Chapter 2: A Secret Revealed

Link was now deprived of almost all of his energy. Remembering a Fairy Fountain close by, he carried himself above the ridge. A black opening in the wall overlooked the sea from atop the Hero's Cave entrance. He steadily crawled in. Before him floated a human sized Fairy hovering over a pool of sparkling water.

"What aid do you seek, traveler?" The Fairy questioned. Link dropped his knees to the rough floor of the cave. The sound of metal falling echoed throughout the chamber as his blade crashed to the ground. A large gash in his right shoulder could be seen. "I understand." The Fairy spoke. "Close your eyes and let me relieve you of your weariness." At that moment, red spheres of energy encircled his body. They glided throughout the room, across his arms and legs, and finally settling within his wounds. Link blinked repeatedly. He realized his life energy had just been completely replenished. The fairy nodded her head and mysteriously vanished into a cloud. Link reached for his sword and rose to his feet, walking out onto the coast.

Shortly, Link arrived in Horon Village. Horon was the definition of changing seasons. If you should leave in the Winter and return a few moments later, the season could be Summer. Link was met with a brisk Autumn breeze as he crossed the welcome sign. An old woman working in her garden could be seen in front of the "Know-it-all Birds" hut. Link nodded towards her and continued down the walk. In Autumn the land was a golden brown, leaves were scattered everywhere, dragonflies zoomed throughout tall grass, and mushrooms were ripe for picking. The crisp air was pleasing. Link explored the town questioning civilians and the resident Historian of the strange Golden Beast that recently attacked him. All responses were of no help. No one had ever heard of this type of monster.

The time arrived when Link decided it was more important to return to his quest. He withdrew his map and examined the area around the Northern Peak, the site of the Temple Remains.

"The last dungeon has to be somewhere around here. I've been everywhere else across this land." Link told himself. "I have a feeling this one isn't going to be a pushover. From my experiences the final dungeon is always the worst." He sighed and deposited his map. Link exited the village north and straight into a wintery gust.

"Great. More snow!" A ball of frail ice flew into his face as more sediments were being spread across the ground. He covered himself with the Iron Shield and proceeded upwards to a tree stump. Near the Cucco House, Link found his desired stump. Octorok's surrounded the area but were easily disposed of. Link leapt upon the surface and changed the climate to Summer with the Rod Of Seasons. The white disappeared and a shade of dark green engulfed the landscape. As with all seasons there were numerous details which gave Summer a distinctive appeal. Vines grew to the sky and lakes and rivers dried up during this season. The sun's torrid rays screened the treetops and glimmered across the water. Link was preparing to safely swim across the lake to the Temple Remains. Around his middle finger was a lip shaped Zora Ring. This Ring allowed Link to dive under the water's surface without returning for air. With it equipped, he could cross the lake without confronting any enemies face to face.

Link hopped off the stump and headed west. He slashed a few bushes before arriving at the Gnarled Root dungeon, the first stage he had to endure. The level was set on a small peninsula which looked out onto the lake. A set of steps dropped onto a small piece of land which acted as a dock for anyone planning to swim. He climbed down the steps, suddenly noticing a cave in a dried out river bed in front of the ledge.

"Strange. One more mystery of the seasons revealed, I guess." He shrugged and moved towards the stairwell which plummeted into the cave. Link reached the base of the steps, expecting to merely find a chest with a few Rupees. Instead, an old man cloaked in a gold robe could be seen hunched between two pedestals of crackling flame. A white beard crossed his chest and the robe covered the rest of his face. Shrubs were ridden throughout the small, dimly lit chamber and square tiles of diamond shaped decorations were set upon the floor. Link approached the man cautiously. The man spoke, still standing completely cold and still.

"You are the Hyrulian with the three Triforce marked upon your hand. Are you not?" His voice was old and strained, yet broad and powerful. It sounded as if he was once an important figure, if not still. Link then stepped back, surprised, and answered his inquiry.

"Yes, That is me." He spoke. "The hero destined to save this land from a doomful fate." The cloaked man's lifeless body steadily bounced as he chuckled.

"Good. Very good." He said. "I have a tale to inform thou of. A tale that leads to a quest for true power." Confused, Link accepted his offer to hear this tale. At that moment he began.

"In ancient Hyrule a Golden Land, or Sacred Realm, was virtually another world within a world. It was a mirror. A dark mirror." He continued. "The evil Ganon seized the Triforce and caused corruption and darkness throughout this once thriving land. There are indeed other realms. Some are good, yet some are evil." Link cocked his eyebrow, confounded by this seemingly crazy man's statements. "General Onox hails from a Dark Realm. He was summoned forth by a greater power to shower this land with destruction and despair." A greater power? Link frowned. "When he arrived in Holodrum, he brought forth a plague of unlimited beasts from his realm. Out of all of these beasts, four were unmatchable. They were preeminent beings. The supreme monsters, if you will." Suddenly, Link remembered his earlier confrontation with that practically invincible Darknut. He now realized what this man meant by the supreme beast. "They are four times as strong as your average monster, but they can easily be distinguished from the rest. You see, each one is gold." Link stepped forth and spoke.

"What is this true power you speak of ?" The man presented a cracked grin upon his weary face.

"If you manage to slay these four beasts of gold, then I will convey true power to you. Nothing more, nothing less."

Link believed this man's tale. That Darknut was not a typical enemy. He then remembered the final dungeon. It will indeed be the greatest task of all. Realizing this will be a valuable training experience and this mysterious true power might be of use, Link accepted his offer to vanquish the golden monsters. The man then stood silent for a moment until suddenly speaking once more.

"You have already slain 1 golden beast. I am truly amazed."

"Yeah, it was definitely more lethal than a common Darknut. Now, where will I find the remaining monsters?" Link questioned. The man chuckled again.

"It is near impossible to locate these beasts without certain help." Link practically fell to the floor, aghast.

"But, I will bestow certain riddles to where they will be found." Link raised his brow. A few riddles is better than no hints at all, he figured. "Your instructions are within that pot." The man slowly raised his arm, pointing towards a round pot at the southern end of the chamber. Link followed his directions and reached inside. At that moment his hand returned from the dark grasping a scroll. "If you can unlock these puzzles and slay the golden beasts, true power will be yours."