The Hero of Time
-Departure-
o0o
"Hey Link, shoot that one over there!"
Link looked down in the direction Navi was pointing and spotted a large spider resting on a vine several stories below him. It was just sitting there resting, as tempting a target as any he would get to test out his new slingshot. Fumbling a bit, Link reached into his new "seed satchel," as he had appropriately dubbed it, and removed a single deku seed. It fit snugly into the leather pocket and before he knew it, the skulltula was in his sights and his hand was drawn back to anchor on his cheek. He took a breath of air...
...And released.
The seed shot out of the slingshot like a cannon, screaming towards its target in a slight, graceful arc. The pair watched as the projectile impacted the skulltula directly in the center of mass, releasing a cloud of dark liquid. It let out a sickening screech as the ichor sprayed from the wound before dropping to the ground. The creature squirmed for a moment before finally growing still.
"Hey, nice shot! You're a natural, Link!" Navi exclaimed, genuinely surprised at Link's marksmanship.
The boy smiled, satisfied with his kill, and looked once again over the edge of the precipice in which he stood. He was standing on an overhang resting near the top of the Great Deku Tree that gave a clear view of the area below. The walls of the interior were lined with a spiraling pathway and vines that Link spent the previous half hour climbing. His current objective, an enormous mass of cobwebs covering an opening in the floor, rested directly in the middle of the floor directly below him. It was logical to assume that the opening led to another section of the tree that he had yet to explore.
"You're not actually planning on jumping down there, are you?" Navi asked, a worried look on her face.
Link didn't respond. He instead kept his eyes on the mass below him. Before he could even think, he took a deep breath and felt his feet leave the ground. Almost instantly, his stomach was in his throat. The mass of cobwebs very rapidly grew in size before his feet made contact. The webs acted almost like a trampoline, bending down from the stress of the impact, before tearing apart, leaving Link tumbling downward to the floor below.
This was a really bad idea!
Link closed his eyes and curled into a ball, fearing the coming impact. He heard a quick splash, before all sounds became muffled and water rushed into his nose. He opened his eyes quickly and found himself underwater. His legs rushed to find solid ground and rapidly pushed upward when they made contact. Link felt his head break the surface and he took a large gasp, coughing and sputtering. Looking up, he spotted Navi floating down through the new opening in the ceiling. She rushed down to his side, examining him for injuries.
"Link, you stupid, stupid kid!" She shouted, "You could've killed yourself! What were you thinking?"
Link let out a rough laugh.
"I wasn't."
Navi scoffed. "Well, warn me next time you decide to risk your life!"
His reply was a simple nod and he pulled himself out of the water onto a ledge. He took a moment to survey the room. The small ledge on which he stood was actually separated from a larger, mush taller one by a pool that ran through the center of the room. There was another platform within reach across a small stream, and a much larger, taller platform across the pool. He noticed a web forming a barrier in front of a door on the platform he was standing on. It looked to be the same kind of webbing as the type he just jumped through. However, this time, gravity wouldn't help at all.
"Look Link, maybe you can burn through the web with that torch over there!"
Link looked in the direction she was facing and found what he was looking for. A small torch burned on the wall over the platform across the stream.
That'll do.
He walked over to the ledge and leapt across, making his way to the torch. After grabbing the burning stick from its place on the wall, he carefully jumped back across the gap, and made his way to the barrier.
The heat from the torch warmed Link's wet body, a comforting relief from the cold water caking his tunic. As soon as he made his way to the barrier, he held out the light and let the flames lick at the dry fibers. Almost instantly, they ignited, lighting the room in a brilliant display of incandescence. Link watched in awe as the webbing twisted and shrank under the heat before floating to the ground and leaving the path ahead open. With torch in hand, he stepped forward to the door and slowly opened it, proceeding into the next room of the underground cavern.
o0o
Link once again found himself falling through a mass of cobwebs, this time burned through by his torch. Finding no other way forward, he was left with no choice but to jump into another hole, despite Navi's protests, and pray to the goddesses that there was another pool of water beneath.
A loud splash, and his prayers were answered. Link rose to the surface and found himself in the middle of a small body of water located on the edge of an equally small, painfully dark room. He slowly crawled out and made his way onto dry land. Navi dropped through the opening and skirted over to float beside him.
"Looks like your torch went out." She said quietly.
No kidding.
"We'll have to wait for it to dry off before we can light it again." Link said, sitting down for a rest.
Navi sighed. "This place sure has a lot of surprises, doesn't it?"
Wasn't that the truth. Between giant spiders hanging from the ceiling, rotating spike traps, and giant cobwebs covering massive drops, the inside of the Great Deku Tree was like something out of those old adventure books that Link used to read in the village library. He hadn't expected anything like this when he was asked to break this curse. He hadn't even found anything that could help him locate the source! Needless to say, Link was frustrated.
What made matters worse was the fact that he was now trapped in the bottom of this glorified hole. Even if he found and destroyed the source of the curse, there was no way back up, at least none that he could see; not unless his new fairy could somehow lift objects eighty-five times her own weight. So unless he was able to figure something out, it appeared that Link would die down here, one way or another. It was hopeless.
Link felt tears itching at the corners of his eyes and he buried his face in his arms.
No, I'm not gonna cry. I'm not gonna cry!
"Hey, I think I've found an exit."
Navi's voice tore Link from his depressing thoughts. He choked back his tears and rubbed the last from his eyes. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a door, barely illuminated in the light Navi emitted. Link sniffed and stood up before making his way to where his fairy waited. He took only a few steps something solid hit him across the head. Hard. He fell backwards, his hand reaching up to grasp his temple. Stars appeared in front of his eyes as his vision blurred, creating a light-show in his mind. In a daze, he stood up on shaky feet and tried to scan the room for his assailant. He took another hit, this time in the stomach.
Link quickly grew desperate, frantically searching the darkened room for his attacker.
"Over here, Link!" He heard Navi shout.
She was floating over a green deku scrub, dodging deku nuts that the small plant fired in her direction. He drew up his blade and crept over to the attacker, Navi keeping it busy. As he drew close, he saw it twitch before spinning around, it eyes growing wide as it found its prey directly in front of him. It tried to retreat into its nest, but Link threw out a hand, latching onto its plumage. He pulled it roughly from its hole and slammed it into the ground.
The deku scrub tried to wrestle free, but Link was stronger. Grabbing its throat in his right hand and resting a knee on its chest, he placed the tip of his blade over the opening of its mouth. Seeing that it was caught, it relaxed and stared Link in the eye.
"Okay okay, you got me." The scrub said in a slightly hoarse voice. "Um...Since you haven't killed me yet, I assume that means you want something from me."
Link didn't respond. The deku scrub took this as an opportunity to continue. "Listen, if I tell you the secret about Queen Gohma will you let me free?"
Navi answered for her partner.
"Just like that? You're not going to attack us again, right?"
"Sure, whatever." It replied. "Okay listen: If you want to defeat the queen, attack her in the eye while she's stunned."
"And how are we supposed to stun her?" Navi asked, obviously annoyed with the lack of information.
"I don't know!" It laughed. "No one's ever done it! Nobody kills the queen."
"I'm going to." Link replied, shifting his hand on his blade.
"Whatever." The deku scrub scoffed. "It's your funeral."
"No," Link said coldly. "It's yours."
Before the deku scrub had a chance to answer him, Link tightened his grip on his sword and thrust it deep into his prisoner's mouth, enjoying the look on his opponent's face as it's eyes grew wide and it's limbs fought desperately to break free. He violently twisted his blade, hearing a sickening snap from the small plant's neck. It's struggling ceased and it fell limp, it's wide eyes staring ahead.
Serves you right.
Link watched it for another second before resting his foot on the scrub's chest and freeing his blade from it's mouth. He turned to Navi who was staring at him, a shocked expression resting on her face. She met his eyes before he walked past her and made his way to the door. Link rested his palms on it's face and lifted the door open. Ahead was a dark tunnel, one Link hoped led to this queen. He stepped through the opening, Navi following close behind.
o0o
"Link, what's that sound? It sounds like scratching..."
Indeed it did. A loud shuffling sound suddenly appeared and seemed to echo throughout the room. Link tried to locate the source of the noise but was only met with blackness. He couldn't see anything. Even Navi's light failed to penetrate the inky blackness. Link took a few steps forward before stumbling on a loose rock. He fell forward and caught himself on a wall.
"Link," Navi whispered. "What about your torch?"
Oh yeah! I could light this whole place up. I just hope it's dry enough.
Link removed his torch from his belt and fumbled with it for a few moments. Navi flew closer, attempting to shed a small amount of light. She watched anxiously; even she couldn't see in the dark. Link became desperate, furiously trying to dry off his soaking tool.
After what seemed like minutes, Link was finally able to create a spark that was able to ignite the torch. The flame illuminated much of the chamber, casting eerie shadows that seemed to reach out at him. He whipped around, holding the torch above his head like a trophy.
He saw nothing.
After frantically searching the room for what seemed like minutes, he finally looked up. Sitting in the middle of the ceiling high above him rested the source of the mysterious noise. A single large eye blinked, staring back down at them. It's gaze shifted between Link and Navi.
"Uh, Navi?" Link gaped.
"Huh..." She answered, fixated on the object above.
"I'm about to risk my life..."
Before either could think, the large eye blinked one more time before falling rapidly to the ground. As it dropped into the light, it's true form was revealed. Link rolled out of the way to avoid being crushed by the giant arachnid. He stood up quickly and drew his sword, holding the torch in his right hand.
"Is this Gohma?" Link asked, ducking behind a large pillar. He peered out, looking for his opponent. It didn't see him, probably losing track of him during the initial attack.
"It has to be." Navi answered, resting on Link's shoulder.
Suddenly, the large spider's eye turned and noticed him peering out from behind the pillar. It shrieked and burst forward, leaving dust in its wake as it lunged with single-minded purpose.
"Any ideas, Navi?" He shouted.
The spider lashed out, it's razor-sharp talon narrowly missing Link as he dove out of the way. The pillar shattered under the pressure and collapsed, sending debris flying across the chamber.
"The deku scrub said to stun it!" Navi yelled back, now by his side again. "How do we do that?"
As his opponent drew closer, Link waited. It stopped and held up both talons, lunging towards Link. He jumped out of the way as his enemy's weapons became stuck in the granite. He looked back and noticed its eye. It was blood-red and pulsing. It sure looked like a weak spot.
Better than nothing, anyways.
"Navi, distract it!" He yelled to his partner.
She obliged, flying over to the spider and buzzing around its eye. This gave Link time to ready his slingshot. He loaded it up and took aim. The pellet pierced the eye directly in the middle, embedding itself deep inside. The arachnid toppled over, blood and water spraying from the small wound.
Link quickly put away his slingshot and sprinted towards his fallen enemy. He readied his blade over the eye and thrust deep into the soft tissue, twisting the metal.
It let out a loud screech and rose up, knocking Link over, and crawled to one of the corners. Link watched as it retreated to the ceiling with the Kokiri Sword still lodged within its eye. It tensed up, it's eye changing once more.
Link's slingshot was in his hand and ready to fire before he even knew what he was doing. He slowed his breathing and felt the muscles in his fingers relax, releasing the bullet and sending it flying across the chamber. The seed again pierced the queen in the eye and it fell unceremoniously to the ground, stunned. His legs ached as he sprinted over to his fallen enemy and ripped his weapon out of its eye. Holding it in a reverse grip, he thrust it inside, again and again. Every wound inflicted issued a protest from the large arachnid.
Link soon felt his arm grow weary but he ignored it. His anger drove him to inflict as much damage upon his enemy as possible. Blood sprayed out from every wound he carved, soaking his tunic in the crimson liquid. He grew numb to the beast's moans as it cried out in agony.
He felt no pity. This monster was the source of the curse that plagued the Great Deku Tree. He would gladly end its life to protect those he cared for and as far as he was concerned, it deserved nothing less.
Link drove his blade through again and it heaved violently, one last death throe before falling silent. Blinded by sheer rage, he never noticed the struggling had ended. Now unchallenged, he kept up his pace, tearing out the vital organ. Only Navi's prodding stopped him from continuing his massacre.
Navi looked on at a scene of utter destruction. The once mighty beast that stalked these caverns and plagued the Great Deku Tree lay dead at the feet of a young boy; both were covered in blood. The eye that Link had assaulted was now nothing more than a bloody paste littering the ground. The stench alone made Navi cringe and turn away.
Linked stared at his fallen opponent feeling a sense of satisfaction in ending its life. The rage that had fueled him only minutes before was now gone, replaced by sheer exhaustion. His lungs fought for air and his legs shook. He took a few steps back and observed the scene of death he had caused.
"What in Din's name was that?" Navi blurted out behind him.
Link shook his head, not quite knowing how to respond. He figured it was a combination of hatred for the monster and simple survival instincts. That being the case, he still couldn't shake the sense of satisfaction that came with killing the beast. He had enjoyed the act. But how could he tell that to Navi?
Before he could answer, a loud crash shook the chamber and a column of blue light appeared in the middle of the floor. It cast its light around the room, giving everything a sapphire hue.
"What's going on?" Link asked.
"It's our way out, I guess," Navi answered, still shaken by the boy's outburst. He was certainly nothing like the Great Deku Tree had described. What happened to this child for him to harbor such anger? A chiming sounded around her and she watched in horror as Link disappeared into the column of light. She eagerly followed him, not wanting to be trapped in this cavern. A familiar feeling enveloped her as the chamber turned to white and she felt her body rising through the ceiling.
o0o
"Well done, Link. Thou hast verily demonstrated thy courage."
Link looked up and found himself standing before the mighty Deku Tree. It seemed that he had succeeded. He had broken the curse.
"Now, I have more to tell thee, Link. Listen well."
He proceeded to tell Link about a wicked man from the desert who had originally placed the curse. He was a madman who used his evil powers in an attempt to locate the sacred realm, a parallel universe to Hyrule. He explained that the sacred realm contains the triforce, a holy relic containing the essence of the gods, and whose power could grant any wish.
He spoke of the origins of the triforce, and of how the three goddesses created it once they formed the world.
"Thou must never let the wicked man from the desert to lay hands on the triforce. The man who placed the death curse on me and sapped my power."
"Alas Link," He continued, "My end is nigh. Although your valiant efforts have freed me of the curse, I was doomed from the beginning."
Wait, so he's going to die anyway?
"Yes, Link." He said, as if reading his mind. "I will pass soon, but do not grieve for me." His voice was that of a whisper. Link knew that he was running out of time.
"This is Hyrule's final hope. Go now...to Hyrule Castle. Thou wilt surely meet the princess of destiny. Take this stone, the stone that man wanted so badly from me, that he cast the curse upon me."
Link winced as a bright flash of green light momentarily blinded him. When he finally opened his eyes, he was holding a beautiful green gem, sparkling in the light. It was lined with a ring of gold that shone vibrantly.
"Why is this thing so important?" He asked.
"Tis a key of sorts, one that, when combined with the others, opens the way to the triforce. Alas, my child, the future of our land now depends upon thee. I have done all I can." He called out to Navi. She tore her attention from the sparkling gemstone back to her master.
"Yes, Great Deku tree?" She asked.
"Help Link to carry out my will." He said.
"I will..."
A groaning sound came rose up out of the depths of the tree. "I entreat ye...Navi...Good...bye..."
Link and Navi looked on in horror. The tall branches began shedding their leaves. They fell in droves, cascading over the small clearing. Before long, entire sections of the branches were left bare, exposing the forest floor to the sun. The tree itself began changing. The outer layer of bark slowly dried up, changing into a sickly gray color. Sections peeled off, leaving the inner bark exposed. Before long, the tree stilled, the transformation complete.
The Great Deku Tree was dead.
The two young adventurers were silent for a moment, too shocked for words. Link bowed his head in sadness, and gave honor to the Great Deku Tree's memory.
"Goodbye, Great Deku Tree..." Navi said quietly.
"I guess we'd better go to Hyrule Castle." Link said, feeling sick and depressed.
He turned around to walk back to the village, only to find Mido standing at the exit, mouth agape. He looked from Link, to the dead tree, and back to Link again. He spoke up, his voice cracking a bit.
"H-He's dead...The Great Deku Tree is dead..." He said, before looking angrily to Link. "You...you killed him, didn't you? This is all your fault! I'm gonna tell everybody!"
That said, Mido turned tail and ran back through the passage leading to the village, shouting the whole way.
"This is gonna be bad, isn't it?" Navi asked, turning to face Link. He looked at his feet.
"Probably, but at least we're leaving soon."
"Right. Let's get outta here."
o0o
Link could feel eyes boring holes into his back as he walked down the path leading to his tree-house. Mido had led all the Kokiri children to believe that Link had caused the Great Deku Tree's death. Since he was also the leader of their village, everyone believed his story, regardless of anything Link said to convince them otherwise.
Navi's earlier assumption that something bad would happen was true. The village had agreed to exile Link, effectively cutting him off from the only family he had ever known. Now he was forced to continue the mission the Great Deku Tree laid upon him without hope of ever returning. He climbed the ladder and entered his small house.
Link walked over to one of his dressers and opened a drawer, hoping to find another tunic to replace his blood soaked one. He found one hidden under some dusty blankets and pulled it out. The leather was a much darker shade of green and felt a bit heavier than the set he currently wore. It would have to do. He quickly donned the replacement set, throwing the soiled one across the room in a fit of anger.
He stared at it, fuming.
How could they do this? How could they believe that idiot when he had no evidence?
He began pacing, not sure of what to do. He still couldn't believe that the Kokiri would exile him after all he had done. He only did what the Great Deku Tree asked, for goddesses sake! No, they had no idea. They were simply content to sit at their so called "leader's" feet and listen to his every word. They were all fools, and only now did Link recognize that.
He finally decided that sitting here moping wasn't going to change anything. The damage had already been done. He was about to turn and leave when he heard a small voice from across the room.
"Link?" It was Saria.
Link turned around and she stepped closer, a dejected look in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Link. I'm so sorry..." She said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I-I knew there would come a day when you would leave the forest; you're different than us after all. I just...I never imagined it would be like this."
Link remained silent, not trusting his own voice in his current emotional state. Instead, he let Saria continue.
"Link, I don't believe Mido. I know you. You would never do anything to hurt the Great Deku Tree!"
"It was a curse, Saria." Navi said, staring at her intently. "And Link broke it."
"I know..." Saria answered quietly, staring at Link. "Link, I have something for you...a gift, I suppose. I want you to take it and know that you'll always be my friend."
She slowly held out her hand. In it rested a small, pink ocarina. Link plucked it from her grasp and examined it closely. It was simple, but beautifully crafted. Someone obviously spent hours carving out the small holes and the intricate patterns that adorned it.
"I just finished it yesterday..." Saria said, noticing Link's interest. "I was meaning to give it to you earlier but..." She trailed off. "Anyway, I figured this was my last chance. H-How do you like-"
"It's beautiful." Link interrupted, smiling at her.
She smiled back, before Link pulled her into a hug. His emotions were in distress. He was just banished from Kokiri society and lost every friend he ever had. Yet this beautiful parting gift from his long time friend told him he wasn't alone. They rested there for a few moments, enjoying their last moment together.
Link pulled away from the embrace and looked Saria in the eye.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye." He said.
"Yeah, I guess so..." She replied, looking down at the floor. "Just...don't forget me."
"Never." He said quickly. "I'll have this as a constant reminder."
Saria smiled, showing her teeth. She looked back up at him, the pain in her face diminished, yet still present.
"Well, you better get going, then. You have a princess to meet!"
Link nodded and stepped towards the door. He looked back at his friend and gave her one last smile, before exiting the hut through the door canvas. Saria stared at the door for a moment before walking towards it herself, and slipping out through the door flap. She climbed down the ladder and walked up the path just in time to see her best friend enter the log tunnel at the edge of the village and disappear.
A/N
Well, there's the second chapter. I can honestly say that I'm pleased with it. Sure, there's some room for improvement, but when is there not? I might go over it again if people REALLY hate it, but it's whatever.
Anyways, Link seems a bit violent, doesn't he? And if you can't tell, so does the story. Now I can assure you that even if this isn't the most friendly story you've read, it's not gonna be a blood explosion extraordinaire. Just letting you know now.
So thanks for reading and I'd appreciate it if you left a review telling me what you thought of this chapter and if I need to change anything. I take all kinds of criticism. After all, that's what makes a good writer.
Thanks again.