Hello hello! I am so sorry it took me this long to update. The Internet was down on my laptop, where I had this chapter saved, for a couple weeks, and I didn't have a USB cable. Then when it suddenly started working again, I was having problems uploading the chapter. But here it is, and thank you again for the reviews.
A special note: Because of the unexpected popularity of this story, I am contemplating a sequel. If that interests you, please let me know! Thanks.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Legend of Zelda series.
On with the story!
Unable to sleep, Link left early on his journey to locate New Kasuto. By dawn, he had reached the bridge. He crossed it and made his way through the desert and the forest, until he reached a cave.
Entering the cave, Link found he had to traverse several rock formations of varying heights. After ascending the first portion, he came across a Lizard Warrior. Disposing of it easily, he continued ascending and descending the formations, slaying the enemies along the way. Reaching the end of the cave at last, he exited and found himself in another forest.
Figuring that the town he sought must be somewhere around, Link looked carefully through the forest. After a short time, he discovered a clump of trees grouped closely together. He swung at them with a hammer, knocking them down and revealing the entrance to New Kasuto.
Link entered the town and learned from its residents that he must learn a spell to get the Magic Key. He immediately sought out the town wizard, who taught him the necessary spell. Link went to the end of town, where he found a hill acting as a dead end. He cast the spell, and the ground began to shake. He watched in awe as a mound of dirt and grass rose from the ground, revealing a door.
Link entered a small room and easily found the key. He retrieved it and left town after acquiring more provisions. Amazingly, he somehow managed to return to Old Kasuto by sunset. He hurried to the wizard's house to learn the last spell, so he could make his way to the Great Palace.
"Ah, you have found the key! And you bear a note from my brother! Now you are ready to learn the most powerful spell in all of Hyrule. Now, repeat after me."
The wizard recited a strange incantation, which Link, with little trouble, repeated exactly. Once he had it memorized, he left immediately, despite the wizard's objections. Link did not want to travel after dark, but he feared to further waste time. He knew that the longer he delayed, the more of a chance that Zelda would not survive.
Link made his way to the Valley of Death, a huge valley made up of lava beds that housed the Great Palace. He fought his way through the valley carefully, encountering many lava pits along the way, and fending off several strong enemies. After crossing the lava beds and going through caves, he found himself at the entrance to the Great Palace.
Link quickly undid the binding force and entered the palace. Concerned that he would get lost, he constructed a detailed map as he explored the multitude of rooms. Suddenly, he felt overwhelmed by a very painful headache. After slaying the enemies in the current room, he sat down for a moment to shake it off. It was then that his mind was flooded with a vision of his beloved. He had been unable to contact her all day, due to her weakened physical state, as well as a powerful spell that Dark Link had cast over her in an attempt to poison her against Link.
"Let go of me!" Zelda screeched, dragging her feet in resistance to the guards. But it was no use; they were much too strong for her. One of them picked her up and carried her deep into the palace, setting her down at the base of a few steps, leading up to an altar.
Zelda looked around and saw Dark Link standing at the altar, a malicious grin on his face. "Ah, so happy to see you, my lovely bride," he said with a laugh. "Just think about how happy you will be when you finally become my wife in a matter of a few minutes."
"I'll never marry you, you vile thing! And no amount of magic can ever make me change my mind."
"Oh, ho, ho, but you will marry me, fair princess. You have no idea of the kind of power I can exert over you. And if you try to be smart and escape, I will have no choice but to destroy Hyrule, starting with killing your father. And Link, if that idiot managed to survive this long."
"NO!" Zelda shouted, managing to wriggle free of her captors and go after Dark Link, a look of rage overwhelming her countenance.
As the vision faded, Link shook off his lightheadedness and arose with newfound strength. As he tried to navigate the palace, he suddenly found that he could sense Zelda's presence. Using this sense to find his way, he ended up in a large room with a mysterious creature. Knowing from the wizard's description that it was Thunderbird, he immediately cast several spells.
After Link cast the thunder spell, Thunderbird's face was revealed. It flew wildly about the room, spitting fire at him as he dodged the attacks and stabbed at its face. After an arduous battle, the creature finally breathed its last.
Link took mere seconds to collect himself and refresh his life and magic before progressing to the next room. Hearing voices, he snuck up and peeked through the doorway. What he found made him clench his fists with anger.
The room looked exactly as it did in his vision. He saw his beloved standing on an altar, guarded by several of Dark Link's loyal subjects. Dark Link stood opposite of her, with a Wizzrobe standing diagonal to them, completing a triangle and acting as the minister.
"Zelda, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?" the Wizzrobe asked, snickering all the while.
"No!" she shouted, stamping her foot. One of the guards promptly nudged her in the back with the handle of a spear. She whipped around and proceeded to kick the creature, sending it sprawling on its back. The other guards instantly moved to restrain her. As she tried to break free, she caught sight of something moving in the shadows of the doorway. The immediate recognition made her heart beat wildly.
"Link!" she screamed.
Please review! Thanks in advance!