Chapter 7: Flee Hyrule Castle!
~The night before~
Link raced as fast as he could through the intricate maze of Hyrule Castle. Zelda's kidnappers already had a head start on him, but he was sure he could catch up to them. His mind raced with fearful thoughts for Zelda as he ran. He had only just got her back after one hundred years and yet again she was being taken away. She would surely be frightened, and he was not there to protect her yet again. He did not understand who was behind her kidnapping, or why they had even dared…what he did know however, is that they would soon be feeling the bite of his blade.
He raced back along the corridor that led him back to the banquet hall, increasingly agitated voices filling the air. His mind preoccupied solely by Zelda, he almost clattered with a dazed Purah. "Oh, sorry Linky, I... should really watch were I'm going. It's strange I really don't feel myself now". Link attempted to continue through the banquet hall but Purah grabbed his arm. "Oh, Linky! The Sheikah slate, have you seen it? I need it right away…I need to see if it holds any clues to this attack". Link could not think about the slate right now, he needed to find Zelda. "What?! Zelda's been kidnapped?!" Purah seemed to snap out of her daze quickly after the usually calm, silent Link rounded on her over having a more pressing concern. "No…that can't be possible!" she yelled as Link pulled away. "Impa took her upstairs shortly after you left the hall…" Link skidded to a halt, as cautious optimism came over him.
As he approached Purah, Impa walked into the room looking troubled. Link immediately rushed to her for confirmation. "Yes, it is true Link. Zelda is safe and sound. Although, someone really clobbered her hard around the back of her head. She is likely going to really feel that on top of a nasty hangover. I wouldn't like to be her in a few hours". Link went to race out of the hall after finding out where Zelda was located but Impa grabbed him by the arm. "Wait, Link there is something else you need to know!". Link turned and approached Impa, feeling frustrated that he was being kept from Zelda. "Look I know you want to see her but…you can't…none of us can". Fear started to creep into Link's resolve, which was an exceedingly rare emotion for the Hylian warrior to feel.
"Listen…" Impa said, her voice lowering. "Don't you see how some people here are behaving really odd?". Link glanced around to see Hyrulian guests boring into him with pure hatred in their eyes. An eerie, unnerving atmosphere began to choke the room. "The soldiers on the floor above are like it too!" Impa whispered. "Shortly after I left Zelda in the room upstairs, a town guard appeared behind me and demanded I leave immediately. He was quite aggressive, so I did as"- Link shot the Sheikah warrior an incredulous disapproving look, while reaching for his blade. "Oh, come on Link don't be a fool!" she scolded in a rare retort. "Just look around you! You think these people were like this a few hours before? They are still Hyrulians not monsters, and we are not murderers!".
"She's right Linky" Purah added. "This isn't malice we are dealing with, even though…that clearly is". She pointed towards a spot nearby on the floor, where a shattered urn like object lay in a puddle that was evidently malice. "I saw that perched on the edge of the balcony; those people were going to get the drop on you and Zelda with it. However, Sidon was about to successfully push you out of harm's way, so they seemed to opt for a 'Plan B' instead. Thankfully neither worked" she concluded. "Or maybe it did…" Impa corrected, still focused on the increasingly agitated crowd. "The castle is clearly succumbing to some sort of curse, the likes of which we have never seen before". "Then why bother with the malice?" Purah quizzed. Impa glared at Purah, as if telepathically reminding her of her unnaturally long, life profession. "Which is on me and Robbie to find out…speaking of which, where the heck is that nerd…and where on earth is the Sheikah slate?". Purah began to search the room grumbling to herself.
Impa turned to Link. "Link listen to me. I know you are worried about Zelda but let me handle getting her out of here. These people for whatever reason are responding quite badly to your presence. My guess is the curse wants us to be forced to spill blood tonight. Let us not give our unwelcomed guests the satisfaction". Link nodded reluctantly. "Oh, oh no! Noo no no no no no nooooooo!" Purah's wails suddenly filled the air. "What is it?!" Impa exclaimed startled, rushing over to her.
Purah turned to face them, tears pouring down her cheeks. She held up a weird looking tiny gear. "What is that?" Impa quizzed. "It's Robbie's pendant! Fashioned from a guardian gear. Robbie never would have left willingly without this around his neck!" she sobbed. Link suddenly remembered he was chasing after an abductee and in his relief that Zelda was safe, realised looking back that they did not match Zelda's build at all.
"So, Robbie is the one that has been kidnapped! Its all my fault!" Purah sobbed. "Not sure how you came to that conclusion but try not to panic yet. They clearly need him alive for something, that gives us time to find him!" Impa reassured. "Link, as I said before please let me handle Zelda. I think I may know how this curse works. You head out to town, see if you can gain any witnesses to the kidnapping!". Link nodded. "Purah have you found the slate?" she asked. "Y-yes" Purah stammered, clutching the slate. "I-Impa…" Her face was ashen as she turned the slate to face Impa. Impa read the words carefully on the screen. Anti-calamity protocol initiated…Divine Beasts reactivated. Impa looked horrified. "Purah…we have to be quick. Whatever this is, we are running out of time. We need clues fast!".
Purah swept the Sheikah slate across the agitated Hyrulians. "Still Hyrulian, no detection of malice corruption. This is definitely something different we are dealing with here" she confirmed. Purah then swept it across the puddle. "Definitely malice" she said softly. "What about the weird urn?" Impa asked. Purah trained the slate across the urn. "Anything?" Impa pressed. "No…its…what is going on with this darn thing?" she slammed her hand on the Sheikah slate repeatedly, as its screen began to flash and glitch. "I think this thing has seen better days!" she huffed.
Link having gathered he had seen as many clues here as he was going to get, began to head out of the hall. The crowd's growing agitation being a factor in his decision. However, he was immediately stopped by the four light keepers who now made their way into the room. "Impa there was a Hylian by the docks being controlled by malice!" Riju said. Teba brushed past her, his face flashed with a look of worry. "Saki, oh my sweet angel!".
As he rushed forwards to hug her, she suddenly struck him hard across the face. "Get away from me you traitor!" she seethed. "Saki, what the heck is wrong with you?!" Teba yelled, his eyes wide with shock. Meanwhile, Yunobo had tried to approach his fellow Gorons and received a sucker punch right to the gut. He lay on the ground winded. "Guys get back!" Impa commanded. As Teba and Yunobo scurried away. "What in the world is going on?" Sidon said softly. His eyes wide with concern.
"Something dark is at work in these walls." Impa answered. "Whatever these intruders unleashed, it has really done a number on our guests". "How come we are unaffected?" Teba said rubbing his face looking horrified. "That is what we are trying to determine" Impa responded. "Whatever this is, the Sheikah slate wants none of it. However, I would hazard a guess that…we are affected, at least indirectly". She circled, keeping a close watch on the agitated guests as the tension continued to mount. "Purah and I are of strong mind and spirit as Sheikahs, it would make sense for us to be resistant to the curse".
"As for you five, you are agents specifically chosen by Zelda and thus by proxy, divine order. It would make sense for you all to also be resistant on that basis alone". She drew a deep shaky breath. "Yet, we are not unscathed by this curse. Just look around you. Whoever did this, is letting us know their reach extends within the castle itself and as for the timing…Zelda's coronation. It is a message that Hyrule can easily be turned against her!". "Ugh, I am wasting time here, Robbie needs me!" Purah yelled in exasperation shoving the Sheikah slate into Impa's hands. "I have books and the urn's symbols look oddly familiar; I am heading home! I just need a fragment of that urn". She took a couple of steps forwards…
Suddenly the mob began to grow incensed and closed upon her. "Purah! Get away! Nooo!" Impa howled. The mob immediately launched onto Purah. Luckily, her childish build saved the Sheikah woman's life, as she slipped out of the clutches of the violent throng largely unscathed. However, her hand was now dripping with blood as she held a jagged fragment of the urn. "Let's get the heck out of here!" Impa yelled.
They began fleeing the banquet hall however, Teba quickly launched himself towards Saki. "Teba leave her, c'mon man!" Yunobo yelled. "Never!" Teba growled. "Yunobo is right Teba! We don't know the extent of this curse!" Impa pleaded. "She is my wife! You can all go ahead if you want to, but I am not leaving without her!" Teba shot back defiantly. The crowd quickly advanced towards him. "Guards, detain them, hurry!" Impa yelled knowing full well they did not stand a chance. One by one, guards rushed into the room only to be felled like trees. However, their sacrifice allowed Teba to escape with his wife draped kicking and screaming over his shoulder. "Hylia forgive me", Impa uttered anguished under her breath.
They made their way cautiously down the main pathway towards the large iron gates of the castle. Everywhere they looked, danger seemed to be lurking. This curse really has had the desired effect. Impa mused anxiously to herself. They encountered no resistance, however. That is, until they reached castle town itself. Suddenly, they found themselves being approached by a torch mob. Here too! "Split up!" Impa commanded. "Yunobo, guard Teba and Saki with your life, understand?". "You got it!" Yunobo barked back. "Riju you will be with Purah, Sidon you are with Link". "It would be a pleasure to fight by his side again!" Sidon said with his award-winning smile. "Remember guys, moderate force! These people do not know what they are doing, they are just as innocent in all of this as we are!". "Wait a second, Impa what about you?" Riju asked looking worried. Impa took a deep breath.
"I'm staying here" she said flatly. "What?" "No! "You mustn't!". Everyone protested. "Enough!" Impa barked. "Right now, Zelda is out of action, but I know for an absolute fact she would want you all far away from here!". "I will stick around and get her out of here as soon as I can, now go!". They all split without question. Impa remained behind as the mob closed in from the town and the castle behind her. Slowly, she unsheathed her blade which rang through the air like a warrior cry. She focused her mind and sharpened her senses. Then the blows came.
She parried whilst resisting her natural urge to follow up. Leaping acrobatically, she outmanoeuvred her attackers carefully deflecting their attacks. Finally freeing herself from the crowd, she now had an unimpeded path to Hyrule castle gates behind her and the swelling mob in front of her. Taking a deep breath, she turned and ran as fast as she could, the mob in close pursuit. Diving through the gates, she whipped round and prayed the Sheikah slate was still operational. Summoning Magnesis, she slammed the iron gates shut just in time, as the crowd roared in fury. Panting heavily to herself she shakily got to her feet, thanked Hylia and hurried back towards the castle.
Elsewhere, Link and Sidon worked in unison. Link deflected attacks whilst Sidon used his ceremonial trident to sweep the attackers legs from underneath them. He shot Link an assertive glance. "To think my dear friend, I was going to leave this thing behind today! Zelda insisted I took my Trident for ceremonial purposes, I guess it does not get more symbolic of defending Hyrule than this!" He chuckled optimistically. Link could not help but smile, even in these dire moments. He was so glad to be paired up with Sidon; the camaraderie was bountiful.
Elsewhere, Purah ducked and dodged, feeling in danger at all angles. The mob hurled improvised spears her way, only for them to be met with a closer than comfortable midair slash from Riju's scimitar. Purah thanked her short height. She was sure a couple of inches taller, and she would have been diced and skewered by both ally and foe. After what felt like an eternity, they were the first ones to leave the town. After sensing a strange air of safety, they collapsed on the ground panting heavily. Purah winced as feeling started to emerge in a nasty looking slash on her hand.
Close by, were Teba, Saki and Yunobo. Crowd members attempted to rush Teba and his wife only to get mean right hooks from their Goron bodyguard. There were many close calls, where Yunobo was so glad he still had the power of Daruk's protection. Despite Saki thrashing around and hitting her husband violently, Teba never faltered. He rushed through almost completely blind to what was going on around him. Pure determination ran through his mind of getting his wife to safety, his own safety be damned. Finally, they reached the edge of town but not before a rock went hurtling Teba's way. As it hurtled towards his head Yunobo sacrificed himself, having exhausted Daruk's protection and took the rock with a terrible bang. He fell to the ground as everything around him went dark.
Coming to, he saw everyone stood around him with looks of relief on their face. "He's finally come round" Teba's voice rang out softly. "Mmmph, where…. where am I? Are we still in town?" he said weakly. "Na Kid, we made it out. All thanks to you!" Teba was beaming, his face filled with extreme admiration and gratitude. He grabbed the Goron in a tight embrace, apologising as Yunobo winced. "You saved me and my wife from a surely nasty end. I am in your debt Yunobo. You truly are a hero among your tribe!". "Don't mention it man" Yunobo said with a soft smile. "I'd happily do it again…although with less rock this time, unless it's the edible kind". Teba laughed heartily. "Well, I can tell you are going to be okay and by the grace of Hylia, so is Saki".
The Rito's wife now appeared to be free from the curse, not remembering anything. "Oh, Teba sweetheart, why are we outside in this terrible wet and cold darkness? Shouldn't we be indoors celebrating with Her Majesty?" she said dazed. "No, my love. It is time to head home now, we had a lovely evening. However, we really should be heading back to the little ones. Come now". Putting a wing around her he headed off down a path. He turned slowly. "Guys, I will come to your aid soon I swear it. However, those of you who have kin elsewhere, go be with them for now because I have a bad feeling something dark is coming". He then disappeared into the distance.
"He's right, I have to go warn the Gerudo while there is still time" Riju said heading off. "As Teba said guys, I will be here in a flash when needed. Link, please be careful". Sidon turned to Link, his bright optimistic smile guarding deep concern. "Link, let's get Yunobo out of this ghastly weather!". They hauled the Goron up with great difficulty. "Guys I'm fine!" Yunobo said taking a couple of staggered steps before falling flat on his face. "Come on hero, you aren't fit to climb the mountain in this state. There's an inn nearby" Sidon said helping Yunobo to his feet once more. They escorted him to the inn and Sidon very kindly paid for a deluxe comfy bed. The innkeeper wincing as it almost gave way under the now content Goron.
"That just leaves us three!" Sidon said with a smile. "I am guessing you will be waiting in close proximity to the castle Link, I will escort Purah home". He grabbed Link in a brotherly embrace slapping him on the back. "Trust in Impa Link and above all else trust in Zelda. Whatever evil comes this way, she will send it packing and we will all be close behind in support! Cheerio for now!". As Sidon and Pura left, she grabbed Link's hand. "Please, find Robbie!" she pleaded. Link nodded. However, anxious thoughts began to haunt him as he pondered why they could possibly want the Sheikah genius. Now he waited, alone. Gazing out nervously towards a besieged Hyrule Castle.
~Present~
I must act fast. Impa mused. She had now worked out the secret of the curse. She had a hunch the minute she had an altercation with the town guard. However, she now had the concrete confirmation she needed. The curse did not carry the intelligence of the caster. In other words, the curse was not being actively monitored by the caster themselves and was forged based on limited pre-existing parameters. The information was how close an individual felt to Zelda at any given time. It was based largely on individual actions, seemingly locked to Link, the light keepers and her. They must have been watching us prior to this! Impa mused.
Impa found that when she faked her feelings towards Zelda to a curse victim, the curse cracked, and individuals were no longer hostile towards her. This essentially allowed her to trick her way to Zelda. However, her heart hurt as she knew to get Zelda out…she had to appear against her.
First things first, she had to make sure their getaway was set up. Heading cautiously to the docks, she found no boat. She remembered Link telling her that the invaders escaped this way. Praying to Hylia that this would not end up being incredibly stupid, she used Cryonis to create several large pillars of ice. She leapt awkwardly between them, slowly making her way out of the cave. Her heart raced as she followed the moat in the footsteps of last nights attackers, praying that the guards that manned the retrofitted manual guardian canons were not cursed. Making her way to the shore in one piece she breathed a sigh of relief, noticing that the boat had not been destroyed by the intruders.
Making the same nerve-wracking journey back, she moored the boat and headed back towards the door. She glanced up anxiously at an elevated opening that led to the secret exit from the sanctum, not even noticing someone on the floor in front of her. She tripped, crying out in alarm without even thinking. Grabbing her sword and whipping around she was shocked to discover a cowering, shivering, seriously ill looking man on the floor. Regaining her composure, she sheathed her sword and crouched down next to the man. This must be the Hylian Riju was telling me about she mused. She could imagine that the lightkeepers had come to get her or Purah fearing for the man's wellbeing but ended up preoccupied with the escape.
"It's okay", she said reassuringly. "I am here to help". "H-h-help" the man said weakly. "That's right help" she reassured. "M-m-moon" he responded. Moon? "M-m-moon-ga". "Moonga?" Impa repeated after him. "I don't know what Moonga is but either way I am getting you out of here!". She helped the strange man up who cried in pain. Poor thing looks utterly exhausted. She thought sadly. Whoever these people are they will pay for this! She helped him to the boat and bundled him in the cloth she found him in. "Stay here okay, I will come back for you" she said with a warm smile. "S-st-stay, p-p-please s-stay" the man stammered. Impa's eyes pricked as her heart filled with pity. "I will be back soon sweetie; I need to rescue another person!".
Making her way upstairs she had delivered the note and item with ease having faked her disgust for the Queen of Hyrule perfectly. Though hearing Zelda's anguished cries did not make Impa feel any better. Now she lay in wait.
Zelda, meanwhile, had now figured out two parts of the cipher. The castle was under a dark curse, that much was evident. Robbie had been kidnapped and it had something to do with the Divine Beasts. However, drink, signal, escape was still a little vague. I must wait for a signal to escape…but what do I drink? She looked at the disgusting looking food on the tray. That is not exactly a drink and there is no way I am consuming that. She mused. Making her way over to the tray, she dug her hands in the slimy, gross looking contents looking for a vial of some kind. She found none. Groaning in disgust she picked up and hurled the bowl. The guard laughed smugly…but so did his prisoner. An indentation in the tray was revealed under the bowl and it contained a vial.
Judging by the colour and smell, she recognised it as a 'hearty elixir'. Gulping down the contents, just like magic her headache and weakness was gone. She felt her power returning to her. She waited for a few hours anxiously. Then suddenly…footsteps. "Ahh Impa, is it really time for the spoilt little girl to let the adults take over?" Gadagen said cheerily. "It most certainly is, please can you unlock the door for me, and we will get ready?" Zelda readied herself. The door opened and she was met with Gadagen's condescending smile. Zelda frowned angrily and she raised a hand. "I'll give you 'Your Highness'!" she yelled. A beam of brilliant golden light shot out of her hand slamming Gadagen hard against the wall. Goddesses that felt good!
Making her way out of the room, she launched herself at Impa hugging her tightly. Gadagen growled furiously. Getting to his feet suddenly his armour began to peel away, revealing a vicious terrifying looking skeletal beast with eerie purple eyes. "Your Majesty, run!" Impa yelled grabbing her by the hand. They sprinted through the maze-like castle, while the beast formerly known as Gadagen pursued them relentlessly. He was eventually joined by a small crowd of other corrupted beast-like guards. Zelda occasionally turned, hurling sacred energy behind her which knocked over objects tripping a few of them successfully. I am so glad the rest of them are out of the castle! Impa thought gratefully. Suddenly, Zelda lost her footing and tripped.
The beasts soon were upon them. Zelda whipped around panicked and shot a bolt of light from her hand staggering them however, it did not knock them down completely. One had quickly recovered and began its advance once more. Why isn't this working?! Just as it bore down on her, Zelda heard a low growl and bark. Suddenly, out of nowhere a ball of fur launched onto the beast knocking it over and mauling it viciously. Nayra! "Nayra, such a good girl! Come now!" Zelda yelled as Impa helped her to her feet. Zelda's beloved companion obediently responded following her and Impa through the casle maze.
Making their way up to the sanctum, they sprinted as their terrifying pursuers roared out menacingly having recovered. Impa had to suddenly stop herself and catch Zelda in the process who nearly went plunging down a shaft into the mysterious chamber below. It had been discovered several years ago during Link's fight with Calamity Ganon and still, almost nothing was known about it. For a moment, Zelda stared into the deep abyss below weirdly captivated. An ominous feeling emanated from it, but she was not quite sure why.
"Zelda come on we are running out of time!" Impa yelled. Snapping to, Zelda made her way anxiously round the edge of the abyss to a wall tucked into an alcove. They both hauled themselves against the wall which slowly began to give, moving inwards and creating a small opening. Nayra looked on cautiously, her hackles raised as she let out a low growl. A cold draft began to blow through. Sensing their pursuers close by they heaved again more panicked until the wall gave enough for the trio to slip through. Hands shaking, both Impa and Zelda hauled the wall shut just in time to avoid detection. "Where did they go?!" angered, unnatural voices rang out. "Darn filthy Hylians! We are done for when master finds out!". Eventually the voices faded and Zelda and Impa breathed a sigh of relief.
They headed down to the docks where they found the boat and the wounded Hylian. "Impa…who's this?" Zelda said softly. "Someone innocent caught up in this mess" Impa replied. "I don't yet know who he is, but he needs help desperately. He was covered in malice and will likely die if we do not help him soon. He is the only lead we have to Robbie's potential whereabouts". Zelda looked on at the man sadly. "I am so sorry; this is all my fault". They all climbed into the boat awkwardly, Nayra leaping in and licking his face excitedly. As she did the man turned to her cradling her head in his hands. "M-m-moon-ga-ga-ga-Gano" "Try not to speak" Impa said softly. "It will all be okay soon".
They headed out of the castle. As they left, Zelda turned to face it. A sense of dark foreboding filled her heart.
~Note: Recent edit to this chapter so Nayra escapes too. Can't believe I was going to have Zelda leave her behind! ~