CHAPTER 3: THE TRUTH IS REVEALED
“Come in Link and guest!” a warm greeting met them as they entered the house. Impa sure was a sight for Serenity to see. She was tall and thin with a muscular build. Her crimson-colored eyes stared through strands of grey hair in a pleasant tone. She was wearing an armor-like top and blue shorts. Impa smiled, “Do not fear my appearance, young lady,” Serenity was startled, “Oh, I’m not, I was just…”
“Surprised to see a lady in armor? I am Impa, and I am a Shiekah. We are a mystical tribe of people and we have the ability to read into other people’s minds and thoughts. That’s how I knew what you were thinking,” Impa winked at her, “among other things, I’m sure.” She turned to Link, “Give us leave for a while, the festival starts in about two hours. I will give her one of Zelda’s old dresses to wear.” Link nodded and left the house.
Once he was gone, Impa turned to Serenity. The look in her eyes told Serenity that she had not just seen Serenity’s awkwardness about her, but something even more important.
“You have no idea who you are or what you mean to this land, do you?” Serenity sighed and said, “no, not really. I have been having these strange dreams lately, and they keep becoming more and more vivid. It’s like my whole life has been nothing but a lie.” Impa smiled, “Not a lie, my dear, think of it as more of a disguise than anything. I believe I can tell you all you need to know.”
“Really? Then explain this on my leg,” Serenity stated as she rolled up her pant leg. Impa glanced down at the mark and her eyes grew wide, “This is the sacred symbol of the Faierikin tribe! You really ARE the chosen one, aren’t you?” Impa set the table for two and started cooking some food on the stove, “Sit with me and we will discuss everything.”
An hour passed by in the blink of an eye. The two had discussed everything from Serenity’s ancestors, to why she was banished to the “human world”, to what the legend of the last Faierikin held for her. Impa knew of everything and would guide Serenity as far as she could. Serenity was starting to grow great respect for Impa, for she was a very intelligent person.
“So I was sent to my world for protection from the King of Evil, given the disguise of a human, and have no memory of my life here at all, hu?” Serenity asked, sipping the last of the water from her cup. Impa nodded, “It sounds horrible, I know, but with the help of myself, Link, and Zelda, I believe we can figure this whole thing out before the Evil One returns.”
“One question I do have is what is the choice I am going to have to make?” The goddesses told Serenity of a life-altering decision that she will have to face in the peril of danger. Impa frowned, “I’m not sure if I can answer that or not, for I don’t know either.” Her expression turned to a smile, “come now, all this serious talk has left us with no mood for celebrating. Cheer up! There is a festival tonight! You must join us! Come, I have the perfect dress for you.”
Impa was right; the dress was stunning. It was light blue in color and set just off of Serenity’s delicate shoulders. She looked in the mirror and almost gasped: she looked simply amazing. The light blue of the dress contrasted beautifully with her brown (almost almond) hair, and brought out the blueness in her eyes, “Wow, this is too much Impa. You shouldn’t have.” Impa smiled, “This is one of the Princesses old gowns. It fits you perfectly.”
“A princess wore this?! I thought you said this was from someone named Zelda.” Impa laughed, “Zelda IS the princess. She is a most wonderful person, and I know she will love to meet with you. She will be here tonight, should you wish to speak with her.” Serenity’s eyes lit up, “I would love to! I can’t wait to meet her!” She then turned to the mirror again, her smile slowly fading, “I wish my ears didn’t look so different from yours; I feel so out of place here.”
“You can change that, you know,” Impa implied, “you can do almost anything with the power you have received.” Serenity turned to her, “but the goddesses said that I had to have that Staff to use my powers, didn’t they?”
“Only if you want to cast big spells like defeating evil demons and monsters,” Impa informed her, “altering your image is almost a magician’s trick compared to some of the battles you’ll be facing.” A thought came to Serenity suddenly, “Speaking of that, the goddesses also said that I am supposed to be fighting beside the legendary Hero of Time, who is that anyway?” Impa grinned, “Oh don’t worry about him, and he’ll reveal himself when the time is right. Now about that image of yours...” She started searching her bookshelf for an old spell book that she used to use, “Ah ha! Here is the spell that you must say in order to alter your image to a Faierikin.” Serenity looked over the words, which were written in ancient Faierikin tongue, “I can’t read this! I don’t know how!”
“Just trust yourself, Serenity, and it will come to you,” Impa coached. Serenity looked at the book and sighed. Then she started forming the first few words under her breath. Light started to glow all around her as she said them louder. Soon she didn’t even have to look at the book; she knew what was needed to be done. When she was done, she faced Impa, who smiled and said, “It suits you, look.” Serenity turned slowly and looked in the mirror again. Not much had changed, she still had her radiant beauty, but one thing was notably different: her ears were no longer rounded on top. They had taken their true form and were pointy like Link’s and Impa’s. Serenity smiled and said, “Wow, now I feel like I belong,” she turned to Impa, “please don’t tell Link about this, I want to tell him myself.” Impa nodded as Serenity fixed her hair so her ears didn’t show. She would surprise him later.
Soon after, there was a knock at the door. “Come in Link!” Impa called. Link entered and grinned, sarcasm heavy in his voice, “Gee, how did you ever know it was me?” Impa met his sarcasm, “Lucky guess. Here is your lovely lady all cleaned up.” She stepped out of the way and Serenity walked up to him. His expression changed from boyish grin to complete awe, “Wow, I… uh… I don’t know what to say…” Serenity blushed, “Is it that bad?” Link shook his head quickly, his cheeks turning pink, “no, no, it’s not that, you look amazing.” She smiled and said, “Shall we?” He nodded and the two of them headed to the festival.