Fan Fiction Friday: The Silence Within The Stone – Chapter 24

|| Previous Chapter  ||  Next Chapter ||

Chapter Twenty-Four

The companions looked back and forth at one another, their chests heaving inward and outward from the deep breaths their bodies so desperately needed. Tauru after several long moments lifted his great crystalline spear from the dragon’s skull, a sickening sound accompanying the action as it tore through brain matter, bone, and sinew on its escape. He leapt downward and almost collapsed. Clearly, he had overestimated his body’s current well-being after the punishment and trauma it had endured over the duration of the battle. Under normal circumstances, he would have risen immediately, fueled by nothing more than an acute sense of embarrassment, but in this particular situation, he was simply too exhausted to care. He also wasn’t alone in his need for respite, as the remaining three members of the hunting party were no better. No one spoke for some time, but each began to slowly find their strength once again, and one by one they stood to look upon their handiwork. Silindrath lay lifeless, a fact all the more evident as Rukio stepped forward gingerly to deliver a sharp kick to the left side of his face, finding no response.

“As I suspected,” Tauru said shakily, having been the only one of the four to look out beyond the plateau at the lands below them. They all began to move toward the cliff edge, suspecting that they knew what the Zora prince had observed. They had realized during their recovery that the air around them had initiated a change, and sure enough, they saw the fruits of Silindrath’s labors vanishing before their eyes. Plains that were once covered in vicious snow and ice were now giving way to verdant greens and flowing rivers. It was a spectacle to be sure, and Link was amazed at how beautiful the valley below them was becoming. Having spent the last few days in the region, he had no point of reference for the original state of Zora’s Domain but now began to grasp just how beautiful the land around their city truly was–no doubt a product of the clear waters from the rivers and tributaries giving the land its vibrancy. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Jenoa removing her coat. His Zora armor had rendered him impervious to the cold, but he imagined that this was a welcome turn of events for the Gerudo warrior. He had felt badly for her since they arrived given that she had no prior experience with harsh, cold environments. He was very happy that she was now being afforded a chance to be more comfortable and in her element once more. She looked at him and smiled.

“I’d say it’s about time we meet this Great Fairy we’ve fought so hard to find wouldn’t you?” Before Link could reply, Tauru pushed past them both and took long, determined strides in the direction of the cave entrance.

“After him I suppose,” Rukio said under his breath, taking off after him. Link and Jenoa followed, with the latter taking one last look behind them at Silindrath’s remains. She felt a chill rush up her spine and reflexively turned her head in the direction of their destination. The temple within the cave looked quite similar in an aesthetic sense to the two that had been encountered prior, but it was no less awe-inspiring. A cerulean hue emanated from the walls as they moved inward, and Link and Rukio in particular were relieved at the lack of danger they sensed. Given their previous experiences with the other temples it was a welcome reprieve.

When at last the party arrived within the main chamber they were greeted by the warm presence of a floating woman clad in blue robes. She looked upon them all and beamed as she slowly approached.

“It would seem that I have been freed from the icy shackles that bound me and for that you have my eternal gratitude. I know why you are here and it would give me no greater pleasure than to assist you in furthering your endeavors to rid this land of the grave evil that pervades it as we speak.” She flitted downward, her slender feet making contact with the floor beneath her in silence. She strode forward in the direction of Tauru who was taken aback by this. He had fully expected for the entirety of her attention to be focused on Link given the conversation with his father so this was quite an unexpected turn of events indeed.

“Young Zora prince,” she began as she extended an arm in his direction. “The fires of youth burn bright within you. They are quick to catch yet hard to quell. You have much to learn yet grasp much given your experiences. Your heart and mind are at odds with one another but take heart my child, as this will not always be true.” Tauru was unable to take his eyes off of the Great Fairy and began to feel inexplicable tears welling up around his eyes. “The grief you carry is palpable, I can feel it my child and it crushes me to feel the ache within your heart. This is however in a sense a gift. For through your despair you have taken great strides to prepare yourself for the inevitable role that you are destined to fill. You have sought only to understand your people and this land as your Mother once did. I knew her my child, and she would be most proud of what you have become and what you are still to be.” Tauru could now feel hot tears streaming down his cheeks. She stood before him and wiped them away. “She was a wise ruler, a trait I see within you that has continued to blossom over time.”

“I certainly do not feel it,” Tauru said through clenched teeth, doing his best to maintain his composure in front of Link, Jenoa, and Rukio. The Great Fairy chuckled gently. A blue light began to encircle Tauru, growing more intense with each moment. He stood, fearful at first, but could see beyond the light’s boundaries that Link, Jenoa, and Rukio were staring back at him with looks of approval. His confusion broke, when the Great Fairy spoke again.

“This light is representative of the wisdom within my dear Tauru,” she began, her cadence more maternal than it had been. You are young but there is an incredible amount of potential within you. You will find in time that those around you will seek your guidance and leadership in troubling times. It is for this reason that fate has selected you as the Paragon of Wisdom. You were destined to play a pivotal role in the salvation of this land. You, along with your fellow paragons will aid Link in his own destiny.” She turned back to the three of them who silently nodded at Tauru. He looked at Link specifically and wondered aloud how he could be the Paragon if he dismissed sound tactics like Link’s in the fight against Silindrath out of pride. The Great Fairy turned back to him upon hearing this. “And thus the first steps in realizing your strength have been taken. For one to become wise, he must first acknowledge his foolishness. Grow from these experiences my child. Use them for the betterment of yourself and others.”

The light evaporated from around Tauru. He looked at his three compatriots. “What does this mean then? What am I to do now that I am a ‘Paragon’?”

“Basically, we’re what Link needs to pull the Master Sword from its pedestal in the Lost Woods. Welcome to the club brother!” Rukio said as he stepped forward and gave Tauru a hearty slap on the back, nearly sending him crashing to the floor.

“Indeed,” the Great Fairy replied. “For it falls to him to engage evil itself. But he will need your courage Rukio, your power Jenoa, and your wisdom Tauru if he is to succeed. And with that–” she waved an arm upward and another light enveloped the four of them. A calm, warm sensation flowed throughout their bodies, and immediately their aches, pains, and injuries were relieved. “I wish you all well in your endeavors. Know that you have the support of myself, my sisters, and the good peoples of Hyrule in your quest.”

The four left the cave, revitalized and eager to continue the next portion of their quest. They stood upon the cliff and gazed out over the horizon.

“So where’s the lost woods at now?” Rukio asked as he surveyed the land. Having never journeyed far beyond the boundaries of Death Mountain he was at a loss in regard to his bearings.

“There,” Tauru said pointing northwest. A large congregation of trees could be seen from what appeared to be a day’s travel away. “I must confess that I have never been within its confines, but rumors have swirled within my people of spirits and whatnot that dwell within.”

“Well, luckily we have experience dealing with such things,” Jenoa replied. “Shall we be off then?” The four began to utilize the remaining climbing gear they had and set about descending from the mountain, being sure to not discuss or acknowledge the encroaching storm clouds they saw approaching the Lost Woods.