Tiana- Hello? Anyone here? …Wow, whatever Sol summoned sure made a mess…

Sol- Tiana? Is that you?

Tiana- Hi Sol! Long time no see!

RCM- Hm? Oh, hello little one. Let me guess… Aria sent you.

Tiana- Yeah, since you sent Anri to help her, she sent me to return the favor.

RCM- Well, with all due respect, I don't think we will be needing it. (waves hand, and the damage repairs itself) I believe we have everything under control. However, you are welcome to stay for a while, should you desire.

Tiana- Yay! Can I do the disclaimer?

RCM- But of course.

Tiana- Red Chaos Mage does not own Zelda, other video game things or other material readers recognize.

RCM- It is now time for Tikal to realize her destiny, and the roast of the Goblin King to commence. Sol? Can you get something to drink for our guest?

Sol- You got it! (flies off. A few moments later, the sound of glass shattering is heard.) Uh oh.

RCM- (sigh) Probably nothing a little reconstructive magic can't fix. Come, Tiana. You can learn this spell too. Enjoy the next installment, friends.

Chapter 11

Eviction Notice

The second room of the Temple was something Link definitely wasn't expecting. "Well, nothing like familiarity…"

"What do you mean?"

"The layout." Link waved his arm around the circular room. "A sealed door on the far side, four others flanking it, each of those with an unlit torch above it… I've been to several places like this when I was looking for the Triforce of Courage I carry. We can proceed once the torches are lit."

Elric grinned. "No problem." He shot a Fire Arrow with perfect accuracy into the nearest torch. Nothing happened. "What?! But how…?"

The Hero of Winds stifled a laugh. "No, Elric. The way to light them is to slay the monsters behind the doors. Once all four rooms are cleared, the far door will unlock."

Hugh took a minute to analyze the situation. "Alright, there are four doors and five of us. I say we divide and conquer."

Panic flashed in Tikal's eyes. "Wait, whoa, hold on! Me? I can't handle a room full of monsters alone!"

Elric sighed. "You really should have more faith in your fellow elves. You think I'd let you go in alone? King Toluin would have my head." With that, he took her hand and led her through the first door on the left wall.

As it closed behind the pair, Hugh asked, "You think Elric was serious about the King's reaction."

"No, somehow I doubt it."

Link shrugged and headed toward the first door on the right. "Come on, let's get started." Crossing the threshold of the door, he left Lance and Hugh to choose how to split the last two rooms between them.

In room one, Elric stood with arrow ready. The nervous girl at his side held her staff tightly in her hands, ready to whack the first thing that moved. Iron bars already blocked their exit, so a fight had to be on its way. However, all that was in the room was a set of large clay jars arranged on the sandy floor in the center. "Elric, I don't like this…"

"You know a revealing spell, don't you?" She nodded. "Try using it." She blushed before closing her eyes and focusing her energy in a chant. As she opened them, her eyes took on a white glow. Pointing to the jars, she spoke.

"There are five goblins hiding in the jars. They're in those two, that one, the one in the center, and that red one by the edge of the sand. The rest are just full of arrows and some coins." Firing, quite literally, at where she directed, Elric shattered the pots, revealing the goblins as they erupted in the arrow's flame. Unfortunately, the one in the corner had the foresight to jump out of the jar as it shattered, avoiding the blazing bolt by mere centimeters. As it launched itself, sword drawn, at the alarmed Tikal, she extended her staff. "Hinder!"

With a flash, the goblin was wrapped in a ring of violet energy, dropping to the ground. The spellbinding circle had rendered the beast completely immobilized. Impressed, Elric finished the job. "And you thought you weren't that good of a mage. You cast a spell with only one word?"

Tikal's face reddened as the bars withdrew from the door. "I said the rest of the spell in my head." Walking back into the main hall, they saw the flame above the door ignite. "I guess Link knew what he was talking about…"

Speaking of whom, the Hero of Winds stood watching the two skeletons rise from the dirt in front of him. However, they weren't like the Stalfos monsters he was used to. "Wow… Chaos sure beefed up the Stalfos breed…" Instead of the oversized, unwieldy mace he usually saw the creatures carry, these two held large, rusted swords and spiked buckler shields. And, much to his alarm, they moved a great deal faster. Lifting himself up from where the blow had thrown him, Link realized that there was no way he could detonate a bomb close enough to blow the bones apart if they kept up that speed. His eyes lit up. "Unless…"

Thinking quickly, Link activated Zunari's Magic Armor. The spell enveloped the warrior in a protective energy shield as he took out a single bomb. The Stalfos Knights, as he decided to call them, closed in on his position quickly. Still holding the bomb, Link did his best to dodge the attacks, ending up trapped in the corner. However, right before the two brought their swords down on the Triforce bearer, the last of the bomb's fuse disappeared. "Boom."

Both skeletal warriors were sent flying by the point-blank blast, while Link just slid down the wall he was pushed against, the magic barrier absorbing the blast. Unharmed, the boy rushed the bouncing skulls, crushing them both with his hammer. Deactivating the shield, he then exited the room without a word.

In Hugh's room, the shadows concealed the small creatures waiting in ambush. As he stepped fearlessly into the center, no less than 50 gremlins dove toward him. "Oh please." He pulled his sword out as the swarm of imps converged on top of him. They were never given the opportunity to regret that move, as Hugh engulfed the lot of them with a single well-placed Fire Spin. Insulted by their feeble attempt to stop him, Hugh walked out of the door in a huff.

The other four stood waiting in the center. "Judging from the look on your face, you got ripped off too. All I had was five ChuChus. Where's the fun in that?"

The boys all said in unison "Shut up, Lance." As the fourth torch lit, the metal bars blocking the final door retracted.

"And now for the prize… or in this case, the real battle." Link walked up to the door, sword ready. "Shall we?"

On the other side, the bloated form of the Goblin King sat smugly before them. "Eh? What is this? More pests from the elf kingdom? Toluin should accept the fact that I have won, you fools."

"You've outlived your 'welcome,' fat ass."

Lance's insult infuriated the large masked creature. "I AM NOT FAT!!! I'm big boned!" The party exchanged looks of amusement at the foolish and grossly overused comment. A sickening smile spread across the masked face. "But I do like to throw my weight around!"

"Whoa!" Before Elric could register what happened, he hit the wall headfirst. The King Goblin tackled him with speed that shouldn't have been possible, given the monster's girth. The impact was too much for the archer, who passed out.

"Ahahaha! Who's next?!" Link and Hugh each charged energy into their blades and unleashed their spin attacks. The flames lacing the human's sword washed over the beast first, followed immediately by the onslaught of slashes from Link's attack. "Hmph. Pathetic." Though his armor was smoldering from the assault, the thick-skinned monster appeared to be unharmed. Inhaling deeply, he launched an arrow from the mouth of his mask, striking Hugh in the shoulder. As he fell back, the goblin turned to the dazed Link, who was still reeling from the Hurricane Spin's side effects. "Ha. All too easy." With a backhand, the monster sent the boy to the dirt.

"No!" Waving her staff in the air, Tikal began to cast a healing spell. She didn't notice the fiery red orb rolling towards her from where Hugh had fallen. "Recover!" The flash of white immediately began healing the two swordsmen as well as bringing Elric back to his senses. As Hugh pulled the arrow out of his shoulder, the magic healed the wound. To his discomfort, the spot remained very sore. It was then that the orb touched the unsuspecting girl.

"Whoa… Look!" Lance directed their attention to the young mage, who was now surrounded in red energy. Her green dress billowed in the magic around her as she opened her eyes. They, too, were glowing red.

"Wha-what is happening?!" The Goblin King demanded, startled by the sight before him.

"You are trespassing on sacred ground, and have refused to leave quietly. As punishment for your crime, I invoke my power as the Chaos Protector's Spellcaster to banish you from this plain." The girl raised her staff above her head, the crimson energies converging on its tip. Swinging it forward, she unleashed her new Chaos power. "Now burn! INFERNO!" The fire blazed forth in an intensity Link thought only Valoo himself could rival. As the blast engulfed the Goblin King, the armor encasing him began to melt away. With an anguished shriek, the demon exploded, his protective mask clattering to the floor before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

Hugh helped Elric back to his feet. "Still have doubts, Tikal? Wow… you are clearly the one." The girl smiled shyly at the older elf's words.

"No kidding! That Chaos Control spell was HOT!"

"Her move wasn't the only thing… ow! Hey!" Hugh rubbed the spot where Elric had jabbed him with an elbow. "What?!"

Lance shook his head, hiding his smirk. "Hugh, you'll never learn." Looking around, he noticed a large hole in the wall. "That's probably how he got in."

"Allow me." Link placed three bombs in the tunnel, the blasts causing it to cave in on itself. "That should do it. Let's get out of here."

Back at the castle, the King ordered a grand feast be held to thank the kingdom's heroes. As they ate, he said, "You do not know how grateful we are. That creature has been a thorn in our side for the longest time."

Swallowing his mouthful of food, Lance nodded. "I can see why. That was no easy fight. And it was actually Tikal who finished him off."

"Really? Is this true?"

Elric raised the turkey leg he held. "Aye, sire. She is the second Destined of the elves."

"Well I'll be… So then I trust you will be leaving with them shortly, my young attendant?"

The girl smiled, a hint of sorrow in her eyes. "Yes, my lord. My destiny lies with them."

"As ours rest in your hands… Regretfully, all I can offer you from here is information. To reach the land of the Snow Nymphs, you must first get past the Shadin Mountain range. I do not know how you are to do that, but I believe a friend of mine in the Forest Clan may be able to help you. He lives in the village just outside of the forest, straight down the trail from the East Gate."

"Thanks, your majesty." Hugh said, reaching for more bread. "With this meal, I think your debt is paid in full."

"Hugh! Be respectful!" Lance scolded as he threw an apple at his partner across the table. Laughing, the boy caught the fruit and took a bite out of it before returning fire. The fun continued for hours, until it was finally time to head out.

Standing at the gates, the king surveyed the Chosen Ones before him one last time. "You have our eternal thanks, Chaos Protectors. May the fate of the world be secure by your hands." He gave them all a formal bow. "Goodbye, my friends. And good luck."

End Chapter 11

RCM- And so ends the adventure in the Jarai Forest. Geographically, they are now halfway to the land where the Wind Shard sleeps.

Tiana- Wow… this is a big map… they're only here?

Sol- Yep, they have to go to all these places. Forests, swamps, snow areas, caves, deserts, even a barren volcanic region.

Tiana- Oh my…

RCM- Sol, that's enough foreshadowing. The readers don't need to know anymore about what's to come right now.

Sol- Okay.

RCM- That will suffice for today… We will see you again when the next chapter is complete.

Tiana- Do I get to help?

RCM- Well, since you're here, I don't see why not… yes, I owe Aria that much. Come, let's get started.

Tiana- Yeah! This'll be fun!

RCM- Coming, Sol?

Sol- Just rolling up the map. I'm right behind you!

RCM- Good. In that case, I bid you farewell, dear readers. Review at your leisure, I'll see you again!