"Link?" Navi hovered above him in concern. "Link, are you okay?" Link slowly sat up and was greeted by a wave of lightheadedness. "Take it easy. . .you just had a nasty fall." Navi then flew around him in a tight circle. "But what happened? There's no one out here." The hero stood and searched the field. His eyes landed on Epona, who was heading toward Lon Lon Ranch. He considered calling her back, but figured it easier to walk the rest of the way. At least doing this would limit the noise and he wouldn't become a victim of an ambush again. "I wonder what caused that light?"
Suddenly a tingling sensation numbed his right hand. Link clenched his hand into fists a few times, in hopes of regaining feeling; but to no avail. Confused, he pulled his gauntlet from his flesh to find the Triforce piece glowing brightly as if another piece was near by. Something told him that it wasn't Zelda that was causing the reaction. It was something else. The sensation it was causing was different from what being near Zelda brought forth.
"I sssssee that you hold a piessse of the Triforssse. That meanssss that you musssst be Link." The voice held no owner. As both Link and Navi looked around, they couldn't pin point where it was coming from. The raspy tone was unfamiliar to them, but was still able to be determined as evil. "That alssso meanssss that you musssst die." With that, Link felt a strong breeze fly pass him, followed shortly by the stinging sensation of being cut. The green tunic ripped, exposing the incision in his left arm.
"Link, I can't sense where this creature is coming from." Navi informed. "I can't find him anywhere." Link's ears twitched as he heard movement in the grass, to his left. He jumped to the side, but not before another scratch was added to his flesh.
"That wasss impresssssive. . .not too many people are able to tell where I am. You dodged well. . .but not well enough." Another attack claimed a slash to his leg.
"Link!" Navi flew to his side. "How are you going to defeat him, if you can't see him?" As if to answer her question, she noticed that he was collecting energy to his palm. He could hear that the enemy was preparing another attack. Just as the invisible fighter fled pass him again, Link dropped to one knee and slammed his palm to the ground. A cry of pain could be heard as a shield of fire emerged from the struck grass and continued to fan out.
"Dinssss' Fire? . . .but that issss only a myth." The voice had grown painful. "No matter. I can counter." Once again, silence reigned. Link did his best to hear the grass rustling, but there wasn't any sign that whoever was attacking him was still there. Though Din's Fire was a powerful move, it wasn't enough to have killed the unknown. Before another attack could be launched, Link cast Nayru's Love. Not a moment too soon as he heard the attack smash against his shield.
"That was a great move. . .but now what are you going to do?" Navi questioned. It was no secret that Nayru's Love didn't last long. He couldn't very well continue to cast Din's Fire either. Now that the enemy knew of the attack, he would definitely consider it. There was only one thing Link could think to do. Without warning, he ran toward the forest. Still confused, Navi flew after him. "What are you doing?" She questioned as she flew to keep up. Link didn't respond as he pulled out the ocarina that Saria had given him upon his leaving Kokiri for the first time. He knew that the enemy was still following him. . .he just hoped that his plan would work. If it didn't, he wasn't sure what to do.
Link stopped abruptly at a fallen log just inside the wooded area. He inhaled deeply and brought the ocarina to his lips. He closed his eyes as he began playing the upbeat notes of Saria's song. With the notes floating among the calm trees, Navi continued to search with her eyes in hopes of catching a glimpse of their enemy. Nayru's Love was beginning to fade as the song came to an end, and the forest immediately came to life with the voices of its spirits.
"There is no evil heart in the forest." A monotone informed. Link replaced the ocarina, wondering if perhaps whatever attacked had followed them after all. As if to answer his question, Nayru's Love vanished, and his flesh was once again gashed. This time, the injury was to his cheek.
"There are no evil hearts in the forest." A different voice foretold. This was followed by several other voices speaking the same words.
"What do you mean there's not? What's attacking?" Navi questioned the forest spirits. Link's eyes roamed the vicinity. He wasn't for sure, but he had a feeling he now understood. On a hunch, he cast Din's Fire again. This time, it wasn't for an attack. . .but better lighting. As predicted, he noticed a form standing in the near distance. It was the cloak figure that had chased him in the market. Keeping the figure in the corner of his eye, he acted as if he hadn't noticed it.
"Did you honessstly believe that the foressst would protect you?" Navi looked around the forest, wishing with all her might that she could at least sense the creature attacking. It sounded as if the evil voice was coming from all around them.
"Link, cast Nayru's Love again. If you can buy some time, then maybe. . ." Her sentence was cut off as a bomb was pulled from Link's arsenal. Without warning, Link threw the bomb a short distance that was equal from them and the shadow. Dirt sprung out of the ground from the explosion. Instantly, he pulled one bomb after another and made a complete circle around himself. "What are you doing? Aimlessly throwing bombs isn't going to help." The dust billowed a moment like a fog that was starting to settle for the night.
The Hero of Time made his move. He ran through the trees as quickly and easily as possible. Just as the cloaked figure noticed him, it was too late to react. Link firmly grabbed the unknown being and slammed him against the trunk of a tree. Before the other could counter, Link's sword was drawn and placed dangerously close to the other's neck. The hood of the cloak slid from its spot to reveal the face beyond.
"Who are you?" Navi asked as the dust finally settled to the point that the exposed face could be seen. It was a boy that was near the same age as Link. His shoulder length blonde hair framed his heart shaped face. The deep blue eyes were filled with shock and awe.
"My name is Ezar. . .I mean you no harm."
"Were you the one that sent that beast after us?" The loud mouthed fairy questioned and Ezar merely nodded his answer.
"I would hardly call it a beast. . .more or less an illusion."
"Illusion?" Navi looked over at Link. To her surprise, the wounds were gone, and the tunic intact as if the battle had never occurred. "I'm confused."
"Please, remove your sword and I will explain all." Ezar stated softly as he stared into Link's face. Without hesitating, Link withdrew his weapon.
