Chapter Ten: Link's On His Way
Disclaimer: I don't own The Legend of Zelda, the lucky bums at Nintendo do, yadda yadda, but if you so much as even think of using my characters or place names, so help me I will sue your asses.
" Where are you going?" asked Navi curiously as Link made his way into the castle.
" I'm getting my things. You never know when you'll need a grappling hook or a bow." Link replied over his shoulder.
Link ran up the stairs two at a time, and strode over to his room. There, he could see his massive backpack containing all of his objects that would help him on adventures: the Deku Leaf, the Skull Hammer, and Aryll's Telescope, amongst other things. Navi was surprised at the size of the bag.
" That's such a large bag…Isn't it heavy?"
" Why do you think I need the Power Bracelets?" said Link. He checked that everything was in his bag, and slung it over his shoulder.
" Do you really think you'll need all of those things?"
" Well, Bottles are always handy, and the Boomerang will knock out most monsters, and the Iron Boots are useful when it's really windy."
" What about the Hero's Charm?"
" That-Ah…I see your point. That can be left." replied Link, taking the Hero's Charm out.
" And the Tingle Tuner?" asked Navi persistently.
" Euurggghh! Like I'm ever going to need that tight-wearing freak!" shuddered Link, chucking the Tingle Tuner out hurriedly.
Link's reaction made Navi giggle quietly; Link could scarcely believe it.
" Look! A laugh! That's a rarity." smiled Link.
" Well, we better be on our way." said Navi, still giggling.
Link nodded, and set off back to the castle doors. He acknowledged Tim Olsen again as he saw him patrolling the steps, and walked out of the doors. As he did this, he took a deep breath.
" Can you taste it, Navi? Can you smell it too?" asked Link.
" What? Taste and smell what?"
" Adventure."
After several miles of walking, Link was exhausted, and he was only halfway there.
" I…hate…adventures…" panted Link.
" But you're the Hero of Time! How can you hate adventures?" said Navi.
" It's not that I hate the adventures…Seeing new sights, discovering new cultures…It's breathtaking. But, there's so much work in it…I don't have the strength to carry on like this…" replied Link.
" Nobody can, Link. But we try our best. We better rest here for the night." Link didn't know what Navi meant, until he looked around and saw the sunset. They had left Hyrule Castle in the early afternoon; now it was close to sunset, and with it would come darkness.
" I suppose you're right. We better stay here." said Link. He set his equipment down on the ground and left in search of firewood.
" I'm bored." stated Zelda, with half-shut eyes.
" There isn't much you can do when you're held prisoner. Apart from go mad, that is." replied Ganondorf.
" Let's play a game. I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with…W." said Zelda, trying to cure her boredom.
" This is not the time to play silly games like I Spy!…White."
" Right. Now you have to think of something."
" I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with…M."
" Err….Umm…That's hard…Ah! I know! It's madman, as in the madman who is keeping us prisoner!"
" Would you please be quiet? I am meditating." said Diego, who was sitting on the floor next to his gong. He began humming again, but stopped after a few minutes.
" Well, I suppose I better make an evening visit to the Forest Haven."
" What for?" asked Zelda curiously.
" I need Makar to play his Wind Cello for the Everlasting Symphony. So, I travel to the Forest Haven, spout out my infamous but ridiculously long name when he asks for it, and trap him here at the Holy Stage. After that, I'll await Link's arrival with Din's Harp and a musician worthy to play it, and slowly lose my mind thanks to you while I wait." replied Diego.
" Why would lose your mind?"
" Because a person can only take so much of your annoying habits and personality! I'm pretty sure no one else in Hyrule picks their nose while humming."
" My nose is blocked! And since yours truly does not have any tissues, I am reduced to the most vulgar action." retorted Zelda
" But you ate the snot afterwards!"
" That…was a test. I wanted to know what it tasted like. It was a surprising taste, too."
" Euurrgh! Please, you could have done it in the privacy of your own castle. Don't subject me to sickening mental torture any more!" pleaded Diego.
" Just don't look at her. That is disgusting, though." advised Ganondorf, adding the last part to Zelda.
" Ughhh…I feel like vomiting…I'm out of here." said Diego, with a hand over his mouth. He tapped his gong, and said quickly, " To the Forest Haven!", and disappeared in a flash.
" So, where were we? Ah, I Spy. I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with…C."
" Crystal."
" Right again."
Link had been sleeping peacefully for a few hours, but was rudely awakened just before dawn by Navi who had been screeching loudly and flying up and down in front of Link's eyes.
" Link! Wake up, we're in danger!"
Link's eyes snapped open, with one hand on his sword that he had kept at the side of him. He jumped up onto his feet and took a defensive stance, looking in all directions. His eyes met one other; its owner was sitting on horse that was pawing the ground. The horse was an onyx black, the same colour armour that the stranger was wearing. The stranger himself (or herself-Link couldn't tell the difference) was encased in black armour that seemed to draw all light into it, and wore a broken helm so that Link could only see an eye of the stranger. But what an eye! It was constantly changing into the colours of the rainbow, and gleamed with inner brilliance.
" Who are you?" asked Link.
" My name does not concern you, Hero of Time. I have been informed that Zephyrian has ordered you to collect an Instrument of the Goddesses. Here, this is Din's Harp." replied the stranger. The person's voice seemed unreal, inhuman, but trusting. Link assumed it was the helm altering the stranger's voice. The person took out a harp from one of the horse's saddlebags.
" Really? You're giving me Din's Harp? Why?"
" Zephyrian is a danger to everything. Even his brethren will succumb to him. By giving you Din's Harp, I am helping you in your quest. All of the Instruments of the Goddesses hold the key to defeating Zephyrian." Now, the stranger had plumes of smoke trailing from him that dissipated in mere seconds.
" They do?"
" Yes. Each and every instrument has a song that can subdue Zephyrian, and if each is played simultaneously, Zephyrian will be weakened so severely that you will be able to destroy him. I must go now, as this is only a phantom of my creation, and will not last much longer."
This response was followed by a deep, wild roar that could only have come from a gigantic beast from behind Link.
" What was that?" asked Link urgently, turning around quickly.
" That is Gorganaut, the assigned protector of Din's Harp; I wasn't able to kill the creature. That you will have to do on your own," Link looked back at the stranger, alarmed. " What, did you expect the Ogre King to let an Instrument of the Goddesses be stolen? He isn't that tall, really."
By now, Link hear thumping footfalls in the distance; it was hard to tell, but Link thought that Gorganaut was getting closer.
" If you need my advice, or need help with anything except Gorganaut, just look to the sun." said the stranger, pointing with one gauntlet to the sun that was steadily rising behind the person.
" Why can't you help me?" asked Link.
" Creating a phantom drains you of your power; Ganon knows this more than anything. Farewell, for we shall meet again, Hero of Time." The stranger turned and rode into the sun's glaring light. When Link held up his hand to shield the sun's light, the stranger had disappeared.
" WHO DARES TO TRY AND STEAL FROM THE GREAT GORGANAUT!" boomed a terrible, deep voice.
A/N: Sorry about this taking a while, but It was really hard to think up this chapter.
Also, I need some name suggestions for the stranger. It has be like Diego's but not quite the same.
