Chapter 5 – Torment and Hope

Inside the prison cell in Arbiter's Ground, Zelda felt a heavy heart after collecting her thoughts about: Link, Midna, the King of Hyrule and Telma.

"All my friends will be in peril. Midna cannot return since the mirror is destroyed. What am I thinking? There's no hope."

Zelda slumped against the wall. A female voice was heard in the dungeon.

"There's always hope."

Blue smoke formed in the image of a girl to a translucent glow before Zelda who was astonished by her presence.

"Lady Nayru, goddess of wisdom…"

"I know what's in your heart and I know what you feel. Your beloved is on his way to save you." said Nayru.

"Lady Nayru, since Ganondorf is back from the underworld and has new allies, will you please help us? You are the most generous, the wisest and one of the most powerful goddesses."

"Link usually defeats Ganon easily due to the Master Sword. This time, the battle will be different. Don't worry! The people from various villages are safe in the Hidden Village and an underground city under Hyrule Castle Town." said Nayru. "There is more at stake. So we must fight."

"To what end?" asked Zelda.

"There is a war in Hyrule that is said to be the largest war. So the goal is the death of Ganon. If you feel hopeless, then Hyrule is without someone wise like you or your father. There isn't just Link who is hero. Another is said to be destined to protect Hyrule just like his mentor. Prove to your people you ARE capable of governing your country!"

"Oh Nayru, by your command and by your will, I will stand and fight."

"That's the spirit. I will leave you now. Since you have the Tri-Force, you will be able to do based on your wish. Remember my words, chosen one."

Zelda was left alone. "Goodbye, my mistress, my mother. I must remember her words. I can save Hyrule. I am not alone as I have allies. "

Nabooru and Cia approached their prisoner.

"Ah there you are! I hope I didn't keep you waiting." said Nabooru.

"Get up! Lord Ganon wants to have a word with you."

Cia threw Zelda before her cruel master. Ganon saw Zelda and her captors emerged at last to the balcony that overlooked Gerudo Desert.

"You may leave the prisoner to me." said Ganon.

"Yes, master." said Cia.

"Well well, looks like the bait hasn't lured the worm to its vantage point."

"What do you want?" asked Zelda.

"I'm offering you a chance. Join me and I will let you keep your powers! You will have more including mine." said Ganon with half-kindness and half-cunningness. "Turn me down and I will drain all of your powers and throw you in the pit where my beast will eat you."

"Your words are very persuasive but it's a ruse. Link has defeated you so many times and he'll do it again." warned Zelda. "Why fail to understand from your past mistakes you made? I will never join you. You killed my father."

"Very well, I offered you peace and you repudiated my proposal. I won't take your powers away."

"Huh?"

"I will let you live." said Ganon.

"Really?"

"Yes, because you are too valuable and second you will serve as a power core for my army. Take her away!"

Auru and the Resistance noticed people in line, seeking refuge in Hyrule Castle Town. The guards opened the gates

Link on Epona crossed the Great Bridge of Hylia and got to Hyrule Field, still in search of Zelda.

"It's been 5 days now and still no sign of Zelda. Goodness, there's no hope in wasting my time." sighed Link.

"Never give up what you hoped for!" said a voice in the air.

"Who?"

Link turned to see green smoke formed into a translucent girl.

"Oh goddess Farore, the goddess of courage, I have asked for your help. You have come to our greatest time of need."

"This phase will be different as Ganon escaped death and worse, he gained ancient and new allies. He will dominate Hyrule and this time the outcome will be different."

"Lady Farore, you said the outcome will be different, I will make it the same. Besides I acted like a mentor for an inhabitant of Ordon Village named Colin who will be a hero just like me. I also instructed his father to train Colin for my sake because I won't be the only one helping out."

"Who else will be helping besides you?" asked Farore.

"Zelda, Colin, the fairies I rescued and Midna who is now in the Twilight Realm. I wish Midna was…"

"Back? I know. If you prove nobility and selfless act towards everyone, you will find Midna and your beloved Zelda. She forfeited her freedom since she has faith in you. Just as my sister Nayru came for Zelda, I came to tell you Zelda swore she would keep Nayru's words in her heart. I recommend you do the same with mine."

"All praises are for you, Lady Farore. I cannot thank you enough."

"Good luck and I will always be watching you." said Farore.

Her presence faded into the sky, leaving Link.

"Oh no!" gasped a purple fairy.

"Who are you? What is it?" asked Link.

"I am Proxi, I can see the future. Enough of me, Ganon is using Zelda." cried Proxi. "He enslaved her and used her Tri-Force to power up his armies."

"What?!" Link's eyes widened with shock. "What else happened?"

"An individual in Majora's Mask is now putting Zelda on a pedestal." said an orange fairy.

"What does that mean, Epheremelda?" asked Navi.

"The masked figure is willing to use a sample of Link's blood which has the essence of the Tri-Force of Courage along with Ganon's Tri-Force of Strength and Zelda's Tri-Force of Wisdom. Just one drop of blood is enough to merge with both Tri-Forces for the enemies to get stronger"

"And?"

"A new army is formed. If we need to fight against this battle, we might as well think about an alliance." said Tael.

"An alliance of Fairies, Gorons, Humans, Mermaids, Mogmas, Twilis and Zoras is needed. Once this alliance is formed, we might be able to handle Ganon's forces. Since Gorons are near invincible, we may have a chance at defeating these enemies." said Felicia.

"Well, Miss Know-at-all, why don't we do this?" asked Navi, derisively.

"I don't know, but I'm suggesting." said Felicia.

"Hey, listen! I am the one giving guidance to Link." cried Navi.

"No, Proxi is." said Tael.

"Shut up!" shouted Navi.

"Hey, what are you to nag my brother? You are very annoying that you keep using "Hey, Listen" so many times that it's as though it's your hobby to call someone out." cried Tatl.

All the fairies started arguing among themselves with the exception of Proxi, Ciela and Tael. Ciela shut them up.

"Enough! We are not here to argue. Link is already troubled since Zelda is held hostage. One of us will have to get Zelda out of here."

"Well, Ciela. How about I help you out?" asked Epheremelda.

"Of course, we cannot afford to lose. Link, you keep going on your quest. Proxi and the rest of you, guide him!"

"We will. Oh, I foresee a Twili still trapped in the Twilight Realm." said Proxi.

"A Twili?"

Inside the Twilight Palace, a now tall and beautiful Midna slumped on her chair, powerless to do anything. There came a voice in the notable Twilight language.

"Your highness…" a tall twili tried to talk to Midna.

"I destroyed the portal to prevent harm from coming to the Light World. I am unable to say how sorry I am for abandoning you all. I hope you understand, Ibun, my most trusted counsellor."

"Your highness…"

"For three years, we have been stuck here. In misery and despair." said Midna. "Why did I ever destroy that mirror?"

"Pull yourself together, your highness! It was for a good cause." said Ibun.

"I hope they are happy for I have left." said Midna.

"No, they're not." said a female voice similar to Nayru and Farore.

Midna turned to see red smoke forming as an ethereal girl.

"What? Who are you?" asked Midna.

"I am Din, goddess of power, the supreme creator of the universe and the world."

"But, how did you get to this realm? The mirror is broken."

"I hold sovereignty and power over anything so I can come anywhere I want." shouted Din.

"Forgive me, Lady Din. Welcome to the Twilight Realm."

"You are forgiven. Masked figure sought to undermine, curse and dethrone you due to Ganon's influence." said Din. "You wanted revenge. You did what it takes to find your way back to the throne. That's when you met Link."

"But, I feel regrets for putting him through an agonising quest." Midna lamented.

"Ganon is finally back to power with new allies and an army that is found inside your realm."

"What?" gasped Midna.

Goronu voiced the incantation and spewed forth a thousand of: darknuts, lizalfos, armos knights, black armoured spiky dragons with red eyes called Nuckerroks, and clones of Dark Links. Lupay chained a now unconscious Zelda and channelled her Tri-Force powers to power-up the army.

"To Ganon's Tower!" Goronu directed the army.

With the new force amassed, Goronu led his minions and a new army in an endless column. Suddenly, voices of savage creatures and mutated birds swayed about the air. Midna and her servants rushed to the balcony and saw far below the Twilight Palace, an army moving. Midna and her people witnessed Goronu and his newfound army disappearing from their positions.

"Look at this!" her servant pointed out.

"It cannot be," Midna's eyes widened with shock.

"What shall we do?" asked Ibun.

"The portal is destroyed. We cannot do a thing." said Midna.

"Link…" Midna remembered the images of Link transitioned from a wolf to Hylian.

"You loved him, don't you?" asked Din.

"Yes, more than you can imagine." said Midna.

She remembered the part when they first met in the dungeon. Another image reminded her about Link and Zelda rescuing her from the brink of death. More images about Link cradling her in his arms came to her head.

"Midna, you realise Link is in love with…"

"Zelda, I know. But still, they are my friends. I want to reunite with them."

"Midna, there'll be a time for you to express regrets. Situations arise when you'll have to make choices. Now I'll ask you a question. How was Hyrule able to enter the Twilight Realm?"

"The Mirror of Twilight."

The question from Din and the reply from Midna replayed in her mind. An idea about the mirror came to her head. "The Mirror of Twilight. Wait that's it!"

"I must build the Mirror of Light since Zelda bestowed me her power of light when I was incapacitated."

"I looked into your heart and soul. You are indeed wise and your heart is true. Go! Do what must be done! I'll bless you with a special power. Go now! I will watch over you."

Midna and Ibun finally built the Mirror of Light. "Let's save them!" urged Midna.

"Yes, your highness." Ibun agreed.

Inside Arbiter's Ground, all the army had assembled before a high balcony. Ganon with Nabooru, Militron and Dark Link stood on the balcony that overlooked his army.

"A new era is about to begin. Soldiers of Gerudo, under my command, all the nations have fallen before our might. Only Hyrule Castle Town, Goron City, Zora's Domain and the City in the Sky remain. Today, we…"

His speech got interrupted as the individual in Marjora's mask stormed into the fortress.

"Lord Ganon, pardon me for the interruption."

"Speak!"

"Midna has returned." he said.

"What?" Ganon was shocked. "How?"

"She built another mirror to get here."

"But… it's impossible. Be prepared! I need to get my soldiers to attention."

"My lord." the masked figure left.

Meanwhile inside Death Mountains, the Gorons noted how the refugees were making the way to the Hidden Village. Gor Coron along with Darunia, Darbus, Golo and Gorko.

"Wonder how brother is doing?" asked Golo.

"I haven't heard from him in a longtime." said Gor Coron. "What do you think, Godan?"

"Who is this brother you speak of, Gor Coron?"

"A tiny human who came to us, uncle." said Darbus.

"A tiny HUMAN?! What in Hyrule's name is he?"

"Darbus and Godan do have the same prideful traits." remarked Darunia.

Gorko and Golo nodded.

"We need to extend Spirit Tracks to return our brother the favour." said Darbus.

"What are you to say? Don't forget, nephew, I am the patriarch of this tribe." said Godan. "You heard him, let's build Spirit Tracks!"

"I guess brother gets too tired of doing all heroic deeds." laughed Darbus.

Darunia kept dancing.

"Hey, do you always have to dance?" asked Gorko.

"Will you shut up? That's my victory dance." Darunia resumed his dance.

"You always dance." remarked Golo.

"That's when I'm seeing a great achievement taking place and a dance is always needed to keep me motivated. And how DARE you criticise my dance? Have you no sense of shame in saying this?"

Spirit Tracks were built by the gorons and Alfonzo's builders throughout Hyrule. All the builders were exhausted.

"I wonder how this young man is doing?" asked Alfonzo.

"No idea, our sworn brother must be on some perilous journeys."

"Why is it always this young man does all the heroic stuff and gets a princess? I wish I was a hero too. We all wish to be heroes." grumbled a worker.

The grumpy worker started singing while constructing Spirit Tracks.

Every day I see Hyrule is always peaceful

Why does a young man travel so far?

When things are pleasant in a jar?

And you lock it with a bar.

This young man visits many friends

and he gets all in his hands.

I hope he's happy being a hero.

We want to be heroes too.

How can we work all day?

When a young man goes away,

we all get a pay

and we all can eat from a large tray

We want to be like this young man.

And they'll be convinced to the end.

There's always a fairy with him

And a princess to save in the dim

By the goddesses, why is he the chosen one?

He should have died by now while we be the

New heroes so that we can go on an adventure.

Why does it always have to be him?

Why not people like us can be heroes

If only he trains us to be the best

I'd train them at his behest

And we'll prepare them too for the rest

I grow tired of all this kind of work

Why work when you can be heroes

When you're all heroes you'll find its perk

Why does it always have to be him?

We'll get ourselves fairies before our quest

We'll go to Hyrule as though we're guests

When we'll meet a stunning girl

Why does it always have to be him?

All the workers and gorons danced while whistling. Other workers played their harps, flutes and drums. A stern-looking man with red hair in brown tunic approached his workers.

"Boss Dawid." gasped Alfonzo.

"ENOUGH WITH YOUR SINGING!" shouted Dawid. "Get back to work, Alfonzo! Ariston, WHO TOLD YOU TO SING? ALL OF YOU, GET MOVING! YOU'RE RIDICULING YOUR BOSS!"

Everyone looked all solemn due to Dawid's sharp rebuke. One picked up his hammer; the other dragged the rope that tied the planks together. Dawid left and met with Chancellor Cole.

"Everything is going as planned, Mr. Cole."

"You've done well, Dawid."

"Now, Lord Ganon has something in store for us."

"Us?"

"Yes, since the death of Duke Onkled, Lord Ganon made me his servant. Keep enslaving more workers! They'll work for us." said Chancellor Cole.