I am in the middle of most intense case of writers' flow ever! I can just write anything right now, and I can't stop it! That's why the chapters are getting progressively longer. I just don't know when to quit! n.n;
Okay, I've been worrying that Lor seems a wee bit Gary Stuish, what with his astounding power and all. I'm hoping to dispel this concern with the coming chapters, as well as put the focus back on Link. Hopefully Lor hasn't been acting too Gary Stuish!
Another thing. I'm getting awfully self-conscious about my writing. How do you like my characterization? Does Dameus just disgust you? Does Lor put a smile on your face? Have I portrayed all my characters in a way that makes you partial to the good guys and impartial to the bad?
Yet another thing. This story could very well have a good five to ten more chapters due to something that will happen in the climax. As long as this writers' flow keeps up, I should publish chapters at an expedential rate (in comparison to my recent, er... slump). I encourage you to check for updates often or put the story on alert if you are able and have not already done so.
One last thing. Replies are clearly not allowed within the story as depicted by ffnet. If you have an account, please sign in when reviewing and TELL ME within the review that you want me to reply. Otherwise, you get squat. Also, if you want to chat sometime, I'm on AOL and MSN. E-mail me your screen name so I can add it to my list. Otherwise, you won't be able to message me.
That is all for my little announcements segment. Here is Chapter 17! And it's a long one. -faints from writing too much-
Chapter 17: The Final Gift
Kaze planned to take his good sweet time with retrieving the last Spiritual Stone. Perhaps he would just hang out in the Kokiri Forest for a few hours, or visit his mother in Gerudo Valley. After all, Dameus couldn't see him. Aiko put a strong binding spell on his looking glass. This aroused a new thought in his mind.
He needed to hurry… If Dameus discovered their plan while Kaze was away, Aiko would be all alone to bear the brunt of their master's fury. Kaze had promised not to let the black-haired girl get hurt. He heaved a sigh. It looked as though all his planning was for naught. The boy continued along the bridge into Kokiri Forest.
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"Many days and many nights. Many friends and many fights. Many times I wonder when and how this venture will truly end. For now I walk along this road. Upon my shoulders, I bear a load. When it's done and through, I will belong. I know what is right and what is wrong," Artemis recited as she trudged through the seemingly endless wasteland that slumbered before the Spirit Temple.
"Eh, it needs some work," Link grinned. Artemis whacked the back of his head, causing his hat to fall from its perch. The hero stared at her in annoyance, but his smirk soon surfaced and he retrieved his green cap. Lor gazed up at the sky, watching the clouds drift past tranquilly. This peace was fleeting, however, and he knew it to be so. In only days he knew he'd be confronting Dameus and Kaze, supposedly two of the strongest foes Link and Hieke had ever known. He still shuddered at the thought.
"Something's not right," Link muttered as he stopped walking. Hieke furrowed her brow. "What do you mean, 'something'?" she asked. The hero shook his head, grumbling inaudibly.
Lor looked around, wondering if the cause for Link's perturbation was visible. However, he could see nothing. The eyes can be deceitful, he reminded himself warily. There was no telling when or where the next enemy would appear, so they had to be alert at all times. It was growing to be a tedious task to always have your eyes, ears, and mind open to anything and everything.
A cave loomed before them, presumably the Great Fairy Fountain of Nayru. A shiver ran down Lor's spine. He whipped around, looking in every direction. There was still nothing, though his senses told him otherwise. It felt almost as though the source of the disturbance was within himself. That can't be, he told himself. Every time he finished with Kuro's demonic power, he returned it to the Guardian Tree. The seal was as strong as his physical, spiritual, and mental vigor; and, looking at how long Lor had endured the abuse in his dimension, all three were very strong.
Still the group pressed onward, shaking off any feelings of uncertainty it harbored. They entered the Fountain, and Link played the Lullaby. Blue lights flashed brightly, revealing the Great Fairy.
"You've arrived," the Fairy said, nodding to Artemis. "I knew you would when I sensed the awakening of the other Gifts. I felt two Fairy Charms approaching, and my suspicions were confirmed. Lady Artemis, when you deliver the final Fairy Charm unto the young hero Lor, your destiny will be fulfilled."
"What will happen then?" Artemis asked timidly. Throughout the adventure, Lor and the others had told her time and time again that she would be able to return home when they were through. Now, though, she was having doubts about the truthfulness of this promise.
"When your destiny has been realized, you and the other incarnations will ascend to the heavens of the Sacred Realm and rejoin the deities from which you were born," the Great Fairy explained. Lor gasped. "No!" he objected. "That's not… No! I thought they'd be able to go back home after they discharged the Fairy Charms!"
The divine fairy shook her head, melancholy showing in the blazing opals of her eyes. "I apologize if this is what you were led to believe, but the truth is often surprising and difficult to accept," she said evenly. She then vanished, along with the wall of water shielding the hidden chamber bathed in cerulean brilliance. Artemis sighed and looked over her shoulder at Lor.
"I guess that's my cue," she smiled despondently. Lor said nothing. He remembered all too well the chat he had with the silver-haired girl about the workings of destiny. There was nothing he could do to change Artemis' fate. "Though I wish I had known," he muttered to himself. He realized he had been refusing to meet his friend's gaze and raised his head to give her an encouraging smile.
"I turn my face unto the sky as clouds bring forth the rain. Tears for a lost love fill my eyes… Someday we'll meet again," Artemis shrugged. Lor nodded in farewell and Artemis proceeded down the hall. White light engulfed from her body and fairy wings appeared, her eyes shining with azure splendor. She reached towards the glowing orb that was the final Gift, her forefinger just barely coming into contact with its gentle radiance.
Lor's pocket glowed brightly. When the light subsided, he reached down and grasped a small, cool item. He withdrew the object and uncurled his fingers, revealing a silver ring set with the most breathtaking sapphire he had ever beheld. He slipped this jewel onto his finger, casting one last glance at Artemis before the room was swallowed up by a white aura. Instead of finding themselves merely outside of the cavern, however, they were instead standing on the surface of a gorgeous lake.
The crystalline waters perfectly reflected the infinite perfection that was the sky. The surface seemed to stretch out eternally, and the lake itself was eerily empty of life. Before them stood three figures enshrouded by golden light. Link recognized the people immediately.
"Farore, Din, and Nayru…" he breathed. Each of the named nodded in turn. Hieke pressed her lips together and adopted a submissive disposition. To think she was standing before the very goddesses that created all of Hyrule and the sacred power of the Triforce!
"Link, you have braved many a dangerous situation," Farore complimented.
"Hieke, you have shown exemplary strength of both body and spirit," Din regarded.
"Lor, you have kept your wits about you even in a world completely alien," Nayru smiled.
"You've all done so well in your adventures. You've faced overwhelming odds and never given up. You've gone against task after task and succeeded in them all. Any normal person would have died long ago. You are Heroes," the goddesses explained, speaking in turn. The addressed flushed slightly and smiled in gratitude for such kind words from such incredible beings.
"This fight is not yet over, and it will take more power than you've ever needed before," Din warned. "Young Lor is a most valuable asset to your cause, for he possesses a great power yet untapped. To defeat Dameus, he will need to access that power."
"Battle is not only about strength, as you know," Farore continued. "When the going gets tough, the tough kick some evil arsenic. You mustn't fear. Lor, you are very courageous at heart, but you must unleash this valor if your cause is to prevail."
"Physical and spiritual stamina are all very important, but wisdom will serve you all too well in combat," Nayru reminded. "Lor has already demonstrated his cunning and insight. There is a deeper wisdom, Lor, that you must find within yourself if this struggle is to end justly."
Link listened to all this with a sideways frown. "So, you're saying the outcome of this battle depends entirely upon Lor?" he asked, his brow furrowed. The goddesses shook their heads in dissent.
"He will be of great assistance, for one must fight fire with fire, but he is not the deciding factor. That role rests upon you, Link," they said. The green-clad boy hearkened with an expression of pure disbelief.
"All these fights, all these villains, all these adventures have been preparation for this, the Final Adventure. Destiny works in strange ways, Hero. The Laws of the Universe have decreed you to be savior of Hyrule."
"Several times over, apparently," Link muttered bitterly. Regardless of the trouble he had been through, it appeared it was his fate for it all to come to this. There is no altering Destiny once it has been set into the works.
"So… Link saves the world with Lor's help. Where do I fit into all this?" Hieke wondered aloud. She had questions, and who better to ask than the all-knowing Goddesses?
"You have a very special role in this, Lady Hieke," the golden entities stated, "though if we disclose to you what that role is, we will have interfered with Destiny and possibly altered the outcome of this battle. You will find your calling through the passage of time."
The three young heroes reflected upon this for a while, during which time there was utter silence. Not a single breath of air sighed across the water's dazzling surface. Not a single fluttering bird delivered its gleeful chorus. It was still, disconcertingly still. It was the Sacred Realm, resting place of the Triforce, kept silent by the omniscient powers enacting upon the land.
"If there are no more questions to be asked…" Nayru said, shattering the pristine soundlessness. The three goddesses nodded to the trio before them and a glaring golden light distended their minds. When they could finally see and think straight once more, they were standing in the Desert Colossus.
Oh yeah, and I made a FATAL error in a past chapter regarding the location of the Fountain of Nayru. It's in the Desert Colossus, NOT a meadow bordering Hyrule Castle! That's where you got the health increase in the future. I am very sorry for the mix up (though no one other than me seemed to care too much)!
Hey hey! The fanfiction contest deadline is TOMORROW and I have naught but TWO entries! And FOUR awards to give out! This is unprecedented, but since I don't want to waste awards... Those of you who have already entered (you know who you are!) may enter again if you have time to write your entry. I am really quite disappointed with the crop this month. The art contest got more entries! Well, the details are in my profile if you need them.
Don't forget to review! If you want a reply, tell me in your review and SIGN IN.
I didn't get a lot of responses last time, so let me ask again. Son or daughter? If that's too confusing, then BOY OR GIRL? I need answers!