"Judgment?" Kagome muttered, hoping that the Great Fairy would elaborate.
The Great Fairy leaned on her elbows as she told the legend that had been passed down since the beginning of time. "To fully understand your quest, you must first know the history of this land."
Knowing that this was probably going to take a while, the group seated themselves on the marble floor, giving the woman their utmost attention. Even Inuyasha, who was still sulking about his sword, gave in and listened, his arms crossed over his chest impatiently.
Long ago, the Three Goddesses gave life to a new world full of wonders. They were known for creating another world long ago, and so they took what they knew from the old and put it with the new. Din, with her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land to create the red earth. Nayru poured her wisdom onto the Earth to give the spirit of law to the world. Farore's rich soul created all life forms who would uphold the law.
After the new creation, the three great Goddesses returned to the heavens, leaving behind a great kingdom with a soul reminder that the land will always be loved and protected. That soul reminder was the Triforce.
As the years rolled by, the land was known as Nimtera; the original name before Termina came to be. Chaos did not exist for many moons, until one day an uprising started in the kingdom of Ikana, a desolate valley beyond the mountains of Nimtera. A clan of evil worshippers rose and revered giants rather than the three golden goddesses.
Sacrifices were often made to honor these giants they believed to be gods, and the ancient kingdom was known for using Majora's Mask in hexing rituals, the same mask that contained an evil spirit found in hell. The people of Ikana had sealed the demonic power away within the relic so that its power could not be misused. But they had plans for this mask.
Afraid of the tribe's bloodstained and violent actions, the Nimterans hid. Even though they were never targeted for annihilation, they feared the dominating power of the mountain from the east. In order to protect the town, soldiers, known as the Garo, were sent to spy on the tribe from the mountains separating them. Sadly, all the soldiers were murdered the moment they attempted to invade, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to the savage attacks from Ikana. Even as they were slowly slaughtered, they cried to the heavens, asking the Goddesses for help, but help never came.
A blood bath ensued, and the land fell in to a violent history. The tribe left only a few remaining Nimterans alive, but soon grew annoyed by their constant praying. These blood-thirsty people believed the world could not have been created by three women; the very idea was absurd. Instead of worshipping the true rulers of the world, they kept their faithful eyes on their own deities.
As blasphemy, the tribe built offensive statues against the Goddesses. They continued doing such acts when an idea came to them. They would build a tower so high that it would reach the heavens. Once the tower was complete, they would climb the steps in order to slay the Goddesses, and continue to torment the last of the Nimterans.
But the tribe did not get far in building the structure. The Goddesses, angry with the tribe's wickedness, flipped the universe upside down. The tower, no longer able to reach heaven, now flipped, reached for hell instead. Realizing that they were forgotten, the Goddesses cursed the world and made each tribe differ from the others. They also separated the world in to four regions, leaving the town of Nimtera at the center, the town that now suffered.
Knowing that the humans would fall in to ignorance again, the Goddesses wiped their memories and created four giants to protect the four regions of the land. As punishment upon the people, they also unleashed their anger, causing destruction and ill will to descend upon the land. Like an hourglass filled with small grains of sand, they gave the land a time limit. When the last grain fell, the people would be doomed. However, if the land was saved, then the hourglass would flip and start again. Only one with a true heart could stop the cycle from repeating itself.
It is not said what became of the Goddesses except that they were needed elsewhere. They abandoned the world and the people, waiting for the prophesied hero to shed peace on the land. If this was done, then the land would be saved and restored, and the savior would be blessed with one wish.
Ending her story, the Great Fairy sighed. "But lately that hourglass has weakened, and I'm afraid that the end is drawing near. Once that last grain falls, all is lost. I give this land one month." With pleading eyes, she held her hands before her in a gesture of helplessness. "I beg of you all, please. Please save this land. Among you is one with a pure heart, and I believe you all hold the strength needed to save Termina from destruction."
Inuyasha was silent for the longest time, contemplating such a legend. Kagome stood deep in thought, along with all the others. This Great Fairy was asking for them to save the land, and the one with the pure heart would be granted a wish. That wish was the answer to returning to the Feudal Era and finally destroying Naraku. In only a month's time, this world would suffer a devastating end, and Inuyasha and the gang would be destroyed along with it.
Kagome knew it was the right thing to do. Besides, there was no way they could escape Termina if they didn't help to save it. What would her family do when they assumed the worst had happened to her? "We'll do it!"
Nodding in agreement, the monk and the demon slayer both stood beside Kagome, along with Shippo. Inuyasha remained hesitant, but he soon joined the rest of his friends. Heck, they busted their butts for everyone before, this would be nothing new.
"Thank you!" She clasped her hands together as she grinned from ear to ear. "I had almost given up hope."
Serena, who had sat on her partner's shoulder listening, suddenly had a thought. "Wait, do you think the reason the light brought them here was to save the world?"
All heads turned to her. Even Link turned to give her a look. All that time, Link had been leaning against the wall, listening to the story. This story was linked to Hyrule, he was sure. The Triforce was mentioned and the Great Fairy said that this was the second world created. He wondered if his assumption was right. At first, he had thought he'd been transported to a different dimension, but after hearing the story, he thought otherwise. Everything made sense.
"Because, if that's so, then do you think the Goddesses brought them here?" Serena asked, hoping to be right. The story had intrigued her, especially when the group had appeared; it was like they would come here, leaving behind their own land to save another.
Shaking her head enthusiastically, the Great Fairy agreed. "That's what I was thinking the moment they walked into my fountain!" Her eyes fell on the group again. "I wish for each of you, including you as well Link, to gather the four pendants from the four regions. It won't be easy, but I assure you the task will be simple."
"So all we do is get four pendants, and that's gonna save the land?" Shippo asked. "That's easy!"
"Sorry, but there's more to it than that. After you receive the pendants, return to my fountain and I shall explain the rest."
"Then where do we go first?" Inuyasha asked, no longer angry. "Which region? Does it matter?"
She nodded. "First, you must go to the Snowy Mountains just north of here. Then head for the Ocean, then the Canyon, and last the Swamp."
Nodding in understanding, the group turned their backs to the woman when they assumed that was all the Great Fairy would say.
"Excuse me, but I've yet to give my magic to each of you," Her voice rang out, causing each individual to stare back at her with wonder and confusion. "Come here."
Miroku was the first to step up for his gift, the others watching in fascination. A polite smile formed upon the monk's lips, and he cleared his throat to speak. "Oh great enchantress, you are indeed a truly divine creature, and I am forever humbled by your presence. And it is with great honor that I, Miroku, accept such a blessing. I would, therefore, gladly be the father of your future children."
The Great Fairy gazed down at the man who now kneeled before her, thoroughly confused by his words.
Shippo slapped his own forehead in exasperation. "Oh brother!"
Sango gave an agitated growl, glaring at the lecherous monk holding her tongue. She swore once they left this fountain, she would pound him into the ground. She should have known his words of love earlier had meant nothing.
Inuyasha was not surprised in the least. He crossed his arms with a smirk. "Humph. I was just waiting for him to pull a stunt like that," he muttered to himself.
The Great Fairy, still not sure what to make of the scene before her, continued on with her blessing ritual. "I shall relieve your suffering monk, and with this gift, may you always remain confident." A shimmering blue and green light lifted the man from his feet and enveloped his form. The beads fell away from his hand, much to his surprise, and everyone else's. "You are no long burdened with the wind tunnel; your life has been spared."
The moment his feet touched the ground once more, everyone gathered around to see if what the fairy said was true. He opened his palm and, to everyone's relief; the vortex was gone. "Thank you!" was all he could manage when faced with the woman's miraculous feat. Miroku stepped back as another of the group was called forth. That he had been liberated from the curse of the wind tunnel made him forget all about his proposal to the Great Fairy.
"Kagome Higurashi, step forth to claim your new skill."
Kagome did as commanded of her and stood before the Great Fairy with nervousness. Almost immediately, a fire burned deep inside her. Her fingers felt tingly, and she had the sudden urge to run a marathon.
"I give upon you the power of healing," she explained, watching as the girl stared with wonder at her hands. "Because you are a priestess, I also give you these." A bright light came forth from her open palms, revealing a luminescent bow, complete with its own divine arrows. "I give to you the light arrows. It is said that the goddesses once used these to flip the universe, but do not fret; with these you can push away darkness and restore goodness within the world." Her eyes fell on Shippo. "You are next, young one."
Hesitantly, Shippo slowly stepped toward the floating woman. "What do I get?" he asked, watching as a smile graced her lips.
"I shall give you a boost of power. You will be capable of transforming more efficiently and for longer periods of time."
Just like everyone else, he was also surrounded by a light. "Neat!"
Sango was blessed with a lighter boomerang, able to change its size. For short distances, she was also given a small version of a fairy boomerang to carry. Both weapons held a far stronger power than her original and were both durable.
"What about me?" Inuyasha asked. "What do I get?"
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha," she began. "But you are strong enough."
Angered slightly, Inuyasha did not say a word. He was strong enough as it was? Did that mean the monsters here would be a piece of cake? Even though he just received a compliment, he wanted so badly to have some kind of new technique or a spell.
The Great Fairy noticed his forlorn expression and mused. "Actually, there is something I can give you," She said and beckoned him closer with a motion of her finger. "Unsheathe your sword, Inuyasha." And without any questioning, he did, and she touched its edge. The moment she did, a blue and white aura wrapped around the entire sword, surprising everyone. "Because your sword is already so powerful, I added an enchantment to sharpen it's blade so it will never dull. As it stands, you are unable to use your sword when you've lost your demonic form, is that correct?"
Inuyasha's brows shot up. "So... you really are all-knowing. That's right."
She nodded. "Then, this spell will allow you to use its magic on those moonless nights, Inuyasha. I hope this will help you on your journey," She said, but before anyone could react to this, she giggled suddenly and spread her arms wide. "When battle has made you weary, please come to my spring," her voice trailed off as she vanished in a vanishing light, leaving behind her fairies who danced around the fountain.
"So, I guess we prepare for our journey to the mountains then?" Kagome asked, watching as her friends nodded. "Okay, let's go back to the inn and get some deserved rest! Then in the morning, we will stock up on whatever supplies we'll need."
"Sounds like a good plan to me," Shippo said enthusiastically.
"Alright," agreed Sango. "But before we leave, I think someone needs another blessing."
"What blessing?" asked Inuyasha, confused. When he saw the woman's eyes shift to the purple-garbed monk, he fought another smirk, deciding not to give him a heads up.
Before Miroku could comprehend what was going on around him, he was greeted by Sango's new weapon as it collided with his face. He let out an undignified yelp, and he landed on his back at her feet.
"That's for being a pervert as usual! And for lying to me!" Sango yelled before turning to stalk out of the cave, Kagome skipping merrily along behind her. Shippo leaped up onto the irked slayer's shoulders, the former sticking his tongue out at the dizzy monk.
Inuyasha leaned over Miroku with a smug expression. "Serves you right. And you serve Buddha? Pft." The half demon then walked away, leaving Miroku to lie alone on the floor.