Chapter 8: Fierce Deity
Rusl walked over to Link and looked at him. "So, we're going to see Faron next right?"
"Yes; then we go to see Eldin."
Ilia voiced a question. "Where's Eldin's Spring at then?"
Link turned to her. "His spring is in Kakariko Village."
"Alright. Let's go."
Zelda climbed onto Epona's back, and they set off in the direction of Faron Woods. "How long will it take to get to Faron's spring?" She asked.
Link turned to look back at her. "At the speed we're going? At least a day. At most, a day and a half."
Zelda nodded and they continued to follow him. They continued onward, stopping at one point to eat. Eventually however, Link's sharp ears caught the sound of rustling undergrowth. He stopped moving and looked around, drawing Ilia and the others attention.
Ilia walked over to him. "Link? What's wrong?" He quickly shushed her and motioned for the others to be quiet, Zelda got down from Epona and slowly made her way over to him, closely followed by Rusl.
Zelda looked at Link, wondering what he sensed.
At her questioning look, he quickly whispered under his breath to everyone. "Something is coming. It sounds big."
They all nodded and drew their weapons as Link did too. He looked around, wondering it was that he heard. Suddenly, the rustling intensified and from out of the surrounding woods burst a large group of Shadow Goblins, closely followed by three Shadow Beasts. Zelda's eyes widened and looked at Link, who nodded and started fighting them.
He and Rusl leaped forward together and each took down a Goblin with a single strike, Zelda's arrow found it's mark in the throat of another Goblin while Ilia hung back, ready to provide healing aid in the event that one of them was injured. Link swung the Master Sword, stabbing the goblins in the chests and beheading them one by one. He fought ferociously, thinning their ranks as he and the others fought their enemy. The Shadow Beasts kept coming, also but soon the group found themselves outnumbered. Link finally killed the final Goblin, but he didn't notice the Shadow Beast bearing down at him.
Ilia however, saw it and shouted a warning that came too late. "Link! Behind you!"
Link heard her as the Shadow Beast knocked him to the ground. He managed to roll over, but the Shadow Beast held him down with one hand, raising the other above his head. He yelled in pain as the Shadow Beast clawed at his chest, wounding him. Suddenly, a glow surrounded Link and he began to change, growing taller. Marks appeared on his body, and a mask formed on his face. Link passed into unconsciousness as another entity awoke in his mind and took control.
Rusl, Ilia, and Zelda stopped fighting and looked at him in shock. The transformed Link threw the Shadow Beast from him and rose to his feet. His now pure white eyes locked onto the Shadow Beast and he advanced upon it even as armor appeared upon him and the Master Sword glowed, transforming into a large Double Helix Sword. He raised the sword above his head and swung it at the Shadow Beast, killing it with one blow. He turned and looked at the other Shadow Beasts, then walked toward them, his face remained expressionless as he cut down each one.
As the last Shadow Beast dispersed into particles, he turned to the others, who were still frozen. Ilia slowly stepped forward. "L-Link? Are you...alright?"
He looked at her. "I am not Link; he is unconscious but fine."
Zelda, along with the others, was in shock. Midna had even come out of Link's shadow and stared at him with a look of awe on her face.
"If you're not Link...who are you?" Midna asked.
He paused, not at all shocked by Midna's appearance. "Some call me the Fierce Deity. I will help you all in your quest."
Rusl started. "You know of our quest?"
"Yes, Link's memories are my memories as well," the Fierce Deity said, and paused. "I am going to give control to Link now; he has been unconscious this whole time, so he doesn't know of what has happened."
The Fierce Deity closed his eyes. A bright glow shone and when it faded, Link was back in control. Link however, was still unconscious. He swayed and began to collapse. Rusl jumped forward and caught him.
"Is he okay?" Zelda asked.
Rusl nodded his head and sighed. "That Shadow Beast clawed his chest bad, but he'll be fine after a few days rest."
Zelda sighed in relief. "What was that Fierce Deity thing about? Does Link have a split personality?"
Ilia looked thoughtful. "I don't really think that's the way to describe him. He seemed like a completely different person. If that is the case though, its reassuring to know that he's on our side."
"That's true," Midna said, and looked at Link. "We should stay here until Link recovers and resume our quest later."
Zelda smiled and then thought about the Fierce Deity. How and why had he taken up residence in Link? This was very intriguing. Midna suddenly remembered the conversation she and Link had had just after Ganondorf had attacked them, about why he hadn't been forced into his wolf form by Ganondorf's dark power. She flew over to Zelda.
"I have a theory," she said. "A few days ago after the fight with Ganondorf, Link told me that he wasn't forced to turn into a wolf by Ganondorf. I think the Fierce Deity may have prevented the transformation somehow."
Zelda looked at her curiously. "That's...interesting."
Midna nodded and looked back at Link, hoping he would be okay. They would have to ask him about the Fierce Deity when he woke up. They made camp and Ilia tended to Link's wounds as Epona once again stood vigil by her master. Rusl stood guard and Zelda got some sleep.
Midna came out of Link's shadow and looked at Ilia. "How long do you think Link will be unconscious?"
She sighed. "Any normal person would be unconscious for at least two days, but Link? He'll probably be awake by tomorrow."
The imp nodded and went back into Link's shadow. Ilia frowned, hoping that Link would be all right. Eventually, Rusl made her go to bed, but he couldn't get Epona to move, he stopped trying after she nearly took his hand. Link slept peacefully through the night, and as the sun rose, he stirred. He groaned and sat up, looking around in confusion. Everyone was staring at him, and it was making him feel uncomfortable.
"Um...guys? Why are you staring at m-"
He stopped mid sentence as a voice suddenly spoke in his mind. That would be because of me.
The Fierce Deity appeared next to Link and he looked at him in shock. Link stared at the Fierce Deity, wondering if he was seeing things.
"Wh-Who are you?" he stammered. Zelda looked at him.
"Link?" she asked.
He ignored her, and continued to look at the Fierce Deity, who smiled and began to speak.
"Don't be alarmed, Link, you're not seeing things. I am the Fierce Deity, and I am an ally."
Link swallowed. "Er...Nice to meet you." The Fierce Deity nodded. Link was wondering how he was here. "So...how are you here? And what did you mean by 'That would be because of me'?"
"I'm an entity that has taken up residence in your mind, and I saved you last night. A Shadow Beast was about to kill you, but I took over and killed it and the other Shadow Beasts. When I took over, you took on my appearance," the Fierce Deity explained.
Link was astonished. He gulped and nodded, then continued asking questions. "So, you're on our side? Are you going to help us on our quest?" Link didn't seem to notice the others staring at him.
The Fierce Deity nodded. "Yes to both questions."
He was confused. Why had the Fierce Deity taken refuge inside Link? It was interesting but Link needed an explanation. "Why did you take refuge in me?"
"I don't really know myself. I just awoke recently to find myself within your mind," he said.
Link blinked. "So you don't know yourself? What caused you to awaken anyway?"
"That Dark Energy that ripped your Dark side from you, I absorbed most of it, and it allowed me to awaken."
Link's eyes widened. So that's why I didn't transform into a wolf... He smiled and nodded his head in thanks. "Well...thanks for that, and for saving me."
The Fierce Deity smiled. "You're welcome Link." He gave a small smirk. "By the way, your friends are looking at you like you've gone insane." He vanished and Link looked back at his in embarrassment and gulped.
"Have you gone insane?" Zelda asked.
Link smirked and shook his head. "No. I was just talking to Fierce Deity, couldn't you see him?"
They all shook their heads, and Link sighed.
The Fierce Deity spoke from his mind. Oops. Sorry, I forgot to mention that only you can see me.
Link replied with his thoughts dryly. Thanks.
He got up and stretched and looked at them, ready to go. They nodded, and continued on their way.
