A/N: Sorry for the long wait, but I've been going through some things. I'm back though, and although my style may be a little under par due to my long absence, I guarantee it'll be up to usual standards next chapter, which I will have finished as soon as possible. Enjoy.
The Journey Begins
Lord Arcana rested contentedly within the confines of his own personal throne room in the Black Tower. The circular room was large and spacious, encompassing nearly the entire diameter of the tower, and appeared as if it had been carved out of what had once been a solid stone tower. Not one window adorned the smooth, glossy black walls. The only illumination for the dimly lit room came from candelabras jutting out from the walls. Save for the candelabras, there was no other decoration to be found in the room.
The massive throne Lord Arcana sat upon was made of the same black stone as the tower, and it rose upward from the floor as if it had grown out of it. It was a simple, solid stone throne. No jewels or brightly colored tapestries graced its sides and it had no cushions, yet Lord Arcana's large, muscular frame rested comfortably within it.
Lord Arcana sat there with an air of authority surrounding him. A crooked smile ringed his face as he sat there, visions of his inevitable victory dancing across his eyes. Evenly spaced along the walls around him stood his twelve elite Darknut warriors. They stood as still as statues, menacing yellow eyes peering out from underneath their helms.
The soft footfalls of Gerik walking into the room and heading over to Lord Arcana's throne were the only sounds that could be heard in the expansive chamber. Gerik walked with an air of superiority, yet even he couldn't help but stare in awe at the simple, yet impressive chamber. He walked straight up to Lord Arcana and got down on one knee and bowed before speaking.
"Your throne room is impressive my lord," Gerik said with his head still bowed, "if a little simple for someone of your magnificence."
"You are already in my good graces Gerik," Lord Arcana chuckled while signaling for him to rise. "Don't cheapen it by sucking up. True, this room may be simple for someone like me, but Hyrule Castle's throne room shall serve me quite well I think once I am victorious. So tell me, any activity from Hyrule Castle?"
"Not yet. I think they believe things will be just like last time. I think they're waiting for us to make the first move."
"Pathetic simpletons," Lord Arcana laughed. "Little do they realize that I've already made my moves. All we need to do now is play the waiting game and let the final pieces fall into place. By the time they realize that we're not going to attack them, it'll be too late to stop us."
"Your victory is assured."
"It's remarks like that that lead to defeat. I won't consider victory assured until we have victory. If there's one thing that we can learn from my former son, it's that overconfidence can destroy even the most well laid out plan, and that arrogance will lead to death. I'm surprised at you. As a former Sheikah you should have already known that."
"I know my lord, and I am sorry, but with each passing second we grow closer and closer to victory. They can't even contemplate what we have planned, let alone stop it; especially now that the Master Sword has been destroyed."
"No! While as a whole the Hyrulian Army may be powerless to stop us, there are three individuals who now stand between us and certain victory: the Hero of Time, the Sage of Wisdom, and the last remaining Guardian of the Triforce."
"Well," Gerik smirked evilly, "it's a good thing then that you brought back to life and made general the one person who knows all three of their weaknesses."
"You're turning out to be far better than I could've ever hoped for my boy. When I met you on the field of battle one year ago, I saw how you commanded the Gerudo forces and witnessed first hand your skill and ferocity. It is for those reasons I brought you back, but now it seems that you offer more. So tell me, how can we bring down Hyrule's greatest?"
"Zelda's the easiest, especially now that her feelings for Link have been revealed. If we were to put Link in a dire situation, or even make her believe that he's in trouble, she'll come to his rescue in a second. Zelda is a strong, wise, and capable ruler, there's no denying that, but she rules with her feelings. It is those same feelings that will cause her to forsake Hyrule, however, if she could save Link. As for Link, he's the typical hero. He'll always put his own life on the line to protect the lives of others, even strangers. All we need to do is put him into a situation that we control, spring a trap, and he's ours."
"Excellent!" Lord Arcana declared with such malevolent glee that he was almost drooling. "But what about the last one? Without the Master Sword in Link's possession, she is our biggest concern."
"Oh, Navi," Gerik said with a wide malicious grin. "Just leave her to me."
Link stood at the entrance to the only path leading up into the Great Northern Mountains of Hyrule. He stared up at the winding path before him wondering exactly what dangers lay ahead for him. On him he wore the custom green tunic that Zelda had made for him after his original had been destroyed in the War of the Triforce. From his belt hung his bomb bag and on his back was the Biggoron Sword and Mirror Shield.
Besides Link stood his trusty steed Epona. Hanging down from both sides of her were several bulging saddlebags as well as Link's bow and quiver of arrows. Epona neighed unsettlingly as she stared up the path, but in no way made any effort to run away despite Link not having a hold on her reins. When he heard her neigh though, Link reached over and petted Epona's head in an effort to comfort her before turning around to face everyone who had come to see him off.
Standing behind Link and Epona, all with grim looks of uncertainty, was Rauru, Darunia, Ruto, Nabooru, Malon, and Zelda. Navi was absent. Having been completely demoralized and fallen into a depressed state, she had locked herself in her room in Hyrule Castle. Link couldn't blame her for not being there to see him off, yet he had hoped that she would've come just for the sake that it would've shown signs of her recovering. He had done all he could to make her feel better the night before, but it had taken all he could offer just to get her to go back with him to the castle. He hated to have to leave her in that state, but this was a mission of vital importance not to mention that she would have Zelda and Malon to cheer her up if possible.
"Well," Link said to the group while letting out a breath, "I'm all set."
"Good luck Link," replied Rauru. "May the goddesses watch over you on your journey."
"Yeah. With all the luck we've been having so far, I'd say I'm going to need any and all miracles possible if I'm to reach the Queen Fairy."
"Don't worry brother," said Darunia as he handed Link a folded cloth in which was the broken hilt of the Master Sword and the shards of its blade, "you'll be fine. If anyone can make it to the Queen Fairy, it's you."
"Let's hope so," Link replied with a childish grin, "cause if not we're all doomed." Link's grin soon vanished and his face became solemn. "Hmpf, that's something Gerik would've said. Guess he rubbed off on me more than I thought."
Everyone closed their eyes and looked down at the mention of Gerik's name. A few seconds passed without anyone saying a word, and then Zelda stepped toward Link.
"It's not your fault Link," she said as she stroked her hand across his cheek. "We will win, and when we do we'll release Lord Arcana's hold on Gerik and his soul can finally rest in peace."
"I know," Link replied a little grudgingly. "And don't worry, I will be back."
"Oh I know you will," Zelda said with a sly smirk, "cause if you don't, I'll hunt you down and kill you myself. Now here, take this."
Link looked down and saw in Zelda's outstretched hand the Ocarina of Time. He quickly looked back up into her face with surprise. He was unsure of what to make of it.
"What are you giving me this for?" he asked, still slightly stunned.
"There's no telling what dangers and protective measures you'll face up there, so you're going to need all the help you can get," she replied. "You never know, it may come in handy. And hey, even if it doesn't, at least this way I'll be with you all the way."
Link just smiled at her while Zelda kissed him on the cheek. She then walked over toward the others while Link hopped up onto Epona's back. Turning Epona toward the path, Link looked over his shoulder at everyone one last time, especially Malon.
"You watch over her Malon," Link said still smiling. "Don't let her become too crazy while I'm gone."
"Yeah well, you just better make sure you come back, and quickly, or no promises," Malon replied playfully. "And Epona, you take good care of Link, you hear?"
Epona neighed happily in response to Malon's words. Link just chuckled as he tapped Epona's sides and they took off along the mountain path. Rauru, Darunia, Ruto, and Nabooru stared at Link as he galloped away one last time before turning around and heading back to the castle. Zelda remained, staring until there was nothing left except the dust clouds kicked up by Epona, and even then still stared on. Malon remained with her, and after awhile walked over toward her.
"Don't worry," Malon said as she grasped Zelda's shoulder and looked at her with a wide smile, "he'll come back safe and sound."
"Yeah, I know," Zelda smiled back. "I just hope that there will be something left for him to return to. A lot can happen while he's away."
"Well you're in command now princess. Link had taken over for you until you were emotionally stable to assume the throne, but now it looks like you have no choice. Your father certainly is in no condition to lead Hyrule."
"Yeah," Zelda replied, her voice turning solemn as her mind drifted to her bedridden father, the toxin in his body slowly killing him. "I just hope, that in his eyes at least, I can do a good job."
"Of course you will. You are a strong ruler Zelda. I've seen you. You care for the people just as your father did. You'll do just fine; I know you will."
"Thanks Malon. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'd probably have offed yourself a long time ago and Link would now be mine," Malon joked. "Hey, don't look at me like that. You know it's the truth. Now come on, let's go see if we can cheer up Navi."
Only an hour into his trek, Link came across his first obstacle. Up till now, the going had been smooth. The mountain path winded its way up into the mountains at a gentle slope, its surface barely scarred by any pits or rock debris. The cliff walls towered high above him on either side. Both Link and Epona had enjoyed the trip thus far, and had made excellent time. They had traveled much farther than Link had originally thought they would given all the dangers he had been warned about.
Now, however, the road before him was blocked. The cliff walls had collapsed filling in the path with boulders as large as Link. The entire width of the path was covered with rubble, so much so that not even a bug could have squeezed through, and it extended halfway up the cliff walls. From the smoothness of where the stones had fallen from, Link figured that this was not a recent occurrence.
Link just sat atop Epona trying to figure a way through. There was no telling how far up the path the obstruction went, and climbing over it was an impossibility. Link knew he might have to abandon Epona somewhere along the trail, but this was too soon. There was no way he could climb with all the supplies on his back and then make it to the Queen Fairy before his supplies ran out.
From the looks of things the boulders looked well compacted from their years, maybe even decades, of remaining untouched. Link had brought a good supply of bombs for just this sort of situation, but he didn't want to have to use them all up this soon. He wasn't even sure if he had enough just to blow through this, and if it extended for more than a few feet he'd never get by.
Link didn't have much choice though. There was no way he could dig through, so with a sigh Link hopped off of Epona and unhooked his bomb bag from Epona's saddle. As he untied the bag, Link stared at the formation before him trying to decide where best to plant the bombs. He couldn't place them at the base like he usually did since it was so high. The bombs would have no effect.
Reaching up as high as he could, Link placed the bombs into whatever crevices he could find, spacing them far enough apart for maximum effect. He placed ten such bombs, and then took a few steps back to look over his work. With a reluctant shrug, Link hooked the bomb bag back up to Epona's saddle and then set about tying all the fuses together. Link then lit the fuse and quickly hopped atop Epona. As the fuse burned, Epona sped down the path and around a bend to avoid the blast.
The bombs exploded, the explosion echoing in Link's ears as smoke and rock debris flew in every direction. Epona whinnied at the explosion, but otherwise made no effort to run. When the smoke began to clear, Link led Epona cautiously back around the bend to see whether or not the path was now clear. Because of the narrowness of the path, the area was still hazy, yet through all the dust and debris Link could see that the path before him was now open. With a satisfied grin, Link now continued on his way.
Link's journey continued without a hitch. He noticed a significant incline along the path the higher into the mountains he got, but other than that he had yet to run across any more obstacles. Despite the lack of danger however, Link remained on high alert always with his hand ready to unsheathe his sword the instant he came under attack. He also had Epona walking at a much slower pace than when they had started. Link couldn't put his finger on it, but something about the mountains was making him uneasy.
Link listened intently for any sound, but the towering mountain cliffs made it difficult. The wind blew high above him, and although he was sure it carried with it other sounds, all he could hear were faint traces from time to time. Besides that the only sounds that caught his attention was that of loose rocks rolling down the mountain. It was at these times when Link was most alert, because the rocks could signal an enemy's approach. Even though he spotted nothing, Link just couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.
Even Epona was beginning to feel it. Even had Link not decided to take it slow, Epona would've made her way cautiously up the path anyway. Her head moved from left to right, as if she herself were on the lookout for danger as well. Every time a rock was shaken loose Epona snorted softly and looked toward the source of the noise. It almost looked to Link as if Epona was ready to defend her master at a moment's notice.
That thought brought back to Link Malon's words as he was departing. He immediately smiled at the thought of her, and Zelda, and all the others. He began to wonder how they were all doing. He worried for all their safety. Now that they knew it was Lord Arcana behind everything, and since Lord Arcana no longer had anything to fear since the Master Sword was shattered, he was free to commence with his plans at any time. Not only that, but now that Gerik had joined him he had gained a powerful ally indeed. Link couldn't help shake the feeling that even if he did succeed here, by the time he returned he would find Hyrule in ruin.
A rather loud neigh from Epona snapped Link out of his reverie. It took him several seconds to realize that they had stopped moving. He petted her side and leaned down toward Epona's ear to ask what the matter was when he looked out before him. Link's entire body nearly fell limp, and his mouth hung open slightly. They were standing on the edge of an extremely wide ravine.
With a deep sigh Link closed his eyes and hopped off of Epona. Epona then took a few steps back while Link moved up to the very edge of the ravine and peered out over it. The other side was at least twice the distance that Epona could jump, and the ravine was so deep that Link was unable to see the bottom. All he saw was darkness, but he could hear running water echoing its way up toward him.
Two decrepit wooden posts placed roughly five feet apart from each other stood next to Link. Tied around the top and bottom of both posts Link noticed the frayed and decayed remains of a thick rope. Directly across the ravine Link could spot another pair of wooden posts. Link crossed his arms across his chest and stared out across the ravine wondering just how long ago it had been since the rope bridge that had once spanned the ravine collapsed and fell to a watery grave.
Link looked around him and noticed that the shadowed sky above was getting darker. Even had the ravine not been there, Link realized that he wouldn't have gotten much farther anyway before setting up camp for the night. He wouldn't be able to even see an inch in front of him thanks to Lord Arcana casting Hyrule into eternal darkness. He spotted a flat area far from the edge of the ravine and led Epona over to it where he began to remove his equipment and saddle from Epona's back.
Free from her burden, Epona neighed happily and trotted around in a circle as if she were stretching. As she did this, Link set up her feeder and emptied two canteens of water into a bucket. Upon sight of the food, Epona quickly headed over to the feeder and began to eat. Link meanwhile, took several Deku Sticks from the large bundle he had brought and set about making a fire. When he was sure the fire was stable, he took out several fish from one of his pouches and set them about the fire to cook.
In the time it took him to do all this, the last bits of sunlight that could pierce Lord Arcana's spell vanished. Link was now in complete darkness, the light from his fire illuminating only a small area around him. He could barely even make out Epona's outline. He had forgotten how dark it would become without the moon and stars above, and now his already perilous journey had become that much more dangerous. He greatly doubted his ability to survive should he be attacked in the middle of the night.
After his meal, Link took a swig of water from his canteen and stoked the fire for a while. With weariness beginning to overcome him, Link propped himself up against a rock and closed his eyes. Even though he relaxed his body, he kept a firm grip on the Biggoron Sword resting right next to him. Having had her fill, Epona walked over and lied down near the dying embers of the fire.
"Link," cried a soft, feminine voice later that night. "Link."
Link began to rouse out of his slumber as the voice continued to cry out his name softly, almost as if a whisper upon the wind. At first his fatigue kept a firm grip upon him. He only half opened his eyes and turned his head sluggishly from side to side wondering why he had woken up. As the realization that someone was calling his name finally registered within him, Link's eyes snapped open and he quickly hopped to his feet, his sword held out before him. With the fire having finally died out completely though, Link couldn't see anything around him.
"Link," the voice continued.
"Zelda?" Link said a little unsurely as he thought he recognized the voice. "Zelda, is that you?"
"So Link, are you and Zelda an item?" this time the voice was male, and this time not only did Link know the voice but he remembered hearing those same words a year ago.
"Gerik," Link nearly spat. "I should have known this was your doing. Why don't you stop playing these mind games and fight me like a man."
"You are the Hero of Time Link, but you were too young to accept your destiny at the time. As such, your spirit was sealed away for seven years till you were old enough," this time it was Rauru's voice from the first time Link had met him.
"What is this?" Link asked of no one, fear beginning to take hold of him. "What's going on?"
The voices continued on, all from people he had met and all from his past. They floated on the air like whispers, but each new one filled Link with more and more dread. Link looked all around him, but he was still unable to see anything or even pinpoint where the voices were coming from. It was like they were all around him.
Link's breathing began to quicken, yet he still refused to give in to his growing fear. He knew that he need to stay sharp if he was going to survive. The voices continued unceasingly, tempting Link to stumble around looking for their source, but Link was not about to give in. Unable to see, all it would have taken was one wrong step and he'd plunge to his death into the ravine.
"Pathetic child!" Ganon's voice now boomed from the darkness. "Tell me where the Princess has fled. What, do you dare oppose me with that puny sword?"
Link instantly remembered this. It was the first time he had been face to face with Ganon. Princess Zelda had just fled the castle, and Ganon was in hot pursuit. He had been young and foolish enough to try and stop Ganon from giving chase, only to be met with a dark energy attack that sent him flying to the ground. As soon as Link thought of this, he heard the air around him crackle the same way it had when Ganon gathered the energy for his attack. He then heard the attack flying through the air toward him and he quickly dove to the ground.
He heard the attack fly over his head, but still couldn't tell where it came from. It sounded as if it came from every direction at once and then went off in every direction as well. Link didn't have time to ponder this as now the area was becoming filled with the sounds of warfare. The once calm voices of his past were now screams of pain and terror, many calling out Link's name in anguish. Metal clashed and explosions rocked the area, but surprisingly the ground did not shake.
Amazingly, none of the fighting seemed to be centered around where Link was laying on the ground. Not wanting to be caught defenseless though, Link quickly stood up and raised his sword. Since he couldn't see, he closed his eyes and tried to focus on hearing, but there was just too much noise coming from each direction. A sudden thought then occurred to Link. He had yet to hear any sound come from Epona. He had yet to hear her even stir from where she slept.
He was about to call out her name when a loud roar split the night. Unlike the others, it came from above and sounded as if it was getting closer. There was another roar, this time followed by what sounded like an eruption of fire. Link was now definitely sure whatever was making that noise was moving. It was after the third roar that Link recognized the creature. It sounded just like the dragon Volvagia, and it was coming straight for Link.
Link focused all his attention on listening to the Dragon's movements. He tried to block out all other noise, but it proved more difficult than he thought, especially since he was still in danger of being struck down by some unseen enemy. Link prepared himself as he waited for the dragon. Link soon heard a loud inhalation, and knowing what was to come next he quickly dove out of the way as far as he could.
Unfortunately, Link slammed his head hard into the nearby cliff wall. As all consciousness began to slip away, all the sounds around him instantly faded into nothing.