Previous Chapter Recap: Last time on A Link Between Worlds. Link woke up to find himself in the nightmarish world that is Lorule. He is then contacted by Hilda, Princess of Lorule, who tells him that the Seven Sages are all scattered across Lorule and the only way to reach them is to find an entrance to Lorule from Hyrule. Link returns to Hyrule and tells Sahasrahla all that he knows. Now our hero visits Ravio to see if he can't buy the items off of him.
"What do you mean you won't give me the items?!" Link asked Ravio. After his talk with Sahasrahla, Link remembered that Mother Maiamai said she could improve on Link's items. But the only problem was that all of Link's items were rented. So, he went to see Ravio to see if he could get the items from him. Things were obviously not going so well. "Exactly what I said, Mr. Hero." Ravio replied. "I've been giving out too many freebies. I'm a businessman, and I need to make some money. If you want, you'll have to buy them like everyone else."
"But Ravio! This is about two worlds that are in danger!" Link practically whined.
"I sympathize with you, Mr .Hero." Ravio began. "Really I do. But like I said, I'm a businessman. And I need to make some business. Besides, my items aren't that expensive; They cost a hundred rupees each. Well... except for the Fire, Ice, and Sand Rods. Those cost two hundred rupees."
"That's still expensive." Link said. "And you don't have a Sand Rod."
"I did have a Sand Rod." Ravio replied. "But I sold it to some other guy. What was his name? Osfala or something? Whatever. Look, hundred rupees each. Take it or leave it." Link gave a defeated groan and reached into his wallet to pull out six silver rupees (100 rupees each). I've got six hundred rupees. How much will that give me?" Ravio took the rupees and paused to think. "Well, that'll give you the items you rented earlier." Ravio said. "Sure you want em? No refunds."
"Yes!" Link said. "I need them!"
"Sold!" Ravio said as he took Link's items and removed the bunny ears off of them. "Enjoy your new items, Mr. Hero! And now you don't have to worry about me taking em back if you lose."
"Thanks, Ravio!" Link replied.
"By the way, what other world were you talking about?" Ravio asked.
"It's a world called Lorule." Link replied. "It's kinda like Hyrule, but it's in bad shape. There are monsters everywhere and the world looks like it's really falling apart. Why, do you know something about it?" Ravio looked to the side and paused for a bit, not saying a word. "Nope, doesn't ring a bell." he finally spoke. Now it was Link's turn to pause, staring at Ravio with a raised eyebrow. "Okay..." Link said. "Well, thanks for the items. Gotta go."
"See you later, Mr. Hero!" Ravio replied. "Oh, and if you happen to find the guy who rented my Sand Rod, do be kind enough to make sure he returns it, please."
"Okay, I will." Link said as he left the house. With him gone, Ravio turned to Shreerow, his pet bird. "Looks like Mr. Hero is coming along nicely." he said to the bird. "Maybe he was the right choice after all. Let's see how he does.."
Meanwhile, at the Witch's Potion Shop...
Using Irene's broom, Link flew by to Irene's Grandmother's potion shop to stock up on potions for his quest through Lorule. When he entered the shop, he saw Irene's Grandmother stirring her pot with a somber look on her face. "What's wrong, ma'am?" Link asked, though he knew full well what was the matter. "Oh, hello there Link." The witch replied somberly. "Oh, my granddaughter Irene was taken from me by a strange man. He said something about Irene being a sage and before I could stop him, he turned her into a painting in front of my eyes! What kind of monster would take such an innocent young girl?"
"I'm sorry." Link said. "I was coming to see if I could buy some potions, but I can come back later if you want."
"No. It's okay." Grandmother replied. "I need the business. It helps take my mind off of it. What do you need?"
"Seven blue potions please." Link said.
"That'll be 350 Rupees!" she said. Link gave her the rupees and filled his seven bottles with blue potion. He then stopped to look at the somber old woman. "Ma'am, I promise you. I'll bring Irene back." he said firmly.
"You... You will?" She asked.
"Of course." Link replied. "Do I need a reason to help someone?"
"Oh, bless you child." Grandmother said. "I'm proud my granddaughter has found someone so gallant." Link nodded and left the house. He then rang the bell and summoned Irene's broom to fly him over to Mother Maiamai's cave. He entered the cave to find Mother Maiamai and her children playing. "Oh, hello Link." she said. "Nice to see you again. And speaking of nice, you have anything I can make nicer?"
"Actually I do." Link replied as he pulled out his Bow, Hookshot, Bomb Bag, Tornado Rod, Hammer, and Boomerang. "Okay, then. Stand back!" she said. At that point, ten of the Maiamais formed a semicircle around her and began to chant. She then inhaled each of the items into her as she began to glow with yellow light. After a while, she finally spat them all out. Each of Link's items now had an altered appearance. The Bow, Boomerang, and Hookshot were now blue, the Bombs were larger and black, the Hammer was now red with spikes on it, and the Tornado Rod now had twin propellers.
"There you go, Link." Mother Maiamai said. "All of your items are now nicer. Your Bow and Boomerang can fire more shots. Your Bombs and Hammer are stronger, and your Hookshot has a longer range."
"Thanks for upgrading my items." Link said.
"You're quite welcome, my lad." Mother Maiamai replied. "It's the least I could do after you helped rescue my babies. If you have anything else for me to make nicer you know where to find me."
"I will." Link replied as he left the cave. Once outside, Link rang the bell to summon Irene's broom and fly him back to his house, where he saw another of those strange cracks. Using his wall merge, Link traveled through the crack and found himself back in Lorule, arriving at a vacant house. He made his way from the vacant house all the way back to Thieves's Town. But then came another problem: Where could the sage possibly be? Princess Hilda had said that the sage was somewhere in the town, but where was the best place to start looking?
Fortunately, Link didn't have to wait long for an answer soon came. From a distance, Link watched as two suspicious characters entered the gargoyle statue. This was a town of thieves after all. Perhaps that was their hideout? And if they had a valuable statue, that might be the best place to hide it. He walked up to the door under the statue and knocked. The door didn't open, but a voice called out. "Do you know the Thieves' Song?" It asked.
"Thieves Song?" Link asked back.
"If you don't know that, then you shouldn't be here!" The voice angrily replied. "Now scram!" Seeing as there was nothing more he could do, Link began to walk away. But that's when he heard another voice urge him closer. Link turned to see a bearded man wearing a purple shirt and vest as well as a yellow bandanna on. He wore brown pants with matching brown boots as well. Link followed the man into his house. "I saw you trying to break into the Thieves' Hideout." the man said. "There must be something valuable if you were just gonna march in like that."
"They have something that I really need to get." Link replied.
"Ha! You've got guts, kid!" the man said. "Tell you what. I'll help you get in. You need to know the Thieves' Song in order to enter the hideout. Here's how the song goes." The thief cleared his throat as he prepared to sing. "Many years ago, I felt so free... Thought I chose the thief's life, but it chose me. Every time I say I'm a-leavin'. This accursed life sets me right back to stealin'! And that's the song! Got all that, kid?"
"Yeah." Link replied. "Thanks for your help, but why are you helping me?"
"I used to be the leader of the Thieves." the man began. "But some new guy named Blind stole my place and kicked me out. If you can beat him, however, they'll have to let me back in." Link paused as he listened to the man's explanation. "So basically... you're helping me to help yourself." Link said.
"Hey, it's every man for himself out here!" the man protested. "Besides, all I want is my gang back. I don't really care about whatever you're after. So it all works out, see?"
"I suppose so." Link replied. "Thanks again."
"Anytime!" the man said as Link left the house. Now armed with the Thieves Song, Link made his way back to the gargoyle statue and knocked on the door again. "Do you know the Thieves Song?" the voice asked. Link cleared his throat as he prepared to sing. Fortunately, he had a very good singing voice. "Many years ago, I felt so free... Thought I chose the thief's life, but it chose me. Every time I say I'm a-leavin'. This accursed life sets me right back to stealin'!"
"Wow... What a fetching voice... Come on in, buddy!" the voice said as the door opened. Link walked through the door and down the stairs into the Thieves Hideout. The place was quite expansive, far bigger underground. Next to him was the Big Door that he had seen in all the places he explored so far. There he met a young man with blue hair who was by the look of it no older than Link himself. He wore a purple shirt with some body armor and held a spear in his hand. "Never seen you around here before..." the spear boy said. "You one of the new recruits?"
"Uh... yeah! Just joined today." Link said. It was an obvious lie, but he had to think of something that would let him explore this place. The spear boy stared at Link for a few moments before his face lit up with a smile. "Perfect timing!" he said. "You can take over here on guard duty for me. Have fun. And don't do nothing that'll get me in trouble, fresh meat! I'm gonna get me some fresh air. Fresh meat, fresh air... Hmm hm...hmm hm... Hey, that's kinda catchy! Maybe the bard can put a tune to that." And the boy walked out of the hideout humming his impromptu song.
Link walked along the walkway, scanning the room for any sign of the sage's painting. But when he did, his eyes trailed downwards to find that a young girl was imprisoned on the lower floor. That must have been what the spear boy meant when he said guard duty. Link knew that his main priority was finding the sage, but he couldn't leave that girl behind either. Plus, she might know where the sage was. Link had to find a way to save her. But as there was nothing he could do from where he was, Link walked back to the entrance and went to the door on his right.
The room he found himself in had a blue orb near the center of the room surrounded by walls. There was also a floor switch near a sealed door. Next to him, there was a small part of the room blocked off by wooden posts with another floor switch. When Link struck the orb, wooden posts appeared to impede his path. Link used his wall merge to move around the posts and go to the other side of the room. There he saw an arrow trap firing a stream of arrows as well as two gargoyle statues. He also saw another small floor switch. That gave him an idea. He dragged one of the statues over in front of the arrow trap, using it as a makeshift shield to defend against it. He dragged it all the way onto the floor switch, but nothing happened.
Realizing that all three switches needed to be pressed to open the door, Link dragged the other gargoyle to the other switch. He then used his wall merge to get to the blocked part of the room and activated the last switch, causing the door to open. Link walked through the door and into the next room. He found himself on the upper part of the room. Link walked on the metal grating to the left of the room, then used his wall merge to reach the other side. He then went down the stairs to the lower part of the room. Link made his way across the moving conveyor belt and walked into the next room.
In this room, Link found himself faced with a strange contraption. It was a moving Bomb with a single eye. For now, Link avoided the creature and walked up the conveyor belt in the room, using his wall merge to get to the ledge where a blue orb was. that caused the other conveyor belt in the room to reverse direction. Link then grabbed the moving Bomb and threw it into the moving conveyor belt, causing it to explode near the other orb. That unlocked the door in the room. He entered the next room, which had another blue orb in it. Curious, Link stood next to the orb and struck it with his sword. That caused the grey part of the floor open up. Thinking this could be useful, Link made a note of it as he went through the other room.
From there, Link took a left and found himself back in the lower part of the main room where he saw that girl. He remembered where the girl was, but the door to her cell was unfortunately locked. He walked to the other side of the cell and saw wooden bars. He used his wall merge to slip into the girl's cell. "Who are you supposed to be?!" the girl asked, startled by Link's sudden appearance. "And how did you get in here?!"
"My name's Link." Link replied. "I'm here looking for something important. And I'm also here to rescue you. What's your name?"
"Ellie." came the girl's reply. "This wouldn't have anything to do with a painting, would it?"
"Yes!" Link exclaimed. "Do you know where it is?"
"Figures." Ellie said. "That thing must be worth a king's ransom if Blind went to all this trouble just to hide it. And now other folks are searching for it. Well, I may have 'accidentally' learned where he hid it... maybe. That's why the creep locked me up. Can you believe that?!" She then gave a long, thoughtful stare at Link. "Say, maybe we can help each other!" she said. "You get me out of here and I'll help you find that painting... Maybe."
"How do I know you won't double-cross me?" Link asked with a suspicious eyebrow.
"You don't." Ellie replied. "But I'm your only chance of getting that painting, so like it or not you're stuck with me. Now get a move on! I don't wanna be trapped her any longer than I have to!" Link sighed and pressed the nearby floor switch to unlock the door outside the cell. He then used his wall merge to go into the other cell with another living bomb, using it to blow a hole in the cracked wall and travel through the hallway into the next cell. This cell had blue and red switches similar to those found in the Tower of Hera. Link stood on the red platform and hit the switch to elevate himself to the next platform. He then hit the blue switch to raise himself out of the cell.
He then walked above the cells and made it into a cell with the same switches and platforms went through the door He was then locked in a dimly lit room. Lighting his lantern, he saw himself surrounded by five Eyegores. Link quickly defeated them all and the room lit up, revealing a treasure chest with a small key in it. He took the key and made his way back to Ellie's cell and unlocked the door. "Alright! Not bad, Link!" Ellie cheered. "Now let's get out of here! That painting you're looking for is on the outskirts of town. I'll take you to it. By the way, how'd you do that thing with the walls? It's... kinda creepy. Maybe you can teach me how to do it!"
"It's... complicated." Link replied.
"Anywho, let's book!" Ellie said. The two walked out of the cell, but alas, they didn't get very far as the southern door slammed shut and an alarm blared through the hideout. "Crud! We've been spotted!" Ellie shouted. "Let's head for the northern door!" The two ran to the northern door but it was locked. That's when they saw two switches. "Stand on the switches!" Ellie commanded. The two stood on the switches and the door opened. The two ran into the next room only to be surrounded by four thieves. They were blue alligator-like monsters. "Ellie, get back!" Link shouted. Ellie ran to a safe distance as Link took his Nice Hammer and defeated all of the thugs.
"There's more where that came from." Ellie said. "I'd help you fight, but I don't have my gear."
"That's okay. Let's just keep moving." Link said. The two ran down the stairs and into the next room. They ran across the metal grating but soon came across a wide gap in the floor. Link used his wall merge to get to the other side and pressed the switch for another grate to appear. Ellie ran across it and the two were soon impeded by wooden bars. "Stay here." Link said as he used his wall merge to slink through the bars and go on the other side. That's when he found the room flooded with water. He swam across the room to the other side where he saw two switches. Seeing that he would need Ellie, he frantically looked around for something he could use as a bridge.
That's when he saw the metal grating leaning against the wall. He tried to pull it off, but it was too heavy, even with his Power Gloves. That's when he got an idea. He merged into the wall and walked behind the grating before emerging out of the wall and pushing the grating onto the gap, creating a makeshift bridge. "Ellie, this way!" he called out. Ellie ran across the makeshift bridge and joined up with Link. They then pressed the two floor switches and it lowered the posts, but didn't reduce the water level. Link swam into the next part of the room and saw a lever in the wall. He pulled the lever and the water drained out of the room. Ellie ran up to join with him again, hitting the blue switch to get to the upper part of the room. "Not bad, Link. You do this often?" Ellie asked.
"You have no idea." Link replied as he and Ellie went to the red platform, hitting the switch to raise it so they could walk on the narrow walkway. The two then ran up the stairs to the second floor of the hideout. The door nearby was locked, but there was only one switch. "I'll press this switch." Ellie said. "You find the other one." Link climbed up the stairs and made his way up until he found the other switch. He pressed it to open the door, only to find himself and Ellie ambushed by two thugs. Link defeated the thugs by tossing his Nice Boomerang at them, which could separate into multiple boomerangs, then finishing them off with a blast of energy from his sword.
Link and Ellie ran through the door and out the room and Link found themselves back in the long room with the four walls. He must have been getting near the exit. The next room they ran through was the one with the large trapdoor. As the two neared the exit, they were surrounded by multiple thieves. "What do we do, Link?!" Ellie asked, frantic. "No worries." Link replied with a cocky smile. "I got a plan." Link pulled Ellie by the wrist to the blue orb. Before the thieves could do anything, Link struck the switch with his sword, causing the trapdoor to open and the thieves fell through the pit.
"Awesome, Link!" Ellie said as she high-fived Link. "If I go on a treasure hunt, I'm bringing you with me!"
"Maybe later." Link replied. "But let's get out of here!" The two ran through the room with the moving conveyor belts and went up the stairs to the upper part of the room. Link pressed the switches in the room and activated the fans, allowing him and Ellie to make it to the other side. They ran through the next room and into the other room only to be stopped by two thieves. Thinking quickly, Link threw a boomerang at the blue orb to raise the wooden posts and stop them from getting to Ellie. He then wall merged to slink through the bars and dealt with each thief separately. With them gone, the door opened.
Link hit the orb to lower the bars and the two of them ran out the room back into the hideout's entrance. "We're trapped!" Ellie shouted. "That door's the only way out! Hope you've got a key for that, Link!"
"No, but I think I know where it is!" Link said. "Come on!" Link and Ellie ran across the metal walkway where they saw a large chest out of reach. The two activated the switches to cause the wall to begin moving. Link merged into the moving wall and made it to the treasure chest, where the Big Key lied in wait. The two ran back across the walkway and unlocked the door. Link ran into the room, but the floor rose up before Ellie could do the same. "Gyaaah! What gives?!" she asked.
The air was pierced by a demonic cackle. "Silly brat!" the voice said. "Did you actually think I'd let you waltz out here with your little knight in shining armor?!" At that moment, black smoke appeared in the room. The mist condensed into a humanoid form When the mist cleared, what stood in its place was a red, horned skeleton figure dressed in a white coat. It held a sword in one hand and a shield in the other hand. "No one escapes from Blind the Thief!" it said. "You and your friend will die here!"
Link drew the Master Sword and charged at Blind, attempting to slice him. But strangely, his sword went right through the thief! Link swung his sword wildly, striking again and again, but to no avail. Blind flashed a fanged smile and struck Link with his sword, sending him flying to the edge of the platform. Blind then inhaled and breathed out a torrent of black fire. Link dodged the flames and stopped to think. There had to be a way to defeat him! Link then carefully observed his shield. That's when another idea formed. He tossed a bomb at Blind, who reflexively raised his shield to defend against the explosion.
Link then wall merged into Blind's shield while he was distracted. Blind looked to see Link had suddenly vanished. "Where'd he go?!" he asked, holding his shield at a distance. Link emerged from the shield and struck Blind a few times in the back. The demon screamed as the Master Sword struck his skin and immediately swung his own blade, forcing Link to leap back. "You little punk!" Blind roared as he spat a dark fireball at Link. Link struck the fireball with the Master Sword reflecting it back at Blind, who used his shield once again. Link again wall merged into his shield to hide from Blind, forcing him to look around for Link. Link took the opportunity to slash at Blind some more.
After several hits, Blind threw away his shield and charged at Link, slashing at the boy relentlessly. Link blocked each swing with the shield and fought back in kind. The two seemed evenly matched until Link leapt into the air and performed a horizontal slice at Blind's head, decapitating him. Blind fell to the ground and appeared to be dead. Link was ready to take a much needed sigh of relief... only for his eyes to widen when he saw Blind's decapitated body rise again. Adding to his growing horror, Blind's head began to float in midair as well. "Did you really think it would be that easy?!" Blind cackled. "I'm harder to kill than you think!"
The head spun around the room, spewing dark flames while the body randomly attacked with sword swings. Link did his best to avoid this two-fronted assault and focused attacks on Blind's body. It was difficult, to be sure as the body was in constant motion, not helped by the relentless attacks from Blind's head. Eventually, Link managed to slay the Thief Leader. His body exploded in a flash of light. Link sighed, relived the fight was over. At that point, the floor lowered itself, allowing Ellie to enter the room.
"Wow... You actually beat Blind!" she said, astonished. "Good riddance! Now let's scram. That door will get us out of here." The two went through the southern door and up the stairs. They were soon back in Thieves Town. "You're looking for that painting, huh?" Ellie asked. "That one of that younger... elder-looking fella?"
"Yeah." Link replied.
"I know where it is. Follow me." The two went to an abandoned building down the road. In the building was a bag filled to the brim with Rupees and few chunks of Master Ore. It was a rare metal that was used to forge the greatest of swords. Link took the Master Ore and stored it in his bag. But in the center of the room was the most important thing. It was the painting of Osfala, Sahasrahla's apprentice. "This is it, right?" Ellie asked.
"That's it." Link said.
"I don't see what's so special about it. It's just an ordinary painting to me." Ellie said as she stared at the painting. "Though I do like the whole... flat thing going on there. It is kinda interesting. Almost looked like he walked in the painting and got stuck there, you know? Anywho, thanks for getting me out of there. See ya." And with that, she walked out of the building. It seemed that after all of his hard work, Link found one of the sages. But now he had another dilemma: How could he get him out? Link then stared at the bracelet Ravio gave him. Maybe he could use it's magic to undo Yuga's spell.
Link reached out and touched the painting, and in a flash of light, he was transported to a different place altogether. It was a large, blue platform surrounded by seven circles. A diamond appeared in front of Link and from within it appeared Osfala. "Wh-Where am I...?" he asked as he looked around before staring at Link. "Link? What are you doing here? And with the Master Sword, no less!"
"Long story short. You got kidnapped by Yuga and I just rescued you." Link replied.
"You mean to say that you... rescued... me?!" Osfala asked. "But I'm supposed to be the hero of our day. I'm supposed to be the one who'd be there for Princess Zelda!" He then lowered his head. "I suppose I am merely a sage after all. How very odd. Yet now I understand my role in this. And so I pledge my support to your quest. Thanks for saving me, Link."
"You're welcome." Link replied. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"There's no time to celebrate I'm afraid." Osfala said. "Find the rest of the sages before it's too late."
"Don't worry, I will!" Link said.
"Well, since you're the hero, you'll need this Sand Rod more than me." Osfala said as he handed Link the Sand Rod. "I'd love to give it to you as thanks for rescuing me, but I'm renting it from a merchant named Ravio. If you see him, do be sure and return it to him for me."
"Sure thing." Link said as the triangle on the floor began to glow. Link stepped on it and was transported back to Thieves Town. At that point, he met the strangest sight: Shreerow, Ravio's pet bird, swooped in and snatched the Sand Rod out of Link's hand. It then flew off in the distance and disappeared. "Well, that was odd." Link said to himself. But he was too excited to think on it for long. He had not only rescued someone, but he manged to find one of the sages! This was truly time for a celebration. Sahasrahla had to hear about this!" He went to the destroyed house and went through the rift back to Hyrule.
Well, that's another chapter down! My longest yet! Chapter 13 begins soon. Link makes his way into the Sand Palace next. Stay tuned.