The Legend of Zelda: The Dream Walker
Chapter 13
"Unforgiveable crimes"
By MEGAMANX411

Link took note of the news Meia presented to him, and then proceeded to the sanctuary at the north end of Inoa. He found that Septimus was already there, waiting just outside of the holy shrine.

"Septimus!" Link shouted, waving a hand as he was walking up to him.

Setpimus waved back.

"Hello Link," he replied. "I've decided to do a little investigating...I think Ronan's up to something. The door's locked, so I've thought of another way in....."

Link instantly caught on to what he was thinking, and he wasn't willing to engage in it. Breaking into the building, to be precise. Link worriedly shook his head.

"I agree that we need to get in, but we can't break into a holy sanctuary!" he replied hastily.

Septimus thought for a moment, looking up at the sky blankly, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Eternal damnation....?" he whispered, weighing his options. "Eh, I'm willing to risk it."

Link was dumbfounded, and was almost at a complete loss for words.

"But...but...but..." he stammered.

Septimus bent down, and picked up a nearby rock.

"What are you doing with that?" Link asked worriedly, already knowing what Septimus had planned.

He threw the rock and busted a window. The pane of colored glass shattered with a loud crash, and Link covered his ears and turned his head, in hopes that no one would notice.

"Did you have to be so loud?!" Link screamed.

Septimus shrugged, and gave Link an arrogant smirk.

"Come on, live a little!" he replied.

Link rolled his eyes.

"And that's coming from a scholar....sheesh...." he muttered.

Link climbed up the back wall, and jumped through the broken window with ease, easily avoiding being cut by the broken glass.

"I hope you're right Septimus...." Link muttered to himself.

Link found himself in a kitchen area. He gave the area a quick look around. Nothing out of the ordinary. This must've been one of the sanctuary's services, providing food for the hungry, obviously. Link descended downstairs, and went to the front door and unlocked it. Septimus came in. Link turned around, looking back at the expansive sanctuary.

"Let's have a look around," he suggested.

"Right," Septimus replied.

Both Link and Septimus began searching around the altar area. For a little while, they didn't find much, but soon, Septimus spotted something. He jumped with eagerness at his discovery.

"I found somthing!" he shouted.

"What did you find?"Link asked.

Septimus turned to Link, and placed a hand on his chin, as if he were in deep thought.

"I don't know," he replied. "It's some kind of switch underneat this altar. Should...should I press it?" he asked, sounding rather unsure.

Link shrugged, but his facial expression defintely denoted some feeling of insecurity.

"I don't know....we won't know until we try, right?" he replied.

Septimus sighed deeply.

"Right..." he whispered.

Link and Septimus both clenched their eyes shut as they flipped the switch. Nothing happened. They both breathed deeply in relief.

"That scared the heck out of me.." Link muttered.

"Yeah, me too...." Septimus added.

Septimus leaned back, and laid his arms down on another altar...and pressed another switch. Link heard a noise, like some restraint was cut loose, and something began to fall. He looked up....a huge steel spiked ball was falling down!

"Watch out!" Link shouted, diving at Septimus to get him out of the way.

Link dove and grabbed Septimus, taking him out of harm's way as the trap plummeted into the floor, causing a major fissure in the plating on the church floor.

"Whew," Link muttered, wiping a drop of sweat from his forehead. "Now THAT was close..."

Septimus was heaving breaths, clearly shocked at this turn of events.

"Thank you Link...you saved my life.." he whispered.

Link smirked, and gave Septimus a pat on the back.

"Well, I wasn't going to let you die..and you're my friend," he added.

Something caught Septimus' eye. Link caught on as well.

"What is it this time? PLEASE dont' be another death-trap switch...." he added.

Septimus looked at Link.

"Should...should I press it?" he asked.

Link's eyes widened.

"I really don't know this time...what if it's a trap?" he replied.

Septimus shrugged.

"I don't know...this switch...it could either hold some great key or kill us..." he muttered.

Link gave Septimus a rather annoyed look.

"That's not something you should joke about..." Link replied, sounding a bit nervous.

Septimus began to reach for the switch.

"I say...we press it," he replied.

Link placed a hand on Septimus' shoulder.

"Just...pay attention to anything above you this time..." he added.

Septimus flipped the switch, and they tensed up as the switch slowly activated.

"Did...it...do anything?" Link asked, looking around the room quickly.

As Link finished uttering those words, the main altar began to move!

"Look at that...it's a secret passageway!" Link observed.

Septimus nodded.

"Yes, and in a church? This reeks of suspicion," he added.

Link nodded back, craning his neck afterward so he could see down the stairs.

"Let's take a look then," he replied.

Link and Septimus headed down the stairs. They were utterly shocked to see the demonic visage of Melzas there. A statue of Melzas. In the sanctuary, of all places! And Ronan was there as well, making the situation seem even more controversial.

Septimus extended a finger to the supposed priest.

"Ronan, statues are against the king's law," he warned, gesturing to the staute of Melzas.

Ronan turned, and looked rather frustrated. He didn't appear to be the same kind gentle man beforehand. He was middle-aged, and had white hair. He had a mustache, and deep blue eyes. However, his eyes gave off a feeling that Link particularly didn't care for..it wasn't holiness or spiritual reverance, that was for sure. He gave Septimusa hard scowl.

"The laws of men do not apply to Gods! The people have betrayed the Gods, and they demand respect. You cannot expect me to turn my back on them," he preached, sounding a little less than sane.

Link was in shock looking at the statue of Melzas, as if the evil emanating from it was choking him, robbing him of his ability to speak.

"The Gods are angry at the people. That's why there is so much despair now," he added. "The Gods are having their revenge!"

Septimus shook his head, his blonde hair swaying from side to side from the fast movement.

"Gods are supposed to be beings of mercy! That's not what it is!" he shouted.

Ronan chuckled in such a manner that it seemed he was completely devoid of reason or compassion.

"Is that what you say Septimus? You should know that the Gods are vengeful, and that they may take vengence on anyone. Even you. Or anyone...." he said, worrying both Septimus and Link at the malice evident in his voice.

"Ronan..." Septimus muttered, sounding angry.

Link grabbed Septimus' shoulder, and slowly walked up the stairs. He could only stare at Ronan in anger as he walked off. The priest merely smiled at Septimus and Link as they left the sanctuary, knowing that very few in the town would believe them. That night, as he slumbered in his bed, Link though of Ronan and Melzas. He couldn't get them out of his head. He awoke in the morning to the ruckus of Jess in his shop again. He came downstairs, and saw Jess have a pair of new gloves in his hands.

Link's curiosity picked up as he saw Jess' latest creaation.

"Hello Jess...what are those?" he asked.

Jess set his newest work on the table, and greeted his guest good morning. "

Morning Link! These are special gloves I made..they act like the user is stronger. It'll make you feel like you can lift things twice as heavy. Some very fine craftsmanship, if I do say so myself."

Link was still curious.He rubbed his head, and gave the gloves a closer clook.

"But..why'd you make them?" he asked.

Jess looked at the ground.

"They are in honor of Sybill. Link....I have to tell you something, my lad. Sybill, she dreams no more, you know what I am saying?"

Link's eyes widened from the inevitable news he was about to hear.

"She's....?"

Jess nodded slowly.

"Aye," he replied. "You ought to visit Sybill's house and speak with her mother, Sierra."

Link fought back the sadness within him, trying to retain his composure.

"I will Jess..." he replied, taking the gloves.

Link quickly headed over to Sierra's house. As he entered the house, he noticed that Sierra was sitting down, her head was buried in her hands as she cried with what seemed to be all her might. Link extended a hand, almost unsure of what to say.

"Sierra....I..." he stammered, his voice choking up.

Sierra lifted her head up, giving Link a rather forced smile, despite her tears. She fought back her sadness to show Link her appreciation for what he had done for Sybill.

"I'm glad you came Link," she began. "You were a good friend to Sybill. Everyone's going to her funeral. I'd appreciate it if you went there too."

Her words were faint because of her quivering voice and tears, which Link could hardly bear to see. Link nodded, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Sure...I'll go," he replied.

Link headed over to the sanctuary, and talk of Sybill's death filled the air. Although she really didn't have many friends within the town, almost the entire population showed up for her funeral. It seems that she was strangled in the middle of the night.

When I catch who did this, Link thought.

Link then looked at Ronan, who had a sadistic smirk on his face. Instantly, Link had a feeling in the pit of his soul. He knew that Ronan had killed Sybill, and he looked at him with fire in his eyes. He didn't know how he knew, but he did. Ronan had killed Sybill. He was the one who murdered an innocent girl.

Septimus arrived and placed his hand on Link's shoulder, and whispered.

"Link, it turns out that Meia is asleep now...we could enter her dream and finally discover whether or not she is friend or foe...." he suggested.

Septimus wasn't so cold-hearted to not pay respects to Sybill, obviously, he had done so many times, but he did know the importance of their mission. Link nodded back in confirmation.He knew he hadwork to do, and despite the tragedy thatoccurred, he would have to keep going.

"I'll be with you at Meia's house soon, but I need to pray for a minute," he replied.

As everyone else left, Link kneeled down by Sybill's grave, and he clasped his hands.

"Sybill.....I'll avenge you..."

A tear streamed down Link's cheek, but he wiped it off with his forearm, and his gaze strengthened with resolve. He was more determined than ever.