"The beginnings of this tale take place when I was merely beginning my studies at the temple of light. My parents attempted to dissuade me from this path, hoping that I would become an aristocrat like the rest of my family. But I had heard my calling and it was to become a disciple of the light."

   "Once my parents accepted my decision, they always encouraged me to be the best. My father especially wanted me to have great power. I learned all about the magiks the sages used; I tuned my soul to the entire land so I could draw from its everlasting strength. I surpassed all my peers and became the second youngest disciple of the light. The youngest was Oni himself."

   "Once I became a disciple, I continued my training for there is a higher level, that of the sages. There are three sages for each temple except the shadow temple, which has none. To become a sage, I had to perform an incredible feat with my powers. It could be saving lives, battling the Black warriors or something heroic as that. If the feat pleased one of the sages, that sage would step down to let the disciple take his place."

   "Now, I admit I was ambitious for a disciple of the light. I actually believed I could convert the land of shadow back to the land of light and restore its full glory. I traveled to the borders of the land to begin my task. But a part of Majora was still there. What it was I do not know. All I know is that it showed me I was not yet strong enough. It pulled me in, towards the temple."

   "I was allowed to pass through their gates and enter that evil place. I was terrified and every second I tried to pull away. But every time, something urged me forward, deeper underground where the heart of that vile creature beats. I entered the room where the orb of shadow resided. Majora urged me to touch it. And I did."

   "Ye have no idea of the power that coursed through my veins when my fingers felt the smooth crystal of that power. It was more than anything I could imagine. Majora then asked me to come to this land and seek his mask out. But I had already begun to control the power of the shadow. I refused him. And his presence left. I thought I had defeated him. He proved to be more cunning than I thought possible."

   "When I let go of the orb, I felt weak again. I touched it again, but it was not as exhilarating as before. But I knew of a way that would give me even more power. I sent out the Black warriors to retrieve the orbs of fire, forest and wind. I needed the orb of the sea before I felt confident enough to tackle the temple of light. Of the lands, they are the most powerful. They prevail over all the others individually. But together and with my knowledge of the light, I stood a chance." For the first time, the Count paused, sighing a bit.

   "How many people died, when you gathered the other orbs?" Zelda asked. Secras bowed his head and closed his eyes in shame.

   "Close to ten thousand, maiden," he said meekly, "Some men, some women, some children." A sob escaped his lips and his hand tried to cover his tears. "I'm so sorry." He continued to sob, tears dropping from his cheeks but did not wet Raru's head.

   "Hey, it's okay." Nabooru said reassuringly, "I see now it wasn't your fault. I know what it's like to have someone else control you."

   "As much as I would to agree with you Nabooru, I cannot." Impa said.

   "Yeah," Darunia spoke, pointing at Secras, "I don't see how he was controlled. As far as I can tell, he's been acting on his own free will."

   "No," Zelda said softly after a pause, "He was manipulated. Majora promised you something didn't he?"

   "Indeed," the count replied, wiping his tears away, "When I arrived in Termina, I felt stronger. And there was Majora. He said he would help me in my quest by supplying my strength when in this land. I did not know that the power of the orbs was restricted to the land of Hesra. Had I known, I would not have come and we might not be having this conversation."

   "But you would still be evil." Saria pointed out.

   "True enough." Secras said, "But we are having this conversation because I was tricked. Majora knew about Ganondorf. And he knew I had the power to release him. So when I arrived at Hyrule castle, Majora took away the power he had given me. After you left me within an inch of my life, Majora promised to save me if I freed Ganondorf. I did as told, but Majora never had any intention of holding his end of the bargain."

   "And you vowed to return and haunt him." Zelda finished.

   "Precisely," said the count, "But I am bound to this land, so I cannot haunt Majora as I planned. What I can do though, is help ye and help Link."

   "How?" Raru asked.

   "There was one thing about Oni that disturbed his followers; he never fell in love with any woman for he did not understand what love was. Nor did he understand friendship. He did everything on his own. Link on the other hand realizes the importance of both friendship and love. And he is fortunate enough to have both."

   "Indeed he does." Zelda said, "What must we do?"

   "I believe it is called the song time." Secras replied, "It is was written to open the door to the sacred realm. That's how I got past the door of time; I couldn't pass through it."

   "How will Link be able to hear this song?" Nabooru asked "And how did you get in here?"

   "For Link to hear this song, ye must find all his friends and loved ones. From what I understand, that might take ye some time seeing how far apart his friends can be." Secras said, "And as to getting in, a rather simple opening spell that I learned as a student allowed to enter unnoticed."

   "We'll have to check up on that later." Raru said, "Right now, Link's friends must be found. I'm sure we all are. Who else?" The other sages gave him a stunned look, "Okay, don't give me a list." He said throwing his hands in the air, "Just find them and bring them to the temple of time as quickly as you can." The others nodded and disappeared.

   "As for you count Secras," Raru turned his attention to the ghost, "Is there anything else you can do?"

   "I will be Link's ears to this land," Secras said, "It still needs to be loud and…fulfilling I guess is the word before Link can properly hear it."

   "What do you mean by fulfilling?" Raru asked.

   "Only one ocarina is not enough. It will take a lot of friendship and love before Link finds the strength to separate from Oni."

   "Then what about Majora?"

   "All will be made clear in time." Was Secras' reply.

   "We don't have much time." A raspy, booming voice said. This was the voice of Oni Link. Just his voice had the power to shake the earth. Ganondorf felt the tremble beneath his feet. Then he felt his own body shake.

   "We know what Majora plans on doing," Oni Link continued, "Use the power of the six and hope to destroy us. There is no way he can even if he had that and was still with ye. We are far more powerful than ye can possibly imagine."

    At first Ganondorf stared, taking in the warrior's every word. Then he replayed what had been said in his head and made a startling discovery.

   "Ye?" the Gerudo asked, "You are merely wearing a mask Link. Why do you…oh." Ganondorf was remembering what Majora's backup plan was should 'they' fail. "I see. Link, the hero of fools, has taken the bait."

   "What bait Ganondorf?" Oni Link asked.

   "You may very well know what Majora plans to do but I know what you hope to accomplish." Ganondorf said.

   "We do not know what ye speak of." Oni Link replied.

   "Link!" Ganondorf cried after a pause, "You know what Oni plans to do. You've seen it in your dreams!" Oni Link silenced by punching him in the gut. The Gerudo was knocked three feet into the air. He landed hard on his back. Oni Link approached Ganondorf's side. He put his foot on the Gerudo's chest and pressed down on it. Ganondorf yelled in agony as his ribs were broken.

   "Now ye know what Cartu felt when ye did this to him." Oni Link said, "Remember Cartu? The young guard who fought ye off long enough for the king of Hyrule to escape." Ganondorf said nothing. He was trying to resist the pain.

    Oni Link's eyes brightened. He lifted his foot slightly before stomping down.

   "Do ye remember?" Oni Link asked over Ganondorf's screaming.

   "Yes!" came the reply, full of pain.

   "No!" the warrior said, "No, I don't think ye do.

   "I?" asked Ganondorf. Oni Link smiled back at him. It was not very reassuring.

   "Yes," the warrior replied, "I. I must confess that ye are right. Link has taken the bait and now Link is gone. There is only I, Oni." His hand went up and behind his head. "I thought of torturing ye for a while." He drew his sword and held it high above his head. "But I'll just do what Link could not do, because he was so weak."

    Ganondorf stared at the sword that was to be his death. His eyes were carried downwards towards the imposing figure standing on him, his mortal enemy. The Gerudo always thought it would be his destiny to control Hyrule. But in his last moments, he realized he tried to save it from its own savior. Ganondorf laughed at the irony of it all as Oni brought the blade down.