Geoffrey's eyes shifted nervously along the narrow corridor in which he and Atrayu stood. Here, he stood a chance of victory against such a merciless opponent. His lance would be useful for keeping her at a distance, and the hallways would prevent her from sneaking behind his defenses. He had witnessed with his own eyes what she had done to Rusl, yet was unable to do anything. If she was in the castle, then her goal must be none other than capturing Zelda.
He couldn't let that happen.
The captain approached cautiously as he kept his lance at ready. Atrayu didn't move as her eyes watched her new prey with delight. If he was anywhere as strong as Rusl or Link, then this would be entertaining indeed. As the captain reached striking distance, he launched a vicious thrust aimed at her heart. Atrayu dodged to the side and jumped into action.
The shape shifter transformed into a wolf and lunged at the captain. To the shifter's surprise, the captain was nimble despite the heavy armor he wore. He twisted his body so that she dove right by him, and then rotated the double-headed weapon in his hand so its opposite head scratched her leg. His strike was unable to draw blood, but striking the first blow was a feat well worth it.
The wolf woman turned around once again and lunged a second time for Geoffrey's leg. The captain skillfully placed his weapon on a hole between one of the stones and used it as a pole vault to swing around the wolf's attack. Unfortunately, as he tried to pull it back out, the weapon held firm and wouldn't budge from its position. He hadn't the time to struggle with it as Atrayu came at him for a third time. This time, she succeeded in jumping on the defenseless captain with her full weight and bringing him to the ground with a crash.
Her salivating drool slopped onto Geoffrey's armor as the wolf's heated panting moistened his face. He tried to roll away, but her claws stuck firmly on his breastplate and shin armor. The captain thought furiously of a way to escape her hold as he gazed at the terrifyingly sharp teeth only inches from his neck
Just as Atrayu was about to bite into the exposed flesh between the breast plate and helm, Geoffrey lunged his head forward and rammed his steel helm against the shifter's face. The resulting impact proved too much, and the mercenary fell back temporarily. Geoffrey used the opportunity to scramble to his feet and withdraw his sword. It was a meager defense compared to his lance, but it would have to do.
Meanwhile, Atrayu shifted once again to her human form, holding her temple as the painful impact from the steel sent vibrations through her skull. She looked at him bitterly, yet the desire for battle still burned brightly in her eyes.
"I wasn't expecting that," she remarked coyly. "You're quite resourceful."
Geoffrey kept his lips silent as he maintained his guard. He wouldn't let her words distract him.
Atrayu rubbed her head one final time. "Keeping your focus, eh? You will be fun to kill." She cracked her knuckles and scraped her claws against the stone as a method of intimidation. Yet, the captain's resolve remained true and his focus solid as he stared straight into the eyes of his opponent.
Sensing that she wouldn't be able to scare this one into submission, she went back on the offensive. The shifter ran after him armed with her claws ready. As she approached the captain, Atrayu hooked left and wall jumped off the stone over the captain's head. Geoffrey's eyes closed as an ear-piercing shriek echoed off the walls from her claws scraping against his armor. She circled back around to attack again, but Geoffrey redirected her swipe with his sword.
The two continued to spar sword against claw, yet neither combatant could gain the advantage. If Atrayu clawed Geoffrey's feet, he jumped to avoid it. If the captain slashed at the shifter's arm, she twirled her body effortlessly to slide by it. The scraping of steel echoed in the hallway as the two danced in a deadly ritual.
Seeing the futility of the battle, Atrayu jumped back out of Geoffrey's sword range. She needed to end this quickly. The captain watched her carefully as she thought of her next move, taking the opportunity to regain his breath. Scratches covered his armor as if he had trudged through a field of briars and thorns. His sword still felt light in his arm, and his fit body was ready for more.
A wild screech tensed the captain once again. As he braced himself, Atrayu came at him in her falcon form. Her speed was overwhelming, as she came at him from what seemed like all sides. Her sharp talons dug between his armor, tearing up flesh with sharp ferocity. Geoffrey remained as calm as possible, taking calculated swipes with his sword in an effort to fend off the wild bird. Unfortunately, Atrayu was much faster and more accurate. With each slash, she flew out just enough to dodge and then soared back in for another series of sharp assaults. The captain was helpless as the regions around his shoulders, his calves, and his back were torn mercilessly apart.
Before long, the pain became too great for even the seasoned soldier. His sword dropped to the ground as he clanked to his knees. Atrayu returned to her human form and stood over him triumphantly. The soldier's breathing was labored and erratic as the profuse blood loss from his wounds took its toll. He looked at her defiantly one last time through his visor before his head pounded to the ground.
"And so you fall." She commented. "A fighter to the end."
The shifter reached down to unmask her prey before lending the final blow. The cold dry metal offered some resistance as she forced it off Geoffrey's head. Her unconscious prey rested wearily, like one claimed by fatigue despite unfinished business. She readied her claws, yet stopped when her sensitive ears picked up sounds in the distance.
"Captain! We've secured the perimeter!" Hylian voices called out from around the corner as metal footfalls hurried in Atrayu's direction.
The mercenary cursed to herself as she quickly rose from her position and ran in the opposite direction. She would have to finish him another day.
As she shifted into her wolf form, she heard the soldiers' voices clear as day.
"Din's power! The captain's a bloody mess! You two, get him medical treatment immediately. The rest of us will pursue the one responsible."
The wolf woman smiled to herself. At this rate, they would never catch her. Besides, she had more important tasks to handle. She refocused once again on the sweet scent of perfume that belonged to Zelda.
As she followed the aroma, the shifter encountered some difficulties that hindered her progress. She encountered several more warriors with the same skin color and scorpion tattoo as Chikao. She avoided them when she could, but she didn't hesitate to kill the more persistent ones. Their attacks were predictable and cowardly, and those that fought her dropped like flies. When she had dealt with the interlopers, Atrayu continued her hunt.
Eventually, the scent led the wolf woman to another split in the hallway. Part of the scent went to the left, while the other half went to the right. At some point, Zelda must have double-backed. Atrayu decided on the right path, since the other smelt strongly of incense. Such a putrid smell would make her nose sting for weeks.
After a long climb up a spiral staircase, Atrayu at last entered into what appeared to be Zelda's personal bedroom. The sweet cloud of perfumes was overwhelming, so much so that the shifter had to become human again. The elegant materials composing the curtains and other furniture repulsed her like all the other castle decorations. Such luxuries were a waste.
Atrayu was about to turn around and follow the other trail when a green book caught her eye. She walked up to it and picked it up off the cedar nightstand it rested on. As she flipped through the ancient pages, a dark grin curled on her face. There was an otherworldly feel to this book for sure. This had to be the text Zant sought.
Her mission complete, the shifter transformed into a falcon once again and set forth to the skies out Zelda's open window. As she rode on the currents of air, she had no idea of the dark evil her actions would bring about. Instead, she flew ecstatically on, concerned only with her task and the battle that raged on the ground below.
The wind tugged on Kari's cape as he locked eyes with the villainous Zant. The Sheikah inhaled and exhaled with a clock-like rhythm, calming his nerves significantly. He curled and uncurled his free hand into a fist, venting some of the adrenaline out of his calculating system. The battlefield brought chaos and hatred, both of which distracted him and hindered his ability to fight. His unmoving opponent watched him with the gaze of a predator; unrelenting eyes hidden behind a menacing steel mask.
This man was the very one Kari had vowed to help Link defeat. Now, as Zant stood less than a stone's throw away, the Sheikah's promise would be put to the test. Yet, more was on the line than his oath. This blasphemer had dishonored the name of the Goddesses. Worse yet, he promoted his own deity as superior, a sin that any loyal Sheikah would deem unforgivable and punishable by death. As perhaps the sole survivor of his race, it fell on him to defend the values that hundreds of his kin had died to uphold.
"You cannot kill me," Kari said defiantly. He raised the Wind Waker above his head to prepare his spell. "I have the blessings of the Three on my side. They will not allow me to fall by your stained hands."
Zant couldn't suppress his laugh. "What kind of gods drive their servants to the point of extinction?"
Kari was silent, but the scowl on his face revealed how deeply the remark stung him.
Zant smiled beneath his mask when he realized how sensitive the Sheikah was. Nonetheless, his eyes watched Kari's hand carefully. "My god will not allow me to die until he is revived. You may kill me as many times as you like, but my return is as inevitable as the sunrise." Sparks scattered as the Twili scraped his twin swords together. "We will see who has placed their faith correctly."
Kari brought down his arm quickly as a swift slash of wind pierced the air. The former king of Twili stepped to the side and allowed the sharp gust to graze inches from his sleeve, cleaving one of the monsters behind him in two. Had he not moved himself in time, he surely would have lost an arm. This Sheikah must've spent many years training with his instrument to have the potency to transform the wind into such a sharp and lethal weapon.
A look of dismay flashed across the wind tamer's face, but it quickly disappeared. Kari's legs took him into a sprint as he raced around the perimeter of the circle, waving several more sharp gusts towards the Twili. Zant meticulously analyzed the movements of the Sheikah's arm and anticipated the location of each attack, dodging appropriately so that not even one of the dozen attacks hit their intended target.
Zant wrapped his arms around his torso, and spun himself like a top. He straightened his arms so that his blades formed a whirling saw as he honed in on the Sheikah. The blades came faster than the wind tamer anticipated. The resulting impact forced Kari several feet into the air and knocked him flat on his back, earning him several shallow cuts on his chest for good measure. He quickly jumped back to his feet, but the surprise of the attack still lingered. He spit out the dust from his mouth and focused on his opponent.
The Twili stopped spinning, lingering in his position from the inevitable dizziness that ensued from his endeavor. Kari capitalized on the opportunity and circled the Wind Waker above his head, causing a small vortex to form around Zant.
Before he was fully ensnared, the villain disappeared in a dark cloud of twilight. The wind tamer looked around vehemently for Zant's location while he disbanded the cyclone. The Twili rematerialized behind the Sheikah, masking an evil grin as he slowly brought his blade towards Kari's head.
The Sheikah sensed the attack before it connected and rolled forward, the blade missing him by a hair's length. While Zant followed through with his failed slice, the wind tamer vaulted backward with a handspring and countered with a well-aimed kick to the torso. The attack seemed effective, as Zant reeled backward, gasping for breath.
"Well done." He gasped. "You actually hit me." He panted for a few seconds. Then, he stopped and rose to his feet as if nothing happened. "You have a very unique style, boy. Who taught you how to fight?"
Kari furrowed his eyebrows and prepared to dodge another blow. "My father. Why?"
A sickening crunch echoed as Zant cracked his neck to either side. The usurper king rolled his shoulders and clapped his swords together once more. "He should have taught you to hide your moves better. You're more predictable than a Hylian."
Kari's gloved fingers holding the Wind Waker tightened considerably. Somehow, this stranger knew exactly how to unnerve him. Worse yet, his normal arsenal of attacks would be ineffective against such a skilled opponent. Somehow, Zant was able to read his every attack before they took place and dodge accordingly. Something far more creative was necessary. As ideas raced through his mind, Kari could only hope for Link's quick return.
Monsters pushed against the hero and Colin like waves during a storm. Though they towered above all, the abominable ocean hindered their progress. Clubs beat against the horse's massive thighs, to which the animal nearly collapsed on more than one occasion. As they rode, Link picked off monster after monster with well-placed arrows from his quiver and slashes from the Master Sword. His efforts would open up a temporary path. Like sand filling an hourglass, monsters would return and seal off their exit.
Colin held onto the small Kokiri girl with one hand and guided Epona with the other. In his exhausted state, sight and focus were difficult. The swordsman forced himself to trust Epona while he concentrated his energy on holding the girl.
The youth lifted his eyes to the horizon. Through the sweat dripping into his eyes, he could distinguish the pass they needed to reach. It stood only twenty feet before them, yet several dozen monsters blocked their path. These beasts sought destructively to gain entry and sack the town, hindered only by the brave Gorons that held that pass.
"Colin! Hold on tight!" Link screamed as a bomb arrow from the enemy landed right in front of them, obliterating the monsters in front but spooking Epona in the process. The jolt was too much to handle, and Colin and Tifa were thrown off the animal. They tumbled to the ground as Link remained on the horse's back, squeezing tightly with his knees to remain balanced. As Epona calmed down, the hero jumped to the ground and vanquished any nearby opponents with a vicious spin slash.
"We're almost there!" the hero encouraged, grabbing Colin's arm with a firm grip. The youth's body was so exhausted that he wished he could've remained where he was.
The two ran over to Tifa. A large welt swelled on her head where she had hit the ground from her fall. She was out cold. Link helped Colin lift the Kokiri over his shoulder in a fireman's carry.
"I can't ride anymore, Link!" Colin cried above the chaos. "I don't have any strength left."
The hero breathed hard as he looked at the remaining monsters that stood between them and the pass. "We'll make it somehow, Colin. Just don't quit on me."
Unbeknownst to them, Tatl escaped in the chaos and found Ralis atop the cliffs. She directed his attention to the plight of her companions. When he recognized Link and Colin, The Zora King ordered the path be cleared to facilitate their retreat. The fairy flew down with confidence, but her proud smile quickly vanished when she saw Tifa's desperate state. As the companions pressed forward with Epona, a volley of arrows rained down from the Zoras above, purging the way. Monsters fell before them like leaves in the autumn.
With the Zoras' help, the companions finally reached the end of the pass protected by Gorons. Seeing the sad state of their brothers, the rock folk quickly ushered Colin, Tifa, and Link into the makeshift haven of Hyrule's Southern Field.
When they arrived, Colin laid Tifa gently on the ground and collapsed on his back in exasperation. His breathing came fast, as if he had been holding his breath underwater. The fog of war still clouded his mind, but at least he was safe and with Link for the time being. His mentor's blurred face blotted out the sun high above as Link hovered over him.
"Colin, take Tifa into the town and see Dr. Borville. I'm not sure if he can help, but it's worth a try."
The youth leaned up and placed his hands behind him for support. There were several scratches on his face, and a shallow wound on his arm. A makeshift bandage of torn cloth stalled the bleeding. "What about you?"
Link shrugged his shoulders. "My friend is still out there fighting. I can't leave him behind."
A surge of energy flowed through the youth as he jumped to his feet. Unfortunately, his sudden spike of energy was accompanied by an onset of dizziness, and he was forced to steady himself. "You're leaving already?"
Link's face grimaced as he placed a comforting hand on the youth's shoulder. "Kari needs me, just like Tifa needs you."
Colin clenched his fist tightly. "Whatever you say, Link." Though his arms burned like they were aflame, Colin mustered his strength to pick up Tifa one last time. "You can count on me." Even if it was a small task, Colin would do everything in his power to prove himself in Link's eyes.
The youth turned sharply around and jogged towards Castle Town as fast as his weary body would allow. When the hero saw that Colin would be fine, he turned his attention back to the battlefield. As he ran, a sharp jolt went through him. He couldn't understand what, but he sensed something was terribly wrong.
Link looked carefully around him. Archers above the cliff fixated their gazes on Zant's army. Gorons fought vigilantly along the main passage. Those that didn't fight rested and tended to one another's wounds. Medical volunteers ran to and from Castle Town, giving out first aid where they could and placing corpses in bags when necessary. Most importantly, no one even noticed his existence.
There had to be trouble on the battlefield.
The hero found a pair of bushes tucked away in the corner. It was there to which he snuck so that no one saw him. His hands became paws and his teeth became fangs. Silver fur replaced his toughened skin and his sense of smell soared.
The hero had transformed into the divine beast.
As Link bolted for the battlefield, the smell of blood heightened his lust for battle. Even so, his primitive instincts were suppressed by an ominous foreboding. Link feared the worst for Kari as he sprinted as fast his four paws would carry him.
Kari reached into his cloak and felt the small, hard shells he had obtained from the Deku Tree (unbeknownst to Link). They were a weapon favored by his people for escapes and surprise attacks, a handy tool known as Deku Nuts. There were only a few of the rough lentils against his fingertip. It was vital he use them sparingly. As Kari stared at his opponent, he could see the villain's muscles tensing beneath his lavish Twili robe.
Unsure of what his opponent was planning, Zant made the first move. He ran forward and slashed wildly at the wind tamer, aiming for flesh with each swipe of his swords. Kari dodged each attempt as he stepped back from his clumsy opponent. Before long, the Sheikah ran out of room to maneuver as he found himself pressed against the disgusting body of a large moblin. The stench of grime and waste was intoxicating and the drool dripping onto his hair was thick as molasses. Even so, Kari had more important matters as Zant pressed ever closer with his incessant slashing.
The wind tamer closed his eyes and allowed the power of the wind to flow through his body. He became one with the wand and pushed his hands away from him. A repulsive current of air flowed all around him, pushing Zant and the surrounding monsters several feet back and halting the madman's offense.
Kari breathed heavily as he separated his mind from the Wind Waker. The spell he just cast was different than his normal ones in that it didn't require the movement of his baton. Instead, he synched his mind with the instrument and thus was able to manipulate the wind on his own accord. Such ability was useful if his hands were incapacitated or the instrument was no longer with him. However, the technique required a hefty amount of energy on his part just to use it, and needed to be used sparingly.
The Sheikah felt the fatigue from the battle growing in his muscles like weights strapped around him. His previous efforts and this recent spell were taking their toll. Nonetheless, Kari kept his focus and redoubled his efforts to end this battle as quickly as possible.
He sprinted towards Zant, sending another slice of wind at the usurper king. The Twili read the attack easily, and sidestepped it as he had all the other ones. While he was distracted, Kari dove on the ground for a slide kick. Zant jumped out of the way and caught the Sheikah's recovering roundhouse kick with his arms. He held on mercilessly to Kari's leg, squeezing tightly enough to cut off the circulation.
Everything had gone as Kari hoped.
While Zant had his hands preoccupied and his gaze fixated on the Sheikah's leg, Kari hurled one of the Deku Nuts to the ground. He closed his eyes as a light more blinding than the sun erupted from the tiny lentil. Zant quickly let go as he fell to his knees, crying in pain from the pain inflicted on his eyes. With the only holes in his steel mask leading to his pupils, the light was all the more direct and intense, like when a lens is held to sunlight. The surrounding monsters shied away, unable to comprehend the incandescent bomb that inflicted so much pain on their sight.
Taking advantage of the opportunity afforded, Kari conjured the strongest cyclone he could muster. A ten foot high vortex encircled Zant and sent him reeling mercilessly through the air in its swirling currents. There would be no teleporting this time.
While the Twili was ensnared within the windy vortex, Kari transformed the swirling gusts of air into sharp gales capable of piercing the skin. The currents that trapped Zant became like invisible blades, cutting through his cloak and drawing bluish blood from his skin. The cyclone howled louder than Zant with each slice as the villain was minced and diced by the most potent attack Kari could muster. The monsters watched in horror as their leader was tossed about like a ragdoll in a blender.
Overcome by his exhaustion, Kari fell to his knees and dispelled the cyclone. Zant dropped limply to the ground with a thud, showing no capability for movement anytime soon. Scrapes and cuts showered his body and his robe was torn to shreds. The ruler of Twili stared blankly to the sky, completely overwhelmed by the pain he just endured.
Kari panted wildly on his knees as he choked and coughed. His hands trembled so violently that he was forced to put the Wind Waker away lest he might drop it. His heart beat wildly as it tried to recover from the immense toll taken on his body. That last spell had drained him of the last of his strength. If the monsters decided to attack him for killing their leader, he was powerless to stop them. At least he had fulfilled his vow and defended the honor of his people.
Yet, to the Sheikah's horror, Zant rose again like a zombie from the grave. The blood was still wet as it dripped off his gashes and onto the dirt below. His steel mask was scarred from the numerous scrapes, and his cloak was no longer usable. Nonetheless, the Twili stood firmly on two feet as he hovered menacingly over the exhausted wind tamer.
"It would seem your gods have abandoned you, yet mine has not. I still stand, and yet you barely breathe." Zant taunted. He grabbed Kari by the scruff of his neck and laughed. The Sheikah's feet dangled helplessly in Zant's grasp. The twili's bloody hand reached for the Wind Waker hidden in Kari's sleeve. He looked curiously at the strange object and shrugged. "You won't need this anymore." He said bitterly as he tossed the baton aside.
Kari's bloodshot eyes followed the silver twirling instrument in horror as it landed amongst the monsters. He panted to say something, yet his breath left him. He could only grunt in agony as his body twitched from Zant's merciless and repetitive punches.
When he was satisfied, the Twili took his free hand and summoned a ball of dark energy. He looked at Kari hesitantly, as if some reservations in the back shadows of his mind restrained him. Nonetheless, he plunged the screeching ball of black and crimson into the Sheikah's chest, burning the front part of his cloak and searing his skin. The pain flooding Kari's body was so great that he couldn't even cry out. The resulting force knocked the Sheikah free from Zant's grasp and sent his limp body hurtling and tumbling along the ground for several feet. There he lay, motionless and breathing quietly.
Zant looked at the Sheikah in disappointment for one final moment before pointing at the monsters. "This battle is over. Do with him as you please."
Like a pack of ravenous hyenas, monsters crowded around the wind tamer, punching and beating the poor Sheikah until he could no longer feel pain. Even then, they continued, for they derived pleasure from his quiet groans and silent suffering.
Darkness slowly enveloped Kari's eyes. His body jolted constantly, yet he couldn't remember why. The sounds enveloping him were but faint whispers now compared to the loud screaming in his mind.
"They're coming for me. There's no escaping my destiny."
Voices enveloped the Sheikah's world as past and present, fantasy and reality meshed in a collage of indistinguishable blurs. The speakers were distant and difficult to identify, yet Kari recognized one to be his own.
"They can't take you, Kari. I won't let them."
A female's voice. Such beauty. It sounded so vaguely familiar, and yet so distant.
"It's okay, Midna. Once this sentence is carried out, I will be home at long last."
The voices soon overpowered Kari and pushed his spirit into the depths. His spirit sunk deeper and deeper into a place of no return. His senses diminished to nothing, and reality blackened around him. He felt like he was at the bottom of the ocean, unable to see or hear anything. But suddenly, a bright light appeared in front of him. Was someone else here in this empty void?
The monsters continued their pummeling.
A short distance away, a silver wolf watched in horror as his friend was mercilessly beaten.
When Link laid eyes on the villain responsible, a fury he hadn't experienced for a long time bubbled to the surface. His normally benevolent nature succumbed to the violent and vengeful nature of his inner wolf at long last. His desire for blood would not be satiated until Zant was dead. The bloodlust dominated the hero so strongly that he paid no more mind to his suffering friend. Zant was the only person that mattered.
Monsters hindered his path as he rushed ahead. Yet, their efforts were futile as the divine beast plowed forward. Bokoblins clubbed him, stalfos slashed at him, and moblins grabbed at him. Yet, the divine wolf felt nothing. Annoyed by their persistence, Link transformed once again into a human and unsheathed the blade of evil's bane. The monsters backed away nervously as they sensed the intense hatred in his eyes. The silver blade was soon stained red from the bloodbath that ensued. One after the other, they all fell to his merciless swordsmanship. A smug expression painted the hero's expression as he felt pleasure in the death of such filth. Yet, these were nothing when the main goal was so close.
Zant spotted the approaching hero and withdrew his own blade. He edged nervously back and sent monsters to stall Link. Yet, even the DarkNut and Wizzrobe were no match for the Master Sword and its wielder. With angry cries that bordered on growls, Link reduced the monsters to ashes in a matter of moments. The hero inched forward one step at a time, gaining unstoppable momentum that none could prevail against. Courage shone brilliantly on his left hand, growing brighter with every ensuing kill.
A large knot choked Zant's throat as the enemy he once thought dead stalked towards him like a ghost. The former King of Twili mustered a ball of energy in his hand and hurled it at the hero. Link didn't so much as batter an eye as he cleaved the energy in two. He continued his approach, his sharp eyes ablaze with the intense ferocity of a god intent on judgment.
Zant felt control slip through his fingers.. His stolid façade shattered to pieces with his sanity. "You must be a ghost! It's not fair! I know I killed you! How are you still alive?" The Twili jumped up and down like a toddler, completely unaware that his monsters were watching his tantrum.
Link's cold gaze shot right through the villain, freezing him where he stood. "I could say the same thing." He aimed the tip of the blade at Zant. "You took someone very precious from me. I'm here to collect the debt you owe."
Zant wet himself. He shook from head to toe as he stared at his executioner. The Twili fired another energy ball at the hero, but it too was cleaved in half. "You can't kill me. My god will just revive me," Zant insisted. "I'll keep coming back."
Link's eyes narrowed. "Then I'll slaughter you for each life you've stolen." He walked forward, causing the villain to cower back and stumble over a fallen corpse.
"My god will come to my aid. You're powerless before him."
The hero gritted his teeth in fury. "Ganondorf is dead, and you will soon join him."
Zant couldn't help but laugh a nervous laughter. "I wasn't talking about Ganondorf."
Link pointed his blade inches from Zant's neck. "Then who?"
Zant wet himself again. "You'll know when the time comes," he said quickly.
Link was about to raise his sword when lightning struck from the sky. Rolls of thunder soon followed as black clouds materialized as if from nowhere. They spun together in a spiral pattern like a whirlpool. The wind picked up violently as more thunder and lightning followed.
"Is this the work of your god?" Link said accusingly.
A sly smile crossed his lips. "Perhaps."
Suddenly, the atmosphere was split by a violent crash. A vicious swarm of air sent Kari's oppressors sailing as he rose from the place of his torment. As Link looked at his companion, he could barely recognize him. Despite the many bruises on his face and the tattered state of his clothes, the Sheikah exuded an otherworldly presence. His face was cold and emotionless like that of an angel. His hands and feet glowed with an eerie luminosity. Here was a different person entirely.
Both Link and Zant watched in awe as the wind tamer rose to the air on the currents of the wind. Higher and higher he rose, until he was just below the clouds. As he ascended to the lofty heights, the clouds swirled faster and faster until a funnel formed. This funnel brought with it winds of tremendous force as it made its way to the ground. It was at this point that Link realized Kari's intent: he was going to summon a tornado of tremendous magnitude.
The sudden realization snapped the hero out of his bloodlust. The inner wolf retreated deep inside as Link finally regained control of himself. He cast a glance back, but Zant was nowhere to be found. The hero cursed himself for his carelessness, but quickly turned his attention back to the maelstrom before him.
The tornado destroyed all in its path with a chilling indiscrimination. Monsters fled for their petty lives as the tremendous winds plucked them off the ground like weeds and tossed them into the centrifuge of death. Lightning crashed to the ground without mercy. The earth itself was ripped apart as the terrible storm made its way towards Castle Town.
"Farore!" Link gasped in amazement. His eyes took in the devastating destruction around him. "Incredible! How come he didn't do this earlier?"
Zant's army was blown to pieces as thousands of monsters were sucked in by the all-consuming vortex. The carefully constructed siege towers snapped like twigs before the wind's might. Somehow, Kari was able to do in minutes what the entire nation of Hyrule only dreamed of.
A nervous chill ran down Link's spine. If Kari didn't stop, then not only would Zant's army be destroyed, but Castle Town as well. Yet, the wind tamer didn't stop. The storm tore ever closer, inching dangerously close to the hero. Link cast a nervous glance towards Hyrule Castle and then to the Sheikah floating in the sky. He reached for his bow and notched it quickly. He drew back the string, but hesitated in releasing it. An arrow might bring the Sheikah down, but at what cost? Link couldn't bring himself to do it. He simply had to trust that his companion knew what he was doing.
Link reluctantly put away his weapons and brought his hand over his head. With the recitation of Ancient Hylian, he activated Farore's Wind. A green luminescence enveloped his body, and he teleported safely away from the storm.
Fortunately, the vicious tornado lasted only a minute before it disappeared as suddenly as it had arrived, leaving Castle Town unscathed. The clouds dissipated quickly, allowing the warm sun to shine through once more on the now barren landscape. The field that had once been drunk with the chaos of battle now echoed in a silent hangover. No trace of Zant was to be found as his army lay in shambles. All that remained of the once impressive force was a few shattered shards of armor and the scattered weapons that had been implanted in the ground. Amidst all this ruin and debris lay an unmoving Kari, who had been placed gently by the wind once the storm had run its course. Yet, even as the wind tamer slept, evil men carried out their dark ambitions.
Later that day, a large crowd gathered within the castle courtyard. They jostled against one another anxiously; turning their gazes to the balcony they hoped would give answers. Everyone had seen the army pounding on their doorstep. The fear and dread recently overwhelming them was still fresh in their memory. And yet, when all seemed lost, a storm from the goddesses devoured the enemy in a matter of minutes, leaving their helpless city unharmed. Now, with questions rolling in their mind, they eagerly awaited their monarch so that her wisdom might put them at ease.
The crowd let out a unanimous gasp as the person who emerged was not Queen Zelda.
As Durian Anarvi, Duke of Crimea, looked over the populace of Hylians, Gorons, and Zoras below him, he tightened his mouth to appear as solemn as possible. He projected his voice as far as possible yet tried not to come across as too ecstatic.
"People of Hyrule, we have weathered yet another storm. A villain came against us with a vast army, and yet the goddesses struck him down." He held up his hand to signal applause. The ecstatic crowd roared its approval. A few even began to chant Zelda's name in hopes that she would bless them with her presence. Once they had finally settled, he continued. "Yet, people of Hyrule, our victory has come with great sacrifice. The enemy attacked our fair castle and took our fair ruler." The crowd gasped in horror and began to murmur amongst themselves. Durian held up his hand to silence them.
"We are doing everything in our power to find her." He paused shortly, allowing his sugar-coated words to comfort the crowd. "As head of the Royal Council, I will act with her power until she is found. As her representative, I promise to you all that I will act with her interests at heart and stop at nothing to bring her back."
The cloud replied with a polite but noticeably mild applause.
The lukewarm reception irked the politician, but he shook it off. "That is all."
The arrogant noble walked back into the castle. He hadn't gotten far when Geroshida's imposing body stepped in front of him. The Duke of Crimea was taken off guard, and he jumped slightly. The thief lord said nothing but looked at his employer with a dark glare.
"Of course, your payment." Durian said slyly when he recovered his composure. "Come this way."
The thief lord's boots clomped against the floor as he walked.
"I trust you dealt with Zelda properly."
Geroshida's orange beard hid a knowing smile. As long as Durian was satisfied, there was no need to mention the truth. As far as he was concerned, there was no evidence of Chikao's dead body or of the interloper that interfered with Zelda's capture. Agahnim would be punished appropriately for his failure, and the pursuit would be resumed with twice as much diligence. Yes, some things were better left unsaid.
"Of course. You have nothing to worry about."
"I think he's finally coming around." A female voice called out.
As Kari felt his senses stirring, an overwhelming pain sent jolts through his head. Wherever he was, he felt like he was spinning. He opened his eyes slowly, allowing himself to adjust to the bright light. To his surprise, he found a strange woman hovering over him; her vibrant red eyes filled the Sheikah with a strange sense of peace that everything would be okay. Her orange hair brought back memories of fall foliage in the village, while the strange golden emblem she wore on her forehead filled him with curiosity. Her skin was pale yet dark, unlike anything he had ever seen before.
Kari mumbled incoherently, grabbing his head as it hurt to even do that.
Zelda stepped beside the woman, her calm blue eyes expressing immense relief. "Good to see you're awake, Kari." She motioned to the foreign looking woman he had awakened to. "You're probably wondering where you are. This is Midna. She found you collapsed on the field and nursed your wounds. We're currently in Ordon village."
Kari refused to take his eyes off this mysterious new stranger. Midna?
Mdna rolled her eyes and grinned as she walked beside Link. The hero grinned but tensed as she leaned against him nonchalantly. "Looks like he's not much of a talker."
Zelda waved her hand slightly. "Don't mind her. She's a bit strange at times, but you can trust her. I owe her my life, after all."
Kari bent his fingers to ensure they still functioned. His gaze lingered on Midna before returning to Zelda.
This time Link stepped forward, causing Midna to be thrown off balance. . He apologized curtly and turned to the Sheikah. Though Kari wouldn't smile, he was relieved to see another familiar face. For him, those were few and far between.
The hero wore his traditional Ordon tunic instead of the garb of his ancestor. "You've been out for about a day." He looked around to the rest of his companions: Colin, Ilia, Talo, Beth, Malo, Zelda, Midna, Tifa, and Tatl; they had all made the tiresome journey to the village after the battle. "How are you feeling?"
Even as Link spoke, his message became blurred by the incessant pounding in the Sheikah's head. The room resumed its spinning, and Kari felt consciousness leave him once again. His spirit plunged into the world of dreams towards another indefinite sleep.
Link looked at the Sheikah with compassion in his eyes. He turned to everyone else. "Let him rest. We can explain things later."
Clouds blacker than space gathered over Death Mountain, giving the volcano an appearance that matched its intimidating name. Lightning pierced the sky, and the ground shook as if the mountain could erupt at any second. Yet, this was no normal act of nature. Deep within the bowels of the mountain, a dark ritual unlike anything performed for centuries was taking place.
Atrayu had never been legitimately frightened in her life until now. Sure, she had been surprised, scared even; but she had never felt the presence of pure evil as she did now. The shape shifter would rather endure her banishment trial five times over coming to this dreadful place. As she watched the horrific ritual Zant was performing, she began to question for the first time if she had made the wrong choice.
Before them stood a magic circle traced out of a strange black powder. Zant stood in front of it, chanting in an eerie language as he read from the Book of Mudora. As the words passed from his lips, they seemed to possess the smoke rising from the bowels of the volcano and draw it towards the center. As Zant reached the climax of the chant, growing steadily louder, the smoke was drawn into an endless void. A terrifying roar echoed from the shapeless rift slowly forming. The longer Zant chanted, the larger it grew. Atrayu wanted to run, but her pride wouldn't allow her. Whatever emerged from that smoke couldn't be worse than Zant.
How wrong she was.
Zant ceased his chanting and closed the ancient book with a soft thud. He held it tightly and at arm's length as if it were a sacred relic. He took off his steel helmet in reverence and knelt on the ground. His two yellow eyes refused to move from the black rift as it grew to the size of a portal.
Suddenly, a blinding light emerged from the portal and struck the ground with tremendous force. Atrayu nearly lost her balance and was forced to the ground by the sheer power. Every hair on her head bristled with fear as she beheld the figure that stepped from the incandescent glow.
The figure's black hair flowed smoothly down his back like a river. The face glowed with an otherworldly radiance. Scarlet robes held together with a sash made of a material from ancient times flowed down his sandaled feet. His golden earrings swayed as the powerful deity surveyed his surroundings. Most striking of all were his piercing red eyes which seemed to sweep through Atrayu with just a single glance. Clearly, this was a figure not to be taken lightly.
"Welcome back, oh great one. We are blessed by your return." Zant said grudgingly as his face kissed the ground.
The deity glanced at Zant and again at his surroundings. "Your work has paid off, faithful servant. I walk in the flesh for the first time in millennia. Have you done as I asked?"
Zant nodded obediently. "There were some complications that I did not anticipate. The hero is still alive. And it seems the wind tamer has awakened prematurely. However, his abilities have been measured and found just as powerful as you expected. With a single desperate spell, he decimated my entire army."
The figure nodded in approval. "I see. All will work itself out in time. My time of imprisonment is finally at an end. There are still many preparations to be made. But soon, I will wage war against the goddesses and their servants as I did ages ago, and they will all regret the day they defied me."
A/N- Here it is, the last of the three chapters. It's been a wild ride and I had a ton of fun writing these. Hopefully you guys had just as much fun reading them! It's hard to believe, but an entire year has passed since I first conceived my first idea for this story, and look at how far it's come. As always, thank you so much to my reviewers! Avalon, I'm glad to see you enjoying the story so much and thanks for joining. the-world-needs peace, thank you very much for the illustrations and your faithful reviews! Twilight-Barber, you get credit for being my first reviewer and staying with me this long! Victoria-Blackheart, I used your suggestion for Link and Kari to get separated and Midna to find Kari, so I hope you liked it. Player4, I have a feeling you will be very happy now that Midna is back for good. Darkride, I believe you've reviewed every chapter since you first started reading this story. You deserve a medal. Surviving Sheikah and Silent Orion, I love reading your comments and thanks for reviewing so consistently. Sylviah-Eric, thanks for the reviews and I hope you enjoyed your gift, though I think I forgot to put Mini-Kari's and Link's on the wrapping paper. Merry Christmas to all of you, and of course my other faithful readers as well! I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: You guys rock!