EVERYONE: - Complete The Kakariko Festival of Spirits

[Greninjaman]

Content Warning = Fear, grief, scary scenes. Not really sure how to put it.
==================
This is actually a rewrite of a short story I did awhile ago here. I did this because I want to expand on the story and add ideas I had when I wrote the original version.

Here is the rewrite:
Malon peers through some bushes, something catching her eye. "Is that?" She mutters softly. Reaching through, she attempts to grab it. "Come on…reach," she mutters as her fingers just barely touch the soft object. With a grunt, she pushes until her fingers gently wrap around the petal. "All right. Another petal for me," she mutters as she gazes at the glowing yellow Chrysanthemum petal. Placing it into her satchel with the other colorful petals she had collected, Malon heads back into the main part of Kakariko Village to continue in the Scavenger Hunt.

She walks along to continue her search, dodging several other kids also taking part in the scavenger hunt, past stalls selling pumpkin pies and kids carving pumpkins. Poles with Lanterns resembling Chrysanthemums glowing different colors line the path throughout the village. "So pretty," she mutters as she gazes up at them. Each year, the village holds a festival to honor those who have passed. Multiple activities take place around the village. Part of the festival includes taking a Chrysanthemum to the grave of a loved one.

After a little while later, the bell begins to ring, signaling the end of the hunt. Spotting a petal under the stairs of the inn, Malon swiftly reaches under and grabs it before joining the others at the town square. After handing her satchel to Sharil, the person in charge of the event, Malon joins the other kids to wait while the totals to be counted.
"I wonder who won this year," Malon says.
"Not Jurro that's for sure," Thopa, her childhood friend, said with a snicker.
"Yeah. While it’s a shame he's sick, it's nice that we don't have to worry about him trying to cheat for once," Malon replies with a chuckle.
After a few minutes, Sharil steps onto the stage. "We have counted the totals and have determined the winner," She says. The crowd cheers.
"Here we go. Will I break my losing streak?" Malon silently mutters.

"In third place, with six petals, is Boza!" Sharil shouts.
"Darn. I feel like I searched everywhere," Boza mutters.
"In second place, with seven petals, is Thopa!" Sharil shouts.
"I did see one in the rafters of the barn, but I didn't want to get it. Too scary for me," Thopa whispers to Malon.
"I saw that one too, but I didn't get it either," Malon whispers back.

"In first place, with eight petals, is… Malon!" Sharil shouts.
"Wow. That last petal I found prevented a tie," Malon says in surprise as the crowd cheers.
"Where did you find it?" Thopa asks.
"Under the stairs to the inn," Malon replies.
"I thought I looked there," Thopa groans.
Malon climbs up onto the stage and takes her first place ribbon as the crowd cheers. "Man, I didn't think I would win considering my bad luck the past few years," she mutters as she jumps off the stage and rejoins Thopa in the crowd.
"Well, I hope you all continue to enjoy yourselves during the festival!" Sharil shouts.

Sometime later, Malon and Thopa are sitting at a picnic table eating some pumpkin pie.
"I heard that Epona gave birth a few days ago," Thopa says as she takes another bite.
"Yeah. She's so cute. Haven't thought of a name for her yet," Malon says.
"I'm sure you'll think of something," Thopa said with a smile, "Have you taken a Chrysanthemum to your mother's grave yet?"
"No, though I think I will this time, unlike last year,"
"Yeah, I noticed that. You always had gone with her before she…passed away," Thopa said.

Malon nods.
The two girls continue eating their pies and chatting away.
"How's your aunt?" Malon asks.
"She's doing better thanks to medicine that Link was able to get," Thopa replies.
"That's good. I really enjoy her pumpkin pies. They're so creamy," Malon says with a smile.

After finishing the last bite and licking her fingers, Malon stands up. "I… I should go while I still can," She says, her voice slightly shaking.
"Ok. See you later then," Thopa says as Malon walks off.
Malon slowly makes her way along to Noma's stall, where the Chrysanthemums are being handed out so that people can take them to the grave of a loved one.

"Can I… have a pink one?" Malon asks, trying not to cry.
Seeing this, Noma walks around the stall and warmly embraces Malon.
"I know. I also miss my sister," she says quietly.
"Thanks, auntie," Malon mutters.
Noma picks a pink Chrysanthemum and hands it to Malon.
"I'm sure the kids miss having her as their art teacher at school," Noma says warmly with a smile.

Malon takes the Chrysanthemum and walks along the path towards the graveyard, the Chrysanthemum lanterns leading the way, gradually becoming white. The path to the graveyard itself is made with dirt. At the entrance, she looks around at the rows of gravestones. "Looks like others have already been here…to pay respects," she mutters as she passes several graves with Chrysanthemums placed upon them.

Coming to the grave of her mother, she stands there for a moment and takes a deep breath before kneeling down on her haunches, her kneels and heels pressing into the dirt. After a moment, she places the Chrysanthemum upon the grave. "Mother? Are you there?" Malon asks. After a few moments, Malon smiles slightly as the Chrysanthemum begins to glow pink, meaning that a spirit is drawing upon the Chrysanthemum's energy.

"I…really miss you, mother. It…still feels strange to come here without you. Just felt different…last year without you," she says as tears form. Closing her eyes, Malon takes several deep breaths as Noma had said the week she passed. "I…I still have that…necklace that you made me," she adds as she touches the silver necklace, which has a small horse emblem on it, around her neck.

"I miss you too, my little Sunflower," comes Isha's voice with a slight echo.
"Mother?" Malon gasps as she looks around in puzzlement.
Isha chuckles. "Look at the Chrysanthemum, my dear,"
Malon looks down at the glowing flower. "I… I don't…" Malon says.
"Look closer, Malon," Isha says.
Leaning closer, Malon finally sees it: a small flickering pink flame hovering above the flower, wreathed in a soft otherworldly glow, though the flower isn't burned by it. "Is that?" she asks.
"As I have taught you, spirits appear as Will-o-the-Wisps by drawing on the Chrysanthemum's connection to the Spirit Realm," Isha replies as the flame rises up into the air until its eye level.

"How come I've never…?" Malon asks in amazement.

"The Wisp only appears when there is a deep connection between the person and the spirit and the spirit being contated. Otherwise, they would only see the glow of the Chrysanthemum. If someone was with you, they would only see the glow of the flower, but not the Wisp. Only when there is a deep connection between the living and the dead can the Wisp form," Isha replies, the flame swaying from side to side.
"It's… the memories are coming back to me. So that's why when…I would come with you…" Malon mutters.
"You were onlyable to see the glow, not the Wisp," Isha says.

"I…um…I won the scavenger hunt for the first time in a few years," Malon says.
"That's wonderful dear. I'm sure you still had fun the last few times," Isha said, the flame glowing slightly brighter.
"Yeah. Also, Epona finally gave birth. It’s a girl foal. It's so cute. Noma has been helping me take care of her. She also taught me the stuff you wanted to teach me before you passed away," Malon says with a smile on her face.
"Of course. I assume Epona herself is doing well?" Isha says.
Malon nods. "Yeah, she is doing well," she says.

After a few moments, Malon looks up and sees that the sun is starting to set.
"I…should be heading back now," she says.
"Of course, Malon. You can come anytime to chat, even if you don't have the Chrysanthemum. I will always be listening," Isha said.
"But, don't I need it?" Malon asks as she looks down at the flower.
"Only when communication is desired. I am here, even though you cannot see me. Reach out and touch the Wisp," Isha says,
Slowly, Malon reaches out, though she hesitates. As if picking up in her hesitation, the Wisp slowly moves and comes into contact with her palm. After a moment, she has the sensation that a hand is holding hers.
"See? I am holding your hand. The Chrysanthemum is what allow the spirit to contact the living. The Wisp gives it form. I am here even when you don't have the flower," Isha says, warmly.

After a few moments, the Wisp fades, followed by the glow. A tear rolls down Malon's cheek as she sits there for a moment before breaking into silent sobbing.

After a few minutes, Malon takes a deep breath. Picking up the Chrysanthemum and putting it into her satchel, she heads towards the gate and leaves. As she passes the gates, she pauses and looks back. After a moment, she continues onward.

As she walks, something catches her eye: A small path leading off the main path. "Has that…always been there?" She asks. She takes a step towards the path only to hesitate and look towards Kakariko. "I suppose a quick look wouldn't hurt," she mutters as she goes down the path. The dirt path leads to the mouth of a cave. Pulling out her portable lantern, which is powered by a Flare Stone from Goron City, and turning it on, she looks back before stepping into the cave.

As Malon walks along, the light of her lantern illuminates the rocky, craggy walls as well as a few feet in front of her. "How far does this go?" She asks silently as the tunnel starts to gently slope downward. She continues walking for what feels like a long time, until she turns a gentle corner into a medium sized room, the light of her lantern not quite reaching the walls. "Wow… This place is kind of cool. A nice place to hang out," she mutters. She lifts her lantern so she can see more of the room, only to hear several loud shrieks and the sound of flapping wings.

Malon looks up with a shout and stumbles backwards as a swarm of brown Keese fly past her and out of the cave, disturbed by the light. The lantern hits the ground shutting off and plunging the room into darkness. She huddles up and covers her head as the Keese fly by over her, several flying close enough their wings almost touch her head. After a few tense moments, the sound of wings and screeches slowly fade.

Malon looks up and slowly moves her hands around in the dark until they land on the lantern. "Come on. Please turn on…" she mutters fearfully as she slowly turns the switch, her hands shaking as she does. The light flickers as she twists the knob. "Come on! Please don't be broken," she cries. She gives the knob one last twist only for the lantern to fail to light. Tossing it aside, Malon huddles into a corner and gazes around unable to see, knowing that there's no way she could possibly find the tunnel in the darkness. After a moment, the fear gets to her and she buries her face into her knees as she cries alone, surrounded by darkness and silence.

As she cries, a gentle warmth grows within her satchel. Looking up, Malon is amazed to see a soft pink glow spreading just around her, illuminating only the space within a few feet. "W-what?" she stammers as she wipes away the tears.
"The flower…" comes Isha's soft voice, filled with love and concern.
Malon glances down and gasps in surprise as she opens her satchel. Inside, she sees the source of the glow: the flower. It pulses with a warm pink aura, like a spirit's heartbeat made visible. The Wisp gracefully rises up before coming to rest up on Malon's knee. At the same time, Malon gets the sensation of a pair of arms warmly embracing her.
"Mother…I'm scared," she mutters.
"I know," Isha's soft voice says.

After a few moments, the Wisp slowly drifts from Malon's knee to the lantern she had dropped and enters it. Lifting the lantern, Malon gasps in amazement as the light of the Wisp fills the lantern, casting a gentle glow around her without overwhelming the room, enough to show her the immediate area while leaving the rest of the cave in shadow. Thin, luminescent ribbons of energy drift outward, twisting as if beckoning her to follow. Malon remains where she is, rooted in fear.

"Follow the light, my little Sunflower," Isha whispers.

Slowly, Malon staggers to her feet. Holding up the lantern, she watches as the ribbons drift off to her left. With a deep breath, Malon closes her eyes. As she does, for a brief moment, Isha's face appears, smiling warmly at her.

Opening her eyes, Malon slowly begins walking, holding the lantern before her, her path clear thanks to the pink glow. She continues onward, the path going uphill, fear fading as she goes. Rounding the corner, she smiles as she comes to the mouth of the cave. She slowly stumbles out, her legs feeling heavy, her heart still pounding. As she stumbles out, she can feel the fresh evening air blowing by through her hair.

Spotting a tree near the path, she walks over to it and slumps against it as her legs finally give out. Looking at the lantern, Malon gives a weary smile.
"Mother…" Malon mutters as her vision starts to fade, exhaustion finally catching up to her.
"I will be with you, my little Sunflower. Get some rest. I will watch over you. If I must guide you back to the village when you awaken, I will," Isha said.
"Thank…you," Malon mutters. As her vision faded, she felt the familiar warmth of her mother’s embrace one last time before her body went limp, slumping into the natural indent of the tree. The lantern rested safely in her lap, still pulsing softly with the Wisp's pink glow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malon's eyes slowly flutter open. After glancing around, she slowly pushes herself up onto her elbows. She finds herself lying in a bed within a furnished bedroom. As she looks around, she spots her lantern and her Chrysanthemum on the side table, the flower still glowing and the Wisp still resting within the lantern.

She looks up, as the door opens and Noma enters the room.
"Good morning," Noma says warmly.

"Morning," Malon says.

"I'm so glad that you're ok, Malon. Thopa and I had noticed that you had you not returned, so I went to look for you," Noma says as she sits on the edge of the bed.
Malon nods as she looks at the still glowing flower. "I… I don't know how to really…explain it," she mutters.
"I assume it was Isha?" Noma asks.

Malon nods. "Yeah. I… was on my way back to the village. A cave caught my eye and against my better judgment, I went inside," she mutters, "I got scared and lost in there, but mother's Wisp led me out using my lantern."
"I see," Noma says, also looking at the flower. As the two watched, the glow slowly diminished and Malon watches as the wisp fades like a candle's final flicker.

Sometime later, after Malon has recovered, Noma takes Malon back to Lon-Lon Ranch. There, Malon walks over to the barn and watches with a smile as Epona's foal wanders around the pen, joined by Thopa, who had been getting horseback riding lessons from Link. Suddenly, a thought comes to her.
"Sunflower. That's what I'll call you. I think that's a good name," she says.
"That's honestly adorable. Giving her your mother's old nickname for you," Thopa says.
"Yeah. It is," Malon replies with a smile.

That evening, Malon places her first place ribbon beside her mother’s, smiling softly as she remembered her mother. "Thank you, mother," she murmurs as she gazes upon the Chrysanthemum, which Noma allowed her to keep, that now sits within a small pot on her desk, her mother's Wisp flickering within.
"Of course, my little Sunflower," Isha says warmly.
"Um…What if I had multiple Chrysanthemum? What would've happened?" Malon asks.
"I would have been able to appear to you fully. One is enough for the wisp. The more there are, the more power Spirits can use," Isha replies warmly.