3
Ch. 12
Haeda stood still for a moment, looking at the peak. His breath was puffs of smoke on the air; and he realized how cold he was just standing there. With a determined look on his face; he continued up the hazardous mountain path; watching for the dangerous ice sheets that could lead him to a cold death among the rocks. He saw several different spherical shapes in the snow and shivered at the thought of numerous skulls watching him from underneath.
A few hours later; Haeda found himself on a shelf of rock just below the peak. His limbs were tired; but he didn't want to stop now. He mumbled because of the numerous moblins and other beings Ganon must have sent to keep him from getting to the scroll. But the four robed creatures – what he now called Wizzrobes – still troubled him. They weren't the sort of creatures that would be under Ganon's rule…they weren't his sort. Were they just creatures who only cared about keeping the Summons to themselves? But no, Haeda thought, They did mention the word 'master.' Who would they listen to when they live in such a place; severed from easy contact?
He shook the thoughts off as he neared the peak. The temperature seemed to plummet a whole ten degrees more as Haeda came up a ridge. He found himself at the very top of the snowy mountain. Cloud surrounded him and the peak; blotting out the beautiful view of Hyrule he could have had from there. There was a shallow bowl that made up the peak; which was surrounded by a jagged cliff face. To Haeda's surprise, a line of stunted trees grew on top of the rocky ridge surrounding the small basin. In the center of the basin was a lone stone pillar that stood three feet tall. There was a power flowing from it, and the boy's heartbeat quickened. The Summoning Scroll is here! He ran up to the pedestal; a victorious smile on his face. The smile quickly faded as he realized there was nothing there. He tried to find any writing at all on all three sides of the small pillar; but there was not a word to be seen. He scraped the snow off of the top; but there was nothing there, either. Only a nearly faded Triforce symbol that had been etched onto it long ago was visible.
There was a clatter of noise to his back left and he whipped around; expecting attack. He stood frozen to the spot; but there was no more noise. Nothing happened. Haeda slowly relaxed his muscles and returned to his confused search for the Summons. He was about to try to feel the sides for grooves when he heard another sound from his right. He again turned to face attack, but found nothing there. Utterly frustrated, Haeda kept scanning the area for enemies. All he saw was snow and rock. But then he heard a small, steady, clicking sound from directly behind him. He froze in his scan and slowly turned around.
Bones – thousands of bones – they were gathering in a great mound and seaming together. The clinking he heard was vertebra and bone clacking together to form a huge, hulking skeleton. It had massive hooked claws and thousands of sharp teeth in a long jawbone. A ribcage and a spine arched into the air, and a long spiky tail snaked into existence. The formation took up nearly the peak's entire basin. Haeda was staring at a skeletal dragon.
He was frozen to the spot in fear, and the undead beast roared. It shook the rocks and the stunted trees; snow showered down from every cliff. Haeda regained enough senses to roll to the side as a huge claw came raking down upon the stone he was just standing on. The dragon spun in a circle; its tail acting as a mace. It whipped toward Haeda and he put his sword up. The bone wrapped around the blade; and the boy yanked as hard as he could. A sharp crack came from it and a good section of tail snapped off of the skeleton. The dragon screeched and turned. Unexpectantly; a roaring voice entered Haeda's mind.
Why are you here? It boomed loudly as the dragon snarled.
Haeda stood his ground and pointed the Master Sword at the skull. "To find the Summoning Scroll!" He shouted.
The dragon reared up; threatening to lunge at him. And why would you want such a relic, human? It growled; showing its jagged teeth even more than before.
"Because Hyrule needs it. I need to get to the Floating Castle, or-"
You suspected you could just climb to this mountain's peak and claim the Summons? The dragon retorted.
Haeda looked into its socket-less eyes. "Well, I didn't expect a skeletal dragon." He spat.
Short repetitive grunts erupted from the dragon's empty stomach; apparently laughter. You expected to find the Teota Bird, yes?
The boy nodded. "Yes."
The dragon's aggressive appearance disappeared as it settled down in the snow. You have proven your Courage by standing your ground. You have proven your Power by snapping my tail, He wriggled it for emphasis, and you have proven your Wisdom by persuading me to trust you. Not many come this far and prove themselves worthy to summon me. Not many are like you, Haeda.
As the skeletal dragon finished its speech; it fell apart into a mound of bone. Haeda looked around, bewildered, and snapped his head up as he heard a mighty cry from above. A sleek, graceful, beautiful bird swooped down into the basin in a gust of its massive wings. It was even bigger than the dragon – Haeda was only just bigger than its head alone! The Summons, The Teota Bird said, Is here, yes. Look back to the pedestal. It suggested, swinging its head to the small pillar.
Haeda followed the bird's giant red gaze. There was an ancient yellowed scroll resting atop the pedestal; tied closed with a blue ribbon. Haeda took it up gingerly and unrolled the parchment.
From the troubled skies above
Teota Bird come
For we are in need of your power
Make the skies untroubled
Teota Bird come
For we are in need of your power
Teota Bird, please come!
It wasn't exactly catchy in Haeda's eyes, but the words were filled with importance and magic. He idly read it to himself before he pocketed the Summons. When he turned to the hulking bird, it bent its neck and let its wings down invitingly. Come, I accept your Summons, Haeda. It told him. Haeda jumped onto the Teota Bird's neck and clutched the feathers in front of him. He was in a perfect sitting position; in a little dip between the bird's wings and neck. Come, let us be swift! Without hesitation; the giant bird launched into the sky. It screeched mightily as they flew into the gray clouds.