AN: I am very sorry for not updating sooner. I was in a car accident and never really bothered to write again afterwards. I asked my friend to update this fic while I was gone (I have already finished the story) but he didn't understand fanfiction. Sometimes, I don't understand fanfiction either. Again, I apologize. Also, please, more reviews. It would be helpful! Here's chapter four:

Chapter 4

"KORU! WAKE UP!"

                My eyes snapped open and immediately I saw Mina shaking me awake, her spear thrown carelessly aside.

                "Mina!? What's wrong!?"

                "Koru, oh divine power of the Goddesses," Mina whispered, "Koru, you must come and see what has happened..."

                I threw on my cloak and ran outside after Mina. I looked around me frantically and noticed that all of the Gerudo women were standing outside of the Fortress and running out of the valley.

                "Where're we going, Mina!?" I asked.

                "You have to see this..."

                She didn't answer any of my questions, much to my annoyance, but instead—along with the rest of the guards—Mina guided everyone out into Hyrule Field to witness what was going on.

                I ran across the bridge and dashed out into Hyrule Field. It was my first time out there, and I was a little scared. All of the Gerudo were standing on a plateau which overlooked most of the field. I followed everyone and gasped when I saw the horror before me.

                The mountain far off into the distance was flaming in the distance. It had to be Death Mountain...home of the Gorons...the place Link spoke off.

                "That is nothing, Koru!" Mina shouted, "Look at the Castle!"

                "Oh my Goddess..." I whispered.

                The Castle was being swallowed by a darkness. Black clouds were surrounding the castle and a black tower, higher than any mountain, rose up from the ground. There was a sudden earthquake that threw everyone off of their feet. The black tower rose far up into the heavens. Lightning illuminated the starless sky and many of the Gerudo screamed in terror. A deafening clap of thunder followed shortly afterwards, and the ground seemed to shake under the night sky. Clouds formed over the castle, and the howling winds picked up. I caught sight of Gillian and ran to her. "Gillian!" I shouted over the tremendous rumblings of the earth, "Gillian, what is happening?"

                Gillian remained quiet. "Nabooru should be here..." Gillian was standing in the shadows with her arms crossed over her chest. Her eyes were blank and I could tell that she was calm and peaceful, even with all of the events taking place.

                "Gillian!?" I cried, "What is wrong with you!? Do you not see what is happening in the castle!?"

                "Ganondorf...has..." Gillian's voice trailed off, "Ganondorf...what if something happened to him...he is our only male tribe member..."

               
                "Ganondorf..."

                It was then that I realized that Link was right, that somehow, everything that was happening was connected to Ganondorf.

***

I awoke to the sound of Mina crying.

                My eyes snapped open as I remembered the terror of the night before.

                "Mina..." I murmured, "was it all dream?"

                Mina shook her head and wiped her eyes, "No...Gillian has gone mad, Koru. She is sending many Gerudo to go to Hyrule Castle to find Ganondorf..."

                I gasped, "No...no..."

                "And I am going, too,"

                "No! You can't go! You're so young!" I cried and flung my arms around her. Mina didn't flinch, but embraced me and sobbed.

                "I'm so afraid...I don't want to go..."

                "Mina, please...don't go..."

                "Gillian has lost her mind..." Mina whispered as she pulled away, "Nabooru is missing. The search party came back this morning. Lulu was the only one remaining...the rest perished in the Haunted Wasteland..."

                "Lulu!"

                Lulu had gone to search for Nabooru against her wishes. They had finally returned...or...she has finally returned.

                "Lulu was the only survivor, Koru. Something is happening to this land..."

                I nodded silently in agreement.

                "Come, Lulu is with Gillian in her chambers," Mina got up and led me towards Gillian's chambers.

                I knocked softly.

                The doors slowly opened, and there was a very white, very shaken, Lulu.

                "Koru!" Lulu cried and embraced me. I hugged her back, burying my face into her, "Oh, Koru...it was horrible..."

                "What happened, Lulu, what did you see?"

                "Nabooru..." Lulu sobbed.

                "She says she is dead," Gillian said loudly from behind Lulu.

                "She says," Ferah said wisely, eyeing Gillian in disappointment, "that Nabooru has disappeared,"

                Ferah was standing beside Gillian, her hands folded over her chest. I could tell that she was not happy, and Gillian was in no better shape.

                Ferah. The most beautiful Gerudo in the tribe. There were rumors of Ferah and Nabooru being sisters...but....whenever I asked her that question, she would only smile mischievously.

                "No..." I said hoarsely, "...no...Nabooru...."     I let go of Lulu and stumbled back, "Nabooru..."

                "Koru," Mina whispered, "please..."

                "What is happening to everything!?"

                "Mina, you are to leave with the other Gerudo to Hyrule Castle immediately." Gillian said firmly, "Leave now,"

                "Gillian, you cannot do such a thing!" I cried, "Mina is too young! She is a valuable child! Remember what Nabooru said? Remember? A child is a gift from the Divine Trinity! They are to be kept safely hidden in the Gerudo Fortress until they are old enough to fight alongside their sisters. Do you remember, Gillian!?"

                Gillian's face was blank with harshness. "Mina. Leave."

                Mina exchanged glances with me and nodded. "Good-bye, Koru. Good-bye, Lulu,"

***

Lulu sighed as she continued to walk with me around the Fortress. Normally, I would be practicing my archery and horseback riding, but Lulu was one of my dear friends, and she needed to speak with me.

                "She is gone, Koru. It is not a lie," Lulu whispered.

                "I know you would never lie to me about such things, Lulu," I said, "I guess...I just refuse to believe it. What would the other Gerudo say of this?"

                "I don't know," Lulu said, "I worry about Gillian, though. She cannot handle the responsibilities Nabooru once had,"

                "What happened to her...?" I thought out loud, "...Lulu, did you see anything else while you were there?"

                "When I accompanied Nabooru to the Temple the night of the feast, I saw a boy,"

                I froze. "You saw a boy?"

                "Yes, he watched Nabooru being sucked into the sand as I was. He didn't see me, but I saw him clear as day,"

                "Nabooru...Link wasn't lying..."

                "What?"

                I ignored her and asked her, "What did he do afterwards, Lulu?"

                Lulu shivered, "I don't know. I ran away."

***

                I was practicing my archery skills with Tarah.

                "Tarah! Straighten your back, you fool! What do you intend to do if there are Hylian guards after you!?" Gillian demanded, "You cannot have such posture!"

                I glanced over my shoulder at Tarah, who was riding a dark brown horse. Her cheeks flushed red as she leveled up and pushed her horse to move faster.

                "And you, Koru! What is that aim? That stance of yours is pathetic!" Gillian hissed.

                In a rage, I turned my arrow towards Gillian and let it take flight. Everyone watched in horror as the arrow flew towards Gillian's face. Gillian screamed and collapsed onto the ground, out cold. The arrow, instead of hitting the ground, continued to fly.

                Ferah, on instinct, snapped her hand out and caught the arrow, stopping it immediately. I froze.

                "Control your temper, Koru," Ferah muttered.

                Fera was the wisest of all the Gerudos, save for Nabooru. She was beautiful and seemed to always know exactly what to say at the right time. I believed that since Nabooru was gone, Ferah would step up and take position of a leader. Instead, she had stepped aside and allowed someone such as Gillian take over. That, I couldn't understand.

                "Yes, ma'am," I whispered.

                Gerudos came and lifted Gillian up to take her to her chambers, but Ferah, however, approached me.

                "What if you had killed her?" Ferah demanded.

                I sighed, "She's going mad, Ferah. You don't understand,"

                "That gives you no right to attempt to kill her,"

                I shrugged, "She was annoying me. I couldn't think correctly with her yelling at me,"

                Ferah smiled and shook her head. "Just hold down your temper, Koru, and everything will be fine. By the way," Ferah added as she turned around to take care of Gillian, "that was a nice shot,"

                I couldn't help but grin.

                There were rumors that Ferah and Nabooru were sisters, but Ferah would only smile mischievously when asked that question. She was without doubt, the most beautiful Gerudo in the tribe. She always kept an eye on me like Nabooru once did, much to my despair.

***

Several days after the rising of the Dark Tower, Ferah had decided that enough was enough. She rode out into Hyrule Field in search of Mina and the others, who had yet to return to the Gerudo Tribe. There were rumors of dark seeds spreading throughout the Kingdom, and Ferah was determined to find the truth. Gillian had demanded that Ferah take others with her should something happen. Ferah, however, was just as stubborn and refused.

                Tarah, Lulu, and I had tried to go about our daily training as if nothing had happened. I could see that the other Gerudo were doing the same thing, but their eyes revealed the fear inside them. The wind's icy breath would sweep into our chambers while we slept, forever reminding us of the tall Dark Tower that stood high and proud, looking over the land of Hyrule. Everyday, it seemed to grow taller...everyday, it seemed to grow darker...

                Gillian was afraid.

                We all were. The castle would stand there, mocking us.

                One evening, late into the night as the winds blew fiercely from the north; I crept out of the Fortress and sat in the Gerudo Valley. I stood at the far end of the bridge, watching the water flow rapidly miles below. I watched the entrance to the valley carefully, as if waiting for Mina or Ferah to return. Or even Link.

                The Forest Boy.

                There was a soft crunch of a foot lightly touching the ground.

                "Koru?"

                I unsheathed my sword and swirled around.

                "Wait...don't do anything drastic..." Gillian raised her arms in defense and backed away slowly. Almost immediately, I remember Link.

                "Get away from me, Gillian," I muttered darkly as I turned back around and stared over the bridge. My anger had been growing, and most of it was due to Gillian. She had sent Mina away. Because of her actions, Ferah had left. Lulu was put through a lot because of Gillian, too. She had been sent to the Haunted Wastelands again and was the only survivor. "You've caused me enough pain..."

                "I believe I owe you an apology..."

                "You don't owe me anything," I whispered, "You owe Mina and Lulu their lives back,"

                Gillian sighed. Hesitantly, she approached me and stood next to me, her arms folded across her chest. "I know you miss Mina," Gillian said, "but—"

                "What if something happened to her?" I said heatedly, cutting her off, "What if she has died?"

                "She didn't die," Gillian assured me, "she couldn't have. Hyrule Castle can handle itself."

                "What is that tower, then? Why has it replaced the castle? Why has my life changed ever since it appeared?" I said angrily, "You cannot promise me she has not died! Ferah would still be here if you hadn't sent a child to the castle! You've ruined everything!" I screamed, "Answer my questions, Gillian! What is happening!?"

                "I...can't answer those questions..." Gillian confessed, "I am scared too, Koru. Nabooru and I were close, too. Ever since she has disappeared, everything has been put on my shoulders...and I can't handle this...I can't handle this..."

                "Ferah should've been the leader until Nabooru returns," I said darkly, "She would know what to do. She wouldn't send young children off into danger,"

                "I don't know what's wrong with me, Koru,"

                "I don't know either,"

                I turned away, too frustrated to even look at her. Gillian had lost it...and so had I.

***

I left Gillian and threw myself in my chamber. I glanced over at Mina's bed and began crying. Somehow, in my heart, I knew what had happened to Mina...

                I sobbed, letting each tear fall to the ground. All the pain I held...it was too much for me...I needed Mina...my friend...

                My eyelids grew heavy...

                I could hear a horse galloping...

                I closed my eyes. I wanted to hear the horse pound the dirt.... I wanted to get out of the Gerudo Fortress and find the horse that was galloping in the distance. I wanted to get away...to find a new life... Slowly, an image came to me. It was Link...the Forest Boy...

                He was...older....?

                Link's face had hardened over the years, and the playful grin he wore when I saw him was gone. Instead, he was frowning somewhat, but his eyes were full of emotion and pain. There was a little blue orb following him, and I presumed it was the fairy Link once told me about. Navi...

                I wanted to call out to him, but somehow, I couldn't find the words. I screamed, but my throat wouldn't make any noise. I reached out for him, but it was like he couldn't see me. The horse...it was a beautiful chestnut colored horse with wild white hair. I had never seen such a creature in the valley, and I was sure that Link and the horse were somehow connected.

                I recognized his surroundings almost immediately. The Dark Tower loomed over the land, shadowing Hyrule in it's evil. Link seemed not to be concerned about the tower. Instead, Link's attention was to the west...in the Gerudo Valley.

                Suddenly, a massive shining axe swung out of nowhere. A monster...a creature covered in iron plates wielded the axe. The axe was coming towards Link...coming closer...

                Then, abruptly, everything became dark.

                I could make out a figure in the darkness. It was...Nabooru.

                I wanted to yell out in joy and embrace her, but once again, it was like I was not there. We were standing in a narrow corridor, with Link watching her intently with his silent eyes. He was still far older than me, so I knew this must've been the same Link I had seen galloping across the field. I looked around frantically, searching for something, anything. Iron plates were scattered across the floor, but none of the two seemed affected by it.

                Nabooru began running. Link watched her quietly.

                Witches...witches...

                There were witches surrounding Nabooru...

                One on each side...both of them...ugly and sick...their faces twisted with glee. They were giggling and they seemed to be discussing with each other, but their tongue was too quick for me to understand. Link's eyes widened in horror as the witches held out their hands simultaneously and threw orbs of light at my dear Nabooru...

                "Nabooru!" It was like everything in my heart had poured out into my scream...all of the pain...all of the fear...all of my hatred...was spilled out in my scream for my leader. Nabooru had raised me...treated me like her own...and now...

                Everything was dark again.

                I could see a desert before me. There was a Poe, the mysterious ghosts that guided the Gerudo to the Temple. It was swaying from side to side steadily, taunting me. I ran towards the creature, but I couldn't run. My feet, they were sinking into the sand...

                I heard a scream, and I saw Nabooru in front of me...sinking into the sand. It was the same two witches...they were circling her and cackling madly...

                I shivered...

                Link was watching once again, except this time...he was younger...

                "Link!" I cried feebly, "Help me! Please!"

***

"Koru!? Are you okay!?"

                Tarah was standing over me, her eyes filled with concern. I was panting heavily, my sheets thrown aside carelessly.

                Could it have been...a prophecy?

                "Nabooru...is...gone...Lulu spoke the truth...she is gone...the witches...and Link...he...watched..." I whispered hoarsely, "...he watched...her die...he killed her..."

END PART I

AN: Chapter five will be posted soon. I apologize for the delay.