The Legend Of Zelda: The Mirror Of Crossing

by James Muise

This story is a sequel to Majora's mask! If you look up the official time line for Zelda you'd see that Ocarina of time has many different time lines due to time travel and alternate endings. So this story is a sequel to Majora's mask where the moon fell and hit. New story and a new hero! A new world rises from the old!

7. Chapter 6: Journey to the first temple

(The Legend Of Zelda: The Mirror of Crossing: Chapter 6: Journey to the first temple)

Part 1

Just like last time we were down here, in the dark. My eyes adjusting to the dark and I'm following a cat through an underground maze.

Link: "We should almost be there, Shady! But ones we do get there what will we do?"

Shady: "You remember how there was a chasm separating the two halves of the forest last time we were there?"

Link: "Yeah. Wait, are you telling me that's where we're going."

Shady: "Yes, one of our tasks involves going there. It's not going to be safe, but at the end of the day it needs to be done."

Not safe but needs to be done ,huh? That sounds just like the rest of today. God, nothings been easy lately!

Though I do keep my composure as we walk forward I still look back on, Daichi. How could anyone get over that really!? How many people attempt to save their friend and instead end up killing him themselves!?

But I can't give up now! At the end of the day hiding like a coward was what started it all. If I hadn't stolen that worth load off the gang member, nothing that followed afterwards would have lead to this. I need to do something good for once in my life.

At long last we arrive at the hidden entrance right underneath the Burning House Gangs hideout.

Link: "Do you think any of them are out there guarding the entrance? Surly they must have realized that we took it to get away."

Shady: "I don't hear anyone out there. Move the rock just enough for my fairy self to fit through. I'll fly out there and check to make sure it's safe."

With that being said I move the rock just a slight bit leaving room for her to get out. Shady squeezes through and flies out to check the area. After about a minute of waiting she comes back.

Link: "Why did you take that long?"

Shady: "I was checking the whole base itself. I was wondering if what I had thought of had really come to pass."

Link: "And did it? More then that what did you think would come pass?"

Shady: "It did. As for what did, that would be the death of all the Burning House Gang members."

Link: "What!?"

I couldn't believe what I just heard her say to me. They're all dead!? The Burning House Gang has actually fallen? If Daichi were here he'd definitely say that was impossible.

Shady: "It's safe to go now. So come on."

I push the rock all the way and crawl through to the other side. When we get to the other side there's nothing here, except a dead women. It was the same women who was tormenting Aimi along side her kidnapper. She was laying on her front with her back cut open.

Link: "Dear god! What happened here!?"

After saying that I run up to the hideouts front entrance and go on in. Upon entering I see the bloody corpses of men and women from the Burning House Gang everywhere.

Link: "It's like you said, Shady. They're all dead!"

Shady: "Indeed. From all the blade wounds their bodies have on them I'd say this was definitely the work of the Cross Shadow."

The Cross Shadow did this?

I see, so it's like I thought. Daichi must have came here to make sure none of them would come after me. That must have been when he was taken by the Cross Shadow and then did all this upon receiving it.

Link: "Why would the cross shadow do all this to the gang? The last person who owned it merely had these guys do his bidding. Why would it have had Daichi kill them all just because it wanted me."

Shady: "I don't know, Link. As I said before, I don't know everything about the Cross Shadow. But if I had to guess, perhaps this whole time the blade has been searching for someone in particular to be its host."

Link: "A particular host?"

Shady: "Yes. It's possible that the Cross Shadow caused the forming of the Burning House Gang itself, or possessed who ever was in charge. It did this not for its own personal little army, but to search near and far for a worthy host."

Link: "So I was enough for it to see all these men and women it had at its disposal as something useless?"

Shady: "Possibly. Like I said, it was a guess, not a fact on the matter."

Just what about me make me this special? All I've ever been in my life is a common thief. Yet this was done just because the stupid sword had me?

Sure, I may have made it through the Jorogumo forest the other day, but that was mostly just luck. Even if the Cross Shadow did somehow know what I accomplished out there, given the power it offers to its wielder they aren't big accomplishments.

Shady: "Well let's not mourn over a bunch of thieves and killers deaths. We need to get across to the other side right now."

Link: "How? The cliff on both sides are too far apart for any human to reach one from the other. And the rivers raging by to fast for me to swim across."

Shady: "That's right, you not being able to fly will make that a problem. How to get across?"

Link: "Wait a minute, we can just go up river until it's calm enough for us to cross. When I talked with Daichi the other day he told me that the gang used this river to get down here. After they had ran down to the Zora rivers in the west they rode down the river until it carried them around the north and back down here to east."

Shady: "I see, but that won't work for us."

Link: "What, why not?"

If they could do it, I don't see why the two of us can't.

Shady: "I've told you before, Link. I've been in this world for a long time. I've been all over and I know the land better then you do. The Zora river flows through the Goron mountains."

Link: "Goron mountains? I've heard of that place. People of Meian call it the mountain graveyard."

Shady: "And for good reasons. There are boiling hot geysers all across the mountainside. There hot enough to melt a human to the bone in just one release of steam."

That does sound like a fitting place to give the name mountain graveyard to. Given that bone are all that's left up there.

Link: "If it's too dangerous for us to go up there, then how did these assholes get through there?"

Shady: "Underground probably. The way the water from the western rivers gets that high up is through geysers."

Link: "You said that word before. What is a geyser?"

Shady: "A geyser is a hole in the ground that release a blast of hot water from it. That's how the water gets up that high in the mountains, by entering an underground cave and riding the geysers up to the top. One of the paths in the passage we used must lead to the cave in the north."

Link: "But Daichi told me they rode the river down to the north and back down to the east."

Shady: "He must not have been specific with you. Did he actually say they rode it down to the north and rode the river back down to the east?'

Well...now she mentions it, no he didn't. I guess Daichi never expected me to try and get there the same way they did. Given those circumstances I guess he didn't give me all the info.

So that plan fails before it even starts. The reason the rivers so strong must be because it's flowing down from the goron mountains. How to get across then?

Looking for a way, I run outside to take look at the cliff side.

Shady: "Hey, where are you going?"

Shady comes flying after me and we both end up outside the hideout. Once out there I take a good look at the other side.

Shady: "What are staring at, Link?"

Link: "It's not what I'm staring at, but what I'm trying to find. If we can't cross the water up river, then we'll have to find away to do it here and just climb the cliff side."

Shady: "Are you crazy!? Like I said before, you can't fly. You fall and you're going to die."

Link: "This wouldn't be the first time I've tried something dangerous."

Saying that I continue to search. I check every part of the lower part of the cliff I can see. That's when I see a side which looks climbable. It's on the backside of the house so I can't tell if it's the same down below. I run back in so I can go get a better view at the roof.

Shady: "Wait Link, where are you going?"

Link: "To the roof. I think I see something."

I go back inside, find the stairs and head for the roof. After getting up there I climb out the same window I saw the archer use last time I was here.

By the time I get up there Shady had already flown up here. She follows me as I walkout to the back of the house roof. That's when I get a better view point.

Link: "There, Shady. That's the way I can use to get up there."

Shady: "What? Where?"

Link: "There. Just follow where I'm pointing and I'll show you the climbing root I'm going to use."

I point almost straight across from where we're standing, but lower from where we are on the roof. I point along the parts of the wall I think I can climb. It goes back and forth across between left and right, but looks smooth enough for me to climb it all the way to the top.

Shady: "You really are crazy! I know I said it myself that you'd have to face all kinds of danger. But this is taking it way too far! Even if you could somehow reach that far across from here, do really think you can climb that?"

Link: "The ledges aren't that narrow. Besides, if I'm not sure I grab on to something without falling I can just have you who can fly to it to test it for me."

Shady: "Look Link, you can't get across there to begin with. Sure down here we're closer to the wall then up there, that's for sure. But it's still too far for you to jump, and even if you could the ledge would no doubt break from you landing on it."

I know Shady, I know. But that's the only way to get across as far as I can tell.

Maybe there's something I can use that the corpses inside stole before they died. Thinking this I head back inside to look around for something. I quickly run back down stairs to start my search there.

Shady: "Link, what are you doing now?"

Link: "Looking for whatever they all decided to steal. Something they have might be of use to us for getting across. You think you can turn into a cat again and help me find it?"

Shady: "I guess, if you really are sure about crossing like that?"

Link: "Can you think of another way for someone who can't fly or swim fast enough to beat this river to get across?"

Shady: "That I do not. Very well, let's search for a way to carryout your plan."

With that she transformed back to a cat and helped me search.

We looked around for about a few minutes. Trying to ignore the rotting corpses of those bastards from the Burning House Gang. Or in this case, the former bastards of the Burning House Gang.

Shady: "Link, over here. I can smell all kinds of different scents coming from this wall right here."

Link: "You sure?"

Shady: "Yeah, there's more then I can count. Smelling it all most gave me a headache."

I run over to where she is after hearing that. I feel around to see if there's some kind of secret entrance. But I couldn't find anything here.

Link: "Shady, you sure there's something here?"

Shady: "Definitely. There's something on the other side of this wall. If you can't find your way in there then break it down."

Given that no one but thieves use to live here I see no problem with that. I unhook the shield from my back and start hitting it against the wall.

After making a hole in the wall I peek in to see that there was a secret stash in there. I look around in there and see there's a ladder leading up to the next floor.

Link: "You're right Shady, there is stuff stashed in here. Looks like the entrance is on the next floor."

I run up stairs with Shady flying next to me. Upon reach the part of the floor where the ladder leads up to I check for the entrance. I feel around, trying to figure out how to open it. When I did I couldn't find anything at all, do I have to break it again?

Wait, if it's underneath the upstairs floor then it's where you walk. I stand up and try pushing down on certain places. All while making sure I'm not standing right on top of entrance of course. I don't wanna fall in.

I push down with my foot a bit hard on one of the floorboards and it gets pushed down a bit. I slip my hand inside to see what there and I grab it. When I pulled it out it was a rope. I pull the rope and this opens the floor hatch to the stash.

Link: "Here we go! Let's see what these assholes stole. Hopefully there's something we can use to get over there."

I climb down and I start checking for stuff I can use.

Shady: "Link, remember that while your magic satchel can hold plenty for its size, it still has a limit. I know not what the limit is, but I suggest you only take one thing if it can help you."

Link: "Understood. Now let's see what we can find. Oh, look right here!"

While searching through all the stolen property I see something hanging on the wall. Wrapped over a hook on the wall was the rope of a grappling hook. I take it off the wall to check how good it is. Given the strength I feel in the rope as I tug it, its good. The hook seems sharp enough and is well placed on on the rope.

Link: "We'll use this to get me across that chasm!"

Shady: "A grappling hook? Sure that thing will hold? More then that, will it even reach the other side?"

Link: "Trust me, it'll work."

With that being said we head back out to the roof.

I step back outside on to the roof and head to the backside. I take look again at to make sure I know where I'm going. After making sure I know my way up the cliff side, I also check for a good place to throw my grapple.

There! I see what looks like a good spot to grapple onto. But regardless of whether I can throw it that far or not I don't think the rope can reach. This is going to be a problem for me.

Shady: "What's wrong, Link? You were the one who suggested this idea. So why aren't you going through with it?"

Link: "It's like you said Shady, the rope won't make it from here to there. I can't swing from this side to the other."

Shady: "I was afraid of that. So have any other plans do we?"

I'm trying to think of one, but nothings coming to mind. I didn't see a longer rope in there for me to make another grapple with. Dammit, at this rate I really don't see any way for me to get across without flying.

Wait a minute! Flying? Shady can get over there without me and her only problem is getting me over there. She can get over there easily without having to worry about the drop. That might just play in our favor. But could that plan work though? I won't be able to see how well the grapple is placed on the cliff side. Then again, I'm running out of options here.

Link: "Alright Shady, I have another plan for us to try."

Shady: "Oh? And what would that be? Because if it involves going to the mountains and coming back down the other side, then it's suicide you're asking for."

Link: "No, it's not that. You said it yourself that the main problem here is that I can't fly like you."

Shady: "Yeah, so what of it? Are you telling me you have a way to give yourself flight?"

Link: "No, I'm not going to fly, you are."

Shady: "Huh?"

Link: "This is how it's going to work. I'm going to throw the grapple to the other side of the chasm, rope included. And I want you to fly along side the grapple and make sure it lands where its supposed to land."

Shady: "You want me to help carry the grapple over to the other side?"

I nod my head yes to her question.

Shady: "How's that going to help you get across? You said your going to let rope go over to the other side with it. Without it how are you going to swing on over there?"

Link: "Once the grapple is in place I want you to pick up the other end of the rope. At that moment you'll bring that side of the rope up as high and as far over here as you can. Then I'm going to jump over to grab the rope and swing over there."

That's my plan! And it should work as long as the grapple doesn't come loose from my weight.

After hearing my idea Shady just floats there staring at me. I guess she realizes how stupid and life threatening my plan is.

Shady: "The Cross Shadow and your friend Daichi's death have driven you even more mad then I thought. You do realize that without being able to pull it from this side you'll-

Link: "Not be able tell if it can support my weight at all. I know, and you definitely won't be able to tell as cat or fairy when you're on that side due to size. I know that by doing this I'm completely gambling with my life."

Shady: "Then why would attempt to do something so reckless and stupid."

Link: "Well, risking my life is stupid, I can't really argue with that. But the plan itself is not all that stupid. Especially when consider that it might be the only way up there."

Me and Shady take another pause while she thinks things over. After that she says something again.

Shady: "It might be the only way up there for you. I can't really think of any other way. But what about getting back over here?"

Link: "What do you mean?"

Shady: "Over here you on the roof you can get a running start for the jump to the rope. But over there on the cliff side you have no where to gain speed for a jump. Come to think of it, you'll be hanging on an edge over there, so you probably won't be able to jump at all without falling."

!?

Shady: "You did think that through before coming up with this plan did you? That the same plan wouldn't work for getting back to this side of the chasm?"

No I didn't now that she mentioned it. Damn, I should have thought that through.

Shady: "Link, I won't judge you if you didn't realize that. After all, when we first came here I didn't take into account your inability to fly."

Link: "Yeah...I didn't think that through. I was just-

Shady: "Thinking about how to get over there? And not about how to get back at the same time?"

Having her take the words right out of my mouth I just nod yes to her. I really do have a bad habit of thinking about how to go forward and not how to go back following those events.

Shady: "I see that you and I have one strong thing in common."

Link: "What would that be?"

Shady: "We both make plans without considering important details. Me not telling when we were getting out of the river, and not realizing sooner you can't fly across here. As for you, not thinking about how to get Aimi out of the forest with you after saving her, and not seeing the problem in this plan of yours now."

Link: "Hey! I realized I needed to take care of those spiders before getting Aimi out of here."

Shady: "And when did you realize this?"

When did I realize it? That was...after I had gone into the forest. I guess she got me there.

Link: "Well, regardless of the danger my plan presents. We still need to try if we're going to get me over there."

Shady: "So you're just going ignore my question."

Link: "Don't be a hypocrite. Back when we were swimming through the palace water I told you to give me some warning next time. Yet you ignored me back then."

I tell her this while pointing my finger at her and leaving a grin on my face. She didn't even bother retaliating and just said the following.

Shady: "Fair enough. But I did admit I was wrong back then, so I expect the same from you in the future."

Link: "I have no problem doing that. I already did when you told me the flaw in my plan. Anyways, are you ready to try it out?"

Shady: "You still wanna try it even though we're both in agreement about not being able to get back?"

Link: "We'll have to find another way to get back when we get over there. Look, you said we can't waste time when it comes to our objective. So we have to do this now!"

After saying that Shady looks down at the ground. I can tell if she's thinking or moping since I can't see her face. Later on she starts staring at me as if wanting to say something.

Shady: "All right, we'll do it your way. But where is the spot you want to attach the grapple to."

Link: "Just come sit on my hand and look where my fingers pointing."

She flies down on to the back of my hand like I asked. I point to where I want it to go and she follows where I'm pointing.

Shady: "You sure about this?"

Link: "I know there's danger Shady. But I'm willing to take the risk."

With that being said I ready my grapple. I aim and throw with all I've got. As it flies over there Shady flies with it and drags it over to the where I wanted it to go. With the grapple hooked well in place from the looks of it, Shady flies down and grabs the end of the rope.

I back up on the end of the roof and get ready to jump. Shady flies up into my view and flies up and down to symbolize nodding ones head yes. I nod back to tell her I'm ready. So without further delay, I start running for the jump. As I reach the edge of the roof I jump with all the power in my legs.

After jumping off the roof Shady flew over to me with the rope in hand. I grab the grapple rope and start swing towards the wall. I swung right into the wall and grabbed onto it.

(Sound of rocks falling)

That was close! I almost fell after reaching the wall.

Shady: "You OK Link!?"

Link: "Yeah. Now to just get to the top before I fall."

I start climbing the cliff side to try and reach the other side. I take my time so I don't fall. I keep my eyes open for what looks to be the strongest place to grab.

Part 2

I finally made it to the top in one piece. I place my grapple hook into my magic satchel. And now I just sit here and catch my breath after all that climbing.

Link: "Heh, heh, heh, heh! That wasn't the best thing I've been through, but all things considered, it wasn't the worst. Heh, heh!"

Shady: "Well, we're on this side finally. In the end you realize it's going to be most troublesome getting back over there now?"

Link: "I know! You warned me about that, but I did it anyways. Nevertheless, we'll just have to find another way back when we're done on this side."

Shady: "So you have made it out to be it would seem. But yes, we will have to find another way when we are done. So if you're ready, let's get moving."

Link: "Give me moment would yeah!? My arms and legs aren't at there peak right now. I know we're in a hurry, but let me have a little rest."

Shady: "You're the one the Cross Shadow chose, and you're arms and legs are tired from just this?"

Link: "Maybe if you had arms and legs you'd understand. But then again you did pick up the grapple and rope, so maybe you do have them?"

I couldn't help but make that joke as a my way to retaliate. I'm tired and don't want someone who can fly give me shit.

Shady: "More jokes about my appearance as a fairy, huh? First off, I do have limbs and a face behind this black aura of mine. Second off, in case you've forgotten, I can and have been a cat. I know that pushing the body parts you use to walk and climb can be exhausting."

Link: "Then why are you mouthing off to me!? You're the one who said I probably shouldn't have attempted the climb. So why not let me rest? The climb isn't the only thing I've done today if you remember!"

Shady: "I'm sorry, but we still need to complete our task. We'll need to get there as soon as possible, that's the reason I agreed to your crazy idea in the first."

I can argue with that in the end. Even I thinking we couldn't waste time try that life threatening stunt out just for that. I can't stop and complain now. I stand up as quickly as I can despite the pain in my muscles.

Link: "Ah! My back is hurting!"

Shady: "Can you handle going as I have asked?"

Link: "I'm gonna have to after what you told me. Besides, I can't rest when people are suffering. Not after what I did!"

Once again I look back to Daichi's death by my hand. It's so hard to let that go, especially since it hasn't even been a day yet. Shady's prep talk did helped me enough to get me on this journey. I definitely won't stop just because I'm feeling sorry for myself. But I don't think I'll be letting go of what happened to him anytime soon.

Even knowing that I was tricked into killing him by that sword. At the end of it all, I still have the memory of striking him down myself and enjoying it. Just the thought of me feeling nothing but joy from seeing him die and having his blood on me is horrifying.

Shady: "Be careful what you think, Link. When you draw the Cross Shadow those feelings may be used against you."

Link: "When I draw the Cross Shadow? Don't you mean if I do? I thought you only wanted me using it if I needed to."

Shady: "I have a bad feeling about what enemy's we'll cross as we walk forward from here. The reason we're going over there is because the place we're heading is similar to the Cross Shadow."

The moment she said that I just froze. What does she mean similar to the Cross Shadow? What in this world could possibly compare to it?

In my confusion Shady starts clearing everything up with me.

Shady: "Link, I don't entirely know what the Cross Shadow is. To be honest, no one from my world or this one knows. But it's theorized that it has a similar purpose to that of the Temples of Crossing."

Link: "Temples of Crossing?"

Shady: "Yes. As we've already established there are multiple world living along side each other. Normally when you find something or someone in one world that matches another in one of the other worlds there will be at least one tiny detail that separates them. But when it comes to the temples of crossing it's a whole other story. They match each other to even the smallest detail."

Link: "So, what makes that so special?"

Shady: "The reason for this is because these temples connect to each other from across different worlds. These temples hold the power of crossing worlds with in them."

This story is starting to get interesting.

Shady: "I know this for a fact. In my world, me and others have visited the temples and have seen very strange things."

Link: "What kind of strange things?"

Shady: "We've seen images of are selves moving around the temples and not just each other but ourselves as well. And this was not us hallucinating as we all described seeing the exact same thing. More then that, some of us were cursed with a new ability."

Link: "What's the ability?"

Shady: "You've seen it already. The ability to transform into something else. I was born a fairy, but now I can also take the form of a cat. It's not the worst of curses since it has helped out in this world, but the longer I stay as a cat the more I see memory's that aren't my own."

I see, so that's how she knows about other worlds. If she and the rest of her fairy friends each took different forms they would each see different memory's of different worlds. That and coming to this world herself would definitely lead you to believe all this.

Link: "Wait, does that mean I might gain the ability to transform when we go in there? More then that, are you sure about the whole memory thing?"

Shady: "You shouldn't be able to transform like us fairy's. We all have stronger connection to magic then you humans do. As for your second question, Ii've been to the temple that's here in the forest in both this world and my own. The reason why we fairy's gained the ability of transformation is because those who go inside the temple can end up being turned into something else."

Link: "If those who go in are turned into something else then why wouldn't we all come out with transformation on our belt? You're not making any sense Shady."

Shady: "I said they can end up like that. What ever connects the temple to its other worldly counter part also connects those inside it to another. At first you're just seeing images as if looking into your own memory's. But if you don't keep your mind strong you'll end up losing yourself in those memory's and become who or what holds said memory's."

So what she's saying is that if I'm not careful I could end losing my humanity. I definitely prefer myself as a human rather then some random creature from another world.

Link: "So does this mean you let yourself give way for cat from another world to come inside you?"

Shady: "No it's not like that. Once a fairy like myself has made contact with whatever magic is doing this we gain the power to change between them. If I had allowed myself to give in all the way I would have permanently become a cat. But any normal creature like yourself who manages to avoid that won't be left with the power I have."

Link: "If I do!? What happens if I fail to do that? Am I going transform into a beast?"

Shady: "You won't need to worry about that when you're there, Link. That tunic your wearing isn't just made for protecting your body. The reason your tunic appeared out of no where after placing the figure in the buckle is because it draws power from the same source as the magic satchel."

Link: "The same source? You mean from that gap between dimensions you talked about earlier?"

Shady: "That and it draws power from your mind. Just like when an item you place in there disappears and reappears just by you thinking about it. As long as you stay focused on who and what you are the tunic will not allow any changes made."

So that's what this tunic is for? Not just for protecting me from attacks of the body, but attacks of the soul? I'm definitely glad I have it then if that's the case.

Link: "Wait a minute, Shady. If that's the case here, then why can't it protect me from the Cross Shadow? You did say it and the temple are similar."

Shady: "Yes, similar. The Cross Shadow is different from anything I've seen in any temple. Perhaps the tunic can help you out with it, but I wouldn't recommend you permanently using the sword every chance you get."

Well there goes that idea! So I really have to use that sword with the chance I'll become a killer again? Why is this happening to me?

Link: "So what's over there that's so dangerous over on this side of the forest? You said you've been over there before right?"

Shady: "The same spiders you have fought before in this forest have entered the temple. When they came out they weren't the same."

Link: "What was the differences?"

Shady: "Besides their change in appearance their webs were also different. It glowed this weird blue color. I can assure you I've never seen anything like it before."

Them being different means I have to face an entirely different kind of enemy then I did before. And glowing webs, I don't know what's so special about those, but I don't want to find out.

Shady: "So given that and the fact that you're tired. Not to mention there's a lot of them, I must ask that you take hold of the Cross Shadow again. So will you?"

I really don't like that idea. But then again, I don't like the idea of going in there tired against countless giant spiders who have been morphed by another world.

I nod my head yes once again and reach in for the sword. I bring it out and once again see black sword and its red jewel.

Link: "Alright then let's hurry this up! I don't wanna have to hold this any longer then I have to!"

Shady: "Agreed! I'll changed back into a cat and lead the way."

After she transformed we took off.

Part 3

(Spider roar)

One of the spiders come webbing down on there glowing webs. Like Shady said they look different, now their black with red eyes. It fall to get me but I counter with a sword slash. With the Cross Shadow in hand I cut right through it with all most total ease.

It's not just the strength of the sword that allows this, but my own strength as well. This sword makes me stronger then I should be. It also makes me feel far more skilled with a weapon.

After cutting through the Animono Kumo, its blood is left all over me. The worst part about that is that I feel both disgusted and joyful at the same time. More of the Cross Shadow's work I assume.

Shady: "Be careful, Link! Since these things aren't human you don't have to show too much restraint. But if you let yourself enjoy this too much it will mean an opportunity for the Cross Shadow."

Link: "Got it! Don't worry too much, I don't like the idea of becoming a cold blooded killer. Even if I'm killing spiders."

Shady: "Well get ready! There's two more up above us!"

I look up to see that there's a spider coming down by another glowing web. Just as it was about to reach me I swing the Cross Shadow at it like the last. Only this time instead of cutting another Animono Kumo in half, it disappears.

Link: "What the!?"

How did it do that!? One moment it was there and the next it was gone!

Shady: "Link, look up! The spider's up there!"

I look back up to the trees and see the Animono Kumo hanging on the upper part of its web. How did it get up there?

While thinking about this the spider disappears again. This time I noticed that the spot of the web it disappeared on was glowing white. That white spot was moving through the web down to where I was.

I don't know what it's doing but I prepare myself for the worst. The moment the white part reached the bottom of the web the Animono Kumo appeared from it! It tries to lash out at me but I managed to decapitate before it got me! It's body landed right on me after that. I quickly get it off me and prepare for the other one up there.

Link: "Did you see what happened there, Shady!?"

Shady: "Yeah! These glowing webs aren't just for show. They somehow allow the spider to disappear and reappear anywhere along the web. Be careful at all cost now, Link! With that ability if they get their webs on you they could possibly appear with their fangs inside you!"

I agree! This isn't going to be easy with that in mind. I need to strike fast at just the right moment to get them.

Link: "Shady! Where's the next spider and are there any other's here!?"

Shady: "The other one's in that tree there to your right. And there are more coming in from the east. I can't tell how many there are yet."

If there are others coming then I need to hurry and handle this one now. I don't want to get ganged up on again.

Ganged up on again? Wait, I still have more deku nuts to spare. I was so focused on using the Cross Shadow that I forgot about them. Using my right hand that's placed through my shield strap I reach into my pouch. I take out three deku nuts to use.

(Sound of branches)

I can hear it moving up there. With that I throw my three deku nuts up to the tree and they go off. After the blinding light the Animono Kumo fell from the tree while blinded. Not wanting to waste a second I charge as fast as I could toward the Animono Kumo. I take aim for its head and drive my sword right into it. It dies before it could even make a sound.

Shady: "Their here, Link! In that tree over there, but I can tell how many. There's at least three of them up there I believe."

Facing toward the tree Shady was pointing at with her paw I ready my blade.

It's like Shady said, this tunic has made handling the Cross Shadow much easier. Although I do feel more of a need to kill these spiders then I should it's still better then my previous blood lusts.

I keep my ears sharp for any sound they might give away. I do hear little sounds all over the place, and I think I see a little bit of light covered by the leaves. They must be jumping around with their disappearing web trick.

I only have nine deku nuts to spare. I don't even know if there are any more Deku Baba's in this side of the forest. Given that's the case I can't just use them whenever I want to.

While wondering when they'd strike another glowing web is shot and comes straight for me. I jump out of the way and avoid contact with it.

Just after the glowing web makes contact with the ground the spider that shot it started using it to come to the ground. I could tell this based on the white light moving along the blue glowing web.

Realizing it's coming I charge for the end of the web and made it there just as the white light had. As the Animono Kumo appeared at the bottom of the web I swing with all my strength and cut right through the eight legged freaks mouth. As blood gushes out from its mouth onto my face I hear but a small squeal from it.

Trying to ignore the joy of blood on my face that this has instilled on me, I try to focus on the rest of them. Based on how many branches I hear moving at once I have to say I think Shady was right. There were three of them. And with the death of this one that makes two.

It sword makes me faster somehow, but it's still to risky to just wait for another glowing web to come. Realizing this, me and Shady run back to the west a bit and hide behind a tree. I hope this gets me out of sight long enough for me come up with something.

Link: "Shady, I need you keep watch for any of them coming. Tell me if there near or above us."

Shady: "Got it! There are none above us for now. But I hear them making their way here. They seem to be disappearing from one place to the next, as well as back and forth."

Taking their time coming over here while making their way back and forth? They must realize after seeing me strike down their friend that I am to be taken seriously. That being so their taking their time approaching me to be careful. While trying to hide me and Shady whisper to each other.

Link: "Wait, can you tell what direction their going when reappearing?"

Shady: "I already told you back and forth."

Link: "No, I mean if their making movements to the left and right. Are they both moving in the same direction at the same time, or the opposite?"

Shady: "Oh! Well, now that you ask me that, when they disappear and reappear it would seem that they made a huge movement to left and right directions. One of them keeps moving to the left while the other keeps moving to right. That is suspicious that the two of them are keeping up that pattern. Why do you ask?"

Link: "These spiders are smarter then I thought. Their not just going back and forth to be careful, but their also making movements the left and right for a better view point."

Shady: "Better view point?"

Link: "Yeah! By making a turn to either of those directions they can tell if we're trying to run away at that angle. The fact that their both taking different side is so they can tell from both view points."

Shady: "I see. So the reason why only ones going to the left and the other to the right is to warn the other if their prays getting away. More then that, the moment they move forward they appear right behind the tree in a straight line toward it. That way we think their just being careful while trying to approach us straight on."

Link: "Exactly! When they move backwards they move to the left or right. And when they return to moving forward they appear with in a straight line behind the tree in order to distract us from their movements in those directions. Being to focused on them moving back and forth is suppose to camouflage them backtracking for view sake."

That's actually a very smart thing to do. If we think that their moving back and forth to be careful with us, we think their scared and we may come out to attack them head on or run away. If we choose the ladder of the two and run we would think their to busy being careful and wouldn't catch up to us. That would allow them to chase us and get and even better drop on us.

Shady: "But for them to realizes we might do that they'd have to know we can track them from up there. That would have to mean their smart enough to understand how we could see them coming. Since their making noise to distract us"

Link: "They probably realized how we noticed them when I avoided their friends web. Or how I knew where to throw my deku nuts at their friend above us."

Shady: "Could these things possibly be that smart?"

Link: "I don't know."

Nevertheless, if we wait here they're going to get above us. If they both attack at once I don't think I can handle it. If we just run, even if we get away they may regroup with others. And if even more come at us with this tactic we'll die for sure. Even if I'm just theorizing this I can't take the chance. I need to take them out right here.

Shady: "They're still taking their time but their close. We need to think of something now or run."

Dammit! What do we do? I'm running out of time! I've got no chose, I"ve got to use another deku nut. I hope I can find more later on.

Link: "Alright Shady, I'm going to use more deku nuts to get them. I need you to help me aim for them."

Shady: "Sure!"

After saying that she turns back into a fairy.

Link: "Why'd you change back?"

Shady: "I only changed into a cat so I could sense them from far away or if they had been here. Once close enough I can sense the presents of someone else"

You can? She never mentioned that before, but I won't judge.

Shady begins searching for the Animono Kumo's. Once she found one she started flying around in a circle between me and the tree branches. She must be telling me to aim there.

I take out only one deku nut this time and throw it where she has me aim. The flash went off in the tree branches above and I heard a spider scream.

I see it falling and run over to run my sword through it. But before it hit the ground it shot out a web back up to the tree branches. After that it disappeared and then reappeared up above.

Shady: "No good, Link! These things won't fall for the same trick twice."

So it would seem that way. Like I thought, their learning from my previous actions. They were prepared for a deku nut after seeing me use it on their friend.

Realizing I messed up I look around for the other Animono Kumo. It may try to attack me now that I'm off guard.

Link: "Shady! Where are the both of them?"

Shady starts flying around one area and then another. So their both there. I make sure to keep both my eyes and ears sharp for them.

When looking up I see some blue light coming from above in different areas. Those are locations where their magic webs must be. But they are doing a good job keeping themselves hidden. As Shady searches for them they keep moving and she can't get a solid lock on them.

Shady: "Sorry Link! Their constant moving through the webs makes it impossible to- whoa!"

Just as she was talking one of the Animono Kumo drop from the branches and try to get her. That was close, it almost got her. But since she can sense their presents she saw it coming.

After falling down from the trees the one that came fell several feet. After missing it disappeared and went along its web back up to where Shady was. It reappeared there and tried again. But Shady sees it coming even easier then last time and avoids it like last time.

It's good that they failed to get her, but I worried about the other one. It should be near waiting to attack.

I'm looking around and just managed to notice a web heading my way. I avoid it and just as I do the Animono Kumo appears from the web and attacks.

Link: "Gah!"

It was just about to get me, but I managed to get it first. I managed to block some of its attack off with my shield. However, my arm is bleeding a bit from it getting its claw in it. Not to mention its fangs got into my hand a bit as I rammed my sword through its mouth. After that I fell down to my backside.

I could feel my hand burning away. I quickly get out my grapple hook and tie the rope around my arm. This should stop the poison from spreading long enough for me to get it.

Shady: "Link, get up! The other one's coming!"

I quickly respond to her words and get up. I place my sword in my right hand that I have my shield strapped to. I'm left handed so it will be difficult to use in said hand, but it's better then nothing.

While trying to suck out the poison from the my hand I keep looking around for the Animono Kumo. If its friend here will attack when I'm left open there's no reason it won't.

Link: "Shady! I want you to fly closer to me and circulate the location of the Animono Kumo. That way it can't get you and it'll take less time for you to fly to where you need to go."

Shady: "I understand! I'll keep a look out for it and you get that poison out."

While I suck out the poison she keeps a circle on where it is. It hasn't attacked yet, probably because it knows it can't get the drop on us.

I think I got all the poison out. I put the grapple back and return the Cross Shadow to my left hand.

Shady: "Link, the spider knows that I know where it is. Given that that's the case, we can assume it won't run away."

Link: "Yeah, because we would know. And it wouldn't be able to easily find us with its friends."

Shady: "So we have a chance to take it out now. But we need to hurry before it decides to run away anyways. Cause hard or not, we can't take the chance that it will find us later."

Yeah, but how? It keeps learning as we fight. That trick the other one pulled back there was smart as hell. It disappeared along the web as it was shooting it and used me dodging the web as a means to attack me off guard. How the hell are these spiders that smart? Their god damn spiders!

While wondering this I notice something strange in Shady's movements as she locates the Animono Kumo for me.

Link: "Shady? Why are you making only a sight movement to one place and another sight one to another each time you move? Not to mention every sight movement you make comes really fast after the last."

Shady: "That's the movement patter the spider moving by up there. I don't know why it's doing that rather then just going far to one place and waiting there for awhile."

Yeah, that would be a better idea. After making so many small but quick movement I'm starting to be able to track it myself with the white light it admits.

The Animono Kumo is smart, why would it be moving around like that? Wait a minute! Could that be the reason?

Link: "Shady, I have an idea! Come over here so I can whisper it to you."

After she comes over I tell her my theory and my plan to stop it. It was only a guess, but if I'm right we can get it.

Shady: "Are you sure about that, Link? It could be the reason for its strange movements, but it might not be."

Link: "Well we need to do something. And this is our best bet right now."

With that being said we both nod to each other and start the plan.

First I get my grapple hook out and throw it onto one of the branches above and start pulling on it. Shady flies up to the branch that I'm pulling as if looking for something. We repeat this process over and over again. After taking the grapple off of the branch I throw it to another and Shady follows it again and again.

After doing this over and over again, the Animono Kumo should take advantage of this. As I throw my grapple to another branch like before I pull it down and Shady flies near it. At that moment it jumps out and tries to get her.

Like before, Shady saw it coming and dodged it. At that moment I quickly pull the grapple hook off the branch and hook it on to the web that the Animono Kumo released before jumping.

After it missed her it tried to use its web to reappear back up there. After it disappears, as the white light moves along the web I'm pulling on the web with my grapple hook. The moment the white light crosses paths with the hook the Animono Kumo appeared from it. After appearing somewhere it didn't want to, the Animono Kumo accidentally fell from that point and came falling to the ground.

Taking this chance I whip out another deku nut and toss it toward the spider. With it blind I jump onto the eight legged bastards back while simultaneously plunging my sword into its back.

"Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal!

After that high pitched squeal came silence. And following that an ending to its breathing. The Animono Kumo was dead. That was the last one, here at least.

Shady: "Well, it's dead!"

Link: "That it is, Shady."

Shady: "You know something, Link? That was impressive what you did back there. Not only did you predict what the spiders plan was with all their movements, but you found out the weakness in their webs."

Link: "Yeah, I did. It was only a guess, but given that they appear where the white light amongst the blue web goes, I just thought that. I thought that maybe the reason was that if they met a snug in their web they had to stop and then start moving again. I don't really know how I came to that conclusion. But given that the Animono Kumo's could clearly move further then that, after seeing them attack you and me with it, I could see no other reason then it being because their webs were stuck in a branch."

Like I said, I don't really know how I came up with that idea.

Shady: "Nevertheless, it was impressive. I knew you were skilled in predicting the next move, but that I would have thought goes beyond your years of experience."

She makes a valid point. While luring them into my trap and maybe predicting that move they pulled with the left and right movements weren't entirely out of charter for me. I have to say figuring out the weakness or at least as fast as I did might normally be beyond me. I have felt different in many ways ever since getting a hold of the Cross Shadow.

Speaking of the Cross Shadow, it's still in my hand. Do I still need this.

Link: "Hey Shady?"

Shady: "Yeah?"

Link: "Do you think I still need the Cross Shadow? Or can I put it away?"

Shady: "No! We still haven't even arrived at the temple yet. And you and I both know the only reason you managed to survive all those sneak attacks was because you had it in hand. Look, like i told you I've been to the temple that's here. Inside the temple we might encounter even more of those things inside, but since they'll be having a bunch of memory's from other worlds coming into their head, they'll be distracted."

Link: "So despite the fact they might be even stronger inside the temple and have greater numbers? In the end, all the abuse their minds will have to endure in there will play to our advantage?"

Shady: "Exactly! So once we're inside I think you can manage to switch swords when we're there. So until then and after we leave the temple you'll have to hold onto it."

I hate to admit it, but she's right. I'll just have to hold on longer. At least this tunics protection against it seems to work well enough. And despite the blood lust, it's not that strong since there are no humans around.

Well now that we're done here we move on. I'm prepared for anymore of those over sized bugs.

Shady: "By the way, Link? What was that you called the spiders? A Animono Kumo was it?"

Link: "Ye..yeah! I though since no one has given them a name I'd do that. Having something to call these freaks would be nice. I also refer to the jump happy spiders a Jampu Kumo if you recall."

Shady: "I guess those names will work. Better then most names I've heard in both worlds."

After that discussion and Shady's transformation back into a cat we move onward.

Part 4

After the first fight with them, the Animono Kumo got easier to handle. With Shady detecting them from far distances as a cat and locating them for me as a fairy, it became easier by far.

After traversing the forest for sometime we I can final see the temple up ahead.

Shady: "Well, here we are, Link."

Whoa! It was mush bigger then I thought.

When looking at this temple I compare it to that of a castle. There are roots leading all across its walls on the outside. I can even see trees coming out from inside the temple, out its roof.

Link: "This is a temple? It seems more like a have come to worship. The reason for this is the other worldly powers inside of it. But this same power has also made it cursed in its own right."

You're telling me! Upon closer inspection I also realize there appears to be a few strains of those blue webs around it. And I see some more spiders crawling into the temple from the roof.

Shady: "Well, let's head inside. I've only ever seen the first part of this temple though. So don't expect me to know everything in there for you."

That doesn't sound good. But I will still try none the less. Now that we've clear are way through the forest I return the Cross Shadow to my pouch and get out my Meian Sword for usage.

There's a narrow stairway leading up to the temples door that we take. After climbing the stairway we arrive at the door. But there was nothing I saw to open it with. Just some more that blue web crossing it.

Link: "So how do I open this door Shady?"

Shady: "This is a problem! Last time I came here I went in through the roof. I never used the door or even inspected it at all."

Link: "Great! So how do we get in then? This looks like a door rather then just another part of the wall. Despite that it still doesn't have anything to open it with."

With no idea of how to get in there I just feel around the door hoping to find a hidden switch. But I find nothing as I feel around. There appeared to be nothing that could open it for me.

Link: "Dammit, is this really a wall after all? If so how do I get in?"

While asking myself this I take notice of something. The strain of web across the door. It leads in to the temple through a hole in entrance.

Link: "Look here Shady, there's a web going through this hole."

Shady: "Oh great, the way to get in using the webs. How that going work for you or me in general?"

That true. We're not one of the Animono Kumo's, so this is a problem. Or is it? Can I somehow use it?

Link: "Hey Shady, do you think it's possible to use the web without being one of them?"

Shady: "I don't see how. The Animono Kumo's were crawling along the webs and only used them when they wanted to. So how would you do that?"

Link: "Well you and I never once touched any of the webs. What if webs work for anyone? You did say that the Animono Kumos got this power from another world. And if you can become a cat with this power, then we don't have to assume it's a power for just spiders."

That only another guess of mine. I don't really know if it will work. Shady paused to think again. Then she said something back to me.

Shady: "I guess so. But we don't know how to control which direction on the web you'll go. We don't even know how to reappear, it might not be something that happens on its own."

Link: "Maybe, but I need to get in there. Do you know any other way to get in?"

Shady: "No. I definitely didn't see any other way to get in. At least not for someone like you who can't fly or stick to wall."

Link: "Then we gotta try this."

I don't know if the web is going to work or not. Or even if I won't get stuck in it. But I got to try something.

Shady: "Alright, if you're sure about this. I really hate it when you take such big risks. You know I don't want you to live just so you can save the world you know. I just don't want you to die in general."

Link: "I know. You're kind when you get down to it."

Shady: "But. if you're going to try this plan, please keep something on a corner of the web. We already know one can't move passed a part of the web that's being snagged. So if you do that to the web and touch the side you want go through you should go that way instead of the other."

That makes sense. I pullout my sword from its sheath and hold it upside down. I press down on the web with my hilt to keep me from crossing there.

Link: "Alright, so if I touch this web and imagine going to the other side I should end up there right? You know, like with the magic satchel?"

Shady: "Maybe, maybe not. Touch the web and on the count of three imagine that."

Ok, lets do it. I touch the web and ready for the what I'm going to do next.

But before I could even start counting this white light envelops me.

Link: "What the-

Before I could even finish my sentence I lose all feeling in my body.

(To be continued)