1st installment of the VGNU.
The birth of a Legend, the fall of a God, the rise of a Demon.
This is the beginning of the great tragedy of Hyrule and it's people, and the dangers that will torment them through the ages.
(Originally published 2017)
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"...As you can see, the gate is nothing more than a slab of cold stone for now." The old woman sat back down in the same spot as always in the Sealed Temple, at the back of the room at the top of the steps in front of an old broken door. She took a deep breath, tired from her long walk up and down the pit. "It is sleeping. Rousing it from its slumber would require great power. And this power, you do not yet possess."
Link looked over his shoulder at the Goddess Sword on his back.
"Ah, sorry to disappoint you boy," the old woman smiled. "But for now your sword lacks the power necessary to open the gate."
"But I was able to fight the Imprisoned just fine," Link said.
"As I said, you have only bought time, nothing more."
Link nodded, turning to study the slab behind him. "Then what do I do?"
"First, you and your sword must grow together," the old woman explained. "Faron Woods... Eldin Volcano... and Lanayru Desert... A sacred flame is hidden somewhere in each of these lands. Seek them out, and purify your sword in their heat. Only after your sword has been tempered by these three fires will it be fully imbued with the great power for which you search."
Groose shifted awkwardly, taking a step back. "I hate even sayin' this, but I guess you got it all figured out, Grannie." He took another step back, looking around him at the massive structure of the temple. "Me, well, there's nothin' I can do to help Zelda..." Finally, he hung his head and turned around, headed for the door. "I'm... useless."
"Ah, you sell yourself short my friend," the old woman said cheerfully. "You'll see in time that you have your own role to play in all this."
Groose hesitated by the door, but didn't say a word as he left.
"Link, go now," the old woman said. "Trust in your fate to guide your feet. Your mission depends on it... as does Zelda's fate."
Link opened his mouth to speak, but wasn't sure what to say. He looked back at the door Groose had gone through, worried about what he'd do. "What about Groose?" he found himself asking.
"Don't you worry," the old woman assured him. "I'll keep an eye on him and make sure he stays out of trouble."
Link moved slowly, unsure of his next move. As he reached the door, he figured he'd just start here. If there was a sacred flame in the forest, that was his next objective.
___
The path narrowed and the trees closed in as he entered the forest. As before he followed it for a while, but eventually he realized he'd just end up at the same place as last time. Looking around for another path however, he found none.
"Fi," Link called. "Any idea where we're going?"
Fi appeared, quickly spinning in place to search the immediate area. "The Spiritual Spring was found in the north, and the Sealed grounds are in the west." She looked directly at Link. "I would recommend walking along the southeast edge of the forest."
