The Legend of Zelda: Return of the Hero
The Fairy King
-Part II: Rage-
The actions of Dreygus had unleashed an animal inside of the Hero of Time. Seven years of searching and being parted from home had worn away his morale. The endless slaying and killing had cast a shadow over his heart. The once cheerful boy from the forest had grown to a man who lives in constant sadness and pain. There is no green in the barren fields he now treks and death has become his ever companion.
The change within Link had been slow and subtle along with the constant anger that was enveloping him more and more frequently. He was tired of rich men taking advantage of the poor, sick of watching kings flee and abandon the people in their hour of need; no more would he stand to watch shallow minded men rule unquestioned. All this he swore long ago but today he faced a man who would take the kindest of spirits and enslave them to his will.
Dreygus no longer revealed his face but instead chose to hide behind a hooded black cloak and silver Ausrellian death mask. It was the same kind used to cover the faces of kings as they were laid to rest on a funeral pyre. In his leather gloved hand he held a serpent shaped staff. At the top, the serpent's mouth opened and held an unusual black crystal between its jaws that glowed faintly. Past battles, more than there should have been, told Link that this was the source of Dreygus' power.
Charging forward with sword and shield in hand, the Emerald Knight bellowed a war cry. Unfazed, Dreygus did nothing. The six Great Fairies behind him however immediately rushed to his aid. Link found himself dodging and weaving a storm of fire, ice, lightning, and dark energy. Sheathing his arms in the frantic dance, the lone warrior brought forth his bow and let loose an arrow of brilliant holy light. One of the Great Fairies was struck and began to shriek and spasm in agony. Unleashing more, Link continued until all six were stricken.
Having no reaction, Dreygus showed no inclination of what was going on until an arrow was fired at him. Moving swiftly he deflected the blaze of light with his staff and a small explosion flared as the arrow was destroyed upon contact with his artifact of darkness. Brow furrowed, Link realized that this was something different from what he had faced before.
Wasting no time, the Hero of Time charged forward and became a viridian blur against the tan stone of the chamber. Staff met sword and purple electricity crackled as both weapons crossed again and again. Link could sense his weapon was inferior and would not last long in a blow to blow match up. His blade had been broken and reforged many times before; blessed and enchanted by shaman and sorcerers of other races; it had absorbed the power of many defeated foes. Despite nearly a decade of breaking and restrengthening it was still not nearly enough. Link came to the conclusion that this was the power of another realm he faced.
Rolling backward, the Emerald Knight unhooked his bow and fired a flaming bolt. Nearly hitting his target, the arrow flew past Dreygus' shoulder and brought Link's attention to the far room once more. The Great Fairies had roused from their terror induced states and carried vengeance in their eyes. Dreygus saw this too and confidently turned his back toward Link, walking away as the fairies glided around him to form a defensive barrier once more.
Unsheathing sword and shield to each hand, the Forest Knight stood ready. A circle of fire surrounded him as all six fairies unleashed dark energy attacks. Shield brought forth, Link clenched his teeth as his world became a violent earthquake with each hit. The stone floor began to crack and his leather boots were pushed closer to the flame that enveloped him.
The Hylian bore no ordinary shield. He carried the long lost Ausrellian King's Shield. Emblazed with the symbol now used as the royal crest, it predated the foundation of the royal bloodline of Ausrellia. Created by sorcerers long ago, the shield absorbs magical attacks and uses the captured energy to empower its wielder. Link had no idea how it would fare against the Great Fairies and he would prefer not to have tested it. Fortune dictated otherwise but enough still held for Link. Adrenaline rushed through his veins as he felt the shield begin to energize him. With renowned speed he gathered himself a running start and flipped over the ring of fire whilst firing his bow in a display of unnatural ability.
The sinister laughter of the silk clad beauties ended abruptly as one of their number dropped. Not wasting a moment of surprise, Link landed and advanced steadily, firing with each step. The ring disappeared as more fell every pace forward, unrelenting he positioned himself dangerously close to those who remained.
No longer caught off guard, the two remaining fairies amused themselves by dodging Link's arrows as he moved closer. He of all people knew well of the raw power they possessed. The nearer of the Faye grew tired of the game first and lunged at Link with her black pointed nails. Primed for such action, the Forest Child quickly threw down a pair of Deku Nuts to the stone floor. A blinding flash emitted from the shells as they shattered. The startled fairies searched but Link after their vision returned but he was no where to be found.
Probing high and low, the Fay saw nothing until a faint thrumming of string caused them to look up. Both heads raised in time to see a pair of radiant missiles plunge down from the sky. The first struck its mark cleanly in the chest. The second Fairy, the one who had lunged at Link, managed to dodge hers by a whispers breath and felt a rush of hot air as it passed by. Landing like a panther, the outland hero pounced without missing a beat and thrust his sword viciously at the corrupt goddess. Again she dodged his attack and the green figure flew past her, brushing against her lengthy hair as he missed. Instinct took over the Hylian once he landed and Link knew to duck down without looking. The heat of the fireball was intense as it passed over the back of his head and exploded several yards in front of him.
Turning to face his foe the destined hero could only marvel at the malfestation that had taken over the Great Fairy. He side stepped another fireball and pulled out his bow and arrow before charging. Looking into her eyes, the Emerald Knight could not even recognize the once peaceful deity that had helped him time and time again as a child. All that was to behold in her defiant glare was unfiltered rage as his luminescent arrow struck into her.