Link sat in a crouched position, his arms cramped as he held the bowstring taught. A slight wind blew against him producing small chill bumps across his bare back. He shifted his weight and breathed slow. A camp of Bokoblins was stationed below him under the rocky embankment.
The pig-looking monsters had constructed a lookout around a plump tree. One stood guard on a rickety platform over three others bearing a shoddy bow with a handful of arrows. Like clockwork, the guard paced to the southern point of the platform and gazed out toward the sea.
After an hour of watching, Link adjusted his grip on the makeshift bow he created. He exhaled through his nose. With a thwish, he released the arrow. A thud followed. Lowering his bow, he saw the Bokoblin sprawled out with his arrow jutting from its eye. A smile followed; satisfaction. He stood, wiping the dirt from his knees and elbows.
Eventide island was strange. Hope had blazed within him when he heard that this trial could bring his complete, uninterrupted memory back. Unfortunately, Purah forgot to mention that his articles would be taken from him.
Standing now, he jumped. The glider carried his weight silently down to the top platform. With a swift jerk, Link retrieved his arrow from the eye of the creature and after a slight hesitation, picked up its bow. To his right lay a metallic ball with glowing orange light.
(seems important)
He removed a small tree branch he had strapped to himself and upon inspection, jabbed at the ball. Link crouched, suspicious. The ball rolled ever so slightly. Link watched, weary of the glowing orb. After his experience with guardians, he wasn't taking this ball at face value. A few more moments passed and nothing happened. No lasers, weapons, or metal tentacles emerged from it.
(Is this what the monk was talking about? This…orb?)
He let his guard down a little and tried to lift the ball.
( Are you kidding me?!)
He strained against the ball's weight and struggled to set it back down quietly as not to gain the attention of the other three bokoblins below.
(What the hell am I supposed to do with this?!)
Impatience started to swell within him at how long this was taking. Scanning the sand to the south, he noticed a metal platform glowing orange in the water's edge. Familiarity caressed his mind as faint memories of lost shrines interrupted his thoughts.
(Oh yeah, I forgot about this. How could I forget such a process?)
Link blew his hair out of his eyes in frustration and tried to calm himself.
Two of the bokoblins danced around some meat cooking while the third paced to the north.
(two arrows left. great.)
He crept towards the two near the fire below and readied an arrow. He released and it planted in its heart. The second turned, startled. With fluid motion, Link drew his last arrow and let it fly. The Bokoblin was about to let a battle cry when it died in his throat. He toppled over. The last Bokoblin ran over to investigate the commotion.
(Just a few more steps)
The monster came to a stop directly beneath him. Link took the opportunity and dived on him. As the creature thrashed about, Link wrapped his arms around its neck and jerked. The monster slumped and fell to the ground. Without hesitation, Link climbed back up to the top of the platform and retrieved the ball. He dropped down and headed north to the beach. Vibrant blue light emitted from the platform's veins as he dropped the orb into place.
(One down, two to go.)
Subconsciously Link licked his lips. Hunger reverberated through him. It wasn't anything he couldn't handle, but he began to feel himself tire. He thought back to the beautiful slab of meat the bokoblins were cooking and made his way back to the camp. He stumbled as he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. Glancing around, he noticed a mountain of a creature moving as if it were breathing.
(Am i hallucinating? I can't be that hungry…)
Curiosity overwhelmed him and he inched closer. As he crept near, he noticed another glowing orb strapped around the thing. One step closer and time stopped. The crack was louder than any thunderstorm could ever hope to be. Link looked below his foot to find a stick broken in half. The ground trembled slightly as the giant stood, waking from its slumber. The Hinox caught sight of Link and an unearthly growl escaped the monster's throat. Link, weary, readied himself for another agonizing fight when something caught his attention. Tied to the Hinox's belt was a white silk scarf with the crimson crest of the royal family. Link paled.
"Princess…" he whispered.
His heart sank with sorrow and rage. His eyes burned as he glared at the beast. Link let loose a heartbroken battle cry and charged the Hinox.
