Chapter 26: A New Quest
Zelda was waiting in the library, running a finger down the page of the book in front of her, several books stacked up to the side. She looked up when she heard Link's footsteps and waved. "How was your time with Vaati?" she greeted Link with a smile.
"Uh... eventful?" Link slid into the chair next to her. "We had a run-in with Ghirahim. Seems like he just wanted to size us up. Thankfully, he left without actually attacking us, but... Well, Vaati lost his temper. And then Impa lectured us afterward. And now I'm here." She sighed and slumped onto the table, burying her face in her arms. "I'm tired."
A gentle hand patted her shoulder. "I'm glad neither of you is hurt."
Link didn't reply. Of course, she was happy to still have all her limbs, but the reason Ghirahim had been so genial bothered her. She was useful to him somehow. She couldn't imagine how, though—she had no magic, like Vaati, or any special skills aside from being able to pull a rusty sword out of its crumbling pedestal. Whatever it was, she had to make sure he didn't trick her into doing anything for him.
"I found what we need to restore the Four Sword," Zelda said after a few moments. "Do you know about Force Gems?"
Link lifted her head and nodded thoughtfully. "I've seen a few come to our museum in Kakariko. They're those little triangular gems that have some sort of energy inside them, right?"
"Right! Well, from what I've read, Force Gems can power the Four Sword. Unlike the Master Sword, which has a sword spirit and reacts to the Triforce within the Hero wielding it, the Four Sword's power comes from external sources; Force Gems, specifically." Zelda flipped through a few pages in her book, then pointed to a section. She read aloud, "'Force Gems are the physical manifestation of the Life Force—not to be confused with the Triforce or the Light Force. The Life Force is the energy within all living things: Hylian, Zora, animal, and plants. Force Gems can exist anywhere there is life, and are indeed abundant throughout Hyrule. However, they are not easily found. It is said that only those who are attuned to the Life Force can find these mysterious gems.'"
Zelda paused to take a deep breath. "So, we need to find enough of the gems and use them to restore the Four Sword."
"Alright, that sounds like a plan!" Link gave a thumbs-up. Then she frowned and tilted her head. "Er, are you 'attuned to the Life Force' so we can find these things?"
The blonde smiled and nodded. "Father Gaepora taught me a way to reveal the Force Gems around me. He suggested that we go to places that are energy-rich and collect as much as we can at a time. We will have to travel around Hyrule, likely for several days." Zelda brushed back her hair, frowning slightly at her book. "Unfortunately, I haven't any idea how many we'll need, or even how to use them to power the Four Sword..."
She blinked when Link stood up, stretching. "Then we'll just collect 'em until the sword starts glowing or something." She grinned. "A road trip sounds fun! Where should we go?"
"Ah, places such as sacred sites, forests, lakes..." Zelda trailed off as she thought. Then she grabbed a piece of paper and began writing. "I'll make a list of places we can go. Lake Hylia, the Zora Fountain..."
"Cotera Woods?" Link suggested. When Zelda looked up at her questioningly, she explained, "Vaati and I found a fairy fountain there. That would be a good spot, right?"
Zelda nodded, eyes wide. "Have you seen the fairy?"
"No. The fountain is mostly gone, actually. But we followed a little fairy there, so there's still some sort of energy there. I don't know if I could find it again, though, now that I think about it..." She rubbed the back of her head. That night seemed like a really long time ago. She and Vaati had had a difficult time getting out of the woods; the fountain was in an area she'd never explored, and in the darkness, she hadn't been able to identify any landmarks by which to find her way back to the fountain.
"Anyways!" Link slapped her hands together and grinned at Zelda. "I'll let Impa know about it. She'll probably want us to leave tomorrow."
She turned to go but stopped when Zelda hesitantly called her name. The girl was looking at her with concern in her eyes. "Are you okay with restoring the Four Sword?"
Link didn't reply right away. 'Okay with it' didn't quite describe her feelings on the matter. She had agreed to help restore it, but she knew that when it regained its power, Vaati would be in danger.
"I don't particularly see the need," she murmured, absently tracing the spines of the books on the shelf in front of her. "I can't think of why we'd ever need to seal Vaati away, so why bother with the Four Sword instead of the Master Sword? Aveil said something about possibly using the Four Sword against Ganon but I'm not sure about that."
There was a moment of silence before Zelda replied. She spoke slowly, with long pauses. "You know, Link... if something does go wrong, and Vaati has to be sealed away... it wouldn't have to be forever. Releasing him is as simple as removing the sword from its pedestal. I can't think of any situation that would force you to seal him, but... just know that you wouldn't be imprisoning him for eternity. If you really are the Hero—you have the power to decide Vaati's fate."
The power to decide Vaati's fate... Link lowered her hand, staring at it. Was that what being the Hero meant—holding the fate of others in your hands? She dropped her hand quickly. It wasn't worth worrying about; she couldn't be the Hero, anyway. All she knew was that she would protect Vaati and keep him away from that prison within the Four Sword.
Week Two of Winter Break, Sunday 12-25, 3:15pm
Location: Four Sword Sanctuary
Status: Making final preparations to travel with the Four Sword
Link found her eyes wandering, straying over the mossy murals of the Sanctuary walls, trying to make out what ancient story they depicted. Beside her, Zelda diligently watched Father Gaepora as he detailed how they would extract the energy from the Force Gems and what the sword would look like once it had enough power. He held the Four Sword in front of him, resting on a cloth in his palms. There was something of the solemnity of a ceremony in the way he spoke and the setting they were in.
The murals just behind and above the priest's head were of large, one-eyed bats, clear to see even with the decay. They were spiraling down, down, towards the pedestal where they would be sealed for another millennium. Link wondered if any records of The Wind Mage's human appearance existed. He hadn't always been a monstrous, one-eyed bat. Was he just like the Vaati she knew now—pale skin contrasted with dark purple hair and red eyes? Slender but not tall, with facial features that were slightly feminine but only added to his handsome, elegant look? She let a ghost of a laugh escape. No, the historians wouldn't record it if the Wind Mage were handsome. They depicted him as the monster he had been.
"Link, take the sword." Father Gaepora's deep voice interrupted her thoughts. She quickly reached out, taking the sword in both hands. The priest also offered her a sheath, a simple blue one edged with gold borders. "We entrust the Four Sword to your care. Zelda will instruct you on how to harness the energy of the Force Gems. When it is restored, we shall know for certain if you are the chosen Hero, Link." He bowed his head. "The Goddesses bless you both."
Link and Zelda bowed respectfully in return. With that, the ceremony came to an end. Link lifted the sheathed sword, examining it. The worn hilt of the sword contrasted sharply with the brand-new sheath it was housed in. Who would suspect that this rusted sword in its simple sheath was one of the legendary blades of Hyrule? She tied it to her hip, feeling an instant sense of security when she did.
"If you're thinking it makes you look cool, it doesn't." Link turned at the voice, sticking her tongue out. Vaati had been standing a few paces away, along with Impa and Aveil, and he was staring at the sword hanging from Link's side critically. "Why don't you wear it on your back?"
"Shows how much you know about swords!" Link replied with a scoff. "You can't actually draw a sword from your back. At least, not one this long."
"So, you're saying you just have short arms. Like the rest of you."
To that, Link turned to Zelda, leaning forward and theatrically placing a hand near the girl's ear. "He's just jealous that I have a sword and he doesn't," she fake-whispered, more than loud enough for Vaati to hear. "And that we're going on a trip and he isn't."
She hit the mark; Vaati scowled at her fiercely in reply but didn't deny it. Impa had essentially placed him under house arrest at the Abbey for the rest of the break. Link and Zelda would be traveling together alone.
"Keep your eyes open," Impa warned them. "The Yiga will likely be watching you and might even try to prevent you from restoring the sword. Your safety is the priority, but don't allow them to steal or damage the sword, either. Contact me if there is an emergency."
"Send me lots of pictures of all the places you guys go," Aveil added with a smile, patting Link's shoulder. "I'll drill Vaati hard while you're gone, so just relax and have fun on your trip."
Link chuckled when Vaati sputtered in response to that. "Don't worry, I'll have lots of fun!" she grinned. Admittedly, she was a little disappointed that Vaati wouldn't be going with them, but she knew Impa wouldn't budge, so it wasn't worth pouting about. "I'll send you pictures, too," she told Vaati.
"Spare me," he replied sarcastically.
Zelda tapped the blonde on the shoulder. "Our train leaves soon, Link." They bid farewell and left the Sanctuary, the Four Sword swinging at Link's hip.
"Hey, so, what exactly happens when the sword is all restored and stuff?" Link asked Zelda after they'd been on the train for about fifteen minutes. The sword was currently strapped to her backpack and stored above their heads.
Zelda looked away from the window with a minute frown. "Well... it depends. It's possible that nothing will happen, other than the physical appearance of the sword changing. But more likely, it will split you into four copies. It is the Four Sword, after all."
"What, right then and there?! What if we're in a super public place and everyone suddenly sees four of me holding swords?"
"No, no, we'll make sure to finish the restoration back at the Sanctuary." Zelda gave a tiny laugh. "It would be very interesting to see four of you."
Link turned her head to the window, peering at her reflection. What exactly was it like to have three other copies of yourself? Would it be super confusing, or would they all get along well since they were the same person? She chuckled when she thought about Vaati and how he'd react if there were four Links. It might be worth it just to see his expression. "But only if I'm the Hero, right?" she turned back to Zelda.
The girl nodded. "That will tell us for certain if you are the Hero."
"What happens after I get split into four—I mean, if I get split. How do I go back to normal?"
"I assume you just place the Four Sword in its pedestal. That acts as a seal on its power, including the power to make copies of the user."
"So, I'll be four people the whole time the sword's not in the pedestal?"
"I think so."
The whole idea was really strange. Sure, it had its perks—Link could spar and train with herself, split up homework and chores, and maybe play some pranks—but there were also the problems of figuring out where they'd all sleep, and feeding all four of them, and just the general confusion from having four of her. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to worry about it. The sword would be restored, but she would remain the one and only Link, and the whole Hero idea could be tossed out the window.
"Wake me up when we get there, will ya?" Link asked Zelda, nudging her companion and then shifting herself so her head was leaning against the window. It wasn't long before the train's motion sent her off to sleep.
6:19pm
Location: Lake Hylia Hotel and Resorts
Link walked backward as she stared at the enormous domed ceiling of the resort lobby. It was painted like there was water above the dome, with various Zoras and fish swimming through the water. A glass chandelier extended down from the pinnacle, casting light that only amplified the underwater look. Only Zelda tapping Link on the shoulder saved her from plowing into others as she stared at the beautiful architecture.
"Hey, do you think we'll have time to go swimming?" she asked her companion excitedly. "I've heard the water slides here are intense!"
She quickly realized after the words left her mouth that she wouldn't be doing anything of the sort. Her cover as a guy had been successful so far, but going swimming was far too risky, even if she wore a top. Before Zelda could reply, she amended, "I didn't bring any swimming trunks or anything, though. Too bad! Next time, water slides!"
Zelda giggled at Link's energetic behavior. "Perhaps they have some at the souvenir shop. Water resorts often do. We need to check in first, though." She waved for Link to follow her to the front desk.
"Two rooms, please," she greeted the lady at the desk politely. Link opened her mouth to question why two instead of one, but then quickly remembered—again, as a 'guy', she couldn't exactly share a room with Zelda. Even after acting as a guy for four months, she still kept forgetting things like that sometimes. Then again, she didn't even think twice about sharing a room with Vaati. Maybe it was because it wasn't like anything would ever happen; he didn't seem like the type that would ever be romantically or physically interested in anyone, least of all Link.
They got a room on the sixth floor. Link took several pictures of the hotel as they walked back through the lobby to the elevators, then down the blue-carpeted halls to their adjacent rooms. They only paused briefly to drop off their things in their rooms before going back down, but Link quickly snapped shots of the jacuzzi tub in the bathroom and the giant flat-screen TV and a king-size bed. She sent all of them to Vaati with the caption: Feelin' the luxury. Be very jealous lol. Slinging the Four Sword, which was in a long bag with a strap, over one shoulder, Link trotted back into the hall.
She got Vaati's reply as she and Zelda were riding the elevator down. Don't spam me with pics. Is blue seriously the only color there? Cheesy
Zelda looked over at Link when she chuckled, tilting her head questioningly. "I'm trying to make Vaati jealous of the fancy hotel we get to stay in," Link explained, pointing to her tablet screen. "He just thinks it's too blue."
"You know, Link... I used to think he was a bad person," Zelda mused, looking down at the polished metal floor of the elevator. Link lowered her Sheikah slate, wondering why she'd brought that up all of a sudden. "And I would still say so—he was not a very good person when I first met him. But he's changed. He used to be full of... frustration, directed at everyone. There is a lot less of that inside him now. I think now, he is learning to care about others. In many ways, he acts the same as he used to, but I can tell that his heart is changing." She lifted her head to smile at Link. "It's thanks to you. You help Vaati become a better person." She pointed at the tablet. "You treat him as your friend, and in return, he's learned how to act as a friend, too."
Link stared at the black screen of her Slate for a long moment, before slowly grinning to herself. "You should tell Impa all that."
"I think she also sees how he has changed. But she doesn't seem like the type to soften up for anyone..."
"Yeah, actually, that's true. She never softened up on me until she was absolutely, positively, 100% confident in my abilities. It made me work really hard to get her approval. Maybe she's just doing that to make Vaati try harder. Can't tell him that, though," Link laughed.
The elevator came to a stop, the metal doors sliding open. Link and Zelda strode out into the hotel lobby. "Alright, to the ferry, right?" Link asked her companion.
Zelda nodded, and the two headed out of the hotel, walking down to the docks on Lake Hylia. Their first destination lay in the middle of the lake, on Hylia Island. There, the restoration of the Four Sword would truly begin.
