RCM- I think this'll do. Link and Tetra speak to Valoo and learn of a legend unlike any they've ever heard before. Oh, and before that, Komali asks Link for some… advice. Heh heh heh… As I've said before, I don't own the video game characters or other concepts readers may recognize. Read on.
Chapter 4
Three and Seven
By nightfall, the pirate ship anchored by the shores of Dragon Roost Island, the fresh air gently blowing across the deck. Just like their last visit, Link parachuted down with his Deku leaf, splashing down into the surf a few feet from shore. "You know, it wouldn't kill you to wait for me!"
The Hero of Winds laughed and waved back to Tetra, who was glaring at him from the deck. "It's not my fault. Come on!" Sighing, she boarded the smaller boat and Gonzo rowed them to shore.
"It's the same way as last time, yeah?"
Link couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, Gonzo remembers the way. Alright then, I'll race you there!"
Right before he could bolt up the trail, he felt a hand grab the back of his collar. "Not so fast, you!" Tetra said with a look saying 'you asked for it this time.'
Confused, Link waited to see what she was going to do. Tetra's glare held for a few more seconds, then it shattered into a fit of laughter as she ran off ahead of them. "Hey! No fair!" Link took off in hot pursuit, Gonzo and the others trailing behind. He chased her all the way up to the aerie gates before tackling her. "Gotcha!"
Their momentum kept them going, and they found themselves sprawled on the floor at Komali's feet. "Having fun, you two?"
Before long, the entire party of pirates had caught up and everyone was seated at the dinner table. "I'm glad to see for myself that you made it back all right." Medli said as she placed two steaming plates of food in front of Link and Tetra. "Valoo was worried you wouldn't survive."
"We almost didn't." the Hero admitted. "That was too close for comfort."
Tetra jabbed him in the ribs. "You better not be implying that what we walked away with isn't worth it."
Medli looked at them questioningly for a second, then as if something clicked, smiled brightly. "Oh, I understand!"
"So…" Komali said as he took a bite out of his meal, "Tell us what happened. We've been dying to know since Quill brought word you came out of that forest in one piece."
The remainder of the evening went quickly with stories from both sides, though Link's and Tetra's were by far the most discussed. The moon rose high into the sky, shining into the aerie with a calming glow. Looking up at it, the Rito Chieftain rose from his seat. "I hate to break up this party, but I must respectfully bid you good evening. The hour grows late, and I am going to retire until morning."
Komali rose as well. "Yeah, I suppose we should head off to bed now, shouldn't we… Come on Link, let's get the room fixed up."
"On my way." He gave Tetra a quick kiss on the cheek before following Komali down the hall.
Medli giggled at the scene. "Looks like your dream came true, hasn't it Tetra?" she asked.
Smiling at her friend, the pirate nodded. "It has. With any luck, yours may too." Blushing, Medli only nodded and led her to their room.
Back downstairs, Link and Komali secured the same cot the traveling hero had used the last time he was there. "Um, Link? Can I… ask you a question?"
Wiping his brow with his sleeve, the young boy answered, "Sure, Komali. What's up?"
The prince reddened. "Well… I kinda… want to borrow some of your courage again… like when you helped me get my wings." Link looked at him confused. "You see, I kinda… like Medli…"
Link let out a small chuckle. "Finally got around to admitting it, huh?" Komali's eyes snapped up from the floor, surprise radiating from them. "You think I wouldn't have figured it out? After the way you reacted when Medli first went to the Earth Temple, it was obvious." Link's smile gave the prince a sense of comfort. "You want to know how to express yourself to her, don't you?"
Komali nodded, a bit amazed how easily his friend had read him. "I know how you and Tetra hooked up, so… I was hoping you could give me the push I need to try with Medli."
"I don't think you'll have to worry. If I know Medli, she's fond of you too. I think you two will work out great." Link hopped into the cot, enjoying the swinging motion he created in the process. "Relax, pal. It'll be okay." With a smile, the heir of the Rito tribe blew out the lantern and they both went to sleep.
Morning came faster than Link had anticipated, and before he knew it, the cot flipped over and he was face down on the floor. "Ow… what…?"
"Rise and shine, hero." Tetra's voice teased as he felt something sit on him. Looking up, he saw her lounging on his back, smiling down at him.
"Very funny, Tetra. Would you mind getting off of me?"
The pirate seemed to consider it before shaking her head. "Nope, I don't think so."
Allowing a small smirk, Link closed his eyes again. "Alright then…" Without warning, he arched his back upward, startling the girl. In her confusion, he managed to get out from under her and slip out the door.
"Hey!" Tetra immediately followed, the door slamming behind her. Komali was awakened with a start, but he quickly relaxed once he heard Link and Tetra laughing their way down the hall outside.
Later that morning, Medli, Link and Tetra stood before the great sky spirit Valoo, the Rito girl translating the dragon's speech for the other two. "He says he's happy to see you defeated the witch, and he knows why you're here."
Tetra stiffened. "He knows about my dream?"
Medli nodded, as the dragon spoke again. "He says that it was a warning. An evil force is attempting to release a power rivaling that of the Triforce."
Link blinked in confusion. "But I thought the Triforce's power came directly from the Goddesses. What can be more powerful than goddesses?"
Valoo spoke again. "There are other realms beyond our own. Each one has its own deities controlling them. Ours are the three goddesses, Din, Farore, and Nayru. The power being released is in another realm, and is a deity as well. Valoo doesn't know much about it, but he does know that the seven Gods of that realm helped the people of their world stop the evil entity. Just like our Goddesses created the Triforce, the seven created… I'm sorry, Valoo, can you repeat that last part?" The rumbling voice of Valoo rang out again. "The Seven Elements of Chaos."
Tetra felt a chill run down her spine. "That sounds pleasant…"
Valoo spoke one last time before taking off to the south, and Medli looked at Link in alarm. "He says that if the entity is released, both their world and ours are in danger. He has been told by Din herself that you are destined to go to their world and help the new heroes stop it. He also said to go quickly to the Forest Haven and meet with the Great Deku Tree. He will alert Jabun and they will both meet you there."
Tetra turned and watched the dragon fly into the horizon. "Link, I think you should go on without us. You'll get there faster with the Ballad of Gales. We'll keep in touch with the Gossip Stone…" Turning back, she embraced him in a fierce hug. "Be careful."
End Chapter 4
RCM- Aw… how sweet… However, it's almost time for the heroes to cross paths. As Link prepares to head south alone to meet the guardian spirits, we will change perspectives and see what Lance and Hugh are doing. Let's go!
