The Archaeologist

Chapter 11

               Ahura and Ganondorf stared down at the pool of water. Towering trees reflected in the still water, the only ripples were caused by the occasional yellow leaf fluttering down from above. Summer had just ended and winter was soon approaching. If this genocide continued until then, the death toll would grow significantly from starvation.

"Are you going to be okay?" Ahura looked up to Ganondorf. His brow was bunched together in concentration. She hesitantly reached her hand out and placed it on his arm. "We can go a different route if you want."

Ganondorf eyes looked to the side towards her. His concentrated expression calmed down and he shook his head. "It'll take too long. We have to go this way. I'll be fine." He looked back towards the water. His hand clenched into tight fists.

Water was cascading from the never-ending sea. The bottom of his robes was starting to get soaked. The two children were firing light arrows at him and then striking him down with Evil's Bane. He had no escape. He was either going to die by their hands or drown.

"Ganondorf?" Ahura questioned. "I'll be here the entire time."

Ganondorf nodded and bent towards the pool. At that moment, a Zora emerged from the surface and looked at the pair. He nodded towards them and informed the two that it was safe to proceed. The two took a deep breath before diving into the water. The Zora grabbed one arm of both and led them as quickly as possible through the meandering paths fabled to have been created long ago by a dragon.

The three of them emerged. Ahura started coughing immediately and gasped for air, while Ganondorf breathed heavily before resuming to a normal breathing pattern. The Zora simply watched on in amusement having the ability to breathe underwater thanks to his amphibious abilities.

"When you two are done come back here an alert me. I'll return to tell the others and we'll begin our siege of the Temple of Time."

"Wait, how do we know which Temple of Time we're looking for?" Ahura questioned. "The Master Sword was moved shortly after the young Hero was said to have traveled to the future. The Sage could be at either of the temples."

"It'll be the one at Castle Town," Ganondorf spoke as he began to wring his clothes from water. He flinched as it splashed down and touched his skin. "It was too dangerous to keep their greatest weapon against me there where it could easily be destroyed. They had to hide it. Still, they need something to guard the original temple, so the Sage will be there."

Ahura nodded in slight awe before bidding the Zora farewell. The two ventured further into the cavern they came from. The heat grew more intense and the air dryer. It didn't take long before they were completely dry. Neither seemed bothered by the heat, having spent so long in the desert built their tolerance to it.

"Are you okay?" Ahura questioned as they traversed the volcanoes tunnels.

"Yes." Ganondorf looked at her weirdly.

"What?"

"No one has ever cared for my wellbeing as much before. It's odd."

"Is that a bad thing?"

Ganondorf gave a soft smile before shaking his head. "No, it's not a bad thing."

Ahura felt her cheeks ever so slightly. She quickly dismissed it to the heat, not wanting to ponder on other thoughts for too long. However, she didn't have long to ignore such thoughts once the pair reached some boulders blocking the way. Ahura's eyes widened before she ran to them and started moving the smaller rocks to the side.