Post by IKA on Apr 18, 2020 17:38:02 GMT
Editors Note: This is just the (Slightly updated) Parts that were released on the old website. I intend to fully edit this up and even finish the story in the coming days. Please keep checking back to get the Full story!
Jack's Vengeance:
Part one and two: Jack's return and the quest for the Mage!
Nearly a millennium has passed since Jack of Blades has haunted the world, but now he has returned. As a tale once told, The Hero of Oakvale defeated Jack once as human and then again as a Dragon. After the second battle, the hero had a choice of either wearing the mask and gaining power beyond his wildest dreams or cast it into the bane of lava and disperse of the evil being once and for all. However, Jack was more powerful even in death than most heroes at their peak of life. The mask survived and with it, Jack's soul. It was when a trader found the mask while he was digging for treasure. He didn't know from where the mask came, nor did he care. He knew however, that he was wanting to sell it and make a small fortune. Unfortunately, he was not aware of the dangers he would set upon the world.
Days came and days passed, but the trader could not find a person willing to buy the mask. He decided to quit his trading days and move to a distant city named Hyrule. Hyrule was a peaceful town, but the people seemed odd always talking about prophecies and strange events. One of these prophecies was of a dark lord named Ganondorf who would come to exact his revenge on Hyrule and try to make the world bow before him. And another was of a sacred relic known to all as the Tri-force which was divided into three know pieces one of courage, one of wisdom, and one of power. The piece of power was wielded by the dark lord known as Ganondorf, the piece of wisdom was held by the Princess of Hyrule known as Zelda, and the final piece, the piece of courage was yet to be held, but was to held by a Hero that was the key Link to saving the world from two great evils.
After years passed, The trader finally settled down with his wife and had a baby boy, that boy would be the hero of time and be put into the hearts of millions, or he will fail and all will perish at his demise. The boy was only six when he had already taken a keen interest in the art of combat. He always talked about how he would be the one to slay the evil, how he wanted to be a hero. When he was thirteen, he had picked up his first real sword, and got his very own tutor. When he was fourteen, His greatest adventure would begin.
It was the day of his fourteenth birthday, the quiet little village was just as it always seemed. It was a small village just a little way from the Castle. Link was sent to the store to collect cooking supplies when the sky turned dark, and the wind became harsh.
"A storm seems to be approaching," The store clerk implied "Hurry home, you can pay later!" Link and began to dash towards his home trying to battle the dreadful winds. He got just within view of his home when a dark vortex seemed to pop up in front of him. Link ran to the other side to 'greet' whatever demon came through. It was then that a tall dark green skinned man in dark clothing appeared in front of him.
"Who are you?" Link yelled.
"Get out of my way kid!" The man replied.
"What are you here for?"
"Revenge, but for right now, your father will have to do.," the man snarled, and with barley a flick of his wrist sent Link soaring through the air. Link, who quickly jumped back to his feet and unsheathed his sword, ran at the man with his blade ready to hack at the man. He jumped into the air to slash at the dark-greenish man, but the man turned and caught Link's blade and held it, and Link, in the air. "You're a stubborn one, I think I'm going to let you live." The man punched Link in the gut and let him drop to the ground. The man smiled and then turned back towards Link's home where his mother and father had been patiently waiting for home to return. Link tried to crawl, but his body wouldn't move, he tried to yell, but sounds refused to escape his air deprived body. He could only watch as the man walked into the house. I had only been a few seconds later when the house suddenly exploded bursting into an infernal wall of flames. Link's shock and awe led him to lose what little consciousness he had left in him. He awoke sometime later. But how long had it been, minutes, hours, days? He quickly jumped to his feet with realization striking his heart with a vengeance. He looked on to his house that had now been nothing but mere ruins, and his life had now only remained for revenge. He started to cry after seeing his mother's body at the bottom of all the ruins, lifeless, and burned to the point that she hadn't even looked like his mother. It was then that the most beautiful voice he had ever heard came to comfort him. No matter the pain he had just endured, he could no longer tear with the gracefulness bestowed upon his pointy ears. He turned to see the princess who was far more beautiful even than even her voice.
"Are you Link?" She repeated for the third time, Link was too sidetracked to notice the question before.
"Y... Yes, I am," He said, in a shy mannerism "I'm Link!"
"My name is Zelda, I'm sorry for what has happened here," It looked as if she had known this pain before, "we will give you refuge at the castle if you would like."
"I... I would like that." His eyes at that moment caught a group of knights surrounding a silver enlaced steel cage. But what... what was in it? Link's happy moment quickly grew angry when his eyes saw that man, the one that ruthlessly killed his family in cold blood, bound up in chains inside the cage.
"That man... His name is Ganondorf." Zelda explained, "What was he doing here?"
"I don't know," His voice became harsh and it wasn't even intentional, "But I'm going to find out!" His rage fueled his body as he picked up his blade, that had been beside him this whole time, and ran towards the knights. Zelda tried to stop him but failed. The knights seen him coming and they prepared to stop him. Link managed to knock down a single knight before he was overwhelmed by their vast numbers. Links rage only grew more intense when he heard Ganondorf laughing from the cage.
"So, kid you're still alive," Ganondorf smiled as he stood, the chains barley, if at all, holding him back, "That's good, I'm going to need you."
"What? You say WHAT?" Link's frustration finally hit a peak and he started to scream at Ganondorf, "YOU WANT ME?? TO HELP YOU?? THE MAN WHO JUST... WHO JUST KILLED MY FAMILY?"
"I didn't kill anyone kid, your mother died by the explosion your father caused putting on that mask of his."
"What mask?" Link's voice didn't really calm, just quieted, "What are you talking about?"
"The mask your father had hidden from everyone so he could sell it one day, he had heard it had power, but he... No one knows what kind of power it truly had known the power held with in it."
"What?" Link's voice had now become little more than a dull roar. "What are..."
"Jack of Blades is what i'm talking about," Ganondorf for the first time in years had shown fear in his own eyes. "He was the greatest hero who ever lived... no I take that back, he is the greatest hero of them all, his soul resigned in that mask, and now, your father is controlled by that evil. I only kept you alive, kid, because you are the only way we can both get what we want. I get the mask, and you get your father!"
"My f... father?"
"Yes your..."
"Don't listen to his lies Link," The beautiful voice spoke of Zelda once more graced Link's ears. "He is the essence of evil! He only wished to besiege Hyrule and the rest of the planet with it." Link from there on said no more. Emotions whirled around his teenage mind. Love, hate, fear, ferocity, and despair all tore at him from the inside. The escort left with Link silently following behind them while often glaring and Ganondorf. Sometime later, Link went into the knight’s barracks, which is where he was being given refuge. It was then, Link heard an unexpected conversation about a mage who had the power to speak to the dead, this was the break he needed. Now he could finally get the answers he needed. Did Ganondorf really kill his mother? And what of this mask? Hope had finally joined his bunched-up emotions. He quickly snuck into the armory and raced to the refinement camp Ganondorf was being kept.
"Halt!" A knight yelled. "What do you think you are doing?"
"I need to speak with your prisoner!" Link implied unsheathing his weapon slowly.
"Go away before we are forced to kill you."
"I though you would say that." He ran quickly at the knights. There were only two on guard. He slashed at one and kicked at the other. The first on blocked with his shield, and the other caught his foot. Out of pure fright, he stabbed his sword into the ground to get leverage and swung himself between the legs of the knight holding his feet and pushed him into the other one. He then knocked the mask off the one he pushed and bashed him in the head with the side of his weapon. The other knight, ignoring his fallen comrade, attempted to hack at Link, but he was to limber. He dodged the attack and tackled the knight to the ground and repeatedly bashed the handle of the blade into his foe's helmet until he stopped moving. Once again realization of what he did hit him, and tears began to roll down his cheeks. It only took a moment for him to regather himself. He walked into the room from which Ganondorf was being held.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd come." Ganondorf's deep, dark voice peered out from his cage. "So, have you decided what to do then?"
"You're coming with me, if I learn you didn't kill my mother, we'll go after Jack."
"Deal" The deep voice laughed. Link lifted his sword to slash the chains that bound Ganondorf. The two walked out where they are instantly surrounded by Hyrule's elite guards.
"Let them go." The princess appeared. "The gods have sent me a vision of an evil far worse than Ganondorf, and Link is the only one who can save us. The guards separate after a bit of confusion and the two venture into the forest towards Kakariko Village where the mage was said to be in hiding. They didn't get to far before they were surrounded by approximately twenty bandits. Link looked at Ganondorf who glanced back, and they prepared for battle.
To be continued...
Jack's Vengeance:
Part 3 and 4: The Mage's power and Ganondorf's deception
As the bandits came closer and closer, Link prepared for the inevitable battle that awaited him. The leader of the pack lifted his hand. "Listen here you two," He said nonchalantly, "Jack want's you guys alive, but we'll get payed either way. So why don't you guys just come with us and not get yourself killed aye?" Link pondered the offer for a moment, this would get him closer to his new supposed nemesis. He then heard a giggle come from Ganondorf.
"What do ya say kid?" Ganondorf smile, "Are we going?"
"No!" Link screamed as he picked up his blade and ran at one of the bandits in front of him and they crossed blades.
"What a pity," The leader sarcastically implied, "and here I was hoping I didn't have to get my hands wet. Oh well, I suppose." With that said, he made a quick hand gesture and symbolled for his men to attack. Link and Ganondorf were each surrounded by ten bandits. Link took his blade and swung in a circle slicing all that surrounded him in half. He also noticed that Ganondorf had little trouble as he punched the ground and made a quake that tore apart the ground and sent all the bandits flying away from him. "I was hoping not to do this, It makes me look like such a fool, I mean I’m not in a gnome outfit with white tights, and I don't wear a carpet on my back, but, well you'll see." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a beige-yellow bunny hood, it had little eyes and even bunny ears. He put it on his head and dashed at Link whom only barley managed to stop his blade with his own. The bandit kicked Link to the ground and tried to stab him, but Ganondorf grabbed his hands and crushed them the guy had a blood curdling scream, that was until Ganondorf ripped the guy’s head off.
"Th-thank you?" Link said in shock that Ganondorf just saved his life.
"I didn't do it for you kid, you have a promise to keep, what happens to you after that, I don't care, now come on." Ganondorf took the bunny hood of the severed head and placed it on his own. "Get on my back, we'll make it there faster now that we have this... hood." Link did as he was told after searching the bandits for rupees, and Ganondorf raced onward towards Kakariko village. It took them only a few short hours to get a mile away from the village. "I'm not wearing this hood in that village, not unless you want me to kill everyone. We walk from here." After and even shorter few minutes, they were at the Kakariko Village gates.
"Halt..." A gate guard said. He looked at Ganondorf who snarled at him. "Carry on!" The guard let them go out of fright. They entered the village looking for any sign of the mage. There was no such luck. It took hours of searching before they finally found him.
"It’s your mother you ask about hu?" The mage seemed to be from a different part of the world.
"That's right, was it this man behind me who killed her?"
"No my boy, It was a man she calls Jack of Blades, she's saying he took over your father's body."
"And how exactly to we defeat this man?"
"Nobody knows, but there is a legendary weapon known to most as the Master Sword, but before you get the you must find the Master shield!"
"Where is it?"
"I can help you with that!" The Mage's hand grew a dark purple aura around them, and his eyes became a blood red. He lifted his hands and blasted a purple shock at Link. Screams filled his head; his soul was teleported into a different dimension. He awoke to see what looked like himself, but it was a shadowy version of himself, he seen a silver shield in his hand, and immediately knew what he had to do!
To be continued...
Jack’s Vengeance Part 5:
Link vs. Dark Link
Link backed away hoping to keep a distance, but just as soon as he could take his stance the shadowy figure was on the offensive. Link found himself constantly defending unable to find a way to attack back, he had to focus on each swing made by the version of himself as he knew he one of them could end his life. Dark Link pulled his sword back to prepare for another attack… finally an opening in his nonstop attacks, Link drops his blade in instead launches himself forward putting as much power behind his fist as he can hitting Dark Link in the face. Dark Links stumble back trying to catch his own footing this time as the tables have turned. Link spins as he normal with his sword, but this time focusing his power into his elbow as he once again manages to stagger Dark Link back. One more time he spins back this time a kick, However, this time Dark Link was prepared managing to put his shield up taking all the force that was looked to be aiming for his knee. Dark Link pushed his shield up launching Link into the air, little did he know, this is exactly what Link wanted as used the force of Dark Link’s own momentum to swipe the sword out of his hand by grabbing the hilt and kicking back. As Link was about to land Dark Link threw his shield underneath Links feet causing him to fall forward. As Link tries to catch himself, Dark Link lunges forward kneeing Link in the face knocking him to the floor. Dazed Link looks up to see his foe had picked up his lost sword and was now stabbing down at him. He couldn’t move, he had lost this fight and failed his people, as the sword came down Link closed his eyes and… Nothing. Where was the pain? Was he dead? He opens his eyes to once more see the mage and Ganondorf staring at him.
“Pathetic,” Ganondorf scowled as he picked Link up off the ground, “Is that the best our hero has?”
“I failed, I couldn’t beat him.”
“Fool, he’s you!” Ganondorf threw Link to the ground in disgust. “How can you pretend to be the hero of these lands if you can’t even be the best version of yourself?!”
“You’re one to talk,” Link yells back standing his ground “You’re the one depending on me, not the other way around.”
“Everyone is depending on you!” Ganondorf lashed out, “Apparently, everyone chose wrong.” Ganondorf stormed out of the witches building.” Link didn’t chase after him, what was he supposed to say? He failed. He failed everyone.
“I have enough energy to send you back only once more,” The mage spoke up, “Before I send you back, you have to remove the conflict within yourself. That version of yourself, he’s every bit as skilled as you, he’s as fast, as strong, and he knows everything about you because he is you. But he does lack something you have.”
“What is it, what’s he missing?” Link asks.
“This.” The Mage points at Link’s heart. “He lacks ambition, he lacks your heart, he lacks your emotion. It’s not only your greatest weakness, it’s also your strength. If you can purge the weakness from your heart, you will only have a strength he does not. It is only then that you will be able to defeat him.” Link closes his eyes once more and ponders his next step. He can’t let everyone down, but as it stands, he can’t win this fight either. If he can’t win this fight, then he must…
“I found it!” Ganondorf bashes through the door once more, “I found the sword!”
Jack’s Vengeance Part 6:
The Master Sword in the...
“I know where we can get the sword!”
“Where,” Link jumps off his chair in excitement “Where is it?”
“After I left, I went to the library, and used my magic to search the books, all 23,734 of them, and only one of them mention the sword, it said it is located at the top of Hyrule Tower.” Ganondorf tone changes, “It says it is guarded by hundreds of magical creatures to make sure only the one worthy of it will make it there, so I hope you are ready for a fight.”
“It sounds tough, but as long as we work together, we’ll make it, we have to make it.” Link was unsure if they could make it, but he had to believe in himself, this time he needs to make it there, failure is not an option.
“Let’s go” Ganondorf says. And just like that, they were off to Hyrule Tower, a huge spiraling tower of stone tall enough it that cuts through the clouds. It was a days long journey to get there, Link and Ganondorf didn’t talk along the way, they knew they were not allies and if it weren’t for this common enemy, it would be them crossing swords soon enough. As they made it to the tower, a giant stone door blocked their path. In front of the door stood a goliath statue of a knight standing guard to the door.
“Why is it you approach this tower.” A voice booming from the statue questions”
“We are here for the sword!” Link yells back.
“Then I must stop you here.” The voice declares. The giant statue steps from its pedestal and prepares to defend its tower at all costs. It lifts it sword ready to crush Link and Ganondorf in a single swing, the power of which could level a village street. Link take a defensive stance looking for a chance to escape the attack. Suddenly a huge purple light comes from behind Link, and without a thought Link runs ducks behind cover, a blast strikes through the status knocking down the stone door on the other side leaving by a giant pile of rubble. Link is amazed to see Ganondorf was the source of the attack.
“I’m not in the mood to play these games.” He says, before progressing through the now open doorway. Link says nothing, he just followed behind him being glad that they are not enemies for the time being. Finally, they begin the climb, but what danger were waiting them as the climbed the tower. The first few levels were admittedly easy enough, they were able to quickly dispatch of all enemies, mostly in the from of stone knights, that blocked their path. As the got halfway to the top, that’s when things became difficult, the knights’ attacks had much more weight behind them, and neither Link nor Ganondorf were able to dispatch them in a single strike any longer. They were starting to be drained of energy rather quickly, as the enemies became more numerous and powerful, Link and Ganondorf could feel themselves getting weaker and slower, but as long as they make it, it will be okay, as long as they get the sword, it will all be worth it. This is what they kept telling themselves over and over again as they fought through hundreds of enemies.
“How much taller is this damn thing” Ganondorf gasped.
“We’re almost there,” replied Link, “I can feel it. Suddenly, they found themselves surrounded, not by stone statues, but by werewolf like creatures with dual ended blades, all of them whimpering as if it were not their decision to attack. Link decides this time he was not going to wait for the attack, he would go first, and he bursts forward swinging at one of the creatures, but the were much faster than he anticipated. It knocked back his blade with one end of its weapon and then began to strike with the other, cutting a slice into Links right thigh. He was barely able to dodge that attack when a second charge him, this time putting its blade into Link’s Left shoulder. Link stumbled back, injured, but now even more determined to win. He would not lose this fight, not with them being so close. He raises his sword to prepare another attack…
“Duck!” Ganondorf yells as he leaps over Link and Punches at one of the creatures. It tries to defend itself, but Ganondorf’s fist breaks through the middle of is weapon and punches through the chest of the creature on the other side. The creature yelps as its life fades away. Ganondorf throws the creature and one of the others knocking them back as he attacks another. Link is again amazed at Ganondorf’s power, here he could not even hurt one of them, and Ganondorf just took on three by himself. Link quickly shook himself of his daze when he seen a fourth try to attack Ganondorf from behind. Link jumped forward and plunged his sword into the spine of the creature who just like the other went out with a yelp. Link turns to Ganondorf who he sees tearing the arms of the creatures that he attacked. “Watch out,” Ganondorf warns link as a fourth creature attacks, Link was able to sidestep, and attack, but again he found himself at odds at the much fast creature was able to push him back. It is clear he will have to depend on Ganondorf to do the attacking. He defends as best he can to retreat towards Ganondorf slowly, but little did he know, as three of the creatures felled to Ganondorf, six more were summoned. Soon the duo found themselves outmatched, Ganondorf could no longer be on the attack as he had to fend off the creatures defensively. Link begins to fall to his would, his arms began to fail him as he could no longer lift his blade. Ganondorf too began to fall the weapons cutting through his flesh like butter. It was then that Link noticed one of the creatures behind the rest was not like the others, this one instead of blades, had a staffed curved on both sides, it was summoning more of the creatures to battle for it.
“I need you to fight as hard as you Ganondorf,” Link yells, “I have an idea.”
“I’m fighting with all I can,” Ganondorf says.
“Fight harder, use all your energy if you need to, As Long as we can make it to the sword, it will all be worth it.”
“Just make sure you get that sword.” Ganondorf yells. He begins to go back on the offensive, he’s no longer trying to defend Link as a purple aura pours from his every being, his blood pumps faster and he begins to lose pools of it in the process, but for some reason he trusts Link will not fail him this time. He uses all his energy and begins to push back the creatures, throwing them against one another, slamming them into the walls, punching and kicking, breaking as many bones as he can. He cannot maintain the output of energy for long and the creatures again begin to gain the upper hand aggressively pursuing Ganondorf. But in their attacks on Ganondorf, they had turned a blind eye to Link who was able to sneak behind the summoner and slash his sword cutting the creature in half. It was just like that; the other creatures began to fade away. Link fell to his knees in pain, blood pouring from his body, and knowing that the journey will only get more difficult from here, but still this victory counts and it will be the first of many. He looks over to Ganondorf whom has fallen unconscious clinging to what life remained in his body. Link crawls over to him and begins to drag him through the final door. This is it; this is where the sword will be, it will all have been worth it when he gets his hands on that sword. He can barley drag on, but he must. Every inch he moves is as painful as all the pained he has endured in his life, and each inch even more painful than the last. In the center of the room in a Stone with a bright light, so light and pure that he can not see what is in it, but it must be where the sword is. With each painful inch he encourages himself to move on, he is right there. He drags himself to the top of the stone and… nothing. To his shock and horror, the sword is gone, already claimed by another. Again, Link has failed as he falls. He no longer has the energy to move forward and as his vision begins to blur out, he can make out someone approaching him. The person begins to speak as Link falls unconscious.
“He finds you when you’re sleeping and when the daylight fades…”
To be continued…
Who is the mysterious figure approaching Link and Ganondorf? Find out in Part 7.
Jack's Vengeance:
Part one and two: Jack's return and the quest for the Mage!
Nearly a millennium has passed since Jack of Blades has haunted the world, but now he has returned. As a tale once told, The Hero of Oakvale defeated Jack once as human and then again as a Dragon. After the second battle, the hero had a choice of either wearing the mask and gaining power beyond his wildest dreams or cast it into the bane of lava and disperse of the evil being once and for all. However, Jack was more powerful even in death than most heroes at their peak of life. The mask survived and with it, Jack's soul. It was when a trader found the mask while he was digging for treasure. He didn't know from where the mask came, nor did he care. He knew however, that he was wanting to sell it and make a small fortune. Unfortunately, he was not aware of the dangers he would set upon the world.
Days came and days passed, but the trader could not find a person willing to buy the mask. He decided to quit his trading days and move to a distant city named Hyrule. Hyrule was a peaceful town, but the people seemed odd always talking about prophecies and strange events. One of these prophecies was of a dark lord named Ganondorf who would come to exact his revenge on Hyrule and try to make the world bow before him. And another was of a sacred relic known to all as the Tri-force which was divided into three know pieces one of courage, one of wisdom, and one of power. The piece of power was wielded by the dark lord known as Ganondorf, the piece of wisdom was held by the Princess of Hyrule known as Zelda, and the final piece, the piece of courage was yet to be held, but was to held by a Hero that was the key Link to saving the world from two great evils.
After years passed, The trader finally settled down with his wife and had a baby boy, that boy would be the hero of time and be put into the hearts of millions, or he will fail and all will perish at his demise. The boy was only six when he had already taken a keen interest in the art of combat. He always talked about how he would be the one to slay the evil, how he wanted to be a hero. When he was thirteen, he had picked up his first real sword, and got his very own tutor. When he was fourteen, His greatest adventure would begin.
It was the day of his fourteenth birthday, the quiet little village was just as it always seemed. It was a small village just a little way from the Castle. Link was sent to the store to collect cooking supplies when the sky turned dark, and the wind became harsh.
"A storm seems to be approaching," The store clerk implied "Hurry home, you can pay later!" Link and began to dash towards his home trying to battle the dreadful winds. He got just within view of his home when a dark vortex seemed to pop up in front of him. Link ran to the other side to 'greet' whatever demon came through. It was then that a tall dark green skinned man in dark clothing appeared in front of him.
"Who are you?" Link yelled.
"Get out of my way kid!" The man replied.
"What are you here for?"
"Revenge, but for right now, your father will have to do.," the man snarled, and with barley a flick of his wrist sent Link soaring through the air. Link, who quickly jumped back to his feet and unsheathed his sword, ran at the man with his blade ready to hack at the man. He jumped into the air to slash at the dark-greenish man, but the man turned and caught Link's blade and held it, and Link, in the air. "You're a stubborn one, I think I'm going to let you live." The man punched Link in the gut and let him drop to the ground. The man smiled and then turned back towards Link's home where his mother and father had been patiently waiting for home to return. Link tried to crawl, but his body wouldn't move, he tried to yell, but sounds refused to escape his air deprived body. He could only watch as the man walked into the house. I had only been a few seconds later when the house suddenly exploded bursting into an infernal wall of flames. Link's shock and awe led him to lose what little consciousness he had left in him. He awoke sometime later. But how long had it been, minutes, hours, days? He quickly jumped to his feet with realization striking his heart with a vengeance. He looked on to his house that had now been nothing but mere ruins, and his life had now only remained for revenge. He started to cry after seeing his mother's body at the bottom of all the ruins, lifeless, and burned to the point that she hadn't even looked like his mother. It was then that the most beautiful voice he had ever heard came to comfort him. No matter the pain he had just endured, he could no longer tear with the gracefulness bestowed upon his pointy ears. He turned to see the princess who was far more beautiful even than even her voice.
"Are you Link?" She repeated for the third time, Link was too sidetracked to notice the question before.
"Y... Yes, I am," He said, in a shy mannerism "I'm Link!"
"My name is Zelda, I'm sorry for what has happened here," It looked as if she had known this pain before, "we will give you refuge at the castle if you would like."
"I... I would like that." His eyes at that moment caught a group of knights surrounding a silver enlaced steel cage. But what... what was in it? Link's happy moment quickly grew angry when his eyes saw that man, the one that ruthlessly killed his family in cold blood, bound up in chains inside the cage.
"That man... His name is Ganondorf." Zelda explained, "What was he doing here?"
"I don't know," His voice became harsh and it wasn't even intentional, "But I'm going to find out!" His rage fueled his body as he picked up his blade, that had been beside him this whole time, and ran towards the knights. Zelda tried to stop him but failed. The knights seen him coming and they prepared to stop him. Link managed to knock down a single knight before he was overwhelmed by their vast numbers. Links rage only grew more intense when he heard Ganondorf laughing from the cage.
"So, kid you're still alive," Ganondorf smiled as he stood, the chains barley, if at all, holding him back, "That's good, I'm going to need you."
"What? You say WHAT?" Link's frustration finally hit a peak and he started to scream at Ganondorf, "YOU WANT ME?? TO HELP YOU?? THE MAN WHO JUST... WHO JUST KILLED MY FAMILY?"
"I didn't kill anyone kid, your mother died by the explosion your father caused putting on that mask of his."
"What mask?" Link's voice didn't really calm, just quieted, "What are you talking about?"
"The mask your father had hidden from everyone so he could sell it one day, he had heard it had power, but he... No one knows what kind of power it truly had known the power held with in it."
"What?" Link's voice had now become little more than a dull roar. "What are..."
"Jack of Blades is what i'm talking about," Ganondorf for the first time in years had shown fear in his own eyes. "He was the greatest hero who ever lived... no I take that back, he is the greatest hero of them all, his soul resigned in that mask, and now, your father is controlled by that evil. I only kept you alive, kid, because you are the only way we can both get what we want. I get the mask, and you get your father!"
"My f... father?"
"Yes your..."
"Don't listen to his lies Link," The beautiful voice spoke of Zelda once more graced Link's ears. "He is the essence of evil! He only wished to besiege Hyrule and the rest of the planet with it." Link from there on said no more. Emotions whirled around his teenage mind. Love, hate, fear, ferocity, and despair all tore at him from the inside. The escort left with Link silently following behind them while often glaring and Ganondorf. Sometime later, Link went into the knight’s barracks, which is where he was being given refuge. It was then, Link heard an unexpected conversation about a mage who had the power to speak to the dead, this was the break he needed. Now he could finally get the answers he needed. Did Ganondorf really kill his mother? And what of this mask? Hope had finally joined his bunched-up emotions. He quickly snuck into the armory and raced to the refinement camp Ganondorf was being kept.
"Halt!" A knight yelled. "What do you think you are doing?"
"I need to speak with your prisoner!" Link implied unsheathing his weapon slowly.
"Go away before we are forced to kill you."
"I though you would say that." He ran quickly at the knights. There were only two on guard. He slashed at one and kicked at the other. The first on blocked with his shield, and the other caught his foot. Out of pure fright, he stabbed his sword into the ground to get leverage and swung himself between the legs of the knight holding his feet and pushed him into the other one. He then knocked the mask off the one he pushed and bashed him in the head with the side of his weapon. The other knight, ignoring his fallen comrade, attempted to hack at Link, but he was to limber. He dodged the attack and tackled the knight to the ground and repeatedly bashed the handle of the blade into his foe's helmet until he stopped moving. Once again realization of what he did hit him, and tears began to roll down his cheeks. It only took a moment for him to regather himself. He walked into the room from which Ganondorf was being held.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd come." Ganondorf's deep, dark voice peered out from his cage. "So, have you decided what to do then?"
"You're coming with me, if I learn you didn't kill my mother, we'll go after Jack."
"Deal" The deep voice laughed. Link lifted his sword to slash the chains that bound Ganondorf. The two walked out where they are instantly surrounded by Hyrule's elite guards.
"Let them go." The princess appeared. "The gods have sent me a vision of an evil far worse than Ganondorf, and Link is the only one who can save us. The guards separate after a bit of confusion and the two venture into the forest towards Kakariko Village where the mage was said to be in hiding. They didn't get to far before they were surrounded by approximately twenty bandits. Link looked at Ganondorf who glanced back, and they prepared for battle.
To be continued...
Jack's Vengeance:
Part 3 and 4: The Mage's power and Ganondorf's deception
As the bandits came closer and closer, Link prepared for the inevitable battle that awaited him. The leader of the pack lifted his hand. "Listen here you two," He said nonchalantly, "Jack want's you guys alive, but we'll get payed either way. So why don't you guys just come with us and not get yourself killed aye?" Link pondered the offer for a moment, this would get him closer to his new supposed nemesis. He then heard a giggle come from Ganondorf.
"What do ya say kid?" Ganondorf smile, "Are we going?"
"No!" Link screamed as he picked up his blade and ran at one of the bandits in front of him and they crossed blades.
"What a pity," The leader sarcastically implied, "and here I was hoping I didn't have to get my hands wet. Oh well, I suppose." With that said, he made a quick hand gesture and symbolled for his men to attack. Link and Ganondorf were each surrounded by ten bandits. Link took his blade and swung in a circle slicing all that surrounded him in half. He also noticed that Ganondorf had little trouble as he punched the ground and made a quake that tore apart the ground and sent all the bandits flying away from him. "I was hoping not to do this, It makes me look like such a fool, I mean I’m not in a gnome outfit with white tights, and I don't wear a carpet on my back, but, well you'll see." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a beige-yellow bunny hood, it had little eyes and even bunny ears. He put it on his head and dashed at Link whom only barley managed to stop his blade with his own. The bandit kicked Link to the ground and tried to stab him, but Ganondorf grabbed his hands and crushed them the guy had a blood curdling scream, that was until Ganondorf ripped the guy’s head off.
"Th-thank you?" Link said in shock that Ganondorf just saved his life.
"I didn't do it for you kid, you have a promise to keep, what happens to you after that, I don't care, now come on." Ganondorf took the bunny hood of the severed head and placed it on his own. "Get on my back, we'll make it there faster now that we have this... hood." Link did as he was told after searching the bandits for rupees, and Ganondorf raced onward towards Kakariko village. It took them only a few short hours to get a mile away from the village. "I'm not wearing this hood in that village, not unless you want me to kill everyone. We walk from here." After and even shorter few minutes, they were at the Kakariko Village gates.
"Halt..." A gate guard said. He looked at Ganondorf who snarled at him. "Carry on!" The guard let them go out of fright. They entered the village looking for any sign of the mage. There was no such luck. It took hours of searching before they finally found him.
"It’s your mother you ask about hu?" The mage seemed to be from a different part of the world.
"That's right, was it this man behind me who killed her?"
"No my boy, It was a man she calls Jack of Blades, she's saying he took over your father's body."
"And how exactly to we defeat this man?"
"Nobody knows, but there is a legendary weapon known to most as the Master Sword, but before you get the you must find the Master shield!"
"Where is it?"
"I can help you with that!" The Mage's hand grew a dark purple aura around them, and his eyes became a blood red. He lifted his hands and blasted a purple shock at Link. Screams filled his head; his soul was teleported into a different dimension. He awoke to see what looked like himself, but it was a shadowy version of himself, he seen a silver shield in his hand, and immediately knew what he had to do!
To be continued...
Jack’s Vengeance Part 5:
Link vs. Dark Link
Link backed away hoping to keep a distance, but just as soon as he could take his stance the shadowy figure was on the offensive. Link found himself constantly defending unable to find a way to attack back, he had to focus on each swing made by the version of himself as he knew he one of them could end his life. Dark Link pulled his sword back to prepare for another attack… finally an opening in his nonstop attacks, Link drops his blade in instead launches himself forward putting as much power behind his fist as he can hitting Dark Link in the face. Dark Links stumble back trying to catch his own footing this time as the tables have turned. Link spins as he normal with his sword, but this time focusing his power into his elbow as he once again manages to stagger Dark Link back. One more time he spins back this time a kick, However, this time Dark Link was prepared managing to put his shield up taking all the force that was looked to be aiming for his knee. Dark Link pushed his shield up launching Link into the air, little did he know, this is exactly what Link wanted as used the force of Dark Link’s own momentum to swipe the sword out of his hand by grabbing the hilt and kicking back. As Link was about to land Dark Link threw his shield underneath Links feet causing him to fall forward. As Link tries to catch himself, Dark Link lunges forward kneeing Link in the face knocking him to the floor. Dazed Link looks up to see his foe had picked up his lost sword and was now stabbing down at him. He couldn’t move, he had lost this fight and failed his people, as the sword came down Link closed his eyes and… Nothing. Where was the pain? Was he dead? He opens his eyes to once more see the mage and Ganondorf staring at him.
“Pathetic,” Ganondorf scowled as he picked Link up off the ground, “Is that the best our hero has?”
“I failed, I couldn’t beat him.”
“Fool, he’s you!” Ganondorf threw Link to the ground in disgust. “How can you pretend to be the hero of these lands if you can’t even be the best version of yourself?!”
“You’re one to talk,” Link yells back standing his ground “You’re the one depending on me, not the other way around.”
“Everyone is depending on you!” Ganondorf lashed out, “Apparently, everyone chose wrong.” Ganondorf stormed out of the witches building.” Link didn’t chase after him, what was he supposed to say? He failed. He failed everyone.
“I have enough energy to send you back only once more,” The mage spoke up, “Before I send you back, you have to remove the conflict within yourself. That version of yourself, he’s every bit as skilled as you, he’s as fast, as strong, and he knows everything about you because he is you. But he does lack something you have.”
“What is it, what’s he missing?” Link asks.
“This.” The Mage points at Link’s heart. “He lacks ambition, he lacks your heart, he lacks your emotion. It’s not only your greatest weakness, it’s also your strength. If you can purge the weakness from your heart, you will only have a strength he does not. It is only then that you will be able to defeat him.” Link closes his eyes once more and ponders his next step. He can’t let everyone down, but as it stands, he can’t win this fight either. If he can’t win this fight, then he must…
“I found it!” Ganondorf bashes through the door once more, “I found the sword!”
Jack’s Vengeance Part 6:
The Master Sword in the...
“I know where we can get the sword!”
“Where,” Link jumps off his chair in excitement “Where is it?”
“After I left, I went to the library, and used my magic to search the books, all 23,734 of them, and only one of them mention the sword, it said it is located at the top of Hyrule Tower.” Ganondorf tone changes, “It says it is guarded by hundreds of magical creatures to make sure only the one worthy of it will make it there, so I hope you are ready for a fight.”
“It sounds tough, but as long as we work together, we’ll make it, we have to make it.” Link was unsure if they could make it, but he had to believe in himself, this time he needs to make it there, failure is not an option.
“Let’s go” Ganondorf says. And just like that, they were off to Hyrule Tower, a huge spiraling tower of stone tall enough it that cuts through the clouds. It was a days long journey to get there, Link and Ganondorf didn’t talk along the way, they knew they were not allies and if it weren’t for this common enemy, it would be them crossing swords soon enough. As they made it to the tower, a giant stone door blocked their path. In front of the door stood a goliath statue of a knight standing guard to the door.
“Why is it you approach this tower.” A voice booming from the statue questions”
“We are here for the sword!” Link yells back.
“Then I must stop you here.” The voice declares. The giant statue steps from its pedestal and prepares to defend its tower at all costs. It lifts it sword ready to crush Link and Ganondorf in a single swing, the power of which could level a village street. Link take a defensive stance looking for a chance to escape the attack. Suddenly a huge purple light comes from behind Link, and without a thought Link runs ducks behind cover, a blast strikes through the status knocking down the stone door on the other side leaving by a giant pile of rubble. Link is amazed to see Ganondorf was the source of the attack.
“I’m not in the mood to play these games.” He says, before progressing through the now open doorway. Link says nothing, he just followed behind him being glad that they are not enemies for the time being. Finally, they begin the climb, but what danger were waiting them as the climbed the tower. The first few levels were admittedly easy enough, they were able to quickly dispatch of all enemies, mostly in the from of stone knights, that blocked their path. As the got halfway to the top, that’s when things became difficult, the knights’ attacks had much more weight behind them, and neither Link nor Ganondorf were able to dispatch them in a single strike any longer. They were starting to be drained of energy rather quickly, as the enemies became more numerous and powerful, Link and Ganondorf could feel themselves getting weaker and slower, but as long as they make it, it will be okay, as long as they get the sword, it will all be worth it. This is what they kept telling themselves over and over again as they fought through hundreds of enemies.
“How much taller is this damn thing” Ganondorf gasped.
“We’re almost there,” replied Link, “I can feel it. Suddenly, they found themselves surrounded, not by stone statues, but by werewolf like creatures with dual ended blades, all of them whimpering as if it were not their decision to attack. Link decides this time he was not going to wait for the attack, he would go first, and he bursts forward swinging at one of the creatures, but the were much faster than he anticipated. It knocked back his blade with one end of its weapon and then began to strike with the other, cutting a slice into Links right thigh. He was barely able to dodge that attack when a second charge him, this time putting its blade into Link’s Left shoulder. Link stumbled back, injured, but now even more determined to win. He would not lose this fight, not with them being so close. He raises his sword to prepare another attack…
“Duck!” Ganondorf yells as he leaps over Link and Punches at one of the creatures. It tries to defend itself, but Ganondorf’s fist breaks through the middle of is weapon and punches through the chest of the creature on the other side. The creature yelps as its life fades away. Ganondorf throws the creature and one of the others knocking them back as he attacks another. Link is again amazed at Ganondorf’s power, here he could not even hurt one of them, and Ganondorf just took on three by himself. Link quickly shook himself of his daze when he seen a fourth try to attack Ganondorf from behind. Link jumped forward and plunged his sword into the spine of the creature who just like the other went out with a yelp. Link turns to Ganondorf who he sees tearing the arms of the creatures that he attacked. “Watch out,” Ganondorf warns link as a fourth creature attacks, Link was able to sidestep, and attack, but again he found himself at odds at the much fast creature was able to push him back. It is clear he will have to depend on Ganondorf to do the attacking. He defends as best he can to retreat towards Ganondorf slowly, but little did he know, as three of the creatures felled to Ganondorf, six more were summoned. Soon the duo found themselves outmatched, Ganondorf could no longer be on the attack as he had to fend off the creatures defensively. Link begins to fall to his would, his arms began to fail him as he could no longer lift his blade. Ganondorf too began to fall the weapons cutting through his flesh like butter. It was then that Link noticed one of the creatures behind the rest was not like the others, this one instead of blades, had a staffed curved on both sides, it was summoning more of the creatures to battle for it.
“I need you to fight as hard as you Ganondorf,” Link yells, “I have an idea.”
“I’m fighting with all I can,” Ganondorf says.
“Fight harder, use all your energy if you need to, As Long as we can make it to the sword, it will all be worth it.”
“Just make sure you get that sword.” Ganondorf yells. He begins to go back on the offensive, he’s no longer trying to defend Link as a purple aura pours from his every being, his blood pumps faster and he begins to lose pools of it in the process, but for some reason he trusts Link will not fail him this time. He uses all his energy and begins to push back the creatures, throwing them against one another, slamming them into the walls, punching and kicking, breaking as many bones as he can. He cannot maintain the output of energy for long and the creatures again begin to gain the upper hand aggressively pursuing Ganondorf. But in their attacks on Ganondorf, they had turned a blind eye to Link who was able to sneak behind the summoner and slash his sword cutting the creature in half. It was just like that; the other creatures began to fade away. Link fell to his knees in pain, blood pouring from his body, and knowing that the journey will only get more difficult from here, but still this victory counts and it will be the first of many. He looks over to Ganondorf whom has fallen unconscious clinging to what life remained in his body. Link crawls over to him and begins to drag him through the final door. This is it; this is where the sword will be, it will all have been worth it when he gets his hands on that sword. He can barley drag on, but he must. Every inch he moves is as painful as all the pained he has endured in his life, and each inch even more painful than the last. In the center of the room in a Stone with a bright light, so light and pure that he can not see what is in it, but it must be where the sword is. With each painful inch he encourages himself to move on, he is right there. He drags himself to the top of the stone and… nothing. To his shock and horror, the sword is gone, already claimed by another. Again, Link has failed as he falls. He no longer has the energy to move forward and as his vision begins to blur out, he can make out someone approaching him. The person begins to speak as Link falls unconscious.
“He finds you when you’re sleeping and when the daylight fades…”
To be continued…
Who is the mysterious figure approaching Link and Ganondorf? Find out in Part 7.