NOTE: I'm aware Mikau didn't leave a body. Please don't criticize me for it? It's for dramatic effect, yeah?
Chapter 5: The Dreadful Cavern
Link couldn't understand. This block had both symbols on it, but this contradicted his previous beliefs. Was Termina somehow leaking into Hyrule? Link pondered a bit. He walked forward, and examined the block. It was indeed Majora's mark. The familiar heart shape with the eyes and spikes were unmistakable. He touched the cool stone. It was the same mark he had seen many times before. The most odd thing was that it was even here. Let alone on the same block the Gerudo King had a mark on. But then again, Link was here, so questioning how the block had got here was questioning how he had got there. He had already done this countless times, so he needn't do it any longer.
There was evil in the land, and Link knew he had to do something. "So, Link," the king said gravely, "do you accept the task I present you, or risk possible catastrophe?" He didn't have to put it like that. Link knew what would happen. If Majora's marking were seen anywhere near Hyrule, there could be trouble. Link nodded, still staring at the mask-like marking. It seemed to taunt him, shipping him off to another adventure that would test his courage. Link took another look at the stone, and he punched it hard, bruising his knuckles. He was tired of this. The things he had seen in Termina broke him inside. He heard final requests,
The dead body of Mikau was fresh on the beach. His spirit was extracted into a mask from the Song of Healing. Even if his soul was healed, his body would never rise again. Link looked at the defeated figure. He'd lived a musician and died a musician. His last request was in a song. The waves rolled in back and forth in its predictable rhythm. The sky was so bright and promising despite this loss. Link fought the tears back and lifted Mikau onto his shoulder. He was very heavy compared to Link, so he eventually had to resort to dragging him by his arms. Link dug a pit on the beach, and gently placed Mikau in its depths. His body was suffering rigor mortis at this point, so he was stiff and hard to maneuver. There was enough flexibility in him to cross his arms over his chest. Link slowly buried the famous Zora, once so full of life. He'd died protecting Lulu's children.
As he'd placed the last bit of sand over the grave, Link noticed the guitar that the Zora was so proud of. It was still on the beach, where the Zora fell. He planted the guitar at the head of Mikau's grave, where it where it would stay for years. Link bowed at the grave respectfully, heart still heavy with emotion.
He'd seen the demise of a short-lived reunion,
Anju and Kafei embraced each other in their final minutes, squeezing each other tight, waiting for their end. Link felt so helpless. What could he do to stop this? He was entranced; staring in helplessness at the scene before him. The ground shook, and things started falling off the walls. However, the couple still clutched each other, content that they would at least meet their death together. Tatl observed this, hovering over Link's shoulder. She knew what was going through Link's mind and understood perfectly. "Link... I think we'd better go." Tatl's statement shook Link from his state and he wiped his eyes absentmindedly. Taking out his Ocarina, he played the Song of Time and returned to the first day. Everything was peaceful; there were little worries. Link viewed the bustling town. It was calm. But for how long?
He'd faced creature after creature without the possibility they may let up. He had almost been killed on so many occasions, he was lucky to have all his limbs. He had faced all of this when he was only a youth. And now this. Link dropped to his knees, not looking at anything in particular. He was emotionless. A cold, broken shell of a man who had experienced being a child twice, yet never knew what it is to be a child. And now his second go at being an adult yielded the same thing his childhood had. Who was the next person he'd have to bury? The people in the room merely stared at Link, never seeing such a display from him. Zelda looked very worried. Link stood up, and motioned for the guards to give him his weapons. The guards were facing a dilemma. Give a possibly emotionally twisted hero weapons? Or don't and face the rest of his arsenal? They whispered amongst each other; the King shrugged when they asked him what to do. They eventually all nodded, and two of the guards presented Link with his sword and shield, bowing respectfully.
After much awkward silence of watching Link equip his items carefully, he tightened the straps on his gloves. He told them he was ready. The King nodded, "Very well. Guards, show him where it is." The guards stood at attention, bowed, and went to get their weapons. The King whispered to one of the guards next to him, and the guard left the room. When the other guards returned, Link turned to go, but the King raised a hand for him to stop. "Not so fast, Link. We have to make sure you're properly equipped." The guard he had sent out before walked into the room holding something. "We think it in your best interest if you at least accept and wear this." He took the object from the guard's arms. He held it up; it was chain mail. "This is a finely crafted bronze chainmail that will not weigh you down, but still better protect you than the cloth and leather in your tunic." Link took the armor; it was lighter than expected, and felt like it would protect him from many of the things he'd worried about before. He thanked the King, and told the guards to wait as he got some things from his room.
Link dashed to his door and went into his room, quickly put the chainmail on under his tunic, and gathered his cloak. He put the it on, and went back to the throne room. The guards stood at attention on either side of the carpet, and waited. Link looked from one guard to the other. There were four. More than enough for him to need for help if he ran into trouble. Link walked forward through the center of the carpet, and the guards followed suit behind him. Link walked out to Hyrule Castle Town, into his new confrontation with the evils of this world.
? ? ?
Link and the Guards walked into Hyrule Field. The guards were wearing nothing but metal armor, but it seems they were trained to withstand cold. Link told them to wear something warmer; he did not need freezing guards to trouble him. All four guards relaxed at once, some holding their knees. One of the guards went up to Link and clapped him on the shoulder, "You're a good man! Goodness, it's cold out here!" They all went into Castle Town, and returned wearing thick woolen cloaks similar to the one Link had worn. Link was confused. Did the King never notice when his guards were freezing? Link himself was wearing the cloak Malon had lent him. It was comfortable, and he couldn't imagine being in that cold again. The snowstorm had stopped, so it was easier on them, but Link couldn't help pondering. He shrugged off the thought, though, and they kept on walking. They were nearing LonLon Ranch, then they turned east towards the Kokiri Forest. Link saw his old home in the distance, and took a deep breath; he spent many a sleepless night wondering how they were doing. They neared the familiar tree he had first seen Kaepora Gaebora, and wondered if he was still in existence as well. They crossed the bridge and entered the Kokiri Forest.
Link hadn't been to the Kokiri Forest as an adult while it was still in its natural state. It seemed to be the same as it always was. He saw some Kokiri playing around, their familiar outfits, and their fairies. When they entered, though, they each stood still, smiled, and turned to face them. Link ran forward, and greeted them all. They seemed to not recognize him, as they had when he was an adult the last time, but he still played with them as he always had. The Guards seemed a bit put off by his display of childishness. Could this man really have saved the world before? Link laughed and played with his childhood friends, playing tag and having a good time. He was at home. When they all eventually settled down, Link looked at each of them, with their smiles, and green outfits. He smiled back, and told them who he was. The Kokiri were shocked, and they started examining him. They pulled on his ears, tugged on his tunic, and looked at his face. The Guards were getting a bit impatient. When the Kokiri were finally satisfied that he was Link, one of them spoke up. "How come you're so tall, Link? Why aren't you still kids, like us?" Link explained he was not really a Kokiri; he was Hylian like the Guards behind him. They stood with a contemplating face. "Well, we're all happy you're back! We even fed your cow! It's happy too!" They pointed in the direction of the shop, where the cow was tethered.
It had not changed at all, save for looking a bit bigger. It still had its eyes closed, munching away on something that wasn't really there. Cows had always bewildered Link; they never seemed to display emotion, despite being able to speak. Link walked over and patted the cow, and whispered that he'd missed her in its ear. It was the Kokiri children's turn to be confused. The cow started to moo, then it fell silent and whispered, "They've been a terror; they dressed me up in awkward outfits. They can't seem to grasp that I don't like tunics." Link patted the cow again, and gave it a handful of grass, which the cow munched on without showing any sign it was pleased. Link would have to tell the Kokiri to stop torturing the poor cow, but he would let them have their fun for now. He stood up, bade the Kokiri farewell, and motioned for the guards to lead the way once again. They reached the wall covered in vines Link had used to many times. So. It was in the Lost Woods. Somehow, Link knew this was the place they'd found the block. They entered, and the lead guard stopped them, whispered to himself, and took out a map. They turned right, and they appeared at the same position. The guard nodded, and turned right once again. They continued in a sequence that seemed not to lead them anywhere. The lead guard just nodded to himself, and continued. They went on like this for almost ten minutes, and they finally saw a cavern. Link saw skeletons of what looked like people laying in front of the place. They didn't look very human, though. One of them had an abnormally large jaw and nose. Link was uncomfortable now. He approached the cave with the other guards, noticing the vast amount of vegetation growing around the entrance, and disappeared in the darkness.
-Chapter End-
