The Archaeologist

Chapter 15

               A horn bellowed in the stillness of the night. Guards on the watchtowers looked to the hill across the landscape. A large mass of Bulblins were mounted on their boar like companions. Their eyes glowed a fierce red in the night's still air. The horn sounded once again and the masses charged down their hill. The bullbo's hooves dug into the ground sending dirt flying into the air. Gorons rolled behind the green monsters at incredible speeds. The guards scattered to ring the alarm. However, clouds of mist appeared in front of them before the guards fell to the ground. Their necks were all slit with blood pouring to the cobblestone below. Finally, the final guard fell. The mist formed on the highest watch tower. A body formed. His hand held onto the flag pole as he leaned away from it. His glowing red eyes watched the incoming army.

"For the dead and the living, we must bear witness," Dark spoke quietly as the raid against injustice began.

--

Masked men and women, all adorning a crying eye, ran through the streets of Castle Town. Some stopped to ushered random civilians inside before following the rest of the group. Their eyes glanced up to the watch tower to see guards falling to the ground. The Sheikah redirected their attention to the path ahead. Quickly, they dispersed once at the center of the town. Groups covered all of the exits of Castle Town and another group made way towards the impending castle that looked down upon all.

Under the streets, Zoras were swimming through the many sewers. Many held spears in their hands while others held a bow. The lead Zora would glance down at a map in her hands before meandering her way up several waterfalls. Finally, she came to a stop. Looking up, she nodded to her companions before they climbed out of the water and waited.

--

"I don't understand," Ahura said with dismay. She looked at the ruins of a temple. "It was supposed to be right here. The temple was supposed to be right here." Ahura fell to her knees.

Ganondorf stepped into the rubble and looked around. His eyes trailed down to a pedestal where a sword used to lay. Beyond the pedestal, the Triforce was engrained into the floor. The Gerudo raised his hand up into the air where his mark was glowing ever so slightly. "Link," the king spoke with authority. "Come over here, now."

Link stood up from where he was comforting Ahura and quickly made his way over. His fierce blue eyes looked at the Gerudo's hand. They widened at seeing the Triforce. Quickly, the Hylian boy raised his left hand where the same mark appeared.

"Yes, you have it, too. Just as I expected," Ganondorf murmured. He smirked before turning around. "Princess Zelda, we need your piece of the Triforce as well." His eyes landed on the Sheikah that stood at the demolished entrance of the temple.

Link narrowed his eyes out of confusion and watched as Sheik made his way over to the pair. Ahura watched with astonishment. Sheik's clothes began to dematerialize into bits of light. In its place, Hylian armor appeared. Sheik's short hair extended into long locks and his red eyes faded to a light blue. In his place, stood Princess Zelda with a glowing Triforce on her right hand.

"How long have you known?" Zelda spoke while wearily watching the Gerudo king.

"The moment I saw you," Ganondorf replied calmly. "Your descendants may have taken care to extinguish all records of disguise from the past, but they cannot erase my memories: whether you be a Sheikah, pirate, or spirit. Now, will you aid us in restoring this temple?"

Princess Zelda stepped forward and nodded her head. "My father must be stopped. I do not know if Demise resides within you, but it is a risk I must take. Your hands." Zelda motioned for the Hylian warrior and the Gerudo king to place their hands forward. Zelda grasped them with her and closed her eyes.

Wind started to pick up. Ahura stood up as the wind began pushing her towards the trio. As the wind grew stronger, the temple began to reassemble itself. Ahura screamed as a cannonball was sent flying towards her. She threw her arms up to try and shield herself from impact. However, the ball phased through her. Her eyes opened in bewilderment. Soldiers were moving in reverse. It clicked in her mind; time was moving in reverse, undoing all of the damage that the Hylian army had done to this temple.

"All three pieces of the Triforce have united," a voice spoke behind the pedestal. All turned their attention to a Sage. A sword hovered above his hands before he shifted it to slide into the pedestal. "The Goddess's chosen hero, take the sword of evil's bane. Then, I shall fully restore the Triforce." The Sage redirected his vision towards Ganondorf. "I hope you understand, but we do not to take any risks with Demise gaining control of the Triforce."

"I understand," Ganondorf affirmed. Ahura looked at him and walked up beside him before placing a hand on his arm. She gave him a comforting smile.

Link looked at the pair with a raised eyebrow before looking to Princess Zelda. She nodded to him. Taking a deep breath, the hero stepped towards the blue sword. He could have sworn he heard a voice coming from the blade. Placing two hands on it, he began to pull up. Pain surged through him. He felt as if his life was slowly being sucked from him. Still, he clenched his jaw and pulled harder. The sword slowly began to withdraw.

"Link," Ahura whispered with worry as she saw sweat start to roll down his face.

Link let out a scream and finally, the sword came out of the pedestal. He gave it a few practice swings before letting it rest at his side. The Hylian boy breathed heavily as he tried to regain the energy he lost.

"Link, are you alright?" Princess Zelda asked. The boy looked at her and nodded, a tired smile taking form on his face. "Good." She looked towards the Sage. "Now, I believe you and I must restore the Triforce."

The Sage hesitated for a moment. "Very well. However, you must realize that once the Triforce is fully restored, Demise may try to regain control."

"I am well aware of the risk," Princess Zelda responded.

The Sage nodded slowly before a tear drop fell from his face. The tear drop levitated for a moment before flying into Ahura's chest. Princess Zelda then raised her right hand where her Triforce glowed an incredible gold. Seconds later, both Link's and Ganondorf's Triforce began to glow as well. Slowly, the light faded.

"It is done," Princess Zelda spoke while observing Ganondorf.

"How are you feeling?" Ahura looked up at the king that towered above her.

"I feel fine," he spoke. He looked towards Zelda and the Sage. "We have to get back and support our troops."

The Sage tilted his head ever so slightly. "I was almost positive...Do you not feel Demise's presence?"

"No."

"Has the curse been broken?" Princess Zelda questioned. Her eyes were slightly widened. Her Triforce glowed for a moment. "I don't believe it. I don't sense any traces of a curse on you." Ahura smiled slightly, but remained silent.

Ganondorf nodded towards Zelda. "That isn't the most pressing matter right now. We need to leave now."

Princess Zelda nodded before using her power once more. Time flew forward as the temple once against turned into shambles. The air was still. There was no screaming, no sounds of sword clashing. Castle Town, though not even a mile away, was silent.

"It appears everything is going according to plan," Princess Zelda spoke. She began walking towards the town she once called home. Her armor clinked with every step she took. On her shoulders was a heavy weight. "Let's go defeat my father. Let us go defeat the King of Hyrule."