Due to lack of motivation over the past couple of months, it took me longer than expected to type this chapter up. It is finally done and I am okay with how it turned out, despite not having everything that I had planned covered.
I don't own Nervani, as well as any characters from Legend of Zelda.
UPDATE: If you have read this chapter before 11/7/12, I made a few small corrections which included combining two scenes
Chapter 3: Welcome to Hyrule
As the flora and fauna of the air flew in union over Hyrule in the early afternoon breeze a lone female warrior scouted the field. Word of the princess' disappearance had of course led to believe Ganondorf was behind it. If that rumor was true however, the kingdom would've already met her fate nonetheless. Nervani perched on a tree branch, scanning every square yard of the massive field as she searched for any possible sign of the princess' return.
"You can't hide from the powers of darkness forever princess. Without your precious Link to come save you and this putrid land, nothing can stop Ganondorf from his reign." exclaimed the gerudo woman; seeing nothing but the green grass that met up beneath her with another path jotting off towards the canyon.
Jumping out of the tree with her feet lightly touching the ground, Nervani began her run towards Hyrule market. Just then a light parted the clouds ceasing Nervani's movement. She wondered to herself as she looked on. Could it be that the princess has finally returned? I must know of what is coming from that light.Wanting to become unnoticed by the unknown from the light she summoned up dark magic to hide within the shadowy trees near the light's location. As she watched on, the light stretched towards the ground as it opened up to reveal three beings visible as they stepped forth from the light.
"Well, what do we have here?" she asked as she shifted forward from the tree's shadow to get a better look. "He seems to be an interesting character, indeed." the young man wore clothes that were a bit on the worn out side; his body boasting a strong stature about himself; she couldn't believe what she had just witnessed. As she continued watching, her curiosity shortly paid off when finally, the princess could be seen coming forth from the portal of light; a small ball of light indicating that a fairy was with them followed. Nervani's interest in the newcomer peaked even more as she stared at the pointed ears upon the young man as light from the portal faded. "How is it possible that this boy from another land possible bare the ears of a hylian!?" The gerudo questioned herself before smiling.
"This will be more than enlightenment to Lord Ganondorf; he will be most pleased with my report." Finding that her job was done Nervani summoned up dark magic; enveloping her as her mystified form whisked away towards the castle before she was noticed.
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Leo stepped forward; his sight taking in everything around where they stood. An expression of wonder and amazement placed his smile. "So, this is the land of my birthplace?" Zelda was walking up beside them after she closed the portal to their world. "It is. Welcome to Hyrule."
He turned around just as Zelda was within arm's-length; her eyes closed. "You must be on guard though, Ganondorf's dark magic could be present with us." Opening her eyes, she looked towards the horizon. "My magic alone will not save us from the darkness threatening this land. Our first order of business is for us to get equipped with some weapons. Behind us, beyond those two iron gates lay Lake Hylia." Zelda turned and pointed south towards the location. "When the time comes, I'll take you there to see its beauty up close." she said before leading the way.
Leo walked alongside Zelda as he listened to her inform him about the lands they pass as well as the history of Hyrule. Leo pointed out towards the horizon as his eyes spot their destination. "Are those castle tops over on the horizon?" Zelda smiled as they neared the top of the hill. "Yep, welcome to Hyrule Castle Market!" Navi piped in response, fluttering nearby. Leo then noticed an entry way immediately towards their left.
"What's that over there?" Leo eyed past the princess. Zelda motioned her hand in a pointing gesture. "That is LonLon Ranch." She then gestured towards their right. "We'll stop by there later so you may meet the people living there." Navi then fluttered off towards the right. "Over there is Death Mountain, and at the foot of the mountain lies Kakriko Village." Leo hadn't even been to Hyrule long yet he already like he was right where he belonged.
As they approached the drawbridge, Zelda stretched out her hand. "Grab a hold of my hand, the market appears to be hectic!" Leo hand no other choice but to follow the instruction as he reached out to grab her hand firmly. "Alright, I'm ready."
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In the Hyrule Castle dungeon, Link slowly opened his eyes. His vision blurred at first as he looked at his surroundings, trying to make sense of where his was and how he got there. He tried to open his eyes more, but found that he couldn't do so.
"Where am I?" Link asked in wonder.
He instantly found it hard to breath much less speak as he tried to break free from the chains that held him to the cold stone wall; pain striking every ounce of his body. Link licked his lips at what tasted like fresh blood. Blood that he must've received when Ganondorf used him as a punching bag; finding that he no longer possessed the Triforce of Courage.
As he struggled to keep from crying out from the sheer pain that attacked his entire body, Link tried to remember what had happened; leaning his head against the cold, damp cell wall. "The last thing I remembered was telling the goddesses to take the Triforce of Courage and send it across the dimension in order to fulfill the legend of the Sheikah. Zelda was the last thing I ever saw within that light before I blacked out." He painfully gazed at the wall towards his right deep in thought. "I just hope that she was able to find whoever it is; the chosen one." He said to himself as he began to close his eyes.
Just then, his ears picked up the metal door nosily creak open as a set of heavy footsteps entered the room. Link's blood boiled in response to those heavy steps as they drew closer to his cell. Despite the pain, he was able to force himself to look at the cell door to see Ganondorf come in view.
The gerudo king looked at the young hero with menacing eyes as a smile crossed his face. "He finally wakes." Ganondorf said slowly; his deep voice only could strike anyone else with fear, but Link held firm as the gerudo opened the cell door letting himself in. Crutching down, he looked straight at his prisoner. "It looks like the Hero of Time wasn't so much of a hero against my servant. It's a shame that I did not have you killed off when I had the chance. Instead, I think I would find it pleasurable just to watch you suffer while I gather the other two pieces."
Link glared at him with hatred in his eyes. "You will never have the Triforce as long as I am here." He spoke in between gasps of air before proceeding to spit at the evil King. "Yes, as long as YOU are here." He then struck Link on the right side of the face, breaking his jaw. "What a pathetic fool." Ganondorf said quite amused as he got up and moved out of the cell without another word as Link silently cried out in pain. "You think you were smart in sending your piece away in hopes of delaying my plans. You see, that's where you're wrong."
Just then, a second set of footsteps could be heard in the room. Link didn't hear them come down the stairs as he saw it was Nervani; sporting the same red grab he remembered before blacking out.
"I have big news, sire" The gerudo spoke.
"What is it?"
"Its Zelda, she has returned." She replied.
Ganondorf smiled at the news. "Excellent. She will soon be falling right into my plans." He rubbed his hands together, knowing that nothing stood in his way of ruling Hyrule. He figured the princess saw that she was overpowered and has now come to give up.
"…But, she is not alone." The gerudo stated. Ganondorf's smile faded at the hearing of this kind of report. "What do you mean 'she is not alone'? What are you talking about?" He demanded, grasping his fists with anger as he faced her.
She cleared her throat before continuing. "I watched from nearby as a light appeared in the field." Ganondorf rubbed his chin, thinking the news through. "So what? The princess has been on a travel to another dimension." Nervani bowed her head before continuing. "She didn't come back alone; a male stranger who appears to be hylian is with her."
Ganondorf suddenly stirred from his thinking. "Did I just hear you correctly state that the princess has found a hylian outside Hyrule? This should be interesting." Link couldn't help but hear the conversation. "Sounds like Zelda found our hero. They better be on their guard against Ganondorf's powers of darkness, though because the fate of Hyrule now rests in their hands."
All the news that Ganondorf received had left him dumbfounded for a moment. He then began to laugh menacingly to himself. "If what you say is true, then the other child of destiny has returned." Nervani looked at him in question. "'Other' child, sir?" Link listened on as Ganondorf answered the question. "Yes, seventeen years ago, I had set out to destroy this child knowing he was to become one of the bearers to the Triforce of Courage. He was a sort of a backup plan set by the goddesses." He began to become angry once more, but became calm. "However, when I caught word that the child was sent away by the sages, I knew that the piece could only be entrusted to one other person; though that piece had eluded me for too long." Ganondorf turned to face Link who found himself too weak to even give off a second glare.
"With you out of the way, taking the other two pieces should be nothing." Before leaving Ganondorf took one last look at his prized captive. "Your capture was just the beginning." Repeating those final words, Ganondorf knew just that; it was just the beginning.
As the gerudo king walked the hallways of the castle followed by Nervani, they came across a gerudo wearing a green colored outfit identical to Nervani's outfit.
"See to it that our guest is given some food water, as well as medical attention to his broken jaw, I wouldn't want our fair princess to think that I am leaving him to suffer."
The young gerudo obediently nodded towards the gerudo king; passing him by. "I want him to still be alive when I have Zelda brought in." "Of course." she replied; his order clear. Ganondorf nodded once more before walking off. She watched them head into the throne room before turning to head in her general direction; hearing the doors shut loudly behind her.
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Making their way through the crowd turned out to be tougher than anticipated. People were pushing and shoving, trying to finish afternoon errands. People took interest in the stranger that accompanied the princess; a fairy fluttering close by. "I feel uncomfortable with everyone staring." Leo stated in a whisper as he followed behind Zelda, still holding on to her hand.
"Well you are an interesting sight to behold since you are new here." Navi responded near his right ear. Glancing at the fairy, Leo answered back. "Don't tell that you're one of them." The fairy then piped up, her light glowing red. "What!? No! I'm not interested in any human!" She slouched on his right shoulder in a huff, her blue color returning. "There is one however that I call friend, I'm just worried about him; wondering if he will be okay." She quietly said to herself.
After a few minutes of pushing against the crowd the trio finally made it to the market centre where they sat down at one of the tables to rest a moment. "Are the crowds always this bustling with action?" Leo asked in exasution. Seated next to him Zelda replied. "Normally you would be able to make it through with your errands done; but ever since Ganondrf's servant was seen carrying Link by a good majority, they began to fear the worse."
The princess watched the busy crowds as they carried on; some of them talking, others laughing and singing; one young child, holding a small wooded sword spotted them before waving.
Leo stared off as he too took in the view of the crowds; the cool spring breeze gently blowing his short brown hair and Zelda's blonde as both waved back at the young boy before watching him take off after a group of kids. Ever since he could remember Leo had always felt alienated, finding little comfort against the criticism; because of the past few events that took place however, he has been given answers to some of his questions. They owe this kingdom their protection. Leo then snapped back to attention as a question came to mind.
"So, where may we find this 'Butch' fellow?" In response, Zelda looked over behind them; seeing the walkway Butch had mentioned before their departure. "His shop is over there."
Leo followed the princess' gaze; facing the direction the princess was facing towards in confusion. Finding nothing else to say he shrugged his shoulders before standing up, "Let's get going then." He then turned to help the princess to her feet as she spoke.
"We must hurry though, as we continue to dawdle Ganondorf could very well be plotting his next move in capturing the pieces of the Triforce." Understanding that the situation was clear, Leo followed Zelda towards blacksmith's workshop.
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Just as they entered the building, the rhythmic sound of steel being hammered could be heard towards the back of the structure. As the trio made their way towards the source of the noise, Leo gazed at the small amount of armory that hung on the walls around the place. Upon looking closer Leo saw writing on a slip of what he believed to be a slip of parchment; though he couldn't understand the language, he figured those people were to come by and pick them up.
Coming up to a door in the back, the noise ceased. A mental collective sigh of relief brushed over them as Zelda grabbed hold of the steel door knob to turn; pushing the door open.
"Leo, I like for you to meet Butch. He is the one who will help fit us with weapons." Zelda announced once he saw the trio. Butch greeted the young man with a smile. "It is an honor to finally meet you. Welcome to my workshop." "It is nice to finally meet you, Butch." Leo responded; stepping forward to shake the blacksmith's hand. "So, you're the one who will be providing us weapons."
"You could say that my work is the best there is." He replied with a laugh. "I'm just finishing up repairing this longsword." He then took a square-shaped hammer then went back to work. Both Leo and Zelda watched as he pounded away at the metal; sparks flying as it slowly formed into its shape.
After a few moments, he turned around; a smile of accomplishment was there as he held the heated metal of the with thick iron tongs; the blade fired a firery light. "I have been working on this sword for three months." He exclaimed in content before walking over to a bucket of water then dipping the steel in the drink; steam immediately rolling into the air. "Don't really know where this came from or who it belonged to, but it's nothing unusual when something is left laying at my doorstep. I would be more than happy to let you have it; no cost. Of course it will be a while before it's ready for battle."
"That's very generous of you." Zelda complimented; she turned to face Leo. "In the meantime I shall show you around the market. We can begin your training in using a sword later." She then turned to leave with Leo following as well as Navi following close behind.
It had turned out to be an experience Leo won't soon forget as Zelda led him around the market; informing him on not just the individual buildings, but more on the history and culture of the rich land. Fluttering close by Navi too, informed Leo on various things as they walked by merchants trying to sell stuff. Nearing the tall church-like strcture, he felt extremely small as he followed the princess up the stone stairs. "This building is the Temple of Time where the Blade of Evil's Bane, the Master Sword sleeps; serving as a key to the Sacred Realm where the Triforce once resided." Leo could only nod as he processed all the information given to him.
"Since the Master Sword is the only weapon that can banish this Ganondorf, why can't I just claim it?" He questioned. Navi then spoke up from his shoulder, "It's not that simple. Though you bear a piece of the triforce, the sword won't let you wield its power until you have faced many trails." Zelda turned around with a serious look on her face. "She's right. Until that time comes for you to wield it, you will be deemed not ready." Leo looked past her into the darkness; letting it sink in for a moment. "Alright, shall we go back claim our weapons then?" He asked looking at the two companions as he extended his hand towards the princess.
Smiling, the princess took his hand as he helped her down the temple's steps. "Yes, we shall be heading back." As she led the way, Leo followed behind Zelda as he took one last look at the temple before hasting his pace.
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Making their way back to the shop, uproar of comotion nearby was heard outside the potion shop among the crowd that had gathered around. "Stop thief!" From within the crowd sprang forth from the center of the crowd a dark skinned woman clad in green, gently landed on her feet outside the crowd. As both Zelda and Leo watched on, he was in bewilderment at the agile of this person. The woman held out a bottle; the sun reflecting off its glass filled with a red liquid.
"That gerudo is stealing a bottle of Life potion!" someone exclaimed pointing at the figure. Leo quickly picked up a small rock that was at his feet before taking aim, throwing it at the woman; hitting its mark on the shoulder. She abruptly stopped to face the attacker; her eyes showing anger towards him ready to strike him down.
"Who dares strike a warrior of the gerudo?" She hissed; her golden eyes locked onto the brown haired stranger facing her. With the bottle tucked away in a satchel slung over her right shoulder, she drew forth duel blades that were strapped onto her sides; posing in a battle stance. Standing firm, he responded. "I am Leo of Earth, and I request that you return that which you have stolen!" The young gerudo smirked at the stranger's confidence. "Well Leo of Earth, it strikes me how bold someone such as yourself to tell me off! Do you know who you are dealing with?"
The warrior approached him; looking him up and down as she walked around him. "As a servant of my dark lord Ganondorf, a gerudo's time such as my own is not worth wasting on a kid such as you. However, I can spare such a moment as he will be pleased." She said stepping back with a grin. Navi fluttered in front of him in protest. "You can't do this Leo, you are unarmed and outmatched! Zelda will pay for the loss goods." Seeing that she was right Leo lowered his stance, turning to walk away; motioning the princess with him as he looked back "You're right, let's go. This is not yet our fight." Before they could get far however, Leo suddenly felt a force hit him in the back, causing him to fall over on his left arm; everyone around him including Zelda gasped in shock.
Lying on the stone ground Leo slowly turned to face the gerudo that attacked him. "Foolish of you to walk away after striking Akia stranger, so here is a reminder for the next time you decide to cross paths with me!" Pulling out a dagger, the angered female warrior struck Leo across his right cheek; causing him to wince from the pain as he instantly placed his hand over the wound.
Smiling, Akia faced the princess and fairy standing by. "I was sent by Ganondorf to retrieve some life potion for your captive hero, but when he finds out about what happened here, I don't doubt he will continue to play nice." Turning, she ran away as Leo slowly got to his knees.
Zelda knelt down beside him in worry; gently grabbing his hand. "Here, let's get this cleaned up." Pulling his hand away, she gasped in shock. "It's that bad huh?" Leo asked in wonder. She nodded answering. "It will defently leave a scar, but it's not life threatening." A young hylian woman came up to them with a wet cloth in hand. "Here, let me help." She offered them.
As she gently tended to Leo's cut by the water fountain stationed in the center of the market, Zelda took the time to pay the shop owner for the potion in what he learned to be rupees; explained by the woman tending to his wound. As she applied the cloth for what seemed to be the fifth time; her brown eyes focused on his blue. "That was awfully brave of you to stand up to one of the gerudo young man. However, you could've been killed." She was among the crowd who had seen the confrontation. Leo sighed deeply from the pressure being applied. After a few moments later, she was finished cleaning up his cheek.
Standing up with a smile, she surveyed the wound. "The bleeding has ceased, thank the goddesses that it was not fatal." Leo returned the smile replying, "Yes, thanks for the assist." Zelda then returned; helping him up to his feet, knowing he was sore from his fall. "I think we should delay our training until morning. Right now, we should return to Butch's shop." Thanking the woman once again, their next objective in sight, they made the slow, but steady trek to the shop; ready to take up their weapons that awaited them.
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The blacksmith was happily waiting for them as he placed the longsword into a sheath matching its length. He had also laid out some weapons of chose across a table in which no one had need of anymore. Hearing the door open up, Butch looked up to see both Zelda and Leo slowly make their way in; his expression become one of shock as he gazed upon the scar on Leo's face. "Din's fire, what happened to you young man!"
Leo winced as he straightened up before speaking, "I got into a quarrel with a woman known as a gerudo." He turned towards Zelda who nodded in conformation. "She was running away with a bottle of red potion when he intervened." She explained. Butch nodded at the short explanation. "I see. I have just finished preparing this sword so it's now yours." He explained, handing over the sheathed weapon. Leo looked it over before carefully strapped it over his shoulder, drawing out the weapon with his left hand partway; wincing from the soreness as steel slid against steel. Satisfied with the weapon, he thanked Butch for the weapon.
"Now what shall your weapon of chose be, princess?" He asked Zelda, who was analyzing the selection of weapons carefully. There were weapons ranging from daggers and swords to bows that can shoot arrows at different ranges. She then reached out for a longsword as well; inspecting it closely as Navi fluttered by. "Would it be too much trouble to take more than primary weapons?" The fairy asked near Zelda's ear. Finding it a wise decision, Leo decided to pick up a longbow and a large quiver full of arrows. He then decided to take up a dagger as well; strapping it to his right boot. "Never know when a situation may require the use of a small weapon." He watched as Zelda picked up a longbow and dagger as well.
"Seems like you are both ready. Anything else I may acquire to assist?" Butch asked as he stepped back. Zelda looked up after strapping her dagger. "Just an adventure pouch for his equipment then we will be set." As Butch left to fetch one, she held the bow close to an adventure pouch she had tied on her waist. Leo watched in amazement as the weapon magically shrunk down in size before being placed inside. Catching his stare Zelda smiled before responding. "I hope you were not expecting for me to just carry my weapons. My primary is mostly magic." As she then held up her sword with her right hand, a small orb of light emitted; covering the weapon with a soft glow before disappearing. "Magic is everywhere. It is a source that can be good or bad." Navi explained in short detail. Leo looked at the light orb still resting on his right shoulder. "Like fairies?" He asked before carefully removing the strapped weapon; his left arm still sore from earlier. The light seemed to move as she answered. "Exactly."
Butch returned with an identical adventure pouch in hand. "You should take it easy with that sore arm. Until then, you should keep your sword in here." he explained, handing Leo the item, who thanked him. Tying the pouch to his waist, he then held the sword close to the now open pouch, almost immediately the sword slowly shrunk down in size; leaving the young man astonished as he placed it inside and closed the pouch before doing the same to both the longbow and quiver of arrows. Reclaiming his composer, he looked at the fairy still seated on his shoulder. "What is our next objective, Navi?"
Zelda turned to head for the door as she answered his question. "Now that Ganondorf currently occupies Hyrule Castle, I know of a place in Kakriko village where we can stay." She looked back at the brown haired man who turned to her response. "Are we ready?" Nodding, both he and Zelda thanked Butch for his help before heading out.
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As Akia made her way through the castle, the gerudo's mind continued to flash at the young boy who struck her with a mere rock. She stared in anger at the bruise that was left on her right shoulder from that attack; it had bruised significantly darker than her cinnamon colored skin. Shaking the feeling off though, Akia turned a corner outside the throne room; her leader most defiantly waited for her report on the other side of its doors. Grabbing a hold of the knob Akia opened the massive door, ignoring the creaking it made before stepping inside.
Walking forward along the massive room's carpet, the gerudo woman drew near towards the massive man pacing back and forth in front of the throne; his gray and black cape flowing after him with each massive step he took. His massive right hand nestled under his chin indicating that he was deep in thought.
"I have return with the item you have requested my lord." She announced taking the satchel off before bowing her head low to the ground. The dark-skinned man approached her, taking up the satchel handed to him. Akia watched as he relieved the bag of its content; he examined the bottle filled with the red liquid. "I take it you had no problem in stealing this?" Ganondorf asked the gerudo woman who bowed her head low again.
"I had no problem in acquiring what you asked. I however, was interrupted in my pursuit here by a young man who accompanied the princess. He posed no threat as he was unarmed, yet I couldn't let him leave before striking him in return." Her smile appeared at the mention of her accomplishment.
Ganondorf didn't seem the least bit impressed as he handed the bottle back to her. "So they are in the market, possibly to equip this 'hero' to fight. He obviously has no idea what he is up against, which is very good." He then smiled at this conclusion. "Taking the two triforce pieces surely will become much easier than expected; though a fight would be worth my time before taking the prize from their frail bodies." He then began walking towards the main door. "Come, we must tend to my captive." He said handing the bottle back. Akia got up; placing the item back in the satchel before following him out into the castle's many halls.
After a few minutes of navigating through the castle's many halls, the evil duo came across a heavy metal door to their right. Pulling out a ring of keys Ganondorf inserted one into the keyhole before turning it towards the left; pushing the door open with a loud creak revealing a flight of stairs leading downward.
Ganondorf led the descent into the castle's dungeon; Akia following close behind as their steps echoed against the stone-cold walls. As they entered the two cell room the gerudo woman reached her hand into the satchel, her fingers running over the glass bottle as they approached the cell holding the Hero of Time.
His appearence was no different than the last time Ganondorf saw his captive. As Link glared back at them, his hatred seething mostly towards Ganondorf, he could only watch as the dark king open the cell; letting himself in. "I see you still posses that same hatred towards me, must make you feel really good."
Link drew in a breath before replying. "I only done what was necessary to stop you; Zelda and Hyrule's chosen will keep you from getting the Triforce. They WILL stop you."
Ganondorf could only laugh at Link's threat. "I am in no hurry to collect the Triforce, I am merely pushing my plan into action which you shall find out soon enough. But for now..." He then gestured Akia inside the cell as she pulled out the bottle filled with the red life potion. "I just need to keep you alive." Taking the bottle, Ganondorf held the bottle tauntingly in front of the hero.
"Me? Take potions from you!? Get serious, Ganondorf." Link said as he took in deeper breathes. "I would much rather take a heart from a stalfos than accept a bottle of life potion from the likes of you!"
Ganondorf couldn't help but laugh as he placed the bottle against the wall opposite of the weak, yet witty hero. "Very well, we shall see if that shall come to pass. Yet I'm sure insanity would set itself in for one single drop of that potion." He began to leave the cell, but stopped at the door. "Oh, and one more thing, your precious princess and hero were last spotted in the market, I shall send them a 'welcome back' party as part of my hospitality. Nervani!"
Just then, a dark mist appeared near the dungeon's door outside the other cell, forming and materializing into the figure; clad in red, her eyes glowing a few shades brighter. "You called for me master?" She asked with her head bowed low; ready to serve his order.
Ganondorf nodded in response. "Indeed I have. I request of you to gather up an army of stalfos as well as bulbin; just enough to overwhelm them. In the meantime, keep an eye on them for a perfect oppurtunity to strike." As Nervani dissapeared, Ganondorf watched as Link glared back at him once more. "If you're fortunate enough, you will get to see me take over not just Hyrule, but the world as well." The dark king laughed as he left Link who began to struggle against his chains; his anger never leaving.
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The sun slowly continued it's decent as the duo stepped foot on the grassy plains of Hyrule Field; their faces lit up with the sun's rays. Zelda looked over at the sun for a moment, before leading towards the left. "There is only enough to get to Kakriko and settle down for the night. We should find out what our next move will be tomorrow." Leo could only agree with her words. He had little to go on in this strange land that had become his birthplace.
As they walked across a small walkway over a stream flowing to the castle he couldn't help but stop and listen to the stream flowing by. Navi noticed this as he crouched down before gently running his hand through the water. He quietly closed his eyes, only letting the sound of water flowing feel his mind. "What is going through your mind?" Though it was only for a few seconds, it felt longer as he opened his eyes; looking torwards his left sat a concerned Zelda staring back at him. "Is something bothering you, Leo?" She asked; worry clear on her face as he continued looking in the distance. "No nothing. Just taking in the beauty of this place." Leo faced the princess; seriousness visible in his eyes. "How much of a hurry are you in saving this world, though?"
Zelda inhaled in shock as she was taken aback by his question. For a moment nothing was said between the two, until Navi's glow became white before speaking. "I think I see your point Leo, why be in a hurry if we don't know what Ganondorf is even planning." The small fairy companion fluttered from his shoulder over to the princess. Zelda nodded before getting up to her feet with a smile. "Come on; let's go see about that settlement." Getting to his feet, Leo followed the princess up the stairs leading to the village.
As they neared the front gate, a guard standing by greeted them with his head bowed. "Malady, it is nice to see you again. How have you been?" Leo observed as the princess stopped short, smiling. "I am fine thanks for asking, thought Ganondorf has taken the castle." The guard nodded. "So I have concluded from the people who came from Castle Market, informing me of our hero's capture."
He then eyed Leo standing behind her as he looked around; a ball of light could be seen resting on his shoulder. "May I ask who this you have traveling with you is?" He asked the princess, who looked over her shoulder. "This is Leo who is accompanying me in helping to save Hyrule." Leo stepped forward, extending his right hand. "Pleasure to meet you, young man." The guard replied taking the hand into shake. "Likewise." Leo responded before pulling his hand away.
The guard faced Zelda, pointing his weapon beyond the entrance. "Your place of stay is still here, milady; open for you to use or you would like to settle in the skulltula house? We have recently finished the renovation of the place." Turning down the offer to settle in the skulltula dwelling, he brought out a single key from a ring attached to his waist, handing it over to Leo who thanked the guard before finding himself being left behind. Taking off in a brisk pace, he followed close behind the princess as he tried to ignore the soreness of his arm.
As the sun continued its descent towards the west, they headed for the first house towards the left, Navi fluttered alongside them since she rested long enough. Leo suddenly became confused when Zelda headed for the stairs instead. Why are we heading this way? He thought as he followed the princess up the stairs. As he reached the top, Leo saw Zelda heading up a smaller flight before turning to wait for him at the door. Exhausted, he managed to catch up to the awaiting princess as she spoke. "If you are ever going to fight, you should keep your strength up. We'll just buy some food to take with us back at the house." she explained before opening the door to go in.
Entering the small cafe Leo took in his surroundings consisting three tables with at least two chairs each. In one corner sat a hooded figure who appeared to be staring at the trio; both Zelda and Navi felt the unnerving stare of the hooded figure as well until they approached the counter. As she placed an order of meat and bread, Leo couldn't help but feel the continuous stare of the hooded figure. Turning to confront the person, he became puzzled finding the corner empty.
Snapping back to attention, Leo turned to see a basket in his hands. "Let's head back." Zelda said before heading for the door; both stayed silent about the hooded figure as they made their way down the stairs.
Approaching the door, Leo went ahead and unlocked it. While doing so, he asked a question that came to mind.
"Are you sure the occupants would not mind us staying here?"
Zelda reassured him with a nod. "The old woman that used to own the potion shop behind this settlement figured it was time to move to the market in order to earn more rupees. With help from the castle soldiers, she moved her business in the back alleyway while the attendants who lived here moved into her place after renovation, though her business still runs with the potion shop here."
He nodded before opening the door. Stepping aside, he offered the princess to go in first who accepted it gracefully; followed closely behind by Navi as Leo entered afterwards. Once inside the small house Zelda walked over towards a table, placing the food down before taking a seat; Leo made sure that the door was shut and locked before walking over to join her at the table. After eating their fill of the meal, Zelda then chose the bed farthest from the door as she untied the magic satchel around her waist before placing it on the small night stand beside the bed; Leo followed suite. As he approached the bed closest to the window he untied his satchel; placing it on the night stand beside it. Pulling back the silky, royal blue sheet, he then sat on the side as he pulled his brown boots off before settling in. The house was quiet as he lay in bed staring up at the ceiling. Most of the soreness on his arm went away as they posed under his head. He looked over to see Navi flying over to him with her light at a dim glow. "Good night, Leo." His fairy companion said as she nestled comfortably on the satchel. Leo could not help but small before turning over to the comfort of sleep.
"Good night, Navi."
Our newcomer has had an encounter with the fierce gerudo, earning a scar to boot.
What perils await our heroes on their quest to save Hyrule from darkness?
Find out in the next chapter of Child of Destiny!