The Winds of Time
(A/N: This is the last chapter that I've drafted so far. I'm also interested in starting a new fanfic project so for the moment; this is whole fanfic is on hold (as if my updates weren't scarce as is). However, I am not giving up on this project so I can promise that there will be a Chapter 5 (heck, I can promise that you'll see the end of this thing). Enjoy!)
Chapter 4: The Heroes Arrive
WWWWWW
The two green-clad heroes entered the foreboding structure that stood before them. Inside, the castle bore an unsettling décor. The walls were coal-black with gothic gargoyle and griffin statues lining the entry hall. Torches shed a small orb of light as they flickered in the dark. Link felt a chill urn up his back.
"Gardoc knows how to set the stage,"Link said with a slight unsteadiness.
"Be on guard. Gardoc could have lined these halls with traps or alarms," the other Link warned.
Both warriors slowly unsheathed their weapons and stalked down the hallway.
------
Elsewhere in the castle, Gardoc was sitting, infuriated at the defeat of his troops by 2 young boys.
"Those two are presenting quite an annoyance..." he murmured. "If I don't stop them soon, they may reach me and I'll be left vulnerable."
As Gardoc sat and contemplated his dilemma, a small flying creature entered the chambers.
"Lord Gardoc, the two warriors have penetrated your forces,"the creature told the wizard.
"I'm well aware..." Gardoc said with an annoyed tone. "Is there anything else you came to say?"
"Just that they are inside the castle and moving down the main hall," the creature concluded.
------
The two Links continued down the hall. Cold drafts from inside the castle whipped at the heroes' tunics. The flickering torches reflected off their Mirror Shields and allowed them to use their shields to lead the way down the halls.
"Who knows what Gardoc has waiting in these halls...?" Link (from the future) said with his voice at a near-whisper. Even though he spoke softly, his voice still echoed down through the halls.
"Ha ha ha..." Gardoc's voice hauntingly broke in. The Links readied themselves for a confrontation; however, they saw no one.
"Where is he?" the other Link growled. He looked around frantically for an adversary.
"Foolish boy," Gardoc's voice mysteriously continued, seemingly coming from everywhere yet nowhere. "I'm deep in my lair and far from your reach. I've just come to tell you that finding me will not be easy. You were correct in thinking that my castle was prepared for your arrival. Traps can be found all up and down these halls and my guards are patrolling these halls, waiting for the first sign of your green tunics. I've ensured that my fortress is truly impregnable by warriors such as foolhardy as you. Pursue me if you dare..."
With that, Gardoc's voice evaporated into the thin of the air and the Links were left alone once more.
"He can't expect us to back down by using simple scare tactics," Link said. His comrade nodded and they continued their trek down the castle halls.
The two warriors turned a corner but quickly pulled back when they heard footsteps headed their way from the further down the hall. An ogre carrying a torch and a sword was patrolling the halls.
"Shh..." the other Link said. The beast stopped walking inches from the two warriors. Had it gone just a bit further, the two Links would have easily been discovered. Luckily, the hallway was dark so he didn't see the Links. After pausing for a few seconds, the monster turned back around and moved back down the hall.
The Hero of Time waited for the ogre to walk halfway down the hall before taking action. Link watched as his counterpart ran behind the monster. He rolled forward then sprung into the air. He came down with a vertical slash and cut clean into the beast. It exploded in a cloud of green smoke. Link came out of hiding after the coast was clear.
They continued to walk through the halls. The Link from the future walked behind the other Link. Suddenly, he stepped onto a stone that was slightly raised from the rest. The stone depressed into the floor and the entire floor panel slid away to reveal a trap door.
"AHHH..!!" Link cried when the floor fell out from under him.
"Link!" the other Link shouted upon hearing his companion's scream.
Acting quickly, Link managed to grab his Hookshot as he fell. The trap opened to the fiery lake below. Just before landing in the inferno, Link fired the Hookshot and latched onto a wooden beam overhead. Link pulled himself out of the pit and unhooked the spear from the ceiling. The other Link rushed to his side as he rose out of the pit.
OOOOOO
Link had spun around in time to see his partner vanish into a hole. When the other Link rose out after using his Hookshot, Link helped him out.
"Are you hurt?" Link asked with concern.
"No," he responded as he climbed out.
"Gardoc wasn't lying when he said there would be traps and patrols," Link said.
The floor panel trap door slid back into place and the trap reset.
"We must tread with more caution from here on," the Link from the future commented.
The two warriors once more slowly moved down the dark corridors of the castle.
A few minutes later, the heroes had not encountered any foes or traps as they came to another bend in the maze-like halls. However, before they could turn, another monster cut them off.
The Link from the future was caught off-guard as the creature ambushed him. It carried a club and pinned him to the wall with it. As he struggled to break free, Link rushed to try and get the monster's attention away from his companion. The beast had quick reflexes and pushed Link away with its free hand. Link was knocked into the wall.
"Behind you!" the other Link called to the Hero of Time.
WWWWWW
Link was trying to fight his way out from behind the monster's club. Then he eyed a suit of armor behind his partner. In the suit's hands was a large mace.
"Behind you!" he called to the other Link.
He saw the armor. The other Link shoulder-rammed it and knocked the heavy mace from the suit. As it fell, the monster reacted. It loosened its grip on Link to avoid the mace. Link took his chance and kicked the beast off himself. The monster staggered back was unscathed. It took a swing at Link but he rolled under the strike and behind his attacker. Link quickly spun around and stabbed the monster in the back. The creature let out a final growl and exploded. Link got off the ground and stood up. Just as he did, yet another creature appeared. This time, it was about to cut the other Link from behind.
"Get down!" Link called to the other. He pulled out an arrow and fired it at the monster. His cry managed to distract the monster long enough so he could shoot the projectile. The wooden arrow flew into the monster's forehead. The creature collapsed to its knees then landed face-down and it too exploded.
"Thanks," the other Link said after getting off the ground.
"I owed you for earlier," Link responded modestly.
Both heroes looked ahead of them. Before them were two doors leading up two staircases.
"I guess Gardoc predicts that we are going to split up here," Link commented on the situation.
"I think we should," his companion responded.
Link was a little surprised by his partner's solution.
"Wouldn't it be in our best interests to remain as a single unit on this quest?" he questioned.
"Normally, I'd agree," the other Link explained. "However, from the looks of things, this was explicitly designed for us to split up. Unless we do, I don't think we'll be able to continue. Remember, Gardoc designed this castle expecting us to come here. So he may have designed it so we can't stay together. Don't worry; I expect these two paths to eventually lead to the same place. I have a feeling that Gardoc does want us to find him so he can deal with us personally."
Despite Link's reservations about the strategy, he had to agree that there was no other way. After all, this was the Hero of Time he was talking to; a warrior who was considered the savior of his people back in his own time.
"I'll go this way. Take the other door," the Hero of Time said.
The Hero of Winds reluctantly agreed and the two warriors went up the separate staircases.
TO BE CONTINUED...
(Next time: The Hero of Time's battles!)
A/N: That's the end of Chapter 4 and for the time being, my work on this fanfic. Leave suggestions in your review and if it sounds like something I want to follow up on, I will when I get around to my next update. I know it doesn't sound too encouraging for anyone who likes this story but I'll try to at least get a 5th chapter written by the end of this year. So, salutations until next time!