Link leapt across the chasm, barely catching onto the far side. His fingers nearly slipped off of the slick ledge, but after a moment of effort he was able to dig them into the soft mossy surface.
A burst of effort allowed him to pull his body up and over the edge, and within a few seconds Link had safely crossed the chasm.
But who knew what lay ahead?
Link heard his footsteps echo through the unimaginable depths of the Shadow Temple. He felt a cool breeze brush by him and his hair began to stand on end.
Link and Malon walked through the darkness. They hadn't encountered any monsters thus far and they might even be lucky enough to escape the troublesome experience entirely.
On the next hill of the rolling twilit plains, the ranch was visible. Its high wooden wall was visible by the moon's light. It served as a beacon and a goal for their journey.
Within minutes, Link guessed, they would be walking in through the front gate. After that he would finally be able to rest.
He had been awake for several days and was exhausted from the many trials he had faced.
Sleep would be good.
Link was in a room with no doors, only stone walls on all sides.
Each wall was laden with a deeply disturbing painting of some sort of gruesome activity.
Some merely had a pair of demonic eyes staring out from the canvas.
Link held his sword in one hand and the mysterious magnifying glass in the other. Whenever he looked through it, Link felt himself growing weaker slowly but steadily.
However, there was a benefit to the parasitic tool. It showed him the way through this seemingly inescapable maze.
With the magical object, Link had one less thing to worry about.
As the pair of them passed through the gates, Link noticed, with a sense of worry,
that the Talon had uncharacteristically left the gate wide open in the middle of the night.
He expressed his concern to Malon, but was only met with a blank stare of dread.
"L-Link, how long was I gone."
Link swallowed down the lump in his throat and answered her, "About a week. No more than eight days."
"Oh goddesses," Malon groaned, "My poor dad, he probably thinks I'm dead by now."
She picked up the pace and began to run toward the house.
Link noticed that despite the late hour, a light was still burning in the kitchen window.
Swinging his sword with more strength, Link was able to cut cleanly through the decaying tentacle like arm.
Its severed stump shook in pain for a moment before disappearing into the ground.
The stench of death was heavy in the air.
Link turned around and saw the creature that was supposed to have died. At least Link thought he had killed it, that day seven years ago, or yesterday. Either one.
Link waited for it to approach him before attacking.
The creature lowered its head in an attempt to deliver a vicious bite, but Link was able to evade is wickedly sharp teeth. He stepped around the flailing arms and brought his sword down on the horrible creature's horrible neck.
With a dull thwump, he decapitated the monster.
Its evil head, complete with hollow eyes and an oversized jaw, fell to the floor and rolled over once. Darkly colored blood oozed from the wound and onto the floor, soaking the dirt in even more blood.
Link stepped past the dead boy and head, reaching for the rustic chest that had appeared justmoments before.
Some type of treasure awaited him inside.
As soon as Malon stepped into the light of the flickering candle, Talon froze.
He just stared at her for a few moments before he could even react.
His reaction was so sudden and severe that Link barely escaped being bowled over in the crossfire.
Talon leapt up from his place at the table and enveloped Malon in a whopping bear hug.
"Oh you're okay!" Talon cried, "Oh my, Malon you're okay. I was so worried."
After nearly a minute of overwhelming hugs and muddled questions, Talon fell silent and finally gave Malon a chance to explain.
She reminded him about the skeleton that had appeared while Link brought him home. She then proceeded to tell him about how it kidnapped her and held her hostage in the ruins of Castle town.
Then she explained how Link saved her from the monster, how he followed them all the way there and fought the skeleton twice in order to save her.
Once she had finished, Talon seemed dumbstruck by the story. It took him a while to come up with something to say, but finally he asked, "This skeleton, how do you know that it won't come back, for you, again."
"It won't," Link said, "Its dead now and it could come back even if it wanted to."
Talon looked at him and said, "What if something else comes?"
"I won't let anything happen to Malon. I'm not going to let anything hurt her, never again."
Talon looked at Link, looked into his eyes.
"I'm sorry," Link said, "I'm sorry that I put her in danger. It was trying to get to me through her, but its over now and I won't let it happen again."
"Alright." Talon said, "And I can see you're tired, why don't you head upstairs and get some rest."
Link smiled, feeling weak from exhaustion, "Thanks Talon."
Link headed up the stairs and into the guest room.
He fell asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.
Link leapt from the ledge and into the open air. The gap stretched much longer than he could normally jump, and the fall was tremendous.
If he didn't reach the next platform he would fall to his death.
Just as he began to fall, the magic of the golden boots kicked in and Link began to run across the empty air. Instead of completing his jump, Link simply walked to the other end.
Hearing the scratchy unraveling of thread, Link dodged out of the way as a giant Skulltula dropped from the endless heights.
Ducking away from its spinning attack, Link landed a careful strike and the creature dropped dead.
Link left the decaying body where it was and continued on his way.
In the distance Link could hear the sound of blades clashing on stone.
And the growls of creature much more fearsome than a mere Skulltula
Link moved on, knowing that he had encountered less than half of what was in store for him.
Link fumbled around in the darkness for his boots. He remembered leaving them haphazardly next to the door, but he couldn't find them.
His eyesight was poor in the dark room, and everything appeared as plain shapes and colorless silhouettes.
Link's eyes focused on a pair of shapeless lumps on the floor. He sighed with relief when he realized that the lumps were in fact his missing boots.
Putting them on as quietly as he could, Link grabbed his backpack and equipment then started toward the door.
He moved slowly, cautiously. Hoping not to wake anyone in the house.
They had already suffered enough at his expense, the least he could do was to leave their sleep uninterrupted.
Slipping into the hallway, Link felt his way along the wall and found his way to the stairs.
The first step creaked beneath his weight, but it was the only one. Eventually he reached the bottom and headed outside.
The cool night air greeted him.
The world around him started to shake and sway.
And it began to move
The mysterious ship broke away from the dock and began to follow the river's course at an ever increasing speed.
Within moments the cavern was shooting by at tremendous speeds.
A heavy thud sounded behind Link and he turned to see two massive Stalfos soldiers, each armed with a wicked cutlass and a circular shield.
Link stepped toward them, drawing his own sword and shield.
Even as he moved, the two monsters stepped to either side of him and began to encircle Link.
Link lunged toward the closest one and let loose a flurry of attacks. Most of them were easily blocked but a few made it through. The Stalfos growled out an inhuman cry of pain and retreated a step away from him.
Spinning around, Link was able to block the second creature's cutlass just a moment before it made contact with his body.
Parrying the blow, Link jabbed his sword into the Stalfos's rib cavity. It's eyes flared brightly and it lashed out with its shield.
The shield crashed directly into Link's chest and sent him tumbling backwards across the deck of the ship.
Link struggled to regain his balance and managed to catch his footing just as the pair of monsters reached him. Link tried to shove his sword into the chest of the nearest Stalfos but succeeded only in mortally wounding its shield.
Link was surprised when he felt his sword get wrenched away from his grip.
It was lodged in the wooden shield.
Link jumped out of the way of the incoming cutlasses and drew his bow.
This was going to be a tough fight without the use of his sword.
But it was one he would have to win if he was going to keep his promise.
As Link left the house, the sun's first rays began to shine over the fence.
He started to walk away but stopped when he heard Malon's voice.
"Link?"
He turned around and saw her standing near the door of the stables.
"Where are you going so early? Don't you want to stay and have breakfast or something?" Malon asked.
"No," Link said," I've got to go. There's still more that I have to do before I'm done."
"Oh," She said, looking a little disappointed. "Well where are you going?"
"Kakariko," Link said.
"Oh that's not so far away," She said more cheerfully, "You'll be back soon right?"
"Yeah, as soon as I can. I'll try and be back tonight, but it might take more than one day."
She smiled, "Don't take too long, I'll be waiting for you."
"Don't worry," Link said with a small smile, "I can't wait to be back."
Malon was about to say something but a rooster crowed from somewhere on the ranch and cut her off.
"Well, I guess I should get going if I'm going to get back as soon as tonight." Link said reluctantly
"Yeah…"Malon muttered.
She didn't move for a few moments as he left, just watched him walk away from the ranch.
Then she told herself that he would be back soon, and went back into the barn.
Link dove aside and narrowly escaped the Stalfos's twisted blade. Behind him he heard the wood of the ship splinter under the weight of the strike.
His sword was lying unattended on the other side of the ship.
Link scrambled toward the weapon but fell off balance and rolled onto his back as the ship suddenly lurched to one side.
His stomach lurched along with it and Link realized the ship was sinking for some reason.
Moving desperately, Link jumped to his feet and ran drunkenly to the other side of the ship.
Just behind him he could hear the lumbering steps of the skeletal soldier.
Link scooped up his weapon and realized the Stalfos had him cornered. Looking back and forth frantically, Link realized there was only one way out.
He leapt from the side of the ship and began the twenty foot plummet to the ground below.
He screamed as he fell but fell silent with a breathy grunt as he struck the ground.
His lungs emptied and Link was left in a state of shock. He just sat there immobile and tried desperately to catch his breath.
Behind him, Link heard the ship fall completely under the surface.
After a few minutes Link was able to stand up carefully. He picked up his weapon and started to survey the room for a clue for which way to go.
A few bubbles floated up to the surface of the water and popped.
Link looked across the room and saw a pair of doors, he started to head for them.
The sound of splashing drew Link's attention and he turned to see the skeletal frame of a Stalfos soldier climbing out of the murky depths.
Apparently it wouldn't be finished so easily.
Link climbed past the last step of the stairs and saw the village laid out before him.
The many multitude of houses, the throng of people both residents and refugees, and the simple well that stood in the center of it all.
Link walked until he stood next to the well, hoping to catch a glimpse of the temple from that angle.
He saw nothing and felt confused. This was where he was supposed to be. Wasn't it?
His intuition had led him here just like the three previous temples and each time had been correct.
Then where was it?
Link heard a grinding noise come from the well and looked down at it perplexed.
It felt as if a great fist had sudden shot up from the well and knocked into him. Link flipped backward and came to a rest on the soft soil below.
Sluggishly rising from the ground, Link searched around for the source of the attack.
Nothing
Something slammed into him from the side and tossed him into the air.
Time seemed to slow as Link floated there.
Something in the back of his head told him that there was a malicious being somewhere nearby.
Link drew his sword and watched astonished as violet blood seemed to pour from the blade itself. A hollow shriek resonated in Link ears and he felt the force strike him again, sending him flying into the side of one of the buildings.
Link could move, he was so exhausted from the past few seconds. He just lay there on the ground and tried to catch his breath.
After some time his strength returned to him and he was able to stand.
It was then that a young woman came walking up to him with a worried expression on her face. "Oh, you're alright. We thought it'd killed you."
Link looked up at her and saw that she had red hair similar to Malon's, but she was taller and seemed less inclined toward ranch work than the easier jobs offered in the village.
"I'm sorry we didn't warn you before it was too late, but by the time we saw you, well you were already too close to the well. You see, there's a spirit that used to be imprisoned in the well, but it broke loose recently. It's been prone to randomly attacking anyone or anything that it can reach from the well. Impa went into the temple to try and stop it."
Link was still recovering and therefore didn't understand most of what she said, but he did pick out the word temple.
"The Temple? Do you know where it is? I've got to go there."
"Oh!" She said with a surprised look on her face, "Are you him? Impa said before she left that a young man would be coming here looking for the temple, and that we should help him."
Link coughed then filled his lungs and resumed breathing normally.
"Yeah, that's me. So could you show me where it is?"
"Yes of course," She said, "Follow me."
Link fell through the darkness, unable to see anything.
Unable to feel anything but uneasiness and discomfort.
Suddenly the ground below him had substance and Link impacted a flat elastic surface.
Reflexively Link loosened his knees and dropped to the floor without resistance.
Crawling to his knees, Link looked around and realized he was standing on a huge white circle made of some kind of stretchy substance.
Suddenly the surface shuddered and Link fell down again, knocked over by the shockwave.
Link hurriedly regained his footing and searched around the blank empty space for something, anything.
It shows what is there, but seems not to be. It shows you the truth.
Link remembered those words but he didn't remember where from. Following the mysterious instruction, Link pulled out the lens of truth and looked through it, examining the darkness around him.
He froze when he found himself face to face with a grotesque beast.
A single bulbous eye, burning with hatred, glowing in the gloom.
Two monstrous hands with fingers at least as long as Link was tall.
And a razor sharp tooth filled grin that hung between the two.
"Hello…" It growled in a pleased tone, "I'm going to kill you now…"
Link reached for his sword and prepared to face the nightmare.
"I think I'll eat you when I'm done…" It murmured happily, "I think that will be nice, don't you think?"
Then one of the massive hands was flying through the air toward Link while the other beat the ground causing seismic ripples to flow through the rubbery surface.
Link took a step toward the nightmare, his sword raised high and prepared to do battle.
Link stumbled across the grassy plains and the rolling hills.
It was dark and monotone now. All he saw were faint curves on the horizon while the rest of the geography was nothing more than a featureless sea of ink, an empty canvas.
Each step grated his bruised and scathed body. He was covered in bruises and scrapes, but nothing too serious. The worst wound was no more than a long but thin gash on his arm. It would heal quickly and barely hampered his fighting abilities.
His progress was measured by the size of his goal. As he neared the ranch, it seemed to grow more prominent until it was a looming colossus that blocked out the rest of the world.
The gate was still open, and Link walked through, feeling his aching muscles complain with each step.
Sleep would be appreciated.
As Link neared the house, he noticed something strange. It was as if the events of last night were repeating themselves over again. Only this time it was just him, not both him and Malon.
Link noticed that despite the late hour, a light was still burning in the kitchen window.
Entering the house, Link put off his desperate need for sleep and investigated the kitchen.
There was a single candle on the table that was burning low, giving just enough light for Link to see Malon sitting in one of the chairs.
She was asleep, resting her head on the table with her eyes closed and her hands sprawled out across the wood.
She looked so peaceful, Link noticed, like an angel.
Link wasn't sure what to do, he didn't want to wake her up. Somehow it seemed that might break the spell she had cast over him. She seemed perfectly angelic as she was now, and Link didn't want it to end.
Feeling that his legs might not be able to support him much longer, Link sat down in a chair opposite her and placed his head in his hands, resting his eyes for just a moment.
Link might have drifted off to sleep and woken up at the table across from Malon the next morning if her sleep filled voice hadn't begun to murmur.
"No," she muttered, "Don't go away. Not again…"
Link felt transfixed on her, watching her lips move as they formed the dream words.
"You… saved me…"
With a sudden jolt of understanding, Link realized she was talking about him, unintentional as it might me.
"You're… coming back, huh? Right?"
Link felt frozen, watching her speak. Drawn into those few words she had spoken and what they might mean.
She was dreaming about him.
"No, don't…" She began to trail off, "I, lo…"
Her eyes scrunched tightly then opened slowly.
Moving sluggishly, she sat up and stretched her arms out at her sides, letting loose a tire yawn.
Letting her body relax, Malon rubbed one of her eyes and started to stand up, but then she realized Link was sitting at the table as well.
She nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Link!" She exclaimed, yawning again, "You're back."
"Yeah," Link said," I'm back."
Malon smiled sleepily, "I'm glad you're home Link."
"Yeah, me too," Link said, matching her smile.
She stood up from the table groggily, grabbed the candle and started to walk toward the stairs. Link followed her and matched her pace.
Within the confines of a minute they were both climbing the staircase side by side.
Suddenly Malon stumbled, whether it was the effect of her tripping over a step or a general lack of coordination due to fatigue.
Link darted forward despite his current state of exhaustion and caught her.
She smiled at him, "Thanks."
Instead of stepping away and resuming the trek to her room, Malon stopped and leaned closer to him.
At that point in time, Link seemed to be holding her up as much as he was leaning on her. As weak as he was, he still found the strength to keep her from falling.
"Link," She said softly, "Don't leave me again. It gets so lonely without you here."
"Sorry, I've got to."
"Can't you wait? Just for a little bit? Let a little time pass before you head out again."
Link shook his head sadly, "Don't worry, I won't be long. I'll come home as soon as I can."
"You promise?"
"Whatever happens I'll be back, I promise. I'm not going to leave you, not again."
She smile and looked up at him, "Thank you." She said happily.
She started to head toward her room again, but stopped once she reached the door.
"Oh and before you leave," She said, "Wake me up before you go."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to try and slip away again."
"Thanks, goodnight Link."
"Goodnight Malon."
Then she ducked into her room and shut the door behind her.
The light of the candle disappeared along with her and Link was left alone and in darkness.
He turned away and headed toward his own room.
And another week's chapter has come to an end.
25/30
Five more chapters until the finale
What will happen?