Ch. 13

Haeda leaned close to the giant bird's body. Water from the clouds collected on the furs he was wearing; slowly seeping down to his skin. The water on Teota, however, beaded and rolled right off as if it were repelled. They ducked down from the midst of the giant cloud; which was snaking all the way across the horizon. All of Hyrule seemed to be covered in it's shadow. As Haeda and the Teota Bird came down the slope of the mountain, they spotted Etota and Pellopa waiting at the base where the mountain path began. They looked up to the giant beast overhead and neighed. Haeda waved back to them. "I'll be back, I promise!" He shouted to them; doubting that they would hear.

Land raced by below the great bird's wings as he flew with all due speed toward their destination. Lucky for you, I know where this castle lies. It also must be the source of this lingering cloud cover. I do not like the possibilities of storm. It is a very bad sign. The Teota Bird said as he gained a bit of altitude.

Despite himself, Haeda was having the time of his life on the back of the great bird. Who else ever got to soar through the skies upon a beautiful bird of legend? He held on solely with his heels and held his arms in the air. He cried out with joy as the wind blew across his face and tossed his hair. The Teota Bird chuckled. Are you enjoying your ride? You may want to hold on – we are approaching the heart of the storm.

Haeda nodded and resumed holding onto the neck feathers of the beast. Ahead was a massive formation of clouds. Lightning arched through its recesses and the two could hear the thunder. A buffeting wind soon met them and tried to roll them over. Haeda was practically holding on for his life, and rain started to pour down. Teota seemed to navigate through the confusing wind currents and rain bands; revolving around the cloud in an inward spiral. The storm became fiercer, and one of the furs was ripped off of Haeda. He clung ever tighter to the Teota Bird and it gave him a reassuring squawk. It dove and wove through the clouds, dodging lightning with agility and skill.

Suddenly, the storm just stopped. They were in the eye of the storm – and in the clear air was a castle; drifting over Hyrule like an ominous black stone. Haeda's muscles loosened and he let loose a relieved sigh. The Teota bird furtively glided down to the closest terrace and set itself down in a whoosh of air. I have brought you thus far, Haeda. The bird said; bowing so that the boy could get off.

Haeda slid to the ground from his perch and stroked the elegant bird's neck. "Thank you, Teota. How would I have gotten here without you?"

You wouldn't. The bird answered; a gleam in its eye.

Haeda smiled. And just as quickly as they had landed; the bird of legend took off in a buffeting gale of wind. In seconds it disappeared back into the wall of clouds surrounding the castle. When it's blue body was gone, Haeda immediately made himself unseen and ducked down. He had no idea where he was going, so he started off by creeping to the much un-needed front set of doors. They were locked with gigantic beams of wood and chain; providing him no entrance. Haeda quickly looked around him and resorted to the nearby windows. He found a hefty stone on the lone block of rock the whole castle floated on and threw it into a pane. It shattered immediately and he climbed through. The boy found himself looking down at an entrance hall as he stood on the sill. He jumped down to the floor and flinched as he wondered how many enemies would report to the suspicious crash of the window.

There were figures in position all around the room. Haeda unsheathed his sword; expecting them to all run and attack him. They didn't come. Face puzzled; Haeda crept toward one of them. It was a moblin wearing a jaunty helmet. He got within three feet of it and cautiously prodded it with the Master Sword. It merely fell over and its helmet clattered to the floor. Haeda shrank back as he saw that the moblin's eyes were rolled back into its head. The boy frantically scanned the room and realized all of the guards were slumped against the wall. They had been discretely stabbed in the back and put back in position. But who would – But Haeda could not finish his thought. Immediately, strange creatures jumped down from the ceiling and held him down. He screamed and tried to thrash his way out, but was overtaken by the countless number of enemies. They clattered and clawed at him, restraining him. Haeda was brought to his knees with his hands held firmly behind him.

A wind erupted and seemed to center around a fixed point in the room. Just a few feet in front of Haeda; a figure formed in the vortex of winds. As the gusts subsided; his long gray hair settled down around his face; covering one eye. The other was a bright, blood red; and had a mark underneath it. He was surrounded by a dark purple-gray cape with a tunic of similar color. His face was full of mockery. "Welcome to my castle, Haeda." He purred.

Haeda looked up at the man. "W-who are you? I thought Ganon was here!" He shouted.

The man took a step forward and replied, "I am Vaati, the Wind Sorcerer. You are mistaken about Ganon; he is here. In the deepest dungeons."