Chapter 9:
As the scimitar's tip pressed closer to his skin, Link made sure he didn't move. In Terri's left hand was the other weapon of the pair, he could see her arm muscles tense up from the strong grim. Her arms seemed to be shaking as if she was in pain or maybe she was just afraid. Link looked into her eyes since he didn't want to see the weapon in its master's hands. She looked right back at him, she didn't look to see if the guards were coming, she didn't look at Navi or at the clouds filling the sky, she looked right into Link's blue eyes.
Her lips were set n a thin line; she opened them slightly to speak, "How was your chat with the princess?"
'Relax, and don't anger her and you'll be fine.'
He swallowed hard and took in a silent deep breath before answering, "It supplied me with some information."
The Gerudo's eyes narrowed but she did not move her gaze, "Really? So you were able to reach the castle's interior without any problems?"
Link quickly looked at Navi and saw that she was looking at him. He looked back at Terri, "Sort of." He kept his answers as short as possible. He noticed that the more someone talked to her the more insults she could say back. He knew how to avoid getting his head sliced off, but he didn't know how to get out of the current situation.
Terri tilted her head slightly when he spoke, he knew she didn't believe her, "Lets get right to the point shall we? You said you briefly spoke to a soldier the other night, what did you say to him?"
"What?"
She sighed and rolled her eyes then returned them to his own, "Navi answer the question since his isn't capable of doing so"
'Maybe saying too little can be a bad choice also.'
"He just came to see if you kids were in good health honestly. We only asked who he was and his reasons for seeing us." She spoke so softly she must have been afraid, but not for her own life, she was afraid for her friend.
"She speaks the truth Terri." When Link spoke he saw her grit her teeth and take in a deep breath. For a second she glared at him, as if she was trying to pierce into his mind with her eyes. She let out the breath she had held and removed the blade from his throat. The blades returned to their scabbards and the Gerudo turned her back to walk toward the market. She didn't look back.
Link walked forward but he didn't run after her, "Wait! Where are you going?" He jumped when the sudden sound of lightning filled his ears. The dark clouds overhead were forming into a vicious storm.
She just kept walking she didn't even hesitate, "I'm sick of this. There isn't even a reason for me to have stayed as long as I did."
"But it may not be safe!" Navi had flowed ahead of Link and tried to convince the girl to stay. Link didn't know if Terri was involved with the new Gerudo King, but she was definitely hiding something.
'If she's got something useful you may want to know about it. No she tried to kill you! Gha why can't this be easier?'
"Terri." He spoke in a stern and serious voice to get her attention. The harsh wind lifted his voice to travel towards the girl and cause her to turn on her heels to face him. She folded her arms against her chest and stared at him, her face was expressionless, but Link could feel her anger.
At first he couldn't speak, it felt as if she had stolen his voice like all of the other things. Then when he was able to get a breath he spoke, "If you reconsider we are going to the Temple of Time. Be careful around your people." He watched her study him and his words. He expected her to sneer and turn around, or insult him. Instead she didn't say anything with words or her face. She only turned back around and continued to walk towards the market.
"Come on Link, if we're going to the Temple we should leave now. Besides it looks like it should rain any second."
But it didn't rain, lightning flashed and thunder roared but water did not fall to the ground. Link didn't respond to his friend either, he just slowly walked toward the market once the figure of the Gerudo had vanished from his site, and his mind.
* * *
The market was abandoned; not a sound arose from the once noisy place. The dark clouds that hid the sun created shadows over the land, giving it a haunting look. The people had run into their homes, and the shops had been cleared out because of the approaching storm. Usually little rain doesn't bother the businesses, but with the intense lightning that began to occur, it made things a little more serious. The storm would probably wreck the market's goods.
Terri strolled through the place to see if anyone would let her stay inside a home to wait out the storm. Whenever she asked the request they only yelled crude words at her and refused to open the door. She yelled back at them of course, and kicked the house's outdoor decorations.
Since she wasn't able to find shelter, she sat on the edge of the fountain that stood in the center of the town. She was tired, not from the journeys, but from the fighting and disagreements that were still in her mind.
'Don't even think of it.'
Terri left because she feared for her life, not in danger, but she feared she would be locked away just for being who she was. She couldn't be around someone who threatened her like that.
Another flash of lightning appeared, its glow illuminated her surroundings for a split second. The light made the water in the fountain shimmer. Terri looked down to see many rupees at the water's depths, children had tossed them in, hoping their wishes would come true. The Gerudo pitied their pathetic ways, they could had used the money to survive.
When she lost interest in the money she noticed her reflection in the water. The rough wind blew her hair from the braid's grasps, but that wasn't what got her attention. She noticed the dark lines below her eyes, and slight paleness from lack of good sleep she had been getting in the past few days. Her eyes showed no emotions and her lips were on a line. She looked like a doll, a dying, suffering doll that a child got tired of and threw away. Her face looked so plane, old, and dull, it shocked her with the way her life actually was, and the face she was used to seeing.
A fast shuffling awoke her from her thoughts, and back into reality. She turned and saw a figure running across the market's cobblestones toward the Temple of Time. Link was with Navi like always. As he made his way closer to the sacred place, he quickly glanced in her direction, she thought he would stop in his tracks and walk over to her. She wished he would do that since she never really got to finish their conversation, she left dumbfounded because she didn't know what to say. He just continued to walk to the Temple though, his figure disappeared in the shadows.
'Just let it go.'
She sighed and tried to figure out what she should do. She had no way on getting back to the Valley, and no one would take her in. The storm could begin any second.
'Why hasn't it even started yet?'
A shifting movement brought her attention to the shadows to her left. At first Terri could only see the figure's silhouette, the shadows of the market walls hid the person like a blanket. Terri looked at the person where she thought their eyes were, she must have because a laugh she knew too well came from the shadow and blew in the wind. Terri's nerves relaxed but her heart did not. Another flash of lightning occurred and lit up the darkened areas. Terri could see Verena smiling when the light surrounded her. She stepped out of the shadows that came back to life when the lightning ended and walked a few steps toward Terri and stopped, her arms folded.
'There's nothing left for you to ruin bitch.' She wished she could have said it.
"I'm supwised the big, bad storm didn't fwighten you." Terri spoke in a mocking, babyish voice to see what effect it had on the girl.
Verena just smiled and shook her head slowly, her smile was odd and unnatural, it was a grin that was good for her, but meant trouble for others. Verena then took her gaze away from her rival and looked around her, in the direction that led out of the Market to Hyrule Field. As another lightning bolt struck, Terri stood up and turned her head.
As she turned a vibration began beneath her feet, through the rough cobblestones, and through her body. A rumbling arose with the shaking and grew louder every second, with the growing shakes and rumbles came some shouts and orders. The wind carried the men's voices, but she could not understand what they were saying. Through the path that lead out of the Market came figures, dark figures atop black horses that galloped their way in Terri's direction.
She recognized the black coloring and symbols on the armor, but nothing made sense, why were her people in a rush to get into Hyrule Market?
'Wait, what is this? What are they...?'
"What is going on!?" She screamed as loud as she could, so much that her throat stung with pain, but she new even with the wind's assistance her voice did not make it over the charging horse's hooves. They had now made their way into the Market's center where the two girls stood and road in circles around the town as if searching for something. Some of the men on her people's horses left their horse and ran to nearby houses.
'What do they think they're doing?'
One of the men kicked open a door to a home and unsheathed the sword the accompanied his black armor. Terri's mouth fell open when she heard the screams that came from the family's home. She stumbled backwards, stunned and noticed Verena grinning at her, arms still folded. She hadn't moved at all.
Terri's eye's narrowed and was about to confront her rival when she heard a voice that shouted commands at the other men. The voice's owner was still on his black horse, protected by black armor, and held a blood-covered sword in the air above his head. When Terri realized who the voice belonged to she knew she would need help. When she realized what he was shouting, she knew she wasn't the only one who needed help.
* * *
Link held the Ocarina of Time in his hands as he stood on the crimson carpet in front of the three spiritual stones that shone in green, red, blue, and gold. In front of where the stones lay was the Door or Time that lead to the Master Sword. He was surrounded by white marble pillars and walls that held stained glass windows of every color imaginable. It was dark inside the temple, usually the sunlight would aid a person's vision, but when there was no sun, one would have to aid his own eyes. Other than Navi, the only light seemed to come from the spiritual stones, they symbolized three races: Kokiri, Goron and Zora. Link had earned the respect of the tribes, and the prescous stones.
'If you're going to do this, do it now.'
Link closed his eyes, held the ocarina to his parted lips and began to play a melody he thought he had forgotten. The low notes of The Song of Time filled the Temple's walls and Link's ears. They seemed to rise from the room's floor and float up to the ceiling, lasting forever. He played the mysterious song once and then again to let the notes float in the air a bit longer.
As he let out the final note his eyes opened and the room began to shake slightly. Link looked up at the Door of Time and saw a light line form in the center virticaly. The line began to widen and that only meant one thing, the song had worked, and the door was opening.
"We did it again Link, now once again we can claim the Master Sword!" Navi was happy for the event and she even made Link form a slight smile. The smile disappeared when he returned his gaze to the door. He needed to be serious.
As the door opened more he could see the light in the room. A stream of light came down from a glass circle on the roof. The origin of the light could not be seen though. Link stepped closer to the door that was almost fully open and saw his target. The Master Sword was secured into the Pedestal of Time on the center of the light, on top of a circle of steps. The light reflected off of the blade causing it to shine.
'Here we go again.'
Without saying anything, Link stepped through the altar that lead to the room that held his prize. It was slightly cooler in the new room, and Link's footsteps echoed along and off the walls. The room was small but a very high cylinder shape that seemed to rise to the sky. The stream of light surrounded Link as he worked his way up the short steps. Now he was only a few feet away from the sword and the distance was shrinking every step.
"This day is just full of deja vu huh Link?"
When he stood next to the legendary swords, he turned to his friend, who always seemed to be able to get him to smile eventually, "Yeah memories of good and bad subjects. Lets just try to keep them on the good side okay?"
He turned back to the sword and reached out a hand to clutch the sapphire hilt, it was rough so that it could not easily slide out of its user's hand. He tugged slightly and it was no surprise that he would have to use both hands to remove the blade from its home. He positioned himself so that he was standing directly in front of the weapon and grasped it with his other hand. Link looked at Navi and nodded, when she didn't protest he took in a deep breath and lifted the blade with all of his strength. He felt his arms flex, he had remembered the last time removing the blade this difficult, it was as if he was reliving the past.
The sword began to give a little and Link began to feel a wave of unfamiliar warmth flow over him. He gasped for air as he lifted the sword from its pedestal, his breath felt like it was being stolen, the waves of heat continued to flow over his. The light around him suddenly grew incredibly bright, he closed his eyes, afraid he would go blind. He opened his eyes hoping he would be able to see clearly again, but his vision had turned completely white, he couldn't see anything.
'What's going on? Why is-..."
Link wasn't able to finish the thought, his mind suddenly became dizzy and the white surroundings began to grow black around the boarder of his vision until he saw nothing.
* * *
Terri rushed into the Temple, she could still hear the shouts of the men in her head, but their real voices were not heard within the Temple's legendary walls. She raced up the crimson carpet that flowed over the white marble until she saw Navi's glow, and Link grasping the sword she didn't even know existed.
'No way! This can't be happening!'
"Link stop." Her voice was drowned out by sudden rumbling, "No you can't-..."
An incredible forced struck her shoulder and sent a rush of stinging pain through her body. She cried out and was forced towards the wall. As she grit her teeth she tried to turn around, but something grabbed her throat and lifted her from the floor.
Terri opened her eyes and saw the new Gerudo King Teivel staring up at her. His gauntlet covered hand dug into her flesh, if she were able to she would have screamed n pain, but so air was flowing to her lungs.
She tried to squirm away but he held her tight, causing her to look into his sinister dark eyes. He sneered in disgust, "I'm going to enjoy having power over you."
Terri tried to talk back but she could only manage a cough.
Her new leader shook her slightly, his voice erupted with anger, "Why can't you just understand it? I am in control!!"
The words filled her ears, she couldn't do anything anymore. She noticed a white light forming where the Door of Time was. Teivel didn't remove his grip, her vision began to turn hazy and she soon saw nothing except her dreams.
As the scimitar's tip pressed closer to his skin, Link made sure he didn't move. In Terri's left hand was the other weapon of the pair, he could see her arm muscles tense up from the strong grim. Her arms seemed to be shaking as if she was in pain or maybe she was just afraid. Link looked into her eyes since he didn't want to see the weapon in its master's hands. She looked right back at him, she didn't look to see if the guards were coming, she didn't look at Navi or at the clouds filling the sky, she looked right into Link's blue eyes.
Her lips were set n a thin line; she opened them slightly to speak, "How was your chat with the princess?"
'Relax, and don't anger her and you'll be fine.'
He swallowed hard and took in a silent deep breath before answering, "It supplied me with some information."
The Gerudo's eyes narrowed but she did not move her gaze, "Really? So you were able to reach the castle's interior without any problems?"
Link quickly looked at Navi and saw that she was looking at him. He looked back at Terri, "Sort of." He kept his answers as short as possible. He noticed that the more someone talked to her the more insults she could say back. He knew how to avoid getting his head sliced off, but he didn't know how to get out of the current situation.
Terri tilted her head slightly when he spoke, he knew she didn't believe her, "Lets get right to the point shall we? You said you briefly spoke to a soldier the other night, what did you say to him?"
"What?"
She sighed and rolled her eyes then returned them to his own, "Navi answer the question since his isn't capable of doing so"
'Maybe saying too little can be a bad choice also.'
"He just came to see if you kids were in good health honestly. We only asked who he was and his reasons for seeing us." She spoke so softly she must have been afraid, but not for her own life, she was afraid for her friend.
"She speaks the truth Terri." When Link spoke he saw her grit her teeth and take in a deep breath. For a second she glared at him, as if she was trying to pierce into his mind with her eyes. She let out the breath she had held and removed the blade from his throat. The blades returned to their scabbards and the Gerudo turned her back to walk toward the market. She didn't look back.
Link walked forward but he didn't run after her, "Wait! Where are you going?" He jumped when the sudden sound of lightning filled his ears. The dark clouds overhead were forming into a vicious storm.
She just kept walking she didn't even hesitate, "I'm sick of this. There isn't even a reason for me to have stayed as long as I did."
"But it may not be safe!" Navi had flowed ahead of Link and tried to convince the girl to stay. Link didn't know if Terri was involved with the new Gerudo King, but she was definitely hiding something.
'If she's got something useful you may want to know about it. No she tried to kill you! Gha why can't this be easier?'
"Terri." He spoke in a stern and serious voice to get her attention. The harsh wind lifted his voice to travel towards the girl and cause her to turn on her heels to face him. She folded her arms against her chest and stared at him, her face was expressionless, but Link could feel her anger.
At first he couldn't speak, it felt as if she had stolen his voice like all of the other things. Then when he was able to get a breath he spoke, "If you reconsider we are going to the Temple of Time. Be careful around your people." He watched her study him and his words. He expected her to sneer and turn around, or insult him. Instead she didn't say anything with words or her face. She only turned back around and continued to walk towards the market.
"Come on Link, if we're going to the Temple we should leave now. Besides it looks like it should rain any second."
But it didn't rain, lightning flashed and thunder roared but water did not fall to the ground. Link didn't respond to his friend either, he just slowly walked toward the market once the figure of the Gerudo had vanished from his site, and his mind.
* * *
The market was abandoned; not a sound arose from the once noisy place. The dark clouds that hid the sun created shadows over the land, giving it a haunting look. The people had run into their homes, and the shops had been cleared out because of the approaching storm. Usually little rain doesn't bother the businesses, but with the intense lightning that began to occur, it made things a little more serious. The storm would probably wreck the market's goods.
Terri strolled through the place to see if anyone would let her stay inside a home to wait out the storm. Whenever she asked the request they only yelled crude words at her and refused to open the door. She yelled back at them of course, and kicked the house's outdoor decorations.
Since she wasn't able to find shelter, she sat on the edge of the fountain that stood in the center of the town. She was tired, not from the journeys, but from the fighting and disagreements that were still in her mind.
'Don't even think of it.'
Terri left because she feared for her life, not in danger, but she feared she would be locked away just for being who she was. She couldn't be around someone who threatened her like that.
Another flash of lightning appeared, its glow illuminated her surroundings for a split second. The light made the water in the fountain shimmer. Terri looked down to see many rupees at the water's depths, children had tossed them in, hoping their wishes would come true. The Gerudo pitied their pathetic ways, they could had used the money to survive.
When she lost interest in the money she noticed her reflection in the water. The rough wind blew her hair from the braid's grasps, but that wasn't what got her attention. She noticed the dark lines below her eyes, and slight paleness from lack of good sleep she had been getting in the past few days. Her eyes showed no emotions and her lips were on a line. She looked like a doll, a dying, suffering doll that a child got tired of and threw away. Her face looked so plane, old, and dull, it shocked her with the way her life actually was, and the face she was used to seeing.
A fast shuffling awoke her from her thoughts, and back into reality. She turned and saw a figure running across the market's cobblestones toward the Temple of Time. Link was with Navi like always. As he made his way closer to the sacred place, he quickly glanced in her direction, she thought he would stop in his tracks and walk over to her. She wished he would do that since she never really got to finish their conversation, she left dumbfounded because she didn't know what to say. He just continued to walk to the Temple though, his figure disappeared in the shadows.
'Just let it go.'
She sighed and tried to figure out what she should do. She had no way on getting back to the Valley, and no one would take her in. The storm could begin any second.
'Why hasn't it even started yet?'
A shifting movement brought her attention to the shadows to her left. At first Terri could only see the figure's silhouette, the shadows of the market walls hid the person like a blanket. Terri looked at the person where she thought their eyes were, she must have because a laugh she knew too well came from the shadow and blew in the wind. Terri's nerves relaxed but her heart did not. Another flash of lightning occurred and lit up the darkened areas. Terri could see Verena smiling when the light surrounded her. She stepped out of the shadows that came back to life when the lightning ended and walked a few steps toward Terri and stopped, her arms folded.
'There's nothing left for you to ruin bitch.' She wished she could have said it.
"I'm supwised the big, bad storm didn't fwighten you." Terri spoke in a mocking, babyish voice to see what effect it had on the girl.
Verena just smiled and shook her head slowly, her smile was odd and unnatural, it was a grin that was good for her, but meant trouble for others. Verena then took her gaze away from her rival and looked around her, in the direction that led out of the Market to Hyrule Field. As another lightning bolt struck, Terri stood up and turned her head.
As she turned a vibration began beneath her feet, through the rough cobblestones, and through her body. A rumbling arose with the shaking and grew louder every second, with the growing shakes and rumbles came some shouts and orders. The wind carried the men's voices, but she could not understand what they were saying. Through the path that lead out of the Market came figures, dark figures atop black horses that galloped their way in Terri's direction.
She recognized the black coloring and symbols on the armor, but nothing made sense, why were her people in a rush to get into Hyrule Market?
'Wait, what is this? What are they...?'
"What is going on!?" She screamed as loud as she could, so much that her throat stung with pain, but she new even with the wind's assistance her voice did not make it over the charging horse's hooves. They had now made their way into the Market's center where the two girls stood and road in circles around the town as if searching for something. Some of the men on her people's horses left their horse and ran to nearby houses.
'What do they think they're doing?'
One of the men kicked open a door to a home and unsheathed the sword the accompanied his black armor. Terri's mouth fell open when she heard the screams that came from the family's home. She stumbled backwards, stunned and noticed Verena grinning at her, arms still folded. She hadn't moved at all.
Terri's eye's narrowed and was about to confront her rival when she heard a voice that shouted commands at the other men. The voice's owner was still on his black horse, protected by black armor, and held a blood-covered sword in the air above his head. When Terri realized who the voice belonged to she knew she would need help. When she realized what he was shouting, she knew she wasn't the only one who needed help.
* * *
Link held the Ocarina of Time in his hands as he stood on the crimson carpet in front of the three spiritual stones that shone in green, red, blue, and gold. In front of where the stones lay was the Door or Time that lead to the Master Sword. He was surrounded by white marble pillars and walls that held stained glass windows of every color imaginable. It was dark inside the temple, usually the sunlight would aid a person's vision, but when there was no sun, one would have to aid his own eyes. Other than Navi, the only light seemed to come from the spiritual stones, they symbolized three races: Kokiri, Goron and Zora. Link had earned the respect of the tribes, and the prescous stones.
'If you're going to do this, do it now.'
Link closed his eyes, held the ocarina to his parted lips and began to play a melody he thought he had forgotten. The low notes of The Song of Time filled the Temple's walls and Link's ears. They seemed to rise from the room's floor and float up to the ceiling, lasting forever. He played the mysterious song once and then again to let the notes float in the air a bit longer.
As he let out the final note his eyes opened and the room began to shake slightly. Link looked up at the Door of Time and saw a light line form in the center virticaly. The line began to widen and that only meant one thing, the song had worked, and the door was opening.
"We did it again Link, now once again we can claim the Master Sword!" Navi was happy for the event and she even made Link form a slight smile. The smile disappeared when he returned his gaze to the door. He needed to be serious.
As the door opened more he could see the light in the room. A stream of light came down from a glass circle on the roof. The origin of the light could not be seen though. Link stepped closer to the door that was almost fully open and saw his target. The Master Sword was secured into the Pedestal of Time on the center of the light, on top of a circle of steps. The light reflected off of the blade causing it to shine.
'Here we go again.'
Without saying anything, Link stepped through the altar that lead to the room that held his prize. It was slightly cooler in the new room, and Link's footsteps echoed along and off the walls. The room was small but a very high cylinder shape that seemed to rise to the sky. The stream of light surrounded Link as he worked his way up the short steps. Now he was only a few feet away from the sword and the distance was shrinking every step.
"This day is just full of deja vu huh Link?"
When he stood next to the legendary swords, he turned to his friend, who always seemed to be able to get him to smile eventually, "Yeah memories of good and bad subjects. Lets just try to keep them on the good side okay?"
He turned back to the sword and reached out a hand to clutch the sapphire hilt, it was rough so that it could not easily slide out of its user's hand. He tugged slightly and it was no surprise that he would have to use both hands to remove the blade from its home. He positioned himself so that he was standing directly in front of the weapon and grasped it with his other hand. Link looked at Navi and nodded, when she didn't protest he took in a deep breath and lifted the blade with all of his strength. He felt his arms flex, he had remembered the last time removing the blade this difficult, it was as if he was reliving the past.
The sword began to give a little and Link began to feel a wave of unfamiliar warmth flow over him. He gasped for air as he lifted the sword from its pedestal, his breath felt like it was being stolen, the waves of heat continued to flow over his. The light around him suddenly grew incredibly bright, he closed his eyes, afraid he would go blind. He opened his eyes hoping he would be able to see clearly again, but his vision had turned completely white, he couldn't see anything.
'What's going on? Why is-..."
Link wasn't able to finish the thought, his mind suddenly became dizzy and the white surroundings began to grow black around the boarder of his vision until he saw nothing.
* * *
Terri rushed into the Temple, she could still hear the shouts of the men in her head, but their real voices were not heard within the Temple's legendary walls. She raced up the crimson carpet that flowed over the white marble until she saw Navi's glow, and Link grasping the sword she didn't even know existed.
'No way! This can't be happening!'
"Link stop." Her voice was drowned out by sudden rumbling, "No you can't-..."
An incredible forced struck her shoulder and sent a rush of stinging pain through her body. She cried out and was forced towards the wall. As she grit her teeth she tried to turn around, but something grabbed her throat and lifted her from the floor.
Terri opened her eyes and saw the new Gerudo King Teivel staring up at her. His gauntlet covered hand dug into her flesh, if she were able to she would have screamed n pain, but so air was flowing to her lungs.
She tried to squirm away but he held her tight, causing her to look into his sinister dark eyes. He sneered in disgust, "I'm going to enjoy having power over you."
Terri tried to talk back but she could only manage a cough.
Her new leader shook her slightly, his voice erupted with anger, "Why can't you just understand it? I am in control!!"
The words filled her ears, she couldn't do anything anymore. She noticed a white light forming where the Door of Time was. Teivel didn't remove his grip, her vision began to turn hazy and she soon saw nothing except her dreams.
