New Hyrule Order
Chapter 10- A Pure Sacrifice
Author's note: Someone once sent me a very noobish review…they didn't apparently read the entire story. I ask that if you're going to review my story please read everything first, including the author's notes. They're very informative. I should know. I write them.
By the way, last chapter I used the term "Cathedral Complex". I really should have done my research-the proper term for something like that is a "basilica", such as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City-which is basically a huge-you guessed it-"cathedral complex". D'oh! So, from now on, I will use the proper term. Just giving you a heads up for those who might get confused-you know who you are. Wait, nevermind, they don't.
Erm…
…Just read the next chapter already, will you?
Some hours had passed since the followers of Akunem had begun the trek into the forbidden North Forests. They marched at a steady pace, chanting and continuing to curse at the old ways. Had they looked up, they would have noticed the silhouette of a great Owl flying against the moonlight. Geabora was tracking the movement of the Gonanites as they moved through the woods to some unknown destination. He turned around and flew back to Kirk and the others, who were managing to stay hidden amongst the trees.
"They're pushing north." Reported Geabora, landing on a branch above their heads.
"You can't seem to find out where they're going?" asked Kirk, the piercing red light of the Gonanite Torches illuminating parts of his face, and leaving other parts in shadow.
"Not yet. Whatever they're looking for must be covered by the trees."
"Damn…" cursed Kirk.
"Error…" whimpered Error.
"Don't worry, Error! We have Mr. Knight here to protect us from the monsters!" said Tingle, floating up on a balloon and sitting on the giant man's shoulder.
"Do we have a plan yet?" asked Doof.
"I've got a few tactics that I could use, but I'd need more people for that-there's only five of us right now, we can't take on Akunem's men AND all of the Hylian people."
"Tingle wishes Mr. Fairy was here." Sighed Tingle.
"Yeah, well, he's really shaken up right now with everything that's been going on, He's most likely going to be awhile before he can come on up and join the party."
"You speak as if he's going to just wake up out of his depressed state." Said Doof.
"Link's like that, okay?" said Kirk, turning to the others. "He may have fallen on a hard time, but remember, he's the Hero of Time. He's been up against the King of Evil himself, Ganon. He'll pull through this for some noble reason or another. Just you watch. He'll come riding up on horseback, and then he'll say…"
"Am I too late for the party?" asked Link, riding up on Epona behind Kirk.
"Link…" muttered Kirk, without having to turn around. "I knew you'd be here, you son of a wolfos."
"Watch your mouth. My mother was a knight of Hyrule, mind you." Said link, smiling. He jumped off Epona's back.
"Welcome back, hero." Said Kirk, patting Link's back. "Now are you gonna tell us the noble reason that woke you up to your senses?
"Only one thing." Said Link.
"And that would be?"
"Zelda."
"Of course." Chuckled Geabora from above.
"Right now I don't care about what they think. All I know is, They've got Zelda, and I know she's worth saving. Also, that anology you made about the mother who gets no thanks for her work? It reminded me of the times when a mother has to discipline her children. As much as the children hate it, it's for they're own good"
"Tough love, then, eh?" said Kirk.
"Mr. Fairy is in love with the princess!" sang Tingle, giggling.
"If you do get married," said Doof, "I would ask that you send us an invitation? I'd be happy to oblige, as long as you have…erm…pea soup, at the royal reception?"
"Errorrr!" sang Error. He began puckering his lips and making horrendous kissing noises.
"Oh, hush up. All of you." Said Link.
"Right. All that stuff aside, you got a plan?" asked Kirk.
"I'm making it up as I go along. You have any idea where they're going yet?" asked Link.
"None at all." Admitted Geabora, his head drooping. "All I've been able to see is that that they're headed somewhere north."
Link thought for a second.
"Wait, they said they were building a new temple up here, weren't they?" asked Link.
"D'oh! I'm such an idiot…" mumbled Kirk.
"So, they'd most likely be heading towards that temple they built, wouldn't they?
"No…it's not that…I forgot to tell you…"
"What is it now…?" moaned Link.
"It's just…the temple…it dosen't exist."
It took a second for Link to process that information.
"Come again?" he asked.
"The temple…it just…there was no temple built! Right after I left you at Zelda's room, one of my men who had been scouting the northern border of the castle reported to me that all of the supplies for building their so-called temple had been abandoned in a grotto nearby."
"This just gets more confusing as time marches on…" muttered Link.
"Well, this is truly a puzzle indeed," said Geabora. Curiouser and curiouser, as the old saying goes.
Link thought for a moment, and then a remote possibility appeared in his mind.
"Kirk, have you still got that book on you? The one about the old legends?" asked Link.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Said Kirk, reaching into his knapsack.
"A book? How can you think of reading at a time like this!" asked Doof.
Kirk handed the book to Link. He began flipping through the pages. He stopped at one legend he had seen earlier.
"Here, this one," said Link, passing the book over to Kirk, who held it up to the red light from the faraway torches to read.
"King Daltus?" asked Kirk, "That old legend? You think maybe…?"
"Perchance, would you be talking about the Palace of Shadows?" asked Doof.
"Wha…? You know about this temple?" asked Kirk, turning on Doof.
"Well…you see, the original reason…why myself and my colleagues, of course, came here, was to find the Palace of Shadows. We'd heard rumors about a treasure called the Eye of the Goddess, which rested within, and had hoped to obtain it and use its wonderous powers to make me rich! Erm, us rich, I mean."
"What? Eye of the Goddess…?" said Link. "That legend? Everybody knows that an old drunk made that one up!"
Doof stood there and gawked.
"Mwee-hee-hee-hee!" Cackled Tingle, "Doofy thought a tipsy man's tale was true!"
"Quiet, you! We all did!" snapped Doof.
Error prodded Doof and laughed.
"So…they're using one of the buildings from the Palace of Shadows as a temple…" said Link
"That still dosen't answer why they chose the Palace of Shadows in the first place, though." Said Kirk. "They could have found any old temple and converted it, why this one?"
"The Door…" said Link, as things started to come together.
"The Door?" asked Kirk. "You mean that dark door that's in the Labyrinth?"
"Yes. That one…" Link searched his bag and found the old map of the Labyrinth. He looked for the door. Once he located it, he traced the path beyond the door upwards. It went off the map, and into the North Forest. Exactly where they were now.
"That door-it must lead to the Palace of Shadows! That's why the entire basilica became defiled- it was built on top of the void that the Door in the Labryinth seals!
"You don't think that Akunem thinks that the void is where Gonassir comes from, do you?"
"It would explain why he chose the Palace of Shadows-It would be the perfect place to bring the people. Akunem was talking about opening the world to Gonassir-he was probably talking about the void…but how would he be able to open it without the keys?"
"He must have found them!" said Kirk.
"You mean, the sword that slew the first beast, the Cover of Night, and water from the river of destiny?"
"River of Destiny?" Hooted Geabora. "In my travels, I've never seen or heard of a River of Destiny."
"It's not in the book, either," said Link.
"Error!" interjected Error,
"What?" asked Doof.
"Error I am error error error!" said Error more forcefully, waving his arms.
"What's he saying?" asked Link.
"Tingle thinks Error is saying you made an error!" said Tingle.
"Yes, we know that, Tingle, he always says that." Said Doof.
"No! This time we made an error! Tingle knows because Error is Tingle's friend!"
"Perhaps there is some merit in what he is saying," said Geabora, "It could very well be that the text is not literally saying that the items are what they say they are.
"You mean, an error in the way we're looking at it?" asked Doof.
"Perhaps Error here is a bit brighter then we give him credit for." said Link.
"So…to sum everything up," said Kirk, "Akunem's taking everyone to the Gonanite Temple, which is actually the Palace of Shadows, because he thinks that by opening the void that he'll be releasing Gonassir unto the world, and he's going to do so by using these three keys, which may not actually be a sword, some kind of cover of night or whatever, and water from a river that may not be water or a river for that matter at all?"
"That seems to sum up everything, yes." Said Link.
"Good, though I'm still a bit lost on a few details here and there. So, do we have a plan anyway now?"
"Only thing I can think of is to stop the opening of the void somehow. But we'd still have to deal with all of the followers…"
"There was an awful lot of those, last time I was made aware," said Doof.
"Numbers don't always mean everything," said Geabora. "Many times it is quality, rather then quantity, that truly makes a difference."
"Right. Whatver it takes, we need to save Zelda and do whatever it takes to stop the opening of the void. That's our plan. The rest, well, we'll have to improvise."
"By improvising, you mean having to fight off possibly the entire Hylian population?" asked Kirk.
"If that's what it comes to, well then…yes." Said Link.
"So…this is it, then?" asked Doof.
"Yes. We're going to stop this thing from going any further. And we need to do it now." Said Link. "Is everybody clear on the plan?"
"Yes!" everyone answered, except for Error, who nodded in agreement.
"Are you all ready for what may lie ahead?" asked Link.
Again, four voices saying yes and one nod, this time accompanied by "Error!"
"Right. Let's go do this."
Akunem was now panting heavily with anticipation. He could feel it. There was a vibe coming from the temple. He was following it like a child to the seductive aroma of a sweet candy. It was beckoning him, sending waves of ecstasy through his body. Soon, he would be united with Gonassir at last. Soon, all that he had been told would come true, and the world would finally be one with the almighty.
"You're…making…a mistake…" said a voice behind Akunem.
"Your words do not affect me, foul one." Spat Akunem.
Zelda had managed to summon up enough energy to speak.
"Gonnasir cannot be real. I know the Way of the Hero is true," She strained, "Link is living proof of that. I've seen him with my own eyes in battle. He is truly the savior."
"Your savior is nothing more then a figment of your imagination," barked Akunem. "You have been told lies since the beginning by evil ones."
"That's what you think…" said Zelda. She made a fist with her right hand. Within it, the Triforce of Wisdom began pulsing, giving Zelda the strength to go on. She needed it-especially now.
"You shall burn in the Dark World, fiend. Thine hour of judgment is upon thee, servant of darkness. Hark, look! Look upon that which Gonassir has prepared for us!"
Zelda managed to bring herself to face upwards. What she saw made her eyes open wide in surprise. A monstrously sized cathedral, even more grand then the Temple of Time, had emerged from the dark woods. Creeping vines and moss had overtaken it, snaking between the cracks that had formed over the many centuries that the ancient house of worship had stood. Parts of it had fallen into ruin, to be littered upon the forest floor, but none of that could take away from the grandeur of it. Gigantic pillars of black marble and huge statues of past sages covered in the dust of the ages towered above them, transcending the canopy of the forest only just enough to still remain hidden from sight.
"What is this place…?" asked Zelda.
"The beginning of the new age, and the end of this darkness…" whispered Akunem, falling onto his knees in awe.
The hundreds of followers began to stop before the darkened cathedral, and they too, began kneeling before it.
"Oh, God, thou who hast created the Universe, Great Gonassir, we thank thee for showing us the way…" Prayed Akunem loudly. His whole body was trembling, and tears of joy sprang from his blank eyes. He got up, still shaking, and turned to his people.
"CHILDREN OF GONASSIR!" He boomed, "WE HAVE ARRIVED! BEHOLD THE PLACE WHERE OUR GOD LIES AND WAITS, WAITS FOR US TO RETURN TO HIM! REJOICE!"
The followers once again began to roar with anticipation. Akunem once again turned to the Black Cathedral.
"GREAT CREATOR! INTO THINE LOVING HANDS, WE COME AT LAST!" he cried, and he began to approach the building. The elite priests yanked Zelda's chains, nearly knocking her off her feet, leading her inside. The forest was filled with the sound of chanting as the Hylian people entered.
Far behind, Link and company were following, keeping their distance.
"This must be the place…" said Link, moving a little more forwards. He ducked behind a tree, and chanced a peek at the entrance to the cathedral. There were still many Hylians entering the basilica. "We need to get in there somehow…"
"Pardon me, good Sir Link," said Doof, "but I do believe that they would kill us if they see us walk in the door. Dying isn't on my itinerary, mind you."
"There," said Kirk, tapping Link on the shoulder and then pointing up. Link looked to see where he was pointing.
There was an old bell tower high atop the cathedral's roof. There was a tree positioned close enough that it would be possible to climb to it.
"Geabora," said Link, "can you fly up there and check it out?"
Geabora nodded, and ascended into the canopy of the trees. He flew out of sight for a short time, and then silently returned to the forest floor.
"I took a peek inside. There is a flight of stairs going from the tower onto the viewing platform above the back of the cathedral. It would prove to be a most advantageous viewing point, provided you all remain unseen."
"Right. Geabora, you're on surveillance, I'll need you out here. The rest of us will go on in and try to figure the rest out from there." Said Link.
While Geabora flew high above the forest, Link and the rest of the group began ascending the tree with some difficulty. For all of his great strength, Error was having a difficult time maintaining both balance and stealth while climbing, partially due to the fact that he had to carry Doof at the same time. Tingle had of course chosen to float upwards on a balloon.
Once silent for centuries, the darkened, towering grand hallways of the Cathedral was now filled with the malevolent chanting of the Hylians, and the burning red light of their torches reflected off the cold walls. As the defiled temple slowly filled with the Gonanites, Akunem and the elite priests led Zelda to the great stone altar. As the remaining followers finally flowed in, Zelda was thrown onto the steps before the altar. Her body aching from the traumatic events, she crumpled like a rag doll upon them, moaning in agony.
"BROTHERS! SISTERS!" proclaimed Akunem, his voice now ringing off of the walls of the dank church, "OUR MOMENT OF SALVATION IS AT HAND! JOIN WITH ME NOW, AND THAT THE ONE TRUE ALIMIGHTY GOD, GONASSIR, WILL ACCEPT OUR SACRIFICE! PRAISE BE TO HIM, WHO HAS CREATED THE UNIVERSE, OUR GREAT CREATOR, WHO NOW BECKONS US OUT OF THIS WORLD OF SIN AND DEFILEMENT, INTO A REALM OF EVERLASTING PEACE!"
"Praise him!" screeched a woman, holding her child in one arm and shaking her fist to the sky with the other.
"All that we have comes from Gonassir!" screamed another.
Above the commotion, Link, Kirk, and the Brothers Weird were observing the whole ordeal.
"Zelda…" was all Link could say as he saw Zelda fall.
"Link, keep your head down!" Kirk whispered harshly, grabbing him and bringing him lower.
The group was now on the balcony above the hall, trying to remain as low as possible behind the railing.
"What are we going to do!" whispered Doof, "They are about to do something horrible to the princess!"
"I'm going to try to sneak down there and free Zelda…but in case something goes wrong, I'll back-up…"
"Tingle, Error, and Doofy will do it!" said Tingle.
"What!"
"Together we will swoop down heroically stop Akunem with Mr. Fairy!"
"That'll be perfect, Tingle," said Link, "Kirk, can you cover them with your bow as well?"
"Consider it done, mate," said Kirk, drawing out a bow from his satchel.
"Errorrr!" exclaimed Error. Doof grabbed his mouth and shushed him.
"Do not worry, Error, my friend! We will be safe!" said Tingle, "For once, we shall be the heroes!" He then smiled and struck a heroic pose, and then began inflating his balloon.
"I'm going to look for a way down and around the crowd to the altar from here. Ready everyone?"
"Ready as rain," said Kirk.
"Here we go then…" said Link, and he moved for the doorway.
"Bring her." Said Akunem to the elite priests.
They pulled Zelda forwards, and forced her onto the altar. They began binding her to it with chains. Zelda could do nothing. The end was coming…she gave in to her desire for sleep…sleep…at least there, she would feel no more pain. She let her eyes droop, and knew no more…
Akunem rounded the altar. He then turned towards the Hylians for the last time. Now, it would be finished.
Link had managed to find a few passages within the walls of the building, one of which conveniently led right behind the altar. Keeping low to the floor, Link silently drew the Master Sword, and began sneaking up behind the priests…
"AND GOD SAID," spoke Akunem, raising his arms heavenwards, "THE THREE THAT I REQUIRE ARE THE COVER OF NIGHT STOLEN FROM MY SERV…Uh!"
Akunem had suddenly felt a sharp, burning tip against his back.
"Don't even think about it." Whispered Link. "Don't say anything."
Akunem stopped, and slowly began lowering his arms.
"I want you to tell your men to let her go. I want you to leave Hyrule, and if you ever set a foot back here again, I swear on the Triforce itself that I will carve you from limb to l…GAH!"
One of the other priests had noticed Link's presence and had struck him in the back. Akunem turned around, and then kicked Link square in the face. Link gasped in pain, and while he was stunned, the other priests grabbed Link, made him drop the Master Sword, and brought him up on his feet. Many people in the crowd had begun trying to move forwards to help, but Akunem held up a hand to silence them, and then turned back to Link.
"Gonnasir warned me you would be this persistant…" said Akunem, "I am truly amazed what lengths your kind of people would go to. Attacking a man of God? You are truly bound for the Dark World, boy."
He returned his gaze to the corrupted Hylians.
"YOU SEE HOW EVEN NOW, THE FORCES OF DARKNESS ARE TRYING THEIR HARDEST TO PREVENT THIS GLORIOUS MOMENT FROM OCCURING! EVIL NEVER CEASES TO TRY AND LURE US AWAY FROM THE TRUE PATH! BUT AS YOU CAN, SEE, GONNASIR PREVAILS OVER ALL!"
More roars and praises to Gonnasir rose from the vast congregation.
"Now, you can serve as a witness. See how God's power triumphs over your false beliefs…"
"AKUNEM IS AN UGLY BRUTE!" Screeched Tingles voice.
"What is this!" Akunem reeled around, to see Tingle floating above the congregation. Below, the people began pointing and yelling.
"AKUNEM IS UGLY AND CAN KISS TINGLE'S BUTTOCKS!"
"ERRORRRR!" roared Error as he thumped his chest.
"Tallyhoo!" yelled Doof, who was riding piggy-back on Error's shoulders.
Error jumped down from the balcony below. People dove out of the way as Error's muscular bulk landed, cracking the stone floor.
"Chaaaarge!" yelled Doof, and Error began running through the crowd towards the altar.
"ERORRRRRRRR!"
There was a rush of bodies as the Hylians began trying to get out of the way of the huge man and smaller old man on his shoulders hurtling towards the altar.
"Excuse us! Coming through!" said Doof.
"WE MUST SAVE MR. FAIRYYYYY!" screeched Tingle, flying above them.
They were getting closing in on the altar! Almost there! And then just as they reached the steps up to it…
"YOU WILL GO NO FURTHER!" Roared Akunem, holding up his hand. And just as he raised it, the three brothers weird suddenly stopped in mid-air, frozen in place.
"Error? Why did you stop? Keep charging!" said Doof.
"RRRR!" growled Error, trying to move forwards, but an unseen force was pushing against him, preventing his progress. Tingle appeared to be having the same problem, as he was stuck, unmoving right above Doof's head.
Before his very eyes, link watched as Akunem then cast hishand to the side, causing the three to be thrown through the air right at the wall. They all slammed into it was a dull thud, and then fell to the floor, stunned, Tingle's balloon popping in the process as well.
"Fools will be dealt with in the proper manner." Said Akunem, as several Hylians rushed to grab the fallen Brothers Weird.
"NO!" yelled Kirk's voice from the back of the cathedral, as he aimed right for Akunem and let fly an arrow.
"This is pure nonsense…" said Akunem. He held up his hand once again, stopping the arrow just an inch away from his palm. He threw it also to the side, and then reached up again, towards Kirk. He gasped as it felt as if an enormous claw had grabbed his torso. Akunem pulled his hand towards himself, and Kirk was pulled through the air over the heads of the crowd, stopping right in front of Akunem, only to be cast towards the wall as well, landing on the floor and joining Error, Doof and Tingle.
"Bring them!" called Akunem.
The Hylians did as instructed, pushing the four would-be rescuers forwards. It took several people to push Error.
Error apparently, wasn't done yet, as he got up and tried to run at Akunem again. He once again was stopped, and then, Akunem pointed towards the floor, and Error suddenly jerked against the floor, as if an enormous weight had been put on top of him, keeping him from any further attempts to get back up.
"This distraction has gone on far enough. I will have no more of them." Said Akunem. "The power of God triumphs over all."
"Don't count your cuccos until they've hatched, Akunem…" said Link.
"Before any more of these foolhardy attempts to stop this from happeneing, let us once again return to where we left off, shall we?" said Akunem. He once again turned towards the Hylian congregation.
"…AND GOD SAID, THE THREE THAT I REQUIRE ARE THE COVER OF NIGHT, STOLEN FROM MY SERVANT…"
Akunem drew from his robes A familiar piece of cloth.
"My hat!" yelled Doof.
"Doof's hat is the Cover of Night!" said Kirk.
Of course, thought Link, the hat is made from a magic tapestry of the stars, just like the night sky, and Doof stole it from Akunem!
Akunem took the cloth and laid it almost lovingly, like how a mother would lay her child in the crib, upon Zelda's breast.
"…THE DAGGER THAT SLEW THE FIRST BEAST…" continued Akunem, who then drew out another familiar object from his robes-a small sword that Link instantly recognized…
"The Kokiri sword! My first sword…!" Link gasped. Of course, it made sense now, it was the sword that Link had used to defeat the first monster he ever went up against! But what about…
"AND THE WATER, TAKEN FROM THE RIVERS OF DESTINY!" cried out Akunem. He then held out his hand towards Zelda.
No…it couldn't be…
Zelda, once called by a sage as the Princess of Destiny…
The rivers that flowed through her…
Her blood.
"NOOOOOOOO!" screamed Link, throwing himself at Akunem, only to be stopped by the Gonnanite priests. He struggled with all his might, fighting with all his power to free himself. He couldn't, wouldn't let this happen! "LEAVE HER ALONE! LEAVE HER ALONE!"
Akunem raised the Kokiri sword.
"GREAT FATHER WHO CREATED US ALL, ACCEPT THIS SACRIFICE! INTO THINE HANDS, WE SURRENDER OUT SPIRITS!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" screamed Link.
Akunem brought his hand down, stabbing right through the cloth and into Zelda's body….
And suddenly, all Hell broke loose.
The end is near...soon, the greatest revelation of all will be revealed...
Be sure to keep an eye out for the next chapter of NEW HYRULE ORDER!