The Legend of Zelda: The Regal Flame

Chapter 9: What's To Come

Once outside, Link looked up at the darkened sky. Overcast blocked any stars from view, and there was no moon. The crisp, night air brushed across his face, and Link shuddered. Led by Mari, he helped Darcy down the mountain path quietly, the only sound being their boots crunching as they walked.

     "We sure could use a lantern," Link said, breaking the silence. "Seeing how we're headed toward the old graveyard."

     Mari laughed. "Are you scared, Link?" She teased.

     "No way!" Link laughed along with her. "I just figured we could trip on a broken headstone, or something,"

     "Don't worry, there are lanterns that light a safe path throughout the graveyard. I know how to activate them." Darcy reassured them.

And when they reached the graveyard, it was proven she was right. As soon as she passed the gate, Darcy stopped, and whistled the first four notes of Eldin's song. Then immediately after she sang the last note, tiny flames flared up down the path that stretched across the huge graveyard incased what looked like crystal lanterns.

Link and Mari let out admiring gasps in sync. "I don't remember seeing these on our way up," Link noted.

      "That's because they're not physical," Darcy answered, baffling the two. "It's an old spell used to guide people home safely, but to lead enemies astray. It takes a bit of spiritual power to do, so this graveyard is a fine place to do it. This spell is actually where the wilo the wisp myth came from."

     "There sure is some neat magic in the world," Mari sighed in envy.

     "But what if enemies just use the same song to follow you?" Link asked.

      "Like I said, spiritual power. It has to do with my soul, and bond with the spirits in this graveyard."

Mari shuddered. "You mean... there are ghosts here?"

Darcy laughed. "In a way, yes. There are spirits almost everywhere, some places more than others. But the ones here that were once among us are still our comrades, and won't do us any harm. Actually, you can cast this spell anywhere there are spirits, and they don't have to be the deceased. Like forest spirits, for instance. That's why people always spot wilo the wisp in the woods."

      "I thought you knew everything, Mari." Link teased.

"I'm a historian, and an expert on monsters, but I don't know too much about magic, and folklore." She pouted.

Link chuckled, then turned back to Darcy. "Well, does it have a time limit? Or can you turn it off?"

       "I'll show you," Was all she said, as they neared the other gate that led to the village. Then she paused again, and whistled. Only this time, she sang the last four notes from the song, and just as they lit up, the tiny flames blew out, one after another.

        "That was really something!" Link praised, as he squinted his eyes through the sudden darkness.

They weren't left in the dark too long, though. As their eyes adjusted, they began to make out the distant lights of Kenton.

Darcy gasped in excitement. "Let's go!" She laughed, before running down the hill.

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When the trio approached the potion shop, most of the villagers were already tucked into their homes for the night, but Shrou and Jaster had waited out for them. As Link, and Darcy drew into the light of the lantern hanging by he door, Shrou jumped from the crate he sat on, and rushed to embrace his younger sister, Jaster at his heels.