Deity
Spirit of the Forest
Faron Woods lay just a day's march from the Elidin Caves. Deep within the leafy forest lay a small collection of suspended, wooden, walkways and huts that wound itself through the trees. Hyrule's army had used the area in the past as a base, but were not responsible for the walkways. Supposedly they were left by a long since gone race. If Link was in a better mood, he might have wondered if this was the last remnants of the Kokiri.
As it were, Link stood in the upper branches of a far off tree. His hands were clenched at his side. He sported an intense glare directed at a huge tree easily visible from his perch.
It towered over the other trees. Some of it's bark was raised, forming a face with large eyebrows and a mustache. The face meant that it was the Great Deku Tree, a guardian spirit that Link knew of well. What angered Link was at the base of the guardian spirit. Large doors stood at all four sides, and an inner area was carved out to make a base inside the tree.
"Who did this?" he growled.
"Link," Tatl sighed. "The other fairies say that the spirit left the tree long ago."
"That doesn't matter!" he yelled, slamming his fist on the trunk of his perch. "Whether a spirit was inside or not, this should have been protected. Preserved, not made into some place of war. This entire place should not even be used for this conflict."
"I wanna know what idiot took over for a Zelda and decided this was a good idea, because he deserves a Deku stick to the head." He punched his hand.
"How do you know it wasn't a Zelda's idea?"
"She would never-" he yelled before shaking his head. "They would never do this. Each one had respect for places like this.' He sighed. "Even Tetra, the pirate, knew not to mess with stuff like this. The stealing, looting, treasure seeking pirate respected these sights."
Link frowned at the Great Deku Tree.
"Why does this keep happening?" he whispered.
"Link, It's not your fault."
"I was supposed to clear out Ghoma, but I was too late. I tasked myself with watching over the sprout, then this happened." His eyes turned downward. "I keep failing him."
"Now listen here, Link," Tatl said, bonking his head.
"Ow,"
"This is not your fault, and with everything you told me about the Great Deku Tree, he wouldn't want you to think it is either." She flew close to his face. "So buck up, forest boy. We've got a Hyrule to save."
Link slowly smiled.
"Right," He said pulling out his hook shot. "Come on. The battle's already started. We need to be ready in case Sheik calls us."
"Remember, Link," Tatl said nervously. "Ten minutes, that's the limit."
He nodded before taking aim.
"Who's that?"
Link shrugged. "Don't know. She's entirely new to me."
He watched as his scarf-wearing incarnation, Impa and Sheik, met the newcomer.
She was the shortest of the group. Her clothes were primarily white and blue, with gold accents and purple fringe. A hair clip kept her light blue hair in a side ponytail. She was kneeling beside an injured man, using magic to heal him. As the older Link approached, she gasped slightly before turning to Impa.
As Impa asked her some questions, the hidden spirit crossed his arms.
"Her magic," he mumbled with a hand to his chin. "it's like Cia's… Just lighter..."
"Want me to ask some of the fairies around here?"
He nodded. "See what you can dig up. I'm gonna give the hero a little gift."
"Hyah!" he yelled, unleashing the spin attack.
Bulbins fell to the ground. Their bodies dissolved into purple smoke.
Link let out a large breath.
"These things are really tough," Proxi sighed. "You okay, Link?"
He nodded. "Where is that witch getting these things?" he said softly. "They look off. Like they don't belong."
"I know, right," she trilled. "They're kinda like bokoblins. Stronger though."
"They're called bulbins."
A child-like voice rang through the air, putting Link and Proxi on edge.
"Not much stronger than bokoblins, mind you. Still pretty much fodder."
Link scanned the area. The voice was coming from a single point, but that point kept shifting. Even if he looked exactly where it was coming from, nothing was there."
"Who are you?" he growled.
"No one you need to worry about. I'm just a spirit trying to help. Used to live here a millennia or two ago. Kinnda lost track of time." The voice chuckled. "Well, thats pretty ironic."
"A spirit?" Proxie mumbled. She gasped. "Are you a Kokiri?"
A mirthless laugh. "I was considered one back in the day. But we're off topic."
A tink sounded from behind them. Link turned to see a ornate rod lying on the ground. Floating above the gold head ornament was a red orb made of crystal.
"If you're having a little trouble, try the Fire Rod on for size."
He picked up the rod, noting how it's heft felt familiar. The relic felt right in his hands.
"How do I use it?" he questioned as he looked it over.
"You'll figure it out." Though he couldn't see it, he swore the voice's owner was smirking. "This isn't your standard fire rod, though. I've souped it up, so to speak. Has a lot more bells and whistles than normal. Should help you out."
Link smirked. "Thanks. I appreciate the help."
The sound of a hook shot firing caught his attention.
"Don't mention it," the spirit said from the trees. "We gotta stick together. See yah around, Link!"
The spirit removed his mask, a mischievous smile covering his face.
"Stone mask may not look good but it has it's uses," Link said putting it away. "Now to find 'Sheik.'"
"Of course," Link growled. "Gibdos. I hate gibdos."
"Link," Tatl announced. "I got some info. The guys here are pansies. Was way too easy."
Link rolled his eyes and continued to watch the battle.
"What's up?"
"Her name's Lana," she said. "She's been actively fighting Cia for about a month. Say's she's from the same clan as the witch."
Link shook his head. "Don't buy that. Their magic is too similar. Come to think of it…" he mumbled turning his head to the sky. "It's alot like Twinrova."
"Whose Twinrova?"
"One of Ganondorf's lackeys." He scratched the back of his head. "Err… technically two. These old Gerudo witches that could fuse together into one being. But where their magic was two sources pooled into one, Lana and Cia's feels like one source split off into two."
"How do you know so much about magic?"
Link smiled and conjured a small flame in his hand. "Zelda taught me a bit after my adventure. All the heroes are magically inclined. Not just anyone can play a song and turn back time, you know."
"Huh, kinda thought it was cause it was the Ocarina of Time."
"Only partially, Time spells need it to work, but all the others are performed by my own magic power."
"Anyway, aside from your inflating ego, you think the white witch has some secrets?"
He nodded.
Sheik was beginning to truly hate Gibdos. Their cry was disorienting and the ones they were fighting wore armor, making it difficult to strike weak points. She had finally taken one done when the cry pierced the sounds of battle. It ripped through the air, assaulting her ears and freezing her in place. Through a squinted eye, she saw the Gibdo raise it's sword. She closed her eyes as the rusted blade descended towards her head. Instead of pain, she heard clinking chain and the cry of the creature as it was ripped up into the trees.
She looked around. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the area. The Gibdo was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, it fell to the ground some ways away. It's body dissipated into smoke as she approached, leaving behind only the armor.
She knelt to examine it. The rusted armor was marred by multiple gnashes, likely incurred from stabbing it with a sword. A single long cut extended from mid-chest all the way up.
"Overkill," she whispered. "Someone doesn't like Gibdos. I can relate."
The smell of smoke got her attention. The roaring flames surrounding the Deku Tree was hard to miss.
"Oh, no!"
"Oh, Now I'm ticked," Link growled.
He put on the mask, not even screaming at the painful transformation and jumped down to where the group had gathered.
The raised their weapons as he appeared but he ignored them.
"You three," he said. "There is a Great Fairy Fountain to the north-east. Go and get her assistance."
"And who are you?" Impa asked, her eyes narrowed.
"There is no time," he growled. "If you don't want the Great Deku Tree to burn, then listen. I'll be out of your hair once this is done."
"I vouch for him," Sheik said. "Go, we'll deal with the threat here."
"You're not much better," she mumbled.
Older Link stared him down. He met his eyes. Though the scarfed hero flinched, he did not look away. Deep down he felt a connection to the Deity, hiding just behind the dark power.
In the span of second, a conversation seemed to go on between them.
"Impa, he's right," he said not breaking eye contact. "I don't know who he is, but I trust him. I can feel it in my gut. He's trying to help."
"Link," Impa growled. "His power is that of darkness."
"Then don't trust him, trust me." He turned to her. "You trusted me with command of an entire army, so trust me here. I stake my life on this."
Impa grit her teeth. "Alright," she sighed putting her sword away. We don't have time to waste. Let's go."
Lana and Impa ran off, Link following after sharing a nod with Deity.
"Sheik,"
"Y-yes,"
She cursed herself for stuttering. The deity's body language was even stiffer than the last time.
"Do you know the Song of Storms?"
"Yes, but I doubt it would help here."
"Not alone, but with two people playing at the heart of the blaze, it should slow it down."
"You want to enter that inferno?" she gasped.
"Yes,"
"But that is suicide," she said frantically. "I know the Great Deku Tree is important, but is it worth your lif-"
"I will not let him burn!" he yelled. "I am going with or without you, but help would be appreciated."
His eyes were narrowed at her. She swore she heard 'I won't fail him again' said under his breath. Sheik knew the legends. The story stated that the Great Deku Tree was once a spirit that protected these woods. All that was left was the shell, now burning.
"Alright," she breathed. "I will help you."
The Deity nodded and rushed in, Sheik not far behind.
Despite the flames, enemies still swarmed the interior. Deity cut through them with ease, Sheik following behind. The wrap around her mouth protected her from the smoke, but she still had trouble following the giant. He cut through flames, smoke and bulbins.
Deity stopped.
"Here," he said turning back to her. "Are you ready?"
She nodded and pulled out her harp.
A sudden crack sounded over the flames. A burning chunk of wood fell from the ceiling. Sheik braced herself, knowing it would do nothing.
Deity stabbed his sword in the ground. A large purple glyph forming underneath them. Visible energy flowed out from the center forming a dome. The large burning chunk bounced off the barrier.
"We have to hurry," he growled.
Sheik knelt under the pressure of the barrier. "Such darkness," she thought. "It's overwhelming."
"Are you alright?" Deity asked, his scowl lessening.
"Fine," Sheik panted. "Just not used to this.
"Forgive me," he said. Shaking his head, he knelt beside her. "I often forget how my power affects people."
Deity played a song on his ocarina. Light filled Sheik at her core, pushing back against the oppressive force.
"Prelude of Light,"she noted.
He nodded.
"How does someone with such dark power learn of a song like that." she thought.
She stood up, her legs shaking slightly, and pulled out her harp.
Deity readied his ocarina and the duet began.
The song soared over the flames, bringing a storm along with it.
"Now what?" Sheik asked as she looked at the rain fighting the flames.
"We wait and we hope."
C.T.K: So this chapter is technically not quite finished. I've got some more to add to it, but I felt bad for leaving you guys high and dry for a long time. Tell me what you think. Also to any returning readers. I've edited the last two chapters and added some more things to it. Go have a look.