Link padded silently up the corridors horror clouding his mind. Using the Lens of Truth, he found a shortcut back to the corridor that he had left Kariah and the Sheikah, Impa. Kariah sensed his return and gave a sigh of relief.
"Welcome back Hero, you appear to have returned alive," Kariah said wryly, looking at Link's hollow expression and the still open wounds, "unless of course you have joined the world as a Poe or a ReDead." Link recoiled slightly at the mention of the monsters. Kariah gave a soft sympathetic look of understanding. A person can run on adrenaline only for so long before realization sinks in. Link was in a bit of shock.
"Link, you must heal the temple and awaken the Sage of Shadow, she is waiting for it and you will need her help to proceed," Kariah said, growing serious. Link still seemed shell-shocked.
Kariah slowly brought the Fairy Ocarina to her lips, but kept an eye on Link, he reached for the Ocarina of Time and basically mimicked her. She started to play, the sweet sounds echoing through the labyrinth.
Link followed the melody that Kariah had played while she played a second melody to follow that of the first and underneath it. The haunting song of death and shadows echoed as Kariah discontinued and Link played it through once more.
Impa's body sage magic awakened and started to heal the Shadow Temple. The sounds of wander souls cessed to exist. The temple fell silent, as it was hundreds of years before the wars. Link looked at Kariah, his shock had diminished. Kariah gave him a weary smile and they both looked at the sleeping sage.
"Well done Hero. Lets return from the realm of shadows back into the realm of light where we belong," Kariah said quietly. Link nodded in agreement. He bent down and lifted Impa onto his back with Kariah's help.
They made there way along the temple passages, relieved that the restless spirits had moved on through the dark gates. Soon they had made it to the entrance and we greeted by the dawn light.
"We were in there for twenty four hours!" Link asked incredulously. Kariah nodded absently. Link looked at her oddly and wondered what was up with her now.
"Are you okay?" Link asked her. Kariah's violet eyes glanced at Link and then turned away again. He caught a slightly unhappy glint in her face and eyes. He wondered what was wrong.
"Kari, you can tell me you know," Link said quietly. She only nodded, seemingly lost in thought.
"We must wait here for Impa to waken. She won't be able to leave this sanctuary until we call on her," Kariah said quietly as she sat down with her back to a tombstone. The graveyard had become peaceful and safe again. Link nodded and set Impa down on the ground. He respectfully laid her down on her back and then sat on the other side of Kariah.
"So, are you going to tell me what is eating your mind?" Link asked lightly. She turned to him with bright-determined eyes.
"We must go deep into a forest to find the next sage. The problem is that the people who live there are very protective of the forest and of her," Kariah explained quietly.
"Really? We are going into the forbidden forest?" Link asked curiously. He had heard stories about the forest. Anyone who entered had never come back out.
"Yes, and the forest isn't haunted. It is rather peaceful, and I think you will like it there. We will rest on the edge of the forest. We must move as quickly as possible, who knows what state the castle is in now. We will take a nap in shifts until Impa awakens. After that we are on the road again," Kariah said, laying down the plan.
"That's sounds like a plan to me, you need some rest Kariah, I will watch Impa for the first while," Link said, standing up and moving away from the goddess. She watched him curiously as stretched and then sat down close to Impa, keeping an eye out for danger. Kariah smiled to herself and let the world of sleep take her.
"Leave me alone Ganondorf, I have done nothing wrong," Zelda's said coldly. Ganondorf was looking livid.
"You are wanted in the King's presence. I suggest you go before he changes his mind," Ganondorf retorted, wanting more than anything to take a knife to her throat. Zelda gave him an icy glare before heading out of the room.
She made her way along the corridors and found a way to her fathers side. He was looking horrible and depressed. Zelda couldn't keep the tears from forming. He was looking like he was ready for the grave.
"Zelda, I want you to be present at all times, no more wandering," The king said hoarsely. Zelda's eyes burned angrily but she didn't really have any choice after Ganondorf's threat.
FlashbackZelda glanced back to the other courtyard entrance and found Ganondorf standing there with a evil smirk on his face.
"You would do well to heed you father Princess, he is not a patient man of late. He has executed many already who have kept him waiting. It would be fair to warn you that you aren't totally safe," Ganondorf said coldly. With a whirl of his cape, he strode back inside.
End
'Damn, I wish there was more that I could do!' Zelda though in frustration as she sat by her father, hoping and praying to Farore for courage and to Nayru for wisdom, and even sending a prayer to Din, hoping for the powerful reign to end.
"Zelda, I want you to go to the village and round up some servants, go as far as Kakariko if you must," Ganondorf said as he entered. Zelda glared at him.
"And why do you need more servants? Aren't the ones in the palace good enough?" Zelda asked boldly.
"Do as he says my pretty one," the king ordered hoarsely. Zelda looked at him in disbelief. She could tell he was serious and with tears welling she ran from the room. She found the cloak she had worn to Hyrule City the first time and found Libby. From there she rode.
The guards watched her go, they were going to stop her, but then thought better of it. Maybe she would be able to bring hope back to the castle. She was Hyrule's beloved princess after all.
Zelda and Libby clattered into the village to find it deserted. She looked around in bewilderment. The only people present were those that were still passed out from the night before.
"Where did they all go?" Zelda asked confused. She and Libby walked slowly through the city. The whole city was like a ghost town. She and Libby slowly made their way to the drawbridge.
"Hey, you there!" Zelda whipped around at the sound of the voice. Her eyes fell on a person that had one glowing red eye. She was surprised to see that this person was wearing one of her old dresses and a deep purple cloak over his (her?) head. Her father must have given them to the poor.
"Milady, you are seeking the people of your kingdom, they have fled for they fear for their lives. Many have gone to Kakariko while other families have gone into hiding. You won't find them nor will they come to your aid. The only one you can count on is the Hero and the lady. Until then nobody will come to your aid Princess. Go home," The mysterious person said.
"I can't do that, Ganondorf will likely have me killed if I come back with no servants to serve him and my father. I have no option but to at least try. There may be someone out there that will hear my plight," Zelda said with determination.
"Please tell me how to get to Kakariko Village, Soothsayer," Zelda insisted.
"Follow the battlemented walls until you come across the bridge over Zora's River. Cross the bridge and find the mountain passage. Good luck Princess," With that said, the soothsayer disappeared into the shadows, leaving Zelda and Libby.
"Come Libby, we must try!" Zelda said as she steered Libby to the exit of the city.
Link was bored with just sitting around. He had already had a nap and now Kariah was in the middle of her second sleep. The sun indicated that it was almost midday.
So, even though he still had some broken ribs he started to practice sword techniques to brush up on his skill. He was using a miscellaneous signpost as his target. He dodged and rolled and sidestepped the sign. He hacked and jumped and slashed. He was just starting to work up a sweat when he sensed something move behind him.
Whirling around with his sword slashing, he was surprised that it was blocked by another sword. The wielder of the second sword was the Sheikah woman. Link was surprised but he didn't hesitate, with a swing he knocked her back cringing slightly as pain shot through his chest.
Impa was surprised at this young man's skill. He could have been a Sheikah warrior. She noticed a fighting spirit and a level head.
Kariah had woken to the sound of clashing swords and was dumbfounded at the sight of the Hero of Time and the Sage of Shadow. She wondered if she should intervene or not.
Link was completely focused on Impa. He decided that maybe the tactic that he had used on Nabooru so long ago would work on Impa. He knew it was a long shot because the Sheikah were trained in the ways of defence and attack. Impa wouldn't be easy to disarm.
Impa watched Link through narrowed eyes. He was trying to figure out how to defeat her. He didn't have blood light in his eyes so she knew that he wasn't going to kill her unless absolutely necessary. While she thinking this Link took the opportunity to retreat off of the blade.
He was lightning quick and Impa was surprised to find that her short sword was swiped out of her hand. In another quick move he knocked her to the ground and had the sword point at her throat before Impa could move to counter. Impa cursed to herself, she knew better than to let her thoughts distract her. She also saw a cold glint in Link's eyes and she trembled slightly despite herself.
"I would like to know your reason's for attacking me Sage," Link hissed. Kariah stood up and walked over quietly.
"I only saw you practicing with your sword and wondered if maybe you would like a challenge instead of an inanimate signpost," Impa replied. Link's cold graze washed over the sage as he decided whether or not she was telling the truth.
"Link, lower your sword. She speaks truthfully," Kariah said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. Link eyes gazed at her coldly and she stared back boldly. Impa watched the two of them curiously wondering who they were.
Link was the first to look away from the staring contest and back at Impa. He moved his sword to the side and held out a hand to the Sheikah.
"You are very skilled with the sword. If it weren't for the distinct Hylian features, you could have been a Sheikah," Impa said, taking Link's hand. Link warmed slightly at the comment.
"Now, why did you call me sage? Only those called upon by the Hero of Time have the honour of being a sage." Impa asked still unsure of the meaning. She sensed its meaning but wanted to confirm it. Kariah nodded at Link.
"Link is the Hero of Time. You are the Sage of Shadow. We have called upon you," Kariah said calmly. Impa was slightly surprised but it was confirmed when she saw the sword he was holding. Only a Hero could pull the Master Sword from its resting place in the Temple of Time.
Impa nodded in agreement. The magic flared inside her and fully awakened.
"You will be wanting the power of the Shadows then," Impa said quietly. The magic had shown her why they were being called. Link nodded, bowing low to the sage.
"I will wait for you to call me in the Chamber of Sages. I give you the power of the Shadows in the form of this medallion. Use it well Hero," Impa said. The purple medallion landed in Link's hand.
"I will use it respectfully, and I'm sorry about earlier, I just hate being taken by surprise like that. I will call you at the time of calling," Link said. Impa nodded and a purple aura engulfed her.
Link turned a shamed face to Kariah.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have reacted like that, I don't know what is wrong with me," Link said quietly.
"Don't worry about it Link, your inner darkness is taking over in times that you are angry. It happens to everyone. Anger reveals the darkness that is inside everyone. Emotion also triggers it. You are usually calm and only get angry if you are provoked. As of now it doesn't worry me. Just try to stay calm and it won't consume you. Otherwise you will be no better off then Ganondorf," Kariah warned.
Link understood, it was like a mood. He nodded and then looked at the sun.
"Are we going to make it to the edge of the forest by nightfall?" Link asked. Kariah frowned at the sun and then made a quick calculation.
"We will make it shortly after dusk if we leave now and push the horses," Kariah said. Link nodded and they headed for the village leaving the now peaceful Graveyard behind. They entered the village and found a bunch of people waiting for them.
"They came back alive!" Rhiannon squealed, running into Kariah's arms. Kariah smiled at the seven year old. Revadania approached with a pale face and Kelian close behind her.
"Rhiannon, please, back inside, it's too dangerous out here," Revadania hissed at her daughter. Kariah was surprised in the fear that the village held.
"It's alright Revadania, Link defeated the monster. It will no longer terrorize this village again. You are safe," Kariah said calmly. The family's eyes looked at Link in shock.
"You defeated the monster and didn't come out with anything but a scratch?" Kelian asked astonished.
"Actually, I have some broken ribs and horrible bruises, but I am very much alive," Link commented, looking sheepishly at Kariah. She shook her head in exasperation. With a sigh she climbed the stairs that led to the last two buildings of the village before Death Mountain Trail. Link watched her curiously before Revadania dragged him into the house.
"Prince Link, you must rest those ribs of yours or they will never heal," Revadania said putting some water onto the fire. Link knew that Kariah wanted to leave for the forest but it seemed like Revadania and her family wouldn't hear of it.
Kariah returned holding a bottle with red contents and white gauze. She sat beside Link on the bed as she unrolled the gauze.
"What's that?" Link asked eyeing the bottle suspiciously.
"It's a Red Potion. It contains healing properties and it will help heal your ribs faster and clear up your bruises. Please remove your tunic so I can set your ribs in the right place before you drink the potion," Kariah said, turning to him. He flushed slightly before wriggling out of his shirt.
"Can you lay very still please," Kariah said, ignoring Link's flushed face. He shivered as her hands carefully pushed his ribs into position from the sides.
"Carefully sit up now so I can bind them and hold your arms out please," Kariah said. Link obeyed and sat up carefully, wincing as pain shot through his chest. Kariah pulled the gauze around his back and then wrapped it snugly around his ribs. Link shivered again at the contact of her hands on his skin.
"There, now drink this," Kariah said moving away and handing him the bottle. He was slightly disappointed that she had moved away but nonetheless drank the Red Potion. Almost immediately he felt the pain dissipate. He was glad for that and took his tunic back from Kariah.
"Thanks Kari, I feel so much better," Link said, slipping his tunic back over his head. She nodded and motioned for him to follow her outside.
"Kari, he needs rest," Revadania protested.
"He'll be fine Revadania, we must get going," Kariah said curtly. She whistled and Epona and Arden came galloping.
"Hey big fella, did ya miss me?" Kariah asked the stallion, giving his forehead an affectionate rub. There was a white scar where she rubbed and it was always itchy. 'Soon we will return you to your proper form Arden, just be patient' Kariah thought to him. He snorted in reply.
Link finished greeting Epona before swinging himself onto her bareback. Kariah glanced at Revadania's disapproving frown.
"Don't worry Revadania, we will be back in a few days. Keep an eye out for us. We will need to head up to Death Mountain. So wait for us," Kariah said, mounting the stallion. Revadania was slightly confused but she knew better than to ask her adopted daughter what was going on.
Link threw her a questioning glance before she headed out for the village entrance. They waved to the children as they passed by and continued on. They followed the river south for a ways before actually crossing it. Link suddenly stopped Epona.
"Kari, look, another rider," Link said, pointing north. Kariah glanced at the rider and frowned. 'What is Zelda doing?' Kariah thought. Suddenly she saw exactly what was going on from Nayru through telepathy.
"They are none of our concern, we must reach the forest. I see that it is going to rain soon and we need to find some shelter. They pushed onward.
Zelda had noticed the riders but she knew she would never catch them. Libby was getting tired as it was. She pushed in their direction until she came across the mountain passage that led up to Kakariko Village. She was within the village in five minutes.
People looked at her curiously. Zelda sensed that they weren't that friendly with strangers, especially since her father started treating them horribly. She dismounted and approached a house, which happened to be Kelian's and Revadania's home. She knocked on the door and Revadania answered it.
"Please, I need your help!" Zelda pleaded. Revadania wondered who this young woman was but decided that she would help her.
"Come in child," Revadania said pulling her in. Zelda removed her hood and sat on a chair.
"What troubles you?" Revadania asked while handing her a cup of tea.
"Thank you, I need the assistance of people willing to work at the castle," Zelda said, staring down into her cup. Revadania looked at her curiously but also slightly horrified.
"You need people to work at the castle that is run by that tyrant?" Revadania asked mortified.
"He isn't a tyrant, he is brainwashed. And if I don't bring any people back they will kill me," Zelda said quietly. Normally her anger would have taken over by now but it seemed as though she had been broken.
"And just who might you be?" Revadania asked looking at the girl. Zelda looked up for the first time and Revadania got a good look at her.
"Princess Zelda!" Revadania gasped, giving a clumsy curtsy to the woman. Zelda shook her head.
"Don't do that, right now my status has gone to the same level as you. At the palace I am regarded as nothing more than a commoner like yourself ma'am," Zelda said soberly. Revadania didn't know how to reply. She sat thinking, she couldn't go with the princess for she had a family. Kari and the prince had already left. Speaking of which, if they didn't encounter the princess than where did they go?
"I'm sorry Milady, I can't go and I doubt you will have luck with the other women or men. They would for you but you are only a messenger sent by your father or Ganondorf. Whichever they don't want to be involved," Revadania said quietly in response.
"They won't have a choice if Ganondorf takes matters into his own hands," Zelda said darkly. "After he kills me, I am his only threat now."
"Then you must go into hiding Princess," Revadania said desperately. Zelda shook her head.
"That gives him the power to do what he likes. I came seeking the help of Hyrule's citizens but I can see that it won't happen, I am going to head home now," Zelda said abruptly, feeling utterly betrayed, but hadn't the soothsayer warned her?
She got up from the table and left the house. She pulled her hood back up and walked out the door, giving a curt thank-you to Revadania. Kelian was bringing the children in as she went out the door. Zelda paused as she saw the confused look on Rhiannon and Tigo's faces. She gave them a sad smile and called Libby over.
Libby cantered up and Zelda mounted the saddle less horse. With a sad wave she left Kakariko. She wasn't looking forward to facing her father or Ganondorf, but running away wasn't an option. She had been told to wait for a hero, and wait she would.
Zelda was able to make it back to Hyrule City in record time and she was almost at the castle by the time it started to rain.
Link and Kariah had been riding for two hours before the rain crashed down upon them. They had almost made it to the forest and they kept going despite the worsening weather.
Kariah spotted an entrance into the forest and she led Link and Epona through it. They were under the canopy of the dense forest and the rain wasn't as heavy, but they were still soaking wet.
"Are we going to build a fire Kari?" Link asked. Kariah shook her head.
"We can't, this forest is magical and if we build a fire here it will be against the law and the people who live here will definitely not be impressed. You must remember that we need the help of the forest to break the spell on the king. We mustn't insult the forest," Kariah said quietly, squeezing water out of her auburn hair. Link shivered slightly and Kariah smiled sympathetically.
"If I could do something like getting dry cloths, it wouldn't matter because it is still raining. It's best if we wait for the morning for this has begun to settle in. I see a massive fallen tree over that way, we can shelter in there for the night," Kariah said, pointing to huge tree on the ground. Link nodded and they walked the horses to it. Arden reassured Kariah that it was safe and she and Link crawled inside. She gave him a hard tack biscuit and they waited the night out.