Chapter Twenty One:

Into the Corruption

We made our way through the humid wall within the tepid swamp, both of us intent onlistening for any strange movement. The pools of water around us were still, and the dying foliage just as motionless. I carefully navigated around fallen logs, dead fauna, and pools of putrid liquid as we journeyed back to the boathouse.

"So what happened back there? Those witches seemed to know you?" Tatl chirped, breaking the sullen silence. "And where did you disappear off to, while leaving me behind to deal with that ugly old hag?"

"I went to go find Koume, the one with the boats. And they were just….hmm… ghosts from my past."

Well they did say they would come back to haunt me… I silently mused to myself.

"Ah…so you knew them back where you came from?"

"No not really, but I sort of...killed them during my last adventure. Somehow they remembered, or saw, their deaths through visions and I guess it scared them into changing their ways."

Tatl paused mid-flight, with confusion apparent on her miniscule features.

"Uhh... yeah nevermind, I don't wanna know anymore." She fluttered ahead of me, confusion shifting to apprehension. "Why is everything so quiet around here? Yesterday the animals wouldn't shut up!"

"It could be the moon, or Odalwa. This amulet Kotake gave me should protect us though."

"Uh huh. You said 'I should hear it coming' and 'don't worry'." Tatl whined, mimicking my voice in a high pitched mockery. "Pfft, you should have just listened to me in the first place!"

"Enough, Tatl! Bickering will only attract unwanted attention." I berated the snarky fairy. "Let's just focus on getting back to the boathouse"

"...fine… in any case, I hope that thing works. By the way, what's the story on that new mask on your belt?"

"Well, Skull Kid apparently had turned Koume into some kind of plant, and I removed the curse by playing the song the mask salesman taught me. Then Koume was cured and it appeared…just like my mask." I produced the deku mask and studied the features.

"Why don't you try it on and see if it does anything?" Tatl pressed, tapping the tough wood with a tiny finger. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

"No no, I'd rather not. I've had nothing but bad luck with these stupid masks, and I think it'd be in my best interest to leave this thing alone."

Something huge suddenly rustled the branches above, and rotted leaves from the canopy drifted down. Tatl and I went still as I slowly reached down to my mask. I was not going to be taken down so easily this time, and upon grabbing the mask, I pushed it to my face while leaping aside as the transformation took hold.

Tatl whisked over to my side as I rose to my feet, sword and shield drawn and ready. When nothing else happened, I searched the tree limbs above.

"Do you think it was just a large bird?" I muttered to the fairy when nothing else happened.

"That didn't sound like any bird I've ever seen… or heard. What if it's another huge monster?" Tatl fretfully whispered.

"Then I'll take care of it, but it's most likely one of those monkeys playing a joke on us. Still, let's stay on guard just in case."

We cautiously moved onwards along the obscure trail back to the boathouse, and my boots splashed through puddles of algae-ridden mush as I looked up to the thick canopy, waiting for something to crash down on top of us. Our surroundings remained hushed and motionless the remainder of the trek back to the lagoon, but I refused to return my sword to its sheath.

Tatl and I eventually reached our goal an hour or two later without further incident. Our tenuous caution had lengthened the journey, but the pixie's relief at finding relative safety was noticeable.

"I thought we were never going to make it back alive! But… you know...only for a second."

I smirked triumphantly at Tatl as I stepped onto the floating dock leading to the boathouse. I felt my feet getting heavier and stamina draining, Tatl must've noticed my reduced vigor as she stopped me from taking another step.

"Ok ok, you aren't invincible. You should probably take off that mask now, there's really no need for it now, don't you think?"

I frowned stubbornly, but knew she was right. I nodded and reached up to pull the mask off, taking a sharp breath as my body changed and sword and shield disappeared. The wooden planks rocked at the sudden shift in weight and I fought to keep my balance.

"Ok -cough cough-" I choked against the tightness in my larynx. "I'm alright...phew, ok let's go finally get a boat."

Tatl gestured her affirmation, expressing a brief look of pity as she nodded. We started along the boardwalk and, upon coming up to the door, Frank charged out with burly arms wide open. I leapt back in surprise as I felt my heart race.

"Krikey! Yew brought back m' captain AND managed survive!" The man boomed in surprised glee. "I truly underestimated the two o' ya."

"Uhhmmm yeah well…" I shakily replied, still startled at the unexpected outburst. "We do what we can, right Tatl?"

Tatl, who had rushed into my cloak when the massive tour guide burst through the door, remained silent and hidden away.

"Strewth… honestly I was frettin' that I'd sent ya off to yer deaths on a bloody fool's errand. Ye have no idea how glad I am to see ya right as rain!" Frank blustered, then quickly waved us inside. "Come on then, I still owe ya both a nice steamin' cuppa. Koume's waitin' for ye inside as well."

I walked through the held-open door into the cozy, yet strangely decorated house. Koume was sitting behind the counter reading some sort of pamphlet. Tatl drifted out as Frank shut the door, stomping over to the fireplace to make tea.

"Ahh, so I see you made it back." Koume casually looked up from her reading material. "I assume this means you want that boat ride, eh?"

"Hey hey now, Koume! I owe these two some tea, don't be rushin off just yet." Frank cut in, stifling my answer.

I looked at Tatl and she shrugged. Tea sounded really nice, and to be honest, I was also starving for something to eat. I forgot it'd been days since I'd eaten last, it was a wonder I didn't collapse from that alone. My stomach rumbled loudly at the mere thought of food, with a chuckling Frank obviously hearing me.

"My my, now I know where all those earth shakes are coming from, ha! Don't worry yer tiny tum any longer, lil miss. I made some cakes to go with them, as well as some gator bites."

The big man began pouring scalding water into prepared cups from a teapot that appeared comically tiny in his enormous hands.

"Um… gator bites? I've never really heard of those." I questioned the strange host.

"Oh yeh, they're right scrumptious! Trust me, you'll gobble 'em right up."

Tatl spoke up finally, exasperated and impatient. "Link, we really gotta get going! The moon is only hours away from falling and we haven't even made it to the Deku Palace yet!"

"Eh? So the moon really is falling?" Koume exclaimed, disregarding her pamphlet. "I just thought my eyes were going bad!"

"Yeah, it's the Skull Kid's doing… and I'm the only one who can stop him. Only then will everything be back to normal, and I can get rid of this curse."

"Oh right, yes. I keep forgetting. Did you try the little musical cure that you did for me?" Koume asked and leaned over the counter top.

"Pfft, that only made things worse..." Tatl muttered before I could answer.

"Curses? Falling moons? What black rock have I been living under?" Frank bellowed as he set the cups of steaming liquid before Tatl and I. "You told me you were celebrating a birthday at your sister's, Koume."

"Now don't you go worrying about it, you lumbering beast. Young Link here will take care of everything, no doubt." The elderly witch confided.

"Let's hope anyway…" Tatl muttered, and flitted down to sip her tea.

"Heh! Whatdya know, a bona fide hero. Good on ya mate!" Frank jokingly thumped my shoulder, causing me to sputter and cough on the bitter tea. "Oh oh, sorry 'bout that lil miss...here be those cakes and bites I promised ya."

After he set the two dishes full of thin white crackers and questionable patties of… something, I shoved a fistful of the first into my mouth and grunted in delight at the sweet delicate flavor compared to the strong and bitter tea. Tatl shook her head at my antics, but I was far too hungry to care.

"Ha! This sheila's got an appetite. How come you don't eat my food like her, Koume?"

"Phah, if I ate your food in any fashion my heart would give out, you lummox!"

I gulped down some more tea as the two exchanged various insults, still unsure about braving the contents of the other dish. Tatl tried to politely sip from the cup twice her size, but managed a quiet slurp at best. I offered a piece of cracker to her, and she shrugged then took a mouthful of the tasty morsel.

As we finished the small, yet filling meal, I stood up to interject between the playful arguing of the two managers.

"That was nice and satisfying Frank." I nodded to the man who plodded over to take my empty cup.

"Pleased as peaches to hear ya say that. I can give you another fill up if ye like?"

"Oh no, I'm fine now. We really do have to get a move on, the daylight won't last too much longer." I patted my stomach, surprised at how full I was with such a small meal. "But that was a really good lunch in any case, and thank you for your gracious hosting."

"Think nothin' of it, just the basic Southie Swamp hospitality. Though I see ya didn't care much for the gator bites heh heh!"

"Well, I don't really know what a 'gator' is to begin with…" I replied bluntly.

"A gator? It's basically a giant water lizard." Tatl answered between mouthfuls of the cracker she kept.

"And it would just as soon as eat you as you did those cakes, heh heh. They're primarily up near the Deku Palace and those little shrubbies hunt them for sport. Since they can't eat the remains they ship the meat down to me. I sell it to passerby and adventurers, and I hear it's become a sort o' delicacy in Clock Town." Frank explained.

He wrapped up some of the uneaten gator biscuits in a handkerchief and handed the small parcel to me.

"Why don't you go on and keep this, maybe it'll keep you from starving out there or you can sell it off to one of the northies."

I hesitated for a second, but took the packet and stuffed it into my pouch. I thanked the kindly tour guide again and turned to the witch behind the counter.

"OK, I guess we're ready for that boat ride now."

"Hmph… and I was just getting to a good part." Koume muttered and dropped her reading material. "Come along, the boat's right out back."

I waved to Tatl for her to follow and she sighed, dropping the remains of her meal. We bade our kindly host goodbye and went after the old hag hobbling out the front door.

"Toodle-oo you two! G'luck on yer adventurin'" Frank bellowed out as we exited the home and walked around back.

Koume's boat was quite a sight. Vibrant colors of red, green, blue, and yellow were painted along the sides in wide stripes and ridges. On the bow of the boat was fixed a very sharp-looking polearm that stuck out over the water. There was a small cabin up top and a strange contraption connected to the aft of the ship. We trotted up the laid out gangway that led to the deck, and Koume's gangly hands untied the rope keeping the boat near the dock.

"So, little hero…" Koume turned her bulging gaze to me. "I'm assuming you want to head straight to the Deku Palace. I feel I must warn you, outsiders are strictly forbidden."

"That's where the monkeys told me to go, I don't have much of a choice if I'm to find Odalwa's lair." I shrugged at the witch.

"Why on green earth would you want to find that thing's lair? It would chew you up and spit you out in tiny pieces before you even got close!" Koume gawked, poking at me with a bony finger. "I know you're supposedly a hero, but….oh nevermind. I'm sure you have a way. It's not my job to question your abilities."

"Can we get a move on? It's late and the sun is almost setting! Stop gabbing and start sailing!" Tatl remarked in exasperation.

"Quite the firefly, that one. Very well, you stand out here on the deck. Watch for monsters, I don't want any scratching up this lovely paint job, you hear?" Koume sighed and headed to the helm inside the cabin.

I rolled my eyes at Tatl and drew my bow, ready for any threats. Swirls of light mist hung over the water and danced around the boat as it surged through the water. There was no other sound except for the strange contraption at the aft which quietly hummed, I assumed that it must have been the engine. Vines hung low from the branches high above, and gently parted as the bow of the boat moved down the river.

"Why is it still so quiet, Link?" The fairy whispered into my pointed ears. "Surely something is alive out there?"

"I'm betting the animals fled further south. They must have sensed the danger of the moon and Odalwa." I murmered, hoping that was the case. "Odalwa couldn't have killed everything…"

The boat was quickly picking up speed, and we were cruising at a very good pace in no time. Koume kept a watchful eye on the waters, and Tatl relaxed a bit. I listened intently with my heightened senses, ready with my weapon drawn. Canyon walls rose around us, creating a claustrophobic effect but also a relative safety from attack from the shore.

A deep gloom set in as we sailed further along the poison river. Tiny, glowing red eyes peeped from a few bushes lining the bank, gazing at us in curiosity.

"We're getting near the palace, those are the deku." Koume called out from the helm, pointing at the bushes.

Red and orange colored leaves and trees dominated the scenery, and the stench was almost too much for my nose to take. The river had become completely corrupted by the poison created by Odalwa. Thick, purple sludge clung to the sides of the boat, and dissolving remains of dead creatures and plants floated in the putrid muck.

Ahead a short distance away rose an immense wall of rock, with elaborate decorations and huge paintings covering the stone. A cavernous entrance lay at the bottom, with torches cutting through the gloom of the darkening swamp. The river suddenly veered away, and Koume stopped the engine and drifted toward the edge of the bank.

"This is as far as I can take you, I'm afraid. Any closer and the deku guards would sink the boat."

"I guess this will have to do then, which is much better than I thought." I nodded to Koume. "Thank you, without your boat there would have been no way to get this far."

"And without you I'd still be a plant, fair trade. So go on now, get a move on. I'd rather not push these obstinate deku shrubs into attacking." Koume waved us off her boat.

As soon as we were on land the witch started up the engine and sailed away. The dank, smelly air and torpid darkness that surrounded us almost made me regret coming here. But I gathered my courage and moved toward the torchlight of the entrance ahead.

"Hoo hoot! Over here!"

I stopped in my tracks and Tatl drifted close to me. I looked around, trying to see ahead in the miresome gloom.

"No no, over here you daft child!" The voice called again.

I followed the source of all the noise through some shrubbery and into a wide clearing. Sitting in the center was a large statue of an owl with musical notes on the breast. An even bigger, strangely familiar owl was resting right beside it, staring at me with huge, wide eyes.

"Don't be alarmed, strange child." The giant bird spoke. "I've been watching you and your efforts ever since your arrival."

"You… you've been watching me? Why?" I asked with a bit of uncertainty.

"You caught my interest when you helped that witch, and removed the curse. Then when you transformed into that warrior, I knew that the guardians had sent you to save this world." The owl recounted, gently bobbing its head. "This statue in my likeness represents an old way of travel. If you have an instrument, playing these special notes will call upon the power of my ancestors. The power will lift and transport you to this owl and others like it that you will find in the realm."

"Huh… well that's handy!" Tatl twinkled. "And oddly convenient…"

"Yes, but night falls and I must fly far to the south to hunt." The owl spread its massive wings in preparation to leave. "I leave you with this. Keep your courage, young one, and you shall surely succeed."

I covered my face and ducked down as great gusts of wind were produced by the wings as the giant bird leapt into the air.

"Well. I guess that answers my questions. I was wondering what all those owl statutes were for…" Tatl mused. "So… will you play your thingy so we can finally get out of this dump now? Let's go back in time again!"

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Just let me memorize these notes…"

I studied the etchings along the statute. Once I was confident they were committed to memory, I took out the Ocarina and nodded to Tatl, who moved closer to me. Raising the blue instrument to my lips, I closed my eyes and began playing the Song of Time and focused on going back to that first day.

The ocarina shone brightly as our surroundings faded into a pure white light, and we were quickly swept up in the currents of Time...