TEEN: - Complete The Legend of Zelda: The Ancient Power

[Kelleo]

Welcome, readers, to my prized Zelda fanfiction, The Legend of Zelda: The Ancient Power. :3

This story is my oldest piece of work and it has been revised several times over (it's even had its title changed a couple times). One of the two main characters, Kelli (the other is Link), is the first real fictional character I ever created, and she too has changed a lot since this story's first draft. A good friend of mine helps me revise my writing nowadays, so as such, he deserves credit here as well as I. I already have some chapters completed which are posted on fanfiction.net (I am EmblemQueen there), but I'll start with the major characters and prologue for now. This story takes place seven years after Majora's Mask. Link has grown up naturally, and he has long left Termina to continue his search for Navi. Not long after he finally finds her, however, Link meets a mysterious female warrior named Kelli who reports to him that Hyrule is once again in danger. He reluctantly partners up with her to save the land once more, but both soon find it to be the greatest challenge they have ever faced.

Major Characters​

Spoiler

Link
Link, obviously, is our classic green-clad Legend of Zelda hero and returns from his adventures in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Having finally naturally matured to seventeen years of age, he has become a professional swordsman and has gained quite a bit of confidence in himself. He is also very passionate and courageous, as Link will take on any challenge thrown at him, as long as it involves some combat. He enjoys what he does more than just about anything else, and if anyone needs some monsters or such taken care of, he'll be there. Even in what seems like a drastically dangerous situation, Link somehow manages to find a way to have some fun, and it worries Kelli a little. He tends to be rather ill-prepared, a tad reckless, and not plan ahead sometimes, but behind that is a young man who cares a lot for those he's close to and he'll be more serious when a situation looks really bad. Overall, though, he's the kind of guy who'd say to you, "Need some monsters clobbered? I'm your hero!"

Kelli
Kelli is a young Hylian female swordfighter who is close in age to Link and possesses mysterious powers. She tells him of the new dangers in Hyrule and also provides him with valuable information that relates to how the two must save the kingdom as well as new sword techniques (the very same ones from Twilight Princess, actually). Not much is known about her at first, as she refuses to talk much about herself, but she is caring, helpful, and very skilled with her unique sword and shield. Kelli's true feelings begin to show, however, when she discovers her childhood best friend, Judo, has gone missing. She's still rather secretive, a bit pessimistic, and even a little bossy, but she cares greatly for her friends and is very devoted to her life. However, Link still feels he does not truly know who she is...

Navi
Link's old guardian fairy makes a comeback when she finds him unconscious in the woods not long before they meet Kelli. Navi, as usual, constantly reminds Link of important things and does her best to help him out and find enemy weaknesses like before, but she still cares greatly for him. She even enjoys teasing him every now and sometimes makes snarky and sarcastic remarks, but she always means well. Unfortunately, she takes an extreme dislike to Kelli and vice versa, which irritates Link and Navi's sister, Vira.

Daphnes
Daphnes is the kind and generous king of Hyrule. He was imprisoned within his own castle dungeon and is very worried for his kingdom's safety. He had previously sent Kelli to find Link, as he had learned of him through his daughter, Zelda. Zelda herself had disappeared along with the six Sages, and Daphnes worries most of all about her. Even so, and despite his deteriorating health and lack of knowledge on his kingdom's situation, he tries to have faith in Link and Kelli's abilities and advises them on their journey whenever he can.

Vira
Vira is Navi's older sister and was once Kelli's fairy partner. The two sisters hadn't seen each other in quite awhile, but their reunion is a much enjoyed event when Vira is found imprisoned in a cage. The light purple fairy is a little cowardly and has a bit of an attitude, but she cares greatly for her sister as well as Kelli, and finds enough courage to rejoin the heroine on her quest. Like Navi, she can pinpoint enemy weaknesses, though her fear tends to show through it. Even so, Vira is also wise and mature, as an older sister ought to be.

Fairy of Winds
The Fairy of Winds is an ancient and powerful fairy. She was once part of a group of fairies who possessed different elemental powers. She, however, was also imprisoned by the evil threatening Hyrule, and once she is rescued, she turns up every now and then to advise Link and Kelli and give them valuable information. She seems a bit robotic, but she is still fearful for the land and is very wise and helpful. She even eventually decides to award the two heroes with a little of her power. As you might have guessed, she is the very same Fairy of Winds whose spirit dwells in the Gale Boomerang from Twilight Princess.

Dark Kelli
This creature is Kelli's evil doppelganger, but where she came from is unknown. She refuses to identify her "master" and wants nothing more than to stop Link and Kelli in their tracks. She proves to be a very dangerous enemy with abilities that appear to surpass even the real Kelli's, and Link experiences this first hand. At first, she reminds him of Dark Link, an adversary he had fought in the dark future from Ocarina of Time, but Dark Kelli proves to be different in several ways. She has a character all of her own and is not simply a dark mirror of the real Kelli. She is very flirtatious, cocky, and even prostitute-like. She even plans to celebrate with a "warm body" she finds attractive when her master's plan succeeds. A male one, of course.

Judo
Judo himself does not appear in this story, but he is often mentioned and we learn a lot about him. He is Kelli's childhood friend and has not been seen in quite sometime. However, Daphnes somehow knows him very well, and he appears to be very well known with the Hyrulean soldiers...​

Table of Contents

Prologue
Chapter 1: The Return
Chapter 2: The Royal Rescue
Chapter 3: Mysterious Occurrences
Chapter 4: Where's Saria?
Chapter 5: The Death Forest
Chapter 6: Kelli's Resolution
Chapter 7: A Puzzling Situation
Chapter 8: Training
Chapter 9: The Magma Cavern
Chapter 10: Memories of Judo
Chapter 11: King Zora's Tale
Chapter 12: Two Birds With One Stone
Chapter 13: The Fortress of Ice
Chapter 14: Return to the Fire Temple
Chapter 15: The Fortress of Ice – Part 2
Chapter 16: A Deadly Crisis
Chapter 17: Link's Rescue
Chapter 18: Lost Hyrule
Chapter 19: The Sun Temple
Chapter 20: The Guardian of the Moon


Prologue​

In the vast land of Hyrule, there exist many great tales of heroism and war, both ancient and recent, well-known and obscure. The most famous of these legends is the tale of the Hero of Time, a boy who traveled between present and future to bring an onslaught of evil to its end. With the aid of the seven sages, the Hero of Time successfully sealed away the great evil and returned peace to Hyrule. His long quest complete, the young hero was said to have crept away from that land on a personal journey in search of an invaluable friend.

However…

Unbeknownst to the citizens of Hyrule, another story was unfolding in the neighboring land of Mayia. A creature of terrible evil invaded the kingdom in search of a mysterious Golden Power. As they knew nothing of this great power, save that the horrific creature would not cease his rampage until finding it, all the people could do was pray to the gods for salvation. The answer to these prayers appeared one day in the most unlikely of forms. A young girl carrying little more than a sword and shield stepped forth and opposed the great evil. Much like the Hero of Time, she, too, defeated her foe and restored peace to the land.

Despite the victories these two heroes achieved, the power of the girl and the creature she defeated remained but a mystery to many of the people. When beings similar to those the girl battled in Mayia begin appearing in Hyrule a year later, another legend that had centuries before been buried and forgotten would soon be reborn.

This is the legend of the Sky Guardians.​

 

[Kelleo]

It's been several hours, so I'll post chapter 1. :3

Chapter 1: The Return​

It was a late afternoon as Link rode his horse, Epona through a thick, dense forest, the sun sinking below the horizon to his left. Ever since he saved a mysterious land known as Termina seven years before, he had been on a long journey seeking his old guardian fairy, Navi. It was, in fact, that very quest that led him to Termina by chance, where he discovered the land gripped in terror as the moon slowly but inexorably fell out of the sky. There simply wasn't enough time to save them...but that was hardly a problem when one can manipulate time. Link's hand found the pocket where he kept the Ocarina of Time, a treasure of the Royal Family of Hyrule. The delicate instrument was ensorcelled with numerous powers that had saved his life every bit as often as his sword.

Link shook himself back to attention and turned his thoughts back to Navi. He searched day and night for her, only interrupting the quest to allow himself and Epona take a rest from the insane amount of traveling that was required. Whenever he saw a town or village, Link would stop for a brief rest and supplies and then continue to search for Navi there as well before moving on. Still, it had been years of searching and goddesses only know how many miles. Link was tired, frustrated and lonely. At the moment, he was finally considering giving up the search. However, he knew that that was not the answer. No matter how long or what it took to succeed, Link knew he would eventually lay eyes on his friend again.

As he slowed Epona to a halt deep within the forested area he had begun journeying through earlier that day, Link carefully scanned his surroundings. His blonde bangs swayed back and forth in the light breeze that had begun to rustle the leaves as his eyes shifted from tree to tree and shrub to shrub. However, it wasn’t long before his eyes had begun to water and a tear trickled down his cheek. He missed Navi terribly, even if she had been a little annoying every now and then. However, the fairy’s friendly personality and her talent for granting him line-of-sight on his enemies and discerning their weaknesses had by far made up for the slight annoyances, enabling them to build up the friendship the two had shared.

Link brought a hand to his eyes and wiped his tears away as he pressed on. Navi was out there somewhere, he believed, maybe even looking for him. He continued on his way, reminding himself of the great adventure he had with her in his homeland of Hyrule. Navi’s advice had been very helpful to him, even if she did repeat it unnecessarily, and Link could tell she only did it so he would never forget. In fact, he actually enjoyed listening to her exclaim “Hey!” or “Listen!” or “Watch out!” or “Look!” It was because of this that he knew Navi cared about him just as he did her.

As the sky grew darker and darker with the onset of night, Link had begun having difficulty seeing through the darkened woods due to the canopy of the trees which blotted out the guiding moonlight. Even so, he didn’t let it hold him back. However, he soon became so focused on his thoughts of Navi that he didn’t realize he was steering himself and Epona right towards the face of a tall, rocky cliff. When he finally snapped himself out of his trance, Link gasped in shock and suddenly yanked Epona’s reins, causing her to come to a complete halt in her tracks and whinny in surprise.

“Daaah! Whoa, girl!” Link exclaimed, relieved he’d realized what he was doing before what would have probably been a rather embarrassing, and possibly deadly, collision could occur. Link immediately began to turn Epona around in hopes he could locate another route through the forest. Before he could recollect his thoughts, however, a faint rumbling noise echoed from atop the cliff. The rumbling grew louder for the next few seconds until suddenly, chunks of rock came bursting away from the formation and plunged down straight towards Link and Epona. Link’s eyes widened in fear as his grip on the reins became tight.

“Oh man, c’mon Epona, GO!” Link shouted as he pulled Epona about to dash off as quickly as he’d halted her. Luckily, he soon managed to locate a new route and turned onto it immediately. Much to his dismay, however, the new path only led the hero to another section of the cliff, with more rocks sliding from above. The two instantly bolted off again down another trail with Link frantically wondering where he would go if he ended up back at the cliff again. That is, until he had become so concerned about where he was headed that he stopped paying attention to his surroundings. It took Link mere minutes to collide head first into a low tree branch, knocking him right out of the saddle and sending him crashing into the dirt back first. His world instantly went dark out of the blow.

Link felt a sharp blow to the back of his head and the world above him began to spin before he succumbed to unconsciousness. The spiraling world above him seemed to bleed through the darkness, melting into iridescent vortices of color that flittered about just within each eyelid. The images were very pretty but, when a harsh golden light seared through his vision, he lost all recollection of what those images were. Link opened his eyes, his vision blurred and his head still throbbing. First he saw the sun and then the moon in a grayed, darkened sky full of billowing blackened clouds. Below the hovering sun stood a blonde-haired girl wielding a mysterious sword and shield with mysterious markings. Link could discern little from her hardened features, save that she was clearly a skilled warrior and didn't look particularly friendly. Link himself was standing opposite to her and below the moon, but he was holding a different sword than the one he currently carried, which was the Great Fairy’s Sword, a blade he obtained in Termina. Instead, the weapon in his hand was a dark blue-hilted sword he’d never seen before which also bore markings he could not decipher. Without warning, Link and the blonde girl held up their swords and the sun and moon began to glow…

“Link!” a feminine voice suddenly called. “Link! Hey, are you alright?”

Link’s eyes fluttered open almost on the instant, yet he could’ve sworn he was awake before. A bluish white ball bearing wings hovered above him and when he realized what he was looking at, Link found himself wondering if this was another dream.

“Link!” Navi repeated, her tone as joyful as ever while the flapping of her wings grew faster. “Oh Link, I’m so relieved you’ve awakened!”

“Huh…? …What happened? …Navi?” Link wondered, sitting up and still working to dispel the fog over his mind. “Navi! It is you!”

“Yes! I found you here unconscious. Oh Link, I can’t believe this is happening after such a long time!” Navi replied.

“Neither can I. Navi, where have you been during these seven long years?” Link wondered, wanting to cry with joy at seeing his beloved fairy partner again. “My adventures have never been the same without you by my side! Or, is that my head or in my hat?”

“I…I’m so sorry, Link. I returned to the Kokiri Forest…” Navi reluctantly admitted, knowing how long Link had been away from Hyrule.

“What? You mean to tell me you never even left Hyrule?!” Link exclaimed, his eyes widening. “I left and never saw my home again for years, Navi!” Navi stopped flapping her wings so hard and felt the most regret she ever had in her life.

“I know, Link…it’s all my fault,” she pleaded with guilt. “I should have said something before we parted ways back at the Temple of Time. I never thought of you actually leaving Hyrule to go find me…”

Link was instantly deep into thought once more upon hearing Navi’s words. She was right, but then again, he never thought she might have remained in Hyrule. Now he began to feel his own share of regret over the entire misunderstanding. He could have searched Hyrule first instead of leaving completely, but why didn’t he? And why did Navi appear to randomly fly out of the window of the Temple of Time, for no discernable reason and not come back? Unable to answer these questions floating in his mind, Link decided to in instead focus on what was more important about Navi’s return.

“You know what? I have to apologize as well,” Link decided. “I never considered the idea that you might have stayed. But although we’re both at fault here, I’m merely glad we’re reunited after all these years.”

“Yes, so am I!” Navi responded in a cheerful voice. “And I miss Hyrule. What say you to a journey back home together?” A smile formed on Link’s face as he gripped Epona’s reins again.

“I say you bet!” he agreed. He, too, missed his homeland dearly and returning with the friend he had been searching for so long and hard had to be the best idea he’d heard in a very long time. Although Link was excited to set foot in Hyrule with his fairy by his side once more, he still had some questions floating in his mind as they were traveling.

“Hey, now that I think about this, did you eventually leave in search of me too?” he inquired.

“Actually, yes. A while ago, well quite a while ago, I decided to find you but I didn't know where to look. Then Zelda came to me and she told me that you left on a search for me three months after we parted ways, and I felt like I’d made a horrible mistake,” Navi explained. She continued to say that she, too, had not seen Hyrule in seven years because she had been searching for Link to apologize for everything.

“Oh…I’m so sorry to have put you through that,” Link apologized, his guilt probably reaching the same peak as Navi’s by now. “Zelda… I’ll have to thank her for letting you know where I’d gone. I’ve missed her terribly as well.”

As the words left his mouth, his meandering thoughts suddenly fixated upon Zelda, princess of Hyrule. Link had spent his final three months in Hyrule with her and it had felt as though he'd found a little piece of heaven that had fallen to earth. Zelda's kind nature, and her crafty mind and fondness for pranks were always good for a laugh, even if it was Link who was on the receiving end. Knowing Zelda, she would also be happier than ever to see Link again. However, that train of thought soon led to another matter Link had begun to ponder about. How did Zelda know where Navi had gone and why she didn’t give Link the information?

“But wait a second, if Zelda knew where you’d gone, why didn’t she tell me?” Link asked, arching one eyebrow.

“She didn’t know at first. Saria told her I’d gone home,” Navi explained.

“Yeah, that makes sense, with Saria being one of the sages and all,” Link replied. “Now I really feel ashamed of myself.” Not only had Link left Hyrule, but he’d left his friends behind as well, and Saria, a Kokiri and sage of the Kokiri Forest, was his only real friend during the lonely years before his adventure began.

“Don’t punish yourself, Link. We’re together again,” Navi assured. “Everything’s fine now.”

“Yeah, you’re right. No use pouting about it even more,” Link agreed. “But still, nothing’s been the same without you. Especially since I had another fairy following me around in this land called Termina.” He went on to say that even though the fairy, whose name was Tatl, had helped him, Link detested her attitude and the way she treated him. And, of course, the way her voice sounded like a shrill bell being rung right in his ear hadn't helped much either.

“She acted as if I were a freaking moron who didn’t know the first thing about adventuring, for crying out loud!” Link complained. “I needed you back too much afterwards, and because of that, I left that land without a second thought. Don’t ever leave me like this again. Please!”

“Oh…of course I won’t,” Navi promised, looking abashed at the confession. “I didn’t know you needed me so much. I thought you had no use for me because you’re a Hylian, not a Kokiri. But I promise I won’t think such things ever again!”

“Thank you, Navi. I may be a Hylian, but that doesn’t change anything.”

“It certainly doesn’t.” At that, Navi flew close to Link and huddled against his shoulder in a fairy hug. Link smiled and brought his hand around her as he kept steering Epona. They were definitely inseparable friends.

A fairly short time had passed after Link and Navi had finished their conversation when the faint sound of a horse’s hooves echoed from elsewhere in the woods. Link instantly pulled Epona to a halt and glanced around to see where it was coming from, but the sound seemed to echo off of the tree trunks and then become muffled by the leaves making it difficult to even hear, much less track to its source. Fortunately for Link, a palomino horse came in to view minutes later, galloping towards him. However, ‘fortunately’ might have been a premature term, as Link had no idea if the rider was friend or enemy. Link shook his head when he laid eyes upon the horse’s rider. It was a blonde-haired girl who appeared to be no older than him and, to his astonishment, bore a striking resemblance to the person from his vision. The girl had a yellow-orange hilted sword and shield at her back and her features were hardened but not unkind, indicating she was a warrior like Link himself. The girl pulled her horse into a complete halt in front of Epona and Link, her deep teal blue eyes looking straight into him. Feeling too shocked to say anything, Link simply concentrated on how he could see a girl he did not know in a dream. Finally, the girl herself spoke up seconds later.

“Excuse me, your name is Link, right?” she inquired politely. The girl’s expression bordered on concerned as Link searched for his reply. Waiting for an answer, the girl perked up her pointed ears. Having trouble getting a sentence out, Link finally spoke.

“I…oh, yes, I’m Link,” he responded, finally snapping out of it. “H-how did you know?”

“I was told of you by the King of Hyrule. He sent me to find you. …Is something wrong?” the girl wondered, sensing Link’s astonishment.
“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just that you look a lot like someone I saw in a dream. And…and she was holding a sword just like yours!” Link exclaimed, feeling a wave of shock go through his body once again when he got a closer look at the hilt of the girl’s blade.

“Is that so?” the girl replied, not seeming the least bit surprised. “Then there’s no doubt about it. You’re definitely the man I’m looking for.”

“Huh? Now I’m really confused,” Link admitted, scratching the top of his head. The girl smiled, hinting to Link that she knew something he didn’t.

“Ah, let me explain. My name is Kelli. I’m a Hylian warrior and protector of Hyrule. As I said before, his majesty King Daphnes assigned me to find a man named Link, also known as the Hero of Time,” the girl explained. Kelli said she had been given details about Link to help expedite her search. Link knew from the moment Kelli mentioned his title that she, indeed, was a confidant of the Royal Family because, as from Link and the Sages, King Daphnes and Zelda were the only people to know about his adventure in the dark future he and his friends had prevented from coming to pass. Convincing the king that his then ally, Ganondorf was in actuality a traitor had been difficult but the Triforce emblems on Link and Zelda's hands had been difficult to refute. King Daphnes had explained to Kelli how Link was affected by evil presences in the form of terrible nightmares based upon them and that it’d be wise to ask if he’d had any such dreams lately. Kelli was also given a brief physical description of him as well, although it wasn’t much due to Link having not been seen in a long time.

“I see,” Link replied. “But what does his majesty want me for? What’s going on?”

Kelli looked away for a minute. Link could easily tell something was very wrong.

“I’ll explain later. We have to hurry,” Kelli replied. Link nodded with concern as the two warriors began their journey back to Hyrule together.

As they traveled, Link found Kelli easy to get along with despite her reluctance to share details of her mission, as the two ceaselessly conversed during their long journey. He learned her horse’s name was Sunfire and that she was a gift to Kelli from Zelda. Sunfire was quite an attractive horse for the steed of a warrior. Her curly blonde mane and tail radiated beauty. Her saddle was a light sky blue and burnt red in color and bore the emblem of the Hyrulean Royal Family, the Triforce mark, while the straps were colored gold. It showed the beauty of a royal saddle. Link shared tales of his past adventures in Termina and Hyrule, explaining how he wielded the legendary blade, the Master Sword, and even about his traveling through time to first overthrow Ganondorf, the evil king of the Gerudo tribe in the west, in the dark future and then return to the past to prevent his rise to power. Kelli refused to give many details about herself, however, and whenever Link mentioned the Kokiri Forest or Zelda, she would cut him off and change the topic. Although he found this rather odd, Link could detect an edge in her voice and decided it was too harsh a subject to inquire about for the time being.

Around half an hour later, Kelli suddenly brought Sunfire to a halt, causing Link to follow her example with Epona. Her eyes shifted quickly from each direction, indicating she was sensing a nearby presence, but Link couldn’t hear or see anything but themselves. He decided it was best to inquire about the matter.

“Kel, why are we stopping?” he whispered, still glancing around.

“Shush. I heard something,” Kelli replied, so softly that Link nearly missed it. The two were silent for the next few moments until Kelli’s expression bordered on frantic.

“Oh no… We’re being pursued. Follow me quickly!” she instructed. “Fight only if you absolutely have to! We can’t lose any time!”

Link, deciding Kelli knew what she was doing, obeyed and followed behind the warrior closely and quickly. In no time at all, however, Lizalfos, humanoid lizard creatures who carried fairly short swords, riding atop White Wolfos had appeared waiting in ambush and gave chase to Link and Kelli. These monsters were familiar to Link, but something appeared different about them this time. They seemed to be more intelligent than the last time he encountered them, they’d never had mounts, and their eye colors were not the usual eerie bright red. Most of them had golden eyes, but a select few bore navy blue eyes as well. Hoping Kelli knew what exactly was going on, Link continued to follow her winding paths through the trees and helped fight off the monsters that caught up with them until their pursuers were far behind.

“We should be safe now,” Kelli wheezed out a few minutes later. The enemy’s numbers had by then dropped by a lot. The remaining ones began to flee.

“Can I ask what that was all about?” Link wondered in confusion. “I’ve never seen Lizalfos riding Wolfos before, nor have I seen them so intelligent or have those eye colors.”

“You’ll understand when I explain things later.”

Taking Kelli’s word for it, not that there was much of a choice, Link decided not to inquire about it again until they finished their journey.

About an hour after Link and Kelli first left, they finally entered the vast land of Hyrule. However, Link couldn’t believe what he was seeing around him. The scene he beheld was eerily familiar, and in the worst possible way. Dark clouds were hovering over Death Mountain, Hyrule Castle could be seen completely consumed by dark skies and fog, the drawbridge into the town was torn down, the town walls were full of holes and partially destroyed, and monsters were roaming all over Hyrule Field. Link’s mouth hung open in shock as he watched a scene from his oldest nightmares playing out before him. Somehow, despite the tireless efforts of himself and the Sages, the dark reign of Ganondorf had come again.

This was Link's first thought, for he was at a loss as to what else it could be. But the broad expanse of tragedy he gazed open was more than enough to overwhelm his sense. It meant that everything he'd done, and everything that had been done to him, all that his friends had accomplished, and all they had suffered, everything Hyrule itself had gone through, all the years of savagery and slaughter and the deaths of countless innocents...had all been for nothing. Because it had all been done to prevent a dark and terrible future, which had happened anyway. Somehow, Link shook himself back to attention. The Sages, Malon, the Kokiri, the Gorons, the Zoras, the Gerudo, the Great Deku Tree Sprout, and Zelda. Were they alright? Were they even alive?

“Link? Link?!” a voice tore through his whirling thoughts and he turned to Kelli, who also bore an expression of concern.

“Oh no… This can’t be,” Link said, his eyes wide, though he was all too aware of how the sight before him disproved his words. “Is this why we were being chased?” Kelli closed her eyes and her gaze drooped earthward, almost mournfully.

“I’m afraid so. A mysterious evil did this…” she explained as her eyes opened and scanned the field once more. “No one knows who, but this evil invaded the land and let loose a raid of these intelligent monsters without warning. I didn’t think any had gone so far outside of Hyrule, though.”

“I have to find my friends,” Link realized urgently, and he was about to spur Epona into motion when Kelli's mount trotted forward to bar his path.

“I can't let you do that,” she informed him calmly.

Without thought, a reflex born from having wielded a sword against foes in countless varieties, Link's blade leapt out of his sheath, it's tip hovering a hair's breadth from Kelli's throat. A torrent of thoughts whirled through Link's mind, most centered on what could be happening to his friends at that very moment and Kelli's reasons for preventing him from helping them. Whether she was, despite her earlier claims, an enemy or whether she was giving him the run-around like Sheik and the Giants had in his prior adventures, Link did not know. And, frankly, he didn't care.

What could be happening to Saria, to Darunia, to Malon, to Zelda, while he was halted here in this standoff filled him with dread. And, anybody who tried to stop him from saving them did so at their own peril.

“I don't want to hurt you,” Link told her, feelingly. “But, I need to find out what's happened to my friends. They might need my help. Now, move out of my way or I'll move you.”

Kelli's expression remained unchanged, doubtlessly sensing the conflict in Link's mind as he weighed the prospect of cutting his way through an ally or risking that such a delay could cost the life of friend. Sensing that the tension in Link’s sword arm might not be a good sign, she chose to merely leave him a warning.

“If you think you can beat me in a battle with your current skill, then you’re being more reckless than I thought you would,” Kelli commented, her tone turning less friendly. At blinding speed, she swiped her sword from her sheath and struck Link’s blade away from her throat. Link, nearly gulping at the act, made no effort to resist further. Kelli had clearly implied that she knew sword techniques he had never even heard of, though where she could have trained to learn such skills, he could not figure out.

“I don't know where your friends are, or what's happened to them,” Kelli admitted, but continued before Link could respond with drastic action. “But I know someone who does. If you come with me, you'll learn more than you would gallivanting off on your own. I will also offer my help if you trust me.”

Another few tense moments passed, during which Link mulled over the prospects of forcing his way past or taking Kelli at her word. Eventually, he sheathed his blade and nodded.

“Alright, we’ll do it your way,” Link replied, his tactical mind already mulling over the situation. “Do you know anything about who or what caused this?”

“No. That’s what we need to find out,” Kelli explained. Link could tell she was confident in her ability to find out whom exactly this new evil presence was. She then bravely said, “The first thing we must do is see his majesty. He will surely have counsel and orders for us.”

“Where is he?”

“Everyone, including his majesty, have taken shelter in Kakariko. Somehow, the village is the only place that has hardly been touched by evil.”

“Hm…”

Link still didn't like not getting a straight answer out of Kelli but he could tell she was sincere and decided he could trust her. His earlier musing about Sheik came back him; Sheik had also been evasive and cryptic to the point where Link seriously considered grabbing the lyre strumming Sheikah by the neck and shaking him until he told Link where Zelda was hiding. One could imagine Link's surprise when he learned that Zelda had been hiding behind Sheik's cowl, right in front of him, the whole time. Perhaps Kelli was being similarly tight lipped because she too had things in hand? The possibility helped to calm Link's worried mind.

Still, Link’s concerns yet lingered in his mind even though Kelli had assured him that he’d know where his friends were soon enough. With things the way they were, however, monsters could attack anywhere at any time whatsoever, which meant Link and Kelli would need to keep their guard up at all times. Link also pondered about who could be behind such horrific devastation, but no reasonable ideas came to mind besides Ganondorf, the evil Gerudo king who was defeated by the young hero when he wielded the Master Sword. And even Ganondorf being behind this didn’t seem possible because how could the man have broken out of the seal he was sent into so soon after Link and Zelda reported his treachery to Daphnes? Link decided, as a result, it had to be an unknown adversary, at least in Hyrule.

As Link and Kelli directed their horses across the monster-inhabited Hyrule Field, Link noticed Lon Lon Ranch had also seen an attack. There were cracks and holes in the walls and pieces from where it had been bombarded were lying in the dirt-stained grass. Link grew even more nervous as he lightly scanned his surroundings. He hoped Malon, Talon, Ingo, and the animals were safe and sound. Well, Ingo he could do without, but Malon and Talon were amongst the first real friends he’d had since leaving Kokiri Forest. After an extremely close, but missed encounter with a pair of bird-like monsters known as Guays, Link and Kelli arrived at the entrance to Kakariko Village. However, before the two warriors could even dismount their horses, a Hyrule Castle guard appeared on the stairs leading to the village. The one thing that managed to catch the eyes of Link and Kelli the most, however, was the soldier’s blood-stained lance and the limp in his walk. His panicked expression turned into relief when he spotted Link and Kelli at the base of the stairs.

“Lady Kelli!” he exclaimed, limping faster. “You’ve returned with Link at our time of greatest need, but I’m afraid I have bad news!”

“What’s going on?” Kelli inquired with slight nervousness, sensing trouble.

“The village was raided by monsters and they took his majesty hostage! We tried to stop them, but they were much too strong.”

“What?!” Kelli gasped, her nervousness turning into fear. “How?”

The guard carefully explained the event to both warriors, who listened with all ears. Daphnes was speaking with a few of the guards, including the one sent to the field to keep a sharp eye out for Kelli’s re-arrival. Within the next few minutes, a sharp reptilian cry echoed from above and a pair of dinosaur-like creatures dropped from the sky. Like the Lizalfos Link and Kelli had encountered earlier, these had strangely colored eyes and showed unheard-of intelligence. Despite that they were carrying swords, they did not attack anyone in the village, but instead immediately snatched Daphnes by his arms and bolted for the exit.

“Sounds like Dinolfos,” Link interpreted.

“I thought that’s what they were,” the guard agreed. “I also noticed something big flying in the sky above us as well, probably what brought the creatures there in the first place. After the other soldiers and I gave chase, I managed to attack one of the monsters, but they shoved me away. I tripped on a tree root and slammed into a wall.”

“Hmm…” Kelli replied, her mind wandering to new ideas. “I may know what that flying creature was, but I can’t say for sure. Did anyone see where the Dinolfos were taking the King after they escaped the village?”

“I rushed to the stairs for that very reason and spotted them heading for the castle,” the guard continued. “I fear they’ve locked the King up in the dungeon. Oh how our poor castle has suffered…!”

“Blast! I knew we had little time, but I never imagined how little,” Kelli fumed with concern. “Link, you saw what happened to the castle, didn’t you? We must both go after his majesty.”

“Agreed,” Link replied. “The guard said the monsters responsible for his capture were very strong, which means those guarding the dungeon are likely to be similar, if not stronger. One of us going alone would definitely be unwise.”

“My thoughts exactly. Let’s go,” Kelli agreed and then returned her attention to the guard. “As for you and the few other guards, it seems the monsters have already come for what they want and shouldn’t be back for awhile, if at all. Are you still able to fight?”

“Yeah, I should be fine once the pain in my leg goes away,” the guard assured.

“Then you know what to do. Just in case, keep your guard up!”

“Yes, ma’am!” the guard obeyed and returned to his post as quickly as he’d come out. Link and Kelli turned their horses in the direction of Hyrule Castle Town and headed off, these events weighing heavily upon their minds. For a trip to the castle in its current state would surely not be pleasant, especially when the enemy they faced was apparently intelligent enough to know a means of giving already dangerous creatures the intellect to become even more deadly. Whoever this new villain was, he surely had to be more dangerous and menacing than even Ganondorf, which meant both Link and Kelli needed to be prepared for anything and everything.​

 

[Kelleo]

I think it's time for chapter 2. :]

Chapter 2: The Royal Rescue​

After he and Kelli dismounted their horses at the all but destroyed drawbridge and entered Hyrule Castle Town, Link nearly stopped dead in his tracks upon looking at the state of his surroundings. Where once there was a thriving city jammed to the gills with merchants and their patrons, games and their players, windows alit with candles and children and dogs chasing each other down crowded cobblestone streets was now a mausoleum. Houses, shops and Goddesses know what else had been torn asunder, rubble littering the cracked and soot covered cobblestones. Well, it wasn’t just soot but Link tried not to imagine what else he was standing on. Much of the damage looked to be caused by fires, several of which were still burning, that had been allowed to rage uncontrolled in the city. The air was thick with ashes and flies which danced amidst the smoky air and fog while maggots squirmed about the cobblestones.

This many flies and maggots meant only one thing: dead bodies, and plenty of them. Link was a hardened adventurer, stoic and impossible to frighten in even the most terrible situations, but he suddenly felt dizzy when he contemplated whether or not any of the friends he was searching for might be amongst this carnage.

Had he spotted the mummy-like creatures with golden eyes which haunted the town square a moment later, he might’ve added himself to it. Link ducked behind what used to be someone’s front door and watched the ghouls as they continued to lurch and shuffle about, seemingly paying no attention to him and Kelli at all. Link guessed that they were Gibdos, but as with the Lizalfos and Wolfos from before, he’d never seen any with golden eyes. Nor, for that matter, had Link ever seen this many in one place. Though, from what he’d seen of the ruined city, he supposed he shouldn’t be surprised to see undead in what must’ve been an abundant feeding ground. Kelli, however, eyed them suspiciously for a few seconds, but remained silent. She appeared to be thinking it was rather odd that the creatures were even there at all, probably because this feeding ground looked to be picked clean. Suspecting Kelli knew more about the current situation than he had given her credit for, Link hoped he could inquire about it when they completed their mission.

As Link and Kelli made their way through the fog and into the castle grounds, they quietly crept about so as not to be spotted by any monsters possibly patrolling the area. Whether or not these strange Gibdos still had the ability to paralyze the living with their stare, Link did not care to find out. It didn’t help that the fog seemed to grow heavier as they neared the castle either. Still, they pressed on, struggling to figure out their exact location. After mere minutes of wandering through the castle grounds, the fog had become so thick and heavy, Link could not see where he was going and soon found his nearly trembling feet stepping out onto emptiness. Almost producing a scream, Link felt a hand grab the back of his tunic as he was about to fall.

“Whoa! Link, look out!” Kelli gripped the fabric of the tunic as hard as she could, despite that Link was obviously heavier than she was. She quickly pulled Link back up to aid him in regaining his balance and said, “You nearly walked right over a cliff!” Link stood there trying to get a hold of himself as his body turned shaky.

“Good F-Farore,” he trembled. “Th-Thanks a lot, Kel. I don’t even want to think about what might have happened had you not been here with me.”

Kelli couldn’t agree more. She, too, was having much difficulty making out what was ahead of her in the now dangerous fog. Just the trip to the castle gates was going to be tougher than she anticipated, to say nothing of freeing Daphnes and escorting him safely back to Kakariko.

“I don’t blame you,” Kelli replied. “This fog has gotten annoying. At least the enemies shouldn’t be able to see us either, given that it’s both foggy and dark out.”

Link didn’t hesitate to nod, noticing the darkness of the night sky. However, instead of clear, starry skies like in Hyrule Field, the sky above the castle was overcastted by blackened clouds.

As they carefully walked along the edge of the cliff, Link and Kelli finally spotted the castle door several minutes later and managed to get a glimpse of the castle itself, if only faintly. More evil power was radiating from it than it did when Ganondorf had taken over, and the highest towers were completely obscured by the dark clouds. The castle walls had been colored a blood red and obsidian black, giving the castle a foreboding appearance. Many of the windows were either shattered or cracked and then left in place, probably to provide a fatal temptation to any overeager, and unintelligent, intruders. The castle was not alone in this new fashion either, as the area around it had become the home of dead plants and trees wherever they could be seen in the heavy fog, causing the entire area to radiate pure malevolence and the unmistakable promise of death.

However, neither Link nor Kelli had been able to see that there was no bridge leading them to the castle’s main gate. The two warriors found their path blocked by a sea of lava, which the cliff surrounded. The rocky island that the castle was sitting on was nestled inside this boiling hot terror, and it left Link and Kelli clueless about how to reach their endangered king. They frantically circled the area for another possible entrance even though the existence of such an area was unlikely. The fog continued its refusal to lift and prevented them from discovering a new path until a light wind began to clear some of it away several minutes later. Revealed was a path sloping down towards the underside of the island and directly beneath the castle. Kelli’s eyes widened slightly as she eyed the newly revealed slope, and then brought a hand to her chin.

“You’re on to something, aren’t you?” Link anticipated.

“Indeed. I think I know exactly where we are,” Kelli confirmed with a smile. “You see, Zelda once showed me a secret passage into the dungeon in case we ever needed to use it. I have a hunch this path may be part of it, but I’m not sure.”

“Perhaps,” Link replied. “Let’s find out.”

The two eagerly began down the sloping path, keeping their footsteps careful due to the lava on either side. Due to the possibility of the fog returning and hindering their sight yet again, they moved as quickly as they could. When the pair finally approached the base, the rock revealed a downward sloping staircase carved into it, leading to the interior below. Was this what Kelli was talking about? If so, why would it go underground instead of straight up to the castle dungeon? Link turned his attention to Kelli hoping she’d have the answers he sought.

“Hey, don’t look at me. I’m positive Zelda never mentioned this part,” Kelli quickly defended herself, sensing Link’s thoughts. “I guess we have no choice but to go in though.”

Deciding perhaps it was yet another change to the castle’s design, Link followed Kelli down the dark staircase and into a dimly lit corridor. Kelli immediately scrutinized her surroundings when the two reached the base of the stairs, as if to expect someone to appear at any minute. Link guessed she was trying to determne if the area was familiar, but her continued silence indicated that it was new to her. All they could see were rugged walls lined with small torches forming a straight corridor, with yet another staircase carved at the end of it. Link and Kelli rushed through as quickly as their feet would carry them, but just before they could set foot on the next staircase, several high pitched shrieks echoed off the walls and within seconds, bat-like creatures launched themselves from the ceiling to swoop down upon two warriors.

“GAH! What the—?!” Link exclaimed, a feeling of shock running through his body as the bat creatures continued to attack him.

“Ugh, Keese and their terrible timing!” Kelli complained as Keese after Keese sank their tiny fangs into her as well. “Ouch! Link, you know the spin attack, don’t you? If we stand back to back, we can double our attack by pointing our blades in opposite directions!”

“Seriously? Let’s do it!”

With that, the two immediately joined their backs with one another’s and latched their free arms together to perform Kelli’s technique. The attack clove through every Keese in range within seconds as the pair spun several times. With the creatures out of the way, Kelli and Link scrambled up the next staircase in hopes that they would at last reach their destination. To their pleasure, the next chamber they ended up in was different than the corridor they had come from, bearing smooth stone walls and torches far more ornamental than those of the corridor. The only odd difference was that a few of the torches were not burning, rendering the light even dimmer than before. What’s more, what was expected to be another door in this new chamber was merely a stone wall creating an abrupt end to the path.

“…Oh, this is just swell,” Kelli groused after a few moments, bringing her hands to her hips. “Got any ideas?”

“Nope,” Link replied after thinking for the next few minutes. “…Well, this stinks.”

“Agreed. We can’t just go back, though…”

“You said this was a secret passage, right?” Link recalled, and Kelli nodded in response. “Maybe one of these walls is a false wall? Only one way to find out.”

With that, Link began running back and forth along the length of the corridor striking his sword against seemingly every stone in every wall until, several minutes and more than a few remarks from Kelli about wasting time, he found one section of the wall which gave a hollow echo.

“It’s got to be this one,” Link surmised, stepping back to examine the whole section of wall. “But, I kinda doubt a simple bomb could blow this open.”

“Maybe you’re not supposed to,” Kelli suggested. “If this was an escape passage, it would make for them to be able to close it back up so they couldn’t be followed. There must be a lever or a switch or a pulley or something to open it.”

“I’m just hoping it’s on this side of the door, otherwise we’re stuck.”

“I guess all we can do is nose around for a switch or something that opens the wall.”

“Good idea. …Hey, there’s a torch here on the ground,” Link noted, pointing to a brown hand torch lying at his feet. “I’ll add some more light in here.”

With that, Link plucked the torch from the floor and began using it to ignite one unlit torch after another along the wall. Just as the final one had its fire reignited, however, the ground rumbled beneath the feet of the two warriors. Link quickly leaned against the wall with the torch still in his hand. Kelli attempted to follow his example, but found herself on the ground after losing her balance.

“Ugh, what did you do now?” she complained, clinging to the wall next to her.

“No idea,” Link replied, nearly losing his footing himself. “Wait, look!” He pointed to the opposite wall, a portion of which was slowly opening to reveal a fairly large pull switch protruding from the hidden interior behind it.

“Well, now there’s something you don’t see every day,” Link opined, his eyebrows arching straight to his hairline. Kelli merely chuckled.

“Hehe, leave it to the Hero of Time to light the way forward,” she teased with a smile. “That switch looks really heavy though. It’ll probably take both of us to pull it.”

“Heh, I’ll say. This thing is huge for a switch,” Link pointed out. Kelli nodded as the two immediately reached for the switch, which was fortunately large enough for both of them to grasp with two hands. Although Link was undeniably stronger than Kelli, the two pulled as hard as their combined strength would allow them. Unfortunately, the switch would not budge even an inch. Suddenly, as the pair attempted to increase the strength of their pull, the switch shot outward at blinding speed and sent the two flying backwards due to the momentum they’d gathered.

“WHOA!” Link bellowed as he soared into the wall behind him back first. “Augh!”

Kelli ended up stacked on top of him. Seconds later, the stone wall Link had discovered to be hollow slowly slid open.

“Ow…” Kelli groaned. “Sorry.”

She scrambled off of Link immediately afterward.

“I’m fine, don’t worry. But holy cuccos, what was that all about?” Link wondered, scratching the back of his head.

“No idea. At least we can press on.”

“True.”

With that, the two young warriors proceeded through the newly opened passage and found themselves in a large chamber filled with more corridors. Prison cells lined the walls on either side of them, which no doubt indicated that this was the castle dungeon. More torches on the walls were the only source of light in the room; however this time there were more of them, rendering this area brighter than the previous tunnels Link and Kelli had gone through. The pair remained as quiet and hidden as possible in case of guards patrolling the corridors. What’s more, the entire dungeon was so big, there was no way it would be easy to find where Daphnes was being held.

“Pretty tricky,” Kelli commented, drawing a raised eyebrow from Link. “That passage we just came through was planted there to throw us off. It was only supposed to look like a dead end in case anybody found the tunnel and tried to sneak in.”

“What? Oh, yeah. That would explain why it appeared to lead us below the dungeon instead of right to it,” Link added.

“Exactly. I suggest we split up and cover more ground in here,” Kelli proposed. “We’ll find his majesty quicker that way. I’ll take the left side.”

“Good plan. I’ll head in the opposite direction then.” However, just when the pair was about to separate, Kelli suddenly gasped.

“Wait, get back here!” she urged and pulled Link back into the previous room by the back of his tunic.

“Wah!”

“Shush!”

“Geez,” Link said quietly. “Cut that out! What are you trying to do, choke me?”

“No, listen. I heard footsteps coming from my direction,” Kelli explained. “…And look!”

Staying completely out of sight by retreating into the previous room, they watched as two Dinolfos guards, or so it appeared on first glance, marched past them seemingly on patrol. Closer inspection revealed more armor and lances instead of swords clutched in the dinosaur-like creatures’ hands. Link’s eyebrow arched once more as he watched the guards disappear around a corner.

“Those can’t be Dinolfos, can they?” Link inquired once he was sure he wouldn’t be heard by the enemy.

“No, they aren’t. These are Armosaurs. They’re like Dinolfos, only armored and basically better equipped,” Kelli explained. “And, of course, they’re smarter.”

“That’s bad news,” Link quickly replied, his eyes widening slightly. “All the more reason to split up then. But hold on a second, I just noticed. You’ve been hearing and seeing things that I can’t. What is with that?”

Kelli paused and allowed her eyes to close once more before answering.

“Let’s just say the power I wield allows me to easily detect the creatures we’ve met. I’ll explain to you in greater detail later on. Right now we have a more important issue to deal with.”

“Fair enough. Let’s just get going before anymore of these guys show up.”

With that, the two immediately separated and headed down different corridors. Link carefully, quietly, and cautiously walked about, keeping an eye and ear out for anymore guards as well as Daphnes. However, getting around wasn’t the least bit easy. Armosaur and Dinolfos guards seemed to be around every corner. Soon enough, Link recalled how he used to incapacitate the Gerudo guards at their fortress with a bow in order to get past them and rescue a group of carpenters during his adventure as the Hero of Time. Shooting through the gaps in the Armosaurs’ armor might prove to be a challenge, but Link decided to try it anyway. Taking out his old Hero’s Bow from Termina, he quietly notched an arrow to the string and shot any guards he saw to death, allowing him to roam freely through the corridors. No cell, however, seemed to contain Daphnes and the longer it took, the more difficult the search would probably become.

Sooner or later, somebody was going to notice the dead guards had stopped making their rounds and would send someone to investigate. Link considered trying to hide the bodies, but he quickly dismissed the notion. The Armosaurs and Dinolfos bodies were too heavy to lug around and there simply was not place to conceal them. Their only chance was to work fast.

Meanwhile, Kelli had decided on the same tactic and used her own bow to take out guards in the corridors she was exploring. However, she was unable to find any sign of Daphnes as well, and was beginning to consider rejoining Link in hopes he’d found something. Just before she could make her decision, however, she came upon a door instead of the usual turns and walls of the castle dungeon. Out of curiosity, she quietly turned the knob, opened the door, and peeked inside. From the small size and various locks, cuffs, and other dungeon supplies, it was obviously just a storage room, but something out of the ordinary lay on a small table that stood against the left wall. It was a dirt-stained, partially torn envelope with another sheet of parchment poking out of it. Immediately picking it up, it didn’t take long for Kelli to notice her name was written on it.

“Hey…could this possibly be…?” she wondered. She plucked the parchment out of the envelope, and from her widening eyes as she read the words written on it, it had indeed been what she’d guessed. The letter read:

To the best friend I ever had,

Kelli, where are you? I’ve been waiting a long time to see you again. After hearing that you came back home, I thought if I wrote you a letter, you’d not forget to come find me. I figure it wouldn’t be easy with what I’ve been doing these days, so this letter should help make it less difficult for you. Remember our special place back in Kakariko? You know, that area next to the windmill that overlooks the cucco pen and the house behind it. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we met there? I hope you will come when we both get the chance. I’m afraid I can’t make it for awhile, though, because I—

The letter cut off there due to a portion of it having been ripped off. However, the bottom of the sheet of parchment was still there, and another name was the only legible word written there. It read Judo. When Kelli laid eyes upon this, she couldn’t help but let tears build up in her eyes. Whether she was happy or sad, she could not decide, gripped the letter hard enough to crinkle it, and dropped to her knees.

“Oh…Judo…” Kelli muttered as tears trailed down her face. “I’m so sorry… I miss you…”

Her closest friend in childhood, Judo, had been waiting for her. Clearly, he hadn’t been able to send his letter, so where was he now? Was he safe at this moment or even alive with the danger that had pervaded the kingdom? Wishing she could answer those questions, Kelli’s trance was broken when she heard more footsteps coming her way. She quickly dove under the table with the letter and envelope still in her hands and watched another pair of Armosaur guards amble on by. Afterwards, Kelli immediately departed the storage room and put the letter away in a satchel attached to her belt for safe-keeping.

Suddenly, as Kelli was passing by a corridor to her left, another pair of footsteps came bolting down the same area and Link eventually slammed chest first into her. As a result, Kelli was pushed backwards and stubbed the back of her foot over a loose cobblestone in the floor. Kelli screamed in pain as her heel made contact with the hard stone floor. She and Link tumbled to the floor as Kelli’s voice echoed throughout the area, most likely alerting the remaining patrol guards. Within seconds, Link was lying on top of Kelli this time around.

“Link!” Kelli beamed after she and Link hit the floor. “What in blazes are you doing?!”

“Sorry,” Link replied. “I was running because I thought one of those monsters was after me.”

Before Kelli could make her reply, the two were suddenly grabbed fiercely by their arms and dragged away. Link and Kelli looked around to find that four Dinolfos and Armosaur guards had discovered them and were now taking them to their own cell. The two attempted to break free, but with their hands and arms firmly in their captors’ grip, they could do nothing except give in. Within the next few minutes, Link and Kelli were both tossed into one fairly large cell together and locked up. Having been thrown to the floor, they stood up and brushed themselves off.

“Great! Now look what’s happened!” Kelli fumed with a grimace and pointed an angry finger. “This is all your fault, Link!”

“What?! My fault?! You were the one who had to scream so loud the whole castle could probably hear you!” Link retorted angrily.

“Well if you hadn’t made me stub my foot, I wouldn’t have had to scream in the first place!”

“Oh give me a break! It couldn’t have hurt that bad!”

“Well it did! Thanks a lot!”

Link was about to make his reply when another voice nearby spoke up instead.

“What in the world? How did you two get in there?” the voice wondered, the tone drowsy as if he’d just been awoken from a fitful slumber. It was a deep male voice, and by the sound of it, it was no doubt Daphnes.

“Huh?” Link replied, wondering where the voice was. Kelli looked around and soon spotted none other than Daphnes himself locked up in the cell across from them.

“Oh what luck. Your majesty, I’m glad you’re safe,” Kelli replied in relief.

“Indeed. I’m relieved that you’ve brought Link. I suppose one of the guards at Kakariko told you I was here?”

“Yes, sire. I’m sorry we’ve let ourselves get captured like this,” Kelli apologized. “But you know your castle well. Do you know how we can escape?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t. This castle has changed so much that even I don’t know where some things are anymore,” Daphnes replied sadly. “All I know is that the only path to the first floor has been completely barricaded.”

“Well, that sure won’t help us…”

“Unfortunately. Now what happened?” Daphnes wondered. Kelli spoke up and began explaining the incident in the corridor before Link could utter a word.

“After I left the storage room, Link here had to come and mess things up by slamming into me and causing me to trip!” she finished.

“I did not!” Link snapped back. “You didn’t need to scream so loud and alert all the monsters! And what’s the big idea taking all this anger out on me?! Before, you were calm and serious, now you’re screaming your lungs at me for a little incident in the corridor!”

“Both of you, come now, this is no time to argue,” Daphnes interrupted in. “And Kelli, you do seem to be quite out of sorts. In fact, you look like you could burst into tears at any second.”

“Well, I…” Kelli began, but wasn’t able to prevent more tears from interrupting her and dropped to her knees again. “I’m sorry…”

“And now you’re crying for no reason,” Link grunted and leaned against the wall with his arms folded. “You really are a weirdo.”

“Shut up!” Kelli retorted in a grimace. “I have a very good reason to be upset!”

She then pulled Judo’s Letter from her satchel and held it out in front of her where both Link and Daphnes could see it.

“Is that what I think it is?” Daphnes inquired, his eyes growing wide. “A letter from young Judo?”

“You…you know him, your majesty?” Kelli blurted in confusion, some of her grief vanishing.

“I certainly do. Let me see the letter.”

Kelli made no hesitation to hand the letter over to Daphnes through the bars of her cell. Daphnes immediately began looking over it worriedly, as if he were expecting to see something in it. Did Daphnes know something about Judo’s whereabouts? Or was he unsure of where the young man was as well and hoped the letter would provide at least a clue? Link spied Kelli wringing her hands as Daphnes squinted at the letter, and suddenly found himself wondering just how much she had been hiding from him.

“Hmm…very unfortunate that this message is incomplete,” Daphnes commented. “Judo told me about your friendship with him, Kelli, and—wait, what’s this?”

With that, he turned the letter over and allowed his eyes to widen even more.

“What’s wrong?” Link quickly said, hoping it was nothing bad.

“There’s a map of the whole castle on the back of this. Well, a map of what it looked like before it became this evil infested place, that is,” Daphnes replied. “I guess Judo didn’t have anything else to write his letter on. However, fortunately for us, the section showing the dungeon is still on here.”

“Oh, wonderful. Does it show a way out of here?” Kelli inquired.

“As a matter of fact, it does. There’s a secret passage right behind your cell. There isn’t any way for me to escape though. I designed this dungeon myself and ensured there were many places where the keys could be safely hidden. Never thought I’d be sorry for doing something too well.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll figure out something ,” Link assured him. With that, he and Kelli began scrutinizing their entire cell for a switch or something of the sort to open the hidden passage. It was hard to do so in the dark, but with the sense of touch, the two had no trouble feeling their way around the rocky walls of the cell they were in. It took only minutes for Kelli to finally touch a portion of rock that moved slightly into the wall. The imprisoned trio then heard the grinding sound of rock moving against rock and turned to see the back wall of the cell slowly creak open to reveal another dark passageway.

“Bingo,” she opined with pleasure. “Time to ditch this creepy cell.”

“Here, take this letter back so you can find your way here again,” Daphnes advised. Kelli nodded and stuffed Judo’s Letter back into her satchel. She and Link immediately started into the hidden passage and quickly followed it back into the main chamber of the dungeon. It led them close to the area where they’d first split up, and once arriving at the end and opening the second secret door, Kelli pulled Judo’s Letter from her bag and looked at the map of the dungeon on it. Daphnes was only a few corridors down, and upon quickly heading there, the king of Hyrule was relieved to see the two young warriors return so soon. Before any of the three could say something, however, several noises sounded forth from the other end of the corridor.

“Footsteps!” Daphnes gasped. “The guards are coming this way!”

“Oh no, they’re not taking us this time!” Kelli assured. On that note, Kelli drew her blade, followed by Link drawing his own. A trio of two Dinolfos and one Armosaur had come bolting down the corridor with glares on their faces. The battle commenced when Kelli’s blade clashed with that of the Armosaur while Link blocked the attacks of the Dinolfos, one with his sword and the other with his shield. Kelli smiled when she noticed the navy eye color of the Armosaur and quickly raised her blade behind her, gripping it with two hands. All of a sudden, a yellow sun-shaped emblem appeared on her forehead while her sword was enveloped in a golden glow. Kelli’s irises became a bright golden as well as she leaped into the air and launched what appeared to be some sort of charged jump attack. Once Kelli’s blade made contact, the creature crashed to the floor in defeat, the sound of shattering metal and breaking bones echoing deafeningly in the corridor. Link, meanwhile, had used a spin attack to strike the two Dinolfos. However, he was soon distracted by Kelli’s technique and didn’t notice one of the Dinolfos strike him in the head with its clawed hand, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“Augh!”

Link rolled onto his back to see the Dinolfos towering above him and was about to launch himself to his feet when an arrow shot into his line of sight and buried itself in the creature’s neck. The dead, bleeding creature inevitably landed on Link and it took some minutes to shove the stinking, dead reptile off of the now equally smelly Link.

“It’s gonna take days to get this smell out of my tunic,” Link complained, feeling the wound on his head. “That thing got it’s claws into me, but it wasn’t deep. Some red potion should do the trick.”

“Link, you idiot! This is no time to be daydreaming!” Kelli fumed, irritatingly. “And good Goddesses, that smell on you is terrible!”

“I know, I screwed up again…” Link admitted. “I’m so sorry. What you did to that Armosaur amazed me. But hey, they dropped a cell key.”

“That’s a relief,” Daphnes replied with a sigh. “And I don’t blame you, Link. Kelli possesses power that isn’t easy to explain. Not even I completely understand it.”

“I don’t completely understand it either, to be honest,” Kelli added. “While I know more than enough to use it properly, there are still questions I have about it that are yet to be answered.”

“Well, perhaps stopping whoever has invaded Hyrule will provide the answers,” Link suggested and plucked the cell key from the floor. “For now though, we should focus on what’s most important at the moment. Somebody will have heard that commotion, so we should be going.”
“I agree and my thanks to both of you. Now we must escape immediately before more of these creatures decide to show up,” Daphnes advised. With that, Link quickly unlocked the king’s cell, but before anyone could go anywhere, Kelli raised a firm hand.

“Hang on one second,” Kelli interrupted. She then allowed the sun emblem to reappear on her forehead once more and her irises to glow golden. Her hair slightly stood on end for a second until the glow and emblem vanished. Link shook his head in shock once more, feeling that this girl grew more mysterious every minute.

“Alright, we’re clear,” Kelli continued. “We defeated all the guards, so it’s safe to escape.”

“Good. We shouldn’t run into anymore trouble then,” Daphnes commented, apparently satisfied with Kelli’s assurances. With that, the trio quickly headed back into the hidden underground passage leading outside. While they evaded further detection on the castle grounds as carefully as possible, Kelli explained her theory about the secret dungeon entrance having been altered to throw intruders off as well as the incident that had occurred before she and Link even arrived in Hyrule. Although these events worried Daphnes and he certainly did not want the problem to spread to any other inhabited areas outside Hyrule, he knew what he needed to be more concerned about. Whatever manner of evil had overtaken Hyrule had conquered its castle and capital with ease and captured its sovereign deftly; even if they didn’t leave the kingdom to spread their foul presence to other lands, their presence in Hyrule could be catastrophic. Within minutes, they were all racing through what was left of the town and re-entering Hyrule Field.

Along the way, Link suddenly recalled something Kelli had said before they had gone to Kakariko. She claimed to know someone who could tell him the whereabouts of his friends and whether or not they were safe. If she was referring to Daphnes, Link knew it was as good a time as any to inquire about it. Sure enough, the chance came as they were forced to stop in Hyrule Field; Daphnes’ captors had not been kind to him and the adventurers decided they would have to tend his wounds as best they could.

“Your majesty, do you know anything about what’s going on in other parts of the kingdom? I need to know if my friends are alright.”

Kelli eyed Link in a less-than-friendly manner as she pulled open what was left of Daphnes’ robes and rubbed red and blue potion over what looked like whip scars.

“Well, Link, I’m afraid to say that the entire land has been attacked,” Daphnes grimly replied, wincing at the burning sensation of the disinfectant struck him. “I can’t speak for every Goron, Kokiri, Gerudo, Hylian, and Zora out there, nor can I speak for Lon Lon Ranch, but if you’re referring to the Sages and my daughter…”

“…They’ve been captured, haven’t they?” Link guessed from the reluctant expression on the king’s face.

“I wish I could say no,” Daphnes confirmed. “I’m not sure where the Sages are, but Impa vanished without a trace during the attack on the castle, and the rest of them were reported missing in their respective homes. As for my poor Zelda…”

The king’s voice took on the cadence of a broken man, and not just from the harsh treatment his captors had given him. His eyes seemed lightless and his face pinched with age far beyond his many years. His shoulders sagged and his arms and hands seemed to tremble like leaves in an autumn wind.

“Perhaps I can explain that,” Kelli stepped in, sensing Daphnes was in no condition to speak. “I know how hard this is for you, sire. Link, I believe the princess is being held somewhere within that dark castle. I may not have detected anymore monsters in the dungeon, but above us, I could easily pick up tremendous amounts of the same power they wield. They’re probably guarding something and considering that Zelda holds a piece of the Triforce, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the princess herself.”

“Blast! Everything we did to prevent the dark future Ganondorf brought…” Link fumed angrily. “I won’t stand for this! I must rescue them!”

“And I would like to entrust you with the task of finding the Sages again,” Daphnes agreed. “However, you’ll need Kelli’s help. She’s the only one who knows anything about the monsters that are responsible.”

“And I will,” Kelli added. “But… Your majesty… Can’t you tell me anything about Judo’s whereabouts? I need to see him again…”

“I understand. From what the young man has told me, the friendship you two shared as children was beautiful and unbreakable,” Daphnes recalled, the barest hint of a smile on his forlorn features. “However, the last time I spoke to him, he told me he was planning on a journey of sorts and that he wanted to write to you before leaving. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen him since. Besides that, I’m pretty sure he can explain everything to you in better words than I.”

“Oh…” Kelli replied, staring at the ground in disappointment. “Well then, I’m going to find him. I was the one who left him seven years ago and I’ll be the one to return to him. It’s only fair and I’m sure he really misses me.”

“Then it’s best if you return to Kakariko with me,” Daphnes proposed. “Judo was born and raised there, if I remember correctly, so it’s the best place to begin looking for clues. And fortunately for everyone else, you can also keep an eye out for anymore monsters.”

“Yes, I’ll certainly do my best,” Kelli agreed. “Link, since we’ll be apart for awhile, I’ll teach this to you so I can still aid you. This song was given to me a long time ago to enable my friends and allies to easily request my assistance. I feel you will need to use it as well.”

“A song that lets me talk to you? Definitely,” Link replied and raised the Ocarina of Time to his lips, the memories of Saria and her own telepathic melody returning to him. Kelli immediately hummed several notes two times over to ensure Link would easily memorize and repeat it. The melody was not only beautiful, but it also possessed a mysterious aura, just as Kelli herself seemed to.

“Ah yes, excellent idea,” Daphnes agreed. “Now we must take our leave. I wish both of you luck in your searches.”

After thanking the king, Link mounted Epona and began riding across Hyrule Field. Knowing he definitely wanted to find Saria first, Link made his first destination the Kokiri Forest. Still, he was now highly curious about Kelli and her power as well as the monsters he had recently encountered. What was the connection between the two that allowed the girl to detect them so easily? Figuring the answers would come to him in due time, Link shifted his focus on his original home, the Kokiri Forest. He could only hope that this new evil had not done worse to it than Ganondorf had.​

 

[Kelleo]

Here's chapter 3. :] I'd love it if people could review this, though. It hasn't gotten much attention yet (not even on ff.net, unfortunately).

Chapter 3: Mysterious Occurrences​

As Link rode across Hyrule Field and carefully avoided detection by the various monsters wandering the area, he was unable to take his mind off of Saria. For many years prior to his adventure as the Hero of Time, she was the only friend he had; the other Kokiri were either blandly polite to him or very nearly hostile towards him. Saria, by contrast, had practically raised him like a mother. Well, a mother who would look like a ten year old until the day she died. That train of thought led Link to another; how old was Saria, really? For all he knew, had she been a Hylian, she might very well be old enough to be his grandmother. Shaking off that confusing, and mildly disturbing, train of thought, he turned his thoughts back to the Kokiri Forest instead. He knew it was surely overrun with evil, as the rest of Hyrule had been; Ganondorf had infested the Kokiri settlement with monsters that kept the Kokiri trapped indoors until Link’s intervention saved them. That none of them recognized him was a blow, though hardly surprising since the notion of ‘growing up’ was unknown to them, but that they regretted how they treated him in the past helped ease the pain.

Memories began returning to Link while he struggled to hold back tears. What’s more, this wasn’t even about Saria alone anymore, he knew. There were still five other sages out there, six if Zelda was counted, as she was the leader and Sage of Wisdom. Darunia, the Sage of Fire and leader of the Goron Tribe, came to mind as well. Link had never met someone as stalwart and loyal as him. Link had won Darunia’s loyalty by irradiating the Dodongos that had infested the Dodongo’s Cavern and cut off the Goron’s food supply, and then again by saving the Gorons from being fed to the dragon Volvagia by Ganondorf. Darunia had vowed to fight Volvagia, despite lacking the Megaton Hammer with which the dragon had been vanquished once before long ago; though the act had nearly proven suicidal, Link could not help but admire Darunia’s devotion to his people.

Impa, the last of the Sheikah Tribe and Zelda’s attendant, was the Sage of Shadow. Of the Sages, Link knew her perhaps the least since she was duty minded and hardly the chatty sort. Her reputation, and Zelda’s stories however, told him she was a woman of integrity with a heart the size of Hyrule itself. Rauru, the ancient Sage of Light, was also little known to Link, save for that Rauru had ensured Link rested safely as his body strengthened after his first attempt to draw the Master Sword had allowed Ganondorf to enter the Sacred Realm. All Link really knew about Rauru was that he owed the ancient Sage his life; and, that was enough.

Nabooru, the Sage of Spirit and the leader of the Gerudo tribe, had set Link on edge with her humorous flirting, which seemed less humorous when she made a telling comment about how pleased she was with his adult form. She led the Gerudo, Ganondorf’s people, but saw Ganondorf for the monster he was immediately. This knowledge, however, did not stop Ganondorf from using his spells to turn her into his pawn after her abduction by the Gerudo witches Koume and Kotake. When Ganondorf had been exposed to Daphnes as the villain he was, Nabooru, along with Daruina and Ruto, petitioned for his execution. When they were denied, they were, to put it mildly, displeased.

Ruto, princess of the Zoras and Sage of Water, was the only Sage Link was reluctant to find. During his quest as the Hero of Time, Link had enlisted her help in acquiring the Zora’s Sapphire, one of the keys to open the Door of Time and claim the Master Sword. What Link failed to understand was that the Zora’s Sapphire was also the Zora’s Engagement Ring. When Link met Ruto again as an adult in the dark future, she was quite determined to marry him and Link was quite determined to not let that happen. He had no idea if time had seen fit to assuage Ruto’s delusions; the last time he saw her, she was too busy pointing in Ganondorf’s general direction and scream “OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!!!!” to take notice of Link, but he supposed he’d find out soon enough.

Since Saria was still his main focus for the time being, Link continued to ponder about her whereabouts and recall memories of his friendship with her. The notion that this new, enigmatic evil might have already killed her continued to creep into his mind and Link rode faster. Navi snapped him out of his trance and broke the silence minutes later.

“Hey, Link…”

“…Huh? Oh. Sorry,” Link replied, shaking his head and almost not hearing his fairy partner’s voice. “What’s up?”

“I’m not sure I like that girl. I mean Kelli,” Navi admitted.

“Why do you say that? Link wondered, arching an eyebrow. I mean, I’ll admit she’s rather mysterious, but that doesn’t mean she’s an enemy. Besides, you remember Sheik?”

Navi hesitated before replying.

“Who could forget him...or her...or whatever; and it isn’t that. Kelli’s attitude back in the castle dungeon rather tested my nerves, especially when you mistakenly slammed into her in the corridor.”

“Maybe, but now that I think about it again, we were both at fault for that. And don’t forget Kelli’s best friend is apparently missing. I’d be very upset too if I found a torn letter a close friend tried to send me, only to find that that same friend has mysteriously vanished. Heck, I’ve got a bunch of missing friends and I’m so worried about them I can barely see straight.”

“I guess that’s true,” Navi gave in with a sigh. “Though I still think she could’ve been a little more tactful.”

“Yeah, well, that’s not a real reason to dislike her,” Link countered. “Besides, we only just met her. Give her a chance, alright?”

“I guess.”

Link smiled warmly.

“That’s better. Although…”

“Yes?”

“Well, I was remembering the past just now and Kelli’s mention made me think of something I always thought to be unusual,” Link explained, his voice taking on a meditative tone. “A long time ago, before the Deku Tree summoned me, Saria told me I reminded her of a friend she once had in the forest.”

“I don’t get your meaning.”

Link elaborated and spoke of how Saria said that this child, like Link, had no guardian fairy and was ignored by the rest of the Kokiri. Mido had his way with the child as well with constant bullying, which was no surprise at all to Link. He had received the very same treatment in his own youth, although he mostly ignored it. Saria then told him her friend left the forest a year before, as the child was meant to leave someday, much like Link had been. It was this statement in particular that Link viewed as odd.

“All I’m saying is that I think Kelli was that very same child,” he finished. “Didn’t you see what she was wearing? It was a tunic and boots like those of the Kokiri, only slightly different colors.”

“Hey, you’re right. Though her tunic was more of a bluish green,” Navi recalled. “And those boots…kind of a bright brownish orange.”

“Exactly. The only question I have is if that child was Kelli, why had I never seen her before? Saria said her friend left a year before she told me this story and I lived in the forest from when I was a baby until I was ten.”

“Yeah, that is strange. I think only she or Saria could answer that, though.”

“Or perhaps Mido. Either way, I think it’s best that we not mention this to Kelli yet,” Link advised. “She seemed very reluctant to talk about the forest before and she’s upset enough as it is.”

“Agreed.”

With that, Link continued guiding Epona towards the entrance to the Kokiri Forest. Even though Saria and the other Kokiri remained children until they died, that had no effect on his friendship with them. That sentiment, however, cut both ways. Link had not forgotten how most of them had treated him when he was a boy, and the Kokiri adopting him as their favorite big brother after he freed their home from Ganondorf had eased the pain, but had not put him in a forgiving mood. Saria, however, was an exception since she had always been his friend and she alone knew that the Boy with No Fairy and the stranger the Kokiri looked up to, both in admiration and quite literally, were one and the same. In fact, Link often felt like Saria was really an adult trapped inside of a child’s body due to her maturity, though he resolved not to revisit the rather confusing question of her real age. However, he then was reminded once more of Mido, the self-proclaimed leader of the Kokiri. Not only did he shun Link, but he seemed to be jealous of him all the time as well for being better friends with Saria or having been summoned by the Great Deku Tree, the Guardian Spirit of the forest who had died due to a curse from Ganondorf. Link could only hope that now he was grown up, Mido would cease his old behavior if he ever recognized him.

Don’t you have more important things to worry about like, oh, say, saving the kingdom?! his common sense berated him, which it usually did given Link’s penchant for charging into danger.

Well, he did. Besides, even if Mido could wrap his head around the concept of ‘growing up,’ that was best done after Hyrule was safe again.
Upon bringing Epona to a halt at the tunnel entrance of the Kokiri Forest, Link opened his mouth for a big, sleepy yawn. It had become rather late in the night and he had grown quite exhausted from the adventure in the castle dungeon. Link wouldn’t be surprised if Epona was the same after how much she had traveled. Epona descended to the ground immediately after he dismounted her, confirming Link’s assumption that she, too, needed a rest. Link then sat down next to her and shed his sheath and bandoleer.

“I think I’ll rest a bit before…looking for…Saria…” he mused aloud, leaning himself against Epona’s side and yawning once more.

“But Link, we—” Navi attempted to protest. Before she could finish, Link and Epona were already fast asleep and out like a light, Link’s hat pulled over his eyes. Geez, those two really were bushed, Navi thought. I suppose I can let them sleep for the night. I’m rather tired myself. She then landed on Link’s shoulder and eventually dozed off as well.

***​

Meanwhile, Kakariko Village was enveloped in darkness, though, thankfully, the darkness of the night since the evil had yet to encroach upon the village, at the foot of Death Mountain, the highest point in Hyrule as well as a deadly volcano. Sitting against the tree nearest to the village entrance was Kelli. She had also become exhausted from the events in the castle dungeon. As she sat there, growing sleepier by the minute, her thoughts wandered from who was responsible for Hyrule’s new perils, to Judo’s whereabouts, to whether or not the village would remain safe if she fell asleep. Everyone else, including Daphnes, had also turned in for the night and now it was so quiet, one could hear a twig drop. The only signs of life that remained active were various nocturnal insects and birds, and even they weren’t making much noise. After much pondering and growing boredom, Kelli’s drooping eyelids finally gave in and closed several minutes later. However, her peaceful slumber and the night silence would not last long.

Something had begun moving through the village at a fairly quick pace. The first thing to stir Kelli even slightly was a faint ringing noise coming from somewhere behind her. Thinking it was only her imagination, she attempted to drift back to sleep. However, she didn’t think so anymore once a series of shattering noises startled her enough to shock her to full wakefulness. Kelli immediately sprang up, although still half asleep, upon hearing the noise.

“Huh, wha…? Who’s there?” she called out. There was no response. The area became virtually silent once more. Whoever or whatever had caused the incident had vanished, though Kelli felt as if she’d heard the ringing sound before in the past. However, as hard as she tried to, she was unable to place it. It reminds me of the noise that fairy of Link’s makes, Kelli thought. What was her name? Navi? But it couldn’t have been her. Maybe it was a monster trying to trick me? She decided the only thing to do was to report to Daphnes.

However, Daphnes had also been awakened by the disruption, and before Kelli could take more than a mere few steps, he was already rushing towards her.

“Kelli! Did you hear all that noise too?” he inquired as he came to a halt in front of her.

“Yeah,” Kelli replied. “In fact, I was just about to go report it to you, your majesty.”

“Good. What do you suppose that was? I certainly hope the monsters aren’t coming back. I fear our defenses would do little to stop them.”

“So do I, but somehow, I doubt that’s the case,” Kelli added, yawning again. “I heard some sort of ringing just before the shattering happened. I have no idea what it was, but I know I’ve heard it before.”

“Hmm… Very strange. We’ll have to continue looking into this in the morning. It’s rather late to do so now, and I doubt anything could be found in this darkness anyway.”

“Understood.”

Kelli headed for her tree once more after Daphnes walked off. However, just as she was about to sit down, a relatively faint whinny followed by a neigh echoed through the stairs at the entrance. Knowing that sound anywhere, Kelli bolted forward and raced through the village gate. After nearly losing her balance on the stairs, Kelli rushed towards Sunfire, who had been left outside of the village. While Kelli had worried her beloved steed could be attacked out there, she had no choice, as horses obviously could not climb stairs and the stables at the base of the stairs hadn’t lasted long with the new evils roaming Hyrule Field. That, and there the fact that Sunfire could alert her of evil presences nearby. Much to Kelli’s dismay, however, she found the horse struggling against three Armosaurs, all of which were armed with lances. One was hanging onto the horse’s back while the other two were pulling on the reins and saddle. Kelli fretted for a moment over this, as her sword was at a disadvantage against lances, which could strike from beyond the reach of her blade. Still, all she could do was attack.

Thankful that the commotion was outside the village where it wouldn’t awaken anyone and cause a panic, Kelli began with a jump attack and leaped through the air, landing her blade squarely in the closest foe’s backside. It fell from the single blow much to Kelli’s pleasure. However, the other two were not to be so easy. Almost immediately, Kelli noted the golden color of their eyes. They’re even more intelligent than I had anticipated, she thought. They were working as a team to take down Sunfire and they timed their move so I’d be away. But…how could the enemy know me so well or even that I might have been here? Something is very wrong…

With no choice but to give it her all, Kelli charged forward to rescue her horse. Sunfire had managed to throw her unwanted passenger off her back and into the rocky wall next to the stairs, giving Kelli the opportunity to focus on the other Armosaur. She vaulted over the creature and struck its head, penetrating its helmet. After following up with a leaping spin attack, both creatures were struck and sprawled to the ground at the base of the stairs. Kelli finished with yet another leap and her blade pointing downward, driving it right into the first Armosaur’s chest. The one Kelli had not been battling managed to scramble to its feet before she had a chance to finish it. Instead, Kelli merely sheathed her sword until the creature approached her. The Armosaur seemed perplexed by this act, but decided to take advantage of his defenseless foe. Kelli, knowing that timing was everything, fought down the instinct to draw her blade until the perfect moment when the Armosaur was nearly upon her. At the literal last second, her hand found the hilt and her sword leapt from its sheath. Her blade struck it down at what seemed to be lightning speed.

“Ha…ha…” Kelli panted, the exhaustion from the battle coupled with her need for some sleep making her ever so tired. “Maybe now things will stay quiet…”

Kelli’s exhaustion caused her to slow her pace on the way back to the tree, but she was ever so relieved when she reached it. It didn’t take long for her to fall fast asleep once more after sitting back down, and to begin dreaming. The first thing she saw were images of her wandering through a land that did not resemble Hyrule at all. Then she began to see visions of her childhood. A village appeared, one which very much resembled Kakariko. Kelli was walking towards the same area described as a special place in Judo’s Letter, and with her was a light brown-haired boy who was several inches taller than her. When they finished climbing the ladder that led to the cliff where the windmill was, Kelli and the boy looked at the fence that stood in the very back.

The next vision showed Kelli and the same boy from before walking through a dim underground cave which cut into the earth for some leagues before opening into a huge chamber, like some sort of underground temple. A golden-orange hilted sword was resting in an old, cracked pedestal and a shield of the same colors hung upon the cave wall at the very end of the cave’s tunnel. Kelli began to feel strange, and couldn’t control herself. Something told her to draw the sword and take the shield and couldn’t stop herself from doing so. A sun emblem appeared on the back of her hand, glowed a few times, and then vanished into thin air. Immediately after, Kelli and the boy were back in Kakariko and the boy was slowly moving away from her as they bid sad goodbyes for one reason or another. When the boy finally disappeared, Kelli immediately awoke with a start and breathed heavily. Tears formed in her eyes yet again and trickled down her cheeks.

“Judo… Oh, Judo…where could you be?” she sobbed, covering her hands with her face. “Why did all of this have to happen?”

Kelli was not able to help but know that the dream she had really envisioned the time she ventured to a far off kingdom as well as when she and Judo found the sword and shield she carried. The two later parted ways and had not seen each other since.

***​

Later the next morning, Link was roused from his slumber by several fierce shrieks. His eyes shot open and he beheld several bird-like creatures called Guays squawking as they attempted to drive their beaks into Navi. Two more were attempting to hold her down by the wings. A neigh turned Link’s attention to more of them plowing into Epona. She neighed ferociously as she attempted to use her hooves to kick them away and swung her head about in anger. Navi’s ringing noise kept repeating over and over as she tried to escape her persistent attackers. Link gasped at these events and attempted to spring to his feet.

“Oh cru—AHH!” he yelped as one Guay pierced him right in the gut. Link groaned at the pain, but still managed to draw the Great Fairy’s Sword and slice it practically in half.

“Link! Help!” Navi squealed. She was struggling to break free from the Guays’ grip on her wings. Link immediately whipped out his bow and loosed arrows at them, being careful not to mistakenly hit Navi or Epona. Soon, the birds attacking Navi were on the ground in pieces and she was free. However, Epona suddenly neighed loudly as one more of the creatures, which was significantly larger than the others, struck her hard in the shoulder, lodging itself in the mare’s chest. Link plucked it by the neck, inwardly praying that he wasn’t tearing one of Epona’s muscles in the act, and stabbed it to death with his sword. He attempted to finish the remaining birds with his bow, only to have some escape without so much as a scratch.

“Geez…” Link groaned seconds later, clutching his aching gut once more. “Talk about desperate. Little bastards… Augh…”

“Yeah,” Navi added. “That was odd though. I’ve never seen Guays behave that way. Don’t they usually go after weaker prey? And, they seemed coordinated too with the way they tried to pin all of us down at once.”

“Huh, now that I think about it, you’re right. That is weird. Then again, every monster around here that we’ve met before seems to have changed.”

“No doubt about that…”

“Oh well, now that I’m awake, we’d better get moving.”

Link spent the next few minutes examining Epona’s wound; if it proved debilitating to the mare, it could prove disastrous. Link was hardly a veterinarian, but the wound seemed shallow so Link rubbed some red potion over it and hoped for the best. With that, Link tossed some carrots on the ground for Epona and entered the tunnel into the Kokiri Forest. He had barely entered its sylvan folds, setting foot on the rope bridge overlooking a portion of the Lost Woods which lead to the village, and already he could see signs that something was amiss. A light fog hovered over the ground like in Castle Town, only this time it seemed to be flowing from somewhere as if blown on the wind or exhaled by some fell beast. Forest monsters such as Deku Baba plants and hole-snouted Deku Scrubs roamed the area below the bridge Link was standing on. Just as he was about to go through the log tunnel into the Kokiri village, a lightly armored skeleton wielding a sword and shield dropped from out of nowhere. Link had met these before. They were Stalfos, undead warriors who fought like the trained swordsman they very likely were in life. So far, Link had seen several types of monsters he was familiar with, the differently colored eyes marking each as having somehow become smarter and deadlier. Was it a result of magical experimentation, or maybe some new breeding technique, perhaps? The notion of what breeding Redeads and Stalfos looked like almost made Link lose his lunch, and almost made him lose his head when the Stalfos reminded the green clad hero of its presence. Whatever the reason for this was, Link drew his sword and engaged in battle anyway.

I should’ve known I’d run into one of these boneheads here, Link mumbled to himself as he blocked the creature’s attack and returned it with his own. From what Link recalled, the Stalfos’s fighting style particularly favored jump attacks, which meant he would need to be cautious of its movements. However, due to the changes in intelligence and even appearance at times with the familiar monsters, Link was also aware that this Stalfos could fight differently if it desired. Unfortunately, the Stalfos’s move after receiving a blow only shocked Link. It remained in its stance, drew back its sword, and launched what appeared to be a charged jump attack. Link managed to roll out of the creature’s path, but the way it moved was very familiar. Upon scrambling to his feet, Link immediately snuck behind the Stalfos and delivered a spin attack, sending it clean over the side of the bridge. The bleached skull hit a sturdy stump below with an audible crack, and the Stalfos did not get back up.

“Link…” Navi spoke up seconds later after the two were sure the creature was finished. “That move the Stalfos made… We’ve seen it before.”

“Yeah, but I can’t put my finger on it,” Link replied, scratching the back of his head. “Wait… It’s the technique Kelli used in the castle dungeon!”

***​

While Link and Navi mulled over this troubling discovery, Kelli and Daphnes had their own problem to solve. Having recently awoken from their sleep, they were questioning some of the Kakariko villagers and townsfolk about the previous night’s incident. Although a lot of them wished they could have been more help, none of them were able to provide a good solid clue as to what could have really happened during that night. All they could uncover was that Kelli seemed to have been the only one to hear a ringing sound similar to that of Navi’s and that the shattering noises were all that was heard by anyone else. Whenever their questioning was finished, all Kelli and Daphnes could do was ponder some more.

“Well, that certainly didn’t work out as planned…” Daphnes concluded, heaving a sigh.

“Would it be alright if I looked for clues myself, sire?” Kelli replied.

“Ah yes, please do, Kelli. I may as well keep an eye out for anything suspicious as well.”

“Understood.”

With that, Kelli immediately began nosing around for anything that could have been shattered. A few different noises had been mixed together at the same time, so things like windows, clay pots, and other items of the like were potential candidates. She looked in all the places where she knew clay pots and windows were near one another, but found no broken pieces or shattered windows at any of the houses she approached. Suddenly, just as Kelli was about to investigate the buildings near the Death Mountain gate, she heard a sudden cry.

“Oh my!” a feminine voice blurted from afar.

“Lady Kelli!” another voice called. A soldier rushed towards the curious heroine as she was approaching the stairs leading towards the Death Mountain gate.

“What? What’s going on?” Kelli quickly inquired.

“It’s Lady Impa’s house! There’s broken clay and glass everywhere by the front door!” the soldier reported. “I think the house may have been ransacked!”

“Ah, then let me have a look.”

Kelli wasted no time rushing up the stairs leading straight to Impa’s front door. Just as the soldier told her, the window had been broken as well as the clay pots that once sat below. However, one thing the soldier had not mentioned struck her as odd. What appeared to be a dirt impression was inscribed on the wall right below the window sill. There had been a struggle here alright, but it still didn’t completely add up. Kelli pondered about what could have occurred, but nothing reasonable had come to mind. It looked as if someone had broken into the house, or at least made an attempt to do so, but to steal what? As far as Kelli knew, the most valuable thing in Impa’s house has been Impa herself, and the evil had already abducted her. Did the enemy break into the house believing it held other things of use to them, or did they just ransack her home out of spite? She had no way of knowing either way.

“Do you think someone was trying to break in and steal something?” the soldier suggested.

“I don’t know. All I can say is that somebody wanted in here pretty badly,” Kelli replied. “I just wish I knew why. The only thing we can do now is report this to his majesty.”

Kelli turned towards the door but, before she reached it, something caught her eye as she passed one of the broken windows. On one jagged tip of the glass still attached to the frame was a tiny piece of material that had become snagged on the glass and torn free. A piece of the intruder’s clothing, perhaps? Whatever it was, it was so tiny that she had to squint in order to see it. When she delicately plucked it off and ran one fingertip over the fine, gauze like material, she knew what she was looking at.

It was a piece of a fairy’s wing.

Apparently, the resemblance between Navi and that ringing sound she heard earlier was no coincidence at all. A fairy had been here, maybe during the break-in, and the fairy’s entrance had been less-than-graceful.

With the evidence in hand, the young heroine sought out the king of Hyrule once more. Though many thoughts now clouded her mind, Kelli was worrying most about what this incident was and why it even occurred. Whoever the mysterious fairy was, he or she had to have been in Kakariko for a reason, as they are normally not found alone or outside of the Kokiri Forest since their Kokiri wards could not leave the woods. So, why was a fairy both without a Kokiri and far from the forest? The only question that really mattered, however, was why the fairy was in the house in the first place. Kelli soon spotted Daphnes making his way down the stairs in front of the well, which sat in the near center of the village. She quickly rushed to him and explained her findings; he was rather skeptical but once he saw the piece of fairy wing, and found a magnifier with whic to actually see it, he was forced to agree with Kelli’s assessment.

“The evidence seems clear,” Daphnes commented once Kelli finished. “But I don’t see why a fairy would be here.”

“Yeah,” Kelli said. “That’s my only stray piece to this puzzle.

“We’re probably missing one important clue to this whole thing,” Daphnes pondered. “We just need to find it. Of course, it doesn’t help that all we know about this fairy is that he, or she, is a rather careless flier and had a torn wing.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep investigating. Though right now, I seem to be at a dead end.”

“Hm… Well, I’m sure something will turn up sooner or later. Right now though, we should get back to business.”

“Of course.”

Kelli then wandered away, deciding it was best to now take the advice Daphnes had given her earlier and look for any clues to Judo’s whereabouts. She started by approaching the boy’s house near the Death Mountain gate, where his mother, Mira, still lived. Two other buildings were nearby, a house and a shop, though Kelli remembered exactly which house was Judo’s once she laid eyes on it. It was the same basic beige stone house seen throughout the village, only with a roof made of blue tiles instead of orange or red. However, just by looking at it, Kelli could see it was empty. The windows were dark, the curtains were closed, and the door was boarded up. Was Mira missing too? Did she go with her son? The only way Kelli would answer these questions was by finding either Judo or his mother, or both.

Heaving a sigh of disappointment, Kelli returned to where she had spoken with Daphnes earlier and continued on from there to the opposite end of the village. Perhaps there was more than just the scene in front of Impa’s house that everyone had somehow missed. Maybe there were answers in the graveyard. Villagers, including the grave keeper, Dampe, had reported strange occurrences in there once in awhile after all, such as strange noises or claiming to have seen monsters. And, if the fairy from the previous night did tear a wing, he or she might decide to hide somewhere nearby while it healed and the eerie, often deserted graveyard seemed like the perfect hideaway. As she approached the graveyard’s entrance, Kelli was almost surprised to see Dampe himself standing on the path.

“Ah, hello Kelli. I was hoping you’d stop by here,” Dampe greeted. His large body and deformed-looking face appeared to be rather frightening; his hunched back, slightly twisted body and corpse gray skin made him look too much like the corpses he buried for most peoples’ tastes, but he was a far kinder man than his looks would suggest. As usual, Dampe carried a shovel in his hand for the Heart-Pounding Grave-Digging Tour he ran in the graveyard for extra income when business was slow.

“Oh? Is anything wrong?” Kelli inquired, raising one eyebrow.

“No, I just remembered something,” Dampe replied. “I know you and his majesty already asked me about the shenanigans from last night, but I shouldn’t have said I knew nothing.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I might have a clue after all. I heard flapping noises while in my hut last night. It sounded like wings. Something must have flown into the graveyard.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“Hm… Well, thanks for letting me know.”

“No problem.”

On that note, Dampe retreated back to the graveyard. Kelli continued walking around the village, trying to figure out how the grave keeper’s clue could fit in into the puzzle of the break in at Impa’s house. Had the mysterious fairy made the flapping noises, as Kelli suspected? Or was it something else? Furthermore, how many pairs of wings were there? If Dampe had been able to tell whether there was one flier or more than one, surely he would have said so. There was also the matter of exactly when the creature or creatures flew in. If it wasn’t around the same time as the shattering and fairy noises, there was a chance the two could be completely unrelated. Lastly, it was even possible that the occurrence was connected to the incident with the monsters outside the village. She did spend over an hour searching for the rogue fairy but either she was wrong about where the fairy would hide or this fairy was a fast healer, for she came away empty handed and had no choice but to give up for the time being.

Out of boredom, Kelli soon decided to visit the area Judo had mentioned in his letter. It had always been a good place to meditate on a perplexing issue and this one certainly qualified. She climbed the stairs next to the graveyard’s entrance, walked past the door of the windmill, and hoisted herself on top of the fence beside her. She had to leap to the other side to reach the ladder leading to the area, as a tall fence blocked the way. Kelli had a near miss, but landed safely on the other platform and rushed towards her destination. Much to her dismay, however, one of the castle soldiers stood in front of the ladder, blocking her path.

“Excuse me, you’re kind of blocking the ladder,” Kelli pointed out.

“Ah, Lady Kelli,” the soldier greeted. “I apologize, but his majesty has ordered that everyone stay out of the area above due to the difficulty of seeing or hearing what goes on up there.”

“But I’ll be up there should any monsters appear.”

“True, but then you might not notice anything happening below, plus his majesty may not be able to find you easily.”

“Ah… Good point. I don’t intend to be up there very long.”

“I still advise against it. What’s so important about going there anyway?”

“Well, if I must have a good reason…” Kelli produced Judo’s Letter and held it in front of the soldier. His eyes scanned it in a matter of seconds.

“I see. Sir Judo wanted to meet you here, the soldier commented. How unfortunate. He’s been missing for awhile now.”

“You know him?” Kelli replied, her voice hinting at her surprise.

“Not in person. He’s well known, especially with the castle soldiers,” the soldier explained. “Anyway, I think this letter is reason enough for you to go up for a little while. But be careful.”

“Thank you. And of course.”

Kelli was at the top of the ladder within seconds after the soldier stood aside. Upon reaching her destination, she began walking around the back of the windmill, eyeing the entire area with nostalgia and grief. She and Judo played up there many times when they were children. Well, technically she was still a child but fighting and killing Moblins for fifteen rupees a piece tended to make one grow up. The fence creating the border of the village, as well as demarking the frontier of Hyrule, was still intact, though in worse shape than before. One day, Kelli and Judo managed to climb over it and explore a little outside the kingdom. It was the same adventure that led to the underground cavern holding the sword and shield sheathed on Kelli’s back. And then it led to the parting of the two friends. It wasn’t long before these thoughts brought tears to Kelli’s eyes once more.

Upon reaching the other side of the windmill, Kelli instantly sat down in the damp grass and watched the village from atop the cliff. She gazed down on the well once more, the very spot where Kelli and Judo first laid eyes on one another. Now it all seemed like it had all happened a lifetime ago, or not at all. Although Kelli knew she had to be more concerned about what was going on in Hyrule at the moment than Judo’s whereabouts, she couldn’t help but wonder. It’d been seven years since she had last seen Judo, the same time Link and Navi had been separated. Even though she knew she had to wait, Kelli felt as if she couldn’t go much longer without seeing him again. However, with the troubles Hyrule now faced, she could only try hard not to dig too deep in her search for Judo just yet. Still, what the castle soldier at the bottom of the ladder had said echoed in Kelli’s mind. Could that be a hint that Judo was a soldier himself? If so, why would he leave in such dangerous times?

“Oh Judo… Why?” Kelli sobbed. “If you can wield a weapon… Why aren’t you here fighting for your kingdom?”

Or perhaps, Judo had no idea what was going on. Darker questions still flittered through Kelli’s mind; seven years was a long time. Had he changed, for the worse, when the evil came to Hyrule and she was still away? Did he desert and abandon Hyrule in its darkest hour? Or, worse, did he join the enemy? Kelli nearly kicked herself for thinking such things but, that left one last dark question. Was he dead?

Again, Kelli tried to force these worries out of her head but her more pragmatic side whispered a reminder that, as a warrior, she had to be prepared for the worst. And, again, Judo being a coward, an enemy, or dead certainly qualified as ‘the worst.’

The only way to know was to find him, she decided. Whatever the case, Kelli knew she would see him again someday. And when she did, she would apologize for seeking him out immediately after she returned to Hyrule from the kingdom shown in her dream. After all her thinking and pondering, Kelli knew there was only one thing she could do.

“I have no choice…” she decided, finally wiping her tears away. “With Judo missing and these monsters returning stronger than they were when I last fought them, Link needs to know everything. “Especially if he’s…the one…”​

 

[Kelleo]

And now for chapter 4. :]

Chapter 4: Where’s Saria?​

Unaware of the events unfolding in Kakariko, Link and Navi had still not entered the Kokiri Forest. The scene they had just witnessed mere moments ago continued to play over and over within their minds. There were few possible explanations for how the enemy could know any of Kelli’s sword techniques, especially the most powerful ones. Did the nameless evil responsible for Hyrule’s current state know her as well as Link currently feared? Whether the answer was yes or no, the fact that one enemy knew anything of Kelli’s style remained and that alone put him in a dire situation. Kelli had already shown that she was perhaps far more skilled with a blade than Link was; she had, after all, given him a rather chilling demonstration when he tried to force his way past her. If this was the case, any enemies at her skill level would prove more than a match for the green clad hero. Link grimaced in fear, desperately looking for a solution to the problem.

“This is not good for us,” he pointed out seconds later. “I may have won this time, but with my current skills, I could never best an opponent who truly fights as well as Kelli. Who knows what other moves she has up her sleeves?”

“I wish you weren’t right, but this is troublesome,” Navi agreed with a shudder. Link’s facial expression turned confident seconds later.

“My thoughts exactly. And there’s only one thing I can do about it. I can get Kelli to teach me her skills.”

“B-But Link! After what just happened here, the enemy could easily anticipate that!”

“Maybe so, but there’s no other way I could stand a chance against enemies who know skills I’ve probably never even heard of.”

“Hmm… I still think it’s risky, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, no doubt. Let’s get going.”

Link nodded and with that, the pair started through the second tunnel which would take them to the Kokiri settlement. However, they had barely moved anywhere when something swooped past them at incredible speed. The sound of a blade slicing through something echoed so quickly and loudly, it nearly knocked Link right off his feet.

“Gah! What the—?!” he exclaimed as the same blade from before continued to slice through whatever it was attacking. Link turned around to find out who was responsible, but nothing appeared except for the remains of the Stalfos from before as well as a destroyed bridge whose pieces now lay in the grass near the creature. Apparently, whoever or whatever destroyed the bridge was able to move so fast that it could easily avoid being seen.

“Blast! I don’t know what in Hyrule just happened, but whoever’s responsible has gotten on my last nerve!” Link grunted, his hands making fists.

“Yeah, first a Stalfos welcomes us, now someone else chops the bridge up,” Navi added. “What’s next, a Skull Kid mob?”

Navi’s joke put a smile on Link’s face, but it was hardly enough to truly cheer him up. It was bad enough that there were monsters out there capable of outdoing Link in a battle or monsters he might have never seen before, but now they were attempting to trap him and Navi in the forest. Thankfully, the enemy seemed unaware that Link knew other ways of leaving the forest. There was a secret entrance to Goron City on Death Mountain, where the Goron tribe dwelled, located inside the Lost Woods, as well as another that led to the entrance of Zora’s Domain, the home of the Zora race. The question was whether or not these passageways could still be used and, just as important, what might be found on the other side. Link could only hope for the best if he found it impossible to cross the bridge again and finally entered the Kokiri Forest, now more worried than ever about the Kokiri village and the forest children themselves.

Before Link had even left the tunnel, his worst fears were confirmed. He had hoped against hope that he might hear some sound of the Kokiri, the forest children being their usual rowdy selves and, more importantly, still untouched by the evil which had stifled Hyrule. There was no sound of laughter, no leaves crunching under running feet and no high pitched chatter of fairies. There were, however, different sounds that Link recalled hearing in his many battles and, realizing they were coming from the village, he broke into a run, desperately hoping he was wrong. It only took one look around the forest to notice what exactly had been done to it. As Link began walking through the village, he couldn’t believe what his eyes were witnessing. Every house he walked past was in ruins, particularly Saria’s, which was now a pile of rubble all together. Could that mean that the monsters knew of her identity as Sage of the Forest, as King Daphnes had surmised? Link didn’t have time to think on it. Monsters roamed every inch of the forest, including Stalchildren, smaller cousins of Stalfos, as well as Deku Scrubs, large fly-trap plants called Deku Babas, Keese, and more. Many trees had been cruelly uprooted and were lying upon their sides in the grass as well. Link’s fear was only fed more as he began to worry what might have happened to the Kokiri. The village looked as if no one had lived there in centuries, besides the monstrous new tenants, which meant anything was possible. If those creatures killed the Kokiri, I will flood this place with their blood! Link instantly thought.

Link shook his head when he walked by his own house, the place he lived in as a kid. Though all the Kokiri lived in trees, enormous stumps hallowed out into houses, his was the only true ‘tree house.’ It had been a small domicile in the strong braches of an oak, a small loft and a ladder linking it to the outside world that rarely welcomed him. However, what he saw in its place was the entire tree itself lying on its side in the path, not cut down but literally uprooted and thrown down. And, judging by the claw marks in the bark, it looked to have been done with bare hands. If the monsters were strong enough to do this, surely whatever attacked put the Kokiri in grave danger. This led Link to begin frantically searching the area, as he tried to silence the inner voice telling him that the chances of the Kokiri even being alive now were slim. He was even concerned about Mido, despite the things he’d done and said to Link when he was a kid. Link never cared, though, because it didn’t matter to him. He always remembered what Saria told him after the first time Mido ever made fun of him. Don’t let what he says get to you, Link. Mido bullies everyone. And as long as we’re friends, nothing he says should get in our way. Now though, Link didn’t need to worry about Mido teasing or making fun of him again, because he knew the boy wouldn’t dare be mean to someone nearly twice his size. He just hoped Mido was alive enough to appreciate that fact.

As Link continued to walk among the remains of the houses, he fended off any monsters that attempted to attack him, either to allow himself to search uninterrupted or out of anger or just to take his mind off the possibility that these ruins might be all that was left of the Kokiri, he couldn’t tell which, and kept a close eye out for any signs of the Kokiri. If they weren’t dead, he wondered where they could be. The Kokiri could not survive outside their forest, at least not for a long time, so any survivors could not have gone far. He checked for any bodies under the trees and around the rubble of the destroyed parts of the houses, but found none. The only life Link could find in the forest besides himself and Navi were the monsters. It was like the Kokiri had simply vanished.

However, just as Link arrived once more at the remains of the village shop, he could’ve sworn he heard a pounding noise coming from somewhere within. Thinking it was one of the monsters, Link continued his search within the shop. The noise rang out once more, and this time Link noticed it was coming from under the shop, not near it. He quickly shoved aside the rubble of the building and found what looked like a trap door, possibly a cellar or a storage room. He pulled it open to reveal, instead of the abandoned store’s inventory, a secret passage way. Standing below Link on the wooden stairs was Mido, who had been pounding on the door. Behind him were the Kokiri children. Link’s eyes instantly widened as he stood there. Every single Kokiri except Saria was standing in the little room, eyeing Link with curiosity. Mido was the first one to speak up.

“Finally, someone that isn’t a monster!” he exclaimed. “Come in and close the door before one of them tries to get us!”

Link wasn’t hesitant to comply and followed Mido down the stairs, closing the door behind him. Link nearly hit his head on the ceiling once he tried to stand up straight, but stopped himself when he noticed that it was fairly low. The Kokiri were children, so of course there was no need to make the ceiling very high in such a place meant for them. He was hunched over slightly, which he knew would eventually irritate his back, but hopefully he wouldn’t remain inside for too long.

“So who are you?” Mido inquired seconds later, a curious expression crossing his features. “That’s weird, you seem familiar somehow.”

Link did not know what came over him just then. Maybe it was that desire to be accepted which still lingered in the back of his mind, perhaps it was because, despite their treatment of him, he had missed the Kokiri, or it might even have been because he wanted to see the look on Mido’s face. Whatever the reason, he decided to answer Mido’s curiosity.

“Uh…ahem. Hello, Mido. I believe you do know who I am,” Link replied with a smile, though he was still very surprised. “Care to take a guess?”

Mido shook his head at Link’s words, more than a hint of shock in his expression. This strange man that found them knew his name? However, when he took note of the sword and shield that hung at Link’s back, he realized one definite answer to the question of the man’s identity.

“You know my name? And own a sword and shield? You wouldn’t happen to be the Hero of Time, would you?” he inquired, his voice becoming excited. “You kinda match the description of him that we heard from Saria and the Great Deku Tree Sprout.”

“That’s right,” Link confirmed. “I am indeed the Hero of Time, but that’s not quite the answer I’m looking for.”

Mido gave Link another blank look.

“Um…” Mido blurted, not used to being anything besides the-smartest-Kokiri-in-the-forest. “I don’t get it.”

Link’s expression softened, though whether this was from sadness or from recalling how much he wanted to put one over on Mido, he could not say.

“You…don’t recognize me, do you?” he asked the assembled Kokiri, who reacted with silent bemusement. “Oh, I don’t blame you. I look very different than I used to.”

A Kokiri girl, one of the twins, approached Link. “What did you used to look like?”

“I was a lot shorter, for one thing,” Link replied, with a small laugh.

“Ah, do we really have time for this?” Navi spoke up, whirring in front of Link.

“Wait, is that a Forest Fairy?” another Kokiri spoke up. “I thought the Forest Fairies only watched over Kokiri; we all have one of our own.”

“I know,” Link confirmed. “I had to wait quite a while for mine. I didn’t have one for the longest time. The same day one came to me, I was called before the Great Deku Tree.”

Judging by all the lower jaws inching towards the floor, Link suspected that comprehension was dawning.

“I’ve been gone from the forest a long time,” he went on. “But, I still remember a lot of things. I remember how the twins used to play pranks on the other Kokiri but, since they look so much alike, no one knew which of them did it. I remember how Mido always made those two boys move the rocks and shrubs around Saria’s house so she’d like him more and I remember how Saria used to go to the Sacred Forest Meadow and play her ocarina.”

By this time, Mido could no longer contain himself. “How do you know all of this?!”

“Like I said, I lived here,” Link answered. “It was in a small house, high off the ground with a ladder and a tiny loft. Speaking of which, who knocked it down?”

It might’ve been Link’s imagination, but he could’ve sworn he heard somebody faint. Mido, and the others, still regarded him with slack jawed shock and, when Mido finally spoke, his words were a strangled whisper. “Link?”

A confused babble of voices arose from the others, but quickly died down when Link raised one hand to call for silence and then nodded in confirmation of Mido’s guess.

“Whoa…is it really you, Link?! You look so much bigger and stronger…”

Link nodded, his smile intact.

“That’s because I’m actually a Hylian, not a Kokiri. But I am Link. I still have my Kokiri Tunic and Navi, the very same fairy that was with me when I was a kid. Oh, and I can’t forget Saria. In fact, I still remember that song of hers.”

Link then pulled out the Ocarina of Time and played Saria’s Song. The Kokiri all put great smiles on their faces, including Mido.

“Link, it really is you!” a Kokiri boy cried as everyone except Mido gathered around Link and hugged him. “I don’t know about Mido, but the rest of us missed you!”

Link smiled as he felt the number of little pairs of arms around him.

“Well, I kinda did too,” Mido admitted, scratching the back of his head. “I also feel kinda bad that I made fun of you, with you being such a hero and all now. You really proved me wrong when I called you a wimp.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it, Mido,” Link comforted with a smile. “I never really cared that you did anyway. Besides, why would you try to mess with me the way I am now?”

At that, Link chuckled once more. Mido had gone pink in the cheeks before responding.

“…Thanks. But, I think I’ll leave the hugs to the others.”

He then winked. After everybody let go of Link, he took a short look around the chamber he stood in. It didn’t appear to be recently built, as the walls, which appeared to be dirt, were really solid rock. The dirt must have hardened over time.

“So, tell me, where did this little hideout come from?” he inquired.

“We built it a long time ago to serve as a shelter in emergencies when the houses weren’t safe enough. Like bad weather and stuff,” Mido explained. “In fact, you wouldn’t believe how many times the Great Deku Tree has had to use his magic to make our houses grow back after some really strong wind blew ‘em over, seeing as they’re giant tree stumps.”

“You mean you guys did all this yourselves?” Link replied, raising one eyebrow.

“Yup. Took a lot of digging, it did, but we did it.”

“Dang. For kids, you’re pretty good with shovels!”

“Hey, we need to learn some ways of taking care of ourselves, you know. The Great Deku Tree’s a tree, after all. It wasn’t like he could wander around and spoon-feed us our every need.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Just one thing, though. I’ve lived in the forest for many years. Why don’t I remember this place?”

“Well…uh…”

“You kept it secret from me, didn’t you?”

“Well…okay, yes. But I swear, it wasn’t because I disliked you. In fact, it was Saria’s idea.”

“What? Why would she hide this place from me?”

“I don’t know exactly. I bet it has something to do with that girl that once lived here, though.”

“Girl? Her name wouldn’t happen to be Kelli, would it?”

“You know her?”

“Long story. Right now, I’m glad you told me this. However, there’s a more important issue we need to discuss and that’s Saria’s whereabouts. She’s not with you and I need to find her.”

“Oh, right! We think she may have been taken to the Death Forest,” Mido explained. “No one’s been there in who knows how long, but the baddies around here seem to be coming from the direction of the forest’s entrance.”

“Death Forest?” Link wondered, arching his eyebrow in confusion once more. Mido nodded nervously.

“It’s a dark, dead forest underneath this one. All the dead trees from here, including those in the Lost Woods, eventually end up there because of the Great Deku Tree’s magic,” Mido continued. “Even the Deku Trees themselves go there.”

“I see. How can I get to this Death Forest?”

“Oh, the entrance is somewhere in the Lost Woods, but it’s been sealed up for ages now. Though, with all the bad guys around, it may have been opened. I suggest you go see the Great Deku Tree Sprout. Only he can tell you if there’s really something going on in there.”

“Ah, thanks,” Link replied. “I’ll be back to check on all of you later. Once I’m out, close the door and don’t open it unless you hear me call out to you.”

Link then climbed the stairs and hauled himself out of the underground chamber, trying once more not to bang his head. He immediately headed for the Great Deku Tree’s Meadow, whose entrance was thankfully nearby, just across the pond in front of the shop’s ruins.

Upon crossing the pond and arriving at the entrance to the meadow, Link continued to make his way past the monsters and entered. As he walked down the short passageway, a light fog began to hover over the ground much like in the Lost Woods. Something’s not right here, Link thought fearfully. He brought up his blade and hefted his shield, keeping his limbs loose and ready to strike or defend on the instant, and lept his ears open for any sound of an approaching foe. When the fog lifted by the barest degree, he saw a strange, glistening red some distance away. As he moved closer, he saw, to his shock and dismay that the Great Deku Tree Sprout was encased in thick, red ice. He had seen such unnatural ice before, during the dark future, and he knew that the only way to melt the ice was to use blue fire and if the sprout stayed that way long enough, he would more than likely die. Since Link didn’t even have many of the empty bottles he once carried due to having sold most of them for rupees, let alone cool blue fire, he knew he needed to find some and find a way to bring it to the imperiled sprout fast. With that, he dashed out of the meadow as quickly as his feet would carry him, wondering where he’d find blue fire in a place such as the forest. The only source he knew of was the Ice Cavern in the Zora’s Fountain, and he had no way of knowing if the passage was accessible or if the other side was secure.

Thinking it was really the only logical choice to make, Link decided to head to the Lost Woods first. Maybe there was another source he never discovered or, failing that, he could take a chance on the passage to Zora’s Domain. He quickly rushed straight for a set of vines growing on a wall behind the remains of Mido’s house and climbed to the top. There on the cliff was the entrance to the Lost Woods, which Link immediately raced into. The Lost Woods, he knew, lived up to its name; a series of seemingly identical clearings connected by log tunnels, at least half of which would send him right back where he started. When he came here before, he followed the echoes of Saria playing her ocarina, but he doubted her captors would make rescuing her that easy. His only chance was to find his way through from memory. When Link set foot in the woods, another light fog appeared around him, giving him making it even more difficult to pick out the correct log tunnels. Link went along the route to the Sacred Forest Meadow, keeping a close eye and ear out for any danger. Eventually, a fairly high-pitched cry for help in the distance caused him to jump.

“Help! Somebody, heeeeeelp!” the voice squeaked. It sounded a lot like a Deku Scrub. Link followed the voice, which soon led him to the remains of the bridge that led to Hyrule Field. He saw a Deku Scrub, a merchant one to be specific, at the other side of the area. A pair of Stalchildren were nearby attempting to strike the distressed creature with their claws. It didn’t take long for it to take note of Link, for he had this strange way of being instantly noticeable when somebody was in danger.

“You! Please help me! These creepy monsters won’t leave me alone!” it pleaded. “I’m begging you! Heeeelp!”

Link saw one of the Stalchildren grab the Deku Scrub by the snout.

“Ow! Don’t just stand there! Do something!” the Deku Scrub shouted again. Link drew his sword and approached the bony creatures. One charged spin attack had been enough to destroy them both, and Link re-sheathed his blade once he was through.

“Hey, that was neat!” the Deku Scrub complimented. “Thanks!”

“No problem,” Link replied. “Helping others is something I’m good at.”

“Cool!” the Deku Scrub commented. “For helping me, I want to sell you one of my special wares at a discounted price. It’s a magic rod that I call the Rod of Blue Flames. Its cool blue fire can melt the thickest red ice! Normally, I charge one hundred rupees for it, but for you I can cut that price to fifty!”

The Deku Scrub then produced a long, blue rod that wasn’t much shorter than the Great Fairy’s Sword. At the front tip there was a large blue orb while the rest was colored an icy light blue. Link, unable to believe his luck, blinked in astonishment at this fortuitous turn of events. Link knew he had to buy it if he was to make any more progress, especially since he wasn’t sure if he could get to the Ice Cavern safely, so he quickly dug through his wallet and thankfully found a purple rupee in what he managed to save up in the past few weeks.

“Wow…” Link mused. “A rod that has blue fire? I’ll take it. I’m going to need it anyway.”

“Great! I’m glad I could help you in return,” the Deku Scrub replied and traded the rod for Link’s rupee. “Well, see ya!”

And with that, the Deku Scrub burrowed into its Deku Flower and disappeared.

Knowing he finally found what he needed to save the Great Deku Tree Sprout, Link quickly raced out of the Lost Woods and back to the Great Deku Tree’s Meadow, making his way through all the fallen trees and rubble from the houses, as well as the monsters once more. Hoping the Great Deku Tree Sprout would still live, Link drew his new Rod of Blue Flames as he approached the meadow. When he stood before the frozen sprout once more, he aimed the rod at the red ice and fired it until the flames completely engulfed the ice. It melted instantly as the flames diminished it. The Great Deku Tree Sprout stirred within the next few seconds after the ice was completely gone.

“Huh? Someone helped me?” the sprout wondered aloud. When it regained full consciousness, the Great Deku Tree Sprout suddenly realized who was standing before it.

“Link? Is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me alright. All flesh and blood,” Link confirmed. “I don’t know what happened. I just wandered in earlier and found you covered in red ice.”

“I see. I’ve heard many things about you and your adventure in Hyrule!” The Great Deku Tree Sprout replied. “You’re a fine hero. However, this is no time to be chitchatting. I’m sure you’ve seen the state of the forest. Nearly destroyed!”

“I know. I’m extremely worried. And I need to find Saria. Mido told me you might know a thing or two about what’s happening,” Link explained. “He also said he and the Kokiri believe Saria may be in a place called the Death Forest.”

“I see. All I can tell you is that an evil force has cursed the Death Forest which Mido spoke of, as well as many other locations in Hyrule,” the Great Deku Tree Sprout explained. “I know not what this force is, but its power is unlike the evil that caused the death of the Great Deku Tree behind me seven years ago. It’s overwhelmingly strong.”

“Then-Then what about Saria? What can I do?” Link frantically wondered.

“You must obtain a power strong enough to break this curse and dispel the evil. I know not where you can find it or what it is, but it may be within the Death Forest itself. Saria awakened as one of the six Sages and went to investigate the area, but as you might have guessed, she has not returned. I suggest you head there and bring all of this to an end.”

“I certainly will. But where is it?”

“I don’t know the exact location, but I do know it is somewhere in the Lost Woods near the Sacred Forest Meadow’s entrance. I strongly advise you to be careful. There are more monsters appearing in those woods than out here.”

“Thanks for the warning. I promise I will not fail.”

With that, Link turned around and began his short journey back to the Lost Woods.

Once he was back in the village, Link immediately sought his destination. He avoided the monsters, navigated his way around the fallen trees and ruins, and climbed up the vines behind Mido’s house once again. One Stalchild standing at the top knocked him off the vines once, but Link managed to fire a pair of arrows into it and climbed right back up. Another attempted to attack him in front of the tunnel entrance to the Lost Woods, but was ignored instead. Link wasn’t going to waste his time when he knew he could outrun the creature.

Inside, Link made his way through the fog again and followed the route to the Sacred Forest Meadow once more. When he was there, he carefully scanned the areas around the meadow’s entrance for anything that might lead to the Death Forest. Just as Link had entered the section where the tall grass which concealed the entrance to an underground chamber called the Forest Stage was, he noticed a thicker bank of fog around the tree in the center of the area. He approached the tree curiously, as there was definitely something very odd about it. Link slowly walked through the fog in front of the tree, his steps cautious and his senses alert. However, when he was few feet away from the tree’s base, he suddenly felt the ground vanish beneath his feet.

Link screamed as he plunged down into the deep darkness below him. He landed flat on his stomach when he finally hit the ground, the impact knocking the wind right out of him, and he slowly rose to his feet once his lungs would allow it. He carefully scanned his surroundings once the pain became bearable. Blackened trees that bore no leaves were situated everywhere and more light fog hovered over the room. The very same monsters from the village with the addition of floating skulls engulfed in blue fire known as Blue Bubbles roamed the area. There were also rotted, black logs and dead plants on the ground, which felt like nothing but dry dirt below Link’s feet. A doorway framed with wilted flowers could be seen in the distance on the other side of the room and was guarded by a Big Skulltula, a large spider with the image of a skull on its back. Navi hovered close to Link’s shoulder, seemingly nervous, while Link’s confident expression did not change.

“Navi, this is our destination.”

“I don’t doubt you’re right,” Navi replied. “But just look at this place! I’m almost frightened.”

“Well, I have to admit, I find it creepy and disturbing myself, but we’ll have to endure it if we’re going to save Saria and the forest. And you know I would never let anything bad happen to you.”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”​

 

[Soulmaster]

Good story one of the best new ones I've seen
There were some punctuation and grammar mistakes but over all it is a good story
You really have to have some background knowledge with Zelda to understand some of it

 

[Kelleo]

Thanks! I think it gets better with each chapter, though. I find that I always enjoy writing my current chapter more than I did the previous.

As for the grammar/punctuation, I hate missing typos. xP Oh well, nobody's perfect.

 

[Kelleo]

Oh, and as for what knowledge of Zelda you should have, you really only need to know a good bit about Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and to a lesser extent, Twilight Princess. And I think most people who have played Zelda played these. Anyway, here's chapter 5. :]

Chapter 5: The Death Forest​

As Link began walking through the first room in the Death Forest, he kept his guard up against any enemies who attempted to assault him. He rolled away, shoved aside, or hacked through any rotted logs that blocked his path as he made his way to the door framed with dead flowers on the other side. When the Big Skulltula hanging above it plunged down in front of the hero in an attempt to block the door, Link simply ended its life with an arrow, which easily pierced the creature’s skull-like back. He noted this with grim satisfaction; when he’d first encountered Big Skulltulas as a child, they’d frightened him, but he nowadays found them a nuisance and was glad he no longer had to wait for them to expose their soft underbellies for him to attack. Navi still shivered every now and then, but Link couldn’t blame her. The Death Forest was, after all, a frightening place to be in and Link could imagine even one of the bold Gerudo running off screaming once they saw it. It lived up to its name as well; from the many rotted logs to the wilted flowers framing the doors, this place reeked of death and Link could no suppress a feeling of sadness that the Great Deku Tree, and its Sprout, would spend their eternal rest in such a dismal place as this. However, he couldn’t afford to let these un-pleasantries distract him. This place was dangerous and, more importantly, he was determined to find his missing friend no matter what, just as Kelli was determined to find Judo.

Although the light was dim in the Death Forest, Link was still able to see what he was up against in the next room. After he entered, he noticed another door straight ahead outlined with rotted dead flowers, only this time thorny vines covered it. While the vines looked as dead as everything else in this place, these looked stronger than iron bars and their thorns looked as sharp as his sword. There was also an elevated platform in the corner of the room with a switch atop it, encased in red ice. However, there was no visible hookshot point near it on the wall and it was far too high for the Rod of Blue Flames to reach, so it was inaccessible to Link for the time being. All that remained was another dead black tree situated in the center of the room. Noticing a pair of large Stalchildren sitting on its branches, Link, another smile of grim satisfaction on his features, lunged for the tree and launched himself into a roll. The tree wobbled, nearly toppling over from the impact, and the two creatures fell from their perch.

By the time the two skeletal creatures hit the ground and noticed Link, the green-clad hero was already armed with his sword and shield, ready to attack. Unlike the other Stalchildren, who had been golden eyed like most of the other monsters Link had seen so far, these had navy blue eyes. Link noticed this and his eyes shot open in alarm, for he’d already encountered other creatures with peculiar eyes before and knew them to be dangerous, so he kept his guard up once more. Without hesitation, Link charged forward, only to be met with a bony hand colliding with his shield. The trusty shield held firm, as it always did, but the force of the impact buckled Link’s shield arm and nearly sent him stumbling. Link, recovering half a second before his foe, drove his sword into the first Stalchild’s neck and lopped off its head. While the first one wandered around like a blind man who’d lost his cane, Link realized the second had vanished from sight. That is, until a second bony hand struck the back of his head, knocking him to the floor.

Dazed for several moments, Link scrambled to his feet and quickly dealt two consecutive blows to his attacker’s spine. The creature literally split in half from the blow, the torso clawing its way towards Link to strike again until a swift kick from the hero sent its skull flying across the room. With one Stalchild gone, he was able to focus on shattering the other’s bones with one final blow. Mere seconds after the last creature fell, a staircase formed underneath the elevated platform. Link grimaced and brought a hand to the back of his head once he sheathed his blade and shield.

“Oh, ow… That really hurt. I can already feel a lump back here.”

“Yeah, I can see it,” Navi replied after floating behind Link to take a look. “You nearly passed out too.”

“Yeah, lucky break it was that I didn’t. Whoever is enhancing these monsters knows their stuff, I used to eat Stalchildren for breakfast and those two nearly had me for the main course. I’ll have to be careful, and make for the time I lost back there.”

Link then traversed the stairs to the platform, melted the ice with the Rod of Blue Flames, and pressed the switch. The vines on the next door retreated back to the dark earth, allowing him to move forward.

Link quickly raced back down the staircase and entered the newly opened door. The room on the other side appeared to be at least twice the size of any of the rooms he had been in so far, which meant it was probably the forest’s central chamber. There were four other doors in the room; two with thorny vines, one with a lock and chains, and the other had been barricaded by a block of red ice. More dead black trees were scattered about the slightly hilly ground while a flock of Keese fluttered above. Link could not tell if these creatures too had been made deadlier, but decided it would be unwise to bother with them while they had such great numbers. Moving quietly so as not to draw the flock’s attention, he pressed on instead.

Since the only door he knew he’d be able to open was the one blocked by red ice, Link headed straight for it and readied the Rod of Blue Flames. Just as the ice gradually melted, however, a pair of Keese nearby had taken note of Link’s presence and swooped for his neck. Thankfully, the hero heard them soon enough to quickly duck and whip out his bow. After launching two arrows into their flesh, Link quickly ran through the door in a bold attempt to avoid any trouble with the rest of the flock. He leaned upon the other side as he panted, the blood thundering in his ears quickly joined by the angry screeching of the cheated flock.

“Phew… Note to self: never mess with a flock of Keese unless you’ve got a plan.”

“Especially ones as smart as those,” Navi added. “They didn’t just notice you use the rod, they were waiting until your attention was elsewhere so they could catch you off guard.”

“Never thought I’d miss the monsters I fought in the dark future,” Link groused. “Still, at least you’re here to warn me.”

“I won’t let you down either,” Navi replied cheerily, or as close to it as was possible in such dismal surroundings and danger.

The next room was easily deadlier than anything Link had seen so far. Switchblades slowly slid across the floor while spikes were arranged in four rows between each one. Hookshot targets were scattered on the ceiling above the switchblades. Naturally, the next door was on the other side of the room.

“Wow, there’s a tricky path,” Link commented as he viewed his surroundings. “It’s risky, but it won’t stop me.”

“Hold on, Link. Think about what you’re getting yourself into,” Navi interrupted. “One mistake here and it could be the end of both of us.”
“True. I guess slow and steady wins the race.”

“Be careful of those switchblades,” Navi warned, her voice changing to a more depressing tone when she saw what else was waiting for them on the other side of the room. “…And the Keese.”

Link grunted and glared at the two creatures as he drew his hookshot.

“Of course.”

When he thought his timing would be spot on, Link aimed and fired the hookshot at the first target on the ceiling. The device sent him rappelling upward so fast, the room seemed to blur. Once he stopped, he took a moment to let the head rush subside and glanced down at the switchblade below, gauging its speed and timing. After a moment of study, he dropped to the floor just as the first switchblade passed beneath him. Link sighed with relief as he safely moved out of its path and aimed his hookshot once more for the next hookshot point. Just as he soared over the next switchblade’s path, however, Link’s fingers, twitching from the head rush of his soaring about, strayed over the hookshot’s release switch. The hook came free of its resting place and Link plummeted to the floor just as the switchblade hissed over to greet him. He gasped and fired it once more, the switchblade passing so close to him he inspected his boots for gashes as he dangled until it was safe to drop to the floor once again.

“That was too close,” Link panted before moving on. “I really need to take my own advice and let my head settle before using the hookshot consecutively.” Now that he had relearned that vital lesson, Link bypassed two more switchblades without incident, hoping he wasn’t about to give Navi a heart attack at the same time. Just as he was about to fire the hookshot at the final hookshot target and leave the room, one of the Keese spotted him and, as usual, swooped for the kill. Within the next few seconds, Link felt sharp fangs pierce him in the back. Angered and grunting in pain, he quickly swung his sword and carved the creature in half.

After the Keese died, Link finally crossed the last set of floor spikes. Just as the hookshot took him to the ceiling, however, the second Keese, probably in an attempt to get revenge for its fallen friend, drove its fangs into Link’s chest. The creature’s bite was shallow but the pain was enough to make Link lose his grip on the hookshot and he tumbled to the floor. Luckily, he landed just barely outside of the final switchblade’s path. As he worked to soothe his aching body, he noticed with dismay that the hookshot was still lodged in the ceiling and was now far out of his reach.

“Ow…” Link groaned as he stood up. “I get blindsided by a stupid bat again, and my hookshot is stuck in the ceiling where I can’t reach it! Now I’m really annoyed.”

Luckily, Navi had the wits to fly up to the abandoned hookshot. Seemingly ramming herself against its release switch, she sent the device hurtling down to her partner who caught it in the air.

“You alright, Link?” Navi inquired worriedly, her tone suggesting that her retrieval of the hookshot had been rather painful.

“Yeah, and I owe you big time for getting the hookshot back. Let’s just go before we press our luck. I don’t need to waste my time taking out the other Keese.”

With that, Link quickly bolted through the nearby door.

Inside the fairly small room there was a blue switch on the opposite end of the room and a door to Link’s left with thorny vines barricading it. A rotted black tree stood in the center of the room, flanked by two unlit torches. As Link approached the switch, however, a circle of flames roared to life around it. Nearby, a Stalfos and two Stalchildren rose from the ground. The Stalfos’s eyes glowed golden while its Stalchild allies bore navy blue eyes. They slowly approached Link as the young warrior drew his sword and shield.

Link knew the enhanced Stalchildren were the less dangerous foes, as his near miss earlier has revealed, and he decided that the best strategy would be taking them out first. Link charged towards the one to the Stalfos’s right, swinging his blade to cleave the undead as he passed. But, the Stalchild leapt away with astonishing agility and Link found himself narrowly evading its claws. The Stalchild advanced and drew back its claws, no doubt intending to use the same maneuvers its brethren had in the beginning of the dungeon, but Link anticipated such tactics and ducked to avoid the bony hand. He followed up with a perfect thrust to the creature’s ribcage. The other Stalchild was nowhere in sight, but Link knew where it had gone. He whirled and leapt to one side, just in time to let the Stalchild’s claw flail past him rather than crush his nose and knock loose a few teeth, and brought up his blade to counter it. Soon enough, the Stalchild had only one hand.

The angry Stalchildren retook the offensive, one moving to Link’s side and the other swinging around behind him while the Stalfos maneuvered to attack Link head-on. This could only mean that they planned to attack at the same time, using different angles of attack to ensure that Link could not stop all three of them without one landing a blow. Drat! Even measly Stalchildren have grown smarter! Oh well, there’s only one thing I can do here, Link thought to himself. He brought his sword out and began focusing power in his blade. Seconds later, he unleashed a fully charged spin attack.

“HAAAAAAAAH!”

The attack sent Link into a dizzying whirl of deadly steel, and the room still spun around him when he’d stopped, but it managed to strike both Stalchildren. They soon crumbled to the floor in piles of bones. Link immediately turned his attention to the Stalfos, the creature’s eyes filled with anger and the urge to avenge its fallen comrades.

Link had not forgotten the display the Stalfos from the Lost Woods had shown in battle. This fight would not be easy if this Stalfos used Kelli’s sword techniques as well. The creature charged forth and swung its blade, only to have it blocked by Link’s shield. Link stumbled backwards from the impact, but managed to keep his footing. Immediately after, he retaliated with two stabs to the Stalfos’ chest. Its eyes flaring with rage, the Stalfos then leaped forward in a sudden jump attack, which Link dodged by no more than a hand span.

It was then that the Stalfos did something Link had never seen a normal Stalfos do before. It swung around behind Link and just as he was about to strike it again, the Stalfos scythed his leg at Link’s ankles, sweeping hiss legs out from under him and sending him sprawling to the floor. As Link was slowly getting back on his feet and groaning from the pain, the Stalfos suddenly attempted another jump attack to finish him off. Once again, Link launched himself to one side to dodge it.

“Erggh… Something tells me I’m going to need to come up with a few tricks of my own if I’m to find a way around Kelli’s techniques,” he opined, his voice growing thin with strain.

“Yeah… Then, not even monsters who have mastered them all would be a match for you!” Navi excitedly concluded.

“Exactly my point. I’d still like to learn them, though.”

Before anyone could say another word, the Stalfos leaped to one side, then rolled behind Link and rocketed into a spinning slash. Link realized his foe’s intent just in time and hurled himself to one side. The Stalfos’ attack sent it hurtling past and it ended up facing the wrong direction. Thinking quickly, Link kicked the Stalfos in the back hard enough to send it sprawling. As it attempted to stand up, Link rolled forward and finished it off with a stab into the creature’s upper back. The roll attack had been exactly what Link needed, as the Stalfos fell from the blow. Just afterwards, the flames surrounding the blue switch retreated, allowing Link to press it. Two unlit torches standing on either side of the barricaded door suddenly ignited and the thorny vines barricading the door itself withdrew.

Link could only smile now, as the next task was clear to his adventurer’s instincts, and was simple besides. He stood behind one of the lit torches, drew his bow, and launched two arrows through the flames. The arrows went ablaze as they flew through the fire, and landed squarely in the remaining torches to ignite them as well. Now that they had been ignited, a large treasure chest shimmered into existence between them. Link lifted the lid to find a rolled piece of parchment. After taking it from its resting place, he opened it and revealed a map of the forest.
“Heh, just as I figured,” he mused aloud with a punchy smile. “The map almost always came first in the many dungeons I’ve explored. And now that we have it, we won’t have to worry about getting lost. Hopefully we’ll find Saria by the time we’re finished.”

“Yeah,” Navi agreed. “I bet she’s being held in the boss’s lair somewhere.”

“That’s what I’m thinking too.”

Link rolled up the map and put it away.

“Well, let’s keep moving,” he continued. “According to the map, the next room is a dead end, but the key for that locked door in the central chamber might be there.”

The next room was even smaller than the previous chamber and there were no enemies in sight. In the center on a slightly raised platform sat a small treasure chest encased in red ice. Rotted black vines scaled the walls, so much so that Link idly wondered if the vines were the walls, while various dead plants decorated the moist, earthen floor.

Knowing the chest had to contain the key he needed, Link drew the Rod of Blue Flames and unleashed a gout of blue fire. He instantly kicked the lid open once the ice was gone and smiled at the shiny silver key lying before him.

“Ha, I knew it!” Link exclaimed as he picked up the little key.

“Yeah, now we just need to make it back to the central chamber,” Navi added, having not forgotten about the switchblade room.

“I know what you mean…”

“And don’t even think about losing your hookshot again, my head’s still killing me from the first time.”

Though he knew exactly what Navi was implying, Link bolted back through the room where he obtained the map, used his hookshot to go back through the switchblade room, and then entered the central chamber once again. He instantly ran to the door with the lock and chains and inserted his key. It slid right through the keyhole and the lock and chains fell away, allowing him to open the door. Link let himself in immediately after.

During the next several rooms, Link met up with more Stalchildren, Keese, Stalfos, Blue Bubbles, large Deku Babas, and big Skulltulas. These included both the common varieties of monsters he knew from the dark future and their enhanced counterparts. Aside from the deadlier Stalchildren, Stalfos and Keese, he also met Big Skulltulas which scuttled about on the ceiling unseen and descended upon him while he was climbing vines or rappelling with the hookshot, and therefore couldn’t strike back or even dodge them. Blue Bubbles that attacked in swarms to outflank and overwhelm him also struck, as did large Deku Babas. While obtaining the compass, a magic item with the ability to magically place marks for treasure chests and Link’s location on the map, in the process, the hero fought his way through them and the puzzles that awaited him in each room. After using the compass in conjunction with the map, Link noticed there was supposed to be a treasure chest situated in the center of the central chamber, even though he never saw one there before. This hardy surprised Link though, unseen treasure chests being revealed when he performed a certain task was a common occurrence in the dungeons he’d explored. In a room near the central chamber, a switch Link pressed caused the thorny vines on the next door to wither away.

Link went through it and found himself back in the central chamber, just as the map had shown. However, just as he entered, all the doors in the room were suddenly barricaded with more thorny vines and the Keese that had previously been idly fluttered above suddenly maneuvered into a triangular formation. At first, Link thought they might intend to swoop upon him all at once and sought cover but what happened next surprised him; the Keese continued to move closer to one another until they touched...and then melded together. Within seconds, the entire flock became a giant-sized Keese with one golden eye and one navy blue eye. Link merely stood there, his mouth hanging open. This was something he’d never seen or even imagined before. This new giant Keese was nearly twice his size and emitted a loud shriek that left his ears ringing.

“Uh-oh…” he mumbled, still unable to move. Suddenly, the giant Keese attempted a fast swoop in Link’s direction. He jumped out of the way to dodge it, only barely avoiding it. The giant Keese passed by so quickly that the rush of wind from its beating wings nearly blew Link’s hat, and Navi, across the room.

“Whoa! This thing is fast!” Link exclaimed as he watched the giant creature. “It’s going to wear me out if I don’t find a strategy. Navi, any ideas?”

“Hmm…” Navi thought. As the giant Keese attempted another swoop, Link dove to the floor in hopes it would be quicker than simply jumping. This maneuver proved just as dangerous, for Link was forced to roll over to avoid the giant Keese’s claws, but it instantly gave Navi an idea.

“Oh, I know! Link, try making it fly into the wall and then attack it with your sword!”

“…Ah, of course!”

Link positioned himself in front of one of the walls of the room and waited for the giant Keese to attempt another attack. Soon enough, the Keese once more beat its wings until a miniature hurricane erupted in the room and swooped towards Link, only to strike the wall head first instead of its target once he dove to the floor again. Its limp form crashed to the ground as Link scrambled to his feet. Link immediately bolted around it and drove his blade into its flesh. Navi’s idea was indeed the strategy he needed.

However, Link was only able to deal one blow before the Keese shook itself back to awareness and suddenly turned around to face him. Clambering about using the claws on its wings and feet, it snapped and slashed at the green clad hero. Since Link was still in front of the wall, the Keese had him cornered. Before it could attack again, however, Link rolled forward below its body, angling his roll so the creature couldn’t grab him, and the giant Keese took to the air once more. The Keese turned around again to face Link as he scrambled to his feet. It attempted another swoop, but since he wasn’t standing in front of a wall this time, Link was able to run towards the opposite side of the room. Again, he dove to the floor and the Keese flew head first into the wall opposite the one Link made it hit the first time. He then dealt it one more blow.
After Link repeated the process three more times, the Keese changed its tactics. It still went into a nosedive in Link’s direction, but instead of flying into the wall, it plucked him by the back of his tunic and carried him off into the air before he could dive to the floor.

“Daaaah!” Link yelped as he waved his limbs to wiggle free. “Put me down you piece of—!”

The Keese, unfortunately, decided to oblige him. It tossed him across the room. After landing hard on his stomach with the wind knocked out of him, Link slowly stood up, moaning in pain. Alright, new plan, Link thought as he spotted the Keese soaring towards him out of the corner of his eye. He quickly dashed towards another wall in hopes his slightly altered tactic would work. The Keese, as expected, dove once more. Instead of diving to the floor again, however, Link reverted to his original maneuver and jumped to the side to prevent the creature from grabbing him again. It was a near miss, but the Keese had collided with the wall once more, enabling Link to strike again.

After it recovered and faced Link, the Keese clambered towards him once more with its claws, trying to slash and bite Link, before taking to the air once again. This time, however, the creature moved much faster than usual and managed several glancing but painful blows with its fangs and claws. Link, since he was beside a corner of the room, quickly dashed in front of the nearby wall. The Keese attempted its nosedive once more, and again Link attempted to leap out of the way. Unfortunately, he wasn’t quick enough this time. As he rolled under one of the Keese’ wings, the creature’s clawed feet seized him by the ankle and nearly succeeded in plastering Link against the wall along with itself. Only Link quickly slipping out of his boot stopped him from dying along with his foe. Link quickly scrambled to his feet and drove his sword into the Keese’s flesh for hopefully the final time. Instead of counterattacking, the creature screeched loudly and slowly fell limply to the ground, finally destroyed. A large treasure chest appeared on the hill in the center of the room and the thorny vines on the door that Link had not yet gone through receded.
Once the Keese was gone, Link took a very deep breath, sheathed his sword and re-buckled his shield at his back, plucked his soiled boot from the floor, and brushed it off.

“Good, no tears,” he commented after examining it for damage and slipping it back on his foot. “This is the only pair of boots I’ve got.”

“Which would’ve been the least of your problems if that thing smashed you against the wall,” Navi piped up. “I’m starting to think you’re in over your head this time.”

“I should probably come up with those new sword techniques, and learn a few from Kelli, before the next dungeon,” Link agreed. “I’ve been pretty lucky so far but it’s only going to get worse as we get closer to whoever is behind all of this.”

“Good plan. I’ll make sure you actually keep to it.”

Link then took note of the treasure chest and approached it.

“Well, this explains the treasure chest mark in here on the map.”

“It must be the dungeon’s hidden treasure,” Navi added. “Open it and see what it is.”

Link nodded and opened the treasure chest.

Inside, Link found a bow that was relatively larger than his old one. The tips of the handle were shaped like flames and colored like real fire. The handle was a muddy brown in color and had small spike-like ridges that weren’t very sharp projecting from the inside and outside edges. The rest of the bow bore different shades of blue. It was clearly more ornate than his old bow, which had been getting quite worn from many years of use. Link had recently considered getting a new bow, but never expected it would be in a dark, dead forest.

“Wow…” he mused as he admired the bow’s appearance. “I wonder what kind of bow this is. I’ve never seen one like it before.”

“Neither have I,” Navi added as she approached the bow in curiosity. “Hey! Didn’t the Great Deku Tree Sprout say something about you needing to find a power strong enough to break the curse on this place?”

“Yeah, he certainly did. He said I might find it here. I bet this is what he was talking about!” Link surmised. “The bow must have some special powers.”

“Exactly. Still, I wonder if there’s more to it than that. The shape of the tips sort of resembles the guard of Kelli’s sword. She might know something about this weapon.”

“Oh yeah, you’re right,” Link agreed after recalling the appearance of Kelli’s mysterious-looking sword. “I’ll bet anything she’ll have some answers. For now though, I’ll get rid of this old thing.”

Link then produced his old bow, snapped in it half over his knee, and tossed it to the ground. Once he equipped himself with his new bow, Link headed for the door that had newly become accessible upon the giant Keese’s death and pressed on.

Over the next few rooms, Link kept an eye out for a chest containing the boss key, which would allow him to enter the sealed lair of the dungeon’s boss. He normally found one in each of the dungeons he explored during his past adventures in Termina and Hyrule during the dark future, and suspected he’d find them in these dungeons as well. Then he’d head into battle with the dungeon’s boss. He wondered what he was going to be up against this time, since in this forest, many things were possible. Especially considering that someone was enhancing the monsters he encountered and making them deadly enough to nearly do him in.

After going through rooms filled with more enemies to defeat and more puzzles to solve, Link finally spotted the bright yellow and blue chest that held the sought after boss key. It rested on a platform on the far side of a huge chasm spanning half the chamber. A burning torch stood on the floor to Link’s left and another, unlit torch stood in a corresponding position on the platform where the chest lay. A door sealed with thorny vines was on the chest’s left. A rusty-looking eye switch was fixed upon on the wall next to it.

“This one again, eh?” Link commented, unimpressed by the minor obstacle. He rounded the torch, readied his bow and fired an arrow through the flames. The flaming arrow hit the torch on the other side and the needed flame crackled to life. A chain of white platforms, so clear that they were nearly transparent, shimmered into existence to form a path across the chasm, giving Link a means of reaching the other side.

“Thank you, experience,” Link opined with a smile. He leaped across the platforms quickly just in case they would only be present while the torch was lit. Once he was across, Link retrieved the boss key from the chest and turned his attention to the eye switch. He recalled having to use a heavy hammer known as the Megaton Hammer on rusted floor switches in the past during his first Hyrulean quest and wasn’t sure he could activate a rusted eye switch with normal arrows.

“Hmm… There’s a puzzler,” Link surmised as he brought a hand to his chin.

“Yeah. The answer to this must involve that bow’s special powers,” Navi guessed. “The treasures you found in the other dungeons all helped you in the dungeon they came from, right?”

“Indeed they did.”

For the next minute, Link contemplated on what abilities his new bow might possess to activate this mysterious switch. Off hand, it didn’t seem likely that a bow could help him here. He idly recalled his using the Megaton Hammer once more and recalled that it was able to activate a rusted floor switch because it was heavy and powerful. Powerful! That’s it!

“Navi, I’ve got it!” Link suddenly blurted as he snapped his fingers.

“Huh?”

He immediately brought another arrow to his bowstring and held it there for a few seconds. Soon enough, the arrowhead produced a faint glow that grew brighter with each passing second. More fascinating still, the arrow seemed to grow heavier in his grasp. Curiously, Link ran a finger over the shaft and the arrowhead; the shaft now felt far stronger than it did in his quiver and the arrowhead was so sharp that his finger came away bloody.

“Yeah! I knew it!” Link exclaimed. “This bow has the ability to enchant normal arrows, making them stronger and sharper!”

He launched the arrow at the eye switch as he spoke. It activated instantly and the thorny vines on the door retreated. Link wasted no time going through afterwards.

As he went through the next few rooms, Link, for the first time, on top of things for once. The mysteriously enhanced monsters, combined with being on the receiving end of sword techniques he’d never seen before, had been quite trying but he believed his newfound weapon could tip the odds in his favor. His new bow’s magical powers were exactly what he needed to confront the powerful foes he had been meeting. Between the sharper arrowheads and stronger shafts, he suspected that one shot would probably kill even a Dinolfos instantly, and probably several creatures behind it as well. Link was relieved, but knew better than to get cocky. Between his experience as an adventurer and considering the difficulty of the challenges he already faced, Link could easily surmise that the battle was not going to be easy. Then again, he brought down many dangerous foes as a mere child and began wondering if even Kelli had done the same. Whatever the case, however, Link knew he would take on any challenge that lay before him if it meant saving Hyrule and those he cared about, even if he had to sacrifice his own life in the process.

When he finally entered the room containing the large door to the boss’s chamber, Link’s heart began to race. Between him and the door, however, were spikes protruding from the floor. Link immediately scanned the walls and the floor for any possible means to remove them. Not only was there a rusty eye switch encased in red ice on the wall above the door, but a lone white platform floated directly above Link’s head. The Rod of Blue Flames could not hope to reach the switch from such a distance, which meant Link would have to find a way to reach the platform above. Before he could take more than a single step, however, more thorny vines entwined themselves over the door behind him and an Armosaur dropped from nowhere and landed in his path with a thud and a roar. Instead of a sword, however, it was equipped with a lance and a large buckler.

“Ah, one of these guys again, huh?” Link commented with a nonchalant tone and a punchy smile. The Armosaur charged towards the hero immediately and drew back its lance to thrust for his chest. Link’s smile did not fade.

“Ha, I know how to deal with your kind by now.”

With that, he rolled behind the creature, the Armosaur’s momentum causing it to overshoot Link, and drove his sword into its back. Link’s blow had been lucky, neatly cleaving through a gap in the creature’s armor, and he followed up by shoving his foot into its flesh, sending it sprawling to the floor. Link immediately sheathed his blade and un-slung his bow. With practiced ease, he notched an arrow to his bow string. The Armosaur had managed to recover its wits enough to rise to its knees but was far too slow to save itself. Link launched a charged arrow right into the flesh of its spine and the arrow went right through the Armosaur’s back, its front, its chest plate, and out again, half the shaft boring into the opposite wall before it finally came to a stop.

Link looked on in mingled satisfaction and stupefaction, and then glanced at the bow itself.

“Wow,” he commented, seemingly talking to the bow. “We don’t know our own strength!”

“Okay, I was willing to give you a free pass for talking to the Fairy Slingshot since you were such a lonely kid,” Navi spoke up, seemingly amused. “But aren’t you a little old for that these days?”

“Sorry, old habits die hard. But, just as I hoped! Instant kill!” Link chimed. Upon the creature’s death, the thorny vines on the door crinkled away and stairs appeared beside the lone platform. Link did not hesitate to race up and fire the Rod of Blue Flames at the red ice encasing the eye switch. He followed with an arrow piercing its eye. The spikes blocking his path to the door of the boss’s chamber retracted into the floor upon the switch’s activation.

His heart racing until blood thundered in his ears, Link bolted through the large metal door like a horse at full gallop. He emerged to find himself standing on a very narrow platform, still charging ahead. By the time he saw the chasm on the other side of the door, he was already hurtling down it. Thankfully, there was a chamber below and a thick carpet of dead vegetation to cushion his fall. After taking a moment to get his racing heart under control, Link took stock of his surroundings. He was in a fairly large, empty chamber containing nothing but a moist floor, covered in the layers of dead plants that had prevented him from breaking a few bones upon his entrance, and walls covered with rotted vines which sprouted sickly looking flowers that Link couldn’t help but consider the floral cousins of the zombies known as Redeads. Dead bushes decorated the corners of the room.

Link’s exploration was suddenly interrupted by a ghostly cackle that echoed throughout the room. A figure wielding a sword began to descend from above seconds later. When it drew close enough to him, Link realized he was looking at a massive skeleton four times his size that was garbed in a suit of dark green armor. Its eyes blazed a golden hue, and seemed to blaze all the brighter at the sight of its victim. It’s jaws grinding together in a twisted, and failed, attempt at a smile and then it jiggled its bones, swung its massive blade, and let out a terrifying roar. Link could only guess it was an enlarged Stalfos with reinforced armor as he was caught in a baleful glare that left him all but paralyzed. In reality, this creature was not a Stalfos, but a monster called Tamuda, the giant undead warrior.

The creature began the battle by swinging his blade in Link’s direction. Tamuda’s armor and large size rendered him fairly slow, however, and Link easily vaulted out of the way, though he could tell one solid blow could end him. He scrutinized the creature for what would appear to be a weak point, but he could see no gap in the armor and Tamuda kept him too busy dodging and weaving for him to search in any case. Navi flew about and aided Link in his search.

“Geez, at this rate, I’ll be old before I find this thing’s weakness!” Link blurted as he avoided another blow from Tamuda’s sword, which missed by mere inches. Navi had just flown around to Tamuda’s bony backside and froze in delight.

“Hold on, Link! His back is unarmored! Try attacking it there!”

Link rolled between the monster’s legs before responding.

“Ah, of course! Those bones look strong, but that’s nothing my magic bow can’t handle!”

Tamuda had lost sight of Link, which gave the embattled hero plenty of time to launch a charged arrow into his backside. The arrow, empowered by the magic bow, blasted into Tamuda’s bones and out again, sending pieces of bone flying in all directions. Tamuda roared in pain and collapsed to the ground flat on his armored rib cage. He remained stunned for several seconds, allowing Link to drive his blade into the creature’s spine several times over.

Moments later, Tamuda sprung to his feet to face Link. He stomped towards the hero and drew back his blade for another attack. Link moved backwards, waiting until the creature swung his sword once more and gave him an opening to get behind his foe again. Link again vaulted to one side, rolled between Tamuda’s legs, and launched another charged arrow into his back. However, before he could reach the spine of the once again fallen Tamuda, Link found himself stumbling over the skeleton’s right leg and crashing to the floor. Though he had scrambled to his feet quickly enough to strike, Link was unable to deal as much damage as he had before. Nonetheless, Link was confident he’d prevail against Tamuda if this was all he had to do to defeat the undead giant. Or so he thought.

After Link had repeated his tactic four times, Tamuda decided to change his strategy. He stomped in towards Link after standing up, removed his head, and tossed it at the shocked hero. Link vaulted to one side, but the skull corrected its course and hovered near him. Link was about to fire an arrow at the floating skull when its eyes gleamed and it hurtled itself at him, forcing him to desperately roll out of the way. Worse still, the skull and the headless Tamuda now attacked in tandem so that Link was hard pressed to avoid one without getting hit by the other. Blast! This is starting to feel like the king of Ikana all over again, Link thought as he recalled his battle with the undead king in Termina. Only, light isn’t going to destroy this guy. Link knew he could attempt his original strategy and roll between Tamuda’s legs again, but the floating skull could still follow and hit him while he readied an arrow. His only option was to defend with his shield. After he held it up, the skull collided with the hard metal. The shield rang like a gong and Link could swear he heard his elbow creak under the abuse, but the skull fared no better and collapsed to the floor, stunned. As the rest of Tamuda’s body quickly scrambled to pick it up, Link used this opportunity to dash behind him and fire another charged arrow. He soon dealt several more blows to the spine.

Knowing now what he needed to do to finish off Tamuda, Link repeated his strategy again four more times. However, before he could deliver what would hopefully be the final blow, he toppled over Tamuda’s gigantic foot along the way. Tamuda had quickly used this fortuitous development to his advantage and swung his sword in Link’s direction, only to have the nervous hero quickly roll out of the blade’s path. Link immediately scrambled to his feet afterwards and launched another charged arrow as fast as he could. Tamuda collapsed to the floor for the final time as Link delivered two more blows to his spine. Once a third had been dealt, Tamuda suddenly sprang to his feet and emitted a long, loud roar. His spine soon snapped in two, with a report so loud it forced Link to drop his sword and clap his hands over his ears, causing the two halves of his body to collapse to the floor. Link brought his arms over his face for protection as a hail of bone fragments flew in all directions.

Upon Tamuda’s death, another large door magically appeared at the opposite end of the room from where Link first entered. The darkness in the room soon faded, giving Link a better view of his surroundings. However, though the curse on the forest appeared to have been broken, Saria was still nowhere to be found. Link’s only option was to enter the new, slightly glowing door and hoped for the best. He picked up his sword and slowly and nervously turned the doorknob, hoping he would find his missing Kokiri friend on the other side.

The chamber Link found himself in was very petite in size. All that it contained was a small stone altar bearing a fiery cloud of darkness. Within the next few seconds, the cloud quickly disintegrated to reveal a shining emerald colored gemstone in the shape of the spiral symbol on the Forest Medallion, an artifact Link collected during his previous adventure in Hyrule during the dark future. There were six medallions in all that represented the Sages of Forest, Fire, Water, Shadow, Spirit, and Light, and their respective powers.

Before Link could approach the stone, its glow grew brighter and brighter until it cast a beam of green light towards the floor to his right. The beam slowly transformed into a child-sized figure that soon revealed to be Saria herself.

“Saria!” Link blurted uncontrollably.

“Link?”

“Saria! Good Farore, I was so worried!”

Link couldn’t prevent himself from pulling the girl into a tight hug. Saria made no hesitation to return it.

“Oh, Link! I don’t believe it! It’s been so long since anyone has seen you!”

“I know,” Link admitted as the two released one another. “I’d love to give you a long apology for not explaining myself on that matter, but what the heck is going on here?”

“Ah, yes. There’s much you need to know,” Saria replied, her smile turning into a frown. “As you’ve probably seen by now, a new evil has attacked our land of Hyrule. The Great Deku Tree Sprout and I sensed a strange presence near the Sacred Forest Meadow.”

Saria went on to explain that she went to investigate the area and found that the seal on the entrance to the Death Forest had somehow been broken and waves of evil power were radiating from its chambers. Before any of the Kokiri knew it, monsters had begun appearing throughout the forest and the Lost Woods. Saria attempted to flee to the village, but before she could even take another step, a cloud of darkness enveloped her body.

“At first, I wasn’t sure what had happened after that,” Saria went on. “Now that you’ve rescued me, though, I think I understand. The Death Forest and the jewel you see here were cursed and the darkness trapped me inside the stone until you broke the curse.”

“I see. And what’s the story behind the stone?”

“I don’t know much, but I once heard that centuries ago, nine sacred jewels were created by two gods, though these were different from Din, Nayru, and Farore. They gave life to several elements we’re familiar with. There’s supposed to be jewels for forest, fire, water, wind, ice, light, shadow, spirit, and sky. The stone you see here, obviously, is the Jewel of Forest. The only other thing I know is that they were protected by two guardians until they were somehow forgotten.”

“Wow. I suppose I should take the jewel with me?”

“Yeah. I’m not sure why, but I feel you will need all of them.”

“Alright then, if you say so.”

Link then approached the altar and took the Jewel of Forest from its resting place.

“Boy, I’m sure glad I let Kelli convince me to work with her,” he commented as he gazed at the beautiful stone. “I’d still be clueless about, well, everything if I hadn’t.”

“Ah, I’m glad you met her. She’s more vital to saving Hyrule than she might let on.”

“What do you mean?” Link wondered, arching an eyebrow. “Wait, it involves those strange powers of hers, doesn’t it?”

“Exactly. She can explain all that to you much better than I, but I can tell you this. You two must combine your strength or Hyrule is doomed.”​

 

[Soulmaster]

Another great chapter I only saw a few typos so good job

 

[Kelleo]

You read it that fast? Wow. XD Thanks!

 

[Kelleo]

And chapter 6. :]

Chapter 6: Kelli’s Resolution​

For a long moment, Link contemplated Saria’s words. If he truly needed Kelli’s help in order to save Hyrule once more, then it had been more fortunate that she’d convinced him to listen to her than he ever imagined. Of course, it wasn’t exactly surprising at this moment since Kelli had already displayed her ability to detect the energy of the monsters they met before the monsters themselves even appeared. Link could not help but suspect that the mysterious female warrior knew far more than she chose to tell. And she never revealed anything to him. However, the story Link learned from Mido, about Kelli having once lived in the Kokiri Forest, was certainly a good start on figuring out just who she was. And as much as he didn’t want to bring it up to either her or Saria, for fear of upsetting them, Link felt he deserved to know why her existence was hidden from him as a child and decided to inquire about it once he returned to the forest.

“So, you’re saying Kelli and I need to cooperate and bring down this evil together?” Link finally spoke up, trying to keep his mind from wandering any further.

“Exactly, though to be honest, I don’t exactly know how,” Saria admitted. “As I said, Kelli seems to be the only one who knows much about these monsters and the power they possess. It’s almost as if she’s one of them herself…”

“Yeah, though I highly doubt that’s the case. At least not literally. If she were, she’d be as ruthless and nasty as they are.”

“Yeah, true. Well, we should get out of here. The others are likely worried about us and you’ve got more Sages to find.”

“Good point. Plus, I don’t want to keep my horse waiting for me longer than she should.”

With that, Link glanced around the tiny chamber and found a faint blue light which had shimmered into existence beside the altar where the Jewel of Forest once rested. Several arcing curves of light wind repeatedly swirled around the glowing, azure aperture which gently turned in shimmering circles, indicating it was none other than a warp portal. These arcane transporters had always been Link’s means of leaving the dungeons he explored once he was through with their bosses, so naturally this was still another familiar occurrence. Both he and Saria stepped into it and instantly felt the magic of the portal’s winds whisk them back to the surface and onto the grounds of the Kokiri settlement. After arriving just outside of the Lost Woods, the pair immediately examined their surroundings. As Link expected and hoped, everything in the forest had returned to normal. The monsters were gone, the tree stump houses were rebuilt as if by magic, the Kokiri who had left their underground refuge now frolicked happily, and the fog from the Great Deku Tree’s meadow had lifted.

The only thing that hadn’t changed, to the warrior’s disappointment, was his own house. The oak in which it had been built still lay on its side in the downhill path it once stood on, the ladder smashed to splinters while the house itself was no better off, broken tree branches were beneath the remains and scattered about the path, and the curtain that once hung on the doorway remained torn to shreds. Link sighed upon viewing this sight, half out of slight irritation and half out of relief.

“Well, good to see everyone else will soon have a peaceful home again.”

“Oh dear… Link, I’m so sorry about your house!” Saria replied, knowing Link now had no place to live.

“Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. I’m sure—”

“You guys made it!” a familiar voice called out to them, cutting Link off. Mido was racing towards them and scrambling up the vines that grew along the side of the cliff. Reaching the top, he astonished both of the new arrivals by hugging Link with much enthusiasm.

“Mido!” Saria cried. “Is everyone alright?”

“Yeah, we hid out in the cellar below the shop the whole time,” Mido confirmed, breathing raggedly from his climb as he let go of Link. “Sorry your house is still a mess though, Link. It was the only one that got completely uprooted, so the Great Deku Tree Sprout’s magic couldn’t affect it.”

“It’s alright. That place would’ve been a little too small for me now anyway,” Link pointed out. “I mean if I tried to go in, I’d probably hit my head on the ceiling left and right.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet,” Saria agreed with a laugh. “I guess it isn’t that much of a loss after all. But where will you live now?”

“I dunno, I’ll figure something out, I suppose. Anyway, Saria, there’s one more thing I’d like to talk to you about before I leave.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I know what you’ve been hiding from me,” Link continued, noting Saria’s laughter was suddenly choked away and her brow furrowed in concern. “I know that another Hylian child lived here besides me, and that it was Kelli. I know you hid her existence from me when I was a kid myself. And of course, I know about the shelter beneath the shop, which you never told me about either.”

At Link’s words, Saria looked stricken. After a long pause, and a nervous gulp, she replied.

“Link, I…”

Link, sensing Saria was either going to offer an apology or an excuse, or both, which he didn’t have time for, raised one hand to silence her and set his face in a commanding expression before he continued.

“All I want to know is why. Kelli and I would’ve probably been good friends.”

“Link, I apologize. As much as I didn’t want to do it, the Great Deku Tree told me that you two could never interact as kids or else terrible things would happen. He said you weren’t fated to meet until you both came of age.”

“What? How can something terrible happen simply out of the two of us meeting?” Link wondered, arching one eyebrow. “That makes no sense to me.”

“I know, I didn’t understand back then either. But now I do. You see, if you both met as children, you would have indeed become good friends,” Saria explained. “Both of you were much alike, since you were outcasts here. If you did meet someone who truly understood what you were going through, would you leave them? I doubt it; you had a hard enough time leaving me, but you might not have been able to leave a kindred spirit. She might not either. So, you’d remain in the forest or leave together in pursuit of a new home or possibly adventure. Whichever the case, the result would’ve been the same. One or both of you would have been in danger due to Ganondorf’s activities and likely been unable to pursue your destinies, which led in different directions before you teamed up. Meeting as young adults instead, as you can see, has yielded the best results. Just as you wandered and learned much, so did Kelli; though she wandered elsewhere and learned things which you didn’t. And you’ll need to use all the skills you’ve both learned to save Hyrule.”

“Oh… Now that does make sense. I’m guessing Kelli hid out below the shop then?”

“She did. I was worried that you’d be in danger if we had bad weather, but you were fine.”

“Yeah, well, now I’m glad I never met her as a kid. I should also know better than to doubt the Great Deku Tree’s words by now.”

“Don’t worry about it, Link. Just go find the other Sages and jewels,” Saria encouraged with a smile. “We’re still friends, aren’t we?”

“You bet,” Link confirmed with a wink and then ruffling her hair affectionately. “See you later!”

With that, Link bid Saria, Mido, and the other Kokiri goodbye. He quickly headed for the wooden tunnel leading back through the Lost Woods and out to Hyrule Field. However, he only took a few steps into the first tunnel when he realized he’d forgotten about the destroyed bridge. There was no way for him to get across it in its current state. Or, did lifting the curse somehow repair the bridge? Link shook his head at this idea; if the energies that had rebuilt the village traveled through roots, than they certainly wouldn’t work on the bridge. And, if they did anyway, his house would have been restored as well. Deciding it couldn’t hurt to check, Link continued into the Lost Woods. As he had surmised, the bridge remained in pieces and scattered about the ground. Either the hero would have to take his chance on the watery passage to Zora’s Domain, or the hidden entrance to Goron City if he were to escape. And, as when he was seeking blue fire, he had no way of knowing if either passage was still open or if the other side was safe. Either exit could mean stumbling blindly into danger he might not yet have the skills or tools to confront.

Before Link could decide his next course of action, however, a spark of green light erupted from his rucksack. Link quickly produced the Jewel of Forest from his belongings and watched as it cast a wave of magic towards the ground below him. It settled at the base of the cliff opposite to him and within seconds, tendrils of vines sprouted from the soil and climbed the rocky wall until they reached the top. The process was then repeated on the cliff Link had been standing on, offering means to scale both cliffs.

“Wow… How about that…” the dumbfounded hero commented. “This stone really is a jewel of forest.”

“Yeah, this makes me wonder about the abilities the other jewels possess,” Navi replied. “Maybe you can use the Jewel of Fire to make fiery shockwaves or the Jewel of Shadow to blind your enemies or things like that?”

“We’ll find that out when we get them. First things first, though. We have to have a little chat with Kelli. She knows something, and I want to know it too.”

With this, Navi could not disagree. She too was curious about the story behind Kelli’s powers and the monsters that had overrun Hyrule. Link quickly jumped to the lower level of the small grove and scrambled up the newly grown vines on the opposite wall. Relieved that he didn’t have to go through Zora’s Domain or Goron City yet after all, the hero raced into Hyrule Field once more, hoping Epona had not possibly been attacked while he was gone. Even though the forest was now safe, Link had many concerns on his mind. The other areas of Hyrule still needed his help and likely Kelli’s as well.

The faithful Epona, as always, awaited Link’s return. Apparently, she’d not been idle; for her mane was tousled and her sharp hooves glistened with blood. Several dead monsters, most of which had been trampled beyond recognition, lay nearby. Link, an admiring smile on his face, gently ran a hand over Epona’s flank.

“And here I was thinking you got bored waiting for me while I went through those dungeons,” he remarked, half in humor and half in apology.

Epona puffed out her nostrils, the small gust tickling Link’s face, but Link smiled nonetheless and mounted her.

“I’m sorry if I took a long time, Epona,” he whispered as he stroked her short, white mane. “I really wish you didn’t have to wait for me so much, but you’re a good girl.”

Before heading to Kakariko, Link decided it was best to let Kelli know in advance that he was on his way to see her and reached for the Ocarina of Time. He quickly recalled the melody she had taught him after rescuing Daphnes from the castle dungeon and played them as accurately as he could. Much to his pleasure, the voice of Kelli herself soon filled the air.

“Link? Is that you?” she inquired, her voice seemingly distant yet clear enough to tell that her tone was a little depressed.

“Yeah,” Link replied. “Hey, are you alright?”

“Huh? Oh, yes, I’m fine. It’s just that…I miss Judo so badly. I know I should be focusing mainly on Hyrule’s problems right now, but I can’t help worrying about him so much.”

“Hey, I know how you feel. I felt the same way about Navi the past seven years. And to be honest with you, I’d like to help you with your search in any way I can.”

Kelli remained silent for the next few moments.

“You…you mean that?”

“Of course I do.”

“Th-Thank you, Link. You don’t know how much this means to me…”

“Well, hey, I’m glad to be of use,” Link replied in his most comforting tone, though inwardly puzzled that Kelli, who’d seemed made of iron when they met, was so distraught. “Anyway, I want to let you know that I’m heading to Kakariko right now. We need to talk. And don’t try to sidestep it this time. This is very important.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I won’t. In fact, I agree with you. There’s much we need to talk about. Did you have any luck with the Sages yet?”

“As a matter of fact, I just finished restoring the forest and rescuing Saria. I’ll give you details later, alright?”

“Good, I’ll be waiting.”

With that, the pair cut off their telepathic connection. Link took Epona’s reins and directed her into the field. Within the next few moments, he spurred her to a gallop and was speeding across the field towards the river. He was glad Kelli, beforehand closemouthed and secretive, was interested in speaking with him as well. And from her words, it also appeared she had a lot to tell him. Hopefully Link would have a better understanding of Hyrule’s situation once they finished their conversation and that he would leave armed with new sword techniques to aid him in his quest. His heart nearly racing, it seemed to take only minutes for Link to approach the staircases leading to Kakariko village, which sat at the foot of Death Mountain. Kelli’s horse, Sunfire, was also tethered there. Link felt leery about the horse having to remain there for a long time, but at least now neither she nor Epona would be alone.

Besides, if Epona’s bloodied hooves meant what Link thought it did, any monster that approached the horses did so at their own peril.
Link couldn’t prevent himself from gazing at the beautiful palomino horse before making his way up to the village. He could definitely see why Sunfire once belonged to Zelda. The curly blonde mane and tail, the elegantly crafted and polished saddle, and the silver Triforce bands wrapped around the ankles all signified a horse befitting royalty. Why Zelda gave the horse to Kelli escaped Link, as did much where Kelli was concerned, but he did know that the heroine was lucky to own such a creature. A smile formed on his face as he finally traversed the stairs to the village.

As Link began walking through the familiar surroundings, he couldn’t help but wonder how Kakariko managed to survive against the evil that apparently struck the rest of Hyrule; not unlike it had during the dark future before a shadow being called Bongo Bongo escaped its prison in the bottom of the well. Perhaps the enemy thought the village would be useless to them? Or did they have other plans for it? Or worse, it could be that the village really had been afflicted like every other area of Hyrule, only in a fashion which eluded detection. Whatever the case, Link knew it was best for someone like Kelli to be on the watch for any potential dangers. He quickly approached her when he spotted his newest friend awaiting his arrival just beyond the tree standing closest to the village’s entrance.

“Hey, I didn’t take too long, did I?” Link immediately inquired upon coming to a halt.

“Not at all,” Kelli replied with a small smile. “I wasn’t exactly expecting you to rush, you know.”

“Well, I thought time was of the essence. You know what I mean. Anyway, since we both have things to say, do you want to go first, or should I?”

“You go ahead. If you have any new questions for me, I may be able to answer them. Besides, I know I’ve kept you waiting for information so far.”

Link could not argue there and he couldn’t help but suspect that he’d learn less than he desired. He still had a lot of friends in Hyrule who were unaccounted for but he knew Kelli kept her own council on what to tell him, how much to reveal and when to do it.

Much though this chaffed him, he recalled how she’d disarmed him so easily and he knew better than to insist.

“Fair enough,” Link agreed. “I think I’ll ask you about this first.”

As he spoke, Link produced the magic bow he had acquired while exploring the Death Forest. Once she set eyes upon the mysterious weapon, Kelli stared at it with slack jawed amazement. Can…Can it be? She thought. He found it…

“From the look on your face, I’m guessing you do know about this bow,” Link concluded, snapping Kelli out of her trance. “I found it deep inside a place called the Death Forest.”

“…I see,” Kelli finally uttered moments later. “Tell me, did the arrows you fired from it possess tremendous strength?”

“Yeah. They were so powerful, they pierced through anything I shot them at. And whatever was behind the target, and whatever was behind that, and so on. Why do you ask?”

Kelli turned around before responding, a sigh escaping her lips.

“Then it’s true… You are the one…” she whispered, almost to herself, and so softly Link nearly missed it.

“What? What ‘one’? I’m utterly confused here.”

Listen, Link,” Kelli urged, keeping her back to Link. “To tell you the truth, I have been looking for another person besides Judo, but I didn’t know who it was. Do you know the legend of the Sky Guardians?”

“No, not at all,” Link replied, raising an eyebrow. “Not even Zelda has mentioned such a story to me.”

“I thought so. Few people in Hyrule besides myself know anything of it, but it’s no mere ‘story.’ It’s one of the kingdom’s oldest tales, dating back several centuries and long before even the Master Sword was forged. It used to be a widely known legend…”

“But then it was somehow forgotten?”

“Yes,” Kelli confirmed, her gaze straying to the ground. “Ages ago, mighty warriors known as the Sky Guardians protected this land from those with evil minds for many generations. They used an ancient power bestowed upon them by the gods to maintain peace and seal the evil ones away.”

“I see. But…if the story of these warriors was forgotten a long time ago, why and how do you know of it?”

Kelli lifted her head once more. She inhaled deeply, working to calm her nerves and all too aware that she was taking a gamble by revealing this truth.

“…Because I am one of them.”

“Wha…? But you said—”

“I know. You see, the reason the legend was forgotten for so many years was that the Sky Guardians eventually died out...mostly, that is. The Sky Guardians were ‘reborn,’ as it were, for many generations but this cycle eventually stopped. However, it is slowly being revived and has been since I was born. I am the first Sky Guardian to appear in hundreds of years.”

“But why? What caused all of this?”

Kelli went onto explain that the evils the Sky Guardians fought against were the same as the one currently attacking Hyrule. The evil monsters who bore navy blue and golden eyes would sometimes wreak havoc across the land, only to be defeated by two heroes who were destined to be the Sky Guardians. The creatures whose eyes were as blue as the night sky were monsters of darkness that held the power of the moon. Those with golden eyes were creatures of light and possessed the power of the sun. Each of the Sky Guardians carried a special sword forged and infused with the proper power to slay these monsters. They were also given the ability to detect the energy embedded within them, which explained Kelli’s ability to detect their foes. The Sky Guardians, however, had one fatal weakness: since one carried a blade to slay moon aligned creatures and the other carried a sword to kill sun aligned monsters, they normally had to operate in tandem.

Alone or separated, they were vulnerable.

“You’ve already seen my blade, but take a look at it again more closely,” Kelli continued and unsheathed her sword. She thrust it into the ground and beckoned Link to examine it.

“Yeah, it has a sun emblem on it. That means it’s the sun sword, right?” Link easily guessed.

“Yes. It is, in fact, called the Sun Sword and is the blade of light,” Kelli confirmed. “The goddess of the sun, Solaris, bestowed upon it the power to slay the moon aligned monsters.”

Kelli turned around once more before continuing.

“And I, the blade’s wielder, am the protector of light, the Guardian of the Sun.”

“Then there must be a blade of darkness that can slay the sun aligned monsters, correct?”

“Exactly. It is the Sun Sword’s counterpart, the Moon Sword. Both swords, as well as the shields that go with them, choose their wielders, much like the Master Sword does. Only the chosen ones can use them and once they are found, light and darkness come together to work as one and bind evil.”

“I figured as much. It just goes to show, not all darkness is evil and not all light is good. Where does the bow come in?”

“The bow you found is also a weapon the Sky Guardians used. It’s known as the Guardian’s Bow. Since there are two Guardians, there are only two of these bows in existence.”

“I see. Do you have the other one?”

“I do. I found it while I was away from Hyrule. Unlike the swords and shields, anyone can use a Guardian’s Bow, if they’re strong enough. However, only the Sky Guardians can unlock their full power. And it seems you have done so, Link. Ever since I first learned of my destiny and the legend, I have been looking for the one destined to be the protector of darkness, the Guardian of the Moon. That hero is you.”

“Whoa, hold on… I still don’t understand a few things. Why can’t the Master Sword do the job? It is the Blade of Evil’s Bane, after all. And why couldn’t you tell me this before? I’d have been less confused about what’s going on.”

Kelli’s gaze strayed to the ground once more.

“I know, and I apologize for deceiving you. I just wasn’t sure if you were the one I was looking for. And originally, the Master Sword was meant to slay these creatures as well. It was forged several hundred years after the Sun and Moon Swords. The gods and the seven Sages realized that the Sky Guardians were vulnerable because they could be separated and killed by monsters their weapons could do little to harm, especially if they were somehow unable to use their bows. It was then they agreed that one all-powerful evil-destroying blade was a better alternative. So then the Master Sword was born and both the Sun and Moon Swords were hidden away where they would be buried and forgotten for years to come.”

“Oh. That would indeed explain things. But then, if we’re Sky Guardians, then they must be returning. How do you explain that?”

“That goes back to when I left Hyrule. I found my sword and shield not long before then. They’re the very reason I left Judo and the kingdom behind for seven years. I eventually came to another land much larger than Hyrule known as Mayia.”

“Go on.”

“It was in Mayia that I learned about the sword, the legend, and everything I know. I also learned that Mayia and Hyrule are close allies and a number of their stories and legends connect the two kingdoms in some way.”

Kelli’s story continued as she told of how she trained with the Mayian soldiers to become the warrior she was now and just as she was perfecting the advanced techniques she’d learned, the monsters now being seen in Hyrule appeared in great numbers on Mayian soil. This was the first time Kelli had ever seen these creatures and it became her ultimate test to save the land from whoever was behind the invasion. As she was told they would, her sword and shield proved to be very effective against the monsters of darkness despite their striking intelligence. Eventually, Kelli had fought her way up to their leader, a creature more powerful than anything she previously battled.

“He was a creature of darkness himself just like his army,” she described. “And his name was…Notu…”

“I feel for you. I was rather stricken with Ganondorf myself,” Link commented.

“I’d imagine so, but from what Zelda has told me of him, Notu is far more ruthless and deadly,” Kelli assured. “I believe him to be the primary reason for the Sky Guardians’ return. You see, in recent years, the monsters which the Sun and Moon Swords were meant to slay gradually grew stronger, smarter, and more agile. Where they were getting their power, nobody could figure out. It was then that people began searching for the swords in hopes two more heroes could take them up and defeat the creatures. While even the Master Sword would eventually become too weak destroy them, the power of the Sun and Moon Swords remains, no matter how powerful the monsters grow.”

“I figured as much. But you’re saying this Notu guy is responsible for making them stronger?”

“Partially. He seemed to have only strengthened his own kind instead of the creatures of light. However, as we both know, the creatures of light have recently become just as menacing as their dark counterparts.”

“Indeed. But, who’s enhancing the sun aligned creatures?”

“That, I don’t know. I do know, however, that you need to find the Moon Sword, wherever it may be hidden. And then—”

“And then we take down whoever’s behind all this trouble together!”

“That’s right,” Kelli agreed with a smile. “And I know we can do it.”

“Yeah, now I know what Saria meant when she told me we had to work together,” Link recalled. “Oh! And that reminds me. There’s one more thing I need to show you.”

With that, the hero then produced the Jewel of Forest, the sunlight bouncing off its shiny green surface. A faint gasp escaped Kelli’s lips and her lower jaw again drooped earthward.

“I found this stone in the Death Forest too. Saria told me a little bit about it, but I bet you know more,” Link continued.

“Ah, I was hoping you’d find one of the Elemental Jewels,” Kelli commented, though she was unable to hide her amazement. “The Sky Guardians were also given the task of protecting them. The Jewels, like the Swords and Shields, only open their magic to those chosen to be Sky Guardians. And because of this, we must find all of them.”

“That’s what I just now figured. So, what’s our next move?”

“Hmm…” Kelli contemplated, bringing a hand to her chin. “Oh, before I forget, there was a bit of a situation while you were gone. Whatever’s going on up Death Mountain caused a rockslide to block the entrance, so we can’t go there.”

“That’s just terrific…” Link fumed, glaring at no one in particular. “I was going to head up there afterwards to find out if Darunia and the Gorons were alright and to see about the next jewel. Well then, I guess all we can do is sniff around for any sign of your friend.”

“Judo? Yeah, which reminds me, one of the guards told me something earlier that made me think he might be a warrior himself. If we can find him, surely he’ll help us out. I already checked his house and it’s completely closed up and lifeless, so there’s no use going back there either. How about the graveyard?”

“Why there?”

Kelli explained that, while Link had been gone, someone had broken into Impa’s house the previous night as well as the clue Dampe gave her. Link listened, but once again, he came away with more questions than answers. The devastation of Saria’s house and this incident both suggested that this Notu was seeking something he believed that the Sages had. But, in both cases, nothing seemed to have been taken. If this had been the case, however, then what were they looking for? Each possibility Link came up with seemed to produce even more questions that he was unable to find answers to and decided only a thorough investigation would lead him and Kelli to the solution. Which, given the stronger and deadlier monsters roaming every which way, would be quite a challenge.

And then, there was still the heroine’s determination to realize Link’s potential as a Sky Guardian. If what Kelli had told him was true, then it was clear he was meant to be the Guardian of the Moon. But why would this be so if he was already the Hero of Time? Or was his previous title irrelevant now? The dark future, after all, was just that, a dark and tragic possible outcome of Ganondorf’s rise to power, which Link had prevented from occurring. He did so by traveling to that future as the Hero of Time, where he vanquished Ganondorf, and then by returning to expose him in the past, preventing the Evil King’s rise to power. Did the title, however, only coincide with that time period which he’d stopped from coming to pass? Was he technically no longer that hero now, but instead becoming a different one because he changed the future? Yeah, that makes sense, Link decided. Zelda sent me back to where I first met her, which was long before I pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal in the Temple of Time. But what of this new threat? What if…

“Kelli, hold on…” Link spoke up after a long moment of contemplation.

“What’s the matter?” Kelli inquired.

“I just thought of something. That Notu character you defeated… Could he…have possibly returned?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure. I thought he was gone forever when I stopped him in Mayia, but now that the monsters of darkness have returned alongside their counterparts, I don’t know what to think.”

“Hmm…”

“But I do know this. If Notu is indeed hiding in that dark castle and watching the land collapse, then we’ll be in for the fight of our lives when we reach him.”

“I can imagine so. We’ll have to make sure we’re prepared.”

“Indeed.”

As they began their investigation of Kakariko’s graveyard, Link inquired about the young man named Judo, curious as to the part he had to play and whether or not Kelli had any real clues as to his whereabouts. Although Kelli could not give much on appearance since she had not seen her friend in several years, she could remember his character as with startling clarity. She described Judo as being a man of kindness, courage, and, above all, having a fun-loving nature. He was the biggest jokester in the entire village, and never failed to produce a smile on Kelli’s face whenever she was down. There very rarely was a joke he told her that wasn’t even the least bit humorous to her.

“He was a little klutzy at times, but Judo was by far the funniest boy I ever met,” Kelli went on, a sad smile teasing at the corners of her mouth. “There was one joke of his in particular that made me laugh really hard. I remember it perfectly too. What did the cucco say when he caught a cold?”

“Tell me.”

“Cock-a-doodle-CHOO!”

“Haha! That is pretty funny!” Link complimented with a deep chuckle. “Judo was really good at this, wasn’t he?”

“He sure was. My favorite is definitely that knock knock joke he used his own name in, though. He made it up especially for me and I will never forget it.”

“How did that one go?”

“You’ll see. Knock knock!”

“Who’s there?”

“Judo.”

“Judo who?”

“Judo know how awesome you are.”

“Hehe, clever! He really does sound like a great guy. I’d like to meet him sometime; I just hope I do before the enemy does, if they haven’t already.”

“Yeah, that’s what worries me the most…”

Before Link could speak further, his attention was drawn to an unfamiliar sight near the northwestern edge of the graveyard.

“Hey, look up there! On top of that small cliff,” he directed, pointing to a small rise with a fence running the length of its south edge. Kelli quickly turned to where Link was pointing and spotted what appeared to be the entrance of a cave.

“Strange… There’s never been a cave up there,” she commented, raising one eyebrow.

“Yeah, I say we check it out.”

Before responding, Kelli allowed her irises to take on their golden glow and her hair to slightly stand on end once more. It wasn’t long before a worried gasp escaped her lips and her eyes and hair to return to normal.

“Oh no… Link, it’s a good thing you spotted this. Monsters are hiding in there!”​

 

[Legacy]

Very enjoyable story!

Some grammar mistakes but nothing serious, probably just typos.

Overall it's a rich story with a really interesting storyline that really makes me want to learn more. I don't know anything about Zelda aside from the very basic idea having played the old SNES games as a kid, so it was a testimate to you that I was able to get into the story. A few parts were over my head, but nothing too bad.

Great work!

 

[Kelleo]

Wow, thanks! And yeah, I'm trying to stop missing typos. >_<

I'm also doing my best to explain things you would otherwise have to play the aforementioned Zelda games to understand, but this story would still probably be best understood if the reader played those games anyway. I apologize for any confusion though.

I'll get chapter 7 up a bit later. :]

 

[Kelleo]

Here's chapter 7 now. :]

Chapter 7: A Puzzling Situation​

Link, his instincts honed to perfection from evading death by the narrowest of margins a few hundred times, didn’t take long to realize the implications of this discovery. All of Kakariko’s defenses, what little was left of them, were concentrated against attack from Hyrule Field and, if the monsters in the graveyard attacked, the village would be overrun in short order.

“Then let’s get in there and deal with them before they cause any real trouble,” Link quickly advised. “If they get out, it’s over.”

“Right. But listen, my powers can’t tell us exactly what we’ll be up against,” Kelli warned. “We must be careful.”

“Got it. Just one thing. How are we going to get up there?”

“…Good question.”

“Hmm…” Link contemplated, bringing his hand to his chin. “Ah! I have an idea. I’ll give you a boost, then you can pull me up.”

“Alright, I’ll try.”

With that, they quickly approached the rise. Link then kneeled to allow Kelli to climb atop his shoulders and then stood up so she could reach the top of the small cliff. Grasping the edge of the cliff, and praying to all the Goddesses that it didn’t crumble in her grasp, Kelli swung one leg over the lip of the plateau and hoisted herself up. She then flattened herself against the rock and reached a hand toward Link. Link quickly grabbed it as if it and, as if walking up the cliff face, he and Kelli worked together to get him over the ledge and up to the cave’s entrance.

“That worked out better than I thought,” Kelli commented, rolling her shoulder to relieve some minor cramps. “We should do this more often when we have to climb walls like these.”

“You got that right,” Link agreed with a smile. “Though you were only pulling half my weight, that’s still quite a bit considering my shield and other equipment. Good job!”

“Ah, it was nothing. Let’s get moving though. There’s no telling when the monsters in there will decide to make a move on the village. Also, there’s one thing I forgot to tell you…”

“What’s that?” Link wondered, raising his eyebrow as the pair began entering the cave.

“While I can indeed sense the presence of these monsters, they can also detect me.”

“Now you tell me…”

“But hey, that’s only if they decide to use that ability. Plus, it’s only the sun monsters that can do it anyway. The moon monsters, thankfully, cannot. Though both do tend to work together, much like the Sky Guardians do…”

“You said I was destined to be a Guardian of the Moon, right?” Link recalled, to which Kelli nodded. “Could they sense my presence too?”

“What, getting cold feet?” Kelli jibed, snickering at Link’s scowl. “Well, you don’t have the Moon Sword or the Moon Shield yet, so no.”

“That could help us,” Link noted. “They’ll know you’re here, but since they can’t detect me, I can take them by surprise.”

Before Kelli could reply, however, they were startled by the grinding sound of rock moving against rock. At first, Link feared that part of the tunnel had given way and was about to come crashing down on them, but soon saw the situation was even worse. A slab of rock descended over the cave entrance, sealing them in. The ground slightly trembled as gasps escaped both Link’s and Kelli’s mouths. Even in the dim light of the torches lining the walls, both adventurers could tell that they could not hope to dislodge the obstacle.

“Oh that’s just terrific!” Link blurted. “I did not plan on getting trapped in here!”

“Who would?” Kelli replied rhetorically. “But anyway, look there.”

Link soon turned his attention to where Kelli was pointing. Before them, six stone slabs, resembling doors, were built into the wall. Each one had a strange rune carved above it, with no two runes being the same.

“I don’t like the looks of this,” Link murmured. “I can’t read any of these runes, but I’m guessing that if the monsters were going to use this place to launch attacks on Kakariko, one of them has to lead out.”

“Yeah, but which one?” Kelli wondered. “We already found one booby trap and some of these doors likely lead to others.”

“My thoughts exactly. I don’t think the monsters just carved this place out; I think it was prepared for them in advance by whoever’s been enhancing them. I doubt the monsters would bother with booby traps when they’re so strong in a straight fight. Maybe we should split up so we don’t both fall into a trap?”

“Too risky,” Kelli decided. “If we stick together, we can probably handle whatever we run into. I think we should go single-file though. That way, if one of us does fall into a trap, the other can get them out.”

“Good idea. I’ll take point. Which way are we going though?”

“How about we take turns choosing doors?”

“…Well, alright. It’s really all we can do, I guess. Who chooses first?”

“Doesn’t matter to me. You go ahead.”

Link nodded and contemplated his decision. He had six doors to choose from, which didn’t exactly thrill him if, indeed, five of them led to booby traps or dead ends or the lurking monsters. Link had no idea how many monsters might be inside the cave but, with his luck, it was probably quite a few. What’s more, Link was certain that the runes above the door had to denote which door led where. If the enemy was planning to use this cave as a defensible rallying place for the monsters, then it stood to reason that the enemy would want to make sure the monsters didn’t fall into the cave’s traps. However, the runes made no sense to Link. They took the form of bizarre shapes and angles which left him bewildered. He simply sighed, knowing there was no way he’d decipher them without some sort of clue to their meaning.

“Eh, I’ll just go from left to right, so let’s start with the door on the far left,” Link decided.

“Alright then. I’ll just go with the door next to it if it happens to be the wrong way,” Kelli replied, her brow furrowing in concentration. “Though to be honest, something is oddly familiar about those runes up there. But I just can’t figure it out.”

“Huh… Perhaps as we work on this, it’ll come to you.”

“I hope so. We’re on the enemy’s turf here and we’ll need all the help we can get.”

With that, the pair proceeded through the door on the far left. At their approach, it slid up into the ceiling with a most unpleasant grinding sound. However, instead of being brought closer to the cave’s exit, the pair found themselves in a fairly small chamber. All it contained besides a few torches resting in wall sconces was a sarcophagus set against the back wall. Before either Link or Kelli could take another step, however, the door ground shut behind them while the sarcophagus slowly creaked open. A misty cloud of darkness was revealed within, menacing and impenetrable. Before either adventurer could react, dark tentacles suddenly shot out of the cloud. Link and Kelli were each seized by the waist in a grip of iron and then yanked clean off their feet into the dark mist. The pair soon blacked out, only to awaken moments later to find themselves on the ground in the first chamber. Kelli quickly scrambled to her feet.

“See, I told you this crazy place probably had traps!” she blurted. “We were just lucky that trap wasn’t the kind that kills you.”

“Yeah, that was kinda freaky though,” Link replied, standing up and brushing himself off and then his jaw dropping in alarm. “Aw, say it ain’t so!”

“Huh?”

“The runes! They’ve changed places! Well this certainly makes things easier!” Link exclaimed sarcastically, pointing to the new arrangement of the runes above the doors.

“Ugh… Hey, why don’t we keep going through the same door until it becomes the correct one then?”

“Sigh… Well, what have we got to lose?”

With that, the pair proceeded through the door on the far left once more. This time, luck had been with them and they were led to another chamber containing six doors with one rune inscribed above each. The door ground shut behind them, leaving them no choice but to move forward once more. Kelli then chose the next door, the one on the far right, hoping she and Link would get lucky once more. The pair sighed nervously as they entered. Before they could even take in their new surroundings, misfortune struck once again. More grinding sounds were heard and the pair followed the sound to see the floor dividing in half to slide out from under them, revealing a seemingly bottomless chasm below. Cries from both warriors echoed off the walls as they hurtled into the darkness, blacking out once more.

The two awoke once more on the floor of a chamber containing six doors. Once his vision became clear, Link glanced behind him and shook his head in astonishment. There was no door, only a wall of rock.

“Aw man…!”

“What’s wrong?” Kelli inquired, rather nervously.

“We’re back where we started!”

“What?!”

Kelli quickly turned her attention to the wall behind her.

“Curses… You’re right. At this rate, we’ll never get out of here,” she opined.

“Well, we have to!” Link snarled. “We’ll likely starve if we can’t get out quickly. Besides, Hyrule needs us.”

“I know… This is really troubling.”

“Yeah, the only good thing is that we haven’t run into any monsters yet.”

“True. They must be hiding deep within the cave. I doubt they know we’re here though. I think they’d rather fight us than let us stumble around like this.”

“Probably. There’s gotta be something we can do to get past these traps.”

Kelli fully agreed. Both warriors returned their attention to the runes inscribed above each door, certain there had to be some way to decipher their meaning. They were sure now that they were related to the solution of the puzzle. However, Kelli still could not recall where she might have seen or even heard of such bizarre inscriptions before. Unfortunately, Link appeared to be even more befuddled than she was, his brow furrowed in perplexity and his hands massaging at what Kelli suspected was a roaring headache. He soon brought his hand to his hair and scratched his head, utterly at a loss, but then something caught Kelli’s eye. Her gaze darted back and forth between Link’s hand and the rune above the middle door and soon realized that his hand had taken on a shape similar to the rune. It was then that the answer hit her like a bolt of lightning.

“Link! I’ve got it! I remember now!” Kelli gasped. “Judo can help us!”

“Wha…? But he isn’t even here,” Link pointed out, raising one eyebrow in confusion.

“I know, but I remembered something he told me a long time ago which gives me an idea.”

“Well, don’t keep it to yourself!”

“Alright, just hold your horses. Anyway, Judo used to tell me about the stories his mother often told him in her spare time. One of them was about a powerful Hylian mage. The mage had a lot of enemies, or he was just very paranoid, Judo wasn’t very clear on that point, so he devised a unique means of protecting his home. It was called Manu Propria.”

“Man what?”

“Manu Propria. In an ancient tongue, it means ‘with one’s own hand.’ It’s a system that’s meant confuse and scare off trespassers who might try to break into a place such as a fort or supply unit. All it took to activate was a spell known as the Multum in Parvo, or ‘much from little.’ The monsters must have either learned the mage’s spell or somehow recreated it.”

Kelli continued to explain that Manu Propria, as the translated name implied, was a spell dependent on hand gestures. The basis for the system was a set of corridors lined with chambers leading to the actual fort or supply chamber was the basis for the system. Each chamber held six doors, five of which that led to traps while the sixth led to the next room. Each door had runes inscribed above them. Their shapes represented hand gestures which were required to manipulate the enchanted doors. If one desired to reach the fort or supply chamber, they would have to use their hands to recreate the runes above the doors in the correct order. Each rune that was imitated correctly and in the proper order would then glow white while an error would cause it to glow red. The act of imitating the runes, the Multum in Parvo, would, if performed correctly, cause the doors leading to the trap rooms to vanish leaving only the door leading onward.

“So, you can beat this place by just flexing your fingers?” Link asked, surprised. “Huh, that is ‘much from little.’”

“Rather like what comes out of that head of yours,” Kelli replied with a smirk.

“Yeah, just like...hey, did you just insult me?” Link realized, his tone suggesting that he thought so.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Kelli replied, smiling like a Kokiri trying to con someone out of a basket of sweet rolls.

Link wasn’t convinced, but Kelli went on regardless by telling him that if a person entered a trap room for whatever reason, they would be sent back to the first chamber and both the runes above the doors and the order they had to be presented in would be rearranged.

“Oh, and one more thing. If we get the order wrong, then it’ll set off another trap. Not the kind we’ve run into so far but something like bombs magically flying out of the runes above the doors,” Kelli finished. “No doubt the case will be the same here, but since the rune will glow red, we’ll have some warning.”

“I see. It’ll probably still take time to reach the end of the cave, but at least we now know how to get through this place.”

“Precisely. Now, I’ll try to crack the first code to give you a demonstration.”

Link nodded and watched as Kelli began working her hands and fingers to take the shapes of the door runes. The first one she chose, the one above the far right door, glowed white. However, the second rune she tried glowed red. Remembering what Kelli had told him, Link brought up his sword and shield in time to meet a flock of Keese that seemingly erupted from nowhere.

“Blast! This cave’s Man whatever is rigged to conjure monsters if you get it wrong!” Link exclaimed, nearly stumbling backwards as he dodged a swooping Keese.

”No wonder I detected so much of their energy in here,” Kelli realized. “The runes are infused with that energy. Link, you deal with the Keese while I figure out this code.”

“Like I have a choice? Just don’t mess up this time!”

Keese flew and dove so fast that they seemed to blur from sheer speed. Link’s sword did likewise, cutting the bat-like creatures to ribbons while Kelli continued to reproduce the runes with her hands. Of course, this was complicated because her trial-and-error work conjured more and more Keese. It was fortunate that Link ate Keese for breakfast and that one strike of the Great Fairy Sword’s large blade could cleave half a dozen of them in two with one slash. Although, he did wonder how long he’d be able to hold out before the Keese wore him down through sheer numbers. Thankfully, Kelli had finally produced the correct code minutes later and the doors leading to the trap rooms disappeared. Only one door, which led onward, remained.

“Finally!” Kelli exclaimed with eagerness. “Let’s go. I have a feeling the monsters we face will gradually get tougher as we move on, so be prepared.”

“Wonderful.”

The pair lost no time entering the door and moving on to the next chamber. As expected, the room looked nearly identical to the one they’d just left behind. Once again, they faced a room with six doors, each one with a rune inscribed above them. However, the runes were different this time around, implying that the proper order was different as well. Link, not particularly thrilled at the notion of getting swarmed by Keese again, turned to Kelli once the pair came to a halt.

“How about I give it a shot this time?”

“Good idea. We’ll take turns so that whoever holds off the monsters before has a chance to recover,” Kelli agreed, drawing her blade. With that, Link set to work, shaping his hands and fingers into the shapes of the runes as Kelli had demonstrated in the last chamber. However, the first one he had attempted glowed red. Knowing what this meant, Kelli brought up her blade and let her gaze roam the chamber to find her opponent. Sure enough, a trio of Stalchildren shimmered into existence. Link and Kelli were soon gritting their teeth in shock, Link in particular recalling his near miss with these creatures in the Death Forest.

“Oh boy…” Kelli uttered.

“Well don’t just stand there!” Link retorted.

“Alright, alright, geez…”

With that, the two picked up where they left off. Kelli drove her blade into the first Stalchild she approached. Though a pair of Stalchildren like these had nearly beaten Link in the Death Forest, they were creatures of the moon and Kelli’s Sun Sword gave her a clear advantage. Her first thrust lobbed off her attacker’s claw and her following strike cut it to pieces. Just as Link had managed to discern the first two correct runes, however, the creature’s skull came hurtling towards his forehead, hitting him squarely and knocking him backwards to the floor.

“OW! Come on! Watch it!”

“Oops… Hee hee, sorry about that!” Kelli replied, a grin forming on her face. She had to admit the act was funny as she watched Link clamber to his feet, slightly dizzy from the blow, while rubbing his forehead. However, the trance was broken when a Stalchild’s arm swung towards her head. Kelli, luckily, had caught wind of it in time to duck and launch her foot behind her into the creature. Being dead, the Stalchild didn’t find such an attack particularly painful, but the impact of the blow sent it staggering and gave Kelli the time she needed to bring her sword back to the ready. Before she could strike, however, Link caused another rune to glow red. Blast… she thought, irritated, as a new trio of Stalchildren shimmered into existence. Link grimaced, hoping he wouldn’t end up creating an army of them, and continued working on the code.

Thankfully, Kelli managed to destroy all four of them before Link could cause more to appear. Though these enhanced Stalchildren were swifter and their attacks more powerful, the creatures were still as fragile as ever. Link’s third attempt to decipher the code was successful and, by which time, Kelli only had two opponents remaining. Link quickly aided her in finishing them off so no time was wasted, and swiftly swung his blade into one of the Stalchildren.

“Man, this is nuts…” he opined moments later, breaking the silence. “I’m going to go crazy if I run into another Man whatever spell after this.”

“Tell me about it. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if those monsters did use it elsewhere,” Kelli replied, sheathing her sword and shield. “Either this cave is an important rally point or they’re hiding something valuable in here. I don’t see why else it would have such heavy defenses. Luckily for us though, the Manu Propria’s inventor was never able to make it create more than six main chambers. Still, I can’t guarantee the monsters couldn’t either.”

“S-S-SIX?!” Link very nearly blurted.

“Oh come on, that’s not a lot.”

“Yeah, but the idea of having to go through even one more of these things sickens me, let alone four!”

“I guess, but be glad you’re not alone. It would be harder to get through if I wasn’t with you. Now let’s go before we waste anymore time.”

“Alright, alright…”

From then on, the two repeated the process, taking turns cracking the codes of each of the cave’s main chambers. As Kelli had surmised, the enemies had indeed grown deadlier with every room. The third chamber produced two Wolfos each time the incorrect rune was shown while the fourth yielded two Lizalfos. The fifth room, however, was quite unique. Instead of a group or pair of one enemy, this room’s runes released one Stalfos and one White Wolfos every time they were incorrectly mimicked. The sixth, and hopefully final chamber been ensorcelled in a similar, but deadlier fashion. Its runes produced three Lizalfos using Wolfos as mounts, which were the very same enemies that pursued Link and Kelli after they’d first met.

This chamber was indeed the most challenging one yet and Link prayed it would be the final room as he worked to decipher its code. Kelli was also relieved that she took the liberty of battling the Lizalfos Knights, since it was another enemy Link was not very familiar with, especially since his skills were still not on par with her own. This soon led to another train of thought as Kelli downed the first Lizalfos Knight by using a spin attack to eliminate the Wolfos and then leaping into the air to plunge her blade into the gut of the Lizalfos once it crashed to the ground. Link would need to learn more techniques if he was to prevail in this quest and she was just the person to instruct him.

Unfortunately, by the time Kelli managed to destroy another Lizalfos Knight, Link had discovered an incorrect rune and another trio of enemies had been summoned. Kelli’s eye twitched as she frantically began looking for a solution to the situation. Within moments, she shook her head, as Link made yet another trio appear after his next attempt at the code.

“Oh man…” Link uttered, eyes wide with disbelief at how badly outnumbered the monsters had the pair.

“Curses! There’s only one way to deal with these guys and I don’t like it,” Kelli opined. “Link, duck to the floor and stay down there until I say it’s safe to come up.”

“What?”

“Trust me. You’ll thank me for this later.”

“Alright, if you say so.”

With that, Link flattened himself against the floor and Kelli thrust her sword out behind her. She began focusing power in her blade while the Lizalfos Knights, as if sensing what she was planning, charged towards her. They were half a second too slow. Her blade soon glowed a vicious golden color while sparks showered from both edges, the irises of her eyes fading into the same color. Just as the Lizalfos Knights approached her, she unleashed her attack and threw herself into a spin attack. However, this was no ordinary spin attack. It surpassed a normal spin attack the way the Master Sword surpassed a rusty kitchen knife. And that was a stupefying margin.

“What in Hyrule—?!” Link gasped as he watched Kelli’s attack carry her through several full spins while a golden beam encircled her and carved every Lizalfos Knight to pieces. Kelli at first seemed to have spun so fast that she blurred to invisibility, but Link suddenly realized his eyes must’ve been fooled by all the light, for she did not move very fast during this incredible attack. Judging from the dead monsters, however, it was fast enough. Once she finally came to a complete stop, she constantly staggered backwards and forwards, which made Link suddenly aware of how dizzy he was after that display.

“Kel! Dang, what was that all about?!” Link inquired, bolting to catch Kelli and help her regain her balance.

“It was the ultimate technique of the Sky Guardians,” Kelli explained. “The Hurricane Spin. I hate using it though, because it makes me really dizzy and vulnerable, as you can see. Plus, you have to practically be at full strength to use it. If you’re injured, feeling exhausted, and things like that, then you can’t focus enough power in your sword. I was lucky enough to be able to use it at all.”

“Yeah, I bet,” Link agreed, allowing Kelli to lean on him until she felt she could stand up on her own again. “Kinda doubt doing it on a full stomach works either. Still, it looks like just the trick if things get ugly.”

“True. I feel alright now, so let’s move on.”

“Good. Man, I hope I get it right this time...”

With that, Link made a final attempt to decipher the rune code. Much to his and Kelli’s relief, each rune finally glowed white. Five of the doors vanished, leaving only the one leading forward.

“Yes!” Link blurted, raising a fist. “That door better be an exit, or so help me, I’ll go ballistic.”

With that, the green-clad hero bolted for the door.

“Hey! Wait up!” Kelli called, racing after him.

The two reached the other side of the door within moments. However, Link came to a sudden halt moments later while Kelli came plowing into his back. Before she could say anything, however, she realized why Link had stopped so abruptly. The room they were now in did not contain anymore doors or runes. Instead, standing before them was a pair of Dinolfos led by an Armosaur carrying an enormous sword. Behind them were two treasure chests sitting atop a raised platform.

“Curses…” Link uttered, gritting his teeth. “I should’ve known.”

“Yeah well, it’s better than that Manu Propria business,” Kelli pointed out.

“Point well taken.”

“Anyway, leave the Armosaur to me. The ones who carry swords like that are tougher than their lance-wielding brethren. I’ll help with the Dinolfos when I can.”

“Sounds good to me.”

With that, the pair charged towards the monstrous trio. Kelli clashed blades with the Armosaur while Link sidestepped the Dinolfos’ fiery breath. He quickly launched himself into a forward roll that carried him behind the pair. Link then sprang to his feet and, in the same motion, performed a spin attack which raked his blade across both of their backsides. Heh, that wasn’t a bad move, he thought, a smile forming on his face. I think I’ll call it the roll attack. Kelli, meanwhile, was hard pressed by the Armosaur and finally had to give in to its superior strength by playing dirty. She rammed her foot into its gut, feeling certain she’d sprained a few toes in the process, but the blow had thrown her enemy off balance. She followed up with a stab to its side.

As Link rolled away from the Dinolfos’ counterattack, he realized that the pair was still standing shoulder to shoulder and that the Armosaur was just beyond them. All three monsters were lined up as straight as an arrow’s flight. The analogy giving him an idea, he smiled confidently and produced his Guardian’s Bow. Moving quickly, lest the enemy realize his intent and scatter, he maneuvered until he was adjacent to the monsters, and readied an arrow on it before the creatures could return to their senses. Kelli almost immediately figured out his strategy and darted out of the way. The monsters soon looked up to see Link aiming straight for them with a newly powered up arrow and shooting them a cocky grin.

“Bye!” Link blurted and launched the arrow straight for their hearts. It soared through the Armosaur’s armor and flesh first. Once it burst out of its back, the arrow pierced through both Dinolfos as if they were made of thin parchment and continued to fly until its arrowhead became embedded in the rocky wall behind the beasts. Link couldn’t help but chuckle with delight as all three monsters remained frozen where they stood for a single second and then collapsed to the floor in near perfect unison. Kelli shook her head upon witnessing this act.

“Link… Wow. I have to admit, you’re more skilled than I’d given you credit for,” she complimented.

“Heh, thanks,” Link replied, rather proudly. “You’re still better, though. …Hm?”

Before Kelli could respond, small blocks of wood emerged from the wall near the platform to form a rough staircase, allowing the pair to proceed to the treasure chests.

“Ah, excellent,” Kelli commented. “Whatever is in there must be valuable if the monsters were protecting it so well.”

With this, Link could not disagree. The pair had gone through quite a challenge in the previous chamber alone, much less the entire cave. They agreed to open one chest each, both wondering if perhaps Elemental Jewels were inside. To their disappointment, however, neither chest housed one.

“Geez, all of this for mere bomb bags?” Kelli opined once she saw the contents of both chests.

“Yeah, I was expecting more than that too,” Link added, his tone slightly dejected. “But hey, at least with these, we can get up Death Mountain again.”

“True. I’m getting the sense though that this cave wasn’t a rally point like we thought, though. I think it might’ve been a munitions storehouse. It looks empty now but I suspect there were plenty of bombs in here before they were used…” Kelli contemplated. However, her words soon trailed off and turned into a strangled gasp.

“What’s the matter?” Link quickly inquired.

“Lon Lon Ranch!” Kelli blurted angrily. “And Castle Town! This must be how those fiends leveled them!”

“Whaaat?!”

“I’m not kidding either!”

“Well then, we’ve got to get the heck out of here! They must be stopped! And, let’s see if we can use these to give them a taste of their own medicine.”

“Indeed! Oh wait… Link, look around…”

It didn’t take long for Link to scan the entire room and discover that not a single door was in sight.

“GAAH! You mean to tell me after all we’ve been through WE’RE STILL TRAPPED?!”

“Now hold on, one of these walls could be bombable,” Kelli pointed out. “Let’s start hitting them and see if any sound different than normal.”

“Ah, right.”

The pair made no hesitation to begin striking the rocky walls with the blades of their swords in hopes one would emit a telltale, hollow sound. Thankfully, the wall to the left of the platform rang hollow when Link’s blade struck it.

“Bingo. This better be a way out, or I will feel the need to strangle something,” Link opined, his words causing Navi to shiver since she knew her friend was not stupid enough to try strangling Kelli. The bomb Link set in front of the wall managed to blow it open and reveal a short tunnel. Thankfully, it wasn’t empty. Faintly visible on the other side was a ladder leading towards the surface. The adventurers’ attention, however was drawn to what looked like a small cage at its base. Link and Kelli quickly bolted through the tunnel, eager to investigate this strange find. Kelli soon halted in her tracks once she saw what was in the cage, another gasp escaping her mouth as her lower jaw plummeted earthwards. Navi followed by halting just as abruptly and remaining frozen where she hovered. Link could almost see why. Within the cage hovered another guardian fairy that looked exactly like Navi, only this one was a light purple color rather than bluish white. Link could only assume that both his friends somehow knew this imprisoned fairy, and his suspicion was confirmed moments later when Kelli and Navi shouted at the same time.

“Vira!”​

 

[Kelleo]

Time for chapter 8. :3

Chapter 8: Training​

“Kelli! NAVI!” the caged fairy cried out, no less astonished than the pair of adventurers. Link merely stood there, his eyes wide and his eyebrow arching.

“Sis, how’d you get in there?!” Navi gasped, approaching the cage. This fairy, Vira, was Navi’s sister?

“Yeah, Vira, I thought you stayed in the forest,” Kelli added.

“I did for a time, but awful things have been happening there lately!” Vira replied, seeming to shudder at the memory. “I left to find you, Kelli, and I heard you were in Kakariko, but just as I reached the entrance, something hit me in the head and let out a cloud of smoke. I passed out and when I woke up, I was here.”

“Well, first things first. We need to figure out how to bust you out of there.”

“Yeah, hey Kel, I think our arrows might be able to cut through those bars,” Link suggested.

“I agree, but I don’t want to accidentally hit Vira.”

“Good point…”

“Hey, you wouldn’t happen to be called Link, would you?” Vira wondered, turning her attention to Link.

“That’s me. I had no idea Navi had a sister, though.”

“Yeah, I haven’t seen her in a long time. Not since she left to look for you.”

“I see. Let me guess. You used to be Kelli’s guardian fairy.”

Both Vira and Kelli could only gasp upon hearing Link’s words. Kelli in particular seemed shocked, and tense, at Link’s words.

“You…found out, didn’t you?” she finally uttered moments later. “That I spent some of my childhood in the forest.”

“I did. From Saria and Mido. But enough about that, got any ideas on how to get this cage open?”

“Sigh… I’m thinking arrows are our only option. Our swords could work, but I’d rather not risk it. One errant swing and, well, ‘nuff said.”

“Agreed. Would you like to have the honors? I figure Vira would be more comfortable that way.”

“Of course. Are you alright with this, Vira?” Kelli inquired, trying to inject a reassuring tone into her words.

“Sure, whatever it takes to get me out of this rat trap.”

Kelli nodded and then drew her bow. Her hands trembled slightly as she noted just how small the target was, and how easily her arrow could go astray, striking her fairy friend. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and readied an arrow regardless. After carefully aiming at a line of bars just beneath the top of the cage, and instructing Vira to move as far from it as possible, Kelli’s still trembling hands released the bowstring. Kelli squeezed her eyes shut reflexively as the arrow took flight but, to her relief, she heard the sound of metal snapping under the impact of the enchanted arrowhead. Letting out a very deep breath, Kelli raced over to the mangled bars and bent them outward from the cage. The unscathed Vira immediately flew through the newly opened gap to freedom.

“Man, I am so glad to be free!” she opined happily, flexing her wings and flying in circles in uncontrolled ecstasy.

“Are you sure you’re unharmed, though?” Kelli inquired, still breathing raggedly.

“Of course. In fact, I’ve never been better. I was trapped here for what felt like days, after all. I haven’t seen light in hours.”

“Really?” Link wondered, arching one eyebrow.

“Yeah, it goes back to what I started to tell you earlier.”

Vira explained that sometime after the forest had been invaded by monsters, she managed to escape undetected and immediately headed to Kakariko Village. It was where the fairy thought she’d most likely find Kelli. However, before Vira could even begin searching the village, a pair of bat-like monsters had suddenly appeared, trying to grab her by the wings. The fairy had managed to outrun them but, just as she reached the village, a cloud of smoke suddenly engulfed her. Overwhelmed by the choking fumes, Vira had careened through a window, crashed amidst several clay pots and passed out. She awoke in the cage Link and Kelli had just freed her from.

“Oh! That explains the noise from the other night!” Kelli realized. “As well as that fairy call I heard!”

“Yeah I thought doubted anyone would see me through the smoke, but I hoped the noise might attract some attention,” Vira admitted. “I wanted to warn you of all the danger.”

“I figured as much, but don’t worry, Link and I are already well aware of what’s going on,” Kelli assured.

“Plus, I took care of things in the forest,” Link added. “Everything is back to normal there, at least for now.”

“That’s all good, Link, but it isn’t just that Hyrule’s being attacked by creepy monsters again, you guys!” Vira protested. “These freakshows are in a class of their own compared to what we encountered in Mayia, Kelli!”

“I know, they’ve been tough to defeat,” Kelli agreed. “They’re stronger, smarter and know how to work in teams.”

“No, worse than that! Kel, these monsters know your skills! They know you like I know my own wings!”

“What?!” Kelli gasped, seeming to stagger under the shock of this revelation.

“Blast! That’s right!” Link realized, having forgotten about the Stalfos he had encountered in the Lost Woods. “I was nearly overwhelmed by a monster that used one of your techniques in the forest!”

“Oh no…” Kelli uttered, staring into space. “Then they must know about the defeats I handed their brethren and Notu…”

“Which means they’re out for revenge,” Link finished. “But this won’t stop us! Kel, I want you to teach me your techniques. These creatures are far stronger than anything I’ve faced before, and I know I’m eventually just going to get myself killed unless I get stronger. If I can, we’ll overpower them! They may know you like the backs of their ugly hands, but I’m still fresh in their minds!”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Kelli agreed, a hint of relief in her voice. “Your idea is a good one, but the monsters will grow stronger as we continue. We should do whatever we can to even up the odds. So let’s ditch this place and get started. Vira, do you mind sticking with me for awhile? It’s much too dangerous for you to be by yourself.”

“Psh, don’t have to convince me,” Vira replied, bravely working a quaver out of her voice.

“Good.”

With that, Link and Kelli proceeded to the ladder, followed by both fairies, and began to climb. However, where there should have been an exit, there was instead a barrier of rock.

“Ah, curses…” Kelli uttered. “There’s got to be another way out, that dungeon we just came through is a death trap and I don’t want to go through it again.”

Link, who had ascended ahead of her, had been studying the rock closely and, finding something, he let out a cheer.

“We won’t have to,” he replied. “This rock is pretty worn, so we can break through it.”

“Link, do you think a bomb will blast through that?”

“It’s likely. And this ladder appears to be made of metal, so it should be able to withstand the explosion. I’ll head up and set one at the top. The rest of you, get back down and clear the room.”

Hardly needing the warning, Kelli slid back down the ladder and put as much distance between herself and the explosion as she could, the fairies speeding off in her wake. Link, meanwhile, had scrambled up the ladder. Near the top was a small gap between the rock and the top rung of the ladder, one where he could firmly wedge a bomb in place. He then quickly jumped off and landed squarely on his feet at the ladder’s base, thankful that it wasn’t too far a drop.

“D’oh!” he snarled at the impact. “That hurt!”

Well, it was a short drop but not a painless one.

“Cover your ears again!” Link warned and placed his hands over his own ears. Kelli did not hesitate to do the same. Even from a distance, the close quarters and acoustics of the cave made the explosion seem almost deafening. The chamber filled with smoke, the sound of rocks crashing against each other and, thankfully, sunlight and a hint of fresh air.

“Alright!” Link blurted happily despite coughing from the smoke. “Let’s finally get the heck out of here!”

The group then immediately raced up the ladder with Kelli climbing first in case she lost her footing and needed Link to catch her. After all, the ladder’s steps turned out be rather narrow in width and hard to traverse as a result. Much to their relief, both warriors made it safely to the surface and into the light of day once more.

“Oh, sunlight! Sweet, sweet sunlight!” Vira blurted, who had reason to be the most relieved of all.

“Hey, we’re on that plateau behind the windmill,” Link pointed out moments later as he took note of where the group ended up and saw the windmill’s blades spinning in the breeze. “Makes sense. We’ve got to get down and find his majesty, though. He’s probably been worried like crazy about us.”

“Oh! Yeah, you’re right! Let’s go!” Kelli agreed with a gasp. They had been gone a long time and someone had to have noticed that by now. However, before Kelli could take more than a couple steps, something caught her eye. An odd gleam was coming from a patch of loose soil near the hole Link had blasted open, the sun seeming to reflect off of something partially buried. Curiously, she bent over to scrape the loose soil away and, when the object was revealed, she gasped once more, this time in fear. In her hand, which was now trembling worse than it did when shooting Vira free, was a crimson necklace. A silver charm, in the shape of a sword, was splotched with crimson and tarnish.

“No…” Kelli uttered as tears trailed down her face. “How…how did I not notice this before…?”

“Kel, what’s wrong?” Link quickly inquired.

“Link, this charm… It’s Judo’s…” she revealed. “And it’s caked with blood!”

With that, she dropped to her knees and hugged the necklace to her chest, her face splashed with a grimace as tears continued to fall.
“Oh man…” Link responded, his eyes widening. “But hold on. Kel, this doesn’t mean anything. Judo could still be alive. We don’t know where this blood came from.”

“True, but… I can’t help but fear the worst…”

“Don’t. Don’t ever give up hope. We have to keep looking for him.”

For a long moment, Kelli did not reply. For what felt like an hour, Kelli stared forlornly at the battered necklace. Then, with a long, indrawn breath, she stood up.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. It’s too soon. I’ll have to clean this up though. It was a keepsake from Judo’s mother and he’ll want it back.”

Link noted a distinct change in Kelli’s demeanor, and for the better, at the notion that Judo would want his keepsake back. After all, you had to be alive for that to be so.

“Good idea, but we’ll worry about it later. Let’s go find his majesty.”

Kelli nodded willingly as she put the necklace around her neck and with that, the two descended the cliff that overlooked the cucco pen in hopes they would spot Daphnes amongst the villagers.

“I don’t like the look of this,” Link opined.

“Me neither,” Kelli agreed. “I don’t think it was another raid though, it’s too quiet.”

“All we can do is keep looking.”

As the pair entered the village proper, they continued searching for Daphnes. The two fairies had joined the search, but all they found were tense guards and villagers who were even more jittery from the ongoing raids by the monsters. Eventually, a pair of guards noticed the pair and shouted to them.

“Sir Link! Lady Kelli!” one of them gasped. “We’re so relieved to see you both safe and sound!”

“Yes, I bet you are,” Kelli agreed. “Where is his majesty? We must speak with him.”

“Yeah, we’ve been gone too long and he needs to know we’re safe,” Link added. “We’ve also learned more about the situation in Hyrule, and I think he’ll want to know right away.”

“I agree. He’s resting right now in Lady Impa’s house,” the second guard replied. “You’ve been gone for so long that he began to fear the worst. You must go see him!”

“Oh dear… We’ll go right away!” Kelli assured.

With that, the warriors rushed to Impa’s house as fast as their legs could carry them. Since the village was small, and since the house was well known to both of them, it took mere minutes for the pair to arrive. Upon entering, they spied Daphnes himself. The aged monarch, now looking all the more elderly, slumped forlornly in a padded chair and gazed distractedly into the flames. His expression was grim, his eyes as dull as stones, as if he were silently imploring that the Ferryman of the Dead come for him and end his misery. Kelli needed no further incentive to speak up.

“Your majesty, are you alright? Link and I have returned! We’re both fine!”

Daphnes, snapped out of his dismal trance, vaulted from his chair and whirled to face his visitors. His eyes shot open in disbelief, and then a weary smile overtook his features.

“Oh! Both of you are unharmed! I’m so glad…”

“Yes, we’re so sorry to have worried you,” Link added. “We never intended to be gone this long. We were trapped in a cave and it took us awhile to find the way out.”

Link and Kelli then both explained their adventure in the graveyard’s puzzling cave and how the spell inside trapped them until they could decipher the puzzle of its many doors and chambers. Kelli also explained the discovery of Vira’s imprisonment and that she was part of the cause for the previous night’s incident. Though he listened carefully to their story, Daphnes was astonished by the level of the monsters’ intelligence. No one had been able to recreate the Manu Propria magic since it was first created. Now Daphnes knew that the evil threatening his kingdom was becoming more dangerous than ever.

“So that’s what’s been going on… Though when I saw you both go into the graveyard and never come out for so long, I grew fearful,” Daphnes admitted. “I feared our only chance at saving Hyrule had been lost…”

“I understand completely,” Kelli replied. “But don’t worry, we’re both here and we can still prevail over this evil!”

“I am glad. And, the information you bring us is valuable. If the rest of these Elemental Jewels can be found, then perhaps there is hope for us after all. As for that cave, I’ll send guards and workers to barricade the entrance. If there are monsters in there, besides the ones created by the enchantment, then we cannot allow them to get out. As for your next course of action, may I suggest—”

Before Daphnes could finish his sentence, however, he noticed what was around Kelli’s neck, and his eyebrows shot up into his hairline and his face turned ashen.

“What’s wrong?!” Kelli quickly inquired.

“Milady Kelli,” Daphnes inquired, his voice quavering with something that sounded entirely too close to fear, “where did you find that necklace?”

“Behind the windmill,” Kelli replied, her voice turning somber. “Link blasted a hole in the ceiling of the cave so that we could escape. When we climbed out, I found it partially buried. It’s a little worse for wear, but I’m surprised the blast didn’t crust it or blow it from here to Lake Hylia.”

Daphnes looked like he wanted to say more, but could not summon the right words. Kelli, however, spoke for him.

“You don’t need to tell me it’s Judo’s. I already know. He told me it was a keepsake from his mother.”

“I see,” Daphnes replied, his tone still somber and curious. “You’ve learned nothing about Judo himself, then?”

“I’m afraid not,” Link added, his tone also possessing a hint of somberness. “However, he could still be alive and well. In fact, for all we know, that blood might not even be his. It could’ve come from an enemy he fought and defeated and the necklace’s chain might’ve broken in the struggle.”

“That is a possibility,” Daphnes agreed. “Still, you two watch yourselves. Be very careful out there. Link, I trust your retrieval of the Elemental Jewel returned the forest to normal?”

“Yes, Saria and the Kokiri tribe are all safe and sound. The Great Deku Tree Sprout is as well. I plan to go up Death Mountain next now that I have bombs,” Link confirmed.

“Ah, to seek out Darunia no doubt. Wise plan. Any evil forces on Death Mountain could easily spread to this village for obvious reasons.”

“Exactly. First though, I’d like Kelli to teach me a few of her skills, if that’s alright with you, your majesty.”

“Of course. Do whatever you need to ensure Hyrule is protected. I’ll remain in here for a little while longer. These recent events have been...taxing on my health.”

Kelli looked suddenly stricken; when a man of the king’s years made such an admission, it was often a euphemism for admitting their time was growing short.

“Is there anything we can do to alleviate you ailment?” she inquired, trying not to let her dread show.

“Free my sworn brother and his Goron people, that will do nicely.”

“Understood,” Link complied.

“Oh, one more thing,” Daphnes continued. “You two must take these. I probably should have given them to you sooner, but they will still prove very helpful now.”

With that, Daphnes produced two arrows whose arrowheads bore a striking golden orange color enveloped by faintly glowing aura of the same shade. Kelli gasped instantly and nearly stumbled backwards upon laying eyes on the two arrows.

“Can…Can it be?” she blurted with astonishment.

“Yes, it is the sacred Arrow of the Sun,” Daphnes confirmed. “Zelda discovered these buried behind Hyrule Castle sometime ago. She had been meaning to give them to you whenever you found the new Guardian of the Moon so both of you could use them. Luckily, she foresaw the danger in Hyrule and passed them on to me before she was taken away…”

“So you knew about the legend of the Sky Guardians all along…”

“Not much about it, but yes.”

“So, can this arrow pierce the darkness like Kelli’s sword does?” Link inquired.

“Yes. It can turn any regular arrow into a Sun Arrow and destroy the darkness within monsters of the moon,” Kelli explained. “I’d been searching for it for over a year now. Your majesty, thank you.”

“Yes, thanks,” Link added as both warriors took the arrows.

“I’m glad to help. Now hurry so these monsters don’t come back!” Daphnes warned.

“Right!” both Link and Kelli blurted at the same time.

With that, they rushed back outside and began planning Link’s training session. Kelli explained they would need plenty of space as well as practice targets in order for it to work out. Link recalled the crates that were stored near a potion shop belonging to an old hag. They were stacked in front of a fence that stood between the small plateau on which the shop sat and the larger plateau that ran behind the windmill. Thinking they wouldn’t be useful to anyone else during a crisis such as the one Hyrule was currently in, Link and Kelli hauled them into the large open space surrounded by the cucco pen, graveyard entrance, and cliff on which the windmill stood. They brushed their hands off as soon as preparations were complete.

“There,” Kelli spoke up. “Now Link, since some of these techniques are more advanced than others, I think it’s best that we begin with the simplest skills.”

“Yeah, good idea,” Link agreed. “What’s first?”

“First is the ending blow. As its name suggests, it will ensure your victory over your foe. Now watch as I perform it on the left crate.”

With that, Kelli drew her blade and gripped it with two hands. She leaped in the air towards one of the crates, reversed her grip on her blade half way through the leap and thrust the blade into the crate as she landed. She finished by back flipping off of it.

“Ah, I think I might have seen you use that one before,” Link commented. “Looks easy enough.”

“Indeed. Now you try.”

Link nodded and drew his own sword. He then repeated Kelli’s maneuver on the right crate. It took him a few moments to dislodge the blade from the crate’s surface, but otherwise he performed the technique perfectly.

“Gah… Guess I don’t know my own strength,” Link opined when he finally removed his sword from its target and back flipped off of the crate.

“Heh, don’t worry, I still do that myself sometimes,” Kelli assured with a small laugh. “Anyway, the next technique should actually be even simpler for you than the ending blow, but truth be told, I kinda struggle with it. It’s called the shield attack. All you do is thrust your shield forward, but see, I’ve never been good with shields…”

“Oh, well, I think I can help you with that. You do know that you have to be strong enough to even hold a shield properly in the first place, right?”

Kelli looked chagrined.

“Of course. I can hold it just fine. The training I went through enabled me to do so. I just can’t seem to keep it steady.”

Kelli then drew her shield and attempted to thrust it forward. However, it wobbled slightly and nearly fell from her arm.

“Gah… See?” the young warrior commented.

“Ah, yeah. You just need to practice keeping a firm grip on it. Watch what I do.”

With that, Link repeated the shield attack with his own shield.

“Oh, yeah, that could be my problem,” Kelli agreed. “I do notice your grip seems to be tighter. By the way, the shield attack is used to open a hole in your enemy’s defenses when your shield strikes them. It can also repel magical projectile attacks.”

“Oh, awesome. That’ll definitely come in handy,” Link surmised.

“Yep. I think two techniques ought to do it for now, though. I’ll teach you more another time. Can’t keep the other Sages waiting too long, you know.”

“True that. I guess this means I’ll be heading up Death Mountain now.”

“Right. One more thing though. That roll attack of yours from that battle in the cave is pretty clever. Could you show it to me again real quick?”

“Sure, I don’t see why not. All you do is roll forward and… BAM!”

As he spoke, lunged forward and, in midstride, launched himself into a forward roll. As he regained his feet, he thrust his sword forward.

“Simple, no?” Link continued. “After you roll, you can even replace that basic thrust with a spin attack. How cool is that?”

“Oh wow, that’s a great maneuver! I’m sure that with our combined skills, we’ll defeat whoever’s behind all the trouble for sure!”

“You’ve got that right! I’ll see you later!”

Kelli waved good bye as Link turned his attention to Death Mountain. If something caused a rockslide to block the trail’s entrance, then nothing good could be going on up there. Link recalled fighting the King Dodongo and the dragon Volvagia in the dark future, and was well aware of how dangerous Death Mountain could be. Evil power must have struck the Goron tribe as well and Link now wanted all the more to hurry up to their city before it was too late. When he took a glimpse at the high mountain as he approached the blocked gate, Link watched as the dark clouds hovering around its peak convulsed and moved with even greater violence. Thunder roared from the sky around them as bolts of lightning flashed through the darkness. Suddenly, just as Link was about to set a bomb near the boulders which barricaded his way forward, another bolt of lightning soared through the sky and struck the side of the mountain. Startled, Link covered his ears as rocks crashed onto the trail and thunder boomed overhead.

“WHOA! Holy—!” he blurted, getting cut off by more falling rocks.

“L-Link…I don’t wanna go up there…” Navi pleaded, shaking behind Link’s hat.

“I don’t blame you. Geez…”

“Yeah, but… I know I have to go. You need me.”

“True. I wonder why no one heard any thunder or saw any lightning before though. Unless…”

“Whatever’s going on up there has gotten worse!”

“My thoughts exactly. We’ve no time to lose. I’ll try to protect us as best as I can with my shield.”

“A-Alright…”

With trepidation for what might be awaiting him, Link proceeded to set his bomb. He ran back and ducked behind an outcropping of rock as the bomb detonated, reducing the boulders to pebbles. Without a moment to spare, he immediately charged up the trail as soon as the smoke cleared. As he had anticipated, rocks were lying everywhere on the trail and some even blocked Link’s way forward until he set more bombs. It also hadn’t taken long for him to notice Dodongo’s Cavern, the place that housed the Goron tribe’s favorite meal, rock sirloin, was barricaded by large boulders as well. Link felt a whiff of nostalgia as he recalled that the cavern had been blocked in the dark future as well, and that he had opened it and slew the beasts within. However, the boulders blocking the cavern now were so huge and appeared to be so solid, that Link could easily tell no ordinary bomb would so much as crack them. And since the food the Gorons ate was inside this cave, Link already began to fear the worst for them and hurriedly made his way towards the entrance to their city.

However, even traversing the short distance between Link and Goron City proved to be easier said than done. The unnatural storm above continued to bombard the mountain with lightning and fierce winds, sending boulders careening down into Link’s path. Link’s pair of blue earrings shook in his ears as he side stepped nearly every few seconds in order to avoid being popped by a rock, or worse, crushed by a boulder. Navi followed his lead and thankfully remained untouched as well. Link, however, was more worried about the fairy than himself. While many of these rocks would merely bruise him or be easily blocked by his shield, just one of them would squash Navi like an insect. Deciding not to risk it, Link quickly advised her to take refuge under his hat, an idea which the fairy did not hesitate to comply with. Along the way, wherever he could find shelter from the storm and rock slides, he also practiced the sword techniques Kelli taught him. He could never know when he would need to use them efficiently.

After what seemed like hours, Goron City’s entrance finally came into view minutes later. Since it was situated underneath a large canopy of rock, and the city itself carved into a huge cavern, it was safe from the falling boulders. Still, Link knew that that was the least of his worries as he hurried inside. Just as he had set foot inside the city, however, all his hopes of finding the Gorons there safe and sound were instantly destroyed. Instead, the place was deserted. The Goron City resembled, more than anything else, three concentric craters dotted with living quarters, passages, murals and braziers. Yet, the City was empty and eerily silent. Even Darunia’s chamber at the bottom of the cavern was deserted. The City itself seemed untouched, showing no telltale signs of having been overrun by the monsters, but that still left open the question of where the Gorons had gone.

“Curses… Where the heck could they be?!” Link mused aloud angrily as he came out of Darunia’s chamber.

The last place to look was the shop next door, but obviously, a whole tribe of Gorons wouldn’t fit in there. That is, unless like the forest, Goron City too had areas Link didn’t know about. Knowing that he’d already found friends in hidden places, and having no better ideas in any event, the warrior quickly entered. Just as he had surmised, however, it was empty. All that remained were the bombs it normally stocked and a few other pieces of merchandise. Sitting on one shelf was a set of garbs Link was quite familiar with. They were Goron Tunics, the very same outfit he had worn when exploring the Death Mountain Crater and Fire Temple during Ganondorf’s reign. They were enchanted garbs that allowed a regular adult to survive in an otherwise unbearably hot place such as the crater.

“The crater!” Link realized as he stared at the red tunics. “I almost forgot. I know the Gorons can survive in there, and who’d be crazy enough to follow them? Besides me, that is. I’ll have to slip into one of these first, but it’s our best bet.”

With that, Link grabbed one of the Goron Tunics and quickly changed, hoping the Gorons wouldn’t mind him borrowing it for awhile. His easy-to-fold green tunic was then stashed away in a satchel attached to the backside of his belt.

“Well, let’s go,” Link declared once he was ready. “I know the Gorons can hide in the crater, but I don’t know why they would go there. Unless…”

The warrior then quickly returned to Darunia’s chamber and pulled the large statue inside away from the wall. The crater’s hidden entrance was still there. That was a relief. The last thing Link wanted to do now was have to climb all the way to the mountain summit in the weather it was in and use the normal entrance. Glad he didn’t have to, he quickly rushed through the hidden doorway.

What Link found on the other side, however, hardly astonished him. Just as he had hypothesized, the entire Goron tribe had taken refuge there. Unfortunately, Darunia was not among them. Had a similar curse to the one from the forest struck Death Mountain as well? Questioning the Goron tribe would likely lead Link to the answer. Thankfully, they soon took note of him.

“Hey, everyone! Link has finally arrived!” one blurted joyously. The rest of the tribe soon surrounded the young warrior heavy relief washing over them.

If Link had only recently discovered acceptance and friendship among the Kokiri, he’d discovered it long ago from the Gorons.

“Oh, happy day! We’re so glad to see you, Link!” another cried. “As frightened as we’ve been, we never stopped believing that you would return, even though you’ve been gone for seven years!”

“Yeah, I apologize for disappearing for so long,” Link replied. “Can anyone tell me what in blazes is going on?”

“Ah, well, we’re not exactly sure…” a third Goron somberly admitted. “The storm above us has been rampaging for days. Big Brother decided to investigate the crater, but he hasn’t been seen since.”

Link’s eyebrow arched. This sounded unsurprisingly familiar.

“Yeah, and then the storm got worse,” the first Goron added. “Lightning began striking the mountain not too long ago. We saw rocks crashing everywhere and they blocked Dodongo’s Cavern. We’re afraid that if this keeps up, our whole city will cave in from the pressure and then we’ll nave neither a home nor food!”

“Just as I suspected,” Link commented. “I want to fix this, but I don’t know what I can do.”

“Well, just before he left, Big Brother told us to tell you something, though none of us could make much sense of it. His words were ‘when Link arrives, tell him to look for the retreating lava. It will guide him forward.’ He believed you would come too!”

“I see. I don’t quite understand what he’s saying either, but I’ll take a look around. I hope you all don’t mind me borrowing this tunic for awhile.”

“Oh, not at all. Do whatever you have to! You must find Big Brother!”

“And I can assure you I will.”

On that note, Link began his exploration of the crater. Even though it had been years since he last set foot inside it, he still remembered much of its layout. The Fire Temple’s entrance was straight ahead on the other side of the crater. The entrance to a Great Fairy Fountain was across the bridge to Link’s right. Past there was the second path to the mountain’s peak. Link decided that the Fire Temple entrance was the best place to begin searching. He just hoped he wouldn’t have to actually go in the temple, as some of his least favorite monsters resided in there the first time he explored it. He didn’t even want to think about how they could’ve been made smarter and deadlier since he’d been there last.

“Man, I’d forgotten this place is really freaking hot no matter what you wear,” Link complained as he wiped sweat from his forehead. Trying vainly to think of the Ice Cavern in Zora’s Fountain, he pulled out his hookshot and used it to carry himself across a broken bridge.

“It seems the monsters never forget to leave some calling cards behind either,” Navi added, gesturing towards the burnt state of the bridge and a toppled pillar at the Fire Temple entrance. Several stone blocks from its roof had fallen as well, blocking the path inside.

“You’ve got that right. And it seems we won’t be going in there anytime soon.”

Link sighed with relief, for once in this adventure being glad the monsters had attacked.

“Still don’t want to see another Torch Slug, eh?”

“Nope. It’s been years since I last saw those gross—”

Link cut himself off when he noticed something particularly peculiar and just stared at it, perplexed. A chunk of rock had been removed from the wall to the left and down below from the Fire Temple entrance. Whether it had been a consequence of the deadly environment of the Crater or if someone had pried it out deliberately, Link could not tell. Whatever the case, what appeared to be some sort of metal lever was sticking out of the resulting hole.

“Um…Link?” Navi called, flying in front of his face.

“Ah, sorry. I couldn’t help but notice something strange. Look over there,” Link replied and pointed to the lever.

“Huh, I wonder where that came from. That lever wasn’t there the last time we were here.”

“Exactly. But there’s no time for puzzling over it right now. Let’s see what it does. I just hope after I jump and grab it, my feet won’t end up in the lava.”

Even though it was a risky move, Link knew jumping off of the cliff he stood on and reaching for the lever was the only way to get to it. He took a breath to steady his nerves, thankful that the Goron Tunic also protected him from the smoke and other fumes, and vaulted for the lever. Fortunately, he managed to grab the lever with both hands. Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, however, the lever suddenly descended a few inches, leaving Link dangling less than a foot above the boiling lava. His weight had been enough to pull it down, and had nearly been enough to guarantee him death by flambé.

“Yeesh, that scared the daylights out of me!” Link blurted, his body shaking slightly. “Funny, up until now I thought I had my weight well under control.”

Before Navi could respond to his joke or near miss, however, the lava in the nearby corner began to roil. Fearing it might be rising, Link tried vainly to swing on top of the lever but, to his relief and astonishment, the lava instead was draining. Gradually, it surged away from the area and then dropped by several meters, revealing a hidden staircase that descended into the depths of the mountain. As the lava came to a halt just inches away from where Link dangled, he eyed it curiously.

“Wait a second… Retreating lava!” he realized. “This is what Darunia was talking about! I bet he’s down there somewhere and he wants me to find him!”

“Which means he also wanted you to find this lever. Let’s go check it out!” Navi added.

“Definitely.”

Without hesitation, Link swung himself over the remaining lava and landed safely on the rocky floor next to the staircase. He then traversed it carefully, certain that the next dungeon, and with it Darunia and the next Elemental Jewel, was at the bottom waiting for him.​

 

[Soulmaster]

Again there are a few typos but all in all they are good chapters

 

[Kelleo]

Great, thanks a bunch. :]

 

[Kelleo]

Time for chapter 8. :]

Chapter 9: The Magma Cavern​

By the time Link reached the base of the staircase, he found himself more than he was in the crater. Whatever he was heading to, it had to be much, much hotter than the crater itself; even with his Goron Tunic to protect him from the worst of the heat, Link felt ready to pass out. It was then he realized that he must’ve been traversing deep into the depths of Death Mountain, below the surface of the crater, and towards the fiery heart of the volcano itself. And naturally, it was certain to get even hotter as he continued. Still, whatever Link faced in this place would be worth it as long as he found Darunia and got his hands on another Elemental Jewel. And considering his location, he figured it would more than likely be the Jewel of Fire.

The chamber at the foot of the staircase was fairly small and contained nothing but a barred door straight ahead and two small trenches on either side of the room. Above the door there was an eye switch. However, this one was of a sort Link had never seen before. It appeared to be rusted over like the ones Link had seen in the Death Forest, but instead of the normal rusty gold color, it was enveloped in a dark grayish blue. Link merely smiled upon noticing it.

“Heh, I think I know exactly what to do here,” he opined confidently.

With that, he produced his Guardian’s Bow and brought an arrow to his bowstring. Using the new power Daphnes had given him, Link transformed it into a Sun Arrow and let it soar into the eye switch. The strange, dark grayish hue vanished and the switch activated instantly. Link heard a creaking sound followed by a strange trembling, and turned to see what looked like two floodgates within the trenches rising. Then, the rumbling grew louder and the room even hotter, which Link didn’t even think was possible, as lava began to flow to the opposite side of the chamber. The bars on the barricaded door retreated soon after, allowing Link to move forward.

“Am I bright, or what?” Link bragged aloud with a laugh.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Navi replied. “We’ve still got a long way to go and who knows what else will happen.”

“True. I wasn’t really being serious anyway. This room was simply that easy to figure out, especially compared to what I’ve seen so far.”
Link then proceeded through the door, curious about what he would be up against next. Before he could even begin to explore the next room, however, he found himself standing face to face with the head of a massive dragon. Reacting quickly, thinking he’d just run into Volvagia’s roommate, Link rolled to one side and had nearly released an arrow when he realized the dragon was made of stone.

“Smooth,” Navi snickered. “It takes a real dragon to scare most people.”

“Shut up,” Link fired back.

Calmer, but no less embarrassed, Link examined the “dragon” more closely. It turned out to be just a dragon’s head, albeit one as big as an entire real dragon, protruding from the wall straight ahead. Even its teeth had been carved out of solid rock stalactites and stalagmites. Idly wondering which were the stalactites and which were the stalagmites, Link peered into its open mouth and saw a small pedestal deep inside. On either side of the head were hands, or whatever dragons had at the ends of their arms, carved from stone bearing claws of stone that had been carved to be as sharp as the real thing. Despite knowing that the dragon was only a carving, Link couldn’t help shuddering.

“For a second there, I thought I was looking at Volvagia’s cousin or roommate or something,” he opined, recalling the vicious dragon he fought in the Fire Temple during the dark future and giving the much too realistic statue a wide berth.

“I was almost fooled myself. Whoever carved that is one skilled sculptor,” Navi agreed. “And must not mind heat much for that matter.”

“Yeah. …Hey, there’s a stone tablet over there in the middle of the floor,” Link replied, pointing to a large square stone sitting in the center of the room. “Let’s go check it out.”

Navi wasn’t hesitant to follow as Link rushed over to the tablet and carefully read it. Unfortunately, its text wasn’t exactly encouraging. It read:

Within this Magma Cavern lies the jewel of flames
Burning with the sacred light of the gods
If ever this flow of peace shall be disturbed
The mountain’s rage will consume all

“Oh no…” Link uttered. “I’m no expert on deciphering stuff like this, but I think I know what this tablet is telling us.”

“W-What?” Navi stammered, already knowing it the answer was not pleasant.

“The Jewel of Fire must have once been displayed inside the mouth of the stone dragon head,” Link explained, pointing to the empty pedestal. “However, it’s not there anymore. That could be the reason Death Mountain is now enveloped in endless chaos. I bet this cavern was built to house the jewel, and that the jewel’s power regulated the activity inside the mountain. That would explain why Death Mountain’s eruptions were, well, never anything to worry about. At least, not in Kakariko and Goron City. Now, since the jewel is missing and I’ll bet my hat it’s in the hands of the enemy. If we don’t recover the jewel, the mountain could violently erupt if we don’t hurry!”

“Ah!” Navi cried, her whole body trembling. “And if that happens while we’re in here, then we’ll get turned into jerky!”

“Exactly. And much of Hyrule will be incinerated. Which means we have to work fast.”

With that, Link immediately began considering his options. A fairly large metal door with bars in front of it stood below the dragon head. On either side of Link were two more doors. The eastern door was accessible, but the western door was sealed shut by chains and a stout lock. Above each of the dragon’s hands were unlit torches. In the corners of the room were more small trenches, perhaps like those in the previous chamber.

“Well, this seems pretty straightforward. Seems like all I have to—YAAA!”

Before Link could finish, four large, red slugs wreathed in flames descended from the ceiling, causing him to nearly stumble backwards again. Navi merely sighed irritatingly.

“Here we go again…”

“Ugh, of all the disgusting—wait, I don’t need to deal with these things, the door over there’s open. I’m outta here!”

On that note, Link bolted through the eastern door, avoiding the Torch Slugs. Ever since the Fire Temple, he loathed the thought of seeing even one of those things again. Unfortunately, the next chamber did not oblige him.

“Aw, say it ain’t so…” Link groaned, watching several more Torch Slugs wandering the next room.

“Really, Link, are they honestly that bad?” Navi opined.

“Are you kidding me? Don’t you remember being in the Fire Temple? These little monstrosities were practically all over the place! And I just think they look plain nasty. I can’t stand them!”

“Sigh… Well, that’s the life of a hero for you. You’re always going to run into enemies you really wish didn’t exist.”

“True. Well, time to get to work. The trench continues past this room, so I’m assuming we’re going to have to restore the lava flow here too,” Link analyzed. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up doing this throughout the cavern. If we’re lucky, doing that will help prevent the mountain from going kaboom.”

“I agree. It’d probably buy us more time to find the jewel at least.”

“Yeah, and the next door just so happens to be open. See ya, slug faces!”

“Link, wait up!”

Link made a dash for the metal door, but just as he approached it, a set of bars plunged down in front of it. Several screeches echoed from behind him, scorching his ears. The hero then turned around to see a Torch Slug, bearing a mouth full of sharp, slimy teeth, lunging for him. He quickly side-stepped the creature and forced it to crash into the door, spattering red gunk everywhere. Some of the gunk landed on Link’s shield arm and, an instant later, he felt as if he’d just shoved it into an oven.

“Yeeoouucchhh!” he screamed, removing his gauntlet and pulling back the sleeve to see that his arm had been burned so badly that some of the skin had turned black.

“These things are even worse than before!” he exclaimed, shocked at the damage. “It’ll take about a gallon of red potion to heal this!”

Before Link could make another move, however, he noticed another Torch Slug had dropped from the ceiling. This one, however, was twice the size of the others and looked at least four times as deadly.

“You slimy things just really want to annoy me, don’t you?” Link angrily replied, gritting his teeth against the pain in his arm and drawing his blade. “Alright, you asked for it!”

“There he goes again…” Navi uttered as Link sliced Torch Slug after Torch Slug in half. “Be careful though! If that gunk gets in your face…”

Navi didn’t have a chance to finish her sentence but, then again, she didn’t have to. A direct hit to Link’s face with that searing gunk would leave him blind...or dead. Fortunately, even with their new tricks, the Torch Slugs remained as vulnerable to attack as ever and, learning from his earlier wound, Link kept his shield up as much as possible. Because of the burns to his shield arm, his eyes were tearing from the pain, but Link was nonetheless able to finish off the big one just as easily as it had its underlings. Within minutes, the red gunk was practically all over the room, even in the trench. The bars blocking the metal door rose, opening the way forward. Link then groaned when he saw his sword’s blade.

“And this is another thing I hate about Torch Slugs!” he opined. “Having to wipe their slimy guts off my sword! Heck, in this case, I can’t wipe it off! I’d probably roast my fingers trying to.”

“Now that, I do think is annoying,” Navi replied.

“Yeah, especially since this is one beautiful sword I got my hands on,” Link agreed. “It was as tall as me when I first got it, but the Great Fairy’s Sword never let me down, just like the Master Sword. And I hate having to dirty up all these pretty colors.”

“And here I was thinking the purple color and the flowers were too feminine for a macho man like you…”

“No, seriously. In fact, this sword’s beauty makes me think of Zelda…”

“Heh, Zelda, eh?”

“Yes, Zelda. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Whatever you say… Hehe…”

Link merely grumbled as, for lack of something better, he scraped the gunk off of his sword on the edge of one of the trenches, sheathed it, and proceeded through the next door. The trench, as before, ran through it to the other side, except a small iron door closed off the far end. However, this time, there was no metal door straight ahead. Instead, nothing but rock blocked the way forward while the rest of the room remained empty. Link’s eyebrow rose moments later.

“Okay… This is messed up,” he commented.

“Well, wait, Link… Doesn’t that section of rock in the middle of the back wall look a little…different?” Navi replied. “It appears to be more flat and smooth.”

“…Oh yeah, it does,” Link agreed, squinting to get a closer look. “This can’t be natural. I don’t think it’s a mural either, there’s nothing on it. Maybe it’s some sort of door?”

With that, Link scrutinized the room for some possible way to open this so-called door, but other than the trench, the chamber was as empty as a Redead’s brainpan. Or was it?

“Aha!” Link opined moments later after spotting a few large cracks on the wall opposite of the trench. He quickly approached it and made no hesitation to set a bomb at its base. After rushing away and covering his ears, Link watched as the blast blew away the rock and revealed a floor switch on the other side. The hero smiled as he rushed back over and stepped on it.

“Jackpot!” Link blurted excitedly as the stone door rolled to one side, revealing the way forward. Behind it was a tiny chamber that housed another lever much like the one in the crater.

“I don’t know, that was a little too easy,” Navi protested as Link quickly approached the lever and pulled it down. The iron door in the trench rose seconds later and allowed a stream of lava to pour into the previous rooms within moments.

“Yeah, you’d think a monster or two would—” Link began, but was cut off by a loud reptilian roar. Within the next few seconds, an Armosaur plunged through the ceiling. The armored saurian faced Link, hefting its lance and shield menacingly. Iron bars then descended in front of the door to the previous room, blocking Link’s exit.

“I figured as much,” Link grumbled, drawing his blade. This Armosaur had golden eyes, which meant Sun Arrows would be next to useless against it. It hadn’t taken Link long to notice that his arrow stock was getting low either. He’d need to save what he had left for when they became absolutely necessary. At least he could practice the techniques he’d learned from Kelli in the meantime…but his seared shield arm would surely complicate things.

With that, Link charged towards the creature and, gritting his teeth as he did so, thrust his shield forward before it could react. Putting so much pressure on his severely burned arm made Link feel as if the limb was ready to fall right off, but the technique had worked. Dazed and nearly off balance from the shield attack, the creature stumbled backwards, only to receive at least a few blows to the chest from Link’s blade. Link executed the last blow hard enough to knock the monster to the floor. When it didn’t move immediately, Link leaped into the air, pointed his sword towards the creature, and finished it with the ending blow. He confidently back flipped off the creature when he knew it was finished.

“Heh, just those two techniques alone has already made this easier!” Link proclaimed happily, still gritting his teeth. “Kinda hurt though.”

“Yeah, I should say so,” Navi agreed. “Hey, look!”

The fairy turned to see a small treasure chest shimmer into existence on the floor next to the lever.

“Oh, that must be the key we need for that one door back in the dragon head room,” Link surmised. “I would’ve preferred about a dozen red potions, but we should be able to solve the puzzle behind restoring the lava flow here.”

“Right, let’s go!”

With that, Link kicked the treasure chest open and retrieved the expected small key from within. He then hurried back to the chamber with the dragon head with Navi following closely behind him. Along the way, he watched as the lava flowed through the trench all the way back to the dragon head. They hoped that this would help to stall any eruption which the evil plaguing the mountain sought to trigger. Once Link and Navi had set foot in the dragon head chamber once again, the lava from the previous rooms flowed through the trench and into the inaccessible chamber beyond the dragon head itself. As if reacting to the lava’s presence, the torch above the eastern stone dragon hand ignited. In that same instant, a large treasure chest shimmered into existence in front of the stone tablet.

“Perfect! That’s gotta be the map!” Link blurted and darted over to the chest. He threw it open immediately, and, just as he’d guessed, the map was rolled up inside. The hero quickly opened it and scanned the rooms inscribed on it.

“There are three floors, and there’s only two chambers beyond the next door, it seems. One of them is really small.”

“Yeah, that must be where the second lever is,” Navi replied as she scrutinized the map as well.

“Agreed. I wonder why this other room is so big though. Guess we’ll find out soon. And…holy smokes! The bottom floor is enormous!”

When Link examined the diagram of the third basement floor, he counted more than two dozen chambers, some large, some small, spanning throughout the entire mountain.

“Dang, you’re right!” Navi replied, just as shocked. “Just goes to show, the lower you go, the bigger it gets in here.”

“Psh, you can say that again. Oh, and check this out. It seems once we go through the door below the dragon head, we’ll figure out how to get down there. There are no other rooms up here besides what’s behind these other two doors and the floor directly below us has only a single chamber, and it’s under the one behind the dragon head. I’ve got a hunch about this, but I’ll save it for later.”

“Good idea. We should get moving.”

With that, they avoided the Torch Slugs as before and proceeded through the locked door to the west. Unfortunately, Link was forced to halt in his tracks once again. Before him, in the large, hot chamber, were about two dozen red blocks scattered on the floor. Several surrounded the door ahead, blocking Link’s way forward, though they were low enough for him to peer over and make out iron bars sealing the door on the far side. Another empty trench lined the eastern wall. Link shook his head before speaking.

“Oh boy… This sure explains things…”

“I must agree…” Navi added. “It’s a block puzzle. And we all know what these kinds of puzzles are for.”

“Yeah, I know. Because the bad guys like to make us jump through all sorts of hoops to reach them. Anyway, time to get started. The door is sealed off, so there’s gotta be a switch for it around here somewhere. The idea is to move the blocks so they don’t block either the switch or the door in the end. They’re too high to climb.”

“Right. I’ll find the switch from up above.”

Link nodded and chose to start by creating a path to the door. He then approached the nearest block and, deciding not to risk further injury to his shield arm, used his sword arm to shove it with all his might. There were at least a couple layers of blocks barricading the door. Still, Link pushed and shoved, thankful that at least this puzzle would give him a good workout. He wouldn’t even be close to as muscular as he was if it weren’t for all the blocks he’d pushed, rocks he’d thrown, and heavy weapons he wielded in the past. This also made him realize Kelli must be stronger than the average woman as well, since she was able to help pull him over the cliff in the Kakariko graveyard and carried a heavy shield. Still, he’d be surprised if she could move one of these monsters. They were taller than Epona, heavier than a Lon Lon cow, and Link was moving them at a snail’s pace.

“Hey, Link! Back here!” Navi called moments later just as Link was working on the final layer of blocks before the next door. He looked up to see Navi floating over the northwestern corner of the room.

“Alright, just give me some more time here…” Link replied and continued moving the blocks. Unfortunately, by the time he’d made his way to the barricaded door, he realized he’d pushed the blocks to where they prevented Link from reaching the switch even more so than when he’d started. This left him puzzled for a few moments, but he smiled again soon after and snapped his fingers.

“Aha.”

Link then went to the opposite side of the nearest block he’d pushed and returned it to its original position. He did the same with one other block that he’d set in the switch’s path afterward. Though he had now boxed himself in an area that included the barricaded door, he could now access the blocks he needed to move in order to reach the switch. There wasn’t enough space for Link to move any of the blocks far enough for him to get through, but he knew exactly what he was doing. All he did next was push a block directly below Navi and soon enough, a popping noise echoed from behind it.

“Ah, that’s what you were trying to do!” Navi realized, descending back to Link.

“Yeah, when I noticed the way the blocks were positioned over here, I figured it wasn’t that I had to press the switch directly. I had to put a block on it,” Link replied with a smile. “But…why isn’t the door opening?”

“Up there!” Navi exclaimed, gesturing towards an area above the door. A stone panel was sliding open to reveal another rusty eye switch. This one, however, was the normal yellowish color, unlike the switch from when Link first entered the cavern.

“Ah, clever.”

Link quickly made his way back to the door, produced his bow, and fired a charged arrow directly into the eye. Upon its activation, the bars on the door retreated, allowing Link to move forward. He then proceeded through to the tiny room that was shown on the map.

“How’s your arm?” Navi inquired as they crossed the threshold.

Link drew back his sleeve, seeing that the burns still looked nasty. Most of his arm was either too pink or red, leaking blood and puss, while some patches of skin had turned as dark as overcooked chicken. The parts that were too pink or reddish hurt as if hot nails had been driven into his skin but the patches of skin that had turned black didn’t hurt at all.

For some reason, however, Link was convinced that this was not a good thing.

“That…doesn’t look good,” Navi opined, sounding worried. “Maybe we should go back to Kakariko for some red potion, maybe twenty or so, and then come back.”

“We don’t have that kind of time!” Link retorted. “If we find a healing fairy, that will probably do the trick.”

“Okay,” Navi replied, her tone suggesting she wasn’t convinced.

Beyond the door, another iron door closed off the end of the trench while the lever was on the opposite wall. The only light that illuminated the room was a fairly large torch on the north wall. Without hesitation, Link grabbed hold of the lever and pulled it down. The iron door in the trench rose, revealing the flowing lava behind it. It freely flowed into the previous room, allowing Link to retreat back to the dragon head chamber once more. He had to push one more block in order to leave the previous room, but he arrived just in time to see the lava flow into the room ahead. The torch above the western stone hand ignited, and finally, the door below the stone dragon head itself opened, the bars on it rising until they completely vanished.

“Bingo! Now that we’ve got lava flowing through both trenches, we’ll see if my hunch from earlier is correct!” Link proclaimed. He eagerly barged through the door in hopes that what he suspected he’d find in side was really there.

This room, as the map had depicted, was small. The two trenches from the earlier rooms met to form one large trench near the center, which then sloped downward into a curving spiral. The lava flowed into the large trench and down towards the lower floors. Hanging on a metal hook on the wall nearby was a long slab of metal. Link grinned confidently and rushed over to it.

“Just as I thought! We have to use the lava to reach the bottom floor!”

“W-What?! You don’t mean slide down it like you’re snowboarding, do you?!” Navi blurted nervously.

“That’s exactly what I mean! Metal doesn’t normally float though. Unless…”

Link then knocked on the metal slab and the sound that greeted him was one he recognized immediately from over seven years of blowing things up.

“It’s hollow! Of course! Man, this is going to be awesome!”

“L-Link, wait! I don’t think this is—!” Navi protested. Link, however, paid no attention and plucked the slab from the wall. Navi grabbed onto the end of his hat, murmured something to the effect of “we’re all gonna die,” just before he swung the “lava-board” under his feet and leaped into the lava river.

“WOOOHOOOO!” the hero shouted raucously as he slid downward on the lava. This was the first time he’d ever had fun in quite awhile. Navi, however, struggled to hang on to his hat and only squealed in fear as bits of lava splashed everywhere. Unfortunately, she soon noticed flaming rocks plunging through the ceiling as well as jagged ones protruding from the lava.

“Link! W-Watch out!” she cried.

“Oh! Phew, that was close,” Link replied after he’d swerved to the left to avoid a flaming rock and then jumped over one sitting in the lava.

Even with these deadly obstacles, Link still enjoyed himself as he continued avoiding rocks left and right and making his way down the curvy lava river. Still, Navi continued to shudder. One wrong move, and Link could be turned into ashes. How the heck was he not scared or worried? Then again, Link hardly feared anything. He was a warrior who’d battled all manner of giant monsters and many evil villains, after all. And, of course, he needed to have some fun once in awhile too, even if he was on a quest to stop evil.

After what seemed to Navi like an eternity and a near-death experience all rolled into one, the two finally reached the base of the river, with Link making another flying leap out of the lava and onto the floor while Navi was slouched on his head. He then set the slab of metal up against a nearby wall, an ecstatic grin on his face.

“Woooo yeah! That was even more awesome than I thought it would be!” he opined. “Who knew part of a cursed dungeon could be so much fun?”

“Link, seriously?” Navi retorted, flying off of Link’s head. “We were so in danger back there! It was scary!”

“Yeah, but it was still fun! In fact, I had such a blast, I wish I could go back up and do it again!”

At that, Navi merely froze where she floated and then fell to the ground. Link merely shrugged as he picked her up and stuffed her under his hat. He then took a look at his next set of options. There were two doors on either side of the lava river’s end, which closed off in the shape of a dragon’s tail, which was carved into the wall, as well as legs. Each of the dragon legs had a flight of stairs carved into them that led to a bridge over the river. The eastern door was sealed off by bars while the western was accessible, which meant Link’s next path was obvious. However, he didn’t believe for a second that the remainder of the dungeon would be easy. Dozens of chambers were still unexplored, and he hadn’t even found the compass or the main treasure yet and, despite his confidence that he’d find a healing fairy, he was still worried about his burned arm. Plus, the Death Forest had proven to be a challenge despite that it was only the first dungeon. In Link’s past adventures, the enemies and dungeons he explored grew progressively more difficult and the Death Forest was far deadlier than he would ever have guessed. Still, he’d triumphed in all of them, no matter how hard they were, and that said enough.

As Link continued exploring the cavern and checking the map, he noticed that there was a sort of pattern to the rooms on the lowest floor. Behind each of the two doors in the room where the lava river ended were two more doors, both leading into series of rooms that circled around the entire dungeon, though neither side linked to the other to complete the circle. At the northernmost point on the map was a large, oval-shaped chamber, which was probably where the dungeon’s boss lurked. However, the map showed no clear entrance to it. This puzzled Link, though he figured the answer would appear to him later on.

Link pressed on, encountering creatures both familiar and new, and eventually realized something strange, something impossible.

He felt cold.

“That...c-can’t be,” he blurted aloud, yet some sort of chill wound its way up and down his spine.

“Are you shivering?” Navi inquired, disbelieving as she finally emerged from Link’s hat again.

“Yeah, d-don’t ask me w-why,” Link replied, bewildered.

Navi flew close to Link’s head, so close she could literally touch him, and then flew back as if burnt.

“You’re spiking a fever! It has to be those burns, they’re getting infected. Are infected, more likely!”

Link shivered again, and not just from the fever. Even if he did take Navi’s suggestion and leave to find some red potion, he couldn’t surf up the lava river. He wasn’t sure if a healing fairy could remedy his condition completely, but he had to find one fast. If he didn’t, he was done for.

Not long after locating the compass, Link halted in his tracks while his jaw dropped. Before him stood a vast maze comprised of flaming walls. Enemies likely lurked in the passageways as well. Though traversing this chamber probably caused Link to sweat by the gallon despite his fever chills, he carefully made his way to the end while avoiding as many patrolling Armosaurs, Dinolfos, and Fire Keese as possible. He was forced into a few battles, but prevailed fairly easily thanks to the skills he had learned from Kelli as well as from his own past experiences in this quest. It would have been easier had Navi been able to fly above and find the exit, but thanks to the numerous Fire Keese, it was too dangerous. This hadn’t stopped the brave fairy from trying though; she was all too aware that, sooner or later, Link’s infection would affect his ability to fight.

Several rooms, small keys, and battles later, Link found himself at the northernmost end of the western side of the dungeon, which was the last chamber before he’d have to head back to the dragon tail room. It was a fairly large rectangular room with a large pillar sitting in the near center. Behind it was a gigantic pool of lava and, on the far side, was a small platform with yet another metal lever. However, it wasn’t the lever that caught Link’s eye the most. It was the frightened Goron locked in a metal cage on top of the pillar. Unfortunately, before Link could attempt to free him, a pair of deep chilling cackles echoed throughout the room. Link whirled in the direction of the sound and beheld a pair of stone wells from which erupted gouts of flames.

From those gouts emerged what looked like a pair of bombs with arms and legs.

This is just about the last thing I need, Link groused inwardly.

These too were another bad memory from the dark future. Unnatural flame began to gather about the strange explosives, stretching and bending to form an imitation of a human silhouette. They were Flare Dancers. Link recalled that these creatures danced in circular motions as they attacked and that the explosives at their core were their weak spot...and that those same explosives were live. Link remembered these creatures from the Fire Temple, but he never had to fight two of them at once. What’s more, one of them was enveloped in navy blue flames while the other clothed itself in golden flames. Of course, Link easily guessed why.

The navy blue one would likely go down easily if hit with Sun Arrows, but what if its partner tried to protect it? Link recalled Kelli mentioning that sun and moon monsters often worked together because, much like the Sky Guardians, they were more vulnerable when alone. Luckily, Link hadn’t forgotten the Flare Dancer’s other weaknesses. Though it was an explosive in itself, it was also vulnerable to them. The Megaton Hammer, a Goron treasure Link used in the dark future, as well worked on them as well, but of course, the hero no longer possessed it since he’d gone back in time.

“That means either Sun Arrows or bombs,” Link decided and then smiled afterwards. “Or both.”

Link reasoned that he should attack the navy blue Flare Dancer first. He snatched a bomb from his bomb bag, lit the fuse and was about to throw it when, suddenly…he couldn’t breathe properly. Vicious coughs began escaping his mouth.

The sudden shock of it sent the bomb tumbling from his grasp, where it landed right at his feet.

“AIIIEEE!” Navi screeched.

Acting quickly, and narrowly avoiding getting blown up, the little fairy sucked in a deep breath and blew with all the might her tiny lungs could muster. By some act of providence, it was enough to blow out the bomb’s fuse.

The Flare Dancers, however, were quick to capitalize on their sudden advantage. Link, his hand shaking from his near miss, tried to chuck another bomb, but these particular Flare Dancers turned out to be much faster than their counterparts from the Fire Temple, and they evaded the explosive easily. Worse still, whatever had suddenly struck Link was getting worse. Breathing became progressively more difficult and he could feel blood pounding in his ears like thunder. The two Flare Dancers danced around the stone wells they’d emerged from and around Link as well, trailing hot flames behind them, which Link had trouble avoiding due to them igniting constantly. To complicate matters, the two Flare Dancers often danced around each other as well, with the golden one shielding its partner.

Redness flashed in Link’s vision and something was frothing at his mouth; he was running out of time. But then, he beheld his salvation. He readied his Guardian’s Bow and took aim, but not at the Flare Dancers...

He aimed at the undetonated bomb he had dropped, which the Flare Dancers were heading towards.

It was tricky shot under the best of circumstances and, with his lungs gradually failing him and those flashes of red incessantly blocking his vision, it seemed impossible.

But, then again, the word ‘impossible’ meant very little to the hero who once held the Triforce of Courage.

Link released the arrow. It grazed the bomb’s shell, sending sparks everywhere, and one of those sparks relit the fuse. The explosion subdued the golden Flare Dancer and Link quickly began firing Sun Arrows at the navy Flare Dancer. He was only quick enough to get in two hits, but it was a start nonetheless. Link might have congratulated himself, but all that came out of his mouth was a frantic gasping.

“Link?!” the imprisoned Goron shouted, finally taking note of the hero. “Link, it is you!”

Unable to shout back, Link could only gesture for the Goron to wait.

“Ohhh, please hurry!”

Link certainly hoped he could hurry, otherwise neither he nor the Goron would be leaving. He wasn’t sure how long his failing vision would avail him, and rather doubted he could manage a lucky throw with his bombs. But, maybe he didn’t have to. Pulling out one of his bombs, he bit down on the fuse into it until only a bit of it was left. Then, he rolled it into the path of the golden Flare Dancer and released another arrow. Again, his aim held true and the bomb went off directly under his foe. A second hit from a charged arrow impaled the Flare Dancer’s explosive core into the stone wall. A second bomb, lit and rolled to the trapped core, finished it off for good. However, Link couldn’t rest yet. The navy Flare Dancer still remained and it had grown quite angry at the defeat of its partner. It now began dancing furiously while cracking flaming whips in all directions while its trail of fire burned even more aggressively.

Link was forced to jump out of the path of one of the whips. The red flashes were getting even worse now and his lungs burned as if he’d been holding his breath for the past hour. It was easy to notice, however, that in its rage, the navy blue Flare Dancer sometimes danced wildly in one place, an odd but fortunate occurrence. Link could barely aim with his vision failing but, luckily, he no longer had to. Link fired a salvo of Sun Arrows, unable to see if any hit the mark, but then he was rewarded by the sweet sound of the Flare Dancer’s explosive core...well, exploding.

Link’s legs buckled under him, sending him crashing to the floor. His lungs had now been completely cut off from air. He was dimly aware of Navi and the trapped Goron both calling out to him, but could discern no words. The redness was now blackness, and it was getting darker and colder and everything felt so far away.

Then, he felt something cool and smooth touch his face. A potion!

With what strength he had left, he uncorked it and brought it to his lips. Navi, squeezing herself under the bottle, tilted it up so that the liquid flowed down his throat. In an instant, Link was on his knees, vomiting up the viscous fluid that the infection had filled his lungs with, and which had nearly killed him. Once the floor looked greener than Link’s signature tunic, he sagged against the stone well, his lungs and vision finally clear, and simply enjoyed being alive.

“Um, hello?” the Goron called out.

“Well, duty calls,” Link declared to no one in particular, rising to his feet.

“You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?” Navi demanded, trying to sound angry but unable to keep a clear note of relief out of her tone. “Well, that Goron tossed you the potion so, yeah, you should help him.”

Link hardly needed a reason to help someone in need, but he knew Navi was right. He snatched up the small key dropped by the deceased Flare Dancers and unlocked the Goron’s cage.

“Oh, Link! I don’t know how to thank you for rescuing me!” the Goron cried with relief. “I’d have gone crazy if I had to sit in that cramped cage for much longer! Not a piece of rock sirloin in sight!”

“Yeah, I bet,” Link agreed. “I figured I owed you for the potion anyway. Still, none of the other Gorons told me anyone was missing besides Darunia.”

“Oh, they didn’t know I came here. I was with Big Brother before I got captured. He wanted me to hide a secret treasure that he thought you should take with you when you came. No one else knows I’m here because this information was to remain a secret. He must’ve thought you’d need it or something and wanted to make sure it didn’t fall into the wrong hands. All I know about it is that this treasure was placed under our protection by the king of Hyrule not too long ago. Why, I’m not sure.”

“I see. But what happened to Darunia? And how did you get in this cage?”

“That…I’m not sure of either. I remember being with Big Brother one minute…then in here the next. It’s weird.”

“Huh… Well, what of this treasure of yours? Do you still have it?”

“Oh, yeah. Apparently, the monsters in here don’t give two pebbles about it. And as Big Brother ordered, I’m giving it to you.”

With that, the Goron produced a gadget that, at first glance, resembled Link’s hookshot. Only, instead of a hook, it had a claw, and where the trigger for launching the claw was, a slider was built into the gadget above it.

“Big Brother said it’s called the Grappleshot. It’s a sort of advanced hookshot that I assume someone developed at Hyrule Castle, since you know, the king gave it to us. Anyway, like a hookshot, it can pull you towards places or pull things towards you. If you change the slider’s position, according to Big Brother, you can also use it like a grappling hook. Latch its claw onto something above you and swing to your heart’s content. You could also kick anything in your path while swinging, if you want.”

“Oh wow, that’s definitely what I call an advanced hookshot!” Link commented as he took the Grappleshot. “Don’t worry, I’ll use it well.”

“Glad to hear it,” the Goron answered. “Before I leave though, I see you still have some potion left.”

Link glanced down at the bottle the Goron had rolled over to him and noticed that it was still half full.

“Were you injured?” Link wondered. “If you need the rest of it, it’s yours.”

“No, no. Let me show you a trick that’ll come in handy. That wound, where is it?”

Link rolled up his sleeve to reveal his burned shield arm. Despite the potion Link had drunk, it didn’t look any better. Then, to Link’s surprise, the Goron took the potion and poured it onto the wound. Link watched, dumbstruck, as the potion foamed and hissed and then vanished…leaving his arm looking as good as new.

“Wow.”

“Some of the monsters these days can inflict poisoned wounds or burn even us Gorons. That’s plenty bad news but, if you pour a potion onto such a wound, it’ll clear it right up. Keep that in mind, in case drinking the potion doesn’t do the job. And now, I really should get out of here. Or else I’ll be monster lunch. I’ll see you later, Link! Please help Big Brother!”

“Don’t worry, you can count on it.”

After the Goron departed, Link turned his attention to the pool of lava. The first thing he did was toss his old hookshot in it. There was no point in keeping it when he had just gotten an even better item that could do the same thing and more. Link then moved the position of the Grappleshot’s slider, changing the setting from ‘pull’ to ‘swing’ and aimed it for a jagged rock protruding from the middle of the ceiling. After launching the claw into it, Link swung himself over the pool of lava and landed safely on the platform where the next metal lever was.

“Wow, that was fun! I can’t wait to kick around some monsters with this baby!” he opined excitedly. “I wonder what this lever does, though…”

“Yeah, me too,” Navi spoke up just as Link was about to pull the lever.

“Navi! I owe you big for getting that potion into me.”

“Well, since you’re not going to stop giving me heart attacks anytime soon, I’ll take a gossamer sundae at the Titania Cafe next time we’re back in Castle Town.”

“Done and done. Well, time to find out what this lever’s for. Maybe it’ll unlock that other door in the dragon tail chamber.”

“Probably.”

Link then took hold of the lever and pulled it down. A small rumbling noise then echoed throughout the area. Now, Link was sure it allowed him access to the eastern side of the dungeon. However, the bars blocking the door couldn’t have made all that noise. Perplexed, Link quickly made his way back to the dragon tail chamber. He discovered that returning through the previous rooms was a lot easier thanks to the Grappleshot. Many jagged rocks protruded from the ceilings, allowing Link to swing over certain obstacles that had been difficult to navigate on foot, including the maze room. Once he arrived at his destination, excitement filled his mind.

“Navi, look! The tail! It opened a little bit!” Link pointed out, noting the split down the middle of the tail. It reached halfway towards the lava river below it. Link surmised, that if it opened completely, the lava would continue to flow through, lengthening the river more. And, that would mean what, exactly?

“Hey, you’re right! But what happens then?” Navi wondered curiously.

“I don’t know, but I think we’ll find out after clearing the eastern side of this floor. There must be one more lever back there!”

“Yeah, it’s just like what we did upstairs, only on a larger scale! And the eastern door is open now too!”

“Thanks to the last lever I activated. Now let’s get going. We take too long in here and the others might worry about us.”

With that, Link quickly proceeded through the eastern door. Still, he was right. This was a huge dungeon compared to what Link was used to, but what else could one expect when they explored the depths of the largest mountain in Hyrule? Link could only hope that Kelli, King Daphnes, and everyone else in Kakariko understood this. Otherwise, the king’s health might decline further, and Kelli would be stressed over not only the disappearance of Judo, but Link’s absence as well. Despite this, Link was confident that they knew better than to not have faith in him and he proceeded through the remaining rooms at a reasonable pace. He’d already had a near miss from that burn and the subsequent infection and another such mistake was something he couldn’t afford.

Several chambers, small keys, and more monsters later, Link arrived in the room just before the final chamber. According to the map, a tiny room was beyond this one, and the compass indicated one last treasure chest sealed away in it. The final lever was nowhere to be seen, which meant that it, too, was behind the next door. However, a giant pool of lava stood in Link’s path and floating upon it were small, round platforms. Above the gaps between these were more jagged rocks like the ones Link used as Grappleshot targets. The solution was clear, but Link feared that crossing wouldn’t be as easy as it looked. Even so, he immediately produced the Grappleshot and fired it at the first rock. Just as he’d begun swinging across to the first platform, however, a Red Bubble, which was a bouncing, flaming skull, soared over him.

“Yow!” Link cried, ducking to keep from being burned again. “I figured as much…”

“Me too. Be extra careful!” Navi warned.

“Yeah, yeah, I know…”

Though the process was fairly slow, Link eventually made it across after another close call with the Red Bubbles. He quickly barged through the door, and smiled confidently when he saw that his earlier surmise had been correct. The familiar gold and blue treasure chest sat nearby alongside the last lever. Link approached the lever first and quickly activated it. As before, a rumbling noise echoed throughout the area, indicating that the dragon tail must have opened completely.

“That ought to do it,” Link spoke up afterwards. “But I still don’t know how to get to the boss room…”

“Yeah, this is weird,” Navi agreed. “…Hold on, check the map again.”

“…Well, I don’t know what good it’ll do, but alright.”

Link then produced the map and unrolled it again. His eyes widened instantly at what he saw.

“I don’t believe it! A path to the boss room appeared! And there’s a glowing mark on the dragon tail room!”

“Exactly! The lava river must now lead all the way to the boss!” Navi surmised.

“Well then, let’s grab the boss key and finish up!”

With that, Link quickly retrieved the golden key and rushed back to the dragon tail room. Now that he was nearly finished exploring this hot cavern, his heart began to race. All he could think of was a refreshing dip in Lake Hylia once Darunia was safe and the Jewel of Fire was found. In fact, Link actually hoped the next dungeon would be somewhere in the Ice Cavern at Zora’s Fountain, or at least somewhere a lot cooler than this place was. This had been the case in both Termina and his first Hyrulean quest. As Link continued wiping sweat from his brow and forehead, he finally entered the dragon tail room once more, and hopefully for the last time. As Navi predicted, the tail was now completely open and lava freely flowed into the newly revealed passageway. In addition, a small metal raft was now floating where the bridge to the other side of the river used to be. A propeller was attached to its backside while a lever had thrust up from the surface. Like the metal slab Link used to slide down the previous stretch of river, it had to be hollow.

“Well, time to take care of business,” Link opined and climbed aboard the raft. He then switched the propeller on.

Though the trip was shorter than and nowhere near as fun as the slide down the other stretch of lava had been, Link didn’t care this time. He just wanted to find Darunia and the Jewel of Fire as soon as possible. The hero wasn’t hesitant to jump off of the raft when he arrived at the tiny chamber containing the massive door to the boss room. Link then took a deep breath, inserted the boss key into the large gold lock, and entered.

This chamber was massive. It was the largest room in the cavern, but of course, that was to be expected. The boss almost always turned out to be some giant monster that needed a lot of space. Still, this room appeared to be even too big for one of them. That is, unless it was a smaller creature who could use the open space to maneuver. Scattered about the large chamber were stone pillars with many jagged rocks hanging above them. Obviously, Link would need to make good use of the Grappleshot here. However, this wasn’t nearly what caught his eye the most. The hero froze where he stood when he spotted a giant black horse that was more than twice the size of Epona sleeping atop the lowest pillar. On its forehead was a dark red horn while spots of the same color lined its backside. It lacked a mane and tail, or so it appeared. Just as soon as Link took another step, however, the beast awoke and nearly instantly spotted him. Almost without warning, flames erupted from its body, revealing its hidden mane and tail. Bright wings also protruded from the creature’s back as well as its ankles and horn. Its golden eyes glared viciously at the astonished Link as it breathed flames out of its nostrils and soared right towards him, a ferocious neigh escaping its mouth.

This beast was Flarecus, the Ignited Winged Unicorn.​

 

[Soulmaster]

Was good the few typos but that is all I have to say it is funny the game physics type of stuff

 

[Kelleo]

Huh? What do you mean by "it is funny the game physics type of stuff"?