Chapter Eighteen: Magic Lesson
 The next morning, Saria and Florensia met with the team on the Sea Wheeler.
"Are you looking for another gym? I know one not far from here," Saria asked.
"No, we're going to deliver the pearl to my dad on Outset first," Younger Saria replied.
"Then you might want to sail through the Iceberg Canal to the west. It's the fastest way."
"But Grandma, that area is freezing cold!" Florensia pointed out.
"It's either that or sail around which would waste a ton of time. We can't sail through the Angular Islands. That's a preserve. Trust me. The Sea Wheeler can handle the rough water," Joey boasted. Florensia nodded.
"I hope so for your sakes."
"Remember to stay below decks during the trip. It's far too cold to be on the surface you understand?" Saria warned. Joey nodded and everyone bid the duo farewell. They sailed west knowing the trip would at least take a day or so. After an hour of sailing, they saw a large ice wall directly ahead with a gap in the middle of it.
"There's the canal. We better get going. Sooner we get this done, the better," Saria sighed. Tristan nodded and turned the ship towards the canal. Everybody sat down and began the antagonizing trip of going through the rough water. Everybody watched through the windows as snow fell around them in thick sheets. For the next several hours, the team sat bored in the ship. The snow blocked the TV signal and no one felt like dueling. It was then Tristan noticed flying blue flames in the sky.
"Hey everyone! Check this out!" Tristan shouted. Everyone joined him at the control room.
"That's not good," Saria gasped.
"What are those things?" Joey wondered.
"Ice Keese, bat creatures that can envelop themselves in icy flame that can be used to freeze their prey," Saria explained.
"Well, at least they can't get us in here," Teran pointed out. The ship then rocked viciously.
"Wrong Teran. They can freeze the fuel lines, trapping us here," Saria replied.
"What are we gonna do?"
"Hey Yugi. Lets bust out some Duel Monsters on those flying freaks," Tristan said.
"I'm not so sure about that you guys. Saria and Florensia said to stay below decks. We'll freeze with our summer clothes on," Serenity said uncertainly.
"I have a cloak and a bow and quiver in my pack," Saria said hopefully, showing a lavender cape and hood. The bow she held was small but looked powerful, with its gold edging and black frame. The quiver was made of fine leather with silver accenting. The Triforce was engraved in the center of the leather. The arrows in the quiver were made of a fine metal, and the arrowheads were made of fine steel.
"You sure? You might freeze out there!" Joey declared.
"I'll be fine. I may not look like it, but I'm an expert at archery," Saria said, confidence in her eyes.
"Then we'll watch from here," Yami said, defeated. Saria couldn't help thinking that the Millennium Puzzle had glowed, even for a brief moment. This Yugi sounded more confident, more bold. She shook off the feeling as nervousness. She pulled on the cloak and nodded to her friends as she climbed the stairs to the deck. She recoiled as the first blast of cold air hit her face. It was beyond freezing, but yet she didn't really feel the cold on her legs and arms. She climbed up and shut the hatch. But as she did, she couldn't help feeling the sensation of what was to come. Her amulet began to glow as she nocked an arrow. She aimed and fired. The wind however blew her arrow off target. She fired again and missed. By this time however, the Keese had noticed the archer and were flying towards her. Saria panicked as she tried to loose another shaft.
Focus Saria! Let me aid you! A courageous voice suddenly said. The voice came from inside Saria's mind and it sounded male. Saria glanced around and saw no one.
Roll to the right! The voice said and on instinct, Saria rolled away in time to see an Ice Keese try to dive bomb the spot she had just stood on.
Shoot now! The voice instructed. Saria nocked the bow again and fired. The arrow nicked the Keese's wing but it managed to continue flying.
Let me help you better your aim. The voice said impulsively. Saria noticed her amulet glowing a bright gold as was her Triforce of Courage on the back of her right hand. Saria felt divine power run through her veins as Saria's garb changed. On Saria's head was a tiara like from Dragon Roost. Her T-shirt turned into light, but thin armor that was a dark purple and the knees of her long jeans had knee pads over them that were a pale blue. Her hands were covered with strong leather gauntlets that fit her hands perfectly. Her long blond hair was tied into a bun and the bangs near her ears were now lightning bolt shaped. By the time the transformation had completed, the Ice Keese were almost on top of her. Saria however, was already readying an arrow.
I'll guide your arrows to their targets! The male voice said. Saria nodded as she took aim. She felt mysterious powers guiding her hands to the proper place on her bow.
Wait! That's it... Now! Fire! The voice commanded. Saria released the arrow and watched as it pierced the Keese and two others. Down below, the group had watched the arrow hit the ice ahead.
"Wow! She's good!" Tristan said, almost too stunned to speak. They watched as more and more Keese-bearing arrows flew ahead of them and impaled the beasts to the ice as they sailed on. Saria however had a new problem at hand. Some of the Keese were too close to hit with an arrow and were approaching fast. As Saria drew her sword, she heard the voice in her head again.
Follow your instincts and you should dodge them with ease. The voice advised. Saria studied the enemy and watched as they began their descent. Saria side-flipped to the left around the first and rolled under the second cleaving that one in half. Saria then, quick as lightning, sheathed her sword and drew the bow and arrow. She nocked the arrow and fired. The arrow hit the Keese dead center in the chest. Saria let out a sigh of relief as the last one died. She fell to her knees and studied her hands, which were beginning to glow again.
Listen carefully. If a situation turns dire, turn it around by transforming yourself into this form, your Hero Form. The voice said, making itself known. Saria looked to her left and saw a semi transparent being. This being stood about six foot flat and wore a simple green tunic and elven hat. He had blond hair and sapphire eyes that matched Saria's. He also wore a white undershirt and pants. On his feet were worn brown boots and his hands were covered by leather gauntlets like Saria's.
"Who are you?" Saria stammered.
"Just call me Link. It's a pleasure to finally get to meet you face to face," Link said, offering a hand to her. Saria looked at her hand then looked up and reached for the spirit's hand. Saria gripped it like it was solid. Link deftly pulled her to her feet.
"Were you the one who helped me to bring down those Keese?" Saria asked. Link nodded.
"Yup. That was me. You're a great student. You sure took those winged pests out in a hurry!" Link laughed.
"Hey Link. Are you a spirit?"
"If you want to put it that way, then yes. My spirit is contained in both your Triforce Amulet and your inherited Triforce of Courage." Saria gasped.
"How did you know my Triforce of Courage was inherited?" Saria asked uneasily.
"Because I was the first to pass it on. I was the first owner of the Triforce of Courage and I'm also the one who forged the Triforce Amulet that is now around your neck," Link replied, his tone serious. Link took the amulet into his hands and pointed at the various gems.
"This amulet was forged so that its magic could be revived every one hundred years. This amulet allows you several powers. The ruby gives you the power of what you would call temperature control," Link explained.
"Temperature control?"
"It makes it so that extreme heat and cold don't affect you at all. Second, the emerald gives you the power of telepathic sight. You can not only speak to others telepathically, it also lets you sense spirits and other 'powers' around you. You can sense light and darkness, good and evil," Link continued.
"That could be useful. What does the sapphire do?"
"This is probably the most useful one. The sapphire in Hyrule represents water. You Saria are like water: Fluent and graceful. You are constantly changing and that's what this gem does. It gives you the power of disguise. You can tap into magic power and use it to alter things like clothes and skin tone. You can even change your eye color and voice. This ability however uses the most magic power so be careful... What's wrong?" Saria had noticed that while they were talking, everything had become frozen in time.
"Why is everything frozen? Is this a power of the amulet?" Sarai asked. Link nodded.
"Yeah, but after this spell wears off, you will be the only one who can manipulate time. The spell can be just as or more draining than the disguise spell though so be careful," Link warned.
"But why are you telling me all this?" Link frowned.
"Because I have a job for you. I need you to get a card hidden in this region."
"A card?"
"Yes. A Triforce Destiny Card. You're going to need it."
"What's a Triforce Destiny Card?"
"I can't answer that for you. Your mom and dad can though." Saria wasn't so sure of that. Her father had never mentioned such cards before and he had taught her everything he knew about the game of Duel Monsters. But it sounded important and Link had saved her and she believed in repaying her debts.
"Where do I find it in this wasteland?"
"There's a cave not far north from here. Only one with a Triforce Amulet can enter."
"Why's that?"
"The cave is so cold, that the water in your body would freeze if you took just two steps inside. Only you can enter."
"OK, but my friends..."
"Will remain here until you return. Time is still frozen but it won't be like that for long. The spell I cast will deactivate in one hour. We must get the card and be back before then." Saria looked down in thought then nodded. Link smiled.
"Then follow me." Link jumped off the ship and into the freezing water below. Saria looked uncertainly then jumped. Amazingly, the water wasn't that cold. She and Link swam to a nearby bank and they climbed out. They then crawled up a steep incline. At the top, they could see a cave that resembled a dragon's mouth. The mouth was shooting out blue flames.
"I have to go in there? I'd be frozen in a hurry," Saria shivered.
"Not if you use the right gear. You can use your magic to get inside."
"How? I don't know any spells."
"Magic is just a form of energy we can use to our every whim. You just will the magic to do what you want. There's no limit to what you can do so be creative. Every person has their own unique style of magic. You just need to find yours," Link explained. Saria studied the cave entrance then looked around. She then looked at her equipment.
"I got it! I'll use a summoning spell like Yugi did!" Saria said excitedly. She activated her duel disk watch and focused her inner powers. She felt the power flowing through her heart and concentrated it to her deck. Saria then drew a card and smiled.
"Come forth Chaos Command Magician!" Saria shouted as she placed the card on her duel disk. Link and Saria watched as the magician appeared through a golden vortex.
"Knock back the icy flames with chaos magic attack!" Saria could feel her power vanishing as the magician attacked the flames with a ray of white flames. The combined power of the attack and the icy flame caused an explosion. Saria's magician was knocked back and the icy flames remained.
"Oh! Deku nuts! I was sure that would work!" Saria said, snapping her fingers in anger.
"It would have worked if your monster was the right element. Remember that when you cast a spell to take elementals into account. Light doesn't beat ice. But..." Link began.
"But fire is a different story!" Saria finished, placing a magic card, "This card will do it then. My Scroll of Bewitchment can change my monster's element from light to fire!" They watched as the Chaos Command's robe changed from green to red.
"Lets try again! Chaos Command! Chaos fire strike!" Saria commanded. This time, red fire shot out from Chaos Command's rod. It quickly dispersed the blue flames making a hole in the rock floor visible.
"Hurry through!" Link urged and he rushed down, Saria at his heels. The two jumped down the hole just as the ice flames regenerated.
"That was close," Saria said as she brushed herself off and looked at her surroundings. The cavern was actually just a small room with a watery floor and several floating ice platforms. On the highest platform sat a large ice block with something glittering in it.
"What's that?" Saria wondered.
"What we came for so lets hurry," Link urged.
"Right, but lets make this easy by using a dragon to reach the card," Saria said, searching her deck. She then frowned.
"Aw man! I forgot! I don't have any dragons right now," Saria said exasperated.
"That's not a problem. Why not use your magic to fly up there?"
"Can I do that?"
"Sure. It's just like when you summoned your mage. Just focus your power, will yourself, and you will fly." Saria nodded and she closed her eyes in thought as she felt her power flow into her feet. She then looked up towards the ice cube and concentrated. Link gasped as she began to float into the air. She quickly soared upwards and was soon standing on the block with the glittering object. Inside a block of ice, was a magic card but Saria couldn't see any way to free it from its icy prison.
"Grab it and lets go!" Link shouted. Saria picked up the ice block but as she did, the cave began to rumble and Saria's platform became unstable.
"Saria! We have to get out now!" Link shouted urgently. As Saria clutched the ice, she jumped down to another floating platform and then leapt to another until she was on solid ground next to Link's semi-transparent form.
"Over here!" Link said, pointing to a ray of sunlight that had appeared where they had entered. Saria stepped into light and she was transported to just outside the cave. Link joined her and the two turned to see the cave explode. The explosion caused an energy beam to fly towards Saria.
"Look out!" Link cried. Saria held up the ice rock and she watched as the beam dispersed the ice and freed the magic card from its prison. But just as Saria grasped it, another beam hit her, sending her flying back towards the Sea Wheeler. She landed headfirst onto the deck. Link rematerialized at her side and found she was unconscious. Looking to make sure the card was firmly in her hands, he disappeared back into the Triforce Amulet.