Chapter six
Link and Din followed Sharalsha through the ruins; back towards the small stone building he had made his temporary home here. Link knew this place well, as this is where he had found the old sage hiding, during Aganim's brief but terrible reign over the kingdom. The Eastern Palace right next to the ruins was also where he had retrieved the Pendant of Courage from, during his quest to retrieve the master sword.
It wasn't long before Link and Din were seated inside the sage's small residence ( and Link was glad to see the old man had added some furniture this time!) Sharalsha poured three drinks, then sat down beside the two young people to talk.
"It's good to see you again, lad" The old sage said wearily. "And who's your young Gerudo friend here?"
"Half Gerudo, elder" Din corrected politely. "My name is Din, and I'm a dancer from Labyrnia. My mother chose to leave the tribe before I was born, so the Magic that makes all Gerudo children Gerudo did not affect me."
A Look of sympathy spread across Sharalsha's face. "I am truly sorry to hear that, lady Din. It must be hard for you, given how people in this day and age treat anyone who is different."
"Nothing I haven't dealt with my whole life." Din replied with a shrug.
"What are you doing here, Sharalsha?" Link asked him, changing the subject.
"Merely looking to the past to discern the future, my lad." Sharalsha replied. "The spirits of our ancestors, the Hylians, are strong in this place. I feel there wisdom may be able to aid us in these troubled times."
Din looked at him skeptically. "But…. You have another reason for being here…. don't you?" Gerudo women have a knack for reading people, Link mused.
The old sage sighed. "You are correct, my dear. I also came here because I have heard rumors in Kakariko village that Ganon's monsters were prowling around Papara Palace and Mirodo Palace." He stroked his beard. "I wanted to keep an eye on the Eastern Palace, for I suspect Phantom Ganon may have an interest in it, as well."
"Phantom Ganon's involved too?" Link growled. "Great, my job just got a heck of a lot harder!"
"Hyrule sure seems to have a lot castles." Din commented. "The Nobility in Holodrum doesn't even have one castle!"
"Hyrule's Palaces served a purpose far different than mere homes for the nobles." Sharalsha replied. " In the days before Gustaf became the first King of Hyrule since the great flood."
"Really?" The Dancer asked. "What were they used for?"
"In the centuries since the great flood, there were many magnificent castles built in the kingdom of Hyrule." The wise old sage explained. "Used as walled fortresses by the Hylians who were coming down out of the Mountains and resettling the kingdom as the flood waters receded, these palaces served as their protection against the hordes of monsters that swarmed over the un-flooded lands."
"But why has Phantom Ganon taken an interest in them?" Din asked.
"Because many of the ancient treasures that are said to be hidden in them." Sharalsha stroked his beard. "After King Gustaf united the lands, the Palaces were abandoned. Many powerful artifacts from the ancient Hylia are still hidden deep within each of the Castles. "
Link nodded. "Wondrous artifacts, like a candle that always stays lit, and a magic Hammer that can smash huge rocks, and make the ground shake when you strike it. I've heard the Tales, Sharalsha."
"So Ganon's cronies are prowling around the ruins, looking for objects of great power?" Din shook her head. "Then things are even worse than we imagined."
"Which brings us back to the reason why we came here in the first place" Link explained, suddenly remembering. "Shadow Link has stolen the Gerudo trophy of healing, which we need to wake the people of Ruto town from a cursed sleep!"
"It is far worse than that." The old sage replied wearily. "While I was meditating, I felt a great wave of terror and death coming from the direction of Katsuto Town. I believe Ganon's army may have destroyed it."
"Great Goddesses!" Link exclaimed in horror. "All of those people!"
Din was simply stunned. Katsuto town was one of the few places in Hyrule she has visited during her travels. The Oracle had even danced in the town square during their celebration of the Piccori festival last year. Din remembered a little girl that had slipped a garland of flowers around her neck after she had danced, and she suddenly felt a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Do you think… there were any survivors?"
"I… don't know." The old sage replied. "I can't tell for sure…. My vision is clouded."
"Excuse me, I need some air." Din said weakly, and walked outside. Link started to follow her, but Sharalsha stopped him.
"Leave her be Link." He said gravely. "She needs some time alone."
"Damn it, Sharalsha! I know she's hurting, and she won't let me in." The Hero yelled in frustration. "I feel so helpless."
Patience, my lad" The old sage said soothingly. "The Oracle is in a lot of pain right now. The scars of the past have still not healed for her."
"You knew she was the Oracle?" Link asked in amazement.
Sharalsha nodded. "I sensed the power within her. But listen now, Link. You must be patient with her, give her time to work through her trust issues. I believe Din does care for you a great deal, but she's still afraid you'll betray her, just as I sense other men have betrayed her in the past." He stroked his beard. "Just be her friend, and she'll open up to you when she is ready to."
"I certainly hope so."The hero replied. He was silent for a few moments, before changing the subject. "But forgetting about that, we have a far more pressing problem at hand. Namely, what are Shadow Link and phantom Ganon up to?"
"I believe, my lad, that the fiends are trying to subdue Hyrule themselves, one city at a time, to offer it up to their master as a gift, upon his next resurrection." The old Sage opened a scroll, written in old Hylian. "And they are going after these ancient relics as means of acquiring enough power to keep anyone…. Including you….. from stopping them."
"Well, that's not going to work." The hero muttered "I stopped their master once before, so how hard can it be to stop them now?"
"For all of our sakes, Link" Sharalsha replied. "I certainly hope you are right."
-----------
There are many wondrous sights in the land of Hyrule, from the high peaks of Death Mountain, to the elegant beauty of Zora falls. But perhaps the greatest sight in the entire Kingdom is the towering majesty of Hyrule's great Palace.
The largest structure in all of Hyrule, its glistening towers are visible from miles away. Built immediately after the current hero had saved the kingdom from Ganon, the great palace was not home to the royal family, (that particular honor currently belonged to the South Palace, near Kakariko village) but is instead home to the Triforce itself.
The Hero of Cataclysm's eve had brought the three sacred triangles back from the dark world with him after Ganon's defeat, and now they were kept here,. Within the Great Palace, the triforce's divine energies could flow out over all of Hyrule, granting the wishes of the people for prosperity and good harvests. The great palace was well protected by a quarter of the Hylian army, and no one would be foolish enough to try to steal the sacred relic.
No one, except Shadow link.
As Shadow Link walked though the Great Palace's main hall, cloaked in shadow. It had not been easy getting in, as he had had to slit the throats of a few of the Guards who had seen him. He was glad the Sheikan guards who watched over this had been recalled to watch the royal family, or he never would have been able to sneak in.
AS he approached the altar, shadow Link kept the hood of his cloak pulled up. The Sages who tended to the Triforce shrine would simply assume he was another humble worshipper, paying homage to the Goddesses. Looking up, Shadow Link saw the three golden triangles floating in the Air- the post powerful objects in the entire world- no, in all of creation! Any who wished upon them with a heart in balance could control their power, and have all of their wishes granted, thereby controlling all of reality itself. Such power made in the most desired weapon in all of Hyrule…. The pathway to ultimate power.
But Shadow Link was not here to take the triangles, but instead to gain knowledge from them. It wasn't long before he heard the voice of the Triforce of Power inside his mind:
"What are you doing here, pup? Our master has not yet returned, and I will serve only him…. Not you."
Shadow Link smiled. Ganon's evil and his arrogance still manifested themselves through his bond with the Triforce of Power. Shadow Link whispered back: "I'm not here to take you, power or Courage. I merely wish to ask a question of the Triforce of Wisdom."
"Evil is the path you choose…. But evildoers always lose." The Triforce of Wisdom replied indignantly. Shadow Link ignored 'her'.
"Where is the scared instrument?" He asked bluntly. "I need its power for my plan!"
"What you ask for has been lost since the days of the Hero of time!" The Triforce of Courage exclaimed.
"I know!" Shadow Link hissed. "That's why I need to know where it is!"
The Triforce was silent for a moment, before Power replied: "Those who protect the royal family …. They possess the answer you seek."
"The Sheikah….. " He muttered under his breath. Thank you, great ones." Shadow Link replied in a mocking tone. "It has been a pleasure doing business with you." Shadow Link turned to leave.
"You seek the past to control the future….. An unwise course of action." Wisdom called out after him.
"I'll take my chances." Shadow Link Snapped back.
"The Hero does not fear you." The Triforce of Courage spat, as a final mark of defiance.
Shadow Link turned back to look at the Triforce, and stared darkly. "Then that will be the last mistake he will ever make."