The Legend of Zelda: On the Brink

Chapter 2: Quest of the Sprite

Nab flew over the draw closed draw bridge and up into the dark sky. The lights from the market place were extinguished but the castle still had a couple of lamps and torches burning. Other than those few, the glow of Nab's magical presence was the only light able to be seen. A blanket of dark clouds had rolled on top of the stars and the moon. Nab's little wings flew her into Hyrule Field to fulfill the Goddesses' request.

The fields were empty as it was four a clock in the morning and the sun still wasn't on its way into the sky. The only thing that stirred in the darkness was the wind. It swept through the field waving the green lushes grass, and the wide spread branches of the trees swung back and forth. Other than that the fields were motionless.

The light of Nab followed the river east. Zora's River, the only major river in Hyrule, flowed softly under the stone bridge. Nab had the voice of Nayru inside of her head, telling her where to go. She flew on the path that the mortals take to the city, climbing the man-made stairs up the rock way.

Kakariko Village was just as quiet as the Castle Market and fields of Hyrule. Cuccos were spread around the small village. Most were kept in pens but there were still the few rebels that walked aimlessly through the grass streets. Nab fluttered around the small animals, becoming side tracked from her task. It was the fairy's nature to be playful, and the fairy inside the creature that was really a fairy was coming out. She giggled as the poultry started to squawk in annoyance.

When the voice of the head Goddess boomed in her mind, the small flying creature was snapped back to her appointed task.

Billy had awoken at midnight that morning. He had gotten dressed quickly and headed out of his small house at the front of the graveyard. On his way out the door, Billy grabbed the shovel that he carried for two years. At the age of fourteen Billy had taken over the job of grave keeping, when the previous owner and keeper, Dampe, had died. Now Billy strode up and down the aisles of graves patrolling the dead.

Now, at four o'clock, Billy sat at the foot of Dampe's grave. The sixteen year old man was leaning back against the shovel that he had stuck in the soft soil. When he was growing up, Dampe had been his hero. All his childhood, Billy had wanted to be the gravekeeper that gave frightening tours in the darkness of the night.

Now he had that life. He was the grave keeper that lived a sad life. He had no one. The only person he had was the unsupportive mother that he buried a year ago, and she was gone too, just like Dampe.

"How are you doing Dampe?" he asked the grave infront of him. "That's good. You know that little boy that kept letting all the cuccos out? They red head freckle faced kid? Well all the towns people lined up last night before the sun went down and each one ran by and smacked him on the behind. It was great fun….to hear about. As you know I was sleeping during the day." A small light was shining behind him but he didn't notice.

Nab shook her head as she watched the matured boy talk to the dead buried man. She was struck with sadness as the boy who she guessed to be in his mid thirties by the large bags under his eyes, spoke. He sounded like he had missed his whole life.

Even though she had pity for the man, she shook her head. This was in no way the kind of person that the Goddesses had described for her to find. She left him sitting with the grave, talking like a mad man.

Before Nab had even left the village and headed up to the mountains, she collapsed on the hard rock ground. She cried out in sorrow. The life of mortals was so sad. They lived and then died, leaving everyone they loved behind and alone until eventually they died to. Nab's tears rolled down her cheeks as she heard the comforting voice of Farore in her head telling her that it would be okay. Eventually, Nab's leaking eyes closed and she fell asleep right where she laid on the side of Death Mountain.

At the break of day the creature opened her eyes softly letting the rays of the bright sun in so that she wouldn't be blinded by the sudden brightness of morning. Nab's wings were sprinkled with drops of dew, that she eventually picked up with her tiny hand and put to her mouth to drink. Her face was still flushed from the night before when she wept but her eyes were clear and dry. It had just been an overwhelming night that had caused her to grow weary

As she stood up on the rocky ground she swore to herself that an occurrence like that would never happen again. Her majestic green eyes scanned the mountain that she rested on. The normal cloud of smoke and ash circled around the volcanic opening, and the sound of rolling rocks indicated that the Gorons were already working that morning. Her magical light began releasing its glow as her sheer wings started to flutter. She hovered in the same spot for another second, looking at the unbelievable mountain before she continued on.

The Goddess-made creature flew up the side of the mountain following the trail so she wouldn't lose herself in the many rocks that all looked the same to her. She took a sharp back turn once reaching the mouth of a cave and continued up the trail. Inside the trail however, she could see Gorons eating and harvesting some of the rocks and lifting them into large wheel barrels.

Once Nab reached the entrance to the Goron City, she stopped and bobbed in the same stationary spot for a minute. She took in a deep breathe and headed into the city of the rock giants.

"Link! Link!" The voice of a Goron female rang through the stone apartment of the volcano. A young Goron boy lifted his head up out of the ball he had curled himself into and looked around. He could see his mother standing at the doorway holding a stone in her hand. "Link it's time to get up son," she said tossing the rock up and down in her hand.

The Goron boy unrolled himself and sprawled across the floor. His mother, feeling impatient, rolled the breakfast to her son. Without even looking at it, Link, the Goron, grabbed the Goron food of choice and stuffed it into his mouth. He devoured the boulder and sat up looking around. He was still in the middle of his apartment that he shared with his mother and father at the bottom level of the Goron City.

The night before he had stayed up listening to ancient fantasy stories that his father, Darunia. He was told fantasy stories of a man called the Hero of Time who had once saved the land of Hyrule. His was told that his parents named him after this Hylian man, Link. Ever since he first heard the story when he was two years old, the Goron boy was fascinated by the hero. He strived everyday to help those in need so eventually people would remember him like they remembered the Hero of Time.

Link shook his head violently trying to get the sleepiness out of his brain. Once the tempting thoughts of returning to bed left him, he rolled up into a ball once more, and rolled himself out into the great city.

The day's agenda wasn't much. All that was required of him was to go to Dodongo's Cavern and collect the amount of rocks needed for meal times. After that, Link would be able to serve the people of his community. So he headed out, rolling up the different stairwells and outside. He didn't notice the shining ball of energy that followed him as he rolled down the hill and into the harvesting grounds of the cave.

Thirty minutes after helping the elderly people of his city with their carts and the heavy lifting, Link finally set to the task appointed to him by his father. The Goron searched for the plumpest rocks and grabbed a few smaller ones that he could use as snacks. While the seven year old lifted the rocks into the large cart, he finally spoke to the, what he thought to be a fairy. "Why do you take so much interested in me?" he asked cheerfully.

Nab looked at the child, cocking her head to the side in curiosity. "I do not know exactly," she replied. "I find it interesting that you are willing to help so many of the others when you could just be getting your own food and then move on to playing."

Link shrugged. "I guess I don't find playing that entertaining. I like to help others….that's all. That's my dream you know," he continued as he wheeled his cart out of the cavern. "To be a hero. I want to be world famous for helping all these people. Sure people love my daddy, and they say he is a good man who helps everyone. But I want to be more than that. I want to be noticed by everyone."

Nab shook her head as the young boy spoke. When the boy was first helping people she thought she had done it. She thought she had found the being that the Goddess were looking for, one that would be able to hold the Triforce of Power. But once the boy started to speak she was disappointed. Yes, the boy loved helping people and he did it gladly. But she was saddened by the fact that he did it for the wrong reasons. He did it all for glory and fame. If this youngster was granted the power of the Triforce, than who knows what he would do with it. He would most likely use it to his advantage; use it to hold himself in a higher position. Selfishness was frowned upon by the Goddesses and she knew that it wouldn't be a good trait to have when holding the Triforce of Power.

"Good day," she said to the juvenile as wheeled his cart to the lower part of the city that they had just answered. As Nab was about to head out of the volcanic community, she heard the sounds of a forest from the rocks. She got closer, holding her pointed ear up against the dense boulders. She could hear what sounded like music.

"That is the way to the Lost Woods," she heard Nayru in her head. "Find a crevice and go that way….it would be faster for you my dear."

So Nab took it….

After seconds of confusion bewilderment, Nab finally reached the Lost Woods. She came out spinning and eventually flew herself into a wall. With a short cry, Nab fell to the ground. She arose once more, rubbing the tender spot on her head and wincing in pain. One thing that was totally different was the environment. Nab was stunned when she discovered that she was surrounded by thousands of trees. The sun was barely peaking through the canopy of trees, and light was only shed upon small parts of the ground.

A sudden feeling of fear swept over Nab. She was alone in a forest and she had no clue where to go. Slowly, the magical creature rose off the ground and headed toward the biggest opening in the woods. After going straight into another large area of clear space, Nab treaded the air where she was with her wings, and thought about what to do next. There were openings to her right and straight in front of her. To her left, the ground she flew over dropped off and there was a lone tree. The only ray of light that could break through the branches and leaves shined directly on the solitary tree.

Nab looked at the scene carefully, she didn't like the eerie look of the lonely tree and she couldn't see any way to get out that way. So, she continued to solve the puzzle of which way to go. Closing her eyes, Nab stuck one arm out and spun herself in circles. Finally she stopped and flew forward. She was now flying through the opening that had been on her right. When Nab felt that she was in a new opening, she opened her eyes. A squeal of delight almost escaped her mouth as she could see light coming from her left. Without even thinking, Nab shot through the opening and escaped the forest.

She then found herself in a huge clearing. Giant trees were spread throughout the clear space, and from the looks of them. Decorations, and the hollowed out doors led Nab to the conclusion that the inhabitants of the area used the trees as homes.

Landing on the metal fence in front of her, the creature continued to scan the area. She saw children walking and running around, what seemed to be a city. What shocked Nab the most was, above each child's head, flew a small fairy and those accompanying the Kokiri were not the only fairies. Other pixies were flying around the trees and grasses of this hidden village beads of light following each one.

Nab squealed in joy and clapped her hands merrily. She grinned from pointed ear to pointed ear, and her cheeks were blushed with excitement. However her happiness was cut short when a little boy approached her.

"What are you so happy about?" he muttered under his breathe at her.

"I've never been here before and I've never seen so many fairies either," she replied staring at the pixie flying above his head.

"Well, it was nice talkin' to ya but I've gotta go."

"Where are you going?" she asked curiously as he neared the scary forest she had just left. "Your not going in there, are you?" Her tone was not only concerning but shaky as she remembered the overwhelming feeling of terror she felt.

"Actually, I am. There is this wolf that keeps comin' into our village and stealing some of the meat sold at that there shop. Apparently, this wolf is hiding out in the Lost Woods and I'm gonna go kill it. If your about to ask why am gonna do it, let me save you the breathe. I'm Mido and that's what I do as self appointed hero." Mido's chest was puffed out when he introduced himself, and he stuck is stubby thumb in his direction proudly.

"Wow," Nab said intrigued by the young boy. "You're really braved for an eight year old."

"I am not eight!" Mido screamed at her. "I am nineteen going on twenty. Don't you know anything? Us Kokiri never ever grow up. We stay like this our whole lives!"

Nab hung her head as he threw his insults at her. Then she smiled and looked at the unarmed…teenager. "How do you plan on killing it?" she asked bending over from her post teasingly. "With your bare hands? I don't think you're strong enough."

"Psh, sure I am." The young boy flexed his biceps and the muscle stuck up about half an inch higher than they normally were. Nab fought hard against the giggle that threatened to break out. "Okay, whatever you say. Just don't get yourself really hurt."

Without even waiting for a response, Nab took wing, giggling and snickering to herself. "Well, he may be brave," she said to herself. "But he doesn't seem like the brightest lamp in the house….or the tallest tree in the forest." The creature laughed at her own joke as she continued around the town. After waving and smiling at all the Kokiri children that she passed, Nab decided that to continue her search in this place would be not be the best thing to do. It would all end up in vain.

Nab once again entered Hyrule Field, her spirits lifted highly since her experience in the Graveyard. She cheerfully danced her way across the wide open field of Hyrule to her next destination. The sun was high in the sky and the small creature guessed that it was around noon time. Hopefully she would be able to complete her task before the end of the day, and report back to the Goddesses.

The magical being sang a song of different notes and sounds but with no particular words and lyrics. She danced her way against the lining of trees that fenced in Hyrule, with her eyes shut and her lips wide in a smile. Nab was so caught up in her joy that she didn't even notice the fence that lay in front of her. Because of her carelessness, the ball of light and wings ran right into the black metal barrier. With a sharp wail of pain, Nab fell to the ground.

She opened her eyes and noticed the gate for the first time. "Oh," she said with a slight laugh at herself. "Guess I'm there." With another giggle, Nab took flight and lifted herself over the two fences that guarded the entrance to Lake Hylia.

Professor Lazor, sat at the edge of the great lake. Soft waves licked at his wrinkled toes and lingering water danced in the crevices of the rocks on which he sat. The old man's little blue hat sat in his lap, leaving his white hair to poof out in various directions. The tired aged man flicked a small stone into the body of water every now and then as he mumbled to himself.

Nab flew over the green grass until she finally reached the edge of the water. Lowering herself to the same level, the sprite began to ballet on the surface, her tiny little toes barely touching the face of the water. She began to sing to herself again as she spun around. Then a wave approached her from behind and knocked her into the water.

Fluttering her wings vigorously, Nab was finally able to escape the overtaking liquid of the lake and rise afresh into the air. Once she wiped the few water droplets from her eyes she noticed the elderly man sitting on the rocks in front of the lone building. Gracefully, the sprite buzzed her way over to the man.

As she approached, Nab could hear his ramblings.

"If the H2O chemical can be extracted from the ice in the caverns then it is possible that I could receive the miraculous power of the water. That is of course if the water in the lake is the same as the caverns. And that also means I would have to find someone else to go get it for me. But wait how would I…"

"Hello," Nab said cheerfully. "Why are you sitting out here all by yourself?"

"Little bugs," the man muttered. "I hate bugs." The man picked up his bare sandals and started waving them at Nab, who was dodging every blow.

"I'm not a bug," she assured him. "Fairy! I'm a fairy!" Of course that wasn't really what she was either but the man would never understand her otherwise.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the man answered, throwing the sandal over his shoulder. When he didn't continue to speak and just stared in front of him, Nab landed on his risen knee and looked at him curiously.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine dear," he answered without even changing the expression on his face, or the direction of his blank stare.

"I heard you talking sir," she started. "What are you trying to get?"

The man answered her, using many different scientific terms, causing Nab's head to spin.

"…But I'm not a young whipper-snapper like you. I can barely even come out here like this anymore. So there isn't anyway I could get to the Ice Caverns of the Zora River. I'm trying to make some medicine using the strange chemical in this water. But every time I try to convert it into a solid, the special chemical dies and it isn't any use."

Nab felt so sympathetic to the man, she was about to offer to get it for him. But she remembered her own quest she was on. "Well, I'm sorry sir, surely you could get up there some how."

The older man laughed as he started to stand up. "I would try, but I would like to prove my theorem works first before I die trying." And with that the man strode off leaving his sandals outside. The door of his laboratory slammed shut behind him and Nab sighed.

"Poor man," she said.

Under the weight of flying the great distance from the Kokiri Forest to Lake Hylia, struggling to free herself from the overbearing waters, and the bump on her head from ramming the fence, Nab laid down in the grass and closed her eyes, hoping only to rest them for a second. But they never opened. The young sprite fell asleep in the short lush grass on the edge of the lake.

As she slept, tiny drops of rain began to sprinkle down from the sky. The rain never came down hard, only light sprinkles fell, wetting the grass and everything else on the plain including Nab who still lay down slumbering.

Finally two hours later, the sprite awoke and shook her head loosening her silvery hair that had become matted to her forehead. Nab picked herself up and looked around. The water in the lake had risen little, only a centimeter or to, but the mouth of the river seemed to be gushing out more water than before. She quickly decided that that it was four o'clock and she had better continue her quest. Flying to the river opening, Nab hoped that she would have only one more stop before completing her test.

She flew in between the high rising cliffs and instantly became fearful. If she got tired, than there would be no place for her to stop and rest, only the rushing waters below her. With that motivation not to run out of strength, Nab slowed her pace, no longer taking in mind whether she would run out of daylight or not.

An hour and a half later, Nab could see a bridge and she quickened her pace. She landed on the rope railing and leaned over to catch her breathe. Her hands rested on her bare knees as her lungs inhaled and exhaled rhythmically. Finally, her breathing was restored to the normal patterns and she felt like she could move on.

Nab started to walk across the rope, her arms outstretched to keep her balance. She never bent her legs but instead, swung them to the side and then brought it back in front of her for each step. As she walked she giggled uncontrollably at the awkward motion of her stride. When she reached the end, Nab took one big leap unto the wooden post that held the bridge up. Looking up, she could see the top of the Gerudo Fortress over the rocks.

Aya sat on the back of her horse, leaning over and wrapping her arms around the animal's neck. It was about 5:30 and the Gerudo teenager had only had one customer all day. So she took to her own horse for a little rest. The sun was beating down on her back as she lay against the horse. Aya was tempted to close her eyes and take a nap but she knew that if her mother were to walk up the hill and see her sleeping, the seventeen year old would never hear the end of it.

Overwhelmed with boredom, Aya finally sat up in the saddle and grabbed her bow off her shoulder. The rider grabbed a quiver of arrows and swung it across her back for easy access as she prepared to ride. The object of the game she maintained was to ride down to the end of the strip, shooting as many targets as possible. Then do it again on the way back. If you got a certain amount then a prize is rewarded.

Aya kicked the horse's sides with her heels making it shoot forward. The skilled teenager closed her left eye as she pulled back the bow. Once the arrow was released, Aya drew another one from her back and shot it instantly. Every pot she aimed for burst apart, her many years of training shining through her performance. Once she rounded the large target at the end, Aya shot at the targets standing just behind the pieces of broken pottery. When she finished the run, Aya jumped off her horse quickly and tossed the arrows to the side.

She ran to the line of targets and quickly swept the broken pots off to the back as far as possible. At the end of the day, her younger sister would pick up the pieces, as that was Aya's job when she was younger. After she swept the broken shards out of sight, Aya approached each wooden target and ripped the arrows out from the bull's eyes. It usually took along time to get all of them, especially when Aya shot them, but do to the fear of her mother showing up the Gerudo was working rather quickly.

Nab had been watching the young woman in amazement as she hit every target right in the middle. It was a spectacular show and the sprite's eyes were being entertained well. When the girl started cleaning up the area, Nab got closer to try and talk to the girl. This girl seemed to be powerful, and smart too. Still, Nab was cautious for she knew that the last Gerudo to hold the Triforce of Power had failed.

"Hello," the sprite said as she rested on the head of the horse.

"Huh? Oh another fairy…" Aya looked at Nab and then turned away to rearrange the prizes that sat on a couple of boxes.

Nab looked at the girl trying to get her attention but the Gerudo teen didn't acknowledge her at all. "You have a pretty good shot there." Again the girl didn't answer. "What's the horse's name?" Now response. "Can you hear me?"

"Why are you talking to me?" the Gerudo shouted. "I'm a thief. Last time one of you fairies came here you shunned us for living. But hey that's how we do things. Just go away!"

Nab fell backwards in shock of the girl's yelling. "Fine I'll go you hot-headed amazon," she shouted back as she made her way down the hill. "Well good thing I didn't tell the Goddess she was worthy or she would be killing innocent people left and right if she stubbed her pointy toe."

---

To Be Continued….