Chapter 10 – Below and above Hyrule
They found themselves in a bare stone passage. They could not say how far they had fallen. Link snatched a lantern on the ground and a bottle of oil. He poured the oil into the lantern and lit it. They descended a long flight of steep rocky steps. They found themselves in an underground city and marvelled at a number of houses and buildings. It was perhaps a lost city of some sort.
"What is this place?" asked Ibun.
"I don't know." said Midna.
An unknown force surged through Link. Greenish blue light radiated from his body. He was again transformed to Celestial Link again. The glow from his body was even brighter than the lantern and gave an unexpected benefit that it acted like a torch.
"This is the underground city where the refugees are now." Ibun realised.
"I wonder how they got here." said Proxi.
"I don't think they did get here deliberately." said Celestial Link.
All the people walked about with their lanterns in hands. All were tense.
"People of these villages…" Proxi called.
"We are refugees from all the villages, fairy and you Champion of the goddess Farore." said a man.
"From what cause did you all flee?" asked Celestial Link.
"I heard a prophecy from someone about incoming war is about to take place in Hyrule during this Era of War."
"Who told you this?" asked Celestial Link.
"A sorceress who is said to be leading the Resistance in Faron Woods."
"I think I've met her before." said Celestial Link.
"Me too." said Proxi.
"She said once the eclipse is done, an endless night with no stars will come. Once that happens, the war will start." explained a woman.
"In that case, not much time left." said Ibun. "How about we rescue Zelda from Dark Link?"
"I will go." said Celestial Link.
"No." said Proxi.
"I will not let that wedding happen." Celestial Link was desperate to save her.
"It won't happen." Proxi assured.
"I will not let my other self force Zelda into marrying him."
"Link, Stop!" urged Midna.
Celestial Link rushed urgently to get to Hyrule Castle Town. Midna tried to stop Celestial Link again. But those words were ignored.
"I said stop!"
Midna unleashed a huge orange glowing hand and pulled Celestial Link. Without warning, Midna felt her cursed self reverted to her normal self. Maybe Celestial Link's divine powers must have been a remedy though it was inadvertent.
"Let me go!" cried Celestial Link.
"Not until you're calm."
"Ok, please. I am calmed down."
Midna tried to reason with her companion.
"Link, you have to understand this. Zelda is strong since she's blessed by the goddess Nayru. What if you go and rescue her and mess everything?"
"Midna, I wouldn't have."
"You would have even if you didn't mean to. And one more thing, you lifted that curse from me and now I'm back to my normal self." said Midna.
"Don't worry about Zelda! She can manage it." Proxi reassured him.
"I cannot do this."
"You did it even if you were worried about Zelda, but in the end you saw her. Don't worry, we still have the Sky City." said Proxi. "Zelda will be alright. I assure you."
"I suppose." sighed Link.
Droplets fell from the dank ceiling of the rougher passage beyond. They walked through the passage and they were in a gigantic cavern. Pillars built into the rock, rose out of the bright glowing steaming waters. They continued to work their way and suddenly slipped into the boiling waters. They were drifted from there through the rivers. They followed the chilled waters upstream and to the waterfall, eventually leading them to Lake Hylia.
They all got on the bank and surveyed all around this place. No one seemed to be around.
"I haven't seen that aging man in charge of the cannon. Not ever since I left." said Celestial Link.
"We're in charge now."
"Who said that?" Celestial Link wondered.
A zora came behind them.
"The Hylians that were once in charge have been retired. I now take over. So what brings you here?"
"I heard terrible news in the Sky City." said Proxi.
"I see. Be warned, Champion of the goddesses! There is a dragon roaming in the sky and its creatures are terrorising the sagaichu population."
"What is sagaichu?" asked Celestial Link.
"Before, it used to be for the Oocca population, their descendants the sagaichu took over. Get into this cannon! It'll direct you to the Sky City."
As they got in, the zora fired them all the way towards the sky. They landed into a circular area with a deep large pool of water and steps at either side. The pool was surrounded by arched doorways. They all saw how different it was compared to last time. They all went through the arched doorway and braced themselves for the wind. Proxi transported them to the city centre and saw before them.
"Sky City has really changed since Oocca left and their descendants, sagaichu took over and changed most of the work their ancestors did." Celestial Link observed.
Celestial Link and the others noticed an unusual posse of creatures paced around. Celestial Link ran first to an unsuspecting Guard. A moment of stealth saw him catch him unawares. It would surely be more difficult to surprise the three Guards now in evidence around the same circular metal plate he saw in the Temple of Time.
He had confidence in his ability, but knew the consequence of rash action. Midna singled out the guard and crept closest to it. Choosing her moment she fell onto the guard and wrestled him to the ground. If she could only delay it from rushing to open the gate she might stand a chance. Celestial Link shot his arrow in the face of a second guard running to attack, and jumped to fling the third out of the way. Quickly Midna turned to the guardian who once worked with Chancellor Cole and slashed hard, stunning him before beating him to the ground once again. As the others closed in Midna sprang overhead, cutting them down, and rebounded off walls to scatter them to the floor. The onslaught proved taxing; temporarily cornered, Midna was unable to finish the guardian. He stumbled to his feet while he was otherwise occupied, and bent over the circular structure. To Midna's dismay fresh creatures appeared. These appeared to be dodongos.
Celestial Link attacked the guardian viciously, finishing it and the next in a whirl of deadly steel. Ibun warped all of them into the Mirror of the Void. Celestial Link heard the tranquil music in the Temple of Time. Celestial Link ran eagerly to gain the restorative powers of its metallic plate the same where he did with the heart pieces. After the shock of its effects wore off, he felt his strength increased.
They came to a ladder and hauled up into a tower, and saw the city laid out the other side. On the City Centre below, Celestial Link, Ibun and Midna saw a hybrid mutated bird walking about the place. Its body of was that of a hornbill as well as heron's beak and legs.
"What kind of bird is this?" asked Celestial Link. "This looks very different from Oocca."
"That must be the sagaichu the zora mentioned." Proxi remarked. "The sagaichu are the descendants of the Oocca and loftwings."
"They improved the Sky City and its much safer compared to last time with the breeze." said Midna.
"This is going to be a cold day. Proxi, go and check on Zelda! We'll explore the rest." urged Celestial Link.
Celestial Link reverted to the form of Link. The City Centre appeared to be nothing more than a large circular highland with tall buildings and pools of water around its rim. More sagaichu walked around this place. Others had their drinks in the pool.
Outside Kakariko Temple, Zelda in her wedding dress, tied in chains was met by Proxi.
"Zelda."
"Proxi?"
"No time to dawdle, I want to tell that Link has been worried about you and… goodness what happened here?" Proxi remarked Zelda tied in chains.
"Don't worry about this!" Zelda was desperate. "Come on! Transform! Why is this not working?"
"I see you wanted to be transformed into your divine self. Maybe you didn't have faith in the goddesses or maybe you worried about Link or the chains perhaps are cursed."
Proxi flashed green and conveyed Zelda's message telepathically for everyone in Hyrule and the Sky City to hear her.
"We need to pray to the goddesses."
Everyone in every part listened to her voice: Ordon Village, Kakariko, Death Mountains, Hidden Village, Snowpeaks, Lakebed Temple, Hyrule Castle Town and the Underground City.
"The more we pray, the closer we are to the goddesses." said Zelda. "Do not give up hope! If we do not pray to the goddesses, then we're letting them down and you're all are letting Hyrule down. Link, I'm sure you're hearing my words. Midna, Ibun, I suggest you too do the same if you're willing to protect the Twilight Realm."
She started dropped to her knees and started praying for the goddesses while Ibun, Link, Midna in the Sky City did the same for them too. The Hylians, Sheikahs and other humans in all the regions, the gorons, zoras, sagaichu and the yetis prayed to the goddesses.
"Oh goddesses, I have faith in you all. My allies have faith in you. You have power beyond anyone can imagine." said Zelda.
Dark Link appeared before Zelda. "Hey, sweetheart, it's time. So shall we?" Dark Link pulled her by the chains and brought her before Charlo and Renado.
"I'm sorry." Zelda lamented.
"No worries, your majesty." said Renado.
"You there! Let's get on with it!" shouted Dark Link.
"I cannot."
"I see." said Dark Link. "I have no use for you."
Dark Link impaled his red lit Master Sword into Charlo's abdomen. "Renado, do it now and skip it to the end!"
Renado knew his life was at stake.
"Do you take Princess Zelda as your wife?"
"I do." Dark Link spoke with something like impatience.
"Do you take Dark Link as your husband?"
Princess Zelda hesitated to accept. "I…I…d…"
"Go on! Just say it!" shouted Dark Link.
"Don't!"
Dark Link became infuriated with her answer. "I gave you a chance to marry me so that I would have spared Hyrule from Ganon. You have brought this upon yourself."
"Wait, Dark Link! I was too hasty." Zelda protested.
"Too late, I don't give second chances. You took advantage of my generosity. I won't fall for the second time."
"I guess I have no choice too. Renado, stand back!"
Princess Zelda saw a ball of energy broke the chains. Dark Link drew his sword and was eager to snatch her Naykilish which emitted blue light pulse which burnt his hand.
"What magic is this?"
"Naykilish is a sword that is blessed by the goddess Nayru and will not allow evil hands to hold it at their whim." explained Zelda.
Dark Link leapt at her. With no other recourse, Zelda joined into hand to hand combat. Dark Link soon proved an able and determined opponent. He was quick to block and made lightning attacks that dealt rapid damage. He effortlessly swept her aside when she held her block overlong, forcing her onto the offensive. Zelda limited his attacks while she probed for weakness.
"Fool! I never told you to resist," Dark Link said as he held weapons aloft and blocked her.
"I will and the goddesses will come."
"Your goddesses are nothing but fairy tales." sneered Dark Link.
"Then you're lost!"
Seeing Zelda wouldn't be goaded easily, Dark Link brought down his Master Sword. Their weapons clashed again and again as she avoided and lunged in. She tried her best to subdue him.
"You are wasting your time," she assured him. "You don't have a future."
They locked swords. Grimly Zelda used all her strength to force Link's darker clone back. To his astonishment, he now retreated and summoned a ball of energy that grew up beneath, raising him in a spinner-shaped whirling vortex.
"You shouldn't have done that," he warned. "I have seen your future, and it does not look good."
On those words a pair of Dark Link's clones emerged, armed with swords, each eerily reminiscent of the original. They glided silently toward Zelda and together dealt swift life-sapping blows in violent sweeping attacks. She reeled back and searched about for some advantage over the towering apparitions. Backing to the nearest, Zelda lured the hovering demons in her path. She transformed into Divine Zelda and used her Naykilish to deliver her newly developed power, the Speed Kill and went at a blinding speed and cut them. They vanished to black smoke. Dark Link mocked her again.
"With the powers of the Tri-Force, you had the chance to be the greatest queen of all when I rule. What wars you have fought, what monuments you have erected and what fine men you'll get."
Zelda must challenge the figure in order to progress. Dark Link continued going on a tirade. Zelda was once again forced to defend herself against Dark Link's furious assault. Fuelled by desperation, both combatants fought with all of their strength, and it was an even match.
"But you failed me and the goddesses. My attempts to convince you to marry me were to show our superiority, what dominance we could have started, what powers you'd gain from me."
Dark Link and Divine Zelda resumed their sword fights. At this rate, yellow lightning flashed before them. The goddesses appeared and towered over the fighters. Their foreheads had the Tri-Force and their eyes glowing yellow.
"What are… you?"
"You have violated our will." warned Din. "You seek to use our Tri-Force to serve Ganon's purposes."
"He may have used our Tri-Force, building an army and seeks to conquer the world." said Nayru.
"You, the shadow of Link will face the wrath of our divine powers." all the goddesses warned in unison.
"No, what are you doing?" cried Dark Link.
"Usami nastokas…" Din started her incantations.
"Naraoey keul…" Farore continued.
"Sa'us maha…" Nayru added.
Dark Link didn't expect what was coming. All the goddesses shouted in unison.
"Raidoroi Hanjuzi Rikabmot– Super Lightning Spear!"
Din, Nayru and Farore raised their hands to the sky and created a huge yellow lightning in the shape of Epona. Dark Link's body was scorched by their magic while Zelda was finally relieved. As she fell forward in exhaustion, the goddesses unleashed beams of colourful lights: blue, green and red towards the dark figure.
Dark Link was finally banished to black smoke, oil and dust.
"All praises due to all of you, goddesses. You have saved us from the terrible fate."
"Our thanks go to you." said Din.
"Your prayers and from everyone else have restored our powers too." said Farore.
"What was that spell anyway?" asked Zelda.
"Super Lightning Spear is a power that destroyed a large portion of the lands and cannot be avoided." explained Din. "You and the shaman had survived was due to the Tri-Force Dome that you have."
"In return for your patience and steadfast in prayers, we will also help you in the coming battle. You are free from these chains."
Nayru used her powers and destroyed the cursed chains. "Thank you, mother Nayru."
"No, we thank you and your allies for having faith in us." said Nayru.
The goddesses turned to Renado who bowed before them.
"Renado, as you have faith in us and we sense in your heart that you are brave and wise. We confer you and Luda our blessings too." said Din.
"Thank you, great creators." said Renado. "I will let my daughter know about this."
In the Sky City, Link, Midna and Ibun walked on the narrow, bridge-like roads that were held by unknown force. Around them were incredibly long trees appeared to grow from the roads, water appeared from fountains despite having no means of formation, and small streams of water flowed and fell into non-existence. Many buildings rest upon narrow walkways and the inhabitants were well-adapted, as none show any fear of falling. The Sky City was divided into various areas: City Centre, residential, marketplace and the Temple.
At that moment they heard black humanoid creatures arrived with swords. Link, Midna and Ibun treated them the same way. Much to their surprise, Link's actions brought consequences and they heard crackle of wings as they were menaced by fluttering giant stag beetles very obviously possessed by Ganon's Will Materialisation. These beetles came out of their bellies.
Alone with space to manoeuvre, Link and Midna whirled about, slashing and kicking back each beetle before it could dart in with its pointed horns. As Midna struck, each one evaporated into a cloud of fading dust, and with the fury of Link's attack they were soon gone. They refreshed themselves from a small pool at the City Centre.
"What were these creatures and the beetles?" asked Link.
"Plague bearers." said Midna.
"Plague bearers?" gasped Ibun.
"They are not to be killed by a sword or else these beetles will come out." explained Midna.
"Maybe my Mirror of the Void will be the solution when it comes to this." said Ibun.
They all rushed to the tallest tower at the centre.
They were on a wide stone bridge leading to the invitingly open door of the tower. They rushed till they reached the entrance of the tower. Get within they must. Thick clouds flowed like river around the tower. Sounds of cheerless birdsong echoed dimly. They entered the tower. A lattice of golden light played over a patterned carpet from a lantern shade that swung gently overhead. Their feet were muffled on the carpet as they headed up a stone stairway and reached a rather comfortable room.
The room was a tall cylinder of pillars and arches. The Twilight Princess and her companions ran eagerly forward to a lighted platform, spread with exquisite rugs and exotic furnishings, fine trellis-work all around. At this, Link used his spinner and inserting it into a slot where it fitted. Sounds clunked somewhere close by and machinery ground into life. The platform was part of a gigantic elevator, which now began to rise smoothly.
Something was wrong, they could sense it. Link and Midna drew their swords and ran forward to check the area below, expressing doubt in her assurance,
"Things are about to get ugly."
At that moment tinsuits appeared with them on the platform - and another, and another! All tinsuits at least can as easily be countered as before. Less so, the Plague bearers appeared soon after, with tinsuits as reinforcements.
On the enclosed space of the elevator, Link made use of his Rebound attack to free up some room. Midna had to keep one eye on Ibun, valiantly imprisoning more plague bearers to the void to prevent the same error as before. Link trying to keep up his guard and avoid the sweeping attacks of the tinsuits, and the vicious hooked strokes of them. Should one or other seem determined to force their attentions on the Twilight Princess and her adviser, he moved up to lure the attackers away, or broke off temporarily to turn that one to finish it to give the two a moment's respite.
Light shone through leaded arched windows and through a domed ceiling. The large elevator stopped and an alcove was shown. This soon proved to be a miniature elevator opened to the sky high above, enough for the three of them. They ascended rapidly amid the grinding of stone machinery.
They emerged at last to the top of the tower, a wide flat circular arena ringed in arched wall openings. They looked about and gasped sharply at the sight of a huge dark green dragon with dark red wings and antlers, hovering around the arena.
If Link, Midna and Ibun expected anything, it was that this dragon should die at his hands. Proxi and Zelda appeared before them.
"Sorry, we're late."
"Zelda, I see you're safe." everyone was happy to see her back.
"Yes, I'm unharmed. This dragon is Bazarok, Every human slay dragons for a reason, but this time, I will purify it and save it from Ganon's Will Materialisation."
Bazarok then engaged the party in battle. Midna charged towards it only to be sent skating by its tail. Bazarok was confident that it could not be defeated since they can't kill it and because of the precautions it's taken to avoid any form of attacks. The dragon breathed a wall of fire to catch the party off balance. At the moment of stress, Link and Zelda took on the forms of Celestial Link and Divine Zelda to create a Domed-shaped force field to protect Sky City and themselves from the intense flames. This brought black clouds and thunder.
Celestial Link used his clawshot to pull Bazarok to the arena ground. Divine Zelda plunged her Naykilish into its heart and its dark colour burst, revealing its white scales. They revert to their normal forms. Materialisation.
"At least I purified it."
"Why?" asked Link.
"Bazarok is the guardian of Sky City until it was brainwashed by an individual in Majora's Mask." explained Zelda. "Now that I purified it, it will remain in guarding Sky City so that all the sagaichu will follow it even to battle."
"Link, Zelda, I need help." said Midna.
"Not now, Midna, we're busy in a middle of sorting out problems." said Link.
"I helped you all. It's time you help me."
"Alright, your highness, what do you want?" asked Ibun.
"The Twilight Realm is under attack."
"We will all save our realm. Not only that our Twili population need us. Proxi, can you get us to the Mirror of Twilight?" asked Ibun.
"No worries." said Proxi who warped them from their position to the Mirror of Twilight.