Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda. Nintendo does. Your surprised? The name Goshinki(Seth's Tanto) comes from Inu-Yasha. Seth however does belong to me.
Author's Note: I'm sorry I made you wait so long, I just had to get my hands on some inspiration. Its difficult coming up with original stuff to add to this great story which is a masterpiece in its own right. Anyway on with that chapter.
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Ocarina of Time: Rebirth
Chapter Thirty-Six: Return To Kokiri Forest
Link and Navi had both been traveling for nearly half a day looking for the only known way in and out of the Kokiri Forest, the trail that would lead straight through the Lost Woods to the Kokiri Village. Along the way they had to go through several aggressive monsters that now littered the field and the patrols that were on horseback didn't really help their progress either. Luckily sticking near the river had worked toward their good forturne and it wasn't much longer after the sun began to fall in the west when they finally caught sight of the Kokiri Forest over the rolling plains.
Link Masters breathed as he felt a heavy guilt wash over him. Seven years ago they had judged him as the one responcible for the death of their guardian, the Deku Tree. It would be no easy task to walk into the forest without being either attacked or slandered for what they believed was true. Although the know-it-all brothers promised they would check the inside of the tree for the remains of a battle it was unlikely they would find anything, if he remembered correctly the monster called Gohma had burst into flames and was probably no more than just cinder by now.
Link looked at the large hallow log that had been placed up decades ago to keep the entrance from getting over grown by the forest, he took a breath before he walked into the darkened forest the light from Navi leading the way. Link felt a little unsure of himself. Sure this new body of his was naturally stronger with both growth, the Master Sword and Rauru's power but it was not very broken in. His muscles were constantly clinching and he would be unable to react as fast as he did before, and the fact that he lacked a shield that he could use didn't really help either.
The village looked the same as it always had as he walked into the entrance reaching up a half gloved hand to brush some of the loose branches aside. The sky seemed to be dark as if it could storm at any time, Link stepped from the entrance walking up the beaten dirt street that ran through the village. Nobody was outside from what he could see, last he checked the Kokiri enjoyed the rain and weren't really afraid of a little storm. Navi suddenly spoke up "Link. Be on your guard this area is infested by fiends." she breathed out into his ear. Link nodded placing his left hand on the Master Sword's hilt.
Suddenly there was the sound of leaves brushing the ground and then the distinctive sound of something being forced out at high speeds by a lot of pressure. Link turned around and swung the Master Sword with a grunt, it left the sheath and struck the incoming Deku Nut that had been fired off by a lone Deku Scrub. Link growled as he reached back and hurled his boomerang at the monster striking it hard upside the head, it fell back and let out a small, shrill howl. Then everything began to fall apart. The large purple pods that were nearby sprouted up into very over grown Deku Babas and he also noticed a number of Skultulas moving across the ground toward him.
Navi screamed for Link to move just as one of the giant Deku Babas snapped at him with its small toothed maw, there was a distinct chomping sound as Link forward just under its snapping jaws. He grunted as he swiped the Master Sword hard drawing the thin trunk of the plant like fiend in half sending the head to the side. The Skultulas screeched as they jumped toward Link who held up his right arm forgetting he had no shield, he quickly swung swatting one aside. His wrist impacted the side of the skull the spider wore painfully as he backed up toward the center of the village.
Surrounded by three Deku Babas and a few more Deku Scrubs it would not be easy, Navi started up again "Link! Get out of here!" she shouted. Suddenly several objects moved through the air like shooting stars and struck all of the fiends stunning them for the moment, he looked up toward the Deku Tree's meadow to see five sillouettes standing there no bigger than children "Hurry! You don't have long!" one of them shouted before moving toward the meadow. Link ran to follow cutting down one of the babas as he moved.
The five Kokiri children moved down the short trail toward the long dead Deku Tree which seemed to have under went a few changes. A large gate had been made where the face's mouth had been left open upon its death, there was also a pair of balconies that had been built where the 'eyes' were. Link didn't know weather to commend their resourcefulness or succumb to the acidic feeling in the pit of his stomach. One of them looked back to Link "What are you waiting for? Come on!" he shouted as the gate raised and they entered. Link ran after them getting inside just as the gates closed.
Link didn't exactly like what he saw. The main chamber of the Deku Tree had been modified into a fortress, the large hole in the center that would lead into the underground had been sealed by a large platform that rested in the center of the room. The walkways that he had climbed up while fighting that large golden spider years ago was now lined with Kokiri's that had taken residence in the other chambers. A few that were armed with slingshot and rare red deku seeds that were known to only grow during the hottest days of summer were there as well, with plant type fiends it was an effective weapon.
The gates closed shut and the area was left with only torchlight, Link looked up as one of the Kokiri that he had followed him approached him. She wore armor made out of strips of bark and carried a small sword with him, she didn't exactly seem happy "What is wrong with you? Don't you know that Hylians are supposed to stay outside the forest. Or did you actually think your clothing would be enough to fool us?" Link now recognized this Kokiri as Shera. One of the Kokiri who was at one point never serious about anything, yet somehow this brunette Kokiri had become an effective warrior.
Looking around he did notice that a few of the Kokiri seemed to have gained a few years obviously from traveling outside the forest, depending on how long they were outside the forest the more they would grow. Considering how long Saria had been outside the forest even before he fell asleep she was probably growing at the regular rate of a Hylian by now. Shera suddenly snapped her fingers "Hey! Your in it deep enough already. Why did you come here?" she demanded to know. Link breathed before he looked down at her "I'm looking for somebody. Do you know where a Kokiri named Saria is?"
Shera lightly shrugged before speaking "Don't know if you could call her a Kokiri anymore, since she went outside the forest she had been growing up. She should look around your age right now Hylian. Anyway about six months ago when all of this started to happen, when the ruler of Hyrule got all aggressive more and more monsters began pouring out of the Forest Temple. Saria decided that as the eldest Kokiri she had to do something, Mido went with her and neither of them have been heard from since." Link breathed out concerned.
Suddenly Navi flew from under his hat and spoke up much to Link's dismay "And you didn't send anybody out after them?" Link breathed as he knew that Navi's presence wouldn't exactly be easy to explain.
Shera sighed before speaking "We have to protect this stronghold and the Lost Woods has become a very dangerous place for the Kokiri and...Hey! Navi what are you doing following a Hylian around?! What happened to Link?" she half shouted.
Half of the fortress looked right at Link as Navi was about to speak but Link raised a hand to grab Navi by the bottom of her tiny ankles "This fairy came to me not to long ago after the one she was guarding was killed in a battle at Hyrule Castle, the one that placed the current ruler in power. I'm against Gannondorf in any way you can slice it, we teamed up as she has knowledge of this land. To continue I must speak with Saria." he explained. Shera sighed lightly looking to the ground "So Link is dead?" she asked him.
Navi looked straight at the adult Link who narrowed his vision at her before she spoke up "He...I haven't seen him since that battle...I can only suspect that he is dead or the Gerudos from the western deserts have taken him as a labor prisoner or...er never mind." Navi said as she noticed the puzzeled looks from both the Kokiri warrior and the forest raised Hylian.
Shera breathed lightly shaking her head "That adds just another sin to us then. Years ago when the Deku Tree died shortly after calling a boy named Link to speak with him, we had no clue of how to react. We pinned the blame on Link without thinking." Shera took a breath as she looked away "Link. Though none of us ever understood him, we cannot be sure if he was the cause or not but looking back I cannot think of once that Link ever showed any signs that he would ever hurt us. He was always the loner but then again he was always friendly." she breathed. Link breathed wanting desperately to tell her to not beat herself up but knew she would never believe that he was Link even if he admitted it.
"Oh shut up!" Link looked up to see Lori one of the Mido supporters from back in the day "What we found doesn't prove a thing. Link was the last to go to the Deku Tree before he withered and all he could do was point the finger at somebody else. You're one of the only Kokiri that supports the tired old theory that Link is a would-be hero." Navi buzzed right up to Lori giving a swift kick to the center of his forehead demanding that he shut his mouth. Shera then delivered a swift blow to the center of Lori's face sending him back to the ground, Lori was wearing armor as well and it was obvious that Shera was the superior here.
Shera spoke up in response "I gave the simple facts. We do not know for sure about anything and the way you and the others dwell on your theories don't really help anything. Now get back to your duties." she said. Link looked up see that several weapons had been layed off to one side of the chambers, he inquired as to what was going on and Shera spoke "Were getting together every able bodies Kokiri and we are planning to take back the village from the monsters, but...the evil wind blowing from the temple gives them strength. I plan on leading my squad up there to destroy what is inside." she said.
Link now knew that he could not allow this to happened and looked down at Shera before he spoke "Listen to me Shera. Navi has told me about the Lost Woods and she knows her way around it, I've been through more than you have I'm sure. You should concentrate on the village. I will go to the Forest Temple and locate Saria, hopefully then she will be able to stop the darkness from flowing out of the temple." Shera looked up at the adult Link unable to understand why he wanted to do such a dangerous deed for a people he couldn't possibly relate with.
Shera then realized the obvious "How...how do you know my name?" she asked unsure of herself at this point. Link stood to his feet realizing he had slipped up and began to walk back toward the gates of the Deku Tree "You and your people just get yourselves together and make sure they are all as determined as you are before you start toward the village. Also be sure to watch yourself. I'll bring Saria and Mido back even if it kills me, I owe Saria and the rest of you that much." he said before he vanished through the closing gates. Shera was then left with the question: Where have I seen him before?
Link ran away as fast as his legs could carry him cutting through the underbrush that constantly obstructed his path heading back to the village. He came down the hill not heeding Navi's screams of warnings as a large Wolfos jumped out at him swinging at his head, without a shield to aid him Link could only attack. He shouted as he struck in mid travel drawing open the monsters chest and leaving it to die where it fell. He moved to Mido's house and ran to the elevated rocks behind it where he jumped up climbing until he came upon the entrance to the Lost Woods.
Link breathed as he checked his equipment. The Master Sword rested over his back as it was to, the Deku Knife was at his side along with his boomerang and the hookshot he prayed that he was prepared before he entered allowing Navi's soft glow to light the way.
The Lost Woods had changed since he had last visited them, there were very few flowers along the trail and a lot of it had been torn up by the fiends that now ran rampant in the village. The sky was dark with an unyielding blanket of storm clouds that gave no rain, truly Gannondorf and his magic had turned this place into a land of misery and he ment to keep it that way. Link looked at Navi before he stepped forward moving along the path of the Lost Woods that would take him to the Sacred Forest Meadow where the ancient Forest Temple was.
As Link walked he remembered a few things such as the first time he questioned Saria on what it was, she replied that she had no idea but felt it would play an important role in their lives someday. "Why did she always have to be right?" he murmured under his breath as he came into a small clearing with a small pond across from it. He stepped over to it drowning one of the empty bottles in it, they had originally been filled with the castle's potions but they had either been used or gone out of use. But they were still good for carrying water.
Suddenly Navi's aura flashed a bright red showing shock and essentially demand that Link move out of the way. Link jumped and rolled to the side as somebody landed where he had been trying to stab him in the back quite literally with a crudely made knife, but he couldn't believe who was holding it. He knew that Saria would have probably grown older due to the fact she left the woods more than once and he had been trying to make up a mental picture but he would have never been able to imagine what he was seeing now.
The growing Kokiri looked to be around fifteen in Hyrulian years proof that he probably first left the boundaries some four or five years prior. He wore the traditional Kokiri tunic and boots and had some armor made from bark along with a standard Kokiri Shield. His hair was a dark orange and he had a number of fadding freckles on his face, the eyes were green like most Kokiri's but they were slowly growing darker showing the aging. It would have taken Link only a passing glance to know who his attacker was, he hardly needed a long gaze to see the young man that had spawned from Mido.
Mido pulled his knife up and looked at Link's cloths "Aside from Saria and Davin we don't have any Kokiri in our village that have grown like you. I don't know who your trying to fool but it wouldn't matter." he said before he moved back to the pathway which would lead to the Sacred Forest Meadow. Link decided to just leave Mido be and tried to pass by but jumped back as the once cowardly Kokiri took a swipe at his abdomen with the knife.
Link angrily drew his blade on reflex and Mido picked up his shield going into a basic stance "Your not getting past here. Saria told me to let her do it on her own. Its futile for anybody else anyway, every time I let and outsider pass they're either with your king or they get killed before even reaching the temple." at this Link slammed the Master Sword back into its scabbard and then glared at Mido "Gannondorf is NOT my king!" he shouted clearly insulted.
Mido took a step back but regained his composure before speaking "Well either way I made a promise I would not let anybody past here unless she sent for them prior to their arrival." he explained crossing his arms.
"Wait, Saria did send for us. We've felt her calling out for his help." Navi said before diving back under Link's cap almost forgetting that Link's identity should remain a secret among the Kokiri. Mido raised an eyebrow before figuring that he was probably just a Kokiri from south of the village "I'm going to have to see proof of this, how do you know Saria?" he asked.
Link began thinking of a way to tell Mido and crossed his arms over his abdomen where he felt a lump in the inner pocket of his tunic, he checked it and came out with the Ocarina of Time which he had not touched since leaving the Sacred Realm. It didn't take him long to come up with the idea and brought the instrument to his lips playing out the song that Saria had taught him just over seven years ago. The tune echoed through the forest and everything seemed to become a little more positive.
Mido stepped back and looked at Link "That...that song...Saria only taught it to her best friends." he then stepped aside holding an arm out toward the path "Forgive a doubting fool. Saria must need you so you'd better go to her before its too late. I'll head back to the village." he said before the nameless warrior moved down the path.
"Thanks Mido!" Navi called out from under Link's cap. Mido brought a hand to his chin as he tried to think of who that fairy was and where he had heard that voice before. "Ah, Navi. I always wondered what happened to..." Mido then found himself trying to contemplate how he wasn't on the ground covered in bruises as it hit him. If that was Mido, then the person with her could only be Link!
Link moved through the Sacred Forest Meadow as best he could, taking cover from the large piggish-doggish beasts that were known only as Moblins. They were one of the unit troops of Gannondorf's military usually used in patrolling and scouting, they weren't much for swift combat and weren't very smart. But what they lost in intelligence, they made up for in raw physical strength. However due to their weak sense of hearing, Link managed to navigate the meadow without any difficulty...that is until he got to the threshold of the temple's courtyard.
A large Moblin stood there wielding a large club that looked like a large rod of metal impaled into a large rock, its body was wide and it perfectly blocked his way up the carved stairway which lead to the temple. The Moblin spoke out in a brutish voice "Another one of those rebels, heh heh alright. Lets go. I'm going to break your body and make you cry out for your mother." needless to say Link wasn't threatened as he drew his sword and took a step back into stance.
"Yeah? I'm gonna take and wild guess and say that your strong but stupid." he said before darting toward the large monster which swiftly swung his club down. Dirt seemed to be kicked up as this happened as a wave of sheer forced moved toward Link, Navi demanded that he get off the ground and Link found himself jumping to kick up the wall over the moving ground. He touched down and drew something from the front pouch of his belt and hurled it hard at the creature's face.
Two Deku Nuts hit perfectly between the monster's eyes causing him to fall back dropping his club as he tried to scrap the burning dust away. He looked up ready to attack but was too late as the only thing he got to see was Link jumping into the air and driving the Master Sword into the Moblin's forehead killing him instantly.
Link withdrew his sword not taking the time to clean it and ran up the stairs into the Temple's Courtyard which was also Saria's favorite playing spot. He looked all around seeing nothing of Saria but the empty stump, Link in response struck the ground with his foot. Then he heard another sound from behind like the sound of somebody dropping to the ground, he turned going for his boomerang but lowered his hand as he was greeted by the site of the one who told him Saria's location.
Sheik looked up as she hit the ground having been watching Link's actions from the trees wanting to make sure he could handle what he would face in the temple. She stood to her feet and stepped forward looking at Link and then the stump he had been starring at which seemed to have a worn spot in it, probably from somebody's sitting "The flow of time is always cruel, isn't it?" she questioned him.
Link crossed his arms looking at the group as this woman approached him "Tell me about it. Its speed seems different for each person, she probably waited seven years to see me again it was less than a few moments to me." he murmured clearly having regrets.
Sheik nodded her head at this before speaking "But one thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days. Link if you were need to come back here again, play the Minuet of Forest." she said before she removed her harp which prompted Link to get out his ocarina. Sheik played a song that seemed to go with the forest and its way of existence, Link easily memorized this tune. Suddenly a green light picked up around him and he vanished into thin air with a shout of surprise.
When the emerald light fadded he found himself standing on a large marble disk that was in the courtyard and was somewhat closer to Sheik who seemed entertained by his shock. She spoke "There are seven songs that were written up so Sages could move between Temples. Some of them were just convenient while others gave access to places that could not be reached by any other means. She is inside Link and she is waiting for you. Don't let her down." Sheik stepped away and reached behind her back bringing out a Deku Nut.
One blinding flash later...she was gone...
Next Chapter: The Forest Temple
Link attacks the ancient Forest Temple and begins ridding it of the evil that has infected it but before he can effectively save Saria he must destroy four ghost sisters that hold the curse that haunts the forest in place. And even after this kind of a challenge it is far from over...
NOTE: Okay just to let you guys know. This next chapter is not going to be a walk through of the forest temple. I plan to redesign it and make a map up of it so it will be more like a Temple that was actually used by people instead of a place that is conveniently placed to piss Link/the Player off.
Author's Note: I'm sorry I made you wait so long, I just had to get my hands on some inspiration. Its difficult coming up with original stuff to add to this great story which is a masterpiece in its own right. Anyway on with that chapter.
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Ocarina of Time: Rebirth
Chapter Thirty-Six: Return To Kokiri Forest
Link and Navi had both been traveling for nearly half a day looking for the only known way in and out of the Kokiri Forest, the trail that would lead straight through the Lost Woods to the Kokiri Village. Along the way they had to go through several aggressive monsters that now littered the field and the patrols that were on horseback didn't really help their progress either. Luckily sticking near the river had worked toward their good forturne and it wasn't much longer after the sun began to fall in the west when they finally caught sight of the Kokiri Forest over the rolling plains.
Link Masters breathed as he felt a heavy guilt wash over him. Seven years ago they had judged him as the one responcible for the death of their guardian, the Deku Tree. It would be no easy task to walk into the forest without being either attacked or slandered for what they believed was true. Although the know-it-all brothers promised they would check the inside of the tree for the remains of a battle it was unlikely they would find anything, if he remembered correctly the monster called Gohma had burst into flames and was probably no more than just cinder by now.
Link looked at the large hallow log that had been placed up decades ago to keep the entrance from getting over grown by the forest, he took a breath before he walked into the darkened forest the light from Navi leading the way. Link felt a little unsure of himself. Sure this new body of his was naturally stronger with both growth, the Master Sword and Rauru's power but it was not very broken in. His muscles were constantly clinching and he would be unable to react as fast as he did before, and the fact that he lacked a shield that he could use didn't really help either.
The village looked the same as it always had as he walked into the entrance reaching up a half gloved hand to brush some of the loose branches aside. The sky seemed to be dark as if it could storm at any time, Link stepped from the entrance walking up the beaten dirt street that ran through the village. Nobody was outside from what he could see, last he checked the Kokiri enjoyed the rain and weren't really afraid of a little storm. Navi suddenly spoke up "Link. Be on your guard this area is infested by fiends." she breathed out into his ear. Link nodded placing his left hand on the Master Sword's hilt.
Suddenly there was the sound of leaves brushing the ground and then the distinctive sound of something being forced out at high speeds by a lot of pressure. Link turned around and swung the Master Sword with a grunt, it left the sheath and struck the incoming Deku Nut that had been fired off by a lone Deku Scrub. Link growled as he reached back and hurled his boomerang at the monster striking it hard upside the head, it fell back and let out a small, shrill howl. Then everything began to fall apart. The large purple pods that were nearby sprouted up into very over grown Deku Babas and he also noticed a number of Skultulas moving across the ground toward him.
Navi screamed for Link to move just as one of the giant Deku Babas snapped at him with its small toothed maw, there was a distinct chomping sound as Link forward just under its snapping jaws. He grunted as he swiped the Master Sword hard drawing the thin trunk of the plant like fiend in half sending the head to the side. The Skultulas screeched as they jumped toward Link who held up his right arm forgetting he had no shield, he quickly swung swatting one aside. His wrist impacted the side of the skull the spider wore painfully as he backed up toward the center of the village.
Surrounded by three Deku Babas and a few more Deku Scrubs it would not be easy, Navi started up again "Link! Get out of here!" she shouted. Suddenly several objects moved through the air like shooting stars and struck all of the fiends stunning them for the moment, he looked up toward the Deku Tree's meadow to see five sillouettes standing there no bigger than children "Hurry! You don't have long!" one of them shouted before moving toward the meadow. Link ran to follow cutting down one of the babas as he moved.
The five Kokiri children moved down the short trail toward the long dead Deku Tree which seemed to have under went a few changes. A large gate had been made where the face's mouth had been left open upon its death, there was also a pair of balconies that had been built where the 'eyes' were. Link didn't know weather to commend their resourcefulness or succumb to the acidic feeling in the pit of his stomach. One of them looked back to Link "What are you waiting for? Come on!" he shouted as the gate raised and they entered. Link ran after them getting inside just as the gates closed.
Link didn't exactly like what he saw. The main chamber of the Deku Tree had been modified into a fortress, the large hole in the center that would lead into the underground had been sealed by a large platform that rested in the center of the room. The walkways that he had climbed up while fighting that large golden spider years ago was now lined with Kokiri's that had taken residence in the other chambers. A few that were armed with slingshot and rare red deku seeds that were known to only grow during the hottest days of summer were there as well, with plant type fiends it was an effective weapon.
The gates closed shut and the area was left with only torchlight, Link looked up as one of the Kokiri that he had followed him approached him. She wore armor made out of strips of bark and carried a small sword with him, she didn't exactly seem happy "What is wrong with you? Don't you know that Hylians are supposed to stay outside the forest. Or did you actually think your clothing would be enough to fool us?" Link now recognized this Kokiri as Shera. One of the Kokiri who was at one point never serious about anything, yet somehow this brunette Kokiri had become an effective warrior.
Looking around he did notice that a few of the Kokiri seemed to have gained a few years obviously from traveling outside the forest, depending on how long they were outside the forest the more they would grow. Considering how long Saria had been outside the forest even before he fell asleep she was probably growing at the regular rate of a Hylian by now. Shera suddenly snapped her fingers "Hey! Your in it deep enough already. Why did you come here?" she demanded to know. Link breathed before he looked down at her "I'm looking for somebody. Do you know where a Kokiri named Saria is?"
Shera lightly shrugged before speaking "Don't know if you could call her a Kokiri anymore, since she went outside the forest she had been growing up. She should look around your age right now Hylian. Anyway about six months ago when all of this started to happen, when the ruler of Hyrule got all aggressive more and more monsters began pouring out of the Forest Temple. Saria decided that as the eldest Kokiri she had to do something, Mido went with her and neither of them have been heard from since." Link breathed out concerned.
Suddenly Navi flew from under his hat and spoke up much to Link's dismay "And you didn't send anybody out after them?" Link breathed as he knew that Navi's presence wouldn't exactly be easy to explain.
Shera sighed before speaking "We have to protect this stronghold and the Lost Woods has become a very dangerous place for the Kokiri and...Hey! Navi what are you doing following a Hylian around?! What happened to Link?" she half shouted.
Half of the fortress looked right at Link as Navi was about to speak but Link raised a hand to grab Navi by the bottom of her tiny ankles "This fairy came to me not to long ago after the one she was guarding was killed in a battle at Hyrule Castle, the one that placed the current ruler in power. I'm against Gannondorf in any way you can slice it, we teamed up as she has knowledge of this land. To continue I must speak with Saria." he explained. Shera sighed lightly looking to the ground "So Link is dead?" she asked him.
Navi looked straight at the adult Link who narrowed his vision at her before she spoke up "He...I haven't seen him since that battle...I can only suspect that he is dead or the Gerudos from the western deserts have taken him as a labor prisoner or...er never mind." Navi said as she noticed the puzzeled looks from both the Kokiri warrior and the forest raised Hylian.
Shera breathed lightly shaking her head "That adds just another sin to us then. Years ago when the Deku Tree died shortly after calling a boy named Link to speak with him, we had no clue of how to react. We pinned the blame on Link without thinking." Shera took a breath as she looked away "Link. Though none of us ever understood him, we cannot be sure if he was the cause or not but looking back I cannot think of once that Link ever showed any signs that he would ever hurt us. He was always the loner but then again he was always friendly." she breathed. Link breathed wanting desperately to tell her to not beat herself up but knew she would never believe that he was Link even if he admitted it.
"Oh shut up!" Link looked up to see Lori one of the Mido supporters from back in the day "What we found doesn't prove a thing. Link was the last to go to the Deku Tree before he withered and all he could do was point the finger at somebody else. You're one of the only Kokiri that supports the tired old theory that Link is a would-be hero." Navi buzzed right up to Lori giving a swift kick to the center of his forehead demanding that he shut his mouth. Shera then delivered a swift blow to the center of Lori's face sending him back to the ground, Lori was wearing armor as well and it was obvious that Shera was the superior here.
Shera spoke up in response "I gave the simple facts. We do not know for sure about anything and the way you and the others dwell on your theories don't really help anything. Now get back to your duties." she said. Link looked up see that several weapons had been layed off to one side of the chambers, he inquired as to what was going on and Shera spoke "Were getting together every able bodies Kokiri and we are planning to take back the village from the monsters, but...the evil wind blowing from the temple gives them strength. I plan on leading my squad up there to destroy what is inside." she said.
Link now knew that he could not allow this to happened and looked down at Shera before he spoke "Listen to me Shera. Navi has told me about the Lost Woods and she knows her way around it, I've been through more than you have I'm sure. You should concentrate on the village. I will go to the Forest Temple and locate Saria, hopefully then she will be able to stop the darkness from flowing out of the temple." Shera looked up at the adult Link unable to understand why he wanted to do such a dangerous deed for a people he couldn't possibly relate with.
Shera then realized the obvious "How...how do you know my name?" she asked unsure of herself at this point. Link stood to his feet realizing he had slipped up and began to walk back toward the gates of the Deku Tree "You and your people just get yourselves together and make sure they are all as determined as you are before you start toward the village. Also be sure to watch yourself. I'll bring Saria and Mido back even if it kills me, I owe Saria and the rest of you that much." he said before he vanished through the closing gates. Shera was then left with the question: Where have I seen him before?
Link ran away as fast as his legs could carry him cutting through the underbrush that constantly obstructed his path heading back to the village. He came down the hill not heeding Navi's screams of warnings as a large Wolfos jumped out at him swinging at his head, without a shield to aid him Link could only attack. He shouted as he struck in mid travel drawing open the monsters chest and leaving it to die where it fell. He moved to Mido's house and ran to the elevated rocks behind it where he jumped up climbing until he came upon the entrance to the Lost Woods.
Link breathed as he checked his equipment. The Master Sword rested over his back as it was to, the Deku Knife was at his side along with his boomerang and the hookshot he prayed that he was prepared before he entered allowing Navi's soft glow to light the way.
The Lost Woods had changed since he had last visited them, there were very few flowers along the trail and a lot of it had been torn up by the fiends that now ran rampant in the village. The sky was dark with an unyielding blanket of storm clouds that gave no rain, truly Gannondorf and his magic had turned this place into a land of misery and he ment to keep it that way. Link looked at Navi before he stepped forward moving along the path of the Lost Woods that would take him to the Sacred Forest Meadow where the ancient Forest Temple was.
As Link walked he remembered a few things such as the first time he questioned Saria on what it was, she replied that she had no idea but felt it would play an important role in their lives someday. "Why did she always have to be right?" he murmured under his breath as he came into a small clearing with a small pond across from it. He stepped over to it drowning one of the empty bottles in it, they had originally been filled with the castle's potions but they had either been used or gone out of use. But they were still good for carrying water.
Suddenly Navi's aura flashed a bright red showing shock and essentially demand that Link move out of the way. Link jumped and rolled to the side as somebody landed where he had been trying to stab him in the back quite literally with a crudely made knife, but he couldn't believe who was holding it. He knew that Saria would have probably grown older due to the fact she left the woods more than once and he had been trying to make up a mental picture but he would have never been able to imagine what he was seeing now.
The growing Kokiri looked to be around fifteen in Hyrulian years proof that he probably first left the boundaries some four or five years prior. He wore the traditional Kokiri tunic and boots and had some armor made from bark along with a standard Kokiri Shield. His hair was a dark orange and he had a number of fadding freckles on his face, the eyes were green like most Kokiri's but they were slowly growing darker showing the aging. It would have taken Link only a passing glance to know who his attacker was, he hardly needed a long gaze to see the young man that had spawned from Mido.
Mido pulled his knife up and looked at Link's cloths "Aside from Saria and Davin we don't have any Kokiri in our village that have grown like you. I don't know who your trying to fool but it wouldn't matter." he said before he moved back to the pathway which would lead to the Sacred Forest Meadow. Link decided to just leave Mido be and tried to pass by but jumped back as the once cowardly Kokiri took a swipe at his abdomen with the knife.
Link angrily drew his blade on reflex and Mido picked up his shield going into a basic stance "Your not getting past here. Saria told me to let her do it on her own. Its futile for anybody else anyway, every time I let and outsider pass they're either with your king or they get killed before even reaching the temple." at this Link slammed the Master Sword back into its scabbard and then glared at Mido "Gannondorf is NOT my king!" he shouted clearly insulted.
Mido took a step back but regained his composure before speaking "Well either way I made a promise I would not let anybody past here unless she sent for them prior to their arrival." he explained crossing his arms.
"Wait, Saria did send for us. We've felt her calling out for his help." Navi said before diving back under Link's cap almost forgetting that Link's identity should remain a secret among the Kokiri. Mido raised an eyebrow before figuring that he was probably just a Kokiri from south of the village "I'm going to have to see proof of this, how do you know Saria?" he asked.
Link began thinking of a way to tell Mido and crossed his arms over his abdomen where he felt a lump in the inner pocket of his tunic, he checked it and came out with the Ocarina of Time which he had not touched since leaving the Sacred Realm. It didn't take him long to come up with the idea and brought the instrument to his lips playing out the song that Saria had taught him just over seven years ago. The tune echoed through the forest and everything seemed to become a little more positive.
Mido stepped back and looked at Link "That...that song...Saria only taught it to her best friends." he then stepped aside holding an arm out toward the path "Forgive a doubting fool. Saria must need you so you'd better go to her before its too late. I'll head back to the village." he said before the nameless warrior moved down the path.
"Thanks Mido!" Navi called out from under Link's cap. Mido brought a hand to his chin as he tried to think of who that fairy was and where he had heard that voice before. "Ah, Navi. I always wondered what happened to..." Mido then found himself trying to contemplate how he wasn't on the ground covered in bruises as it hit him. If that was Mido, then the person with her could only be Link!
Link moved through the Sacred Forest Meadow as best he could, taking cover from the large piggish-doggish beasts that were known only as Moblins. They were one of the unit troops of Gannondorf's military usually used in patrolling and scouting, they weren't much for swift combat and weren't very smart. But what they lost in intelligence, they made up for in raw physical strength. However due to their weak sense of hearing, Link managed to navigate the meadow without any difficulty...that is until he got to the threshold of the temple's courtyard.
A large Moblin stood there wielding a large club that looked like a large rod of metal impaled into a large rock, its body was wide and it perfectly blocked his way up the carved stairway which lead to the temple. The Moblin spoke out in a brutish voice "Another one of those rebels, heh heh alright. Lets go. I'm going to break your body and make you cry out for your mother." needless to say Link wasn't threatened as he drew his sword and took a step back into stance.
"Yeah? I'm gonna take and wild guess and say that your strong but stupid." he said before darting toward the large monster which swiftly swung his club down. Dirt seemed to be kicked up as this happened as a wave of sheer forced moved toward Link, Navi demanded that he get off the ground and Link found himself jumping to kick up the wall over the moving ground. He touched down and drew something from the front pouch of his belt and hurled it hard at the creature's face.
Two Deku Nuts hit perfectly between the monster's eyes causing him to fall back dropping his club as he tried to scrap the burning dust away. He looked up ready to attack but was too late as the only thing he got to see was Link jumping into the air and driving the Master Sword into the Moblin's forehead killing him instantly.
Link withdrew his sword not taking the time to clean it and ran up the stairs into the Temple's Courtyard which was also Saria's favorite playing spot. He looked all around seeing nothing of Saria but the empty stump, Link in response struck the ground with his foot. Then he heard another sound from behind like the sound of somebody dropping to the ground, he turned going for his boomerang but lowered his hand as he was greeted by the site of the one who told him Saria's location.
Sheik looked up as she hit the ground having been watching Link's actions from the trees wanting to make sure he could handle what he would face in the temple. She stood to her feet and stepped forward looking at Link and then the stump he had been starring at which seemed to have a worn spot in it, probably from somebody's sitting "The flow of time is always cruel, isn't it?" she questioned him.
Link crossed his arms looking at the group as this woman approached him "Tell me about it. Its speed seems different for each person, she probably waited seven years to see me again it was less than a few moments to me." he murmured clearly having regrets.
Sheik nodded her head at this before speaking "But one thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days. Link if you were need to come back here again, play the Minuet of Forest." she said before she removed her harp which prompted Link to get out his ocarina. Sheik played a song that seemed to go with the forest and its way of existence, Link easily memorized this tune. Suddenly a green light picked up around him and he vanished into thin air with a shout of surprise.
When the emerald light fadded he found himself standing on a large marble disk that was in the courtyard and was somewhat closer to Sheik who seemed entertained by his shock. She spoke "There are seven songs that were written up so Sages could move between Temples. Some of them were just convenient while others gave access to places that could not be reached by any other means. She is inside Link and she is waiting for you. Don't let her down." Sheik stepped away and reached behind her back bringing out a Deku Nut.
One blinding flash later...she was gone...
Next Chapter: The Forest Temple
Link attacks the ancient Forest Temple and begins ridding it of the evil that has infected it but before he can effectively save Saria he must destroy four ghost sisters that hold the curse that haunts the forest in place. And even after this kind of a challenge it is far from over...
NOTE: Okay just to let you guys know. This next chapter is not going to be a walk through of the forest temple. I plan to redesign it and make a map up of it so it will be more like a Temple that was actually used by people instead of a place that is conveniently placed to piss Link/the Player off.