Ganon held out his hand, intending for the Prince to either hand the orb to him, or teleport it into his palm, neither of which happened, the Evil Lord raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"Is there a problem?" Ganon asked, frustration rising inside of him.
"I need to know...you do intend to use this to revitalize the Great Maku Tree...and not for your own personal gain, correct?" Erris asked, tilting his head forward, long black hair falling across his face.
Naora slowly wrapped a hand around her blade, locking eyes with Erris. "You question my husband's honor? He is a King too, you realize." she said, a vaguely threatening tone to her voice.
Erris felt the ring on his finger beginning to slide off, Wizzro growing uneasy with the Gerudo woman's aggressive approach. "Not now." Erris thought, pushing the ring back to it's former position. "Erris broke his gaze off of Naora, and placed it on Ganon once again. "My question still stands."
"You little-" Shilara began, energy beginning to crackle in the palms of her hands before she was cut off.
"Prince, if you've held up your end of the bargain, I shall return the favor." Ganon said, a smirk finding it's way onto his face.
Erris leaned back, shifting his gaze towards Minister Ryos. "Make yourself useful, retrieve the item from the smith." he said, the Demon in human form nodding before teleporting away.
"Was it done correctly?" Ganon asked, a stern look appearing on his face.
"My best smith and the greatest sorcerer in the Labrynna worked side by side restoring it, following the directions you laid out very closely." Erris responded, locking eyes with the Gerudo sorcerer.
"If there's anything wrong, you will pay the price." Ganon snarled, Shilara and Naora shifting uncomfortably.
Erris raised an eyebrow at the Gerudo man, "You know, a simple "Thank you." would suffice, I had to send a rather large team of my own men, dressed in the garb of Hylian commoners to some nondescript part of Hyrule, to find their way into an abandoned temple, that may I mention, was now deep below the ground on which you said it would be located, just to find a multitude of black shards, for seemingly no other reason than the fact that an "ally" would accept them as payment for his services." Erris answered, setting an elbow on the table.
"If you had allowed me to restore it myself-" Ganon said, the Prince cutting him off.
"That would be out of the question, all the power would be in your hands, what would I stand to gain, then?" the Prince asked, slamming his palms down on the table. Erris cleared his throat, quickly doing so again as he felt it tightening, soon realizing simple congestion was not the cause. Wizzro attempted to free himself from the Prince's hand to protect him, but found himself stuck.
Ganon brought his thumb and fingers closer together, a grimace on his face as he used his telekinesis to choke the Prince from afar. "Never interrupt me, boy, and never act like in any situation you have an edge over ME of all poeple." the Evil Lord said, standing up straight.
Erris began to panic as his ability to breathe slowly diminished, he began to feel his Anteforce burning, but refused to use it for fear of Mahlik breaking loose again.
"I think you've made your point." Naora said, attempting to soothe her Husband.
"Perhaps you're right, Ganon said with a smile, releasing his hold on Erris.
The Prince dropped to his knees, coughing loudly as he attempted to regain his composure. Standing, he locked eyes with Ganon. "After that, you're lucky I would do ANYTHING for you!" he said, pointing directly at the Gerudo man.
Electricity began to surge around Erris's fists as a red aura rose up around Ganon, just then Minister Ryos arrived, holding a large item, a white sheet wrapped around it.
The Minister backed into a corner, a look of fear dominating his face. "My Lords...is all well?" he asked, his voice shaky.
"Yes." Ganon replied, sitting down.
"For the time being." Erris responded, shooting a glare towards Ganon before facing Ryos.
The Minister approached the table, laying the object in front of Ganon before backing away quickly.
Naora and Shilara watched curiously as Ganon unfolded the cloth, Erris already knowing what was contained inside.
"It has been too long." Ganon said, taking up the large black sword. Ganon lightly traced the blade's edge, his finger moving along the rises and falls, Ganon being careful to avoid the spikes that shot off it's edges. It's hilt was gray, with what looked like two reptilian wings extending outwards, a red gem sitting between them. It's most defining characteristic being the upside down Triforce mark adorning the bottom of the blade.
"What's so special about that?" Shilara asked, analyzing the blade.
"It's the Master Sword's predecessor...or prototype, if you will." Erris answered, drawing upon Mahlik's knowledge.
"True." Ganon replied with a grin. "I have not taken up this blade in almost 2,000 years, when it was first crafted by Hylia and the Sages for the first Hero, they sealed a spirit inside to empower it, I was able to take it though, corrupt the spirit, and the sword's energies along with it, which is why it looks the way it does." Ganon explained.
Naora looked on, she wouldn't admit to anyone other than herself, but Kai's sudden, drastic change frightened her, at times she was afraid that he was forgetting her completely, letting the Demon he used to be take over. She called him Ganondorf for his sake, but in her own mind she could never know him as anything other than "Kai". "And what of this spirit you corrupted?" Naora asked, gazing at the blade.
"You have to understand, resurrecting the sword spirit is far beyond our abilities." Erris interjected, looking at Ganon.
"I thought so, that task lies with me." Ganon replied. His sword may lack Ghirahim's presence, but it's energy was still there, bolstered by his own.
The calm demeanor in the room was suddenly broken when Shilara let out a loud groan, dropping her head on the table.
"Is there a problem, little sister?" Ganon asked, an exasperated tone to his voice.
"Well, brother, I am ever so bored, I haven't killed anything in a week, and I haven't used my powers in an even longer time! Let's hurry up this plan of yours so we can get to the fun stuff." she responded, fisting her hands.
Naora set her eyes on the younger Gerudo, "You should just consider yourself lucky that your brother sees fit to include you in his plans."
Before Ganon could respond, Erris decided to make his opinion known, "Absolutely not, hurrying this plan is a terrible idea, the two attacks I've mounted inside Hyrule's borders were met with near complete loss of the forces I brought, the Hero and the Princess using power I was not aware they had, to obliterate my forces." Erris said, shooting a glare towards the amused looking Evil Lord. "Not to mention the fact that we've lost so many Moblins and Bulblins that the Blin Emperor no longer wishes to lend me his forces, and on top of that the Garo are beginning to slip from my control, for the simple binding spell I'm using on them is not as powerful as their contract with Majora." Erris explained.
"I was not planning to mount an attack so soon, boy, the problem you face with the Garo is your own, so do not rant to me about your plan unraveling. When it comes to the Blin Empire, their forces belong to me, their Emperor will immediately rescind any decision he's made, if faced with my opposition." Ganon explained, locking eyes with the younger Labrynnian.
"As it should be." Erris stated. "It was your mistake that cost me his trust, the Bulblins and Moblins had retreated when Mahlik took hold of my body, the only reason they returned is because a Black Knight led them back to the battle, and if I'm not mistaken, Black Knights are the created by, and only answer to one man, a man who happens to be sitting at this table. If it weren't for the Blin forces being lead back into combat, they would not have been lost, and the Blin Emperor and I would still be on decent terms." Erris responded.
"Listen here, boy! The Hylians and their allies would have been crushed had you not lost control of Mahlik, do not try to place me at fault for this and while we're on the topic, we can't afford Mahlik escaping again, while we were once brothers, his intentions differ from mine, I wish to rule, he wishes to destroy, if you cannot control him, I will rip his essence from your body and find someone who can." Ganon threatened, his muscles tensing as he glared towards the Prince.
Shilara suddenly stood up, heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Ganon shot, Shilara continuing to walk forward.
"To hunt something." she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"I'll accompany her." Naora said, following the younger woman.
"Fine, don't be long." Ganon said, nodding at his sister and wife as they left.
Erris looked over towards Minister Ryos, and with a nod, the Minister transformed into a plume of smoke, leaving the room through the fireplace. "So, now that their gone, what to speak of?"
"Before we mount an attack, we need the third piece if the Anteforce." Ganon answered, a serious expression taking over his face.
Erris tensed up, in addition to his own apprehensiveness about the situation, Mahlik objected to it also. "If I'm not mistaken, you speak of raising Majora." he said, a cautious tone to his voice.
"It's the only way." Ganon responded, furrowing his brow.
"Majora is the Demon God of Chaos and Destruction, and he's not exactly mentally sound." Erris said, a hint of warning to his voice.
"The Fierce Deity was able to contain him in a mask for 1,000 years, so I assume I can find a host that will be able to contain him for the time it takes me to enact my plans." Ganon replied, his voice betraying the fact that even he didn't completely believe what he said.
"Majora's power and destructive urges are too much for any mortal." Erris responded, trying to dissuade his ally.
"We'll just have to find one who is not a mortal." Ganon said a with a grin, an idea coming to him. "Speaking of masks. how is our friend doing?"
oOo
Oreck had bathed for the first time in two weeks, and while it helped him feel better physically, the way he felt mentally could not be helped, and that was putting it modestly. He didn't want to betray his homeland, he didn't want innocents to get hurt, and parts of him still didn't believe what Ganondorf had said, but his rage against Link eclipsed those feelings.
He slowly approached a table in the room the Prince had given him, lying upon it was the strange goat like mask Ganondorf had provided. He wanted to get closer, but at the same time couldn't bring himself to, he didn't know how he knew, but when he looked upon the mask, it felt as if something was looking back. The former Castletown Guardsmen threw himself back onto his bed, knowing that if he were to stay true to his word, he'd have to wear the mask, allowing whatever existed inside of it into his body...into his mind.
Oreck didn't have a chance to ponder this further before a knock came at the door. Jumping up, he paused, eyeing the mask before gripping the doorknob tightly, and pulling the door open.
"Oreck! I'm pleased to see you're up and about." Prince Erris said with a welcoming smile.
"What is this?" Oreck asked suspiciously.
"Of what do you speak?" Erris asked.
"Yesterday you were quite unpleasant towards me, and today you greet me like this." Oreck answered.
"Ah, my apologies, feeling a bit under the weather, I was! Still, that's no excuse." Erris said, patting the other man on the shoulder.
"When do I get to fight Link?" Oreck pressed, his anger showing through.
"In due time, my friend, if you're getting bored you're free to roam the Castle." Erris said, a large grin on his face.
"What about the town beyond? I am allowed to leave the Castle and go there?" Oreck pressed, attempting to assess whether or not he was a prisoner.
"You may, I just don't see why you'd want to, our Castle Town is overrun with crime and disease due to the curse King Daltus Nohansen Hyrule placed on my land, traveling there would almost certainly end with unfavorable results." Erris replied, his facial expression growing serious.
"The King of Hyrule did that?" Oreck asked, his face displaying his shock.
"I'm afraid there are many terrible things the Royal family does that they hide from the public, remember Oreck, you're here to help me end that, right?" Erris said, extending his hand.
"Right." Oreck said, shaking the Prince's hand, a hint of reluctance present in the motion.
"Now, how about we try on that mask." Erris said, a smile working it's way across his face.
oOo
Link had been silent almost the entire trip back to Castle Town, learning that Impa and Elgon were also part of the rebirth cycle was troubling him, that along with the fact Erris had begun an occupation of Gamelon.
"You know, I thought you'd have more questions." Elgon said, looking to Link.
"You've been there through all of my life times, but you hid it from me." Link said in a slightly downcast tone.
"Link it's not like that, Impa and I just thought that you and Zelda would do better without having to worry about us." Elgon answered.
"Does Zelda know?" Link asked, meeting Elgon's gaze.
"No, and Impa cannot know that you know, it breaks the pact we made centuries ago, to watch and help when needed, but not to interfere." Elgon said, narrowing his eyes.
"I assume the only reason you wish for Impa not to know is so you can save your own skin." Link said with a smirk.
"True." Elgon said with a short laugh.
Link looked around, he and Elgon were the only two occupants that had rested while in Kokiri Forest, the other soldiers on the wagon having to decided to wait until they were on their way home. Four Gorons were slumped over each other in the front, while Kallil and three other soldiers lied against the wall.
"Zelda always remembered, didn't she?" Link asked, Elgon looking slightly stunned.
"How do you figure?" Elgon asked, looking at Link intently.
"In every one of our lives that preceded the Mythical Age, the era in which I first remembered, Zelda would always regarded me with kindness, showed me love that I sometimes didn't deserve, it was as if she knew me from other lives, ones I, at the time, could not recall. Even after witnessing my actions in the fighting pits during the reign of King Mikael she still showed me affection, and I returned it, in every lifetime, even without my memories." Link explained, looking to Elgon for answers.
"Her memories never left her." Elgon admitted, glancing away for a moment.
"Why didn't she tell me?" Link asked, confused.
"I can't be sure, maybe she didn't want to trouble you with it, or maybe she thought it would help you two be closer if you thought you both regained your memories at the same time. All I know is that due to her being the human incarnation of Hylia, her memories were safe from the cycle we were placed in by the Goddesses, Impa and I were allowed to keep ours due to our roles as your secret protectors, so to speak, but when it comes to you though, I assume the Goddesses just didn't deem it necessary to return your memories." Elgon said, bracing for a berating from Link, looking up when only silence met him.
"Why did I receive my memories then? What was the purpose? Why in the Mythical Age?" Link asked.
"The Goddesses instructed me to do so during your seven year sleep, and I did so, much to Zelda's urging. As for the why, it was the fact that the Mythical Age was the first time Demise resurfaced, but in mortal form as the Sorcerer Ganondorf, the Goddesses thought you would require your memories to defeat him, so I returned them using a spell they themselves taught me." Elgon answered.
Link shot to his feet, glaring down at Elgon's seated form. "Why not sooner?!" he asked, his voice reaching a yell. "If I had them sooner, I could have been far more ready for the threats Hyrule faced in it's earlier days, and I would have been able to return Zelda's feelings much earlier...I can only imagine what it felt like to have me forget all we'd been through after every rebirth, with her being able to recall every single moment." Link said, quieting down as he resumed his seated position, taking note that his outburst had awoken some of the others they were traveling with. He thought back to the lifetimes in which Zelda was younger than he, and the challenge it was to wait for her to remember after he'd found her. She'd always been the typical Princess before regaining her memories, arrogant and quite spoiled, she'd always become close with him though, it was beyond the physical attraction they felt, even without her memories, the old emotions still carried over.
"I'm sorry, but I am you protector, and the Goddesses servant, I do only what they instruct me to. To restore your memories against their wishes would yield consequences, possibly ones that would take me from position watching over you in every life, and I did not want that." Elgon said, casting his gaze downwards.
Link looked around, finding most of those he had awoken had resumed their slumber, completely exhausted by the two day battle in his former home. "Forgive me for the questions, it's just, this is the first time I've had answers." Link said, looking to Elgon.
Before the older man could respond, the wagon stopped. "What is this?" Elgon asked.
Link peered out the window of the wagon, seeing the forms of Bokoblins approaching the soldier who drove it. "Bokoblin checkpoint." he said, his face taking on a more serious expression. "I find it difficult to trust them, they have always been our enemies, once the opportunity presents itself, they will turn on us." Link said, turning to Elgon.
"Keep your friends close, and you enemies closer" Elgon replied, his gaze communicating his agreement. "As long as they're this deep in our territory, they're vulnerable to us if they do violate our agreement."
Link relaxed, even with they Bokoblins numbering as they currently did, they'd be no match for even a fraction of the Hylian military. Looking out the window, Hyrule Castle coming into view, Link's heart rate beginning to quicken.
oOo
Mikau wasn't sure why he had come, sure, the other members of his band, and leaders of the Terminian Zora had agreed they should stand with their Hylian brothers and sisters, but he wasn't sure why it was he that had to go, King Laorik was insufferable.
"Tell me Mikau, I've heard that up until 300 years ago the only warriors the Terminian Zora boasted were your forefathers, is this true?" King Laorik asked, a hint of mocking to his voice.
Mikau sighed quietly, it was true, the Terminian Zora had been a peaceful race for many years, only keeping one warrior at a time, these warriors all being of one lineage, his. "After Ganon's first assault on Termina, we decided keeping a fighting force was a good idea, my ancestor from that era trained the new soldiers." Mikau answered, looking to King Laorik.
"How ridiculous, forfeiting your defenses for a life that revolves around music." he said with a smirk.
Mikau didn't answer, deciding just to follow the Hylian Zora King deeper into the Zora's domain, his men at his back.
All around them Hylian Zora watched, curiosity on their faces as the Terminian Zora walked passed them. It wasn't always this way, but over time the Zora of Termina came to look different, their head tails larger, with their fingers and toes growing longer to afford for more webbing between them, two small fins grew down form their temples, and they also had developed a large dark blue stripe that continued from their forehead to the base of their head tail. It was surmised the reason for all this, sans the blue mark, was to allow them to swim better against the Great Sea's powerful current.
King Laorik led them to his chamber, his guards closing the heavy stone door behind them as he did so. The Zora King continued up a set of stairs, dropping himself into the throne that sat at the top. "So Mikau, shall we cut to the chase?" he asked.
"And that is?" Mikau asked, eyeing the other Zora.
"You know why you are here, many of our best warriors have been brought down by the evil Prince and his minions, the humans are too reluctant to fight them, and the Gorons are too stupid to form a plan other than "hit them til they're dead.", so I ask you, join forces with me, and our combined armies will serve justice to Erris, and avenge our fallen warriors." Laorik said, extending his hand.
Mikau looked on, it was true, he had known why he was called, he just hadn't expected Laorik to propose the plan in such an impassioned way. Looking to the corner, he caught a pair of Zoran eyes looking at him, the individual swiftly diving back behind a pillar before he could get a decent look.
"Kyra, what have I told you about sneaking into my meetings?" King Laorik asked, a stern tone to his voice.
A small Zora girl stepped our from behind the pillar, her eyes cast downwards. "Sorry father, I just wished to know what you were discussing."
"Go, run along and play with the other children." King Laorik said, a guard escorting her out of the room.
"You have a daughter?" Mikau asked, surprised the King hadn't mentioned it.
"Yes, she's only a child though, hardly ready to hear about all of this." he answered.
"If she's to be your heir, she needs to learn early what comes with ruling." Mikau responded.
"Please do not tell me how to raise my children, Mikau." Laorik shot, before gesturing to a servant that stood at his right.
Mikau looked over as the door closed, the small Zora girl looking through the rapidly disappearing space between the door and it's frame. His family had the ability to use magic, usually these talents were confined to generating an electrical field around themselves, but he could sense something in her, something intriguing. Before he could ponder this, King Laorik called his attention forward.
The Hylian Zora sat on his throne, slowly unlocking a long rosewood box, it's hinges were gold, and it's locks a shining silver. "This may look to be somewhat excessive, but for what lies within, the container might seem modest." King Laorik said with a grin, slowly lifting out a long silver staff, adorning it's head was a blue gem, the likes of which Mikau had never seen.
"What does this scepter have to do with anything?" Mikau asked curiously, placing his gaze on the staff.
"This, my Terminian brother, is no ordinary staff, it was created centuries ago for the Water Sage to increase their power tenfold, with this we will be unstoppable." Laorik answered, a smile appearing on his face.
"I didn't realize you had power over water." Mikau remarked, never having seen the King demonstrate hydro-kinesis.
"Sadly, that is not among my abilities...but the staff fixes that, with it's power I control the tides, the currents, the rain...and besides, with the appearance of the Hero, who says I am not the Sage of Water." Laorik said with a laugh.
Mikau ignored the King's last remark, focusing instead on the more pressing matter. "Even with that, our numbers can't stand against Erris's, he commands his own soldiers, those of Holodrum, the Moblins, the Bulblins, and those strange hooded beings." the Terminian Zora stated.
"That's another reason I need you, I plan for us, the two Zora leaders, to reach out to our distant brethren, the corrupted Zora tribe known as the Zola.
oOo
Link ran through the Castle doors, dashing into the Great Hall with enthusiasm, stopping when the chaos filling it met him. Princess Kayala was in a rage, shoving against one of her Knights as he blocked her path, her face burning red.
"What in Hyrule?" Audrik said as he stepped in, coming to Link's side. Ginthorne and his men had already made it in, and were trying to quell the conflict.
The Hero and the Prince turned to see Minister Hawkwood dashing towards them, visibly distressed and out of breath. "My Lord...and Hero." he said as he bowed.
"Minister Hawkwood, what is all this?" the Prince asked.
"We recieved word this morning that Gamelon has fallen to Holodrum's forces, the Dragon Knight being installed as their temporary ruler. The representatives are not happy...I've refused to offer them our aid until either you or the Princess were here to speak to them, and I didn't want to trouble your sister with this, as she has just awoken." the Minister said, growing increasingly panicked.
Link began forward, walking passed the Minister as Audrik called to him.
"Mr. Link, where are you going?" he asked, seemingly distressed by the commotion.
"To see Zelda." Link said, continuing forward, he had been apart from her for far too long, and hadn't seen her awake in over a week, something that concerned him greatly, but as she was awake now, he had no other worry other than the fact he wasn't already with her. As he continued forward, he could hear Audrik begin speaking with Minister Hawkwood when he was suddenly grabbed by the shoulder, turning to face Princess Kayala.
"You! You're supposed to be some sot of hero or Champion of the Goddesses! You can help me, right?! Please! I can't lose my Kingdom!" she said hysterically.
"Calm yourself, Princess." a Gamelonian Knight said as he took a hold of her shoulder.
"Let go of me, Gabriel!" she yelled as she swiped his hand away.
"Princess, please, we can talk about this in a calm, civilized manner." Audrik said as he stepped forward, Minister Hawkwood and Oren at his back.
"You! You were no help at all!" Princess Kayala yelled, pointing her scepter at Minister Hawkwood before smashing it into the ground.
Link looked across the room, fights had broken out between the forces of Gamelon and Hyrule as the Castle Guards attempted to keep the peace while Gamelonian representatives bickered with Hyrule's political higher ups.
"The further I get from Hyrule, the fainter the power of my Triforce grows, I'd be almost completely separated from it's power if I ventured to your land." Link said as he regarded the Princess, who's breathing had become heavy as the Knight he now knew as Gabriel attempted to calm her.
"We apologize, it's just, in the span of three days they took our country...what gives them the right?" he said as he tended to Kayala.
"Mayor Met wishes to lend you his forces, I believe he has already ventured back to Clock Town, maybe he has sent out the order by now." Audrik said, attempting to reassure the Princess.
"We may not have to confront them in Labrynna, I suspect they may be coming to us." Oren said, indicating the Princess's scepter.
"What do you mean?" Kayala asked, looking up at the Sheikah man.
"The Scepter of Gamelon." Link said, meeting the Princess's gaze.
"What about it?" Gabriel asked, placing himself between the Hylians and the Princess.
"Legend has it that the first King of Gamelon destroyed a Demon that had been ravaging his people with a single strike from it, if that's true, then that's probably what Erris is after." Link answered.
"Does he wish to destroy an opposing Demon Lord?" Audrik asked, looking to Link.
"Perhaps he wishes to destroy the scepter." Oren replied.
"I believe Oren is correct." Link added.
"I won't let him get his hands on it." Kayala growled, tightening her grip on the Scepter.
"Then you're staying here until we've defeated Erris." Audrik responded, locking eyes with the Princess.
"But won't this be the first place he'll look?" Gabriel protested.
"Minister Tonbridge and the Sorcerer's Guild have strengthened our magical defenses to such an extent that even the Evil King Ganondorf couldn't break them down." Audrik said confidently, his smile vanishing when he saw Link's look of warning.
"Until I'm needed, I'll be with the Princess." Link said as he walked away.
"Wait! Please, ask her for her assistance! I'm begging!" Kayala called as he strode away. Link hesitated for a moment before stopping, "I will." he called back, starting forward as the Princess uttered her thanks.
oOo
Even though he was tired he had made it up the stairs quickly, finding himself in the Royal Wing in a rather timely manner. He eased himself into the bath he drew, realizing that seeing Zelda while still clothed in heavily damaged armor, covered in blood and sweat was probably not the way she'd like to have their reunion occur. He looked at his armor and chain mail resting in the corner, a grim reminder of what he had just faced.
Link moved down the hall quickly, having finished bathing as fast as he could. He came upon the door to Zelda's bed chamber and raised a fist to knock, only to stop before he could complete the motion, resting his hand at his side. He looked down at the casual attire he wore before reaching up and running a hand across his hair. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how far he delved into his memories, he didn't feel like the "Hero of Legend" in this life, he'd let Erris get close enough to Zelda to injure her in such a grievous way, and even though he'd defeated him with Zelda's aid, he still felt like he'd failed. Half a year had passed since he, Kallil and Oreck journeyed to Castle Town with the rest of the recruits, and what did he have to show for it? Oreck was missing, an insane demonically empowered Prince from Labrynna had made two large scale attacks in Hyrulean territory and seized Gamelon, and he was almost sure Ganon was out there somewhere, waiting for his moment to strike.
Pushing these thoughts aside, he raised his hand once again only to be startled as the door opened quickly, Lemuria running straight into him, while still managing to close the door behind her.
"Hero! I..I'm so sorry!" she said as she composed herself, looking at the stunned Hylian.
"It's okay...how's Zelda?" Link asked.
"Fine, mostly, worried about you." the Sheikah girl answered.
"Why must she worry? I've been through worse." Link said, reflecting on his fight with Mahlik.
"We all worry about those we love." she began, locking eyes with Link.
Link smiled reassuringly, "Audrik is fine, last I saw of him he was in the Great Hall speaking with Princess Kayala."
A look of fury flashed across Lemuria's face, her hand clenching around her blade's hilt.
"I fear you've misunderstood my meaning!" Link said quickly, "They just speak of matters concerning Gamelon, nothing more." he assured her.
"That better be it." Lemuria said as she ran down the corridor towards the stairs.
"You're welcome." Link muttered as he stepped forward, grabbing the doorknob, foregoing knocking completely.
To his relief Zelda lay in bed, reading from a piece of parchment with a concerned look, Link remarking to himself that Minister Hawkwood had not done a good job when it came to keeping her from troubling herself with the day's events, Link pushing these thoughts aside as her face lit up considerably as she spied him entering.
"Zelda!" Link called, breaking into a run towards her bed, coming to a skidding halt as a sheathed blade blocked his path.
"Move more carefully, the last thing the Princess needs right now is you falling straight on top of her." Impa said, withdrawing the blade from before him.
"You're entirely too protective sometimes." Zelda said, an unamused look on her face.
Link walked forward calmly, his gaze lingering on Impa, the truth about her existence now known to him. Link wrapped his arms around Zelda, leaning his head against hers.
"I've missed you." She said quietly.
"And I you." Link replied.
"I'll excuse myself." Impa said, a slightly uncomfortable tone to her voice.
"Off to find Oren?" Zelda asked with a bright smile.
Impa flashed a small smile in return before leaving, closing the door behind her.
"I never imagined Impa would be the type to have a family." Link remarked, looking back to make sure the Sheikah woman had left.
"You know, you don't seem the type either, with all your adventuring and such." Zelda responded, pulling Link closer.
Link placed himself beside her, outstretching his arm, Zelda moved on top of it, with Link pulling her close. "After almost 2000 years you do not tire of me?" Link asked, a playful tone to his voice.
"Never." Zelda responded, pulling herself closer.
Link wouldn't show it, but he felt enormous relief, half expecting Zelda to hate him for failing to protect her from Erris. He outstretched his arm, seizing the piece of parchment Zelda had been reading, he scanned the letter, finding she had been bringing herself up to date on recent happenings, from the battle in Kokiri Forest, to the invasion of Gamelon. "You shouldn't trouble yourself with such stressful matters at a time like this, you should focus on your recovery." he said, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.
"I am the reigning Monarch, I must stay up to date if I am to do my job correctly." she said, snatching the piece of parchment and setting it on the nightstand beside her. "Besides, I wasn't able to participate in the Battle of Kokiri Forest for as long as I would have liked, knowing how it turned out eased my worries greatly." she said, laying her left arm across Link's chest.
Link looked out the window, the sun gleamed brightly in the sky, large white clouds passing by, a gentle wind blowing the trees and grass in the distance, so often he feared that this would be the last time he'd see it in a long while, not knowing when Erris, or Ganon for that matter were going to enact some sort of curse that would ravage the land.
"Has the day brought any good news?" Link asked, giving Zelda a comforting smile.
"Kakariko has been rebuilt, all those that sought refuge here may return home." Zelda said, suddenly taking on a serious expression.
"What troubles you, my love?" Link asked, taking notice of the change in demeanor.
"Scouts near the Gerudo Desert have reported strange happenings recently, such as cold winds blowing during the day, and strange disappearances of livestock and those who venture out to find them." she responded.
"It could just be a surge in the leever population." Link answered, hoping to ease his Princess' worries.
"I fear a great darkness is beginning to take hold, what Erris is doing...he's using it as a distraction." she said, her body tensing as she spoke.
"You think a dungeon has appeared in the desert?" he asked, becoming concerned.
"Yes." Zelda answered, embracing Link tightly.
As if fate had heard him lamenting his failings at being the hero, it had presented him with this, his most hated of obstacles, at least it made him realize that no matter what, he was always the "Hero of Legend."
"We'll drive the darkness away as always, and we'll do it together." Link said, placing his forward against Zelda's, their lips interlocking as they drew closer, the day's stress all but forgotten.
oOo
Erris retired to his bed chamber, Oreck's test not having gone at all as he would have liked. The boy was too simple minded, too prone to anger to control the mask's power. The entity inside had asserted it's dominance and leveled part of the Castle's eastern wing, Ganon would not be pleased. Erris groaned as he thought about facing him and the two women that tagged along, one was condescending as all hell and the other was just plain crazy, but at least that was amusing, he didn't know how many more sarcastic comments he could take from the one that claimed to be Ganon's wife, or what he could do about it, Ganon was far more powerful than him, that was easy to see.
Erris came upon his bed chamber, letting himself fall forehead first into the door. He didn't know how he did it, Ganondorf kept the Anteforce of Wrath and the Triforce of Power in the shape of an hourglass on the back of his right hand, the two, although being opposites when it came to the energies they were constructed from, worked together in harmony, giving Ganon the ability to reach heights of power never before seen, Erris hated thinking about it, but soon enough he may be expendable too.
Telekinetically he opened the door, snapping his fingers, igniting the candles in the room...or at least that's what he thought would happen. He tried again, his magic still having no effect.
"What the hell?" the said quietly, stepping into his bed chamber. He cast a light spell, a glowing orb forming around his hand. He went to check the nearest candle, but something caught him out of the corner of his eye, he whirled to find a feminine figure, his light spell only illuminating her legs.
Erris extended his arm, electricity crackling from his shoulder to his fingers. "Identify yourself! How did you get in here?!" Erris stammered, completely taken off guard.
"Sorry I suppressed your magic, darling, I just needed to make sure it was you before I revealed myself." the woman explained.
Erris recognized the voice...could it be?
"Mother...?"
oOo
And there we have it, chapter 23! I hope you enjoyed the read!
Gerudospirit: Thank you! I decided instead of just throwing him in, I was going to give him a backstory and humanize him a bit, just so you kind of get a better feel for the character, something I've noticed you've done with Yuga in your story! I was afraid I was making a mistake giving Ganon family, but I'm glad I was wrong, Shilara is kinda crazy, but that's what happens when you're brother's the Evil King reincarnated, I'd assume, but Naora, she was just your average Gerudo woman, maybe a bit softer-hearted than the rest, but normal nonetheless. I think the real challenge for her was just dealing with Kai's transition into Ganondorf, and adjusting to his new personality, while also enjoying the fact she managed to make the mortal incarnation of Demise fall for her! I'm so glad that her motivations "speak to you" as you said, I was wondering how this all would be received, and this is delightful answer to that question! Thank you for reviewing! =]
Lady Kiridia: Thank you, thank you! Sorry to keep you waiting! I wanted to write Ganondorf as a person instead of just the antagonist and make people feel for him. I'm really flattered that you liked how I wrote him into the story to such an extent! I've actually thought about starting another fic, but it never crossed my mind to write one centered around Ganon, and now that you've suggested it, the idea really appeals to me, and I'm very grateful that you have enough faith in my writing abilities to believe that I could carry it out! Thank you so much! I hope you enjoyed this chapter too! Thank you for reviewing! :D
Also, shout outs to Zelink4dayz, Stellarlupine, and Stylin80 for favoriting and following me and my story! High fives to all of you!
I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! I welcome all comments and criticism, and if you see a mistake, feel free to point it out so I can fix it, thank you!
Best of luck!
-Prometheus17