Link landed hard on his behind within the realm of spirits. White silvery mist clung to everything, hiding whatever could have been beyond the sight of Hyrule Castle in the distance. The hero knew he wasn't actually anywhere near the real castle. He and Zelda had theorized about this before. Their best guess was that this realm shaped itself differently depending on who was viewing it. What determined the shape was still unclear.
Something tells me Sheik would be fascinated by this place.
Sapphire eyes glanced up at the golden wolf that he swore was smirking down at him. He stood up just when the golden wolf shifted into a skeletal warrior version of itself.
"You have traveled a long way young hero, but I'm afraid your true journey is just about to begin," said the skeletal warrior. Link groaned and covered his face with his hand before sliding it down to peer through his fingers.
"Don't remind me…but it's not that bad actually. I mean, I got me a cool partner that has some pretty awesome pets and he doesn't screw with me like Midna used to. It's a nice change of pace. Still miss her though. It seems you have some kind of idea what the hell is going on here," replied Link warily as he lowered his hands. The warrior humphed.
"You are not taking this seriously. Do you not have the slightest idea what is at stake here, young hero?" asked the warrior as he turned to stare down at Link with his single red eye. Link suddenly felt rather inferior as he stood in front of the tall warrior.
"Hey, this is how I cope, alright? Give me a break. I know that the world is headed into another disaster zone and I am the only one capable of diverting it." grumbled Link. The warrior sighed.
"I see. You will find it difficult to succeed if you continue to ignore the darkness within. It will only make the darkness you fight even stronger. I suppose that is why you have a guide. You'd best take advantage of that. There is only so much I can do for you." replied the warrior softly. His tone hardened as he pressed on.
"Tell me what you know of your destiny."
Link scratched the top of his head with a frown.
"I was told that this, ah, guy that could wield a powerful force of light could be working with or is the enemy. That point is unclear. They might also be working with Pigface, er, Ganon, I mean. Which probably won't be an issue because I've already defeated him. Least I hope so." Link held two fingers together and absentmindedly tapped his hip as he continued.
"I need to 'awaken' the Sages. That shouldn't be that hard at least. I have to find these Pieces of Courage, whatever they are. Lastly, I need some kind of song that I'll have to search my dreams for because I'll need it to...not sure about that actually. Oh, there was a mention of a 'shadow' but not sure if that is the same thing as the enemy that was hinted at earlier. Maybe it has something to do with that place 'that has no master'. All while trying to put twice as much effort to stay alive because this enemy is trying to wipe out my bloodline before our power can recycle."
The skeletal warrior sighed warily. His single red eye lowering to the floor.
"Well, at least you get the gist of it. I don't have all the answers however. I don't have the energy to explain all that I do know right now. Taking you straight here without you formally summoning me is costing me much of my strength. I will ask you to summon me properly so your own magic will keep you here instead of my energy," said the warrior tiredly.
Link nodded, but then his eyes widened when he remembered something.
"Wait, how will I summon you? I don't have my wolf form anymore."
The warrior hummed in thought.
"A magical instrument would be easiest. Or perhaps your guide has something for you to use. If not, I suppose you could simply use any kind of spell on the summoning stone inside the Sacred Grove since I will know you are attempting it in the first place. That will be difficult for me to sense in the future however. I suggest you find the Ocarina of Time. The Hylian Royal Family should have it. Just play the songs you remember howling." said the warrior.
"I'll ask Zelda then. I've never played any kind of instrument before. This should be fun. I'll find a way to make it work." replied Link with a shrug. The warrior shook his head slightly, his single red eye gazing up as if asking for patience.
"You have a habit of casting away worries like people would swat a fly. I suppose that is both a strength and weakness. You will be harder to break if very little fazes you." The warrior humphed as he begin gesturing with his bony hands.
"Also, you may not have played any kind of instrument, but plenty of your past lives had. Let their experience guide you. If you are able to get a hold of a magical instrument then summon me with the Prelude of Light at the howling stone just inside of the Sacred Grove. If you are forced to simply use a spell, then don't be discouraged if you must cast it several times. As I've said, it is difficult for me to sense that method of summoning. Until we meet again," said the warrior.
With a wave of his bony hand, Link suddenly felt himself falling.
As he fell, his thoughts ran wild. His teacher gave him far to much credit. Link is fazed more then he lets on. He just rarely shows it.
Like now, he was worried. Link had never seen his teacher looking that tired before. It seemed sudden as well. Despite being dead, his teacher was often roaring with energy. Sometimes even more then Link. There must be more to it.
Link landed hard on his behind…again, and suddenly got his arms full of Seshat. She was meowing frantically, worried about his sudden disappearance. He smiled down at her and stroked her head before sighing as he started to get to his feet.
"Good goddess!" screamed a voice to this right, startling him so much he fell down again. Link swung to his right to see Sheik storming toward him. Link lowered his head, cringing when he noticed the look of fury within the sheikah's eyes.
Well...I did say I didn't want him holding back anymore...
"What in the name of the Three just happened!? You treated that beast as an ally but then it attacks you?!" Exclaimed Sheik, his hands waving wildly through the air to emphasize his point. Link quickly climbed to his feet as Seshat shot away and hid behind the summoning stone. Sheik stopped a few feet from him, wrapping his arms around himself. He trembled as he struggled to calm down, taking a deep breath. With Sheik's anger slowly fading, Link felt guilty as he noticed the fear hidden underneath.
"Sheik, I'm sorry. I know this looks bad but that guy helped me all throughout my last adventure. Midna and I saw him several times so I never thought to tell you that he wasn't an enemy. I swear, I'll work on trying to communicate better, alright?" replied Link as he hesitantly reached forward.
Sheik stepped back, away from his reach. He took another deep breath, a pang of guilt at the look of hurt that flashed across Link's face at his distance. He wasn't used to physical contact but he was trying to be. He just couldn't deal with it right now.
"I...understand. Just...please, I beg you, do not disappear like that again without letting me know that you are not in danger." replied Sheik stiffly. One arm hung loosely now, while the other wrapped around his elbow.
Link frowned, not really knowing how to handle this now. Midna had never been one to care what he did as long as she benefited from it in the end. She'd support him of course, even defended him if need be but not without a crap ton of complaining.
He lost count of how many times he'd been thrown from the edges of the City in the Sky by an enemy. She'd float just out of reach, pointing a stubby little finger at his face and just laugh at him for several minutes as he fell before finally dragging him back to the city. That motivated him to be careful more then falling to his death did.
Link was just used to the mentality of action over reason.
Sheik isn't Midna. I need to do better then this.
"Alright. I'll try to not be so reckless. Anyway, I do need to disappear again. When I was with, ah…you know what…I never thought to ask if he had a name. Anyway, that wolf from earlier told me that I need to summon him properly because taking me straight there was draining his strength. I need to summon him using a song. I don't have a magical instrument though. So, I guess I'll try to cast a spell...I've never done that though." said Link as he rubbed the back of his neck. Seshat decided that it was safe to approach them again so she left her hiding spot and padded over to Sheik. She sat near his leg and peered up at him, meowing as she pawed his leg.
The sheikah glanced down and chuckled. He picked her up and held her close. He tilted his head as he considered Link's dilemma.
"Do you have to be the one playing the song?" asked Sheik as he scratched Seshat between the ears. The hero walked passed him to enter the Sacred Grove and approach the summoning stone. Sheik followed close behind. Link hummed in thought.
"I'm not sure. He said that a magical instrument would be easiest but he didn't say I'd have to the one playing it. I'm guessing you have one?" Link snickered when Sheik nodded.
"Of course you do. Well, lets see what happens. The song is called the Prelude of Light and...I have no idea how to play it. Wow, epic fail on my part." muttered Link as he ran a hand down his face. Sheik frowned, wondering why the song sounded familiar.
Then his eyes widened. Of course! His scroll! He set Seshat down and pulled it from beneath his tabard. Link watched him curiously, eyes narrowing when Sheik had reached into a space that didn't seem like anything was hidden. That suit couldn't be normal.
"That song sounds familiar and now I remember why. The Prelude of Light is a Warp Song." Said Sheik excitedly. Already his people were providing the answers they needed!
Link gave him a confused look.
"A Warp Song? Didn't you say those were generally attached to a temple? If this song is what I've had to howl before, then it didn't take me anywhere except the Spirit Realm." replied Link. Sheik searched the parchment until he came across the a song colored in yellow letters.
"The Prelude of Light. It was meant to warp you to the Temple of Time. Perhaps a magical instrument is required for the magic to function? Hm. We shall see." Said Sheik thoughtfully. He stood for several moments, studying the musical notes until he was certain he could play them by memory.
Sheik had always had a love of music. The princess would often ask him to play her lullabies when going to bed. Sometimes she'd even sing along. The sheikah chuckled at the memory and then reached underneath his tabard to pull out his golden lyre while placing his scroll back inside.
He took a moment to run his fingers along the strings, the soft melody echoing within the area. This lyre was his most prized possession.
The magic imbued within was ancient and the princess would often play the lyre herself. While Sheik was certainly talented, the princess had a natural skill. He was amazed the first time she picked it up and started playing as if she'd practiced for years. She had asked once where it came from but only his birth mother would know. Impaz said this lyre was the only thing his father had left of his late wife and he left it behind for Sheik.
Sheik was forever grateful to Impaz and he loved her as a mother but it was not the same. He wished he'd had more time with his birth parents. This was the closest he could be to them now. The only connection he had to something that they often shared. It was also his earliest memory. Music. Played on this lyre by a woman humming in a soft, beautiful voice.
The sheikah shook his head. Now wasn't the time for that.
"I will play the song in front of the stone. You should stand close by in case it requires proximity. I just thought of something...what if this also pulls me along with you? Is the place you're traveling to...safe for me me to be present?" Asked Sheik hesitantly as he positioned his lyre. He paused when Link didn't answer.
Sheik tilted his head, watching curiously as the hero just stared at his lyre with a look of intense concentration. His expression somewhere between confusion and amazement. His fingers twitched constantly.
Sheik hesitated but eventually reached out to touch the hero's arm.
Link jumped, blinking up at him.
"Ah, sorry. That was...weird. What did you ask?" Link sighed, fighting the urge to reach out and touch the instrument again.
Obviously that harp means something to him and I've already pissed Sheik off enough today.
Sheik frowned, watching worriedly for a moment but then repeated his question. Link stepped up next to Sheik and glanced down at the howling stone.
"Oh, its fine if you end up coming along. In fact, It would be kinda neat if I could introduce you to my teacher. We'll just have to see." Link grinned at the thought.
Sheik nodded and then positioned his lyre again. He ran his hand gently down the strings once, and then began plucking the notes of the song. The sound was light and inspiring. Filling Link with a sense of faith. Blue eyes closed as the notes washed over him. His fingers twitched, the need to join in compelling him.
He had no instrument though. Never played one in his life, and yet the instinct pulled at him as if he had. His forehead wrinkled in confusion when a vision flashed within his mind.
It looked like the Temple of Time, where the Master Sword was…but…why was Sheik standing in front of me? I didn't know him when I first went into that place.
Link realized he must have been viewing memories that were not his own. They had been talking about that recently, but he hoped it wasn't going to be a regular occurrence. It was very disorienting and had him questioning his own sense of reality. His thoughts were cut short when he felt a familiar sensation, and then he disappeared from sight.
Worry wormed its way through every nerve of Sheik's body, but he forced it down. He knew the hero was coming back this time. No need to worry. He sighed. He had been hoping that he would be able to go with Link.
Sheik shook his head as he slipped his lyre beneath his tabard. Link was fine. There was no need for him to be so...clingy. It was unlike him. Link would surely be uncomfortable if Sheik suddenly started to hang onto him like some kind of love stricken maiden, not to mention his pride wouldn't stand for it. The thought made him cringe.
He suddenly tensed when Seshat swung toward his direction and hissed. Sheik swung around, a knife at the ready, but froze as he stared into glowing red eyes.
Zzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZ
Link reappeared standing on a cliff that had a nice birds eye view of Hyrule. He looked ahead and grinned when he saw the golden wolf sitting on a cliff on the opposite side of him.
"Good job, young hero. Now come find me. We have much to talk about," echoed the voice of the warrior. Then the wolf jumped off the cliff and down toward Hyrule. Link peered over the side. Looks like he didn't need to repeat the song after all, which was something he'd completely forgot about until he's appeared here.
"Well, no one needs to know about that little slip up." Link chuckled as he watched the golden wolf disappear from view.
"The fact that you can survive a fall from a million miles in the air definitely drives home the fact that you're one tough puppy," snickered Link as he felt the pull of magic starting to bring him back to Hyrule.
"But, I'm taking the short cut,"
Link laughed as he landed back beside the howling stone. This time he actually managed to land on his feet, until a white blur suddenly shot through the air and hit his chest. Startled, he fell to the ground.
"Seriously, girl? Do you really have to do that every time?" grumbled Link. Seshat immediately started meowing frantically.
"What? Seshat calm down! What's your problem…? Sheik, I think she's broken," replied Link. He looked up when he didn't hear a response.
Link looked all around the area surrounding the cliff, but still didn't spot the sheikah anywhere.
He wouldn't leave Seshat here…
Dread started to creep into his mind as Link didn't spot him anywhere in the entrance to the Sacred Grove either.
The Skull Kid would have left the archway open if he had led him back inside...
"Sheik? Sheik! Where are you?" Link shouted as he ran back outside the Sacred Grove with Seshat sill meowing frantically. He still didn't get a response. Link could do nothing but stand there, lost.
Where is he?!