Chapter Five: Temple of Time
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Me: I don't own Zelda, nor do you, do us both a favor and buy me Pepsi Blue!
Sheik How is that doing them a favor?
Me: Um… Pepsi Blue makes for a happy authoress?
Sheik: -_-;; Right.
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Sheikah and Hylian stood several foot from each other, for once in an uncomfortable silence. They were in the Temple of Time, the sound of ancient Hylian chanting echoing around them. Light poured in from the windows, making the three jewels sitting near the Door of Time shimmer with a pristine brightness.
"What do you have to tell me?" Link asked finally, brutally shattering their stillness. "What are your parting words of wisdom?"
Sheik gave him a pained expression before speaking. "Link, please…I didn't choose to-"
"None of us do." Link said bluntly. "None of us choose what Fate stores for us."
Faltering slightly, Sheik changed his line of thought, speech taking a tone that seemed to be practiced. "Link, the Hero of Time, you have overcome many hardships and awakened six sages. You have defeated the minions of the Dark King, and you have increased your power ten-fold. Now you have the final challenge before you; the final showdown with Ganon." He paused. "When Ganon used the door you opened to enter the Sacred Realm, he touched the Triforce. But because his heart was not pure, he only succeeded in obtaining one piece of the Triforce, the piece of power. The other two pieces went to their predestined holders. The one who holds the Triforce of courage is you, Link."
The other blond didn't even blink. He only stared stonily at Sheik. The crimson-eyed youth went on. "The other, who holds the piece of wisdom, is the seventh sage, the leader of them all." He stopped again. "Link, I have something to tell you, and it is hard for me to do so."
"Wonderful." Link said flatly.
"Link—" Sheik hesitated, shaking his head. "Goodbye."
"What?"
"I'm… I am not who you think I am."
There was a blinding flash of light, and Link averted his eyes quickly. When he looked back, it took a few moments before he could regain his vision again. Unlike a Deku nut, the after image was a keen glare across his sight. "Sheik? What's…" He trailed off, expression falling. "Zelda?"
In place of the Sheikah stood a woman of similar features, long golden hair falling below her shoulders. She wore a silk dress, adorned with the patterns and insignia of Hylian royalty. From underneath a simple tiara, blue eyes stared out at him, wise beyond the woman's years. "I apologize for meeting you in disguise," she said, "but it was necessary to hide from the King of Evil. Please forgive me."
Link stared at her numbly. "Sheik…isn't--?"
Zelda shook her head. "I'm sorry Link, but Sheik is not real. He was my disguise for years. Sheik of the Sheikahs was only a façade."
"A façade." Link repeated. "It was you all along?"
"Yes, Link." Zelda said impaciently. "After you opened the Door of Time, the Master sword sealed you away in the Sacred Realm. Your spirit remained in the Sacred Realm and then the Triforce fell into Ganon's hands. He went on to invade the Sacred Realm and become the Evil King. The Sacred Realm became a world of evil. All of this is an unfortunate coincidence."
"But…" Link suddenly felt empty, thoughts swirling inconsistently. "Sheik…"
Zelda explained. "I passed myself off as a Sheikah and hoped that you would return. I waited for 7 years, and now you are back! The Dark Age, ruled by Ganon, shall end!"
"Ganon." Link said dumbly. "I have to defeat Ganon."
"The six sages will open the sealed door, and lure Ganon back into the Sacred Realm. I will then Seal the Door to the Sacred Realm. In order to do this, I need your courage again." Zelda locked gazes with him. "Please protect me while I do my part, okay?"
"Of course," Link responded automatically. "…Zelda…"
Zelda nodded with a grin on her face. "There is a weapon that can penetrate the evil king's defenses – the power given to the chosen ones-"
The princess broke off as the Temple began to shake. A voice boomed though the temple, momentarily blotting out the Hylian chanting. "Very clever, Zelda, hiding all these years under my very nose. And that you two were holding the final pieces of the Triforce? Incredible. This space I have given you has worked to my advantage, indeed." Zelda yelped as a crystal case rose up around her. Link ran to it, hands fisting on the pale pink surface.
"Zelda!"
"Link!" Zelda cried. "Help me!"
Ganon's voice rumbled again. "If you want to save your precious princess, Link, come to my castle, face me!" With a scream and a dark flash, the temple stopped shaking and Zelda was gone. Link fell to his knees.
"Oh Goddesses… Zelda…" His eyes fell shut, and he whispered another name quietly. "Sheik…"
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There ya go. There's another chapter coming, so don't worry. Cheers!