The Triforce’s Child
By Monkey of Doom

(This book is the sequel to my other book, The Speed Of Destiny)

Chapter 1: The Honeymoon

Zelda stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself critically. She wore a long, white linen dress, embroidered with red roses. The dress was trimmed with gold at the hem, and it swept the ground, barely concealing her feet. Zelda twirled around in the mirror, looking at her reflection. Her long, golden hair, was slightly curled at the ends. Her mouth had red lipstick on, and her cheeks were flushed a rosy red from all the recent preparations. Zelda twirled around once more. Satisfied with how she looked, Zelda put her feet into her pearly-black slippers, and opened the door. Her friend Malon was waiting outside.

Malon was dressed in different garments than her usually ranch clothes for this special occasion. Malon wore a white dress similar to Zelda’s and had a rose tucked into her hair.
Zelda looked at Malon and smiled.

“You look very pretty!” Zelda exclaimed.

Malon blushed and laughed. “Thanks! You look great too!”

Zelda and Malon made their way down the stairs, chatting about recent events.

“So, whet time is the wedding happening?” Malon asked cheerfully.

Zelda grinned. “Near the evening. I imagine Link is still getting ready.”

Walking down a few more flights of stairs, Zelda and Malon made their way to the courtyard, which was abuzz with activities and guests.

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Link nervously sat in front of a giant mirror. His normal green tunic was replaced by a black one. He had his Golden Gauntlets on, and some white undergarments. However, he didn’t have a hat, which exposed his dirty blond hair. Link was sweating as his friend, General Jim Arkaynis, walked around him, surveying every angle.

“So? How do I look, Jim? Link asked, his hands starting to feel clammy.

Arkaynis laughed. “You look great, except for the fact that you’re all sweaty. Don’t worry, everything will be ok!”

Link exhaled and calmed himself. He wanted to look his best for Zelda, but he was extremely nervous. Standing up in a rigid fashion, Link tried to talk normally.

“Um…should we go now?” Link said. Arkaynis smiled.

“Not yet, cool down a little. You don’t want to appear all sweaty in front of your bride!”

Link sat down again, taking deep breaths. Arkaynis sat down with him, as they talked and chatted to ease down Link’s nerves.

Arkaynis was wearing much the same clothing as Link, but he had brown hair instead of blond. Arkaynis was twenty three years old, three years older than Link. After awhile, Arkaynis stood up.

“Think you’re ready?” Arkaynis queried. Link nodded and stood up.

“Just a second,” Arkaynis said. Leaving the room, Arkaynis returned a few minutes later carrying a white flower.

“Put in your front tunic pocket,” Arkaynis said. Link complied, and looked at himself in the mirror.

“Not bad!” Arkaynis said, leading Link out of the small room.

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Outside in the castle courtyard, a flurry of activity was taking place. The Sages were in a corner, sipping drinks and talking and laughing. Many nobles and diplomats milled around the courtyard, while some children played in the hedge maze. Ten Hylian soldiers stood at guard, and watched with amusement as children pretended to fight of hordes of evil moblins, just like their fathers or older brothers did in the war in which the Resistance Forces defeated Ganondorf the War Lord. Several people were hanging up colorful banners, festooned with glitter, balloons, and multi-colored words, saying phrases like “Happy Wedding!”

Several Servants walked around the area, serving drinks and food to people. Near the back of the courtyard was Link’s horse Epona. She had red fur and a white mane, and was a very proud horse. At the moment, the Sages were congregated near a patch of yellow flowers, talking about how the cleanup of Hyrule was going, and of course, tonight’s wedding.

“I think it’s so great my Zelda is getting married!” Impa said, her normally cold exterior paving way for her emotions.

Darunia grinned. “My sworn brother…” he said thoughtfully.

Saria was busy feeding Epona, which was a surprise, since Epona only let a few people touch her, let alone feed her. Saria patted Epona’s nose and fed her an apple. Saria smiled.

“It’s going to be really fun tonight! Zelda and Link both seem really happy!”

Zelda walked over to them, followed by Malon. Malon started to rub Epona, who seemed to be enjoying the extra attention and closed her eyes lazily.

“Hey everyone!” Zelda said brightly.

Nabooru smiled. “It’s good to see that you’re out of the castle again! I don’t understand how you can cope with all the round-the-clock meetings with diplomats and kings.”

Zelda smiled. “You get used to it after doing it your whole life.”

Ruto grinned. “So, what are you doing on your wedding night?”

Saria giggled. Zelda blushed slightly, but laughed and smiled, deciding not to answer the question.

Soon after, Link and Arkaynis came outside. Zelda walked up to Link and kissed him. Link smiled and kissed her back.

Zelda and Link walked back to the Sages, and became engaged in conversation again. The only Sage absent was Rauru, who was the Person in charge of the wedding, and was at the altar, tasting different samples of cake and supervising the decorations.

When the sun went down and cast a glow of orange in the courtyard, everyone became seated. Link, with General Arkaynis as his best man, walked slowly up the aisle. Soon after, Zelda, with Malon, walked up the aisle too. The whole crowd watched and smiled as Zelda and Link recited their vows to each other. Finally, Rauru said, “You may now kiss the bride!”

The whole crowd cheered and clapped as Link kissed Zelda passionately, and Zelda closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Link’s lips on her own. Zelda smiled; she was finally married to the man she loved. Link was equally happy as they walked down the aisle again, hand in hand, grinning and waving.

After the wedding, there was a party. Link and Zelda danced with each other in a secluded part of the courtyard, along with their friends. Arkaynis and Malon danced close by, and the Sages were dancing too. Everyone laughed and had a good time. Finally, as night started to develop, Link and Zelda quietly snuck over to where Epona was. Getting onto Epona, Zelda held onto Link tightly as he stealthily moved Epona from the Castle into Hyrule Field. Some guards on duty smiled and waved as the Queen and her Hero galloped by on their noble steed.

Warning: Very Sexual Scene Coming Up! I advise that you skip this chapter and head to the next one if you don’t want to read this type of stuff! You have been warned!
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Epona carried Link and Zelda to Lake Hylia. Dismounting and leaving Epona at the Scientist’s house, Link and Zelda walked under the moonlight, over the two bridges, and to the center island. A small house was built on the island, and this was their Honeymoon spot.

Opening the wooden door, Link carried Zelda into the house. Lighting the lamps, Link and Zelda deposited their bags over in a corner of the wooden house. Link and Zelda scouted out the house, finding the bedroom, washroom, and the living room, as well as the dining room. They were planning to spend a week in the beautiful, crystalline waters in Lake Hylia. After sitting on the shore of the island and holding each other for awhile, Link and Zelda walked back into the house. Zelda and Link crawled into their large bed, that had some bedcovers and fluffy pillows. Zelda crept over to where Link lay and hugged him.

“I love you,” she whispered seductively in his ear. Link grinned and kissed her. “I love you too,” he said smiling, kissing her lips and tracing his hands down her delicate back. Zelda closed her eyes in pleasure and ran her gloved hands under Link’s tunic, feeling his hard muscles and tanned skin. Zelda slowly opened Link’s tunic, all the time while kissing Link as his hands threatened to undo the buttons holding her dress together.

Link stopped kissing Zelda and looked into her emerald green eyes. “I must be the luckiest guy in Hyrule,” he murmured. Zelda smiled at Link. “Yes you are,” Zelda said, grinning. Link was taken by surprise as Zelda suddenly straddled him in a flurry of motion.

Zelda sat on top of Link, still held by his hands. “So, the Hero of Time lets his guard down that easily?” She said, laughing. Link grinned and unbuttoned her dress. As it slipped off, Zelda’s chest and legs were exposed to Link, with only her undergarments on. Link smiled and replied, “Only when you’re around. A proper Queen would never do anything to her hero!”

Zelda rolled her eyes and smiled. “I guess tonight, you get to see the un proper side of me,” she said, her long, blond hair tumbling down her back. Link smiled and said innocently, “Haven’t I already seen that side?” Zelda grinned and laid down on top of Link, tracing his masculine body with her fingers, as Link slowly moved his hands down her waist.

Zelda was about to kiss Link when he grinned and rolled over, pinning her underneath his weight. Link chortled. “Now I have you where I want you!”

Zelda lay still, as tremors of pleasure ran down her spine as Link slowly undid her undergarments, savoring every moment. Once that was accomplished, Link’s hands moved slowly in-between Zelda’s legs…

Zelda moaned in pleasure as Link touched her private, most sacred part. Zelda slowly stood up and took away any clothes Link still had on. Zelda laughed. “Now, we’re even.”

Link laughed too. “Apparently so!” Link slowly and passionately kissed Zelda as waves of pleasure and passion built within both of them, crashing into their hearts like a dam about to blow. Zelda fingered Link’s manhood, as Link cried out in ecstasy.

Zelda smiled as Link kissed her breasts, still feeling her private spot. Zelda closed her eyes in enjoyment, caressing Link, and kissing his neck in return. Slowly, Link turned Zelda onto her back, and entered her body, sending huge amounts of pleasure both to Link and Zelda. Zelda slowly gasped for air as Link left his essence behind inside her body, and withdrew. Link landed next to Zelda, both of them spent, but happy as they hugged and kissed each other, feeling each other’s body warmth, of what they had just done.

Zelda enjoyed lying in bed with Link, after having made love to each other. Both of them were nude, and Zelda was starting to fall asleep. Playfully, she kissed Link and snuggled up to him closer. Link buried his face into Zelda’s flowing hair and they both fell asleep very quickly.


Chapter 2: Special Delivery

Early morning light streamed through the small windows. Zelda opened her eyes, and yawned, blinking at the light. Link’s arms were still wrapped around Zelda’s body, and his body was rising up and down with each breath. Zelda adjusted her body and lay her head on his warm, muscle-toned chest. Link stirred, then opened his piercingly blue cerulean eyes and looked at Zelda. Link smiled and kissed Zelda on the forehead. Zelda giggled slightly and hugged him tightly.

“Sleep well last night?” Link asked. Zelda nodded in assent, a slight red tinge appearing on her delicate cheeks.

“Very,” she said with a smile. Link grinned, and Zelda felt tremors of warm pleasure flash up and down her spine.

For a few more minutes, Link and Zelda lay in each other’s embrace, closing their eyes and kissing each other. Eventually, Link slowly got up and dressed. Zelda watched her husband for a few seconds, then slipped her slender legs out of the bed. Reaching down, Zelda snagged an extra dress and began to cloth herself. When Zelda was finished, Link was waiting for her. Taking Zelda’s hand, the couple walked out of their small vacation home and outside. The morning wind was fairly chilly, so Link and Zelda hugged each other to provide warmth. The glimmering waters of Lake Hylia rippled and flashed as sunlight reflected off its surface, and fish jumped out of its crystalline depths. The waves splashed at the shoreline, creating a gentle wave.

Link’s horse, Epona, came trotting up to meet Link when he came out. Epona nuzzled him as Link petted her. Epona then stared at Zelda, as if to say “Aren’t you going to pet me too?”

Zelda smiled and patted Epona, running her gloved hands through Epona’s snowy white mane. Epona snorted in pleasure and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling.

“So, what do you want to do? We still have a few days left for our honeymoon,” Link said casually.

Zelda thought for a moment. “For starters, we could eat breakfast,” Zelda laughed. “But there doesn’t seem to be any restaurants nearby, and our cabin is devoid of any food.”

Link smiled. “No problem.” Grabbing Zelda firmly by the waist, Link muttered some words as a green glow encompassed the pair. Zelda clung to Link. She was a little nervous, but wasn’t too worried. Link knew what he was doing. After finishing the incantation, a bright, green light surrounded Zelda and Link. Zelda felt a gust of wind and saw felt as if her body was floating in mid air. Epona whinnied nervously before Link and Zelda disappeared completely.

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When Zelda re-opened her eyes, she and Link were in a small town. There was a giant building shaped like a treasure chest directly in front of her, and plenty of people milled around the area. There was a passageway to Zelda’s left, guarded by a soldier in iron chain mail and a steel-tipped spear. His helmet had the distinctive purple plume of officers, but currently he was busy telling off two boys about trying to go farther into the passageway. Zelda turned around and glanced behind her; a giant building with a thatched roof stood towering over her. A sign in front read, “Stock Pot Inn.” Link was already heading for the door. Nervously, Zelda followed him.

“Link, where are we?” Zelda asked. Link chuckled. “We’re in East Clock Town, in the land of Termina!”

Zelda realized that this was the land that had sent Hyrule aide when Ganondorf the War Lord had briefly captured Hyrule Castle Town. She gazed in wonder at the different buildings and people. Presently, she became aware that Link had went into the Stock Pot Inn; she followed through the open door and saw a red haired woman and a purple haired man hugging him and making a loud commotion.

Link was laughing and trying to push them off. “It’s good to see you too, Anju and Kafei!” Link said.

Finally, Kafei and Anju let off Link, and Link introduced Zelda, who was standing awkwardly by the doorway, not wanting to interfere.

“This is Zelda, my wife,” Link said, smilingly. “We’re on our honeymoon.” Kafei and Anju quickly greeted their Queen by bowing to her. Zelda smiled.

“You don’t have to do that-no, really, it’s ok,” Zelda laughed as Anju and Kafei stood up, looking confused. “Just treat me like any other normal person,” Zelda said. Anju blushed and muttered her apologies, trying to bow down, but was promptly stopped by Zelda. For the next half an hour, the group chattered away happily, and Anju and Kafei seemed to have lost their awkwardness around Zelda. Eventually, Link sat up.

“Do you know any good places to eat breakfast?” Link asked Kafei. Kafei thought a moment.

“Well, there’s a new breakfast restaurant that opened recently in South Clock Town, and I hear it’s pretty good,” Kafei said. Link thanked Kafei and he and Zelda headed out to eat breakfast.

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The dark room was dimly lit with several torches. Several people dressed in black robes sat near an altar, muttering and praying. A red liquid oozed from the altar, and the people in black robes took turns to lick at the liquid. Suddenly, a door opened, creaking slowly on its hinges. Another man appeared, holding a mask with pale blue hair, white eyes, and a jagged, ugly scar running up the cheek.

“Out.” The new arrival spoke, gesturing toward the door. The others hastily left the room, and closed the door behind them.

“Renald, put me on the end seat,” The mask seemed to speak, even though its mouth wasn’t moving. Obediently, Renald placed the mask where it desired, and sat down to the mask’s side.

“So, tell me again Renald, how will we bait the Hero of Time into coming here?”

Renald smiled. The mask had questioned him about the plan for the last few days. “Well, we will need to wait for awhile, until the Hero of Time and his Queen have a child. Their child will be the bait for our plan.”

The mask bristled. “How long will I have to wait, Renald? One year?”

Renald snorted. “More like five.”

The mask seemed to suck in the stale air at this. “Five years?! Why can’t we just take the child when it is born? Or, capture the Queen and use her as bait?”

Renald snorted. “We can’t capture the Queen, because she has a legion of guards surrounding her half the time. She also had formidable spell power, and is a very powerful mage. Plus, the Hero of Time is almost always with her, making it even harder to capture the Queen.”

The mask paused. “A valid point, but you still have not explained to me why we cannot capture the child. I hardly think a toddler who can barely walk can defeat your Cultists.”

Renald nodded. “True, but you also have to take in the fact that the child will be surrounded by guards and parents, so we must wait until the child is old enough to go out alone, or with a light escort. Then, our plan can be set in motion.”

The mask became angry. “We’ll have to wait at least five or six years for that!”

Renald answered. “Well, do you want to ruin the plan before then?” The mask seemed to grunt in defeat.

Renald stretched his legs out under the wooden table and looked at the mask with cold, calculating eyes. “And what is in the plan for me, Fierce Diety? Will you keep your end of the bargain.”

The mask seemed to be thinking heavily. “Yes, of course,” the mask said. “Now leave me, I must collect my thoughts.” Renald stood up and left the room, leaving the mask in the dark room alone.

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Link and Zelda, after eating breakfast, had left Clock Town to explore Termina. They had gone on the swamp tour cruise, and were currently swimming in great bay.

“It’s very peaceful,” Zelda thought, as she floated on her back and stared up at the light blue sky. The beach was empty, so Zelda and Link had their privacy. Remembering Link, Zelda lifted her head slightly and scanned the waters. Link was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, a powerful force from underneath Zelda lifted her out of the water, salty ocean spray washed over Zelda’s body as she submerged her head. Breaking the surface spluttering and gasping for air, Zelda saw Link in front of her, laughing like a maniac.

“Link!” Zelda shouted playfully, and she splashed some water in Link’s eyes. Before Link could re-open his eyes, Zelda lunged at him.

“Gotcha!” Zelda said, as she clung to Link’s chest. Link smiled and rolled over, submerging Zelda under the water. When Zelda came up in the air, her lips locked onto Link’s as they shared a passionate kiss. Zelda and Link slowly swam back to shore, where their blankets were. For the next few hours, Link and Zelda spent the time sun bathing and talking to each other.

At one point in the conversation, Zelda brought up an interesting topic.

“Link, what should we call our baby?” Link was taken off-guard, but responded fairly quickly.

“It depends. Are we talking a boy or a girl?”

Zelda closed her eyes and concentrated for a little. “It’s a girl,” Zelda said. “I know it.”

Link grinned inwardly at Zelda’s telepathic powers. “Hmmm….a girl, eh?” Link asked. For a moment, Link ran through a list of names streaming in his head. “I like the name Kara,” Link answered finally. Zelda smiled.

“That’s a nice name.” Yes, when the time came, they’d call their child Kara. Their child was destined for great things, Zelda could feel it, but there was also a sense of darkness that hung around their child when Zelda thought about it too….

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Six months later, Zelda woke up in bed with a start. She felt terrible. She was sweating, and her mouth felt weird. Without warning, Zelda vomited onto the carpeted floor, spreading chunks of pinkish stuff all over the bedroom she and Link shared. Link woke up instantly after hearing Zelda retch a second time. Link immediately noticed the vomit on the floor and the stench coming from it.

“Zelda, are you okay?” Link asked in concern.

Zelda was breathing heavily. “Yes, I’m all right. Link, I think…I think I’m pregnant with our baby.” Link’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Really? I’ll get Impa,” Link said, jumping out of bed and quickly dressing in his green tunic. Although Impa was the Sage of Shadow, she currently resided in Hyrule Castle.

Running out of their bedroom door, Link ran headlong into his friend, General Arkaynis.

“Whoa, Link, what’s the rush?” Arkaynis asked, looking concerned for his younger friend. “It’s only seven in the morning.”

Link caught his breath. “It’s Zelda, I think she’s pregnant!” Link said, running off down the stairway to find Impa. A tired Malon opened the door to her room.

“What’s all the commotion?” Malon asked, stifling a yawn. Arkaynis looked at his wife. He and Malon had been married a few months ago, knew she and Zelda were very close friends.

“It’s Zelda…Link says she’s pregnant.” Malon’s eyes widened.

“Oh wow…really?” Before Arkaynis could answer, Malon had rushed off to Zelda’s room . Arkaynis stood for a second longer, and followed his wife down the corridor.

Impa was humming a Shiekan tune as she watered the plants when Link found her. Skidding to a halt, Link ran up to Impa.

“Hello, lad,” Impa greeted Link warmly. “Why are you up so early, especially on a Sunday? Don’t you like to sleep in?”

Link smiled. “Normally, yes, but I think Zelda’s pregnant. She woke up vomiting, can you please see her?”

Impa jumped. Her little Zelda, the young girl she had taken care of until she had blossomed into a woman, was having a baby! Impa was extremely happy.

“Of course, I’m coming,” Impa said, briskly setting down the plants and following Link up the velvet covered stairs.

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(A few months later)

Link sat down by Zelda’s bedside, holding their baby. Zelda was tired and worn out from giving birth, and was currently sleeping next to Link. Link stared in awe at his daughter, his Kara. She had some strands of golden hair already on her; Link could tell she’d look a lot like her mother. Link played with Kara’s hands and fingers a little, smiling at the new life he and Zelda had created. Baby Kara giggled and let a spit-bubble burst from her mouth. Presently, Zelda woke up from her slumber.

“Hey Zelda,” Link said, kissing her forehead. Zelda smiled and kissed Link, as she hugged him. Looking at their baby, Zelda smiled and wriggled one of Kara’s fingers. Kara turned her attention from her father to her mother, and she started to wrestle around in Link’s hands. Link handed over Kara to Zelda, and Zelda rocked the baby back and forth in her arms.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Link breathed, trying not to break the fragile silence.

“Yes…and she’s our baby,” Zelda smiled as Kara’s eyelids started to droop. In a few seconds, Kara had fallen asleep. Zelda carefully lay Kara in a crib next to the bed she and Link shared.

Link slowly changed out of his tunic and crawled into bed, pulling the covers around his shoulders. Zelda hugged him and breathed a little on his cheek. Link ran his hands slowly up Zelda’s body, feeling her curves and smelling her scent. Zelda smiled and closed her eyes; soon she was asleep.

Link lay awake a little bit longer, thinking about their child. After a few minutes, Link got up and looked into the crib that Kara was sleeping soundly in. Link blew his daughter a kiss and whispered “Good night my darling,” before climbing back into bed and falling into a blissful sleep.


Chapter 3: The Missing Princess


(Five years later)
Zelda was in her bathroom, fitting on an emerald dress and some make-up onto her face. Just as she was looking in the mirror, her bathroom door banged open. Startled, Zelda turned around to see her five year old daughter, Kara standing in the doorway.

Kara was dressed in a periwinkle blue dress, and her hair tumbled freely down her shoulders. She looked almost exactly like Zelda, except she had inherited her father’s blue cerulean eyes, dirty blond hair, and a knack for adventure.

“Mommy!” Kara ran toward Zelda and hugged her legs, since Kara was still a little girl.

Zelda smiled and lifted up Kara in the air. “Hi Kara, baby. Where’s daddy?”

Kara giggled and replied, “Daddy told me to go and find you, ‘coz the party’s about to start.”

Zelda set down Kara back on the floor. “Okay, I’ll be there in a second, Kara.”

Kara fiddled with the lace on her dress. “Mommy, can I go play with John?”

Zelda nodded. “Okay, but tell Impa where you’re going first, okay?”

Kara smiled, excited to play with John. “Okay,” she said brightly.

Zelda smiled and kissed Kara, and led her out the bathroom. Once Zelda closed the door, Kara skipped outside of her parent’s room and down the long hall way with red carpet. Several soldiers on guard smiled as she approached, and Impa was standing at the end of the hallway. For as long as Kara could remember, Impa was Kara’s nursemaid, and took care of her when her parents were busy.

“Hi Impa!” Kara said happily, stopping in front of the Shiekan woman. Impa smiled down at the new princess.

“Hello, Kara. Why are you so happy today? Shouldn’t you be with your mom or dad, since the party’s about to start?”

“Mommy said I could go play with John. Do you know where he is?” Kara queried.

Impa said she had last seen John in the courtyard, so Kara ran off to the courtyard to find her friend.

Kara entered the lush, green courtyard. She loved spending hours here, and watering the flowers. Sometimes, she would pick the flowers and make a bouquet for her parents. Or, she’d sit in the shade of the large willow tree and read a book. Today, however, a young boy with brown hair was sitting on a stone bench, quietly playing with some toy knights and moblins.

The young boy, upon hearing noise, looked up. He had the brown hair and build of his father, General Arkaynis, but the pleasant voice and love of animals that he mother, Malon, had.

“Hi, Kara!” John stood up and ran toward her, carrying his toys. “Look what I got!”

Kara peered at the toy knights. They looked just like a real Hylian knight, from their iron armor, big, heavy sword, and crested plumes of various colors. Kara had never seen a moblin, but she imagined the toy figurines depicted them close enough.

“Neat!” Kara exclaimed, taking one of the knights and fitting him on a brown war horse.

“Aren’t they?” John said, making some ugly moblins fight his knights.

“I can’t wait for the party tonight,” Kara said, listening to the notes of distant music and the chatter of hundreds of people. “I can’t wait until they give out the food.”

John smiled. “Maybe when no one is looking, we can slip out and explore Castle Town by ourselves!”

Kara looked sad. “You might be able to, but my parents always have a bunch of guards around me. I won’t be able to go with you.”

John patted his friend’s back. “Don’t worry, we’ll find a way. But right now, let’s go to the party. I think it’s starting!”

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Zelda stepped out of her room. The party was starting to get underway, and faint strains of voices and music could be heard. The party was in celebration of the day Ganondorf the War Lord was defeated, and many veterans of the war were meeting here. Even some Gerudos had come to join the party. Zelda walked halfway down the hall when Link appeared, dressed in his usual green tunic, but he was also wearing his Golden Gauntlets and had the Mirror Shield and Gilded Sword strapped to his back. After the war, he had returned the Master Sword to its resting place in the Temple of Time.

“Hi, Zelda. I was wondering where you were,” Link said, smiling. Zelda took Link’s arm, and they walked slowly down the passageway.

“Where’s Kara?” Link asked, noticing his daughter wasn’t with Zelda.

“Oh, she went of to play with John,” Zelda said, kissing Link.

As they walked toward the ballroom, two Royal Guards, dressed in heavy steel plate mail and thick, purple capes, saluted them and opened the door for their Queen and the Hero of Time. Walking into the gigantic ballroom, Link was stunned to see it filled with people. There were many rich nobles wandering around, but it mostly had groups of soldiers and their families. Servants went around, offering food and drinks to the guests. Over by the corner, Link spotted his daughter, Kara, picking some pudding from the table of food. Upon spotting her father, Kara left the pudding and ran to her father.

“Daddy!” Kara said, running up to Link. Link smiled and picked her up before she reached him. Kissing Kara, Link said, “So there you are!” Link laughed and tickled his daughter, and set her on the ground again. Zelda smiled as she watched Kara run off to find John. Link was always great with children, and he loved Kara more than anything in the world.

A slow tune struck up, and Zelda started to dance with Link.

“So did you have a good day?” Link asked Zelda, twirling her around a little. Link had become a very good dancer, especially after attending a large amount of balls.

Zelda groaned. “No, I had to attend meetings all day with the ambassador from Talamia about some trade dispute.” Link twirled Zelda around and caught her, leaning her slightly. “But my day’s getting better,” Zelda smiled as she kissed Link.

Halfway across the room, Kara was being fretted upon by countless nobles and ladies, all cooing about how beautiful and cute she was. Kara’s guards stood by her, ready to impale anyone who they might think was a danger to the Princess. Edging away slightly from the crowd, Kara ran over to John, who was outside on the stone balcony. The wind was chilly, and it whistled through the leaves of the trees beneath them. Kara shivered a bit, but stayed on the balcony with John.

“I wish we could do something else, instead of staying in here for the rest of the evening,” Kara said wistfully, looking at the lights coming from Castle Town. She had only be there a few times, and wished she could explore it by herself, instead of having a Royal Escort follow her everywhere.

“Maybe we can go play in the courtyard?” John said, trying to make Kara feel less miserable.

“Okay,” Kara replied, running off the balcony and into the courtyard. The courtyard was fairly big, and there was plenty of good places to play hide and go seek games.

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Hakishish stooped in the shadow of a giant willow tree. He remembered six years ago, his master, Ganondorf, had sent him here to capture the Princess Zelda. Now Ganondorf was dead, and his new leader, Renald, had sent him here to capture Princess Kara, the daughter of Zelda and Link, the Hero of Time who destroyed Ganondorf. Hakishish felt a surge of hatred at Link for killing his master; however, he calmed himself, as he saw two little figures emerge from a doorway, running, jumping, and laughing.

His master Renald had given Hakishish explicit orders; Capture Princess Kara alive, and take her to the Hyrule Castle Town drawbridge, where Renald would be waiting. Anyone else who interfered with the plan was considered…expendable. After watching the two figures play for a while, Hakishish discerned that the girl in the blue dress was most definitely his target, Princess Kara. The little boy she was playing with was irrelevant, and Hakishish prepared his move against the Princess.

Creeping silently through the trees and plants of the courtyard, Hakishish drew his ornately decorated dagger. It had a gold handle, and a jagged, steel blade. It had some pommel gems encrusted in the hilt, and was Hakishish’s favorite weapon. Creeping silently through the foliage, Hakishish approached Princess Kara from behind. Before either she, or her friend, knew what was happening, Hakishish clamped his hand upon Kara’s mouth and brought the dagger to her neck.

Instantly, the Royal Guards drew their weapons. Hakshish held the dagger to Kara’s throat.

“If you move…I’ll kill her,” Hakishish whispered dangerously. The guards hung back, but John didn’t.

“Kara!” The little boy yelled, but before the boy could do anything else, Hakishish was already running into the courtyard’s hedge maze, carying Kara with him.

For a moment, John stood petrified, not believing his best friend had just been kidnapped. Then, his instincts kicked in. Running from the courtyard, he charged all the way back to the ballroom, trying to alert everyone to the crisis.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Malon and her husband, General Jim Arkaynis, were dancing to a slow tune that originated from Termina. Malon was dressed in a long, blue dress, and Arkaynis was wearing a dark, black tunic. Malon kissed Arkaynis and continued to dance.

“I wish we had more times like this…” Malon said. Arkaynis smiled and kissed his wife back. He was about to answer when their son, John, came hurtling toward them. John was panting, out of breath, and he looked like he had seen a poe.

“Mommy…daddy,” John was still panting.

“What is it, John?” Arkaynis knelt down to pick up his son.

John seemed to regain some composure. “The…the man took Kara,” he said. By now, the Royal Guards who were escorting Kara had arrived and there was a mighty uproar over the kidnapping of Princess Kara.

Kissing John and handing him over to Malon, Arkaynis said, “I have to go and mobilize the troops. Take care.” With that, Arkaynis ran off, leaving Malon to comfort their distraught son.

At the same time, Link was already racing to Epona. The Royal Guards had told him the kidnapper disappeared into the hedge maze. If Link was fast enough, he might be able to cut off his daughter’s kidnapper.

Running into the wooden stables, Link quickly opened Epona’s door. Epona seemed to sense that something was wrong, and she stood still, to allow her master to get on with ease. Mounted on Epona, Link spurred his orange horse over the Castle Drawbridge. Their was a path leading from the Castle to Castle Town, and farther down that path, Link could see a commotion between two guards and man on foot. Link’s heart started with a jolt as he realized there was also a small figure that the man was holding a knife to. Link charged Epona into the battle, angry that someone might try and take his daughter away from him.

Hearing the loud horse hooves, Hakishish quickly killed the guards using his throwing knifes, and then began to run through the Castle Gate. However, Link quickly caught up to Hakishish, and blocked the kidnapper’s path.

“Daddy!” Kara yelled, trying to fight against Hakishish’s vice-like grip. Link glowered at the kidnapper.

“Let her go!” Link yelled, dismounting Epona, and pulling out his Gilded Sword and Mirror Shield. The kidnapper, however, still seemed to be unfazed, and stood his ground.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” Hakishish whispered.

“And that deal is?” Link said, starting to panic that his daughter’s life was in danger.

Another voice spoke from the shadows behind Hakishish. “This is the deal.”

A robed figure walked out from the shadows, carrying a mask. A mask with pale, white eyes, blue hair, and a familiar scar running up its cheek...

Link’s eyes widened when he realized who they were. Renald and the Fierce Diety’s Mask.

“How are you still alive, Renald?” Link asked. “I thought I killed you!”

Renald chuckled slightly. “But alas, you did not. You only wounded me.”

Link cursed. That must’ve been how Renald got the Fierce Diety’s mask.

“Pleasant to meet you again, Link,” a deep voice echoed in his head, reverberating throughout Link’s body. “Fierce Diety Mask,” Link thought.

The voice chuckled. “Yes, it is I, and I have survived. Whilst you lived in a castle, with warmth, riches, a beautiful Queen as your wife, and a good life, I have had to struggle through these past five years. But now, Link, it is time for my ultimate revenge. I have your daughter, and I can kill her in the blink of an eye.”

Link struggled to contain his anger. “What do you want with my daughter?” Link thought viciously.

The mask seemed to grin inside Link’s mind. “Oh no, my friend. I don’t want your daughter. I only need her in order to bargain for you…and once I am in possession of your body, I will slowly destroy your thoughts, memories, hopes, and emotions.”

Link shivered, remembering how it felt when he was wearing the Fierce Diety’s mask. Everything seemed forlorn, dark shadows clouded his mind, and although he felt powerful wearing the Fierce Diety’s mask, he also felt weak, as if he no longer controlled his body.

But then Link thought of his daughter, Kara. He loved her more than anything, and he wanted to spare her of the pain and anguish of being imprisoned by the Fierce Diety’s mask.

Sudden footsteps broke Link’s train of thought. He could also tell the Fierce Diety’s mask was startled by the sudden arrival. Looking behind him, Link saw Zelda, still in her party dress, with a mixture of anger and confusion etched across her face. Noting Renald, Zelda stopped.

“You!” she snarled, casting a withering look at Renald. “What do you want with our child?”

Renald laughed. “I don’t want your child. We are only using your child as a bargaining tool.”
“We?” Zelda said, glancing at Hakishish, the kidnapper, whom Zelda also recognized as the person who kidnapped her five years ago.

Renald laughed. “No, no, when I say we, I mean this.” Renald produced the Fierce Diety’s Mask, and Zelda felt a sense of darkness creeping in her mind. It was that mask that had tormented Link during the days of the Resistance Forces.

Hakishish seemed to be stunned at Renald’s words. “But Master, I-“

“You have served your purpose,” Renald said coolly. “Good-bye, Hakishish.” Suddenly, Renald drew his gigantic black blade and decapitated Hakishish quickly, before the man could even scream in pain. Sheathing his sword, Renald glanced mockingly at Link and Zelda.

“That could be your child,” Renald said.

Zelda’s face was white with fear. “I’ll do anything, as long as you release Kara safely.”

Link suddenly spoke. “Okay, I’ll do it. But how will I know you’ll release Kara when I’m done?”

Zelda seemed startled. “Link, what do they want?” But Link didn’t answer. The Fierce Diety’s Mask let out a cruel laugh, and Kara squirmed under Renald’s grip.

“Don’t worry, we’ll give your daughter back now.” Renald pushed Kara away from his body, however, at the same time, he threw a ball of intense magical energy at Link. Before Link could move, he was frozen in place, as creeping tendrils grew up from the ground and covered his legs and arms.

Zelda grabbed Kara as she was thrown from Renald. When Kara was safely in Zelda’s grasp, Zelda could only watch in horror as Renald approached Link, holding the mask outward, as if he was about to put the mask onto Link’s face.

“Yes…” The Fierce Diety’s mask thought. “My time for revenge has almost come.”

However, before the Fierce Diety’s mask could be placed onto Link’s face, Zelda charged into Renald, knocking him over.

“Stupid woman!” Renald roared, punching Zelda in the stomach. Kara began to cry as Renald left Zelda on the ground, knocked unconscious. Link was boiling with anger and hatred.

“Now then, where were we?” Renald said, picking up the fallen Fierce Diety’s mask, and once again moving toward Link. Link turned his head, and looked at Kara, his daughter.

“Kara…I love you…and tell mommy I love her too,” Link managed to say. The vines growing on Link’s body were choking him, making it hard to breathe or talk. Renald approached Link, holding the Fierce Diety’s mask in front of him. But just as the Fierce Diety’s mask was about to take possession of Link and his body…

“Nooo!” A scream yelled out, and right in front of Link, Kara jumped up, and forced the mask onto her face, before Renald could place the Mask on Link. Instantly, the vines on Link vanished, and Link tried to rush to Kara’s side and pull the mask off. Unfortunately, he was too late.

Kara, his sweet little daughter, had become transformed. Her five year old body matured into a grown woman’s body, rippling with muscles, and her golden blonde hair turned white. Kara’s blue eyes had become a stone gray, and she wielded a cruel, two bladed sword. Turning to face Link, Kara, now under possession of the Fierce Diety’s mask, let out an evil grin.

“I didn’t want your daughter, Hero, but she is a lot stronger then I imagined. She will make a good body.” The new Kara suddenly swung the huge blade at Link, who barely had time to parry the blow with the Mirror Shield. Kara swung her sword again, but Link noticed the movements were very sluggish and slow. Apparently, Fierce Diety noticed too.

“I haven’t adapted to this new body enough to use it properly,” Fierce Diety thought, watching as Link easily stepped aside from one of his blows. “Renald,” Fierce Diety thought, “Let us go back to where your reinforcements are waiting. We shall ambush the Hero of Time there.” Renald understood the telepathic message, and immediately ran off toward the fading lights of Castle Town. Turning back to Link, Fierce Diety, now Kara, sneered.

“If you want your daughter so badly, come and catch us!” With that, Kara ran off to follow Renald, at a speed Link would not have thought possible by any mortal being.
Link was about to get Epona and follow them, until he heard a soft moan from his left. Turning around, Link saw that Zelda had woken up.

“Link?” she said groggily, holding onto his arm for support. Link held her up, and quickly filled her in about what had just happened.

Zelda’s eyes widened. “Fierce Diety is now possessing our daughter?” she cried. Zelda was about to follow Fierce Diety, when a strong hand clamped her shoulder. Turning around, Zelda saw General Arkaynis.

“My Queen, you shouldn’t follow them.”

Zelda was unbelieving. “My child has been kidnapped, and you’re telling me not to go look for her?” Zelda yelled. Arkaynis had a child, he of all people should know.

Arkaynis seemed sad but determined. “Running after your child would only result in more deaths tonight. First off, we have no idea if those goons have soldiers waiting to ambush any pursuers. Secondly, we have no idea how to free Kara from that evil mask in the first place. I’ll send my soldiers in, but you should stay at the castle.”

Zelda was about to speak, when Link quietly put his hand on her. He had several tears running down his cheeks, but he seemed determined and serious. “Arkaynis is right, Zelda. This could easily be an ambush, or a hostage-situation. We need proper planning, and we need to know how to free Kara. Otherwise, we may only do her harm.”

Zelda felt tears fall from her eyes. “That’s our daughter down there, and you abandoned her just like that?” Zelda whispered harshly. “I thought you loved Kara! What kind of father are you?”

Link felt more tears run down his face. “I do love Kara, and running into there blind is probably the most surefire way to guarantee her death!”

Zelda angrily bit back. “But leaving her alone with them will surely kill her!”

Link shook his head. “They wanted me, and they won’t kill Kara unless forced too. They plan to use her as a bargaining tool, and will keep her alive to meet their needs.”

Zelda angrily slapped Link, twice on the cheek. It was the first time in their lives she had slapped him, in fact, it was the first time they had actually had a real argument.

Link felt guilty, but knew this was the only path to save Kara. “Slap me again, if you want.”

Zelda said nothing and turned around, trying to walk to Castle Town. However, two soldiers held her firmly by the arms, and led her away, back to the castle.

Link felt General Arkaynis put a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m coming with your soldiers to scout out Castle Town,” Link said, quickly running to Epona and following General Arkaynis.

“I love you Kara, don’t worry, I’m coming,” Link thought.





Chapter 4: Strange Visitors

Zelda lay tossing and turning in her bed. She was still wide awake, even though she hadn’t and it was near midnight. She kept thinking of horrible things that would happen to Kara. Questions flooded through Zelda’s brain.

“Where is Kara? What are they doing to her? And how can we free her from the Fierce Diety’s mask, as Link called it.” Zelda muttered.

After whispering Link’s name, she felt a pang of guilt and sorrow. She had yelled at him, slapped him, and accused him of not loving their daughter, Kara. She remembered the tears on his gaunt and broken face, and realized he cared about Kara more than the world, and was only doing the reasonable solution. Zelda turned her head and stretched her slender legs, re-adjusting her body on the giant bed.

Just as Zelda was about to think more, she heard some commotion outside the door. The guards posted outside were talking to someone. After a few whispered words, the sound of footsteps and clanking metal armor became fainter and fainter as the guards left the passageway. Zelda looked up at the giant, mahogany door as it opened and a sliver of light shined through. Link walked in, barely recognizable, as his hair and face was slicked with rain, sweat, and tears, and dark shadows covered his swollen, red eyes. He seemed a lot older than a normal twenty four year old young man. Closing the door, Link padded quietly to their bathroom, evidently unaware Zelda was watching him. After a few minutes, Link emerged from their bathroom, changed in some night garments. He slowly and cautiously walked toward their bed, and crawled next to Zelda, leaving a large space between their bodies. Zelda rolled onto her back and slowly moved close to Link, who had his back turned to her. Only after seeing his shaking shoulders, she realized he was crying.

“Link…” Zelda began, gently in a soothing voice.

Link faced her, and his once bright cerulean eyes seemed to have turned into a dull shade of its former radiance.

“Link…I’m sorry I…did all those things to you earlier,” Zelda said gently as she kissed him and pulled him close to her warm body. Link’s face felt cold and clammy, and his hands were shaking uncontrollably. Link clung to Zelda, and buried his face into her night dress.

“I couldn’t save her,” Link said, and Zelda saw on closer inspection he had several deep cuts on his arms and face, as if made by a sword.

“It’s okay, Link. We…We’ll find Kara,” Zelda said, starting to feel tears coming on at the mention of their lost daughter.

Link regained some of his composure. “Fierce Diety escaped Castle Town in Kara’s body, along with Renald.” Link took a deep breath. “I almost had him…If only I didn’t let my guard down…Kara might be with us right now,” Link muttered numbly.

“Shh…it’s okay,” Zelda whispered to Link, kissing him again as she knelt her head next to his face. Link seemed to be getting calmer, and his body wasn’t as cold and clammy anymore.

“I’m sorry,” Link mumbled, as he closed his eyes.

“For what?” Zelda said, kissing him.

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Darkness.

Kara woke up. She was in a giant, cavernous area that was very dark.

“Where am I?” She muttered. “Where’s Daddy and Mommy?”

Kara started to walk around. The ground felt squishy, almost like flesh. The walls pulsated slightly and blue and red lines-veins, perhaps,-ran across the fleshy walls. Kara continued to walk, and became aware of a shadow following her. She turned around, but nothing was there. Kara turned back around, starting to feel some sweat and anguish.

Suddenly, while walking past the living walls, she remembered something. It had happened a few months ago…


“Mommy, do I have to go to bed?” Kara complained, sitting up on her fluffy pillows.

Her mother sat down next to her, smiling, as beautiful, golden hair fell down her shoulders.

“You need your sleep, Kara. Tomorrows another busy day, and you must be tired out from playing with John all day.”

Kara frowned. “I’m not tired! Why can’t I go to bed later, like you and daddy?”

Zelda smiled and stroked her daughter’s face, kissing her. “Because daddy and I are adults, and you’re just a little child. When you grow older, you can stay up later.”

Kara sank into her bed, then bolted up again. “Will you tell me a story? I’ll go to sleep right after you tell me the story, I promise!”

Zelda smiled again and sat down on Kara’s large, soft bed. “Oh, okay. What story would you like?”

Kara thought for a moment. “Tell me a story where a brave hero comes and rescues a Princess and they live happily ever after.”

Zelda smiled, knowing the perfect story. “Okay. Once upon a time, there was a princess living in a castle. One day, she met a young boy, who wore a green tunic and hat, and he had blonde hair…”

Only a short time ago, Kara realized that the princess was her mother, Zelda, and the Hero was her father, Link. It awed Kara to know she was the daughter of a Hero and Princess. It seemed how just like a real story would end.

“And they lived happily ever after…”

But would this particular story end happily? Kara pondered this question as she walked down another corridor of wriggling flesh and veins. Where was she? As she walked through another dimly lit passageway, she saw a burning light ahead. Running, Kara entered a vast room, filled with light. In the middle, there was a giant, pulsating mass, which Kara realized was a brain.

“Your brain,” a voice said in her head. Kara looked around quickly.

“Who said that?” she asked.

The voice chuckled. “Come closer and you shall see.” Kara carefully walked toward the brain. Embedded on the side was a mask with pale blue hair and white eyes. Memories of what had happened to Kara when she was kidnapped came rushing back to her. She remembered she had forced that same mask onto her face to save her father, the Hero. But where was she now? If her brain was right in front of her…

“That’s right. You are inside your head. But I’m controlling it,” chuckled the mask.

“You can’t keep me here forever! My father is a Hero, and Heroes defeat anything evil,” Kara said defensively, remembering the story her mom had told her.

The mask laughed. “Mere stories and superstitions, told to young girls like yourself. This is reality, not just a story!”

Kara was getting more frightened every moment, but she held her ground. “My mommy said that you were defeated by my daddy. You can be beat again!”

A cloud appeared over the mask’s face, but was quickly replaced by a smirk. “Ah, yes of course. But I was so close to dominating your father. I almost had him…but Ganondorf was defeated before I could fully exert my control, and I lost connection with your father.”

The mask paused, as if thinking. “Yes…your father was a brave and strong man. If I had him…I could rule all of Hyrule. Countless races would bow down to the feet of their former hero.” The mask paused again, searching for words. “But you yourself are surprisingly resilient. Almost as good as your father, possibly better, once I’ve trained you up a little.”

Kara stood frozen to the pulsating flesh beneath her feet. Slowly, she walked toward the mask and tried to grab it with her hands; a fierce shield of electricity crackled and shocked her, and the mask laughed as she fell down onto the ground, cradling her fingers.

“Don’t do that, or you might die. I need you alive, at least for now.” Kara ran back down the hallway as the mask’s mocking laughter followed after her. She would find a way out of this situation, just like her father did when he was in trouble during his quest.

“But how?” Kara whispered, sucking her stinging digits.

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Fierce Diety looked into the mirror. His body was curved, like a woman’s, since he was possessing the body of Princess Kara. He looked almost like Queen Zelda, except he had long, silver hair, pale sightless eyes, and rippling muscles on his body. Although it would be hard, he might still be able to rule Hyrule. Once he had his army. But he would get that later.

Fierce Diety walked out of the dimly lit room, past several black robed cultists who stopped their whispered conversation and bowed reverently toward him as he passed. Fierce Diety ignored them. Their part in this play was over, and once he felt secure enough, he would dispose of Renald. That foolish human had actually believed that Fierce Diety would reward him with riches and power once he had claimed the Hyrulean Throne.

Fierce Diety walked out the corridor, and into another room. Battle axes and swords were piled in an untidy heap at the far end of the room.

“Time for a little training,” Fierce Diety grunted as he hefted a giant battle axe and swung it with such terrible force against the wall the axe’s blade completely shattered into small bits. Fierce Diety let out a deep, rolling laugh. There was no way anyone could stop him now. There was no way.

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For the next several days, Hyrule was in an uproar. Everywhere, citizens heard of the abduction of sweet, Princess Kara. A search had been going on for the kidnappers ever since Kara was kidnapped, but so far to no avail. The picture of Renald had been posted everywhere in Hyrule; everywhere guards and soldiers increased security ten-fold. Rewards had been posted for the safe return of Princess Kara, but so far, no one had even seen the Princess.

It was early in the evening, and Zelda sat in her room talking to Malon. She had spent almost the whole day reviewing reports and likely whereabouts of where Kara’s kidnappers would go, and each one was a false trail. Link was still out searching some secret hideaways he had discovered in his childhood, but that too, had been fruitless.

“Don’t worry Zelda, I’m sure Kara will be fine,” Malon said, trying to comfort her friend.

“But what if she isn’t?” Zelda asked quietly. “What if we never see her again?”

“Well, Link said they will keep Kara alive as a bargaining tool, won’t they?” Malon said, trying to re-assure Zelda.

Zelda didn’t answer, but just stared out the window. The Hylian sun was setting, and streaks of fading light shone outside of the windows. Zelda sighed.

“But how will we free Kara from the mask?” Zelda said. “Link said that the Fierce Diety mask had taken possession of Kara’s body. How can we free her?”

Malon didn’t answer. After a few minutes of silence, Malon quietly stood up and hugged her friend. “Don’t worry. Have hope.” She whispered before exiting Zelda’s room, closing the door behind her. Zelda sat on the edge of her bed, contemplating any possible outcomes to this situation. Most of them weren’t pleasant.

Looking up to her nightstand, Zelda saw a picture of their family that had been painted a year ago. Link was wearing his trademark green tunic, with Kara sitting on his left shoulder. Zelda was to the left of Link, also holding Kara’s small hands and smiling. Kara was wearing a pretty yellow blouse, with a bow tied in her hair. They were all so happy, never dreaming that one day Kara would be snatched from them.

Zelda turned away from the picture, feeling her eyes burning with tears. A calm, smooth voice, that spoke of tranquility and peace, interrupted the silence.

“Do not cry, Queen Zelda.” Zelda looked up to find the speaker. She was a beautiful woman, about Zelda’s height. She had creamy skin, and her eyes were sparkling blue. She had long, flowing blue hair, that fell down her shoulders, over the simple but elegant blue toga she wore.

“Do not be alarmed,” the woman said calmly, as Zelda stifled a gasp, her tears forgotten.

“Who are you?” Zelda asked. The strange woman smiled.

“My name does not matter. However, your child’s safety does.”

Zelda froze at the mention of Kara, “What do you know about Kara?” Zelda asked slowly, wondering if this was someone involved in the kidnapping.

The woman smiled. “Don’t worry, I am not involved in any way with the kidnapping. I am only here to assist.”

Zelda remained calm but wary. “Why can’t you tell me your name, then?”

The blue haired woman smiled. “As I said before, my name does not matter. And besides, you already know my name. You’ve just never seen me before.”

Zelda frowned. The woman did seem awfully familiar, yet she couldn’t quite place it…

The woman began to talk again, her melodious voice rolling in her mouth.

“I come here to talk to you about your child. As you no doubt know, Kara is in great danger. However, she is not in imminent danger of being killed or harmed.”

Relief washed through Zelda, although she didn’t know why. Zelda didn’t even know this woman, so how could she be trusted?

The woman spoke again. “As you no doubt know, your child is destined for great things.” The woman paused, searching for the right words. “If she can survive her first battle with darkness.”

Zelda pondered the question, and remembered something that had been buried in her memory for five years. When she and Link were on their honeymoon, she had prophesied that their daughter, Kara, would do wondrous and amazing deeds. However, there was also a sense of darkness that had come over Zelda as she thought of this. But how could this strange woman know?

The woman waited calmly for Zelda to remember her past. Then, she began to speak in that same, clear tone. “The key to freeing your daughter comes not from the outside, but within. Remember this, and give your daughter your support, and you shall succeed.” The woman turned on her heel and walked out of the door. Zelda followed after her, only to find….that the passageway outside her room was deserted.

Zelda closed the door shut, and began to think furiously. “What did that woman mean, The key to freeing Kara comes not from the outside, but within? And who was that woman in the first place? She was so beautiful, so perfect, almost like a goddess…

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Kara lay curled up in a lighted corner. She was trying to fall asleep and dream of happier times, but she couldn’t, especially with a large mass of pulsating flesh moving around her. Kara turned onto her side and almost yelled out in disbelief. In front of her was a woman with long, shining green hair and a slender body. She was wrapped in a green toga, and one word to describe her was…beautiful.

Kara stood up and gasped at the woman, who just smiled back at Kara.

“Who are you?” Kara asked. “Are you someone else the mask captured?”

The woman smiled. “The mask can only possess one person’s body at a time. So, he possessed yours.”

Kara looked confused. “Then how did you get here?”

The young woman smiled, and Kara noticed pearly white teeth. “How I come and go doesn’t matter right now. But what matters is what you have inside of you.”

Kara was startled. “Um…what do I have inside of me that’s so important?”

The woman smiled and stooped down to Kara’s level. “Kara, you are destined to do great things. You will become a hero, possibly greater than even your father. But, there is a hurdle in the way. This hurdle can make, or break, you. It is your decision on how to tackle the problem.”

Kara frowned. “Do you mean, this task is to escape this mask?”

The woman stood up again. “Not just breaking free from this mask…destroying it completely.”

Kara frowned. “But how can I do that? I don’t have any weapons, and the mask has a shield surrounding it.”

The woman took Kara’s hand and grasped it firmly. “Kara there is something that you inherited from your mother and father. Something very important, and something that makes you extremely special.”

The woman closed her eyes and as she did so, Kara felt the back of her hand prickle. Looking at her pale hand, Kara saw three, golden triangles materialize out of nowhere. Two of the triangles, one on the right, and one on the left, were shimmering. The top one was dim, and only the outline could be seen.

“What is this?” Kara asked, somewhat frightened.

The woman smiled. “Do not be afraid, Princess Kara. This, is the Triforce. And the Triforces you hold are the Triforce of Courage and the Triforce of Wisdom.”

Kara’s eyes widened. Her mother had told her stories about the Triforce, but she had never actually believed the three, divine triangles actually existed.

“How did I get these?” Kara asked. The woman smiled, and in this one, there was a shadow of sadness.

“Your mother and father…the Queen of Hyrule and the Hero of Time…possessed these triangles, and utilized them to fight the Evil King Ganondorf. However, the triangles were passed on to you. Your mother and father were the Chosen Ones in the fight against Ganondorf, but their fight is over. Now, it is your battle, against a new foe.”

Kara frowned. “I’m only five. How can I do this by myself?”

The woman smiled and backed away. “Have faith in yourself, Kara. Often the smallest are the most potent.”

Kara ran toward the figure quickly. “Wait! Who are you?” But the mysterious woman had vanished into thin air. Kara stood dumbfounded, looking at the space where the woman had previously occupied. Sitting down on the wet, slimy ground, Kara looked at her hands. The Triforces still burned brightly.

“How am I supposed to defeat this mask…even if I do have these new powers? I don’t even know how they work,” Kara mused, staring blankly at the ground. Her periwinkle blue dress was very dirty, from all the muck and slime inside her…brain? Kara shivered a little and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to lay her head on the slimy ground, so she just leaned with her back against a wall and slowly drifted off into a troubled sleep.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Zelda was still thinking about the mysterious woman when Link walked into their bedroom, his face a pallor of dirt and sweat. Zelda embraced Link and kissed him, wiping some of the sweat off his face. Link smiled but Zelda knew he still hadn’t found Kara.

“No luck?” Zelda asked, sitting down on a chair.

“No,” Link said dejectedly as he took a seat next to Zelda, dropping his Mirror Shield and Gilded Sword to the floor.

Link waited in silence as Zelda went to the bathroom and wiped away the sweat and grime on Link’s forehead with a towel.

“I made a hot bath for you, and ordered the cooks to bring the food up here.” Zelda said, trying to comfort her weary husband.

“Thank you,” Link said, as he walked into their bathroom and closed the door. Zelda sighed as she remembered her encounter with the strange woman. Questions still ran through her head.

“Is it possible she was a goddess?” Zelda muttered. Blue hair, blue toga- if it was a goddess, it was probably Nayru, goddess of wisdom. Zelda looked down at her own hand and realized with a jolt that the Triforce of Wisdom was no longer etched on the back of her hand.

Zelda frantically tried to summon any power the Triforce of Wisdom held, but none would come. Finally, Zelda remembered the day five years ago when Link had proposed to her…

Zelda and Link walked underneath the towering willow tree and sat on the stone bench, the very place where they shared their first kiss.

“So,” Zelda said, looking at Link expectantly.

Link put on an innocent look. “So, what?”

Zelda laughed and pushed Link. Link grinned too.

“Link!” Zelda said. “You can’t hide it from me! Our Triforces have a special bond, so I can read your mind if I want to.”

Link put on a mock-angry face. “Hey, I’ve never been able to read your mind!”

Zelda smiled. “That’s because you aren’t an adept enough mage,” Zelda said.

Link chortled. “Well, I guess I can’t hide anything from Miss Mind Reader, eh?”

Getting down on one knee, Link took Zelda’s gloved hand, and pulled out a small, velvet covered box from his tunic pocket…

Zelda fondly looked down at her engagement ring. It was a beautiful golden band with a ruby, sapphire, and emerald encrusted into it, with a giant diamond in the center. She had always worn the ring; it reminded her of Link and herself, and the special bond the shared.

“And…” Zelda muttered, remembering t hat the Triforces had allowed her to read Link’s mind. “If Link has his Triforce still, I could read his mind.”

Zelda concentrated, and tried to focus on Link’s mind, but couldn’t. “I guess that means both the Triforce of Courage and Wisdom are gone,” Zelda said, looking down at her hand. “But if so, who has them now?” Zelda muttered, staring out the window at the darkening sky.

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Chapter 5: Showdown at Kakariko

Kakariko Village was now a bustling town. Although it was still very early in the morning, Merchants had set up shop everywhere, with exotic spices and smells wafting from the stalls. Local street urchins tried their hand at stealing food for the day, while villagers and nobles milled through the market place, examining and buying assorted objects. Everyone was dressed in different fashion; if you kept your face under a hood and avoided the bulk of the crowd, no one would find you particularly suspicious.

So, a tall woman with a long, silk cloak with a hood covering her face was not too worried about being held up from reaching her destination. Stopping in the shade of a large oak tree, the woman fingered a small, elaborate sword ornately decorated with many different jewels. Looking casually around, the woman nodded to a pair of people dressed in black robes, hiding in the shadows of the tree. Their robes were inky black, and seemed to be enchanted so they could meld in with darkness and hide themselves from view.

“Well?” The strange woman asked, a harsh tone to her voice.

“We have secured the Kakariko Graveyard. There were a few people there, but we managed to bound and gag them before they could alert anyone,” confirmed an aging man.

“Good. We shall add them to our army too. Have you secured the entrance? I don’t want this ceremony disturbed.”

“Yes, we have. The area has our people all over the place. If anyone tries to enter the graveyard, we will capture them in seconds.

“Very good. Proceed with your duties,” the woman said, quickly turning around and walking with long strides toward the graveyard.

The black robed people, bowed, then mumbled a few words before disappearing back into the shadows from whence they came.

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The strange woman moved into the Graveyard, bypassing several Cult members. They all had their hoods on, and their weapons raised, ready to fight any trespassers. Once into the main part of the graveyard, the woman took a look around. The Kakariko Graveyard was a dreary place, with many tombstones and wet and spongy floor. A mass of Cultists was circled around the Royal graves. There were also several mourners bound and gagged, guarded by several Cult members. The woman through back her hood, revealing her face.

A face that vaguely resembled Princess Kara’s face.

Renald moved from the mass of Cultists to meet Fierce Diety.

“How is everything, Renald?” Fierce Diety asked, raising an eyebrow. “I hope that it is going according to plan.”

Renald smirked. “Of course it is. But once you have your army, you had better remember the deal we made years and years ago.”

Fierce Diety waved it aside. “Of course, of course,” he muttered, without really meaning it. Once she had her army, he would have no need of Renald anymore. Why couldn’t the pathetic fool see it already?

Renald escorted Fierce Diety to a large, ceremonial pyre built hastily. It stood on top of the tomb of the late King Harkanian, father of Queen Zelda. The Cultists seemed to take no notice of the new arrival. They continued to mutter the spell, heads bowed almost to the ground.

Fierce Diety waved them away. “It should be ready now,” he said, standing in front of King Harkanian’s tomb. The Cultists quickly scuttled away, eager to get away from Fierce Diety.

Palms turned upward, like a mage does when casting a spell, Fierce Diety’s eyes rolled back into his head. The spell required a lot of power, but with Princess Kara’s strong will, and with his own power, Fierce Diety could easily cast the spell.

The Cultists watched in fascination as flows of energy began streaming out of Fierce Diety’s hands. The energy went into each grave, and the Royal Family graves were the first to be desecrated.

The Cultists and Renald continued to watch in fascination. Fierce Diety thought it ironic, that they would soon die by the spell they had spent days and nights preparing. The early morning sky became darkened, and long shadows were cast over the group. Fierce Diety then let out an unearthly wail, like a starved and vicious animal. More streams of energy poured out of Fierce Diety’s hands, and these ones, instead of finding a grave, punctured the bodies of the Cultists, the captured mourners, and Renald.

Faces contorted in agony and pain, the Cultists tried to scream, but somehow found they couldn’t. Their bodies locked into violent spasms as they collapsed onto the ground and began to claw frantically at the dirt. The mourners, who had been tied up, were in even more pain. The spell complete, Fierce Diety strode over to Renald, who was trying to draw his sword but failing as he let out gasps of pain and anger.

“How…could…you?” Renald managed to gasp. “I…saved…you…”

Fierce Diety laughed looked at Renald squarely in the eye. “You were a fool to trust me. You were just a puppet, nothing more.”

Renald’s eyes bulged and foam dripped from his mouth. He tried desperately to throttle Fierce Diety, but his chest gave a giant heave and he collapsed on the floor, twitching in pain. Fierce Diety watched until Renald died. He had lasted a lot longer than everyone else, which was interesting. Fierce Diety wondered how long the Hero of Time would have lasted under the circumstances.

Lost in thought, Fierce Diety finally realized that sounds of moans and groans could be heard. Looking behind him, Fierce Diety saw a skeleton with burning red eyes emerge from King Harkanian’s grave. He still had several whisps of white hair on his bony skull, and he wielded an impressive, curved sword with a giant kite shield.

“What…are your orders…my lord?” The animated skeleton of King Harkanian rasped.

Fierce Diety smiled cruelly and laughed as more and more skeletons rose from the graves and corpses of those he just killed….

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Zelda moaned slightly as streams of sunlight pierced her balcony windows. She pulled the covers over her and rested her head on Link’s chest, which was rising softly with each breath he took. She had just had a dream where she, Link, and Kara was still a family, and the whole business with the Fierce Diety had never happened. She didn’t want to wake up, she didn’t want to accept the fact that her daughter was missing. She felt Link shift in position, knew he was stirring.

“Morning Link,” Zelda said, opening her eyes and gazing at her husband.

“Good morning Zel,” Link said, kissing her and wrapping his arms around her. It was a halfhearted gesture though. The sparkle in Link’s eyes were gone, his smiles and laughs were so rare these days. Zelda knew that Link was losing hope that their daughter was still alright. In her heart, Zelda was losing hope too.

Zelda slowly got up out of bed and stretched her slender body. Trading her night gown for her traditional dress, Zelda moved into the bathroom and brushed her teeth, bathed herself, and chatted with Link a little. But both of them were entering a deep depression without their daughter to cheer them up. Kara was always so happy, so lively. Zelda couldn’t remember a time when Kara had been sad and depressed. Kara would always make the castle guards laugh when she tried to sneak by without getting caught, she always made the cooks happy when she tasted the food and said it was great. Kara made the whole castle happy.

And now she was gone.

Zelda remembered the picnics that she and Link took Kara to, the times they spent swimming in the Castle pool, or planting flowers in the garden. Were those times gone forever?

Then Zelda remembered the strange woman. The one who had told her Kara was in no imminent danger. The woman seemed familiar, yet Zelda couldn’t quite place it…

While Zelda was thinking, a messenger from the military interrupted her.

“My Queen,” The messenger bowed.

Zelda bid the man to get up. “What tidings do you bring?” Zelda asked, hoping Kara was alright.

The messenger began to speak. “We have reports of a large army of skeletons in Kakariko Village assaulting the populace. The Garrison is having a lot of trouble repelling the invaders and request assistance.”

The messenger paused a little before going on. “And, we have reports of a tall, muscular woman with gray-silver hair and a large sword directing the skeletons.”

That was all the messenger said before Zelda rushed off to the stables.

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Link was about to mount Epona and begin the day’s search for Kara, when he heard a voice behind him.

“Link! General Arkaynis called, dressed in full battle armor and a sword in his sheath.

“What is it, Jim?” Link asked, climbing off of Epona to look at his friend.

“Link…some soldiers from Kakariko have reported they are under attack…” began General Arkaynis.

“Under attack? Could it be Fierce Diety?” Link asked, hope rising in him.

“Possibly,” General Arkaynis said. “We have a couple thousand soldiers mobilized already. Are you coming?”

“You bet,” Link said, saddling up on Epona and giving his trusty horse a pat. “Let’s go,” Link said, as his cerulean colored eyes flashed in emotion.

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Kara lay huddled in a corner, cold and tired. She was lonely, depressed, and she missed her parents. Around this time, she would probably be in the cozy living room, reading a book by the fire while her mommy and daddy read books or chatted with Impa.

Kara then felt a strange surge of energy come over her. She felt refreshed, although she didn’t know why. Two of the triangles on her hand, the ones that the strange lady said were the Triforce parts of Courage and Wisdom, began to glow. Kara didn’t know why, until the very same lady appeared in front of her.

“It’s you again!” Kara said, happy for reasons she couldn’t quite fathom.

The lady smiled. “Yes, it is me, Princess Kara. The time has almost come.”

Kara was confused. “What?”

But as quickly as the lady had come, she was gone. Kara sighed and sat down at the floor.

“Why does that strange woman keep appearing?” Kara mused. “Am I imagining her, or is she actually a real woman?” Kara also pondered what the woman had said about “The time has almost come.”

Mechanically, Kara stood up, as if some foreign force had entered her body and making her move against her will. Kara moved through dark corridors, mazes of flesh, and ended up at her brain again. And the Fierce Diety mask was still embedded in her brain.

“Why hello there,” the mask sneered. “What brings our young Princess Kara to these parts? Can’t you see I’m busy, girl?”

Kara turned, to see two transparent orbs among the flesh. Were these her eyes?

Kara walked over to the “eyes”, transfixed. She saw soldiers being chopped down by a wicked, curved blade, saw skeletons with fiery red eyes jumping on people and viciously slashing at the unfortunate victims with crude scimitars.

Sickened, Kara turned away. “Why are you doing this?” Kara asked.

The Fierce Diety mask laughed lightly. “Why of course, my dear child, to rule Hyrule.”

“But why?” Kara asked again. “Why do you want to rule Hyrule?”

The mask looked confused for a second. Then, he laughed.

“Little girl, I will tell you the truth.” Fierce Diety said bluntly. “I am a parasite. Without a body as a host, I cannot live. I will just be an empty mask shell. Even when I do posses someone, they will usually die gradually. I can only inhabit the strong, and once I have my grip on them, it is impossible for them to shake me off.” The mask laughed.

“Don’t you see? Once I rule the kingdom, countless people will bow before me. I will never have to worry about having a lack of hosts. I can just take my pick of any fine specimen I want, and inhabit then.”

Kara gasped. If this was true, not only was the whole kingdom in danger, her own body was too!

The mask laughed. “But I need a strong and powerful body to inhabit so I can take over the kingdom. Although I originally tried to dominate your father, it turns out…you were the better choice. You have your father’s Courage and your mother’s Wisdom,” the mask said, eyeing Kara’s hand.

Kara quickly dug her hands into her dress pockets to hide them from view…

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General Arkaynis had left to rally the troops. Link was trying to find Zelda to inform her of the fighting at Kakariko. Apparently, Zelda knew already.

“I’m coming with you,” Zelda said, stubbornly standing her ground.

Link sighed. Kara was already in grave danger; he didn’t want his wife in the same mix too.

Zelda sighed. “Please Link,” she begged. Link relented, seeing the pain in her eyes. The pain he shared as well.

“Oh, alright,” Link said, kissing Zelda. Zelda smiled, and while Link was busy trying to get Epona to stop moving, Zelda transformed into Sheik in a puff of dust.

Link helped Sheik onto Epona. “Ready?” Link called.

“Yes,” Sheik said through muffled rags.

Link spurred Epona into a gallop as the Hyrulean Army came into sight. It was already moving towards Kakariko Village; Smoke could already be seen rising from the many houses in Kakariko.

While Link concentrated on riding, Sheik began to think of the messages that the strange woman had told her.

“The key to freeing your daughter comes not from the outside, but within. Remember this, and give your daughter your support, and you shall succeed.”

Sheik thought long and hard on that particular part of the message. Apparently, the woman, possibly even a goddess, was telling Zelda that she couldn’t do anything to help her daughter; her daughter would free herself from the inside. Zelda wondered if she had been hallucinating on that day, and just imagined the woman.

Link nudged Sheik. “Are you ok?” he asked. “You’ve been pretty quiet.”

Sheik nodded. “Just thinking,” she replied. Link was silent for a moment.

“We’re nearing Kakariko now. Better get ready,” Link said quietly, watching as the flames from Kakariko Village grew more intense.

Sheik acknowledged the statement, and made sure her throwing stars and chain link was ready for action. The chatter amongst the soldiers grew quieter and eventually stopped, as they moved closer to the combat zone.

They were so close now that screams and cries of despair could be heard from Kakariko. Slowly, the army moved over the bridge, dreading to see what was causing so much destruction. General Arkaynis began to give orders to his Captains and shout out commands and positions.

Link nudged Sheik. “This is it,” he breathed.

“To battle!” yelled General Arkaynis.

“To battle!” the soldiers yelled, raising their swords and bows into the air. The sunlight glinted on the large array of metal and armor.

Satisfied that his soldiers were in the correct position, General Arkaynis led the charge up the Kakariko Village steps, as Link, Sheik, and the rest of the army followed their leader to an uncertain fate.

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Fierce Diety laughed cruelly as he struck down soldier after soldier. The Kakariko Village garrison was mostly gone; his army of infernal skeletons had proven to be much more efficient at killing.

A loud noise suddenly erupted from the Kakariko Village gates. The demonic skeleton of the late King Harkanian walked up to Fierce Diety, blood dripping from his bones and several chunks of meat stuck to his sword.

“My…Lord…” the skeleton crackled. “The Hyrulean army has arrived. They come, two thousand soldiers strong. And they have, as you predicted, a man clad in green.”

“Excellent,” Fierce Diety cackled, looking up at the storm of dust being kicked up by the Hyrulean Cavalry.

“Order the troops to stop pillaging the town and prepare for battle.” Fierce Diety said, twirling his giant blade, wet with blood and guts.

“As you wish, my lord,” the skeleton said. Fierce Diety watched as his army of skeletons moved into defensive positions, their burning, red eyes igniting a lust for blood and death.

“And that will soon be granted to you, my faithful army,” Fierce Diety thought wickedly.

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Link was startled to see an army of skeletons with burning, red eyes, manning defensive positions all around the rubble of Kakariko Village. Dead bodies were strewn everywhere; none had been spared in the frenzy of battle. Many houses were wrecked and destroyed.

The battle started as the Hyrulean Cavalry pounded towards the line of animated skeletons while the Hyrulian archers pounded the skeletons with arrows. Many bones were shattered by the steel tipped arrows whizzing past them, but the skeletons still held their positions, raising their blood stained circular shields in a defensive position.

“Hold your positions!” The skeleton of King Harkanian growled to his underlings. The Hylian Cavalry rode closer.

“Weapons up!” King Harkanian rasped. The skeleton army swung their swords up into a stabbing position, while the archers drew their bows, aiming the deadly, acid tipped arrows at the Hylian Cavalry, who had already raised their shields and had their lances ready to attack the enemy.

“Fire!” Yelled King Harkanian. The archers rained down a hail of arrows upon the Hyrulean Cavalry. The magically enhanced acid on the skeleton’s arrows easily burned through the Hyrulean Cavalry’s shields. Screams of pain and despair were heard as the bulk of the Hyrulean Cavalry forces scattered in a desperate attempt to escape the incoming arrows. The ground became seeped with blood as the Hyrulean Cavalry soldiers and the horses themselves were hit with the deadly arrows.

The remaining Hyrulean Cavalry, regrouping under the command of General Arkaynis, attempted to storm the skeleton’s lines, as the infantry and archers moved up to provide support to the beleaguered cavalry.

“Hold your positions,” King Harkanian said calmly, even after several Hyrulean Cavalrymen broke through his line, trampling several skeleton warriors in the process. The Hylian infantry regiments moved closer, their steel swords and large kite shields at the ready. The Hylian infantry broke into a full run, charging the skeletons.

“Hold your positions,” King Harkanian barked again, as several skeletons looked nervously at their comrades, already under attacked by the Hyrulean Cavalry. The bulk of the skeletons, however, focused on the Hylian infantry. They locked their crude, scimitars into place and cast their shields in front of them.

Another volley of acid-arrows rained down on the Hylian infantry, just as the Hylians slammed into the skeleton’s lines. The Hylian Archers moved in to rain volleys of arrows onto the skeletal archers, to minimum effect, while the Hyrulean Cavalry continued to do the most damage, trampling many skeletons using their horses.

King Harkanian laughed as he saw the death and bloodshed, his once good soul corrupted and tainted by the influence of Fierce Diety.

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Link expertly maneuvered Epona through the chaos. Fierce Diety’s skeletal warriors were basically like the stalfos that Ganondorf had employed. However, they seemed a lot better trained.

“And a lot hardier too,” Link thought as he viciously slashed a skeleton repeatedly, only to find it still attacking him. Epona reared in fight and destroyed the remains of the skeleton as her powerful hooves crushed the skeleton’s bones.

“Good job girl,” Link said, patting Epona, while Sheik continued to fire the steel throwing stars at the skeletons.

“Damn!” Sheik exclaimed, throwing several steel throwing stars at a skeleton, to no effect. Finally, Sheik brandished her chain-link and snapped the skeleton in half with a quick slash at the spine. The skeleton’s eyes dulled and eventually its fiery red eyes burned out. The bones shattered altogether, leaving no trace that the skeleton was even there.

Other Hylian soldiers were having similar problems. These skeletons were much more resilient than the Stalfos they had encountered in the war six years ago. Although the Hylians heavily outnumbered the skeletons, the battlefield was already strewn with the corpses of Hylian soldiers. Blood was splattered and smeared over the skeletons as they went on a rampant killing spree, having no mercy.

Link was about to spur Epona to trample through a group of skeletons that had pinned down a group of Hylian soldiers, when Epona bolted in fright, throwing Link off. Sheik, however, sprang nimbly off of Epona, landing on a skeleton and quickly detaching the undead creature’s head with a flash of her chain link.

Link got up, his vision still a bit foggy. Epona had never been frightened during a battle before, so why now. Sheik came up to Link.

“Are you ok?” she asked, shaking Link’s shoulder. Link cleared his head.

“Yeah… I’m alright,” Link said, dodging a blow to the head and quickly destroying the offending skeleton with his Gilded Sword.

Sheik nodded and left Link’s side to combat the remaining forces. Link forced himself to stop looking for Epona and concentrating on the battle. Another skeleton approached Link, his fiery red eyes burning as he cackled evilly, trying to decapitate Link with his scimitar, already covered in blood and bits of meat.

Link neatly sliced off the skeleton’s left arm, as the skeleton wailed in anger and fury. The skeleton attacked Link, who easily blocked the blow with his Mirror Shield. Link quickly slashed at the skeleton again, this time slicing off the skeleton’s right arm. With no arms to use its weapons, the skeleton charged Link, its burning red eyes flaring with intense anger and hatred.

Link quickly side-stepped the skeleton and sliced it’s head off. This time, the skeleton died, its body vanishing in mid air. Link turned his attention back to the main battle, which was getting desperate for the Hylian forces. The ground was soaked with blood and dead bodies. For every skeleton destroyed, it seemed that five Hylian men would be killed in the process. It was obvious that the Hylian forces lacked efficient weapons at defeating the skeletons.

Link swore as five more skeletons surrounded him, grinning at their trapped prey.

“Damn it!” Link muttered, slowly backing into a corner as the skeletons advanced, swords and shields raised in a striking position.

Just as the skeletons were about to attack, General Arkaynis swiftly rode up on his horse from behind, killing two of the skeletons before they knew what was happening. Link took advantage of the chaos by slashing his Gilded Sword through the remaining skeletons.

General Arkaynis addressed Link in a weary tone.

“We’ve suffered so many losses,” he said, staring at the carnage in the battlefield.

“Whenever we try to get into a formation, the skeletons recklessly charge into the troops, breaking them up.” General Arkaynis winced as one of his soldiers went down screaming, mobbed by a group of skeletons. “Our strategies and battle plans are completely useless when fighting an enemy with such resistance to our weapons.”

Link suddenly smiled as he saw a streak of a lightning bolt ram down upon a group of skeletons, destroying them with ease.

“Those skeletons may be hard to kill with conventional weapons, but mages seem to have little problem with them,” Link said, looking up at Zelda, who was standing on a hill, now out of her Shiekan cloths.

Link quickly became worried, however, as he recognized a lone figure moving up to attack Zelda.

“Come on!” Link shouted, running to help Zelda, with General Arkaynis close behind.

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Fierce Diety laughed as he struck down soldier after soldier. Fierce Diety was rewarded with a spray of blood after each kill. Ruthlessly striking down another screaming man, Fierce Diety was surprised when he was hit by a large, magical bolt of energy. Several skeletons around him were instantly obliterated. Several Hylian soldiers gasped in surprise as they saw their savior.

Zelda stood on a hilltop, her palms outward as she muttered another spell. Opening her eyes and finishing the incantation, she released another magical bolt at Fierce Diety. They weren’t enough to kill or harm Fierce Diety though; Zelda was well aware that anything she did to Fierce Diety would affect her daughter Kara also.

Fierce Diety seemed to realize this too. Grinning, he moved toward the hilltop, advancing upon Queen Zelda. She held her ground, staring at Fierce Diety with cold, emerald eyes.

“Queen Zelda! Please retreat!” the soldiers yelled in dismay. Zelda shook her head.

“Continue the fight!” Zelda said, magically transforming her voice to a magnificent baritone voice, resounding upon the village of Kakariko. “Leave me!”

The soldiers, whether out of obedience or some magic Zelda had cast, departed to fight the remaining skeletons. Zelda turned back to face her daughter, now possessed by an enemy even greater than Ganondorf.

The Fierce Diety Mask sneered. “So, we meet again Queen Zelda.” The Fierce Diety stopped in front of Zelda, his behemoth sword slung loosely at his side.

Zelda’s face held no emotion, as she forced her palms outward, uttering another spell.

“You can’t harm me,” Fierce Diety whispered in a maniacal voice. If you harm me, you harm your daughter. Zelda ignored him, continuing to utter another spell.

Fierce Diety continued to stay still, grinning in amusement as Zelda finished her spell, launching the magical projectile over Fierce Diety’s shoulders and directly into a pack of skeletons, destroying them completely.

Fierce Diety scowled. “I suppose you found my skeleton’s weak point. That means I must dispose of you quicker than I had initially hoped,” Fierce Diety said, quickly moving with long strides to Zelda, raising his sword up in preparation for a blow to Zelda’s head. Just as he was about to swing his giant sword down, Zelda stepped out of the way as Link and General Arkaynis simultaneously rammed Fierce Diety using their shields.

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Kara was watching the battlefield through her eyes when she felt her body shake around with a sudden, violent impact. Since she wasn’t exactly “in control” of her body, Kara felt no pain. However, Fierce Diety mask yelled in agony as Kara’s body was hit again. The small, electrical shield protecting Fierce Diety from Kara flickered slightly. Kara’s
eyes widened as she though of a possible way to remove Fierce Diety from her body.

Hopefully, forever.

Kara quickly moved toward her brain, which Fierce Diety was lodged upon. Although the electrical shield was still there, it shimmered slightly, evidently weakened from the previous attack.

Kara quickly pressed against the shield with her hands. She felt enormous amounts of pain as an electrical current flowed through her body.

The Triforce mark of Wisdom glowed brightly on her hand. Her mother’s Triforce.

Kara pushed harder, determined to make it out. The Fierce Diety mask turned toward her, his customary sneer replaced by a frown.

Could the Fierce Diety Mask be afraid?

Kara strove harder, pushing her hands harder against the barrier of energy. She was on the breaking point, ready to scream as large amounts of pain chorused through her head. Her vision became dizzy and foggy, her nerves screamed in agony, but she kept pushing.

The Fierce Diety mask laughed, harder now. His voice was growing softer, as if he was getting farther away.

“I told you, Kara. You cannot defeat me.”

Kara frowned and pushed harder. Some of her strength seemed to come back, and her vision cleared slightly.

“Stop trying, child. You won’t accomplish anything.”

Kara pushed harder, tears flowing freely from her eyes as she endured incredibly amounts of pain.

“Stop now, and you may still live.”

Kara was tempted to obey the Fierce Diety mask. A part of her told herself that this was pointless, there was no way out. But another part said that this was her only chance to escape. Kara saw visions of her mother, her father, her friend John.

And she saw the strange lady. The beautiful woman who had told her that she could do it, only she could free herself from Fierce Diety. At first, Kara didn’t know who the woman was.

But at last, Kara understood.

“A Goddess,” Kara whispered, in a barely audible voice as tears flowed down her cheeks. Her fingers were bloody, her arms numb.

The Triforce of Courage glowed on the back of her hand, joining the Triforce of Wisdom.

Kara smiled when she saw the two Triforces. “Daddy’s here to save me. Just like in the story mommy told me,” Kara whispered, her head become extremely dizzy. With her eyes that were trying to close themselves, Kara barely saw a look of horror pass on Fierce Diety’s face.

Just as Kara was about to pass out, the shield disappeared. The pain continued to chorus through Kara’s body, however.

“I’m going to die.” Kara thought dully. All she wanted to do, before she died, was get rid of this monstrosity, this demon that had stolen her body and committed so many bad things.

With one last, incredible effort, Kara stumbled to her brain, as the Fierce Diety looked on in horror.

“No…No!” The mask cried desperately.

Kara ignored the mask, and reached up to remove it. Grabbing the mask, Kara pulled it from her mind…

“Noooo!” The Fierce Diety mask shouted, as he disappeared in an explosion of fire. Kara collapsed to the ground, smiling at what she had finally been able to do.

Then her vision went black.

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King Harkanian was about to chop down another screaming soldier, when he felt a ripple of shock move through him. Disbelieving, he looked around, only to see that Fierce Diety had collapsed and was turning back into the girl that he had taken control of.

King Harkanian was in shock as he saw his skeleton warriors disappear into fine dust before his eyes. Yelling a cry of dismay, King Harkanian also disappeared in a flurry of dust.

Fierce Diety’s magic was gone.

Throughout the battlefield, astonished soldiers moved through the battlefield, looking for dead friends, still amazed at the victory. Link, Zelda, and General Arkaynis however, were trying to revive Kara.

“Kara, please wake up,” Link said, holding her tightly and kissing her. Zelda had tears streaming down her face.

They heard a weak laugh, and Link, Zelda, and General Arkaynis looked down to find the Fierce Diety mask, lying on the ground.

“She...won’t make it…,” The Fierce Diety mask said slowly, with what was obviously his last bout of energy. With that, the Fierce Diety Mask seemed to groan, as if a large amount of pressure was being put onto him. Like his skeletons, he too disappeared into dust.

Zelda had a worried look on his face. “Do you think…the mask was telling the truth?

Link looked down sadly at his daughter. “I don’t know,” he said, hugging his daughter tightly.

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Epilogue (11 years later)

Princess Kara walked through the gardens, a long bow in her hand and a quiver of arrows strapped to her back. She was now 16, and looked a lot like her mother, when Queen Zelda was still 16, except she had her father’s blue eyes and dirty blond hair. Her coronation ceremony would begin in a few hours; it marked her as the “official” Princess, giving her the duties assigned to the Princess of Hyrule as well. In a couple more decades, Kara would take her mother’s place on the throne when she found a suitable husband.

Stepping carefully through the gardens, Kara noticed a sudden movement. Swiftly turning around, Kara quickly strung an arrow and let it fly. The arrow flew straight and true, embedding itself in the wooden target. Her father emerged from behind the wooden target, grinning.

“Good shot, Kara,” Link said, smiling, as he looked at the arrow embedded in the dead center of the target.

“Thank you father,” Kara said, delighted that she had become a better shot than the Hero of Time himself.

Link and his daughter continued to practice, with Link moving the wooden target as he hid behind it, letting Kara take her shots. Kara hit the bull’s eye with every arrow.

A loud chuckle from the Courtyard doorway startled Kara, making her miss her first target. It flew high over the wooden target, arching over the hedge maze. Kara turned around to see her mother, Queen Zelda, and her little twin brothers. Zelda went to talk to Kara, while the twins, who were ten years old, scampered up a tree like Hylian monkeys.

Although Zelda had borne 3 children, she still had a slender body. Her golden hair was slightly fading to a duller tone of blond; she was, after all, 35. Link stepped out from behind the target, to try and retrieve the twins from the tree.

“Good shots Kara,” Zelda said, eyeing the wooden targets while hugging her daughter. “Are you ready for the ceremony Kara?” asked Zelda, standing up and looking at her daughter with her green, emerald eyes.

“Yes,” Kara said. She was still fairly nervous about all the duties should we have to do, but she thought she could handle it.

Zelda smiled. “Your father and I have to get ready.” In the background, Link could be seen laughing as he tried to get the twins to come out from the tree. Zelda smiled. “Watch your brothers, ok?”

Zelda hugged Kara and kissed the twins, who were now sitting atop Link’s shoulders. Link set them down, and the Hero of Time and the Queen of Hyrule went back into the castle.

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Kara sat on the stone bench underneath the willow tree, as she waited for her brothers to return from the maze. She sighed and rested her body on the bench. She was bored, but she couldn’t do anything for fear that her dress would get messy. The ceremony was in an hour.

A sudden shadow fell over her. Kara opened her eyes and stared up at a face that she found was familiar, and yet, she couldn’t quite place it.

The man laughed. “Don’t you remember me, Kara?” He queried, raising his eyebrows slightly.

It clicked. “John!” Kara said, laughing. “So you came back in time for my ceremony after all!”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” John said, smiling. John was now a Captain in the Hyrulean army; he had been serving a tour of duty on the borders, to prevent skirmishes from marauding moblins from the countries farther south. Although Kara was a female, she was still John’s best friend.

As Kara listened to John talk about the events he experienced, she smiled inwardly. John had grown to be quite a handsome man. Although he had brown hair, he looked a lot like her father did when Kara was still five years old. She still remembered the days trapped inside her own mind, she remembered how glad she felt to escape and finally hug her mother and father.

“And all this might have been for naught,” Kara thought, as she stared around the beautiful gardens. “If I was still under possession of Fierce Diety, this place might be an evil citadel, just like Ganondorf’s palace,” Kara mused.

Once Kara thought about it, she was very lucky to have all this. Very lucky to be saved from the Fierce Diety, very luck to be in a loving family, very lucky for her wonderful life. And the Fierce Diety mask almost destroyed it all, including her own life.

Sudden laughter interrupted her thoughts. “Are you listening to me?” John asked, smiling.

Kara blushed. “Of course,” Kara lied, looking down at the ground. John smiled, and held Kara’s hand. As Kara stared at John with her deep, blue eyes, she smiled and blushed.

John smiled too, and stroked Kara softly with his hand. Kara, surprised at herself, made no move to stop him.

Yes. Very lucky indeed.
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Well, that’s the end to The Triforce’s Child!

Goodbye for now, till we meet again!

Read, Review, and Enjoy!

~Monkey of Doom~