Chapter 5

Link headed east for the first cave. Pretty basic stuff in there. Some Bots. Some Moblins. No big deal. A few moments later he was outside again. Next he took another cave to the east. Some Ocktorocks and… oh damn, it was a Blue Goriya. Since when could Goriyas throw two boomerangs at once? Taking a few lumps, he slew the Goriya and exited. East again. Cave three. Some Aches, Bots, he ignored the elevator as per instructions…YIPES!

No one had remembered to warn Link about Darias and now he was confronted with one of these giant crocodilian monsters coming straight at him. Link kept his wits about him. Using the Stalfos strategy, he sliced it in the legs. He jumped back and then decided to switch up and go for the head. Well his blow landed but so did the Daria's. Ever had someone slam a battle axe into your stomach? Link was nearly blinded by the pain and coughed up blood. Quickly he stabbed the Daria one more time killing it. Link was in trouble now. Should he use the Life spell? What if greater need came later? He could still move. He decided to proceed as long as he was capable and if he lost too much blood he would use the spell.

How Link managed to keep going, I'll never know. It was a stupid decision not to use the spell. He was light-headed and in terrible pain and it got worse every second. He could scarcely breathe. When he emerged from the cave he was attacked by Blue Moblins and the effort of fighting them off almost sent him into a coma. He had to rest for an hour before going east once more for the next cave. There was a bridge with Bago Bagos but nothing too serious. He had learned how to deal with them by now.

East again, another cave…no…NO! It was so unfair. Up on a high ledge was a red jar but guarding it was a Red Daria. This thing had a bag of axes and could throw them. As Link correctly guessed, they couldn't be stopped by a shield. Abandoning all strategy, Link ran at the Daria screaming at stabbed at it wildly. He was victorious but… "Ungh…"

An axe had hit him in the head, damaging his brain. Link's eyesight was gone completely. He was bleeding to death. His motor functions were badly inhibited. What was that word he needed to say? He was lying in his own blood, Bots biting on his legs and his damaged brain couldn't function. Oh if only he could remember before he died there in that cave! He'd never see anyone he cared about ever again. He'd never see…

ZELDA!

He could see her! Or was it a dream? She was walking right towards him! Or was he dead? She leaned over and kissed him. "I've been watching you all your life," she whispered. "I was a part of the living world as a spirit rather than as a mortal person. I saw you grow up, I was there when you defeated Ganon, I was there when you lost your love. I saw your greatest tribulations and triumphs. And I have been SO very much in love with you for the longest time. You are my very life now and the only reason I would want to wake up. Don't die my love. The word is Agda."

Could Link even speak in this condition? With a superhuman effort Link struggled to his feet.

"AGDA!"

Link jumped straight up and by some miracle landed on a platform and groped blindly for the jar. He found it! He took a drink. Oh what was that other word? He couldn't even remember his own name right now. Oh what was it?

"I love you too," he heard himself say, if only in his mind. "I don't know why, but I felt something so beautiful and pure beyond anything in this world… I don't even know who I am right now. But I know who Zelda is. My dearest… I WON'T DIE!"

"ADAK!"

Link wasn't 100 healed of all his wounds but his head was OK and he had no life-threatening injuries. But she was gone when he opened his eyes. The disappointment was so great that he very nearly cried. In a sudden rage he dashed out of the cave and south into the next one where he ruthlessly slaughtered the powerful Goriya and Daria that lurked there without a thought and without so much as a scratch to himself. It was rather satisfying. And he was rather astonished at his own strength. Heading south to another cave, he killed two more Darias.

He was getting close now. Heading south once more the two Darias in the next cave had bad positions and couldn't reach him. He stabbed them to death between axe swings. He left the cave. He was back. Back in South Hyrule. And the sight that greeted him was surprising. The east boulder of Spectacle rock was gone. It was a big hole in the ground now. The bigger surprise was when he entered. The elaborate underground bunker where he had slain Ganon was all hollowed out now. Aside from his candle, there was no light.

No time for nostalgia. A Red Daria was attacking. Using a strategy of leaping over the axes and ducking down and stabbing upon landing he seemed to be working. But what was this? The Daria backed into a tunnel with a low ceiling taking away Link's advantage. Could he lure it out? Link pretended to run away and the Daria came out just far enough so that he could finish it off without letting it retreat again.

Two more Achemen were in the cave but he was ready this time and slew them both before they even landed. After being accosted by some unsuccessful Megmets, Link faced off against another Daria. Using the Stalfos strategy only and working fast, he killed it and took the elevator downstairs.

Almost there!

One more Red Daria greeted him. This one wanted to retreat into a hall too and luring it out wasn't as easy as last time but Link triumphed. As he leapt over several lava pits he never saw the Myu until it was too late. Its thorns went straight through his foot and the blow sent him flying backwards headfirst into the lava. He was dead.

Or was he? Link found himself standing at the other end of the series of lava pits without a scratch. Was he a ghost? No, he seemed to be alive. Just then his purse opened by itself and the little wooden figure of himself he had found earlier floated up into the air and vanished. Now Link understood this amazing gift the fairies had given him and was choked up with gratitude. This time the Myu was gone and Link safely crossed.

He could tell he was close and nothing, not even the two Darias that attacked him were going to stop him now. He slew them both much quicker than usual (not without a mild shoulder wound though) and claimed his prize. The magic hammer was his at last! Sadly there seemed to be no quick way out of this cave but that was a very minor issue now.

Well it took him a while to get out and as soon as he was back outside he had the truly inspired idea to test his new hammer. OK, maybe it wasn't that inspired. The hammer itself was pretty tiny and by its own merits probably couldn't have crushed a pebble. But this thing smelled of strong magic and when he hit the other boulder of Spectacle Rock with it, the whole thing shattered. The ground beneath it was unstable and Link fell face-first into darkness. Yet even that spill had been worth it. He found more fairy water inside.

Well, Spectacle Rock, a living monument to the victory over Ganon was gone now. Link had mixed feelings about that but didn't dwell on it long. The map indicated an exit route he should now take. Heading east, he breezed through a cave of Octorocks and headed due north. The path led him straight through another empty cave directly onto a bridge teeming with Moblins. It was bad enough that the second half of the bridge had a Red Daria. What made matters worse was that apparently the Cult had gotten there before him. He beat the Daria without getting hit but a bubble blew off some of the flesh on his leg.

Getting off the bridge lead Link to a truly frightening place. It was the royal graveyard. Link didn't even want to know the sort of evil he might encounter in a place like that. He kept his distance and stayed towards the edge. He was about to head north when his instincts kicked in again. What was to the south? A little walking and fighting brought him to a dune where a familiar scent caught his attention. Was a fairy nearby? No. Link grinned as he found another wooden figure of himself. He felt abandoned from time to time. It was moments like this that made his journey possible. Perhaps his allies really did outnumber his enemies.

Avoiding the tombs, Link headed north to the path. Link had completely forgotten that there was a town in this area but the port town of Mido, named after the most powerful of mages was right there. It was getting dark and he was injured but after what had happened in Saria you could hardly blame him for being nervous. He needn't have worried.

After meeting the healer the only danger he faced was more irritating and useless small talk. Most of what occurred in the town was pretty boring and hardly worth writing about. A young man advised him to ask Error about the palace, a boy advised him that the Island Palace had a raft, a woman begged him to help cure her sick daughter. But one truly odd thing happened. A woman approached him and handed him a small prayer book. Now many of the people of Hyrule were deeply religious. They had no Bible or religious history and worshipped a God they didn't understand. And yet some were so devout. Link wasn't sure what to say. "Well…um…Thanks," he said at last.

"You're very welcome," replied the girl with a sweet smile.

"Well I don't really know anything about religion but it is a relief to see people worship a real God instead of Ganon," he said with a weak smile.

"I know," said the girl. "The treachery and blasphemy they have committed strikes this land deep and affects us all. But to the bearer of the crest, I'm sure it strikes deepest." Link looked into her eyes and suddenly realized she knew exactly what he had suffered.

"There are indeed forces of good at work in this world and they pull the strings in reality," she continued. "You and I have something in common. We both work for the divine origin of these forces whether you are aware of this or not. I have a riddle for you. No one is here but a church bell will ring. Figure that one out." With that she took her leave of him.

Link walked back over to where he had seen the town church but there was no bell to be heard. Curiosity drove him to examine the building further. There was no unlocked door but there was a large window on the second floor. Link cast the Jump spell and jumped into the building. Nothing. No sound, no one around, and still no bells. But there was a basement. Perhaps the town Oracle was here. He had never heard of an Oracle setting up shop in a church before but live and learn.

Nope. No Oracle. What Link discovered was far more interesting. A man sat in prayer surrounded by candles. The man gave no indication that he had noticed Link at all. Link was suddenly overcome by a fear that he was intruding. He turned to leave.

"Stay a while, Link, son of Ur."

Link turned in amazement. "Who are you?" he asked. "Are you a prophet?"

"No," replied the man. "I spoke with Impa two days ago. I know who you are and even if I hadn't known you I would have guessed your quest by the crest on your hand. In these hard times I offer you my aid. I am Marcellus, preacher of Mido."

"I'd appreciate anything you could do for me," said Link.

"But you're afraid all I'll tell you to do is pray a lot, aren't you?" asked Marcellus. Link nodded weakly. "Well it's a good thought and all truly good thoughts lead us to the Holy One. But prayer is meaningless without effort. I was once a man of war myself. Believe me Link, I am no pacifist. I will show you a powerful technique to destroy your foes and I ask but one thing in return."

"What's that?" asked Link. "If you want a donation for charity or something, I'm tapped out."

"I know," replied Marcellus. "I have no doubt there is little you wouldn't do for those who need you. Which is why I like you already. The request is this: don't hate the people who have sided with Ganon."

"Say that again?" asked Link in amazement.

"Life unlike death offers us time," said Marcellus. "Time lets us come to the right conclusion. There is hope for them yet. I sense strong hatred in you. Striking down even the most foul of villains with hate in your heart will only consume you."

"I can't help that," said Link.

"You can," replied Marcellus firmly. "What if you vanquish them all and win the war but lose yourself in the process?" Marcellus held up a mirror to Link's face. "Allow that to happen and this will be the next evil overlord to reign terror on this land. And you will reign alone. The lady who loved you and by whose affections over time you came too love her too will be lost to you."

Link was silent. He couldn't think of something devilishly clever to say in response to that. It also hadn't occurred to him that he had sensed Zelda's strong feelings for him and somehow this in turn was part of what caused him to love her right back.

"Give me your sword," instructed Marcellus. Link obeyed at once. Marcellus took the sword and focused. Suddenly he jumped high into the air but it was more like floating than jumping really. He ascended very slowly and then, much more quickly than gravity and other laws of physics should have allowed, he flew straight downward, sword first. The sword hit with unbelievable force but to Link's amazement the blade was not shattered.

"Like I said, "continued Marcellus, "I was a soldier for over twenty years. But I sensed the battle between good and evil could be fought with a more long term solution in mind. That desire to destroy evil at its very source led me here. The fact is neither you nor I have the power within us to destroy evil. We can fight for what is right on both the battlefield and the lectern. We can choose to fight back against the darkness within ourselves with all our might. That is all that is required of us mortals. The great supernatural conflict between good and evil is far greater than us and out of our hands. With a little divine intervention we can hope to conquer our own hearts."

He muttered some soft words over Link and the room flashed. He handed Link his sword back. "You now have this ability as well. Use it wisely and without malice considering only the defense of innocent life."

Once again, Link was speechless. Oracle? Who needs an Oracle? This guy was amazing!

"It's alright," said Marcellus who seemed to sense how overwhelmed Link felt. "Just win. Save the people and yourself, that is your mission now. Perhaps when all this is over you and I will have more to discuss. One other thing. There was another soldier from my group who can teach you an upward cleave. This I cannot perform myself. I believe he lives on the Eastern Island. If you see him, mention my name. If he still regards me well he will assist you."

To Link's shock, Marcellus embraced him. "Farwell, and God be with you. May we meet again in times of peace."

Moments later a stunned Link was out on the street again. He had never been an atheist but had never been one for religion either. Link was not well educated in philosophy nor was he a deep thinker but he was basically a decent fellow who in the end wanted to be counted as one of the recognized "good guys". To his sense of logic the enemy of his enemy was his friend which is why he decided to take what Marcellus said about God seriously.After all, God opposed Ganon, right? Heck, God logically must have been the ringleader of those who opposed Ganon.

Darkness now covered the land as night fell but Link didn't want to go to sleep. He felt like he could stay awake for a week. But what to do in the meantime? In the night hours that passed, Link visited the three caves north of Saria, two of which were blocked by boulders. The first two had a heart icon and a P-Bag respectively and no dangerous enemies. The third was in the swamp and a trifle bit more difficult. Not only were there plenty of Bago Bagos there, but three Darias awaited him. It seemed like a good time to try out his new technique. The first Daria attacked only to swing its axe and hit the dust Link had been standing on a moment ago. He didn't look up until it was too late. WHAM! With an amazing amount of force Link slammed his blade straight through the top of the Daria's head. It never knew what hit it, nor did the other two. It felt good to have these freaks on the defensive for once.

Link was in for a big surprise. He wasn't sure what to expect at the back of this cave and he was certainly not expecting to find red healing water anywhere on this quest but here it was. Now for the first time that night he was starting to feel a little tired and the cave was clear of enemies. Maybe he should…

THE GIRL! He had forgotten that a mother had come to him panicked about her child's health and hoping he would possess some knowledge of foreign medicine. Well red water healed more than just injuries. It was great for bacterial and viral infections as well. Fighting off fatigue, Link ran all the way back to Mido.

It was 4:00 in the morning when Link arrived but every minute counted. If the girl was as sick as her mother indicated she was, there was no time to lose. Link ran up to the house she had come out of and pounded on the door. He wasn't sure if at that hour of the night anyone would open for him. To his amazement, Marcellus opened the door.

"What are you doing here?"

Link and Marcellus had to overlook the irony that they had both asked each other the same question at the exact same moment.

"I thought you were a relative or friend of the family when I heard the knock," said Marcellus. "I didn't know you knew these people. We had planned to hold a prayer vigil throughout the night until the girl passed."

"What's wrong with her?" asked Link.

"She's had tuberculosis for years and in the past few weeks she's taken a turn for the worse," replied Marcellus. "I'm afraid the poor dear won't make it through the night."

"Like hell she won't!" scowled Link as he came in.

The girl's mother and some people who were doubtlessly friends or family sat around the fire looking as miserable as any creature could look. By the outfit of one, Link could tell he was the Oracle.

"What are you doing back here?" she asked in surprise. "I thought you said you couldn't help us." Link pulled the bottle of red water from his hip purse. The guests seemed confused as to what this was but the Oracle and the girl's mother seemed to recognize it at once. "The water of life! Quickly, come with me."

She led Link into the next room where a little girl of about nine lay unconscious. He face was pale, her eyes were red, and there was blood on her lips. Her breathing was greatly labored.

"She can't drink if she's unconscious," muttered the mother. She shook the girl, gently at first, but then far more firmly when she didn't wake up. With a weak moan the girl opened her eyes. Her mother whispered some gentle words into her ear and with that the girl drank the red water. Instantly she completely recovered from the disease which had afflicted her for so long and the damage it had done to her frail body was reversed. She gave a sweet half-smile and went back to sleep.

"Thank God," muttered Marcellus. "There truly was a miracle here today. What on earth is that stuff?"

The girl's mother was too choked up to answer. She turned to thank Link only to find that in his exhaustion he had fallen asleep in the corner. "Excuse me, I need to get some air," was all the girl's mother could get out. She left the house and the guests all followed her. All but one.

The Oracle was no guest. He was the brother of the woman and the child's uncle. He had lived there since the death of the girl's father. He studied Link who slept in the corner. The crest on his hand made it obvious who he was but it was Link's facial features that intrigued him. He correctly guessed that Link had some fairy blood in him. "Figures," he muttered to himself with a smile. "He's every bit like them, generous and eager to heal others."

Have you ever woken up in an unfamiliar place before? It's a rather startling sensation, let me tell you. Link completely forgot where he was for a few moments. He vaguely remembered the events of the night before. The girl and her mother were gone anyway. Wait, hadn't he seen an Oracle here? He cautiously crept down to the basement. Sure enough he was down there. Were all these guys a bunch of weird shut-ins that lived in someone's basement?

"I have a very ironic spell for you, traveler," said the Oracle.

"You're not going to turn me into a chicken with two butts or something, are you?" asked Link.

"Don't give me any bad ideas," replied the Oracles "This magic word will give you power. AGRA!" The room flashed. "Go on, try it boy!"

"Why do I not trust you?" groaned Link. "Ironic spell, huh? Alright, here it goes. AGRA!"

Link would have preferred the two-assed chicken if he knew what was about to transpire. The spell turned him into a fairy.

"What did you do to me you crazy senile old fart!" screamed Link at the top of his lungs.

"You'll have to speak up," said the Oracle with a laugh. "At your size your voice is barely audible. Don't worry. The spell is temporary. If you fly more than a few hundred feet of the place where the spell was cast it wears off. Do you know why I did this?"

"A truly sadistic and immature sense of humor is my best guess," replied Link angrily. "I look ridiculous!"

"Some of your ancestors were obviously fairies," said the Oracle. "You also brought healing to this house last night. It seemed appropriate."

"Appropriate!" yelled Link. "I look like the star attraction at a drag queen convention!"

"Yes," replied the Oracle. "But in this state you can fly and you make a rather hard to hit target. It will make things very difficult for your enemies."

"Sure it will," replied Link. "They'll be laughing at me too hard to fight. I can't fight in this form."

"I don't know," said the Oracle. "Maybe if you hit them with your wand hard enough…" he broke up laughing and couldn't continue. Link rolled his eyes and flew right out of the basement.

"Oof!"

Link had forgotten that he would transform back into an elf if he got too far from the point of the casting of the spell. He fell out of the air and flat on his face. By the chuckling coming from the basement he could tell the old codger knew just what had made the impact. He left quickly in a foul mood.

Link hadn't forgotten that he was supposed to talk to Error about the palace. He groaned when he thought about all the time he'd waste getting there. This had better be important. He still hadn't set foot inside Midoro Palace.

Hours later he walked out of Ruto wondering if the trip had been worth it. The message Error had had given him was indeed crucial. "South of King's Tomb in Mido is a tunnel." Important stuff. With a little further explanation he figured out that he couldn't get to the Island Palace without this little tidbit. But it had wasted far more than just time to get this information. Link had walked in on Error at the worst possible time. He and his buddies were in a bar getting loaded. Link didn't have a lot of money but he had to give up nearly ever rupee he had because Error kept insisting he buy drinks for his table.

Link had a good drink of water out of a well but now he was starving. He knew he'd probably have to sleep under the stars again. He was broke. His feet hurt from walking. About the only good thing that happened that night was when he found some tomatoes growing nearby the side of the path.

The next day he made his approach to Midoro Palace. The trek through the swamp took nearly an hour. He was hot, sweaty and dirty. He vowed to take his anger out on whatever dwelled within the palace.

End Chapter 5