It soon became apparent that the evacuation efforts were nearly complete. Link had been focusing on the oncoming storm for hours now, the wind whipping around him, the rain still having yet to come. It wasn't a natural type of storm, Link could tell by the way his Triforce reacted to it's proximity, not to mention the crimson flashes of energy emanating from it. Ridding those thoughts from his mind, he looked around, it was close to nightfall, the sun resting gently on the horizon, about to slip over at any moment. In the distance Link could see Gillian emerge from her cafe, an intensely nervous Gossack joining her, Gillian looked dejected as she turned the sign on the door of her cafe to "Closed", purely a symbolic notion, as no one was around to see it, and if what the residents of this island said is true, no one will ever see it again, the same being true for the island itself.
"Sir! Sir!" Link heard a voice calling, he turned to find that Gillian had spied him too. "The storm is almost here, you should've left hours ago...I assumed you had."
"I'll be leaving soon." Link replied, focused on the storm, The Hero's Shade sent him here for a reason, and he intended to find out what it was.
"Almost all the ships have departed...don't be too late." Gillian said, visibly shaken.
"I won't be." Link responded, glancing at Gillian with a reassuring smile.
"I'm going to go help Gossack to the docks, too afraid to even walk right he is." Gillian said with a laugh, her good nature managing to show through.
"Best of luck." Link replied, waving to Gillian as she walked away.
"You too!" she shouted back as Link turned his gaze seawards once again.
Link watched as the storm moved closer, he somewhat considered boarding a ship and evacuating with everyone else, but he feared that may just cause whatever this is to last longer. He thought about Zelda, her injured form lying asleep in the Royal Infirmary while Audrik attempted to stave off sleep in order to watch his sister. Link had no intention of abandoning his love for this...nightmare, delusion? What was it? Could he have actually been warped to another time...another reality? Link snapped himself out of these thoughts as he noticed the thunder claps were becoming much easier to hear as the strange tempest moved in on the defenseless island, the water below it looking black and ferocious, the red bolts of energy lighting the sky a blood red as rain pounded down on the water and the small rock formations offshore.
Windfall Island was deserted, there was no one left, Link concluded. He glanced down at the shore, all the vessels had left, his small boat even having gone missing, a fact he didn't pay much mind to. He had walked the main street and a couple of alleyways in the town portion of Windfall and didn't even find any stray animals wandering about. He leaned up against a stone building and slumped against the wall, it could at least block the wind from battering him, but failed at keeping the cold away, nightfall had finally come, the few torches remaining lit providing just enough light. Link took stock of his surroundings, there seemed to be a children's school, a pictobox shop, and a very large manor which took up most of the town. Link decided that's where he would go, making his way across the wind beaten street, he came to a flight of stone stairs which spiraled upwards into a long outdoor hallway. Link pushed against the gusts, making his way to, and subsequently thrusting the door to the manor open, closing it hard behind him.
After about a quarter of an hour, Link had lit a fire, warming himself next to it as the winds viciously attacked the building he took refuge in, he laid down, focusing on Zelda, longing to be reunited with her, leaving this all behind. For the first time since his arrival, he realized just how exhausted he was, feeling like he hadn't slept in a week, it wasn't hard for him to find sleep, with it coming to him him the moment he closed his eyes.
oOo
Link had taken part in many battles, and at times had been a soldier in the fiercest of Hyrulean wars, he had many ill memories of said conflicts, and avoided reflecting on them if he could, but there was one detail that always permeated his resolve, no matter how hard he would try, the sounds of war haunted him day and night, and what he heard outside of his shelter sounded just like it. Link sprang awake, taking notice of the fact that his fire had been reduced to embers, the windows had been shattered, and wind ripped through the manor, the walls creaking against the force of the gusts. Link made his way over to one of the few windows which remained intact, coming to the realization that the storm had finally found him. Link watched as smoldering craters were left by the crimson bolts of lightning, with trees toppling over, the torrential downpour that came with it flying horizontally through the air due to the wind. Link headed away from the window, and as much as he didn't like the idea, he had to go outside, to find out what was causing this, maybe then the Hero's Shade might choose to end this, maybe then he could get some answers, his thoughts were interrupted though, by a sudden tremor shooting through the island, cracks spread across the floor of the home as Link steadied himself against a pillar, looking through the nearest, now shattered window, as chasms opened across the island, the buildings made of wood collapsing in on themselves.
Sprinting down the street towards the middle of the island, Link leapt over the thinner chasms, the strong winds helping to propel him further through the air. Link was forced to take cover, though, as the red bolts of energy would crash into the ground near him, boring holes straight through the surface, smoke rising from the red hot interior of the newly formed pits. Link carefully made his way around them, one hand on his blade, waiting. He emerged from the archway that led into the town, standing over the large once clear field, which was now marked with fallen trees, burning craters in the ground, and wide chasms, through which the gusts flowed, making a sound not unlike some boss monsters Link had faced in the past. Striding to the middle of the field, Link kept calm, reminding himself that this was almost preferable to other places he'd been, such as the Shadow Temple during the "Mythical Age" or the "Arbiter's Grounds" during the "Twilight War". Link positioned himself in what he estimated to be the center of Windfall Island, looking up into the black clouds, red energy flowing through them.
"Master of the Storm, show yourself!" Link shouted towards the heavens, feeling a bit ridiculous, shouting at a storm like that, expecting an answer. His Triforce of Courage began tingling, the golden light beginning to glow on the back of his hand, he winced as it grew from the tingling sensation to an outright burning feeling, whatever was going on, it wasn't good if his Triforce was having this strong of a negative reaction. Link looked at the back of his hand, feeling a chill travel up his spine as he saw that; in addition to the Triforce of Courage...the Triforce of Power was faintly glowing as well.
Link felt his heart speed up, even as the storm quieted, the winds softening, the red bolts of energy no longer striking the ground, staying confined to the clouds over head, he felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck as a large bolt of crimson energy crashed into the ground three meters in front of him, instead of being gone in an instant, it stayed, rapidly pulsating as small bolts of energy escaped from where it made contact with the ground. Link shielded his eyes as the crimson energy bolt suddenly dissipated with a bright red flash. Link drew his sword, he looked upon he who stood before him, he had aged, his body no longer in the shape it was during their previous encounters, but he was still intimidating nonetheless, red energy pulsated from his body as he stood, his magical energies remaining unhidden, it was truly him, the Thief King turned Demon Lord...Ganondorf.
"By the Goddesses...it's truly you." he breathed, his face adorned with a look of disbelief.
Link remained silent, pointing his blade at his nemesis, taken off guard by Ganon's statement.
"All these centuries...spent growing my power...searching for the other pieces of the Triforce, believing myself to be unopposed...I should have known...that sooner or later you'd come." Ganon said quietly, staring at Link in away one might look at a creature that was thought to be extinct.
Link ground his feet into the ground, tightening his grip on his blade, "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone aggressive, yet curious.
"I rose up, but you did not, without you they couldn't save themselves...they had the Goddesses drown their Kingdom, just to save themselves from my wrath...but that didn't save them." Ganon answered, a large smile finding it's way onto his face. "All these years, I thought Hyrule to be lost to me forever, the Triforce pieces of Courage and Wisdom gone...I'd taken to ripping Islands apart just to find them...but here we have the Triforce of Courage, still with you, and I believe that the Triforce of Wisdom is present somewhere too...tell me boy...where may I find your Princess...is she even a Princess in this life?" Ganon asked, a taunting tone to his voice as his smile inched ear to ear.
Link readied himself, while Ganon's words ncreased his curiosity, "What do you mean? What is all this?" Link asked, narrowing his eyes.
"There's something off about you...almost as if...you don't belong here." Ganon said with a curious inflection, "Matter it does not though, because my search is finally over...I have found the Triforce of Courage at last!" he exclaimed, a manic type of joy in his voice.
Before Link could react, Ganon was not even one step away, he struck Link across the face, knocking him to the ground.
"Surrender your Triforce to me, and you might live, boy!" he roared as he charged Link again, Link raised his sword, bringing it vertically downwards towards Ganon, but with surprising agility, the Demon Lord dodged the strike, and with a quick movement, two long swords extended out of his sleeves, with Ganon grasping them tightly, his already massive smile growing larger.
"Fine, I'll cut it out of you!" he shouted, running at Link, his blades crossed in an x shape, he thrust at Link, with the Hero of Legend barely holding him off. Link faded back, as did Ganon. Link charged forward, releasing a diagonal downwards slash to the right, followed by stab, both being effortlessly swept aside by Demon Lord.
"It's been too long since we've fought, boy! Too long!" Ganon shouted, revealing his madness.
"It hasn't been long enough!" Link retorted, releasing a spin attack, causing Ganon to jump back.
Ganon leapt forward, slashing vertically downwards with one blade, as he held the other behind him, Link blocked the strike, watching the other blade out of the corner of his eye. Ganon shoved his blade against Link's, knocking the Hero off balance temporarily, but this was all he needed, Ganon brought his other blade forth from behind him, slashing diagonally downwards to the left at a 45 degree angle, Link attempting the jump out of the way. Link successfully avoided the strike, but without his balance he fell on his back, holding up his sword as Ganon brought both of his blades down on top of his, Link's arms shaking, due to their having to hold back Ganon's full force and weight. Link clenched his teeth, and with no other option, called on the power of his Triforce, with one powerful shove Link forced Ganon back, the golden aura that surrounded him fading as he made it back to his feet.
"That's more like it." Ganon said quietly, a smirk developing on his face.
Link charged forward, letting loose a yell as he leapt into the air, bringing his sword down hard onto Ganon's blades, which he again held in an x formation. Link let loose slash after slash, stab after stab, none seeming to phase the Demon Lord, Link began to charge a spin attack when Ganon sent a white ball of energy in his direction, Link broke from his stance, deflecting it, but soon found himself in the path of a red energy bolt, which found it's mark, striking him straight in the chest. Link fell to one knee, and felt the familiar, quite dreadful feeling of a telekinetic hold grasping him.
"All these years spent waiting, with my victory seeming to be permanently denied, have come to an end." Ganon said, his manic smile returning. He pointed at Link's left arm, and began pull his arm back, telekinetically forcing Link to outstretch his arm. Ganon strode over, positioning his right hand over Link's left, their respective pieces of the Triforce reacting very strongly to the other presence.
"I won't let you win." Link said through gritted teeth, his impaired functions not yet having recovered. Link clenched his teeth harder as he used all his remaining strength to hold on to his Triforce of Courage, making sure not to allow Ganon to take it from him.
"Oh but you have no choice!" Ganon yelled, his enthusiasm being easy to hear. "How would you stop me? You don't even possess the Master Sword, I'm in disbelief that you'd try to threaten me with this sorry excuse for a blade!" Ganon shouted, holding up the white sword in front of Link. "What is this? A weightlessness enchantment cast over it? I'm offended." Ganon said with a smirk before driving the sword, point down into the dirt.
Link tried to hang on, but the process was painful, he wanted to retaliate against Ganon, the latter's insult towards his sword fueling his internal rage, Link felt himself slowly slip out of consciousness as the his Tricorce was ripped from him, Link feeling it's power fade away. He gradually felt his awareness slipping away when he fell, Ganondorf's telekinetic hold being relinquished. Link lay facedown, Ganon had won..."Did the Hero's Shade betray him?!" Link wondered, his situation nearly unthinkable. Link felt everything fading away, wondering if he'd make it through this and how he'd make it through.
As if on queue, Link felt it, his Triforce had returned, it's energy once again flowing through his body, Link felt himself being rapidly revitalized. He pushed himself up off the ground, his eyes finding the strange sight of Ganon attempting to fight off a giant stone hand. Link was on his feet in seconds, he pulled his blade from the ground and watched the strange spectacle, realizing the process of removing his Triforce hadn't been completed, Ganon, being forced to defend himself from his strange assailant caused him to drop Link before he could finish it. Link began to wonder who it was the saved him when he detected movement behind him, he whirled around, coming face to extremely large face with a large stone carving of a head, it's eyes glowing red with glowing blue designs running across it's facial features, a gold headdress adorning it. Link held up his blade, channeling the Triforce's energy, preparing himself for battle with a new foe.
"Hero, please stand down, you must come with me." it said, it's voice booming.
"You know who I am?" Link asked, still on guard.
"Please, we don't have long, my Master seeks council with you." the stone head responded.
"Your Master?" Link asked, suspicious.
"The King of Hyrule." the stone head answered, still staring at Link.
Link turned back, seeing Ganon now attempting to fight off two large stone hands. "What are you?" Link asked curiously, his day being confusing enough as it is.
"I am Gohdan, servant of the Gods, Goddesses and the King." It answered promptly. "Quickly, you must come before Ganondorf can claim victory."
Link stared at the being that identified itself as Gohdan, in a way it reminded him of the boss monster that resided in the shadow temple during the mythical age, but far less horrific. "What do you expect me to do? Hang on?" Link asked, seeing no possible way the being could carry him, with it's two hands already engaged. In response, the stone head slowly lowered itself onto the ground, two stone slabs where it's mouth would be located opening wide.
A voice echoed out through the newly formed opening, "I am aware it is not the most comfortable of accommodations, but it is the only way."
Link looked in, not yet trusting this newly arrived and quite strange being, he was broken from these thoughts though, when he heard a loud crash from behind, turning in time to see Ganon shatter one of Gohdan's hands, turning his full attention to the other, all the while ranting about how is victory is at hand. With no other choice, Link forced himself into the stone head's mouth, watching as it slowly lifted into the air, flying away as Ganon attempted to follow while battling Gohdan's remaining hand.
Link felt like hours had passed, staring down at the now gray looking sea, Ganon's storm seemingly having no end. Gohdan had apologized for the tight space a couple times, but other than that their journey had been mostly silent, with Link wondering if the King in this era would be able to provide him with the answers he sought. Within half an hour, it came into sight, a monolithic tower that reached into the sky, much larger and taller than any man made structure Link had ever seen, he found himself nearly unable to speak, completely awed by the sight.
Gohdan slowed as he flew over a wall in front of the tower, coming to a stop above the open water close to it's edge. "This is where our journey ends, Hero."
"The King...he's in this tower?" Link asked, still struggling to take in the sight.
"He is far below the waves, Hero, this tower is my abode."
"Below the...he's underwater? You just be speaking of the Zora King..." Link said, his confusion growing by the second.
"I will take you to him." Gohdan said, angling himself down towards the water.
"Wait, I!" was all Link was able to say before Gohdan plunged them both down into the awaiting sea, Link braced himself for the water to wash over him, holding his breath as he did so, wishing he had a Zora Tunic as he did in Mythical Age, but was surprised when all that greeted him was open air. He found himself, being carried by Gohdan down through a tunnel of air, the surrounding water flowing around it, not being able to enter. Link looked down, and in near disbelief, saw Hyrule Castle itself far below, and from this height he could see most of Hyrule along with it, he looked up, acknowledging the sea above them, realizing Hyrule had been flooded, the entire Kingdom now being sealed underwater.
Gohdan gently touched down outside of the entrance to the Castle, with Link climbing out of his mouth as soon as he did so, glad to be free of the small space.
"Good luck, hero." Gohdan said before flying back towards the surface.
Link turned, the Castle looked different, it wasn't the Castle he remembered. He started towards it's entrance, boots sloshing through the shallow water around the stairs, he climbed them swiftly and ducked into an archway, what he found, being quite disturbing. Moblins, Bokoblins, Stalfos, and what looked to be large heavily armored knights, like Iron Knuckles, but less bulky, and more agile looking, located all around the Great Hall, destroying everything around them, but one detail struck him more than anything else, they weren't moving, in fact nothing was, the interior of the Castle and everything in it, excluding Link, was completely frozen in time, with Link noting that due to the light being frozen, he and everything else in the Castle were completely colorless. Link drew his sword, the sword making no sound against it's sheath. Link made his way down the stairs onto the floor of the Great Hall, moving around the monsters present, sword at the ready just in case. Soon enough he came upon a large imprint of the Triforce on the floor, looking at it curiously, he kneeled down, placing his hand near it, he noticed a faint glow come about the mark on the floor, as well as the mark on the back of his hand, knowing what to do he placed his palm in the center of the sigil, watching as it began to glow a bright gold, piercing through the colorless environment he found himself in. Link jumped to his feet, startled by a sudden, and very loud grinding noise, he looked up to see a very large statue of...himself? Link watched it as it slid backwards, revealing a passage underneath, he took one last look at the statue, it wasn't him from this era, he realized, it seemed to be modeled after his likeness during the Mythical Era, the statue holding the Hylian Shield at it's chest, Master Sword held high. Link looked back at the monster infested hall, wondering what in Hyrule had happened.
Reaching the end of the stairs, Link found himself in a large well lit room, stained glass windows running across the back wall, depicting none other than Darunia, Ruto, Nabooru, Saria, Impa, and Rauru. Link glanced upwards has he walked down through the chamber, large statues of Knights wielding broadswords lining it, at it's end the Knight statues encircled a pedestal, the Master Sword, resting in it. Link felt his Triforce reacting to the blade's presence, part of him couldn't believe it was there, right in front of him, slowly he approached it, stopping within an arms reach of the fabled blade, his Triforce of Courage assuring him it was indeed real. Link looked upon it, it had been so many years since he'd seen it last, having returned it to the Sacred Grove when he was 26 in his most recent life, having held onto it longer than he had to, part of him still didn't believe it was truly there, somewhat due to the strange circumstance he found himself in at the moment...but mostly because of it's newfound location, the Master Sword had never resided in Hyrule Castle before, how one would even go about moving it and it's pedestal here was beyond him, but his affinity for the blade and the power it granted him won out, with Link adjusting his stance, readying himself to draw it, in order to complete whatever purpose the Hero's Shade had sent him to this strange place to fulfill.
"Can't resist the temptation I see." a voice called out, a wise, quite mature tone to it.
Link quickly turned to his left, gripping the handle of his blade tightly, finding himself facing none other than what appeared to be this era's...or rather this Hyrule's King. Link watched him silently as he paced across the front of the room, Knight Statues looming over him.
"You know, I almost didn't believe when I suddenly sensed your presence, you've been absent for centuries, I'd actually resigned myself to thinking you'd never come, but here you are in front of me..."
"What are you talking about?" Link asked aggressively, still keeping a hand on the hilt of his sword, waiting for any sign of an attack. "Ganon said the same thing." he added.
"Many years ago, centuries even, Ganondorf returned, but this time he was far more powerful than ever before, his curse ravaged the land, his minions razing villages and massacring all in their paths, fear had a tight grip on us, but we did not let it drive all hope away, for we knew you would rise soon, and save us once again...but we were wrong." the King said, casting his gaze downwards. "You never came, not even my power, my daughter's power, and the power of the Sages combined could stop him, my people prayed, called out, screamed to the heavens for salvation, but none came, Ganon's final victory was at hand, with nothing we could do to stop it. Ganon's army swept through Hyrule, finally breaking into the Castle itself, it was in the this, our darkest hour, the Goddesses answered our prayers, putting into motion a massive deluge that drowned our once great Kingdom, my daughter leading our people to the mountain tops, high above the waves." the King explained, the pain on his face evident.
"If that's true, how is all this still here?" Link asked, recalling the rather large amount of Hyrule seemingly untouched by the water around it.
"The Goddesses were as unwilling as I to see Hyrule be washed away, and sealed this portion of it within an air bubble, freezing time so as not to let Ganon take this small amount of what's left."
"Is that why the Hero's Shade sent me here? To Defeat Ganon? To save this..this version of Hyrule?" Link asked, his confusion only growing.
"I knew it when I laid eyes on you, you don't belong to this era...or even this world, do you?" the King asked.
"I awoke to find myself here, in this..curious place." Link answered, relaxing his grip on his sword.
To Link's surprise the King smiled, looking up at him with an expression that conveyed a long dead hope being revived. "In your time, the Kingdom of Hyrule is still well above the waves, I'm guessing, with no torrential downpour threatening it?" he asked.
"Hyrule is well above the water...if that's what you're asking." Link answered, now becoming more concerned than confused.
"Good, you have a chance to stop all of this from happening, you can make sure this flood never happens, you can stop Ganon before the Goddesses are forced to hide us beneath the sea." The King said, looking at Link optimistically. The King suddenly took on a solemn look, his eyes locking with Link's, "She never forgot you, you know, even through all of the panic, even while trying to save her people, her thoughts were with you." the King said, his expression one of seriousness.
"Zelda?" Link asked, his voice soft, tinged with sadness.
"It broke her heart when you didn't come, for some reason only the Goddesses are aware of you were not reborn, but she was, I can only pray her spirit is now at peace." the King said, his sadness seemingly having returned.
Link was silent, to hear Zelda had to live another life without him hurt him in a way no blade ever could, the pain only growing sharper when he thought about the possibility that in this world his cycle of rebirth ended somehow, with Zelda knowing her duty to her people never ended, would not follow.
"There is someone though, I have only just met him, but he reminds me so much of you." the King said, lifting his gaze from the ground to meet Link's. "He shows great promise, whether or not he is you remains to be seen."
"I'm convinced..." Link stated, his vague statement reaching the King's ears.
"Of what, my boy?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"Before I found myself here, Zelda...she had been injured, her life fragile, I wished to find a way to stop our rebirths...to end this cycle, but I've realized I can't do that, this journey through my many lives, this journey with her, it's a gift from the Goddesses that this strange vision has convinced me not to let go of." Link said, mostly to himself as the King listened. Link looked up, his gaze meeting the King's, walking forward he produced a small carving from knife from his pocket, which he utilized during training missions with the Lanayru Province Guard, he hadn't used it on months.
"When you meet him, give this to him...tell him it belonged to the me, and I would've wanted him to have it." Link said, placing the knife in the King's hand.
"If he truly is the new chosen hero, I have a feeling he'd be honored to hold something that belonged to his predecessor.' the King replied, a smile once again adorning his face.
Link returned the smile, "I never did find out your name, my lord." Link said, regarding the King.
"I am King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, I am proud to make your acquaintance, Hero of Legend." he said looking at Link in a proud sort of manner.
Link's thoughts began to drift toward Zelda again, his need to see her pushing it's way to the surface, something else greeted him though, first quietly, but getting progressively louder, was the clanking of metal off in the the hall of the Castle, Link ignored this though, as heavily armored Guards and Knights walking the halls of the Castle were common...but Link soon came to the realization, he and the King were the only individuals in the Castle not frozen in time. He turned quickly towards the staircase that led into the room in which he and the King were located.
"What the hell is making that sound?" Link asked, readying himself for a fight.
"By the Goddesses...he's found a way through." the King said cryptically, a look of fear across his face.
"Through? Through what?" Link asked, his tone demanding.
"Ganondorf has been trying to get his minions through a the protection spell around the Castle for years, he's actually done it..." the King said, his disbelief obvious.
Link released his grip of the White Sword, and turned his attention to the pedestal-bound Master Sword, he ran over to it, readying himself to draw it when the King clasped his shoulder tightly.
"Hero! You can't, the power of the Master Sword is all that's holding the protection spell and the time stopping spell in place, if you remove it you won't just have whatever is on it's way and the monsters frozen in the Great Hall to fight, once the protection spell falls, Ganondorf will send armies to take the Castle, and the sword...and this." he said as a small fragment of the Triforce of Wisdom manifested in his palm. "My descendant has the other half, if Ganon gets this, he'll know where to find it, and he'll be that much closer to having the whole Triforce, and the power of the Goddesses in his hands." the King said urgently.
Link stepped back from the Master Sword, drawing the White Sword quickly, spinning it in his hand. Placing himself in front of the King, he took up a defensive position, readying himself for the whatever was slowly drawing near.
The clanging soon seemed to be directly above them, then became quiet for a moment.
Clang...
Clang...
Clang...
Link craned his neck as first it's armored lower legs became visible as it slowly descended the stairs. It looked almost identical to the other Knight-like beings in the Great Hall, but it's armor was a deep, shining black, silver detailing in place along it's edges, a large crest running atop it's helmet, but more striking than that, were the multitude of sigils that ran across the armor, all in a language that; even after the many languages he had known through his many lifetimes, did not recognize, the sigils glowing a bright orange, as if they had been freshly burned onto it's armor.
"I see it took your master quite a bit of his own power just to get you passed the protection spell." The King said, tilting his head upward to meet the gaze of the towering Knight, the Knight remaining silent.
Link was about to approach when the Knight broke into a sprint towards him. Link shoved the King out of the way, before raising his sword to counter, having it nearly knocked out of his hands. Link brought up his blade, slashing downwards, the Knight deflecting it, fading out of the way of the Knight's enormous sword, Link lunged forward in order to stab his opponent, the Knight swiping his sword away, bringing his own up, readying for an attack with his buckler placed in front of him. Link swiped downwards diagonally to the left, but only managed to catch the Knight's shield, he barely had enough time to draw back his sword in defense when the Knight's blade smashed into it, the force of the impact throwing Link onto his back.
The King ran forward, throwing a ball of flame at the Knight, which turned it's attention to him when the fire merely died out upon contact with it's armor.
"Link, it's magical warding is too powerful..." the King said as Link returned to his feet.
"Wasn't planning on using magic!" Link called as he charged the Knight, ducking as the Knight's sword swung over him, he then jumped into the Knight's buckler, taking hold of it, using his right arm to throw himself over. Quickly he darted to his right, slashing at the armor ties on the Knight's side, turning in time to see the Knight's upper body armor crash to the ground, revealing chain mail underneath. The Knight charged Link, running at least twice the speed it had demonstrated before. Link barely maneuvered his body around the Knight's blade, feeling the force of the Knight's strike push passed him. Link glanced over to the King, satisfied that he was now out of range, Link called on the Triforce of Courage, feeling the it's strength rush through his body, he channeled the golden energy into his blade, unleashing a spin attack.
The Knight was thrown back, hitting the ground hard, Link, recovering from the energy it had taken to utilize his spin attack, slowly walked over to the Knight, without warning it leapt to it's feet, and to Link's astonishment, performed a spin attack much like his own, finding it's target. Link stumbled back, before feeling a wet warmth on his chest, looking down he could see the red stain slowly forming. Link dropped to one knee, this injury, and the amount of energy he put into the spin attack draining what energy he had left after his earlier meeting with Ganondorf. Link staggered to his feet, fading back after another slash from the Knight, when suddenly, he felt a presence, reaching out to him, quickly recognizing it as the Triforce of Wisdom fragment the King held. Link felt energy once again flow through him, the pain from his chest wound dulling to near unnoticeable levels. Link ran forward, spinning out of the path of the oncoming blade, quickly jumping into the air, grabbing onto the Knight's crest. The Knight attempted to grab Link as he hung onto the crest, hanging over the Knight's back. With one pull, Link took the Knight to the ground, Link, landing on his feet, made to turn and slash at his opponent, only to have the Knight take hold of the White Sword, tossing it, and Link with it across the small chamber.
Link got to his feet, eyeing the Knight as it paced from side to side, sword and shield at the ready, when a loud grinding noise pierced the air, Link glanced up to see the door to the chamber had closed over the stairs, the King telekinetically moving it.
"Take the Master Sword! End this Quickly!" the King shouted.
Link turned, running to the Master Sword as the Knight, realizing what was happening, sprinted in pursuit. Link made it well before the Knight though, clasping his hand around the blade, pulling it from the pedestal. Link felt strength greater than he had ever felt in this life run through him, the sword's power being new to him every time he drew it. Spinning around, Link caught his opponents blade, with a thrust from the Master Sword, Link threw the Knight's sword into the air, he then moved past the Knight's shield with inhuman speed, quickly cutting deeply into the Knight's forearm, causing it to drop it's sword just as it drew it back for another assault, Link then turned, pulling the Master Sword back, he thrust upwards, through the neck of his foe. Link quickly pulled the sword free, as the Knight fell to the ground, motionless.
"Quickly! The Ganondorf's forces are awakened, more are on there way!" the King called as Link ran over to the pedestal.
Looking over the Master Sword, and feeling it's power run through him one last time, Link drove it into the pedestal, a magical wave bursting forth, reenacting the spells cast over the Castle.
"Thank you, Hero." the King said, glancing at the Knight's body as it slowly disappeared into green flames.
"It was nice to be united with he Master Sword once again." Link said with a small smile.
The King waved his hand, the passage to the Great Hall reopening, "I believe it is time for you to return, Hero." he said with a smile.
Link turned to find the Hero's Shade behind him, the Hero readied himself to unleash a verbal assault, when everything went black.
The King looked on at the Hero's Shade, "The boy...is it him? The Hero reborn into this era?"
"This I cannot answer." the Hero's Shade replied, before disappearing.
The King turned, resting his head against the nearest statue, hoping the Hero of the Great Sea would soon find his way to him.
oOo
Link awoke slowly, at first drifting in and out of consciousness, not knowing whether or not it was all a dream, or if it had actually happened. He picked up his head, rubbing his eyes before opening them, he found himself in the Castle Infirmary, Zelda lying in the bed in front of him, Audrik, still dressed in his stolen Labrynnian armor fast asleep in his chair. Link felt a warmness well up inside of him, he leaned forward, embracing Zelda softly, before kissing her once on the forehead. He placed himself in his seat again, watching Zelda's chest rise and fall steadily.
Off to the side Link could hear Audrik sit up, groaning as he stretched his arms.
"Good morning, Mr. Link...this Labrynnian armor, it's...not too comfortable to sleep in."
"I would assume so." Link began.
"How is my sister?" Audrik asked, locking eyes with Link.
"Her breathing has steadied." Link replied, he raised his hand next to hers, calling on his Triforce slightly, and to his relief, Zelda's Triforce of wisdom reacted strongly to it's counterpart's presence. Link noting that the the Triforce pieces, when contained in their bodies, would return to the Sacred Realm once it's host's life ended, having experienced this first hand.
"Good, I will let the council and the Sheikah know, what a day this will be, the Great Hall is in ruins, and many are...well...you know." Audrik said, his sadness quite evident.
A knock came at the door, Captain Viscen's voice following it. "My Lord? Are you present?"
Audrik swung open the door, regarding the quite stressed looking Captain of the Guard. "How can I help you Captain?"
"Mayor Met, King Laorik, Evan of the Indigo-gos, the Goron Chieftains, and Princess Kayala would very much like to speak with you."
"For the Goddesses sake, Viscen, I am tending to my sister at the moment, have Minister Hawkwood speak to them." Audrik replied.
"There's that too actually, we...well...can't find him." Viscen said.
"You've lost the Minister of Royal Affairs?" Audrik asked.
"He was lost seen dashing through the Great Hall towards the guest wing, during your sister's..display." Viscen stated, attempting to avoid a tongue lashing from the Prince.
Audrik closed his eyes tight and began massaging the bridge of his nose, "Well then, all logic would say search there first...is that what your doing?"
"Yes, my lord." Viscen answered.
"Go join the search, and tell the other rulers I'll be along shortly." Audrik replied, lifting his head.
"Yes sir, and if I may say so, you should attain the services of an actual guard for this room." he said, glaring at Link.
Before Link or the Prince could respond, another guard approached.
"I have an urgent message for the Prince!" he shouted.
"Well then! Let's hear it!" Audrik replied loudly, his patience running thin.
"Chancellor Lawrence was found hiding in a servant's quarters on the first floor, we've arrested him and are holding him in the dungeons." The Guard announced.
Viscen, Audrik, and Link exchanged glances, with Audrik being the first to speak.
"Call Oren, we'll conduct the interrogation." he said, a serious tone to his voice.
oOo
Chapter 17 is finally here, sorry for the wait, things have been busy! I'd also like to apologize for the short length of Chapter 16, I only had a few hours to write it.
Guest (March 21): Sorry about the length of the last chapter, hopefully this chapter made up for it! If this chapter didn't clear it up, it was the Hero's Shade that sent Link to Windfall, in order to reiterate his role as the Hero, and rid him of his thoughts of ending his cycle of rebirth. I hope this chapter lived up to that excitement, also, high five for guessing Ganondorf was controlling the storm. Thank you for the compliments and your well wishes! I'm truly grateful!
Lady Kiridia: Sorry to confuse you! I just really wanted throw a little bit of Windwaker in before I moved on to part two of the story! I'm glad you like sinister elements, Prince Erris himself is at least 90% sinister, with much more to follow! :D
Gerudospirit: Thank you for all of your reviews! I'm impressed with the pace in which you read up to the current chapter! I'm very happy you're enjoying the story, and I apologize for the cliffhangers! I wanted to write the story so that it got readers thinking about the whole world outside of Hyrule, which is why I gave the role of villain to a Labrynnian, and gave the Mayor of Clock Town such a large role, with the Garo playing a part too! Volga and Erris are very close, it's basically a father-son relationship, due to Erris's father dying in the war, and Volga having to raise him and guide him as he took the throne. I know you're not calling Volga weak, I know it's confusing that I wrote his death in, yet he's still here, but I'll offer this, he hasn't always been pyrokinetic, hopefully that tells you something! :)
Thank you for the reviews!
Also I'd like to thank Koolkat222, sippurp123, Ramirez Silver, dangledhill, Gerudospirit, and Amwick for favoriting and following my story and I!
Just a quick f.y.i. for all those who were wondering, Link did save Windfall Island from being destroyed, did you expect any less? :D
Oh, and you get a high five if you know what the "Knight" actually was!
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Best of luck,
-Prometheus17