[SPOILER WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS STORY WITHOUT READING THE PAST STORIES AS WELL]


"And thus, the raven will spread her wings and grace Hyrule with her dark presence. With her power, she shall mend the broken hearts of brother and sister and banish the Angel which plagues the land for eternity."

Familiar faces, Different lives.

Project Rebirth.

Project Shadow and Light.

In a time after the princess sheds her tears, after the Angel has been slain, past the seasons which the cherry blossoms fall, and after the sunlight is swallowed up by the rain, the lines continue to blur as the dark merges with the light.

Suddenly, friend and foe, good and evil aren't as easy to figure out as they ought to be.

The Wind is blowing, the final chapter of the Shadow and Light saga begins...Search for your origins.

Sometimes there is more to the eye than shadow and light...

Chapter One
“Fatal Error”


It was always dark here…it was dark everywhere. The sun never rises, never sets…at least it seemed that way. No matter what time it was, if one were to look up at the sky, it would be nothing but a blanket of storms and blackened clouds.

This is what was left of Hyrule. This is pretty much what the rest of the world was like.

The suburbs were full of ruin. The only areas where the new buildings still stood were the main city areas. Skyscrapers were the defining factor here.

Technology has propelled itself forward, leaving most magic into obscurity.

Inside one of the skyscrapers, a lone laptop computer monitor glowed.

“You still there?” Kale asked. He wore all black. Black was the defining color here. Wear any color that stood out and you’re guaranteed unwanted attention. Kale looks up to the computer monitor, the glow illuminated his features. His codename was Sparrow. He was in a computer lab.

He was an exact replica of Red, except he had the unaltered blond hair and blue eyes. Around his neck was the black half heart pendent. He had spoken into his ear piece with a microphone protruding towards his mouth.

His sister’s voice replied from the ear piece and into his ear, “Of course I am. Where else would I be?” he caught the sarcasm.

His sister was on the rooftop of a lower level building. Directly across from the skyscraper Kale occupied. Her name was Sarah. She had blond hair and blue eyes as well. She was a replica of Sakura. She wore the white half heart pendent. She also had the ear piece to communicate with her brother. Her codename was Dove.

She knelt down and dropped the suit case she was carrying and opened it up, revealing various pieces used to assemble a sniper rifle.

She immediately began snapping and screwing the pieces together.

“How long is this going to take you, Sparrow?” Sarah asked as she finished snapping in the final piece.

Kale replied from the computer desk, “Just watch my six. This laptop is so slow. It’s a pain in the ass.” He pulls out a CD from his black jacket pocket. He slides it into the CD Drive and clicks ‘Burn CD’ on the screen.

While the CD burns he slides out his black handgun and screws on the silencer to the tip of the barrel. He pushes the release button and the clip slides out from the bottom of the handle. He examines the clip before sliding it back into the gun and cocking it. He clicks off the safety catch.

“You’ve got four sentries heading towards you. They’re riding the elevator up.” Sarah’s voice said. She was looking through the rifle’s scope.

“…Which elevator?” Kale asked.

“…the only elevator.” Sarah replied with a sigh.

“Ok, so I forgot, sue me.” Kale said sarcastically as he waited for the CD to finish burning.

“Sparrow, the groupie just got out the elevator and is heading down your hallway. I guess they know you’re in the building. They’re taking it really slow. They’re utilizing RTFA, they aren’t taking any chances. They’re packing quite a bit of firepower, too.” Sarah whistled with envy at the sophisticated weapons they had.

“Anything positive you can tell me?” Kale muttered.

“Well, I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.” Sarah replied.

“…you watch too much TV.” Kale sighed.

“Oh, and they’re right in front of your door.” Sarah muttered.

“…what?” Kale clicked something on the computer and snatched up his gun.

A guard kicks the door open and scans the room with the barrel of his assault rifle. His three other team members wait against the wall beside the door.

Kale was safely hidden behind the door, cloaked in shadow.

The computer monitor caught the guard’s attention and he stepped forward. Another guard filed in while the remaining stuck by the wall beside the doorway.

On the computer screen, the ‘Burn CD’ window was open. There was a checkmark beside ‘alert me when burning completes’.

Kale took a deep breath and placed his hand on the doorknob.

The guard stopped. He quickly turned his gun to the door, where Kale was. Kale tenses up and cursed quietly under his breath. The guard takes a step forward. Suddenly, the computer completes it’s task and makes a loud beeping sound. This catches the guard’s attention who quickly glanced at the computer. Kale took this chance and fired two bullets into the guard, killing him instantly. Kale kicks the door shut and eliminates the other guard in the same fashion.

He runs forward and yanks the entire laptop computer off the desk, disconnecting it from the cord and everything else that tethered it to the room. The monitor goes blank as the power was cut. The door is kicked down at this moment and the two remaining guards fill the room with gunfire. Kale jumps and dives into safety within one of the cubicles.

He keeps his head down as the bullets whizzed over his head, “Dammit, Dove! Where’s that cover fire!?

“Be patient.” Was Sarah’s reply.

Kale blinks, “…patient?!”

Sarah smirks and aims the sights on one of the guards, her finger hovers above the trigger.

She blinked and suddenly rolled to her left as a shuriken impales itself into the concrete spot she once occupied. She bolts to her feet and aim upwards at a falling figure. She fires. The shadow deflects the bullet and lands in front of her. She mutters, “Sheikah…”

The Sheikah slices her rifle in half and kicks her away. She lands on her back and draws two handguns. Her earphone fell out beside the Sheikah.

The Sheikah had a red visor on. He donned a black short sleeved trench coat; a yamato katana’s scabbard was strapped on his back and he wore black pants. He had the sword in his hands. He had on a black undershirt as well. On his arms were silver gauntlets and black fingerless gloves. He wore a mask that covered everything but the visor and the top of his head, which revealed short brown hair.

The ninja steps on the earphone and smashes it under his foot.

“That cost seventy rupees, bastard!” Sarah shouted and fired. The Sheikah leapt into the air, slashing the bullets as Sarah scampered backwards using her feet.

As the ninja fell he deflected a few more bullets and…

“Dove?!” Kale said, still pinned under the gunfire. He heard the pause in rifle fire and bolted up to his feet, aiming at the nearest guard. He heard the faint click of a rifle reloading coming from his right and ducks quickly as the second guard covered his ally with a rain of bullets.

Kale bangs his head against the wall in anger, “C’mon…what do I do next?! I need a sign!”

Suddenly the room is filled with intense white light and a very loud sound. The light was so intense that it blinded everyone. Kale pulled out his sunglasses and placed them over his eyes. He switches the lens on ‘thermal vision’. He stands up slowly and peeks over the torn cubicle. He sees the colored figures of the guards staring at the windows. He glances at the window and sees a large shape. The loud sound was making it hard to think.

It sounded a lot like a…

“…Chopper!” Kale’s eyes widen and he stumbles blindly away as the light quickly switches off and large caliber bullets pierce through the building, destroying everything in its path. The helicopter’s razor sharp propellers blew strong gusts into the room, throwing any loose pieces of paper every which way.

Kale kicks down the door and rushes down a hallway, he had the laptop slung over his shoulder by the strap. A lot like a purse.

He turns the corner and stops suddenly, staring into the tip of a staff.

“Geist.” He muttered. The woman standing before him was Kiara. Dressed in much the same fashion of everyone else in this era, she smiled. ‘Geist’ was her codename. She belonged to the Royal Guard. A group employed by Link himself.

She fires a fire spell towards Kale, only to have it evaded as Kale feinted to his right.

Kiara wasn’t after him. She was after the laptop. Her hand quickly grabs for the laptop. Kale sees this and quickly raises his gun. Kiara smacks the gun out of his grasp with the staff.

She knees him in the stomach and placed her hand on his stomach. She fired the spell point blank.

Kale cries out and flies across the room, hitting the wall. He immediately checked for the laptop.

“Lose something?” Kiara asked, holding the laptop by the two broken straps. She backs up as the wall behind her explodes, revealing the night air. She salutes him and jumps off.

Kale limps to his feet, supported by the wall behind him.

Suddenly, the roar of the helicopter returns, forcing him onto his knees. He covered his eyes with his forearm as he struggled to see. The helicopter’s cargo bay was open. In it was another member of the Royal Guard. This was a replica of Ivan. His name was Isaac. His codename was Ghost.

Resting on his shoulder was a rocket launcher.

He winks and kneels, setting the sights on Kale, “Time to clip the birdy's wings!” he shouts and fires, sending the rocket propelled grenade flying towards Kale’s face.

Kales eyes widen

The side of the building explodes as the helicopter pulls away.

Chapter Two
“Go Back to the Beginning”


Three weeks later…

The slick black car came to a stop. The windows were tinted. It was raining heavily.

The door opened and Kale stepped out, wearing a black raincoat, the hood up. He looked up at the house before him. “It’s like one of those really bad horror movies…” he muttered before stepping forward.

He stopped at the door and tried the doorknob. It was unlocked.

He grasps it firmly before opening the door.

The door gave out a loud creak that made Kale cringe.

He enters the house carefully, slowly shutting the door behind him. The darkness reclaims the house.

Kale pulls out a small flashlight and flicks it on, countering the dark with light. He pulls his silenced handgun out and holds both items so that he’d be able to illuminate anything he pointed his gun at.

His earphone came to life, “Well, Sparrow, this isn’t so bad now, is it?”

Kale sighed and replied, “I’d like to see you come down here and tell me that, Falcon.”

Falcon’s real name was Trever. Unlike everyone else, he wasn’t a replica of anyone, although he closely resembled Trent.

“Well,” Trever began, “onwards with the mission, shall we? Consider it a way to pay me back for losing my laptop.”

“Remind me why I’m here again?” Kale asked, illuminating the light into all the darkest corners he could see. Trever replied as if he had recited it in advance, “You’re here to investigate this house. According to the few eye witnesses we have, this house is supposedly 'cursed'. It was built over a very large burial ground. You’re here to find out whether or not we can use these rumors to our advantage.”

“No,” Kale responded as he stepped forward to continue the mission, “I’m here so you can get a kick out of me crapping my pants in fear.”

“That, too.” was Trever’s answer.

“Pretend you’re in a Resident Evil game.” Trever said.

“Thanks, I feel all better now.” Kale said sarcastically as he climbed the creaky stairs. Without Kale noticing, a pair of bright red eyes appears directly behind him. Pair of undead arms reaches out towards him.

“Behind you!” Trever shouts.

Kale immediately turns around, aiming his gun all at once. He sees nothing. He looked around quickly and sighed, “Jackass.”

Trever laughed, “You’re so easy, dude. Remember, I can’t see what you’re doing or anything. You’re just a flashing red dot on my brand new computer.”

Kale finishes climbing up the stairs and looks around, “It’s no good. Everything here is collapsed. Something was definitely here, it looks recent.”

“You don’t say…What makes you say that?” Trever asked.

Kale looked around the hallway he was in. The stairs were behind him. Across the hall, the wooden walls had collapsed, blocking the only route forward. That wasn’t what had troubled him.

There was a large trail of blood that leads into the only room he could enter.

“…Theres blood. It’s fresh. Someone was dragged into a room.” Kale said, clicking off the safety catch to his handgun.

“...Blood.” Trever muttered.

Kale slowly steps forward and stopped at the door. He built up his courage and quickly kicked down the door, searching the room with the barrel of his gun.

He followed the trail of blood with the beam of the flashlight. It led to the closet.

He took a deep breath and followed the bloody trail, making sure to cover all sides. He didn’t want an ambush from whatever was in this house with him.

His heart was racing. The adrenaline was running through his veins. He placed his hand on the door knob and turned it. To his surprise, the door was pushed open from the other side.

He quickly stepped back. The trail of blood led to…nothing.

Before he could utter a sigh, wind filled the room, blowing around him, “What’s happening?” he cried out.

Suddenly the wind stopped and he heard a faint whisper. He couldn't make out what it was saying.

He turned and quickly looked around with his gun. “What’s going on?” Trever demanded.

Kale was about to respond when the earphone turned static, through the static, he heard a little girl’s voice, “Go back…to the beginning.”

The static fades. His heart beats even harder this time. He was getting out of here.

Suddenly, he felt a presence from the closet behind him, he turned and stared into those red eyes o, he took a step back and the floor suddenly gives way below his foot. His eyes widen and he falls through.

“Sparrow! damn you! Kale!! Answer me!” Trever yelled as Kale lay unconscious. Kale as laying on cold wet cobblestone, around him, the walls were lined with coffins. He was in a circular room with only one hallway leading out.

This place was undisturbed for over five hundred years.

This was the Shadow Temple.

Chapter Three
“The Wind and the Shadow”


“Hey! Wake up, man!” Trever’s voice shouted. Kale groaned and rolled onto his back, he muttered, “Alright shut the hell up already. I’m awake.”

“Good,” Trever’s voice returned to its semi-professional state, “While you were out, I managed to scan the entire area around you via satellite.”

“You hacked the Royal Guard’s satellite system again, didn’t you?” Kale said slowly as he sat up and rubbed the back of his head.

“Oh, but of course.” Trever replied, “I’ve got a blueprint of where you are,” there was a pause, “It’s like a maze. The area you’re inside stretches on well below the sewers of the city. Hyrule’s grown pretty big, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they had things built over old structures and such. It’s bizarre that they’d even consider expanding Hyrule over a place like this. Oh well, at least I’m not the one stuck in the catacombs, eh, Sparrow?”

Kale sighed, “Just shut up and lead me out. This place bugs the crap out of me.” He fumbled for his flashlight. After a few moments, he felt what felt like a flashlight and pulled it off the ground. The room he was in was suddenly illuminated by the bright beam of light originating from his flashlight. Kale scanned the ground for his handgun. He spots it in beside one of the coffins, “…if anything pops out at me, I swear…” Kale muttered.

He crept over to his weapon and quickly snatched it up, backing away from the coffins. “Alright…lead the way, Falcon.”

Trever smirked, “Alright, fairly simple. Theres only one hallway here, so take that hallway.”

Kale looked around, he spotted the hallway, he swallowed and stepped forward cautiously. Suddenly, he heard a scratch. He turned quickly. He took a deep breath and said, “If anyone of you undead bastards wants jump out at me…”

Trever sighed, “Why are you so worried? That’s only in the movies, theres no such thing as ‘the walking dead’ so chill out. You’re just stuck in a large burial chamber with nothing but a flashlight to light your way and are surrounded by millions of dead people. That’s all.”

“Do me a favor and stop trying to make me feel better.” Kale muttered angrily, “Because you suck at it.”

Trever went back to being professional, “Remember, go straight down the hall and turn left.”

Kale nods and runs down the hallway. As he nears the end of the hallway, something catches his eye in front of him and he skids to a stop. There was a slash mark on the wall. He looked down the hallway to his right, then at the slash mark.

“Alright, now go left.” Trever spoke.

Kale hesitated. After a few seconds, he turns right.

“Where the hell are you going? I said left!” Trever yelled. “Sorry,” Kale said, “Something’s telling me to go right.”

“I’m the one with the map, genius!” Trever shouted.

Suddenly, there was a large crash. A beam of light flowed through the entire hallway and blinded Kale momentarily. He stopped to avoid running into anything. “What was that?” Trever asked. Kale blinked and looked around, “…I don’t know.”

Meanwhile, near the end of the Shadow Temple, a figure stood up slowly. It was Vale. She looks down at the Ocarina of Time in her hands and replaces it back into her bag, she swings the bag over her shoulder and looks around, “That should keep them from coming out for another millennium or so.”

She looks down at the slain ReDeads below her feet. She was in a circular room, “…I wonder where I’m supposed to go next…Daphnes is probably already at Dragon Roost Island and I’m still here.” she sighs. She shakes her head, “When I find the moron who broke the bind spell…”

Suddenly, some small particles of sand and little pebbles began to fall down from the ceiling and onto her hat. She blinked, “…wha…?” she looked up and her eyes widened. Kale falls directly onto her, “Oof!”

Kale coughed and brushed the dirt off of him, “…what a fall,” he muttered. He then noticed he was sitting on something soft. Since it was too dark to see anything, he felt around with his hand.

He felt something extra soft and gave it a squeeze. “Ah!” came a shrill scream. He panicked at the sound and suddenly felt someone’s hand slap the side of his face, the force of it caused him to fall off.

He quickly bolted back to his feet and pointed the flashlight and handgun at the source of the slap. Vale stood up, holding her chest with one hand and pointing the staff at him with the other, “What the hell is wrong with you?! That hurt, you perverted little-”

Kale thought he recognized the face, “You!” he shouted. Vale blinked, confused, “Huh…?”

Kale pointed the gun at Vale’s face, mistaking her for her twin sister, Kiara. Vale’s eyes widened suddenly, “No, wait!” Kale pulled the trigger and fired.

The sun was shining and the waters were clear and blue. Link, the Wind Waker of Shadow Hyrule looked in awe at the island before him. He was riding inside a boat named the King of Red Lions. The boat spoke, “There! On the horizon! That is our destination, Link...Dragon Roost Island! High atop this island’s peak lives the spirit of the skies, a great dragon by the name of Valoo. You must go see this dragon and request from him a jewel called Din’s Pearl. Ask the people of the Rito tribe who inhabit this island about how to see the dragon.”

As the boat reached the island, Link jumped out and landed on the sandy shore. He stepped forward and looked up at the mountain before him in awe. He saw the dragon atop the island.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” the boat suddenly said, “Wait just a moment! This is the Wind Waker!” the boat reached back into it’s cargo hold and extracted a silver baton with his mouth, “It’s a baton of sorts that was used long ago when people played music in prayer of the gods. In those days, simply using it allowed one to borrow the power of the gods, but I don’t know if it still works. Even so, I thought it might be of some use to you. Perhaps you should try using it.”

Link takes the Wind Waker and examines it for a moment, “How does it work?” he asked.

The boat smiled, "I suppose I should give you some lessons."

Chapter Four
“Faceless Sky”

Vale lowers her staff. There was a large smoking bullet hole in it, she sighs.

“So…you’re her sister…” Kale muttered.

Vale sighed, “And you’re trigger happy.” Kale raised a brow and said, “How stupid do you think I am? You can wear contacts, you know.”

Vale thought for a moment, “Well…you’re going to have to take me word for it.”

Kale lowers his gun and spoke, “For some reason…I think I can trust you.”

“...So Isaac,” Kiara asked, “anything new?”

Isaac didn’t bother to turn to look at her. They were on the rooftops of one of the many buildings. Isaac shook his head, “No…nothing at all.” He was sitting on the edge, letting his feet dangle.

“Mind if I sit?” Kiara asked. “Knock yourself out.” Isaac replied.

She sits beside him. Kiara paused for a moment before asking, “She’s that good, huh?”

Isaac sighed and looked up at the gray cloudy sky, “…I wonder how the sky looked like…whether or not it’s truly as nice as you say it was.”

Kiara nods, “It was. I’ve taken it for granted, though…I always thought it’d be there every time I looked up. I guess this just proves it…” Isaac looked at her, waiting for her to finish. Kiara stands up and brushes herself off.

Kiara finishes, “Nothing lasts forever.” She turns and walks off.

“…Too bad it’s no longer true.” Isaac said. Kiara stopped and stood still for a moment as she thought. They both thought about Link’s immortality. She scoffed and walked off, heading towards the stairs. She glanced at Isaac once more before leaving.

Isaac looked up at the sky and muttered, “Thank you, Zelda…”

Trever struggled. He was bound in his chair. His hands were tied together behind him with rope, “Ok, so I tried to shoot her a few times, you could’ve just told me.”

Vale yanks the bullet out of her staff and drops it onto the ground beside the other seven bullets. They were inside their hideout. They never referred to it as such, though. It was more like a home.

Kale glanced at Vale before untying Trever. Trever rubbed his wrists, “So you’re her sister, huh…?”

“If I was Kiara you’d think you’d be dead by now.” Vale said.

The door behind them opened and in steps Drake and Sarah. Drake had blond hair and blue eyes. They both jump at the sight of Vale and drew their guns, they both fired.

Three minutes later…

“Am I going to be shot at every time I meet someone new?” Vale muttered, pulling the bullets out of her staff.

Drake was leaning against the wall; he raised a brow and muttered, “You look just like her, ya know.”

Trever smirked, “At least you’re not a blond.” He gestured towards Kale, Sarah and Drake, “It’s a nice change. I swear…their blondness was beginning to rub off on me.”

Sarah smacks him upside the head, “Don’t talk about us like we’re not in the same room, Jerk.”

Vale smiled. These people were a very entertaining bunch.

“Maybe I should introduce you to everything.” Drake said. Vale nodded, “As long as I don’t get shot at again, its fine with me.”

Drake smiled. Sarah shook her head, “What are you talking about? We barely knew her five minutes and you’re letting her join? I still don’t trust her. What if she really is Kiara?”

Everyone ignored her. Trever spoke, “So, we’re back to five members again, huh?”

Sarah stammered, “Stop ignoring me!”

Kale realized something and headed upstairs without saying a word. Sarah glanced at the others before chasing after him.

Trever realized his mistake and banged his head against the wall, “I’m such an idiot.”

“What’s wrong?” Vale asked. Drake paused and said, “Alright, I might as well tell you now so you know. That,” he gestured at Trever, “is Trever, his codename is Falcon. He loves computers and cars. He’s also a gun fanatic. He’s made most of our equipment.”

Trever smirks and nods, he was feeling proud of himself, Drake continued, “I’m Drake, my codename is Hawk. The two upstairs, their names are Kale and Sarah, Sparrow and Dove.”

“Did you notice that Kale rhymes with Vale?” Trever muttered. Vale and Drake stared at him blankly. Trever looks away, “I was just saying…”

“Anyways,” Drake said, “there was a fifth member in our group. Her name was Ayumi, her codename, Robin. She defected to the other side. In other words, she betrayed everyone here. She and Kale were going steady a year before, so it took everyone by surprise. She was always so calm. She was very likable, she never raised her voice once. She never swears, either. It seemed to come out of nowhere. Kale does a pretty good job of hiding it, but everyone here knows that it’s hurting him everyday.”

Trever nodded. Drake sighed and shook his head, “It's kinda sad it had to happen, really. Robin and Sparrow...they were the perfect couple. They were meant for each other.”

Vale took this all in. Trever cuts in, “Don’t worry too much about him. Kale’s tough. I know he’ll get over it.”

Vale couldn’t believe it. This group…on the brink of falling apart was the same group she had heard so much about. The ones giving Link so much trouble.

“So…I guess you’re part of the family, huh?” Trever said.

Vale looked at Drake. Drake smiled, “Welcome aboard, Raven.”

Chapter Five

“Ghost beneath the Surface”


The building pierced through the storm clouds.

The building was the tallest skyscraper ever to grace Hyrule, much less, the world. It was built on the same spot Link’s Tower once stood in. Link was staring out at the window overlooking the city below him. It was raining again. The sky as black as ever…

Link wore the attire of this era. Black.

He wore a black overcoat on top of his black undershirt. His long pants were black as well. Lightening tore at the sky and exposed his still youthful face from the shadows.

He murmured, “Ganondorf…what are you up to now?” The door behind him opened and in stepped Kiara, her staff strapped to her back. She stopped beside him and gazed out the window as well.

“It seems there is a correlation between Shadow and Light.” Kiara said.

“Oh?” Link didn’t turn to face her.

“It seems a big shot from whichever side has managed to bridge a connection between Light and Shadow. Normally, this would only have a subtle effect. But the connection has been kept alive for much too long. The effect, as you can see, is that the two are starting to merge.” Kiara explained.

Link closed his eyes and said, “…It’s funny how we ended up in this sort of mess. Two realities created by two naïve little kids trying to stop an evil Gerudo from obtaining the Triforce.”

Link scoffed at the thought, “The Zelda I know isn’t the same Zelda I knew when I first pulled that Master Sword from its pedestal. I wonder what happened to her when she sent me back to my own timeline.” He shook his head, “Either she simply didn’t exist anymore…or she really lived on without me.”

He opened his eyes again, “If I had known this would’ve happened I would never have let her send me back. I should’ve stopped her. I never should have given her the ocarina. I should never have sealed the connection between the two timelines and create these two realities.”

“Time Travel is confusing,” Kiara said, watching the rain splatter against the window, “No one could’ve predicted anything like this to happen. No one has figured out how to travel through time without having any adverse effects.”

“Except for the sages, of course,” Link said, “the first generation of sages predicted the clash between Light and Shadow…They forged that damn ring, they created the Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. They set it all up since the beginning. I want to know why.”

“Someone’s coming.” Kiara said, turning around. Link nodded slowly and turned as well.

“Enter.” Link said.

The two giant doors opened slowly to reveal Isaac.

Isaac strolled in and knelt down on one knee.

“You summoned me, your highness?” Isaac said, looking at the ground.

“State your progress.” Link commanded. Isaac paused for a moment before speaking, “Thus far, we have yet to locate your daughter, and the items you requested, sir, are also unknown as of this moment.”

“My patience is growing thin, Isaac.” Link threatened without raising his voice or changing his cool tone, “You have yet to prove your worth.”

“I apologize, sir.” Isaac said, making sure to not look Link in the eyes.

Link thought for a moment, “I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself.”

“Name it.” Isaac replied quickly.

Vale sat on the side of the bed, looking out the window. The walls were bare, nothing to symbolize anyone actually living in that room beforehand.

There was only a bed and two dressers. There was a lamp beside the bed on the dresser, but it was turned off, setting the room in a dark blue haze of shadowed silhouettes.

“Daphnes is already searching for Nayru’s Pearl.” Vale murmured, watching lightening slice the sky, “he’s getting the job done quicker than I am…I still have no clue where the three spiritual stones are.” She puts her head down, “I need a clue. A sign…anything.”

There was a knock on her door. She looked up quickly and turned to the door. She strolled towards the door and unlocked it.

She parted the door slightly and looked through the narrow opening. She saw Drake.

She backed up and opened the door wider. She asked, “What is it?”

Drake looked over her shoulder and at the room, “I’m just checking in on you. I wanted to make sure you’re feeling okay.”

“Oh, well…thanks. I’m fine.” Vale replied with a faint smile.

Drake looked at her in disbelief, “I can’t believe Kale let you sleep in Ayumi’s room.”

Vale shrugged, “He kept insisting. I don’t think I had a choice.” Vale lowered her voice, “How’s Sarah?”

Drake smiled and said, “She’s doing fine, why?”

“She still doesn’t trust me, right?” Vale asked.

Drake sighed, “Yeah, she’s still suspicious about you.” He admitted.

Vale lets out a sigh as well, “I guess it couldn’t be helped…I do look like my TWIN sister, after all. What about everyone else? Why do you guys trust me so easily?”

“Well,” Drake began, “I can’t speak for everyone else, but you’re obviously a different person, although I jumped the gun at first. You have a totally different aura than your sister’s. I can’t explain it.”

“…What about my eyes?” Vale asked. Drake looked at her eyes and said, “Huh, I never noticed that before. You have green eyes. Nice. I guess that’ll help when telling you two apart…Unless she wears contacts.” He realizes that he had trailed off topic. He cleared his throat and said, “Just relax. You can’t expect to instantly earn her trust. You have to prove that we can count on you. Give her some time.”

Vale’s eyes wandered to his hand and she notices something. “What’s that on your hand?” she asked. Drake raised his left hand and said, “This? I always had it. It’s the half of the Triforce, I guess.”

Vale fought back her excitement, “Do you know what it does?”

Drake blinked, “Why? Do you?”

Vale laughed, having gotten the lead she needed, “Take that, Daphnes!” she yelled. Drake blinked.

Vale looked around quickly and grabbed Drake by the wrist. She pulled him in and shut the door.

Isaac walked out of the room. The doors shut behind him.

Kiara and Link were on the other side of the door. Kiara turned to Link, “I don’t trust him.” she said.

Link raised a brow and looked at her, “Whys that?”

“He asks too many questions.” Kiara stated, “He’s hiding something.”

Link smiled, “Don’t fret, Kiara. That’s the reason I gave him the assignment. To test his loyalty to me…”

Kiara looked at Link. Link gently cups his left hand under Kiara’s chin, making her look up at him, “I’ve seen this trick before. If all goes according to plan,” he lets go and turns back to the window, “It’ll end the same way, as well.”

Chapter Six
Chasing the Sunset: "Determined Spirit"


Marin, accompanied by Gerudo guards, was led inside one of the tents of the nomadic Gerudos.

She knelt down. Her clothes were still covered with the desert sand.

The two guards then backed out of the tent and left her alone.

She waited in silence, nervously fiddling with the ring on her finger. It had been a week since she made her getaway from Link’s estate.

The beaded doors behind her parted. Marin turned around and saw an elderly woman look at her. The woman had red and gray hairs. Actually, she didn’t look too old, but she surely wasn’t very young, either. She was a nice mix between.

“So you’re the girl I’ve been hearing so much about.” The woman bowed slightly, “The names Nabooru.” She walked around Marin and knelt down in front of her, sitting on a plush pillow.

Marin began to introduce herself. She was unaccustomed to the traditions of the Gerudo.

Nabooru shook her head and interrupted her, “Don’t be nervous, we aren’t all that different. And I know who you are, Marin. You’ve had quite a time making your way through to here.”

Marin, feeling a bit more relieved, asked what was on her mind, “I heard that you used to be the Sage of Spirit. If you are…can you help me?”

“’Used to?’” Nabooru smirked, “Kid, I’m the Sage of Spirit until the day I die. Like an old friend used to say,” Nabooru quoted Impa nostalgically, “‘you can’t suddenly stop being a sage whenever you feel like it. Once you’re given the title, you stick with it.’”

Marin looked hopeful, “Then you’ll help me?”

“No,” Nabooru said, cutting down Marin’s optimism.

Nabooru winked, “I’d like to, but…I can’t just give away help without getting something in return. Even if you are the daughter of the Hero of Time…there are some things you have to do first.”

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it.” Marin said. Nabooru smirked, “You’re just like Link in his younger years. Always eager to help…come to think of it…” Nabooru thought for a moment, “I still never got my Silver Gauntlets back…Your daddy was a smart little kid, very courageous, too. I’m glad to see that he passed those traits onto you. Are you familiar with an item called the ‘Mirror Shield’?”

“Good luck, kid.” Nabooru said, leaning against the side of the entrance. Marin stepped into the Spirit Temple. She looked around in awe. The ancient depictions of the Goddess of Spirit inscribed into the wall were in some foreign Gerudo text and hieroglyphs. She turned to look at Nabooru, Marin looked uncertain. Nabooru gave her the thumbs up. Marin smiled and turned back towards the first door she sees, she muttered to herself, “If daddy did it…I should be able to do it, too.”

After tightening the strap on her sword and quiver, she steps through.

As the door behind Marin shut, Nabooru finished, “…you’re gonna need it.”

After an hour, Marin had made it back into the Goddess’s main chamber. She was actually standing on a hovering platform. She looked up at the sunlight beaming down on her.

She had the Mirror Shield equipped on her left arm, unlike her father, she was right handed.

She looked at the crumbling facial features of the huge Goddess before her.

“What now?” she mumbled, lost and confused, “…hmm.” She looked from the sunlight, to her shield, to the statue. Her mind clicked.

She angled the mirror shield to reflect the sunlight at the statue. The beam of light caused the statue to crumble before her eyes until a door is revealed on the other side. She smiled happily until she realized something wrong with this picture, “…how am I supposed to get to it?”

It was too far from her to jump from. And a fall from this height would surely kill her, well, at least make a nice splat. She didn't want to start all over again. Her father had used a hookshot to get across, but she didn’t have one.

She sat down and thought long and hard, determined not to give up.

Suddenly, she had an idea. She drew an arrow from her quiver and tied some of her climbing rope around the arrow, just below the arrowhead.

She took out her bow and knelt down on one knee, she stuck out her tongue to the side of her mouth and aimed very, very carefully, “Forgive me for this,” she said, not knowing why, since she did in fact burn off the Goddess’s face. She lets the arrow fly.

The arrow whizzes through the air and swiftly impales itself into the Goddess’s forehead. Marin was smart enough to realize a flaw in her plan. The arrow could be pulled out, even if it doesn’t, the wood would snap due to her weight.

She pouted, angry for needlessly putting a hole into the goddess’s head.

“C’mon, Marin…use your head.” She mumbled.

She looked at the hovering platform she was standing on. She had an idea. She drew her sword and went to work.

Two hours pass and she finally chipped off the last remaining part of the platform.

She pushed the piece forward towards the other parts she chipped off. The hovering piece floated over towards the others. Her idea was to jump from fragment to fragment and make it to the door. Knowing she’d chicken out, she leapt onto the first tiny fragment of the platform without thinking. She used her hands to help herself balance as she leapt again.

The door opened and Marin stepped through, relieved. She was sweating; her shirt was wet from the sweat accumulating, her blond and barely noticeable red hair stuck to her face. Chiseling out rock wasn’t very fun. She wiped the sweat from her brow and looked up at the platform. The platform in this room was where Link had fought the Twinrova sisters, the supposed mothers of Ganondorf. She’d have to climb up. She stomped her feet and shouted, “Oh, c’mon!” it wasn’t fair.

If only she had a hookshot…

After another seven minutes of climbing the colossal platform, she pulled herself over the edge and onto it. She was on her back as she looked at the ceiling, breathing heavily.

“I hope you aren’t that tired.” A voice rang out.

She immediately bolted to her feet. She turned towards the voice and drew her short sword.

She was surprised to find Nabooru. She sighed and lets down her guard.

Nabooru laughed, “You know, you took much longer than I thought you would. Your father defeated this temple and Twinrova in a little more than an hour. It took you more than twice as long. Not bad, though…considering your father had much more equipment at his disposal.”

Nabooru looked around the room they were in. She gestured to the circular platform they were standing on, “This was the place your father supposedly defeated the two sisters of evil. Kotake and Koume. Twinrova.”

Marin was glad she didn’t have to fight Twinrova…she was too tired to go any further.

“…but since it was in the future, I can only believe that’s how it happened.” Nabooru said, “Anyways…this was supposed to be a boss battle…” Nabooru drew her own bow and arrow set, “…I shall be your final opponent.” She charged up an Ice Arrow. Marin blinked for a second as Nabooru fired without warning.

Marin rolled to her left to avoid a potentially icy cold death.

Marin shook her head in disbelief, “Can I have a fifteen minute break?”

“Your father would never have been allowed to do that.” Nabooru said, placing the bow onto her back. She drew two Gerudo Broadswords, “If you truly wish to defeat him, then you must surpass him.”

Marin nodded slowly, understanding the task at hand. She went into her own fighting stance.

“Ready?” Nabooru asked. Marin nodded.

Marin and Nabooru shouted their battlecries. They both charged.

Chapter Seven
“Flickering Candle”


“I’ve been having these dreams lately.” Drake was saying. Vale looked curiously at him, “Dreams…Prophetic?” she asked.

Drake shook his head, “I’m not sure, but I feel like something is going to happen.” Drake was sitting across from Vale. He was sitting in a chair while Vale sat on the edge of her bed. The lamp beside the bed was on, shining its light through the dim blue darkness.

Drake hesitated before saying, “Do you promise not to tell anyone?” Vale nodded, wanting him to get on with it. “Well…in the dreams, it always takes place at different places, and the build up to it is never the same. At the end, though…” Drake paused.

Vale waited for a few moments before saying, “…and?”

Drake shook his head and muttered, “…Never mind… It’s stupid.”

Vale spoke, “Tell me, in these dreams…did people refer to you with a different name?”

Drake looked surprised for a moment, “…yes. They called me Derek.”

Vale took this revelation calmly, “…I see.”

“You think these dreams have something to do with me being the Wind Waker?” Drake asked. Vale nodded, “Quite truthfully…I had my doubts at first, but now I know you’re supposed to be the one to find and awaken the two sages.”

Drake scoffed at the thought, “To fully power up the Master Sword…Look, even if I am this ‘Wind Waker’, you said it yourself we don’t even know where the Master Sword is.”

“I don’t know where it is exactly, but I do know that it is hidden somewhere in Katasaku.”

“That’s across the Great Sea.” Drake muttered, “Why would it be so far away from Hyrule?”

Vale sighed, “To keep it safe, I suppose…I knew the girl who hid it. Sakura was her name. She and Sarah are pretty much twins.”

“…Twins?” Drake asked, “That’s another thing…how do you know all these people? They’ve died over five hundred years ago.”

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.” Vale muttered. Drake looked at her curiously, “…try me.”

Suddenly, the light went out. Vale and Drake quickly looked to the lamp. They glanced at each other and stood up. The door to Vale’s room opened, revealing Trever, “Hey, the electricity’s out…again. It’s not just us, either…it’s the same story with every building in Hyrule.”

“…Blackout.” Drake muttered, “Do you think-”

Trever nodded, “Yeah…something is up. Whatever it is, someone doesn’t want us to figure it out.”

“The Rain…” Vale said, staring out at the window. Trever and Drake looked at her. Vale continued looking at the storm outside and said, “It’s not natural.”

Drake and Trever looked at her, puzzled. Drake asked, “What are you talking about?”

Vale stood up and places her trembling hand on the glass, feeling the strangely warm rain, “This rain…I can sense something unnatural about it…the water…it’s been tainted with blood.”

The rain was pouring, and lightening seared through the blackened sky.

“Look, Link! Do you see it? What has happened to this place?” the Wind Waker, Link and King of Red Lions docks onto Greatfish Island. At the sight of broken wreckage and the lack of any life whatsoever, the boat stammered, “Wh-What is the meaning of this? The island...It is......We are too late. I knew we had precious little time, but I never suspected how little...A great water spirit named Jabun once lived here, but no sign of him remains...”

“Ho, there! Link!” Quill, a Rito whom had helped Link begin his quest, flies into view, Quill lands beside Link and wipes the water from his beak and eyes before continuing, “So, you’re here! I’ve been looking for you! Are you by chance seeking the Great Spirit, Jabun? I'm sorry to report to you that Jabun can no longer be found here. Just look at how this place has been torn to pieces... I suppose this, too, is the work of the shadow in Forsaken Fortress. But fear not! Jabun was able to flee this island before it was attacked. He is in a safer abode now. Would you like to guess where that abode may be? …On the island where you were born…on Outset.”

Link shouts in surprise, “Outset Island?! But that means…we have to go back!”

Quill interrupted a disturbed Link, “-Yet even if you were to go to Outset now, you would not be able to see Jabun. The cave where he hides is sealed with a mighty stone slab that repels all who try to pass it. Why, not even the pirates with their mighty ship could get in...”

Link thought about his family, his grandmother, his friends. Quill notices this and said, “...I must apologize, Link. I thought if anyone would know of your whereabouts, it would be the pirates. I told them this tale without so much as a thought for the consequences. I don’t know what they hoped to get, but they immediately set sail for Outset Island and tried to break into the cave...It is lucky that they could not gain entrance. I have heard that they were last spotted on Windfall Island, but doing what, I do not know. If you wish to see Jabun, I think you'd better search for the pirates on Windfall Island.”

Quill looks around the wreckage with a troubled expression, “What an eerie isle this is... Everywhere else boasts clear skies and calm seas, but this place suffers under dark clouds and rain. Valoo must have been right when he asked me to bring word of Jabun to you... He called this island cursed... I would counsel against staying here longer than you have to. ...But that is your decision. I have told you of Jabun, so my task is complete!” Quill flies away.

King of Red Lions sighs in relief as Link walks up to him, the boat exclaimed, “So, Jabun has survived! The sea spirit has lived through the trials of many long years. He must have caught wind of Ganon's attack beforehand... If we are to believe the words of the Rito postman, then the pirates know something about the cave where Jabun hides. Why don't we go first to Windfall and search for them there?”

Link knew his home wasn’t in any actual danger yet, but he knew he had to hurry if it was to stay that way. Link hops into the boat and sets sail towards Windfall Island. He was going to pay Tetra and her crew a little visit.

Vale sat in bed, under the covers as the rain pitter-pattered against her window. She was reading a book; it was her mother’s diary. The candle beside her bed glowed faintly, lighting up her room.

The others were doing who knows what. All she knew was that she wasn’t needed at the moment.

She turned the page and muttered, “…Mother, were you really this depressed?”

Suddenly, the candle beside her flickered. She glanced at it out of the corner of her eye without turning her head.

Her eyes stared back down to the book. After a few silent moments, Vale tosses the book aside and summons her staff. She looks up over her bed to see a female Sheikah, already falling from the ceiling towards her, dressed like the male Sheikah from before, red visors glowing strongly. This one had short black hair; her face was covered under the mask and visor.

“-Akari!!!” Vale shouts without knowing why. As soon as the Sheikah lands on Vale, the candle flickers harder and goes out, leaving the room in darkness once again.

All this happened in a split second.

Dear Diary,

The days seem to go by much faster now. It makes me wonder whether or not I’m wasting the time given to me. Today, Vale and Kiara got into their hundredth fight. This is just too much for me.

I’m so glad, though. Despite the fighting, those two seem to be getting along. It’s tough to balance time spent between the two, as well as maintaining my role as Headmistress.

Thank the gods for Sir Ivan. He’s been of great help to me. I’ve found this letter he wrote me in one of my books…it was about the ‘incident’ one night about a week ago. Reading it, I felt bad about rejecting him like that. I hope he understands that, ever since that incident that led to Vale and Kiara’s birth, I don’t think I can ever be that open to anyone.

I feel grateful that, despite the awkwardness of it all, he acts kind of like a father figure to them. I guess it’s a lot better than being raised by their real father.

Something strange is going on today…it has something to do with Ivan. I know I should not have eavesdropped, but something had caught my attention. I was walking by Sir Ivan’s quarters when I heard him talking to someone.

I should’ve kept walking, but the tone of it caught my curiosity. I couldn’t make a lot out, but I did hear one name that was repeated every so often.

Akari

Who is this? And what does this person have to do with Sir Ivan? I’m not quite sure, but I figure that I’ll never know. I can’t risk having word get out that the Headmistress is a snoop, after all.
=======================



Chapter Eight
“During the Storm”


Kale walks down the hall, holding a can of soda on his hand. He takes a sip and rounds the corner. Trever and Drake were in Trever’s room, using Trever’s spare laptop for something. Kale didn’t really care. He was never very good with computers anyways.

He walks past Ayumi’s room. He had let Vale stay in there. Maybe it would help him cope if someone was living in there. He’d rather not leave that room empty and lifeless.

Ayumi’s room was on the second story, beside the stairs. Just as Kale reached the stairs, the door of Ayumi’s room literally flew off it’s hinges and slams into the opposite wall. Kale had been taking another long gulp of his drink, the loud sound caused him to choke on it momentarily as he stared in shock for a few moments.

He quickly runs towards the room, he was unarmed. There, he saw the female ninja lying against the door. The ninja quickly turns her head at Kale and lunges for him.

Kale leaps back out of reach as the ninja lunches again with her short sword. Kale catches the blade between his hands, yanks it from her grasp and tosses it aside. The ninja threw a punch at him, he threw his own at the same time. Their knuckles collided. They both followed this up with a swift spin kick, their legs hook together.

They release the lock and both throw yet another punch for good measure, the same effect occurred. Their knuckles collided. They kept their knuckles together for a moment as Kale stared into the Sheikah’s red visor. Her arm twitched and Kale quickly withdrew his hand just as three metallic cat claws protruded out of her glove. If Kale had kept his knuckles there, he would’ve lost an arm.

The cat claws retracted and the Kunoichi, or, female ninja, leapt backwards, putting some distance between the two. At this time, Vale skids in between the two with her staff pointed at the sheikah. She fires an orb of yellow light at the ninja; the ninja leaps backwards again and vanishes in mid-air just as the orb collided into the wall behind her.

Vale sighed, having missed her attacker. She turned to look at Kale. He was deep in thought for a moment. He snapped out of his train of thought suddenly and said, “We have to check on the others!”

Sarah was in her room, getting dressed. Her hair was still slightly wet from her long hot shower….up until the electricity went out.

Her light was on, nothing a spare battery powered lamp couldn’t do. She pulled up her pants, buttoned it and zipped it up. Next, she took her ever present half heart pendent and placed it around her neck. Now, clad only in her pants and bra, she kneels down to the dresser to fetch herself a shirt.

She opens the drawer and searches around. She notices something lying on the floor beside her. It was her hand mirror. She also noticed something in the reflection. Her eyes slowly moved back to the dresser. She began to whistle easily, pretending to be unaware of the danger in the room with her.

She kept her hand on the handle of one of the drawers. She closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and then…

She yanks the drawer out of its shelf and flings it at the Sheikah hanging on the ceiling. This was the same male ninja from before. He lets go and drops, just as the drawer slammed into the wall and shattered, throwing articles of clothing every which way.

The ninja lands and looks up to see Sarah pointing a handgun straight at him from across the room. Sarah smirks; “Back for round two?” she thinks for a moment and became irritated. She pouted, “Dammit! Were you here watching the entire time?!”

The sheikah remained silent. Sarah narrowed her eyes, “Damn lecher,” she muttered.

At this time, they both hear the first explosion. Sarah keeps her gun trained on him and said, “I see you’ve brought friends.”

“What are you doing here anyways? Besides being a perverted little sheikah, of course,” Sarah asked. The sheikah stayed silent.

Sarah raised a brow. She fired a shot at the ninja. The bullet goes through and the image faded. “Hologram!” she shouted.

She turned and blocked the Sheikah’s blade with her gun. “You’re pretty smart…” she muttered. The ninja releases the lock and leaps backwards, throwing a flurry of needle shuriken at her. Sarah twirls her gun sideways and deflects each dart with the spin.

She fires her own shots as the ninja rushed forward, deflecting the bullets with his sword. He reaches her and slices at her chest, drawing blood. Across the area above her sternum, Sarah winces as the blood dripped out of the wound.

She looked down at the wound and her eyes widen as she noticed something. Her pendent was gone. She looked up to see that the ninja was gone as well.

Her eyes narrowed, “Oh hell no…”

She snatches up a white tank top and runs out of the room as the second explosion sounded off, it came from upstairs.

Right now, her mind was set on getting back her heart pendent. She muttered angrily after putting on the white shirt, “He watches me get dressed, then steals my pendent, that fucker.” She runs to the front door and kicks it open, giving total disregard to the doorknob.

She runs out into the rain and looks around with the barrel of her gun. The strangely warm rain drenched her again. She felt odd. The rain was strangely warm…..why?

She then saw the female sheikah leap off the rooftop and towards another. Sarah aims and begins to pull the trigger.

It was at this time that a long steel slender needle shuriken plows through her left leg from behind. She cries out and falls on her left knee as blood mixed with the rain.

She looked up to see the sheikah with the tip of his blade pressed against her forehead. They were like that for a few moments before the ninja lowers his blade, takes a few steps away, leaps onto one of the many rooftops and disappears.

Sarah drops her gun in disbelief. She had lost her pendent…the pendent that had been around her neck for as long as she can remember.

Meanwhile, watching from a distance furthur down the street, Kiara, shielded from the rain with an umbrella, takes a step back, turns around and walks away to report the news.

Chapter Nine
Chasing the Sunset: “Water’s Flow”


“Good luck, Marin.” Nabooru had said, “Don’t ever forget to keep that spirit up. If your spirit falters, then you’ll start to break. Don’t forget that sometimes…you’ll have to fight to keep your spirit alive.”

Marin nodded, “I won’t forget.”

Nabooru glanced towards the southwest, “If you go there,” she had pointed, “You’ll end up at Zora’s Domain. There, you’ll find a friend of mine, Queen Ruto of the Zora people. She’s the next sage you should seek out. You’d better get going.”

Marin bows gratefully, “Thank you so much for all your help.” She then turned to leave, but Nabooru stopped her, “Wait.”

Marin turned, however, before anything was said, Nabooru gave her a tight hug, “No matter what lays ahead of you….don’t change, don’t lose sight of yourself. When that moment comes…when the end is near, know that whatever choice you make, make sure that you truly feel that it’s the right way to go.”

“I will.” Marin had said unquestionably.

So now here she was, inside the Zoran Domain a week later.

“I’m sorry, but the queen is unavailable at the moment.” A Zoran royal guard had said, using his spear to bar the tunnel-like passageway.

Marin backed away and pleaded, “Please, I was told to meet with her. It’s about the Sages.”

The Zoran said firmly, “No, her highness is currently in mourning, she cannot be disturbed.”

“…In mourning?” Marin asked.

“Have you no respect? Do not speak of the dead so-” the Zora was interrupted by a solemn voice echoing from beyond the tunnel, “Let her enter.”

The Zora paused for a moment before unbarring the passageway with his spear, “Go on.” The Zora said, not looking Marin in the eye.

Marin hesitantly entered the tunnel. The tunnel seemed to glow with a light blue aura. Marin figured that there was water on the other side. Soon, her feet began to splash on the increasingly wet floor.

She reached the other side of the short tunnel and found herself inside a large dome-like chamber. The floor was slightly lower than the water level, an inch lower. She stepped out of the tunnel and into the room, her boots splashed softly against the bright blue water. It was as if the water had its own glow. It was very depressing, yet very beautiful.

She found a lone Zora with her back to her. She was wearing a black cloak, the ceremonial funeral cloak that one wore when in mourning. The hood was down.

Marin stood there, unable to find the words to speak. The Zora spoke first, her sad, depressed voice that seemed somewhat emotionless and pained all at once, “You’re Marin, aren’t you? I know why you’re here.”

Marin responded, carefully choosing her words, “…Yes, I am. You’re the Sage of Water, aren’t you? Queen Ruto?”

Ruto nodded, “Yes…I am. It’s a curse.”

Marin was taken aback by the response, “…A curse?”

“Yes…this curse killed my little sister.” Ruto said, “She was so young…she was so happy when she found out she had the title. Her name was Laruto. She was the Sage of Earth. She was very strong willed, and knew what to do and how to do it. She was a very smart girl.” She trembled for a moment and sounded as if she were crying. Marin stepped forward behind Ruto and stopped; the water echoes throughout the chamber.

“What’s it like?” Ruto asked. Marin questioned this softly, “What is what like?”

“…To shed tears.” Ruto solemnly asked, “We Zora don’t have the ability to shed tears like Hylians and Gerudo. I heard that it helps greatly.” she trembled.

Marin didn’t know exactly how to answer this. Ruto knew she wasn’t getting an answer and continued, “This is the funeral chamber. This is where heroes of the Zoran people are laid to rest.” It was that time that Marin noticed the darker parts of the water around the edge of the chamber and in front of Ruto. She knew that those parts were where the bodies where placed in to sink below the surface. She imagined it to be very deep.

Ruto continued, breaking Marin’s thoughts, “Laruto…my sister…my beautiful, youthful sister was murdered by your father.”

This caused Marin’s blood to run cold. Ruto turned to face the daughter of the man who took her sister away. Instead of a spiteful look as Marin expected, Ruto wore a saddened expression, “Don’t worry…I bear no ill will against you. You aren’t like your father. You’re here to get stronger and defeat your kin, your father, correct?”

“Y-yes…I am…” she bowed slightly, unsure. “Then,” Ruto said without changing her mournful tone, “let’s not keep you waiting.”

She stepped forward and walked past her, “Follow me.”

Marin watched Ruto for a moment before turning back to Laruto’s grave, Marin bowed slowly and paid her respects, she whispered very softly, so that no one else can hear, “…Please give me your strength, Laruto. I want to be strong like you.” She finished and turned to face Ruto, who looked away. Marin walked to her and stopped beside her, waiting for Ruto to lead.

“Thank you.” Ruto softly said before walking onward into the passageway. Marin followed.

Around ten minutes later, Ruto resurfaces with Marin on her back in Lake Hylia; they had gone through the underwater tunnel that connected Lake Hylia and the Zoran Domain. It stretched for miles.

Marin coughed violently, still holding on to Ruto. Zoras swim very fast. That, and coupled with the strong vacuum effect of the tunnel that literally sucked them in, made the trip go for only three minutes.

Marin had almost drowned. She couldn’t die, but her lungs burned from inhaling the water.

“Are you okay?” Ruto asked. Having the ability to breathe underwater helped. Marin couldn’t respond as her lungs continued to try to expel the water.

Ruto took this as a no and headed for dry land to give Marin some time to rest.

Half an hour later, Marin, along with Ruto surfaced inside the Water Temple. Ruto was the first to climb onto the surface. She extended her hand to Marin, who had kept only her Mirror Shield and short sword to help ease the process of swimming. The rest of her supplies were on dry land. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail to keep it from covering her eyes while she swam.

She accepts Ruto’s hand and is pulled up. Her green tunic was drenched, but it didn’t matter. Ruto turns and looks around at the Water Temple, “…so many memories…” she murmured.

Ruto turned back to Marin, “Go on.” She said. Marin stepped forward, “Aren’t you coming?”

Ruto shakes her head, “First you’ll have to solve this temple. I’ll meet you later on.” Marin knew it was going to be just like her and Nabooru.

Marin nods and treads into the water. As soon as the water reaches her neck, she looks back up to Ruto. Ruto was gone. Marin turned around in the water and looks around quickly for any sign of her. Soon, she gives up and dives below the surface.

Hours later, using the Longshot she acquired inside the Water Temple, she made her way to the final door. The Longshot was an extending and retracting grapple that helped her cross large distances…sorta of like a better version of a grapple hook.

She pushed the doors open.

As she expected, she found Ruto on the other side of the room. Marin stepped forward and the doors behind her shut, causing the sound to echo throughout the large square room. In the middle of the room was a square pool full of water. Dotted around the water were platforms to jump from one to the next.

Ruto nodded to Marin, “You made it…and it only took you three hours. You’re faster than…him.”

Marin knew who she was talking about.

“I know you’ve done this before…” she raised both hands and pointed both palms at Marin. The water in the pool began to stir. Ruto spoke, her voice echoing around the room, “In order to defeat your father, you must be adaptive. You must be able to change given the situation and survive. Like water.”

The water in the pool began to stir around quicker now; it grew less steady and more chaotic as the waves slammed into each other. “Water can change its form. From rain, to snow, to ice…and anything in between…”

Ruto drops one hand to her side and keeps the other pointed at Marin, “Water gives life and revitalizes thirst, it also serves as a home for millions of living things.” An orb of water materialized in her hand. The water in the pool crashed around wildly, drenching Marin. It had an aura that was threatening to pull her in, “But water can also take lives, flood homes, and wash away the wicked and innocent alike! With enough force, it can topple buildings and pierce through the strongest of armor!” Ruto said, her voice growing louder and more defining,

“Now, Marin…it’s time for us to clash! Take what I said to heart, because I swear, I won’t be holding back!” Ruto fired the orb. Marin leaps to her left.

The orb slams into the wall behind where Marin was moments ago, shattering the marble wall, leaving a crater in its place. Marin stands back up and her eyes widen as three blasts of water flies her way, “She’s definitely serious.” Marin muttered to herself after dodging more blasts of pressurized water.

If she had gotten hit, the water would’ve blown a hole through her. She drew her sword, built up her strength and charged.

Chapter Ten
“Where Loyalties Lay”


Footsteps echoed through the darkness of the house. This was one of the few wooden homes of Hyrule, it was run-down. It was a single story house. Everything was in shambles. The original family had vanished ages ago.

The window was still intact, and outside of it, the rain spattered against the pane.

Inside the house, Isaac stood, waiting for something, his back towards the door. He glanced at the stopwatch every now and then.

Suddenly, he pushed in a button on the stopwatch and spoke, “Good, and with only two seconds to spare.”

He turned and looked at the two Sheikah, he glanced at the male ninja first, “Have you gotten it, K.G.?”

The Sheikah’s name was Kage, but he preferred K.G.

Kage took off his visor and mask, revealing Kayji’s visage. The visor was hung around his neck as he spoke; “Of course.” he reached into his pocket and extracted the white pendent. He tossed it over to Isaac, who catches it easily.

Isaac examined it as the female removed her mask and visor in the same fashion. She revealed Akari’s face, but her name was Ayumi, she threw her head back to get the short black hair out of her eyes.

After verifying the pendant’s authenticity, Isaac turned to Ayumi, “Ayumi?”

Ayumi paused for a moment before nodding; she extracted the book from her inner jacket pocket. It was Saria’s Diary. The one Vale had been reading before she was ambushed.

She walked over to him and personally handed the book over.

Isaac accepts it. He thumbs through the pages and nods, “Good work, you two.”

Isaac places the pendant inside his pocket and the book inside his trench coat, “I trust Sarah and the others were unharmed like I requested?” Kage shook his head, “Not completely, I was forced to disable the girl, Sarah. It shouldn’t be anything too serious.”

Isaac nods his approval, “Good, we can’t have any one of them dead. They need to stay alive up until the climax. What of the black pendant?” he looks at Ayumi.

Ayumi looks away and says, “I couldn’t get it.”

Isaac stares at her and says, “Alright…that doesn’t matter, we’ll just have to alter the overall plan a bit and we’re fine.”

Isaac notices Ayumi’s uneasy look. He glances at Kage and says, “K.G., can you wait outside for a moment? I’d like to speak with Ayumi in private.” Kage nods, “As you wish.” Instead of vanishing, he simply opened the door and let’s himself out, closing it behind him.

Silence settled in for a short period before Isaac looked at Ayumi and asked, “Having second thoughts?”

Ayumi looked him in the eyes, the fire Akari had once had glowed in her’s as well, “About what?”

“Are you regretting having made this choice? Do you regret betraying the others?” Isaac probed.

Ayumi hid the discomfort of those questions and answered, “You ordered me to betray them, I obeyed, what did you expect? I was there to spy on them in the first place.” Isaac nods, “Yes, but I also know about your little budding relationship with Kale.”

“It was just an act. Theres nothing else to it...” Ayumi said softly, “I had to gain their trust and I did it.”

Isaac laughed softly, “Of course. You’re an excellent Kunoichi. I apologize for doubting you.”

“Is that all you wanted to talk about?” Ayumi asked, hiding her annoyance.

“No.” Isaac plainly replied, “Theres still the matter of that Black Heart pendant.”

Ayumi looked surprised for a moment, “…But you just said…” “I said we just had to alter the plan.” Isaac said, “And do you know what that alteration is?”

Ayumi stared at him. Isaac smiled, “You’re going to backstab them for the second time. It should be easy. Kale can’t let go, and all you have to do is sweet talk him for awhile and take the pendant.” Isaac wore a cocky grin, “How you approach the matter is up to you, but I would advice against letting the others know about you. Find a way to meet up with him alone, then strike.”

“How should I do that?” Ayumi asked. “That’s up to you.” Isaac easily replied, “Use anything you see fit, from seduction to blackmail…Anything that gets the job done.”

“Do you want me to kill him? Is that a change to the plan as well?” Ayumi inquired carefully.

“No.” Isaac said, “I want him alive, Link is counting on it.”

“Counting on what?” Ayumi questioned. Isaac shook his head, “That’s none of your business. Now that you’ve got your next assignment, I recommend you get some rest and carry it out.”

Ayumi nodded slowly. Isaac added, “Also, be careful, Ayumi. Play with his heart too much and it’ll break.”

“I know.” Ayumi replied. Isaac nods, “You’re dismissed.”

Ayumi turns around, clutching the mask in her left hand tightly. The visor bounced lightly around her neck as she walked.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Isaac said just as Ayumi reached for the doorknob. Her hand hovered over the knob as her eyes stared at it. Her hand trembled. She figured her hand shook because of the cold.

Isaac purposely lets his sentence linger before saying, “try not to pull an ‘Akari’ on us, will you?”

“I’m not a traitor.” Ayumi said, realizing the irony of it only after she finished the sentence. She continued, “I know where my loyalty lies. I’m not like her…”

“For your sake, that loyalty had better be with us.” Isaac said, in a surprisingly cold voice. The vigor flickered in Ayumi’s eyes for a moment before she grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, closing it behind her.

Isaac stared at the door for a few more minutes before pulling out Saria’s diary. He opened it up to the middle pages and muttered to himself, wearing a smile, “Isaac, you’re the greatest actor in the world.” he chuckled, shutting the book back up again.

Chapter Eleven
“Reminiscing Saria”


Dear Diary,

I don’t know why…but all of a sudden, I’ve been having nightmares nearly every night now. It’s really starting to affect me. It was about…that time back in Hyrule. The one with Kerst and all those other people, I feel sick and I’m sure these dreams are the reason.

It’s strange, though…back then, the following weeks after I left Link and Hyrule behind, I never had any nightmares about it. I know it’s strange and all, but I don’t even remember a single dream I had during that time. I felt so dead after that day…even killing Kerst wasn’t enough.

I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t have left Link alone. Why did I leave Hyrule in the first place? Was it because I was afraid I’d be killed by the new king of Hyrule? Did I fear death more than I loved Link? Or maybe I just wanted to leave those horrible memories behind?

I have so many regrets now. When I heard the news about Malon’s death, I was shocked…even more so than what had happened to Meldion. I guess that was the last straw…Link couldn’t take it anymore and became what he is.

So many things have happened ever since the Shadow and Light incident. So many things happened to Link and I wasn’t there for him. What kind of friend am I? We were supposed to watch out for each other. All I ever thought about during that time was how to win Link’s heart…I’m so evil. I’m a horrible person.

I can’t help but wonder if I could’ve stopped Link from doing what he has since Malon’s death. Maybe if I were there he wouldn’t have gone down that path. I could’ve veered him away…but I didn’t. I feel as if this is my entire fault. I feel so guilty for leaving him alone.

And now these dreams…they’re haunting me every night. Is this my punishment?

I remember my latest dream…it was the time Kerst took me to some dark house…full of men and women. I was so afraid, I was so helpless. I’ve never before felt the pain…and shame like I felt that day. Killing them all wasn’t enough. I remember going into a blind rage when I thought about Link. What he would think of me. I was saving it for him only to have my innocence stolen from me.

I lost control and when I came to, I was soaked in blood. I can still feel the blood on my hands. No matter how much I wash it, I can still feel the warmth and the horror I felt that day. I also remember feeling something that scared me to death as I sat there in the middle of all the corpses. I felt joy. I never knew I could feel that way…killing them felt so good…it gave me a rush, but because of it, I felt afraid of myself. I became a murderer and I enjoyed killing. I had a killer inside me and that frightened me.

I’ve tried so hard to be my normal self, but I can’t. I miss the good ole’ days, the days when I was still with Link, when he still thought he was a Kokiri, probably my best time with him was when he broke his leg. I know it sounds mean, but it was also the day I showed him our secret spot. I loved hanging around with him in our secret place. No one can bother us. We’d play and talk for hours, sometimes until the sun went down.

I remember one time when we tried to climb into the Forest Temple…we both stood on the same branch when it fell. We both broke an arm and became what Link called “Cast buddies”. It hurt so much, but at least Link was with me. He made it fun. We got to draw on each other’s casts and had a lot of laughs. It was great.

I felt so good about being with him and I thought he felt the same way. I thought about becoming more than just friends, but I was a Kokiri…he was a Hylian. The Forest didn’t choose him to become a Kokiri. I’d be trapped in a child’s body, but I’d live forever. I knew it was a matter of time before he asked.

He’d find out I lied to him, he’d hate me…I don’t think I could’ve taken being rejected again. That was the reason I became a Kokiri in the first place. I ran away after my parents wanted me to grow up and take responsibility. I ran away and hid in the forest. I was such a spoiled child. I got what I deserved.

But when Link came I hardly ever thought of anything bad, I was always looking forward to the next day with him. I thought we were meant for each other. I made him happy and he made me happy, too.

Then Zelda came into Link’s life. Everything went downhill after that. Life isn’t fair.

It’s hard to think it would all end this way.

Will I ever be happy? I want to be happy. I want to see him again. Maybe if I do…I can try to get him to change his ways.

I wish Link would become who he once was. I pray to the goddesses every day for a miracle. I want him to find his old self. And maybe...Maybe he’ll be happy.

Maybe I’ll be happy, too.

Chapter Twelve
“A Swift Getaway”



“I think that about does it.” Vale said as she finished wrapping up the wound. Sarah sighed, “I can’t believe I let my guard down…dammit.”

Sarah also had some medical tape wrapped around her sternum. It seemed the wound was deeper than she had first thought; she was sitting on a bed.

Vale smirks, “No worries, we’ll get that wound healed in no time.” Vale looked her in the eyes, “We’ll get that pendant back.”

Sarah looked at her, “…thanks, I guess. But I still don’t trust you.” Vale sighed, slightly disappointed. At that moment, she remembered she’d be able to speed up the healing process with some white magic. Vale stood up and said, “I’ll be right back…I gotta get something..” she headed towards the door.

Sarah blinks, “Huh?” Vale unlocks the door and Sarah yells, “Wait! Just let me get my pants on, first!” Vale stopped herself, mortified for nearly forgetting. Sarah struggled to pull up her pants while sitting down to no avail. She couldn’t exactly move her left leg, after all.

Vale quickly walks to her and decides to help. At that moment, Trever walks in to find Vale with her hands on Sarah’s pants, pulled slightly down, with Sarah putting one arm around Vale’s neck. The three of them stared. The awkwardness was defining.

Trever blinked, “...Wha…….wow…” Vale gives the pants one more pull and finishes, letting Sarah sit back down on the bed. Sarah turns to Trever and yells, “What the hell is wrong with you?! Don’t you knock!?”

Trever blinked, “Wait…what?! This is my room! What are you two doing here?!”

Vale speaks up, “Sarah was injured, and so I helped her to the nearest room and got her fixed up.”

Liking Vale’s nicer personality more than Sarah’s hot headed one, Trever shakes his head, “Sure, alright…just make sure you tell me first…before I walk in on things like that…whatever you were doing.” Trever mumbled, wishing he had brought his camera.

“I’m…I’m gonna go now, I’ll be back.” Vale said and hurried out of the room.

Trever watched after Vale and shuts the door after she left. He turns to Sarah, “You know, I never thought you flowed that way.”

“What? No! Dammit! I’m not!” Sarah shouted. “Relax,” Trever said, “I was just kidding, I’m sure it wasn’t what it looked like.”

Sarah looked away and grumbled angrily under her breath. “I heard you got your pendant stolen.” Trever suddenly said.

This causes Sarah to look up at him, “So? I’ll just have to get it back.” Trever scoffs, “You’re serious, aren’t you? Well, too bad, cause with that leg of yours, you won’t be able to do much.”

Sarah sulks openly, saying, “I can walk just fine!” Trever crosses his arms and says, “Limping isn’t the same as walking. Don’t worry, I’ll bring your pendant back, you’ll be grateful, fall in love with me and we’ll live happily ever after.”

Sarah gives him a dull expression, “You really thought this out, huh?” Trever shrugs, Sarah sighs, “Keep dreaming, it’ll never happen. I’m getting that pendant back myself. It’s personal.”

“Is this the part where I’m supposed to try to get you to stop and think?” Trever said sarcastically, “You’re useless the way you are now. So don’t bother.”

“Useless?” Sarah repeated to herself, “I can take care of myself. This is none of your business anyways. I’m not a helpless little girl.”

“I know you’re not, but why can’t you just stop being so arrogant and act like a girl for once?” Trever spoke angrily.

Sarah narrowed her eyes, “What the hells that supposed to mean? You want me to prance around in a dress and wait to be kidnapped? You want me to be the damsel in distress waiting for some jackass to rescue me?! Is that it? This isn’t fairy tale land, dammit!”

Trever shook her head, “No, I mean why can’t you stop being such a prick all the time and be nice for once?”

“Tch, if you don’t like the way I act, then why don’t you stop hanging around here?” she said spitefully.

Trever’s frustration shows in his voice, “Look, I came here to check on you and this is how you act?! Why the hell can’t you act grateful for once?!”

“I just had my pendant, the thing that has been with me for my entire life, stolen from me, how the fuck am I supposed to act!” she shouts bringing the tense silence in.

At this moment Drake walks into the room, “Hey, everything okay?”

“Yes. Leave.” Trever and Sarah said at the same time without taking their eyes off each other.

“Okay…” Drake, sensing danger, backs out the door leaving Trever and Sarah alone.

Vale picks up the spell book from the floor in her torn up room. The bed was sliced up into little pieces; various items were shattered and lie broken throughout the room. She opens the book up and glances through some pages before shutting it as she realized something, “Where’s the diary?” she drops the spell book and looks around frantically. She gets down on all fours and peers under the larger portion of the bed.

Vale comes up with nothing; she immediately stands up and runs to various places of her room, tossing out items in a desperate search for her mother’s diary. After searching for thirty minutes, she falls onto her knees with a hopeless expression on her face, “No…no…please, where is it!?”

“Dammit,” Trever yelled kicking at the door, “Let me in!”

Vale rushed towards him and stopped, “What’s wrong?” she had heard the banging and decided to delay her search for her diary. Trever turned to her, “Sarah’s locked herself in her room.”

“…What’s wrong with that?” Vale asked, “Isn’t it her room?”

“Yeah, but-” Trever was interrupted as Drake ran towards them, “The car’s gone!”

“Who’s?” Trever asked quickly.

“…Yours.”

Trever cursed, “Why couldn’t she take Kale’s?”

“Stand back.” Vale said and pressed her hands firmly against the door. Drake and Trever took a step back as the door flew off its hinges and hits the wall on the other side. The others rushed past her and into the room. “She’s a cripple, and we’re on the second story, how can she…” Trever notices the bed sheets and clothes tied together, leading out the window, “…escape.” He finished saying as he looked down out the window and down at the streets below.

“…Damn.” He muttered.

Chapter Thirteen
“Of Guns, Blades and Triforce Pieces”


The room was dark blue. The rain splatters against the window glass. The faint orange glow of a burning wreckage contrasted against the darkness. It was quiet, except for the rain and the heavy breathing.

The breathing was deep, steady, and full of exhaustion. The deep inhale was followed quickly by the shaky, trembling exhales. The source of the tired breathing was coming from Sarah, who sat against the corner of the room, hidden faintly in the shadows. She held her gun in her right hand; the barrel was stained with blood.

Her left hand was on her right shoulder, trying to stop the bleeding as the blood gushed out between her fingers, rolled down her arm and onto her gun, only to drip down the barrel and onto the floor, adding a steady pitter patter sound of blood hitting the wooden floorboards.

She knew she had to move. Sitting here and waiting for the ninja to find her wouldn’t be the brightest idea.

She grunted and forced her legs to obey. She slides up onto a standing position with her back against the wall. The blood from the wound on the top right side of her head dripped down and covered her right eye momentarily until she wiped it away with the back of her left hand.

Using the wall as a prop, she limped towards the door, clutching her bloodied gun tightly. Her left leg was killing her; it hurt to even think about it. She leaned off the wall and gritted her teeth as pain shot up her already injured leg. The pain coming from so many different parts of her body at the same time was making it harder to concentrate.

She grabbed at the doorknob and flung the door open, pointing the gun around to scan the dark of any dangers. She didn’t see any, wiping the blood from the right side of her face once more; she steps out of the room.

All she can hear was her rapidly beating heart and her heavy breathing. She tried to keep the loud breathing to a minimal, but her lungs had a will of their own as they took in as much air as they could.

“Chill out…” she whispered, trying to calm herself down. Suddenly, a masked Kage dropped from the ceiling and landed in front of her, he didn’t attack; instead, he stared at her through the piercing red visor. Sarah quickly aimed with her gun and fired, Kage simply leaned to the left to avoid the shot. His right hand flies forward and slams into a wounded Sarah’s throat; he tightened his grip and slammed her against the wall.

Sarah raises the gun quickly only to have Kage grab her wrist with his free hand and keep it pinned to her side. The visor glowed as he tightened his grip, choking her slowly and drawing out the suffering for as long as possible.

Her only working hand clutched the wrist of the hand choking her to death. As her vision begins to fade, the last thing she could see is the wicked glowing red visor.

“Wake up, little Dove.” A man’s voice reached Sarah’s ears, “I know you can hear me. Did you enjoy your beauty sleep?”

She opened her eyes slowly as her eyes adjusted. The blurs began to clear up and she found herself looking up at the ceiling. She was in a well lit room.

She turned her head to the right to see the source of the voice. She quickly bolted up and backed away to the other edge of the bed.

Link smiled, “Afraid? That’s not very like you, Dove. It isn’t part of your personality to be afraid, so why start now?”

Sarah didn’t respond.

“I also helped fix you up.” He spoke, crossing his arms. She looked down at herself. She was wearing the same clothes, except they were dried. Her wounds were all healed.

“Nothing some white magic couldn’t fix.” Link smirked.

“Skip to the point.” Sarah spoke, starting to get back to her usual self again. Link laughed, “Theres the Sarah I know.”

“Why are you acting like you know me so well? You don’t know a damn thing about me!” she replied harshly. “No need to get defensive,” Link said and strolled around the bed towards her side. Sarah kept her eyes on him; her gaze had a hint of warning, telling him to stay back.

“I created you; I sculpted every feature of your mind and body. Gave you the right curves in the right places, gave you that feisty personality and that cold, cutting pride.”

“What the hell are you-” Sarah began, but Link had cut in, asking, “Have you heard of Project Rebirth?”

Sarah just stared. Link smirked, “I’ll take that as a no.” he crossed his arms and began lazily pacing back and forth, “Tell me, can you guess how old I am?”

“I dunno…your middle twenties, Twenty-five…twenty-eight?” Sarah said slowly, unsure what the point of the question was, “Try five hundred and forty-seven years.”

Normally, Sarah would’ve laughed and dismissed this, but something inside her was telling her that this was the truth. It left her shocked, she couldn’t understand what it was her mind was telling her.

Link smiled and said, “Project Rebirth: The rebirth of my chance to rule this world indefinitely…To create a perfect world, free of hate and violence.”

“You damn hypocrite…” Sarah muttered, Link ignored this and said, “I’ve met you before, five hundred years ago. Or should I say, I met your ancestor. Do you know the legend of the Triforce?”

Sarah nods slowly, she knew the legend well. Link began to pace again, “Long story short, he who collects the Triforce pieces and touches it, will have his desires fulfilled. The catch is,” he stopped pacing and turned, looking Sarah in the eye, “It’s always gone to the descendent of the previous person who wielded it. For ages, it’s gone to my ancestors and Zelda’s, as well as Ganondorf’s bloodline.”

“…Zelda…and Ganondorf…? You?” realization dawned on her; “…you’re the same Link from The Legend of Zelda…The sleeping Princess and her ancestors who meet a boy who saves Hyrule from the King of Evil?”

Link nods slowly, “It’s not a fairy tale.” he continued, “For some reason, the Triforce pieces had no other ‘fitting’ descendent to go to…it seems I had been found unfavorable of the Triforce and Zelda’s descendents are wiped out. Ganondorf isn’t even in this realm. So the Triforce picked another bloodline. That bloodline was you and your brother’s.”

“Bullshit!” Sarah replied sharply. Link ignored this, “Sakura…Sarah. Ken…Kale. You both are the end product of years of research and gene splicing. You’re both clones. Artificial reincarnation…you’re both bait for the Triforce.”

A look of disbelief took on her visage, “Then what about…”

“…The others?” Link smiled faintly, “Trent…Trever. Derek…Drake. I assume Drake was supposed to be the next Link, one that has no blood relation to me, so theres also a possibility that he might have the piece I need. And Trever…he’s an odd one, he has no relation to the past, yet…he looks just like Trent in his younger years. Whatever the reason is, he’s special. I only had a hand in you and your brother's creation...the others have nothing to do with it.”

Sarah interrupts, “So my brother and I are…bait?”

“Precisely…you’re both my property.” Link said. Suddenly, his cell phone rings, he pulls it out of his black leather jacket’s pocket and answers, “Yes?”

There was a short moment of silence, “Are you sure? …When?”

There was another pause, “Alright, Kiara…I’m on my way.” He places the cell phone back into his jacket pocket, “I’m needed right now,” he bows, “Please, make yourself at home. But don’t leave this room…I have some ‘special’ plans for you.”

“…Plans?” Sarah asked suspiciously. Link nods, “I need some information out of you. And I have a few,” he walks up to her and places his hand on her cheek, caressing it, then slowly moving it up and running his fingers through her hair, “’creative’ ways of making you talk.”

Sarah slaps his hand away with the back of her hand, “Bastard!”

Link smiles and takes a step back. He bows once more and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him. Sarah hears the lock click and lays back down, staring at the ceiling, being told that her entire existence was to be bait disturbed her to no end. Now she had to worry about an interrogation.

She had to get out of here.

Chapter Fourteen
“Something to Remember Me By”


The door to Sarah’s room rattled slightly and opened. In stepped a fully uniformed guard with an assault rifle strapped to the back of his hip. He had a handgun strapped to his right leg.

The guard was carrying a tray with a glass of water and some fancy food, “Heres your grub, eat up.” He said. He blinked and looked around. The room was empty, “What the…” he sets the tray down on the counter beside the door and stepped into the room, looking for any sign of Sarah’s whereabouts.

He heard the door softly shut behind him and turned around quickly, drawing his rifle around and pointing it at a smirking Sarah, “Don’t move!!!”

Sarah cleared her throat and showed him his ammo clip. The guard blinked, and glanced at his rifle. The ammo clip was gone, “…Oh, shit…” Sarah tossed the clip aside just as the guard’s hand went for the handgun.

As soon as guard drew the gun, Sarah’s hand flew forward, grabbing at the barrel. One of her fingers reached for the safety switch and switched it on. The guard struggled to pull the trigger, but with the safety switch on, the gun wouldn’t fire, “-Son of a bitch!” he yelled.

Sarah twists the gun in his hand, but he refused to lose to a hostage, especially a female hostage. Sarah’s index finger presses the release button on the gun, causing the gun’s clip to slide out of the chamber in the handle.

Just before it hits the ground, Sarah kicks it high at the ceiling, like a soccer ball. She steps forward, knees the guard in the gut and elbows him in the face, causing him to lose his grip on the gun and stumble back into the wall. Just as he recovers, Sarah’s foot flies forward and hits him on the throat, pinning him to the wall. She pinned him with a side kick to the neck.

Just as the handgun’s ammo clip falls back from the ceiling, Sarah swipes at the air with the gun, successfully catching the clip back into the gun’s chamber. She points the gun sideways at the guard and switches off the safety catch.

“…unreal…” the guard muttered.

Sarah presses her foot harder against the guard’s throat and says in a playful tone, “If you thought I was going to be another helpless damsel in distress, then I’m sorry to disappoint.”

The guard struggles, but to no avail. Sarah uses her free hand to wipe the hair out of her eyes, “Now, then…unless you want me to give you a nice hot-lead injection, you’ll lead me out of here.”

“There no way in hell I’ll…ack!” she presses her foot harder against his throat; he struggles for a few more moments before saying shrilly, “Alright-Alright!”

“That’s a good boy!” she said as if she were talking to a little baby.

She releases him, lowering her foot back down, but keeping her gun pointed at him, “So,” Sarah began, “before we start this little ‘adventure’ of ours, I want to know what your name is.”

“Why’s that so important?” the man asked suspiciously, rubbing his irritated neck.

“I’ll ask the questions here, got it? My names Sarah, what’s yours?”

The man paused for a moment, looking at her slowly. “…My…my name’s Jim.” Sarah smirked, “Wow…Jim. Nice name.” the man narrowed his eyes, “Hey, it was passed down…”

She sighs, “I really don’t care, Joe.”

“It’s JIM!” he said angrily. Sarah quickly presses the gun’s barrel against Jim’s forehead, “I don’t care. I’ll call you ‘Jenny’ if I want to, got it?”

Jim quickly answered obediently, “Yes, ma’am.” Sarah smirks, “Good.”

She nods towards the rifle strapped around Jim’s hip, “Give me that rifle.”

Jim slowly obeys and hands her the rifle, his eyes scanning for an opening. She slings the rifle over her shoulder with her free hand, never taking her gun’s barrel off him. She steps backwards and kneels towards the rifle’s ammo clip. Her eyes dart to the clip before going back to Jim.

“Now, then…” she said, sliding the clip back into the rifle, “Let’s move out.” She gestures at the door with a nod, “Go.”

Jim slowly walks towards the door and opens it, hoping one of his allies were patrolling the hallway. His train of thought was interrupted as Sarah pressed the gun against his lower back, “Its clear…move.” She ordered.

Jim stepped slowly into the hallway, “This is so embarrassing.” He murmured. Sarah slaps him in the back of the head, “Move it, James!”

“Its Ji…” he sees her serious look out of the corner of his eye and the barrel of the gun pressed against his back. He steps forward and enters the hallway.

Her eyes dart around for any surveillance cameras, she sees none. They round into another hallway. This one had windows on the left side overlooking the courtyard. It was raining still. The other side parallel to the windows was a row of doors.

“Take me to the lab.” Sarah ordered. Jim nods slowly and steps forward. After a few more minutes they make it to the lab. Beside the hard steel door was a retinal scanner, “A retinal scanner…” Sarah muttered. A retinal scanner scans the person’s eye to gain access.

“Do you have clearance?” Sarah asked. “No.” Jim replied.

“Don’t lie to me…” Sarah said threateningly, “Tell the truth or you’ll have another hole to breathe through.”

“I told you, I don’t have clearance. If you force it, the alarm will sound.” Jim replied in an annoyed tone.

“Then who does?” Sarah inquired impatiently. Jim smirked, not needing to lie for this one, “Miss Kiara and Master Link, along with a few hand picked personnel.”

Sarah stared at him for a moment. She quickly grabs him by the hair and slams his head face first into the scanner. “Open your eyes.” Sarah demanded.

Jim obeyed, feeling the barrel against the back of his neck. The door opened and Sarah yanked Jim’s head back, “Just as I thought, liar.”

Jim looked at her scornfully, “How did you know…?”

Sarah nodded towards the tag hanging around his neck; it had his picture in it, some writing and the words ‘Lab Personnel.’

“…oh...” Jim muttered.

Sarah frowned and took on a sad expression, “I can’t believe you lied to me, how we can have a good relationship if you do nothing but lie to me all the time. What kind of man are you?”

“I hate you so much…” Jim said angrily. Sarah quickly gave him a cocky smirk, “Move it, Johnny-boy.”

As soon as they step in, Sarah sees the little disc laying on the table in front of one of the computers, “Wow, that was easy. What kind of moron would leave something important out in the open like this?” she glances at Jim. Jim looked defensive, “What? I was sleepy!”

“You know, you’ve got some talent. You work in the lab and you’re a guard. Not many people have the brains and the brawn like you. You sorta remind me of this one guy.” She said, thinking of Trever as she grabbed the disc and places it into her inner jacket pocket, “And you’re both really absentminded, too…”

Jim stared at her for a moment and sighs, it was bad enough he was at the mercy of this crazy girl, now he had to listen to her talk about some other guy.

“Let’s go.” She said. Gesturing at the door they entered through with her gun.

As they reached a familiar hallway, they come face to face with another pair of guards. The two groups stare at each other for a moment before Sarah grabs Jim and places the gun to the side of his head, dragging him away to keep some distance.

The guards raise their rifles. One of them yells, “Don’t shoot! She’s got Jeff!”

Jim yells, “Its Jim, you dumb fucks!”

Sarah glances around, she sees the windows to her right, she leans forward and whispers into Jim’s ear, “Thanks so much for you help, Jim. Heres a little something to remember me by...” She kisses him on the cheek before shoving him forward, into the other guards. She fires two shots from her gun at the window and leaps through, shattering the glass.

As soon as the glass shatters, the alarm rings and all hell breaks loose, Jim sits up and places a hand on the cheek where Sarah had kissed him. He muttered, shocked, “…She remembered my name…”

Chapter Fifteen
“Chasing the Sunset: Fiery Resolute”


“It’s…so…hot…” Marin muttered as she stumbled through the Fire Temple. She was sweating heavily again, her clothes sticking to her skin. She had taken off her outer tunic due to the heat. She was wearing a white tanktop. Her regular boots were scared from the heat burn. The Longshot was strapped to her upper right thigh in its own leather holster. The mirror shield was on her back. Her short sword was now slung over her shoulder. Her long hair stuck to her face due to the sticky sweat.

This place was even worse than the big, humid, and stuffy Spirit Temple. The Spirit Temple felt like an oven. The Fire Temple made her feel like she was walking on the sun.

Her throat was so dry. She could barely breathe.

She reached the final room and opened it, wincing as the hot metal stung her hands.

She stepped through and stared on at the goron in front of her. She was now standing inside a circular room. There was a bridge leading from the door she had stepped through to the arena-like area surrounded by lava.

The goron smiled, unaffected by the heat, “You’ve made it! I was afraid you’d passed out somewhere.”

Marin limped wearily towards the arena and stopped as soon as she had stepped foot inside.

The Goron’s name was Darunia, Sage of Fire, Leader of Hyrule’s goron populace.

Darunia drew the Megaton Hammer from behind his back and swung it around, stretching his arms.

Marin watched carefully with a tired expression on her face. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and watched on.

“Fire,” Darunia began, “it’s a very powerful element. Difficult to comprehend…Like life. Existence and Flames share many, many things. They both start out small, only to grow older and more powerful…but eventually, like all things, the roaring flames will become faint embers dying in the dark, but not before leaving its mark in its wake. It’s up to you, Marin, to leave your mark. It’s up to you to keep the fire going. You must protect the faint flames and let it grow, let it spread. Do you know what fire I’m talking about?”

Marin stared blankly; the heat was getting to her. Darunia smiled, raised his hammer up over his head and said, “The fire of ambition. That faint flame of hope. Let it burn with intensity!” he slams the hammer downward with great force, smashing it into the floor of the arena. The little pits of lava scattered around the arena all come to life, spraying jets of hot reddish lava high into the air. Marin shielded her eyes from the flaring flames and falling lava. Miraculously, the lava missed her.

Slowly it all dies down and Marin looks back up at Darunia. He smiled in a friendly way and pointed at her with the large hammer, “Now stand tall, Marin.”

Marin shakily stood as best as she could under the conditions. She felt dizzy and slightly sick. She needed water.

Darunia lowered the hammer and says loudly, his voice booming throughout the room this time, “Show me that fire, Marin! Stand up for your beliefs and flare up! Don’t let that fire die! Are you ready?”

“Gimme five minutes…” Marin muttered as she reached for her sword.

“No! You must act NOW!!” he shouted and slammed his hammer down into the ground once again, this time, the area below her feet shook. Marin leapt backwards just as the ground below her feet jetted up into the air followed by a wall of fire blocking Darunia’s view of her.

Darunia waited for the fire to die down. Suddenly, the sharp tip of the Longshot pierced through the flames, flying straight towards him. Darunia quickly raises his hammer to block. The sharp point of the Longshot strikes the wooden handle of the hammer, jamming into it.

Before Darunia can register this properly, the hookshot pulls at him; luckily he was heavy enough not to get pulled. He stood his ground.

On the other end, Marin bursts through the flames, holding the mirror shield in front of her to help her barrel through the fiery wall. Her other hand held onto the Longshot as it pulled her forward through the air and towards the Sage of Fire.

She held her sword in her mouth by the handle, her eyes ablaze with new strength as her adrenaline fueled her. Darunia smiled, “That’s the fire I’m talking about!” he then holds onto the hammer with one hand while pulling back his free arm for a forceful punch. His fist begins to glow in a flame-like aura.

Marin sees this and braces herself, putting the shield between her face and Darunia’s fist. The Sage shouts, “Here it comes!” he swings his fiery punch full force at the mirror shield.

Chapter Sixteen
“Double Negatives”

The warm rain douses her black cloak. Ayumi was standing beside the large docks of Lake Hylia, hood up, staring out at the polluted lake. The skeletal frames of all the destroyed ships dotted the putrid water. Lightening lit up the sky and thunder made its presence known. A blue scarf was around her neck. A keepsake…

She heard footsteps coming from behind her. Shoes against the wooden docks…

She turns and sees Kale walking towards her. Their eyes locked. Kale was drenched in the rain. The water runs down his face as he stared at her, his black leather jacket had rain running down it as well. Ayumi closes her eyes for a moment and pulls the hood back, letting herself get drenched as well.

“You came.” Ayumi said.

“You had any doubts?” Kale asked. Ayumi shook her head, “No…”

“All you wrote was,” Kale continued, “…‘Meet me at our spot’.”

Ayumi nodded, “I knew you’d come anyways…No matter what I wrote.” Kale steps towards her. Ayumi says quickly, “Stop.” Kale stops.

Ayumi asked, “Did you bring your pendant?”

Kale countered, “Where’s my sister?”

“Did you come alone?” she questioned.


“Why did you betray us?” he inquired

“Show me the pendent.” She said, her voice’s tone increasing.

“Why did you betray me?” Kale demanded.

“Tell me-”

“-NOW!” Kale shouted forcefully, interrupting her. They both went silent. The rain continued to fall. They stared at each other. “…Why did you betray us?” Kale asked. Lightening lit up the dark scene, showing their expressions. Ayumi’s was cold, silent and emotionless. Kale’s was mixed with confusion, hurt and anger.

“It was a job.” Ayumi said plainly, “Nothing more, nothing less. Infiltrate your group. Gather info. Leave.”

Kale clenched his fists, “…Just a job, huh?”

Ayumi simply stared, calm, emotionless, cold, “Now…show me the pendent.”

“Where did you take my sister?” Kale asked. Ayumi replied, “Show me that pendant.” Kale paused before reaching into the collar of his black shirt and pulling out his half-heart pendant, he makes sure she sees before letting go, letting the pendant hang outside his shirt, the string around his neck.

Ayumi extended her hand to him, “Give it to me.”

“Show me my sister first.” Kale said sternly. Lightening racked at the sky, thunder followed.

“I don’t know where your sister is.” Ayumi said calmly.

“You tricked…” Kale began, but Ayumi interrupts, “I didn’t trick you. I didn’t write anything else in that note. You assumed I knew where your sister was. That was your mistake, not mine.”


Ayumi walked towards him, “Now, give it to me, Sparrow.”

Kale stepped backwards, away from her. Ayumi said again, “Give me the—”

“Shut up!” Kale shouted and drew his gun, pointing it right at her head, “I’ve had enough of your lies! I know you know where she is! There was a wreckage a few miles away from here. Inside the house, there was blood, empty bullet shells, kunai, shuriken. Sheikah weapons.”

“That was probably my partner.” Ayumi said, emotionless, “I have no idea what his orders were, but if he got to her, then theres nothing left of your sister to give back.”

“You heartless bitch!” Kale shouted, switching off the safety to his gun. Ayumi reacted instantly, leaping backwards and vanishing just as Kale fired his gun without thinking. The bullet whizzed on past the spot her head was a split second ago.

Kale heard a distinguishing splash in the rain and turned to see a kunai knife inches from his face. Ayumi held that blade and looked him in the eyes, “Give me the pendant.”

There was a loud sound of gunfire coming from the distance, the bullet strikes the blade of Ayumi’s kunai and sends it flying from her grasp, “Sniper.” Ayumi realized and before she could do anything else, she felt the barrel of a gun to the back of her head.

Behind her, Drake held the gun. Trever was at a distance, lying on his belly on one of the roofs with a sniper rifle in his hands, staring through the sniper’s scope, listening to the conversation through the earphone snuggled firmly in his ear. His finger lightly resting on the trigger…

Ayumi knew she had been set-up.

Kale stepped back and pointed his gun at her forehead, “You’re coming with us.”

Ayumi narrowed her eyes, her face still somewhat devoid of emotion despite the fact that she has a gun to the back of her head as well as a gun aimed at her forehead, and a sniper at a distance.

“Don’t make me do this.” Ayumi said. Kale shook his head, “You’re not the one to talk.”

Ayumi acted as soon as Kale finished the sentence, her hand flew forward and grabbed the pendant, she kicks Kale hard on the chest, sending him sprawling. Drake’s finger begins to pull the trigger as Ayumi spun around to face him.

His barrel still on her, he pulls the trigger four inches from her face. The rain continues to fall. No one moves. Ayumi glared. The smoking bullet was between her index and middle finger. Her hand was between the barrel and her face.

She had caught the bullet with her bare hand.

Drake muttered, bewildered, “…You can’t be real…”

Ayumi tosses the bullet aside and kicks Drake away as well, sending him sprawling.

She looks at the pendant in her hand and places it inside her pocket, her mission was completed, there was nothing left for her here.

She felt the wind break behind her and turned just as Vale’s staff hits her across the face. Ayumi skids across the ground and turns to face her attacker. Vale was in mid-fall; already swinging her staff at her like a baseball player would swing a bat, sounding off her battle cry.

Kage, wearing his mask and visor, appears and drop kicks her in mid-air, kicking her away. Vale cries out and lands a few feet away, holding her ribs, her staff landing beside her with a rattle of wood.

Kage lands smoothly before Ayumi, “You let your guard down.” He said.

Ayumi cupped her cheek; she rolled her tongue over her teeth to see if any were broken. She found nothing wrong. She looked at him, “Let’s go home.”

“Not yet.” Kage said, “Follow me.”

Ayumi glances at Kale. He was in the middle of standing up, he stared at her “…Wait…we’re not finished here…” he said, breathing hard.

Ayumi looked at Kage and nodded. Kage vanished. Ayumi looks at Kale for a moment as he finished standing up. Ayumi yanked the blue scarf from her neck and tossed it over to him. It lands at his feet. Their eyes met once more before Ayumi disappears.

Kale kneels down and picks up the blue scarf, still kneeling, he stares at it in his hands. Trever limps over to Drake and pulls him up. Trever sighed, “That guy got to me at the rooftop.” He gestured to the wound on his other arm as evidence.

Vale props herself up on her staff and stared at Kale, wondering what must be running through his mind at the moment.

Kale stands up straight and holds the scarf tightly, staring up at the sky as the rain runs down his face, his eyes closed.