- CHAPTER 17: A LONG MONTH'S END-
Link slowly picked his head up and shuffled out of the uncomfortable mess he found himself in the corner of a dark room. A sharp pain throbbed from the back of his head and feeling around with his hand he felt a warm sticky blood oozing thru his messy hair. What happened? ... Where am I? The answer came all too soon as a laughter that made Link queasy rang thru the large open room. Ganon step just into view and threw the hilt of a sword at Link's feet cracking a sinister grin, "Evil's Bane my foot."
-----
Link gasped as he suddenly sat up in his bed.
"You sleep like this every night?" Withrow's voice was solemn.
"...I think so...I...I really don't know, I always wake up knowing I just had an awful dream, but I never remember anything."
"No?"
"No...a while back I was told that I recalled the memories of Links past (a/n or is the correct word to the phrase 'passed'?), but didn't remember anything. Flo'ondia says I'm 'in tune' I don't even know what that means, I certainly don't feel 'in tune.'"
"Wait...who?"
"Oh, Flo'ondia, she was bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom a long time ago, she lives on as a statue in the tunnels beneath the castle."
"You've been down there. I've heard about the catacombs but didn't really believe they were there, just a story to keep kids from snooping around the castle."
"Yeah, well, they're down there, and that's why Colba was mad at me, he caught me down there."
"hmph..."
"What?"
"Oh, nothing, this is all just a lot to take in."
"Yeah, I guess"
Just then Colba bust thru the door. It was obvious that he was actively trying to control his temper. Link stifled a laugh, he'd never seen a face so red. "Withrow, would you excuse us. I have words to speak with the boy."
"I think I'll stay, if that isn't too much of a problem."
"IT IS! I SAID LEAVE, AND YOU WILL DO AS COMMANDED!"
Withrow stared down Colba for a solid 30 seconds and then reluctantly left the room.
"Listen, I know your secret, I've know the whole time, but don't think that automatically makes me trust you, makes me believe your some perfect do-gooder incapable of wrong. I don't know what it is you keep doing down there but I know your dealing with that voice. I told you before, the voice is a trap. Whatever she's telling you is a lie. You must not listen to whatever she has to say. I forbid you from ever going down there again, but if you think I expect you to listen to me, your wrong. Try if you like; I promise, you won't be get thru."
Link just remained silent as Colba glared at him. Eventually he grunted and left the room, passing Withrow who had been waiting just outside the door.
"What did I say about being outside with the air impure as it is" Colba grumbled to himself more than Withrow.
Withrow's face distorted as he didn't know whether to be annoyed or amused by that statement and went back in to see Link.
"This is bad," Link said quietly.
"I need to get back down there, I'm supposed to see her before I leave, she has something for me."
"Don't worry, We'll find a way"
-----
The next days went by particularly slow with nothing to do but stay inside. At least for most the time Withrow was over to keep Link company. With nothing better to do Link filled Withrow in on anything he could think of that might be important and Withrow told Link about how his son Pretain would have been about Link's age and that they would have gotten along well.
Withrow decided it would be a good idea to scout out the castle. He found two guards at the front door, something that he'd never seen before. Colba was fairly well known and respected and got in without too much trouble tho he doubted Link would have it as easily. Inside guards randomly patrolled the halls especially the hall that Link said the door to the catacombs were. At both ends of the hall stood to guards , apparently this area was now restricted, in the middle he noticed two more guards yet infront of a door. It was only the obvious assumtion that that was the door they wanted.
-----
"Do you think there's another entrance."
"I don't know of any, but it certainly seems possible."
"Can we get past the guards?"
"I wouldn't count on it."
"Listen, I don't want to, but once that full moon is up I'm leaving whether I've spoken to her or not."
"We'll find a way in."
-----
"Anything," Link pleaded desperately.
"Nothing," Withrow responded reluctantly.
They where hiding behind the same bush Link and his friends had hid behind days ago when they snuck into the catacombs. To date the bush had proved itself quite useful. Link stared on towards the front door. Four guards; double the security from the past week, as if Colba knew Link needed to see Flo'ondia one last time before he left.
Link sighed, "I guess, I guess we should get going. It doesn't look like we'll be getting in anytime soon, and there's no way in the Hylian abyss I'm letting the people of Koriki wait another month."
"You sure? If all you've said has been true visiting Flo'ondia might be too important to pass up."
Link paused for a moment. "Yes... right now, the only thing that matters... is Koriki. I'm going."
Withrow squinted and gazed deep into Link's eyes, trying to read him.
Link finally turned away uncomfortable from the intensity of Withrow's stare.
In a tone somehow weaved with understanding, that Link's decision was resolute, Withrow said, "OK."
Link gave Withrow a thankful nod and stood to his feet. Walking off towards the fortress gates Link gave one last hopeful glance to the castle entrance.
!PHWOOM!
!CRACK!
The twin doors suddenly burst open splintering as they swung solidly into adjacent walls. And thru those doors seeped a blue tinted gentle breeze. The cool air wrapped around his body working from the tips of his four limbs to his torso to his neck to his head. As the draft slid past his ears he heard a soft whisper: come.
Link flung back around to Withrow. "Did you hear that?" he blurted in a hushed shock. But Withrow stood still with his back to Link looking onward to the gates.
Link jumped in front of him. "Hey, Withrow! You think this means we should go in?" But still stood Withrow motionless, completely... frozen.
"Hey!" Link shouted waving his hand in front of Withrow's face, "What gives?"
Another gust seemed to pass thru Link's ears, this time the whisper much louder and more instant: COME.
Link looked back at the castle doors, and realized the guards too were apparently frozen, unnatural considering the giant doors that busted open behind them just moments ago.
"OK! I'm coming!"
Link crept thru the castle finding countless more guards suspended in time.
Is this your doing Flo'ondia? Link pondered to himself. How powerful are you? How could there be anything you depend on me for?
Down the long stairs and thru the deep tunnels he raced. As he neared Flo'ondia's room a brilliant glowing sapphire light intensified.
Emerging into the room Flo'ondia's form was nearly invisible, blending in nigh perfectly with the bright aura of the room. A strong essence abed about too powerful to ignore.
"Flo'ondia," Link gasped in awe as he shielded his eyes with his hand, "is this your true might?"
If he couldn't see it, he felt it: a warm smile washed over him. Only these nights of the full moon. Once a month, with aid of the moon I am granted access to roam this world I once roamed. As she spoke the blue light dissipated allowing Link view the statue in her glistening splendor.
"And even stop time!" shouted Link exasperated.
Flo'ondia chuckled. Not quite I'm afraid.
"Then how..."
Link, this is not the world that you know. I pulled you from the physical realm of existence you know so well. This isn't a world of matter, but rather, information. Ideas, not figures. This is 'thought' Link. You are in my mind.
Link jumped back, "You're mind?"
Yes. Have you ever wondered what it would look like to step into another's head. This is what mine looks like.
"How do you..."
Hush Link, I will explain. Flo'ondia paused. The physical realm is not the only realm that exists. There is at least one other if not many more.
"What are you talking about?"
Information, Link! Think about it! Take the Book of Mudora for example. The Anchient Text is nothing if bound solely to the confines of matter. Random, meaningless characters, one after another for pages on end!
"What?!" Link was shocked and suddenly felt the need to defend the books he held so dearly.
But they're not meaningless, Link! Because the characters aren't random they aren't meaningless, and this is because the physical is not the only definition by which we live. Those characters were chosen specifically for what they represent. And when pooled together the book conveys something, it has meaning.
"So... what? We exist here only as information?" Link pinched his cheek and, definitely feeling it, gave a confused look.
Basically, but having only known the physical world for so long your mind can only comprehend things that it can sense from at least one of the five senses, so even here, in my mind, you give physical form to all concepts. Take Withrow and the guards for instance. I only pulled you into my mind, they don't exist at all on this plane. However, since my mind is so deeply entwined with knowledge from the physical world, at least on these nights when I am set free, I know they are there. Bombarded with all this information ungraspable your mind is forced to compromise: thus the frozen statues.
"Ok... what, I think I understand... kinda... a little... maybe... not really..."
And you likely never will, and it is not that important that you know how it works, just that it does, and that you can use it is power to aid your quest.
"Use what? What power?"
There was a flash chest high directly in front of Flo'ondia, and when the light dimmed what appeared to be a mirror was left spinning on a slight axis. No, not a mirror, the center was transparent. The entire frame and handle appeared to be carved from a single sapphire stone.
"It's beautiful."
This, Link, is a Lens of Truth.
"Oh! I've heard of those! It has the power to reveal hidden things!"
Yes, but this is no ordinary Lens of Truth. This was crafted specially by the Mites, the shadow dwellers, with engravings at the bottom to fit the exact dimensions of the Zora Sapphire.
The possessor of this Lens is privy to the truth absolute. The innermost thoughts and feelings of any individual can be uncovered with its power. No lie need you be susceptible to. But know this, the lens is only a tool that allows you to enter the mind of another, and even then the subjects most treasured and guarded will not be handed over lightly. Some secrets of the feeble minded will be obvious but other times, to uncover the truth is a battle of wit, in the fullest sense of the word. Determination and willpower will be your strongest allies, two characteristics you posses in great quantity.
Link, I bestow upon you, the Lens of Wisdom.
The mystical item floated gracefully into Link's open hand, and when he felt the cool sapphire rub against his palm he wrapped his fingers around the brilliant azure piece.
It is a magnificent feat, really, the only known object to exist in this realm and the physical realm simultaneously. Like a door connecting two very different rooms, so too is the lens of Wisdom, a link between mind and matter. Surely only the Mites could have forged it.
"Just who are the mites anyways? I've never heard of them."
I am not surprised. To a Hylian they hardly exist as anything more than a terrible nightmare. Invisible to most others, they roam the shadows if Hyrule largely unnoticed, still there mere presence is enough to instill wave of awkward uneasiness. Not only are they unseen but heir physical touch is little more than a chill sweeping thru the body, unless of course, they scratch you with their retractable claws injecting you with a substance deadly to all Hylians.
Only when staring directly into their eyes might a Hylian catch a glimpse of their icy blue eyes when they blink. And even this only ever occurs when a Mite wishes to make itself known.
"What?!" Link looked again at the lens he held, this time suspicion replacing awe, wondering if the nature of the lens' creators held any unpleasant implications.
Fear not, the Mites are generally peaceful creatures and, seeing as how Hylians don't even know they exist, they really don't pose any threat. The Mites are a respectable race, just... of a different nature than Hylians. There is no need to fear the Lens of Wisdom. It possesses no "evil aura." However, this aside, the Lens is a very powerful tool and should be used with extreme care. Should the lens break whilst you inhibit the mind of another you will have lost your only gate between realms and shall be forever trapped. Do you understand?
"I... yes... Yes, I understand."
Good, now take too the Zora Sapphire, and be on your way.
Link knew the lore well: Long ago when the great sages of old forged the Master Sword, the Blade of Evil's bane, also did they enchant three stones to serve as a key to safeguard the blade. Entrusted to the Zora was a bracelet of three sapphire stones; to the Forest Elves – a ring topped with twin emerald gems; and to the Goron – an amulet of which the center crest was a magnificent ruby. When the three were brought together and the Forgotten Song was played on the Instrument of the Goddesses the door that guarded the Master Sword would be opened. Many believed this to be the gems' only function, but others insisted the gems possessed untold mysteries yet to be discovered.
From Flo'ondia's right eye popped out the legendary Sapphire bracelet. The first stone was followed by a golden chain connecting the second stone and then the final stone. the unhooked gem glided over to Link leaving Flo'ondia with an empty socket where her right eye used to be.
That is all. The time has finally come for you to rescue your people. I shall see you again at the next full moon upon your return.
Link fitted the three stones into their corresponding sockets just before a strong gust ripped thru and seemed to tear Link from his very body. Link watched the cavern walls flash by as he was swiftly carried backwards thru the tunnels. Then up the stairs, thru the castle, out the front doors and !SMACK! slamming into his body where he stood when he felt the azure chill winds pull him from the physical realm.
The collision knocked him off his feet and sent him reeling into the ground.
"Link!" gasped Withrow, "You OK?"
"Yuck!" Link groaned as he spat out the dirt that caked his mouth. "Fine, fine, I'm fine."
"What just happened? You fell pretty hard to have just tripped."
"I'll tell you everything once we're on our way; it's going to be a long walk."
"Oh! What's that?" A shocked Withrow breathed as he noticed the Lens of Wisdom while Link got to his feet.
"I said I'll tell you everything once we're on our way. Now let's go."
"Ooh, someone's grumpy..."
"No... just anxious, I've never been apart from my father for so long and I'm also looking forward to seeing Koriki Village again.
-----
The wasteland may have been free from the cursed winds rampant whipping but it was still a daunting task nonetheless. Nothing but sand as far as the eye could see except for the jutting rock wall that towered high above their heads. Link sighed and pulled out his map. Why'd that wall have to be there? He knew he was only going to end up backtracking on the other side of the wall as he made his way thru Gerudo valley.
"Ok, let me get this strait... You can read minds with that thing?" Withrow said bringing Link from his absent-minded meanderings.
"I guess, sorta, it's more like I enter their mind than read it I guess. I don't know, it's kinda hard to explain."
"...and if it breaks while your in somebody else's mind your stuck there forever."
"That's what she said."
"On which side?"
"Hm?"
"If it breaks in the physical realm will you still be stuck there in the other person's mind or only if the part in the mind breaks... or can the mind part even be broken? as it technically doesn't have a physical form?"
"I don't know! She didn't tell me and I never thought to ask! Quit nagging me!"
"Hmm... although time seems to elapse differently because you should have been gone for at least an hour but I never noticed... How 'bout that, Link? What do you think of that?"
Link continued forward but didn't provide Withrow with and answer.
"Oh, come on! Don't be like that! This is important stuff, dontcha think?"
Link still didn't answer, instead his head flung over his shoulder as he nervously looked behind him.
"Hey, Link? Everything alright? You're sweating."
Link froze.
"Link! Hey, Link! What's up!"
Link murmured in a soft scared voice, "You don't... feel them coming."
"Feel who coming, Link?"
A piercing cry ripped thru the quite desert air. There was no mistaking the sound.
"We're surrounded." Link whined softly.
- WRAPPER –
I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I know it's been far, far too long since last I updated, Alright! I know, I know, I know. And to top it off I delivered a piss boring chapter. Nigh endless droning of that ridiculous "second realm" theology. "Well you should learn some restraint if you think it was too much. Try cutting some of it out." Believe you me: I did.
Anyways, it's not a whole lot to chew on but it's something. Hopefully, if all goes well (HA!), I might be able to rip out another chapter tomorrow (looks at watch and notice the time – well I guess that would actually make it later today then...). No school, no work, so maybe, just maybe. I will have to meet up with some classmates to work on a group project, and where behind, and when we do find the time to get together we like to waste a lot of time doing nothing, so who knows how long that'll take. Just cross your fingers m'kay? Hopefully I'll be more inspired to write up this next chapter. It's no fun doing these boring ones; I want to get to the good stuff as much as you! Believe it!
Thag- You flatter me too much :P I'm goin' have this big 'ol balloon head before I finish this story. Thank you. And E-frickin-gads did I absolutely NOT "update right quick." Please except my most humble apologies. -Thag beats club in hand menacingly- Please?
DarkCross- Course he'll be in later chapters! It's Ganon! I think he'd kick my tender posterior if I wrote him in that one chapter and never touched him again. And I'd rather not that happen. Anywho, glad you liked him. Ganondorf was fun! -rubs hands sadistically-
Rose- "Everyone's Ganondorf is a psychopathic maniac." True. Very true. But I'm hoping to put a slightly different spin on Ganon (just a slight one, he'll still be the same Ganon you love... or hate... you know what I mean). It'll take a while to play out so bear with me. Oh, and please, I beg, keep Fatima far, far away from me... at least if she's going to be angry.