The Man Behind the Masks

Chapter 22

Whilst recovering after the Interloper War, I often woke in a cold sweat. Stuck in a fuzzy haze between reality and nightmare, I would throw open the doors and step out into the night of Castle Town. As I looked up at the dark sky and its infinite blanket of stars, it was the one thing that calmed me. I wrestled with questions about life and death beneath their bespangled beauty for hours. Weighing the cruelty of the world against its wonder.

Since my abrupt exit from the Spirit Temple, I had tumbled through this familiar starry sky but felt overwhelming unrest.

"Kavia! Kavia!" I didn't recognise my own voice. It sounded strange, warped. Why would she do that? Why?

My red harem pants blew up like a parachute, suggesting the notion of falling. And yet, the stomach lurch I expected did not come. I forced my head down and gasped. In my own mind, I merely saw the portal as a single gateway from one point to another. My thoughts were on the right lines, except, there were hundreds of them.

Forests, rivers and mountains flashed by as if trapped in paintings. Slow down! I thought and my body responded. No longer being pulled along, I jerked to a stop in mid-air and attempted to get my bearings. A sweet smell drew me to one open door, there were sprawling purple flowers of a wisteria. Snowflakes fell gently from another. A strange movement caught my eye, something white clung upside down to the rock formation nearby. It gurgled as it slugged forward.

"Chuchu?" I couldn't believe my eyes. Mrs Kibishi, my old school teacher, had shown me pictures of them in an encyclopaedia once. There were other creatures too; a colony of keese with horrid red eyes and something else. "By Hyrule…"

They were the largest 'birds' I had ever seen if you could call them that. Their jaw dropping wingspan accentuated their golden feathers; edges dipped in iridescent hues. Within the flock, some were the size of an average man. The younglings were smaller and stayed close to the elders. One of the larger females came swooping by.

"Goodness, now who might you be? I am sure you know that travel between dimensions alone is very ill advised."

"Travel between dimensions?" I scratched my head. "My apologies, I'm new to all this."

The bird woman had a kindly face and smiled. "I see, my name is Elrora, chieftess of the Watarara tribe. We migrate to Hyrule once a year to ride the seasonal wind to our nesting spot."

"Oh, my name is Ronri Okane, humble mask salesman. Pleased to make your acquaintance." I offered my hand, then seeing the chieftess still flapping her wings, quickly put it down again.

"So, what brings you here, Ronri?"

"In truth, escaping." Elrora's feathered brow furrowed slightly. "We were attacked and…Ah yes, I must tell King Hyrule about that shadow beast as well. Then again, I have to find Yasei and Kilton first." I peered out into the playground for the bizarre, scanning for any sign of them. "Elrora, please, could you… Would you help me?"

As it turned out, the Watarara were decent folk. Elrora even sent one of her body guards, Guufo, to search for my friends. In the meantime, she perched quite happily on an apple tree as the leaves rustled. She had two black tribal marks above her beak and sapphire blue eyes. The energy coming from her was strong and warm, not suffocating like Ganondorf.

"Now then," she said, "you have the power to open gateways, yes?" I nodded. "In order to travel along these corridors, you need only choose a destination and imagine it clearly in your mind. It may take a little practice, are you willing to try?"

"It would be foolish to turn down a lesson from a mentor. Although, you still seem surprised to see me. Is it uncommon for Hylians to pass through here?"

Elrora gazed at me steadily. The same look I might add, that The Great Fairy had given all those years ago. "Very rare indeed," she said finally. "Now, shall we begin?"

It wasn't long before I'd opened doorways to Kawaranai, the Gerudo Fortress and Zora River. I didn't dare step inside, however, afraid that I might fall in again and drown. Portal transportation appeared to be a relatively easy concept to understand. Elrora explained about other possibilities such as visits to other realms and dimensions! I found it quite fascinating and could have asked questions forever.

Elrora also had warnings as any self-respecting teacher should. "Beware, for there are many creatures that move within these spaces. Some are not as friendly as I, and it would be unfortunate for you to be eaten, Ronri."

In the past I might have laughed at this, but I'd seen blood spilt by bokoblins. Stalchildren, tektites, leevers and peahats all seeking to maim and destroy. Even Light Spirits battling sorcerers for control of the land.

"Don't fret for my sake, Elrora. My survival instincts have been finely tuned. I am especially wary of approaching monsters with no good reason. Besides, Yasei is very capable with a bow and Kilton has no trouble holding his own."

"You're very fond of them, aren't you?" she said. "I'm glad." These words seemed laced with a sadness I didn't understand. "This Ganondorf you speak of, Akisin has mentioned him before. In time, he will become a great danger to all the races of Hyrule."

"Wait, you know Akisin? Akisin Daiku? Elderly lady - wears breeches and carries a hammer?"

"Of course, you're both –"

"She's alive?" I clapped my hands together with glee. It had been two years since the carpenter had disappeared. I could never find the slightest whiff of information about her. "Where is she?"

Elrora's graceful features became troubled. "She is well, regretfully, I am unsure about her current whereabouts. Akisin has always…She comes and goes you see." Suddenly, the Watarara chieftess stood tall and craned her long neck towards the south. "It appears Guufo has located your companions. Shall we go to greet them?"

Selfishly, I wanted to ask more about Akisin. I wanted to know why she left. I wanted to yell at her for making Guru-Guru and I worried sick. But all that could wait.

The owl like Watarara's expression was one akin to a parent answering endless questions from a curious child. His talons carried a squirming Kilton as Yasei sat atop his back wearing a great big smile.

"So, Mr Guufo, I can secure pearls, two sets of coral earrings, twenty board foot of rose wood, a dozen swift violets and a yard of green ribbon. Tell me more about this amethyst stone, the nobles are going to love it."

"Miss Muryō, as I said before, I must clear any purchases with the Chieftess," he grumbled.

I laughed; my friend's lovely brown hair unravelled from the braids keeping it in check. Her white robe a hodgepodge collage of dust and dirt. Despite this, her passion for trade never slept.

"Hey, Ronri!" She leapt from Guufo and tried to smother me in a bear hug. Her attempts were slightly awkward as she still wore chains. "I shouldn't have doubted you; this place is amazing. I could make a killing here with a whole new clientele."

"Hmm, and how do you plan to fulfil any orders?"

Yasei tickled the thick fur under Kilton's chin. His wet nose pushed at her hand demanding more. "Well, any good business owner keeps some stock for emergencies. A quick word with Tilo and it will all be sorted, trust me."

The name rang a bell. "Tilo, your Zora contact?"

"That's right. We just need to reach Lake Hylia; can you get us there? Pretty pleeeeease? The sooner I make a profit, the sooner we get up and running again."

"Honestly, can't you think about anything else? We were almost blown to bits in that temple. If it weren't for Kavia…" my voice trailed away. Visions of blood, stained on a dark steel blade came unbidden into my mind. I don't know how, but I truly hope that by some small mercy the Sand Goddess saved her.

Years later I discovered the horrifying truth. When Link mentioned something disturbing about the Iron Knuckles he'd fought at the Spirit Temple. Who is Link, you ask? Ah, I'm getting ahead of myself, apologies.

Yasei's face fell. "Yeah, I know. She was alright - for a Gerudo. But I can't forgive her for wrecking my Trading Dragon. That wagon meant everything to me."

That's not her fault, I thought. Speaking such words may have been the truth, however, it wouldn't change the situation. "I'll get you to Lake Hylia, I promise. It will involve the use of magic though and I assumed…" I scratched my head awkwardly. "Well, that you hate it."

"When did I say that?"

I crossed my arms and sighed. "When we left Castle Town."

"I didn't," she protested.

Kilton barked. His honest blue eyes scowled. Even he knew she most certainly had.

Good boy, I'll give you a biscuit later.

"You said, and I quote: nothing good ever came from magic. It messes with your head and hurts people."

She blew a raspberry. "Fine, I remember saying something dumb like that. No wonder you lied. I forced you into that, didn't I? Sorry."

"You don't mind?" I asked. My shoulders sagged as I clasped her warm hands.

She blushed. "No, I don't mind because it's you. You'd never use your magic for evil."

Oh, my dearest Yasei, if only you knew.

A strong gust caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. Elrora and Guufo exchanged knowing looks.

"We need to leave immediately," the Chieftess said. Her tone became serious. "It could be him."

"Him?" I repeated.

Elrora ruffled her feathers. "Long ago, there were eight powerful dragons. They refused to live in peace with mankind. Villages were laid to waste and fair maidens kidnapped to be eaten at leisure."

I couldn't believe what I heard and yet, I knew she wasn't lying. Hyrule possessed so many monsters. I had seen a great number of them for myself.

Yasei's ears wiggled. "A dragon?"

"Yes, a hero came forth with the courage to fight back." Elrora continued. "He wielded both the tomahawk and sword, smiting down each dragon that had hidden itself inside a deadly labyrinth."

"Ah ha, one survived?" Yasei rubbed her hands together. "Oh, just think of what I could get for some dragon's teeth or a horn!"

"Don't even think about it," I snapped, to which she pouted.

"Split into formation seven," Guufo commanded as the Watarara took fight. "Each squad takes their share of younglings and keep together. No one is to be left behind. We'll take the portal to Lake Hylia, be ready to descend. Hylian, make sure your party is ready."

My body reacted to this new energy, coming at speed. Such immense size overpowered everything it came into contact with. It was disorientating to feel the life force of another creature. The more it happened, the more the violation knocked me for a loop. Goodness knows what my power felt or smelt like to another magical being.

"This energy…It reminds me of when Lanayru battled with Azamuku on Hyrule Field," I said to no one in particular. A hand pressed my shoulder.

"Ronri?"

"Even they had their reasons and motives. This energy is restless. It's primal, savage and uncontrollable." I knelt down; my arms clamped around my stomach. Short breaths became gasps.

"Hey, you're thinking too much again, aren't you?" Something shook my shoulders violently. "What have I told you, moron?"

My eyes snapped open at once. "Yes, yes! Enough! Enough!"

The shaking ceased. Yasei pressed a kiss to my forehead and smiled.

Oh!

"What was that for?"

Her eyelashes looked impossibly long from this angle. "Because you don't have my hero mask." She chuckled. "I want you to remember though, I've still got your back."

Her confidence instilled a little courage inside my cowardly heart. Such a sweet memory, but I must focus. In all seriousness, how in Ganon do we survive a dragon attack?