The first thing Link felt when he woke up was the warm feeling of someone holding his hand. Struggling to sit up, he was relieved when he opened his eyes to see Saria sitting at his side.
"I was wondering when you'd wake up," she smiled, still holding his hand.
"I'm glad you're ok," he returned the smile. "No one would have been hurt if I had dealt with it better though, if the-"
"Don't put yourself down so much," Saria interrupted him. "The important thing is that everyone survived, right?"
Link knew she was right but the feeling of guilt wouldn't stop tugging at him from the inside.
"I know that, but if the Zora Mask had worked we might have had a chance of beating whatever that thing was."
"The masks from Termina don't work in Hyrule though, do they?" Saria remembered him trying to show her how they worked before in Hyrule.
"No but they've worked elsewhere," Link reminded her. "It must be something to do with the magical energy of this place."
"How do you feel anyway?" She let go of his hand and went to get his dry clothes from where the healer had left them before everyone else had left the tent.
"Much better now that I'm healed," he took his clothes from her. "And now that I know you're safe." Link pulled her close and kissed her.
"That's good," she returned the kiss. "But…"
"But what?"
"You should get dressed since your blankets are slipping," Saria grinned.
"Uh, right," Link blushed. Before either of them had a chance to move, there was a clucking sound from the entrance of the tent. A small cucco had decided it wanted some attention.
"So they have cuccos here too, Malon would like this place," Saria laughed.
"Cucco… Malon… cucco… cucco breasts!" Link exclaimed. "I'm going to kill Amber when this is over!"
When everyone had gathered in the centre of the campsite, Alanna felt it was time to properly introduce herself.
"Since we don't know how long you four will be here, I thought it best if we get to know each either a little better," the girl spoke up.
"What do you mean? We're here to return that shield to the Shrine of Imitia then leave. No fuss." Link insisted. "Do you know where we can find it?"
Thinking it over, Alanna thought it would be easier to take them to the shrine then explain the situation when they saw it for themselves. Nodding to Link, she led them out of the campsite and through the masses of trees that hid the shrine from all apart from those who knew it existed. Pushing some low branches out of the way, she revealed an enormous concrete archway which was sealed with a large stone door. Ancient carvings crawled up the sides of the archway itself whilst the door had a plain design of six symmetrical circles carved into the stone.
"Wow, this place is bigger than the one in Meldora," Saria said with awe. Walking toward the stone doorway, she ran a hand along it, feeling the smooth stone beneath her fingers.
"Just a little," Link turned to Alanna. "So do you know how we open it?"
Alanna nodded, pointing at the six circles on the door.
"Each circle represents one of the spirits of Asterlin, we need all six to open the door to Imitia."
There was a stunned silence.
"We're not going home today, are we?" Taj spoke up, saying what the rest were afraid of.
"We'll get those spirits here, no problem!" Amber grinned. "Me and this shield are an unstoppable combination!"
"Asterlin has been waiting a long time for the shield to return to Imitia, the spirits have been restless without it." Alanna stood in front of the door.
"So basically, we have to collect these spirits to return the shield?" Link frowned. This had not been part of the original plan but he should have been used to things like this happening by now.
"What do we do? Just find them and ask for their help?" Saria asked.
"It's a little more complicated," Alanna took a breath. "When you manage to find each spirit, you'll need to prove that you're worthy of its help by defeating it, then you will need the help of a summoner to capture it."
"Ok, we need to find a summoner before all that then," Link hoped the list of things they needed to do wouldn't get any longer.
"Well, that's where I come in," Alanna gave a weak smile. "I'm meant to be a summoner, and you four are meant to help me."
"Meant to?" Taj raised an eyebrow. "Why couldn't you get another group of four people from your family or elsewhere together?"
"Before my grandmother died a year ago, she told my father that four would come from a distant land and bring forth the light that would free Asterlin from the darkness. I know it sounds far-fetched but she was known for being a great Seer of her time, then you four show up with the shield we've been looking for so it fits perfectly!"
"Hmm, I always wanted to be a chosen one," Amber smiled to herself and slipped into a daydream where hundreds of people were cheering her name as she was carried through them on a golden throne.
"Who says you're a 'chosen one'?" Link folded his arms. "It could still be any four people, not like her grandmother said Tanith Amber Farrenz- whatever the heck your full name is, would be one of the four."
"It's Farrenzolinackerishla! And my name is not Tanith!" Amber screamed, lunging towards Link who stepped out of her way. "I'm obviously one of the chosen ones, I have the shield, remember?"
"Well, if we are going to be together for a while, you can at least tell me your names," Alanna interrupted them, not wanting an argument so soon. "My name is Alanna, Alanna Laramie."
"Right, I'm Taj, it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Alanna," Taj held out his hand for her to shake.
"'Miss' Alanna?" Amber snickered. "I'm Amber and this," she draped an arm around Saria, "is my sexy girlfriend."
Saria almost choked while Link was very close to knocking Amber out, female or not.
"I'm Saria and I'm not your girlfriend Amber, and I'm not sexy," Saria stuck her tongue out at the Gerudo.
"Maybe not in that jumper you have on but we can change that," Amber grinned. "I can just see you in some Gerudo clothing, rawr,"
"That's enough of that!" Link stopped her before she could carry on. "I'm Link and where're Madi and Koda?" They hadn't seen the troublesome two since arriving in the healer's tent.
"Hey, these things insist they're with you," Lucas' voice came through the trees. Pushing the last of the branches out of the way, he emerged with Madi and Koda sat on his head. "They've been harassing me for ages."
"I am not a thing!" Koda huffed. "I'm a respected guardian fairy!"
"Respected by who?" Madi smirked. "Maybe your reflection but that's about it."
"I bet they weren't in your grandmother's story," Link looked at Alanna who had never seen a fairy up close before.
"I thought you would have taken them to the other shrine by now Alanna," Lucas commented. "Or are you scared in case none of you come out again?"
"Other shrine? How many shrines do you people need?" Amber wondered aloud.
"The other shrine is more of a test than anything, but it holds something very important," Alanna told them. "If you believe in what I've told you then please, come with me."
Making her way through the Lost Woods, Zelda slowed down to wait for the boy to catch up. It had been a struggle but she had managed to push him into the small pond in the woods and clean him up a little. Following the girl out into the Sacred Meadow, he shot her a scowl which she ignored.
"Are you sure you needed to do that?" Nori whispered into her ear, avoiding eye contact with the angry boy.
"Of course, if he wants to come to the Forest Temple then he needs to at least smell decent," Zelda assured the fairy. "Now, we're almost there," she told the boy behind her.
Entering the labyrinth which led to the temple, the princess got a shock when a deku scrub popped out of the ground near her. Taking out the emerald sword, she was about to attack when the boy leapt in front of her. Searching through his jacket, he took out a trowel-shaped weapon with a short handle which curled into a ring at the end. Placing the weapon in his mouth, he got down on his hands and knees and rushed toward the enemy, leaping over its head when he got close enough. Taking the weapon from his mouth, he span around and stabbed the thing right in the head, killing it in one blow.
"I was going to use the sword but your way works too," Zelda sheathed the sword, impressed at the boy's survival skills.
Letting him finish off the rest of the deku scrubs, she led him up the stone stairway into the Sacred Meadow. Standing on the last of the steps, the boy came to a sudden stop, unable to walk any further.
"What's wrong?" Zelda asked.
"I can't go any further," he told her.
"Sure you can, just take a step forward," The princess instructed.
Trying to move forward, the boy shook his head in disappointment, there was some sort of invisible barrier blocking the way.
"You know, this place is quite personal to Saria, I'd imagine she wouldn't appreciate you bringing random people here," Nori said, a little too late for Zelda's liking.
"Why didn't you tell me before we got here then? This must be why he can't enter, he doesn't have Saria's permission." Zelda mumbled then thought for a moment. "Alright, you wait here with him and I'll go find his friend."
Leaving Nori with the boy, Zelda managed to clamber up the large tree which was the only way into the temple. Having been in the temple before, the girl wasn't put off by the dark, eerie atmosphere of the old building. Finding the door to the courtyard, she almost screamed when Perri leered down over her, putting his beak in her face.
"Hi Perri," she smiled, petting his small head. Hearing something rushing clumsily towards her, she looked down to see a small wolfos cub peering up at her through wide yellow eyes. "And you must be what I'm looking for," she said, picking up the cub and stroking him.
Arriving back in the meadow, she saw the boy sat on the top step in silence while Nori hovered close by, not really saying much. She hadn't known the fairy long but had a feeling he wasn't very good at communicating with new people. Putting the wolfos down, she was pleased to see it run straight for the boy who looked delighted to finally see his friend again.
"I'm glad you're ok Fang," the boy smiled, hugging the wolfos.
"Fang?" Nori asked. "Why has a tiny thing like him got such a name?"
"I couldn't think of anything better I guess," the boy shrugged. "What've you been calling him?"
"Link, the one who found him, thought it would be fitting to name him Travis after a friend who lost one of his arms a while ago."
"Travis huh? I like that name, how about you boy?" He asked the wolfos who licked his face happily. "I think he likes it too."
"That's great," Zelda was glad the problem of the mysterious 'monster' had been solved at last. "You should probably head home if that's all you needed."
"Yeah, I probably should," the boy stood there for a moment, unsure of what else to say. "Thanks for helping me, um…"
"My name is Zelda and what would yours be?"
"Uh, I don't have one so you can just call me… Fang."
Nori put his hand on his face and shook his head in dismay.
"Ok, so I don't have a very good imagination," he sighed then realised something. "Hey, you have the same name as the princess of Hyrule!"
"Yeah, it was popular a few years back, my parents must have the same taste as the king and queen," Zelda chuckled to herself. "Come on, I'll show you the way out of here."
"Right, thanks again Zelda," the boy gave her a genuine smile.
Stepping into the building she had been standing in not long ago, Alanna waited for the others to file in after her.
"So, what's this place for? Some sort of sacrifice?" Amber asked, looking around the dark room. The lone torch continued to crackle in the corner, enabling them to faintly see the details of the room.
"This is where it begins," Alanna said, taking a few steps forward. "Within this shrine are the items we need to seek out the spirits"
Looking around the group, she took note of the variety of weapons she could see. Link had a small sword strapped to his back, she wasn't sure how useful something that size would be but at least it was something. Taj also had a sword, placed in the hilt in the side of his belt and it looked to be able to do more damage than Link's blade. Switching her attention to Amber, she wondered if the girl could actually use the shield properly or if she just flung it around and got lucky whilst attacking enemies. She came to the conclusion that only time would tell.
"Hey Saria, what weapon do you use?" Alanna asked, not being able to see any in sight. She remembered her father saying this girl had strong magical energy but it was rare to not see people using some sort of weapon to channel their energy, at least the people she had met in the past.
"The Forest Sage doesn't need a weapon!" Madi exclaimed.
"Sage? Did you mean mage? You don't look like a Sage to me," Alanna said. The word Sage made her think of extremely powerful beings, not young girls like Saria who looked like they wouldn't harm a fly.
"That's what I thought too!" Amber butted in, glad to find someone else who agreed with her.
"No, she definitely means Sage," Saria grinned. "Some people don't believe it until they see it for themselves."
"So I take it you're the most powerful one of the group?" Alanna asked, thinking she must be right.
"Oh no, that's Link," Saria replied casually.
Alanna didn't know what to think. The most powerful people in her group were a girl with no weapons and a guy with a tiny sword? She was starting to wonder if she wanted to put her faith in these people.
"This sword can do more than you'd think," Link assured Alanna. "Anyway, how do we get into this place? I don't see any door."
"What are you talking about? There's a door right here," Taj said, standing in front of a stone door in the wall.
Taking out the Lens of Truth, Link used it to look in the direction the Sheikah was referring to.
"Oh, now I see it. I forgot you could see things like that."
"What is that thing?" Alanna asked, trying to get a look through it over Link's shoulder.
"It's called a Lens of Truth, it helps people with magical energy to see things they wouldn't normally," the boy explained.
"Cool but how come you didn't need to use it?" She asked Taj.
"It was made by my people, we can naturally see things most others can't," the taller boy smiled. "Now, shall we go in?"
Entering the main door of the shrine, they were greeted with another dimly lit room, a thin layer of mist clouding their vision as they tried to see what exactly was ahead. Moving slowly forward, Amber got a shock when her foot stepped onto thin air.
"Uh-oh, I don't think we can go any further," she squinted through the mist to see a large chasm between them and the other side of the room. "Well, it was good while it lasted but this little adventure is already over. Guess we aren't who you're looking for."
"I take it you can't see the platforms going across," Taj said, leaping onto the nearest platform which caused Alanna to scream out in terror.
"How are you doing that!" Her face was pale as she watched the boy standing on what looked like nothingness in her eyes.
Using the lens once again, Link could easily see the invisible platforms; but how would they all be able get across if Alanna was so nervous?
"Didn't something like this happen to you in Termina?" Saria asked him.
"Oh yeah, with the owl!" Link remembered the owl who had placed feathers on the invisible platforms for him to use as a guide. "But we don't have any feathers… Ah, how about deku seeds?"
Taking out a handful of seeds, he leapt onto the same platform as Taj and gave them to the Sheikah.
"Place one of these on each of the platforms so people know where to jump."
Following Link's instructions, Taj placed a few seeds on each platform; hoping people wouldn't find it too difficult to get from one to the other without losing their nerve.
Going back to the others, Link gave the lens to Saria.
Wouldn't it be better if Alanna had this? She asked him telepathically.
You would think but does she honestly look like she's had experience with magic before?
Both of them looked at Alanna who was standing nervously at the side of the cliff, her face pale with fright.
I see what you mean. Saria took the lens and started to make her way across the platforms.
"Ok, I'll help you two across," Link turned to Alanna and Amber.
"I don't need the help of a guy," Amber insisted. "I'll just follow Saria."
Ignoring the conversation going on around her, Alanna's eyes had adjusted to the darkness which wasn't helping anything; now that she could see the massive gap between them and the other side of the room made her wonder if she really was meant to be on this journey. Was Lucas right, would he be better for the task?
"Hey Alanna, are you coming?" Link asked, standing on the first platform.
"I-I can't," she stuttered. "What if I fall?"
"You won't," he held out his hand for her. "Take my hand, all you have to do is step onto the platform."
Taking a deep breath, Alanna took a final look back toward the exit then grabbed Link's hand. Forcing herself to jump onto the platform next to him, she was relieved to find they did actually exist and she wouldn't fall into the endless pit beneath. However, just as she thought she was safe, the mist suddenly disappeared, revealing the details of the room.
"What the hell is that thing up there?" Amber pointed to something hanging from the ceiling. To the Gerudo it looked like some sort of monster made from stone with large wings and a long tall wrapped around its legs. Clawed hands and feet hung down at its sides, giving the impression it could tear its enemies apart given half the chance.
"That appears to be a gargoyle, they're stone creatures that can be found guarding ancient relics usually found in places like this," Koda explained, glad to be able to show off at last.
"The purple blob does have his uses," Madi smirked, receiving a glare from the male fairy.
"I have a bad feeling about this, we need to get off these platforms, right now," Saria could feel the energy radiating down from the ceiling. Taking a step in the direction of the next platform, her suspicions were answered when a low rumble came from above.
"I'm going back!" Alanna screamed, only having stepped onto the first platform. Turning to jump back to the ledge she had just been on, she got a shock when a magical barrier appeared, blocking the only route of escape. A similar barrier appeared over the other side where Taj had almost reached, blocking anyone from leaving the platform area safely.
Keeping their eyes to the ceiling, they could see the gargoyle slowly waking, its long tail unravelling from its legs while its claws stretched themselves out after what must have been centuries. Letting out another deep rumble, the stone creature opened its large eyes, revealing emotionless blood red sockets. Tilting its head in the direction of the centre of the room, its eyes zoned in on Saria and Amber who were standing one platform apart. Not waiting another second, the monster bolted forward, aiming to knock the two girls clean off the platforms.
"Look out!" Link exclaimed.
Both girls leapt to the platforms either side just as the thing dove towards them; the sheer size of its body sent the deku seeds flying into the pit below. Spinning around when it realised it had missed its targets, the gargoyle sent a stream of fire towards Amber who quickly put the shield in front of herself. Letting the shield absorb the burning flames, she lost control of the weapon when it started shaking violently. Almost dropping it to one side, she gasped when the energy within the shield erupted to the surface, blazing out in the direction of Saria.
"Eek!" The Kokiri let her instincts take over and raised the lens to protect herself. The flames bounced off the magical glass, flaring back towards the gargoyle who got a nasty shock when it was burned by its own attack.
"What do you think you're doing!" Link shouted at Amber. Taking out his sword, he was about to join Saria on her platform when the gargoyle decided it wanted to swoop towards him and Alanna instead.
Giving a loud shriek, Alanna gripped onto Link's arm, stopping him from taking out any more weapons. Pushing her to the side, Link took the hit from the enemy, tumbling backwards off the platform.
"Link!" Saria sent a wave of emerald magic towards the boy that quickly changed into a bright green cyclone, sending him spiralling upwards over the angered gargoyle.
Seeing his chance, Link opened the palm of his hand just as he was about to land on the creature's back; the burning energy of Din's Fire blazed out of his hand as it touched the stone body, sending a scorching sensation right down to the core of the solid rock. The searing heat didn't have a great effect on the gargoyle but it did cause it to lose control, its body flailed around in the air trying desperately to knock Link off. Realising what it was trying to do, Link took his sword and stabbed it as hard as he could into the creature's small head, giving himself something to hang on to as it flung itself upside down.
Not knowing how she could help, Alanna stood wondering how they could get past this thing. Looking over to Taj, she saw a blast of purple fly from his blade; they appeared to be glowing throwing stars which had been charged by the magic of the sword. Slamming into the gargoyle, they slowed it down, giving Link enough time to think of something.
Noticing the empty eye sockets on the front of its head, Link got an idea he hoped would deal some serious damage. Taking out two bombs, he quickly placed them in the sockets and held them in until the final second. Just as they were about to explode, he pulled out his sword and leapt off the gargoyle, landing clumsily on the platform next to Saria. A mighty explosion followed, sending bits of rock flying in all directions; the bombs had blown the creature's head clean off, leaving its body to tumble helplessly into the void below.
"I'm glad that's over!" Amber announced. "I don't know what's wrong with this thing, it suddenly lost control. Sorry for almost frying you."
Holding up the Lens of Truth, Saria's face paled when she saw how much damage the flames had done; the lens was cracked in several places, making it impossible to use anymore.
"Sorry Link, I should've used Nayru's Love instead," she handed him the damaged item.
"it's alright, it wasn't anyone's fault," he smiled, taking the lens and putting it in a pocket. "And you saved my life, if anyone's allowed to break my stuff to save their own then it's you."
"So, does it mean we can cross now?" Alanna asked quietly, looking around for any more enemies in the room.
"Uh, yeah but we need some help," Link turned to Taj. Now that the deku seeds had gone, they needed his help to get across.
Deciding it would be easier to help them over one at a time, the Sheikah finally got everyone across, even Alanna who clung to him like vines to a wall the whole way over.
On the other side was a large platform with faint shapes engraved into the centre. Behind it was a tall wall which hid whatever sat on top from view. Stepping into the centre of the platform, Alanna looked around on the ground until she saw what she had been searching for.
"Here," she pointed to a circular shape in the floor. "The shield has to be placed here."
"Why?" Amber asked, not wanting to put her new toy down for a second.
"Because it looks like the shield should go in it!" Alanna stated the obvious. "It must be how we get up to the higher platform."
Placing the shield in the circular space, Amber was surprised to find it was a perfect fit.
"Now what?" The Gerudo stood back, waiting for something amazing to happen. "Do we do some sort of dance around it?"
"I… don't know," Alanna sighed, she was sure the shield was meant to be the key to getting the items.
"What's this for?" Saria pointed to another shape on the floor. "It looks like a sword can go in it."
"Huh?" Alanna walked over to where Saria was standing; the shape did indeed resemble a sword, but what kind of sword?
Kneeling on the dusty floor, Link ran hand over the sword-shaped hole then took out his own. Placing it over the shape, he was disappointed to see how small his sword was compared to that one.
"I guess mine won't work."
"Let me try mine," Taj offered. Setting his own blade in the space, Alanna gasped when she saw it fit perfectly.
As soon as both weapons were in place, the platform below them emitted a bright golden light, blinding each member of the group and within seconds, steps began forming in the wall which led up to the higher ledge.
"But I was never told of a sword being needed," Alanna shook her head. "Oh well, at least we can get up there now!"
Racing up the steps, she arrived at a small alter that looked as if no one had touched it for generations. Moving closer, her eyes widened when she was greeted with the sight she had been waiting to see for years. The items needed to begin the journey.
"A dusty old book and a wooden stick?" Amber commented, looking rather annoyed. "We came here for these?"
"This isn't any old book!" Alanna picked the large book up, its worn brown cover almost crumbling beneath her touch. "This is what we need to find the spirits."
"What's the stick for then?" Link asked. Getting a closer look, he realised the 'stick' was a long wooden staff.
"You'll see in time," the girl said mysteriously. Opening the first page, she let them see it was simply a sketch book; the pages were empty, not a single drawing could be seen. Taking out a set of coloured pencils, she set herself on the floor and began drawing the alter.
"It's just some fancy sketchbook she wanted," Amber shrugged. "I say we get out of here and forget whatever's going on."
"Give me a moment!" Alanna insisted.
"Wow, you're a great artist," Saria said, leaning over the girl's shoulder.
"Thanks," Alanna grinned, adding the final touches to the picture. Taking out a thin black pencil, she paused to take in what was about to happen then signed her name at the bottom of the picture.
"It's lovely but how's that going to help us?" Amber crossed her arms.
"Like this," Alanna slowly turned the page to reveal a picture of a dense swamp; an image of a large bear stood in the centre of the swamp, its deep brown eyes leering at them from the paper. "That's where we go next."