What greeted them instead of a beautiful face was nothing short but hideous. As she lifted her face from the protection of her massively chubby arms, what stared back were fat lips, huge nostrils and sunken black crossed eyes, which were too far apart on her enormous face.

Tears streaked her face, and she hurriedly wiped them away. "Oh... I didn't realize I had visitors... I'm sorry, but could you please leave? Even I can't bear to look at myself..." She said, her voice gentle and sad.

"Are you the Great Fairy?" Link asked again, and at her nod, his eyes widened. "What happened..."

The Great Fairy sniffled but didn't move from her spring, instead, she sat there with her eyes downcast, hugging her knees closer to her. "What happened to me you ask? Just like the two of you, I was also transformed into something that I'm not..."

From what Kagome recalled yesterday when Link brought up the conversation regarding fairies, they supposedly were all-knowing and granted travelers wishes. "Do you know what happened to the palace and to princess Zelda?" She asked.

She shook her head. "I'm afraid not... I have not left my spring since this world transformed. Even I do not know where we are... Nor do I have my magic to help either of you. Please... I want to be alone..."

Disheartened to learn that even the once Great Fairies of this world had lost their powers and had been reduced to such a state, Kagome and Link had no other choice but to leave. Once they exited the chamber, a brief silence settled between them.

"That fox said someone stole the Golden Power," Kagome began. "I wonder if that's related to what happened to all of us? Do you think we should go back and ask him what that power is?"

Link mused. "Golden Power... He couldn't mean the Legendary Triforce... could he?" He asked mostly to himself.

"Triforce?" Kagome asked, leaning closer. "What is that?"

Where would he even begin? "It's a powerful relic that is capable of granting any wish. It lies in the Sacred Realm, a place guarded by the sages of Hyrule."

It sounded very similar to the Shikon Jewel. "Maybe we shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. We need to find the elder."

Link nodded. "True. We've already wasted a lot of time as it is. Let's continue East, like we originally planned. If Zelda brought you here, and the elder knew of your arrival, then he must know what's going on and what we must do."

"You're right..."

With Kagome perched upon his back, Link leapt from the edge of the pyramid, until they eventually left the area. They traveled South passed several massive red pillars, barely avoiding the goblin monsters with spears that roamed the area. Before long, the canyon opened and revealed a direct path toward their intended destination.

A/N

To be honest, I'm glad I stopped writing long chapters. It's so much easier to get straight to the point with short ones, and after all the drama that's hit me since 2020: covid, discovering my uncle had bladder cancer and his multiple surgeries, my best friend betraying me, and now my bf breaking it off over long distance, it's just not worth the anxiety to go all out anymore. But I'm very happy people are still reading my writing. I'll do my best to update frequently as this does bring me joy in my mundane life. Thank you. :)