AN: Hello everyone! I just wanted to say a few things:
- Thank you to everyone who has favorited/followed/reviewed/or even just read this story! It means a lot to me to see that I have an audience who is enjoying my writing!
- Most of the dialogue within this chapter is from the game specifically (I won't say which one because that would give it away ^_^) I had to change some things of course to keep it consistent with my story, but other than that it is literally word-for-word.
- Lastly, I don't know if any of you awesome readers are Sherlock fans, but I am seriously thinking about writing a Sherlock fanfiction - let me know if you would be interested in that at all (I'd be doing it anyways, but it'd be cool if you guys like Sherlock too!)
- Lastly, I know updates for this story are really inconsistent, so if you are dying for another chapter just PM/leave a review/comment or whatever and tell me to write another chapter! Nag and badger the hell out of me and I will get one to you awesome people a lot faster!
So thank you everyone, and happy reading! :)
Link's breath caught in his throat. Had Zelda known that this was here? No, there's no way… Zelda would have told him.
Link slowly brought his hand up to the glowing Triforce and gently pressed it against the wall. The door opened with a great rumble and revealed a long, dark corridor. There were unlit torches in brackets lining the walls every few feet. Link took a deep breath and stepped inside the corridor.
The first torch was ablaze as soon as his foot hit the ground. There was a magical presence radiating in here, but what was it? Link shook his head and took another step, then another and another. Each time he lined up with a torch it began to burn, lighting up the corridor even more. Soon, Link was running through the corridor and he quickly reached its end.
Link looked down the stairs that he had reached. He couldn't see any torches lining the walls below so he removed the one in its bracket that was closest to him. With a deep breath, Link descended into the darkness. Link could feel the magic get stronger as each stair brought him closer to the bottom. The temperature began to drop as well, and soon Link's breath clouded his vision.
Link realized just how dark it was as he reached the bottom of the stairs. The light from the torch seemed to reach no more than a foot surrounding him. He unsheathed the Master Sword and began walking down the corridor. Doors lined the hall, but every one of them was locked shut. Link reached another staircase and the torch flickered. Hesitantly, Link walked down the spiralling staircase. He assumed he was halfway down when his torch flickered once again, this time the flame sputtering out.
Link silently cursed. He dropped the torch to the ground and carefully continued down the stairs. As he reached the bottom, a small ball of light, blue and purple in colour, appeared a few feet before him. Link walked towards it but it darted backwards, leading him. He continued after it for a while, losing track of the time. What was this thing?
Eventually, Link saw a light in the distance – the exit. He ran towards it, completely forgetting about his strange guide. He looked around as he came out into a courtyard that had a large pool of flowing water and beautiful gardens lining the water. This is where he should have brought Zelda…
Suddenly, the light appeared before Link again, bringing his attention back to the present. He watched as the light floated toward a pedestal that looked oddly similar to the one in the Sacred Grove. He slowly walked towards it, but the light exploded, and out of it came a figure clad in purple and blue. Her face and hair were both blue, and although she had human features, they lacked the detailing of a real human's. There was no expression on her face and everything looked to be glazed over.
"The one chosen by my creator," she directed to me, "I have been waiting for you. You will play a role in a great destiny."
"Who are you?" Link asked.
"Fi is the name I was given."
"But who are you? Why are you here?" Link asked. Question after question raced through his mind.
"I was created for a single purpose, long before the recorded memory of your people. I must aid you in fulfilling the great destiny that is your burden to carry." She concluded. Link now realized that she seemed robotic, as if everything she said had been programmed and she couldn't think for herself. "You have already received the Master Sword from the location it had been sealed in by the previous Hero of Time. You and I must work together to achieve your great destiny."
"Why have you come?" Link asked curtly as he gripped the Master Sword tighter.
"The strange dreams troubling your sleep. My sudden appearance. Uncertainty surrounding the fate of the one you hold dear. Under the circumstances, it is only logical that you would exhibit some apprehension," she stated in her robotic tone. Link shuffled on his feet, unease building in his stomach. How could she know all this?
Fi continued, "To minimize your uncertainty, allow me to share some information. My projections indicate that this information has a high probability of altering your current emotional state. The one you seek, honourable Zelda, is still alive," Fi said, emotionless as ever. But Link's grip loosened and the Master Sword clattered to the ground. He fell to his knees.
Link had been so damn worried about her! Ghirahim, though he promised not to hurt her, was clearly unreliable and most likely a liar. Link had been going crazy wondering what was happening to Zelda as he rested in the healing halls! But now he knew: Zelda was alive.
"And this spirit maiden…the one you call Zelda…is another chosen one fated to be part of the same great mission. Therefore, should you wish to meet with your friend, I highly recommend you pick up your sword before you set out to search for her. You have yet to realize the power of the Master Sword," Fi said. Link took a deep breath and looked up at the strange human-like creature. Zelda was okay. A small, hopeful smile grew on Link's face.
"Does that information invigorate you?" Fi went on, "Are you ready to fully accept this sword?" She asked. Link reached beside him and gripped the sword's handle. He slowly stood and walked towards Fi.
"What now?" He asked seriously.
"In the name of my creator, raise it skyward," Fi stated. Link looked into the empty eyes of Fi as he slowly lifted his sword, point-first, to the sky. A blue beam of light hit the tip and traveled down the blade, lighting it with a glow. His Triforce lit up and pulsed in time with the glowing sword.
Link looked in awe at the sword. He didn't know what he had been expecting, but it wasn't magical light covering his sword, making him feel more powerful.
"Recognition complete, Master… Link…" Fi said. Master? Link brought his sword down as he heard footsteps from behind him.
"Link!" A voice said. Startled, Link turned around and was shocked to see Kaeru standing in the opening to the gardens.
"Kaeru?" Link said, not sure what else to do.
"As you know, I had my suspicions, but until now I wasn't sure. Yet here we are in the Chamber of the Sword, the very place where it was foretold the youth of legend would one day appear. It is said that this place was left to our people by the Goddess herself. The very knowledge of this room's existence is a secret passed down to a select few each generation, along with a handful of words…"
"If you knew this was here the whole time, why not show Zelda, or myself? We bear the Triforce!" Link exasperated. "And if this is the Chamber of the Sword, why was the sword in the Sacred Grove?" Link tested.
"Link, there is always a Hero of Time when Hyrule is in severe need, it just so happens that the last Hero of Time used the pedestal in the Sacred Grove to seal the blade from evil." Kaeru said.
"What are these words you were talking about?" Link asked, giving in to his defeat.
"'When the light of the goddess's sword shines bright, the great apocalypse will wake from its long slumber. Do not fear, for it is then that a youth, guided by my hand, shall reveal himself in a place most sacred.'" Kaeru recited.
"But…" Link began.
"What?" Kaeru asked.
"I'm not a youth," Link said.
"So you're a few years late, either way you are here, right now, in Hyrule's time of need."
"You hated the idea of me being the Hero of Time, though," Link said.
"I did…well, it started a few days before Zelda's capture. I check on her every once in a while, you know, so yes – I know about you sleeping in her chambers," Kaeru said, giving Link a stern look, "But, I noticed a faint, otherworldly light behind her tapestry, the one hiding the door that leads here. The room that I've kept secret all these years… It could sense you, could sense the change within the air. At first I was sure I was seeing things, perhaps the glow of the fire. There was simply no other explanation. I had never believed the prophecy of legend would come to pass in my lifetime. The words I have sworn to keep secret are coming true before my very eyes," Kaeru said as he looked up into Fi's eyes.
"'The youth will be guided by one born of the blade – one who is also youthful in likeness yet wise with knowledge immeasurable.'" Kaeru quoted as he looked upon Fi.
"Ah yes," Fi began, "the oral tradition, one of the least reliable methods of information retention and transmission. It appears that critical sections of the passage have been lost over the generations." Link and Kaeru looked at each other and couldn't help but suppress their laughter.
"Then please, continue," Kaeru said.
"'The youth who draws forth the guiding sword shall be known as the goddess's chosen hero, and it is he who possesses an unbreakable spirit. He shall be burdened with the task of abolishing the shadow of apocalypse from the land. Such is his destiny. With the spirit of the blade at his side, he shall travel through the Portals and cross through the Four Worlds… And united with the spirit maiden, shall bring forth a piercing light that resurrects the land.'"
Link thought of Zelda and that book she had been carrying around with her the first time they met. It had spoken about the Four Worlds…
"Master, you must embark on a great journey through the Four Worlds. It is only through this journey that you can fulfill the mission set before you by my creator, the goddess. It is also the only method available for you to reunite with the spirit maiden, honourable Zelda," Fi concluded.
Kaeru groaned, "I know this had been our plan to begin with, Link, but this is no easy task! The worlds beyond Hyrule are forsaken to us, and you must be able to access Portal after Portal to achieve this! In my lifetime, no one has ever done this!" Kaeru stated.
"Ghirahim did." Link said darkly. "And I will, too."
A glow erupted from Fi's center and a small, glowing ball was produced. Link caught it.
"This indicator will illuminate a path to the first Portal within Hyrule. It can be activated by a Skyward Strike. These blasts are formed of pure energy that charges within your blade when you lift it skyward. Place the ball upon the pedestal and charge your blade. Once it is charged, face the ball and swing your sword to send out the powerful strike," Fi finished.
Link nodded and placed the small ball upon the pedestal. He faced it and slowly backed up. He lifted his sword, point-first to the sky and felt the energy build up within it. He released it towards the ball and the two made contact, creating a blast of light blue light to shoot out into the courtyard. Link and Kaeru ducked and closed their eyes.
"It is done, Master," Link heard from behind him. He opened his eyes and retrieved the ball. It was gray now; lifeless. "When your strike hit the ball, it radiated a light and created a towering spire made of pure energy at the Portal's location. You will be able to see it anywhere within the land of Hyrule, for it reaches to the heavens. I have recognized you as my master, and so it is my duty to follow you wherever you may go," Fi said.
"Do you look like that everywhere you travel?" Link asked curiously. She would attract a lot of attention…
"I reside within your sword and will accompany you in your travels. To summon me, simply call my name," Fi finished. A glow appeared around her and she disappeared into it, turning into the blue and purple ball of light and gliding towards the gem on the Master Sword. She was absorbed into the sword. Link took a deep breath.
"Link, please watch over my daughter," Kaeru begged. "Please find her and bring her back to me," he said with a slight bow. "What we've seen here today defies explanation, but it is only the start of your journey. Please, see it through and prove the legends true."
Link nodded, "I will."
"Do your people – the people of earth proud – as well as us Hylians," Kaeru said as he reached for Link's free hand and shook it.
"What time of day is it?" Link asked suddenly.
Kaeru shook his head, "Dawn is drawing near."
"Dawn? It was just midday!" Link exclaimed.
"Magic fogs the brain and clouds the senses," Kaeru stated with a laugh. He smiled down at Link, "It has been a long night for the both of us, hasn't it?" He asked fatherly.
"It is time for me to take my leave then," Link said, bowing his head.
"Not before I give you proper equipment," Kaeru said as he walked towards the exit with Link in tow.
"Like what?" Link asked.
Kaeru ignored Link's question and continued talking, "And if you can, don't hesitate to come back here for a pit-stop during your travels. Hyrule Castle will always welcome you back," Kaeru said. Link decided not to speak. He didn't want to ruin this change of heart within Kaeru. "I will try to find out more about the Portals and the intertwined Four Worlds. Like I said, you are always welcome here and you can stop by if you have any questions…" Kaeru said.
"Thank you, my King," Link said.
"You and Zelda shall be in my prayers. May the goddess watch over and guide you both," Kaeru said as they reached the spiral staircase.
Link would be leaving soon to find Zelda… He would save her and bring her home. He couldn't bear to think of what she must be enduring in the Otherworld, but she was alive, and Link wouldn't ever let her be taken from him again.