Okay, before I get started with Chapter 24,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank my readers.
Worlds Apart has not been an easy thing to write. What I have up now took me
a year and a half to write. It's just been something I've done between
homework and chores. It started out as just an idea that I starting typing into a
story because I was bored one day. Well, maybe two or three chapters, and that'll
be it. Hah. Was I ever wrong. I started, but couldn't stop
I just kept going, and believe it or not, I've been writing as I go. But
it wasn't made public until very recently because, well, I was shy. Afraid that
people would think it was stupid. I mean, really, what kind of weirdo would put
herself into a videogame-related story? That's just weird.
For the bulk of that year and a half, the only other person who was allowed to read the
story was my younger brother Gordon, for the obvious reason that he's in it, too.
He read Chapter 1 – which only featured Lydia, really - just after I wrote it
and said I should be in it, too! Well, you see what happened. He
kept nagging me and nagging me that this HAD to be shared with the rest of the world.
It was too good to hide on my hard drive like this! But I never did because I
was too scared. Finally, I started uploading it one chapter at a time
Apparently, there wasn't any grounds for such fright.. In fact, Worlds Apart
has been a far bigger hit than I could have ever imagined. Reading your happy
reviews has just made my days for me, especially this week, when times are hard for me.
I love you guys, and I'll work hard to keep bringing you quality
installments to Worlds Apart. Happy reading, and may the Triforce be with you
always. Thank you, thank you.
Cheers,
Miss Lydia
P.S. Link says thanks, too.
*****
Worlds Apart
Part II
By Miss Lydia
Chapter 24
There it was. The gravestone.
The gravestone.
Lydia looked at it with a sneer curling at the corner of her mouth. Under this gravestone was the ghost of Dampé the gravekeeper, whom she had various opinions about. She was in the Kakariko Graveyard, running a small errand for Link. In one hand, she held the Hookshot. She thought back on how she had ended up here, of all the places in Hyrule.
Lydia, will you take this back to Dampé? Link had asked her that morning, holding out the Hookshot. I don't need it anymore.
The first thing she did was laugh out loud. Are you CRAZY? she had half-shouted back at him. You're asking ME to go back to that old codger?? He likes you! YOU give it back!
Link only shook his head at her. The old guy likes you, too, he had said with a smile, and besides, Gordon and I are going to escort Zelda to Lon-Lon Ranch. Malon will let her stay there for the time being. While we're gone, you can return the Hookshot. And this is a chance for you two to get to know each other better.
I don't need to know him better--! He lives to scare me! ...Or, rather not lives, I guess...he's dead after all. But still!! Nothing you say or do will make me go! ForGET it!
That was when the killing shot came. Link had thrown Lydia's own special attack back at her. He gave her a really good imitation of her own Bambi Eyes, as her father had once called it. She had no idea that he could do the Bambi Eyes so well, but it worked – she was out of the house and on her way to the graveyard before she even realized that anything had happened. She could hear both Link and Gordon laughing inside the house as she left the village.
So there she was, standing in front of the gravestone that led to Dampé's afterworldly dwelling. She was no longer thinking about how well Link had used her own tactics against her to get his way. She was thinking about how this reunion with the old codger ghost would go. She shook her head.
I'll get back at Long Ears for this, I swear.
With that, she secured the Hookshot to her sword's sheath and shoved the old gravestone aside. Or at least, tried to. The thing was heavy! And Link had made it look so easy the first time. He must have more strength than she originally thought.
She turned around and leaned her back on the stone and pushed, keeping her heels buried in the dirt. Slowly, the stone gave way a little bit. Then a little more, then a little more.
And then, all at once.
The stone fell free suddenly and slid across the grass quickly. So quickly in fact that Lydia didn't have enough time to recover her balance and tumbled backward through the hole in the ground. She was so shocked that she didn't think to cast a levitation spell and landed hard on her backside on the stone floor below. In surprise of the whole thing, she fell back so that she lay stretched out on the stone floor.
She stayed like that for several moments, looking up at the hole in the ceiling she had fallen through. Finally, Lydia raised her head and looked around. This was the stone room where they had come the first time. The old ghost had to be there somewhere.
She could have tried to stand up then, but was thinking instead, staring above her again. Why had the stone moved like that?? It hadn't done that when Link moved it! ...It must have been an trick by old Dampé, just to bug her. He probably saw her coming and rigged the stone, just to play with her head. I'll get him for that!
Then, she sat up and tried to stand. Pain shot through her legs as she tried to straighten because she had landed on her backside so hard. She threw her head back and shouted out loud.
Ooo-ooowwww!! It hurts!! It's YOUR fault, old man!! Come out! I know you're in here somewhere! I have a thing or two to say to ya!
She felt kinda stupid sitting there holding a healing spell on her rear end, but it had to be done if she was going to stand up and kick the crap out of the codger, she figured.
After a few moments, she was as good as new and standing, staring at the walls defiantly, daring the old man to show his face. At first, nothing happened. It was quiet – deathly quiet – in the little chamber, save for her own angry breathing.
It was like that for several minutes. Lydia decided that if nothing happened in the next few seconds, she'd just put the Hookshot on the floor and leave. Actually, she was hoping nothing would happen. She'd rather avoid an encounter with the old man if she could help it.
Booga booga! Blaaahh!!
Lydia straightened up, stiff as a board, white as a sheet, but she managed not to scream. She somehow managed to keep it down in her gut. She sucked in a breath, slowly turned around, and looked at the shade of Dampé the gravekeeper. His gums were bared in their full glory as he smiled mischievously as her.
The sorceress dug far into herself to try to come up with something stabbing to say to the old man, but all she could do was wave her finger at him with her mouth open as he stared at her. Eventually, she gave up and just said,
Dampé just floated there with his lantern and continued to stare. He smiled and said, Look at what?
After leaving it there for another moment, Lydia dropped her finger with a sigh.
The old ghost laughed at her. How nice of you to come visit me! How are things up in the world of the living? Are you and your little boyfriend Link getting along?
Ah, I see. Very well, the shade said with a gummy smirk. He then changed the subject, because the girl looked ready to punch something. What can I do for you?
The sorceress shook with anger and frustration. First of all, old man, Link is not my boyfriend.
Yes, he is.
No, he's not.
Yes, he is.
No, he's not.
Yes, he—
Shut up or you're not getting your Hookshot!!
Dampé's eyes lit up. Oh? You have the Hookshot?
The sorceress sighed loudly and unhooked the tool from her sheath. Yes, I have your Hookshot. During the course of our, uh, travels, Link found something even more useful, so we don't need it anymore. He asked me to return it and thank you again.
The old ghost slid his translucent hand around the Hookshot and took it from her. As Lydia stood there trying to figure out how he was even able to hold it at all, he said Well, he's welcome again. Anytime. He waved the hand that held the Hookshot, and the tool disappeared.
The shade grinned again. So! Now that I've put it away, what say we have a race?
Lydia shook her head in disgust. She had agreed to, or rather Link had tricked her into returning the Hookshot. That's it. No racing was in the agreement. She found that satisfying. There was no need to hang around here any longer.
Nope. Not racing.
Dampé looked hurt. Aw, why not? That's no fun!
Because last time it was dark and confusing and there were Redeads. And because I don't have the time right now. I'm tired and hungry...and my butt still hurts. I have you to thank for that.
The old man just snickered. That told Lydia that he was the one to thank.
Please? Just one race! he pressed.
The sorceress opened her mouth to spit out more excuses to get herself out of it, but something distracted her just then. Back above ground, a ways off in the distance, was a deep rumbling sound that shook the ground slightly, even down in Dampé's grave. It was like a minor earthquake.
Lydia looked around worriedly. Earthquakes don't happen in Hyrule!
As quickly as it started, the tremor ended, leaving the area quiet again.
As Dampé floated next to her, Lydia looked back up through the hole in the ceiling. What was that?
You can find out after you race me! the old man said.
Lydia's head flopped down in anger. She raised it again quickly and shouted. I'm NOT racing you right now, old man! I have other business to attend to! Ray Wing! She shot up toward the ceiling and through the hole. She didn't notice Dampé when he waved his hand. She didn't notice what he was doing until it was too late.
There was a muffled crash up in the tunnel, and then the sorceress's distant voice.
.....the hell? Who put this gravestone back??
Back in the room, Dampé chuckled and shouted up to her. Race me, won't you?
After a moment of awkward silence, Lydia reappeared through the tunnel as she lowered herself slowly back to the floor, painfully holding her head. She had hit that thing full on.
You blocked my way, you old codger!
The old man gummed his weird smile at her.
Lydia looked like she was ready to let loose a Dragon Slave. Angrily, she began to shout. FINE FINE FINE FINE!! I'll run your stupid race!! She took in a long breath and silently counted to ten to calm herself down. Really fast, then I'm leaving.
Dampé nodded. Fair's fair. He then turned and shot down the hallway, just like he had done the first time.
Lydia immediately broke into a run and gave chase, thinking fast. What had that tremor been all about? They'd been in Hyrule for quite a while, and nothing had ever happened like that before. She had to finish the race quickly and then get back to Kakariko.
Suddenly, she realized how easy that would be. Dampé hadn't played fair, doing cheap tricks with that gravestone. Link wasn't there, so there was nothing to stop Lydia from being a little unfair as well. A smile curled at her lips.
Ray Wing!
It was only seconds before she was flying right alongside the old man. He turned to her and his mouth dropped open. Wh-What the--?
She smiled evilly at him. I said I'd run your race, but I didn't mean to literally run it. Like you said... Fair's fair.
Dampé's translucent lips pressed together and he increased his speed to match hers. They each fought to keep the lead as they whizzed around turns and bends. This time, Lydia didn't even have to bother with the Redeads along the path. The two were flying so fast that they just blew past the zombies before they had a chance to even move.
As they closed on the home stretch, Lydia sneered to herself. This was taking too long – she had to get back to town. NOW. As soon as the final room came into view up ahead, she casted a quick spell. Lord of Darkness and the Four Worlds, grant me the power you possess! Ray WING! With a burst of energy from the Sorcerer's Rune, Lydia used the Ray Wing spell like never before and blasted ahead of Dampé. She swooped up the circular room and through the final door where Dampé had ended the race last time.
Although, she wasn't used to using the Ray Wing spell to such extremes, and ended up smashing into the inside wall.
Several moments later, Dampé floated up and into the end room. He found Lydia sprawled on her back on the floor, groaning loudly. Above her, the wall was cracked where she had hit. The ghost laughed and moved to hover just above her head. That's whatcha get for cheating.
Lydia opened her eyes and tilted her head to look at him. Cheating? Yeah, right! Did you run that race? No! She rolled over and slowly stood up, trying to regain her bearings. All right, you old fruit, I ran your little race. Happy now? Can I go?
Dampé laughed and nodded. That was very entertaining and challenging. Thanks for making my day. I hope you visit me again sometime. Bye bye! He vanished in a puff of white vapor, leaving Lydia alone with her aching muscles and annoyances.
She ground her teeth for a moment, then found the stairway in the back of the room. The first time they had been there, a large blue block had blocked these stairs. Link made it disappear with his Ocarina, and it was still gone, so Lydia just jumped up the ledge and sprinted upstairs. This would lead her right back to the windmill in Kakariko, then she'd track down the boys at Lon Lon if they weren't back yet. She was curious to know if anyone else had felt that weird tremor a while back.
About halfway up the stairs, a strange smell hit Lydia's nose. It wasn't something she got the chance to smell very often, but it was very distinguishable.
Smoke.
She quickened her pace to find that the upper parts of the stair case were filled with smoke. Something was on fire! Coughing, she held her hand over her nose and bolted to the top and into the windmill. What she saw made the panic rise in her. Something wasn't just on fire, everything was on fire! The inside of the windmill was completely engulfed.
Lydia was so shocked by what she saw that she didn't even realize that she was in serious danger from the smoke and flames that swirled around her. She didn't even notice until she began to feel lightheaded from the smoke. Time to move or she'd never get out.
Flare Seal!
Once she had protected herself from the flames, Lydia jumped down to the bottom of the windmill, right into the sea of fire. She held her arms out in front of her face as she ran through the flames. It seemed like an eternity before she finally reached the door, coughing and sweating. The door was shut tight, but it was half-burnt through. She backed up several steps, raised her arms in front of her head, then charged at the door, plowing right through it, sending smoldering splinters in every direction.
Lydia stumbled outside, coughing something horrible, and gripped the nearby fence for support. Eyes tightly closed and bent over, she felt like she was going to cough up one of her lungs. She had never seen so much smoke and fire in one place before!
Once the coughing fit passed, Lydia finally opened her eyes and looked up. Immediately she wanted to close them again, but couldn't take her eyes from the horrible sight. Almost every building in Kakariko Village was ablaze. Fire and heat was everywhere. Villagers were running in all directions, in complete panic and chaos. Her heart fell into about 258 pieces, give or take a few. She was so shocked and horrified that she couldn't even move.
Until she saw them.
Down on the ground a distance away, in front of the their house, Gordon was crouched down, waving madly at her, trying to get her attention. Link was sprawled on the ground next to him, seemingly out cold and hurt. Near the entrance of the village, a humongous shadow hovered on the grass. It was purple in color and resembled the static that appeared on a bad television channel. And it was closing on the boys fast. At first, she just stared. It wasn't until Gordon jumped in front of Link and prepared to throw a spell that her head cleared. She leapt up onto the fence and took flight. She didn't know what that purple thing was, but it was clobbering time!
----
Are you certain that this is all right? Princess Zelda asked.
The farm girl Malon smiled brightly. Of course it's all right, your highness. I need some company anyway. It gets awfully quiet here during the day. It's nice to talk to the horses, but they don't really carry a good conversation.
Link smiled. Even after seven years, Malon was still Malon. She hadn't changed a bit.
Bringing the princess to Lon Lon ranch had been Gordon's idea, originally. If Ganondorf ever found out that Princess Zelda really hadn't committed suicide, the first place he would look for her would be with them. The ranch would be safer. No place in Hyrule was really safe with Ganondorf around, but the ranch was the best choice. In the meantime, Lydia was supposed to be with Dampé returning the Hookshot. Now that he had the Longshot, as they all had begun to call it, the old man could have it back. Link just hoped that Lydia wouldn't give the old guy too many problems.
Or vice versa.
Malon, I really appreciate this, Link said, placing one hand on the farm girl's shoulder.
In turn, the red haired girl laughed and patted his cheek playfully. Just about anything you ask of me at this point is all right, Fairy Boy. After all, if you hadn't taken Epona from Mr. Ingo, he wouldn't have changed.
At the recognition of her name, Epona neighed happily and tucked her long nose under Link's chin.
Malon had told them everything when they had arrived. Apparently, right after Link had won the race with Ingo and taken Epona away, the stringy man had been so embarrassed and ashamed that he had just gone back to the way he had been before Ganondorf influenced him. He no longer abused the animals, he treated Malon like a princess, and Talon was back in the ranch-owner position. Everything was back to normal.
Gordon seemed satisfied with her reply. After everything, he understood why she would want to do favors for them. The sorcerer then turned to Zelda and said, I'm not sure how long you'll have to be here. If there are any problems, you know where to find us.
The princess nodded. Of course. And don't worry about me. I'll stay here and earn my keep. She smiled at Malon, who smiled back. Everything is taken care of. Her face then turned more solemn. ......What is your next target?
Link moved away from Malon to stand with Gordon. I don't think we're entirely sure yet. It's been a few days since we beat the phantom Ganondorf and revived the Deku Tree. I think we've had adequate rest. Time to move on.
Gordon nodded in agreement. Do you know what the other temples are? he asked Zelda.
Zelda put one finger to her lip in thought for a moment, then spoke. You've broken the curses on the Fire, Water, and Forest Temples, correct?
Both boys nodded.
All right, she continued. That means we now have four Sages. Rauru, Darunia, Ruto, and little Saria. Two more remain. The only two temples I know of are the Shadow Temple, deep in the Kakariko Graveyard, and the Spirit Temple, even deeper in the Haunted Wasteland.
The other two looked at each other, then back at Zelda.
I...I believe I know who the Shadow Sage is, she said. Nothing is positive, but while I was hiding in the Sacred Realm, I got ideas of all of the sages' identities. My guesses have so far been correct. The only one that's still very unclear to me is the Spirit Sage. I have no idea who that may be.
Gordon adjusted his glasses with two fingers and said, Then, you think you know who the Shadow Sage is?
The princess nodded. I believe that the Sage of Shadow is Impa.
Link's eyes lit up with the recognition of the name. Your old attendant? When Gordon looked up at him questioningly, Link thought an explanation was necessary. Impa is one of the last of the Sheikah, servants of the Hyrulean royal family. She's also the leader of Kakariko Village. She has been looking after the princess for her whole life. I've only seen her once or twice myself, before you two first came here. A very capable woman. He then turned to Zelda. I'll know her if I see her again.
Zelda's face softened. If you do run into Impa, please tell her everything we know. Perhaps she can help you in the Shadow Temple.
What's in the Shadow Temple? Gordon asked.
Link knew pieces of the legend behind it, but decided to let Zelda tell it.
Zelda turned to face the sorcerer. Long ago, an evil spirit was sealed there, in the bottom of the well in Kakariko. Its base was in the Shadow Temple. Since the spirit was sealed, the Temple has been empty. Even sealed away, the spirit is still causing trouble, preventing the Sage from being awakened. The spirit must be destroyed. In fact, unless the spirit can break free of the well, you will not have to visit the Shadow Temple at all.
That'd be nice. I'm sure Lydia would appreciate that.
Link cracked his knuckles. So, we have to get down into the well and destroy the evil spirit to awaken the Sage, whom you think is Impa.
The sorcerer looked at him with a furrowed brow. What if the spirit breaks free?
That spirit has been sealed for a long time. It hasn't broken free before. Why should it now?
Zelda solemnly shook her head. Since Ganondorf gained the Triforce of Power, the seal has slowly been weakening. It may go at any time.
Gordon balled his fists. Then there's no time to waste!"
Malon stood with her arms crossed, looking back and forth at the group. She had been following the conversation closely, and could not believe how involved Link and his friends really were in the fight against Ganondorf. Heck, they were the fight. She smiled at Link. It's obvious that when all this mess is over, she said, gesturing with her hand, you'll have a lot of stories to tell me.
Oh sure, Link replied with a smile. Everybody wants to hear the stories.
And do we have stories, Gordon added with emphasis.
It was then that the explosion rocked the ground. The soil beneath their feet shook fiercely as a rumbling sound wove through the air. Once the ground stilled, Link stood straight up, alarm reflecting in his blue eyes.
That came from Kakariko!
Everyone looked at each other. You...You don't think...? Gordon wondered aloud.
After exchanging looks, Link leapt into Epona's saddle and Gordon took to the air, not even taking the time to say goodbye to either of the girls. As they shot out from Lon-Lon Ranch, Zelda's voice called after them.
Be careful!
The beating sound of Epona's hooves were muffled by the screams of the Kakariko Villagers. As they got closer to the eastern side of Hyrule Field, smoke started to rise on the horizon. Link was pushing Epona almost to her limit, and Gordon flew just ahead and above.
Link took Epona across the small bridge and right up the stairs into Kakariko, not even stopping to leave the horse behind. When they reached the entrance to town, Gordon had already landed just inside. He yanked Epona to a stop and stared in horror at the sight.
Buildings all around them were on fire. Villagers were running all over, screaming about one thing or another. A few walls were already burned out in the nearby houses.
The fire crackled all around them, spooking Epona. The horse kicked up onto her hind legs, throwing Link to the ground. She slammed her hooves back into the soil, turned, and ran back to Hyrule Field, leaving Link behind.
Link was in such shock about the state of the town that the Hylian hardly noticed that he wasn't even on his horse anymore. He barely took note of Gordon as he yanked him to his feet. He hardly heard as the roof of a nearby building fell in.
What he did notice was the form pouring out of the well.
It was like a large purple shadow, flowing out of the well like a liquid. It snaked around the well a few times, then climbed a wall and swirled around the windmill, setting it on fire in the process.
That's the evil spirit! Gordon shouted. It has to be!
The seal finally gave way! Link replied.
Without thinking, the two boys ran into town toward it. As they ran past the tree, the shadow was snaking around the perimeter of town, toward where they had just been. It hovered near the entrance, as if waiting for either of them to try something. Then, it charged.
Caught in the heat of the moment, Link did the only thing he could think of. He unsheathed his sword and charged forward before Gordon could stop him. Astral Vine! A coat of red magic enveloped the Master Sword as he held it off to his side.
The dark shadow hissed as it neared the Hylian. Link held the magic-charged sword out in front of him, like a knight would in a jousting tournament. When he got close to the spirit, he lowered it closer to the ground and cut into the edge. Not surprisingly, the edge of the shadow split as it was cut.
Link kept moving. He ran deeper and deeper into the spirit as the sword cut through. Two halves were left on each side of him as he moved. When he neared the center, he reared the sword back and followed through with a shout, sending magical energy searing through the remaining half of the spirit.
The Hylian stopped and remained on guard, watching the remains of the evil spirit. On his left was one half, on his right, the other. Both halves were very still.
He couldn't help but worry. That was too easy.
Too easy, indeed. Just then, both halves quivered, then moved toward him as they came back together. Caught in the middle, all Link could do was throw his arms up over his head as a defense.
Gordon watched in horror. The two halves slammed back together, right on top of Link. The Hylian completely disappeared under the purple mess as the halves reunited. Almost immediately, he could hear Link howling in pain. The thing was attacking him!
Before he could even make a move to help, Link suddenly reappeared. A make-shift tentacle of the purple energy had him around the waist. It swung him around a bit, then threw him like a sack of potatoes. He landed hard at Gordon's feet, unmoving.
The shadow didn't hesitate to back up and prepare for the next attack. Gordon took the time to bend over and check on Link. He was still alive, but had taken a rotten beating. A distance away, the spirit hovered around the tree, ready to attack again.
It was at that moment that Lydia plowed through the burnt door of the windmill. Gordon heard the door explode into splinters as she ran through it. He saw her gripping the railing, coughing up smoke. Her hair was singed and her skin was darkened by the smoke.
He waved his arm, calling to her. But she couldn't seem to hear him over the roaring of the fires and the screams of the villagers. She was now straight up again and was looking at the village with a shocked look on her face. It was another moment before she even saw him.
But then the spirit started to move. Gordon quickly decided that he couldn't wait for his sister to help. He jumped in front of Link and prepared a spell. If this spirit wanted a fight, it'd get a fight.
Behind him, he heard Lydia shout, and turned around just in time to see her climb up onto the fence and fly high in the air. One of her fists slowly coated with white light as she casted a spell.
You pitiful twisted creatures, not of this world... by the Light of Purity I possess, I bid thee, be gone to the nexus of our two worlds! She then positioned herself directly above the attacking spirit and dove out of her flight, holding the magic high. Megido Flare!!
She dropped right into the center of the shadow, striking it with the magic. There was a flash of white light, and the shadow broke into several pieces that each shot away from the attack point. Lydia was left, knelt down on the grass, with her right fist dug into the dirt. All around her, the eight or nine pieces of the shadow quivered.
Gordon knew what was going to happen next. This was the same thing again! However, everything was happening so fast that he wasn't able to warn her before the spirit came together again. Just like Link, the sorceress disappeared under the purple spirit and was beaten around before it finally spit her out and threw her away.
That was the clencher. In a flash of energy, the Triforce of Wisdom once again revealed itself. Energy swirled all around the sorcerer as the symbol of the Triforce shone on his forehead. The evil spirit shrunk away from him, almost in fear.
Gordon sneered at it, the energy reflecting in his green eyes, you know what this is, don't you? Come and get me! He prepared to throw the Triforce's energy, but never got the chance.
Indeed, the spirit did recognize what it was dealing with, and careened off. It swung wide around the southern Kakariko, around and over burning buildings, and disappeared through the small opening that led to the graveyard. The thing was retreating to its old base, the Shadow Temple!
Get back here, you coward! Gordon shouted after it, even though he knew it was useless. It just seemed appropriate to shout a threat.
As the power of the Triforce of Wisdom continued to flare, the sorcerer looked around him. Buildings were burning, villagers were screaming. Link and Lydia both lay at his feet, their plans backfired.
He knew there was one way to save what remained of the town, and he'd have to use his Triforce piece to acquire the necessary energy. As the symbol flashed, Gordon cast a small spell, borrowing power from the Triforce to amplify it greatly, then threw his arms up.
Mos Varim!
A huge ball of black light appeared in the sky over the town. Almost instantly, it began to suck in the flames on the surrounding buildings. The Mos Varim was a counterspell to fire, so it immediately began to extinguish all of the fires around it. Normally, it wouldn't be able to put out an entire town, but with the Triforce of Wisdom in the mix, getting it to that point wasn't too hard.
Gordon kept the spell in action until the last fire had been put out, leaving only smoldering wood. The power of his Triforce piece slowly died out and the shining symbol disappeared. Although very winded, he knelt down and started working his healing magic on the other two.
Lydia groaned. Now I'm just mad.
The sorceress sighed loudly and held her head in pain, holding a healing spell to her forehead. That thing had beaten the crap out of her, whatever it was. Gordon hadn't offered an explanation yet. He was busy working on Link, who was still unconscious. It was obvious that her brother knew something about what happened. It was visible in his eyes.
Lydia opened her eyes and looked around. The buildings were no longer on fire. Villagers were no longer running around. They were mostly injured, or were helping the injured. The sorceress, feeling useless suddenly, stopped healing herself and stood up.
Keep working on Link, she said to her brother. I'm going to help the other townsfolk. With that, she started limping away.
You're still hurt, though! Gordon shouted after her. Look at you. You can't even walk right.
She turned back to him with a firm I-know-what-I'm-doing smile of authority and said, I'm fine. Others need my help right now. I'll be back. She once again turned her back and limped toward a villager that was slumped against a building, badly burned.
Gordon watched her kneel down and start the healing spell on the hurt man. She's horribly stubborn, he thought, but chivalrous to the end. Sometimes, the sorcerer thought that he'd never have her fully figured out.
He continued to watch her. She finished with the first person, then stood up to move to the next. She was obviously still a bit sore; it showed in the way she moved. But she wasn't letting that slow her down. Since they were siblings, Gordon and Lydia had always admired various things about each other, and this was one of things he admired about her. She seemed like a selfish person at first glance, but tended to put others first in tense situations.
Link was the same way – maybe that's why they got along so well.
He watched his sister for several more moments, then realized he had completely forgotten about his own patient. He turned his head to look at Link, and was surprised to see him fully awake and propped up on his elbows, looking around.
Gordon stuttered in surprise. I didn't even notice you'd come around again. Welcome back.
Link shifted his eyes to look at him. What happened?
That thing beat the juice out of you, first off. Lydia appeared about then and tried to fight it, and the same thing happened to her. He gestured with his hand to where Lydia was healing hurt villagers. She's pretty much okay now, though. How are you doing?
Stiff and sore. ....Where's the spirit?
I lost my temper when the thing beat on Lydia, too, and scared it off with my Triforce piece. It ran away, toward the graveyard.
Link lowered his head and his hair fell into his eyes. It must have been going to the Shadow Temple. That's where we need to go. He lifted his head and watched Lydia stand and limp over to another person. ....Hey, I thought you said she was okay! Look at her limping!
I said pretty much'. She worked on herself at first, but when she saw other people hurt and cut her own treatment short.
The Hylian shook his head, laughing quietly. She is so stubborn.
The two were silent for a few minutes, and then Gordon said, So....are we going to the Shadow Temple next?
Not quite. First, I want to find Impa and talk to her.
Oh yeah. The one Zelda thinks is the Shadow Sage. He lowered his hands, his healing spell finished.
Link stretched his arms and flexed his sore muscles. Lydia happened to look over then, and waved happily. She finished the man she was working on, then painfully stood and hobbled over to where the two boys were sitting. She sat down next to Link and continued to heal her own injuries.
Glad to see you're feeling better, she said.
The Hylian nodded, then lapsed into deep thought for a few minutes. He stood up abruptly and said, Wait here. I'll be right back. Leaving the sorcerers behind, he jogged over to an old man who was sulking near the tavern. He started to speak to the man. Neither of the other two could hear, but they continued to watch.
Link continued to speak, gesturing slightly with his hands. The old man shook his head and started to speak back. Link had his back to the sorcerers, so they couldn't see his face. But his reaction to what the old man was saying to him was almost immediately apparent. As the man finished speaking, Link put both hands on his head, as if in pain. He then ripped his hat off and threw it to the ground in apparent anger and frustration.
As he continued to carry on his conversation with the old man, Lydia got bored with watching them, and her attention traveled to the surrounding areas. It was sad. The buildings were still smoldering, but no longer burning. The Kakariko Tavern, where the townsfolk gathered to eat and drink and throw parties, had a whole wall missing. The roof of one building had completely collapsed. The windmill had several holes in it and one of the fan blades was gone. Lydia twisted her waist to look at their own house. Luckily, there wasn't much damage. There was some holes in the ceiling and the walls were charred, but nothing too serious.
As she stood up, now fully healed, Link was walking back to them, holding his hat in one hand and running the other hand through his blond hair in a gesture of someone that was very worried.
What was that all about? Gordon asked when he got close.
It seems, Link began, absently turning to look at the man he had spoken to, that the spirit already has a hostage.
Lydia actually took a step backward. What?? Who?
Gordon shook his head, then took his glasses off and wiped his eye with the back of his wrist. How very convenient, he said sarcastically.
The sorceress tugged on Link's braid as if she was ringing a doorbell. What happened?
Link turned to face her. It all happened just before we got back to town, apparently. Impa was right there when the seal blew open and tried to fight the spirit, but it whisked her away to the Shadow Temple. As he spoke, he swiftly gathered his hair and replaced his dirty hat on his head. It had already come back when we arrived.
Lydia ground her teeth together. Damn it! If that stupid old man hadn't made me race him, I might have been back in time to help!
Gordon looked at her. I thought that was what happened. You came out of the windmill, after all.
She scoffed. Yeah, and nearly killed myself doing it, she said, trying to clean off her darkened skin with her shirt sleeve. Suddenly, she smiled. ...But I beat him!
You flew, didn't you?
He played tricks on me. He deserved it.
Link chuckled quietly. That's very much like Dampé. His face turned serious again and he was quiet. All right, here's what we do, he said finally. The Shadow Temple is our next destination. We'll stay here in town and help the villagers for now. Once we've done everything we possibly can, we're going to the Temple.
Lydia nodded in agreement. That sounds good to me. ....But...that thing almost trashed Kakariko, and us. How do we know we can beat it when we find it again?
The Hylian got that hero-gleam in his eye. We'll find a way.
On that, the three adventurers parted, separating to different parts of Kakariko Village, pitching in wherever help was needed.
As Link was helping someone pull another guy from a collapsed building, he glanced over at the two sorcerers, who were healing injured people.
We'll find a way. We always do. Ganondorf will not win.