Chapter Thirteen - As the Last Tree Falls: Part One.

Another moon was to disappear and once more the sun would rise high into the sky, it would light up the world and hide the darkness that was slowly covering the realm in shadows. Day by day the two destined travelers would walk through periled lands, never looking back, being guided forward towards their next frightful location. Hoping for time to rest, hoping that their journey would be as easy as the sun rising and falling.

They remembered to themselves of the pain and sorrow within the fallen Goron city, the death of the King of Gorons at the hands of Ganondorf. Link would not take his mind away from the evil figure that haunted his mind. Yet Sheik could only see the flames and the smoke darkening the sky back at Kakariko, the screaming and the agony felt by the innocent souls of Hyrule. With the tremendous sadness and pain, they could only walk on, unable to turn back.

"If I have to go through that marsh on the way back home, you can just count on me to walk the long way round. Oh the stench was repulsive, and slime in my clothes."

Link tried to take his mind away from Ganondorf and his destiny, listening to Sheiks complaining. He smirked at the Sheikah when thinking about the days that had passed and their time in the Outland Marsh, his eyes remained focused in the sights before him as Sheik would continue. Slight fear crept into Links heart as he looked into the distance, far into the distance, slowly creeping up upon them, the 'Forest of Darkness'.

"Okay, here I am trying to take our minds of the scary forest ahead of us, but I do not believe it was working. I am guessing you want to be scared of it, but Link, you should not have a problem, given the fact you grew up in a dark scary forest. I am telling you straight Link, you would have to be a fool to try and hide your feelings. Just talk to me, do you think I have not been through any of this? I am sorry about your imprisonment, just get over it and move on. Sure Ganondorf ruined your life, but I can feel so much strength in you. It is your destiny to go on and fight for this world, you have to..."

Link listened to Sheiks words, but looking at Sheik, he tried to indicate his need for silence, but the Sheikah carried on talking over Link. Suddenly Link would speak over Sheik.

"Each day I step forward, heading towards my destiny, living with every twist of fate in my life. I am being guided by so many spirits in order to reach a destiny I did not wish for. Everything I do affects the world and all those inside of it. And to be honest, I never asked for such a great responsibility, and if given the option several years ago, I would of gone back to sleep when Navi came calling. Now please Sheik, lets just get this forest out of the way, I sense great danger. And for your knowledge, Kokiri was a wood."

At that point Sheik did not know what to say, he believed that the Hylian standing next to him was strong, someone who would give their life for his world, but now, he could only see the scare soul, the soul that had been in pain since the day his world was to change all those years ago. He hid his pity and sadness from the so-called 'Hero of Time', but he would not lose his trust in his friend, they had been through to much for him to give up on his friend. Remembering when Link had saved him back at the valley leading to the Goron city. Yet Sheik wished for the day Link would open his eyes and accept his destiny, embrace it and move on, but he knew that maybe it would not be soon. Would they have to face certain death for Link to see his path in life.

As the two moved closer towards the great forest before them, it grew dark, the sky was hidden by dark thundering clouds, and rain began to fall upon them. They both knew that there was danger ahead, but Link knew that Xylas would guard them from any evil within the dark forest. He had with him a great companion, the once Great Deku Tree, in his true form, 'Guardian of the Forest'. But Link still felt fear creeping into his heart as the two of them took their first steps into the darkness.

Sheik was finding it hard to hide his feelings of doubt towards Link, as they moved deeper into the dark forest he could feel Link weaken in the darkness. He knew that there was nothing he could say to Link, or the fact that his words would not be heard. Sheik was worried about his companions behavior and attitude, questioning Links ability to go on, knowing that the Hero of Time was losing faith in himself. Yet he would not lose his trust in his friend, he still had faith for his friend, maybe it was enough for the both of them.

Taking a deep breathe, Sheik continued following Link as he moved even more deeper into the darkness. He would hope that this part of the journey would be over soon, thinking back the Outland Marsh, he would rather be in the stink that the darkness, but now there was no going back, their path was laid before them, they could only go forward into the darkness, and the light would slowly fade away behind them.

The darkness now surrounded them, finding it hard to move further along their path, fearing for each step. Suddenly a cry in the distance made the two stop all movement. They could make out movements in the distance, shadows, the sound of rustling leaves and swaying branches, and heavy breathing. Something was ahead, something evil, using the darkness.

Link took a few slow steps forward, trying not to make a sound, but with each step he made towards the evil ahead of them, the louder the cries got, searing through their heads, pounding them to fall to their knees. Then silence. The breathing and the rustling got louder, what ever it came from, it was moving towards them, then the deafening cries began once more. They took out their weapons, waiting for the demon coming to them, crashing through the dark forest.

"Link..!?"

Sheiks lasts words before the trees fell around them.

Next, Chapter Fourteen - As the Last Tree Falls: Part Two.