A/N: Thanks to alwaysingirl, RoseWing, midnafan123456789, Kirkysaurus and (NEW REVIEWER!) Kick-Aft for their reviews! /)^3^(\
Reeeeeally sorry for the MASSIVE delay. What's it been? Two months? That's not good :/
Blame Nintendo and school, I guess. After all, Skyward Sword and 10 free GBA games? As well as loads of exams and mocks? Yep. It's safe to say I've been a bit distracted ^_^ But I have holidays right now so I might be able to update a bit faster. Hopefully.
Can we break 50? Of course! :D
Chapter 21 - Shadow
Zelda awoke in the Sacred Realm once again, waterfalls flowing from the ceiling to the endless expanse. Looking up, she saw Rauru, Saria, and a huge Goron on the Fire pedestal. Obviously this was the one that Link had saved just recently.
'Welcome back, Zelda,' Rauru greeted her. She stood up, acknowledging Saria and Rauru.
'Zelda, this is the Sage of Fire, Darunia. Darunia, Zelda. Zelda, Darunia.'
'Hello, Zelda!' Darunia shouted, laughing heartily. 'Y'know, when I first thought I would be meeting the princess of Hyrule I didn't think she'd be so roughed up.' He laughed again. Confused, Zelda looked down. And groaned. The cuts from the Blade Trap were healed, but the bottom of the Sheikah suit had come off worse for it. There were three huge gashes in the fabric, and most of the bottom hem had fallen away from the rest of the now mangled article of clothing.
'Yes. I didn't think I'd run into a Blade Trap. Literally,' Zelda sighed in a deadpan tone. Darunia just laughed again.
'Well, it's still a pleasure to meet you, miss.'
'Pleasure's all mine,' Zelda smiled. She then frowned. Surely she remembered saying this to Saria as well.
'Okay, Zelda. As directed, you have saved Ruto and she is now in the Water Temple, with Link in tow. Fantastic job.
'There's something very important I must tell you, but... well, I have to tell you after I teach you the next song.'
Zelda was confused, but still took out her harp. Rauru took out his, and focused on the strings.
'This song I will now teach you, it is the embodiment of shadow. This is the Nocturne of Shadow.'
The song began to sound, an incredibly morose tone. The mystery of the notes were great, as if expecting a ghost or troubled spirit to pop out at any given moment. However, as usual the song ended on a rather happy tone, Rauru's hand flying from the harp in a small flourish.
'Now you.'
Zelda hoisted up her harp and played the exact same notes. Oddly, Zelda could have sworn it sounded more mysterious and dreamy on her own harp. She passed it off as nothing and continued playing. Like Rauru, when she finished she went out with a flourish, her hand in the air next to the harp's body.
'Excellent,' Rauru nodded. Saria cheered happily while Darunia just smiled. Zelda put her harp away.
'Now, for that important thing I need to tell you. Shortly after you entered the Ice Cavern, Kakariko Village has been under attack.'
Zelda's long ears pricked up at the name of the village. Did he say it was... under attack?
'Some undesirables have invaded and are trying to free an evil spirit from the sealed well. I'm pretty sure they're doing this under Ganondorf's orders. If that spirit does get out... there won't be much that we can do to stop it. Not only that, but it could very well destroy the village.
'The next task, therefore, is clear. You must get to the village and stop the monsters trying to awaken the spirit at any cost. If you happen to see Link along the way, teach him the Nocturne of Shadow.'
Zelda was both angry and confused. Monsters... were in Kakariko Village? Trying to awaken a dangerous spirit? What about the people there? What's happening to them? Daisy, Enyd, Dampé?
'Thank you, Rauru,' Zelda muttered with clenched fists and teeth.
'You must hurry, they are almost about to summon the spirit now!'
Zelda nodded, and lay down. As expected, the 'dragging into unconsciousness' feeling began, and Zelda closed her eyes and let it consume her.
XxX
She woke up at the entrance to Zora's River. Thanking Rauru silently for letting her bypass the entire way back, she prepared to sprint. When ready, she leapt up over the river and began sprinting in the direction of Kakariko. As she ran, she noticed the chill wasn't running through her legs as usual. Looking down, she noticed that her suit had been completely repaired where it had been destroyed by the Blade Trap. She smiled and thanked Rauru again. He really did think of everything.
As she got closer, she could smell smoke in the air. It intesified as she got ever closer to the staircase. Looking up, she saw smoke emanating from the rooftops of the village houses.
She clenched her fists even more, as if that were possible. Who did these things think they were? Burning down innocent people's houses? And what if... they had killed some people to do the task? Zelda shook her head, shaking the negative thoughts out of her mind. If the monsters did have to do just that, then she would have to hurry.
Hopefully it won't have to come to that.
A/N: Sooooooooo sorry again, guys. I honestly have no idea what's wrong with me :P But don't worry. I should be able to begin updating somewhat regularly now that I'm on holidays.
So, will Zelda get to Kakariko Village in time? We'll find out soon.