Hello readers! Chapter 116 is finally here! This time, Link helps his new friends in the war against the dark forces attacking this era of Hyrule, but just how much help can a kid like him possibly be in such a fierce battle? Read and find out!
After some time spent resting and planning their next move, Captain Zelda announced it was time for the Hyrule Army move on with their mission to stop the dark forces attacking the land and defeat the sorceress Cia.
'Young' Link learned he probably wasn't going to be able to return back to his own time until the sorceress was stopped. It was just as well, as Link wanted to work with the army in saving the Hyrule of this era, as well as do what he could to protect Ruto, Darunia and Lana in the war. Despite Midna claiming that he would just be bothersome to have around (and that the Keaton Mask he wore on his head looked stupid), Link protested that he wouldn't let himself be a burden to them.
General Link admired that drive of his, and wound up taking Link in as a sort of apprentice, helping him learn more in combat skills that he learned from the Commander Impa. He also got to be introduced to the captain's fairy companion Proxi, who reminded him of Navi in a lot of ways.
They were unable to get Link a sword small and light enough for him to wield, so he relied on his Kokiri Knife to fight. Regardless of it's lack of power, his experience with fighting the mobs of monsters from before allowed him to at least assist them to some degree. Mostly he focused on cutting down the smaller Bokolins and helping to claim enemy bases, but the Moblins and other monsters proved way harder to fight.
Thankfully he had his friends both old and new to assist him through it all; whether it be by Lana's powerful magic, Darunia's great strength, Ruto's graceful water moves, Impa's powerful great sword, Agatha's bizarre bug army, Fi's dazzling blade-like dances, and occasionally even Midna would pop up to blast away the enemies with her shadowy wolves or Twili magic (though she'd just claim she did it so Link wouldn't get in her way).
Captain Zelda in particular proved herself to not just be a great leader, but a strong warrior as well; wielding her rapier in combat with absolute grace, in addition to being an expert marksman with her light arrows. Her coming to the army provided the knights with a great deal of moral support as well. General Link in particular was clearly happy to have her around in particular, and he'd constantly be doting over her safety and trying his best to impress her.
At times Link would catch Lana watching the young general and the princess captain working together from a far distance, with what looked like a sad look in her eyes. He'd try to talk to her about it, but Lana would just change the subject.
Before Link used to think he was meant to fight alone, but found just how much stronger everyone was when they fought together. It reminded him of when he got to the ends of the temples in the dark future, when he had gotten help from his friends in vanquishing the monsters that had cursed the temples. It only hurt worse for him to have to go right back to being alone when they were awakened as sages...
But now he was part of a powerful army that stuck with and supported him every step of the way, and they were only growing stronger. It felt so much more uplifting than he could have thought; knowing he had everyone working with him to defeat the stronger monsters, he could go all out on his own opponents. At times he wondered if things may had gone differently if he had friends actively fighting with him in the dark future against Ganon.
Speaking of which, at one point General Link even claimed the power of the Master Sword to vanquish Cia's dark forces. Seeing the older Link holding the blade he himself once held, Link wondered if others had felt the same sense of awe at the sight of the great warrior holding the blade of evil's bane.
Though at the same time, Link looked down at his smaller form, remembering how when he tried to remove the blade, he fell into a coma because he was too weak to wield it. As a result the land of Hyrule suffered for seven long years, and his own friends had to pay for his weakness by having to become sages...
As a result, there was a part of the younger Link that felt somewhat jealous of General Link not having to endure the pain of not being strong enough to use the power he needed, and he didn't like feeling that way...
After claiming the Master Sword, the next destination they had to go to was the Temple of Souls were Cia resided. As they vanquished more armies on the way there, General Link's confidence was growing with each victory he claimed with the Master Sword...
"We're finally here, the Temple of Souls." Lana spoke.
The Hylian army all stood before a grand temple in the middle of a forest full of thorn-covered vines. The temple had a real surreal look to it, with twisted corridors and strange vortexes opened around the place, as well as numerous rose gardens and statues decorating the exterior.
"So this is where that dreadful sorceress was hiding..." Ruto said, "She seems quite powerful, do you think we have a chance here?"
"Just leave it all to me!" General Link grinned with confidence as they approached the entrance, "As long as I got the Master Sword, nothing can stop me!"
"That's the way Link!" Proxi egged him on.
"Hmm...well I do like that bravado you have there." giggled Ruto, gazing up and down at General Link's physique. The younger Link raised an eyebrow at the zora princess.
"Hmph, I just hope he doesn't do anything too reckless..." Commander Impa muttered, she glanced at Captain Zelda, "Something the matter, Princess?"
"I'm not sure... but I feel a disturbing sensation from somewhere in the area..." Zelda whispered. As Young Link walked alongside Lana, Darunia and Ruto, he couldn't help but feel something similar himself, though he wasn't quite sure of just what it was.
"I'm feeling a disturbing sensation myself, but probably not for the same reason as the princess." Midna muttered, looking all around at the garden area of the temple, every which way they looked they saw statues and hedges all designed to resemble Link, "They say desire can make you crazy, but this is just outright insanity."
"Hmm... maybe after we capture this Cia woman, I could get exterior decoration advice from her..." Ruto spoke gazing at one statue of General Link, licking her lips as she did.
"Ugh, just shut up sushi breath." Midna sighed out.
The twili imp came to stop at one point, seeing a statue of a wolf, which looked out of place compared to all the human statues. She stared at it for what seemed like forever, until Agatha called out to the 'kitty' to keep moving.
When they arrived at the entrance, Young Link looked around for the enemy, but wound up seeing one statue in particular that looked just like him as a child playing the Ocarina of Time. He had to admit he was a little flattered that this Cia person even made a statue of him, but a little creeped out as well...
He then thought about the look Lana would often give General Link, and what she mentioned before about her and Cia once being the same person... but was jolted out of it by a voice speaking up.
"Well, well, well, so my dear hero has come right to me... How lovely." spoke a silky but sinister voice. Everyone looked up to see a woman hovering over the entrance to the Temple of Souls.
She had tanned skin, white hair and purple eyes, and sporting a very alluring figure that showed off her long legs, curvy hips, and large breasts. She was holding a dark specter in her head and grinning wickedly down at everyone. Most startling was that her face looked exactly like that of Lana.
"You must be Cia, leader of the dark forces plaguing this land." Captain Zelda spoke, "As the princess of Hyrule, I will not allow you to harm my people any longer! I ask that you surrender now!"
"Tsk... such arrogance... I'm going to look forward to crushing that pretty little face of yours under my foot." scowled Cia, looking as General Link stood by Zelda's side.
Young Link himself clenched his knife as he looked up at the sorceress. This Cia woman was the one who created all the monsters attacking this Hyrule, like those who attacked Terrensoll, and left Kaira in the injured state she was in. He could feel his anger rising at the thought of it...
Midna glanced over at Young Link as he glared angerly at Cia, she was rather amused to see a pint-sized brat like him harbor such an anger towards the woman she hated as well. But then she looked down at the strange white-haired mask attached to his belt, for a second she could have sworn she saw the eyes of it glow...
"Please Cia, it's time to put an end to this!" Lana shouted stepping up, "What you're trying to do isn't worth all the pain you're causing!"
"Hmph, I'll keep going until I get everything I deserve Lana." Cia spoke snapping her fingers, "Monsters, attack!"
Suddenly Bokolins and Moblins started pouring out from the temple in large numbers to attack Link, Lana and everyone else. They all charged into battle against the monsters, with General Link taking the lead and cutting the monsters down effortlessly with the Master Sword.
"That's the way Link!" Proxi said, "They won't stand a chance against you!"
"Heh, yeah!" General Link nodded, "I can handle all these guys without anyone's help!"
The younger Link and Lana both looked to each other with a sense of uncertainty at General Link's words, but pressed onward.
Soon General Link charged into one room where Cia was standing in wait, the walls were covered from top to bottom with various portraits of his likeness. He didn't even pay them any attention though, and focused on the dark lookalike of Lana.
"I'll put a stop to you Dark Sorceress, with the Master Sword I can't lose!" General Link shouted.
"Mmm... yes, I love that confidence in you..." Cia spoke lustfully as she traced her fingers delicately over her cheek, "It's just what I need to draw out the darkness within you..."
"Huh?"
Just then, emerging up from the ground was a strange being that resembled General Link, only it had red glowing eyes. General Link looked at it in confusion before it lunged at him, forcing him to go on the defense.
Outside of the portrait room, Darunia was smacking away a Bokoblin, only to be attacked by another strange shadowy being that resembled General Link.
"Wha-? What are you doing, buddy?" Darunia exclaimed, mistaking it for his companion.
"Don't be fooled Darunia, the sorceress probably created these things!" Ruto called out, smacking away another dark copy with a water-charged kick.
In another wing of the temple, Link and Lana were fending off more monsters. Just after taking down another Bokolin, Link was knocked to the ground by a strange shady presence, and he looked up with horror to see something that looked exactly like the Dark Link shade he fought from the Water Temple glared down at him with red eyes.
"W-What?!" Link exclaimed. He recalled what Navi said before about Dark Link, about how it was born from his anger towards Ganondorf in the dark future. Could he had been getting too aggressive in his battles lately that it manifested this thing...?
"It's okay Young Link, I know what you're thinking, but this is Cia's power at work! She's drawing out the darkness in General Link's heart to create this thing!" Lana said, blasting the Dark Link away with her magic, "We have to get to him!"
"O-Okay..." Link spoke, a little unnerved as he saw the apparition vanish, before following after Lana.
Upon arriving at the portrait room, they saw General Link surrounded by multiple Dark Links who attacked him relentlessly, while Cia stayed back watching. The dark sorceress licked her lips as she saw him struggling against the shadows.
"Argh!" General Link shouted, being knocked to the ground by a Dark Link.
"Yes, that's right. Soon you'll submit to me..." Cia spoke, "The princess will die, and you'll be all mine, my beloved hero..."
"Not so fast Cia!" Lana shouted, blasting away a Dark Link from General Link.
"Damnit, it's you?!" Cia exclaimed, she looked to see the younger Link by her side, "And it's... HIM?!"
Lana did what she could to fight off the dark clones of General Link, and while Link himself tried to fight as well, he wasn't much of a match against them. His body was just too small and weak compared to when he was an adult in the dark future with the Master Sword. Even worse, the more Dark Links they defeated, the more showed up to fight them. The other warriors throughout the temple were all starting to struggle to the power of the Dark Links as well.
"This is bad..." gasped Lana, "As long as Cia can manifest darkness from General Link, these things are just going to keep showing up!" she blasted away one Dark Link, but two more attacked her, "We need more help!"
Young Link stared out as more of the Dark Links approaching them. He looked down to General Link who was gasping out from his injuries.
"Lana... Mr. Link... this is my fault..." General Link groaned, "I thought I could do it all by myself... but I'm just too weak... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." he said with tears in his eyes.
"..." Young Link just continued to stare down at General Link, recalling back to after he defeated Ganon, when he cried out and apologized to everyone for causing all that happened in the dark future. Link then looked to see Lana doing everything she could to fight off the Dark Links, then over at Cia manifesting the darkness from General Link.
He remembered what Lana said before, about Cia accepting the power from that evil spirit. She had done all of this out of jealousy of the bond General Link and Captain Zelda had together. In a weird way, it made Link relate to her about the jealousy he had towards General Link being able to properly use the Master Sword, but now he saw even this man couldn't use the true power of the blade alone...
'... ...I need to get stronger... to help him, to help Lana, to help everyone.' Link thought to himself.
Working up his nerve, he reached down to something he had attached to his belt...
Lana blasted into a Dark Link with her magic to destroy it, only to get knocked down by a side attack. She looked up to see another Dark Link about to strike her down...
"yyyyyyaaaaAAAAAAHHHH!"
But then a powerful force manifested in the room that halted everyone in their tracks, as they heard a young voice which got much deeper as it yelled out. Lana, General Link, Proxi, and Cia then all saw an unfamiliar being in the room with them.
It was a tall, tanned adult with white hair and strange blue and red markings on his face, and his eyes a piercing blank white. He was wearing an aqua colored tunic with heavy chest armor, and was wielding a huge two-handed sword made into the shape of a helix.
Link had put on the Fierce Deity Mask, and once again became the force that was able to overcome and defeat Majora back in Termina, saving the land from being destroyed all that time ago.
He had once again became Fierce Deity Link.
"L-Link...?" Lana whispered.
"What th-..." General Link spoke with wide eyes.
"O-Oh my..." Cia whispered with a heavy red blush on her face at the sight of the powerful and older-looking man before her.
"Back off of them, you bastards!" shouted Fierce Deity Link, swinging out his sword and slashing a Dark Link in half. More Dark Links came out to attack, but the Fierce Deity's power was too much for them. He slashed through another one, and swung his blade at two more, releasing bladed energy disks that sliced through the air and cut through them like butter.
"This power..." gasped Lana, recalling the visions she and Cia had seen of the Hero of Time back when they were one as the guardian of time, "This is just like when he fought the god of destruction..."
Some Moblins came barging in to try and assist their master Cia, but Fierce Deity Link proved to be too much for them. He broke through their shields with little effort before cutting them down. Not even the horrifying screech of Redead zombies seemed to phase him. He swung the helix blade up and slammed it down on one monster, making a shockwave that blasted away the others.
"So much power... and those looks..." Cia moaned out a little, before she shook it off and smirked, "Ohhohoho... I'll just harness the darkness in that one's heart as well then..." she held up her specter and focused on Fierce Deity Link, attempting to conjure new Dark Links from him... but she found something was wrong, "Hm? Why can't I...?"
Another group of the Dark Links collectively lunged out at Fierce Deity Link, but he was able to block them all at once with his helix sword held to the side, before slashing them all away with a single swing. He then fired off a barrage of energy disk blades to destroy them.
Ruto, Darunia and the others all came in just in time to see the Fierce Deity Link fighting off the Dark Links and other monsters with nearly unstoppable force. Zelda came right over to General Link's side to see to his injuries.
"W-Who or what the heck is that?!" Midna exclaimed.
"Did a new traveler from the passages of time arrive?" Commander Impa spoke.
"..." Ruto stared at the fierce man in particular, he resembled General Link in some ways, but there was something else familiar about him...
Fierce Deity Link came at one more Dark Link and pierced it through the forehead, before forcing the blade downwards and cutting it in half. He gasped out as his body started to weaken from exerting so much energy, and in a flash of light the mask fell off and he collapsed to the ground, back to his normal child self.
"Link!" Lana shouted as she and Ruto both ran over to check on him.
"Hey..." Link groaned, "Are you all okay...?"
"Yes, thanks to you!" Lana said smiling.
Ruto stared at Lana and saw how happy she was to see Link safe, and she found herself a little less annoyed about her than before... But just then four more Dark Links rose up from the ground, surrounding them. Before the dark apparitions could strike them, Ruto narrowed her eyes and quickly turned to smack one away.
"Leave Link-darling and Ms. Lana alone you rotten fakes!" Ruto said sticking her nose up.
Midna, Darunia and Impa meanwhile all jumped in and knocked away the other Dark Links. Impa stood with her back to General Link as she faced down one of the dark creatures.
"Rookie, you're being far too reckless." Impa chastised the young captain, "Have you forgotten what I told you back in your training? Real strength comes from knowing your weaknesses."
"Impa's right, you need to choose your battles carefully Link, you can't do everything by yourself." Zelda said helping General Link up to his feet.
"Tsk, seriously. You always have to be the hero, don't you?!" Midna said, punching one Dark Link into a wall, "You remind me way too much of my partner!"
"Ugh, I'm sorry Princess, everyone." General Link said, looking over to Young Link and bowing his head, "A-And thank you for saving me Mr. Elder Link!"
"I don't know if I like being called 'elder'." the younger Link said sweatdropping, but took into account everything the others had said about real strength...
Link then saw a flash of light, and turned just as the Master Sword the general Link held started to resonate it's true power, shining like a golden light. The Dark Links were driven away to nothingness, and General Link stood tall and strong with the blade of evil's bane in his hand. The group all nodded to each other, before going back into battle against the monsters.
"Lana, please be a dear and protect my darling Link for now." Ruto spoke, manifesting some water around her hands, "I won't forgive you if you let him get hurt!"
"Hee hee, no problem Princess Ruto!" Lana giggled and nodded. Link stared out at Ruto as she charged into battle, while Lana just continued to hold him.
"Ruto's really gotten stronger herself..." Link spoke.
Meanwhile, Cia had managed to escape in the middle of everything going on. A considerable enough distance away to avoid being detected, she gazed back at General Link, frustrated that he had defied her and that the Master Sword's power had awakened. She then looked to the young Link in Lana's arms, and the mask he was holding.
"All I can do..." whispered Cia, holding the Triforce of Power, "Is relay on this power to help me crush them... and that damned monster will never get his hands on it either." and with that she teleported off to regroup.
"Whew, I think that just about did it!" Darunia said proudly as he had just smashed one more monster to the ground.
"That's a relief, I think I'm just about ready for a bit of tea." Agatha said cheerfully.
"... ...tea may have to wait for the time being. I am detecting a dark presence in the area." Fi spoke up.
"But I thought we chased off the sorceress bitch." Midna said.
"No... this is something far worse." Zelda spoke, feeling that same sensation from before.
Sure enough, there was a large army approaching the Temple of Souls. It consisted mostly of skeletal monsters known as Stal-children and Stalfos, as well as armored creatures called Darknuts. Leading the army was a large intimidating figure with a wicked grin.
"Hmph, so she already escaped? Well no matter, I think I'll just go after the two that are still here." he grinned, as he held up a giant blade and called out, "Minions, attack!"
"Wait a minute, is that...?" Darunia exclaimed, peering out at the leader of the army.
"It can't be..." gasped Ruto, "It's HIM of all people?!"
"Stow your fears, it's now or never! Prepare yourselves for battle once more!" Zelda shouted, as the Hylian forces charged in.
"What's going on...?" Link groaned as he laid in Lana's arms, feeling like he was about to faint from the exhaustion of battling and using the Fierce Deity Mask.
"It's okay Link, just let me protect you." Lana assured him.
The Hylian forces fought bravely to drive off the forces of the dark man. General Link's Master Sword was proving to be even stronger than anyone could had guessed, and he was cutting down the skeletal creatures with ease.
But just as Lana thought she could attempt to get Link back to the camp for treatment and rest, she felt a certain presence coming towards them, one that felt incredibly familiar.
"Uh oh, he's coming!" Lana gasped out.
The young Link looked up weakly to see a tall, intimidating man approach the portrait room. His black armor-clad body was surrounded by a malicious power, and he was holding a pair of absurdly large swords in his hands. The fiendish grin he gave off chilled Link to his core.
"What...?" Link whispered, huddling closer to Lana, "It can't be..."
"Hmph, a weak child... and the light of that traitorous sorceress. I think the two of you will make for easy pickings."
But before the dark man could even lay a hand on Link or Lana, General Link came jumping out and striking at him with the Master Sword,
"Leave them alone! You're battle's with me!"
"Tsk, that sword. It appears I was too late to nip you in the bud as well, boy."
"General Link, thanks for the help!" Lana called out with relief.
"Don't worry about it." General Link smiled to Lana, holding the Master Sword, "After what you and Mr. Link did for me, I won't allow this man to hurt either of you." as the sword glew brightly, he then charged forward at the red-haired man swinging his sword at him, "Bring it you bastard!"
The younger Link stared up at General Link as he clashed his sword against the dark man's own blades. Just then, he felt his head getting dizzy, and his eyelids growing heavy, as he collapsed in Lana's protective arms...
When Link awoke, he found himself at the medical camp of the Hylian forces. He saw the soldiers were being treated for their own injuries, with Lana taking charge healing them with magic.
"Huh...? What happened?"
"Oh Young Link, glad you're up again!" Lana smiled, turning back and finishing her work on the knight she was treating, before running up to the young lad, "We wound up winning the battle. General Link was able to take down that man using the Master Sword, and now we're back at the camp site!"
"I see..." Link said, suddenly feeling a lot better, "Thanks again for helping me back at the temple."
"Hee hee, no problem. I should be thanking you for what you did for us." Lana said, "Those Dark Links were too much for me and General Link, but you fought them all off without a problem!"
"Y-yeah, I... did, didn't I?" Link spoke with a slight smile.
"And thanks to you, General Link was given the chance to awaken the true power of the Master Sword and save everyone!" Lana said, "You got a lot of great power in you yourself!"
The two of them then heard Link's stomach growl quite loudly.
"The only thing I feel inside me right now is a huge hole in my stomach." Link said rubbing his belly, "Can we get some food?"
Lana grinned and took his hand, "Alright, let's go!"
After everyone had recovered, they all gathered to discuss what had happened at the Temple of Souls. In particular the man that had attacked them after Cia and the Dark Links were thwarted. Sure enough, 'Young' Link's guess of who it was turned out to be accurate.
"I wasn't too sure about it before, but I recognized his power from long ago." Lana said, "And seeing him there at the temple made me certain. He's the evil spirit that Cia made the deal with... the Demon King Ganondorf is behind all of this."
"I still can't believe it... he exists even in this era?" Darunia asked slapping his forehead.
"There's no doubt about it." Captain Zelda said sadly, "As dangerous as Cia is, Ganondorf is an even greater force to be reckoned with. He's after the Triforce segments that myself, General Link and Cia all hold, and if he acquires all three, he'd be unstoppable..." her expression then brightened, "But thanks to Link awakening the power of the Master Sword, we now have hope to save Hyrule!"
"Yes, nice work back there fending that bastard off Link." Commander Impa smirked to her protege, "I suppose I can't call you 'Rookie' anymore."
"Thank you Commander." General Link said, humbly bowing his head, "And I'm sorry again for all the trouble I caused us back in the temple."
"Don't worry about it, you made up for it in the end." shrugged Ruto, "Of course if you need to be apologizing to anyone, it should be to my darling husband-to-be over here." she commented, gesturing to the younger Link she sat beside, whose mouth was currently half-stuffed with food.
"Yes, thank you Elder Link!" General Link bowed his head, unwittingly getting some food in his hair doing so, "I dare say you saved the day for all of us with your power!"
"Eh, I guess he did alright." Midna shrugged, nonchalantly using her ponytail arm to steal an apple from a knight and eat it herself.
"So just what was that power you were using, little grasshopper?" Agatha asked, "You gave off the strength of a horned dung beetle!"
The young Link gulped down the food he had been eating, "It's something I got a hold of back on an adventure I went on, it's the mask of the Fierce Deity."
"The Fierce Deity, where have I heard of that before...?" Commander Impa pondered.
"That power you hold, it's amazing! Are you sure you can handle it?" Ruto asked curiously.
"Y-Yeah..." Young Link said, staring down at the Fierce Deity Mask, for some reason he didn't feel as scared of it as before, "As long as it's power can help you all, I'll use it whenever I need to!"
"We appreciate everything you've done for our cause Young Link." Captain Zelda spoke, "But you need to remember your limits, you're still quite 'young' after all." she said with a bit of amusement.
"Just please be careful, you mean too much to me to lose..." Ruto spoke as she embraced Link.
The young lad was stunned a bit by Ruto holding him like that. Back when she first gave him the Zora's Sapphire he didn't understand what she meant by marriage, but the time he spent on his journey made him much more knowledgeable about things like that, especially after he helped reunite the young man with his fiance back in Termina. But unlike those two, Ruto was a zora and he was a Hylian, and he wasn't sure just what she was to him...
"...don't worry, I'll be careful Ruto." Link assured her regardless.
The Hylian army soon arrived at the Valley of Seers, where Cia had retreated with the Triforce of Power. They were determined to defeat her and put an end to the dark forces.
Standing in the way of them and Cia though was a huge army of monsters, born from the sorceress exerting her dark magic far beyond her limits. Despite one of her minions betraying her in an earlier battle, she still had her much stronger captain at her aide, one who had been a huge threat to the Hylian forces since the first day of the war.
He was known as the fire dragon knight Volga, a tall man in red armor and wielding a powerful spear. He was even capable of breathing fire and turning into a giant serpentine dragon. Cia had taken control of him long ago and he was fully obedient to her.
Despite her setbacks, Cia was confident in her ability to win the war, destroy Zelda, and take Link all for herself. Maybe if she was lucky, she'd be able to tame that younger Link with the mask as well...
The two sides went right into battle. Cia exerting her power made her army far stronger than ever, but ironically her attempt draw power from various eras of time brought in a number of strong heroes throughout the different time periods who made up for it. Cia was getting more aggravated, and a little scared, as she used her magic to create even monsters to try and overwhelm them.
"Cia, please stop this!" Lana pleaded to her other self, "If you keep using you magic like this you'll... you'll...!"
"Don't tell me what I can't do Lana!" Cia shouted, screaming out as she manifested power into her minions to make them even stronger.
"We're getting pushed back!" shouted a knight just before he was knocked back by a Moblin.
Meanwhile, the fire dragon knight Volga leaped down and slammed his spear to the ground, releasing a wave of fire that knocked away a large number of knights. He stood and roared out to the Hylian army, engulfed in a great amount of power provided to him by Cia.
"I grew weary of these weaklings! Bring me your strongest warrior!" Volga shouted out.
"You want it? You got it!" Proxi shouted, flying alongside General Link.
"Yeah, it's time to end this!" he shouted wielding the Master Sword, "I'll be your opponent Volga!"
"Hmph, very well. Have at you Hero!" Volga said.
General Link ran forward, starting to fight against Volga. The two had battled a few times before, but it always ended with one side being forced to retreat. This time however, as General Link wielding his sword and Volga with his dragon spear, they both knew this would be a fight to the finish.
The younger Link on the other hand, went in against the dark minions of Cia with the aide of the Fierce Deity Mask, fueled with growing confidence that he could help his friends using it's power, he charged in and battled against the monsters. Even Cia's attempt at summoning a King Dodongo proved trivial for Fierce Deity Link, as he made short work of it. When Link grew tired, he'd pull off the mask and allow the others to back him up, but when he regained his energy he went right back to using the mask.
At that point, not even the mysterious voice was going to stop him from helping everyone.
Lana blasted a Lizalfos away, while Fierce Deity Link came up by her side to cut down a Moblin. The young lad gasped out as he swung an energy blade disk to strike down another Moblin from a distance.
"Young Link, are you doing okay?" Lana asked with concern.
"Yeah... just fine." he spoke, clutching at the helix-shaped sword in his hands, "I'm glad to have this power... if it means protecting everyone!"
"Okay..." Lana was somewhat hesitant, but nodded, "But remember what Zelda and Ruto said, please be careful!"
The two of them charged back into battle against the monsters, eventually defeating them and going off to take down more.
"This can't be happening..." Cia muttered, watching her army fall to the heroes, "Is everything I've worked towards been for nothing...?"
Her gaze turned to General Link fighting against Volga. Despite the dragon's boosted strength, the hero was overcoming him in battle. Volga breathed fire down on General Link, who blocked it off with his Hylian Shield. The hero then charged forward and swung left and right and across Volga. The dragon man tried to resist the pain, and slammed his spear against General Link's sword. The hero however managed to push Volga backwards and deliver a powerful spin attack, before running forward and slashing him once more across the chest, making Volga groan out.
"Grk... well met... Hero..." muttered the fire dragon knight Volga, dropping his spear to the ground, and collapsing to the ground motionlessly.
"Damnit..." Cia scowled, squeezing her specter, "Very well, if that's how it is... than face me yourselves!"
Cia screamed out in pain as she exerted more of her dark magic, creating copies of herself as the heroes came running to face her. Lana stood at the front of the group, clutching at her tome.
"Cia... please stop...!" Lana spoke, trying to hold back her tears.
"I'll never stop Lana, not until it's all over..." Cia muttered, the Triforce of Power glowing with intense energy, "Now come face me once and for all!"
As the army of the Hylian forces stood to fight the dark sorceress, 'Young' Link himself stared out at Cia. As much as he should have hated her for everything she had done, he could see a great sadness in her eyes and words. He then turned to see Lana, who was practically Cia's twin, sporting the same exact look of sadness in her own eyes.
As Captain Zelda called the attack and the group all charged in to battle Cia, Young Link had a feeling the two sorceresses both knew how this was going to end...
After a fierce battle Cia had finally fallen, having completely exhausted her dark magic, and Lana came running up to her. The others all kept their distance so they could give the two of them their space.
"Cia..." Lana whispered with tears in her eyes.
"Lana... I just don't understand..." Cia groaned out weakly, looking over at General Link and Captain Zelda, "We've seen how this ends... and we both know he won't choose you... How do you handle it... knowing you get left behind?"
Lana glanced over her shoulder, seeing General Link standing protectively by Zelda in case Cia tried any last desperate attacks.
"Because... the two of them have a great bond together, they possess the will of the legendary hero and the Triforce's goddess... and it's not my place to get in the way of that." Lana whispered, "You don't always get the one you think you deserve... and I think I can live with that."
Link couldn't quite hear what the two were talking about from the distance he was, as Ruto insisted he stay put, but he instead focused on the sad looks in both Lana and Cia's eyes, thinking about the statues of General Link and himself from the Temple of Souls as he did.
"I see..." Cia closed her eyes and smiled lightly, "You... always were... my better half..."
With that; the Dark Sorceress Cia, once the Guardian of Time, faded away in Lana's arms.
The Triforce of Power manifested from where Cia laid, so Lana took that moment to contain it in a small barrier for protection. She was about to get up, but the blue haired sorceress found her tear ducts were filling up more, before she burst out crying on her hands and knees, as everyone watched on sadly.
"Jees, that evil sorceress lady hurt a lot of people, so why am I getting all emotional about this...?" Darunia asked wiping away a tear.
"Lana and Cia were once the same person..." Captain Zelda spoke sadly, "For Lana, losing her is like losing her twin sister, her family."
Ruto stared out at Lana, before she gave Link a gentle nudge to motion that she was fine with him comforting her. Link nodded and ran up to Lana, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Lana, I'm sorry..." Link spoke softly.
Lana looked at Link for a brief moment, before she just turned and threw her arms around him, holding him tightly as she cried out against him. Link couldn't say anything else, but just held her and allowed her to cry her eyes out.
As Ruto watched the two, the jealousy she harbored towards how close Lana had become with her husband-to-be was slowly fading...
With Cia defeated, peace was once again restored to Hyrule, and the land was returned to the way it was before. The heroes had all gathered at Hyrule Castle in order to celebrate their victory. That celebration was short lived though, as Lana had to send their new friends back to their own time periods. Captain Zelda stood alongside General Link, Commander Impa, and Lana as they saw off their allies.
"Thank you so much, all of you, for your bravery and valor." Captain Zelda praised 'Young' Link, Darunia, Ruto, Midna, Agatha and Fi, "We may not be able to honor you all in the archives of our history, but your deeds shall never be forgotten by any of us."
"Yeah, sure whatever." shrugged Midna, "I need to get back to my time and track down my partner anyway."
"Well I guess this is goodbye for now Brother!" Darunia said to Link, "It was great fighting alongside you! I hope we can work together again someday!"
"You too Brother Darunia!" Link nodded.
"You stay safe, okay Link?" Ruto asked, kneeling down to him and putting a gentle hand to his shoulder, "I'm sure I'll see you again, when you grow up and return to Hyrule." Ruto smiled softly, giving Link a small kiss on the forehead.
"Jees... okay, okay..." Link said embarrassingly, wiping at his forehead as he heard Midna snicker.
"I'll admit you didn't do too bad, for a little brat." Midna said with a smug grin, "I guess you were kinda cool with that mask on."
"You didn't do too bad yourself, for a kitty." Link grinned, making the others laugh out, especially Agatha, while Midna grumbled in annoyance.
Darunia, Ruto, Midna, Agatha and Fi all bid their friends goodbye, as Lana used her magic to send them all back to their own respective time periods. Young Link however still remained.
"So how come you're still here, kid?" Impa asked.
"It's probably because the portal at the Valley of Seers is still open. I wasn't able to do anything about it before due to the lingering presence of Cia's power, but now that it's been a while it should be weak enough to close." Lana said, "I'll go out there and seal it up by myself."
"You sure you don't need help?" General Link asked, standing at attention for Lana, "I could bring you there by carriage if you wish!" he suggested, holding up some rider's reins.
"You sure you're not going to be the one pulling it?" Impa asked sweatdropping as she could have sworn she saw her protege with a wagging dog tail again.
"Ah ha ha, don't worry about it!" Lana said waving her hand, "I need to do this myself."
"It goes without saying that we can't thank you enough for what you've done Lana, I know it was difficult for you." Zelda said, "Will we see you again?"
Lana said nothing at first, just staring at General Link and Captain Zelda, "... …thank you for helping me as well, I wish the best for you both." she looked down at Link and smiled softly, "And goodbye to you too, 'Young' Link." with that, Lana turned and went off on her way.
As General Link, Proxi, Captain Zelda and Commander Impa all waved goodbye to her, the younger Link thought deeply to himself...
Meanwhile...
"Ha-ha, I finally made it! Hyrule Castle at last!"
A young blonde-haired lady with blue eyes and wearing a green tunic and hood was standing at her destination. She had a pair of crossbows attached to her boots and was wearing a compass on her tunic.
"I was a little late making it, but a hero always pulls through!"
She ran up towards the entrance, seeing the strangely distorted temple before her, going through the vast rose gardens. The girl had wound up at the empty Temple of Souls were Cia once lived, but wasn't aware she was lost. Her gaze focused on statues and hedges designed after a man all over the area that she didn't recognize.
"Wow, the princess must be really into this guy." the girl said, before looking over at another statue of a small child playing an ocarina.
"Huh... weird. Coulda sworn I've seen this little one before..."
Suddenly, she felt a strange sensation from the compass she wore. She reached up and clutched at her grandmother's heirloom
"... ...I don't think this is the place after all." she whispered, before turning and running off to her destination.
And that ends this week's chapter. I admit I struggled a little with it, trying to condense the HW story into a single chapter ended up being impossible without it going on for too long, but I vow to finish this flashback next chapter so we can get back to the main story.
I also apologize for skipping last week, been going through some situations at work, as well as the ridiculous heat in my area. I hope I can get Ch 117 out next Friday, but don't worry if I don't, I will assure you all that I am not giving up on this story whatsoever.
As always, leave a like, follow, comment or just send me a PM at your leisure. Your feedback is always encouraged!