Even Shadows must fade.

Sitting cross-legged with his head tucked down and resting on his chest, Arco blinks, staring at the fine weave of his cloak, all too close to his face. He looks up, to see Victor, and listens up to hear the Hylian's voice. Giving himself mental instructions to breathe properly, the man, looking especially grey, pulls himself up to a kneeling position.

"Oh, you've joined us, Victor. Grea..."

His voice fades to a silence as he squints to see how the battle is faring.

"I'm fine, I think. Just... tired," he says. A pause, as he tries to sort out his thoughts. "I think I can walk. Thanks." Unfolding himself laboriously, from one knee to the other to one foot to an almost topple forward to a precarious swaying on two feet, the Sheikah finds himself upright, just as Alpha nears them and speaks his instructions.

Towards the cliff, then!

"Let's go," murmurs Arco--purely to himself--as he stumbles forward. He takes a few steps, then submits to the shaking of his legs and drops back down. A sigh. Lamely, he looks up at Victor.

"Victor--could you spare me a song?"

Victor frowned at the sight. His friend, tumbling. Hearing Arco's request, he nodded.

"Uh...sure, Arco."

Tossing his boomerang nonchalantly at a few Hakiems, Victor used his other hand to take his flute out. The boomerang flying back into his hand (having hit its mark), he placed it on the ground quickly. Taking the flute up to his lips, he began to play.

Nothing special this time, just a quick Sonata of Restoration to heal Arco's wounds. A small, yet still effective, orb of white light rose above Victor's head and flew over to the Sheikah, healing his wounds...

Having been kicked out the way by Shada, he realises that he forgot the fundemental rule of fighting to never turn your back on your opponent he also silghtly resents the fact that she hit him so hard. He watches on as Shada almost dances out the way of the on coming Polymorph.

As she evades the spell, he turns his attention on the Zora who appears to once again not be focused on the battle but seems to be having a war with himself.

He's angry Raven recongises the tells that come with trying to suppress anger, he has seen Red do it many times when he tried to teach him, what in his mind, is a simple move and Raven fails to accomplish the task, with each failed attempt his anger rises, fortunately he does eventually manage to excute the move and that's his training session for the day. One thing the Red has kept telling him is to keep his anger in check, by giving way to anger you lose your concentration, which will lose your life.

As a shot of Polymorph shoots in his direction he rotates ninety degrees, so he is side on to the blast and leaps back as the spell misses him by the narrowest of margins. Using the delay between his spells Raven yells out at Zaboorak: 'Your aim is worst than my Gran's and she's been dead for three years.' and he prepares for retaliation.

'What isss thisss! The fool daresss to mock me? I am Zaboorak, mossst powerful of all Zora, bearer of the power of three Golden Onesss, and the next ruler of thisss world!' Zaboorak's face suddenly seems to go from a mere dark blue to nearly pitch black. The whites of his eyes turn completely black, and his pupils change to dark purple. Dark golden energy suddenly flares up around his body, burning away his robe to reveal the body beneath. His arms' fins look sharp as steel, and his body seems to burst with powerful muscles. Shada backs away in fear as he reveals his true power, shaking the entire mountain range merely by releasing it.

The rumbling of the world forces Karunik back to consciousness. "Oh...what the...?" He coughs loudly as his throat tries to function while still full of dust from the ground. "Zaris...he got me." He looks down at his body, aware that Azador's power is no longer in effect. 'Or is it...' He focuses on his open palm, concentrating with all his might, until a red, gaseous orb appears. Still, he doesn't have the strength to use it to empower himself, so leaning against his sword he silently begins his descent back to the fight. Which isn't easy, considering that the right half of his body is littered with broken bones.

The rumbling also lets Zaris know something. "The time has come. He's made his mistake; now he pays for it."

Alpha glances up to where Zaboorak stands, unleashing his true might. He turns to Victor and Arco, a scared look shadowing his features. "We have to hurry and help them!" he yells before sprinting up the mountainside, completely ignoring the horde of Hakiems that are behind them.

Zaboorak's newly empowered arm raises up, and even though it seems to move slowly a wave of energy bashes into Shada and Raven. "Fools." Zaboorak speaks for the first time since he has undergone his transformation, and it sounds nothing like the Zora who had spoken minutes ago. The former snake-like voice is replaced by one that is far more...monstrous. The new, deeper voice lacks the lisp that Zaboorak's voice had held, and almost seems as if pure evil is speaking through him. "You have wished this upon yourself. Your power is insignificant next to mine. With this knowledge, I call forth the energies of the Goldforce to banish you to the realm that no man can ever return from." A tight, yet menacing smile forms on the Zora's lips. "And know that for all eternity you shall experience the same pain that you are about to experience, for that is the curse that I place upon you. As you wander throughout oblivion, remember that all of this could have been avoided had you simply chosen to allow my reign over this world to come peacefully. Goodbye, foolish mortals, and welcome to immortal suffering." With that, the dark energy seems to gather around his raised arm, swirling around it like a whirlpool.

"GOLDFORCE POWER - ZORA!"

The spiraling energy shoots forward, expanding like as if it were a whirlpool of power, ready to suck Shada and Raven into its grasp and destroy them from within.

'Now.' A black figure races down the hillside, seeming only a streak of black light. Zaris slams into Shada, pushing her out of the way and then kicking at the air in Raven's direction, allowing the shockwave from his leg's strength to push him away from the attack. But he himself does not move. "Goldforce Power Beam!" The symbol of the Triforce appears in front of him, then energy pours out of it. It lances through the center of the Zora Goldforce's Power, smashing through the dark attack and into the Zora, throwing him back against the mountain. The impact shatters the entire area, creating a giant crater behind him.

Zaris looks to the ground, seeing the swarming Hakiems standing in awe of what has happened. The old Sheikah wears a black cloak that reaches to his waist and completely covers his upper body, along with white pants. His face is much like the one Alpha remembered: white hair and a short goatee. Wrinkles form on Zaris’ face as his crimson eyes narrow, surveying his options. "Oh good. More enemies. Just like old times." he says with a voice that seems so strong and powerful that it is hard to believe that he's over a hundred years old. "And just like old times, it's time to defeat them."

Arco looks up at the orb gratefully, as it hovers towards him. At the moment of impact, he closes his eyes, waiting for the light to enshroud him for that one second, when all fatigue, pain, and blood would be swept away.

He stands. After a deep, relaxed breath, he thanks Victor silently, with a subtle salute composed of a slight hand motion and combined with a smile.

Thank you.

Following this, he seems to fall asleep for a few seconds, before coming to life, sweeping out his dagger and holding it up to the light. Metaphoric of its owner's rejuvenation, the wet stains and caked patches of blood on the dark blade drip and crumble off, leaving behind a clean weapon. Bringing this close to his face, Arco--very quickly--licks it, then brings it down to his side again without sheathing it.

Then... the transformation, the shaking, the... Alpha yelling, time to run again...

Keeping his dagger at waist height and flicking it back and forth in wide, horizontal swipes, Arco ducks down and barrels forward after Alpha, cutting a path through the already bewildered and shocked Hakiems...

Let's go, Victor!

Victor smiles back at Arco. There was no need for words, as he understood the Sheikah's silence. Seeing his fellow bard take flight, Victor took up his makeshift shield. Then, before he could think twice, Victor was off; not sure where he was going, simply blindly following Arco. Boomerang at the ready, Victor did not bother to dispose of any Hakiems. He just dodged them gracefully, even leap-frogging some of them to keep up with Arco and Alpha.

As the mountainside came into view, Victor could see a Zora --probably Zaboorak, he thought-- and a black streak of a Sheikah. Before he knew what was happening, Victor stopped cold. He watched as one energy blast overpowered the other, and he stood open-mouthed the foot of the cliff watching as the Zora was slammed into the rock. Not sure what to do, he decided to climb up and get a better view...

Zaris' cool red eyes survey the thousands of Hakiems that are still standing, searching, searching...and not finding. "Good work Alpha. You've gotten all your friends out of the way. Now to finish this." He turns back to the crater. Filled with rocks, there is no sign of Zaboorak, but Zaris knows better than to believe that a shot like that could have destroyed his old foe. "Master!" Zaris turns to look down the hillside as his old apprentice approaches.

Rumble...rumble...

"Alpha! Shada!" Zaris yells as he jerks his head back towards the rocks, "Aid the lone wolf!" Alpha's eyes suddenly gloss over as his training takes over, and he disappears in an instant, leaving little more than smoke-like dust rising where his feet had been. Shada also rears her head upon hearing this.

The stones suddenly explode outward in all directions, and a screaming Zaboorak rushes forward, almost as fast as Zaris had been running mere moments ago. "Fool!" is the only thing that can be heard as boulders the size of Biggoron begin crashing all over the mountainside, forcing the Hakiems that were chasing Alpha, Arco, and Victor to return to flat ground. The Zora charges forward, diamond fins held out to slice Zaris to pieces.

"Elemental Explosion!" Alpha appears to the left of Zaris, and time seems to slow as he puts all his focus into this one orb. He can see the choices before him: a rainbow of elements. He strains to find the one he wants and reaches out to it, before finally grabbing hold. The sphere held in his hands shifts its colors, before finally settling in on the one Alpha had chosen: "Earth!"

Shada is suddenly beside him as well. "Elemental Burst! Earth!" The two attacks pierce the air with blinding speed, racing into Zaboorak, empowered by the element all Zora are weakest against. Without warning, Zaris appears in between the two warriors. "Goldforce Power Beam!"

The mighty blasts tear into the Zora with a force like no other. He topples over the edge of the cliff, falling to the ground in amidst the Hakiems. Several try to come and help him rise to his feet, but all who touch him are instantly consumed by the dark golden fire that still rages around him. They drop to the floor, wishing that they were dead, before disappearing into the world of the Zora's curse. Zaboorak struggles there, at the edge of what had been the battlefield, gripping his now burned chest and arm.

"Master," Zaris turns his head to Alpha, flashing a smile in his direction before leaping down to the center of all the Hakiems. As he reaches the ground, the Hakiems all grow silent, contemplating their choice. 'Run!' many think, yet will not until they see someone else lead the retreat. 'Attack!' others say, but the same predicament befalls them. 'Help Lord Zaboorak...' that one is rejected instantly as they remember what had happened to their fellows.

And now it is too late.

As Zaris stands before the fearful warriors, a shimmer of light is seen around him, growing steadily brighter as the seconds drag on. All thoughts of attacking are lost, and several Hakiems begin trying to push their way through the crowds. Most, however, are frozen in dread. The light increases until it encases the Sheikah completely, then a beam shoots upwards to the heavens. As the Hakiems closest to Zaris back away in awe and in terror, the sky suddenly glows golden, and from two parting clouds comes the symbol of the Triforce. Rotating as it descends, it touches the ground silently, yet the dust that flies into the air as a result foreshadows the Golden Sheikah's intent. Silently lifting his head towards the heavens, as if he is praying to the goddesses themselves, his voice bellows out his command.

"GOLDFORCE POWER WAVE!"

The glowing symbol at Zaris' feet suddenly unleashes its power with a deafening roar. A tsunami of pure golden energy leaps upward into the sky, forming an impenetrable wall that stretches outward in all directions. Those Hakiems closest are the first the feel its wrath, as they feel their skin being torn apart - only to feel no pain as their nerves are destroyed simultaneously. The Hakiems turn and flee as fast as they can, but within seconds the attack washes over them as well, obliterating them in a second.

Zaboorak gets back to his feet as the energy approaches. Narrowing his eyes, he stretches both arms outward towards the wave. "Get behind me if you desire your pitiful lives," are the words that flow from his mouth. The dark golden flames form around his arms again, but instead of swirling around they leap out in front of their master.

"Goldforce Power - Goron!"

The flames suddenly converge together as the wave hits...and fails to penetrate. If anyone had a good view, they would see that the flames had taken the form of a shield - one that looked remarkably similar to the back of a rolled up Goron. Zaboorak strains, feeling the force of the wave smashing against his shield as if Zaris himself is right there, trying to beat it down with his body.

Finally, after several seconds of intense pressure, Zaris lowers his head, and the energy disappears. The Triforce symbol fades away from the ground, as does the golden glow that had covered Zaris and had filled the sky. Zaboorak lowers his shield, letting himself fall to one knee.

Alpha surveys the area in awe. "Gone..." And it's true. For in the aftermath of the Goldforce Power Wave, all of the Hakiems are gone, save those few dozen who had been lucky enough to find shelter behind Zaboorak's shield. Looking over the former battlefield, Shada too realizes that there is now not even a hint all of what had transpired. There is no trace of an army or of a battle; the land is smooth as glass, and any evidence of the Hakiems' existence is gone, completely disintegrated by the Goldforce.

Alpha alone can find his voice, and he turns to the others, face grim. "Let's clean up."

Having been knocked back by the shockwave he rolls backwards and back up onto his feet as the Shiekah blasts the Zora into the mountain. He waits wondering what's going to happen next.

He doesn't have to wait long as the rocks suddenly blast out from the crater and the Zora dashes out at an almost unimaginable speed. As the rocks start to fall back down to earth Raven keeps his eye on the sky as they crash down around him.

When he sees there are no more boulders to fall, he looks back down on what's going on around him and sees the Shiekah jump off the side of the mountain, moments later a beam shoots up into the sky and the symbol of the Triforce appears and slowly descends past the lip of the cliff and out of his vision.

He walks up to the edge of the cliff and sees the Zora has created a shield which blocks a wave of golden energy, the wave and the shield soon after dissapate and he sees that the once near infinite army of Hakiems have gone, even those who bodies had littered the battlefield had gone and only few remain hiding behind the Zora.

He hears Alpha's voice and agrees it's time this battle was ended and begins to leap down the ledges on the cliffside to get back down to the ground to finish the Hakiems that remain.

Zaris walks cautiously forward as Zaboorak sits there on a single knee. "Give it up, Zora."

Zaboorak looks up confidently as the Sheikah approaches. He slowly stands up, arms hanging limply by his sides, as if they have no energy left in them. "That's Golden Zora to you, Zaris." His voice is still one that commands obedience and fear, though his body is no longer covered with the dark golden flames.

Zaris lets off a loud laugh that is obviously meant to be sarcastic. "Please. There isn't much left within you that could be described as 'golden', Zaboorak. After serving Ganon for over 200 years, I doubt that anyone could have much good remaining."

"Why do you mention that pig? I left his service three years ago, right before his most recent death. I control my own life once again." He brings up his arms, flexes his muscles, and the dark golden flames slowly seep out of the creases in his skin to cover his body again. "And now I am in control of all of yours as well!

"GOLDFORCE POWER - FAIRY!" The bright flames envelop him completely until you cannot see his features at all. Zaris takes a single step backwards, entering a fighting position as he waits for Zaboorak to emerge once again. "Well," his deep and evil voice says from within the inferno, "it appears that my newest power works like a charm." The fire dies down, revealing Zaboorak competely healed of any and all injuries that he had previously held. He lets off a slow chuckle.

"That may be, but you do realize it comes with a price, yes?"

"A miniscule price for one with my power!"

Alpha jumps down with the others and looks around to see what is happening. In the distance, he spots the remaining Hakiems fleeing towards Ruto Town, throwing down their swords as they run - basically saying that they are leaving the Hakiems. Alpha expects that within the next twenty-four hours they'll all be dead. "What price are they talking about, Keyru?" Alpha turns to look at Shada and the rest of the people behind him.

He cringes as he thinks about the effects of the Fairy Goldforce. "Well, it's not pretty. Basically, by using it, Zaboorak just converted most of his magical energy into health. He's been fully healed. And it won't be as easy to get him hurt again." He looks over his shoulder at her. "Good news is that he probably used up all his magic to heal himself. Any long range techniques are probably useless now. His only choice is to attack close up -"

As if on cue, Zaboorak launches himself at Zaris, closing the distance between them with incredible speed. His forearms' fins suddenly fly out before him like swords of steel, slicing through the air with the same speed. A whistling noise can be heard as they rush through the air, aiming for Zaris' skin...but never hitting. The silver blades dart through the air, but Zaris merely steps out of their path with surprising ease.

"We're still going to help him, right?" Shada continues.

Alpha flashes her a smile. "Of course." He turns to the rest of the group. "Make sure that none of that fire touches your bodies. It's not a real flame; it's magical. Clothes can touch it without burning, but you'll disappear from this world if your skin touches it." He suits his actions to his words and races at the battling two, whipping out his staff and swinging it around above his head.

Shada quickly joins him, daggers in one hand and a bright, brownish orb in the other. "Okay! Elemental Burst! Earth!" Zaris leaps upward with ease as the attack hits its target, but as the smoke clears it is obvious that it has done little or no damage. Zaboorak brings his arm to block Alpha's staff, then throws him back to the ground.

Victor had just climbed back down the mountain to dispose of the few leftover Hakiems when he saw them fleeing. Raising his boomerang triumphantly, Victor was about to proclaim their victory when he caught a bright flash out of the corner of his eye. Turning to get a full view, he saw Zaboorak enveloped in flames, then healed once more. Mumbling incoherently, Victor stomped back up the mountain and reached the cliff in time to hear Alpha's quick explanation of Zaboorak's new weakness.

"No long range, eh?" Victor thought. "That just may give me a little bit of an edge..."

Then, the young bard shook the long dead Hakiem from his bloodied dagger and let the corpse tumble down the cliffside. Wiping some excess blood on his cloak, Victor then sheathed the dagger once more. Finally, after rearing back a little, the bard flung his arm forward and released his boomerang. Watching it soar through the air towards Zaboorak's head, he hoped against hope that it would do some damage...

Zaboorak towers over Alpha's fallen form, golden fire burning even brighter in anticipation. "Prepare for the beginning, fool. The beginning of ultimate agony." He brings his right arm behind him and swings it down at Alpha's face.

Victor's boomerang sweeps in at just the right moment, catching Zaboorak right in the nose and jerking the Zora's head around. His arm stops mere inches from Alpha, but the force of the attack continues onward, slamming into the Sheikah and forcing him eight feet into the ground. 'Well, that was fun...'

Zaboorak brings his head around easily, revealing the fact that while the boomerang had hit him, it didn't even scrape any of his skin off. He stares at Victor for a second. "So, you wish to enter the realm of pain first? Very well, fool -"

Zaris comes in with blinding speed, leaping into the air and smashing his left leg into the Zora with a crescent kick. Still airborne, the Sheikah master spins and lands another mighty blow onto his back, pitching the Zora forward and causing him to cough up blood. He drops to the floor and sweeps Zaboorak's legs with his own, then catches him with another blow to the stomach. Zaboorak flies back into the air, trailing golden fire. After the third second since he began fighting again, Zaris too soars upward.

Zaboorak turns in the air, stretching out with both of his arms. "GOLDFORCE POWER - ZORA!" Twin cyclones of energy, one from each arm, rip down at Zaris, engulfing him instantly and hurling him back to the floor. They last for several seconds, tearing away at the earth beneath and ripping it apart. Alpha, struggling up from the ground, slaps his forehead. 'Idiot! You forgot that the Goldforce doesn't use its weilder's magic! He still has his most powerful long range attack!'

The waves finally die down, showing that Zaris remains on his feet, seemingly unscathed. Zaboorak lands several yards away, anger evident in his eyes."So be it. Back to my original goal: destroy you Zaris, and afterwards everyone you care for. Your Power is great. Too great for me to remain patient any longer. I'm through playing around."

"As you wish, Zaboorak," Zaris speaks confidently. "But you know, if you want me to start taking you seriously you really ought to give me a reason to." A smirk comes to the old man's lips. "Until then, I'll continue to toy with my weak and pitiful prey as I desire." As the Zora fumes, the corner of his eye spots Shada rushing over to help Alpha out of his hole. He sighs as he catches a glimpse of his old student. 'Alpha...still reckless, it appears. Well, maybe that blow knocked some sense back into you.' He turns his focus back to the flaming Zora. 'Stay focused, Zaris.'

His stray look does not go unnoticed. 'He is struggling to concentrate...time to capitalize on the fool's greatest weakness.' Enraged, Zaboorak charges forward, fins already slicing through the air. Again Zaris merely steps out of the way, but is shocked by the grin on the Zora's face. "You want to see my strength? Fine, fool. GOLDFORCE POWER - ZORA!" He left arm extends, and the swirling vortex flies outward - heading straight towards Victor and the others.


High above them, Karunik slowly collapses to his knees. "Coby!" The young boy, the lone survivor of the Hakiems, hears his master and runs up the hillside. "Coby...I need..."

"I got it, Master," the boy quickly cuts him off. He pushes his hands onto Karunik's chest. "Favor of the Goddesses..." The young Hylian's hands glow for a second, and suddenly waves of energy - green, blue, and red - wash over the Sheikah's body.

A smirk grows on Karunik's lips as he stands tall again. "Thank you Coby. Don't know what I'd do without you, my student." He gazes down at the battlefield. He stops, stunned for a second by the sight of...nothing. "What? Where are all of my men!" His gaze falls to Coby and he drops to one knee, placing his hands on Coby's shoulders. "What happened while I was gone?"

It happened in mere seconds.

Victor watched as the swirling mass of energy came closer and closer, heading straight for him. It was at this point that the Hylian had an out-of-body experience. It was as if he was watching a play, with himself as one of the actors. He watched as the beam hit him. Watched as he fell to the ground, his faithful boomerang returning to his side with a thud against the floor. Then came the pain, and Victor was back inside of his own body again.

The bard made no effort at healing. The pain was so great that he could hardly feel it. Woozily, Victor propped himself up on one elbow and attempted to put away his boomerang. But he was too weak, and so he simply fell to the ground again. Still managing consciousness, however, Victor could see everyone else from his position...

OOC: Alright, this is my final post for MS VI. Thanks to everyone who’s participated, and blah, blah, blah. Yeah, let’s just get to the ending.

Sorry for the god-modding towards the end. Hope no one minds too much.


IC:
Alpha stands mere feet away from Zaris and Zaboorak, staring at how helpless Victor seems. The whirling energy struck straight home, smashing through the bard’s body, and Alpha could only imagine the pain that his friend must be experiencing.

“Zaboorak!” Zaris yells, renewed with a just anger at the dark Zora. Zaboorak’s face swings back from looking at his prey to his predator, just in time for his neck to snap back as the Sheikah master’s kick collides with his chin. He flies through the air and Zaris runs to where Victor lies on the ground, burned all over. He leans down next to him as Shada also rushes over, putting her hands on the bard’s neck. She sags with relief. “He’s alive,” she reports. Zaris stares as the man, genuinely surprised. Happy, but astonished. “Incredible. He must have a great deal of potential if he was able to survive an attack from one of the Goldforce Powers…”

“Za - Zaris!” Comes the Zora’s voice from behind. All turn as one to see Zaboorak, standing weakly – with one arm wrapped around Alpha’s neck, and his hand mere centimeters from Alpha’s face, just waiting for his flames to touch it. From underneath his hood – which has been covering his head for the entire time – Alpha’s fear is evident. ‘Darn it…he came up behind me too fast…and there aren’t even enough shadows here to escape to the Void with…’

“Let him go, Zaris! Your fight is with me, and me alone!” Zaris says, standing again defiantly. He begins to walk forward, but is stopped by the Zora.

“Not another step, Golden Sheikah! Or I’ll destroy your student.” He licks his lips, revealing his desire to send another being into infinite pain and suffering. “And you’re so very, very wrong. My fight is not only with you; it is with all the Golden Ones, as well as those who could possibly inherit those powers. If you were to die while I wasn’t around to collect what should be mine –” he growls in irritation as he said this, “– then your power would probably enter into this one’s body, and he would become the Golden Sheikah! And that is something I will not allow.”

“Ma-master!” Alpha yells as silence covered the area, “Forget about me! Stop this madma-” He stops short as Zaboorak elbows him in the stomach, and his face drops within dangerous range of the flames.

“Fine! You wish to go now? So be it!” Zaboorak yells. He releases the Sheikah from his choke and grabs his shirt with his left arm. As he whips the hood off of Alpha’s head, he faces back towards Zaris, Shada, and the others. He rears his right hand back, ready to strike his flaming, clawed fingers into the scarred Sheikah’s face. “Say goodbye!”

Time slows for all. Zaris begins running forward again, enraged by the thought of losing his apprentice…and his friend. Shada’s hands fly up to her mouth, reaching to cover her eyes as well, yet torn between the desire to see Keyru one last time and the hatred of seeing his death. The others can do nothing but stand there and stare as the one who had brought them all together that day to fight evil prepares to pay for it.

The Zora’s hand swings around and reaches up for Alpha’s face. Yet his eyes fall upon the Sheikah first, and as they do so, the motion jerks to an immediate stop. Their eyes lock onto each other’s: grim acceptance in one’s, shocked dread in the other’s. One’s mouth falls as he sees the familiarity. His voice comes out, nearly choked by the startling sight.

“Wraith?”

Zaris’ leg brings time back into focus as it smashes into the Zora’s arm. Alpha falls to the ground, panting, while Zaboorak staggers back from the force of the blow, clutching his injured limb. Unrestrained wrath fills the Sheikah’s quick, decisive movements, as he charges forward, taking full advantage of Zaboorak’s lack of control. Kicks hammer into the Zora’s entire body, and he continues to fall backwards from the unleashing of punishment that whirls around and smashes into him like a hurricane. Zaris’ attacks are almost too quick to be seen, appearing as white flashes of light as he strikes several times a second.

With a fury that has not been seen in the Sheikah before, Zaris comes in close to the Zora and hops upward, turning the short jump into a spinning vertical kick that sends Zaboorak up into the air. While anyone else would scream in pain, Zaris’ blows have long since rendered that function impossible for his enemy, and all that he can do is struggle to draw in enough air to keep himself conscious. Zaris lands, and remains still long enough for the others to see that he is glowing again – his face and his clothes have begun to shine with an unnatural light. Immediately Master Zaris jumps high into the air, following the Zora several hundred feet into the air. “You want my Power, Zaboorak?” his enraged voice calls out. “Let’s see if you can handle such might!

“GOLDFORCE POWER – SHEIKAH!”

The glow that had merely been like cloth before suddenly surrounds him entirely, until the energy covers him like a cloak – making all his features indistinguishable in its light. Zaboorak’s eyes widen as the truly Golden Sheikah approaches him in midair, and suddenly the Goldforce Power kicks in. Energy beams burst forward in ten different directions, surrounding the Zora from all sides. His fearful eyes shoot from energy orb to energy orb, until they begin to take on a new shape.

Within seconds, Zaboorak is surrounded by eleven identical figures, ten of them clones of the image of the shining Master Zaris, and the real one hidden within their midst. “So which one of us is real, Zora?” The voice seems to come from all directions, from each one of the energy clones. “Guess you’ll have to find out the hard way!”

From his left side one suddenly swoops in to strike, but Zaboorak’s fin slices through the falsehood, though not easily. The sky is instantly filled with the golden figures darting back and forth through the air, the Zora struggling to dodge them all and failing miserably. Blow after blow lands on his already weakened frame, yet he hardly feels the attacks at all.

One comes from his left, punching his chest with its toe and spinning away from his return assault. Two more come after him, one landing a kick to his face and the other to his right knee. His fins slash through one of the clones, but the other escapes unscathed. One lands on his back and bites his shoulder, and as the pain courses through the Zora’s flame the fire surrounding him burns away the clone. Attack after attack comes, and while he is able to rid himself of one or two more of the pests, the majority manages to out-glide him every time.

‘Wait for it…’ Another golden figure hit the arm that Zaris had kicked earlier. ‘Wait for it…’ Another came from behind just as the first one left, giving a crescent kick to his jaw. ‘Wait for it…’

Zaboorak, fighting the energy clones with all his remaining strength, still somehow has enough time to take a mental pictograph of the surroundings. A few moments and a few attacks later, his mind finishes scanning the image, and he realizes the truth. As he came to the height of his aerial flight, he looks straight above him, to the one shinning figure that has remained outside of the sphere of fighting.

‘Now!’ The true Zaris shoots downward like a rocket towards the Zora. Zaboorak tries to bring up his hands to block the Sheikah’s strike, but the remaining clones immediately surge forward, grabbing his arms and legs and holding him fast. They burn away only four seconds after they latch on to him, but it's long enough.

Zaris’ foot touches down on the Zora’s forehead. In the space of a second, Zaris’ golden energy suddenly leaves him, flowing down like a fountain to the one spot where the two Golden Ones have touch. Zaris pushes off with his foot, leaping skyward again, and leaves Zaboorak’s eyes, full of dread, focused on the small orb of condensed power.

The biggest explosion of the battle rages outward like a star going supernova, its full force thundering through the Zora’s body and draining him of all the life it could take hold of. Zaboorak finally remembers how to scream, and the blood-curdling yell is heard throughout the entire range of the Ruto Mountains. Above, Zaris watches in grim satisfaction by the attack, while he prepares for his final strike.

The explosion dies down about a minute later. With it no longer holding him in place, the semi-conscious Zora, shrouded now by smoke rather than fire, falls to the ground. One eye closed, he slowly looks up to where Zaris glides downward, golden triangles burning brightly in front of his body. “GOLDFORCE POWER BEAM!” The energy ray flies forward, engulfing the Zora and sending him straight to the ground.

The beam dies down seconds later, and Zaboorak is seen lying unconscious amidst the rubble of the shattered ground. His transformation is undone: while still just as muscular, his body is now the normal light blue of the Zora people, and his fin no longer looks nearly as sharp. Fin is the right term, for the beam has completely burned off his left fin, leaving no trace of what had been there before.

Zaris touches down on the ground and immediately collapses into a heap, all his energy completely drained from his body. Yet his face glows with satisfaction as the others approach. “Finish him…he’s too weak. You can kill him now…” Alpha slowly draws his staff, walking forward slowly but surely.

“Stop right there, Keyru Varaudo!” a voice yells. Karunik leaps in front of the Sheikah’s path. He nods his head angrily, yet with due respect, towards them. “It appears you have won this fight, Sheikah. I shall now be taking Lord Zaboorak back with me.” As he says this, Coby runs down the hillside to where Zaboorak lies, and struggles a bit before lifting the Zora on to his back.

“Please, Karunik. Like I’m really going to leave this job unfinished –”

“You have no choice, Sheikah!” He holds up his hand, showing the orb of glowing red smoke that still resides within him. “One wrong move and I’ll make use of this! You’re all too weak to offer much resistance, and - don’t even think about that!” He yells as Alpha’s hands move to his chest, preparing a Life spell. “You doubt my abilities? I can have you dead by the time that spell is ready to use. I’m offering something you aren’t worthy of – another day of Zaris’ life – in exchange for that of the Golden Zora’s. That’s more than he deserves, self-righteous fool!

“He killed my father. For that, I shall never forgive him. Or you!” Karunik yells, with true rage in his eyes. Slowly he composes himself, in time for the others to walk forward and stand side to side with Alpha. He opens his eyes again, nodding at those who have fought during the day. “And do not think we shall forget about any of you, either,” he says more calmly. “Grenada, Arco, Raven, and Victor, you have now incurred the Hakiems’ wrath. You have taken life, and may you live the few days that remain before you in fear of this fact: it shall be taken from you as well.

“Of this be certain: the Hakiems never forget to pay their debts. We are the snake, silent but deadly. We are the owl, seeing through the darkness. And we are the wolf, loyal, and vengeful, to the end. You have gained our hatred,” he says, bringing his other hand above his head. “And you shall pay for it.” He swings his fist down, releasing the Deku Nut within it onto the ground. The bright flash blinds all present, and when the light fades the threesome, Karunik, Coby, and the unconscious Zaboorak, have vanished as well, gone without a trace.



Alpha hangs his head as he walks to Zaris. “I’m sorry, Master. They got away. Again.” His fists are clenched tightly together.

With Shada’s help, Zaris stands again. “Not your fault, Alpha. Not any of your faults,” he says, nodding to the others. “The day will come when Zaboorak gets his due. And until then, we must press onward. Though I am sorry that you had to get involved. The Hakiems are not a weak foe, and they are relentless in getting revenge.” He suddenly staggers, falling forward. Alpha puts out his hands to catch the man, but Zaris mysteriously slips through them, and the apprentice is forced to shoot his knee up to grasp his master. “What?” He slowly lowers Zaris to the ground and removes the tattered black cloak that the Sheikah has worn throughout the fight. Beneath is an almost sickening sight to those who aren’t used to it: bandages are wrapped around his chest, including two places in particular.

Alpha stares into his master’s shamed yet smiling face. “Master! You…you lost the other one too?”

Zaris simply laughs at the remark. “Sorry, Alpha. Yes, I lost the right one a few months after you left me.” He moves his upper body up and down several times, trying to do something but obviously unable to with his wounds. “Well, that’s supposed to be a shrug, but not having any arms hinders the movement somewhat.” Indeed, his arms are completely gone, his shoulder seemingly cut in half. It’s odd to see this, and Shada is the only one who doesn’t feel any sorrow for him.

“Well!” Zaris says after a few seconds. “I guess we’d best head back to your little hideout, eh Shada?”

She nods, and motions to the others. “Care to join us? We’ll want to take the caravan to Rauru; it’s a little east of there.” Helping Zaris up, she and Alpha support the elder as they head towards Ruto, and from there to Rauru. And as they go, Alpha can only feel happiness in his heart. ‘What little family I have…is finally together again.’

Once the battle was finally over, Victor was finally able to struggle to his feet. Managing a Favor of the Goddesses - his second this battle - the bard gained some of his strength back; enough to walk, at least. Quickly, he made a head count. Everyone seemed to be fine.

As the group began to move towards Ruto Town, Victor followed. He spoke not a word, but a smile on his face showed just how happy he was that it was finally over...

hmmm, bad very bad
no good guys are dead.
Azador investigates the battle field.
That Zaboorak has powers of a... a god.
It's a good thing i am not at the good side this time.
But still...., the gods will not allow this to happen wouldn't they.
His little army can't face three gods.
.....
It's dangerous... this place doesn't feel save
I must go, rest in peace dead...