The Legend of Zelda: The Hero's Twilight, a 'Legend of Zelda' fanfic by Tsunami Storm
Chapter 6: Realization
"You can let us off here, my friend." Time suggested as they approached the entrance to the Goron Mines. The dragon nodded and landed at the foot of the ramp, then let his two saviors disembark. Twilight exhaled loudly in amazement. "Wow. It sure was a lot faster going back through the temple and mines on dragon-back! Thanks for your help, Volvagia." He said to the wingless, flying dragon- giving him a gentle pat on his neck.
The dragon purred. "It was my pleasure, Hero of Twilight. However, the name 'Volvagia' does not suit me. That was the name of my sire, in whose tracks I no longer wish to follow. A new name would better fit me now."
"Well, what would you like to be called?" Time asked, puzzled but intrigued. He'd never had the opportunity to name a dragon before! This could be fun!
"Something beginning with a 'V'. I like the way that letter sounds when it's spoken." The dragon suggested, and the heroes smiled.
Suddenly an idea came to Twilight. "How about 'Valoo'? That sounds like a good name for a dragon to me." He suggested, and the dragon purred again loudly and nodded.
"Oh yes! Valoo! That will fit splendidly!" The dragon now called Valoo agreed. "My thanks to you both once again! Now I have both my freedom and a mighty name! Darkness, hear my name and tremble, for I am the great Valoo, last survivor of the dragons!" He bugled his joy to the heavens, and his cry startled the Gorons who were convened in the next room. Valoo put his head down, suddenly sheepish. "Oops." He muttered, crouching down low and considering diving into the magma to hide for a bit.
Time laughed. "Go on and fly outta here, Valoo, before Darbus decides to imprison you in one of those cages. We'll explain everything from here."
Valoo grinned at his two Hylian friends. "May the winds of fortune be at your backs!" He imparted, then disappeared back to the area of the mine that was open to the blue skies.
"Let's go, partner." Time offered, and the two heroes left the mines to return to the summit of Death Mountain, where they knew the Goron Elders and Darbus would be waiting for an explanation.
What the boys didn't expect- however- was a grand celebration. As soon as they left the mine entrance, a cry started up: "Hail the conquering heroes! The legendary Dodongo Buster and Hero of Time: Link! And his renowned student and descendant, the Savior of Light: Link!" "Three cheers for our Sworn Brothers!" "Hip hip, hooray!" "Hip hip, hooray!" "HIP HIP, HOORAY!"
Both heroes turned the color of their tunics and were both knocked to the ground from a 'gentle' clap on the back from the tribal patriarch. "You both did great!" He boomed, laughing loudly. "The people of the Goron Tribe will tell of your deeds for generations to come!"
"Yes, and what better way to celebrate than by feasting on the finest rock-sirloin of Dodongo's Cavern until our stomachs burst!" Gor Coron joked, gesturing to a long table heaped up with piles of the delicacy. As one, every Goron in the room started drooling. At the end of the table was a section reserved for the heroes, laden with bowls of various fruits, a large salad bowl and a large plate of fried Cucco. The heroes smiled gratefully at the Goron elder, and he laughed. "We learned long ago that not all races in Hyrule enjoy eating rocks. No matter how delectable they might look to us."
The two heroes laughed as well, then everyone enjoyed the celebration feast and their freedom from the terror of Volvagia and Valoo.
"Oh, Link-" Ilia sniffed as she sat in her room, as she had been ever since her best friend's exile. "I miss you so much. I wonder how you and the Hero of Time are doing on your journey? I've prayed to Farore every day to keep you both safe. I-" She hesitated. "I love you, Link. You're my whole world." She shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself as she rocked herself as she cried. Eventually she cried herself to sleep.
That night, the Mayor's daughter had a strange dream. A familiar hero carrying a large pocket watch [Time] and an equally familiar man beside him carrying a lit lantern [Twilight] stood side by side against an innumerable army of demons and the undead. Both heroes stood their ground and drew their swords, ready for the inevitable battle. Ilia could only watch in horror as the two sides charged at one another. She knew that- though the heroes were valiant- they would surely fall against such a number of foes.
To her surprise, the heroes held their own against the forces of evil- at least for a while- but eventually had to admit defeat. The hero who held the lantern looked up as he was pushed to his knees, his blue eyes piercing directly into her green ones, clearly asking for help.
"Link?!" Ilia cried as she suddenly woke up from her dream, drenched in sweat and breathing as if she'd just run around the whole of Hyrule Field without stopping. In his own bed downstairs, her father slept soundly, oblivious to his daughter's vision.
Ilia knew in her heart what she had to do and what her vision meant, but she was loath to leave her father and the community in which she had grown up her whole life- and the people she cared about. But sometimes Life requires people to make difficult and painful decisions. Without waking her father, Ilia tearfully packed as many of her belongings and food supplies as she could into a rucksack- donning a dark cloak that Uli had made for her long ago- and set off for Faron Woods.
As she passed the still-smoldering ruins of Link's house, Ilia took the reins of Link's loyal and noble steed Epona, tied her pack to the back of the horse's saddle, then goaded her into a run as she left her home behind for the last time.
Link, I'm coming.
"All right, it's finally time for you to continue your education." Time grinned, sitting on a large, half-hidden boulder while his student sat cross-legged at his feet- his eyes only on his mentor.
"The key to magic is feeling it within you." Time explained, breathing in deeply and casting Nayru's Love around himself, then dispelling it. "It's just another part of your brain that most have forgotten how to use. The Royal Family is the exception." He smiled fondly. "For some reason, Nayru has almost always been partial to the firstborn princess named Zelda. No one really knows why." He imparted, and Twilight nodded.
"Let's start your magical training with a defensive spell: Nayru's Love. Let it be hewn into your mind!" Time suggested, standing up to give a demonstration. "First, you place both your hands on your left side like you're holding a ball of air about the size of your fist. Your right hand will be the lower, and the fingers pointing to your back. Your left will be the upper, the fingers also pointing to the back." He placed his own hands in the correct position. "Like so." Twilight copied him, and Time adjusted his hand position slightly. "Good! Next you raise both hands above your head in a slight 'V' shape, and imagine gathering a sphere of energy between your palms."
"Like the ancient Hylians would appeal to the goddesses." Twilight answered, and Time nodded. "Exactly. Now you try. Starting with the first form I showed you."
Twilight nodded, then shifted through the two stances, all the while concentrating his inner energy. He felt a slight tingling in his fingers, but no orb of energy formed between his hands. His face fell.
"That's all right. You're doing very well for a first attempt." Time encouraged when his pupil looked crestfallen. "Especially considering that you've had no prior training." He smiled again and shifted to the final stance, kneeling on his right knee and touching both palms to the ground, then stood up. He nodded to his student and the teen nodded back, trying all three forms in succession as he attempted to tap into the magical part of his brain. Again, he felt a slight tingling in his fingertips, but not much else. And his efforts certainly didn't produce a barrier like Time's.
"Don't worry." Time smiled. "It'll come to you. You just need to practice." Twilight nodded, then sat back down at his teacher's feet.
"The next spell I can teach you is Farore's Wind. Let it be hewn into your mind! This spell can only be cast in dungeons that have a map, or- in other words- all of them." Time smiled, and Twilight chuckled. "To that end, let's warp to the Forest temple briefly, and when you've got it we'll get started on Din's Fire."
Twilight grinned in excitement, then pulled out his ocarina and played the Minuet of Forest in unison with Time. Both heroes walked into the ancient place of worship and Time waved a greeting to Saria, who was talking with the other 'Kokiri'. The Sage smiled back warmly and waved, then resumed her conversation.
"This spell's a little different." Time explained. "Instead of protecting you directly, it creates a Warp Point for you when you first cast the magic. Upon using it a second time, you can either dispel the Warp Point you created, or warp to that area in which you created it." He explained, and Twilight nodded, watching his teacher's every movement with rapt attention.
"The actual motions of this one are fairly simple." Time continued. "First is the same beginning stance as Nayru's Love. Let me see you try it." Twilight obeyed, and Time corrected his position slightly. "I forgot to tell you about the leg positions on this form. It might be easier to put your left foot behind you, and slightly bend the knee of your right in this first stance." He said, and Twilight shifted his position appropriately. "Perfect!" He praised. "You're a natural at the forms, now we just have to work on your magical energy!" He laughed.
Twilight smiled, still holding the first stance. "Now, this second motion is a bit tricky. You want to move both hands in a counterclockwise motion, and then bring them to your center- bending your elbows. Like this." He arced his right arm over his head and completed the circle with his left hand, crossing his arms across his chest like a Gibdo would. "Then you straighten both arms above your head in a 'V', just like the second stance of Nayru's Love." He brought his hands up, then dropped them to his sides, motioning for his descendant to try.
As with Nayru's Love, Link shifted perfectly through the stances, but didn't feel anything more than a tingle in his fingertips again. He sighed in frustration. Time put a hand on his shoulder. "You'll get it in time. Have faith. Believe in your strengths." Time suddenly made a face then. Now I sound like that strange Mask Salesman in Termina. Where did that come from? He shook his head. Twilight nodded, once again looking to his master for guidance.
"Okay. We'll try Din's Fire next, and if that one refuses to cooperate, I have an idea we could try." Time growled teasingly, causing his double to blush in embarrassment. It was his fault the spells weren't working, not the magic itself.
"Din's Fire only requires two motions, and is the 'cheapest' of the spells I've taught you thus far- meaning it takes the least amount of energy to cast. Let it be hewn into your mind!" Time lectured, and Link nodded. "It begins with the same stance as the others, then you sweep your left arm around in a clockwise 'windmill' stroke and clench your right fist at your side below your rib, bending your elbow. While you do that, you kneel on your left knee and slam your open left palm into the ground, pushing your offensive power out from you in a deadly barrier of fire." He demonstrated the motions for Twilight, but put no power behind it. He didn't want to burn his favorite student!
Twilight nodded, then repeated his ancestor's actions, slamming his open palm into the ground. Time crossed his arms as he watched, nodding his approval when Link stood to his feet.
"You may not have noticed any results of your efforts, but I definitely felt a wave of heat emanating from you with that last spell." Time observed, and Twilight gaped at him in amazement. "Really?"
A nod. "You definitely have the ability. It's just- weaker than it should be for some reason. You did very well, my son. I am proud of you." He praised, then his smile turned mischievous. "What d'you say we go to your friend Telma's to celebrate? Maybe- have a special drink?" Time winked.
"But- I'm not of age*." Twilight protested, and Time laughed. "You are for the one I had in mind. Trust me, it'll be worth it." and with that he began walking toward Hyrule Castle Town, Twilight right behind him.
[This is going by the legal drinking age where I'm from. They're both nineteen, and the age- where I'm from- is twenty-one. I'm sure the drinking age is younger in Japan- where these games were made- but oh well.]
Upon entering Telma's bar, the two Links encountered a group of Hyrule's soldiers discussing what was apparently a top-secret subject at a round table, as they fell silent as the two heroes walked in. Time nodded politely in greeting, but the men just went back to their drinks. The ancient Hero frowned in disapproval, but then remembered that these men were not like the soldiers that he'd commanded as captain of the Hylian cavalry. These men were too proud of their supposed 'power'*.
[And the soldiers of Hyrule aren't very impressive at all in TP, so I don't know what they're proud of, tbh. XD]
"Why, if it isn't my favorite blue-eyed Hero!" A voice from behind the bar sounded, and Twilight smiled, happy to see his friend after two years. "How've you been, kiddo? Oh! I see you've brought a friend with you! Why, he looks like he could be your twin, hon!" She shook Twilight's hand warmly across the bar before smiling at Time. "What might your name be, stranger?" She asked, winking coyly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Telma." He answered with a bow. "You may call me 'Time'. I am a distant relative of Link's, visiting from a faraway land." He explained, hiding the whole truth from the woman- at least until they could talk somewhere more private.
"I kinda figured you were related. You're the mirror image of each other, 'cept for your hairstyles!" Telma laughed as both boys claimed their chairs and sat at the bar. "Well boys, what'll it be?" She asked as she cleaned out an empty tankard.
"Two bottles of 'Chateau Romani', please." Time requested, and Telma raised both eyebrows in surprise. "Only a select few of my regulars know about that drink, and this is your first time here. How'd you know about it?" She asked, and Time winked mischievously. "I've been around. You tend to pick up a few things." He answered mysteriously, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands behind his head. Telma raised an eyebrow, but then shrugged as she turned around to mix the different ingredients into a large bottle of Ordon milk.
"So what goes into a 'Chateau Romani'?" Twilight asked, and Telma winked back at him. "Can't tell ya that, hon. Trade secret."
Time turned to his double. "It's nothing alcoholic, I can tell you that much. It's really good. You'll like it." He assured, laughing at his doubtful descendant's dubious expression. "Come on, when have I ever led you astray?" He asked rhetorically, and Twilight- unable to think of a good comeback- nodded and conceded.
"Here you are, boys. Enjoy." Telma smiled as she set two regular-sized glass bottles before the two heroes, their contents foaming slightly. Twilight watched it warily while Time chuckled, taking his own bottle. "It's just two of the ingredients reacting to each other. There's not one drop of alcohol in there. Trust me."
Trusting his distant ancestor and living legend, Twilight took his drink and held it up. "To a bright future in Hyrule!" He toasted, and Time grinned when some of the soldiers behind him answered, "Hear hear!"
"I'll drink to that." Time answered, and both heroes took a sip from their drinks at the same time.
Almost immediately, Twilight felt different. It was as if something had just awakened inside of him; something powerful. He gasped as his head began to hurt and spin as if he were intoxicated, but he'd never had anything remotely resembling alcohol in his life, so he didn't have anything with which to compare it. He put his head down as the headache grew in intensity, and one of the soldiers laughed. "Bit of a lightweight, ain't he? Yer friend."
Time just glared sourly at the man who'd already had too many beers, rubbing his protégé's back gently. Something suddenly shifted in the young Hero's mind, as if lighting a candle in a pitch-black room. His eyes flashed bright blue for a split second, then returned to normal so fast that Time was the only one that noticed it. And that was only because he'd known what was coming and expected it.
Twilight groaned after his 'episode' had passed, looking up at his ancestor in confusion. "What was that? Something about me feels different now."
Time smiled. "You have awakened, Link. I thought that your 'energy' just needed a little boost, so I brought you here. Chateau Romani acts differently when given to one who is blessed by Farore. It enhances your magical ability for three whole days, until you wake on the fourth morning. In regular people, it acts as a mild alcoholic drink, like beer. And in people like Zelda- who possess a great amount of magic already- it causes their energy levels to almost overload, giving them a splitting headache." He laughed, remembering what happened the first time his Zelda had tried a sip. Needless to say, she'd never had it again.
After the soldiers and everyone else had left the bar, the two heroes explained their story to Telma and what they were attempting to do. The bartender and Resistance member raised an impressed eyebrow, then bowed in the Gerudo fashion before the Hero of Time, acknowledging his legendary status. Time smiled, his face a bit pink. Telma then turned to the younger of the heroes. "You sure you don't want to join our team, Link? Your skills would be a great asset, especially in this new threat on Hyrule. After all, you helped so much in the Twilight War two years ago."
Twilight shook his head. "I still have much to learn, Telma. But, rest assured, I will join you and the other members of the Resistance when the time is right." He promised as he shouldered his gear and Time did the same. "Until we meet again, my friend." He saluted, walking to the door.
"Fare well, hero." Telma smiled. "Both of you." She resumed cleaning one of her tankards. "Hey, say 'hi' to Ilia for me, all right, hon?"
Twilight smiled. "I will." If I ever see her again. He thought sadly to himself. He hadn't seen his childhood friend for weeks, ever since his exile from Ordon. The two heroes left the town in silence- not even glancing at one another as they made their way to the Lanayru province of Hyrule Field- planning to journey on to Zora's Domain in the morning.
Ilia wandered through the Lanayru province of Hyrule Field, Epona at her side. She absentmindedly stroked the horse's silky neck as they walked, both missing their best friend and hero. Ilia heard some gentle hoofbeats in the distance and looked up, mildly surprised to see two deer walking together- one doe and one buck- their noses touching in a loving gesture. Two doves flew out of a bush beside her- again one male and one female- their beaks angled toward each other. Somewhere in the distance, a gentle tune began to play, sounding like it was coming from an ocarina. Ilia sighed sadly, then she began to sing quietly to herself, matching the tune that was playing around her.
"In a perfect world,
One we've never known,
We would never need
To face the world alone.
They can have the world,
We'll create our own.
I may not be brave, or strong, or smart,
But somewhere in my secret heart, I know-
Love will find a way.
Anywhere I go,
I'm home-
If you are there beside me.
Like dark- turning into day,
Somehow we'll come through,
Now that I've found you.
Love will find a way."
Unseen at her back, Twilight walked up a small hill, watching his childhood friend sadly with pain in his eyes. He looked down in shame, knowing that he would never be able to be with her again. But then he looked up, a realization dawning on him. She was here, looking for him. She- loved him. Just as he loved her.
"I was so afraid,
Now I realize:
Love is never wrong,
And so it never dies.
There's a perfect world-
Shining in your eyes-"
Ilia gasped and spun around when she heard the subtle timbre of her friend's voice, not believing her own ears. He was here? But then her eyes saw the sight for which she had longed these many weeks, and a joyful smile broke out on her face as the two young lovers finally came together.
"And if only they could feel it too,
The happiness I feel with you, they'd know-
Love will find a way.
Anywhere we go,
We're home-
If we are there together.
Like dark- turning into day,
Somehow we'll come through,
Now that I've found you.
Love will find a way,
I know
Love will find a way."
As the song ended, the two childhood friends embraced- tears of love and happiness running down both of their faces- immeasurably happy to be in each other's arms once again. Time subtly put away his ocarina in his pouch, then walked up and put a gentle hand on Epona's neck, smiling at the two as they shared this special moment with each other. His smile grew as they reminded him of his own bond with his best friend and companion- his Princess of Destiny- and he somehow knew that his true love was smiling down on him from Paradise. He knew that his spirit would someday join hers, when his task had been completed here. I still have a lot to teach him. He thought as he turned his attention back to his descendant. And he still has not discovered his past. When that happens, he will surely find his future.
End of chapter 6
Next Chapter Teaser: Restrategy
I never originally intended to put a WindWaker reference in, but I couldn't resist in the end. It's such a great game! Even though I don't really like the art style or the fact that Old Hyrule was flooded. Or that the Zora people somehow evolved into the Rito. Fish into birds in a land almost completely covered by water? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
Yeah, yeah. I've read the manga about the predecessors of the Rito, but this was coming from someone who'd only played the games until very recently. And besides, the manga isn't technically canon.
Anyway, I have this theory that WindWaker Valoo is somehow descended from Volvagia's line, as those two are the only dragons in the Adult Timeline. Argorok is probably somehow connected to Volvagia too, only in the Child Timeline. I don't know how that works though, as both Valoo and Argorok have wings and Volvagia doesn't. And yet Volvagia can fly. Eh, whatever.
Aww, Epona's so loyal! I'm not sure where she ran off to during the conflagration in Ordona few chapters ago, but she came back afterwards and stayed right by what remained of her master's house, waiting patiently for his return.
So Twilight is finally learning magic! I wish they would've put it in TP, but it's still a great game without it. (Would've been even better with it, but that's just me) I wonder why it's weaker though. Hmm.
Like I said in the chapter, Chateau Romani is not alcoholic- at least this version in Hyrule. [I can't say the same for Termina's version.] It has a mix of very rare Green Chu jelly (green potion) Blue Chu jelly (blue potion), cinnamon, Ordon milk of course, vanilla, honey, and cocoa. Mmm. Sounds good, huh? Now I want some! [Without the Chu jelly, obviously.] Anyway, that recipe has been passed down through generations of bartenders, finally coming to Telma, who will pass it on to her successor when she decides to retire.
Oh, and I am in no way condoning underage drinking in this chapter. I know it's heavily implied in Majora's Mask that Chateau Romani is alcoholic, and the fact that I have it in here does not mean that I approve of it. Always drink responsibly, my dear readers!
On a side note, am I the only one that thinks there might be a bit of Gerudo blood in Telma? I mean, she's the only character with bronzed skin and red hair. Well, aside from Ganon-dork, but he doesn't count 'cause he's supposed to be dead. You picked a real winner there, Din. Nice.
And I used another song from 'The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride' All credit for that song goes to Disney. I'm just borrowing. But what did Time mean when he said that Twilight 'has not discovered his past'? Ooo, cliffhanger!
See you next chapter!
God Bless!
Tsunami Storm