Link of the Dead II
Chapter 2:
Link and Aryll made their way through the streets of Windfall, passing through crowds of people. It was a clear and wamr day and many people were out going about their daily buisiness. Link and Aryll, however, were on an important mission.
"Here it is," said Link, standing in front of a small building with a small wooden sign standing in front of it.
"Potion shop?" asked Aryll, "Do you really think the owner has a cure for a Redead bite?"
"I know the man," replied Link, "He's a little...um, odd, but he's very smart. And he's our last hope."
The two entered the building. A bald man with goggles and a pink lab coat stood behind the counter.
"Ah," said the man, "Customers. Welcome to my wonderful shop...Check out my wares and yada yada yada, you know the drill."
"Doc Bandam?" said Link.
"That's my name," said the doctor, "Don't wear it out."
"Do you remember me?"
"I get a lot of customers, kid, so you unless you have my potion shop discount card, you can't fool me."
"No, it's me, Link!"
"Oh! Link!" Doc Bandam had finally remembered who Link was, "My goodness, it's been so long! How have you been? Here, try my all new, flavour-filled blue potion, on the house..."
"Listen," said Link, "This is important. My fiancée is in a hospital and she's dying. She's been bitten by a Redead and I'm wondering if you know anything about treating..."
"Redead?" asked Bandam, "There's no Redead here. I don't know anything! This is a potion shop!"
"But..." said Link.
"Get out of my shop," said Doc Bandam, "I will not have you talking about this...nonsense here!"
The doctor jumped over his counter and began to escort Link and Aryll out of the shop.
"There's something you're not telling us," said Link.
"There's nothing to tell you," said Doc Bandam, "Now leave!"
Link suddenly reached into his back and pulled out his sword, which he pointed at Bandam's face.
"Now," said Link, "Are you gonna help us or not?"
"I...I..." began Bandam, "I...yes..I mean...I have..."
Link lowered his sword.
"Alright," said Bandam, calming down, "I just thought you were sent by the police or something. They would execute me if they knew what I was up to..."
"What's going on?" said Link, "What do you know about Redeads?"
"How do you about Redeads?" asked Aryll.
"Follow me," said Bandam.
Bandam lead the two into a room behind his counter. He pushed a table full of chemical beakers that was blocking a door. He opened the door and the three entered the room. Bandam approached a large shelf and pulled a big brown book. After blowing some dust off, he opened it.
"As you may have figured by now," said Bandam, "I'm more than just the local potions master. I've always had a fascination with the supernatural." Bandam began reading from the book. "Redeads are not something new. Legends from thousands of years ago speak of monsters that rose from the grave and feasted on mortal flesh. They say even the Great King of Evil had his own army of Redeads."
"You mean Ganondorf?" asked Link.
"Yes," said Bandam, "During his reign over Hyrule hundreds of years ago, he reportedly unleashed a curse that consumed much of Hyrule castle city, turning the residents who failed to flee into these horrid beasts. There are accounts that the Hero of Time fought several of them off."
"Why have we never heard of any of these stories?" asked Aryll, "How come no here knows about their existence?"
"I believe there is a secret group out there bent on hiding the truth. They don't want the people know about all of this."
"Why?" asked Link.
"Anyone can fight off an army of Moblins or a troop of Darknuts, but Redeads are formidable foes, not only because they are practically invincible, but also because their piercing stare can paralyze even the bravest warrior with fear. If news of a Redead outbreak leaked, it will cause massive panic. Worse, it will mark the beginning of a new curse..."
"What do you mean a new curse?" asked Link, "What about the curse on that Private Oasis?"
Bandam chuckled, "Have you ever heard of the Angular mining incident?"
Link and Aryll shook their heads.
"Almost twenty years ago," began Bandam, "A mining company sent an expedition to the Angular Isles to dig for gold. The cave collapsed and two dozen miners were killed. The island has since been off limits."
"What does that have to with anything?" asked Aryll.
"The truth," continued Badam, "Is that the miners were not killed by a cave-in. While digging, they discovered a burial ground that housed many corpses. They suddenly came to life and devoured many of the miners. The company did all they could to hush this incident up."
"If they hushed it up," began Link, "Then how do you know?"
"Because," replied Bandam, "I was one of those miners."
Bandam then walked towards a table that was covered by a large cloth.
"I was forced to kill one of my coworkers to survive," he said, "He was still wearing his uniform. They tried to shut me up with everything from bribes to threats. But I needed to know more..."
Bandam then lifted the cloth, revealing a hideous corpse lying on the table. Link and Aryll stared in shock.
"I'm not much of a biologist," said Bandam, "But using the preserved body of the Redead I killed I was able to do some 'research'."
Doc Bandam then placed a large microscope-like contraption to his eye and zoomed in on the Redead.
"These things are swarming with millions, possibly billions of little viruses. They enter the body via the blood, and travel to all parts of the body, where they consume every organ, including the brain. These viruses continue their feeding frenzy by controlling the lifeless body into consuming other living beings."
"So when you're bitten," began Link, "Little creatures enter your body and eat your insides?"
"Precisely," said Bandam, "Interestingly, despite their immense hunger, Redeads can go for days without eating, though their life span is usually no more than a week."
"But," said Link, "How does this help us? How does this help Tetra?"
"Using the samples of these dead virus," began Bandam, "I've begun making a formula that will destroy each and every one of them in the body, hopefully reversing the effects of Redead-ization."
"Great," said Link, "Where's this formula?"
"Alas," said Bandam, "It's not complete. I'm missing just one ingredient."
Bandam placed the microscope down and approached a table where a small beaker stood.
"What?" asked Link.
"I need a sample of this rare purple matter," replied Bandam, "An ancient diamond that can only be found in a region in the cold north. With it, I can give the formula the extra 'kick' that it needs to fight off the infection."
"But, how will I get it?"
"Fortunately, there's someone in town who came here from the north and happened to bring a piece with him. He keeps it in a safe."
"Zunari? You mean the magic armor he keeps at the back of his stall?"
Bandam nodded.
"I have been bargaining with him for weeks to get it," he said, "But so far, no results."
"Well," said Link, "I don't care. I'm getting that diamond anyway I can. Come on, Aryll!"
Aryll followed Link as he started for the door.
"Good luck," said Bandam, "And Hurry!"
Tetra lay down on the hospital bed and watched as the nurse and doctor discussed outside. Tetra was extremely sick and could slowly feel the life fading out of her. Her sense slowly faded away and it became harder to see and hear anything. There was an immense pain in her hand, but she inored it. All she could think about was Link and where he was. She knew now that she was going to die, and that nothing was going to save her. Tears in her eyes, she lay back and listened to the doctors speak:
"I've never seen anything like this," said the nurse.
"I know," said the doctor, "No matter how much medicine we give her, the infection just gets worse. I don't think there's anything we can do to save her."
"What could be the cause of this?" asked the nurse.
"It must be that bite on her hand," said the doctor, "I don't know what kind of creature could have done that, but the infection is spreading at a phenominal rate."
"Poor girl..." The nurse and the doctor walked away, leaving Tetra on her own.
She slowly closed her eyes and breathed her last breath.
Link and Aryll made their way through the crowded streets of Windfall. As they passed Windfall plaza, Link took a quick look at Ms. Marie's school and thought for a moment. Though she didn't realize it, it was by giving Link the cabana deed that lead to the death of many of his friends. He began to feel an urge to talk to her. He wanted to tell her what happened and that he was okay.
"Link?" said Aryll, "Come on!"
"Go on ahead," said Link, "I'll meet up with you."
Aryll shrugged and headed to Zunari's shop. Link slowly approached the school. Just as he was about to knock on the door, he heard a voice.
"Hey, buddy!"
Link turned around and saw Anton.
"Are you lost or something?" he asked.
"No," said Link, "I just wanted to talk to Ms. Marie."
"I'm afraid the school is closed, buddy," replied Anton, "Poor Ms. Marie died just the other day. A stroke apparently."
Link was shocked.
"R-Really?" he said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's okay, buddy," said Anton, "It's a real shame, though. Her funeral is set for tomorrow if you're interested in attending."
"Okay thanks," said Link.
As Anton walked away, many thoughts filled his mind. Ms. Marie was dead the day after she gave Link the cabana deed. It was all very suspicious to him. However, with Tetra still in the hospital, he knew he couldn't stall any longer.