Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Zelda, or any of their franchise products, including the Four Swords on which this is loosely based (very loosely thanks to the Minish Cap, though this on a side note). I don't make any money on this, although I could really use it, since some high school bully is beating me up for my lunch money, although I'm 26 and I don't even go to school anymore, but he's bigger than me and I'm scared of physical discomfort (damn kids grow up so fast these days).
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Chapter 1 – Prologue
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William panted and looked up. Caleb stood there on a rock, his cape bellowing in the wind, seemingly the only one who wasn't out of breath from the long climb. His gaze was fixed on a dark patch of shadows in the mountain flank. William tried to focus on the shadows, but he was still too exhausted of the long climb. Caleb had pushed the six men beyond their limits and they had reached their point of breaking a long time ago, but still Caleb had urged them forward.
"We have arrived."
Caleb had whispered the words but they still echoed over the mountain range like a distant thunder.
"It is here," Caleb continued as he stepped towards the shadows, "that the Great Evil has claimed his victory."
Now that William had caught his breath and the ringing in his ears had stopped, he could see the shadows on the rock wall was actually a cavern. Caleb was right, they had reached their destination. They were almost there. It almost made his fatigue disappear. Almost.
"Caleb…" Franklin panted, "Caleb… could we… rest a bit?… the climb…"
"You want to rest?" Caleb shouted, his voice loud and full of promise of doom, "when we are so close? We are at the doorstep of our destination and you wish to give up?"
"Not give up," William shook his head as he dropped down on the ground, "just rest a bit. The trip… it was too much…"
"Very well," Caleb sighed, "I shall let you rest. But since you fail to see the importance of our destination, I shall tell you the story behind the Four Swords."
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"A long time ago a demon emerged in these lands, a foul creature by the name of Vaati. He threatened our fine land and all trembled under his awesome powers. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, four heroes emerged, wielding the Four Swords. Not much is known of the Four Swords, some say they were forged by the Gorons to fight Vaati, others say the swords were weapons brought from heaven or hell even, others still say that they were the swords of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. It is not known. As is what exactly happened with the four heroes. All that is known, is that they have defeated Vaati, right inside that cavern. But nothing was ever seen of them, except for their swords. They are driven deep in the black centre stone of the cavern and have remained their ever since. It was believed that the black stone was in fact Vaati, turned to stone due to the combined power of the Four Swords, and therefore guards were put here to watch over the swords. Guards that have received enforcements few years back, but who were also killed by the Great Evil that worked for Vaati. He could not, however, free Vaati but he has weakened his prison. It is clear that the monster is free again, and we must use the powers of the Four Swords once again to protect our land and fight the demon. Now, while he is still weak."
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Caleb looked over his young disciples. He had handpicked them out of the village, and had trained them in the art of warfare. All of them were strong lads and could handle a sword as the best, he had seen to that. True, he needed only four to wield the Four Swords, but he had taken six, just in case something unexpected happened. Better overkill then a small cut, his drill sergeant had told him in his younger days. Caleb couldn't help but grin. If he had told his recruits he had had younger days, they wouldn't have believed him. It was hard, even for him now, to imagine Caleb as anything else then the hardened soldier he was, half of his face covered in scars, his chin as it was chizled out of stone, with a large quarterstaff in his hand, mistaken by many as a mere walking staff.
"Rested enough?" he barked, "it is time to continue!"
He turned around and disappeared into the shadows. William sighed and tried to find the energy to get up. As he looked up, he saw Macleus extend his hand to help him up.
"Thanks brother," William grunted as he pulled himself up, "tell me, what do you think of Caleb's story?"
"It's the truth," his older brother shrugged, "I mean, it's what we've been told all this time ever since we were little kids, but there are some holes in it."
"Holes?"
"Yes," Macleus continued, "like the Great Evil? Why did he come, killed the guards and left again? Why not stay until Vaati was much stronger? It doesn't make any sense."
"Maybe it had nothing to do with Vaati?" William shrugged, "maybe it was another demon. After all, it had been spreading death long before it came here, and continued long after as well."
"Could be," Macleus replied, "but let's focus on one demon at a time. Let's follow the others in the cavern."
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The cavern was a dark, desolate place. The shadows seemed to soak up the light from Caleb's torch like a sponge. Something cracked underneath Williams boot and when he glanced down he saw it was a human bone that had splintered under his weight.
"We are getting close," Caleb whispered as he trailed the cavern wall with his fingers, following shallow scratches.
Franklin had almost fallen over an empty armour (or so he thought) but regained his footing quickly. Suddenly it seemed the darkness grew thicker, which, according to William, could only mean they had reached a large hall inside the cave. Caleb lit two torches near the entrance and followed the wall until he had found and lit all torches. Even with fourteen torches lit, the ceiling was still hidden in shadow. In the centre of the hall was a large black stone, four swords protruding it from each direction of the winds. Caleb closed in at the stone, carefully and in awe, and gently caressed the stone.
"Macleus! Tellin! Barbatos! Freykon! To each a sword!" Caleb shouted.
William felt sort of disappointed that he was not chosen, but suddenly his attention was drawn to a fallen soldier near him. He kneeled next to the skeleton and picked up it's shield. It was a white shield with a large blue stripe on it. In the blue could three golden triangles be seen. He had never seen a shield like this, nor the symbols. But then again, Caleb had told them that the guards had received reinforcements before the Great Evil had come and killed them, the same Great Evil that killed his parents and so many of his village. He looked up as his brother, along with the others, grabbed the hilt of the sword in the stone and pulled it out.
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The last thing William remembered from his time in the cavern was the scream…