt significantly warmer than before. "The only people she bothered being nice to were her brother, Tael, her parents, and our elders. She always knew what to say to get someone else mad!"
"Alright! Calm down, you don't need to burn me because of someone you knew. I admit, I wanted to hit Mido whenever he teased me, but I was always smaller than he was, so I couldn't do anything. And now, I don't really care anymore. I'm out here doing something bigger than that and now it just seems silly."
Navi let herself snort for once, "Well, you don't know how bad some fairies get. Especially fairy godmothers. They have the absolute worst tempers and anyone that basically gets in their way is as good as dead."
Link forced a smile. "Well, I should be glad I don't have one."
"You should be." Navi paused as they exited the town's northern exit, leading into a large open space with a building over the expanse. "In all seriousness, Link, I'm glad you're the one that was chosen as my partner."
Link smiled and patted the top of his head gently, "So am I."
*
The valley itself was a small one. In fact, the hill that raised the ground in front of the moat was still there as well. It seemed untouched by time's jaws as Link walked over the grass and past a few trees. Instead of where the castle was, several small buildings sat in close formation in the bottom end of the valley.
Link considered going through the barracks to ask if an audience with the queen would be too much to ask. The thought of having to sneak through the castle like last time did not appeal to him very well. And if Navi was right, the soldiers here would be a bit more alert than the ones at the castle.
Peeping through the gate, he noticed that a good number of the soldiers were in various positions of training. He noticed a few men, without their armor, wrestling each other to the ground, under the gaze of their instructor. Across from them, a man and a woman were sparring, using wooden swords and shields. At the far end of the grounds, several men and women were taking turns at the archery targets, refining their aim with every other shot.
"Intruder!" a female's voice screamed and a few seconds later, an arrow sped towards Link's heart. Only a quick hop to the right spared his skin, if not his tunic. Within seconds, over thirty Hylian soldiers had scattered and regrouped to surround Link and prevent his escape. Hylian steel was drawn, arrows were pulled back, and shields were raised with amazing speed.
Seeing no alternative, Link raised his hands and said meekly, "Um... I surrender?"
A good number of the soldiers looked to each other in confusion. Finally, the commander stepped forth, "What's your business here? Civilians aren't allowed in the barracks."
Under the commander's hard gaze, Link found it difficult to maintain his composure. "I was just on my way to the castle, and..."
"It's you!" a woman's voice proclaimed.
The commander and Link turned to see one of the archers take off her helmet and step towards them. "I knew you looked familiar." The archer had thick red hair, with a touch of orange and yellow on the back. It only took Link a few minutes before he too recognized her face.
"Malon?"
"That's right, fairy boy. I never thought I'd see you again," the farm girl said happily.
The commander raised an eyebrow, "You two know each other I take it?"
Malon turned to her superior, "Yes sir. We knew each other about ten years ago. He helped work at the old ranch before it got burned down."
"I see." The commander then turned to the rest of the soldiers and ordered them back to their training regime. "Don't take too much time reminiscing, you've still got the rest of your exercises to do."
Malon saluted, "Yes sir." She turned to Link and smiled, "Don't worry about that old war horse. He tries to act tough, but the rest of us know better. Most of us call him 'dad' just to get him mad."
Link couldn't believe how much the singing farmer girl who held a special place for cuccos and cows in her heart had changed. Her face had thinned and refined into a nicely plain, but beautiful sight. He remembered that as a child, her hair had grown to her waist, but now it was cropped short to where it touched the base of her neck.
"So, you said you were going to the castle, but what for?" Malon asked, leading Link around the rest of the training grounds.
"I need to see Zelda. I've heard a lot of things from many people about her and they aren't good."
"I see. But even if it was all true, Zelda's done a lot of good for Hyrule."
"Like what?"
"She's been able to bring a lot of other people from other countries to Hyrule, so we're not so isolated anymore. Also..." Malon found it hard to continue, "She took me in when the ranch was destroyed."
Only now did Link realize that Malon had mentioned something about Lon Lon, but he never had a chance to follow. "What happened?"
Malon sighed as they drew close to the archery range. "Thieves broke into the ranch, stole all the cows and cuccos, they torched our houses, and ... they killed my dad and Mr. Ingo. I barely made it out alive."
Link failed to hold back his shock. He knew Talon was a good man, a bit absent minded, but good enough so that he didn't deserve the fate he had gotten. He remembered using a newly hatched cucco to awaken Talon after he had fallen asleep by a number of crates by the entrance to the castle. He also had earned a good deal of respect from the man by working at the ranch a few times and helping in taming Epona.
Now the ranch was gone. Link didn't want to admit it, but he felt he had just woken up in a world that was intent on destroying everything he ever cared about.
"But why are you a soldier? I mean, wouldn't you try to start over? You'd do a good job with some help."
"I did consider it, but I wanted to thank her highness properly... and the other reason is..."
"Grasshopper!" another woman's voice screeched before a pair of arms wrapped themselves around Link's head and began to strangle him.
"Romani! Stop that! You'll kill him!" Malon screamed and pulled the girl in question off of Link.
"But it's Grasshopper! Romani thought he went away and never came back!" Romani pleaded after letting go and standing up.
"Wait, how do you know Link?"
"He came to the Ranch a long time ago. Grasshopper helped me stop..." Romani's face suddenly went dark, "THEM!"
Malon sighed. "Oh would you stop it! You've told everyone that story and no one has ever seen these... things you keep talking about. Just give it a rest, Romani."
Romani still persisted, "But Romani did see them! Grasshopper came and made them go away! They never came back."
Malon put her hands on Romani's shoulders and said, "Just get back to the targets, ok?"
Romani frowned, stuck her tongue out, and scurried back to the target area. Malon reached down and lifted Link back to his feet, "That's my cousin, Romani. She was named after the ranch her family has in the east." She leaned in close, "She liked riding the cows a bit too much, and so she often fell off and hit her head."
Link blinked a few times, "Is that why she's..."
Malon nodded, "Yes. Dumb, stupid, take your pick. Her own sister, Cremia, said that Romani's a few arrows short of a full quiver."
Romani's behavior and involvement in the Hylian military stirred a question.
"Say, is Romani the other reason why you're here?"
Malon nodded. "I came to her highness and asked if there was some sort of cure for her condition. So, in return for serving in the military, Zelda and her best healers would work on a treatment for her mind."
"How long will it take?"
"A few more years. Romani's mind has been returning, but at a slow rate. She's almost to the point where she can take care of herself. I can only hope that when she does recover, she'll be able to return home. Then I'll be able to start another ranch."
Walking out of the camp, they noticed the castle up ahead. Dug into the side of the mountain, it had the good fortune of having a strategic placement as well as a strong rear defense. Even with its entire splendor, Link could not get Malon's condition out of his mind.
"How was Romani able to get into the military?"
"Don't you know? Just because she's not the smartest does not mean she's bad with a bow. Her accuracy is unmatched. She's the only archer this side of the great mountains that can do a 'Locksley'."
"What's that?"
"A shot that hits the exact angle and spot another arrow has hit, effectively destroying the first arrow."
Link was shocked. Romani's sanity was not entirely there, but the fact she could shoot anything with a bow became a bit unsettling to him.
"Anyway, I got to get back to the barracks, I still got to take care of the rest of our exercises. You take care, Link." She turned and started on her way back to the barracks.
"You too, Malon. And I hope your cousin gets better soon."
Turning back to the castle, Link noticed four soldiers at the entrance. Each of them armored and armed to the teeth, ready to fight. Two of the guards were conversing quietly amongst each other and the other two had kept their eye on the visitor.
"You think it's him?" one of the soldiers asked his companion.
"It could be. I didn't get a good look last time we hunted him." Loi Meves was wary of Link as he approached closer. The other day had left a bad mark on his record and the Executor had been very displeased with him. The complaint from the people of Kakariko had only made the Executor's ire worse.
Now, as a mere sentry, his resentment at demotion gave a bad feeling to his fellow soldiers. He was sure to take out his anger on them, even though it would amount to nothing because he was significantly shorter than his peers were.
"Halt!" another one of the soldiers announced as Link reached the edge of the bridge, "state your name, home, and business."
Link gathered his courage, "My name's Link. I come from the Kokiri Forest in the south, and I came to see Zelda."
The other soldiers looked towards each other as Link announced his intent. No one had ever been so bold as to come out from the blue and desire an audience with the queen. Especially from some unknown boy from the south.
"Let's see that weapon of yours," Loi pressed a little too eagerly. He wanted to make sure that if this boy was the one from yesterday, this could be his chance to return to his previous position.
Hesitantly, Link drew the Master Sword from the sheath on his back and held out the blade for all four soldiers to see. The kokiri boy was still worried at the thought that these men would arrest him for 'stealing' the weapon, but had no clue how to get past this.
"I knew it!" Loi hissed, "Arrest him! He's the one that stole the Master Sword..."
"You'll do no such thing, Meves." Another male voice had appeared behind Link and all turned to see Alyx Tein marching to intercede. "I have been given orders from the Queen herself that he is to be granted an audience," his gaze turning especially harsh on Loi.
"But he stole the sword! The law says that thieves are to be punished!"
"Yes, but then again, since when did anyone live in that temple? The old text stated that weapons such as those were crafted for their wielders. So, by law, the sword belongs to him. Is that clear, Meves?" Alyx said with a tone of finality.
"Very clear... sir," Loi growled, not attempting to hide the resentment in his voice.
"Good," Alyx replied before continuing viciously, "I'd hate to see the Executor demote you again. A sentry describes your capability perfectly."
Link felt the unrestrained hate the two shared thought it wise to remain silent.
Turning to Link, Alyx said politely, "Shall we be off?" Link nodded and kept his distance from Loi as they passed and entered the castle.
If the interior of the castle from when he was a child was extravagant, then the new castle's design was beyond mesmerizing. Soldiers, scholars, and officials walked through the finely crafted arched hallways adorned with flags made by expert tailors.
Through the main hallway, leading to the central audience rooms, and to the central structure, supported by several stone flying buttresses, they entered.
"What do you think of it?" Alyx asked Link casually.
Link had wanted to slow down several times to take in the exquisite beauty of the architecture and art that castle contained, but feared losing Alyx to the point where he did not have enough to look at everything, which he wanted.
"It's... amazing," he replied, searching for an appropriate word.
Noticing the child-like curiosity of Link, Alyx offered, "If you wish, I could give you a tour of the castle and the changes that were made when it was rebuilt at a later time."
Link smiled, "I'd like that."
Looking into the throne room, the captain of the guard sighed, "It appears that we came at an inopportune time."
"Why's that?"
"The dignitaries from Kurast and Travincal are still with her highness at the moment. It appears we're going to have to wait for a few minutes."
Sitting down in a spare chair, Alyx motioned Link to sit in the one beside him. "Pardon me, but I seem to have forgotten your name."
Not at all offended, the Kokiri boy replied, "I'm Link Mordix. I used to live in the Lost Woods to the south."
Alyx was surprised, "Really? For what I've learned, no Hylian has ever lived there before."
"Not true!" Navi piped up, flying out of Link's hat. "Ever since Link was a little baby, he was living in the Kokiri village."
Alyx's eyes widened further as he reached up to touch the blue light, "A fairy? My goodness, I've not seen them ever since the last war. And even then, they were only those smaller healing spring fairies."
"Don't the people see more fairies?" Link asked.
Alyx shook his head. "The queen knew they were a resource of powerful healing magics. However, she ordered their locations to remain secret to maintain their lives and potency save for emergencies."
Link was now getting even more confused. When he had first returned to Hyrule, he had been hearing constant accusations of Zelda's wrong doing to the Gerudo, and the testimony of the two Shiekah. Now, hearing what she was doing for Malon, her cousin, and the fairy people seemed to throw even more confusion into his mind.
"Are you alright, sir?" Alyx asked placing a hand on Link's shoulder.
After a pause, Link nodded. "Yes, I've just had a lot on my mind."
At that instant, the delegates from Travincal walked out the door and into the central courtyard. Two of the representatives spotted Link and whispered to each other as they passed the fountain outside,
"'Tis him. The one Que Hagan Luther did speak of." The taller of the two spoke just about a whisper to avoid being heard.
"Art thou sure?"
"Yes, canst thou sense the aura about him?"
"I couldst not tell; powerful magic at work here prevents me from knowing."
"Didst thou at least get a good look upon his face?"
"Yea, I did. I do find it uncanny to think that 'tis him and at the same time, 'tis not him."
"May the Great Light forbid we confuse ourselves so."
"Pray thou earnestly, brother. Though we have become confederate with the Queen of Hyrule, I doth fear dark times ahead."
The smaller of the two took another look back to Link's location before following his companion back to the entrance of the castle. Luther had to be told of this new development at once.
*
Standing up and walking towards the exit, Alyx continued his inquiry, "Did you grow up alone?"
Link nodded, "Yes. I never knew either of my parents. I was the only one that never had a fairy among the kokiri."
"My condolences." Alyx came from a well-to-do family and was grateful for his life. Looking back to Navi, he asked, "Do all kokiri have fairies?" Link nodded. This thought gave Alyx a reason to sigh, "The Lost Woods never should have been burned. The people and a few members of the Grand Council were against the burning, but before any sort of protest could be presented, it was already done."
Link could say nothing as he and Navi followed Alyx into the throne room. What would be the point in saying anything? The deed was done and nothing could be done about it. The throne room lay in the heart of the castle's central tower and was adorned as extravagantly as the rest of the castle was.
In front of the throne itself, the Queen and the Praetor were speaking of the recently concluded meeting as her gaze settled on Link and Alyx. Farlein also noticed their entrance, bowed to the Queen and left through a separate door.
Zelda's appearance had definitely changed over the years. Her eyes were solemn and emotionless, her cheeks permanently flushed, mouth set in a straight line and lips pursed, eyebrows in a scowl. Looking up from the set of papers in her hands, her seemingly cold face warmed at the sight of Link.
Setting the papers aside, she walked forward and turned to Alyx, "Thank you, Captain. I shall call you later." Alyx bowed, turned, and left Link and Zelda alone.
Both of them stared at each other as other members of the committee left them alone. Only Link, Zelda, and another woman watching them like a hawk from the other side of the room remained. Link sighed as he tried to find the words to say and looked to the floor. Zelda sensed his anxiety, walked forward and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Are you well?"
Link shook his head, ignoring the glare from the sun. "Ever since I got back from wherever I went, I feel like I've come into a completely different world. My home's gone, my friends are gone, and I have no idea what's to happen next."
"What have you learned?" she asked.
Turning back to her, he related everything that happened the very second he awoke in the chamber of sages. Zelda listened intently to every word he said as the night started to crawl across the land and into the throne room. She remained silent even during the parts when the Gerudo and Sheikah had accused her of wrongdoing.
"...and now I'm here. I don't know what I am supposed to do."
Leaning against the desk, which sat opposite of her throne, Zelda unfolded her arms and rested her hands on the desktop. "I could tell you everything from my perspective, but I feel that doing so would only complicate things more than they already are."
He turned towards her, "What about that prophecy? Weren't you sure that the person in black was Ganondorf? If it was, things seem to well off for even needing that prophecy."
Zelda shrugged, "I was only twelve years old at the time. For all I know, it could have been someone else. I already had a bad feeling about Ganondorf the very second I laid eyes upon the man." A scowl formed on her face, "That monster killed Impa and without her, I could trust no one. I did not wish to survive ten long years in silence. Always suspecting that someone or something will try to take advantage of your backside and strike when your gaze is not on them."
Her frown vanished and she smiled sadly, "Some would say it is the price you pay for being in power. Someone else always wants it."
"The Triforce you mean?"
She nodded, removed her right glove, and revealed her hand with three small triangles that were glowing softly. She put the glove back on and stood in front of him. "I thought that by getting all three, I'd be able to stop Ganondorf from destroying Hyrule. But I suppose there was a much deeper meaning to my dreams that I've still not been able to decipher."
She continued in a normal tone, "You want to get something from the kitchen? I'm sure the cooks are still there finishing dinner for everyone."
Link was about to press about wanting to know what she had to say, finally realized that it had been far too long since he had any sort of food in his larger stomach. "I'd like that." His gaze soon turned to the other woman in the room and he asked worriedly, "who's that?"
Zelda turned to the slightly shorter woman with a deathly pale complexion, hair as black as midnight, and a stare as cold as the northern mountains, and sighed, "Ah yes, forgiver her. Calbrena is my bodyguard and rarely trusts anyone."
Link forced back a worried chuckle, if that woman was indeed Zelda's bodyguard, his instincts warned him repeatedly to be wary. He could not place an exact reason, but during his time in traveling through the Lost Forest, Lord Jabu Jabu, and the Goron's Tunnels, he had discovered that the more silent the creatures were, the more dangerous they were in combat.
Link figured it would be best to leave well enough alone for the time being.
*
Though the cooks were shocked at seeing the Queen appear in the kitchen, they were able to settle down to a point where Zelda and Link were able to get a make shift meal with a few unused pieces of cooked meat, bread, and a little wine.
When Zelda was certain that the hour was late enough, she led Link through the near silent hallways of the inner cloister of the castle that would lead to her study.
Zelda's study seemed more like a library due to the impossible number of books that lined the walls. Ranging from every sort of subject one could conceive, she seemed to possess many books on even the most simple of subjects.
Link suddenly felt smaller than he ever did as Zelda took a seat at one of the several desks, "Large, isn't it? Reading books was one of the things I often found myself doing when I wasn't busy with important matters."
"It's amazing!" Link said with awe.
"One could say that. Is there anything you'd like to read about? More likely than not, I have a book on it." Zelda said with a smile.
Link was about to ask if there were any books on the Lost Woods before he stopped himself and looked to the ground. "I... it doesn't matter. I can't read."
Zelda was taken back. "What? You can't read?"
Link sighed, "I grew up in the Lost Woods, we didn't have any books there and I never got the chance to learn how." Though he did feel embarrassed to say it in front of Zelda, he had no recourse.
Zelda only stared at him for a minute before turning to one of the farther shelves, reached out, and pulled out a small and well-worn book from the shelf.
Returning, she took Link's hand, led him to one of the desks, sat him down, and sat beside him. "We recently were able to employ some scholars from a land called Guardania to come and begin public education. Not that many people in Hyrule knew how to read and write when I was a child. I don't want my people living in ignorance."
She placed the book on the desk in front of Link and continued more subdued than before, "In addition, I doubt it's a proper apology, but I hope it's the first of whatever I can do to amend for what I did to the Lost Woods."
From what he had heard from Mareg, Link felt that Zelda had done it as a way of making an example out of the thieves, but the look in her eyes told him otherwise. "I didn't want to do it, Link. I promise you that I did not want it to go that far, but I was left with no other choice." Alyx's testimony of Zelda's kindness to the fairies was proof of that.
Link replied, "Your highness, I am not sure what to believe anymore."
Zelda saw his forlorn look and smiled, "If it helps any, I too am going through that same ordeal. And please, call me Zelda."
"Thank you."
Link's heart settled down as he reached for the book Zelda had brought out and opened it up. Though Link did recognize the symbols that were the seemingly complex Hylian alphabet, his still young mind had a hard time understanding what each one meant.
Zelda leaned forward beside him, pointed to the first symbol on the first page and explained simply what that symbol was and how it was pronounced. Though Link knew how to speak, to see the words he often used broken down into something so complex was slightly overwhelming at first.
For the next hour, the Queen of Hyrule and the young man from the Kokiri forest delved into something that only children growing up indulged in. The first five of the thirty-three Hylian characters were difficult to start with, so Zelda thought it best they limit their study to that many or less so Link could comprehend them easily.
They were going over the fifth character when a soldier entered the door. "Your highness, the man you sentenced the other day has been executed."
Zelda stood, give a casual nod, and gave a scowl that ordered him to leave at once. The guard noticed her eyes, bowed quickly and left as fast as his legs would carry him. Turning away from Link, Zelda could tell his eyes were on her back and more likely than not, wanting an answer.
"It was a necessary precaution. That man had murdered two women in the past month and he was stealing money from several people as well." She turned to him with a stance of finality. "I will not abide such people here. There are enough infidels in the world as it is."
She closed her eyes. "I'm sorry you had to be the witness of such news... but the fact is I've seen so much of death and blood in the past ten years that I've become desensitized to such things."
Link, with the book in his hands, found his voice gone as he had discovered how drastically the princess had changed over the past ten years.
*
Link found peace of mind much harder to come by as he sat on the balcony of his room from the quarters Zelda had given him until he could find something more permanent. Navi was also surprisingly quiet from the time he had met Zelda. He tried to get some sort of response out of her, but she flew up to the roof of the room and hang onto the chain that held the single lantern.
"Navi, what's wrong?"
The fairy started to quiver, "I... I've never been so overwhelmed before... When you got near Zelda... the sheer amount of magic nearly suffocated me. Link, I'm scared."
Link remained silent as the little fairy held the chain harder.
"You seem troubled, young man," a voice said from outside the balcony. Both the fairy and Link turned to see Kaepora Gaebora, the same enormous owl they first met outside of the Lost Woods several years ago. He was presently perched on the rail on the balcony and seemed to keep his balance despite his size.
"Your future's present is not what you thought it to be, I take it?"
Link smiled sadly, "You could say that."
"Old Mareg told me about your journey from the west to here. Surely it must have been a surprise to see how much everything has changed in ten years."
Link nodded and leaned against the wall.
The owl poked his head inside the room and with his head upside down and hooted, "I love what you've done with the place."
Link chuckled at the owl's comment, "Well, I could take credit if I did live here, but I don't. My home is in the Lost Woods... or what's left of it anyway..."
"It pains you to know that a home is something you do not have, does it not?" Link nodded. "However, that is not necessarily true. It is foolish to say, but it is true that your memories of home travel with you, wherever you go."
Link raised an eyebrow, "So, my home is still with me?"
Kaepora tilted his head, "In a manner of speaking, yes."
Link continued to ponder the owl's words as the fairy flew from the lantern and in front of the owl. "Master Gaebora, if it's not too much to ask, could you take Link and I to the Lost Woods for a while?"
"Why, whatever for?" the owl said, feigning ignorance.
Navi turned to see Link furrow his brow in conflict. She knew that Link wanted to see what remained of his home and she felt he deserved to know the truth. Link rounded the corner and faced the owl, trying to gather the courage to ask for a ride.
The large owl, sensing his apprehension, nodded pleasantly, "Need you ask such a question? I'll be sure to return you before you're missed."
Spreading his wings wide, Kaepora began to flap his large wings, creating a gust within the room. Having received a ride from the owl in the past, Link stepped forward and remained still as the owl took hold of his arms. With a firm grip upon his arms, the owl flapped his wings harder, and began his journey south.
Within minutes, another shadow in the shape of Sheik saw the owl leaving with Link in its talons. Though he was not worried about the boy, he was slightly disappointed for not being able to speak with him. Crossing his arms over his chest, Sheik sighed silently and remained still on the balcony.
"You never could stay in one place for very long, could you?" he whispered with a smile. Sheik often envied the ability for Link's wanderlust to guide him to lands that the former could only dream about.
The scurrying of feet behind him and sound of a dagger being drawn brought him out of his reprieve. He leapt out of the way and bounced off the wall to a position behind his attacker to see the Queen's bodyguard.
"Too slow, as always, dear Calbrena." The Sheikah whipped out several sharp pins and threw them straight at the dagger's blade. Without hitting her hand, the pins knocked the blade into the wall.
Calbrena remained silent as her weapon fell still on the ground. She moved slowly to show her disadvantage to the thief that seemed to elude her at every turn.
"You do not belong here, shadow man." Calbrena whispered, not hiding her contempt.
"I'd be more than happy to be leave, but the thought of leading you around in circles gives me much more pleasure than anything else." He bundled up another set of pins in his left hand and readied the steel whip in his right. Whenever someone wanted another dead, one was wiser to never turn their back on their foe.
"Laugh while time permits it, thief, there will be a time when your back is turned and I will be there."
Keeping Calbrena's eyes on his own, Sheik moved a flash bomb from his sleeve in between the folds of his whip. "Just make sure to let me know when that day comes." A quick flip of the wrist later, the Queen's bodyguard shielded her eyes as the flash of light died down and found the Sheikah man gone.
Frowning, Calbrena walked forward and knelt at the spot where her target had been a moment before. Looking closely at the rug, she felt the depressions made by a flurry of steps leading to the window. Running to the balcony, she looked everywhere within its field of vision but found nothing. She turned around and looked to the roof and figured that it was now pointless to try and follow.
Since nothing more could be done, Calbrena returned to the room and to the door, thinking dark and evil thoughts of what she'd do once she got her hands on the Sheikah thief.
*
In the heart of what was once the Lost Woods, several dead trees remained as the last testament of the once vibrant landscape that permeated the land. Hollowed, charred, and decaying, the charcoal piles were all that remained of the stumps that were once populated by the Kokiri.
Kaepora and his two passengers stepped slowly over the barren ground to the burnt stump that was at one time, his home. He placed his hand on the base of the tree and remembered all that had happened. Even the prank that Mido played on him by carving a rather inaccurate representation of Link at the trunk still remained fresh in his mind.
"It's horrible..." Navi said hovering over Link's head and looking at the rest of the clearing where the village was.
"It is unfortunate." Kaepora hooted before continuing, "Yet, given time, the forest will return, provided that the ground has not been poisoned."
A familiar voice countered, "A bit late for speculation, eh birdy?"
All three turned to see Ganondorf Dragmire in a ranger's cloak leaning against the wall by the exit. He held a large sword at his side and kept it in hand as he stepped forward and walked to the three visitors. "Whatever sent this fire here not only knew what they were doing, but they wanted to make sure that the Lost Woods wouldn't grow back."
Kaepora tilted his head, "And how would you know, Gerudo man?"
Ganondorf knelt down and picked up a handful of dirt, "The residual magics left by the fire that burned the forest down. They're too powerful for it to have been any normal fire."
Navi floated beside Link. "What are you getting at?"
"What I'm getting at, firefly, is that we got another necromancer in Hyrule somewhere..."
"Another?"
"Yeah. It makes me feel jealous that someone's been able to summon the Black Flame before I was able to." He picked up a blackened branch, "Although whoever used it knew what they were doing, the Black Flame is not something to toy around with."
Navi faltered, "The Black Flame? Impossible! No one's been able to use that in countless generations."
Link turned to the owl, which seemed to sense the question coming on. "The Black Flame was a weapon developed by the Lord of Terror, Diablo. The Black Flame not only consumes the actual substance of what it burns, but the energies within as well. It was said that Diablo used it against many angels in the wars between the heavens and the hells. And for a mortal to wield such a deadly weapon against a forest, the wielder would be placing his life in danger as well as everything within the forest. It's a miracle that there's anything left."
Link frowned. "But that still doesn't answer the most important question." He turned to Ganondorf. "What are you doing here?"
The Gerudo said with an as matter of fact tone, "I came here ever since this place got burned down. It's quiet here. It gives me a chance to get away from the rest of the Gerudo." The questioning looks from the other three made him frown. "Despite what you think, it's not easy being the only male Gerudo among all those women."
Ganondorf started tramping about with a frown, as his anger grew worse. "I swear! I can't count how many times those annoying twins woke me up with a fire spell! As if that weren't bad enough, a lot of the other Gerudo perpetually squawk like a bunch of old cuccos! One of the reasons why I wanted the Triforce of Power was so I could finally make them shut up!"
He turned to Link, "I was telling you the truth when I said that conquest is overrated. Being the ruler of one race is bad enough, but to rule the world is just too much trouble."
Silence permeated the clearing as Link absorbed the words of the Gerudo King. He wanted to deny it and say he was lying, but there was something about what he said and how he said it. A part within him was saying that Ganondorf was indeed telling the truth but he wasn't sure what it was.
"Look out!" Ganondorf roared before diving to out of the way just before a large shape landed where he had been a second before.
At first glance, it appeared to be simply a pair of gauntlets and metal boots, suspended in mid-air. Upon closer inspection, there appeared to be a wave of distortion that comprised the humanoid body of the creature. The legs were jointed like a wolfos, cocked and ready to pounce at a moment's notice, ominously prepared.
From where the head should have been, a pair of dark blue slits appeared and centered on Ganondorf and Link.
Its target was here and good fortune seemed to be smiling upon it. Not only was the Gerudo man here, but an extra morsel of mind was ready for the Inkling to devour.
Link and Ganondorf drew their weapons and started to back up as Kaepora took wing.
"What is that?" Link screamed.
"It's called an Inkling, a mind predator to be exact. It enters your mind and devours it from the inside, leaving you nothing more than a living corpse," Ganondorf mumbled, keeping his eyes set on the monster before them. "Whatever you do, do not let it maintain eye contact with you at close range."
"Let me guess, it'll kill you?"
"Close, but no. It'll get inside your head and you'll wish it killed you."
The Inkling wound up and dove at them both, only to miss as they went different directions at the same instant. Using its mistake against the monster, Ganondorf charged and with a hand covered in purple flame, struck the monster in its side, sending it into the air. Jumping after the monster, Ganondorf mumbled a few words in his own language before taking hold of its shoulder. The space of the Inkling's body was electrified and with a powerful heave with his foot, Ganondorf sent the monster into the ground.
"Where did this thing come from?" Link asked moving slowly around the hole the Inkling was in.
"You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you," the Gerudo said after landing on the ground beside Link.
Link frowned, "Try me."
The Gerudo's frown matched Link's and upped the ante, "Alright. Zelda summoned that thing from the Plains of Despair in the Burning Hells to kill me for killing her precious nanny."
The Inkling started to emerge and though Link kept one eye on the creature, he growled back to Ganondorf, "I can't imagine why she would."
"Whatever, kid. Either way, if you want to get away from this place in one piece, we better cooperate."
The Inkling emerged and rose to its monstrous eight feet and roared. The sound was loud enough to send both Gerudo and Kokiri off their feet.
Link held his head as the throbbing subsided, only to see the Inkling in mid air, ready to land on him. He rolled out of the way as the creature tried to grab a hold of him time after time, but only hit the soft earth. Rolling to his feet, Link readied his sword and was ready to swing when his head was caught in the grip of the monster's right claw.
Ganondorf stood up and shook out some dying grass from his hair to see Link in the grasp of the Inkling. "Kid! Don't look at the eyes!" He sprang up, grabbed his sword, and charged, but it was too late.
All sight and sound was lost as the gaze of the Inkling consumed everything Link understood in a glare of blue tinted darkness. Though his body felt no pain, there was something within he could feel was dying.
Resist as he would, he felt the powerful pull of oblivion draw his mind into nothingness. He felt his mind stretching apart further and thinner, soon to snap apart at to be left at the mercy of the merciless mind predator.
An unnatural surge of light destroyed the connection between Link and the Inkling, throwing them both away from each other. Ganondorf wheezed and fell to his knees. As well versed as he was in the Necromancer magics, he was grateful for the extensive knowledge in Shamanic lore the Gerudo records had acquired long before his birth. Yet, his inattention to learning how to fully understand the forces of nature and use them against the Inkling took their tool on him.
The Inkling faded into nothing, but would regenerate itself at another time and search him out once more. With any luck, they'd all be long gone by the time it recovered.
"Link!" Navi screamed twirling around Link's inert form. Kaepora landed softly and examined Link carefully. In all his years, he'd never seen the result of someone's mind being attacked. He turned to see Ganondorf walk to Link's body and kneel by the Hero of Time.
The Gerudo extended his hand and felt the damage done by the creature. He blinked in surprise when no damage upon Link's psyche was found. "Odd. As far as I know, he should be a living vegetable."
"You mean he's ok?"
"Yeah. I summoned the power of an elemental to sever the connection, but even then, the kid's mind would have been as good as gone. Something else must have happened to protect his mind from that thing."
Kaepora spoke up, "I sensed it too, but it was nothing that came from Hyrule. That much I know."
Ganondorf frowned, "Mind telling us, birdie?"
Kaepora shrugged off the insult and continued, "To the best of my knowledge, most magic is used by the strength of the soul. Yet, what happened here was much deeper. Though I could be wrong, this sort of magic is more strewn to the person's soul itself as opposed to one utilizing the strength of one's soul to use magic."
The Gerudo raised an eyebrow; "An Aura?"
Kaepora nodded, "However, I have only heard of people taking advantage of this power, never once have I seen it actually in use."
At that time, Link grabbed his head and groaned in pain as he sat up. His head was throbbing from not only the intrusion of the Inkling's presence, but of something else he 'saw' once the connection was severed.
A single figure, encased in black, making identifying who exactly it was impossible, spoke to several hideous monsters created by the fire. The figure spoke in whispers and ordered the monsters to wipe everything out.
The monsters obeyed their master and laid siege to the forest and to the Kokiri's home.
Fire was everywhere...
The spirits and creatures of the forest were crying in pain...
The Kokiri ran for their lives...
He wanted to stop the madness, but found himself only as a silent witness to the events.
Then it all ended and he found himself back in the remains of the village with the Kaepora, Navi, and Ganondorf encircled about him.
"I saw it..."
"Saw what?" Navi asked floating in front of him.
He turned to each of them as he spoke, "I saw everything getting burned down. I saw the Kokiri running for their lives. But I couldn't tell who exactly did it..."
Ganondorf began to grimace, "Wake up, kid! Zelda did it. Or are those pointy ears of yours just for decoration."
Link frowned back, "I only saw one person using that Black Flame you kept talking about. Also, it didn't seem like it was Zelda herself doing it."
Kaepora turned to Ganondorf, "Could this have been the other necromancer you spoke of?"
The Gerudo nodded, "If I read those old scrolls right, summoning the flame should not be much different than summoning a golem or minions. The actual spell is simple enough to cast, it's the amount of power needed to imbue the regular flame with the black one is hard to come by."
The owl looked down somberly, "And for all we know, this one could be in the employ of the queen. She did order the burning and all she needed to use was one man."
"So, it only means more trouble for us all in the long run." Navi sighed, landing on Link's hat.
"Oh, by the way," Ganondorf said in an 'as a matter of fact' tone, turning to Link, "That's two you owe me, kid."
"Even so, you're going to have to wait to have it repaid." Link said standing up.
"Who said I wanted restitution now? I'm waiting for the time when those favors might come in handy." Ganondorf was grinning slyly as he picked himself up and started for the exit. "Take care of yourself, kid."
When Ganondorf had left, the fairy and owl returned their gazes to Link. Still troubled over the visions he saw, the light that came when the Inkling tried to devour his mind was even more distinct. The light was reminiscent of the same glow he had seen in that earlier dream of his before the Gerudo rescued him.
Link's ear suddenly perked up at the rustle of bushes at the far end of the clearing. Drawing his sword, he dashed the other way as he heard the source of the rustling dash away.
Leaping over burnt log and dying bush, he followed the shadow until he reached the clearing where the remains of the Great Deku tree still stood. Realizing his speed was far greater than his initial intention; he turned his feet and slid to a stop over the rocky ground.
He stood his ground to see the offspring of the Deku Tree still was alive and growing underneath a ray of light. Like the Deku tree before it, the front part of trunk had a face that resembled the face of any other person. The highest leaf of the tree just barely reached higher than his head as its growth seemed to be progressing steadily.
"Hello, Link."
Link turned about to see no one.
"It's me. The Deku tree. I can speak to your mind, just like the other did."
He turned to the growing tree, his voice lost in bewilderment and confusion.
"I know what you want to say. Yet I can't speak for long. You see, ever since the forest was burned down, I've been trying to restore the magic and life back into this forest and I need to continue or else the residual magics left by the Black Flame will consume me and all that I've been trying to restore. Saria will be able to tell you the rest."
Link's eyes widened at the revelation. "Saria's alive?" If the Deku Tree was telling the truth, his first friend would still be living and she could tell him exactly what happened.
The Deku Tree responded somberly, "Yes... though I wonder if she would have been better off dead... Saria. You can come out. He's not a predator."
By then, Kaepora and Navi had flown to his location to see an old hag walking out from behind the blackened husk of the previous Deku Tree.
Link took a second to see the hag before looking around to find the location of his first friend.
"Where's Saria?! Please! You have to tell me!" Link said desperately, kneeling in front of the old hag.
The old woman gave him a sad look and replied weakly, "I never left the forest, Link. I can't. Remember? The Kokiri are linked to the forest and if they leave, they die."
Link gasped as he realized how rash his words were. His mouth agape, he took a much closer look and discovered to his horror that the old hag was indeed Saria... or what was left of her.
In only a few years, Saria had changed from a child-like elf into a withered old crone. Her back was arched, the clothes she wore were ragged, torn, dirty, and gray. Even her hair and eyes, once a beautiful forest green, had matched the same ash gray color that resembled most of the remnants of the forest.
Ashamed, Saria turned her back and started to walk away.
"Saria, wait!" Link cried out as he grabbed her hand...
...then turned to see the Kokiri village once more engulfed in flame. It was the same dark fire that Ganondorf had described before and it was a horrifying sight to see it destroy everything it touched.
He saw Saria, braving the predatory wisps of flame, searching for other Kokiri. By then, she was starting to change into the hag she was now. Yet, with what time she had, she was determined to get the Kokiri to a safer place. Yet, a log sticking out of the ground caused her to trip and fall. Pushing herself to her knees, she looked through the flames to see two figures. They were definitely taller than Kokiri and somehow unaffected by the fire.
Narrowing her eyes, Saria peeked through the flames to see a man and a woman. Both looking about to be the age of Hylian adults... the man was dressed in a dark cloak with armor that resembled the bones of dead animals. His skin was pale as death, as was his hair, and his expression gave no indication of emotion that she could see.
The woman was dressed in a white gown, adorned with golden plates on her shoulders, and an additional vest of dark blue cloth that reached to her knees. Her golden hair danced in the air as the flames tried to grab at her locks, but were repulsed at every attempt.
The woman turned to the man, "That's more than enough. Begone before the Shiekah get here," the woman's gaze momentarily took notice of Saria, though the man had not, "I'll follow as soon as I can. There's a few items of business that I prefer to take care of myself."
The man bowed and ran through the flames and out of sight. Saria, her condition now worse with the burning of the forest, tried to get away, but breath became short as she heard the woman following her. Casually, the woman stepped through the black flames without so much as a burn and stood only a few scant feet away from where Saria lay trembling with fear.
The woman's eyes were an oddity. They contained gentleness, yet a much more vicious appearance dominated the pupils.
The woman spoke softly, her voice somehow becoming more audible than the flames, "Please understand, Sage. I bear you no ill will. Yet, I cannot allow random forces to rise in confederacy against me. Otherwise, the whole world would follow the same destiny as your forest. I'd rather not have that happen."
Without another word, the woman turned and vanished into the dark flames. Leaving Saria to cough heavily and pass out. Only to wake up to find herself alone and weakened to the point where she could only run and hide from wolfos that scoured the desolate village for remains...
...Saria snatched her hand away and fell to the ground. His breath was short as he took in what he just saw. Like the time Mareg had told him of this tragedy, he did not want to believe it. Something had changed Zelda... or maybe Zelda had changed herself. Hearing of the execution before he left the castle was proof of that.
Pushing herself to her feet, Saria whispered, "I suppose I don't need to tell you what happened."
Link collapsed to hold himself up with his hands as confusion played its vicious game with him.
Saria continued, showing a cynicism and coldness he never thought she had. "There's nothing more for you here, Link. You were never a Kokiri."
Link had figured that out himself every time Mido and his cronies would pick on him. Yet, for Saria to say that was an even worse blow than any of Mido's insults.
"Then... where did I come from? If I'm not Kokiri, then what am I?" Link asked in desperation.
Saria looked on without emotion as she considered his pleads.
"Follow me. If you can do what I thought you did, then you may answer that question."
Turning to Navi and Kaepora, he motioned to the owl to stay put. The giant owl nodded and waited patiently as Navi hovered about his head, just as curious as he was.
*
Saria walked slowly through the brush as Link and Navi followed her as closely as they could. Bit by bit, the ground began a transition from brown to green, ultimately leading to a glade where the Black Flame had evidently not touched.
The last Kokiri lead them to a small clearing where a large patch of earth, now covered in grass, sat silently.
Catching her breath, Saria gestured to the patch, "This is where your mother now lies. When you were just a baby, she had barely escaped a war and became lost in these woods. Her wounds were severe and she had no hope to survive."
Reaching over the patch, Link tried to keep his composure, but found it difficult knowing that he now stood over the grave of his mother. His fingers then brushed across two solid objects; one circular and the other a twisted shape. Taking both into his hands, he pulled out two pendants by their strings, the first made of silver and pearl, the second made of gold and obsidian.
The first appeared to be a silver serpent of some sort. Yet, what stood out was the pair of pearl angelic wings, which seemed to be an integral part of the pendant's design. The serpent appeared to be flying in a circle, as if it were protecting something within, but all Link saw was a hole that the beast's body made.
The second seemed much simpler, yet stranger than the first. It was a sun, made of obsidian, while the flames, which stretched out, were made of gold. It was a marvel to behold, for whoever did the workmanship was truly no novice.
"These were the only things your mother had, and she begged me to give them to you when the time was right. You're confused as to what's right, I can tell. Maybe, maybe not, these pendants may help you find the way."
Saria pointed back to the clearing where the giant owl waited, "There's nothing left for you here. Go in peace."
Gathering both pendants into his pouch, Link took a last look at his friend and nodded sadly. He didn't want to leave, but the truth in her words forced him to stand up and leave the forest.
"The east," he whispered in mid stride.
"Huh?" Navi asked, floating by his head.
"I have to go to the east... I don't know how far east it is, I just know that I have to go to the east."
"You would do well to search the maps at Hyrule Castle. You may find your answer there." Kaepora spread his wings and began to flap, preparing for Link's assent to return him to the castle. The kokiri boy walked into the grasp of the owl and as the three of them was on their way back to the castle; Link's gaze did not waver from the east.
It was in the east, the truth lay in wait.
[Warhammer, on the path to Lon Lon Town, watches Kaepora fly overhead as they head back to the castle.]
WH: Another few months, another chapter.
First off; I want to thank LauraC for writing 'Quill and Ink'. It was there that the idea that Link could never read came from in the first place. So, any and all credit belongs to her.
As for all the goofy names you keep hearing around here, let's cross our fingers and hope that I can get the plot going before I think up of any more annoying new characters.
As for Navi and Tatl knowing each other, I would imagine that there had to have been some sort of society that they came from. So, there could have been a chance that they knew each other, but then again, I'm just taking creative license here. But as for fairy godmothers being as vicious as Navi described, I remember hearing it somewhere. If anyone knows a source to clarify this, I'd be most grateful.
Probably one of the hardest things about writing fanfiction stories when you put in characters you create is trying to keep them as 'accessories' to the cannon characters. A friend of mine said that we often write our own characters in because they're the kind of characters we want to be or want to know. Taken in the right light, it can either make original characters in fanfiction sound wistful or downright pathetic. :p
Next, the thing that I am somewhat unsure about would be Malon's choice to join a military institution. Normally, I would imagine Malon would try and start over should something like that would happen. What do you folks at home think?
Oh, as a side note, the whole idea of fairies yanking on them pointy ears was inspired by a gag comic where... well, you get the idea. Link acts like his usual self, Navi gets impatient and the yanking begins. It goes on for so long that when Link reaches Zelda, his ears are literally three times longer than normal. Not the funniest gag manga in the world, but unique enough to stand out.
Romani's speech pattern struck me as odd, since she always referred to herself in the third person. Also, seeing her during the Romani ranch side quest of Majora's Mask with the bow and all got me thinking that if she continued shooting, she'd be pretty good and of course, become the clichéd 'mentally retarded person has the capability to do something better than normal people'... or is that a cliché?
Now, despite the fact that in the Diablo II game, people of Zakkarum speak like everyone else, I always loved hearing people speak in the Biblical/Shakespearean/Old English so, once again, creative license strikes again.
The hardest thing about this chapter had to have been writing Zelda as she was. With the help of LauraC's descriptions and speaking with her and a few others, I was able to pull it off... I hope. It's easy to state an opinion on how to correctly characterize, but it's harder to actually do it to a character that is fundamentally different that the creator's original intention.
Any and all who can understand that piece of jargon in the previous paragraph, gets fifty bonus points. Make sure to keep score.
Many thanks to Gamefaqs.com for holding a F.A.Q. that had the owl's name. It would have been kinda awkward to keep on referring to it as 'the owl', even if Kaepora Gaebora's not the most usual name in the world.
Again, thanks and credit goes to LauraC for coming up with the name for the mind predator. The actual design was inspired by the final boss of Namco's 'Soul Caliber', Inferno. All the character is comprised of is a pair of boots and gauntlets, with fire made of its body, and a helmet of sort. Oh yeah, and the capability of knowing all the styles of every character and kicking your butt if you let him.
I was planning on adding a few more scenes at the remains of the Kokiri village, but I felt that this chapter had dragged on for too long and I'll find a way to include those scenes in a latter chapter.
In closing,
Link, Navi, Zelda, Sheik, Kaepora, Ganondorf, Rauru, Malon, Cremia, Hyrule, Lon Lon, and every other thing related to Zelda belongs to Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto.
Diablo, Zakkarum, Travincal, Kurast, and everything related to Diablo belongs to Blizzard.
Guardania belongs to Sega.
Every other reference to anything not of my own creation belongs to their respective owners.
My thanks for the patience of all whom actually waited for this. All four of you. :p
[Warhammer runs off to get his homework done so he can live with himself the next morning.]