"V is for Vaati"
Chapter 2: A is for Accidentally
Vaati's face was a mask of shock. "You broke the Bound Chest?" he shrieked.
"In pieces," the king pointed out, feeling the need to elucidate.
Vaati felt an uncontrollable twitch start in his eye. The wind began to swirl around him. "Was there something inside? A light of some sort?" he demanded.
The king thoughtfully looked at the sky, unaware of the danger. "Well, now that you mention it..."
Earlier that day...
"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" the Minister Potho cried, having discovered the King of Hyrule alone in the pristine and polished room where they had brought the Bound Chest. The king had his foot firmly planted on the chest and was gripping the Picori Blade's handle, pulling as hard as he could.
"This blasted sword is rusted stuck," the king explained with a heave. "How is the victor of the Sword Tournament supposed to pull it out during the ceremony? We can't have him embarrassed!"
"No, no, no," Potho said in exasperation, walking towards the king. "The victor is supposed to only touch it, not wield it! Don't you pay attention during the ceremony every year?" At the king's silence, the minister let out a sigh. "Like daughter like father," he muttered. The king braced again to yank out the sword.
"Well, at least know that the sword isn't rusted," Potho said quickly. "It has a seal on it that keeps the Bound Chest shut!"
"It what?" the king exclaimed.
At that moment, the king's foot slipped on the polished floor, sending him crashing forward. Under the force of the king's weight and momentum, the Picori Blade snapped in two. His leg smashed through the Bound Chest, narrowly missing the remaining half of the blade inside.
A bright light flashed. Suddenly, purple smoke spiraled up in a great whirlwind from the chest and surrounded the king. It was filled with hideous, howling monsters.
The king stared in shock after the whirlwind dispersed, the monsters along with it.
He gingerly climbed out of the wreck that was once the Bound Chest. He glanced at Minister Potho.
"... I hope that wasn't an antique."
Potho's eyes bulged.
The King of Hyrule nodded in confirmation. "Oh yes, definitely. There was a great flash of light, and then monsters came out."
"Monsters," Vaati repeated tersely, stifling a curse.
"Thousands of them! Other than the broken Picori Blade, they're the main reason we had to cancel the official ceremony. We need to quickly seal them up again."
Vaati mentally screamed. Blast, blast, blast! How could he have been wrong? He had been so certain the Light Force would be in that chest. After all, what kind of idiot would allow anyone to touch something that contained great evil?
No matter, Vaati suddenly thought. How lucky for me that this king is a fool, telling such things to a total stranger! The monsters will serve as distractions while I find out where the true Light Force is!
It was settled. Vaati was positively itching to use his newly acquired powers. He first planned to turn someone into stone, to incite fear. That Potho would make an interesting statue... Everyone else would be knocked away. Then he would make a display of disappearing into thin air. The king would send his soldiers to find him, therefore exposing himself so Vaati could make his move. He would throw the king in the dungeon and take his place. All it took was a simple spell to replicate someone's features...
"... but we will make it up to you!" the king was saying.
What was his name, Daphnes? Daltus? Vaati decided that "Dolt" would suffice.
But wait - an offer? Vaati held off drawing power to his hands and lifted his chin scornfully. Curiosity opened his ears.
"Tomorrow afternoon marks the outset of Hyrule Castle's three days of feasting! I must have an invitation somewhere." Dolt patted his girth before reaching into his waist sash. He pulled out a small crisp envelope. "Hmm," he muttered, peering at it. "This was for Ganondorf... hmm, but, oh well, here!"
The invitation was practically thrust into Vaati's hands.
"A party?" Vaati gaped in disbelief. "You would have an undefeated sword champion attend a mere party?"
"A feast!" Dolt cheerfully boomed. "A banquet! A place to eat and eat lots of delicious food!" At Vaati's persistent scowl, he added, "And plenty of people to hero-worship you! And wine! And pretty damsels!"
Vaati perked up.
"If you say yes within the next ten seconds," Dolt added slyly, "I'll even reserve a seat for you at the head of my table."
Vaati raised a brow. Just how stupid was this man? Vaati was already a threat; he saw the way the guards eyed him in suspicion. Yet this king welcomed him with open arms to dine with him.
This was just too good of an opportunity to pass.
"Agreed," swiftly consented Vaati, seeing that the Dolt was actually counting ten seconds down on his fingers.
"Eight... seven... six..." the Dolt continued to count.
Vaati twitched. "I will go!" he said.
"... four... three..."
Oh, what was that confounded word?
"Yes!" Vaati yelled, watching the king's fingers curl down to one. Dolt calmly put down his hands.
"Good!" Dolt said, beaming. Stupidly. "I look forward to your attendance. Until then, victor."
Vaati gave a curt nod and whirled around. Soon, a pointy grin spread on his face. He had never imagined things would be this easy, even though they had been difficult at first. If only Ezlo could see him now.
"Take that, you old geezer!" he yelled as he strolled through the gate, unable to stifle his glee any longer. The two standing guard jumped. Vaati cackled and began to teleport, his body engulfed in shadow. The guards' jaws dropped. They rubbed their eyes, and when they opened them again, Vaati was gone.
A breeze blew across their faces.
"Heh heh heh..."
...
Nearby, two pairs of blue eyes watched the purple mage disappear. They looked at each other. Then they drew away from the window.