Author's Note: Okay after getting my hands on a copy of Soul Calibur II for Gamecube I have inspiration to both this fiction and my Soul Calibur fan fiction(featuring a naturally aged 22 year old Link). Also people have asked in E-mails. Sheik is not a 'gender-swapper' okay. To avoid detection and suspicion she uses a blanket of magic that hides the parts of her that would make her appear female. As there are no male Sheikah matching the description of Sheik. Also please forgive the lateness of this update.
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Ocarina of Time: Rebirth
Chapter Thirty-One: Return to Kakariko
The large, ancient doors of the Temple of Time were slowly pushed open from the inside the light from inside showing the shadows of the two young heroes as they walked from the chapel. Link's foot came down onto the street to kick up dust into a small cloud, he then turned to look at the walls of the temple, it appeared that Gannondorf had tried to burn it to ashes from the looks of the dark stains. Link looked up toward the direction of Death Mountain and gasped as he saw it, the skys were dark and gray with storm clouds that seemed to thunder but yield no rain. The home of his sworn brother was also encircled in an eerie crimson ring of fire.
Link shook his head as he could feel the thickness of the air and the smoke made his nostrils flare in discomfort, Gannondorf had been at war obviously "Garen. We should move out at once." there was no words from his partner. He turned walking up to him as he starred out over the town "Garen are you...oh Gods." he said looked over it. The entire town that rested outside the gates of Hyrule Castle had been burned and decimated, Link heard the footsteps from behind and looked back at Sheik "What happened to this place?" he asked horrified by the sight.
Sheik looked. She had seen it before, several times. She spoke up in her muffled maleish voice crossing her arms over her chest which was masked by the magic "Gannondorf. After he took over the people of Hyrule Castle Town either retreated or stayed. Two years ago they started to rebel against him, but they failed. In retribution he had the entire town burned. People were left with nothing as they fled." Garen looked back at her feeling solace for his Hylian kin "Where did they go?" he asked the huntress. Sheik looked toward Death Mountain "Many of them probably fled to Kakariko Village. Others headed to Altea. There is also a hidden village somewhere past the bordering forest." she stated.
Link kneeled grabbing up a handful of dust which he clinched in his hand which shook furiously, Sheik walked to him placing a hand on his shoulder "I'm sorry. I can understand your pain." she said. Link could feel the softness of a female hand despite how the holographic magic made it appear and breathed angrily, he had grown up too fast in his childhood so it only seemed natural he would now be walking around at his current age. It was almost as if he had grown up in the Sacred Realm mentally as well, perhaps the Medallion of Light Rauru gave them had to do with it.
Garen took a deep breath as he saw Link drop the ashes to the ground sifting through his fingers "We should move on Link. I think we endanger ourselves as long as we stand in this forsaken place." Sheik nodded standing up and looking at them. Link was scared obviously for his friend, if she was a prisoner he doubted she was still alive. Sheik could hear his expressed thoughts and shook her head "If it eases your mind Masters, the sages that have been taken into the temples are locked away but being taken care of. They cannot be killed unless Gannondorf wants to throw all of Hyrule's natural balance off and essentially bring about a great deal of problems. You are not on a clock to get them out, but I suggest you hurry. Gannondorf is a formidable opponent." she said turning to walk back into the temple.
Garen looked as she walked back through the doors "I'm glad we have at least one ally that has been through Sheikah training. Otherwise I wouldn't see how Sheik could possibly be female." Link shook his head looking back at Garen "She knows too much for us not to trust her. And is it just me or does she remind you of Impa." Garen nodded. He chuckled as he remembered Impa showing him the magic once though he wouldn't be caught dead sneaking around in the image of a female unless he really had to. Shaking off the thought he started walking through the destroyed town.
Link stepped down the stairs and into the square where he had first met Zelda on that full moon night. The next day he would meet Garen and they would begin their journey for the spiritual stones, even though it was roughly a few weeks in their minds it felt like such a long time for the Hylian. They came close to the fountain then heard a sudden moan from near the houses, Garen turned drawing out the Millennium Saber the katana coming up in a brilliant glow "Survivors?" he asked himself. The question as to who would be stupid enough to remain here chewed on the back of his mind.
Suddenly a creature stepped out of the shadows followed by others, its skin looked like brown leather and it wore a poorly made mask that looked very much like a piece of wood with eye holes poked into it. Garen narrowed his eyes as he looked at the approaching creatures narrowing his eyes "Redeads." he said with a hateful sneer. "What?" Link inquired as he drew the Master Sword holding it with both hands as he still lacked a shield of any kind. "The walking dead. Brought to life from the sheer malice and hatred of mortals and the presence of death. We can expect to see alot of these things with Gannondorf's rule." Link narrowed his eyes as he turned to move toward the gate.
Link turned to see one starring right at him, Link's eyes met the Redead's and suddenly an ear splitting shriek went off from the monsters that slowly approached him. Link's entire body froze up in shock and fear as he heard this the monster's eyes glowed white with no pupils this was bad. Garen looked back "Hell." he snarled as he moved forward and sliced hard with the Millennium Saber. The beyond razor edge sliced right through the monster as if it was paper dropping its remains on the ground but Garen knew that it would be a short time before it started to pull itself back together quite literally. Garen slapped Link upside the face getting him back to reality "Snap out of it! We need to move!" he shouted.
Link shook his head and looked back as they continued to approach "Don't look into their eyes!" Garen shouted as he started to move pulling like by his arm "Run!" he shouted. Link followed running toward the gates where they saw the draw bridge there still down after Gannondorf's assault, they ran across and looked back as the monsters headed back into town. Garen narrowed his eyes as he looked at Link "We need to get you outfitted with a shield. If Kakariko ever finished their construction work they should have an item shop." he pointed out. Garen knew that it wouldn't hurt for him to have a second sword as he knew very well how to use one katana and a tanto in unison. He'd just have to find one.
It was a harsh on foot journey across the grounds of Hyrule Field, while the Redeads were not present as there were no Hylian bodies to place the evil in they came in the form of Poes. The ghost generated by the vengeful and hateful nature of dead souls, though they could easily be ran from the haunted Hyrule Field was no place to travel at night. Though Link and Garen were easily able to keep their strength up and fell not to fatigue or need of sleep, seven years would probably have that effect. It wasn't long before they reached the stairway that was carved in the side of the rock wall and stood under the darkly over cast sky. Garen looked toward the village "This place has been cursed to misery. Lets continue." he said moving forward.
Garen looked around as the two of them walked through the main gates, Navi perched on Link's cap. Truly the place had changed just as the carpenters had promised it would. There were a number of buildings that had been built around the place, there was a huge amount of relief as they caught sight of a number of signs that came from Hyrule Castle Town Market's shops. Navi chirped as she pointed out several people that she recognized from Hyrule Castle Town, seemed that they had all simply just moved off to escape Gannondorf massacring squads. Impa's house also stood to the right of the gates up on the hill whilst Garen's was also intact near the windmill. But something wasn't right...
Link turned his eyes upward to the dwelling of his sworn brother Darunia as he noticed that the crimson tint of everything was coming from Death Mountain. "What in the name of Din?" Garen questioned as he saw it. A billowing ring of fiery clouds rested like a demonic hallow over the crater of the volcano as if a marking that it was Gannondorf's territory. It was much more fearsome at this distance obviously something had happened and the Goron's were in trouble. Link growled as he clinched his fist trembling in anger "I swear he will not walk from his deeds alive." Garen nodded.
Navi sighed feeling for Darunia and his kin but they were strong, they would survive until they could help "Come on boys. Lets us seek out this gravedigger." she said. Garen looked toward Link "Yeah. His name is Damp'e he may be a little, well creepy looking but he is a real good guy. Like a humorous grandfather, though in his health I'm surprised he is still alive." suddenly there was a voice from behind them "Then you should drop your shock. Damp'e is long dead." Garen swiftly turned placing his right hand on his blade ready to strike though what he saw wasn't exactly expected.
A younger man stood before them wearing a black cloak over black pants and boots, he also wore a white collared shirt covered by a short sleeved vest. He possessed dark golden hair running half way down his back, he was aged around sixteen or so and they could just make out a short bladed katana placed on the reverse of his belt. His eyes were a brownish red much like Garen's he was without a doubt half Sheikah. Garen narrowed his eyes toward this younger man his abnormal seriousness taking him over "Identify yourself immediately, are you one of Gannondorf's men?" he demanded to know.
The new figure responded by crossing his arms before speaking "One of Gannon's? Don't insult me Sheikan." he followed up. Garen narrowed his eyes "How do you know my name?" he said unsheathing the origin of the blade ready to strike him down. The light glowed on the Millennium Saber as it was just barely moved from its sheath "Impa told me." he said simply. Garen and Link were both shocked by this "The half Sheikah that carries the Millennium Saber is Garen Sheikan. The Hylian in Kokiri clothing and carries the Master Sword is Link Masters." Navi flew up to the boy's face standing on his nose, the boy didn't flinch "Explain yourself." she stated.
The boy stepped back causing Navi to step off his nose and return to Link's shoulder "Impa taught both myself and Sheik everything we know. We are two members of the resistance, my sworn sister told me that you two would awaken soon. You sure take your sweet time." Link looked at him as he slowly crossed his arms still feeling a little akward in his new body of his "Do you have a name?" he requested to know. The boy looked at Link "If you've met Sheik you very well know I cannot reveal that information. I go by the call name Seth." Garen closed his eyes and then replaced his sword in his sheath.
The boy groaned lightly "Look I didn't come here to share Dampe's where abouts with you. His body is dead but his soul still lingers. Find his soul and he will lead you to what you seek." Link nodded at this but was a little unprepared to go grave robbing. Seth spoke up again "One more thing. I figured as long as you two were easy to find I'd give what little help I could to my aggressive Sheikah cousin here." he said as he removed the sheath of his tanto from his belt. "Impa reviewed with me your ability to use both a full bladed Katana and a shorter version at once. I wouldn't want one of the two we place our hopes on to be unprepared." he said holding out the sword.
The sheath itself was red and black almost as if to match that of the Millennium Saber, the handle was also wrapped in the same style. The blade was sharpened to perfection and obviously would serve him well, Seth noticed Garen comparing the similarities between the two blades "Heh. Sheik had a picture so I decided to accessorize it for you. It's called Goshinki and it should serve you well. Made by the best sword smiths we have it is designed to be used as both a shield and a blade, made from the fangs of King Dodongo it will not break. But I'll want that back later on." he said as he walked off through the main gates. Garen looked at Link who suddenly spoke "I know what your thinking Garen and that isn't Sheik. He was shorter and the hair and skin tone is different." Garen nodded in defeat. He just couldn't believe that such a person was female.
Suddenly they both heard a shouting from behind. Link turned around to see a pair of older men standing next to a tree, one seemed to be trying to get his story across the other seemed to be laughing his ass off. Link looked closer unable to recognize where he had seen them before Link stepped up to the man in the red shirt "What a crazy guy! Ever since he took off from Hyrule Castle Town he's become even more timid. HA HA HA HA!!" the other spoke "Dammit! Why don't you ever take me seriously! I know what I saw!" he countered shouting loudly.
Link stepped back not wanting to get involved "I'm telling you! I went to the graveyard to visit my grandfather and I see a ghost that resembled the gravedigger hanging right over the grave!" the other just continued his laughter. Link looked back at Garen and Navi who both simply nodded before turning around and heading down the street, Link gave chase "Where are you guys going?" he half shouted. Garen looked back at him "I wanna inspect that grave for myself. Normally poes all look alike especially in such a place as a graveyard." Link nodded slowly placing his hand on the Master Sword. Garen had rearranged his blades so the Millennium Saber was on his back while the Goshinki was on the reverse of his belt.
The graveyard truly wasn't a very comfortable place even in the day though it wouldn't have been easy to tell as Death Mountain's fiery hallow shined down on the area greatly. Garen stepped forward looking at a sign explaining how Dampe's little game had been canceled due to the lack of a gravedigger, Garen loosely wondered if one of the Village's children had been trying for the job. Navi flew up taking in the air before she flashed green in warning looking back at them "Treed softly. The spirits of the dead yet restless are at home here." she said. Link and Garen taking her advice continue walking softly along the path until they came to a commemorative gravestone.
Garen lightly leaned down brushing off the dust from the slanted gravestone "50 years of caring for and looking after the memorials of our elders. Here lies Damp'e, Kakariko's friend and neighbor." Garen lightly huffed at this knowing it to be true. Link meanwhile inspected the back of the grave finding what appeared to be a pair of handles made for pulling. Link looked up "Hey Garen. If this makes me a disrespectful prick to your elders I'm sorry." he said before pulling back with all the strength he could muster. Garen stepped around "Link! What-- the hell is this?" he asked as there was a hole there instead of dirt. Link looked at it and without hesitation dropped down grabbing onto the ladder. Garen and Navi followed before the grave as if by magic covered them.
The two of them aided by Navi's light continued down the tunnel by the ladder able to see torch light only about fifty feet down. They eventually came to what appeared to be a hole in the ceiling of a room, Link came to a halt to brace himself however Garen did not notice and both of them ended up falling landing on the stone floor. Garen got up quickly "Oh crap. Are you alright?" Link slowly stood up feeling his back pop as he did "Yeah I enjoy having my partner dropped on me from fifteen feet up." he said. Obviously he wasn't hurt considering his humor was still intact.
Garen looked up as they noticed another light other than Navi or the torches in the chamber, floating before them was a transparent apparition of an old man. As Garen had stated before he wasn't the most pleasant person to look at but still just by looking at him one could tell he was a good guy. It spoke suddenly "I'll take it you had a nice trip. Now we can finally start with the tests." Garen looked at Dampe's ghost as he said this "Test? What test?" he complained. Dampe groaned lightly "I know why you have came and I cannot trust you enter the temple of the forest without first knowing you have a chance of survival. Your trial is to simply catch me." with that the ghost turned and started to fly off.
Link quickly jumped to his feet getting the feeling back in his legs "Garen come on!" he shouted as he rushed forward slapping his partner on the shoulder. Garen at once snapped out of it and they began to follow, being lead by the violet light of the specter's spiritual lantern. Dampe floated backwards the entire time as if the air was at his mercy, as he moved the gravedigger allowed several burst of fire to escape his lantern and go up right before the two. Garen not expecting this ran right into it and it blew him back, this was the nature of spiritual fire. Link moved up next to him "Are you alright?" Garen pushed him on as he got up "Keep moving!" he shouted.
Link did so and caught sight of Dampe just as he moved under a passage way, slowly there was a clicking noise as the chains that held the door in place loosened. Link ran under as Garen and Navi followed, Garen took a dive as Navi moved through and came right up under the door as it came down just barely missing his feet. Link removed his staff striking the tip softly on the ground resulting in the head of the staff to go up in a light, he then moved forward running as fast as he could as they entered a room that consisted of several trails and platforms.
Garen pointed as he caught a flash of the lantern "There he goes!" he shouted as Dampe levitated over a large platform and down the trail. Garen ran and jumped up on the platform quickly crawling to his feet just as Link suddenly pole volted over him and gave chase. Eventually they came to a large cave with a trail leading up to a door just as Dampe passed through and activated it. The chains started giving way, sounding in that tick tock manner, Link moved hard running forward just in time to stab his staff into the ground. The door struck it and it held steady. Link looked back "Hurry!" he shouted trying to steady his weapon.
Garen and Navi both moved under the door and Link moved inside kicking his staff, the momentum sent it across the room to stab into the wall as the door came crashing down. Dampe breathed as he floated above a rather large treasure chest "Well it seems that you are indeed worthy to have this little toy of mine. This is the main piece but let me just tell you that it can be upgraded to a longer version, if only these could have been mass produced...oh well. Thats basically it, the exit is through there." the gravedigger looked at Garen "Who would have thought it. I'll check in on you guys." he said before suddenly vanishing the lantern shattering upon the floor.
Link slowly stepped up to the treasure chest as Garen huffed. It was a simple task of just lifting it. Link looked inside spying the objects all of them seemed to be some sort of device, a sort of handle with crossbow style trigger connected to a hook, each of them were blue in color. There was also a note that explain that is was called the hook shot and was a sort of spring loaded thirty foot grappling hook and also showed how to operate it. Following through the doorway they walked down a tunnel until they found themselves in the windmill up on the hill.
Garen looked around making sure nobody could see them before jumping down landing on the wooden surface Link followed this time they didn't land on one another. Garen looked up at the windmill "Odd. The windmill is running but nobody is operating it." suddenly a voice spoke up "All because of some punk who came and played this song that screwed it up and drained the well. I'll never forget that song!" he shouted. Obviously this man was infuriated by this and they both quickly moved out not wanting to upset him further as he began to play a different tune on his box.
Link and Garen stepped toward the entrance of the town where they noticed Seth still wearing his cape waiting for him "What do you want now?" Garen asked. Seth held out his hand to Link "You possess another of the device you were tested for. You have no need of it as of now and I request that you turn it over to me for the moment." Link reached behind his belt retrieving the extra 'hookshot' and placed it in the younger boy's hand. Seth nodded his head before bowing to them "I'll keep it safe and out of Gannondorf's hands. Farewell." he stated before walking off.
Link suddenly chuckled. Garen looked at him "Whats funny?" he asked Link looked at him "Those two grown men fighting like kids a while ago, I remember the same scene from seven years back only about fifteen minutes before I met you. Arguing about how one wanted to get into the castle to see Zelda and go caught resulting in raised security." Navi giggled "Yes. If it hadn't been for Malon we would have never gotten in...Garen?" Navi chirped looking at the half Sheikah as he starred out over the fields from the gates. Link looked at Navi then back to Garen "I understand that your worried." Link said scared for Saria's safty.
As he thought about Saria the thought occured to him that due to the fact that she had left the forest for an extended amount of time she would be aging now, and Malon was still apparently mortal. Before Link could continue to analyze this scenario Garen was already half way down the stairs, leaving both Navi and Link behind him. It wasn't that he didn't care for Link's friend it was just the fact that he had his own that he cared for.
Next Chapter: Return To Lon Lon Ranch
Garen Sheikan makes his way through the night to Lon Lon Ranch to find that it has changed from the happy place they once knew. Garen meets Malon but doesn't tell her who he is out of fear she won't forgive him for being so late. He also finds a pair of old friends who aided him and Link. Oh? Where is Link? He has gone off with Navi to rescue Saria before it is too late. However where ever either of them goes trouble seems to rear it's ugly head.