Chapter 8: The Great Fairy Magic
Link, Zelda, and the others all woke up naturally the next day. The guards were all sheepish for having failed in their duty. Impa was as black as a storm cloud ready to crash. Rumours of the Yeril and moblins flew through the castle like a wildfire. Zelda, having not woken up during any of their capture, had a happier outlook than Link or Mishcana. Link had been quieter than usual the past few days. He looked troubled and sad and spoke to no one save Impa, the guards for instruction and Mishcana for teaching. Mishcana was distressed by her instructor's worry and kept herself silent and asked no questions. He had begun drilling her more heavily on magic attacks and if he emphasised those of the nature of fire more greatly she could not blame him.
A few days later he spoke something other than a reluctant command. "Mish, tomorrow's the mages' test. They're all going to the great fairy to be tested for the ability to use Great Fairy magic. You know they are the strongest of all magic; not everyone can use them." She nodded and asked quickly, "Is that why you've been drilling me so hard?" He nodded solemnly. "I'm sending you to be tested as well. You have great potential. Do not be disappointed if you are not accepted; however, as many of those studying magic longer than you will be rejected." She sighed sadly and nodded. "If you pass, and learn the spells, I will help you figure out how to use them well as I will any other student who passes. Usually, though, Agren handles instructing his own students. If you pass, though, I'm not trusting you with him; there's something about him I don't trust." Link went silent again and picked up his wooden shield. He muttered, "Reflect." The shield glowed and reflected the light of the room. "All right, let's see your jump combined with a fire down thrust, alright? Go." Mishcana leapt at him and the training begun anew.
The next day Mishcana rose early and changed into her Kokiri clothing. She carefully stuffed all of her hair into her hat except the two long strands she kept in front. "I hope I pass." She murmured to herself as she looked in the mirror. Dark circles no longer underlined her blue eyes. Sleep had rejuvenated her well. "I wonder if Link's worried. If he doubts me. Maybe that's why he's been so quiet lately." She tightened her belt around waist and attached to it her magic pouches. One contained arrows, the other useful items. She slipped her training sword's strap over her head and onto her shoulder. With great difficulty she pulled on her boots, grunting with the effort. At last deeming herself ready she left her room and crossed into the training room.
Link hesitated as his hand graced the doorknob to the training room. He had been looking forward to unleashing, but it seemed someone was working noisily within. He twisted the doorknob and entered. To his surprise Mishcana was running back and forth, launching magic attacks of the different elements at the magic targets on the wall. The targets shot back at her and she lifted a wooden shield someone had left in the room up as protection. "Reflect!" she commanded and the shield glowed brightly. The shot reflected and hit the target instead, closing its eye like structure. Soon all the targets were disabled and Mishcana kneeled panting heavily. She cast the wooden shield aside and rested her palms upon the floor. Footsteps approaching caused her head to rise. Her eyes met Link's and held them. "I saw you practicing. Nice work Mishcana. You've really improved. You should let yourself rest, though. I'm not sure if the great fairy will restore you before she tests you." Mishcana sighed and nodded. From her magic pouch she withdrew a green potion. Grimacing, she downed the vile stuff in one gulp. "All better." She said with a grin and stood up. Expectantly she peered at Link. He felt uneasy and backed away; "You know I cannot tell you anything about the test. Please do not ask me. I don't know." A shaking head answered his statement. "Wasn't going to. I want to know what's been bothering you. You've been so quiet since Zelda's party; I want my mind at rest before I take the test." Link shuddered slightly and turned his back towards her, "I was afraid you'd ask that, but I'll tell you anyway. It scared me a little, that's all. I've never been helpless; I just can't forget what happened. What could have happened because I could do nothing." He sighed and became quiet again. Mishcana silently listened. A few minutes later she spoke. "Why did you distract the guard then?" Link shook his head slowly, "I'd had too much of the stuff. I knew my head wouldn't be clear for hours. If they didn't find the talker, they probably would have dosed us both to be sure. You were more likely to recover so it made sense to give you the chance." Mishcana nodded and beamed, "Then you weren't helpless, were you? You still had sense enough to figure something out. It all worked out in the end, so why worry about?" Sighing regretfully, Link nodded and forced a smile, "I suppose. All right, then, are you ready? We should really go meet Agren and his students."
After checking to make sure she had everything, Mishcana and he left the room and headed down to the castle gate. Outside the castle and down the laneway was the Great Fairy Fountain. The students were waiting on the road with their teacher, Agren. Agren was an older gentlemen who appeared to be somewhere in his forties, though with mages it was difficult to tell their age. He wore raven black robes with the hood cast back. His hair was jet-black and fell just lightly over his ears. Steel grey eyes peered out from a heavy brow, seeing the unseen. "You're just in time. The Great Fairy is about to take the first candidate. You, apprentice," he gestured Mishcana, "Go get in line. Link, the Great Fairy asked for you to bring the candidates in. Shringo's first." Shringo was a light mage boy dressed in white. Nervousness was reflected everywhere within him from his shifty eyes to his knocking knees. Link smiled reassuringly at the boy and took his hand. "Don't be nervous," he said to the boy, but his eyes drifted to Mishcana.
Candidate after Candidate returned unsuccessful. Link stayed by the doorway until they were back at the castle to ensure no one talked about their test. Only one mage had been successful in being accepted. The little white mage Tiesa had exited looking exhausted but wore a smile so warm that it could melt gold. Link beamed and thwacked the girl on the back heartily. "Good job! Agren, Tiesa passed!" Agren smiled slowly, "Excellent. We shall practice the spells later. She was the last student, Link. I will depart. I doubt your student will be successful," he said in a long drawl, "But I wish her well for her sake. Good luck, young one." Agren then left with his arm about Tiesa's shoulders. He seemed to completely ignore Link and Mishcana and was discussing the honour of being allowed to use Great Fairy Magic with his young student.
Mishcana bit her lip nervously at the spiteful comment of Agren. She breathed deeply inhaling sweet fresh air. It did nothing to restore her from nervousness, but it felt good none the less. Warily, Link watched the black haired man leave. When he disappeared into the castle, Link cast out his hand to Mishcana. "Your turn. Don't be afraid, I'm sure you're ready and talented. I warn you; the test will be hard. The great fairy warned me yours would be different than the others. Choose your way wisely, and be courageous. Do not be afraid." Mishcana nodded slowly and uncertainly crossed the threshold with Link.
The cavern within was lit by unnatural light. Two torches glowed with red light. The walls; however, were dimmer than the last time she had visited. Though she could not remember that time, Link was uneasy at the change. "It wasn't like this a minute ago." He muttered to himself. Mishcana looked up at him warily and drew away slightly, "What do you mean?" he shook his head and did not answer. The Great Fairy rose of out of the fountain but did not laugh. "Welcome, Mishcana. You have come for the test?" The little Kokiri-Hylian nodded uneasily and kept glancing towards Link. His eyes were downcast and would not meet hers no matter how hard she tried. "Come forward then." Mishcana stood in front of the altar with the Triforce mark upon it. "Your test will be different than all of the other candidates. Mishcana, you need not fear that you have the inability to use this magic." Her eyes looked up, startled, into those of the Great Fairy, "You have more potential than even the mage who passed. However," Seriousness and harshness coloured the Great Fairy's tone and eyes, "With great power comes great responsibility. You, as Link did long ago, have great potential to do good for Hyrule. Yet, you also posses the ability to bring it into chaos. You are a child of destiny and all of them can go either way. The power lies within your hands as well as in those who stand with or against you to shape the world." Her eyes drifted to Link as she spoke and then continued on. "As such, it would be dangerous to merely give you the spells. The others had to prove they had the power to wield it; you do not. Your heart must be tested, not your head. Will you accept this test?" Link seemed disturbed as Mishcana looked at him. He was deep in thought and kept shaking his head as though to dispel his thoughts. Hesitantly she lifted her head and nodded. "I accept, I will take the test, whatever it is."
The Great Fairy nodded and glowed. Below her on the triforce mark a portal began to glow. "When you step upon the triforce mark you will be imprisoned within a crystal. Within you will be tested. Should you fail completely, you will never be allowed escape. You must know this danger before you enter, and be willing to continue or your test will end." Mishcana shook at the mention of eternal imprisonment and hesitantly stepped forward, "May I take with me my equipment?" The Great Fairy nodded. Without any further hesitation Mishcana ran onto the golden triangle mark. The light swirled around her and a hard crystal formed about her. It became opaque blue and veiled her from Link's sight. He watched it sadly and worriedly for he knew of her fear of capture.
The Great Fairy looked kindly on Link and bid him to sit down near the water's edge to wait with her. "I will know when she is finished. Do not worry child; I have great faith that she will pass." A single tear rolled down Link's cheek, "I know, I do too. But, if she fails. . . I will have condemned her to a fate worse than death. It will be all my fault; I was the one who wanted her to learn Din's fire, since Dowan's about." The Great Fairy shook her head. "That was her first of three tests. She passed it." Link wiped his tear from his cheek. Stunned, her looked at his hand. On the back of his hand the Triforce of courage glowed brightly. "Oh! I see. Mishcana . . ." he trailed off looking up at the fairy, "She's the third guardian, isn't she?" The Great Fairy blinked in shock and recoiled slightly, "Why do you say that?"
Link smiled fondly as he gazed at the back of his hand. "Several reasons. The Deku Tree said she was a child of destiny. He had lost one of the two trusted to his care, so I'd guess I'm the other. One lay in Hyrule as well, according to what he said. That one's Zelda, I've no doubts. Zelda and I are the guardians of the Triforce. The legend said that if one's heart were unbalanced, only the Triforce most important to the person would remain. The other two would go into their respective Guardians. So, what if Zelda or I had pulled the Triforce from the sacred realm? I find it difficult to believe Gannon would be the one who would receive Power without question." He paused a moment and looked up at the great fairy. "What else makes you think so, Link? That does not explain why you would think the girl the guardian of the Triforce of Power. What if the Triforce has no guardian unless one is needed?" Link blinked and smiled again. "Because she's special. She's stronger than most girls her age, if not all of them. Also, the legends say for one to hold the Triforce of Power they must possess great wisdom and courage as well. If they do not, they will become corrupt; just like Gannon did. The guardian should not be as corruptible, as it is their duty to protect the Triforce from all evil. As you know Mishcana's hand has glowed with the replica of the Triforce of wisdom. I wager that after that test it glows of Courage as well. Behold, my hand is glowing without me trying. Unless Zelda or Gannon is near, that means she has gained its power at last. In order to have that happen it reasons that she would have great courage and wisdom, and so I believe she is the guardian we have been looking for."
The Great Fairy floated stunned a minute. "I should of known better than to expect you not to figure it out. You are wise yourself, you know. You are most likely correct. I, the Great Fairy of Power, sense kinship with this girl. But sit silent for now. The girl is about to come upon her first test within the confines of her mind." Link gazed expectantly at the crystal but to his disappoint me it was still as opaque as the marble beneath him.
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