Zelda no Densetsu: Kaze no Takuto
Disclaimer: Hello, Atchika! Glad to see you again!
A/N: Yes, me too… Even though I feel bad about it… I felt like I forced you to read the updates… I hope it didn't appear like that, really!
Now… On with the fanfic!
Chapter Twelve: Search for the Sages Impa, Sagess of Shadow
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Chikara blinked awake, and sat up. "Oh…morning…" he mumbled sleepily to himself. He climbed out of bed, messing his hair up some.
At that moment, Zelda came in. "Oh…! Chikara, you're awake," she said.
"Ah, Zelda!" said Chikara happily. "Chikara was hoping to see you again! He wanted to thank you for letting him have a room here!"
"Tee hee… There's no need to thank me, Chikara," said Zelda. "It's your birthright, after all. And I think this room suits you; window, and a balcony, so you can open the window to let the breeze in if you like."
"Ooh…" Chikara hurried out to the balcony. "Oh! Sugoi! Hyrule is so beautiful…!"
"Oh, Chikara, be careful," said Zelda, hurrying to Chikara. "This is a long fall, you gotta watch it!"
"Chikara doesn't understand," said Chikara, looking out at Hyrule sadly.
"…don't understand? What?"
Chikara looked up at Zelda. "Ganondorf is a king, yes? And you and itoko are princesses…and Chikara is a prince. Aren't we all the same by status?"
"Yes, that's true," said Zelda, "but he's not a king officially anymore, not since he first tried to take over Hyrule over 1000 years ago…"
"Chikara has heard that royalty marry each other, they can share a part of a country they rule, right?"
"Right…" said Zelda slowly.
"What if Ganondorf had just asked for your hand in marriage?" asked Chikara. "He'd have some rule over Hyrule, and you'd have some rule over the Gerudo Valley. Then we'd all have peace, right?"
Zelda laughed and shook her head. "Ah, Chikara… I wish the world worked in such ways. But I could never be happy with Ganondorf at my side. He is cruel and vile, always has been. Even if he did have Hyrule under his rule by marriage, he'd never be satisfied with it."
"He was after Hyrule in the beginning, right?" asked Chikara. "If you won't be happy, then maybe itoko or Chikara can… Chikara for one would be happy to do that to bring peace to Hyrule."
"You're so innocent…" sighed Zelda with a smile. "A prince can't marry a king, silly. And Tetra would never accept that man. No, Chikara, that is just who he is. An evil man who must be stopped."
"There's no other choice?" asked Chikara. He heaved a deep sigh. "Chikara was hoping that there was another way to stop this all… What if Chikara asked Ganondorf himself? That Chikara is Hyrule's prince, looking for peace?"
"Oh, Chikara…" Zelda put a hand on Chikara's shoulder. "I know this is difficult for you to understand, but Ganondorf doesn't desire peace. All he wants is power, to make the world his. There is nothing we can do about that."
"There is…no other way?" asked Chikara. He looked down sadly. "Will Chikara have to…kill him?"
"If it comes to that, yes," said Zelda quietly. "Will you be able to do it, Chikara? Have you the courage?"
"…Chikara doesn't know…" said Chikara. He looked towards Hyrule. "Chikara's never been strong or brave before… He was…weak. Frail. It's because of Chikara that oto-san left in the first place… Not because of Aryll… but because of him…"
"Chikara…" Zelda knelt down and gave Chikara a hug. "I'm sorry…"
"…! Zelda…?" Chikara blinked in surprise. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Because I couldn't give you a better Hyrule…" she said quietly. "That I couldn't try hard enough to give what you and Tetra deserve… What all of my descendants deserve…"
"Zelda, Chikara wasn't blaming you," said Chikara worriedly. "Chikara will do whatever it takes to get the job done!"
"I don't want you to get destroyed in the process…" Zelda released Chikara. "What if we all lose you?"
"Chikara won't be lost," said Chikara brightly. "After all, he doesn't fight alone! He has Emily, and he has Sarah!"
"And he has me," said another voice.
Zelda and Chikara turned to the balcony doorway, and there stood Tetra. "You don't think your itoko would let you fight Ganondorf alone, do you?" she asked with her wink.
"Tetra…?" Zelda looked between Chikara and Tetra.
"I may not be able to wield the Master Sword, but I won't let itoko go in alone," said Tetra. "I'll find a way to fight at his side! You don't worry yourself, Zelda. We can handle it!"
"…" Zelda smiled. "I see. You two can do it. I guess it was wrong of me to doubt, huh?"
"It sure was," agreed Tetra.
"Zelda was just worried," smiled Chikara. "But Chikara has to be stronger! He has to do this! Even though Ganondorf if a bad man, Chikara will defeat him."
"All right then," said Zelda. "We're all counting on you, Chikara."
"Chikara will do his best," promised Chikara. "For Hyrule, and for itoko. And for everyone! Chikara has no choice but to do his best."
"There you go," said Tetra with a proud nod. "Now go with your sidekicks and go get those Sages. Then, I'll do my part, somehow. But you won't face him alone, itoko," said Tetra.
"Chikara's going right away!" Chikara turned and hurried out of the room and down the hall. If anyone had seen his expression now, though, they would have seen a reckless determination in his eyes; as if Chikara planned something that no other knew about…
A few minutes later…
Chikara looked up at the sky nervously as they sailed on towards the Forsaken Fortress. "Emily…Sarah…" he said quietly.
"Yes, maestro?" asked Emily.
"What will we do if we see Ganondorf again?" asked Chikara fretfully. "Chikara's a little afraid of him… And Impa, will she be all right?"
"Hey, Ganondorf's a guy to be afraid of!" said Emily. "But he's no match for Impa. She can take care of herself; you don't have to worry for her."
"Yes, it's true, Chikara-chan," said Sarah. "Impa's a great and powerful Shiekah warrior, and Zelda's bodyguard. She'll be fine."
"…if you two say so," said Chikara. "It's just…"
"You have the sword of evil's bane, Chikara," said Red Lions. "Even if it isn't at full power, it has most of the power restored. It'll be enough for a conflict with Ganondorf, if there must be."
"And you don't face him alone," added Emily brightly. "After all you have Sarah with her trusty staff, and you have me, who also happens to be a Shadow Shiekah Warrior!"
"Oh…" Chikara smiled. "Thank you, you guys… Chikara feels a little braver now… Maybe… he can do it."
"Not maybe," said Sarah determinedly. "You CAN do it!"
"Hai! Chikara CAN do it!" said Chikara.
"There you go!"
Emily looked to the distance. "We're not far from there… I wonder if Impa is there, and if she noticed Ganondorf…" she narrowed her eyes. Or the other way around…
At the Forsaken Fortress…
The Sagess of Shadow hid within what she was named for, looking over the corner. This place reeks with evil… she thought to herself. How will I ever get off this island… this fortress…
"Grumph!" yelled a Moblin as he led a patrol of other Moblins to search and sniff around for Impa.
Heh… try all you like, but you'll never find me… Impa crouched low and broke into a run, slipping past the Moblin patrol without being detected, easy work for her. Now to search where the way out is…
That was when something sharp poked her backside. "Rrnath!" snarled the Moblin.
Impa raised her hands up in an "I surrender" pose. Let him think he's got me… she turned around slowly."Trust me, little Moblin… you don't want me to be your enemy…" she trailed off.
This Moblin wasn't threatening her; he was holding out a letter. "Rnaht…" he poked Impa again, and held out the note. "Is…it common…?" asked the Moblin slowly in common.
"…what's this…?" Curious, Impa took the note, a heavily perfumed piece of parchment.
Dearest Moe,
I hope this letter reaches you! I have missed you soo much since the last time I saw you, when you handed me all those jewels ad such to present to my father… But, what of my love for you? Yes, my darling… I am in love with you!
You've done nothing but be nice to me, even when I was held captive. You defended me, and received beatings just for protecting me… If you cannot come to me, then I will come to you, Moe! I await your letter! Eagerly!
Maggie
Impa raised an eyebrow. "Huh… a love letter…" she looked around. This could be a real love letter… or just a trap for me to fall into…
"From Maggie?" asked Moe, giving Impa another poke.
"Yes it is…" Impa knelt down to Moe. Not too close. "You are Moe, huh? Do you feel like helping me out as well?"
"Help you?" repeated Moe.
"Yes. I need to get off this island. And you can build me a sailboat," said Impa. "If you build one, we could get away, and go see Maggie."
"Ooh… Granga gro! Maggie!" said Moe happily. "Yeah yeah!"
"Can you do this…quietly?" asked Impa, looking around again.
"Quietly, yes!" said Moe. "You wait here, and Moe will go make sailboat! Then you can take me to Maggie?" Impa nodded. "Okay! Moe will go make the boat now!" Moe ran off happily.
"…" Impa stood up and crossed her arms. Hmm… Maybe I've just gotten old, and have fallen into a trap… But he seemed sincere enough… she glanced out the window. Hero's descendant is here…Who'll come find me first? Ganondorf, of this mysterious hero?
With Chikara…
Chikara looked up at the impressive Forsaken Fortress, at the top of the tower. There, the Helmaroc King still stood in his perch. He narrowed his eyes. Mistaken or not, that was the same bird that had kidnapped Aryll in the first place… the same bird that was ordered by Ganondorf, the cause of all this…
"Chikara? Are you listening?" asked Red Lions.
"…? A-re?" Chikara glanced at Emily, Sarah, and Red Lions. "What?"
"Weren't…Weren't you listening, Chikara-chan?" asked Sarah. "We just finished relaying our whole plan…"
"Sorry…" Chikara stood up and hopped off the boat.
"Chikara?" asked Red Lions. "What are you doing…?"
"Chikara wants to go alone," said Chikara.
"What!?" cried Emily. "Alone?! Are you insane?"
"Chikara-chan, please rethink this!" said Sarah worriedly. "R-Remember what we said, Chikara-chan?"
"Chikara will do it, yes… But Chikara can't rely on Sarah and Emily forever. Chikara has to grow stronger! On his own, not with the help of his friends." he turned around. "Let Chikara go in alone."
"Idiocy!" hissed Red Lions. "It is foolish to try and go against Ganondorf alone! Don't try it!"
"Chikara is sorry… but he has to try!" without another word, Chikara turned and hurried up the stairs.
"Chikara-chan!" cried Sarah. "W-Wait!"
"No, let him go," said Emily.
"Emily…?" Sarah looked at Emily in shock. "You know we can't let him go alone! Please…"
"Emily, are you letting Chikara carry on this foolishness?" demanded Red Lions. "You know it is futile!"
"It is futile…" agreed Emily. She looked up at the fortress top. "But this is Chikara's calling. Let him go."
"But…" Sarah clasped her hands together. "If you say so, Emily… I trust you… and Impa is there, too… So he'll be all right, no matter what happens…"
Red Lions squinted to the top of the tower. What'll happen to you now, Chikara…? What do you plan to do?
With Chikara…
By some miracle, Chikara made it to the top without any problems. "That was strange… All those Moblins were gone…" he shook his head. "That doesn't matter… If they're out of the way, it makes things easier for Chikara…" he looked up at the Helmaroc King, who had continued to watch Chikara on his ascend. But there next to Helmaroc King, watching Chikara as well was… Chikara gasped out loud.
Ganondorf had stood at the top, and was watching Chikara, as well. You've returned here, boy…somehow, I knew you'd try to come alone…
Chikara shook his head. What's this…? Ch-Chikara can hear you…?
Of course. This is only a small taste of my power, said Ganondorf. But maybe you have grown some power, too? Would you like to face me?
Chikara has grown more powerful, insisted Chikara. Chikara will defeat you, and restore peace to Hyrule… Or that is what Chikara would like to say…
Is that so? asked Ganondorf. Were you perhaps hoping to… make a deal?
Yes, said Chikara with a nod.
Ganondorf chuckled evilly to himself. I knew you'd say that… Aren't you here to find the Sagess of Shadow, aren't you? Come on up, you'll be sure to find her… he turned to the giant bird beside him and said something quietly. Helmaroc King nodded and flew off.
Chikara is on his way… Chikara took a deep breath and hurried along the trail.
"Heh… What a foolish boy…" said Ganondorf to himself. "That Sagess is here, but I certainly don't have her with me…" he glanced at his left hand, where the Triforce of Power glowed faintly. But with his help…and his name… I shall be able to return to Hyrule…
A matter of minutes later, Chikara showed up at the top of the fortress. "Ganondorf… Chikara has come."
"Hmm. I knew you'd come," said Ganondorf, turning to face Chikara. "Now… about that deal…"
"Yes, Chikara has a proposition," said Chikara, taking a step towards Ganondorf. "He has no wish to fight you."
"…?" Ganondorf blinked in surprise. "Do you now…"
"Chikara asks for one thing!" said Chikara. "As a prince of Hyrule, and you as a king, we can talk it over. Offer you Hyrule, Chikara can! Just… All Chikara asks is that you don't try anything evil!"
"What are you saying?" laughed Ganondorf. "Are you offering yourself to save your pathetic Hyrule?"
"Yes, Chikara is!" Chikara walked up to Ganondorf. "Chikara begs of you! Please, let us not fight anymore!"
Silence followed his statement as an ominous wind began to blow. Finally, Ganondorf started laughing quietly, then burst out laughing. "What a foolish boy! Do you really think I want peace for Hyrule?! Ha hah hah hah!"
"Please, Ganondorf!" said Chikara. "We don't have to-- Ah!"
"That's enough, boy," said Ganondorf, suddenly grabbed Chikara by his chin. "There's no such thing as peace for your family. All of Hyrule's royal family is doomed to evil, doomed to darkness. There is no light left for Hyrule!"
"T-That can't be…" gasped Chikara, trying to pull away. "It doesn't have… to be this way… please…"
"Once I regain my full power, you will understand that," said Ganondorf quietly. "And you can help me along… allow me to draw power from you…"
"No..! L-Listen to….aah…" Chikara's struggles weakened a she felt energy leave him. "Wha--What are you…"
"You have great power within you… this wind spirit within you will work just as well…" Ganondorf laughed to himself and dropped Chikara.
"Oof…! K-Kaze?" Chikara winced and looked up at Ganondorf. "You have Kaze…?"
"Kaze, and a whole bunch of your power," said Ganondorf. "Your name carries power, you know. Especially when your name means 'power'. And now, with your help, I am a little closer to returning to Hyrule…"
"…" Chikara tried to sit up, but fell on his back again. "P-Please, don't… there can be light for everyone…"
"That is something someone close to you tried to tell you," said Ganondorf. "Someone called 'Kaze'. Or should I say… 'Mikomi'?"
Chikara opened one eye, trying to sit up again. "O--Oka-san…?"
"When you had finally found her again, you lose her so soon. It's a sad world, isn't it?" asked Ganondorf. "Soon, you will truly understand…" with a wave of his hand, Ganondorf vanished into the night. Soon, you will understand the truth cruelty of darkness…
"No…w-wait…!" called Chikara faintly. He stood up shakily, but couldn't stand no more, fell down to the gray floor. Ka-Kaze was…oka-san…? How could Chikara-chan have known… Oka… he fell out cold onto the floor. Oka-san…
Impa came up the stairs. "…!" she gasped at seeing Chikara. "I knew I felt something…!" she ran to Chikara, putting a hand on his cheek. He's warm…not dead… she looked up. But Ganondorf, he used some kind of power on Chikara… She spat furiously. That matters not… I have to get out of here, with the Hero's descendant… Moe will surely be ready by now… With that, she pikced Chikara up and hurried down the stairs, to where Moe waited with Red Lions.
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What a dramatic end! To think that all this time, Kaze was Chikara's mother Mikomi! What will happen now? Chikara has had his power stolen. Will he be able to repower the Master Sword with Impa? Will he find Raru? Will he save Hyrule and the Great Sea at all?
Heh heh. The only way to find that out is to read on! Look forward to the next update! Ja ne for now!