TT Doooom! Ok I’m done. Crisis over.

To Forest Girl Kaz: I shall bop you on the head and say wait. :) It’ll be explained later.

Chapter 5:

Link told Saria to prepare the other Sages for a meeting that the Guardians were to host. He left her at that point, saying that there were a few more chores to be done before the sun completely rose. Saria felt a lack of friendship but tried to calm that storm by telling herself that some things were more important than others given the right circumstances. So, with undecided feelings clashing in her soul she left with Spryte to tell the others. Zelda wasn’t particularly happy that Link wasn’t meeting with them immediately, Ruto… well she was just Ruto. Nabooru and Impa didn’t seem particularly worried on the matter. Saria envied how calm they could be at least on the outside. Experience was a thing she both looked forward to and dreaded.

It was almost midday before Link and the Guardians actually appeared at the meeting spot. Formalities were exchanged as well as names. Saria noticed that Impa seemed slightly unnerved by something, and when she asked what Impa said it was not of importance right now.

Link listened carefully to what the Sages had to say and said wait a moment. Then turned to consult quietly with his comrades. Jay it seemed, was always right next to him with one arm around his or holding his hand. It was very strange seeing the two, it was like opposite gendered identical twins, except that Jay had a hint of purple in her eyes and the tips of her blonde hair were blue. It was hard to follow any of the Guardian’s discussion as they slipped in and out of their strange language. Ancient Kokirin? Saria suddenly thought.

Ruto suddenly tugged on her sleeve, “Who’s that girl next to Link?” she asked.

It occurred to Saria that Link hadn’t addressed his daughter to the other sages except her, “Uhh…”

“Hyrule is protected your Highness. Those mountains protect you. You do not need us entering the heart of this country.” Carth said quietly from where he stood with folded arms.

Zelda thought a moment, “I remember, at one point in the visions there was the Hyilian shield, it was shattered by black lightning. That’s when the darkness came rushing in.” the Guardians looked at each other. Link opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a ground-shaking explosion. Screams pierced the smog filled air.

In an instant the Guardians had deserted the Sages and were dashing towards the danger. Surprised but not frozen, the Hylians followed. An entire section of the keep’s wall had been completely demolished. Black smoke billowed from homes, the air was unbearably cold suddenly. Saria felt as if her lungs were going to freeze.

What had caused the destruction was in plain site. Lithe creatures that reminded Saria of lizards, giant ones at that They were quick, and scaled the walls like they were nothing. Five gathered on another section of wall. Their blank red eyes glowed and in syncthey exploded, causing the wall to crumble.

“Cieletanc!” Rico yelled.

Liada summoned forth an amethyst colored bow with a silver string, she pulled back and an arrow of light appeared. The string made a sharp distinct musical twang! The magical arrow hit its target with deadly accuracy. Link and Jay joined the battled in perfect concert with each other. The child fought with twin blades that glowed a cold blue, she fought with the grace of a dancer yet the viciousness of a wolf. This was her art in the big picture, the blood memory of a warrior.

The Cielectanc swarmed the opening in a black and red mass, only to be disinigrated by a shockwave of light. Saria had lost track of the Guardians and the other sages, but the devils didn’t seem that interested in her. Mindless, with only one purpose it seemed.

Then, all of a sudden the sky turned blood red. A blood-curling scream of rage pierced the hearts of those that heard it. Saria felt that Link was in trouble, but she felt numb with fear. The air made her choke with the poisonous clouds left by the dead Cielectanc.

On the verge of passing out, the sageling felt strong arms lift her up from behind. Everything went by in slow motion, from when light filled her senses to when her rescuer set her down. She didn’t pass out exactly, but it took a long time for her body to assimilate and clear out the toxins. By then she was oriented enough to sit up.

The sky was an endless blue once again, marred only by the spluttering fires still being put out. Jay was sitting cross-legged in the shadow of her great black stallion.

The young lady smiled, “You’ve never smelled Hell’s carnage have you?” she tossed a water flask to Saria who fumbled for it. The cool liquid revitalized her some.

“What happened?”

“Another gateway from Hell opened up. The name of these lands is appropriate. It means Hell’s Door.”

“Not exactly what I imagined.” Saria rubbed smoke stains from her face, “Where’s Link?”

“Father is talking with that princess of yours. I think he mentioned something about leaving but I’m not sure.” Her horse rested his muzzle on Jay’s shoulder and she stroked him with one hand, “What’s it like?”

“Huh?”

“Hyrule. I hear from dad it’s in a Golden Age so far.”

“Oh… well. It’s kind of boring and tedious sometimes, but peaceful. You don’t have to worry about something in the darkness other than a prankster or a petty thief.” Jay pondered this. Saria felt that this child had never known such a life, and felt a bit sorry.

“This is my life. I wouldn’t know what to do with a peaceful one. And yet… that’s what most people think I strive for.” Jay said, reading Saria’s heart like an open book. This the sage didn’t like but it seemed normal to the guardians so she had to get used to it.

“Who’s your mother? Where is she?” Saria asked before she could stop herself.

Jay however, didn’t seem at all disturbed by the question but she didn’t seem keen to answer in detail, “I don’t know my mother. Except through the blood memory of the Ancient Kokiri. Her love and abilities run in my veins.” She stood and walked away then, “Ask the others if you want to know more about her.”

Ancient Kokiri. So these Holy Elements are of our ancestors… but how? There were just too many pieces missing to this jigsaw puzzle. Almost nothing was known about Niko and the others. They were a mystery to be unraveled in time. Link trusted them, so she would to. It was time she stop moping anyway.

“I hope that dream was not a precognitive one.” Saria muttered to herself.

“What dream?”

Saria nearly jumped out of her shoes at Link’s voice, “Link! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“I didn’t, I was walking next to you for the past minute and you didn’t notice me.”

Navi bounced on his shoulder, “You shouldn’t muse too deeply here ya know. People find that out and take advantage of that.”

“Mmm. So, what’s the verdict Link?”

He breathed out, “Well, it seems our troubles are moving inward. The mountain’s magic is failing.”

“What?”

“It explains the boldness of the black one’s appearances. They’re getting worse day by day. We cannot support Hyrule’s fore front defenses by ourselves any longer.”

“I didn’t know…”

“Of course you don’t. I didn’t either till I came here fifteen years ago. The magic’s been crumbling since. Carth and the others have tried to repair the damage but as powerful as they are, they’re not equipped for the duty.” He sighed, “Hell has broken his bonds and wants revenge on the Goddesses children.” There was an awkward silence between them.

“Link… what exactly is locked out here?”

“Well… it’s a long story but I can make it short. I’m not surprised you don’t know this, it wasn’t in any Hylian library.”

“Long ago when the Goddesses were creating this world with their love and compassion, they were in war with another Deity whose name has is unmentioned, created a darkness within the depths of light. It manifested the hatred, longing, and all mournful things. The children created in this darkness were jealous of the light. They hate the Trinity, even their own creator for bringing them up from the darkness. This unnamed Deity did not care. His children were accomplishing his goal of diminishing every light out of jealousy. So, in an all out battle, the first beings created by the Goddesses, the Ancient Kokiri, and other creatures. They faced off in the most epic battle. But… in order to maintain balance, they could not destroy the darkness, but they could keep it from going out of control. So the Ka’shiin Mountains, now known as the Borders, were created. A part of a magic lock of Kokirin magic to keep these demons at bay.”

“Wow… just that makes Ganandorf sound like kiddy stuff.”

Link shrugged casually, “I don’t care to experience the troubles our Ancestors went through. That’s why we decided its best that we retreat and help you Sages prepare.”

“Prepare? Prepare for what.”

Navi flitted between them, “You’ll see. Till then you should watch your back. You never know where a gate will pop open.”

“That is so reassuring.” Spryte tackled the other fairy out of the air.

The Guardians left with the Sages with haste. They didn’t however, warn the people of their most likely permanent leaving. Saria asked but they said the people wouldn’t worry since they left often and for very long periods of time. They rode at a swift pace, most of the way, listening to the Ancient Kokiri sing; laughing when the song was messed up from being jarred by the horses’ gait. Link was smiling warmly at his daughter. Oh how she missed this Link.

“Kinda weird don’t you think?” Ruto quietly said to Saria, “They’re so relaxed in a place so dangerous.”

“Hmm. I think it’s because this is what they know.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.”

000

Review please!