Author's Note: I've decided to move ahead with stuff while continuing my revisions of the chapters. Aside from things being a little more descriptive and more action packed. I have also made small changes. Also predictably the story will begin to take on a darker atmosphere as the story continues. I will try to add in a lot more tragity that will push Link to become stronger and work harder towards defeating Gannondorf. Obviously his adult missions were alot harder. Also the reason that I used Uruk-Hai and Orcs is because there are not many who do not know of these fantasy genre monsters, it isn't like I'm claiming ownership.
WEBSITE: I have decided to combine profiles of characters with the weapons they used and split up the ages of the minor characters. Some profiles have been added and some have been updated.
NOTE TO REVIEWERS: To Flamethrower-flamecatcher as well as others who complain about the slight problems in updating I have decided to contentrate on only this and my FF story as people will be unable to fully understand the SCII story until this gets about twelve more chapters. Also assuming that several of you are not going to college, working a job, attempting to get an english major established while attempted to write a true fantasy novel, please STFU about the update delays!
Ocarina of Time: RebirthChapter Forty: The Phantom's Edge
Link breathed as he walked through the now average winding hall on his way back to the main hall where he would be able to enter the underground of the temple and make his way to the Inner Sanctum. Having heard a few explosions followed by screams and several running feet leaving the temple it was obvious that whatever Sheik had done it had driven the Orcs and Uruk-hai from the temple at least for the moment. Adding in a thousand year old temple plus an explosive on any key structural point didn't sit well no matter how low your intelligence was. Now with the small army no longer a threat, he moved on ready to finish this.
Having recovered his equipment he walked down the hall the Master Sword clicking lightly in its sheath with every step. The downsized bow that threatened to snap in his grip hung on the hook of the equally small quiver which held bolts that should have been used with a crossbow. The staff of the trinity was stuffed longways on the reverse of his belt between the loops that the spear end would slip into while it was reduced. The magically downsized miniature bombs and deku seeds rested in his utility belt as well, but he never really got much of a chance to use them. The Hyrulian Rune Blade now rested in a sheath which was strapped to his left shoulder for quick access. Lastly he felt the Ocarina of Time and two bottles press into his back from their places in the small backpack which was normally hidden under a shield.
He stepped into the main hall and took a breath as he drew out his sword getting ready as he could already feel that presence being emitted from within the room. The last of those four sisters was somewhere within the room and he somehow knew that she would not be anywhere near as easy to defeat as the previous three. He would not have a partner, it would not be careless and he certainly wouldn't catch another off guard with his sword. The forth would be waiting and he would have to take her down with what he had learned so far, he would have to hone his skills and not rely on a breach to open before him. He would have to create one.
Link was greeted by the sight of three brightened torches around the center area of the main hall as well as something else he had not expected to see. A short creature of sorts was hunched over on its knees snickering about something quite psychotically, it just rubbed him wrong how this creature chuckled about nothing in particular. Link narrowed his eyes as he stepped down the stairs towards the figure "Stop your snickering spirit! Your insanity will not draw fear from me!" he then drew his sword and pointed it towards the creature. There was suddenly a high cackle as the creature rose up revealing the final Poe sister.
She was donned in what appeared to be a purple headress and cape and held a torch with a purple flame burning on the edge, her eyes were glowing slits and a great deal more frightening upon the shadowed body that those of the other sisters. The undead spirit cackled again before she levetated and flew towards Link who rushed her just the same lunging forward with his blade. Link swiped the blade out at his opponent his feet sliding lighting on the ground as the creature suddenly vanished in what appeared to be a blink in the air.
Link narrowed his eyes as he reinforced his grip on the Master Sword and took a few steps back from where he stood ending up in the center of the room. He was angry. The final spirit was mocking him and drawing him out. It knew that his mind was focused on the well-being of Saria and that desert scum Dragmire, his patience had become razor thin. He growled before he swipped his sword "Come out and fight spirit!" he shouted out, his voice echoing throughout the temple. There was silence and it was broken by another cackle.
The creature reappeared to Link's left and he dropped his stance and darted swifted dragging the sword up and then down to bisect the ghost in twine, as a holy blade the ghost would not be able to withstand the Master Sword. Link's eyes went wide as there was no impact, no opposing force and no impact. The blade had passed through and Link was left with a heavy blast of smoke from what was supposed to be the final guardian of the Forest Temple. Link's right hand shot up to swipe the smoke away from his face when there was another cackle and then a sharp impact against the back of his skull.
Link fell forward landing on the floor arms first and his vision blurred lightly as he reached a hand back to feel the back of his head. Bringing his hand back he saw that blood had stained his fingers, but the impact had not been enough to do any real damage. He crawled to his feet and looked up to see the specter floating there with her torch cackling at his pain, he growled before he gripped his sword and jumped back up. He swung his blade and once again it passed through followed by a plum of blinding smoke, Link breathed as he looked back behind him just in time to catch his eye on the torch.
The solid flame holder struck his side and he shouted as he swiped his sword back and just missed as his blade bounced off the specter's light. He breathed as he felt a good amount of pain from the impact to his rib cage and was beginning to feel that this would be a great deal harder than he had originally planned. "Din help me." Link exhaled as he stumbled back into the very center of the room awaiting the smoke to clear. He grunted as another solid blow connected with his back, the sheath of the sword absorbing around half of the impact, another cackle sounded as the shadow appeared before him and pounded the torch into his chest. While the spirit might have considered it winning. This was all just showing Link the harsh reality of his situation.
After the Master Sword had held him in sleep grow for seven long years he still had not realized why it had allowed him to grow into the powerful young man that he was now. It had not been a curse upon him, it had been protecting him all this time from the obvious truth that he would have not survived as a child. He was no longer up against a variety of mindless beasts that held a horrible curse or a torturous problem in place. He would be up against those that Gannondorf had personally picked to help him dominate and reinforce his rule upon the country of Hyrule. He would have to stop counting on the saving graces of the Goddesses and be prepared to put all he had into his journey. With a renewed determination he spoke.
"...I will fear no man. I will fear nothing in which life still beats. I will not fail what I have been assigned to do. Now get out of my way." Link growled as he straightened up and looked around him to spy that now four images of that specter were moving around him just waiting for him to make a choice. Link narrowed his eyes as he heard the hissed breathing from behind him and took realization that not a single one of these images had been the proper one, he had been tricked by illusions. It would hide in the shadows and then emerge to lash out at him, Link took a breath as he watched the illusions and decided to test the reaction time of his new body.
Bringing up the Master Sword Link rushed towards the one directly in front of him cutting through it and kicking up the smoke, however this time he dashed through as he cut and looked back as the attacker smashed through the field waving the torch. Link sucked in a breath as he tossed himself up into the air throwing his leg back just as the torch came through the air in the attempt to crush his skull. He turned a flip and landed off to the side after moving about five feet from the creature and struck the ground as the ghost realized it had missed. However, Link was ready.
The resized leather boots struck the tile floor and with speed and accuracy that his younger form could never realized, Link jumped up with his sword and slammed it through the center of the spirit's shadowed body. It screeched as it flailed upon his blade screaming out as if for its master, Link growled as he drew out the blade and brought it down "Shut up!" he silently grunted as the blade bisected the ghost and silenced her. The shadow body vanished and like all the others the flame levitated to the final unlit torch, a violet flame taking a housing upon it.
Link breathed as he swiped his sword down shaking the shadow matter from the blade and then flipping it before slamming it back into its sheath. He looked down at his hands slightly as the flames began reacting to one another and the floor began to shift slighting, he was however to amazed by his own actions. Without even knowing it he had become stronger, faster and a great deal more agile. Only now after having to put them to a test did he realize just how much the Sacred Realm had allowed him to change. While he would have to work the normal way, his body had been formed into a warrior's perfection during his sleep. It left him almost breathless.
He regained himself deciding that the only proper test for his new found abilities would be confronting the tyrant in the lower levels, he would not be able to ride away from him this time. He stepped to a platform that had appeared out of the ground and the elevator lowered into the basement, not driven by any sort of cables or device. Rather it was powered by the very energy of the forest which could be felt as Link moved from the platform and stepped towards a large door that was before him. This ancient armored door would lead him into the inner sanctum and there he would be able to awaken Saria as the Sage of the Forest. It was her destiny after all.
Drawing out the key that Mirkwood had passed on to him before Sheik had decided to haul him off to where ever the resistance was based, obviously this early in the game she was not about to tell him such vital details. He turned the key as the heavy lock gave a click as it was released, the unit detatched from the curved mechanism that locked and fell to the floor. The chains that bound the door were now freed up and were left to swing slightly through the air, hanging idle as Link moved up to push one door open and enter the large room.
The room was dark and dimly lit by the greenish energy that could be seen flowing up and down the walls of the room, clearly this was the inner sanctum of the forest seal and with the guardians of the temple defeated, it was now active. Link didn't waste any time in dashing up the stairs and onto the central platform which was decorated with a large design, and in the center laid out on the floor was Saria. Link dashed to her side and knelt down as he noticed that she was still breathing, clearly whatever they had wanted to do with her had failed.
Saria looked up at Link with those soft green eyes as he look her outstretched hand in his "He wanted to bend me to his will like he did Mirkwood, I didn't let him." she said with a smile before her head fell back against the floor. Her body was exhausted from attempting to fight off the influence of Gannondorf's magics and it was obvious he had tried to mark her with that same rune. Navi hovered over Link lightly as he helped Saria to her feet and moved her to lean against one of the rope railings that surrounded the central platform. Suddenly however the tiny sprite shouted out for Link and he looked back to see the very definition of his fears.
It was Gannondorf Dragmire. Not only that but he was clothed completely in Gerudian leather armor and was saddled up on that damned stallion of his that had attempted to run him over seven years ago. Still there was something different about him, now that he was finally able to stand before him and have time enough to judge. He carried a very powerful looking spear with him and it was clear that it had seen a good deal of bloodshed, his eyes were dead and focused, and this was the longest time that he had encountered Gannondorf being completely silent. Suddenly Gannondorf smirked and Link stepped back into stance.
"Link..." Saria exhaled softly "That isn't him. It is nothing more than a shadow of that tyrant." she said as she fell back against the railings. Link looked back as this false Gannondorf smirked down as him and then moved a hand up as if to brush his hair back, instead he grabbed the side of his face. Then in one swift movement tore the flesh that was held around his skull, this revealed a large fang-toothed skull from which two long horn protruded. The head burned with a spiritual flame similar to those that the sisters had been carrying around, though it would clearly take a lot more to bring this pseudo-gannon to his knees.
With a wave of the large spear the horse jumped from where it stood and vanished through a vortex that appeared out of nowhere, the bellowing laugh of Gannondorf could be heard echoing throughout the chamber. Link growled as Saria managed to pull herself to her feet leaning against the railing, he breathed as he brought out the bow and waited for the phantom to reappear. The chamber grew silent as there was the sound of hooves moving around the chamber and armor clinking together. Suddenly there was a whirling sound as the vortex reappeared and the shadow lept out into the air.
Link attempted to take aim and fire only to completely miss and receive a mental kick from himself, it was becoming obvious that he had no skill in using the weapon. Bright energy suddenly crackled through the phantom's spear before he hurled a large orb of energy at the floor where it shattered out into several bolts of lightning. The streaks sprayed out in a six lined shape and luckily neither he or Saria were caught in the crossfire as the phantom vanished once again. Link breathed as he attempted to prepare another arrow before a hand came against his shoulder he looked back to see Saria as she pulled the quiver from his back.
A weak hand also took the bow as she clearly wanted to help. Saria was older than she used to be, but she was still a great deal smaller than he was and too weakened to possibly put any sort of real force behind the bolts. Suddenly however Link remembered something and reached back to his waist pack moving his hand past the Ocarina of Time to pull out the small bottle of Red Potion. Link and Garen bothed carried three of these small durable bottles for emergency purposes, and Malon had only used one of his potions had been used to wake him up after Gannondorf beat the hell out of him seven years ago.
He moved to Saria handing it to her ordering her to drink it knowing that it had been approved for use on all living beings, she took about half of it probably not wanting to drink all of it and then took a swift breath. All of her fatigue was melted away and she felt some of the internal bruising she had received when she had been dropped heal up. She was about to question, but didn't as she noticed the portal and prepared and arrow. Link stabbed what remained of the potion back into his pack and drew his sword.
The portal reappeared and the phantom raised his spear again as he came riding out and an arrow was sent through the air to catch the ghostly being on its arm. The creature groaned in Gannondorf's voice as his arm went wide on the reigns and the phantom horse crashed to the floor. Link rushed up to attack when the might stallion managed to get back up and the phantom swung the large spear at Link who ducked and then lashed forward. The ghost shot his spear forward to parry the blade, but Link caught himself on the rebound and raised it towards the neck of the large, vicious animal.
His blade dug into the horse's windpipe, but drew no blood. Instead there was a flash of light as the holy sword passed through the manifestation of dark magic, but without a doubt he had done some serious damage. The horse's head flailed before it lost its balance and struck the floor as whatever you would call the existence of a non-living being fadded. Evaporating into those same evil flames the horse vanished and all that was left behind was the phantom shadow of Gannondorf holding his spear at the ready.
The ghost gave a skeletal smirk at the events and Link gave a growl before dashing forward lunging, the ghost however kicked up off the floor and into the air, where he remained. The toes of his boots were pointed down to the floor as he floated through the air holding his spear in one hand while his other moved to be rested on his hip at what appeared to be a dagger. He floated there as Link held his sword his other hand ready at a moments notice to counter anything that the phantom was ready to throw at him. Saria however wasn't going to wait for an opening and raised up her bow and two arrows.
The fired them one after the other at the phantom who drew out the dagger and cleaved both arrows out of the air before bringing up the spear which crackled with energy. Saria was frozen as the blast was hurled right at her, Link however had noticed this and threw himself at Saria knocking her to the ground as the blast struck the railing straining it a heavy black. It wouldn't do physical damage, but it would bring great harm to beings of flesh and bone. Link pulled Saria to her feet and ordered her to stay away when suddenly there was another flash of light.
Link screamed out as the electrical attack slammed into his back sending a burning pain throughout his entire body, the sheer force of the blast also sent him slamming into the railings which held in place. Link trembled as he forced himself up onto his hands and knees and the creature prepared another blast for the weakened young man. Saria however quickly brought up her bow and fire three arrows at the phantom which it was forced to maneuver his spear to knock out of the way.
Link crawled to his feet as Saria fired arrow after arrow at the phantom which was barely managing to keep on the guard. Link brought up his sword as he contemplated what he would do when suddenly a pain groan came out from the creature as one of the arrows finally got through its defense and struck its chest. The creature lost its concentration and dropped to the floor on its knees yanking the diamond shaped arrow from the chest plate which had clearly failed its purpose. Saria screamed as she pelted the phantom's back with arrows which failed to penetrate the skull or reverse of the armor. She however halted her assault as Link moved forward.
Link swung his sword down as the dagger was brought up and attempted to push the phantom back, he then snapped up his foot knocking the dagger loose from its grip. It landed on the floor and evaporated into evil flames as it was freed from the possession of the false Gannondorf, who had clearly been crafted from dark magic. Link noticed this and then glanced at the Master Sword which had been glowing ever since he had drawn it from its sheath. Unconsiously the many names of the Master Sword began to flow through his mind. The Sword of Evil's Bane. The Holy Blade of Legend. The Sword of the Hero. The Reflecting Sword. The Blade of Retribution.
Everything seemed to revolve around what had Rauru had told him of the Master Sword, that it was a blade that held the experience of all those that had wielded it before and that it was a blade that would repel the very essence of evil within all things. While it was also a sword of great power this holy property was probably why he was able to so easily defeat these creatures that had been crafted out of the darkness, he glared at the phantom before he raised his sword and swipped it through the air cleaving through the chest plate. It roared in agony before it lashed out its spear to strike Link back, it then quickly got to its feet and began to levitate again.
Link backflipped back onto his feet and held out a hand towards Saria motioning her to stay back as he got another idea "Come and get me you son of a bitch." he snarled calling the phantom out knowing that it had some sort of an ego. The phantom growled before it raised its spear and then fired another sharp blast of energy towards Link, who instead of moving moved his blade to point towards the ground. As the blast closed in Saria winced her eyes and Navi screamed something at him before he snapped up his sword which connected with the blast.
The impact was swift and strong and sent the blast barreling back towards the phantom who was clearly shocked by this as his own attack struck him in the face dropping him to the ground in a smoking heap. Saria readied her bow and took aim firing off three before she discovered that she only had two left in her quiver. Link lunged into a stab impaling the creature's chest and then whirled around to slice across its arm before it managed to get its spear of to block him from the head shot.
Link snapped out his free hand and snatched the pole of the spear while he attempted to get his sword to pierce the head, knowing that taking it off would end it all. The phantom however made his move to release the spear and then jump back up into the air where he once against took flight, Link jumped back to the center of the platform and dropped the spear. The phantom held out its right hand clearly now without any kind of defensive capabilities and began to build yet another blast of energy, which took longer without the catalyst that was the spear.
Navi suddenly realized the kind of density that the leather armor would have had and ordered Link to use his hook shot on him. Not understanding Link drew out the spring loaded grappling hook and fired at the creature's chest, just barely managing the cover the thirty foot chain limit. The hook dug in and the blade of it snapped out into the hook shape. Releasing the trigger Link was dragged up into the air where he tackled the creature to the ground getting the hook shot back from its chest plate.
Link slammed his foot into the creatures chest and swung the sword downwards at its head in the attempt to shatter the skull. The creature's hands shot up to snatch around the sword, smoke rising as the aura of the Master Sword burned away at the false flesh on the phantom's hands. Link growled as he attempted to force his blade down "If you and your master were half as strong as you were ugly, you might be a problem!" he shouted. The phantom roared before kicking him off which sent him flying through the air and onto his back. The phantom then leapt forward and snatched up his spear before glaring back at Saria who stood near the stairs.
Link got to his feet swiftly as he had discovered the phantom's attack pattern, had it not been for the Master Sword's innate power it would have been a whole different game bringing this creature down. It however had one more surprise for Link as he concentrated a great deal more energy into its staff and then brought it up above its head. It gave a monstrous roar before sending a much large blast right at Link who raised his sword and struck it down hard sending the blast back at the creature.
The phantom however had different plans as he slammed another blast into the larger one reversing it on Link, the young warrior paniced before hitting it back against. The stopping power of the energy was becoming greater as the ghost slammed another blast into it redirecting it. Link hit is back against and the phantom continued to repeat the process as Link continued slamming it back slowly beginning to weaken until it was well over three times the size of either of the two warriors. Saria took aim on the creature as Link fell to one knee breathing heavily and decided he would have to counteract this and began concentrating on the Master Sword.
The phantom groaned out something before it prepared to hurl the blast which he had managed to catch on the tip of his spear back at Link. Saria saw her moment and fired just as he hurled it forcing him off guard, but the blast still headed for the weakened Link who got to his feet. The Master Sword's aura became a deeper blue as it began to swirl around the sword becoming much more than a simple holy aura. Link shot his sword back and then spun in a circle sending out a ring of sheer holy energy around him which send the blast back with a great deal more velocity.
The phantom looked up and then paniced as it raised its spear, but was struck with one more arrow which through him off. The blast made contact and there was a loud sound like thunder splitting the sky as the phantom received all that energy head on. The electricity could be seen migrating around the outside of its body as it fell to its knees and dropped the spear which was now blackened by the impact. Link narrowed his eyes before he rushed at the creature bringing up his sword prepared to finish this, he rushed at it with a battle cry.
The phantom shot up and jumped back as the Master Sword came down cutting a gash in the boney face, the flames around its skull glowed red as it grasped the wound inflicted upon the skull that held its spirit. It looked at Link and breathed before he roared out in raw rage and then jumped off the platform and flew through the doors, Link could feel the evil presence and knew that without a doubt it had left the temple. Left the temple to return to its master. With this victory the Forest Temple was theirs and Saria's destiny could be fulfilled, although he had no clue as to what would happen next.
The walls of the chamber began to glow in the energy as vines began to emerge throughout the chamber, the energy that had been suppressed for so long was returning to the temple and Saria looked up as she felt it flowing out into the forest as well. Saria then noticed that she was covered in a brilliant emerald glow and it was like long suppressed knowledge was unlocked within her mind as she began to realize her destiny. She stepped to Link as he picked up the spear that the creature had left behind and took him by the hand. There was then a brilliant flash of light as they were both pulled into the Sacred Realm.
Next Chapter: The Sage of the Forest
Saria Greenhill awakens as the Forest Sage and Link has the full story of what has happened revealed to him. Link points the Kokiri down a road to repair their culture and Mirkwood gives his knowledge of Gannondorf's plans. Garen and Malon arrive to a celebration amongst the Kokiri before heading back to the ranch, and within the dark walls of Gannondorf's Tower, Vincent passes judgment upon the pitiful creature called Phantom Gannon.