The Seven Statues
By: Sketzer
(Based on the Legend of Zelda games)
Prologue
Link finally had the plan of how he would finally defeat Nazrox and Ganon. He was going to use the land of Hyrule itself to defeat them. All he needed was for his mage assassins to get the statues and bring them safely to the castle. He and the head wizard Zintril had been researching as much as they could in the library. They discovered that the statues are a never-ending source of mana from which all of Hyrule feeds. If one was taken, the balance would be offset and certain parts would grow faster where others would perish. When the balance is restored the land returns too normal. Also, they formed a theory that when a statue is taken, anyone in the land that perishes is sent into limbo. Link planned to use the statues to overgrow the forest, and trap or weed out the Baltrithian Army.
Chapter 1: An Old Friend
Clire's orders were to retrieve the Statue of Kakariko in Kakariko Village. Clire watched as a few Baltrithian sentries harassed an older looking elf, but he couldn't just let them push a Hyrulian around. Clire counted how many enemies there were. Five. This'll be a cinch. I just have to surprise them. Clire hid behind a stack of crates, and prepared a simple stunning spell. When the humans began to push the old hermit elf, the old hermit elf snapped and began fighting back at the humans. The old elf was not strong, but was skilled and graceful. He moved between and around the humans, until the humans began throwing random punches, a sign of their drunkenness. The hermit elf then caught one of their punches and spun the human around. When the human stopped spinning he bent over and vomited upon the ground. The old elf then kicked him between the legs, and the man keeled over into his own stomach fluids.
The other two humans ganged up on the hermit, pulling him to the ground. Time to strike. Clire proceeded to leap onto the crates, and used his stunning spell on one of the humans. He then unsheathed his sword. The human lunged at the new enemy, but was swiftly stopped by the blunt side of Clire's sword. As the human fell, Clire brought his sword back around and ran the man through. One of the other two grabbed the old hermit from behind, while the other punched the elder in the gut. Clire threw his sword at the man holding the hermit elf. The sword spun as it flew sticking into the leg of his target. The man screamed and grabbed the sword protruding from his injured appendage. The hermit ducked away as Clire instinctively sent a fire spell at the uninjured man. The man burst into an inferno, then collapsing into a pile of ash.
Clire finished off the injured man first, retrieving his sword in the process. Then finished the stunned man with the quick flick of his sword. The final man had drowned in his stomach fluids. The hermit invited Clire into his house, and then asked him who he was. "I am Clire, a special knight to the king of Hyrule. I am on a mission," he stated respectfully. It was the hermit's turn to talk, "I'll say you're special. You deal in magic, eh? Hmm, I'm a bit of a potionist myself. But I also dabble in the arts of magic from time to time."
"That's nice, but I must continue my mission."
"Wait! You don't even know my name. I'm Giltram."
"Giltram… where have I heard that?"
"I helped King Link once before, but it was when he was not king yet. I helped him to defeat Ganon and encase him in the box at the Spirit Temple."
"So you are the Giltram. Wow, I never thought I'd run across you."
"Well, I am a hermit. I don't normally like company. However, you helped me so I am in your debt. I want to accompany you on your mission."
"I'm sorry but the mission is top secret."
"Heh, I'm sure the King won't mind. I want to see him again anyway."
"Well… ok. But if you are someone other than Giltram…"
"I am Giltram, and you have no need to threaten me."
"Ok, get your things."
Chapter 2: Ganon's Goal
Link took the diary he found in his floor sometime ago. With all the things needing to be done in the war he found no time for himself. He sat at his desk and opened the book to his bookmark and read.
King Lithidor II:
I am the first Elf-Human King of Hyrule. My father liked the humans very much. So much so that he learned each of the hundred of them by name. One however, called Ganon, poisoned some of my father's fruit and killed him. I will find that madman.
It has been found that a number of odd creatures are appearing in the wild. I have had scholars sketch them and they look like a sea creature I have seen in the castle's library, the Octopus. Since they fire rocks out of their noses (should I call them snouts?), I will name them Octorocks. I am not sure but I believe they have something to do with Ganon.
I managed to meet Ganon in person, though it was a strange meeting indeed. When I accused him of being a Baltrithian he said, "I was not sent here by those stupid wretched humans. I am my own race. I am everything, yet also nothing. You elves disgust me with your pointy ears and pretty faces." So I asked, "Why are you here?" He replied, "I am drawn here by the magic that saturates the air. It is old yet new. The taste is so very sweet. You see I am drawn to magic like a moth to flame. The closer I reach the hotter it burns." Then I asked, "Why do you seek the magic?" His answer was what confused me most. "I was born from magic. It is this, which I do not yet understand. In order for me to find myself I must find the most powerful magic. I can feel it right now. It grows then fades. The power is in this land, but how to find it is the question I have been asking myself for these past months." He turned and left without another word. I never saw him again.
Link closed the book and wished that he had read this sooner. He raced to the wizard's tower in an effort to find Zintril, but to no avail. Next, he checked the library. There the wizard sat, nose in book as usual. "Zintril!" Link called, "I need you to have a look at this." Link shoved the diary between Zintril and the very large herbology book that the head wizard had been so intent on reading. "What's this?" asked Zintril. "Don't worry about that, just read."
The wizard read the diary entry closely. When he was finished he said, "Hmm… this uncovers much of our enemy. We know what he intends to accomplish. The only thing we don't know is which road he'll take to get there. I'll start checking the magical history books for anything that may help, but he is a dark sorcerer once stripped of a body. He may know things that can only come from being just a soul, which could've brought him very close to the netherworld." Link interrupted the old man's rambling. "I'll leave you to your work, Zintril."
Chapter 3: Kakarito Village
"So, where are we headed Clire?" Giltram asked as he checked his bags the final time. "To Kakarito, legend has it that a giant snake once protected the people of the village."
"Yes, I know that story. Ok, I've everything I need."
They left the house at midnight hoping to evade detection from human sentries. Their path was down the edge of Hyrule Field; reason being that Hyrule Field was surrounded by forest. When the sun came, they could hide and continue moving in the dense forest. After about three days, they came to the end of Hyrule Field.
Hyrule Field was a long plain with two ends. At one end there was a large path leading to the castle, but the other tapered into a very small path. That path led to Kakarito. They avoided the direct entrance to the path, but stayed near it in the cover of the forest. The path was long and winding and they found themselves almost going out of their way to avoid humans. The humans grew more and more numerous, until Clire and Giltram found a large wooden wall. "Giltram, have you ever been to Kakarito before?" Clire asked in a whisper. "Yes, but that was long ago. I don't seem to remember Kakarito having a wall though."
"Exactly my point. The humans must be using this village to house the troops closest to the castle. This may be very bad. We need to investigate."
"Yes, the king will want to know where the enemy is. Perhaps we could sabotage something."
"That's not honorable."
"Whom are we dealing with?"
"Good point."
Clire used a seeing spell to inspect the village. Though he was outside the wall, the spell enabled him to see the village as though the wall was not there. "Its worse than I thought, Giltram."
"How's that?"
"The humans are massing their army, though they should know by now that they cannot penetrate the castle walls."
"Perhaps they've found a way. Maybe when the walls were built, something was overlooked."
"Possibly. Not likely though. Wait! How do you know about the walls of Hyrule?"
"I am a little more than you think I am. I helped design the walls of Hyrule."
"What? So what did you overlook?"
"I'm not quite sure yet. It will take some reflection into my memories. If I remember something, I will tell you."
Clire used a spell to make a tunnel under the wall. Giltram took out a vial, "We'll need this if we are to be neither seen nor heard. This potion will do just that." Giltram proceeded to drink only a drop, and then handed the vial to Clire. "Only a drop will be needed for an hour, Clire." Clire nodded and took a drop of the potion. Slowly he felt warmth envelop him from the inside. As he looked at Giltram, it seemed that he had a hole that went straight through him. Amazingly, the potion cloaked clothes also. Giltram's hole grew larger until it moved down his arms and legs. Clire looked at himself only to find that he could not see half of his body.
Eventually the potion finished taking effect. They wasted no time in crawling under the wall and into the human base. What they found appalled them. The elves of the village were forced to do everything for the humans. The humans sat on large elven rugs growing fat and weak. The only reason this continued is because this was part of the rebellion, to make the humans weak and slow. Giltram and Clire split up to look around different parts of the base.
Giltram found the weapons cache, and wondered how to destroy it without drawing too much attention to himself or harming the innocents. He decided to set it aflame with an invention of his called "Dry Fire". It was a solid, but when you added water or spat on it… the block ignited. He set a few blocks around different parts of the cache, while not coming too close to the humans. When he was finished he left the village via Clire's tunnel, and waited for him.
Clire, however, found a house full of various supplies. He found rope, piles of wood, dried fruits, and other things that armies thrived on. He began a slightly complex spell that would burn the house with a fire that would not go out from water. He set the spell to work, and left the village.
"Clire, are you there?"
"Yes, I set a building on fire. What did you do?"
"Well, if it rains, the humans won't have very many weapons left."
"Hmm, I could arrange that."
"How?"
"By making it rain."
"Won't that put-out your fire?"
"No, it's magic fire."
Clire began a spell that took up much of his energy. Had there been more clouds in the sky the spell would've been much easier. Instead he took water from the well, and sent it into the sky. The rain fell and set the dry fire ablaze. Clire filled his tunnel with soft dirt in case they needed to use it again. Satisfied, the two moved out of the village's sight. When they reached their chosen campsite, the potion had worn off. They set up camp, and slept through the dimly lit night.
Chapter 4: The First Statue and a Lost Prophecy
It was early morning, and Link was fast asleep. As quickly as he had slept, Zelda awoke him. "Link! Link wake up! One of the mage assassins is back!" This breathed life into the half-sleeping king. "W-what? Show me!" Link got out of bed, and put on his robes. Zelda led him downstairs to the conference room, just next to the throne room. The entire council was already sitting in their usual places. The mage assassin, Sebastian, stood in the front of the room while holding a leather pouch. Link addressed him first. "Sebastian, good to see you alive! Is that the statue?" Link pointed to the leather pouch. Sebastian nodded and said, "I was waiting for you, your majesty, to reveal it to the council."
"Thank you, Sebastian. Hand me the pouch," replied Link. Sebastian handed Link the large pouch. Link could feel the power emanating from the large but amazingly light object. He took the strings, and untied them. The pouch fell from the protected object revealing a statue of a horned bear. "Cremtroil, the horned bear of the great river. Very good Sebastian, Hyrule's gratitude is everlasting." Link handed the statue to Zintril, who examined the statue for any trace of information. When he looked on the back of the bear, he gasped. "Oh my! I haven't seen this kind of writing in…ages. It's Ethanolian." One of the younger council members stood and said, "What is Ethanolian? And why do you know it…wizard?" It was Link's turn to speak, "Learn your manners, Milithun. Do not speak to your elders so." Milithun looked down in shame and replied, "Yes, your majesty."
Link turned his attention back to Zintril. "What is Ethanolian, Zintril? Please explain to the younger generation, where we came from." Zintril looked delighted, as though he wished someone had asked him that question fifty years ago. "Ethanol is the original name of Hyrule. However, Ethanol is not Hyrule. It was the joint continent of Baltrian and Hyrule. There was a goddess called Glestyin, and she created Ethanol and the elves. But her brother, Helstram, created the humans. She was outraged and the first war began between the humans and elves. The war lasted so long that she decided to split the continent in two. One half was for the elves, the other for the humans. It has been this way for three hundred years, until the humans came and invaded us. We are fighting the second war." Zintril then looked at the inscription again, and then read it aloud. "Te triforce re nuthu canthu tre drentare ti te triforce re hantrentar. Or, in our tongue, 'The power of one cannot be compared to the power of friends.' I believe this suggests that if the statues are reunited, then we shall have the power to defeat Ganon." Link was not surprised by this assessment, but was caught off guard by the decrepit scroll withdrawn by Zintril.
"I found this in the wizard archives last night. It is a prophecy. I am not yet certain of how it came into our possession, or who wrote it. However, upon reading it myself I can safely ensure that this is the answer to many of our majesty's questions." Zintril handed the prophecy to Link, who carefully untied it. He unrolled it, and then read to the council.
"A goddess and her creation shall make a child. The father in turn shall be granted an infinite time to help set the world straight. However, the father will not see his child grow, and will meet him only three times: once at birth, once as a young man, and once as a man of honor. The child shall be tied to the land in ways that is comprehendible only to the creator. The child requires the reunion of the friends of the land, to stop the darkness and bring peace to the world."
Link rolled up and tied the prophecy. He looked across the council and walked out the door, taking the scroll with him. Zelda followed him to his room. He shut and locked the door behind him; refusing to come out, saying, "Let me figure this out. Leave me alone!" Zelda was slightly hurt by his statement, but knew that with Link, reason came before emotion. "Link, please, you're being insensible. Let me come in and I'll help you decipher the prophecy." He replied with, "No! This is mine alone to understand. It was meant for me, and no other. Let me figure it out for myself."
"Link! As your wife I demand that you come out here at once and speak to me like a gentleman!"
"I am not a gentleman."
"Link, listen to yourself! You are being stone-headed! Come out and face me like a man!"
"Hmm, funny words. I am not a man. I am an elf!"
"Coward!"
Link, opened the door and looked at Zelda, his face full of rage. He pulled her into a very passionate kiss nearly equal to that of their first kiss. "Finally! Put some anger in you and you perk right up!"
"You planned that didn't you? You devious little…"
"Hey! I do what I can. Let's figure this out."
He opened the scroll and placed it on a table. As it was late morning, there was plenty of light to see the parchment by. He read it out loud again, but one sentence at a time. "A goddess and her creation shall make a child. This must mean…" He pulled out the History of Hyrule and opened to the first entry. "Glestyin must have mated with one of the pure elves somehow. The father in turn shall be granted an infinite time to help set the world straight. The child's father must be very old, and perhaps an oddity among the elves. However, the father will not see his child grow, and will meet him only three times: once at birth, once as a young man, and once as a man of honor. This is very direct, do you see anything of this, Zelda?"
"No. He could be very old, but seems to be younger than he is. That could be many of the old men in Hyrule."
"Agreed. The child shall be tied to the land in ways that is comprehendible only to the creator. This couldn't be…" He turned to the third entry of the diary. "Ganon. It can't be Ganon because he came with the humans. Hmm. The child requires the reunion of the friends of the land, to stop the darkness and bring peace to the world. This is not very clear. I don't know what to make of it."
"Who is looking for seven people?"
This struck a chord in Link's mind. "Or seven things? I'm looking for seven statues that all came from the goddess Glestyin. What if I am the child that the prophecy talks of?"
"It would make sense, but how are you tied to the land?"
"I'm not sure. Thank you for helping, Zelda."
"That wasn't so hard was it?"
Chapter 5: Well Found Objective
Clire and Giltram woke that morning to a full view of fog. "What a dreary day, eh Clire?" Giltram was trying to start a fire, but had no luck with the damp sticks he found. "Yeah, this will be a great day to examine our damage."
"Agreed. What do you want for breakfast? Stale bread, or stale bread?"
"I think I want the latter."
They laughed at their misfortune for a few minutes, until Clire offered to start the fire. Giltram declined with an old Hyrulian proverb, "He who always takes the easy path, shall never truly gain self-wisdom." After an hour of work, Giltram managed a spark. They sat by the fire and ate the stale bread, until Clire stood and said, "If we're going to survey the village again, we had best do it now." They collected the needed items for what they would do. Giltram, who had woken before Clire, had managed to find a spitting cobra and made a blinding bomb out of its venom. Clire was amazed at the hermit's alchemy skills. "Giltram, how did you become so good at alchemy?"
"Well, being a hermit, I have a lot of time on my hands."
To the Baltrithian Army's new general, there was something very odd about Nazrox. Nazrox had begun to meditate, and had grown his hair out to wear over his forehead and ears. Every time the general caught him off-guard, Nazrox looked almost demonic.
"Ganon, I believe it is time to strike."
No, wait for the rock golems to return. Only then will we be strong enough.
"Yes, I agree. However, if we wait too long Link may come up with a way to stop us. We will be in great trouble if…"
Silence, Nazrox! You are being paranoid. There is no way to stop the Ceth-aneth.
"We must still take precautions. If he finds a way around, we will look like fools!"
Clire and Giltram made their way into Kakarito with a little less stealth. They took the invisibility potion again. An idea struck Clire. "Hey! Are we going to split up again?"
"Sure, why?"
"Because if we whisper and we are not together, we run the chance of being caught."
"That would be a problem, but what else could we do?"
"I'll draw a half circle in the dirt, and you complete it."
"Ok. Let us begin."
They proceeded through the front gate. Clire put sleeping spells on the more isolated guards. The sleeping spells would only wear off if he was too far away from them to keep his hold, and the hold would grow weaker if he put the spell on too many of them. So he put the spell on only seven guards, but it was enough to make passage through the village much easier.
Giltram looked all over the village trying to find a sign of the statue of Kakarito, but couldn't find anything. Suddenly and idea popped into his mind. If I can talk to the elder, I may be able to locate the statue. Giltram searched for the elder in very nearly every house in the village, but could not find him anywhere. Even though Giltram had not been to Kakarito for decades, the elder of Kakarito was one of his few friends. Finally, Giltram ended up in front of the makeshift jail set-up by the humans. Giltram made his way inside whilst looking in each cell. He was not surprised to find only elves in the cells; no humans anywhere save the ones patrolling the long wooden halls. Giltram had almost given up, when he spotted a single cell with two guards. That must be where the elder is. Makes sense that they would keep him isolated from the other elves. He's always been good with words.
Clire tried to focus his senses on the magic in the area, but when he did his senses overloaded. The statue must be nearby; the magic here is too strong to be normal. Clire tried to keep unfocused to the magic in the area, and tried to sense its source at the same time. He was drawn to the center of town, where there was a large plaza and a well. He let the feeling engulf him. It guided him straight to the well, where eight humans were posted. Where is the statue? I'm drawn to the well, but why? Then it clicked. The statue is at the bottom of the well. There is no way for me to get to the well alone. I wonder where Giltram is? He drew a half circle in the ground, and waited for Giltram.
As Giltram's spell began to fade, wavy lines appeared whenever he moved. Slowly, he walked towards the two guards and took out a sleeping powder encased in a vial. He threw the vial between the guards, forming a large greenish-yellow mist. The guards choked, then fell to the ground. After the powder had dispersed, Giltram kneeled next to the guard and whispered, "I know how you feel, really." He proceeded to take the keys from one guard and opened the door to the cell. To the elder, the door opened by itself. "Who's there? What's going on?" said the elder in slight bewilderment. "Its okay, I just need to know where the statue is," said Giltram in a whisper. "What for? Who are you?" asked the elder in an irritated fashion. "Its me, Giltram. The king needs the statue to fight the humans."
"Is that so? How can you possibly be Giltram and not another human trick? Why can't I see you?"
"How about the time I accidentally blew up your tool shed with one of my inventions? You can't see me because I took an invisibility potion. Invented it myself."
"That's Giltram alright. Why does the King want the statue?"
"I'm not sure of his reasons exactly, but he wants to use it to fight the humans."
"Well, never thought that Kakarito would have one more battle. It's in the bottom of the well."
"Why is it down there?"
"Because that's where Kakarito lived. You see he was the only snake that could swim."
"Hmm, ok. How do I get down there?"
"Don't know. Never tried to personally. However, you always find a way to fix problems. Speaking of which, could you get me out of here?"
"No, sorry. It would bring too much attention to us."
"Us?"
"Oh! Clire and I are working together. He's an agent of the King, and he's bloody good too. Knows his stuff. Anyway, sorry can't help you old friend."
"That's ok. You've brought me happiness in the fact that I helped my kingdom."
"Good-bye, old friend."
"Good-bye, Giltram."
Giltram proceeded back through the cell door. Once out of the jail, he headed for the square. Soon, he found the well and half circle drawn on the ground. He completed the circle and felt a light tug on his shirt. He looked around and there was no one close by. "Clire?"
"Shh! Do you want us to be found?"
"Ok, I found out that the statue is in the bottom of the well."
"Makes sense. I feel huge emanations of magic pouring out of it. I have a spell that will allow us to breath underwater."
"Good let's go."
Clire began the spell. He drew his hands together and said a word very softly. Then ran his hands over Giltram's neck and upon his own. Pulling power from within himself, he created a pair of gills on where he had put his hands. "Into the water now," commanded Clire.
They both jumped into the well and caught their breaths. Giltram asked, "How could you see me? I was still invisible." Clire replied. "When a sorcerer begins a spell, they are much closer to the realm of magic. This closeness allows them to see many more living things than they had thought possible. I also saw a very large being in a cavern below us. I could not make out what it was." Giltram looked down at the cavern below, "How long does your spell last?" Clire laughed and joked, "Giltram, are you becoming a bit craven?"
"Well, yeah. I am scared of drowning after all."
"Oh, sorry. It will last until I take it off. Do not worry. We should get moving."
"Agreed."
As they descended further into the well, the cavern turned and twisted until it opened into a giant water-filled grotto. Because no sunlight could reach the cave, it was completely dark. Clire conjured a small light, and held it in his hand. From what they could see, the water was crystal clear. Feeling confident, Clire made the light much larger. Light filled the entire cavern, and they saw the very thing they had been searching for. There, on a small rounded stone, was the Statue of Kakarito.
Chapter 6: The Glow of Hope
Link held the statue, studying it. He had written down the ancient language inscribed on the back of the statue, and what Zintril had translated it to mean. The power of one cannot be compared to the power of friends. He contemplated the true meaning of the statement, because there was also the literal answer it held. Of course it meant what it said. The more friends you have, then the more power you hold. It could perhaps mean something else also. It may mean that I must have all the statues, in order to defeat a great power. Immediately he thought of Ganon. The very name was his enemy.
He left the statue on a chair and moved to his balcony. He looked upon all that had once been a great land, filled with good-natured people who would gladly help with any and all requests asked. Now it seemed that the evil of the humans had overflowed into the society of the elves. Some plotted revenge on the humans, and the more radical ones took up arms in the main plaza, and delivered speeches about how horrible the humans were. After some time, Link watched the gradual change in the weather and noticed rain. He was very much accustomed to watching the time go by day by day, as the only other thing for him to do was help Zelda settle people's petty differences, something he was not fond of doing and found that she was better at it than himself anyway.
Another thing Link watched for day to day was any sign of the other mage assassins. He hoped they were all ok, had he thought of it Zintril could have easily shown him that they were all doing very well. Nonetheless, Link watched and waited for a sign.
Then it came, a splash. Link saw it, but it was not clear. Another came soon after, and Link stormed out of his room and alerted the guards. It may have been one of two things, a friend or an enemy. He felt as though it were a friend, one of the mage assassins. He slipped on his wide black cloak, and sprinted into the rain. Link broke no sweat catching up to the guards, and then politely asked the elf on top of the gate, "Can you see who it is?" The reply came, "Yes, its Restalm!" The news of the mage assassin's arrival encouraged a great cry of relief from the nearby soldiers and townsfolk. Link sighed a good breath.
The gate opened slowly because of the mud from the excess rain. The kingdom had already enough hardships with the drought and all the other dealings, but now it seemed a flood was upon them. Finally the gate opened, and Restalm ran through the opening. Link drew him into a hug knowing that the elf standing before him had faced some great hardships. "I have it your majesty! This is the statue of Thamldrin, the Goron. They say that he was half golem and half elf." The assassin handed Link the second statue with no formality. He courteously bowed and walked back to his family, friends, and the rest of the life he left behind.
Link turned the statue in his hands. The statue looked like a very large elf, with overgrown arms and legs. It looked to be a very powerful creature. He covered the statue with the cloak, though he knew it would not matter.
By the time Link was back in the castle, nearly everyone knew it was there. He brandished it high and showed them that he had not sent his elite warriors on a wild goose chase. Leaving the statue of the Goron in the throne room, Link retrieved the statue of Cremtroil from his bedroom.
Back in the throne room, the Goron statue glowed dimly. It grew slightly brighter when Link sat the statue of Cremtroil next to it. "It seems as though we are on the correct path," announced Zintril as he came hobbling toward the small group that now composed of the Hyrulian Monarchy. Link nodded in agreement then spoke, "This proves the theory that the statues hold power. I believe I have deciphered the riddle of the inscriptions on the statues. 'The power of one cannot be compared to the power of friends' means two things. One is that obvious moral which it tells, 'the more friends you have…the more power you hold.' However, I think it means that if we collect all the statues, something magnificent will happen."
"What would that be?" asked Zelda.
"I'm not sure, but let's keep on the look out for more of the statues."
Everyone looked around at each other for about ten seconds, until Link stated that he would be in his study and was not to be disturbed. Lately it seemed that he had become an outsider, more so than before he had become King. I never have been great with people. I must live with it though, as I am their king. He didn't want the responsibility anymore, but it may have been a good thing that Link had become King when he did. Otherwise, he may not have lived through this whole ordeal.
As he reached his study he remembered the diary, and decided to read it again. He went back to his bedroom and picked it up, then headed back to the study. I wonder what I'll learn today. He had this strange feeling that it was something great.
He sat down at a table, and opened to his bookmark.
King Zentora I:
My father was only half elf so he died of old age. I myself am not pure elf even though my father married a pure elf. Anyway, I have found myself in need of an army to hold back Ganon. He is a menace upon this land. I started a liege of knights to protect my kingdom from his sorcery, and have tried to set-up a meeting with him so I can ask my questions, but he staves me off. He is a menace that has answers. That is not a good combination.
A boy was born today, but he is different somehow. He had an unusual mark on his head. It was glowing gold for five minutes, but then disappeared though it was never there. It looked like a three triangles forming a larger triangle.
It was very unusual, but I think we will see great things from him. Unfortunately, his mother died while giving birth.
The boy has grown up now, and I see him only once in a while. He is always out in the wild and for the life of me I cannot remember his name. No matter, ever since I told him about Ganon, he has searched for him. It is odd. They are so different yet similar. They both feel magic.
He turned the page.
I now hand over my throne to the boy whom I described above. His name is Link, and I know that if he finds these pages…he'll have many answers to his past. However, for the sake of his sanity, I do not wish it. This is why I have left this diary in the rock I carved. I am split in my decision; he needs to know… but not too soon. I hope he reads this slowly, and gets his answers at all the right times. If you read this Link, I'm sorry.
Chapter 7: Big Trouble
Clire's light glowed brightly filling the cavern with light. Giltram noticed that the invisibility potion was wearing off because he saw Clire's outline. "Clire, the potions are wearing off," Giltram said with difficulty. He was not used to breathing underwater yet. "Hmm, we'll need to be careful when we leave the town then."
"Agreed"
Giltram had already headed for the statue when suddenly darkness began to pour into the grotto. Clire could not sense where the darkness came from, but knew that the darkness was not evil. The water was being perforated with a black substance.
"What is that?" Giltram asked.
"I am not sure. Whatever it is, it will greatly disrupt our vision."
Just then a pair of appendages shot out from the blackness of the cavern. The appendages headed straight for Giltram, and then wrapped themselves around him. He struggled to release the slimy grip of the tentacle-like appendages. They began to fling him around like a small child's toy, and suddenly pulled him into the black substance. Clire frantically searched for his friend not only with his eyes, but also his honed senses. There was no trace for a few minutes, until another tentacle surged out at Clire. Fortunately, he was quick to react and used a very small lightning spell to stop his kidnapping. Whatever lived in the well of Kakarito seemed to know when it was threatened, because when Clire attacked the tentacle, the blackness increased to cover half of the cavern.
Then Clire did something drastic, he decided to use the rocks against whatever humongous monstrosity that resided in the well. He took a few minutes to prepare, and then turned the cavern into a giant underwater maze. This however, was not a normal maze. It did not just have huge walls where you could go directly from the top of the cavern to the bottom by swimming in a straight line. He also gave it twists and turns, ups and downs, diagonals and zigzags. Since it was his design, he knew all the dead ends and traps placed around the various parts of the huge three-dimensional maze. He entered the opening directly in front of him, and proceeded up and left into a small corner. At first the water was calm, then suddenly there was a terrifyingly huge vibration. Clire watched for signs of what happened, and looked down both of the corridors leading to his location. Suddenly, a tentacle punched through the rock just below him. There goes my great plan. He watched as multiple other tentacles destroyed parts of the maze, and decided to move toward his attacker. Moving quickly, but carefully, Clire dodged various interceptions as he moved in and out of the creature's sight. How it could see was a mystery to him as it was still veiled by the dark underwater cloud. Nearing an exit, Clire used a shielding spell to make a magic bubble around him. It was not as much a bubble as it was a spherical wall that protected him from everything. As he moved into the black mist, he found that it did not penetrate the magical wall in which he had encased himself.
Clire exited the protective maze, and entered the mysterious creature's territory. He moved in a zigzag pattern, and tried to keep from swimming in a straight line for too long. Then the creature's tentacles bombarded him; it had seen him at last. It smashed two of its tentacles into both sides of Clire's wall, but did not damage it. Well, at least it can't get through my wall. The creature slammed a tentacle into the front of his bubble, and pushed him back. It can still move me; this may not have been the right spell. The creature wrapped its tentacle around Clire's wall, and smashed it into a rock. Since he was inside, he felt the full force of the crash.
The creature did not let go; in fact it continued to pound Clire into the wall of the cavern. This went on for a short time, which seemed like an eternity to Clire, until he finally managed to cast another spell. He made an inextinguishable fireball, and then lowered the magical wall. The instant the wall was lowered, the creature's grip faltered, and Clire hit the tentacle with the fireball. The appendage caught fire, and continued to burn. The unseen attacker let out a deafening screech. Clire immediately swam through the dark cloud. Behind it floated the great creature, which had furiously attempted to kill both elves.
The creature had ten tentacles protruding from a large head. On the bottom of the head were not only tentacles, but also a very large toothed beak. Clire looked upon this monstrosity of a squid, and saw that it also had two very large red-orange eyes. They didn't look mean, but he knew looks could be deceiving. The squid's beak opened wide and let out a terribly high-pitched screech, and more of the dark cloud poured from its innards. Clire had a spell ready for this though. "Hain-ku!" He yelled as loud as he could underwater, and followed up with a push of his hand.
From Clire's hand came one of his secret spells, a spell that he had never attempted because it was still being perfected. Its desired effect was to detach the squid's very existence from reality. Simply put, the spell would re-write history as though the creature had never been. He hoped that the creature didn't do anything of value for Hyrule, if he was wrong it could mean a catastrophe for Hyrule. The spell headed for the giant squid, and struck it directly on the head. The overgrown sea-creature was erased from existence. Clire swam to Giltram to make sure he was not hurt. "Giltram! Are you awake? Can you hear me?"
"Yes, I can hear you, but I think my right arm is dislocated from being squeezed by that beast. Let's take the statue and get out of here."
Clire took Giltram by his good arm and they swam down to the statue. Clire opened his pouch and reached for it. When he picked it off the pedestal, the water mysteriously drained from the cavern. With the water gone, Clire helped put Giltram's shoulder back in its place.
"Oh, my shoulder hurts."
"At least you did not break it."
"Agreed."
They looked around the cavern a bit.
"That is very strange," said Giltram.
"What was strange?"
"There was no pull from the draining point. Its as though the water disappeared into the rock."
"It was probably caused by instant decrease of mana in this area."
"I do not understand. What is mana and what does it have to do with the water?"
"Mana has everything to do with everything. Mana is what binds everything together, if there is a huge decrease in mana then all that is left of the land is nothing but barren waste. Mana is also what mages, and all other spellcasters, use to feed their magic. We tap into mana, and put it to more use. Without mana, there is no life, no magic, and no way to stop Nazrox. The king wants these so that Nazrox will not be able to use magic in most of Hyrule. We are attacking him where it hurts the most, his power."
"I see. Where does the mana come from?"
"That is harder to answer. I think that these statues hold the key to mana and everything. How that is…I am not sure."
Chapter 8: Escape From Kakarito
"So how do we get out of here," asked Giltram in a slightly annoyed voice. He had looked around and saw only the rock that the giant squid had knocked from Clire's maze.
"Well, let us see where we entered," replied Clire. He had been holding his light during the entire battle against the squid, and now he closed his hand around it until it disappeared. All light from the cavern went out, except for the single beam of light from the well. The only light in the entire cavern reflected off their faces, and they could actually see each other if only very slightly. "Time to leave," stated Clire. Giltram nodded and they began a very long walk toward the opening of the well.
Nearly halfway across the cavern floor, there was a clunking sound. At first it sounded like a metal against metal ping, but closer inspection showed it to be the bucket of the well dangling in the cavern. The bucket hung low enough that with just a small jump; even a human could grab hold of the rope and scale the well.
They climbed until the opening of the well was just within their reach. But one thing stopped them from climbing up and out; one of the rock golems from the last battle against the humans was standing guard at the well. Clire was ahead of Giltram and knew the horrible fate that would find them if they tried to leave the well now. Clire thought to himself feverishly, trying to figure out why this rock golem was standing guard at the well. Then he thought, what if Nazrox realizes what is going on, and has decided to keep King Link from retrieving anymore of the statues. But how does the rock golem exist here now? There is no mana in this land. It should have fallen apart. Maybe Nazrox has found another source of power for his magic. That cannot be possible. It goes against the very nature of existence. Everything plays by rules. Oceans, trees, flowers, rock, magic, all of it is fed by mana. This rock golem is breaking all these rules. It should not exist here, but it does.
Giltram began to wonder what the hold up was, but knew to keep quiet for fear of being heard. He tapped Clire on the side of the boot for attention. Clire snapped out of it and realized something very simple he could do to distract the rock golem. He knew that rock golems were very stupid, so he took a rock from the wall of the well. He climbed up a bit more, his head nearly poking out of the top, and threw the rock opposite of the golem.
It worked. The golem turned with its craggy head and stomped toward the rock. Each step it took was like an earthquake, but Clire could not stop there. He climbed out of the well, and helped Giltram with his way out. They ran toward the nearest building entrance, opposite from the rock golem, hoping to get out of his sight as quickly as possible. However, a human saw them and blew a small horn. The golem immediately turned and saw the two elves running into the building. It tore through the topside of the well and made its way toward the building.
Clire flung open the door, with Giltram at his heels, and bolted into the building. However, what was inside disheartened him greatly. A hundred eyes were fixed upon them as the two elves stood in the entrance of the human barracks. Faces soured, and swords unsheathed as the men stood to face an easy kill. The tense moment was rudely interrupted by the force of the barracks wall flying apart with pieces lodging themselves into many men's chests. The rock golem had arrived. Clire and Giltram took the few moments of confusion to exit, and head for the trees.
Link finally had some good news. Three more of the statues had arrived in one day: Icarus the three-legged horse, Porthon the winged monkey, and Lithipor the shape-shifter. Link was worried about Clire. What trouble has he gotten into? If he's dead, I'll need to go for the last statue myself. Clire, you have three days.
A Baltrithian soldier knocked on a very large wooden door. "What," asked the always-annoyed Nazrox. "Sir!" the man said with a sharp salute, "There were intruders at Kakarito." Nazrox rose from his chair in front of a small fireplace. "Have they been caught?"
"No, sir. They stole the statue, destroyed the barracks, and then escaped during the confusion."
"Idiot! Do you realize how important it was to protect that statue and kill them? Obviously not, Captain Trazdon."
"Please forgive me, Emperor Nazrox."
The man knelt and put his hand on his chest. Nazrox snapped his fingers and Trazdon exploded in a ball of fire lasting only a second. There was nothing left, not even ash. "You have been forgiven, Captain Trazdon."
Two days after Clire and Giltram escaped from Kakarito, they saw a glimpse of Hyrule Castle. They had made it.
Chapter 9: Debriefing
After a very brief reunion, everyone met in the conference room for debriefing. Link began the meeting with a small speech. "My friends, the war against the humans has obviously not gone well. However, recent events have changed our fate." He looked around the room with confidence. "Tomorrow, I will take the six statues in my possession to the final piece of the puzzle. The statue of Kokiri." Many faces looked stunned. They all remembered when they were stuck in limbo for a week. None wanted to go back. "Do not worry. Even though I do not know exactly what will happen when the statues are united, only good can come from this event. Any questions?"
The next four hours, the whole of the Hyrulian government sat around the conference table talking about what to do should this effort fail. Link finally decided to just go alone. "Like the old days!" he said.
The next morning, Link was ready to set out on what he hoped to be his last adventure. He could not help but think that somehow Ganon would again weasel his way out of his grasp. Saving his anger for when he needed it most, Link headed away from his beloved castle, and home, and into the wilderness.
The land had overgrown itself completely. Vines were growing upon every tree, and then vines were growing upon those vines. It was chaotic, but wondrously beautiful. The grass was the greenest it had ever been, and the fruit on the bushes were large and plentiful. Link had been surprised to notice the castle had not been beaten by the incessant plants and weeds on the outside of its great walls.
Chapter 10: Nazrox's Fate
The room was a dank and dreary mess. Paper was strewn across the table and sofa, and the ink was splattered against the wall. The fire burned inside the cracked chimney, and the floor was covered in wreckage. Nazrox sat in the corner of the room, staring into the abyss that was once his mind. The fight was over, and he had lost. Now he was trapped inside of himself, with no control over his body. He began to laugh, and found himself drifting away.
The door opened. Nazrox turned his head. The man looked strangely familiar, but yet… The man walked to the fireplace and stood looking at the large crack in the chimney. "What a number you did," he said with a tone of amusement. "I am here to help you, Nazrox." The man kneeled and thrust an open hand to the mindless shell of a man. Nazrox looked again at the man, but this time it was into the eyes… the red burning eyes; hypnotizing, angry, and comforting.
"Stand up Nazrox!" The man demanded. Nazrox shook his head. "Stand up!" The flame in the man's eyes grew brighter. Then the man spoke softly, "Oh yes, you know who I am, even if you do not realize it. I can save you. I can make you better. Take my hand Nazrox, and you can see the outside again."
This time Nazrox tried to stand, only to fall halfway up. "I am… too weak," said Nazrox.
"No, you have the strength to crawl. Come to me Nazrox."
Nazrox fell on his side, and flipped onto his front. He pushed his way across the floor. Dust was getting in his eyes, and he was losing consciousness.
"DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EYES NAZROX!" Screamed the man. A fanatical laugh followed the incessant shriek.
Nazrox raised his hand, and passed out. His hand fell into the outstretched palm of the man. They both vanished.
Two tiny pockets of light found the eyes of Nazrox, but everything else was completely black. He stood from lying on his belly. He felt a sudden rush of energy and power. Looking into the light, Nazrox walked forward. He stumbled twice; the floor was uneven. Slowly he moved toward the lights. His eyes began to adjust to the never-ending darkness.
Nazrox finally reached the sources of light and peered through one. He saw the faces of about ten thousand men standing in perfect blocks. He heard his voice, but he was not speaking. The words, those words he had heard before… but where? My memory…what do I remember? My name… Nazrox. Yes, that is right. What do I do for a living? I do not know. I know all my letters, numbers, and words. Yet I know nothing of myself.
"Let me fill you in, Nazrox."
Who said that?
"You do not remember my voice? Ha! Maybe I can start fresh."
Where are you?
"If you are asking me where I am, I am in a place called Hyrule. If you are asking me where I am speaking from, I am inside you."
Inside me, how?
"You volunteered you know, to switch places with me. It was for the better of Baltrian."
"Do not listen to him, Nazrox!"
"You stay out of this!"
What? You sound the same.
"We are not. Nazrox, you must break free from his grasp."
"No, you chose to be here. You do not have the strength anyway."
What?
"Yes, you can defeat him!"
This is confusing.
"You cannot defeat me."
"You can."
"Cannot."
AHH!
Nazrox fell to his knees inside the blackness of the room. He took hold of his head and bowed before nothing. The light shone dimly upon the waste of a soul… once called Nazrox, Emperor of Baltrian.
Chapter 11: Kokiri
Link was now well into the forest of Kokiri, where he had replaced Kokiri's Statue and continued his journeys. Now some three years after that event he found himself right back at the beginning, where finally his adventures would end and he could live out the rest of his life as King of Hyrule.
Link dearly missed Selestie, his old fairy friend, who returned to her people after the battle for Hyrule Field. His final adventure into the forest also became an adventure into his memories. He had defeated eight octorocks in less than five minutes, saved the Fairy Queen from a fate worse than death, and imprisoned Ganon in a box. He also remembered the tragedies: the fateful day in Caulren when Nazrox fired canons at the proud coastal city, when a ten thousand strong Baltrithian army swept across Hyrule in a matter of weeks, and when Link was powerless to change anything. It was now time for his destiny to come full circle. Ganon would soon be driven from Hyrule forever.
Ganon stood, staring at the single way into the small room-like clearing in Kokiri forest. He stood, waiting for Link. He would stop Link from fulfilling his destiny at all costs. He shut his eyes and concentrated, the evil from within him filling him with power. All the plants slowly grew darker, not knowing that they were being filled with darkness.
As Link neared the sacred place of Kokiri, the air grew heavy and the trees shone less. The light faded from the sky, and darkness began to seep into the root of the earth. Link stepped into the short natural tunnel, and smelled the scent of a familiar foe. He rounded the corner and looked to see Ganon, standing defiantly between the King and the sacred statue.
The smirk upon the wizard's face was just a dam holding back the flow of anger and hatred. He wanted his revenge now. "Link, it is time you suffered what you made me endure. I had to sit in the back of Nazrox's mind, slowly shaping him into madness. When he broke, I took his body. This is not my true body, I must find that on my own." Ganon stepped toward Link, only feet away from his revenge. "I must say, that you have kept a very good hold on my power. Whether you knew it or not, every time you defeated me I grew stronger. Yet, you grew stronger also. I found myself in a quandary, unable to release myself from your heroic power. When you took my body from me and locked me away within the Spirit Temple, you made a grave mistake. The Spirit Temple's closeness to the realm of the dead allowed me to speak with more ancient demons. My power grew intensely, and now exceeds yours."
"Your power may be greater than mine, but I have a more powerful weapon. One that only an real elf could have."
"What is that? A heart?"
"No… Wisdom. I brought it upon myself to learn about you Ganon. Whatever I could find, I studied."
"There are no books about me."
"Yes, there is one."
Link took out the History of Hyrule book from his bag.
"This contains enough of your past history with other Kings of Hyrule, that I figured out what you are. I also figured out what my destiny is. You are the destroyer of worlds, and my destiny is to stop you from destroying the final one."
"Well that is an intriguing theory, Link. Too bad it will be no use to you."
Ganon reached forth and opened the fabric of the world, revealing Dark World.
"This is the fate of Hyrule, Link. You cannot stop it."
"Link!" Yelled a familiar voice.
Clire and Giltram had joined Link in the effort against Ganon.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Link.
"We knew you would run into trouble, so we followed," replied Clire.
"Besides, we would not want anything to happen to our beloved King Link now would we?" interjected Giltram.
"I suppose that you believe you can beat me now that you have an old decrepit elf, and a foolish young ruffian helping you, eh Link? You are quite mistaken."
Ganon glowed purple and held his head up high. He began to rise into the air. His eyes turned black, and his hair became the color of fire. Ganon turned and faced the statue of Kokiri. He shook his head then laughed. "Link, everyone see the prophecy wrong. You are not the chosen one. I am. I have seen my father only twice, and that is because of you. I hate my father. He is a treacherous being who, if given the chance, would have killed mother in her pregnancy should he have known that I would betray him. The third time I see my father, shall be to kill him."
"You think you can stop all three of us?" replied Clire. "You cannot even stop me!" Clire took out a sword of magic and sprung into the air. In the downward motion of the jump he sliced at Ganon with all his fury. Ganon spun and caught the blade, then squeezed with one hand to break the mere metal.
"What is physical harm to me? Nothing. I have been ripped from my body, only to become a parasite to a human. I am still in his body, this puny body. Only through darkness can the body's true essence emerge and grow to the strength of a hundred elves. This body is only a weak link to the darkness that enshrouds all living things. The seven statues will give me a great link, second in strength only to the power my father holds. I intend to take that power and rule all worlds and dimensions."
Link draws his sword and buries it into the ground. Only the hilt and handle remained. "You would be wise to do as well my friends." Clire and Giltram looked at each other, then briefly at Link, then Ganon. They followed Link's request. Link nodded and took a step forward. "Ganon! You are mad. No one person can rule everything. Only a god can do that. You are no god. It is time you learned the truth of the seven statues."
Link took the sack full of the statues and threw it into the air. The bag unraveled and light burst forth from the hovering miniatures. The statue of Kokiri rose slowly, and joined the others in a circle. The circle lined the top of the forest-like room, and began to spin. Soon single beams of light shot from each statue into the night sky, turning night into day. When all the statue's light came forth, the beams converged to a point. In the focal point the light shone brightest, and from the brightness came a maiden. The maiden was beautiful, and when her celestial eyes opened the world stood still.
She spoke: "My children, my friend, and my foe. You have gathered here to show how the prophecy will be decided. The fate of Hyrule, and existence itself was in your hands. Some of you were trying to make it great, where others sought after it with greed." Her voice echoed off the clouds, and her gaze penetrated all. "You, Link, are seeking answers to many questions. As are the rest of you. You may ask any and all questions you wish before the fate of Hyrule is brought forth."
Link asked the first question. "Who are you?"
"You do not know, my son? Perhaps you should ask Giltram. He knows much more than he lets on."
Link turned to Giltram with a questioning look of his face.
"Link," explained Giltram, "She is the goddess Glestyin. Your real mother."
"What? How is that possible? My mother died while giving birth to me."
"Link, she did die. Glestyin's human body died while giving birth to you. When she died she left behind the statues to help protect Hyrule from Ganon."
Glestyin interjected, "Now that you all realize who I am, Giltram, Tell them who you really are."
"My name is not Giltram, I am Stilben. I am Link's father."
This time Clire interrupted, "Wait, I have been fighting alongside the father of Link, and fighting under the son of a goddess called Glestyin?"
Link replied, "I do not know what to say. Giltram, or Stilben, is my father. My mother is the goddess who created Hyrule. I am a half-god?"
"You are indeed my son. Now, that is finished. Ganon, I cannot allow you to bring harm to Hyrule again. I will banish you to Dark World for eternity."
Ganon ducked behind Clire and held onto him. "I do not feel the need to be banished." He pulled a dagger from his belt and held it to Clire's throat. "I will leave Hyrule, but Clire comes with me. Goodbye!" Ganon opened a portal to Dark World, and entered pulling Clire through with him."
Chapter 12: The Power of Ganon
Ganon had a very strong hold on Clire, so strong that Clire could barely move. The dagger at Clire's throat was slowly piercing his skin, and blood faintly trickled down the blade. The stench of the air was putrid to Clire's elvish sense of smell, and the feel of the mana was… dark. "So this is Dark World. A fitting place for a coward like you Ganon."
"You, my friend, are in no position to make rash comments as so. You are currently have a knife held to your throat, and any sudden move could result in an unpleasant loss of blood."
"The knife is nothing compared to what you would feel under the power of my magic. Darkness is weak, just like your bravery."
"Are you challenging me, young elf?"
"Yes, I challenge you to a duel. Ganon, you are a decrepit old fool."
"Strong words for a mere apprentice."
Ganon released Clire from his grip. Clire moved forward quickly and cautiously, and then turned and faced his evil adversary. "Do you know how to have a duel of magic, Clire? You must start twenty steps from your enemy; the duel will begin when we nod to each other. Understood?"
"I understand."
They looked at one another, and nodded.
Clire leaped into the treetops, narrowly dodging a fireball directed at his head. He leaped to another tree just before the tree burst into flame. Clire cast a summon spell, but nothing happened.
"Ah! I see you are finally trying to cast spells. It is pointless you know. There is no mana in Dark World, only darkness."
Ganon laughed wildly at the young elf's inability to fight back. Ganon raised his hands, and fire flew in all directions covering everything in fire. Ganon's eyes were pitch black as he was filled with the power of darkness. Animals began to run rampant through the forest creating confusion and peril for all in the large forest.
Clire desperately looked for some way to stop Ganon's madness, but could think of nothing. In Dark World, Clire was powerless. Ganon, wielding the power of darkness, could take the very air and use it for his own destructive power.
"Embrace the darkness, Clire, you can be as powerful as I. You and I can defeat my father and take control. I can put an end to this now and you could be my friend. Be my friend, Clire," whispered Ganon using telepathy.
"Get out of my head!"
"I can already feel it. It is seeping into your skin. The darkness always wins. You can never fight long enough to hold it back."
"I said get… out of… my… head!"
Clire fell out of the tree and landed on a burnt patch of land. He ached everywhere. Ganon stood over Clire, and spoke again using telepathy.
"Use the darkness that is entering your body. It is your companion, your friend. Open your heart with your hatred for me and fill it with darkness."
Clire instinctively threw a lightning bolt at Ganon. Ganon deflected the attack with no feeling.
"There, see? The darkness is inside. Use it. You will find yourself becoming so much more than what you were. You will be the best. Better than Zintril. After all, he always held you back. With darkness, you can surpass him easily. Open your mind. Let the darkness take hold. It flows so much easier than mana. You will be able to cast very quickly and with very little effort."
"No!"
"Its too late. You've already used darkness. Once it has entered, it will never leave. You'll see."
Ganon felt content with the seed he planted in Clire's mind. He opened a doorway to Hyrule.
"Go back to your friends. They'll have missed you."
Ganon lifted Clire and threw him through the portal.
"Goodbye, apprentice."
Chapter 13: The Triforce
An entire week had passed since Ganon had taken Clire to Dark World, everything changed due to Glestyin. She fixed everything in Hyrule. The humans were cleansed of evil, the elves that had fallen at the hands of Ganon were revived, the land was healed, and, most peculiar of all, she paralleled the continents of Hyrule and Baltrian. The coast of Hyrule was now only one mile away from Baltrian's shores.
With Ganon and Nazrox defeated, the humans elected a new King. The man's name was Findalor, a hero of the human underground. Link knew that this man would be easy to keep good relations between the humans and elves.
Link also spent the week conversing with Giltram, or now Stilben. He did prefer Giltram though, as it had been his name for some fifty years. Link learned from Giltram about more of his past, his family, and about why he was kept a secret. Giltram had said, "Link, you were born with a symbol on your head. Glestyin called it a Triforce. She said everything would make sense in time. You are the chosen one, Link. You were to be the one to lead Hyrule to greatness. We kept you a secret for fear of Ganon. Link, Ganon is a much older and more powerful being than he lets on. He has been playing with you the entire time. Neither poison nor potion works on him. He is a beast, and a force to be reckoned with. Glestyin did right by forcing him out of Hyrule, forever. He may be in Dark World, but he's still alive. That is what worries me."
When the week was done, Glestyin told Link that one more thing would need to be done. She had him bring all seven statues to the center of the castle. "Link, I shall enter this room, but I will not leave. When the light is gone, open the door." Glestyin entered the room. A moment later the door glowed white and light pierced the cracks of the doorway. When the light subsided, Link entered the room. The room held a pedestal, and above hovered the golden Triforce. Triangular in shape, with a smaller Triangle cut from the center.
"Link. I am contacting you from within the Triforce."
"Glestyin, is that you?"
"Yes. I melded the statues to my being and made the true Triforce. Mistake this with no other. Link, only you can wield the Triforce. Do not touch the Triforce unless you plan to use it. It is still unstable and I am the only thing keeping the power of the Triforce under control. Go, you have work to do."
"Alright. I'll come back if I need to talk."
"Please send Giltram to me if you see him."
"Yes, goodbye."
"See you soon, son."
Chapter 14: Giltram's Orders
Giltram headed to the empty supply room at Link's request. It was odd that there was 'something he should see' there. If the room was empty, then what did it matter? He went out of curiosity, and when he arrived he gave the door a good looking over. Nothing was strange there, so he went in.
The Triforce majestically hovered above the small stone pedestal. "What?" he asked himself. He circled the Triforce, but knowing the power it held, refrained from touching it. "How did this get here?" he asked no one.
"I made it," came the short reply of Glestyin.
"Why, Glestyin? Why did you make something so powerful?"
"You do not understand yet. You will when you do as I ask."
"Anything for you, my love."
"I need you to make sure Link knows the trouble Clire will bring to Hyrule. I cannot tell him, and break his heart."
"What happened to Clire?"
"He is back, but there is something different about him now. It is very faint, but darkness has entered into his heart. Dark World is a horrible place, Stilben. I need you to tell Link to be wary of Clire, and I need you to go to Dark World. I hate to send my only love there, but you are the only person besides Link who is protected there. Link is needed here, so you must go and keep watch."
"Yes, my love. I understand, but the Triforce…"
"That will become clear in Dark World. Go. I love you, Stilben."
"I love you too, Glestyin."
With that, Giltram left to inform Link of the possible threat of Clire. However, when he found Link, Clire was there conversing with him. I cannot tell Link with Clire so close. It will have to wait until later.
Later that night, Giltram managed to have Link's ears to himself and informed him of Clire's threat. Link however, turned away from the warning dismissing it as "impossible."
That morning, Giltram decided to become the eyes and ears of Glestyin, and left for Dark World.
The Final Chapter: Endings and Beginnings
The war against Ganon and Nazrox was finally over, and the humans were finally in a right state of mind. Hyrule was in true harmony for the first time in almost two centuries. No one worried about anything, everything seemed fine.
Nazrox laughed at his own stupidity. 'Hmm, ha ha… hah. Hmm. Hee hee. Must get a body. Hmm, ha, hm. Yes, revenge. Sweet, ha, treat. Hmm, body. Ha ha. Ganon. Hee hee ha ho. Ganon will, hee hee, pay. Hah ha ha. Haahh. Ah ha. Hee hee. Ho hee hum.'
"Father, it is time you felt the anguish that you have dealt me for so long." Ganon stood on a hill over looking a dark castle. "The Chronicles of Chaos will be mine."
At the end of the summer, Zelda gave birth to a daughter. Her name is Hallo.
The funeral was held on a late autumn night. Zintril was buried in the Tomb of Elders, under the Spirit Temple. Clire took his place as Head Wizard.
Link wrote his entry into the History of Hyrule book.
King Link I:
Finally, Ganon has been defeated. Glestyin sealed his way out of Dark World. She also set the Hyrule straight by making Hyrule and Baltrian much closer to each other. She has told me many of the reasons for why things happened as they did. It was all part of her plan
Things make much more sense now. Glestyin was never really dead. She had to make Helstram think she was dead so she could fix her planet. She never wanted to break the continent in two, but she had to or else the elves and humans would kill each other off. So she hid herself in the statues. Now she has taken the statues and made the Triforce, and she hides again inside of it. She says only I can wield it, but only to do so when absolutely necessary. I wonder what power it holds.
Sometimes she speaks warnings to me, something about "the chronicles" and Dark World. She says I will never see Giltram again; it is in the prophecy that I will never see my father again.
The End
Author's Notes:
Well, good and bad things have happened at the end of the series. The sequel series is called The Legend of Zelda: Chronicles of Chaos. It begins ten years after the end of this book. Things to come: Ganon's confrontation with his father; major amounts of chaos runs rampant throughout Hyrule, Baltrian, and Dark World; and development into the characters of Hallo and Findalor. I thank my dad once again for making sure that my slang is in check, and all of my friends who give me so much enthusiasm on my work. Great thanks go to all of those who read and review my stories as I write them. Woo! Time to tackle Chronicles of Chaos!
