Legend of Sol (Modern Legend of Zelda)

Ace nodded and smiled, "Very good Jos. Would you mind perhaps demonstrating parrying with Sol please? While you do... Lyra I have to speak with you..."



The Iron Knuckles shook violently, the axes shuttering in the creatures' hands. "Yes, Lord Gan!" They roared in unison, shaking the ground around them.

On the massive stone throne, the massive sword wielding Iron Knuckle laughed, "Demon Lord Gan. I have assembled my army, and released your mechanical monster from its icy prison. We await your orders, my lord."

 

Ace's eyes warmed slightly as he looked at Lyra, "I'm worried about you kid. You've done well since we saved you, and you've grown into a fine woman. I wanted to ask you today, if you'd be willing to take on the mantle of Second in Command of the Gerudo. As you probably know, the former second in command... My mother... is dying. Our forces need someone charismatic and energetic like you... Think about it, okay hon?" Ace rubbed his hand through Lyra's hair before turning back to the class, "Very good, Sol, Jos. Class, I'd like you to find a partner and practice parrying. Lyra, you can join Sol and Jos. I'm sure Sol can take on two girls like it was nothing..." Ace burst into laughter as he walked over to his desk and watched over the class.

 

“Oh!”

Eve gave a jump of surprise, which seemed to match in timing with Jos’ appointment to practice parrying with Sol. However, it was actually a response to Impa’s unseen arrival and interjection of Impa. Seeing, thankfully, that no one else had noticed Impa, or at that noticed her own remark of surprised, she smiled lightly to the invisible avian woman next to her, despite that she couldn’t see her. Rather than talking aloud, and drawing attention to herself and possibly Impa as well, she made her reply through telepathy.

“Hey Impa. Let’s have this discussion between ourselves. People might think I’m crazy if I talked out loud to an invisible person. Right? Anyways, if be “he” you’re referring to Ace, then yes. He’s still up to his old antics. He launched a fireball at me just to make sure I wouldn’t intrude. Just shows how much he knows about the guardian business.”​

-/-

The shadow that was the Demon Lord steadily manifested itself in a black, foggy mist. He was glaring down upon the seated Iron Knuckle, both intrigued by and proud of the hulking general. “You must be the one called Zer’Dag. Koumake has told me a… great deal of you. She tells me that there’s a certain someone that you’re dying to see again. A certain someone whom requires a reconciling with his past, and that you’re the one to facilitate it. Yes. I believe an attack on the village of Kakariko will suffice for both of our plans… We will be marching on the village come midnight, and will be upon it by daybreak. Their sun shall rise to the drums of war.”​

 

Zer'Dag looked up at the Demon Lord with pride, "Indeed... I will be his end, just as he was mine. Midnight can not come sooner. I desire his head... more then anything. Soon... Revenge will be mine..." The massive Iron Knuckle rose from his throne and in a swift movement, launched his blade at the massive mechanical weapon. The blade struck a small indent, triggering the sound of turning gears and steam. Pulling the sword back to his hand, Zer'Dag laughed as the machine roared to life, "The end... is upon is! My army, prepare for war!"

The other Iron Knuckles roared, lifting their axes and shaking them viciously, "Our life for the Demon Lord!"


Ace smiled as one kid approached him without a partner, "I know. You may practice any technique you wish for now, or join another group if you so desire." The boy nodded before running off to join one of his friend's groups. Ace's smile faded for a brief moment, as he felt like he was being watched. Only two people could provocate that feeling, and Ace growled in disgust at the names that were ringing in his head. Only Eizo and Impa can cause that kind of feeling... I know Impa is most assuredly here with Sol... So it could be her... I really am not looking forward to seeing Eizo today, so for once, I pray it is only Impa...

 

“Oh dear! He did NOT really do THAT did he?” Eve knew Ace to be an extremist in many ways, but even she never thought him the type to make threats like that to a royal attendant. Granted that threats were nothing compared to nearly strike someone with a fireball simply to deter them from interrupting a class session; the fairy shuddered at the thought of what the Gerudo King would do to her if she ever wandered into the Gerudo Valley. “The nerve of that man! Though I don’t think we have to worry much about his relations with the Royal Family. They know who’s who and what’s what. Their faith in you would never waiver no matter what Ace tried to say or do; of that I’m sure. Anyways, I’ve heard that Sol is having and… interesting day?”​

-/-

Strange that Ace would pair three people together when could all have our own partner, Jos thought as she watched the unpaired student wander away from the group to practice his form on his own. She was about to call out to him and tell him that he could join with her, Sol and Lyra, when she heard Sol ask about how they would go about their three-way practice session. “Well,” she said, I was thinking we could get him to join us.” She pointed over to the lone boy. Not waiting to hear Sol’s or Lyra’s opinions, she waved to her classmate and caught his attention.

“Hey!” she called. “If you want to practice with someone, you know, for realism’s sake, you can join with us. We could use even numbers, since there’s only three of us.”

The boy ran up to them, stumbling a bit as he stopped. “Really? You want me in your group?”

“Of course!” Jos said, smiling.

“But—but that’s Prince Sol… and you’re his friends. I’m not wor-th…”

“Oh hush up!” Jos said, though she was still smiling. “Of course you’re worthy. Sol isn’t that pompous!” She leaned in closer to the boy, and whispered into his ear. “Besides, I think, between Lyra and me, we’ve got a bit too much girl power for Sol to handle at once.”

“Heh heh.” The boy was rendered, if anything, more nervous from Jos’ remarks. But still, he stood himself up straight and looked at his three partners. “T-Teague,” he said. “Teague Dresden.”

“Nice to meet you Teague,” Jos said.​

-/-

Eizo considered himself fortunate from the moment he finally set foot inside the Academy’s main corridor. They were barren, leaving him able to make his way to the main office without being eyed as he had been back in town. Characteristically, he glared behind his back, making sure no one had followed him into the building; no one had, for which he was even more fortunate, especially knowing that the guards probably would have stopped most other non-students and non-faculty. Openly and with dignity, he walked across the corridor and into the main office, where, unlike the corridor outside, people were evidently flustered with the first day madness of settling schedule issues and figuring out where one thing or another had disappeared to over the summer break.

Being that there was a small line of about three others, all students, Eizo took a seat and waited patiently for someone at the front desk to accommodate him. As he waited, several other students periodically left the offices of administrators. Each one took notice of Eizo, to which he responded with a courteous nod, as if to say, “yes, I’m one of them.” As he waited, the line also diminished. The first in line had left about a minute or two after his arrival. The second student had been shuffled off into an office off the main one. As the third student made her way to the front desk, some else arrived and called to Eizo, informing him that he would be helped. The Sheikah stood up and walked to the front desk.

“What can I do for you?” the woman asked, absentmindedly, and not really noticing whom she was speaking to.

“I would like to see Prince Sol,” Eizo said in a hushed voice.

“Please speak up sir,” the woman said.

“I would like to see Prince Sol,” Eizo repeated, louder.

“I’m sorry sir,” the woman said. “But we cannot allow visitors to during class times without expressed permission fr—“ The woman cut her sentence short as a red scarf, which Eizo had been wearing, was tossed upon the desk right under eyes. She stared blankly, and in awe, at the scarf, which bore the insignia of the Sheikah. She looked up at Eizo, realizing his identity. “You’re name, sir?”

“Kikaro Eizo,” Eizo said, audibly. The entire office seemed to have heard it, as everyone ceased what they were doing and every eye seemed to fall upon him for a few seconds before slowly cascading back into their routines and appointments.

“Where would I find Prince Sol at this hour?” Eizo asked. “The King has bid that I see the young Prince.”

“Ah. Yes. He is in Advanced Sword Training, with Lord Ace,” the woman said as she handed Eizo’s scarf back to him. “Should I inform him you’re coming?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Eizo said. “Ace and I are old acquaintances. I’m certain he’d be thrilled by a surprise visit.”

“It really you, General Eizo,” a gruff, male voice spoke from behind.

Eizo spun around, coming face to face with man of great visible strength, standing a head over him and dressed in a warrior’s tunic. He recognized the man immediately and bowed. “General Marcus.”

“Well, Retired General Marcus,” Marcus said. “Come. Walk with me. I hear you’re going to stop in on Ace’s class. I just so happen to have business with the man as well.” The two left the office, and walked alongside each other towards the training arena.

“So,” Eizo said. “Retired? As of when?”

“About a month ago,” Marcus stated. “You see, the school’s Military Prep program has been short staffed over the past few years. So His Majesty decommissioned me from active service and implored me to join the administration here as the director of the program.”

“So you’re a teacher now? Will this be detrimental to the Hylian Army?” Eizo inquired.

“No. Not at all,” Marcus said heartily. “You see, the King has seen fit to keep me on reserve with the Hylian Guard. If the city is attacked, I pick arms and help lead the defenses. It’s just that during peacetime, I’m here, keeping an eye on things in the combat and military training departments. Hence why I’ve a bone to pick with Ace.”

“Which bone might that be?”

“One of the students enrolled in the Military Prep program that should be in his class has been restricted from signing up. I need to have a talk with Mr. Ace about letting said student into his Advanced Class.”

“And if he doesn’t comply?”

“Then I’ll have to take extreme actions,” Marcus said, gloomily. “What of you. What do want with the Prince?”

“Nothing more than to meet with him while I am still in town. I’ve a meeting with a task force later today, and His Majesty tells me that Sol is to have private company over tonight. So this would be my only opportunity to see the Prince, as is only expected of me when I am around Castleton.”

“Ah. Well that makes sense,” Marcus said. “I’m sure Sol will be glad to see you. His Majesty did always say that he looked forward to your visits. And from what I’ve heard around the administration here, the other students enjoy it when you’re here as well.”

“So I’ve heard as well, Marcus. So I’ve heard as well.”​

-/-

On the outside, the Demon Lord seemed without reaction to the revelry of the Iron Knuckle platoon. Yet in his mind, he was as joyous as they were and may as well have been cheering along with them. His plans were coming together far more efficiently than he had foreseen; he could only hope that the other end of the assault, to which Koumake was attending, would be just as smooth as his. “You’ll do well on the field of battle, Zer’Dag. I will entrust you to lead your troops to the village. Once there, you will be attacking with a second front, led by Koumake, which will strike down from the slopes of Death Mountain, catching the village in a pincer.

“I must leave you now. The other front must be rallied as well. Remember: you march for Kakariko at midnight; prepare yourselves, and keep a low profile.” Seconds later, Bayan Gan had backed into the shade of a nearby tree, and was gone.​