Previous Chapter Recap: Last time on A Link Between Worlds. On the search for one of the sages, Link ventured into the treacherous Thieves Hideout. With the help of a young thief named Ellie, Link explored the hideout and managed to defeat the infamous Blind the Thief. He managed to find the painting of Osfala and now reports back to Sahasrahla to tell him the good news.
Back in Kakariko Village, Link ran into Sahasrahla's home, his face beaming with pride as he wore an ear-to -ear smile. Sahasrahla turned to face the lad, his bushy eyebrows raised in confusion. "Why, Link." he began. "You're looking much peppier than normal. What's all this then?"
"I've got great news!" Link excitedly replied. "I managed to rescue one of the sages! I saved Osfala!"
"You did?!" Sahasrahla exclaimed. "Oh, congratulations my boy! You really are the hero this kingdom needs! While I do commend your victory, I must say that this is no time for celebration. There are still six sages left to find. You must find them all if you are to save Hyrule."
"Okay, so where to next?" Link asked.
"That, I'm afraid, I cannot answer." Sahasrahla replied.
"What do you mean?" Link asked. "You always know where to go!"
"True, but I am unfamiliar with this land of Lorule." Sahasrahla began. "I'm afraid that I've done all I can to help. The rest falls to you now, Link. From here, you must venture into Lorule and find the rest of the sages. It will be a perilous journey, but it is one you must undertake. And it is one I know you will succeed. I have faith in you. And I know Princess Zelda has faith in you too." Link held his head in sadness a bit, but then raised it up with a smile. "Thanks for your help, Sahasrahla." Link said.
"Anytime, my lad." Sahasrahla replied. "Good luck!" Link walked out of the elder's home and was about to walk to his house when he remembered the two pieces of Master Ore he found at the Thieves Hideout. That made him think about Ienzo and Madison. He hadn't visited them for a while. Link wondered how they were doing with Gulley missing. Thinking it couldn't hurt to check up on them, Link made his way over to their house. When he entered the home, he found Ienzo slumped over the table asleep. Madsion was in the next room asleep as well.
Link walked over and gently nudged Ienzo on the shoulder to awake him. "H-huh? What? W-who's there?" the blacksmith muttered sleepily. "Gulley?" He then turned to find Link standing over him. "Oh, it's you Link. Must have dozed off there."
"Sleeping on the job? You'll never be a blacksmith if you don't get up at the crack of dawn." Link jokingly replied, hoping to instill a little humor.
"Funny." Ienzo dryly replied. Link frowned when he realized his joke wasn't getting anywhere. "So, did you find Gulley?" Link asked. It was a stupid question because he already knew the answer, but he figured he had to try something. Ienzo held his head in obvious sorrow. "The wife and I-we searched everywhere, we... couldn't find him." he replied. "This is bad. What if monsters got to him? What if he-?! Tell me my boy's okay!" He shouted as he violently shook Link's shoulders, tears welling up in his eyes. It was so rare to see the usually stone-faced Ienzo so... vulnerable. Link wanted to tell him something, anything to comfort him. But he didn't know where Gulley was either.
Ienzo managed to calm himself down. "Sorry, Link. I'm just worried about my little boy." Ienzo then looked at the pieces of Master Ore in Link's hand. "Say, is that Master Ore? How'd you get that?"
"I found it in one of the caves here." Link replied.
"Well, you've found just enough for me to temper that mighty fine sword of yours." Ienzo said. "It would be perfect!"
"Are you sure you want to?" Link asked.
"Of course I do. It's not every day I get to temper the Master Sword." Ienzo said. "Plus, I need something to keep me busy."
"You know about the Master Sword?" Link asked.
"Of course! Everybody in Hyrule knows about the Blade of Evil's bane." Ienzo replied. "Ever since I first started being a blacksmith, it's been my dream to temper that sword. So let me take a shot at it." Link looked at the Master Ore, then said. "Okay!"
"John, get over here!" Ienzo yelled out. John walked out of his room with his hammer in hand. "Okay, John. It's tempering time!" Ienzo said as he grabbed the Master Sword. John's eyes widened at the sight of the blade. "That's the Master Sword?!" John asked in amazement. "Sure is!" Ienzo replied. "And we get to temper it! Now, let's get to work!" And so, the two men began to temper the sword. Link, meanwhile, sat on the chair and watched the two men go to work on the sword. It was equally rare to see Ienzo happy as it was to see him sad.
Eventually, after a process that took over an hour, both Ienzo and John presented Link with the finished project: A tempered Master Sword. The blade glowed with a bright red light. "Here you go, Link." Ienzo said. "That's the best that sword can get, unless you find another blacksmith."
"Thanks, Ienzo." Link replied as he sheathed the sword.
"I don't know what the princess has you doing, but while you're out on your little adventure, could you do me a favor?" His head lowered again. "Could you find my little Gulley. I know I can be a bit hard on you... but it would mean a lot to me if you could find him for us."
"Don't worry, I'll bring him back." Link replied.
"I know you will." Ienzo said with a hopeful smile. "Thanks. And thanks for letting me temper that sword. My life long dream's finally accomplished!"
"Anytime." Link replied as he left the house. After that was done, he made his way to his own home, deciding that it was time to buy the rest of the items from Ravio. Link made it to his house and opened the door. Ravio greeted him in his usual way. "Hey there, Mr. Hero!" he said, gesturing to the Sand Rod. "You came just in time. One of my customers finally returned my Sand Rod! It lets you control sand and use it for anything you want. It's good for traveling through deserts and it makes for a great party favor at beaches!"
"Great, cause I'm here to buy it and the other two rods." Link replied.
"You sure?" Ravio asked. "Together they cost 600 rupees each. Think you can afford it?"
"Oh I can afford it, alright." Link said with a cocky smile as he pulled out the large bag of rupees he found at the Thieves Hideout. He opened the bag and rupees of all colors spilled out. "In fact, I think that's enough rupees to set you up for life." Ravio gasped when the rupees spilled out, practically drooling at the sight. He then pulled out an abacus and began making calculations, muttering to himself. After making his calculations, he gave another gasp. "Van Gogh Bull's Eye!" he exclaimed. "Sold! The rods are all yours! I'm rich!"
Ravio and Sheerow then began to dance all over the room. "Woop! woop! woop-de-woop! Boop! boop! boop-de-boop!" he sang as he danced. Link watched the bizarre display with a raised eyebrow before going to collect his three rods. Eventually, the two stopped dancing to catch their breath. "Sorry about that, I got a bit carried away." Ravio said. "Anyway, thanks for your business. Thanks to you, I'm sold out! And with all these Rupees, I can finally retire! Heck, I can actually find my own place!"
Ravio then gave a long thoughtful pause. "Uh, this is really awkward, but can I stay here for a little while longer?" He asked. "At least until I finally find my own place?"
"Well, you've pretty much made yourself at home here, so why not?" Link said. "Consider it thanks for the new items."
"Anytime, Mr. Hero." Ravio replied. "So, what are you up to now?"
"Well, the Seven Sages are scattered all over Lorule and I have to find them all." Link said. "I've already found one, so hopefully the rest won't be that hard to find."
"Oh, that sounds dangerous." Ravio said. "Well, glad you're doing it. Good luck, Mr. Hero."
"Thanks, Ravio!" Link replied as he left the house. Once outside, he rang the bell to summon Irene's broom and fly him over to Mother Maiamai's cave. He entered the cave to find the Maiamais standing in front of a portal of sorts. "Why, hello Link! You're just in time!" Mother Maiamai said. "We're about to leave, my tykes and I. To other worlds we'll surely fly!"
"Oh, well it's sad to see you go." Link replied. "But before you do, could you make these nicer?" He then pulled out his Fire, Ice, and Sand Rods and laid them on the floor. "To make them nicer, I will surely try." Mother Maiamai replied as she inhaled all three rods. Glowing with light, she spat each out one by one. The Fire Rod now had a swirling flame on the top, the Ice Rod had a snowflake on its top, and the Sand Rod had a small sun as its decoration. "Thanks Mother Maiamai!" Link said.
"Not so fast, Link!" Mother Maiamai said. "I have one final gift to give you." She then began to inhale once more, only this time the thing she inhaled was Link himself!" The young boy screamed as he was inhaled by the large Maiamai. After a while, she finally spat Link back out. "What did you do to me?" Link asked. "I gave you the Hurricane Spin Attack! Good for dealing with large groups of enemies." Mother Maiamai said.
"Did you have to eat me to do that?" Link asked.
"Sorry, it was the only way." Mother Maiamai said. "Well, it's time for my tykes and I to say our final goodbye!"
"Actually... I'm not going with you mama." One voice said. Everyone in the cave turned to see a Maiamai jump out of the crowd. "What do you mean?" Mother Maiamai asked. "This whole time we were separated, I was thinking: 'Maybe it's time I stopped relying on mama so much. Maybe it's time to be my own Maiamai. I've always been this scared little kid, but maybe it's time for me to strike out on my own. I know you probably think I'm not ready, but how will I know if I don't try. So what do you say, mama? Please?"
Mother Maiamai listened to her child's plea, impressed by the bravery and resolve he showed. After a thoughtful silence, she replied with a small tear. "If you truly feel you're ready, then you can stay."
"Thanks, mama!" the Maiamai replied.
"Well, Link. It's time for us to go." Mother Maiamai said. "Please look after my young one."
"Don't worry, ma'am. I'll check on him once in a while." Link said.
"Thank you, Link. Let's meet again sometime! Goodbye!" And with that, Mother Maiamai and her 99 children exited through the portal, which then closed behind them, leaving Link and the lone Maiamai alone. "Are you sure you want to stay?" Link asked. "It's going to be dangerous."
"To be honest, I'm not sure." The Maiamai replied. "But I have to try. Isn't that what life is all about? Taking chances?" Link looked at the Maiamai with a smile. "I guess so." he replied. "Well, I have to go. Good luck with your new life... And thanks."
"You're welcome, but for what?" the Maiamai asked.
"For helping me." Link said as he left the cave. Never before had he felt so inspired. If that little Maiamai had enough confidence to leave his mother, then maybe it was time for Link to have some of that confidence. Perhaps it was time for him to stop letting doubt get in his way. He will save the sages and he will save Zelda. And no one was going to stop him. With his confidence restored and his resolve hardened, Link began to search for a lead on the next sage.
Okay, that's another chapter down. Link explores the Desert Palace next chapter. Stay tuned.