When Link and Grannie began their quiet ascent back up the large chasm's spiral edge, I didn't move. I was stunned, immobile and speechless as the battle with that beast was concluded and I could soak in what had happened. The small, wimpy, loser kid I grew up with wasn't as minor as I had thought.
My head began to pound at the thought of everything that I would now have to do; sit around, maybe learn a thing or two from Link, and then find my way back home.
The two that were in my company were out of sight by the time I finally began to make a slow climb to even ground.
Back home, I thought glumly, notably focusing on a smaller one of my numerous problems. I didn't want to return to the sky, where nothing ever happened. Where I would have to just wait for who knows how long before Zelda was finally back home with me. Heck, I've only been here for an hour and I've already seen more action than in every other hour of my life combined. No, to avoid my return, I should certainly aide Link in his quest. No, not aide. Grannie has already made it perfectly clear that my help is not needed. But no one will force my return.
Two of the small, strange birds from before began to flit around my figure as I walked, and their colors of blue and yellow reminded me of Cawlin and Stritch, respectively. I wondered if they began to miss my companionship; wonder where I've gone. Perhaps Stritch's anger has lifted. After all, you never know what you have until it's gone.
Arriving at the top of the structure, I stomped around at all of the birds that wouldn't leave me alone. They buzzed off before I could cause any real harm, and I entered the old stone temple. I came in to a silence in which Link seemed to be in some stupor, and Grannie simply sat, awaiting his next move. My entrance seemed to rouse Link from his thoughts, and he turned to face me.
After giving an impressed smile, I turned to show that I understood I was no longer needed around here. That I was useless.
"I hate even sayin' this, but I guess you got it all figured out, Grannie. Me, well, there's nothin' I can do to help Zelda. I'm useless."
As I began to leave, Grannie spoke. "Ah. You sell yourself short, my friend. You'll see in time that you have your own role to play in all this."
I didn't stop, or even slow, though, as I was somewhat angered by her words. That old woman needs to make up her mind. Can I help or not? No need to spare my feelings now. I can see I have nothing to add to this endeavor. I walked outside to get some fresh, unknown-world air.
The anger from her words and shame from my good-for-nothing state caused me to be a bit lost. I simply stood, hunched and grumpy, wondering how the birds could chirp so lightly in these conditions. I considered travelling, exploring this unknown world but fear stopped me. For all I know, the second I leave this section of the forest, bloodthirsty monsters await to tear clueless travelers limb from limb. So I was forced by my overwhelming fear of the unknown to simply sit and wait here. Not long passed before I heard the creaking of the old stone temple door, and I didn't have to look back to know it was the boy. My anger built up again, and I yelled "Aww, come on! I couldn't do a thing! I'm totally useless!"
I felt pathetic, yelling and whining in front of the one person who made me realize that my efforts are so futile. So I ran away from the kid. I didn't know this area, though, and I naturally feared the unknown. So I sharply turned a corner and pounded my fist against the wall until I could no longer feel the pain, or anything, in my hand.
Zelda... I'm sorry...
For a while, there was only the painful sound of my fist repeatedly breaking through the silence, until I heard a voice.
"Link has left. He will be sharpening his blade for further use to the cause to save your dear Zelda. It will be alright."
Once again, the old, gravelly voice cut through me, reminding me of something I couldn't quite place. I stopped pounding, but did not turn.
"I understand the confusion of a mere sky child. You've seen hardly anything of this world. So how could you comprehend all of the things you can do now?"
"What?" I asked, confused at her words. "What I can do now? ...What can I do now?"
Grannie merely smiled. "Follow me. We can talk in the temple."
I didn't move, but she turned and started slowly walking back to the great doors to that structure that I felt would crumble at any moment. A few seconds passed, and I sighed, following the old woman. Once inside, she took her place at the top of the steps and I sat a bit far away, leaning against a new purple slab in the center of the room.
"So...? First you tell me that I'm useless, and now the possibilities are endless? Who bopped you on the head, Grannie?"
"I never said you were useless. I had only told you that the job of finding Zelda had already been entrusted to somebody else. Certainly, you can do something. We need to rid ourselves of the pest down in that hole. Can you think of a way to buy some time? To fend off our competition?"
My mind drifted back to the race. How any attempts I tried, beforehand or after, couldn't even earn me a win.
"I'm no good at that, Grannie. I'd probably just end up helping it eat this temple."
"What a shame. It appears I pulled in a different boy than the one who, mere moments ago, stomped into this building ready to take on his entire unknown world for his Zelda. Could you at least go out and look for him? Perhaps he can be of some use."
The old woman's condescending tone burnt up my short temper and I stood up straight, fuming. "If you think you're talking to someone who wouldn't give his entire world for Zelda, you're wrong! I'd do anything to help her!"
"Prove it. Confine that beast."
"I will! Just you watch, I'll blow the roof off this place!"
And with that, I ran out the side door to the forest. I didn't have a plan, but I had determination. You'd be surprised how far that could get me.
