Ack! Die, college! Die, die, DIE!!!

Hi, everyone! I'm back in business!

Yes, college IS my excuse for my long-going dormancy, but I have another one – WRITER'S BLOCK.

Die, writer's block!!

But luckily for us, I had a sudden inspiration yesterday, and have been writing constantly since then, and I believe I've produced quite a treat for you.

While this chapter is not as long or as action-packed as they usually are, it is very information heavy, and no doubt will answer a lot of questions that you've had since the very beginning of this adventure. I hope it gives you as much closure as it has given me.

In other news, my website, Zelda Infinite, has finally re-opened! If you're tired of reading this story at Fanfiction.net, you can also find it there! A nice little advantage to that is this – spell casting is in colored text! Whee!! It's just cooler that way. AND I have more control over the formatting, so the paragraphs are less likely to be butchered all over the place. Take my word for it - it's not supposed to look this freaky. It really DOES have some organization to it. Evil Fanfiction.net! You foil my plans again!
...Serously, it has REALLY butchered this chapter. It looks terrible.
You're better off to just go to zelda-infinite.com. At least that way I have some control over how the final piece looks.
The name it's under there is Goddess Rinoa. That's my name there. ^_^

As usual, I'd like to thank you for sticking around while college continued to kick my butt. But, check it out, summer starts next week!

YAY!!

Enjoy the chapter. May the Triforce be with you.

--Lydia—

*~*~*~*

Worlds Apart

Part II

By Goddess Rinoa/Miss Lydia

Chapter 27

The Master Sword sat peacefully in the Pedestal of Time, glimmering with a proud brilliance. It sat silently, but spoke volumes. It spoke about the times it had been through, and the times it would go through. The trials it had been through in the hands of the Hero, and the times it would go through in the hands of future heroes, all in the name of peace in Hyrule. It truly was a magnificent talisman, standing tall in the Pedestal as a symbol of all good in the world, awaiting the time when it would be taken up again to fight evil.

But the Sword would not sleep. It was restless. It had been less than a day since the Hero of Time had returned it to its proper place in the Pedestal. The magic within the blade did not feel satisfied with that the Hero had accomplished. The evils of Hyrule had not yet been completely vanquished. Why was the sword dormant once again after so little time?

When the voices of young children broke the majestic silence of the Temple of Time, and the young Hero appeared once again through the Door, the Master Sword was relieved. Hyrule still had hope of being freed from the evil. All the Hero had to do was once again withdrawl the magical blade from the Pedestal, and they would once again embark on their journey. The Sword waited impatiently for the Hero to approach

Anyone one else feeling some serious déjà vu? the young Lydia asked openly as she stood with the two boys just inside the Door of Time.

We have done this once already, the even younger Gordon replied. The only difference is that Ganondorf isn't breathing down our necks this time.

Lydia nervously glanced over her shoulder, just to make sure her brother was right.

Link stared at the Master Sword. Light from the window above draped over the sword, causing it to shine magnificently. It truly was a breathtaking sight, as if he were laying eyes upon the sword for the very first time.

he said quietly. All we have to do is take the sword again, and we should be thrown back into the time seven years from now. That's what Zelda said. His voice was confident, but also somewhat unsure. The boy started to walk toward the Pedestal, but only got a few steps forward before Lydia grabbed hold of his arm and yanked him back.

Wait, wait, wait, she hissed in his ear. Don't you remember what happened last time we did this?? You pulled the sword out and got sent through time or got sealed or whatever, but something neutralized the Ocarina of Time's magic, and Gordon and I were thrown back home! Remember? You don't think that will happen again, do you?

Link's heart almost stopped at the realization. Was there really a strong possibility that it would happen again? He hadn't even thought about it.

Gordon's voice interrupted his thoughts. There are some things between age six and age thirteen that I wouldn't mind doing over again but it's seven years I really wouldn't want to live through all that again.

Not just that, it'll screw everything up! Lydia yelled. Damn time travel!!

Wait, calm down, Link said, steadying the girl with his hands. Zelda saw that happen the first time through this. If she thought it would happen again, she would have sent me back into this time alone. But she didn't.

Good point, Gordon agreed.

Lydia sighed. I guess you're right. But hypothetically, let's say Zelda's wrong and there's no way for us to get back to the future time with you. We can either not pull the sword, and Gordon and I live out those seven years again here, or we pull the sword, and Gordon and I live out those seven years again back home.

So what you're saying is that we have nothing to lose by trying.

Exactly. Let's just do it and hope for the best.

With that, the girl moved forward, pulling Link by his wrist. Gordon followed silently, his thoughts moving nonstop.

Link stopped in front of the Pedestal and swallowed hard. As he moved his hands toward the hilt of the Master Sword, each of the sorcerers took a strong grip on one of his arms. He paused and glanced over his left shoulder, taking a long look at Lydia's face. A part of him wanted to say goodbye, just in case the two really were sent back home again. Lydia, knowing Link well enough by now to pratically read his mind, smiled at him and nodded.

With that, Link faced forward and took a firm grip on the Master Sword. With a loud shout, he heaved upward, and the blade slid easily from the Pedestal of Time. Wind rushed through the Temple of Time as blue light sailed up into the air from the borders of the platform, and the three huddled figures disappeared in a flash of magical energy.

The Master Sword smiled with satisfaction.

*~*~*~*

The hissing in his ears stopped and the light finally dimmed. All was quiet again. Link slowly opened his eyes.

He immediately recognized his adult hands gripping the Master Sword, protected by those thick gauntlets. His gaze, glued forward, caught sight of the rubble on the ground, the missing Temple walls, and the brown, dreary, post-Ganondorf sky. What really bothered him was the silence. Was he alone? Had Zelda been wrong? A large part of him was too afraid to turn around and see.

Suddenly, a familiar pair of thin arms wrapped themselves around Link's neck from behind and hugged him tightly, and a girl's voice squealed with glee. A deep, male voice laughed with excitement.

An absoultely emmense wave of relief passed through Link then, and he came about to return the adult Lydia's excited hug. Zelda had been right. Lydia and Gordon were still with him, and both were okay.

Gordon paused long enough to present his theory. The first time the Master Sword was awakened must have been significant somehow. Something to do with the circumstances present back then. How strange.

Lydia let go of the Hylian and jumped back. Who cares about how? she shouted, spinning in a full circle on one foot. All that matters is that we're all here and everything's fine! She stretched her adult arms over her head as far as she could. Mmmm! MAN, this feels great!! Being a kid again was a real drag.

Her brother moved to stand right in front of her, and straightened his back as much as he could. What? You enjoy being shorter than me again? He then proceeded to laugh tauntingly at her until the girl's fist connected with his stomach.

Link was too busy admiring the Master Sword to pick on the sorceress. He watched it glimmer in his hand, despite the fact that there was no sunlight shining down on them. What a truly magnificent thing this sword was. With a respectful smile, he gracefully slid the sword into its sheath on his back.

Still got that Lens? Lydia asked, releasing her brother from a headlock.

Link reached into the front of his tunic and rummaged around in the inside pockets. His fingers brushed against the familiar piece of metal. He smiled and nodded at the girl, who smiled back.

Then everything's just peachy, she said cheerfully. Let's head back to Kakariko! I can't wait to show Zelda just how cool we are! Without waiting, she spun around and started decending the rock pile, singing We Are the Champions to herself. Gordon and Link paused long enough to shake each others' hands, then fell into step behind the girl.

As they left the Dragon Slave crater, Lydia fell back and let the boys lead, knowing that there was a pack of those nasty ReDeads in what remained of the market up ahead. She was hoping not to have to deal with those things directly. When they moved into the market, Link and Gordon ran forward without a word to dispatch the monsters. Obviously, they hadn't expected Lydia to participate in this battle and were content with taking care of it themselves. This was fine with her. She was perfectly happy to sit down on the stone ground and watch. But instead of watching, she rested her chin in one of her hands and started to think, occasionally interrupting her thoughts long enough to use a small spell to deflect a rock blown loose by one of her brother's spells.

That scare back therethe possibility of being thrown back home like before and missing out on being with Link for another seven years It really got her thinking about the origin of the magic she dealt with every day. Not just the magic she and her brother were armed with, but the magic embedded in Hyrule itself. More specifically, the connection between them. How were they related? Where did their magic come from? It popped up out of seemingly nowhere when Link played the Ocarina of Time when they had first met. It seemed too ridiculous to be true. I mean, her parents hadn't shown any signs of magical talent. Not only that, but NO one back in their world could manipulate magic, let alone to this magnitude. Just one spell could destroy half a mile of land. But, at the same timethe magic didn't seem to be Hyrulean either. With the exception of that spellbook Zelda had given them at the start of their adventure, there was no connection between their type of magic and regular Hyrulean magic.

What was the deal??

The girl was startled out of her thoughts by a set of knuckles knocking on the top of her head. Her brother was standing over her, looking at her through the small lenses of his glasses. The place is clear. We need to go through before they come back.

Without a word, Lydia stood up and followed her brother toward where Link was waiting, at the south entrance of the Market. When all three of them were walking together, she shared her thoughts about the magic with them. Link, having never really questioned their magic before, hummed to himself as he thought about the possibilities. Gordon immediately began throwing out theories of his own, none of which made any logical sense. They talked about it so long that they forgot to take flight once clear of Ganondorf's anti-magic seal in the air, and ended up walking all the way to Kakariko. The sun had almost completely set by the time they got to the house where they had left Zelda and Malon, and they weren't any closer to knowing the truth about the magic the two from Earth were armed with.

As they opened the door to the house and saw Zelda stand up to meet them, they all silently agreed to worry about the more pressing events at hand for now.

Did you find anything? Zelda asked worriedly.

Link smiled, reached into his tunic, and pulled out the Lens of Truth. The light from the lamps in the corners danced from the glass as Link showed it to the princess. I believe this is what we were looking for.

The princess of Hyrule then lost all royal composure and jumped up and down excitedly as Lydia so often did. I knew it! I knew it! she shouted energetically. I knew the Temple of Time wouldn't fall so easily! We still have hope after all! She stopped suddenly and her eyes widened as she realized how she was acting. She straightened her dress and stood with a straight back as a princess should, and blushed all the way to her ears. I-I mean Well done, all of you. You should wait until tomorrow to venture to the Shadow Temple. I believe you have earned a full night's rest after today's success.

Malon smiled and gave the three a thumbs-up.

Whoo, I'm all for that, Lydia sighed, stretching her tired arms and shoulders. G, why don't you be a man and escort the princess and Malon back to the ranch? I'm going to bed.

Gordon replied.

Malon moved to open the door. I'll get the horses ready, she said as she slipped outside.

As Lydia yanked her duffel bag out from under the bed, she said to Link, Hey, why don't you go with them?

Link asked before really thinking about it.

The sorceress raised her eyebrow at him. Because I need to change my clothes. I like you just fine, but you're not allowed to see me in my underwear. Move along now, Dodongo-Buster.

Too embarrassed to even defend himself against that, Link quickly shuffled from the room without a word and disappeared outside, trying in vain to hide how red his face was. Gordon simply laughed and followed.

Zelda, surpressing her laughter as she tried to act princess-like, started to follow them outside when Lydia's voice stopped her.

The princess stopped and looked at the sorceress.

The girl smiled warmly. Don't you worry about the Shadow Temple. The boys and I will take care of it, and we'll even save Impa while we're at it. You just concentrate on keeping yourself safe.

Zelda smiled back and nodded. Thank you so much. With that, she disappeared outside, closing the door behind her.

Finally alone, Lydia dropped her forehead and rested it on the bed with a heavy, exhausted sigh. What a day, she thought as she pulled her pajamas out of the bag. They'd had tough days before, but they never before had faced an entire day of the Undead. Maybe the two boys weren't as phased by that as she was, but As she slipped out of her clothes, she reminded herself that tomorrow would probably be an Undead day, too. The Shadow Temple was sure to be full of them.

She tried not to think about is as the put out the lamps and slipped into the bed. Whatever came at them the next day, they'd just take care of it, like they always do. Nothing to worry about.

Famous last words, she thought to herself as she started to drift off. As she fell asleep, the Sorcerer's Rune fell out from inside her shirt and lay peacefully on the sheets.

*~*~*~*

It was dark and quiet in this place. But the dark retreated quickly and Lydia found herself in the desert. Link was in front of her, and Gordon off to her side. She blew Gordon away with a spell and he rolled along the ground, failing to get up again. She drew her sword from thin air and advanced on Link, who pulled out his own sword to defend himself.

Lydia had been through this enough times by now to know that she was dreaming again. She knew it wasn't really happening, but all the same, wished desperately for it to end. She closed her eyes to shut out the horrible image of killing Link with her own hands, but even that didn't prevent her from watching again. Once he hit the ground and the darkness came again, she began to fall into the abyss, and the voice spoke the prophecy.

Allies will fall, evil will rise. Even when all seems lost, the last resort will fail. Only the power of all will defeat the evil. Ultimate power will restore the land.

Normally, the dream would end there. But Lydia was tired. She was tired of watching this horror over and over again. She was tired of this stupid ambiguous voice that had been invading her dreams since before she even met Link. With the frustration of many years of enduring this all piled up into her voice, she shouted at the darkness.

All right, THAT'S IT!! I want some damned answers NOW!! I'm sick of this!! You've been haunting me for years!! You at least owe me answers!!

To her surprise, the sensation of falling slowed and eventually stopped. Suddenly, she felt a firm ground beneath her feet. As the girl regained her balance, the voice came again.

What is it you wish to know?

Lydia couldn't believe it. She didn't think screaming at nothing would actually work! Amazing. The voice wasn't a product of her over-active imagination She really was being haunted by some kind of spirit speaking to her through her dreams. Now that her brain wasn't moving so fast, Lydia noticed for the first time that the voice was vaguely female. She didn't understand why she had never attached a gender to it before.

The girl swallowed hard and thought even harder. F-first of all, thanks for taking a moment to speak to me. Secondly Who are you?

I am Din, the Hyrulean Goddess of Power.

Lydia choked with surprise. No kidding?! THE Din? Wow! Oh my god, wait until I tell Link! Um, may I ask why the Goddess of Power is talking to me? No, wait I have a more important question first. The girl sucked in a breath, then dropped the bomb. Why are we here? My brother and myself? Why do we have such powerful magic that seemingly came from nowhere?

I suppose you are owed some explaination, young sorceress. You have many questions, and I will be able to answer most of them simply by telling you a story of a time past. Are you ready to learn of your past?

Lydia replied, holding nothing back. I want to know everything.

The Goddess paused for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, unsure of where to begin.

In a time not too far passed, Hyrule was torn apart by war, before the King united the kingdom. Races fought against each other. Many perished in the battles. Those were truly dark times. Most Hyruleans that were not fighting in the war hid in the shadows, concerned for their own lives. But there were a few that set out on their own to try to end the war. A select group of young people began researching dark arts long, long lost to Hyrule. They tried to learn how to manipulate these ancient forces in hopes of ending the brutal war.

Yes. These ancient forces are what you call magic. But these arts had been lost to Hyrule for centuries, so not many had the kind of talent required to master its manipulation. Out of the entire group of those researching this magic, only two managed to master it to the point of being able to use it at will, without a second thought. In normal circumstances, even they wouldn't have been able to master this ancient art. It is believed that their talent was summoned completely for one sole reason – there was a new and growing threat to Hyrule, far more dangerous than the possible damage done by war.

Two sorcerers mastered this magic? That's a convienient number. I think I see where this is going.

Oh, several of these young people mastered the magic. But only two of them mastered it to the point of being able to use it without consulting a spellbook every day. They had such exceptional control over these forces that they could call upon it with a simple gesture or chant, and could summon spells far more powerful and potent than the others could ever hope to. They were a brother-sister pair, which explains the sharing of talent between them. Their names were Riku and Maya. Maya was the stronger of the two in the ways of magic. Riku was younger, but wiser than his sister.

This is sounding way too familiar. It's beginning to get scary. Before we go on What was that greater threat than the war'?

Unfortunately, the war inspired an evil man to pursue his passions of domination, and he began studying more modern Hyrulean magics, far different from what had been mastered by these two sorcerers. He was the young leader of the Gerudo race, barely of age. His name was Ganondorf Dragmire.

Lydia exclaimed. That same creep we've been fighting against all this time?! Wow. I can't imagine he was that old back then That means he's been trying to take over Hyrule ever since he was about Link's age. Oh, I-I'm sorry! Please, continue.

The group of sorcerers saw Ganondorf as a threat to the outcome of the war. Howeveronly the two that were truly one with their magical ability saw Ganondorf's TRUE threat to Hyrule. He wouldn't just be something as simple as a leader in this war. His evil ambitions would someday threaten to destroy Hyrule completely. However, they could not convince the rest of their group to see this serious threat, so these two sorcerers set out to the West on their own, determined to destroy this threat before it grew. But because of the Gerudo man's own magical ability, he sensed them coming, and was ready. He caught the two sorcerers off guard. Despite their best efforts, they were both killed at the hands of Ganondorf.

Lydia swallowed hard. Ganondorf, even at that young age, had managed to kill off two people that had complete mastery of complicated, ancient magic. That was quite intimidating. Time to distract herself. So, what does that have to do with me and my brother? AlthoughI don't think I even have to ask

When mortals die, their souls are sometimes reborn in new bodies with no knowledge or memory of their prior lives. In your world, I believe it is called reincarnation'. It is not uncommon for these souls to sometimes get lost and manage to cross dimensional barriers and leave Hyrule. These two sorcerers easily crossed the dimensions because of the sheer power they held, and even managed to find new bodies for themselves right away. The wiser of the two sorcerers, Riku, was reborn into your brother's body. And you hold the soul of Maya – the more powerful of the two.

I knew it. I knew it. You're saying that the kid and I are the reincarnations of those ancient Hyrulean sorcerers. I guess it's no coincidence that Gordon and I were born into the same family. Before we move on, may I ask a related question? Why did Ganondorf kill these two people right off the bat? I mean, even for him, that's rather odd. He didn't even know them and he just up and killed them.

Ganondorf knew the legend of the Triforce. One of his ambitions was to someday acquire it. Not just anyone can receive the sacred relic. It must be a person that either passionately believes in the force of power, wisdom, or courage or in extremely rare cases, has all three forces balanced in their heart.

Right! That's that old Sheikah legend! When Ganondorf got the Triforce, he only got the Power piece because that's what he believed in the most.

It's difficult to know the legend of the Triforce without knowing of that Sheikah legend of which you speak. Ganondorf believed he could acquire the full Triforce, but resolved to destroy any other potential receivers just in case the Triforce split when he finally did find it. These two sorcerers came, and Ganondorf felt threatened by them because they had the potential to hold pieces of the Triforce, should it ever break. There is a reason that Princess Zelda was able to pass on the Triforce of Wisdom to your brother at that time. The sorcerer's soul that resides within him belonged to a very wise person, who no doubt would have received the Triforce of Wisdom. Because of this, your brother was able to hold the Trifoce of Wisdom. Back in those times, Riku would have been first in line to receive it. But once Princess Zelda was born, he would have fallen into second place, had he been alive. Your brother was the runner-up, if you will.

So the kid was meant to receive the Triforce of Wisdom before he was even born. What about the Triforce of Courage?

In those times of war, there was no one very suitable to hold the Triforce of Courage. Most were more concerned with surviving the war than in having the courage to end it. If the Triforce had split at that time, the Courage piece would have gone to who was MOST suitable, but could have been easily lost by that person, because their belief in courage wouldn't have been strong enough to keep a firm hold on it. Around the time when the two sorcerers were killed by Ganondorf, a baby boy was born into the servant house of the Hyrule Royal Family. Soon after his birth, the boy's father was killed in battle, and his mother was mortally wounded while escaping the fires of war with her young son. She made it to the Deku Tree in the East, and entrusted him with the boy's care. This young boy had destiny engraved in his soul, and would one day grow up to be a Hero that would strike down the Evil King Ganondorf.

Link. That's where he comes into all this. Link was born to carry the Triforce of Courage.

I have one more thing to comment on when it comes to the sacred Triforce. Have you noticed that the Evil King has held a grudge against you as of late? When you fought his phantom in the Forest Temple, all attacks were directed at you. Ganondorf wanted you dead. He has begun to see you as a threatjust as he did those two sorcerers.

Are you saying what I think you're saying?

There is a reason I am speaking to you, rather than Farore or Nayru. The sorcerer's soul that your body houses was very powerful indeed. Her power exceeded even all others. She had even more talent than Ganondorf himself when it came to the art of magic. Maya was very powerful. Today, Ganondorf has begun to see you as the greatest threat because, like your brother was second-in-line for the Triforce of Wisdom, you are next to receive the Triforce of Power. I have known this since you were born, and have been watching you all your life, much as Nayru has watched the young boy, and Farore has watched the Hero of Time.

Lydia sank down to the invisible floor and tried to regain her bearings. She had the potential to hold the Triforce of Power?!

I tell you this as a warning. I do not believe Ganondorf realizes quite yet why you threaten him so much, but he will realize in time, no doubt, who you really are. You must watch yourself. He will kill you if he gets the chance.

The girl was silent for several long moments. Din waited patiently, knowing well that this was probably a lot of information for a mortal to handle all at once.

Finally, Lydia swallowed and spoke quietly, standing up again. wow. I didn't expect that one. She thought hard. There was more she had to ask, and this was her chance. Best not to waste it. I have another question Gordon and I indeed had no knowledge of our previous lives, nor any sense of the magical ability within us. But when Link played the Ocarina of Time for us, everything about the magic came awake at once. And when we got to Hyrule, the library in the castle happened to have a spellbook that was jam-packed with these ancient spells. What can you tell me about that?

Everything, really. While the two sorcerers were studying magic, their unusual talent was recognized by the Royal Family. During the last years of their lives, they studied magical items. They worked with the Royal Family's magic users and special craftsmen in creating a magical item that would from then on be treasured by the Royal Family and would be a special key to Hyrule. That treasure created was the Ocarina of Time.

I get it. The Ocarina of Time has some of this ancient magic fused into it. When Link played for us, the magic in the Ocarina awakened the dormant magic within us That's why it can transport the player across the dimensions It's also what's keeping us in Hyrule

Maya studied even further, and was able to create a magical item of her own – a stone that could amplify the magical energy of its user. You now wear that item around your neck – it's no coincidence that you have it.

The Sorcerer's Rune?

The two sorcerers were so familiar with their magic that they worked together to scribe everything they knew into a large book, so the magic could be studied by future generations. I believe you also have posession of that book. It's truly a miracle that it survived the war long enough to land in the hands of its creators once again.

That explains why we were able to teach Link a couple simple spells all those years ago This magic can be taught, but it can't be mastered without real magical talent. So all this business of being reincarnated Hyrulean sorcerers Is that why we're here?

Normally, a soul reborn into a different world have no connection to their previous world in any way. But it's different with you two. Fighting Ganondorf has been engraved into your destiny, much as it is with the Hero. It's no coincidence that you two fight together with him.

I see

Have all your questions been answered? I'm running short of time. Morning draws near. I must admit I hadn't planned on explaining all this to you when I came to you tonight. Otherwise, I would have come to you earlier.

Oh! Y-Yes, I think so. Everything makes so much more sense now I can't believe all this. Wait, no! That prophecy you've been throwing at me repeatedly! This horrible nightmare I keep having! What does it mean?!

I can easily tell you of the past. I cannot easily tell you of the future. You can always change your future. Whatever the future brings, just remember that I will always be watching you, and will aide you in whatever way I can. You must save Hyrule! Don't ever forget who you are!

Before Lydia could protest any further, something in front of her glowed brightly. She closed her eyes and shielded them from this light that seemed to be coming from her own chest. She felt a strange power pass through her, energizing her body. When the light finally dimmed, she slowly opened her eyes, finding nothing at first but the darkness she'd been in since the beginning of this dream. But then she noticed something glimmering below her eye level. She looked down at the Sorcerer's Rune, which was hanging from the chain around her neck.

Ever since she had first stolen this Rune from Ganondorf (or stolen it back, it now seemed), it had always been a dull red stone. But Din had changed the Rune's shape. Instead of a red rune, it was now a shining, golden pendant in the shape of the Triforce.

Before the girl could even react, everything around her went white, and she began to feel lightheaded. The world around her disappeared, and all was once again quiet.

Don't ever forget who you are!

*~*~*~*

With a gasp, Lydia sat straight up in bed, tightly clutching the sheets. She was once again sitting in darkness, but this time, her eyes adjusted to it quickly. She glanced around. She was back in the house, in her bed. To either side of her, Link and Gordon were curled up under their covers, sound asleep, unaware of what had just happened.

What had just happened Did it really happen?, Lydia wondered. Had the goddess Din been the one that had been haunting her in her sleep? The whole idea seemed crazy, but it all made sense at the same time. The dream was so vivid. How could it not have really happened?

With a sigh, Lydia put a hand to her chest and tried to regain her breath. It was then, when her palm brushed the Sorcerer's Rune, that she suddenly remembered. She quickly took the Rune in her hands and looked down at it.

It was a Triforce pendant. Even in the lack of light in the room, it seemed to glow with unearthly brilliance. It had happened.

Lydia smiled with satisfaction and tucked the Rune back into her shirt, and lay down on the pillow. It was all so amazing. Everything finally made sense. After years of not knowing the trutheverything made sense.

That prophecy was still something to worry about, though Din had said something about being able to change the future. Was that horrible scene really in her future? Was she really a danger to Link's life?! The thought of it terrified her all over again. But right away she remembered Din's words. You can always change your future. That was the only hope Lydia had to hold on to, and she resolved to do everything she could to change that future.

At least she finally knew the truth.

Feeling more complete than she had in a long time, she drifted back into a more peaceful sleep and waited for morning.

*~*~*~*

When morning came, it found the girl and two boys seated at their table in the corner of the Kakariko Tavern. It was still early, only about 8:00, too early for them to be up and about, usually. But Lydia'd had a really hard time sleeping and had gotten up out of bed around sunrise, and had woken the other two with her shufflings around the little house.

She had tried to keep it quiet at firstthe stuff she now knew. She didn't want to bombard the boys with it before they'd even had breakfast. But Link's sharp eyes foiled that plan when they saw the transformed Sorcerer's Rune hanging from her neck. With the cat out of the bag, Lydia took them into the Tavern, and told them everything. It took the span of the entire breakfast to tell them every detail she could remember of what the Goddess Din had told her. Link's mouth had been open during most of the story, as if unable to accept the fact that Din herself had spoken to the sorceress. Gordon was always slightly leaned forward, eager eyes wide open.

And that is about the jist of things, Lydia finished, jabbing at the last of her breakfast with her fork. We finally know what's up, so let's see if we can work with it when we finally fight the man Ganondorf himself.

was all Gordon could manage to say at the moment.

So, if Ganondorf were to lose the Triforce of Power, Link asked, also poking at his food, you'd be the one to get it?

Pretty much, she replied. We'd have a full Triforce. I think our goal is clear, guys. We have to get it from him.

We also have to make sure Ganondorf doesn't get his hands on you, Link breathed with a very worried tone.

I wonder how this will impact our adventure? Gordon wondered aloud.

His sister almost laughed at him. she said. It won't impact a damn thing. All that's happened is that an objective has been added. Now, we don't only defeat Ganondorfwe have to retrieve the Triforce of Power from him. If we can do that, we can repair the damage he's already done and will do in the near future. Think about it – this stuff we know Ganondorf does NOT know yet. He doesn't know who the kid and I really are or why he sees me as such a threat. We can work with that! Use it to our advantage.

They all sat silently for several moments, all pondering this heap of new information and answered questions. It was so much to absorb all at oncebut it was also so wonderful. Their chances at saving Hyrule had jumped greatly, simply because they knew the truth and could work with it. Needless to say, all three of them were feeling pretty confident.

Gordon asked, pointing at Lydia. What did Din do to your rune?

Lydia glanced down at it. You know what? I don't know. I thought I felt something pass through me when she did it, but it could have been my imagination. Maybe it's just a reminder of who we are, so we never forget. She kept emphazising how we must never forget who we are.

I wonder if Zelda knew all this I mean, she entrusted the Triforce of Wisdom to me without a second thought. Could it have been because she knew who I was? Did she know about Maya and Riku?

We'll ask her another time, Link said, slowly standing up from the table. He reached into his tunic and put two red rupees down next to his plate. We have to crush that Shadow Spirit. It's more important right now.

Lydia stood up as well. Yeah, we'll meet Zelda again soon, no doubt. She paused, glancing at Link. Where's the temple? You've been there already, right?

Right. It's in the far east of the graveyard.

It won't require a visit with our good friend Dampé, will it?

Only if you want to.

I don't. And with that, she pushed her chair in and headed for the broken wall. The plump bartender smiled at her from behind his mustache and waved goodbye to them as they left.

The clouds over Kakariko were brown and dreary on this day. Thunder rolled above them, but no rain came. The clouds only got thicker as they approached the graveyard. It was as if they were trying to scare people off. Don't come in here, the clouds warned. It's scary in here.

These three were too experienced by now to fall for that, and walked into the graveyard without hesitation.

The moment they were inside the graveyard, rain started to fall. It wasn't overly heavy, but just enough to uncomfortably dampen their clothes and get Lydia's complaints started. The clouds above them were downright black, complete with thunder and some lightning. Every time the lighting danced in them, the Sorcerer's Rune that Lydia wore managed to bounce that light around a bit and glow for just a moment.

Link led them past all the gravestones and stopped at the back wall. There was a hole there. Lydia asked if that's where they'd find the temple. Link explained that this was where he learned the Sun's Song back before the two sorcerers had come to Hyrule. He pointed above them. On the top of this back wall was a little fence. The entrance to the Shadow Temple was just above them, he explained.

The sorcerers flew up and over the fence, pulling the Hylian along with them. Just up there was a Triforce platform, much like the ones in Death Mountain Crater, the Sacred Meadow, and Lake Hylia. Behind it was a cave entrance, with the ground sloping downward just inside. The two boys went on inside without slowing down, and Lydia followed after a nervous glance at the surroundings.

When the ground leveled off, they were in a room with a raised platform in the middle, and a closed door on the opposite side. The room was absoutely littered with torches. They weren't arranged in any particular pattern – they were just there for the sake of being there.

Link touched his chin in thought. Hmm, that's odd. I thought we already opened this once?

Gordon laughed. No wonder it's raining so hard outside. The shadow spirit is all mad at us for not closing the door behind us when we left last time and letting in all that cold air. He traced his steps back out of the room, picking up Lydia on the way. We can let Link take care of this.

The girl stood with him just outside the room, and watched Link move to the center of the room and climb up on the platform. After a short pause, he put both of his hands to his right side, a pose very similar to the sorcerers' spell-firing position. He swung his right arm up in a wide arc and struck the floor in front of him with a loud shout, and released the power of Din's fire. A dome of fire expanded to fill the entire room, lighting each one of the torches along the way. When the spell finally dimmed, the door at the opposite end of the room shook with effort and began to heave upward.

Lydia laughed with glee and threw her right fist into the air. All right! Horray for Din!

Her brother looked at her with raised eyebrows.

She stopped cheering and looked back at him, but kept her fist high in the air. What? Din's awesome.

Link, proud of himself, dusted his hands and turned to face them. Let's go! Now that we have the Lens of Truth, we can finally make some progress!

Let's get this overwith then! Lydia shouted with enthusiasm. Into the Shadow Temple!

The three quickly disappeared through the doorway and into the darkness ahead. Soon after they were far inside, the door creaked again and lowered itself back into its original position. The sound of it hitting the ground echoed throughout the room and the torches went out. All was as it was.

The shadow spirit waited eagerly to meet them. It had a bone to pick.