Chapter 9: The Test of Courage
disclaimer: Zelda and all characters of the game are property of Nintendo. In no way do I expect to get paid for this.
A small group of goblins entered the forest with haste. Their captain was a tall deformed goblin who rode on a giant boar. He carried a spiked mace and a shield while the others only carried swords or small axes.
"Hurry up you slugs," shouted the captain. "Lord Aghinim wants the Forest Temple destroyed by nightfall!" They searched the woods violently to find the temple Link was currently inside.
Link fought his way through the many dangers of the temple, avoiding traps, cutting down vines, maneuvering past the many machines, and killing a few wolf-like creatures. The temple was an enormous labyrinth of danger, but Link kept his wits up. He continued navigating the temple, never stopping to rest.
Outside, Sahashra made a fire to cook some meat in. Darmani kept his distance, smoking his pipe and keeping a close eye on her. Sahashra could sense his tension. She decided to converse with the Goron brute.
"Tell me, Goron Prince, how long have you traveled with Link?"
Darmani grunted at her. "That is not your business."
She let out a sigh of annoyance. "Hear me, Darmani. I am not your enemy. I know you don't trust me and, quite frankly, I don't like the situation anymore than you do but you must try to understand I am here to help."
"You must prove yourself to gain my trust, and if I so much as smell a hint of treachery, your head will meet my war hammer."
"Practice faith, Goron Prince."
"My faith lies within my ax and the Megaton Hammer, the weapon of legend among the Gorons."
Link made his way into a large chamber deep within the temple. The room had only one door, the one Link had entered, and plenty of space. On the opposite side of the chamber, Link could see a small green light. He ran towards the light and discovered that it was in fact the Pendant of Courage. Link sighed in relief as he reached for the sacred jewel. Suddenly, a large metal gate rose from the ground, separating Link from the pendant. Link quickly turned around and drew out his sword. He saw nothing.
As he walked towards the middle of the chamber, he heard a sinister laugh echo throughout the room.
"Show yourself, you coward," shouted Link.
The laughter continued and a tall figure dropped from the ceiling. He was seven feet in height and had tribal tattoos all over his olive green body. He was armed only with a long sword and a shield. He wore an evil-looking mask and his blood red eyes glowed ever brightly. Link reached for his shield and readied himself for a fight.
"What matter of evil are you?" asked Link.
The masked warrior spoke in a sinister voice. "I am Odolwa. I am the keeper of the Pendant of Courage. It belongs to me and no one else. There is no escape for you boy, and now you must die."
Link narrowed his eyes. "Your words have no meaning to me, demon. I fear you not!" Odolwa began to laugh again and Link charged the masked warrior.
Link made the first by thrusting his sword at Odolwa. He leaped out of the way of Link's blade and swung his sword at Link. Link parried his attacks and rammed his shield at the mid section of Odolwa, knocking him down. Link tried to once again thrust his sword into Odolwa. He blocked the attack and kicked Link hard in the gut, sending him several feet back. The two fighters quickly got up and charged each other with rage. They both attacked and parried until finally, Link connected with a horizontal slice, cutting the chest of Odolwa. Link's victory was short lived when Odolwa swung his shield at Link's face, causing Link to spin in the air and land on his back. Odolwa dropped his shield and placed his hand on his wound. A large gash formed above Link's right eye with blood dripping from it. He remained on the ground as Odolwa approached him. Odolwa swung his sword repeatedly at Link.
Link blocked every attack while he still remained on the ground. In a surprise move, Link kicked at the knees of Odolwa. The masked fighter wailed in pain as his knees were broken, causing him to fall to the ground. Link got up and approached the fallen warrior. With what strength he had left, Odolwa swung his sword at Link. The brave knight retaliated by slicing off the hand that carried Odolwa's blade. Blood oozed from Odolwa's wounds as he shouted from the agony he felt. Link eased Odolwa's suffering by thrusting his sword into the heart of him and then chopped off his head.
Link fell to his knees and began to breathe heavily, worn out from the battle. He then glanced at the gate that was in front of the pendant and watched as it lowered. Link sheathed his sword and slowly stood up from his knees. He walked up to the platform that held the pendant and took it from its resting place, putting it around his neck. He then glanced at the dead warrior. Out of respect, he saluted him by lowering his head and then exited the chamber.
Sahashra put out the fire she used to cook with. Darmani's attention was taken when he heard marching feet from the distance. They both stood up and saw a dozen goblin soldiers and one riding atop a giant boar.
Darmani picked up his two weapons and looked at Sahashra. "Treacherous witch! You sent them here!"
The captain grunted at Darmani. "We goblins only like the Shiekah for their meat. We also fancy Goron flesh. Our food is right in front of us, boys!"
Sahashra picked up her staff. "These are sacred grounds, and you are not welcome here."
"We come here to destroy this temple by order of Lord Aghinim himself," said the goblin captain. "We will deal with you first-"
The goblin captain was interrupted when an arrow darted its way out of the dark entrance of the temple, puncturing the forehead of the boar and killing it instantly. As the beast fell to the ground, Link walked outside and drew out his sword.
The captain saw the pendants around Link's neck and fear stroke the heart of him. "No. He has retrieved the pendant. KILL HIM!"
The goblins drew out their weapons and charged the three warriors. Sahashra waved her staff in their direction and all the goblins fell on their backs. Link and Darmani ran towards the fallen goblins and began their attack. Sahashra drew out a thin blade from her back strap and joined the fight, slicing with her sword and hitting the goblins with her staff with amazing agility. The goblin captain fled the battle without being spotted.
With the goblin soldiers dead, the three warriors put away their weapons. Darmani approached Sahashra. "It seems I have misjudged you. Forgive a doubting fool. You are a true fighter."
Sahashra placed her hand upon his shoulder. "There is nothing to forgive, Darmani."
Link smiled at them and approached Sahashra, showing her the Pendant of Courage. "Well done, Link. You have retrieved the pendant. Only one remains, and I know where it is. You must ride for Zora's Domain in the east. It lies in the shores of Hyrule." Link bowed to her and walked towards his horse, Epona.
"Wait. I ride with you."
Link was surprised at her remark. "What?"
"My task here is finished. I believe I can help you in your quest."
Darmani approached Link. "It may not be a bad idea to have another skilled fighter with us, brother."
Link smiled at Sahashra. "Pack your things. We will wait here for your return."
Sahashra ran to her house to pack her equipment and retrieve her horse, a white stallion with a black mane. Upon her return, they left the forest and rode south for the eastern shores of Hyrule.
The goblin captain entered the main chamber of Death Mountain Castle. Aghinim greeted him with a smirk. "Ah, you have returned, captain. Tell me, was it difficult for your men to destroy the temple?"
"My lord, we were not successful in our mission," said the captain. "The temple remains." Aghinim's smirk faded. "WHAT?"
"My men were ambushed by a Hylian."
"A dozen men by your side and you're telling me you were overcome by one man?"
"He was a skilled fighter, possibly a knight. He was not alone, my lord. He was allied with a Goron brute and a Shiekah priestess. There is another problem, my lord. He has taken the Pendant of Courage, as well as the Pendant of Power."
A tall figure emerged from the darkness of his throne. He was a dark skinned man clad in a large red cloak. He had short, fire red hair and plain white eyes.
The captain kneeled down to the tall man. "Lord Ganondorf."
"You disappoint me, captain." Ganondorf raised his hand and a ball of dark energy formed from his fingers. He threw the ball of energy at the captain, sending him several feet back and leaving a large burn on his torso and face. Two guards lifted the dead captain and took him out of the main chamber.
Aghinim looked at his master. "What is your plan of action, my master?"
"The Shiekah believe they have found the Hero of Legend. If this warrior finds the last pendant, he will retrieve the one weapon that can harm me. Send an army to the eastern shores and have them find that pendant before he does. We must act quickly if we are to take control of the land of Hyrule."