Chapter 29: Spider House
Inside a dim-lit cell, Linkle had her back faced to Linebeck II who was lying on the top bunker.
"I can't believe I'm stuck here with you," Linkle grumbled.
"Neither can I," replied Linebeck II. "Hadn't even gotten to the Sea Gondola before they caught me and forced me to talk."
"So that's how the Garos knew where the entrance was," Linkle said as she glared at Linebeck II. "You squealed!"
"Well, I couldn't help it!" Linebeck II exclaimed. "They had this guy come in wearing a Mask of Truth. He read my mind, and that was it."
That perked Linkle's ears. "What did he look like? The guy, I mean."
"It wasn't exactly a man," Linebeck II said nervously. "He was a giant spider, with a face on his back that resembled a skull with a hint of red hair, a human arm, and the Mask of Truth on."
"Did this thing have a name?"
"I'm not sure. The Garos referred to him as the 'Cursed Man'. People say he was a poor sob went into the Spider House next to the Fisherman's Hut, thinking he'd get rich, but then was cursed and became a Skulltula."
"Skulltula?"
"Spiders with skulls on their backs. They were abundant during the days of Hyrule until the Goddesses flooded it. After the TriForce Shock incident, though, Cia brought them back to be used as guards for this prison."
As Linebeck II spoke, a large spider with a skull-like face on its back suddenly appeared beyond the bars of the cell. It stared at Linebeck II and Linkle for a few seconds, and then it crawled away. The two didn't speak for several seconds afterward.
"Maybe if we can somehow break the curse that caused the Cursed Man to become a Skulltula, he might be willing to give us the Mask of Truth as a reward," Linkle said out loud. "But first we need to get out of here, and you're going to help me."
"No way!" Linebeck II said. "No man has been able to break out of this prison and live."
"But I'm a woman," Linkle said. "So that doesn't apply to me."
"Still, what's your plan?"
"I…uh, haven't got one yet."
"Then let me offer something." Linebeck II reached into a hidden pocket of his coat and pulled out a Mask which contained a face that was the color of mud with beady eyes. "This is the Goron Mask, one of the few Transformation Masks in Oshus. It'll transform you into a Goron, which I'll freely give to you if you'll help me leave Oshus for good."
Linkle hesitated. "Sounds like the deal you made when Vaati possessed you, except without a family involved. You don't have that, right?"
"A family? No!" Linebeck II said.
"I didn't think so," Linkle replied turning away.
"But that doesn't mean I'm not open to the idea."
"That wasn't my point."
"Look, we can either rot in this prison cell or get out with favors. I'll help you get this Mask of Truth, only if you get me out of this city."
After a long sigh, Linkle took the Goron Mask from Linebeck II's hand. "Fine, but don't double-cross me like you just did."
"Wouldn't plan on it, considering how well it went."
So Linkle put on the Goron Mask and had to endure yet another painful transformation. When it was done, Linkle's body had turned to stone with muscular arms and legs wearing the green skirt and cloak over her breasts. Her pigtails had been replaced by short white hair, her eyes had turned black, and her mouth was wider and puffier.
"Is this what Goron women look like?" Linkle asked, feeling somewhat embarrassed by her partial nudity.
"I'd guess so, thou they've never been seen or recorded in Hylian history," Linebeck II said. "Anyway, now you have the powers of a Goron. You're able to punch things really hard, roll up into a boulder, and carry Powder Kegs."
"Powder Kegs?"
"They're more powerful than regular Bombs, and only the strongest can carry them."
"I see."
Looking both ways to make sure there weren't any Skulltulas, Linkle grabbed the iron bars and pushed them till they bent. With a gaping hole between them, Linkle slipped out and ushered Linebeck II to follow her. They ran down a dark passage that was dimly lit by candles, until they were blocked by a Skulltula. With her fists, Linkle punched the Skulltula till it disappeared in a puff of smoke and continued on. She then noticed a prison cell that was occupied by Lenzo and his wife Minenco.
"Lenzo! Minenco!" Linkle exclaimed.
"Linkle?" Minenco said quizzically. "Is that you?"
"Yes, I'm wearing the Goron Mask right now," Linkle answered. "I came to get you guys out of here."
Then Linkle bent the bars till there was a big enough hole for Lenzo and Minenco to climb out of. They came to an adjunct hallway filled with Skulltulas, so Linkle rolled up into a boulder and barreled through them. Linebeck, Minenco, and Lenzo followed after then they eventually found the room where all their stuff was kept. While Linkle grabbed her things, Linebeck kept watch. Lenzo and Minenco stood nearby to catch their breath.
"Linebeck II," Linkle said as soon as she had gathered all her things.
"What?" Linebeck II asked.
"I want you to take Lenzo and his wife to the surface with you. I'm going onto the Spider House to see if the Cursed Man's there."
"Linkle—
"I know where the Spider House is, and I don't want Lenzo and his wife to be put into anymore danger if we went back to their house and looked for a Mask of Truth there."
"Is that what this was all about?" Lenzo wondered. "I got rid of it not too long ago, hoping it would keep the Veneers off my back."
"It seems we were wrong," Minenco said bitterly. "Our association with Linkle, though brief, was what got us arrested."
"But you shouldn't blame Linkle for that," Linebeck II said before Linkle could defend herself. "Vaati's the one who's responsible for all this, and Linkle's going to make sure he pays for it!"
Surprised by Linebeck II's words, Linkle blushed slightly and walked past Linebeck II to lead the way out of prison.
###
Once Linebeck II had taken Lenzo and Minenco out using Linkle's Stone Mask, Linkle took a nearby Sea Gondola to the Nayru Pyramid.
"Linkle," Vaati's voice said through the screen inside the Sea Gondola. "You don't have to do this. We can rule this city together, so the surface world may fear us."
"Not interested," Linkle said, and crushed the screen to a pulp.
Without the Transceiver, Linkle was able to safely get to the Nayru Pyramid without any issues. Then once she was there, Linkle rolled around the district until she found the Spider House. Removing the Goron Mask, Linkle walked up to the place and knocked. The door opened inward, revealing a dark room with skittering sounds. Nervously, Linkle stepped in and found several Skulltulas crawling around the house with gold-colored skulls. At the center of the room hung a Skulltula with a human hand, a hint of red hair, and a white mask with a giant red eye on the front of it.
"Welcome to the Spider House, foolish traveler," said the Skulltula with the white mask.
To be continued…
