Erris took a step back, the glow emanating from his hand still being the only light in the room.
"You can't be..." he said, gritting his teeth.
"Why ever not?" the woman asked with a rather happy tone.
"Because..you...you're..." Erris said, stopping as the woman tapped her staff against the ground, a ball of light shooting from the top that lit the entire room.
Before him stood a tall tan skinned woman, her eyes a dark purple with red irises, and hair white as the clouds above, she looked exactly as she did the day she left.
"You can't be my mother...you look scarcely older than I." Erris said, gripping the handle of his crimson blade.
"Why thank you." she said with a laugh, "It's all thanks to an immortality spell, one I can easily cast over you, my dear." she said, a sincere smile forming on her face.
"I'm not letting you cast any spells over me." Erris answered, his eyes meeting hers.
"Let me cast it, or cast it yourself, it makes no difference as long as your safe." she replied.
"Stop toying with me and get to the point! What are you? A Demon? A spirit? A changeling? Be forewarned, whatever you are, you pose no threat to me, and mimicking the form of my mother will only worsen your fate." Erris growled, beginning to advance on the woman.
"You're stubborn, just like Lannis was." Cia said, a sad tone to her voice.
Erris lunged, blade pointed at her, only to have her teleport away. "You're not my mother, she abandoned me and my father because we were losing, she didn't care for us, she just wanted power! If you were her, what reason do you have to return?!" the Prince yelled, growing increasingly angry.
Cia rematerialized behind the Prince, an aggravated expression on her face. "You doubt me still?! Fine then! Look for yourself!" she shouted.
Erris spun around to face her, but before he could react, Cia gripped his wrist, placing his palm on her forehead. "What is-?" is all Erris was able to say before the world around him disappeared, everything going black. He found himself in complete darkness, being neither warm or cold, and unable to look in any direction but forward. Without warning, a bright flash swept over him, and when visibility returned, he found himself watching scenes, as if he were at a theatre viewing a play, but these were real, they were her memories. Erris saw his father and his uncle as young men through her eyes, he saw their moments together, saw she and his father grow closer, saw himself as a child, but the sudden influx of information began to overhwhelm him, the Sorceress breaking the mental connection.
Erris fell to the floor, his head spinning.
"Can you see now, that I am truly who I say I am?" Cia asked, looking to her son imploringly.
"Yes." Erris said as he steadied himself. "But why return? Why now?"
"After your father and I first began to invade Hyrule...the Evil One appeared, promising us victory if we would do everything he asked." she said, casting her gaze downwards.
"I know, he's the one that told me you abandoned us due to our failures in battle." Erris said, his anger still burning. Ganondorf had been there since he was very young, serving as an advisor to his father, and had been the one that trained him in using his magical abilities after his father and Volga had been killed.
"That is not the reasonI left." Cia said, a serious expression adorning her face. "I left because he forced me away! I am the only being capable of opening the Gate of Souls, and for centuries I was the last who could, but I am no longer alone, as my son you are able to control and open the Gate of Souls too, Ganondorf sought that power, planning to do terrible things. I ran because if I did not, he would have forced me to open a portal to the dark world, and release the Druthilidi known as Majora, who was condemned there after the Hero destroyed him in Termina. Without me though, you were his only hope, I knew if I left, he'd keep you alive and help you grow your abilities so you'd be capable of commanding the Gate of Souls." she said, the pain in her eyes clear.
"Why couldn't you have taken me with you? To be safe in the Valley of Seers?" Erris asked, his anger being lessened, but still present.
"With every rebirth, he grows in power, I'm afraid that if he was desperate enough, he could find the Valley, and break through the protection spell cast around it, but because he had you, he didn't have to search for me, and because you were the only hope he had at opening the Gate of Souls, I knew he would keep you safe, and that's better than him hunting me down, forcing me to use the Gate...and killing you." Cia answered.
"How do you know this?" Erris asked, skepticism growing within him.
"You have to trust me! Wizzro is part of me, what he knows, I know. When the Evil One began speaking of raising Majora, I knew that he'd soon attempt to force you to open the Gate of Souls, so I came at once." Cia responded.
"How did you get here? And how is it that he hasn't sensed your presence?" Erris asked, locking eyes with his mother.
"The Gate of Souls allows me to travel wherever I want, regardless of distance, and as for hiding my presence, I'm using a cloaking spell I've spent the last 5 years developing, it only extends around me, but that will suffice for now...Erris, I want you to know that everything I did, I did out of love for you and your father, please forgive me." Cia said, looking to her son.
"Erris closed his eyes, tilting his head forward. "I forgive you." Erris stated, looking up to meet the gaze of his mother, I sincere look in his eyes.
Cia looked on, tears coming to her eyes, "There was a time, when all I wanted was power...now I just want your safety, please, come with me to the Valley of Seers, there we can send that Demon inside of you back to Dark World." she said with a smile.
Erris however, reacted in shock. "I can't get rid of Mahlik, he's...he's the only hope I have of vengeance for what the King has done to father, me, and my land." he said, his agitation growing.
"If we get rid of Mahlik, the Evil One's Anteforce of Wrath will fall dormant again, and he'll lose access to it's power, weakening him severely. Besides, you can't blame the state of your country on the King of Hyrule...the Demon Lord inside of you plays a part in it's desolation, his being summoned here being what started it." Cia said, cringing as Erris took on a determined expression.
"I will use Mahlik's power until I achieve my goals, then when I am done, I shall expell him back from whence he came." Erris answered.
"I urge you to reconsider, my son! We can defeat the Evil One together!" Cia exclaimed, growing distressed.
"I do not doubt you mother, and I do wish to send "The Evil One" as you call him, back to wherever the dead go, but for now, I must continue this tenuous alliance of ours."
"Fine then...but be cautious, there was a time that the Evil One and I were matched in power, but that day has long passed."
Erris raised an eyebrow, not having realized the full extent of his mothers abilities. "I will not let him manipulate me..."
"Someone comes for you, I must take my leave, but if you need my aid, inform Wizzro, and I will come." Cia said before opening a portal behind her. "Erris my dear...I love you, don't forget that." she said before stepping through the portal, disappearing completely.
Erris stared at the spot his mother occupied, for the first time in more than a decade, he felt some sort of good in his heart, his anger no longer having as strong a hold as it used to.
A knock suddenly came at the door, Ryos calling from the other side.
oOo
Ganon locked eyes with his younger sister before glancing to Naora, her disapproving gaze meeting his.
"Please brother, I can handle that Demon, trust me!" Shilara implored, looking to her brother.
"Majora is the most powerful demon in existence, no mortal can handle his presence in their body, one must have complete mental stability and spiritual fortitude of unequaled prowess." Ganon said, trying to calm his sister.
"But that..that...little blonde Princess has some kind of Goddess in her, I need Majora's power, so I can rip her apart! And the little brat Prince too! I am mentally stable enough!" she yelled, slamming her fists onto the table, energy arcing over her body.
"Case in point." Naora said sarcastically.
"I'll start with you!" Shilara yelled pointing at the older Gerudo woman.
"Calm yourself!" Ganondorf yelled, glaring at his sister.
"Brother, I can contain that Demon, you know I can! I'll use it's power to destroy the Princess, her family, and that Castle of hers, and I'll leave that boy for you of course." she said.
"You have me wishing I hadn't informed you of my plans." Ganon growled, looking up as the Prince walked in, Ryos and Wizzro at his side. "Am I interrupting something?" Erris asked as he took his seat. He wouldn't show it, but nervousness overtook him, even with all that his mother had said, he somewhat doubted that Ganon did not sense her.
"Just a little girl throwing a fit." Naora answered as she sent Shilara a glare.
"You." Shilara growled as a ball of fire manifested in her palm.
"Please, no fighting in my council room, the table alone is very valuable." Erris stated, looking at the Gerudo women.
Shilara sat down, the fire in her palm dissipating after receiving a warning glare from her brother.
"Prince Erris, tell me, what news does the day bring?" Ganon asked.
Erris looked over at Wizzro, before turning to Ganon, "Wizzro here has just returned from Gamelon, the invasion was successful, but it seems the Scepter is not present. Volga has been able to extract it's location from their Minister of Royal affairs, though." the Prince replied.
"And where might that be?" Ganon asked.
"As you know, Hyrule's Summer Celebration occurred recently, Princess Kayala being in attendance at the Castle, where she remains, with the Scepter." Erris answered.
"Then infiltrate the Castle and take it." Ganon said menacingly.
"It's not that easy anymore, after our recent attacks, they've strengthened their magical defenses, nothing gets through if they don't want it to." Erris answered.
"Perhaps we shall lay siege to it's gates sooner than planned." Ganon said with a smile.
"We cannot do that! Our forces aren't strong enough!" Erris answered, locking eyes with the Gerudo Man.
"I've spoken with the Blin emperor, their forces are at my disposal." Ganon responded.
Erris place his elbows on the table, lacing his fingers. "I suppose I should thank you for that, this is your plan, yet you seem to be taking no part in it, if you wish for our mutual success, I would say it's time you stand up and take a more active role like I've been doing." Erris answered with a smile.
Ganon pounded the table, a small tremor shaking the room, "You must adjust your attitude boy, I will take part when I feel that the time has come, but as for right now, you are lucky that I remain part of this."
Erris smiled inwardly, his mother's visit revealing he was not as expendable as he feared he may have been, as he was integral in Ganon's plans. "I did not mean to offend, I just meant to state my thanks for regaining the Blin Empire's assistance." Erris responded with a smile.
"You should be thankful, without them, our plan may fail, and the same applies to raising Majora." Ganon said, a forceful expression on his face.
"Still on that? Are we? It strikes me as unwise, seeing as even Mahlik, the Demon Lord of fear, is afraid of Majora. You speak of him as an ally, but from what I've heard, he wants complete destruction of every one and every thing, and as long as we don't have a suitable host, that's exactly what we'll get." Erris argued.
"If we summon Majora, we will win this war, and Labrynna will belong to you, and your family for eternity." Ganon said, attempting to persuade the Prince without intimidation.
"As appealing as that sounds, I'd like there to a Labrynna, for my heirs, which at the moment, don't exist." Erris said with serious expression, which broke into one of uneasiness as he heard Shilara laugh in a mischievous fashion.
"I could help you remedy that, I promise I'll be gentle...but not too much so." she said with a smirk, finding enjoyment in the Prince's uncomfortable expression.
"Don't scare the boy." Naora said, a serious expression across her face.
All the occupants in the room fell silent as Ganon stood up, "Stop this nonsense! I will not tolerate any further argument, we will raise Majora, and our victory will be at hand!" he shouted, winds beginning to blow outside the Castle, thunder booming overhead.
Erris stood up, electricity flowing across his form, readying himself for a fight. "Where is your host then? Without one, we will do no such thing!" he shouted in response.
To everyone's shock, Ganon smiled, a booming laugh emanating from him. "Our host is an immortal who has lived 3000 years, he has once carried the Triforce of Courage, and even now is capable of holding massive magical energies, he has gone by many names, but you might know him as the Light Sage." Ganon said, his booming laugh continuing.
oOo
She no longer felt the bed she rested on, nor the pillow that cradled her head, not even Link's embrace. She was neither hot or cold, comfortable or uncomfortable, she just was, a once familiar feeling that she had forgotten over time. Zelda opened her eyes, finding herself floating amongst the stars, the small sphere she called home far below her, she smiled to herself, before she had been incarnated into a mortal form she had done this many times, traveling through the clouds, venturing into the great beyond, home of the stars, the moons, and the numerous other wonders the Golden Goddesses had created. It's lack of air and warmth didn't affect her though, as her divine powers more than compensated for that, she relaxed, letting herself float free, the sun's light shining over her as she watched her people from high above.
Suddenly the calm was broken, the Princess's eyes shot open as three golden objects shot passed her right side, with three crimson ones flying passed her left, not being able to find a point of origin, she turned to see what they were flying towards. It was as if stars were blinking out of existence, their light vanishing as a hole in space enveloped them. Terror gripped her as a loud sound, like the call of a whale, but much deeper, and much more frightening reverberated from the tear in space. Zelda let herself float back as something enormous emerged from the tear, something so unfathomably large her mind failed to comprehend it's very existence, chills ran through her body as what looked like thick black smoke poured forth, complete darkness falling as the smoke slowly wrapped itself around the sun. She couldn't find the will to look though, as she was fixated on what transpired before her, two dim red lights beginning to glow from deep within the smoke.
"Small...Goddess..." a deep, terrifying voice boomed, it's words echoing throughout the cosmos, shaking stars into oblivion.
Zelda's entire body tensed, a scream escaping as the two red lights shot forward, straight at her.
Link awoke, making a startled yelp as he fell from the bed. "Zelda! What's wrong?!" he questioned as he righted himself, reaching for the sword he now realized he had forgotten in his bed chamber.
Zelda's breathing was rapid, her chest heaving as if she had just run from the northern shores of Gamelon to Hyrule's southern mountain range. Looking around her, she was put at ease by the familiar surroundings. "My apologies...it was just a..a dream." she said, a state of terror still gripping her, but not as strongly as before.
"A dream? Or a vision?" Link asked as he stood up, looking upon his rather flustered Princess.
"I...I'm not sure." Zelda said, sitting up straight.
"Allow me to ease your mind." Link said with a smirk, pulling himself back up into the bed.
Zelda smiled in agreement, pulling Link on top of her, telekinetically locking the door.
Link looked over, his smile growing as he realized the source of the sound. "Do I make a decent distraction?" he asked teasingly.
"Stop your nonsense and get to the point." Zelda said with a laugh.
"The point?" Link asked, slowly moving to undo the strings that held the nightgown she was dressed in.
"You know well what I speak of." Zelda replied, removing Link's shirt via telekinesis.
"Indeed." Link answered, pulling her gown down passed her shoulders, her breasts coming into full view.
Zelda bit her lower lip as Link placed his lips between them, slowly moving from one to the other. Quickly he picked himself up off of her, undoing a string on his trousers, the garment dropping tot he floor. With swish of her hands, the nightgown that only half covered the Princess disappeared, leaving her completely bare.
Link's gaze lingered, it had been too long, he leapt onto the bed, Zelda releasing a startled squeak as he did so. Link grabbed her waist, easily pulling her onto him, their bare skin meeting. Without a word their lips locked, Zelda's body moving along Link's. With a quick movement, Link felt himself enter her, Zelda breathing in sharply as he did so. The two held each other close, gasps and short, quiet moans escaping as the world around them, along with all of their cares and worries seemed to slip away.
oOo
"Shall you knock, my Lord?" Minister Hawkwood asked, looking at the Prince uneasily.
"No, no, the honor is yours." Audrik said, stepping to the side, gesturing at the older man.
The Hero and his sister had been locked in her bed chamber all morning doing the Goddesses know what, with Audrik's imagination filling in the blanks against his will.
Minister Hawkwood looked to the Prince, with Audrik raising an eyebrow in return. The Minister slowly knocked.
A short laugh was heard from inside, as well as shuffling before a voice came from the other side. "Yes?" they heard from the other side.
"Princess, I would just like to know if you will be attending the council meeting." Minister Hawkwood explained.
"Ah yes! The council meeting, you can be assured I will be in attendance." Audrik heard his sister reply.
"Well that's that." Audrik said, walking away with Minister Hawkwood in toe.
oOo
"Must you?" Link asked, watching as Zelda pulled on a set of white gloves"
"Link, you know better than anyone that is my duty as ruler of this land to attend the council meetings, I've already missed too many." she replied.
Link thought back, he had been in attendance at many council meetings in their past lives, sometimes being on the council himself, they always bored him though, more than once he had resigned his position in favor of fighting his way through temples and dungeons, facing unspeakable peril for the sake of Hyrule, and of his Princess. Link smiled as he watched her blonde hair fall over the dress she wore, he considered himself lucky that she chose him in every one of their lives.
"A rupee for your thoughts?" Zelda asked playfully as Link stood, the Princess blushing as his bare form came into view.
"Just thanking the Goddesses for you." Link answered with a smile, stumbling as he pulled his trousers on.
"Just as I thank them every day for you." Zelda said.
Link swept his hair out of his face after pulling his shirt on, he had brought it with him from his village, one of the few things he was allowed to take with him.
"We should visit it soon." Zelda said, looking to Link.
"It?" questioned Link.
"You're home village, meeting your family is something I look forward to greatly." Zelda said, sending her Hero a small, but sincere smile.
Link looked down, he felt slight guilt, he had spent half a year away from his mother and sister, he hoped they had not thought he had forgotten them, even in his future lives, it was not something he could see himself doing, as they were closest thing he'd ever had to a complete family. "If that's what you wish to do, then we shall." Link said, taking Zelda's hand as they made their way into the hall.
oOo
Link gazed up towards the sky, small ripples forming in the air where birds made contact with the invisible shield that sheltered the Castle, even with it's power increased, Link still found himself doubting it's ability to hold against an assault for very long, be it from Erris or Ganondorf.
The Hero removed his pack, pulling forth an arrow tipped with a bright red crystalline point, small black granules suspended inside. Link walked toward the highest point of the turret, collecting the bow he had borrowed along the way. It was much heavier than his bow, with a much thicker and stronger build, used for launching arrows long distances. He tilted it up, nocked the arrow, and let it loose, watching the projectile disappear into the air.
An enormous ripple rolled through the shield as the shockwave pushed it's way outwards, Link stepping back in shock as a massive explosion ripped across the magical barrier's surface. To his relief, the shield held strong, the arrow he had used was difficult to come by, it's destructive power being well known, and quite famous throughout the land.
"If I had to guess, I'd say one part black powder, and three parts dragon's blood." Link heard a voice call from behind him, spinning around to find Sir Trystane staring at him.
Sir Trystane stood a small distance away, an amused expression upon his face. "That'd make that a quite rare, and quite illegal "Wyvern's Bane" bomb arrow, would it not?"
"Going to throw me in the dungeons?" Link asked, narrowing his eyes at the man.
"No, no, no, of course not, you're the Hero, I couldn't do that." Trystane said with a laugh.
"Wouldn't be the first time." Link remarked as he slung his pack back over his shoulder.
"Be that as it may, I am here for a much more noble purpose, if I do say so myself." Sir Trystane admitted.
"And that is?" Link asked as he retrieved his bow.
"In every book I've read, the hero of the story always has a company, if you will, a group of like minded individuals who fight along side him, who fight for him!" Trystane said enthusiastically.
"Meaning?" Link asked.
"I wish to be the first member of your Hero's company, it would be an unparalleled honor." Sir Trystane explained, bowing his head.
"You're a Knight, does Sir Ginthorne not have need of you?" Link asked.
"I'm sure he'd be happy to lend my service to you." Sir Trystane said, the confidence in his voice easy to hear.
"What of your friend Sir Mathias?" Link questioned, looking to the Knight before him.
"That's a...well...complicated story." Sir Trystane responded, looking off to his left.
Link simply raised an eyebrow, "Do tell." he responded, his gaze resting on Trystane.
"Well..." Trystane began, "Mathias was a rather persistent suitor of the Princess, I fear he does not wish to fight along side you." Sir Trystane explained.
Link felt anger well up inside of him, he had many altercations with Zelda's suitors, be them verbal or physical, but the protectiveness he felt never faded. "Did he actually think he had a chance?" Link said with a smirk, eliciting a short laugh from Sir Trystane. "If he won't fight with me, I'm glad you will." Link said, extending a hand to the young Knight.
Sir Trystane stood still for a moment, looking at Link in astonishment before shaking his hand excitedly. "I am truly honored!" he exclaimed as Link bowed his head to the other man.
"Now, let's take our leave before the guards come to investigate the explosion." Link said as the two walked away.
oOo
Zelda looked across the table, nervousness tugging at her as all the members of the council remained silent, first the invasion of Gamelon and now this?
"You mean to tell me the Zora Kingdom has seceded from Hyrule?" she pressed.
"They have not formally seceded, Princess, they just, have declared war without us." Minister Iann explained, looking on nervously. Minister Iann Talisk was the traitorous and inhuman Minister Ryos's replacement, having taken his seat of Minister of Foreign Affairs almost instantly.
"King Laorik spoke of it, but I didn't think he'd attempt such a foolhardy thing." Audrik said, dropping his face into his hands.
"This is just some kind of game he's playing, he doesn't have the numbers needed to stage such an attack." Minister Morik Lin added.
I fear that may not be true." Minister Farin said, looking across the table. "They could have sought the Zola's help, an act which, if successful, would have at least doubled their fighting force."
"Your majesty, I suggest you go yourself to speak with King Laorik and Lord Mikau, you may be able to dissuade them from taking such drastic actions." Minister Hawkwood suggested.
"If King Laorik wishes to attack Labrynna, I will not be able to stop him, he's confident to the point of complete arrogance, and his disdain for humans is well noted." Zelda said, reflecting on past Zora rulers, Ruto bested Laorik when it came to madness, but at least she did what was best for her people.
"If we allow them to attack Labrynna, it could weaken their defenses, opening the way for us." Minister Kain Tonbridge suggested, the other Minister's turning to him in disbelief.
"It'd be more likely to provoke that mad man they call a Prince to do something even more brazen and brutal then he already has, I mean, for the Goddesses' sake, the man somehow has the Blin Empire bending to his will." Minister Eltar Kendres joined in, locking eyes with Minister Tonbridge.
"For now, we can't risk King Laorik making things worse." Zelda said, looking across the room.
"How do you plan to stop him?" Minister Iann asked.
"I'll send a team ahead to the Labrynnian border, once there, they will stop him, even if they have to use force." Zelda said, a solemn tone to her voice.
The Ministers looked on, not quite believing what they had heard the Princess say.
"Who is it you plan on making leader of this team?" Minister Hawkwood asked, the room falling silent as the assembled ministers easily came to the conclusion on who it was she had chosen.
oOo
"Where are you leading me?" Link asked as he followed Trystane, the two men weaving through the crowd rapidly.
"A hero's company cannot just be made up of two men." Trystane answered.
"I realized, thus I've chosen two additional members, my former fellow guardsmen Kallil Trevin, and my former sword instructor Elgon Cornette." Link answered, coming to stop behind Trystane. The sign above the door read "Madame Rose's House of Fancy", Link feeling an anger grow inside of him as he set his gaze on Trystane. "You've taken me to a brothel?" he asked in disbelief.
"Hero, please, allow me to explain." Trystane went on.
"You do realize I am engaged to the Princess, and plan to remain faithful in this life and the next, correct? I do not like my time being wasted." Link shot, his patience having reached an end.
"Please, Hero, I do not seek what one conventionally seeks when entering a brothel, I am looking for a man." Trystane explained.
Link's rage died, being replaced by utter confusion, "Oh, I well, I don't judge you, I just never thought..." he began, wondering why Trystane had brought him along.
"What do you...? Wait! That's not what I mean!" Trystane responded, having realized what he had lead Link to believe. "What I really mean is, there's a man that works in this establishment, a former sellsword who now deals with their unruly clientele."
"What makes you believe he'd be a good addition to our team, it would stand to reason there are many like him." Link responded.
"This is one of the more popular businesses of it's kind in Castle Town, it is frequented by members of House Ginthorne, who often get unruly. If the individual we seek can throw out a Ginthorne man, then I'd assume there aren't many who'd be able to stand against him." Trystane replied, looking to the Hero for approval.
"Fine, let's get this over with." Link responded as the two walked in.
Link felt uneasy in the surroundings, he was a man of honor, never having visited a place like this in his life, and to his chagrin, he was already attracting much unwanted attention.
"What is this?" a short, but strong looking woman yelled, striding over to Link and Trystane. "I know Knights when I see them, did they send you to shut me down?" she said with a glare.
"Not at all, we seek a man who works here." Trystane explained.
The woman's face took on a look annoyance, "You'll have to look somewhere else."
"That's not what he means." Link said from behind Trystane.
"She knows exactly what I speak of, don't you Madame Rose?" Trystane pressed.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't, my memory's gotten fuzzy with age, could use something nice and shiny to freshen it up." she said with a smirk.
Trystane sighed and removed a blue rupee from his pack, showing it to the woman, "Will this do?"
"I'm recalling a name, Thrakon...maybe that's it..." she said, he smirk growing.
"How about this?" Link asked, withdrawing a silver rupee from his pack.
"I think I remember where you could find him, now." Madame Rose said with a smile.
Before Link could hand the rupee to her, a woman screamed in the back, catching his and Trystane's attention. Link withdrew his blade, Trystane following suit as they made their way towards they back, Madame Rose glaring at them as they walked away.
A tall, well built man with long blonde hair emerged from behind a curtain, holding a younger man in a headlock.
"Let me go, you common filth! I am Rickard Gavan, heir to the greatest Noble House in all of Hyrule!" the young man yelled, pulling against the larger man's arm.
"You treat the women here like trash, and you get put out with the trash, the man said. He threw the younger man towards an open door, shoving him out of it and into the back alley outside, slamming the door behind him, and coming to a halt when he noticed the two men standing before him, blades drawn. "Bannerman of House Gavan, I'm guessing?"
"It's good to see you Thrakon." Trystane said as he relaxed, sheathing his blade.
"Trystane! I have't seen you since the Battle of Rutella Valley, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I'd like you to meet my fellow Knight, Link." he said, indicating the hero, "We have a proposition for you."
"Do tell." Thrakon said, curiosity marking his voice.
The three made their way outside, eventually resting in an alleyway a distance away from Madame Rose's establishment.
"The Hero of Legend?" Thrakon said looking at Link, "That's just a myth." the man said with a laugh.
"So is sellswords having honor." Link responded, locking eyes with Thrakon.
"Watch your mouth, kid." Thrakon replied has he drew himself up to his full height.
"You tell me this man is a skilled fighter, yet we find him throwing drunk youths out of a brothel, I fail to see you seem to." Link said, glancing over to Trystane.
Link dove out of the way as Thrakon lunged at him, blade drawn. "I'm going to teach you some manners!" he exclaimed as he dove at Link again. The Hero faded back, Thrakon's blade barely missing him. Link drew his sword, blocking a downwards strike from the taller man, before dropping down and rolling backwards out of his path.
Trystane watched from the side, deciding not to interfere as Thrakon unwittingly proved himself.
Link spun to the side, jumping towards Thrakon, their blades meeting with a loud crash. The Hero performed a backflip, followed by a jump attack, knocking Thrakon off balance, with Link throwing a simple a horizontal slash his way, making the taller man fall on his back. Link approached carefully, leaping back as the other man jumped back to his feet. Link drew his sword back, ready to reenter the battle, but before he could do so, Thrakon lifted his sword above his head, subsequently releasing a powerful spin attack, with Link barely dodging it in time.
"I'm impressed." Link said with a smile.
Thrakon took on a puzzled expression, lowering his blade. "What?"
"Sorry about all that, I just wanted to see how you fought when you truly saw me as an enemy, and not just a sparring partner." Link explained, nodding towards the taller man.
"So, is he suitable material?" Trystane asked as he drew closer.
"For what?" Thrakon asked, his confusion obvious.
"We're putting a team together, and I wish for you to be part of it." Link said.
"How does it sound? Being part of the Hero's company?" Trystane asked, looking to Thrakon hopefully.
"Hero's company? You mean to tell me you believe this kid's the Hero of Legend? Just cause he can fight-" Thrakon side, falling silent as Link removed his glove, revealing the glowing mark of the Triforce beneath it.
"You were saying?" Link said with a smile.
"Goddesses...it's true..." Thrakon said, staring in awe as the Triforce mark burned brightly on Link's hand.
"So what do you say?" Trystane questioned his old acquaintance.
"Fight monsters again, be part of history, sounds good to me." he said with a smile.
"Glad to have you." Link said, bowing his head to the man.
"If I may ask, why did you abandon your sellsword ways?" Trystane asked, no longer being able to resist the curiosity.
Thrakon looked hesitant at first, casting his gaze downwards, "There are things out there that are far stronger than any man, I was almost killed during a certain encounter, it shook my confidence, and being inside Castle Walls felt like the safest place to be." he answered, a slightly ashamed tone to his voice.
"A Bulblin, Redead, Lizalfos?" Link asked.
"It was nothing like I'd ever seen before...at first I thought it was a human, but as it drew near, I realized it was much too large." Thrakon said, looking up at Link and Trystane.
"What do you speak of?" Link asked, a foreboding feeling developing inside of him.
"A Black Knight." Thrakon answered, meeting Link's gaze.
Link turned to Trystane, the severity of the matter being communicated silently.
oOo
Chapter 24 is done, I hope you enjoyed it!
Gerudospirit: I'm glad you're excited, I was worried that bringing Demise's sword back would be a mistake, I'm glad you liked it! I really hope you liked Erris and Cia's interaction, I didn't really write her as crazy as she was in the game, mostly because I feel as if motherhood kind of calmed her down! You really do make me feel flattered, I'm glad I don't come off as pretentious, thank you so much for all of your compliments and kind words! When I can find the time, there definitely will be more fics in the future! Thank you for reviewing! :)
Lady Kiridia: I was worried I was softening Ganon up, but I'm glad you like the fact he has a wife. I wrote her in as a way to show his more human side, with Ganon caring for her to such an extent that she can dissuade him from harming others. Come to think of it, Shilara always reminded me of someone, and now that you've said that, I'm pretty sure that's who it was, I always did really like Azula's character, you can call her my unwitting inspiration, haha. And yes! Cia's made her entrance, and it's definitely not her last appearance, I can tell you that! ;) Thank you for you encouragement, I really wanted to write a prequel to this one, possibly based on what happens after Midna moves on, or the events that trasnpire after Link returns from Termina in the OoT timeline, or possibly just another original story. I'm glad you like my story so far, thank you for your support and your reviews! =]
Thank you to Karasu Tenka and Eagle1989 for favoriting and following me and my story!
If you spot a grammar/syntax/continuity mistake, feel free to tell me!
Also, you may notice I changed the name, I just feel that "The last stand of Hyrule" doesn't fit, as a last stand ends in a fall, but I digress.
Thank you for reading and best regards!
-Prometheus17