RCM- Alright, is everything ready?
Sol- Yes sir.
Anri- We're all set.
RCM- Good. Anri, I have another job for you.
Anri- Go ahead, Master.
RCM- It's Aria. Help her again. Go. Now.
Anri- Gone (flies away)
RCM- It's been kind of hectic over here. Sol's little spell summoned something, but due to the fact it's a major part of the storyline later, I can't tell you exactly what.
Sol- I said I was sorry!
RCM- I know Sol, I know! We're in the process of containing it now.
Sol- It's coming up on the trap, Master.
RCM- Good. Keep an eye on it and activate the trap as soon as it enters. While we handle this, take a look at what Lance and the others get into as they make their way through Jarai Forest. As always, I don't own any of the video game material… Sol, NOW!
(a loud roar echoes from another room)
Sol- I think we got it! (loud crash) …oops.
RCM- SOLARIS! Oh, forget it! On with the story!
Chapter 10
Woodland Wonders
About an hour later, Elric was leading the group into the forest, his newly won quiver over his shoulder. Lance wasn't really surprised that the archer chosen by the Gods had won the contest, but even he had to admit that the elf's skill was truly amazing. As the canvass of trees above them started to block the sun, Elric warned "Alright guys. Try to stay relatively quiet. With the Chaos creatures roaming the lands, not even these sacred woods are safe." As soon as he finished, a Gremlin dove for his head from the treetops above. With a fluid motion, the elf loaded an arrow, set the tip aflame with Chaos energy, and shot the attacker through the heart. "See what I mean?" The fire torched the imp, its smoky remains vanishing quickly. "Thanks for the Fire Arrow Control move, by the way."
"Think nothing of it. You're one of the Chosen, so you're supposed to have the power. I still think Link should be able to harness a little."
The youngest team member waved it off. "My power comes from the Triforce, not from Chaos. I never was meant to be compatible with it. Besides, I told you I have enough tools at my disposal to handle myself fine, and the Goddesses will grant me my own magic when we get the more shards. Don't worry about it."
As the day wore on, he proved his words true. The various creatures attacking them fell to his boomerang, hookshot, Deku leaf and sword in a number of combinations. Along with the others and their Chaos attacks, they took out over a hundred monsters. "We'll be safe once we enter the gates of Toluin. It shouldn't be much longer."
"You're leading, Elric. Whatever you say." Lance's Flare Blade burnt through the wings of an attacking Mothula, causing the insect to fall to the ground. "The sooner the better."
Pulling out his bow, Link shot a Light Arrow at the fallen moth. "No kidding. I'm running out of arrows… hey, what's that?"
In the fading flash of the arrow's light, the outline of a wooden gate stood hidden beyond a short span of trees. "There! I told you it wouldn't be long." The elf led the weary travelers down the final stretch of the trail, calling out to the armed watchmen at the gate. "Hail! 'Tis Elric! I return with friends!"
"Hail, Sir Elric! Come and take refuge!" The guards, armed with both bow and sword, ushered the party inside the gate, where an older elf stood waiting.
"Welcome home, my friend." The younger archer bowed to the man the others realized was the Elf King.
"Sire, I bring the first of the Chaos Protectors. These are Lance and Hugh, humans of the town Nidero. And this boy is Link, hailing from a realm beyond our own."
The king smiled. "I bid you all the warmest of welcomes, dear warriors. This is the elfin kingdom of Toluin. I hope you will enjoy your stay. My name is Olivio Azriel Toluin III, King of this forest haven." Link felt himself smile at the king's choice of words. "You must be weary. My attendant will show you three to your rooms, where you may recover your strength. Tikal, would you come here please?"
A young blonde elf came out of a wooden house nearby. "Yes, your majesty?"
"If you would, show these three to the guest quarters." The girl bowed and gestured for Lance, Hugh and Link to follow her. "Elric, a word?"
As the king and Elric went toward the castle, the remaining three were led to a cluster of small houses. Each warrior was given one of them to use for the duration of their stay. After hanging his cloak up in his room, Lance went back outside. Tikal was sitting on a stump nearby, shifting through a packet of documents written on what looked like large leaves. "Hey."
The girl jumped, not expecting the guests to be out and about so soon. "Oh! Hi… I thought you would be resting like the other two."
"No, I'd rather look around to relax."
The elf smiled and stood up. "Well then, if you would like, I could show you around…" Lance returned the smile and followed her into the village.
In the second hut, Link unpacked his supplies, taking a quick inventory. "Let's see… Aryll's Telescope, the Wind Waker, Grappling Hook… Hmm, I must've left the sail on King… oh well. Picto Box, Iron Boots… hey, the Magic Armor spell Zunari gave me… I completely forgot I had this… let's see, what else…? Boomerang, bow with arrows, Hookshot, Deku Leaf… no Tingle Tuner?" The boy let out a small laugh. "No big loss. Okay, one blue potion left, both bottles of Grandma's soup, Aryll's soup, and the two empty bottles from the tavern fiasco… that's all six." A rumbling in his pocket interrupted his work. Knowing the source, Link smiled. "Hello, Tetra."
Pulling out the Pirate Charm from his pocket, the Hero of Winds sat down on the bed next to his things. "Good, I was afraid you wouldn't be able to hear me over there…" Tetra's voice rang clear from the shining green stone, relief evident in her tone. "How's it going?"
"Well, I've met three of the six you saw in your dream already. Two humans and an elf."
"An elf? Like a Kokiri?"
Link hesitated before answering. "Not really… if I remember, the Deku Tree told me once that the Kokiri never aged. These people clearly do, Elric looks to be about 20, and the King of Elves about twice that."
"Elric? Is that the elf's name?"
"Yep."
"How about the other two?"
"Hugh and Lance are okay, I guess, but they're real competitive with each other. Just this afternoon they got drunk and had a huge fight over a dart game. You'd think it was Gonzo and Senza going at it." The pirate laughed at her boyfriend's quip. "I'm also getting the feeling Hugh may have a bit of a temper."
Tetra absorbed that, but before she could respond, they both heard a knock outside her door. "Hold on, Link… This better be important! What do you want?"
Link could hear Gonzo's voice through the magical connection. "Excuse me, Miss, but Niko kinda fell overboard and is hanging by the seat of his pants off of one of the bomb guns." The Hero couldn't restrain his laughter at the mental image.
"Argh! That stupid little… I'm sorry Link, I have to take care of this. Be careful, okay?"
"You know me, don't worry."
"Yeah, I do know you, and that's exactly why I worry!"
Link had to laugh at that. "Seriously, I'll be careful. You'll hear from me again as soon as we get to the next town. Oh, and before I forget, can you do me a favor?"
Tetra seemed to be considering it. "Depends, what do I get in return?" Link rolled his eyes, knowing that she was kidding. She laughed again. "Of course I can. Anything for you."
"I want you to write Aryll a letter for me, let her know I'm still alright, what I'm up to. I'd do it myself, but…"
"Yeah, I know. I'll write it as soon as Niko's back onboard. Love you."
Sighing, Link kissed the stone. "I love you too, Tetra. Bye."
"Bye… Niko, what did you do this time?!" Link chuckled softly as the connection broke, and he proceeded with his inventory.
While that exchange was still underway, the elfin archer was sitting in the meeting hall of Toluin Castle. "You could not have come at a more opportune time, old friend. The Goblin King has finally made a move."
Elric leaned forward onto the table. "What would that move be, sire?"
"That cursed creature has found a way into the Forest Temple, and has taken control of it. As long as he remains there, the magic protecting our home will weaken until it fades altogether. When that happens, monsters will be able to overrun the barricades."
The archer looked out the window in thought. Through the trees, his sharp vision could barely make out the green sparkle of the magic barrier surrounding the kingdom. The mystical defense was powered by the priests living in the Forest Temple, the gates being the only way in or out. Without that protection… "How long do we have until the shield dies?"
"We cannot tell for certain, but at the current rate of decay, the most we have is 48 hours. I hate to have to ask so soon, but I need you and your friends to reclaim the Temple and seal off whatever route the Goblin King used to get in."
Elric nodded. "Aye, sire. I'll tell the others. Consider the mission accepted."
"Thank you, old friend…"
"Hey, we haven't been friends for 200 years just to have me quit on you now." The elf rose and placed his hand on the elder's shoulder. "Don't worry, my liege. I will protect our home."
The king smiled wearily. "Thank you, Elric. Get going." The archer quickly left, heading straight for the guesthouses. Link knew just from the look in his eyes that something was up, and immediately began gathering his things as the elf explained the situation. Together, they went to wake the sleeping Hugh. The human warrior was less than pleased.
"Elric…? What's the idea? I was dreamin' some quality…"
"There's no time, Hugh. We have to go. Have either of you seen Lance?"
"I'm right here." The group turned to see the boy enter, followed by Tikal. "She was showing me around. What's wrong?" After hearing Elric's story, Lance ran to his hut and threw on his cloak. "Okay, let's get us some goblin!"
"I can get us to the Temple quickly. Hold onto my hand." Tikal offered, extending her arms to the warriors. Lance took one, Elric the other, and the remaining two completed the circle. The young girl began to chant, some of the words sounding familiar to the humans. Just like when Sol cast the same spell in the Temple of Elders, the surroundings shimmered away, and the group stood before a relatively small shrine covered in moss.
Lance let go of Tikal's hand and gave her an intrigued look. "Hugh, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
The look on the black haired boy was equally interested. "The destined spellcaster is a girl. Tikal's a spellcaster and a girl. I think she's the one."
"Excuse me?" The blonde took a step back, clearly confused by what they were suggesting. "You think I am one of the Seven Protectors? That can't be possible, I've only just begun studying magic six months ago…"
"We only started using swords three months ago, and we're still the Chosen."
"But I'm only 170 years old." Link almost fell over at that, clearly not expecting that number. "In the elf world I'm barely more than a child!"
"Relative to human aging, you would be equivalent to 17 years old." Elric laid his hand on her arm, trying to comfort the girl. "If I am not mistaken, that is how old these two are. And Link here is only 14. Age is not relevant, Tikal. Besides, the pieces seem to fit. We both know the prophecies say two elves will serve as Protectors. I am one of them, the archer. These two were told the spellcaster destined to join them was a female. You complete all of the criteria."
Link grabbed the group's attention with a blast from his Deku Leaf. "You know, we could discuss this after we finish our job here. The shield isn't getting any stronger."
Hugh nodded. "Link's right. Let's take out that trespasser."
End Chapter 10
RCM- That was rough… It took some time, but I finally sent the creature back to the Skull Woods where it belonged.
Sol- I'm sorry the spell didn't work, Master. I won't do that again.
RCM- Your apology is accepted, little one. Now go clean up the mess in the hallway.
Sol- Yes sir... (flies off)
RCM- (sigh) I know he means well… Poor child just needs to grow a little more. Anyways, the adventure is still far from over… How will Tikal realize her destiny is calling? You shall see soon enough. I thank all of you for your continued support, and will get started on the next chapter very shortly. Until then, friends, farewell.
Sol (from the hallway)- Master, how do I get the claw marks off the wall?
