Part III: Courage.
–
Navi, I need to talk to you. I know you just saw that. Zelda left that message in the ocarina. I have to go to the Temple of Time. Come on.
The city's burning! You'll get hurt!
If I don't go, things are just going to get worse. I have to get the Triforce so the Demon can't.
Well, all right. But be extra careful.
----
I feel weird in my head, Navi.
What do you mean?
Have seven years really passed? I'm thinking... strangely.
I don't get what you mean.
Is this what being a grown-up feels like? I can't explain it. My head feels more... serious. No, that's not the right word for it. I don't know.
The Light Sage told me that your mind has already done a bit of growing up. You just can't remember it yet.
Huh?
Well, you can travel through time, so maybe you go back in time again and grow up more there later. Except it's really earlier so even though you haven't done it yet it's already happened and...
Forget I asked.
?!
What happened to Castle Town?! It's... are these...?!
No!
–---
I opened the door and pulled the sword and then...?
He got in! He was there all along, waiting for me!
And Ganondorf was there too, and they were fighting, and then The Triforce, I think. And then... then... seven years...
–---
"There you are, Hero of Time."
How do you know me?
"Your legend's known among the soothsayers. In the darkest hour, the Sacred Realm will call out to the new sages of this land.
One from the deep forest,
One from the high mountains,
One under the cold lake,
One within the ghost's house,
One within our own Sand Goddess.
That's your legend. I've come to make sure you see it through."
Link! She's a gerudo, one of the desert folk. They're all really tough... maybe you should listen.
Shh, Navi. Look, Gerudo, I don't know about any of that. Who are YOU?
"I'm Sheik of the Gerudo. Don't look at me like that; I was named for a Sheikah's sacrifice for my people. They've been completely wiped out now."
What?! Not only Castle Town?!
"The entire world has gone to ruin, Hero. Huh, you do really look like the Hero standing there with the Master Sword like that. Put it away; I'm not going to fight you."
Then why did you come after me?
"To tell you that legend. I have a gift of Sight-- I saw your return. I need to tell you; one of the sages is already waiting for you in the Forest Temple. She's a girl I think you know. But the evil power that's gotten into the Sacred Realm's keeping her from fighting back the darkness..."
She must be talking about Saria!
"If that's her name, Fairy. But I know for a fact that you can't get into the temple at all right now-- it's too high from the ground."
Then how?
"How should I know? Go see if anybody in Kakariko can help you; they might have some tinkering or another. Eh? - I need to go. My King is calling me; I need to tell him the news."
Wait!
"Hero, don't die too soon! We'll meet again."
?!
Navi?! Where did she go?! She's... gone!
Magic! She must have used sorcery to blink away!
That's no fair. Huh, to Kakariko it is. I think the ranch is on the way-- we can check on Malon, too. I hope she's all right...
–--
It's you!
"Are you surprised to see me? I don't like the forest so much, but my King said I had to help Saria if she was in danger. So have you found a way in there yet?"
I have a hookshot, I guess. Wait, is Ganondorf still king of the Gerudo?
"We only have one king every hundred years. Of course he is!"
Thank goodness he's still alive. Maybe we can go see him later.
Wait, can't you just... vanish up there?
"Yes. But it's your destiny, and you can't vanish. Mucking around with destiny is dangerous. Sometimes it works out all right, but more often than not it makes things even worse than before."
Okay.
"Listen, I'll go on ahead and meet you inside. But before then, I've got something to say to you, kid."
What?
"Words of the Sight. The flow of time's the cruelest power you can wield. Although you seem stronger, who's to say what's really changed in this world? The only thing that doesn't change is a memory. Remember that. It'll ease your pain later."
I don't understand.
"Just a warning. A prophecy, if you want to call it that. What you encounter may be exactly what you expect. But you're the Hero of Time. Nothing is for you as it's for everybody else in this world. The only things left of your old life someday may be what you remember. Learn to let go."
But how will you get in without
"Locks are no obstacle for me, Hero."
?!
She vanished again!
I think I hate it when she does that.
---
So that's what you meant. Saria's... gone. She's only in the past now.
"My king won't be pleased, but at least she's still around after death. She's a sage. She's with you forever."
Your king?! Saria was my friend! My best one! My only one! How can you talk about your king at a time like this?!
"My king is my father, and the girl once did him a great service! She's worthy of great respect!"
I know. I was there.
"I know you were. I Saw it."
How?!
"I'm a seer. I happen to See many things. Ever since The Great Ganondorf exiled the sorcerous Twinrova sisters, I have trained to take their place."
Link... I hate to interrupt you. I know you're in a lot of pain... Saria was my friend too. But if we're ever going to put things right, we have to go on. I think... I think the next place we have to go is Death Mountain. If Saria was in trouble, who knows what happened to the Gorons?
We'll go. We have to. There's no going back now. Well, to Death Mountain. Are you going to be coming with us, Sheik?
"No. I have to go back and relay the news, however sad it is. I'll meet you there later. I have duties I need to attend to."
We'll see you then.
"It's pretty obvious, but death mountain's gotten hotter. You'd better be careful. Don't die, Hero."
And she's gone again. I should just stop saying when she leaves. Does it make you feel as stupid as it makes me feel?
Yeah. But she can't help it. She's got a whole people to worry about her. I just have Saria... and now I don't even have her anymore, either.
It's not like you to be like this, Link. You've got me, too.
You're right. We need to go. There's no point staying here any longer.
–---
You didn't tell me what happened to the Gorons.
"It didn't happen until after you went into the first temple. Ganon's noticed you. He's moving again."
You also weren't joking when you said it was hot.
"I don't usually joke when lava is involved. There are very few places that are hotter than the desert at noon, and this place is one of them."
Are we going to go in?
"Yeah. But listen to me."
I'm listening.
"Ganon is trying to break the people of this world because he cannot crush us directly. In a way, he's right to do so. The old will fall to the new. The things we build will eventually break. That's time's cruelest law. You know that by now, hm?"
It doesn't justify what he's done.
"Of course not. But the Gorons were a people even older than mine, each one with the strength to topple two horses. And they fell. Bear that in mind."
Why do you tell me these things?
"You weren't here to see it happen, ever so slowly. Your mind needs to think, to catch up. This isn't any place for a child, and you aren't one anymore in body. Just like everything else, you need building."
So I can fall, like the Gorons?
"No. Physical things we build won't endure the ages, but for all our lives the bonds we forge with others will never be broken. It's the source of hurt when-- damn these keese!-- we think they're severed. They never will be."
If you're trying to make me feel better, you're doing a rotten job at it.
"Mm, I know. Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead, yeah?"
Yeah, you should.
–--
Sheik, you don't swim, do you?
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this next one. I don't swim."
Why not?
"Do you know very many places to learn how to swim in the desert, Hero?"
Oh. I guess not. Can I ask you a favor, then?
"Name it."
Can you try and free more of the Zora? I'm going to free the king, but I don't have the sorcery to get to the ones beneath the ice...
"Once the Water Temple is saved, then the ice should clear. But yes, I will do that for you. I managed to save the Zora Princess before, but there are others I can reach. She left to the Water temple."
Thank you. I wish I didn't have to deal with Ruto, though... she's um
"You're going to have to get to Lake Hylia from here... it shouldn't be too difficult. You have a swift horse. I'll find you when you've succeeded, Hero."
The temple really is at the bottom of the lake. I saw it before but I never thought
"Be careful. Water is treacherous, even more treacherous than fire. It can crush, it can choke, it can even rip and tear. It's always changing, even when it doesn't seem dangerous at first. As time passes, there's always water. But just like people can change, water's dynamic. Be on your guard, Hero."
If I didn't know better, I'd say you're afraid.
...
That's right. Run away, with your cryptic prophet words. She didn't even hear me.
She's just concerned for you. You're not going to have any help on this next one. Other than me, anyway, and I can't hold a sword.
Navi?
Yes?
Do you think she likes me?
I don't know. She definitely wants you alive.
But is she talking about me? Or is she talking about how I'm the Hero?
I don't know. Sorry.
It's all right. You can't really know. I don't understand the way she acts. I wish she would stay longer when we aren't saving Gorons or something.
She has a lot of things to do.
…
…
She's kind of pretty, though.
...HA! You like her, don't you?
What? No! I mean...
She's just pretty. That's all.
–--
"Link! You did it! The water's come back!"
Well, it wasn't easy. I could have used your help...
"Nothing personal, but... Like I said, I can't swim very well."
Ruto wanted to thank you.
"Tell her it was no trouble."
I can't. She's... she's gone.
"Speak up, I can't hear you, Hero."
The monster ate her. She became a Sage. Well, she wanted to marry me, but still. I shouldn't be relieved. She's dead.
At least she can help now. It's the way she'd want it to be.
"Shame. The Zora are saved, but we must move on. Come, we must go. My King wishes to meet you. We have a ride ahead of us.
No magic?
"Why? Are you in a hurry?"
I guess not.
–--
…
Sheik! The smoke! There's so much of it.
"I see it too... no! That's from the village!"
Kakariko? Why would
"We've spent so long keeping it safe! Damn him-- he's broken through! Come on, Hero! We must ride!"
What?! What could have happened there?!
"The Sheikah bound many evil spirits in those hills, to keep safe the rest of this land. The one who named me was said to have sealed a demon in the bottom of the well in the Fierce War... I can feel it! It's broken free!"
What about the people?!
"Everybody's in danger, Hero! Now's not the time for soft paces."
–--
"Link! Stay back!"
We'll face it together!
"What--?! NO!"
What is it?! I can't... see...!
SHEIK! No! Get up! Are you...?!
"I'm... I'm all right. Just, get out of here. Get our King. He can subdue it-- What are you doing?! No!"
I won't leave you here. I will defend you.
"No! You can't see--"
Link! Look out!
?!----...
…
–--
Unnngg...
"Praise the goddess, you're all right. You took a beating, but looks like you'll be fine."
What... what WAS that?!
"It was a terrible spirit, like I told you before. It was sealed at the bottom of the well, but Ganon's power has set it free again. It headed for the Shadow Temple..."
We need to go after it... Where is the temple?
"Hold on; take it easy. At least rest a little. You can't get in, anyway."
But I need-- ungh!
"Whoops. Here. Against this tree. I'll start binding that."
Thank you... but why can't we get in?
"The way is shut by Sheikah spirits, invisible to all who don't see past illusions as they do. One of those spirits is the one I owe my life to."
The one who named you.
"Yeah. Her ghost guards that nasty place now."
Is there any other way to get in? We need to.
"Yes, but not anymore. There used to be an artifact that revealed the Sheikah ways, but it's been long destroyed. My King reclaimed it himself from the bottom of the well, five years ago when this horror first tried to break loose. The monster smashed it-- I've seen the shards. It's broken. Even the Great Ganondorf cannot find the entrance to the Shadow Temple without the Eye of Truth."
…
Maybe not.
What do you mean?
I can go through time. Seven years ago, it wasn't broken. Seven years ago, the monster or ghost or whatever it is, it wasn't awake yet. Maybe I can take the thing down there so it never gets broken in the first place. Then we can use it to fix this disaster.
"Changing fate is dangerous."
I don't care. It's the only way.
"Then I can't stop you, huh? Fine. The way to get back through time again is to replace the Master Sword into the pedestal at the Temple of Time. Your mind will be sent back seven years to the point at which you fell asleep. Be careful-- Castle Town will still be burning. You'll need to come here and figure out a way to drain the well... my King blasted the water away, but you'll have to do something else."
I'm ready for anything-- ow!
Link, you need to rest for a little while. You'll hurt yourself moving in this condition.
"Yeah. Take it easy on your way there, kid. I don't want to see you hurt for real. I'll be waiting here for when you return with the Eye of Truth."
You be careful, too.
–--
This feels so weird. I thought it would be like going back to being a kid, but... I'm just stuck in my old body like this... I feel short.
I guess you really grew into being big.
–--
I feel bad. Now they have to get a new well.
They dig a new one in the mountain, remember. It's okay.
But still. I just wrecked this one.
Soon evil things and nasty icky spirits will be coming out of this one. Do you really think anybody wants to drink that?
I guess not... ew. There's... a dead...
And another one... How many people died down here?! What kind of place is this?
An evil one.
–--
There. This must be it. Ugh, that thing was...
Gross? Disgusting?
Awful. But what now? When Ganondorf comes to get back this thing he won't find it because I have it instead.
I know! Let's leave him a note that he'll find. That way, he'll know that we've been here.
Okay. But all I have for paper is the back of this... Zelda gave me this letter. Oh well. It'll have to work.
–--
"What in hell is THAT, Hero?"
This? Um, Sheik, I just showed you-- this is the Lens of Truth and
"No, that! There's a piece of paper tacked over the door there. What is it? It looks old."
… Huh? I left this down the well seven years ago... No, there's something else here. I can't believe it!
Clever, kid.
He wrote back!
"What?! My king never found a note at the bottom of-- wait? What am I remembering? Of course he did... but he actually wrote back to you?"
Don't worry, it hurts my head, too. Let's go. We'll go to see him together after we do this. Right now we have to beat that evil ghost.
"When did you get so grown-up?"
I really don't know.
–--
That was Impa! That was her ghost!
"How do you know her?"
Impa was the princess's handmaiden. What did she do to name you?
"She sacrificed her own life to save the Ocarina of Time. If she had not done so, Ganon would have gotten it and killed my King. I didn't have a name at the time; I was little, then. The Great Ganondorf named me in honor of her. In a way, I owe her my life, too. Without our King, we all would have perished from the start."
Impa is a sage... we only have one more to go. Then we can have the power to seal Ganon away, right?
"Yeah. Link, my King is abroad in the desert investigating a crime amongst our people, but he'll be back at our fortress again soon. I will go find him and give him the news. You go on ahead to the fortress. I have sent word. Unless there's been a serious mistake, they will not attack you."
How do I get there?
"The pass to the river canyon is to the west. From there, the paths should be obvious. Find a crossing, and if you can, introduce yourself. They should know you are coming. If the bridges are out, there's a point west and slightly south of Lon Lon ranch that the river canyon is close enough to jump with a mighty horse. Yours has proven herself to be one, but... still, be careful if that is the way you take."
Thanks.
"Our king would hate to see you a flattened smear on the riverbed, Hero. Just remember that, yeah?"
–--
That didn't go well.
Understatement, Link.
That REALLY did not go well. Ow. I mean, I could have fought but...
But Sheik said that they would be waiting for us! Why don't they know?
Maybe the message didn't get through. So we really only have to wait in here until Sheik gets back with her King, and then it will all be worked out...?
Link, I don't know. Erm, I don't know how to say this, but... I know they have their King but...
But what?
If you wait here too long they might want you to... um... father children for them.
…
Link! You're blushing!
I'm sorry! Are you... are you serious?! I don't want... really...
Ugh. We have to get out... Luckily, they didn't take anything out of my hat. I need to get my sword back, and then I can escape.
There's an open window up there.
–--
Navi! Get back here! They'll see you--?
Eeek!
!
NAVI!
Put her down and come out! I'll fight you for
for
…
"It's been a while, boy."
It's you! (Huh... he hasn't aged a bit... I don't get it. I'm bigger now but he still seems the same amount bigger than I am... even if not for real...)
It's Ganondorf!
"It is. Ha-- you should bow to a King, lad. I see you haven't changed."
Please put Navi down, King Ganondorf... she might get hurt...
"As you wish. I'm not familiar with the vulnerabilities of fairies. At ease, my sisters. This boy is a valuable ally."
Phew! You really scared me! Nobody's ever caught me before...
Sheik said you wanted to see me. Where is she?
"She was correct, and she will join us shortly, provided everything proceeds normally. She must finish her duties before meeting us. But come. Enough of this hallway chatter. We'll speak in private at greater length."
"But first... how by the Gods did you manage to walk through without an escort?
Ha... funny story... that...
–--
"You will not be able to enter the temple as it is. The way inside is blocked. The Spirit Temple used to be a holy place of ours, a birthing place and a place of trials. It is our proof of existence in Hyrule, that we are a part of it. It's now become a refuge of traitors and connivers."
What happened there?
"Years ago, I exiled the Twinrova sisters. They were sorceresses of formidable power, and their intentions only lay in manipulating me. I did not foresee them, in the chaos of Hyrule's fall, to seize the Temple as their base of operations. Even I cannot force them out alone, and our efforts are divided between keeping safe Kakariko and other more fortunate villages, and holding back an attack from our own temple."
This isn't on the topic but, I have to know-- what happened to Zelda? Where is she?
"Zelda is safe. She is in hiding. When the time's right she'll probably appear."
Huh.
"Do not concern yourself with her. She is well-hidden. Now, as for your role in all of this..."
What do you mean?
"You're the Hero of Time, if your stunt at the bottom of Kakariko's well is any proof. It is possible to change the past, if you go back and alter events. "
So when do you want me to go?
"Seven years ago, not long after I returned, my most trusted lieutenant pursued the witches to the Spirit Temple, but after that, was lost. Not long after, the temple was taken before any of us could turn our attentions from Ganon's razing of Hyrule. I want you to go back these seven years and find out what happened on that day when Nabooru disappeared. If possible, aid her so I do not lose her. Every one of my sisters is valuable to me."
Okay. I'll do it.
"You will need to go to the Spirit Temple through the desert first. I will meet you there."
What? To go back in time I need to go to the
"You will never be able to make the journey as a child. Once you have made your way there, I will meet you at the entrance. Then I will explain more."
Fine then.
"The desert is treacherous. Remember that."
Why do I have this sinking feeling?
"Don't complain."
–--
He wasn't kidding. I can't see. Ow! This sand! I might as well pull my hat over my eyes!
There's nothing here! Navi!
I can't hear you, Link! The wind is too loud!
Just great... I don't know how much of this I can take... I've been going in circles!
Is that a... a light? Sheik?
… ?
–--
Here... here I am. I made it. I have sand in places that should never have sand but... hey! Stop laughing! It's not funny!
"I beg to differ! You do realize that you're in the desert?"
I never would have guessed. I'm definitely not thirsty enough to drink mud, and there is definitely not sand in my eyeballs. No, never. This is a complete surprise to me, Your Majesty.
"I see you've grown a taste for sarcasm. I was beginning to think you were a lost cause. No, you did well, boy. Few have made such a good time to this temple. Here, we may rest a while. They'd be fool to jump the both of us here."
So, what's your plan? And where's Sheik?
Link, you really should be more polite... He'll be offended...
"Don't put words in my mouth, fairy. Brevity will do here perfectly well, and I cannot expect anything less than ill humor after a death march through perhaps the most unforgiving stretch of my lands."
The most--?! Why?! Couldn't you just have vanished me out here?!
"The harsh path is a test, in a way. All of my people make it when they come of age. You would not have been permitted inside the Spirit Temple if you had not conquered it. And you must enter it in order to proceed."
Oh. So... again. What's the plan and where is Sheik?
"Sheik is drawing away Ganon's eye. It is risky, but she is skilled-- a diversion of illusions is enough. Ganon's paranoia has been heightened lately. Because of this, we may converse here without fear of his long sight."
Will she be okay?
"She is the most skilled seer we have known in two centuries, rivaling Twinrova easily. She is more than competent in sorcery and at the sword. I have complete faith in her ability to serve me. She has done well so far.
You're her father, right?
"I am, but that is unimportant. You must travel to the past and return here. The Master Sword should know how far to take you. Once in the past, use this.
…? Paper?
It is a spell that will bring you here once, and return you once. No more. But that is all you will need.
Okay. Go back. Come here. Investigate. Got it.
Good. There's no hurry. At least, not in this time.
And he left... wait. This magic goes from the temple of Time to here, and back, not the other way around... how am I supposed--?!
Navi! Navi, wake up!
Ohh... Link, hello...? Is the sandstorm over?
Navi, how do I get back through the desert? This spell takes me from the Temple of Time to here, and then puts me back there once. I can't use it to...?
I don't think so. You'll have to go back the way you came.
… Navi, he's trying to kill me.
I'm sure he just means to test your strength.
Well, he might as well just summon up some lightning and get the killing over with. If sending me back through that deathtrap isn't murder, I don't know what is.
He is a mostly nice person, Link. Don't complain. He could have been much worse than he already is.
If this is nice, I don't want to see him mean.
Me neither.
–--
"Who are you, little boy? And what are you doing in this place? And how did you get through the desert, anyway?"
I'm Link, and this is my fairy Navi. The rest isn't really important. Are you Nabooru...? Um, could you please stop pointing that at me?
"This must be a trick. There's no way... Yes, that's my name. What is it to you, kid?"
So it is her!
King Ganondorf sent me to help you.
"What?! My king sends a... a... sprout?! That can't be true-- He's changed, but... it doesn't make any sense!"
It's really complicated and I'd probably explain it completely wrong. But just trust me, something horrible is going to happen if I'm not here to help you today.
"You're serious."
I don't joke about things like that.
"You're not lying. But I don't see how you can help me, little boy."
I'm not really a little boy anymore. I've fought giant monsters, evil spirits, everything. I can beat anybody with a sword, I promise.
It's true! He's beaten dodongos and parasites and demons and dragons and ghosts... everything!
"Oh ho ho! I don't know if I can believe that, kid. But if Ganondorf believes you can help, then I'll trust you. For now. Come, walk with me, and keep that sword out. The Twinrova sisters could come and curse you at any time."
Okay. So, can you tell me what's going on here?
"I'm investigating this temple. The Twinrova sisters reportedly fled here after Ganondorf tried to make them answer for their crimes. The nerve! Defiling this place..."
Who's Twinrova?
"Kotake and Koume are two ancient sisters, powerful sorceresses and seers. They raised our king, taught him magical arts, and they were content with him until his power and knowledge began to surpass theirs. They turned to dark arts to stay one step ahead of him, and he followed. All of them were consumed by that awful magic. Or, at least until recently."
What do you mean?
"You've met our king, if you're not lying about who sent you. Maybe you don't know, huh? I'm the only one who's not afraid to say it, but until recently, he was a complete monster. No honor. Greedy. A knot of the most horrible things that war can put into a person.
But a few months ago he came back from his negotiations at the castle a changed man. At first I thought it was some kind of trick, but it's real. I'd severed ties and been on my own after a while, after the war, but he came to me himself and asked me back. I don't know what he did or what somebody else did, or what happened at all, but he's suddenly a good and wise king. I'm not asking any questions, not after such a miracle."
Really? Wow.
"I know, it's more than impossible. But it's true. I've never heard of such a demand for children before. Then again, if I wanted one then I would much rather have it of our king as he is now, than as he was before."
…
"You're blushing! Ha, was I too blunt there?"
I didn't need to know that. Um... er... Wait, Ganondorf exiled his own mothers? That's...
"It needed to be done. They were performing nasty experiments and nobody could stop them. Ganondorf knew all along, but he didn't do anything about it until he suddenly grew a sense of honor. But they escaped his judgment and are said to be hiding in here... we've been too busy guarding refugees and repelling monsters lately to chase them. Only now are we able to get enough of us into a second attack team to bring Twinrova to justice. My king will be here soon. I'm scouting ahead."
I see.
Nabooru, do you know a lot about the people in the fortress?
"Huh? There aren't many of us, so... I would say yes. Why do you want to know, kid?"
Have you ever heard of a little girl named Sheik?
"Nope. Sorry."
Link, she hasn't been named yet. She said that she was named after something that happened with Impa and maybe it hasn't happened yet.
…
Maybe.
–--
No--!
I don't believe it. I knew we shouldn't have separated! Argh! It's all my fault! If I had just stayed with her instead of crawling to see through that crack then...
No, Link! Shh! You have to be quiet! They'll take you, too!
…
They're gone. They got Nabooru. I told Ganondorf I would help, and I failed! What will he say now?
Don't blame yourself, Link. There was nothing you could have done. The witches would just have killed you.
Exactly!
This body-- This is my real body, my real age! But I hate this, not being able to help. I don't think in the right way for it anymore. Navi, what's happened to me? I feel... too crammed, too much for myself. I don't like it. I just want to be big again, where I can do things and where I can actually help!
Oh, Link.
Just tell me, Navi.
You've grown up.
–--
The desert wasn't nearly as bad the second time around. We're here already.
Link! Slow down! I'm... I'm getting tired. You're going too fast! Did you even feel the desert?
I don't care, Navi. I need to save Nabooru now, I need to make it up to Ganondorf. We're going in there this time and we're not coming out until we have her. I know she's in there somewhere, I just know.
"Wait, Hero!"
Sheik? What are you doing
"I know what happened on that day seven years ago, when you went back in time to help our Nabooru."
I guessed. You are a seer. But what do you want?
"I am coming in there with you."
What? It's too dangerous--
"For you. This place has changed in seven years. Twinrova's been using it for their black-magic experiments, and using the sands as a cloak to keep our King away. He cannot fight the war on two fronts. I have been training for this moment all of my life. We will drive Twinrova out and defeat them."
… Sheik?
"Yes?"
It doesn't matter what I say, does it? You'll just vanish in there even if I don't want you to.
"That was the general idea, Hero."
So I'll ask you one question. Who are you, really?
Sheik is Sheik. I don't understand the question.
Seven years ago, Nabooru did not know you.
"She wouldn't have. I hadn't taken this name yet."
But Impa was long gone by the time Nabooru was taken. The time doesn't add up.
"Ganondorf hadn't yet given me the name. I hadn't come of age yet."
…
Let's just go.
–--
I should have seen this coming.
"Don't move, Hero. You're burned."
Not badly. No, I should have seen it coming. Who else could be the sage? Everyone I seem to come to know dies this way, and I guess they're helping me. But it's predictably only the people I know, Sheik.
Why can't somebody else die? Why my friends? Did I do something wrong?
"No, no. We must keep moving. You did not do anything wrong."
Then what, Sheik? I'm getting tired of this. None of this should have happened. If only I hadn't made that mistake! Maybe everybody would still be alive...
"Get a hold of yourself, Hero. You know that you're connected to everything. You're the Hero of Time. By fate, you're the key that holds all of this in place. If it's sad that your friends have to die, then that is the way it is."
That's cold.
"Rabbits are hunted, wolves do the hunting. Winds blow, fires burn. This is your role, if you like it or not. Does the world care if the wind doesn't like to blow, or if the wolf doesn't lust for the taste of flesh? Either way, the clouds have to move and one more starved wolf is inconsequential."
I like you better when you're not acting the seer.
"You and me both. But now the Six Sages are reunited in the sacred realm through their new proxies and now we have a means of breaking into Ganon's Castle."
The sages will bring us in?
"Yes. And if we defeat Ganon, Power will pass fully to my King. And we will use it to right all of the wrongs that have been done here."
What?
"You'll understand soon."
Why not now?
"Because I am not going to start explaining the plans of the Goddesses and the divine flaws of the grand scheme when you're such a mess. My King has already left to make preparations. You gather strength, and then set out for the Castle Town Ruins. We'll talk more in the Temple of Time. Meet me there, Hero."
Be careful, Sheik.
You don't need to tell me that. Don't die, Hero. I will see you shortly.
–--
"You're here."
Yes. Now you need to tell me-- how are we going to defeat Ganon?
"I will, Link. But first... I have to apologize to you."
For what?
"Lying to you. Hiding the whole truth."
…
I don't understand, Sheik.
"I will explain-- to defeat Ganon, you need to know the whole truth. And first, you must know the whole story... the story of the Triforce, and what happened on that day when this city burned. It begins with a legend, passed down through the whispers of spirits that I have heard in the seven years of my training...
The Sacred Realm is the fiber of this world closest to the gods, the final veil all of us will pass through. It is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart, speeding us to reincarnation if fate demands it. If dominated by evil hearts and wicked souls, it will become full of malice and ghosts will wander. If left pure, fortune will smile upon these lands.
The Triforce is a balance, Hero. It weighs the heart as the Sacred Realm judges. If the heart of the one who holds the Triforce is in balance, that one will gain the True Force to govern all. But, if not... the Triforce will shatter into its virtues to hide away. If that one's soul is not wholly barren, he will gain the piece that resonates most with his inner being.
And if the interloper wants the True Force, he'll have to find it himself: hidden in the hearts of those chosen by destiny to bear the divine burden. Though they will be marked-- the Triforce comes to bear in their deeds, their actions. Thus it marks upon the hand that it has chosen as a vessel."
And what does this have to do with...?
"You? Link, you haven't realized it by now? You're Courage. You have it."
?!
"It just hasn't resonated. My King's hold over Power is weakened, and I have hid Wisdom. But no longer. Ganon already knows. I should never have followed you, or helped you, but here we are."
Sheik--!
?!
… You?
You're
Zelda?
"Yes. I am."
AND NOW YOU'RE MINE.
~?!
–--
What are you doing here?!
"I don't need to explain myself to you, boy."
"The demon has my daughter."
I thought you said she could take care of herself.
"She can. She is strong. Ganon is simply stronger."
Wait... how is she your daughter...? If Sheik is Zelda, and Zelda is the princess of Hyrule and a hylian, then...
"If I sired her or not is irrelevant. She is my daughter, my apprentice, and the flesh of my soul. I will not allow Ganon to have her. Blood is not the only, or even the strongest tie to kin."
…
You really love her, don't you?
"On my honor, I cannot favor one daughter over another, but Zelda holds a sacred place in my heart, boy. She did not place her faith in me for seven hard years for me to abandon her now."
Ganondorf...?
"..."
I can't even begin to understand, really. I've never been good with that sort of thing, with family ties. I never had much of any, aside from Saria. I don't know how to deal with this.
It doesn't matter. Zelda needs to be saved. And both of us are going to go get her, and put an end to Ganon. Saria, Ruto, Darunia, Impa, Nabooru... We'll avenge them.
Let's go. There's no time to waste. Ganon's going to die today.
… what are you looking at?
"You've come a long way, Link. But you haven't changed as much as you think you have."
So then it's just like old times, then? How we first met?
"You shouldn't jest. Its very likely that if things happened differently, it would be me you would be climbing this tower to face. By all rights, you should hate me for unleashing Ganon upon the world."
It wasn't your fault. Besides, I can't really hate you.
"Oh?"
You remind me of the Great Deku Tree. The only father I know, really. I don't know why or how but... You've kind of taken his place...
"Gods and hellfire. It's impossible."
What?
"The Gerudo King has somehow adopted himself a son."
–--
I can't think anymore.
What is that, Navi?
Is it even...?
Maybe once.
It's the King.
And Sheik. Oh gods, poor Sheik.
Zelda.
They're the same. Ganondorf, look at him-- they look the same, him and the monster, look at their faces, look at that rage. I can't even...?
I owe it to him. It's my fault, all of this. If I hadn't opened the Door of Time, I could have stopped all of this.
The organ stopped.
I think it's time.
–--
Navi, don't OHGODS THE PAIN MAKE IT STOP
YOU WILL BOW.
"I bow to no one. Not even darkness."
And neither do I!
–--
Sheik! Zelda! We have to run!
Ganondorf!
"No. Not this time."
–--
What are you doing?!
"Ganondorf! Please, don't-- Power, don't merge it--! You'll be lost--!"
"ENd uS, LiNk! Do iT nOw! WItHout mE, he Is imMortAl! SlAy thIs bEasTly foRm!
"Father!"
"YoU aRe maSter of yOuR oWn deStiNY, Zelda. I doN't hoLd yOU in my hAnDs any longer~RAAAA I'LL KILL YOU YOU WILL PAY I WILL DEVOUR YOU WHOLE~. Do it! Do it now!"
"I understand."
…
"But in the next life, remember this. I was your daughter, and I loved you."
…
"Link. We must."
I'm sorry.
--~!! It's done.
"So am I.
… Sages.
…Zelda.
…Link.
So am I."
He's gone.
"The Sacred Realm has him now. With all of the evil he ever had. And ever could have had."
It's really over.
"It will never be over, Link. We must go back. None of this should have happened. Link, I have one more favor to ask of you."
Anything.
"We need to live out the years you've lost. As they should have been. Before the Deku Tree died. Before everything. We can stop all of this for real. We've ended things in this dark world. We must set things right in our own. Can you do this for me?"
Ganondorf will never
He won't be
"I know. He will never be the man we knew. But for him to be who we loved, primal evil had to have been set free on Hyrule. He told me every day that things would have been better if only he stayed as foul as he began. If we truly want to preserve his memory-- we'll go back. And stop the monster he could have been, before he slays the Deku Tree."
I understand.
You won't remember this journey. I'm sorry. But that's the way it has to be. I've ruined you. As you are, you'll go mad if stuck as a child again. You will remember only that you must find me in the castle when you return. And I'm sorry. I'll tell you everything when you get back."
You will remember?
"I have Wisdom, and I can't ever forget."
So everything we did... it was just... for nothing?
"Maybe on the outside. But... can I tell you something? Something I know?"
A secret? I feel like a kid again already.
"It's knowledge of the gods. Just knowing it might drive you mad."
It's okay. I'll forget in a moment, anyway.
"This whole affair has set in motion a vast cycle, Link. We're bound to these pieces of the Triforce we carry. Until the end of time, our souls will be reborn. There will be many Links and Zeldas after we're gone. But this destiny, it's been disturbed."
What do you mean?
"Link, all of our rebirths are connected. And Ganondorf is just like us: there will be as many hims as stars in the sky, too. And we have introduced one into the mix that carried... I'll say his virtue in a more awakened state. We've planted a seed of light, just as the Great Deku Tree did."
"And maybe someday, there will be a Ganondorf reborn that has a shred of ours left in him. The goodness is sealed with the Evil, and good will triumph in the end. I know it will."
How?
"I know everything, if I want to. And believe me, it's more horrible than you can imagine."
"But that's enough for now, Hero. You've won. You're alive. And now, you'll be able to rest."
"So rest, Hero."
Wait!
When I get back... can you make sure I remember you?
"Maybe."
Thank you. There's... just so much I want to say.
"I know. And I wish things were different. But now there's only one gift I can give you to send you on your way.
My lullaby."