Won't be updating next week. And first day back at horseriding since my injury eight months ago. God I've missed this.

Chapter 17

Wrapping up

When Silver woke, she was in the Procellum Vault. Her head felt woollen and heavy. Whining, she shook her head to dispel the fogginess.

The vault was empty. The traps were disarmed, resting in their cradles like small children. As if they'd never been used. As if the battle of the Flames had never happened, just a nightmare fading in the light of the rising sun.

Suddenly it dawned on Silver, if they traps were deactivated then Link…

Whipping round to where Link should've been, she saw only his shield. What had gone on in the Hall of Flames was suddenly thrown into a stark light. He was gone. Silver hadn't even the strength to howl. She simply lay down, head on her paws, the weight of the world on her back. Her eyes glistened with tears, an ocean of grief. The wolfos closed her eyes and wrapped her tail around her, sobbing softly.

Link was not dead. Rather he was clambering up the decorative pillars of one of the adjoining halls. When he'd woken up, the first thing he'd seen was Ras' spirit. Him and Pan along with someone Link had not been expecting. The golden wolf spirit stood beside them. Behind them, other greys. Before Link could even fully acknowledge their presence they'd disappeared in a swirl of mist.

Something deep inside Link told him that what had taken place in the Hall, had meant to happen. When he'd gone there, he'd expected to find a boss and defeat it and all would be there. While Kuklin had been there, he'd just been an inconvenience. A bird nesting in the antlers of a stag. No, even if Kuklin had been defeated, it wouldn't have changed anything. Just as the sun had to set to shine the next day; in order to cleanse the sword, Link had had to die.

Link wasn't sure how he knew this, maybe it was the hero part of him, or just instinct. But at least now, his soul was free of darkness. Whatever Nubia threw it at him, he would at least make the right decision.

"Master." Came the familiar robotic voice.

Link pulled himself up onto the head of a stone sky dragon and sat down, back against its feather crest. The hilt of the master sword flashed and Fi appeared, hovering in front him. Her glassy eyes devoid of emotion.

"My analysis shows that you bear no animosity towards me."

Link shook his head.

"Always an anomaly."

Link shrugged, pretending to know who an 'ana molly' was. Fi suddenly turned her head, tense as if she were listening to something very quiet.

"Silver is awake. Results suggests that she believes you dead."

The corners of Link's mouth dropped. Oh dear. Link slid down the dragon's beak, hitting the ground in a roll. Fi leapt down, a ripple of silver light spreading out where her feet touched the air. She came to a halt in front of Link.

"Mind the-"Link ran forward and fell straight into a pit. "pit."

He growled in annoyance as he swung from his hand. Shooting a glance at Fi, he hauled himself up. Even though Fi was incapable of emotion, Link could've sworn he saw the corner of her mouth twitch.

Getting to his feet, he skirted the pit and ran for the door.

Fi dissolved into a ball of blue light and followed him out.

A hand rested itself on Silver's neck.

"Analysis concludes that now is hardly the time to be crying."

Silver looked up. Her tears had carved deep ruts in her fur.

"You're not-"

Link grinned.

"How dare you." Silver growled as he hugged her.

Link glanced at FI. The truth of the sword's revival wasn't worth mentioning.

"Haven't we a water sage to find?" The wolfos said.

Link chuckled and got to his feet.

Climbing to his feet, Link donned his shield and followed Silver out of the vault.

Outside in the storm and rain, Link whistled sharply. There was a screech as Kay swooped down.

"On you jump." She called.

"She's insane." Silver muttered.

Link grabbed Silver, throwing her over his left shoulder and leapt. Kay swooped beneath them, catching them perfectly. Link allowed Silver to clamber down and shelter beneath him as he knelt over the dragon's back.

"How'd it go?" she asked, dodging a snaking tendril of lightning.

"We're all still in one piece, relatively." Silver replied.

"Are you going straight back or visiting first?"

Link looked at Silver.

"Straight back if you could." While Kay adjusted her course through the storm, Silver spoke directly to Link. "Why have you worked it out?"

Link nodded.

"Who is it?"

Link smiled.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me."

Ok, short chapter I know. But I barely had the time to do this. Have to revise so…sorry for the shortness. But see if you can work out who it is. Here's my riddle. Like Rutela in body and Ruto in mind, a sage at heart with the interest of her people at heart. See if you can guess who. Wisch me luck!