Chapter Nine: Seven for Secrets Never to Be Told

"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot."

—Neil Gaiman, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Kafei sat down on the ledge, his feet dangling in the water of the laundry pool, gazing at the wall intensely. He moved his bare feet idly, drawing patterns in the water. For the longest time, he had stared in the direction of town, remembering the worry and fear in his father's eyes before he walked away. Kafei sighed. "I'm neither a fighter nor a warrior." That wasn't exactly true, what he had told Link. The more he learned about his past, the less he knew, but the promise of bloodshed ran through his veins whether he liked it or not. He had the potential, could feel his power in the back of his mind. He could see the tainted blood flowing through the raised veins on the back of hands and shuddered. His line was cursed in such a way, with a dark past no one could remember.

There were days where he thought his father knew more, that he just pretended to be ignorant in some poor misguided attempt of altruism.

The conversation with his father had forced him to acknowledge a few things, namely that he was soon to face his own mortality, that this journey's end was going to force him to acknowledge things which he'd never told anyone about. He could very well die. Yet, despite what it appeared, he was not afraid of death and dying. He was well aware of pain and could handle it. He was afraid of what came after death. He had faith in Link, that he knew what he was doing, but that fear still remained. Kafei had never crossed the Canyon, had never made his way into the Valley, much less the Tower. He'd heard stories of that castle.

What he told Link was true, to a certain extent. He knew his family was from Ikana. He knew his family had been cursed with vision exceeding mortal ken. It was evident in his ability to see beyond shallow illusions using his second sight, such as seeing text and other small hidden things. He wasn't sure about what other capabilities his ancestors had, but by the Gods, he did know the stories. Kafei, even with his ability to access the great archives of Clock Town, knew little of the war, only the wild and rampant legends handed down by popular storytellers. He had little ability to find proof in these wild tales, though not from lack of trying.

Delving into the archives, he had pored over the scraps written about the War for days, searching out information, something his father had not the patience or the inclination to do. Most of the brittle pages were burnt or bloodstained beyond legibility, and they barely held together with suspect scraps of cracked binding. He found a few battle orders, a few supply lists, but nothing of any real importance. He could piece together the flow of the battle, but not who the major people were, other than Skull Keeta and Igos du Ikana, famous even as far as Clock Town for their battle prowess.

About the mysterious leader and soldiers of the Garo, he knew even less. No soldier of Ikana had been able to find their corpses, much less any battle missives or orders. But their uniform was well-known, dark robes, a cloaked face, and eerie shining eyes. Only Ikana's suspicion linked them as spies of their enemies—a militant force beyond the desert in the heart of the continent proper.

Kafei had occasionally wished his father knew more. His father was an orphan, and knew only the few superstitious tales spread about town—or so he claimed. Then again, he could be telling the truth. He was a good man, a little unscrupulous at times, but he was kind. Mayor Hagen had raised him as well as could have been expected, taking him in as a ward of the city. Kafei supposed Hagen could count as his grandfather, but the man had been dead and buried a long time before Kafei was born, when his father was a teenager, and Hagen left no personal writing as mayors were wont to do. Instead, he wrote his story with masks, being a mask-maker of exceptional quality. They could still be seen around the village. There were even a few hanging in the inn, a sort of inheritance for Kafei.

His natural grandparents on his father's side might have known more, but they were a lost case as well. In addition to paucity of content in the writings he had found and his father's reticence, few things had survived the fire that consumed his grandparents. Most of the items were trivial, knickknacks and odds and ends usually found around the house. Two weren't: the family shrine and the Pendant of Memories. The shrine was unique in its design, for the upper part of the shrine showed a triangle encasing an eye which looked like it was crying, and it shone above blue flames, matching the pattern of his sleeves. The pattern had covered his father's blanket and the clothes his father had been wearing. It could also be seen on what had survived of his grandparents' clothes. They had been taken as familial markings.

Their deaths were a part of Kafei's suspicions and had formed his belief that his family was cursed in more ways than just sight. His grandparents died violently in a fire. Hagen died under suspicious circumstances after a long illness. Kafei himself had not been unscathed, transforming into a child again and having his mask robbed. The second was more of a consequence of the first, but it took powerful magic to force that kind of transformation. And although Kafei was not fond of the 'Why me?' brand of thinking, out of all the people in Clock Town the imp chose, it just had to be him. Then, there was the wolf. He too was capable of transformative magic. According to Kona, his body held shadow magic, the most dangerous type. The kind the demon tribe of old embraced, according to the legends.

As dangerous as this trip was going to be, Kafei was also excited. Finally, he might be able to discover things about himself and about his family that had been lost to time. He would have answers about his second sight and his Pendant that none before could answer.

The legends about the War called it the curse of Ikana—to be forever bound to the kingdom even in death. Even the Garo, Ikana's deadliest enemies, could not flee, so intense was their thirst for blood. It was well-known that both sides were willing to fight to the very last soldier no matter how many innocents were killed. It was this legacy of which he was a part, connecting him through time.

The Pendant of Memories was aptly named. In despair after his lengthy search of the archives, he had come upon a strange script he could not decipher, hidden in a report about plant life in the Canyon. Frustrated, he had slammed his fist down, cutting his arm on the rough edge of the desk. As he lifted it to inspect it, bit of blood splashed on the Pendant, causing the Pendant to rise into the air, projecting a circle of translucent light.

The vision had shown a day of the Great Ikana War. One day had managed to even the tide of war. One solitary day. In one battle, a single demon in the form of a white-haired man slaughtered thousands of soldiers from both sides, causing the rivers to run red with the blood of the dead. The sky rained blood, and the brilliant, unstoppable Ikana army was nearly defeated. He had looked like a man, but he possessed a giant's stature and a sword ten men together could not lift. He had white, bloodless eyes, matching his hair that shone like the moon, and strange markings on his face. It was he who had finally killed the legendary Captain Keeta, the brave man who had fallen in battle protecting his men. The Kingdom soon fell, but the demon never showed again. With the loss of the demon, neither side could gain an advantage, forcing the bitter enemies into a bloody stalemate.

The Pendant of Memories showed a chilling legacy of his people that the Gods did not want to be forgotten. Activated by blood, it proved that he was a child of Ikana. It was a legacy that had managed to survive the devastation of Ikana's population. This was the story Kafei had in mind when he refused Link. It was the mask in the demon's likeness that Link carried around as if it were nothing, gift of a tribe's trickster demon. Kafei had faith in his friend, that much was true, but if he faltered in will, for a mere moment...In Kafei's mind, this was the very reason the ghosts still haunted the land. After the incident seven years ago, these ghosts slept. For how much longer, he did not know. They would never leave.

Was it any small wonder he was afraid of it? He was brave enough to admit he was scared. How could he not be? Kafei leaned back on his hands, sighing, then looked towards the sky. The bright setting sun made cheery the cloudless sky, bathing everything in golden warmth. It did not fit his pensive mood at all. He made to get up, regretting the loss of the cool water between his toes and made to go towards the back room of the Curiosity Shop. He carried his shoes along with him as he walked beside the path. He curled his toes in the grass, taking a deep breath. He glanced up at the sky again. The sky stared back at him, warm and unchanged. Time meant nothing to it, distant as it was. It was this very same sky that saw the war. Hard to believe.

By giving the Pendant to Anju who could not use its power, he had hoped to cleanse the bitter memories. He wanted it to symbolize the memories of love, not hate. He wanted to remove the long pale shadows cast over this bloody history, and that was the point of this trip, right? To uncover secrets, and maybe cleanse his family of their curse. Maybe this trip could help. There had to be a positive somewhere, right? The land was cursed. Even after the defeat of the demon mask, Gibdos, Redeads, and those birds of ill-omen, the Guay, inhabited the land. Very few could make their living there. Few wanted to. Visible or not, the ghosts were the true masters of the land.

He moved towards the old bed in the back room, digging underneath it. He moved out several boxes, before taking out a sword wrapped in cool purple silk. "Shadowheart," he whispered to it. He unwrapped the silk, folding it carefully and placing it to one side. He pulled it from the black leather scabbard. The pommel on the blade's hilt shone a purple-blue. Kafei didn't know the stone. The grip was wrapped tightly in faded black leather. The cross-guard was edged in gleaming silver, matching the locket and chape of the scabbard. In short, the sword was beautiful.

He slid the baldric over his shoulder, and made his way to the Curiosity Shop's secret entrance. He moved the hand of a small skeletal statue into a salute, and a secret panel slid open. He walked inside before closing the wall behind him.

The proprietor himself was standing behind his usual counter, arranging some stock. Upon hearing the soft click of the hidden door, he turned around. Upon seeing his visitor, a wide smile graced his face.

"Kafei? Here alone? Mmm...how interesting...I would have expected you to be at the Carnival, enjoying things with your family, doing Mayor things, proper upstanding citizen stuff. What brings you to my little shop, when you could be out celebrating?"

"Couldn't you take some time away from that old 'pawn' shop of yours?" Kafei asked

"Hey! It's a charitable organization that helps people in need!"

Kafei just raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, okay, you got me. Leave, and possibly miss a great bargain, old friend? You know I'm not the type," he smirked. "Besides, you wouldn't believe the amount of 'tourists' who come in during this time. Great for business, I kid you not. I've even had to let the part-timer work all week." He looked at Kafei's sceptical face and sighed. "You look so disapproving."

"It's called 'plausible deniability,' Keeta. I'm the mayor now, remember?"

"True, true. But that never stopped your father, did it?" He smirked at Kafei's glower and raised his hands, palms out. "All right, all right, enough shop talk. I got somethin' to ask you anyway, kid."

"What is it you want?"

"I just heard about a little trip you were about to take, that's all. Been a lot of commotion and rumors in town."

"My father works fast then, doesn't he?"

He shrugged. "It's been a while since we talked, and after all, it is Ikana. Never thought anything else could bother me after seeing you saunter up looking all young all those years ago, and wasn't that a surprise? I thought I was still drunk from the bar. Ikana is dangerous, I kid you not. All those ghosts who dwell there, not to mention an old mutual friend."

"Sakon," Kafei practically hissed, before taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, visibly calming himself down.

Keeta raised his hands, waving one hand at Kafei. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Keep your shirt on, Kafei. By being one of my major suppliers, I can keep an eye on him. He knows if I cut him off, no one else will go near him. I've got him under control. Just want you to think things through." He peered beyond Kafei, looking at his sword strapped to his back. Upon seeing it, he grinned.

"No sane man would prance around like that," Kafei grumbled softly, unwilling to let it go.

"Yeah, well, never said he was sane, yeah? He has good product and keeps up the supply. I'm just a middleman." He shrugged and changed the subject. "Shadowheart, huh? Finally bringing her out? She's a fine old girl, I kid you not. Loved having her around in some of my less than bright transactions. Keeta took off his sunglasses and tucked them into his pocket. "But at least you are taking this seriously."

"You doubt me," Kafei said. "Why wouldn't I take it seriously?"

Keeta turned to fiddle with some knickknacks he had on the counter, avoiding meeting his eyes. "It's been a long time, huh?"

"A long time? A long time since when?" Kafei asked.

"A long time since we founded the Bombers' Secret Society of Justice with Professor Shikashi."

"Yeah," Kafei said. "You were a conman even then. Even as a boy I thought it was weird that you wanted to name it a society for justice. You were more prone to talk old ladies out of their sweets and sell it back to them them to make a profit."

Keeta hmmed. "Yet we did manage to help a lot of people out, and I made an excellent leader, didn't I? Shikashi was only to happy to let us use his observatory in exchange for help with some of his astronomy experiments. And it was a secret way to help people. Who would suspect a little miscreant and his quiet little friend?"

"Experiments you didn't have to do, I might add," Kafei grumbled.

"Perks of being leader. And being older than you by several years. More, now, with your little brat body. We really did do some good then, I'd say."

"It was a great thing you started. Jim's followed well in your footsteps." Kafei said.

"With a little less sleaze and a little more hair." Keeta said ruefully.

"Keeta, what's gotten into to you?"

"Just watch your back, that's all I'm saying. I'm not going to be able to do it for you this time." Keeta reached in to his pocket, pulling out a small, skeleton shaped amulet. "This talisman has been in my family for generations. If you ever need help, no matter where you are, this will supposedly call an ancestor of mine to your aid. I don't feel right letting you go without it."

"Thanks, Keeta. I don't understand—"

"I've never needed to use it, so let's hope it works. I wish I could go with you."

"Why don't you? I could use your help."

Keeta didn't answer for a long time. "What happened with your boy out there; it's an ill omen, I kid you not. It's a quiet feeling, deep in my gut. That there's something there, even beyond all the stories, a cord that tenses and pulls tight like a noose every time I think about it. We joke Kafei, but at heart, I am not a good man. I'm a coward, and I'm selfish and greedy, and I want to live a good long life in comfort. The good Captain would be ashamed, I think."

"You're better than you think you are, Keeta. You just don't want to acknowledge it."

"Enough of this mush. I've got to get my stock ready for tonight." Keeta placed his hand on Kafei's shoulder and squeezed. "See you 'round." He started walking away, hands inside his pockets. He paused for a moment, as if forgetting something. "Make sure you come back alive. Take care, kid," he said without looking back. He shut the door behind him as he left, leaving Kafei alone to his contemplation.

On the other side of the town, the time had almost come for Link to escort Romani. Upon hearing the light sound of footsteps, Link jerked up from his light dozing, staring at the vision that was coming down the stairs. "Romani, you look beautiful," he said and meant it.

"Now you're just teasin,'" she said, tugging nervously at her hair. It was half up and half down, tied back in a bun. She had teased her bangs into a curl so that gentle ringlets covered her face. She had changed out of her ranch dress and into her Carnival dress, which was covered in bright, festive feathers. "I knew you could play the charmer if'n you wanted to." She pulled a light blue bird's mask and slipped it over her face.

Link, since the outfit for the Carnival was still covered in blood, chose to wear his ceremonial outfit as the Captain, since he really didn't have anything else that would fit such an occasion. Silver mail covered his chest, covered in a pale tunic, while a purple cloak edged in gold covered his back. He didn't wear it often, since it reminded him too much of another caped figure, but it would have to do for tonight. For obvious reasons, he chose not to wear his mask. Too much of a reminder. He contemplated wearing one of his others, but it seemed to violate the spirit of the Carnival somehow. He held out his arm, gesturing to his partner. "Shall we make an appearance?"

Romani smiled at him and winked. "Let's." They called their goodbyes to Anju, and made their way through town.

It was Link's first time out of the Inn since the night before, and he was shocked at how quickly South Clock Town had been rebuilt. It was as busy as ever, and for a moment Link was overwhelmed by anxiety. It passed though, as people started happily calling out greetings and thank yous to the blond. He shouldn't have worried. People were as cordial as ever, even as they were distant, and he slowly relaxed.

Was it really already the second night of the Carnival? Sometimes, when Link thought about it too much, or maybe not enough, the fireworks that lit up the sky seemed to take him back seven years. The years blurred together in his mind, shifting about his mind like the soft fluttering of a fairy's wing.

He sighed. It was a different sort of exhaustion that he felt this time, but it made him no less weary. Romani pulled on his arm, and he was happy to follow her lead. He may not have been able to give her what she wanted, but he could try to make her happy this one night at least.

Listening to her chattering excitedly in his ear, he followed her to the entertainment booths. How long had it been since he stepped away from himself and actually enjoyed the company of those around him? He would enjoy himself and let it go. He wouldn't think of the past anymore, not tonight. It could wait until tomorrow.

"C'mon Link, let's go dance!" She smiled brightly at him.

Link was a little hesitant at first, but returned Romani's smile. "Sure!"

Guru-Guru, in the meanwhile, cranked another happy reel on his phonograph, as Romani swung Link to the dance floor. Surprisingly, Link was familiar with the dance. It involved a lot of fancy footwork, but Link was able to keep up with it. He and Romani flew across the dance floor, while the other dancers circled around them, clapping to the lively tune. As the song came to a close, everyone applauded, and Link and Romani bowed to an appreciative audience. Soon, the Gorman Troupe left the stage, and the workers began setting up for the next act.

Link noticed the instruments with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Romani, what's going on next?"

"The Indigo-Gos are goin' to play soon. It's their first performance in ages!" Romani said excitedly. "I can't wait to see them!"

Link tried to be excited, but he couldn't help but recall Lulu's silence as she stood before Mikau's grave, and the last words she spoke to him. "...Mikau is dead? How can that be? Then who..." Her eyes had widened. "Imposter! How?" She'd screamed then, backing away as fast as she could to put distance between them.

"My name is Link," Link had uttered quietly in Mikau's voice, his head down. " I meant no harm." He'd then taken off the Zora mask, transforming into himself. "I'm sorry," he'd said.

"A child," she'd whispered. "Tell me," she'd commanded quietly, her musical voice quivering.

Link had obliged her request. He felt uncomfortable, but it had to be done. "Gerudo pirates. He set off to find your eggs they'd stolen. He made it as far as the fortress, but...they got him. I found him floating in the water, birds after him. I tried healing him, but it was too late. He told me to do whatever it took to get them back, and begged me to heal his soul. It resides here," he said, showing her the mask.

"Mikau," Lulu sobbed brokenly, "Our children."

Link knew that if he moved to comfort her, he'd only make it worse. He let her have her time as she cried over his grave. Finally, she stood.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Link tentatively asked.

She'd looked at him then, truly looked at him for the first time. "Mikau...he was my heart. Young as you are, you wouldn't understand. False hope is worse than none at all. You deceived us." Her voice held anger, more than Link would have ever expected from her gentle nature. "Go. Begone, and leave me in peace." She turned back to the grave and clasped her hands together over her heart, closing her eyes.

Link had done what she asked, staying away from the Great Bay as much as he could, the Zora Hall specifically, but their conversation continued to haunt him to this day. He knew she would hurt, but her anger towards him, for living while Mikau died...That was unexpected. If it had gone the other way around, Termina would not have been saved.

"C'mon! Let's get good seats!" Romani said, and pulled him towards the stage. Link reluctantly followed. She pulled them to a small opening in the crowd near the center of the stage, just in time for the band to walk out.

Link found some small humor in the fact the new lead guitarist was the selfsame Zora that spent all of his time peeking into Lulu's bedroom. Pervert. They couldn't have found anyone else?

The crowd fell silent as Lulu walked out. The music began as she swayed in front of her microphone. She opened her mouth to beginning singing and stopped. No words came out. She stood there with a look of shock on her features. Several more seconds passed as she stared into Link's eyes. The bassist, Japas, stepped over to her, whispering into her ear. That seemed to shake her from her stupor, and a look of determination fell over her face. She started to sing. Nothing like their usual jazzy melodies. This one was haunting, full of pain, loss, and anger. Link started to retreat, but he was held firmly in place by Romani, her eyes fixed rapturously to the stage. Link sighed, and waited for the set to end. He'd leave as soon as he could.

When it did end, the manager Toto stood on stage, announcing a thirty minute break. Link and Romani made to leave, but not before they were stopped by a Zora who looked more muscular than the average. "Lulu requests your presence. Follow me."

"I'm afraid that—" Link began.

"You are to follow me. I must insist."

Left with no option to gracefully decline without a fight, which wouldn't look good for Link as Captain of the Town Guard, he nodded and followed the Zora.

"Link? What's goin' on?" Romani asked, trying to follow them.

"Ma'am, I respectfully ask that you stay here. I will be back with your young man shortly," the Zora said. Romani looked ready to argue, but when she saw the look on Link's face, she backed down, nodding.

Link followed the Zora to a large tent, presumably used as dressing rooms. "She is in there. You are free to leave when you are finished."

Alone with Lulu. This conversation was to be painful then. He stepped into the tent, seeing her standing not to far from him. Link steeled himself against her words. He was surprised instead, when she reached out to him, grabbing his arm. Her touch felt smooth with a hint of roughness, like fine sandpaper.

"You said your name was Link, didn't you?" Lulu began.

"Yes," Link said, unsure of what to expect.

"I thought so. Here, I'd like to show you something." She led him by his hand to a sectioned off wall of the tent. A group of young Zoras lay in a pile sleeping, an unfinished game nearby. It used fish bones and seashells in what appeared to be random places on a clam shell board, expertly hinged.

"Chokehold?" Link asked.

"Ah, so you do remember the game. It was one of Mikau's favorites. Here, I'd like you to meet my children. She gestured from left to right. "The youngest girl is Lulu. Her sister there is Laruto." Link flinched at name's similarity. "Then we have little Mikau. He looks so much like him, doesn't he?"

Link nodded, unable to say anything.

"Then we have Japas, named for his long head fins. There is Tela. He's the wildest. Next to him is Sila. Last is Link. They've been wanting to meet you for a very long time."

The young namesake sleepily clambered to Link, reaching up for him. Not knowing what else to do, Link picked him up, where he sleepily curled his head against his shoulder, uncaring of the mail. Link cradled him softly, stroking the fine sandpaper skin of his back.

"You named him after me. Why?"

"Why indeed?" Lulu said. "I'm afraid I was too harsh to you. You risked your life to save my children. I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost them both." She took a deep breath. "Apologies can be difficult, especially when you're proud. But I must apologize for my unkindness. You're a hero. When I saw you tonight, I knew I had to make amends."

"Amends? There was no need to—"

"Must you be so stubborn? I'm sorry. You haven't come back to the Hall in ages. I waited."

"You asked me to stay away. So I did."

"Yes. I was hurting, and lashed out at the messenger." Lulu was quiet for a time at his statement. "His spirit still remains with you, doesn't it?"

"I haven't used it since that day."

"Truly? May I see it?" Link handed it over. "It looks like such a simple mask. It's hard to think that Mikau's soul is in here."

"He gave himself for your children, and so all of Termina could live. He was a true hero, a great Zora, and I wish I could have known him longer. You may keep it, if you wish."

"No," Lulu said, handing him back the mask. "He gave it to you. He trusted you in his final moments to finish what he couldn't. So I shall also trust you. Keep it, and use it again, so even though he no longer swims the oceans, he remains alive in you."

"Thank you. I'm sorry again, Lulu. Know if you ever need me for anything, I will be there in Mikau's stead." He shifted the sleeping child in his arms.

"Yes. There is another matter I called you here for, however, knowing that you helped us in the last crisis. The ocean temperature is rising again, and the Professor cannot figure the source of it. Will you look into it?"

"I will. I'm heading out on an errand to Ikana, but when I get back, I'll go immediately."

"Thank you. One more thing before you go—May I see Mikau?" Lulu asked, her voice no more than a whisper.

Link said nothing, merely placing the child back on a sea of pillows, surrounding the rest of the sleeping children, He placed the mask on his face, grimacing at the familiar pain. The form didn't stretch him as much, so there wasn't as much pain, but he couldn't stop a small groan from escaping his lips.

"Is it always so painful?" Lulu asked.

"Yes," Link replied in Mikau's voice. "It used to be even worse, as young as I was." The singer merely threw herself into Link's arms, sobbing as he held her. After a time, she was finished.

"Do you feel better?" Link asked.

"Y-yes," she hiccuped. "I-I don't know what came over me," she said miserably.

"Shh, it's all right," Link said. "I think you've held on to that for a very long time."

"Miss Lulu, the show is going to start in—" the muscular Zora said as he came in, before stopping in shock at seeing Lulu in the arms of a Zora. "Mikau?" he breathed. "How?"

"Go, Alis. I will be there in five," Lulu snapped. When the Zora didn't move, she snapped again. "I said go!"

"Yes ma'am!" Alis squeaked, leaving the front of the tent.

Awkward silence filled the tent. Link spoke up, extracting himself from Lulu's arms. "They're only a few years older than my goddaughter. You're welcome to visit with us at the inn. I don't think Kafei and Anju will mind. There's few enough playmates as it is for little Kona." He took off the mask, reverting back to human form.

A frown crossed her face. "Are you sure?" "He nodded. "I'd be happy to come then, Link. Thank you," Lulu said.

"It was my pleasure," Link said, leaving the tent. That had turned out better than he could have ever hoped. He made his way back to the stage, where he was immediately set on by Romani.

"What was that, Link? Are you okay?"

"Never better Romani, never better." Link smiled at her, the warmth of it melting her heart. "Let's finish the show."