Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend of Zelda: The Ballad of Fallen Angels ❯ The Beginning Of The End ( Chapter 20 )

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

Chapter 20: “The Beginning Of The End”

Saetoushei moaned as he slowly woke. His face burned just as badly as it did the night before, but he wouldn't let that stop him. Easing himself out of bed, he found Claudius already awake and dressed, making breakfast. Grungo snored loudly as he slept in one corner of the room.

“Good morning to you, friend.” Claudius said softly, filling a cup with tea. “Eat before you leave, you'll need any and all strength if you hope to reach the village by midmorning.”

“I'd hope to reach it before then,” Saetoushei replied, fasting the buttons and clasps on his uniform.

Claudius shook his head. “You're just as headstrong and crazy as you were seven years ago. What's the hurry anyway?”

Saetoushei said, “The Ikaylimu of Ikama is about to make war on Clock Town. I'm hoping the Gorons will be of assistance.”

Claudius laughed. “There's no `hope' about it. Those Gorons love to live in peace, but they're always ready for a fight as well. You of all people should know that. They'll help you as readily as anyone else.”

Saetoushei sat down heavily in the chair that Claudius indicated to him. “I can't stay long.”

“I know, Link, I know.” Claudius replied softly, pushing some bread and cheese towards him. “Just have something quick to eat and drink, then be on your way. I know that your warrior's blood must be burning right now.”

As the morning sun rose higher into the sky, the leaders of Clock Town stared over the top of the eastern battlements to survey their foe. The enormous black mass that seemed to never end stretched from the Ravine of Ghosts to the gates of Clock Town.

“Even as we stand here,” Reguge muttered aloud, “They're probably planning that we'll surrender. The citizens of Clock Town are frightened. We don't have enough supplies to last long against a siege and we surely don't have enough fighters to prevail against him. Descrod's got us.”

“Not yet he doesn't,” Takeru snarled bitterly. “And don't think that I'm going down without a fight.”

Cremina said, “We would never accuse you of such a thing, Takeru. But what can we do?”

“What is there to do, but fight!” Keeta replied. “Rally the troops. Open the gates. They're probably not expecting us to be so foolhardy. It could prove an advantage.”

Anastasia countered, “Are you going to be the one to tell the troops that they're gonna die whether they fight or not? What kind of a choice is that? What kind of commander are you?”

Keeta looked insulted. “I, madam, have been commanding armies and winning wars since before you were a fleeting image in your parents' minds.”

“Well then, considering the odds, what soldiers here are you going to find who'll fight against such odds?”

“Pardon me,” a flat, emotionless voice said. The group turned to see Marin standing at the top of the stairway leading to the battlements. “Pardon me, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. As to your question, Miss Ana, against even those odds, I would fight.”

“Child, you must be insane,” Anastasia raged. “Be silent!”

Marin turned and leapt from the top of the battlements, landing lightly on a table set up in the square. The soul-less girl raised her voice to the congregated soldiers. “Listen to my words, brethren! No matter what, it appears that we will die, either from starvation or from the blade of an enemy. I ask you all, right now, which is it? Will you die in the field, in the name of honor, or will you throw it away to die of hunger. Which is it, I must know now!”

Silence reigned in the East Clock Town square. Marin was about to lash out at the soldiers when a single voice shouted, “I've fought for nearly two hundred years.” An undead soldier strode to the base of the table Marin was standing on. “In all those years, I've fought for honor. I will not let it die now!”

A Zora warrior joined the undead. “I have sixteen eggs at home. I will fight against any odds to make sure that they are allowed to grow up and flourish!”

A Clock Town Guardsman shouted out, “I'll fight! I'll fight anyone to make sure my bride is safe. Let me at `em!”

The enormous mass of soldiers, warriors, and pirates roared it's frustrations, it's pledges, it anger. At the height of the din, Marin turned and looked up at the group of commanders standing on the battlements, a wild look of bloody anticipation etched into her face.

Takeru waved his hands for silence. “Then it is decided. In two hours time, report back here ready for battle!”

Tatl's wings were exhausted. She had flown all night and all morning, refusing to let herself rest. The medallion was a leaden burden on her, but still she pressed onwards.

At last she alighted on a window ledge high on one of the towers of the Ikama palace. Panting, she spotted a broken window and flew inside.

The palace was deserted. Descrod obviously believed that he wouldn't be returning. Tatl made her way to the throne room unopposed. At the threshold, she paused, remembering the horrific events of the last time she was here.

“I don't believe I'm about to wake that madman up again,” Tatl mumbled to herself, “but it's the only chance we've got.”

Carefully, she made her way to the great throne that hundreds of years of Ikaylimu rulers had sat upon and ruled the kingdom with iron-clad fists. Flying around to the back of the throne, Tatl spotted the slot that the medallion needed to be placed into. The fairy maneuvered the heavy metal circle into the slot and pressed it firmly into place. Flying back to the front of the throne, she witnessed the seat begin to shake with internal power. Arcane symbols began to appear and pulsate in deep blue. Shaking with fear, Tatl spoke the incantation that she had learned the last time she was hear.

“Born in lust, returned to dust. Born in sin, there's a devil within. You ruled with an iron fist, now come back from the mist. You are the personification of sin, oh deceased Ikaylimu, rise again.”

Immediately particles of dust began to float throughout the air. They started to come together on the seat of the throne, slamming together to create a form that began to take shape.

“Oh boy,” Tatl murmured to herself, “I sure hope this works!”

Saetoushei found himself staring at the dozens upon dozens of sharp metal spikes set into the head of the mace aimed at his face.

“Halt! Who goes there?”

Saetoushei looked up to see a pair on Gorons towering over him. They were large, rock-eating creatures with incredibly tough hides that could protect them from all but the most dedicated assaults.

“Peace, friends.” Saetoushei said, hoping to placate the Goron sentries. “I come with an urgent request from Clock Town. I am hoping to speak with your chieftain.”

The Goron holding the mace laughed. “Doyour don't want Gorons in his town. We don't sell Powder Kegs there anymore. Why he want us now?”

“Mayor Doyour no longer controls Clock Town. There is grave danger there. The Ikaylimu of Ikama attacks. We need help.”

Takeru stood at the midlevel section of the clock tower in South Clock Town, dressed in his full crimson Bombers uniform. With him stood Keeta, Anastasia, Reguge, Cremina, Romani, Hikari, Mikhail, and Marin. In front of the clock tower was the entire massed force of Clock Town. Guardsmen, Wave Brethren, Zoras, and the Grand Imperial Army of Ikama were assembled to hear the final words before the war began.

Takeru stepped up to the edge of the platform. “Half an hour ago, High Captain Keeta of the Grand Imperial Army of Ikama was unanimously voted to lead the operation. The High Captain has been promoted to General, and given the rank of Supreme Allied Commander of all our forces. Captain Mikhail, or should I say, Commander Mikhail, leads with him. As of thirty minutes ago, General Keeta has presented the Clock Town Parliament with a declaration of war. As of five minutes ago, it was approved and signed by all sixty-seven members of Parliament. As of right now, Clock Town officially declares war on Ikaylimu Augustine Descrod III and the Kingdom of Ikama.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are at war. It will be bloody, there will be loss of life, but I urge you all to remember that we will be fighting with you. We fight here today for a much higher purpose than our own lives. We fight here today, to ensure that freedom and peace reign for years to come. We fight here today, to ensure that our children can grow up without fearing to sleep at night.

“We've come a long way from fearing each other and the other races of Termina. That must end right now. We cannot hope to continue to live and reign here, if we continue to fear each other. No matter what, I'll sooner go to Hell than not fight here today.

“Always remember that today is the beginning of history. We shall not flag or fail. We shall fight in Termina Field, we shall fight in Ikama, we shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our homes and our loved ones, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight in the swamps, we shall fight in the mountains, and in the streets. We shall fight in the hills. We shall fight until we all lie dead under our enemies' feet, or until we stand in victory upon their corpses. But always remember this, and know that, we shall never surrender!”

At Takeru's last words, the mass of warriors in the square roared their approval and stampeded towards East Clock Town.

The Meeting Chamber in Gorongrad was filled to capacity. Saetoushei had just finished addressing the Elders' Council with his plea for assistance for the inhabitants of Clock Town. The speaker for the council tapped his walking stick to bring silence to the enormous chamber.

“We have decided,” the speaker said. “We have decided that it is not your place to beg for help for an establishment that has constantly scorned Gorons in the past, nor is it our place to offer help, even if we wanted to, which we do not.”

Resounding boos filled the room. The speaker tapped his stick again. “Please, citizens, please! Why should we wish to be bothered to help Clock Town?”

“Because Doyour no longer rules Clock Town, that's why.” Saetoushei pleaded desperately. “Please help me! I'm wasting time every second longer that I stand here and beg! Please help me. In the name of the Brotherhood, I beg you. In their memory, in the remembrance of my dear friend Gabriel, who helped you defend Gorongrad from invaders seven years ago, in the name of your own honor, please help me!”

“Silence!” the speaker yelled. “No one can overrule a council decision. No one-“

“No one but me, old one, or have you forgotten that once again!?” A loud, strong male voice reverberated around the chamber. The crowd came to life again as the masses parted and a huge bull male stepped forward to stand next to Saetoushei.

Saetoushei looked on in amazement as the bull male stared down the Elders' Council. The speaker bow his feeble head and muttered, “Chieftain, we were unaware that your hunting party had returned from it's expedition.”

The Goron chief roared back at the speaker, “This is not the first time the Council has reached a decision without first attempting to contact me! I've been here for the duration of this assembly, in the back, watching and listening. Our laws state that the Elders' Council has the power to make decisions. If the Council and the Chieftain agree on the decision, then all is well. However, if the Chieftain disagrees with the Council's decision, the Chieftain may overrule the Council's decision if, at a declared meeting of the tribe, a majority of the tribe members orally vote in favor with the Chieftain.”

Turning his back on the Elders' Council, the Chieftain yelled to the gathered masses of Gorons, “So what say you, honorable members of the Goron?”

The Meeting Chamber shook with the loud yells from the Gorons. Saetoushei breathed a heavy sigh of relief. He had his reinforcements.

The Chieftain yelled back at the Gorons, “You have one hour. Gather what you will need, and be ready to march when the horn is blown.” Turning to Saetoushei, the Chieftain said in a much softer voice, “Come with me. I need to speak to you.”

“Swiftstroke, I hardly recognize you!”

Saetoushei and the Goron Chieftain were in the Chieftain's private chambers. The Chieftain was carefully selecting his best and favorite axes and maces, making sure each spike was prepared and ready to be used.

Upon entering the chambers, the Chieftain has revealed that he had recognized Saetoushei. Many years earlier, during Saetoushei's first trip to Termina, Swiftstroke, the Chieftain, had been a frightened, crying infant. When his father, the then-Chieftain, has been lost during a blizzard, Saetoushei, masquerading as the deceased Goron hero, Darumni, has placated and soothed Swiftstroke, before venturing out into the blizzard to find his father.

“Link, it is not coincidence that brings you here at this time and place. I do not believe in fate, for I believe that my gods watch over all things, whether they are acknowledged or not. For many moons now, I have dreamt of a figure from my past returning to Gorongrad to pled for help. I swore that, whomever this person was, I would do everything in my power to help them.”

“And I thank you for everything that you are doing, Swiftstroke.” Saetoushei replied to the Goron, who was testing the edges of an enormous battle-ax against the sharp stones of the wall of his chamber. “But remember, the fight will be long and bloody. Even now, Clock Town may be outnumbered.”

Swiftstroke laughed, “Do not worry, Link. For Gorons love to hunt the jackal, and the only thing more dangerous than a cornered jackal, is a cornered fox. And Descrod is not a fox, I assure you.” Glancing out the window, Swiftstroke surveyed the position of the sun and did a quick calculation in his head. “Come. The hour dies fast. We must leave.”

Nearly five hundred Goron warriors assembled when the horn was blown. Big, burly bull males, quick, evasive females, all armed to the teeth and ready for a fight. Swiftstroke yelled to his army, “Remember, once we reach the battle, our only enemy is the black-clothed soldiers of Descrod's Dark Hordes. All others are our allies and friends. Now, for Clock Town!”

Augustine Descrod surveyed his troops with a satisfied eye. “All is well,” he muttered to himself, “and Clock Town will soon fall under my siege.” Motioning to a nearby attendant, Descrod ordered, “Bring me my Minister of State.”

The attendant bowed and hurried off. In a moment, Jasper Baldwin stood before his master, bowed on one knee. “My Liege, what is it you demand of me?”

“Stand with me, and watch my troops. Soon now, Clock Town will fall, and my eternal conquest will have begun.” Descrod leaned closer to Jasper and whispered, “Are the majority of the troops briefed on what they must do?”

“Yes, my Lord. When the cannon is fired, they will know.”

At that moment a sentry ran up to the pair and exclaimed, “My masters, please come, Clock Town-“

An arrow thudded into the sentry's neck and he collapsed. Descrod looked up to see the gates of East Clock Town burst open and a wave of creatures stampede out. “My Hordes, rally to me!” Descrod roared, drawing his sword and pointing it at Clock Town. “Kill them all! The war begins now!”