Chapter 37
The Sorrow
"So, this is it," Link said, calming the horse's stride. "We made it. This is the place."
"Are you sure, I don't see anyone?" Zelda inquired, leaning beside him.
"Yeah, he should be here somewhere...I told him to stay put until the army arrived..." Link replied, sliding off the horse leaving her and Kelcifer to watch as he investigated the nearby ruins beneath the foot of the castle walls. In addition, the princess loosened her boots from the straddles she sat in and slid off to also search for his long lost friend along side him.
The wizard remained cautiously optimistic while Sylmoor waited. They both remained by the horses as Link frantically surveyed the whole area.
"I mean... I told him to stay here... to stay hidden, before the battle, he isn't-"
A startling and sudden shriek rang out, echoing far and wide. A death cry unlike any Link had ever heard before, one that sent shivers of sheer terror down his spine and sunk his heart into his chest.
Zelda screamed. And when the knight of no banners turned to find her he was met with an unimaginable harrowing sight.
In one swift motion Link wrapped Zelda in his arms, to contain her from her fright. The scene before her was one that no princess should ever have to endure. She had found something or better yet, somebody, hidden in the shadows.
A mutilated soldier's corpse. Not only one, but two lay cold as stone before her feet. They were drenched in their own blood, their extremities torn and defiled, left defeated upon the ground. Above them smeared across a stone wall were crudely crafted markings soaked in blood which formed defaming insignias and ill-versed incantations serving as sanctimonious offerings to their Dark Lord. Doomed to be sad, lifeless statues in Zelda's eyes. Now destined to serve as a constant reminder of the peril she put them in.
Link gripped Zelda from behind, lifted her off her feet as the hurricane of emotion overwhelmed her. The gut wrenching grief overcame all her senses and she fought back Link by sheer reflex. The memories of previous massacres by the calamity one hundred years ago flash-backed in her mind. All those poor souls whose fate never stood a chance shook her to her core, and for the first time in a long time, the poor girl broke down and forgot her regal stature.
Link held her tight even after she initially kicked and wailed at the sight of them before she could calm herself. His hand gently poised over her shivering mouth while she cried at the image of the two bodies. And all he could think to do was comfort her. He didn't care who saw. All he cared about was her.
"Shh, it's alright...It's alright... look at me, just look at me... it's alright." he said, easing her saddened soul. "It's alright.. Zelda... I'm here, with you."
She forced her emotions into compliance and collected herself while he still held her in his embrace and turned to face him, eyes red with tears.
"Oh, Link... I'm so sorry...It's my fault... I sent them to their doom! It's all because of me...All because I couldn't harness this cursed power in time! How could I ever seek forgiveness in their families eyes? It shouldn't have come to this! Curse my weak use of my forbearer's strength...If only..."
"If only Ganon," Link finished for her.
Zelda choked at the mention, her face returning from the sobs into his tunic to glance into his soothing eyes. He continued. "If only Ganon never came to us...None of this would have happened."
He then leaned back from their hug and braced her shoulders gently with his hands and gazed sweetly into her eyes, speaking stern. "Zelda, you are not to blame for this...You hear me? Ganon did this...
"If you want to blame anyone for this, blame him."
"But, it didn't have to be this way...I could have been stronger, I could have—"
"But it did happen this way. Zelda, this isn't your fault. They were soldiers. This is war... They knew what they had to do. This is what they signed up for...You can't be responsible for everyone's fate."
"I'm so sorry for your companions Link...Forgive me," she said, wiping away the sniff.
"There's nothing to forgive. Evil has been vanquished...and that's all thanks to you. If it weren't for you, we'd all be dead men."
Sylmoor coughed delicately and tiptoed closer. "He's right your highness...You were the last hope we had left. And from what I can tell, and even more from what I've seen, you're everything that was promised by the old legends."
Zelda nodded softly, easing back from Link's embrace, remembering that she had to be strong for her people now.
The knight spoke up. "I think...I think I should gather up the bodies. They at least deserve a soldier's rest."
He then let go of her completely and turned to face them. "Though, they will have to ride the horse we have. I don't mean for it to be a burden."
Zelda rose up and nodded with a firm affirmation.
Link then stepped lightly away from her and down some steps to where they were when Kelcifer interrupted. "That my friend, isn't entirely true."
All three of them spun to face the man who up until now had remained mysteriously quiet on the matter. Zelda, Link, and Sylmoor eyed him with an inquisitive glance. What did he mean?
The Wizard offered up a smile from under his hood before revealing his face from underneath. "Yes, there is another way. Seeing that the life that once filled them has been drained, I can offer up at least one more miracle—and don't you fret princess, this won't have any ill effect for your friend who I still intend to restore."
Zelda's eyes opened up and she was stunned. "But, how? What do you mean?"
"I don't want to sound cold, but with their souls no longer within their flesh, I have the ability to transpire them through the Aether with little to no drain on my power."
Zelda gulped. "Y-you can do that?"
"Yes, now where should I move them to? I promise I will transcend them with the upmost care. You have my word."
Link spoke up. "I...I don't know. But, what I do know is that they deserve to go home. Their loved ones deserve a final farewell."
"Then perhaps this will suffice for the time being—"
And as Kelcifer leapt forward and waved his hands, a horn trumpeted nearby. This time heralding the arrival of Simon, Taleran and several of their cohorts. The retinue rode in along the main path adjacent to the nearby alleyway where they were all standing.
"There you are! We almost lost sight of you dear princess. We noticed you turned course and went back toward the innards of the city, I wanted—"
"Simon? What are you doing here? What of the castle?" Zelda said, interrupting his arrival.
The proud lord leapt off, presented himself off his steed and cleared his throat. "The castle will be secured. I assure you my dear. My top men are on it as we speak. Even that slippery Zora Prince you're all friends with is even helping. I wanted—" Simon paused, realizing the grizzly scene he had stumbled upon.
There he and the others saw the two desecrated bodies and the Wizard who was poised to perform his magic. "I...I wanted..." The distraction of which twisted his tongue momentarily and then after gazing to the bodies once more and back up to the troubled princess, he continued. "Who? Who were they?"
"Friends..." Zelda said softly, hanging her head low.
"I see..." Simon then fixed some non important detail on his uniform, and thought carefully of what he should say next."What-what were their names?"
Link glanced up at him whilst he was still addressing Zelda and spoke on behalf of them. "Dimm and Bjorn...Dimm and Bjorn," he finished, reiterating their names with a downcast attitude as he gazed upon their lifeless bodies.
The proud lord cleared his throat and continued his words to the princess. "Well, I'll see to it that they are properly cared for. They were my soldiers and my men after all, and I'll make sure that we return back to camp they will have a proper soldier's send off. I'm-I'm sorry for you to have to have witnessed such a gruesome display."
"It's alright." Zelda whispered, head slowly turning to glance back at Link who stood as a statue near them. "But, just so you should know. Link is the one that you should be condoling. Not me. He was the one that knew them." She finished, turning away, hugging her arms in solemn contemplation.
Simon glanced at Link and met him square in the eye. "Hmmm... Well, for that, I'm sorry lad. Your friends and their sacrifice was for the good of the realm and they served their princess well. Never forget that. In fact, they've done more than anyone could have asked for. I mean that, truly."
Link was nearly taken aback. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined that man could ever be capable of showing the least bit of empathy. Especially that for a common soldier, no less.
So, he nodded at his kind gesture and Simon whistled for a nearby sentry. "You, be sure to take these men first and account them along with the rest of the fallen. And be extra careful with their bodies, you hear!? They deserve our respect. And if anything happens to them I should know of it, is that clear?"
The soldier beside him saluted and made haste to the dead.
The Wizard was caught by surprise by all that happened and lowered his arms. "Well, then princess it would seem that your wish has been granted. Even if it wasn't by my hand."
"It is well...Thanks Kelcifer. We should make our way back to camp then. Riju needs us now. We mustn't hesitate any further."
"It will be done according to your wishes."
Link boosted Zelda back up to the saddle and jumped beside her. "Let us be off. There's been enough bloodshed this day. Let's not delay to cause any more." He said, finishing with a firm jerk to the horse reins along with a swift kick and yell.
Mid-afternoon was rapidly approaching and they would be in camp shortly. After trekking beyond the walls to the great city and to the open plains of Hyrule, the stench of decay had finally wained.
On these grassy hills one could even pretend that there never was a war at all. The breeze was so soothing against their faces it danced atop the hillsides and shimmered across grass. As they trotted along, Zelda stared above through the clouds to the simmering sun as it sank into the west, melting peaceful rays through scattered treetops. Even the little rivers they clopped through were glistening, teeming with life and the blooms of flowers for miles around dotted the hills with the color of the rainbow. Even the critters nearby had no recollection of what had just taken place. Hyrule's plains were saved from the Calamity.
That same calm breeze cast a warm blanket around them and the travelers began to feel optimistic that perhaps the worst was behind them. Most of all, to Zelda. Perhaps now, the storm has passed. She hoped.
But, tried as she might to entertain such notions, a rooted ache in her gut lingered on and made her question herself to the contrary. Riju.
Replacing the horizon, the white fabric of pitched tents were only feet away now. The band of liberators rode into camp victoriously. Roars of cheers of those waiting eagerly for the good news could be heard as they marched in. And when the last horse made it through the threshold of camp, they were met by a most unexpected, yet, beloved guest. Purah and an accompaniment of Shekiah swordsmen, along with the rest of Illiastar's troops surrounded them as they entered into their fold.
"Princess!" Called out the old woman enshrined in a young girl's body. "Princess! There you are! We were told you were no longer in the safety of camp!"
Link pulled on the horse and before he could do or say anything, Zelda had already slid off and bee-lined straight for the sheikah scientist.
The two collided into a hug and fell to the grass, embracing one another.
Purah exclaimed. "I'm so glad you're okay! We were so worried!"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I promise. It's Riju. That's who I'm worried about—"
The young scientist reprimanded her, interrupting the moment. "And what in the name of Hylia were you even thinking of going into battle? Don't you know how important you are?" She said, playfully slapping the shoulder of the princess. "Why, if anything were to happen to you, do you know what my sister would do to me!? Well, do ya!?" She finished with a grin, a tear falling from her eye.
Zelda smiled back, rubbing her swatted arm. "I can only imagine. So, that being said, were you really worried about me? Or more worried about what a sweet old lady might do?"
"She may be old, but she's as fierce as a lion that got drenched in an ice pool. Looks can be quite deceiving, ya know?"
Zelda laughed and Purah wiped away her cheek.
"And speaking of which, she should be here by the end of sunset. She wanted to be here earlier, but I insisted she delay, just in case any trouble were to arise with what was happening at the castle. Achy bones and slow moving joints aren't the things legends are made of I'm afraid. But, try telling her that!"
"But, I thought you said that with only just a quick drench she would be as fierce as a lion?"
Purah was taken aback and felt caught up in her stories. Zelda smiled and nodded. "I'm only teasing. And you're right. I wouldn't want to unnecessarily put anyone in danger. "
By surprise the wizard caught up to them and in a stern voice, interrupted. "It's time...princess..."
Zelda's brief smile faded away and her regal manner returned to nod at his request.
Purah glanced up. "Time? Time for what? Tea? Excuse me, but who are you again?"
Zelda answered for him, dusting her pants as she stood back up to her feet. "This here is Mister Kelcifer, friend to Lord Malifus of Draene and from what I've been told, a magician capable of the most profound abilities unknown to science."
"Reeeeally? 'Abilities' you say, do tell..." Purah questioned, glancing him from head to toe suspiciously, fixing her glasses for a better look with a heed of caution.
"Come, you will see. I have no secrets that are so mysterious that even a sheikah such as yourself cannot see." Kelcifer said, hand reaching out to her as she still sat on the ground.
"I can manage on my own, thank you," Purah said, shooing his friendly hand back.
"It's fine Purah, he only means to help us." Zelda explained, letting out an embarrassed laugh.
"If you say so." Purah confessed not before having another say on the matter with a stiff finger raised as she stood up. "But know this, no hoodoo-voodoo nonsense, ya hear! I can sniff that sort of horse hooey a mile away!"
Kelcifer let out a lighthearted laugh, wearing a wide eyed smile. "I bet you can! After all, I've heard so many wonderful and talented things about you."
"Really, that's interesting, because likewise, I've heard absolutely nothing about you."
Kelcifer could only chuckle softly as Zelda nudged Purah to behave herself before their new guest among them.
The Wizard coughed into his fist, daring to erase the line between science and superstition. "Well, hopefully today I may be able to show you a glimpse of the skills I intend to offer on behalf of the kingdom. Perhaps, then that could ease some reservations you may have."
He then smiled at both of them and tilted his head at the princess for a point of direction. "Now, should we be off?"
"Most certainly." Finished Purah before Zelda could reply.
Link and the others had dismounted during this time and made short work of marching away beside them.
The camp was bustling with orderly chaos. Captains were hollering orders of every which kind to their subordinates. Whether that was to relocate wounded or to gather supplies and ready them for use. Men scattered to try and fulfill each one of them. The war may have been over but the repercussions of which would be felt for days to come.
Zelda's gut wrenching feeling intensified as they approached. The final fold to the infirmary tent flapped open and it was her turn to step through it. This was it. Make or break, Riju must be saved. At all costs. Please.
One by one each of them piled into the tent. Sylmoor couldn't wait and made such dizzying speed over to a medicine cabinet you'd think he was a blurred phantom.
"Oh, goddess, please, please let it be so!" The young lord cried out, rummaging through each ledge of the cabinet, fussing through every vile and bottle that sat in there.
A nurse stomped beside him, catching him in the act. "And what do you think you are doing!? These medicines are for the ill—"
Sylmoor snapped over his shoulder. "Do I look well to you!?"
The lady just stood stunned by his posturing.
"That's what I thought! And seeing as I am your lord, you ought not to worry about what I do!"
"I wouldn't drink that if I were you—"
But, it was too late. Sylmoor had drained the whole vile down his parched throat. A taste of which he couldn't live without, or so he desperately thought.
"Ah, that's better...Nothing like a little..." he said, but couldn't finish without a burp and a series of hiccups overcoming him.
He then spun the bottle in his hand and wiped away the label to have a better look. The first part that wasn't covered in dust read Milk. One he'd hope would be a fine assortment of Romani's brew. The finest drink in all the land.
The nurse mocked with an agitated snicker. "That's not the Milk of satisfaction which you crave. That is the Milk of Deliria!" She huffed, and then stomped again. "But, I reckon what you really need is the Milk of better judgement!"
Sylmoor froze. The frothy liquid swelled in his belly and bubbled up. With his face pale, a sudden surge of sour gulp shot up his throat and he felt the urge of a volcano. He was going to be sick.
During all this the others just waited amazed at how careless he could be at times. Desperate even. Zelda wanted to smile, but the grave circumstance before her was more important. She wasn't in the mood for laughs.
The nurse then spun to address the others as to their friend's precarious situation he was now in. "I'm sorry everyone, but he will be just fine. You'll see. I have just the tonic that will remedy him."
"No! No tonic." Sylmoor cried out, forcing himself to swallow the nasty gulp that filled his mouth. "I'll be alright. A little of that brew is nothing for my iron stomach. You'll see!"
"Suit yourself. Don't come crying to me when you start to see sheep speak."
"I won't madam." Sylmoor said, letting out a groan. "My goddess, if your beside manner is what these poor souls have to endure for comfort, it's a miracle they're even still alive."
"Sylmoor!" Zelda chastised from afar, thinking of Riju and the grim circumstance she was in.
"Sorry, my princess...I didn't mean...I mean, it's the milk talking...I'll go now..." Sylmoor finished, with a final hiccup on the matter before collapsing into a nearby chair to stew over his blundering.
Link tugged on Zelda's shirt. "Look, it's Buliara. She's resting over there. Beside Riju's bed. She hasn't moved this entire time..."
Zelda lit up with a faint flicker of hope and bolted over to them. As she approached with the others following closely behind, the doctor stepped in beside them. "I'm afraid your friend has fallen into a a deep coma."
"Buliara? But, how? She was fine when we left her." Sylmoor said, silently reappearing behind the group.
The doctor scolded. "No, you idiot. The young girl. Riju!"
"So-sorry..." Sylmoor hiccuped.
Zelda shot him a rolled-eye glance and then faced the doctor. "That being said, are we too late?"
The doctor leaned back, and everyone watched as he cupped his chin while he played with his white-aged mustache. His face went dour. "How could I lie to you...I'm sorry, but as science is concerned, yes, my dear...I'm afraid, there is no hope."
Hope. That was the one flickering word Zelda frantically clanged onto just moments ago, but with his final decree on the matter, the flame of which inside her burnt out.
Purah interjected. "And what would you know about science! You're just some apothecary from some podunk village. I bet that—"
"Madam, I would have you know I studied under the brotherhood guild of—"
"Enough already!" Zelda chastised. "I don't care. What is important now is if we have a chance at all. I don't care how she is saved, is that she is saved!"
The doctor humbled himself and bowed his head, offering his apologies for letting things get out of hand. "Forgive me your highness. What I mean is...We tried every medicine and procedure that we know of. From every physician's manual, script and tablet, none has reconciled her condition. There has been no effect. But, that doesn't mean there is no hope entirely. I misspoke earlier. I mean, if you have managed to call upon that wizard you all mentioned before, perhaps, then, the supernatural may have the answers which science is lacking—"
"And they have..." Kelcifer said, suddenly alerting them all to his presence. They nearly forgot he was there. He was so quiet up until now, standing behind each of them. He stepped forward. "...They have called upon me, and I shall answer them. Woe is to those who do not trust in the givings of this good earth. For in its soil lies the key to life and with that, good will, a revival."
Purah rolled her eyes as everyone else's was fixed on the Wizard's movements.
The doctor tip toed back. Perplexed. He never seen a real wizard before. Nor was he even sure this is who he imagined one would be, yet he was breathing tall before him now.
The doctor swallowed, glanced at Zelda, then to Link, Purah, down the list of faces and to finally Kelcifer. "Then she is in your hands now...May the goddesses be with you...Where we have failed."
"You didn't fail my good man. Why, if it weren't for your care she would have long passed before I could've arrived. Those who love her are in your debt."
The doctor smiled and Zelda turned to the wizard. "So does that mean, she can be saved?"
Kelcifer remained silent. He then did something they did not intend. He stepped lightly over to the sick girl who wrestled in torment in her bed, even as she slept. Her breathing was erratic, heart was racing, and pulses of sickening shivers racked her body. The sheets were drenched in cold sweat.
This was no peaceful sleep of dreams, but of a nightmare.
With a hover of his hands and a glistening light from his palm he unraveled the folds to her blankets and sheets that covered her. Revealing all to them the harrowing display and just how bad of condition she was in.
What seemed like black vines had wrapped her whole body. The sickness ran deep and glowed a putrid purple that flickered with a corrupted dark light. Zelda was now the one that felt like she was going to be sick. Ganon's influence was more than she could bare at times. Just being near to his presence made her choke in her throat. But, she swallowed it. For Riju's sake.
At that exact moment Buliara awoke. Surprised by some blurry apparition standing above her leader, full of fright, she instinctively raged out of her seat, unsheathing her sword at the unknown man that stood before her chieftan.
Zelda hollered. "Buliara! No! Wait!"
The vigilant Gerudo woman stopped mid-strike and dropped her blade to the ground. The ring of her scimitar to the floor even drew Sylmoor's attention who had long sat awake in his chair to watch from afar.
Zelda reiterated. "This is Kelcifer. He means peace. He is the one that was mentioned before. The Wizard. He has come to save Riju...come at last. So please, let him try..."
The princess then squeezed her hands into her bosom and faced Kelcifer again, on the verge begging. "Oh, can you? Will you?"
The wizard paused, evaluated the situation before him. There lingered a great moment. Nobody said a word. The air went thick and stale. Everyone was at a loss for words as they watched for what he would do. Buliara stood back and as the time slipped by. Link's patient wore thin and he stomped beside the princess at the Wizard. The first he ever has shown such behavior. "Well, can you? The princess needs an answer!"
He only offered the knight a stern glance. Then turned from facing him back to the sick dying girl."...This is ancient sorcery, quite powerful too..." he said, hovering his hand over her bare body as she lay.
"But, it's no matter. I shall easily vanquish the curse which racks her body in pain before you now. A life for a life is all that is needed for this simple deed. That and a form of payment. A single gold rupee is all I require in order to complete this task." Kelcifer finished, unfurling his cloak to hold his hands up high into the ceiling of the tent.
Simon had had enough. Enough of the procrastination, the posturing and his terms."Why, you no-good thieving charlatan! How dare you blackmail the Princess and hold her dying friend for ransom!"
"You misunderstand me my lord."
"No, I think I understand just fine! You intend to rob the princess blind for all she has! You don't really mean to ever do what she asks you to do. Just sap her for all her money until she is left without even the clothes on her backside!"
Sylmoor rose from his chair to defend the stranger. "Take it easy, brother; just pay the sum. It isn't that much."
"Maybe not to you brother. You can spend thrice as much in an evening, showboating and making a fool of yourself with those disgraceful friends of yours! But, to the rest of us, a gold rupee is quite the sum to waste and to this army. What's next? Does he intend to have the princess offer him a trunk brimming over with diamonds and Gerudo topaz as well!? This is ridiculous."
Zelda interrupted. She didn't care. "It's alright...Please, just pay him. I have the money."
"But, your Highness, you can't possibly give in to such demands?"
"Enough...I said pay him. I will pay any price if it means to save Riju's life...Even if I have to empty the entire castle treasury, I would do so in an instant if it means she lives. Money means nothing to me now...But, please, sir, please do it...Bring her back to us, I beg you."
Kelcifer lifted up his head to her and did a solemn bow. "It will be done as you say."
Simon relented and faced a nearby Starsguard sentry who stood beside him. "You, fetch a gold rupee from out of the trunk in my quarters. And be snappy about it! I will know if anything is missing too. So don't get any wise ideas or sticky fingers! If anything else is missing it will be you who will be missing a head by tonight!"
The man shook in fright and raced out of the tent.
Moments later the soldier returned. In his hand, carried a single, shiny gold rupee. Simon quickly snatched it from his grasp and plopped it in the hand of the Wizard who stood patiently waiting near Riju.
"There, are you ready now?" Simon huffed.
"Always..." Kelcifer smirked. "Now..." the wizard said, pausing to reach into his shirt pocket tucked under his cloak for a small jar. A blue crystal waited inside it. One the likes of which Zelda and the others have never seen before but seemed, familiar. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she swore she knew what it was. Or so, she wanted to believe or remember.
Purah watched with curious amazement. She too was at a loss of explanation. Nothing could have prepared her for something like this.
Without delay or waiting for explanation, Kelcifer raised up with one hand the blue dagger-like shard, stained with a dull crimson liquid and in his other hand, the rupee.
"And now, watch as two halves become whole. In one hand I give you the gift of heaven, the souling seed to create life on earth; and in the other, the power to move mountains and churn the seas. Together, they are the spark of divinity."
The wizard then stretched out first the glistening rupee and held it between his fingers for all to see. The luster of which lit up the room and all their faces reflected it's golden glow.
"Behold, locked inside these tiny precious gems is the power to perform marvelous wonders beyond your wildest imagination. Sealed away behind their shimmering jewels is the ever-present and luminescent light of fairies."
Zelda's mouth fell open and she lifted her hand to close her chin with a studious cuff. The curious child inside her awoke and she was spellbound. "I had no idea...Could such a thing really be possible?"
"All things are possible to the one who believes..." offered back kelcifer, before continuing.
A thought pierced Zelda's mind, instantly. It was his voice. Kelcifer. Why do you suppose they hold so much value to us? Where do you think that came from? Yes, you know what I say is true.
"I see now! That's it!"
Everyone spun to the voice hearkening back from the solemn chair that stood in the corner of the tent. It was Sylmoor. "I'm sorry your grace to intrude, but I think I understand this riddle. Yes. Rupees are the key! They always have been! Who would have thought!"
Zelda sneered slightly. "Really?"
"Yes, my princess! Rupees. It's no wonder they are worth anything at all!—Hiccup!"
"I see," replied Zelda. She couldn't help but let a tiny laugh escape her lips while watching his behavior. The princess then returned attention to Kelcifer. "I'm sorry sir, but he is quite drunk—"
"It is quite alright. I've come prepared for those who are weak in the knees and loose of tongue," said Kelcifer with a smile. "They too shall see wonders!"
The wizard then prepared his hands, rupee in one and the blue crystal dagger in the other. "And now, let us begin..."
Lights abound radiated and flowed from his hands. A brilliant golden electricity coursed from the rupee to shard and danced over head all of them. Everyone fell silent. The room was still as a summer's morning. Every eye fixed on the wave of his hand, Zelda most of all, was captured in curious imagination by his prowess.
Zelda was riveted by the display of such a performance, whether it be a spectacular illusionary trick or for real. Her eager eyes followed every wave of his hand, every dance he stepped, and she heard every word he uttered from his lips. All in an attempt to record the art of his incantation to commit it to memory so she may study it later.
Under his breath he whispered in an inaudible speech that they could barely hear. The room suddenly went silent. Time slipped by and every candle blew out. They were left in the darkness of the tent. Even though sunlight outside could still radiate from underneath the flaps.
Zelda shook her head of the wonder and felt a bit curious as to why nothing happened. So, she stepped forward to inquire but as she did, possessed like a wild spirit, Kelcifer's eyes rolled back and the two artifacts collided into his hands. A storm of wind whirled around them. The room blew harsh and the flaps of the tent whistled violently. A surge of power consumed each one of them. There was no going back now. Zelda turned and cleaved onto the safety of Link's chest. Zelda shivered against him, wind roaring. "Oh, Link, will it work?"
Link fought away the blinding breeze that slapped against them. "We must trust! Trust in him! We haven't any choice!"
In that moment as all despaired, the winds raged and the tent came undone, but as when all hope seemed lost, Kelcifer's eyes returned to their true order.
"NOW!" The wizard called.
Like a trumpet from heaven, the fused, scorching, glimmering, artifacts shot from his hand and encapsulated Riju who lay in her bed. The power swirled around her in terrific light. The force of which shot back everyone who dared to watch from her bedside.
"And now...Awake...!" Shouted Kelcifer. " Now...begone!"
Zelda gripped Link tighter and braced against him. The others clang onto each-other loosely as they attempted to watch. And then...There was silence...And when Zelda opened her eyes she was met with an unimaginable surprise.
Authors Notes- Next bit this week! Let's go! As always, let me know your thoughts! : ) Love you all, and stay well wherever you are in Hyrule!