LEGEND OF ZELDA
BOOK VI OF THE HYRULE TERMINUS SAGA
THUNDER PLAINS
CHAPTER IV
FOR THE BIRDS
Saria finally reached the cliff where the bird had taken Shadow. Standing neck deep in the sludge, she looked at the nest high up halfway up the cliff. It was easily a good three hundred feet up, and she was very insecure about heights. But there was more at steak than her at this point. The fate of two worlds were hanging in the balance at the moment, and she had no choice at the moment but to swallow her pride. She grabbed one of the stone outcroppings and lifted her already weary body upwards. After climbing a couple of feet, she lost her footing and fell under the sludge.
Getting to her feet, she started climbing again. She continued, the stones cutting her hands and feet as she traveled upwards. Continuing, sh had reached a good hundred feet. Now a third of the way to her companion, her heart filled with hope. Then the unthinkable. Her hand slipped. With her body covered in the slimy mud from the bog, her other hand slipped and she fell, screaming. Halfway down, her arm smashed into one of the rocks and a loud cracking filled the stormy air. The pain she felt blinded her and made her nauseous.
Landing into the sludge, she stayed under, heart filled with despair. She could not find the strength to get up again. She had given everything her greatest effort and lost it with greater ease. Then a voice came to her. A deep, booming, dark, and evil voice. It said, “This in one of the warriors destined to save the world? Do all you Hylians break so easily?” In the void, Saria said, “Who are you? What do you want?” The voice laughed and said, “A host is what I desire. Well, for the moment, anyway. It's been a while since I stretched my wings.”
Saria shook her head. “Are you the destroyer? The one they call Anaroch?” Laughing, the voice said, You flatter me, child. I am nowhere near that level of power. But I do, however, have the ability to give you just enough power to save that wounded creature you call a friend.”
“What are you?” Chuckling, the creature replied, “At the moment, I'm your best friend. So tell me. Do you desire the power to save the ones you love? Do you desire it more than your life itself? If so, accept my offer, and for a short time, you will have the power of a God.”
Saria wanted to say yes, but she didn't desire to sell her soul to a devil. In a voice of decisiveness, she demanded, “The only power I desire is the power to save both the worlds. Only that power will I give myself over to.” Laughing, the voice said, “Well, then. I suppose I must keep my end of the bargain. I give you for a short while, the power of Lathos, Dragon God of Earth. Use this power to topple the mountains and crush all who stand against you. We'll meet again when you reach your destination.”
Back in the real world, Saria stood up letting out a loud roar as unimaginable power surged through her body. She looked at her arm, broken in half and useless. Grabbing the injury, she pulled hard with a slight twisting motion. A sickening crack filled the air. Picking up a handful of the sludge, she placed it on her arm and glared at it. Snapping her arm, the muck flew off and it was as though it was never injured to begin with. Filling the bottle with the slimy soil, she looked at the cliff. Her eyes radiated yellow and sections of the cliff shot out, creating small bluffs all the way up to the nest. Jumping from one outcropping to the next, she gained height with great speed.
As she neared the nest, the large bird swooped down at her. Jumping up, she drove her fist into the creatures face, sending it spiraling downwards. Regaining itself, the bird flew after her again. She continued climbing and saw the creature. Jumping high, she snapped her hand downwards and one of the outcroppings fell, hitting the creature in the wing. Letting out a squawk of surprise and flew away slightly, trying to figure out what she would do next. Reaching the nest, Saria turned to Shadow, who had passed out from loss of blood. She took the bottle filled with the muck and poured it on his injury.
Waving her hand over the wound, a feint glow radiated from it and the warrior slowly opened his eyes. Getting to his feet, The warrior took the sword from her back and looked at the bird. The creature didn't look like it wanted to endure another round with the female, especially if there was another involved. Saria grabbed Shadow and jumped off the cliff. The Dark elf looked terrified as the fell to the ground. The female's eyes glowed again and she raised her free hand, causing a stone slope to rise from the muck. Landing on it, she slid along the slope, with it just rising as fast as they moved. Continuing aling the path, they finally made it to solid land and stopped to rest.
Falling to the ground, Saria started to breath heavy. The effort wad taken a lot out of her. Fishing through the bag, Shadow pulled out a bottle of chu jelly potion and said weakly, “How did you do that?” shaking her head, she said, “I don't know. I told the demon I didn't want it's powers.” Shadow gulped down the bottle and said, “Demon? Did it have a name?” Nodding, the Kokiri replied, yeah. Lathos.” Shadow laughed and said, “Talk about luck.”
Confused by the laughter, Shadow explained, “Lathos is the Dragon God that watches over the earth. He's very particular who he gives his blessing to. Hasn't done so for ten thousand years.” Saria nodded and said, “So it was the dragon we are looking for. How come he came to me?” Shrugging, the dark elf said, “Takes a great deal of courage to catch his attention. Did you do something you normally would be too scared to do?” After a pause, he said, “Ah. Heights. I'm not particularly fond of them either.” Saria smiled and said, “At least I'm not the only one. Seriously, if we were meant to go over the ground, we'd have been born with wings.”
Turning to her companion, she asked, “You need anything to get back on your feet?” Chuckling, the male asked, “You have a 1-up mushroom?”
“Sorry,” Saria replied sarcastically. “forgot it at the farmers market” The two of them laughed awkwardly for a moment. Then, looking at the sky, Shadow said, “We'd better go looking for Link and Sheik before anything else happens.” Saria nodded, but she knew that something already had. She couldn't sense Link or Sheik. She hoped that nothing happened, but deep in her heart, she couldn't deny the possibility that something had happened, and it was a darker fate than death.
* * * * *
At the foot of Skull Mountain, The Demon Link stood there and said, “I'm happy you were so informative, puppet. Together, you pose a threat that can't be focused on simply one at a time. But one by one, slowly and patiently...” The possessed Link stood beside the creature as he concluded, “I will eliminate this threat.” Turning to the darkness, He said, “Isn't that right?” Link said coldly, “Yes, master.” From the darkness, another cold voice said, “And it seems the others will be here shortly.” Stepping out of the shadows, A mask possessed Sheik stepped into sight and added, “And when they arrive, they will be yours to command as you see fit, Master.”
