Preview
Hand to Hand
The giant Stalfos grinned menacingly as it slowly stalked towards Link, its rusted sword pointed horizontally towards the hero's chest. Link, however, seemed totally unconcerned. He merely watched impassively as the undead warrior crept slowly forward, letting him close the distance. Just as the skeleton began a forward lunge that would have left Link impaled though his stomach, Link's left eyebrow twitched slightly. The ground beneath the Stalfos erupted in a mighty explosion, raining clumps of dirt and bone fragments for thirty yards in every direction. Nothing remained of the creature save a large, blackened crater. Link grinned as the dust slowly settled. "Next?" he asked lightly.
Legends of
Hyrule:
Three Realms
Fan Fiction
Written by: Breven Spencer
Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda, Link or anything else for that matter. But, if I did own them, then this would be their story. (such as it is...)
Prologue
Stirring of Shadows
A Glimpse of Things to Come
A solitary figure sat perched on an obsidian throne cloaked deep within the shadows of the elaborately sculpted marble hall. The figure was hunched over deep in thought, his fingers carefully steepled in front of his handsomely chiseled face. He had been in that same position for hours on end now and had yet to show any signs of moving or tiring. Only his dark, deep-set eyes showed that he was indeed aware.
His dark cloak that billowed out from his seat stirred slightly from the breeze that wafted from the open balcony door several yards away. A bright beam of sunlight that had started on the opposite end of the room was now nearing the opposing wall.
It was nearly time.
He had spent the entire morning and most of the afternoon contemplating on his plans, hours carefully scrutinizing the most minute details, looking for loopholes and faults. He could find none. Still, that did not mean unforeseen circumstances could not arise. It was most assured that they would. Such is the way with plans. Even the most carefully constructed stratagem could easily go awry at the slightest provocation.
And of course, there was always him.
The wildcard.
He was the only part of the plan that the dark figure could not predict.
It would be natural for him to interfere with what was about to come about. In fact, the plans had been made to make sure that the boy would interfere. It was vital that he interferes. The only problem was, how would he react to the events about to be placed in motion? There was too much at stake for things to go wrong. Years of planning and preparation were about to come to bear. This had to be perfect. No matter. There were ways to deal with that brat.
The shadowy figure let out a deep growl as he stood up. 'Enough of this pathetic brooding.' It was time to move, and so he shall. He would move swiftly with a calm, calculating ruthlessness that would leave his enemies stunned and reeling from his attack. They would never be able to retaliate against him and victory would be all but guaranteed.
With an elegant, almost unnatural, grace, the man swept from the room towards the door and the balcony beyond. His steps echoed eerily in the dead silence of the empty hall, clicking sharply against the hard stone. He walked with an aura of a man with great power and influence. Indeed, his power seemed almost unworldly...
As the dark one crossed the threshold and onto his balcony, his eyes and ears were assaulted by the sight and sound of hundreds of thousands of his subjects cheering wildly at his sudden appearance. The noise was nearly deafening but the figure soaked up the praise greedily. The spectacle before him sent shivers down his spine as he craved their worship. He owned these people and he knew it. Owned them body, mind, and soul.
He was their god.
He stood on the balcony of his immense stone palace overlooking the sea of humanity spread before him. The people gathered here stretched nearly completely around the palace and extended almost to the horizon. Beyond the people he could see the lush greenery of the forest rippling in the breeze and past that the sparkling blue of the Southern Sea.
The palace towered over the town below, its marble and granite pillars stretching majestically skywards, humbling even the tallest modern buildings. The populace who lived in the town below was constantly awed by its impressive structure. Undeniably the view was gorgeous, but the individual could not help but revel in the fact that it was all his. Everything. A small smile slowly crept onto his face as he reflected on this.
"Lord Ilioseth," a soft, menacing voice echoed behind him, its tone filled with undisguised distain. "Still wallowing in the pleasures of mortal men I see."
Lord Ilioseth turned his head slightly acknowledging the others presence. A dark shape slowly detached itself from the shadows of the room beyond and came into view, warily avoiding the sunlight. Even the least observant of people could see that it was anything but human.
"Nagaranii..." Ilioseth growled. "What a pleasure to hear from you. I do hope you bring good news." His voice clearly indicated that the meeting was considered anything but a pleasure.
"Ah yes," the eerie voice continued," charmed I'm sure. All preparations have been made. My servants are ready to do their part for you. I trust you remember your part of the bargain?"
"I haven't forgotten," grunted Ilioseth as he turned back towards his adoring crowd.
"Of course not. Perish the thought." The shadow carelessly shrugged its sinewy shoulders. "However, I think it would be prudent to remind you that time, so to speak, is of the essence. Tis not a commodity we have in abundance." Silvery eyes glowed from within the darkness as Nagaranii surveyed the multitude of people spread out between the palace and the sea. He grunted in half amusement and half disgust.
"T'would appear that they are eager to die, hmm? Ready to taste more blood and Elvin steel; they yearn to butcher the innocent. All for you. Well, its past time to throw then to the meat grinder if you ask me." He sighed theatrically and Ilioseth began to stir in annoyance. He glanced backwards contemptuously into the throne room and his eyes narrowed at the demon.
"Leave me!" he commanded. "Or are you also eager to embrace death?"
Nagaranii let out a cackle that would chill any mortal's soul. Ilioseth was unimpressed. "Oh, at once my liege! Have mercy on your humble servant!" The shadow began to recede from the entryway, melting back into the gloom from whence it came. Lord Ilioseth, however, knew his creature had not fully retreated.
"Go make the final preparations. We'll send them across tonight."
His voice echoed dully across the still darkness and he knew that monster he unleashed had left to do his bidding. The Fell Lord turned grumpily back towards his subjects striving to reclaim his previous feelings from basking in their worship. The mood was already ruined however and he sighed.
Nagaranii was right on several points, he reluctantly conceded. Time was a precious thing and they were all to quickly running out of it. Turning, he took a deep breath, and with a single-minded purpose he strode out from the balcony and into the fortress.
It was time to start a war.
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