"I am Volga!" The dragon-man said and waved his pike in front of him, sending a plume of flame toward Link. Link swung his enchanted sword, and a barrier of water spread in front of him blocking the flame.
Volga rushed toward him and leapt into the air, swinging his pike at Link. Link deflected the blow and spun around to face Volga. Link slashed his blade at him, and Volga pushed it away. Link soon realized that the offensive post would be a challenge, and he brought his sword closer to his body and assumed a defensive stance.
Volga leapt into the air and transformed for a split second, whipping Link to the ground with his tail, and landed back down as a human. Link scrambled to his feet and nearly slid off of the wall, but he managed to gain his footing. He rushed Volga, swinging his blade furiously at the dragon-man. Red began to fill Link's eyesight, and Volga began to fall back against his blows.
Volga flipped backwards and reared his head back, breathing in a huge gasp of air. He swung his head forward, blasting a pillar of flame from his mouth toward Link. Link reached for his shield but realized he’d forgotten it. The flame came closer, and Link tried to create a water barrier, but the flame hit him hard, engulfing him in the red-hot fury of Volga.
Volga transformed, cackling as he did so, and his scales glowed red.
Impa and the other soldiers shrieked and charged the dragon. The flame still burned high, and Impa couldn't see Link. The dragon flew into the air and swatted several soldiers over the wall with its tail. The flames died down, and Link stood, his blade in front of him. He wasn't hurt; the flames hadn't even touched him. Link put his sword down, and Impa stared at his left hand. On it, a golden Triforce glowed brightly. Could it be?
The dragon swooped back down and knocked Impa, Link, and several awed soldiers to the ground. Link leapt up and charged at the dragon, which was now flying at him at high speed. "Go to your posts!" Link shouted and leapt off the wall into the air. The dragon flew at him and caught him with its claws. It carried him into the air, spinning him until his sword flew from his hand in the direction of the wall. It tossed him into the air and opened its mouth. Link pulled a pinch of gunpowder from his pouch and threw it down as the dragon breathed.
BOOM!
The dragon exploded, fire, blood, and scales going everywhere, leaving Link to freefall to the ground.
***
Link woke on the battle field the next morning. His head thumped, his leg was twisted, and his wrists were burning with pain. He turned his head and gazed at the carnage. He heard groans from monsters that were lying on the battlefield. Arrows, gunpowder, monster remains, and blood littered the field. He attempted to roll over, but the one finger that would move willingly with limited pain did him no good. He tried lifting his head up, but to no avail. His neck was twisted slightly, probably not broken, but majorly cracked. He was lucky the fall hadn't killed him, but the pain and his slight paralysis made him wish the fall would have killed him. He tried moaning, but his throat burned with pain, and it was drier than the Lanayru sands. He closed his eyes and tried to remember where his sword was. It was gone…the dragon had caused him to fling it away. He opened his eyes and looked at the sky. It was light blue, similar to Lana's hair…
Lana. She had run away from their home. His eyes managed to draw enough liquid to drop a single tear down his cheek. He prayed silently to the goddesses that morning that Lana was safe and that the monsters hadn't invaded the city.
He flicked his eyes toward the wall and found that the gate was intact and the wall un-breached. He smiled meekly and let loose a sigh of relief. He furrowed his brow and looked closer at the gate. It was opening! Two figures sprinted from the gate toward Link. As they neared he could see that one of them was Impa, but the other he didn't know. She had a tight white, blue, and black tunic that covered her whole body. She had a pair of the hidden blades on her hands, and her face was covered in a white linen cloth. She had braided her hair with white cloth, but what he could see of it was blue. The front of her tunic was covered in ornate designs. There was a silver eye with a Triforce above it, as if it were looking up at it. She had a kunai strapped to her belt and a short sword hooked to her back.
They arrived next to him, and the mysterious figure knelt down while Impa checked his breathing. The mysterious figure placed her hand on Link's chest and pushed it down, sending a shock of life throughout his body. His leg untwisted, his wrists no longer hurt, his head wasn't thumping, and all other injuries felt completely better.
Link sat up. "Who are you?" he asked the mysterious figure and turned to Impa. "And what happened after the battle with the dragon?"
The mysterious figure answered first; "My name is Sheik."
Impa answered quickly before Link could question Sheik anymore. "After the dragon was defeated, the monsters started to slack in their siege. We quickly dispatched the hordes scaling the walls, and then we sent our foot soldiers to the outskirts to take care of the rest."
"Is Lana safe?"
"I don't know, Link. We sent scouts through the city to check for monsters, and the guards are cleaning the walls now. We've seen so far that the casualties for our army didn't even go into the triple digits, and no deceased civilians have been found. I will search tonight for your wife."
"I guess I will help," Sheik said and stood up, brushing the dirt off her knees.
Impa stood and helped Link up. There was no pain left in his body, and standing was easy. Impa unhooked a sheath from her back and handed it to Link. It was his general's sword. He pulled the blade out and, after a few inches, the blade stopped. Link dropped his jaw. He shook the sheath and pointed it to the ground. The rest of the blade fell out, plopping down onto the bloody dirt.
"What happened?" Link asked. He waved the now short blade around and tossed it to the ground.
"It was hit by a rifle blast when it was flung from your hold, and the blade snapped. I'm sorry, Link."
"It isn't your fault, Impa. It is just a sword."
"Still, I…"
"No!" Link interrupted.
Impa picked the blade up and tucked it into the sheath. She then took the hilt and place it in the sheath. She handed the sheath to Link. "Maybe you can get it bound together."
"No,” Sheik said. “It was enchanted, and one rule for enchanted weapons is that it’s not worth the risk of binding the fragments of the blade."
"Risk?"
"Yes. Enchanted weapons’ spells are very fragile. When one is broken the fragility comes into play. The enchantment will be released, obliterating anything in its path. In this case, I can guess that it let loose about thirty gallons of water."
"Yes," Impa confirmed and motioned for Link and Sheik to follow her as she walked back to the city.
"Wow," Sheik said, and she pushed aside a squirming Bokoblin with an arrow in its neck.
***
Link had thrown his general's sword into the rubbish pile that the soldiers were building up. It was useless, as he had explained to Sheik earlier. Who was that woman anyway? He shook his head and entered his home. His rifle was still on his back, undamaged, and his hidden blades were fine, as well. He walked to his armor room and shed his general's armor. After he had taken it off, he removed his clothing and headed to his bathroom.
Link drew a warm bath from the faucet and set himself down in the tub as the water rose. Why had those monsters come now? Why would they suddenly attack now? Link then remembered what Impa had told him. The army had been summoned. By whom, though, was the question. Who were they? Why did they attack Hyrule, of all places, and where did they learn the ability to summon an army that massive? Link sighed and closed his eyes trying to focus on non-worrisome things.
***
Link entered the room, Lana at his side. He stepped evenly with her to the front of the room through a thin walkway. Lana took a seat to their left. Link turned to face the princess, Zelda.
She smiled and began the ceremony. "Commander Link, of Hyrule, do you swear to the goddesses who forged
this land that you will lead our armies to your greatest ability, no matter the cost?"
"I do," he replied, trying not to show emotion.
She turned around and lifted her golden rapier from its pedestal. "Then by the power vested in me by the goddess Hylia, I dub thee, commander Link, General of Hyrule."
The crowd erupted in applause, and Link smiled at the princess.
Later that evening…
Link pulled Lana out of the party, to the balcony viewing Hyrule Field. It was nippy that night, and the hair on his arms stood up with anticipation of the next moment.
"Link," she said giggling lightly, "what are you up to?"
He kissed her neck and then knelt down on one knee. He pulled a tiny box from his belt pouch and opened it up, revealing a silver ring with a golden gem resting on it.
"Will you, Lana, marry me?"
She smiled hugely, and a tear rolled from her eye. "Yes, Link, I will marry you."
Link pulled the ring from its box and slipped it onto her left ring finger. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too."
***
Link put on a light blue tunic and pulled on his leather boots. He strapped a knife to his side and headed outside to help clean up. He closed the door behind him and was confronted by a soldier waiting outside his door.
"General! You are needed in the war room!" The soldier turned and ran to the castle.
Link frowned and jogged on over to the castle. He pushed through the doors to the war room and stepped into the center of the room. He stood next to Impa as the other soldiers finished gathering.
"All right!" Impa shouted. "We were attacked last night by a sorcerer, and we don't know who, or why, but that is why we are here. This person is obviously very talented but is also very stupid."
"What?" Link asked, confusion spanning across his face.
"They attacked Hyrule, the strongest kingdom created, and though we may not have the biggest army, we have the most skilled! We gather here today to declare our intentions of war!" Impa pointed to a map of Hyrule in front of her. "We are here," she said and pointed to the castle with her Naginata. "We are traveling through the mountains of Eldin, through the volcano, through Faron Woods, across Lake Hylia, through the Lanayru mines, through the Lanayru desert, and then to the valley of Seers, where our oracle has foreseen as our enemies’ hiding place."
"Commander, that would take over seven months!" a soldier exclaimed.
"Yes, it will, but that is a better option than sitting here and letting our kingdom get destroyed."
"I agree with the commander," Link said, his hand cupping his chin. "It would be our best option, unless…" He looked at the map once more. "We could travel through the Wastelands of Death; it would cut out Eldin, Faron, and Lanayru. We could be at the Valley of Seers within the month."
Impa turned to him, "Link, the Wastelands of Death are called that for a reason. We'll be dead before we step two feet into them."
"Commander, our army can't endure that long of a journey. The longest we've been gone while conquering was for two months, not seven."
"Link, you must have confidence that your army can do this. If you cannot, I will have to-"
"No! I am your superior," Link snapped, "You will follow MY orders and you will salute me."
She saluted him. Then she walked from the room.
***
Three weeks later…
The guards outside the Princess’s door stepped to the side, allowing Link to step inside. He heard the princess on her balcony, playing her harp. She sang beautifully:
When the Chosen hero locked away the prince of darkness, Hyrule was left in peace.
But a day will come when they both shall rise, both evil and divine!
When this time has come we shall adorn him in the garment of the hero.
He shall draw the blade of evil's bane and banish the darkness.
The hero will use the Triforce to hold the prince down.
He will take him and defeat him, and then we will have peace.
"Nice singing," Link said, softly, as she finished.
She turned around, and smiled when she saw the face of her general. She came in, set her harp on the mantle, and rushed Link.
"Link!" She hugged him tightly and sat down in her chair. "I haven't spoken to you since the party celebrating your victory!"
"Your commander had more to do with our victory than I."
"No, she told me about the dragon-man’s power on the monster hordes. You defeated that beast, and by doing so, you lifted an enchantment on the hordes."
"I still think I don't deserve much credit."
"You deserve plenty. Just try not to screw yourself over next time."
"What?"
"She told me you fell."
"Ohhhh," he said and plopped down on one of the cushions that decorated her room.
"So what is it you need, General?"
"Well, we plan on marching to the Valley of Seers."
"I understand that, but what about it?"
"Well, Impa suggests we take the long way, through Eldin, Faron, Lanayru, and then to the Valley. I suggest we go the short way, through the Wastelands of Death."
"Link, I have been meaning to tell you this, and I'm sure Impa wanted to as well. We need to go the long way."
"Why?"
"I know the dark sorceress. Her name is Cia. She is beautiful, seductive, powerful, and stunningly gorgeous. She seeks one thing, and one thing only."
"What?"
"You, Link."
Ch.3.
"Me?" Link said, a look of disbelief covering his face.
"Yes," Zelda said. "She lusts after your soul."
"Why me?"
"Link, I don't know if you have noticed, but the mark on your left hand is not a birthmark. That is the Triforce of courage inside you."
"What?" Link gasped.
"Yes, Sheik holds the Triforce of Wisdom. Yours have not been unlocked yet, so the full potential of the two pieces will not be unlocked till they are exposed to the Triforce of Wisdom and the Triforce of Courage."
"Wh-N-No," Link stuttered. I can't have the Triforce. I can't have war. I have a baby due in a month.”
"Link, do not worry about Lana. She will be fine, and to be honest, I know she is safe, as I just spoke to her recently."
"What? Why didn't you tell me? Why hasn't she spoken to me? Wh-"
"Link, all will be revealed to you soon, but we saw that you weren't ready. As for the war, if you do not seize this opportunity to strike down Cia when you have the chance and end this threat before it destroys us, you and your family will die. We need you Link."
"What does this have to do with Cia?"
"If we gain the complete Triforce by exposing three people worthy of the power of each piece, the full Triforce will be made, and we can use it to defeat this threat. You must hurry though. Our scouts reported an army of Cia’s marching towards us. They think we have a three-month period between now and the time they reach us."
"Why do we have to go through the long way then?"
/"In each province is a temple with a unique gem. You need this gem to unlock the other temples in these provinces that have the Triforce inside them. So at Eldin Mountain you need to go through the Fire Temple and, using the Gem inside, this case being the Fire Ruby, you unlock the door to the Temple of Power, with the Triforce of Power hiding within. In Faron you will need to go through the Forest Temple in order to get the Forest Emerald to unlock the temple of Courage, where you will receive the true Triforce of Courage. You will then venture across Lake Hylia to Lanayru, where you will go through the Sand temple to get the Water Sapphire and use it to unlock the Temple of Wisdom, where the Triforce of Wisdom will be waiting. Then with the complete Triforce, you will travel through the dimension portal in the Temple of Souls to the Valley of Seers, where you will defeat Cia. After you defeat Cia, you will step through the portal at her fortress, and when you are back in this world, yo
u will teleport yourselves to the castle using the Triforce."
"So she wishes to own the complete Triforce?"
"Yes, but only so she can get you."
"Why does she want me?"
"You are the reincarnation of the Chosen Hero. You are the Hero of Legend; you will lead us away from evil, as the Hero of Legend always does. Cia has been watching your soul and has become infatuated with it."
"Why?"
"Never mind that. For now you just need to make sure you and your troops are ready for the trip. Okay?"
"As you wish, your highness," Link said. He left the room.
***
Link knocked on the Commander's door, and she opened it quickly. "General, please, come in," she said, waving him inside. "Commander, I would like to inform you that we will be taking the long way through. The princess just explained everything to me."
"That is good; do you plan to set out on our journey soon?"
"Yes, I would like to leave within the week."
"Would you like me to inform the soldiers?"
"Yes, that would be generous of you, Commander."
"I will do that now, " she said and grabbed her Naginata. She then walked from her home, Link not far behind her.
***
Cia thrust her scepter into the ground, spreading a void of darkness.
"Rise!" She hissed, "Become alive once more, Dragon Knight. Your soul is the only thing binding you to death. Let it go and become alive once more!"
Volga body floated out of the void, empty of life. Cia waved her scepter, and a translucent white glob pulled itself from Volga's chest and sank into the void. Cia waved her scepter again, and the void closed, leaving Volga to plop down on the ground. His eyes opened, slowly, and he pushed himself up. He looked to his right and found his master, who had just revived him.
Cia was a foot-and-a-half shorter than Volga. She had a mask covering her face that resembled a crow's beak. She was wearing a strange dress that left the front of her legs barely clothed, with golden armor covering the tops of her legs. The actual dress covered her back and went down to her ankles. The left of her waist was also covered in thin golden armor that went up to her breast and continued down her arm. Her right waist was clothed in the same material as the dress; it went up to her right breast and continued to her wrist. Both wrists had golden bracelets on them. The center of her torso was bare, only covered on the sides.