Zelda laid her head on the ornate desk that once belonged to her father, his father before him and so on. Slowly, she moved her fingers across the carving on the very edge, the Triforce's shape being familiar to her even when it was touch and not sight that took in it's form. It had been two uneventful days since Link had set out with the rest of Hyrule's military force in order to join with Termina's, leaving only a skeleton crew of guards, soldiers and a few Knights and Captains behind, among them was Captain Viscen, her father's most trusted warrior...after Elgon, that is. The Princess clenched her fist as she thought of all that could happen to Link while he fought in the furthest reaches of the continent they lived upon, this was no ordinary war, no ordinary squabble about borders, this was a fight for the survival of not just Hyrule, not just the five lands, but the world itself. With Ganondorf's newfound power, he was now far more of a force to be reckoned with than ever before, and if he were ever to decide to make his presence known, it would be when the Goddesses' Champion, his eternal nemesis was attempting to take a territory he had laid claim to.
Zelda slowly rose, reacting to the sunlight that breached the dark clouds that hung above Hyrule, illuminating the bright white blanket of newly fallen snow on the grounds far below her. She quickly passed her hand into the shaft of light coming through the window, her Triforce of Wisdom glowing brilliantly while the Triforce of Courage was dim, and the Triforce of Power seemingly lifeless. The fact that there was so much distance between her and Ganondorf gave her solace when confronted with the fact that Link's Triforce of Courage barely reacted, the distance between them being so great. The further he strayed from the Goddesses' chosen land, the weaker his Triforce became, the Princess feared that once he reached Gamelon, he'd be left without it's power, having to rely on his own physical attributes and skill as a warrior, her lips curling into a small smile when she recalled how formidable he could be even without the power of his part of the Triforce.
She was roused from her thoughts as a soft knock came at the door. Zelda looked upon the entranceway, puzzled for a moment as the knock came so far down that one may have thought it was a child that came calling.
"Enter." Zelda called out, a hint of cautiousness in her voice.
"Princess! It's good to see you're feeling well, I had been told you'd taken to your study all day." the green haired girl said as she entered.
"Saria, what an unexpected visit this is." Zelda said.
"Oh, I can leave if now is not..." Saria said, Zelda cutting her off.
The Princess grinned as she regarded the girl, Saria no longer held the visage of a child, her features having grown slightly more mature, her face and and body now more adolescent in appearance than childish, obviously caused by time spent away from the Great Deku Tree's restorative aura. "I apologize, I didn't mean it like that, your arrival is a very welcome surprise, my brother will only talk to me during council meetings, so vexed he is I left him in Link's home village while Castle Town was under siege." Zelda explained, her smile faltering momentarily as she thought back to the events that day, and the creature she and Link had confronted alongside Sir Ginthorne and company.
"Oh, good, I was afraid you'd be too busy to hear what I have to say." Saria admitted.
Zelda lifted a brow as she detected a tone of apprehension in the Kokiri girl's voice, it worried her. "And what is it you have come here to inform me of?" Zelda asked, masking her concern with a grin.
Saria looked from side to side before spreading her hands, a green wave of magic flowing over the room, stabilizing into a barrier that clung to the walls.
Zelda tensed, her eyes locking onto the forest Sage. "Saria, what is this?" she asked, her smile dropping.
"Please excuse me, I needed to make sure no one can overhear us, especially if somehow...he is listening...it's a silence spell, it keeps sound from escaping or entering as long as it's in place." Saria explained.
Zelda relaxed slightly, her stomach doing the opposite as it felt like it had knotted itself. "By "he", I'm guessing you mean Ganondorf...it's safe to say you have my attention, now please, explain." Zelda replied, a seldom heard sternness to her voice.
Saria breathed deeply before approaching Zelda's desk, the Princess watched as Saria waved her hand, a small image of the Lost Woods and Kokiri forest coming to life before her. "Thousands of years ago, during the dawn of Creation, when man was not yet among the land we walk upon, Gods, Deities, and other magical entities were all that roamed. Among these creatures were the forest spirits, Deku, Maku, and Baga, they were the supreme gods of the land's great forests, and those that dwelled within. For centuries, peace was plentiful and widespread, fighting and conflict having no place, Maku ruled over the portion of the Great Forest that lies in what is now Labrynna, while Deku ruled over the region that is now located in Hyrule, and Baga ruled over the Great Forest of what is now Termina...one day, that all changed when the Druthulidi Majora made his presence known, his evil ravaging the land of Termina and bringing death in his wake. Even the the Goddesses feared they could not stop a power such as his, but before they could act, Baga rose up to challenge the demon. The two fought a massive battle that bore a large hole into the land, thus creating the Great Bay. Baga drove Majora further and further away from his forest and soon the conflict attracted the attention of other deities, the three giants themselves coming together to aid Baga. It wasn't until the ancient warrior and first of the Goddesses champions, the Fierce Deity, intervened that Majora was defeated, but as a final act of vengeance for his downfall, Majora sent his spawn to set fire to Baga's Forest, burning every last tree and plant to the ground, leaving only a stagnant swamp in it's place. The Goddesses took pity on the distraught Baga though, giving him half of Hyrule's Forest, Deku being quick to welcome his brother...but all was not well, Baga was infuriated over the loss of his domain and craved the power he once had. Centuries passed as his rage grew, spawning such creatures as Forest Scrubs, Wolfos, Boko Babas, and Skulltulas, while the Deku Tree created the Kokiri. It wasn't long before Baga's domain become a twisted and dark version of Deku's, all Kokiri who entered after becoming lost turning into what you may know as Skull Kids. Baga used his small army to attack Deku's region, his creatures easily tearing through the fragile Kokiri. Deku himself entered the battle, driving Baga back to the Lost Woods, but unable to defeat him, enacted a spell with their sister Maku's assistance, a spell that would trap them all inside the largest trees in their homes. While Maku remained in Labrynna, the Great Deku Tree spread his roots throughout the forest, casting a spell that caused Baga to fall into an eternal sleep as long as he remained within the forest...but now that the Great Deku Tree is absent, he has awoken."
Zelda sat quietly, going through the large intake of information in her head before setting her eyes on Saria. "So, you think this "Baga" is going to be threat to Hyrule...and if what you tell me is true, why did the Great Deku Tree not warn us before we teleported him to Castle Town?" Zelda pressed.
"After his death during the era of the Hero of Time, he lost massive fragments of memory...he only remembered this when he sensed Baga's presence awaken in the forest." Saria explained.
"I see." Zelda said, hardening her expression. "Why is it that none of the Kokiri informed us of this quite important fact?"
"The Great Deku Tree never shared the story until now." Saria responded.
"Well, back to the matter at hand. I take it you fear Baga will either be able to escape his arboreal prison or his influence could spread to the greater Hyrule area? If so, I will personally take it upon myself and my strongest sorcerers to hunt down and end his threat before it begins, you have my word." Zelda stated.
"It's not just that." Saria said, manipulating the small illusion of Hyrule's forest. "This is how the forest appeared in it's entirety before the Great Deku Tree and Kokiri Forest were relocated to Castle town." she explained, expanding the map. "The Great Deku was located here, and Baga, in his tree form is located here." she said, placing to small orbs of light in the Kokiri forest and the lost woods. "And the Great Maku Tree is located here." Saria said, expanding the map to include the southern tip of the five lands, Labrynna included before placing a small ball of light in the land's southernmost reaches.
"Saria, I fail to see the point in all of this." Zelda admitted.
"The Great Deku Tree informed me of the heritage of he and his siblings." Saria said. "They are the children of the Goddesses, born directly from their very essences, making each forest deity bonded with the Goddesses in a unique and powerful way." she said, expanding the map further to include Castle Town.
"Go on." Zelda stated, becoming uneasy.
"Now that The Great Deku Tree resides here in Castle Town, he is located here." Saria said, moving the Deku Tree's orb to the region. "Before Majora destroyed Baga's forest, Maku, Deku, and Baga's domains were connected by three lines of energy of equal distance, but when Baga took up residence in Hyrule, those lines weakened due to the unequal structure interrupting the flow of energy...this energy being the property that keeps us Kokiri from aging...but anyway...the fact that Hyrule is the largest of the five lands and Castle Town is located on the opposite side of the country as the Lost Woods gave the energy flow an even shape again, as the distance between Deku and Baga was increased drastically to resemble more the distance they held between themselves in ancient times." Saria explained.
"And what would be the purpose of this?" Zelda inquired, though she thought she'd already come to the answer.
"The Golem's true goal was to destroy part of Castle Town, just as the true goal of Ganon's possession of Elgon was to drive the Great Deku Tree and the Kokiri away...to the location he had the Golem...unbeknownst to Erris, destroy to make space for the Great Deku Tree's relocation." Saria said.
"He knew that if he attacked the Great Deku Tree, I'd move him into my care..." Zelda said, her eyes going wide.
"I fear you're correct, Ganondorf is planning something massive...and I think I know what it is." Saria admitted, a grave tone to her voice.
"Tell me." Zelda asked.
"In ancient times, long before the dawn of civilization, a ritual was held using the connection Deku, Baga, and Maku had to the Goddesses, coupled with the Triforce, to construct mortal forms for the Goddesses so that they could walk among human, Zora, Goron, Deku scrub and Kokiri alike, but only when they were most needed...do you not remember?" Saria said.
"I do not...I was there...as Hylia, wasn't I?" Zelda asked, glancing downwards. "Many of my memories as Hylia were wiped away when I was reborn in mortal form...but this, why couldn't I remember this? The Goddesses...being summoned into a mortal form...Ganondorf plans to pull them from the heavens...but what next?" she asked, panic taking hold.
"If I had to guess, I'd suppose he was planning to take their power for himself, and ascend to godhood...what he has now is not the power of a god...but with this power...he could attain it." Saria answered.
"But he needs the complete Triforce, and as of now, Link and I hold the other two pieces...and we won't let go." Zelda said.
"All is not lost though, I don't know if you have sensed it, but the Sage of Spirit and the Sage of Water have awoken." Saria added.
"I did feel it...but they are distant, hidden somewhere in the far reaches of Hyrule near the Terminian border." she said.
"Even so, we must contract their aid immediately, the fact that they are traveling together most likely means they know of each other's powers and are aware of the roles they are to fulfill." Saria replied.
"I could arrange for a compliment of guards to escort you to their location." Zelda offered.
"Thank you, Princess, but I can't ask anymore of you...the Great Deku Tree will be more than willing to warp me to them, his roots reach far, so he should be perfectly capable of that, and it won't be nearly as taxing as teleporting an army out of Labrynna." she said with a nod.
"Wait, before you go." Zelda said, holding a hand up. "Impa!" the Princess called out.
"Yes, Princess?" Impa said as she stepped out of the shadows behind the Princess.
"You've no doubt been keeping track of our conversation...and I'd like you to go with Saria to meet the Sages." Zelda informed her guardian.
"Princess, Ara and Trokon would do just as well at keeping her safe, my place is here, at your side." Impa argued.
"I am sending you not only to keep Saria safe, but because you are a Sage also, if Elgon had remained here I would have sent him with you, it's best we assemble the Sages as fast as we can." Zelda responded.
"Forgive my earlier protest, I agree that this would be the best move." Impa admitted.
"You and I assembling the Sages, it will be just the Age of the Hero of Time." Saria said with a grin.
"That it will." Impa agreed, rustling the Kokiri girl's hair.
"Fantastic, now go to the Deku Tree, we must get this done posthaste." Zelda said.
"It was good speaking with you Princess, we should do this more often." Saria before giving a quick bow, exiting the study with Impa in tow, the Sheikah giving Zelda one last glance before shutting the door behind her.
oOo
"Stupid fairy!" the Skull kid yelled, smacking Tael away, the eyes of Majora's Mask flashing red.
"Don't touch her!" Tatl protested, wings flapping frantically.
Link grit his teeth, even with the masks he had, he wasn't sure if he'd stand a chance due to the fact he'd been reduced to a child, and the call of his Triforce being weak.
"So, the Goddesses' Hero comes to stop me, I thought that was an honor reserved only for Demise." the Majora possessed Skull Kid quipped.
"I won't let you destroy this world!" Link called out, still believing Termina to exist on a different plain.
"Fine then, let us see if the strength of a child can match the strength of a Demon lord!" Majora cackled, raising his arms as the moon once again descended upon Clock Town.
"My strength isn't what you have to worry about...it's the strength of my friends." Link replied, removing the Ocarina of Time from his pack, quickly lifting it to his mouth and breathing into it, the notes of the Oath to Order ringing out into the night.
"No! No! Not that song! How do you know it? How?!" Majora screamed, his hysterics being cut off by four synchronous bellows piercing the air around them, the titanic forms of Termina's resident Deities, the four Giants materializing around the town.
Link sheathed the Gilded Sword, choosing to draw the more powerful Great fairy's Sword in it's stead.
"You hold the blade of the the Great Fairy...it still won't be enough." Majora growled as the four Giants grappled with the moon, finally pausing it's descent with one massive push.
"It stopped." Tatl observed.
Link smiled as he looked around him, the four Giants holding the moon at bay while Majora levitated in front of him, Link's smile vanishing as the Demon began to laugh.
"You can't defeat me." he hissed, screaming as he raised his hands again, the ground shaking as the giants faltered, the moon resuming it's course, Link's eyes opening wide as fire engulfed the world below him, the flames racing up the Clock Tower and towards him, all the while the ground kept on shaking...shaking...shaking.
"Ah!" Link yelled out, gripping the Master Sword and swinging it at a stunned Trystane and Kallil.
"Goddesses, did we wake you from a good dream or something? Still no reason to take our heads I'd say." Trystane said, lowering his arm.
"Agreed." said a noticeably alarmed Kallil.
"I apologize...it wasn't a good dream...not at all." Link admitted, placing the Master Sword back in it's sheath.
"Aye, we could tell by the way you were thrashing around." Trystane said.
"Sorry if I woke you." Link said, looking over to the far side of the tent they were in, it's walls being battered by the desert wind.
"No, it was your snoring that did that...has anyone ever told you you sound like an angry moblin at night?" Kallil said, a laugh from Trystane greeting him.
"Zelda might've said something about it here of there." Link admitted.
"Listen to you, just casually talking about sharing a bed with the Princess." Thrakon said as he entered.
Link gave the blonde haired man an unamused glance before turning to Trystane again. "Where are the others?"
"Elgon got up real early, as in sun not even on the horizon early." Kallil said.
"Last I saw of 'em Cia and Erris were looking around Ikana Castle, let me tell you, that woman has some stories to tell about that place." Thrakon responded.
"No one knows where Aren is?" Link asked.
"He's a Sheikah, does it really surprise you that he can slip away unnoticed?" Trystane asked.
"I suppose not." Link answered. pulling his tunic on before walking out with Trystane, Kallil, and Thrakon. He followed as the three made their way towards where most of the men gathered, stopping when he saw Cia standing alone.
"Bring back some memories?" he asked as he strode up to her.
"Too many." Cia replied.
"So, Cia's your real name." Link said, recalling the blue haired Lana he once knew.
"Indeed it is...when you knew me, I wanted a new life, so I became Lana...the real Lana died here, in one of these huts." Cia said, looking around at the ruins of Ikana.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Link responded.
"It was a dishonor to her death though, pretending to be her, I should have just stayed in the Valley of Seers and let you and Zelda be." Cia said.
"Don't say that, you were indispensable, it was you who saved me from a pack of Wolfos when I first began my quest in that era, and we definitely would not have had as much luck against the King of Darkness without you." Link said.
"I was only there to gain your affection, it was stupid and weak of me." Cia growled.
"Zelda knows that, she does, but she's still grateful you were there for us, and she's happy you've returned." Link assured her.
"Do you know what it's like? Only being able to watch as everyone you've ever known was burnt to cinders by a Demon with seemingly unlimited power? I was alone...then I saw you, being reborn throughout the ages, immortal like me. I thought you may understand me, that we could spend eternity as forces of good in this land...but Hylia's reincarnation already had your heart...I never stood a chance. Back then that drove a spike through my heart, knowing that I was going to be alone, living forever with only the dead as company, but I recovered from that, gave into my feelings for another, and had Erris...now I am no longer alone. I returned because of Erris, not you, and not the Princess, so don't delude yourselves into thinking I'm going to be Lana again and we'll be the trio we once were. Don't doubt that Cia is my name, it is the name that has seen me through the destruction of Ikana, through the ages of solitude, and through Lannis' death, I am Cia, keeper of the Gate of Souls, and I will be remembered as such, so forget the false Lana, my moment of weakness." she said, glaring at Link.
"That doesn't change the fact that is was you that helped us, when Zelda joined, you could have just vanished then, but you didn't! You stayed, you helped us defeat a threat to Hyrule, and went down in history as a hero." Link stated.
Cia felt her anger subside at this remark, turning her eyes to the Hero. "What was that?" she asked.
"There are many history books out there now that detail my past incarnation's quests...the struggle against the King of Darkness is in many of those books, and even though you are called Lana, you can believe you are remembered as a Hero, with many scholars researching further into who you were...I'm sure they'd all like to meet you in person...and see you honored properly for saving Hyrule...even if you only did it for me." Link replied.
"You are a noble man, there are so few left like that...you remind me much of King Igos du Ikana. You met him, correct?" Cia asked.
"That I did, he taught me the "Elegy of Emptiness", I needed that melody in order to order to break the Stone Tower's curse." Link responded.
"Even in death he was doing what was best for his people." Cia said with a smile.
"All after he and his guards tried to kill me." Link remarked.
Link and Cia made their way back to the camp, leaving Ikana Castle behind. Link looked over the desert, during many of his previous lives, he had simply concluded the world ended after the Desert Colossus, the sands seeming endless, it was during the gap between his lives that explorers discovered that Ikana Canyon was only a two day ride from the Colossus, and thus, Hyrule made contact with Termina for the first time.
"What's this for?" Erris asked, brandishing the Scepter of Gamelon.
"What do you think? Killing demons!" Sir Ginthorne replied, making a grab for it.
Erris stepped back, holding the scepter away from him. "The only demon we'll be meeting is Volga, you plan to kill him, don't you?" he questioned.
"Erris! What is the meaning of this?" Cia asked.
"He plans to kill Sir Volga with this." Erris growled.
"If it does what it's supposed to do, it will vanquish the demon inside of him and leave him unharmed." Elgon said as he arrived on scene.
"Volga's soul has merged with Volvagia's essence over time, that's how he exerts such great control over his abilities and his dragon form. If you strike him with this, it will kill him." Erris protested.
"Well what do you suggest we do? Ask him nicely to surrender Gamelon to us?" Sir Gabriel shouted.
"Calm yourself Erris, we're taking the scepter as a last resort." Link called out.
"This is news to me." Admiral Ginthorne replied.
"Mother, you knew Sir Volga, you won't let them kill him, will you?" Erris called.
"Kinda hard to act tough when you're crying to your mother, isn't it?" Thrakon said.
"How dare you?! I am a Prince!" he shouted.
"A former one!" Sir Gabriel called.
"Fine, if it's a fight you want!" Erris exclaimed, removing his ring and tossing it into the air.
"It's a fight you'll get." Wizzro crowed as he manifested.
"Erris, enough!" Cia called out as all of the soldiers in the vicinity drew their weapons.
"I give you my word, the scepter is in our possession only to banish Ganondorf's presence from Volga's body, that's all." Link said.
"You pledge this to me?" Erris asked.
"You have my word." Link responded.
Erris grit his teeth as he looked at the soldiers around him. "You all got off easy this time, thank the Hero for that." he said, storming away with Wizzro in tow.
"Can you believe him?" Sir Gabriel called out.
"He was a Prince, taking orders is something he'll have to get used to." Trystane reasoned.
"I just hope he gets used to it soon." Admiral Ginthorne groaned.
"I'm going to go calm him down, I might be gone a while." Cia said, waving to group as she left.
"You think I have a shot?" Thrakon asked.
"With the Sorceress?" Trystane asked, disbelief in his voice.
"What? She's good looking." Thrakon explained.
"And she's 2,000 years old, that makes her 1,976 years your senior." Link said, the group laughing as Thrakon brushed them off.
"Do you really want to be associated with that cad, Erris?" a recently arrived Aren asked.
"I wasn't thinking about that." Thrakon admitted.
"Moving out!" a soldier called up ahead, cutting their conversation short.
"Everyone have everything?" Elgon asked.
Everyone nodded as they passed, Link stopping and turning to his mentor. "How do you think Majora survived? I destroyed him and his masks." Link asked.
"It could be you just destroyed his physical manifestation, forcing him into his non-corporeal form and thus banishing him to the Dark World. Why do you ask?"
"I dreamt of facing him...just this time he won, I believe it's an omen of things to come." Link said, a grim expression taking hold of his features.
oOo
Zelda sat at the head of the table as the Ministers looked at her silently, even Audrik failing to speak.
"So, you are sure this is the Dark Lord's plan?" Minister Hawkwood asked.
"He's crafted it to near perfection, the only parts he needs are the Triforce pieces of Wisdom and Courage." she replied.
"This is ridiculous, there's no way he'd try something so bold." Minister Kendres said.
"But if he were to act on this plan, the Hero's absence would prove quite problematic." Farin Zant chimed in.
"I've had enough of this!" Minister Tonbridge exclaimed, slamming his palms into the table.
"Minster Tonbridge, what is the meaning of this outburst?" Audrik called.
"You are! You and your sister! The King was a brave man who always did what was best for his people and the Queen was a strong woman who made decisions when others would not! But you two, you two are ineffective as rulers and are inept as you are young! All those months ago when the Hero came to the Castle, I thought that you may finally start doing your job again, but no! Your frequent breaks, your absence in the court, and your empty promises have brought nothing but fear and weakness to our people and you are to blame!" Minister Tonbridge shouted as all in the room looked on in disbelief. "Once the Hero made his presence known, you reverted to some giddy little girl who no longer took anything seriously, you spent all your time with him, neglecting your duties and deferring your responsibilities to your brother, who in turn poured them onto Minister Hawkwood, who is already buried in work as it is!" he continued, pointing at Zelda. "I will see to it that you are the last of your incarnations, and I will return this Kingdom to it's former glory." he growled.
Zelda stood, her chest heaving and as her arms shook, seething with rage. "Minister Tonbridge, you are hereby terminated as the Minister of Sorcery, all of your ranks and titles are to be removed, your assets and your land in Castle Town seized. You are now banished beyond the walls of this city, never to return! Do I make myself clear? Or must I use more force?" she said, the Minister's and guard's jaws dropping, Princess Kayala raising a hand to her chest.
"What are you going to do? Get your Hero to throw me out? Oh, but wait, you can't because he's currently on his way to DIE IN A WAR YOU COULD HAVE PREVENTED!" he roared. "Prince Erris should have been executed immediately upon his capture along with his witch mother, but you were too weak to do even that!" he shouted.
"How dare you speak to my sister and I this way!" Audrik yelled as he drew his rapier, Oren placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Former Minister Kain Tonbridge, please follow us out." Captain Viscen said as he approached with two guards.
"Don't make this any harder than it has to be." the Sheikah Ara called out.
"You damned Sheikah, you think you're so superior to us Hylians...I will show you superiority, I will show you power!" he exclaimed, his eyes taking on a green glow as a shockwave exploded out from around him, throwing Zelda and the others to the floor.
The Princess looked up to find all of the guards and Ministers Talisk, Zant, and Hawkwood, had a shield erected around them protecting them from the blast. "The New Order, I presume." Zelda said as she stood.
"Did the green glow of my eyes give it away?" Minister Tonbridge taunted.
"Damn you all!" Audrik shouted, releasing a blast of darkness at the group.
"Amateur." Minister Tonbridge said, redirecting the blast at Audrik.
"No!" Oren yelled, throwing himself in the way only for Zelda to throw up a light barrier, the darkness dissolving against it.
"What is this?" she growled.
"Isn't it obvious, I think in old Hylian, they would call it, a coupe d'etat." Minister Zant said.
"We're done being bossed around by a little girl and her lover." Minister Talisk interjected.
"Hawkwood, not you too." Minister Kendres said as he lay injured on the ground.
"I told you you'd regret not joining us, Eltar." Minister Tonbridge said, Minister Hawkood looking away.
"I...I meant to tell you during this meeting...so you could arrest them all here...I'm so-" Minster Kendres said, being cut off as Minister Tonbridge waved his hand, telekinetically snapping his neck.
"No! Zelda yelled, firing a torrent of flame at the group.
Minister Tonbridge leapt through it, firing a bolt of electricity at her, the Princess evading it and firing a bolt of light, skimming the Minister's right arm. "I'll make you regret that!" he yelled.
Zelda ducked as he threw an energy bolt at her, looking up in time to see Ara kick him over.
"Princess, run!" she called.
"No, not away from him." Zelda answered.
"Your win against me in Hyrule field with the Hero was a fluke, you got lucky!" he yelled, firing a blast of blue flame.
Zelda brought up a barrier, only for the blast to shatter it, throwing both her and Ara to the ground.
"Take the Prince and run!" Oren yelled, Lemuria grabbing Audrik by the wrist.
"Come, we have to go." she urged.
"I won't let them get away with this! I can't leave!" the Prince replied.
Oren dashed forward, joined by Trokon and Iren, grinding to a halt as a Gamelonian guard flew passed them.
Trokon knelt to examine him. "He's dead." he stated, looking up at the guards.
"Let's end this!" Oren yelled as he dashed forward.
Princess Kayala backed into a corner as Viscen stood in front of her, spear at the ready. "You are under my command! You cannot turn on me!" he said as two guards closed in on him.
"We don't have to take orders from you anymore." one said.
"Long live the New Order!" the other exclaimed as they charged.
Viscen lunged, deflecting a vertical strike and embedding his spear in one guard, looking up to find the other ready to deliver a fatal blow, suddenly pausing as he dropped his sword, his head toppling from his shoulders to reveal Iren behind him.
"Come with me." he said, Viscen grabbing Princess Kayala and running for the exit.
Oren clashed with Minister Morik Lin, blocking a downwards strike, delivering a diagonal slash, and knocking away a stab.
"Don't underestimate me because I'm old!" the Minister replied.
Oren leapt back as the man performed a spin attack, jumping back in as he fell to one knee. "You shouldn't try moves that you can't keep up with." Oren growled as he drove his Great Sword through the former Minister's chest.
Lemuria ran at a guard, flipping over him and putting her sword through his neck as she landed behind him. Next to her, a fist made of shadow closed around the other guard, Audrik violently smashing the screaming man into the nearest wall.
"Where's my sister?" he asked frantically.
Lemuria swept her eyes across the room, her Sheikah vision penetrating the dust and debris. "There!" she said, pointing to the far corner.
"Great." Audrik replied sarcastically as he viewed the debris between them.
Minister Talisk and Zant slashed and stabbed madly at Trokon, the Sheikah man dodging their strikes.
"Get back here and fight!" Minister Zant called.
"As you wish." Trokon replied, whipping a chain with a spike at the end toward the Minister, the tip embedding in his chest. Trokon pulled back, Minister Zant falling to the floor.
"What have you done to him?" Minister Talisk shouted.
"Merely put my weapon of choice through his heart, as I will do to you." the Sheikah man said casually.
The former Minister's face contorted in fear as he ran, a loud bang filling the air as he made his way towards the exit. He gasped as he looked down, finding a hole in his chest before he fell over, dead.
All conflict in the room ceased as the occupants turned to find Edward standing in the doorway holding a metal tube attached to a handle. "I...I'll...I'll do it again!" he called out.
"What kind of sorcery is this?" Minister Tonbridge questioned.
"It's not sorcery...it's my new invention." Edward said, leveling the weapon at the former Minister of Sorcery. "Don't move and let them arrest you...or I'll shoot it at you!" he stammered.
Zelda made a move toward Minister Tonbridge, the Sorcerer suddenly lunging at Edward, stopping short when he pulled the trigger again, with only a click greeting him.
"You only have one shot." Minister Tonbridge said with a manic grin. He raised his hand, firing a bolt of energy at the man only for Zelda to teleport between them, bringing up an energy barrier. "No you dont!" Minister Tonbridge yelled, firing a torrent of energy that smashed through the shield, blowing Zelda back, with Edward barely being able to catch her. "I will rule this land, and you and the Hero will be forgotten! I don't know how to stop your rebirths yet...but I will find out how once you are DEAD!" he shouted, readying another bolt of energy before everything went black, all sound fading.
"I've got him! Oren yelled, the shadows extending from his hands overtaking the sorcerer.
"Shadow immersion, a cheap parlor trick!" Minister Tonbridge yelled, releasing a wave of electricity, knocking everyone but he and Minister Hawkwood to the ground. "It looks like we've won, Antholous." Minister Tonbridge said confidently.
"Yes, it would seem so." Minister Hawkwood agreed.
"I suggest you kill that Sheikah first while he's paralyzed, because of him I almost didn't know where you were, would've been a real shame if I couldn't shield you from my attack...like them." he said, motioning towards a group of soldiers twitching on the ground.
"You...you bastard." Audrik coughed.
"Just because of that..." Minister Tonbridge said while pointing a finger at Zelda, "I'm going to kill your sister right in front of everyone." he said as energy flowed down his arm, forming into a crackling orb at the tip of his finger. "Goodbye Princess! May the Goddesses doom you to the Dark World for your idiocy." he said with a laugh. Suddenly the energy blast he held dissipated, the former Minster releasing a scream as he spun around, a dagger stuck in his back.
Minister Hawkwood backed away, sheath in hand. "You're a fool for thinking I would ever follow you!" he exclaimed.
"You are the fool Antholous, you! I thought of you as a friend and gave you a chance to join in me in returning Hyrule to greatness, but you chose to squander it...what a shame!" he yelled, falling to one knee while he raised an arm, yelling in pain as he charged a blast in Minister Hawkwood's direction.
"No." Zelda thought, "I won't let this happen!" she yelled, her Triforce mark glowing brightly as it reinvigorated her. "You will pay for this!" she exclaimed, a golden aura roaring to life around her.
"No! What are you doing?!" he shouted, his arms being forced to his side as the Princess lifted him into the air.
"Dooming you to the Dark World." she said coldly.
"NO!" Kain Tonbridge screamed, his voice fading away as he burst, each and every cell in his body exploding in a flash of golden light, leaving nothing behind except for Minister Hawkwood's dagger.
"Princess! Are you alright?" Minister Hawkood asked as he ran to her.
"Yes, I'm fine." Zelda said, her breathing slowing as the golden aura died down, her Triforce piece going dormant once again. "The New Order is history." she said, casting a glance over the room.
oOo
Clock Town was far larger than it was last time Link had visited, it's boundaries had nearly doubled in size, consuming much of the fields outside, but still left the sands of the Great Bay and the Valley of Snowhead untouched.
Link and company weaved through the townspeople, all hurrying through the streets that lay under the shade of the towering buildings. Though Clock Town had been built up and outwards, many of the original shops and structures still stood, nestled in between the newer, sturdier buildings.
"Ah! The Hylian cavalry has arrived!" Mayor Met exclaimed enthusiastically.
"We hope you're ready to move out, can't be wasting much time here." Admiral Ginthorne said.
"Nonsense! I'll have you all as my guests tonight while your men can feel free to rest inside of our walls! We may not be as large as Castle Town, but we sure have more attractions!" he said, gesturing towards the largest building of all, the Clock Tower, Link taking note that it was, in fact, the original.
"Hero! There you are! I knew you couldn't resist a noble mission such as this!" Mayor Met said as he ran to Link, shaking his hand. "I must thank you, when I told my people the stories of how I valiantly fought alongside Hyrule's legendary Hero I won by a landslide, my opponent didn't stand a ghost of a chance!"
"Glad I could be of help with your election." Link said, feeling uncomfortable under the man's gaze.
"Mayor Met, I have to ask, how many do we number? It's necessary information if we're to make a strategy." Elgon chimed in.
"I have my men out taking count right now! Good news is; all of Termina's people are pitching in! Even the Deku King has mobilized his people to join us along Gamelon's border, and the Zora are hard at work preparing our navy!" Mayor Met exclaimed.
"Preparing your navy? How so?" Erris asked.
Mayor Met fell silent, taken aback by the sight of the Prince.
"Don't worry, he's on our side, and constantly under supervision...with no magic." Elgon explained.
"Well...alright then...glad you came to your senses." he joked nervously, Erris remaining unamused. "We're reinforcing our vessels with freshly forged Goron steel!" the Mayor proclaimed. "Even the most powerful of bombs won't make a dent!"
"Good to know, that should suffice." Erris replied.
"What does he mean?" Mayor Met whispered to Sir Ginthorne, the large man only shrugging in response.
"Well, anyway, we'll even have the Goron's of Holodrum joining us, they managed to escape and are currently lodged with our native Gorons in their domain, but they have pledged their aid!" Mayor Met informed the group.
"Do they bring any info from the other side?" Admiral Ginthorne pressed.
"Yes, I meant to tell you in my office, but I suppose the sooner the better." he said. "Apparently Holodrum's generals were executed a while ago and the Dragon Knight is just a figurehead."
"Then who's really in charge?" Link asked, stepping forward.
"Some fellow named Ghirahim."
oOo
And that concludes chapter 36! The New Order's threat is over, our heroes have finally arrived in Clock Town, and the most fabulous demon of all has returned! I hope you enjoyed the read!
I apologize for the long time without an update, work and school have both had an increased presence in my life, but I've gotten that all of that sorted out, so things should be more regular from here on out!
Gerudospirit: Thank you for the compliment! I'm glad you're enjoying the development! Sorry for all the story lines, it seems like every time I write another chapter there's another plot to follow! Sorry if it's a bit confusing! I'm glad you liked the new Sages, Naora's got some magic after all! I wonder how Shilara will react! (I'm the writer and I don't even know!) Thanks for the review and I hope you enjoyed the read!
Thank you everyone for the new follows and favorites! You really make this worth writing!
Please review and tell me what you thought! Hearing from you is awesome!
Until next time, best of luck!
-Prometheus17