The Legend of Zelda: Zelda's Honor

Chapter 84 - It All Went Wrong

Her head jerked up at the small hiss of a whisper beside her. Merin looked over at Impa who was intently peeping over the wall with rising alarm. Seeing the anxious look in her eyes, Merin quickly evaporated the stupor from her muddled senses. She was unsure of how long she had slept. The dew on the grass had seemingly also collected on her clothes and was starting to make her shiver.

"What is it?" She asked tensely before looking over the low demolished wall, she didn't have to wait long for the answer. Ganondorf and Apolloni were already standing and facing the climbing ascent to Death Mountain. A lone figure was calmly strolling down the slope towards them. "What does he think he is doing? Where is everyone else? Why is it just him?"

Impa shook her head curtly, "I have no idea. The original plan was for all of them to meet up with us here. I don't know what went wrong or why that's changed."

"He doesn't know Ganondorf betrayed us, does he?" Merin asked.

"No, he doesn't. With only him here, I can either hope he suspects something or it went seriously wrong with acquiring the Goron Ruby." Impa clarified tersely.

Link was sporting his fully refurbished Kokiri garb, complete with matching cloak. His wings were not visible, she could only assume he had them still tied behind his back so as to not draw undue attention to himself. He had a belt scabbard casually buckled to his waist with his sword in plain view. It did not appear he had either the emerald or the ruby in his possession. Impa's heart constricted as she watched him pace down the path. What was he doing?

Apolloni smirked at his return, Ganondorf merely grunted. Arms crossed, he stepped up to the young man. "Where are the others? I believe I sent far more with you on this mission."

Link shrugged as he gazed around the devastated hamlet. The pain in his eyes at seeing Kakariko in ruins was clear but he did not let it cloud his mind. "We had several accidents while securing the ruby. I left them to recover back with the Gorons."

Ganondorf's eyes narrowed, "Where are the stones? Do not tell me I have been wasting my time sitting here for you to only have you tell me that you failed."

"After seven cycles, I would think you'd know I can get a job d-" His words were cut off as Ganondorf assaulted his mind, trying to see the truth of the matter. Link wasn't completely unprepared for the attack, having experienced it several times during his stay with the Gerudo but it was still unnerving to have the Gerudo king worming his way through his thoughts.

Like the many times before, Ganondorf could only get glimpses and glimmers of the events that had transpired in the Xaagar Mountains. It infuriated him that he could not easily see what lay within Link's mind. He had half a notion to implant a ruby on him as well just so he could have complete control over the youth. His eyes sprung wider as his telepathic communications branched out to discover another entity further east just within the village graveyard.

"So you are not alone after all." He simpered.

Link's pupils dilated, had he given them away? Impossible! He tried his best to redirect his thoughts away from them. "Look, let's just agree to the original plan. I'm already here and willing to go through with being captured. I've come up with several ideas of how to steal the sapphire from right under Naar's nose. And..." With dawning realization, he looked from Ganondorf, who had already started towards the graveyard, to Apolloni. "Where are the others? Talon, Impa, and Merin?"

Apolloni gleefully filled in the information for him in a way that made his blood run cold, "We had some ill-fated accidents traveling here through the army. Most unfortunate..." The tone of her voice was deceived by the look in her eyes. Link flashed a glare over at Ganondorf, the Gerudo king didn't bother to grace him with a glance but continued walking.