**At Hyrule Castle** "Where's that girl?" Impa wondered. "Always late...she's always late. I wonder if she ever sleeps at night." It was almost noon and there was no sign of Zelda...at least in the kitchen. Impa was tired of climbing up the lengthy stairway just to wake the sleeping princess.
"Everyday, the same thing happens." Impa stopped what she was doing. Toast, bacon, muffins, and other scrumptious food filled the air with a tasty aroma. She enjoys cooking for the princess and loves seeing the look on Zelda's face when she sees her delightful breakfast. When Link came it was double the pleasure in seeing them both so happy and hungry.
"Looks like I'm going to crawl up these stairs, again." She began climbing the steps when Zelda came rushing down almost running directly into Impa.
"Impa! I'm sorry I'm late." Said Zelda who was a little out of breath. " I just haven't been sleeping well. The weirdest thing happened yesterday. I was just about to sleep when this strange blue light appeared out of nowhere. It lit my whole room and I can't figure out what it was."
"Hmm...you don't say. Princess, you must have been dreaming." Impa said.
"Maybe, but it was so real. I don't think it could have been a dream." Zelda looked down dismayed. She wasn't sure anymore if the blue light was real or not.
"Princess, I told you to come early. Today is special."
"Why? Is it not like any other day?
"No, today I have a gift for you."
"Oh...Impa! You need not give me gifts. Besides what could you possibly give me that I don't already have? You've given me so much," said Zelda seemingly uninterested in receiving the gift. But with a quick change of attitude, those blue orbs of hers glittered like stars. "Sooo, what is it? And why today?" she asked with much enthusiasm. She was now thrilled to see what Impa had for her.
"I'm not telling you, yet. First, you have to eat breakfast before it gets cold," replied Zelda.
"Oh, all right," pouted Zelda.
"Is Link coming?"
"He should be coming a little after noon. We're supposed to have a competition in archery. He wanted ANOTHER rematch." Zelda giggled, her voice chimed like bells.
"Is that so?"
"Uh huh." She laughed again.
"Okay, enough. Eat." Zelda started devouring the hearty feast. Soon, she was finished, her stomach satisfied with the delicious meal.
" For a slender girl, you sure do eat a lot," said Impa. Zelda smiled. "That is what exercise is for, dear, dear Impa." She grabbed a hot muffin and munched. The soft warm muffin melted on her moist tongue. "Yum...heavenly. Anyway, I exercise therefore I stuff myself with this glorious food." The nursemaid laughed at this. Then to Impa's surprise, Zelda grabbed, yet, another muffin.
"Aren't you full? Zelda, I swear you eat more than that young lad."
"Who? You mean Link? Don't accuse me of such a thing. You have not seen him eat until he's out of your kitchen. He just doesn't want to be rude and gorge up all our food. You should see him eat at an inn. He's always running around so he stuffs himself with trice as much food as I do."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
"Oh...so you won't take my word for it? Have I lost all my credibility? Oh no!!" dramatized Zelda. She plopped to the floor pretending to cry.
"You're so silly. Now about today. Why is it special you asked? Every year on this day the Sheikah celebrate The Coming. It is-"
"The Coming of what?"
"Well...I was about to tell you. No more interruptions, please. The Coming is a day when the eldest child of a family becomes of age. In other words, the eldest child becomes 17, a young adult. When he or she becomes of age or is of this age on this day a special heirloom is given to him or her. And now I present this gift to you." The Sheikan woman handed Zelda a large golden box. A red silk ribbon held the box securely.
"Go ahead and open it, Zelda."
"Oh...Impa," Zelda said, almost a whisper. "I-I can't accept this. I'm not a Sheikah and this is a Sheikan holiday."
"Zelda, I have no children and you're the closest to one I'll ever have. You're like a daughter to me. Please, take it or the tradition will end here." pleaded Impa. Tears streamed from Zelda's eyes. She was overwhelmed with love for the woman.
"Impa, I'm so grateful to have you. You're like a mother to me. I don't know what I would do without you." Zelda hugged her nursemaid. "Shall I?" The princess's eyes were directed at the box.
"Of course, open it." Zelda gently untied the ribbon and lifted the cover. She gasped at what she saw.
"Impa, this bow, it's beautiful!" She cried. Indeed it was. The bow was made of solid sterling silver. At each end, the silver coiled into a spiral and was tipped with three golden triangles. A red leather grip was centered across the bow. Engravings of names of those who carried the bow where imprinted into its shiny surface. Its silver string was made of threaded silk.
"One problem, though. How do you expect me to lift this with one arm. It's made of heavy silver."
"Things aren't always what they seem, Zelda. You see, I now give this to you, and as its rightful owner, no one else can use it. Pick it up with one hand." Zelda did and was amazed. She held the bow with great ease. She glanced at Impa with a look of confusion.
"How could I carry it so easily? I'm strong but not this strong!"
"That's different? The princess just insulted herself." Impa smiled.
"Answers. I need answers, Impa."
"Okay. It chose you, Zelda, pure of heart and right of age. No one can string it, pull it nor even hold it with as much ease as you. For you, it is as light as any other bow. For others, it weighs as heavy as a boulder. That's not all there is to this bow. Any arrow shot from this bow will become 10 times more powerful. Look at it now. Your name has imprinted itself on the bow. It now belongs to you. I can no longer use it, myself." She then returned to her duties in the kitchen.
"Wow." said Zelda who was so amazed. "Thank you so much, Impa. I love it. I'm going to practice with it in the archery range." She headed for the door. "Okay," said Impa, not paying attention. Soon, she realized what Zelda had said and raced after her to the range. She reached the area but it was too late. Zelda had already release an arrow off the enchanted bow. It shot through the air like lightning and struck its target. But it did not stop there. It went through the target board (which was already thick enough) and through the stone wall. Zelda's eyes widened. She looked at her target for a moment, gazed back at Impa, then back at her target again. She went to the wall and peeked through the hole the arrow had made.
"I hope no one was out there." She was wrong... There on the wooden drawbridge was a familiar green cap. Below it, was a dumbfounded Link or what appeared to be Link.
"Are they trying to kill me? Has my plan been foiled...again? Do they know I am not what I seem?" All these thoughts raced through Ganondorf's mind and his eyes narrowed down to slits. He would just kill her now and look for the ocarina himself even if it took years to find the thing. Just, how did they know already?
"Oh my goodness! Link! I'm so sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you," apologized the princess. She ruffled his hair checking for any wounds. (For those who don't remember, this is Ganondorf who previously morphed into Link)
Ganondorf breathe a sigh of relief. "She doesn't know. This is good! I won't have to search for that ocarina," he thought. Then, he spoke, "I'm fine, Princess. Just a bit startled. What is that odd-looking bow?"
"Huh? Oh, it's my new bow. I received it from Impa. It makes any arrow 10 times stronger. Want to try it?" She smiled and was about to giggle, knowing that Link shouldn't be able to hold it if Impa's words proved true.
"Uh...not really," Ganondorf replied. Zelda frowned at his response. What was wrong with him? She remembered Link was always into new weaponry, especially ones that held great power. In fact, he would be begging to use her bow seeing as to how much damage it could cause. To Link, weapons were like toys. Toys that little children loved playing with.
"Zelda, I was wondering. Where did you put your ocarina?" Ganondorf asked nervously.
"Some place where no one will ever find it," answered Zelda. "Why?" "I...uh...I sense something's wrong, don't you?"
"Well...now that you mentioned it. Yesterday, I did. I had this weird feeling you were in danger last night but you're here so everything's fine, now." Ganondorf smirked.
"What's so funny?" Zelda asked.
"Uh-Uh nothing." Ganondorf answered.
"Something's funny and you won't tell me. What do you find so humorous? My dress? Well, ha ha," she said sarcastically. "You know what? Today, you have no chance at beating me in archery."
"Archery?" gulped Ganondorf. He couldn't aim with that weird instrument let alone use one. Why use these useless toys when you can use sorcery?
"What's wrong, Link? Feel a little hesitant? Afraid you'll just lose again?"
"Zelda! Zelda!" a voice called.
"Father?" Zelda replied sheepishly.
"Zelda, where have you been? I've been looking for you. You were supposed to help me with my duties. Remember? Someday, you'll be queen and I want you to be the most loved by our people."
"Father, can we do these tomorrow?"
"No, tomorrow, I'm embarking on a trip to visit Aronia. I'm making an alliance with King Garrius. You'll be staying here to take care of Hyrule's problems for about a week or so. It'll be practice for your reign in the future. So the sooner we start today the better."
"Okay," Zelda said reluctantly. "Sorry, Link. Looks like the rematch will be tomorrow."
"Oh, that's no problem at all." As Zelda turned, Ganondorf's blue eyes glared, turning into it's real sinisterly becoming temporarily black. That would be a day wasted and he could do nothing or else she would sense him. If ever she found out, it would be likely that she would defy him and never tell him where she hid the ocarina.
"Tomorrow, then," he whispered with hatred.
**11:00 PM at Hyrule Castle**
*Yawn* "I'm so tired, " said a sleepy Zelda. The king was leaving tomorrow and it was her duty to fill I for him. She left the library office and headed towards her room upstairs.
"Zelda," said Ganondorf who was still in the false body of Link. The princess jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Huh? Link, is that you?" She wasn't sure his if it him. If it was Link's voice it sounded somehow different.
"Of course, it's me."
"Did you stay here all day?"
"Yeah, looks like I'm staying here at night also. You don't mind, do you?"
"No, just sleep in one of our guest rooms."
"Where?"
"You don't remember? It's down this hallway to the left." Zelda glanced at Link. Something was different about him. She, then, shrugged the feeling off. It was probably nothing. This was her best friend whom she loved for the longest time. He's maybe a little disappointed about not having their little rematch. She turned, walking towards the stairs.
"Zelda, where did you put the ocarina? I really believe there's something wrong. I might need the sword," said Ganondorf, attempting to persuade her.
"I don't sense anything, Link. Anyway, I should be the first to know. You're probably having flashbacks of the past. It was at this time that seven years ago you defeated Ganondorf and your memories of the battle seemed to have enhanced."
"Why don't you listen to me?!!" Ganondorf shouted, his soft whispers replaced by thunderous anger. Zelda stared at him with wide eyes. Link never talked to her, let alone scream at her in that tone of voice. It hurt her to be shouted at this way and it angered her, also.
"You have no right to talk like that to me. Apologize to me, this instance!!" she demanded.
"Zelda...what's wrong" asked a worried voice across the hall. A woman stepped out of a shadow. It was Impa.
"I, uh, was telling Link something," replied Zelda.
"Do you have to shout at him?" asked Impa.
"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what got into me. I just had these terrible headaches and memories of the past," interrupted Ganondorf in false remorse. He bowed his head low because his eyes shone black, again.
"It's okay, Link. I understand." responded Zelda, "Maybe all you need is a good night's sleep. Impa you may go, now. Thank you."
*Yawn* "I'll see you in the morning." Said Impa half-asleep. Zelda headed up the stairs as Ganondorf walked the opposite direction, muttering to himself.
"Foolish princess, if I could just kill you now, I would. But no...she had to hide that stupid ocarina from everyone including that dead boy to prevent wondering years from hearing where it could be. He laid onto the guestroom's bed, thinking...and soon he slept.
**Meanwhile in Ganondorf's Garden**
A strange event took place...life sprung within the dead earth in the southeast corner. A fresh white rose with lively green leaves laid delicately amongst the dusty soil. Devar keeping watch on the high tower wondered what it could be but was soon overcome with fatigue. Today, had been a long day for him, and he was ready to go to bed, which he indeed did, ignoring this puzzling quagmire.
**12:00 at night and all was quiet**
Ganon's minions were scattered across the cold stone floor in a drunken sleep. Their worst enemy had been killed and soon their dark heaven would sweep the prosperous land of Hyrule to the ground. They couldn't help but celebrate the new "holiday." Then, through the thin stale air, the presence of a strong spirit could be felt. A tiny star winged its way around the hideous creatures and into Ganon's garden bed of death. From the little star erupted a blazing white light. The outline of the spirit-being showed it was a young woman. The hair flowed like gentle river ripples and the face, although no clear features showed, was absolutely beautiful.
"Link...Link," she called, her voice was soft and gentle...and simply luring to the ears of lost souls. "Wake up, Link." Another spirit arose from a newly buried grave. He appeared to be sleeping against the dusty soil.
"Link," the voice, again, urged him to awaken. "Are you sleeping?" Hearing this, the spirit awakened.
"Well, Zel, let me think. No, I wasn't sleeping. I was just closing my eyes pretending to be asleep while having a nightmare," replied Link sarcastically while rubbing his tired eyes. He soon opened them with shocked. The figure of light rose before him and he looked at his foul surroundings.
"Uh...where am I?" He asked. His curiosity deepened but his courage hadn't yet begun to wither. "And who are you?"
"I am Ira, your guardian. I've come to aid you in your passage through the Celestian Fields. Don't worry. The journey is not that long." Link looked at his guardian in confusion. He stood up and dust himself.
"Is that not a resting place for the dead? Why would I have to go there unless...I'm...dead?" the young man choked. All of a sudden, memories of his last battle filled his already clouded mind. The cliff, the force pulling him down, the suffer, and Ganon. It all came rushing back to him so fast, too fast and it tormented him with insidious thoughts. *Ganon!! He's changed into me! That filthy devil! He's after Zelda...Zelda...* Visions of his beloved friend screaming and crying for her life seeped through his head and it tore his heart in pieces. Soon, he could bear the vision any longer.
"No!! Please tell me this is a dream. I thought it was my own nightmare. Tell me this is not real," he pleaded with the spirit.
Ira shook her head, "I'm sorry, Link. It is not a dream."
"I need to feel pain!" cried Link
"What?!"
"How will I figure out I'm not in some dream world of mine. I need to feel pain to find out if this is real." Link, frantically tried to grab a dead torny stem. However, his hand passed through like it was water and he stood there with the same bewilderment he had when Ganon had morphed into a mirror image of him.
"What did you expect, Link? That idea of bleeding to know your alive? Hmph! It's kinda hard to do when you're already dead."
"I-uh..." He began to stutter, unable to speak. His body trembled and his breath became raspy.
"Come. It is your time."
"I-I can't go. I have to save her!!" Link, suddenly broke out. Fear. How uncommon it was when he felt it. And when he felt it, he always seemed so lost. His courage was always the light that guided his way and saved him through the harsh times. Now, he didn't know what to do but simply argue against going to the Celestian Fields.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. Tonight, you must come. The goddesses, they call you and if I do not bring you, it is punishable."
"But Zelda's life is at stake. The fate of Hyrule is at stake! If I don't help them, what will become of our country, our world? Please, don't take me..."
"Link , you're nothing but an apparition...a ghost! You will not be able to warn your friends if you tried."
"That is not true! Ghost from the past have contacted the living. Have they not?"
"They have, but these times are different. No more arguments! Your coming with me." The white figure cast a spell opening a bright warp hole.
"Forget it!! I will do anything to help my friends." He turned in the opposite direction.
"For one who is loyal to his country and her royal highness, you are awfully defiant towards the goddesses who created your world."
"What would they do to me?"
"They could do a lot of things--"
"to me that would be terribly unjust," interrupted Link with unusual contempt . "Oh, I could see it now, I, the hero of time who committed no wrong doings, sent to live in the depths of a fiery h**l. Great! It'll just be like home with this continuous war with evil. But then again, the Celestian Fields would be same thing. Your paradise may beautiful, heavenly but it sure would feel like hell knowing Zelda is probably destined to die and I couldn't do anything about it to change that." Tears flowed from his once playful eyes. How could everything go so wrong?
"I promised Zelda, Guardian Ira, to protect her from that beast and to rid the world of Ganon if he came back. I can't anymore if my freedom is taken from me." He, then, closed his moisten eyes and dropped to his knees. He thought quietly to himself, "Hope. I running low on it." Ira watched him in pity at his desperation. Oh, how he loved to fight. He had so much courage and he does not realize it, now. Courage...it was the root of her admiration for him and she knew he would not easily give up. Somehow, it was right to take his side.
"The consequences are high for me, not you. I was selfish." Ira said. "It could possibly cost me my life. I'm not immortal, you know. At least not yet." She giggled but her emotions eventually succumbed to overwhelming sadness. "I'm sorry. I do care for you and will give you the sacred number of days to do what you must do here. That would be three days. After that, no more protest. You will come to the Celestian Fields no matter the outcome. Remember, Link, three days." The lighted figure, then, minimized to the same little star she was in the beginning and flew out into midnight air.
"Three days...only?" Linked he repeated worriedly. " Hopefully, that'll be enough." He was dead and questions raced through his mind. Could people see him? Could they hear him? If not, how would he reach them? Already, his first question was answered when a walking zombie pass through him. Link shivered at the chilling sensation of the redead going through his body.
"So cold. Brrr..." His teeth chattered. The sensation was different from anything he ever felt. Not only did his body feel icy, it also felt evil.
"I really must be going." Link walked over the door and brought out his fingers to touch it. Like before, his hand passed through, then his arm, and then his whole body. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the barrier surrounding the walls of the dead garden.
"Please," he prayed, "let me pass through." And so he did also through the fortress walls. Although, the barrier was strong and could keep the living from passing, it was not powerful enough to prevent spirits from passing through.
Link, then, walked into an unfamiliar world of darkness. "Where am I?" he thought. Wasn't he just inside Ganon's stronghold? He looked behind, to find the castle gone. All there was, was darkness, cold darkness. His heart raced and he panicked.
"Why did she live me here to find no way out!?!" Link half-screamed. He ran forward and back. He ran left and right. Nothing. It was just the same pure darkness everywhere. He began to think he was in hell. He fell forward on his knees with his hands in front of him.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Link wondered. Was he already being punished for being defiant towards the goddesses? "It's not fair..."he whispered. His eyes swelled with more tears. Never had he weep so hard. Never had he felt such heavy pain in heart. Never was he so desperate and helpless. He felt so cowardly. Link closed his eyes. Same darkness as when his eyes were open. He would just simply forget, forget everything and everyone he knew. Maybe it wouldn't be as painful. He would just be absorbed by the total blackness and forget he ever lived. But as he was trying to clear his mind of everything he knew and stood for, vivid pictures of his homeland, his friends, and the face of the one he loved sprung in him with a light that was ever so bright with warmth and fervor. How could he forget the smiles, the laughs, and the compassion of the people in his homeland?
Then something glowed. He opened his eyes to see the triforce on his hand blazing with brilliance almost blinding him. Everywhere around him he could hear the voices chanting, "Seek the path...the invisible path. Seek with your heart." Then darkness returned. Link picked himself up. He closed his eyes trying to sense the path. To one side, he would feel a deep coldness, the path of evil. The other side, he could feel the warmth of sunlight, the path of righteousness. He continued to follow this path of radiance until it ended. He opened his eyes to find a cut in the black air. Could this be the gate to his world? With no hesitation, he went through.
"Home..." Link whispered. The same familiar night sky hovered over his head. The same spring grass sat beneath his feet. And just a few yards away was the tree he had died by a day ago. Not a pleasant memory. Link noticed that he was going to have to journey his way to Hyrule castle by foot.
"No bother," he said with renewed hope, "I'll make it there by dawn!" He began running as fast as his feet could take him.
This story will be continued, but it may take some time. Our author, Mayen Escusa, is busy with the Prom and all of that stuff. Be patient and wait for the Fifth chapter, in which, I'm also looking forward to reading.
