Disclaimer: I don't own LoZ or anything else interesting enough to write fanfiction about.
Note: The last chapter was supposed to be much longer, but I realized that it would take too long to update. So... I decided to flesh it out with a scene involving Scrimp and Impa and make it two. No, I'm not writing a romance fic here. That's about it.
The Wind Fish's Gifts (2)
Din, Scrimp was annoying. Impa didn't really blame him for wanting to see Zelda during a crisis, but after the third time being escorted out by the palace guards, you'd think he would give up. Subrosians were known for two things: metalwork and stubbornness. Scrimp was not a smith, but he was a prime example of the latter. After asking politely the first two times, he returned with an entourage of riflemen. Nobody took him seriously, though, and he was removed. Right now he was outside trying to force the door open, yelling threats of a weapon shortage at the people in the foyer. Most just laughed.
It hadn't taken Impa long to realize how much the people had grown dependant on their leader. She was constantly receiving complaints about problems, both serious and minor, and was hard- pressed to fix any of them. There was simply too much to do in too little time. Of course, a lot of her time needed to be used assuring the press that Zelda was ill and couldn't make any comments. Damn that girl... Impa hoped sincerely that she hadn't gotten herself into trouble. There hadn't been any news since the arrival of the troops a day ago, and judging by that there had been no serious problems, but Impa couldn't simply forget her duty. No member of the royal family had been slain in office for three hundred years (Vortigan the half- heart had really been asking for it, too), and it probably had at least something to do with the care of the Impa family. The current nurse was, naturally, worried. There would be time for that later, though. There was an angry midget with a mind to tear down the castle outside, and Impa felt it was time the farce was ended and someone removed him.
T
"Why? Why did I need to know? Why do you show me such things?" Link was fighting tears and losing. Did this beast mean to torture him with the weapons of his own mind?
"I SEEK ONLY TO HEAL. I SHOWED YOU THESE THINGS ONLY TO AID YOUR CAUSE. YOU ARE OWED MUCH, AND SOME I HOPE TO REPAY." The winged creature sung a loud note like that of a whale, which managed somehow to translate itself into words that could be understood by a mortal. It sounded concerned.
"What are you, then? An agent of the goddesses?"
"WHAT I AM IS OF NO CONCERN TO YOU. WHAT SHOULD MATTER IS THAT YOUR LAND TEETERS ON THE BRINK OF DESTRUCTION. ALL IT AWAITS IS A TINY PUSH, AND THAT PUSH HAS BEEN SUPPLIED. I HAVE COME TO BESTOW UPON YOU THE MEANS TO... AHEM... PUSH BACK."
"If you have come only to tell me of deeds I have done that matter not, then leave. Otherwise, show me what you mean." Link was not angry, but he wished that he could have some time to reflect upon the year he had spent on that island...
"TIME YOU WOULD HAVE, INDEED, BUT THERE IS NONE NOW. I GIVE YOU THE POWERS OF THE HEAVENS, TO USE AS YOU WILL." The sky seemed to split in two above the great behemoth. The clouds parted, but instead of revealing the sun, they gave a view of the starry night sky. From each star in view was issued a bolt of lightning. These tore through the air, crashing into the statues that surrounded the shrine. The marble carvings were luminous for a moment, then the light disappeared. Though it was hard to see in the dim light, the way the starlight reflected off of the statues reminded Link of... armor.
The parting in the clouds was swallowed up again, then the sky cleared up entirely, returning to it's usual brightness. Beneath the rays of the sun, it became clear that the statues were now not statues at all, but living creatures dressed in pristine armor of a silvery blue. Each brandished a long pike and had a face that was exactly identical to that of the angel next to him. They bowed down in reverence before the Wind Fish, then turned to Link in perfect synchronization. As one man they declared:
"Hail to Link, our savior! Show us our quarry, for our blades are thirsty!"
"WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THIS, YOUNG ONE? HAVE I CHANGED YOUR OPINION AT ALL?" The Wind Fish was no longer concerned, but amused.
"I don't understand... why would you care about the affairs of mortals?"
"You saved him from an eternity of hell, Link, and that's not something that people tend to forget about easily. Plus, I was there to nag him." It was that voice again. Except... it wasn't coming from the inside of Link's head anymore. It's owner stood right in front of him, and he was shocked that he hadn't noticed her (or at least the statue that she used to be) when he had first arrived. She was dressed in the same manner as all of the other angels, armor included, but she was identical in no other way. Her hair was long and of a bright orange color, as opposed to the silvery locks of the others, and instead of a pike she carried a silver harp.
"Marin?"
"Of course! You didn't think that I would let the Wind Fish conjure up an army without letting me come along?" There was a moment of awkward silence, then the two embraced.
T
Of all the black things that could have happened to His plans, this was the least desirable. He knew that it was possible that the little squad of humans could have fought back His army somehow, but that it could be done so efficiently seemed impossible. Certainly He was prepared to try again, but this time He would use not just monsters but Gerudo, who were far braver and more loyal. He would get the Servant to lead the attack herself. Perhaps then He could find a true host, someone who would do until his true self was ready. He supposed that Link was an option, but He liked the idea of killing him better. Something to think about, indeed.
T
"You let him do what!?" Sheik couldn't believe her ears.
"I gave him a horse and let him go wherever he wanted to go. We can't stay here either. Start packing, because we're going to be gone by morning.";
"But... but... I... how... you... I should have you removed from command!" Sheik regretted these words as soon as they came out of her mouth.
"Removed? You may have been personally selected for service by the Princess, but so was I. Therefore, she's the only one with the authority to give me any orders. Got it, soldier?"
"I... I've got it, Sir." Sheik hated to have to submit, but there wasn't anything more she could do. Attracting attention to herself would do more harm than good.
Since she had never really unpacked her things anyway, Sheik had nothing to do but think. As she thought, her mind drifted more and more toward Link, as often it did. What was he doing? Could he be thinking of her...?