Chapter 9: The Root of All Evil, Khimena's Return
Deep in the heart of the Dark Shrine, Ganondorf was irate at the loss of the Dark knuckles. "They failed. Your, all powerful, Dark knuckles failed. "
"Ah, but they didn't fail," said Scythe. "I had no doubt that they would be defeated. Their mission was not to destroy our enemies but merely, to delay them. In the time it took them to defeat the Dark knuckles and begin repairs on the Camber of Sages, we have gathered six more of the Dark Keys, and Darkania should arrive with the final key at any moment. You see, sometimes you have to lose in order to win." Darkania entered the room carrying the Key of Death. "At last the Keys of Pain, Sorrow, Famine, Pestilence, War, Greed, Despair, and Death have all been gathered together at the Dark Shrine."
"Finally," said Ganondorf. "We can now bring Khimena back from the Realm of Shadows."
"Patience, my friend," said Scythe. "Zinc and the others will arrive soon. I believe they should have the honor of bearing witness to Khimena's triumphant return."
"What?!" yelled Ganondorf. "Are you saying we should just let them in?!"
"Calm down," ordered Scythe. "I am merely stating that Zinc and his brother will get passed whatever we place in their way. We should wait for them. Khimena will enjoy a living sacrifice."
"You're insane," said Ganondorf.
"Perhaps," said Scythe. "But when they arrive, the turn of a key will bring forth the Dark One. Then, it will be too late." Scythe laughed vilely.
"Hey, bro, where is the entrance to the Dark Shrine supposed to be?" asked Link.
"It's located in a small building in the Haunted Wasteland," said Zinc as they flew over Gerudo Fortress. They landed next to a small building surrounded by a circle of torches.
"I've been here," said Link. "I had no idea it was the entrance to a shrine, dedicated to the resurrection of a dark god."
"Well, you do now," said Zinc. "Be alert. Scythe will have the place crawling with guards."
Zinc walked through the entrance and dropped down to the floor a few yards below. Link followed in the same manner.
Zelda opted to use the ladder. "One of you is going to break a leg doing that," she said.
"Yeah, you're probably right," said Link, "but that is what they make red potions for. So where's the entrance?"
"I thought you would have learned by now," said Zinc. "Zelda, I'm sure you know about this one."
"Indeed, I do," said Zelda. She pushed in on one of the walls, which swung open.
"That's it," said Link. "When this is all said and done, I want you two to show me every secret passage you know about."
As they walked through the door, a trio of Stalfoes dropped down to the floor.
"Aw man, there's only three," said Link drawing the Master Sword. "I won't even break a sweat. Just for fun, I think I'll try out Darunia's medallion." Link took out the medallion; he used it to summon a wall of flame that mowed down the Stalfoes, killing two and crippling the third. Link finished it off with a sword slash.
"Is it just me or was that too easy," said Zelda.
"Yeah, I'm surprised those weren't some of Scythe's Super Stalfoes," said Zinc. A massive Stalfoe, heavily clad in blue armor, appeared in the room.
Link shot is brother a sarcastic grin. "This time you should have kept your mouth shut."
"Just follow my lead. These guys are tough to defeat," said Zinc pulling out the Wind Medallion. "Arctic Wind." A blast of frigid air hit the Super Stalfoe encasing its body in ice. Cracks formed in the ice, as the Stalfoe tried to break out. "Link, brace the ice with your Ivy Rope."
"Right," Link pulled out his Forest Medallion; ropes of ivy sprang from the ground, wrapping around the ice-encased Super Stalfoe. Zinc followed up by using Dax's Lightning Punch, and Link used the Spirit Medallion to throw a white disk of spirit energy. The attacks hit the Super Stalfoe, shattering its body.
"Link, find and destroy the head!" yelled Zinc.
"What? Why?" asked Link. He screamed out in pain as a piece of bone cut into his left shoulder. The shattered bones were gathering in the center of the room, where they were reforming the Super Stalfoe. Link covered his wound with his right hand and scanned the room for the head of the Super Stalfoe.
"There it is!" yelled Zelda pointing to a corner of the room, where the head of the Stalfoe was waiting for its body to reform. She hit it with a blast of blue-white magic.
"Link, how is it you get the perfect girl, and I get Ms. Personality?" asked Zinc.
"I'm just lucky, I guess," said Link.
"Let's take a look at that shoulder," said Zinc. Link rolled up his sleeve. The cut was deep and bleeding badly. Link took out the Water Medallion. A small rain cloud appeared over Link's shoulder. A gentle rainfall from the cloud caused the wound to heal. Link rotated his shoulder and rolled his sleeve back down.
"Wow, who would have thought Ruto would have come up with a useful spell," said Link with a slight laugh. "It's still a little sore though."
Zinc opened the door to the next room. Inside was a Giant Dodongo. It was bigger even than the one that guarded Dodongo's Cavern. It took a deep breath and shot out an intense blue flame. Link, Zinc, and Zelda all managed to dodge the attack.
"Looks like Scythe's been using his dark powers on more than Stalfoes," said Zinc. "Dang, that thing's huge." The Dodongo took a deep breath. Link seized the moment to toss a bomb down its throat. The sides of the monster expanded from the explosion, but it was otherwise unharmed.
"Use the masks!" shouted Link. Link, Zinc, and Zelda all used their respective masks. In a bright flash, the three were transformed into their oni-selves. As the Dodongo opened its mouth for its next attack, Oni-Zinc shot an energy disc in to the monster's mouth. The massive Dodongo staggered from the attack, but took a few steps forward anyway.
"Link, Zelda, combine your attacks with mine," said Oni-Zinc. The Dodongo opened mouth again to attack. This time, Oni-Link and Oni-Zinc sent energy disks from their swords, and Oni-Zelda used a magical blast. When the three attacks hit the monster, it shuddered violently and hit the ground dead. Everyone took off their masks. The sides of the Dodongo began to expand and contract rapidly.
"Oh, Goddesses! I just remembered dodongos exploded when they die!" exclaimed Link.
Zinc pulled out the Metal Medallion. "Quick, you two get behind me," he said. Liquid steel poured out of the medallion, covered Zinc from head to toe, and hardened. Zelda and Link ducked behind Zinc. The Dodongo exploded. Zinc's steel body shielded Link and Zelda from the worst of the blast.
"Are you two okay?" asked Zinc returning to normal.
"We're fine," said Link. "What about you?"
"Nothing a few potions won't fix," said Zinc.
Link walked up to the door to the next chamber. He walked into a room that was completely empty.
"Hey, what break," said Link. "There's no one here to fight."
"I'm afraid you're wrong this time, Link," said Zinc. He walked passed Link, and turned to face him. Zinc unsheathed his sword.
"What's going on?" asked Link.
"Haven't you figured it out yet?" asked Zinc. "I've been working for Scythe. He ordered me to lead you on wild goose chases, while he made preparations for Khimena's resurrection."
"What about the Sages?" asked Link.
Zinc laughed. "They're all dead, killed by Pike and my False Sages. Zelda's dead too."
"You, how could you?" asked Link. "I'll kill you." Link unsheathed his sword and charged at Zinc half-blinded by rage. Link slashed his sword straight at Zinc's neck. Zinc blocked the attack and laughed. Zinc swung his sword. Link dodged the attack and threw a punch, which connected with the side of Zinc's abdomen. Link grabbed Zinc by the shoulders and kneed him in the stomach. Link then hit Zinc with a right hook across the jaw, knocking Zinc to the ground.
"Come on" said Zinc getting to his feet. "Is that the best you've got?" Zinc licked the blood off on his lower lip and spit it to the ground. He kicked Link in the chest, and then elbowed him in the back of the head. Just before Link hit the ground, he thought he heard a door opening. Link stood back up. He swung his sword, but Zinc once again blocked it with his sword. Zinc delivered an overhead slash. Link blocked the attack, but Zinc kept applying pressure to the sword, forcing Link to his knees. Zinc kicked Link in the stomach and grabbed Link's left wrist. As Zinc drew back his sword for the death strike, a sword came from behind Link, and stabbed Zinc in the throat. Zinc dropped his sword, and his eyes rolled back into his head. Zinc's body began to change shape. When it was done, Zinc had become a brown, gangly creature with a potato-like head. The real Zinc withdrew his sword from the neck of the creature and wiped it clean.
"And that, dear brother, was a dark born," said Zinc. "You seemed really angry when you were fighting that thing. What did you see?"
"It's not important," said Link.
"The best way to face your fear is to talk about it," said Zinc.
"I saw you," said Link. "You, no, it said that you were working for Scythe; that you had Pike kill the sages, and you killed Zelda."
"Look, Pike may seem mean-spirited at first, but once you get to know her, you won't find a nicer person," said Zinc. "And the last thing I would ever do is work for Scythe. He is solely responsible for the deaths of countless people, including our father."
"What? But I always thought that he died in the Great War."
"He died during the War, not because of it. Our father was one of the War's greatest Hylain generals, and the king's personal bodyguard. He even created the fighting style that is most commonly used by members of the Knights of Hyrule. But, I don't think that's why Scythe killed him. Scythe did it for fun."
"How do you know all that?" asked Link.
"The Sheikah told me," said Zinc. "Nothing happens in Hyrule with out them knowing about it."
"One more question, why weren't you affected by the darkborn?" asked Link.
"I faced my greatest fear long ago," said Zinc. "I saw the darkborn for what it was."
"What was your fear?" asked Link.
"Skulltulas," said Zinc. He walked to the entrance of the room and opened the door. "It's safe to come in know, Zelda."
"What happened in here?" asked Zelda entering the room. "Why did you tell me to say behind, Zinc?"
"He figured it wouldn't be safe for you to fight this monster," said Link.
"The Dark Shrine is just beyond this room," said Zinc. "Let's finish this." They walked through the exit to room and into the Dark Shrine. The Dark Shrine was a huge room with chains of skulls hanging from the ceiling and a thick, foul-smelling, green mist hanging about. Ganondorf and Scythe were sitting in two large chairs at the opposite end of the room.
"Ah, Link, we meet face-to-face, at last," said Scythe.
"I find it ironic you say that, while wearing that hood," said Link.
Scythe laughed at hearing this. "Darkania!" he called. Darkania appeared in the room.
"How may I serve you, Lord Scythe," she asked.
"I believe you wished to be informed when the princess, Zelda, arrived." Scythe said.
"I shall take care of her for you, my lord," said Darkania.
"I want her to remain alive, but otherwise you may do what you wish," said Scythe.
"Thank you, my lord," said Darkania. "I told you we would finish this later, Zelda." Darkania began to float in the air, her hands glowing with dark energy.
"Ganondorf, take care of the Brothers of Time," ordered Scythe.
"Why should I take your orders?" demanded Ganondorf. Scythe placed his hand on Ganondorf's shoulder; Ganondorf's entire body shuddered with extreme pain.
"Do you have any more questions?" asked Scythe. Ganondorf stood up and approached Link and Zinc. He raised his hand, formed a ball of energy, and threw it at Zinc. Zinc struck the energy ball with his sword sending it back at Ganondorf. Ganondorf deflected the ball. Link took out his bow and shot a Light Arrow at Ganondorf. The arrow hit its target, knocking Ganondorf to the ground.
Meanwhile, Darkania were exchanging magical attacks. Darkania charged up a huge ball of energy and sent it at Zelda. Zelda formed an energy shield to block the attack. Zelda raised her hands to the sky, and several bolts of light energy rained down from the ceiling, striking Darkania. Zelda fired an energy disc at Darkania. Darkania opened a black vortex, which absorbed the attack.
Ganondorf had recovered from being hit from the Light Arrow. He raised his hand to the air, and large sword appeared. Ganondorf swung his sword at Link. Zinc stepped in the way and blocked the attack. Link jumped onto his brother's shoulders. He jumped again, and on the way down, he wrapped his legs around Ganondorf's head. When Link hit the ground, he pulled his legs forward throwing Ganondorf to the ground. Zinc took out the Earth Medallion. The ground shook from the power of the medallion. The earthquake created a shock wave that hit Ganondorf, sending him flying into the wall.
Darkania threw a wave of dark energy at Zelda. Zelda dodged the attack and raised her hands. A bright flash of light temporarily blinded Darkania. Zelda teleported behind Darkania and hit her with a blast of magic. Darkania fell to the ground unconscious.
"Scythe, help me!" shouted Ganondorf as Link and Zinc closed in on him.
"Why don't you turn into that monster, you brag so much about?" asked Scythe.
"I can't," said Ganondorf. "I need the Triforce of Power to transform." Scythe sighed and pointed his skeletal hand at Ganondorf. Dark energy from Scythe hand flooded into Ganondorf's body. Ganondorf grew to immense height. He sprouted horns and his face became pig-like. His legs became those of a goat and he grew a lizard-like tail. The monster let out a loud roar and two energy blades appeared in his hands.
"It's Ganon!" shouted Link. Ganon took a slash at Link. Link rolled out of the way of the attack. He shot a Light Arrow at Ganon, momentarily stunning him. Zinc slashed at one of Ganon's legs, but his sword bounced harmlessly off Ganon's thick hide. Ganon recovered from the Light Arrow and struck Zinc with one of the energy blades. Zinc flew across the room and slammed hard into one of the walls.
"Zinc! Ganon's tail is his weak point!" shouted Link. Zinc pulled himself up off the floor and charged at Ganon. Ganon swung his energy sword at Zinc, but Zinc jumped over the blade and delivered a sword strike to Ganon's tail. Ganon roared in pain. He turned to face Zinc, but when Ganon turned completely around, Link delivered another strike to his tail. Zelda, having recovered from the fight with Darkania, pinned Ganon to the ground with a beam of light. Link ran up Ganon's back and jumped to the ground in front of Ganon, where Zinc stood. Both brothers began charging their swords. When the swords were charged, they both hit Ganon with a spin attack. Ganon turned back into Ganondorf and passed out.
"Well done," said Scythe applauding. "I regret that I must kill you by unleashing the Dark One, Khimena."
"What's the matter, Scythe? Are you afraid to fight us your self?" asked Link.
"Why bother?" asked Scythe. "Zinc has defeated me once before, on his own. Fighting the three of you would be a waste of time. Besides, although I enjoy causing pain and death, I rather detest fighting." Scythe waved his hand, and a wave of dark energy hit Link, Zinc, and Zelda, knocking them to the ground.
"I can't move!" shouted Link.
"The paralysis shall pass quickly," said Scythe. He walked over to the Door of the Realm of Shadows, and placed the final key in its lock and turned it. The door began to open and pure darkness began to seep through. When the door was completely opened, a man walked through. The man was easily eight feet tall. He had dark skin and long, black hair. He was clothed in a very old style black tunic and black tights.
"Are you the one who released me?" the man asked Scythe in a deep voice, that sound as if it contained the dying screams of millions of innocents.
"Indeed, I am, Lord Khimena," said Scythe. "I have also prepared a sacrifice, three heroes, who bear the marks of your Sisters."
Khimena looked at Link and the others. "So this is the Trinity of Time. The last thing I expected was that my Sisters would send children to stop me."
Zinc stood up as the paralysis wore off. "We're not children." Link and Zelda stood up as well.
"Would you like me to take care of them for you, Lord Khimena?" asked Scythe.
"I have a better idea," said Khimena. He snapped his fingers and, Scythe, Ganondorf, and Darkania disappeared.
"What did you do to them?" demanded Zelda.
"I sent them somewhere they could safe until I require their services," said Khimena, "The Realm of Shadows. As for the three of you." Khimena snapped his fingers again and the room went completely black.