Link's arms tightened around Zelda, they'd been apart for so long he couldn't stand the thought of having to spend one more moment away from her.
"It's been so long." the Princess said, leaning her head against his.
Link smiled for the first time in what felt like years, he still had yet to clean up after his imprisonment, but Zelda didn't care, no matter what she always accepted him as he was, and he would always do the same for her.
"The thought of you kept me going, from here to Gamelon and back, during the battle and after I was captured, I just knew that no matter what, one day I'd see you again." Link replied.
Zelda turned her head to the side, the two briefly locking lips before parting, Zelda tracing a finger over Link's scar.
"Does it still hurt?" she asked.
"Not at all, got blindsided while fighting our way to the Castle, it's nothing to worry about." Link said.
"Even after all of these years, you know I'm going to worry no matter what you say." Zelda said with a laugh, slowly moving her index finger along the scar, the skin going back to how it was before as soon as she touched it.
Link lifted a hand to his face, rapidly tapping his fingers along where the scar had been. "Zelda..did you...heal me?" he asked.
"Yes...is this not what you wanted?" the Princess asked.
"No..it's just...you've never been able to do so with such ease in the past." Link commented.
"Well, after Nayru's death...I was able to make the Triforce of Wisdom select me as it's new source as well as it's host, I've been granted even more power than before." She said with a small smile.
"Are you sure that's safe?" Link asked.
"My concern right now is freeing our people from Ganondorf's rule and doing away with him permanently." Zelda responded.
Link bowed his head, he hated to admit it, but in this game he and Zelda had to make sacrifices, there wasn't a single lifetime that went by in which they didn't have to give up a great deal, one time it was even his own life that was the cost. "Be assured, that is my priority as well, I just want to make sure we both emerge from this." he replied.
"Link, I assure you, like our last lifetime and the one before we will have a life together." Zelda said with a grin.
"To think, we were supposed to be wed soon after we met in this era." Link remarked.
"Someday soon we shall be, but know that in spirit, we already are." Zelda answered.
"I know this." Link said, grabbing ahold of Zelda's waist.
"Link...what are you-?!" Zelda asked before letting out a yelp as Link threw himself back onto the couch, pulling her on top of him.
"We haven't had some personal time in a while." he said quietly.
"No, no we have not." Zelda said, lowering her head.
Link raised his meet her, the two sharing a kiss.
"Ahem." they heard.
Zelda bolted upright as Link got out from underneath her, both finding Din standing over them. "I apologize to have interrupted...that." the Goddess said.
"It's quite alright." Zelda said, blushing slightly.
"It's just, we must speak about what's to be done, we are now no closer to defeating Ganondorf and getting Nayru back than we were when my sisters and I were ripped from the Sacred Realm." the Goddess stated.
"These things take time, you must understand this." Link answered.
"Well...I've never actually been part of this...this fight on this level...it makes me feel..." Din began.
"Vulnerable?" Link asked.
The Goddess sighed, turning her gaze to the floor. "Yes." she said quietly. "When I fought Demise...I felt the pain of every attack, I spent so much time in the Sacred realm I'd forgotten what it felt like, I truly didn't know how it was to live on this world. It's safe to say I have a new appreciation for the two of you." Din explained.
"We're here to help you, trust me, we are. We're doing everything in our power to defeat Ganondorf and get Nayru back, but we just need more time and resources than what we have, the aid of the Gerudo will help, but it's only a start." Zelda replied.
"Farore, Nayru and I thought it would be an easy matter, granting you two access to the full extent of your power would end this quickly." Din said.
"I've been meaning to ask, why is it that in this life we were given these powers, but not in any other before this?" Link asked.
"Demise has worked alone in his other lives, but early on, he summoned his brother Mahlik, and we knew Majora would be soon to follow." Din admitted.
"So you knew what were up agains this entire time?" Link shot.
"Link, it's not her fault, there was nothing else she could've done." Zelda interjected.
"No, she and her sisters could have intervened many times, but instead they made us risk life and limb repeatedly while they watched safe in their own realm...but now, when it may be too late, they finally come to help...and not even because they had the choice, it's because they were forced to." Link growled.
"Link!" Zelda said, a tone of disbelief to her voice as she stood.
"No, little sister, he is right! The Great Darkness was our fault, Demise, Majora, Mahlik, they are also our fault. Farore, Nayru and I...we didn't want to fight again...we left that to you and Link...we could've helped but we didn't...and because of that hesitation many of our children are dead...your friend Mathias being the most recent." she said quietly.
"Sir Mathias?" Zelda asked.
"He...he and Oren helped me escape...he paid the price at Ganon's hands." Link answered.
"At least he saw the error of his ways...the path to the Sacred Realm may now be open to him." Zelda said.
"I'm afraid you'd be wrong." Din replied.
"He helped me escape, he only served Ganon because he was forced to!" Link argued.
"I'm not saying I wouldn't allow his soul to move on to the Sacred Realm, what I mean is, ever since my sisters and I were forcibly extricated from it, the gates have closed, and Demise has yet to reopen them." Din explained.
"So...what you're saying is that ever single person that's died since Farore, Nayru and yourself were pulled down hasn't moved on?" Zelda asked.
"Yes, I fear thousands of spirits are now trapped in this realm, wandering Hyrule." Din replied. "Which is why you must claim your full power."
"What do you mean?" Link asked as Din's gaze fixed on him.
"The white aura that surges around you, the glowing sun and moon sigils that appear on your chest, you can't tell me you haven't noticed." the Goddess remarked.
Zelda looked on curiously, she had taken note of the white aura during Link's fight with Ganon once after his Triforce was temporarily taken, but hadn't much time to think about it.
"I have." Link said.
"You are not just the Hero of Legend, you were once a god, and a god you will be again. Link, you are the Fierce Deity." Din said.
oOo
Ganondorf looked down upon the body of Kanthos, his over-confidence was his downfall.
"Sad, he was a useful one too, much more so than Ryos ever was." Shilara said.
"His story is not over yet." Ganon replied.
"What do you mean? He was stabbed through the heart." Shilara answered.
"You underestimate my abilities." Ganondorf said.
Shilara cocked her head to the side as she watched her brother raise his arms, splaying his fingers over Kanthos.
"Rise." Ganon said, blue streams of energy flowing from both hands and into Kanthos.
Shilara watched as the Sorcerer's wound healed, his body beginning to writhe on the table. Suddenly Kanthos arched his back before dropping onto the stone slab again.
"Can you hear me?" Ganondorf asked.
Shilara almost fell backwards as Kanthos shot upright, his chest heaving as he breathed heavily.
"What..what's going on?!" he asked, looking around the room.
"You had a serious wound, I healed you." Ganon answered.
Kanthos turned to Shilara, his eyes meeting hers, the Gerudo woman only nodding in response.
Kanthos ran a finger over the area the wound once occupied before getting to his feet and falling to one knee, raising his hands and bowing his head. "My lord, please forgive me for the boy's escape...I...I underestimated him." Kanthos said.
"You are forgiven, though he is short of stature, the 'Hero' is a deceptively cunning adversary." Ganondorf answered.
Kanthos rose to his feet, his orange irises meeting the red of Ganon's. "I am grateful, Lord Ganondorf." he began. "I fight for you because the pain your people endured mirrors that of my own race. A cruel ruler and an oppressive race of people both menaced us, I fight for you because that ruler and those people destroyed my race, and I do not wish to see the same thing happen to yours." the Sorcerer explained.
"You're loyalty and concern for my race's well being are truly admirable...I have an assignment for you, Kanthos." Ganondorf began.
Shilara cocked an eyebrow, the man was dead five minutes ago, but now was being sent on a mission..instead of her? She sighed in frustration, watching the events unfold.
"Go to Termina, pay a visit to Mayor Thaddean Met and see to it he sees things...our way." the Demon King instructed.
"Right away." Kanthos said, teleporting away with an orange flash.
"So, why does he get to have all the fun?" Shilara asked, taking a step forward.
"Fret not, sister, I need you here, by my side." Ganondorf said, beginning to walk away.
"I need more than this, just hanging around in this Castle all day...it doesn't suit me too well." she argued.
"Kanthos demonstrates unrivaled loyalty and obedience, traits you must work on." the Demon King replied.
"You want me to be more loyal and obedient?" Shilara spat. "I am your sister! I should have equal standing with you!" she shouted, pointing at her brother, flame spreading up her arm.
Ganon turned, raising a hand and slowly closing his fingers.
The flames covering the Gerudo woman's arm flickered before burning out entirely as she raised both hands to her throat, gasping frantically.
"How easily you forget your place...just like Naora did her's." Ganon said, releasing his grip on his sister's throat.
Shilara inhaled sharply, falling to her hands and knees.
"Let this be a lesson to you." Ganondorf said before departing down the hall.
The Gerudo woman growled, shaking with rage as she bared her teeth, if it had been any other man, she would have burned him to ash, but her brother...he was no mere man. Slowly, she stood up, quickly making her way over to the corridor leading away from the room, she darted through the entrance, swiftly running from column to column, peeking around it until she finally caught up to her brother, she had heard him in his quarters before, late at night talking to someone, someone she was sure wasn't there, but there was only one way to be sure and this was it.
The sword that Sheikah man carried shouldn't have done me any damage, you're attempting to drain my power, I know it!" Ganondorf shouted.
Shilara saw nothing, watching as he brother spoke into the darkness.
oOo
Majora's three bright yellow eyes focused on him, pupils quivering slightly. "You can't keep me imprisoned within your flesh forever, Demise."
"If I can handle Mahlik, I can learn to suppress you." Ganon said, baring his teeth.
"Of the three of us, Mahlik is the weakest...and I am the strongest. Far stronger than you." Majora growled.
"Yes, yes. You're so very powerful, I suppose you voluntarily stayed in that mask for all of those centuries." Ganon hissed.
"I will rip my way out of you and take Mahlik with me...there will be consequences for your treachery." Majora answered.
"I only need your power to kill the Goddesses, I've already taken the life of one, and I know where to find the other two. As soon as I kill them and take the other two pieces of the Triforce from the Hero and Princess, I will destroy you and Mahlik before ascending to the Sacred Realm, destroying this realm and remaking it in my own image. Now...away with you!" Ganondorf shouted, closing his eyes and focusing his energy inward, suppressing Majora's consciousness, if only for the time being.
Ganon took one step, stopping as he saw it off to the side, the familiar green-skinned apparition that had haunted him since he absorbed his brothers.
"What about Shilara, Ghirahim...or even Kanthos, you will destroy them too?" Kai asked, stepping out of the shadows.
"There are no room for mortals in the new world I will create...as there is no room for the likes of you anywhere." Ganon growled.
"You aren't you anymore." Kai replied.
"Leave me be." the Demon King responded.
"I can't leave you be...because I am you, whether you know it or not, you want me here." Kai answered.
"That is not true! You are a hallucination, nothing more!" Ganon snarled.
"No! I am the real you, the identity you left behind! I am Kai, I am Ganondorf, you are not, you are an amalgamation of the three demons inside of you, I fought for my people, fought for justice against the Hylians who hated our race, I fought for my family, for Naora. I wanted to stand at the top of the social order to rewrite things the way they should be, with all races being equal, the Hylian supremacy a thing of the past. I wanted the grass, the waters, the winds, the trees, I did not want to destroy it all." Kai answered.
"Maybe you are correct." Ganon said with a grin. "Maybe you are what I used to be, but I aspire to much greater things now, this world...this universe will fall to me, I will burn it away and rebuild it the way I see fit! Soon I will be all that there is left, as there will be no room for mortals in my new world." Ganondorf said, closing his eyes and focusing, opening them to find his younger self gone.
oOo
Shilara was paralyzed, her spine feeling cold while her feet were rooted to the spot, this man she served...it was no longer her brother...he was a monster that didn't care for her or anyone else...she knew what she had to do.
oOo
Saria waved her hands to the side, the floral life ahead of the group parting so as to allow them through.
"How are you feeling?" the Kokiri girl asked.
"I'm okay, a bit cold." Kyra answered, clutching her silver staff tightly.
Behind them all the Kokiri trudged along, worried looks on their faces, this was the first time they'd ever gone without the Great Deku Tree's protection, and without it, as Saria told them, they'd begin to age just like normal Hylians, the Deku Tree's magic waring off.
Around the perimeter of the group a force of Gorons walked, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
"Little sister, are you sure about this?" Chief Darbrakus asked, looking down at the green haired Kokiri girl.
"Crossing the border into Termina from the swamp is the best way right now, I can sense Impa, Elgon, Erris and Naora, if we keep heading this way, we'll be able to reach them in a matter of hours." Saria answered.
"You sure they don't have any of their guys out here?" the Goron Chief asked.
"Absolut-." Saria began, a cold shiver going up her spine as she sensed the vibrations through the plants. "Behind me, quickly!" she called, the entire group assembling at her back as she raised her hands, the grass around them growing rapidly until it stood a good head above the Gorons.
Everyone watched in silence as the footsteps grew louder, Kyra covering her mouth with a hand while Saria motioned to the terrified Kokiri to be quiet. Not far from them a large portion of Ganondorf's army marched through the swamp, the foreign, orange-eyed Sorcerer leading the march.
"So much for going this way?" Darbrakus whispered.
"It would seem so." Saria answered.
oOo
Trystane clamped a hand over his mouth as he hunched over, barely avoiding falling to his knees.
"Goddesses, Ralo, what did you do to the man?" Daltus asked.
Ralo, a tall Hylian man with olive skin and piercing green eyes turned to the King. "My type of teleportation is...unusual." he stated.
"I'll say." Trystane answered as he straightened up. "It's as if my whole body fall apart then...then come back together."
"That would be due to the way his abilities break us down on a molecular level and reassemble our cells once we've arrived." a blonde-haired Gerudo woman answered.
Trystane didn't know how to respond, most of the words she had just uttered made no sense to him...and he considered himself a learned man.
"King Daltus." a voice called.
In the blink of an eye a Zora man appeared in the middle of the group, a confident grin on his face. "It looks as if our path to Clock Town is clear, most of the soldiers are camped outside of the walls, this is definitely where you'll find your daughter and the Hero."
"Good work Aquos, fortune finally has favored us, all because of Sir Trystane." the King said.
The dark-haired Hylian man looked around, regarding the looks of skepticism on his new team-members faces. They all wore dark blue armor, the chest plate adorned with the crest of the ancient Kingdom of Hytopia. He had only just met them, so he was eager to prove himself one way or another to them, the King especially. the tall Hylian man, Ralo, had the power of teleportation, the blonde Gerudo woman, Vashara had the ability to see through any wall or barrier as if it were glass, and Aquos, a young Zora man who's great speed could almost be mistaken for teleportation. He knew there were at least two more, a Goron man by the name of Traegen who was currently escorting three individuals through the desert, his ability was control over all forms of earth and a Hylian woman who was currently searching for Prince Audrik and Princess Kayala.
"We better get moving before it gets dark, I hear they still have trouble with all kinds of strange creatures out here at night." Vashara said, motioning over the rise.
"I'll be able to get us to the wherever Link and Zelda are." Trystane stated as he started forward.
"You might want to refer to the Princess with in a more respectful manner." Ralo replied pointedly.
"Oh calm down, Ralo, what's important right now is finding my daughter." the King said.
Ralo turned to reply, going quiet as the King gave him a warning glance.
oOo
"This better be good, I was right about to bathe and give my armor a good clean and polish." Thrakon remarked.
"I told the men to only send up a flare if there's an urgent matter, they know better than to mess around." Admiral Ginthorne answered.
After darkness fell over the land, Thrakon and Ginthorne had managed to get themselves roped into aiding the Clock Town guards with crowd control and just generally keeping the peace, no matter how tired they were though, it seemed as though the world could never let them rest.
As soon as the two breached the gate, a contingent of soldiers met them.
"There's a group here to see the Princess and the Hero...they're in blue armor with a strange variant of the Hylian crest, but one is a Zora and another is a Gerudo...and a man claiming to be Sir Trystane...but that's impossible." the soldier that met them said.
"Trystane?!" Thrakon asked incredulously.
"Y-yes, Sir." the soldier replied.
Thrakon grimaced, he had seen the man he would, without hesitation call his best friend die during the battle for Castle Town, whoever this man was, he'd pay for using his name.
"Thanks, Soldier, we'll take it from here." Ginthorne said as he continued forward.
"Whoever this fake Trystane is, he's about to fly all the way back to Hyrule courtesy of me." Thrakon growled.
"I don't blame you...but this group, it kinda sounds like..." Ginthorne began.
"Sounds like what?" Thrakon asked.
"They're only a myth...or at least I thought so. But stories tell of a group called the Knights of Hytopia, a group that's worked to keep the peace behind the scenes in Hyrule for centuries." Ginthorne explained.
"I've heard of them too, but they can't be real." Thrakon remarked.
Sir Ginthorne was about to reply as they rounded the nearest tent before his eyes set on the man leading the group. "Goddesses...you are alive!" he exclaimed.
Thrakon looked on in disbelief as Trystane stood before them, healthy as ever. "Good to see you gents." he said.
The sell-sword ran forward, grasping his friends hand before throwing his other arm around him. "It's good to see you, my friend...I thought...we all thought you were dead.
"So did I, briefly." Trystane answered.
Admiral Ginthorne looked passed Trystane, scanning the faces of the new arrivals only to his jaw fall open seemingly on it's own. "King Daltus?!" he exclaimed.
"Ah, Nawk, a belated congratulations on your promotion to Admiral." the King said with a grin.
"We all thought that..we had a funeral and everything." the admiral continued.
"This man is the King?" Thrakon asked in disbelief.
"Yes, and if you wouldn't mind, we'd like to enter the gate now." the tall Hylian man behind Thrakon interjected.
"Oh yeah, of course, right this way!" Admiral Ginthorne said, putting his shock aside for the moment.
"Charming fellow." Thrakon said, nodding towards Ralo.
"Eh, he'll warm up to you eventually." Trystane answered.
oOo
Mayor Met had his hand hovering over his own personal alarm, a large brass bell that could be heard all throughout West Castle Town.
"Relax, I don't wish to harm you...only broker a deal." Kanthos said, a smirk adorning his face.
"I want no deal with the likes of you." Mayor Met answered.
"Listen, all you have to do is surrender Termina to us and...no war, no fighting, no bloodshed." the foreign sorcerer said.
The Mayor moved his hand away from the bell, gently setting it upon the table. "Why should I believe this?" he asked.
"Why? Well that's simple, we've only been fighting because we have to, if you surrender, there will be peace, I promise this. You'll even be allowed to retain some of your authority." Kanthos said, raising his arms and turning his open palms towards the Mayor.
"I need time...to think about this." Mayor Met answered.
"You don't have time! Do it now or I'll have my friend Ghirahim shape-shift into you and take your place...after I kill you and incinerate your body of course." Kanthos said, grinning all the while.
"Fine! You win...you win." Mayor Met replied.
"I what?" Kanthos countered.
"You win, I'll order my men to stand down." he answered.
"And the Hyruleans?" Kanthos asked.
"I...I'll request they stand down too, and I'll have my forces suppress them if I have to.
"Good, good, pleasure doing business with you, former Mayor...enjoy your last hours of authority, I'll be taking control come morning." the Sorcerer said.
oOo
"I'm just saying, it could work." Erris said.
"That's insanity, he won't allow you to imprison him again." Elgon answered.
"I won't let you do something so..so stupid!" Cia added.
"Ganon pulled Mahlik from my body without breaking the sealing spells." Erris said before motioning to Elgon. "He was there, if he remembers the ritual Tonbridge used, he could pull Mahlik from Ganon, and reseal him into me, it would greatly weaken him and return command of Mahlik's powers to me, and now that I have awoken as a Sage, I have more power to suppress his consciousness with."
"You power doesn't seem to have much to do with it." Link answered. "During our Battle in the Great Deku Tree's meadow, Mahlik took control when you let your anger get the best of you."
"Link is right, if we can't afford Mahlik taking control of a Sage." Zelda added.
"We do need to split the demons up, together in one form, they are nearly invincible, even for the likes of me." Din answered.
"What if we could replicate the sealing spell, and enact it on someone else, a volunteer...someone who's death won't effect things." Aren asked as he stepped forward.
"What are you suggesting?" Impa asked, shooting to her feet.
"My death will have no effect in this battle, I will volunteer to have this...Mahlik...sealed within my body." Aren answered.
"Out of the question, there are too few Sheikah already, for all we know, the three of us are all that could be left." Oren answered.
"I am aware, but I have a duty to fulfill." Aren responded.
"It's not that simple." Elgon replied. "The spell needs a portion of the demon's, in this case Mahlik's essence implanted in the host, something Erris already has."
"All I could do was stand by and close my eyes as they forced Mahlik into my son the first time, I will not allow it again." Cia retorted.
"Mother." Erris said sternly. "This is not your decision to make...I must atone for what I've done...many lives were lost because of me, the land in Labrynna becoming infertile and rotting away due to the effects Mahlik's long term presence had on it...it was all my fault. I thought if I took the Triforce pieces from Link and Zelda, I may be able to rejuvenate my Kingdom with it's power but while on that course I caused more suffering and more bloodshed...this will be how I atone for my sins." the Prince said.
"That's unacceptable, you've helped us in ways we never could've imagined, we can't afford to lose you now." Link replied.
"You've been forgiven for what you've done, you can continue helping us in other ways, besides, you're a Sage." Zelda added.
"You're one of us now." Impa said.
Erris nodded his head, a small smile appearing on his face. "I am grateful for your kindness, I really am...but there's more to it. My people obeyed me and followed me not only because of my lineage but because of the great power I displayed...Mahlik's power. Maybe if I'm able to reseal him, I'll be able to regain the loyalty of my military and turn them against Ganondorf."
"Strategically speaking, it's not a bad plan." Oren observed.
"Then it's settled, I will pull Mahlik from Ganon's body and seal him in my own once more." Erris said.
Cia made to object, only to nod in agreement, a solemn look on her face.
Din turned to the Sorceress, a concerned look crossing her face. "You have nothing to fear with me present, I am a Goddess, child of the Sacred Light. I will heal Erris from any damage Mahlik's presence may cause and aid him in suppressing his consciousness, with his power on our side and Demise's power reduced the same amount, we may claim victory." the crimson haired Goddess said.
"Thank you." was a all Cia could manage as she closed her eyes, images of her time with Lannis and Erris as a child flashing through her head, if she had known what was to come, she would have rid the world of Ganondorf then and there, before his power had been truly realized.
Link stood, making his way over to the doors, exiting onto the balcony, the cool Terminian breeze greeting him. He smiled as he looked up, billions of stars looking back, Ganondorf could not enshroud them all.
"You got up so suddenly, is everything alright?" Zelda asked as she joined him.
"It's just...a lot to think about." the Hero replied.
"This situation, forced to run because we're not strong enough to fight him yet, so familiar, is it not?" the Princess asked.
"Except this time we have so many people in tow, every one of them depending on us." Link said, looking back into the main room.
"It's frustrating." Zelda replied. "The Goddesses blessed us with so much strength in this life, but Ganondorf caught up with ease."
"As he always does." Link replied.
"So...now you know." Zelda stated, her glowing blue eyes meeting Link's.
"Know what? Know that the only reason I was able to wear the Fierce Deity's Mask is because it's just an extension of me and I am the Fierce Deity in the flesh?" he asked.
Zelda paused, taken aback by Link's abrasive and hurried tone. "Well, yes." she replied.
Link circled around behind Zelda, planting a kiss on the back of her head before pulling her in close. "All of this time, all of these centuries and lives I've believed you to be a Goddess and I to be a mortal chosen by the Goddesses...that was the what I knew to be true...and now I know that my existence has been a lie this entire time...even since our days in Skyloft." the Hero said.
Zelda relaxed into Link's arms, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Skyloft, I wish we could go back to that kind of life...so simple and peaceful." she said.
"You'd really give up being a Princess to go back to a simpler life?" Link asked with laugh.
"Being regent is too much paperwork...Audrik could handle it." Zelda said, beginning to laugh before going silent. "I wonder what's happened to him." she said quietly.
Link bowed his head, he and Zelda had been given more family in this timeline than ever before, having a sibling for her was a rarity and for he, having a mother and sister was unheard of...so he felt uniquely able to sympathize. "When I first encountered your brother I noticed he was unlike any other royal I had ever met, be it in Hyrule or any other land at any other time. He was humble, clever, intelligent and quite a magnificent fighter if I do say so myself. I'm sure he's taking care of himself well." Link said with a smile.
"Thank you...I just hope he's in a safe place with people still loyal to our family." Zelda said.
"Well, there's only one way to end this, and that's to take the fight back to Ganondorf...if I am truly the Fierce Deity, I must seek out the mask, I'd say it's about time I travel to this Crypt of the Gods." Link stated.
"You won't be going alone this time, I'm coming too." Zelda said.
"Zelda, dungeons, they are my duty, you must know this." Link said playfully.
"Please, does the Hero think I am too dainty and frail to take on such a challenge?" Zelda responded.
Link was about to answer when an enormous boom shattered the peace of the quiet night.
"What in Din's name?" Link exclaimed, quickly looking over to see if Din had heard him.
The rest of the group hurried out to the balcony to see another massive blast of flame flare up outside the walls.
"Could it be the Gerudo turning on us?" Erris asked.
"No, it's Ganondorf's forces...they're here." Zelda said grimly.
oOo
Termina-Ikana Canyon
The wind picked up slightly, rustling the dry shrubs that grew out of the sand and rock, the Guays birds turning away quickly to avoid the gust as it swirled and circled into one specific spot, the sand, rock and small amount of plant refuse there was being picked up momentarily before being deposited back on the ground where it lay. Where there once was only thin air a man now stood, the small whirlwind dying down as he stepped out of it's center.
He breathed a heavy sigh, hiking his oversized pack up onto his shoulders with a grunt, his seemingly permanently affixed and overly pleasant smile no longer present, Majora had been his responsibility, he had been appointed the keeper of his mask centuries ago by the Fierce Deity himself and now...as of this era he had failed twice at keeping the world safe from the ancient Druthulidi's wrath. This time it was different, though, not only was Majora loose once more, but he was in the company of his brothers Demise and Mahlik.
With a heavy sigh he started off towards the Great Bay, the Hero and Princess would almost undoubtedly be heading there seeing as Clock Town was being taken. As he took his first step, the man laughed, the "Happy Mask Salesman" didn't seem like such a fitting title anymore.
oOo
Sorry for the wait, everyone! Here is chapter 48! I hope you've enjoyed it!
Gerudospirit: Life goes on as...well...almost usual in Hyrule even with what's going on! I'm glad you liked the King's inclusion and his recollections of his time with his children, I wanted to present him as a man that was formerly stern and intimidating but had grown to be more even-tempered and personable as regrets about the way he was as King ate at him. At this point, Ganon's parents just want to do what they can to help reverse the damage he's done due to the fact that they feel as if they brought him into this world, Din is just stressed all around and took it out on them. I'm glad you're liking the story so far, I'll definitely keep it up! Thanks for reviewing!
Guest: Yes, Link does indeed have a younger sister, I'm glad you're enjoying that part!
Iamfrozti: Let me tell you, I am flattered to hear you enjoy this story so much! The fact you read all forty-seven chapters in a day is quite impressive! I commend you on your reading speed! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Thank you to everyone who clicked follow and favorite on me and my profile, I am very grateful!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, thank you for reading!
-Prometheus17