The Legend of Hilda: Her Wish Chapter 14

The air in Misery Mire had grown unusually cool that night. The celebration ended and the sorceresses retreated to their huts, all except Fayre, who stayed out to watch the stars. She was enjoying the last bit of warmth the bonfire offered when she received unexpected company. She soon had a bad feeling about her two visitors. The twin hags must have been centuries old. Although appearing frail and withered, Fayre sensed that nothing could be further from the truth about these women. They immediately made their intentions clear with little introduction.

"That mark..." The old crone's voice melded with the crackle of the fire. "He is the Demon King reborn. You will hand him over to us, yes?"

Fayre gripped the bundle in her arms tighter, wrapping her lithe fingers around the newborn's tiny hand to hide the mysterious golden triangle. How could she have known so little about what evil dwelled within her tiny village of women? She contemplated what she'd say. Her mouth began to form the words, but no sound came forth.

Fayre's eyes shot open. Before her was a sight most unwanted.

"Did you know your son almost died yesterday?" Kotake's voice was as cold and brittle as ice.

Fayre blinked, dismayed with how empty her arms felt. The weight and warmth she'd felt just moments ago was gone. She was still in a sleepy haze, and a little annoyed that these two old curs woke her from a somewhat pleasant dream. It took a moment for Kotake's words to register in Fayre's mind, and when they did it felt as if she were falling.

"What?" Her voice was hollow.

She unwrapped her arms from around herself and sat up, trying to adjust to the dim light in her hut. Outside her window, the moon reflected off the murky waters of the swamp.

"Such a pity you left the temple so soon yesterday. We went ahead and resumed our visions without you."

Anger and resentment welled up in her. How many moments of his life had they seen that she hadn't? Their cruelty knew no bounds.

"W-will you show me?" She wanted so badly not to plead with them, but that was proving impossible.

"Are you sure that is wise, Fayre?"

"What? What are you talking about?" Fayre said almost losing her composure. She didn't have time for Koume's mind games. "I just want to know he's safe... I have to see for myself."

"As you wish. Yuga's your son, after all. We'll show you on one condition."

"Which is?" She asked, without hesitation.

"We have a plan to bring Yuga back to Misery Mire. All we ask is your continued cooperation."

"R-really?" Fayre's eyes lit up. "Wait... You're not still thinking of harming the princess are you?"

"Oh goodness no. We've got something else in mind for her. Hohohoho."

Fayre didn't like the way Koume worded that. Why was it so funny to her?

"So, what is your answer?" Koume asked after a long pause from Fayre.

"I... I'd like to know more."

"We'll explain in a little bit, my dear. You want him back, don't you? By any means necessary?"

Fayre swallowed. Her throat was bone dry. "Yes."

"I'm glad you understand your place, Fayre..." Koume's thin lips curled into a smile. With a flick of her bony wrist, an orb manifested and floated towards Fayre.

It began with a knight running down an ornate, but dark corridor in terror from a mad artist. A fight broke out, drawing the attention of other knights and servants. The princess appeared at the top of the foyer stairs to entreat the artist. The knight, seeing his opportunity to strike rushed at his opponent, sword in hand. It ended with the princess preserving the artist in a crystal just moments before the knight's sword shattered against the pristine glass surface. The enraged princess lashed out at the knight with a swift slap to the face. It defied every expectation Fayre had. As the vision flickered and faded away, she knew this one was both the most terrible and the most beautiful vision she'd seen.

Yuga was alive, thanks to the Princess. For that, Fayre was grateful. This was a most welcome surprise - a miracle even. To withhold emotion at that moment was next to impossible.

"You see... She is not as expendable as you thought."

"I don't care that she saved him, and neither should you! That wench is leading him on!" Koume growled.

Fayre began to feel uneasy again. Should she have just said nothing?

"You see what the world is coming to, Koume? For countless generations, the sorceresses have stolen the hearts of Lorulean men, and now their princess is stealing our king!" Kotake exclaimed.

"It's a good thing we have a plan to remedy that, isn't it, Sister?"

Fayre wished she knew what they were talking about, but dreaded the moment when she'd find out.

The three continued to talk for the longest time about the vision. The boy who held the Triforce of Reason was the hero, or at least Koume and Kotake were certain of it. A vision many years ago had shown the boy's first meeting with the princess – much to Yuga's dismay.

Fayre couldn't help but feel her anger burn against this supposed hero - although she knew it was irrational. It was Yuga who started the fight, after all. No, she thought, he attacked while Yuga was distracted - which was unforgivable in her eyes.

"I thought heroes were supposed to be courageous and fair."

"Things aren't always what they seem in Lorule, my dear. And you are right to be concerned. We possess knowledge beyond what is told in legends. The hero always has a hand in the downfall of each incarnation of His Grace." Koume warned. "We've waited many years to aid him. We must not let him fail. The good news is that he still shows enmity towards the hero. It suits him well. Unfortunately, he isn't as powerful as he should be and he was defeated. If you had handed him over years ago, we could have brought him up properly. He would not be in this debacle of a situation he's in now."

Fayre ignored the criticism, knowing she wouldn't take any of it back. Although, she had to admit if there was a way to bring Yuga back to Misery Mire it was too tempting an opportunity to pass up. She would go to him now if she were able. Still, she couldn't help shake the crawling suspicion that the witches were going to do something reprehensible to the princess.

Goddesses help me.

"So... Are you going to tell me about this plan?"

oOo

"Why is it you wear that bunny hood, boy?"

Ravio raised his head. From under his hood, he saw the waitress staring at him. She cocked her head to the side as if trying to get a peek at his face. Not answering her question, he lifted the hood of his robe and let the rabbit ears flop behind him, leaving them formless. He didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he stared down at the empty jug of milk on the well worn wooden counter in front of him.

"Ah, that's much better, don't you think?" The girl giggled.

"Airalon! Stop pestering the customers and get back to work! Cripes!" Ingo grumbled.

"Yes, Uncle!"

The moment Ingo turned his head, Airalon shot him a nasty look. She began to make her rounds among the other patrons, making sure their milk jugs were full.

Ravio kept his head down, listening to the chatter around him. Airalon was giggling and commanding much of the attention in the milk bar. Already the customers - especially the men- seemed to adore her. Ravio caught bits and pieces of information. She'd grown up on a ranch with her father. The milk sold at the bar was a product of the ranch, or so she claimed. This was her first job away from the ranch. Listening helped fill the time as Ravio waited for the captain.

Ravio extended his hand from the long sleeve of his robe, casting a glance at the bracelet, which he now refused to take off. There was no longer any lingering doubt about his identity as the hero. Yuga had used the word 'hero' and 'worm' interchangeably when referring to the past heroes. That was how Ravio knew he was talking about him. He was still trying to make sense of everything he'd heard, but he was far too disturbed to share it with anyone, even the captain. Especially the captain! If he heard what Yuga had confessed to Hilda, he'd never let Ravio hear the end of it. The captain thrived on gossip, and knowing him, he'd even pay the bards to make a song of it. Ravio shuddered.

The only appropriate person to talk about such matters was Hilda herself, but as long as Yuga held influence over her, Ravio didn't want to be anywhere near the princess.

There were often tales of the heroes possessing the same soul to protect the descendants of the goddess, but Ravio never gave it any serious thought until now... Why is it that Yuga remembers so much, but he didn't remember anything? How much more was there that he didn't know? The possibilities were endless and it frightened Ravio.

If somehow Ravio could push his destiny onto somebody else, he knew he'd do it in a heartbeat, which was a vague reason why Ravio was waiting at this bar. Perhaps the captain wasn't the portrait of wisdom, but Ravio thought the older man more courageous than he. Maybe he could convince the captain to do what he was unwilling to do himself.

At last, the barrel-chested man with the purple bobbed haircut arrived and took his place next to Ravio.

"How come I didn't see you in the training yard today?"

"My sword is broken," Ravio mumbled.

"That's no excuse. I got plenty to spare."

Ravio knew he wasn't getting out of this. He decided to tell the truth. "I'm not going back. I can't stand him!"

"Who, the royal nursemaid?" The captain gave a hearty laugh, placing his hand on Ravio's shoulder.

Ravio didn't laugh. "Yeah... Mr. Perfect," he said disdain clear in his voice.

"Mr. Perfect, huh?" The captain almost snorted. "Is that what you're calling him now? He did stir up quite a royal mess, didn't he? But you held your own against him, did you not? I'm proud of you, boy. Too bad I wasn't there sooner. I would have paid a good rupee to see you put him in his place."

"Captain, I... I just did what I had to. I hate him. And Her Highness always takes his side. How does she do that?"

"He does have a way with her, doesn't he?"

"Can't you see he has no place at her side? You of all people should do something."

The captain shrugged. "The servants are all agog with rumors and my men are afraid of him now. All I can do is tell them that the princess knows what's best. As much as I'd like to see him go, I must abide by the princess's orders. She was adamant about dealing with him herself." The captain grinned and shook his head. "I wonder what punishment she has in store for him? Perhaps he really is cooling his heels... in her chambers," the captain chuckled.

How could the captain make crass jokes at a time like this? Ravio felt sick to his stomach, and the bard's cheerful music wasn't making it any easier. He felt like he was going to lose his mind and his lunch.

"Excuse me, Captain... I think I drank too much milk. I need to step outside."

As Ravio exited the bar, Sheerow flew down from the bar's roof and alighted on his shoulder. The bird greeted him by nuzzling into his plush blue and black scarf. It was like the bird had been patiently waiting for him. Ravio smiled, even if only a little.

"Sorry, Buddy. I totally forgot to get your bread crumbs, but there's still plenty of bird seed at the house. My mind's been preoccupied lately... Let's say we go home and get some rest. Maybe tomorrow I'll set out to become a traveling merchant like I've been meaning to. There's got to be more than Lorule, right?"

As Ravio turned in the direction of his house, Sheerow chirped and took flight, heading north.

"Hey wait!"

Sheerow trilled to Ravio as its melody grew further away. It was as if the bird was asking him to follow.

Ravio gave a heavy sigh and lurched after the bird. He wasn't in the mood for this. Not one bit.

Sheerow continued to the edge of town with Ravio in pursuit. Somehow Ravio had found the energy to pick up his pace until he was running at a full sprint. Already countless people in the street had given him funny looks. He knew he must have looked ridiculous for more reasons than one.

When he realized where Sheerow was leading him, he no longer cared who was staring.

"Sheerow, No! Don't go in there!" Ravio's shouts went ignored as the white and blue bird disappeared into Skull Woods.

The urge to vomit had never been greater as Ravio stood at the edge of the woods, holding his side. He broke out into a cold sweat and he knew why. He hadn't forgotten that mysterious figure he'd seen just days prior. He'd ignored it and hadn't told a soul of what he'd seen. He hadn't even written about it in his journal. But he'd never forget. As he stared into the gloom he wondered if the rumors about these woods were true. He wasn't interested in finding out either.

"Hey! You're going to come back out, right Buddy?" Ravio called into the woods. Nothing. Ravio's shoulders slumped. Sheerow had led him there on purpose. Ravio was sure of it. That or Sheerow had a death wish.

What am I supposed to do? I don't even have a sword anymore.

All was quiet until Ravio heard Sheerow resume his trilling. But this time it was louder and more insistent. Right then his concern for his bird overtook any concern for himself as he dashed into the woods and down a winding path, strewn with bones of both humans and animals. Further in he noticed what appeared to be the rib cage of what once must have been some massive, ancient beast. The rib cage was so large that it formed an arch-like structure over the path. As Ravio passed under it, he had to admit he was relieved he hadn't come across such a creature while it was alive.

Or maybe such creatures still exist... They're just lurking in some deep, dark place in the depths of Lorule...

Reaching a clearing, Ravio stopped dead in his tracks. For what he saw made his heart lurch. He didn't dare move.

There was Sheerow - perched on the shoulder of the skeletal figure.

Ravio's breathing hitched and he struggled to speak. The sight was horrifying enough the first time, but now he was just mere feet away. He could scarcely get his tongue or lips to cooperate with his brain.

"Sheerow, get away from him..." His words were just above a whisper and much too high to be acknowledged as a serious command.

The figure took a step towards him. Ravio backed away, raising his hands in front of him.

"Stay back!" Ravio toppled backward as his heel came in contact with a tree root. He landed hard, scraping his palms against the earth.

The area where the figure's face would have been began to cloud over, obscuring the skull. As the miasma lifted, the face of a living man smiled back at Ravio. The man had kind features – bushy dark eyebrows, emerald eyes, and soft crinkles etched into his visage.

"Be still, my son."

Ravio's jaw dropped. Ravio knew exactly what his father looked like, and he didn't look a thing like this man. In fact, this man looked more like himself than anyone else.

"W-Who are you?" Ravio asked, although he already knew. He was too absorbed in disbelief to say anything else.

"Surely you recognize me. We share the same soul. My life ended centuries ago, and now... Here you are, at last..."

Ravio pulled himself back up to his feet, not taking his eyes off the man that stood before him.

"You..." The man continued. "You are the hero of this land - just as I was. No amount of denial will change that. It is time you awakened as the hero."

Out of the corner of his eye, Ravio noticed Sheerow perched on his own shoulder. He breathed an uneasy sigh of relief, his heartbeat already returning to its normal rhythm.

"Already you've fought the greatest evil of Lorule."

Ravio's eyes darkened. "Yes... and he's still alive thanks to Her Highness..." Ravio spoke before he had a moment to filter his words. He felt a pang of guilt as soon as the words left his mouth.

The man gave him a sympathetic look. "You have a reasonable mind, my son, but your heart is clouded from resentment."

"You did better?" Ravio snapped.

"Far from it... I harbored the same feelings as you... I uncovered a scheme of the princess's attendant and went to the king with proof of his treachery. He was executed at the king's behest. I was recognized as the hero by the whole kingdom. I had the princess's gratitude – or so she claimed. I'd convinced myself I did it for her well being, yet..."

"Yet?"

"There was a saying in our time – 'to bless with half your soul and curse with the other'. This applied to my princess more than anyone I ever knew."

"That sounds a lot like my princess," Ravio conceded.

"She was forever changed. There were times her eyes seemed lifeless, and when she thought she was alone, she often wept for reasons I knew not. She was even distant towards her own children later in life."

"You think it had something to do with him?"

"Death opens your eyes to many things, my son. There are many things I didn't realize when I was alive – the reason for her unhappiness was one of them.

"So what are you doing haunting these woods? You said you were happy to be recognized as the hero."

"Penance... And to pass this on to you." The hero held out a sword with one hand on the sheath and the other on the hilt.

Ravio gaped. He recognized it as the Master Sword from the old musty books he and Hilda used to read together. According to legend, the Master Sword was the ultimate weapon against the Demon King.

"What? You just told me that story and you expect me to kill him all over again?" Ravio asked, alarmed.

"Sometimes we, as Lorule's light, must make sacrifices. You may feel burdened by your perceived failings of the princess and how you can help her, but your true responsibility is to this kingdom and its sacred relic. That is your duty. As her's should be..."

"I don't understand. There's got to be a better way to save Lorule that doesn't result in loss and regret, right?"

For the first time, the shade grinned and chuckled, amused. "A perfect ending in Lorule? That has yet to come to pass in any generation or era... I can see from the look on your face that this does not deter you. You are unfailingly optimistic. But you also possess great reason. It will all come together for you soon, my son."

Ravio eyed the sword again, taking a step back. "I don't deserve it."

"You've shown extraordinary courage by coming here. Please accept this sword."

"Well, it wasn't exactly courage that brought me here..."

The ancient hero gave Ravio a knowing look - an expression of true understanding and empathy. He drew near - too near. Ravio tensed, and then everything ceased.

Ravio was seated, looking over a great crowd that had gathered in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed two people seated next to him. One was a stately looking older man, the other a young woman with flowing violaceous locks. Her gaze was downcast and Ravio couldn't help but stare. She looked a lot like Hilda – not exactly, but the resemblance was uncanny. Her regal gown and the way she styled her hair looked somewhat old-fashioned to Ravio.

A scholarly looking man cleared his throat. He was accompanied by six other people. Ravio assumed that the man must be their leader. The six other people were from all walks of life, young and old, male and female.

"This royal decree will be carried out humanely. As Lorelle is merciful in her ways..." Ravio could have sworn he noticed the young woman beside him stir, dipping her head further as if in prayer. "...so shall we be with you. Have you any last words, prisoner?"

The prisoner was bound by chains and bore a striking resemblance to none other than Yuga. He had the same prominent nose and thick, orange hair, but his hairstyle and clothes were different – reminiscent of an era long ago.

The man spoke again, "Have you nothing to say, you fiend?"

The princess lifted her head for the briefest moment and then let her gaze fall back to the ground.

The prisoner raised his head towards the group and sneered.

The seven drew close to the prisoner. When they had assembled themselves around him they lifted their arms to the heavens. The sages began to hum in unison. A powerful magic began to churn above them. The ground began to rumble, and Ravio broke out into a cold sweat. His heart started to race, listening to the soul-rending tune and the scene taking place before him. Even the crowd had gone quiet as they watched with breath bated. Sitting next to the princess, Ravio became aware of her breathing, which sounded stiff and unnatural. The chorus of the sages was building into a crescendo. The vortex above them began to spark, seemingly growing out of control. As their humming came to a close, a blast of pure light came down upon the man in the center. A violent spasm shot through the prisoner's body and he collapsed, not having enough breath inside to scream.

The silence that followed chilled Ravio in a way he couldn't explain. The king nodded to the princess and she rose from her chair on unsteady feet. As she passed by Ravio she grabbed his hand, giving it a tight squeeze. Confused, be began to walk with her. He took one look back. The crowd was thinning and even the sages were departing. What Ravio saw next made him do a double take. The princess was kneeling and had her arms wrapped around the prisoner's fallen form. She nuzzled his hair as if whispering to him.

But... Isn't she...

Ravio looked to see who's hand he was holding. The princess...

Wait, Whats going on here?

Ravio looked back again. There on the platform, it was as plain as day. The same young woman that held his hand was cradling the prisoner in her arms – and no one seemed to notice.