Ten years ago
Prince Erris hid under a table in his bed chamber, his bodyguard staying close, intermittently laying a hand on the shoulder of the terrified young boy. Off in the distance the sound of bombs exploding, men screaming, and horses running could be heard drawing nearer, the war was no longer an invasion of Hyrule as his father planned, it was now a fight to protect Labrynna. King Daltus Nohansen Hyrule was not a cruel man, but a fierce one, his land was attacked, and not only did he push the invaders back, he brought the fight to them, threatening to take what was theirs after their failed attempt at stealing what is his.
Erris looked up, watching his bodyguard pacing the room nervously, "Sir Volga, are we going to die?"
His bodyguard looked caught off guard, the light green of his eyes being visible just underneath the fringe of the helmet he wore, "Not if I have anything to say about it." he said calmly, doing his best to bring a feeling of safety to the young boy, but there was none to be had, tears rolled down his face as his bodyguard looked on, his nervousness growing. Labrynna's borders had been breached two weeks prior and already the Hylian forces had worked their way into the heart of Labrynna, fighting through town after town, with their fight now literally on the Castle's doorstep.
"Is my father dead?" the Prince asked quietly, keeping his face buried in his arms.
Sir Volga looked at the Prince, not sure what to say, he knew there was little to no chance of the King being alive, he joined his elite group of Knights in trekking to Labrynna's border, to help his soldiers defend it, with the fight being so close, he would have undoubtedly returned to collect Erris and move further away from the attacking force, but he hadn't. "I'm sure he's fine, busy defending the Castle is all." Sir Volga said, casting his gaze downwards, completely aware of his lie.
"Are you sure?" Erris asked, looking up at the tall man, clad in black armor, complete with the Ambi family crest, his white hair falling over it.
Before he could answer a loud banging came, shaking the chamber door. Sir Volga raised his spear, "Who's there?" he asked, adding a threatening tone to his voice.
"Sir Tallus, Sir!" the voice answered.
Sir Volga hastily undid the locks, allowing a contingent of guards entry. "What's this all about?" he shot, angry at their intrusion.
"We need your help, Sir Volga, the Hylian army, they've pushed passed the front lines, they're headed for us, you're the most skilled warrior we have, you're assistance is necessary!" the man answered, his panic showing through.
"You know I can't help, the King ordered me to stay here and guard Prince Erris, he is the heir to the throne and must be protected." he said, looking menacingly at his fellow Labrynnian Knight. "Get the Garo to help you." Sir Volga said as he turned towards Erris, the young boy's frightened look growing more serious.
"They are helping, currently the Garo are the only thing stopping the Hylians from entering the Castle, if we don't get the help we need, there will be no throne for Erris to take!" Sir Tallus shot at Volga.
It was true, the Labrynnian invasion of Hyrule was unprovoked, and done without warning, why the King had done it was anyone's guess, but there were surely no good reasons behind his sudden and quite massive decision, the King of Hyrule would be furious about this, and Volga knew just as well as all of the other Knights that Labrynna may soon become just another part of Hyrule. "Fine, my assistance is yours, but I must do one thing first." Volga said, walking towards the Prince. Kneeling down he placed a hand on his shoulder, "I must take my leave now, but only to protect the Castle, I will return, you have my word as a Knight." Sir Volga said, smiling at the young Prince.
Erris said nothing, continuing to stare at the floor, wondering if the Hylians would execute him, when suddenly he was distracted by a scraping noise. He looked up to see his bodyguard walking backwards around him, with his spear he was scraping a circle, complete with strange sigils into the ground. "What are you doing?" the Prince asked, his breathing heavy.
"This circle will protect you, it will form a magical barrier around you no weapon may pierce." Volga replied as he finished the circle. He tapped his spear against a sigil to Erris's right three times, and the circle began to glow, with a barrier of light shooting up around Erris. Volga walked to the door, joining the other Knights, with one last look, Volga nodded to the Prince, before the door was shut and magically sealed.
Erris waited all night, his heart pounding, he had heard the Hylian forces not just breach the Castle walls, but blow them down, he heard them enter the Castle, he heard men falling throughout the halls, the clanging of swords and screams echoing into his small chamber...until it all just stopped. There was no warning, no sound that let him know the battle was over, everything just went quiet, but not a calm quiet, it was a grim, dead type of quiet.
Erris every now and then gazed out of the window, seeing men far below pacing back and forth, it had been an entire day since he had seen Volga, or anyone for that matter, he slumped against the wall and slid to the floor, placing his face in his hands, his father, Volga, everyone he knew were almost definitely dead, could he be the only surviving Labrynnian citizen in the Castle? His stomach ached from hunger and his eyes felt heavy from sleep deprivation, but he paid no mind to this, only worried about what had happened to those he cared about, and being concerned about what would happen when he was inevitably found. He let sleep take him though, not being able to resist his fatigue.
He was awoken by the sound of yells from the courtyard below, he ran to the window, through which he could see men being executed far below, without a doubt Knights and other courtiers that survived. He felt sick, running over to a chair as fast as he could, he moved it closer the table in the middle of the room. Erris looked at the circle around him, it was the only safety he had. The Prince rested his head on the table, but soon shot bolt upright when a loud banging came at the door, the Hylians had found him, they were forcing the door open. Erris threw himself to the ground, placing his hand on a sigil right as the door blew open, the magic keeping it shut dispelling in a blue flash of light.
Erris couldn't see a thing through the barrier of light around him, but he could hear.
"Looks like we found someone, ey? Reckon it's the Prince?" a voice asked.
"Probably, considering we haven't found him yet, and that's a pretty powerful barrier spell protecting whoever's inside there." another voice answered.
Erris moved underneath the table as a ripple went through the forcefield, meaning someone touched it.
"Damn! That thing hurts!" the first voice said.
"Of course it does, it's pure magical energy formed into a solid construct meant to protect whoever's inside!" the other voice answered.
"Stow the attitude, Elgon!" the first voice said.
"Read a spellbook every now and then and I wouldn't have any reason to correct you, Viscen." the second voice retorted.
Erris covered his mouth and held completely still so as not to make a sound, not wanting to make it any more obvious he was there
"Hello? Anyone behind this barrier?" the first voice called.
Erris heard someone else enter, the two voices quieted, when the newcomer spoke.
"I assume you've found the Prince?" he asked, a tone of authority to his voice.
The two voices from before tried to answer at the same time, they both stopped mid-sentence, a silence following. Having seemingly worked it out, Erris heard the second voice answer, "We assume so, King Daltus, my Lord."
"The King? The King is here?!" Prince Erris thought, his heart pounding, he feared this may be his last day, as the King called for the barrier spell to be broken.
Within minutes another individual entered the room, soon, after an incantation, the barrier around Erris began to grow dim, it's form shimmering, it all of a sudden shattered like glass, each individual piece breaking into nothingness upon coming into contact with another object.
Erris struggled as he was dragged from the room, but what was an eleven year old boy to do against two full grown men, let alone Knights. The Prince grit his teeth as they held his arms, every now and then swearing when he'd make an escape attempt. Erris looked up, seeing a bearded face staring down at him, the man's hair was a golden color, his eyes a glowing blue, the Prince locked eyes with the man, not wanting what little authority he had left to be forgotten.
"Do you know who I am?" the man asked.
"King Daltus of Hyrule." Erris answered coldly.
"Good good." the man said, "Do you know why I'm here?"
"We attacked you, so you did the same." Prince Erris replied, the plain expression he had never changing.
"Smart boy, I see your father hasn't bothered lying to you, tell me, do you know why he attacked my land?" the King asked, keeping his eyes locked with Erris's. "He attacked because he coveted Hyule's beauty, it's diversity, he wanted the chosen land of the Goddesses." the King said without waiting for Erris to answer.
"I don't want it, I wish my father didn't either, that way he wouldn't be dead." Erris said, casting his eyes downward.
"What do you want?" the King asked.
"For you to leave us alone!" the Prince exclaimed.
Some of the men present laughed, with a look from the King making them shut their mouths immediately.
"Prince, what you're father did...it was not your fault, that much is true, I won't take Labrynna, I won't take your throne, it's all yours if you agree to one thing." the King said, his gaze seemingly looking into Erris's mind.
"What?" the Prince asked quietly, relieved he wasn't going to be executed, but still scared.
"You're father has taken you on walks through his troop's camps? Has he not? I've done so with my little girl many times...I see it as a way of showing my children how they live, giving them a respect for those who fight to protect them, I want her and her brother to appreciate the soldiers and Knights that have sworn allegiance to them...now...did your father do the same for you?" the King asked, his sharp gaze still upon Erris.
"Yes." Erris answered.
"When you were in those camps, did you notice things other people seemed not to, shadows darting around seemingly unseen, silhouettes attached to nothing?" the King asked.
Prince Erris knew immediately of what the King spoke, when he visited the Soldier's quarters with his father, he had not just seen Labrynnian soldiers, but strange beings flitting about, seemingly unnoticed by everyone, once or twice the Prince had seen a soldier interacting with one of the shadows, but when questioned his father claimed he didn't know what the Prince was talking about.
"Yes..." Prince Erris answered.
"Those things are minions of an ancient and terrible power...one that your father summoned to aid him in taking my land, that power's presence will bring desolation to Labrynna...will save your Land from it?" the King asked, furrowing his brow.
"My father would never do such a thing!" Erris exclaimed, "My father only wanted what was best for Labrynna, he would never threaten it in such a way!" Erris yelled, his anger building.
"My offer will expire soon, young Prince, and with it, your place as Prince of Labrynna, which will only remain if I decide not to take it after all, that is." The King said, his voice adopting a harsh tone.
Erris dropped his head, doing his best to hold back tears, "Whatever you want, I'll do it." Erris answered, wondering what they had in store for him.
The Knights restraining him descended the stairs into the main hall, pulling him with them. Other soldiers laughed as the Prince stumbled, and fell, the only thing keeping him upright being the Knights holding him, soon an enormous pair of black doors came into view, Erris's father had always told him never to go near these doors, and open it under no circumstances, not that he knew how to.
The King looked at Erris once again, readying himself to speak. "As a ruler you must make sacrifices for your people, there are hard decisions to be made, and great losses to be had, I needed to make sure you're willing to do so." the King said, looking downwards. "I'm sorry to teach you that at such a young age...and I'm sorry for what's about to be done.
The Prince pulled on his arms to free himself, but the Hylian Knights were strong, as they made it to the door Erris looked upon the bodies of fallen soldiers and Knights being carried out into the courtyard. The Prince almost looked away...until he saw it...Sir Volga's body lay on the floor, dried blood trailed from his mouth, while fresh blood still dripped from the numerous breaches in his armor. Prince Erris began to pull harder against the Knight's grip.
"Leave him alone! Leave my bodyguard alone!" he yelled, the soldiers barely acknowledging him until the King spoke.
"Leave him" the King said, with two soldiers moving away from Volga's body.
Prince Erris kept his eyes on Volga's unmoving body, doing his best to restrain another emotional outburst, soon enough though, he was distracted by the the doors unlocking, multiple molded metal bars and tumblers moving in and out of place, allowing the doors to swing open. From inside inhuman sounds came, roars it sounded like, the Prince was led in, still trying to look back at his deceased bodyguard, his attention was immediately brought forth, though, as he entered the room he stared ahead in abject horror, finding himself completely unable to move. With all the effort he had left he turned King Daltus Nohansen Hyrule, Erris's face revealing the terror he felt, the King looked down at the boy, who seemingly was unable to speak, his only words being. "I'm sorry."
oOo
Link held Zelda's hand tightly as she weaved through the crowds, ignoring the calls of Nobles and dignitaries, as the target of her search, her brother Audrik was proving strangely elusive, even though he had just been seen.
"Slow down for moment!" Link called as Zelda darted through the Great Hall, pulling him along with her.
Zelda came to a stop, turning to face Link, "Are you telling me the Hero of Legend can't keep up with a Princess in a ball gown?" she asked Link, closing her eyes, flashing the beautiful smile Link knew so well.
Link knew she was teasing, but couldn't help but take the challenge, "Fine then, back to our "quest" we go!" he said enthusiastically, sending his smile back at her. Before he knew it Zelda was off again, resuming her search for her brother, humming a slightly faster version of the Royal Family's song, the song he came to know as Zelda's Lullaby centuries ago.
"Princess, Princess!" a man called from their left, with Link almost running into Zelda, not expecting her to stop for him.
"Chancellor Lawrence, hello!" she said, giving a small smile.
The man eyed Link as he walked up, looking him up and down. "I must congratulate you Princess, my own marriage ceremony was great fun, I'm hoping for all the same and more for you and this fine specimen!" he said with a laugh, slapping Link on the shoulder.
"Ah yes." Zelda said as she wrapped an arm around Link's, "We met right here in this hall, many years ago, and we've been in love ever since." she said smiling at the the man. It was a half truth, they had met in the Great Hall most of their lifetimes, but not this one.
Link extended his hand, "Link Arrethron, glad to make you acquaintance." he said, giving the man a friendly smile.
"Link! A strong name indeed! I am Chancellor Lawrence Yuno of Holodrum! May I say, if my own son was old enough, I'm sure you would be quite the challenge when it came to winning the Princess's affections!" he said, laughing all the while.
Link laughed along with the man, even though it was mostly forced. "Thank you, I suppose." Link said to the man.
"I had no idea you had..err...such plans." Zelda said, an uncomfortable tone in her voice.
"I meant no offense Princess! Just saying, this is one fine fiance' you have here!" he said, "Well, I must go find my family, they've never been to Castle Town, and I'm sure they're finding the attractions just marvelous, bye for now!" he continued as he turned, departing for the time being.
"Well...he certainly was...nice." Link said, reflecting on the man's comments.
"He's quite the character." Zelda replied, a happy tone in her voice as she leaned her head on Link's shoulder.
"Princess Zelda?" a female voice came from behind them.
Link noticed Zelda's facial expression sour, before putting on a sincere looking smile as they turned around.
"Princess Kayala!" Zelda said, mock enthusiasm in her voice, "Tell me, how are things in Gamelon?"
"They go well, quite the opposite of how things usually seem in Hyrule." she said, a smirk forming on her lips as she twirled a strand of dark hair with her index finger.
Link felt Zelda's grip tighten, knowing she was becoming annoyed.
"As you probably know, we're in a state of peace and prosperity at the moment, I'm sure Gamelon is in a condition that's almost similar. Zelda shot back, her friendly tone and smile disguising the jab.
"Trust me, we know prosperity well." Princess Kayala replied, "By the way? What may I ask was that urgent matter you had to pull your brother away for?" she inquired, maintaining her smile.
"Family matters." Zelda replied, her eyes meeting the Kayala's.
Link looked on uncomfortably as the two Princesses locked eyes, their smiles slowly fading.
"I can't seem to find my bodyguard...mind if I borrow your fiance'?" Princess Kayala said, her smirk growing larger.
"I'm sure your bodyguard is asleep somewhere around here, I'll have my guards awaken him at once." Zelda replied, never losing her smile.
Princess Kayala scowled, "Bye for now Princess, I must find your brother and resume our conversation...as we were so rudely interrupted earlier." Princess Kayala said as she turned and walked away, her green dress swishing behind her.
"Of all the arrogant!" Zelda started, before placing her head in her hand, "She reminds me of how I was before I regained my memories." Zelda began, closing her eyes.
"Typical Princess, she is." Link said, holding Zelda close, "Something you're not" he added with a smile.
Zelda turned to Link, a smile finding it's way onto her face, she moved her face towards his, but stopped midway as she sensed a presence growing near.
"Sister! Mr. Link!" Audrik exclaimed as he came upon Zelda and Link, he looked up, seeing how close his sister and Link currently were, "Oh, I see you two were about to...uh..sorry for interrupting but...have you seen Princess Kayala? I lost her after you pulled me aside to talk...I did not know Deku-babas in the Castle Gardens was a problem, and I'm not sure what I can do about that, sister, I mean thanks for telling me and all but...back on the subject...do you know where she went?" Audrik asked with a smile.
"Audrik she's just-" Zelda said before Audrik cut in.
"Allow me to stop you there sister, but if a foreign Princess is giving me attention, I will gladly have it." he said with a laugh.
Link let out a short laugh before Zelda slapped him on the shoulder, shooting a glare at him before returning to Audrik.
"Sister, I'm not a child anymore, I can handle myself." he said, sending his smile at Zelda.
Zelda began massaging the bridge of her nose with her index finger and thumb, "Very well brother, last I saw her she was headed that way." Zelda said, pointing towards the eastern portion of the hall.
"Thank you, dear sister!" Audrik said before turning to Link, "Mr. Link, you were supposed to be my personal guard, were you not?"
"I accepted a promotion." Link said with a smile, looking at Zelda.
"'Tis alright, I was just teasing anyway, Sir Ginthorne agreed to be my bodyguard for tonight while Oren is busy watching over the Great Hall...he's quite fond of telling me about the time he beheaded a Bulblin commander...do you know this story?
"I believe I've heard once or twice." Link said smiling, not revealing he had seen the event take place.
"Ah, I see!" Audrik said looking from Link to his sister, "Well, off I go, wish me luck!" the Prince called as he ran off.
"Sorry he's so stubborn." Link said, "If my sister was chasing after someone I wasn't fond of I would do my best to put an end to it." Link said with a smile.
"Thank you for understanding...I can always count on you for that." Zelda said, nuzzling her face into Link's shoulder.
oOo
Prince Erris stood in what he believed to be the middle of the hall, Volga behind him, "Were they running from us?" he said, an amused inflection in his voice.
"I believe the Princess merely saw someone she wanted to speak to." Volga said plainly, slightly disappointed the Princess and Hero had disappeared into the crowd before he and Erris could make it to them.
"Well, I for one-" Erris started, the seer's stone in his pocket was flashing brightly, the Prince looked over at Volga, motioning towards the nearest exit into one of the interior halls.
The two started towards the doorway, with a Castle Guard trying to prevent them from doing so.
"Excuse me! Guests aren't allowed-!" the Guard exclaimed, falling silent the moment Erris placed two fingers on his forehead.
"Sleep." Erris said as the main slumped and fell. "Proud of me for not killing him?" Erris asked, turning to Volga, smirking, with the latter not responding.
Erris and Volga made their way down the hall until they could barely hear the festivities beyond. "What's this about?" Erris asked, as the seer's stone levitated to eye level. The stone dropped almost immediately, falling into it's inactive state. "What in the..?" Erris said, frustrated.
"Watch out!" Volga said, pushing the Prince behind him.
Prince Erris stepped up next to Volga, eyeing what was happening before them, "Of all people, I thought you would know I'm capable of defending myself, Volga." Erris said as he and his bodyguard looked on.
Before them black smoke poured from the cracks in the stone beneath them, building into a large cloud, and suddenly spinning and condensing before dispersing completely, leaving someone standing in the middle...Minister Ryos.
"My Lord." he said, bowing to the Prince.
"Ryos! This is neither the time or the place for this!" Erris exclaimed.
Volga stepped up, placing his gaze on the former Minister, "You're the most wanted man in Hyrule right now, and you come to Hyrule Castle in the middle of it's biggest event? This could jeopardize our operation. Your judgement is questionable, indeed"
"My apologies Masters Erris and Volga, but we must make our move now, he says so."
"Well, "he" doesn't give me orders." Erris said, moving closer to Ryos, "But it is sound advice.". Erris smiled at Volga as he tapped his seer's stone three times, waiting for the inevitable panic to erupt in the Great Hall.
oOo
Link watched as Cheif Darbraken strode away, his walk even resembling Darunia's. "He reminds of Darunia in every way...it's almost like we're back in the Mythical Age." Link said smiling.
"If we were, I'd have to tell off Ruto...again." Zelda said, giving Link a playful smile, she cuddled into him but was soon jolted upright by a scream from across the hall.
All around them Castle Town guards fell as the Labrynnian Guards turned on them, Link looked around to see the various Goron and Zora Guards were under attack too, the Goron's readying they're hammers while the Zora's took out their harpoons. The Clock town Guard formed a tight circle around Mayor Thadean Met while the Holodrum Guards fanned out to find the Chancellor and his family. It was then Link noticed them, shadows moved through the crowds, cutting down everyone in their path.
Zelda suddenly released Link's hand, sending a ball of fire flying towards a Labrynnian Guard, hitting him straight in the chest. "Link..the Labrynnians...my father was right.." she said, trailing off. "We have to find Audrik!"
Link drew his sword, giving it a spin before turning around to intercept a strike from one of the mysterious cloaked figures, it's eyes glowed green under it's hood. It flipped backwards, hopping from side to side, it's thin blades at the ready. It leapt backwards again, dodging a light arrow from Zelda. A ring of fire rose up around the Hero and the Princess, with the cloaked being hopping along it's borders.
"What is this...thing?" Zelda asked, her light bow in hand.
Link watched the way it hopped through the flames, it's glowing green eyes remaining on them, it had been long since he'd faced one in battle, he had hoped and had been rather sure that he'd never see one again, but here it was in front of him. Link looked over at Zelda, raising his shield, positioning himself between her and the strange being, "It's a Garo Warrior."
oOo
Chapter Fourteen has concluded! Here we had a look at Erris and Volga's backstory, quite a shared history they have! I hope this cleared up why Erris is such an angry person, just in case you didn't know already!
Lady Kiridia: Sneaky and good describes Erris well, he's overtly covert, if you will! You're right when you say he's going to be trouble, especially with Volga in tow, I thought the two would make great allies. As for keeping Volga in character, I just remembered a scene from Hyrule Warriors in which Zelda calls Volga out over his use of Cia's power, and his subsequent dismissal of it in favor of his own natural strength when she calls his Knightly honor into question, his code of honor really struck a chord with me, and that's why he's here in this story, even if his involvement is under different circumstances. I hope the loose ends I left gave you some room for theorizing! Thanks for the review!
I've also made some large edits to chapters one and two, cleaning up their structure and adding a few things here and there.
Shout out to Kunai94, XxNeo-ChanxX, and rilish for favoriting and following, thank you!
I'd really like to say thanks to all my readers, in just over a month my story is on the verge of 2000 reads! I'm grateful for your attention and I would just like to say that I never imagined my story would reach readers from The Netherlands, Australia, China and many other locations across the globe.
Thank you, and best of luck,
-Prometheus17