The plasticity and synthetic nature of Hyrule Castle's design struck Atrayu as odd as she meandered through the vast edifice. As the shape shifter gazed at the various royal tapestries and portraits, she could only shake her head in disgust. The atmosphere felt so far removed from reality that she couldn't wait to depart. She was accustomed to the royal palace of Nevkah, where furs, tusks, and other trophies obtained from the animal world filled the walls with vibrancy. Even the components of the castle itself were obtained from nature, not subject to the same level of refinement and manipulation that these Hylians favored. Atrayu directed her gaze forward and sighed.
Some aspects of home were simply irreplaceable.
The shape shifter stopped for a moment when the carpeted hallway she had been following came to a fork. It split off to the right and left, extending indefinitely in either direction. Suits of armor stood as sentinels over each pathway, giving no hint to the correct hall. She inhaled deeply, allowing her keen sense of smell to guide her. To be honest, she wasn't sure what to look for. If Zant had simply given her an item belonging to Zelda, her task would be that much easier. The blended aromas of incense, perfumes, and candle wax made it difficult to distinguish a specific scent.
Suddenly, the floor she stood on shook like an earthquake as the suits of armor rattled a soft applause. The sounds of explosions erupted from a distant part of the castle. The sharp scent of sulfur and gunpowder flooded her nostrils, causing her to gag.
Those explosions did not belong to Zant; the smell of the compounds indicated a Hylian origin. Did they know of her intrusion? No, that would be impossible. No one had seen her; she had carefully made certain of that.
The shape shifter eased herself into the form of a fierce wolf. There was no feeling like the freedom from four unhindered paws and the natural fur coat that covered her. Human armor was heavy and tiresome, and it was a relief to finally be rid of its burden for the time being. Until she was exiled, she never had the need to wear it. As a mercenary, she had to be protected at all times from the cowardly surprise attacks that humans were known for. The threat they posed was quite different from the straightforward contests of strength favored in her society.
The wolf woman lurched forth and pursued the sulfuric scent with a hunter's passion. She could sense the lust for blood in the air; a feeling that tingled her spine with a twisted sense of delight. Whatever the cause for the explosion, she would learn more by pursuing it then staying in her present location.
The more Atrayu thought of Nevkah, the more her heart ached for it. Perhaps it was her one weakness; one she was exceedingly careful to hide. She yearned for the feel of the humid jungle mist against her face; the blood-boiling thrill fighting to the death with one of her comrades, and the way Dragon Roost Mountain cut the sky like a blade no matter where you gazed upon it. There, atop that mountain, she had walked proudly betwixt the pillars of the palace and amongst the royal court. That is, until, she had broken one of the most sacred of Nevkah's laws: allowing a foreigner to live within its borders. Because of its differences with the other nations, Nevkah isolated itself from all international relations except for the most urgent crises. The intrusion of a foreigner was considered a threat to the culture, and they were eliminated on sight.
The day she encountered the warrior from a distant land was the day her life took a drastic turn. Few words had been exchanged. He was an outsider and a threat; little else mattered. They fought for hours; neither side wielding to the growing fatigue and pain pulling on their bones. In the end, both collapsed to the ground and the fight ended in a draw. Atrayu had been so overcome with respect for the warrior that she chose to let him pass through with no further trouble. Although he never returned to that country, his name was forever branded in her memory, for he was one of only three that could best her in single combat: Link, the incarnate spirit of the wolf.
Everything would have been fine had Alpha never discovered his presence or her defeat.
Atrayu blocked out the events that came after from her mind and focused on the task at hand. With the speed advantage gained by a quadruped, she honed in on the location of the explosion within minutes. As she ran, servants and other castle officials hollered in horror at the sight of her, but she paid them no mind. She pressed forward with a single minded focus until she finally reached the location.
"Agahnim better hurry up," the shape shifter's ears detected a woman's voice long before she reached the speaker. Atrayu dashed behind a suit of armor to observe the thief woman who spoke. The mercenary's eyes quickly caught sight of the medium-sized sabers Chikao held in each hand and the scimitar strapped to her pant leg. The dank smell of must and mold permeated this woman, indicating she resided in some place underground.
Chikao rolled her eyes and turned her back to the wolf. "I have enough bombs to celebrate the Carnival of Time, and I'm stuck using them to distract guards that aren't even here." She rolled her eyes as she took out another bomb and prepared to light it. "What a waste."
Her eyes paused momentarily on the combustible weapon as she noticed Atrayu's reflection on the polished surface.
Sensing she had been detected, the shape shifter wasted no time in launching an all-out offensive. The element of surprise favored her as she lunged forward, aiming for the woman's leg. Chikao was more agile than expected, and Atrayu only managed a shallow scratch along the woman's pant leg.
The enraged Chikao used the piece of flint in her hand to light the bomb in the other. "Stupid mutt! I'll blow your hide to the underworld!" She tossed the explosive through the air at the unsuspecting Atrayu like a grenade. The wolf was caught in the ensuing explosion. Her canine body crashed into one of the suits of metal rattled like cymbals as the armor broke apart and came to rest on the motionless body. Smoke choked the hallway, causing Chikao to retreat a few steps. Her eyes glared through the fog for any sign of the wolf woman.
As the dust cleared, the Gerudo woman smirked to herself when she saw the motionless animal in the debris. "I hate dogs," She said andturned to walk down the hall. "Now to check on Agahnim and Zelda."
Chikao grabbed the sack of bombs stolen from Malo Mart and raced down the hallway. Her footfalls patted softly against the carpeted hallway. As she strode ahead, a few panicky servants rushed out to stop her. Her twin sabers made short work of them as they fell lifelessly to the ground. Chikao pushed forward, not giving so much as a head turn to the corpses that lay behind her. She had to give credit to Geroshida for his genius. With all soldiers concentrated on defending the town from Zant, there was no one remaining save a few hired hands left to guard the monarch. She could literally stroll through the castle as she pleased.
After a few wrong turns and hesitant moments, Chikao reached the library where Durian had trapped the Queen. Six dead guards lay around the open door. Their lifeless bodies lay motionless with their spears by their sides. Their pale faces and wide eyes depicted surprise and horror; responses typical of Agahnim's handiwork. There was no blood to be found; the magician always hated a dirty job.
As she strolled through the open door, the neatness of the library surprised her. Not a book was found on the floor, the stacks of parchment on the desk were arranged in a neat pile, and there was no furniture overturned. In fact, it appeared like there hadn't been a struggle at all. Either the Queen was unexpectedly compliant, or Agahnim had resorted to one of his mind tricks to force her into submission. Either way, it didn't matter, as long as their task was done and Geroshida was satisfied.
"You thought you could be rid of me that easily?" A sly voice spoke from the doorway.
Chikao whipped around and instinctively hurled one of her sabers at the speaker. Atrayu saw the weapon coming and tilted her head to the side, allowing the silver crescent blade to impale itself in the wooden door behind her. The weapon's momentum caused the door to squeal and click shut, closing the two combatants in the room.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" Chikao demanded, bending her knees and raising her remaining saber defensively in front of her.
Atrayu raised an eyebrow as she looked the woman up and down. "Do you ever get cold wearing so little?"
Chikao's face matched the fiery color of her hair. "How dare you!" She took a threatening step forward as the grip on her weapon tightened. Veins bulged from her forehead and her eyes narrowed in pure hatred. "Those who insult me don't live very long!"
The shape shifter looked to the weapon etched in the door and back to her opponent. Her coy frown showed she wasn't impressed. "You don't keep your reserve very well." She licked her lips. "Then again, I've always had an addiction to fighting, so how can I refuse a good contest? You better not disappoint." She brought her clawed hands to the ground until she was hunched on all fours.
Chikao gritted her teeth. "You have no idea what you're getting into."
Atrayu shook her head. "No, angry little human, it is you who has overestimated your abilities." She shifted to her wolf form, inspiring a good deal of surprise and fright from the now terrified Chikao.
"What kind of demon are you?" The thief woman spoke, a quaky horror in her voice but a steel resolve holding her firm. Even so, she backed behind the desk for good measure.
The wolfess answered with a spine-tingling howl. She sprang over the desk and onto Chikao with a fury, scattering papers and documents everywhere. Though knocked to the ground, the thief swung wildly to fend off Atrayu. The wolf backed off from Chikao's wild swinging, allowing the thief enough time to jump to her feet. Sensing her weakness as evident as day, Atrayu exploited a gap in Chikao's defenses and body slammed her into the wall. The thief woman's breath was briefly pushed out as her body hit a stack of shelves. Her weapon tumbled to the ground as her body slid against the bookshelf.
Atrayu quickly shifted into her human form and grabbed Chikao by the scruff of her neck just as she collapsed to the ground. The limp body felt like nothing in her hands as she raised it above the floor and thrust it against a bookshelf. With her other clawed hand, she picked the scimitar from the thief's leg and tossed it aside. The weapon ran into a few papers remaining on the desk and knocked them towards the floor.
"Little human, I will keep you alive as long as you remain useful to me. Now tell me, where is Zelda?"
Despite her predicament, Chikao found the strength to laugh. "Heh, you're too late. She was here earlier, but we have her now." The thief attempted to struggle, but that effort was quickly extinguished as Atrayu pressed her claw-like nails to the woman's neck, drawing small drops of crimson blood. The liquid oozed onto the shape shifter's coarse fingers, sending ecstatic chills down her spine.
"And where have you taken her?" Atrayu paused for a moment, as if contemplating what to do with her newfound captive. "You hide it well, but I can smell your fear. If you lie to me, I'll know instantly."
Chikao spat on the shape shifter's face as if she had the control. "You'll get nothing from me."
Atrayu shrugged her shoulders. "And you said she was here earlier?"
"What if I did?"
A sinister smile covered the shape shifter's face. "I'll take that for a yes. In that case, I won't need you anymore. Her scent is all I require." She pressed her claws further into the woman's flesh, pumping more of the sticky red liquid out of the woman's neck "I am a hunter, and you are my prey. Consider yourself caught."
Chikao lurched violently as Atrayu dug her nails completely into the soft flesh beneath the thief's neck, tearing away the soft tissue that resided there. Chikao thrashed for half a minute while bleeding profusely, but she was unable to escape the shape shifter's grasp. It wasn't long until her body became limp, and her spirit became like those of the guards outside.
Atrayu let the lifeless corpse slip from her hand without regard and began sniffing around the room. A mixture of scents encircled the atmosphere, including the must of old books, the sweet smell of perfume, and a mysterious odor like that of incense. The perfume had to be Zelda, she decided, and focused her efforts on isolating that scent. Atrayu stepped around the bookshelf and made her way for the door. She hesitated as she opened it; her sensitive ears could detect another presence approaching. The footfalls were loud and heavy like one covered in armor. The mercenary swung open the door and decided to greet this new guest.
"Nevkah fiend! What have you done with the Queen?" An armed soldier demanded, followed closely by several of his subordinates. He wielded a double-headed lance and a sword sheathed in leather at his waist. His demeanor was confident and his voice was direct. He turned to his men. "Secure the perimeter. There may be others throughout the castle. Leave the commander to me." The lesser soldiers nodded curtly and ran down the hall with their armor clanking with each step.
Atrayu tilted her head to the side in curiosity. "Have we met before?"
The soldier tightened the helm protecting his face as he turned to his opponent. "I am Captain Geoffrey, leader of the Hylian Armed Forces. In the name of the Goddesses, I demand you return the Queen."
An amused smirk curled onto the mercenary's face. "You and what army?"
The soldier placed his lance in front of him, ready for battle. His heart lurched when he saw the corpses of the men he left to guard Zelda, further emboldening his resolve. "You will pay for what you have done. I will not be as easy to dispose as you'd like."
Atrayu looked at the blood crusted on her claws. "I prefer it that way. Give me your best."
Shouts of uproar rose from the Hylian army when they learned that not only their monarch, but their captain, would not be taking the field with them against Zant. Feelings of resentment and betrayal ran high as soldiers whispered to one another of Geoffrey's cowardice. Had Captain Nadal still been alive, he surely would have stood his ground. This untested whelp of a leader had no spine, or so the soldiers whispered.
As Colin listened to the murmurs of his fellow fighters, a sharp sting of uncertainty and fear rose through him. He was no soldier, but even he knew that if the army stood divided, they would all die and Hyrule would be no more. He understood the reasons for the captain's absence; the castle was under attack. What good soldier wouldn't drop everything and come to the aid of their ruler, especially one like Zelda?
The youth's mind wandered to Link. Where could he be at a time like this? It had been three or four days since he left on his mysterious errand. Where was Link when all of Hyrule was in such a crisis? The blonde swordsman's faith wasn't shaken; he would trust his mentor with his life and more if he could. However, he couldn't stop himself from pondering. Now, more then ever, everyone needed him.
"Brothers! Be quiet and listen!" Darbus's powerful voice thundered across the crowd, silencing every hushed murmur and whisper. He held the army's attention through sheer intimidation. The colossal stone giant dwarfed the Zoran ruler that stood beside him, King Ralis.
"The King of the Zoras and me will lead the charge against these puny monsters! So pay attention and don't mess up!"
Ralis cleared his throat. "Darbus will lead the Gorons and Hylians up the pass by Southern Hyrule to defend it. Meanwhile, I will take my archers atop the cliffs to rain arrows upon them." He looked at the army and grimaced inwardly. Unlike Darbus, he could sense the low morale and resentment growing within the Hylian ranks. He could only hope their spirits could hold out long enough for reinforcements from Labrynna and Holodrum. "Form up and move out!"
Fortunately, it didn't take long for the small army to mobilize itself. With the added number of Zoras and volunteers to their ranks, the combined army numbered a meager four thousand soldiers. The victory at the Eastern Gate did little to bolster morale as the fighters anxiously awaited the massive enemy encroaching on their position. With the absence of their leader, the capital under attack, and certain doom inching towards them from the Kakariko Gorge, spirits were at an all-time low. The only thing that kept the soldiers going was a quiet determination and a love for their homeland.
As Colin took his position behind several rows of sturdy Goron warriors in the southern pass, his heart palpitated faster than he ever remembered it going. His limbs ached and his breathing was difficult. Nonetheless, he would stand his ground; failure was not an option.
His heart skipped a beat as he heard a low but unmistakable rumble steadily approaching his position. It was as if the earth itself shook beneath the weight of Zant's massive army. Colin saw the color drain from the faces of those who stood near him and felt his own fear grow exponentially. The hilt that had once been steady in his hand began to quiver ever so slightly.
There was no turning back now.
Within minutes, the massive army was upon them. The Goron warriors firmly held their positions as dozens of monsters pounded against them like a raging river. Monster after monster succumbed to their fists of fury. Every few minutes, the front line would retreat, and the line behind them would step forward to provide relief. In this way, there was always a batch of fresh Gorons ready to vent their stormy wrath against their oppressors. High above, the Zoras fired arrow after arrow upon their overwhelming foes. They would defend the pass as long as possible until the Hylian Cavalry was ready to go on the offensive.
Colin watched the front line of Gorons ahead of him with vigilance. Thus far, they had not yielded so much as an inch. But how much longer could they defend against such a vast horde? The swordsman turned his attention to the Zoran archers high atop the cliffs. He imagined their arrows sailing straight and true; reducing whatever monster they hit to dust. He took comfort in the thought for only a little while, for suddenly a new thought struck him. What would happen when they ran out of arrows? Even their quivers were not infinite. As Colin turned in despair to examine the small battalion of Hylian cavalry and infantry, the futility of their effort hit him hard, nearly knocking his breath from him.
Suddenly, a Wizzrobe appeared above the war party. It eyed the very position where Colin was standing. The youth instantly put up his shield as the wizard charged its attack. A loud cry rang out amongst the archers, and the magician was shot down from its levitated height. As it collapsed in front of Colin, the youth had to stop the vomit that crept up his throat. The pale white ooze dripping out from the monster's punctured and disfigured face was truly nauseating. The ease with which the monster had penetrated their lines did little to bolster Colin's spirit.
What if they lost? What if Hyrule was destroyed? What if everyone he loved would never see the light of day again? The questions burned in Colin's mind like a forest fire; consuming the fodder of his spirit the longer he entertained them. He tried pushing them from his conscious thoughts, but there was simply no escaping the bleak reality set before him and his fellow soldiers; the dead monster before him refused to allow that.
Colin was ready to give up where he stood; simply allow the flood of despair to wash over him. Giving in would be so much easier than fighting. Yet, every time he entertained the thought, the image of someone he cared about flashed in his mind. Ilia, Link, Talo, Beth, his family; they were depending on him. Most important of all, the memory of his father lingered in the swordsman's mind. Rusl's words echoed in the youth's mind.
"By what I'm doing here, I'm allowing you to fight for another day. I know when that day arrives, you will bring peace to all of Hyrule."
No matter how much he tried to escape the overwhelming truth, giving up was not an option. He would rather die defending those he cared about then live with the regret of cowardice and betrayal for the rest of his life.
Colin's resolve returned to him like a spring of fresh water, returning much needed vigor to his war-weary body. The swordsman turned his gaze to the Hylian cavalry. As he stared at the various armored horses and their fidgety riders, an idea struck him. He looked carefully at Ralis and Darbus, both of whom were too completely absorbed in the battle ahead to pay him any mind. The blonde swordsman slipped through the ranks as he made his way back towards Castle Town. Perhaps, there was something else he could do, however small it might be.
The true battle for Hyrule had begun; one whose outcome would forever shape the future of the Goddesses' chosen land.
"Link, what's that strange noise? It sounds like a swarm of bees." Tifa asked as she bounced atop Link's shoulders
The race towards the battlefield had been forestalled significantly by several monsters the company found within the outer skirts of Faron Woods. On Link's insistence, the trio stopped to ensure any monsters that might head for Ordon Village were taken care of on the way. Kari and Link dispatched the monsters with ease while Tatl distracted Tifa. Though the hero felt for the Kokiri girl, there was little he could do about the girl's squeamishness in regards to violence. As the group drew closer, the density of monsters increased significantly, and the path became more difficult.
At long last, they now stood at the edge of Faron Woods. Coro's ruined hut stood off in the distance. The man had barely survived the attack, so much of his time was spent rebuilding his home and healing from the numerous bruises he had received. Link glanced at the sad structure, bringing a quiet sadness to his blue eyes and a strengthened courage to his resolve. Tifa slid off his shoulders like gelatin, landing gently on her small feet.
"It is our destination; no place for a child. Return to your forest where you belong, Tifa." Kari answered her question, staring blankly down the path as if entranced by it. In his hand was the Wind Waker, a gesture that showed his readiness for battle.
Tifa's face soured as if she had eaten a lemon. "No. Friends don't leave each other behind." She looked towards the hero. "Right, Tatl? Right, Link?"
The fairy nodded.
Coro continued rebuilding his hut, stopping only for a few minutes to gulp down some soup. He had no idea that a war was brewing only a few miles away. A faint recollection of receiving his first lantern pushed its way to Link's mind. "I'm trying to drum up sales by giving away free lanterns! It's a business tactic, guy!"
The hero broke his gaze with the house that held so many memories. "What's going on?" he asked, turning around sharply.
Tifa folded her arms and pouted. "You weren't even listening."
Tatl rolled her eyes. "Get used to it. You try and give people like him advice, and they tune you out."
Kari walked casually up to the hero and brought his mouth close to Link's ear while Tifa and Tatl conversed. "They cannot come any further. Tifa is but a child. The battle will be far too dangerous for her."
The hero nodded in agreement. He approached the child slowly and knelt in front of her, speaking to her with the innocent affection he normally reserved for Epona. "Tifa, Tatl, thank you for all your help, but this is where we part ways. It's too dangerous-"
"Eeek! Link, watch out!" Tifa screamed, pointing with wide eyes over his shoulder.
Everything happened so fast. As Link whipped around, he heard the crunching of branches and a loud roar. By the time the hero recognized what had happened, he was too spellbound to speak.
A lizalfos stood mere inches from his nose with its knife pointed at the hero's chest. Its putrid breath steamed into his nostrils, nearly causing him to gag. The monster was completely entwined in vines from head to toe, and the earth itself had opened up to swallow the monster's scaly feet. It struggled violently and roared, but there would be no escape.
"Tifa, did you do that?" Link said at last. His eyes wouldn't leave the reptilian monster standing before him.
"Umm, I think so." She twiddled her thumbs sheepishly as two red apples appeared on her cheeks.
"How?" Kari demanded, looking at the child suspiciously.
"Leave her alone!" Tatl demanded, flying into the Sheikah's face. The two stared each other down in a contest of wills.
"I just did it. I didn't really have time to think." Tifa said softly as her gaze remained at the ground. More than anything, she wanted to find a dark hole to hide in.
"Link, aren't you going to kill the monster? Or do I have to sully myself and do it." Kari asked, finally coming to his senses. "Oh, right!" Link replied, still in a daze. "Good idea." He grabbed the Master Sword from its scabbard and ran it through the monster's chest, ending the incessant roaring and causing the lizard to fall forward as much as its trapped legs would allow. Gradually, the vines loosened their hold as if they had a mind of their own and the monster's body fell to the ground.
The hero walked up to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder. Tatl immediately flew protectively to the girl's side, eyeing Link suspiciously. "Tifa, how come you didn't tell us you could do that?" the hero asked.
The girl's eyes stayed glued to the ground. "I'm so confused. I saw you in trouble, and I felt this strange fire inside of me, and I had to do something." She looked up with wide, childlike eyes and clasped hands. "You don't hate me, do you?" Her eyes began to water as she sobbed. "Please don't."
Kari joined his two comrades, squatting on his legs to be eye level with the girl. "Anger is a powerful emotion. It drives us to protect those we care about." He looked towards the distance, where the noise of battle hummed consistently. "It seems you have a power we did not anticipate. I apologize if I came off as hostile. I was merely…surprised."
"You better apologize," Tatl muttered.
The Sheikah ignored the comment and turned to Link. "They need us out there."
The hero turned to Kari. "I know." He grabbed Tifa's small hands and held them in his own. Her small fingers felt fragile like twigs, yet more persistent then wood. "We could never hate you, Tifa. We just don't know what to do with you."
The forest girl's sobbing began to cease. "I want to come with you."
The hero sighed to himself. "If that's the case-"
Link rose and spread his feet apart, clasping his hands close to his chest. His eyes shut as he began to mumble to himself. While he spoke, a green light formed above him, shining ever brighter as his chant continued. "A time for peace, and a time for war. Guide me, oh Goddess, with the wind of Farore!" When he finished his chant in Ancient Hylian, he lifted his hands to the sky, brightening the incandescent orb even further.
"It's so pretty." Tifa admired as she looked up, bringing a glow to her face and a smile to her lips. She lifted her hand to touch the mysterious light. Tatl flew quietly on the girl's shoulder, relieved to see her spirits brightened.
Kari gazed at the brilliant illumination above Link and tensed. "What is that?"
Link returned his hands to his sides and tapped his boots on the ground. "A teleportation spell. If they come with us, I'll need a way to whisk them to safety when things become too much."
Kari's face darkened. "They're coming?" He began walking in the direction of the battle cries. "She's your responsibility, then. I'm going now."
Link turned quickly to Tifa. "Are you sure about this? It'll be dangerous, and I won't be able to protect you."
The Kokiri girl smiled. "That's why they call it an adventure. That's what Link used to say."
Tatl nodded. "Where she goes, I go. End of story."
The hero sighed reluctantly to himself as he lifted her on his shoulder once again. He sprinted to catch up with Kari. As they ran, the young girl laughed blissfully as if she was going to the circus and not to war. When the two finally met up with Kari, they were greeted by his anticipated scowl.
"Prepare yourself. Our enemy awaits."
Even the thunderous stomping and roaring they heard from a ways off could not have prepared the company for the sight that awaited them around the bend. What was once a sea of grass was now an innumerable ocean of monsters flowing steadily around Castle Town. Siege towers stuck out like islands among the organic ocean, filled with archers aiming their deadly projectiles against the Hylian forces. The vast number of Zant's army funneled towards the Southern pass like a mighty river reduced to a narrow creek.
"My goddesses!" Kari and Link exclaimed together.
"Eww!" Tifa said with another sour look. "They're all so icky, and there's so many of them."
"Be quiet, Tifa." Tatl urged. "Now, we listen to Link."
The trio crept along the edge of Hyrule field, anxious not to be spotted by the massive army. Seeing portions of the army heading for the western path and no sign of Zant, Link decided they would try and cut them off there. They had only gotten halfway to their anticipated destination when bokoblin high atop a siege tower spotted them and sounded the alarm.
Like a slime splitting apart, a small portion of monsters broke off from the main force and charged after the pursuers. The trio braced itself as Tatl hid in Tifa's hair. Kari summoned a small windstorm to push the monsters back and buy them precious time. Meanwhile, Link slid Tifa off his shoulders and placed his hand on the forest girl's forehead. She eyed him curiously as he mouthed more Ancient Hylian. Strength of an eagle; peace of a dove. Grant me protection with Nayru's Love.
Tifa's eyes sparkled in fascination as a blue crystal momentarily surrounded her. Its shimmering reflection soon disappeared as the structure dissipated into sparkling dust. She felt stronger than ever, as if imbued with divine strength.
"Wow. I feel so light," she remarked, jumping up and down in her Kokiri boots.
"You're protected now." Link said, taking his hand off her head and withdrawing the blade of evil's bane. It seemed to glow with radiant energy as it sought to purge the field of the malice and corruption that filled it. The hero's eyes sharpened and his muscles tensed. "Here they come!"
Kari jumped back and the three formed a triangular formation with Tifa at the back. A swarm of lizalfos and bokoblins quickly surrounded them, eying their predators with a lust for blood. Two lizalfos rushed at the hero, fangs dripping with saliva. He stopped the first lizard's short sword with his shield, pushed it away, and back sliced it with a quick roll. As the steel slashed through the monster's scaly flesh, a flash of adrenaline rushed through the hero. The inner wolf had awakened, and it wouldn't stop until its appetite was satisfied.
Before the second lizard could respond, the hero slashed the monster with a mighty jump and sent it reeling. Three bokoblins attempted to outnumber them, but little did they know the threat that awaited them. The hero brought back his mighty weapon behind him and circled it around with such force that the monsters were dead before they hit the ground.
Kari had his hands full as a lizalfos pursued him on the ground and a wizzrobe fired aimed at him from the air. He dodged the lizard warrior's swipes with lithe movements. He grabbed the monster's slithering tongue firmly as it roared at him, dodging its struggling swipes. With a wave of his baton, a sharp pulse of air went through the monster's mouth and into its lungs, overwhelming the organs and sending the monster into a frenzy. He then pulled down on the tongue, forcing the monster into submission, and blew it away with another sharp gust of air. While the disoriented lizard stumbled about, the Sheikah sidestepped a barrage of fire magic from his ranged pursuer. He summoned a whirlwind to encircle the monstrous magician, twisting it in a centrifuge of air. As the disoriented monster came down, vines rose from the ground and ensnared the monster. The creature's staff dropped from its hand, and Kari crushed it with a firm step from his foot. He turned to the Kokiri girl, who was holding her own remarkably despite her perceived innocence.
Three Stalfos warriors pummeled Tifa with their swords, yet they were unable to break the crystal encasing of Nayru's Love. Frustrated, one of them grabbed her neck and attempted to strangle her. Out of sheer fright, the forest girl opened a small crack in the earth that swallowed the skeletons and buried them in their graves. She returned unharmed to the ground. As more stalfos and bokoblins surrounded her, Link and Kari came to her aid. The Sheikah's knowledge of joints picked the skeletons apart, while the Master Sword slashed through everything that opposed it. More and more monsters made their way to the trio as they saw their comrades falling. For every monster that was slain, three took its place.
Meanwhile, a loud horn echoed across the field from the direction of Castle Town. Those of Zant's army closest to the Gorons that defended the pass were momentarily distracted by the strange noise. Before their face was punched in by solid stone, they heard a low rumbling steadily grow louder. Before long, the Gorons stepped aside as the Hylian Cavalry thundered through the pass. The Hylian Crest flew high in the wind as the flag bearer led the charge.
The monsters recoiled in horror as the armored horses galloped towards them. Their instincts drove them to flee, but there was nowhere to run to. The monsters that clogged the pass were trampled to death by the stampede of horses and soldiers. The Hylian Cavalry pushed its momentum as far as it would go, stabbing and trampling all that opposed them. The Zoras rallied behind the charge with a volley of bomb arrows from the cliffside. They launched the explosive projectiles with careful aim at the nearest siege towers, destroying key supports and sending the wooden structures collapsing on their wielders.
"I've got twenty-six!" Kari yelled at the hero as he twisted a bokoblin's arm beyond its normal range. He kicked the monster away and summoned a gale to throw it back from whence it came.
"Thirty!" Link replied confidently as he withdrew his sword from the flesh of a Lizalfos. The lizard squirmed to the ground before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
"Stalfos only count as one kill! Even if they revive themselves!"
Link backflipped to avoid a flaming arrow. "Twenty-seven then. I'm still winning!"
Kari shook his head. "You sound as if you're enjoying yourself." He jumped through the air and flipped in front of Tifa. She was doing her best to entangle a wizzrobe in her vines, but the monster's incessant teleporting made it difficult to achieve.
Link quickly sheathed his sword and withdrew his bow. With one fluid motion, he notched an arrow and shot the wizzrobe out of the sky. Though he hated to admit it, Kari was right. The longer the fight dragged on, the harder it was to control his instincts. He gained as much pleasure killing bokoblins as he did eating or riding Epona. "I see the Hylian Army over there. Let's head in their direction. We'll be more effective that way." The hero turned towards the Sheikah. "That's number twenty-eight."
Kari grunted at the hero's comment and turned his attention to a DarkNut marching in their direction. "Tifa, see if you can manipulate the earth to trap that monster. Then I'll remove his armor."
No response.
"Hey! Tifa needs to retreat!" Tatl yelled in Kari's ear as she flew violently in front of him..
The Sheikah's gaze shifted nervously to his opponent and back to his ally. To his utter dismay, he found the forest girl on her knees breathing heavily. Her face was whiter than snow, and she looked as if she had run a twenty-mile marathon. She could barely even lift her head to meet Kari's gaze.
"Can you carry me, Mister?" she pleaded. "I feel awfully sleepy."
"She's not used to this much negative energy," Tatl said as Kari lifted the Kokiri over his shoulder. The Sheikah bolted as fast as he could, jumping atop monsters and avoiding weapon slashes until he finally reached Link. When the hero saw Tifa's drained expression and Tatl's panic, he instantly understood.
"Can you teleport her out of here?" Kari asked sternly as he readjusted her weight. "She'll be a burden otherwise."
The hero shook his head. "Too risky. If I do, it'd be impossible for me to find you again." He looked towards the Castle where the Cavalry continued to press their charge. "We have a better chance if we can get her to Castle Town."
The Sheikah scowled but said nothing. Tatl perched on the Kokiri's head, looking down on her with earnest worry. She would not move from that spot until she was sure her companion was safe.
"Kari, form a small cyclone. I think I can clear us a path." The Sheikah took the Wind Waker in his free hand and did as instructed. Before long, a small vortex tugged on their clothes as the wind bent to his will. Link raised a fist in the air and spoke the words the Great Fairy had taught him. Evil consumed by the goddess' ire, succumb to Mighty Din's Fire!"As he finished speaking, the hero slammed his fist against the ground. Like flint against steel, the motion sparked a fireball all around the trio. The goddess's flame engulfed the surrounding grass and monsters. Remarkably, the unrelenting heat had no effect on Kari, Tatl, or Tifa,. The wind vortex from earlier began to suck the flames into it, stirring up the conflagration further and becoming a fiery tornado.
The wind tamer's eyes lit up. "Ah, I see now." With a flick of his wrist, he directed the windy inferno towards their goal, Like a forest fire, the tornado incinerated all in its path. While Kari held Tifa and directed its motion, Link held off their pursuers with skillful swordsmanship. Like the parting of the Red Sea, they passed through the ranks of the monsters until they reached the Hylian Army, leaving a trail of destruction in their path. Kari disbanded the spell and looked for the pass.
They reached their target just in time, for Zant's massive army finally recovered from the initial Hylian thrust. It fought back with a vengeance, pushing the Hylian defenders steadily back to their narrow entrance. Without Captain Geoffrey to coordinate their movements, the charge was chaotic and lacked unification. One by one, the Hylian Cavalry fell to enemy arrows and DarkNut steel. What little offensive power the Hylians had was quickly fading. Only the barrage of bomb arrows slowed the unstoppable assault of monsters.
As soon as Kari disbanded the fiery tornado, monsters surrounded them like moths to a flame. The Sheikah eyed them carefully, determined to protect Tifa at all costs. Link's eyes blazed with a fiery passion as he eyed his opponents. He could feel his mouth salivating and his heart beating a mile a minute. It would only be a matter of time before he succumbed to his wild instincts.
The galloping of hooves diverted the monster's attention just as they were about to attack. A brown-coated mare bolted with breakneck speed towards them. The swordsman on it wore no armor as his blonde hair waved in the wind. Passion filled his loud cry as his blade severed off one of the surrounding monsters. As the monsters backed off, he brought the horse to a halt. His face glimmered with sweat, and his blade was stained red. The swordsman's breathing came hard, and the hero could tell the youth was hanging on by a thread. Despite the youth's obvious fatigue, Link couldn't help but admire how much Colin had grown, in body and mind.
Words could not describe the relief in Colin's smile when he saw Link. It was like a sailor who finally sees land after several long months at sea. The youth was at a loss for words as he struggled to remain steady on the horse.
"Colin."
"I knew you'd come. I never lost hope."
Just then, Colin's body gave out on him. His fingers loosened their grip on Epona's reign and he began to lean over the side. Luckily, Link jumped on Epona in time and steadied the youth with two strong arms. Colin leaned his weary body against Link's chest as he tried to regain some strength. Kari caught his eye, and the two shared a momentary glance.
"You were telling the truth. I wanted to believe you, but I wasn't sure if I could." Colin said.
Kari nodded and lent a soft smile. "A Sheikah never betrays his word."
The emotional reunion screeched to a halt as a flaming arrow screeched by Kari's face. He jumped to the side, careful to keep Tifa steady.
"Kari! Give Tifa to me! Colin and I will take her someplace safe! We'll be back as soon as possible!" The Sheikah didn't hesitate as he pulled up beside the horse and gave the Kokiri to the hero. Link sat her between Colin and himself, and steadied the two with one arm. The Master Sword swung readily in his other hand. Tatl rested vigilantly on the Kokiri's shoulder, determined to see her safely through the end. With a kick to the spurs, Epona galloped towards the horde of monsters that stood between them and Castle Town.
As they approached the first wave of fiends, Link leaned forward into the youth's ear. "Colin, I need your courage just a little longer. Can you keep Epona steady and hold Tifa? I'll do my best to keep us all safe."
Colin nodded and called on the last of his fading strength. "It's a promise!"
Meanwhile, Kari remained amidst the sea of taunting monsters. Although he occasionally saw a Hylian horse or soldier, he considered himself alone and outnumbered. Even so, the wind waker twirled anxiously in his fingertips, ready to be used at a moment's notice. A few monsters lunged at him, but he easily sidestepped their predictable movements and pushed them back with a counter of his own. Most of the abominations of Hyrule stared at him blankly, not daring to raise a weapon against him. He soon discovered why.
The monstrous crowd parted obediently as an ominous figure approached. Their eyes averted the shadowy figure as his blue robes fluttered in the wind. His face was masked, further adding to his mysterious aura. At last, he stopped a mere ten feet before the apprehensive Sheikah. The monster's encircled around the two, forming a makeshift arena of which neither would be leaving.
Kari gripped the silver baton tightly. This had to be the enemy leader. Of all the times for Link to be absent!
"Your red eyes reveal you are from the Sheikah tribe," Zant commented casually. Two blades slid from his long robe-like sleeves into his hands. They screeched like a banshee as he scraped them against one another. "I thought they were all dead."
Kari shifted his weight nervously from one leg to another. "You thought wrong." The Sheikah blasted a gust of air at the villain, to which he sidestepped it. The attack continued its momentum and launched the monsters behind him violently.
Zant tilted his head in amusement. "A Sheikah that can control the wind. I've heard legends, but I never believed them. This is a treat." He stepped malevolently forward, slowly closing the gap between the two combatants. Kari sidestepped as best as he could to keep a steady distance between them. "I trust you know who you face."
Kari scowled.
"I am Zant, commander of this army and servant to one stronger than the gods . Soon, he will be reborn, and all will experience his divine power."
Kari's face curled into a hateful scowl. "Blasphemy! Your god is a sham and a fake!" He raised the Wind Waker and prepared for another assault. "I serve the true gods: Din, Farore, and Nayru. I'll expose your god for the fraud he is right now."
A/N- Well, I apologize this is a day late. A bunch of things came up (aka finals) that prevented me from releasing it yesterday, so you'll have to forgive me if this chapter seems rushed. It was. Luckily, Ganon didn't attack me like I thought he would if I missed my release schedule. Next chapter will be released Christmas Eve (Thursday night), so consider it my Christmas gift to you guys. The scene with Colin and Link was for Twilight-Barber. If you guys remember in Ch. 14, I posted a question of what you'd like to see in the story, and that was one of the requests. I still have several other requested ideas, and I've already incorporated several of them into the main story, so see if you guys can spot them in future chapters.
See you on Christmas Eve for the next chapter!