l Legends of the Waker: Remnants of Old
Chapter XXV: Where the Dragons Roost
-Link
I sat on the deck till sunrise, thinking of nothing in particular, except Zelda, who popped into my thoughts every once in a while no matter what I was thinking of. What could Meena be doing right now? Did she wonder what became of me? Had my father told her? Did he miss me? Did Zelda like me? I'd then shake my head, go back to thinking about something else, and come back to Zelda every time.
When light finally began to stretch its way across the sea, I could make out Windfall to the northwest, and a mountain with a ring of smoke about it too the northeast. As I stared at the mountain, I suddenly remembered what I'd seen in the old history books a man in my village had kept. From what I'd heard, their contents weren't common knowledge. When I realized what the mountain was, I shouted so loudly that I was soon surrounded by pirates.
"Death Mountain! It's right there! Make for northeast straightaway!"
"Eh?" A small pirate carrying a book stepped forward. "Best wake Miss Zelda, if you want a change of course. You're going to have to do it, though. Nobody ever wakes her without getting an earful!"
I ran to the cabin yelling all the way, and upon tearing open the door to her room, received a pillow to the face and a massive bellow straight in my ear. Many of the colorful words don't bear repeating, so suffice to say she was pretty mad.
"You little keese! If you ever burst into my cabin again!" with that she slammed the door on my nose and wouldn't hear a word about Death Mountain. Eventually she came out on her own, and smiled as if nothing had happened.
"Good morning. How'd you sleep?"
At a lose for words at this treatment, I stared for a moment then murmured something approximating her words then told her I'd discovered Death Mountain. When I pointed it out, she immediately ordered the change of course and we were on our way.
As I sat on the deck and waited, the little pirate walked by and stopped. He looked at me, chuckled, and walked on.
"Like a sister, isn't she?" he called back.
I pulled down my hat to cover my crimson face and croaked out. "Er, yeah, something like that."
Zelda walked out as we reached the island, known by the charts as Dragon Roost Island and with my excitement faded, I found it hard to look at her, as if she could see through me and read my thoughts.
We anchored quietly and four of us, two pirates, Zelda, and I went ashore and upon hitting the sand, I leapt out and turned back.
"Stay here."
I soared straight for the summit and landed before a huge red dragon in a bowl-like crater. There was no sign of any entry into the earth. The dragon let out a terrible roaring call and swept into the air. It soared for me and landed no more than a few feet away. I had unconsciously drawn both my swords. I couldn't help wondering if they would really do any good should the behemoth decide I looked like I'd be tasty with fried peasant.
"Why has the Hero come to my mountain? What business do you have here, little firefly?" I knew the dragon wasn't using the usual tongue. The words he used were so ancient, so archaic; it seemed to be telling of history alongside the meaning of the words.
-Valoo-
I forced myself to meet that terrible gaze, and refused to let any show of weakness enter my own words, which seemed to hang in the air when they formed. "I will use this mountain to enter deep into the earth, and find the Gorons."
"Ah, the Gorons. I came from their land. They lived above, then, however. I was sent up to drive the people to the mountains when the rain came. You wish for the Hammer, don't you, little firefly." I wondered if Zelda and the pirates could hear his words, so loudly they launched past me.
"Yes."
"Then I, and my Rito, will do what we can. But I warn you. Harm one feather on a Rito's back, and the moon will not be far enough for you to flit, little firefly."
'Little Firefly' walked forward, past the dragon, and towards a banner on the smooth rock wall of the crater. I lifted the colorful flag and pressed my hand against the cool, bare stone.
Instantly, my hand merged with it, and seemed to become stone itself. When I was able to pull my hand away, Valoo and I stood on the precipice, the maw, of a volcano. The chasm lead straight into the earth.
"What have you done, emissary of evil? You have transfigured my mountain, and removed the halls of the Rito!" The dragon started towards me with fearsome anger and I drew back to explain.
"They will be fine! When I come back, I will return all to as it was!"
"I will be waiting, firefly."
I took several steps back, and leapt into the pit, and went spiraling into darkness. I knew I couldn't fly for some time, because I couldn't be worn out at the bottom.
The last I saw of the above was a dot of cobalt sky with Valoo still staring down after me.
Chapter XXVI: Mako's Story
-Fado
I wasn't sure who threw the first stone. But when I heard my teacher's voice, I knew we were done at Dragon Roost.
"These walls will not harbor you safely anymore. Leave, my pupil, and don't forget anything I taught you. Keep your cheery nature intact! Now fly!"
"Let's get while it's good," Mako added.
As warriors prepared to strike, we jumped to our feet and ran for the door. I pushed Mako and Holly through then turned for one last grandiose gesture.
"The Wind Sage bids thee all farewell!" I sent a blast of wind through the chamber, then pulled back and slammed closed the heavy stone doors to the halls with a massive, resounding smash.
Four warriors swept through the air around us in a blur as we raced down the walkway. I stopped and drew my sword, but Holly beat me to it.
A puff of green smoke filled the air, and four wheels of cheese hit the ground. She began to point to each in turn.
"Cheddar, Parm-"
"No time!" I cried out, pushing her ahead, then reaching back to snatch Mako's sleeve, as he was reaching for Colby.
"It wears off, Mako! You don't want to eat Rito!" Holly's words were all but drowned out by the wind as I pushed both of them towards the cliff.
"Are you insane, Fado? We can't fly!" Holly cried out angrily.
"I can."
"Like I said, are you insane, Fad-ohwhoawhoawhoa! I like my feet on the grouuuund!"
We left the island far behind as I used the wind to propel us through the air, Holly screaming constantly, Mako oddly quiet.
Sparks of light eventually began to dance across my vision, and I landed on a small, triangular island with a creepy golden statue that we all found our eyes wandering towards for no seen reason.
All thought of that soon passed away, however, because under Holly's questioning, Mako was at last revealing to us where he'd been and what he'd seen.
Chapter XXVIII: The Unexpected
-Medli
I lunged forward, the Waker held tight. My fear momentarily forgotten, all I could feel was overwhelming, flooding rage at the woman that left me to the horrors of the Zora's domain.
The strange boy tackled me from behind and I hit the floor, sending upward a blast of wind that tore the roof to shreds and scattered everyone. Laruto's scream cut the air like a burning knife and I screamed right too, her pain hanging in the air and becoming almost tangible.
When everything had settled, I looked up to the boy standing triumphantly over me with the Waker pointed at my neck. "L-Laru-Laruto," I croaked out. "Heal her, please."
"WHAT IS GOING ON, SHIEK?" WHO IS THIS RITO, WHY DID SHE ATTACK MY GUEST, AND WHY DID YOU BRING HER HERE?"
The woman seemed awfully small to create so much noise, but she seemed none the worse for it. Her braided, black hair shook with every word, and her arms vibrated agitatedly.
I stood up and nearly got knocked through the wall. Sheik brandished the wand angrily but the woman I guessed was his mother for their age difference calmed him and stepped forward and addressed me.
"Why have you come here and attacked Jharmyne? What evil has she done you?"
"She's my mother!" I wailed out, my rage lost amidst a sea of grief. "She left me to die! I thought I'd succumb to the disease at any second! Where have you been?" I finished, glaring at my mother.
"You're father made everyone leave right away. We couldn't find you."
"So you left me?!"
"What choice did we have? We thought we were all about to die."
"So much for courage," I muttered, knowing I might have done the same, and feeling all the more angry for it. "My friend needs help!" I said, pointing towards the stricken Zora and her contingent of bodyguards.
The healer ran forward and knelt by her side. She felt her brow then ran off through the rubble, deeper into the house. She came back with a bottle of odd yellow liquid. When the cork popped, the rich aroma filled the room and invigorated me. After it passed Laruto's lips, she remained still, making me wonder it the potion worked. Suddenly, she jumped up and began to dance about the room, her usual brooding mood momentarily lost.
She soon calmed down under the mixture of confused and angry stares glaring towards her from Jharmyne and the healer. Laruto began to speak. Her words told our story, all that had befallen us. The room seemed to freeze as she spoke, the very air leaning on her words. When she stopped, the room had descended into a deep quiet.
The healer was the first to pull us up. "Well, two sages would certainly not go unused on Outset. This island, in case you hadn't noticed, isn't in the greatest shape. By the way, my name is Fala."
Laruto opened her mouth and began to speak. "I wish to-" A high whistle followed by a booming blast cut her off. The bizarre meeting came to an end as we tumbled out the door. The streets were still crowded, but everyone's eyes were fixed on the sea. Fixed on the pirate ship attacking Outset.
Chapter XXV: Where the Dragons Roost
-Link
I sat on the deck till sunrise, thinking of nothing in particular, except Zelda, who popped into my thoughts every once in a while no matter what I was thinking of. What could Meena be doing right now? Did she wonder what became of me? Had my father told her? Did he miss me? Did Zelda like me? I'd then shake my head, go back to thinking about something else, and come back to Zelda every time.
When light finally began to stretch its way across the sea, I could make out Windfall to the northwest, and a mountain with a ring of smoke about it too the northeast. As I stared at the mountain, I suddenly remembered what I'd seen in the old history books a man in my village had kept. From what I'd heard, their contents weren't common knowledge. When I realized what the mountain was, I shouted so loudly that I was soon surrounded by pirates.
"Death Mountain! It's right there! Make for northeast straightaway!"
"Eh?" A small pirate carrying a book stepped forward. "Best wake Miss Zelda, if you want a change of course. You're going to have to do it, though. Nobody ever wakes her without getting an earful!"
I ran to the cabin yelling all the way, and upon tearing open the door to her room, received a pillow to the face and a massive bellow straight in my ear. Many of the colorful words don't bear repeating, so suffice to say she was pretty mad.
"You little keese! If you ever burst into my cabin again!" with that she slammed the door on my nose and wouldn't hear a word about Death Mountain. Eventually she came out on her own, and smiled as if nothing had happened.
"Good morning. How'd you sleep?"
At a lose for words at this treatment, I stared for a moment then murmured something approximating her words then told her I'd discovered Death Mountain. When I pointed it out, she immediately ordered the change of course and we were on our way.
As I sat on the deck and waited, the little pirate walked by and stopped. He looked at me, chuckled, and walked on.
"Like a sister, isn't she?" he called back.
I pulled down my hat to cover my crimson face and croaked out. "Er, yeah, something like that."
Zelda walked out as we reached the island, known by the charts as Dragon Roost Island and with my excitement faded, I found it hard to look at her, as if she could see through me and read my thoughts.
We anchored quietly and four of us, two pirates, Zelda, and I went ashore and upon hitting the sand, I leapt out and turned back.
"Stay here."
I soared straight for the summit and landed before a huge red dragon in a bowl-like crater. There was no sign of any entry into the earth. The dragon let out a terrible roaring call and swept into the air. It soared for me and landed no more than a few feet away. I had unconsciously drawn both my swords. I couldn't help wondering if they would really do any good should the behemoth decide I looked like I'd be tasty with fried peasant.
"Why has the Hero come to my mountain? What business do you have here, little firefly?" I knew the dragon wasn't using the usual tongue. The words he used were so ancient, so archaic; it seemed to be telling of history alongside the meaning of the words.
-Valoo-
I forced myself to meet that terrible gaze, and refused to let any show of weakness enter my own words, which seemed to hang in the air when they formed. "I will use this mountain to enter deep into the earth, and find the Gorons."
"Ah, the Gorons. I came from their land. They lived above, then, however. I was sent up to drive the people to the mountains when the rain came. You wish for the Hammer, don't you, little firefly." I wondered if Zelda and the pirates could hear his words, so loudly they launched past me.
"Yes."
"Then I, and my Rito, will do what we can. But I warn you. Harm one feather on a Rito's back, and the moon will not be far enough for you to flit, little firefly."
'Little Firefly' walked forward, past the dragon, and towards a banner on the smooth rock wall of the crater. I lifted the colorful flag and pressed my hand against the cool, bare stone.
Instantly, my hand merged with it, and seemed to become stone itself. When I was able to pull my hand away, Valoo and I stood on the precipice, the maw, of a volcano. The chasm lead straight into the earth.
"What have you done, emissary of evil? You have transfigured my mountain, and removed the halls of the Rito!" The dragon started towards me with fearsome anger and I drew back to explain.
"They will be fine! When I come back, I will return all to as it was!"
"I will be waiting, firefly."
I took several steps back, and leapt into the pit, and went spiraling into darkness. I knew I couldn't fly for some time, because I couldn't be worn out at the bottom.
The last I saw of the above was a dot of cobalt sky with Valoo still staring down after me.
Chapter XXVI: Mako's Story
-Fado
I wasn't sure who threw the first stone. But when I heard my teacher's voice, I knew we were done at Dragon Roost.
"These walls will not harbor you safely anymore. Leave, my pupil, and don't forget anything I taught you. Keep your cheery nature intact! Now fly!"
"Let's get while it's good," Mako added.
As warriors prepared to strike, we jumped to our feet and ran for the door. I pushed Mako and Holly through then turned for one last grandiose gesture.
"The Wind Sage bids thee all farewell!" I sent a blast of wind through the chamber, then pulled back and slammed closed the heavy stone doors to the halls with a massive, resounding smash.
Four warriors swept through the air around us in a blur as we raced down the walkway. I stopped and drew my sword, but Holly beat me to it.
A puff of green smoke filled the air, and four wheels of cheese hit the ground. She began to point to each in turn.
"Cheddar, Parm-"
"No time!" I cried out, pushing her ahead, then reaching back to snatch Mako's sleeve, as he was reaching for Colby.
"It wears off, Mako! You don't want to eat Rito!" Holly's words were all but drowned out by the wind as I pushed both of them towards the cliff.
"Are you insane, Fado? We can't fly!" Holly cried out angrily.
"I can."
"Like I said, are you insane, Fad-ohwhoawhoawhoa! I like my feet on the grouuuund!"
We left the island far behind as I used the wind to propel us through the air, Holly screaming constantly, Mako oddly quiet.
Sparks of light eventually began to dance across my vision, and I landed on a small, triangular island with a creepy golden statue that we all found our eyes wandering towards for no seen reason.
All thought of that soon passed away, however, because under Holly's questioning, Mako was at last revealing to us where he'd been and what he'd seen.
Chapter XXVIII: The Unexpected
-Medli
I lunged forward, the Waker held tight. My fear momentarily forgotten, all I could feel was overwhelming, flooding rage at the woman that left me to the horrors of the Zora's domain.
The strange boy tackled me from behind and I hit the floor, sending upward a blast of wind that tore the roof to shreds and scattered everyone. Laruto's scream cut the air like a burning knife and I screamed right too, her pain hanging in the air and becoming almost tangible.
When everything had settled, I looked up to the boy standing triumphantly over me with the Waker pointed at my neck. "L-Laru-Laruto," I croaked out. "Heal her, please."
"WHAT IS GOING ON, SHIEK?" WHO IS THIS RITO, WHY DID SHE ATTACK MY GUEST, AND WHY DID YOU BRING HER HERE?"
The woman seemed awfully small to create so much noise, but she seemed none the worse for it. Her braided, black hair shook with every word, and her arms vibrated agitatedly.
I stood up and nearly got knocked through the wall. Sheik brandished the wand angrily but the woman I guessed was his mother for their age difference calmed him and stepped forward and addressed me.
"Why have you come here and attacked Jharmyne? What evil has she done you?"
"She's my mother!" I wailed out, my rage lost amidst a sea of grief. "She left me to die! I thought I'd succumb to the disease at any second! Where have you been?" I finished, glaring at my mother.
"You're father made everyone leave right away. We couldn't find you."
"So you left me?!"
"What choice did we have? We thought we were all about to die."
"So much for courage," I muttered, knowing I might have done the same, and feeling all the more angry for it. "My friend needs help!" I said, pointing towards the stricken Zora and her contingent of bodyguards.
The healer ran forward and knelt by her side. She felt her brow then ran off through the rubble, deeper into the house. She came back with a bottle of odd yellow liquid. When the cork popped, the rich aroma filled the room and invigorated me. After it passed Laruto's lips, she remained still, making me wonder it the potion worked. Suddenly, she jumped up and began to dance about the room, her usual brooding mood momentarily lost.
She soon calmed down under the mixture of confused and angry stares glaring towards her from Jharmyne and the healer. Laruto began to speak. Her words told our story, all that had befallen us. The room seemed to freeze as she spoke, the very air leaning on her words. When she stopped, the room had descended into a deep quiet.
The healer was the first to pull us up. "Well, two sages would certainly not go unused on Outset. This island, in case you hadn't noticed, isn't in the greatest shape. By the way, my name is Fala."
Laruto opened her mouth and began to speak. "I wish to-" A high whistle followed by a booming blast cut her off. The bizarre meeting came to an end as we tumbled out the door. The streets were still crowded, but everyone's eyes were fixed on the sea. Fixed on the pirate ship attacking Outset.