Chapter 6

Gannon appeared, Shadow was leaning casually against the rough stone wall. "You've been in Link's vicinity twice, Shadow," Gannon snarled, his tone icy. "Why have you not disposed of that menace yet?"

Shadow glared at him, making Gannon uneasy, before answering. "I am biding my time; and would appreciate it if you'd let me alone," Shadow said, his tone equally chilled, his burning red eyes betraying no emotion aside from annoyance.

Gannon stubbornly maintained eye contact, attempting to intimidate Shadow. "It shan't work," Shadow said dryly, steadily growing more annoyed. "You forget; my Triforce is the reverse of Courage. I induce Fear, but do not attain the emotion."

"You are a fool not to fear Master Zalcite," Gannon scoffed, pivoting, and strode through a gaping black void.

"Moron," Shadow muttered as Gannon's void retracted and vanished..

* * * * *

Link rolled as a lance pierced the floor directly next to his head and jumped to his feet. The Zora faltered, astonished, as Link plunged his sword through his foe's neck.

As he took a step back, breathing hard, the silver wings disappeared. Link felt a wave of remorse for killing the Zora, even if it had been possessed."I was already dead, you've freed my soul … Thank you," the voice of a female Zora said softly, calmly. The carcass began to glow with Spirit Light, then vanished as if to prove her point.

Link sheathed his sword after a moment, taking out a small wooden ocarina. He hesitantly began Nayru's Song … which reminded him of Zelda. The notes, clear as water, echoed through the cavern. As the song ended something fused with his blue earring. There was now a crystallized water droplet dangling from it. The Aqua Element.

He raised his left hand, a blue aura surrounding it. Water from many of the pools slowly lifted into the air, faint ripples following the thin streams that were forming into a single sphere overhead.

Link swallowed thickly, beginning to feel the magical strain. Raising his right hand as well, he began to focus upon the Forest. The tranquil, floating substance above him suddenly shot upwards, shattering a tunnel in the marble. Stone chips fell around him as a large root burst through the floor, twisting as it grew. Leaves bloomed on the steadily growing root, even as it reached the top of the hole.

He sighed, lowering his hands. Weariness showed through his icy eyes as he stepped towards the root's base, gripping one of the smaller branches suspending from it.

A few minuets later he pulled himself out of the dungeon, receiving several strange gazes from the startled Zoras. Link turned. He was but ten feet from the throne. King Ralis knew of Link's adventures, and did naught but ask if he was alright.

"Yes," Link said, cracking a smile at the now amused Ralis's expression. "Merely another dungeon, nothing extraordinary," Link said lightly, attempting to hide his shadowed thoughts.

Ralis's expression immediately converted from amused to concerned. "Link, what form of a quest are you traversing?" Link's expression slowly darkened, for he himself did not know what he had to do.

"Hyrule is on the brink of darkness, teetering between Light and Darkness … Hopefully there is a way to prevent such happenings … Ralis, would you perhaps, know of the Elements?" Link inquired suddenly.

Ralis gaped at him, momentarily consumed in shock. "The Elements? How do you know of the Goddess's Powers? … Never mind, pay that inquiry no heed … There is an obvious need. Which is it you wish to know of?"

"The whereabouts of the final Element, perhaps?" Link asked, amazed by his good fortune.

Ralis nodded. "According to the Zorian Script, it is said that the Flare resides in the vicinity of Death Mountain … Whether on the inside or out, it is unknown ... If your quest should require the Element, I would depart immediately ... It would be advisable to retrieve it before your foe does."

"Yes, thank you for your assistance, Ralis," Link said, standing. He turned on his heel, and departed for Death Mountain.

* * * * *

Shadow turned to the rough brown stone wall, which was shrouded in shadows. Tracing his finger along the designs on the door, the crevasses filled with Dark Energy. He placed the palm of his hand in a circular design, which was also filled with energy, and pressed.

Even from the outside, he could sense an item of interest within. Shadow could feel the vibrations. If it was what he suspected …

The door shuddered; then faded away to nothingness. Shadow entered, unsheathing his sword as he stepped inside.

* * * * *

Link walked past a Goron, going towards the back of Death Mountain. He aimlessly wandered at the rear end, until a suspicious aura caught his attention. Link walked into the shadows. There was an entrance, completely open, leading below the mountain itself.

Link entered, and was greeted with a wave of blistering heat. He felt as if he'd been shoved into an oven.

With a wave of his arm, three oddly vacant chambers later, a thin tide of water washed over the nearly molten floor, which was beginning to singe his boots. Steam issued from the rocky floor. Now that the heat had immensely lessened, Link glanced around him. The dungeon was roughly hewed brown and tan stone, although the floor was relatively smooth. There were no torches, for they would be unneeded with lava lining the walls.

Flaming slugs started raining from the ceiling; Link swung his sword upwards in a lwide arc, dismantling the majority of the batch. Destroying the ever falling slugs as he went, Link then came across a Fire Salamander.

Its tail glowed like a hot coal in comparison to its heavily armored body. Link circled, eluding the Salamander's flaming breath, and began hacking at it's tail. He back-flipped as a flame geyser erupted at his feet. The Salamander turned, and added to the flames. Link attempted again, driving his sword through its tail. The Salamander's tail burst into small embers, it's armored body collapsing.

He strode to the far side of the room – or rather, to the edge of the lava. There was perhaps sixty feet of lava - A small sea rolling flames. Absolutely nothing would hold a Clawshot on the far side.

Link sighed; it would not prove wise to waste energy simply to create a temporary walkway.

However … there was a third alternative. Link swirled the pale green Roc's Cape, which had once belonged to his late father, around his shoulders as the silver wings appeared again on his boots. He backtracked about twenty feet, turning sharply.

He broke into a run, launching into a flip at the edge.

Landing lightly in a kneeling position on the far side, Link's Cape faded as he stood. As he entered the next room. Goblin warriors, King Bublin's minions, suddenly charged him. He jumped and pivoted, performing the Backslice at an entirely new angle. Three foes of eight fell hard. Blood spattered on the floor. An axe bit into Link's shoulder as he landed.

The goblin's blood and his mingled as Link planted his sword in his opponent's chest. Having no time to check the wound, he switched wielding hands. Link pivoted to face the remaining four, which were gaping at him.

Link held up his shield as the nearest attacked. He staggered back a step, the force was more than he'd expected, and winced as it struck again. Pain shot through his shoulder. Link ignored it as he attempted to plant his sword.

As he wasn't accustom to wielding with his right hand, he missed his mark. The Forest talisman suddenly began to shine, the pale green rays of light rotating. A green aura filled the room as vines snaked out of the floor, ensnaring three of his opponents. The aura faded as the talisman dimmed, returning to its usual color. Link struck, slashing the creature's torso open. It slumped to the floor as he continued to the next room.

Setting down his sword and shield, Link knelt behind a large rock, hidden from his foe's view. He placed his hand over the wound, which had turned the shoulder of his tunic maroon, and focused on the healing powers of the Aqua Element.

* * * * *

Shadow paused, the vibrations were much stronger. He was growing near …

* * * * *

The dull ache in his shoulder vanished as the flesh mended. After the injury had finished healing the soft blue aura the came from underneath his hand faded. Link picked up his sword and shield, placing each on his back.

Link took out his Hero's Bow and temporarily enhanced the qualities of it with the Elements. Slowly pulling back the drawstring, he stood. Taking aim, he released. A single goblin was felled, alerting the others. As he didn't fancy being shot at, he released another Elemental arrow.

He cursed under his breath as one showed intelligence and ducked, eluding his arrow. Link did the same to avoid the barrage the was fired at him. He stood and released two arrows. They pierced two goblins on different levels. Both crumpled as he restrung his bow. The remaining three glared at him, fitting their weapons as well.

Soon, but one remained. It suddenly released a barrage of arrows, catching Link off guard. One caught Link in the stomach, even through the chain mail. He gasped in pain. The shaft was dug in farther as he rolled to elude the rest. As he stood Link pulled it out, restrung his bow, and took aim. His eyes narrowed. He released. The goblin's own arrow went through it's neck.

Link pivoted; there was movement somewhere behind him. Another goblin. This one, however, wielded a sword, rather than a bow or axe. His Bow faded at will, Link held out both hands, a green aura about them. Roots shot out of the floor. The goblin jumped, evading the vines with ease. Link took a step back in astonishment, the creature charged him. It had speed to match that of Pegasus Boots. Link drew his sword and countered.

He swung his sword as the goblin moved to the evasive stance. It vanished. Link winced as the back of his arm was flayed open. He whirled around, his sword aloft.

A long gash appeared across the goblin's neck. The creature's life's blood poured from the wound as Link stepped back, mending his own wounds. It crumpled to the ground, Link continued to the next room. The sub-Boss Chamber.

* * * * *

Shadow had obtained the item. Vaati appeared. "The Master shall not be pleased with you," he snarled, glaring at him.

"What is it of your concern?" Shadow inquired, indifferent.

"My concern?" Vaati sputtered, suddenly outraged. "Whether our world claims this one rests on your incompetent shoulders!" Vaati had struck a nerve in Shadow, and knew it. He paled, taking a step back.

"Incompetent?" Shadow repeated. The intense heat seemed to have reversed, a chill hung in the room. "I do not recall you doing anything, save watch," Shadow said icily, punctuating each word by hardening his tone more so.

Vaati could feel Shadow's rage, despite being across the room. "I do not seem to recall you being tortured as consequence of a foe escaping. You've had power for quite some time, your life has been an ease. Whereas I was only called forth to serve …" Shadow said, his voice dangerously soft.

"Everyone has a destiny," he continued. "It is up to them to fulfill it … My destiny may remain shrouded, unclear, but I have greater purpose than this …" Shadow said, venom lacing his tone. The entire time he spoke, he'd been idly running his fingertips down the flat of his sword. "I suggest you draw your blade, Vaati," Shadow said, colder than ice.

"What -" Vaati was cut off as Shadow pivoted, throwing his black hilted Master Sword like a shrunken. Shadow's sword had pierced just below Vaati's heart. He fell to his knees. Blood was running out of both sides of Vaati's mouth as he attempted to speak. "Why?" he managed. Shadow held out his hand, the sword returned to him. He stared idly at Vaati as he cleaned the blade of his sword.

"I've already explained, there is nothing more to be said … At least on your part," Shadow said coolly. Vaati collapsed, dead. He sheathed his sword and walked to Vaati's carcass. With a wave of his hand it vanished, blood and all.

Shadow strode through a void, baiting would be satisfactory.

* * * * *

Link stood at the Boss door, holding a scalding key. Finding it had been simple; retrieving it had been another matter. He inserted the key, twisting it; the chains binding the door fell to the ground. Link kicked them aside, before pushing the towering entrance open.

Unsheathing his sword as he entered, Links saw what appeared to be a flaming serpent coiled on the floor, sleeping. His boots echoed loudly on the maroon stone. Lava lined the walls, casting an orange glow about the room. A blue flare raced up his blade and vanished, leaving it the same aquamarine color as his eyes.

As he walked Link glanced at the stone serpents lining the path. Each gray statue was reared back, ready to strike – the fangs were noticeably large.

Link slowly turned his attention back to the real serpent. It was awake, and none to pleased about the fact.

End Chapter 6