The Dark Plague
Chapter One: Dark Deceptions and Cruel Games
It was winter in the vast world of Hyrule. After eight years of turmoil, the land seemed to be finally healing. The great fields were covered in at least a foot of snow, smooth and sparkling, unmarred by the footprints of Hylians. The desert was perhaps the only land not covered in the deep white blanket, although it was hit hard by constant rain. The lake was frozen and the water in the Zora's river was so cold not even the Zoras would swim in it. The mountain was perhaps the most tumultuous land, covered in snow and a blinding ice-cold wind. The red smoke that circled the crate top could hardly be seen amongst the thick clouds. The grand crystal castle of Hyrule seemed as though it were a huge icicle sticking from the surrounding snow. Little beknownst to the people of this land, their troubles were far from over. As the days passed, the land of Ayianas began to drift above the Hylian continent. With this continent would bring a plague none expected.
"When is this queen supposed to come here?" Link asked Princess Zelda as they sat once more in the vast throne room discussing upcoming events. Among them were the seven sages: Saria, Rauru, Nabooru, Darunia, Ruto, Impa, and the Princess. Joining them that particular evening were two Sheikah: Tenameru who was covered completely by a black cloak and Talya who was wearing a long blue dress.
"In three days Link." Zelda said in an annoyed tone. This was the fourth time she had told him this particular information. "Her name is Hoshiko. She rules over the land Ayianas, she has a proposition for us. So we all must be on our best behavior." Zelda said sternly. All the heads in the room turned to Talya. During her stay in the castle for the last few months she had wreaked all sorts of havoc.
"Hey! Why is everyone looking at me? I'm good!" Talya said offensively. Link burst out into laughter. "I can tell when I am not wanted." She stood up quickly and left the room.
She returned only a moment later with a concerned look on her face and her sword in its sheath hung over her shoulder. Following her was a young redheaded farm girl in a flattering purple and black dress and bow in her hand and a female Sheikah with brown hair tied up into a ponytail, wearing a brown tunic over green pants. She too carried a sword. Their faces expressed a look of great mental anguish.
"Princess!" The redheaded girl exclaimed stepping forward. "There is a crisis going on in Kakariko Village!" Zelda immediately got to her feet.
"What is wrong Malon?" Link asked, standing as well.
"The village is under attack." She answered.
"What?" Zelda covered her mouth in shock.
"By who?" Talya asked to the brunette girl as Link attempted to calm Malon, who was crying now.
"Zombies. The dead are rising from the graveyard." The brunette answered firmly.
"Come on, we have to go help!" Tenameru said to all of them. Tenameru, the brunette, Talya, Link, and Malon ran from the throne room, out into the abandoned Hyrule Market. They hurried as fast as they could through the thick snow out of the Market, over the bridge, and into the village. What they saw was definitely a scene of terror. Buildings were on fire; people lay dead in the streets, the living hiding behind barred doors or scurrying about frantically in search of an escape. Zombies in tattered clothing were running rampant through the area. These zombies were more hideous than any they had seen before. They were the very ancestors of the villagers, rotting and decayed, covered with maggots and worms, sucking the life from the villagers. Malon screamed as one of the zombies caught sight of them. Link sliced through the zombie as it reached out for him. To his dismay and surprise, the severed halves of the zombie continued towards them. It was not long before the group got split up during the fight that ensued. The brunette had began to run towards the graveyard, with Link and Talya not far behind. Tenameru and Malon were helping the few surviving villagers to get to safety. Tenameru soon dragged Malon towards the graveyard; they had helped all that they could and felt it safer to be with the others. They reached the graveyard and found themselves fighting off a large mass of zombies. After a moment's struggle Malon screamed out in horror.
"Nikki!" She yelled trying to reach the brunette. In all the chaos no one had seemed to notice that the ground was splitting beneath them. Tenameru pushed Nikki out of the way as the ground collapsed on the spot she was standing. Before them emerged the form of a young zombie girl. She had white hair, green skin, and dead eyes. She was wearing a red cape over a torn black outfit. Tenameru stood in front of Nikki, his sword drawn pointed at the zombie girl in front of him. She did not attack.
"I am the Sheikah of the dead. I am here to save you." Her voice seemed quiet and empty. After her voice stopped echoing she closed her eyes and rose from the ground. The wind picked up, knocking everyone to the ground. An eerie calm suddenly came over them. They looked up and saw the zombies gone. "I am Rinéan, this world is in great peril."
"Again? This world is becoming a real hassle. Ow!" Talya quieted as Link elbowed her. The earth shook violently again knocking them again to the ground. "Hey! What is that?" Talya ran over to the fence in front of the old Shadow Temple. A shadowy figure shot from the cave's entrance into the clouds. "What the hell?" Talya yelled falling backwards.
"It has all ready begun." Rinéan sighed in despair. Link had jumped the fence entering the Shadow Temple. Nikki and Talya followed immediately. Tenameru followed after a moment and Malon followed not wanting to be left alone with Rinéan. The room they entered was adorned with torches, all lit by a black and blue flame. Nikki reached out to touch the enchanted flame but Tenameru pulled her hand back as sparks reached out to grab her.
"What are these?" Link kicked an urn on the floor that lay smashed in pieces, just one of fourteen.
"Look at this." Talya picked up a scroll. She opened it and read it out loud.
When this scroll has been read
Turmoil and death shall begin to spread One loves to play games Two feels only ashamed Three loves the crescent light Four will send the world to fright Five is frozen deep in her heart Six loves to play when evening starts Seven runs and hides from fate Eight the lovelier race does hate Nine will make you choke and drown Ten fears not when evil is around Eleven is the keeper of love Twelve you will find is as quick as a dove Thirteen will steal your very soul Fourteen will make the world whole A week, seven days, one hundred sixty eight hours past The world you know will no longer last The world depends The people depend Love depends On you The parchment burst into flames after she finished reading. It burned her hand and she shook her head in pain grumbling looking at her burn. Link grabbed her hand and she yelled at him to let go. The mark of the triforce over the eye of the Sheikah had disappeared and was replaced by the image of a fairie surrounded by fourteen stars, all black.
"That is not a good sign." Tenameru sighed.
"What does it mean?" Nikki asked him, finding it very hard not to smile at him for some reason.
"It means we have to collect fourteen fairies." Tenameru answered simply.
"Warriors." Rinéan's voice echoed from the cave's entrance. "Head back to the castle, tell the king of what has happened."
"The king is dead." Malon scolded. "The Princess rules the land now."
"Fickle things do not matter. There is not much time to spare and ponder such foolish things." With that said, they followed Rinéan to the castle. The castle doors were open and a path of blood led through the snow. The group hurried their pace to a run. They followed the blood to the throne room where six of the sages lay unconscious and badly beaten, but the Princess was nowhere to be found. On the wall above the throne was a message inscribed in blood.
With the Princess gone and doom nearby, I shall rule your pathetic land. Consider this a challenge hero. The Dark They gaped at the scene before them, not sure how to react.
Zelda awoke on the cold floor. She immediately jumped to her feet, surveying the room. It was a dark cell, cramped and smelling of filth. She leaned against the door and banged on it crying tears of pain and grief.
"I all ready tried that. It does not seem to work very well." A young voice called from the corner of the cell. Zelda turned to see a young girl with long white hair in a beautiful blue and green dress. "I am Hoshiko." She continued.
"Hoshiko! It's me, Princess Zelda!"
"I am sorry, I do not recognize that name."
"You contacted me the other day, about some help you needed." Zelda seemed very discouraged, realizing almost immediately she was fooled.
"I am sorry, but that is not possible. I have been imprisoned for several weeks."
"Then who is going to my castle in three days?" Zelda was beginning to work out the plans of the enemy in her head.
"It is a man and his golem. A female golem." Hoshiko sighed. "I assume that they are the ones going to visit your land."
"Oh no.I just remembered! My fellow sages, my assailant, he attacked them when they were protecting me." She began to cry again.
"Everything will be fine, I promise." Hoshiko gave her a reassuring hug. "We'll find a way out of here." Zelda, though, did not find this as reassuring as Hoshiko seemed too. Her friends had never let her down before. But this evil was able to get past all of the sages at once. The doubts continued to fill her mind as she and Hoshiko thought of ways to escape their prison.
"Are you ready to go?" Link sat next to Talya at the top of the first flight of stairs leading to the tower. She nodded her head slowly. She had changed into her fighting outfit, but with the addition of green armor and a cape attached. "That excited huh?"
"Shut up and get to the point please." Talya sighed. "Fine. I just wanted to know if you intend to follow this the whole way through."
"Are you insinuating something Link? Besides it isn't like I have much of a choice." She sighed. "What is the plan?"
"Well, I am not sure how we are supposed to find the fairies but Tenameru has an idea. As for what to do when we find them, I am assuming that we capture them the same way we caught the demons."
"What a drag." Talya mumbled remembering the blinding pain and unconsciousness that followed the absorption of the demon spirits.
"Hey you guys? Ready to go?" Nikki ran up the stairs towards them. "No time to lose, so let's get moving!" The three met Tenameru, Malon, and Rinéan at the doors. They opened the doors and stared out in shock. In front of them stood along crystal staircase leading into the sky.
"Okay, so do you remember that idea I had? Well, we are going to need a new one." Tenameru whispered in awe of the newly laid path. In the bottom of the steps lay another inscription, burned into the path.
'This path leads to your first task. This is the only hint you will receive. The only chance to save your world from sure destruction.'
"That is real comforting." Malon shivered. Rinéan started up the staircase, followed closely by the others. The staircase went up through the clouds and bitter winds. It led up to a floating continent. In front of them was thick, lush green forest. Around them there seemed to be the ruins of an ancient temple.
"This must be where the first fairie is." Tenameru whispered in awe of the ruin. He wanted nothing more than to explore the ruins, which were ornately carved with drawings that looked as though they were drawn by the hands of a young child.
"What was it that the poem said about the first one?" Nikki asked. "One loves to fool people or something like that?"
"One likes to play games." Link corrected.
"Well then this shouldn't be so hard!" Malon smiled jovially.
"Let's split up and start searching then." Talya suggested. Before any could object she ran through the thick forest and quickly disappeared from view.
"I guess we will meet back here in an hour." Tenameru sighed. They all headed their separate ways except Rinéan who stayed in her spot by the top of the staircase, staring at the crosses crudely drawn through out the ruins. She would not be able to help the warriors with this task. But she was able to keep a lookout while the others searched, she only hoped they would be successful in their task. Malon had followed Nikki into one of the back entrances of the temple. The walls inside were covered with moss and vines. Nikki and Malon climbed over fallen block of cement and jumped over holes in the ground. They soon reached a dark underground chamber, lit with a dim, mystical green light. There was a stream flowing across the middle of the room in the pattern of a Celtic cross.
"Wow, how beautiful." Malon exclaimed. Suddenly a green light burst towards them. They fell backwards and the floor beneath them opened, dropping them into a much darker room. Looking down from the top of the trap was Eugenie, the first of the fourteen fairies. Her skin was a pale, yet lovely, green. Her hair was jet black and hung tangled over her leaf like wings, covering her lower back. She giggled and batted her bright green eyes then shrunk herself into the form of a child, no taller than twelve inches in height. She giggled again ecstatically then flew from sight, a stream of vines following her.
Tenameru and Link had entered the temple from what appeared to be the main entrance. The room, though, had them stumped. The walls were solid; there were no doors other than the one they had entered. Tenameru had taken down his hood; the room was dark enough for him to do so.
"Find anything?" He asked Link.
"No." Link sighed. "This is stupid, we have to find another way out of here."
"I know. Be patient Link."
"I can't. I have a really terrible feeling about this. I cannot shake it." Link closed his eyes.
"Wait. I think I have found something!" Tenameru changed the subject. Suddenly the wall in front of them slid out of the way. A green light flew out at them and flew spastically around the room. It flew around their heads, then snatched up Link's hat and flew out the door.
"Hey! Give that back you stupid fairie!" Link yelled chasing after it out into the brush.
"Link wait! Someone is down here!" Tenameru called out. He gave up on Link quickly and turned towards the cries for help coming from the new path.
Talya had begun to climb towards the top of the temple to survey the land. The temple seemed much taller than she had thought. After a long trek, she finally reached the top. She balanced herself on top of the temple and put a hand above her eyes to block the sun. Through the mist she could distinctly see the outline of another temple in the distance. She turned quickly to see a green light rushing towards her. She reached out to grab it, but missed by a few inches. It turned around and flew towards her again as though it were playing a game. Talya missed the green light but caught a hold of Link's hat instead. The fairie lurched backwards right into Talya's hand. Talya grabbed the fairie who squealed in another language unhappily. Suddenly Talya felt a burning sensation in her hand. She shook her hand to ease the feeling, and then smiled. The fairie had been absorbed. But, the temple had suddenly begun to shake violently underneath her. She fell backwards from the top of the temple, clutching Link's hat against her chest.
Tenameru followed the cries for help at a slow pace, which soon became a hurried one. He began to recognize the voices. One was Malon. His heart pounded harder in his chest as he recognized the second voice. It was Nikki! He had to get to her; he felt a sense of urgency flood over him as he reached a room lit with a dim green light. He winced in pain as he felt his forehead bleed from the light. He winced in pain as he felt his forehead bleed from the light. He ducked back into the dark hallway and put his hood back on. He then walked over the oddly shaped stream towards a hole in the ground at the far end of the room. He looked down to see Nikki and Malon at the bottom of the hole.
"Tenameru!" Nikki yelled, a beautiful smile spreading across her face. Tenameru helped them both from the hole. They both continuously thanked him and hugged him in gratitude. "Oh! Your forehead! What happened?" Nikki exclaimed, immediately wiping the blood from his forehead.
"It's noth-" The room suddenly began to shake.
This place is going to collapse!" Malon screamed over the roar of the building. Tenameru grabbed their hands and dragged them through the dark hallway and out of the temple entrance just as the building collapsed behind them into nothing but a pile of dust.
Talya fell for what seemed like forever. She closed her eyes, expecting to hit the ground at any moment. Instead of falling to the ground she was stopped just in time. She opened her eyes. Link had caught her. He smiled at her and laughed at the look on her face.
"Arrived just in the nick of time, didn't I?" He teased.
"Uh.yeah." She rolled her eyes. "I got the fairie." She wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"MY HAT!!!!!" Link exclaimed taking his hat from her hands and dropping her to the ground. Talya landed with a resounding thud on the ground while Link carefully placed his hat on his head. Talya stood then smacked him on the side of the head and walked over to where Tenameru, Nikki, Malon, and Rinéan were waiting for them.
"I am guessing you were successful." Rinéan nodded at them, in an almost cheerful voice.
"Thirteen to go." Malon sighed.
"The sun will be setting soon, we should try and get the second fairie before midnight." Link instructed. "Then we will go home and rest." He added.
"Maybe we'll know more about this by then." Tenameru frowned. The same worried look had gone across everyone faces as they thought of the things that were at stake.
Chapter One: Dark Deceptions and Cruel Games
It was winter in the vast world of Hyrule. After eight years of turmoil, the land seemed to be finally healing. The great fields were covered in at least a foot of snow, smooth and sparkling, unmarred by the footprints of Hylians. The desert was perhaps the only land not covered in the deep white blanket, although it was hit hard by constant rain. The lake was frozen and the water in the Zora's river was so cold not even the Zoras would swim in it. The mountain was perhaps the most tumultuous land, covered in snow and a blinding ice-cold wind. The red smoke that circled the crate top could hardly be seen amongst the thick clouds. The grand crystal castle of Hyrule seemed as though it were a huge icicle sticking from the surrounding snow. Little beknownst to the people of this land, their troubles were far from over. As the days passed, the land of Ayianas began to drift above the Hylian continent. With this continent would bring a plague none expected.
"When is this queen supposed to come here?" Link asked Princess Zelda as they sat once more in the vast throne room discussing upcoming events. Among them were the seven sages: Saria, Rauru, Nabooru, Darunia, Ruto, Impa, and the Princess. Joining them that particular evening were two Sheikah: Tenameru who was covered completely by a black cloak and Talya who was wearing a long blue dress.
"In three days Link." Zelda said in an annoyed tone. This was the fourth time she had told him this particular information. "Her name is Hoshiko. She rules over the land Ayianas, she has a proposition for us. So we all must be on our best behavior." Zelda said sternly. All the heads in the room turned to Talya. During her stay in the castle for the last few months she had wreaked all sorts of havoc.
"Hey! Why is everyone looking at me? I'm good!" Talya said offensively. Link burst out into laughter. "I can tell when I am not wanted." She stood up quickly and left the room.
She returned only a moment later with a concerned look on her face and her sword in its sheath hung over her shoulder. Following her was a young redheaded farm girl in a flattering purple and black dress and bow in her hand and a female Sheikah with brown hair tied up into a ponytail, wearing a brown tunic over green pants. She too carried a sword. Their faces expressed a look of great mental anguish.
"Princess!" The redheaded girl exclaimed stepping forward. "There is a crisis going on in Kakariko Village!" Zelda immediately got to her feet.
"What is wrong Malon?" Link asked, standing as well.
"The village is under attack." She answered.
"What?" Zelda covered her mouth in shock.
"By who?" Talya asked to the brunette girl as Link attempted to calm Malon, who was crying now.
"Zombies. The dead are rising from the graveyard." The brunette answered firmly.
"Come on, we have to go help!" Tenameru said to all of them. Tenameru, the brunette, Talya, Link, and Malon ran from the throne room, out into the abandoned Hyrule Market. They hurried as fast as they could through the thick snow out of the Market, over the bridge, and into the village. What they saw was definitely a scene of terror. Buildings were on fire; people lay dead in the streets, the living hiding behind barred doors or scurrying about frantically in search of an escape. Zombies in tattered clothing were running rampant through the area. These zombies were more hideous than any they had seen before. They were the very ancestors of the villagers, rotting and decayed, covered with maggots and worms, sucking the life from the villagers. Malon screamed as one of the zombies caught sight of them. Link sliced through the zombie as it reached out for him. To his dismay and surprise, the severed halves of the zombie continued towards them. It was not long before the group got split up during the fight that ensued. The brunette had began to run towards the graveyard, with Link and Talya not far behind. Tenameru and Malon were helping the few surviving villagers to get to safety. Tenameru soon dragged Malon towards the graveyard; they had helped all that they could and felt it safer to be with the others. They reached the graveyard and found themselves fighting off a large mass of zombies. After a moment's struggle Malon screamed out in horror.
"Nikki!" She yelled trying to reach the brunette. In all the chaos no one had seemed to notice that the ground was splitting beneath them. Tenameru pushed Nikki out of the way as the ground collapsed on the spot she was standing. Before them emerged the form of a young zombie girl. She had white hair, green skin, and dead eyes. She was wearing a red cape over a torn black outfit. Tenameru stood in front of Nikki, his sword drawn pointed at the zombie girl in front of him. She did not attack.
"I am the Sheikah of the dead. I am here to save you." Her voice seemed quiet and empty. After her voice stopped echoing she closed her eyes and rose from the ground. The wind picked up, knocking everyone to the ground. An eerie calm suddenly came over them. They looked up and saw the zombies gone. "I am Rinéan, this world is in great peril."
"Again? This world is becoming a real hassle. Ow!" Talya quieted as Link elbowed her. The earth shook violently again knocking them again to the ground. "Hey! What is that?" Talya ran over to the fence in front of the old Shadow Temple. A shadowy figure shot from the cave's entrance into the clouds. "What the hell?" Talya yelled falling backwards.
"It has all ready begun." Rinéan sighed in despair. Link had jumped the fence entering the Shadow Temple. Nikki and Talya followed immediately. Tenameru followed after a moment and Malon followed not wanting to be left alone with Rinéan. The room they entered was adorned with torches, all lit by a black and blue flame. Nikki reached out to touch the enchanted flame but Tenameru pulled her hand back as sparks reached out to grab her.
"What are these?" Link kicked an urn on the floor that lay smashed in pieces, just one of fourteen.
"Look at this." Talya picked up a scroll. She opened it and read it out loud.
When this scroll has been read
Turmoil and death shall begin to spread One loves to play games Two feels only ashamed Three loves the crescent light Four will send the world to fright Five is frozen deep in her heart Six loves to play when evening starts Seven runs and hides from fate Eight the lovelier race does hate Nine will make you choke and drown Ten fears not when evil is around Eleven is the keeper of love Twelve you will find is as quick as a dove Thirteen will steal your very soul Fourteen will make the world whole A week, seven days, one hundred sixty eight hours past The world you know will no longer last The world depends The people depend Love depends On you The parchment burst into flames after she finished reading. It burned her hand and she shook her head in pain grumbling looking at her burn. Link grabbed her hand and she yelled at him to let go. The mark of the triforce over the eye of the Sheikah had disappeared and was replaced by the image of a fairie surrounded by fourteen stars, all black.
"That is not a good sign." Tenameru sighed.
"What does it mean?" Nikki asked him, finding it very hard not to smile at him for some reason.
"It means we have to collect fourteen fairies." Tenameru answered simply.
"Warriors." Rinéan's voice echoed from the cave's entrance. "Head back to the castle, tell the king of what has happened."
"The king is dead." Malon scolded. "The Princess rules the land now."
"Fickle things do not matter. There is not much time to spare and ponder such foolish things." With that said, they followed Rinéan to the castle. The castle doors were open and a path of blood led through the snow. The group hurried their pace to a run. They followed the blood to the throne room where six of the sages lay unconscious and badly beaten, but the Princess was nowhere to be found. On the wall above the throne was a message inscribed in blood.
With the Princess gone and doom nearby, I shall rule your pathetic land. Consider this a challenge hero. The Dark They gaped at the scene before them, not sure how to react.
Zelda awoke on the cold floor. She immediately jumped to her feet, surveying the room. It was a dark cell, cramped and smelling of filth. She leaned against the door and banged on it crying tears of pain and grief.
"I all ready tried that. It does not seem to work very well." A young voice called from the corner of the cell. Zelda turned to see a young girl with long white hair in a beautiful blue and green dress. "I am Hoshiko." She continued.
"Hoshiko! It's me, Princess Zelda!"
"I am sorry, I do not recognize that name."
"You contacted me the other day, about some help you needed." Zelda seemed very discouraged, realizing almost immediately she was fooled.
"I am sorry, but that is not possible. I have been imprisoned for several weeks."
"Then who is going to my castle in three days?" Zelda was beginning to work out the plans of the enemy in her head.
"It is a man and his golem. A female golem." Hoshiko sighed. "I assume that they are the ones going to visit your land."
"Oh no.I just remembered! My fellow sages, my assailant, he attacked them when they were protecting me." She began to cry again.
"Everything will be fine, I promise." Hoshiko gave her a reassuring hug. "We'll find a way out of here." Zelda, though, did not find this as reassuring as Hoshiko seemed too. Her friends had never let her down before. But this evil was able to get past all of the sages at once. The doubts continued to fill her mind as she and Hoshiko thought of ways to escape their prison.
"Are you ready to go?" Link sat next to Talya at the top of the first flight of stairs leading to the tower. She nodded her head slowly. She had changed into her fighting outfit, but with the addition of green armor and a cape attached. "That excited huh?"
"Shut up and get to the point please." Talya sighed. "Fine. I just wanted to know if you intend to follow this the whole way through."
"Are you insinuating something Link? Besides it isn't like I have much of a choice." She sighed. "What is the plan?"
"Well, I am not sure how we are supposed to find the fairies but Tenameru has an idea. As for what to do when we find them, I am assuming that we capture them the same way we caught the demons."
"What a drag." Talya mumbled remembering the blinding pain and unconsciousness that followed the absorption of the demon spirits.
"Hey you guys? Ready to go?" Nikki ran up the stairs towards them. "No time to lose, so let's get moving!" The three met Tenameru, Malon, and Rinéan at the doors. They opened the doors and stared out in shock. In front of them stood along crystal staircase leading into the sky.
"Okay, so do you remember that idea I had? Well, we are going to need a new one." Tenameru whispered in awe of the newly laid path. In the bottom of the steps lay another inscription, burned into the path.
'This path leads to your first task. This is the only hint you will receive. The only chance to save your world from sure destruction.'
"That is real comforting." Malon shivered. Rinéan started up the staircase, followed closely by the others. The staircase went up through the clouds and bitter winds. It led up to a floating continent. In front of them was thick, lush green forest. Around them there seemed to be the ruins of an ancient temple.
"This must be where the first fairie is." Tenameru whispered in awe of the ruin. He wanted nothing more than to explore the ruins, which were ornately carved with drawings that looked as though they were drawn by the hands of a young child.
"What was it that the poem said about the first one?" Nikki asked. "One loves to fool people or something like that?"
"One likes to play games." Link corrected.
"Well then this shouldn't be so hard!" Malon smiled jovially.
"Let's split up and start searching then." Talya suggested. Before any could object she ran through the thick forest and quickly disappeared from view.
"I guess we will meet back here in an hour." Tenameru sighed. They all headed their separate ways except Rinéan who stayed in her spot by the top of the staircase, staring at the crosses crudely drawn through out the ruins. She would not be able to help the warriors with this task. But she was able to keep a lookout while the others searched, she only hoped they would be successful in their task. Malon had followed Nikki into one of the back entrances of the temple. The walls inside were covered with moss and vines. Nikki and Malon climbed over fallen block of cement and jumped over holes in the ground. They soon reached a dark underground chamber, lit with a dim, mystical green light. There was a stream flowing across the middle of the room in the pattern of a Celtic cross.
"Wow, how beautiful." Malon exclaimed. Suddenly a green light burst towards them. They fell backwards and the floor beneath them opened, dropping them into a much darker room. Looking down from the top of the trap was Eugenie, the first of the fourteen fairies. Her skin was a pale, yet lovely, green. Her hair was jet black and hung tangled over her leaf like wings, covering her lower back. She giggled and batted her bright green eyes then shrunk herself into the form of a child, no taller than twelve inches in height. She giggled again ecstatically then flew from sight, a stream of vines following her.
Tenameru and Link had entered the temple from what appeared to be the main entrance. The room, though, had them stumped. The walls were solid; there were no doors other than the one they had entered. Tenameru had taken down his hood; the room was dark enough for him to do so.
"Find anything?" He asked Link.
"No." Link sighed. "This is stupid, we have to find another way out of here."
"I know. Be patient Link."
"I can't. I have a really terrible feeling about this. I cannot shake it." Link closed his eyes.
"Wait. I think I have found something!" Tenameru changed the subject. Suddenly the wall in front of them slid out of the way. A green light flew out at them and flew spastically around the room. It flew around their heads, then snatched up Link's hat and flew out the door.
"Hey! Give that back you stupid fairie!" Link yelled chasing after it out into the brush.
"Link wait! Someone is down here!" Tenameru called out. He gave up on Link quickly and turned towards the cries for help coming from the new path.
Talya had begun to climb towards the top of the temple to survey the land. The temple seemed much taller than she had thought. After a long trek, she finally reached the top. She balanced herself on top of the temple and put a hand above her eyes to block the sun. Through the mist she could distinctly see the outline of another temple in the distance. She turned quickly to see a green light rushing towards her. She reached out to grab it, but missed by a few inches. It turned around and flew towards her again as though it were playing a game. Talya missed the green light but caught a hold of Link's hat instead. The fairie lurched backwards right into Talya's hand. Talya grabbed the fairie who squealed in another language unhappily. Suddenly Talya felt a burning sensation in her hand. She shook her hand to ease the feeling, and then smiled. The fairie had been absorbed. But, the temple had suddenly begun to shake violently underneath her. She fell backwards from the top of the temple, clutching Link's hat against her chest.
Tenameru followed the cries for help at a slow pace, which soon became a hurried one. He began to recognize the voices. One was Malon. His heart pounded harder in his chest as he recognized the second voice. It was Nikki! He had to get to her; he felt a sense of urgency flood over him as he reached a room lit with a dim green light. He winced in pain as he felt his forehead bleed from the light. He winced in pain as he felt his forehead bleed from the light. He ducked back into the dark hallway and put his hood back on. He then walked over the oddly shaped stream towards a hole in the ground at the far end of the room. He looked down to see Nikki and Malon at the bottom of the hole.
"Tenameru!" Nikki yelled, a beautiful smile spreading across her face. Tenameru helped them both from the hole. They both continuously thanked him and hugged him in gratitude. "Oh! Your forehead! What happened?" Nikki exclaimed, immediately wiping the blood from his forehead.
"It's noth-" The room suddenly began to shake.
This place is going to collapse!" Malon screamed over the roar of the building. Tenameru grabbed their hands and dragged them through the dark hallway and out of the temple entrance just as the building collapsed behind them into nothing but a pile of dust.
Talya fell for what seemed like forever. She closed her eyes, expecting to hit the ground at any moment. Instead of falling to the ground she was stopped just in time. She opened her eyes. Link had caught her. He smiled at her and laughed at the look on her face.
"Arrived just in the nick of time, didn't I?" He teased.
"Uh.yeah." She rolled her eyes. "I got the fairie." She wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"MY HAT!!!!!" Link exclaimed taking his hat from her hands and dropping her to the ground. Talya landed with a resounding thud on the ground while Link carefully placed his hat on his head. Talya stood then smacked him on the side of the head and walked over to where Tenameru, Nikki, Malon, and Rinéan were waiting for them.
"I am guessing you were successful." Rinéan nodded at them, in an almost cheerful voice.
"Thirteen to go." Malon sighed.
"The sun will be setting soon, we should try and get the second fairie before midnight." Link instructed. "Then we will go home and rest." He added.
"Maybe we'll know more about this by then." Tenameru frowned. The same worried look had gone across everyone faces as they thought of the things that were at stake.