Chapter 17 – Allies from the past
Link and Colin approached Divine Zelda .
"Zelda." Link panted.
"Your highness." said Colin.
"It seems you both are alright." Divine Zelda was relieved.
Divine Zelda finally returned to the form of her normal self.
"We secured the Twilight Realm." Link assured. "Midna got Cia cornered."
"And Lana?"
"Yes, she's there too. The other me in purple is in love with Midna. The other in me in blue is in love with Cremia. The other me in red is in love with Annara."
"What?"
"Just as I am in love with you."
In the areas: Uzu, Valran and Elmenzhia were secure. Except for the Palace of Twilight, Lana and Midna cornered Cia.
"Lana, whatever are you doing here?" Cia asked mockingly.
"She's the one! I'm cursed to look like this because of HER!" shouted Midna.
"What?" gasped Iris.
"Well, if I may say, that look quite suits you. Quite fitting for a big-headed princess of Twilight…" Cia laughed.
Enraged by those words, Midna fired her hair and unmasked her. Much to their surprise, Cia had white hair, purple eyes and dark skin. Midna noticed something similar about Cia and Lana. Cia retreated through a portal.
"Her face!" gasped Iris. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Lana, her face… it looks just like yours…" remarked Midna.
"I am Cia's… other half. She and I were the same person." Lana explained.
"What?" gasped Midna.
"Other half?" Iris couldn't comprehend.
"No need to understand." said a voice.
The three allies turned to see a female twili approaching them. She was presented in grey armour and helmet. Her orange hair covered one side of her face. A purple gem was found on her armour.
"Veran…"
"Majora's Wrath advised me to destroy you after you destroyed the temple."
"I did not."
"If you did not then who did?"
"I did." said a female voice.
Zelda, Link and Colin appeared due to Proxi's magic.
"You!"
"Zelda?" gasped Midna.
"Proxi, get Link, Colin and everyone to safety!" urged Zelda. "I got her."
Proxi sensed something in Hyrule and urged to everyone.
"Lana, Irene, Iris, Yuga along with Goronu have invaded the Snow Realm. But they are not the only ones as there are three witches with them too."
"Oh my goodness, the refugees are in danger." Irene remembered.
"My powers aren't strong enough in the Snow Realm; you need the Spirit Train to get there. Agitha, Colin, you need to go to Papuchia Village. It's not far from Lost at Sea Station. Nabooru and Ghirahim have invaded it along with the Gerudo Pirates and corrupted zoras."
"Got it! Luda, hang in there and you too, Aryll!"
"Link, the Sacred Grove is under attack. Someone needs to rout the goriya and the lizalfos."
"Not much time."
"Don't worry, you won't be alone. After Zelda finishes dealing with the traitor of the Twilight Realm, I'll get her to you. Until then, Aryll will help out."
Proxi transported Colin and Agitha to Papuchia Village. She did the same to Link.
"Looks like your friends left you." said Veran.
"Says the one who betrayed the Twilight Realm. Zelda countered.
"Me? I am tasked to watch over this realm."
"Through dishonesty, you changed the rules, back-stabbed your sisters, Una is with me now." said Zelda. "You even made Zant start the invasion of every realm."
"What are you to judge?"
"I am the princess of the realm of light."
"That's it! You have tried my patience."
Veran took out a long turquoise lit curved sword and Zelda took out a harp. Zelda used her harp which was used during the disguise as Sheik.
"Why does this realm have to be so gloomy?" asked Zelda, playfully. "Maybe, music should help."
Veran summoned a horde of ReDead with massive swords, which she controlled with her sword and easily gained the upper hand against Zelda. Zelda used her harp and played "Ballad of Gales", unleashing large scaled wind and blew them away, leaving scattered bones. Veran unleashed twilit messengers to assault Zelda who used her skills and abilities that were used as Sheik to eliminate them.
"Why did you put Midna on the throne? Why did you betray the Twilight Realm?"
Veran blew purple energy towards Zelda who cut it with her Naykilish, causing it to burst into bright light. Veran attacked her with her sword.
"It is because she would make any difference compared to the twili kings I killed."
"Why did you skip Zant's throne and later align with him?"
"Zant would have been like other kings then history will repeat itself. I did not align with him, but rather contemplating to get rid of him."
Zelda was somewhat slow but rather graceful and agile, and if they connect, her special attacks were extremely powerful, powered up by magic if the sparkles and flashes of light were any indication. Veran fired black lightning from her hands. Zelda remembered her Naykilish has a blue gem on the hilt.
"Nayru's Love is a blessing that powers my Naykilish and also not only reflects projectiles, but damages nearby enemies with energy wave. No wonder, from time to time I transform into my divine being. I wonder if Link becomes Celestial due to Farore's blessing."
Her Naykilish reflected the black lightning at her, electrocuting her. Veran jumped high into the air. Zelda started her air combat. Veran kicked Zelda to the ground. In a manner of a ninja, Zelda teleported while touching Veran. The process rendered the traitor damaged. Veran unleashed more twilit messengers, prompting Zelda to play "Requiem of Spirit" with her harp.
The process brought back the spirits of the Royal Family of Hyrule: King Harkinian, Queen Yanera, Queen Nylin, Alfwald, Tetra and others. All of them eliminated the enemies effortlessly and finally killed Veran.
"Thank you all, father, mother, grandmother, brother Alfwald, all of my kin."
"We heard your song; we may not have the chance. Once Ganon gets hold of the Tri-Force, he will become the triumphant ruler of Hyrule." said the spirit of King Harkinian.
"It's too late, father. I have failed. Ganon has already gotten hold of our Tri-Force?"
"It cannot be." gasped King Harkinian.
"No, we still have time." assured Queen Yanera. "We were sent by Queen Rutela who told you to look after her son in exchange."
"My child, do not falter!" said King Harkinian. "You are the member who is maintaining the bloodline of the Royal Family. Where is Link?"
"He is in helping others in the Sacred Grove along with his sister, Aryll." said Zelda. "A fairy told me that Majora's Wrath started 7th Hyrule War."
"It was not Majora's Wrath, but Ganon spoke through him, declaring the war you speak of." said Queen Nylin.
"We will come with you until the war is won." said the spirit of Tetra.
"Then we must hurry, Hyrule Castle is under attack." said Zelda.
"We know." said King Harkinian. "We will also rout the enemies in every area of Hyrule."
The spirits of the Royal Family and Zelda started their invocation simultaneously.
"Onskwa rouhowhi nke nwadi. Miziziimudaula kruvkoj akuikiro – All spirits, we bring you all to the material world."
All the spirits of the dead appeared: Laruto, Darmani, King Mutoh, soldiers of Hyrule, gorons, zoras, Link's father, Midna's ancestors and Tetra's crew.
"We'll all fight…" said Darmani.
"…for all the heroes…" continued Laruto.
"… who are in need of help…" continued Link's father.
"…until all are vanquished." Tetra finished the sentence.
"TO WAR!" shouted Zelda.
The environment was still lit gold due to the golden moon while the sky was completely black. All the Syeuzbinsila members in every area were overwhelmed by enemies. All hope was lost nearly lost. Ashei and Shad were exhausted. Rusl helped Auru on his feet. Renado prayed for Luda's safety. Colin protected Luda until he was exhausted. Ralis was unable to fight.
"Mother, I'm sorry…"
Beth and Talo collapsed on the ground. Lana, Irene and Iris healed the exhausted and the wounded ones.
The gorons were the only ones resisted. Romani noticed the enemies advanced. Link and Aryll won in the Sacred Grove.
"Proxi, get everyone to Hyrule Castle, the progress in this battle is going nowhere." urged Aryll.
"Right away! You're coming too."
Proxi transported everyone to Hyrule Castle Town. Link and Aryll helped the gorons in killing the remaining invaders of Hyrule Castle Town.
Lana, Irene and Iris engaged the sorcerers with their attacks countered by their foes. As Irene came into sight, Yuga was shocked to see her as the two engage with their attacks cancelling each other out. Iris and Lana turned their attentions to Agahnim and three witches with new determination as they evaded the sorceresses and divulge their abilities. Meanwhile, Iris followed Agahnim, who hurled magical attacks against Lana. The first of them, a magic ball, could be repelled with her staff, so that it hit Agahnim himself and wound him. The second one was also hit with Lana's staff, but it split up and flung fireballs throughout the area. The third one is a lightning attack which Iris absorbed and reflected it back at Agahnim's body. He received a violent electrical shock in consequence.
Yuga was much more formidable. He attacked Irene by creating two clones of himself and launching powerful spells at Irene, which she could absorb with her staff. Irene must hit the real Yuga to stun him, making him vulnerable to more damage. Irene hit a fake Yuga, causing it to turn into a Soldier and the real Yuga launched a powerful fireball. She was able to absorb the fireball too. Yuga became invisible and stated.
"You are going to die if you don't call this blue-haired girl over." warned Yuga.
"Don't underestimate me!"
Irene fired back the powers she absorbed. The giant fireball destroyed Yuga. The three witches were destroyed too. The Links came to the real Link's side. Aryll and the Links fought the enemies. Solid buildings were washed in eerie gold moonlight.
"Big brothers, watch out!" warned the Prince.
The Links moved warily, Master Swords ready. "We always are."
Mist rose off the cold stone of a wide deserted plaza. Hyrule Castle was silhouetted against a lowering black sky. They fled across the open plaza, dwarfed among towering pillars. The ground shook as an ominous rumble rolled towards them.
Darknuts, iron knuckles, phantoms, Lizalfos, Plague-bearers appeared from a doorway then spilled from all corners. Vicious knights, wickedly armed, gathered to the attack. Scores, hundreds, swarmed from every building, under arches and along colonnades, and ran like a flood to surround the siblings trapped in the plaza.
Brothers and one sister skittered to a halt. The creatures closed in, hundreds upon hundreds, all hissed, grunted, and growled, foul breath steaming, cruel weapons drawn. Their red eyes burned with hate. They stood firm, back-to-back. Aryll pointed her crossbow at first one then another. It would make no difference; they were hopelessly outnumbered.
A shout came from one side of the plaza: "All hail the greater heroes the land has ever known!"
The creatures turned as one. A mighty cheer rose from the spirit of the Royal Family and allies that appeared from the buildings and rushed to the Prince's aid. Each spirit bore a weapon waved to the sky: spears, swords, staffs, clubs, and poles, any implement brought to hand and turned to a weapon.
"You have saved the people of this city," the spirit of King Harkinian at their head cried out, "and we have come to repay the favour!"
With a roar of defiance the gorons and spirits charged, hurling ethereal spears and firing arrows as they ran to join in hand-to-hand combat. The demons reeled under the force of the charge. A spear was thrust, a creature swept off its feet. A monster's sword came down but was blocked by Zelda in a valiant clash of steel. One giant iron knuckle lumbered through the tide and was clubbed aside in a solid blow, head smashed. Swords slashed and demons were bludgeoned to the ground. Arrows flashed and stunned first one then another. In the thick of it, Aryll and Romani kept up rapid fire.
The headless giant fought on. Luda shot an arrow that finished it, as simultaneously the Links headed to meet the spirit of the King of Hyrule. A ring of stout goron defenders shielded the walls. The Links bounded to King Harkinian's side with Queen Yanera. "You all must have been sent by the zora queen." Link noticed.
The old man nodded. "We have been sent at this hour. Go Links, find Ganondorf and finish him, so that this nightmare might finally end."
Zelda, Midna, Una and Ibun fought off attackers. The Links rushed to Aryll's side and slashed a lizalfos to a flash of dust as they pair ran fighting through the horde. Impa and her allies ordered her defenders to remain on Hyrule Castle walls. Midna urged.
"Links, Zelda, Aryll; the enemies invaded Temple of Time."
"Father?" Zelda cried.
"Go, child! The spirit army will help everyone whether it's a goron, zora, mermaid, we'll assist."
"My ancestors…" Midna saw her ancestors.
"Midna? What happened to you?" asked her paternal ancestor.
"A sorceress called Cia transformed me into this being with my powers lessened."
"I see, well even though, we still are happy to see you as the Twilight Princess."
"Veran skipped Zant's throne and placed me onto it instead." said Midna.
"What?"
"I'm sure Zant had a reason behind the invasion of the realms."
"Zant wasn't bad before Ganondorf took over. Veran and Morsheen killed Zant's Royal Family. Una was bullied by her peers and I'm glad she turned to you. Morsheen was the one who killed Queen Rutela and accused Zant to discredit him." explained Midna's maternal ancestor. "Cia is now inside the Temple of Time."
The Links and Aryll saw the spirit of their father.
"Father?"
"Link, Aryll? I see you're still alive." remarked Link's father. "Who are they?"
"Yes, father, we are. And the Links are my split-beings that were born out of my feelings. Because I was blessed by Goddess Farore, they are now revived as flesh and blood."
"You know, father? Big brother and I lived without knowing where you were." said Aryll. "Where is mother?"
"Here she is."
A spirit of a Hylian woman came to her husband's side.
"It's being eons since I've been here."
"Mother?" Aryll wondered.
"Yes, we are here. My goodness, Link, Aryll, you've really grown strong."
"Mother, we don't even know how we ended up in Ordon Village. Aryll and I were born there without seeing you. Can you please tell us?"
"We're very sorry for unable to tell you about the events. Here is what happened; I was a rich handmaiden who once served the Royal Family in Hyrule led by the King." explained the spirit of Link's mother. "The invaders of Twilight led by the Shadow King, invaded Hyrule Castle. I fled the castle. But there were no other places for me to get to. I kept fleeing and I got lost in Faron Woods until I met your father who was from Ordon Village."
"I was an Ordonian farmer in Malcove, another village in Ordona Province where the farmyard was established until it was overrun by Majora's Wrath." explained the spirit of Link's father. "I brought her there by consent of Mayor Bo. We both lived there and we both gotten to know each other, fallen in love, gotten married and then have you and Aryll."
"That's a great story about how you both met." said Aryll, craving for answers. "Why was Big brother and I separated?"
"When Veran's forces invaded the villages in Ordona Province: Malcove, Eldara, Ordonafawna, Larusl and Faron Woods; he died, trying to protect me. But you and Link were left behind after I died. Link was raised by Rusl, just as you were brought up by Annara's family. I'm sorry we didn't get to see you. We truly are. Your father and I were unable to be together with you all. We are to blame." lamented the spirit of Link's mother.
"Do not condemn yourselves!" Link assured.
"Mother, father, there is no need to feel regrets. Even if you as spirits get to see us, it's enough for you both to make amends." Aryll assured.
"Thank you." said the spirits of Link's parents.
"Son, you took so many risks to save Hyrule. From a wrangler to a hero, you've proven courage to save everyone, made many friends in this re-established Hyrule. Praise Goddess Farore, you're alive along with Aryll. And you've managed to save a princess along the way." said the spirit of Link's father.
"Dear Aryll, you seem to have followed your brother's footsteps into become a heroine to help in this war. We are proud of how you've both grown up to be." said the spirit of Link's mother.
Zelda approached Link and Aryll.
"And you must be the Queen of Hyrule." remarked the spirit of Link's father.
"I am still princess … at least until I'm married." said Zelda.
"Our son went through many perilous quests to save the whole country." said the spirit of Link's mother.
"He did and your daughter will become like him. I tried everything to help defend Hyrule. I even formed a coalition of: Hylians, gorons, zoras, mogmas, fairies, blins and twilis. I called it Syeuzbinsila or simply call it Allied Forces or Hyrule Warriors. We are fighting a war. The Ordonians are rebuilding Ordona Province while the sages are watching over us."
"I see." beamed the spirit of Link's father.
"Your highness, please forgive me for running away during the Invasion of Twilight. I did not want to abandon your family. Because of me, they were killed."
"No, you didn't have a choice. My father and Impa were the ones who sent you away while we remained under occupation." Zelda assured. "Never mind, you and your husband can just call me Zelda."
Midna approached Link, Zelda and Aryll.
"And who is this? You must be the one they call the Twilight Princess." said the spirit of Link's mother.
"I am Midna, Twilight Princess. I have journeyed with your son and Zelda. No, I'm not to be called Twilight Princess. I am cursed now and I've let my people in the Twilight Realm down."
"No, we won against the enemies in the Twilight Realm. We helped rout the enemies. To lift this curse, defeat Cia!" said the spirit of King Harkinian.
"I will send Link, Zelda and Aryll" said Midna.
On the other side of Dark Ore Mine which was found in Eldin Province, Agahnim appeared and weighed his options.
"I may have been defeated by these brats, but Lord Ganondorf waits to see further progress taking place."
"You are not alone." said Goronu. "We will transport a few surprises for the heroes."
"I will never forget how I attacked Termina by starting Terminian Apocalypse and stole the Ocarina of Time that this Hylian had before I got defeated. I would have said it's time to have Ancestor Dodongo revived. I will save this till next night." said Majora's Wrath.
"But, it's already an endless night." said Agahnim. "And second Ancestor Dodongo has enough souls of our former allies and the Tri-Force fragments to grant its revival. But, there is one left."
"Right, do you have anything planned in stock?" asked Majora's Wrath.
"You will see." said Goronu.
Midna created a portal to transport herself, Link, Aryll and Zelda to the Sacred Grove. Luda rushed to join in too and they too were caught by the pulling force of Midna's portal.
"Luda? What brought you here?" asked Aryll.
"We came in to help too." explained Luda. "As the shaman's daughter, I have come to get this little creature to be free from this curse. Colin and everyone else are need of help."
"I am Midna, Twilight Princess and yes, I am cursed. But, I was told the enemies are inside Temple of Time."
Goriya and lizalfos attacked Link, Midna, Zelda, Aryll and Luda. They fought. Zelda fired her arrow of light, causing each foe to disintegrate. Aryll fired bolts from her crossbow at the enemies above. Link treated the enemies without remorse. Midna's thoughts were still on how to rid her of this spell placed on her.
"Hurry to the Temple of Time!" urged Zelda.
All hurried urgently and climbed up to a solidly shut door engraved with winged crest. A small figure appeared with a skull mask. As they about to interfere with opening the Door of Time, Skull Kid intercepted them, keeping them busy by disappearing and appearing from place to place. This creature appeared from the ground and blew its trumpet to surprise its opponents. Link attacked, causing it to disappear and appeared behind Luda who got tackled from behind. It disappeared and appeared behind Midna. Her shadow wolf struck down Skull Kid which disappeared again. In frustration, Link struck down Skull Kid when it appeared. This pattern kept going on until Zelda played "Saria's song" with her harp, appeasing it.
"That was fun. This is farewell."
They entered the Door of Time. Pale white light filters past the ornate metalwork upon the tall windows and illuminated the two guardian statues who watched over a large Tri-Force Upon the balusters of the staircase are carved small medallions of light.
Luda moved in to test her abilities against the goriya and lizalfos in Sacred Grove. Luda recited her shamanistic invocations.
"Oh Dēvadaas, nanake kuanth – Oh goddesses, grant me light!"
Luda glowed intense red.
From the top of steps leading down the hall, more goriya and lizalfos rushed to block their escape. Aryll pushed one aside and forced her way down. The Princess turned to cover their backs, and drew an arrow of light from her inexhaustible supply. It found its mark, followed swiftly by another. Devilish creatures fell with a groan. Link led the way inside. A goriya lunged with a sword but Aryll slashed it to dust, and Link elbowed another aside.
At this critical moment, Link's body and Zelda's body were seized by the transformations to Divine Zelda and Celestial Link.
They became surrounded by brutish monsters, that clubbed them from behind if they stood overlong. Midna moved about, sweeping her hair as she tended to each. They swept down from the walls in great number, one on another. Luda retreated to low steps at one end of the hall, that she might at least limit the direction of their attack. Darknuts formed up out of the ground to lend support to the attack, and Divine Zelda attacked fast in reply, dealing on them the same swift account as on the others.
With strength and agility, they gained peace at last, but sensed they had not long before others arrived. As they searched about for some means of exit the brutes came again. They stood foursquare and challenged him on. Temporarily, outnumbered, Midna unleashed shadow wolves and banished them to dust.
Celestial Link's effective attacks destroyed most of the Darknuts and Armos. They began to find the battle against the Darknuts, Armos and Iron Knuckles hard going. Checking that her Naykilish was fully charged, Divine Zelda decided to unleash the extent of its awesome power. She executed the Speed Kill. Divine Zelda moved amongst them at will, striking each down at tremendous speed in a single blow. The time over which this power could be sustained was short, but the devastating attack cleared everything in their paths; those few that survived were more easily dealt with now that their number was diminished. At length she sheathed her sword.
"Zelda, Aryll, Midna; come over here!" urged Celestial Link.
"What is it, Big brother?" asked Aryll.
"There is a chamber underneath it. That's where Cia is hiding. Zelda, stand on the left piece of the Tri-Force symbol. Aryll, stand on the right!"
"I got it, Big brother!"
"I'm standing with Aryll. Midna, on the top piece! Luda, stand in the middle!"
They all did as they were urged. As a result the design glowed and revealed a flight of steps, leading them down below. In whatever forms, their tasks remained to confront the evil foes that sought to conquer Hyrule, and ultimately faced their master. Much to their surprise, an army of Iron Knuckles and Darknuts guarded the chamber.
"Goodness, the chamber is full of these foes. Then again, we can still do it. Luda, Midna, Aryll; stand back this is going to be a challenge."
Divine Zelda and Celestial Link effortlessly cut through the enemies. Despite the killing blow dealt on Celestial Link by an Iron Knuckle, his injuries were healed fast. He took advantage of its lapse of concentration and vanquished the remaining horde. Another heart-shaped metal plate found on the ground led Celestial Link to plunge his Master Sword into the device. His life increased visibly. The Links elsewhere felt the same sensation. Aryll felt herself getting stronger.
"All of you, put the sword into this device!"
They too felt stronger. A female voice was heard.
"You are not the master who wielded this sword, but you do look like him."
"Who? Who is there?" Celestial Link gasped.
"I can consider you a master." said her voice.
"Is that…"
"Yes. My mission is to serve you."
Blue light formed in the image of a blue humanoid spirit. Everyone were surprised by the spirit's sudden appearance.
"I am Fi. I will aid you all on your quest. Take this Goddess Sword! Put back the Master Sword where you first found it!"
Will you please let me accompany you?"
Celestial Link nodded in acceptance.
"Then it's settled." said Fi.
Celestial Link turned back to his mission and head back to the main hall. Link went through a doorway, leading to another room. This last room was starkly different than before. The Pedestal of Time rested under the light of a huge glass dome, and eight stained glass windows were set within deep archways that form a system of vaults that helped maintain the structural integrity of the dome and thrust upon the walls. Brilliant white light flowed in from the glass of the dome, but each window was a series of large spheres—one blue, one pink-red, and one pale green. These were likely the symbolic colours of the Goddesses.
Celestial Link reminisced his old days in this area, during his search for the Mirror of Twilight fragments. He transferred some of the upgraded powers from the Master Sword into the Goddess Sword before putting it back into the Pedestal of Time. Celestial Link collected his thoughts.
"Having second thoughts?" Fi questioned.
"I actually do have second thoughts, because I was thinking about giving my sister the Master Sword."
"I see, Master. Then, let's give it to her!"
Celestial Link headed back to his allies.
"Aryll, I have gained a new sword."
"I see, what are you going to do with the other sword, Big brother?" asked Aryll.
"Well, I was going to put it back. Instead, I'll give this sword to you. It still retains the powers I earned."
Celestial Link handed Aryll the Master Sword.
"Thank you, Big brother. Now I can fight easily."
"Don't let this dull your warrior's edge! You are skilled at long ranges with your crossbow."
"This is not over!" reminded Midna. "We still need to defeat Cia."