Chapter 9: The Desert Colossus

After the run in with Twinrova, Alm and Sheik, or rather Zelda, were offered asylum in Gerudo Fortress. In order for Zelda to heal properly, the two put their mission on hold as per the Gerudo's recommendation and sat at the mess hall with them to speak on the subject.

"I see. So, Link is not in Hyrule at the moment." The healer concludes with her arms crossed.

"That is correct." Zelda answers. "King Alm is taking his place for the time being, he can be trusted."

"His actions have shown that. Thank you, Highness."

"It's alright. But, where are the others? We were told that there were more Gerudo, yet we only found you four." Alm inquires.

"They were taken to the Desert Colossus; Koume and Kotake's headquarters. It lies past the Haunted Wastelands." The healer answers.

"Why would they take them? For what purpose?" Zelda asks in concern.

"My guess is they're being held as POWs; Prisoners of War." Alm adds. "If anything, they're being held prisoner there to keep the rest of you out. You four were just the bait to get us in here. But, the plan backfired when the Triforce of Wisdom wasn't with us."

"That's possible. We'll find out once we cross the wasteland." Zelda concludes, wincing from her burns.

"For now, however, you should rest up here while we treat those burns." The healer suggests. Besides, it would be unwise to attempt to cross the Haunted Wastelands at night."

"I think we should listen to them, Princess. I'm sure that you'll be better after a night's rest." Alm comments, looking at Zelda's bandaged side.

"Of course." Zelda says in agreement.

"Very well. King Alm, please take the princess to her chambers, we'll be there later to give her another session. We will tend to your horses, it is the least we can do for your help. In the morning, we will instruct you on how to cross the Haunted Wastelands."

"Alright, thank you." Alm concedes and stands up to help Zelda onto her feet, leading her back to the previous room. Moments later, they reach the room and Alm helps Zelda lie back down on the bed.

"Is that better?" Alm asks.

"A little; it still hurts." Zelda answers, barely touching her side. "I shouldn't have been so careless."

"Eh, it could've happened to anyone. Don't beat yourself up over it." Alm sets down his sword and sits on one side of the bed. "I'm responsible for worse things, heheh."

"Hard-headed, I assume?"

"I guess you could call it that. I tried making good choices back then, but they usually turned out bad. Older the wiser, just like my Grandfather said."

"Well, if you need more wisdom, you can always come to me." Zelda comments.

"I'm sorry; was that a joke coming from you?" Alm asks, smiling at Zelda's unintentional quip.

"Oh. I guess it was." Zelda smiles at this. "I think Link had an effect on me; he was the one with the humor."

"Well, I can't wait to officially meet him."

"Excuse me." The healer calls out from the door.

"Ah, come in."

"Good evening Princess Zelda, King Alm. I'm here to check on the princess's wound. Would you mind turning away, King Alm?"

"Not at all." Alm complies and turns away from the two.

"Thank you. Now then, let us begin princess." The healer walks in with a bag of several medications.

"Yes." Zelda sits up and removes her bandages, cringing at the sight of her second degree burns. "Ow…"

"Steady, our salves were made for these kinds of burns." The healer says in a comforting tone before applying a yellow salve over the burned part of Zelda's waist, making her wince. "Just breathe."

"Hey, why don't you tell us about this 'Haunted Wasteland'?" Alm asks, hoping to learn more about it and to take Zelda's mind off of the pain. "Why exactly is it called that?"

"Ah, it's part of the desert that's perpetually in a sandstorm." The healer answers, applying more salve.

"Like now? That doesn't sound bad."

"It's not; it's what the wasteland does that is the issue; if you stray from our indicated path, you wind up back where you started."

"Spooky…So, you have a path for us at least?"

"Marked by wooden posts with red bands on them. They're not very far from each other, so you'll be able to see past the sand." The healer explains. "However, there's another factor that has appeared as of late; mirages. Our troops have seen several mirages when entering the Haunted Wastelands, due to some unknown phenomenon."

"What kinds of mirages did they see?" Zelda asks as well, gritting her teeth in discomfort.

"It varies, I guess; they see anything. I don't know what causes it." The healer answers.

"Strange…" Alm comments silently, looking out a window towards the Haunted Wastelands.

"Well, Princess; we are finished." The healer announces as she applies new bandages to Zelda's burns. "Now, rest up. It will heal quicker when you don't move around much."

"Thank you." Zelda brings the covers over her as she lies back down.

"As for you, King Alm, we will have another room prepared for you."

"Actually, if it's alright with the princess, I'd like to stay here where I can keep an eye on her." Alm suggests.

"If the princess wishes it."

"Yes, it's fine." Zelda answers. "We've been through a few obstacles already, I trust him."

"Very well then, we'll have another cushion brought over for you in a moment. Ah princess, I forgot to tell you that your dress is being mended. By tomorrow, we'll have it handed back to you."

"Thank you very much."

"Now, if you'll excuse me." The healer picks up her bag of medications and walks out, leaving Alm and Zelda alone.

"I appreciate the gesture. But you don't have to look out for me." Zelda comments, sitting up to look at Alm. "Where did this protective nature come from?"

"Oh, that's just what I want to do. I feel like I have to keep you safe." Alm explains.

"Right, because I'm the princess and you have a duty to protect me?"

"No; because you're my friend." Alm smiles as he says this. "I can't leave you in such a delicate position because of it."

Stunned, Zelda stares at Alm's earnest expression before genuinely smiling. "I guess I could use a friend instead of a protector."

"Well, lucky for you; you have both."

"Thank Hylia for that. Thank Hylia for you." Zelda holds out her hand again and Alm reaches out to her, reconfirming their trust in each other.

Gerudo Fortress, morning.

Alm had gotten up early to try and oversee the entrance to the Haunted Wastelands. However, the sandstorm made the already low visibility even more complicated than he thought, even with the scarf and headband to keep the sand out of his face. Moments later, Zelda arrives back in her Sheik disguise.

"Are you feeling better, Ze- Sheik?" Alm asks, correcting himself as per their agreement.

"Much better." Sheik answers, holding on to his side. "It's still slightly painful, but I can manage."

"Alright then, here's what the Gerudo told me; there's a small pit of quicksand at the start, but they made a bridge to cross it as it's not a trial this time. We just have to set it up and cross. From there, we just have to follow those posts until we reach the stone monolith. From there-"

"We need to use the 'eye of truth' to see the spirit guide who will lead us to the Desert Colossus." Sheik completes.

"How do you know about-" Alm begins to ask, but relents after realizing the obvious. "Ah right; Link."

"Exactly. Besides, the eye, actually called the Lens of Truth, is right here." Sheik flicks his wrist and a purple magnifying glass like object with a Sheikah Eye design appears in his hand. "Link gave it to me for any eventuality. Here's one of those eventualities."

Just then, the healer arrives with the other three guards. "Are the two of you ready? We can open the gate for you now."

"We are. I explained everything to Sheik, we have our plan ready." Alm answers.

"Yes, this shouldn't be too difficult now." Sheik adds. "as long as we stick together, that is."

"Alright, let's get the door open then. Be aware that as soon as you pass, we will have to shut it again." The healer announces and the guards open the gate, showing the vast desert that is the Haunted Wastelands. "Please, save Nabooru and our comrades. Good luck."

Nodding, the two walk past the gate and the Gerudo close it with a loud thud. Before they go into the wasteland proper, Sheik decides to tie a chain around their waists to keep from getting separated. With that, the enter the Haunted Wastelands.

The Haunted Wastelands

"You know, the sandstorm here isn't that bad! Maybe that's because it's so bad out there already!" Alm quips.

"That's a possibility! Now then, find the bridge!" Sheik ducks down to feel the sand. "They said they put a red post on it in case it gets buried!"

"Ok, it should be around…there!" Alm points to a vibrant red piece of wood sticking out of the sand and the two dig the bridge out.

"Good! Let's set it up!" Sheik holds one side of the bridge and Alm holds on to the other side to guide it over the quicksand, giving them safe passage across. "Alright, that was the easy part. Now, next is…"

"The posts; we need to follow all of them." Alm answers, grabbing the wooden post with a red cloth blowing in the wind.

"Yes. This is where this chain comes in; remember, we don't want to get separated here."

"Right, then let's-" Alm looks out towards the desert and can just barely make out a person. On closer inspection, this person was wearing black armor that looked almost…Rigelian.

"Alm? What's wrong?" Sheik asks.

"Huh? Oh, I thought I saw…" Alm looks at Sheik to answer before looking back at the previous direction to now see nothing. "…never mind. Let's go."

Following the posts, Alm and Sheik slowly make their way to the monolith where they can catch their breath before making the final stretch. All was fine, until…

"Man, this sand is making it harder to breathe…" Alm comments before taking a knee in exhaustion.

"Don't worry, we're almost there." Sheik states as he offers Alm his hand.

"Right. Thanks-" Alm takes his hand and becomes stunned by who he sees; a young woman with a slightly pale complexion, blue eyes and long blue hair, a white and blue dress with yellow accents, matching shoes and black stockings staring back at him with a smile. Initially shocked, Alm rubs his eyes with his free hand and sees Sheik in her place.

"Are you alright?" Sheik asks in concern.

Though startled, Alm shakes himself of what he saw before talking to Sheik. "I'm just a little worn from all the sand and wind. The monolith is only a few feet away, right? We'll take a breather from it all when we get there." Alm stands back up and takes the lead now. "Thanks. Now, let's go."

Following closely, Sheik looks at Alm with uncertainty, wondering to himself; "Who is Rinea?" After a few more posts, they reach the stone monolith and descend the ladder in the entrance, finally catching a break from the sand storm.

"Finally, we can breathe." Alm says as he disconnects his chain and sits down next to a wall.

"Yes, I think we needed the small break." Sheik states as he twirls around, turning back into Zelda. "Since we're out of sight, I think I can talk to you as myself again."

"I have to get used to that." Alm quips. "How long should we stay?"

"I would say just an hour."

"Alright then." Alm agrees as he closes his eyes to rest.

"Alm?"

"Hmm?"

"You saw mirages, didn't you?" Zelda asks and Alm opens his eyes.

Before answering, Alm inhales deeply. "Yes. But, didn't you?"

"My powers allow me to see past illusions, magic or otherwise."

"That's lucky."

"May I ask what you saw?"

"I…saw someone from my past." Alm answers, trying not to say much. "I saw you take someone else's form for a minute. Sorry if I startled you."

"Oh. Well, just remember that it was just a mirage. They can't hurt you." Zelda says reassuringly.

"Right. I just didn't think I'd see him again…" Alm says to himself quietly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, let's just rest up for now." Alm dismisses as he closes his eyes again and Zelda reluctantly accepts it, taking a seat as well. An hour later, the two ascend the ladder to continue towards the Desert Colossus.

"Alright, the spirit guide is on top of the monolith. With the lens of truth, we can see it and have it guide us out of the Haunted Wastelands." Sheik explains.

"Great. I can't wait to get out of- Sheik, look out!" Alm points to a man on horseback wearing black Rigelian armor, a blue tarp hanging from his right shoulder, short black hair and a fair skin complexion aiming a spear at Sheik's head.

Instinctively, Sheik throws a kunai at the direction Alm pointed at, only to have it fly into the distance. "What? Alm, there was no one there."

Though initially disturbed, Alm looks up and sees no one as well, deciding to climb up past Sheik.

"Alm, remember what I said."

"I didn't forget. Let's go." Alm quickly dismisses this and ascends the stairs with Sheik behind him. Reaching the top, Sheik holds up the lens of truth and a large Poe appears in their sight and it looks them over. Cackling, the Poe floats down the monolith, beckoning them both to follow it.

"Alright, this is where we can't stray from each other." Sheik informs, gripping the chain connecting the two. "We have to follow it in the path it takes. Understand?"

"Yes. Let's do this." Alm confirms and the two trudge through the sand to follow the Poe. A few minutes in, the mirages begin to plague Alm's mind once again; the armored man rushes them on horseback, catching Alm's attention. "Get down!" Alm shouts as he tackles Sheik to the ground to avoid getting sweeped by the rider's lance.

"Alm, I told you; it's not real!" Sheik shouts, picking himself up off of the sand.

"But I felt the lance on my back!"

"There's nothing on your back!" Sheik retorts, looking Alm over. "You need to focus-"

Alm looks past Sheik and sees that woman, Rinea, smiling at him; before floating up and becoming engulfed in flames, giving her the appearance of fiery ghost. Charging forward, Alm throws himself back to avoid her, pulling Sheik with him. Sheik recovers and sees Alm hitting his own arm in a panic.

"What's wrong?!"

"Don't you see the flames?!" Alm shouts, allowing Sheik to understand that his arm feels like it's ablaze.

"What is going on…?" Sheik asks to himself, unable to comprehend how Alm doesn't understand that these mirages can't actually harm him. If he had to make an assumption, there is a dark magic at work that overrides Alm's rational thought, something that won't affect Sheik at all. Finally, Alm stands up and draws his sword, swinging wildly at nothing. Fearing that the guide would get too far and leave them behind, Sheik makes a tough decision. "Alm!"

"What?" Alm turns around and is stunned to see Celica staring at him. "Celica?! How are you here?!"

"I'll explain later! Right now, we have to catch up to that guide; this Sheik person already ran ahead. We have to go now!" Celica shouts as she grabs Alm by the arm and runs with him towards the Poe, who is almost out of visibility.

Looking back, Alm sees the armored man and Rinea charging at them both. "Celica! I don't understand how, but Berkut and Rinea are here!"

"Don't look back; we're almost there!" Celica retorts, running even faster to reach the Poe. Finally, they both reach the exit and the mirages fade away while the Poe swirls out of existence, having completed its objective of leading them to the Desert Colossus.

Desert Colossus

At long last, they arrive at the Desert Colossus and Alm falls to his knees, mentally exhausted from the mirages in the Haunted Wastelands.

"It's alright now Alm." Celica kneels down and places her hands on Alm's head to get him to look at her. "We made it."

"But…how are you here?" Alm asks, though weary from the ordeal.

"…I'm sorry Alm." Celica sadly remarks…before turning back into Zelda.

"What…?" Alm exclaims in surprise.

"I used what information you gave me about her to take her form. I had to get you out of there, I'm sorry." Zelda remorsefully explains. "However, I sense dark magic in your mind, I have to purge it."

"No, wait; what are you-" Alm tries to protest, but Zelda uses her power to dispel the dark magic in his mind. This has the unintended effect of her looking into his mind briefly; seeing that armored man, Berkut, and the young woman, Rinea. Seeing glimpses of Alm facing Berkut and an altered Rinea, Zelda reacts in shock over seeing Alm standing over a dying Berkut, wondering what happened. Just then, her attention is drawn to Alm shouting as he shoves her away and drops to the floor, breathing heavily. Shaking off the sand on her, Zelda stands up to check on Alm.

"Alm, are you alright-"

"What did you think you were doing?! Who gave you permission to look in my mind?!" Alm shouts in anger.

"That was not my intention." Zelda explains. "There was a dark magic flowing through your mind and I had to purge it."

"I didn't want this!"

"What was in your mind doesn't concern me! All I want is to restore my home and send you back!" Zelda argues. "I cannot do that if you're not in the adequate mindset."

"Fine, but you went and took Celica's form; you took advantage of those mirages to get me to cooperate!" Alm accusingly shouts.

"You should be more appreciative of me! I kept you safe, told you about the Triforce and led you through the desert!" Zelda shouts in return. "I didn't want to do this either; but if I didn't, we would still be wandering in the Haunted Wastelands!"

Thinking it through, Alm begins to slowly settle down and stands up from the sand. "Don't ever do that again…"

"I won't." Zelda flatly responds. "Listen, before we continue, there's a Great Fairy fountain close by. We need to go there to get you back into shape."

Saying nothing more, the two trudge past the storm and enter a cavern on the left side of the area; within it is a square room made out of marble, water streaming down the walls and a large fountain in the center with a Triforce symbol on the ground in front of it.

"One moment." Zelda steps up to the symbol, materializes her harp and plays Zelda's Lullaby. Upon completion, a very tall woman covered in ivy vines and leather boots, vibrant red hair in three long pigtails, red lipstick and eyeshadow and silvery blue eyes emerges from the water to greet them.

"Welcome, travelers! I am the Great Fairy of Magic." The Great Fairy happily addresses the two, leaving Alm astounded. "How may I be of service- Oh, Princess?"

"Greetings, Great Fairy." Zelda bows slightly. "We have need of your magic."

"We?" The Great Fairy looks past Zelda to see Alm. "Ah, a new hero, perhaps?"

"This is King Alm of Valentia. A dark magic has clouded his mind; I removed most of it, but there still remains a small quantity of it. I ask you to purge it from him."

"Say no more, Princess." The Great Fairy agrees, smiling at Zelda. "Come, King Alm."

Zelda steps aside to allow Alm to meet the Great Fairy. She brings her palms below her chin and blows a magical dust at Alm; surprisingly, he feels his fatigue fading away and his thoughts feel so much clearer.

"How do you feel now?"

"I'm…I'm fine." Alm answers, not feeling an ounce of fatigue.

"Splendid!" The Great Fairy claps her hands in glee. "Hmm, there is something that feels a little…off with you though."

"Off? In what way?' Zelda asks, concerned by the Great Fairy's declaration.

"This kind of thing requires that I look into it. May I?"

Though apprehensive, Alm decides to allow the Great Fairy to come closer. Acknowledging his permission, she places her right hand on the side of his head and her left hand on his chest, right above his heart. Closing her eyes, the Great Fairy focuses.

"Is…is he alright?" Zelda asks once again.

"Ooh…such sadness." The Great Fairy answers in a subdued tone. "Dear, you've been through so much recently, haven't you?"

"I…" Alm tries to answers, but relents.

"Not only that, but your heart is heavy with losses; ones you feel responsible for. There is also a longing for one you hold dear; your beloved who is far away from here." The Great Fairy begins to smile slightly. "But, in spite of it all, your heart is courageous and strong. That is what you need in the travels that await you." Concluding, the Great Fairy backs away to look at them both. "You are strong, King Alm. Fear will not overtake you."

Looking at the Great Fairy and then at Zelda, who looks at him expectantly, Alm inhales deeply before smiling slightly. "I understand."

Smiling, the Great Fairy nods and now addresses Zelda. "Now then, I do believe he is fit for battle once again."

"Thank you, Great Fairy." Alm bows slightly in gratitude.

"No thanks required. King Alm, Princess Zelda, when battle has made you weary, please come visit me or any of my friends across the land. We will welcome you with open arms." Concluding, the Great Fairy dives back into her fountain.

"Alright then, now that you're back in top form, we should plan our-" Zelda begins to walk outside, but stops as she feels Alm grabbing her arm. Turning around, she witnesses Alm's remorseful expression. "What is it?"

"I…I'm sorry for snapping at you, Zelda." Alm states. "I know you had good intentions; I just let my panic take hold of me. I should not have yelled at you; it was beneath me."

"Alm, I-"

"I do appreciate all that you've done for me. I won't stop helping you until all of this has been resolved. Thank you Zelda." Alm concludes and releases his grip on Zelda's arm. Zelda, for her part, smiles at the genuineness of his words and nods to him.

"You know, I'm thinking that it would be better to plan here instead of out in the storm. Let's sit at the steps to the fountain and think things over."

"Sounds good." Alm agrees and they both move towards the fountain. In her thoughts, Zelda promises to herself that she will do her best to steer clear of his mind when magic is involved again, as well as forbidding herself from taking Celica's form again as this was a one time occasion.

Leaving the Fairy Fountain behind, Alm and Zelda (once again in her Sheik persona) trudge past the sand storm and reach the entrance to the Desert Colossus. Before entering, Sheik places a simple spell to keep the twins from being alerted to their presence. Finally, they both enter and breathe easily now that the sand doesn't enter.

"So, this is the interior of the Desert Colossus." Alm comments as he looks around the entrance chamber.

"Yes. Specifically, this is the Spirit Temple." Sheik adds. "Koume and Kotake use it as their headquarters. I think it's time we changed that."

"No argument there." Alm says in agreement. As they climb the stairs, they are greeted by a Gerudo guard; sitting in the ground with her lance across her lap. Upon further inspection, they both notice that her eyes are shut and Alm decides to go up and talk to her. "E-excuse me, Miss?"

"Alm, wait a moment…"

"Miss." Getting no response, Alm decides to shake her. Reacting to the stimulus, the guard moves her head to his direction and her eyes shoot open; revealing them to he completely white. Startled, Alm backs away to join Sheik. "What's wrong with her eyes?!"

"I knew it; she's been altered." Sheik confirms. "They did something to her."

The guard stands up, twirls the lance behind her and prepares to face the intruders.

"Let me handle this!" Sheik charges and blocks the lance with a pair of kunai. "Your sword is too lethal; we mustn't kill them!"

"Then what should I do?!"

"Just stay on the sidelines, I'll figure something out!" Sheik shouts before re-engaging his foe. Alm, for his part, sighs in frustration as Sheik is forced to hold back against the altered Gerudo guard, until an idea pops up in his head.

Sheik struggles with the lances heavy strikes against his kunai; not even his shouts to get her to come to her senses work. Finally, the guard thrusts her lance, forcing Sheik to the ground as he blocks it. Before she can strike an unguarded Sheik, the guard is blindsided by Alm, who lands a heavy, horizontal slash on her side which throws her against the wall. Now with their enemy unconscious, Alm gets Sheik back on his feet.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. But Alm, I told you to-" Sheik stops himself as he looks at the Gerudo fainted against the wall, without a drop of blood spilt. "Wait, what did you do?"

"Oh. Just a trick my grandfather taught me." Alm says as he shows off the sword; covered in its own scabbard. "I remember that when you tie it to the hilt, the scabbard with the sword can be used like a blunt object. Makes the sword a bit heavier when swung, but attacks shouldn't be mortal if swung properly."

"Impressive." Sheik says in satisfaction before pricking the Gerudo in the neck with a needle to keep her unconscious. "She should be out for a good while now."

"Hang on, are we to assume that there will be others like her?"

"I think that would be the case here." Sheik confirms. "We should avoid them whenever possible."

"Well, at least we have ways to incapacitate them while we look for Nabooru. By chance, did Link say where Koume and Kotake would be?" Alm asks.

"Yes; at the center of the temple. There's a smaller statue of the Desert Colossus; perhaps they have Nabooru there."

"Great. We can try getting there while not attracting too much attention. Though, that's probably easier said than done…"

"Wait just a minute; I might have an idea." Sheik exclaims in realization. "There's an item called the mirror shield here. It can reflect light and deflect magic; you can have a bigger advantage against those two."

"Sounds good. Where is it?"

"Follow me." Sheik leads the way and Alm follows closely. In the next room, they spot several Gerudo guards lined up against one of the walls. Taking three pellets from his pouch, Sheik throws them at the guards which cause smokescreens that allow them to run past them and into the next room, closing the door behind them. Their relief is short lived as two other guards emerge from the shadows and attack them.

"I'll handle one, you take the other!" Alm shouts as he draws his sheathed sword.

"Understood! Be careful!" Sheik acknowledges as he intercepts the furthest foe while Alm deals with the other. The Gerudo drives her lance into the ground and uses it to spin around and kick Alm on the chest, throwing him against the wall. Recovering quickly, Alm moves away as the Gerudo thrusts the lance at him, just narrowly missing Alm. Alm slashes upwards on the lance in an effort to disarm her, but her grip was too strong to permit this and she slashes across Alm's chest. Reeling from the impact, Alm looks down in relief to see only his armor was nicked, so he charges at the Gerudo and the latter slashes horizontally. Expecting that, Alm waits for the lance to be completely extended and slashes downwards on it, destroying the lance and allowing Alm to ram her against the wall, rendering the Gerudo unconscious. "Alright, I got her!" Alm looks over at Sheik, who had already subdued his own Gerudo a few moments ago. "Oh, so did you."

"Well, you said you could take one down without harming them severely." Sheik retorts.

"Anyway, how far away is the shield?"

"Believe it or not, it's past that door."

Leaving the bound and unconscious Gerudos behind, Alm and Sheik enter the next room; a fairly large chamber illuminated by torches and pillars, as well as a wooden chest at the very back. Assuming that the mirror shield is within, Alm moves first and a needle hits Sheik in the back of his neck, paralyzing him. Before Alm can react to this, another Gerudo (dressed in bright green clothing, red shoes, yellow gauntlets and read hair in a small ponytail) jumps down from the ceiling.

"Alm, be careful!" Sheik warns from his spot on the ground.

"We've handled those two before; how bad can this one be?" Alm retorts as the Gerudo Fighter flicks both of her wrists; materializing two large scimitars and then enters a fighting pose. "Oh…"

Taking the initiative, the Gerudo Fighter charges before twirling with both blades outstretched, forcing Alm to block with his sheathed sword. However, the added impulse from the spin breaks his guard, leaving him open to a roundhouse kick to his chest, forcing him to a pillar. Immediately recovering, Alm holds the sword vertically to stop the incoming blades and pushes the Gerudo off of him. Now separate, the two glare at each other.

"Alright, any advice?" Alm asks, hoping that Sheik can aid him.

"The fighters are tough; those scimitars can double as shields. You need to bypass them and then bash her with a good strike." Sheik answers from his spot on the ground.

"Fantastic…" Alm then looks back at the Gerudo, who is still glaring at him. "Ok, let's try this again."

The two opponents charge at each other again; only this time, Alm slides on the ground and trips her with his arm. Getting back on his feet, Alm moves to bring his scabbard down on the Gerudo, but she immediately turns around on her back and blocks the incoming attack. Though struggling, the Gerudo manages to get back on her feet with Alm fighting to keep her blades locked between his scabbard. Just then, an idea dawns on Alm; having one hand on the handle and the other on the tip of the sheathed blade, Alm uses it like a lever to force both blades in opposite directions. Though she resists, the Gerudo's arms begin to give way and she struggles to keep the blades on the scabbard. Finally, with a mighty pull, Alm prys the scabbard horizontally, making the Gerudo's arms crisscross and leaving her abdomen open to a strike from the scabbard. Winded, the Gerudo drops to her knees and grips her abdomen in discomfort before glaring up at Alm.

"Sorry about this." Alm sadly states as he vertically strikes the Gerudo, finally rendering her unconscious. "That was tough, but I-" Alm looks over to Sheik, only to see Zelda being seized by Koume and Kotake. "Zelda?!"

Cackling, the twins begin to pull Zelda through a portal in the wall, with the latter helplessly reaching out to Alm. Panicking, Alm runs over to help Zelda, but arrives too late as the portal closes as he reaches the wall. Punching the wall in frustration, Alm shouts in anger as he hears the two making an announcement.

"All Gerudo and beasts, we have an intruder in the temple. Give us peace of mind…by tearing him to pieces, will you?"

As this is said, the once motionless Gerudos begin to move towards the room that Alm is in, along with several monsters stirring from their spots. Now worried, Alm stares at the door to his chamber; seeing it shake as the guards try to force it open…

"Now what?" Alm asks himself, at a loss as to what to do next.

To be continued…

Author's Note: Well, that's not good…I was originally going to have this be a long chapter, but I decided to save the rest for the next chapter. And yeah, once again, Link's knowledge of the future saves Alm's skin by pointing him in the direction of the Mirror Shield. Alright guys/girls, take care. :)