A/N: And here we have truths revealed and now TEMPLES


Ganondorf sighed as he looked over his shoulder, unable to see the forest's entrance through the fog. He groaned before straightening. "Okay, we're in the forest, Link. Now what?"

"They won't follow us, right?" Mipha asked, looking back where they had come from.

"If they're smart, they won't," Bazz murmured. "It's easy to get turned around in here. Many have died because they couldn't find their way out."

"Shh!" Zelda said, holding up a hand as she stared at Link intently.

It was obvious he could hear something the way he tilted his head side to side, ears twitching at the sounds.

"What do you hear, Link?" Sidon asked, leaning down a bit. "Is it enemies?"

Link shook his head. Music.

"Music?" Ganondorf repeated skeptically, crossing his arms as he raised an eyebrow. "I hear nothing."

Everyone else went quiet, listening carefully for the music that Link claimed to hear.

Zelda shook her head. "I don't hear anything either, Link. Are you sure-?"

Link nodded seriously, appearing put off that no one believed him.

"Should we follow the music?" Sidon asked.

Link frowned before he nodded.

"Whoa, whoa," Ganondorf said. "It could lead us into a trap."

Link shook his head. I think it's leading us to where we need to go.

Ganondorf gave a doubtful hum, looking at the others.

"We can't just keep standing here," Zelda said. "Let's try it."

"I'm sure it will be fine," Sidon agreed with a grin.

Ganondorf sighed then shook his head. He waved a hand. "All right. Show us, Link."

Link grinned and nodded, beginning to walk forward with the group trailing after him.

Every so often he would stop and move left then right before picking a direction where the strongest source of music was apparently coming from.

A few stop and starts later, the group passed through a large log, exiting the fog-covered forest and coming out to a bright part of the forest containing a gigantic tree with pink petals on its topmost branches.

"Wow…" Zelda breathed, looking around in awe.

"What a beautiful place," Mipha said, staring at a strange pod-shaped plant that seemed to emit light.

Why does this place seem familiar? Ganondorf wondered, staring at the tree suspiciously before dropping his gaze down, spying a sword embedded in a pedestal just in front of the tree. His eyes widened at the sight of the sword.

"Wait a second…this place is…"

"Aah!"

The cry startled the group as a small creature launched itself at Ganondorf, whacking his ankle with a tiny stick.

"Begone, foul beast! You aren't allowed here!"

Mipha giggled at the creature's assault which only baffled Ganondorf. The stick didn't hurt but whenever he moved his foot out of the attacking range, the creature followed to continue the onslaught.

Annoyed, Ganondorf picked the creature up by its head, holding it eye level so he could glare at its leaf mask. "What the heck are you anyway?"

The creature squeaked, dropping its stick as it covered its face. "Don't eat me!"

"What the—why the heck would I eat you?!"

"It's quite an adorable creature," Sidon murmured, leaning closer to get a better look at the creature.

"I believe it's called a Korok," Bazz said. "They're supposedly everywhere in Hyrule in the most unusual places."

"You're scaring it," Mipha said, putting a hand on Ganondorf's arm.

"It attacked me first!" Ganondorf complained.

Zelda smiled as the Zora tried to explain how Ganondorf was being mean before she looked up at a rattling noise and gasped. "Uh, Gan?"

Ganondorf looked at Zelda. "What?"

"Put the Korok down."

Raising an eyebrow, ganondorf looked at where Zelda was and spotted several hundred Koroks peeking out of the trees, staring at them.

With a nervous smile, Ganondorf set the Korok down, patting it on the head.

It ran off immediately, pausing briefly to shake a tiny fist at him.

That's a lot of Koroks, Link signed in awe.

One Korok pointed a branch of berries at Ganondorf, squeaking, "Attack!"

"What the-?!" Ganondorf stepped back as the Koroks launched themselves at him, their sheer mass dragging him to the ground. "Agh!"

"They like you," Mipha laughed.

"Are you nuts?!" Ganondorf snapped, trying to get himself out from under the Korok mass. "They're trying to kill me!"

A few Koroks grabbed onto Link's legs.

"Hurry, Mr. Hero!"

"We'll hold him down!"

Link raised an eyebrow at them as they patted his legs, trying to get him to walk.

There was a loud grumble before a gravely voice said, "Now, children, that isn't any way to treat guests, is it?"

The Koroks immediately sprang off Ganondorf with a cry off, "No, Grandpa!"

Ganondorf sat up, shaking his head before he stared up at the tree. "Did that tree just talk?"

Link gave a nod.

"A talking tree," Sidon murmured. "How marvelous!"

The tree gave a mumble, gazing down at the group. "My, my. The Dark King, the Princess, and the Hero traveling together. How unusual."

It seemed to smile.

"Not unwelcome, however. And you have Zora friends, I see. Welcome to the Korok Forest. I am the guardian of this realm. You can call me the Deku Tree."

The Deku Tree, Zelda thought in awe.

She had heard tales of the wise old tree. Guardian of a vast forest and protector of the Master Sword. She stared at the sword in the pedestal before looking at Ganondorf who was also staring at it grimly.

Zelda thought back to the times Ganondorf had gotten a headache or the chest ache, realizing the pains had been residual effects from the Master Sword being driven though his past incarnations.

Moving closer to Ganondorf, Zelda set a hand on his to support him.

His muscles were tense, ready to fight or flee. She knew he would probably choose the former. Ganondorf was not one to back down from a battle.

Ganondorf glanced at her hand before looking at Zelda, he didn't appear comforted by her touch, remembering the Light Arrows piercing him.

She had always helped the Hero.

Sensing the three's tension. The Deku Tree spoke up. "If you draw the sword, Link, the cycle will begin in its entirety. However, what you choose to do will be up to you. Fall over the same sequence as always or change it."

Link stared up at the Deku Tree before he moved closer to the Master Sword, grabbing the handle.

The metal scraped against the rock as he slowly pulled it out from its resting place.

He held the sword skyward, tilting it side to side to watch the way the sunlight caught the metal.

The Triforce flashed onto his right hand, the courage piece glowing brightly.

Ganondorf tensed further, gripping the handle of one of his swords, prepared for a fight.

As Link lowered the Master Sword, staring at Ganondorf, Zelda tightened her grip on Ganondorf's hand when she felt the redhead shift his stance into a battle ready pose.

A wind blew between the group, the three Zora standing off to the side wondering what had gotten the Hylians so ruffled.

The Koroks brought the sheath for the Master Sword and Link knelt down to grab it, sheathing the blade.

Ganondorf narrow his eyes suspiciously at the move, watching as Link strapped the sheath's belts across his chest.

Once he was done, Link smiled at Ganondorf.

You haven't given me a reason to attack you, Gan. Link signed. You aren't them.

Ganondorf's eyes widened at the statement, his hand dropping from the handle of his blade.

Sensing the fight that had been about to brew dissipate, Zelda heaved a sigh and released Ganondorf's hand.

Crisis averted. For now.

With the Master Sword now in his possession, the journey was going to be tense between Link and Ganondorf.

"What an interesting blade," Sidon said, moving closer to Link. "Who knew this place held such a thing."

"It's a special sword, I imagine," Mipha murmured, tapping her cheek. "I feel like I've heard that name before…..Master Sword…."

Zelda stared up at the Deku Tree. "Deku Tree, is there any possible way for us to end the curse? For us to remain friends?"

The Deku Tree gave a hum as the Koroks gathered on his branches, staring down at the group. After a bit, the Deku Tree murmured, "Well, perhaps a way to put it to sleep….temporarily…"

Ganondorf stared at up the tree. "What? There is a way to stop this?"

"For this cycle. Mind you, it's possible it may not fully work…but it's worth a shot, hm?"

"What do we have to do?" Zelda asked.

"Your Triforce is covered in blood and pain and anger. You must cleanse your pieces. Throughout Hyrule, there are seven springs. Bathe in them to purify not only yourselves but the pieces of the Triforce you wield."

"Springs?" Zelda looked at Ganondorf and Link. "Where are they?"

"They're hard for people to stumble across," the Deku Tree said. "One of my children will act as a dowsing rod to help you find them."

A Korok dropped down on Ganondorf's shoulder with a giggle.

The Korok was small and brown in color with an oblong leaf over their face.

"This is Astrid. She will accompany you."

Astrid waved at the group. "Hello!"

"Aren't you adorable!" Mipha cooed, taking the Korok's tiny hand. "Hello, Astrid."

Astrid giggled, disappearing before reappearing on Ganondorf's head.

Ganondorf gave a sigh. "Why are you on me?"

Though this was the only Korok willing to be near him while the others scattered if he even looked at them.

Zelda looked at Ganondorf. "What do you think? Do you want to do this?"

Ganondorf gave a grumble as he shoved Astrid back onto his head when she fell down the front of his face after trying to grab at a leaf.

Sheesh. It was like babysitting a child.

"I suppose it can't hurt to try, right?"

Zelda beamed and looked at Link who nodded excitedly. "Then, we'll do it!"

"We were supposed to just be going to Lurelin," Bazz muttered, crossing his arms as he frowned at the change in plans.

Mipha smiled, nudging him. "Don't be a wet blanket, Bazz! We'll get to Lurelin after our detour!"

"A little adventure never hurt!" Sidon agreed with a pump of his fist.

Bazz appeared doubtful, but didn't say anything else.

Ganondorf smiled as he watched the group.

The spring idea made him…hopeful. There hadn't been a cycle he was aware of with a way to stop it, even if only temporarily.

I won't allow it!

The snarl and pressure against his skull was sudden and intense, forcing Ganondorf to double over, grabbing his head.

Astrid gave a startled squeak, leaping off Ganondorf and hiding beneath Sidon's headfin, peeking out from under it.

Link went on the defensive, grabbing the handle of the Master Sword.

"You'll make it worse!" Zelda hissed, holding a hand towards Link to stop him. "Let me handle it."

She moved closer to Ganondorf slowly, leaning down to get a better look at him.

"Gan? What's the matter?"

Kill her!

Over my dead body! Ganondorf snarled back at the Malice.

"You need to…hit me with a….Light Arrow…"

Zelda startled at the statement, immediately shaking her head. "No! I'm not going to do that!"

"If you don't do that, it will make me kill everyone! It's the only way to put it at bay!"

Ganondorf could feel the Malice attempting to forcefully change him into Ganon. He grit his teeth then glared at Zelda.

"Do it now!"

Zelda appeared distraught at the choices she was given before she steeled herself, a Light Arrow appearing in her hand.

Just as Ganondorf straightened, she plunged the arrow tip into his right shoulder.

Ganondorf heard the Malice's shriek as it lost its control with the burst of light and he sighed, relaxing. He rubbed his forehead as a headache came on.

Link slowly released the Master Sword, moving closer to Ganondorf in concern.

"I'm fine now," He said, waving a hand at Link. "It's pissed because of our idea."

"Then it may work," Zelda murmured. "Otherwise, it wouldn't have tried something like that."

Ganondorf gave a nod. "We need to get to the spring then."

"Should I…?" Zelda reached a hand towards the Light Arrow.

Ganondorf stepped out of range. "Keep it in for now. It may try to come back if it's removed."

Zelda frowned at that, concerned that Ganondorf was in pain before she nodded. "All right…"

Ganondorf smiled faintly before he looked at Astrid. "Can you show us to the first spring?"

Astrid stared at him before disappearing. She reappeared atop Ganondorf's head, pointing to the left. "That way!"

"Is this going to be a regular thing with you?" Ganondorf mumbled as he headed where Astrid was pointing.

Link and Zelda trailed behind Ganondorf.

Just as the Zora were about to follow the three, the Deku Tree gave a cough.

"I'm sorry, my Zora friends, but the springs are strictly for those three."

"Oh." Sidon appeared disappointed, looking after the three.

"You may wait here," the Deku Tree offered. "My children will entertain you. Won't you?"

The Koroks immediately began to chatter, surrounding the Zora.

"What do you want to play?"

"We can play anything you want!"

"Let's play hide-and-seek!"

There was a collective gasp as the Koroks all began to chant, "Hide-and-seek! Hide-and-seek!"


A spider skittered from its web as the group passed by its home, apparently annoyed at having its peace interrupted.

Zelda looked at it nervously before trotting to catch up to the group. "This place is super scary."

"All the better to keep out trespassers or thieves," Ganondorf grumbled, watching Astrid who was bouncing ahead of the group, humming a little tune to herself.

A faint roar sounded above the trees and through the fog, Ganondorf saw the red lights from Skye.

"And mechanical dragons as well."

"How much farther?"

"Almost there!" Astrid giggled, twirling over a patch of bog. "Hurry, hurry!"

Ganondorf paused, staring at the bog with a grumble.

It was too large to jump across and trying to walk across it was suicide.

Now what? Link asked, looking at Ganondorf.

"If we find a log, it's possible it may be buoyant enough to float and maybe support our weight long enough to cross."

Zelda glanced around then pointed to a fallen log nearby. "Would that work?"

Ganondorf moved to the log to inspect it and nodded. "It should. Help me push it."

Getting onto either side of Ganondorf, Zelda and Link began to help him push it towards the bog.

Zelda glanced at Ganondorf, awed that he was quietly enduring the pain of the Light Arrow still stuck in his shoulder.

Positioning the log's end with the bog, Ganondorf shoved it in with a grunt.

It sunk briefly before bouncing back up.

Ganondorf looked at Link and Zelda. "You two first. It may sink with my weight."

Link nodded, crossing the log quickly. He gave a thumbs up once he was on the other side while Astrid clapped.

Zelda stared at the log nervously before she quickly bolted across it, practically running into Link.

Testing the sturdiness of the tree by pressing a foot on it, Ganondorf hummed when the log sunk down. He stepped back a few feet to get a running start then steadied himself before charging towards the log, leaping onto it and crossing to the other side in two steps.

Ganondorf turned in time to see the bog swallow the log. "Guess we'll need another log on the way back."

Link and Zelda nodded as Astrid continued to lead the way.

No more bogs barred their way until they arrived at a swamp with several dead trees surrounding it.

"This is Mido Swamp!" Astrid chirped. "The spring is here!"

Ganondorf looked around for any sign of an entrance while Zelda stared at the faces on the trees.

How do we get in? Link asked.

"One of the trees is hungry!" Astrid said, bouncing excitedly.

"So we feed it something?" Ganondorf mumbled.

"We left all our food with the horses," Zelda sighed, crossing her arms.

"Then it's something here," Ganondorf said, beginning to search for anything they could substitute for food.

Zelda hummed, staring at the trees critically.

What did trees eat? Sunlight and water.

Kneeling down, Zelda touched the ground.

It was damp due to the swamp. The trees had enough water.

Ganondorf found a mushroom and picked it, shoving it into one of the tree's mouths. He watched it expectantly only to duck when the mushroom was thrown back at him. With a grumble, Ganondorf picked up the mushroom and went to try another tree.

Zelda squinted up at the sky, not unsurprised that it was covered in a thick fog.

No sunlight. The tree was hungry for sunlight.

"I got it!"

Ganondorf looked at Zelda after shoving the mushroom into the mouth of another tree. "Got what?"

The mushroom smacked against his face and Ganondorf scowled at the tree before kicking the trunk.

"We need sunlight."

Sunlight? Link wondered, looking up at the sky.

"How the heck are we going to make sunlight?" Ganondorf grumbled, crossing his arms. "We can't exactly magic it out of thin air."

Zelda grinned, clapping. "Actually, we can. All we need is a fire and metal."

Link and Ganondorf glanced at each other.


"I still don't think this will work," Ganondorf mumbled as he continued to strike his swords together, trying to create a spark.

Zelda had gathered some wood from nearby and without flint, two blades were the next best to create a spark to start a fire.

"It's worth a shot," Zelda huffed, pouting at Ganondorf. "You got a better idea?"

"Uh, Light Arrows?"

Giving a blank stare at the redhead, Zelda summoned a Light Arrow and tossed it into the nearest tree mouth. Seconds later it was spat out. Zelda gestured to it as if to say See?

"It could be the wrong tree!"

"Or it's not the right answer!"

"You're not the right answer!"

Link slid out of fighting range as the two practically butted heads, glaring at each other.

Astrid giggled. "They're funny!"

Huffing, Ganondorf pulled back and resumed striking his blades together. "Fine. We'll try your stupid idea first. Then we'll do my clever idea."

Rolling her eyes, Zelda crossed her arms.

A few more strikes and a spark landed on the wood pile.

Ganondorf leaned own to blow on it, stoking a fire.

"Link?" Zelda looked at the blond. "Your sword."

Nodding, Link unsheathed the Master Sword and held it over the fire, angling it to create a reflection of light on the ground.

"Now, aim it at the mouths, one at a time."

Shifting a bit, Link aimed the beam of light into the mouths of the trees.

Nothing happened until one of the trees closed its mouth. A few seconds later, it gaped wider, revealing an opening leading into the ground.

Zelda smirked at Ganondorf triumphantly. "What was that about my idea being stupid?"

With a small grunt, Ganondorf lightly swatted the back of her head as he walked past. "Pure luck."

"Sure it was!"

Link looked at Astrid who wasn't following. Are you coming?

Astrid shook her head. "Just you three! I'll wait here!"

With a shrug, Link trailed after Zelda and Ganondorf. The tree's mouth closed behind him.

Astrid sighed, tilting her head. "You haven't changed, fairy boy."


"It's dark down here," Zelda whispered, holding onto the back of Ganondorf's jacket as the redhead lead the way down some winding steps.

"If we're lucky, we can find a torch," Ganondorf murmured, trying not to focus on their proximity to each other.

Several steps later and the wall Ganondorf was using to guide them stopped. They were now inside the temple.

"So, I suppose the spring is at the back of the temple, huh?" Zelda asked, looking around to see if she could see anything.

"It would make sense," Ganondorf said.

Link grabbed Ganondorf's arm so he could sign, What about a light?

"Torch first then we'll head to the spring."

As the group moved forward, a large eye appeared on the celling, orange and bright.

Link glanced around when the back of his neck prickled.

He wasn't the only one to notice something off as Ganondorf mumbled, "Does anyone else feel like they're being watched?"