Lunarian :
Key
Text Narration
"Text" Dialogue
'Text' Sarcasm, Saying's, and/or so-called... quotes
Text Character Thoughts, and/or Character Tittle
Text Sound Effects
--Chapter Nine--
- Homestretch of Power-
Deep within the Great Fairy of Power's trial Link and his aide, compatriot, confidant and advisor all in one, Tatl are taking a break in the treacherous tunnel. For Tatl she is keeping watch over the slumbering green clad boy, staying vigilant lest some remnant of the previous area's ordeal survived unnoticed and would take advantage of him in this vulnerable state.
The dreams young Link has while laying down upon the earthen rocky ground are peaceful and serene. He revisits days gone by of frolicking around the lost woods with his kokiri friends. Of Zelda and Saria, whom he is anticipating greatly his reunion with them.
I wonder what he is dreaming of. Tatl was thinking to herself, curious as to what would bring such an innocent look of contentment onto Link's face. Sure she had seen him happy, most of the time after solving a particularly grating puzzle or helping a genuinely thankful individual, but putting careful contemplation on the matter now, she was hard pressed to seeing him look quite so young and tranquil. He looks so cute like that.
Time passed on and nothing happened, no monsters interrupted Link's sleep and Tatl's guard never wavered. Finally Link woke up on his own feeling completely rested and revitalized, though a bit hungry.
Tatl, on seeing him waking up, relaxed her alert pose and lazily fluttered down to rest against his hat. "Good morning."
"Ynnnngh" Yawning and stretching out, Link proceeded to stand up and work out the kinks from his back. "Morning, Tatl." Looking down both ways of the endless corridor he could see nothing. "So you kept watch all throughout like you said, thanks a lot." He really needed that rest, now feeling like taking on the world the vigorous youth just knew the time to end this insane trial was at hand. Firstly though, that gnawing hunger had to be taken care of.
Not caring to use up the last of his regular rations Link took out his Goron mask. "Let's see if these really are rocks." Now as Darmani-Link he grabbed a rather large chunk of rock off the floor and took a bite out of it. The whole concept of eating rocks as a Goron was just so different to eating as himself that tastes and normal thoughts on food just can't compare, so he never tried to understand it or explain to Tatl, it is just something that is. Several rocks later and he was no longer hungry, removing the mask his stomach stayed full though the magic must change it to something he could digest. It was a gamble that using the mask for something fight unrelated would not disqualify him, he was glad he was right.
It just never got old, watching Link transform into a Goron and then eat, actually eat rocks like they were some prime cut of steak. "Let's go Link, we've been here far too long already." Rousing him into going on she spoke to him from the air, having been dislodged when he put on the mask.
With anticipation coursing through his veins Link answered back to his friend. "Yeah you're right, enough is enough, let's go!" Full of energy he ran straight down the dark corridor to the next part.
Soon the ground gradually changed the further he got in, the rock and dirt were replaced with stone. Now the hallway opened up into a massive whitish gray room with stone pillars interspersed throughout. The walls and floors had ceased to provide light, instead torchlights hung upon the walls. A steel door with a greenish web over it was at the end.
Unable to contain herself Tatl yelled out. "Yay finally something changed, we must be near the end." Now closer to the greenish web she could detect the barest hint of some familiar magic just beyond the door. Concentrating hard she strained her senses and discovered something sure to make their day. "Link, I can sense another mirror portal on the other-side of that door! Finish this last part and you'll pass."
Nodding with grim determination Link got sword and shield ready and cautiously walked down the middle on constant guard. It was when he was several columns away from the door that something happened. The air in front of him distorted itself and as if setting up a vertical whirlpool started spinning creating a purplish warp gate.
On seeing this obstruction appear from out of nowhere with no warning, Link and Tatl quickly started to backtrack. With a wary eye on the swirling abyss and his fairy partner keeping his back covered he took several fast steps away to put some distance between himself and the portal. Not a second too soon it would seem as something stepped out.
Emerging from the purple opening, in full armor, was an Iron Knuckle. Towering over Link at several body lengths height, the armored behemoth is covered all over in protective metals. Starting from the bottom he has black solleret's with gold toes, silver and black girth with meshed golden plates reaching down to the knees, a black breastplate of fine steel with silver studs connecting to back shoulders, attached to black vambrace's and tough golden gauntlets. Resting on top of the monsters head is a gold and silver helmet, completing the ultimately armored countenance. If all of that was not intimidating enough, the weapon of choice of the Iron knuckle is. Wielding a gigantic double headed axe with the blades as wide as Link is tall, more gold silver and black glinting malevolently in the flickering torchlights and on the handle a blood red jeweled pommel, the overall statement being made from this foe simply being 'serious business '.
Even on his better days he sometimes had trouble with these titans, and now he couldn't even use the bunny hood for a much needed speed boost. Crap, it just had to be an Iron Knuckle. That was the predominant thought floating around in Link's head as he took several more steps back once it was seen that his adversary was actually activated already instead of remaining in a state of unmoving. Even as he underwent this tactical retreat his assailant slowly began to advance upon him. He re-secured his shield onto his back and with a loose stance to provide optimum agility he readied his blade into the air.
Not letting herself get too distracted Tatl continued to keep a constant perimeter scan in all directions while her champion solely focused on the ensuing clash. Drawing comfort from the knowledge that Link had made it this far and through plenty of harrowing maneuvers unscathed already she silently cheered him on lest she startle him. Go Link, you can do it!
Resigning himself to another test of patience and timing Link observed the Iron Knuckle as it approached him while maintaining his distance. It's been awhile since last I fought one of these, last time was... hmm.. in the moon dungeon. I can't afford any mistakes here I have to feel it out.
The animated suit of armor slowly lumbered toward its opponent. With each shift of massive weight from one foot to the next its frame going from left to right the cumbersome axe held tightly in its fist moving along, on each forceful stomp the heavy armor clanked loudly adding to the large and powerful image.
Taking a deep preparatory breath Link stopped backtracking and leapt lightly into range. Here goes nothing. Closing in on the enemy he darted in its personal space daring for an attack. Seemingly not wanting to disappoint such an obvious opening the hefty knight tried to slam the axe straight down onto Link, perhaps aiming to cleft him in two. Luckily Link was well prepared for this anticipated move, and with the same speed used for darting in he ran back out of range, the large axe missing splitting him in twain by inches. Not deterred in the least, neither side remained stationary for long.
With a watchful eye Link observed his adversary's reaction time from that attack. It seems that when the knight struck and missed its fleshy target his continued arc caused the axe to fall heavily upon the stone floor, throwing off vibrations causing it to pause a second on bended knee before recovering and stand up ready to fight again. That'll be the time to attack. Link thought to himself, seeing how wide an opening the knight leaves after committing itself to an overhead axe strike.
Link was ready now to eliminate this obstacle and claim his victory. Dashing in quickly to draw the knight's attention he immediately retreated the moment it made any move. A good thing it was too, since in the heat of the moment he had forgotten that the Iron Knuckle has two basic attacks. So instead of missing heaving his head split open, he was just fast enough to avoid having his belly ripped open as the monster guard swung with a mighty grunt first to the left and then the right straight after while stepping forward.
By this time Tatl was starting to question herself if Link really was as rested as he claimed. He almost got smashed across the face from that last swing.
Okay, this could take awhile. Entering striking range just enough to entice the enchanted mail to swing at him Link began his battle plan. Teasing the knight into attacking constantly he did nothing but dodge the axe when it was swung crossways, but when he avoided a down swing he let out a swift stab before once more getting to a safe distance.
One minute passed then two, yet Link's current nemesis showed no outward sign of taking damage. Damn it, this is ridiculous trying to take down an Iron Knuckle with the Kokiri sword. If I just had my Gilded sword this would have been over with. His patience rapidly wearing thin, Link prayed to the goddesses that the foe would finally stop moving.
Whether by coincidence or if some viewing deity saw fit to grant the depleted patience of Link's psyche his wish, after his last hit the knight's dense breastplate leaving only some gold lined chain mail falls off with a harsh crash before being consumed by blue flames.
Far from being wary from the now greatly increased in speed enemy, instead Link could now finally stop the slow tactics he was using before. Now with the knight moving at a pace more fitting for Link to duel against he cut loose some and took advantage of the surrounding. Dodging an overhead strike Link sliced the knight then ran behind him before he could get up sneaking in another strike before running around the nearest column.
As the Iron Knuckle spied the little terror speeding away behind one of the pillars it swung the axe right through the stone support.
Just as Link had thought would happen, he was not attacking the knight after each time it destroyed one of the pillars. This was really kinda pathetic. Thinking to himself that as a last fight this predictable outcome was rather anti-climatic, but in a way he was thankful. He really wasn't sure how much more he could take. Come to think of it, I'm really thankful Ganon never took an idea like this.
With a final hit the enemy stopped moving and collapsed in on itself, like a set of clothes thrown carelessly onto the floor. "Praise Din." The overworked hero spoke breathlessly as his adrenaline charged body released its hold on a battle readiness and allowed him to relax again. No sooner had his words been spoken then the remains of the Iron Knuckle was consumed in green flames. As the last pieces vanished into the ether the web around the door broke down and the door opened up.
With nothing around that she could sense Tatl came back down to Link's brim to rest her wings. "Let's go Link, through the door is the end." She told him with growing excitement, after the monotonous ordeal that was the Trail of Power she felt as though even watching grass grow would be an enjoyable change of pace. Sooo booored... definitely taking a nice long sleep when we get out.
As soon as they traversed the doorway together the GF of Power's calm voice could be heard coming out of the pink mirror portal. "Congratulations Link, you have passed the Trial of Power. Step through the portal to return and receive your reward"
Following suiting action to suggestion they walked through the mirror to return to the GF of Power's fountain where the Great Fairy sat waiting for them. "Congratulations to you, young warrior, you have passed my trial. Your reward is this." Clapping her hands together twice she summoned a forest green quiver with mystic runes inscribed around the opening. "This here is my magic quiver, it will supply you with an endless supply of arrows of the highest quality. For winning over my trial it is now yours, you earned it."
Endless arrows? Link thought to himself, was that a really useful boon or not? He supposed that there was always situations where he worried on running out. The reward didn't feel worth everything he had to do to get it however. Better then nothing, I guess. He took the quiver from the GF and replaced his old big one.
Satisfied that her part was done the GF of Power returned to her fountain once more, being sure to leave a fairy behind to restore the warrior and his ally. "Seek the Great Fairy of Courage whom resides within the snowy mountains for your next trial, dauntless warrior."
To Be Cont'D:
Omake Attempt (They're back!)
On seeing this obstruction appear from out of nowhere with no warning, Link and Tatl quickly started to backtrack. With a wary eye on the swirling abyss and his fairy partner keeping his back covered he took several fast steps away to put some distance between himself and the portal. Not a second too soon it would seem as something stepped out.
Words could not describe the horror that overtook Link's face as he saw what had just been deposited into the room with him. It was capable of reducing him to a gibbering fool from just a few moments in its presence. Ballads could be written on the power of this being to inspire fear into the deepest hearts of Link, and he was trapped here with no way to escape...
On seeing Link the hideous creature lunged at him screeching its brain liquefying call. "Oooh Liiinky-poooo!"
"Aaaaauugggghhhh!" Link abandoning Tatl and all senses of anything ran screaming in fright from the monstrosity.
Ruto had come to Link somehow... and he was in hell.
Omake Attempt # 2
With nothing around that she could sense Tatl came back down to Link's brim to rest her wings. "Let's go Link, through the door is the end." She told him with growing excitement, after the monotonous ordeal that was the Trail of Power she felt as though even watching grass grow would be an enjoyable change of pace. Sooo booored... definitely taking a nice long sleep when we get out.
As they traversed the doorway together Link broke into a run on seeing the mirror, completely neglecting to pay attention anything going on around him. As his finger was moments away from touching the mirror a pebble broke off the ceiling and fell onto his head knocking him down and drawing blood. Immediately he was returned to the GF of Power, who took one look at him before laughing her ass off at how close he got only to fail. "Bwhahahahahahahahaha you total loser! Hahahahahahaha."
Link's mind snapped at that moment, and without a second thought he leapt at the startled GF with his sword aimed for her throat.
The last thing the GF ever saw was the glinting eyes of Link as they darkened into insanity.
A/N: There we have the official ending to the trial of Power, it's over and it only took 4 chapters, seriously though... it was done that way so I could give out what I got at the current time.
My original plans would have been even more tiring to have written and probably to read as well. Originally I was gonna have Link have to find the GF's as just another person in their respective area, and by talking to them with the GF mask on they would reveal themselves. Also I left out Garo Master in the trial and only had one Iron Knuckle. I say it was good enough as is, and I'm sure you will agree.
To ShadowLink50: Yay you gave another review promptly, joyous. I have plans for events taking place as far as the end, thing story has the most planned out as any I've written so I would say there is not much of a chance of this fading away. S'long as people like it, I'll keep at it. :)
To JediSSJ: Hehe you'll be happy to know that I am almost completely sure this trial was the longest I'll have. I certainly won't break them into 4 chapters again, so yeah thanks for reviewing. I'm most glad you found the action good, I was afraid it wouldn't come out well.