You know what comes first: review replies!
Dragon-Charmer16: Linky and Kazy… BEST NAMES EVER! Ahem… not really. Lots more pictures coming! ALWAYS more pictures coming!
Natiana: (For the Sake of the World) Like the original? There's a sequel! And this is it! Sorry about any confusion… I'm only fourteen, what do you want? Heh… no excuses, right? I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Kitty29: (The Legend of Advertisement!) XD Cheese! And say hello to the voice in your head for me, 'kay?
JMG: You say so very little… If I didn't know better, I'd think you like the pictures more than the story!
JMG: (The Legend of Advertisement!) I always thought the Gorons looked a bit like poo…
Phew. That section got a lot shorter, didn't it? I wanna know why more people review my newer story than those who reviewed the original and should all be reviewing the sequel. I guess I can expect a big ol' pile of reviews on the last chapter, eh? Well, let's get started!
Chapter 16: Nightmare
It wasn't too far from the Zora's Domain to Gerudo Valley. Hieke quickly darted into one of the grottos, a chamber Kaze knew to be Lea's home. He told Link that he was going to visit with Linna and Dikai and would return shortly, leaving the young hero to a leisurely stroll through the fortress. But with so little time left, how could he possibly enjoy his freedom?
Hieke returned fifteen minutes later, a melancholy smile on her face. "Lea and the others are fine," she murmured. Link, however, sensed that all was not well. "What's wrong?" he asked with a hint of urgency to his voice. "What happened that you aren't telling me about?"
The Spirit shook her head. "It seems Kaze and I were missed in our absence. Kuro's been past here on his way to the Temple and gave the Gerudos hell. You know, what with his ability to manipulate minds and all… He showed them all their inner demons, and many of them are still locked in their rooms crying from what they saw," she explained. Link sighed. "Where's Kaze? We need to get going," he said.
As if on cue, the thief came running out from the fortress to join his companions. "We need to hurry!" he said. "Kuro passed here hours ago! He's probably already at the Spirit Temple!"
"I know," Link replied grimly. He took out the little blue ocarina he had carried for so many years and played the Requiem of Spirit, which took them all to the Spirit Temple much faster than Kuro could possibly walk.
Hieke sprinted across the burning sands, calling over her shoulder for Link and Kaze to follow. Inside the Temple, both boys felt a stirring energy radiating from their companion. "Kuro's here," the girl informed, talking a few steps forward. "I can keep him here forever. Much like how I sealed Ganondorf inside the Guardian Tree, I can combine my power with that of the Spirit Temple and seal Kuro within for all eternity."
"No!" Link and Kaze both protested at once. "Last time I wasn't strong enough and you had to sacrifice yourself," the green-clad boy reminded, tears clouding his eyes at the painful memories. "I'm stronger this time! And Kaze's here! We won't let you do it again! We'll drag you out of this damned Temple by your feet if you even mention it again!"
Hieke stared in shock at her friend. Never had she seen him so impassioned about something. "Link," she breathed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "How could you curse in front of a lady like that!" she scolded loudly. Kaze stifled his laughter as the two bickered. "Okay guys, break it up. We're here to keep Kuro from getting the Staff, remember?" he interrupted. He couldn't believe they had forgotten their cause!
The trio cautiously made their way through the Spirit Temple, avoiding any monsters or traps, until finally they reached the chamber containing the massive stone monument. Kuro was standing in one of the statue's outstretched palms, eyeing the structure contemplatively. He soon noticed his company and turned around with a flourish.
"Why, welcome, friends!" he smiled. He really did look like a good guy. "Stop it, Kuro," Link spat. "Drop the act. Reveal yourself for the monster you are."
Kuro looked hurt at the words. "Comrade, I am no monster. My heart harbors no evil. Why, from the time I was but a small boy, nothing has interested me more than preserving the life of the good and snuffing out the flame of darkness that reigns over the minds of the impure," he explained, recovering his cheerful disposition.
"You use a lot of fancy words," Kaze scoffed. "We all know you're evil. You stole the Guardian Tree."
"Ah, but I recently returned it!" Kuro beamed proudly. "It's exactly where it was before, minus one lovely Celestial Spirit." He turned his grin to Hieke, who snorted in disgust at the man. "Ganon is still inside, still slumbering in his seal. My, aren't alliterations humoring?" Kuro chuckled. Link and his friends were, needless to say, far from amused.
Seeing his comments weren't affecting them in the least, Kuro moved on to a different subject. "Say, would you all mind helping me get that Staff of Dreams out of this statue?" he asked, his smile unwavering. Hieke gasped, Kaze scoffed, and Link snarled in contempt. "What do you think is our answer, Kuro?" he said through clenched teeth. Kuro cocked his head to a side in confusion. Then his face lit up with understanding.
"Oh, I understand!" he chuckled. "You want a turn with it too, don't you? Don't worry; I'll share. I promise!" he vowed, placing a hand across his heart. "Tell us why you want the Staff!" Hieke demanded. Kuro sighed. "Persistent, aren't we?" he mumbled. "I thought I already said. I want to eliminate the corrupt beings from this world. Is that so bad?"
A light shined on the statue from within the amulet at its neck. "Ah, the Staff of Dreams speaks," Kuro murmured. He jumped from the hand to the shoulder and arched his neck to get a better view of the scene. A red light glowed from the stone, making it shimmer like a ruby. Gradually the earth crumbled away until the source of the light was revealed. Kuro's eyes shined with amusement and glee.
The Staff of Dreams was exactly as Zelda had described it: a slender ivory pole, entwined with silver that wrapped around like a vine and with a diamond set at the top. As soon as the last bit of clay fell away, the red light shifted to a bright white radiance. A grin spread on Kuro's face as he reached for his prize.
"No!" the three watching from below called in unison. Their enemy was about to achieve his goal! First Ganon, now this! I think my hero-ing abilities are growing a bit slack, Link mused in slight humor. But the closer Kuro's hand grew to the shimmering Staff, the wilder the man's eyes became. His very thoughts echoed through the room; such was the power of the mere presence of the Staff of Dreams.
"I will rule all… All who remain alive in Hyrule…"
"I will destroy all remaining life… They are scum and don't deserve to live…"
"I will be a dark and terrible queen! …I mean king! Dark and terrible king!"
Link, Kaze, and Hieke raised and eyebrow at the last thought, but their assumptions were shattered as, in one fateful moment, Kuro's fingers curled around the Staff of Dreams. Their world came tumbling down upon them. He had won…
But something was happening. The gentle white light the Staff shined with erupted in a flash of dark light. The glow filled the entire chamber, leaving them all in impenetrable darkness. Through the veil of shadow, Link and his friends were able to make out the shape of Kuro holding the Staff of Dreams, his short, sable hair whipping about his face like he was standing in the middle of a gale. Slowly the ivory flushed over and became ebony. The silver curves turned to gold. And the gorgeous diamond flicked with black light and became a cold onyx.
The Staff of Dreams was no more. Kuro's heart was corrupt. He now held the Staff of Nightmares.
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Badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger MUSHROOM MUSHROOM!
Review please! n.n
