Chapter 47

The Final Guardian: Thunderbird

Here I was, once more in the hall by the door of the final guardian. The locked tall door in front of me was the same beautiful gold as the key that I have found. I felt intimidated and small standing in front of it like the door was patiently waiting to engulf me. I looked back behind me, where the elevator was still resting on the floor. The hall was so quiet and almost in a peaceful way. There were no calls, footsteps, or cries that could be heard from here, almost like the palace was completely empty.

But I was not at peace. I won't deny it; I was terrified. Images from my nightmares raked my mind. Ganon was roaring, throwing weapons and punches, and taking pillars and walls down. Since the start of this journey, I've been haunted by Ganon. I was afraid of encountering him again.

It's not possible. I shook my head, chasing his image from my mind. I've just had a few nightmares, but that doesn't mean he's back. If somehow, he was back, his minions would have stopped chasing me long ago. He's still dead, and unless his minions spilled my blood first, he'll remain dead.

I breathed a deep breath, tasting a cleaner air than what was back in those tunnels, and calmed my mind and focused on the door ahead of me. Once I enter that door, I will be standing face to face with the guardian, and once that happens, there's no turning back.

I straightened and brought the golden key before the door. It exposed the room as it opened from the middle, separating the keyhole, and the deep, but yet smooth rumbling, sent an echo through my spine as either side of the door slid in place a bit in the wall, still remaining mostly revealed.

My heart began to pound all the louder as I forced my feet to walk forward into the room. Light spilled in from the hall behind me, and dimly lit up the room. It was quiet, and the look of light resting on the ground and walls in front of me seemed unfitting like the chamber was supposed to remain in the darkness. Not a creature stirred, not even the guardian… The chamber was big enough for such a battle. The ground was unobstructed and solid, save for a single podium near the back of the room. No golden carpet crept into this chamber.

There was suddenly a soft rumbling that ended in a loud slam behind me and the room became as dark as it was for probably hundreds of years. The door behind me has closed, leaving me trapped in the guardian's chamber. But I remained calm and was already reaching into my bag to produce the magic candle when a torch on the wall lit up for no discernable reason, but that wasn't the only one.

One by one, the torches mounted on every wall in very random positions lit aflame until the room was brighter than the light that used to leak in from the door. I stopped and completely forgot that I was trying to find the candle in the first place. A screech wrecked the air and a strong beat of wings forced a strong wind in my face. I could only stand and watch as the guardian lowered itself from the air and onto the podium.

Sure enough, it was not Ganon, and while that gave me an internal sigh of relief, this creature was quite intimidating. It was a large, monstrous bird, and it looked a lot alike the fotail I saw earlier, but this one was a bright yellow instead of a red and its feathers ruffled peacefully as electricity jumped around it like a protective barrier. There was no way I could approach it safely, not while it was protected by that lightning.

It stared at me sternly, but intelligently, with its round bird eyes. It then lifted itself easily into the air and waited patiently like it was inviting me to the fight. This was the guardian protecting the Triforce? I wondered where it was being kept then.

That was a question I should ask later, for now, I needed to focus on the guardian. But how can I even reach it beyond that electric barrier?

The air whipped around in front of those strong wings, and after seeing my tactics and unwillingness to come any closer, the yellow fotail, that thunderbird, was becoming impatient and chose to take the next attack. It floated away from the podium and began to spit fireballs. I can't say I saw that coming. An electric bird with fireballs? I somehow managed to turn out of the way in time to avoid the first one, and brought up my shield for any more. I had to find some sort of strategy, or I wouldn't even be able to strike back once!

I could smell the tingling heat, both from the fire and from the electricity, as I crouched down, huddled under my shield and hopelessly trying to come to a conclusion for my dilemma. The forced air threatened to push me over and blew my hair over my eyes. The Thunderbird flew closer to me, and now I could feel the electric presence, hear it cackle, and saw tiny, leaping blue lines. It was now unsafe to be so close to it, but, in my stance, I would be unable to flee from it in time.

In defense, I lowered my shield so it was in front of me, and I also took my sword and threatened the guardian. But my threats were might as well empty, because the Thunderbird didn't stop, and didn't even flinch! I had no choice, as the bird flew closer, I ducked behind my shield and stabbed ahead. Then, the tingling started from my sword but quickly spread through the rest of my body.

I had no control! I couldn't even move and just uselessly dropped both my sword and shield to the ground. Luckily, the Thunderbird was done with its attack and flew over me to the other side of the room. In the meantime, I had no choice but to wait until my muscles would respond again. It didn't take long for the shaking to stop, but I was left with a burned feeling inside and out. The first move I made was to slowly bend down to pick up both the shield and sword. The Thunderbird made no move to stop me.

I turned around to face my foe. That electricity was too much of a barrier. I needed to find another way to fight it. I instantly started thinking about all the spells I have learned on this journey. That was the only other strategy I could think of. Meanwhile, the Thunderbird was not in a hurry to stop my plans, like it knew it was invincible. That gave me time to think and realize that there was, in fact, one more spell I had that I never used. But "Thunder" was the strongest spell I had, and the toughest to cast. Should I bother? I wasn't sure, it was more advanced, and way above my skill level.

I inhaled and spoke the words that I remembered from the scroll. I remembered staring at the Thunderbird upon finishing, and in turn, seeing it tilting its slender head in confusion back at me. But other than that, nothing happened. The Thunderbird was done waiting for me and flew up-close yet again. I saw the charge coming and rolled away in time to avoid being hit. Now what? I thought when I turned back again to watch the guardian. I was not powerful enough to cast "thunder", but that still seemed to be my only chance at surviving. There was no possible way to strike the guardian! Already, I was tired and still burned by the shock of lightning, and yet, the bird remained unharmed.

My opponent turned around upon missing me, its screech bounced off the walls, and it began to beat its wings furiously. A strong wind kicked up and swirled dangerously in the chamber. I squinted and was trying not to fall back. The wind whipped all around me like dull blades and roared along with the massive wings of the beast. I held up my shield and backed off, but that was not much help, seeing how the wind was trapped and was almost constant in every area of this room. "Thunder" was my only chance!

It was now or never.

The spell was once again flowing through my memory. I held onto it and allowed it to build into my very being until it was to the point of exploding. To be heard above the angry wind, I had to let the spell go all at once. I contested with the roaring of the wind and screeching protest of the bird as I not only spoke, but felt the spell of thunder, and let it fill my lungs so I could send it above the noise and across the chamber. The words tasted of power, and as soon as that power left me, I could hear at once the thunder collecting above us. The Thunderbird's electric barrier started to react and buzz, but the bird continued flapping its wings. I squinted and looked up to where the thunder rumbled.

Dark clouds from nowhere were forming quickly above us, and the electric barrier over the Thunderbird began to leap around so much that it looked more like the shape of fire than around barrier. The roaring thunder suddenly struck a loud chord and huge yellow bolts of lightning shot down right on the Thunderbird.

There was a bright white flash from the impact, and I had to cover my eyes. A thumping boom followed the quick light and turned into a weakening buzzing sound. I then noticed that the dark clouds from "thunder" were breaking up and disappearing. I brought my arm back down to see what happened to the Thunderbird. The smell of heat lingered in the room, but the beast was still standing, however, the first thing I did notice about it was its color, for it was now a lifeless brown instead of its gorgeous yellow. I no longer saw the leaping lines on its body… Did "thunder" take away its barrier? The guardian was unharmed and was still full of energy despite being struck from the spell. However, it did seem slightly upset with the occurrence and had stopped stirring the wind.

There was only one way to know if it was truly defenseless now. I ran towards it, shield and sword leading. The beast lifted back into the air and flew away from me. It knew it was vulnerable! I turned and cast "jump" and ran back to it once again. It flew backward, but I was already leaping up above it. I came back down to hit the beast upon the head. The guardian was large, and my tiny sword left a good enough cut that it bled, but wasn't able to bring the Thunderbird down.

I fell back down to the ground and by then, the Thunderbird spat more fireballs in my direction. I jumped back, yet again nearly missing one. The Thunderbird was angry and it came after me with all speed and left a few dull feathers floating behind it. I ducked low to the ground and felt the air forcibly following the beast. I looked back up but caught myself from standing, and instead lifted my shield above me, for the beast was returning, it was slower, but this time it flew over me showering balls of fire wherever it went.

The heat around the spheres was intense, and I worry that I would be set aflame! I waited for the bird to fly away from me once more before quickly getting to my feet and jumping straight up. The oncoming guardian was able to stop short though and backed away; I fell straight down to the ground. Thunderbird did not stop there however and shot more fire. I quickly tried to block it with the shield, but I had reacted too late, and I was sent backward to the ground.

My sleeve and skin burned. Fire came raining down once more, luckily, the flames that burned me were easily snuffed out and I had time to roll out of the way of the oncoming fires. I got back up to my feet and held the shield before me. I waited for a few of the missiles to crash hopelessly against me before taking my chance to jump and soar towards the beast's face.

The creature tried to escape me by flying up, but I was close enough that I grabbed onto its leg and climbed up so I could stab at its belly. More feathers shook free, and the Thunderbird desperately tried to shake me off. I held on tight and tried to continue the attack. But it was difficult to hang on and strike when the beast was moving around so much, and with one last shake, my hand slipped free and I fell back to the floor.

The Thunderbird was evidently tired and wounded, however, and rested its wings by landing on the smooth ground. But now I didn't have to fight any more of the forced wind from those wings. I charged ahead, but nearly ran into a sharp-edged beak! I felt it puncture and slide down the upper of my sword arm. I backed up, gripping the wound.

I was prepared to cast "life", but I couldn't spare even a moment, for the Thunderbird leaned forward and released more fireballs. I held up the shield and blocked any approaching missiles, then it stomped on its talons and came forward. I couldn't risk another peck. I backed away again. Both of us were tiring and wounded. The battle for the fate of the Triforce of Courage was about to end, one way or another.

To my dismay, I felt the smooth wall, very unlike the dankness of darkened chambers before, push against my back, allowing me to back away no further. I pressed my back up against it.

I stared up at the beast as it towered over me, fear gripping my stomach as the stone wall behind me refused to give in. The Thunderbird leaned back, ready for its beak to pierce through me, and then it called a shrill cry that rumbled loudly through my ears and shook my soul. I acted upon the surging instinct that ran through my blood, and as soon as I saw that sharp beak speeding for me, I jumped and rolled to my right, successfully avoiding an attack that would have killed me.

The Thunderbird shrieked as it rammed its beak right into the hard floor. The impact sounded painful, and I thought that maybe the beast managed to break the floor and had its beak stuck in the stone. But as I turned, I saw that the floor stayed strong, however, the Thunderbird had its eyes clenched shut, and it was like it tried to simply shake off the pain in its beak. Now that the guardian was distracted, it was the best of time to strike!

I ran up to the Thunderbird while it still had its head down. I stabbed with all the remaining strength in my wounded arm and ignored the maddening protest of the throbbing muscles and spilling blood. The Thunderbird accepted the hit and its shrill voice fell silent. I pulled back on my sword and kept it close as I waited to see what the guardian would do next. The seconds droned by like minutes as I wondered if the Thunderbird still had enough strength to fight.

But the battle was over, and it fell forward with a thud as its heavy body collided with the floor. That was it… The true battle for the Triforce was won! I stared down at the fallen guardian, feeling astonished that the second quest in my life was done and that Zelda will be awoken!

I was filled with joy and victory! The pain in my arm was quite forgotten at that moment, and even more so when sudden scrapping of stone sounded across the other side of the room. A door that I never knew was there was revealed as part of the wall slid out of sight. A thin door frame remained, a smaller form of the one I just entered before the fight. Is that where the Triforce was?

I approached, but the closer I came to it, the more curious I became. Something was wrong. I didn't know what it was, but this felt off. Surely it was only in my head, right? I've defeated the guardian, I was done, I was heading home with the Triforce...

The door was locked...

I examined it for only a moment before bringing the key I found in New Kasuto out. It fit perfectly as the last one did. But the click that sounded rang like a minor chord through my head. And as the door opened slowly, my heart stopped.

The Triforce was at the other end of the room, sitting between a few pillars on either side, and a thin red carpet ran to it. I've seen this before, I've battled Ganon here just last night. It was the very same chamber. Does this mean Ganon really is alive? Was this a sign my worst fear came true?