Caranril: The stupidness of it all! Sorry I missed last weekend's update! Legolas finally untied my hands.
Legolas: Steel-enforced weaving, baby! Not even a shrewd author could get out of those babies!
Thanks to: Lone Chaos Wolf (Yay! More fireworks! Sorry to make you faint...again.), Demonwolf98 (So sorry about the wait! Maybe this'll satisfy your withdrawals), and Sphinx Jinx (I didn't think you were mean! Believe me, I've seen worse. It was your opinion and I respect that. Three cheers for more fireworks!).
Caranril: I don't think I'll ever run out of these puppies!
Legolas: Oh dear...
The Dark Before The Dawn - Chapter 19: Duel
"Enough!"
Zelda and Link jumped at the voice in their ears. The blue light that had surrounded them was slipping into an angry vortex.
"I am tired of the scenarios that play out with you, Hero! And you think you can always win! Well let me tell you something different..." The light had collected into a humanoid form that towered over the two elves. "I have been watching you since the moment you played a note on that cursed ocarina, and every step you took through Time. You thought you could control it; you figured you would be able to save the world by manipulating Time. However, once I take your life blood a second time, I will be able to hold Time in the palm of my hand and squeeze you from it. Squeeze you from existence..." The form turned away, but froze. "Oh. Well, just the blood from you two may not suffice, but my servants will find worthy blood to renew my power."
Link's eyes followed the direction Meltose had been headed.
"Zelda!" he whispered and pointed. Sheik and Mirwen were gone. No bodies, no blood, not even a hair: they had gone to the goddesses.
"I pray that this worked," Zelda said. "But now..." She turned back to Meltose, who had lost interest in the disappearance of one pair and was now focusing on another.
"Two!" he crowed. "For the price of one!" Big blue hands shot forward to snatch them, but Link's ring protected him from harm. Zelda didn't have such a ring and was stolen from his side. Link held forth the Master Sword in challenge.
"Release her! I will fight you in a duel to prevent you from taking her life." Link stared down the blade pointed at Meltose. Meltose glanced at Zelda, who was weary and couldn't put up a good fight.
"Name your terms, elf."
"First, she will not be involved in any way whatsoever. Second, if you win, you take my life instead of hers. If I win, you let us go. Thirdly, you cannot manipulate Time. Here and now is where we'll battle."
Meltose snickered. "If you win, you can go free and I will take the Princess. I have to have a prize either way."
"We'll just see about that," Link muttered to himself. Okay, Link. You just put yours and Zelda's lives on this duel. It's up to you how it's gonna turn out. He bit his lip. "Now release her."
"Fine." He released her, and she dropped to the black ground. Zelda cried out as she landed, then crawled away from the god, wary of an injured ankle. The light forming Meltose condensed so that he appeared more solid in form than the whirling of wind as before. A long flaming sword stretched from one of the blue hands of light. Eyes of blue fire pierced through Link menacingly.
All right, so to duel me effectively, he has to have limits like me. This could be good, Link told himself optimistically. Meltose roared in challenge, blue flames shooting from his gaping mouth that was opened as wide as half of Link's height. Oh. Damn.
Meltose gripped his sword and lunged at Link, who parried with a drop to one knee and a block with his sword as he rolled past. Several feet taller than he was, Meltose's reaction was a little slower than Link's, so by the time he turned around to face him again, Link was on his feet and charging. The Master Sword went deep into the blue light-flesh. Meltose grunted, then shoved Link back, who pulled the sword out with him as he stumbled backwards. Looking more annoyed than injured, Meltose stomped closer. Link held his arm, finding it to be aching after stabbing the god.
Meltose had been an excellent swordsman, but centuries of idleness and lack of sword had dulled his wits more than he would care to admit. Link had managed many more stabs into the light-flesh than Meltose had at his force field ring, but Link was also mortal and wearying very quickly. The brightness of light had toned down significantly, but not enough to extinguish Meltose.
Link hacked at the blue leg and dodged the swing in response to the pain. He backed away, panting heavily. His eyes were blurred with sweat and his left arm was throbbing painfully from stabbing Meltose and blocking his blows with the ring. He had tried switching hands, but his right arm just didn't have any use for the sword. He dragged the Master Sword along with him, too tired to lift it in defense. Meltose swung up and brought his blade down on Link's head. Link dropped his sword and held his left fist up to block the blow. He screamed as he arm broke from the force brought against it. Meltose staggered to the side, his own arms aching from the resistance the ring's field had made. Link cradles his left arm to his side and grabbed the Master Sword with his free hand. He struggled to stand, red fire flowing up his arm and clouding his mind.
Meltose regained his senses and came at Link again. His movements were slow, but not as slow as Link's. He tried to parry, but Meltose's blade swatted his away. He brought his swing back and the pommel crashed into Link's temple. He crumpled to the ground and lay there writhing in pain. Meltose kicked the Master Sword out of reach and grabbed Link's neck.
"It is time to die, Hero," he sneered, hot flames erupting from his mouth and burning Link's face. A yell came from behind him, and suddenly his head fell from his shoulders. The hand released its grip on Link's throat, who dropped, gasping for air, to see Zelda standing behind Meltose with the Master Sword in her hands. Link sighed with relief and Zelda smiled faint-heartedly, but their reactions were premature: Meltose's body stepped back and the decapitated head swirled from its position on the ground back to his shoulders.
"That," he said nastily as he turned toward Zelda, "was very annoying. And since you seem so eager to kill me, which you cannot because I am a god, you will die first."
Zelda gagged as a hand grabbed her throat. She twisted futilely at the wrist, but his light-flesh burned her hands. Light began to fill her eyes, and she knew she was dying...but weren't you supposed to see darkness as you died and then a light? Link saw this light as did Meltose, who loosened his grip as he peered up into the light. Zelda wrenched herself free and knelt by Link's side. A chorus of heavenly voice filled the air, accompanied by flutes and harps.
"No...No!" Meltose shook his fist into the air. "I will not let you stop me again! You cannot win this time! Never again!"
"Is it...?" Zelda began, but was silenced as an enormous roar like that of a waterfall drowned out the chorus and instruments and Meltose's rantings. Then appearing more brilliant than any star were two golden goddesses. Their hands were clasped as if in prayer and their faces downcast. Link stopped breathing at their beauty and majesty. Zelda wisely shielded her eyes from the glaring light. Meltose shook in a terrible rage.
"Meltose," one goddess began, looking up to meet his eyes, "did you not learn the first time ten thousand years ago? And you are even weaker now than you were then."
"This time, we have thought up a more fitting punishment. Actually it was mostly Din's idea, but she could not come. Someone had to watch the Heavenly Realm."
"You will have to catch me in Time before you do anything to me!" Meltose threatened, then looked stunned as he remained still.
"That is not going to work this time, brother," Farore (for Link could tell it was her in comparison to the meeker Nayru) said. She held a ball of light before him. "You no longer wield the Master Sword, the key into Time...plus we have taken your power from you."
"Whaaaaat!"
Link's eardrums vibrated from the sheer force of the scream. When Meltose ran out of air, his ears were still ringing.
Farore shrugged. "Well, there was not much left to begin with."
"But because you are a god, we cannot take your immortality from you," Nayru began. "As a punishment, you must forever as a mortal, bound by their rules and susceptible to suffering. Should you die by your own hand or another's or by accident, you will be returned to your wretched form to continue living."
"You would call that living?" Meltose sneered, feigning superiority, though his flaming eyes held fear.
"And you cannot take the life of another mortal. You will find yourself physically incapable of harming anyone," Farore added. "This is your sentence, Meltose, and our rules will hold. Things have changed in ten thousand years, and though many have died, I believe this...arrangement is for the best. No more Lettings or servants or governing Time. We have spoken."
"Wait! I ask only one request!" Meltose said hurriedly.
"What is it, fallen brother?" Farore sighed.
"That I choose the form I must spend eternity in."
The two goddesses exchanged glances, Farore's a look of puzzlement and Nayru's one of indifference.
"I suppose...that would be well," Nayru said at last. She held her hand up, and from it shot forth a beam of golden light that hit Meltose square in the chest. He screamed a mighty storm as he shrank beneath the light. And then he was gone.
Link unconsciously sighed with relief. He realized he'd been gripping Zelda tightly and relaxed his hold on her shoulders. She blinked as if waking from a dream.
"Link...did all that really just happen?"
"Of course it did," came a snort.
The two jumped at Farore's voice. The golden light had faded and the two goddesses had taken up elf-like forms that made them more distinguishable. Farore had short green hair framed with a leafy headband. Her robes were of rich greens that would make the earth envious. Nayru had long blue hair that swept her calves and was dotted with flowers. Instead of the majestic robes like Farore wore, she had a simple, pale blue dress that shimmered down to her toes. Both held immense beauty and wisdom in their faces.
Nayru held out her hand and grasped Zelda's. Farore put her hand on Link's shoulder and looked him over.
"Think they will suffice, sister?" Farore asked.
Nayru met eyes with Zelda for a moment, then nodded. "Now, more than ever, do I believe so."
"See, faithful elves, Time is a wild creature that must always be looked after and kept in line. Even with a governor as bad as Meltose, It would remain in check. However, now that the master is gone, the creature may break free, and this could cause problems in many areas, all of which would be too complicated to explain. You would just know."
"The point is," Nayru interjected, "that we need a new governor of Time, and Link..." She took his chin in her hand. "We have selected you."
"M-me?" Link squeaked. He cleared his throat. "But what can I do? I'm just a Hero, and that can't be worthy enough to do this!"
"True, which is why you will need the Princess' help."
Zelda's eyes went wide. "What?"
"The two of you should be able to handle Time without a problem," Farore explained. She held out two objects. One was the Ocarina of Time, and the other was Sheik's harp. Link took the ocarina in surprise, wondering how she had gotten it from his belt. Zelda, however, touched the harp, then began to weep. Link gazed on the graceful instrument and felt a pang of sadness at the thought of his lost friend. He gently put his arm around Zelda in comfort.
"Oh, how could I have forgotten?" Nayru said. "Farore, we had best be going."
"Right." She turned to Link. "All you need to know is how to use your instruments, which you already do. They will let you know when something in Time needs tending. I am afraid I cannot say how often that happens. But now, we must go. Farewell."
"Farewell," Nayru repeated.
"What? Wait! I think I'm confused!" Link called as they turned golden and ascended into the light. "Oh. Well, farewell."
The light faded, and all that remained were a few flowers fallen from Nayru's hair. They lay in such a pattern that Link suspected something.
"A song?" he asked Zelda. She shrugged, having no experience at encountering new tunes in strange places. Link shrugged as well and placed the ocarina to his lips. He heard a voice, one that was different than the other two goddesses. Din, perhaps?
"If you are the new guardians, you will have times when you need help. The Melody of Memories will summon to your presence a guide who can carry messages from us to you. May it guide the both of you well."
Link's fingers followed the pattern of notes formed, rather slowly at first, but as he learned it and sped up, he recognized the awe-inspiring tune that had played when the goddesses had arrived. The lilting harmony of strings joined his ocarina as Zelda learned the Melody of Memories too. As they played together, Link could have sworn he heard a choir singing with them. He stopped playing, and Zelda did as well. A circle of light had appeared before them. Rising through the light was a figure that was altogether too familiar.
"By the goddesses...Sheik?" Link asked in wonder.
He smiled. "Hello, Link. Zelda."
Both were quite speechless, so Sheik took the opportunity to explain himself.
"You see, when I became a warrior, I had sworn to serve the will of the goddesses in life and death. I have died twice now, and the goddesses gave me a choice between freedom and another time of servitude. I chose in between. When you call, I will come and help you if I can. But the rest of the time I stay in the Heavenly Realm with all my loved ones...including Mirwen. She says she will miss you two, but she knows one day you will join us. I hope this is not too upsetting."
Zelda's eyes had teared up at Sheik's appearance, and now she couldn't speak for fear of losing control. Sheik had been the closest person to her, and though she had been him and he, her, they were also two different people.
"Understand, Zelda, that though my body is dead, my spirit is very much alive. I've met your family. They wish you well and are all proud of you. I'm afraid I cannot reveal any more information." Sheik turned to Link. "There is someone who longs to speak with you, Link. But you cannot talk here. You must find the purple-hair Dark Sheikah, Genicca. She will know what to do." Sheik bowed his head. "I will say farewell for now. Call me when the need arises. Good luck, Guardians of Time." And with that, he shimmered and was gone.
Link closed his wide-open mouth and looked at Zelda. She was weeping quietly.
"Hey, hey," he said quietly, pulling her against his shoulder. "It's not over yet. Everything is fine. Sheik and Mirwen are okay. We're okay. And now we have new jobs."
"I'm crying because everything is fine," Zelda sniffled, looking up into his eyes. "It's all over, and now the healing can begin. It will take a lot of work to piece Hyrule back together, but with the two of us working together, I think we can do it."
"Yes," Link agreed. He brushed aside a piece of hair that had stuck to her wet cheek. "So stop the tears, because we have a lot of work ahead of us. But first things first: we need to find Genicca. I doubt she has left the caverns, but we have Time on our side anyway."
"Do you know who wants to speak with you?" Zelda asked, wiping her cheeks dry.
"No, but I have a strong idea."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
Caranril: It's not over yet!
Legolas: This is getting to be a really long fic.
Caranril: (puzzled) Yeah...I didn't expect this to happen. You know I'm wondering, for all you other writers out there, do you ever start writing a fic, figuring you know exactly what will happen in your story, then as it progresses you think of more things to add? I think that's why this has gotten so long.
Legolas: You really ought to control yourself.
Caranril: Sorry. I have a weakness when it comes to creative inspiration. I let my mind run away with me. (thoughtfully) 'Course, that's not as bad as my chocolate weakness.
Legolas: Oh you had to say the "c" word.
Caranril: (daydreaming) Mmmmmmm...chocolate.
Legolas: If I don't come to your rescue, your readers will never get another chapter. (looks around) Uh, here. Have some fireworks.
Caranril: (snaps out of it) Ooh! Fire! (launches pyrotechnics into Legolas' confetti hoard)
Legolas: Ah! Intervention! (grabs a fire hose) What! Why isn't it going out!
Caranril: Special fireworks! Art gave 'em to me, and you can't even put 'em out! Only I can!
Legolas: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Caranril: (squeals with glee) Ooh! Look at it burn! So pretty!