Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend of Zelda: The Ballad of Fallen Angels ❯ Along The Road To Ikama ( Chapter 12 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 12: “Along The Road To Ikama”

The following morning, the group left Clock Town as soon as the guards would let them out. It was cold and bright, there was not a cloud in the sky. There was a general sense of foreboding about that morning. Indeed, it was to be the last decent morning that most of them would ever see again.

“So which way?” Tael asked as they stepped out of the gate from West Clock Town.

“Isn't it obvious?” Saetoushei replied, pointing straight ahead.

Just ahead of them, the green grass abruptly ended less than a hundred meters from the bottom of the stairway that led down into Termina Field. From there, a barren stretch of land led between ancient stone columns and through a pathway between two large pieces of mountainous land.

The Ravine of Ghosts.

The party entered the ravine quietly. The walls were high and steep, and there was always the chance of rockslides along the road to Ikama

Saetoushei led the way, a hollow feeling growing in the pit of his stomach with every step he took. He had been here twice, and only twice, and he had promised himself that he would never return. There were many dark memories in Ikama Canyon, like his chance meeting with the disembodied spirit of Shirro, the long-dead Clock Town soldier who lost his way in the canyon.

Suddenly, a small creature jump in front of them. It was a brown rat, a little bit different from ordinary rats. The difference itself, however, was huge, as it comprised of the large bomb that was tied to it's tail, a large bomb who's fuse suddenly ignited.

“Bombachu!” Saetoushei yelled, turning around and running back the way they had come. “Run for it!”

Tael and the girls bolted after Saetoushei as the rat raced after them, the bomb's fuse quickly burning itself to the end. The rat hurried to catch them as if it's life depended on it, but no matter what, it couldn't outrun the explosive tied onto it.

The Bombachu exploded in a spectacular fireball. The group was knocked flat by the blast of the explosion, and Tael flew headlong into one of the walls.

When everyone had picked themselves up and returned to the spot, all that was left of the Bombachu was a large chunk ripped out of the wall, and a scorch mark on the ground.

Without further incident, they reached the valley beneath Ikama City as night fell. The valley was a large spot of green that seemed totally out of place amidst the desolation and death around it. Ikama City towered over them on the cliff above. They would have to attempt to scale the cliff in the morning.

Romani turned in all directions, shivering as she looked around them. “I'm so cold. It feels so terrible here.”

Saetoushei replied, “You're sensing the dead samurais around you. Don't worry, they can't hurt you without the mask.”

“I know that, but still…it's scary.”

They had made a quick supper and went to bed early. Late in the night, Romani was awakened by a rustling sound. Opening her eyes halfway, she witnessed a tall, lanky figure moving about their camp, rifling through their possessions. Out of the corner of her eye, Romani saw Kari holding Cremina's javelin by the shaft. As the figure turned it's back to her to bend over Saetoushei, Kari leapt to her feet and battered the wooden pole of the javelin against the figure's head. The figure, a male by the sound of it's cry, cowered on the ground, raising it's arms to shield himself from the Zora's attack. Tael got between the two and forced Kari off the stranger while Saetoushei, who had woken up with the first cry from the man, held the figure in a chokehold, preventing any escape.

It was about this time when the full moon came out from behind a cloud, casting it's pale light across the ground. And it was with this light that Saetoushei got a good look at the would-be thief.

“Sakon!”

Half an hour later, the entire party was roused and walking towards the right-hand wall of the canyon. Saetoushei had his sword out and was prodding the thief forward with its tip.

“What's the point of all this, Saetoushei?” Cremina asked tiredly. “Why not just tie him up and be done with it?”

“Because his hideout is right around here.” Saetoushei said. “And because, I have a bit of a score to settle with him.”

Sakon said bitterly, “I don't know any score you speak of, swordsman. I have never laid eyes on you before.”

Saetoushei stuck him with the blade again. “Just keep walking. I'll explain everything in a moment.”

They turned the corner of the path and came to what appeared to be a simple rock wall. Sakon half-turned to them.

“There. Nothing to see here. You can let me go now.”

“Nothing doing, thief.” Saetoushei replied. “Open the door.”

Sakon tried to look innocent as he asked, “What door should I open, sir?”

The sword-tip tapped against his shoulder blades again as Saetoushei growled, “Sakon, do I look like I'm joking? Open the door or you'll never see the sun again?”

The thief turned pale and slowly turned back to the wall. He ran his hands against the smooth surface of the rock and depressed a hidden switch. Instantly the wall began to slowly swing inward on hidden hinges. Before long an enormous doorway stood gaping open in the moonlight.

Ignoring the astonished gasps from his companions, Saetoushei nudged Sakon forward. “C'mon, in you go.”

Saetoushei had seen he inside of Sakon's hideout only once before, and he hadn't had time to really look around on that visit. Now he noticed the strange mechanical devices scattered about the place. Various doors led into rooms that contained weapons, treasure, and other random items that the thief had collected during his career.

Shoving Sakon into a chair, Saetoushei leaned on the point of his sword, chattering with the thief. “Lovely place you've got here, Sakon. Didn't really get a good look before. Would you mind showing us around a little?”

The thief snarled back, “Give me a reason, a good reason, not a threat.”

Chuckling, the Hylian said, “Why not? First of all, you have seen my face before, a long time ago. The first time was when you tried to lift my sword from me. You were stopped by my fairy companion at the time, who frightened you off. Remember her?”

Sakon muttered, “The scary flying red thing, yes, yes I remember.”

Saetoushei continued, “The only other time you saw me was when I aided my friend Kafei in liberating his property from you. Kafei had been turned into a child by a dark magician a few days before his wedding. During this time, you stole his wedding mask, the Sun's mask, and tried to sell it to Mr. Johans at the Curiosity Shop in Clock Town. Johans turned you down, and you returned here. Kafei and I got here first and waited for you to open the door. We snuck in and navigated through the traps you had set to reclaim the mask before your security system brought it out of our reach.”

Sakon tried to leap to his feet but one of Romani's arrows shot from behind Saetoushei to stick into the chair, pinning Sakon to the chair by his shirt. “You dirty little bastard!” the thief ranted at Saetoushei. “It was you! You cost me an enormous bundle, you did! That mask was worth more than anything I've ever acquired!”

Saetoushei held his sword up to Sakon's throat. “Spare me, thief. Now, do you have any grappling hooks or the like?”

Glowering, Sakon pointed over to one wall. Hanging on hooks there where a half dozen Hookshots. Kari grinned and strode over, lifting four from their pegs.

“Thank you kindly, Mr. Sakon.” Kari grinned.

Saetoushei began backing up, still with his sword pointed at Sakon. As he did so, he looked up to see a dark passageway on the other side of the room. “Where does that lead to?”

Sakon turned to see what he was looking at. “My secret entrance to Ikama Castle. On the third floor, there's a statue of a lion. Pull the lower jaw down, you open the door. Comes out there.”

The sun was just poking itself over the horizon as the group began making it's way up the cliff. The rock wall was nearly straight up, but there were little outcroppings of rock and small trees that they could use as footholds and Hookshot targets.

As the late morning sun rose higher into the sky the weary travelers finally pulled themselves up the last part of the cliff. They laid their exhausted bodies down upon the flat surface of the cliff-top, succumbing to sleep almost immediately.

Saetoushei was awakened by the prodding of a wooden shaft. He opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by a full contingent of Dark Horde soldiers. The soldiers had already awakened everyone else and herded them into a small group kneeling on the ground.

One of the Horders strode forward. “In the name of the Ikaylimu, who are you and why do you trespass in Ikama?”

Saetoushei replied. “I am Commander Saetoushei, and these are Lieutenants Cremina and Romani, along with Sergeant Tael and Mistress Hikari. We are ambassadors from Clock Town, seeking an audience with Ikaylimu Descrod. We hope to strengthen ties between our two lands.”

Saetoushei was knocked back down by a shot from a lance. The Horde officer smirked. “Well, sir, you can wait right here then.” Pointing at another Horder, the officer said. “Relay the message back to the Ikaylimu and ask for further instructions.”

For the next ten hours, the party was forced to stay sitting on the ground in open sunlight, while the Horders took turns standing guard and lounging in the shade, sipping cool water from their canteens.

Kari was seething inside. The Horders had disarmed all of them, and tied a good size rock to Tael to prevent him from flying off. Kari wanted much to seize Tael's rock and bash the grinning Horde officer's skull in. But she didn't move. Cremina on the other hand was terrified as to what would happen to them all. Kari had her arms around her lover, holding her and whispering to her. Still, the sun was murderous to her, being a creature that lives primarily under water and in damp places.

The runner returned, looking a bit pale. “His Majesty Descrod commands that none of the ambassadors are to be harmed. Feed them, water them well, and bring them to his court.”

The grin left the officer's face faster than a lighting flash. He quickly started snapping out orders to his men, his face too growing pale. Saetoushei watched this all with grim satisfaction.

The party was ushered in through the main gates of the castle as quickly as possible. The soldiers had formed a protective barrier around them and hurried across the courtyard to the castle interior. The entrance hall of the ancient castle of Ikama was draped with black tapestries, all bearing the Ikaylimu's crest on them.

The Horde officer nervously knocked on the large double doors that stood closed on the opposite end of the entrance hall. The doors slowly creaked open. The officer turned back to the group and bowed. Saetoushei squared his shoulders and led the way into the throne room.