"The flow of time is always cruel...Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it...A thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days..."
(Sheik)
Chapter Eight
"A Set-up"
Zelda opened her eyes. The pain was almost too much to bear. She gasped for breath as the shadow before her began to show its form. Right next to her, Saria was busy wiping her tears away. The pain had been so great for her that it had caused her to cry. She still was, only quietly.
The dust cleared to reveal a skinny fellow with a strange witch's hat. He wore a flowing black cloak that covered everything but his head. He was a very ugly man who had a bluish hue to his skin. He held up a little bag, "Hello, ladies. Looking for this?"
Zelda was the first to recover. She spoke, "Who are you?"
The man bowed, "The names Aghanim. It's a pleasure to meet two beautiful maidens as yourselves."
Zelda and Saria felt more disturbed than flattered at the comment.
"So, this is how the sages look like, funny, I was expecting a group of old seniors with asthma. Not that I'm disappointed anyway." Aghanim said with a perverted tone.
Saria still couldn't catch her breath. Her young face was stained with tears. Yet, despite the pain it caused her, she managed to say, "What do you want?"
Aghanim smirked and responded, "Aww is the little baby okay? Did she get a little boo-boo?" he was the only one laughing, "Well, if you two really want to know, I plan to release my master, Ganondorf, from that infernal prison you trapped him in. Be sure to tell your friends that, I like challenges."
Saria stepped forward, Zelda followed,Saria said, "I'm your challenge right here! I'll take back the key!"
Aghanim laughed, "Just because you say you will doesn't mean you'd succeed! I mean, think about it! You're just a-"
Aghanim never got to finish as a strong gale of wind struck him hard in the chest, knocking the air out of his lungs, a flurry of leaves followed shortly afterwards. Aghanim was thrown backwards, landing flat on his back.
"You talk too much." Saria said, lowering her hand.
Aghanim was no longer wearing a smile. He glared and said, "Fine! If that's how you want to play, little girl, then take THIS!"
Aghanim fired off a flurry of ice, the shards of ice were sharp enough to pierce through steel. Saria didn't flinch as Zelda casts a high-level barrier spell on both of them, Nayru's Love was what it was called. The ice shards shattered as they hit the barrier.
Aghanim blinked, he looked absolutely shocked, but he quickly recovered himself and smirked, "Hah! I'm only playing around with you!"
"Then shut up and fight!" Zelda said as she extended her palm at Aghanim, blowing him back once more with a burst of telekinetic energy.
Aghanim groaned, muttering to himself, "Sheesh...I thought the new sages were pushovers..." Aghanim glances at the bag containing the key and smiles, "...but still. They're still a bunch of kids. I've got experience and that's what I'll use to bring them down."
Aghanim stood back up, "You're Princess Zelda, aren't you? A prodigy in the arts of psycho kinesis and telepathy, I've heard stories about you. I never thought you'd have the honor of becoming a sage."
Zelda narrowed her eyes, "What's your point?"
Aghanim smiled, "My point is this: I know what happened to Link." Saria glances at Zelda, and Aghanim continued, "If you let me go, I'll guarantee that you will have him back." He looks Saria in the eye, "I will also grant you a bonus, I'll make your deepest wish come true."
Saria and Zelda looked at each other. Saria spoke slowly, "You mean...you'll make me older? Like...her age?" Saria gestured at Zelda.
Zelda gave Saria a look, "Saria, don't..."
Aghanim nodded, "Yes...its a simple spell. I can make all your desires come true. All you have to do is help me retrieve the other keys."
"Anything I...want?" Saria repeated to herself.
Zelda, unable to take this anymore, says loudly, "Saria! What are you talking about! Don't you see that he's just spewing a bunch of BS?"
Aghanim looks at Zelda, "The same applies to you, Zelda my dear. I can even take the title of Princess away from you. You won't be bound to the laws of royalty."
Zelda gave Aghanim a spiteful look, "Don't even. I'm on to you, even if you could, I'd never agree. Besides..." Zelda charged up Din's Fire. "...It won't matter since you'll be ashes by the time I'm finished with you!"
Saria stepped in of Zelda's path, "No...I won't let you!"
Zelda shook her head, "Dammit, Saria! Don't let him get into your head so easily!" Saria extended both hands at Zelda as forest leaves began to flutter around her, "This is my chance to be happy! I won't let you take that away! I wont let you steal my happiness again!"
Behind her, Aghanim stuck his tongue out at Zelda and blew a raspberry.
Zelda doubled the energy in her attack, the ball of fire glowed with more intensity, "Saria, if you don't move, I'll be forced to take you out along with that creep behind you."
Saria glared, and said with a cutting tone, "We both know that's your excuse to get rid of me so you'll have Link all to yourself."
Zelda, with a hint of desperation in her voice, said, "Saria, use your head! If you want me to stop treating you like a kid then stop acting like one!"
"There you go again! I'm not a kid anymore! You're the kid here! You always get what you want!"
"Can't you see that this is exactly what that prick behind you wants? Stop thinking only about yourself! Like you said before, we have to put duty above personal feelings!"
Saria shouted, "Well, you can go to hell for all I care! This is our chance and I'm not going to let it slip!"
The two girls looked at each other, Saria winked.
Zelda smiled. Saria quickly spun around, ducking and firing off her attack at Aghanim. Zelda aimed straight at Aghanim and let her spell fly, Aghanim's eyes widened as he was blown backwards and into the wall behind him. Saria's wind spell kept him pinned as Zelda's ball of fiery death flew right for him. Aghanim managed to skid a few inches to the right as the ball collided with him.
The explosion was enormous, but both Saria and Zelda stood their ground. The dust cleared to reveal Aghanim lying on the ground, his left arm was completely blown off. Zelda walked over and picked the bag with the key up. Aghanim groaned as Saria joined her, they both stood over him, Aghanim cursed, "Damn you two...I'll be back...you haven't won yet!"
With that, he vanished with a flash.
Zelda said with a smile, "What a wimp."
Zelda handed the bag to Saria, "Let's go back. The others are probably waiting for us by now."
Zelda and Saria looked at each other and smiled.
