Disclaimer:
The Legend of Zelda is property of Nintendo.
Author's Notes:
Well, I've finally updated after at least a two weak break. Hopefully I'll get chapters done more regularly now.
Reviews have been slowing down a lot, and I think it might be because of my lack of updating or something. It seems like I've been in the eighties for a review count for a really long time, and I'm hoping that if I get back to updating it will help. If you don't like something about the story, don't just stop reading but tell me what's wrong in a review and I'll at least explain why I did that. Not everyone can always be pleased, though.
This next part talks about my opinions, so if you don't care about what I think, then don't bother reading. It gets kind of long, but it may give some insight into the future of the story:
Okay, so I've got some speculating to do. Over the last day or two I've been reading a ton of articles and theories about The Legend of Zelda, specifically Ocarina of Time, posted on different Zelda sites and stuff. I've been trying to figure out if Link was destined more to fall in love with Zelda or Malon, and it's a difficult task. The first time I played Ocarina of Time I immediately liked Malon more than Zelda, basically because Zelda annoyed me. I never liked the way she seemed to just sit around all the time and let Link do all the work. As I've grown older I've realized that there's explanations for all of this, such as the fact that the Princess of Hyrule can't just go run off on some adventure, whereas Link has the freedom to do basically whatever he feels like. One of the other reasons I favored Malon was because she was not a Princess or noble of some sort, but just an ordinary girl who shared more similarities with Link than Zelda did. Of course, back then I couldn't stand Zelda ever since I played A Link to the Past because she doesn't do anything but send Link off on some nearly suicidal quest. So, when Malon was introduced I was drawn to her in a way and really liked the idea of Link ending up with her. Of course, this was all when I was a lot younger and not as open to ideas as I am now.
So, basically what I'm trying to say is that I'm not sure who to make Link end up with and I'm on a search to discover which of the two candidates I'll choose. So far, this story has leaned slightly toward Zelda, which was who I was originally planning on throwing Link together with. I've sent Link off on a quest, but this time Zelda accompanies him, and Malon is completely separated from the hero. I'm guessing a lot of you have figured out that Zelda was the original choice for this story through the infrequent hints I've scattered throughout. As I've said before, one of the reasons I used to like Malon better was because Zelda was made to be helpless. This always bothered me, but in my story I have the power to make her able to defend herself, which I have done.
I'm not quite done yet, so thanks if you've read this far. Anyway, I think that most of the articles I've read have pointed to Malon and given a lot of supporting evidence for this theory. According to one writer, he found from other 'unrevealed sources' that at the end of Ocarina of Time there was a deleted scene that showed Malon and Link riding into the sunset on Epona. I'm not using this as any evidence, though, since the source of the information was not given and I can't check its authenticity. I've also read a few articles that give evidence that Zelda is Link's sister, and even one that said that Ganondorf was their father. That would be an extremely bad Star Wars cliché. The idea that Zelda may be Link's sister is sitting in the back of my mind but will not be used in my story, mainly because of a certain scene in Ocarina of Time at the end. Link and Zelda are standing in the clouds and the developers of the game seem to hint at some sort of relationship in the way that the two are very reluctant to part and very emotional.
So, in my search for knowledge I've began to give Malon more of a chance but haven't made much other progress and I can't say for sure which direction this story will take. I'd like to hear from you in a review which choice you prefer and especially which evidence you can think of that points to one of the two females. Sareth, from your reviews I've gathered that you have a vast knowledge of Zelda and it would be helpful to hear from you, as well as everyone else. I'll share more of my quest for knowledge in the next chapter, though hopefully it won't be as long.
On another note, everyone should read The Legend of Zelda: Dark Tide by Ace the Mace. It's an extremely good, but seemingly overlooked story that I've really been enjoying. Updates on the story are pretty regular, too. Well, my advertising's done.
I just discovered that the name Calatia came from a Zelda comic, or at least that's what I read on some site. I'm guessing it's true, as I've seen a lot of writers use Calatia. At least this means that I don't have to worry about who to give credit to for the nation; that's taken care of in the disclaimer. Actually, do I even need to put a disclaimer on every chapter? I've heard that there's one that applies to the entire site or something, but I'm not sure. I might continue placing one just in case.
Once again, read, enjoy, and PLEASE REVIEW!
The Legend of Zelda: The War of Power
Chapter 21: The Fall
"We're out of bombs, Sir!" a Goron bellowed from his position at the base of the Castle Town wall. Mahalda looked down and nodded.
"Everyone down to the gate!" the general commanded, "Prepare to hold them off for as long as we can!" The soldiers obeyed and quickly descended the ladders set up along the wall, gathering at the ready before the large drawbridge.
"Archers!" Mahalda yelled, "Stay above! Take out as many as possible before they reach the gate!" The few Hylian archers nodded and the Goron general made his way to the base of the wall, surveying the soldiers grouped before the gate. "This is it!" he boomed, "Our death awaits, but always remember what we are fighting and dieing for!" The soldiers cheered sadly but triumphantly as the bridge splintered under the pressure of the Coshraks' battering rams.
"Attack!" Mahalda bellowed as the beasts filtered in through the open gate, wading through the shallow waters of the moat to reach their targets. The Hyrulian soldiers rushed as one, engaging the creatures recklessly and furiously, surprising the Coshraks and succeeding in barring the entrance to the city.
Even as Mahalda struck down a beast with his hammer he realized that the battle was lost. Despite the determination of the Hyrulian army, the Coshraks were forcing their way through with their superior numbers and strength. Soldiers fell constantly to the weapons of the beasts, and Mahalda found himself lost in the carnage surrounding him, struggling to survive against the might of the enemy. He briefly noticed the sting of a mace against his thick hide before his leg became numb. Over the stench of blood and the inhuman cries of the Coshraks, he felt a blade enter his stomach and the blow of a bludgeon throw him to the ground. As the beasts swarmed above and trampled over his injured body, he passed out of consciousness and into a black void of emptiness through which nothing could be seen or heard. Mahalda, unaware of the pain and death that surrounded his still form, was content to remain in this new place for the time.
"So it is over," he thought before his mind cleared and he knew nothing.
***
"Wow," was the only word that Dek could utter as he looked upon the scene before him. He stared in disbelief and joy as his eyes traveled from the bodies of the slain wolves to the two elves clutching each other tightly in the center of the clearing. Link had his arms around Zelda, his eyes closed in concentration, and the princess stood shaking with a stunned look in her eyes.
Link's eyes suddenly snapped open and he released his grip on the girl before staring in awe at the destruction that he had just created. He was sweating profusely, an after-effect of the intense power that had been released from his body just moments before. Zelda collapsed onto the ground in shock and surveyed the carcasses of the beasts surrounding her as the sun slowly rose and bathed the sky in an orange light.
"What happened?" she managed to say, "In one moment I'm so close to death I can't think, and the next I'm alive and safe. What did you do, Link?"
"I don't know," the boy answered, still gaping at the carnage that he had created, "All I remember is that I was trying desperately to reach you and I felt a burning on the back of my hand. Then this."
Dek snapped himself out of his trance and surveyed the clearing fully for the first time, amazed at the destruction. The wolves not only had been thrown back and torn apart savagely, but the trees had been bent and broken. Snapped and splintered trunks littered the ground alongside the bodies of the wolves that had been so viciously ripped limb from limb.
"I did this?" Link said to himself as he too looked the horrific site, "How could…How could I cause this?" The boy seemed ready to break down and weep, Dek thought, as he knelt upon the ground and tilted his head to the sky. Link muttered something unintelligible and fell on his face in the dirt, his energy drained from him.
"Link!" Dek yelled in concern. The elf rushed to the boy, and knelt beside him, leaning his head back into his shoulder and sitting him upright. "Link," he called again, "What the heck happened? Wake up!" Dek shook the body violently, shouting the entire time, but still Link slept in an unconscious state. The high elf set him on his back upon the ground once again and rose to his feet, looking to Zelda. The princess continued to kneel, her head bowed, and it seemed that she was weeping.
"Zelda!" Dek called, almost angrily, "Snap out of it and get over here!" He trudged over to her upon seeing that she had not moved nor ceased her tears. "Look," he said sharply, "I don't know what happened or what's wrong with you, but Link needs help and you're the only one right now that can give it to him. And I'm not going to let you sit here while my best friend dies!" The elf placed a hand on the princess's shoulder and another under her elbow and helped her to her feet. Zelda looked into his eyes and the trance upon her broke and the tears stopped flowing.
"Link!" she yelled suddenly, noticing the still body of the boy and rushing to his side. She placed her hands upon his chest and wrist and felt for a sign of life, which she quickly found. Zelda proceeded to place her fingers on either side of Link's forehead and closed her eyes to concentrate, searching his body and mind for any sign of fatal injury.
"He's going to be okay," she sighed in relief, "He's just physically and mentally exhausted from what just happened."
"Which was?" Dek asked.
"The Triforce," Zelda said slowly, "He somehow used the Triforce of Courage to do all of this." She gestured to the edges of the clearing but was unable to bear the thought of the destruction that Link had created and exploded into tears once again.
"Link did all of this," Dek said to himself, "I've never seen so much carnage except among wolfos themselves. They've been ripped apart." The elf suddenly found himself feeling slightly ill at the sight of the scattered limbs and heads of the wolves that had been so viciously ripped from their bodies.
"Let's get out of here," he said, "Before Link wakes. I don't want him to see this again." Zelda nodded as Dek lifted the unconscious Hylian off the ground and slung him over his shoulder. The princess followed the elf as he followed the river and entered into the thick woods once again.
"So," Dek began, "Are you going to tell me why you and Link were acting so strange?" Zelda cast her eyes to the ground.
"I'm not sure," she said, "It was just…the shock, I guess. When it happened…I saw Link coming toward me out of the corner of my eye, but he was glowing. I remember thinking that was strange and suddenly his arms were around me and I was blinded by the light that poured from him. I saw…those wolves…they were ripped apart right in front of me. I saw…" Her voice suddenly broke at the memory but she struggled to continue. "Link…" she said quietly, "The power that he used completely drained him. He's terrified of the destruction he caused. He didn't mean to, but it happened anyway. He's scared of himself, I think, and he's scared of what he's capable of. We've never discovered what power the Triforce of Courage truly holds."
"How can something supposedly so divine," Dek started, "cause so much destruction?"
***
The two Gerudo leapt back from the opposing attack and eyed each other menacingly before charging once again and becoming a blur of flashing blades. Alria acted only on instinct, relying on her reflexes to dodge the blows of the more experienced warrior. She moved without thought, allowing her body to move faster than her mind could register. She sidestepped an attack and ducked under another in the same instant before retaliating with her own sharp jabs and vicious swings. Alria struck a blow to the Obaru's cheek only to be caught in the midsection by her opponent's scimitar. She briefly noticed that hers and her opponent's bodies were lined with small gashes and numerous wounds from which blood seeped through the skin. The blows that made contact, however, were far too weak to be fatal and the two warriors continued their dance.
Alria was forced back as the flat of Obaru's blade smashed into her skull, bringing dizziness and disorientation with it. She struggled to maintain her focus as the elder Gerudo charged her with amazing speed. Alria barely regained her senses and leapt into the air, the attack passing under her as she flipped and landed gracefully behind Obaru.
"You cannot beat me," the Gerudo leader growled, "Everything you know about fighting and anything else came from me. I know everything that you will counter with before you do. The apprentice will never defeat the master!"
"We'll see!" Alria yelled and charged once again.
Obaru easily sidestepped Alria's initial blow and deflected the secondary attack before lashing out with her foot and connecting with her opponent's midsection. The younger Gerudo stumbled back and barely dodged the oncoming slash before her skull reeled from the blow of a powerful kick. Alria shook her head to clear her vision and managed to raise her blades and block Obaru's twin scimitars. The two stood locked in that position for a brief second before Alria lashed out with a kick and swept her opponent's legs off of the ground. Obaru, however, was unfazed and simply flipped backward and landed gracefully on her feet, smiling.
"You have much to learn," the elder Gerudo said, "You lack the experience needed to defeat me. And you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment."
"Why don't you stop talking," Alria started, "and fight!" She charged her former mentor and leapt at her in a deadly spin, her twin blades flashing in the daylight. Obaru, though, was prepared for this and dashed into the oncoming attack without fear, grabbing Alria's wrists and smashing her head into the younger Gerudo's forehead before kicking her in the midsection once more. Obaru then released her grip on her opponent's arms and leapt away as Alria fell to the ground and staggered back, clutching her stomach.
"I taught you that move," Obaru said, "I know every weakness of every attack that you have mastered. It is pointless to continue."
"I will not back down!" Alria yelled, "Not while I still draw breath!" The girl dashed toward her opponent once again only to be met by a blast of flame that sent her careening through the air and onto the ground, her arm that had been nearest the fire charred painfully. "What…" Alria groaned, struggling to stand, "was…that?"
"Unexpected, wasn't it?" Obaru smiled, "You see now that this fight is hopeless."
"You…" Alria stood, cradling her injured arm, "the black arts… How could you?"
"I desired more power," the elder Gerudo said indifferently, "What better way to obtain it than by the same magic that gave the great Ganondorf such awesome power."
"You're not the mentor I once looked up to," Alria said, "I don't know what happened, but now that I have seen what you have become I know I must destroy you or die trying."
"You cannot win," Obaru said, "I will give you one last chance to join me before I end your meaningless life." As she was saying this, the Gerudo created a ball of flame which hovered just above her left palm.
"Never!" Alria shouted as she leapt at her opponent. The fireball shot toward her, grazing her injured arm as she twisted and barely avoided the full power of the attack. She cried in agony as the pain caused her arm to release it's grip on her blade, though she continued her assault. Alria screamed as she was met by the sudden force of another blast and held her single blade up in defense against the fire. The plume of flames remained constant, pressing against the girl with the might of an inferno, and Alria weakened as the fire burned her body. She screamed once again before losing all strength and being thrown violently to the ground, her body smoking and bleeding and her clothes blackened and charred. She struggled to her knees and looked up as her opponent approached her slowly.
"You were the closest thing I had to a daughter," Obaru said, and Alria believed for a moment that she saw genuine sadness and remorse in her enemy's eyes, though it disappeared in less than a moment and the hardened gaze returned. "You could have been the best," the elder Gerudo spoke angrily, "You had it in you. In time, you could have surpassed me had I trained you further. It is a pity you have chosen death. You could have become like what you see before you."
"I have no desire to become a monster such as you," Alria said, glaring. Obaru's eyes flashed with rage and she lifted the girl by her neck as Alria gasped for breath.
"Is that what you see me as?" Obaru screamed, "A monster! You don't know what I have been through! Do not judge me! When faced with the decision to stand by and suffer or claim a power that was meant to be yours, what choice do you have!?" The Gerudo quieted and Alria saw once again the image of regret and pain in her eyes. "No, Alria," Obaru said sadly, "I am no monster."
"What…happened?" Alria gasped.
"You need not know of my past," Obaru said before returning to her cold demeanor once again, "Only know that I am now who you see before you, and I will show you no mercy."
"Then my mentor is gone," Alria said sadly as she prepared herself for the final blow.
***
"Hawehn, take Malon and get to somewhere safe," Amir said as he unsheathed his broadsword, "Stay out of sight. This doesn't look good." Hawehn merely nodded as the Calatian rushed toward the chaotic battle, worry evident on her face.
"He'll be back," Malon comforted the woman, "But we better go or else Amir won't have anyone to come back to." Hawehn agreed and Malon led both her and Epona to the edge of the thick forest that surrounded the clearing on either side. The Hylians positioned themselves in the shelter of the large evergreen trees and Epona stood at Malon's side, seemingly restless as she watched the battle in the clearing.
"I know you want to help, Epona," Malon said, "But you know I'm not a fighter, and Link's not here to ride you, so I guess you're stuck in hiding." Hawehn looked at the girl, confused. "She wants to be out there," Malon explained, indicating Epona, "She's accustomed to taking place in a battle, not watching it from the side." Malon stroked the horse's mane affectionately, "You've been spending too much time around Link, haven't you, girl?" The mare neighed in agreement and brushed her head up against the girl's hand. Malon smiled and turned her eyes back to the battle that had just begun.
Impa was ordering the women and children to seek shelter, her voice booming throughout the clearing, while those able to fight met the Gerudo enemy in a clash of blades. The skill of the Gerudo, though, surpassed that of the Hylians, and Malon realized with dismay that the greatest warriors had been left in Castle Town to slow the tide of the Coshrak force.
The girl gasped as her eyes focused on a single man fighting amidst the chaos, trying desperately to wield a sword he had little experience with.
"Daddy!" she cried as Talon was thrown to the ground, his blade shaken from his hands. He looked up in fear as a Gerudo warrior advanced on him slowly, her scimitars poised to deliver the killing strike. Epona noticed the situation as well and whined violently, throwing herself back on her hind legs and preparing to charge into the fray. Without a thought Malon leapt upon the mare's back and removed her bow from the pouch on her back. Epona neighed in agreement and galloped toward the ranch owner as the girl swiftly fit an arrow to her bowstring.
Malon had never used her bow for anything other than sport, and had never considered using it for a purpose such as taking the life of another. She forced these thoughts out of her mind, though, as she aimed for her target and loosed her arrow. The bowstring hummed as the pressure on it was released and the Gerudo which held Talon's life in her hands gasped as the projectile lodged itself in her chest. Epona slowed and stopped beside the fallen ranch owner as Malon leapt from her perch atop the horse. She stood shakily and looked into the young Gerudo's eyes, full of pain and surprise. Malon could see a sign regret in her opponent's eyes, regret that her life had ended in such a way. As she continued staring, she felt she could see the woman's hopes and dreams by reading her bewildered expression, vivid images of a wonderful life and years not yet lived.
Malon stood, horrified, as the woman fell to the ground and lay still. The girl collapsed into her father's opened arms and cried violently, the stench of the blood of the fallen Gerudo sending sickening lurches through her stomach as she sobbed. She felt her mind threatening to pass into unconsciousness as a single thought repeated itself infinitely, each time becoming more terrifying than the last.
"How could I?" she thought again, "How could I do such a thing?"
***
Obaru halted her blade inches from Alria's neck upon recognizing the feel of cold steel against her throat.
"Release her," a menacing voice said from her side. The Gerudo obeyed and Alria fell to the ground, clutching her throat and gasping for breath. Obaru smiled and turned her head slightly so that she could look upon the one who had subdued her.
"Ah," she said knowingly, "the Sheikah shows her face."
"What is the meaning of this?" Impa questioned, her free hand gripping the back of the Gerudo's neck.
"You know," Obaru said coldly, "You tried to destroy us."
"That's a lie," Impa said, "And you know that as well as I do."
"I'm not referring necessarily to the attack," the Gerudo snarled, "Since you destroyed our great leader Ganondorf you have been plotting against us. Every peace treaty, every gesture of friendship was made to hide your true ambitions."
"Ganondorf was a fool who received the punishment he deserved," Impa countered, "How can you still cling to the belief that he cared for you? He hated the Gerudo as much as he hated the Hylians."
"He did not hate us!" Obaru yelled, "He was our leader! He protected us from the threat of your filthy king!" Impa suddenly and violently increased the pressure on the Gerudo's throat as she spoke.
"I will not let King Harkinian be dishonored by your traitorous mouth," she said menacingly, "What have you done to the proud race of the Gerudo so as to make them attack helpless women and children?"
"I merely revealed to them the truth," Obaru said, "I lifted the veil that has covered their eyes since the great Ganondorf's defeat and showed them the true faces of you and your dirty Hylians. This one," she said, indicating Alria, "as well as Nabooru, would not join their sisters and aid us in obtaining our revenge."
"Where is Nabooru?" Impa questioned, pressing the knife still harder into the woman's throat, "What have you done to her?"
"She…" Obaru struggled for breath, "She is dead."
"You lie!" Impa snarled.
"Do you need convincing?" Obaru smiled sinisterly as she reached into a pouch at her waist and removed a medallion attached to a small chain. Impa snatched the trinket with the hand that formerly gripped Obaru's neck and studied it carefully, showing no signs of outward horror or realization to her opponent.
"The Spirit Medallion," she said, a sadness creeping into her voice. She fingered the medal that signified Nabooru's position as the Sage of Spirit. "She would die defending this," Impa realized, then glared at the Gerudo subdued by her dagger, "You are insane. You have destroyed the Gerudo and created a race of vengeance. There is no punishment worthy of your crime other than to be removed from this world."
"You think it so easy to be rid of me," Obaru grinned, "But you have lost the chance to finish me. I may flee now, but I will return." The Gerudo suddenly disappeared in an eruption of flame, the fires scorching Impa's hands and leaving nothing but a blackened mark upon the ground. Impa, though her fury burned inside her, was a Sheikah and she controlled her emotions perfectly as she surveyed the battle.
The Gerudo had fallen. Being the proud warriors that they were known for, the thieves had refused to retreat or bend to capture and had suffered death at the hands of the Hylians. The bodies of the Gerudo littered the ground, as did the bodies of many brave Hylians who had met the sudden onslaught of the ambush. Impa grimly noticed that a far greater number of Hylians had been lost than Gerudo, as the desert warriors possessed skills beyond that of the weaker soldiers that had been left with the fleeing group.
"We have not time enough to mourn!" Impa boomed loudly, startling the Hylians that were grieving over the bodies of their loved ones, "We must press on lest we suffer a fate worse than those that have fallen!" The people rose slowly, those with injuries being carried and receiving medical attention, and the women and children pressing on with their faces downcast.
"How much more of this can we take?" Impa asked herself, "How much more before the Hylians become nothing more than a myth to the surviving world?"
***
"How does Link do it?" Malon thought aloud, "How does anyone do it?" She walked slowly, supporting the injured Alria as the two marched amidst the mass of the surviving Hylians.
"How does Link do what?" Alria asked, confused.
"He's killed so much in his life, ever since he was young," Malon continued, "How does he cope with the fact that he has taken the life of so many creatures?"
"Oh," Alria walked silently in understanding for a moment before continuing, "I don't really have an answer for you. I've always felt that each person needs to discover an answer for themselves."
"When was the first time…" Malon started, "When was the first time you killed?"
"Well, the first time I killed anything like a Hylian, Gerudo, Solatian, or such, was the beginning of this war," Alria answered, "I've been telling myself that it's a war and those deaths were needed so that a peaceful compromise can be reached. I can't say it really helps very much. The first time I killed anything, though, was when I was just a small child, I think of eleven years. A nest of desert wolfos had been discovered near the Gerudo fortress, and a group of the older girls had been instructed to search out the creatures and destroy them before they tunneled their way into the base. I wanted to accompany them because I was a energetic child eager to go on an adventure. After a lot of arguing, I was allowed to go along, and we eventually found the nest within a cave beneath the sand. We discovered a family of wolfos within the ground, and the leader of our group decided that it would be wise to kill the creatures before the male returned to the den. We would deal with him later. It took a lot of effort to slay the mother, but in the end I was the one that fired the killing shot. I remember looking upon the pups as they watched their mother die, and I felt a sickness creep into my stomach that I had never before experienced. I stood quietly as the girls moved on to finish their task. I watched as the defenseless pups were slaughtered and I fell to the ground, feeling as if I might pass out at any moment. I knew in the back of my mind that if the pups were allowed to live they would terrorize the fortress and prey on the younger Gerudo, but the situation still felt horribly wrong. I was sick for a few days, but I eventually returned to normal and tried to forget that day. Since then, I have been forced to kill creatures that have attacked me such as lizalfos and leevers, and I guess I have learned to deal with my feelings."
"I saw…" Malon started, "I saw so much when I looked into her eyes. So much pain and remorse, and even hopes of a future. Those eyes still haunt me."
"You did what you had to do," Alria said, "You saved your father, but took another life in the process. It will never seem completely right to you, but the best advice I can give is to discover your own way to deal with the experience."
"I guess," Malon said, "But I will not do it again."