Tada! It hasn't even been a year since the last update! This chapter got a whole lot more plot than I anticipated. I hope you like it. As always, I don't own Legend of Zelda.
As we crossed the bridge spanning the Lost Woods to Kokiri Village, the air vibrated menacingly. I could feel dark power at work. I emerged into the hidden clearing of my home and felt bile rise in my throat. My eyes flashed angrily. The village was overrun with Deku Scrub and Baba. The children were nowhere to be seen.
Navi said darkly, "Destroy these monsters."
I raised my sword and shield as Navi flew forward to target an enemy. I gave a war cry and struck. The creatures burst into dust as I abolished their existence. When I killed the last of the monsters, my battle rage left me. The Master Sword plunged into the earth as my arm dropped. I caught my breath and finally noticed I was being watched.
I turned around, ready to strike. Kids cried out or gasped in fear and hid behind rocks and trees. My fighting stance relaxed as relief flooded through me. I crouched and said, "It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you."
I put away my sword and shield. "I'm looking for a friend of mine. I was wondering if you had seen him."
The triplets poked their heads out and asked suspiciously, "Who are you? A fairy follows you and you wear clothes like ours, but you are not one of us."
I smiled as I listened to the way they completed the others' sentences, just like I remembered. I thought about their question, but was saved from answering. One of the other children whispered, "She reminds me of… you know."
The topic was picked up and I had a hard time following the conversation.
"That's not possible."
"But if it was…"
"I wish Mida and Sario were here."
I frowned and broke in to ask, "Where are they?"
My authoritative tone caught them. One said, "Sario went to the Temple in the Lost Woods and never returned. Mida went after him, but it's been ages!"
"How long have they been gone?"
The children mumbled. I raised an eyebrow and one of the triplets spoke up, "The monsters arrived last night. Sario left this morning and Mida around midday."
It may have seemed like forever to the kids, but it was only a few hours ago. I covered my face with my hand and sighed in relief. If I was quick, I could probably catch up to Mida and keep her out of the temple.
I stood and looked toward the Lost Woods. "I'm going to go find your friends."
Suddenly I was unable to move as a dozen children clung to me. A few of them were sobbing in fear. I bent to hug the Kokiri and asked, "What's wrong?"
The shopkeeper said between hiccups, "There's no one to protect us from the monsters!"
I picked up one of the girls who was crying particularly hard and said to all of them, "I won't let any monsters return and just to be sure, I'm putting you somewhere safe."
One of the know-it-alls asked, "Where's that? All the houses are at ground level."
I smirked and said, "Follow me."
I led the children to my old tree house. At the ladder I said, "This will do."
I sensed hesitation. All of the kids were looking away like they had been caught misbehaving. The shop girl said quietly, "This is Link's house."
I tried to be patient. "What's wrong? This is the safest place for you since I can't be in two places at once."
"But this is Link's house! She left the forest and never came back. We weren't very nice to her. What would she do to us if she returns and finds us in her house?"
I sighed again. At least they thought I was still alive. I ruffled the kid's hair and lied to make them happy. "I met your friend, Link. She seemed like a nice girl. I have no doubt that if she found you, she'd do everything in her power to keep you safe, even if that meant hiding in her house."
That reassured them. I climbed the ladder first. They climbed the ladder after me. I looked inside the low doorway. It was just as I left it. Cobwebs lined the corners. The glass I had broken the day I left was still covered by a towel. Both were covered in a layer of dust.
When they were all up, I said, "Stay out of sight. I'll be back in a few hours."
The children waved as I jogged to the Lost Woods. Once hidden in the undergrowth, Navi asked, "Why didn't you tell them the truth?"
I answered, "It's easier for them to remember me as I was. What about you? You could have spoken up."
Navi replied, "Their fairies know. They'll tell the Kokiri when they're ready."
I beamed and ran toward the Forest Temple. The farther I went, the more worried I became. The Lost Woods wasn't the nicest place to be, but I sensed open hostility behind every tree. Their once straight boughs and branches were now twisted and scarred. Worst yet was the thought of Mida lost in here. I had to find her before she became a Stalchild.
I was almost to the Temple before I saw her. She was looking down the path at the pool of water. I sighed in relief and called, "Mida!"
Mida turned. Her eyes shone with fear, but she spoke with her characteristic haughtiness. "Who are you? You shouldn't have been able to get this far. What are you doing here?"
I answered, "It doesn't matter who I am. I want to help Sario. The Kokiri are waiting back at the tree house in the village. You should go back and wait with them for me."
Mida's face went pale in thought and I could tell she considered my words. I was starting to enjoy being an adult if it meant people listened to you. Then her face turned bright red and I knew what she was going to say.
"No! I'm protecting this spot for when Sario returns. You claim to be a friend, but you could be just like that devil woman who entered the forest and changed everything."
I tried to placate, "Mida, calm down. This wood is dangerous. If I don't fix it soon, I can't guarantee the safety of you and your friends."
Mida shouted, "No!"
I cringed and looked around. Was it me or were the trees looming more than before? If I didn't end her tantrum soon… I didn't want to consider the consequences.
I crouched down and put my hands on her shoulders. I glanced around as the forest closed in on us. "Mida, I need you to trust me. I am a friend, but if you don't calm down right now, we'll both be in danger."
I shook her lightly for emphasis and held her eyes. They widened as she looked over my shoulder in shock. I picked Mida up and drew my sword in one motion as I stood to face what had scared her.
A willow reached toward us as an oak raised its roots. The branches above us closed off the sky. In the dark, I raised my sword. A light flashed. Mida screamed and hid against my tunic. My eyes narrowed against the blinding beam. Then I saw it came from the Master Sword.
The trees attacked. I shouted as I swung the sword. It glowed even brighter and the strike arced away. The trees retreated and I was blinded by the sudden return of sunlight.
When I opened my eyes, the forest seemed less malevolent. Mida looked around in curiosity. I stood ready for another strike, but all was quiet. Mida started fidgeting. I set her down and sheathed my sword.
Mida glared up at me. I could tell she was trying not to trust me. I sighed and said, "Look, I need to get to the Temple so I can help Sario. Something in there is causing all the scary things that are happening. If you won't move, I will carry you all the way home and make you stay."
She crossed her arms and said, "Prove it."
I took a step toward Mida and she said, "No! Not that! Prove that you know Sario and I will let you pass. I'll return to the village and wait while you save the forest."
I pulled out my ocarina and played the song that used to ring through the trees, the song Sario had taught me. It seemed like the forest remembered what it was like years ago because the trees took on some of their old life. It wasn't much, but the Lost Woods was starting to feel safe again. I had no doubt Mida would be able to navigate the woods all right.
Mida looked up at me in awe. She whispered, "That song, Sario only taught it to his friends. But then, that means…"
I smiled softly and nodded. Mida looked away and whispered, "I don't know why, but when I look at you, I'm reminded of her. If you see Link, will you tell her I'm sorry?"
Mida ran back toward the village, not giving me a chance to answer. I smiled at her words and went to the Temple. At the maze entrance, I heard a strange noise and ducked behind the wall. A red giant with a pig's head lumbered past me.
It walked to the end and turned around. I eyed the deadly tip of its spear as Navi whispered, "The maze is probably full of these creatures. Be sure the path is clear before making a dash for it."
I noticed a gap in the hedge behind where the monster paced. I sprinted for it as the monster turned. I crushed branches as I pushed into the hiding spot. I held my breath as the creature continued its path without seeing me. When it was by, I dashed around the corner to safety.
I treaded silently to the next corner. Another beast guarded this path. It was at the other end. If I moved now, I wouldn't be a sitting duck. I went into a full out run for the next space. My eyes were on the goal. I heard a roar. I had been seen. The beast charged at me, spear down to gore me. I dived for the hiding spot and the creature slid past.
As it turned, I pushed into the bushes, crawling on my stomach through the gaps at their base. I heard the monster struggling and squealing behind me, trying to get at me. Fear made me crawl faster, the branches pulling at my hair and clothes.
My hair yanked as it caught on a branch. I screamed and tried to free it. The moblin was in frenzy behind me. It reached a massive clawed hand toward me. I kicked at it, desperately trying to free my hair. By some miracle, the creature's talons hit the strands and I was free, Malone's braid falling to the ground. I kicked the creature in the face and it withdrew, its hands going to its eyes.
I shimmied along the ground and out the other side of the hedge row. The maze exit was directly ahead of me. I took a risk and ran without looking. I charged up the hill. There was no chance I was waiting for the moblin to catch me. At the top, I paused. A giant moblin with a club nearly three times my height blocked the way.
It grunted at me, barely acknowledging my presence. It didn't see me as a threat. I drew the master sword and gave a war-cry. It swung the club down. It wasn't aiming at me. I rolled away as I realized it was causing the ground to quake. The giant followed up with a swing that hit the wall. Rocks showered down on me.
A crazy idea hit me and I dived to the other wall. The monster followed my path. I ducked as the swing made more rocks fall. Boulders began to crack and I ran at the giant. Not to attack but to flee. As I passed its legs, the path became blocked. A child might be able to pass through the debris, but not the moblin. To my surprise, it grunted at me and resumed its watch.
As I left the giant behind, I knew what I would find in the clearing. A stump sat empty beneath an entrance covered in vines. This was Sario's secret place. And where I had grown up. At least, before I had moved into my tree house. This was where the kokiri were born.
"He's not here." Navi stated the fact I was trying to deny.
No, Sario was not here. His music didn't fill the forest like it normally did. I found the silence eerie. I crossed the clearing and looked to the stump.
On instinct, I put a hand on my sword. I turned to see Zelda, the woman from the Temple of Time. I forced myself to relax when she took a step back. I stood tall, my arms crossed.
"Where can I find him?" I asked, though I was sure I knew the answer already.
Zelda looked at the temple entrance. "He tried to heal the spirits inside. This temple was used to worship the goddesses many centuries ago. It became cursed and the people fled. The priestesses remain to this day."
I frowned. "Sario is my closest friend. I have to help."
Zelda nodded. "The flow of time is ever cruel. It passes differently for each individual. But what doesn't change is the memory of younger days. Let me teach you the song that will allow you to return here." Zelda pulled a harp free from the strap on her back. "Will you play with me?"
I raised an eyebrow. Did she know about the ocarina the Prince has given me? I slowly reached into my pouch and pulled out my fairy ocarina.
Zelda gave me a sad look. "You still don't trust me." It wasn't a question and I didn't deny her. Zelda said, "I speculate I wouldn't trust me either."
Something about her words made my chest hurt. "I don't know everything that's happened, but I know what I do. I was too late to stop Guinan. Prince Sheik was exiled and a lot of people suffered. Give me time to relearn this world." I put Sario's ocarina to my mouth. "I will play with you."
Zelda nodded and put the harp against her arm. "This is the minuet of the forest."
She played a bouncy tune and I echoed giving additional harmonies. As we came to a close, Zelda lowered the harp. She opened her mouth before closing it again. She wanted to tell me something. She looked away.
I turned to the temple. "Thank you for coming here. I know I can find Sario. This is my task."
"Link, we will meet again." I turned, but Zelda was gone. Only the sound of the wind in the branches remained.
Navi fluttered to the top of the temple steps long crumbled. A branch crooked up over the remaining ledge. "Do you think the gravekeeper's treasure will get you here?"
I pulled out the hookshot and aimed. My shot was high. "Hey! Watch out!"
Navi zipped out of the way and I tried again. On the third time, I connected. I flipped the lever next to the trigger and the mechanism made a strange whirring sound before the chain began to retract and I was pulled to the anchor.
I landed on my feet and took another step to catch myself. The forest temple entrance was before me. I entered the dim temple. The roof of the courtyard was gone. I could see where it had collapsed. Rubble littered the ground. Massive trees had taken advantage of the buildings decay. Wolves lay before the path forward.
I approached them unarmed. I knew them from my time here when I was young. The left one raised its head. Navi game a yelp and dived for cover. The right one growled as the left came forward to greet me. It circled me and led me forward. I sighed in relief and followed.
The other wolf watched me warily. I climbed the stairs. He looked at me, hackles raised. "It's alright, Genesis. I'm here to help."
The other wolf, Terminus, leveled her gaze at her mate. He rose and came to me. His head was even with my chest. I put my hand in the fur at his shoulders and scratched him where I had before. He rolled his shoulders and turned toward me. His tail was up and I knew he was happy. He recognized me.
Terminus pushed against my back and I felt like I was truly returning home. Then they stepped away and down the steps. I watched them step outside. They had never done that before.
Navi whispered, "They trust you to protect the temple now."
I felt pride at their respect and turned toward the door. I pushed it open with my shoulder. Vines had overgrown and I heard them snap as they were pushed past their limit. Once inside, light from the door illuminated shadow. I saw large spiders crawl along the walls of the entrance hall.
I went to the next door and turned the handle. I knew what awaited me. The main hall of the temple where the four priestesses resided was my first home. The sisters had been my first family.
I opened the dusty door and walked in. Light filtered through the dust in the air. The four torches at the central altar were unlit. I called, "Sario?"
A chill breeze filled the hall. I put a hand to my face for protection. When it died down, I saw contorted apparitions appear by the altar.
"Priestess!" I called, running forward.
They didn't look at me. One by one, they wandered and disappeared through the labyrinthine passages of the temple. I ran after one of them. "Joelle, wait!"
She went through the wall. I charged through the door nearest and turned. She was gone. I paused to catch my breath. "What's… wrong with them?"
Navi shook his head. "They are cursed. Something has happened to the foundation of this temple. They are going to wander restlessly for all eternity unless you do something."
I nodded. "Right. Maybe if I can sanctify their graves, they will be able to help me."
I turned in the direction of Joelle's burial site. In the halls were many pictures. I knew them all by heart. They were of the priestesses when they were alive. What Zelda said was true. People from all over the world would come here to worship. But the priestesses had never told me why they stopped.
I stopped at a particularly beautiful picture of Joelle. Her long red hair and angled eyes betrayed her foreign heritage. Each of the priestesses looked different. In fact, they weren't related at all. But in their service to the goddess, they found family, like I had found family in them. I had to save their souls from damnation.
I came to a room with blank walls. At the end, a stone casket lay sealed. Time had worn away the edges and all that remained was one solid block. I approached cautiously.
As I put a hand on the cool stone, I heard sobbing. I turned. The disfigured form of Joelle sat in the corner. I asked, "Who did this to you?"
She wailed and answered, "Do not mock me, you, who act blameless! You do not know what you speak."
I couldn't believe she was talking to me. She resumed her crying. I took a step toward her. "What do I have to do to help you?"
Joelle stood her frayed red dress transparent. "You would help me? You would end this suffering?"
I nodded. "Tell me what must be done."
Joelle stood still. A chill ran down my spine. After an endless pause, she turned a maniacal smile toward me. "KILL ME!"
She lunged for my throat and I drew the master sword. I expected it to go through her, but I connected. She fell aside and disappeared. I watched the room, waiting. Where had she gone?
All was silent. I whispered, "Joelle?"
The sound of bells warned me. I blocked her and stabbed. Joelle slumped and looked at my sword. When she looked at me, she smiled. "Thank you." White smoke rose, leaving a shining red light. "The war of the past is the cause of current prejudices. Do not let our actions from that time stop you. Forgive me, Link."
Joelle's spirit left the room and her voice faded. I said, "You're forgiven."
Navi led the way back to main chamber. There was no way forward, not without the help of a tool. "Follow me."
I went deep into the temple to where the coffers of the priestesses had been kept. Inside was what I needed. I reached inside the chest and pulled out the bow and quiver. Twenty arrows spun with cobwebs littered the bottom.
"That's a fairy bow! How'd it get here?"
I tipped my head. "What do you mean?"
I used the strap to secure it to my waist. The feathers were just at the right height for easy retrieval at my back. Navi explained, "That bow was used by a great warrior. She was a champion of the fairies. Legends say that she was exalted upon her death and raised to a position of respect amongst the goddesses."
"But that doesn't explain why it's here." I looked at the engravings in a language I couldn't read. "Navi, can you translate this?"
I held the bow up for her. "May your arrows fly swift and your hand never falter."
I slid the bow into the holster beside the quiver. It hung low on my hip behind me, but wouldn't be in the way. It would also be easy to draw in an emergency.
I walked to the next grave entrance and aimed an arrow at the trigger mechanism. I proceeded to Amy's grave. Vases of dried and dead flowers lined the halls. Their petals a macabre reminder of the time I had spent here.
I reached the casket, a block of stone similar to Joelle's. Amy sat on top of it. She pulled at imaginary petals on a petrified stem. She looked up. "Oh, you're not him."
Amy seemed slightly off, but more talkative than Joelle had been. "Who are you waiting for?"
Amy smiled at the ceiling. "He is everything I need to live. He said he would come for me at the full moon. She would bring him to meet me. Our ceremony before the goddess… The fairy girl promised me."
I felt a twinge of apprehension. She must mean the champion Navi had described. She looked at me and her eyes travelled to my waist. She smiled brighter. "Fairy girl, have you brought him?"
Malone's nickname for me turned my blood to ice as she spoke it. I took a step back. "Amy, I don't know who you're talking about."
Her expression soured. "Liar! You promised me!"
She leapt off the crypt at me. I flipped backwards, connecting my foot with her chin. She flew backwards and landed in a heap. Her green dress pooled around her as she stood and advanced. "I hate liars. I kill everyone who lies to me!"
She disappeared. I hesitated. A clawed hand grabbed hold of the front of my tunic and lifted me off the ground. Amy's face shriveled and decayed before my eyes and she screamed. She threw me across the room and I hit the wall with a thud.
I flinched on the floor as a jar hit the wall and shattered upon me. Cold gripped my throat and Amy was choking me. I gasped and struggled to reach my weapons. My hand hit the quiver and I clutch at the shaft of an arrow. Swinging my arm, I plunged the head into her neck.
Amy screamed and flew back. I coughed the dusty air, but I'm alive. Navi targeted her and I climbed to my feet, drawing the master sword.
She wrenched the arrow free and tossed it aside. I set my stance as she charged one last time. I spun away, my blade catching her middle. Amy ricocheted away. I turned as she disappeared in a vapor of smoke.
"He betrayed us. The fairy girl knew and I didn't believe her. I never meant for anyone to get hurt. I'm sorry, Link."
My breath caught in my throat as I recovered from the fight. This is much harder than I remembered. I voiced as much to Navi.
Navi landed on my shoulder, hands pressed to my neck. "You still need to get used to your state. Fighting as a child was everything you trained for."
After a quick break, I continued through the temple searching for the sisters. Navi asked, "Where would the others be?"
I shook my head. "Sario told me that they had no graves. Their bodies were lost. But Beth liked the library."
I led the way. It took all my strength to open the door, but I'm not disappointed. Beth in her blue gown sat in a chair by a ruined table. Scrolls so dry they would disintegrate when touched were piled behind her. She watched with unseeing eyes.
I took hesitant steps toward her. "Beth?" She looked at me. Trails lined her cheeks. "Can you tell me what's happening?"
"Look at all these corpses." She gestured to the barren ground around her feet. "All these children I couldn't save. Oh Goddess what have I done? It's entirely my fault! I couldn't keep them safe!"
Beth collapsed and disappeared. I heard her wail from my right. A knife appeared by my side. I back-stepped as Beth reappeared before me. "You demon! How could you kill them!"
I drew my sword. Talking hadn't gotten me anywhere with her sisters. "I would kill them again!"
Navi gave me a wild look from where he hovered near Beth. Her face twisted. "You barbarians! Demons! Beasts! May the Goddess never forgive you for bringing ruin unto this temple!"
Had this temple been under attack by people, and the children inside murdered? Was that what I had never been told? But the fairy champion? How did she play into this?
Beth spun, her legs coming up and catching me in the chest. Navi screamed, "Watch out!"
I quit daydreaming and concentrated on the fight. Beth disappeared again. The pat of dry feet came from my left and I sidestepped, putting my shield in place. The dagger caught the top and I stabbed beneath the shield. Beth let out a cry of pain.
"How could you betray her? You loved her! The fairy girl was right! You are worse than nothing! I'll make sure you rot in hell for what you've done!"
Beth appeared before me, both hands on the dagger's hilt. She plunged down at me. I stabbed upwards. She froze, her arms dropping. She dissolved in a wisp of smoke.
"Link… I know there was nothing I could do to save them. The goddess's will is done. They are in peace. Please don't tell the Kokiri about their past lives."
As she disappeared, the pieces began to fall in place. The temple had been attacked. The fairy champion was the protector of the temple. Children had taken shelter. But even they weren't spared. And Amy had known the person responsible.
I fell against the wall. Bile rose in my throat. "Oh god, Navi. Why wasn't I told? This is why the Kokiri never leave. The world is beyond horrific. What have I stumbled into?"
"Remember Joelle. She wants you to move on. Look at how the world has changed." Navi was shaking. With anger or repulse I couldn't tell.
I swallowed hard. "I will try."
After several steadying breaths, I exited to the main hall. I wiped at my eyes. Was I one of the children who had died here centuries ago? The idea haunted me all the way back to the main hall.
Weeping filled the chamber. Dark energy swirled at the epicenter. I drew my sword and put two hands on the hilt. I stepped forward slowly. Meg was kneeling, her face in her hands. My feet were silent, but she turned to me.
"My sisters. You've killed my sisters!" Meg stood, her hands and legs spread wide. The elaborate violet headdress flared with energy around her shoulders. "I will make sure you never leave this place! Your souls will be entombed here, never to rest. Your bones will grind to dust and blow to all corners of the world!"
A blast of numbing cold emanated from her core. Navi fell to the ground unable to fly. His light dimmed as Meg split into four copies of herself.
"Navi!" My voice cracked as I yelled. I drew my sword and lunged.
The image of Meg I stabbed disappeared. I felt piercing pain hit my back and screamed. Meg glowed brighter as she collected her energy into the attack. I rolled forward and turned. Her afterimage burned into my eyes before she split again.
I looked at them, trying to spot the real one. It was impossible! I stabbed again. My blade hit true. Meg screamed as I drove forward. I could feel the skin on my fingertips peeling and my lips cracked from the strength of her magic.
Meg threw her hands wide and I was sent flying. I hit my head as I rolled across the floor. I slowly stood, touching my head gingerly. Sticky blood was matted in my hair. It began to run down the side of my face and into my eyes.
"I will end your spirit! You will cease entirely, you creature of hell!" Meg screamed again, threatening to bring the remains of the temple down on us.
I looked at Navi dormant on the floor. The Master Sword fell from my hand. Of its own, I watched as I drew the Fairy Bow. The image of a woman in armor stood beside me, her hand over mine on the leather grip.
"My dear friend, may your arrows fly swift and your hand never falter."
She stood behind me, her guiding words landing upon my pointed ears. My hand shook as I drew an arrow. As if entranced, I knocked the shaft and pulled back the string. She put a palm across the back of my hand and I released.
The arrow flew in slow motion. I watched it hit Meg in the chest. She fell back from the impact and landed on the stairs. She tried to stand. I fell forward onto my knees. If she came again, I wouldn't be able to stop her. The woman in armor walked across to her. She crouched down and put a hand on Meg's chest.
"I need to kill-" Meg sputtered.
The woman in armor shook her head. "It is time to move on. We don't belong in this world anymore. You can be free."
Meg looked over at me, her face clearing for the first time and seeing me for who I was. "Link? What have I done? Link!"
She stood and ran to me, her ghostly hands wrapping around my head and chest. She held me upright. "Oh Goddess, whatever grace I have, let it pass to her! Forgive me!"
A breath of fresh wind blew through the temple and I gasped as I felt my energy return. I fell forward onto my hands and knees. When I looked up, Meg and the woman in armor were gone. I frantically searched for Navi amidst the rubble.
I found him and cupped his tiny body in my hands. "Navi, speak to me! Navi!"
His wings fluttered and he opened his eyes. "Is she gone?"
I sat back and tears fell from my eyes. I wailed for no coherent reason I could tell. But I felt like I had lost my family again. "Navi, why does it hurt?"
I cradled him to my chest. They were gone, the priestesses and the fairy champion. She had helped me. She must have been with me all along. But she was gone now, and I had never even known her name.
"Link, look."
I turned my tear streaked face to see a door open in the floor. A spiral staircase wound into the ground. I slowly stood, my legs wobbling beneath me. Navi flew up and I retrieved my sword. I leaned on the stairs as I descended.
At the base, a door led to a room I hadn't known existed. It opened with surprising ease. Inside, pictures of a woman in front of a town I did not recognize rose above a gilded casket. I put a hand on the petrified wood. Was this the resting place of the woman in armor?
"I'll admit it, kid. You've impressed me."
I turned to see the Gerudo queen of evil standing before me. I held the Master Sword before me, but I felt weak.
Guinan smirked. "You've still got guts, girl. I have to respect that. But this tomb will be your own. I can't allow you to continue your little adventure."
She raised a hand, her frayed great cloak falling off her shoulder. I could feel the magic come off her in waves. My eyes widened in fear. I was no match for her!
Guinan smiled sadly. "You would have been a worthy adversary."
Then she was gone. I gasped and searched for her when a noise behind me made me freeze. I turned to see the casket open. A withered hand slowly emerged, dry knuckles grabbing hold of the edge.
The embalmed body of the woman in armor crawled out of the box. A great sword was strapped to her waist. Sunken eyes honed in on where I stood. Navi glowed brighter, his holy light stalling the phantom. Then she drew her sword and paced evenly to me.
The Master Sword began to outshine Navi. I was reminded of the lost woods with Mida. Was the goddess giving me her blessing? I set my stance and held my sword with both hands. My hands mustn't falter. The woman had told me what to do. This creature wasn't her. I wouldn't be able to let her spirit rest with this phantom still alive.
I shouted a battle cry and ran at it. She met my blade, a clang filled the tomb as I back-stepped and swung again. My blade sliced upwards, cutting along her chest and shoulder. I shouted again and swung down.
I reacted again and again. My blood cries were the only thing I heard besides the pounding of my heart in my ears. The phantom fell and I hacked down. Its head rolled from its shoulders. The body fell and lay still before dissolving into sand.
I was panting as I took a step back. Navi hovered behind me, his glow nothing compared to the gleam of the Master Sword. I watched as it faded back to normal. A beam of light appeared in the center of the floor and a heart container rested inside the casket.
I grabbed hold and watched as the life fluid ran over and up my arm. As I turned to leave, another glint caught my eye. I reached inside the casket to see a necklace with the image of a tree hanging from it. Tears stung my eyes as I realized who the woman in armor had been.
I choked back new grief and stepped into the light, the necklace of the woman in armor around my throat.
I blinked as I saw I was in the sacred realm. Rauru stood to the left shoulder of a familiar face. Sario smiled sheepishly up at me. I ran forward and fell to my knees, hugging him.
He laughed. "Hey there, silly girl. You kept me waiting." I sat back on my knees. Sario continued, "I'm sorry I wasn't there waiting for you. I always believed you would come back, someday. You don't have to explain yourself. I know you. You did everything you could have done. I'm so proud of you, Link. And I can't keep you here long. There are still others who need your help." Sario held out his hand. "I want you to take my strength. Let it be comfort when you have need. And remember, I will always be your friend."
I held his hand in both of mine as the chamber fell away.
I opened my eyes as the light faded. I was in the Deku Tree's grove. A tiny plant was pushing up through the grass. I leaned forward, curious. The ground shook and I dived backwards with a shout. A squat tree with three leaves sprouting from the top emerged. It had dark eyes and a smiling mouth. Twigs waved like arms at me where I lay on my back.
"Hello! I am the Deku Tree Sprout!"
"The Deku Tree?" I asked in amazement.
"I am able to grow now that you removed the curse on the forest. I am the new guardian of the Kokiri."
It was so happy, I couldn't help but smile. "Deku Sprout, thank you. I can leave knowing the children will be safe."
"Wait, Link. Before you go, there is something I need to tell you. It concerns your past. No doubt, you've been confused about your current state." The plant eyed me and I knew it meant my adult form. It continued, "The Deku Tree had wanted to tell you herself, but I can convey her message. This is as much as I can do for you."
Everything went dark. No… the sun had set. It was night? I blinked up at the Deku Tree. She was alive and breathing. Sario lounged on an exposed root playing an ocarina. I realized I was in a memory.
The Deku Tree shivered and the trees at the edge of the glade shook with her. Sario asked, "What's wrong?"
"A trespasser has found their way beneath my boughs."
Sario sat up quickly, his note ending high. "Are we safe?"
"Fret not, child. I sense no danger as of yet."
They waited patiently. After several hours, the birds were startled from their perches. A woman stumbled into the clearing. She held a bundle to her chest. Her head was wrapped in a scarf, but blonde hair escaped to cover her eyes.
She stumbled and fell, careful of her precious belonging. A wail began to emit from the cloth and she comforted it even as she cried in pain. "Shh, little one."
Sario watched from his perch on a low branch. The woman hadn't noticed she had an audience. She crawled to the base of the Deku Tree and placed the child in a hollow. She glanced around, as if waiting for something. When nothing happened, she covered her face and wept.
"Why are you crying?"
The woman startled. Sario emerged in the moonlight. He asked again, "Why are you crying?"
The woman asked fearfully, "Are you the guardian of the forest?"
"Why hath thou entered these woods?"
The woman jumped back and gasped in wonder at the tree. "I…I…"
The child was still whimpering slightly and Sario watched it curiously. The woman noticed and knelt protectively before it. "I was told to bring my child here. She was in danger. The war, it was reaching too far. I couldn't protect her. I had a dream. The Goddesses… I was told she would be safe here. Lino- Kah!"
She gripped her side in pain. Sario reached out a hand but pulled back when he saw the blood. The woman's face was damp with tears. "Please, I ask nothing for me. Protect my daughter."
The woman fell gracefully. The Deku Tree caught her against her roots. Her scarf fell away to reveal beautiful features and pointed ears. Sario went to the crying child and picked her up. Almost immediately the crying ceased. Sario looked up to the tree.
"Take the child in thine arms and watch over her this night."
"What about her mother?"
The Deku Tree wore a sad expression. "She is already gone to the sacred sisters. I will inter her. Return upon the sun's arrival and we will decide what is to become of the babe."
The glade changed. I watched as the tree lifted her roots and guided the woman's body into the depression beneath. New growth began to cover her. I saw her impression take form on the bark. I lightly touched her face, so like my own. I blinked and the sun had risen.
Sario entered the grove. The baby, I, was in his arms. He walked up to the tree beside me. He touched the bark over the grave of the woman. "What should we do?"
"The fact that this woman was able to walk within the forest speaks for itself. This child has a great destiny. We will raise her as our own. Her name is Link, for that is what her mother called her."
"What do I tell the others?"
"Nothing. It has been some time since the Kokiri were born. Most will have forgotten. Raise Link deep in the forest, at the temple. When she has no memories of her previous life, we will introduce her to the other children."
Sario nodded, and the vision ended.
I blinked up in surprise. I was crying. The Sprout explained, "You are all grown up because you are not a Kokiri. You are Hylian, born from a woman fleeing an all consuming war. You were never meant to stay in the forest. Your destiny is to save Hyrule."
I stood up slowly and went to the base of the fossilized Deku Tree. I looked up into her pensive face. She had protected me for this reason when all rites said I should have perished with my mother. I noticed a trio of flowers growing from the dirt among the stones. I gently plucked them and moved them to the base of the Deku Tree. As I buried their roots, a face in the bark caught my eye.
My mother's grave looked exactly as it had seventeen years ago.
I stood up and said a small prayer to the Goddesses. Then I turned to the Sprout. "Thank you for showing me this."
I ran. I had to know who she had been. I wasn't ready to face the fact that I probably would never find out.
Meaning heavy plot. I don't know what will happen at the other temples, but I felt compelled to explain the origin of the poe sisters and the kokiri. I hope I didn't deviate too much. What do ya think of Guinan? I don't know what her character will be but she is changed from the character seven years previous. We'll just have to see how far it stretches, muahahaha.
Please read and review. I don't know how everyone feels about this. It's been a while since I received feedback.
And that's the end of the edited section.
