Chapter Three : Ashes to Ashes Dust to Dust
"Hard choices carved the road ahead"
He was almost there. One more stop. Rounding Epona around the last corner of the trail, the topped the hill, and there it was... Lake Hylia. The massive bridge stood a few thousand feet above the crystalline mass of water, the sun barely coming up over the horizon. Thick clouds of mist loomed just over the surface of the water obscuring the view of the small islands and Water Temple below. For a moment, Link just watched the sun rise, Today is the day... he thought, Today is going to be the day that a new ruler will rise... today. Something inside Link knew that it wasn't going to be that easy. After all, it never was; but he would trudge on with a lighter heart and continue onward as always.
Flashing a quick smile, he flipped the reigns, urging Epona to a gallop. Crossing over the small area of land just before the bridge, Link dismounted. Gathering up some of his supplies that where held in Epona's saddle bags, he was now ready to begin the descent to the bottom. Link had been here many, many, many times... and had never noticed anything strange about it before. Perhaps this time would be different? He could only hope. After patting Epona good-bye he crawled over the left side of the bridge and dropped to a very narrow, rocky path that lead to the bottom of the Lake's massive drop.
Finally making his way across the long dangerous path and to the bottom, Link stopped to admire the lakes pristine view. The Water Temple lay just beyond the middle of the lake. He sighed, agitated, returning to the task at hand. Dropping his pack to the ground Link crouched over the top of it, rummaging through the sack. At first he was not sure he'd actually brought the equipment for this adventure, but at last, he found it. A set of Zora looking armor. His calloused fingers traced the material - inspecting it, before removing his ordinary looking tunic and dawning the enchanted master piece. Once completely suited up - he was ready. Link tucked the sack into his shirt before making a perfect dive into the cool clean waters of Lake Hylia.
It felt like he swam forever trying to reach the water temple. But at last, the entrance came into view. The Water Temple was the most logical place to look if she was in the mountains above lake Hylia. Perhaps there was some unexplored portion of the temple that would give him the answers he seeking? He wasn't sure - but it was better then nothing at all. The Hero frowned as he surfaced in the underground cave leading to the temple's main entrance. Removing his magical clothing, it was placed back inside the small sack he always carried with him. The sack itself looked like nothing out of the ordinary, however, it had been cursed by a black mage on one of Link's travels, making the space inside infinite as well as making the material stretch to virtually any size.
Once the normal tunic adorned his body, Link strode to the door of the water temple. Faint memories of facing his darker half stung his mind's eye. He tried to shrug these off - Dark Link having been trapped inside the area where he last fought him, the liquid mirror room, put his mind only slightly at ease. Link's large hands rested atop the cold stone door, he hesitated, taking in a deep labored breath. He felt like he stood on the edge of something very life changing not just for him but for his country as well, the feeling could only be described as over whelming.
Upon his touch, the stone door slid open as if it knew he was there. Once inside the inner most doorway the thick stone immediately slammed behind him, causing a slight vibration in the ground as it shut itself. The halls burned brightly as his cerulean colored eyes adjusted to the lighting inside the dungeon. They were always lit the torches never burned out in this enchanted fortress. Link had long since cleared this place of fiends and other such monsters, so he didn't expect to find much - the task at hand should have been relatively easy. He began on the bottom floor of the Temple, searching through every room and every nook and cranny to see if there was any hidden passages rooms he had never explored. Unsurprisingly he found none on this floor, and slowly proceeded his way to the top of the structure.
As Link explored the middle of the temple, just about ground level to the outside, he found a strangely out of place torch, hanging on the wall just to the left of the Boss's Chamber. It was easy for Link to see how he must have missed it on his travels. He was always in such a hurry after all. The Torch burned a slightly deeper crimson than any of the other fires that illuminated the rooms and halls of this dark place, this was the only difference, the color and how it was slightly dimmer then the others. When Link neared the torch it exploded into life, flickering, licking, popping and hissing as he neared it.
A heavy feeling began to settle into the room, pushing the envelope as Link steadily walked closer and closer to the twisting and wriggling fire, his fingers reached instinctively for the Phoenix pendant he discovered on the surface of the pillow. Clutching it tightly he held it up toward the fire; all at once the room went dark save for this one beacon of light. Link's eyes never left the pendant or the fire, strong magical forces were at work - ancient magic. A dark windy rustling began to move about the room the cool feeling of death wafted into the deep folds of Link's clothing making him shiver.
The pendent began to glow an unearthly hue of pulsating blue. Intrigued, Link slowly made his way toward the wall in front of him, his eyes fixated on the precious treasure he held in his hand. Steadily, with each step, the glow began to brighten with a fierce intensity, his left hand slit smoothly from his side, to the walls surface. Curiously, when he touched it his flesh passed through it. One could not say he was truly surprised. Once the pendant was securely hidden inside his pocket once more, Link took a deep breath, who knew what was on the other side of the wall. Hurriedly, he passed through, opening his eyes he stood at the foot of a great stair case.
He was a bit surprised - though he'd never admit that. With swift movements of his feet they carried Link to the edge of the stair case. Looking up he couldn't see much, the stair case winded upward, cutting his line of vision from the upper floors off. He'd never been in this portion of the temple before, obviously it had been bricked up to hide the stairs behind it, he'd have to be very careful of traps and monsters, who knew what await him. With his first unsure step atop the bottom stair, a glittering mass of blue energy shot up from the strange rune symbols littering the stone work. Moments later, Link decided there was no threat here, and continued onward.
The glittering masses of orbs, all of them different variations of size, floated through the surface of the floor and walls in a ghostly fashion. They felt cool as they passed through the flesh for Links body - but he pressed forward. They were pail blue in color - nearly see through. They seemed to follow him as he made his way hastily up the stairs, though, Link could not confirm this. He walked for what felt like a century before making the final landing.
Hello Link.
The voice chilled him to the bone, making him stop dead in tracks. The coldness of the voice, the sheer sharpness of that subtle tone irritated Link. He drew his blade, he was ready. The room atop the stairs was not exactly what one would call a room, it was more like an indoor garden. There was a stone path leading to where the cloaked figure stood, his hood covering his facial features, on either side of the figure, presumably a man, there was grass. Luscious green grass that glittered in the haunting blue light given off by the glittering orbs as they passed, two massive floating balls of blue fire hovered above the ground - it was quite a sight to be had.
"Stand aside." Links voice was surprisingly commanding, his tone firm and hallow.
A chuckle one again found its way to Link's ears before the man replied. Stand aside? Who do you really think you're dealing with? Commanding me... Link did not like the way his voice trailed, it was an invitation to ask more questions, but he would resist the temptation of such actions.
"... Stand aside." Link growled a little more ferociously this time. He felt a rage burning within him, if this man really was his princess's killer, he wanted revenge... these actions were considered impure for a Hylian. He needed to get past this foolish adversary and get to the woman who awaited him.
Once more the man only laughed - this time a bit heartier. Be my guest Hero. The man turned to the side his right arm slipping from beneith the cloak as it was pinned from the left shoulder. His palm was up turned as if he ushered him to move forward. Link studied the situation for a moment, and without resheithing his sword, he quickly moved past the dark figure, such pure evil.. As Link passed him, an unseen smirk painted the mans lips - Link really didn't know who he was dealing with. Oh well, that would make things much easier later. He turned slightly, watching Link as he continued down the cobblestone path through the grass and ethereal light.
Link had arrived, his sword in his left hand, he saw her. His eyes widened in shock, his limbs went numb, and his mouth fell open in horror. It was Zelda's body , but where was the woman he'd been shown in the mirror by the oracle? Zelda's body was laid out atop a stone platform, she looked as though she were mearly sleeping , there was no evidence of decomposition. Forgetting where he was, or whom was mearly on the otherside of the room, his sword fell from his hand, making a terrible clatter as it rested. Meniacal laughter sounded from behind - shocking Link back to the present issues at hand. Quickly he scooped the Master Sword from the ground and swung around at the ready.
The man was gone.
Astonished, Link quickly turned back around - only to find his enemy behind him - standing over Princess Zelda's body. You should remember what the Orical told you... said the dark voice, his right hand was raising lazily over her form, 'from the ashes shall rise a Phoenix...' he quoted the stone maiden as if he'd been there. Pitty though, that such supple flesh should be sacraficed..
"Get away from her!" Link would not remain powerless, this man was within his grasp now, and he threatened his whole exsistance by standing so closely to the body. She must have been preserved by magic to keep the body from decaying - but this was the least of Links worries for the time being. Drawing his sword back, it pulsated with a deep sky blue colored energy.
So much you seem to know... yet so little you understand it all. The man seemed to be rambling to himself now, his fingers coming together to make a snap noise. At once there was a blue flickering flame hovering an inch or so above the palm. Link tensed up even more now. The stranger's free left hand gently caressed Zelda's naked arm, enraging Link to the breaking point. He realized now, if he attacked the man, it could cause damage to Zelda's body - which he would not allow. His hand drooped, his swords glow disappearing as he realized just how in control this cloaked man was. That's right Link... submit to your fate. Now... watch.
The situation went from bad to worse in less then three seconds. On impulse Link leapt forward, yet there was nothing he could do. The man's hands were swift as he drew back, a smile lining his lips as the cloak shifted to reveal it. He threw the blue flames atop the body, immediately igniting the flesh into a burning inferno. Link was horrified and devastated. She was alive. Panicked breathing noises where barely audible as the undead body shot upright, her hands twisted in obvious pain. The fire must have been intense, there was no heat put off by the flames, but magic knows no boundaries.
Within moments her flesh was badly burned, and her hair were completely gone, only remnants of the beautiful woman who'd been laying there remained. Link crashed to his knees, overcome with grief, he stifled a sob with a disheartening, powerless scream. Machiavellian laughter echoed through the halls as the man disappeared into darkness.