Chapter 20: Into the Darkness
Link was the first ashore on Outset Island; it had been a long time since he had last set his feet on his home's soil. It was already nightfall; the houses were all dark, save the light of a few torches from inside them.
But something was amiss; the wind was out of control and blowing furiously against the island, causing the trees to sway and the bushes to dance. There were dark rolling clouds in the sky, usually the type that carried thunder storms with them. It was as if the whole island was cursed with darkness, like an omen of something to come.
Not bothering to use the Wind Waker to take control of the wind, Link ran up the shore, west towards his old house. The wind tugged on his body, as if to get him as far away as possible from his home. Yet Link fought his way through the gusts and made it to the doorknob within seconds.
Grabbing it, Link swung open the door with such force that it slammed into the wall, making his entrance quite loud and startling. As he looked in, he saw Aryll and his grandmother come rushing from behind the wall at the sound of the crashing door.
"Link?"
"Grandma! It's an emergency! I can't explain right now, just please... can you make that soup you made for Aryll and I whenever we were ill? We really need it right now."
"'We?'" Grandma repeated. "Link... what are you-?"
"Please!" There was the tone of utmost urgency in his voice. "I'll tell you later! In fact, in a minute!" He added, glancing behind him to see Gonzo and the other pirates approaching his home's doorway.
"Who are these people, big brother?" Aryll asked.
Link didn't answer, instead he beckoned Gonzo over. He was carrying the pale-skinned Tetra in his arms. At the sight of Tetra, Grandma and Aryll gasped.
"I think I understand, my child," Grandma said grimly. She looked at Gonzo. "I don't know you, but you can place her on the bottom bed of the bunk, sir." Then, she turned to her grandson. "Link, I will start right away. What is she ill with?"
"Tetra's not... exactly ill," Link replied as Gonzo rested Tetra on the lower bunk bed. The young warrior bit his lower lip in anxiety. "She's poisoned with something nasty."
"Oh dear... we have no antidotes for poison here."
"I know that, but there's a murderous person after her and I thought it would be safer to come here. Besides... the soup might help, right?"
"Oh my, Link," Grandma said. "What have you gotten yourself into?" Before he could answer, Grandma raised her hand. "I know, you'll explain later. You've been working hard. It's my turn to help you, and your new friends."
Link smiled weakly. Even in the grimmest of times, he knew he could count on his grandmother for help. He looked at the pirates. "Guys, I know this place is small, but you're free to make yourselves as comfortable as you can." Then, Rashu entered the door.
Aryll let out a scream of terror, and stumbled backwards, and Grandma turned around suddenly and gasped. Rashu held up his hands in defense, as did Link, and at the same time they both said, "don't be afraid!"
"This is just... Rashu," Link explained to his sister and to his grandmother. Noticing their bewildered looks, Link sighed. "All right. I guess I should explain things. Let me start from the beginning."
"Hurry, then," Rashu said to him. "We have little time." The pirates gathered near the front door and all sat down, facing the young swordsman.
Nodding, Link started from when he left Outset. He tried to speak fast enough to not spend hours explaining, but slow enough for someone like Aryll to understand. He spoke of running into the whirlpool and being saved by the pirates. How the pirates nursed him to health, and how Ghashar raided them. He avoided the details of the battle in order to keep his family from fainting, and merely explained that Ghashar escaped without a hand.
Link then continued to tell the story of how the pirates took him to the mainland for the tournament. He told them about the Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf, and the whole plot to steal the ocarina. He emphasized the fact that Ganondorf was evil, and that the pirates were merely stealing the sacred object to save Hyrule from his clutches.
He told them briefly about the tournament, and without shame, his loss to Ganon. Then he explained the experiences in the Forsaken Fortress, the Soul-less, Tetra's trial, his discovery of Rashu and Khaga, his finding of the Master Sword, his return to the trial, how he saved Tetra's life, and finally, how they escaped Forsaken Fortress and how Tetra was poisoned.
When he finished, he was relieved to hear from Rashu that his story had only taken an hour to tell. Although he had no idea how the old moblin knew that, Link just trusted his judgment.
Aryll's mouth was gaping open the whole time while he explained. She gasped at sudden twists in the story and almost shrieked when some of the battles were described (despite their lack of detail). Grandma remained focused on cooking the soup (even though, every once in awhile she would give Link a concerned look), and by the time her grandson had finished the story, the soup was almost ready. The pirates were nodding their heads approvingly of Link's explanation.
After he was done, Aryll walked up to him and hugged him. "Are you okay, Link?" she asked with a worried voice.
"Of course he is," a voice came from behind them. Aryll let go and Link turned around to see Orca and Sturgeon standing in the doorway. "I'm sorry," Orca said. "My brother and I were eavesdropping on you, Link. We saw the large ship outside and decided to head to your house since it was open, and just heard you begin your story. You have become quite the warrior since you left."
"This is dreadful news," Sturgeon said. "Ever since you left the island, strange things started happening here. The woods started to become filled with monsters that even Orca could not withstand. We had to cut the bridge leading to the forest for everyone's safety. Recently, we've have vicious thunder storms at night. It's as if a curse has fallen upon us." He paused. "How long has the girl been poisoned and what was she poisoned with?"
"About four hours," Rashu said. "She was poisoned with Soft-shelled Gohma venom, which will kill her in the next six hours. In other words, we have little less than a day before it's over for her."
"Oh no!" Aryll exclaimed. "You mean the nice pirate girl is going to die?"
Link swallowed. "No," he said firmly. "I'm going to find a way to stop the poison. I refuse to let her die...!" He pulled out the Wind Waker from his adventurer's pouch and gazed at it as if it held some secret answer to his quest.
Immediately, he heard Sturgeon gasp, and looked at him. "Is that... my word! I thought it was a myth! Is that the Wind Waker? The Baton of the Gods?"
"Yes," Link answered. His voice sounded confused. "How... did you know that?"
"The same way I know about the Master Sword, and the Ocarina of Time, my boy," Sturgeon said. "Through the ancient legends spoken of by our people. ... how did you get a hold of it?"
"Rashu gave it to me," Link said. Before Sturgeon could talk again, however, Link spoke. "I know, I know. It's strange, but we need to figure out how to save Tetra first! Grandma... is the soup ready?"
"Yes, it is, my child," Grandma responded. She fetched a bowl off the mantle."But I don't know if it will do the young lady any good."
"Well, we have to try," Link said. "Maybe it'll delay the poison or something." He was desperate for anything to work. If this failed, he would have to go to Rashu for help, even though the prospect for hope was slim.
Pouring the soup into the bowl with a ladle, Grandma walked over to Tetra. "Would someone be so kind as to open her mouth for me."
"I'll do it," Gonzo said. He stood up from where he was sitting, and walked over to Tetra. He gently forced open her mouth, allowing Grandma to pour the soup down Tetra's throat. "Wait... will she swallow? She's out cold!"
There was sudden gurgling noise, and then a gasp as the soup went down Tetra's throat. Apparently, she was still somewhat conscious. Conscious enough to swallow liquid at least. Link waded through the mass of people to get to her, and looked at the color of her skin.
"She's... still pale," he breathed, eyes wide and centered on Tetra's face. "No... this can't be!"
"Give it some time, my child." Grandma patted Link on the shoulder. "Perhaps she will get better. I will continue to feed her as long as she accepts it."
Tears were breaking through Link's eyes. If there had been a moment of utter and hopeless despair in his life, this was it. Tetra was dying and there seemed to be no way of saving her. Had Ganon really won? Was Hyrule and the rest of the world doomed?
"T-tetra..." Link fell to his knees, and was about to say another prayer when Rashu spoke up.
"There actually... might be a chance to save her from the poison."
Everyone looked at the old moblin in surprise. Link jumped to his feet and ran over to him. "How? Please tell me, Rashu. I will do anything to save Tetra's life."
"Excuse me for interrupting," Sturgeon said. "But it is simple. You merely need a large sample of the venom to create the antidote needed for the poison."
"We have discussed that, however," Rashu said. "It is getting the sample that will be the most difficult part of the task. And Link, I do not think you can do it."
"What! But you just said that there was a way to-"
"Listen to me." Rashu knelt down to Link's height, and spoke to him gently. "You have very little chance of succeeding in this task because, as I said so in the trial, the Master Sword's power is sleeping. Look at it."
Doing as he was told, Link drew the sword from its sheath and gazed upon it with curiosity.
"The blade is dull, and the power to repel evil and magic has left the blade save a tiny fragment of its power," Rashu explained. "That fragment was the only thing protecting the sword from being wielded in evil hands. I'm afraid, though, that there is such little power in that blade that is not extraordinary in any way."
"You mean," Link said. "You mean, that this sword is just... like any old sword?"
"In a sense, yes. And that's why you cannot do this, Link. As I've said, the only way to save Tetra is for someone to actually kill a Soft-shelled Gohma, and take its venom sac without being stung. Without the Master Sword's full power, I do not believe you could defeat it."
Link stared at Rashu and then at the sword, then to Rashu and then at the sword again. Biting his lip frustratedly, he said, "I... I don't care. I will go kill a Soft-shelled Gohma and bring back its venom sac."
"Are you really sure about this, Link?" Rashu asked. "What if you are stung, and what if you die?"
All eyes were on him, and Link did not know how to respond. Doubts entered his mind. What if I really can't do it? If I can't save Tetra... Maybe, it is too dangerous. But... it's Tetra. I can't just leave her behind to die. What type of person would that make me?
Such thoughts swirled in his mind, then, Orca stepped forward. "I do not understand all the things that had transpired, Rashu, but I do not fear for Link's life. I was the one who trained him since he was young. I fully believe there is no way he could fail Miss Tetra or us. Death is something we all must face at one point or another. It is something that we should never run from, though."
Link was grateful for Orca's speech, it filled him with the confidence he needed to overcome his doubts. He felt more confident now, a type of confidence he did not have before. Fear fled his body, and he felt like he could tackle anything that could be thrown at him.
"Master is right," Link said to Rashu, sheathing the sword. "I can do this. I promised my people here that I would return home from the tournament, and I have. Then... let me promise you this, I will go and return with a venom sac. Just please, tell me... where can I find and kill one of those vile creatures?"
There was a long silence before the old moblin stood up. "Very well. I will tell you. You must return to the mainland, and go to the southeastern corner of the land. There, you will find the entrance to the Lost Woods to the north. Deep within those woods, you will find the Kokiri Forest. There, you need to speak to the Great Deku Tree. He should be able to direct you to your target."
"The Lost Woods?" Mako repeated. "Isn't that the place where you can easily get confused and lost inside?"
"Yes, it is to protect the Kokiris in the Forest from unwanted intruders," Rashu explained. He looked around. "Does anyone have a piece of parchment or paper that I could use?"
As if to answer his question, Aryll went to one of the drawers near the beds, and opened it. Link knew what was in there; his family's last piece of parchment. Without hesitation, his little sister pulled out the parchment and walked over to Rashu. She didn't seem to be afraid of him anymore.
"Will this work, Mr. Moblin?" she asked.
"Aryll," Grandma said. "That's our last piece!"
"But... we have to help the nice pirate girl, don't we?" Aryll said with a worried look on her face.
"Don't worry," said Sturgeon. He waved his free hand dismissively. "I'll give you some more. I have plenty to spare. Let this last piece go to the good use of saving this young lady's life."
"Thank you, dear child," Rashu said kindly as he took the piece of parchment from her. The old moblin tapped his staff on the ground twice, and suddenly, a thorn grew on the end of it, dripping with ink. Maneuvering his staff carefully, Rashu began to make some markings on the paper. They made gentle scratching noises as he swiped the thorn across the page. Finally, with one last stroke, Rashu stopped. He tapped his staff twice again, and the thorn shrunk into nothingness. Then, he handed the page to Link.
"Here, Link, these are the directions that will get you through the Lost Woods as quickly as possible. And this," he pulled out a round object from within his robe and placed it in Link's hand. It had a red and white, double-sided spindle in it. "This," Rashu continued. "Is a compass. It will always point north, so you will know which direction you are going. On the page, the arrows I drew will point up for north, right for east, and so forth for each direction."
Link looked at the page and nodded. "Thank you." He turned to the pirates. "Guys... I'm going to need a ride." The pirates each looked at each other for a second, as if trying to decide something. Link could guess what it was. "I know you're worried about Tetra. I am, too. So... if you want, some of you can stay behind and keep an eye on her. I just need to get to the mainland."
"But... how will you get back, matey?" Zuko asked.
"The Wind Waker will provide a way," Rashu interjected. "Just talk to the Kokiris and the Great Deku Tree, Link, and they will help you find a way back to Outset; hopefully, before it is too late."
"How will I be able to identify the Kokiris?" Link asked.
"They are like children," Rashu said. "And they will have a fairy accompanying each one of them. Now, you must hurry!"
"Right!" The young warrior nodded to the pirates. "Whoever is going to come, decide now."
"I will come wit' ya," Gonzo said. Senza, Zuko, and Niko nodded in agreement while Nudge and Mako decided to stay behind with Tetra.
"All right, it's settled then," Link said. "Let's leave immediately!"
This time, they didn't salute him, instead, with determined expressions on their faces, the pirates merely nodded, and those who would go with him stood up. Link ran ahead, and jumped out the door into the heavy winds blasting through Outset.
Once outside, Link headed for the pirates' ship. He shot a glance back at his home to see the pirates running out the door to meet him. Together, they ran up the gangplank and onto the ship. The sails were set, and with haste, they sailed towards the southeast corner of the mainland.
-S-
With the help of the Wind Waker, Link and the pirates managed to get to their destination within three hours. They landed near a sandy beach, far away from any civilization. Ahead, Link could see the beginnings of Hyrule Field near the end of the beach. And even further, he thought he could see a large forest in the distance, but he wasn't sure.
The clouds here were also dark, large beasts rolling through the skies. The wind was not as strong here as it was on Outset, yet something still did not feel right. Link wondered if Ganondorf had already taken the Triforce because of the evil weather.
He felt tired; he had not slept in a long time, yet Link chose to go forward on his journey. He slid down the lowered gangplank onto the beach, sending sand flying in all directions when he landed.
"You guys get going!" He told the pirates. "I'll be back at Outset soon... with a venom sac!"
Link waved to the pirates and then headed north towards what he thought to be the forest. While he could not tell whether it was night or day, he figured it was still nighttime as it had only been a few hours since they raided Forsaken Fortress to save Tetra from Ganondorf's hands. That feels like a lifetime ago though.
It was a long journey to the forest, or at least, it felt like it. Link guessed that he had walked a couple of miles before reaching a gigantic fallen log embedded within the trees. He guessed that about ten people could fit in the log at a single time, lengthwise. As for how deep it went into the forest, he was not sure. He could only see a few yards in, the rest seem to be swallowed up in darkness. The trees were so thick on either side and seemed to extend for long distances that the log appeared to be the only way in.
Not needing to steel himself, Link entered the log, and into the darkness. Feeling along the sides of the log as he walked through, he eventually saw a light at the end. Following it, and hoping it was not some trick, the islander exited the log to find himself on a clearing within the forest. Above him, he could see an opening with the dark sky above. However, it was what was around that startled him.
There were three more logs, similar to the one he had just walked through, embedded in the forest walls. One to the north, one to the east, one to the west, and then the one to the south that he just came through. This is probably some sort of maze, he thought. I wonder... what were the directions Rashu gave me again?
Link had not taken the time to read the page of directions while on the ship. Now was probably the best time to take a look. Pulling it out of his adventurer's pouch, along with the compass, he studied the page for the Lost Woods.
The directions went as followed: north, west, west, north, east, north, west, north. Link assumed that he needed to head through the logs that faced those directions. It was no wonder Rashu had given him the compass; for there would have been no way for him to figure out on his own which direction he was going, even if the sky had been clear. There was just not enough space in the opening to show Link where the north star was.
In the distance, he thought he could hear an ocarina playing a mysterious tune. It reminded him of Tetra playing the Ocarina of Time that one night when they were escaping from the Royal Family. He almost could remember the song she played, yet it was very different from the tune he heard now.
The memory of Tetra urged Link forward. The map had said to go north first, and according to the compass (and his memory), he was facing north. Thus, he trudged deeper into the woods and into the log.
And that was when he noticed it: as he came close to the opening of the log, the song of the ocarina gradually got louder, as if to beckon him through that log. Unwittingly, Link obeyed, and passed through the log. When he reached the other side, he then truly realized why Rashu had given him the directions.
The 'new' section of the Lost Woods that he had just entered looked like the one he just left. He stared in disbelief; everything was in its exact place. No bush or tree had moved from its spot. It was a complete, and perfect copy of the first section of the woods. He was so shocked that he barely noticed the ocarina's tune growing softer.
Shaking his head, Link told himself to focus on what was important. He looked at the map and then a sudden, strong gust of wind came from one of the logs, and tore the map from his hands, sending it flying into log to the east. Crap, now what do I do?
Link remembered that he needed to head west twice, at the very least, but the rest of the directions were fading from his mind. By the time he went west twice, he knew that he would forget all the directions entirely.
Great, I'm trapped in this maze, and Tetra's going to die because of it. What do I do now! He looked around frantically for a clue, or anything to tell him where he was. He had to find a way out. After a few minutes of searching the area, Link realized that there were no distinguishing marks in the section he was in.
With a resigned sigh, Link ran over to the log on the west side. As he approached the log, he noticed the tune of the ocarina become louder again. That's it! The tune is telling which direction is the right one to take! Immediately, to test his theory, he ran over to the log on the north side. Just as he expected, the tune grew softer; so soft that he could barely hear it even. It's like it's calling to me.
Returning to the western side, Link followed the song of the ocarina through the Lost Woods. While every section was the exact same in size, shape, and features, he would know where he needed to go next because of the ocarina's song. Every time he entered a new section, he would go close to each log to see which one caused the ocarina's song to become louder, and would enter that log which he could hear the instrument most clearly.
It wasn't long before he suddenly found himself outside of the Lost Woods, and inside a forest, one much more realistic than the first. Inside this forest, Link could see trees spread out in uneven spaces across the ground. In front of him, he could see a large clearing with several broken down-looking huts. A second look told him that the huts were actually houses made of large, broad tree stumps. Behind him, was the exit from the Lost Woods; another hollow log.
I made it... this must be the place where the kokiris live, he thought happily. Now, I just have to see the Great Deku Tree. That could be difficult.
As Link walked onto the grassy field, he saw two children about a few yards in front of him. One, a boy, was watching the other, a girl, sitting on stump. With them, were these odd glowing spheres. Even more odd was the fact that the boy wore green clothes and cap similar to Link's own. The girl was also wearing green clothes, but instead of cap, there was a flower in her green hair. He noticed that she was holding something in her hands.
He couldn't tell what it was at first, then, it suddenly dawned on him. She's playing the ocarina I heard! In her hands, the girl was holding a wooden ocarina and playing the exact tune he had heard through the Lost Woods.
He took a step forward and suddenly stopped by another child in the same green clothes. "Hold it! Who are you?" It was a boy, and the cap went over his eyes. Link wondered how he could see the islander standing there.
"I... I'm here for the Great Deku Tree," Link said. "I need to speak with him." He noticed that this boy, like the other boy and girl had a spherical light accompanying him. It took him a moment to see the wings connected to the body of the light. They have fairies... they've got to be the kokiris.
His blocker wouldn't move. "We don't let outsiders see the Great Deku Tree. No matter what!"
Before Link could open his mouth, the ocarina stopped playing. "What's going on?" a girl's voice asked.
The kokiri blocking him moved aside to let the girl approach. She had bright green eyes, much like Link's own. She had a curious expression on her face. However, the other kokiri boy had approached, and unlike the girl, he did not seemed thrilled to see the islander.
"So, how'd you get in here, squirt? Luck?" he asked, brushing some of his orange hair. "Get outta here. We don't welcome outsiders! And don't try to fool us with those clothes! You don't have a fairy, and we've never seen your face around here before."
While Link himself was curious about the clothing, too, he had other matters to attend to. "I understand that you don't like outsiders, but this is an emergency! I really need to see the Great Deku Tree. A friend of mine is poisoned with Soft-shelled Gohma venom, and she's-"
He was interrupted by a chorus of horrified gasps from the the three. "What'd you say!" asked the orange-haired kokiri. But his expression darkened. "No way, you're lying. I know what you really want, and we're not going to let you see the Great Deku Tree for it! Not for thieves like you! Get out of here, punk!"
Thieves? What is he talking about?
The two boys made motions to push Link back into the Lost Woods when the girl grabbed their arms. "Wait a minute! What if he's telling the truth? He doesn't seem dishonest."
"Saria," the orange-haired one said. "Don't be stupid. They all seem nice at first, but all they really want to do is steal from us." He glared at the islander as if to say 'people like you.'
The girl, Saria, didn't seem to be deterred. "Mido, he's too young to be a thief! Besides, how would he have gotten past the Lost Woods without help?" She looked at Link. "Who sent you?"
"A... wizard named Rashu." Link was uncertain as whether to say that he was a moblin or a wizard or both. He felt anxious. These kokiris were wasting his time, if he couldn't see the Great Deku Tree, then... no, he didn't want to think about it. Even though Tetra was constantly on his mind.
"Rashu?" Mido said, raising his brows. The kokiri folded his arms and frowned at him. "You're making up one will 'o wisp of a story there, kid. Come on, get out!" He shoved the islander back, but Link resisted and pushed forward with equal force. "See? You are determined to steal from us."
"This is getting ridiculous!" Link said loudly. "My friend is going to die! Rashu told me that the Great Deku Tree was the only one who could help me save her! And all you think is that I'm going to steal from you!"
"Show me proof that he sent you!" Mido countered. "If you're a friend of Rashu's, then he would have given you something to prove that."
Link pulled out the compass, and let the kokiri look at it. After a moment, he laughed.
"You're kidding me! A compass? Is that all you have? That doesn't prove anything."
"Well, I had a map that he wrote out for me, but I lost it," Link said. He was grinding his teeth together. He wanted to insult Mido for his lack of respect, but he held his tongue.
"Oh gee, how convenient," the kokiri snorted.
"But, Mido! There's no way he could have gotten through the Lost Woods without a map," Saria said. "And the directions are secret, only a few outsiders know what they are." She again looked at the islander with sympathetic eyes. "How did you get in here without a map?"
"I followed the sound of your ocarina," Link said.
Mido was about to interrupt him, but as soon as he had spoken, the kokiri stopped with his mouth hanging open. Saria looked utterly surprised and was speechless. The other, well, Link couldn't tell his expression because of the cap.
"You... heard the ocarina?" Saria asked slowly. "But... how? Not even Rashu can do that."
Mido still looked skeptical. It was like he wanted Link to be branded as a thief, but somehow, this information had changed everything. The other kokiri boy was not even trying to push the islander away into the Lost Woods anymore. He just stood there, stunned.
Saria and Mido quickly moved aside from Link and began whispering rapidly to each other. Finally, after several moments, Mido stepped back and shook his head. "No way!" he said. "He can't be it!"
"But... the prophecies...!" Saria protested. "Have you forgotten? Only the-"
"I know, I know." he let out an aggravated groan. "All right... we'll let you see the Great Deku Tree, kid. ... what's your name?"
The islander wanted to ask about these 'prophecies,' but a sudden image of Tetra, lying on the bottom bunk back at Outset stopped him. The paleness of her skin sent cold blood rushing through his veins. "I'm Link."
"Link...?" Saria repeated. "... that... sounds familiar. Where have I-?" she stopped, probably noticing his urgent expression. "Oh! Right, we need to help your friend. Let's go then."
Mido and Saria led Link across the grassy field. As they walked, he could see other kokiris, coming out of their houses to watch him. Some of them had been hiding in the bushes nearby, and it made him wonder how many of them heard the argument.
Finally, they crossed a small river that led to a narrow pass made of natural stone. Mido motioned Link to follow him and Saria through the pass. As the islander drew close, the orange-haired kokiri glared at him. "If you are here to steal things," he whispered menacingly. "I will kill you."
Link didn't reply, instead, he kept his eyes forward. Once he was through the pass, he found himself, along with his guides, in a very large glade. In the middle was a gigantic tree that had to be at least as large as the forest on Outset Island. The most surprising thing to the islander, though, was the fact that the tree had a face.
"This is the Great Deku Tree," Saria said. "He is our guardian spirit in these woods."
If he's the guardian, why were they protecting me from him? Link wondered. It did not matter right now. He opened his mouth, but the Great Deku Tree spoke first.
"I have been expecting you, child, for a very, very, long time." The guardian's voice was deep, and ancient-sounding. "You are sent from Rashu, are you not?"
Link nodded, feeling overwhelmed. "Y-yes. I am. How... did you know I was coming?"
"I saw you in a vision, child," the Great Deku Tree responded. "A vision of old when my roots were yet tender and young. But tell me, why have you sought me out?"
The islander was perplexed. If this guardian had seen Link coming to the Kokiri Forest in a vision, how did he not know what the islander's motives were? "I was told that you could tell me where a Soft-shelled Gohma is... so I can kill it and get its venom sac." He heard Saria gasp in horror beside him, but he kept his eyes glued to the Great Deku Tree.
"I see..." the tree said. "Mido, Saria, please leave us alone. There are things that cannot be said in front of you." Link turned around to see Saria bow and walk away, but Mido stayed behind. He looked at Link with a suspicious glare, but said nothing. "Mido, leave your doubts and mistrust of this young one behind."
The orange-haired kokiri looked at the Great Deku Tree and nodded. "Fine." He turned around and left the glade.
"The path you have chosen is a dangerous one," the guardian continued. "But... you are the only one who can walk this path. Only you could have heard Saria's ocarina in the Lost Woods. No other mortal has that power."
"What... do you mean?"
"All will be explained in time," the guardian assured him. "But before allowing you to seek your prey, I must ask you, do you know how Hyrule, the Great Seas, and the islands were created?" Link nodded. "Recite it to me then."
He felt anxious. What the heck? Is everyone here trying to waste my time? What does the Creation have to do with saving Tetra's life?
"Fear not," said the Great Deku Tree. "You will have enough time to save your dear friend. Speak."
Link sighed. "All right. It started with the three Goddesses—Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, the Goddess of Courage—they found the chaotic matter that would become our world. Din took the matter and organized it into the land masses. Nayru took the other part of the matter and made the water and air for the world. Finally, Farore created all the living things on Hyrule."
"Very good," the Great Deku Tree said. "Do you remember what they left behind?"
"An essence of their powers, a Golden Power called the Triforce, right? The top triangle for Power, the lower-right for Wisdom, and the lower-left for Courage."
"Wonderful," said the guardian. "I am pleased with your description. Please, Link, remember that fact while searching for your prey. The time will come when you understand my words, and why I asked you to recite the Creation to me. Now, then... look to your left."
Link did as he was told, and in the distance, he saw an entrance to a dark forest. The entrance was boarded off with thick logs set in a cross. Something about that entry-way sent cold shivers up his spine.
"That, child, is the Forbidden Woods," the guardian continued. "It is in there, that you will find what you need to slay in order to save your friend's life. I warn you, though, it is a twisted place, where your nightmares may very well come true. Be wary, and keep that sword close to you."
"How... do I get in?" Link asked slowly.
"I shall let you in, and then re-seal the passage," the Great Deku Tree explained. "I will open it again when you return." Even as he spoke, the logs began to move apart, allowing entry to the Forbidden Woods. "Go quickly, before I must close the passage to avoid allowing any of the evil to spread to this part of the forest."
With a nod, Link ran over to the entrance to the woods. Drawing the Master Sword, and readying his shield, the young warrior walked into the darkness, bracing himself for whatever lay within.