The Legend of Zelda: Stray Wolf Saga: Autumn's Howl [Archive]

Stray_Pube

08-28-2008, 12:18 AM

This story contains very mature themes, read at your own discretion.
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The Legend of Zelda
Stray Wolf Saga
Autumn's Howl

Prologue

Ominous clouds swirled in the afternoon sky, their foreboding presence illuminated in an eerie yellow tint of twilight. A stale wind blew across the barren fields, ruffling the man's black cloak about his feet.

He stood there a top the tower of Eldin's Bridge, his shrouded arms crossed, observing the event that transpired below: a battle whose outcome would bring either the salvation or damnation to the kingdom. A clash between power, wisdom, and courage.

A small barrier, glowing in the same bronze tint as the sky and etched with spiraling lines, circumscribed the hero and the god. The princess was mounted on horseback and watched the battle from outside the wall. The god ambled his way about the field, his long cape fluttering behind him; he had no need to run, he feared nothing, he is invincible. The sword he wielded was long and glowed with a smoky white light; the same sword the sages used to try to execute him a century past.

He swung the sword in a wide arc, steel striking steel as the boy parried, but the blow was too strong, and it sent the boy slamming against the barrier wall. He stumbled to his feet and regained his composure, wiping blood from his mouth wit his leather gauntlet. The god, wasting no time, leaped into the air and brought down his blade where the green clad warrior stood, but the boy dodged it, side jumping out of the way.

From the distance, the cloaked man watched the boy's swordplay and footwork with an approving smile.

“I see my old friend has trained him well.” the man said underneath a hood.

“How fare the boy Lord Shiek?” a disembodied voice asked. Out of the shadows of the tower materialized a woman. She wore the same style cloak as the man: black, long sleeved and the skirt hid the feet, a hood shadowed her face, and on the back, stitched in red, was the symbol of the Shiekah eye.

“Take a look Navi.” he said with a slight jerk of his head.

The woman walked up next to him and gazed down upon the battle and smirked.

Down below, the boy and the god stood opposite each other at the poles of the circular barrier. A cool breeze brushed against their bloodied faces.

“So, the sun sets.” Navi remarked as she looked towards the west.

As the breeze faded away, a single green leaf drifted ever so gently in the air, ironically mocking the pallid surroundings. The leaf came to a soft rest in the center of the circle, and at that instance, the two swordsmen rushed at each other. Their blades met with an explosion of sparks; both struggling to overpower the other in a stalemate duel. The god was surprised at the hero's strength and resilience. Nothing could keep the boy down, he kept standing back up. And his eyes, those soft blue eyes, were like the eyes of a fierce beast. Like a wolf. And those wolves were howling.

The insuperable god began to falter.

With a howl, the boy knocked the god to the ground. He leaped into the air and impaled the god through the chest. Blood sprayed out of the wound and he let out a horrible sound. The Dark Lord struggled to his feet and stood there staring into the ethereal, the boy's blade still lodged inside him and exiting through his back.

Then he fell, lifeless.

“Yes, but as the sun sets, it will also rise again. This legend may have ended, but like the coming of a new dawn, another will arrive. That was the fate that had befallen the Hero near a century ago.” Lord Shiek said. He turned around and outstretched his right hand. A swirling vortex of shadow materialized in the center of the tower.

“Where are you going Lord Shiek?” asked the woman who was still staring down at the field.

“I think I shall pay my old friend a visit, I haven't seen him for nearly eighteen years.” He looked back over his shoulder and watched the boy run up a hill towards a slender figure. “It's time Link, for you to confront a being more evil than Ganondorf and more powerful: the reflection in your mirror.” And with that, the cloaked man stepped into the portal and vanished in a whisper of wind.

Stray_Pube

09-04-2008, 12:57 AM

I added my Prologue in the first post, so yeah....
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Part One
Demon Incarnate
Return of the Antithesis

Chapter One
Suicidal Tears

The sky was ablazed in a fiery red hue as Din's Eye began to rest behind the distant hills, her gaze dimming to allow her sister's candle to light the night. Dark clouds bloomed on the horizon with the flashes of lightning illuminating them. Farore's breath swept across the land; a gentle prelude to the storm.

Her blonde hair swayed in the wind as she sat on the shoal of the spring, staring at the horseshoe shaped reed that she held in her fingers; that sparkle in her green eyes were gone, replaced by longing.

“Just come home safely.” she asked softly.

“I will.” he answered.

A tear rolled down her pale cheek as the memory came back to her. “You liar.” she whispered then tossed the reed into the water, “You promised me.” The girl pulled her knees up against her chest and rested her chin n them, “Why did you lie to me?” The wind ceased and her golden bangs fell in front of her left eye, trying to hide the sadness in it.

Eleven years ago...

The sun rose above the shingled roofs of the village, its warm gaze shining down upon the waking land and the girl. Her shirt ruffled in the gentle breeze as she walked through the hamlet humming a soft melody. People smiled and waved as the girl went past them; they loved her, she always had a sparkle in her eye, always full of joy, never sad.

The girl went across a small bridge towards a small cottage tucked away in a quiet corner. She walked up the stairs and rapped on the wooden door.

“Be there in a second.” called out a feminine voice. There was a sound of a latch unlocking and the door swung open. A slim blonde woman stood in the doorway in a short dress; she smiled when she saw the little girl rocking on her heels. “Oh, good morning Ilia.” the young woman asked.

“Good morning to you too Uli, is Link home?” Ilia asked.

Uli shook her head, “No, he is still at the Spring training with Rusl.”

“Oh okay”, Ilia said, “I was going to the spring anyways. Bye Uli.” She spun around and headed towards the village gates that exited onto the surrounding forest.

As she approached the wooden gates a young man on horseback came out of the tree line with a wooden practice sword and shield laid across his back.
“Rusl!” Ilia cried when she recognized the man.

“Ah, Ilia, it's great to see that cheerful face of yours in the morning. It makes my day a lot better.” the brown haired man said dismounting the mare.

“Nice to see you too Rusl,” Ilia said, “Is Link still at the spring?” she asked noticing that he wasn't with him.

“Yeah, he is. The boy is there waiting for you.” Rusl took the reins and lead the horse towards Ilia.

“He is? He's awfully attached to the spring. Guess I shouldn't keep him waiting then.” she said and waved.

Rusl smiled warmly, “Alright, see you later Ilia.” He bowed and went inside the village.

Trees towered high into the sky, their canopy blotting out almost all the sunlight, save for a few beams that managed to elbow its way through the leaves and branches to the ground. Ilia silently walked down the path, taking in the tranquility that surrounded her and listening to the resonating sounds of the forest.

The forest was bustling with spring activity; birds were perched high in the tree feeding their hatchlings and squirrels roamed the ground foraging for acorns and other nuts, and the sweet aroma of the blossoming flora wafted on the wind, filling the forest with their fragrance.

As Ilia continued down the path, she heard a peculiar sound; though it was faint, its tune pierced through the forest ambiance clearly. A warm feeling slowly welled up inside her as she recognized it. The melody was a soft whistle, a special kind of whistle, a whistle that only one person could make.

Ilia hastened her pace.

The forest grew thicker the further she went, yet, the song retained its clear, soft ring, its echo unaffected by the deepening trees.

Then, gradually, the forest began to thin out, till she came upon a small clearing. Ilia stood before a small body of water that seemed to radiate a soft light of its own.

And, standing in the gentle glow, was a young boy and a foal. The boy held a horseshoe shaped reed to his lips and was blowing into it, creating a harmonious melody that cloaked the spring in serenity. His light brown hair shined in the luminescence of the spring, the light haloing the youth's figure.

The whistle stopped and he pulled the reed from his mouth and turned around. His face was basked in the soft glow, and he wore a smile.

"Ive been waiting for you." he said gently.

Present day...

The young girl wiped the streams of tears away and closed her eyes. “You would aways be waiting for me,” she whispered, “So why aren't you waiting for me now?”

She felt a firm hand touch her shoulder and she looked up with a tear rolling down her face. A middle-aged man stood beside her smiling sweetly at her, but she could tell that behind that smile he felt the same way she did.

"Ive been looking for you." the man said with a smile. Then he saw her eyes, tears fell from her beautiful eyes and that sparkle was gone. He took a knee and held her chin in his hand and with his thumbs, he wiped the girl's tears away. “Ilia, please don't cry. I don't want to see you like this.”

Ilia jerked her head away, “Why should I stop? Even you are crying behind that smile.”

“Because, Ilia, he will come home.” he said.

“How do you know that? She asked, “What makes you think that he will come home? He has been gone for over a month, he should have been here by now.” A tear fell from her tired eyes and splashed upon the sand.

“I know because the boy is a hero, and heroes always return home. I raised him since he was a babe in my arms, he has grown to man that surpasses me, he will not leave you without a goodbye; but that will never happen because farewells aren't in his vocabulary. If he said he will come back, he will keep that promise.”

Ilia continued to stare across the spring in silence, watching the fairies float above the water's surface. “I only have memories now,” the words fell from silent lips.

Rusl sighed and sat beside her. “He will come back, trust me.” He lifted her chin and looked softly into her eyes. “He loves you Ilia, and it's that love that will bring him back. He will not be stopped until he sees you home.” Rusl stood up and reached out his hand. “Now come, it's getting late and its about to storm, let me take you home.”

She looked up at Rusl, her friend and teacher since her childhood, and grasped his hand and pulling herself up. “I want to go to the tree house, I feel like staying there tonight.”

“But, there's a storm coming. Are you sure?” Rusl asked mounting his horse and helped the girl onto the saddle.

“Yes, don't worry about me, I'll be fine.” she insisted. “And, thank you Rusl.” she said. For trying to help me, but I'm still alone and broken inside. Another tear silently fell.

Eleven years ago...

Young Link and Ilia sat on the shoal of the spring with their bare feet dipping in the water, watching the cloud's reflections get distorted by the ripples. A horseshoe shaped reed was pressed against Link's lips and a soft melody whistled as he gently blew into it.

She looked over at Link and blushed.

His face glowed in the illumination of Ordon spring, making his features more distinct.

Ilia traced the haloed silhouette of his face, her eyes followed the soft curve of his cheek and looked at his ears. They weren't small and round like hers, they were long and pointy like an elf. She adored his ears; she would always grab them and play with them.

Her eyes continued past his temple and smiled at his brown hair. It was unkempt as always and no amount of brushing and combing would trim it.

Then her eyes fell upon his most keen feature. His eyes were large and round and the most beautiful hue of blue. She loved his eyes, they knew no hate nor anger nor fear nor sorrow. Nothing but joy and love.

“Hey Ilia, come to the tree house, I have something I want to give to you.” Link said pulling the reed away.

Ilia's face lit up, “Really? What is it?”

He wagged a finger, “I'm not telling, it's a surprise.” he answered with a smile. Link got up and saddled Epona and helped Ilia onto the back of the foal. He snapped on the reins and lead the pony out the spring gates.

Sunlight elbowed its way through the canopy of the forest, the thin strands making patches of light upon the faces of the children as they rode on the back of Epona down the leaf-strewn path. Dew rained from the leaves and splashed into tiny pools about the base of the trees and birds sang from up high in the treetop. The peaceful ambiance surrounded the two with their laughter echoing through the woods.

Soon, the trees began to thin out into a large clearing with a tree house stretching in the middle. Link and Ilia dismounted Epona and tied the reins to a wooded stake beside the tree.

“Here we are.” the young boy said entering the tree house. The room was small with pictures hanging on the walls. Link went over to a small desk and looked over his shoulder, “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.” he said. Ilia did as she was told and heard a ruffling sound coming from the desk, then felt something get placed in her palms.

“Okay, you can open them now.” she heard Link say.

Ilia slowly opened her eyes and saw a small wooden box in her hands.

She put her right palm on top of it and unlatched the hook and opened it. Her face lit up when she saw what was inside it: a small metallic horseshoe shaped flute laid in the center. Ilia was speechless when she picked it up by its silver necklace, all she could do was stare at it.

“Do you like it?” Link asked.

“I- I love it!” Ilia cried. She jumped on top of Link and kissed him on his cheek, making him turn a deep red.

“I knew you'd love it. I had Jeffery's father make it especially for you. Look on the bottom of it.” He smiled.

Ilia flipped it over and saw an inscription engraved into it, tears began to well up in her eyes and a deep blush colored her cheeks..

“I will always be waiting for you.” was etched into the back of the flute.

Link took it and clipped it around Ilia's neck.

She held the flute and turned it around, looking at her teary reflection on the shiny surface. “Thank you Link, I will always wear it.”

“You promise?” he asked.

“I promise.” she answered and looked up at him.

Present day...

Ilia stood in front of the small desk in the darkness, staring at herself in the mirror. Dark rings shadowed her green eyes from not sleeping for days, staying up all night just waiting for his return. Her hand was on her chest, touching only bare skin where the flute once rested. “I broke my promise... I gave the flute back to you.” She fell to her knees and broke out in tears, “I lied to you! Thats why you aren't here, you hate me!”

Lightning flashed through the window, illuminating the room, thunder rumbled and slowly drum rolled away, rain pattered against the windowpane and the wind howled. Ilia stood up and another flash of lightning lit up the room, showing a reflection of an expressionless face with tears dripping off her chin, then everything went dark again with the sound of thunder. She opened a drawer and picked up an object and held it in front of her face. Lightning flashed again, revealing a small dagger in her hands.

“This pain is too much for me to bear. You're gone because of me,” she pressed the edge of the dagger against her throat, “Now I will never burden you again.”

But she stopped.

She heard a peculiar sound; though it was faint, its tune pierced through the loud rolls of thunder. A warm feeling slowly welled up inside her as she recognized it. The melody was a soft whistle, a special kind of whistle, a whistle that only one person could make.

She dropped the knife and spun around, darting out the door and down the ladder. The rain pattered against her face and the wind gusted around her, but she ignored it. Ilia dint know what was making her do this, her body felt like it was moving on its own, being drawn by the whistle. She ran into the forest down the soaked path. She tripped on a rock, landing hard against the wet muddy ground. She staggered to her feet, her shirt wet and brown with mud, but she kept running, not letting anything stop her.

The melody grew louder and her pace quickening as the storm began to dissipate, the thunder and lightning now off in the distance.

Then, at last, she reached the gates to the spring, and the music stopped. Only the sound of faint thunder and the drips of rain echoed through the forest.

Ilia eye's widened when she looked ahead at her, at the small pond.

Standing in the gentle glow of Ordon Spring, was a young man and a grown horse. The boy held a horseshoe shaped reed to his lips and was blowing into it, creating a harmonious melody that cloaked the spring in serenity. His light brown hair shined in the luminescence of the spring, his green tunic caked in mud and stained with blood.

The whistle stopped and he pulled the reed from his mouth and turned around. His face was basked in the soft light, and he wore a smile.

"Ive been waiting for you." he said gently.

Ilia ran to him and collapsed into his arms, finally getting to rest.

A tear fell down her cheek and the boy wiped it away with his thumb.