Fan Fiction Friday: The Man Behind the Masks – Part 27b

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“We can’t bring hell to Kakariko,” I protested. “Don’t your people live there?”

Small puffs of smoke rose from the unsuspecting village in the distance. It stole Impa’s attention as she strangled the handle of her sword. “Your concern is noted. It can’t be helped,” her voice wavered, as if trying to convince herself of this fact. “My home is the only place I can perform a seal.”

Ah, but he moved to the windmill to get away from violence. I could see Guru-Guru’s scowling face as I barged in with half of Hyrule’s army. Wrestling with a shadow beast and spells sent flying. He’d never talk to me again.

“We can’t allow evil to roam free killing innocents,” she replied, firmer this time.

Rain drops bounced off the soldier’s dead body. A reminder. I tried to swallow, but the lump in my throat felt too big. This monster wanted to destroy a babe in arms. Ganondorf had been afraid of this child. A child of destiny that the Goddesses had plans for.

Why do I have to be dragged into this? I scowled. Golden Goddesses interfering in our lives, what right do they have anyway?

Impa pressed onward, drawing water from the nearby stream. A gigantic swirling bubble formed above my head. As Bongo Bongo’s hands came rushing towards us, trails of black and gold merged with lapis blue. I reinforced my magi-clay ropes and staggered my feet. We only had one chance at this.

Bongo Bongo swerved, but my nimble magic had the advantage. Playing cat and mouse, it caught the stubby fingers easily. He jerked and fought. His need to escape came with a desperate cry that made me think twice. What had this man done to end up like this? A form so twisted that he no longer resembled anything of his past self.

The trap snapped shut. Bongo Bongo’s menace incapacitated as he bobbed inside his spherical prison. He reminded me of one of Dr Mizumi’s bizarre experiments. A huge cheer erupted from the side lines as the soldiers celebrated.

“We have to get this thing to the village,” Impa grunted. A fine sheen of sweat had already gathered on that commanding brow. She surrounded the water with another barrier, this time muttering words of a language I had never heard before. A cage of words wrapped over the top of the already potent magical mix.

Gathering heat into my fingertips, a portal sprang into life. I flinched as a gasp of awe escaped the troops. I’d forgotten this spectacle did not fit in with everyday normality. So much for not drawing attention to myself.

“After you.” I gestured towards the glowing oval.

The Sheikah plunged her sword into the light and twisted.  “Have you done this before?” she asked, pulling it out again.

“Oh yes, I travelled from Gerudo Desert to Lake Hylia in one shot. It’s a lot quicker.” Well, once the dragon was taken care of!  I thought, but she didn’t need to know about that.

The Commander heaved her reluctant cargo inside and disappeared.

“Hey, moron, where are you going now?” Yasei called in alarm.

I blew a kiss. “Just to Kakariko, my love.” And before she had the chance to argue, I jumped in too.

It was a gradual thing but when something is wrong, it’s wrong. Bongo Bongo had been wrapped in solid layers of incantations that held tight. As we moved away from the gate showing the outline of a blurry castle, my arms started to shake.

What’s happening?

Looking to the shadow beast’s prison, I gulped as golden strands began to peel away. My magic no longer felt dense. The layers became blue; slippy and tricky to hold onto. Bongo Bongo stirred and thumped a hopeful fist against the sides.

It was only after a year or two of experimentation that I understood. You see there is an unspoken rule regarding the dimensional realm. Spells cast prior to travel remain intact only if returned to the same place. Wards or barriers cast with a different destination in mind evaporate. Now, don’t ask me who thought this was logical. It is most inconvenient. My terrible lack of knowledge that day nearly cost the life of one of Hyrule’s future sages. Rauru never lets me forget it, although forgive me, I’m getting ahead of myself again.

Impa thrust her hands once more into the swirling sphere of magic. “I’m losing my grip.”

“Hold on,” I said. “I can see a gate with a windmill – that has to be it.” Placing my hands onto her broad shoulders, I tried to steer our awkward load towards it. But now the blue layers had turned black. Bongo Bongo didn’t hold back. He punched at the rapidly unravelling layers. His chant returned in mocking jubilation. A horrible sound that still haunts my dreams.

“Damn it all, he’ll break free,” Impa raged.

One final push found us stumbling out the other side. Cuccos clucked as they ran in wild circles. The damp grass soothed my throbbing fingers and I spread them out, pushing them further into the earth.

The Sheikah dragged herself to standing which I had to admit was pretty impressive. My head felt like a hundred-pound weight had been dropped on it.

“Get up. He mustn’t reach The Shadow Temple. If it becomes corrupt all those souls will rally to his call.”

Any suggestion of movement brought only rebellion and dizziness. “Shadow Temple? What souls are you talking about? Who died in there?”

She smirked back. “There’s a mask in it for you.”

Such obvious deflection. I glared at the white-haired warrior shrouded in mystery. She can’t expect me to just let that go, surely? What mask could possibly be worth that? And yet, I wanted to see it. I had to see it. A mask from the Sheikah themselves, the very thought had my heart pounding.

“Even if I wanted to, my body is near its limit. What can we do alone?”

“Alone?” Impa unsheathed her sword and held it aloft. The slicing ting of other swords rang in answer. They came from the shadows, silent as death. “Who said we were alone?”

Featured Image: Alison Patten

Alison Otwl continues her fan fiction at Zelda Dungeon. She likes reading manga and collecting Japanese wind chimes. Her favorite Zelda game is Ocarina of Time. Check out more of her fanfiction over at: Otwl.