Legends of the Waker: Remnants of Old
Chapter VIII: Cold Departure
(Fado)
The pathetic little boat floated low on the waves, heavy with the full load of supplies. I could sympathize with the little dinghy, as I was now carrying a long, green cello, which, strangely enough, I'd made from a leaf plucked off the Great Deku Tree's branch. I was also bogged down with one of the old Deku Shields, my new sword, of course, my Leaf and a bag of Deku Nuts. The song, "The Wind god's Aria" taught to me to play on my cello, was floating somberly through my head, echoing through me. Then came the last of the burdens, waddling up.
The Great Deku Tree had insisted I take with me two Koroks, Mako and Holly. Mako had two Deku sticks strapped too his back, both towering above his head. Holly wore two bandoliers and a belt made of dried leaves, but as Potionmaster of the Kokiri- Koroks, I still had to correct myself-she had the pouches full of dozens of bottles. "The belt is my best potions, the bandoliers are for mixing on the spot," she'd told me.
The Koroks were lined up to see us off. We'd already said our goodbyes to the Great Deku Tree, of course, as great as he was; he'd not learned to move about just yet. The two passengers perched atop the supplies, and I pushed off with a paddle, struggling with sail. The whole thing was complicated and would have been far more painful if I'd not been buoyed up by my usual cheerfulness.
Sooner than I would've though possible, our lifelong home was gone and we were out alone on the Great Sea. Despite my vehemence in arguing with the Great Deku Tree about leaving them behind, I found myself glad to have the little Koroks with me. I would have been very lonely without them.
"So what's it like, being a bush?" I asked as night settled in and we prepared for a night on the waves.
"We're not bushes, we're trees," Holly replied indignantly. "Someday one of us will take over for the Great Deku Tree."
"Yeah," Mako called out. "And that's MISTER Tree to you, forest boy. Or I'll roar in a frightening way and squish you flat as a- um…something flat." He began to dance about on the rail of the boat, yelling wordlessly and leaping up and down in a pathetic, toddling copy of the Great Deku Tree.
"Oh, no. Mister Tree. I'm so very scared of being squished flat as an aum-"The rest of my retort was cut off as the boat shook suddenly, and Mako was sent hurtling into the inky black water. Holly cried out and waddled to the edge of the boat. I Quickly threw off my boots, taking only my sword as I dove after him. The water swirled around me and for a moment I was blind, then it was as if the ocean had been lit by an underwater sun, for I could see with complete clarity. The sage powers again. I could see Mako tumbling on the waves, little feet dangling, I could see bits of seaweed, and I could see a school of Gyorg headed right for our boat. I swam to Mako and grabbed one branchlike arm, and in moments we were gasping on the deck of the boat, dripping wet. For a moment, I couldn't think.
"Wow, That felt good. All that water." Mako said, as I continued to drip, kneeling on the boat.
"I want to try it!" Holly said.
"No! There's…" what was the word? It had just floated into my brain, as if I'd known all life and was just recalling. "…Gyorg! Stay away from the edge. They're very dangerous."
I looked over the railing and saw four bright pink fins circling our boat. I saw one charge forward, maw stretching wide, and didn't think.
I reacted. Reaching for my Deku Nuts, I hurled one and the creature stopped, momentarily stunned. I drew my sword and struck out, drawing long slashes and sending it beneath the waves. With a roar the remainder struck, making the boat rock and sending random supplies flying. Including my cello.
The words of the Deku Tree came to me then. "If you lose the cello, you might as well go serve Ganon, for you can help him in no greater way than by losing this instrument." Hurling Deku Nuts in all directions, and hearing Holly scream, I leaned over the edge of the boat and snatched at the cello.
Just a little further… I fell in and was attacked instantly by a Gyorg. Instinctively my hand went up, not with a sword, for I'd dropped it in the boat, or even any weapon at all. I formed my hand into the shape of a claw and three tiny green orbs of energy formed in my palm and I launched them straight into the beast's mouth. An explosion of smoke signaled it's death and I soon dealt with the other two. I climbed, exhausted, into the boat, and after making sure all was safe, sunk into a deep sleep, smiling as I sunk into blessed dark.
Chapter IX: Meeting Medli
(Laruto)
An icy chill drew down my spine as I burst into the room from which I'd heard the cry, using magic to blast it open. Before a massive window revealing a world of murky blue, sat a small, Rito, a girl. Without explanation, I grabbed her and yanked her out the door.
"Wha-who are you? What's happening?"
"No time!" I bellowed, yelping as I saw Ganondorf at the top of the stairs. The Rito, Medli I somehow knew, must have seen him too, for she stopped protesting. I put on an extra burst of speed and leapt up the stairs as fast as my robe and Medli would allow, harp slapping my back.
"Laruto! Slow down!" I didn't, and didn't stop to ask how she knew my name. I could almost feel Ganondorf's breath on my neck. As we ran, the hatred spreading from Ganondorf seemed to deepen. I hated Ganondorf for what he was, hated myself for my failure to my people, hated Medli for the weakness I sensed in her. Hated, hated hated. It seemed to follow Ganondorf like a thick, cloying cloud.
Rounding the next bend at a jump, I shoved Medli ahead towards the stairs. "Go! Go!" She took to the air and I turned left with a handful of feathers. I had to stop Ganondorf. But how? I turned, there he was, no more than three feet away.
"That's right. You will submit to the Power of the Triforce. Kneel!
My voice dripped with the hatred he spread so much of. I hoped I kept the fear that thudded in my heart out.
"Never."
"Then you will die!"
Without knowing what I was doing, I formed a claw with my hand. Three little balls of blue grew in my hand. I launched them at Ganondorf, yelling angrily.
"Die Ganon, you will perish by my hand or the Hero's!" I saw a shadow drop from the sky. Medli's talons ripped into the flesh of Ganon's forehead.
"Come on!" I yelled. We took off, me running, she flying, up the next flight, and the next, I knew what was coming and hoped to be far away when it happened.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!"
The air thickened for a moment before it hit. The walls began to shake and collapse, sending rubble everywhere. Medli landed and we kept running, dodging pale blue chunks of wall as they fell. Finally, I saw an outside exit. I raced towards it, Medli in tow and shoved it open. A tiny metal room waited beyond. I pulled a large dial and the next door opened, launching us into a world of water as if we were nothing. But this was my world, and I was instantly at home. Medli was a different story. Hers' was the world of air. I grabbed the back of her robe and rushed for the surface, unable to resist spinning as I went.
Medli gasped as we shot into the realm above, and I was shocked too, to see that a terrible storm was attacking Greatfish Isle. I looked all around for Jabun, but he seemed to be gone. Suddenly we rose into the air, water sliding down as Jabun lifted us onto his back.
"Well done, Laruto." I see you claimed the harp. I have a boat for you to begin your journey south to Headstone Isle, but first I must teach you a song, "The Earth god's Lyric". And from beneath me, Jabun began to sing. Slowly at first and softly. Everything seemed to melt away, and there was me, the harp, and Jabun, united by the song. As it faded and ended, I found my legs were asleep and Medli looking at me in wonder.
"That was amazing. I've never heard anything like it."
Before I could respond, Jabun spoke. "You must make way quickly. Medli will accompany you. The boat is tied to my tail, and fully stocked."
"How did you-what do you mean-go with her-I guess I could-" Medli continued stuttering, confused, and I quickly explained all that had happened.
"My family was visiting to discuss trade. I got trapped in that room when all the Zora in it died. My family seems to have disappeared. Hopefully they made it back to our island."
Tears stung my eyes at the thoughts of all the lost Zora, but I brushed them off. We said goodbye to Jabun and were soon sailing southeast.
"Why was that man after us? What did he want?" Medli asked once all was secure and we prepared to sleep.
"He hates everything, and wants to rule everything he hates. What makes a man like that, I haven't got a clue."
I promised to take first watch and Medli was soon asleep. I stared out at the islands all around, and the half-moon above, and lulled by the gently rocking boat, fell fast asleep.
Chapter X: Echoes of Doom
(Link)
I left Nemos's fountain feeling better than I had in some time. A feeling of deepest despair suddenly crept over me as a shadow drifted past me and above. Stealinx was still alive?
I didn't have time to think. I leapt into the air and flew after him, and reached the village seconds after the Shadow did, but seconds too late. The old man, Rygo, was under attack. Fading though it was in direct sunlight, pillars of light bursting through it, Stealinx's claw still had bite. I landed in front of the old man and held up a forward my right fist, glow of the Triforce leaving a mark on it's chest. In the other, the Waker hung down toward the ground, for I didn't know how to use it.
"You-you're burning me! Stop, please!" My only answer was a glare as I waited for the creature to fade. Soon it was gone, and I wondered vaguely if Ganon would still have a shadow.
Rygo cried out and his family gathered around him. I stepped back.
"Goodbye, my love," He said to the old woman. "Take care of the boy." His eyes grew milky and he was gone. After helping with the burial, I told them all goodbye and returned to the boat.
"Now let's see that Waker," he said eagerly, as soon as I'd filled him in. I pulled it out with little flourish. It was white, with two odd wings, giving it a sword-like appearance.
"Well? Give it a go. Try right, left, up." I did, swinging it vigorously. Nothing happened. "Most peculiar," he said after a moment. "You must not be meant to bear it. Give it to me for safe-keeping." I held it out, unable to hide my mounting disappointment. He swallowed the Wind Waker, and that was the last I ever saw of it.
"Well done, anyhow. Most distressing news about Rygo. He was a good man. We must leave at once," he said, and I climbed on board, though I knew little of sailing, he told me all I needed to know, and I asked, extremely curious, why a boat could talk and where he'd come from.
"I was made by a shipwright Zora for the King of Hyrule. He named me the King of Red Lions, but used me little. However, after the Hylians, the Zora are most magical of the tribes, and it was soon found that the King could control and talk through the boat, which he has used every opportunity to do."
It took me a moment for this to sink in. "So you're…"
"Yes, I am Daphnes Nohanson Hyrule. I am currently trapped but I have my ways of reaching the outside world."
"So…where are we going exactly?"
"You must go to the Tower of the gods to have your might tested. The way has been prepared for you, and the Tower will be ready to receive you."
I nodded and leaned back. The ride was long and for a born islander, mostly uninteresting. We passed a few islands but didn't stop. The King seemed to be in a hurry. We stopped at a tiny, green island. At the center of the island a blue statue of a beautiful girl holding in outstretched arms a massive pearl. My eyes were soon drawn lower, to the three figures waiting on the shore. A Korok, an odd little tree with a leaf for a face was bouncing up and down, a Rito was nervously stretching her wings, and a fish-man was floating at the edge of the sand.
"What's happening?" I asked the King of Red Lions, voice seeming to echo strangely on this magic soaked island.
"At the risk of repeating myself, you must go to the Tower and prove yourself. I spoke of preparation. Three pearls are needed to enter. I sent for them, and Valoo, Jabun, and
Deku have complied." With a nod from the King, all three couriers left, and we sailed on.
I could soon see a massive tower rising higher and higher into the sky, rushing upward like a slim mountain that had been pushed into a rounded shape. It had to be the biggest building in the world. We gently glided across calm waves through the massive arches reaching outward from the tower.
A small dark figure floated dead center in the middle of the water, a few dozen feet in front of the opening leading into the tower. As we neared the figure proved to be a man, clothed fully in black, with a white skull mask.
"Who are you?" I called out, voice sounding stronger than I felt. The response came soon enough.
"Your doom."
Chapter XI: The Storm
(Fado)
Loud cello music struck thunder head on as I played vigorously to make up for my wanting skill. Holly and Mako stood hugging each other at the boat's stern shivering fearfully and I sat in the bow, making music with a broad grin on my face as lightning attacked the waves and rain lashed our faces. The Koroks would not be calmed, despite my efforts, so I'd lashed down the tiller and started practicing.
Suddenly every hair on my head was standing on end. There was a flash of blue, and loud zap, and suddenly the boat exploded in a shower of splinters and flame. For a long moment I was lost, pushed along by the waves, pummeled and rolled like a barrel across the choppy water. For a moment the storm calmed and I saw Holly, bobbing high on the waves in an unnatural way. She was soon near enough to grab and I held tight.
"Fado…"she said, breath coming in strange gasps, "Can't find…Mako…" Suddenly she brightened and reached for her belt. "This might help." She reached for a bottle and gulped it down, and as suddenly as the storm had hit, she was a green and brown whale. The bandoliers and belt burst, sending bottles everywhere.
"I'm a whale. Isn't that cool?" she gushed as she swam downward then up, lifting me high and dry, or as dry as I'd be, dripping wet in a thunderstorm on the slick back of the weirdest whale in all the Great Sea. Before responding, I took a quick inventory. I'd held fast to my cello, sword and shield, but everything else save my clothes was gone.
"I can barely contain my glee. I'm so glad you didn't use a useful potion like a transporter to dry land."
"Me too! Isn't this more fun. I with we could find Mako."
By dawn the storm cleared, and still we hadn't seen a trace of the little Korok. I was sure he'd be fine, but Holly was growing increasingly hysterical. She was sure she'd heard him twice, and I could have sworn I'd heard a cry for help once, but we'd yet to find a trace of him. We hadn't even seen any wreckage from the boat.
"Hey, what's that?" she called out, "A fire spewing mountain straight in our path?"
I looked straight ahead and saw with a start that a small volcano was directly in our track. "Move to the side, Holly!" I called out.
"I can't!" she said, voice frantic. "I think the potion is wearing off. I can't move!"
The currents seemed to swirl straight into the fire spilling out. Holly was growing smaller and smaller, leaving me with a rapidly shrinking escape from water. With a small but audible poof she returned to complete normalcy. We both tumbled into the water in a tangle, the current instantly yanking us in a spiraling course for a fiery end.
"What are we gonna do?" Holly asked, fear in her voice obvious. The water was getting hotter and hotter, a symbol of the situation we were in.
"I don't know, but we'll be fine." I used my already battered shield as a platform and pushed away, swimming as hard as I could, but to no avail. I turned just in time to see a tiny bottle bobbing along shoot past. We both watched it go by. "…One of your bottles. What's in it?"
She peered closely. "Feathers."
"Feath-" A massive explosion shot out from the bottle as it struck the lava, but instead of flame, thousands and thousands of feathers filled the air all around us, covering me in scratches from the quills and tickling every bear inch of skin. I fought to the top, Holly riding on my shoulder, and began to struggle across what was now a field of feathers, with a swirling, burning center. "Hold on tight!" I yelled, and leapt into the warm water, just escaping the edges of the volcano's reach.
I clung to the shield again, this time relying on it for strength, and with vague worry, the first worry I'd ever felt, I sunk into deepest sleep with Holly on my shoulder and Mako on my mind.