Chapter 8! Trying to get one of these done a week is incredibally aggrivating. Especially with a longer chapter like this one. And on top of it all, AP tests are in a few weeks, and I've gotta keep my priorities straight. Oh well, I can promise that the next chapter will be in next week since it's a really short one.
As always, read and review, por favor!
Chapter 8
"Hero's might will be tested,"
"Link…" a murky voice intoned from somewhere beside the youth. "Link, wake up…" Groggily, he opened his eyes, trying to wipe the sleep from them as his vision sharpened.
"I'm ashamed of you," Malon continued as Link finally pulled himself awake. "How can you fall asleep in the pew on your brother's wedding day?"
"I…" he began, suddenly faltering. Malon? Link spun, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. "Malon?" he repeated aloud, voice hardly a whisper. How is this happening? She was kidnapped by… As soon as he had it, the thought vanished like smoke, impossible for him to regain. Of course Malon's here, he told himself. Where else would she be?
Immediately, all his previous surprise and amazement was gone, miraculously replaced by confidence as the memories of the past few months began tumbling back into his mind.
Link's brother Sam had proposed to Beck almost three months ago, just a few days after Link and Malon had gotten out of high school. Beck had been so excited at the proposal that she'd insisted that the wedding day be moved up so they could be married by summer's end, and Sam had been more than happy to oblige.
Link remembered the crazy proposal night. Everybody had been there, including Malon. During dinner, Sam had gotten down on one knee, holding out a magnificent gold ring to an astonished Rebecka. It was with tears of joy that she accepted, voice cracking from excitement.
Afterward, Link had felt so happy, so deliriously happy that he couldn't think straight. Not two hours later, Link found himself confessing affection toward Malon and asking her out on a date. They'd been together ever since.
And today Sam was finally getting married! Everyone had dressed up nicely for the occasion, Link in a new black tux with a green vest, and Malon with a dazzling red dress. Link and Malon were sitting in the second pew, the first having been saved for photographs of Link and Sam's parents.
The excitement seemed like a short relief as well, since it distracted from the horrible things that had been occurring all around Hylia recently. Abnormal earthquakes plagued the city, shattering windows and crushing entire communities in their own rubble. There had been a handful of disappearances too, all boys just about Link's age. He shivered, times like these made people look twice before they crossed the street.
On top of it all, the crime level had reached staggering new heights. Many people believed this to be the result of a black mood plaguing the city's people. Everybody felt it, felt the oppression and hopelessness, and it was getting worse with every day.
At least Link's nightmares had finally gone away. Ever since that strange night when he'd woken up with some foreign instrument in his hands, he'd begun to have dreams of the same woman, always shouting for Link to help her. The instrument had remained a mystery for a few days before Link had finally gotten rid of it. For all he knew it was still laying somewhere in Malon's hayloft.
Over the last few months though, the dreams had gotten worse and worse until all he heard in the night was the woman's bone chilling screams as blood ran rampant down her face. For weeks he'd been afraid to sleep, staying awake for days at a time until finally collapsing from exhaustion. About a week ago, the nightmares had suddenly stopped, and for the first time in months, Link was able to sleep soundly; he finally felt refreshed.
Well, almost. Every once in a while he'd still find himself drifting off and taking a little nap on a car ride or during dinner. Or in a pew. He laughed silently to himself. How in the name of the Goddesses did he manage to fall asleep at his brother's wedding?
"Link?" Malon said from beside him.
"Hmm?" he replied, turning to face her. He found it hard to focus on her though, his attention kept being pulled to different objects around the ornate chamber that Sam and Rebecka had chosen as the place they would take their wedding vows. The ceiling was about two stories high, and all around the walls hung tapestries and paintings that looked hundreds of years old. The floor rose up a few steps at the front of the room, and on the rising sat a magnificent altar where couples would traditionally kneel and perform the marriage rites.
"Are you ok?" Malon asked worriedly. "You seemed really out of it after I woke you up, and you said my name like you were really surprised to see me."
Had he done that? Link couldn't remember.
"I'm always surprised when I wake up to a world where a girl as beautiful and talented as you could end up with a guy like me," Link said. He flashed her a dashing smile.
"You're a shameless flirt," she replied jokingly. She blushed, and leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. A few rows back somebody whistled. Link spun around and threw a crumpled up program at the antagonist.
Ever since he'd asked Malon out on the first date, he'd become more and more confident around other people, even going so far as to start conversations with kids that he'd see at some of the hangouts that he and Malon frequented. Link quickly learned that people hadn't ever been avoiding him at school because of his odd ears, he had been avoiding them. All these years of thinking that he was being ostracized by his fellow classmates, and it turned out, he had been the one ostracizing them.
He'd made quite a few good friends over the summer, even inviting a couple of them to Sam's wedding; including the freckled redhead three rows back that had whistled at him.
"Shut up man, you're just jealous," he joked back at his friend, who was still fishing for the lost program underneath his pew. Malon giggled again, laying a gentle hand on Link's knee. He quietly sneaked an arm around her shoulders in return, savoring the feel of her soft skin underneath his archery callused fingers.
The violin and harp players in the front corner of the chamber began to play after a few minutes, signaling the beginning of the ceremony. First down the aisle was the priest, walking slowly between the pews, his aged face bright with joy. Next came two flower girls that skipped down the aisle, throwing little flower pedals haphazardly into nearby people's faces. Some of the audience laughed at their antics, but a reverent mood quickly took hold of the room once again. Lastly, the promised couple came, hand-in-hand with Beck's fingers resting daintily upon Sam's raised palm, walking slowly down the aisle toward the altar.
Link was amazed at how beautiful Rebecka looked in her wedding dress. The silk white gown flowed hypnotically around her feet, and the long sleeves draped loosely around her forearms. Her hair was curled for the occasion, red locks falling beautifully around her shoulders. To Link, she looked almost like a Goddess. Imagining Malon in the dress, Link blushed. She would make it even more beautiful.
Sam walked down the aisle beside Rebecka, also dressed nicely. He was wearing the traditional white tuxedo and shoes, and his usually rampant hair was combed back into a manageable mane. Sam's face was one to inspire curiosity. The most obviously dominant emotion portrayed was joy, but for some reason Link detected sadness as well. It wasn't sadness at the union that Sam was forming, Link realized as Sam glanced sorrowfully at the photos of their parents that occupied the front pew. Sam was feeling the awful void that had been left by their parent's deaths. The realization hurt Link too; Sam deserved for them to be here.
As the couple approached the altar, Link brought his left hand across and grasped Malon's hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. The music softened noticeably as the marriage rite began, and, as one, Sam and Rebecka knelt at the base of the altar.
"It is with abounding joy that I bring these two young people before the altar today," the priest intoned dramatically, beginning the vows. "Man and woman, husband and wife, a fraternal bond envied by even the three sacred Goddesses." The priest stopped to take a deep breath, and Link took the opportunity to sneak a glance at the girl beside him. Goddesses, she was beautiful. He quietly drank up the sight of her as he ran his right hand through her beautiful red hair.
He brought his attention back up to the altar as the priest continued, but not before giving Malon's hand a tiny squeeze. I would die if I ever lost you, he silently vowed.
"Therefore, I humble beseech the Goddesses to watch over and protect this holy union," the priest said. "Din, Goddess of power, give this marriage strength and bind them to each other for all eternity." Pulling a lit candle from underneath the altar, the priest handed it to Sam and Rebecka. Together, the couple held the candle between them. Sam had told Link beforehand that the candle signified strength in their marriage, and by holding it together, they showed their willingness to work together to keep the union strong.
"Nayru, Goddess of wisdom, give this marriage peace, and give each of these young people contentment and hope for the future." This time, the priest brought out a small basin of water. Laying it on the table, he dipped two gnarled fingers from each hand in it. Then, leaning forward, he touched his wet fingers to each of the couple's eyelids. Link knew that the water symbolized cleanliness and purity, and by putting the water on the couple's eyelids, it supposedly washed away lust and wrongful desire, purifying the marriage.
"Farore, Goddess of courage," the priest continued. He was talking more slowly now, as if fatigued by his work. "Give this union fruit. Help them to see the beauty in all things, and for them to experience new joy with every passing day." The priest brought out the last symbolic article, a small plate of soil. Holding the plate in one hand, he used the other to grab a pinch of soil and sprinkle it upon each of Sam and Rebecka's brows. This was one of the most cherished of marriage traditions. The soil was meant to bind the lover's two hearts into one breast, like vines intertwining as they reach toward the sun.
Setting the plate down, the priest took his wizened hands and set one on each of the couple's heads.
"Love is a beautiful thing," the priest said. Link was warmed by the sincerity pouring from the old man. "It is what sets mankind apart. Love binds us together, creating in us one joint soul, one binding spirit."
The words touched Link deeply. For the first time, he felt like he fully understood how strong the love that Sam and Rebecka had for each other truly was. He found himself wishing that one day he and would find that same caliber of love and compassion in his relationship with Malon. To be able to pledge their entire lives to each other without even the slightest regret or second though, that was true love.
Link found a tear sneaking down his cheek as he watched his family grow. Their love was swelling, bursting at the seams. Together, they had come a long way from that day three years ago when they had lost all that was once precious to them.
"Sam," the priest continued. "What is the purpose of this rite?"
"To pledge my love for Rebecka before both the Goddesses and the people here today," Sam replied.
Another tear found its way down Link's cheek, and another. He felt Malon squeeze his hand, and when he looked over at her, she was smiling compassionately at him. With a steady hand, she reached up and wiped the tears out of his eyes, letting her fingers trail delicately over his damp cheeks for a moment before falling away.
Link's heart was near to bursting. Happiness, pure happiness filled him. Every particle of his being felt like it was shining, irradiating joy.
"Rebecka," Link heard the priest say. "What is the purpose of this rite?" Link's hand grasped Malon's even more tightly. He never wanted to let go, never wanted to lose this feeling.
"To pledge my love for Sam before the Goddesses and the people here today," Beck replied without hesitation.
After this he was going to have a family again.
"Then, by love, you are now man and wife," the priest finished.
And I'm never going to lose them again.
Without warning, the ground began shaking violently. A deep rumble filled the chamber, quickly followed by a loud, ominous roar that sounded much like that of a wild animal. Link reached over and wrapped his arms protectively around Malon, holding her body tightly to his. These strange earthquakes had been occurring all over Hylia, and several times entire buildings had collapsed, burying everybody inside.
Suddenly, the stone wall behind the elderly priest exploded inward, sending giant rocks and dust flying into the room. Without thinking, Link quickly threw himself and Malon onto the floor behind the pew in front of him, narrowly avoiding being struck by a giant boulder. As the earthquake died out, he began to hear the screams of fear and pain fill the room.
Link slowly brought his head up, looking over the pews around him nervously. He gasped in horror at what he saw. The blast from the explosion had sent deadly debris shooting at the people occupying the pews. The elderly priest was now a crumbled heap in the aisle where he had been thrown by the blast. Blood covered the entire left side of his face, and all of his frail limbs stuck out in grotesque directions.
Continuing to look around the chamber, Link became nauseated by the horrible scene before him. All around him he saw both the dead and dying, their bodies crushed by flying rubble. Three rows back, his red-haired friend was sagged over the back of the pew he had been occupying, a piece of wood lodged in his chest. Many of those who were not seriously injured were woozily trying to escape the horrors of the room, but their confused bodies only stumbled around sickeningly for a minute before collapsing from shock.
Sam! Beck! Link spun around, searching desperately for his family. He breathed a deep sigh of relief when he found them, clutching each other in the shelter of the altar. They seemed unhurt, just dazed. Link wished that he could spare his brother and newfound sister the terror that they would open their eyes to.
Shakily, Link forced himself to his feet, at the same time helping pull a still dizzy Malon back onto the pew.
"W-what…" she began, but trailed off when she saw the carnage from the blast.
"I-I don't know," Link replied, answering her unasked question. He was still leaning heavily on the pew, but was beginning to feel like he could walk again. Slowly, he began making his way toward the altar. "I'm going to go make sure that Sam and Rebecka are alright," he said to Malon. "Go call 9-1-1." His mind and vision were still swimming from the ordeal, but he knew that they needed help.
Out of nowhere, there came a deep booming laugh that echoed ominously around the ruined chamber.
"I've finally found you," the deep male voice said. The words were followed by an immense figure appearing out of the dust where the wall had exploded. "Heir of the Triforce of Courage!"
The man's presence immediately filled the room. Black and gold armor plates covered most of his body, and around his shoulders sat a black and maroon cape. The neck of the cape merged into even more gold embellished armor that came up around his neck in a high collar. The man's eerie green tinted skin was topped by spiked red hair, and a large golden jewel was mounted on his large forehead. He didn't seem to be carrying any sort of gun, but Link couldn't tell for sure underneath the large imperial cape. Either way, he was a man that Link planned to avoid. The problem was, he was staring right at Link.
Who is this? Link asked himself nervously. Did he blow up the wall? A few feet away, in front of the altar, Sam and Rebecka were finally getting to their feet. "Sam!" Link yelled. "Are you two ok?" Sam nodded dizzily, looking around the room with a sick look on his face. After a moment he noticed the commanding man at the front of the chamber. Immediately, Sam stepped in front of Rebecka, protecting her with his body.
"Who are you?" Sam asked loudly. The large man, who had been surveying the room without expression, slowly looked down at Sam. His eyes squinted and mouth tightened with revulsion, the same expression that most people would use if they found mud on their shoes.
"I am Ganon, King of Darkness and Master of the Triforce of Power," he said dramatically after a moment. "But I am not here for you, peasant." Ganon brought his arm up toward Sam and waved his hand as if brushing away a fly. With a grunt, Sam was thrown backwards across the room, tumbling wildly through the air before colliding headfirst into the brick wall at the far end of the room behind the last row of pews. Sam sank to the ground and collapsed into a limp heap.
"Sam!" Link heard Beck scream as she ran the aisle, sidestepping rocks and bodies as she went. "Somebody help me!" she screamed helplessly as she reached him, kneeling down and holding his mangled body in her arms.
Link was numb in disbelief. Ganon? The King of Darkness? There's no way that this is real. Sam can't be dead. Ganon is just a myth!
"The one I am here for," Ganon continued as his nothing out of the ordinary had happened. "Is you." Ganon lifted a finger and pointed straight at Link. Link froze where he stood, rooted to the spot out of utter confusion and fear.
"Come here boy," Ganon said; Link didn't move. Snarling, Ganon turned his hand over and curled his finger in one swift motion, as if to somehow beckon Link to him. Goosebumps broke out all over Link's skin. The air around him was condensing, stifling his breath.
It was terrifying, the feeling of hopelessness as Link slowly lost the ability to breath. The air seemed to have just turned to stone around his body. Suddenly, the air pocket that held him shifted, grabbing him and carrying him through the air like a rag doll toward the overbearing presence at the front of the room. He came to a sudden, painful halt right in front of Ganon, but the magic that had sent him flying through the air continued to hold him tightly, dangling his feet just inches off the ground.
Sneering, Ganon reached out and firmly grasped Link's chin, moving his face from side to side, inspecting.
"You have an uncanny resemblance to your most recent predecessor," Ganon said thoughtfully. Link still couldn't breathe, the rock hard air refused to let him draw in oxygen. His vision began to blur, and stars danced in front of his eyes. Air, I need air!
Suddenly, he was free. Link collapsed to the floor, lungs sobbing wildly for breath. Just as his vision cleared, a huge boot connected with his chest, sending him over the altar and into the debris strewn aisle below.
Link was in agony. He desperately needed oxygen, his lungs were screaming for it, but his body refused to draw breath. His breathing was short and quick, air knocked completely out of him by Ganon's kick, but slowly he returned to full consciousness.
"I can't have you die on me quite so quickly," Ganon mocked. "No, a quick death is much too easy." Laughing, Ganon magically soared over the altar. Alighting nimbly on the ground and striding powerfully toward Link.
Link couldn't move. Out of pain or fear he didn't know, but his body wouldn't respond. Meanwhile, Ganon kept walking closer. Link began sweating, shaking in fear. His was helpless before this monster. His heart beat faster and faster. He was helpless.
Out of the rows of pews burst Malon. She dove wildly through the air, colliding into Ganon and carrying them both to the floor.
"Link, run!" she screamed.
No, Malon… Link was having trouble thinking straight. Before his very eyes he was watching his entire life fall apart. He began shaking more than ever, muscles locking up and heart racing like a drum roll.
With a ferocious roar, Ganon jumped back onto his feet. Snarling, he grabbed Malon by the neck and held her, by his left hand, in the air in front of him.
"Meddlesome wretch!" Ganon yelled ferociously. "No one harasses me and lives!" He pulled back his right hand as if he were going to hit her, palm open. In his hand appeared a bright blue ball of energy. It sizzled dangerously, sapphire lightning occasionally shooting out in different directions and melting anything it came into contact with.
Malon. She was going to die. In an instant, all the feelings that he had for Malon rushed back to him, stronger than ever. Pride cleared his mind, peace calmed his body, and love…love gave him strength. He would not let Malon die for him.
As Ganon thrust the deadly ball of energy toward Malon, Link moved. He moved faster than he'd ever moved before, jumping off the ground and diving forward with uncanny speed.
He screamed as the lightning tore through his body. The energy ripped at his chest and stomach, burning through his frail flesh. Every part of his body seemed like it was on fire, and his eyes rolled up into his head, darkening his vision.
It seemed like he hung there for an eternity, balanced on the edge of demise. His cloudy mind cleared for the first time, and he looked back on his life with crystal clear visualization. He saw the sorrow and happiness he had experienced, but he could also see the things that he could have done, the what-ifs that might have come to be had he lived. As he fell into death's welcoming embrace, he heard Ganon's sinister voice.
"I have won again, Hero of Time."