Hey...did you notice anything :)? Look at the left corner...It a cover :D My friend finally finished the cover for Shadows of the Past! I love it so much and I hope you will too. I will have a link in my profile to her Deviant Art page, CubanCracker62. She draws wonderful Pirate101 stuff, I strongly recommend you to visit :)
Chapter 4
Bitter tea
Epona galloped across the fields of Hyrule, pounding the wheat with her mighty hooves. Her hair waved against the rushing wind, along with Ashley's, who was holding on tight to Link. She raised her head to look around, sometimes seeing familiar sights from the games she used to play. When Epona trotted through a dusty cavern, they finally saw the majestic Hyrule castle, towering over the town built around it.
East from the castle, through the mist above, emerged the Death mountain. It was a volcano, it's peak went up so high you couldn't see where it points. Ashley knew it was the home of gorons - strong rock-people that sometimes transported around by curling up into an armadillo-like ball and rolling around. It kinda proves the meaning ''Rock 'n roll'', doesn't it? Skipping the terrifying name of their home, the gorons were actually known for their sweetness and love of parties.
Link didn't stop when Epona ran over the bridge to the town. Ashley almost lost her grip, fearing for the people that got in their way, but they seemed to be quick about dodging the storming horse. Link then finally pulled Epona's reins, making her switch to walk. She carried them through the market, passed the fountain marking the town's centre, and finally they were going towards the castle. On the other side of the stone bridge you could see a few trees cut to look in various shapes. Mostly knights, horses and birds. The hyrulean guards stood on the sides of the huge main doors. Seeing the heroes approach they straightened, held their chins up and even gave a salute.
'' I have need to speak to princess Zelda,'' Link said to them. As one of the guards nodded, he got off of Epona and gestured for Ashley to do so. The guards will probably take Epona to the royal stables or something, Ashley figured.
The castle's first floor was simply a greeting court, but oh boy, the decorations they used for it...The red carpet extended to the very end of the room, dividing into two to cover the staircases. The ground was of dark cobblestone, the slightly higher platform had a mosaic of the Triforce printed on it. White columns rouse up high to the dome-shaped ceiling above, a few massive, golden shields decorated the white walls, also with the Triforce symbol on them. On the main wall hung a few family photos of the Hyrule crown. The third platform had the reason why Ashley's jaw dropped. There was a big Link statue, with it's stone sword raised and his shield exposed proudly to the visitors. It was accompanied by a wolf and lion's statues by the sides. The Hero of Time statue was so big it covered up the deku doors behind it.
'' Oookay...'' The girl said staring at it from afar.
Link modestly rubbed his neck.
'' Ehh, please pay no attention to the statue,''
Ashley shook off her awe and glimpsed at the real, breathing Hero of Time.
'' It's really hard not to,'' She realised her eyebrows were pretty high on her forehead.'' I mean, I know it's not intentionally you and that it's another image of another Link from the past or something, but...I'm surprised you're not consumed by power yet,''
'' I can't be consumed by power,''
'' You denied it pretty boldly,'' Ashley looked at him slightly doubtful.
'' No, I mean it's a sin to me. I would be going against the rules of the Triforce,''
'' Wait. There are rules?!'' They were going on about the subject while climbing the stair rows, one after another, they had reached the doors behind the statue and Link led Ashley through a corridor with a blue carpet this time.
'' Power doesn't have to be necessarily the bad side of the Triforce,'' the elf was explaining.'' But it is very difficult to control, from what I know it usually blinds it's owner with greed,''
Ashley walked silently thinking about that and the connection with Ganondorf, then she remembered the tale about the goddesses.
'' Hey, was Din also greedy? You know, the goddess of Power,''
Link opened his mouth to answer, but then frowned.'' Actually, I'm not sure...''
'' Well that says a lot,'' the girl replied sarcastically.'' So, from what I know, you're the Triforce of Courage?''
'' Yes,'' the hero confirmed.
'' Zelda's Wisdom...''
'' Correct,'' Link sounded a bit suspicious that time, he even gave her that curious look again.
'' And Ganon is Power,'' still walking Link turned to Ashley.
'' How do you know about Ganondorf?''
'' Bookworm,'' Ashley answered by pointing at herself.
'' Right...'' Link slowly nodded.'' As a matter of fact, we don't know yet about if Ganon has the Triforce of Power,''
Ashley raised her eyebrow at Link. How obvious could it get? Even if she didn't play the games, Ashley felt she that by the time she learned enough about the dark king, she would already have a solid suspicion.
Then suddenly the nearest doors flew open. With the pink dress swiftly brushing against the floor, came out princess Zelda with her trusty guard- Impa. Because of the sudden approach, Ashley grabbed for her rapier's handle, Impa noticed the threat and took for her own massive sword.
The swashbuckler blinked as Link put his hand on her shoulder, realising her instincts have accidentally jumped to a maximum.
'' Sorry,'' Ashley said pushing the blade back into it's scabbard.'' You...surprised me, princess,'' She tried to apologize by showing her proper respect- she gave a bow to Zelda. When Ashley straightened, the princess nodded, then turned to Link.
'' What business do you seek here, Link?''
'' It's not about Ganon,'' he quickly replied, then pointed to Ashley.'' It's her. We hoped you might know what to do with this complicated situation,''
'' Complicated?'' Zelda's head slightly tilted.
'' It's a very long story,'' Ashley answered for the hero.
'' Yes, and what she just said- isn't a jest,'' Link approved.
Zelda's chin raised, she was thinking. After some time, she looked at the swashbuckler.'' There is an odd aura swirling around you...you must tell me more,''
XXX
'' Interesting...'' Zelda commented after Ashley finished telling her story. They sat in a small, circular living room complete with embroiled couches and silk curtains covering the white walls. Ashley placed her cup of tea on the coffee table and sighed.
'' Thought you might say that,'' Impa, who seemed to be the royal general of Hyrule, looked convinced enough to believe Ashley is a friend. An hour ago she didn't even want the girl looking at Zelda.
'' Any idea what we can do?'' Link asked the princess. She laid back into her seat and got into deep thought. The swashbuckler tapped her cup while waiting for her reply. Ashley did some thinking on her own, remembering of what this gal is capable of. Then it hit her:
'' You know magic, right?''
Zelda raised her blue eyes, a little surprised.'' Yes. Unfortunately, it is not as strong as your friend's was. The witchcraft that teaches in this...Skull Island, seems to be much more advanced,''
Ashley forced a smile.'' It's nothing compared to Wizard city. So...technically I'm trapped in another dimension...again,'' she sounded irritated, then finished with sarcasm.'' Terrific,''
'' I do apologise, but I have only strength to do minor teleportations,'' an uncomfortable silence covered the room after those words. Ashley, who was full of excitement and hope in the morning, was now blankly staring at the table. What will she do now? Stuck! Completely, utterly stuck. It was just so unbelievable, after all she did in the Spiral to help the people and get back home, faith suddenly got a new idea where to place her. She was in one of her favourite video game worlds, which turned out to be real, trapped and unable to get back to her friends to share the experience.
What the heck is Setting Night doing?! What's keeping her?!
While Ashley's mind burst like that, Impa got up to Zelda and suggested something. They both exchanged looks, then the princess got up. She knelt by Ashley and raised her hands. The girl frowned.
'' May I?'' Zelda asked for permission.
'' May you what?'' Ashley glimpsed at everyone, hoping to get some info on what's about to happen.
'' The aura I felt before. Sometimes it can be a sort of guide to it's wielder. It just needs to be released. Do I have permission to access your memories?''
'' Um...yes?'' that sounded a bit weird, to be honest, but Ashley's seen enough in her life to believe in such possibilities. Zelda gently placed her fingers on Ashley's temporals and closed her eyes. The girl just stared at the princess, confused and feeling weird. She glimpsed at Link with her eyebrow raised. The hero had one hand over his mouth, which rested on the other arm. He was waiting for something to happen, but probably wasn't sure what in exact.
Suddenly Ashley felt like her soul was slightly tugged, the spots Zelda touched began to glow. A quick wave of pain shot through her head and finally a few flashes went around her eyesight, different pictures of her previous life. She '' watched'' them as they passed, but the same howl that she once heard in her dreams dropped the two girls into reality.
Ashley heard a scream and the table crashing, but she wasn't able to think what could cause that. Her eyelids hurt and the headache was unbearable.
'' Ughhh...'' she groaned, placed her head between her ankles, and exhaled.'' That wasn't pleasant...not one bit! Ahhhh...'' Ashley waited for the ache to go away, then slowly raised her head, only to see Link before her and Zelda with Impa behind him. The princess was rubbing off the few wood chunks, telling Ashley that she probably flew off of her unexpectedly, while still scouring her memories.
'' S-sorry,'' she said to Zelda. The princess only shook her head.
'' It was not you, some force is preventing for me to look further,''
'' Force? Pardon for not understanding magic, but what force do you have in mind?
'' The linked one,'' Zelda answered in seriousness, but Ashley just couldn't help the intended pun. Laughing it out she pointed at Link with one thumb:
'' You mean like...?'' then she added her hand to gesture at the joke source. '' Pfftaha...okay, I'm done...'' the girl said noticing Impa's gaze. Ashley cleared her throat. '' Care to fill me in?''
'' If I am correct, there is a double of you in the Spiral,''
'' Was,'' Ashley cut her off then air-quoted.'' She was my ''Twin''. It works almost like a paradox, but since she's dead, I'm free to roam around the Spiral, meet her old allies and trying to finish what she started...finding a way to get back home in the process,''
'' Does her spirit guide you sometimes?''
The swashbucklers mouth opened, then closed again. '' Yes?'' she answered being uncertain to where this conversation is going.
'' Then that's it!''
The two heroes exchanged looks. Zelda sighed and tried to explain:
'' You say you were completely lost when you first showed up in the Spiral, but you were linked to your double's spirit, it gave you the courage, knowledge and guidance you required on your adventures. There's a vapour that connects your personalities, mixing them into one living body. It's only a coincidence that Fair is your Twin, but that's what makes the connection stronger,''
'' You...just blew my mind, your Highness,'' Ashley stared at the princess in disbelief, the taste of tea in her mouth became bitter.'' So...I got transported to the Spiral on purpose?''
'' I'm afraid so...and you are bound to do it again and again,''
'' WHAT?!'' Ashley jumped from the couch.'' How...no! How am I bound? I am just trying to get back to my family on Earth!''
'' There is something that the Fates sought in you,'' Impa spoke up.'' You were given the opportunity to travel, see things some could simply dream of...but it came with a price,''
'' But I have never agreed to this!'' Ashley yelled at the woman.'' Yes, I wanted to travel. Yes I wanted to see brilliant things, but I didn't mean all THIS!'' her desire to see more of Hyrule decreased. Ashley remembers having a wish to see more of the world that surrounded her when she was little. Back then she was only able to scour the nearby forest with Ben, until school years started...then, her wish grew more and more, finally promising to see things that she always dreamed about...but the word dream, was obviously taken too seriously by these Fates.
'' So what now,'' Link said, feeling pity for the girl.'' Is she just going to be throw back and forth, from one world to another?''
Ashley looked from him to Zelda, whose head slowly lowered. Ashley's shoulders lowered. She never thought it might be that serious. She imagined this would be a chance to experience something special and learn skills she never knew she had...but no...It all backfired at the girl like a massive tied.
'' God...'' she slumped back into the couch, rubbing her forehead.'' Ben won't be too happy about this,'' Ashley muttered, remembering her best friend.
'' I am sorry...I am so, so sorry,'' Zelda whispered. Ashley felt Link embracing her around the shoulders, hoping to comfort her from the terrible news. The Spiral was only a start, the girl thought. There will be more worlds she'll visit, and at that, more people in need of help.
'' Many hold you a saviour, don't they?'' Impa asked. Ashley nodded weakly.
'' Well, perhaps that's why They chose you. You have potential, you don't give up,''
'' I'm almost like Link,'' the girl finally said. Looking up, she saw the bunch very surprised.'' Same fate, right?'' Link and Zelda looked at each other. Apparently they knew at what she was hinting, and they had no other choice, but to agree.
'' Oh the irony,'' she sighed. After a short silence, she added.'' So, is there a way to at least get back to the Spiral? At least to my crew?''
'' I am not sure,'' Zelda shrugged.'' It is a difficult task,''
'' Ain't it always?'' Ashley commented.
The princess' lips tilted as she tried to come up with something that might help. Finally Link gives a suggestion:
'' What about the gem the gorons currently dug up? The one they are calling '' The Triforce's cousin''?''
'' Oh!'' Zelda smiled.'' Yes, that might work!''
'' Wait,'' Ashley raised her hands.'' Why is called '' The Triforce's cousin''?''
'' Because it is told by legend that it can also grant wishes. Three in fact!'' Zelda replied.
'' from what I've heard, they already used up two,'' Link said.'' Darunia refuses to give anyone the gem, unless there's a good reason to use it,''
'' Fair enough,'' Ashley nodded.'' To Death Mountain, I presume?''
'' Yes,'' Link got up.'' Thank you, your Highness,'' he bowed to Zelda. Ashley didn't expect him to do that, but she guessed the video games can't always to true (Hey, fans usually pictured Link and Zelda as a couple, even though they didn't have much talk in some of the games. It's odd, really.).
Zelda and Impa took their time to escort the heroes to the castle's exit. Passing the huge statue, Ashley turned to Zelda for a final question:
'' What about the howl?''
She didn't answer immediately, but when she did, it sounded more like a riddle:
'' I'll give a few questions to obtain the answer: Who do you think it belongs to, why does it howl and at whom?''
Ashley frowned. She thought deeply and replied.'' I think it's a wolf howl, and it sounds almost like a threat...but it's not for me,''
Zelda nodded.'' Would you trust it if you found the howl's source?''
'' Er...'' now the swashbuckler was lost a bit.'' I suppose?''
'' Good. Because he might be your new guide and helper of our world, since the connection with your previous one has been temporarily broken,''
The girl was confused, she partly understood the riddle's meaning. Is there gonna be someone like Fair in Hyrule? Zelda said ''he'', so perhaps it's a boy version of her Twin? She didn't know what to expect, but she regretted asking it. Now Ashley knew that something will happen when they reach Death Mountain. Her instincts say that this is only the beginning of her journey in Hyrule.