-Chapter 26-

The two reptilian creatures circled Link from opposite sides, preparing to attack. Unlike previous enemies, they took no moment to evaluate his movements: they must have analysed him back in the tunnels above. He readied the lance at the darker one, who so far had been the more aggressive of the two. Boleru was flitting somewhere above; the fairy's light becoming a hindrance to his night-vision.

"Keep away! I can see better in the dark!" Boleru settled on a rocky outcrop, obediently awaiting the end of the skirmish.

The lighter creature moved back from Link and settled into a meditative position on a rocky 'seat' two metres from the ground. The dark one ran forward, claws outstretched as if preparing to give Link a macabre embrace. He would be given no chance though; Link was ready with the lance. The dark one jumped at him, seconds away from being impaled on the hero's weapon when something wound around Link's legs and pulled him to the ground. Lights flashed in front of his eyes at the same point that sharp barbs raked along his armour, damaging the surface but missing his skin. He wrestled onto his back and struck out at the reptilian soul-part, forcing it to move out of his range. The plants along the walls had tangled with Link's legs and he set about pulling himself free before they overwhelmed him.

"Link!" Boleru called. "The whitish one is meditating and controlling the vines!"

"Where did the flashes come from?" As the words left his mouth, he noticed the tiny little seeds lining the undersides of the vines. So, that was how they did it! A grunt from the meditative enemy signalled the end of his control over the plants: they fell limp to the floor and Link took this second's opportunity to seize some of the seeds for himself.

The ash-coloured foe started circling him whilst his brother went into meditation in the same outcropping spot. The creepers began to move again, taking on a life more vicious than last they owned. His opponent circled around to his back, easily out-pacing Link in his armour and kicking him to the floor. The vines wrapped around his body and began to squeeze down, edging into the spaces between his protective plates.

Boleru watched as his partner wriggled in the vines, managing to land and stay on his side on the ground. He was beginning to choke, but somehow he managed to raise his fist as the whiter soul-part brought its claws closer to Link's face. For some reason, it hesitated. Link threw the seeds into its face, causing bright light to flash throughout the room. It screamed, jumping up and hiding in the mess of vines above while it regained its sight. The vines were beginning to loosen – the other foe had reached its limit controlling the vines. The boy fought against the climbers, snapping them with the tension until he dragged himself over to the still-meditating, demonic soul. The thing began to open its sleepy eyes. Link thrust the lance at its heart, missing his target as the creature dodged sideways. The weapon scraped along the scaled skin, piercing through the ribs instead. It would not be a dire wound, but it would be enough to slow it down for now.

The vines rustled above, dropping some of the flash-seeds in front of the young warrior. Link's attention was distracted long enough for the darker one to barrel into him, forcing Link to the ground. The lance spun out of his hand, clacking along the floor until finally coming to a halt against the wall. As expected, the other adversary dropped into the meditation spot and the vines began to twitch. They wrapped around his arms and legs, until he was being pulled in four different directions. Lizard-like hands wriggled underneath the armour, lifting and tearing it away in quick succession. His heart was exposed: there was nothing he could do to prevent the next, fatal attack.

"No!" Boleru cried, flitting forwards and circling like a hurricane around the vision of Link's attacker. The charcoal soul-part roared and flailed, attempting to rid himself of the disturbance to his night-vision whilst Link felt his bondage loosen and weaken. He used the opportunity to attain his weapon: his armour was useless now – attack was his only chance for survival. Boleru's light distanced: the fairy had returned to his hading place, leaving Link to fight alone.

The creature once more locked eyes with the boy-hero, preparing for yet another attack. It blinked repeatedly, stumbling towards him – it had obviously not readjusted to the darkness again. Link threw the last of his flash-seeds at its face. He jabbed at its leg, stabbing through the bone and causing enough damage so that it could not run away. The beast clawed out at him but he eluded it, drawing out the lance and pushing the tip through its left shoulder. It turned to its sibling, desperate to escape and link managed to slice across its back, sending scales and the moss on its back flying about the room. Both monsters disappeared above into the vines, using their coverage to hide. Link returned to the centre of the room and waited: it would only be a matter of time before they tried to attack him again. He picked at the fallen creepers at his feet, finding the last of the unspent seeds for his future advantage. Without his ghost-like armour, he needed to end the battle immediately… or he might not survive. He could feel them moving up there – he could sense every footfall they made with his new demonic skills. Just like when they had first attacked him, they had moved to either side of him and were starting to close in. This was it: the deciding moment.

Charcoal and ash dropped onto the ground and charged – the former making an inhuman effort to keep moving despite its damaged leg. Claws clattered and rose. Eyes burned with hunger and hatred – he could almost feel their breath upon his skin. With all of his remaining strength Link threw the flash-seeds at his feet, illuminating the room like a thunderbolt. Even when he reopened his eyes, spots still danced in front of him. The looked back to where he had rolled from in the centre of the room. He could see the outline of his two enemies, standing in front of each other. He could see that the darker one had its hand raised to the lighter one's neck. He could hear the gentle dripping sound of the ashen creature's life-blood falling away, while its arm was poised to strike but had hesitated for too long a moment.

The light-half collapsed to the ground, its body fading out of existence until all that was left was a single glowing star. The remaining enemy stumbled backward and swooned, before it too finally dropped to the floor and released its dying gasp. One half could not survive without the other. The second enemy faded away also, leaving behind nothing but a small black void the same size as the star. The two met each other, whizzing and whirling up and down until they finally combined and formed their original whole. Link crept nearer to the new presence, watching awestruck as the two halves expanded and created a recognisable shape, complete with flowing blue and gold robes that were a transparent imitation of what they would have looked like when the wearer was alive. The zoran mage looked down at him, hands out-stretched in appeasement, the perfect expression of serenity upon the apparition's face. Before Link could say another word, the ghost was gone… and a large chest made of driftwood stood in his place. Boleru flew down and settled onto Link's shoulder.

"This is what we've been waiting for, Link! Open it!" Link listened for the sound of any further movement… but it sounded as if they were safe. His fingers were tentative as he loosened his grip on Merrowin's lance, unsure how soon he would need to take it up again. He knelt at the chest, lifting the latches and throwing back the lid. Boleru flew upwards and peeked inside. His little gasp gave the boy-hero enough courage to look inside himself.

His curiosity gave way to fear and he placed his hands around the strange metal shape, releasing it from its prison for the first time in nearly a decade. His thumb rubbed at the rusted, buckled triangle, coppery marks coming off onto his skin. It was dented beyond repair – beyond use – but there was no mistaking the distorted etchings that formed the crest of Morëkotu: the kestrel and the moon, marred with the blood of the demon Kealathen and the hero, Rathor. His fingers travelled to the marks, but thought better of touching it when he remembered it was cursed as well as blessed.

"The Shield of Irishati reflects the state of the land of Morëkotu…" Boleru whispered with reverence. The land was indeed tainted and useless: this scrap-metal he was holding was its perfect reflection. There was no doubt about it – they were holding the Shield of Irishati.

The creepers that had covered the staircase gave way, revealing Packard standing on the other side of the passageway.

"Link! Boleru! How are you? Are you alright?"

"We're fine, Packard!" The demonic-hero grinned, too elated to consider where the wild-man had come from or whether Jorose was with him. "And look – we've found the Shield of Irishati." The wild-man sprinted over, apprehension clear upon his face. He stopped behind Link, placing his palm upon the boy's shoulder. No words were exchanged while they elated in the finding of the ineffectual legendary artefact. Link stared into the eyes of the Morëkotu kestrel. Somehow, the shield held the key to restoring the land and Link back to their former states. He would find the way.

"So you have, boy; so you have…" Packard's hand lifted from his shoulder.

Link turned in time to see Packard's hammer coming at him from the corner of his sight.

-End of Chapter 26-