"But before the legends, before the tales, before the stories were passed on through hearsay and libel there always was a truth. Undeniable, unquestionable, irrevocably manifest to all to the people throughout time and location. The resolve; it has always been about the resolve. Following through, however, was the tricky part."
Faron Bastion.
Link stepped into the relic temple, surveying the concrete walls and the branches jutting to each side. The bastion groaned from the hollow center of the temple. Link lurched forward and peered over the edge to look down into the deep gorge and the roots below. Link realized dropping to the bottom would not be his best choice, although the spiral staircase leading downward would be the next best thing. Link spotted a rotting branch blocking him from going down any further, which prompted a better look around. Link spotted two doors on both sides from the main entrance - one chained with lock and the other one open. The swordsman opted for the open one and approached.
His fatigue made him feel used up especially with only a single heart remaining. A decent hit would end his will to go on which isn't what he or Mel would need right now. His resolve to protect the innocent came over him after little Mel was captured in the woods collecting frogs. The giant deku baba would suffer the consequences of Link's vengeance, which all hinged on whether the teen could get health or not.
He opened the door and entered shocked to find two deku baba lunging at him. He couldn't decide which way to dodge and ended up getting hit by both of them. Link suffered damage giving him half a heart to work with. Link wearily shuffled from between the baba and held his shield steady. The lunging baba sprang again as Link came around and smacked the side of the baba's ravenous wide jaw. The plants sprang back in recoil and shook off the hit preparing Link for another go. The teen stepped forward as the pair of plants acted simultaneously and sprang again. Link gave each a three hit combination and a quick pivoting upward fourth strike. The baba erectly arced and slammed into the ground making two deku sticks appear in place.
Still no hearts. Link sighed. He could feel his life waning, a blackout would occur soon if not for the half-heart still preserving his life. The green-clad teen finally noticed the layout of the room, which was in a block-form around the main room. There was dry grass all on the ground, which meant another deku baba, could spring up from the brush. Link noticed at the far end a light flickering, which made destination for this room's journey. Link picked up the deku stick and headed through the brush of the rounded room. He felt he was running to slow when the first of many baba launched from the ground to attack. Link rolled to dodge and sidestepped a few attacks. Link made his way to the end of the room where a high stone step was at the end. Atop it were two torches and in the middle was a treasure chest. Link looked back to make sure the baba weren't close to him and let a relief come over him.
He turned his attention to the chest which was small but peculiar. He set down the deku stick he'd been carrying and got closer to the prize box. There was a white light scrolling horizontally across the rim of the lid. Link kicked the chest and nothing happened - usually it would pop open by now. Link stood back and scratched his head. A locked treasure chest was something new to him. He felt a vibration in his pocket and pulled out his phone. The device was flashing green and shaking uncontrollably. Link pointed the hyperactive technology at the chest which locked onto Link's signal and turned green. The chest popped open with ease.
You got the Small Key! It only works in this Bastion.
Link stared at his phone in disbelief. The technology they come up with these days... He shook his head and turned toward the exit when he heard rustling on the concrete ceiling. Link got ready for a fight - fatigue and all - and noticed a different type of baba emerge from the ceiling. Deku serpents dropped from their nest onto the ground and lashed out a poisonous tongue.
I don't need this right now! Link wisely picked up the deku stick, lit the end, and faced the enemies below. The deku baba and deku serpents paused in fear and disbelief. Link dropped the stick at the edge of the brush and watched the room go up in flames. All of the deku infestations were scorched in the fire. Link joyously watched as rupees and hearts sprang into the air and floated down. The room filled with black mist, as a result giving Link the reminder to find out about that troublesome fog. The mist dissipated and Link collected his spoils, trading poverty and fatigue for twenty rupees and a full bar of health.
All was well again.
Link heard the burning continue from the rotted branch jutting across the floor of the room. He figured out how to get below and things were going smoothly after all. Link exited the room back into the main hall and saw his work complete at the staircase. He started to venture down but turned to the small key room. He happily entered with sword and shield drawn.
Link saw the shop owner Earlin behind the stiff vines of the forest.
"Link!" He shouted. "Watch out!"
Link rolled forward dodging a swipe from a Bokoblin warrior. Link got to his feet and turned around to view his enemy. This goblin was a bit bigger than the others bearing a large heavy sword and light armor. Link held his shield up and his sword drawn. The Bokoblin growled and swung in a three hit combo. Link took the brunt of the attack in his shield. The thick deku was sturdy enough to take on the force of this warriors slashes. The Bokoblin reeled back again as Link parried dodging the first attack, ducking the second and back flipping from the third. The opponent's sword got stuck in the concrete as Link reeled back and leapt to slash this Bokoblin down the middle. Link sent the Bokoblin into the door as he regained his balance.
"That's the way to do it!" Earlin encouraged.
The Bokoblin stood up and tore the armor from his body.
Another hit like that and he'll be finished. Link took to his stance as the Bokoblin squared up a bit faster. He laid out his three hit combo a bit faster which made Link use his shield yet again. The teen swung to create space between his opponent when the Bokoblin jumped, spun and slashed. Link was caught off guard and took the max hit in his shield. The sword was stuck in Link's shield and the two were in a confused deadlock. Link quickly acted and spun to slash the Bokoblin warrior yet again. The vassal of black mist hit the ground and exploded. Earlin, the shop owner taken prisoner, leapt in joy from his captors defeat. Link approached the vines and slashed which got his sword stuck halfway through. He couldn't generate enough force to chop this weed. Link peeled the heavy sword from his shield and held it with two hands. Earlin stood back as far as he could when Link swung and effectively chopped the vines down.
Earlin stepped out of his makeshift cell and celebrated.
"Link you saved me!" He rejoiced. "My son is still in here. Please save him too."
Earlin bolted from the room. He'd been through so much already, who can blame him? Link noticed a treasure chest in the back of the cell with the same kind of lock on it. Link whipped out his phone and coordinated signals. The treasure chest sprang open with Link wearing an odd expression.
A machine rose from the chest with a screen and an antenna. Link's phone started rapidly flashing white and vibrated.
You just downloaded the Bastion Map! Now you can see all the rooms, all of the floors, and even the chests held within!
Link followed Earlin's example and approached the door holding the heavy sword. He found himself wanting to keep the extra weapon but needed to open the door with both hands. Link cut his losses and dropped the sword. Progression in haste is what he needed to save Mel and now Earlin's son, Rufus. Link ventured out of the jail room and into the main room where the stairs were. Link ventured downstairs and came across a set of three doors in triangle points on this second basement floor. Two of them were locked - one with a gate and the other with chains. He noticed the stairs continued down to the first level except with a hindrance in between the stairs.
Link spotted a block hanging by a thick vine attached to the underside of the stairs above. The block was needed to travel down the stairs safely. Otherwise, Link could discover the new surroundings while falling to his death. The hollow bastion and its quaint puzzles wouldn't falter Link at the moment. To explore further, he still had other options in the form of three doors. Link diverted his attention from the vine block and headed to the next door.
He went into the open door and spotted another Bokoblin warrior guarding the second vine cell. Link unsheathed his weapon as the Bokoblin came to alert. He got into his stance and approached the intruder with hostility. The warrior swung first as Link dodged underneath. Link came around with a swing of his own but met with the Bokoblins shield. Link's sword bounced off in defeat as the Bokoblin stepped in closely and butted Link with the handle of his heavy sword. Link slid to the ground in pain but hopped up instantly to evade the Bokoblins leaping slash.
Link was on the ropes when the Bokoblin attacked again and swung. Link thought himself sly when he went for the shield a second time.. The Bokoblins heavy blade met with the hardened deku shield and continued through it. Link's eyes went wide as he watch the thin metal border of the deku shield fall to the wayside.
Two-hundred rupees... wasted... what a shame... Link was shoved again by the Bokoblin's shield into the corner this time. The ugly monster seemed to have smirked and raised his oversized butcher knife high. Link parried with a semicircle spin and slashed the Bokoblin upward. The pig-faced fiend slammed into the corner along with his loosened armor. Link didn't take the honorable route this time and ran him through with the Light Sword. Black mist erupted out from the corner as Link sheathed his weapon. Link stared at the bits of wood on the ground and the metal bracers to stabilize the proud shield. He would mourn only for a little bit though; he noticed a saddened figure behind the vine cell and rushed to rescue Rufus. With heavy sword in possession, he freed the prisoner and dropped the weapon.
"Th-thank you Link." The scared young boy mustered up. "There's still one more you gotta save. Mel..."
I know Rufus, I know. I'm still looking for her. Link rubbed the kids shoulder then directed him to the door.
"I'm going to go find my dad. Hopefully that treasure chest will help you out though." Rufus finalized. He exited the room leaving Link by his lonesome. The teen sighed and proceeded into the vine cell and opened the chest.
You got the Small Key! It only works in this dungeon.
Link was getting sick of these already but it would help him progress in this temple. Link ventured out of the main room and stood facing the locked door with key in hand. The teen took a step back and noticed the design for this door was a bit bigger than the others. Still he inserted the key pondering over the next moves ahead. How was he going to be able to cut that vine block down with just his sword? Link tried not to think anymore but the last level needed to be explored. Mel could be down there with the black mist and the giant baba. Link walked in a circle around the exterior trying not to fall down the hollow middle and came to the second locked door in his quest. He undid the chains and entered holding sword high - with no shield. Link spotted the goal through the opposition. Mel was okay behind the thick vines but if she got out now she would have to deal with the boss in front of Link.
Induced by the black mist was the frog that came along with Mel in capture. The door quickly sealed by way of a gate as the frog croaked a terrible dirge. Link reached for his shield but quickly realized it wasn't there. The Light Sword would have to do him justice. The sentry guarding Mel was a dark green frog with orange and red eyes. There were small rounded spikes jutting from his back and poison dripping from his mouth. The rest of the room was covered in moss and vines adding to the fright. Mel screamed in anguish and Link tightened grip on his sword. The frog leapt high into the air with Link watching in disbelief. The frogs shadow centered upon Link and started to drop. Link barely dodged and swung his sword in retaliation. The frog shivered in pain but quickly turned around lashing his sticky venomous tongue. Link was thrown back into the vine cell where the torches and big ceramic pots rested. One-heart weaker, Link rose up and watched the mist-induced frog line up another leap. It hopped into the air and Link took off effectively getting from the frog's crosshairs. The frog crashed down right into a two-slice combination when it twirled around to miss its next tongue lash. Link centered right up with its rear and slashed again. The frog bumped backward in recoil jostling Link a bit.
The teen got his balance when the frog lashed again sending Link into the pots this time. Clay shards scattered everywhere around Link along with a heavy sword. Link smirked and quickly picked up the Bokoblin item even with fatigue mounting against him. He was down to a single heart yet again and the frog attempted another stomp. Link dodged and steadied himself watching the frog react first. It tried to push back but Link back flipped expertly still holding onto the heavy blade. The frog, in his only connecting move, quickly spun sending out his tongue like a whip. Link held out the heavy sword to his right with one hand on the safe part of the blade. The tongue connected to the huge knife and quickly severed from its body. The tongue instantly scattered to mist as the frog seized up in shock. It started to crackle and burn, then explode to fill the room with used black mist. The gate holding the sealed door quickly retracted. The mist quickly dissipated as two white lights encircled from the middle of the floor making the once hidden chest available to the naked eye.
"Link!" Mel shouted from the cell.
Mel! Link smiled and approached the cell, picking up the one-hundred rupees the frog dropped. He gestured for Mel to step back and swung the heavy blade effectively freeing the girl from captivity. Link dropped the sword and captured her in a hug.
"You saved me!" Mel exclaimed. "Thank you!"
I never would have let anything bad happen to you. Link smiled and hugged again. But my journey isn't over... It's time I take it to that beast which captured you. Link released his hug and stood over Mel.
"That mean old baba took me from my friends! Do me a favor and take him down huh?" Mel cutely but fiercely shouted. "I'll wait outside until you do."
Mel ran for the door but paused. She turned back to Link and held her arms behind her back. "I hope one day I have a boyfriend just like you."
Oh geez... Link smiled but rolled his eyes. Mel exited after that as Link approached the new treasure chest. He whipped out his phone and synced with the chest as it popped open. Link reached in and emerged with joy holding the item to the sky.
You got the Herald Gun! Alone it is a simple gun that many things that can be attached to it. As of now it does nothing, but boy are you lucky!
His phone had a quaint way of putting things.
Link felt this was a waste of a treasure. What good was the item if he couldn't use it? Link took another look inside the chest and sighed in relief. He missed the second part of the gift. Link reached inside and attached the mysterious addition to the Herald Gun.
You put on the Disc Blade Attachment! Now you can launch a total of five discs from a distance to damage enemies and environment. Each disc has a small transporter so you can return the items you gather from launches. You should see your face!
Link nodded in accomplishment, ready to test out the new weapon. He exited the room and surveyed the thick vine teasing him thus far. He pulled the gun from his hip, attached the disc blade and aimed. So far, he was terrible, shaking and missing the mark already. He lined up as close as he could get it and quickly fired. A small six-inch disc whizzed out of the gun and shot across the void. The disc missed, of course, and impaled into the wall.
Not bad. Link nodded.
He felt a little more comfortable and quickly fired another disc. The second hit the block itself and flailed down and out of Faron Bastion. Link felt he had it this time and aimed steadily. He hit the trigger but held it. The herald gun vibrated signaling it had a target as Link released. The disc whizzed through the air and severed the thick vine. The block fell onto a platform below and rested comfortably. Link turned to his left and saw the gate lift from the door. Link couldn't resist the notion to explore and headed for the formerly sealed room.
Link entered and saw it was filled with nothing but pots. Large twenty-five ceramic jars all lined up in a square with a few torches on the other side of the room. Link smirked and evilly revealed his sword. He slashed cracking open several pots with joy mounting on his face. Rupees sprayed out everywhere as Link happily collected. He got halfway through when a shadow quickly loomed over him. Link was ambushed in his moment of Zen by a jelly like creature. It swallowed him up whole and started sucking away life. Link was paralyzed inside the mouth of the monster until it launched Link back onto the foundation. Link was covered in slime as he turned to find out what got him.
You! Link's eyes squinted, holding back fury. The Like-Like wriggled with joy in response.
Link quickly lunged striking the beast down the middle. The beast wiggled in agony. Link lunged again with a maddening assault. The creature felt the strike again and tried to ensnare Link again. Link parried and slashed the monster yet again across the rear side. The Like-Like quickly shriveled and turned to paste on the floor.
I hate Like-Like's! Link huffed over its receding pool of slime. It curled into the black mist and faded away leaving behind fifty rupees and of all things a deku shield. Link kind of laughed and picked up the shield and held it high into the air.
You found a Deku Shield! Try not to be too careless with this one!
I love Like-Like's... Link nestled the shield back onto his waist and collected the rest of the rupees within the room. His wallet nearly full, he exited ready to see what other treasure lie in Faron Bastion. He exited into the main room and traveled downstairs further to the initial basement level. This area was covered in vines in contrast to those relatively clear upper floors. Link pulled out the Herald gun with its newest attachment and cleared the area five blades over. More and more foliage was cleared as a grotesque squeal echoed throughout.
Link clutched the sword and shield, quickly setting the gun on his belt. Deku serpents flailed across the moss and lunged at the swordsman. Link swung his shield and sent the first serpent over the edge. The second was in midair when it slammed into Link and sent them both over the edge. Link slipped and started to fall down the hollow opening. Link gripped onto the granite stairs and held on with the other passenger hanging on. The deku serpent sunk his teeth into Link's boot as they both swung to and fro. Link focused on getting another arm up before wriggling the serpent loose. He clasped down his hand and started to lift up. The deku serpent simply gave out and dropped below to his finality. Link pulled himself up and rolled over on his back. He hadn't yet experienced panic but that one there was an excuse to start.
Stay focused Link, take courage. He got up to his feet, brushed off his shorts and finally surveyed the area. There was only a single door on this level which Link quickly walked to. He stepped over the fresh moss and weed and lifted the larger than normal door. He entered the room and quickly heard heavy chains stream across the door. Link looked up and saw heavy cylinder come swinging down. Link dove for the ground as the huge golden ornament slammed against the door. It latched onto the chains and locked. It was a huge key cylinder sealing the room closed with Link inside. He hasn't seen any other keys or any other treasure chests, he wondered if he had jumped the gun. Slow-to-react, Link simply stood up, brushed himself off and looked around.
Maybe there's a key in here somewhere. Link got a chance to examine the room. It seems the whole room was in a giant ring with three peculiar pedestals for statues. Of course, they were all missing which made Link assume that if he could find and place the statues here, he would get his reward. Link looked left but went right. Link quickly came upon a gate with drakes jutting up all across. The rest of the room he could not access. Link ran past the statue pedestals and went to the left side; a gate blocked his way. Link peered through the bars and saw the three statues sitting on the other side dusted with a bit of moss. Link surveyed the inaccessible area even further and saw three vine covered diamonds. Link pulled out the disc blade gun, locked onto three vines, and fired. The sharp discs soared over the gate and successively slashed the three vines. A bellowing squeal rang throughout Faron Bastion, rocking the entire place.
I found you! Link remembered there were five tentacles to the Giant Deku Baba. Link ran to the other side of the donut-shaped room and spotted the other two tentacles hanging onto the last two diamonds. Link squared up and fired another volley of discs, slashing the vines in the process. The squeal occurred again right before it faded out. Link was sure he sent that baba to the depths of the gorge below. He wished he could have seen its face.
But he was still trapped.
Link examined the large crystals a bit closer, targeted the diamonds, and fired. The discs clashed against the large clear crystals when they surged and filled with yellow.
Impact switches... Link moved swiftly to the other side and launched to hit the last three. They filled with yellow and the gates retracted into the ground. The path was set to grab the statues. Link smirked, put away his weapons and ran to pick up the first one. Link saw there was an elaborate treasure chest matching the golden lock which sealed him in this room. the chest was enclosed in its own ornamental gate with no way to unseal it. Link rested his hope on the statues and picked up the first one. He traversed the room and set it onto its assigned pedestal. He did this two more times and stood back to observe. The statues were all in design of the goddess Farore, the one who had created the flora and fauna. Once all aligned, they flashed green where a light did spider across the walls and to the floor.
Link's phone started to vibrate as a circle glowed to life on the floor. The device kept rattling in his pocket when he took it out. Link read it solemnly as he always did.
STEP INTO THE CIRCLE! THE LEGEND IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
Link trusted the message on his phone and placed the first foot onto the round embedded pedestal. Link stepped onto it when his eyes flashed green in harmony with the statues.
"Welcome..." A light voice stated. "I would caution you against fear... But it seems you don't have any. All I sense, is valiant courage; a quality most becoming."
Link's eyes were ablaze with green light but he could not see anything. The voice echoed all around him among the pitched black.
"I am one of the maidservants still acting as a sage to the Faron Bastion. My essence still lives on but it has yet faded and I believe you know why. The black mist. It has been a year since I have had the power to hold back the evil fog creeping from this temple. There is a brilliant evil skewering over Hyrule young one, an evil that hasn't surfaced in centuries."
Link was blinded by green light as the maidservant spoke.
"This is but the first step. Faron Bastion is a place built to hold the locks of the seal. Some time ago, people would come here in prayer keeping an evil at bay. But now someone has come here to weaken the strength of the locks pouring out wickedness in the form of smoke and darkness."
Link nodded in agreement.
"There is much tasked to you at the moment, but make this a priority, or else there will be no world left to save. The one who will know in these troubling times, this decaying era, is Princess Zelda. She will know what to do."
Princess Zelda... Link's heart melted, he dreamed about meeting her ever since he had good reception on his television. Now with an eerie fate looming over his home he would have no choice. I'm going to find Princess Zelda...
"There is a top floor to the bastion where you will be given the power to banish the darkness from Faron. Defeat it's malignant guardian, climb the stairs, and this region will be restored."
The statue stopped glowing and in turn Link returned to normal. The green light faded to dullness as Link heard a gate retract on the other side of the room. Link sprang from the circle and dashed to the chest. He revealed his phone which scanned the chest but nothing happened. This chest was old school. Link simply opened up the box and hoisted the gold item up.
You found the Large Key! Now you can enter the main chamber.
Link quickly rounded back to the massive door and shoved the key inside. The cylinder easily welcomed the key and with a quick rotation, the chains retracted from the door. Link watched the huge gold barrel-like object rise back into the ceiling. The door was free to pass through and Link swiftly entered.
He emerged out into the main cylinder-like room with the spiral stairs leading to the top. Link took a step when the bastion rumbled. Link gasped a bit, trying to regain his balance, when a gruesome shriek vibrated the entire place. Link kept it steady as vine after vine clamped onto the floor. They curled and latched as the main vessel rose from the center of the pit.
It was hideous.
Five vines acted as its arms and legs with smaller tendrils to perform like suction cups. It had a leafy belt of dark green and deep purple before its bulbous head protruded. It had a thick carapace with bumpy lines edging out its four-way jaw. It had no eyes but a keen sense of presence in its territory. It slobbered venom and smelled like sewage while black mist formed in the corners of its mouth. It opened up in bloom lashing out its tongue in taunt and arrogance.
Link simply stared it down with anger and pity.
He was angered for letting it take the innocent and he pitied it for what was going to happen. Link's phone vibrated.
Drababa. Black Mist Vine Plant.
Link quickly unsheathed his sword as Drababa lurched forward. It snarled while letting up two of its vines and clamping onto the upper floor. It swung back and lashed three times for Link. He dodge the initial attack but failed when the three converged and slammed him down. Drababa reeled back with mist foaming from its huge mouth. Link took to a run as Drababa vomited up a stream of mist. Link rolled across the floor, effectively getting away in time. He needed to show this monster exactly who it's wronged.
Link revealed the disc blade gun and fired five discs. The bladed circles swirled around the room and severed each thick vine of Drababa. The monster shrieked because of pain and it also started to fall. Link thought he got the upper hand when the raw, pink tongue shot up on the level above Link. The tongue was slimy, dripping mist and venom, which prompted Link to reveal his sword and slash until he tired himself.
Drababa squealed in agony after just a four-hit combination from his opponent. Quickly, the five vines latched onto the first floor and hoisted Drababa up yet again. It arrogantly shook his tongue at Link then built up its massive jaws like balloons. Link put away the Herald Gun and started dashing up the stairs. Drababa vomited up enough black mist to cloak the lowest level of the basement. The dark fog reeked and it lingered continually. Link felt himself lucky to have gone up one floor and prepared for wave two from the boss.
Link skidded to a stop as Drababa squared up on the teen. The monster started moving its vines as it rounded around the cylinder of the chamber. Link, not having to deal with the mossy terrain, found himself gaining more traction. He aimed the disc gun and got three-out-of-five vines. Drababa swung for a bit but quickly regenerated his vines and caught balance yet again. Drababa loaded up its jaws and spat venom at Link. The monster mostly missed but the teen's boot was doused with poison, which would slowly corrode the footwear. Link rolled and aimed yet again. He targeted all five vines but only cut four. Drababa flailed from the single line when Link fired again. The single line was severed but with no result as to a fall. Drababa rose up on two of its vines and swiped at Link yet again. The teen came out unscathed and lined up sights.
Five vines down.
The monster started descending into the gorge when his nasty tongue lashed up and attached to the ceiling above Link. He unleashed another four-hit combination before the tongue retracted. Drababa scaled upward and built up another flood of black mist in its jaws. Link was on the opposing side of the stairs and he guessed if he would make it in time. He went into a sprint as the plant monster spit out the fog. The smell attacked Link first and then it flooded over his boots. It felt like a huge weight was cast on him as he made it to the first step. His hearts were draining, quarter-by-quarter as he trudged up to the entry level. He fought his newfound yet familiar fatigue and got into clear air. Drababa easily seized advantage and wrapped Link up in his large vines. Link was squeezed, thrown about, and finally tossed to the ground ending up only a half-heart of life left. Link rose to his feet and felt his foot burning as if on fire. The black mist had amplified the effects of the poison. Link knew he had to make this quick.
Drababa, on the other hand, was continuously moving his vine-holds as to not get struck down. He would stop to gain balance and swing for Link or spit at him. The valiant teen dodged all the assaults and readied the disc blades for another shot. The five blades whisked through the air and connected at the same time. Drababa quickly descended knowing it would have to spit up its most vulnerable area. It latched onto the ceiling as Link unsheathed the Light Sword and slashed one last set of four.
The giant plant shrieked as its five vines pressed against the walls. It was screaming as it lifted its head to the Link. It was oozing slime and mist and huffing in unbearable fatigue. Drababa ceased its screams and seized up while starting to fade to gray. Link watched in accomplishment, spinning his sword and expertly inserting the blade back in its scabbard. Upon the click of sword meeting sheathe, Drababa exploded in particles of plant, slime, and mist. Link shielded his eyes from the debris but quickly wore a smile of accomplishment. The mist below quickly dissipated and in surprise, Link noticed a heart container spinning next to him. He picked it up and hoisted it in the air.
You got a Heart Container! Your health has been restored and your life has been extended by one heart! You must be elated and proud!
A rumbling occurred as stairs jutted out from the main level and encircled up to the hidden room up above. Link nodded and quickly went up the steps. He opened the door and noticed the surroundings. Faron bastion was a huge concrete stronghold being held up by the strengthened tree branches of the foliage all around. This was the roof he was standing on now with an odd contraption pumping and whining. Link noticed a slot before a circle pedestal and walked to it. He inserted his sword with a loud battle cry as the pedestal shone forth green light. The machine stopped pumping instantly as the light sprang from every crack and crevice of the black pump. It exploded away from Link's sword when light rapidly spread out in a circle. Faron woods were easily traversed by the light even leading out as far as Faron Farm and just to the border. The light returned instantly back to the bastion and lingered among Link's sword.
I... I think I'm starting to understand... Link felt the vibrations in the sword as one of three jewels in the sword illuminated green. He held up his sword in accomplishment as his phone started to vibrated.
You just upgraded your Light Sword! With Farore's Courage, you now have technomancy in your sword. Go ahead, try it out.
Link didn't get a chance to test out this new ability, which seemed foreign to him. The beauteous green light that scanned over the surface of Faron converged for one last effort. It formed a ring in the absence of the machine and flashed. It begged for Link to step in, which the teen did perform. The ring grew brighter and then flashed white. It disappeared along with Link before it reappeared at the front entrance to the bastion. Link appeared before patient Mel feeling refreshed and successful. Who knew this journey would take him on a rescue mission? Now his next act was to find his indebted father and ultimately figure out a way to the esteemed Princess Zelda.
"You made it!" Mel hugged Link. "I knew you would. I wasn't scared either. I thought I should be, but, this place... It feels like I've been here before. I felt... safe. And I knew you would save me. You're my hero, Link."
Link smiled and looked away, a bit bashful from sincere congratulation. It was the first time he had been regarded with buch a kind word.
Hero. The word made his heart rejoice.
He gently grabbed Mel's shoulders and pulled her from him. He looked into her eyes and nodded. What do you say we get out of here?
"I think I wanna go home now, can you take me?" Mel asked.
Link smiled and nodded, holding her hand as he lead the way. The two traversed across Faron Woods with Link stopping to gain a few hidden treasures from the area. He found a Piece of Heart, twenty rupees, and a secret area he never discovered before all thanks to the disc blade attachment of the Herald Gun. Link and Mel got to the skinny passageway leading back to their rural home. The stone block hanging in the way became a step stone to get back up to level ground. Link and Mel returned to Faron Farm where her mother and friends greeted them wholeheartedly. Mel returned safe and sound and her friends were grateful. Mel's mother, Tani, approached Link and bowed to him.
"Thank you Link, you are my hero. I know nothing I can do or say will express my joy and appreciation but hopefully this will be a start."
You received a Piece of Heart! Aren't you the apple of someone's eye!
Link held the heart up in the air as he always did while the others around smiled. They all held him in their eyes as a hero. Faron Farm would tell his tale from here onward. Link started to grasp the praise but realized anyone else would have done the same thing. In a matter of minutes, he managed to gather sword and shield and fight off any obstacle in his way. He saved three people this day, and returned them all safely. It sparked across Link's mind what his guardian mother would say; probably something about not packing or anything else annoying.
The crowd surrounding him broke away and Link realized it was about middle of the afternoon. Had he really been in that dingy old temple for that long? It felt as if he was in there for a lifetime. Link continued into Faron Farm where Earlin's son, Rufus, flagged him down. Link scurried over and into the shop where Earlin and Rufus awaited his presence.
"Link!" Earlin exclaimed. "Link my boy! Please, please come in."
"You want something to eat or drink? We got jerky?"
Link declined.
"Listen we don't wanna take up too much of your time. We simply wanted to reward you with this." Earlin explained. Link hoisted the item up into the air with joy.
You just received a Transit Pass! Now you can take the train to any part of Hyrule!
Link tucked the plastic card in his Parcel Bag and smiled.
Earlin continued. "I know about you and your parent's divorce and it really is a shame they parted ways. The politics in Hyrule have always been a sensitive subject. I think you can use this more than I can, especially now that you're the hero."
Earlin chuckled a bit.
Link shook Earlin's hand and exited with hearty graciousness. He wasn't sure how he was going to get to Twinrough before, but now the path was set. First, he would find his father, make sure he was safe, then start the journey to find Zelda. Apparently, a world in darkness was on the horizon. How? Link didn't have a clue; but he would do the things asked of him. He would take courage by storm, and fulfill his duty as Hero of Faron.
Link turned north, leaving behind his hometown, leaving behind his mother, and leaving behind the world which he often locked himself in. There was a need now elsewhere, begging for the assistance of someone to take courage and fight for the dying necessity. At least, that's how the maidservant in Faron Bastion put it; Link held his resolve and continued. After all, he had a guardian to save...
...and a princess to meet.