Chapter Ten:
By the Moon and Stars
The dark passageway was drenched from yesterday's storm. A horrible stench wafted from the depths, and the squeaking of rats echoed in the distance. I crept along through the secret tunnel on my hands and knees, trying not to think about what I was crawling through. Tatl led the way, her tiny body effortlessly navigating the tight space ahead. The fairy's shimmering glow provided some illumination in the darkness, but the far-reaching shadows seemed to absorb what little light she produced.
I had been wriggling through the claustrophobic tunnel system for what felt like an hour. The path was such a tight space that I doubted my normal body would have fit within it. But because of my now feminine physique, I was much thinner, though I had sadly lost a lot of muscle mass. So dragging myself through the tiny passages was grueling work.
My uncovered fingers suddenly touched something damp and furry, and I retched in sheer disgust as it squeaked angrily and scuttled away.
"How are you doing back there?" Tatl echoed ahead me.
"I'm...urgh..fine." I grunted, my knees were starting to ache and bruise from extended contact with the wet, hard stone of the crawlspace.
"Ok...hang in there, I think I see a light just up ahead." Tatl muttered.
"Unngh, good…. Hopefully that means more space. I really need to stand up, not to mention this place is pretty gross."
Tatl scoffed, but sure enough, I saw a torch flickering like a beacon in the darkness ahead. I felt the ground beneath me gently begin to slope into a shallow decline, and I slid down toward the light. The space around me finally expanded out into a large corridor. I stood up, shaking moisture and mud off of my hands, and placed them upon my noticeably wider hips. I stretched my cramping spine and sighed with relief, and bent down to massage my sore knees.
"Feel better?" Tatl jested. "That looked like a really tight fit for you. Just think! You would have gotten stuck in there with your old body, haha!"
"Oh yes...just hilarious! Keep laughing and I'll cram you inside a bottle, and maybe even sell you to someone just to get relief from such funny jokes." I grumbled and straightened out.
Tatl feigned a hurt expression, "Hey now! I'm just saying, this new body of yours seems to be coming in handy! Be glad that your form has it's uses!"
"Look, as long as I turn back I'll be happy." I clasped my hands to the newly formed breasts."I'd rather not have these, thank you very much! Besides...", I added, lowering my hands. "I wouldn't even be down here had I been in my true form. I could have just gone through the front gates!"
"Ughhh, whatever...Let's just get going. You're no fun." Tatl shook her tiny head and began fluttering further down the corridor.
"I can say I'll have more fun when I get out of this smelly sewer!", I called after her. Cringing as I listened to my feminine voice echo down the tunnels.
The earth suddenly began to tremble once more, and I braced myself against the stone walls, trying to stay on my feet. When the quaking ended, I slowly exhaled, releasing a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Link! We don't have time for you to powder your face! Get a move on!", Tatl shouted out, still moving towards the torchlight.
I swear I'm going to pull her wings off… I thought as I scowled and shook my head, trailing after the aggravating fairy.
I plodded on for a few more meters, stopping at the edge of a waterway. I watched as the tiny streams of water around me flowed over the edge into the deep pool. The torch we saw ahead of us was set upon a cubic stone island, projecting from the middle of the fetid pool of sewage. It only looked a short distance away, but still further than I've ever tried to jump before. Tatl was waiting, hovering above the island.
"C'mon! Just hop across, it's not that far!" Tatl twinkled over the block.
Well, I've come all this way, I told myself. I can't turn back now!
I stepped a few paces back, then charged forward with a burst of speed! I launched from the edge with surprising grace, and was astounded at the distance I covered. In fact, I almost overshot the island! But I landed nimbly on my feet, although hurting my bouncy chest on impact, and looked back at the edge. That was probably the furthest leap that I had ever made!
"Nice job! For once you're actually light on your feet!" Tatl praised. "Think you can make it to the other side?"
Tatl pointed to the other end of the water. I looked over, seeing the same grey stonework as the rest of the tunnel system. The corridor led to a sharp, left turn down another tunnel. Another torch flickered in the far corner, casting shadows that danced along the stone floor. I nodded, turning back to Tatl.
"Yeah, I think I'll be able to jump over."
"OK, I'll go on ahead and wait for you." Tatl chimed and flew across the pool.
Tatl paused by the torch to make sure I successfully made the jump. I prepped my legs, wanting to try something new, and dashed forward once again. Springing off the island ledge like an arrow launched from a bow, I pulled myself into a crouch and twisted forward, flipping through the air. My deer hide boots softly landed near the edge of the water and I laughed victoriously!
"Pfft...show off." Tatl muttered. "Let's move on before you hurt yourself."
I rolled my eyes and waved her comment away, continuing through the dark, stone corridors. Coming around the corner at the end of the hall, I saw more flickering shadows, glinting along the far walls. We advanced closer and another room came into view, brightly lit and inviting. A large square, cut through the stone by crude tools, served as the entrance. Quietly stepping up to the illuminated chamber, I peeked through the carved entryway.
Several large wooden crates were stacked against the left wall of the room. Piles of carpets and rugs were strewn about, along with various toys and a few books. The chamber was lit by a half-dozen torches, and sketches of finger paint covered the walls. A ladder rose at the far end of the room, leading to yet another hallway.
I moved into the room some paces, but stopped when I heard a burst of loud snoring. I quickly signaled for Tatl to do the same, and began looking side to side in order locate the source. I noticed four boys, of various ages, sleeping among the rug and blanket piles. The snoring was coming from a plump kid wearing a blue outfit. He was rolled over on his belly, and had the number "five" stitched to the back of his shirt. This must have been the Bomber's hideout!
I made sure to be extra cautious as I snuck around the makeshift beds, doubting that the snoozing bombers would take kindly to a so-called girl discovering their sacred home. I was grateful that my new boots were made from a light material, since my other boots weren't nearly so silent.
After a painstakingly slow tiptoe across the room, I finally made it to the ladder. Tatl floated to the top, and I quickly followed after her. Climbing the vertical ladder wasn't difficult, and I hoisted myself up onto the ledge. I checked below to see if we woke anyone. The gang members were still fast asleep, and I was glad that they wouldn't be any further trouble. I turned away and we headed toward our goal.
The corridor we passed through next was clean, and well illuminated. From the looks of the freshly lit candles and light scuffs along the stone floor, it was also apparently well traveled. I walked on with freshly determined excitement. I felt that I was finally making progress, after days of nightmarish hardships! I was so anxious to end this curse!
The passage ended in a small antechamber. It was stocked with various lab equipment, and a recliner that sat beside a table shelf filled with books. On the right side of the room was a flight of blue, wooden stairs that spiraled upwards.
"Uhhh….hey Link," Tatl stopped. "Just go on without me. I think I'm going to stay here…"
"What?... Why?", I paused at the bottom of the curving stairwell. Tatl had a look of guilt and regret twisted on her face.
"Ummmm….well...while I was with the Skull Kid, we may have messed with the astronomer's stuff, and the crazy old man may have tried to set us on fire…..look, I don't want to discuss it. Just go and I'll wait here for you."
"Hey you'll be ok! Just don't try to break his stuff and you'll be fine!" Tatl quickly added, seeing the doubt in my eyes.
I groaned and started to climb the steps, a bit on edge after hearing Tatl's tale. I really didn't want to deal with a crazy old man, but I pushed on ahead despite my apprehension. I was too close to finding the Skull Kid.
Upon reaching the top of the stairwell, I paused to take in the view of the strange Star Chamber. Images of swirling stars and moons, gliding around and overlapping each other, were projected onto the curved, indigo ceiling by a large cylindrical object centered in the complex. The object looked like a massive scope, and rose from a center platform, ascending through the roof to face the open skies. The raised platform directly below the scope gave access to it's lens. Around the chamber, drawings of planets and stars lined the walls, with illegible handwriting scrawled over each of the pages.I was all too happy to see a door leading outside amidst the drawings, I hated going through those damned tunnels. If I ever had to do it again it would be way too soon! But I was getting off track, and got back to work in finding the help I desperately needed.
In the center of the raised platform, standing directly underneath the large scope, was an old, bearded man dressed in blue robes looking through the lens.
He must be the astronomer! I thought, and approached the platform with caution.
The elderly man kept on gazing through the scope. A worried expression wrinkled his face, and I hopped on top of the platform. The astronomer grunted and looked down at me in surprise.
"Oh! Hello there, young lady!" The old man greeted, "It's such a rare occasion that I am graced with the company of those such as yourself! My name is Reton. How might I help you?"
"Uhhhh...hi…" I muttered, cringing internally and unsure of how I should respond. "Umm….the Great Fairy sent me here. She said the moon would guide the way?"
"Mmm...Great Fairy, eh?", Reton stroked his beard in thought. "She must have a good reason for sending you here, so I'll focus in on that diresome moon for you. I do hope you will find what you seek."
He turned his attention back to the lens and fiddled with knobs and buttons until he nodded in satisfaction. "Alright. Come and look into the telescope."
I walked up to the...telescope? And peered through the lens. The old man had precisely focused the moon through the lens for me. I closely examined the craggy surface, but was unable to find the Skull Kid.
"How would I move this thing around?" I inquired, needing to modify the view.
"Oh, well this knob pulls the telescope left and right," He pointed his bony fingers to the respective controls. "And these buttons, here, zoom in and out."
I thanked him and continued my search. I pushed the respective button to zoom out, getting a larger view of the moon and the town right below it. I noticed that the sun was now brightly shining in the blue sky, and over halfway to its noontime apex. Crawling through those tunnels must have taken longer than I thought! I moved the telescope to look over the town. The high walls prevented me from seeing the majority of Clock Town, but everything I did see sparked in the sunlight, due to yesterday's cleansing rainstorm.
I maneuvered the telescope over the entire area, trying to get a good look at the world outside the town. I saw snow-covered mountains rise high in the distance, behind the town. The mountains joined with an open sea to the west, and dry desert canyons to the east. I couldn't see anything lower than the town walls, as dense trees blocked the view. But despite my survey of the land, I still couldn't find anything. I thought back to what Tatl had said a few days ago. The Skull Kid could travel between realms...if that was true, would he still even be in this world? I sighed and turned away from the lens.
The astronomer must have heard and asked in concern.
"My dear, what's the matter? Did you not find what you were looking for?"
"No, I couldn't find anything…" I dejectedly replied.
"Well, what might you be looking for? Maybe I could be of some help?"
I didn't really want to tell the old man, but I could use the expert help. The Great Fairy seemed to trust him. So I decided to rely on her wisdom, told Reton about my search for the Skull Kid.
"I'm looking for a masked skull kid. He stole something precious from me, and I desperately need it back."
"Wait...skull kid? You mean the Skull Kid that has been causing trouble all over Termina? The Skull Kid who tried to destroy my laboratory?!", Reton answered, his voice rising in anger.
"Yeah, I think so. Do you think you know where he is?"
Reton grasped his long beard and hummed in thought. His old eyes suddenly lit up...
"No, but I may have a theory. Have you noticed how the moon seems to be looking down at a specific point?", The elder moved toward the lens.
I shuffled aside, letting him see into the telescope lens. "No, not really, I hadn't thought about it until now."
"I hadn't either, but then it occurred to me. That dreadful imp has recently found an object of immense power, and he's been using it to cause chaos all over the realm. Maybe, he's using this power to control our moon as well? And if the Skull Kid is causing the moon to fall, then the moon's new, fearsome gaze must be a clue!"
Reton toggled the knobs for a few moments. Then, pushing on the zoom controls, he suddenly exclaimed in victory, and backed away from the lens once more.
"Ah yes! I think I found his hiding place! Haha!"
I jumped to the lens as the old man moved over, and looked through the device. This time, the astronomer had moved the view to look at the moon's red-eyed glare. As I observed, Reton moved the telescope to follow the moon's gaze. Taking it right to the top of the town clock tower….
"There he is!" I chittered gleefully. "The Skull Kid's on top of the clock tower!"
"Indeed he is, child.", Reton's bushy eyebrows rose in concern. "But what are you going to do? You should be fleeing! That moon will likely fall tomorrow morning, and you must escape to a place far from here!"
"I can't run from this. I….I need to stop him." I stepped back from the telescope. "It's the only chance I have to get my life back to normal… Why don't YOU run?"
"My life is almost at an end anyway, my dear girl. I'd rather die watching a beautiful, cosmic show of destruction, than gasping for a last breath of air on my deathbed."
I nodded, and understood how he felt. If I was going to die, I , too, would rather go out in a blaze of glory.
I said goodbye to the kindly old man, and started walking away towards the edge of the platform. Reton called out, and begged me to wait and listen to reason.
"If that wretched imp has the power to bring down the moon, what hope do you have of besting him, my dear?" He pleaded, "You wouldn't stand a chance, even with that magnificent bow slung on your back!"
I jumped down from the platform, pausing to answer. "Even if I don't succeed, I have to at least try."
The elderly man chuckled, "Well...I must admit. You have far more courage within you than most of the denizens of Termina, combined. I wish you the best of luck, child..."
I smiled and began making my way back down the winding stairs, now armed with the knowledge of Skull Kid's location.