Fan Fiction Legend of Zelda: Sin of Sheikari
authordimitrius  

Sin of Sheikari Chapter 16

16: Shadow Temple

The cries of the storm outside were replaced by a different sort of wailing now, much more subdued, yet much more potent. It was as if a chorus of screams had been reduced to muffled whimpers scattered in every possible direction. 

And Zelda was certain she was the only one who could hear it. 

She watched as Impa gazed down into the bottomless pit that prevented them from progressing further into the temple’s depths. Zelda grabbed Impa’s hand, and her guardian didn’t even react as her spell transported them across the pit to the other side. They were greeted by a wall with a twisted, wicked smile carved into its surface.

“Do not be fooled here,” Impa started towards the wall, and Zelda was certain she would crash into it. Instead, Impa passed through it as if it wasn’t there at all. Zelda followed, but as she crossed its threshold she heard a voice whisper to her.

“Shadow Temple…Here is gathered Hyrule’s bloody history of greed and hatred.”

Zelda wrapped her arms around herself as she stumbled into the next chamber, and whatever sense of warmth she’d felt before abandoned her completely. Impa stood facing her, and Zelda could tell she was trying her best to hide her concern.

“Zelda, you must remain strong,” her voice was stern yet contained the edge of patience, the way it always did when she was instructing Zelda. “There are many lingering spirits here, and they will do what they can to discourage you.”

Zelda took a deep breath and nodded. Impa was right. Though she could feel the anger and resentment of the spirits all around her, she had to remember why she’d come all this way to begin with. She steeled herself and followed Impa deeper into the temple.

They made their way through the winding halls, avoiding traps and fighting off the Skulltulas that tried to stop them. Impa led the way, and Zelda realized she must know this place like the back of her hand, which only made sense. If anyone knew how to navigate an expanse of shadows, it would be a Sheikah. 

They soon reached a massive, cavernous chamber where the ground looked to have collapsed in on itself. The hall rang with the clanging of metal slamming into the ground, and Zelda could also make out the sound of chains lifting something up into the air. Guillotines?

“Don’t move.”

Zelda yelped as Impa slashed the air right above her head. A shriveled, decaying hand dropped to the ground, flailing about in an attempt to reach her before bursting into flames and disappearing. Impa sheathed her sword before turning to face ahead.

“I will need you to get us past the guillotines,” she pointed to the large blades hanging down from the ceiling, poised to strike the moment they drew near. “It will be faster if you teleport us past all of them to the other side.”

Zelda nodded, once more invoking the power of Farore to whisk them away to safety. They materialized on a large platform on the opposite side of the chamber from where they had just been standing, and Impa immediately took out her blade again.

“Watch out!” she called as a figure dropped down from the ceiling. A skeleton, wearing rusted armor, swung its sword at them. A Stalfos.

Zelda leaped out of the way, readying her kodachi, as Impa parried the blow. Impa danced around the enemy, her sword a blur as she struck again and again, until the Stalfos was driven back, its armor battered and broken. It let out a final howl of rage before crumbling to dust. Impa turned to face Zelda, sheathing her sword once more.

“Zelda…” her voice was unnervingly calm even after such a battle. “I spent many years training you in the ways of the Sheikah, but I never intended for you to use any of those skills. Yet now, standing here, you must use what I have taught you about moving through the shadows.”

She stepped towards the edge of the platform, peering down into the abyss, before looking back at Zelda.

“I am sorry,” her red eyes slowly met Zelda’s, concern etched into every part of her expression, “but we have little time. We must jump.”

Zelda hugged herself as the realization sank in. The darkness below them seemed endless, and falling down such a massive and deep chasm would normally guarantee death. She shivered as she closed her eyes, imagining the horrors that awaited her. She could still feel the restless spirits all around them, waiting, hoping she would fail and soon join them in their foul existence.

“Zelda, we must hurry.”

Zelda took a deep breath, summoning whatever courage she had left, and stepped towards the edge. She could feel Impa’s hand on her shoulder, providing a small measure of comfort. Then she was falling, plummeting into the darkness.

For a moment, all was silent. She felt weightless as if she were floating in an endless sea of black. Then she slowly exhaled, allowing all her senses to converge. The shadows would be her ally at this moment, allowing her to reach safety. They would not betray her so long as she released herself and maintained her focus. She would land where the shadows deemed necessary. All that was left was to trust them.

In an instant, she was no longer falling. She stumbled as whatever she was standing on sunk downward before springing back up again. She looked over to see Impa watching her, nodding in approval.

“I expected nothing less,” the corner of her mouth rose into a smirk.

Zelda examined her surroundings, including the odd structure she was standing on, and determined it to be a ferry of sorts. Impa stepped forward, pointing towards a Triforce symbol engraved beneath their feet. “Announce your presence, and it will lead you to the Sage’s chamber.”

Zelda hesitated for a moment before finally stepping forward and standing over the Triforce symbol. She closed her eyes, praying to the Golden Goddesses for assistance. Within seconds, she felt the magic coursing through her veins, and the ferry began to push forward against invisible currents.

“Back!” Impa drew her sword as two more Stalfos dropped down from above.  Zelda did as she was told, moving to the other side of the ferry as Impa engaged the enemies. The undead warriors wielded their swords with precision and skill, yet Impa was able to deflect each and every attack.

This pair of Stalfos would be no more of a match for her than their previous assailant, and soon they too were nothing more than dust. Impa turned back to Zelda, satisfied that the way was clear. The ferry continued to make its way along the invisible river until it finally stopped.

“Now jump!” Impa shouted as she leaped from the ferry. It began to sink into the bottomless trench below, but not before Zelda was able to jump to safety.

She landed awkwardly, stumbling as she tried to keep her balance. Impa was there to steady her, and together they made their way towards the entrance to the Sage’s chamber. When they reached the door, Zelda noticed Impa wasn’t standing next to her. She turned to see her guardian facing the direction of where the ferry had fallen into the trench, her sword at the ready.

“Impa…”

Impa refused to turn and face her, shaking her head and clutching her sword tightly. Zelda’s stomach dropped as realization dawned on her.

“Impa, no!” Zelda pleaded. “If anything else comes after us, we can both fight it! You don’t have to face it alone!”

“It’s my duty, Zelda,” Impa said softly. 

“I don’t care about your duty!”  Zelda shouted, wanting to snatch Impa’s sword from her and drag her into the Sage’s chamber. “I…I can’t watch anyone else die!”

“Did you think everyone would live when you set out on this journey?”

Zelda opened her mouth, but her voice caught in her throat as her vision blurred. She struggled to fight back tears as she looked at Impa. If she left now…if Impa didn’t go into the Sage’s chamber with her…

“You are a fine young woman,” Impa said as if she could read Zelda’s thoughts. “You have the courage of your father and the strength of your mother. I know you will succeed. Now go!”

Zelda reached out, tears streaming down her cheeks, before pulling back. She turned around and approached the door ahead, pausing to wipe her face clean.

It was time to face the final Sage.

authordimitrius