Chapter 24: A Brief Pit Stop
"What are we doing in the Sacred Grove?" inquired Zelda.
"We did this to make sure that Ganondorf and Urien did not extinguish your lives back there. You're all important to saving this fused world from evil's clutches," responded the sages' voices.
Immediately, a bright white light began to take form and hovering above them were all ethereal creatures wearing masks and long flowing robes, about six of them total floated before the heroes.
"I never imagined Ganondorf's ally to be so powerful, yet I feel we've barely seen anything," said Link.
"I could say the same about Ganondorf, it's not difficult to see why he's called the King of Evil," chimed in Ryu.
"You are correct, that's why you must keep those Secret Texts out of their hands no matter what. If they're allowed to obtain them all, it will spell doom for this world," boomed one of the sages.
"You better believe we will do that! Ganondorf and Urien will not be allowed to cause more pain to others!" exclaimed Ken.
"I understand your anger over seeing your wife taken from you in front of your eyes. But do not do anything foolish, your son does not need to lose both of his parents. It may be tough, but try and keep a level head," informed another sage. Ken merely nodded to affirm he understood what he heard.
"So do you have any idea where we're supposed to go now?" asked Chun-Li.
"You will embark on a journey through a desert where female bandits reside," answered yet another sage.
"That sounds like the Gerudo Desert to me," chimed in Link.
"Before we get ahead of ourselves, what about Sean and Mel, we can't drag them along with us for too long," spoke Alex.
"Indeed, your first priority is to take these two somewhere where someone will take care of them," stated the head sage.
"I know where we can take them, so no worries there," remarked Ken.
"Then please make haste, the Secret Texts are of great importance," spoke the head sage.
Link and the others nodded as the sages disappeared from sight, Link and the others looked back at the others to see Sean and Mel standing there silently both with saddened expressions on their faces.
"It's hard to believe that Eliza is really gone," said Sean with a saddened tone in his voice.
"Mom..." was all Mel said as tears started to run down his face. Ken walked over to his son and placed his arm around him.
"Mel, I'm gonna miss her too, but I'll make sure that Ganondorf and Urien pay for what they've done so Mom can rest in peace, I promise you this," said Ken as tears started to run down his face as well. Chun-Li walked over to the two and hugged them both and held her embrace to them tightly as Ken and Mel allowed their sorrow to pour out over her. Link and the others merely said nothing as they watched as Chun-Li consoled her friend and his son. Eventually, Ken turned to the others and began to speak.
"I'll be ok, eventually. But for now, let's get Mel and Sean to my brother in law's house, I'm gonna have to break the news to him sooner or later," informed Ken.
"I'm staying with uncle Guile?" asked Mel.
"Yes, and don't give him hell either, but keep up on your training, besides, you'll have Sean with you as well too," answered Ken.
"Yeah, I'm here for you little buddy," piped up Sean as he patted Mel on the back.
"Sahasrala!" exclaimed Link.
Immediately, Sahasrala's spirit materialized in front of the heroes and he gazed at all of them not saying a thing.
"I need to take us to Seattle, Washington, I need to take my son and student to stay with my brother in law," informed Ken.
"Seattle, is that where Guile stays now?" asked Alex.
"Yeah, he's stationed at McChord Air Force Base which is in Washington state," answered Chun-Li.
"I understand, I will take you there now," spoke Sahasrala and within seconds, the heroes vanished in a flash of blue light. Soon they found themselves materializing in front of a house with a Harley Davidson motorcycle in the garage and a blue Honda in the driveway and Ken and Chun-Li instantly recognized the vehicles.
"We're at Guile's place, I wonder if he's home," commented Ryu.
"Since it's almost night, I'm willing to bet that he must be," answered Ken as him and the others walked up to the door. Ken promptly rang the doorbell and waited for a response.
"Just a minute," spoke a woman's voice.
A few seconds later, a light skinned woman with blonde hair done up in a ponytail answered the door, she was wearing a pink sweater along with blue pants and white socks, it was Eliza's older sister and Guile's wife, Jane.
"Ken, what brings you all the way out here with these people?" asked Jane.
"It's quite a long story, is Guile at home?" inquired Ken.
"Yeah he is. Hey Amy go get your father!" called out Jane to a younger blonde haired girl wearing a green T-shirt and black pants. Amy nodded to her mother and ran outside.
"Hey Dad! Uncle Ken's here, he needs to see you!" exclaimed Amy.
About a minute later a muscular man walked towards the heroes. He had a large blonde flat top hairstyle and blue eyes. The man was dressed in a green tank top and camoflauge pants and had the American flag tattooed on both of his arms. He was Guile, a major in the United States Air Force.
"What's going on Ken? Why are Chun-Li, Ryu, and a bunch of others with you?" asked Guile.
"It's a long story, so I guess we better start from the beginning," answered Ken.
"My name is Link, this is Zelda, I'm sure you're aware of it Guile, but our world has fused with yours a few days ago," answered Link.
"That I'm aware of fully," replied Guile.
"A villain from our world named Ganondorf has teamed up with an evil demi-god named Urien and they're looking to rule this fused world tyrannically. Link and I recruited Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and Alex to help us on our quest to stop them," chimed in Zelda.
"Our quest has taken us near and far, but recently Urien and Ganondorf attacked our home Uncle Guile, that's why me and Sean are with them right now," added Mel.
"So where's Eliza?" inquired Jane.
"We were able to save Mel and Sean from harm. Unfortunately, Eliza was killed by Ganondorf before we could reach her," informed Chun-Li.
"My sister is dead..." stammered Jane as she began to tear up, Guile turned to his wife and brought close to him and embraced her as Jane and Amy cried on his shoulders.
"I can't believe this! So what are you going to do Ken?" asked Guile.
"Since I'm one of the chosen heroes, I'm going to continue this quest and make sure that Ganondorf and Urien will regret all those wrongdoings they've done," answered Ken.
"Then I suppose you want Sean and Mel to stay with me while you're away. I'll do it for Eliza, plus Amy could a couple of sparring partners as well," stated Guile.
"Oh thank you, I'll find a way to pay you back somehow," said Ken.
"You know, it's getting late, we better find a place to rest for the night," suggested Link to the others.
"If you need a place to stay, you can sleep here for the night, I've got a ton of sleeping bags up in the attic," commented Guile.
"Thank you for your generosity kind sir," said Zelda.
"No need to be so formal, come on in, just take your shoes off before entering the house," said Guile.
Later that night, everyone was fast asleep in the house when from out of nowhere, a draft began to blow through despite the fact that none of the windows in the house were open.
"Ken," spoke a familiar voice in a soft tone.
"Huh...Eliza..." mumbled Ken drowsily as he stirred about under his covers.
A faint ethereal light then began to shine on the blonde haired martial artist and as his eyes fluttered open, he saw the spectral form of his deceased wife hovering before him and he immediately shot up with his eyes wide.
"Ken, I know that you are hurting inside after what transpired earlier today, but I must implore to please not beat yourself up over this, Link and others need you to stay strong for this quest, be strong for Mel too," spoke Eliza.
"I understand what you are saying Eliza, but I cannot forgive Ganondorf and Urien for what they've done to us," replied Ken.
"I know, just do not do anything that may endanger your allies or you needlessly, Mel needs his father to come back from his quest alive," informed Eliza.
"You got it babe, Mel's not gonna be an orphan anytime soon," responded Ken.
"One more thing, I've been asked to give you this. It's said to hold a great power that can aid you greatly on your quest, but I'm not entirely sure on how to unlock the power in it, maybe somewhere during your adventures you'll find out how to do so. I guess you can say it's a good luck charm I'm giving you," said Eliza handing Ken a golden necklace with a bright orange jewel in the center of the necklace.
"I will take great care of this item, not only for it's importance, but because it's a gift from you," commented Ken.
"I know you will. And one more thing Ken, I know I can never be replaced in yours or Mel's hearts, but if another ever claims your heart, do not hesitate to let it be known. I want you two to live a happy life and I know I will not be forgotten," stated Eliza.
"Ok Eliza, you have my word on all this, I love you always," said Ken.
"And I love you too, please be strong Ken, I will be watching over you from the afterlife," said Eliza as her spirit faded from sight.
The next morning, Guile's alarm clock went off which startled Link and Zelda awake as they wondered where the sound was coming from.
"What's making that noise?" asked Link
"That's an alarm clock Link, people use those to help themselves wake up at certain times," answered Alex.
"Oh, quite another unique device your world has," commented Zelda.
"I know I might have been hearing things last night, but Ken, we're you talking to someone last night?" inquired Chun-Li.
"Yeah, she came to me in a dream last night and gave me a necklace that she called a good luck charm. Said I'd be able to unlock a hidden power inside of it somehow," answered Ken as he sat up and saw Eliza's Charm lying next to him.
"So it wasn't a dream, Mom really visited you last night!" exclaimed Mel.
"Yeah, she did. I do have to tell you one thing Mel, I will return safely, I promise you that. Until then, I need you to be strong for me and Mom while I'm away, and don't give your uncle any grief," stated Ken.
"Don't worry Dad, I won't cause trouble," replied Mel.
"Yeah, I'll look after him too master," chimed in Sean.
At that moment, Guile, Jane, and Amy headed down from the stairs and saw the heroes getting ready to set off on their adventure once again.
"You're already leaving?" asked Amy.
"Yeah, we mustn't too long on this adventure, especially now that we know how much of a threat the villains are," answered Ryu.
"Well you be safe out there, we wish you well," spoke Jane.
"For all that he's done as well, I want you to kick that son of a bitch Ganondorf's ass so hard, that the next Ganondorf wannabe is gonna feel it!" exclaimed Guile.
"We'll see to it that he does, Urien as well," replied Alex.
"Thank you once again for letting us rest here, take care Guile," said Link as him and the others waved goodbye to Guile, Sean, Mel, Amy, and Jane before leaving the house and heading off down the road a few feet.
"So if what the sages told us is correct, we need to head to a desert am I not right," said Ryu.
"Correct, the Gerudo Desert was the name of where we're supposed to go now," answered Ken.
"Sahasrala!" shouted Link.
Once again, Sahasrala's spirit appeared before the heroes
"Where would you like me to take you this time?" inquired Sahasrala.
"To the Gerudo Desert, quickly!" ordered Link.
"As you wish," replied Sahasrala. And with that, the six heroes disappeared in a flash of light off to the desert where they could possibly find clues on where to find the fifth Secret Text.
Author's Note: Another chapter down, I got a chance to play the 3DS finally and I must say that I do want one, but will wait for a while since I have other priorities. But will most likely get one when Ocarina of Time is released on it and will buy that along with Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition for it. For now, I'm off to go work on my next chapter, but until then, please read and review.