Chapter 9
The only sound that echoed in the empty fields of Hyrule was the sound of hoof beats. Angry, thundering hoof beats that interrupted the frightening silence.
Epona galloped faster then she ever had, as if she knew the pain and fear Zelda was feeling. She whinnied as she neared the castle, and shook out her mane.
Zelda hoped Link wouldn't be too angry at her for taking Epona, but it was quite necessary. She needed to help her father.
It was mid afternoon as Epona stopped on the hill. Zelda gasped at the sight before her.
The fields, usually peaceful and green, were stained red with the blood of Gerudos and townspeople.
The air was filled with the scent of sweat and rust, as if warning those who dared to investigate to turn back. It loomed over Hyrule, a symbol of death and terror.
Zelda could feel her heart breaking in her chest, and felt the tears falling down her cheeks as she looked over the fields that she had once ridden on, the fields she had walked with Link…
But as her eyes rose up to see the castle, she nearly fell from the saddle.
Smoke tumbled from the tops of the walls surrounding the town and castle. It collected in the sky, hiding the sun from behind the thick blanket of smog.
From where she was, Zelda could see the top of the castle, and that was all. She grew distressed, and kicked Epona a little harder than necessary.
"I'm sorry." She muttered as Epona galloped in the direction of the draw bridge.
Zelda didn't have a plan of action, she just knew that she was needed. She hadn't even brought a weapon to use if she was attacked.
A breeze pushed itself against Epona and Zelda, as if telling them to go back.
Zelda guarded her face, wondering how Link could wear such a thin tunic in such harsh weather.
Link…
He would be worried about Zelda for taking off. She figured he would probably come after her, but hoped that without Epona, he would be slowed down.
Suddenly, a familiar sound made Zelda stop Epona.
The draw bridge slowly began to lower, and Zelda let go of Epona's reigns, and slipped off of the saddle.
She neared the draw bridge cautiously, hands at the ready.
By the time the draw bridged had lowered completely, Zelda was standing on the dirt path directly in front of it.
A dark figure moved out from the shadows, their hands rose as if surrendering.
"Ah, Princess Zelda…so you survived your ordeal?" The figure asked in a tone that made Zelda shiver.
"Reveal yourself." Zelda commanded. She meant to sound fierce, but she sounded like a scared little girl.
"Of course, your Highness." Her tone was sarcastic.
But then, the figure's hands came down quick, and black energy fields began forming where her palms were.
It didn't take Zelda long to realize that she was in danger, and she began force fields of her own. Her feet shook a little, but she just dug them deeper into the ground.
The figure laughed, and stepped out of the shadows.
Zelda knew at once that she was a Gerudo thief from her red clothing. She looked very menacing, and Zelda at once grew frightened.
No, I won't be frightened. I will be courageous…like Link. Zelda thought, her energy fields still forming.
"I can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner. You hold a piece of the Triforce as well."
Zelda faltered at the woman's words, and her concentration was lost.
The woman took the chance, and launched her energy fields at Zelda, who wasn't quick enough to move.
She fell to the ground in a seizure, her body shaking violently as the dark magic radiated through her body.
"Now I have found my other piece."
As the pain subsided, Zelda slowly got to her feet, her knees shaking from the seizure.
"Y-you're Devika aren't you?" She asked slowly, regaining her lost voice.
"Yes, and soon," Devika stepped off of the draw bridge, "I will take your father's crown, and yours as well."
Zelda's fists were pumping at her sides with talk of her father.
"If you have harmed him in any way-"
"Oh please." Devika waved her hand. "I still need your father alive until I find the four sacred items of the kings."
"I won't let you take the kingdom."
Zelda shot her own energy fields, which she had been creating while Devika talked. But to her surprise, Devika shot her own energy fields at Zelda.
The two fields met in the middle, and tried to get past the other, but neither one prevailed.
Zelda's body began to shake from exhaustion as she stood her ground, pouring more of her energy into her fields.
Devika didn't break a sweat.
A voice was heard in the distance, and Zelda turned, immediately regretting the decision.
Her concentration was lost, and Devika shot her down with her energy fields.
"No!" Link shouted in anger as he watched Zelda's body shake in another seizure. He ran faster, and crossed the small bridge between the way to Kakariko Village to Hyrule.
"Pitiful Zelda, just pitiful. You were not meant to hold a piece of the Triforce," Devika created another energy field, "which is why I am taking it."
This energy field was a purple color, and it was pulsing with dark magic.
Once it hit Zelda, it brought her body to its knees, sapping all of her powers as it stole her piece of the Triforce.
Link reached Zelda, and unsheathed his sword.
"Don't." Zelda said in a deeply pained voice.
"What?" He asked, his voice still angry.
"Don't touch me. Devika will steal your piece too."
Link's eyes widened as he realized what Devika was doing to Zelda. He turned to her, his sword ready.
"Let her go!" He demanded.
Devika laughed once more, and lowered her hands.
Zelda's body gave out a tired sigh, and then collapsed in a heap to the ground.
Link took one look at Zelda's broken body, and turned back to Devika, his eyes burning with hatred.
But as he ran at Devika, she stepped back onto the draw bridge, shouting to raise it up.
"No!" Link shouted as the draw bridge was raised, and Devika waved as she dropped back inside of the walls.
He dropped his sword, and pounded the draw bridge with his fists, roaring and screaming in rage.
Link dropped to his knees, his hands resting against the wood.
He wanted to help, but as long as he was shut out, he couldn't get in.
"Link?" A small voice asked.
Link got to his feet, and turned to see Zelda slowly standing, her knees still shaking.
He went to her, and laid his hand on her waist, while the other held her shoulder.
"Zelda…I don't have a blue potion with me." He choked out.
"It's okay…I'm okay." She managed to say before her knees buckled.