The Archaeologist

Chapter 8

"Ngh," Ahura groaned. A throbbing pain pierced her skull. She slowly opened her eyes, only to be met with darkness. "Where am I?"

"In your consciousness," the voice of an old man croaked. "You are still unconscious. You did hit your head rather hard when you fell from the cliff."

"Cliff?" Ahura sat up and looked around. Her mind reeled to the invasion of the lake. "Oh."

"I'm right here," the man spoke softly. Ahura looked to her right. Her eyes landed on a Sage. He sat on what appeared to be thin air. The palm of his hand supported the weight of his chin. "You sure have started something, Hylian."

"Wasn't I supposed to?" Ahura questioned while she rubbed a tender spot on her head.

"Not really." The Sage sat up straight. "Destiny might have wanted you to, but you are to make your own decisions. Destiny is more often than not... cruel, I prefer to think we have free rein of how our lives will turn out." He watched her carefully, as if trying to analyze everything she did with great scrutiny. "That should especially be true for the one you are traveling with."

"Ganondorf?"

"Yes. Already, his hatred is diminishing. However, your hatred is growing, towards what the Royal Guard is doing."

"How could it not?" Ahura spoke quietly, ashamed of herself. "What they are doing is horrible."

"It is," the Sage replied. "I will not argue with you. Hatred is a normal part of life. You will grow to hate others, but you must not let that hatred to consume you like it did Ganondorf. I believe if you were to ask him, he would say it is not wise to let it happen."

Ahura nodded her head silently.
"Now listen to me carefully, Ahura." The Sage grew somber with his tone. "After me, you will have four more sages to find: one in the forest, one in the volcano, one in the light, and the final one will be the Princess Zelda. With every Sage you visit, Ganondorf's power grows. Once I gift you with my tear of light, he will have a materialized body in the darkness and light outside of the desert. He will be able to kill you wherever you are. Be careful."

"He won't actually try to kill me, will he?"

"I do not know. But I believe he seeks a deep, hidden source of darkness and hatred within the Water Temple. A power that is so great it is second to him when it comes to defeating the chosen hero. Do not let your guard down, Ahura." With those final words, a tear fell from the Sage's eye and flew towards Ahura's chest. Light blinded her.

--

"She's waking up!" a young woman called out.

Ahura eyes opened. She stared at the ceiling of a tent. Her vision was then obscured by a young Sheikah looking down at her. The Sheikah grinned widely at the Hylian before moving away. Ahura watched at the Sheikah woman ran to the entrance of the tent. The Sheikah called out to those outside. Within moments, Ganondorf's large form ducked through the entrance and walked in. His eyes landed Ahura. If Ahura wasn't watching him closely, she would have missed the ghost of a sigh and a smile. In a flash, both had passed.

"How are you feeling?" Ganondorf questioned.

"Fine," Ahura replied. She regarded him with caution. The sage's words rang in her ears. "How long have I been out?"

"Only an hour or so."

"Are you going to the Water Temple?"

"Yes. There is something in there I need to find. Do you not need to go in there?"

"I already have what I need," Ahura spoke simply. "But I should go just in case."

Ganondorf nodded shortly. "We need to leave as soon as possible. Get dressed once you are feeling well enough. We will leave then."