Chapter 12: Race
against the clock
The sun was just coming up. Down on
the shores of Lake Hylia laid Dasem's dead and broken body, gradually
moving into the lake with the tide. Link hung from his grappling hook
by one hand, and couldn't move his other arm. Link managed to inch
his way up the lighthouse wall by wrapping his left arm around the
rope and using it for leverage to climb up. When he reached the
railing of the lighthouse, the rising sun in the east was well above
the horizon, and Dasem's body was no longer able to be seen. At the
top, Gavas helped pull Link over the railing, much to the surprise of
Link.
"Where did you come from" asked Link.
"Well, I managed to get out of the room I was trapped in, and I began a long ascent to the top from a combination of jumps," Gavas smugly replied.
"That would explain it. I have a quick question"
"Yes?"
"Would you be able to heal me?"
"How so?"
"I was bitten by a keesee in the Lighthouse"
"That is not good. Unfortunately, I am not able to, and I do not have an antidote. But, I do know someone who does. The only problem is that he lives very far from here, and if you do not get there before sunset, then you will die. His name is Denpolent, and he lives in the desert"
"Damn. Thank you for all of your help, Gavas. Now, I must be going. Ummm...what's the fastest way down?"
"I will transport you there".
A blue crystal surrounded Link's body, and moved him down to the base of the Lighthouse. Link was safe on the ground, and the blue crystal disappeared.
"Good luck, Link. And may the way of the hero guide you on your quest". Yelled Gavas
Link was already in a dead sprint for his house to get Epona. He raised his left arm in recognition of what Gavas said, and continued running. Link arrived at his house panting, but he knew that he had no time to catch his breath. He untied Epona, and mounted her. Epona galloped as fast as she could in the direction of the desert. Link looked back at the rising sun. It was nearly noon, and he wasn't even at the desert yet. Link began to worry, he didn't know where in the desert Denpolent was. Epona finally reached the desert. The sun was waning, much to the disappointment of Link. The two continued on into the desert, at a much slower pace because the sand made it difficult for Epona to gallop. Link yelled out for Denpolent, but no answer came back. Link could not feel his right leg anymore, and he knew the poison was spreading, and he did not have much time. Link continued calling, and still could not find Denpolent. A sandstorm began to kick up, but Link continued, knowing that there was not much time. The sandstorm grew stronger, and knocked Link off of Epona, and caused Epona to gallop as fast as she could away. Link was knocked unconscious by the fall, having hit his head on a stray rock.
The sand continued blowing and began to cover the unconscious body of Link. When Link awoke, his entire body was covered in sand. He got up, and fell down again, his right leg not being able to support any weight since it began to get numb before the storm. Link slowly picked himself up, and looked around for Epona. When he could not see her, he yelled for her, but to no avail. Link was alone in the desert, having no clue where his horse was, or where the witchdoctor was. He looked at the sun, and it was almost touching the horizon. Link limped towards the sun, desperately hoping against hope that he would find a way. Link continued walking towards the sun, but was not able to see much, looking directly into the sun. The sun was half-way set when Link's left leg gave out. He now could not walk, and his time was almost up. Link pulled himself along the ground with his left arm, still hoping he could find Denpolent. The lack of sleep from the previous night, his fight with Dasem, his lack of food during the day now took a toll on Link. His body was frail, and his mind was weak. He saw not too far from where he was a building. He crawled towards it, finally reaching it when only a quarter of the sun was left on the horizon. He went out to touch it, but felt nothing. Puzzled, Link tried to touch it again, but felt nothing. He had crawled towards a mirage.
Link looked at the sun, and saw his time was almost up. He was nowhere near a building, and only a small cave lay about one hundred feet away. He crawled towards it, hoping this would be it, being his last chance. He was now in a race against time, to reach the cave before the sun set. Link was determined to make it before the sun set, even if he only could feel one limb. He was now ten feet away, with only a few minutes of life left. He crawled, more determined than ever. He reached the cave with only a small ray of sunlight appearing on the horizon. Link reached out to enter, and collapsed at the entrance of the cave and lost consciousness. His arm was stretched out towards the entrance of the cave.
A man came upon the body within seconds, with a goblet in hand. He looked at the sun, seeing he had only seconds left of day. He knelt down turned over Link's unconscious body, and picked his head up, leaning it against his thigh in an effort to elevate it. He opened Link's mouth with his hand, and tilted the goblet, allowing the liquid to fall into Link's body. The sun was now set and the moon arose in the east. The man wondered if he had been in time to save Link. The night continued on, with no sign of life from Link. Epona emerged from the darkness of the cave, and nudged Link. Link remained unconscious.
"Epona, I don't know if he is going to make it. I just don't know", said Denpolent, looking worried. He moved Link's head off of his lap, and let him lay on the sand in the cave. The moon continued moving across the night sky, with Denpolent and Epona still watching Link anxiously. The moon was waning, with still no signs of life of Link. The moon set on the horizon, and the sun arose in the east. Rays of sunlight entered the cave, and moved across the face of Link. Link began to move, much to the delight of Denpolent and Epona. Link opened his eyes, and looked around.
"I...I am alive?" asked Link, in disbelief.
"Yes, you are. Praise the Goddesses that you are. My name is Denpolent, and I saved you."
"Denpolent the witchdoctor? I didn't think I would ever find you"
"You wouldn't have. Your horse came to my hut, and I knew you were in trouble. I rode her and looked around for you, but found nothing. I came into this cave and hoped that you would find this easier. Lucky that you did"
"I'm just thankful to be alive. Is there anyway I can thank you?"
"Fulfill your destiny and save this land from Ganondorf"
"You know him"
"Heh. It was HIM; it was GANONDORF who destroyed my hut when I refused to give him a mind-control potion. I hope he suffers when he dies, he deserves it more than anyone who has ever lived".
Link was surprised at how far the legend had spread.
"I will fulfill my destiny. But I have no idea where he is, unfortunately. I will go out now and search now for him. The closest wonder from here is the...Temple in the Desert? Yea, I think it is. Where can I find it?"
"Heh. You can't find it right now. The sun will conceal it. Wait until after high noon. Then you can..."
A loud explosion interrupted Denpolent, followed by another loud explosion. Denpolent and Link looked at each other, knowing what happened. The Temple in the Desert had been attacked by Ganondorf. The day was still early. Link had to sit in the cave and wait, wait for time to pass to find the Temple. Thoughts raced around Link's head, wondering whether or not he'd be too late, wondering how much damage Ganondorf could do in that time. He wondered what other creatures would be awaiting him, who Ganondorf would hire to put in the Temple. Link knew one thing, that no matter what, he had to get there as soon as he could. Link looked outside of the cave at the rising sun, and glared at it, willing in vain it to get to high noon faster. He sat against the cave wall, angered at how slow the sun was at rising on this day.
