NOTE: I suppose I should warn you that this chapter has some logical flaws, like with the activation of the Mirror Shield. Oh well. I do this for dramatic effect, you see... Spoiler alert ahead, though. Some flashbacks of Majora's Mask in there. Hope someone appreciates the time I took into trying to highlight the fears and awful experiences Link went through, though. Can't be courageous if there's nothing you're afraid of.
Chapter 17: The Obvious
The chilled fairy frantically searched the surrounding area, trying to locate where the hero had gone. Out of the corner of her eye, she seemed to notice a mobile green figure, but she couldn't seem to focus on it long enough to do anything. The climate of Hyrule in general had become quiet and balmy, the air abundant with moisture from the rainy season, clouds lazily floating on through the night sky. But the air around Hyrule Field was still very chilly due to the possessed fairy's rage. She clenched her teeth and glared at the empty space around her.
"I know you're there! Where are you hiding!?" The ice fairy's blue eyes glinted with madness and wrath, and anyone with half a mind would probably keep away from her. "I promise I won't kill you slowly!"
Still holding her scorched upper arm, the fairy hovered swiftly around the field, looking for anything that resembled Link. On the edge of her vision, something a brighter green than the fields burst into vision, with peach colored arms and an odd hat. Hovering, the enraged fairy flew forward, arm outstretched, and launched a powder blue projectile at the figure. On contact, the imposing sight froze and crumbled into chunks of ice, bright particles leeching through. The night was still, a curious sprite lingering in the atmosphere. She landed on the ground, feet making a rustling sound in the grass, which froze into fragile glass-like shards. Approaching the defeated crumbling silhouette on the crunching remains of the wintery grass, the ice fairy bent down, kneeling to get a better look.
Silence pervaded the nocturne air. Nothing stirred or existed in the presence of the ice fairy and her score. The fairy's white dress and matching hair gave an eerie glow in the moonlight, her blue skin emanating frost and malice. As the fairy's sapphire eyes scanned the remains of the offender, a sharp sound shattered the moonlit night. Shards of the sky seemed to explode as it was punctured by the sound of a taut bowstring being released, letting forth a blunt and fiery projectile. The grass glowed in awe at the arrow that streaked through the air at incredible speeds. The ice fairy's eyes spoke fear and the insect on her head was frantically squirming, screeching like mad. The fairy managed to dodge the arrow, which continued on in a determined path.
The unfortunate victim of the arrow's set path was a Zola on horseback. The pair of Zola were on Epona, riding towards the battle at breakneck speeds. The Zola in front's cloak was clipped by the arrow, setting the clothing ablaze instantly. Epona reared and both the Zola were thrown off, erecting a cloud of dust in their general area. The ice fairy grinned and shouted to the surrounding area.
"You know, I can't see very well tonight." In midsentence, she flew towards the scrambled Zola.
Link tensed from his hiding spot, unequipping his bow and charging forward. The two Zola were on the ground, wrestling the Kafei mask from each other. The dull witted Zola was frightened by the bright arrow and was trying to shield his eyes with the visage, while the other was trying to get it back after throwing off the blazing cloak. The ice fairy charged forward at full speed, arm raised with a bright magical attack ready. Both Zola didn't seem to notice as they clambered onto their feet, trying to obtain the mask. The fairy unleashed her vicious blast upon one of the fish-men, freezing him into a block of ice. The victor of the mask was looking in shock at the dazzling attacker; it was unsure which one had claimed the prize of the battle.
The winged woman charged another spell in her right hand; something green. She fired it upon the masked man in front of her, and the bulging light brown insect unclenched itself from the ice fairy's head, leaping onto the stunned Zola's instead. The ice fairy collapsed from her high position in the air and the green burst took its toll on the masked Zola immediately. The Zola threw its arms out, apparently in some sort of pain, howling incoherently. Link ran forward, trying, at least, to catch the falling fairy. The air around Hyrule Field immediately became pleasant and warm.
The brilliant blue fairy landed in the hero's outstretched arms, unconscious and snoozing. Her face was nicely proportioned and looked like that of a sleeping child's. Link examined the fairy, checking to see if the back of her head was damaged by the insect, blushing slightly as the aroma of her fruit-scented hair made him want to inhale a bit closer to her head. Her transparent wings were folded behind her, unscathed by the night's happenings. Link ran to the nearest tree, surprised at how light she was. Setting her down sitting upright on the wooden monument, he drew the Great Fairy's sword and the Terminan Mirror Shield, discarding the cloak for the fairy's use. Link wrapped the fairy in the warm cloak, and sped towards the Zola's torture, stopping by the frozen Zola's stationary figure. The masked fishman had transformed into a great beast, one that barely resembled a Zola.
The Zola's tail grew longer and wider the torso became monstrous and more pronounced. Kafei's Mask seemed to meld into the behemoth's face, which had become extremely rough and gigantic. It resembled a gigantic reptilian pig with a Zola's face. The beast roared, directing its vision towards the moon that rested lazily upon the night sky. Its mouth dripped flaming saliva that made hissing noises as it streaked towards the ground. The monster stopped its vicious cries as it just seemed to have noticed Link. The howl still echoing through the air, a slithering voice rang out in a way that could only be described as telepathic.
Everything's so clear to me now! It's like someone drew out a chart with instructions in my very eyes!
Link tensed, his reflective shield raised. The grimacing shield faced the gigantic beast with a shocked expression, like always. The fire spitting from the Zola creature's mouth reflected excitedly against the terrified defense, now shining bright red in the presence of the glowing embers. The monolithic voice called to the hero again.
Ah, you're wearing a magical mask, eh? It looks a bit lopsided.
Link clenched his teeth behind the Stone Mask he recently acquired from his rolling dive. Despite finding it at the right moment, it had become worthless to him.
Roaring in what seemed like a raucous laugh, the beast unhinged its massive jaw and flame erupted from the back of its throat, forcing Link to retreat backwards.
Ahaha! Whatever evolutionary turn the Zola took, it was for the better! Ending the sentence, the behemoth charged a massive fireball that rested on the back portion of its tongue. Link raised the shield higher, crouching down on the tired ground.
Hah! You still think that will help you? The Zola-beast stomped on the ground and breathed the massive projectile at the stationary Link, who had sheathed his sword to use his other arm for better bracing himself.
The ball of fire collided with Link's shield with massive force. Link expected to be launched back or to be bathed in flames, but neither sensation came. Instead, the miniature sun shrank to half its size and bounded back at the issuer of the attack. Link's eyes widened as the surprisingly ineffective attack was swallowed by its creator, who didn't seem to mind the flames at all, issuing smoke from his nostrils.
Don't think your shield can save you now! The Zola beast's mouth opened wide and breathed smoke into the balmy air. It closed its mouth again, and tendrils of the unpleasant air crawled from the corners of its mouth.
Hyrule Field started to rumble as the creature stomped on the ground with its massive clawed feet. Link stared at his shield. It seemed to emanate energy from its shiny surface, which was grimacing back at him.
The Twinrova sisters circled him, firing flames and frost. Just trying to keep on the main platform was hard enough. His only offense was his defense; the Gerudo's Mirror Shield.
With a determined look on his face, Link ran towards the frozen Zola, still in a block of ice. The gargantuan beast again reared and released a ball of fire from its maw, directing it at the sprinting youth. Link blocked the oncoming projectile with his gaping shield. The deadly sphere climbed into the sky, dissipating slowly.
The iced Zola had a blank expression on his face, obviously unphased or unable to express a reaction. Link drew his bow and took a blunted arrow out, concentrating on the tip, which had burst into a fierce flame. The hero released the bowstring, letting the arrow fly into the mass of frost. The arrow collided with the frozen amphibian, and bounced off, flame extinguished.
A rough and monstrous voice beat down on Link's mind again.
Hahaha! The ice fairy's chill is one of the most powerful ones in the world! Your burning twigs will do nothing! Without a steady heat source to thaw him, he's doomed! I give him ten minutes. Zola can hold their breath for about that long.
Link clenched his teeth in frustration.
There's not much you can do, Hero! I'll tell you what! He can freeze to death, and you'll have the pleasure of burning to death! A flaming mass exploded from the beast's mouth, which was caught by Link's Mirror Shield as he dropped his bow and quiver. He was on one knee, now, looking at the ground with blank fury in his eyes, mouth expressionless. He held the shield in one arm, deflecting the oncoming fire as if he didn't care anymore. Determination took hold of his mind.
Link's Mirror Shield started blinking red, making an odd noise as if it was ready for something. Link concentrated hard on the reflective defense on his arm. Something in his mind slipped into the shield with a somewhat warm feel to it, as if his very blood was heating up. The gaping shield stared at the frozen Zola as Link directed it to the unfortunate creature. A roar erupted behind the hero and his shield, and stomping shook the ground. The frantic youth with the frightened shield concentrated harder. The Zola's eyes seemed to move within the frost prison. Link's eyes leaked warm tears, his teeth clenched to breaking point as he watched the hopeless Zola in a fit of desperation. Will another die tonight? Will he fail to save another?
Link ran awkwardly through the snow as a Goron, treading across the frozen lake with snow and frost biting at his heels. He could swear that his rocky eyebrows had cracked. Tatl hid in Link's hat, taking refuge from the extreme cold. Tatl exited the hat momentarily to look around. She stopped at once and rang loudly.
"What's that? There's something on that frozen lake!" Link squinted his blue Goron eyes and shaded them with his hand. There was a bulk of something on the iced lake in the midst of a gathering of gigantic snowballs. They approached it with curiosity.
"Hey! Isn't this snowball bigger than the others?"
The shield would not react, and a loud screeching roar cracked like lightening over Link's head. His vision was blurring with tears and frustration. The Zola didn't have much time left.
What are you doing, Hero? You can't glare a hole through the walls of ice! However, Link was determined to let the shield do the glaring. But it would not work. The ice covering the Zola glinted in the light of the spring moon, and Link's mind tensed under more pressure. His mind flashed back.
Upon reaching the mysterious mass, Tatl examined it closer. Link could see a silhouette of something in the crystalline behemoth. Tatl rang loudly once more.
"Whoa! He's frozen solid!" Link's eyes widened and his teeth clenched. He pressed his face against the ice and saw a face staring back at him in melancholy. The visage looked sad and lost, trying to find something, or someone.
"Wow! He's one ancient Goron, isn't he?" The frozen figure was indeed a Goron, caught helplessly in the sparkling ice.
The Zola's eyes were moving around frantically, his mouth agape. Sparks fiercely formed within the ice, but it could not free itself with fire.
Link freed the frozen Goron with spring water. He turned out to be the Goron Elder. He had a horribly hunched, rocky back, and his lower lip protruded far past his upper lip. The elderly Goron had been trying to help his village.
"As the Elder, I must do something about the situation the village has been plunged into." After rubbing his frail eyes with his cold hands, the old man looked at Link closely.
"Hunh? Oh! You're Darmani!! But you're supposed to be dead! Am I hallucinating?" Link tried to help the elder to walk.
"But... that's impossible. I refuse to flinch. If I can see past the illusion, you'll vanish in an instant!" He shrugged Link off, trying to walk by himself. Link gestured for him to wait, telling him to comfort his son who was crying in the village.
"My son is crying because he misses me?
My son misses me..."
A tear rolled down the scared look covering Link's face. He was facing delirium. The Zola's eyes had started to roll listlessly. He tried to concentrate harder on the shield, which was still blinking pointlessly. The great Zola beast behind him roared louder. His mind was moving at tremendous speeds.
"Ulp! Forgive me, my child! Your father has work to do! Darmani... Be you a ghost or a figment of my imagination, I no longer care. If you feel pity for my crying son... then please quietly sing my son to sleep with this song I am about to play on my drum. It is the very same melody that was often played for you when you were young..." Link broke eye contact with the ancient man. He couldn't bear to tell him his son really was dead. Link took out his set of drums and the feeble old Goron did the same, withdrawing a small single drum.
"How did this song go... Umm... Ah, yes, yes! Like this!" He played a few notes, then stopped suddenly.
"It's no good! I can remember only the beginning!... At any rate, I am counting on you." The Goron took his drum back and walked towards Snowpeak. He was wrapped in the blizzard, never returning.
Sweat erupted from Link's pores as he'd put every last ounce of his concentration on thawing the Zola, who had become slightly blue in the face. The Elder Goron's back flashed in his mind, and his mentality was on its edge. The beast's roaring seemed to slow in his ears. Flames erupted from the gaping shield, creating a pillar of fire that engulfed the magical ice. The shield burned red hot, casting a glow on the grass that stood in awe of the sight. The Zola's head was freed and the shield gradually stopped glowing. The fishman inhaled sharply, eyes closed. Link wiped his face of tears with his arm, and drew his sword, slapping the ice with the flat side of the blade. The prison broke and the Zola fell forward. From the odd breathing pattern, he could tell it was the lesser Zola.
The beast that shared the freed creature's form charged at Link, roaring ferociously.
What a waste of time! What do you fight for, Hero!?
Chapter End
