The Wrath of the Imprisoned
(As told by the elder in the inn)
The human race had been nearly destroyed by the arch-demon and his monsters. Indeed, only a small handful managed to reach the mountain in time, before it was sent skyward. Because of this, their community remained small and quaint; sheltered within the cradle of the goddess' making, above the clouds.
Though she had sacrificed herself to save them, the children of the sky could still feel her presence among them. The small spring that fed their village water became ever-flowing, blessed by her power. Great birds landed upon their island-in-the-sky and befriended Hylia's people.
For thousands of years, the sky people lived in peace; enjoying simple lives and small pleasures – as the goddess was able to give them. In time, the ears of the sky children began to lengthen, and take on the same points that her grace had once possessed – a further sign that her spirit was still with them.
But, one day, a terrible calamity struck. The great demon – still sealed beneath the earth far below, had begun to fracture the magical barrier above him, and forced his wicked power back into the world. With it, he reached upward and knocked an innocent maiden from her refuge and sought to sacrifice her – in an attempt to break his seal completely.
She was hardly more than an innocent maiden – the daughter of the village's elder. Yet, the demon showed no mercy, and cruelly pulled her down through the clouds to the untamed earth below. The maiden's love – a young man only just reaching the age of ascension – valiantly chased after her. Reclaiming the sword of the goddess, he slew monster and beast alike – purifying the ancient temples of Hylia below and stripping the demon of his hold upon the old gods' creation.
But it was nearly for naught. For the arch-demon's servants were cunning and powerful in their own rights. They managed to bring the maiden to their master's place of imprisonment and began the dark ritual to separate her soul from her body. With her essence, the most fearsome embodiment of evil was able to rise once more.
Demise. Born of absolute hatred and malice toward the old gods – the terrible demi-god of darkness stood upon the surface of the world once more. All hearts seemed shattered… all hopes finally extinguished… but for the valiant hero – who would not allow his love to perish.
Having reforged the Sword of the Goddess into The Blade of Evil's Bane, the hero – by the blessing of her grace - claimed the power of the Triforce and threw the dark monster down; driving his sacred blade into the beast's heart.
With a shattering cry of defeat, evil had been purged from the world, and the maiden's soul was returned to her body – Hylia be praised!
(In the Inn with Ulric)
"A good tale, grandfather." The swordsman interrupted, "Known to all – or to most, whose parents teach it to them. But its not… the complete story is it?" The elder looked at him nervously – his left cheek twitching. "I… I am not certain what you-" but Ulric would not let him finish. "The demon didn't just disappear, did he?" he snapped, pulling his lips back and giving the old man a threatening grin.
"Such… rumors… are just… the ramblings of malcontents - considered blasphemy by the priests!" countered the story teller, "Forbidden to be repeated, by his majesty!" The other men, sitting near the hearth, nodded in agreement, but the warrior pressed on. "I have heard," he jeered, "That the great demon did not just 'die' – rather, he laid a curse upon the hero and the maiden, and upon those who had helped them in their struggle. To 'ever live in torment', they and their descendants."
The wiseman's heart nearly froze in terror – how could he know this?! Only the very highest in The Order had ever been allowed to read the old tomes… and they would never willingly surrender the secret! "I am certain," he began softly, "there are many versions of this tale, Master Ulric. Some more fantastic than others. Such is the nature of storytelling – one always adds a little of their own embellishments here or there. Whatever the beast's final words – we can rest assured that he is no more. That her grace, surely, saw him and his power wiped from the earth forever."