In the end we had to rely on Corbet to get us out of the glass prison.

I was going to try just heating the glass with my fire again to melt it, but Navi assured me that if I did, that glass would explode and we would both die horrible and bloody deaths.

So I refrained.

Besides, I was starting to enjoy my little trips in the Shadow World, even if they did make me extremely nauseous and tired for Goddess knows what reason.

But the place reminded me a lot of the Twilight realm, only it was darker and apparently there are a lot more things that can kill you in the Shadow Realm.

Shadow magic was the main topic of discussion on our long walk through the desert back to the main part of Hyrule, since I didn't have Midna to just warp me out of there; we were forced to walk for two days of hell in the sun and heat during the day, and then the freezing cold during the night.

I never want to live in a desert.

Once we did make it back to Hylia Lake I made sure to take my 3 day break. Most of which included me sleeping by the water's edge, fishing, the occasional swim and trying to kill Corbet when he went skinny dipping in front of me on purpose.

Then after the three days were up, it was back to work.

The forest temple was the last one on the list and Navi pointed out to me that it was somewhere in the lost woods, so that's where we were headed now.

Clip clop clip clop

The sound of Epona's hooves hitting the gravel on the trail was like music to my ears compared to the shrilly voice of the glowing bug.

Navi is currently located in a bottle in one of my saddle bags, which is the reason I'm actually enjoying this long journey to the forest.

It might have something to do with the silence.

Thank the Goddesses for glass bottles.

I hear Corbet sigh behind me and his arms wrapped tighter around my waist. "I'm bored."

"Well then play a game or something to keep yourself occupied, I'm not stopping just to entertain you."

His grip tightened and I suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Well if you say so hero." This time his breath was in my ear and I jumped away from him.

"Entertain yourself in a way that doesn't involve me." I urged Epona into a canter, hoping that would keep him from trying anything else.

Corbet was pretty bad at horseback riding, so if I went any faster than a trot he had to hold on for dear life.

Instead of him doing just that though, I felt his hands at the buckle of my belt.

Oh hell no.

I sent Epona into a gallop and behind me I heard him laughing. He somehow managed to pull my tunic and chain mail up a bit so he could slip a hand in and feel up my stomach.

Damn creep, I knew letting him ride with me was going to end badly.

"Would you stop? That's very annoying!"

The hand continued to dance around, tracing the lines of my abs. I could feel my face heating up.

Since we were going so fast I had a hard time hearing his reply, but it sounded something like: "but I was bored, and now I'm not."

I pulled Epona into a quick stop and was rewarded with a yelp from behind me.

"If you don't fuck off you'll be walking the rest of the way." I turned my head to look at him, he merely offered me a shrug as the hand continued to move upward.

"Listen Corbet, I'm not in the mood and unless you're ready to lose a hand, I suggest you stop right now."

Epona snorted in annoyance and I couldn't agree with her more.

With another loud sigh, he removed his hand and grumbled something incoherent. "Fine, but when we're done this whole temple thing, I'm finishing what I started."

I shook my head and nudged Epona into a trot again. "You do realize that I'm not attracted to you in that way, right?"

"Oh I know, and that's why you were staring at me all those times I decided to take a dip in the lake." He nuzzled his cheek against mine and I resisted the urge to make a sudden turn to get him off. "Or all the times I bent over or the times I purposely flexed my arms in front of your face."

"I was staring because I felt it necessary to make documentations of your insanity so the doctors have something to work with when I bring you to the crazy hospital."

My damn stupid cheeks are turning red, I can feel it! So what if I looked? It's not a crime to look at another male's... well-formed body is it? I've looked at girls too, there's nothing wrong with it.

"Yeah sure thing hero, you say one thing, but your blush indicates otherwise." I felt his tongue lick my heated cheek and I growled in frustration.

I'm pretty sure I'll be the one in the crazy hospital by the time this quest is over.

I signaled for my horse to stop.

We were at the entrance to the cave that led to the poisoned filled swamp. Epona was afraid of the dark, so she wouldn't go through the tunnel. I didn't blame her; the rats are huge in there.

"So beyond this tunnel is the Lost Woods?" Corbet dismounted before me and held his arms open to help me down.

I ignored him and dismounted on my own, glaring at him as I unpacked a few things from the saddle bags. "Not exactly, it's a bit further in but we're pretty close.

After making sure we had a good food supply packed away in the magical bag of doom, and LOTS of water, I walked over to the cave entrance and peered inside.

"Looks dark in there, just the way I like it." Corbet said from behind me.

I felt a smack on my ass and let out a stream of curses, turning around to give him a death glare.

"I hope you're not scared of the dark, Link." He whispered into my ear.

"Not usually," I replied. "But if you're behind me the whole time, that will help change my mind pretty quick.

I was about to unsheathe my sword, but instead I collected some fire magic in my hand. This way, I can see in the dark and burn the ass off any monster that tried to attack me.

What can I say? Magic is turning out to be pretty awesome after all.

I quickly checked for the bottle that contained my fairy companion, and with one more glare sent in the direction of the perverted creep, I set off into the darkness.

"Is the body ready yet?"

"Yes, Rauru, now would you hold your horses for a sec?"

"Nabooru!"

"What? I'm just sayin..."

"Never mind. On to more important matters."

Ruto clapped her hands excitedly. "Are we reviving the hero's soul now?"

"Not yet Ruto, we must wait for the arrival of Saria first, then we will have the power to revive him."

"Well I hope that other Link hurries up! I want to have my wedding soon!"

All the sages sighed.

I observed the area in front of me, happy for once that I had gone through the whole 'save Hyrule' adventure.

I guess the poisonous swamp was wiped out with rest of the evil after I defeated Ganondorf, leaving behind nothing but a pure and rather beautiful lake.

Well at least I don't have to worry about dying of toxic air inhalation.

I jumped into the boat that was beside the small dock and sat on one side and readied the oars.

Corbet jumped in on the opposite side and almost fell out like the idiot he is. In the light I could see the bruises on his face from where I punched him.

He caught me staring and rubbed a slightly swollen cheek looking dejected.

"It's your own fault Corb, I warned you not to touch my ass again."

I turned the boat around and began paddling to the other side.

"Well maybe you shouldn't have such a nice ass then."

"How the hell...never mind." I rowed faster; trying to speed the trip up, it was bad enough that I had to look at him the entire time, but to listen to him make pervy comments too? Now way...

I had to stop for a few minutes to let Navi out. She was going berserk inside the bottle.

"What was that for? Why did you lock me in the bottle?"

"Because you were being annoying."

"Oh yeah, and what about your magic training?"

"I can use magic just fine..." I resisted the urge to call her mother again.

"Fine! See if I care when you get eaten by the next demon we fight! Where are we going anyway?!"

"You mentioned the lost woods, and I just happen to know where that is."

"Don't get lost!"

She landed on my shoulder and fell silent.

In front of me, Corbet was staring at the scenery, also very quiet.

So there is a god.

It didn't take as long as I thought it would make it to the other side, the silence helped, I don't get much of it these days...

I brought the boat up on the shore and tied it to the nearest tree so it didn't drift away.

Corbet could barely stand in the boat, let alone try to get out so with a sigh I wadded out into the water and held my arms open wide much like he had done to me earlier that day.

Only he didn't seem to mind being helped, he launched himself into my arms and I almost toppled over backwards into the water.

"Thank you for saving me." Corbet was looking up at me with that smirk that made my stomach start flipping around.

I was about to reply, but his mouth quickly covered mine and I felt my mind go blank.

"Aw! Look! Link rescued his princess!"

I released my hold on him and watched as he hit the water with a great splash.

Now that was satisfying.

Navi smashed into the back of my head. "Link! You're a jerk!"

Yeah, yeah, I know.

I waved her off as she flew at my head in an attempt to beat me up, but we both went silent at the sound of a twig snapping behind us.

I unsheathed my sword and spun, pointing the sword directly at the intruder's throat.

"Oh my! Fancy meeting you here!"

I was surprised to see that same guy I had met at the bar that night during the festival, the way too happy one with the black hair and blue eyes... What was his name? Zora? Zeke?

"It's me, Zoran." His fake smile was back, I gave him one of my own fake smiles.

"Yeah, what a surprise, I didn't think I'd run into you again."

I heard Corbet slosh up behind me, grumbling about something.

I was about to lower my sword but Corbet's arm latched onto mine, keeping it in place.

"What would a lone man such as you be doing wandering around so deep in the forest?" He asked him.

The coldness in Corbet's voice was making the goose bumps rise up on my arm. I'm glad I'm not his enemy...

"Oh you know I was just out enjoying the view, maybe trying to find the hiding place of the Master Sword so I could take it."

I gasped in surprise. What the hell would this guy want with the Master Sword?

"But when I came upon it I found I could not draw it from its resting place, so I need someone like you to do it for me." His eyes narrowed at me, I was glad to finally see his true colors.

I glared back at him. "Unfortunately for you I have no reason to draw that sword, and I won't now that you told me your intentions. Are you some kind of idiot?"

"No, I'm just a man that knows that he'll get what he wants, you see, I did find something of interest there." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black shard.

I quickly backed away realizing what it was, but I couldn't get away quick enough before Zoran ran at me with incredible speed and smashed the thing into my forehead.

I could hear Corbet yelling behind me and Navi screaming something I couldn't understand, everything was getting so quiet...

The pain was incredible, if I wasn't screaming I would be surprised.

My vision grew darker, and this time, I welcomed the darkness.

So dark... and quiet...

Where am I?

Am I finally dead?

This kind of sucks... Then again, the silence is really nice.

"Link?"

Awwwwwww... damn...

"Please wake up."

Wow... Corbet actually sounds concerned again, what is with him these days?

I forced my eyes open and winced at the bright lights; everything was so clear and...

Oh shit.

I shook my head and tried to focus.

"Link! You're alright!"

I felt something bob against my head and I turned to look at the annoying bug and I let out a whimper when I noticed how gray she was.

I was a wolf.

I felt a hand reach out to touch one of my pointed furry ears and I quickly looked over to see Corbet.

I couldn't tell if it was just my colorless sight or if he really looked so... black and white all the time, in fact, he looked sick.

His lips pulled up into a small smirk and he leaned in close to my face.

"Can. You. Understand. Me?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded my head. Trust him to act foolish at a time like this.

"Link! It was horrible! That Zoran guy shoved something into your face and you started screaming! And then you turned into a wolf!"

Well that was kind of obvious... But the question now is where is Zoran? Did he run off?

I tried to communicate my question by looking around; hoping one of them would catch on.

"That bastard took off after he got you, but I think he's still hanging around." Corbet glanced up at the trees, as if expecting the guy to just jump down and say 'surprise'!

"That's not all! He-"

"Shut up, fairy!" Corbet roughly swatted her away and I let out a feral growl.

What was his problem?

Navi flew back and landed on my head, silent.

They were hiding something from me. Just what the hell happened while I was out?

I shakily got to my feet and moved toward the path that led to the Lost Woods.

"So we're still going, even with you like this?" Corbet walked up beside me, it was weird to see how big I was beside him. The top of my back came up past his hips, did my wolf form grow or something? I was never this tall.

Back to the matter at hand though, I wish I could tell him or Navi what I had to do.

In my previous journey, Midna was able to remove and replace the Twilight shard, enabling me to turn into a wolf whenever I needed to, but now that she was... gone, I had to rely on the pure light of the Master Sword.

Zoran was right... I would lead him right to the Master Sword.

We came to the end of the forest after a small walk, now all I had to do was jump across the branches to get to the lost woods.

I looked at Corbet and gestured toward the branches.

He caught on right away. "We need to jump them?"

I barked softly and prepared to jump.

"Wait!"

I almost tripped over my feet; I turned and growled at him as if to say "What?"

"Let me on your back, I don't— It's just quicker okay?"

I felt Navi's hand tighten around some of my fur. "Corbet...!"

"I said shut it!"

Okay, whatever was going on is starting to piss me off. I growled at the both of them and latched onto Corbet's hand with my teeth (gently) and pulled him toward me.

It's not like I haven't been used as transportation before...

I let out a huff when Corbet sat on my back; he was a lot heavier than Midna that was for sure.

"Heh, I would make a joke about dogs and style right now, but I don't want you to bite me."

Oh he just never gives up...

I jumped onto the nearest ledge, letting out a happy bark at the now cursing man behind me. Before he had a chance to right himself, I jumped again.

He clung to me and let out some new words that I've never even heard before.

Payback, thou art a bitch.

When we reached the other side, Corbet's hold on my neck loosened slightly. "Are we there? Or am I just dead?"

I yipped at him and trotted on.

Navi was laughing hysterically; I wish I could have joined her.

But Whatever.

The Lost Woods hasn't changed much since the last time I was here. I tapped into my other senses and looked for any scent trails. Mine was still there, very faint, but I could still follow it.

I continued on, keeping my pace at a smooth trot so poor Corbet wouldn't fall off.

The woods were eerily quiet... Not even that creepy kid was there to bug me...

My fur started to stand up on end.

"The magic in this forest is stifling." I felt Corbet shiver against me in revulsion.

Now that I could sense magic, I had to agree, there was a lot of ancient and powerful magic in these woods, and I'm already dreading the fight with the monster of the forest temple.

"I don't understand. The evil we seek is... separated... into four." Navi leaned down and looked into my eye. "This is almost like when the hero of time was in the Forest Temple, there were four Poe Sisters, and he had to hunt down each one of them."

Great, make my life harder, Goddesses.

We entered the ruins of the Temple of Time and Corbet grumbled and got off my back.

"I have to wait here, there's sacred ground up ahead and I'll die if I get too close." He grabbed the scruff of my neck and shook me gently. "Be careful, promise me."

I will be, stop worrying.

I hope he understood my answer with the look I gave him.

He released me and I padded off to the entrance of the sacred grove where the Master Sword lay dormant.

This is the only way I'd be able to be normal again, I have to do it, even if it means risking losing the Master Sword to the enemy. If that's even why that Zoran guy wants it in the first place...

I heard Navi gasp, probably remembering some old memories at the sight of the blade. I ignored her and trotted up to the sword... and pressed my nose against it.

The lights that surround us blinded me, and I closed my eyes, trying to stop the pain of the brightness.

When I opened my eyes and could see again, I was standing on two legs with the Master Sword grasped tightly in my left hand, and the shard of twilight at my feet.

The sound of clapping made both me and Navi turn.

Zoran was there, leaning against the wall and looking so damn calm and cocky.

I wanted to rip his throat out.

"Congratulations, Link, you did such a good job!" He stepped toward me and I took multiple steps back.

He held a finger up and wagged it at me. "Now don't be a bad dog. Come over here and bring me the sword. You do know how to play fetch right."

I held the Master Sword up in a fighting stance and snarled, "Fuck you."

The fake smile was instantly replaced with a frown. "Now, now, I didn't say speak did I?"

I blinked and suddenly I was on my back, I hit the stone ground so hard the air left my lungs in a big whoosh and I coughed in an attempt to fill them again. I heard the clang of the Master Sword hitting the ground somewhere to my left.

Shit. How the hell can he move that fast?

I felt cold hands wrapped themselves around my throat and I started fighting for all it was worth.

"Easy, boy, I'm not going to harm you. You're much too pretty and valuable to be doing that now."

One of the hands left my throat to hold my flailing arms down. This guy is strong, how the hell am I going to get out of this?

"Get off him you bastard!" Navi was throwing herself at Zoran using all her strength, but she might as well have been hitting herself against a rock for all the good it did.

"Out of all the heroes, one has to wonder why the Goddesses adore youso much. They even gave you gifts!"

The hand around my throat left and I managed to suck in some air.

"All this magical power and you don't even know how to use it, I would love to train you, you could be such a nice pet." His free hand caressed my cheek.

That's it, my fangs are still out thanks to my recent transformation, and now I'm going to use them.

I tried to jump up and rip his throat open, but I was somehow stuck to the ground.

He 'tsked' at me and tapped my nose.

"Bad doggy. Now stay there, I have some work to do, and then me and you will be going back to my brother, he'll be so happy, I know Zeil has always wanted a puppy." He stood and walked toward the fallen Master Sword.

I tried to do something, anything, but I couldn't even blink! What kind of magic IS this?

Out of the corner of my eye I watched him lean down and pick up the glowing Maser Sword, the blade immediately starting reacting to him, trying to burn him, knowing that he wasn't a hero or someone pure of heart.

"Oh look, she's trying so hard to hurt me." He raised the sword.

Then there was a loud, horrible sound, almost like someone had smashed their sword up against a brick building.

I heard Navi screaming at him, and I could do nothing but lay there paralyzed.

The Master Sword was broken.

"Now that that little issue is out of the way, my brother and I have one less thing to worry about." Zoran walked back toward me and in his hands, the Master Sword was lying there, dull and lifeless.

"Let's see the Goddesses stop us without their precious sword." He looked at me and I didn't like the feeling I got. "Or their precious hero..."

He lifted his hands and tossed the broken Master Sword somewhere off to the side and placed his hands on his hips. "Now we shall be on our way, puppy, my brother is bound to be getting impatient by now."

A bright light suddenly came between us. "You're not taking him anywhere! I know who you are now! And I'm going to do everything in my power to stop you!"

I tried to call out as Navi placed herself between me and Zoran.

What was she thinking? She'll be killed if she goes after him, then who's going to nag at me all day?

Zoran smiled again and shrugged. "Alright, let's see what you got then."

Then out of nowhere he was slammed from the side by a magical force.

Holy shit, maybe I shouldn't mess with the little light ball.

But by the shocked expression on Navi's face, it soon became apparent that she wasn't the one who blasted him, as she was also looking around wondering where it came from.

Then I heard her squeak out "Skull kid?"

Skull kid? What was that creepy little bastard doing here?

Zoran stood back on his feet. He looked pissed. "Not you again, I thought I finished you off earlier."

I felt the magic that was holding me weaken, giving me the chance to push at it with my own magic. I could hear Zoran cursing and before he could stop me, I was free.

I quickly stood up and unsheathed Cold Heart; there was no way the bastard was getting close to me again.

"Oh great." He frowned and shook his head at me. "Now I'm going to have to put my doggy down, it seems he's too aggressive to keep."

I growled at him. "You're a sick freak, I thought I had seen freaky when I met Corbet, but you're ten times worse!"

He sighed and held up his hands in front of him. "Living so long in hatred does that to you."

I could feel the Skull Kid gathering magic again for another attack, and that was just fine with me. I readied my sword and prepared to go in with him together.

"Two against one is unfair you know. I guess I'll have to wait until another time to kill you." Zoran backed away, behind him a strange dark portal opened up and he quickly ran into it.

"Farewell, puppy, until we meet again."

And then he was gone.

I let out a sigh of relief and sheathed my sword. The Skull Kid skipped past me and ran over to where the Master Sword lay, Navi was also kneeling down beside it, running her hand over the dull surface.

I walked over to them; a pang of loss filling my chest as well.

I had let the sword of the heroes die...

"Link, you need to take it, there must be some way to fix her!"

"Sure thing, Navi." I knelt down and gathered the pieces up and placed them gently into my pouch.

Then I smiled at the Skull Kid. "Thanks for saving my ass back there."

The little guy was pretty damn creepy, but he was on my side and that's all that mattered.

Skull Kid stood, and I watched in confusion as he... started changing.

His appearance slowly melted away and turned into that of a... young girl? The Skull Kid was a girl?

"You are welcome Link."

The little green eyed and green haired girl smiled at me, and I couldn't help but feel that I was standing in the presence of an old friend.

And then just like that, she was gone.

"That was Saria, the Sage of the Forest! She must have used the last of her strength to protect you!"

I nodded and turned back toward the exit of the grove, only to smash into another solid form.

"C-Corbet?" I looked at him, and I could feel the look of shock on my face.

"I thought you couldn't come in here?"

He smirked. "Well the thing that was making this place sacred is gone now, so I think it's safe for me to come in." He gave me a quick look over and frowned slightly. "Are you hurt?"

I had to think about that one... besides the bump on the back of my head, my sore lungs and throat and I don't know… my wounded pride maybe?

I was about to tell him just that when I was cut off by his mouth on mine for the second time today.

I really should push him away, and I really should tell him to fuck off, but I'm sore and tired, and he's just so nice and... warm—

Wait, since when the hell has Corbet been warm?

I kissed him back, probably scaring the shit out of him for a second before he retaliated by biting my bottom lip and wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.

I opened my mouth to protest and quickly realized that that wasn't one of my more smarter ideas as I felt his tongue dive into my mouth and started brushing up against mine, coaxing it to push against his.

So instead I tried to push him away, but this made him hold on tighter.

What messes do I get myself into?

When his tongue brushed over my teeth I quickly took the opportunity to bite it and he finally let go with a yelp and slapped a hand over his mouth.

We stood there panting and staring at each other... or more like glaring at each other... before he smiled and started laughing like a maniac.

Navi goggled. "Oh come on! Don't stop! It was just getting nice!"

I directed my glare at the bug and she flew behind Corbet with a shriek.

They will both pay for this someday.

"Saria is still weakened; we must wait for the hero to destroy some of the evil in the woods."

Ruto glared at the older sage."I wish he would hurry up!"

"Be patient... The time for the hero's revival is soon approaching."