Disclaimer: I do not own the legend of zelda in anyway shape or form
Ch 6 A Sinister Plot from the Shadows
"Wow!" Saria was in awe by the beauty of the world, she could see the sky without blockage of trees, she could see the vast grassland of Hyrule Field, and over the horizon lay a mountaintop, she never knew how big everything was. "Link why didn't you tell me everything was so big?!"
"I did" Link chuckled
"Well then why didn't you say it more?" Saria teased, still gazing at the field.
Link then nudged Saria slightly, "Kakariko Village is this way, and there's more things you can see as we go further," Link still not wanting to get caught out at night, urged his friend little by little. They continued down the path towards Kakariko Village, taking a break every now and then so Saria could take everything in, she was excited to see Lon Lon Ranch, the ranch where Epona lives, being cared for by Malon and her father Talon. As the hours ticked by, and the village getting closer, Link started pulling out his masks, telling Saria about each of them one by one, even showing her the transformation of the deku, goron, and zora masks. Saria giggled a little at the sight of deku Link. Then, Link brought out the Fierce Deity mask, "I hope you don't expect me to put it on" Link said rather coldly
"After what you've said about it, I'd rather you set it on fire." Saria suggested
"He did, and it doesn't work" the mask uttered
"Goddess be damned, did that thing just speak?!" Saria screamed, being greatly startled by the random voice.
"I try to ignore it" Link stated
"Does it work?" Claire asked
"No" Link and the mask said in unison, Link then let out a sigh, and put the mask back in his bag. The three then continued towards the village.
As the three crossed the bridge over the Zora River, just to the east of Hyrule Castle, Saria made a note that one of these next few days they should visit the market. She was very curious about it after Link first explained it to her, bustling streets and all.
The three then reached the stairway to Kakariko Village, just as the sun was beginning to set. They climbed the long staircase, wishing it was much less of a walk, eventually reaching the top, and the gate to the town. "We finally made it," Link sighed, tired from his journey.
"Link, long time no see" a tall sheikah woman appeared in front of them in a puff of smoke,
"Hey Impa" Link greeted, "This is Saria, Saria, Impa" Link introduced
"And Im Claire" the fairy chimed
"Pleasure," Impa replied, then getting a confused expression on her face, "Wait Saria the Forest Sage? But you're a kokiri, how are you here?"
"Well" Saria then explained everything, her reasons, the potion, the foul taste it left in her mouth, everything.
"I see," Impa nodded, and then shook her head "Well we can discuss this more tomorrow, I'm sure you all are tired, the inn next to the potion shop has a few room open, tell them 'A winds bite hits twice' and you'll get a nice discount" Impa smiled "Bright and early tomorrow we'll start your training Saria, to you best get a good night's rest" the sheikah then walked away, and entered her house.
"Well we better get going, we have a long day ahead of us," Link stated, showing Saria towards the inn. As the trio entered Link told the innkeep the passcode and got half off the rooms, and free dinner and breakfast everyday they stay. It was indeed a good deal. They all then sat down for some dinner, roasted cucco and a side of mashed potatoes. Saria's eyes dazzled at the food, being a luxury to her, kokiri eat nuts, berries, and fruit from the forest most of the time, but would go on a big hunt for celebrations.
After the two finished their meal, Saria looked over at Link "So, do you really think Impa can help me control my spells?" Saria asked sincerely, she really wanted to get better at casting and be able to help Link fight.
"I'm certain of it, she helped Zelda learn her spells, and knows a few herself, she's the best teacher I know."
Hearing this put a smile on Saria, who then let out a rather large yawn, "Glad to hear it, but I think it's time I head to bed. Good night Link," Saria then took her key and walked up to her room. Just as Link was about to get up, a rather portly man sat his hand on Link's shoulder.
"What? You just gonna waltz in town and not say hi?" The man questioned
"Dampe!" Link greeted his friend, "It's rather early for you to be up, what's the occasion?"
"Lady Impa told me you were here of course. I rushed over here so I could see you before I started my rounds." Dampe explained "But I'll let you go get some rest now, you're training tomorrow as well aren't you?"
"Yes, but alone, Impa is training Saria in the sage arts, so I'm just tuning up my skills."
"I see, well I wish you luck. And have a good night"
"You as well Dampe." Link said as Dampe left the inn. He then walked up the stairs and into his room, falling onto his bed. He then noticed that the Fierce Deity mask was quiet, not whispering in Link's ear like it usually does. He thought best to let sleeping dogs lie, and drifted off to sleep.
Link awoke early in the morning, due to the cooing of the cuccos that always seemed to be on the run. As he prepared for the day and got dressed, he heard Saria call through the door, "Hey Link, are you up?"
"Yeah I am, I'll be downstairs soon." Link replied, jumping on one foot trying to put his pants on.
After a few minutes of waiting, Link finally came downstairs and met with Saria, who was sitting at the dining table, awaiting breakfast. Link, sat down next to his friend, poking her cheek. "Heya Saria, sleep well,"
"More or less," Saria replied, poking Link right back "Although you should be more concerned with yourself, did the mask keep you up again?" Saria asked concerned for Link's well being.
"Actually, it kept quiet last night, it was rather strange. But if it wants to keep its mouth shut I won't complain." As Link finished his sentence the innkeeper brought breakfast to the table, scrambled cucco eggs, toast, and large sausage links. Saria, of course being dazed by the sight, started filling her plate right away, much to Link's amusement.
As they finished their breakfast, Impa walked in, eyeing up Saria. "Are you ready to do this" she asked
"Yes I am, but I'm rather nervous." Saria stated
Impa let out a small smirk to the hylian "I'd be concerned if you weren't. Now then, let's head out, by the end of the day you'll have learned everything you need for basic spells."
"Alright! I got this!" Saria pumped herself, "Alright Link, I'll tell you how it goes later" Saria exclaimed, as she and the sheikah left the inn.
"Well, guess I should be going too." Link said to himself, making his way to Kakariko Graveyard.
. .
One hour later
Saria was learning many basic spells from Impa, such as small healing, casting light, and basic elemental spells. She also learned a good amount on how to channel her natural energy. "So Impa, I have a question I want to ask" Saria started
"Ask away"
"Well, it's just that, you said with me being the forest sage, I specialize in healing, wind, and forest base magic, but I can still cast other elements at a higher magic energy cost. Well, what I'm trying to ask, what do you specialize in? Being the sage of shadow that is."
"Concealment, darkness based spells, and sealing magic" Impa relied
"Sealing magic? Like locking someone away? Like what Link said the versions of us in the other timeline did to Ganondorf?"
"Correct, although that seal was one only all seven sages could do together. Normal sealing spells mainly trap souls in a spiritual cage, essentially a prison of souls. While greater seals can trap even gods, but those seals typically come with a heavy cost."
"So could you have trapped Ganondorf yourself?" Saria asked perplexed
"Yes, although it would have only been for eight years, and it would have taken my life."
"Why eight years? I thought it was a greater seal."
"Yes, but the triforce holding the power of a god, strains the seal greatly. So he would have escaped a little over eight years after being sealed."
"Interesting" Saria was really fascinated about learning everything she could about magic, even if she thought she'd never need to know about it.
. .
Link was in Kakariko Graveyard, near the entrance to the Shadow Temple, training in his usual ways. Just as he was doing another backflip Impa appeared before him. "Impa? I thought you were training Saria." Link questioned, confused by her emergence.
"Just taking a quick break, I came to ask you about the mask" Impa replied
"What about it?"
"I have heard from Saria that it speaks to you, is it true?"
"Yes, most of the time it won't shut up"
. .
Saria was in the middle of learning her next spell, "Aghhhh, this one is impossible!"
"Don't worry Saria, I'm sure you'll get it next time." Claire reassured
"Indeed, you are making good progress," Impa praised
. .
"Fascinating, I would like to see the mask," Impa pleaded "I'm curious how it works."
Link pulled out the mask, "It's a powerful mask, but it's just evil. I need to find a way to destroy it."
"Well perhaps I could seal away the spirit inside for you, while you search" Impa stretched out her hand, "Give me the mask and I'll seal it for awhile."
"Sure, why not. I can go for not having to hear it again." Link placed the mask in Impa's hand.
As he pulled his hand away Impa let out a most wicked grin, and she started getting engulfed in a black tar. Link took a few steps back, knowing something wasn't right. Then as the tar melted away, where Impa once stood, a man was now standing. A man in a blood red cloak, with gold trimmings, and his face cloaked in shadow, all but his devious smile. "Fool" the man let out, as he floated in the air, casting the Fierce Deity Mask in front of him. The man started speaking in an unknown language to Link, and the mask became engulfed in a purple flame. As the man finished his chant, he looked down at Link, who was in shock of what was happening. "You better run, boy, or you all will die." The cloaked man then vanished in a black smoke.
Right as the man vanished, the mask exploded. Once the smoke settled, a new form was now where the mask once sat. It was the Fierce Deity, free from the confines of the mask. The deity looked down at Link, and let out a wicked laugh. "It would seem I have no further use of you boy!" The deity then moved towards Link, in a flash of white, and uppercut him straight in the jaw, sending him flying into the tombstones, smashing them. Just as Link landed, in great pain, he felt a quick ping in his head, but since it went away as quick as it appeared he paid no mind. Rather he drew his swords, knowing that if he lost, Saria, and the rest of the village would surely be killed.
"You're not…..getting away" Link strained, now noticing the chunk of tombstone embedded in his left leg.
"You can barely stand, yet you think you can best me? Clearly I hit you in the head harder than I thought." The deity then rushed at Link again, who barely got his blades up in time to block most of the hit, although it broke his right arm, forcing the gilded sword to fall to the ground. "My how pitiful you look" The deity mocked, "how Saria could ever love you I will never know."
"Shut up!" Link snapped
"Perhaps I should pay her a visit, I'd love to hear the way she screams"
"Touch her and I'll-"
"You'll do what? Die in front of me? My dear boy, that's going to happen either way." As the deity was about to finish Link off, Saria and Impa came running to the graveyard.
"Link!" Saria cried seeing the state he was in.
"N-no! Stay back!" Link pleaded
Impa then jumped at the deity with lightning speed, brandishing her greatsword. She sliced at him at speeds Link didn't think possible for such a weapon, but the deity was dodging every single one. "Come now, is that the best you can do?" he mocked as he kicked the sheikah into another tombstone. He then laid his eyes on Saria, "My my, what do we have here?" He started walking towards Saria, with an evil smirk written on his face.
"No!" Link screamed, trying to move forward, but to no avail, his legs were too damaged to walk, he only fell on his face.
Just as the deity was nearing, Saria Dampe emerged from his shack, and started chanting, "By the holy goddesses Din, Nayru, and Farore, I damn my enemy before me to a fate of darkness and despair."
The deity sensing the magic pour out of the grave keeper, attempted to rush at him, but only struck a blue wall. He looked over at Impa, who casted Nayru's Cage on him, trapping him in an indestructible diamond for a few seconds, but that's all the time Dampe needed. Impa then looked to Dampe, "Take him down, you crazy bastard"
Dampe continued his chant "Punish the sinner before me and condemn them to fire and flame, rend my flesh and blood as tribute. I am Dampe of the Sheikah, and I damn you to hell!" A large bolt of blood red flame shot from Dampe's outstretched hand, and into the deity. Sealing him away. Dampe then turned to Link and set out a sincere smile "Goodbye, my friend." me uttered, before being twisted into nothing but a pool of blood.
"Dampe!" Link cries, tears pouring from his eyes at the loss of his friend. The pain then caught up with Link as he blacked out.
. .
Link woke up three days later, with Saria and Impa at his side. After they explained everything that happened after he blacked out, and the pass of three days Impa looked at Link. "I already told Saria of this during training, but that monster will only be sealed away for eight years, then he'll break free of the seal, and come for us."
Link however was not taken aback like Impa had thought, instead he stood firm as a fire burned in his eyes. "Then we need to train, and research how to kill him. For Dampe." Link then looked to Saria, who was holding his hand as he laid in bed. "I would love to have you at my side every step of the way. If you'd like to be that is."
Saria gazed into Link's eyes with determination in her eyes, "Let's bring this bastard down."
Author's Note: I appreciate every one of you who is reading this story. I would love to hear your thoughts about it so be sure to review! This chapter marks the end of the "Intro" chapters so be prepared for it to pick up more now, and for the plot to, well, be present. I look forward to each of your reviews!