(Fan) Revelation of Hyrule - The Final End (M)

Okay, I posted it on here before, but I got soooo few replies...which I'm guessing because you guys didn't like the story....well hopefully a second try will get more! I'm reposting it because the first time around, it was supposed to be a single story with Link failing, dying, and Hyrule not being saved. But being a sucker for a happy ending, I thought up of adding to the story and making this a huge epic trilogy. So here it is, Revelation of Hyrule, please read it guys! Leave me feedback!!

This is the first part. Don't worry if you miss Ganondorf as the villian, each of the stories is going to build up the final fight between him and Link...they'll be a few meetings between them here and there...a mention or hint....but it's all about a big build up to the end, in Part III. So here it is. For creative freedom, I set this story thousands of years after any of the games so that while the storylines from the games are essential to the story, I can have the land of Hyrule designed anyway I want. And in my version, thousands of years ahead of the games...the Triforce, the Goddesses, everything has been forgetton. But after a discovery, the past returns for the end of it all. So enjoy...and comment it!

I'll begin with the first three chapters...


Prologue

In the land of Hyrule,
the land of green forests and mystery,
there lies a secret. A
secret that has been kept for so
long that none remain who remember. A secret
that tells of an ancient civilization. This
civilization was one so old that its very existence goes against
Hyrule’s history books about the beginning
of time itself.
Now, a learned scholar is at the end
of a lifetime search
for this ancient secret. For along with this secret
there are ancient writings of a relic.
A relic, which will be the defining
proof against all those
who don’t
believe that Hyrule was once a very
much different world than it is now. A world
almost impossible to imagine.

Now, as the great scholar comes closer to his final
conclusion of his life’s work
and make the greatest discovery of all time,
the dark clouds of fate begin to cover
Hyrule in darkness. And as
Cataclysm’s Eve draws nearer, an ancient evil stirs
as the Old World once again begins to awake.

An awaking that will call forth
the return of…
?


The Legend of Zelda
Revelation of Hyrule

Part I
“…And after all legends have come to an end, the final fate of the Hero and the King of Evil shall be decided when the Last Chosen Hero rides from the south. Until then, it is at
this very center of fiery earth where the King of Evil’s soul awaits his time.”

- The Lost Prophecy of the Hylian Saints





Chapter 1 – Hyrule Trembles In The Night


The fire…the heat…the Power…It’s Him…

In the last days of Hyrule, there lived a boy and his father. Well, actually “boy” might not be the correct term at all to describe him. He was nearly a young man at 19 years of age. He had dark brown hair and always wore an old tunic that was also brown in color. He lived with his father in a small house located within the Green Fields district of West Hyrule.

But before the story goes on, it would be best to explain the business of West Hyrule and all that. In those days, the kingdom of Hyrule was vaster than it had ever been. So vast that it was impossible for the King to directly rule it. In a way, Hyrule was separated in three smaller countries: West Hyrule (the land of green hills, peaceful villages and farmers), King Country in the center (the smallest of the three yet the one with the capitol city and the land of the King), and East Hyrule (a land which strove to be like King Country). The people of these lands acted as if they weren’t brothers and were separated. The people of East Hyrule, who never let go of the fact that they were once an old conquered land, always looked at the people of King Country with jealousy and bitterness. The people of West Hyrule on the other hand were content to keep to themselves and their quiet ways.

Another thing that should be cleared up is that it wouldn’t be all together true to say that Link lived with his father. His father, the great scholar and historian Laylon, was in fact never home. He had spent his entire life traveling all over Hyrule’s three territories, including the northern mountain range and the southern sea. It had all began a long time ago when Laylon was just a student for another scholar. One day he discovered an old piece of stone with strange writings on it. This was of course an amazing finding because according to Hylian history, no such other language has ever been spoken except the current. The scholar pushed it away, saying it was probably the work of ancient savages, but Laylon realized in his heart that the people who had written these words were of a civilized race. He knew this could tear up the very foundations of Hyrule’s past.

From that day on he began expeditions of his own, searching all the forests, canyons, and caves in Hyrule. Little by little he began finding more evidence and small relics of Hyrule’s ancient past. He wrote the words he found in a small diary he carried and studied hard his findings. Eventually, he come to know this ancient language and realized many of this relics actually gave clues to something else. From then on it was like following a map as each relic he found led him all over Hyrule. This relics spoke of an ancient tablet which itself was the final clue of something far greater. Laylon was convinced (for each of the other relics he had found were made very small stones or rock, obviously broken off of statues or other tablets) that if he found this tablet, it would be the final proof to change Hyrule’s history and launch a kingdom wide expedition with many other scholars trying to uncover the truth.

Laylon was also so deep in his devotion to his work that he never really let Link get in on it. For that reason Link wasn’t all that interested in Hyrule’s history. Like many young people who grew up in quiet surroundings, Link dreamed of adventure. He dreamed of wars. He dreamed of being a hero. It may have been naïve but he was young. His lifelong goal was to leave West Hyrule and go to King Country and on to the Royal City. There he would join the Hylian army and hopefully be one of the best ever to become one of the famed Hylian Knights. He had looked forward to that all his life. Link even had made himself a wooden sword and taught himself how to sword fight. He wasn’t by any means a master swordsman, but he was better than he believed. And the time had finally come.

It was for this very reason that on this clear, quiet night, Link rode to northern West Hyrule to bid farewell to his father and then on towards the east. East to King’s Country for he was finally of age. He was kind of sad though. He did love his father, but he had always felt a bit angry at the fact that Laylon wasn’t always there. It wasn’t that Laylon was a bad father. That wasn’t the truth at all. He had provided for Link all his life and taught him how to be a good man. But they never talked that much. And now that Link was leaving….he regretted that.

He sighed and as if knowing something wasn’t right, his horse neighed.

“It’s okay Eponal,” Link said calmly as he patted his horse.

The land they traveled through was peaceful. Miles of green fields and green hills could be seen in all directions. His father’s expedition was about one night’s travel away.

To make himself feel better, Link did what he always did when he felt down: he looked toward the sky. That night the sky was clear and stars were scattered everywhere. It was a beautiful sight. Though Link never cared much about history, he had always excelled in astronomy when he used to go to school. He loved the Hylian constellations and knew most of them by heart. Most of all he loved the old tales that went with them. One of his favorites was the “River Monster”. The story for that star constellation was that a long time ago, sea monsters used to swim in Hyrule’s many rivers and blow fire at little children who went too close to the current. Of course, Link knew the story was created to keep kids from drowning, but he enjoyed it anyways.

Probably his favorite constellation was the one that no one else (as far as he knew) knew about. It wasn’t in any of the astronomy books nor did anyone ever point it out. As far as Link knew, he discovered it and it was his secret. This was the one Link was looking at right now. He called it the “Three Triangles”. For the constellation was made up of three stacked triangles forming one big one. It was his favorite not only because he discovered it, but also because….it gave him a strange feeling. A mysterious one.

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, breaking the silence came the most
thunderous sound and the ground began to shake violently.

“I say!” Link shouted. Eponal neighed in horror. He jumped on his back legs and tossed Link hard onto the ground. Link tried to get up but the earth was shaking so powerfully that it was impossible to do so.

Earthquake?! Link thought. This…this has never happened!
Then as suddenly as it had began, the shaking stopped. All was peaceful except for the thundering sound that seemed to be fading into the
east.

Link scrambled to his feet to calm Eponal down. He held him by his reins and whispered calmly into his horse’s ear. Then with a worried expression, he looked toward the north. “I do not know why I feel this, but my soul tells me that this tremble had something to do with Father. We make haste, Eponal. Something is conspiring that I do not know of.”


Chapter 2 – Of Runaway Lovers & Link Travels in the Mine Tunnels


“Horoko! Horoko! You need to stop!”

“We have to hurry, Lilana. C’mon, keep pace!”

Lilana felt the hand she held on to tug her to go faster and she angrily pulled back, stopping in her tracks. All she could see was the dark shapes of buildings all around her. The Royal City didn’t look grand at all in the late hours of night. With the towering structures and the shape of the giant coliseum all in shadows, the city seemed…creepy.

Horoko stopped and grabbed her hand again. “Let’s go!”

As they ran through the streets, heading toward the southern door, Lilana thought about the nice small building she had been in earlier. It had been the nicest little inn. She had slept in a nice, little room with a nice comfortable bed made of straw. Now she was up in the middle of the night, running until she all out of breath.

She once again turned around and looked farther back to the only lit room in the entire city. It was also at the highest point. The little light was coming from the top tower of Hyrule Castle. “I bet Princess Zelda is sleeping soundly tonight,” she said sarcastically.

Horoko sighed to himself and then stopped. He turned around and laid his hands on her shoulders. “It’s the only way.”

He then kissed her softly on the cheek and she immediately felt a lot better. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m just a little irritable when waking up.”

“A little?”

“Shut up!” she laughed.

Once that was done, they continued their journey through the city until at last they reached the giant door that led to the outside of the city. The door was really a drawbridge and of course it was lifted up, closing them in, as it was nighttime. Horoko turned to his left and reached the end of the drawbridge and the beginning of the great wall that surrounded the city. He moved little more to his right, which then led into a small alley between the wall and some buildings. Presently they came to a small door hidden from seeing eyes.

It took out a little key and unlocked it.

“Where did you get that?” Lilana asked.

With a wink, Horoko replied, “Hey, it’s me! Now watch your step.”

They walked through a short tunnel as they traveled within the wall and soon came to another door. It was unlocked from the inside. Horoko opened it and Lilana immediately saw the Great River before her. They themselves were standing on a small ledge outside the wall and outside the city.

“Now we must walk along this ledge and reach the back of the city wall.” This is of course because the Great River flowed from the north and then turned toward the west once it passed through the Royal City. In other words, the Great River was like a backwards “L” and the Royal City was right in the center of this backwards “L”.

“Wait. What is that sound?”

Suddenly as if from nowhere, a horrific tremor with a thunderous roar hit the city with rage. Horoko immediately fell into the river and Lilana unable to stand, fell to her knees and held on to the doorknob of the door they had just come through.

Then the shaking stopped. Though outside the great wall, Lilana could hear noises of babies crying throughout the city. And though she could barely hear it, she could still hear the rumbling of the quake. It seemed to be heading to the northern mountain range.

Strange…

She heard a splashing coming from the river. “A little help here?” Horoko called out.

Shaking her head, she replied, “You’re all wet, aren’t you?”


************************************************** **************


Link breathed a breath of relief as he finally reached the top of the hill overlooking his father’s expedition site. It had been a long day, but Link wasn't at all tired. Aside from a strange nightmare he had the night before, Link's spirit couldn't have been any better. His heart beat at the excitement of finally heading east towards King Country after he had seen his father. The only thing that bothered him was a feeling....a feeling about that quake. He kept telling himself that his father was probably fine.

Yet I can't shake these thoughts...that Father had something to do with this. It's probably me just being paranoid though...

It was about midday and he had long left the Green Fields and now was in the midst of dirt filled land. Down from the hill, hundreds of diggers were at work. Link saw diggers working in digging holes, coming out of holes, other workers studying pieces of rock inside one of the many tents scattered across the site, and more busy doings.

What caught his eye more than anything else was the pack of warhorses standing nearby the biggest tent. Link could tell at once by looking at the lead horse that its owner must have been a very important person. It was a huge, fierce looking, black horse. And it had red eyes. Link could only wonder who its owner was. The next thing that caught his eyes was the obvious riders of the other horses. They were big soldiers and each one had the look of a heartless killer. And they were guarding the site, making it a place wanderers should avoid.

Hmmm, Link thought to himself. That armor they are wearing is not one I am familiar with. These soldiers are not of the Hylian army. I’d better get down there without being within their sight.

Leaving Eponal atop the hill, Link cautiously headed down the hill towards the site. There is really no point going into detail of how he got to where he went next because it isn’t all that interesting. All that is needed to know is that he spent the rest of the day sneaking around the site looking for his father. After overhearing one of the workers’ conversations, he found out that his father was underground in one of the many tunnels scattered across the site. Once he had a chance to overhear exactly where, he then proceeded to that hole and climbed down the ladder.

As he descended deeper underground, the air suddenly felt cold and damp. When Link reached the bottom of the hole, he realized the tunnel was more like a mine. Wooden linings held it up, similar to mines. Lamps hung on each lining down the tunnel. Link slowly headed down the tunnel and soon came to another hole that led deeper underground. He descended down the next ladder. The second lever down was similar to the first and Link continued traveling this way until he came two levels lower. Then Link finally reached the deepest tunnel. Straight ahead of him, he saw a line of light near the ground.

Link thought that light was strange.

What could it be?

He quietly rushed toward the light and realized that he had come to a curtain blocking the end of the tunnel. The line of light was coming from the bottom. There were some voices coming from the other side.

Link knew at once that once of the voices was his father. The person he was talking to was a voice he did not know. He leaned closer to hear what they were saying.




Chapter 3 – The Tablet Tells of the Relic


Peeking from behind the curtain, Link looked at what was ahead of him and the end of the tunnel looked like this. It was a small space, with lanterns hanging on both sides of the walls and also one hanging on against the back wall of the tunnel. In the middle of the area there was a wooden table. Laying on it was a candle and big tablet with the ancient language written on it. Link instantly recognized the style of writing. Reading the words aloud was Link’s father, Laylon the Historian.

What caught Link’s eye more than anything was the other man with his father. No doubt he was owner of the big black warhorse Link had seen earlier. He was the biggest man Link had ever seen! He wore expensive clothes with some symbols on his shoulders and had dark, reddish brown hair with a pointy goatee of the same color. His skin was dark brown and he had the look of a fierce, proud warrior.

As he was reading, Laylon said, “This is the writings I was telling you about! The part that makes this finding so important!”

The man stood there quietly for a moment before he ordered, “Then read it.”

“These words serve as a warning,” Laylon translated. “A warning to those seeking the treasure that causes treachery. The lives taken by it are many. If we could have burned it, it would have scorched us back. If we could have buried it, it would have opened up the earth to swallow us. So atop the ancient mountain of death it shall now forever stay hidden along with whom it is forever bound to. These words are not carved in stone for those to look for it. It is for a permanent reminder so this treasure of chaos shall never be forgotten. Other ages and generations have forgotten it and the chaos returned. If it is never forgotten then the lives of those lost won’t be either. These are the words of the Last Saints of the Sword in a final attempt to bring peace to the realm of Hyrule. Heed our warning. Do not forget.”

Laylon looked up towards the other man. “So do you see…..Lord Dragmire?”

The tall man, whose name was obviously Dragmire, said to himself quietly, “…At last.”

Then Lord Dragmire looked up towards Laylon. “But what is this warning the tablet speaks of? This so called treachery?”

“It probably had something to do with their beliefs and their so-called ‘gods’. This ancient artifact that the tablet speaks of must have been a really important part of their religion.”

“And the tablet speaks of the treasure being hidden in the mountains. That is where we shall start looking. We will shall head to the northern mountain range.”

Laylon shook his head. “Lord Dragmire, you cannot be serious! The tablet itself is the ultimate finding. Each piece of stone…all the clues I have discovered over the years has step by step led me to this tablet. This is the proof I need to show that the history books are wrong! That there was a known civilization before Hylian recorded history!”

Dragmire laughed in a way that was meant to mock Laylon. “You are thinking small, Laylon. Are you so quick to give up on the hunt near its end? This tablet may speak of saints and warnings, but that does not concern me. I do not care to prove anything. Especially to our idiot king. Nevertheless, your part in my search is over. I shall have my men take the tablet and we shall be on our leave.”

“What? No!” Laylon angrily replied as he grabbed on to the tablet. “You may go, but I found this tablet! This is not yours to take! My life’s work dep----“

“YOUR LIFE’S WORK DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING TO ME!” Lord Dragmire thundered, towering over Laylon. He grabbed him by the collar and tossed him back a few steps. “No one says no to me! You may have found the tablet, true. But who paid off the workers that helped you? You funded this whole expedition? Me! It is MY tablet!”

Laylon, obviously shocked out of his boots, still tried not to lose himself. “You can’t intimate me Dragmire. I don’t care how rich and powerful you are!”

Calming down, Lord Dragmire gave Laylon a hard stare. So hard it was scary. Then…he calmed down. He coolly replied, “Then try and stop me, Laylon. You know, it is kind of pathetic actually. How, at the end of a life’s work of expeditions and digs, you suddenly went broke and had to crawl to me for financial support. I knew sooner or later that would happen, Laylon. And I knew that you would find what I need just for me.”

“What?” Layon’s eyes bulged. “How did you know of my lost funds?”

Then his fists tightened. “Did yo----you thief! It was you tha-----”

Lord Dragmire shook his head. “I did not say nor admit to anything. Now I take my leave.”

Behind the curtain, Link was confused. Why didn’t his father tell him about his money problems? His father always knew how much to spend on these expeditions. Link figured this Dragmire had been waiting for Laylon to come close to the end and somehow stole his father’s savings, causing him to go broke. He wasn’t going to get away with this.

At that moment Link cast the curtain aside just has Dragmire turned to leave. Link at once noticed this wasn’t going to be a face-to-face confrontation. Lord Dragmire towered over him.

“Who are you?” Lord Dragmire asked angrily.

Shaking off Dragmire’s intimidating presence, Link replied, “You’re not taking the tablet.”

“Link, what are doing here?”

Dragmire turned back towards Laylon. “You know who this is, Laylon?”

Laylon nodded. “He is my son.”

“Then maybe you should have spent some time of your life actually teaching him to respect those higher in class then him.”

Link smirked. “He did. That is why I respect him. It’s the rats that get treated like rats, Dragmire.”

At that moment, Laylon couldn’t help but feel proud of his son. Dragmire, on the other hand, had a look of unstoppable rage that lasted for exactly three seconds. Then suddenly he gave Link a cool smile as he did to Laylon before.

“Like I told you’re father, boy. Just try and stop me.”

Just as Link took one step forward, everything blacked out.

The next thing he saw when he woke up was Laylon looking over him. He was on the floor and his head was aching badly. Dragmire was gone. So was the tablet. “What happened father?”

Laylon shook his head. “Link, you must think before you act when you stand up against someone like Lord Dragmire. Yes he is a thief. But those who are that powerful must be taken down another way. We will find that way.”

“No….what happened to my head?”

Laylon sighed. “One of his soldiers snuck up behind you.”

“And the tablet?”

Laylon looked towards the table. It was gone.

Link struggled to his feet. “No.”

“Link, you cannot bring force upon men like Lord Dragmire. Didn’t you hear what I just told you?”

Link stood up angrily and pounded his fist onto the table. “What? You’re going to let this man take you’re life’s work?!”

“But Lin---“

Link threw the table on its side. He then turned to his father in a rage. “And now you’re trying to preach to me?! It’s not like you ever did before! You loved that stupid tablet and all this old junk more than me! You didn’t even know why I was coming here, did you? Huh?”

Laylon shook his head. “Link, pleas----“

“I came to say goodbye father. I was going to leave for the Royal City to join the army. You didn’t even know that.”

Link sighed sadly. “You didn’t even know me.”

Laylon put his arm on Link’s shoulder. “Son, I’m sorry. You how it is. My life…”

Link shrugged him off and he turned to leave. “Yeah I know. Now I have to stop my plans because you lost control of your money and lost all that you’ve worked for. I have to clean it up. I have to clean up your mess.”

With that said, Link took off at full speed down the tunnels and quickly climbed up back to the surface. He had to stop Dragmire.


NEXT CHAPTER: Tragedy occurs at the hands of a mysterious sorcerer who suddenly appears during a strange lighting storm...

In Chapter 4 – The Villain Makes His Move

This is definitely an interesting start, I like your form of writing, with a bit more detail it could be a lot better but that's just my opinion.

More detail, alrighty I'll definitley work on that. I'll add the next part of the story probably this weekend

Chapter 4 – The Villain Makes His Move


Link climbed out of the hole and was back to the surface. He hadn’t realized how long he had been knocked out. The sun was setting and the sky was now orange. Clouds were sweeping in across the sky. All the soldiers were mounted upon their horses and Lord Dragmire was riding in the lead. In the center of the group, two horses were tied together with the tablet on their backs. They rode at full speed through the site heading towards the east.

Link clenched his fist in anger. They aren’t getting away.

Link ran after them as fast as he could. He would have never caught up
to them if the events that happened next hadn’t occurred. Events that would change everything. Events that would change Link’s life forever.

As Dragmire and his men were just out the expedition site, a sudden lighting strike hit the ground right before Dragmire. His horse jumped in fear but Dragmire held on tight to the reins. The horses behind him stopped immediately and many of the other riders fell off. Another lighting strike hit the ground and then another. And another.

Link couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Lighting never strikes the same place twice, much less four times!

Then a fifth lighting bolt hit the ground. What was standing where the lighting had hit was the impossible.

It’s a man. A man?!

He had long dark hair and dressed in all black. Around his clothes he wore a black cloak. His eyes had a strange redness to it, as if he hadn’t slept in days.

Dragmire mounted off his horse and pulled out his sword. “What in the name of all that is natural are you?! Get out of my way!”

The man gave him a dark grin. “All that you need to know is that your tablet is now mine.”

Dragmire pointed his blade toward him. “And who are you to give out such a claim? I am the Lord Dragmire, the head of the Dragmire Family and the last of the bloodline. I am richer than the King himself. You have no idea what power I hold in Hyrule.”

“You are nothing.” the man replied. “Nothing but a maggot trying to stand up to a lion. If you step back now, I can promise you will get to live a bit longer.”

Dragmire gave his men a hand signal and they pulled out their blades in unison. “Cheap magic tricks don’t stand up to pure power. Power that is strength in numbers and arms. Now, fool. You shall die.”

“Power?” The man, who was a sorcerer, laughed. “Power? I have….power.”

With that said, bright red light shot out of his fingertips, forcing all to cover their eyes. Then the light diminished and the tablet was gone.

Dragmire’s eyes widened. He swung back around and faced the sorcerer.

“What is this treachery?!” Dragmire demanded. “Bring it back!”

The man just stood there, his eyes locked on Dragmire.

“So be it,” Dragmire said. He turned to his men. “Kill him.”

The men immediatley charged with their swords in the air towards the mysterious one. Without even taking a breath, the man once again lifted his fingers toward the soldiers. Once again the blinding red light shot forth. When it deceased, all except five had vanished. All the horses except Dragmire’s black horse turned and ran.

The remaining soldiers had a look of great fear on their faces and their knees were shaking violently. As the five frightened soldiers tried to keep from running, the sorcerer quickly shot green rays of energy from his right hand. From each of his five fingers, a green ray of energy shot through each of the five remaining soldiers. They died instantly and fell to the ground.

Link couldn’t believe all that he had seen. He took a step back.
I have to…do this. he thought to himself. C’mon, Link. You wanted to be a knight. You can do this.

Then he took a deep breath and plucked up the courage to walk near where Dragmire and the sorcerer were standing.

Not showing a bit of hesitation, Lord Dragmire charged toward the sorcerer with his blade in hand. From within his cloak, the sorcerer quickly pulled out a sword of his own. It was a shining, deadly black blade. Not stopping, Dragmire swung his sword towards the sorcerer but at once the sorcerer held his blade to meet Dragmire’s.

Now Link really couldn’t believe his eyes. The two swords did not clash. When Dragmire’s sword had met the sorcerer’s sword, the blade of Dragmire had shattered into pieces instantly. It had broken.

“No sword created by man could go up against mine!” With that said, a shot of green energy hit Dragmire in the chest, sending him flying and crashing hard onto the ground.

Picking up one of the swords that had belonged to one of the five dead soldiers, Link stepped toward the sorcerer. “Bring the tablet back.”

The sorcerer laughed. “Now this I shall not entertain. You have no right to interfere, you boy of dirt.”

Stepping from behind Link, Laylon had returned In shock of the carnage around him, it was obvious he had missed the magic that had occurred hear. “Son, what has happened?”

As quick as light, the sorcerer’s eyes were on Laylon and then his eyes met Link’s.

Thinking fast, Link pushed Laylon away. “Father, get out of here!”

It was too late. Moving with supernatural quickness, the sorcerer speedily rushed at Laylon. He stabbed him in the gut and pushed his blade in deeper once contact was made. Laylon fell to his knees, breathing heavily. He sadly turned towards Link and tried to give him a smile. He shakily was able to do so.

Link reached out his hand in despair. “Father!”

Just as Laylon was beginning to fade, the sorcerer kicked him in the face and off his bloody sword.

He then turned towards Link. “Know now, fool. Know now that on this day that because of your interference that you alone are responsible for your father’s death. And know that the one who laid out the punishment is I, Nightin. Now, live in sorrow and know that there is nothing you can do to ever avenge his death.”

Link cried an angry cry and charged at the sorcerer whose name was Nightin. He ran as fast as his feet could carry him. He had never moved so fast in his entire life. As he moved closer and closer to Nightin, Link felt his heart beating rapidly. Now this was where everything happened slowly. Nightin seemed to disappear completely and the five dead soldiers seemed to rise back up. Their eyes glowed red and they seemed like mindless beasts.

Link stopped in his tracks just as one of the dead soldiers slashed his blade towards him. Link quickly blocked the blow with his sword. They fought back and forth before Link quickly stabbed him in the heart. Then one of the soldiers without a sword (Link had it, if you remember), grabbed Link from behind, holding him back. A second one charged at him with his blade. Link jumped up, kicking the charging soldier in the chest, sending him down. Freeing his right hand (the one holding the sword), Link swung around and chopped the first soldier’s head off, causing blood to splatter all over the place. As the second the soldier struggled to his feet, Link quickly brought his blade down and stabbed him in the skull.

Then Link was sent down onto the ground as one of the last two soldiers had slashed at Link’s legs with the flat side of his sword. Link, holding his left ankle in pain, turned to face the last two soldiers as they each raised their blades, readying to drop them down onto him. Just as he was about to meet his death, the point ends of two other swords suddenly burst through the chests of the soldiers. Blood shot out everywhere. As they both fell to their knees, Link saw who had rescued him. It was Lord Dragmire.

He pulled the two bloody blades out of the bodies and threw them aside. He grabbed Link’s hand and pulled him up. They were the only two standing in the midst of the dark red sky. Night was soon.

Breathing heavily, Link said, “His name…his name was Nightin.”

Lord Dragmire nodded. “I heard.”

“Do you know who he is?”

“I’ve….heard of him. He’s a crazed lunatic.”

“Do you know where he might be going next? North to the mountain range?”

Lord Dragmire gave Link a strange look.

I guess Dragmire is realizing that I had heard everything when Father had read aloud the text on the tablet. It was supposed to be a secret.

Then Dragmire shook it off. “Maybe. But that is an impossible search. By what I’ve heard of him, he could be hanging around the Royal City. In fact, I’d be counting on it.”

Link fell to his knees near his father’s body. “Then that is where I shall go.”

Lord Dragmire mounted his horse. “You must do what you must do. But here is one piece of advice. Do not rush into fighting this Nightin character. Men like him cannot be taken down that way. You must find another way.”

Link fought back fiercely against the tears trying to rush out as he heard these words. As Lord Dragmire rode off toward the northeast, Link released his tears. As he mourned his father’s lost, he noticed something that lay near his father. It must have fell out of his pocket when he had fallen.

“What is this?” Link mumbled tear hiccups. It was a small pocket book. A diary. Inside was something Link had never seen. It was full of notes of all his father’s life’s work. There were ancient maps, ancient writings, drawings of tablets, drawings of strange building outlines, language translations, everything. At that, Link completely broke down. The sun had finally set and night had come.

NEXT CHAPTER: Now Link sets off towards King Country with a different reason. But before he can reach his destination, he must travel through the deep woods of Thicket Forest. There he will meet a young couple with possible connections to the mysterious murderer, Nightin...

In Chapter 5 – Showdown In Greenwit Forest


Please leave me a reply!!!!!!!

Pretty good, kind of a mischievous character, that Nightin.

Glad you're liking it Hero. Stay tuned, Nightin's origin is a few chapters ahead...speaking of ahead....



Chapter 5 – Showdown In Greenwit Forest


Three weeks after the death of Laylon, Link had been continuing his journey to the east toward King Country and the Royal City. During these lonely days, his heart had darkened and his deep sorrow had turned into rage. It got worst each week. The first week, he was terribly miserable and lonely. Lonelier he had ever been in his life. Then as the weeks past, his anger towards Nightin grew. He began to loathe and hate this person. Link had never felt these feelings before. It was as if he was losing his identity…and becoming a new person.

The only times he was at peace was when he was looking over his father’s little brown book. Something inside himself said that he should learn what his father had discovered. Was it so it wouldn’t once again be lost in the flow of time? Link had no idea. But what he read most was his father’s translation of the ancient language. Slowly, but surely Link was teaching himself the ancient Hylian tongue.

Two weeks prior he had left the green pastures of Western Hyrule and was now slowly riding through Greenwit Forest, a vast wood that served as the border line between West Hyrule and King Country.

It was a beautiful morning. Though the huge trees covered the sky, rays of sunlight shot through the branches all around, lighting up the forest magnificently. Noises of running water could be heard all around from nearby streams. Birds chirped and every now and then Link would see a deer or squirrel run by. Link had Eponal stop and he observed his surroundings.

“Father,” he whispered. “I wish you could be here to see this. It is so peaceful.” Link had never been in a forest before. But he had heard many local stories of Greenwit Forest. Besides the obvious negative feelings the people of Hyrule had for one another in those days, Greenwit Forest was another reason the three parts kept to themselves. Many tales told of strange creatures that lurked in those woods. Link wondered if they were true.

That night he camped out near the trunk of a tree and made a small fire. Eating the last of his cold chicken, Link didn’t realize he was low on food. His thoughts were focused on Nightin.

That light that came from his fingers…and how he came down a bold of lighting…it was magic. How could magic be real?

The power Nightin had showed was something Link could not understand. The people of Hyrule were not religious. They did not believe in gods, forest fairies, or imps. Sure there tales of sightings and children’s stories, but it was never taken seriously. Link began to wonder what other secrets existed in his homeland.

But he is still a man. I will avenge my father’s death. I won’t stop…

“I won’t stop!” Link shouted. He punched his first into the tree. “Ow!”

Eponal moved back fearfully. Link rushed to his horse's aid as he rubbed his hand. “It’s okay boy. It’s okay.”

No…it isn’t.

That night was the loneliest of all.

Around mid-day, Link and his horse came to an unexpected obstacle. They had come to the edge of a deep cliff. The cliff was part of a deep but narrow canyon that ran down from north to south of the forest. At the bottom, Sora River flowed through. The other side of the cliff was about fifty feet across. It was really a testament of Hyrule’s beauty. Link sighed to himself and stirred Eponal south. He began to search for a way across. There would be no other way to reach the other side of the woods.

As he rode alongside the deep cliff, Link again looked into his father’s book.

Soon Link found out that some of the text seemed to contain stories! Link couldn’t believe it! He slowly switched between the stories and the translation pages.

“If at Cataclysm’s Eve, the Hero fails to the Great Evil, then Hyrule would fall into chaos and die. And as the center of life on earth dies, the rest of the world will eventually-----”

Eponal snorted and Link looked up. A giant fallen tree ahead had landed on the other cliff, making a sort of bridge.

At this point Link knew he had to make another hard decision. He swallowed a lump in his throat and slowly climbed off Eponal. He proceeded to untie many of the small satchels that were tied to his saddle, containing Link’s food among other things. Then he untied the saddle itself. He turned and laid his head against Eponal’s nose. Then he buried his face against it.

“Oh Eponal,” he cried as a tear quietly slid down his cheek. “You were the only one I had left. And now I must leave you too. You cannot cross this. My only friend…goodbye.”

With that he turned Eponal back toward the west. He trotted on a few feet before turning around and nudging Link.

He doesn’t understand. He’s thinks I’m coming too.

He laughed as more tears began streaming. “No, no, you have to go!”

He again sent him off. Eponal once again stopped and turned around, as if trying to figure out what to do. Then he looked toward the west and finally trotted into the midst of the forest. That part of Link’s childhood was now gone. His entire past life up until three weeks ago….was gone.

He wiped his eyes and stood straight.

There will be no more crying now.

He climbed up upon the fallen tree and slowly began to walk across the cliff. Even though he knew he shouldn’t, he could not help but look down. It was a long fall. And the river below was strong. As he continued on, he suddenly heard a voice.

“Hey there! Hey there!”

Link turned straight ahead and saw another young man standing at the opposite side of the cliff. He seemed to be about Link’s age and had an arrogant grin on his face. He had light brown hair and was armed with a sword sheath at his side and a bow on his shoulder.

Behind him was a beautiful girl with long, black hair. She seemed to be around Link’s age as well. Her and Link’s eyes met almost immediately. Link could tell by her facial expression that she obviously didn’t think that much of him.

The one standing on the opposite side however, kept his grin intact. “You know friend, it is common courtesy to let those above in a higher class have the right of way first. So how will it be if you shall kindly step off the log as me and my lady cross this here fallen tree?”

Not in a mood for snots, Link coldly replied, “And how are you in a higher class than me? Your clothes are those of a peasant just as mine.”

“That is true,” the smiling one said. “But we are traveling from the east, from the land of the King. You, on the other hand, are traveling from the west. You know, the land of cattle droppings.”

In anger, Link pulled out his blade. “How about this as an equalizer?”

“Ah, a duel!” the other man replied as he pulled out his own sword. “Just what I was hoping you’d propose.”

The girl, who was Lilana from the Royal City, got angry. “Horoko no! You promised no more challenges!”

Horoko laughed. “Yes, but this time, he challenged me!”

Link realized now what was happening. It was a duel he wanted? That didn’t bother him at all. Though fighting his first battle at the expedition site changed all of the glory of adventures and battles he had always imagined with a bloody reality, Link was still a competitive person. And he wasn’t about to let allow this jerk cross first with such a pretty girl watching.

As they inched closer together, Horoko squinted his eyes, looking at Link’s sword.

Then he laughed. “So you are a thief also?”

“A thief?”

Horoko pointed his blade toward Link’s sword. “That symbol on your sword’s handle. It’s of the Dragmire Family.”

Link looked down at it. There was a symbol. It seemed to be a picture of some pig looking beast.

Horoko continued. “And by the way you carry your posture, you are obviously not one of Dragmire’s soldiers. So how did someone like you come across a sword like that? Or do you just like pigs?”

“I took the sword right before I chopped the owners head off,” Link replied matter-of-factly.

Horoko laughed again. “Well.”

Finally they were close enough. Link made the first move and slashed his sword sideways at Horoko. Horoko blocked and began using his sword as leverage to push Link back. Link slid his sword to the side and before Horoko could come down on him, did a quick spin and knocked Horoko’s blade out of the way.

As the sun began to set, the sight of the duel was simply marvelous. The sky was red as the two did battle at the center of Hyrule’s deepest canyon. Link fought more aggressively while Horoko relied on pure skill. Though the sun was setting behind Horoko, it did not bother Link’s eye vision. He lunged his sword forward as Horoko came down on it.

Lilana was going mad. The whole time she was screaming at them to
stop. She even began to throw rocks at them!

“Stupid boys!” she shouted.

Then Link and Horoko both attacked with the same move as both brought their blades down on each other. The swords met. Using all his strength, Horoko pushed Link’s blade into a circle so fast that Link lost his grip and his blade sailed down the cliff.

Immediately Horoko placed his sword’s end at Link’s throat. “Ha!”

Just as he laughed, he lost his footing and slipped off the fallen tree. Quickly Link lunged forward, grabbing Horoko’s hand while desperately trying not to fall off himself.

“I…uhh…meant to do that,” Horoko said with a smile as he nervously looked down.

Link pulled him back up. “I say friend, you are pretty good with a sword. What is your name?”

Breathing heavily as he sat down, Link replied, “Link.”

“Well my name is Horoko and her name is Lilana.”

Lilana was now furious. “Horoko! You’re not supposed to tell anyone our names! Everything must be secret!”

“Relax, Lilana. I’m sure it’s safe.”

Link didn’t really know how to reply to this so he simply asked, “So what is a skilled swordsman and a girl doing in the middle of this forest anyway?”

“I could some it up in three words,” Horoko laughed. “Love. Disapproving father. Runaways.”

Link nodded. “And I’m guessing the disapproving father was on her part.”

Horoko looked shocked at hearing this, though he was still smiling. “How did you know? Never mind that. What’s your story, friend?”

“I’m heading for the Royal City. I’m looking for a man whose name is Nightin.”

At that moment, Horoko and Lilana seemed to both have faces of horror.



NEXT CHAPTER: Link learns the ancient tale of who Nightin might be. But is it true? In...

Chapter 6 – The Legend of Nightin

Nice chapter, just a few tiny spelling mistakes you need to be careful of, but other than that it's fine.

UPDATE:

ARGH!!!! I had edited out the mistakes but forgot to save them so the chapter I was about to post was full of mistakes and not indepth enough for my liking. Sorry! It'll be up asap!

This chapter begins a big turning point in the story, but it is also the condensed story of a failed fan fic I never finished. It was orgininal called the Nightin Tree, but after my computer crashing twice, I did not want to rewrite the entire story again. So while thinking up something for a bigger Zelda epic, I decided that I still liked the Nightin character enough to use him as the main villain for the first part. So this chapter quickly tells the fan fic I never finished...which kind of makes this story a sequel to story that is never going to been seen (a what if Nightin came back) or the other one a prequel. Of course its not really a sequel...since the failed fan fic has NOTHING to do with this story except as Nightin's origin, so don't worry :embrsd: . I'm just explaing all this in case you wonder why his story is complicated lol. Enjoy! And reply! Thanks!

Chapter 6 – The Legend of Nightin


THRAAAAP! The unknowing bear made its fateful end as the arrow pierced his side.

“Good shot, Link.”

“Thanks,” Link grinned. He turned to Horoko who had been standing behind him. “It was my first time using a bow too.”

“Maybe you should consider being an archer. You might be a natural.”

They both stepped out of the bushes from where they had been hiding. Still within Greenwit Forest, they had decided that it would be best if the three camped out for the night together. Well all but Lilana. She was a ways off sitting by the campfire that had been lit earlier.

As Link went to give Horoko back his bow and arrows, Horoko declined.

“No, keep them. I am more of a swordsman than anything else anyway.

Link was shocked. At this point he actually realized he was becoming a formidable fighter. All that time training had paid off.

“Really? Thanks.”

As Horoko took his sword out and began to cut the good meat from the bear, Link’s attitude turned to business.“

“It was obvious back there that you know who Nightin is. I need information.”

Horoko stopped cutting and stared at his blade for a moment. It dripped with the blood from the dead bear.

“He’s a mad man. Someone you best no get involved with. That is all you need to know.”

“No it isn’t.”

Looking away from his blade, Horoko turned to Link.

“He’s caused…a lot of trouble within the Royal City. And he’s ruined many lives.”

Link took a deep breath.
He ruined my life, Link thought. Yet I do not know anything about him. The magic he possessed…I still cannot believe it is possible. I always thought magic was something out of stories. But now I’ve seen the truth.

This was going to be hard to say. In a shaky voice, Link said, “A wise man once told me that men like Nightin cannot be defeated by force. I need to know my enemy better before we meet.”

Horoko continued staring. “Why are you after him, Link?”

Link shook his head. “First tell me.”

At this question, Horoko didn’t reply for some time. Once the meat was cut up, they wrapped it up in cloth and began heading back to the campfire. For several minutes they walked in silence. The night was quiet and the forest was lit up magnificently with hundreds of fireflies.

Link began to get impatient. [i]He better talk. If I can learn anything about Nightin, ANYTHING, it will give me some sort of advantage. The last time we met, he disappeared completely. Next time, he won’t get away so easily.”

“Okay. But I guess I’d better start off from the very beginning… if you are to understand this man…the man who claims to be Nightin.”

What does he mean by that, I wonder? “Claims to be?”

“All right,” Link replied.

“This is an old Hylian story. It takes place in the ancient times.”

As Horoko began telling Link the story, he listened well. The story shall not be told in Horoko’s words because with Link’s interruptions and questions, it would take far too long and would not be important to this tale. This is how the story goes.

In the old days of Hyrule, there was a time when the world seemed to always be at war and peaceful days were scarce. Among the many battling kingdoms, Hyrule seemed to be the kingdom none could defeat. That was until a powerful army on Hyrule’s far southern shores. The army ravaged through Hyrule, burning everything in sight.

As Hyrule was at its knees in defeat, a light of hope shined in the form of a powerful good sorcerer named Nightin. Pledging allegiance to the King, he led Hyrule’s army into war in one final epic battle. With Nightin’s magic, the enemy was defeated and Hyrule was saved.

From then on, the King had Nightin at the lead of all the future battles. And each battle was won. They say he had three objects that enabled him to use the power of the old gods. He had the power to teleport to far away places he had visited before. He also wielded the power to create a shield of energy so that none could hurt him. Lastly, he mastered the ability to create a dome of fire that spread around him, burning all who attacked. With these powers and victories, Nightin became Hyrule’s hero and savior.

Years later, when the wars had finally came to an end and Hyrule settled into an age of peace, Nightin decided to retire and move to the northern forest of Thicket. There he settled in a small home at the foot of the Twin Peak Mountains with his wife and children, ready to enjoy the rest of his life in ease.

Soon there came a time when Hyrule was once more forced to go to war and the King again called on Nightin to help Hyrule one last time. Being the faithful servant he was, Nightin set off for battle. As before, the evil enemy was vanquished and Nightin headed back home. There, he discovered a great tragedy had occurred. A fire had accidentally broken out in the forest and his home was burned to ashes. His family was dead.

Instead of feeling the sorrowful feelings a normal man would feel when suffering through such a loss, he became engulfed in rage and hatred. He blamed the King and the land of Hyrule itself for his family’s death. They asked him to war even after he retired. If he had been home when the fire broke out, his power could have easily kept them within safety. From then on, he vowed that Hyrule would burn just as his wife and children did.

They say that once that vow was made, he isolated himself far within Hyrule’s northern mountain range. He learned the dark arts and studied the deepest ways of black magic. He studied the ways of evil far deeper than anyone had ever gone. Soon he opened a door he could not close. He had gone in too much and the evil engulfed him. Studying such things at depths that people were not meant to learn, he became the very essence of evil. Some say the power of an almighty demon took him. No one knows for sure. The evil overtook him and Nightin was no longer man. He became a hot blaze of darkness, a formation of rage and hatred. Its destination was Hyrule and it headed there with the speed of a vast plague of death, ready to burn the kingdom down to ashes.

Knowing Hyrule’s final fate was not yet ready to be decided, the gods interfered. They removed Nightin from the world itself and created a sort of reflection realm of Hyrule. It was called a reflection realm, because like reflections in a pond, it was bigger than the real thing and due to the essence that was once Nightin, it was darker. And like a reflection, it very much looked like Hyrule. And so did the people. Yet different as well. To keep him from destroying the reflection lands that would be known as Termina and Teirra, the gods imprisoned the essence within a sacred tree. From then on, it became known as the Nightin Tree.

Though forever stuck into the ground, the Nightin Tree still yearned for Hyrule. It’s roots dug deep and began to spread across the land. It sowed its seeds and a forest slowly began to sprout. A dark and haunted a forest. A forest so large that it began to engulf the land. It was called the Forests of Terror. It was wood where no one could enter and if they did, they would never been seen again. With this forest spreading over the land, the Nightin Tree planned on covering every inch of the reflected lands, hoping to find a way back to its parallel world of Hyrule.

Eventually, the gods sent one of the ancient great fairies to create magic spell and stop the growth. It worked and held strong for centuries, until due to a string of forgotten events, the Great Fairy was savagely murdered and the land of Teirra was completely overtaken by evil and none survived.

Then a final hope appeared. It came in the form of a young boy clothed in green. He battled his way through the tests of the gods, the obstacles of the Forests of Terror, and made it all the way to the Nightin Tree itself. Entering its mouth hole, he battled a strange form of Nightin’s lost spirit and in the end defeated him. With the death of the Nightin Tree, there was no need for a reflected realm. It was taken from reality and Hyrule was finally safe from the Nightin Tree’s treachery.

“The tale of Nightin was forgotten until recently when a crazed mad man appeared in the Royal City, demanding that the King give him Princess Zelda.”

Link and Horoko had long reached the campfire and now were sitting with Lilana. The fire rose a bit at the mention of that name.

“Princess Zelda?” Link asked. “You mean, the Princess of Hyrule?”

Horoko nodded. “Of course, the King of Hyrule would not stand for this. The guards tried to arrest him, but in some unknown way he defeated them all and proceeded to burn down eleven buildings at the Royal City’s lower east side somehow. He claimed to be the same Nightin of legend and made many threats if the King did not give him the Princess. With the castle gates shut, he received no answer. Then he vanished.”

“And that was it?”

Horoko hesitated and looked at Lilana. Her eyes were fixed on the fire.

He continued. “No. Three days later it turned out that young maidens from all over the city had been found dead. This crazed magician claiming to be the mythical Nightin was no doubt behind it. And it gets worse. Since then, every night another maiden is found dead in the morning.

“It was then when Lilana and I decided to leave. Her father never cared for me and I couldn’t risk her being murdered. So we thought it best to leave the city and start over. With the city in a panic, we took off in the night and decided to head towards West Hyrule.”

Link shook his head. “While it seems this character moves fast. He’s hit West Hyrule too. But he was searching for something else.”

Lilana’s eyes shot up from the fire and to Link. “What was that?”

Link noticed this was the first time she had directly spoken to him.

“Well?”

Link proceeded to explain all of what happened and about his father’s work. He told them of the tablet and how this man took it. He didn’t mention his father’s murder though. He then showed them the diary with his father’s life’s work.

Reading through it, Horoko exclaimed, “Amazing! So that is why you are after him? To retrieve the tablet?”

Link nodded. [i]And now I know where Nightin will be hanging around. He wants Princess Zelda. So wherever she is, THAT’S where I will be.

Lilana tried to piece all of this information together. “But this does not
make sense. Why would he want the tablet and Zelda? How do they connect?”

“It doesn’t matter to me,” Link replied. “I just want to kil---g-get the tablet back. For my father.”

Lilana angrily smirked, “That’s all very well for you. But we on the other hand have a real problem. The girls of our city are being killed by the day until he gets what he wants!”

“So you care? Doesn’t seem so since you are running,” Link shot back.

Lilana stood up. “It wasn’t my idea to run!” Then she glared at Horoko.

Glaring fiercely back at Link she shouted, “And it isn’t even your concern! You’re nothing but a small-minded West Hylian who doesn’t know about such matters! All you people know about is milking the cows and chewing on straw.”

She turned back to Horoko. “If we don’t leave now, I’m leaving without you. I’m going back to King Country.”

Horoko stayed calm. “Calm down Lilana. We will go back. But since we are all going to the same place what sense is it to travel separately? We shall travel with Link.”

“Hmph!” Lilana sat down angrily.

Link looked at her.

“Don’t talk to me at all!” She said. “And don’t stare at me either.”


NEXT CHAPTER: What begins as an exciting day in the city for Link... ends with Hyrule losing the most important thing in the entire kingdom...the very thing that holds the vast kingdom in peace...in

Chapter 7 – King Country and The Royal City

Wow...this is a really good story EasyV.

I give the story right now an overall 9.1/10

Nothing really to correct I think.

Thanks Pinto! Hope you keep reading, next chapter is a big turning point in the story so it should be up my mid-week, if not Friday for sure

Well...err sorry I'm late on the chapter. I hope there's still interest ::::crosses fingers:::::

Anyways, let me know what you guys think. This chapter is nice and big (well for my standards lol) and opens up the next stage of the story. Enjoy!

P.S. Certain little tidbits in this chapter become REAL important later

Chapter 7 – King Country and The Royal City


After Link, Horoko, and Lilana agreed that traveling to King Country together would be best, they continued on through Greenwit Forest. The woods were vast and they still had a few days left of forest walking. Since he was now with company, Link’s dark thoughts of Nightin ceased and he slowly began to act like his former self. With the beauty of trees and the sounds of the forest all around him, Link began to love the woods and felt very peaceful during those days.

He also noticed that Lilana was enjoying the forest as well. Though every time she caught Link staring at her, her glad face quickly turned into a frown. At that point she would usually complain about how slow they were moving and how another maiden’s life was not worth sightseeing.

“Lilana,” Horoko would say. “Greenwit Forest is one of the most twisted woods in all of Hyrule. And out of us three, I am the only one who has traveled at least a bit into Greenwit.”

“You’re point is?” Lilana would shoot back.

“My point is that even I am not that knowledgeable about these woods. So if we were to rush, we could easily get lost. Then it would take us three times as long to find our way into King Country.”

More similar arguments such as they occurred until at last, the seemingly endless land of trees finally came to an end. Stepping out of the woods, they saw before them endless miles of green fields of grass. It reminded Link greatly of West Hyrule.

“Welcome to King Country,” Horoko said proudly.

Looking far off into the northeast, Link could make barely out the giant towers of Hyrule Castle, though its surrounding city could not be seen.

The castle must be the tallest thing ever constructed, thought Link.

From where they stood now, they had to head northeast to reach the Royal City. Once they reached the river which flowed west from the east, all they had to do was travel along its side until they reached the Royal City (as you remember, the city was located at the point when the river turned west from the north. It looks as if the city is located in the middle of a backwards “L”).

They traveled in the northeast direction for three days until they found the Great River. They walked along it until it became shallow enough to cross. Once they had found its shallowest depth, they saw two rough looking men wading the river towards them.

Horoko immediately grinned as he took the lead.

As soon a Lilana saw his grin, she grabbed his arm and held him back.

“Horoko, no! No more challenges!”

Horoko turned to her with a shocked expression. “Challenge? You mean
as in pointless violence? Lilana!”

Link grinned as well. Horoko sees this as a game. But I hope no one ends up hurt.

He moved past them and headed towards the river. “Let’s just see what
happens, shall we?”

“I like your thinking, Link,” Horoko laughed.

As the two headed towards the river, the men opposite of them also grinned. But their grins were sinister.

“Aye, fellas, what brings you two young lads this far west into King Country?” the first one said, whom had a thick black beard.

“And with such a pretty lass too!” his friend said, whom was bald with gapped teeth. He looked Lilana up and down, licking his lips.

Lilana shuttered. “Yeah, that’s nice. Make way, we just want to cross the river.”

“But Miss!” the black beard gasped sarcastically. “You have to pay the toll to cross!”

“Toll?” Horoko laughed. “Did our great King give you two rusties ownership of the Great River? Tell me, do you own Sora River as well?”

Both men immediately pulled out weapons. The black beard had a huge curved sword and the bald one carried two knives in each hand.

“Now don’t be name calling, pretty boy,” the baldie replied. “The fee is 200 rubies. Pay up!”

Lilana pulled out her satchel. “Fine, but I shall not stand for this.”

As she searched for any gold rubies, Horoko held his hand close to his sheath.

“So, friends,” Horoko said. “What pointed you two….err…fine gentlemen to river tolling?”

“Simple,” the black beard replied. “This is the only spot for miles in which the river is shallow and slow enough to cross. We figured we could make an honest man’s living by charging a courtesy fee.”

Link shook his head. “You mean take an honest man’s living. But I guess standing in a river all day does distract from your smell.”

Horoko laughed. “Ooh! Nice one, Link.”

Both of the thugs pointed their weapons. “What I tell ya about smart mouthin’? Now that’s it!”

Horoko swung his blade out. “Are you challenging me to a duel?”

At that Horoko charged into the shallow water and began clashing swords with the black beard. Link went for his sword, but the sheath was empty.

Dang! I forgot! Horoko knocked it down that canyon!

Remembering his new bow and arrows, Link reached for them, but the
baldie had charged towards him. Link leaped backwards as the baldie slashed his knives wildly. He began stabbing them forward as Link leaped backwards again.

“Stay still!” the baldie screamed.

As he charged his arm forward, Link suddenly grabbed it with his left hand and punched the baldie in the face with his right. Then he jumped upon the knife wielder and they both were sent flying into the river. Meanwhile, Horoko and the black beard were exchanging sword blows extremely hard.

The blades clashed left to right, left to right as the furious black beard swung with all his strength. On the other side, Horoko laughed as he blocked each slash and attacked on his own.

“C’mon,” Horoko called. “This all you got, old man?”

“Argh!” The black beard yelled as he pointed his sword forward. Without wasting a breath, Horoko stepped to the side and let the black beard trip himself into the water.

“So you needed a drink, eh?”

“Well, this guy did,” Link laughed as lifted the baldie’s head out of the water. Then he forced it back in as the baldie gargled bubbles.

About a half an hour later, both men were layed upon the grass as Horoko pointed his sword at them. Link had his bow and arrow ready as well.

“So here’s what is going to happen,” Horoko mused, walking back and forth. “I do not want to see you two low-life’s here again. Let’s try to keep peace in Hyrule, shall we?”

Both men grudgingly agreed and were free to go. As Horoko watched them leave, his attitude became serious.

Lilana noticed. “What is wrong?”

“Nothing,” he replied. Then he sighed. “I just hope nothing has happened back at home.”

Link’s stare was fixed on the far away towers. “You mean Nightin.”

Horoko shut his eyes and nodded. “I left the Royal City with nothing in mind, but protecting you, Lilana. But now I see how foolish it was.”

Lilana stepped beside him. “I see that as well. I agreed to leave in fear.”

Her gaze followed the two thieves who were moving down the hill. “But we must never forget again to protect our home from tyrants.”

With his back turned towards them, Link silently whispered, “But what could have I done?”

Once they were on the other side of the river, they traveled straight east along its right side.

As the journey continued, Horoko and Link talked very much. During those nights, Link pointed out all the constellations he knew and told the stories that went along with them. He did not point out the Three Triangles though.

Impressed by Link’s knowledge in astronomy, Horoko told him some of the old stories of Hyrule that everyone knew of within King Country. He told of how hundreds of year’s prior, the land of Caliar was Hyrule’s neighboring kingdom. In a surprise attack against Caliar’s capitol city, Calia, the Hylian army defeated Caliar and conquered the kingdom. It then became known as East Hyrule.

Horoko also told the tale of the Lost Prince of Hyrule. In that story, a poor mother who lived within one of the small villages to the north gave birth to twin boys. But her husband was a drunk and very abusive. In an attempt to give them a better life, she laid them both in a basket and let it float down the river south toward the Royal City. The only thing she left for them were two small blankets with their names stitched on each one. Both of the twins were wrapped in these blankets. During a storm, tragedy occurred. One of the babies was lost and drowned to death.

When the basket reached the back end of the Royal City, a stroke of luck occurred. While bathing in the river, the beautiful Princess of Hyrule found the last infant and loved him instantly. She saw that he was cold and alone. Next to him lay a blanket, which had the name Tiran stitched to it. Nothing else was in the basket. Eventually when the Princess became the Queen of Hyrule, young Tiran became the Prince of Hyrule and it was thought that he would go on to become Hyrule’s greatest king.

“Did he?” Link asked after Horoko finished the story. “I mean, did he become a great king?”

“We’ll have to see how history sees it,” Horoko replied with a smile.

After a few more days’ travel, the greatest city of all Hyrule soon lay before the travelers. From far away, all they could see now was the great wall in which that surrounded the huge city. Only the huge towers of Hyrule Castle could be seen peeking above it. The Royal City wall near the sparkling river was a glorious sight. As they walked nearer to the city wall, they came across more people also walking along the river, heading toward the city.

When they finally reached the entrance to the city, it was near impossible to enter. The closer they got, the more crowded it became. With the giant drawbridge lowered for entry, loads of people packed the way going in and out of the city. Though the drawbridge was a giant entryway that could easily fit hundreds of people, Link could still barely move. Among those entering the city were countless merchants, beggars, peasants, nearby townsfolk and many more.

After a while they finally passed across the bridge and walked under the great arch that led to the city entrance. Finding himself in the crowded main square, Link stared at amazement of the grandness that stood before
him.

All around him were huge buildings (Each grand structure slightly resembling Greek buildings). Peeking over everything in the far western side of the city, Link saw a huge coliseum.

Horoko explained that the coliseum was one of the greatest structures to have ever been built by men. Every summer, great sporting events were held in honor of the King. The main event was the Hylian Jousting Competition. In this event, the greatest knights, the young Prince of Hyrule, and even the King himself participated in the event.

Up to that point, the distant coliseum was the biggest structure Link had ever seen. But that changed as soon as he looked towards the far northern end of the city. From a great distance, he saw the towers of Hyrule Castle. More than that, he could see most of the castle itself. He couldn’t believe how tall it was.

In the center of where he stood, the city main square, there was a huge circular fountain and in front of it was a grand statue of an ancient Hylian hero. Amongst all the excitement and awe, Link suddenly lost sight of Horoko and Lilana.

“Hey!” he shouted. It was so loud that he could barely hear his own voice. He had lost them. Before Link could think, he was pushed out of the way by a big man carrying two chickens. He yelled at Link to move it. As the crowd moved Link along, he found himself heading north.

He found himself being forced down a dirt path with several more buildings at his left and at his right. In front of these buildings, stands and tents were set up as shops. People were selling everything from fruit to jewelry. The street was just as crowded as the main square. Link was overwhelmed at the excitement. There were people yelling, dogs barking, wheels moving, horses neighing, and bells ringing. He spent almost the entire day trying to walk through the shopping streets of the Royal City.

“Chickens for sale!”

“Buy a healing potion!”

“Arrows! Cheap!”

“Melons! Buy some melons!”

“Hylian shields! Just like the knights!”

“Try my masks! Take a mask!”

After several hours of being stuck within the market crowds, eventually Link made his way down a quiet alley. He at last had a chance to think.

“Finally,” he sighed to himself. “Out of those crowds.”

Soon he realized that the alleys of the Royal City were twisted and long. He had a hard time finding a way out, but did not mind. It was very much peaceful and only sleeping beggars and stray dogs could be found. Above his head were clotheslines zigzagging across the windows above. A few housewives were hanging up wet clothes.

As he moved, his thoughts turned to Princess Zelda. She was the key to finding Nightin. He wondered what Nightin wanted with her.

Hold her for ransom, maybe? But it still wouldn’t make sense. He wasn’t trying to kidnap her. He demanded that the King turn her over to him.

Eventually, toward the late afternoon, Link had made it far north into the city. He was now a great distance from the shops and crowds.

This must be the rich side of town.

Instead of dirt roads, the roads in this area were now paved with stone and huge houses surrounded Link.

As he walked by a huge black gate, he suddenly noticed a familiar symbol at the gate’s doors. It was the very same symbol that lay upon the blade that Link had lost during his duel with Horoko. The same blade he had taken from Nightin’s cursed soldiers. Link wrapped his hands around the bars of the gate and peered through. It surrounded a small black fortress.

“This must be Dragmire’s home,” Link said to himself. “I wonder, was he telling the truth when he said Nightin was here in the city?” Then he remembered that Dragmire had saved Link’s life. But also he remembered that his father had implied that Dragmire had stolen his funds. He tried his best to believe what the Hylian Lord had promised.

He continued walking until he reached the farthest end of the city. At last he had reached Hyrule Castle. A stone wall surrounded it and at its entrance there were two huge wooden doors. They were as tall as a three-story building. Though the castle wall prevented Link from seeing the famed garden courtyard that lay before the castle, he could easily see the main building. It rose high above the wall and its towers rose even higher. The roofs of the towers were blue and the entire area was in dead silence.

Link just stared at the building in awe.

It’s amazing. I never imagined…never could have pictured…something this magnificent…

After a few minutes, Link decided he would walk along the wall, hoping that he could find a way into the castle yard. But he did not. When the wall came to an end, his eyes saw the building that was next to it. It was a large building, surrounded by a gate. Peering behind the building, Link could make out a huge yard. This was no doubt the Hylian soldier training ground. This would have been his quarters had everything gone right.

He turned his back to the gate and sank down.

This life that I wanted…it…doesn’t really seem like it will ever happen now. Even if I avenge…avenge Father’s death…what will become of me?

“Hey boy, what are you doing standing there?”

Link looked to his right and noticed two soldiers had stepped out from the training ground.

Link stared at them and his eyes fell to the armor they wore. With sadness in his voice, he replied, “It was my dream. I mean to say, it was my dream to be here. To be like you.”

The two soldiers stared at each other and then burst laughing.

Then the first one who approached Link suddenly pushed him down onto the ground.

“Get out of here,” he laughed cruelly. “Pathetic street boy. That is all you are. You have no right to be in this part of town, dog. Why don’t you go back to the market streets where the rest of the beggars live?”

At this point, the feelings Link had felt of being like his old self again…. the feelings of hope he had gained during his time in the forest and with his traveling companions…vanished. Everything that he had thought was right wasn’t what he had expected. Even the Hylian soldiers weren’t the great men as he had once believed. Link’s heart and eyes darkened all this frustration and pain. In a rage, he got up.

By this time, the two soldiers had gotten bored of him and had begun to head back to the grounds. Link jumped at the man who had hit him, taking him down. He turned the soldier around and punched him in the face. Then he hit him again. And again. He would have beaten the soldier senseless if the second one hadn’t kicked Link in the back of the head. In an angry rage, both men proceeded to kick at Link for about three minutes until they got bored and left.

The sun was beginning to set. Lying on the ground among his own blood, Link lay there for who knows how long. He lay without a thought. He did not blink. He barely breathed. He felt a pain in his heart that ached more than anything he had ever felt. Eventually, he did slowly pull himself up and wandered south, back into the market areas. Night fell. As he wandered aimlessly, he noticed a cavalry of soldiers walking by. They were not the same as the ones who had beat him. They were all of a higher rank, not those of the training grounds. They looked kinder, older, and more distinguished. Yet he did not trust them. Suddenly he heard his name being called. It was Horoko.

“Link! Link! We’ve been looking for you!”

He turned to see Horoko and Lilana running towards him.

When they got a close look at him, both of them stopped in their tracks. Link must have looked horrible because even Lilana seemed to show compassion for him. “What happened?” she asked, noticing the scars and bloodstains.

Link’s gaze was down and he only said, “Nothing.”

Horoko stared at Link for a moment before changing the subject. “Well, there was nothing about Nightin either. Nothing new has happened for weeks. Even maidens have stopped being killed. I guess he went somewhere else after he left your land.”

As the passing cavalry came to an end, an old man who was following them stopped unexpectedly. His eyes bulged wide and his mouth dropped open.

“Your majesty? Is that you?”

He grabbed Horoko by the shoulders and shook them with excitement. “Prince Tiran, it is you!”

Forgetting about the horrible day for a moment, Link’s pointy ears perked up. “Huh? He’s Prince Tiran?!”

Ignoring Link in his excitement, tears streamed from the old man’s eyes. “Where have you been? Why did you leave?”

Horoko, feeling quite tongue tied, didn’t know what to say. “Well, you see. Umm. Well…” He looked towards Lilana, who quickly turned around. The old man understood.

“Leaving with a girl! A peasant girl at that!”

“Hold on,” Link interrupted. “That story you told me. It’s about you? You’re the orphan infant in the basket?”

Horoko shook his head. “I’m sorry I lied, Link. I had to go by a fake name so that anyone we met as we escaped together wouldn’t know who I was. And no, that story wasn’t about me. It was based on an old king also named Tiran. It’s just my favorite tale since I was named after him.”

The old man, whose name was Lord Lionel, sadly changed the subject, “I’m sorry, young Prince. Your father…. he is dead.”

Lilana turned her head back slightly. Horoko (Or Tiran as he will now be called) was silenced. He didn’t know what to say.

“What—what happened?” he stammered.

“Hyrule Castle was attacked. That crazed man returned. Nightin. He murdered the King and kidnapped the Princess Zelda. We are trying to keep this news quiet until we figure out what do to. You must come with me to the castle at once. This man had shattered the foundations of the kingdom. It could fall by daybreak!”

Tiran nodded. He turned to Lilana and grabbed her hand. “You should come.”

She looked up at Tiran with tears in her eyes. “I-I can’t. I’m sorry.” With that, she ran away.

Tiran looked on after her with sadness until she disappeared. Then he turned to Link. “She’s heading to the Stockpot Inn. Can you look after her for me?”

Link nodded. “I will.”

“And I will come back to give you information on the killer. I’ll be back.”

As Tiran headed to the castle, Link headed south and began to ask for directions to the inn. The streets were a lot less crowded now that it was night. Many of the people were leaving the city and heading to the many small towns scattered across King Country. Link looked up at the sky to see the stars. That was the only thing Link could think of that would make him feel better. It was a cloudy night.








NEXT CHAPTER: While Link tries his best to comfort Lilana, Prince Tiran joins the Hylian Elders in a secret meeting to discuss the aftermath of the King's death at the hands of Nightin. What will be the fate of Hyrule? Especially if an enemy army is waiting at the corner? And what is Nightin's scheme? But a secret personal backstab is worst when in....

Chapter 8 – The Betrayal Is Set

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It's been a while so TWO CHAPTERS!


Chapter 8 – The Betrayal Is Set


The stone chamber was cold and damp. The air that blew was a light chilly breeze from the one window that overlooked the great city below. In the center was a huge, stone table. Sitting in a circle were the King’s counsel, the Seven Elders of Hyrule. All were grey haired and grey bearded, their names were the Lord Eetheus, the Lord Theesius, the Lord Sifus, the Lord Anthony, the Lord Likun, the Lord Haylos, and the Lord Shilo. The room in which they sat was the oldest room within one of Hyrule’s Castle’s great towers.

The Seven Elders were not only the King’s counsel, but the men who held the most power in Hyrule besides him and his family. Now that the tragedy of his death had occurred, they had met to discuss Hyrule’s future on this fateful night.

Eetheus began. “Now it is time to decide what we shall do. I think it is agreed that the search for the King’s murderer must be postponed until the rest of the matters are settled.”

The elders nodded except for Sifus.

“What about Princess Zelda?” he asked. “The faster we get him, the quicker we find her. She is the only heir to the throne since Prince Tiran is gone. If she is found, then all the matters dealing with the fact that Hyrule has no leader are solved.”

“That is true,” Anthony replied. “But what until then? Hyrule without a King is an open invitation to be conquered. If West Hyrule found out, that tyrant Seekial will have his army over here as fast as they could charge.”

Lord Haylos agreed. “Yes, he has always had his eyes on the throne and has always hated us. His influence on his people has split Hyrule’s unity so much that we have this preposterous threat of an attack from our own country. No doubt he would try to pronounce himself new King of Hyrule.”

“Then for now, the King’s death should be kept secret.” It was the Lord Theesius who spoke this time. “If word gets out that the castle was attacked so easily, there could be panic throughout the city.”

“And how did this killer get inside anyway?” Lord Shilo asked.

Eetheus told what happened. “The report I got from the witnesses was that this crazed magician suddenly appeared in the great hall. Not one soul saw him actually enter. He whispered into the King’s ear before stabbing him with a black sword. Then he was seen heading to the top tower to where Princess Zelda dwells. Now she’s gone and he has her.”

“This must have been a plan set in motion,” Lord Likun said. “How is that our King is murdered just after the Prince has disappeared? Then as soon as the King is killed, our Princess is abducted from her bedroom. Someone has plotted this treachery on Hyrule’s Royal Family. They have set us up in this situation to be attacked. Now it is our darkest hour.”

The other elders agreed.

Theesius said, “Then a plan of our own must be made. I say we must keep lips sealed about the King’s death. All who live within the castle must swear an oath of silence. Until this Nightin character is caught and Princess Zelda is found, none must know that Hyrule is without a King.”

As the elders agreed to this plan, the wooden door at the end of the room suddenly opened and in entered the Prince of Hyrule, Tiran.

Every elder in the room was shocked in amazement.

Lord Eetheus, who had known Tiran like a son since he was a child, stood up with tears in his eyes and embraced his friend. “Your majesty! Where ever have you been?”

Tiran embraced his old friend back. With a tear in his eye, he apologized. As Tiran took the head seat of the table, the seat reserved for the King, he answered with another apology. “In my inexperienced ways, during a time after my father was threatened with my sister’s life in demand, I left the kingdom that needed me. Now, I find my beloved father dead and his murderer gone. For that, I am deeply sorry.”

Eetheus nodded. “All is forgiven, your majesty. Thank your strong soul that you have returned! Now Hyrule has a leader in this time of peril. We shall not be attacked. But your sister’s life is still in danger.”

Tiran nodded.

“Ever since this Nightin character had demanded Princess Zelda’s life she had been being guarded safely in her bedroom within the castle’s highest tower. All were found dead when we searched for her,” said Haylos.

Sifus shook his head. “I…I can’t believe it. How is it possible?”

“Do not lose yourself, Master Sifus,” Tiran said. “My sister Zelda is strong and her return to Hyrule must be postponed for now.”

Then Tiran turned to Eetheus. “I am afraid you were incorrect when you said we shall not be attacked. I fear that Seekial would still try to conquer Hyrule if word got out to him that my father is dead. I doubt he considers me a worthy opponent and would simply try to take the throne from me.”

Lord Anthony said, “Then we must gather our army to the Royal City. We need to make sure our kingdom is at its fullest state of protection. At the moment it is spread throughout King Country. If the messengers ride out tonight, the entire Hylian Army that is not of East Hyrule could be at the city in six days.”

“It is agreed,” Tiran said.

After more discussion, the Prince and the Elders ended the meeting and left the room. All except for the Lord Haylos. He stayed behind, pretending to have a coughing fit. After making sure that the others few far down the outside stairwell, Haylos rushed to the window. Sleeping quietly while perched at the window’s seal was a black crow. It was asleep.

“Wake up!” Haylos hissed angrily. “Wake up dumb bird!”

Opening its eyes, the crow seemed to shake itself awake before lifting up and settling back down.

“Wait here.” Haylos then sat down on the King’s seat. He cursed angrily. “So the Prince is alive, eh? Even with a stroke of luck like the King getting murdered by a madman….it still isn’t enough to drive this damned family out of Hyrule.”

He pounded the table in anger as he continued speaking to himself.

“And the Princess kidnapped too? This could have been my only chance! My
only chance to change things.”

He took out an ink pen and began writing on a blank scroll that he had
kept in his pocket. As he wrote, he talked more. “A change that has been long needed. How is it that a giant kingdom such as Hyrule so….free? Only one man could turn this kingdom into a great empire. Only one man could rule this land with an iron fist.”

As he finished, he stood up and rolled up the scroll. “That man is I. Yet, I do not have the resources to conquer this land. But I know one who does. And that one shall kill the Prince and the rest of the Elders. He shall name himself King of Hyrule. And when he does, I shall kill him and be known as Hyrule’s hero. And with the Royal Family dead along with the higher Elders, I shall be next in line for Kingship. Now to tell this one that the land is open for attack and set the future in motion.”

Haylos went back to the window and handed the crow the scroll by placing it into its beak. “Take this to East Hyrule and onto Calia City. The Lord Seekial shall find this scroll interesting.

Once his crow had flown, Haylos chuckled to himself. As he sat back down onto the King’s chair. The traitor was a strange man. He kept on talking to himself.

“I had secretly been being paid off by Seekial for years to spy on the King. What a fool our King was! To let such a bitter man be the local protector of the massive East Hyrule. If I was king, my entire kingdom would be held down by pure force and might. Not trust. Whoever this Nightin character is…he sure has opened the door for a new era. Ha!”

He grinned as he moved back towards the window. It was a cloudy night. This day had unearthed the most unexpected of events. And each and every event was working out perfectly for him.






Chapter 9 – How They Left the City That Night


By the time Link had found the inn Lilana was staying at, it was already late into the night’s darkest hours. Knocking softly on the door, Link now stood outside her room. After a few moments of waiting, the door opened and Lilana met him by rolling her eyes.

As he stepped inside, Lilana flopped onto the bed that was centered in the room. Not knowing what to say, Link sat down beside her. They both sat in silence.

Link stared at the ceiling. It had been such a crazy day. How did what began as an exciting day at the Royal City turn into something that revealed hidden secrets and death?

“So…a Prince huh?”

Lilana looked up at him angrily and just sighed.

“So what are you going to do?” he asked. “Go back to your family now?”

There was no answer at all. She just had her head buried in the pillow.

“I bet they wouldn’t be that angry. I mean, it’s not like you chose a bad guy. He is the Prince of Hyrule after all. I don’t understand why your father didn’t like Horo---err, Tiran anyway.”

She didn’t reply. So Link tried again.

“I bet that miss you a lot, Lilana.”

This time Lilana looked up. She had tears in her eyes. “I can’t.”

They sat there in silence again for a few minutes. Link’s thoughts strayed to his father. “You must miss them. I miss mine.”

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Lilana asked, “Do you have a large family, Link?”

“Just my father. But….” He dug into the satchel that was tied around his waste and pulled out his father’s book. “This was his life.”

Lilana sat up and took it from Link’s hands. She began looking through it for a few minutes. Link didn’t understand why.

Maybe she needs to get her mind off what has happened today. I bet she is worried about Tiran. And how he’s feeling right now…since his father…

“These findings are amazing. What kingdom is this language from?”

“Hyrule,” Link replied. “Ancient Hyrule.”

“What?” Lilana’s eyes widened as she heard this. Her eyes were locked onto the book, reading the notes and drawings Laylon had taken.

“The Last Saints of the Sword,” she whispered as she read. “They hid a treasure which causes treachery…along with whom it is forever bound to.”

“That treasure is what I think the King’s murder is looking for. He stole the original tablet in which those words were carved. That tablet was to be the my father’s greatest finding.”

“That is why you are looking for Nightin?” Lilana asked. “To get the tablet back for your father?”

Link thought for a second of telling her the truth. But then he realized another truth. If he said aloud that his father was killed in front of his eyes, he knew that he would break down. So he lied and told her that the tablet was the reason he was looking for Nightin.

“But he’s gone now,” Link said as he stood up. “The notes in the book speak of the treasure being hidden within an ancient mountain.”

“The northern mountain range,” Lilana mused. “But there are hundreds of miles of mountains up north. It could be anywhere.”

“I think it’s in the very front of the range,” Link said. “When Tiran told me the old legend of Nightin, he said that he had settled with his family at the foot of the Twin Peak Mountains. Since this killer is claiming to be Nightin, then maybe that is where he is keeping the tablet and Princess Zelda. It’s the best bet.”

“So you are going there?” Lilana asked. “To search for him?”

“Yes.” Link turned and looked at her. “There is no reason for me to stay here.”

Lilana didn’t say anything.

“You must go to Tiran when he returns and tell him where I think Nightin is. It could help them with their search for the Princess. No doubt she is with the tablet as well. I can’t go with them. I have to do this alone.”

“No, you can’t.” Lilana stood up.

Link was shocked at this. Lilana seemed surprised at herself as well.

“I…I know I haven’t been the best traveling companion these past few weeks. This is the first real time we’ve actually talked…the first time I let you talk to me.”

Link stared at her in silence.

“I do not have any place here. I cannot go home.”

“You do not have any reason to come.”

“Oh, I don’t?” Lilana replied, acting more like how she usually acted towards Link. “If Tiran hadn’t run away with me, he would have been here. I would have been here. Maybe the King…. his father wouldn’t have been killed. This is all my fault.”

“But still,” Link began. “I---“

“I don’t care,” Lilana interrupted. “I have nowhere to go and I need to make up for what I’ve done.”

Link sighed. Well, it would be nice not to be alone. But still, she could get in the way. The cold truth was that he wasn’t on a quest to heroically take back a stolen tablet. He was on a journey to kill someone. To gain revenge.

“And all you know is that the Twin Peaks are straight ahead north. You have no idea of how to reach the fastest ways to get there. Face it kid, you’re just a country boy from West Hyrule.”

Sighing to himself, Link relented. “Fine. But I can’t wait any longer. We must leave tonight.”

Lilana went back to her bed. On the bed was a satchel full of her belongings. She dug through it and pulled out a key. The same key Tiran had used that night when they first had run away. The key that led to the secret doorway through the city wall.

“I think it is time for another midnight run away,” she said with a grin.

After packing their things, Lilana and Link took off in the middle of the night from the inn. After leaving the same way Lilana had left with Tiran before, she once again found herself standing outside the city wall on the small ledge overlooking the river. She led Link towards the right all the way down the wall until it turned the corner north. Then they moved along the ledge until at last the wall ended and the Royal City was behind them. Before them were the northern parts of King Country. Looming straight ahead were the Twin Peaks, the biggest mountains of all Hyrule. The mountain on the east side was Mount Sira and the mountain on the west side was Mount Siro.

“Well here we go,” Link said.

As they walked around the grassy fields, each started ponder about all that had happened to them. Link began to wonder if maybe there was more to ancient Hyrule than just an old language and a treasure hunt. He noticed the strange shadows moving among the grass.

What if the murderer is not some crazed case of imitating a tale? He killed so many soldiers…reached the King… When if he really is…the true Nightin?

Link’s thoughts turned to Lilana as he stared at her. She was so beautiful. And her spirit was unlike any girl he had ever bet.

He shook his head. Why was he having romantic thoughts about her? She’s was Tiran’s girlfriend.

Maybe because I’m lonely.

Link grinned. Well he did notice that she was pretty the first time he saw her. He thought back to the girls he had known as he had grown up. Many had crushed on him, but he was always to shy to return the feelings. Yet Lilana was different somehow…

He remembered the text she had read aloud from the tablet. Nightin wants to take the treasure that causes treachery, along with whom is it forever bound to.

He stopped in his tracks as he realized something.

Nightin might not be the only person they should fear.

There was someone else.

They traveled for the rest of the night along the river in silence. All around them was open country and the quiet noise of the water moving south. By the end of the night, they reached a small fishing town near the river. Link wondered if this was the same town that the mother of the original Tiran lived. The original Tiran of the Tale of Lost Infants.

By the time the sun began to rise from the east, Lilana could barely move. She looked at Link wearily and just whimpered, “Town. Sleep.”

Nodding sleepily, Link led her towards a tree located a little bit outside the town and leaned against it. Sitting next to him, Lilana lay her against the tree and fell into a deep sleep.

While sleeping, Link had a terrible nightmare. It was the most realistic nightmare he could have ever imagined. But when he woke up, it was all forgotten. He could only recall it involving heat…fire….power…

And one thing. And that thing was a name. A name that for some unknown reason, Link connected it with the treasure Nightin craved so badly.

That name was Ganon.


NEXT CHAPTER: The appointed treacherous leader of East Hyrule, Lord Seekial recieves a message of the King's death. But things twist up more as he unknowingly sets up a second betrayal on his behalf. Meanwhile, the long journey to the Twin Peak Mountains continue as Link and Lilana grow closer during their travels. In....

Chapter 10 – Seekial Gets The Message