6- Hyrule Castle
The horses, still agitated, reared up and
flung down their horsemen before running away.
Toya and Denchu, as this didn’t bode well with them, wanted to run away.
Moreover, they weren’t sure what would happen if Link ended the game
or if they could even get out alive from this game. But as they retraced their
steps, a rock collapsed and blocked the way out.
- Well… I think that the programmer wanted us
to be there… Denchu presumed.
- Greaaaat… Toya said with a sarcastic tone. And how will we get there
with two injured people?
- I… I’ll come with you! I’m ok, I feel better! Deshi claimed,
getting up.
- Deshi, no, out of the question, you have to rest! The Sheika disputed.
- Really, I’m fine… She said with her malicious attitude. I’ve
rested enough in your arms!
- Anyway… Toya said, not replying to Deshi because he didn't have a
witty reply. I think we’re doomed to go into this castle…
The Soldiers moved towards the rainbow bridge that the
Sages of Hyrule built once they were reunited thanks to Link’s accomplishments.
Satoshi, who had stayed near Toya and Deshi all this time, was the first to
get on the bridge not to prove his bravery, but to help a friend.
The team, admiring the courage of their friend, decided to join him in helping
Link.
The courtyard was surrounded by six doors; each one
bore a symbol of a temple Link won and a thin barrier which prevented access.
Our friends barely began to choose a door when the barrier disappeared and
Link came out of a door, more determined than ever…
- He kidnapped Princess Zelda … He said in a sombre
tone.
- We’re here to help you! Satoshi encouraged him.
- So, there’s no time to lose, everybody upstairs! Link cried out.
Everyone followed Link with Deshi and Denchu –
who found Link irresistibly handsome when he was mad – first in line
preceded by Satoshi who took this mission to heart.
Suddenly, Deshi looked at Satoshi’s neck and saw a little blue pixy
near him.
- But… It’s Navi!! Link was searching for
her the whole way!
- Yes, she came to me!
Link turned back when he heard the name of his pixy.
Tenderly, he held his hand out to her, and the little pixy didn’t hesitate
to come to her companion. Still gently, Link held Navi to his cheek and murmured
some words that made Denchu and Deshi melt.
Link let Navi twirl around his shoulder, her usual place, and drew his big
Biggoron sword to defeat the enemies of the castle.
Link was now running to get to the first level of the castle, but a monster
stood in his way: it was a Dinalfos, who would have shattered all his hope
of finding his Princess if Denchu didn’t send him to find his dead sidekick
by shooting an arrow into his heart – if he even had one –.
- Always watch your back! Denchu advised him with a
wink.
- Thank you… Teammate! Link smiled.
The room always had the same shape and always worked
the same way: the next floor opened for the team when the “guardian”
of the floor was defeated. Thus, the next guardians were two Stalfos –
armed skeletons –.
A sword twirled in the air and cut the forelimb of the Stalfos, which rendered
him harmless.
- So what?! I don’t get a “thank you”
and a smile too? Deshi scowled.
- Ha ha, thanks Deshi! Link guffawed, encouraged by the help his friends were
giving him.
The second Stalfos was turned into dust thanks to the Goron hammer that Takeshi wielded. He shook his head to let Link know that it wasn’t necessary to thank him with a stunning smile.
- What is waiting for us upstairs? Each enemy is stronger
than the previous one, Toya was worried.
- It’s not over yet; don’t forget that Ganondorf is waiting for
us… well, for Link. It’s he who plays the organ, Deshi said.
- It’s stressful the way he plays... Toya grunted.
The next floor was guarded by two Moblins who lay in front of the next level.
- All right, we will wake them up one by one…
Denchu, would you shoot an arrow at one of them?
- Those tins won’t feel a thing… Satoshi said.
- It’s only for waking one up! Denchu explained while adjusting her
arrow.
The arrow had the desired effect, but not the reaction expected: it woke up one of the Moblins, but, angry to be disturbed from his sleep, he woke up the other.
- Oh man, we are in deep…
- We know, Toya, we know!! Deshi panicked, remembering her last confrontation
with a Moblin.
Deshi already warded off an attack by crossing her two
swords in a shield above her head, but the Moblin was so strong that her wrists
started to crack under the pressure.
She had the idea to yield to the Moblin so that he lost balance and Takeshi
could club him senseless.
Toya, powerless, watched the scene and saw the other Moblin pounc on Deshi
and Takeshi. On impulse, he got across the giant road that stopped instantaneously:
Toya had created an energy barrier with the same power as Nayru’s jinx
Link possessed.
Caught by surprise, the Moblin moved back, which gave time for Link to hit
him with all his strength with his Biggoron sword… The Moblin staggered
and fell heavily to the floor, giving free access to the next level to the
team.
The music was louder, the stairs steeper, and the heat
was oppressive: they had in front of them the door which led to Ganondorf.
~*~
Link didn’t hesitate for one moment and rushed
inside, followed by his “army”.
Ganondorf was playing the organ, and after he finished his requiem, he finally
turned toward Link.
- I
would have thought you braver than that... honour the Triforce of Courage
you own! And look at you... You come with a scruffy team you met during your
quest... And you expect to defeat me?! HA HA HA! That’s so funny, you
cur scum, fearful and cowardly, you’ve inherited all of the failures
of Hyrule to come and save your poor Princess!
- Don’t you dare, Ganondorf. The coward here is you; you use perfidy
to grab the throne… With or without my friends, I’ll vanquish
you, because you don’t know one thing: unity is strength all the more
when love is at stake!
- Huh huh... You say that you’ll defeat
me alone? Well, let’s see!!
Ganondorf raised his arms, and the ground shrank under the Soldiers' feet:
they fell one floor down, leaving Link standing alone in front of Ganondorf
with no way for the Soldiers to help him… All they could do was wait
and hope.
So many times the Soldiers believed Link lost because of the flash of lights
they saw or the screams they heard, and they knew that he was ailing, but
sometimes, it was Ganondorf they heard howling.
Then, in a final death rattle, Ganondorf collapsed. Link succeeded in freeing
his Princess and, with help from his longshot, jumped into the sinkhole, where
his friends were waiting for them.
- Nice to meet you, Princess! Denchu and Deshi bowed.
- Nice to meet you too, even though I already met you under my Sheika appearance.
However, we can’t linger here, because when Ganondorf disappeared, he
caused the destruction of the castle. Everyone, please, follow me; I’m
your key to finding the way out.
Everyone followed and passed through rooms where enemies still remained… Link, always ready to fight, pushed them back with violence. He doesn’t want to lose her again… Deshi thought in a whisper.
When they were out of danger, Link turned towards his Princess and took her hands. Meanwhile, the Gerudo was attracted to a shiny item under a mound of earth, but she was followed by Denchu who prevented her from touching a single thing.
- Princess Zelda, I…
But Link barely said those few words when his bravery
was once again solicited: Princess Zelda and Link were separated by a fire
barrier, and he faced the real shape of Ganondorf, who looked like a giant
pig.
This time, Link didn’t fight alone because everyone, except the Princess,
was trapped inside the Ganon cursed barrier.
Takeshi took the initiative to break the rocks so that
he could lift the heavy stones and launch them at the giant.
Navi, who came back, tried to guide Link by showing him where the weak point
of Ganon was while Deshi warded off the sword shot aimed at her friends.
Denchu was behind a rock and aimed at the enemy alongside Satoshi who was
shooting his stones with his fairy slingshot in the eyes of Ganon… But
Ganon wasn’t that stupid and he spotted where the annoyance came from.
Thus, he started to destroy with his claws – because this pig had claws
– the rock that was next to where Denchu and Satoshi took shelter. As
fast as she was, Denchu wasn’t prepared for such a turnaround and didn’t
have time to avoid the scratching claws. It was Takeshi who dragged his darling
away from danger and prevented her from dying.
- That makes three! He said with an engaging smile meant
to encourage her. In the future, watch your back; I won’t always be
here to watch your pretty fanny.
- Humph… Denchu frowned after blushing at his previous compliment.
Satoshi was one of the more active along with Link:
this flea was jumping everywhere, making a feinting manoeuvre while Link passed
near Ganon's tail: his weak point. But before that, he had to pass under the
monster.
All together, they succeeded in knocking Ganon down, but the final blow had
to be given by Link… The evil would be forever sealed but never vanquished
because the Triforce fragment was a part of Ganon, and it gave him eternal
life.
Link, breathless, rolled over to face Princess Zelda, who was walking toward
him.
- You showed bravery; that’s why you own the Courage
Triforce. And now, thanks to you, Hyrule kingdom is saved… Because of
me, it was almost mislaid… The Princess added.
- On the contrary, I think you showed gumption and strength of will…
You have in you the Wisdom symbol.
- Satoshi, now watch and learn! Deshi strongly advised him.
- Link, you must now go back in time because you have
to fulfil your wish as you desire and grow normally.
- But… Nothing is ever going to be the same again, then?
- No, I regret to tell you… When I send you to the past, you’ll
experience a new future, not the one you lived through here, The Princess
was apologetic.
- And you won’t remember me?
- And your glory won’t be known… It is a sad fate that is awaiting
you, but you have so much to learn. Only you will know what happened, but
for the others, Hyrule will stay as quiet as it has always been.
- I… I can’t go back from here… Link murmured. I may have
grown too fast, I may not be as mature as a boy of my age should be, but there
is something I’m sure of: it’s not the courage, it’s not
the bravery, because I’ve always been helped during my quest, but my
friends made me aware of a new feeling, a stronger one that I have felt for
you since the first time I met you…
Zelda looked at Link in the eyes; she seemed to feel a great sadness at the thought of this separation. Link kept the Princess’ hands in his and didn’t want to let them go for fear that the Princess would send him back in time too soon.
- I may not be a knight, of noble birth nor a prince,
but what I’m talking about overrides social classes, maybe not for you,
Princess, but… I… love you.
- Link… don’t…
- … And it is this feeling which helped me during all the battles I
waged, it’s thanks to it that I could survive when I fought alone, thanks
to the thought of you and the pleasure I would feel when I could see your
happiness upon discovering that Hyrule is safe because I persisted in this
quest, but today I find you distant and sad… What have I to understand?
- You shouldn’t get attached… It’s a mistake I’ve
made myself, one that can lead to your ruin! Zelda was depressed.
- But I hoped to see you again… And stay at your side…
- Link, under my other shape, I’ve watched you, seen you evolve, and
had more preference for you than for my kingdom. What does the loss of Hyrule
matter, if you’re alive… Do you understand my mistake? I’ve
failed in my commitments, Link, I’ve loved you…. And it’s
under my masculine Sheika shape that I could restrict my desire. Triforce
can sometimes be a malediction because it’s often the origin of sacrifices,
but I’ve preferred to listen to reason instead of my heart and save
my people. I knew what would happen and that you cannot stay in this time.
I knew you were doomed from the beginning…
- … And you have the wisdom to soldier on… Link added, disappointed.
- And you have the bravery to carry on.
- Can I then ask you a favour owed to a fallen hero?
- If no rule is broken, and if I have the power to do so, I can grant you
a favour.
- I don’t think there is any rule for this… Link murmured while
he came closer to Zelda…
When he
kissed her, Link felt a tear rolling over her cheek. Now, no matter where
you send me, Princess, even hell won’t suppress this moment, Link
thought before disappearing from this world.
The Princess stood still, dreamily. Nobody dared to speak. After a few seconds,
she raised her head and called the troops:
- It’s time for you to return home, no? She said with a smile. But first, follow me!
The Princess made a blue halo appear, like one of those born after Link’s victory. Everyone got closer and flew to the Sage Sanctuary, the place where Link would go after a battle.
- Well, what’s with all these people? Darunia,
Goron’s chief, exclaimed.
- My dear Sages, let me introduce to you those of your different villages
who’ve helped Link to beat Ganondorf! Zelda announced.
- Wooooow! This is cool, like in the game, but only better! Satoshi exclaimed.
- Satoshi, silence! Denchu whistled at him.
Deshi was on the ground, in front of Nabooru, the Spirit temple Sage, but who was also a terrible Gerudo.
- I so envy your strong personality! Deshi idolized.
- If you want to become like me, you’ll have to untie yourself from
the boys… Otherwise, concerning the borrow pit, you manage
pretty well, but please, I want my purse back!
Toya, in front of Impa – Zelda’s nanny – gave her a humble nod. Satoshi had fun with Saria, the little Kokiri who often helped Link when he had a problem. Takeshi talked to his new brother – that’s how Gorons referred to each other – and Darunia complimented him on his bravery during Ganon’s battle.
- But if you saw everything, why didn’t you help
us? Takeshi asked.
- Very simple, my friend: Sages can’t interfere with action, they can
only help. From where we are, we can limit the evil influence and work on
time. If we were to interfere, we could tip the world into the evil, and he
could posses us at any moment. We are untouchable here, but we can’t
act either.
Denchu was listening to the different conversations, but she stayed near Princess Zelda.
- Why sacrifice your feelings for a kingdom? I mean,
couldn’t you leave the directive to a trustworthy person, knowing that
she could be supervised by the Sage?
- Denchu, we can’t leave room for any mistakes, and we can’t endanger
an entire population at the mercy of our feelings. Love is a selfish feeling
that caused the loss of a lot of kingdoms, don't you agree?
The Princess was right. Denchu already knew this point of view and shared it too, but she hoped to hear something different this time…
Through the halo, a newcomer arrived: her blue skin hinted at who she was:
- Kasumi?! How did you find us? Satoshi asked, surprised.
- I swam where my flippers guided me, and I noticed a blue light near the
ruined castle. So I gathered my courage and I entered into the blue circle!
Kasumi took Satoshi’s hand. He was blushing.
- What are you waiting for?! Kasumi asked.
- I… errr ooh ok! We must join hands!
Satoshi joined hands with Deshi who was at his side…
He had barely touched her hand when…
~*~
- Still sleeping, this one! Come on… Deshi was
ailing while she was jerking Satoshi.
- Wh-what? What! He cried out. Oh… well, you won’t believe me,
but I had a dream! You were naked, Kasumi!
- It wasn’t a dream, Satoshi… Toya pointed out, blinking with
his eyes without any result.
- Skip it, Toya; your power to see “through things” was useful
at Hyrule, but not here… Aaah man, you can’t imagine how good
it is to feel clean and to have a T-shirt!
- And smaller ears… Denchu added.
- I lost my suntaaaaaaan!! Deshi whined.
- Yeah, not good for me either! Toya groused.
- I'm so happy to have normal feet and my little woolly on my back!
- Mmyeah, Toya said, approaching the Nintendo... Well, let's see, it looks
like there is an added element to the console... It may be because of this
thing that we were in trouble, but apparently, it burned out! Toya detailed.
- Oh that thing? It’s a gift that I got from a girl who gave it to me
with two or three scrap games, saying that with it I could improve my skills
in the fighting game!
- So she had an idea in mind! Denchu thought. Do you remember what she looked
like?
- Errr no, sorry.
Deshi desperately tried to get nearer to the Nintendo. Once she reached it, she switched it on and was brought to the main menu of “Zelda, Ocarina of Time,” which said “Choose your language”.
- Oops… She murmured, switching off the console,
then she spoke to the others: when do we eat? I’m hungry, and we haven’t
eaten a thing in this game, except pixels!
- I shall knuckle down! Takeshi answered. Kasumi, empty the dishwasher, Toya
and Deshi, lay the table, and Satoshi, you…
- Well no, I’m not that hungry, so I’ll just carry on in my game,
now that I know what to do next!
- Well, very good… Takeshi went on. So, Denchu, you’ll be my assistant.
- If I can wipe the sauce, I’m ok! Denchu said.
- Heeey, I want to be an assistant too! Deshi declared.
- No, Takeshi chose me! Denchu reproached.
- Ok, ok, but let’s do it right now, I’m starved! Deshi pulled
herself together, pushing everyone out of Satoshi’s room.
Once they got downstairs, everyone tackled their tasks, and what Deshi dreaded wasn’t long coming…
- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGHHHHH!!
- Who strangled Satoshi? Takeshi asked without being particularly alarmed.
Satoshi dashed into the kitchen:
- My backup has been erased!!!! Satoshi was flustered.
- So you can help us after all! Toya answered calmly.
- Listen, we understand, Satoshi, but you really lived the story, so there
is nothing to be upset about! Deshi comforted him.
- That’s not the problem… I wanted to show Kasumi what she missed
as she wasn't with us during the quest! Satoshi pitied Kasumi.
Kasumi, happy to see Satoshi paying attention to her, answered:
- Well, we’ll start over from scratch together!