With one less evil in the world, a wave of soothing tingles washed over my head. The heaviness that burdened me for so long disappeared and I chuckled to myself. He was gone. Azamuku was gone and the freedom I had craved from his hallucinations and mind games was real. Finally, I could live my life again.
At least, that was how things were meant to be. That would be fair after all. A suitable reward for righting my wrongs, but life as I have witnessed never flows the way you want. It will only go the way you need actually. Apologies, I've gone off course, haven't I?
Is that a goat?
It looked like a goat. Although, it had two back hooves and two clawed front feet. Swirls of red and orange markings pulsed along its back, and the horns were conjoined where they should separate. Nestled within these horns was a rather large, white orb that glowed with a rainbow-coloured light. All this tickled a stubborn memory lodged in the hidey holes of my brain.
A bright flash bathed the landscape followed by puffs of purple smoke. Wave after wave of creatures popped and disappeared like a firework show.
Light Spirit, my thoughts caught up.
I scrambled to my feet and dashed towards Yasei. The goat charged, angered by the Sacred Realm's desecration. I didn't know if it could differentiate between friend and foe. Considering Yasei was in limbo in that department anyway that wouldn't help a jot.
My body failed me and I tasted dirt once more. So, I do have a limit after all. Dragging my head up, I could see the light spirit smashing into walls of muscle and sharp spears. It set my teeth on edge.
Yasei gave a loud roar. She struggled to pull out a dagger from her ribs. Her tail tried to move despite the cold steel pinning it in place. Still fighting to reach the Triforce for Ganondorf and unable to break free of his control.
When had everything blurred? When had good and evil collided with each other?
The goat turned. It tossed its head and changed course with Yasei in its sights.
"Don't hurt her," I said. "It isn't her fault."
I had no quarrel with this entity, but it had come out of nowhere. Whenever that happened there was never time to explain things properly. Light spirits just reacted and the consequences cut through lives ruthlessly. Choices, plans and options destroyed in a heartbeat. And in its wake? Senseless loss. Those left behind picking up the pieces of an unrecognisable existence.
It felt like I was watching events play out through the lens of a telescope, so near but unable to reach. I couldn't stand it, unable to intervene again. The light spirit reared up on two hind legs.
"Goddesses please, I killed Azamuku. The Triforce is untouched. The Interlopers are still dead, isn't that enough?" I pleaded. "Cast eternal misfortune upon me. Give me the damnedest luck. I'll take it gladly, if only you'll save her."
Then, for the first time in years, I prayed. It might be hopeless. The Goddesses might shake their heads and call me a hypocrite but I had to fight this fate.
A loud bleat gave way to Rauru's deep, rumbling tone. "Almighty Ordona, hear my words. This child is cursed. She cannot find her way in the darkness; won't you help her?"
To see the large man with arms outstretched in front of the light spirit, I had to admire his bravery. Ordona landed back on all fours, its horns lowered as a bow. A snort came from wrinkled nostrils as it trotted towards Yasei. Considering her snarling form for a moment, the light spirit's small ears flapped before it began to sing.
Soft, reverent notes came from the goat. Perhaps the most sorrowful and yet hopeful song I have ever heard. Laden with the power of ancient magic. Ordona brought its forehead to Yasei's own and nuzzled, almost tenderly.
Golden wisps floated up from the pair into the darkened skies. Slowly, the monstrous form melted away. Curly, dark hair returned with the daffodil yellow dress she had been wearing. She lay very still, looking back at the light spirit with a gentle smile. It was the Yasei I remembered. The one I longed to see.
I sniffed. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Ordona appeared to say something to Rauru, who nodded grimly. "I see."
He picked Yasei up carefully and strode over. My hands reached for her but the light sage did not relinquish my beloved. "You must understand," he began. "She may have regained her original form, but her internal injuries are quite severe."
"Yes, I saw everything. He took those weapons and…" I couldn't drive that memory from my mind. My throat involuntarily jerked and it made my eyes sting. "I can heal her. I just need an instrument. Azamuku, he stole my penny whistle you see."
The light sage looked to the young woman in his arms. "I have an instrument, although strictly speaking, it is meant for members of the Royal Family only." His tufted eyebrows narrowed in thought. "I suppose the Queen wouldn't object if it saved a life."
Only then, did he allow me to take Yasei. In the past, she bemoaned at how cold my hands were. Mother had mentioned something about cold hands and a warm heart, but now it was she who felt like ice. I breathed on them and rubbed vigorously. "Don't worry, you'll feel better soon," my voice broke. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be sad, moron," Yasei croaked. A fit of gasping coughs shook her frame. "I want you to be happy, remember?"
"Silly, sweet thing. Just hold on a little longer."
She puffed out a laugh. "I don't think I'm coming back from this, sweetheart."
"Shush, shush." I pulled at a tattered sleeve and wiped grime from freckled cheeks. "I will not let you die."
"Here it is." Rauru held up the instrument as if it were a crown at coronation.
The smooth curved edges and the blue surface were polished like marble. Below the mouth piece a silver band carved with the yellow triangles of the Triforce.
This wasn't an instrument - it was a piece of art.
"I present to you, the Ocarina of Time."
The Ocarina of Time.
One of the most important artefacts in the history of Hyrule. This instrument and I, along with another soul, would be tied together through a series of curious adventures. It would help and save a lot of people. But even this majestic object could not bring about the miracle I needed that day.
"This can't be… I don't understand."
Yasei dragged out another ragged breath. This didn't look good, and some cowardly part of me wanted to look away.
"But I played the song. It worked for Kilton," I insisted. Two hands raked through my hair in agitation.
It didn't work for Carter though, my thoughts conspired to remind me. The Song of Healing can only work under certain conditions.
"No, this isn't happening. I won't allow this, not after everything we've been through." I pulled Yasei close. As if somehow wrapping myself around her would stop the flittering lights surrounding her body. Of all the monsters that terrified me, the threat of losing someone else was the scariest thing of all.
"I'm looking forward to it," I told her. "Making masks and selling them on the road. We can snuggle up close in the Trading Dragon on dark nights. You teach me to fish and I'll cook and then Kilton can steal them." She played with the ring on her finger. "We go to Kokiri Forest and pick some flowers - swift violets, and make crowns. The Kokiri join us and we'll have a little chat and play hide and seek."
"You can still do that." Her voice had always been loud, practically boomed, but now each word was a shadow of a whisper. "Even if am not there."
I bit my bottom lip. "It wouldn't be the same. Who will save me from monsters? You know I can't shoot an arrow to save my life."
She pinched my arm and I ignored it.
"You'll – be - alright."
"And Kilton, who will keep him in check? He won't listen to me." The pinching became fingernails digging into skin. "And we need to go home, tell our parents about the engagement."
The digging stopped. Instead, she kissed that stinging spot and I felt it grow moist. For a child to die before their parents – it would destroy them, and she knew that. I knew that.
"Young man, you've tried your best, however, it's wrong to keep a soul here." Rauru looked kindly at me. His blue eyes kept glancing at the magic gathering in my palms. "Let it be."
I wanted to punch the moustache off his face. How dare he accept Yasei's death so easily!
"Absolutely not," I hissed at him. "Light sage or no, you can't tell me what to do. I won't let go. I won't." The magic in my palms ignited. "The Song of Healing might have failed, but there are other means."
"Listen to reason." The light sage was knocked off his feet as my tornado of dark, purple magic erupted.
Hair and clothes whipped about in the torrent of concentrated energy. Even as Poes and Stalfos tried to attack they bounced away. They were nothing now. I had wasted far too much time. Yasei's body became lighter and harder to cling to as my legs staggered forward.
I must hurry.
It couldn't be helped. Azamuku had been right, the Triforce held the only answer.
I won't destroy the world. I won't become a tyrant. I simply want a world with Yasei in it, I thought.That isn't unreasonable. It isn't an abuse of power.
"Think about what you're doing," Rauru yelled.
The hum of golden triangles made my ear drums throb. As I reached out to touch the mysterious relic, visions pounded my brain. I saw fire. A man mounted on a jet, black stallion racing towards Hyrule Castle. Blood spilt. The Happy Mask Shop in ruins and redead haunting the remains of Castle Town. Rauru, Impa, Nabooru and others praying to the Goddesses. A gigantic beast swinging swords duelling with a youth in green.
What is all this? I wondered. My hand froze. Goodness, this is awful! I snatched it back as if I'd been bitten.
In that mere second of hesitation, I saw small, shimmering fingers tap the Triforce.
"The world is how it should be," she said. "I don't wanna change a single thing."
"No!"
The three triangles stopped spinning. They joined together creating the famous insignia carved on temples, tiles and dungeons across Hyrule. A sunburst blinded me. Golden rays shot out like arrows in all directions.
I couldn't stand that mischievous smile. "Why did you do that? You've thrown it away!"
"You're so stubborn," Yasei chided, although her voice was soft as a lullaby. "I just want you to be happy."
"Not without you, my dear."
"Then make others happy. Make others happy until you can be happy again."
Spots of light hung in the air. I blinked at fading green eyes. I kept looking. Even when I could no longer see them, I squinted.
If I look hard enough, they'll come back.
They never did. I do see those eyes, however, when I go to sleep. I still believe there was some hidden message within them. Something else Yasei tried to tell me.
"Be happy? Be happy?" Laughter and snot came from nowhere. I swiped it away.
How many hours did I stand there staring? I don't know. Even when growls erupted from my stomach, I couldn't muster any motivation. Food seemed irrelevant.
When the mask fell from the sky and landed unceremoniously on the ground, I jumped back. Half of me wanted to rush and pick it up. To examine the shape, texture and fine detail. But then I remembered the cost.
Suddenly, my desire turned to dust. The air had grown cool and my nose tingled. Wrapping arms around myself, my body rocked gently.
"That girl. She would have made a much better apprentice than you."
I swallowed back tears. "Is that you, Akisin?"
"Yeah, it's me. Been a while. Guess I owe you a few answers."
"With all due respect, I'm not interested."
Akisin took out her silver hammer. "Ha, little brat. You talkin' like you have a choice. You'll listen alright or I'll smash that mask to bloody pieces."
Author note: This was a tough chapter to write in honesty. I've been gearing up for these events for quite a while, but to actually reach that point hit hard!
If anyone is suffering from a loss, much love. It sucks. But a person is only forgotten when people stop thinking about them. x