~ Chapter 2 ~

~ Oracle ~

.:.

Shortly after Nayru's disappearance, Link began noticing some disturbing phenomena. Trees withered before his eyes, some even disappearing altogether, as if they'd never existed. Birds and squirrels simply dropped dead without cause. Ralph finally responded to something around him when a dead owl landed right next to him, at which he jumped about three feet in the air.

Link took advantage of this sudden return to reality. "You and Impa mentioned something about Nayru being an Oracle. Could you explain that now?"

Ralph sighed. "N-Nayru is the Oracle of Wisdom. Have you heard of the legendary Triforce Bearers? Well, the Oracles are also chosen ones of the Golden Goddesses. However, unlike the Triforce Bearers, she's a physical manifestation of the goddess' power herself. This is actually real, unlike that silly Triforce!"

Link nodded, pointedly ignoring Ralph's ignorance for the sake of keeping him talking.

"There is a legend in Labrynna of our land's origin...

Their work done,
the goddesses each chose one:
One land to uphold,
or so the legends have told.
The Eight Fortresses will defend the land
with logic of Divine hands.

Basically, the Eight Fortresses within Labrynna are divine protection against evil. However, they need the Oracle to channel their power. With Nayru gone, these fortresses will be overrun by nightfall at the latest. Without Nayru... we're as good as dead."

"I'd hoped not to have to relive this ordeal again, but it looks like the goddesses have other plans..." Link muttered to himself and sat down on the grass.

"'Again'?"

"Nevermind."

A moment of silence before Ralph spoke, "Do you think she's okay?"

"Nayru? I don't know," he sighed.

Link thought he heard Ralph mutter something along the lines of "your fault", in response, but couldn't be sure. He decided it was better to leave that train of thought alone and change the subject. "Impa's been out awhile."

"We could move her to Nayru's house, I guess" came the nonchalant response.

"Better than sitting here," Link sighed, getting to his feet.

.:.

Link and Ralph had been sitting in relative silence for the past two hours. Link had attempted conversation on occasion, but Ralph clearly had no interest in speaking to him. They were beginning to worry whether Impa would wake up at all, when she finally began stirring.

As soon as she opened her eyes, Link and Ralph immediately bombarded her with questions, unable to contain themselves any longer.

"Slow down boys! One at a time! I can't even tell what you're saying!" At this, Link and Ralph simultaneously went silent. Something about Impa was incredibly imposing despite her cheery demeanor.

"Alright. Explain to me what's going on," she said.

They argued over the details for a bit before Impa finally cut in. "I see, um... I think." she said, forcing them to give up on trying to one-up each other. "So Nayru is missing after being possessed. What was the name of the demon who took her? I didn't quite catch that part."

"Veran," Link mumbled.

Impa eyes went wide. "I was sent here to prevent this very incident. I'm a failure to the crown, and to Zelda!"

"What can you tell me abut her?" Ralph interrupted.

"Veran..." she paused to gather her thoughts, still distraught. "Veran is a sorceress whose motives are unknown. However, Princess Zelda had a vision in a dream that foretold Labrynna becoming overcome with darkness and sorrow if she was not stopped. She said that near the end of the dream, every shadow had a very swine-like silhouette. She believed it might be related to Ganon."

"Ganon?! But how? He was destroyed! I—" Link stole a quick glance at Ralph "—verified it myself!"

Ralph wasn't convinced at Link's explanation. "Okay, what is wrong with you? You've been acting fishy since I met you!" He jabbed his finger into Link's chest. "If this situation is so bad, I want answers, now!"

"Ralph, calm down! Link, I don't know why you haven't told him yet, but please tell him and ease my headache!" Impa cried.

"I... well, it's kind of a long story. Why don't you just continue your story, and I'll tell him afterwards?" Link said, though he knew he was lying. He knew he couldn't face reliving the story. Not yet.

"No. Tell me now!"

"I-I'm not ready to talk about it."

"Liar."

"Believe what you want."

"Impa, make him tell me!"

"Are you trying to act like a toddler?"

"Are you looking for a fight?!"

"BOYS!" Impa suddenly interjected, causing both to go silent once more.

"Ralph, Link may not be ready to share his story yet, but he'll tell you eventually, I'm sure." She gave Link a pointed look. "As for my own story, I was sent here by Princess Zelda to take Nayru to Hyrule for her safety while we investigated the danger. On my way here, I was attacked by an unusually persistent poe. Usually, as you know, they'll lose interest after you leave the immediate area of their haunts. This one followed me for at least half a mile before I was finally able get a good shot in and kill it. Immediately after my kunai hit it, I felt slightly dizzy. The feeling passed quickly, so I continued on my way. I don't know anything after that aside from what you two have told me. Unfortunately, I'm too exhausted from the ordeal to be of much help right now... I will rest here and cast wards around the house. I'll make this a safehouse for the both of you. "

Ralph gaped at her. "So let me get this straight. Your crazy Princess has a dream, and sends you to come investigate, because she had a dream, and if you hadn't come, Nayru wouldn't have been possessed and she'd be safe and we'd be SAFE and—"

"Ralph!" Link scolded, though he went ignored.

Impa cut him off with more instructions. "You two need to go to Lynna City and talk to the Maku Tree. She'll know what to do. I'm too tired to stay awake... I will—" she was interrupted by a yawn "—rest now. Stay together," she warned.

"Maku... Tree?" Link asked.

"Yes, Tree, dummy. Now we-meaning I-need to go." Ralph scoffed.

The moment they'd left the house, Ralph had run off to the southwest, leaving Link to find the city on his own. So much for "staying together", he thought bitterly. Having nothing else to go on, he headed in the same direction Ralph had.

You deserve better than my excuses, so go read "Tenacity" by Kabrex!

Also, the Oracles have been released on the 3ds eShop! Go try them out!