As Link rushed toward the Temple of Time, he heard a faint scream, but he ignored it. Whatever it was he would have to deal with it later. He finally reached the Temple of Time and saw the guards he faced earlier sprawled on the ground moaning in pain. He wanted to help, he really did, but he just couldn't. He had to help Zelda with whatever. He finally reached the back of the Temple of Time and saw the Sages and Zelda tied up and in a line. He was heading over there when his foot slipped and it went through the ground. Confused he looked down and saw his foot was completely gone. He pulled out the Lens of Truth and put it to his eye. Before him was a giant fissure, at least thirty feet wide. He couldn't make that distance, no matter how fast he ran. He pulled out one of the pair of boots Zelda gave him and slipped them on. He didn't know what they could do, but they had wings and he couldn't take any chances. He stepped on the now visible hole in the ground and it felt solid. But after a few seconds his foot fell. He quickly stepped back and looked over the crack. He stepped back several feet and began to run full-blast. He got about twenty-five feet when he felt himself falling, reacting quickly he jumped and grasped onto the ledge. Panting he pulled himself up and unsheathed his sword to cut the ropes. He headed toward where Zelda was and put his hand on her cheek. But something odd happened, his hand went through her. He gasped, and stepped back. He began to fall, but a hand grasped his firmly and pulled him up. He fell to his knees panting "I didn't get here in time," he said weeping, "I didn't get here in time." His head still down he thanked the figure. "You're welcome." A deep melodious voice said. Link looked up and saw before him a tall lanky man with blue and white clothing and a strip of cloth covering his face. His blonde hair covered one eye, and the other eye was a brown, almost orange color.
The man put his hand out and spoke, "My name is Sheik. You must be the Hero of Time. Or at least the final one." Link hesitated and finally shook his hand. Link stared at him in thought then all of a sudden the name of the man rung a bell. Quickly, Link tore the cloth off his face and found a normal face. Sheik glared at him and wrapped the cloth around his face again. "Sorry," Link said embarrassed "I thought you were someone else." Laughing slightly Sheik said, "I get that all the time." After properly introducing himself, Sheik told Link about the eight sages being captured. "Wait," Link said holding his hand up "there are eight sages?" Sheik nodded "Yes, eight sages. Saria, Darunia, Ruto, Impa, Nabooru, Rauru, Zelda, and…Malon."