Ganondorf walked through the meadow, the grass decaying around his feet as they touched the ground, the small beams of sunlight that made it through the Great Maku Tree's branches dying as he passed through them. For a moment he ceased his advance, looking back at the path he had trod, when he was a purely demonic entity this had been what he was used to...his touch bringing death to all creations and spawn of the Goddesses, but in this mortal vessel that had ceased, his presence no longer pulling the life from everything. He had almost forgotten the feeling when he had absorbed Majora and Mahlik into himself, Majora's essence alone being enough to completely drain the Kingdom of Ikana and all of it's inhabitants of life...he always had to devote a small part of his thoughts to containing Majora and Mahlik's destructive influences, lest everything turn to dust in his presence...his new power was truly amazing.
"Good day, I trust you've rested well." he said, a grin appearing across his face, red pupils settling on the Labrynna's resident forest deity.
"You can't do this...I won't allow it..." The Great Maku Tree replied weakly.
"Your strength is truly admirable, anything or anyone other than you would have succumb to my influence by now...but you still resist."
The Forest Deity's branches shook, the chains that held them being pulled back by the Moblin's at it's base.
"You know you can't free yourself." Ganon taunted. "You are already part of my plan, whether you wish to be or not."
"An evil like you can never win, the Goddesses won't allow it!" she replied.
"The Goddesses no longer have a role in this." Ganon said, passing around the edge of a large circle of sigils he had surrounded the Great Maku Tree with, it's bright orange glow illuminating his features, the light reflecting off the silver horns that sprouted from his forehead. "Try all you want to warp away or call for help...this circle contains your magic completely. I've used it on stronger beings than you."
The Great Maku Tree's branches drooped, the Moblin's pulling on the chains falling to the ground as the resistance they pulled against ceased.
"When the time comes, I will use you and your brothers to summon the Goddesses to the mortal plain, and you shall watch as I enact my vengeance." Ganon said quietly, the Forest Deity failing to acknowledge his words.
The Demon King clenched his fists as crimson bolts of electricity crackled around his forearms and down onto his hands. "I will teach you the consequences of ignoring your betters!" he called out as he extended an arm, a bolt of red lightning striking the Great Maku Tree, the Deity crying out as it coursed through her body, tearing at her hide and burning her leaves.
"Brother!" a voice called out.
Ganondorf ceased his assault to find Shilara had appeared behind him. "What is it you need?" he asked.
"Hm, looks like you're having fun, mind if I have a try?" Shilara answered with a grin, electricity bounding over her body.
"Answer my question." Ganon growled.
Shilara usually would have rolled her eyes at her brother's demand, but his demonic visage drove a fear into her like she had never felt before, even if it was her still her brother underneath it. "Kanthos and Oreck have returned...without the Dragon Knight or the Scepter of Gamelon." she said quietly.
Ganondorf grit his teeth as his rising anger slowly tore at his composure. "Go, bring them to the throne room, I will be there to deal with the two shortly." he answered, Shilara bowing before disappearing in an orange flash.
"Your mind...it weakens." The Great Maku Tree said, breaking her silence.
Ganon spun around to meet her gaze, his eyes narrowing. "What is this nonsense?" he growled.
"You are a mortal attempting to contain the essences of three demons...Mahlik's, Majora's, and that of Demise." the Deity answered.
"And you believe I'm too weak to contain them?" Ganon asked.
"The balance you found between your demonic essence and your mortal form was a fragile one...but now you've upset it, tipped the scales too far in favor of your demon side...and that part of you that remains mortal longs to be freed."
"What foolishness-" Ganon started in, stopping as he cocked his head to right, seeing a silhouette slip behind the Great Maku Tree's form. "Who goes there?!" he demanded.
"You know precisely-" the Maku Tree began.
"Silence!" Ganon yelled, cutting her off. The Demon King rounded the Forest Deity's trunk, finding nothing on the other side, he felt slightly unnerved not just because he was unable to sense the presence of whoever it was that invaded the meadow, but the fact they were able to do so with all the warding spells placed on it. Silently he concluded it was just a trick of the light before turning, his eyes going wide as a young Gerudo man grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him violently. The Demon King attempted to free himself, but somehow this younger man had strength greater than his own. "Impossible!" he thought.
"You killed her! You killed her! You've forsaken your people, your family!" the younger Gerudo man screamed.
Ganon's eyes widened as he focused...that face...it was his own, but younger, much younger. "Kai..." he breathed.
"When the Hylians and the Terminians are done with you...the others you've enslaved will be freed...and they will all come for our people...and slaughter them all...and it's your fault!" Kai cried out.
"This is impossible! There is no Kai! There never was! You were me, just with a different name...before I regained my memories! That's all you are! A name! One that will soon be forgotten!" he roared, the ground cracking beneath him.
"No one will ever forget what you've done..." Kai trailed off as he disappeared.
Ganon's chest heaved as he looked around, finding only confused Moblins staring at him. Slowly the Demon King composed himself, closing his eyes as he turned, only to be nearly knocked other when a hand grasped his collar, the same godly strength holding him in place.
They will all die because of what you've done!" Kai called out.
Ganondorf's eyes flew open, his eyes returning to their natural white and gold as he fell to his knees, Kai's hand gripping his shoulder. "No..." Ganon said, the image of his people's genocide invading his mind.
"You can stop it." Kai answered.
Ganon's body began to shake as his rage resurfaced, his eyes going black, pupils turning crimson once more. "I won't be made a fool of by the likes of-!" he yelled, looking up only to find the space before him unoccupied, and his own hand gripping his shoulder.
oOo
Zelda watched from atop Hyrule Castle's tallest tower, the Sheikah, her brother, and Minister Hawkwood standing behind her.
Far below them, sorcerers erected more energy towers to support Castle Town's forcefield while archers lined the walls with ballistas and catapults being rolled down the streets as citizens from many different villages streamed through the open gates, guards holding spears ushering them in.
"They shouldn't be coming here." Zelda said quietly.
"Princess, I assure you, this is the safest place in all the five lands to take refuge in." Minister Hawkwood replied.
"We can't risk their lives, we need to send them to Termina, it's the only country Ganon has no hold over!" Zelda argued.
"Sister, we've read all the books and heard all the stories. We've righted the wrongs of our predecessors and taken every measure to make sure the capital doesn't fall!" Audrik assured her.
"As you know, I've been here to guard you through every life in one form or another, and I have never seen out city so well prepared for a siege." Impa assured.
"Also, we've made massive technological advancements in the three and a half centuries since Ganondorf's last coming." Audrik said, gesturing out the window.
Zelda and the others looked down as massive black tubes where wheeled down the streets and out the gates. "What are those?" Ara questioned.
"Edward calls them cannons, they are the newest form of weaponry, able to tear through enemy ranks with like parchment. You see, you load in whatever projectile you like, preferably a ball of something similar, throw in some of the explosive powder the Gorons mine, and it blasts it straight out at a speed invisible to the eye with a force greater than a charging war horse!" Audrik announced as he extended a land, slowly looking around to find the group looking at him as if he'd just spouted complete madness...maybe to them, he had. "I assure you, my enthusiasm is well founded." Audrik added.
"Why have I not seen these before?" Zelda asked.
"You were away inviting other countries to the Summer Festival when Edward finished the first...I may have commissioned quite a few, but they will be worth it." Audrik explained.
Zelda turned back to the window, if what they boy from the Eldin Province guard had told them was accurate, they were to expect at least part of Ganon's army to arrive before nightfall, she almost couldn't bring herself to believe it as she looked out over Castle Town, the snow gently falling around it, absorbing all sound and producing a deceptively calm atmosphere.
"Princess, we understand much has happened, but we need to focus on defending Castle Town, not thinking of it's hypothetical fall." Oren said as he stepped forward, breaking the silence.
Zelda turned, a slight touch of anger on her face. "Ganondorf is getting exactly what he wants! My own people turned against me! The New Order's attack lead to the demise of my council and of many guards that were still loyal to me...I killed Tonbridge myself." Zelda said.
"You had to do it...we all had to fight those we once thought were friends, there was no other way." Trokon responded.
"Captain Viscen is conducting an investigation at this moment to find out if any who were behind this still remain in hiding and is sure to route out those guards who may turn against the crown again." Minister Hawkwood chimed in.
"Now is not the time for that...just find Viscen and have him put every guard available at our defense, no matter which Province they may hail from.
"Right away, my Queen." the Sheikah Iren replied, taking off as fast as he could.
"Well, it's good to see someone taking initiative." Audrik joked...to no one's amusement.
"I think we're finished in here, Impa and Lemuria, would you mind joining me?" Zelda asked as she left, the two Sheikah trailing her as Oren looked back before escorting the Prince back to his quarters. The Princess looked down as she thought about Tonbridge's words...maybe he wasn't wrong, she was foolish, she had sent much of Hyrule's army with Termina's to free a small country that meant nothing in the conflict with Ganon, only leaving a small force that she knew wouldn't be able to hold off a siege...and even with all this, she still found herself worrying, for the most part, about Link, she missed him and prayed for his return every day, but so far he and the army she had sent had not shown up.
"Princess...now that the others are gone...I must share something with you." Impa said, the Princess and Lemuria pausing.
"What is it?" Zelda asked.
"Captain Viscen approached me with a concern a couple days ago...I asked him to confirm his story before I told you...and today he did." Impa said.
"Mother...what was this "concern"?" Lemuria asked.
"The vast majority of the soldiers that attacked you and tried to seize the Castle...they were either clansmen of House Gavan or loyal to them." Impa stated.
Zelda grit her teeth as she took in the news, it was obvious that there was unrest due to all of the battles and attacks on Hyrule and the neighboring countries that had transpired, but a military revolt was the last thing she thought she'd have to worry about. through all this though, she believed the guards that attacked were merely individuals that were unsatisfied with her leadership, not an entire House. "You're sure of this?" Zelda questioned.
"Positive." Impa answered.
"This is...unfortunate. House Gavan have always been allies to the Crown, please investigate these claims, I must be sure before I take action." Zelda said cautiously.
"But Princess, it's still not safe, I must stay by your side." Impa insisted.
"Please, I need someone I trust looking into this, and there are few people I trust more than you." Zelda said with a slight smile. "Besides, I can keep Lemuria with me, she's demonstrated herself quite capable of protecting me." Zelda added.
Impa quickly bowed. "Okay...stay safe...both of you." she said before heading off.
Zelda turned to her study, heading in with Lemuria in tow. "So, how goes your courtship with my brother?" Zelda asked cheerfully.
"P-Princess?" Lemuria asked, startled.
"I thought I might ask, so as to...take my mind of current events." the Princess said. "Besides, we don't talk as much as we used to.
"Everything is well...since finding out, my father has been quite unsatisfied with the news...but he knows Audrik is the Prince an allows it due to that." Lemuria said.
"Oren doesn't like the fact his daughter and his charge are on more intimate terms?" Zelda asked teasingly.
"I suppose not, but what else are father's for?" Lemuria said with a laugh.
"There were many times in my past in which my father the King did not approve of me being seen with a "dirty farmhand", or a "lowly soldier", but Link always proved his worth in the end." Zelda reminisced.
"So, did you bring me here just to speak of relationships?" Lemuria asked with a smile.
"I brought you here because Audrik cares for you greatly...and I believe he plans marriage." Zelda said, a serious tone to her voice.
"You...you are sure of this?" Lemuria asked, seemingly surprised.
"I am...and I must ask, if you are to be a member of House Hyrule, will you do whatever is necessary to preserve it and the people the House protects, even if it goes beyond the call of the Sheikah?" Zelda asked.
"Of course! Even if I weren't involved with the Prince, I would, as would my father and mother." Lemuria replied.
"Good, I ask because I need your aid...if I were to ask Impa to go with me, she would refuse and force me to stay because of my weakened state." Zelda said, thinking back to the fight with Tonbridge, her victory coming at the cost of most of her energy.
"What is it you speak of?" the Sheikah girl asked.
"The Kokiri Forest Sage Saria came to me, addressing me over concerns of an evil spirit, a sort of antithesis to the Great Deku Tree awakening deep in the forgotten woods, I've begun sensing his presence and I fear Saria may be correct, and this Great Baga Tree may be hostile." Zelda explained.
"You want to see it...face to face." Lemuria guessed.
"Indeed, I must learn his plans...and stop him if necessary, by any means necessary." Zelda said, lowering her gaze.
"I'll follow you." Lemuria said confidently, raising a fist.
"We're off then." Zelda said, opening a portal with a wave of her hand, the two women entering, the gate closing soon after.
oOo
So you lost the Scepter of Gamelon, the Dragon Knight, AND Gamelon?!" Ganondorf roared.
Kanthos gritted his teeth as Oreck turned his gaze downwards, both men able to feel the Demon Lord's eyes burning into them.
"The Hero...he was stronger than anticipated." Kanthos admitted.
"What he says is true! He was able to use his Triforce piece's power." Oreck said.
Ganon relaxed for a moment, a concerned tone to his voice. "What you say...is it true? Was the boy really able to use his power, even in a land so far from his Hyrule?"
"Yes, he wouldn't have been able to escape my spell otherwise...and give me this." Kanthos said, indicating the large diagonal cut across his face.
"How did the others escape?" Ganon asked.
"The Prince...he had a Poe or some other type of spirit with him. The Gravity spell had no effect on it and it was able to break the sigil." Oreck explained.
Ganondorf inwardly cursed himself for forgetting about Wizzro, the damned thing.
"Can't blame them for losing, the Hero and the Princess aren't human, their gods in mortal form, I'm pretty sure." Mathias said as he leaned against a pillar.
"You make it sound as if your loyalty is being shaken." Ganon said, glaring at Mathias.
"I'm just saying that they weren't prepared, but will be next time." Mathias said, backing away.
Ganon ignored the Knight as he turned back to Kanthos and Oreck. "Fortunately for the both of you, I have plans that involve your presence...but another failure like this may cause those plans to be forgotten...and I may just lose myself in my anger...it would be a real shame what may happen to you if that occurs." The Demon King threatened. "You both are dismissed for now, time is of the essence, so don't be late, your contigents await your commands...Ghirahim is already upon Hyrule's rural regions by now and will need our aid soon."
Kanthos and Oreck quickly bowed before exiting the room swiftly.
Shilara leapt from her place, following her brother out of the room. "Did you feel it?" She asked.
"What is it you speak of?" Ganon asked.
"Two very distinct energies...it was distant, but I felt it." she said.
"You speak of two more Sage's awakening." Ganon growled.
"That's what it was?" Shilara asked. "Isn't that something we should be concerned about?"
"The Boy once again has the ability to use the Ocarina of Time and summon Termina's guardians...but even this doesn't worry me. In this form, I am a God, I needn't hassle myself with Sages any longer."
"But who do you think they are? Just so I can hunt them down, just in case." Shilara said with a sadistic smile.
"King Laorik's brat is one...the other I am not sure, most likely Chief Aveil, the Goddesses' have an affinity for choosing supposedly strong Gerudo women as their Spirit Sage." Ganondorf answered.
"How did you know which Sage it was?" Shilara inquired.
"Every Sage's power has a unique and easily recognizable energy, it's easy when your senses extend as far as mine."
"...What if it's not Cheif Aveil?" Shilara asked.
"What do you mean?" Ganon countered.
"What if it's Naora...what if she survived?" Shilara pressed.
"Impossible, I killed her." Ganon replied.
oOo
Link looked back, the most mixed of feelings greeting him as he did so, behind him the united Hyrulean-Terminian force with the Holodrumite Gorons in tow marched, all carrying banners that had been pledged to him, but directly behind him, mounted atop a horse, Kallil's coffin was mounted, his oldest friend lying lifeless inside. The Hero felt selfish, caring so much for Kallil while feeling much less for the others that had fallen, their bodies being wrapped in sheets loaded into wagons in the rear, but Kallil wasn't just his friend, he was his teammate, he was a reminder of where Link came from in this life, and who it was he fought to protect.
"It was nice of Sir Gabriel, wasn't it?" Elgon asked, motioning towards the ornate casket Kallil rested in. "That was crafted for Gamelonian nobles, and he gave it to you for Kallil without a second thought."
"I don't disagree..." Link trailed off. "It's just..."
"Link, Kallil is going down in history as a savior, not just in the Hyrulean history books, but Termina's and those of Gamelon as well, he's in the Sacred Realm right now, and I have a feeling he's really enjoying that fact." Elgon stated with a smile.
Link grinned slightly. "Who knows, maybe he's really hit it off with Groose."
"Could be, you know, you really have an impact on people. Groose was an aggressive cad before he met you, and afterwards turned into a good man, it's the same with many that you've met, I've been watching through the ages, it's quite impressive." Elgon said with a grin.
"Sometimes I forget that you've been there, during every lifetime...you like nothing like you did as Mayor Bo." Link said with a laugh.
"I'm just glad that I get to be the Light Sage again...while also having this younger more in shape body the Goddesses rewarded me with."
Link and Elgon went quiet as Erris ran up next to them, breathing heavily. "We can't go back to Hyrule, not just yet."
"And why's that?" Link countered.
"We have to go to the desert...there's a hidden temple called "The Crypt of the Gods", we must go there." the Prince answered.
"Wait...did you say Crypt of the Gods?" Elgon asked.
"Yes, why does it matter to you?" Erris asked.
"Well, back in my time as the Goddesses' Hero, I conquered and closed that temple immediately after it was corrupted by the Demon Malladus." Elgon answered.
"Malladus?" Erris and Link asked in unison.
"Yeah...to make a long story short, the Fierce Deity built the Crypt as a place to safely store powerful magical items, but of course that drew the wrong being's attention...but we defeated Malladus, sealed him inside a large black monolith and tossed it into the ocean." Elgon explained.
"AS intriguing as that is, I doubt this Malladus has anything to do with it. When I considered myself Ganondorf's ally, I overheard him mentioning to his sister that he placed something powerful in that temple...something he didn't want you getting a hold of." Erris said.
"This Crypt can come later, for now we have to get back to Hyrule, for all we know Ganon could already be staging an assault." Link replied.
"What if whatever's in there has the power to let you end this right now? Would you not deem that worthy of our attention?" Erris exclaimed.
"The Hyrulean desert is too far away, the route we're taking will lead us straight into the Ordon Province, and from there the Castle will only be a couple hours away." Link said, turning forward again.
Erris looked away whilst shaking his head, falling back to rejoin Thrakon, Ginthorne, Mikau, Met, Aren, and Volga, the latter still recovering.
"Any word on how long those things are going to follow us?" Thrakon asked, indicating the Four Giants walking alongside the army.
"Until we safely make it back to Hyrule, but they can go no further." Erris said.
"I for one, am looking forward to another trip to Hyrule...even if it is to fight a war." Mayor Met said.
"Why don't you just stay in Clock Town this time?" Ginthorne growled.
"You!" Mayor Met said, extending an index finger at the Admiral. "During the Age in which the moon was falling from the sky, Mayor Dotour never once gave the order to evacuate, never once acknowledged anything about the issue at hand...and I will be damned if I go down in history with him as Termina's second cowardly, do-nothing leader!" he yelled, soldiers around them slowing down to watch the spectacle.
To everyone's surprise, Ginthorne let out a hearty laugh before continuing forward. "Suit yourself, Thaddean." he called back.
oOo
Erris circled around back, walking up next to Volga. "How are you feeling?"
"As if I've just awakened from a long nightmare." he stated.
"You should rest, stay in Clock Town while we continue on, you'll be safe here in Termina." Erris replied.
"I refuse to leave you again, your father appointed me as your guardian and I shall carry out that duty until the day of my death...besides, if I do not aid you in the fight against Ganon, who's to say how long Termina will remain safe." Volga argued.
"Very well, but don't try anything too strenuous." Erris responded.
Volga removed his helm, turning it towards him and looking into the eyes molded into it. "When I face Ganondorf...I will look into his eyes with my own has I burn him from the inside out." The Dragon Knight said as he flexed his arms, crushing the headpiece.
"It's good to have you back." Erris said with a grin.
oOo
Zelda stepped out of the portal, Lemuria exiting close behind.
"Princess...you've changed." Lemuria said.
Zelda turned, her long dress having disappeared and been replaced by her Sheik attire. "I needed something more suited to adventuring and fighting than a dress, but lighter than armor." Zelda answered.
"Shouldn't I be the one wearing something like that?" Lemuria asked.
"If you'd like a I can make one for you." Zelda replied, the two sharing a short laugh before Zelda jutted out her arm. "We're here." she said quietly.
"I thought we were going to have a walk ahead of us." Lemuria responded.
"So did I." Zelda said, a foreboding tone to her voice.
"I sensed your coming...so I brought you to me." a raspy voice proclaimed.
"Princess! The trees!" Lemuria shouted.
All around the two, trees turned, mangled ghostly faces adoring their trunks.
"There's no where in this forest you can run to...Hylia." the voice said.
"Princess, we should leave." Lemuria said urgently.
"No, not yet." Zelda said as she started forward. "You're Baga, are you not?"
"I have not been called that in centuries...my servants always address me with respect...something an arrogant Goddess like you wouldn't understand." Baga growled.
"I've come here because you're in danger, I want to help you!" Zelda called out.
"Help? HELP?!" Baga roared.
Zelda stumbled back as Lemuria drew her blade.
The ground in front of them shattering as roots tore through it, a large grinding sound filling the air as the shadows before them were split by a massive tree, pulling itself from the brush using it's roots in place of legs.
Zelda felt her heart speed up as she looked upon it, all the while sensing Lemuria doing her best not to back away. It's eyes were hollow other than a dim yellow glow from deep inside, a branch stuck out from below them, forming a long, knotted, crooked nose like appendage.
"You refused me your help those thousands of years in the past, so why would you offer it now?" Baga asked, it's mouth being like a black pit lined with jagged rocks.
"Ganondorf plans to use you, he wants to bring the Goddesses to the mortal world through the ancient ritual you were a part of...I can protect you from him." Zelda pressed.
"Princess, we really should leave." Lemuria said apprehensively as Deku scrubs, Wolfos, and Stalfos wrapped in roots and other plantlife stepped out of the treeline.
"You refer to Demise's mortal form...long ago I thought of him as an enemy...but the day that my forest burned and you! You and the other Goddesses and Gods refused to restore my home...I learned who the true enemy is." Baga growled.
"What...what do you mean?" Zelda asked.
"Demise has already been here...to share his power with me so I am not harmed by the ritual. He promised the restoration of my forest as well as dominion over those of my sister and brother...and I accepted instantly." Baga said, laughing loudly.
"No...you must reconsider...Ganondorf seeks only to use you...he will not hold his word!" Zelda called out desperately.
"It's too late to offer your help little Goddess, give your sisters my regards." he said, roots extending towards her. "KILL THEM BOTH!" he roared.
Zelda stood motionless as Baga's roots shot towards her.
"Princess!" Lemuria exclaimed, leaping forward and severing Baga's roots, eliciting a scream of agony from the tree spirit.
"Right!" Zelda called out, erecting a shield around the pair.
"What do we do? We're outnumbered." Lemuria said.
Deku nuts burst against the shield as Stalfos and Wolfos beat and slashed at it, Zelda struggling to hold it up.
"I have an idea, but you have to act fast." Zelda said, nodding at the Shiekah.
"I'm sure we've practiced this before." Lemuria stated.
"We have." Zelda said with a slight grin.
In a bright flash of light, Zelda dropped the barrier, levitating up as Lemuria performed a spin attack, eliminating the creatures in the immediate vicinity.
"Call them off!" Zelda demanded.
"No." Baga growled.
"Fine then, you've forced my hand!" Zelda yelled. The Princess raised her arms, a bolt of lightning descending from the heavens and striking her left arm, Zelda channeling it into her right and straight into the Baga tree.
"Grah!" he cried out in pain, a seared smoldering burn being left on his hide. "You will pay for that!" Baga cried out.
Zelda raised an arm as a barrage of leaves shot at her, finding to her displeasure that their sides were razor sharp, easily cutting through her outfit and into her skin. She quickly summoned a telekinetic shockwave, blowing the leaves away before extending both hands, bolts of light energy shooting from them and striking the Baga Tree. The Forest Deity answered by launching bolts of energy from it's branches, Zelda dodging them all before being struck in the chest, falling to the ground.
"Zelda!" Lemuria called out, cutting down a Wolfos, bisecting a Stalfos and deflecting Deku Nut projectiles back at their owners. Temporarily freed, Lemuria raced forward, only to soon be surrounded again, the Sheikah girl performed a spin attack, clearing away her attackers once more, but it wasn't enough as she was hit in the back by Stalfos' club, a barrage of Deku Nuts striking her and nearly knocking her unconscious as she fell to the ground.
Zelda staggered to her feet, looking up at the tree. "I'm not done yet." she whispered as she raised her arm, a large ball of energy forming over it.
The Baga tree raised a root to intercept it, Zelda releasing the projectile in response, the ball easily ripping through the tendril and striking Baga dead center, bark, leaves, and sap scattering in every direction as it exploded against him, the tree letting out a piercing cry.
Zelda charged another attack as the smoke cleared, a large burning crater left in Baga's side.
"You will die for this!" he roared.
Zelda raised her hands only for her magic to spark slightly, nothing coming forth. She knew the fight with Tonbridge and his followers had drained her...but not to this extent. Zelda's attention was drawn away however, as a root wrapped around her legs, swinging her up into the air as another bound her arms.
"I'm going to draw the divine essence from your body and take your beloved Triforce...your power will be mine." Baga hissed.
Lemuria got to her feet, taking up her sword again before slashing two Wolfos in half, sweeping a group of Scrubs away, and hacking a Stalfos to pieces, only to be hit by more Deku nuts, this time falling one knee only to be restrained by Stalfos. "No!" she cried out, struggling against their skeletal hands, a shiver traversing her spine as a Wolfos set it's teeth upon her neck, biting down slightly.
"Make her watch as I kill the Goddess...you can eat her once I'm done." Baga called out.
Zelda and Lemuria locked eyes, both being out of ideas. "Lemura, I'm so sorry...Link...please forgive me...Impa...please forgive me." she thought as she felt her remaining energy being sapped away.
"NO!" Lemuria screamed as she saw Zelda's eyes glaze over, her skin going pale. The Sheikah fought against her captors, bracing herself for a bite from the Wolfos, blood spraying onto her face as it bit down...
The realization hit her that it wasn't her blood, suddenly both Stalfos' torsos fell next to her, she turned to find her mother, Impa cutting them down while Oren drove a blade through the Wolfos' head...the source of the blood.
"What were you thinking? Coming here alone?!" Impa cried out.
Zelda suddenly felt herself fall, an orange beam of energy shooting passed her as she descended, vaguely hearing a pained scream from the Baga tree as she fell. The Princess braced herself only to be met by a soft bed of leafy plants.
"I've got her!" Saria yelled.
Two Guards ran to the Princess, picking her up and carrying her back as Baga dragged himself forward.
"My brother's slave comes to face me." he growled.
"I am no slave, The Great Deku Tree and I share our power, something I'd beware of if I were you." Saria threatened.
"Should I hit him again?" Naora asked as she joined the Kokiri girl.
"Whenever you're ready." Saria answered.
Baga sent a barrage of leaves flying at them, more of his roots erupting from the ground.
Saria raised her arms, a green aura surging around her as she pushed back the roots and stopped the leave's advance, causing them to slowly drift to the ground.
"I am the Forest Sage, I command all plantlife, and with the Deku Tree's power, that even includes you!" Saria yelled, using her powers to hold the Baga Tree in place.
Naora raised her arms, shooting twin beams of Spirit energy that tore through the Baga Tree's hide.
Lemuria slashed through woflos, her mother and father cutting down the remaining horde of scrubs while Captain Viscen smashed a Stalfos' skull with the blunt side of his spear, stabbing an approaching Wolfos with the tip.
"Men, with me!" Viscen yelled, a group of Hylian Guards falling in with him. "Charge!" he yelled, the group raising their shields and spears, easily cutting through the cornered beasts.
"Princess!" Impa cried out as the two Guards that had pulled her from harms way set her down.
"She's still alive." Viscen said, feeling for her pulse.
Lemuria made her way over, looking back as her father dispatched two remaining Stalfos. She slowed down as he made his way up to her, tightly grabbing her by the shoulder. "You and I are going to talk about this when we get back." he said sternly.
A short distance away Saria and Naora battled the Baga Tree, Saria turning it's own arboreal form against it whilst the Gerudo woman tore into it with spirit energy.
"Enough!" Baga yelled, a shockwave tearing through the ground. "You all have faired better than expected...but killing my minions and harming my outer shell will not save you." he growled.
"We need to move back." Saria exclaimed.
Naora backed away as the Baga Tree's branches curled upward, a massive sphere of energy forming between them.
"We have to go now!" Oren called out, indicating a portal near the tree line.
"Hurry, I can't hold it much longer!" a voice called from the other side.
"Audrik!" Lemuria called excitedly, Oren's expression souring slightly.
"Not yet, we can't allow the Baga Tree to remain free." Impa said.
"Well how do you suggest we imprison him, then?" Viscen asked pointedly.
"Are you ready?" Impa asked, looking down at the young Zora girl.
"I need Naora." Kyra answered.
"Hurry!" Impa called, Saria and Naora sprinting over to the group.
"I'm here!" Naora said, reaching for Kyra.
The Zora girl grabbed Naora's hand tightly, the Gerudo woman channeling her spirit energy into the Zora Princess, the girl quickly raising the Scepter and pointing it forward.
The group looked on in awe as Kyra cried out, geysers erupting from the ground, tearing through the underbrush and forming a massive wave that broke down the trees before it.
"We need to go before it gets to us!" Impa yelled.
Kyra pulled her arm back, turning with the rest of the group only to find the portal rapidly shrinking, Audrik being visible on the other side trying his best to hold it open.
"We'll never make it." a Guard called out.
Impa turned to find the wave bearing down on them, the Baga Tree releasing a scream of rage as it engulfed him, extinguishing his energy blast.
The group readied themselves as it fell towards them. "Protect the Princess!" Impa called out.
Saria and Naora combined their energy to form a shield around Zelda's weakened form, closing their eyes and bracing themselves for the impact when as suddenly as it had come, the wave stopped, freezing over rapidly, the Baga Tree now encased in a prison of ice.
"You're welcome, by the way." a familiar voice called, Sir Trystane walked up behind the group, Cia standing behind him, lending her power to keeping the portal open.
oOo
That wraps up chapter 39! Six more chapters to go before part three is concluded!
Gerudospirit: Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! You truly flatter me! I'm so happy you respect my writing abilities this much as well as I'm glad you can feel the emotion behind scenes, I always thought I had difficulty portraying it, but to hear that it's conveyed so well really makes the time I put into writing this worth it! Also, thank you for compliments on my OC's, I know in fanfiction OC's can sometimes all feel like the same person, so I'm glad you like them! Thank you so much for your kind words and the review!
James Birdsong: Mr. Birdsong you truly flatter me, the fact you'd call my work great means the world to me! Thank you for reviewing!
I'd like to apologize to the readers of my other two fics for shelving them while I work on this one, I truly enjoy writing and care for all of my stories, but as my first and most popular story, and the one that is nearest to an ending, I want to work through it so you all have answers to any questions former chapters posed!
Thank you all for reading and a special thank you to those who decided to favorite and follow me and my writings!
Don't forget to tell me what you thought! I accept all comments and criticism and hearing from you really makes this as fun as it is to write!
I hope you enjoyed the read!
-Prometheus17